Tafsir of Saba' 34:2

Surah Saba' (34): Verse 2

Arabic Text Segment:

يعلم ما يلج في الأرض من الحبة والأموات ويخرج منها من السنابل والأحياء وما ينزل من السماء وما يعرج فيها والكلم الطيب والعمل الصالح يرفعه وهو الرحيم الغفور

Translation: He knows what penetrates into the earth—from the seed and the dead—and what emerges from it—from the ears of grain and the living. And [He knows] what descends from the heaven and what ascends therein, and the good word and the righteous deed which He raises. And He is the Most Merciful, the Forgiving.

Explanation of Terms:

• What penetrates into the earth (ما يلج في الأرض): Refers to the seed (الحبة) being buried and the dead (الأموات) entering the earth.
• What emerges from it (ويخرج منها): Refers to the sprouts/ears of grain (السنابل) growing and the living (الأحياء) emerging.
• What descends from the heaven (وما ينزل من السماء): This includes various forms of mercy, such as rain, angels, and the Qur'an.
• What ascends therein (وما يعرج فيها): This includes the good word (الكلم الطيب), as stated in the verse: {To Him ascends the good word} (35:10), the souls (الأرواح), and righteous deeds (الأعمال الصالحة), as stated: {And the righteous deed, He raises it} (35:10).

Issue 1: Order of Mention

The text mentions what penetrates the earth before what descends from the heaven. This is because the seed is sown first, and then it is watered (receiving descent from heaven).

Issue 2: The Use of "Therein" (فيها) vs. "To It" (إليها) for Ascent

The verse states what ascends therein (يعرج فيها) regarding the heavens, but for the good word, it states it ascends to Him (إليه يصعد الكلم الطيب).

• Why فيها (therein) for deeds/souls ascending to heaven? If the text had said what ascends to the heavens (يعرج إليها), it would imply that the ascent stops at the heavens. By saying what ascends in them (فيها), it signifies that the righteous deeds and pure souls penetrate through the heavens and continue their ascent beyond them, indicating their acceptance and high station.
• Why إليه (to Him) for the good word? The ultimate destination for the good word is God (إليه), as He is the final terminus (المنتهى). The heavens, however, are merely a lower realm (دنيا), and the ultimate destination lies beyond them.

Issue 3: The Meaning of "The Most Merciful, The Forgiving" (الرحيم الغفور)

The attributes are linked to the preceding actions:

1. Mercy (الرحيم): Pertains to the descent (الإنزال), as He sends down sustenance from the heaven.
2. Forgiveness (الغفور): Pertains to the ascent (العروج), as He forgives when the souls and deeds ascend to Him.

Thus, He is Merciful first by providing sustenance (descent), and Forgiving second upon the presentation of deeds (ascent).