Tafsir of Az-Zukhruf 43:67-73

Surah Az-Zukhruf (43): Verses 67–73

Tafsir: When Allah Almighty mentioned the Hour coming suddenly (referencing verse 66), He immediately followed it with matters related to the Day of Resurrection. The first of these is this verse.

The meaning is: The close friends (الأَخِلاَّءُ) in this world will become enemies to one another on that Day (the Day of Resurrection) because their friendship was based on sin and disbelief.

Exception: {إِلاَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ} (except the righteous). This refers to the monotheists whose friendship was based on faith and piety; their bond will not turn into enmity.

Philosophical Interpretation: The wise have a beautiful interpretation of this verse:

1. Affection (love/friendship) only arises from the belief that something beneficial will be attained or harm will be averted.
2. If this belief exists, affection necessarily follows. Conversely, if the belief is that something causes harm, aversion and hatred result.

Given this principle:

• If the worldly benefits that caused the friendship are transient and subject to change (like worldly pleasures), then when those benefits cease, and it becomes clear that what results is pain and affliction, the affection must necessarily turn into hatred, as a change in the cause necessitates a change in the effect.
• However, if the benefits that caused the friendship are eternal, unchangeable goods (like loving Allah and serving Him), then that affection remains, safe from change. In fact, it becomes stronger, purer, more complete, and superior to what it was in the world.

This perfectly aligns with the statement: {الأَخِلاَّءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِعَدُوٍّ} (Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to one another).

The phrase {فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ} (So give good tidings to My servants) is Allah addressing the righteous directly. It is as if the Truth (Allah) is speaking to them Himself, saying: {يَا عِبَادِي لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلاَ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ} (O My servants, no fear will come upon you this Day, nor will you grieve).

This statement contains immense joy for several reasons:

1. Direct Address: Allah addresses them directly without any intermediary.
2. Honorable Title: He describes them as {عِبَادِي} (My servants), which is a great honor. This is evidenced when Allah wished to honor the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the Night Journey, saying: {سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ} (Exalted is He Who took His Servant...).
3. Removal of Fear: {لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمُ الْيَوْمَ} (No fear will come upon you this Day). He completely removes fear on the Day of Resurrection, which is one of the greatest blessings.
4. Removal of Grief: {وَلاَ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ} (Nor will you grieve). He negates grief over the loss of past worldly things.

Interpretation: It is suggested that {الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا} (those who disbelieved) is implied as the subject, and the predicate is omitted, meaning: It will be said to them, "Enter Paradise."

Alternatively, it means: "Specifically, those who believed in Our signs and were Muslims."

Narrative Context (from Muqatil): When fear descends on the Day of Resurrection, a caller announces: "O righteous servants, no fear will come upon you this Day!" When the creatures hear this call, the righteous lift their heads. Then it is said: {الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ} (Those who believed in Our signs and were Muslims [will enter]). At this, the followers of false religions will lower their heads in shame.

Tafsir: Since Allah has secured the believers from fear and grief, their reckoning must proceed in the easiest and best manner. Then they will be told: {ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ أَنْتُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ تُحْبَرُونَ}.

{تُحْبَرُونَ} (Rejoicing/Being honored) means they will be honored with extreme reverence and described with beautiful things. This concept of extreme honor has been previously explained in Surah Ar-Rum.

Linguistic Note (from Al-Fara'): A {كُوب} (goblet) is a round-headed vessel without a handle.

• {بِصِحَافٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ} (Plates of gold) refers to what they will eat (food).
• {وَأَكْوَابٍ} (and goblets) refers to what they will drink (beverages).

Allah then leaves specific details and provides a comprehensive statement: {وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الأَنْفُسُ وَتَلِذُّ الأَعْيُنُ وَأَنْتُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ} (And therein is whatever the souls desire and what delights the eyes, and you will abide therein forever).

We have previously discussed two interpretations regarding the inheritance of Paradise (referencing verses 10-11 of Surah Al-Mu'minun).

After mentioning food and drink, Allah mentions the status of fruit here: {لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاكِهَةٌ مِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ} (You will have therein abundant fruit from which you will eat).

Contextual Wisdom: Allah first sent Muhammad (PBUH) to the Arabs, and then to all the worlds. The Arabs were severely deprived regarding food, drink, and fruit. Therefore, Allah favored them by mentioning these blessings repeatedly, to complete their desire and strengthen their motivation.

{إِنَّ الْمُجْرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ * لاَ يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ وَهُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ * وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَكِنْ كَانُوا هُمُ الظَّالِمِينَ * وَنَادَوْا يَا مَالِكُ لِيَقْضِ عَلَيْنَا رَبُّكَ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ مَاكِثُونَ * لَقَدْ جِئْنَاكُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَكُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَارِهُونَ * أَمْ أَبْرَمُوا أَمْرًا فَإِنَّا مُبْرِمُونَ * أَمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّا لاَ نَسْمَعُ سِرَّهُمْ وَنَجْوَاهُمْ بَلَى وَرُسُلُنَا لَدَيْهِمْ يَكْتُبُونَ}

(Indeed, the criminals will be in the punishment of Hell, abiding therein forever. It will not be lightened for them, and they will be in despair therein. And We did not wrong them, but they were the wrongdoers. And they will cry out, "O Malik, let your Lord put an end to us!" He will say, "Indeed, you will remain [as you are]." We had certainly brought you the truth, but most of you were averse to the truth. Or have they devised a plan? Then indeed, We are devising a plan. Or do they think that We do not hear their secret and their private conversation? Yes [We do], and Our messengers are with them, recording.)

Tafsir:

1. {إِنَّ الْمُجْرِمِينَ فِي عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ}: The criminals will remain eternally in the punishment of Hell.
2. {لاَ يُفَتَّرُ عَنْهُمْ}: The punishment will not be alleviated for them, and they will be in utter despair (مُبْلِسُونَ).
3. {وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَكِنْ كَانُوا هُمُ الظَّالِمِينَ}: Allah did not wrong them; rather, they wronged themselves by their actions.
4. The Plea to Malik: They will call out, "O Malik (the keeper of Hell), let your Lord decree our end!" He will reply, "Indeed, you will remain [as you are]."
5. The Justification: "We brought you the truth (the message), but most of you hated the truth."
6. Allah's Counter-Plan: "Or have they plotted some matter? Then indeed, We are plotting." (Their plots are futile against Allah's decree).
7. Knowledge of Secrets: "Or do they think that We do not hear their secret and their private conversation? Yes, [We do hear], and Our messengers are with them, recording [everything]."