Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:10

Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans): Verse 10

Then the Almighty said: {Then was the end of those who did evil the worst} (10).

This is similar to what was said concerning the good-doers: {For those who did good is the best [reward]} (Yunus: 26).

And His saying, the Almighty: {that they denied} (10) has two possible meanings:

1. It means: because they denied. Thus, their end was the worst because they denied.
2. It means: They did evil, and they denied. In this case, "denied" serves as an explanation for "did evil."

In this verse, there are several subtle points (Lata'if):

First Point: Regarding those who did good, He said: {For those who did good is the best [reward]} (Al-Husna, which is the name for Paradise). But concerning those who did evil, He said: {Then was the end of those who did evil the worst} (As-Su'a, which is the name for Hellfire).

This indicates that Paradise is theirs from the very beginning. Since Paradise is inherently increasing and growing for the good-doers, and whoever possesses the origin of something also possesses its fruit, Paradise grows for them. As for those who did evil, their destination in the end is As-Su'a (Hellfire).

Second Point: An increase (in reward) was mentioned for the good-doer, but no increase was mentioned for the evil-doer. This is because the recompense for a bad deed is a bad deed equal to it (no more, no less).

Third Point: It was not mentioned that the good-doers receive the best reward because they believed (or did good deeds). However, it was mentioned that the evil-doers receive the worst end because they denied.

This is because the best reward for the good-doers is a grace (Fadl). If this grace were given without a specific reason, it would be more eloquent. As for the worst end for the evil-doers, it is justice ('Adl). If the punishment of the just were inflicted without a reason, it would not be just. Therefore, the reason for the punishment—persistence in denial—was mentioned, whereas the reason for the reward was not mentioned.

Verse 11: {It is Allah Who begins creation; then He repeats it; then to Him you will be returned.}