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!
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