Tafsir of Ad-Dhariyat 51:36

Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:36) - Translation and Exegesis

Verse Segment:

Translation & Commentary:

There is an indication here that when disbelief (Kufr) prevails and transgression (Fisq) becomes widespread, the worship of the believers is of no benefit (to the community as a whole).

This is unlike the situation where the majority of people follow the straight path, and there is only a small group who steal and commit adultery.

It is narrated regarding an analogy for this: The world (or community) is like a body. The presence of the righteous is like beneficial cold and hot nourishment, while the presence of disbelievers and transgressors is like harmful poisons entering it. If the body is devoid of benefits and contains only harms, it perishes. If it is devoid of harms and contains only benefits, its life becomes good and it thrives. If both are present, the ruling goes to the dominant element. The same applies to cities and their inhabitants.

The indication that a "Muslim" here means a "believer" (Mu'min) is apparent. However, the truth is that "Muslim" is a more general term than "Mu'min." Applying a general term to a specific instance is permissible. Therefore, if the believer is called a Muslim, it does not imply that their concepts are identical.

It is as if the Almighty said: "We brought out the believers, and we did not find any among the more general category (Muslims) except one house of Muslims." This necessitates that there were no other believers present besides them.

This is similar to if someone asked another: "Who is in the house among the people?" And the reply was: "There is no one in the house among the animals except Zayd." This informs him that the house is empty of every human except Zayd.

Then the Almighty said:

Verse (51:37):

Translation: