Surah Qaf (Qaf) 50 : 37

Overview (Verses 36 - 45)

An Easy Resurrection

The final part of the surah sounds like the final beat of a tune, as it repeats its strongest notes to an even faster time. It includes a glimpse of history and the fate of earlier unbelievers, an image from the open book of the universe and a new scene from the Day of Judgement, all coupled with a serious and inspiring directive: How many a generation, far greater in power, have We destroyed before these [unbelievers]? They wandered through the lands seeking a place of refuge. In this there is a reminder for everyone who has an alert heart, or one who attentively listens and sees. We have indeed created the heavens and the earth and all that is in between in six days. No weariness could ever touch Us. Bear, then, with patience whatever they may say, and extol your Lord's limitless glory before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at the end of every prayer. And listen out for the day when the caller will call from a nearby place, the day when they will in truth hear the mighty blast; that is the day when they will come out [of their graves]. It is We who grant life and deal death; and to Us all shall return. On the day when the earth will be rent asunder all around them, letting them rush out. That gathering will be easy for Us. We are fully aware of what they say. You are not one to use coercion with them. Therefore, remind, with the Qur'an, those who fear My warning. (Verses 36 45)

Although all these points have come under discussion earlier in the surah, they are repeated in conclusion with a new rhythm and added effect. They are noted here with more emphasis and greater speed. Thus they carry here a different effect from that produced by their more detailed discussion earlier. This is characteristic of the Qur'anic style.

The surah stated earlier: "Long before these unbelievers Noah's people also disbelieved, as did the people of al-Russ, Thamud, ('Ad, Pharaoh, Lot's brethren, the dwellers of the wooded dales and the people of Tubba`: They all disbelieved their messengers, and therefore My warnings came true." (Verses 12-14) Here at the end the surah says: "How many a generation, far greater in power, have We destroyed before these [unbeliever& they wandered through the lands seeking a place of refuge." (Verse 36) It is a reference to the same fact, but in its new image it looks different. Then the surah adds the turn of time as generations followed generations, wandering through the lands. However, they remain within God's grasp from which no one can escape. A further comment is added to give it a more serious effect: "In this there is a reminder for everyone who has an alert heart, or one who attentively listens and sees." (Verse 37)

There is indeed a reminder in the fate suffered by earlier communities for anyone with a heart to consider. A person who is not reminded by this is one whose heart is dead, or who has always been without a feeling heart. Indeed, in order to have due admonition, it is sufficient that a person should listen attentively. The story will undoubtedly have its telling effect. This is certain, because the human soul is very sensitive to the fate suffered by earlier peoples. Even the slightest degree of sensitivity is enough to bring back memories and inspiring images of such situations.

Earlier, the surah opened pages from the book of the universe, stating: "Do they not look at the sky above them: how We have built it and adorned it, leaving no flaws in it. We spread out the earth and set upon it firm mountains, and caused every kind of delectable plants to grow on it." (Verses 6-7) Now at the end of the surah, it says: "We have indeed created the heavens and the earth and all that is in between in six days. No weariness could ever touch Us." (Verse 38) Thus it adds here a further touch, making it clear that the creation of everything in the universe, including the heavens and the earth, presented no difficulty for God. Compared with this, bringing the dead back to life is only a small matter.

A comment is then added, providing further shades and inspiration: "Bear, then, with patience whatever they may so and extol your Lord's limitless glory before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and in the night, too, extol His glory, and at the end of every prayer." (Verses 39-40) The rising and setting of the sun, and the spreading of the night after sunset, are all phenomena closely interlinked with the heavens and the earth. The surah delineates the bond between them, the glorification and praising of God and the prostrating of ourselves before Him. Within the same context, the surah also gives the instruction to bear patiently with whatever the unbelievers deny about resurrection and their refusal to believe in God's ability to bring creatures back to life. Thus a new aura of God's glorification, worship and patience is given to the same points repeated here. As this is all linked to aspects of the universe, these feelings are enhanced within a believer's heart whenever he looks at the skies or the earth, at every sunrise and approach of night, and whenever he prostrates himself before God.

A further touch is added to this portrait of the universe. The Prophet is instructed to have patience and to perform all this glorification and worship while remaining on the alert, expecting the great event that may come at any moment of the night or day. Only those who are totally oblivious of the truth will pay no attention to it. It is the event that provides the central theme of the surah: "And listen out for the day when the caller will call from a nearby place, the day when they will in truth hear the mighty blast; that is the day when they will come out [of their graves]. It is We who grant life and deal death; and to Us all shall return. On the day when the earth will be rent asunder all around them, letting them rush out. That gathering will be easy for Us." (Verses 41-44)
 
What we have here is a new scene depicting that most difficult day. When the first reference to it is made in the surah, it is shown differently: "The trumpet will be blown: 'This is the day [you were] warned of' Every soul will come attended by one who will drive it on and another to bear witness..." (Verses 20-21) Here the blowing of the trumpet is referred to as a 'mighty blast'. It gives us a picture of how they will rush out as the earth is rent asunder all around them. This includes all those countless creatures of all generations, arising from graves they may have been buried in for a very long time. They are all ripped open, bringing up what remains of bones, dust, and lost cells in the earth. None except God knows their whereabouts. This, then, is an amazing image, one that the human mind can barely imagine.

Having drawn this bustling and inspirational scene, the surah states the truth which they deny and argue about: "It is We who grant lift and deal death; and to Us all shall return." (Verse 43) " That gathering will be easy for Us." (Verse 44) This is the most suitable time to state this truth.

The surah finally reassures the Prophet so that he is not troubled by the unbelievers' denials of this truth and the arguments they make in disputing it: "We are fully aware of what they say. You are not one to use coercion with them. Therefore, remind, with the Qur'an, those who fear My warning." (Verse 45)

It is sufficient for you to reassure yourselves that "We are fully aware of what they say." This is indeed an implicit warning of the consequences of this knowledge, which are bound to be terrible for them. "You are not one to use coercion with them." You cannot force them to believe in God. You have no power over them. That power belongs to God alone. "Therefore, remind, with the Qur'an, those who fear My warning." (Verse 45) The Qur'an shakes people's hearts. No heart that is alert and sensitive will ever reject the truths presented in the Qur'an in its unique, remarkable style.

When a surah like this is presented, the matter does not require any mighty being to force people into submission to faith. The Qur'an has far greater power than all tyrants could possess. A surah like this can easily produce on people's hearts an effect far more powerful than their whips. Whatever God says is the absolute truth.