The Event (Al-Waqi'ah): (81) Is it then this discourse that you [disregard]?

There are several issues concerning this verse:

Issue 1: What does "this" (هذا) refer to?

We say: The famous view is that it refers to the Qur'an.

The term Hadith (discourse/speech) is frequently used in the Qur'an to refer to the Eternal Speech (of God). In this sense, it is a noun (a name) rather than an adjective. Hadith is the name for what is spoken about, while an adjective describes something new or recent. For example, one says amr hadith (a new matter) or rasm hadith (a new description). We have already explained that the Qur'an, despite being Eternal, possesses the delight of new speech for the one who has not heard it before.

The Second View: It refers to what they were previously discussing, specifically their statement in verses 47-48:

"And they used to say, 'When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected? Or even our ancient fathers?'" (Al-Waqi'ah: 47-48)

This interpretation is strong because the preceding speech was a self-contained, structured argument. God responded to them with:

"Say, 'Indeed, the first and the last [generations] will be gathered...'" (Al-Waqi'ah: 49)

God then provided evidence against their claim with verses like:

"It is We who have created you..." (Al-Waqi'ah: 57) "Have you seen what you emit?" (Al-Waqi'ah: 58) "Have you seen what you plow?" (Al-Waqi'ah: 63)

After establishing these proofs, God swore an oath:

"So I swear by the settings of the stars..." (Al-Waqi'ah: 75)

And then clarified that all of this is a revelation from God:

"Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an." (Al-Waqi'ah: 77)

Then, He returned to their speech and said: "Is it then by this discourse (بهذا الحديث), which you utter, that you are mudhinun (مدهنون)?

This means: Are you deceiving (تدهنون) your companions by saying this, knowing the opposite is true? Or are you firmly resolved upon denial? We will clarify the meaning of mudhinun (deceiving/indulging).

There are two interpretations for mudhinun:

1. That mudhinun means deniers/disbelievers. Al-Zajjaj said its meaning is: "Are you then disbelieving the Qur'an?" The precise meaning of idhan (indulgence/deception) is softening one's speech to win over the listener without genuinely believing the speech's truthfulness. Just as an enemy, unable to defeat his foe, might praise him falsely to gain favor—this becomes a secondary usage of mudhinun to mean a denier. This applies if we hold that Hadith refers to the Qur'an.

2. That mudhinun refers to one who softens their speech and agrees verbally but remains internally opposed. In this case, the pronoun "you" (أنتم) refers to them. Some among them claim the Prophet (PBUH) is a liar and resurrection is impossible due to their love of prestige. They fear that if they affirm the truth and prevent their weak followers from disbelief, they will lose the worldly gains they profit from those followers. Thus, they make their sustenance the act of rejecting the Messengers.

The first interpretation (that Hadith is the Qur'an) is held by most commentators. However, the second interpretation (that Hadith refers to their own statement: "Are we to be resurrected?") aligns better with the literal text, as Hadith better describes their own words. Furthermore, mudhinun retains its primary meaning, as they were not indulging in the Qur'an itself. Al-Zajjaj's interpretation that it means "disbelievers" is stated explicitly later.

Regarding the subsequent verse: "And you make your provision [the fact] that you deny [God's decree]." (وتجعلون رزقكم أنكم تكذبون)

There are several interpretations:

1. You make thanking God for His blessings the act of saying, "We had rain due to such-and-such a star." This is the view of most commentators.
2. You make your livelihood and earnings the denial of Muhammad. It is said, "So-and-so makes highway robbery his livelihood." Rizq (provision) originally means the source (masdar), but it is used to refer to what one is provided (the object), just as qudra (power) refers to what is decreed, and khalq (creation) refers to what is created. Under this view, the denial (the masdar) is used to signify the means by which they achieve their worldly objectives.

As for the verb "you deny" (تكذبون):

• Under the first interpretation, it means denying what God said, such as: "And there is no creature on the earth except that upon Allah is its provision," and similar statements.
• Under the second interpretation, it refers to all the denial that emanated from them, which is closer to the literal wording.