Surah Saba Notes (31-36)

Source: Ibn Kathir

How the Disbelievers have agreed in this World to deny the Truth, and how They will dispute with One Another on the Day of Resurrection

(31) And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Quran nor in that which was before it," but if you could see when the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers, etc.) will be made to stand before their Lord, how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!"

Allah tells us about the excessive wrongdoing and stubbornness of the disbelievers, and their insistence on not believing in the Holy Qur'an and what it tells them about the Resurrection. 

Allah says:

(And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it.'') Allah threatens them and warns them of the humiliating position they will be in before Him, arguing and disputing with one another:

(how they will cast the (blaming) word one to another! Those who were deemed weak) this refers to the followers --

to those who were arrogant -- this refers to the leaders and masters --

(Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!) meaning, `if you had not stopped us, we would have followed the Messengers and believed in what they brought.

(32) And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you? Nay, but you were Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, criminals, disobedient to Allah, etc.).

(Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you) meaning, `we did nothing more to you than to call you, and you followed us without any evidence or proof, and you went against the evidence and proof which the Messengers brought because of your own desires; it was your own choice.

(33) Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!" And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets (for disobeying Allah during this worldly life), when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do?

("...Nay, but you were criminals.'' Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day...'') meaning, `you used to plot against us night and day, tempting us with promises and false hopes, and telling us that we were truly guided and that we were following something, but all of that was falsehood and manifest lies.' 

Qatadah and Ibn Zayd said:

(Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day,) means, "You plotted by night and day.'' Malik narrated something similar from Zayd bin Aslam.

(when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!) means, `to set up gods as equal to Him, and you created doubts and confusion in our minds, and you fabricated far-fetched ideas with which to lead us astray.'

(And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment.) means, both the leaders and the followers will feel regret for what they did previously.

(And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved.) This is a chain which will tie their hands to their necks.

(Are they requited aught except what they used to do) means, they will be punished according to their deeds: the leaders will be punished according to what they did, and the followers will be punished according to what they did.

(He will say: "For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.'') (7:38). 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The Messenger of Allah said: (When the people of Hell are driven towards it, it will meet them with its flames, then the Fire will burn their faces and the flesh will all fall to their hamstrings.)''

How Those Who lived a Life of Luxury disbelieved in the Messengers and were misled by Their pursuit of Wealth and Children

(34) And We did not send a warner to a township, but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them said: "We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent."

(And We did not send a warner to a township) meaning a Prophet or a Messenger,

(but those who were given the worldly wealth and luxuries among them) means, those who enjoyed a life of riches and luxury, and positions of leadership. Qatadah said, "They are their tyrants, chiefs and leaders in evil.''

(We believe not in the (Message) with which you have been sent.) means, `we do not believe in it and we will not follow it.' 

(35) And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished."

Allah tells us that those who enjoyed a life of luxury and who disbelieved the Messengers said:

(And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished.'') meaning, they were proud of their great wealth and great numbers of children, and they believed that this was a sign that Allah loved them and cared for them, and that if He gave them this in this world, He would not punish them in the Hereafter. This was too far-fetched. 

Allah says:

(Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not.) (23:55-56)

(So, let not their wealth nor their children amaze you; in reality Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart while they are disbelievers.) (9:55), 

(36) Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not."

(Say: "Verily, my Lord expands the provision to whom He wills and restricts...'') meaning, He gives wealth to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, and He makes poor whom He wills and makes rich whom He wills. He has complete wisdom and clear proof,

(but most men know not.)