Death in Quran (4) story of man’s existence

In one short verse, the Noble Quran analyses the whole story of man’s existence on this earth. It begins, by the will of Allah, with a state of death and ends with death, after which Allah will restore life again, and the ultimate return thereafter shall be to Him from whom life originated.

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How do you, disbelieve in Allah, in which state are you veiled from Him, when…

When you were dead, and He gave life to you

Why do you not see the proof of the Creator in His creation?

Then He will give you death after your term of life is completed and your lifespan ends,

Then He shall give life to you again, at the Resurrection, and then unto Him you will be returned! Whereupon He shall requite you according to your deeds

How can ye reject the faith in Allah?

The mysteries of life and death are in Allah’s hands.

When you die on this earth that is not the end.  You were of Him, and you must return to Him.  

Look around you and realize your own dignity; it is from Him.  

Giving Life after Death

The verse 2:28 addresses all humankind, denouncing their disbelief in Allah who gives life and takes it away,

“How can you reject Allah who has given you life after you were dead? He will cause you to die again then He will bring you back to life. To Him you shall return.

Denial or rejection of Allah after seeing all these manifest signs is certainly despicable and utterly unjustifiable. The Quran here faces humankind directly with facts they cannot deny or question. It refers to their life and the phases of human existence.

Allah brought man out of a state of death and gave him life. This transformation is a fact that cannot be ignored or denied, and can only be explained by acknowledging the creative power of Allah.

Life is not an illusion, but how has it come about?

Who has initiated this unique phenomenon we call life, which distinguishes the living from the dead in this world?

Life represents an extraordinary dimension that is the complete antithesis of death, but where does it originate?

Humankind has to face this question and answer it in a way that will satisfy man’s curiosity and put his heart and mind at rest. It is simply not enough to dismiss it or attribute life to anything other than a creative power that is itself very different from creation.

The immediate answer to this question is that life comes from Allah. Let those who dispute this come up with another answer.

The verse questions man’s denial of, and disbelief in, Allah “who has given you life after you were dead”.

How impertinent of man to reject Allah, the origin and the cause of life. It affirms that Allah “will cause you to die again”, a fact that is beyond dispute and of which we are constantly reminded.

It adds that “Allah will bring you back to life’’, which has been, and still is today, a matter for endless argument and debate. Yet, if people would only reflect on how man came to be in the first instance, there would be no reason for bewilderment or rejection of life after death.

“And to Him you shall return.” As it was from Him you have come, to Him you shall return, in total fulfilment of His will and purpose.

Thus, in one short verse, the whole book of life is opened and. closed. The whole story of man’s existence on this earth is reviewed. It begins, by the will of Allah, with a state of death and ends with death, after which Allah will restore life again, and the ultimate return thereafter shall be to Him from whom life originated. In this brief picture, we can visualize Allah’s awesome power and appreciate its deep impact on our hearts and minds.

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The verses 2:28 in different translations:

QARIB:

How can you disbelieve Allah? Did he not give you life when you were dead, and he will cause you to die and then restore you to life? Then you will return to him.

SHAKIR:

How do you deny Allah and you were dead and he gave you life? Again, he will cause you to die and again bring you to life, then you shall be brought back to him

PICKTHAL:

How disbelieve ye in Allah when ye were dead and he gave life to you! Then he will give you death, then life again, and then unto him ye will return.

YUSUFALI:

How can ye reject the faith in Allah?- seeing that ye were without life, and he gave you life; then will he cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to him will ye return.

Atheists in Quran (42) Eighth Wonder or great Miracle

The Atheists and unbelievers claim that Muhammad forged the Quran. Do you accept that an Arabic illiterate man challenged many generations of the entire Humankind and knock them out and still He does? If you accept that, then you have to honor Muhammad because He achieved the Eighth Wonders of the World.

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In the previous articles,

1. Allah challenged the entire Humankind to produce a Quran like the one revealed and when they have failed,
2. Allah challenged them to produce ten Surah similar to the Quran.  When the entire Humankind have failed,
3. Allah challenged the entire Humankind to produce only ONE Surah similar to the Quran.

No book on the face of Earth save the Quran contains such a gradually decreasing order of this unique Challenge.

Has anyone ever heard about a book that challenges the entire humankind to produce it or ten chapters like it or even one chapter like it? Nay! Only the Quran does.

To Whom It May Concern, one Surah (chapter) of the Quran may contain 15 Arabic words.

It is really one of the great wonder that has two opposing PERMANENT

1)    The PERMANENT challenge that aged more than 1400 years

2)    The PERMANENT inability of the entire human beings to cope with it.

Think about how many generations after generations proved their inability to cope with it.

Let us think together peacefully.

Allah declares that the Quran is His book

The Atheists and unbelievers claim that Muhammad forged the Quran.

Well, Muhammad is an Arabic illiterate man who existed more than 1400 years ago.

Do you accept that an Arabic illiterate man challenges many generations of the entire Humankind and knock them out?

Rationality, none will accept that.

However, if you accept that, then you have to honor Muhammad; we know that there are Seven Wonders of the World; Is this the Eighth Wonder?

Contrariwise, if the Quran is really the Book of Allah and Allah challenges the entire Humankind to produce a Surah like it (just 15 Arabic words); then there must be an essential pillar for this Permanent challenge.

Essential pillar for the challenge

If the Quran is man-made, then man can produce a Surah like it.

If the Quran is fabricated, then man can fabricate a Surah like it.

If the Quran is neither man-made nor fabricated and it is Allah’s Book but it happened at any time through the last 1400 years that the Quran suffers:

• Corruption,
• Change,
• Substitution,
• Distortion,
• Additions,
• Omissions

In this case, the challenge will be beatable and man can produce a Surah like it.

Hence, for the challenge to be unbeatable, Allah is preserving the Quran.

Preservation of the Quran

Allah promised that He would preserve the Quran

“It is We Ourselves who have bestowed this reminder from on high, and it is We who shall preserve it intact.” (Verse 15:9)

When we look today, after the passage of many centuries, at the fulfilment of Allah’s promise to preserve the Quran, we see a great miracle testifying to the fact that it is Allah’s book.

We see that the circumstances and situations that the Quran has endured over the centuries could not have left it intact, suffering no change of even

• A single Surah,
• A single verse,
• A single sentence,
• A single word, or
• A single letter

Could this happen without the interference of the superior power?

That power, which is greater than all situations, keeping it pure from any change or distortion.

It is the power of Allah, your Almighty Creator.

At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, this promise to preserve the Quran intact sounded a mere promise. Today, however, after all these great events and long centuries, it is indeed a great miracle confirming the indisputable fact that the Quran is but Allah’s book. No one disputes this fact except a stubborn, ignorant fool.

“It is We Ourselves who have bestowed this reminder from on high, and it is We who shall preserve it intact.” (Verse 9)

The purity of the text of the Quran through fourteen centuries is a token of the eternal care with which Allah’s Truth is guarded through all ages.

All corruptions, inventions, and accretions pass away, but Allah’s pure and holy Truth will never suffer eclipse even though the whole world mocked at it and were bent on destroying it.

Do you know that there is only one Arabic Quran all over the world; the Quran in Africa = the Quran in Europe = The Quran in America = the Quran in Asia without any change of even one word!

Do you know that a kid of 6-10 years old can recite by heart the entire Quran without looking at it; and this is one of the methods Allah is preserving His Book.

Watch these YouTube‘s videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG7R-HVKCzs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCrOh0kiJQw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkYp0bqS6hc

Furthermore, in the verse 15:9, Allah names the Quran “Reminder”

The Quran reminds you with your Creator, your outcome in the Afterlife etc.

How you acknowledge all of that?

By comparing all of the above features of the Quran with the Bible’s features.

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The verse 15:9 in different translations:

QARIB:

It is We who sent down the Koran, and We watch over it.

SHAKIR:

Surely, we have revealed the reminder and we will most surely be its guardian

PICKTHAL:

Lo! We, even we, reveal the reminder, and lo! We verily are its guardian.

YUSUFALI:

We have, without doubt, sent down the message; and we will assuredly guard it (from corruption).

Atheists in Quran (33) they are the same from Noah to Muhammad

The true faith has always been the same, ever since Noah, the second father of humankind. The message of the Prophet Muhammad uses almost the same expressions as Noah. Moreover, the Atheists are the same from Noah to Muhammad.

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Who is Noah? He was:

• A true believer
• Allah’s humble servant
• A great Prophet

However, Allah told him:

I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant’, when you ask about what you do not know (See the previous article)

What Noah has done when he heard that?

The verse 11:47 of the Noble Quran says:

“My Lord, I do indeed seek refuge with You from ever questioning You about anything of which I have no knowledge. Unless You grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me I shall be among the losers.”

Noah trembles with fear that he may have erred in what he said to his Lord.

Therefore, he appeals to Allah, praying for His forgiveness. Then what?

• Allah has mercy on Noah and he is reassured. Allah bestowed blessings unto Noah.
• Allah extended his bestowed blessings unto the good people of his offspring.

However, what about the evildoers of Noah’s offspring?

They will receive severe punishment:

“The word was spoken: ‘Noah, disembark in peace from Us, and with

Our blessings upon you as well as upon generations from those who are with you. As for

other folk, We shall let them have enjoyment, and then there will befall them grievous suffering from Us.” (Verse 11:48)

The end is clear:

• Noah and those who believe of his offspring will be saved and will enjoy a magnificent reward.
• Those who prefer the enjoyment of this worldly life, however, will have it for a while but will then be overtaken by severe punishment.

Back to the opening of the Surah 11, you will see the same glad tidings for the believers and the same warnings for the unbelievers.

These glad tidings and warnings are confirmed herein by the story of Noah and his people in order to make them much more real to those whom the Quran addresses.

Nevertheless, were the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad aware of Noah?

Look how the Quran summarizes the commentary on Noah’s history in one verse:

“These accounts of things that have passed We now reveal to you (O Muhammad). Neither you nor your people knew them before this. Be, then, patient in adversity; for the future belongs to those who are Allah-fearing.”

(Verse 11:49)

These sums Noah’ story in the Quran:

1) It establishes the fact of revelation denied by the unbelievers. These stories were unknown to the Prophet Muhammad and to his people. It was part of Allah’s knowledge and the Prophet could not have known about it except through revelation from the One who knows all.

2) It also establishes the fact that the true faith has always been the same, ever since Noah, the second father of humankind. The message of the Prophet Muhammad uses almost the same expressions as Noah.

3) The objections and the accusations made by the Atheists who denied the message of the Prophet are always the same. Furthermore, the glad tidings and the warnings made by the Prophet will surely happen. This story is then a testimony from history.

4) Another fact is that Allah’s laws will not fail. “The glad tidings belong to those who believe in Allah”

5) It also establishes the true tie that exists between individuals and generations.

It is the tie of faith, the same faith which holds together all believers in Allah, the only Lord of the universe.

6) All generations of believers have in common the fact that they submit themselves to Him alone and ascribe divinity to no one else.

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The verses 11:47-49 in different translations:

QARIB:

47- He said: ‘my Lord, I seek refuge with you from asking you of that, which i have no knowledge. If you do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I shall be among the losers. ‘

48- It was said: ‘o Noah, descend with peace from us and blessings on you and on the nations of those with you; and nations we shall give them enjoyment, and then from us they shall be visited with a painful punishment. ‘

49- That is from the news of the unseen, which we reveal to you; neither you nor your nation knew this before now. Have patience; the outcome is for the cautious.

SHAKIR:

47- He said: my Lord! I seek refuge in thee from asking thee that of which I have no knowledge; and if thou shouldst not forgive me and have mercy on me, I should be of the losers

48- it was said: O nuh! Descend with peace from us and blessings on you and on the people from among those who are with you, and there shall be nations whom we will afford provisions, then a painful punishment from us shall afflict them

49- These are announcements relating to the unseen, which we reveal to you, you did not know them– (neither) you nor your people– before this; therefore be patient; surely, the end is for those who guard (against evil)

PICKTHAL:

47- He said: my Lord! lo! In thee do I seek refuge (from the sin) that I should ask of thee that whereof I have no knowledge. unless thou forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be among the lost.

48- it was said (unto him): o Noah! Go thou down (from the mountain) with peace from us and blessings upon thee and some nations (that will spring) from those with thee. (There will be other) nations unto whom we shall give enjoyment a long while and then a painful doom from us will overtake them.

49- This is of the tidings of the unseen which we inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk (know it) before this. then have patience. Lo! The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).

YUSUFALI:

47- Noah said: “o my Lord! I do seek refuge with thee, lest I ask thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou forgive me and have mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!”

48- The word came: “o Noah! Come down (from the ark) with peace from us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom we shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty reach them from us.”

49- Such are some of the stories of the unseen, which we have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the end is for those who are righteous.

Atheists in Quran (32) the failed Noah’s plea for his Atheist son

Noah cried unto his Lord and said, O My Lord! Lo! My son is one of my family whom you promised to save! Surely, your promise is the Truth. However, Allah’s principle = there is no rescue for unbelievers and the tie is not the tie of blood.

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In the previous article, the ark is sailing amid huge waves, Noah, the worried father makes one plea after another; his Atheist son insolently turns his back.

In an instant, the gigantic waves swallow up everything, so he was among the drowned by the flood.

The verses 11:45-46 of the Noble Quran continues the story.

The Loving Father’s Plea

Now that the storm has subsided and the ark has come to rest.

Noah once again feels the paternal love of a distressed father.

He makes this appeal to Allah:

“Noah called out to his Lord, saying: ‘Lord, my son is of my family. Surely Your promise always

comes true, and You are the most just of judges.’”

Noah makes clear that he has no doubt that Allah is just and wise.

Nothing Allah does is without reason.

Yet Allah has promised Noah that He will be save his family (and his son of course is one of his family)

Now, Noah requests that Allah fulfil the promise He made to spare his family (and his son of course).

Noah cried unto his Lord and said,

O My Lord! Lo! My son is of my family whom you promised to save! Surely Your promise is the Truth for certain.

O my Lord! You promised me that they would be saved, and truly, Your promise is the Truth, which never fails, and You are the Most Just of Judges’, the most knowledgeable and the fairest of them.

Allah’s answer

Allah’s answer states the fact that Noah has overlooked.

By Allah’s standards and according to Allah’s principles, one’s family are not necessarily one’s blood relations.

The true relationship is that of faith.

This son was not a believer, and as such, he was not a member of the family of the great Prophet Noah.

Allah’s answer is firm and undisputable.

Moreover, there is an element of criticism and warning in Allah’s answer:

“‘Noah,’ Allah answered, ‘he was not of your family; his was an unrighteous conduct. Do not question Me about matters of which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you become one of the ignorant.”

O Noah, lo! He is not of your family, of those who will be saved, or of the followers of your religion; lo! it, that is, your plea to save him, is not a righteous deed, for he is unbeliever and there is no rescue for unbelievers

A great principle of this religion states that the paramount relationship that exists between individuals is not one based on family affinity: “He was not of your family; his was an unrighteous conduct.”

Your relationship with him is thus severed despite the fact that he was your own son. Since the basic tie between the two of you does not exist, no other tie has any significance.

Since Noah’s prayer requested the fulfilment of a promise which he felt had not happened, the answer includes an implicit reproach and warning:

“Do not question Me about matters of which you have no knowledge. I admonish you lest you become one of the ignorant.”

I admonish you lest you be among the ignorant’, when you ask about what you do not know.

The admonition is needed lest Noah become one of those who are ignorant of the real ties and relationships, or unaware of Allah’s promise and its

interpretation. For Allah’s promise has been done and Noah’s true faithful family has been saved.

There is one thing, which Noah will see it in the Day of Judgment; Noah lost one Atheist son but he gained billions of believer sons, they are the Muslims.

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The verses 11:45-46 in different translations:

QARIB:

45- Noah called out to his lord, saying: ‘o lord, my son was of my family, and your promise is surely the truth. you are the most just of judges. ‘

46- He said: ‘Noah, he is not of your family. it is not a good deed. do not ask me about things of which you have no knowledge. i reproach you lest you become among the ignorant. ‘

SHAKIR:

45- And nuh cried out to his lord and said: my lord! Surely my son is of my family, and thy promise is surely true, and thou art the most just of the judges

46- He said: o nuh! Surely he is not of your family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds, therefore ask not of me that of which you have no knowledge; surely i admonish you lest you may be of the ignorant

PICKTHAL:

45- And Noah cried unto his lord and said: my lord! lo! My son is of my household! Surely thy promise is the truth and thou are the most just of judges.

46- He said: o Noah! lo! he is not of thy household; lo! He is of evil conduct, so ask not of me that whereof thou hast no knowledge. i admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant.

YUSUFALI:

45- And Noah called upon his lord, and said: “o my lord! Surely my son is of my family! and thy promise is true, and thou art the justest of judges!”

46- He said: “o Noah! he is not of thy family: for his conduct is unrighteous. so ask not of me that of which thou hast no knowledge! i give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!”

Atheists in Quran (17) their power = naught

Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers; they flee from fear to more fear. Allah’s Law is “Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe in Allah, the Almighty”. Adopting this law, Muslims won and the unbelievers defeated

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The background of the verse 24:57

Muslims flee from fear to more fear

At the beginning of Islam, Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers.

The unbelievers were very violent striking the Muslims with all kinds oftorment

Then, the Muslims left their houses, possessions, money etc. and migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah in an attempt to flee from the mighty unbelievers.

I will let Abu al-Aliyah (one of Muhammad’s fellows) to describe the Muslims’ situation, he said:

“The Prophet Muhammad and his Companions remained in Makkah for around ten years calling on people to believe in Allah and to worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him.

However, they did so in secret, as they were in a state of fear of the unbelievers who were very violent with the little Muslims community. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad has prevented us from fighting. When the Muslims later migrated to Al- Madinah, Allah bid them to fight back for their cause. This meant that they were again in a state of more fear, wearing their body armor day and night. They persevered for as long as Allah willed.

One of his Companions asked the Prophet: Are we to remain in such fear for the rest of time? Will there comes a time when we can put our armaments aside?’

The Prophet said: ‘It will not be long before any one of you can sit among a huge crowd without anyone carrying arms.’

Soon afterwards, Allah revealed this verse. The Prophet was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia and his followers were in a state of security. They put down their arms”.

The verse 24:57 says:

Do not Think O Muhammad that the unbelievers can escape from Allah’s punishment both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter

For their abode will be the Eternal Fire; it is surely an evil destination, the worst abode for anyone. A hapless journey’s end

The verse confirms that the unbelievers cannot defy Allah. They will receive their fair punishment in this life and in the Afterlife.

Allah says to the believers: if you remain steadfast, following My path, then you need not worry about the might of the unbelievers. The power they apparently wield will not stand in your way. You are far stronger when equipped with your faith.

In material power, you may not be a match for them, but believers who strive for the truth can work miracles.

Back to 1400 years ago,

The unbelievers were more than 30 times the believers in respect to their:

• Populations
• Equipment
• Army force
• Wealth
• Etc.

However, Allah as He promised defeated them in this life and you will see the fulfilment of his promise in the Afterlife.

Allah’s Law is:

Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe that the Almighty exists.

No wonder then that “the Prophet Muhammad was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia”

(Quoted from Abu al-Aliyah)

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The verse 24:57 in different translations:

QARIB:

Never think that the unbelievers will be able to frustrate (us) in the earth. their refuge is the fire, an evil arrival.

SHAKIR:

Think not that those who disbelieve shall escape in the earth, and their abode is the fire; and certainly evil is the resort!

PICKTHAL:

Think not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. fire will be their home – a hapless journey’s end!

YUSUFALI:

Never think thou that the unbelievers are going to frustrate (Allah’s plan) on earth: their abode is the fire,- and it is indeed an evil refuge!

Atheists in Quran (15) they always forget

The Atheists are speaking proudly about what they enjoy in this life of pleasures and luxuries. They always forget the end suffered by one generation after another of the unbelievers of old and they remain heedless. In addition, they deny the Day of Judgment when they will realize who is worst in position and weaker in forces.

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The name of Surah (Chapter) 19 of the Quran is “Maryam”

“Maryam” is the Quranic name of the Pure Honored Virgin “Saint Mary”.

The Surah has given us accounts of some prophets, including

• Zachariah and the birth of John, his son,
• Saint Mary and the birth of Jesus, her son,
• Abraham and his split from his community and their false deities.

We have also heard about the generations that followed them, and whether they lived in accordance with the guidance Allah gave them or they fell into error.

The Surah comments on these accounts declaring that Lordship belongs solely to Allah, who alone deserves to be worshipped, without partners or son.

This was the essential fact that the earlier prophets brought throughout their histories.

Then the verses 19:73-75 discusses the issue of Atheists

The Quran paint an image of this world in which the unbelievers are shown behaving arrogantly towards the believers, stamping them as poor and weak, and swaggering about their own wealth and social values.

“When Allah’ revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, the unbelievers say to those who believe: ‘Which of the two sides has a better position and a superior community?”

The Atheists have their own social clubs demonstrating all the material values which the wealthy and powerful are keen to emphasize in their corrupt world.

By contrast, we see humble gatherings where there are no such material riches or adornments. Instead, there are only the values of faith, which unite people in these other groups.

The two parties are put side by side to fully demonstrate their contrast.

The first side stands out with its wide variety of temptations: wealth, beauty, power and influence. It uses all these to serve people’s interests, and provide them with all manner of pleasures.

The second side appears too humble by comparison, yet it looks with scorn at wealth and beauty and it ridicules power and influence. It calls on people to join its ranks, without offering them any personal gain, material interest or favors that ruler and governments can provide.

It simply offers them the faith, pure and simple, without adding to it any adornment.

It seeks strength through being on Allah’s side, nothing else.

In fact, it makes clear to humankind that accepting it will involve hardship, effort and scuffle.

Also clear is the fact that none will be rewarded for anything in this life.

The reward to be expected will be in the form of being close to Allah, enjoying His pleasure in the life to come.

The Atheists among the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad used to listen to Muhammad reciting the Quran, but then they would say to the believers who lacked all riches:

• Which of the two sides has a better position and a superior community? Which side: the Atheists who denied Muhammad’s message or the humble who responded to him?
• Had the message preached by Muhammad been any good, would his followers be those who had no power or influence in the Arabs’ society?
• Would they have met in a humble place (as they used to do)?
• Would his opponents be those who enjoyed all the luxuries and social prominence?

Such is worldly logic, advanced by those who have no aspiration to any truly high outlook.

The divine wisdom keeps faith free of all adornment and superficial attraction, offering no temptation.

Thus, only those who take it for its real value, without hope of immediate gain, will accept it.

By contrast, those who are after wealth, worldly interests, pleasures and the like will turn away from it.

Then the Verse 74 comments on the boasts of those arrogant Atheists, speaking proudly about what they enjoy in this life of pleasures and luxuries.

The comment draws their attention to how earlier peoples were destroyed, despite the great riches they enjoyed:

“How many a generation has Allah destroyed before their time, who were superior in material riches and in splendor.”

They benefited nothing by their entire splendor, nor were their material privileges of any avail to them when Allah brought His punishment upon them.

Human beings always forget!

The end suffered by one generation after another of the unbelievers of old should serve as a clear warning but people remain heedless. They continue to ignore the destiny awaiting them, should they follow in the footsteps of those who preceded them.

After all, those earlier unbelievers were of greater strength and enjoyed larger followings and more wealth.

The Verse then instructs the Prophet Muhammad to pray against them in the form of a joint appeal to Allah to add to the misery to be suffered by the side, which persisted in error. This is to continue until Allah fulfils His promise either in this life or in the life to come:

Say O Muhammad:

As for those who live in error, may the Most Merciful lengthen their span of life!’

However, when they see the fulfilment of that of which they have been forewarned, be it suffering or the Last Hour, they will realize who is worst in position and weaker in forces.

They claim that they follow better and superior guidance to that advocated by Muhammad and his followers, and their evidence is their wealth and luxuries.

Be that as it may! Muhammad will appeal to his Lord to give increase to each side: the one in error and the one following right guidance.

Then when what Muhammad promises happens, which is the triumph of the believers over those in error, or the final punishment they receive on the Day of Judgment, they will realize which of the two sides is worse in position, weaker in forces.

Then, the next verse (76) declares that on the Day of Judgment, the believers will rejoice and feel their superiority.

This is certainly better than all that in which human beings find pleasure and enjoyment in the life of this world.

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The verses 19:73-75 in different translations:

19:73-75

QARIB:

73-When our clear verses are recited to them the unbelievers say to the believers: ‘which of the two parties has a better position or company?

74-How many generations have we destroyed before them, who were far greater in riches and more boastful!

75-Say: ‘whosoever is in error, let the most merciful prolong his life span until they see that which they were threatened, be it a punishment, or the hour. then shall they know whose is the worst place and who is weaker in hosts. ‘

SHAKIR:

73-And when our clear communications are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: which of the two parties is best in abiding and best in assembly?

74-And how many of the generations have we destroyed before them who were better in respect of goods and outward appearance!

75-Say: as for him who remains in error, the beneficent Allah will surely prolong his length of days, until they see what they were threatened with, either the punishment or the hour; then they shall know who is in more evil plight and weaker in forces

PICKTHAL:

73-And when our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: which of the two parties (yours or ours) is better in position, and more imposing as an army?

74-How many a generation have we destroyed before them, who were more imposing in respect of gear and outward seeming!

75-Say: as for him who is in error, the beneficent will verily prolong his span of life until, when they behold that which they were promised, whether it be punishment (in the world), or the hour (of doom), they will know who is worse in position and who is weaker as YUSUFALI:

73-When our clear signs are rehearsed to them, the unbelievers say to those who believe, “which of the two sides is best in point of position? which makes the best show in council?”

74-But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?

75-Say: “if any men go astray, (Allah) most gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) – either in punishment or in (the approach of) the hour, – they will at length realize who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!