In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful
How about one who shall have nothing but his bare face to protect him from the awful suffering on Resurrection Day? It will be said to the wrongdoers: “Taste now what you have earned.” Those who lived before them also disbelieved, and so suffering befell them from where they could not perceive. God gave them a taste of humiliation in this world. Yet much greater will be the suffering of the life to come, if they but knew it! We have set for people in this Qur’an all sorts of illustrations, so that they may reflect. It is an Arabic Qur’an, free from distortion, so that people may become conscious of God. God cites the case of a man who has for his masters several partners at odds with each other, and a man belonging wholly to one person? Can they be deemed equal? All praise is due to God alone, but most of them do not understand. (The Throngs; Al-Zumar: 39: 24-29)
Having told us of the two different types of heart people have, leading them either to follow divine guidance or to lose their way and be in error, the surah then shows what awaits those who chose to go astray on the Day of Judgement. It paints a very depressing picture at the time when results are given: “How about one who shall have nothing but his bare face to protect him from the awful suffering on Resurrection Day? It will be said to the wrongdoers: “Taste now what you have earned.”
Normally a person uses his hands and body to protect his face from fire or harmful objects. In this case, however, he cannot use his hands or legs to save himself from the fire; instead, he uses his face for protection, which describes a case of great confusion and hardship. In the midst of all this difficulty and suffering they are faced with strong censure and given the results of their lives’ actions. What a terrible result they have to face: “It will be said to the wrongdoers: Taste now what you have earned.”
The surah then speaks about the unbelievers who stood in opposition to the Prophet (peace be upon him), showing them what happened to the unbelievers of earlier communities, so that they may save themselves from a similar fate: “Those who lived before them also disbelieved, and so suffering befell them from where they could not perceive. God gave them a taste of humiliation in this world. Yet much greater will be the suffering of the life to come, if they but knew it!”
Such is the outcome faced by the unbelievers in both lives, in this world and the next. In this life, God made them taste humiliation, and in the life to come they will face a greater suffering. God’s law will continue to operate, the fates of past generations remain witnesses to the truth, God’s warnings concerning the Day of Judgment remain in force, their chance to save themselves continues, and this Qur’an remains available to those who will heed the warnings.
“We have set for people in this Qur’an all sorts of illustrations, so that they may reflect. It is an Arabic Qur’an, free from distortion, so that people may become conscious of God. God cites the case of a man who has for his masters several partners at odds with each other, and a man belonging wholly to one person? Can they be deemed equal? All praise is due to God alone, but most of them do not understand.”
God draws an analogy citing the examples of two of His servants: one believes in His oneness and one ascribes divinity to others beside God. He compares them to two slaves: one is owned by several people who are at odds with each other about who owns him; he is caught between them, while each of them requires him to do certain things. He is at a loss, not knowing which way to turn and cannot manage to satisfy them all because of their contradictory orders. The other is owned by one master, and he knows what his master wants and is clear about his desires and requirements.
“Can they be deemed equal?” They are definitely unequal. The one who has one master enjoys consistency and knows what is expected of him. His energy is spent in a consistent way and the road ahead of him is clear. The other, who has several masters, is always suffering anxiety and worry. He does not feel settled. He is unable to satisfy even one of his masters, let alone them all.
This comparison accurately describes the nature of believing in God’s oneness as opposed to the nature of idolatry. The one who believes in God’s oneness goes along his earth’s journey equipped with clear guidance, because his eyes are looking up to one guiding star in the sky. Thus his way is straight. He knows one source for life, strength and sustenance; harm and benefit; grace and deprivation. He sets on his straight way to this source, strengthening his ties with it. He is assured of his single goal and does not lose sight of it. Thus, his energy is streamlined, assured of his work’s objective. His feet
are set firm on the ground while his gaze looks to God in heaven.
This telling analogy is followed by a comment praising God who has chosen for His servants what gives them comfort, safety, security and contentment. Yet they deviate from the truth, and most of them do not even know it.
This is but one of the numerous examples the Qur’an gives people so that they may reflect. It is a clear Qur’an in the Arabic tongue. It addresses human nature with simple logic. In it there is no ambiguity, equivocation or deviation.
