Tafsir of Al-Waqi'ah 56:92-94

Surah Al-Waqi'ah (The Event): Verses 92–94

And as for him, if he is...

The First Issue:

It is stated here: {among the misguided deniers} (Al-Mukaḏḏibīn aḍ-Ḍāllīn). Previously, it was stated: {Then indeed, you, O you who are misguided, the deniers} (Thumma innakum ayyuhā aḍ-Ḍāllūna l-Mukaḏḏibūn). We have already explained the benefit of the order and transposition (of these terms) there.

The Second Issue:

The three categories of people were mentioned at the beginning of the Surah using one set of terms, and then repeated using different terms:

1. He said initially: {the companions of the right hand} (Aṣḥāb al-Maymanah) (Al-Waqi'ah: 8). Then later: {and the companions of the right} (Wa aṣḥāb al-Yamīn) (Al-Waqi'ah: 27).
2. He said initially: {and the companions of the left} (Wa aṣḥāb al-Mash'amah) (Al-Waqi'ah: 9). Then later: {and the companions of the left} (Wa aṣḥāb ash-Shimāl) (Al-Waqi'ah: 41).
3. He mentioned the foremost (As-Sābiqūn) initially using the term As-Sābiqūn, and at the end using the term Al-Muqarrabūn (The Near Ones).
4. He mentioned the people of the Fire initially using the term {companions of ill-omen} (Aṣḥāb al-Mash'amah), then {companions of the left} (Aṣḥāb ash-Shimāl), and finally {the deniers} (Al-Mukaḏḏibīn).

What is the wisdom behind this variation?

The Answer:

1. The Foremost (As-Sābiqūn): They have two states: one in the beginning (of the Hereafter) and one at the end. He mentioned them initially according to their status in the first state, and at the end according to their status in the final state. They do not have an intermediate state between standing for reckoning and the final judgment; rather, they are transferred directly from the world to the highest ‘Illiyyīn (Exalted Stations).

2. The Companions of the Right Hand (Aṣḥāb al-Yamīn): They are mentioned using two similar terms because their status is close to that of the Foremost.

3. The Disbelievers (Kuffār): They are mentioned using three different terms. It is as if in the world, people mocked them by calling them companions of ill-omen (Mash'amah), so He described them by the place of ill-omen, as Al-Mash'amah is derived from Maf'alah (a place/instrument). Then He said: {the left} (Ash-Shimāl), because in the Hereafter, they will receive their record with their left hand, and they will stand in a place that is to the left, due to their being people of the Fire.

Furthermore, when the Almighty mentioned their status at the beginning of the gathering as being companions of the left, He then mentioned the scorching heat and boiling water (Samūm wa Ḥamīm) they will face. He did not stop there; He then mentioned the reason for it, saying: {Indeed, they were before that living in luxury And they persisted in great sin} (Al-Waqi'ah: 45–46).

Thus, He mentioned the cause of the punishment. This aligns with what we have repeatedly explained: the Just (God) mentions a reason for punishment, whereas the Benefactor (God) does not mention a reason for bestowal and favor. Therefore, He mentioned what they did in the world when describing their state in the Hereafter, saying: {And as for him, if he is among the deniers}, so that the arrangement of punishment follows the denial of the Book, thus making the justice clear. Other meanings are also apparent.

{Indeed, this is the truth of certainty (Ḥaqq al-Yaqīn). So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great} (Al-Waqi'ah: 95–96).