Tafsir Zone - Surah 19: Maryam (Mary)

Tafsir Zone

Surah Maryam 19:93
 

Overview (Verses 93 - 96)

In the midst of this universal anger, a clear and definitive statement is issued: Not one of all [the beings] that are in the heavens or on earth but shall appear before the Most Merciful as a servant. Indeed, He has full cognizance of them. He has kept a strict count of their numbers, and, on the Day of Resurrection, every one of them will appear before Him all alone. (Verses 93-95)
 
All beings that live anywhere in the heavens and on earth are servants of God, subject to His will, submitting to Him willingly. He has neither son nor partner. All are His creatures and servants.
 
Fear creeps into our hearts as we contemplate the significance of this statement by God, the Most High: “Indeed, He has full cognizance of them. He has kept a strict count of their numbers.” (Verse 94) None is forgotten and none will be able to escape. “On the Day of Resurrection, every one of them will appear before Him all alone.” (Verse 95) God watches everyone. They will all come to Him on the Day of Resurrection, each on his or her own. None will have the support or encouragement of anyone else. Indeed, all community feeling is gone, for in front of God, everyone speaks for oneself.
 
In contrast with this loneliness and isolation, the believers are given a comforting, friendly surrounding: “God will certainly bestow love on those who believe and do righteous deeds.” (Verse 96) The mention of love in this context is bound to comfort and penetrate people’s hearts. It is a type of love that spreads in heaven and spills over to fill the earth and comfort people. The whole universe is given a full share of it.
 
Abū Hurayrah, a companion of the Prophet, reports that God’s Messenger said: “When God loves a human being, He calls in Gabriel and says to him: ‘Gabriel, I love this person, so you love him too.’ Gabriel then loves that person and calls out to all those living in heaven, saying: ‘God loves this person, so you all love him too.’ Thus all those who live in heaven start to love that person. He will also be loved on earth. But if God dislikes someone, He also calls in Gabriel and says: ‘Gabriel, I dislike this person, so you hate him too.’ Gabriel then hates that person and calls out to all those living in heaven, saying: ‘God dislikes this person, so you all hate him too.’ Thus all those who live in heaven start to hate that person. He will also be hated on earth.” [Related by al-Bukhārī, Muslim and Aĥmad]