Sūrah 45
Sūrah al-Jāthiyah
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. The theme of both sūrahs is to communicate warnings and glad tidings which is continuing from the previous sūrahs. However, an aspect that stands out in this communication in both sūrahs is to refute the objections and doubts raised by the addressees and to admonish them on their attitude that they had adopted about the Qur’ān and its call. Both sūrahs begin with the same verse and through this the Qur’ān itself has referred to this relationship between the sūrahs.
Both address the Quraysh and it is evident from their topics that they were revealed in Makkah in the phase of migration and acquittal (hijrah wa barā’ah) of the Prophet’s preaching mission.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
This is Sūrah Ḥā Mīm. The revelation of this Book is from God Who is Powerful, very Wise. In reality, there are many signs in the heavens and the earth for those who intend to believe. And in your creation and in those beasts also which have been scattered by Him [for you] there are many signs for those who want to have conviction. And in the alternation of day and night and in the sustenance which God sent down from the sky [in the form of water], then revived the land through it after it had died and in the movement of winds also there are many signs for those who use their intellect.
These are God’s revelations which We are reciting out to you with the truth. So, what thing will they believe in after God and His revelations! Devastation is for every liar and wrongdoer who hears God’s revelations being recited out to him; still he arrogantly adheres to his stubbornness, as if he has not even heard them. [This is his attitude.] So, give glad tidings to him of a painful torment. And from Our revelations when he [similarly] comes to know of anything, he makes fun of it. It is for these people for whom there is a humiliating punishment. In front of them is Hell and whatever they have earned [in this world] will not be of the slightest benefit to them. And neither those who they have made guardians besides God will be of any avail to them and for them is a great punishment. This Qur’ān is the real guidance and those who disbelieve in the revelations of their Lord, for them is a painful punishment; such which causes shudders.
[People!] It is God Who made the sea favourable for you such that ships can sail in it at His directive so that you can travel from one place to another and so that you seek His bounty and so that you remain grateful to Him. And whatever is in the earth and whatever is in the heavens all have been put to your service by Him. Undoubtedly, there are many signs in this also for those who reflect.
Tell the believers [O Prophet:] Forgive those who do not fear God’s Days that [they complete their term and] God fully rewards one group of its earning. [In reality,] he who does righteous deeds, its benefit is for him and he who commits vice does so at his own peril also. Then for this [consequence of deeds] you shall be returned to your Lord.12
[On whose support are they opposing you?] We had certainly given the Israelites the Book, political authority and prophethood and given them pure sustenance and [by choosing them to serve My religion] had given them preference to the people of the world and had given them clear directives of Our sharī‘ah. Then the difference they showed was after knowledge had come to them [from Us] merely because of mutual stubbornness. Surely, on the Day of Judgement, your Lord will decide among them the matters in which they have been differing. After this, [O Prophet!] We have made you adhere to a clear sharī‘ah of Our religion. So, follow it only and do not follow the desires of people who do not have knowledge. They are not going to be of the slightest benefit to you before God. Without any doubt, these who are unjust to their souls are helpers of one another and God is the helper of those who fear Him.
This Qur’ān is a Book of insightful revelations for people and those who show conviction, for them it is guidance [in this world] and mercy [in the Hereafter]. Do these wrongdoers think that We will equate them to the believers and those who do righteous deeds so that their life and death will become the same? Very evil is the judgement they are making. God has created the heavens and the earth with a purpose so that He can judge people and so that each person is given what he has earned. [Thus, this is what will happen] and no injustice shall be done to people.
Then have you seen those people also who made their desire as god and for this reason God led them astray in spite of the fact that they had knowledge [of God’s religion] and have sealed their hearts and ears and drawn a veil over their eyes? So, who can guide such people after God has led them astray? [Believers!] then do you not pay heed!
[Those among them who do not have conviction in the Hereafter] say: “Our life is only this life of the world. We live and die here only and [whether it is an individual or a nation] it is the tide of time that destroys us.” In reality, they have no knowledge of this matter. They are making mere wild guesses. When Our clear verses are recited out to them, they do not have any argument except that they say to you: “If you are truthful, bring back our forefathers [after giving them life.]” Tell them: It is God Who gives you life; then only He gives you death; then He alone shall gather you until the Day of Judgement in whose advent there is no doubt, but most people do not know.
[If they trust their deities, then this is a baseless notion they have.] To God belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and the day the Hereafter comes, these wrongdoers shall be in great loss. At that time you will see that each group is sitting on its knees to listen to its verdict. Each group will be called to see its register of deeds. It will be said to them: “Today you will be rewarded for whatever you have been doing. This is Our register which will bear true witness to you because whatever you would do, We have been having it written.”
Then those who professed faith and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. This in reality is clear success. As
for those who had refused to believe, it will be said to them: “So, were not my revelations recited out to you?” [They certainly were recited out] but you showed arrogance and you were wrongdoers. When it was said to you: “God’s promise is certain to be fulfilled and there is no doubt in the advent of the Hereafter, you would say: ‘We do not know what the Hereafter is; yes we do have some inkling but we do not have conviction in it.’”
At that time, the evils of their deeds shall become exposed to them and the very thing they made fun of shall surround them. They will be told: “Today We shall forget you the way you had forgotten this meeting of yours with this day. Your abode is Hell and now there is no one to help you. This happened because you made fun of God’s revelations and the life of the world continued to deceive you.” Thus, today neither will they be taken out of Hell nor will they be given the opportunity to please their Lord by seeking forgiveness. Hence, gratitude is for God alone, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth; Lord of all universe. His is the sovereignty in the heavens and the earth and He is Powerful, very Wise.