MY REFLECTION AND KEY LESSONS DRAWN FROM SURATUL NAB’A
Allah (SWT) commences with the question “About what are they asking one another?” Allah then gives the answer “About the great news — that over which they are in disagreement,” [78: 2–3]. Commentaries on this verse have alluded to the fact that the great new in controversy spoken about by Almighty Allah is the Day of Judgment. This verse is immediately followed by a threat “No! They are going to know. Then, no! They are going to know,” [78: 4–5]. The Arabic term, kalla, denotes strong shunning. The repetition of the entire sentence adds force to the threat implied.
The verses that followed began to talk about the great creations of Allah, demonstrating the greatness of Almighty Allah. Allah first reminds us “Have We not made the earth a resting place and the mountains as stakes?” [78: 6–7]. Reflecting on this, imagine the earth without mountains as pegs. Certainly, Allah, in his infinite perfection, has constructed it so that it is habitable for us and we do not quake while we are on it. Allah went on to talk about how he created mankind in pairs. Allah also spoke about the mercy he has bestowed us with sleep as an opportunity to repair and replenish our physical and mental energy after everyday life endeavors. “And made your sleep [a means for] rest,” [78: 9]. Allah reminded us on how he has made the night as clothing, [78: 10] and the day, which is bright and luminous to enable go about their businesses and life affairs. Allah further spoke about how he has constructed above us seven strong heavens, and he has made the sun as a lamp to heat and lighten the world.
Emphasizing that life is not without purpose, Allah reminds us of the day of reckoning is an appointed time. The day the whole of mankind would be raised to give account of the kind of life they led, how they spent the time and resources bestowed on them by Almighty Allah. A day when the universe is engulfed in unrest and its systems are destroyed. Describing the day Allah says “the Day the Horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes,” [78: 18].
Explaining this, Bukhari reported concerning the explanation of this ayah that Abu Huraira radhiAllahu ‘anhu said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said “That which is between the two blowings is forty.” Someone asked, “Is it forty days, O Abu Huraira?” But he (Abu Huraira) refused to reply, saying, “No comment.” They then asked, “Is it forty months?” But he (Abu Huraira) refused to reply, saying, “No comment.” They asked again, “Is it forty years?” But he (Abu Huraira) refused to reply, saying, “No comment.” Abu Huraira added, then the Prophet went on to say,
“Then Allah will send down a rain from the sky and the dead body will sprout just as a green plant sprouts. Every part of the last person will deteriorate except for one bone, and it is the coccyx bone (tailbone). From it the creation will be assembled on the Day of Judgment.”
From verse 21–36, Allah went on to talk about reward and reckoning. Allah describes the fate of the tyrant unbelievers and also that of the righteous. For the infidels, disbelievers, criminals, and transgressors who transgress the limits set by Almighty Allah, Allah says that their recompense in the hereafter is the unending blazing fire of hell. Allah says they will taste nothing cool nor drink anything except boiling water and dirty wound discharges. Allah describe these punishments as the condign recompense for the reckless life of denial they have lived on earth. On the other hand, Allah (swt) give glad tidings to the righteous believers. Allah says their recompense will be Jannah with all the beautiful and fascinating packages that comes with it. Just like the transgressors, Allah describes the enjoyment that comes to the righteous as a reward from their lord.
The surah closes explaining the final scene of the day of reckoning. A scenario in which we see the angel Jibreel ‘alayhi salaam and all the angels forming a line in front of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, their Most Merciful Lord. Allah explains that on that day, no one shall be able to speak or utter any statement except with the permission and leave of Almighty Allah. The last verse is such a power one. Allah says “on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, ‘Oh, I wish that I were dust!’” [78: 40] This is the lamentation of someone in deep anguish, someone who is embarrassed of who he is and what he has done. He believes that it is preferable not to be, or to be as useless as dust, than to see such a terrifying event. May Allah protect us from His unbearable punishment.