Atheists in Quran (47) when they wish they were dust

The punishment endured by the unbelievers originates from Allah’s mercy. For it is certainly part of mercy that evildoer should be punished and that it should not have the same end as the righteous. Lo! Allah is warning you O Atheists of a doom at hand, which will surely happen, a day whereon every Atheist will sadly cry: “Would that I were dust!”

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The meanings of the verses 78:38-40 of the Noble Quran:

On the day when Gabriel, and the angels stand arrayed.

Frightful Silence!

The scene shows total silence; none dares to talk, everyone is looking around awaiting for his fate.

None will not speak, except him whom Allah permits to speak from among the believers and the angels.

The one who speaks from among the believers will say what is right.

On the day when the angels and Gabriel stand arrayed, they speak not to intercede, saving him whom Allah allows to intercede and speak right

That is the True Day, the Day of Resurrection, whose happening is definite

So whoever wishes to, let him come to Allah by being believing and obedient to Him, so that he may be secure from chastisement in it.

Lo! We have warned you, O Atheists, of a the chastisement of the impending Day of Resurrection when every person, will behold what his hands have sent ahead, of good and evil, and the Atheist will say, ‘O would that I were dust!’

In other words,

Lo! Allah is warning you O Atheists of a doom at hand, which will surely happen,

A day whereon every man will look

When the believer will look

When the Atheist will look

They both will look on that which their own hands have:

Sent before

Earned of good

Earned of evil

Then every Atheist will sadly cry:

“Would that I were dust!”

Why Atheist says that? Because of the horrors, severity and torment of that day.

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When Punishment = Mercy

Allah is the Supreme Lord; He is the Most Gracious. He metes out reward for believers and punishment for unbelievers.

The reward He assigns is a manifestation of His mercy.

In addition, the punishment endured by the unbelievers originates from Allah’s mercy. For it is certainly part of mercy that evildoer should be punished and that it should not have the same end as the righteous.

In Allah’s Presence

The verse unveil the unseen and describes the scene of the day when the great angel Gabriel, and all the angels standing in ranks before Allah; they greatly esteem Him; no one dares utter a word without prior permission from Him.

In this awesome situation, neither man nor angel can speak without Allah’s permission.

Whatever said will be right because Allah does not permit anyone to speak whom He knows will not be saying what is right.

Back to the Angels, the pure sinless great creatures whom does Allah favor,

When we think that the angels dare not speak without His permission, we are bound to feel how overwhelming the situation is.

Having driven such a feeling, the verse conveys a threatening to the Atheists who have chosen not to hear or see

“That day is a certainty. Let him who will seek a way back to his Lord. We have forewarned you of an imminent scourge, on the day when man will look on what his hands have forwarded and the unbeliever will cry: ‘Would that I were dust!”

Those who raise doubts and question the reality of the Day of Resurrection are here shaken violently:

“That day is a certainty.”

There is no room left for doubt and controversy. Yet there is time for mending one’s erring ways before the fearful watch guard, i.e. hell, becomes a permanent home:

“Let him who will seek a way back to his Lord.”

The warning is severe enough to make the drunken awake:

“We have forewarned you of an imminent scourge.”

It will not be long coming, for man’s life is but a short period.

The scourge is so fearful that the unbelievers, when faced with it, will send up that great cry expressing the wish that they had never lived:

“On the day when man will look on what his hands have forwarded and the unbeliever will cry: ‘Would that I were dust!”

This is the cry of the one who is in great distress, who feels ashamed for what he has been and what he has done. He feels that it is better not to be, or to be something as worthless as dust, than to witness such a fearful occasion.

The terrible position of the unbelievers is the subject of the questions and doubts they raise concerning that fateful tiding.

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The verses 78:38-40 in different translations:

QARIB:

38-On that day, when the spirit (gabriel) and the angels stand in ranks they shall not speak, except he to whom the merciful has given permission, and says what is right.

39-That is the day, the truth, so whosoever wills takes a way to his Lord.

40-Indeed, we have forewarned you of an imminent punishment, the day when the person will look upon his works and the unbelievers will say: ‘would that i were dust! ‘

SHAKIR:

38-The day on which the spirit and the angels shall stand in ranks; they shall not speak except he whom the beneficent Allah permits and who speaks the right thing

39-That is the sure day, so whoever desires may take refuge with his Lord

40-Surely we have warned you of a chastisement near at hand: the day when man shall see what his two hands have sent before, and the unbeliever shall say: o! would that i were dust!

PICKTHAL:

38-On the day when the angels and the spirit stand arrayed, they speak not, saving him whom the beneficent alloweth and who speaketh right.

39-That is the true day. so whoso will should seek recourse unto his Lord.

40-Lo! We warn you of a doom at hand, a day whereon a man will look on that which his own hands have sent before, and the disbeliever will cry: “would that i were dust!”

YUSUFALI:

38-The day that the spirit and the angels will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by (Allah) most gracious, and he will say what is right.

39-That day will be the sure reality: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) return to his Lord!

40-Verily, we have warned you of a penalty near, the day when man will see (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth, and the unbeliever will say, “woe unto me! would that i were (metre) dust!”

Atheists in Quran (46) Historical Miracle

The first human beings worshiped Satan were the Waldenses, Vallenses or Vaudois; these are names for a Christian movement, which started in Lyon, France and spread soon to the Cottian Alps in the late 1170s. However, the Quran is the first book on the Earth that mention the fact that man one day will worship Satan. Is this Historical miracle is one of the many miracles of the Quran or what?

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The verses 36:59-64 dwells on the scene of reckoning faced by the Atheists and unbelievers with all that it involves of criticism and blame. The verses say:

“But stand aside today, you guilty ones!

Children of Adam!

• Did I not enjoin on you that you should not worship Satan, as he is your open foe?
• And that You should worship Me alone? This is the straight path.
• He (Satan) had already led astray a great many of you.
• Could you not, then, use your reason?

This, then, is the hell that Our messengers were repeatedly warned you against:

Endure it today for your persistent rejection [of the truth].”

In these verses, we see that Scorn and Derision mark the dealing they receive.

At first, Allah commands them to stand aside, away from the believers.

Allah will say to them

• Stand apart, O you sinners, guilty, unbelievers
• Separate yourselves from the believers

Then, Allah addressed them as ‘Children of Adam,’ which is an address implying reproach.

“Children of Adam! Did I not enjoin on you that you should not worship Satan, as he is your open foe?”

Did I not charge you and command you, O children of Adam, by the tongues of My repeated messengers, and in the Scripture brought by the Messengers

• That you should not worship Satan,
• That you should not obey Satan
• That Satan is a manifest enemy to you, one whose enmity is quite evident,

It was Satan who caused the expulsion of their father, Adam, from heaven. He has declared his permanent enmity to Adam and his children, yet they continue to worship him.

On the other hand, Children of Adam were enjoined to do something that was certain to set them on a straight path, leading to Allah’s pleasure and a happy end in the Afterlife:

“You should worship Me alone. This is the straight path.”

They are reminded that this enemy led astray many generations.

For verily Satan has led astray from a great multitude of people before you and from among you

Did you not know what Satan did to them, and hence avoid following their path?

Did you not use to comprehend his enmity and his misguidance?

Did you not use to comprehend the chastisements that befell them in the life of this world?

Moreover, Allah will say to them in the Hereafter:

This is Hell, which Allah’ messengers have promised you!

Burn therein today [as chastisement] for that which you used to reject!’

Burn therein today because of your denial of the Scriptures and the messengers.

Hence, the pretentious question for them:

“Could you not, then, use your reason?”

At the end of this very hard and humiliating position, the dreaded sentence continues, given in connotations of reproach and derision:

“This, then, is the hell that you were repeatedly warned against: endure it today for your persistent rejection of the truth.”

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We know that Allah revealed the Quran unto the Prophet Muhammad via the great Angel Gabriel more than 1400 years ago.

At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Humankind has never ever heard about worshipping of Satan.

As far as I know, the first human beings worshiped Satan were the Waldenses, Vallenses or Vaudois. Those are names for a Christian movement, which started in Lyon, France and spread soon to the Cottian Alps in the late 1170s.

In 1179, they gained the attention of the Church and were accused of worshipping Satan.

Hence, the Quran is the first book on the Earth that mention the fact that man one day will worship Satan.

Is this Historical miracle is one of the many miracles of the Quran or what?

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The verses 36:59-64vin different translations:

QARIB:

59-(And he will say): ‘distance yourselves, o sinners, this day.

60-Children of Adam, did I not make a covenant with you, that you should not worship Satan he is surely a clear enemy to you

61-And that you worship me? Surely, that is the straight path.

62-Yet he has led many a host of you astray, did you not understand?

63-This, then is gehenna (hell), that which you were promised.

64-Roast well therein this day for you were unbelievers. ‘

SHAKIR:

59-And get aside today, o guilty ones!

60-did I not charge you, o children of Adam! That you should not serve the Shaitan? Surely, he is your open enemy,

61-And that you should serve me; this is the right way

62-And certainly he led astray numerous people from among you. What! Could you not then understand?

63-This is the hell with which you were threatened

64-Enter into it this day because you disbelieved

PICKTHAL:

59-But avaunt ye, o ye guilty, this day!

60-Did i not charge you, o ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil – lo! He is your open foe! –

61-But that ye worship me? That was the right path.

62-Yet he hath led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then no sense?

63-This is hell which ye were promised (if ye followed him).

64-Burn therein this day for that ye disbelieved.

YUSUFALI:

59-“And o ye in sin! Get ye apart this day!

60-“Did I not enjoin on you, o ye children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?-

61-“And that ye should worship me, (for that) this was the straight way?

62-“But he did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did ye not, then, understand?

63-“This is the hell of which ye were (repeatedly) warned!

64-“Embrace ye the (fire) this day, for that ye (persistently) rejected (truth).”

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 (35) they are hasty

The Atheists try to hasten the punishment against which the Prophet Muhammad warns them. Sarcastically, they say, ‘When will this promise of resurrection and chastisement be fulfilled, if you are truthful O Muhammad?

The Quran says that 1) Man is a creature of haste; he is so hasty in his affairs and 2) Verily, messengers before you O Muhammad were derided but those who mocked them were encircled by the chastisement, which they used to deride; likewise, it shall befall those who have derided you.

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The Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad were one of two:

The unbelievers deny the existence of One God and they used to worship many idols as gods

The Atheists who deny the existence of any god

Both groups deny the Resuscitation, the Day of Judgment and the Afterlife

They deny the very existence of Allah, the Most Merciful, who has created the universe and set the rules that operate in it and sustain its existence.

Herein, a likely dispute is expected.

Allah’s Messenger Muhammad speaks out against their deities, showing such inanimate idols to be useless.

On the other hand, The Atheists and unbelievers rudely deny Allah and they hurl abuse and mockery at Allah’s Messenger, saying that it is unacceptable that he should criticize their idol worship. They find nothing wrong with the arrogance that leads them to

Deny Allah’s existence,

Deny Allah’s Messenger and

Reject Allah’s revelation, the Quran.

The sarcasm of their attitude exposes to the full the far- reaching corruption that affects their nature and impairs their judgment.

Whenever they see you O Muhammad, they take you in derision and pick you out for mockery

What is more stupid of them?

They try to hasten the punishment against which the Prophet warns them.

They say, ‘When will this promise of resurrection and chastisement be fulfilled, if you are truthful O Muhammad?

Man is a creature of haste; he is so hasty in his affairs

Haste is present in man’s very nature and constitution.

He always stretches his eyes to what lies ahead, beyond the present moment, aiming to grasp it with his own hand. He wants to achieve, the moment it flashes in his mind, all that seems desirable. He wants to see all that is promised to him, even though it may be to his damage. Such is man’s nature, unless he establishes a firm relationship with Allah, which gives him strength and reassurance. He will then trust to Allah’s wisdom, leaving His will to run its course without hastening events. For faith combines trust with patience and reassurance.

Those unbelievers hastened Allah’s punishment, wondering when the promise of punishment in the hereafter, as well as in this life, would be fulfilled.

The Quran paints here for them a scene of the suffering in the hereafter, while also warning them against a similar punishment to that which befell earlier communities, which rejected the faith

If the unbelievers only knew what shall happen to them:

They would change their attitude completely.

They would stop their mockery and hastening of what is bound to come.

Let them, then, see what is bound to come.

There, the fire surrounds them on all sides.

Nay, but it, the Resurrection, shall come upon them suddenly, dumbfounding them, confusing them, and they shall not be able to ward it off, nor shall they be granted any respite, [nor shall they] be given any [extra] time to make a repentance or offer an excuse.

We envisage their agitated movements, described implicitly in the verse, to protect their faces and their backs against the fire, but their attempt is useless. It is as if the fire engulfs them on all sides. They can neither keep it away from themselves, nor retreat to seek protection. Nor is even a short respite from it possible.

That the punishment comes suddenly is only the response for their hastening it.

Sarcastically, they used to say time after time:

“When is this promise to be fulfilled, if what you say be true?”

The answer is that it comes suddenly, perplexing their minds and paralyzing their will. Thus, they are unable to think or act. This applies to the punishment in the hereafter.

Moreover, verily messengers before you were derided but those who mocked them were encircled by the chastisement, which they used to deride; likewise, it shall befall those who have derided you.

As for this world’s punishment, it certainly befell communities before them, which ridiculed Allah’s messengers. Just as those communities were unable to ward off a punishment that wiped them out altogether, so these unbelievers are unable to avert their defeat and captivity. They are thus warned not to deride Allah’s Messenger, to avoid the punishment that befalls those who ridicule prophets. Such fate and punishment is bound to come, because it is part of Allah’s law, which will inevitably, take effect, just as the destruction of earlier communities, guilty of the same offence, proves.

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The verses 21:36-41in different translations:

QARIB:

36-When the unbelievers see you, they take you only for mockery, saying: ‘is this he who talks about your gods? ‘While they are unbelievers in the remembrance of the merciful.

37-The human was created of haste. Indeed, I will show you my signs; so do not ask me to hasten them.

38-They say: ‘if you are truthful, when will this promise come? ‘

39-If the unbelievers only knew when they will be unable to shield either their faces or their backs from the fire; when they will not be helped!

40-It will overtake them suddenly, dumbfounding them. they shall be unable to ward it off, and they shall not be respited.

41-Before you, other messengers were mocked, but the mockers were encompassed by the very thing they mocked.

SHAKIR:

36-And when those who disbelieve see you, they do not take you but for one to be scoffed at: is this he who speaks of your gods? and they are deniers at the mention of the beneficent Allah

37-Man is created of haste; now will i show to you my signs, therefore do not ask me to hasten (them) on

38-And they say: when will this threat come to pass if you are truthful?

39-Had those who disbelieve but known (of the time) when they shall not be able to ward off the fire from their faces nor from their backs, nor shall they be helped

40-Nay, it shall come on them all of a sudden and cause them to become confounded, so they shall not have the power to avert it, nor shall they be respited

41-And certainly messengers before you were scoffed at, then there befell those of them who scoffed that at which they had scoffed

PICKTHAL:

36-And when those who disbelieve behold thee, they but choose thee out for mockery, (saying): is this he who maketh mention of your gods? and they would deny all mention of the beneficent.

37-Man is made of haste. I shall show you my portents, but ask me not to hasten.

38-And they say: when will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?

39-If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!

40-Nay, but it will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.

41-Messengers before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those who scoffed at them.

YUSUFALI:

36-When the unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule. “is this,” (they say), “the one who talks of your gods?” and they blaspheme at the mention of (Allah) most gracious!

37-Man is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will i show you my signs; then ye will not ask me to hasten them!

38-They say: “when will this promise come to pass, if ye are telling the truth?”

39-If only the unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them!

40-Nay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to avert it, nor will they (then) get respite.

41-Mocked were (many) messenger before thee; but their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.

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 (27) Noah’s values vs. their values

Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth. In Noah’s presentation, there were no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message. The Atheists stiffened their attitude became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case; they said: Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a truthful man.

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In the previous articles, the Atheists who were the council notables and the respected elders of Noah’s people claim that Noah is just looking for wealth and they said:

• We will never ever sit with Noah and listen to him unless he drives away those who are the most abject, lowly, and weak and the riffraff among us.
• Why have such lowly men followed Noah before us?

This was a part of their rotten arguments

They said such nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts

The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

In this article, the Atheists continue their stubborn arguments with Noah.

The meanings of the verses 11:31-33

The Atheists demanded that they would never believe Noah unless:

• Noah tells them that he possess the treasure houses of Allah
• Noah tells them that he has the keys to Allah’s stores of provision
• Noah tells them that he has knowledge of the Unseen
• Noah tells the lowly men who followed him that Allah will not give them any good

However, you know what Noah (they said), we cannot believe in human being, tell your Lord to send us an Angel or to convert you to an Angel

Noah remains unaffected by the false accusations, insolence and blind rejection with which his people have received his message.

He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. He does not make false claims or accusations as they have done. Nor does he try to give himself any false image or impart anything alien to his message.

However, Allah inspired Noah the answers for their rotten arguments.

Peacefully, Noah introduces himself and his message. His presentation is simple, devoid of any ornament and decoration, free of all false standards and values.

Noah reminds them of the true values, looking with contempt on all superficial ones. He renounces all superficiality and states his message as it is, pure and simple, with no false claims. He, who wants it, let him take it, as it is as pure as Allah made it.

Noah said:

I do not say to you that God’s treasures are with me.

I do not claim that I am rich or that I can make any of you rich. “Or that

I know what lies beyond the reach of human perception.

I do not make any claim of any super-human status or

I do not allege that my relationship with Allah exceeds the fact that I am a messenger conveying Allah’s message.

Nor do I say: I am an angel.

I do not claim to have a position, which you think to be higher than that of man, so that I may gain favor or high position from you.

I cannot say to those whom you scorn that Allah will never grant them any good, so that I satisfy your pride or accommodate your standards and values.

Allah knows best what is in their hearts (those whom you scorn).

I have to go by what I see.

To me, they appear deserving of honor and hope that Allah will grant them of His bounty.

If I made such false claims, saying to them that Allah will never grant them any good, I would be unjust

• I would be unjust to the very truth I have come to convey.
• I would also be unjust to myself, exposed to Allah’s wrath,
• I would be unjust to other people to whom I gave a status other than that given them by Allah.

Thus, Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He faces them with the clarity and strength of the truth. Meanwhile, he makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth so that they may look it in the face and decide upon their line of action.

In Noah’s presentation, there were no pretense, no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message and its simple nature.

In this, Noah sets an example for all advocates of the Allah’s message in all generations and provides them with a lesson in how to confront the people of authority with the truth, without any attempt to compromise, or flatter, but with the sort of friendliness, which is not associated with submission.

At this point, it was clear to the notables that they had no chance of winning the argument. They stiffened their attitude, became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case, logical and natural as it certainly was.

Then they finally rallied themselves in order to deliver a challenge to Noah. They said:

Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a man of truth.

This is nothing short of deceit, an attempt to cover up their weakness by putting on a display of strength. It is a challenge made in order to mask their dread of the truth’s strength.

Noah, however, remains unaffected by their outright rejection and challenge. He maintains the noble attitude befitting a great prophet. He continues to explain to them the truth and the facts, which they have ignored

He restates the fact that he is only a messenger whose task is to deliver a message. Their punishment is left to Allah who has absolute control over their destiny.

Allah alone decides, at His own discretion, whether it is appropriate to punish them here and now or to delay their punishment until a later date. Allah’s will must happen, as it is and Noah has no power over it.

As a messenger, he has to continue to explain the truth to his people until the last moment. Their rejection and challenge must not deter him from fulfilling his task.

Hence, he says to them:

Only Allah can bring it upon you, if He so wills. You cannot be immune. Nor will my counsel benefit you, much as I desire to give you good counsel, if it is Allah’s will to let you remain in error. He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.

If He will to punish you, none can by no means escape His chastisement.

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The verses 11:31-33 in different translations:

QARIB:

31- I do not say to you that i possess the treasuries of Allah, and i do not know the unseen. I do not say I am an angel, nor do I say to those whom you despise, Allah will not give them any good. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. indeed, if this were so then I would be amongst the harmdoers. ‘

32- They said: ‘o Noah, you have disputed, and disputed too much, with us. bring (down) upon us that which you promised us, if what you say is true! ‘

33- He replied: ‘Allah will bring it (down) upon you if he will; you will never frustrate him.

SHAKIR:

31- And I do not say to you that i have the treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that i am an angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that) Allah will never grant them (any) good– Allah knows best what is in their souls– for then most surely I should be of the unjust

32- They said: o nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones

33- He said: Allah only will bring it to you if he please, and you will not escape:

PICKTHAL:

31- I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah” nor “I have knowledge of the unseen,” nor say I: “lo! I am an angel!” nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good – Allah knoweth best what is in their hearts – lo! Then indeed, I should be of the wrong-doers.

32- They said: o Noah! thou hast disputed with us and multiplied disputation with us; now bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.

33- He said: only Allah will bring it upon you if he will, and ye can by no means escape.

YUSUFALI:

31- “I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”

32- They said: “o Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”

33- He said: “truly, Allah will bring it on you if he wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!

Atheists in Quran (21) their leader = their enemy = Satan

O humankind! Indeed Allah’s promise, of resurrection is true. So do not let the Deceiver, Satan, deceive you from believing. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. Satan only summons followers so that they may be among the inhabitants of the fierce Fire.

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The first four verses of Surah 35 emphasized three major facts of the Islamic faith:

• The oneness of Allah, the Almighty Creator
• The graces that Allah alone bestows
• Allah is the only One who provides sustenance for all His creation.

The verses 35:5-7 address 1) The Prophet Muhammad and 2) Mankind as follow:

1) The Prophet Muhammad, heartening him because his people’s rejection of his message and their false accusations of his lying caused him much pain. It stresses that all matters are in Allah’s hand.

2) Mankind confirming that Allah’s promise is a true promise and warning man against Satan’s schemes, which aim to divert man from recognizing the major truths already outlined.

The Creeping around Enemy

What Satan, our affirmed enemy, wants is to lead Mankind to hell’s torment?

Both belief and rejection are in Allah’s hand, and He knows all that people do.

Then the verses show us the types of requital that await the believers and unbelievers in the life to come.

The aim of the first address is at the Prophet Muhammad:

“If they accuse you of lying, other messengers, who had gone before you, were similarly accused. It is to Allah that all things return.” (Verse 4)

With all these truths easily and clearly recognizable, you need not worry that they accuse you of lying.

The same thing happened to earlier messengers.

If the Atheists deny you, O Muhammad with regard to your message of Allah’s Oneness, resurrection, reckoning and punishment, verily, the Atheists denied other messengers before you in this respect, so be steadfast as they were steadfast

All matters finally return to Allah who determines every end the way He pleases.

The aim of the second address is at Mankind, in general, to all people and to everyone:

People! Allah’s promise is true indeed. So do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about Allah delude you. Satan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire. (Verses 5-6)

Allah’s promise is true:

• There is no doubt that it will come;
• It is a reality that will not fail;
• It is the absolute truth.
• Nothing can cause it to disappear, lose its way or change.

Nevertheless, this present life can delude people, as can Satan. Therefore, do not let anything deceive you:

“Do not let the life of the present world delude you, and do not let deceptive thoughts about Allah delude you.” (Verse 5)

O humankind! Indeed Allah’s promise, of resurrection and of other issues, is true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, from believing, and do not let the Deceiver, Satan, deceive you concerning Allah

Satan has declared his hostility and enmity to you and that he will never be anything but an enemy to you.

Satan only summons his faction, his followers in disbelief, so that they may be among the inhabitants of the Blaze, the fierce Fire.

Therefore, “treat him as an enemy.” (Verse 6)

• Do not befriend him,
• Do not listen to his advice,
• Do not follow his footsteps,

For no wise person would follow his enemy’s footsteps.

Moreover, you should realize that Satan:

• Does not call you to anything good,
• Nor does he want you to be safe:

“He only calls on his followers so that they will be among those destined for the blazing fire.” (Verse 6)

Can anyone with reason and clear thinking answer a call that would put him in the fire?

This is a sincere, heartfelt address.

When man remembers the eternal challenge,

• He has to fight against his avowed enemy, Satan,
• He will muster all his strength, defending himself and ensuring his own safety.
• He will do his utmost not to fall to any temptation, keep himself on guard, and evaluate every thought by the scales Allah has given him.
• He is alert to the fact that any seemingly innocent thought may involve clever deception by his essential enemy.

This is the Islamic teachings.

Man needs to be on the alert to reject any temptation Satan presents. This entails the mobilization of all one’s responses against evil, both its inner appeal and surface attraction.

Thus, one is always on red alert, prepared to engage in this challenge, which rages persistently throughout this present life.

Such “take care of Satan” demanded from believers is followed by an outline of the fate of those who responded to Satan’s call.

To underpin the contrast, the verse restated the situation of the believers who reject Satan and drive him away:

“For the unbelievers there is severe suffering in store; while for those who believe and do righteous deeds there is forgiveness of sins and a great reward.” (Verse 7)

Those who disbelieve, theirs will be a severe chastisement; but those who believe and perform righteous deeds, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward — this is a declaration of what [fate] will be for the adherents of Satan and what will be for his opponents [respectively].

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The verses 35:5-7 in different translations:

QARIB:

4-If they belie you; other messengers have been belied before you. to Allah all matters are returned.

5-People, the promise of Allah is true, so do not let this present life delude you, and do not let the deluder (Satan) delude you about Allah.

6-Satan is indeed your enemy; therefore take him for an enemy. he calls his party so that they will become the companions of the blaze.

7-For the unbelievers awaits a terrible punishment, but for those who believe and do good deeds is forgiveness and a great recompense.

SHAKIR:

4-And if they call you a liar, truly messengers before you were called liars, and to Allah are all affairs returned

5-O men! Surely, the promise of Allah is true, therefore let not the life of this world deceive you, and let not the arch-deceiver deceive you respecting Allah

6-Surely, the Shaitan is your enemy, so take him for an enemy; he only invites his party that they may be inmates of the burning

7- (As for) those who disbelieve, they shall have a severe punishment, and (as for) those who believe and do good, they shall have forgiveness and a great reward

PICKTHAL:

4-And if they deny thee, (O Muhammad), messengers (of Allah) were denied before thee. Unto Allah, all things are brought back.

5-O mankind! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. So let not the life of the world beguile you, and let not the (avowed) beguiler beguile you with regard to Allah.

6-Lo! The devil is an enemy for you, so treat him as an enemy. He only summoneth his faction to be owners of the flaming fire.

7-Those who disbelieve, theirs will be an awful doom; and those who believe and do good works, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.

YUSUFALI:

4-And if they reject thee, so were messengers rejected before thee: to Allah back for decision all affairs.

5-O men! Certainly, the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah.

6-Verily, Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. he only invites his adherents, that they may become companions of the blazing fire.

7-For those who reject Allah, is a terrible penalty: but for those who believe and work righteous deeds, is forgiveness, and a magnificent reward.

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 (16) they mocked Muhammad

The Quran talked about the Atheists’ mockery they hurled at the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran says, “If they knew of the time when they shall not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs and none shall protect them from it at the Resurrection”.

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Do Not Overlook this Warning

The verses 21:38-41 describe how the Atheists deal with Muhammad

The verses talk about

• The way the unbelievers received Allah’s Messenger and the revelations he was given.
• The mockery they hurled at him and
• Their persistent disbelief.

The verses follow this by pointing out that, by nature, man is hasty.

One manifestation of this haste is the unbelievers’ attempts to hasten Allah’s punishment.

Hence, it warns them against such haste and makes it clear to them that they must refrain from mocking the Prophet Muhammad if they wish to avoid the consequences of such unwarranted behavior. That is the persistent suffering of the unbelievers in the hereafter.

The verses talk about the accuracy of the reckoning in the hereafter and the suitability of the reward given on the Day of Judgment.

Thus, the reckoning and the reward are linked to the rules operating in the universe, human nature and human life.

What is more, they try to hasten the punishment against which the Prophet warns them.

For, by nature, man is hasty:

“Man is a creature of haste.”

Haste is present in man’s very nature and constitution.

Man always stretches his eyes to what lies ahead, beyond the present moment, aiming to grasp it with his own hand.

Man wants to achieve, the moment it flashes in his mind, all that seems desirable. He wants to see all that is promised to him, even though it may be to his detriment.

Such is man’s nature, unless he establishes a firm relationship with Allah, which gives him strength and reassurance. He will then trust to Allah’s wisdom, leaving His will to run its course without hastening events. For faith combines trust with patience and reassurance.

Those Atheists hastened Allah’s punishment, wondering when the promise of punishment in the hereafter, as well as in this life, would be fulfilled.

The Quran describes here for them a scene of the suffering in the hereafter, while also warning them against a similar punishment to that which befell earlier communities that rejected the faith “If only the unbelievers knew [that there will come]

• A time when they will not be able to shield their faces and their backs from the fire;
• A time when they will find no support.

Indeed, it will come upon them all of a sudden, and will stupefy them.

They will be unable to avert it, nor will they be allowed any respite.

Other messengers were derided before your time; but those who scoffed at them were [in the end] overwhelmed by the very thing that they derided.”

(Verses 39-41)

If the Atheists only knew what will happen to them, they would change their attitude completely.

They would stop their mockery and hastening of what is bound to come.

Let them, then, see what is bound to come. Therein, the fire surrounds them on all sides.

Imagine their frantic movements, described implicitly in the verse, to protect their faces and their backs against the fire, but their attempt is futile. It is as if the fire engulfs them on all sides. They can neither keep it away from themselves, nor retreat to seek protection. Nor is even a short respite from it possible.

That the punishment comes suddenly is only the response for their hastening it.

They used to say time after time:

“When is this promise to be fulfilled, if what you say be true?” (Verse 38)

The answer is that it comes suddenly, perplexing their minds andparalyzing their will. Thus, they are unable to think or act, let alone enjoy a period ofgrace to mend their ways.

This applies to the punishment in the hereafter. As for this world’s punishment, it certainly befell communities before them, which ridiculed Allah’s messengers. Just like those communities were unable to ward off a punishment that wiped them out altogether, so these Atheists are unable to avert their defeat and captivity. They are thus warned not to deride Allah’s Messenger, so as to avoid the punishment that befalls those who ridicule prophets. Such fate and punishment is bound to come, because it is part of Allah’s law which will inevitably take effect, just as the destruction of earlier communities, guilty of the same offence, proves.

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The verses 21:38-41 in different translations:

QARIB:

38-They say: ‘if you are truthful, when will this promise come? ‘

39-If the unbelievers only knew when they will be unable to shield either their faces or their backs from the fire; when they will not be helped!

40-It will overtake them suddenly, dumbfounding them. they shall be unable to ward it off, and they shall not be respited.

41-Before you, other messengers were mocked, but the mockers were encompassed by the very thing they mocked.

SHAKIR:

38-And they say: when will this threat come to pass if you are truthful?

39-Had those who disbelieve but known (of the time) when they shall not be able to ward off the fire from their faces nor from their backs, nor shall they be helped

40-Nay, it shall come on them all of a sudden and cause them to become confounded, so they shall not have the power to avert it, nor shall they be respited

41-And certainly messengers before you were scoffed at, then there befell those of them who scoffed that at which they had scoffed

PICKTHAL:

38-And they say: when will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?

39-If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!

40-Nay, but it will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.

41-Messengers before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those who scoffed at them.

YUSUFALI:

38-They say: “when will this promise come to pass, if ye are telling the truth?”

39-If only the unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them!

40-Nay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to avert it, nor will they (then) get respite.

41-Mocked were (many) messenger before thee; but their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.