In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent

Say: “All praise be to God, and peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen. Who is more worthy: God or the false (deities) they associate with Him?”

(The Ants; Al-Naml: 27: 59)

Following closely after episodes of the histories of Moses, David, Solomon, Salih and Lot (peace be upon them all), this final passage of Surah Al-Naml is closely related to its opening verses. As clearly seen, the stories that occur in between the opening and concluding passages are also closely related to both. Every story serves an aspect of the overall issue that the whole surah tackles. This final passage begins with praising God and offers the greeting of peace to His chosen prophets and messengers who include in their ranks many that have not been mentioned in this surah. Thus the passage begins a new round of discussing faith. This round portrays scenes of the universe and shows aspects of the inner self, and things that are beyond our world. It also refers to the signs that announce the approach of the Last Hour, and shows scenes of the hereafter and the hardship people experience on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, apart from those excepted by God, all creatures in the heavens and the earth dread the arrival of the Last Hour.

In this round people are made to contemplate certain things they see in the universe around them, and also within themselves. They cannot deny these and cannot explain their existence unless they acknowledge God as the sole Creator who has planned it all and who is able to accomplish His purpose in full. These scenes are shown in succession, with perfect rhythm, to render all counterargument futile. Successive questions are put to them: Who has created the heavens and the earth? Who brought rain from the skies to bring forth pleasant gardens? Who has stabilized the earth, caused rivers to run through it, placed mountains on it and placed a barrier between seas? Who responds to a supplicant praying in desperation and removes harm? Who causes human succession on earth? Who guides you in the darkness on land and in sea? Who sends the wind heralding His grace? Who originates and repeats creation? Who provides sustenance for you from the heavens and the earth? Time after time they are hammered with the question: Can there be another deity alongside God? They cannot utter such a claim, yet they worship objects claiming for them a share of God’s divinity!

The passage then looks at their denial of the hereafter and their confusion over it. It comments by directing them to reflect on the end met by earlier communities that, like them, denied the truth. This is followed by a scene of the resurrection and what it involves of fearful hardship. It returns them for a moment to life on earth before returning again to the Day of Judgment, as if to shake their hearts and souls.

As the passage approaches its end it acquires an awesome rhythm. Having directed the unbelievers’ attention to scenes of the universe and the horror of the Day of Resurrection, the Prophet abandons them to their fate which they have chosen, defining his own code and method: “I am only bidden to worship the Lord of this City who has made it sacred. To Him all things belong. And I am bidden to be one of those who submit themselves (to God). And to recite the Qur’an.’ So whoever chooses to follow the right path does so for his own benefit; and if any chooses to go astray, say: ‘I am only a warner.’” (Verses 91-92)

The passage and the round are concluded like they started: With praising God, the only One who is worthy of praise. The unbelievers are left to their Lord who is sure to show them His signs, and who is certainly aware of all they do in public and in secret: “And say: All praise is due to God. He will indeed make you see His signs, and you will recognize them. Your Lord is never heedless of what you do.” (Verse 93)

This passage begins with this short verse: “Say: All praise be to God, and peace be upon His servants whom He has chosen. Who is more worthy: God or the false (deities) they associate with Him?” (Verse 59)

In this verse God orders His Messenger (peace be upon him) to say the most suitable word with which to open and conclude his discourse preaching his message and the argument he puts in its favor. All praise be to God who deserves to be praised for all the blessings He has bestowed on His servants, most worthy of which is guiding them to believe in Him and to follow the system and code of living He has chosen for them. And then a greeting of peace is offered to His servants whom He has chosen to deliver His message and outline the system He wants to be implemented.

Following this opening, the surah starts to highlight its effects on hearts that deny God’s signs. This begins with a question that admits only one answer: “Who is more worthy: God or the false (deities) they associate with Him?” (Verse 59) These false deities may be statues and figures, angels or jinn, or some other created beings. None of them can aspire to a position of being similar to God Almighty, let alone be more worthy than He. No one endowed with a mind to think can ever draw such a comparison. Hence the question appears to be merely ridiculing their position, or rebuking them for what they say. It is not a question to be asked in earnest, or require an answer.

Therefore, a different question is put to them, derived from the nature of the universe around them and what they see of it: “Or, who is it that has created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water from the skies, with which We cause to grow gardens of delightful beauty? You could have never caused such trees to grow. Could there be any deity alongside God? Nay, they are people who swerve from justice.” (Verse 60)

We will comment on this verse and the following ones next week, God willing.