Teachings and Commentary
The Soorah starts with a description of the attributes, authority, power and might
of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala so that people can form the right views about Him.
1 The source of all blessings and magnificently exalted is He:
In Whose hands is Dominion; and He has power and capability to do everything;
2 Who created death and life to test which of you is best in deeds; and He
is the Mighty, the Forgiving; and
3 Who created the seven heavens in layers, one above another; you do not
see any inconsistency in the Most Gracious One’s creation; have a look again, do
you see any flaw?
4 Then look back again and again, your sight will return to you humbled while
it is fatigued.
The first word of the Soorah “Tabaaraka” is a superlative and emphatic form of “barakah”
which connotes greatness, grandeur, abundance, goodness, growth, blessing and permanence.
Thus “Tabaaraka” means He Who is infinitely superior and great, magnificently exalted
over everything else, from Whom emanates abundant goodness, growth and blessing
on a constant and permanent basis.
“In His hands” is a proverbial expression indicating ownership and control. Dominion
(Mulk) implies sovereignty over the entire universe. He is fully capable of and
has absolute might to take care of the universe on an ongoing basis. He is not merely
the Cause who caused the creation of the universe and then retired. Rather,
He is watching over the operations of the universe like a sovereign king looking
after His kingdom.
In “Who created both death and life”, the mention of death before life is worth
noting. When people think about these matters, they usually think that death follows
life. What people forget is that there was nothing before our life was created.
Our starting point was “death” (non-existence) , and then Allaah gave us life. But
this is a temporary life, which ends with our death. Then, we will be raised for
an eternal life on the Day of Judgment. Thus, the eternal life of the Hereafter
is also preceded by death.
The current life was made temporary as a test so that everyone can demonstrate his
or her best performance. It is this performance that will determine the quality
of life in the eternal Hereafter. Thus, the life of this world being a test from
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala automatically implies that:
§ This life is not without purpose;
§ Death merely signifies the end of the test, it is not the end of the story;
§ It is Allaah as the examiner who determines what is the right behaviour, not people
who are being tested; and
§ There will be reward and punishment because without any consequences of actions,
the test is illogical and meaningless.
People should keep His two attributes in mind in this respect: Firstly, He has all
the power and might to hold everyone accountable so that none can evade His judgment
or accountability. Secondly, although He is able to hold everyone accountable for
every action a person performs in his or her life, He is also very forgiving.
He is Kind to let people off the hook if their overall performance is adequate,
instead of holding them accountable for everything. Furthermore, if people repent
and seek His forgiveness for their past mistakes, He forgives them.
“Seven heavens” refers to some sort of division of the universe into seven layers
which people can interpret and understand according to their level of cosmic knowledge.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has not explained such concepts precisely because the
Qur-aan is for people of all levels of knowledge and intellect for all periods of
time. The exact nature of this cosmic reality would have been beyond the level of
comprehension of most people, most of the time. Hence Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala
just alludes to them so that people can reflect on them according to their own capacity.
Everyone, therefore, gets the desired benefit from the reflection according to his
or her knowledge and sophistication, from ordinary folks to advanced research scientists.
This is one of the miracles of the Qur-aan that statements made by the Qur-aan are
never contradicted by scientific facts. The more advanced the research that establishes
a scientific fact, the more impressive the description of that fact in the Qur-aan
proves to be.
When we ponder over the functioning of the universe, we see that from an atom to
the greatest cosmos, every part of the universe is functioning consistently according
to the laws of nature promulgated by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. In addition,
the functioning of the whole universe is so coordinated and congruent to sustain
life that some scientists conclude that from Big Bang onwards, everything was designed
to enable creation of life and its sustenance.
As is evident from the above notes, the first four verses of this Soorah inculcate
the fundamentals of Islamic faith in a concise manner.
The mention of heavens provides an opportunity for the next verse to use the sights
of the visible heaven to correct another misunderstanding many Arabs used to have
about soothsayers or fortune-tellers as well as to transition human attention towards
the punishment of those who go against the pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala.
5 We have decorated the nearest sky with lamps, using them as missiles to
be thrown at devils for whom We have prepared the punishment of blazing fire.
Those who have observed the night sky on a clear night know the stunning beauty
the stars present. In addition to the beauty, they were also a source of guidance
in the desert to know the directions and to find the way. The night sky also presents
the view of shooting stars and meteorites burning brightly on their entry into the
atmosphere of earth. The abundance of meteorites in the space around Earth and their
frequent entry into the atmosphere presents an insurmountable hazard for any evil
Jinns (Shayaŧeen) who dare to venture beyond the confines of earth. Mention of this
hazard is to correct the views of Arabs who used to think that Jinn devils can go
up the heavens and bring news of future events and inform the fortune tellers of
their discoveries. They are being told that this is not possible. Allaah Subhaanahu
wa Ta’aala has designed the universe in such a way that devils are precluded from
going beyond the confines of the earth. Hence whatever the fortune-tellers or soothsayers
say is baseless and fabricated. The mention of Jinn devils necessitated the mention
of Fire that has been prepared for their punishment, which served as a segue into
the description of punishment of all disbelievers, who do not believe in the realities
propounded by the Islamic faith.
6 Actually, for all those who disbelieve in their Lord, there
will be punishment of Hell – a wretched destination. 7 As they are thrown
into it, they will hear its roaring while it boils up, 8 almost bursting
with rage. Every time a group is thrown into it, its keepers will ask them, “Did
no warner come to you?” 9 They will respond, “Yes indeed; a Warner did come
to us, but we rejected him and said, ‘Allaah never sent down anything, you are but
grossly misguided.’” 10 They will further say: “Had we listened or used our
intelligence to understand, we would not be among the inmates of the Blazing Fire!”
11 Thus they will admit their fault, so, away with the inmates of the Blazing
Fire!
“Disbelieving in their Lord” does not necessarily mean denying the existence of
Allaah. People may believe in the existence of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, but
they will still be considered disbelievers if they do not believe in Him in the
right way with the correct views about all of His attributes including such matters
as His exclusive right to give commands and to be obeyed, His holding people accountable
and judging them on the Day of Judgment and His rewarding and punishing them in
the Hereafter.
Imagine the picture of the anger of the Fire that will rage while receiving the
disbelievers who ignored the warnings of the prophets and messengers of Allaah about
the accountability in the Hereafter or opposed their mission. Even the keepers of
the Fire will make the disbelievers realize their own fault by asking them if anyone
ever warned them about this punishment.
Although the disbelievers consider the Muslims as being misguided and crazy for
believing in the Hereafter, they will readily accept on the Day of Judgment that
it was them who were in fact misguided.
The believers, on the other hand, will be enjoying the forgiveness of Allaah and
tremendous reward. The shortcomings and errors in their effort will be forgiven,
because they accepted Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala as their Lord and, fearing His
displeasure, sincerely tried their best to live in obedience to Him.
12 As for those who fear their Lord even though He is beyond physical perception,
there will be forgiveness and great reward for them.
The key quality of believers is that they used their intellect and common sense
to believe in Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala as He should be believed in, instead
of waiting to witness His existence and the life Hereafter beyond any doubt. This
is the key component of the test for which human beings have been put in this world
– to adopt the correct beliefs about Allaah and the Hereafter through intellect,
rather than physically perceivable evidence.
The fear of All-Knowing, All-Aware Allaah’s displeasure is the only effective motive
that keeps people on the path of goodness at all times and in all circumstances
and that keeps people away from doing something wrong when no one is watching or
no one could ever find out. Every other motive to do good or to stay away from wrong
breaks down in some circumstances or the other, except the fear of Allaah Subhaanahu
wa Ta’aala.
Not only that Allaah knows what everyone does, He is also fully aware of the motives
behind the actions as well as all the thoughts that go through one’s mind. Thus,
the disbelievers should realize that Allaah knows why they disbelieve and the ulterior
motives they harbour when rejecting Islam, presenting excuses for not accepting
it and the personal interests they are trying to preserve by disobeying Allaah Subhaanahu
wa Ta’aala. The believers should rest assured that their sacrifices for their faith
and their sincerity behind their actions are all known to Allaah to be rewarded
accordingly. Even the most insignificant of their good deeds done with the intention
of seeking the pleasure of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala will be fully rewarded.
13 And conceal your thoughts or publicize them, He is fully aware of whatever
is on your minds. 14 Will He Who has created not know? He is the Knower of
the subtleties, the Fully-Aware.
Previously, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala had invited people to think about the heavens
and consistency in the creation of the universe, and in the next verse they are
being invited to reflect upon their life on earth.
15 He it is Who made the earth tame for you, so walk in its paths and eat
from the sustenance He provides. And to Him will be the resurrection.
Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has made earth inhabitable and put all the means of
sustenance in it. Everything we consume comes from the earth. He has taken care
of our needs to gather us on the Day of Judgment and hold us accountable for the
use of its resources whether they were consumed according to His guidance and for
the objective set out by Him or not.
People should be mindful that He Who has made this earth inhabitable could destroy
them at any time either by making the earth open up and swallow them, by disturbing
its balance within its solar system so that it runs off its orbit or its revolutions
are disturbed, or by causing super strong winds to rain stones over people and destroy
everything.
16 Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will
not cause the earth to swallow you, while it is convulsing? 17
Or do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not send violent stone-throwing
winds against you? Then you shall know how was My warning. 18
And their predecessors did deny, so how severe was My censure.
Because Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has made the earth inhabitable and exploitable
for people, they forget that He has the power to use the same natural forces for
the destruction of human population and their belongings. He has made the natural
system such that once in a while people are reminded of the natural powers through
storms, floods, landslides and sinkholes. In the past Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala
has also used natural calamities to wipe out those who had become rebellious to
Allaah and rejected the idea of submitting to Him, through both kinds of calamities
that came from beneath their feet and from above their heads. This was done so that
the Muslims could re-establish the law, order, balance and peace according to Allaah’s
standards in the land by submitting to Him and practising Islam. This is like a
gardener cleaning up the garden from weeds so that good plants can flourish. Through
these verses, the Makkans are being admonished that instead of daring the Prophet
ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to bring on the punishment of Allaah Subhaanahu wa
Ta’aala, they should learn the lessons from the history of those townships around
them that have been wiped out in the past, the ruins of which the Makkans themselves
have seen during their travels.
The phrase “Who is in the heaven” is not specifying a location for Allaah, Who is
infinite in all His attributes including His presence. However, finite human beings
cannot imagine or perceive the infinite nature of Allaah’s presence. As people cannot
think of anything without its location and direction, when people think of Allaah
Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala, they think of heavens and look or signal upwards when talking
about Him. That is their way of referring to the Infiniteness of Allaah, as compared
to some physical god such as an idol or a human figure. This phrase is relating
to that human perception of the Infinite God. Elsewhere in the Qur-aan, the infinite
nature of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala’s presence has been inculcated through verses
such as: “Whichever way you turn, Allaah is in that direction.” Al-Baqarah 2:115
The next verse presents them with a common phenomenon to reflect upon the dependence
of all creatures on the laws of nature wherein a slight disturbance can be devastating.
19 Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings
and folding them in? None can uphold them except the Most Gracious. Truly it is
He that watches over all things.
Allaah has graciously given the air such properties and equipped birds physically
such that they are able to fly and manoeuvre in the air. Just as Allaah Subhaanahu
wa Ta’aala has taken care of the needs of birds, so has He done for all of His creations,
from the cosmos to human beings. Not only did He set the laws of nature at the beginning,
He continuously watches over their operation. He also overrules them, or adjusts
them as He likes and His plan requires. Miracles of the Prophets or destruction
of nations are some examples thereof.
If Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala decides to destroy them, who are they counting on
to defend them against Allaah’s forces?
20 Or who is there that will be your army to help you against
the Most Gracious? Disbelievers are merely suffering from delusion. 21
Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold
His provision? But they obstinately persist in insolent defiance and disdain for
the Truth.
The main reason for their obstinate and insolent defiance and disdain for the truth
is that they are blindly following the traditions of their society and their self
interest in maintaining the status quo. Like sheep, bowing their head, they continue
to follow the path they have been put on without thinking if it is the right path
or not and without thinking where it is going to take them. They refuse to think
independently or think out of the box to find the right path or to choose the right
alternatives. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala has endowed them with appropriate faculties
to help them find the right path if they just stand straight, look around and think
where they should be going.
22 Is then one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one
who walks erect upon a straight path? 23 Say, “It is He Who brought
you into being and equipped you with hearing, seeing and thinking faculties. Yet,
little do you thank.” 24 Say, “It is He Who spread
you all over the earth and to Him you shall be gathered.”
When they are invited to think and correct their path so that they do not end up
with disaster on the Day of Judgment, they try to refute it just by raising questions
about its precise timing as if knowing when it is going to happen is of any help
when it comes to believing in it. Even if it was disclosed precisely when the Last
Day will be, how would that help them believe in it? Rather such knowledge would
be counterproductive because it would divert people’s attention away from the Hereafter
itself to the timing of the Last day. The Last Day and subsequent Judgment has to
be believed on its own merit and logic, just like we believe that everyone is going
to die without knowing when.
25 And they say, “When shall this threat materialize, if you are
truthful? 26 Say, “The knowledge thereof is only with Allaah and
I am merely a clear warner. 27 But when they shall see it approaching,
the faces of the disbelievers shall be disfigured with distress and it will be said,
“This is what you used to call for.”
By the time they know about the Day of Judgment with certainty and are frightened
to see it, it will be too late. The time to believe in it is now while people are
still in the test phase – when they are living in the world. Once they die, the
test is over. Although thereafter they will have knowledge and certainty about these
matters of faith, the knowledge will be of no avail and people will have to suffer
the consequences of not believing.
Instead of heeding to these warnings and preparing for the Judgment, the Makkan
leaders would tell other Makkans not to believe in the Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam because with time he and his movement would die their own death. Also
the families of those people who believed in the Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam were very upset with him. They would pray for the death and destruction of
the Prophet, seek witchcraft spells for that purpose and even hatch plots to kill
him somehow. The next verse invites them to think about how death of the Prophet
ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his followers would in any way help them against
or save them from the punishment of Allaah? Whether the Prophet lives or dies, the
reality of the punishment of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and the Day of Judgment
is not going to change or disappear. They would be wise to worry about the consequences
they themselves are going to face rather than their concern with the death of the
Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his followers.
28 Ask them, “Have you considered whether Allaah destroys me and
those with me or has mercy on us, who will shelter the disbelievers from a painful
punishment?
The Prophet ŝall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is being told to inform them that even
if he and his followers die, they would be relying on the mercy and grace of the
Most Gracious Lord because of their faith in Him. However, it would become crystal
clear to the disbelievers as to how wrong they had been for not believing in Him.
Then they would not find any shelter from the painful punishment prepared for such
disbelievers.
29 Tell them, “He is the Most Gracious; We have believed
in Him, and on Him do we rely; so you shall soon find out who it is that is in obvious
misguidance. 30 Say, “Have you considered if your water should
sink down into the ground, who then could bring you clear-flowing water?”
They doubt the power of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala while relying for their daily
living on the resources created by Him. They have mistakenly assumed that what they
have is going to stay with them forever. They should think about the supply of water
in their arid land. Did they ever ponder that if Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala decides
to deprive them of water, do they have any way to obtain water for their survival?
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