Surah Ibrahim (Abraham ) 14 : 47

Overview  (Verses 47 - 51)

Fair Reward for All
 
The Prophet is told again: “Never think that God may ever fail to fulfil the promise which He has given to His messengers. Indeed God is Almighty, avenger of evil!” (Verse 47) What the unbelievers devise is of no consequence. It cannot obstruct the fulfilment of God’s promise to His messengers to grant them victory and to inflict a mighty punishment on the unbelievers: “Indeed God is Almighty, avenger of evil!” (Verse 47) He does not let injustice escape punishment. Those who resort to scheming and devising foul plans will not be spared. The word “avenge” is especially suitable here as it gives the meaning that counters both injustice and wicked scheming. A perpetrator of such injustice and wickedness deserves to suffer God’s vengeance, which is, from God’s point of view, the exercise of divine justice. This is certainly inevitable, “On the day when the earth shall be changed into another earth, as shall be the heavens.” (Verse 48) We do not know how this happens, nor are we aware of the nature of the new earth or the new heavens, or their respective positions. The statement only gives us an impression of God’s might and His ability to change the earth and heavens. By contrast, the schemes the unbelievers devise are all too weak.
 
Suddenly, we see this as though it has happened: “When all people stand before God, the One who holds sway over all that exists.” (Verse 48) They realize that they are exposed, without cover or screen to protect them. They are neither in their homes nor in their graves. They stand in the open, in front of the Almighty. The emphasis here is on God’s power which cannot be resisted, not even by the scheming of the mighty tyrants which can almost make mountains move.
 
Then we are shown a scene of the humiliating suffering which stands in contrast to their scheming and tyranny: “On that day you will see the guilty chained together in fetters, wearing garments of black pitch, and their faces covered with flames.” (Verses 49-50) The evil-doers are thus chained, each two together, and they are made to pass in ranks. Their humiliation is again indicative of God’s might. In addition to their being chained together, they wear dirty, black pitch garments that can easily catch fire. The connotations here are humiliation and combustion as they draw near to the fire.
 
“Their faces [are] covered with flames.” It is all a scene of tyrants and schemers made to suffer humiliation and burning in flames. All this is a reward for their arrogance in this life. “God will requite each soul according to what it had done. God is indeed swift in reckoning.” (Verse 51) All they have earned is their scheming and injustice. Its reward is that they stand powerless, humiliated. The swiftness of God’s reckoning contrasts with the scheming they thought would protect them, and ensure them victory. Hence, they are dealt with swiftly to add to their humiliation.