فَٱسۡتَفۡتِہِمۡ أَهُمۡ أَشَدُّ خَلۡقًا أَم مَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَآۚ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّن طِينٍ۬ لَّازِبِۭ
Then inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created men from sticky clay.
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
بَلۡ عَجِبۡتَ وَيَسۡخَرُونَ
But you wonder, while they mock,
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
وَإِذَا ذُكِّرُواْ لَا يَذۡكُرُونَ
And when they are reminded, they remember not.
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
وَإِذَا رَأَوۡاْ ءَايَةً۬ يَسۡتَسۡخِرُونَ
And when they see a sign, they ridicule
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
وَقَالُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ
And say, "This is not but obvious magic.
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
أَءِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابً۬ا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ
When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ
And our forefathers [as well]?"
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
قُلۡ نَعَمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ دَٲخِرُونَ
Say, “Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجۡرَةٌ۬ وَٲحِدَةٌ۬ فَإِذَا هُمۡ يَنظُرُونَ
It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.
Allah tells us that He has adorned the lowest heaven with the heavenly bodies for those among the people of the earth who look at it. The stars and planets in the sky give light to the people of earth, as Allah says:
(And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin, and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.) (67:5),
(And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast Shaytan. Except him who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire.) (15:16-18). And Allah says here:
(And to guard) meaning, to protect as it should be protected,
(against every rebellious Shaytan.) means, every insolent and impudent devil, when he wants to eavesdrop (on news in the heavens), a piercing fire comes and burns him. Allah, may He be glorified, says:
(They cannot listen to the higher group) meaning, they cannot reach the higher group -- which refers to the heavens and the angels in them -- when they speak of what has been revealed by Allah of His Laws and decrees. We have already mentioned this when explaining the Hadiths quoted when we discussed the Ayah,
(when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said'' They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.) (34:23). Allah says:
(for they are pelted) meaning, they are hit,
(from every side.) means, from all directions from which they try to reach the heaven.
(Outcast,) means, they are rejected, and are repelled and prevented from reaching it, and they are pelted.
(and theirs is a constant torment.) means, in the Hereafter, they will have an ongoing, everlasting and painful torment, as Allah says:
(and (We) have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire) (67:5).
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing,) means, except for the one among the Shayatin who manages to get something, which is a word he has heard from the heaven. Then he throws it down to the one who is beneath him, who in turn throws it down to the one who is beneath him. Perhaps the flaming fire will strike him before he is able to throw it down, or perhaps he will throw it -- by the decree of Allah -- before the flaming fire strikes him and burns him. So the other devil takes it to the soothsayer, as we have seen previously in the Hadith. Allah says:
(Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.) meaning, shining brightly. Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "The Shayatin had places where they sat in the heavens listening to what was being revealed by Allah. The stars did not move and the Shayatin were not struck. When they heard the revelation, they would come down to earth and to every word they would add nine of their own. When the Messenger of Allah was sent, if a Shaytan wanted to take his seat in the heavens, the flaming fire would come and would not miss him; it would burn him every time. They complained about this to Iblis, may Allah curse him, and he said, `Something must have happened.' He sent his troops out and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in prayer between the two mountains of Nakhlah.'' -- Waki` said, "This means in the valley of Nakhlah.'' -- "They went back to Iblis and told him about that, and he said, `This is what has happened.'''
(11. Then ask them: "Are they harder to create, or those whom We have created'' Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) (12. Nay, you wondered while they mock.) (13. And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.) (14. And when they see an Ayah (a sign) from Allah, they mock at it.) (15. And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') (16. "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we verily be resurrected'') (17. "And also our fathers of old'') (18. Say : "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.'') (19. It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!)
وَقَالُواْ يَـٰوَيۡلَنَا هَـٰذَا يَوۡمُ ٱلدِّينِ
They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."
Allah says: `Ask these people, those who deny the resurrection, which is harder to create Are they more difficult to create or the heavens, the earth, the angels, devils, the mighty creatures -- everything in between them' Ibn Mas`ud said that they admitted that these things were harder to create than they were. If this is the case, then why do they deny the resurrection, when they see things that are greater than that which they deny As Allah says:
(The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind; yet, most of mankind know not) (40:57) Then Allah explains that they were created from something weak, as He says:
(Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak said, "This is the useful kind of mud which sticks to itself.'' Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and `Ikrimah said, "It is sticky and useful.'' Qatadah said, "It is that which sticks to the hand.''
(Nay, you wondered while they mock.) means, `you were astounded, O Muhammad, at these people who denied the resurrection whilst you were certain that it is true, when they disbelieved in what Allah told you of this wondrous matter, which is the re-creation of their bodies after they have disintegrated. They oppose what you say because of their intense disbelief and they make fun of what you tell them about that.' Qatadah said, "Muhammad was astounded by the mockery of the misguided ones among the sons of Adam.''
(And when they see an Ayah) means, clear evidence and proof,
(they mock at it.) Mujahid and Qatadah said, "They make fun of it.''
(And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!'') means, `this that you have brought is nothing but plain magic.'
(When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected And also our fathers of old) They thought that this was unlikely to happen, and they did not believe it.
(Say: "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated''.) means, `tell them, O Muhammad: Yes, you will be raised up on the Day of Resurrection, after you have become dust and bones, and you will be humiliated,' i.e., put to shame before His great might. This is like the Ayat:
(And all shall come to Him, humbled) (27:87), and
(Verily, those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!) (40:60) Then Allah says:
(It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!) means, it will be a single command from Allah, He will call them once to come forth from the earth, then they will be standing before Him, staring at the horrors of the Day of Resurrection. And Allah knows best.
(20. They will say: "Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense!'') (21. (It will be said:) "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny.'') (22. (It will be said to the angels:) Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions and what they used to worship,) (23. Instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell);) (24. But stop them, verily, they are to be questioned.) (25. "What is the matter with you Why do you not help one another'') (26. Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.)