Significance of Creation of Human being

Regarding the creation of the human species, the Qur’anic fact is totally different from that of the Darwinian theory of evolution which gives the idea of natural selection that human beings randomly evolved from apes over time. But, in sharp contrast to the Darwinian hypothesis, the Qur’an gives a quite different description of the origin of human creation. All the divine Books of Allah (SWT) including the Holy Qur’an inform us that human beings are a special creation of Allah (SWT) to serve the Godly purpose. He created Adam () – the first human being as His distinct creation, giving him a superb shape, and instilling life and soul in him with unique qualities, gifts and abilities like conscience, knowledge, and free will. Then He created Mother Haawa () as the spouse of Adam (). This couple is the origin of humanity. They were first placed in Jannat (Paradise), and then they were sent to this earth. Allah (SWT) has made this world habitable for their progenies. The significance of human creation lies in the fact that Allah (SWT) has made them His ‘Khalifa’ (viceroy) on earth to worship Him alone and rule this world following His instructions. The verses relating to the creation of mankind are cited below:

اِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ اِنِّیْ خَالِقٌ ۢ بَشَرًا مِّنْ طِیْنٍ ۝ فَاِذَا سَوَّیْتُہٗ وَنَفَخْتُ فِیْهِ مِنْ رُّوْحِیْ فَقَعُوْا لَہٗ سٰجِدِیْنَ ۝ فَسَجَدَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَۃُ کُلُّهُمْ اَجْمَعُوْنَ ۝ اِلَّا اِبْلِیْسَ ؕ اِسْتَکْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ۝

“Your Lord said to the Angels, ‘I am creating a human being from clay. When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall prostrate before him.’ So, all of the Angels felled prostrated together; Except for Satan, he was too proud, and one of the faithless.” (38:71 – 74)

وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقْنٰکُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنٰکُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ اسْجُدُوْا لِاٰدَمَ ^قۖ   فَسَجَدُوْۤا اِلَّاۤ اِبْلِیْسَ ؕ لَمْ یَکُنْ مِّنَ السّٰجِدِیْنَ ۝ قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ اَلَّا تَسْجُدَ اِذْ اَمَرْتُكَ ؕ قَالَ اَنَا خَیْرٌ مِّنْهُ ۚ خَلَقْتَنِیْ مِنْ نَّارٍ وَ خَلَقْتَہٗ مِنْ طِیْنٍ ۝ قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا یَکُوْنُ لَكَ اَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِیْهَا فَاخْرُجْ اِنَّكَ مِنَ الصّٰغِرِیْنَ۝

“We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the Angels, ‘Bow down before Adam;’ so they bowed down, except for Satan; he was not of those who bowed down. He said, ‘What prevented you from bowing down when I commanded you?’ He said, ‘I am better than he; You created me from fire, and You created him from mud.’ He said, ‘Get down from it! It is not for you to act arrogantly in it. Get out! You are one of the lowly’!” (7:11 – 13)

اَلَّذِىْ خَلَقَكَ فَسَوّٰىكَ فَعَدَلَكَ ۝ فِىْۤ اَىِّ صُوْرَةٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ  ۝

“He (Allah) Who created you, and formed you, and proportioned you? In whatever shape He willed, He assembled you.” (82:7 – 8)

وَقُلْنَا یٰۤاٰدَمُ اسْکُنْ اَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّۃَ وَکُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَیْثُ شِئْتُمَا ۪ وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَۃَ فَتَکُوْنَا مِنَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ ۝ فَاَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّیْطٰنُ عَنْهَا فَاَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِیْهِ ۪ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوْا بَعْضُکُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۚ وَلَکُمْ فِی الْاَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ اِلٰی حِیْنٍ۝

“We said, ‘O Adam, you and your spouse live in Jannah, and eat from it freely as you please, but do not approach this tree, lest you become wrongdoers.’ But Satan caused them to slip from it and caused them to depart the state they were in. We said, ‘Go down, some of you would be enemies of some others. There shall be for you on earth a habitation and provision for a time’.” (2:35 – 36)

فَتَلَقّٰىۤ اٰدَمُ مِنْ رَّبِّه كَلِمٰتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ اِنَّه هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيْمُ۝ قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوْا مِنْهَا جَمِيْعًا _ج فَاِمَّا يَاْتِيْنَّكُمْ مِّنِّى هُدًى فَمَنْ تَبِعَ هُدَاىَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُوْنَ۝ وَالَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَاۤ اُوْلٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ _ج هُمْ فِيْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ۝

“Then Adam received words from his Lord, so He relented towards him. He is the Relenting, the Merciful. We said, ‘Go down from it, all of you. Yet whenever guidance comes to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance—they have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve. But as for those who disbelieve and reject Our signs—these are the inmates of the Fire – wherein they will remain forever’.” (2:37 – 39)

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوْا رَبَّکُمُ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِیْرًا وَنِسَآءً ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ الَّذِیْ تَسَآءَلُوْنَ بِہٖ وَالْاَرْحَامَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلَیْکُمْ رَقِیْبًا۝

“O, people! Fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and spread from them innumerable men and women from the two. And fear Allah by whom you ask your mutual rights and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): Surely, Allah is Watchful over you.” (4:1)

هُوَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِیَسْکُنَ اِلَیْهَا ۚ فَلَمَّا تَغَشّٰهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِیْفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِہٖ ۚ فَلَمَّاۤ اَثْقَلَتْ دَّعَوَا اللّٰهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ اٰتَیْتَنَا صَالِحًا لَّنَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الشّٰكِرِیْنَ ۝

“It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When he has covered her, she conceives a light load and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to Allah their Lord, (saying): ‘If You give us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful’.” (7:189)

خَلَقَکُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَاَنْزَلَ لَکُمْ مِّنَ الْاَنْعَامِ ثَمٰنِیَۃَ اَزْوَاجٍ ؕ یَخْلُقُکُمْ فِیْ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِکُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِیْ ظُلُمٰتٍ ثَلٰثٍ ؕ ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّکُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْکُ ؕ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ ۚ فَاَنّٰی تُصْرَفُوْنَ ۝

“He created you from one person, then made from it its mate, and brought down livestock for you—eight kinds in pairs. He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, in successive formations, in triple darkness. Such is Allah, your Lord. His is the kingdom. There is no god but He. So, what made you deviate?” (39:6)

وَهُوَ الَّذِیْۤ اَنْشَاَکُمْ مِّنْ نَّفْسٍ وَّاحِدَۃٍ فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ ؕ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الْاٰیٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ یَّفْقَهُوْنَ۝

“And it is He who produced you from a single person, after which you will stay in a place eternally. And a place where you are kept in trust (for a temporary period) We have detailed the revelations for people who understand.” (6:98)

اَلَّذِىۤ اَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَه وَبَدَاَ خَلْقَ الْاِنْسَانِ مِنْ طِيْنٍ۝ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَه مِنْ سُلٰلَةٍ مِّنْ مَّآءٍ مَّهِيْنٍ۝ ثُمَّ سَوّٰىهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيْهِ مِنْ رُّوْحِه وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصَارَ وَالْاَفْـِٔدَةَ ط قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“He who perfected everything He created, and originated the creation of man from clay. Then made his reproduction from an extract of an insignificant fluid. Then He proportioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit. Then He gave you the hearing, and the eyesight, and the brains—but rarely do you give thanks.” (32:7 – 9)

وَ مِنْ اٰیٰتِہٖۤ اَنْ خَلَقَکُمْ مِّنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ اِذَاۤ  اَنْتُمْ بَشَرٌ تَنْتَشِرُوْنَ ۝ وَمِنْ اٰیٰتِہٖۤ اَنْ خَلَقَ لَکُمْ مِّنْ اَنْفُسِکُمْ اَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْکُنُوْۤا اِلَیْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَیْنَکُمْ مَّوَدَّۃً وَرَحْمَۃً ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ یَّتَفَكَرُوْنَ ۝

“And of His signs is that He created you from the earth; and behold, you become humans spreading out. And of His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, so that you may find tranquility in them; and He implanted love and compassion between you. In this are signs for people who reflect.” (30:20 – 21)

وَاِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَةِ اِنِّىْ جَاعِلٌ فِى الْاَرْضِ خَلِيْفَةً ط قَالُوْۤا اَتَجْعَلُ فِيْهَا مَنْ يُّفْسِدُ فِيْهَا وَيَسْفِكُ الدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ اِنِّىۤ اَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ۝

“When your Lord said to the Angels, ‘I am placing a deputy on earth.’ They said, ‘Will You place in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we constantly glorify Your praises and sanctify You?’ He said, ‘I know what you do not know’.” (2:30)

وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَ مِنَ الْمَآءِ بَشَرًا فَجَعَلَه نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا _ط وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيْرًا۝

“And it is He Who created the humans from the fluid. Then He made relationships by blood, ancestry, marriage, and mating. Your Lord is Omnipotent.” (25:54)

وَاِذْ اَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْۢ بَنِیْۤ اٰدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُوْرِهِمْ ذُرِّیَّتَهُمْ وَاَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلٰۤی اَنْفُسِهِمْ ۚ اَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّکُمْ ؕ قَالُوْا بَلٰی ۚۛ شَهِدْنَا ۚۛ اَنْ تَقُوْلُوْا یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ اِنَّا کُنَّا عَنْ هٰذَا غٰفِلِیْنَ ۝

“And when Your Lord extracted from the back of the children of Adam (their descendants) and summoned them to testify about themselves saying. ‘Am I not your Lord?’ They said, ‘Yes, we testify to it.’ So that you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Indeed we were unaware of this’.” (7:172)

اَللهُ يَبْدَؤُا الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُه ثُمَّ اِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُوْنَ۝

“Allah originates creation, and then repeats it. Then to Him you will be returned.” (30:11)

وَاللهُ خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَكُمْ اَزْوٰجًا ^ط وَمَا تَحْمِلُ مِنْ اُنْثٰى وَلَا تَضَعُ اِلَّا بِعِلْمِه ^ط وَمَا يُعَمَّرُ مِنْ مُّعَمَّرٍ وَّلَا يُنْقَصُ مِنْ عُمُرِه اِلَّا فِىْ كِتٰبٍ ^ط اِنَّ ذٰلِكَ عَلَى اللهِ يَسِيْرٌ۝

“Allah created you from dust, then from a small drop; then He made you pairs. No female conceives, or delivers, except with His knowledge. No living thing advances in years, or its life is shortened, except it be in a Book of Record. That is surely easy for Allah.” (35:11)

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ فِىۤ اَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيْمٍ۝ ثُمَّ رَدَدْنٰهُ اَسْفَلَ سٰفِلِيْنَ۝

“We created human-being in the best (physical) composition. Then reduced him to the lowest of the low.” (95:4 – 5)

فَلَاۤ اُقْسِمُ بِرَبِّ الْمَشٰرِقِ وَالْمَغٰرِبِ اِنَّا لَقٰدِرُوْنَ۝ عَلٰۤى اَنْ نُّبَدِّلَ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ _لا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوْقِيْنَ۝

“I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests, that surely, We are Able. To replace them with better people than them, and This is certainly not beyond our Ability.” (70:40 – 41)

مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيْهَا نُعِيْدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً اُخْرَى۝

“From it (earth) We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will bring you out another time.” (20:55)

اَوَ لَمْ یَرَ الْاِنْسَانُ اَنَّا خَلَقْنٰهُ مِنْ نُّطْفَۃٍ فَاِذَا هُوَ خَصِیْمٌ مُّبِیْنٌ ۝ وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِیَ خَلْقَہٗ ؕ قَالَ مَنْ یُّحْیِ الْعِظَامَ وَهِیَ رَمِیْمٌ ۝ قُلْ یُحْیِیْهَا الَّذِیْۤ اَنْشَاَهَاۤ اَوَّلَ مَرَّۃٍ ؕ وَهُوَ بِکُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِیْمُۨ ۝

“Does the human being not consider that We created him from semen? Yet he becomes a fierce adversary. And he produces arguments against Us, and he forgets his own creation. He says, ‘Who will revive the bones when they have decayed?’ Say, ‘He who initiated them in the first instance will revive them. He has full knowledge of every creation’.” (36:77 – 79)

مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ اِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ ^ط اِنَّ اللهَ سَمِيْعٌۢ بَصِيْرٌ ۝

“Your creation and your resurrection are nothing but only as a single soul. Allah is Hearing and Seeing.” (31:28)

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ فِىْ رَيْبٍ مِّنَ الْبَعْثِ فَاِنَّا خَلَقْنٰكُمْ مِّنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ مُّضْغَةٍ مُّخَلَّقَةٍ وَّغَيْرِ مُخَلَّقَةٍ لِّنُبَيِّنَ لَكُمْ وَنُقِرُّ فِى الْاَرْحَامِ مَا نَشَآءُ اِلٰىۤ اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ نُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوْۤا اَشُدَّكُمْ وَمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّتَوَفّٰى وَمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّرَدُّ اِلٰىۤ اَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ لِكَيْلَا يَعْلَمَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا ؕ

“O, people! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection—then (think) We created you from dust, then from a small drop of sperm, then from a clinging clot, then from a lump of flesh, partly developed and partly undeveloped. In order to clarify things for you. And We keep in the wombs whatever We intend for a designated term, and then We bring you out as infants until you reach your fully-grown age. And some of you will pass away, and some of you will be returned to the worthless age, so that he may forget, after having knowledge …..” (22:5)

هُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوْۤا اَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُوْنُوْا شُيُوْخًا وَّمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّتَوَفّٰى مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوْۤا اَجَلًا مُّسَمًّى وَّلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُوْنَ۝ هُوَ الَّذِىْ يُحْى وَيُمِيْتُ فَاِذَا قَضٰىۤ اَمْرًا فَاِنَّمَا يَقُوْلُ لَه كُنْ فَيَكُوْنُ۝

“It is He who created you from dust, then from a drop of semen, then from an embryo, then He brings you out as an infant, then He lets you reach your maturity, then you become elderly—although some of you die sooner—so that you may reach a predetermined age, so that you may understand. It is He who gives life and death; and when He decides on a thing, He just says to it, ‘Be’ and it comes into being.” (40:67 – 68)

اَفَعَیِیْنَا بِالْخَلْقِ الْاَوَّلِ ؕ بَلْ هُمْ فِیْ لَبْسٍ مِّنْ خَلْقٍ جَدِیْدٍ ۝ وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسَانَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِہٖ نَفْسُہٗ ۚۖ وَنَحْنُ اَقْرَبُ اِلَیْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِیْدِ ۝ اِذْ یَتَلَقَّی الْمُتَلَقِّیٰنِ عَنِ الْیَمِیْنِ وَعَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِیْدٌ ۝ مَا یَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ اِلَّا لَدَیْهِ رَقِیْبٌ عَتِیْدٌ ۝ وَجَآءَتْ سَکْرَۃُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْحَقِّ ؕ ذٰلِكَ مَا کُنْتَ مِنْهُ تَحِیْدُ۝

“Were We exhausted by the first creation? But they are in doubt of a new creation. We created the human being, and We know what (evil) whispers to his mind. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. As the two receivers (Angels) receive, seated to the right and to the left. Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him, ready to record. The shock of death has come in truth: “This is what you tried to evade.” (50:15 – 19)

نَحْنُ خَلَقْنٰکُمْ فَلَوْ لَا تُصَدِّقُوْنَ ۝ اَفَرَءَیْتُمْ مَّا تُمْنُوْنَ ۝ ءَاَنْتُمْ تَخْلُقُوْنَہٗۤ اَمْ نَحْنُ الْخٰلِقُوْنَ ۝ نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَیْنَکُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوْقِیْنَ ۝ عَلٰۤی اَنْ نُّبَدِّلَ اَمْثَالَکُمْ وَنُنْشِئَکُمْ فِیْ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ ۝ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْاَۃَ الْاُوْلٰی فَلَوْ لَا تَذَكَرُوْنَ۝

“We created you – then why do you not believe this truth? Have you seen what you ejaculate? Is it you who create it, or are We the Creator? We have decreed death among you, and We will not be outstripped. In replacing you with your likes, and transforming you into what you do not know. You have known the first formation; then why do you not take heed?” (56:57 – 62)

هَلْ اَتٰى عَلَى الْاِنْسٰنِ حِيْنٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْـًٔا مَّذْكُوْرًا۝ اِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ اَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيْهِ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ سَمِيْعًۢا بَصِيْرًا۝ اِنَّا هَدَيْنٰهُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا۝

“Has there come upon man a period of time when he was nothing to be mentioned? We created man from a liquid mixture of semen, as to test him; and We made him hearing and seeing. We guided him to the way, be he appreciative or unappreciative.” (76:1 – 3)

اَللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ اُنْثٰى وَمَا تَغِيْضُ الْاَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِنْدَه بِمِقْدَارٍ۝

“Allah knows what every female bear, and every increase and decrease of the wombs. With Him, everything is proportioned.” (13:8)

اَلَمْ نَخْلُقكُّمْ مِّنْ مَّآءٍ مَّهِيْنٍ۝ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ فِىْ قَرَارٍ مَّكِيْنٍ۝ اِلٰى قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُوْمٍ۝ فَقَدَرْنَا فَنِعْمَ الْقٰدِرُوْنَ۝

“Did We not create you from an insignificant fluid (sperm)? Then lodged it in a secure place? For a known term? Then We measured precisely. We are the best to measure.” (77:20-23)

وَلَقَدْ ذَرَاْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيْرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْاِنْسِ ^ز لَهُمْ قُلُوْبٌ لَّا يَفْقَهُوْنَ بِهَا ز وَلَهُمْ اَعْيُنٌ لَّا يُبْصِرُوْنَ بِهَا ز وَلَهُمْ اٰذَانٌ لَّا يَسْمَعُوْنَ بِهَاۤ ^ط اُوْلٰٓئِكَ كَالْاَنْعٰمِ بَلْ هُمْ اَضَلُّ ^ط اُوْلٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْغٰفِلُوْنَ۝

“And We have destined for Hell multitudes of jinn and humans. They have hearts with which they do not understand. They have eyes with which they do not see. They have ears with which they do not hear. These are like cattle. In fact, they are further astray. These are heedless.” (7:179)

هُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ طِيْنٍ ثُمَّ قَضٰىۤ اَجَلًا وَّاَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى عِنْدَه ثُمَّ اَنْتُمْ تَمْتَرُوْنَ۝

“It is He Who created you from clay, then fixed a term—another term determined is with Him. Yet you doubt.” (6:2)

اَللهُ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ مِّنْ ضُعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ضُعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضُعْفًا وَّشَيْبَةً يَّخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيْمُ الْقَدِيْرُ۝

“Allah is He Who created you weak, then after weakness gave you strength, then after strength gave you weakness and eventually old-age. He creates whatever He wills. He is the Omniscient, the Omnipotent.” (30:54)

وَاللهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفّٰىكُمْ وَمِنْكُمْ مَّنْ يُّرَدُّ اِلٰى اَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا اِنَّ اللهَ عَلِيْمٌ قَدِيْرٌ۝

“Allah created you; then He makes you dead. Some of you will reach the worst age, so that he will no longer know anything, after having acquired knowledge. Allah is Omniscient and Omnipotent.” (16:70)

وَاللهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَنفُسِكُمْ اَزْوٰجًا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِّنْ اَزْوَاجِكُمْ بَنِيْنَ وَحَفَدَةً وَّرَزَقَكُمْ مِّنَ الطَّيِّبٰتِ اَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ اللهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُوْنَ۝

“Allah has given you mates from among yourselves; and has produced for you, from your mates, children, and grandchildren; and has provided you with good things of sustenance. Will they then believe in falsehood, and refuse Allah’s favors?” (16:72)

وَوَالِدٍ وَّمَا وَلَدَ۝ لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ فِىْ كَبَدٍ۝

“And by (the mystic ties of) parent and child, verily We have created man as toilsome.” (90:3-4)

وَاِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْى وَنُمِيْتُ وَنَحْنُ الْوَارِثُوْنَ۝

“Certainly, it is We Who give life and cause death, and We are the Successors.” (15:23)

اِنْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ لَّمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ۝ فَلْيَنْظُرِ الْاِنْسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ۝ خُلِقَ مِنْ مَّآءٍ دَافِقٍ۝ يَخْرُجُ مِنْۢ بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَآئِبِ۝ اِنَّه عَلٰى رَجْعِه لَقَادِرٌ۝

“There is no soul without a Protector over it. Let man consider what he was created from. He was created from gushing liquid. Issuing from between the backbone and the breastbones. He is certainly able to return him.” (86:4 – 8)

وَاللهُ اخْرَجَكُمْ مِّنْۢ بُطُوْنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ شَيْـًٔا وَّجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصٰرَ وَالْاَفْـِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“Allah brought you out of your mothers’ wombs, you did not know anything; and He gave you the hearing, and the eyesight, and the brains; that you may be thankful.” (16:78)

هُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنْكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَّمِنْكُمْ مُّؤْمِنٌ _ط وَاللهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِيْرٌ۝ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَاَحْسَنَ صُوْرَكُمْ وَاِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُ۝

“It is He who created you. Some of you are unbelievers, and some of you are believers. And Allah is watchful over what you do. He created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He designed you and beautified your appearance, and to Him is the final return.” (64:2 – 3)

 

 

The Purpose of Human Creation

Mankind is the unique and best creation of Allah (SWT). Humans have been created with free will and other distinctive qualities to serve Allah’s purposes in this world as His Khalifa (Viceroy). He wants to test them how they perform their responsibilities as His representatives on the earth.

The advent of mankind and the main purposes of their creation are discussed below:

• The primary purpose of human life is to worship their Creator Allah and do all good deeds following His instructions and guidelines.
• Worshipping Allah is not limited to performing rituals only; rather, all activities of human life when performed according to the instructions of Allah (SWT) with the sincere intention of pleasing Him are regarded as worship.
• Life and death in this world are a test for human beings. The hardship that one faces in life is a test from Allah (SWT). It is a test of patience, devotion, and trust in Him. He has sent every one of them for a limited period along with the requisite abilities and facilities to perform their duties and responsibilities in their respective fields. But He doesn’t make their life burdensome beyond their capabilities (2:286).
• After the end of human life each and every person will return to Allah (SWT). Then Allah (SWT) will see how they performed their assigned tasks during their lifetime on this earth. Each activity of humankind either individual or collective is being recorded for judgement in the hereafter. They will have to face accountability and consequences on the basis of their performance in this world.

The verses related to the purpose of creating mankind in this earth are quoted below:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيْعْبُدُوْنِ۝

“I did not create the jinn and the humans except to worship Me.” (51:56).

اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْاَرْضِ زِيْنَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ اَيُّهُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا۝

“We made everything upon the earth an adornment for it, to test them (humans) as to which of them is best in conduct.” (18:7)

اَلَّذِىْ خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ اَيُّكُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَّهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفُوْرُ۝

“He who created death and life – to test you – as to which of you is the best in conduct. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.” (67:2)

اِنَّ اِلَیْنَاۤ اِیَابَهُمْ ۝ ثُمَّ اِنَّ عَلَیْنَا حِسَابَهُمْ ۝

“To Us is their return. Then upon Us rests their reckoning.” (88:25 – 26)

هَلْ اَتٰى عَلَى الْاِنْسٰنِ حِيْنٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْـًٔا مَّذْكُوْرًا۝ اِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ اَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيْهِ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ سَمِيْعًۢا بَصِيْرًا۝ اِنَّا هَدَيْنٰهُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا۝

“Has there come upon man a period of time when he was nothing to be mentioned? We created man from a liquid mixture of semen, as to test him; and We made him hearing and seeing. We guided him to the way, be he appreciative or unappreciative.” (76:1 – 3)

یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّا خَلَقْنٰکُمْ مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ وَاُنْثٰی وَجَعَلْنٰکُمْ شُعُوْبًا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوْا ؕ اِنَّ اَکْرَمَکُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ اَتْقٰکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌ خَبِیْرٌ ۝

“O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female and made you races and tribes, so that you may know one another. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous one. Allah is All-Knowing, Well-Informed.” (49:13)

وَ خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَلِتُجْزٰی کُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ۝

“Allah created the heavens and the earth for a true purpose – to reward each soul according to its deeds. They will not be wronged”. (45:22)

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنٰكُمْ خَلٰٓئِفَ فِى الْاَرْضِ مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ لِنَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“Then We made you successor in the land after them, to see how you would behave!” (10:14)

 

 

The Goal of Human Life

“Our Lord, You have not created all this aimlessly; Glory be to You ….” (3:191)

The goal of human life, as an obedient servant and Khalifa (Viceroy) of Allah (SWT), is to serve His Will and Purpose in this world. Humans have been bestowed with knowledge, reason, understanding, and proper guidance so that they can perform their duties and responsibilities towards Allah (SWT) and His creations. So, the most important duty of human life is to have complete faith in Allah (SWT) and to perform good deeds as prescribed by Him through His Messengers and Prophets and His Scriptures. Every human being will meet Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement to receive recompense or retribution on the basis of their performance. Therefore, the final goal of human life should be to achieve an ever-blissful life in Paradise as an obedient servant of Allah (SWT). The related verses about humans’ goals in life are cited below:

اَفَحَسِبْتُمْ اَنَّمَا خَلَقْنكُمْ عَبَثًا وَّاَنَّكُمْ اِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُوْنَ۝

“Did you think that We created you in vain, and that to Us you will not be returned?” (23:115)

اَوَ لَمْ یَتَفَكَرُوْا فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِمْ  مَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ وَمَا بَیْنَهُمَاۤ اِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَاَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ؕ وَاِنَّ كَثِیْرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ بِلِقَآیِٔ رَبِّهِمْ لَکٰفِرُوْنَ ۝

Allah did not create the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, except with reason, and for a specific duration. But most people disbelieve regarding meeting with their Lord’.” (30:8)

وَ مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَآءَ وَالْاَرْضَ وَمَا بَیْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ؕ ذٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا ۚ فَوَیْلٌ لِّلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنَ النَّارِ۝ اَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِیْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ ۫ اَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِیْنَ كَالْفُجَّارِ۝كِتٰبٌ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ اِلَیْكَ مُبٰرَکٌ لِّیَدَّبَّرُوْۤا اٰیٰتِہٖ وَلِیَتَذَكَرَ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ۝

“We did not create heaven and the earth and everything between them in vain. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve – so woe of the Hell-fire to those who disbelieve. Or are We to treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who make trouble on earth? Or are We to treat the pious like the shameless? A blessed Book that We sent down to you, that they may ponder its Verses, and for those with intelligence to take heed.” (38:27 – 29)

وَمَنْ یَّاْتِہٖ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ الدَّرَجٰتُ الْعُلٰی ۝ جَنّٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ؕ وَذٰلِكَ جَزٰٓؤُا مَنْ تَزَکّٰی۝

“But those who come to Him as Believers having done righteous deeds, shall be exalted to the highest ranks, they will always abide in the Gardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from sins).” (20:75 – 76)

ذَرْهُمْ یَاْکُلُوْا وَیَتَمَتَّعُوْا وَیُلْهِهِمُ الْاَمَلُ فَسَوْفَ یَعْلَمُوْنَ۝

“Leave them (people heedless about the true purpose of life) alone, to eat and enjoy (this life) themselves: let (false) hopes beguile them: soon they will come to know.” (15:3)

 

 

Mankind: Khalifa (Viceroy) of Allah (SWT)

“It is He Who has made you (His) Khalifa, inheritors of the earth” (6:165)

Allah (SWT) expressed His plan for the role of human beings on this earth when he said to the angels, “I am placing a Khalifa (Viceroy) on earth.” (2:30). So human creation is a special feat of the Creator, Almighty Allah. Humans have been given all the requisite qualities and privileges to perform their roles and responsibilities as His Khalifa on this earth. They have been bestowed with immense blessings and noble qualities like wisdom, knowledge, intellect, rationality, insight, and potential. Moreover, Allah (SWT) has granted them authority and free will to lead their lives as well as serve His purpose in this world. These are the gifts of Allah (SWT), which have made them distinctive from all other creatures. This high position of human beings as Khalifa is certainly related to their individual and collective roles and responsibilities, which are obviously and inextricably related to accountability in the hereafter.

The related verses of this topic are quoted below:

وَ اِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ اِنِّیْ جَاعِلٌ فِی الْاَرْضِ خَلِیْفَۃً ^ط قَالُوْۤا اَتَجْعَلُ فِیْهَا مَنْ یُّفْسِدُ فِیْهَا وَیَسْفِکُ الدِّمَآءَ ^ج وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ ^ط قَالَ اِنِّیْۤ اَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ ۝

“When your Lord said to the Angels: ‘I am placing a deputy on earth.’ They said, ‘Will You place in it someone who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we glorify Your praises and sanctify You?’ He said, ‘Verily I know what you do not know’.” (2:30)

وَهُوَ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَکُمْ خَلٰٓئِفَ الْاَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَکُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجٰتٍ لِّیَبْلُوَکُمْ فِیْ مَاۤ اٰتٰکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِیْعُ الْعِقَابِ ۫ۖ  وَ اِنَّہٗ لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ ۝

“It is He Who has made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He has given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (6:165)

هُوَ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَکُمْ خَلٰٓئِفَ فِی الْاَرْضِ ؕ فَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَعَلَیْهِ کُفْرُہٗ ؕ وَلَا یَزِیْدُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ کُفْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ اِلَّا مَقْتًا ۚ وَلَا یَزِیْدُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ کُفْرُهُمْ اِلَّا خَسَارًا ۝

“He it is Who has made you His deputy in the earth: if, then, any do reject ((Allah)), their rejection (works) against themselves: their rejection but adds to the abhorrence for the Unbelievers in the sight of their Lord: their rejection but adds to (their own) destruction.” (35:39)

یٰدَاوٗدُ اِنَّا جَعَلْنٰكَ خَلِیْفَۃً فِی الْاَرْضِ فَاحْکُمْ بَیْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوٰی فَیُضِلَّكَ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ یَضِلُّوْنَ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِیْدٌۢ بِمَا نَسُوْا یَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ ۝

“O Dawood! We did indeed make you a vicegerent on earth: so, judge you between people in truth (and justice): Nor follow you the lusts (of your heart), for they will mislead you from the Path of Allah. for those who wander astray from the Path of Allah, is a Penalty Grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account.” (38:26)

 

 

Honor and Dignity of Mankind

“Verily We have honored the Children of Adam.” (17:70)

Allah (SWT) has elevated the ranks of human beings above all other creations, made them subservient to humans, and engaged them all for the benefit and service of humanity. He wants mankind to draw nearer to Him by virtue of their sincere faith and good deeds. About the creation of human beings, Allah (SWT) says: “Then He proportioned him, and breathed into him His Spirit. Then He gave you the hearing, and the eyesight, and the brains….” (32:9). Then He has taught him what he didn’t know: “And your Lord is the Most Generous – Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.” (96:4-5). Allah (SWT) has given humans wisdom and intellect to understand the purpose of His creations. Thus, everything on the earth, in the sea, and in the sky has been made subservient to humans for their provision, advantage, and benefit so that they can act as the best creation of Allah (SWT).

All humans are equal in the sight of Allah (SWT), and no superiority is given to any person on the basis of race, color, caste, wealth, or profession. According to the verses of the Qur’an, Allah Almighty has created mankind from a single pair of Adam () and Haawa (). So, the dignity of human beings before Allah (SWT) rests only on their righteousness (49:13). In another verse, Allah (SWT) says: “…. Never shall I waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female; you (both) are from each other.” (3:195).

The verses relating to the above topic are cited below:

وَعَلَّمَ اٰدَمَ الْاَسْمَآءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلٰٓئِكَةِ فَقَالَ اَنۢبِـُٔوْنِىْ بِاَسْمَآءِ هٰۤؤُلَآءِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِيْنَ ۝ قَالُوْا سُبْحٰنَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَاۤ اِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَاۤ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَلِيْمُ الْحَكِيْمُ۝ قَالَ يٰۤاٰ دَمُ اَنْۢبِئْهُمْ بِاَسْمَآئِهِمْ فَلَمَّاۤ اَنْۢبَاَهُم بِاَسْمَآئِهِمْ قَالَ اَلَمْ اَقُلْ لَّكُمْ اِنِّىۤ اَعْلَمُ غَيْبَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَاَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُوْنَ وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْتُمُوْنَ۝ وَ اِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ اسْجُدُوْا لِاٰدَمَ فَسَجَدُوْۤا  اِلَّاۤ  اِبْلِیْسَ ؕ  اَبٰی وَ اسْتَکْبَرَ ^ق۫  وَ  كَانَ مِنَ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ ۝

“And He taught Adam the names, all of them; then he presented them to the angels, and said, ‘Tell Me the names of these, if you are right.’ They said, ‘Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. It is You Who are the Knowledgeable, the Wise.’ He said, ‘O Adam, tell them their names.’ And when he told them their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and that I know what you reveal and what you conceal?’ And We said to the Angels, ‘Bow down to Adam.’ They bowed down, except for Satan. He refused, was arrogant, and was one of the disbelievers.” (2:31 – 34)

فَسَجَدَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ اَجْمَعُوْنَ۝

“So, the angels prostrated themselves (in front of Adam), all of them together.” (15:30)

اِقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَ ۚ۝ خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ۚ۝ اِقْرَاْ وَرَبُّكَ الْاَکْرَمُ ۙ۝ الَّذِیْ عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ ۙ۝ عَلَّمَ الْاِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ یَعْلَمْ۝

“Read! in the name of your Lord and Cherisher – Who created – Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the pen, – taught man that which he knew not.” (96:1 – 5)

وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِى ادَمَ وَحَمَلْنهُمْ فِى الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَرَزَقْنهُم مِنَ الطَّيِّبتِ وَفَضَّلْنهُمْ عَلى كَثِيْرٍ مِّمَنْ خَلَقْنَا تَفْضِيْلًا۝

“Verily We have honored the Children of Adam, and provided them with transport on land and sea, and provided them with good things as sustenance, and greatly favored them over many of those We created.” (17:70)

اَللهُ الَّذِىْ سَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْبَحْرَ لِتَجْرِىَ الْفُلْكُ فِيْهِ بِاَمْرِه وَلِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِه وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ جَمِيْعًا مِّنْهُ اِنَّ فِى ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُوْنَ۝

“It is Allah Who has subjected the sea to you, that ships may sail through it by His command, that you may seek His bounty, and that you may be grateful. And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: Behold, in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect.” (45:12 – 13)

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ فِىۤ اَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيْمٍ۝

“We created human-being in the beautiful (physical) appearance.” (95:4)

اَلَمْ تَرَوْا اَنَّ اللهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَّا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ وَاَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَه ظٰهِرَةً وَّبَاطِنَةً ^ط

“Do you not see that Allah has made subservient to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and granted to you His favors complete, outwardly and inwardly?” (31:20)

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ _لا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُوْمُ مُسَخَّرٰتٌۢ بِاَمْرِه _ط اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ۝ وَمَا ذَرَاَ لَكُمْ فِى الْاَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا اَلْوٰنُه _ط اِنَّ فِىْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُوْنَ۝ وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ سَخَّرَ الْبَحْرَ لِتَاْكُلُوْا مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَّتَسْتَخْرِجُوْا مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُوْنَهَا وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيْهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِه وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“He has made the Night and the Day, the sun and the moon subjected to you; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this, there are Signs for people who are wise. And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colors (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for people who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude). It is He Who has made the sea subject, that you may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that you may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and you see the ships therein that ply in the water, that you may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that you may be grateful.” (16:12 – 14)

اَللّٰهُ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الْاَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَّ السَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَّ صَوَّرَکُمْ فَاَحْسَنَ صُوَرَکُمْ وَ رَزَقَکُمْ مِّنَ الطَّیِّبٰتِ ؕ ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّکُمْ ۚۖ فَتَبٰرَكَ اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ

“It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as an abode, and the sky as a canopy, and has fashioned you – and made your appearance beautiful, and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good; such is Allah your Lord – so Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!” (40:64)

هُمْ دَرَجَاتٌ عِنْدَ اللهِ واللهُ بَصِيْرٌ بِمَا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“They are different in rank (according to the quality of their Imaan and deeds) in the sight of Allah, and Allah sees well all that they do.” (3:163)

یَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ ۙ وَالَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِیْرٌ ۝

“…..Allah elevates in ranks those among you who believe, and those who are given knowledge. Allah is Aware of what you do.” (58:11)

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ۙ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَیْرُ الْبَرِیَّۃِ ۝ جَزَآؤُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنّٰتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ ؕ ذٰلِكَ لِمَنْ خَشِیَ رَبَّہٗ ۝

“Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with Allah. Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein forever; Allah is well pleased with them, and they are with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.”      (98:7 – 8)

اِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَآبِّ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا فَهُمْ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ۝

“Surely the worst of creatures in Allah’s view are those who rejected faith and then they remained unbelievers.” (8:55)

إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِندَ اللَّهِ الصُّمُّ الْبُكْمُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ

“For the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb,- those who understand not.” (8:22)

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتٰبِ وَالْمُشْرِكِیْنَ فِیْ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِیَّۃِ۝

“Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture, and the Polytheists, will be in the Fire of Hell, where they will abide forever. These are the worst of creatures.” (98:6)

 

 

Nature of Human-being

Human nature is related to both physical and spiritual instincts, which are dualistic in character. The natural instincts of humans are related to rationality and animalism. Rationality is guided by spirituality and reason while animalism is guided by whims and passion. Rational instinct is known as ‘Fitrah’ and makes every individual God-conscious. It necessitates nourishing rational instincts to develop rationality and suppress animalism. Some of the features of human nature are 1. Humans are forgetful, erring, hasty, impatient, suspicious, hypothetical, skeptical, and so on, 2. When they fall in distress, they become hopeless and when they recover, they become arrogant and unthankful, 3. Sometimes they are timid and narrow-minded and sometimes desperate and reckless, 4. But the conscious servants of Allah pray to Allah: رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَاۤ اِنْ نَّسِیْنَاۤ اَوْ اَخْطَاْنَا ۚ  – “……. Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make a mistake……” (2:286). In such a situation Allah (SWT) assures His repentant servants: “Your Lord has inscribed for Himself the rule mercy upon you: When one amongst you indulges in evil out of ignorance, subsequently return back (with repentance) and do good deeds, then Allah is truly the most Pardoning and Kind.” (6:54).

Here are Qur’anic verses related to human nature cited below:

يُرِيْدُ اللهُ انْ يُّخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْۚ   وَخُلِقَ الْاِنْسٰنُ ضَعِيْفًا۝

“Allah intends to lighten your burden, and human being has been created weak.” (4:28)

اِنَّ الْاِنْسٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوْعًا۝ اِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ جَزُوْعًا۝ وَاِذَا مَسَّهُ الْخَيْرُ مَنُوْعًا۝

“Truly man is created very impatient; Fretful when evil touches him; And niggardly when good reaches him. (70:19 – 21)

خُلِقَ الْاِنْسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ سَاُوْرِيْكُمْ اٰيٰتِىْ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوْنِ۝

“Man by nature is a creature prone to haste: soon will I show you My Signs; then you will not ask Me to hasten them! (21:37)

وَيَدْعُ الْاِنْسَانُ بِالشَّرِّ دُعَآءَه بِالْخَيْرِ وَكَانَ الْاِنْسَانُ عَجُوْلًا۝

“The way human prays for goodness he makes prayer for evil in that manner; for human is prone to haste.” (17:11)

اَوَلَمْ يَرَ الْاِنْسَانُ اَنَّا خَلَقْنٰهُ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ فَاِذَا هُوَ خَصِيْمٌ مُّبِيْنٌ۝

“Does not a human see that it is We Who created him from sperm? yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open adversary!” (36:77)

قُلْ لَّوْ اَنْتُمْ تَمْلِکُوْنَ خَزَآئِنَ رَحْمَۃِ رَبِّیْۤ اِذًا لَّاَمْسَکْتُمْ خَشْیَۃَ الْاِنْفَاقِ ؕ  وَكَانَ الْاِنْسَانُ قَتُوْرًا۝

“Say: “If you had control of the Treasures of the Mercy of my Lord, behold, you would keep hold of them, for fear of spending them: for man is very miserly!” (17:100)

كَلَّا اِنَّ الْاِنْسَانَ لَيَطْغَ۝

“Nay, but humans transgress all bounds.” (96:6)

لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسَانَ فِیْ كَبَدٍؕ

“Verily We have created human toilsome and struggling.” (90:4)

 قُلْ هَلْ عِنْدَكُمْ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ فَتُخْرِجُوْهُ لَنَا اِنْ تَتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَاِنْ اَنْتُمْ اِلَّا تَخْرُصُوْنَ۝

“…….Say: ‘Have you any (certain) knowledge? If so, produce it before us, you follow nothing but conjecture, you speak nothing but inferring’.” (6:148)

وَالسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ۝ اِنَّكُمْ لَفِىْ قَوْلٍ مُّخْتَلِفٍ۝ يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ اُفِكَ۝ قُتِلَ الْخَرّٰصُوْنَ۝ الَّذِيْنَ هُمْ فِىْ غَمْرَةٍ سَاهُوْنَ۝

“By the Sky with (its) numerous Paths, truly you are engaged in disputatious talks, deluded away from it (Truth) is he who is deluding away. Woe to the falsehood-mongers – Those who flounder in the depth of confusion.” (51:7 – 11)

وَمَا یَتَّبِعُ اَکْثَرُهُمْ اِلَّا ظَنًّا ؕ اِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا یُغْنِیْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَیْئًا ؕ  اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِمَا یَفْعَلُوْنَ۝

“But most of them follow nothing but hypothesis: truly supposition can be of no avail against truth. Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do.” (10:36)

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِى هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَّكَانَ الْاِنْسٰنُ اَكْثَرَ شَىْءٍ جَدَلًا ۝

“Certainly, We have explained in detail in this Qur’an, for the benefit of mankind, every kind of similitude: but human is, in most things, argumentative.” (18:54)

 

 

Gratitude and Ingratitude of Human-being

“We guided him (human) to the way, now be he appreciative or unappreciative.” (76:3)

Allah (SWT) has bestowed His infinite blessings, bounties, and mercy on humans, favoring them above all other creations. He says: “And if you would count Allah`s favors, you will not be able to number them; most surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (16:18). So, expressing sincere gratitude to Him is duty-bound for all humans. A believing person is always aware of expressing gratitude to Allah (SWT) in all conditions either in happiness or in distress. Allah proclaimed: “If you show gratitude, I will certainly grant you much more; but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is truly severe.” (14:7)

Satan, the archenemy of humans, because his ingratitude was cursed by Allah (SWT). He always gives evil inspiration to the human mind to show ingratitude and defy Allah’s command egotistically. Satan’s challenge was: “Then I will certainly come to them (humans) from before them and from behind them, and from their right-hand side and from their left-hand side, and You will not find most of them thankful.” (7:17).

The verses relating to this topic are quoted below:

وَاِذْ تَاَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَاَزِيْدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ اِنَّ عَذَابِىْ لَشَدِيْدٌ۝

“And when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you show gratitude, I will certainly grant you much more; but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is truly severe.” (14:7)

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنّٰكُمْ فِى الْاَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيْهَا مَعٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“We have established you firmly on earth, and made for you livelihood in it —but rarely do you give thanks.” (7:10)

 رَبِّ اَوْزِعْنِیْۤ اَنْ اَشْکُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِیْۤ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیَّ وَعَلٰی وَالِدَیَّ وَاَنْ اَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضٰهُ وَاَصْلِحْ لِیْ فِیْ ذُرِّیَّتِیْ ۚؕ اِنِّیْ تُبْتُ اِلَیْكَ وَاِنِّیْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِیْنَ ۝

“…….. My Lord, enable me to be grateful for the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to act with righteousness – pleasing to You. And grant me righteousness in my children. I have sincerely turned to You (with repentance), and I am of those who have surrendered.” (46:15)

جَنّٰتُ عَدْنٍ یَّدْخُلُوْنَهَا یُحَلَّوْنَ فِیْهَا مِنْ اَسَاوِرَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ وَلُؤْلُؤًا ۚ وَلِبَاسُهُمْ فِیْهَا حَرِیْرٌ۝ وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِیْۤ اَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَغَفُوْرٌ شَکُوْرُۨ ۝ الَّذِیْۤ اَحَلَّنَا دَارَ الْمُقَامَۃِ مِنْ فَضْلِہٖ ۚ لَا یَمَسُّنَا فِیْهَا نَصَبٌ وَلَا یَمَسُّنَا فِیْهَا لُغُوْبٌ ۝ وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ ۚ لَا یُقْضٰی عَلَیْهِمْ فَیَمُوْتُوْا وَلَا یُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِیْ کُلَّ كَفُوْرٍ ۝

“They (the chosen righteous servants of Allah) will enter the Gardens of Eden. They will be adorned therein with gold bracelets and pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk. And they will say, ‘Praise Allah, who has lifted all sorrow from us. Our Lord is Most Forgiving, Most Appreciative. He Who settled us in the Home of Eternity by His grace, where boredom will not touch us, and tiredness will not afflict us.’ As for those who disbelieve, for them is the Fire of Hell, wherein they will never be finished off and die, nor will its punishment be lightened for them. Thus, We will repay every ungrateful person.” (35:32 – 36)

وَ اِذَاۤ اَذَقْنَا النَّاسَ رَحْمَۃً مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُمْ اِذَا لَهُمْ مَّکْرٌ فِیْۤ اٰیَاتِنَا ؕ قُلِ اللّٰهُ اَسْرَعُ مَکْرًا ؕ اِنَّ رُسُلَنَا یَکْتُبُوْنَ مَا تَمْکُرُوْنَ ۝ هُوَ الَّذِیْ یُسَیِّرُکُمْ فِی الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا کُنْتُمْ فِی الْفُلْكِ ۚ وَ جَرَیْنَ بِهِمْ بِرِیْحٍ طَیِّبَۃٍ وَفَرِحُوْا بِهَا جَآءَتْهَا رِیْحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَآءَهُمُ الْمَوْجُ مِنْ کُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوْۤا اَنَّهُمْ اُحِیْطَ بِهِمْ ۙ دَعَوُا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِیْنَ لَهُ الدِّیْنَ ۬ۚ لَئِنْ اَنْجَیْتَنَا مِنْ هٰذِہٖ لَنَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الشّٰكِرِیْنَ ۝ فَلَمَّاۤ اَنْجٰهُمْ اِذَا هُمْ یَبْغُوْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ بِغَیْرِ الْحَقِّ  یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّمَا بَغْیُکُمْ عَلٰۤی اَنْفُسِکُمْ ۙ مَّتَاعَ الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا ۫  ثُمَّ اِلَیْنَا مَرْجِعُکُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُکُمْ بِمَا کُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ ۝

“When We make mankind taste some mercy after adversity has touched them, behold! they take to deception against Our Signs! Say: ‘Allah is much swift in scheming.’ Verily, Our messengers (Angels) record all the plots that you make! He it is Who enables you to traverse through land and sea; so that you even board ships; they sail with them with a favorable wind, and they rejoice thereat; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think they are being overwhelmed: they cry unto Allah, sincerely offering (their) duty unto Him saying, ‘If you do deliver us from this, we shall truly show our gratitude!’ But when He delivers them, behold! they transgress insolently through the earth in defiance of right and justice! O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls, – an enjoyment of the life of the present……” (10:21 – 23)

وَ لَئِنْ اَذَقْنَا الْاِنْسَانَ مِنَّا رَحْمَۃً ثُمَّ نَزَعْنٰهَا مِنْهُ ۚ اِنَّہٗ لَیَـُٔوْسٌ كَفُوْرٌ ۝ وَلَئِنْ اَذَقْنٰهُ نَعْمَآءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَیَقُوْلَنَّ ذَهَبَ السَّیِّاٰتُ عَنِّیْ ؕ اِنَّہٗ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُوْرٌ ۝

“If We give man a taste of Mercy from Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold! he is in despair and (falls into) blasphemy. But if We give him a taste of (Our) favors after adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, ‘All evil has departed from me:’ Behold! he falls into rejoicing and pride.” (11:9 – 10)

وَ اِذَا مَسَّ الْاِنْسَانَ الضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنْۢبِہٖۤ اَوْ قَاعِدًا اَوْ قَآئِمًا ۚ فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّہٗ مَرَّ كَاَنْ لَّمْ یَدْعُنَاۤ اِلٰی ضُرٍّ مَّسَّہٗ ؕ   كَذٰلِكَ زُیِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِیْنَ مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ ۝

“Whenever adversity touches the human being, he prays to Us—reclining on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We have relieved his adversity from him, he goes away, as though he had never called on Us for trouble that had afflicted him. Thus, the deeds of the transgressors appear good to them.” (10:12)

وَ لَئِنْ اَذَقْنٰهُ رَحْمَۃً مِّنَّا مِنْۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَیَقُوْلَنَّ هٰذَا لِیْ ۙ وَمَاۤ اَظُنُّ السَّاعَۃَ قَآئِمَۃً ۙ وَلَئِنْ رُّجِعْتُ اِلٰی رَبِّیْۤ اِنَّ لِیْ عِنْدَہٗ لَلْحُسْنٰی ۚ فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِمَا عَمِلُوْا ۫ وَلَنُذِیْقَنَّهُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِیْظٍ ۝ وَاِذَاۤ اَنْعَمْنَا عَلَی الْاِنْسَانِ اَعْرَضَ وَنَاٰ بِجَانِبِہٖ ۚ وَاِذَا مَسَّهُ الشَّرُّ فَذُوْ دُعَآءٍ عَرِیْضٍ ۝ قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ اِنْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ كَفَرْتُمْ بِہٖ مَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ هُوَ فِیْ شِقَاقٍۭ بَعِیْدٍ۝

“When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, ‘This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgement) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!’ But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty. When We bestow favors on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and he withdraws and distances himself; but when adversity befalls him, he starts lengthy prayers!” (41:50 – 51)

يَعْرِفُوْنَ نِعْمَتَ اللهِ ثُمَّ يُنْكِرُوْنَهَا وَاَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكٰفِرُوْنَ۝

“They recognize Allah’s blessing, but then deny it, as most of them are ungrateful.” (16:83)

اَللهُ الَّذِىْ جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوْا فِيْهِ وَالنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا اِنَّ اللهَ لَذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“It is Allah Who made the night for you, that you may rest therein; and the day for sight. Allah is gracious towards the people, but most people do not give thanks.” (40:61)

وَمَا ظَنُّ الَّذِيْنَ يَفْتَرُوْنَ عَلَى اللهِ الْكَذِبَ يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ ط اِنَّ اللهَ لَذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“What will they perceive about the Day of Resurrection – those who fabricate lies and attribute them to Allah? Allah is bountiful towards the people, but most of them do not give thanks.” (10:60)

اَلَمْ تَرَ اَنَّ الْفُلْكَ تَجْرِیْ فِی الْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ اللّٰهِ لِیُرِیَکُمْ مِّنْ اٰیٰتِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّکُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَکُوْرٍ ۝ وَاِذَا غَشِیَهُمْ مَّوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللّٰهَ مُخْلِصِیْنَ لَهُ الدِّیْنَ ۬ۚ فَلَمَّا نَجّٰهُمْ اِلَی الْبَرِّ فَمِنْهُمْ مُّقْتَصِدٌ ؕ وَمَا یَجْحَدُ بِاٰیٰتِنَاۤ اِلَّا کُلُّ خَتَّارٍ كَفُوْرٍ ۝

“Have you not seen how the ships sail through the sea, by the grace of Allah, to show you of His wonders? In that are signs for every persevering, thankful person. When waves, like canopies, cover them, they call upon Allah, devoting their religion to Him. But when He has delivered them to dry land, some of them follow the straight path. No one renounces Our revelations except the treacherous blasphemer.” (31:31 – 32)

وَجَعَلُوْا لَه مِنْ عِبَادِه جُزْءًا اِنَّ الْاِنْسٰنَ لَكَفُوْرٌ مُّبِيْنٌ۝

“Yet they make one of His servants as a partner of Him. Man is clearly ungrateful.” (43:15)

وَاٰتٰكُمْ مِّنْ كُلِّ مَا سَاَلْتُمُوْهُ وَاِنْ تَعُدُّوْا نِعْمَتَ اللهِ لَا تُحْصُوْهَاۤ اِنَّ الْاِنْسَانَ لَظَلُوْمٌ كَفَّارٌ۝

“And He has given you something of all what you asked. And if you were to count Allah’s blessings, you would not be able to enumerate them. The human being is unfair and ungrateful.” (14:34)

ذٰلِكَ جَزَيْنٰهُمْ بِمَا كَفَرُوْا وَهَلْ نُجٰزِىۤ اِلَّا الْكَفُوْرَ۝

“We thus penalized them for their ingratitude. Would We penalize any but the ungrateful?” (34:17)

وَاِذَا مَسَّ الْاِنْسٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّه مُنِيْبًا اِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ اِذَا خَوَّلَه نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوْۤا اِلَيْهِ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلّٰهِ اَنْدَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيْلِه ط قُلْ تَمَتَّعْ بِكُفْرِكَ قَلِيْلًا ^ط اِنَّكَ مِنْ اَصْحٰبِ النَّارِ۝

“When some adversity touches the human being, he prays to his Lord, repenting to Him. But then, when He confers on him a grace of His, he forgets what he was praying for before, and he attributes partners to Allah, in order to mislead others from His way. Say, ‘Enjoy your disbelief for a little while; you will be among the inmates of the Fire’.” (39:8)

وَهُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَنْشَاَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصٰرَ وَالْاَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“It is He who created for you the hearing, and the eyesight, and the feelings. But little gratitude you show.” (23:78)

قُلْ هُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَنْشَاَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصٰرَ وَالْاَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“(O Prophet) Say: It is He Who has created you (and made you grow), and made for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little is the gratitude that you show.” (67:23)

فَاِذَا رَكِبُوْا فِى الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللهَ مُخْلِصِيْنَ لَهُ الدِّيْنَ فَلَمَّا نَجّٰىهُمْ اِلَى الْبَرِّ اِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُوْنَ۝ لِيَكْفُرُوْا بِمَاۤ اٰتَيْنٰهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُوْا فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُوْنَ۝

“When they embark on a vessel, they pray to Allah, devoting their faith to Him; but once He has delivered them safely to land, they attribute partners to Him – to show ingratitude for what We have given them, and to enjoy themselves. They will surely come to know.” (29:65 – 66)

اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ خَرَجُوْا مِنْ دِيٰرِهِمْ وَهُمْ اُلُوْفٌ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ فَقَالَ لَهُمُ اللهُ مُوْتُوْا ثُمَّ اَحْيٰهُمْ اِنَّ اللهَ لَذُوْ فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلٰكِنَّ اَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُوْنَ۝

“Have you not seen those who fled their homes, by the thousands, fearful of death? Allah said to them, ‘Die’. Then He revived them. Allah is Gracious towards the people, but most people are not appreciative.” (2:243)

اِنَّا هَدَيْنٰهُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَّاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا۝ اِنَّاۤ اَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكٰفِرِيْنَ سَلٰسِلَا وَاَغْلٰلًا وَسَعِيْرًا۝

“We guided him to the way, now be he appreciative or unappreciative. We have prepared for the faithless chains, and yokes, and a Searing Fire.”    (76:3 – 4)

وَهُوَ الَّذِىۤ اَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيْتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيْكُمْ _ط اِنَّ الْاِنْسَانَ لَكَفُوْرٌ۝

“And it is He who gives your life, then makes you die, then revives you. The human being is unappreciative.” (22:66)

قُتِلَ الْاِنْسَانُ مَاۤ اَكْفَرَه ۝

“Perish, humans! How ungrateful they are!” (80:17)

اِنَّ اللهَ يُدٰفِعُ عَنِ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا _ط اِنَّ اللهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُوْرٍ۝

“Allah defends those who believe. Allah does not love any ungrateful traitor.” (22:38)

اِنَّ الْاِنْسٰنَ لِرَبِّه لَكَنُوْدٌ۝ وَاِنَّه عَلٰى ذٰلِكَ لَشَهِيْدٌ۝

“Indeed, the human being is ungrateful to his Lord. And he bears witness to that.” (100:6 – 7)

وَ اِذَا مَسَّ النَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا رَبَّهُمْ مُّنِیْبِیْنَ اِلَیْهِ ثُمَّ  اِذَاۤ  اَذَاقَهُمْ مِّنْهُ رَحْمَۃً اِذَا فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ بِرَبِّهِمْ یُشْرِکُوْنَ ۝ لِیَکْفُرُوْا بِمَاۤ اٰتَیْنٰهُمْ ؕ فَتَمَتَّعُوْا فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ ۝

“When affliction touches the people, they call on their Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But then, when He gives them a taste of His mercy, some of them attribute partners to their Lord. To show ingratitude for what We have given them. So, enjoy yourselves for a while – but soon you will come to know.” (30:33 – 34)

وَاِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فِى الْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَنْ تَدْعُوْنَ اِلَّاۤاِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا نَجّٰىكُمْ اِلَى الْبَرِّ اَعْرَضْتُمْ وَكَانَ الْاِنْسَانُ كَفُوْرًا۝

“When distress seizes you at sea, those that you call upon – besides Himself – leave you in the lurch! but when He brings you back safe to land, you turn away (from Him). Most ungrateful is human!” (17:67)

فَاذْكُرُوْنِىْ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِىْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ۝

“So, remember Me, and I will remember you. And thank Me, and do not be ungrateful.” (2:152)

 رَبِّ اَوْزِعْنِیْۤ اَنْ اَشْکُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِیْۤ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیَّ وَعَلٰی وَالِدَیَّ وَاَنْ اَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضٰهُ وَاَصْلِحْ لِیْ فِیْ ذُرِّیَّتِیْ ۚؕ اِنِّیْ تُبْتُ اِلَیْكَ وَاِنِّیْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِیْنَ ۝

“…….. O My Lord, enable me to be grateful for the blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to act with righteousness – pleasing to You. And grant me righteousness in my children. I have sincerely turned to You (with repentance), and I am of those who have surrendered.” (46:15)

وَ لَقَدْ اٰتَیْنَا لُقْمٰنَ الْحِکْمَۃَ اَنِ اشْکُرْ لِلّٰهِ ؕ وَمَنْ یَّشْکُرْ فَاِنَّمَا یَشْکُرُ لِنَفْسِہٖ ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَنِیٌّ حَمِیْدٌ ۝

“We endowed Luqman with wisdom: ‘Give thanks to Allah.’ Whoever is appreciative – is appreciative for the benefit of his own soul. And whoever is unappreciative – Allah is Sufficient and Praiseworthy.” (31:12).

 

 

Mankind’s Accountability, Reckonings and Trials

Allah (SWT) has empowered humans and enhanced their position over all other creations and engaged these for the benefit of humanity. He has bestowed upon them all His blessings and gave them the requisite knowledge, guidelines, and noble qualities to perform their responsibilities properly as His Khalifa (Viceroy) on this earth. Because of their high position and responsibility, they are accountable to Him. Allah says: “Does human think that he/she will be left unquestioned, (without being asked to account for own actions)?” (75:36)

In this world, all human beings are facing tests in various ways. Allah (SWT) wants to judge their belief, intention, honesty, and sincerity against their actions. That is why Allah (SWT) warned repeatedly about the accountability and reckonings of human beings. He further says, “O Believers!  Fear Allah, and let every soul consider what it has forwarded for tomorrow (the Day of Judgement), and fear Allah. Allah is aware of what you do.” (59:18).

 According to a Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud () wherein the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “The son of Adam will not be able to escape from the judgement of Allah until he is questioned about five things: 1. How he lived his life, 2. how he utilized his youth, 3. with what means he earned his wealth, 4. how he spent his wealth, and, 5. what he did with his knowledge.” (Tirmidhi)

The verses related to the above subject are quoted below:

اِقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِىْ غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُوْنَ۝

“The Time of Reckoning is coming closer to mankind.” (21:1)

 وَلَتُسْـلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“…….And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.” (16:93)

لَا يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْأَلُونَ

“He (Allah) cannot be questioned for His acts, but they (humans) will be questioned (for theirs).” (21:23)

ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ یَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِیْمِ۝

“Then, on that Day you shall be questioned about the worldly favors (you enjoyed).” (102:8)

لِلَّذِیْنَ اسْتَجَابُوْا لِرَبِّهِمُ الْحُسْنٰی ؕؔ وَالَّذِیْنَ لَمْ یَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَہٗ لَوْ اَنَّ لَهُمْ مَّا فِی الْاَرْضِ جَمِیْعًا وَمِثْلَہٗ مَعَہٗ لَافْتَدَوْا بِہٖ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوْٓءُ الْحِسَابِ ۬ۙ وَمَاْوٰىهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ ؕ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ۝

“For those who respond to their Lord is the best. But as for those who do not respond to Him, even if they possessed everything on earth, and twice as much, they could not redeem themselves with it. Those will have the worst reckoning; and their home is Hell – a miserable destination. (13:18)

وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً اَتَصْبِرُوْنَ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيْرًا۝

“……..We have made some of you as a trial for others: to see whether you have patience. for Allah is One Who sees (all things).” (25:20)

وَ كَذٰلِكَ فَتَنَّا بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لِّیَقُوْلُوْۤا اَهٰۤؤُلَآءِ مَنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنْۢ بَیْنِنَا ؕ اَلَیْسَ اللّٰهُ بِاَعْلَمَ بِالشّٰكِرِیْنَ۝

“Thus, We use some to test others so that they should say: ‘Are these ones whom Allah has favored from amongst us?” Does not Allah know best those who are grateful?” (6:53)

اَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ اَنْ یُّتْرَکُوْۤا اَنْ یَّقُوْلُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا یُفْتَنُوْنَ ۝ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ صَدَقُوْا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكٰذِبِيْنَ۝ اَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِيْنَ يَعْمَلُوْنَ السَّيِّـَٔاتِ اَنْ يَّسْبِقُوْنَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُوْنَ۝ مَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوْا لِقَآءَ اللهِ فَاِنَّ اَجَلَ اللهِ لَاٰتٍ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ۝

“Have the people supposed that they will be left alone to say, ‘We believe,’ without being put to the test? We have tested those before them. Allah will surely know the truthful, and He will surely know the liars. Or do those who commit sins think they can fool Us? Terrible is their opinion! Whoever looks forward to the meeting with Allah—the appointed time of Allah is coming. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (29:2 – 5)

اَیَحْسَبُ الْاِنْسَانُ اَنْ یُّتْرَكَ سُدًی۝

“Does human think that he/she will be left unquestioned, (without being asked to account for own actions)?” (75:36)

اَتُتْرَكُوْنَ فِىْ مَا هٰهُنَاۤ اٰمِنِيْنَ ۝ فِىْ جَنّٰتٍ وَّعُيُوْنٍ ۝ وَّزُرُوْعٍ وَّنَخْلٍ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيْمٌ۝ وَتَنْحِتُوْنَ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوْتًا فٰرِهِيْنَ۝ فَاتَّقُوْا اللهَ وَاَطِيْعُوْنِ ۝ وَلَا تُطِيْعُوْۤا اَمْرَ الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ۝ الَّذِيْنَ يُفْسِدُوْنَ فِى الْاَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُوْنَ۝

“Will you be left secure in what is here? In gardens and springs? And fields, and palm-trees whose fruits are delicious? And you skillfully carve houses in the mountains? So, fear Allah, and obey me. And do not obey the command of the extravagant – who spreads turmoil on earth and does not reform.” (26:146 – 152)

اَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ اَنْ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّۃَ وَلَمَّا یَاْتِکُمْ مَّثَلُ الَّذِیْنَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ ؕ مَسَّتْهُمُ الْبَاْسَآءُ وَالضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوْا حَتّٰی یَقُوْلَ الرَّسُوْلُ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مَعَہٗ مَتٰی نَصْرُ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ نَصْرَ اللّٰهِ قَرِیْبٌ ۝

“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without passing over the similar condition of those people who passed before you? Adversity and hardship had afflicted them, and they were so shaken up, that the Messenger and those who believed with him said, ‘When is Allah’s victory?’ Indeed, Allah’s victory is near.” (2:214)

اَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِیْنَ اجْتَرَحُوا السَّیِّاٰتِ اَنْ نَّجْعَلَهُمْ كَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ۙ سَوَآءً مَّحْیَاهُمْ وَمَمَاتُهُمْ ؕ سَآءَ مَا یَحْکُمُوْنَ ۝ وَخَلَقَ اللّٰهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَلِتُجْزٰی کُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ ۝ اَفَرَءَیْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ اِلٰـهَہٗ هَوٰىهُ وَاَضَلَّهُ اللّٰهُ عَلٰی عِلْمٍ وَخَتَمَ عَلٰی سَمْعِہٖ وَقَلْبِہٖ وَجَعَلَ عَلٰی بَصَرِہٖ غِشٰوَۃً ؕ فَمَنْ یَّہْدِیْهِ مِنْۢ بَعْدِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَفَلَا تَذَكَرُوْنَ۝ وَقَالُوْا مَا هِیَ اِلَّا حَیَاتُنَا الدُّنْیَا نَمُوْتُ وَنَحْیَا وَمَا یُہْلِکُنَاۤ اِلَّا الدَّهْرُ ۚ وَمَا لَهُمْ بِذٰلِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ ۚ اِنْ هُمْ  اِلَّا یَظُنُّوْنَ ۝

“Do those who perpetrate the evil deeds assume that We will regard them as equal to those who believe and do righteous deeds, whether in their life or their death? How evil is their Judgement! Allah created the heavens and the earth with justice so that every soul will be repaid for what it has earned. And they will not be misjudged. Have you considered him who has taken his desire for his god? Allah has knowingly led him astray, and has sealed his hearing and his heart, and placed a veil over his vision. Who will guide him after Allah? Will you not reflect? And they say, ‘There is nothing but this present life of ours; we die and we live, and nothing destroys us except time.’ But they have no knowledge of that; they are only guessing.” (45:21 – 24)

اِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْاِنْسٰنَ مِنْ نُّطْفَةٍ اَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيْهِ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ سَمِيْعًۢا بَصِيْرًا۝ اِنَّا هَدَيْنٰهُ السَّبِيْلَ اِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَّاِمَّا كَفُوْرًا۝

“Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to test him: So, We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight. We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful.” (76:2 – 3)

وَ هُوَ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَکُمْ خَلٰٓئِفَ الْاَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَکُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجٰتٍ لِّیَبْلُوَکُمْ فِیْ مَاۤ اٰتٰکُمْ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِیْعُ الْعِقَابِ ۫ۖ وَ اِنَّہٗ لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ۝

“It is He Who has made you (His) Khalifa, inheritors of the earth: He has raised you in ranks, some above others so that He may test you in the gifts He has given you: for your Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (6:165)

کُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَۃُ الْمَوْتِ ؕ وَنَبْلُوْکُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَیْرِ فِتْنَۃً ؕ وَاِلَیْنَا تُرْجَعُوْنَ۝

“Every soul will taste death. We burden you with a test of adversity and prosperity. And to Us you will be returned.” (21:35)

لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِیْۤ اَمْوَالِکُمْ وَاَنْفُسِکُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْكِتٰبَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِیْنَ اَشْرَکُوْۤا اَذًی كَثِیْرًا ؕ وَاِنْ تَصْبِرُوْا وَتَتَّقُوْا فَاِنَّ ذٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْاُمُوْرِ۝

“You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if you persevere patiently, and guard against evil, then that will be a determining factor in all affairs.” (3:186)

اِنَّا بَلَوْنٰهُمْ كَمَا بَلَوْنَاۤ اَصْحٰبَ الْجَنَّۃِ ۚ اِذْ اَقْسَمُوْا لَیَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِیْنَ ۝ وَلَا یَسْتَثْنُوْنَ۝ فَطَافَ عَلَیْهَا طَآئِفٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَآئِمُوْنَ ۝

“Verily We have tested them (idolaters of Makkah), as We tested the owners of the garden when they vowed to harvest it in the morning. Without any reservation (saying Insha Allah). But a calamity from your Lord went around it (their garden) while they slept.” (68:17 – 19)

اِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْاَرْضِ زِيْنَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ اَيُّهُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا۝

“We made everything upon the earth an adornment for it, to test them as to which of them is best in conduct.” (18:7)

وَلَنَبْلُوْنَّكُمْ بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوْعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْوٰلِ وَالْاَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرٰتِ _ط وَبَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِيْنَ۝ الَّذِيْنَ اِذَاۤ اَصٰبَتْهُمْ مُّصِيْبَةٌ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّا لِلّٰهِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُوْنَ۝

“We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast (patient). Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, ‘To Allah, we belong and to Him, we will return’.” (2:155-156)

وَاَنْ لَّيْسَ لِلْاِنْسٰنِ اِلَّا مَا سَعٰى۝ وَاَنَّ سَعْيَه سَوْفَ يُرٰى۝ ثُمَّ يُجْزٰىهُ الْجَزَآءَ الْاَوْفٰى۝

“And that the human being achieves only what he strives for. And that his efforts will be seen. Then he will be rewarded for it the fullest reward.” (53:39 – 41)

اَلَّذِىْ خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوْكُمْ اَيُّكُمْ اَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَّهُوَ الْعَزِيْزُ الْغَفُوْرُ۝

“He who created death and life – to test you – as to which of you is the best in conduct. He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.” (67:2)

 

 

Humans’ Respite before Punishment

Allah (SWT) is kind and just. It is because of His greatness and generosity that He gives the wrongdoers enough time before punishing them so that they can seek His forgiveness and amend their conduct. The following verses are quoted on this topic:

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللّٰهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا یَعْمَلُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ ۬ؕ اِنَّمَا یُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِیَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِیْهِ الْاَبْصَارُ۝

“Never think that Allah is heedless of what the unjust people do. He only respites them (their punishment) to a day on which their eyes shall stare (of terror).” (14:42)

وَلَا یَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَنَّمَا نُمْلِیْ لَهُمْ خَیْرٌ لِّاَنْفُسِهِمْ ؕ اِنَّمَا نُمْلِیْ لَهُمْ لِیَزْدَادُوْۤا اِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِیْنٌ۝

“Let the faithless not suppose that the respite We grant them is good for themselves; We give them respite only that they may add to their sins, and there is a humiliating punishment for them.” (3:178)

وَ لَقَدِ اسْتُہْزِیَٔ بِرُسُلٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ فَاَمْلَیْتُ لِلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا ثُمَّ  اَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَیْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ۝

“And indeed (many) Messengers before you were mocked at, but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then, how (terrible) was My Punishment!” (13:32)

قُلْ مَنْ كَانَ فِى الضَّلٰلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمٰنُ مَدًّا _ج حَتّٰىۤ اِذَا رَاَوْا مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ اِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَاِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُوْنَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَ اَضْعَفُ جُنْدًا ۝

“Say (O Prophet): ‘If any men go astray, (Allah) Most Gracious extends respite to them, until they see what has been promised to them – either in punishment or in Qiyamah (Appointed Hour), – Then they will realize who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces’!” (19:75)

وَ لَوْ یُؤَاخِذُ اللّٰهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا مَا تَرَكَ عَلٰی ظَہْرِهَا مِنْ دَآبَّۃٍ وَلٰكِنْ یُّؤَخِّرُهُمْ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَجَلُهُمْ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِہٖ بَصِیْرًا۝

“If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave a single living creature on the surface of earth: but He gives them respite until an appointed term: when their appointed time comes, then they will know that Allah indeed has in His sight all His Servants.” (35:45)

وَ لَوْ لَا كَلِمَۃٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَ اَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّی۝

“Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, (their punishment) must necessarily have come; but there is a Term appointed (for respite).” (20:129)

وَ رَبُّكَ الْغَفُوْرُ ذُو الرَّحْمَۃِ ^ط لَوْ یُؤَاخِذُهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا لَعَجَّلَ لَهُمُ الْعَذَابَ ^ط بَلْ لَّهُمْ مَّوْعِدٌ لَّنْ یَّجِدُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِہٖ مَوْئِلًا۝

“And your Lord is All-Forgiving, Owner of Mercy. Were He to call them to account for what they have earned, then surely, He would hasten their punishment! But they have their appointed time, from which they shall find no escape.” (18:58)

وَ كَاَیِّنْ مِّنْ قَرْیَۃٍ اَمْلَیْتُ لَهَا وَهِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ ثُمَّ اَخَذْتُهَا ۚ وَاِلَیَّ الْمَصِیْرُ۝

“And many townships did I give respite which were tyrannical. Then, (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the Final Return.” (22:48)

وَلَوْ یُعَجِّلُ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ الشَّرَّ اسْتِعْجَالَهُمْ بِالْخَیْرِ لَقُضِیَ اِلَیْهِمْ اَجَلُهُمْ ؕ فَنَذَرُ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یَرْجُوْنَ لِقَآءَنَا فِیْ طُغْیَانِهِمْ یَعْمَهُوْنَ۝

“If Allah were to hasten for men the ill (they have earned) as they would want to hasten on the good, – then would their respite be settled at once. But We leave those who rest not their hope on their meeting with Us, in their trespasses, wandering in distraction back and forth.” (10:11)

حَتّٰۤی اِذَا اسْتَیْـَٔسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوْۤا اَنَّهُمْ قَدْ کُذِبُوْا جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا ۙ فَنُجِّیَ مَنْ نَّشَآءُ ؕ وَلَا یُرَدُّ بَاْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِیْنَ۝

“(Respite will be granted) until, when the apostles give up hope (of their people) and (come to) think that they were treated as liars, there reaches them Our help, and those whom We will are delivered into safety. But never will be warded off our punishment from those who are in sin.” (12:110)

وَیَسْتَعْجِلُوْنَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ ؕ وَلَوْ لَاۤ اَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّی لَّجَآءَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ ؕ وَلَیَاْتِیَنَّهُمْ بَغْتَۃً وَهُمْ لَا یَشْعُرُوْنَ۝

“They ask you to hasten on the Punishment (for them): had it not been for a term (of respite) appointed, the Punishment would certainly have come to them: and it will certainly reach them, – of a sudden, while they perceive not!” (29:53)

فَلَمَّا نَسُوْا مَا ذُكِرُوْا بِہٖ فَتَحْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ اَبْوَابَ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا فَرِحُوْا بِمَاۤ اُوْتُوْۤا اَخَذْنٰهُمْ بَغْتَۃً فَاِذَا هُمْ مُّبْلِسُوْنَ۝

“But when they forgot that (warning) they had received, We opened to them the gates of all (pleasant) things, until, in the midst of their enjoyment of Our gifts, all on a sudden, We called them to account, when lo! they were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.” (6:44)

وَ الَّذِیْنَ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِّنْ حَیْثُ لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ۝ وَ اُمْلِیْ لَهُمْ ؕ  اِنَّ كَیْدِیْ مَتِیْنٌ۝

“And those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually seize them with punishment, in ways they perceive not; I will grant respite unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing). (7:182 – 183)

اِنَّهُمْ یَكِیْدُوْنَ كَیْدًا ۝ وَاَكِیْدُ كَیْدًا ۝ فَمَهِلِ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ اَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَیْدًا۝

“As for them, they are but plotting a scheme, And I am planning a scheme. Therefore, grant a respite to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for a while).” (86:15 – 17)

وَاَنْفِقُوْا مِنْ مَّا رَزَقْنٰکُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلِ اَنْ یَّاْتِیَ اَحَدَکُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَیَقُوْلَ رَبِّ لَوْ لَاۤ اَخَّرْتَنِیْۤ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ قَرِیْبٍ ۙ فَاَصَّدَّقَ وَ اَکُنْ مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِیْنَ ۝ وَلَنْ یُّؤَخِّرَ اللّٰهُ نَفْسًا اِذَا جَآءَ اَجَلُهَا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَبِیْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ ۝

“And give from what We have provided for you before death approaches one of you, and he says, ‘My Lord, why do You not respite me for a short while, so that I may be charitable, and be one of the righteous.’ But Allah will not delay a soul when its time (of death) has come. Allah is Informed of what you do.” (63:10 – 11)

 

 

Consequences of Human Actions

Each and every action of humankind in this world will have an end result in the hereafter. The universal principle ‘As you sow, so you reap’ will be applicable to all. On the Day of Judgement, each action of human beings will be taken into account. On that Day, one will be solely responsible for own actions, none will bear the burden of others. Here are the verses relating to this topic:

کُلُّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ رَهِیْنَۃٌ

“Every soul will be (held) in pledge for its own deeds.” (74:38)

وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوْا وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغٰفِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“To all are degrees of ranks by virtue of their deeds: for your Lord is not unmindful of anything that they do.” (6:132)

مَنْ جَآءَبِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهعَشْرُاَمْثَالِهَا وَمَنْ جَآءَبِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزٰىۤ اِلَّامِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَايُظْلَمُوْنَ۝

“Whoever does good shall have ten times as much to his credit: whoever does evil shall only be recompensed equivalent to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them.” (6:160)

وَاِنَّ كُلًّا لَّمَّا لَيُوْفِّيَنَّهُمْ رَبُّكَ اَعْمٰلَهُمْ اِنَّه بِمَا يَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ۝

“And, of a surety, your Lord will pay back (in full the recompense) to all against their deeds: for He knows well all that they do.” (11:111)

مَنْ عَمِلَ صٰلِحًا فَلِنَفْسِه وَمَنْ اَسَآءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ اِلٰى رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُوْنَ۝

“If anyone does a righteous deed, it ensures the benefit of his own soul; if he does evil, it works against (his own soul). In the end will you (all) be brought back to your Lord.” (45:15)

هَلْ جَزَآءُ الْاِحْسٰنِ اِلَّا الْاِحْسٰنُ۝

“Is there any Reward for Good – other than Good?” (55:60)

مَنْ جَآءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَه خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا وَهُمْ مِّنْ فَزَعٍ يَّوْمَئِذٍ اٰمِنُوْنَ۝ وَمَنْ جَآءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوْهُهُمْ فِى النَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ اِلَّا مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“Whoever brings a good deed shall receive something better, and they will be secure from the terror of that Day. And if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: ‘Do you receive a reward other than that which you have earned by your deeds’?” (27:89 – 90)

اَلَّا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ اُخْرٰى۝ وَاَنْ لَّيْسَ لِلْاِنْسٰنِ اِلَّا مَا سَعٰى۝ وَاَنَّ سَعْيَه سَوْفَ يُرٰى۝ ثُمَّ يُجْزٰىهُ الْجَزَآءَ الْاَوْفٰى۝

“That no soul bears the burdens of another soul. And that the human being attains only what he strives for. And that his efforts will be witnessed soon. Then he will be rewarded for it the fullest reward.” (53:38 – 41)

لِلَّذِیْنَ اَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنٰی وَ زِیَادَۃٌ ؕ وَ لَا یَرْهَقُ وُجُوْهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَّ لَا ذِلَّۃٌ ؕ  اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّۃِ ۚ هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ ۝ وَ الَّذِیْنَ كَسَبُوا السَّیِّاٰتِ جَزَآءُ سَیِّئَۃٍۭ بِمِثْلِهَا ۙ وَ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّۃٌ ؕ مَا لَهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۚ كَاَنَّمَاۤ اُغْشِیَتْ وُجُوْهُهُمْ قِطَعًا مِّنَ الَّیْلِ مُظْلِمًا ؕ   اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ ۝

“To those who do good deeds have a good reward – and more (thereto)! No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces! they are companions of the garden; they will dwell therein (forever)! But those who have earned evil will have a reward of like evil: ignominy will cover their (faces): No defender will they have from (the wrath of) Allah. Their faces will be covered, as it were, with pieces from the depth of the darkness of night: they are companions of the Fire: they will stay therein (forever)!” (10:26 – 27)

لَهُمْ دَارُ السَّلٰمِ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ

“For them will be a home of peace by their Lord: He will be their friend, because they practiced (righteousness).” (6:127)

وَوُفِّيْتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ۝

“And every soul will be fully compensated for what it had done. He is well aware of what they do.” (39:70)

مَنْ جَآءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَه خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا وَمَنْ جَآءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى الَّذِيْنَ عَمِلُوْا السَّيِّـَٔاتِ اِلَّا مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ۝

“Whoever brings a virtue will receive better than it. But whoever brings evil – the evildoers will be suffered only according to the extent of their doings.” (28:84)

لِیَجْزِیَهُمُ اللّٰهُ اَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوْا وَیَزِیْدَهُمْ مِّنْ فَضْلِہٖ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یَرْزُقُ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ بِغَیْرِ حِسَابٍ ۝

“That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace: for Allah does provide for those whom He will, without measure.” (24:38)

قُلْ یٰقَوْمِ اعْمَلُوْا عَلٰی مَكَانَتِکُمْ اِنِّیْ عَامِلٌ ۚ  فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ ۙ  مَنْ تَکُوْنُ لَہٗ عَاقِبَۃُ الدَّارِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ لَا یُفْلِحُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ۝

“Say: ‘O my people! Do whatever you can: I will do (my part): soon will you know who it is whose end will be (best) in the Hereafter: certain it is that the wrongdoers will not prosper’.” (6:135)

قُلْ یٰعِبَادِ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوْا رَبَّکُمْ ؕ لِلَّذِیْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا فِیْ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْیَا حَسَنَۃٌ ؕ وَاَرْضُ اللّٰهِ وَاسِعَۃٌ ؕ اِنَّمَا یُوَفَّی الصّٰبِرُوْنَ اَجْرَهُمْ بِغَیْرِ حِسَابٍ۝

“Say, ‘O My devotees who have believed, keep your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world, there is a reward. And Allah’s earth is vast. The steadfast will be paid their wages (rewards) in full, without reckoning’.” (39:10)

وَمَآ اَصٰبَكُمْ مِّنْ مُّصِيْبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ اَيْدِيْكُمْ وَيَعْفُوْا عَنْ كَثِيْرٍ۝

“Whatever misfortunes befall upon you, are the result of what your hands have earned; and yet He pardons a lot.” (42:30)

وَلِكُلٍّ دَرَجٰتٌ مِّمَّا عَمِلُوْا وَلِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ اَعْمٰلَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُوْنَ۝

“There are degrees (ranks) for everyone, according to what they have done, and He will repay them for their works in full, and they will not be wronged.” (46:19)

وَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّیَّتُهُمْ بِاِیْمَانٍ اَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّیَّتَهُمْ وَمَاۤ اَلَتْنٰهُمْ مِّنْ عَمَلِهِمْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ  کُلُّ امْرِیًٔۢ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِیْنٌ۝

“Those who believed, and their offspring followed them in faith – We will unite them with their offspring, and We will not deprive them of any of their works. Every person (unbeliever) shall be a prisoner (of Hell) for what he has earned.” (52:21)

یَوْمَ تَاْتِیْ کُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَادِلُ عَنْ نَّفْسِهَا وَتُوَفّٰی کُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَ هُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُوْنَ۝

“On the Day when every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and they will not be wronged.” (16:111)

اِنْ اَحْسَنْتُمْ اَحْسَنْتُمْ لِاَنْفُسِكُمْ وَاِنْ اَسَاْتُمْ فَلَهَا۝

“If you work righteousness, you work righteousness for yourselves; and if you commit evil, you do so against yourselves.” (17:7)

وَ مَنْ جَاهَدَ فَاِنَّمَا یُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَغَنِیٌّ عَنِ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ ۝ وَ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَیِّاٰتِهِمْ وَ لَنَجْزِیَنَّهُمْ اَحْسَنَ الَّذِیْ كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ ۝

“Whoever strives, strives only for himself. Allah is Independent of the beings. Those who believe and do righteous deeds—We will remit their sins, and We will reward them according to the best of what they used to do.” (29:6 – 7)

وَ لِلّٰهِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الْاَرْضِ ۙ  لِیَجْزِیَ الَّذِیْنَ اَسَآءُوْا بِمَا عَمِلُوْا وَیَجْزِیَ الَّذِیْنَ اَحْسَنُوْا بِالْحُسْنٰی۝

“Indeed, to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth: so that He gives returns to those who do evil, according to their deeds, and He rewards those who do good, with what is best.” (53:31)

وَلَوْ یُؤَاخِذُ اللّٰهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوْا مَا تَرَكَ عَلٰی ظَہْرِهَا مِنْ دَآبَّۃٍ وَلٰكِنْ یُّؤَخِّرُهُمْ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّی ۚ فَاِذَا جَآءَ اَجَلُهُمْ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِہٖ بَصِیْرًا۝

“If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His Servants.” (35:45)

وَاَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّه وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوٰى۝ فَاِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِىَ الْمَاْوٰى۝

“And for such as had fear of standing before their Lord’s (trial) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, their abode will be the Garden.” (79:40 – 41)

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یُدْخِلُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا یَتَمَتَّعُوْنَ وَیَاْکُلُوْنَ كَمَا تَاْکُلُ الْاَنْعَامُ وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًی لَّهُمْ۝

“Verily Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; while those who reject Allah will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode.” (47:12)

وَ لَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزْرَ اُخْرٰی ؕ  وَاِنْ تَدْعُ مُثْقَلَۃٌ اِلٰی حِمْلِهَا لَا یُحْمَلْ مِنْهُ شَیْءٌ وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبٰی ؕ

“Nor can a bearer of burdens bear another’s burdens if one heavily laden should call another to (bear) his load. Not the least portion of it can be carried (by the other). Even though he is nearly related.” (35:18)

اَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلٰى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّه كَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَه سُوْٓءُ عَمَلِه وَاتَّبَعُوْۤا اَهْوَاۤءَهُمْ۝

“Is the one who follows a clear (Path) from his Lord, be like those whose evil conducts have been made pleasing for them, and such who follow their own lusts?” (47:14)

فَاِذَا جَآءَتِ الطَّآمَّةُ الْكُبْرٰى۝ يَوْمَ يَتَذَكَّرُ الْاِنْسٰنُ مَا سَعٰى۝ وَبُرِّزَتِ الْجَحِيْمُ لِمَنْ يَّرٰى۝ فَاَمَّا مَنْ طَغٰى۝ وَاٰثَرَ الْحَيَوٰةَ الدُّنْيَا۝ فَاِنَّ الْجَحِيْمَ هِىَ الْمَاْوٰى۝

“Therefore, when there comes the great, overwhelming (Event of Qiyamah), the Day when man shall remember (all) that he strove for, – and Hell-Fire shall be placed in full view for (all) to see, – then, for such as had transgressed all bounds, – and had preferred the life of this world, – then certainly Hell-Fire will be their Abode.” (79:34 – 39)

اِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ كَانَتْ مِرْصَادًا ۝ لِّلطَّاغِیْنَ مَاٰبًا ۝ لّٰبِثِیْنَ فِیْهَاۤ اَحْقَابًا ۝ لَا یَذُوْقُوْنَ فِیْهَا بَرْدًا وَلَا شَرَابًا ۝ اِلَّا حَمِیْمًا وَ غَسَّاقًا ۝ جَزَآءً  وِّفَاقًا ۝

“Truly Hell is as a place of ambush, For the transgressors a place of destination: They will dwell therein for ages. Nothing cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink, Save a boiling fluid and a fluid, dark, murky, intensely cold, as an appropriate recompense (for them).” (78:21 – 26)

 

 

Success and Failure of Human Life

The Qur’anic perception of the gain and loss in human life is quite different from the perception of those people who consider worldly wealth, power, pleasure, and fun as the real success of life. But according to the Qur’an, worldly success and loss are very insignificant and temporary, while the gain and loss of the hereafter are tremendous and eternal. The Qur’an explains this issue in the following verses:

وَالْعَصْرِ ۝ اِنَّ الْاِنْسَانَ لَفِیْ خُسْرٍ ۝ اِلَّا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ ۬ۙ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ۝

“By Time. Verily the human being is in the loss. Except those who believe, and do good works, and encourage each other to uphold truth, and exercise and recommend patience.” (103:1 – 3)

قَدْ اَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكّٰىهَا۝ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسّٰىهَا۝

“Indeed, the one who purifies it (soul) will be successful, and the one who corrupts it will certainly fail.” (91:9 – 10)

اَلَّذِیْنَ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْغَیْبِ وَیُقِیْمُوْنَ الصَّلٰوۃَ وَ مِمَّا رَزَقْنٰهُمْ یُنْفِقُوْنَ ۝ وَالَّذِیْنَ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْكَ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ۚ وَبِالْاٰخِرَۃِ هُمْ یُوْقِنُوْنَ ۝ اُولٰٓئِكَ عَلٰی هُدًی مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ^ق وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ۝

“Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, And those who believe in the Revelations sent to you, and sent before your time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will surely succeed.” (2:3 – 5)

وَلِلّٰهِ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَيَوْمَ تَقُوْمُ السَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَّخْسَرُ الْمُبْطِلُوْنَ۝

“To Allah belongs the kingship of the heavens and the earth. On the Day when the Hour (Qiyamah) takes place, on that Day the falsifiers will lose.” (45:27)

وَ مَنْ یَّکْفُرْ بِالْاِیْمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُہٗ ۫ وَهُوَ فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِیْنَ۝

“…….. But whoever rejects faith, his work will be in vain, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.” (5:5)

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ ۙ  اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمْ خَیْرُ الْبَرِیَّۃِ ۝

“As for those who believe and lead a righteous life – these are the best of creatures.” (98:7)

فَاَمَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَاٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَعَسٰۤی اَنْ یَّکُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُفْلِحِیْنَ

“But he who repents, and believes, and does righteous deeds, may well be among the successful ones.” (28:67)

قَالَ اللّٰهُ هٰذَا یَوْمُ یَنْفَعُ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ صِدْقُهُمْ ؕ لَهُمْ جَنّٰتٌ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ ۝

“Allah will say, ‘This is a Day (Day of Judgement) when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.’ They will have Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will remain forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. That is a great achievement.” (5:119)

وَمَنْ یُّطِعِ اللّٰهَ وَالرَّسُوْلَ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ مِّنَ النَّبِیّٖنَ وَالصِّدِّیْقِیْنَ وَالشُّهَدَآءِ وَالصّٰلِحِیْنَ ۚ  وَحَسُنَ اُولٰٓئِكَ رَفِیْقًا ۝ ذٰلِكَ الْفَضْلُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ ؕ  وَكَفٰی بِاللّٰهِ عَلِیْمًا ۝

“Whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – these are the companions of those whom Allah has blessed – the prophets, and the sincere, and the martyrs, and the upright. Excellent are those as companions. That is the grace from Allah. Allah suffices as Knower.” (4:69 – 70)

لَا یَسْتَوِیْۤ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ وَاَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّۃِ ؕ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّۃِ هُمُ الْفَآئِزُوْنَ۝

“Not alike are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.” (59:20)

وَ مَنْ یُّسْلِمْ وَجْهَہٗۤ اِلَی اللّٰهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَۃِ الْوُثْقٰی ؕ  وَ اِلَی اللّٰهِ عَاقِبَۃُ الْاُمُوْرِ۝

“Whoever turns his face (submits) fully towards Allah, and does good deeds, has grasped the most trustworthy handle. With Allah rests the outcome of all events.” (31:22)

… وَاِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ اُجُوْرَکُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَاُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّۃَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ؕ۝.….

“….. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.….” (3:185)

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنْ تُطِیْعُوا الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا یَرُدُّوْکُمْ عَلٰۤی اَعْقَابِکُمْ فَتَنْقَلِبُوْا خٰسِرِیْنَ ۝ بَلِ اللّٰهُ مَوْلٰىکُمْ ۚ وَهُوَ خَیْرُ النّٰصِرِیْنَ ۝

“O Believers!  If you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you end up losers. Allah is your Master, and He is the Best of Helpers.” (3:149 – 150)

فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِیْنُہٗ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ ۝ وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِیْنُہٗ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِیْنَ خَسِرُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ فِیْ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدُوْنَ۝

“Then those whose scale of balance (of good deeds) is heavy, – they will attain successes: But those whose scale of balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.” (23:102 – 103)

اَلَاۤ اِنَّ اَوْلِیَآءَ اللّٰهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَیْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ یَحْزَنُوْنَ ۝ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَكَانُوْا یَتَّقُوْنَ۝ لَهُمُ الْبُشْرٰی فِی الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا وَفِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ ؕ لَا تَبْدِیْلَ لِكَلِمٰتِ اللّٰهِ ؕ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ۝

“Behold! Verily Allah’s friends have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve. Those who believe and have God-consciousness – For them is good news in this life, and in the Hereafter. There is no alteration to the words of Allah. That is the supreme triumph.” (10:62 – 64)

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنّٰتٌ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ ۬ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِیْرُ۝

“For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will have Gardens; beneath which rivers flow: That is a great achievement.” (85:11)

قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُکُمْ بِالْاَخْسَرِیْنَ اَعْمَالًا ۝ اَلَّذِیْنَ ضَلَّ سَعْیُهُمْ فِی الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا وَهُمْ یَحْسَبُوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ یُحْسِنُوْنَ صُنْعًا ۝ اُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَآئِہٖ فَحَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِیْمُ لَهُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ وَزْنًا ۝

“Say: ‘Shall we inform you of those who are the worst losers in respect of their deeds?’ – They are those whose efforts have been deluded in this life, while they think that they are acquiring good by their works.’ They are those who deny the Revelations of their Lord and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): So, their works will be vain. Therefore, on the Day of Judgement, We will not attach any weight to them.” (18:103 – 105)

تُجَاهِدُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمْوَالِکُمْ وَاَنْفُسِکُمْ ؕ ذٰلِکُمْ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ ۝ یَغْفِرْ لَکُمْ یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا هَلْ اَدُلُّکُمْ عَلٰی تِجَارَۃٍ تُنْجِیْکُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ اَلِیْمٍ ۝ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ وَذُنُوْبَکُمْ وَیُدْخِلْکُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ وَمَسٰكِنَ طَیِّبَۃً فِیْ جَنّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ ۝

“O, Believers!  Shall I inform you of a trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your possessions and yourselves. That is best for you, if you only knew. He will forgive your sins; and will admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and into beautiful mansions in the Gardens of Eden. That is the supreme success.” (61:10 – 12)

وَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَكَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَاۤ اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ؕ وَ بِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ۝

“And (that is the Day of Loss) for those who reject Faith and treat Our Signs as falsehoods, they will be Companions of the Fire, to dwell therein forever: what an evil is that Goal.” (64:10)

  وَمَنْ یُّوْقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِہٖ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ ۝

“…….. and those who saved from the greed of their own souls, – they are the successful ones.” (64:16)

لِّيُدْخِلَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِىْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا وَيُكَفِّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ وَكَانَ ذٰلِكَ عِنْدَ اللهِ فَوْزًا عَظِيْمًا۝

“That He may admit the men and women who believe, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever, and pardon their sins; – and that is, in the sight of Allah, the highest achievement (for human).” (48:5)

اَلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَهَاجَرُوْا وَجٰهَدُوْا فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمْوَالِهِمْ وَاَنْفُسِهِمْ ۙ اَعْظَمُ دَرَجَۃً عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْفَآئِزُوْنَ ۝

“Those who believe and suffer exile and strive with as much effort as possible in Allah’s cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah, they are the people who will achieve (salvation).” (9:20)

یَوْمَ یَجْمَعُکُمْ لِیَوْمِ الْجَمْعِ ذٰلِكَ یَوْمُ التَّغَابُنِ ؕ وَمَنْ یُّؤْمِنْۢ بِاللّٰهِ وَیَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا یُّكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَیِّاٰتِہٖ وَیُدْخِلْهُ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ۝

“The Day when He gathers you for the Day of Gathering (for Judgement) – that is the Day of Loss and Gain. Whoever believes in Allah and acts with integrity, He will remit his misdeeds, and will admit him into gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme achievement.” (64:9)

یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا هَلْ اَدُلُّکُمْ عَلٰی تِجَارَۃٍ تُنْجِیْکُمْ مِّنْ عَذَابٍ اَلِیْمٍ ۝ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ وَتُجَاهِدُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِاَمْوَالِکُمْ وَاَنْفُسِکُمْ ؕ ذٰلِکُمْ خَیْرٌ لَّکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ۝ یَغْفِرْ لَکُمْ ذُنُوْبَکُمْ وَیُدْخِلْکُمْ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ وَمَسٰكِنَ طَیِّبَۃً فِیْ جَنّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِیْمُ ۝

“O Believers!  Shall I inform you of a trade that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your possessions and yourselves. That is best for you if you only knew. He will forgive you your sins; and will admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and into beautiful mansions in the Gardens of Eden. That is the ultimate success.” (61-10 – 12)

اُولٰٓئِكَ كَتَبَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الْاِیْمَانَ وَاَیَّدَهُمْ بِرُوْحٍ مِّنْهُ ؕ رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْهُ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ حِزْبُ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ حِزْبَ اللّٰهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُوْنَ ۝

“……. These are people in whose hearts Allah has inscribed faith, and has supported them with a spirit from Him. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. These are the devotees of Allah. Behold! Indeed, it is Allah’s devotees who will be the successful ones.” (58:22)

 قُلْ اِنَّ الْخٰسِرِیْنَ الَّذِیْنَ خَسِرُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ وَاَهْلِیْهِمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ اَلَا ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِیْنُ۝

“…. Say: ‘Truly, losers are those who lose their own souls and their families on the Day of Qiyamah: Ah! that is indeed the (real and) evident Loss!” (39:15)