Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:47-60 - Quran Translation Commentary

48. These are the concluding ayah of this surah wherein the Oneness of Allah, Prophethood and Resurrection have been put forth in a style of admonition, because, the correct understanding of Allah results in a demand of reward and punishment and prophethood is essential to meet this demand.

We get an idea of the vastness of Allah’s Might by observing the sky. This observation is quite possible by the naked eye. But the discoveries made by modern science with the help of powerful telescopes provide a mindboggling idea of the vastness of the outer space. The existence of billions of stars and planets, wonderful systems of innumerable milky ways, the existence of stars at a height from where their light requires several light years to reach the earth and even after the accumulation of so much information, the confession of the scientists that they have no idea of the vastness of this universe which continues to expand. All this only proves the truth of this Quranic ayah which gives us an idea of the unfathomable might of Almightily Allah.

Why, then, Allah who possesses this much might can not create another world wherein all the dead men can be enlivened for giving them their reward or punishment as the case may be?

49. Allah has spread out this earth in such a way that billions of people can live thereon in comfort. Its surface has been so leveled that walking thereon is easy. Looking from the geographical view point earth’s diameter is nearly thirty thousand miles and its expanse is about fifty crore kilometres, which gives us the idea of its span. But just see the narrow mindedness of man, who denies Hereafter, imagining that Allah’s might is limited!

50. For explanation please see Surah Yaseen, Notes: 39 to 42. When everything in the world is in pairs and it supplements itself in collaboration with its pair then the world itself also should have its pair and Quran shows that the world’s pair is the Hereafter and that it becomes complete only when the world joins the Hereafter. Otherwise the existence of the world remains incomplete, aimless and meaningless.

51. This and the subsequent two ayah are Allah’s Word but they have been presented in a style wherein one who speaks is the holy prophet so that these words may be issued from the mouth of the Messenger and make his mission clear. Here, in brief words, people have been invited to rush towards Allah which means: not only advance but advance speedily towards Allah, for, to obtain Him is to obtain our real Lord and to reach our original goal. In rushing towa rds Allah there is also an indication of sentimental attachment to Him. It embraces in it a whole world of emotions.

52. That is: I have been dispatched towards you so that I may warn you about the Day of Resurrection and whatever is to happen then and so that you may wake up and amend your attitude towards Allah.

53. That is: I am cautioning you openly about the bad consequences of polytheism. Despite this clear warning issued by the prophet (peace be upon him) those who continue to remain in the state idolatry and polytheism will not, on the Da y of Resurrection, be in a position to say that we were never told of the torment which we are facing now.

54. Just as this prophet is being termed magician and madman, the previous prophets too were being called by such names. Since the words of the prophet are based on revelation they are very effective and penetrating for human hearts. So those who are adamant on denying say that it is a magic or sorcery which is influencing people’s mind. But what they ignore is the fact that a magician can never utter those truths which go deep down in hearts of the hearers and revolutionize their lifestyles totally, in a descent manner.

Likewise the deniers, in reply to the prophet’s claim that he is getting revelation from the heaven, retort that this is madness. But they never care to think that can a mad man ever speak wise things and also present a Dawatul Quran 543 S. 51 complete system of thought and action for the society?

55. This insistence on labeling the Divine Messengers’ magicians’ and ‘madman’ is so continuous, it seems as if every nation had bequeathed to the following nation that whenever a Divine Messenger comes to them they should call him a magician and madman. And it is a fact that all such people were rebellious and likewise the opponents of this Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) too are rebels. It is this rebellious attitude which prevents them from accepting him, their wellwisher, as a Divine Prophet. Consequently they talk such nonsense.

56. Means, O Prophet! You have proved your argument” before them, Now if they do not want to abandon their haughty attitude leave them. You have done your duty. There is no blame on you.

57. Leaving the rebels a lone a fter presenting final arguments to them does not mean that the work of admonition too should be discontinued. No, advising must continue, because, it benefits the believers who accept the advice. What is meant is that though the efforts to improve the obstinate is fruitless, admonishing should continue in general terms. This work should never be given up even in the most unfavorable circumstances because there can be people who may accept its sweet essence. This is a very important instruction to those who want to work for Islamic propagation.

58. The explanation of worship has been given in Surah Kahaf, Note: 125. It, along with Note: 5 of Surah Hood, may be kept in mind here. Quran has used this word ‘Ibadat’ in the meaning of worship so many times that its most obvious meaning seems only worship. For idol worship, the word “Ibadat” is used which obviously means ritual worship, So far as linguistics are concerned, most famous Arabic dictionaries have defined the word ‘Ibadat’ thus:-

“The origin of Uboodiyat is Khuzoo (submission) and Tazallul (to humble one’s self).” “He did ibadat of Allah means he made HIM ‘Maabood’(deity worthy of worship),”

“Taabbud means performance of the rituals of worship.”

“Faraa says: in linguistics the meaning of ‘Ibadat’ is to obey with a sense of submission.” (Lisaanul Arab, Vol:3, p: 272-273)

This makes it clear that if the linguists have defined Ibadat as obedience they have also bracketed submission with it to mean such obedience which is accompanied by the lowering of heart and the expression of one’s devotion and the casting of one’s head down. Obviously, such submission can be reserved only for Allah and it is essentially included in the meaning of worship. But worship is the foremost meaning of Ibadat and the initial point of man’s relationship with Allah. And if the initial point is incorrect nothing else would be correct. Therefore religion has given prime importance to worship and it has been the central theme of the call of all prophets:

“O my people! Worship Allah. You have no other gods save Him.” (Hood: 50)

In this ayah under discussion the aim of the creation of the jinns and men has been described as Ibadat of Allah. It throws lights on the following points:

One: When the jinns and the men have been created for the worship of Allah it is incorrect to make either jinns or men our deity.

Two: If anybody does not worship Allah or makes other partners in his worship of Allah (be it an idol, an angel, a made up imaginary Devi-Devta or a great human being) he is deviating from his aim of life, and renders himself useless. When wood becomes useless it is used in fire. Similarly those people who render themselves useless by ignoring the aim of their creation make themselves the firewood of Hall.

Three: To worship ONLY ONE GOD is the duty imposed by Allah on His slaves. So we should fulfill it considering it our duty. If somebody says that he has no time for worshipping Allah or no leisure for performing Salaat he is making the ugliest exhibition of his ignorance. He is neither conscious of his duty nor he has any inclination toward God worship. He Thinks that he is born only for eating and earning. Then he remains no more a human being but turns into a materialist animal. When man falls down to such a low level all avenues of success are closed for him.

Four: when God-worship is the aim of creation it is necessary that it should be accompanied by a deep inclination of heart. Salaat, recitation of Allah’s Names, His Praise, Tasbeeh, Tahmeed, reading the Quran and pond ering over its contents as well as engagement in other rituals of worship and interest therein fulfill the object of creation.

Five: One who worships Allah cannot be a denier of His obedience because denial of obedience is a revolt. Bowing before Allah, and refusing to obey Him is a contradiction which render worship meaningless, just cast an eye on the way in which the rebels have been described in the above ayah. Also bear in mind that Iblees (Satan) did not refuse to worship Allah. He had refused to obey His order whereupon he was branded maloon (cursed).

59. Allah is needless. HE is not in need of anything. Nor does He call HIS slaves to provide sustenance for HIM. HE only desires that HIS slaves may worship HIM alone as it is both HIS right as well a demand of justice. Moreover, this worship is not going to benefit Allah in any way but only the worshipper is to gain.

60. Here three attributes of Allah have been mentioned.

One: HE is the Sustainer which means HE makes provision, HE does not require provision. That HE is such a Sustainer Who goes on giving life-sustaining provision to innumerable men and animals continuously from eternity without diminishing HIS treasure. How, then, man leaves Him aside and imagines others as sustainers and providers?

Second: attribute is that HE is the Mighty, the Omnipotent and hence does not require anyone’s support. HE is directing and managing the affairs of this universe without the participation of anyone else. Third attribute is that HE is MATEEN (Powerful). Therefore there is none who can overcome Him and do whatever he wants. None of the deities falsely deified by the polytheists can impose their might. All are helpless before Almighty Allah.

This knowledge’s of Allah essentially demands that HE alone should be accepted as worthy of worship and HE alone should be worshipped.

61. Here Zaalim (unjust deniers) means those people who forgot the aim of their creation and began worshipping self-made deities. Moreover, they did not respond to the warning given by the holy prophet. Such unjust deniers are bound to face the same calamity which was faced by their predecessors.

62. Means the Day of Resurrection when the deniers will get what they deserve.