Surah Al-Isra (The Night Journey ) 17 : 49

Overview (Verses 49 - 52)

Bringing the Dead Back to Life
 
Such was what they said about the Qur’ān and the Messenger who recited it. They also denied resurrection and the life to come:
 
They say: ‘When we are bones and dust, shall we be raised to life again as a new creation?’ Say: ‘Be you stones or iron, or some other form of creation which, to your minds, appears even harder [to bring to life]. ‘They will say: ‘Who is it that will bring us back [to life]?’ Say: ‘He who created you the first time.’ Thereupon they shake their heads [in disbelief] and ask: ‘When will this be?’ Say: ‘It may very well be near at hand. On that day He will call you, and you will answer by praising Him, thinking that you stayed on earth but a very short while.’ (Verses 49-52)
 
The concept of resurrection was the subject of a long controversy between the Prophet and the unbelievers. The Qur’ān relates much of this argument. Yet the whole issue is very clear and simple for anyone who contemplates the nature of life and death, resurrection and the gathering of all creation. The Qur’ān explains it in full on various occasions. Yet people could not take it in its simple and clear nature. They could not imagine how a person could be brought back to life after the body had decomposed: “They say: ‘When we are bones and dust, shall we be raised to life again as a new creation?” (Verse 49)
 
They simply did not reflect on the fact that there was a time when they were not alive, yet they were brought to life. Nor did they appreciate that the second origination is simpler than the first. They did not fully understand that, as far as God is concerned, nothing can be described as ‘easier’ or ‘more difficult’. Nor did they appreciate that the method of creation is the same in all cases. It is just that God issues His command for any creature to ‘Be’, and it comes into existence immediately. It is immaterial whether people consider something to be easy or difficult. When God wants it to happen, it will, without fail.
 
The reply comes in the form of an instruction to the Prophet to say to them: “Be you stones or iron, or some other form of creation which, to your minds, appears even harder [to bring to life].” (Verses 50-51) The bones and dust may still have some traces or memory of life, but iron and stones seem even further away from life. Hence they are told to be stones or iron or any other form that cannot ever be associated with life. Even if they are made of material that is least imagined to have life, God will bring them alive. They naturally cannot make themselves stones or iron or some other form of creation. This is given only by way of a challenge and reproach. Stones and iron have no feelings and cannot be inspired or influenced. This sounds as an implicit reference to their hardened nature.
 
“They will say: ‘Who is it that will bring us back [to life]?” (Verse 51) Who is it that brings bones and dust, or even more lifeless objects, back to life? ‘Say: ‘He who created you the first time.” (Verse 51) The answer puts the whole question into its proper perspective, which is both simple and direct. The One who originated them the first time is able to bring them back to life. Yet this reply is ignored: “Thereupon they shake their heads [in disbelief’.” (Verse 51) They simply shake their heads in disapproval, or even in ridicule. They try to make this sound too far fetched by asking: “When will this be?” (Verse 51) The Prophet is told to reply: “It may very well be near at hand.” (Verse 51) The Prophet does not know its exact timing, but it may very well be nearer than they think. They should fear then lest it happen when they are engaged in such opposition and ridicule.
 
The sūrah then paints a speedy image of what happens when that event takes place, as it will indeed do: “On that day He will call you, and you will answer by praising Him, thinking that you stayed on earth but a very short while.” (Verse 52) The image shows those people who were bent on denying the resurrection rising up to respond to the call that brings them back to life. As they do, they praise God in clear terms. They have nothing else to say apart from praising God. This is a strange response from those who were dogged in their denial of resurrection and the Day of Judgement altogether. They simply rise, saying nothing except: “Praised be God, praised be God.” Thus this whole life is shown to be very brief, like a flickering light: “You will answer by praising Him, thinking that you stayed on earth but a very short while.” (Verse 52)
 
Describing this life in this way is sure to belittle its importance in the minds of those to whom this address is made. It is a very short life. Nothing of its effects is of a lasting nature. It is no more than a brief moment that has passed, accompanied by a brief enjoyment.