Juz 23: Yā Sīn 28 to Az-Zumar 31
Section 8 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
8. Punishment of Disbelievers and Paradise for Believers
Surah As-Saffat presents a vivid contrast between the fate of disbelievers and the rewards awaiting the believers. Beginning with verse 20, Allah (swt) describes the Day of Judgment and the terrifying reality that awaits those who rejected faith:
وقالوا يا ويلنا هذا يوم الدين
“And they will say, 'Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense.'”
هذا يوم الفصل الذي كنتم به تكذبون
“This is the Day of Judgment which you used to deny.”
The surah then commands the angels:
احشروا الذين ظلموا وأزواجهم وما كانوا يعبدون
“[The angels will be ordered], 'Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds, and what they used to worship'”
من دون الله فاهدوهم إلى صراط الجحيم
“Other than Allah, and lead them to the path of Hellfire'”
وقفوهم إنهم مسئولون
“And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned.”
On the Day of Judgment, the oppressors, their associates, and all false deities they worshipped will be gathered and led to the Hellfire. There will be a momentary pause for questioning, a terrifying prospect for those who denied accountability in the worldly life. The surah questions sarcastically:
ما لكم لا تناصرون
“What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?”
This taunt highlights the powerlessness of false gods and their worshippers when facing divine judgment. Unlike in the world where they supported one another in falsehood, on that Day they will be completely helpless.
بل هم اليوم مستسلمون
“But they, that Day, are in surrender.”
The surah then depicts these disbelievers blaming one another:
وأقبل بعضهم على بعض يتساءلون
“And they will approach one another questioning,”
They accuse those who misled them:
قالوا إنكم كنتم تأتوننا عن اليمين
“They will say, 'Indeed, you used to come at us from the right.'”
The misleaders respond by denying responsibility:
قالوا بل لم تكونوا مؤمنين
“They will say, 'Rather, you were not believers.'”
وما كان لنا عليكم من سلطان بل كنتم قوما طاغين
“And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.”
In stark contrast to this scene of blame and punishment, the surah describes the tranquil state of Allah's sincere servants in Paradise:
إلا عباد الله المخلصين
“Except the chosen servants of Allah.”
These sincere believers will receive:
أولئك لهم رزق معلوم
“Those will have a provision determined,”
فواكه وهم مكرمون
“Fruits, and they will be honored,”
في جنات النعيم
“In gardens of pleasure,”
على سرر متقابلين
“On thrones facing one another.”
The believers will recline on ornate couches facing one another, enjoying fellowship without any of the jealousy or backbiting that mars worldly relationships. They will be served delicious drinks:
يطاف عليهم بكأس من معين
“Circulated among them will be a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring,”
بيضاء لذة للشاربين
“White, delicious to the drinkers;”
Unlike worldly intoxicants, this heavenly drink causes neither intoxication nor harm:
لا فيها غول ولا هم عنها ينزفون
“No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.”
These vivid contrasting depictions serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of belief and disbelief, encouraging the audience to choose faith and righteousness over rejection and transgression.