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B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
Teachings of the Qur`aan
An-Nabaa
Teachings and Commentary
Soorah 78:21-40
Ayub A. Hamid
Teachings and Commentary
The next section describes the fate of the rebels who are refusing to
believe in the Hereafter.
21 Surely hell lies in wait, 22 a home for the rebellious 23 who will
dwell therein for ages. 24 They shall taste therein neither coolness nor drink,
25 but boiling fluid and discharge of wounds 26 a fitting recompense. 27 They
never expected to be held accountable 28 and rejected Our Signs as false. 29
While in reality We have kept a complete account of every action of people in
writing. 30 Thus, they will be told, “So taste the consequences of your
behaviour, We will increase for you only the intensity of punishment.”
Characterizing “hell” as “lying in wait” like a hunter, warns that the
disbelievers who deny the Hereafter will fall into Hell in the same way as an
animal that is not aware of the presence of the hunter falls prey to it. The
difference is that the disbelievers have been clearly warned about its reality
but they have chosen to ignore the warning and are assuming it will never
happen or that they will somehow be able to avoid it.
“Ages” (Ahqaab) is the plural of “Huqb”, which means “a very long period
of time”. Thus the plural implies successive units of “a very long period of
time” (ages). The Qur-aan has defined at other places that these ages
collectively will be indefinite; i.e., eternity.
The next section indicates the kind of life that will be enjoyed by
people with Taqwa -- those who live their worldly life keeping accountability
of the Hereafter in mind and striving to maximize the pleasure of Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, while staying away from anything that displeases Him.
31 On the other hand, for people with Taqwa[1] there will be ultimate
success – 32 gardens and vineyards, 33 curvaceous and youthful maidens, of
equal age, 34 and brimming glasses. 35 They will not hear therein any vain
words nor falsehood. 36 This performance-based reward being the recompense from
your Lord – 37 the Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them,
the Most Gracious, with whom the disbelievers or their assumed gods will not be
able to converse.
The sentence “They will not hear therein any vain words nor falsehood”
makes two significant points: Firstly, the drinks of Jannah (the Gardens) will
not be like the alcoholic drinks of this world that overpower human
consciousness and sensibility, causing people to use foul language or say
inappropriate things. Secondly, the residents of Jannah will not only enjoy all
kinds of physical comforts and bounties, but will also be totally free from any
kind of psychological discomfort because they will never encounter any words
that may cause discomfort or ill will.
The description of signs of Allaah, Jahannam (Hell) and Jannah (Gardens),
in the four sections above, underscores three points to help the disbelievers
correct their speculative opinions about the Hereafter:
· Life and death are not accidents of nature; rather they are
purposeful acts of the Creator.
· Death is not an equalizer; rather it is a transition to a new
phase of life where the lifestyle will be totally dependent on one’s
performance in this world.
· Being a member of a “chosen” race or tribe is going to be
meaningless. The only thing that will matter is whether a person has been
rebellious to Allaah and His Messenger disbelieving in the Hereafter or
obedient to Allaah and His Messenger sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in an effort
to please Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to attain success in the Hereafter.
The next section mentions the awe which every creature will be exhibiting
that day. No creature, not even angels, including the arch angel, Jibreel, will
dare say a word unless invited to do so by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala.
38 The day on which the Spirit (Jibreel[2]) and the angels will stand in
ranks, no one will speak unless granted permission by the Most Gracious, and he
will say only what is right and to the point.
The scenario of awe in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala on that Day has been
described to correct the views of those disbelievers who think that their gods
will attain salvation for them by interceding on their behalf. Note that angels
were also worshipped by the Arabs as the daughters of Allaah, who, according to
their belief, could intercede on behalf of their worshippers.
The last two verses invite everyone to take this opportunity to prepare
for the Hereafter which is a sure, inevitable reality.
39 That day is the sure reality, so whoever wants may take refuge with
his Lord. 40 Verily, We have warned you of a soon-to-come punishment, on the
day when every person will see what his own hands have sent on ahead, and every
disbeliever will wish, “Would that I were dust!”
Finally, those disbelievers who think that resurrection is impossible
once people have become dust are being told that when they see the consequences
of their lifestyles, they will wish that they had remained dust, and not
resurrected. But their wish is not going to change the reality.
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[1] Those who, knowing that they will be held accountable on the Day of
Judgment, make all their day-to-day decisions from the perspective of
maximizing Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala’s pleasure and avoiding His displeasure.
[2] Gabriel’s name in Arabic is Jibreel and he is called the Spirit or
the Trusted Spirit in the Qur-aan. He is also called the Holy Spirit who was
erroneously deified by the Christians.
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Copyright © 2009 Ayub A. Hamid
All rights reserved
This document may be used, only with this copyright notice included.
Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to
post on internet forums, and include in not-for-profit publications subject to
the following conditions: (1) Material used must be produced faithfully in
full, without alteration or omission; (2) The author's subject title must
remain unchanged, in whole or in part; (3) Material must be attributed to the
author Ayub A. Hamid. Contact the author for all other rights, which are
reserved.
Note: This series is providing the teachings of the Qur`aan, not a
literal translation. Instead of literal translation, it gives interpretive
meanings of the verses, along with their contextual details. Please remember
that any translation of the Holy Qur`aan is in fact only an expression of the
translator's understanding of the Word of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala, and
hence cannot be equated with the Qur`aan itself. Only the original Arabic text
can be called the Holy Qur`aan.
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Ustaadz Ayub A. Hamid is a visionary and strategic Islamic thinker
residing in Canada for the last 34 years. His recently published books are:
1. Islam - Does It Make Sense?
2. Unveiling the Commands - The Truth about Hijaab, Khimaar and Jilbaab.
3. Finding A Soulmate - A Guide for Parents and Youth.
4. A Book Unlike Any Other.
5. Islam - Adopting Its Paradigms.
6. Exploring the Islamic Beliefs.
http://soundvisioncanada.com/shop/pbrowse.asp?Pg=3&Cat=10004
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The following soowar 'Teachings of the Qur`aan' series by Ustaadz Ayub A.
Hamid, are available on request:-
Al Faatihah
Al Baqarah
Aali`Imraan
A Nisaa'
Al Maaidah
Al An`aam
Al A`raaf
Al Anfaal
At Teen
Al`Alaq
Al Qadr
Al Bayyinah
Al Zilzaal
Al Aadiyatt
Al Qaari`ah
At Takaathur
Al`Asr
Al Humazah
Al Feel
Al Quraish
Al Maa`oon
Al-Kowthar
Al Kaafiroon
Al Nasr
Al Lahab
Al Ikhlaas
Al Falaq
An Naas
Al Mulk
Al Qalam
Al Haaqqah
Al Ma`aarij
Nooh
Al Jinn
Al Muzammil
Al Muddaththir
Al Qiyaamah
Ad-Dahr or Al-Insaan
Al Mursalaat
An Nabaa 78:1-20
K a r i m a
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