Surah Sad (Sad) 38 : 68

Overview (Verses 65 - 70)
 
This last passage of the sūrah reaffirms the issues presented at its outset: God’s oneness, revelations and requital in the life to come. It mentions Adam’s story as evidence of the truth of revelation, citing in support what took place on high and what was determined then of accountability for man’s actions on the Day of Reckoning. The story shows an aspect of Satan’s envy which caused his ruin and expulsion from God’s mercy. This was when he envied Adam what God had bestowed on him of His favours. The passage also depicts the ever- raging battle between Satan and mankind. His aim is to tempt and seduce the largest number of people possible so that they will join him in hell; this to avenge himself on Adam whom he blamed for his expulsion. It is a battle with well defined objectives. Yet still people surrender to their old enemy.
 
The sūrah concludes by reconfirming the fact of revelation, and the great issue behind it. Needless to say, the unbelievers remain oblivious to these facts.
 
A Plain Warning
 
Say: I am but a warner; and there is no deity other than God, the One who conquers all the Lord of the heaven and the earth and all that is between, the Almighty, the All- Forgiving! (Verses 65-66) The Prophet is given instructions as to what to say to the idolaters who were surprised and amazed at what he preached, wondering: “Does he make all the gods into one God? This is indeed most strange!” (Verse 5) He is to say to them that this is the plain truth: “There is no deity other than God, the One who conquers all.” He is to further inform them that he himself has no say in all this, apart from giving warnings and leaving people to their Lord to judge. He is “the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between.” He has no partners. No one can find shelter against His will whether it be in the heavens and the earth, or in between them. For He is “the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.” He has all power and He forgives anyone seeking forgiveness and who turns back to Him in repentance.
 
The Prophet’s instructions make it clear that what he has brought people is far greater than what they think, and that it is a prelude to something they choose to remain oblivious of: “Say: This is a great message; yet you turn away from it.” (Verses 67-68) It is indeed far greater than it appears at first sight. It is part of God’s will that applies to the entire universe and its system. It cannot be separated from the creation of the heavens and the earth, or from the distant past and the far away future.
 
This message is addressed to people far beyond the Quraysh in Makkah, the Arabs in their Peninsula and the generation that witnessed its revelation. It transcends the boundaries of place and time to address humanity across all generations, shaping its destiny, from the time of its revelation until God inherits the earth and all those living on it. It came at its appropriate time to fulfil its mission in the time set for it by God.
 
Mankind’s course has been changed with This great message: it is now set on a path demarcated by God. This is true both with regard to those who accept it or reject it, fight for or against it, and in its then current generation or subsequent ones. Nothing and no event in the history of mankind has had greater influence on man than this message. It laid down concepts, rules and systems and set values that apply to the whole earth, for all times. The Arabs could not have imagined anything like this to be possible, not even in their dreams. How could they have imagined that this message, initially addressed to them, would change the face of the earth and the course of history. How could they have thought that it would influence the conscience and life of humanity, accomplish God’s will with regard to human destiny and link all these to universal existence and to the truth inherent in the creation of the heavens and the earth. Nor could they have thought for one moment that it was a message that would remain valid for all time, fulfilling its role in directing people’s lives.
 
Today, Muslims adopt the same attitude towards this message as the Arabs of old: they do not understand its nature or its link with the whole universe. They do not recognize the truth inherent in it as part of the truth inherent in the universe. Nor do they look at its influence on human history in a realistic, objective way that is not borrowed from the enemies of this faith who always try to belittle Islam and its effects. This makes Muslims today totally unaware of their true role in the past, present or future, or that they are required to play this role to the end of time. The Arabs of old thought that the matter concerned them and Muĥammad, not least the fact that it was he who was chosen to receive revelations. All their worry focused on this question. Therefore, the Qur’ān tells them that the matter is far greater than this issue. It is greater than them and Muĥammad who is no more than a messenger delivering what was entrusted to him. He did not invent it, and he could not have learnt what lies beyond it until God had taught him. He was not present with those on high when it all began. It was God who told him of it: “No knowledge would I have of what those on high argue. It is only revealed to me that I am here to give clear warning.” (Verses 69-70)