Qāf
Makkan Period
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
[1] Qāf. By the glorious Qur’ān. [2] Nay; they wondered that a warner should have come to them from among themselves.1 The unbelievers said: “This indeed is a strange thing. [3] What! When we are dead and reduced to mere dust, (shall we be raised to life)? Such a return is far-fetched.”2 [4] (Thus do they imagine, although) We know well what the earth takes away from them. With Us is a Record that preserves everything.
[5] They gave the lie to the Truth when it came to them. So they are now in a state of great perplexity.
[6] Did they never observe the sky above them: how We built it and beautified it; and it has no cracks; [7] and We have spread out the earth, and have set upon it firm mountains, and have caused it to bring out plants of all beauteous kinds? [8] All these are to serve as eye-openers and as a lesson to every being who is prone to turn (to the Truth). [9] We also sent down blessed water from the heaven, wherewith We caused gardens and harvest-grain to grow, [10] and tall palm-trees with their thickly-clustered spathes; [11] all this as sustenance for Our servants. And thus We do bring the dead land back to life with water. Such shall be the coming forth (of human beings from the earth).
[12] In the past Noah’s people, and the people of Rass and Thamūd gave the lie (to Messengers), [13] and so did ʿĀd, and Pharaoh and Lot’s brethren, [14] and the people of Aykah, and the people of Tubba ʿ. They all gave the lie to the Messengers. Thereafter My threat of chastisement against them was fulfilled.
[15] Did We, then, become worn out by the first creation? Not at all; but they are in doubt about a fresh creation.
[16] Surely We have created man, and We know the promptings of his heart, and We are nearer to him than even his jugular vein. [17] Moreover, there are two scribes, one each sitting on the right and the left, recording everything. [18] He utters not a word, but there is a vigilant watcher at hand. [19] Lo, the agony of death has indeed come with the Truth. That is what you had sought to avoid. [20] And then the Trumpet was blown. This is the day of the promised chastisement. [21] Everyone has come, each attended by one who will drive him on, and another who will bear witness. [22] You were heedless of this. Now We have removed your veil and so your vision today is sharp.3 [23] His companion said:4 “Here is he who was in my charge.” [24] The command was given: “Cast into Hell every hardened, stubborn unbeliever, [25] who hinders good, exceeds the limits, is immersed in doubts, [26] and has set up another deity with Allah. Hurl him into the grievous torment.” [27] His companion said:5 “I did not incite him to rebel; he was far gone into error of his own accord.” [28] (It was said): “Do not remonstrate in My presence. I had warned you. [29] My Word is not changed; and never do I inflict the least wrong upon My servants.”
[30] On that Day We shall ask Hell: “Are you full?” And it will reply: “Are there any more?”6 [31] And when Paradise shall be brought close to the God-fearing, and will no longer be far away, [32] it will be said: “This is what you were promised, a promise made to everyone who turned much (to Allah)7 and was watchful of his conduct,8 [33] to everyone who feared the Merciful One though He is beyond the reach of perception, to everyone who has come with a heart ever wont to turn (to Him). [34] Enter this Paradise in peace.” That will be the Day of Eternity. [35] Therein they shall get whatever they desire; and with Us there is even more.
[36] How many a nation did We destroy before them that were stronger in prowess than these. They searched about the lands of the world. But could they find a refuge? [37] Verily there is a lesson in this for everyone who has a (sound) heart and who listens with an attentive mind.
[38] We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, and weariness did not even touch Us. [39] Hence bear with patience whatever they say, and celebrate your Lord’s glory before the rising of the sun and before its setting; [40] and in the night, too, celebrate His glory, in the wake of prostration.9
[41] Hearken on the Day when the caller will call from a place nearby,10 [42] the Day when they shall hear the Blast in truth. That will be the Day (for the dead) to come forth. [43] Surely it is We Who give life and cause death, and to Us shall all return [44] on the Day when the earth will be rent asunder and people, rising from it, will hasten forth. To assemble them all will be easy for Us.
[45] (O Prophet), We are well aware of what they say; and you are not required to force things on them. So exhort with the Qur’ān all those who fear My warning.
1. There was no sound rational basis for the Makkans’ refusal to recognise Muḥammad (peace be on him) as a Prophet. On the contrary, the cause of their refusal to do so lacked all rhyme and reason. They refused to accept the Prophet’s claim to be God’s Messenger simply because they found it too incredible for anyone of their kind to be a warner from God. They found it impossible to believe how this could be.
2. This was yet another cause for their wonderment. The first cause of their wonder was that a human being had come as a warner from God. The additional cause for their wonder pertained to his teaching that all human beings will be resurrected after death and be made to face God’s judgement.
3. Man’s vision on the Day of Judgement will be very sharp in so far as he will be able to see clearly all that takes place on that Day is as all that was foretold by God’s Prophets.
4. The word “companion” here refers to the angel who drove that person to God’s Judgement.
5. Here the word “companion” denotes the satan who was attached to that disobedient person as his watchman in this world.
6. This has two possible meanings: (1) That Hell was already filled up and there was no room for any more people. (2) That Hell was very commodious and as such could accommodate all culprits regardless of their number.
7. This signifies a person who has abandoned disobedience of God and has bound himself to obeying Him and seeking His good pleasure. It is someone who remembers Him much and turns to Him in all matters that confront him.
8. This suggests a person who takes due care in keeping himself within the bounds set by God and who performs the duties enjoined by Him. It is someone who refrains from all that God has forbidden and critically appraises his own behaviour lest he stumbles into disobeying His Lord.
9. To celebrate God’s glory here means Prayer. The Prayer “before the rising of the sun” is the Fajr Prayer. As for Prayers “in the night” they are the Maghrib and the ʿIshā’ Prayers. The Tahajjud Prayer is also a part of the Prayers performed at night aimed at celebrating God’s glory.
10. Regardless of where a dead person is, the call of God’s caller will reach him; his call will summon him to rise and proceed to His Lord and render account to Him. Such will be the call that everyone who rises from the state of death will feel that the caller had called him from a nearby place.