Surah Al-Hashr 59:20
ﱭ ﱮ ﱯ ﱰ ﱱ ﱲ ﱳ ﱴ ﱵ ﱶ ﱷ
Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise - they are the attainers [of success].
Tafsir of Al-Hashr 59:20
Tafsir
Mafatih al-Ghayb
Verse range: 59:20
Al-Hashr (The Gathering): (20) Those who are companions of the Fire...
Know that the difference between these two groups (companions of Paradise and companions of the Fire) is self-evident (known by necessity). Mentioning this distinction in such a context serves to highlight the magnitude of that difference. In this regard, there are two issues:
Issue 1:
The Mu'tazila used this verse as proof that the perpetrator of a major sin ( صاحب الكبيرة) does not enter Paradise. Their argument is:
- The verse indicates that the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise are not equal.
- If the perpetrator of a major sin were to enter Paradise, then the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise would be equal.
- This equality is impermissible.
The refutation of this argument is already known (from previous discussions).
Issue 2:
Our companions (the Ash'aris/Sunnis) used this verse as proof that a Muslim should not be executed in retaliation for the killing of a Dhimmi (a non-Muslim living under Muslim protection). The manner in which this proof is derived has been explained in our works on jurisprudence (al-Khilafiyyat).
{ If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, split apart out of fear of Allah. And these are the examples We present to the people that they might reflect. }