Chapter 70 - 46
The Means of Ascent (Surah Al-Maarij)
(44 verses in total; revealed in Makkah, beginning of Middle Period)
This short and poetic chapter continues the trend of warning the disbeliever to be mindful as in the previous chapter.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
The Day of Judgment is near at hand, though the deniers want to hasten it because of their arrogance and doubts
The initiation of resurrection will upend the normal order of things – natural state, human condition and others that have not described in the Qur’an
Accumulation of wealth which does not benefit others is particularly condemned and threatened with severe punishments
Those who believe are assured success if they (1) are devoted to God and offer regular worship, (2) share their wealth with others, (3) affirm faith in Hereafter, (4) are in constant fear of failing to uphold covenant with God, (5) stay away from indecency and immoral acts, (6) preserve promises and trusts
In the name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
A questioner asks (mockingly)
About the chastisement to come!
For the disbelievers – there is no way to escape!
(A guarantee) from God, the God of the Means of Ascent
By which Angels and Spirit rise to God in a day
A day of fifty thousand years (by your measure)! (v. 1-4)
So be patient (Prophet)
A patience befitting you!
They see it far off
But We (God) see it close at hand! (v. 5-7)
It is the Day when
The heavens (heat up) as molten brass
The mountains float like carded wool1
Friends ignore friends
Even as they see each other! (v. 8-11)
The guilty will wish to redeem themselves from chastisement
By exchanging their children
Their spouses and siblings
Relationships that protected them
(even) All that the earth could offer! (v. 11-14)
But never!
The chastisement is that fire flamed
That consumes the external layering
Bounds anyone trying to retreat and flee
Who amasses wealth but do not share! (v. 15-18)
Humankind is prone to anxiety
Distressed when adversity falls
But ungrateful and niggardly when good fortune comes (v. 19-21)
But not those who are devoted (to God)
Who are constant and consistent in their worship (salah)
In their wealth, they assign a known right and a confirmed obligation
For the poor and the indigents
Who affirms their belief in the Day of Judgement
Fearful of the displeasure of God
None can feel secure from God’s chastisement, (if due)
Who restrains their lusts
Except from their spouses and where exceptions granted1
Those who go beyond these, commit transgression
Who are faithful to their trusts and promises
Who are truthful in their testimonies
Who preserves their devotion to God (salah) constantly
These are in the Garden, dignified! (v. 22-35)2
How is that these disbelievers
Crowds around you, from the right and from the left
Wishing to be granted entry to the blessed Garden? (v. 36-38)
Never!
We created them
They do know it as well!
We are the master of the Eastern Land and the Western Land
We possess the power
To replace them with others better than them
We will not fail!3 (v. 39-41)
So let them be
Engrossed in vanity and enjoyment
Until they come face to face with the day promised
The day when they will rise from the graves
As if being driven to a goal
Eyes downcast
Full of shame! (v. 42-44)
Such is the day they have been promised! (v. 44)
1Temporary grant was made in the Qur’an regarding slaves and prisoners of war – an exception no longer relevant
223:4-9 repeats similar characteristics in the Qur’an; 4:23-26 provide further clarity on marriage and sex
3A prediction, characteristic of the Qur’an, that every new faith group such as followers of Moses (Jews) against Pharaoh, the followers of Jesus (Christians) against the Roman and now the follower of Mohammad (Muslim) to replace polytheists in the larger swath of the earth (both East and the West) – a prediction that unfolded over the next 1000 years of Islamic and world history and continues to evolve as Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world even as we speak!
