Surah Al-Ghashiyah 88:26
ﱏ ﱐ ﱑ ﱒ
Then indeed, upon Us is their account.
Tafsir of Al-Ghashiyah 88:17-26
Tafsir
Al-Kashshaf
Verse range: 88:17-26
{Do they not look at the camels} Look with contemplation: {how they were created}—a wondrous creation, pointing to the power of the Creator and testifying to the design of the Designer. He created them to rise with heavy burdens and pull them to distant lands, causing them to kneel so they may be loaded with ease, then rise with what they carry. He made them submissive to anyone who leads them by their reins; they do not resist the weak nor refuse the small. He fashioned them with long necks to bear heavy loads.
Some sages once spoke of the camel and its marvelous creation, having been raised in lands where there were no camels. They reflected and said: "It is fitting that they have long necks." When He intended them to be the "ships of the desert," He gave them the endurance to withstand thirst, such that their period without water can reach ten days or more. He made them graze on everything that grows in the wilderness and deserts, which other beasts do not eat.
Sa‘id ibn Jubayr said: "I met Shurayh the Judge and asked, 'Where are you going?' He replied, 'I am going to the Kunasa (market).' I asked, 'What will you do there?' He said, 'I will look at how the camels were created.'"
If you ask: How is the mention of the camel appropriate alongside the sky, the mountains, and the earth, when there is no connection? I say: These things are gathered by the Arabs' observation in their valleys and deserts; thus, the mention gathers them just as their observation gathers them. Those who claimed that "camels" refers to "clouds" were merely seeking a connection. Perhaps they did not mean that "camel" is a literal name for clouds—like ghamām, muzn, rabāb, ghaym, or ghayn—but rather they saw clouds frequently compared to camels in their poetry, so they permitted the interpretation of clouds through simile and metaphor.
{How it was raised} Raised to a great height without supports or pillars.
{How it was set up} Set up firmly, so it is stable, neither leaning nor vanishing.
{How it was spread out} Spread out with preparation and leveling, so it is a bed for those who move upon it.
Note: Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) read these as active verbs (I created, I raised, I set up, I spread out), implying "I did it," omitting the object. Harun al-Rashid read "spread out" (suttihat) with emphasis (tashdid).
The meaning is: Do they not look at these creatures that testify to the Creator’s power, so that they might not deny His ability to resurrect, and thus listen to the Prophet’s warning, believe in him, and prepare for their meeting with Him?
{So remind} Do not look at them, do not mention them, and do not let it concern you that they do not look or remember. {You are only a reminder}, as in His saying: {You have only to deliver the message} (Ash-Shura: 48).
{You are not a controller over them} You are not a tyrant, as in His saying: {And you are not a tyrant over them} (Qaf: 45).
{Except for one who turns away} This is an interrupted exception. It means: You are not a master over them, but as for the one who turns away {and disbelieves} among them, then to Allah belongs the dominion and the power. He will punish him with {the greatest punishment}, which is the punishment of Hell. It is also said that this is an exception from the command {So remind}, meaning: Remind, except for the one whose faith you have despaired of and who turns away, for he deserves the greatest punishment, and what is between them is a parenthetical clause.
{Then indeed, to Us is their return} ### {Then indeed, upon Us is their account} **If you ask:** What is the meaning of placing the prepositional phrase first? **I say:** It signifies intensity in the threat, that their return is only to the Compeller, the Powerful, who is capable of retribution, and that their account is not due except to Him—He who holds them to account for the smallest of things. The meaning of "upon Us" is "upon Us in wisdom."
From the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "Whoever recites Surah al-Ghashiyah, Allah will account him with an easy account."