Tafsir of Al-Lail 92:20-21

Surah Al-Layl (The Night): Verses 20–21

Except for the seeking of the Face of his Lord...

Issue 1: The Nature of the Exception

The phrase {ابتغاء وجه ربه} (seeking the Face of his Lord) is an exception (mustathnā) from a different category than the preceding statement, which is the blessing/favor mentioned in the verse before: {مَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُ مِن نِّعْمَةٍ تُجْزَىٰ} (No one has with Him any favor to be repaid) (Al-Layl: 19).

It is like saying: "No one in the house has a blessing except for a donkey."

Al-Farrā’ mentioned another interpretation: that it implies an unstated verb of spending, as if the meaning is: "He does not spend except for the seeking of the Face of his Lord," similar to the verse: {وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ} (And you do not spend except seeking the Face of Allah) (Al-Baqarah: 272).

Issue 2: The Motivation for Giving

It is clarified that the one described as {الَّذِي يُؤْتِي مَالَهُ يَتَزَكَّىٰ} (who gives his wealth to purify himself) (Al-Layl: 18) does not give it as a reward for a prior favor or blessing received. If it were a repayment, it would be like settling a debt, and thus would not merit additional reward. Rather, he deserves the reward only when he performs the act because Allah has commanded it and encouraged it.

Issue 3: Theological Implications of Wording

The Anthropomorphists (Al-Mujassimah) rely on the word {وجه} (Face), and the Heretics (Al-Mulhidah) rely on the phrase {ربه الأعلى} (his Lord, the Most High), suggesting the existence of another Lord. We have already discussed these matters previously.

Issue 4: Comparison between Ali (AS) and Abu Bakr (RA)

Judge Abu Bakr al-Baqillani mentioned in his book Al-Imāmah:

1. The verse concerning Ali (peace be upon him) is: {إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُم لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا * إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا} (We feed you only for the Face of Allah. We wish from you neither reward nor thanks. Indeed, we fear from our Lord a Day, frowning and distressful) (Al-Insan: 9–10).
2. The verse concerning Abu Bakr is: {إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ الْأَعْلَىٰ * وَلَسَوْفَ يُرْضَىٰ} (Except for the seeking of the Face of his Lord, the Most High, and soon he will be pleased) (Al-Layl: 20–21).

Both verses indicate that each individual did what they did for the Face of Allah. However, Ali's verse indicates he acted for the Face of Allah and out of fear of the Day of Resurrection, as stated: {إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا}.

Abu Bakr's verse, however, indicates that he acted purely for the Face of Allah, without being mixed with any desire for reward or fear of punishment. Therefore, Abu Bakr's station was higher and more sublime.

Issue 5: The Meaning of Seeking the Face of Allah

Some people say that seeking the Face of Allah means seeking His Essence (Dhāt), which is impossible. Therefore, it must mean seeking His reward and honor.

Others say there is no need for this implied meaning. The core of this issue relates to whether a servant can love the Essence of Allah, or if this love refers only to the love of His reward and honor. We have previously discussed this in the exegesis of the verse: {وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّهِ} (But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah) (Al-Baqarah: 165).

Issue 6: Recitation and the Meaning of "And soon he will be pleased"

Yahya ibn Waththāb recited {إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ} with the nominative case (raising the word Ibtighā’), following the linguistic pattern of those who say: "There is no one in the house except a donkey" (using ḥimāran in the nominative case, which is grammatically unusual in standard Arabic but attested in certain dialects). He cited the following verse in support of both linguistic forms:

As for the phrase {وَلَسَوْفَ يُرْضَىٰ} (And soon he will be pleased):

1. The meaning is that Abu Bakr was promised that Allah would please him in the Hereafter with His reward. This is like the statement to the Prophet (PBUH): {وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ} (And your Lord is surely going to give you [so that] you shall be pleased) (Ad-Duha: 5).
2. I have another interpretation: It means he spent only seeking Allah's pleasure, and Allah will soon be pleased with him. This, in my view, is greater than the first interpretation, because Allah's pleasure with His servant is a more complete attainment for the servant than the servant's pleasure with his Lord. In summary, both aspects must occur, as stated: {رَاضِيَةً مَّرْضِيَّةً} (content and pleasing [to Allah]) (Al-Fajr: 28).

And Allah the Glorified and Exalted knows best. May Allah send blessings upon our Master Muhammad, his family, and his companions.