39:1تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ
The [gradual] sending down of the Book is from Allah, the All-mighty, the All-wise.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:1
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:1]
The Quran is a complete book of wisdom and guidance revealed to the Holy Prophet by the almighty and all-wise Allah, who has absolute power to choose whomsoever He likes for receiving the revelation and conveying it to mankind.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
As per verse 3 of Dukhan the whole Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet in the night of Qadr, but he recited it to the people as and when commanded by Allah which is described as the gradual revelation. Refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 2 and my essay "The genuineness of the holy Quran."
Worship, obedience and gratitude is due to Allah, and to establish them on the earth is the mission of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt. To seek nearness to Allah man should use the true means of approach to Him. The true medium (wasilah) is the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt, because by their wisdom and character they have proved that they alone are the superior most individuals in submission to Allah's will and command. Islam prescribes goodness which is carrying out Allah's commands in letter and spirit in every department of life at all times, in private and public, in thought and action, in minutest detail.
39:2إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ فَاعْبُدِ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ
Indeed We have sent down the Book to you with the truth; so worship Allah, putting exclusive faith in Him.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:2
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:2] (see commentary for verse 1)
39:3أَلَا لِلَّهِ الدِّينُ الْخَالِصُ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ
Indeed, only exclusive faith is worthy of Allah, and those who take other as awliya besides Him [claiming,] ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us near to Allah,’ Allah will judge between them concerning that about which they differ. Indeed Allah does not guide someone who is a liar and an ingrate.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:3
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:3]
Worship is due to none but Allah. Worshippers of material possessions and resources, power, intellect, leaders and ambition may pretend that they seek fulfilment of the goal of their life through these media which finally bring them nearer to Allah, but they are altogether on the wrong track.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
To take guardians beside Allah without His permission is strictly prohibited.
Verse 55 of al Ma-idah says:
Verily, your guardian is Allah and His messenger and those who believe and establish the prayer, and give the poor-rate while they are (in the state of ruku) bowing down.
(Refer to the commentary of Ma-idah: 55)
39:4لَّوْ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا لَّاصْطَفَى مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ سُبْحَانَهُ هُوَ اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ
Had Allah intended to take a son, He could have chosen from those He has created whatever He wished. Immaculate is He! He is Allah, the One, the All-paramount.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:4
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:4]
Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 255, Ali Imran: 2 and An-am: 101.
"He begets not, nor was He begotten", says verse 3 of al Ikhlas. For begetting He should have a wife on whom He would have depended to have a son; and dependence is weakness or imperfection. If the son was a created being he would have been in any case inferior to Him, and an inferior being cannot help a supreme being. If the son was an uncreated being like Himself, then the conclusion is a doctrine of dualism or trinity which has been dealt with in the commentary of abovenoted verses.
Glory be to Allah. He is above such things. He requires no created beings to help Him. He is self-subsisting by whom all subsist.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
It is blasphemy, with no reason at all, to say that Isa was a son of God or an adopted son of God.
If Allah had a son, the Holy Prophet would certainly have been the first of (his) worshippers-says verse 81 of Zukhruf.
39:5خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ يُكَوِّرُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى أَلَا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ
He created the heavens and the earth with consummate wisdom. He winds the night over the day, and winds the day over the night, and He has disposed the sun and the moon, each moving for a specified term. Indeed, He is the All-mighty, the All-forgiver!
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:5
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:5]
See commentary of An-am: 73.
His might or power is equalled by His mercy. He shall punish those who reject or belie His signs, and He shall forgive those who turn to Him in repentance and live a pious life thereafter.
39:6خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَنْعَامِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّن بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ ثَلَاثٍ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَأَنَّى تُصْرَفُونَ
He created you from a single soul, then made from it its mate, and He has sent down for you eight mates of the cattle. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, in a threefold darkness. That is Allah, your Lord! To Him belongs all sovereignty. There is no god except Him. Then where are you being led away?
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:6
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:6]
For "He created you from a single being", see commentary of Nisa: 1; and for creation of pairs see commentary of An-am: 143 and 144 and Ya Sin: 71 to 73. For the gradual physical growth of man in several successive stages in the womb see commentary of Hajj: 5.
39:7إِن تَكْفُرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنكُمْ وَلَا يَرْضَى لِعِبَادِهِ الْكُفْرَ وَإِن تَشْكُرُوا يَرْضَهُ لَكُمْ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَى ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ
If you are ungrateful, Allah has indeed no need of you, though He does not approve ingratitude for His servants; and if you give thanks, He approves that for you. No bearer shall bear another’s burden; then your return will be to your Lord, whereat He will inform you concerning what you used to do. Indeed, He knows best what is in the breasts.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:7
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:7]
Allah is free from all wants, and therefore man's ingratitude does not affect Him. He cares for man, so man's gratitude and service earn His pleasure, and man's ingratitude and rebellion are displeasing to Him.
For "No bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another" see commentary of Baqarah: 48, 123 and 254; An-am: 165; Bani Israil: 15 and Fatir: 18.
39:8وَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِيَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُو إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ
When distress befalls man, he supplicates his Lord, turning to Him penitently. Then, when He grants him a blessing from Himself, he forgets that for which he had supplicated Him earlier and sets up equals to Allah, that he may lead [people] astray from His way. Say, ‘Revel in your ingratitude for a while. Indeed you are among the inmates of the Fire.’
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:8
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:8]
Refer to the commentary of Yunus: 12 Nahl: 53 to 55 and Rum: 33.
39:9أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Is he who supplicates in the watches of the night, prostrating and standing, apprehensive of the Hereafter and expecting the mercy of his Lord...? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intellect take admonition.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 39:9
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:9]
See commentary of Ali Imran: 113 to 117 and Ma-idah: 100.
As pointed out in the commentary of Fatihah: 7, it is necessary to know the way of life and teachings of the Holy Prophet and his Ahl ul Bayt to find out the right path and to walk on it. Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq said:
" 'Those who know' refers to the Imams of the Ahl ul Bayt; and 'those who do not know' refers to the opponents of the Ahl ul Bayt; and the 'men of understanding' refers to the sincere devotees of the Ahl ul Bayt."
Once Ali and Qambar were taking a walk in the city of Kufa after nightfall. Qambar stopped at the doorsteps of a house in which a man was reciting this verse, but Ali went ahead. After a few steps he turned and asked Qambar: "Why did you stop?" Qambar replied: "He is reciting the Quran in a very tender and melodious voice." Ali said: "The sleep of a person whose mind and heart are ingrained with the conviction of faith is better than the adoration of a doubting hypocrite."
It is reported by Qambar that he could not grasp the meaning of Ali's observation, so he recorded the identity of that house in his mind and visited it the next day. He found out that it was the house of a hypocrite. Then he asked Ali as to how did he know what was hidden in the heart of the man? Ali said: "How could a guardian remain unaware of that which is concealed by the people in their hearts?"
The Holy Prophet said:
"I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate."
See the commentary of Baqarah: 105 to know that Allah chooses whom He pleases for His special favour; and commentary of Ma-idah: 35 which contains clear guidance for identifying and selecting the true means of approach (wasilah).
As for praying in the nights there are no equals to Ali, Fatimah, and Ali bin Husayn Zayn al Abidin in particular among the Ahl ul Bayt, save the Holy Prophet, according to the authentic books of history written by well-known Muslim scholars.
39:10قُلْ يَاعِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Say, ‘[Allah declares:] “O My servants who have faith! Be wary of your Lord. For those who do good in this world there will be a good [reward], and Allah’s earth is vast. Indeed the patient will be paid in full their reward without any reckoning.” ’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:10]
For taqwa (fear to displease Allah which is akin to love) see commentary of Baqarah: 2, 177, and 189.
Sabiruna refers to those who remain steadfast in the face of relentless torture and persecution. Verse 177 of Baqarah also throws light on sabiruna. In all authentic books of history it has been clearly narrated that the Ahl ul Bayt, particularly Imam Husayn bin Ali, his relatives and friends, in Karbala and after Karbala, were subjected to torture and persecution, unparalleled in the history of mankind.
"Allah's earth is spacious" refers to the political circumstances which may become unfavourable to the practice of the faith, and the true believer, who cannot safely exercise his religion in his native land, has to emigrate to a place of liberty and security.
It is said that on the day of judgement prayers, fasting, pilgrimage and alms-giving etcetera will be weighed and recompensed proportionately, but the recompense of patience, fortitude and forbearance shall exceed the reward of all good deeds, even martyrdom. It will be said to those who patiently suffered hardships in the cause of Allah:
"The martyrs suffered death only once, but you suffered persecution worse than death throughout your lives."
39:11قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ
Say, ‘I have been commanded to worship Allah with exclusive faith in Him,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:11]
Refer to the commentary of An-am: 14.
This verse was revealed when the pagans of Makka asked the Holy Prophet as to why he was preaching a new religion opposed to idolatry and making his followers suffer persecution and miseries.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Not in the order of conversion of the Makkans, but the Holy Prophet was the first Muslim in the order of whole creation, mentioned in Ali Imran: 184.
39:12وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
and I have been commanded to be the foremost of those who submit [to Him].’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:12] (see commentary for verse 11)
39:13قُلْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ إِنْ عَصَيْتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Say, ‘Indeed, should I disobey my Lord, I fear the punishment of a tremendous day.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:13]
Refer to the commentary of An-am: 14 to 16.
39:14قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي
Say, ‘I worship [only] Allah, putting my exclusive faith in Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:14] (see commentary for verse 13)
39:15فَاعْبُدُوا مَا شِئْتُم مِّن دُونِهِ قُلْ إِنَّ الْخَاسِرِينَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَهْلِيهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَلَا ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ
You worship whatever you wish besides Him.’ Say, ‘The losers are those who ruin themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection.’ Indeed, that is a manifest loss!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:15]
This is not a command or permission but a reproach and warning.
He who gains the whole world and loses his own soul shall not be profited. He has given his soul in exchange of that which will surely land him in the midst of eternal damnation, because clear guidance came to him but he chose to go astray.
39:16لَهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ ذَلِكَ يُخَوِّفُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عِبَادَهُ يَاعِبَادِ فَاتَّقُونِ
There will be canopies of fire above them, and [similar] canopies beneath them. With that Allah deters His servants. So, My servants, be wary of Me!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:16]
39:17وَالَّذِينَ اجْتَنَبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ أَن يَعْبُدُوهَا وَأَنَابُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَى فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ
As for those who stay clear of the worship of fake deities and turn penitently to Allah, there is good news for them. So give good news to My servants
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:17]
Refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 256 and Nahl: 36.
39:18الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَاهُمُ اللَّهُ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
who listen to the word [of Allah] and follow the best [interpretation] of it. They are the ones whom Allah has guided, and it is they who possess intellect.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:18]
39:19أَفَمَنْ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ أَفَأَنتَ تُنقِذُ مَن فِي النَّارِ
Can he against whom the word of punishment has become due…? Can you rescue someone who is in the Fire?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:19]
39:20لَكِنِ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ لَهُمْ غُرَفٌ مِّن فَوْقِهَا غُرَفٌ مَّبْنِيَّةٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ الْمِيعَادَ
But as for those who are wary of their Lord, for them there will be lofty abodes with [other] lofty abodes built above them, with streams running beneath them—a promise of Allah. Allah does not break His promise.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:20]
Refer to the commentary of Ankabut: 58.
39:21أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَسَلَكَهُ يَنَابِيعَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا مُّخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهُ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَاهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ حُطَامًا إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَذِكْرَى لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
Have you not seen that Allah sends down water from the sky, then He conducts it through the ground as springs. Then He brings forth with it crops of diverse hues. Then they wither and you see them turn yellow. Then He turns them into chaff. There is indeed a lesson in that for those who possess intellect.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:21]
Refer to the commentary of Hajj: 5.
39:22أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَى نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أُولَئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ
Is someone whose breast Allah has opened to Islam so that he follows a light from His Lord…? So woe to those whose hearts have been hardened to the remembrance of Allah. They are in manifest error.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:22]
Refer to the commentary of An-am: 126.
It is reported that this verse was revealed in praise of Ali ibn abi Talib. "I and Ali are from one and he same light", said the Holy Prophet, therefore, he and Ali never worshipped a ghayrallah (other than Allah) as mentioned in the commentary of Baqarah: 124.
Indirectly this verse is also applicable to those believers whose hearts have been enlightened with the truth according to the degree of their faith.
To identify the enlightened heart the Holy Prophet said:
"An enlightened heart shuns the desires connected with the temporary stay in this world and desires that which is associated with the permanent abode of the hereafter."
The last part of the verse refers to Abu Lahab and his associates.
Just as there is spiritual progress for those who seek nearness to Allah, so there is more and more spiritual retrogression for those who close their hearts to the truth. Their hearts grow hardened, and they allow less and less grace of Allah to penetrate their souls.
The Holy Prophet said:
"Seek help from those of my adherents who have enlightened hearts, for Allah has bestowed His grace and mercy on them. Do not go near those whose hearts have grown hardened, for their souls have been destroyed by the wrath of Allah."
Allah loves those who show love and kindness to His creatures and guides them unto the right path and goodness.
39:23اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
Allah has sent down the best of discourses, a scripture [composed] of similar motifs, whereat shiver the skins of those who fear their Lord, then their skins and hearts relax at Allah’s remembrance. That is Allah’s guidance, by which He guides whomever He wishes; and whomever Allah leads astray, has no guide.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:23]
Refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 2; Ali Imran: 7; Anfal: 2; Ibrahim: 4 and Nahl: 93.
For the revelation of the whole text of the Quran and also for its gradual revelation to the Holy Prophet see commentary of Baqarah: 2 and Aqa Puya's essay "The genuineness of the holy Quran". For mutashabihat see commentary of Ali Imran: 7; for the reaction of those who fear their Lord see commentary of Anfal: 2; and for those whom Allah leaves to stray see commentary of Ibrahim: 4 and Nahl: 93.
The gradual revelation of the Quran, although revealed in parts, during a long period of about 23 years, dealing with facts and events far removed from each other, is yet a book consistent with itself, and conformable in its various parts, with its teachings constantly reiterated in order to impress upon the minds of the people the unity of Allah, His attributes, the laws operating the nature, accountability, the day of resurrection, the day of judgement, and the reward for doing good and the punishment for doing evil.
Those who receive truth do it with tremor and not with apathy, which is a proof of their being moved by the word of Allah, so they are overcome by love and favour of Allah. They are soft of heart. Those who are hard-hearted are left by Allah to stray.
According to verses 1 to 5 of ar Rahman, at the time of creation of the Holy Prophet the knowledge of the Quran was given to him. The beneficent Lord taught him the Quran. The prophets of Allah were fully equipped, conditioned and educated before they were sent to guide the people. It is clearly stated in Maryam: 30 that Isa was given the Injil while he was in the cradle.
As stated in verse 114 of Ta Ha, the Holy Prophet was commanded to deliver the verses and the surahs of the book of Allah to the people as and when Allah directed him to do so. Verse 185 of al Baqarah and verse 1 of al Qadr clearly state that the whole Quran was sent down to the Holy Prophet in the night of Qadr.
For the present arrangement of the Quran refer to Aqa Mahdi Puya's essay "The genuineness of the holy Quran."
The Holy Prophet said:
"The sins of those who tremble in fear of Allah's wrath drop, like dried leaves, from their record. On the day of judgement all eyes will be terrified and frightened save the eyes which did not see the forbidden things, had wept in fear of Allah's wrath, and remained opened in remembrance of Allah."
39:24أَفَمَن يَتَّقِي بِوَجْهِهِ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَقِيلَ لِلظَّالِمِينَ ذُوقُوا مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ
What! Is someone who fends off with his face the terrible punishment [meted out to him] on the Day of Resurrection…? And the wrongdoers will be told, ‘Taste what you used to earn.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:24]
To shield oneself by one's face is to expose oneself fully to the punishment; it conveys a true picture of utter helplessness.
39:25كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Those who were before them impugned [the apostles], whereat the punishment overtook them whence they were not aware.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:25]
Refer to Nahl : 26; and commentary of verses of Araf, Yunus and Hud for the destruction of the people of Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu-ayb and Firawn (in the time of Musa).
39:26فَأَذَاقَهُمُ اللَّهُ الْخِزْيَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
So Allah made them taste disgrace in the life of the world, and the punishment of the Hereafter will surely be greater, if they knew.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:26]
Refer to al Baqarah: 114.
39:27وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
We have drawn for mankind in this Quran every [kind of] example, so that they may take admonition:
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:27]
Men can better understand high spiritual truths by parables and similitudes, and these are given abundantly in the Quran.
The object is, not merely to tell stories, but to teach lessons of wisdom.
39:28قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا غَيْرَ ذِي عِوَجٍ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ
an Arabic Quran, without any deviousness, so that they may be Godwary.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:28]
Refer to Kahf: 1.
39:29ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَاءُ مُتَشَاكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Allah draws an example: a man jointly owned by several contending masters, and a man belonging entirely to one man: are the two equal in comparison? All praise belongs to Allah! But most of them do not know.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:29]
No man can serve two, still less numerous, masters.
The difference between polytheism (serving many masters who disagree and quarrel among themselves, making their servants suffer) and the gospel of tawhid (serving one master who is good, kind to his servants) is explained by the analogy of two men. The servant who serves one master concentrates his attention to his master only and is happy by discharging his duties efficiently.
39:30إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ
You will die, and they [too] will die.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:30]
All will die, good and bad alike. Even the prophets are not exempted. But there is a life after death. Every one will face the consequences of the good or bad he or she has done in this world.
39:31ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عِندَ رَبِّكُمْ تَخْتَصِمُونَ
Then on the Day of Resurrection you will contend before your Lord.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:31]
In the life of hereafter, the consequence of the life of this world, all the things about which people dispute in this world will be made clear in the presence of Allah; then the disputants will realise their folly.
39:32فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءَهُ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَافِرِينَ
So who is a greater wrongdoer than him who attributes a falsehood to Allah, and denies the truth when it reaches him? Is not the [final] abode of the faithless in hell?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:32]
Refer to Anam: 21, 94, 145 and 158.
No offence is more heinous than belying the signs of Allah, in spite of the truth being made clear by continuous guidance.
In Matthew 12: 31 and 32, Isa says:
"Whosoever speaks a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the age to come."
Nisa: 48 and 116 confirm that which has been said by prophet Isa.
39:33وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ
He who brings the truth and he who confirms it—it is they who are the Godwary.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:33]
"He who brings the truth" refers to the Holy Prophet, and it is unanimously accepted by the scholars of all sects that 'He who testifies it' refers to Ali ibn abi Talib. See commentary of Ali Imran : 52 and 53. Ibn al Maghazli writes the abovenoted interpretation in his Manaqibah on the authority of Mujahid. Hafizan ibn Marduwayh and Hafiz Abu Nu-aym have also recorded this tradition. Once the Holy Prophet asked his companions:
"Who among you would relate to me a distinguishing excellence of my cousin, Ali?"
"I shall," said Ammar Yasir.
"Do, then," said the Holy Prophet. Ammar recited this verse.
"True is that which you have recited," said the Holy Prophet.
Imam Ali said:
"I am the siddiq al akbar (the greatest truthful) and I am the faruq al azam (the greatest distinguisher), and none shall claim these titles other than me, save a liar."
Ibn Abbas said:
"When on the night of ascension the Holy Prophet visited the kingdom of Allah in the heavens, He told him: 'Go and inform your followers what you have seen here'. The Holy Prophet asked: 'Who would testify my statement?' Allah replied: 'Ali will testify.'"
"These are those who safeguard themselves against evil" and verses 34 and 35 refer to the other believers in the truth who also are entitled to be called muttaqin according to the degree of their sincerity in the faith.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
This verse is applicable to all the prophets and their testifiers. Among them the most distinguished are:
(i) Mumin ali Firawn,
(ii) Mumin ali Yasin,
(iii) Ali ibn abi Talib, the superior most among them.
Any view expressed by any commentator, not supported by the sayings of the Holy Prophet, should be rejected outright.
39:34لَهُم مَّا يَشَاءُونَ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ذَلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
They will have what they wish with their Lord—that is the reward of the virtuous—
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:34]
39:35لِيُكَفِّرَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
that Allah may absolve them of the worst of what they did, and pay them their reward by the best of what they used to do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:35]
39:36أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِالَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
Does not Allah suffice [to defend] His servant? They would frighten you of others than Him. Yet whomever Allah leads astray, has no guide,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:36]
39:37وَمَن يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّضِلٍّ أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِي انتِقَامٍ
and whomever Allah guides, there is no one who can lead him astray. Is not Allah an all-mighty avenger?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:37]
39:38وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَاشِفَاتُ ضُرِّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَاتُ رَحْمَتِهِ قُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ
If you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Have you considered what you invoke besides Allah? Should Allah desire some distress for me, can they remove the distress visited by Him? Or should He desire some mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me. In Him let all the trusting put their trust.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:38]
See commentary of Muminun: 84 to 89 and Ankabut : 61 according to which even the disbelievers, if asked, would admit that Allah is the creator of the heavens and the earth.
The believers put their trust in Allah-see Yusuf: 67 and Ibrahim: 11.
39:39قُلْ يَاقَوْمِ اعْمَلُوا عَلَى مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّي عَامِلٌ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ
Say, ‘O my people! Act according to your ability. I too am acting. Soon you will know
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:39]
See Hud 93 and 121.
39:40مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُّقِيمٌ
who will be overtaken by a punishment that will disgrace him, and on whom a lasting punishment will descend.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:40]
39:41إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لِلنَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَى فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِوَكِيلٍ
Indeed We have sent down the Book to you with the truth for [the deliverance of] mankind. So whoever is guided is guided for his own sake, and whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment, and it is not your duty to watch over them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:41]
See An-am: 108.
39:42اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَى عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَى إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those who have not died, in their sleep. Then He retains those for whom He has ordained death and releases the others until a specified time. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:42]
See commentary of An-am 60 and Sajdah: 11.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
To a certain extent there is affinity between sleep and death. In the state of sleep, the cognitive self disassociates itself from the conscious world of senses but not from the body altogether, as the working of sub-conscious, unconscious or superconscious does not cease. The dreams are said to be the expression of any of them. The dreams of the prophets were the manifestation of the superconscious which revealed the unseen to them.
39:43أَمِ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ شُفَعَاءَ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ
Have they taken intercessors besides Allah? Say, ‘What! Even though they do not control anything, and cannot reason?!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:43]
39:44قُل لِّلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعًا لَّهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Say, ‘All intercession rests with Allah. To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; then you will be brought back to Him.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:44]
For the doctrine of intercession (shafa-at) refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 48 and 123 and other references mentioned therein.
39:45وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ اشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ الَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
When Allah is mentioned alone, [thereat] shrink away the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, but when others are mentioned besides Him, behold, they rejoice!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:45]
To those who are not true monotheists the mention of Allah, or His commandments, is hateful. As soon as the Holy Prophet departed from this world, the hypocrites at once turned hostile to his Ahl ul Bayt in spite of the several verses of the Quran which establish their superior merits and their authority and the declarations of the Holy Prophet (from dawat dhil ashira to Ghadir Khum), and became the self-imposed leaders of the people.
39:46قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِي مَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, ‘O Allah! Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the sensible and the Unseen, You will judge between Your servants concerning that about which they used to differ.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:46]
39:47وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لَافْتَدَوْا بِهِ مِن سُوءِ الْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَبَدَا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَحْتَسِبُونَ
Even if the wrongdoers possessed all that is on the earth, and as much of it besides, they would offer it on the Day of Resurrection to redeem themselves with it from a terrible punishment, and there will appear to them from Allah what they had never reckoned.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:47]
Refer to the commentary of Rad: 17.
39:48وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
The evils of what they had earned will appear to them, and they will be besieged by what they used to deride.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:48]
39:49فَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَاهُ نِعْمَةً مِّنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ بَلْ هِيَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
When distress befalls man, he supplicates Us. Then, when We grant him a blessing from Us, he says, ‘I was given it by virtue of [my] knowledge.’ Indeed, it is a test, but most of them do not know.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:49]
Refer to the commentary of Yunus: 12; Nahl: 53 and 54, Rum: 33 and verse 8 of this surah.
39:50قَدْ قَالَهَا الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَا أَغْنَى عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ
Those who were before them [also] said that, but what they used to earn did not avail them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:50]
39:51فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَالَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ
So the evils of what they had earned visited them, and as for the wrongdoers among these, the evils of what they earn shall be visited on them and they will not frustrate [Allah].
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:51]
Refer to Nah1: 34.
39:52أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
Do they not know that Allah expands the provision for whomever He wishes and tightens it [for whomever He wishes]? There are indeed signs in that for a people who have faith.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:52]
Refer to Qasas: 82 and Rum: 37.
39:53قُلْ يَاعِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
Say [that Allah declares,] ‘O My servants who have committed excesses against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah will forgive all sins. Indeed, He is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:53]
Imam Ali has said that there is no better verse than this to give heart, joy and confidence to a believer for the availability of divine mercy.
Allah is just, but He is not merciless. His justice is always tempered with His mercy. He has made mercy incumbent on Himself (An-am: 12, 54), He invites man to seek His pardon (Nisa: 106), He wipes out sins (Ankabut: 7), provided the sinner turns repentant to Him and thereafter remains on the right path.
Every surah of the Quran, except al Bara-at, begins with the first verse of al Fatihah. Refer to the introduction of al Fatihah and the commentary of al Fatihah: 1 to 4 to understand the true interpretation of this verse.
39:54وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَى رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
Turn penitently to Him and submit to Him before the punishment overtakes you, whereupon you will not be helped.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:54]
The sinners must turn to Allah in repentance before they meet their Lord for the final reckoning, because once the decree is passed the punishment will begin from which there will be no escape. Pardon will be available to those who repent and surrender themselves to the mercy of Allah.
39:55وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
Follow the best of what has been sent down to you from your Lord, before the punishment overtakes you suddenly while you are unaware.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:55]
The best among the created beings sent down to the people is the Holy Prophet with the book of Allah. The Holy Prophet, on several occasions, made known to the people that Ali and he were from one an the same light, so they should follow and obey him (see hadith al thaqalayn and other traditions, the commentary of al Ma-idah: 67, Ali Imran: 61, Ahzab: 33, Baqarah : 124, and recall to memory the commentary of several verses so far read), and after Ali, the holy Imams of the Ahl ul Bayt. They are the best among the whole mankind in all ages. To follow the best chosen by Allah, we must identify and discard those who are ordinary and weak in faith.
39:56أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَاحَسْرَتَى عَلَى مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ
Lest anyone should say, ‘Alas for my negligence in the vicinage of Allah! Indeed I was among those who ridiculed.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:56]
All disbelievers, sinners and hypocrites who not only belie the signs of Allah but mock at them will be screaming with regrets and woes but all will be in vain.
39:57أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
Or say, ‘Had Allah guided me I would have surely been among the Godwary!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:57]
39:58أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
Or say, when he sights the punishment, ‘If only there were a second chance for me, I would be among the virtuous!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:58]
39:59بَلَى قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ
[They will be told,] ‘Yes, My signs certainly came to you, but you denied them and acted arrogantly and you were among the faithless.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:59]
39:60وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
On the Day of Resurrection you will see those who attributed lies to Allah with their faces blackened. Is not the [final] abode of the arrogant in hell?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:60]
As spotless white is the symbol of joy and honour (Ali Imran: 106), so black or darkness is the symbol of sorrow and disgrace (Yunus: 26 and 27). The blessed and the cursed will be identified on the day of judgement by their joy and sorrow, honour and disgrace, respectively.
39:61وَيُنَجِّي اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ السُّوءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Allah will deliver those who were Godwary with their salvation. No ill shall touch them, nor will they grieve.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:61]
Refer to Yunus: 62.
39:62اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ
Allah is creator of all things, and He watches over all things.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:62]
39:63لَّهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth, and those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah—it is they who are the losers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:63]
39:64قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَأْمُرُونِّي أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا الْجَاهِلُونَ
Say, ‘Will you, then, bid me to worship other than Allah, O you ignorant ones?!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:64]
39:65وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
Certainly it has been revealed to you and to those [who have been] before you: ‘If you ascribe a partner to Allah your works shall fail and you shall surely be among the losers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:65]
The gospel of unity, renewed in Islam with utmost emphasis and full force, has been the message from Allah since the arrival of Adam in this world.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
There is a general statement in this verse, addressed to people through the Holy Prophet. It implies that if the motivating drive behind any work done is not the service of Allah, it bears no fruit in the life of hereafter, because when any other than Allah is associated the main purpose of the deed is lost.
39:66بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ
No, worship Allah, and be among the grateful!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:66]
39:67وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They do not regard Allah with the regard due to Him, yet the entire earth will be in His fist on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens, scrolled, in His right hand. Immaculate is He and exalted above [having] any partners that they ascribe [to Him].
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:67]
Refer to the commentary of An-am: 92; Ibrahim: 48; Anbiya: 104 and Hajj: 74.
The authority of Allah is not like unto any device made by man. If man fails to see beyond his own devices, he will never understand the omnipotent power of Allah. The whole earth will be no more to Him than a thing that will be crushed in the hallow of His hand, nor will the heavens with their vast expanse be more than a rolled up scroll in His right hand, the hand of power and will. This is, of course, figurative. Allah is not a creature of flesh and blood, with hands and fingers.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Those who associate others with Allah in authority have no idea of the absoluteness of His power or authority. Verse 92 of An-am and 74 of Hajj also have the same meanings. No one has any intrinsic power. Allah is the supreme authority. His authority will manifest itself on the day of resurrection to all creatures. All those who thought they had power or authority will appear before Him in abject submission. The state of the day of resurrection will be free from the laws of space and time and dimensional barriers (Anbiya: 104).
39:68وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَى فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ
And the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens will swoon and whoever is on the earth, except whomever Allah wishes. Then it will be blown a second time, behold, they will rise up, looking on!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:68]
Sa-iqa implies "a swoon", loss of all consciousness of being, and cessation of the normal functioning of the powers of feeling. With the first trumpet the living on the earth will die, and the souls of the dead will become unconscious. The exception, according to Ahl ul Bayt, refers to martyrs. There will be a new heaven and a new earth as stated in Ibrahim: 48. The new earth will be illuminated by the divine light, not by the sun or the moon. With the second trumpet they will stand in the new world before Allah, then the judgement will begin.
See commentary of Bani Israil: 13, 14 and 71; Ya Sin: 65. Kitab means the record of deeds.
39:69وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ وَجِيءَ بِالنَّبِيِّينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
The earth will glow with the light of her Lord, and the Book will be set up, and the prophets and the martyrs will be brought, and judgment will be made between them with justice, and they will not be wronged.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:69] (see commentary for verse 68)
39:70وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
Every soul will be recompensed fully for what it has done, and He is best aware of what they do.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:70]
39:71وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا قَالُوا بَلَى وَلَكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ
The faithless will be driven to hell in throngs. When they reach it and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, ‘Did there not come to you [any] apostles from among yourselves, reciting to you the signs of your Lord and warning you of the encounter of this day of yours?’ They will say, ‘Yes, but the word of punishment became due against the faithless.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:71]
Refer to Yunus: 33.
39:72قِيلَ ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ
It will be said, ‘Enter the gates of hell to remain in it [forever]. Evil is the [ultimate] abode of the arrogant.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:72]
39:73وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ
Those who are wary of their Lord will be led to paradise in throngs. When they reach it and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, ‘Peace be to you! You are welcome! Enter it to remain [forever].’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:73]
39:74وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ
They will say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us inheritors of the earth, that we may settle in paradise wherever we may wish!’ How excellent is the reward of the workers [of righteousness]!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:74]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
As verse 70 of Qasas says Allah's is all praise, first and last.
39:75وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, celebrating the praise of their Lord, and judgment will be made between them with justice, and it will be said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds!’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 39:75]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
This verse refers to the absolute sovereignty of the Lord of the worlds to whom alone belongs all praise and glory. See commentary of Baqarah: 255. According to the Ahl ul Bayt the throne (arsh) refers to absolute wisdom of the Lord and those who surround the divine wisdom on its outskirts are the angels and His chosen friends.
