Meaning of Quran

Qaf | The Letter “Qaf”

With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.

[50:1] Qaf. (I swear) by the glorious Qur‘an, (you are sent as a messenger.)

[50:2] But they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves; so the disbelievers said, .This is something
strange.

[50:3] Is it when we die and become dust (that we will be brought to life again?) That is a return, far (from understanding).

[50:4] We know very well how much of them is diminished by the earth, and We have a Book that Preserves everything.

[50:5] Rather, they rejected the truth when it came to them; so they are in a confused state.

[50:6] Did they not, then, look to the sky above them, how We have built it and beautified it, and it has no cracks?

[50:7] As for the earth, We have spread it out, and cast on it firm hills, and caused to grow therein every kind of delightful
things,

[50:8] as a source of vision and as a lesson to every servant (of Allah) who turns (to Him for guidance).

[50:9] And We sent down blessed water from the sky, and caused to grow therewith gardens and grain of harvest,

[50:10] and towering date palms that have spadices, put one upon another,

[50:11] as a provision to the servants (of Allah). And We gave life with it to a dead land. Similar will be the exit (of the dead from
their graves).

[50:12] It (resurrection) was rejected before them by the people of Nuh, and the people of Rass and Thamud,

[50:13] and Ad, and Fir‘aun (Pharaoh), and the brothers of Lut,

[50:14] and dwellers of Aaikah, and the people of Tubba‘. Each one of them rejected the messengers; so My threat came true.

[50:15] Is it, then, that We were worn out by the first creation? No, but they are still in confusion about the new creation.

[50:16] Indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than
(his) jugular vein,

[50:17] when the two receiving angels receive (every human act to record it), seated (one) on the right and (one) on the left.

[50:18] Not a single word is uttered by one but there is a watcher near him, ready (to record).

[50:19] The daze of death has (to) come with truth. That is what you tried to escape.

[50:20] And the Horn will be blown. That will be the day of (which) threat (was given).

[50:21] And everybody will come, along with one (angel) to drive (him to the field of reckoning) and one (angel) to testify (about
his deeds).

[50:22] You were heedless of this. Now We have removed your veil from you; so your sight today is sharp.

[50:23] And his companion (i.e. the angel who recorded his deeds) will say, ‘This is what I have with me, ready (to be presented as his record of deeds)’.

[50:24] (Then it will be said,) ‘Cast, (O two angels,) into Jahannam (Hell) every obstinate disbeliever

[50:25] who used to prevent (others) from good (behavior), who transgressed all bounds, who cast doubts (in true faith),

[50:26] who set up another god along with Allah. So cast him (O angels) in the painful punishment’.

[50:27] His (evil) companion (i.e. the Satan) will say, ‘O our Lord, I did not cause him to rebel, but he was himself (involved) in straying far from the track’.

[50:28] He (Allah) will say, ‘Do not quarrel before Me, while I had sent to you My threat well in advance.

[50:29] The Word is not changed with Me, and I Am not so unjust to My servants’.

[50:30] (Remind them of) the Day when We will say to Jahannam (Hell), ‘Are you filled up?’ and it will say, ‘Are there some more?’.

[50:31] And the Jannah (Paradise) will be brought close for the God-fearing, no longer distant.

[50:32] (And it will be said,) ‘This is what you were promised for everyone who was oft-returning to Allah, vigilant (against sins),

[50:33] the one who feared the Rahman (The All-Merciful Allah), without seeing Him, and came up with a heart oriented
towards Him.

[50:34] Enter it in peace. That is the Day of Eternity’.

[50:35] They will have in it whatever they wish, and with Us there are things even more than that.

[50:36] And how many a generation We have destroyed before them who were stronger than these in their grip on power, and
they searched out the cities. Was there any place (for them) to escape?

[50:37] Indeed, there is a lesson in all this for him who has a heart and gives ear (to the truth) attentively.

[50:38] We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, and no weariness even touched Us.

[50:39] So, (O Prophet,) endure with patience what they say, and proclaim His purity, along with your Lord‘s praise, before
sunrise and before sunset.

[50:40] And in hours of night, proclaim His purity, and at the ends of prostration.

[50:41] And listen: The Day when the caller will call out from a near place,

[50:42] the Day they will hear the Cry in reality that will be the Day of Resurrection.

[50:43] Surely We alone give life and bring death, and to Us is the final return

[50:44] on the Day when the earth will burst apart exposing them, while they will be hurrying up (to come out). That is an assembly, so easy for Us (to muster).

[50:45] We know well what they say, and you are not (sent) as one who compels them. So exhort, through the Qur‘an, the one who fears My warning.

Tafsir

Overview of Surah Qaf

  1. Title and Position: Surah Qaf is the 50th chapter of the Quran. The title comes from the Arabic letter “Qaf” (ق), which opens the surah. The significance of this letter, like other isolated letters in the Quran, has been a subject of various interpretations.
  2. Verses and Structure: This surah contains 45 verses. It is notable for its emphasis on the resurrection, the Day of Judgment, and the signs of God’s power in the natural world.
  3. Themes and Messages: Major themes include the certainty of the resurrection, the accountability of human actions, the rejection of the message by disbelievers, and the signs of God’s power in creation.
  4. Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Qaf is significant for its vivid portrayal of the afterlife and the resurrection, serving as a reminder of the ultimate return to God and the importance of righteous living.

Detailed Explanation

  1. Resurrection and Judgment: The surah strongly affirms the reality of the resurrection and the Day of Judgment, countering the doubts raised by disbelievers.
  2. Accountability and Reckoning: It emphasizes that all human actions are recorded and that individuals will be held accountable for their deeds in the afterlife.
  3. Rejection by Disbelievers: Surah Qaf addresses the skepticism and rejection of the disbelievers, providing arguments against their doubts and emphasizing the truth of the Quranic message.
  4. Signs of God’s Creation: The surah invites reflection on the natural world, from the creation of the heavens and the earth to human life, as signs of God’s power and wisdom.
  5. Moral and Spiritual Guidance: It offers guidance on ethical conduct, the importance of heeding divine guidance, and the consequences of ignoring the signs of God.

FAQs

  1. What is the significance of the letter ‘Qaf’ in Surah Qaf?
    • The letter “Qaf” is among the isolated letters that appear at the beginning of some Quranic chapters. Its specific significance is open to interpretation, but it is often seen as emphasizing the miraculous and profound nature of the Quran.
  2. How does Surah Qaf describe the Day of Judgment and resurrection?
    • The surah presents a vivid depiction of the Day of Judgment and resurrection, emphasizing the inevitability of this event and the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.
  3. What does the surah teach about human accountability?
    • It teaches that all human actions, whether big or small, are recorded and that individuals will face the consequences of their actions in the afterlife.
  4. How does Surah Qaf encourage reflection on the natural world?
    • The surah points to various aspects of creation as evidence of God’s power and wisdom, encouraging reflection on these signs as a way to strengthen faith and understanding of the divine.

Read more