Surah Qaaf Notes (32-37)

Source: Ibn Kathir

(32) (It will be said): "This is what you were promised, - (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allah) in sincere repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allah (by obeying Him in all what He has ordered, and worship none but Allah Alone, i.e. follow Allah's Religion, Islamic Monotheism).

(This is what you were promised -- (it is) for those returning) who go back to Allah in sincere repentance intending not to repeat sin,

(Hafiz), who preserve their covenant with Allah and do not break or betray it,

(33) "Who feared the Most Beneficent (Allah) in the Ghaib (unseen): (i.e. in this worldly life before seeing and meeting Him), and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him - and absolutely free from each and every kind of polytheism),

(Who feared Ar-Rahman unseen) who feared Allah in secret when only Allah the Exalted and Most Honored could see him. The Prophet said,

(And a man who remembered Allah the Exalted while alone, and his eyes became tearful.) Allah said,

(and brought a heart turned in repentance. ) meaning, he will meet Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, on the Day of Resurrection with a heart turned in repentance to Him and absolutely free 

(of Shirk) and humbled to Him,

(34) "Enter you therein in peace and security; this is a Day of eternal life!"

(Enter you therein), meaning Paradise,

(in peace and security), they will earn security from the torment of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, and the angels of Allah will greet them with the Salam, according to the explanation of Qatadah. The statement of Allah the Exalted and Most Honored:

(-- this is a Day of eternal life!), meaning, they will reside in Paradise forever and will never die, neither be transferred from it nor wish to be transferred from it. 

(35) There they will have all that they desire, and We have more (for them, i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty, All-Majestic).

 The statement of Allah the All-Mighty,

(There they will have all that they desire), means, whatever delights they wish and desire, they will find it brought before them. Allah's statement,

(and We have more.) is similar to His other statement,

(For those who have done good is the best and even more. )(10:26) 

In the Sahih, Muslim recorded that Suhayb bin Sinan Ar-Rumi said that `more' refers to looking at the Most Honorable Face of Allah.

Warning the Disbelievers of the imminent Torment; commanding the Prophet to pray and have Patience

(36) And how many a generation We have destroyed before them, who were stronger in power than them, and (when Our Torment came) they ran for a refuge in the land! Could they find any place of refuge (for them to save themselves from destruction)?

Allah the Exalted asks, `how many We have destroyed before these denying disbelievers'

(a generation who were stronger in power than they.) they were more numerous, mightier than they and who constructed on the earth and built on it more than they. The statement of Allah the Exalted,

(And they went about the land! Could they find any place of refuge) Ibn `Abbas commented, "They left the traces throughout the land,'' Qatadah said, "They traveled throughout the land seeking provisions through trade and business, more than you have.'' Allah's statement,

(Could they find any place of refuge) means, `could they find a shelter from Allah's decision and appointed destiny Have what they collected benefited them or averted Allah's torment when it came to them on account of their denial of the Messengers Likewise, you will never be able to avert, avoid, or find refuge or shelter (from His torment).' 

(37) Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.

(Verily, therein is indeed a reminder) and a lesson,

(for him who has a heart) meaning, a sound understanding with which he comprehends, or, a good mind, according to Mujahid,

(or gives ear while he is heedful.) meaning, he hears the speech, comprehends and understands it in his mind and grasps its indications with his intellect. Mujahid said that,

(or gives ear), means, he does not talk to himself but listens with an attentive heart. Ad-Dahhak commented, "The Arabs would say that someone has given ear when he hears with his ears, while his heart is present and not absent.