Juz 19: Al-Furqān 21 to An-Naml 55
Section 2 of 19 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
2. Criticisms of the Quran and Prophet by Disbelievers | Verses: Al-Furqan 25:21-34
The opening verses of Juz 19 continue Surah Al-Furqan's discourse addressing the criticisms leveled by the Makkan disbelievers against both the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These verses reveal the deep-seated skepticism and arrogance that characterized the opposition to divine revelation.
The passage begins with the disbelievers questioning why they could not directly see Allah or receive angelic messengers:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْجُونَ لِقَاءَنَا لَوْلَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْنَا الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ نَرَىٰ رَبَّنَا
“And said those who do not even expect to meet Us, 'Why the angels are not sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?'" (25:21)”
Allah (swt) responds by noting the severe consequences that would befall the disbelievers if they were to witness angels, as such a sight would herald their final judgment:
يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَا بُشْرَىٰ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِلْمُجْرِمِينَ وَيَقُولُونَ حِجْرًا مَحْجُورًا
“The day they will see the angels, there will be no good news for the sinners that day, and they will say, 'May there be a preventing barrier!'" (25:22)”
Allah (swt) then depicts the tragic state of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, when they will realize the worthlessness of all their worldly deeds:
وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَنْثُورًا
“And We will proceed to whatever deeds they did, and will turn them into scattered dust." (25:23)”
The contrast between the believers and disbelievers on that Day is powerfully portrayed:
أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَيْرٌ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَأَحْسَنُ مَقِيلًا
“The people of Paradise, on that day, will be the best in (terms of their) abode and best in (terms of their) resting-place." (25:24)”
The verses continue by describing the awe-inspiring events of the Day of Judgment, when the sky will split open with descending angels and true sovereignty will belong solely to Allah:
وَيَوْمَ تَشَقَّقُ السَّمَاءُ بِالْغَمَامِ وَنُزِّلَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ تَنْزِيلًا
“And the day the sky will break open with a cloud, and angels will be sent down in a majestic descent." (25:25)”
الْمُلْكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَكَانَ يَوْمًا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ عَسِيرًا
“The Kingdom, on that day, belongs truly to the Rahman (the All-Merciful, Allah). And it will be a day difficult for the disbelievers." (25:26)”
The passage then portrays the profound remorse of the disbelievers, biting their hands in regret and wishing they had followed the Messenger and not taken certain companions who led them astray:
وَيَوْمَ يَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلَىٰ يَدَيْهِ يَقُولُ يَا لَيْتَنِي اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُولِ سَبِيلًا
“And (Be mindful of) the Day the wrongdoer will bite his hands saying, 'Would that I had taken a path along with the messenger!'" (25:27)”
يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِيلًا
“Woe to me! Would that I had not taken so-and-so for my friend!" (25:28)”
One of the most poignant verses in this passage is the complaint of the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding those who abandoned the Quran:
وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا
“And the Messenger will say, 'O my Lord, my people had taken this Qur'an as deserte”