Tafsir of An-Nazi'at 79:40-41

Surah An-Nazi'at: Verses (40-41)

{And as for he who feared the standing before his Lord and restrained the soul from [unlawful] desire, Indeed, Paradise will be the refuge.}

The Almighty then mentioned the state of the fortunate ones (the dwellers of Paradise) by saying: {And as for he who feared the standing before his Lord and restrained the soul from [unlawful] desire, Indeed, Paradise will be the refuge.}

1. Contrast with the Unfortunate: Know that these two descriptions (fear and restraining desire) are opposites to the two descriptions Allah used for the people of the Fire:
   • His saying, {But as for he who transgressed} (An-Nazi'at: 17), is the opposite of {And as for he who feared the standing before his Lord}.
   • His saying, {And preferred the life of this world} (An-Nazi'at: 38), is the opposite of {and restrained the soul from [unlawful] desire}.

2. The Prerequisite for Fear: Know that fear of Allah must necessarily be preceded by knowledge of Allah, as stated: {Indeed, only those of His servants who have knowledge fear Allah} (Fatir: 28).

3. Order of Cause and Effect: Since fear of Allah is the means that helps repel unlawful desire, it is appropriate that the cause (fear) was mentioned before the effect (restraining desire).

4. Scope of the Descriptions: Just as those two preceding attributes (transgression and preferring the world) encompass all reprehensible acts, these two attributes (fear and restraining desire) encompass all acts of obedience and good deeds.

5. Occasion of Revelation (Historical Context): It is narrated that these two verses were revealed concerning Abu 'Aziz ibn 'Umayr and Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr. Mus'ab killed his brother, Abu 'Aziz, on the Day of Uhud, and he protected the Messenger of Allah with his own body until spears pierced his vital organs.

{They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: "When is its arrival?"}

{In what [position] are you to mention its time?}

{To your Lord is the final disposition of it.}