Surah al-Mulk (The Dominion ) 67 : 7

Overview (Verses 7 - 12)

The surah speaks further about what God has in store for such devils, other than these pelting missiles: "We have prepared for them suffering through the blazing fire." (Verse 5) This means that they will be pelted with missiles in this present life and that they will suffer the blazing fire in the life to come. Perhaps this comes as a follow up to what the surah says about the heavens and prior to what it says about the unbelievers. The relation between devils and unbelievers is obvious. Thus, having mentioned the heavens and their lamps, the surah refers to these lamps' other function, as missiles for pelting devils. Then, as it speaks of what is prepared for these devils in the life to come, the surah mentions what is made ready for the unbelievers who follow those devils: "Suffering in hell awaits those who deny their Lord: an evil destination." (Verse 6) It then carries on to give us an image of hell, full of rage and anger, as it receives the unbelievers: "When they are thrown in it, they will hear it drawing in its breath as it boils up, almost bursting with fry." (Verses 7-8)

Hell seems here to be a living creature, one suppressing its fury, but as a result of which draws its breath and boils over. Its anger is so immense that it almost bursts with hate for the unbelievers. Although this may appear to some as an allegorical description of hell, to my mind, it describes a reality. Every creature of God is a living creature, with a life suited to its kind. Every creature knows its Lord and addresses Him with glorifications and praises. They are amazed at man when he denies his Creator and feel anger as a result. This is mentioned in several places in the Qur'an, suggesting that it is an established reality in the universe.

For example, the following clear statement occurs in the Qur'an: "The seven heavens extol His limitless glory as does the earth, and all who dwell in them. Indeed every single thing extols His glory and praise, but you cannot understand their praises. He is indeed Forbearing, Much Forgiving." (17: 44) The Qur'an also says: "We graced David with Our favour. We said: `You mountains, sing with him God's praises! And likewise you birds!'" (34: 10) These statements are so clear that they admit no interpretation other than what they literally say. Another Qur'anic statement says: "Then, He applied His design to the sky which was but smoke; and said to it and to the earth: 'Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly.' They both said: `We do come willingly.— (41: 11) This last statement may be said to be an allegory of how the skies and earth submit to God's law, but there is no need to make such an interpretation. It is further removed than the direct and clear meaning intended.

We have the present description of hell, but a similar statement describes the surprise and anger expressed by different creatures at the thought of attributing to God a son: "They say: The Most Merciful has taken to Himself a son!' Indeed you have said a most monstrous falsehood, at which the heavens might be rent into fragments, and the earth be split asunder, and the mountains fall down in ruins! That people should ascribe a son to the Most Merciful, although it is inconceivable that the Most Merciful should take to Himself a son." (19: 88-92)

All these statements refer to the truth that the universe believes in its Creator, and that everything extols His glory and praise. They also confirm that all creatures shudder at the thought that man departs from this norm, disbelieving in his Lord. All these creatures feel anger when someone close and dear to them is badly hurt. It is no different from the anger a person is ready to vent at the one who committed such behaviour. He is almost bursting with fury, just like hell is described here: "It boils up, almost bursting with fury." (Verses 7-8)
 
The same is expressed by the angels who guard hell: "Every time a group is thrown in it, its keepers will ask them., Did no one come to warn you?'" (Verse 8) It is clear that the question is meant as a rebuke. They share hell's anger and they participate in meting out punishment. Nothing hurts a person in distress more than a rebuke. The answer is given in humility, acknowledging their own lack of judgement and utter stupidity when they denied God's oneness, relying on no evidence whatsoever. Furthermore, they make a wild accusation against God's messengers, who have always stated the truth, clear and simple: "We said, "God has revealed nothing. You are in total error.'" (Verse 9)

"Thus they shall confess their sins. Far be the inhabitants of the blazing fire [from God's mercy]." (Verse 11) This is a prayer made by God against them. This after they have acknowledged their guilt, at a time and place they denied would ever occur. Prayer by God denotes a judgement. Thus, they are far removed from God's mercy. They cannot hope for forgiveness or exemption from punishment. They dwell in the blazing fire. What a fate!Such torment in the blazing fire that draws its breath as it boils is truly fearsome. God does not treat anyone unfairly. We think — but God knows best — that a person who denies his Lord, when God has instilled the truth of faith and its evidence in his very nature, is one that is devoid of all goodness. Such a person deprives himself of every quality that gives him a position in this universe. He is like the stones that are the fuel of hell. He ends up in the middle of the fire, with no hope of reprieve.

The one who denies God during his life on earth sinks further every day into the darkness of disbelief, until he ends up in an ugly shape, derived from hell. It is so ugly an image that it is unlike anything else in this universe. Everything in the universe has a believing soul that extols God's praises. In everything and every creature there is this element of goodness and this tie which pulls it towards the centre of existence, with the exception of those unbelievers who run loose, severing their ties with the rest of the universe, rebelling against all standards and values. Where will they end up in this universe when they have no bond with anything in it? They can only end up in hell, which rages in fury against them. They have deprived themselves of all right, meaning and dignity. Hence, in hell they receive none.

It is customary in the Qur'an to portray images of the Day of Judgement in two contrasting scenes. Hence, we now have a scene showing the believers as compared with the unbelievers. In this way, we have the full meaning of the statement at the surah’s outset: "He may put you to a test to show who of you is best in conduct." (Verse 2) Having mentioned the test, the surah completes its account by speaking of the reward: "Those who stand in awe of their Lord although He is beyond the reach of human perception will have forgiveness and a rich reward." (Verse 12)

The phrase ' beyond the reach of human perception' expresses the meaning of the Qur'anic word ghayb. In its use in this verse it includes their fear of God whom they have never seen, as well as their fear of Him when they are alone, unseen by any human eye. Both are fine qualities, reflecting a pure feeling and a profound understanding which together qualify a person to receive what the surah expresses in general terms as "forgiveness and a rich reward."

To watch God when one is alone, unseen by any other human being is the gauge of a heart's sensitivity and the quality that keeps conscience alive. Anas ibn Malik reports that some of the Prophet's Companions said to him: "Messenger of God! When we are with you we are at a certain standard, but when we depart we are at a different one." He asked: "How do you feel with regard to your Lord?" They answered: "God is our Lord in secret and open situations." He said: "Yours is not a case of hypocrisy." The bond of God is, then, the essential criterion. Once it is firm in one's heart, one is a true believer.