Surah Az Zukhruf Notes (67-76)

Source: Ibn Kathir

The Resurrection will come suddenly, and Enmity will arise between close Friends among the Disbelievers

(67) Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun.

(Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) means, every friendship that exists for a purpose other than for the sake of Allah will turn to enmity on the Day of Resurrection, except for that which is for the sake of Allah, which will last forever. This is like the statement of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to his people:

(You have taken (for worship) idols instead of Allah. The love between you is only in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, you shall disown each other, and curse each other, and your abode will be the Fire, and you shall have no helper.) (29:25)

Good News for Those with Taqwa on the Day of Resurrection, and Their entry into Paradise

(68) (It will be said to the true believers of Islamic Monotheism): My worshippers! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve,

(69) (You) who believed in Our Ayat (proofs, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were Muslims (i.e. who submit totally to Allah's Will, and believe in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism).

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) Then He will give them the glad tidings:

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) means, their hearts believed and they submitted inwardly and outwardly to the Laws of Allah. Al-Mu`tamir bin Sulayman narrated that his father said: "When the Day of Resurrection comes and the people are resurrected, there will be no one left who will not be filled with terror. Then a caller will cry out:

(My servants! No fear shall be on you this Day, nor shall you grieve.) So all the people will be filled with hope, but this will be followed by the words:

((You) who believed in Our Ayat and were Muslims.) Then all of mankind will be filled with despair apart from the believers.''

(70) Enter Paradise, you and your wives, in happiness.

(Enter Paradise, ) means, they will be told to enter Paradise.

(you and your wives,) means, your counterparts

(in happiness (Tuhbarun).) means, in delight and joy.

(71) Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them, (there will be) therein all that the one's inner-selves could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, and you will abide therein forever.

(Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them;) means, fine vessels of gold containing food and drink, without spouts or handles. ) ﴿(there will be) therein all that their souls could desire).﴾ Some of them recited:

(that their souls desire,)

(and all that eyes could delight in) means, of good food, delightful fragrances, and beautiful scenes.

(and you will therein) means, in Paradise

(abide forever) means, you will never leave it or want to exchange it. 

(72) This is the Paradise which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds which you used to do (in the life of the world).

Then it will be said to them, as a reminder of the blessing and favor of Allah:

(This is the Paradise, which you have been made to inherit because of your deeds that you used to do.) means, the righteous deeds which were the cause of your being included in the mercy of Allah. For no one will be admitted to Paradise by virtue of their deeds alone; that will be by the mercy and grace of Allah. But the varying ranks and degrees of Paradise will be attained according to one's righteous deeds.

(73) Therein for you will be fruits in plenty, of which you will eat (as you desire).

(Therein for you will be fruits in plenty,) means, of all kinds.

(of which you will eat.) means, whatever you choose and desire. When food and drink are mentioned, fruit is also mentioned to complete the picture of blessing and joy. And Allah knows best.

The Punishment of the Doomed

(74) Verily, the Mujrimun (criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.

The description of the state of the blessed is followed by a description of the state of the doomed.

(Verily, the criminals will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. It will not be lightened for them,) meaning, not even for one moment.

(75) (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein.

(and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein,) means, they will despair of any goodness.

(76) We wronged them not, but they were the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.).

(We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers.) means, by their committing wrong actions after proof had been established against them and Messengers had been sent to them, but they rejected them and rebelled, so they are to be punished accordingly. And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.