Surah 37. As-Saffat

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Verses [Section]: 1-21[1], 22-74 [2], 75-113 [3], 114-138 [4], 139-182 [5]

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Quran Text of Verse 22-74اُحْشُرُواGatherالَّذِیْنَthose whoظَلَمُوْاwrongedوَ اَزْوَاجَهُمْand their kindsوَ مَاand whatكَانُوْاthey used (to)یَعْبُدُوْنَۙworship مِنْBesidesدُوْنِBesidesاللّٰهِAllahفَاهْدُوْهُمْthen lead themاِلٰیtoصِرَاطِ(the) Pathالْجَحِیْمِ (of) the Hellfire وَ قِفُوْهُمْAnd stop themاِنَّهُمْindeed theyمَّسْـُٔوْلُوْنَۙ(are) to be questioned 37. As-Saffat Page 447مَاWhatلَكُمْ(is) for youلَا(Why) notتَنَاصَرُوْنَ you help one another بَلْNayهُمُtheyالْیَوْمَ(on) that Dayمُسْتَسْلِمُوْنَ (will) surrender وَ اَقْبَلَAnd will approachبَعْضُهُمْsome of themعَلٰیtoبَعْضٍothersیَّتَسَآءَلُوْنَ questioning one another قَالُوْۤاThey will sayاِنَّكُمْIndeed youكُنْتُمْ[you] used (to)تَاْتُوْنَنَاcome (to) usعَنِfromالْیَمِیْنِ the right قَالُوْاThey will sayبَلْNayلَّمْnotتَكُوْنُوْاyou wereمُؤْمِنِیْنَۚbelievers وَ مَاAnd notكَانَwasلَنَاfor usعَلَیْكُمْover youمِّنْanyسُلْطٰنٍ ۚauthorityبَلْNayكُنْتُمْyou wereقَوْمًاa peopleطٰغِیْنَ transgressing فَحَقَّSo has been proved trueعَلَیْنَاagainst usقَوْلُ(the) Wordرَبِّنَاۤ ۖۗ(of) our Lordاِنَّاindeed weلَذَآىِٕقُوْنَ (will) certainly taste فَاَغْوَیْنٰكُمْSo we led you astrayاِنَّاindeed weكُنَّاwereغٰوِیْنَ astray فَاِنَّهُمْThen indeed theyیَوْمَىِٕذٍthat Dayفِیinالْعَذَابِthe punishmentمُشْتَرِكُوْنَ (will be) sharers اِنَّاIndeed WeكَذٰلِكَthusنَفْعَلُWe dealبِالْمُجْرِمِیْنَ with the criminals اِنَّهُمْIndeed theyكَانُوْۤاwereاِذَاwhenقِیْلَit was saidلَهُمْto themلَاۤ(There is) noاِلٰهَgodاِلَّاexceptاللّٰهُ ۙAllahیَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَۙwere arrogant وَ یَقُوْلُوْنَAnd they sayاَىِٕنَّاAre weلَتَارِكُوْۤاto leaveاٰلِهَتِنَاour godsلِشَاعِرٍfor a poetمَّجْنُوْنٍؕmad بَلْNayجَآءَhe has broughtبِالْحَقِّthe truthوَ صَدَّقَand confirmedالْمُرْسَلِیْنَ the Messengers اِنَّكُمْIndeed youلَذَآىِٕقُوا(will) surely tasteالْعَذَابِthe punishmentالْاَلِیْمِۚpainful وَ مَاAnd notتُجْزَوْنَyou will be recompensedاِلَّاexceptمَاwhatكُنْتُمْyou used (to)تَعْمَلُوْنَۙdo اِلَّاExceptعِبَادَ(the) slavesاللّٰهِ(of) Allahالْمُخْلَصِیْنَ the chosen ones اُولٰٓىِٕكَThoseلَهُمْfor themرِزْقٌ(will be) a provisionمَّعْلُوْمٌۙdetermined فَوَاكِهُ ۚFruitsوَ هُمْand theyمُّكْرَمُوْنَۙ(will) be honored فِیْInجَنّٰتِGardensالنَّعِیْمِۙ(of) Delight عَلٰیOnسُرُرٍthronesمُّتَقٰبِلِیْنَ facing each other یُطَافُWill be circulatedعَلَیْهِمْamong themبِكَاْسٍa cupمِّنْfromمَّعِیْنٍۭۙa flowing spring بَیْضَآءَWhiteلَذَّةٍdeliciousلِّلشّٰرِبِیْنَۚۖfor the drinkers لَاNotفِیْهَاin itغَوْلٌ(is) bad effectوَّ لَاand notهُمْtheyعَنْهَاfrom itیُنْزَفُوْنَ will be intoxicated وَ عِنْدَهُمْAnd with themقٰصِرٰتُ(will be) companions of modest gazeالطَّرْفِ(will be) companions of modest gazeعِیْنٌۙ(having) beautiful eyes كَاَنَّهُنَّAs if they wereبَیْضٌeggsمَّكْنُوْنٌ well protected فَاَقْبَلَAnd (will) approachبَعْضُهُمْsome of themعَلٰیtoبَعْضٍothersیَّتَسَآءَلُوْنَ questioning one another قَالَWill sayقَآىِٕلٌa speakerمِّنْهُمْamong themاِنِّیْIndeed Iكَانَhadلِیْfor meقَرِیْنٌۙa companion 37. As-Saffat Page 448یَّقُوْلُWho (would) sayاَىِٕنَّكَAre you indeedلَمِنَsurely ofالْمُصَدِّقِیْنَ those who believe ءَاِذَاIs (it) whenمِتْنَاwe have diedوَ كُنَّاand becomeتُرَابًاdustوَّ عِظَامًاand bonesءَاِنَّاwill weلَمَدِیْنُوْنَ surely be brought to Judgment قَالَHe (will) sayهَلْWillاَنْتُمْyouمُّطَّلِعُوْنَ be looking فَاطَّلَعَThen he (will) lookفَرَاٰهُand see himفِیْinسَوَآءِ(the) midstالْجَحِیْمِ (of) the Hellfire قَالَHe (will) sayتَاللّٰهِBy Allahاِنْverilyكِدْتَّyou almostلَتُرْدِیْنِۙruined me وَ لَوْ لَاAnd if notنِعْمَةُ(for the) Graceرَبِّیْ(of) my Lordلَكُنْتُcertainly I (would) have beenمِنَamongالْمُحْضَرِیْنَ those brought اَفَمَاThen are notنَحْنُweبِمَیِّتِیْنَۙ(to) die اِلَّاExceptمَوْتَتَنَاour deathالْاُوْلٰیthe firstوَ مَاand notنَحْنُweبِمُعَذَّبِیْنَ will be punished اِنَّIndeedهٰذَاthisلَهُوَsurelyالْفَوْزُ(is) the attainmentالْعَظِیْمُ great لِمِثْلِFor (the) likeهٰذَا(of) thisفَلْیَعْمَلِlet workالْعٰمِلُوْنَ the workers اَذٰلِكَIs thatخَیْرٌbetterنُّزُلًا(as) hospitalityاَمْorشَجَرَةُ(the) treeالزَّقُّوْمِ (of) Zaqqum اِنَّاIndeed Weجَعَلْنٰهَا[We] have made itفِتْنَةًa trialلِّلظّٰلِمِیْنَ for the wrongdoers اِنَّهَاIndeed itشَجَرَةٌ(is) a treeتَخْرُجُthat growsفِیْۤinاَصْلِ(the) bottomالْجَحِیْمِۙ(of) the Hellfire طَلْعُهَاIts emerging fruitكَاَنَّهٗ(is) as if itرُءُوْسُ(was) headsالشَّیٰطِیْنِ (of) the devils فَاِنَّهُمْAnd indeed theyلَاٰكِلُوْنَ(will) surely eatمِنْهَاfrom itفَمَالِـُٔوْنَand fillمِنْهَاwith itالْبُطُوْنَؕ(their) bellies ثُمَّThenاِنَّindeedلَهُمْfor themعَلَیْهَاin itلَشَوْبًا(is) a mixtureمِّنْofحَمِیْمٍۚboiling water ثُمَّThenاِنَّindeedمَرْجِعَهُمْtheir returnلَاۡاِلَی(will) surely be toالْجَحِیْمِ the Hellfire اِنَّهُمْIndeed theyاَلْفَوْاfoundاٰبَآءَهُمْtheir fathersضَآلِّیْنَۙastray فَهُمْSo theyعَلٰۤیonاٰثٰرِهِمْtheir footstepsیُهْرَعُوْنَ they hastened وَ لَقَدْAnd verilyضَلَّwent astrayقَبْلَهُمْbefore themاَكْثَرُmostالْاَوَّلِیْنَۙ(of) the former (people) وَ لَقَدْAnd verilyاَرْسَلْنَاWe sentفِیْهِمْamong themمُّنْذِرِیْنَ warners فَانْظُرْThen seeكَیْفَhowكَانَwasعَاقِبَةُ(the) endالْمُنْذَرِیْنَۙ(of) those who were warned اِلَّاExceptعِبَادَ(the) slavesاللّٰهِ(of) Allahالْمُخْلَصِیْنَ۠the chosen ones

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Translation of Verse 22-74

(37:22) (Then will the command be given): “Muster all the wrong-doers¹⁴ and their spouses¹⁵ and the deities whom they used to serve

(37:23) apart from Allah,¹⁶ and direct them to the path of Hell,

(37:24) and detain them there; they will be called to account.

(37:25) How is it that you are not helping one another?

(37:26) Indeed, today they are surrendering themselves completely.”¹⁷

(37:27) They will then turn towards each other (and start wrangling).

(37:28) (The followers will say to their leaders): “You used to come to us from the right hand.”¹⁸

(37:29) They will say: “Nay, you yourselves were not the ones who would believe.

(37:30) We had no power over you. You were a rebellious people,

(37:31) and so we became deserving of the Word of our Lord that we shall be made to suffer chastisement.

(37:32) So we led you astray; we ourselves were strayed.”¹⁹

(37:33) On that Day, they will all share the chastisement.²⁰

(37:34) Thus do We treat the culprits.

(37:35) Whenever it was said to them: “There is no true deity apart from Allah,” they waxed proud

(37:36) and said: “Shall we forsake our deities for the sake of a distracted poet?”

(37:37) (They say so although) he brought the Truth and confirmed the veracity of the Messengers.²¹

(37:38) (They will be told): “You shall taste the grievous chastisement.

(37:39) You will only be recompensed according to your deeds.”

(37:40) But Allah's chosen servants (shall be spared this woeful end).

(37:41) For them awaits a known provision,²²

(37:42) a variety of delicious fruits; and they shall be honoured²³

(37:43) in the Gardens of Bliss.

(37:44) They will be seated upon couches set face to face;

(37:45) a cup filled with wine²⁴ from its springs,²⁵ will be passed around to them;²⁶

(37:46) white, sparkling (wine), a delight to the drinkers.

(37:47) There will neither be any harm in it for their body nor will it intoxicate their mind.²⁷

(37:48) Theirs shall be wide-eyed maidens²⁸ with bashful, restrained glances,²⁹

(37:49) so delicate as the hidden peel under an egg's shell.³⁰

(37:50) Then some of them will turn to others, and will ask each other.

(37:51) One of them will say: “I had a companion in the world

(37:52) who used to say: �Are you also one of those who confirm the Truth (of life after death)?

(37:53) After we are dead and have become all dust and bones shall we still be requited?'³¹

(37:54) He will say: �Do you wish to know where he is now?'

(37:55) Then he will look downwards, and will see him in the depths of Hell.

(37:56) He will say to him: �By Allah, you almost ruined me.

(37:57) But for Allah's favour, I should be one of those who have been mustered here.³²

(37:58) So, are we not going to die,

(37:59) except for our first death? And shall we suffer no chastisement?'”³³

(37:60) Surely this is the supreme triumph.

(37:61) For the like of it should the workers work.

(37:62) Is this a better hospitality or the tree of al-Zaqqum?³⁴

(37:63) We have made this tree a trial for the wrong-doers.³⁵

(37:64) It is a tree that grows in the nethermost part of Hell.

(37:65) Its spathes are like the heads of satans.³⁶

(37:66) (The people of Hell) will surely eat of it, filling their bellies with it.

(37:67) Then on top of it they will have a brew of boiling water.

(37:68) Then their return will be to the same blazing Hell.³⁷

(37:69) These are the ones who found their fathers steeped in error,

(37:70) and they are running in their footsteps.

(37:71) Before them a multitude of people of olden times had erred,

(37:72) and We had sent among them Messengers to warn them.

(37:73) Observe, then, what was the end of those that had been warned,

(37:74) except for the chosen servants of Allah?³⁸

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Commentary

14. The word “wrong-doers” used here consists not only of those who had wronged others. The Qur’anic usage of the term applies to all those who are rebellious, headstrong, and disobedient of God.

15. The word azwaj used here might denote their wives who were accomplices in their rebellion against God, or it might denote all those who, like them, were rebellious, defiant and disobedient of God. The verse may also mean that the culprits of each category will be classified separately.

16. The reference here is to two kinds of deities: (i) Those human beings and devils who desired and strove in order that human beings abandon God and worship them instead of Him. (ii) The idols, trees and stones and so on that have been the objects of worship in the world. The deities of the former category will be reckoned as culprits and hurled into Hell. As for the deities of the second category, they will be cast into Hell along with their devotees so that the latter may perpetually witness them and remain immersed in shame and remorse. In addition to them there is a third category of deities. This category consists of those that were objects of people’s worship but this was never at their behest or with their approval. These consist of angels, Prophets, and saints who always asked people not to worship anyone besides the One True God.

Quite obviously there is no question of these deities being cast into Hell along with their devotees.

17. The first part of the statement will be addressed to the culprits and the second to the general public as they watch those culprits being dispatched to Hell. This passage depicts the true state of those culprits.

They will not be able to muster any resistance. The so-called honorable and respectable figures of this world will be publicly disgraced. The clergy with pretensions to Divinity will also be thrown into Hell. Devotees will no longer care for their lords. Rather, they will turn away from them. Even passionate lovers will desert one another. In portraying this scene, the Qur’an stresses the point that the mutual ties of men, rooted in rebellion of God, will be severed in the Hereafter. Those who strut about arrogantly in the world will be made to eat dust.

18. The word al-yamin carries many connotations. If it is taken in the sense of power and strength, it would mean that the weak were dragged by the strong to the path of error. Alternatively, if it is taken to mean goodness, it would mean that they betrayed them although they pretended to be their sincere well-wishers, for they assured the weak that the path they showed them would lead to their success. This is what deceived them. If, however, this word is regarded as a synonym of an oath, it would mean that they swore that what they were expounding was nothing but the truth.

19. For further details see Towards Understanding the Qur'ān, Surah Saba' 34: nn. 51-53, pp. 190-192 above.

20. Both false gods and their devotees, the leaders as well as the led, will share a terrible punishment in the Hereafter. The devotees' plea that they were misled by others will not be entertained. Nor will those who mislead them be exonerated on the grounds that the latter were not seekers of the Truth.

21. Bearing out the veracity of the Messengers carries the following three meanings and it appears that all three are intended here: (i) That he did not oppose any earlier Messenger; rather, he affirmed belief in all of God’s earlier Messengers. Hence there was no reasonable basis for the followers of a messenger to be prejudiced against him. (ii) That he did not expound any novel message; rather, his message consisted of what _the earlier Messengers had expounded from the very beginning. (iii) That the tidings given by the earlier Messengers about him were fully applicable to him.

22. “For them awaits a known provision”, one whose qualities have already been described. This provision they feel fully assured of receiving, and receiving continually.

23. Implicit in this is the subtle hint that food in Paradise will be for enjoyment rather than for nutrition. Food there will not be the fuel for the body because man will not experience hunger. Nor will man be in need of food for survival. This explains why the word fawakih (fruits) is mentioned in connection with the food of Paradise, which carries the dominant nuance of enjoyment rather than simply of nutrition.

24. The verse does not make a specific mention of wine. It is, however, implied by the use of the word ka’s. This word is used. only for the cup that contains an intoxicating drink. This word is never used if the cup contains milk or water, or even if it is empty.

25. It will be unlike the wine that is produced in the world from fruit and grain by means of fermentation. Rather, it will flow naturally in the form of springs and lakes. This point is elaborated in the following words in the Qur’an elsewhere: “In Paradise there shall be rivers of wine, of delight to those that drink”, (Muhammad 47:45).

26. It is not specified as to who will circulate the goblets of wine among the inmates of Paradise. This point is elaborated in the following verses: Youths as fair as hidden pearls will be set apart to wait upon them; they will be running to and fro to serve them, (al-Tur 52:24).

There boys of everlasting youth shall go about attending them: when you see them, you would think that they are scattered pearls, (al-Dahr 76:19).

The preceding point has been amplified in the ahadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik and Samurah ibn Jundub. According to these traditions, the children of polytheists will serve as page boys for the inmates of Paradise (Abu Da’ud, al-Tayalisi, Tabarani and Bazzar). These reports are weak in terms of their chains of narrators. It is, nonetheless, evident from other ahadith that young children will be admitted to Paradise. We also learn from ahadith that righteous parents will enjoy the company of their children in Paradise. This leaves out only those parents who will not enter Paradise. It is, therefore, logical that their children will serve as page boys in Paradise. (For a detailed discussion: see Ibn Hajar al- ‘Asqalani, Fath al-Bari, Kitab al-Jana’iz, Bab ma Qila fi Awlad al-Mushrikin; Badr al-Din al-’Ayni, ‘Umdat al-Qari, Kitab al-Jana’iz, Bab ma Qila fi Awlad al-Mushrikin. See also the author's work in Urdu, Rasā'īl wa Masă' il, Vol. 3, pp. 177-187.)

27. This wine will be free from both the defects that usually mar wine in the world. These defects are: its stench which is unbearable; its bad taste also offends, and the fact that it hurts both the stomach and the brain. Then it soars upwards to the brain and causes severe headaches.

It also adversely affects the liver and ruins one's health as such. Another big disadvantage of drinking is that it causes intoxication followed by a hangover. One loses self-control and acts in a foolish manner. One drinks wine only for the sake of transient pleasure, exposing oneself to all these harms. God makes it clear that while wine in Paradise "will be a delight to the drinkers", it will be altogether free of the kind of defects mentioned above.

28. That is, their glances will be restricted to their spouses.

29. It is likely that these may be the girls who died before reaching the age of discretion and whose parents do not deserve to enter Paradise.

This is analogous to the case of the young boys whose parents are not admitted to Paradise, and who will serve as page boys there, (see n. 26 above). Likewise, such girls will serve as houries. Their state of youth will endure. And God knows best.

30. Literally, this stands for hidden or preserved eggs. Scholars of tafsir, however, have interpreted it variously. The true interpretation of it is evidently that narrated by Umm Salamah from the Prophet (peace be on him). When she requested him to define it, he replied: "They will be as soft and tender as the fine covering inside the eggshell", (Țabarī, Tafsīr, comments on verse 49).

31. The unbelievers used to tease the believers, asserting that their affirmation of the After-life simply betrayed their superstitious-ness.

32. This points to the faculties of sight, hearing and speech granted to man in the Hereafter. A person sitting in Paradise will easily be able to know the condition of someone who is undergoing severe punishment in Hell. He will be able to do so just by casting his glance downwards to see him without using any equipment such as a television. He will also be able to remain directly in touch and even converse with others even though there might be a great distance separating them.

33. It is evident from the tenor of the discourse that while speaking to an inmate of Hell the dwellers of Paradise will turn to soliloquy. What he says in this regard fully expresses his sense of ecstatic wonder at the idyllic state in which he finds himself. Clearly, this is not directed at anyone in particular, for he is found talking to himself and is expressing his innermost feelings. He marvels at his good fortune in so far as he is immune from death and punishment. His admission to Paradise has brought to an end every hardship and suffering. He is also blessed with everlasting life. Overpowered by these feelings, he is unable to contain himself and exclaims, asking whether all this is true?

34. Zaqqum is the name of a tree that grows in Tihamah. It has an intensely bitter taste as well as a bad odor. The juice released by its leaves causes swelling in the body. (This is perhaps the very same tree that is called thuhar in the Subcontinent.)

35. On hearing this, those who denied the Hereafter found another pretext to taunt the Qur’an and ridicule the Prophet (peace be on him).

They would giggle uncontrollably at the idea that trees should grow in a Hell that is filled with blazing fire.

36. This should not give rise to the misunderstanding that since no one has seen the head of Satan, it cannot be likened to the spathes of the Zaqqum tree. For this is an imaginative simile. Such similes are an integral part of the literature of every language. For example, "fairy" is a common metaphor to indicate the zenith of feminine beauty. By the same token, "witch" is used as a metaphor for describing utmost ugliness. A pious person with a halo of spirituality around him is likened to an "angel".

In contrast, an evil person is likened to Satan.

37. This shows that when the inmates of Hell are overpowered by hunger and thirst, they will be dragged to a spot full of Zaqqum trees and springs of boiling water. Then, after they have had their fill of both, they will be returned to Hell.

38. They never made use of their reason to examine their inherited ways. Blindly, they turned to the ways they had found their predecessors treading.