76: Ad Dahr, Medinan Period
This chapter, which the Prophet used to recite often in Friday morning prayers, takes its title from the Arabic word for Endless Time. The Arabs had a notion that time was everlasting and that it was the only constant in the universe. In 45:24 the Meccans are even quoted as saying, “Only Time can destroy us.” It was a contradictory belief for the simple fact that these same people then took to worshipping idols to get luck in their everyday affairs while at the same time affirming that there was, somewhere out there, a Supreme God Who made the universe. Time had to be under the command of that Supreme God, and the pagans who made their own idols with their own hands were calling to them for aid when only the Creator could accurately be said to hear. So Time is not the overarching power in the universe, and one Day even Time will end when God decrees.
In the Name of Allah,
the Compassionate Source of All Mercy.
Didn’t many ages pass before human beings were even something mentioned? [1] (1) We created the human being from the union of mingled fluids so We could test them in life, and thus We endowed him with the faculties of hearing and sight. (2) Then We directed him towards the (right) path so he could be either thankful or rebellious. (3)
For the faithless there are chains, shackles and the blazing fire. (4) But the righteous will drink from a cup sweetened with camphor, (5) drawn from an ever-flowing fountain where the servants of God drink. (6) They were the ones who fulfilled their oaths, who feared an awful Day whose effects would be widely felt, (7) and who fed the needy, the orphans and captives, (despite their own needs,) seeking neither repayment nor recognition. [2] (8) “We’re feeding you only seeking God’s notice, and we expect nothing in return - not even thanks. (9) We’re afraid of a Day from our Lord which will be woeful and distressing.” [3] (10)
God will save them from the distress of that Day, and will bathe them in a light of brilliance and joy. (11) And He’s going to reward them with Paradise and silk robes for their perseverance. (12) They’re going to recline on raised thrones in a temperate climate where they’ll neither bake under a hot son nor suffer from a cold chill. (13) Shade will cascade over them and abundant (fruit) will hang within easy reach. (14) Silver flasks will be passed around and crystal glasses (15) as clear as silver - all filled (according to their wishes). (16) And they’ll be served a drink flavored with ginger (17) (drawn from a special) spring named, Seek the Way. (18)
And they’ll be served by ageless young servants who scurry about like pearls scattered around. (19) Delight and magnificence will be what you see in every corner. (20) They’ll be clothed in lush green silk and rich brocade and will be adorned with bracelets of silver. Their Lord will provide them with the purest beverages (21) (and they’ll be told,) “This is your reward, for (God) has graciously accepted your efforts!” (22)
Be Patient, O Prophet
We’re the One Who revealed this Qur’an to you in separate installments, (23) so wait patiently upon the command of your Lord, and don’t be seduced by the sinful and the faithless among them. (24) Meditate on the Name of your Lord morning and evening; [4] (25) prostrate yourself in homage during part of the night and glorify (your Lord) throughout. (26)
But as for these (people,) they love the temporal (life,) forgetting the hard Day that is to come. (27) We created them, and We made their joints durable, and if We wanted to, We could completely replace them with similar beings. (28)
This is a reminder, so anyone who so chooses can follow a path (that leads) to his Lord. (29) Not as you will, but as God wills, for He is knowing and wise, (30) and He admits to His mercy whoever He wants, but for the wrongdoers He’s prepared a severe punishment. (31)
[1] The earth is reported to be four and a half billion years old. Human beings, of our current form, only have been around for less than the last two hundred thousand years, or even less. Therefore, many ages passed in earth’s history before our kind was even ‘something mentioned’.
[2] Sa’id ibn Jubair reports that when this verse was revealed the early Muslims were of the opinion that God wouldn’t count small amounts of charity, so they began to deny beggars when they had only a date or a small piece of bread to give. They believed that only a large amount of charity would count. Similarly, some of them thought small misdeeds wouldn’t be counted. (Remember that this chapter was revealed in Mecca when there were only around forty converts or so.) Hellfire, it was thought, was only for major sins. To correct these false impressions, chapter 99 was revealed, specifically verses 6-8.
[3] Some commentators feel that part of this chapter (verses 8-10) was revealed in Medina regarding ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and they cite this story. He once labored hard all day watering some palm trees in exchange for a bag of grain. In the morning he was paid so he went home to prepare a meal out of it. When he finished cooking, a poor man approached him asking for something to eat. ‘Ali gave it to him, and after he left, he started cooking again with some more of the grain. When that dish was ready an orphaned child came and asked for food. ‘Ali gave it to him and after he left, he cooked the last of the grain and was about to eat it when a man who had been kidnapped and held for ransom by the Quraysh happened along and complained of hunger. ‘Ali gave him the last of his food and spent the rest of the day hungry. Many commentators feel that it may be that these verses were revealed in Mecca, and that some people, after hearing of this incident involving ‘Ali many years later, applied this verse to his situation. I am inclined to accept this view, as well.
[4] The ninth century poet, Ibn Abdus-Samad, wrote: “Love deafens me to every voice but His. Was love ever so strange as this? Love blinds me, and on Him alone I gaze. Love blinds and, being hidden, slays.”
