Al-A'raf (The Heights): Verse 34

Issues in the Verse:

After establishing the lawful and unlawful matters and the conditions of religious obligation (Taklif), the Almighty clarifies that everyone has a fixed term (Ajal) that cannot be advanced or delayed. When this term arrives, death inevitably occurs. The purpose of this reminder is to instill fear (Takhwif) so that a person strives diligently in fulfilling their obligations as they should.

The term Ajal means the specified time set for the cessation of a respite. There are two main interpretations regarding this verse:

The First Opinion: Held by Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan, and Muqatil: The meaning is that God grants respite to every community that denies its Messenger until a specific time. God does not punish them until that time arrives, at which point they become deserving of annihilation (Ist'isal). When that time comes, the punishment descends inevitably.

The Second Opinion: The intended meaning of Ajal here is the lifespan (life span of individuals). When that lifespan ends and is completed, advancement or delay becomes impossible.

Evaluation: The First Opinion is stronger for several reasons:

1. The verse states, "And for every community (li-kulli ummah)," not "And for every individual (li-kulli ahad)."
2. If we adopt the Second Opinion (lifespan), the reason for mentioning the Ummah instead of the individual is that the community is the collective body in every era, and it is known that their lifespans are generally close together. Furthermore, mentioning the community in the context of a threat (warning) is more impactful (Afham).
3. Moreover, the First Opinion implies that every past community had a specific time set for the descent of the punishment of annihilation upon them. However, this is not the case for our Ummah (the community of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), as they were not subjected to such collective annihilation.

If we interpret the verse according to the Second Opinion (that every individual has a fixed lifespan), it necessitates that every person has a term in which no advancement or delay occurs. Consequently, a person who is killed has died by their term.

This does not mean that God is incapable of keeping them alive longer or shorter than that term, nor that He is incapable of causing their death at that exact time. If it meant that, it would imply God is constrained from being the Free Agent (Qadir Mukhtar) and becomes necessary by His own nature (Mujib li-dhatihi), which is impossible for God. Rather, the meaning is that God has informed us that the event will occur in this manner.

The meaning is that they will not be delayed beyond that specified term, not even by an hour, nor by anything less than an hour. The word sa'ah (hour) is mentioned because it is the smallest unit of time mentioned in common speech.

Inquiry: What is the meaning of "nor shall they advance (wa la yastaqdimun)"? Logically, when the term arrives, it is impossible for that term to occur at a time preceding it.

Response: The phrase "When their term comes (fa-idha ja'a ajalum)” should be interpreted as the approach of the term. The Arabs say, "Winter has come," when its time is near. When the term is approaching, it is possible for advancement or delay to occur relative to that approaching point.

Continuation of the Verses:

Translation:

O Children of Adam! If Messengers come to you from among yourselves, reciting My verses to you, then whoever fears God and does righteousness—no fear will come upon them, nor will they grieve. But those who deny My verses and are too proud to accept them—those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.