Surah Az Zumar Notes (32-37)

Source: Ibn Kathir

The Punishment of the Disbelievers and Liars, and the Reward of the Sincere Believers

(32) Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah, and denies the truth [this Quran, the Prophet (Muhammad SAW), the Islamic Monotheism, the Resurrection and the reward or punishment according to good or evil deeds] when it comes to him! Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers?

The idolators uttered lies against Allah and said that there were other gods besides Him and claimed that the angels were the daughters of Allah and that Allah had a son -- glorified be He far above all that they say. Moreover, they rejected the truth when it came to them on the lips of the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon them all).

 Allah says:

(Then, who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah, and denies the truth when it comes to him!) meaning, there is no one who does more wrong than such a person, because he combines the two aspects of falsehood, disbelief in Allah and disbelief in the Messenger of Allah. They made false claims and rejected the truth, Allah threatened them:

(Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers) who are the deniers and rejecters. 

Then Allah says:

(33) And he (Muhammad SAW) who has brought the truth (this Quran and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism), those are Al- Muttaqun

(And he who has brought the truth and (those who) believed therein,) Mujahid, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Ibn Zayd said, "The one who brought the truth was the Messenger .'' 

`Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said:

("And he who has brought the truth) means the Messenger of Allah .

(and (those who) believed therein) means the Muslims.''

(they are those who have Taqwa). Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "They fear and shun Shirk.''

(34) They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of Muhsinun 

(They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord.) means, in Paradise; whatever they ask for they will have.

(35) So that Allah may remit from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.

(That is the reward of doers of good. So that Allah may expiate from them the evil of what they did and give them the reward, according to the best of what they used to do.) This is like the Ayah:

(They are those from whom We shall accept the best of their deeds and overlook their evil deeds. (They shall be) among the dwellers of Paradise, a promise of truth, which they have been promised.) (46:16).

Allah is Sufficient for His Servant Allah says:

(36) Is not Allah Sufficient for His slave? Yet they try to frighten you with those (whom they worship) besides Him! And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide.

(Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant) Some of them read it "His servants.'' It means that Allah is Sufficient for the one who worships Him and relies upon Him.

(Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!) means, the idolators tried to scare the Messenger of Allah with their idols and gods which they called upon besides Allah out of ignorance and misguidance. Allah says:

(37) And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allah All-Mighty, Possessor of Retribution?

(And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide. And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allah Almighty, Possessor of Retribution) meaning, whoever relies on Him and turns to Him, will never be forsaken, for He is the Almighty Who cannot be overwhelmed by another, and there is none more severe than Him in exacting retribution on those who disbelieve in Him, associate others in worship with Him and resist His Messenger.