Surah As-Saffat (37): Verse 171 and onwards

Translation and Exegesis

Know that when the Almighty threatened the disbelievers with His saying: {Soon they will know} (referring to the consequence of their disbelief), He followed it up with what strengthens the heart of the Messenger (peace be upon him) by saying:

{And certainly, Our word has preceded for Our servants, the messengers. Indeed, they will be the ones aided. And indeed, Our forces—they will be the victors.} (37:171-173)

He clarified that His promise of support has already been established, and the proof for this is His saying: {Allah has decreed, "I will surely overcome, I and My messengers."} (Al-Mujadilah 58:21).

Furthermore, good is inherently decreed, while evil is contingently decreed. What is inherent is stronger than what is contingent. As for support and victory, it can be through the strength of argument, or through dominion and control, or through permanence and steadfastness. Thus, even if the believer is overcome at times due to the weakness of worldly circumstances, he is ultimately the victor. This verse does not necessitate that one should say: "But some prophets were killed, and many believers were defeated."

Then, the Almighty said to His Messenger, informing him of what had already passed:

{So turn away from them until a time.} (37:174)

This means until the Day of Badr, or it is said until the Conquest of Makkah, or it is said until the Day of Resurrection.

Then He said:

{And watch, and soon they will see.} (37:175)

The meaning is: Watch their situation and what will be decreed for them—killing and captivity in this world, and punishment in the Hereafter. Soon they will see you, along with the support and aid destined for you in this world and the great reward in the Hereafter. The command to observe their current state is meant to indicate that what is promised is certain to occur and is imminent, as if it is right before your eyes. His saying, {Soon they will see}, is a threat and a warning.

Then He said:

{Are they then seeking to hasten Our punishment?} (37:176)

The meaning is that the Messenger (peace be upon him) was warning them of punishment, but they saw nothing, so they hastened the descent of that punishment in mockery. The Almighty clarified that this hastening is ignorance, because every action of Allah has a specific time that cannot be advanced or delayed. Therefore, demanding its occurrence before its appointed time is ignorance.

Then the Almighty described the punishment they were hastening:

{So when it descends upon their courtyard, then evil will be the morning for those who were warned.} (37:177)

This expression was used because they were accustomed to doing things in the morning; thus, mentioning that time is a metaphor for their actions.

Then the Almighty repeated:

{So turn away from them until a time. And watch, and soon they will see.} (37:174-175)

It is said that the first instance referred to the affairs of this world, while this repetition refers to the affairs of the Resurrection. Under this interpretation, the repetition is removed. It is also said that the repetition is for the purpose of emphasizing the threat and terrifying them.

Finally, the Almighty concluded the Surah with a noble conclusion that encompasses all high objectives. This is because the most important matters for an intelligent person are knowing three states:

The First: Knowing the God of the universe to the extent of human capacity. The utmost that can be known of Allah's attributes falls into three categories:

1. Exalting Him and purifying Him from everything unsuitable for the attributes of Divinity. This is encapsulated in the word Subhan (Glory be to Him).
2. Describing Him with everything befitting the attributes of Divinity. This is His saying: {Lord of might/glory} (Rabb al-'Izzah), which implies totality. If all might belongs to Him, and nothing remains for anyone else, then His saying: {Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe} (37:180) is a statement containing the highest degrees and most complete endpoints in knowing the God of the universe.

The Second Important Matter for an intelligent person is knowing how one should treat oneself and treat creation in this worldly life.

Know that most people are deficient and inevitably need someone to perfect them, a guide to direct them, and a leader to lead them. This can only be the Prophets (peace be upon them). Innate disposition testifies that the deficient must follow the perfect one. He alluded to this point by saying:

{And peace be upon the messengers.} (37:181)

Because this phrase indicates that they have attained the perfection befitting humanity, surpassing others. Consequently, everyone must follow them.

The Third Important Matter for an intelligent person is knowing what their state will be after death.

Know that knowing this state before death is difficult, so reliance upon it rests on one phrase: that the God of the universe is Rich (Self-Sufficient) and Merciful, and the Rich and Merciful One does not punish. He alluded to this by His saying:

{And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.} (37:182)

This is because deserving praise is only established through immense favor. Thus, through this, He indicated His being the Bestower of favors, and obviously His being Self-Sufficient over all worlds. Given this description, what predominates from Him is mercy, grace, and generosity. Therefore, this phrase serves as an indication of the safety of one's state after death.

It has thus become clear that this conclusion is like a casket containing jewels more radiant than the stars. We ask Allah, the Exalted, for a good end, and well-being in this world and the Hereafter.