Tafsir of Al-Waqi'ah 56:83

The arrangement of the verse: "Why do you not return it [the soul] when it reaches the throat, if you are not subject to judgment?"

• "Why" (falawlā): The second lawlā is repeated for emphasis.
• "Return it" (turjiʿūnahā): The pronoun refers to the nafs (self), which is the soul.
• "Closer to him" (aqrabu ilayhi): Refers to the one dying.
• "Subject to judgment" (ghayra madīnīn): Meaning, not under the dominion of a master (marbūbīn). It is derived from the phrase "the ruler dāna (governed) the subjects," meaning he managed them.
• "But We are closer to him than you": O family of the deceased, [We are closer] by Our power and knowledge, or by the angels of death.

The meaning: You are in a state of denying God’s actions and His signs in everything. If He sends down a miraculous book, you say: "Magic and fabrication." If He sends a messenger, you say: "A lying sorcerer." If He provides rain to give you life, you say: "It is the truth of such-and-such star." This is a doctrine that leads to negligence and atheism. So, why do you not return the soul to the body once it reaches the throat, if there is no Taker [of souls] and you are truthful in your denial of the One who gives life, causes death, originates, and restores?

• "Then if he is" (fa-ammā in kāna): The deceased.
• "Of those brought near" (min al-muqarrabīn): From the foremost of the three groups mentioned at the beginning of the Surah.
• "Then [there is] rest" (farawḥ): Meaning, he shall have relief.

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• "Farawḥ" (rest): Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that it is read with a damma (ruḥ). Al-Hasan also read it this way, saying: Al-ruḥ means mercy, because it is like life to the one who receives mercy. It is also said to mean "remaining," meaning he has both: eternity along with provision and bliss.
• "And basil" (rayḥān): Meaning provision.
• "Then [there is] peace for you from the companions of the right" (fasalāmun laka min aṣḥāb al-yamīn): Meaning, peace be upon you, O companion of the right, from your brothers, the companions of the right—they greet you. This is like the Almighty’s saying: "Except [the saying of] 'Peace, peace'" (56:26).
• "Then [there is] a welcoming gift of scalding water" (fanuzulun min ḥamīm): Like the Almighty’s saying: "This is their welcoming gift on the Day of Recompense" (56:56). It is also read with a light nūn (nuzul).
• "And burning in Hellfire" (wa taṣliyat jaḥīm): Read in both the nominative and genitive cases, as a conjunction to nuzul and ḥamīm.
• "Indeed, this" (inna hādhā): That which has been revealed in this Surah.
• "Is the certain truth" (lahuwa ḥaqq al-yaqīn): Meaning the established truth of certainty.

From the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family): "Whoever recites Surah al-Wāqiʿah every night will never be afflicted by poverty."