70. Al-Maarij (The Ascending Stairways) |
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Maududi's Introduction |
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The Surah takes its name from the word dhil Ma'arij in verse 3.
The subject matter bears evidence that this Surah too was sent down in
conditions closely resembling those under which Surah Al Haaqqah was sent
down.
It admonishes and gives warning to the disbelievers who made fun of
the news about Resurrection and the Hereafter, and Hell and Heaven,
and challenged the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon him) to cause
Resurrection with which he threatened them to take place if what he
said was true and they had become worthy of the punishment in Hell by
denying it. The whole Surah is meant to answer this denial.
The Surah
opens with words to the effect:"A demander has demanded a torment, the
torment which must befall the deniers; and when it takes place, there
will be none to prevent it, but it will take place at its own
appointed time. Allah has His own way of doing things, but He is not
unjust. Therefore, have patience, O Prophet, at what they say. They
think it is far off, but We see it as near at hand."
Then it is
said:"Resurrection, which they desire to be hastened out of jest and
fun, is terrible, and when it comes, it will cause great distress to
the culprits. At that time they will even be prepared to give away
their wives and children and their nearest kinsfolk in ransom to
escape the punishment, but they will not be able to escape it.
Then
the people have been warned to the effect; "On that Day the destinies
of men will be decided strictly on the basis of their belief and their
conduct. Those who turn away from the Truth in the world and amass
wealth and withhold it from the needy, will be doomed to Hell; and
those who fear the punishment of God here, believe in the Hereafter,
keep up the Prayer, discharge the rights of the needy out of their
wealth, strictly avoid immoral and wicked deeds, practise honesty in
all their dealings, fulfill their pledges and trust and bear true
witness, will have a place of honor in Paradise"
In conclusion, the
disbelievers of Makkah who rushed in upon the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon
him) from every side as soon as they saw him, in order to make
fun of him, have been warned to the effect: "If you do not believe,
Allah will replace you by other people who will be better than you",
and the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon him) has been consoled, so as to
say: "Do not take to heart their mockery and jesting; leave them to
indulge in their idle talk and foolish conduct if they are bent upon
experiencing the disgrace and humiliation of the Resurrection; they
will themselves see their evil end."'
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