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Showing posts with label Resurrection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resurrection. Show all posts

Thursday, 15 October 2026

Does Death End Everything, or Is It the Beginning of Our Final Journey? The Qur'an Explains

Every human being, regardless of religion, nationality, wealth, or social position, must eventually confront one unavoidable reality: death. But is death the end of human existence? This question is answered differently in different religions. For many the life ends after death and there is nothing beyond. While Islam calls death a temporary halt of worldly life for there is a permanent life beyond it. But many do not reflect over death despite much has been said about  resurrection, judgement day and the after life.

We spend much of our lives building careers, accumulating wealth, raising families, pursuing ambitions, and securing our future. Yet, despite extraordinary advances in medical science, no human being has succeeded in eliminating death. So the question remains: What happens when life comes to an end?

Does human consciousness disappear forever? Does everything we have done become meaningless? What happens to those who suffered injustice without receiving justice, or those who committed terrible wrongs and escaped punishment?

Islam offers a profound answer: Death is not the end of human existence. It is the passage from a temporary earthly life toward an eternal existence in which every human being will be resurrected and held accountable before Allah.

Belief in the Hereafter (Al-Akhirah) is one of the six articles of Islamic faith. The Qur'an repeatedly links belief in Allah with belief in the Last Day because, in Islam, human life cannot be fully understood without recognizing its eventual accountability.


The Qur'an declares:

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ  "Every soul will taste death." — Surah Aal Imran 3:185

But the verse does not stop there. It continues by declaring that human beings will receive their full recompense on the Day of Resurrection. This raises an extraordinary possibility: What if everything we consider the end of life is actually the beginning of our final accountability?

Let us examine how the Qur'an describes this journey.

1. Why Does Islam Teach That There Must Be Life After Death?
The Qur'an does not present resurrection as an isolated religious doctrine. It connects it with the very purpose of human existence.

Allah asks: "Did you then think that We had created you without purpose, and that you would never be returned to Us?" — Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:115

This verse challenges the idea that human existence is merely an accidental journey ending in permanent extinction. If life had no purpose beyond temporary enjoyment, what would become of the distinction between justice and injustice, honesty and dishonesty, kindness and cruelty?

Throughout human history, many innocent people have suffered without obtaining justice. Equally, many powerful wrongdoers have died without answering for their actions. The Qur'an teaches that worldly circumstances do not represent Allah's final judgment.

In Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:21, Allah challenges the assumption that those who commit evil and those who believe and perform righteous deeds should ultimately be treated alike.

The Hereafter, therefore, represents the fulfilment of divine justice.

Explanation of Abul A'la Maududi In Tafhim al-Qur'an, particularly his introduction to Surah An-Naba (78), Maududi identifies resurrection and final accountability as central themes of the early Makkan revelation. He explains that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was conveying not only the Oneness of Allah, but also the certainty that human beings would be raised again and judged according to their beliefs and actions.

The lesson: Our earthly life is the period in which we make moral choices; the Hereafter is where their ultimate consequences become apparent.

2. The First Stage: Death and the Departure of the Soul
Islam teaches that every person's earthly life has an appointed duration known to Allah. 

Surah Az-Zumar 39:42 states that Allah takes souls at the time of death and also describes His taking of souls during sleep, returning those whose appointed time has not yet arrived. This establishes that life and death remain under Allah's authority. The Qur'an also refers to the angels responsible for taking human souls (32:11; 6:61).

What happens at the moment of death? Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:83–87 describes the helplessness of those witnessing a person's final moments. Family members may stand nearby, medical professionals may provide assistance, and every possible effort may be made to preserve life. Yet ultimately death cannot be prevented when its appointed time arrives. The Qur'an reminds us that human beings possess neither independent control over life nor unlimited power to delay death.

The lesson: Death is not something to be remembered only during funerals. Its certainty should make us more conscious of how we use the life we have been given.

3. What Happens Between Death and Resurrection? Understanding Barzakh
A common question is whether a person immediately enters the final life of Paradise or Hell upon dying. The Qur'an describes an intermediate condition known as Barzakh (برزخ).

Consider Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:99–100. It describes a person who, upon approaching death, begs Allah to return him to earthly life so that he may perform the good deeds he previously neglected. The request is refused.

The Qur'an then declares: وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ "And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected." — 23:100 - The word Barzakh literally conveys the meaning of a barrier or intervening separation. In Islamic theology, it refers to the intermediate existence between death and the Day of Resurrection.

What do scholars say about Barzakh?
  • Ibn Kathir, commenting on 23:100, explains Barzakh as the intervening condition separating earthly existence from the final resurrection. He cites early authorities who describe it as a barrier between the two lives.
  • Mufti Muhammad Shafi, in Ma'ariful Qur'an, similarly explains that Barzakh separates the deceased from the world and that the opportunity to return for further worldly deeds has ended.
  • Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, in Tazkirul Qur'an, emphasizes the moral significance of this passage: the life granted to a person is an opportunity that cannot be recovered after death.
Is there awareness in Barzakh? Authentic Hadith describe questioning in the grave and an intermediate experience of comfort or punishment.

In Sahih al-Bukhari 1338, the Prophet ﷺ describes angels questioning the deceased concerning his testimony about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

In Sahih al-Bukhari 1379, the Prophet ﷺ explains that the deceased is shown his or her eventual place in Paradise or Hell until the Day of Resurrection.

Surah Ghafir 40:46 describes Pharaoh's people being exposed to the Fire before the establishment of the Last Hour. Ibn Kathir regards this as important Qur'anic evidence supporting punishment during Barzakh. Nevertheless, the precise nature of this existence belongs to Al-Ghayb — the unseen. We should therefore avoid claiming to know every detail of how the soul experiences the period after death.

The important distinction is that Barzakh is not the final resurrection or the complete final judgment. Those events are still to come.

4. Resurrection: Can Human Beings Really Be Brought Back to Life?
This is perhaps the most intellectually challenging aspect of the Islamic doctrine of the Hereafter. When a human body decomposes, its physical remains gradually return to the earth. How could someone whose body disappeared centuries ago be recreated?

Interestingly, this objection is not new. The Qur'an records essentially the same question being asked during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. 

The remarkable argument in Surah Ya-Sin 36:78–79 Allah describes someone challenging the possibility of resurrection: "Who will give life to bones while they are disintegrated?" — 36:78. The Qur'an replies: قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا الَّذِي أَنشَأَهَا أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ "Say, He will give them life who produced them the first time." — 36:79 

This answer is central to the Qur'anic reasoning about resurrection. If Allah brought human beings into existence in the first place, why should their recreation lie beyond His power? The argument is developed further in 36:81–83, which refers to Allah's creation of the heavens and earth and His power to bring creation into being.
  • How Ibn Kathir interprets these verses He explains that the questioner overlooks his own creation. The person considers the restoration of decayed bones impossible while forgetting that Allah originally brought him into existence. Thus, the Qur'an directs attention from the apparent impossibility of resurrection to the divine power responsible for the original creation.
  • How Maududi explains the argument Maududi, in his commentary on 36:77–79, observes that the objection assumes Allah to be limited by the same inability that human beings experience. Human beings cannot ordinarily restore the dead to life. But the Qur'anic argument is that the Creator's ability cannot be measured by the limitations of His creation.
An important clarification
The Qur'an is making a theological and philosophical argument based upon Allah's existence, knowledge, and power. It is not claiming that bodily resurrection has already been demonstrated through reproducible scientific experiments.

For someone investigating Islam, the underlying question is whether there are persuasive reasons to believe in the existence of an all-powerful Creator and the authenticity of His revelation. If those premises are accepted, resurrection becomes consistent with the divine attributes affirmed by the Qur'an.

5. The Qur'an Points to Creation as a Sign of Resurrection
The Qur'an repeatedly uses familiar examples to help human beings reflect upon the possibility of life being restored.
  • Human development 
    • Surah Al-Hajj 22:5–7 describes human development from its earliest stages through birth, maturity, old age, and death. The same passage refers to barren earth becoming fertile after rainfall.
    • It then declares: "And that the Hour is coming — no doubt about it — and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves." — 22:7
    • Ibn Kathir explains that the creation and development of human life, together with the revival of barren land, are presented as signs of Allah's power.
    • The revival of vegetation is an analogy, not a scientific demonstration that human resurrection takes place through an identical biological process.
  • The example of Prophet Ibrahim
    • In Surah Al-Baqarah 2:260, Prophet Ibrahim asks Allah: "My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead."
    • Allah asks whether he believes.
    • Ibrahim replies: بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي "Yes, but [I ask] only that my heart may be satisfied."
    • Allah then provides him with an extraordinary demonstration involving four birds. The significance of this account extends beyond the event itself.
    • It shows that a sincere believer may seek a deeper understanding of something already accepted in faith.
    • Mufti Muhammad Shafi, in Ma'ariful Qur'an, explains that Ibrahim's request was motivated by a desire for reassurance and deeper certainty, not a rejection of belief in Allah's power.
    • This is an especially valuable lesson for Muslims and non-Muslims who ask difficult questions about life after death.
6. The Day of Resurrection: When Humanity Will Rise Again
The Qur'an describes a future event when the present order of the world will come to an end and human beings will be resurrected.

The Last Day is referred to by several names:
  • Yawm al-Qiyamah: The Day of Resurrection.
  • Yawm al-Ba'th: The Day of Raising the Dead.
  • Yawm al-Hisab: The Day of Reckoning.
  • Yawm ad-Din: The Day of Recompense.
  • Yawm al-Hashr: The Day of Gathering.
These names emphasize different dimensions of the same ultimate reality.

The blowing of the Trumpet Surah Az-Zumar 39:68 describes the blowing of the Trumpet, the collapse of the existing order, and a subsequent blowing after which people rise.

The Qur'an declares: ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ "Then it will be blown again, and they will rise up at once, looking on." — 39:68

The Qur'an also describes humanity emerging from the graves and proceeding toward the gathering in Surah Ya-Sin 36:51–52.

Classical scholars have discussed the number and sequence of trumpet blasts. Some distinguish a blast of terror, a blast of death, and the blast of resurrection; others explain the principal events through two blasts. However, the essential Qur'anic teaching is not dependent upon resolving every detail of that sequence. All human beings will eventually be raised and brought before Allah.

Will resurrection be bodily or merely spiritual? The mainstream classical Islamic understanding affirms bodily resurrection, not merely the continued existence of an immaterial soul.

Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:3–4 explicitly challenges the assumption that Allah cannot reassemble human bones and refers even to the restoration of fingertips.

The Qur'an therefore presents resurrection as the restoration of human existence through Allah's power. However, it does not provide a scientific description of the mechanism by which this event will occur.

7. The Great Gathering: When Every Human Being Stands Before Allah
Following resurrection comes the gathering of humanity, known as Al-Hashr.

The Qur'an describes it in Surah Al-Kahf 18:47: "We will gather them and not leave behind from them anyone."

All worldly distinctions that once appeared so important — wealth, nationality, family prestige, profession, influence, and political authority — will no longer provide independent protection.

The Prophet ﷺ described the seriousness of this gathering. In Sahih al-Bukhari 6527, he said that people would be gathered barefoot, unclothed, and uncircumcised. When Aisha expressed concern about people seeing one another, the Prophet explained that the circumstances would be too overwhelming for such concerns. The purpose of this description is to emphasize humanity's complete dependence upon Allah.

No worldly achievement will exempt someone from accountability. A ruler and a laborer, a wealthy merchant and a poor farmer, a scholar and an ordinary citizen will all stand before their Creator. The final judgment will not depend on worldly prestige.

8. The Day of Judgment: Every Action Will Be Brought Forward
The Qur'an teaches that resurrection is followed by divine judgment. This is perhaps its most morally significant teaching.

Allah declares: "And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all." — Surah Al-Anbiya 21:47

Even the smallest action will not escape Allah's knowledge.
  • The record of deeds
    • Surah Al-Isra 17:13–14 describes a record that will be presented to each person.
    • The individual will be told: اقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَ "Read your record." — 17:14
    • Surah Al-Kahf 18:49 describes the amazement of people discovering that their record contains both small and great deeds.
  • The weighing of deeds 
    • Surah Al-A'raf 7:8–9 and Surah Al-Anbiya 21:47 refer to the weighing of deeds and the establishment of justice.
    • Ibn Kathir explains that no one will suffer injustice during this reckoning, however small the matter may be.
    • The Qur'an declares: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it." — 99:7
    • And the following verse says that whoever does an atom's weight of evil will also see it (99:8).
  • The rights of other human beings
    • The Prophet ﷺ gave a particularly sobering warning about moral accountability.
    • In Sahih Muslim 2581, he describes a person who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting, and Zakat but has wronged others through abuse, slander, unlawful seizure of property, violence, or bloodshed.
    • The person's good deeds are then used to compensate those who suffered from the wrongdoing.
    • This Hadith conveys a profound message: Religious observance cannot be used to erase the rights of other human beings.
    • A person cannot cheat others, damage reputations, deprive orphans of their property, or abuse authority and assume that ritual worship automatically cancels these injustices.
The Hereafter gives meaning to Allah's repeated commands concerning honesty, compassion, justice, and the protection of human dignity.

9. What Happens After Judgment? Paradise, Hell and Allah's Mercy
The Qur'an describes the ultimate consequences of divine judgment through Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).

Surah Az-Zumar 39:71–73 describes groups being led toward their respective destinations.
  • Jannah — The ultimate success - Paradise is described as a place of peace, security, divine blessings, and lasting fulfilment.
    • Surah As-Sajdah 32:17 states that no soul knows the delights concealed for those who have acted righteously.
    • Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:7–8 also associates ultimate reward with faith and righteous deeds.
    • The descriptions emphasize that success in the Hereafter is greater than worldly wealth, possessions, or achievement.
  • Jahannam — The consequence of rejecting truth and wrongdoing
    • The Qur'an also contains solemn warnings about punishment in the Hereafter.
    • These passages emphasize the seriousness of rejecting divine guidance, arrogance, oppression, and persistent wrongdoing.
    • Theological discussions concerning the duration and scope of punishment have occupied Muslim scholars, although the mainstream classical tradition affirms eternal punishment for those who die in unbelief as understood within that framework.
    • Human beings, however, do not possess Allah's complete knowledge of an individual's circumstances, understanding, intentions, or final standing.
    • Ultimate judgment belongs to Allah.
Is salvation achieved by deeds alone? This is an important question. The Prophet ﷺ taught in Sahih al-Bukhari 5673 that entry into Paradise is not earned by deeds independently of Allah's grace and mercy. Thus, even the Prophet ﷺ emphasized dependence upon divine mercy.

This does not make righteous deeds unimportant. Rather, Islam joins human responsibility with Allah's mercy.

The Qur'an states: لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah." — Surah Az-Zumar 39:53

Thus, Islamic teachings about the Hereafter are not intended to produce despair. They seek to cultivate a balance between accountability, hope, repentance, and trust in Allah.

10. What Do Eminent Scholars Consider the Central Lesson of Resurrection?
Although Muslim scholars have devoted extensive attention to the details of the Hereafter, their explanations also carry broader lessons.
  • Ibn Kathir: Resurrection Demonstrates Allah's Power and Perfect Justice In his interpretations of 36:78–79, 39:68–70, and 21:47, Ibn Kathir emphasizes Allah's power to recreate humanity and the certainty of a judgment in which nobody will be wronged. The Creator who brought life into existence possesses the power to restore it. For Ibn Kathir, resurrection and accountability are central expressions of Allah's sovereignty.
  • Abul A'la Maududi: The Hereafter Gives Moral Purpose to Human Life In Tafhim al-Qur'an, particularly his discussion of Surah An-Naba, Maududi places great emphasis on the relationship between resurrection and moral responsibility. Human beings are not independent of Allah's authority simply because they possess temporary freedom in the present world. The Hereafter establishes the ultimate consequences of how that freedom is used.
  • Mufti Muhammad Shafi: Earthly Opportunities End at Death In Ma'ariful Qur'an, commenting on Surah 23:99–100, Mufti Shafi explains the barrier of Barzakh and the impossibility of returning to worldly life to make up for neglected obligations. This interpretation gives particular urgency to repentance and righteous conduct before death.
  • Maulana Wahiduddin Khan: Death Reveals the True Importance of This Life In Tazkirul Qur'an, discussing Surah 23:99–104, Wahiduddin Khan emphasizes that the period before death represents a unique opportunity for moral preparation. After death, the individual recognizes what truly mattered, but the opportunity to begin life again has passed. His explanation reminds readers that possessions, influence, and worldly achievements are not ends in themselves.
What unites these explanations? The scholars differ in emphasis, but each connects belief in resurrection with the responsibility to live meaningfully before death. The Qur'an does not teach resurrection merely to satisfy curiosity about the unseen. It teaches resurrection to transform the way human beings live in the present.

11. What Does Belief in Resurrection Mean for Us Today?
This belief becomes especially meaningful when we connect it with the pressures and moral challenges of modern life.
  • It changes our understanding of success 
    • The world often measures success through money, status, property, influence, or recognition.
    • Islam does not prohibit lawful achievement, but it challenges the assumption that worldly success is the ultimate measure of a person's worth.
    • Surah Aal Imran 3:185 identifies the greatest success as being saved from the Fire and admitted into Paradise.
  • It strengthens moral accountability
    • A person who believes that every action will ultimately be examined has an additional reason to avoid corruption, injustice, cruelty, and dishonesty.
    • Whether dealing with a neighbour, an employee, a customer, a domestic worker, or a stranger, the believer remembers that the rights of others matter.
  • It helps us face personal loss
    • Death brings genuine grief. Islam does not discourage mourning, nor does it suggest that belief in the Hereafter removes the pain of separation.
    • But resurrection provides the believer with hope that earthly separation is not necessarily the end of existence.
    • The precise circumstances of individual reunions and final destinies remain under Allah's judgment.
  • It reminds us not to postpone repentance
    • Many people assume they will eventually find time to improve their lives, settle disputes, seek forgiveness, or become more religiously observant. Yet none of us knows how much time remains.
    • Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:99–100 warns against discovering the importance of righteous living only when the opportunity has passed.
  • It teaches us to leave something beneficial behind
    • The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies, their deeds cease except through three continuing sources of benefit: (Sahih Muslim 1631)
      • Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah).
      • Beneficial knowledge left behind.
      • A righteous child who supplicates for the deceased.
    • This Hadith is particularly important in today's world.
      • Teaching someone useful knowledge, establishing a beneficial charitable project, or raising morally responsible children can leave a positive legacy beyond one's lifetime.
      • For those engaged in education, writing, or communicating religious knowledge, it offers a particularly meaningful motivation to pursue accuracy and sincerity.
12. Some Important Questions About Resurrection
  • Will every human being be resurrected? The Qur'an describes the resurrection and gathering of humanity without limiting these events to Muslims. See 18:47 and 39:68–70.
  • What if someone's body has completely decomposed or been destroyed? The Qur'anic answer is that Allah, who created human beings initially, possesses the power and knowledge necessary to recreate them. This is the central argument of 36:78–83 and 75:3–4.
  • Can we know the date of the Last Day? No. Surah Al-A'raf 7:187 teaches that knowledge of its appointed time belongs to Allah.
  • Does a deceased person return to earthly life before resurrection? Surah 23:99–100 describes a barrier preventing return for another period of worldly action.
  • Can we know exactly what Barzakh feels like? No. The Qur'an and authentic Hadith provide certain descriptions, but the complete nature of this unseen existence is not accessible to ordinary human observation.
  • Is there any scientific proof that bodily resurrection will occur? Resurrection is a religious teaching about a future divine act. It has not been established through reproducible scientific experimentation. The Qur'an offers arguments based on original creation, Allah's power, and the moral purpose of human life.
  • Should belief in the Hereafter make us neglect worldly life? No. Islam commands honesty, justice, family responsibility, kindness, and beneficial conduct in the present world. Belief in the Hereafter is intended to strengthen these responsibilities, not replace them.
13. Five Questions We Should Ask Ourselves Before Death
After studying the Qur'anic description of the Hereafter, perhaps the most important step is to examine ourselves.
  1. If today were my last day, what important obligation would I regret neglecting?
  2. Have I wronged someone whose forgiveness I should seek while I still have the opportunity?
  3. Am I earning and spending my wealth in ways that I could confidently account for before Allah?
  4. What beneficial knowledge, kindness, or lasting contribution am I leaving behind?
  5. Am I preparing for the Hereafter with the same seriousness with which I prepare for my worldly future?
These are not questions intended to create constant anxiety or fear of death. They are reminders that a meaningful life requires conscious priorities. Islam teaches believers to combine preparation for the Hereafter with responsible participation in the world.

Conclusion: Death Ends Our Earthly Opportunities, Not Our Ultimate Existence
The Qur'an presents death not as the permanent extinction of human existence, but as the transition from a temporary life toward resurrection, judgment, and the final reality of the Hereafter. Between death and resurrection lies Barzakh, an unseen intermediate existence. When Allah wills, humanity will be raised again, gathered, and judged with perfect justice. Every act of goodness, every injustice, every sincere repentance, and every neglected responsibility will matter in ways that worldly success alone cannot measure. Classical and modern Muslim scholars consistently emphasize that the purpose of these teachings is not merely to describe events beyond the grave, but to awaken human consciousness while there is still time to act. Belief in resurrection gives moral significance to our choices, reassures us that ultimate justice belongs to Allah, and encourages us to live with faith, compassion, honesty, and accountability. The most important question, therefore, is not simply what will happen to us after death, but what we are doing with the life Allah has given us before death arrives.

The Qur'an brings this entire discussion to a powerful conclusion:

"Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment." — Surah Aal Imran 3:185

A final reflection: We spend much of our lives preparing for a future we may never experience, yet the Qur'an reminds us to prepare for a meeting with Allah that no human being can ultimately escape.

Selected References for Further Study

1.    Essential Qur'anic passages
  • 3:185 — Death, accountability, and true success.
  • 22:5–7 — Creation, the revival of barren earth, and resurrection.
  • 23:99–100 — Regret at death and the reality of Barzakh.
  • 36:51–83 — Resurrection and Allah's power to recreate humanity.39:68–73 — The Trumpet, resurrection, judgment, and final destinations.
  • 40:46 — Pharaoh's people and the intermediate punishment.
  • 75:1–40 — The Day of Resurrection.
  • 78:1–40 — The great news of resurrection and the Hereafter.
  • 99:1–8 — Every deed will be brought forward.
2.    Authentic Hadith
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 1338 — Questioning in the grave.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 1379 — The deceased shown their eventual destination.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 6527 — The gathering of humanity.
  • Sahih Muslim 2581 — Accountability for wrongdoing against others.
  • Sahih Muslim 2955b — A description of bodily recreation.
  • Sahih Muslim 1631 — Deeds that continue to benefit a person after death.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 5673 — Allah's mercy and entry into Paradise.
3.    Scholarly explanations
  • Ibn Kathir — Commentary on 23:100: Barzakh and the period before resurrection.
  • Ibn Kathir — Commentary on 39:68: The Trumpet and final resurrection.
  • Maududi — Commentary on 36:78–79: The rational argument for recreation.
  • Maududi — Introduction to Surah An-Naba: The importance of resurrection in the Makkan message.
  • Mufti Muhammad Shafi — Commentary on 23:100: The meaning of Barzakh.
  • Wahiduddin Khan — Commentary on 23:100: Death as the end of worldly opportunity
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

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Monday, 10 August 2026

A single verse of Al Qur'an (Surah Ya Seen) that contains three enormous truths

Surah Yā-Sīn, the 36th chapter of the Qur’an, is a powerful Makkan Surah centered on revelation, Tawḥīd, resurrection, accountability, and Allah’s absolute power over creation. It calls people to recognize the truth of the Prophet’s message, reflect on the signs of Allah in nature and human life, and remember that every deed and its lasting effects are recorded. Its importance lies in awakening a heedless heart: it reminds us that life is purposeful, death is not the end, resurrection is certain, and ultimate success depends on responding to Divine guidance before we return to Allah.

Surah Yā-Sīn ends with a majestic conclusion of the entire Surah. After discussing revelation, resurrection, accountability, the signs of Allah in creation, and His absolute power, the Surah ends by bringing everything back to one central truth: all sovereignty belongs to Allah, and every human being will ultimately return to Him.

In this post we will expand and reflect on the 83rd verse of the Surah, the last concluding verse that contains three enormous undeniable truth:

The Verse

فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
“So glory be to the One in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you will all be returned.” — 36:83

Its immediate context
Verse 83 should really be read with 36:77–82. The passage answers the objection of a person who could not understand how decayed bones could ever be brought back to life. Allah answers that the One who created human beings the first time can certainly recreate them; the One who created the heavens and the earth is surely capable of resurrecting mankind. 

The argument reaches its climax in verse 82:

“When He wills something, His command is only to say to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.”

Then comes 36:83: Therefore, glory belongs to Him; everything is under His absolute authority; and everyone will return to Him. So verse 83 is not an isolated devotional sentence. It is the conclusion of the Qur’an’s argument for resurrection.

What does “Malakūt” mean?
The word مَلَكُوت — malakūt conveys something stronger than ordinary ownership. It refers to complete sovereignty, supreme dominion and absolute control.

Thus: بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ does not merely mean that Allah “owns” everything. It means that the existence, continuation, destiny and ultimate outcome of everything remain entirely under His authority. Creation does not operate independently of Him. Life and death do not escape Him. Resurrection is therefore not difficult for Him.

Scholarly interpretation
1.    Ibn Kathir reads the ending of Yā-Sīn as the culmination of Allah's proof against those who denied resurrection. If Allah created mankind originally, and created the heavens and earth—which are vastly greater—then recreating human beings cannot be beyond His power. Verse 83 therefore glorifies Allah as the One who possesses complete sovereignty and to whom creation ultimately returns.

In other words: The One who owns creation also owns its ending and its resurrection.

2.    Maududi translates the essential meaning very forcefully: Allah has complete control over everything, and all people will be recalled to Him. This brings an important ethical dimension into the verse.

Allah's sovereignty is not merely a statement about the universe. It means that human beings are accountable subjects within that universe.

We have freedom to choose, but we do not have freedom from the consequences of those choices.

3.    Ma‘ariful Qur’an connects 36:83 directly with verse 82. Human beings need materials, tools, workers, processes and time to accomplish something. Allah does not. His creative authority is absolute; when He wills creation, His will is sufficient. Verse 83 therefore concludes that the One possessing such authority is utterly above every limitation that human beings imagine for Him. This is crucial because the objection to resurrection comes from projecting human limitations onto Allah.

Note: Maarif-ul-Quran is a famous eight-volume commentary of the Holy Quran written by the Pakistani scholar Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani.

Why is 36:83 so important?
The verse contains three enormous truths in a single sentence.

1.    فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي — “Glory be to Him” Allah is above every weakness, limitation or imperfection that people attribute to Him.

2.    بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ — “In His hand is the dominion of everything” Nothing ultimately lies outside His authority.

3.    وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ — “And to Him you will be returned” Human existence is going somewhere. Death is not disappearance; it is return.

That final expression is perhaps the most personally significant.

The Qur’an does not say merely: “You will die.” Rather it says: “You will return.”

A return implies that our life began under Allah's authority, continues under His authority, and ends before Him.

How does this verse relate to our present life?
Modern life can easily create the illusion that we are in control. We control bank accounts, businesses, technology, property, schedules and even vast amounts of information. Nations possess extraordinary military and scientific power.

Yet 36:83 quietly reminds us: You possess things temporarily; Allah possesses them absolutely.

All our possessions have a diminishing shades: (1) Health can change overnight. (2) Wealth can disappear. (3) Status can collapse. (4) Life itself can end without warning.

This does not mean that Islam asks us to become passive. Rather, it teaches us to distinguish between responsibility and control: We are responsible for our effort; Allah ultimately controls the outcome.

That understanding produces both humility and peace. It also challenges arrogance. When someone thinks: “I built everything myself.” 36:83 asks:
  • Who gave the intelligence?
  • Who created the body?
  • Who produced the opportunities?
  • Who created the earth from which resources came?
  • Who keeps the heart beating while the person sleeps?
The verse dismantles the illusion of absolute human self-sufficiency. It changes how we face anxiety. There is also immense comfort in: بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ. If everything ultimately lies in Allah's hands, then the believer does not need to believe that circumstances themselves possess independent power.

People may harm us, plans may fail. Even doors may close. But none of these circumstances sits on the throne of ultimate authority. Only Allah does. That is why tawakkul is not merely positive thinking. It arises from a theological certainty: the One I trust actually possesses the dominion of everything. It also changes our moral decisions

The final words are even more sobering: وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ - If we truly understand that we are returning to Allah, many decisions would immediately look different.
  • Before earning money: Will I want to explain how I earned this when I return to Allah?
  • Before harming someone: Will I want this recorded when I stand before Him?
  • Before lying: Is this short-term advantage worth carrying into the Hereafter?
  • Before doing good: Even if nobody notices, will Allah know it?
The answer is yes. And that makes accountability not merely a doctrine about the future, but a discipline for today's behaviour.

A beautiful way to understand the ending of Surah Yā-Sīn
The Surah begins by telling us that Muhammad ﷺ is truly among the messengers and that the Qur’an is revelation. It then takes us through: guidance → rejection → signs of creation → death → resurrection → judgment → Paradise and punishment → Divine creative power. And finally ends with: Everything belongs to Allah, and everyone returns to Allah.

So 36:83 can almost be read as the summary sentence of the whole Surah:

You came from Allah's creative power, you live within Allah's dominion, and you are travelling back to Allah. That is why its message is extraordinarily relevant today. Amid careers, possessions, ambitions, disappointments and distractions, this verse asks one fundamental question: If everything ultimately belongs to Allah and I am inevitably returning to Him, am I living today in a way that I will be comfortable presenting to Him when I return?

This is the question we should keep asking us every now and then. And if we find that we are drifting from the course set for us Divinely, we must make amends and re-steer to our defined path.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 
You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  
    In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

    Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

    If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

    Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

    Wednesday, 11 February 2026

    What is Inevitable - explained in one of the most philosophically powerful verses in the Qur’an

    The wealth, position and status of man has much too often a blinding effect on the intellect and wisdom of the man. When elevated to an elitist class, man in his own arrogance of being at a position much above the others, loses sight of the realities and the temporary nature of one's status, wealth and even life. To such people, are also included the atheists who do not believe in the existence of any gods or deities and the life of the hereafter. This position is characterized by a lack of belief in supernatural beings rather than necessarily a claim of absolute knowledge. Thus Atheists actively deny the existence of God or simply lack a belief in Him. 

    This was also the mindset of the polytheists of Makkah who in the formatting days of Islam out rightly rejected the existence of One God and the concept of the Resurrection - the act of rising from the dead or returning to life. In order to refute their misconception, the very two verses of Surah 56. Al-Wāqi‘ah were revealed which are considered as one of the most philosophically powerful verses in the Qur’an. In just a few words, they collapse denial, shatter complacency, and answer the deepest objections to God and the Hereafter — not by scientific argument, but by existential certainty.

    The Verses
    إِذَا وَقَعَتِ الْوَاقِعَةُ ۝ لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
    Idhā waqa‘ati al-wāqi‘ah — laysa li-waq‘atihā kādhibah
    “When the Inevitable Event occurs — there will be no denying its occurrence.”

    Opening the discourse with this sentence "and then there will be no one to deny its occurrence" by itself signifies that this is an answer to the objections that were being raised in the disbelievers’ conferences against Resurrection. This was the time when the people of Makkah had just begun to hear the invitation to Islam from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In it what seemed most astonishing and remote from reason to them was that the entire system of the earth and heavens would one day be overturned and then another world would be set up in which all the dead, of the former and the latter generations, would be resurrected. Bewildered they would ask: This is just impossible! Where will this earth, these oceans, these mountains, this moon and sun go? How will the centuries-old dead bodies rise up to life? How can one in his senses believe that there will be another life after death and there will be gardens of Paradise and the fire of Hell? Such were the misgivings that were being expressed at that time everywhere in Makkah. It was against this background that it was said: When the inevitable event happens, there shall be no one to belie it.

    Let’s unpack how these two verses directly confront polytheistic, atheistic and materialist objections.

    Meaning of the Two Verses
    • Verse 1 — “When the Inevitable Event occurs” الْوَاقِعَة (al-Wāqi‘ah)
      • In this verse the word Wāqi‘ahh (event) has been used for Resurrection, which nearly means the same thing as the English word inevitable, signifying thereby that it is something that must come to pass. Then, its happening has been described by the word Wāqi‘ah, which is used for the sudden occurrence of a disaster. 
      • This verse just not foretell of “an event” — but an event that is Certain to happen and already decided. This event is thus inescapable.
      • The Qur’an names the Day of Judgment as if it has already happened.
      • This is Qur’ānic language of certainty.
      • Philosophical point: The Hereafter is not hypothetical — it is part of reality’s structure.
    • Verse 2 — “There will be no denying its occurrence” لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
      • Laisa li-waqati-ha kadhibat-un can have two meanings:
        • That it will not be possible that its occurrence be averted, or stopped, or turned back; or, in other words, there will be no power to make it appear as an unreal event.
        • That there will be no living being to tell the lie that the event has not taken place.
      • This can mean that no one will be able to deny it or able to lie about it. There will thus be no excuse, no reinterpretation, no escape.
      • That is no ideology will explain it away, no skepticism will survive it or no intellectualization will protect against it.
      • Reality itself will silence denial.
    How This Answers Atheist Objections (At a Deep Level)
    • The Qur’an does NOT argue here with physics, probability or laboratory evidence. Instead, Qur'an attacks the psychology of denial.
    • Atheistic objection: “There is no proof of the Hereafter.”
    • Qur’ānic response: Your denial is not because it is false — Your denial exists because it has not yet confronted you.
    • These verses say: Denial is temporary. Reality is permanent.
    The Qur’ān’s Existential Argument (Not Just Logical)
    • The Qur’an’s method is Not “Prove God with equations” - But expose human illusion of control and permanence.
    • These verses imply: Every atheist certainty is built on: (1) Still being alive, (2) Still having time, and (3) Still not having faced death and of course the reality of resurrection
    • So Qur’an says: Your philosophy depends on delay — not on truth.
    The Collapse of Denial at Death & Resurrection
    • These verses connect directly with later verses in the same surah: “Why then, when the soul reaches the throat… if you are not to be judged, bring it back.” (56:83–87)
    • This is devastating logic: If no God, no Hereafter, no accountability (1) Why can’t you reverse death? (2) Why can’t science save the soul? (3) Why can’t ideology stop finality?
    So 56:1–2 are an opening hammer: They announce a future reality that will invalidate all denial retroactively.

    Answering “There is No God”
    • These verses don’t say “God exists” directly.
    • They say something deeper: There is a final reality that no human system controls.
    • This itself implies: (1) Authority beyond human(2) Judgment beyond human (3) Reality beyond material
    • Atheism claims: Human reason is final and that Matter is ultimate and Death is the end. There is nothing beyond.
    • Qur'an says in 56:1–2: You are not final, Matter is not ultimate and Death is not the end
    So they strike at the foundation of atheism: Human autonomy as ultimate authority.

    Why This Is So Powerful (Psychologically & Philosophically)
    1. The Qur’an does not beg disbelief to accept. It declares: Whether you believe or not — this will happen.
    2. This shifts the burden: Not “Prove it to me.” - But “You will be proven wrong by reality itself.”
    3. This is why the Qur’an often uses: (1) Shock (2) Certainty (3) Oaths (4) Direct confrontation - Because denial is often moral and psychological — not purely intellectual.
    The Hidden Message to the Modern Mind
    These verses draw a comparison with the people of the time, who trust the Systems, Technology, Medicine, Progress and Control.

    While the Qur'an 56:1–2 say: There is an event that will render all of that irrelevant.

    That is a direct challenge to: Secular confidence, Materialist security, and Technological arrogance.

    One-line Qur’ānic answer to atheism in 56:1–2:
    The Qur’an does not argue that the Hereafter is possible — it declares that it is inevitable, and that denial is only sustained by delay, not by truth. Reality itself will end the debate. This is why these verses are so short yet so terrifying — they turn the atheist position from “confident” into temporarily deferred.

    Se beware of the day when every human who ever lived will be brought back to life and his dossier will be presented to him and will be rewarded or awarded accordingly. Ten it will be too late to repent for not having paid heed to the Divine warnings when there was still time to acknowledge what was being said was true.
    May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
    وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
    (36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
    That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

    May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

    Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

    Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

    You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 56 Al-Wāqiʻa  الواقعة "The Inevitable" already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

    For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

    You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
    Photo | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

    An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  
      In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

      Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

      If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

      Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

      Saturday, 31 January 2026

      But the life of this world (compared to the Hereafter) is only a fleeting enjoyment

      We all live in this world seeing and enjoying the "seen" never ever caring for what is hidden and "promised." For us, this world with all its glitters and amusement is associated with enjoyment, happiness, laughter and pleasure. Yet, a very few of us reflect over the shortness of our life and the permanency of life of the hereafter. 

      For this reason, we have selected the 26th verse from Surah Ar-Raʿd (13:26) which cautions us the shortness of this life which has been referred to as a time equated to fleeting enjoyment and the life of the hereafter being the permanent life the pleasures (or otherwise) of which depend on how we spend our lives in our worldly life. 

      The verse (meaning-focused translation)

      اَللّٰهُ يَبۡسُطُ الرِّزۡقَ لِمَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ​ؕ وَفَرِحُوۡا بِالۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا ؕ وَمَا الۡحَيٰوةُ الدُّنۡيَا فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ اِلَّا مَتَاعٌ‏ 
      “Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it. They rejoice in the life of this world, but the life of this world compared to the Hereafter is only a fleeting enjoyment.” (13:26)

      This single verse touches three of the most sensitive human realities: (1) rizq (provision), (2) happiness, and (3) illusion. Let us expand its meaning and how can this single verse if understood and correctly reflected upon can change our orientation to the worldly life and shape it for a permanent life of the hereafter.

      Context within Surah Ar-Raʿd
      Surah Ar-Raʿd consistently contrasts: (1) Visible power vs unseen control, (2) Temporary life vs permanent reality, (3) Human assumptions vs divine wisdom.

      Just before and after this verse, the Surah speaks about: (1) People who demand signs (13:7), (2) The certainty of divine knowledge (13:8–10), (3) The laws of change in societies (13:11), (4) Natural power and human argument (13:12–13), and (5) The contrast between truth and falsehood (13:17). So 13:26 fits into a larger message and which is "Your material condition is not proof of your worth, truth, or ultimate success."

      As per revered Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir, the verse serves as a reminder to focus on the eternal life rather than being distracted by the, often misleading,, temporary enjoyment of this world. This verse has two distinct parts: (1) Allah alone determines, increases, and restricts sustenance (provision) based on His wisdom and will. (2) Then Allah highlights that worldly abundance is merely a temporary enjoyment (trial) that cannot be compared to the everlasting, superior, and true life in the Hereafter.

      Rizq / Means of sustenance
      In the first part of the verse Allah proclaims that is it He alone who extends rizq / provision and restricts. To some this may appear to be random cruelty, that is giving to some and restricting others from having what other have. 

      In fact in Qur’anic worldview, Expansion of provision may be: (1) A test of gratitude and arrogance, (2) A means of influence, (3) A form of delayed accountability, while Restriction of provision may be: (1) A test of patience, (2) A purification, (3) A protection from arrogance, (4) A redirection toward higher values.

      This part of the verse thus outlines the key Islamic principle that Rizq is not a scoreboard of divine approval. This directly challenges a modern (and ancient) assumption that If I am succeeding financially, I must be right. The Qur’an dismantles this notion.

      World famous exegete of Al Qur'an Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi is thus of the view that:

      This verse refutes the wrong criterion by which the disbelievers of Makkah (and all other disobedient people of the world) judged whether one was or was not a favorite of God. They judged a man’s worth by his wealth and worldly prosperity and not by his faith and righteous conduct. They thought that the one who was enjoying all the good things of life was a favorite of God, even if he had erroneous beliefs and did wicked deeds. On the other hand, they considered the one who was poor and indigent to be under the wrath of God, even though he was righteous. That is why in their judgment the chiefs of the Quraish were far superior to the followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They would say, "You can see for yourselves that God is with the chiefs of the Quraish.

      In this verse, Allah has warned them that they are absolutely wrong in drawing such a conclusion from the worldly conditions of the people. Allah gives His provision to the people abundantly or sparingly for reasons different from those which they presumed and richness or poverty is no criterion by which to judge the worth of people. The real criterion of judging the worth of people is their beliefs and deeds. The one, who has righteous beliefs and does good deeds, shall be higher in rank than the one who has wrong beliefs and does evil deeds. Thus the real criterion is the quality of his deeds and not the possession or the lack of wealth. 

      Preference to the worldly life over the permanent life of Hereafter
      “They rejoice in the life of this world” - This part of the verse implies deep emotional attachment to the worldly life, not just enjoyment. It refers to people who: (1) Measure success by income, (2) Define worth by lifestyle, (3) Equate happiness with consumption, and thus (4) Feel secure because of wealth.

      Qur’anic viewpoint is that though the enjoyment is not haram and one should enjoy this life moderately rather than rejoicing with misplaced loyalty. That is the worldly life should not become one's (1) Goal, (2) Identity, or (3) Proof of one's success

      The temporary worldly life
      “But the life of this world is only a fleeting enjoyment” - this does not mean that the Qur’an does not say the world is worthless. Rather it is being said that this life (1) Utterly short and temporary, (2) rather it is Deceptive if absolutized, and (3) it is Inadequate as a final goal.

      There is an Arabic saying that: Life is something that gives pleasure but does not last — like a traveler’s shade.

      Ibn Kathir, contrasting this life with that of the Hereafter, emphasizes the insignificance of worldly wealth and pleasure compared to the eternal life. And that True success is not measured by worldly riches, as the disbelievers often rejoice in this, ignoring the greater, permanent rewards of the afterlife. 

      To sum up, it may be noted that the "Worldly-oriented people invariably ignore the preacher of Truth." The reason for this is that a worldly people recognize only worldly glories. As the preacher is in possession of only sublime truths, he is not recognized and is ignored as an unimportant person. But, when the veil over reality is torn asunder, man will come to know at that time that the apparent glory which he considered everything, was absolutely valueless. The truly valuable thing was reality which, because it was unseen, could not claim his attention.

      There is a Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which says, "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler," mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  6416 which also tells us the temporary nature of our life. Yet despite all these mentions, our orientation remain towards our present state in this world rather than eyeing the a permanent life that is our final destination.

      Correlation with our daily lives 
      This verse is truly reflective of the state of mind of a majority of the people who when blessed with more than others think that the world only belongs to them and instead of being thankful to their Creator and the Sustainer, arrogance and obstinacy creeps in and they indulge into merry making to make best of their lives. They thus forget that this life provides them with a mere fleeting enjoyment which would rob them of blessings of the hereafter.

      Let us establish a correlation with the verse and our practical life:
      • Income inequality & comparison culture: 
        • We constantly compare: our Salaries, Homes, Cars and Lifestyles (especially via social media) with others and if having an upper edge, a sense of elation creeps in rather than be humble for what we have is not due to our efforts rather it is because of Divine blessings which are not permanent.
        • Rather 13:26 resets the scale and caution those who are blessed more that these blessings can be withdrawn due to their arrogance and pride.
      • Anxiety over finances: In contrast to those living in abundance, many people today live with Financial stress, Fear of loss of jobs and Obsession with stability. This verse tells them that control is not with your employer, market, or economy, rather it is with Allah. If understood correctly, one would realize that this verse cancels panic and despair. and give them hope if one persists in one's faith and endures difficulties with sabr / perseverance.
      • Arrogance of success: 
        • This is a dilemma - When people rise, they attribute it purely to intelligence. At the same time in their arrogance (due to their being rich and efforts), they see others as lazy and they completely undermine unseen help.
        • The verse thus indicate expansion / rise a test, not a trophy.
      • Despair of hardship: 
        • But when people fall, they feel abandoned and feel inferior - thus they lose self-worth.
        • This verse comforts the fallen by telling them that restriction is not rejection. Many a man who have true faith rise again and are honoured much more than those who are arrogant.
      • Psychological wisdom: 
        • This verse also explains why: (1) Rich people are not automatically happy and (2) Poor people are not automatically miserable  - for the reason that happiness is not proportional to provision.
        • At the same time, it also notes that rejoicing wrongly placed produces: (1) Fear of loss, (2) Endless desire, and (3) the inner feeling of finding never enough to satisfy their greed.
      • A deep link with 13:11 (law of change):
        • Earlier in the Surah, it was said “Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (13:11)
        • So while provision is from Allah, character, gratitude, justice, and effort shape how provision is used and experienced.
      • One-line Qur’anic worldview: Your bank balance is not your biography in Allah’s sight.
      • A reflection for today: In a world obsessed with growth, lifestyle and status consciousness, man is more prone to rely on his wealth to exhibit his false status - something that would be of no use in the life of the hereafter.
      Thus the verse 13:26 whispers a dangerous truth to the ego: What you are chasing is not what you were created for. Remember the fate of Qarun / Korah as mentioned in Surah 28. Al-Qasas wherein it has been told to the mankind that even if a man is rich beyond any bounds, his arrogance can lead him to utter disaster, deprivation of all wealth and even his life. So let us be humble even if we are rich or blessed more than others and live this life as a prelude to the life of the Hereafter.
      May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
      وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
      (36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
      That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

      May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

      Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

      Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

      You may refer for more Selected Verses from Sürah 13. Al Ra'd - The Thunder  already published

      You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

      For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

      You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
      Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

      An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  
        In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

        Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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