Tafsir of Ar-Rum 30:56

Surah Ar-Rum (The Romans): Verse 56

Original Text Segment:

Regarding His saying: {And those who were given knowledge and faith will say...}

This refers to the angels and others (believers).

{Indeed, you have remained in the decree of Allah until the Day of Resurrection.}

We will now clarify the subtle meaning within these two verses (referring to the contrast between the criminals' claim and the believers' statement).

We observe that:

1. When someone is promised a reward, if a term is set for it, they perceive that term as long and desire its immediate fulfillment.
2. When someone is threatened with punishment, if a term is set for it, they perceive that period as short and desire its postponement.

However, when the criminal is resurrected, knowing his destination is the Fire, he perceives the period of his stay (in the grave/Dunya) as short and prefers the postponement of the Resurrection and remaining in the grave.

Conversely, when the believer is resurrected, knowing his destination is Paradise, he perceives the duration as long and does not desire postponement.

Thus, the two groups differ:

• One group says the duration of our stay was brief, which is alluded to by His saying: {The criminals will swear they remained not but an hour} (referring to Surah Ar-Rum, verse 55).
• The other group says: "We remained for a long time (a long duration)," which is alluded to by His saying: {And those who were given knowledge and faith will say, "Indeed, you have remained in the decree of Allah until the Day of Resurrection."}

This means: The term set in the Book of Allah was until the Day of Resurrection, and we patiently remained until that Day. {This is the Day of Resurrection, but you used to not know.}

This implies: Your desire for postponement (by claiming you stayed only an hour) is because you did not know or acknowledge the Resurrection. Consequently, since your destination is the Fire, you now seek postponement.

Verse 57 (The following verse, referenced in the source):

{So that Day, the excuse of those who wronged themselves will not benefit them, nor will they be allowed to seek acceptance [of repentance].}