Surah As Sajdah Notes (25-30)

Source: Ibn Kathir

 (25) Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that over which they used to differ.

(Verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection, concerning that wherein they used to differ.) meaning, with regard to beliefs and actions.

Learning the Lessons of the Past

 (26) Has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them, [as] they walk among their dwellings? Indeed in that are signs; then do they not hear?

(in whose dwellings they do walk about) meaning, these disbelievers walk about in the places where those disbelievers used to live, but they do not see any of those who used to live there, for they have gone --

(As if they had never lived there) (11:68) 

This is like the Ayat:

(These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong) (27:52).

(And many a township did We destroy while they were given to wrongdoing, so that it lie in ruins, and (many) a deserted well and lofty castle! Have they not traveled through the land) until:

(but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.) (22:45-46) 

Allah says here:

(Verily, therein indeed are signs.) meaning, in the fact that these people are gone and have been destroyed, and in what happened to them because they disbelieved the Messengers, and how those who believed in them were saved, there are many signs, proofs and important lessons.

(Would they not then listen) means, to the stories of those who came before and what happened to them. 

The Revival of the Earth with Water is Proof of the Resurrection to come

 (27) Have they not seen that We drive the water [in clouds] to barren land and bring forth thereby crops from which their livestock eat and [they] themselves? Then do they not see?

(Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land) Here Allah explains His kindness and goodness towards them by His sending water to them, whether from the sky or from water flowing through the land, water carried by rivers down from the mountains to the lands that need it at particular times. 

Allah says:

(to the dry land) which means the land where nothing grows, as in the Ayah,

(And verily, We shall make all that is on it a bare dry soil.) (18:8) i.e., barren land where nothing grows. Allah says here:

(Have they not seen how We drive water to the dry land that has no vegetation, and therewith bring forth crops providing food for their cattle and themselves Will they not then see) This is like the Ayah,

(Then let man look at his food: We pour forth water in abundance.) (80:24-25). Allah says here:

(Will they not then see)

How the Disbelievers sought to hasten on the Punishment, and what happened to Them

 (28) And they say, "When will be this conquest, if you should be truthful?"

Allah tells us how the disbelievers sought to hasten on the punishment, and to bring the wrath and vengeance of Allah upon themselves, because they thought this punishment would never happen, and because of their disbelief and stubbornness.

(They say: "When will this Fath be...'') meaning, `when will you prevail over us, O Muhammad, since you claim that there will be a time when you will gain the upper hand over us and take your revenge on us, so when will that happen All we see of you and your companions is that you are hiding, afraid and humiliated.

 (29) Say, [O Muhammad], "On the Day of Conquest the belief of those who had disbelieved will not benefit them, nor will they be reprieved."

(Say: "On the Day of Al-Fath...'') meaning, `when the wrath and punishment of Allah befall you, in this world and the next,'

(no profit will it be to those who disbelieve if they (then) believe! Nor will they be granted a respite.) 

This is like the Ayah,

(Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad with that which they had of the knowledge...) (40:83-85) 

Those who claim that this refers to the conquest of Makkah go too far, and have made a grievous mistake, for on the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Messenger of Allah accepted the Islam of the freed Makkan prisoners-of-war, who numbered nearly two thousand. If what was meant by this Ayah was the conquest of Makkah, he would not have accepted their Islam, because Allah says:

(Say: "On the Day of Al-Fath, no profit will it be to those who disbelieve if they (then) believe! Nor will they be granted a respite.'') What is meant by Al-Fath here is Judgement.

(30) So turn away from them and wait. Indeed, they are waiting.

(So turn aside from them and await, verily, they (too) are awaiting.) meaning, `turn away from these idolators, and convey that which has been revealed to you from your Lord.' This is like the Ayah,

(Follow what has been revealed to you from your Lord, there is no God but Him.) (6:106) `Wait until Allah fulfills that which He has promised you, and grants you victory over those who oppose you, for He never breaks His promise.'

(verily, they (too) are awaiting.) means, `you are waiting, and they are waiting and plotting against you,'

(Or do they say: "A poet! We await for him some calamity by time!'') (52:30). `You will see the consequences of your patience towards them, and the fulfillment of the promise of your Lord in your victory over them, and they will see the consequences of their wait for something bad to befall you and your Companions, in that Allah's punishment will come upon them.' Sufficient unto us is Allah, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs. This is the end of the Tafsir of Surat As-Sajdah.