Surah as-Sajdah (The Prostration) 32 : 27

Overview (Verses 27 - 30)

Looking at Life

The sūrah then touches their hearts with an image of life as it starts, showing them a barren land before it quickens and life springs out of it. This image provides a contrast with the earlier one showing death and ruin devastating a land that was once full of life: Are they not aware that it is We who drive water to dry land devoid of herbage, and with it We bring forth crops of which their cattle and they themselves eat? Can they not see? (Verse 27) They see with their own eyes how God sends water to barren land, and how soon it becomes green, rife with plants and crops which provide food for them and their cattle. This image of a dead land rejuvenated by rain opens closed hearts to look at this beautiful life-force given by the One who causes life to blossom. The feeling that this image leaves is one of closeness to God Almighty who makes all this possible. It is He, and only He, who brings life and beauty to this universe.

We see how the Qur’ān takes our hearts through life and growth after ruin and death. In both situations, it aims to shake off the languid effect of over familiarity. Furthermore, it aims to remove those stifling barriers that prevent us from heeding the lessons of history.

The final section refers to their hastening of the punishment against which they have been warned, and their doubts about the warnings they have been given. They are warned once more against the fulfilment of what they are hastening, when no declaration of belief will be of any benefit. Nor will they be given any respite. The sūrah concludes with a directive telling the Prophet to leave them to their inevitable fate: They say: ‘When will this judgement be, if you are telling the truth?’ Say: ‘On the day when judgement is made no benefit will it be to unbelievers if they then believe; nor will they be granted respite.’ Therefore, leave them alone, and wait. They are certainly waiting. (Verses 28-30) The judgement referred to here means a decision on the dispute between the two parties and the fulfilment of the promise which they thought would never come true. They could not understand God’s purpose in delaying it to the time He appointed for it. Their hastening of it will not change its timing, nor can they escape it.

“Say: On the day when judgement is made no benefit will it be to unbelievers if they then believe; nor will they be granted respite.” (Verse 29) This is true whether this day occurs in this present life when God takes them as unbelievers, giving them no respite as their belief will be of no benefit, or in the life to come when their appeals for respite are refused. This answer sends a tremor of fear into their hearts. This is then followed with the final note in the sūrah: “Therefore, leave them alone, and wait. They are certainly waiting.” (Verse 30) This is a clear implicit warning of the consequences of waiting. It is made all the more explicit given the Prophet is told to turn away from them and leave them to their inevitable destiny.