Juz 16: Al-Kahf 75 to Ṭā Hā
Section 12 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
12. Final Sections of Surah Maryam | Verses: Maryam 19:59-98
After highlighting the righteousness of the prophets, Allah draws a contrast with those who came after them, stating in verse 59:
فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا
“Then came after them the successors who neglected Salāh and pursued desires. So, they will soon face (the outcome of their) deviation.”
This verse provides a stark warning about those who abandoned prayer and followed their desires. Such people are promised severe consequences for their deviation. However, Allah immediately follows this with an exception in verse 60, showing His mercy to those who repent, believe, and perform righteous deeds. These individuals will enter Paradise and will not be wronged in any way.
Allah then describes Paradise as Jannāt 'Adn (Gardens of Eternity), which the Most Merciful has promised to His servants. This paradise is characterized as a place where one hears no vain talk, only peace, and where provision comes morning and evening. It is the inheritance that Allah grants to His righteous servants.
In verses 75-76, Allah addresses those who persist in error, stating that Allah extends respite to them until they witness what they were promised—either punishment or the Hour of Judgment. Allah then clarifies that He increases guidance for those who seek it:
وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًى ۗ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ مَّرَدًّا
“Allah increases in guidance those who have found the right path. And the everlasting virtues are better with your Lord in respect of reward and better in terms of fate.”
The "everlasting virtues" (al-bāqiyāt al-ṣāliḥāt) are those righteous deeds that continue to bring reward even after one's death. These are superior in terms of both reward and long-term outcome.
The surah then addresses those who reject faith yet claim they will receive wealth and children in the Hereafter. Allah firmly rejects this claim, stating that their words will be recorded and their punishment extended. Furthermore, Allah will inherit what they claim, and they will appear before Him alone.
Verses 88-95 strongly condemn those who attribute a son to Allah, with powerful imagery of the heavens almost tearing apart, the earth splitting open, and the mountains crumbling at such a claim. Allah states emphatically that it is not befitting for the Most Merciful to take a son, as every being in the heavens and earth comes to Him as a servant.
The surah concludes with a beautiful promise in verse 96:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا
“Surely, those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them the All-Merciful will create love.”
This verse carries extraordinary significance, promising that Allah will instill love in the hearts of people for the believers who do righteous deeds. This divine bestowal of love manifests as acceptance and affection among people, as elaborated in authentic hadith. When Allah loves someone, He directs Jibril (peace be upon him) to love that person, who then announces this to the angels. The angels spread this love on earth, resulting in general acceptance and love for that person among believers.
The surah concludes with Allah instructing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to give glad tidings to the righteous and warnings to the obstinate, reminding us of the many generations that have passed away, whose traces are hardly perceptible now.