Surah an-Nahl (The Bee ) 16 : 86

Overview (Verses 84 - 89)

A Witness against Every Community
 
As the Last Hour when the Day of Judgement arrives is mentioned at the beginning of this passage, we are given here an idea of what awaits the unbelievers when it comes. One day We will raise up a witness from every community, but then the unbelievers will not be allowed to make pleas, nor will they be allowed to make amends. And when the wrongdoers actually see the suffering [that awaits them], it will in no way be mitigated for them, nor will they be granted respite. And when those who associate partners with God will see their [alleged] partners, they will say: ‘Our Lord, these are our partners whom we used to invoke instead of You.’ But they will throw their word back at them, saying: ‘You are indeed liars. ‘On that day, they shall proffer submission to God; and all their inventions will have forsaken them. Upon those who disbelieve and debar others from the path of God We will heap suffering upon suffering in punishment for all the corruption they wrought. (Verses 84-88) The scene begins with the prophets being called as witnesses, giving their accounts of the treatment they received from their peoples when they conveyed God’s messages to them. The unbelievers will be standing there, not permitted to speak or make any plea or argument. They will not be allowed to make amends in order to satisfy their Lord, for it is too late to do so. It is a time for reckoning and the determination of fates. “And when the wrongdoers actually see the suffering [that awaits them], it will in no way be mitigated for them, nor will they be granted respite.” (Verse 85)
 
Their silence however is broken when they see gathered with them those so-called ‘partners’ which they used to allege to have a share in God’s divinity, and to worship them instead of God or alongside Him. They point to them, crying out: “Our Lord, these are our partners whom we used to invoke instead of You.” (Verse 86) Their statement begins with an acknowledgement of God’s position. They address Him as “Our Lord!” What is more is that they no longer describe the false deities they used to worship as God’s partners. They refer to them as ‘our partners’. Those very partners are frightened by such a description for it constitutes a serious accusation. Hence, they refute it, asserting most emphatically that those who worshipped them are liars. “But they will throw their word back at them, saying: ‘You are indeed liars.’” (Verse 86) They turn to God in full submission. “On that day, they shall proffer submission to God.” (Verse 87) Thus the unbelievers will discover that none of their inventions will be of any avail to them in their very difficult situation: “All their inventions will have forsaken them.” (Verse 87)
 
The scene concludes with an emphatic statement asserting that those who tried their best to turn others from the path of faith will have their punishment increased: “Upon those who disbelieve and debar others from the path of God We will heap suffering upon suffering in punishment for all the corruption they wrought.” (Verse 88) Disbelief in God is corruption, and turning others from God’s path is also corruption. These people are guilty of both offences. Hence it is only right that their punishment should be increased.
 
This applies to all people and communities. The sūrah then singles out a special situation involving the Prophet with his own people: “One day We will raise up within every nation a witness from among themselves to testify against them. And We will bring you, [Prophet] as a witness against these [i.e. your people]. We have bestowed from on high upon you the book to make everything clear, and to provide guidance and grace, and to give good news to those who submit themselves to God.” (Verse 89) What a gloomy and fraught scene is chosen as the background: that of a pagan people looking on when the false deities they used to worship declare that they are liars, and those very deities declare their own submission to God, totally disowning their former worshippers.
 
Against this background, the Prophet’s position is clearly stated. He will be the witness against his own people. This timely piece of detail adds power to the whole scene: “And We will bring you, [Prophet] as a witness against these [i.e. your people].” (Verse 89) The verse mentions then that the revelations given to the Prophet “makes everything clear,” leaving no excuse for anyone to justify turning away from them. The revelation of the Qur’ān also provides “guidance and grace and gives good news to those who submit themselves to God.” (Verse 89) This shows clearly that whoever wishes to follow right guidance and receive God’s mercy should declare his submission to God before the arrival of that awesome and fearful day. For when it comes, no one will be given leave to justify his position or to make amends for past deeds. Thus we see that the scenes of the Day of Judgement given in the Qur’ān serve a definite purpose endorsing the message given in the section where they occur.