Overview (Verses 5 - 8)

The sūrah then moves to expose their false approach by which they judge the most important issue of all, i.e. faith: “No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers.” (Verse 5) Theirs is a despicable attitude when they utter such an enormity without proper consideration or real knowledge: “Dreadful indeed is this saying that issues from their mouths. Nothing but falsehood do they utter.” (Verse 5)
 
The description here makes use of the sound of the words to add to the impression of horror given to the listeners. It begins with the adjective, ‘dreadful’, to enhance the anticipation of something totally unacceptable. This is further increased by the inversion used in the sentence. The sound and rhythm of the Arabic original is particularly significant in giving a true sense of the enormity those unbelievers utter. This is brought to its climax in the last sentence which utilizes the form of negation and limitation: “Nothing but falsehood do they utter.” (Verse 5)
 
The sūrah then addresses the Prophet in a way that is akin to disapproval of his being saddened by his people’s attitude which denies the truth of the Qur’ān. He was pained by their rejection of God’s guidance and their insistence on following the way which he knew would lead them to ruin. In a hint of disapproval, the Prophet is asked: “Would you, perhaps, torment yourself to death with grief over them if they will not believe in this message?” (Verse 6) Would your grief at their rejection of the truth cause you to kill yourself? These people do not deserve that you should feel any sorrow on their account. It is better that you should abandon them.
 
The Prophet is also reminded that God has made all the comforts and pleasures available on earth, and all riches and offspring, a sort of a test for mankind. The test will prove who of them does good in this life so as to earn its benefit as well as a happy destiny in the life to come: “We have made all that is on earth as an adornment in order to test people as to which of them are best in conduct.” (Verse 7)
 
God certainly knows the position of every one of His creatures, but he rewards everyone only on the basis of the actions a person takes. It is actual deeds that are rewarded according to their merit. The sūrah does not mention here those who do not do good works because the statement is clear with all that it entails.
 
The eventual outcome of all such adornment that is available on earth is inevitable. The earth will shed it all, and all living things on earth will die. Thus before the Day of Resurrection, the earth will be nothing more than a coarse and lifeless surface: “In time We shall indeed reduce all that is on it to barren dust.” (Verse 8) There is a clear element of toughness in the expression and in the scene it portrays. We are faced with an earth that has a desert-like surface with no trace of life over it.