39: The Companies (Az-Zumar)
Revealed at Makkah
The title of this chapter refers to two classes, the believers and the disbelievers (v. 71, 73). It begins by emphasizing sincere obedience to Allah and refers to those who obey and those who refuse to obey. Then it shows that the Quran is a perfect guidance whose rejectors will meet with punishment. Although this will not be averted from those who persist in rejection, yet the door of Divine mercy will remain open for even the greatest sinners who need not despair. At the end the chapter speaks of the coming of the judgment when each of the two companies is made to taste what it deserves. Chapters 34 to 39 form one group, belonging most probably to the middle period at Makkah.
Section 1 (Verses 39:1–39:9): Obedience to Allah
39:1
تَنۡزِیۡلُ الۡکِتٰبِ مِنَ اللّٰہِ الۡعَزِیۡزِ الۡحَکِیۡمِ ﴿۱﴾
The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
39:2
اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ بِالۡحَقِّ فَاعۡبُدِ اللّٰہَ مُخۡلِصًا لَّہُ الدِّیۡنَ ؕ﴿۲﴾
Surely We have revealed to you the Book with truth, so serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.
39:3
اَلَا لِلّٰہِ الدِّیۡنُ الۡخَالِصُ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖۤ اَوۡلِیَآءَ ۘ مَا نَعۡبُدُہُمۡ اِلَّا لِیُقَرِّبُوۡنَاۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ زُلۡفٰی ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ فِیۡ مَا ہُمۡ فِیۡہِ یَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ۬ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَہۡدِیۡ مَنۡ ہُوَ کٰذِبٌ کَفَّارٌ ﴿۳﴾
Now surely sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone). And those who choose protectors besides Him (say): We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to Allah. Surely Allah will judge between them in that in which they differ. Surely Allah does not guide him who is a liar, ungrateful.
All worshippers of false deities claim that such deities are worshipped only to get nearer to God, as if God Himself were unapproachable. The idol-worshippers say that the idols are only symbols for concentration on God, while the Christians, plainly spoken of in the next verse, hold that without the Son they can have no access to God. But undue reverence of created things is a step leading to degradation of human nature. Hence it is that Islam requires sincere obedience to, or worship of, God alone.
39:4
لَوۡ اَرَادَ اللّٰہُ اَنۡ یَّتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّاصۡطَفٰی مِمَّا یَخۡلُقُ مَا یَشَآءُ ۙ سُبۡحٰنَہٗ ؕ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ الۡوَاحِدُ الۡقَہَّارُ ﴿۴﴾
If Allah desired to take a son to Himself, He could have chosen those He pleased out of those whom He has created — Glory be to Him! He is Allah, the One, the Subduer (of all).
We find the Christian doctrine referred to and refuted in very early Makkan revelations, such as the 19th chapter. The Quran refers to the error of attributing a son to the Divine Being almost as frequently as to the setting up of idols. It is pointed out here that no one holds a relation of sonship to Allah, but that it is His chosen servants that are metaphorically called His sons, because in being manifestations of the Divine attributes they stand to Allah in the same relation as a son stands to a father, being images of His attributes as a son is the image of a father.
39:5
خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضَ بِالۡحَقِّ ۚ یُکَوِّرُ الَّیۡلَ عَلَی النَّہَارِ وَ یُکَوِّرُ النَّہَارَ عَلَی الَّیۡلِ وَ سَخَّرَ الشَّمۡسَ وَ الۡقَمَرَ ؕ کُلٌّ یَّجۡرِیۡ لِاَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اَلَا ہُوَ الۡعَزِیۡزُ الۡغَفَّارُ ﴿۵﴾
He has created the heavens and the earth with truth; He makes the night cover the day and makes the day overtake the night, and He has made the sun and the moon subservient; each one moves on to an assigned term. Now surely He is the Mighty, the Forgiver.
39:6
خَلَقَکُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّفۡسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَہَا وَ اَنۡزَلَ لَکُمۡ مِّنَ الۡاَنۡعَامِ ثَمٰنِیَۃَ اَزۡوَاجٍ ؕ یَخۡلُقُکُمۡ فِیۡ بُطُوۡنِ اُمَّہٰتِکُمۡ خَلۡقًا مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ خَلۡقٍ فِیۡ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ ؕ ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰہُ رَبُّکُمۡ لَہُ الۡمُلۡکُ ؕ لَاۤ اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ہُوَ ۚ فَاَنّٰی تُصۡرَفُوۡنَ ﴿۶﴾
He created you from a single being, then made its mate of the same (kind). And He sent down for you eight of the cattle in pairs. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers — creation after creation — in triple darkness. That is Allah, your Lord; His is the kingdom. There is no God but He. How are you then turned away (from truth)?
The word anzala is not only applied to the actual sending down of a thing, but also to making it accessible to people, just as iron (57:25) and clothing (7:26) are spoken of as having been “sent down”. It is in this sense that the cattle are spoken of here as being sent down for people. The eight of the cattle are the four pairs spoken of in 6:143–144. The four animals are mentioned particularly as being most useful for man.
39:7
اِنۡ تَکۡفُرُوۡا فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ عَنۡکُمۡ ۟ وَ لَا یَرۡضٰی لِعِبَادِہِ الۡکُفۡرَ ۚ وَ اِنۡ تَشۡکُرُوۡا یَرۡضَہُ لَکُمۡ ؕ وَ لَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزۡرَ اُخۡرٰی ؕ ثُمَّ اِلٰی رَبِّکُمۡ مَّرۡجِعُکُمۡ فَیُنَبِّئُکُمۡ بِمَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ؕ اِنَّہٗ عَلِیۡمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوۡرِ ﴿۷﴾
If you are ungrateful, then surely Allah is above need of you. And He does not like ungratefulness in His servants. And if you are grateful, He likes it for you. And no bearer of a burden will bear another’s burden. Then to your Lord is your return, then will He inform you of what you did. Surely He is Knower of what is in the hearts.
39:8
وَ اِذَا مَسَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّہٗ مُنِیۡبًا اِلَیۡہِ ثُمَّ اِذَا خَوَّلَہٗ نِعۡمَۃً مِّنۡہُ نَسِیَ مَا کَانَ یَدۡعُوۡۤا اِلَیۡہِ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَ جَعَلَ لِلّٰہِ اَنۡدَادًا لِّیُضِلَّ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِہٖ ؕ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعۡ بِکُفۡرِکَ قَلِیۡلًا ٭ۖ اِنَّکَ مِنۡ اَصۡحٰبِ النَّارِ ﴿۸﴾
And when distress afflicts a man he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him; then when He grants him a favour from Him, he forgets that for which he called upon Him before, and sets up rivals to Allah that he may cause (others) to stray from His path. Say: Enjoy your ungratefulness for a little, surely you are among the companions of the Fire.
39:9
اَمَّنۡ ہُوَ قَانِتٌ اٰنَآءَ الَّیۡلِ سَاجِدًا وَّ قَآئِمًا یَّحۡذَرُ الۡاٰخِرَۃَ وَ یَرۡجُوۡا رَحۡمَۃَ رَبِّہٖ ؕ قُلۡ ہَلۡ یَسۡتَوِی الَّذِیۡنَ یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ؕ اِنَّمَا یَتَذَکَّرُ اُولُوا الۡاَلۡبَابِ ٪﴿۹﴾
Is he who is obedient during hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, taking care of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord (like one who is ungrateful) —? Say: Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only those who have understanding are mindful.
Section 2 (Verses 39:10–39:21): Believers and Disbelievers
39:10
قُلۡ یٰعِبَادِ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّکُمۡ ؕ لِلَّذِیۡنَ اَحۡسَنُوۡا فِیۡ ہٰذِہِ الدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَۃٌ ؕ وَ اَرۡضُ اللّٰہِ وَاسِعَۃٌ ؕ اِنَّمَا یُوَفَّی الصّٰبِرُوۡنَ اَجۡرَہُمۡ بِغَیۡرِ حِسَابٍ ﴿۱۰﴾
Say: O My servants who believe, keep your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and Allah’s earth is spacious. Truly the steadfast will be paid their reward without measure.
The words are a comfort to the Muslims, who were subjected to sufferings in their own land, and give them the assurance that, if suppressed in one land, Islam will prosper in other lands.
39:11
قُلۡ اِنِّیۡۤ اُمِرۡتُ اَنۡ اَعۡبُدَ اللّٰہَ مُخۡلِصًا لَّہُ الدِّیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۱۱﴾
Say: I am commanded to serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience,
39:12
وَ اُمِرۡتُ لِاَنۡ اَکُوۡنَ اَوَّلَ الۡمُسۡلِمِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲﴾
and I am commanded to be the first of those who submit.
39:13
قُلۡ اِنِّیۡۤ اَخَافُ اِنۡ عَصَیۡتُ رَبِّیۡ عَذَابَ یَوۡمٍ عَظِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۳﴾
Say: I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a grievous day.
39:14
قُلِ اللّٰہَ اَعۡبُدُ مُخۡلِصًا لَّہٗ دِیۡنِیۡ ﴿ۙ۱۴﴾
Say: Allah I serve, being sincere to Him in my obedience.
39:15
فَاعۡبُدُوۡا مَا شِئۡتُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ ؕ قُلۡ اِنَّ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ الَّذِیۡنَ خَسِرُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ وَ اَہۡلِیۡہِمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ اَلَا ذٰلِکَ ہُوَ الۡخُسۡرَانُ الۡمُبِیۡنُ ﴿۱۵﴾
Serve then what you will besides Him. Say: The losers surely are those who lose themselves and their people on the day of Resurrection. Now surely that is the manifest loss!
39:16
لَہُمۡ مِّنۡ فَوۡقِہِمۡ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہِمۡ ظُلَلٌ ؕ ذٰلِکَ یُخَوِّفُ اللّٰہُ بِہٖ عِبَادَہٗ ؕ یٰعِبَادِ فَاتَّقُوۡنِ ﴿۱۶﴾
They shall have coverings of fire above them and coverings beneath them. With that Allah makes His servants to fear; so keep your duty to Me, O My servants.
39:17
وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اجۡتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوۡتَ اَنۡ یَّعۡبُدُوۡہَا وَ اَنَابُوۡۤا اِلَی اللّٰہِ لَہُمُ الۡبُشۡرٰی ۚ فَبَشِّرۡ عِبَادِ ﴿ۙ۱۷﴾
And those who shun the worship of the idols and turn to Allah, for them is good news. So give good news to My servants,
39:18
الَّذِیۡنَ یَسۡتَمِعُوۡنَ الۡقَوۡلَ فَیَتَّبِعُوۡنَ اَحۡسَنَہٗ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہَدٰىہُمُ اللّٰہُ وَ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمۡ اُولُوا الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿۱۸﴾
who listen to the Word, then follow the best of it. Such are they whom Allah has guided, and such are they who have understanding.
39:19
اَفَمَنۡ حَقَّ عَلَیۡہِ کَلِمَۃُ الۡعَذَابِ ؕ اَفَاَنۡتَ تُنۡقِذُ مَنۡ فِی النَّارِ ﴿ۚ۱۹﴾
He against whom the sentence of punishment is due — can you save him who is in the Fire?
39:20
لٰکِنِ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا رَبَّہُمۡ لَہُمۡ غُرَفٌ مِّنۡ فَوۡقِہَا غُرَفٌ مَّبۡنِیَّۃٌ ۙ تَجۡرِیۡ مِنۡ تَحۡتِہَا الۡاَنۡہٰرُ ۬ؕ وَعۡدَ اللّٰہِ ؕ لَا یُخۡلِفُ اللّٰہُ الۡمِیۡعَادَ ﴿۲۰﴾
But those who keep their duty to their Lord, for them are high places, above which are yet higher places, built (for them), in which rivers flow. (It is) the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in (His) promise.
This shows that in the Hereafter, and in this life as well, there is an unceasing progress, for the high places to which the righteous attain have places still higher above them.
39:21
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ اَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَکَہٗ یَنَابِیۡعَ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ثُمَّ یُخۡرِجُ بِہٖ زَرۡعًا مُّخۡتَلِفًا اَلۡوَانُہٗ ثُمَّ یَہِیۡجُ فَتَرٰىہُ مُصۡفَرًّا ثُمَّ یَجۡعَلُہٗ حُطَامًا ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَذِکۡرٰی لِاُولِی الۡاَلۡبَابِ ﴿٪۲۱﴾
Do you not see that Allah sends down water from the clouds, then makes it go down into the earth in springs, then brings forth with it vegetation of various colours; then it withers so that you see it turn yellow, then He makes it chaff? Surely there is a reminder in this for those who have understanding.
The allusion is to the fate of nations; they are brought into existence, made to rise, then decay and are swept out of existence. Even Muslim nations are subject to the same law, but Islam itself, being a law of life, is not subject to decay. The place of one nation that decays is taken by another. Moreover, nations that decay because of their transgressions may again be raised to life by turning to righteousness.
Section 3 (Verses 39:22–39:31): A Perfect Guidance
39:22
اَفَمَنۡ شَرَحَ اللّٰہُ صَدۡرَہٗ لِلۡاِسۡلَامِ فَہُوَ عَلٰی نُوۡرٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّہٖ ؕ فَوَیۡلٌ لِّلۡقٰسِیَۃِ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ مِّنۡ ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ فِیۡ ضَلٰلٍ مُّبِیۡنٍ ﴿۲۲﴾
Is he whose heart Allah has opened to Islam so that he follows a light from his Lord (like the hard-hearted) —? So woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allah! Such are in clear error.
39:23
اَللّٰہُ نَزَّلَ اَحۡسَنَ الۡحَدِیۡثِ کِتٰبًا مُّتَشَابِہًا مَّثَانِیَ ٭ۖ تَقۡشَعِرُّ مِنۡہُ جُلُوۡدُ الَّذِیۡنَ یَخۡشَوۡنَ رَبَّہُمۡ ۚ ثُمَّ تَلِیۡنُ جُلُوۡدُہُمۡ وَ قُلُوۡبُہُمۡ اِلٰی ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ ؕ ذٰلِکَ ہُدَی اللّٰہِ یَہۡدِیۡ بِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّضۡلِلِ اللّٰہُ فَمَا لَہٗ مِنۡ ہَادٍ ﴿۲۳﴾
Allah has revealed the best announcement, a Book consistent, repeating (its injunctions), at which do shudder the skins of those who fear their Lord, then their skins and their hearts soften to Allah’s remembrance. This is Allah’s guidance — He guides with it whom He pleases. And he whom Allah leaves in error, there is no guide for him.
The Quran was revealed by portions during a period of twenty-three years, and during this period the circumstances under which the Holy Prophet lived were of such a varied nature that the history of no other man offers a similar combination of varying circumstances. Yet, through all these vicissitudes, the Quran shows a strict uniformity. The consistency of its various parts, however, signifies more than a mere uniformity; it signifies that some parts explain other parts. It is also called repeating here because it repeats over and over again the most important subjects, especially the Unity of the Divine Being and the accountability of human actions. See also 3:7.
39:24
اَفَمَنۡ یَّتَّقِیۡ بِوَجۡہِہٖ سُوۡٓءَ الۡعَذَابِ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ وَ قِیۡلَ لِلظّٰلِمِیۡنَ ذُوۡقُوۡا مَا کُنۡتُمۡ تَکۡسِبُوۡنَ ﴿۲۴﴾
Is then he who has to guard himself with his own person against the evil punishment of the day of Resurrection (like the righteous) —? And it will be said to the wrongdoers: Taste what you earned.
39:25
کَذَّبَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ فَاَتٰىہُمُ الۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَیۡثُ لَا یَشۡعُرُوۡنَ ﴿۲۵﴾
Those before them denied, so the punishment came to them from where they did not perceive.
39:26
فَاَذَاقَہُمُ اللّٰہُ الۡخِزۡیَ فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا ۚ وَ لَعَذَابُ الۡاٰخِرَۃِ اَکۡبَرُ ۘ لَوۡ کَانُوۡا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۲۶﴾
So Allah made them taste disgrace in this world’s life; and certainly the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if only they knew!
39:27
وَ لَقَدۡ ضَرَبۡنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِیۡ ہٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنِ مِنۡ کُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّہُمۡ یَتَذَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿ۚ۲۷﴾
And certainly We have set forth for people in this Quran examples of every sort that they may be mindful.
The Quran repeatedly claims to be a complete collection of the best teachings for the moral and spiritual welfare of mankind. Here it claims to be a perfect book, as not only containing all the necessary teachings, but also answering all the objections of its opponents; see 17:89 and 25:33.
39:28
قُرۡاٰنًا عَرَبِیًّا غَیۡرَ ذِیۡ عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّہُمۡ یَتَّقُوۡنَ ﴿۲۸﴾
An Arabic Quran without any crookedness, that they may guard against evil.
39:29
ضَرَبَ اللّٰہُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِیۡہِ شُرَکَآءُ مُتَشٰکِسُوۡنَ وَ رَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ ؕ ہَلۡ یَسۡتَوِیٰنِ مَثَلًا ؕ اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ ۚ بَلۡ اَکۡثَرُہُمۡ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۲۹﴾
Allah sets forth a parable: A man belonging to partners differing with one another, and a man (devoted) wholly to one man. Are the two alike in condition? Praise be to Allah! But most of them do not know.
39:31
ثُمَّ اِنَّکُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ عِنۡدَ رَبِّکُمۡ تَخۡتَصِمُوۡنَ ﴿٪۳۱﴾
then surely on the day of Resurrection you will contend with one another before your Lord.
Section 4 (Verses 39:32–39:41): Rejectors will be Disgraced
39:32
فَمَنۡ اَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنۡ کَذَبَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ وَ کَذَّبَ بِالصِّدۡقِ اِذۡ جَآءَہٗ ؕ اَلَیۡسَ فِیۡ جَہَنَّمَ مَثۡوًی لِّلۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۳۲﴾
Who is, then, more unjust than he who utters a lie against Allah and denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not in hell an abode for the disbelievers?
39:33
وَ الَّذِیۡ جَآءَ بِالصِّدۡقِ وَ صَدَّقَ بِہٖۤ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡمُتَّقُوۡنَ ﴿۳۳﴾
And he who brings the truth and accepts the truth — such are the dutiful.
39:34
لَہُمۡ مَّا یَشَآءُوۡنَ عِنۡدَ رَبِّہِمۡ ؕ ذٰلِکَ جَزٰٓؤُا الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿ۚۖ۳۴﴾
They shall have with their Lord what they please. Such is the reward of the doers of good —
39:35
لِیُکَفِّرَ اللّٰہُ عَنۡہُمۡ اَسۡوَاَ الَّذِیۡ عَمِلُوۡا وَ یَجۡزِیَہُمۡ اَجۡرَہُمۡ بِاَحۡسَنِ الَّذِیۡ کَانُوۡا یَعۡمَلُوۡنَ ﴿۳۵﴾
that Allah may ward off from them the worst of what they did, and give them their reward for the best of what they did.
The Quran brought about an unprecedented revolution in the world. People who took pride in doing evil deeds now aspired to deeds of righteousness. They were thus turned away from the worst deeds to the best. This verse prophetically refers to this great change.
39:36
اَلَیۡسَ اللّٰہُ بِکَافٍ عَبۡدَہٗ ؕ وَ یُخَوِّفُوۡنَکَ بِالَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یُّضۡلِلِ اللّٰہُ فَمَا لَہٗ مِنۡ ہَادٍ ﴿ۚ۳۶﴾
Is not Allah sufficient for His servant? And they seek to frighten you with those (whom they worship) besides Him. And whomsoever Allah leaves in error, there is no guide for him.
The superstitious Arabs no doubt believed that their idols could do harm to people who did not admit their authority.
39:37
وَ مَنۡ یَّہۡدِ اللّٰہُ فَمَا لَہٗ مِنۡ مُّضِلٍّ ؕ اَلَیۡسَ اللّٰہُ بِعَزِیۡزٍ ذِی انۡتِقَامٍ ﴿۳۷﴾
And whom Allah guides, there is none that can lead him astray. Is not Allah Mighty, the Lord of retribution?
39:38
وَ لَئِنۡ سَاَلۡتَہُمۡ مَّنۡ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضَ لَیَقُوۡلُنَّ اللّٰہُ ؕ قُلۡ اَفَرَءَیۡتُمۡ مَّا تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ اِنۡ اَرَادَنِیَ اللّٰہُ بِضُرٍّ ہَلۡ ہُنَّ کٰشِفٰتُ ضُرِّہٖۤ اَوۡ اَرَادَنِیۡ بِرَحۡمَۃٍ ہَلۡ ہُنَّ مُمۡسِکٰتُ رَحۡمَتِہٖ ؕ قُلۡ حَسۡبِیَ اللّٰہُ ؕ عَلَیۡہِ یَتَوَکَّلُ الۡمُتَوَکِّلُوۡنَ ﴿۳۸﴾
And if you ask them, Who created the heavens and the earth, they will say: Allah. Say: Do you then see that those you call upon besides Allah, would they, if Allah desire to afflict me with harm, remove His harm? Or if He desire to show me mercy, could they withhold His mercy? Say: Allah is sufficient for me. On Him do the reliant rely.
39:39
قُلۡ یٰقَوۡمِ اعۡمَلُوۡا عَلٰی مَکَانَتِکُمۡ اِنِّیۡ عَامِلٌ ۚ فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۳۹﴾
Say: My people, work in your place. Surely I am a worker, so you will soon come to know,
39:40
مَنۡ یَّاۡتِیۡہِ عَذَابٌ یُّخۡزِیۡہِ وَ یَحِلُّ عَلَیۡہِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِیۡمٌ ﴿۴۰﴾
who it is to whom a punishment comes, disgracing him, and on whom falls a lasting punishment.
Two kinds of punishment are plainly spoken of, viz., the punishment that will bring disgrace, which is clearly the punishment of this life, and the lasting punishment that the wicked receive in the life after death. The first of these demonstrates the truth of the other.
39:41
اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ لِلنَّاسِ بِالۡحَقِّ ۚ فَمَنِ اہۡتَدٰی فَلِنَفۡسِہٖ ۚ وَ مَنۡ ضَلَّ فَاِنَّمَا یَضِلُّ عَلَیۡہَا ۚ وَ مَاۤ اَنۡتَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ بِوَکِیۡلٍ ﴿٪۴۱﴾
Surely We have revealed to you the Book with truth for (the good of) people. So whoever goes aright, it is for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, goes astray only to its detriment. And you are not in charge of them.
Section 5 (Verses 39:42–39:52): Punishment cannot be Averted
39:42
اَللّٰہُ یَتَوَفَّی الۡاَنۡفُسَ حِیۡنَ مَوۡتِہَا وَ الَّتِیۡ لَمۡ تَمُتۡ فِیۡ مَنَامِہَا ۚ فَیُمۡسِکُ الَّتِیۡ قَضٰی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡتَ وَ یُرۡسِلُ الۡاُخۡرٰۤی اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّتَفَکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۴۲﴾
Allah takes souls (of human beings) at the time of their death, and of those that do not die (He takes) during their sleep. Then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed time. Surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
It is clear that it is not the animal soul that is taken away in sleep; it is the soul that stands for human consciousness. In death both are taken away. The statement further makes it clear that the word tawaffā is applied to the taking of the soul and not to the removal of the body from one place to another. See also 21:95 and 23:100.
39:43
اَمِ اتَّخَذُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ شُفَعَآءَ ؕ قُلۡ اَوَ لَوۡ کَانُوۡا لَا یَمۡلِکُوۡنَ شَیۡئًا وَّ لَا یَعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿۴۳﴾
Or, do they take intercessors besides Allah? Say: What! Even though they control nothing, nor do they understand.
39:44
قُلۡ لِّلّٰہِ الشَّفَاعَۃُ جَمِیۡعًا ؕ لَہٗ مُلۡکُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ ثُمَّ اِلَیۡہِ تُرۡجَعُوۡنَ ﴿۴۴﴾
Say: Allah’s is the intercession altogether. His is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.
39:45
وَ اِذَا ذُکِرَ اللّٰہُ وَحۡدَہُ اشۡمَاَزَّتۡ قُلُوۡبُ الَّذِیۡنَ لَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِالۡاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ وَ اِذَا ذُکِرَ الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖۤ اِذَا ہُمۡ یَسۡتَبۡشِرُوۡنَ ﴿۴۵﴾
And when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink, and when those besides Him are mentioned, lo! they are joyful.
Elsewhere the Quran says: “And most of them do not believe in Allah without setting up partners (with Him)” (12:106).
39:46
قُلِ اللّٰہُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ عٰلِمَ الۡغَیۡبِ وَ الشَّہَادَۃِ اَنۡتَ تَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَ عِبَادِکَ فِیۡ مَا کَانُوۡا فِیۡہِ یَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ﴿۴۶﴾
Say: O Allah, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You will judge between Your servants in that in which they differ.
39:47
وَ لَوۡ اَنَّ لِلَّذِیۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ جَمِیۡعًا وَّ مِثۡلَہٗ مَعَہٗ لَافۡتَدَوۡا بِہٖ مِنۡ سُوۡٓءِ الۡعَذَابِ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ وَ بَدَا لَہُمۡ مِّنَ اللّٰہِ مَا لَمۡ یَکُوۡنُوۡا یَحۡتَسِبُوۡنَ ﴿۴۷﴾
And if those who do wrong had all that is in the earth and as much as it again, they would certainly offer it as ransom from the evil of the punishment on the day of Resurrection. And what they never thought of shall become plain to them from Allah.
What they never thought of signifies the overthrow of their power in this life and the manifestation of the evil results of their deeds in the Hereafter.
39:48
وَ بَدَا لَہُمۡ سَیِّاٰتُ مَا کَسَبُوۡا وَ حَاقَ بِہِمۡ مَّا کَانُوۡا بِہٖ یَسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ ﴿۴۸﴾
And the evil (consequences) of what they earned will become plain to them, and what they mocked at will beset them.
The fact that the heaven and hell of the next life are only manifestations of the spiritual realities of this life is stated here in clear language. The evil consequences of what they do are hidden from the eye in this life, but they shall become plain in the next life.
39:49
فَاِذَا مَسَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ۫ ثُمَّ اِذَا خَوَّلۡنٰہُ نِعۡمَۃً مِّنَّا ۙ قَالَ اِنَّمَاۤ اُوۡتِیۡتُہٗ عَلٰی عِلۡمٍ ؕ بَلۡ ہِیَ فِتۡنَۃٌ وَّ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَہُمۡ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۴۹﴾
So when harm afflicts man he calls upon Us; then, when We grant him a favour from Us, he says: I have been given it only by means of (my) knowledge. No, it is a trial, but most of them do not know.
39:50
قَدۡ قَالَہَا الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِمۡ فَمَاۤ اَغۡنٰی عَنۡہُمۡ مَّا کَانُوۡا یَکۡسِبُوۡنَ ﴿۵۰﴾
Those before them did say it indeed, but what they earned did not avail them.
39:51
فَاَصَابَہُمۡ سَیِّاٰتُ مَا کَسَبُوۡا ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا مِنۡ ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ سَیُصِیۡبُہُمۡ سَیِّاٰتُ مَا کَسَبُوۡا ۙ وَ مَا ہُمۡ بِمُعۡجِزِیۡنَ ﴿۵۱﴾
So the evil which they had earned befell them. And those who do wrong from among these, the evil which they earn shall befall them (also), and they shall not escape.
Wonderful indeed is the certainty of the tone in which these prophecies are worded, when all around there was not a single ray of hope for Islam, and its enemies were in the ascendant.
39:52
اَوَ لَمۡ یَعۡلَمُوۡۤا اَنَّ اللّٰہَ یَبۡسُطُ الرِّزۡقَ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ وَ یَقۡدِرُ ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ ﴿٪۵۲﴾
Do they not know that Allah amplifies provision for whom He pleases, and restricts (it also); surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.
Section 6 (Verses 39:53–39:63): Divine Mercy
39:53
قُلۡ یٰعِبَادِیَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَسۡرَفُوۡا عَلٰۤی اَنۡفُسِہِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوۡا مِنۡ رَّحۡمَۃِ اللّٰہِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَغۡفِرُ الذُّنُوۡبَ جَمِیۡعًا ؕ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَ الۡغَفُوۡرُ الرَّحِیۡمُ ﴿۵۳﴾
Say: O My servants who have been reckless against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives sins altogether. He is indeed the Forgiving, the Merciful.
Stress is laid on the mercy and love of Allah in all religions, but these great Divine attributes find their true and final expression in Islam. This verse discloses the all-comprehensive mercy of Allah, before which the sins of people become quite insignificant.
39:54
وَ اَنِیۡبُوۡۤا اِلٰی رَبِّکُمۡ وَ اَسۡلِمُوۡا لَہٗ مِنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَکُمُ الۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنۡصَرُوۡنَ ﴿۵۴﴾
And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before punishment comes to you, then you will not be helped.
39:55
وَ اتَّبِعُوۡۤا اَحۡسَنَ مَاۤ اُنۡزِلَ اِلَیۡکُمۡ مِّنۡ رَّبِّکُمۡ مِّنۡ قَبۡلِ اَنۡ یَّاۡتِیَکُمُ الۡعَذَابُ بَغۡتَۃً وَّ اَنۡتُمۡ لَا تَشۡعُرُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۵۵﴾
And follow the best that has been revealed to you from your Lord before punishment comes to you all of a sudden, while you do not perceive —
Best stands for the revelation of the Quran. God has ever been revealing His will to mankind, but the Quran, being the final expression of His will, is the best revelation that has been sent to people.
39:56
اَنۡ تَقُوۡلَ نَفۡسٌ یّٰحَسۡرَتٰی عَلٰی مَا فَرَّطۡتُّ فِیۡ جَنۡۢبِ اللّٰہِ وَ اِنۡ کُنۡتُ لَمِنَ السّٰخِرِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۵۶﴾
that a soul should say: O woe is me! that I fell short of my duty to Allah, and surely I was one of those who scoffed;
39:57
اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ لَوۡ اَنَّ اللّٰہَ ہَدٰىنِیۡ لَکُنۡتُ مِنَ الۡمُتَّقِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۵۷﴾
or it should say: If Allah had guided me, I should have been dutiful,
39:58
اَوۡ تَقُوۡلَ حِیۡنَ تَرَی الۡعَذَابَ لَوۡ اَنَّ لِیۡ کَرَّۃً فَاَکُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُحۡسِنِیۡنَ ﴿۵۸﴾
or it should say, when it sees the punishment: If I had another chance I should be a doer of good.
39:59
بَلٰی قَدۡ جَآءَتۡکَ اٰیٰتِیۡ فَکَذَّبۡتَ بِہَا وَ اسۡتَکۡبَرۡتَ وَ کُنۡتَ مِنَ الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۵۹﴾
Yes, My messages did come to you, but you rejected them, and were proud and were among the disbelievers.
39:60
وَ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ تَرَی الَّذِیۡنَ کَذَبُوۡا عَلَی اللّٰہِ وُجُوۡہُہُمۡ مُّسۡوَدَّۃٌ ؕ اَلَیۡسَ فِیۡ جَہَنَّمَ مَثۡوًی لِّلۡمُتَکَبِّرِیۡنَ ﴿۶۰﴾
And on the day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah, their faces will be darkened. Is there not in hell an abode for the proud?
39:61
وَ یُنَجِّی اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا بِمَفَازَتِہِمۡ ۫ لَا یَمَسُّہُمُ السُّوۡٓءُ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡنَ ﴿۶۱﴾
And Allah delivers those who keep their duty with their achievement — harm does not touch them, nor do they grieve.
39:62
اَللّٰہُ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ ۫ وَّ ہُوَ عَلٰی کُلِّ شَیۡءٍ وَّکِیۡلٌ ﴿۶۲﴾
Allah is the Creator of all things and He has charge over everything.
39:63
لَہٗ مَقَالِیۡدُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡخٰسِرُوۡنَ ﴿٪۶۳﴾
His are the treasures of the heavens and the earth. And those who disbelieve in the messages of Allah, such are the losers.
Section 7 (Verses 39:64–39:70): The Final Judgment
39:64
قُلۡ اَفَغَیۡرَ اللّٰہِ تَاۡمُرُوۡٓنِّیۡۤ اَعۡبُدُ اَیُّہَا الۡجٰہِلُوۡنَ ﴿۶۴﴾
Say: Do you tell me to serve others than Allah, you ignorant ones?
39:65
وَ لَقَدۡ اُوۡحِیَ اِلَیۡکَ وَ اِلَی الَّذِیۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکَ ۚ لَئِنۡ اَشۡرَکۡتَ لَیَحۡبَطَنَّ عَمَلُکَ وَ لَتَکُوۡنَنَّ مِنَ الۡخٰسِرِیۡنَ ﴿۶۵﴾
And certainly it has been revealed to you and to those before you: If you set up partners (with Allah), your work would surely come to nothing and you would be a loser.
39:66
بَلِ اللّٰہَ فَاعۡبُدۡ وَ کُنۡ مِّنَ الشّٰکِرِیۡنَ ﴿۶۶﴾
No, serve Allah alone and be one of the thankful.
39:67
وَ مَا قَدَرُوا اللّٰہَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِہٖ ٭ۖ وَ الۡاَرۡضُ جَمِیۡعًا قَبۡضَتُہٗ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ وَ السَّمٰوٰتُ مَطۡوِیّٰتٌۢ بِیَمِیۡنِہٖ ؕ سُبۡحٰنَہٗ وَ تَعٰلٰی عَمَّا یُشۡرِکُوۡنَ ﴿۶۷﴾
And they do not honour Allah with the honour due to Him; and the whole earth will be in His grip on the day of Resurrection and the heavens rolled up in His right hand. Glory be to Him, and supremely exalted is He above what they set up as partners (with Him)!
39:68
وَ نُفِخَ فِی الصُّوۡرِ فَصَعِقَ مَنۡ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَنۡ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ اِلَّا مَنۡ شَآءَ اللّٰہُ ؕ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِیۡہِ اُخۡرٰی فَاِذَا ہُمۡ قِیَامٌ یَّنۡظُرُوۡنَ ﴿۶۸﴾
And the trumpet is blown, so all those in the heavens and all those in the earth will swoon, except such as Allah please. Then it will be blown again, when lo! they stand up, awaiting.
See 6:73 footnote 2. Here it is stated that the trumpet is blown twice: at the first blowing all swoon, and at the second blowing they all stand up, awaiting to receive the judgment. A general destruction is thus followed by a resurrection. In the case of the spiritual resurrection, the destruction signifies the destruction of the old order.
39:69
وَ اَشۡرَقَتِ الۡاَرۡضُ بِنُوۡرِ رَبِّہَا وَ وُضِعَ الۡکِتٰبُ وَ جِایۡٓءَ بِالنَّبِیّٖنَ وَ الشُّہَدَآءِ وَ قُضِیَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ بِالۡحَقِّ وَ ہُمۡ لَا یُظۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۶۹﴾
And the earth beams with the light of its Lord, and the Book is laid down, and the prophets and the witnesses are brought up, and judgment is given between them with justice, and they are not wronged.
The beaming of the earth with the light of its Lord in the Resurrection is in reference to the clear manifestation of the consequences of the deeds which remain generally hidden in this life. The laying down of the Book refers to the passing of the judgment on the good and the evil according to their deserts. The prophets and the witnesses are brought up, these being the people who sow the seeds of virtue and turn people’s minds to God. Prophets were sent to every nation, and the followers of the Prophet Muhammad, who take the place of the previous prophets in turning people’s minds to God, are the witnesses spoken of here; they are specially mentioned by this name in 2:143. A deeper reference to the spiritual resurrection is evident throughout.
39:70
وَ وُفِّیَتۡ کُلُّ نَفۡسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتۡ وَ ہُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَا یَفۡعَلُوۡنَ ﴿٪۷۰﴾
And every soul is paid back fully for what it did, and He knows best what they do.
Section 8 (Verses 39:71–39:75): Each Group meets with its Desert
39:71
وَ سِیۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ کَفَرُوۡۤا اِلٰی جَہَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءُوۡہَا فُتِحَتۡ اَبۡوَابُہَا وَ قَالَ لَہُمۡ خَزَنَتُہَاۤ اَلَمۡ یَاۡتِکُمۡ رُسُلٌ مِّنۡکُمۡ یَتۡلُوۡنَ عَلَیۡکُمۡ اٰیٰتِ رَبِّکُمۡ وَ یُنۡذِرُوۡنَکُمۡ لِقَآءَ یَوۡمِکُمۡ ہٰذَا ؕ قَالُوۡا بَلٰی وَ لٰکِنۡ حَقَّتۡ کَلِمَۃُ الۡعَذَابِ عَلَی الۡکٰفِرِیۡنَ ﴿۷۱﴾
And those who disbelieve are driven to hell in companies; until, when they come to it, its doors are opened, and its keepers say to them: Did not messengers come to you from among you reciting to you the messages of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours? They say: Yes indeed. But the word of punishment proved true against the disbelievers.
39:72
قِیۡلَ ادۡخُلُوۡۤا اَبۡوَابَ جَہَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیۡنَ فِیۡہَا ۚ فَبِئۡسَ مَثۡوَی الۡمُتَکَبِّرِیۡنَ ﴿۷۲﴾
It is said: Enter the gates of hell to abide in it; and evil is the abode of the proud.
39:73
وَ سِیۡقَ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا رَبَّہُمۡ اِلَی الۡجَنَّۃِ زُمَرًا ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءُوۡہَا وَ فُتِحَتۡ اَبۡوَابُہَا وَ قَالَ لَہُمۡ خَزَنَتُہَا سَلٰمٌ عَلَیۡکُمۡ طِبۡتُمۡ فَادۡخُلُوۡہَا خٰلِدِیۡنَ ﴿۷۳﴾
And those who keep their duty to their Lord are conveyed to the Garden in companies until, when they come to it, its doors are opened and its keepers say to them: Peace be on you, you led pure lives; so enter it to abide.
39:74
وَ قَالُوا الۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ الَّذِیۡ صَدَقَنَا وَعۡدَہٗ وَ اَوۡرَثَنَا الۡاَرۡضَ نَتَبَوَّاُ مِنَ الۡجَنَّۃِ حَیۡثُ نَشَآءُ ۚ فَنِعۡمَ اَجۡرُ الۡعٰمِلِیۡنَ ﴿۷۴﴾
And they say: Praise be to Allah! Who has made good to us His promise, and He has made us inherit the land; we abide in the Garden where we please. How excellent is the reward of the workers!
Never was prophecy uttered in clearer terms, nor in more adverse circumstances. The day must come, we are here told, when the believers will praise God for making them inherit the land. Within fifteen years of this prophecy they were made masters of Arabia, and within another five they were made to inherit the Holy Land. Note, further, how the prophecies of triumph in this life are combined with the Resurrection in which the righteous are to receive the mighty spiritual blessings in full manifestation.
39:75
وَ تَرَی الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃَ حَآفِّیۡنَ مِنۡ حَوۡلِ الۡعَرۡشِ یُسَبِّحُوۡنَ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّہِمۡ ۚ وَ قُضِیَ بَیۡنَہُمۡ بِالۡحَقِّ وَ قِیۡلَ الۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ﴿٪۷۵﴾
And you see the angels going round about the Throne of Power, glorifying their Lord with praise. And they are judged with justice, and it is said: Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!