Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Ma’rij

Surah Al-Ma’rij is surah number seventy in the Noble Quran. The article is an introduction to this surah. It mentions why it is called surah Al-Ma’rij, and the most important topics discussed in this surah.

Name of the Surah 

This surah is called Al-Ma’rij ‘the ways of ascent’ because it begins by referring to the ascension of the angels to heaven on the Day of Judgment. 

Surah Al-Ma’rij was revealed in Makkah. It contains forty-four ayah. 

70:4 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him on a day, the length of which is fifty thousand years.

Relationship between Surah  Al-Haqqah and Al-Ma’rij

According to the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf, surah Al-Ma’rij comes after surah Al-Haqqah, which speaks about the Day of Judgment and refers to some of its signs and horrors. Surah Al-Ma’rij continues speaking about the Day of Judgment, some of its signs and horrors, and the conditions of the believers and disbelievers on that day.

Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Ma’rij

The theme of surah Al-Ma’rij is the same as the theme of surahs revealed in Makkah, namely, speaking about the principles of belief in the Oneness of Allah, and confirming the occurrence of the Day of Judgment, and reckoning and recompense on that day.

Surah Al-Ma’rij begins by referring to the attitude of the disbelievers of Makkah towards the message of Islam, which Allah sent Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] to invite people to believe in. The disbelievers rejected following Islam, ridiculed Messenger Muhammad, and demanded him to bring the punishment that he warned him of if they insisted on their negative attitude towards Islam. 

70:1 A questioner asked about an impending punishment.

70:2 For the disbelievers, which none can avert. 

Then, surah Al-Ma’rij refers to some of the horrors of the Day of Judgment, and the conditions of the disbelievers on that day.

70:8 On the day the sky will be like murky boiling oil,

70:9 and the mountains will be like wool, 

70:15 No! It is a blazing fire,

70:16 stripping away the scalp,

70:17 calling him, who drew back and turned away,

70:18 and amassed and hoarded. 

Then, surah Al-Ma’rij speaks about some negative characteristics of man, which cause him loss. These characteristics revolve around extreme fretfulness, impatience, and niggardliness. 

70:19 Verily, man was created fretful.

70:20 When evil touches him, impatient, 

70:21 and when good touches him, niggardly, 

Then, surah Al-Ma’rij makes an exception, namely, the believers, who obey the commands of Allah, will be successful and enter Paradise where they will enjoy lasting happiness.

70:22 save those who pray. 

70:23 Those who are steadfast in their prayer.

70:34 And those who observe their prayers. 

70:35 Those shall be in Gardens, honored. 

Finally, surah Al-Ma’rij condemns the disbelievers and warns them of annihilation if they insist on disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah and disobeying His commands. Moreover, it refers to some of their unfavorable conditions on the Day of Judgment.

70:36 So, what is the matter with those who disbelieve, rushing with outstretched necks toward you,

70:37 on the right and on the left, in groups? 

70:43 The day they shall come forth from the graves hastily as if they were hurrying to a waymark.

70:44 Their eyes will be humbled, covered with humility. That is the day that they were promised.

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Ma’rij

Tafsir Ibn Kathir English Translation Surah Al-Ma’rij

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir

     

 

Confirming that Allah Revealed the Quran

 

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 38-52 

69:38 Nay! I swear by what you see 

69:39 and by what you do not see. 

69:40 Indeed, it is the speech of a noble Messenger. 

69:41 And it is not the speech of a poet. Little do you believe, 

69:42 and nor is it the speech of a soothsayer. Little do you take heed. 

69:43 It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. 

69:44 And if he fabricated against Us any saying. 

69:45 We would have seized him by the right hand. 

69:46 Then, We would have cut his life-vein. 

69:47 And none of you could have defended him.

69:48 And verily, it is a Reminder for the God-fearing. 

69:49 And verily, We know that some of you are deniers. 

69:50 And verily, it will be a cause of regret for the disbelievers. 

69:51 And verily, it is the absolute truth. 

69:52 Then, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great.

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous parts confirm the occurrence of the Day of Judgment by referring to some of its horrors, and the conditions of the believers and the disbelievers on that day. Then, this part confirms that Allah, Exalted be He, revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] and that is not the speech of a poet nor soothsayer. 

Tafsir

69:38 Nay! I swear by what you see 

69:39 and by what you do not see. 

69:40 Indeed, it is the speech of a noble Messenger. 

No! The matter is not as the disbelievers say. They claim that Allah has not revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad. Allah, Exalted be He, swears by what the disbelievers see and what they do not see. Indeed, the Quran is the speech of a noble Messenger, namely, Muhammad [peace be upon him]. Allah, Exalted be He, has revealed it to him and commanded him to convey it to people. 

Allah, Exalted be He, can swear by whatever thing of His creatures, but the created being can only swear by Allah. 

69:41 And it is not the speech of a poet. Little do you believe, 

69:42 and nor is it the speech of a soothsayer. Little do you take heed. 

Allah, Exalted be He, revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad. It is not as the disbelievers claim. They allege that the Quran is the speech of a poet. O disbelievers, you are wrong. Little do you believe the truth. Muhammad is not a poet. Moreover, the Quran is not the speech of a soothsayer as you claim because Muhammad is not a soothsayer; rather, he is the Messenger of Allah, Who sent him as His Messenger to convey it to the worlds. O disbelievers, little do you take heed. 

The ayah says, ‘Little do you believe, and little do you take heed.’ The intended meaning may be that they do not believe in the first place, or that they believe little since they believe that Allah created them though they worship other gods besides Him. 

69:43 It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. 

The Quran is not the speech of a poet, nor is it the speech of a soothsayer; rather, the Quran is a revelation from Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

 Allah revealed the Quran to His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad and commanded him to convey it to the worlds. However, the disbelievers deny the truth and disbelieve in the revelation that Allah revealed to guide them to the straight path leading to attain the best in the life of this world and the Hereafter. 

In sum, the Quran refutes the claim of the disbelievers, who say that Messenger Muhammad is a poet and a soothsayer. The Quran specifically mentions these two attributes because it says that Messenger Muhammad is noble, which disagrees with being a liar and mad.

Then, Allah, Exalted be He, mentions what would happen to Messenger Muhammad if he should fabricate anything in the Quran, which definitely would never happen.

69:44 And if he fabricated against Us any saying. 

69:45 We would have seized him by the right hand. 

69:46 Then, We would have cut his life-vein. 

69:47 And none of you could have defended him.

 If Messenger Muhammad fabricated any saying and claimed that Allah said it, Allah would have seized him by the right hand to humiliate and abase him. Then, He would have cut his life-vein, after which he would die immediately. And none of those around Messenger Muhammad could have defended him against the punishment of Allah, the All-Powerful. 

These ayat are proofs that Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad. If it was as the disbelievers claimed that Messenger Muhammad fabricated it, Messenger Muhammad would have never mentioned these ayat, in which he was strongly threatened with severe punishment. Furthermore, these ayat confirm that Messenger Muhammad never fabricated anything of the Quran; rather, it is the speech of Allah, and he conveyed it just as he received it.

69:48 And verily, it is a Reminder for the God-fearing. 

Verily, the Quran is a Reminder for the God-fearing by obeying His commands and avoiding His prohibitions because they benefit from its teachings and lessons. 

69:49 And verily, We know that some of you are deniers. 

Verily, Allah knows that some of the disbelievers deny that Allah revealed the Quran to His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad out of stubbornness. He will justly recompense them for their disbelief. On the other hand, some of the disbelievers will believe in the Oneness of Allah and that He revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad, and He will justly recompense them for following the path of guidance. 

69:50 And verily, it will be a cause of regret for the disbelievers. 

 Verily, the Quran will be a cause of regret for the disbelievers, who deny that Allah revealed it to Messenger Muhammad, on the Day of Judgment when they will be severely punished for their denial. 

69:51 And verily, it is the absolute truth. 

Verily, the Quran is the absolute truth that Allah revealed to  His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad and commanded him to convey it to the worlds to bring them out of the darkness of ignorance and make them see the light of the truth. 

69:52 Then, glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Great. 

O noble Messenger Muhammad, glorify the Name of your Lord, Allah. He is the Most Great. Declare that Allah, your Lord, is free from whatever imperfection and He has all names and attributes of perfection, Exalted be He.

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 38-52

• Allah, Exalted be He, swears by what people see and what they do not see that He revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad.

• The Quran is the speech of Allah. It is not the speech of a poet nor a soothsayer. It contains all that people need to attain happiness in the life of this world and the Hereafter.

• Allah, the Lord of the worlds, revealed the Quran to His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him].

• If Messenger Muhammad fabricated anything against Allah, Allah would have punished him severely. 

• Messenger Muhammad never fabricated anything of the Quran; rather, he conveyed it just as he received it.

• The Quran is a Reminder for people and it contains teachings and lessons that guarantee happiness in the life of this world and the Hereafter.

• The Quran will be a cause of regret on the Day of Judgment for all those who deny that Allah revealed it since they will be punished severely for their denial.

• The believer should glorify Allah by mentioning His names and attributes as much as he can.

The Noble Quran English Translation Surah Al-Haqqah 

English Translation of Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Haqqah

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 13-18 The Horrors of the Day of Judgment

The Noble Quran Surah Yusuf English Translation and Tafsir

 

The End of the Disbelievers

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 25-37 

69:25 And as for him who is given his book in his left hand, he shall say, ‘Ah! Would that I had not been given my book, 

69:26 and I had not known what my reckoning would be.

69:27 Ah! Would that it were the end! 

69:28 My wealth has not availed me! 

69:29 My power has gone from me!’ 

69:30 ‘Take and shackle him, 

69:31 Then, burn him in Hellfire. 

69:32 Then, in a chain of seventy cubits’ length insert him! 

69:33 Verily, he never believed in Allah, the Most Great, 

69:34 and he never urged the feeding of the needy. 

69:35 Hence, he today has not here a true friend, 

69:36 and no food save pus, 

69:37 which none eats save the sinners. 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentions that the believers will receive the record of the deeds in their right hands and enter Paradise wherein they will enjoy lasting happiness. Then, this part mentions that the disbeliever will receive the record of his deeds in his left hand and suffer severe punishment in Hell. This agrees with the eloquent style of the Quran, which mentions something and then mentions its opposite to bring home the intended message, namely, the end of the believer will be happy, and the end of the disbeliever will be miserable. 

Tafsir

69:25 And as for him who is given his book in his left hand, he shall say, ‘Ah! Would that I had not been given my book, 

69:26 and I had not known what my reckoning would be.

69:27 Ah! Would that it were the end! 

On the Day of Judgment, the disbeliever will receive the record of his deeds in his left hand. When he sees the severe punishment awaiting him, he will regretfully say, ‘Ah! Would that I had not been given my book. I wish that I had not known what my reckoning would be. I thought that I would die and then nothing would be after my death. I believed that there would be no resurrection after death. Ah! I wish that it were the end! Would that it were the end and no resurrection nor reckoning would be after death!’

Qatada, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘69:27 Ah! Would that it were the end! On the Day of Judgment, the disbeliever will wish for death though it was the most hated thing to him in the worldly life.’ 

69:28 My wealth has not availed me! 

69:29 My power has gone from me!’ 

After receiving the record of his deeds in his left hand, the disbeliever will lament his evil end and will say, ‘My wealth has not availed me on the Day of Judgment. It does not protect me from the punishment of Allah. My power, authority, property, and excuses have gone from me. I have no power nor excuse to protect me against the punishment of Allah.’

Sayyid Qutb, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote, 

It is a long consideration, an extended lamentation, a desperate spirit, and a miserable tone. The context of the surah presents this consideration at length so that the listener imagines that it will never end. And that lamentation and regret will continue for an eternity, which is one of the miraculous presentations of the Quran that it prolongs presenting some situations, while it briefly presents others according to the psychological effect that it wants to impart. In this case, it aims to imprint the situation in the minds and reveal the deep grief behind this sorrowful scene. Hence, it prolongs and elaborates, with depth and details. Therefore, this miserable person would wish that he had never witnessed this gathering, had not been given his record of deeds, and had not known what his punishment would be. He will also wish that this Calamity would be the final blow that ends his very existence. Thus, he will be nothing after it. Then, he will lament that nothing of what he used to hold dear or gather can avail him in the least. Neither the wealth avail him, nor does the power remain. 

After this prolonged lamentation and sorrow, the command of Allah comes. He will command the angels responsible for punishing the disbelievers to take the disbelievers to Hell wherein they will suffer painful, lasting punishment. 

69:30 ‘Take and shackle him, 

69:31 Then, burn him in Hellfire. 

69:32 Then, in a chain of seventy cubits’ length inert him! 

Allah, Exalted be He, will say to the keepers of Hell among the angels, ‘Take and shackle the disbeliever and then throw him into Hell to be burned in its blazing fire. Then, insert him in a chain whose length is seven cubits so that it will surround him.’

Then, Allah, Exalted be He, mentions the causes that made the disbeliever enter Hell and suffer its lasting punishment. 

69:33 Verily, he never believed in Allah, the Most Great, 

69:34 and he never urged the feeding of the needy. 

69:35 Hence, he today has not here a true friend, 

69:36 and no food save pus, 

69:37 which none eats save the sinners. 

This miserable disbeliever deserves such painful punishment because he used to disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah, the Most Great, and he never urged himself nor other people to feed the needy. Hence, on the Day of Judgment, he will have no true friend, who can protect him from the severe punishment of Allah. Besides, he will have no food save pus, which comes out of the bodies of the dwellers of Hell. None will eat this disgusting food save the sinners, who disobey the commands of Allah and insist on sinning.

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 25-37

• Just as the believer will be happy when receiving the record of his deeds in his right hand, the disbeliever will be extremely unhappy when receiving the record of his deeds in his left hand. He will wish that he had died and was nothing because of the severe punishment awaiting him.

• Surah Al-Haqqah mentions first the happy end of the believer and that he will enjoy lasting happiness in Paradise. Then, it mentions the miserable end of the disbeliever and that he will suffer lasting punishment in Hell.

• The believer will enter Paradise because he believes in the Oneness of Allah, obey His commands, and avoid His prohibitions. The disbeliever will enter Hell because he disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and disobey His commands.

• The disbeliever will be punished for not urging himself and other people to feed the needy.

• The disbeliever will find no true friend, who can protect him from the severe punishment of Hell.

• Pus, which is discharged from the bodies of the dwellers of Hell, will be the food of the disbeliever in Hell.

The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Haqqah

English Translation of Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Haqqah

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 1-12

The Noble Quran Surah Yusuf English Translation and Tafsir

 

The End of the Believers

 

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 19-24 

69:19 And as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall say, ‘Take and read my book!

69:20 Surely, I did believe that I shall face my reckoning.’ 

69:21 Then, he will be in a pleasant life,

69:22 in a lofty Garden.

 69:23 Its fruits are near at hand. 

69:24 ‘Eat and drink with satisfaction for what you sent forth in the days gone by.’

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentions that all people will be brought forth before Allah for reckoning and recompense on the Day of Judgment and nothing of their affairs will be concealed. Then, this part mentions the conditions of believers, who will receive the records of their deeds in their right hands.

Tafsir

69:19 And as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall say, ‘Take and read my book! 

69:20 Surely, I did believe that I shall face my reckoning.’ 

All people will be brought forth before Allah for reckoning and recompense for their deeds on the Day of Judgment. As for the believer, who believes in the Oneness of Allah, obeys His commands, and avoids His prohibitions, he will be given the record of their deeds in his right hand. He will find everything that he did in the worldly life written in this record as the angels used to write his deeds therein. When the believer receives the record of his deeds in his right hand, which is a sign that he will be successful, he will happily say, ‘This is the record of my deeds. Take it and read it. You will find righteous deeds written therein, which will, by the bounty of Allah, will cause me to enter Paradise and be saved from Hell and its severe punishment. Surely, I did believe in the worldly life that I shall face my reckoning when the Day of Judgment takes place. Thus, I prepared for it and followed the right path leading to lasting happiness in the Hereafter.’ 

69:21 Then, he will be in a pleasant life,

The believer, who will attain the pleasure of Allah, will be in a pleasant life, which is free from whatsoever embitterment and sadness. He will enjoy lasting happiness and comfort in Paradise. This indicates that the life of the believer in Paradise has the highest degree of blissfulness and contentment for the body and the soul of the believer. 

69:22 in a lofty Garden.

 69:23 Its fruits are near at hand. 

The believer, who will receive the record of his deeds in his right hand on the Day of Judgment, will be in a lofty Garden, namely, Paradise. The fruits of Paradise will be near at hand that the believer can take it easily whenever he wants without exerting any effort. 

69:24 ‘Eat and drink with satisfaction for what you sent forth in the days gone by.’

It will be said to the believers, who receive the record of their deeds in their right hands, ‘Eat and drink heartily and with satisfaction. You have performed righteous deeds in the worldly life for the sake of Allah and you will be rewarded immensely for them.’

Qatada, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘69:24 ‘Eat and drink with satisfaction for what you sent forth in the days gone by.’ The days of the world of this life will go by and they are impermanent, but they will lead to lasting days. Hence, prepare for those days and send forth righteous deeds for those days if you can. And no power we have, but by the help of Allah.’ 

The believers will enter Paradise by the bounty and generosity of Allah. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] said, ‘Seek to follow the right path moderately. No one of you can achieve salvation by his righteous deeds.’ The companions of Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Not even you, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘Not even me unless Allah bestows His mercy and bounty on me.’ 

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 19-24

• The believer will receive the record of his deeds in his right hand, which is a sign that he will enter Paradise and be saved from Hell and its severe punishment.

• The believer is certain that he will be recompensed for his deeds in the Hereafter. Thus, he believes in the Oneness of Allah, obeys His commands, and avoids His prohibition, which will make him deserve to enter Paradise by the will and mercy of Allah. 

• No one will enter Paradise only because he did righteous deeds; rather, he will enter it by the bounty and mercy of Allah.

• The believer will enjoy lasting happiness in Paradise.

• It will be said to the believers as they enter Paradise, ‘Eat and drink heartily and with satisfaction for you used to perform righteous deeds for the sake of Allah in the worldly life.’

The Noble Quran English Translation Surah Al-Haqqah

English Translation of Tafsir Ibn Kathir Surah Al-Haqqah

The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Haqqah Ayah 1-12

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir