( Source: Ibn Kathir )
This Surah and the five that follow are closely connected, and were revealed in late makkan period, as the great event of hijrat was gradually approaching.
The central theme is that Allah's wonderful creation must not be viewed as creation of material things only, once made and finished with. Most wonderful of all is how He reveals Himself to men through Prophets and Scriptures; how Prophets are rejected by men, and the message disbelieved until it is too late for repentance and how as in the case of Yunus and his people, even the rejection does not prevent Allah's grace and mercy from working, and how far that working is beyond the man's comprehension.
(1) Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the Book (the Quran) Al-Hakim [showing lawful and unlawful things, explaining Allah's (Divine) Laws for mankind, leading them to eternal happiness by ordering them to follow the true Islamic Monotheism, - worshipping none but Allah Alone - that will guide them to Paradise and save them from Hell].
(2) Is it wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Inspiration to a man from among themselves (i.e. Prophet Muhammad SAW) (saying): "Warn mankind (of the coming torment in Hell), and give good news to those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Prophet Muhammad SAW) that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds?" (But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer (i.e. Prophet Muhammad SAW and the Quran)!
(3) Surely, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then Istawa (rose over) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty), disposing the affair of all things. No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His Leave. That is Allah, your Lord; so worship Him (Alone). Then, will you not remember?
Allah tells us that He is the Lord of the entire existence. He tells us that He created the heavens and the earth in six days. It was said: "Like these days (meaning our worldly days).'' It was also said: "Every day is like a thousand years of what we reckon.''
(and then rose over (Istawa) the Throne.)'' The Throne is the greatest of the creatures and is like a ceiling for them.
(arranging the affair ﴿of all things﴾.) means that He controls the affairs of the creatures.
(Not even the weight of a speck of dust escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth.) (34:3)
No affair distract' Him from other affairs. No matter troubles Him. The persistent requests of His creatures do not annoy Him. He governs big things as He governs small things everywhere, on the mountains, in the oceans, in populated areas, or in wastelands.
(And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.) (11:6)
(Not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.) (6:59)
(4) To Him is the return of all of you. The Promise of Allah is true. It is He Who begins the creation and then will repeat it, that He may reward with justice those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and did deeds of righteousness. But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.
Allah tells us that the return of the creatures on the Day of Resurrection is to Him. He will not leave anyone of them without bringing everyone into being as He brought them in the beginning. Then Allah states that He is going to bring all the creatures into being.
(that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness.) meaning, the reward will be with justice and complete recompense.
(But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.) meaning, because of their disbelief they will be punished on the Day of Resurrection by different forms of torment, such as fierce hot winds, boiling water, and the shadow of black smoke.
(This is the Hell which the criminals denied. They will go between it (Hell) and the fierce boiling water!) (55:43-44)
(5) It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out its (their) stages, that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for people who have knowledge.
Allah tells us about the signs He created that are indicative of His complete power and great might. He made the rays that come forth from the bright sun as the source of light, and made the beams that come forth from the moon as light. He made them of two different natures so they would not be confused with one another. Allah made the dominion of the sun in the daytime and the moon in the night. He ordained phases for the moon, where it starts small then its light increases until it completes a full moon. Then it begins to decrease until it returns to its first phase at the conclusion of the month.
(And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.) (36:39-40)
(And measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. '') The days are revealed by the action of the sun, and the months and the years by the moon.
(Allah did not create this but in truth.) He didn't create that for amusement but with great wisdom and perfect reasoning.
(He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) In other words, He explained the signs and proofs for people who know.
This Surah and the five that follow are closely connected, and were revealed in late makkan period, as the great event of hijrat was gradually approaching.
The central theme is that Allah's wonderful creation must not be viewed as creation of material things only, once made and finished with. Most wonderful of all is how He reveals Himself to men through Prophets and Scriptures; how Prophets are rejected by men, and the message disbelieved until it is too late for repentance and how as in the case of Yunus and his people, even the rejection does not prevent Allah's grace and mercy from working, and how far that working is beyond the man's comprehension.
Which was revealed in Makkah
The Messenger cannot be but a Human Being
Allah rebukes the attitude of the disbelievers with the words
(Is it a wonder for mankind...) They have always found it strange that Allah would send Messengers to them from among mankind. Allah also tells us about other people from previous nations who said,
(Shall mere men guide us) (64:6)
Hud and Salih said to their people: (Do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Lord through a man from among you.) (7:63)
(and give good news to those who believe that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds.) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah, "Eternal happiness has been written for them.'' Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "It is the good reward for what they have done.'' Mujahid said: "It is their good deeds -- their prayers, fasting, charity, and glorification.''
((But) the disbelievers say: "This is indeed an evident sorcerer!'') This means that the disbelievers said this although Allah has sent a Messenger from among themselves to them, a man of their own race as a bearer of good news and as a warner. But they are the liars in saying that.
Allah is the Creator Who arranges the Affairs of the Universe
Allah tells us that He is the Lord of the entire existence. He tells us that He created the heavens and the earth in six days. It was said: "Like these days (meaning our worldly days).'' It was also said: "Every day is like a thousand years of what we reckon.''
(and then rose over (Istawa) the Throne.)'' The Throne is the greatest of the creatures and is like a ceiling for them.
(arranging the affair ﴿of all things﴾.) means that He controls the affairs of the creatures.
(Not even the weight of a speck of dust escapes His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth.) (34:3)
No affair distract' Him from other affairs. No matter troubles Him. The persistent requests of His creatures do not annoy Him. He governs big things as He governs small things everywhere, on the mountains, in the oceans, in populated areas, or in wastelands.
(And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah.) (11:6)
(Not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.) (6:59)
(No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after He permits.) This is similar to what is in the following Ayat:
(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission) (2:255) and,
(And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with.)(53:26), and;
(Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits. )(34:23).
(That is Allah, your Lord; so worship Him (alone). Then, will you not remember) meaning worship Him alone with no partners.
The Return of Everything is to Allah
Allah tells us that the return of the creatures on the Day of Resurrection is to Him. He will not leave anyone of them without bringing everyone into being as He brought them in the beginning. Then Allah states that He is going to bring all the creatures into being.
(that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness.) meaning, the reward will be with justice and complete recompense.
(But those who disbelieved will have a drink of boiling fluids and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.) meaning, because of their disbelief they will be punished on the Day of Resurrection by different forms of torment, such as fierce hot winds, boiling water, and the shadow of black smoke.
(This is the Hell which the criminals denied. They will go between it (Hell) and the fierce boiling water!) (55:43-44)
Everything is a Witness to the Power of Allah
Allah tells us about the signs He created that are indicative of His complete power and great might. He made the rays that come forth from the bright sun as the source of light, and made the beams that come forth from the moon as light. He made them of two different natures so they would not be confused with one another. Allah made the dominion of the sun in the daytime and the moon in the night. He ordained phases for the moon, where it starts small then its light increases until it completes a full moon. Then it begins to decrease until it returns to its first phase at the conclusion of the month.
(And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.) (36:39-40)
(And measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. '') The days are revealed by the action of the sun, and the months and the years by the moon.
(Allah did not create this but in truth.) He didn't create that for amusement but with great wisdom and perfect reasoning.
(He explains the Ayat in detail for people who have knowledge.) In other words, He explained the signs and proofs for people who know.
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