In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

This final part of the sūrah presents its main theme, God’s oneness, from the angle of the oneness of the Creator who created and controls everything. This serves to show how singular the unbelievers’ offer to the Prophet was that he should join them in worshipping their idols in return for them joining him in worshipping God. Since God is the Creator and Controller of all, how could anyone be worshipped alongside Him? “No true understanding of God have they,” when they associate partners with Him when He has sway over all and everything, subjecting them all to His will: “on the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be a mere handful to Him, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand.” (Verse 67) As this image of the Day of Judgement is shown here, the sūrah presents a unique scene of that day, culminating with the angels surrounding God’s throne, extolling their Lord’s glory and praise. The entire universe joins them in their praises: “All praise is due to God, the Lord of all the worlds.” (Verse 75) This is, then, the decisive word on the issue of God’s oneness.

God is the Creator of everything, and of all things He is the Guardian. His are the keys of the heavens and the earth. Those who deny God’s revelations will surely be the losers. (Verses 62-63)

This is the truth that everything in the universe confirms. No one can ever claim to create anything. No rational being can claim that this universe came into existence without a creator, when everything in it testifies to elaborate planning and a clear purpose behind creation. Nothing in it, from the very small to the very large, is left to chance: “Of all things He is the Guardian.” (Verse 62) Into His control the heavens and the earth are placed. He conducts their affairs the way He chooses. They operate in accordance with the system He put in place for them. No will other than His interferes with anything. This is acknowledged by human nature, confirmed by practical fact and endorsed by reason and conscience.

“Those who deny God’s revelations will surely be the losers.” (Verse 63) They have lost the understanding that makes their lives on earth consistent and harmonious with the life of the universe. They have lost the comfort of divine guidance, the beauty of faith, the reassurance of belief and the sweetness of certainty. On the Day of Judgement they will lose their own souls and their families. Hence, the term ‘losers’ applies to them in all its shades and connotations.

In the light of this truth, testified to by the heavens, the earth and every creature in the universe, the Prophet is instructed in how to reply to the idolaters’ offer of both parties joining together in the worship of their idols and God Almighty at the same time. It is as if the whole question is a bargain to be struck by compromise: “Say: You ignorant people! Would you bid me worship anyone other than God?” (Verse 64) This is the natural reaction to such a stupid offer that betrays nothing but ignorance.

This is followed with a clear warning against associating partners with God, beginning with the prophets and God’s messengers who would never entertain even the slightest thought of such association. This, however, serves to alert all others to the truth that in the question of who is to be worshipped, God stands alone without partners, while in the question of offering worship, all mankind, including the prophets and God’s messengers, are in the same position as God’s servants: “It has been revealed to you, and to those before you, that if you ever associate partners with God, all your works shall certainly come to nothing, and you shall certainly be among the lost.” (Verse 65)

This warning against associating partners with God concludes with an order to worship God alone. We are to show gratitude to Him for providing us with guidance to the path to certainty. We should also thank Him for all His countless favours which He bestows on us and which we all enjoy at every moment of our lives: “You shall worship God alone, and be one of those who give thanks.” (Verse 66)

“No true understanding of God have they.” (Verse 67) Indeed, they have no clear or true understanding of Him when they associate with Him some of His creatures. Nor do they worship Him as He should be worshipped. They do not appreciate His oneness, greatness, majesty and power. Therefore, the sūrah reveals to us an aspect of God’s great power in the normal Qur’ānic way of drawing images that place before our eyes a fundamental truth: “On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be a mere handful to Him, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand. Limitless is He in His glory, and sublimely exalted above anything which they associate as partner with Him.” (Verse 67)

All that we read in the Qur’ān or in Ĥadīth of such images and scenes are given in order to present fundamental truths that we would otherwise not comprehend. In other words we need images we can visualize. Here we have an example of this method, portraying for us an aspect of God’s absolute power that cannot be limited to one form, placed within one area or confined within certain boundaries. §

We now have a scene of the Day of Judgement that begins with the first blowing of the trumpet and ends when the judgement is passed and people are being led to their respective places, either heaven or hell. God Almighty stands in His greatness while the entire universe repeats His glorification and praise. It is a unique scene which is, as it starts, full of life and movement, but one which then slows down until every movement ceases and all stand still. Thus, complete stillness covers the place where all are brought for judgement, standing humbly before God Almighty.

The first blow on the trumpet is made, and all creatures who until that moment remained alive on earth and in the heavens fall senseless, except those God spares.

We do not know how much time elapses before the second blow is sounded on the trumpet: “The trumpet will be sounded, and all creatures that are in the heavens and the earth will fall down senseless, except those God wills to be spared. It will then be sounded a second time, and they will rise and look around them.” (Verse 68) The third blow of gathering them all is not mentioned here. Nor is there mention of the bustling and the crowding, because the scene here is a quiet one, where all move very gradually.

“The earth will shine bright with the light of its Lord.” (Verse 69) This is the earth where all action will take place. Needless to say, there is no light other than the light of its Lord Almighty. “The Record of Deeds will be laid open.” It is the book in which all deeds by all creatures are entered. “All the prophets and the witnesses will be brought in.” They will testify stating the truth they know. No argument or dispute is mentioned here so as to maintain the atmosphere of majesty and humility before God that permeates the entire scene. “Judgement will be passed on them all in justice, and they will not be wronged; for every human being will be repaid in full for whatever they have done. He is filly aware of all that they do.” (Verses 69-70) There is no need for a word to be said or a voice to be raised. The whole picture of reckoning, questions asked and answers given, is folded without mention because it does not fit with the ambience of majesty expressed.

“The unbelievers will be led to hell in throngs. When they reach it, its gates will be opened.” (Verse 71) The angels keeping guard will receive them there with a statement that they deserve their lot, reminding them of the reasons why they have ended up there: “its keepers will ask them: ‘Did there not come to you messengers from among yourselves, who recited to you your Lord’s revelations and forewarned you of this day? They will answer: ‘Yes, indeed.’ But the sentence of suffering will have already been passed against the unbelievers.” (Verse 71) The position is one of submission, without any argument or dispute. They accept their lot and submit to their fate: “They will be told: ‘Enter the gates of hell; there you will abide.’ How vile an abode for the arrogant!” (Verse 72)

Such is the fate of the arrogant party, destined for hell. How about the other party, the God-fearing who are destined for heaven?

And the believers will be led to paradise in throngs. When they reach it, they shall find its gates wide open; and its keepers will say to them: Peace be to you! Well have you done. Come in: you are here to stay. (Verse 73)

It is a warm welcome, coupled with pleasant praise of the recipients and an outline of the reasons for which they deserved their reward: Well have you done.” You purified yourselves of sin, lived a pure life and came here with such purity. None but the pure enter heaven. Therefore, you are to remain here forever.

At this point, the voices of the people of heaven are raised high in glorifying and praising God: “They will say: All praise is due to God who has made His promise to us come true and given us this land as our own.” (Verse 74) This is the land worth inheriting.

They live in it wherever they wish, taking from it whatever they want. “How excellent is the reward of those who worked hard.” (Verse 74)

The scene is given a finale that fills our hearts with awe and majesty. It too is in complete harmony with the ambience of the whole sūrah devoted to the theme of God’s oneness. The entire universe is in complete submission to God Almighty, and praises of God are uttered by every living soul and all existence:

You will see the angels surrounding the Throne, extolling their Lord’s glory and praise. Judgement will have been passed on all in justice, and it will be said: All praise is due to God, the Lord of all the worlds. (Verse 75)