Surah Al-Mursalat (77): 48 - And when it is said to them...

This is the tenth category of warnings directed at the disbelievers. It is as if it is said to them:

Even if you love the world and its pleasures, do not completely turn away from serving your Creator. Rather, humble yourselves before Him. For if you believe, and then combine that belief with the pursuit of pleasures and various sins, you might hope for salvation from the torment of Hell and the attainment of reward, just as He says: {Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that of whom He wills} [An-Nisa: 48].

However, these disbelievers do not do this, nor do they submit to His obedience. They remain persistent in their ignorance, disbelief, and exposing themselves to great punishment. Therefore, He says: {Woe, that Day, to the deniers} (77:48). That is, woe to those who deny these Prophets who guide them to these matters that combine the good of this world and the Hereafter.

Herein lie several issues:

Issue 1: The Meaning of "Rukūʿ" (Bowing)

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the meaning of {And when it is said to them, "Bow!" they do not bow} (77:48) is the Prayer (Salat). This is apparent because bowing (Rukūʿ) is one of its essential pillars. Thus, the Almighty explained that a characteristic of these disbelievers is that when they are called to prayer, they do not pray.

This indicates that disbelievers are addressed concerning the secondary injunctions (Furu' al-Shara'i'). While they deserve blame and punishment for their disbelief (Kufr), they also deserve blame and punishment for abandoning the Prayer, because Allah the Almighty blamed them for abandoning the Prayer while they were in a state of disbelief.

Another group said that the meaning of "Rukūʿ" here is humility and submission to Allah the Almighty, and that they should not worship anyone other than Him.

Issue 2: The Obligation of the Commanded Act

Those who hold that a command implies obligation (Wujub) used this verse as evidence. This is because the Almighty blamed them merely for abandoning what was commanded. This indicates that a mere command implies obligation.

If it is argued: "But they are disbelievers, so are they blamed for their disbelief?" We reply: Indeed, the Almighty blamed them for their disbelief in many ways, but in this specific verse, the Almighty blamed them because they abandoned what was commanded. From this, we deduce that abandoning a commanded act is not permissible.

{Then in what discourse after this will they believe?} (77:49)