Tafsir of Al-Muddathir 74:9

Surah Al-Muddaththir (74): Verse 9

فَذَٰلِكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَوْمٌ عَسِرٌ So that day will be a difficult day.

Issue 1: The Meaning of Fa-dhālika Yawma'idhin Yawmun 'Asir

There are several interpretations regarding the structure and meaning of this phrase:

1. Interpretation 1 (Tafsīr of Fa-dhālika): The demonstrative pronoun dhālika (that) refers to the Day when the Trumpet is blown (yunqaru fī an-nāqūr). The structure is essentially: "So that [Day, which is the Day of the blowing of the Trumpet] is a difficult day." In this case, yawma'idhin (on that day) is in the accusative case (manṣūb), serving as an explanation or clarification for fa-dhālika, as dhālika could potentially refer to the act of blowing the trumpet itself, or the day associated with it. Thus, it means: "So that [Day, meaning the Day associated with the blowing] is a difficult day."

2. Interpretation 2 (Badal - Apposition): Yawma'idhin is in the nominative case (marfūʿ) as a substitute (apposition) for dhālika. The implied structure is: "So the blowing of the Trumpet on that day is a difficult day." In this reading, yawma'idhin is grammatically in the nominative case because it replaces dhālika. However, since yawma'idhin is constructed with idh (which is grammatically fixed/indeclinable), the entire phrase is built upon the fatḥa (accusative marker).

3. Interpretation 3 (The Action as the Cause): The structure is interpreted as: "So that blowing (an-naqr) on that day is a difficult day." Here, the action of blowing (an-naqr) is the subject governing the temporal adverb yawma'idhin.

Issue 2: Why the Day is Described as Difficult ('Asir)

The difficulty of that Day is understood in two main ways:

1. Difficulty Specific to the Disbelievers: The Day is difficult for the disbelievers because they will be rigorously questioned about their deeds (yunāqashūn fī al-ḥisāb), receive their records in their left hands, their faces will be blackened, they will be gathered with blue eyes, and their limbs will testify against them, exposing them publicly. Conversely, it is easy (yasīr) for the believers, as they will not be subjected to rigorous questioning, and their faces will be white, and their scales heavy.
   • If this view is adopted, stopping the recitation after yawmun 'asir is not appropriate, as the meaning is that it is difficult for the disbelievers and not easy for them.

2. Inherent Difficulty for All: The Day is inherently difficult for everyone, believers and disbelievers alike. Narrations suggest that even the Prophets will be terrified, and young children will turn grey-haired due to the sheer terror. However, the horror is more severe for the disbelievers.
   • If this view is adopted, stopping after yawmun 'asir is appropriate, as the Day is difficult for all, and the subsequent phrase (ghayru yasīr) specifies the additional severity for the disbelievers.

Addressing Redundancy: If the Day is described as difficult ('asir), why add that it is "not easy" (ghayru yasīr)?

• Under View 1 (Specific to Disbelievers): The repetition serves for emphasis, similar to saying, "I am your beloved, not your enemy, and your ally, not your foe."
• Under View 2 (Inherent Difficulty): 'Asir establishes the baseline difficulty shared by everyone. Ghayru yasīr specifies the excessive difficulty unique to the disbelievers. Difficulty itself can be slight or severe. Thus, 'asir applies to all, while ghayru yasīr (meaning extremely difficult/severe) is reserved for the disbelievers.

Issue 3: Inference from Negative/Positive Contrast (Dallīl al-Khitāb)

Ibn Abbas stated that since the verse specifies the Day is not easy (ghayru yasīr) for the disbelievers, it implies it is easy for the believers.

Some scholars who accept the legal validity of Dalīl al-Khitāb (inference from the negative/positive contrast) argue that Ibn Abbas's deduction—that the Day is easy for the believers because it is not easy for the disbelievers—would only be valid if Dalīl al-Khitāb were considered a binding proof.

ذَرْنِي وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيدًا Leave Me with him whom I created alone,