Surah al-An`am (The Cattle) 6 : 128

وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا يَٰمَعْشَرَ ٱلْجِنِّ قَدِ ٱسْتَكْثَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْإِنسِ ۖ وَقَالَ أَوْلِيَآؤُهُم مِّنَ ٱلْإِنسِ رَبَّنَا ٱسْتَمْتَعَ بَعْضُنَا بِبَعْضٍ وَبَلَغْنَآ أَجَلَنَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَجَّلْتَ لَنَا ۚ قَالَ ٱلنَّارُ مَثْوَىٰكُمْ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ

Translations

 
 Muhsin Khan
 Pickthall
 Yusuf Ali
Quran Project
And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day when He will gather them together [and say], "O company of jinn, you have [misled] many of mankind." And their allies among mankind will say, "Our Lord, some of us made use of others, and we have [now] reached our term which You appointed for us." He will say, "The Fire is your residence, wherein you will abide eternally, except for what Allāh wills. Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing."

1. Lessons/Guidance/Reflections/Gems

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Explanatory Note

Full of life, the scene is shown first to be one of the future, when all creation will be gathered before God. Yet it soon becomes a scene of the present, held in front of the eyes of every listener. This is achieved by the omission of one Arabic word which means in English, “He will say”, included in the translation between brackets for clarity. The omission of this phrase, expressed in a single Arabic word, brings the whole scene right into the present so as not to speak of something to be awaited in future but of something that is taking place now. This method is characteristic of the inimitable style of the Qur’an.

Let us now look at what is sketched out in this scene. It begins with an address to the jinn: “On the day when He shall gather them all together, (He will say): ‘O you company of jinn! A great many human beings have you seduced.” You have managed to gather a large following from among human beings who listen to your inspiration, follow in your footsteps and obey your suggestions. Although this is given in the form of a factual statement, it is not meant to merely impart information. The jinn know what they have done. Rather, the statement is intended to record the crime of leading such a large number of humans astray and to reproach the jinn for so doing. In this gathering of all humans and jinn on the Day of Judgement, all evidence of the crime is shown. Therefore, the jinn do not make any reply. However, the imbeciles among human beings who take satanic inspiration lightly are the ones to answer: “Those who were their close friends among human beings will say: ‘Our Lord, we have enjoyed each other’s fellowship, and we have now reached the end of our term which You have appointed for us.’“ 

The answer betrays their lack of awareness, and demonstrates to them how Satan finds his way into their thinking. They used to enjoy the ideas, the lack of discipline, the pleasures and the sinful ways which the jinn portrayed to them in attractive colours. It was their keenness to enjoy themselves that provided Satan with the opportunity to lure and play tricks on them. Thus were they made to work for the fulfilment of Satan’s goal.

Yet those imbeciles also used to think that the enjoyment was mutual and that they were giving as much pleasure as they were receiving. Hence they state in their answer: “Our Lord, we have enjoyed each other’s fellowship.” (Verse 128) That enjoyment lasted for the duration of their life on earth. On the day when they are gathered, they will know that they have always been subject to God’s power and that it was He who gave them this span of time to reflect and respond: “We have now reached the end of our term which You have appointed for us.” (Verse 128) With that knowledge, the judgement is made so that they receive their fair punishment: “He will say: ‘The fire shall be your abode, where you shall remain, unless God wills it otherwise.’“ 

The fire is, then, their abode. Abodes are meant for continuity. But the qualification is added, “unless God wills it otherwise.” This qualification is in line with the fact that God’s will is free, subject to no restraining factor. Indeed, it is not subject even to what it has determined. This is a basic principle of the Islamic faith.

Indeed, your Lord is wise, all-knowing.” What He determines for people is based on His unflawed and perfect knowledge.

2. Linguistic Analysis

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Frequency of Root words in this Ayat used in this Surah *


3. Surah Overview

4. Miscellaneous Information

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5. Connected/Related Ayat

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6. Frequency of the word

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7. Period of Revelation

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According to Ibn Abbas, the whole of the Surah was revealed at one sitting at Makkah [during the night]. Asma bint Yazid says, ‘During the revelation of this Surah the Prophet was riding on a she-camel and I was holding her nose-string. The she-camel began to feel the weight so heavily that it seemed as if her bones would break under it.’ We also learn from other narrations that it was revealed during the last year before the migration (Hijrah) and that the Prophet dictated the whole of the Surah the same night that it was revealed. [Mawdudi]

8. Reasons for Revelation

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After determining the period of its revelation it is easier to visualize the background of the Surah. Twelve years had passed since the Prophet had been inviting the people to Islam. The antagonism and persecution by the Quraysh had become most savage and brutal and the majority of the Muslims had to migrate to Abyssinia. Additionally, the two great supporters of the Prophet, Abu Talib and his wife Khadijah were no longer there to help him, so he was deprived of all worldly support. In spite of this he carried on his mission. As a result of this all the good people of Makkah and the surrounding clans gradually began to accept Islam but there the community as a whole was still bent on obstinacy and rejection. Therefore if anyone showed an inclination towards Islam they were subjected to taunts and derision, physical violence and social boycott.

It was in these dark circumstances that a ray of hope gleamed from Yathrib, where Islam began to spread freely by the efforts of some influential people of the tribes of Aws and Khazraj, who had embraced Islam at Makkah. At that time, none but God knew the great hidden potential in this.

To a casual observer it appeared as if Islam was a weak movement, with no material backing, except for some limited support from the Prophet's own family and a few poor followers. Obviously the latter could not give much help because they themselves were being persecuted.

9. Relevant Hadith

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10. Wiki Forum

Comments in this section are statements made by general users – these are not necessarily explanations of the Ayah – rather a place to share personal thoughts and stories…

11. Tafsir Zone

 

Overview (Verses 128 - 132)

The Power of the Wicked
 
The previous passage of the sūrah contained a full discussion of the situation of those whose hearts God opens up to receive the message of surrender to Him. They remain conscious of God and continue to watch Him in all their actions, move towards a life of peace, assured that they will have the patronage of their Lord. As it is customary in the Qur’ān for contrasting scenes of the Day of Judgement to be portrayed, we now have a sketch showing the lot of the evil ones among humans and jinn. These spend their lives inspiring one another with deceptive falsehood, supporting one another in their hostility to every prophet and messenger pointing out to each other what arguments to use with the believers in order to raise doubts in their minds about what God has made lawful and what He has forbidden. All this is portrayed in a very vivid sketch, characterized by dialogue, confession and reproach.
 
On the day when He shall gather them all together, (He will say):”O you company of jinn! A great many human beings have you seduced.” Those who were their close friends among human beings will say: “Our Lord, we have enjoyed each other’s fellowship, and we have now reached the end of our term which You have appointed for us.” He will say: “The fire shall be your abode, where you shall remain, unless God wills it otherwise.” Indeed, your Lord is wise, all-knowing. In this manner do We cause the wrongdoers to be close allies of one another, because of that which they do. “O you company of jinn and humans! Have there not come to you messengers from among yourselves who related to you My revelations and warned you of the coming of this your day?” They will reply: “We bear witness against ourselves.” The life of this world has beguiled them. So they will bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers.” (Verses 128-130)
 
Full of life, the scene is shown first to be one of the future, when all creation will be gathered before God. Yet it soon becomes a scene of the present, held in front of the eyes of every listener. This is achieved by the omission of one Arabic word which means in English, “He will say”, included in the translation between brackets for clarity. The omission of this phrase, expressed in a single Arabic word, brings the whole scene right into the present so as not to speak of something to be awaited in future but of something that is taking place now. This method is characteristic of the inimitable style of the Qur’ān. Let us now look at what is sketched out in this scene. It begins with an address to the jinn: “On the day when He shall gather them all together, (He will say): ‘O you company of jinn! A great many human beings have you seduced.” (Verse 128) You have managed to gather a large following from among human beings who listen to your inspiration, follow in your footsteps and obey your suggestions. Although this is given in the form of a factual statement, it is not meant to merely impart information. The jinn know what they have done. Rather, the statement is intended to record the crime of leading such a large number of humans astray and to reproach the jinn for so doing. In this gathering of all humans and jinn on the Day of Judgement, all evidence of the crime is shown. Therefore, the jinn do not make any reply. However, the imbeciles among human beings who take satanic inspiration lightly are the ones to answer: “Those who were their close friends among human beings will say: ‘Our Lord, we have enjoyed each other’s fellowship, and we have now reached the end of our term which You have appointed for us.’“ (Verse 128)
 
The answer betrays their lack of awareness, and demonstrates to them how Satan finds his way into their thinking. They used to enjoy the ideas, the lack of discipline, the pleasures and the sinful ways which the jinn portrayed to them in attractive colours. It was their keenness to enjoy themselves that provided Satan with the opportunity to lure and play tricks on them. Thus were they made to work for the fulfilment of Satan’s goal.
 
Yet those imbeciles also used to think that the enjoyment was mutual and that they were giving as much pleasure as they were receiving. Hence they state in their answer: “Our Lord, we have enjoyed each other’s fellowship.” (Verse 128) That enjoyment lasted for the duration of their life on earth. On the day when they are gathered, they will know that they have always been subject to God’s power and that it was He who gave them this span of time to reflect and respond: “We have now reached the end of our term which You have appointed for us.” (Verse 128) With that knowledge, the judgement is made so that they receive their fair punishment: “He will say: ‘The fire shall be your abode, where you shall remain, unless God wills it otherwise.’“ (Verse 128)
 
The fire is, then, their abode. Abodes are meant for continuity. But the qualification is added, “unless God wills it otherwise.” (Verse 128) This qualification is in line with the fact that God’s will is free, subject to no restraining factor. Indeed, it is not subject even to what it has determined. This is a basic principle of the Islamic faith. “Indeed, your Lord is wise, all-knowing.” What He determines for people is based on His unflawed and perfect knowledge.

A comment on this part of the scene is inserted here before the dialogue is resumed to complete it: “In this manner do We cause the wrongdoers to be close allies of one another, because of that which they do.” (Verse 129)
 
It is in the manner that established the fellowship between the jinn and the human beings and the ultimate end to which this fellowship has come that wrongdoers get to be closely allied, on account of what they do. The similarity of their nature, the unity of their direction and goal, and the fact that their end will be the same establishes an alliance between them. This is a statement that goes beyond its immediate occasion. It speaks of the nature of the fellowship between all evil ones, jinn and human. The wrongdoers who associate partners with God in one form or another gather together in one camp to oppose the truth and divine guidance. They establish a relationship of mutual support against every prophet and those who believe in Him. It is not only that they share the same nature, despite their different appearances, but they also have the same interest which can only be served by usurping the rights of Lordship over mankind and giving unrestrained rein to their desires.
 
Indeed, we see them in every age supporting one another in every fight against faith and believers, despite their own internal rivalry and differences. Hence, their common nature and common objectives help to establish their alliance. The evil they do and the sins they commit determine that they will suffer the same fate in the hereafter, as is portrayed in this scene.
 
In our present day we see a grand alliance of evil, in which Zionists, Crusaders, pagans and Communists work together despite their great differences. This alliance has been going on for centuries, united by its hostility to Islam and its determination to crush Islamic revivalist movements wherever they function. It is, indeed, a mighty alliance. It benefits from its experience of long centuries of combat against the principle of submission to God. Furthermore, it mobilizes material and cultural forces and makes use of systems and machinery available within the Muslim world to serve its evil plans. It is a confirmation of God’s own words: “In this manner do We cause the wrongdoers to be close allies of one another, because of that which they do.” (Verse 129)
 
But the reassurance given by God to His Messenger also applies here: “Had your Lord willed otherwise, they would not have done it. Therefore, leave them to their own inventions.” (Verse 112) This reassurance, however, requires that the community of believers continues to follow in the footsteps of God’s Messenger recognizing that they have to hold the banner and defend the cause of Islam and Muslims, whatever sacrifice they may have to make.
 
Let us consider now the last part of this scene: “’O you company of jinn and humans! Have there not come to you messengers from among yourselves who related to you My revelations and warned you of the coming of this your day?’ They will reply: ‘We bear witness against ourselves.’ The life of this world has beguiled them. So they will bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers.” (Verse 130)
 
The question here is not meant to seek information but to provide it and record the facts as they took place. God who is infinite in His Glory knows what their situation in this life was. Their answer to this question is simply an acknowledgement on their part that they deserve the punishment of the hereafter.
 
This question is addressed to the jinn as well as humans. Does this mean that God has sent messengers to the jinn from among themselves, in the same way as He sent messengers to human beings? God alone knows the nature of this species of His creation, the jinn, who remain unknown to us human beings. However, the Qur’ānic statement may be interpreted to mean that the jinn have been able to listen to the revelations sent down to God’s Messenger and to convey it to their people, warning them against continuing in their disbelief. An example of this is reported in Sūrah 46, The Sand Dunes, or al Aĥqāf: Tell how We sent to you a band of jinn who, when they came and listened to the Qur’ān, said to each other: “Listen attentively.” As soon as its recitation was ended, they betook themselves to their people and gave them warning. “Our people”, they said, “We have just been listening to a revelation bestowed from on high after that of Moses, confirming what was revealed before it, and guiding to the truth and to a straight path. Our people, answer the call of the one who summons unto God and believe in Him! He will forgive you your sins and deliver you from a woeful scourge. Those that give no heed to the one who calls unto God can never elude Him on earth, nor can they have any to protect them besides Him. Surely they are in evident error.” (46: 29-32) It is probable that the question put by the jinn and human beings and the answer they receive are based on this fact. The whole matter is part of the knowledge God has kept for Himself. It is useless to try to go any further in establishing any clear answer on this point.
 
Anyhow, those of the jinn and humans who are addressed in this way recognize that the question is not meant to solicit information but to record it and to add an element of reproach for their attitude. Therefore, they make a full confession and state that they deserve the punishment they are bound to receive: “They will reply: ‘We bear witness against ourselves.’“ (Verse 130) At this point we have a comment to make: “The life of this world has beguiled them. So they will bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers.” (Verse 130) This comment describes their situation in this life, lured on by pleasures, with an arrogance that has led them to be unbelievers. On the Day of Judgement, they testify against themselves because they realize that denial is of no use. Can there be any situation more miserable than to find oneself in a fix where one cannot say in one’s own defence even a word of denial, let alone a word of justification?
 
Let us reflect for a moment on the remarkable Qur’ānic style which paints future events so that we can visualise them now, as if they were taking place in front of our very eyes. The Qur’ān is revealed so that it is read to people in this life, in their own surroundings. But it portrays the scenes of the life to come as if they are taking place now, while scenes of this life belong to an era which has long since passed. In this way, we forget that the Day of Judgement is still to come. We feel that it is here, now. This is only made possible by the remarkable style of the Qur’ān: “The life of this world has beguiled them. So they will bear witness against themselves that they were unbelievers.” (Verse 130)
 
When the scene is complete, the address is made to God’s Messenger (peace be upon him), his followers and to mankind generally. The address includes a comment on the judgement made against evil human beings and jinn and the fact that such a great multitude are condemned to the fire. Their fate is sealed only after they have testified against themselves that they continued to disbelieve despite receiving messengers who related to them God’s revelations and warned them against what awaited them of God’s punishment if they continued to reject the faith. The comment here makes it clear that God’s punishment does not befall anyone without warning. God does not hold people accountable and does not punish them for their disbelief until after they have been shown the fact and received warnings from God’s messengers who relate His revelations to them: “And so it is that your Lord would never destroy a community for its wrongdoing, while they remain unaware.” (Verse 131)
 
God’s grace is such that in spite of the fact that He has shaped human nature in a way which makes it always keen to seek its Lord, and the fact that He has given human beings intelligence and understanding, He does not punish them for their disbelief until He sends them messengers to warn them. Their nature may deviate and their intellect may be lured away. Indeed, all human responses may be defective despite all the signs and indicators man sees in the world around him. Hence, God has assigned to His messengers the task of saving human nature and intellect from deviation and of making their receptive qualities open to what He has placed of indicators so that they can give the right responses. Punishment only comes after deliberate denial and rejection of the faith despite God’s warnings and messages.
 
So man’s nature and intellect do not provide immunity from error nor do they guarantee guidance to the truth and resistance to desire. Rather, all these must be supported by faith.
 
Another rule is stated concerning reward and punishment. It is applicable to believers and evil ones in equal measure: “They all shall have their grades in accordance with their deeds. Your Lord is not unaware of what they do.” (Verse 132) The believers have their grades, one above the other, while the evil ones have their own grades, one sinking below the other. They attain or sink into their grades according to their deeds which have been monitored to the finest detail: “Your Lord is not unaware of what they do.” (Verse 132)


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