Surah Ma'arij - (70) - the Ascension Stairways

Quick Navigation | Ayah: Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 |Summary| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |

Return
to LinguisticMiracle.com



Ma'arij
1 [Ayah 1-3] (Download MP3)


Introduction
:


1 - Similarity: This surah starts with  a discussion of the the Day of Judgment (similar to how surah Haqqah mentions Judgment Day in detail.)

2 - Difference: this surah is not as specific in mentioning destroyed nations (whereas surah Haqqah was.)


Theme:

Surah Ma'arij has a more Reflective and Philosophical approach.

Surah Ma'arij is slightly lighter in tone than other surahs, although it still has a Makkan theme of encouraging the people to believe.

Surah Ma'arij is from the middle period of Makkah (i.e. Around 5 or 6 years after Prophethood.)
[unlike surahs; Mulk, Qalam, and Haqqah which were early Makkan surahs.]

Go to Top^



Ayah 1:

سَأَلَ سَائِلٌ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ

Sa'ala saa'ilun bi 'adhaabin waaqi'

A Questioner asked rushingly
about the Inevitably Landing Punishment


This is one of the most Unique beginnings of a surah in the Qur'an.

Sa'ala - he Asked
Saa'il - asker

= a Questioner Asked


It is not identifying who asked the Question.

A Passive voice could be used (Su'ila - it was Asked [without mentioning who the Doer was.])

So why was Active voice used? [telling that the Doer did it].


Active Voice: "sA'Ala" this was used to show that someone did actually ask a Question.
Passive Voice: "sU'Ila" if this was used, it could imply that it was only Hypothetical, and that someone did not really ask the Question.


1 - "Sa'ala" implies that someone did ask the Question.
2 - It also implies that someone did ask this question, and it will throughout history be asked by the people (due to Curiousity.)



..Bi 'adhaabin - about Punishment

The word "'An" (About) is normally used, but 'Bi' has been used in this ayah.


[Another example: In Salaah, we say "Sami'Allahu LI man hamidah" (Allah hears For who praises Him.)
LI is not usually used in such a sentence.

The letter Laam is used next to Istijaabah (to accept/answer/respond). So it has been used in Sami'Allahu LI man Hamidah to signify that 'O Allah, accept my praise that I say for you' (hopefully Allah will accept it and answer/respond to the praiser.]



When we look around the Quran, we usually see that the letter 'Ba' (Bi) is used to imply; RUSHING and Mocking.

وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ - Wa yasta'jiloonaka BI al-Adhaab - they are seeking you RUSH WITH the punishment. (Surah Ankaboot 29:53)


So it is possible that in this surah also, the disbeliever asking is being harsh and evil and sarcastic when asking Allah's Messenger about the Punishment and when it will happen.


Waaqi'
- literally for something to come down/land down on top of something else [this word is usually used in a figurative/metaphorical sense]. And it cannot be stopped.

= that which will Inevitably land/fall/take place, and it cannot be stopped/prevented.


"The Questioner asked about a Punishment which is Inevitable"

So Allah quotes the questioner and directly and straightaway refutes his sarcasm and doubt.  It will inevitably happen.


Allah uses the word Waaqi' - in noun form. Showing that it is an Object which will eventually come with Adhaab (punishment) and attack such a character.

But you do not know when it will come - causing anxiety for the one who knows Islam is the truth, yet he still lies against it. So this punishment could land tomorrow, or even a few minutes later. But it will inevitably land and occur.



- Another useage of the 'Baa' ('With'): Iltisaaq (latch/glue/attach onto something.)

So Allah uses this word to imply that this punishment will inevitably occur, and when it does land - it will attach to you - the sarcastic disbeliever - tightly, not letting you go, and it will totally destroy you.

Go to Top^




Ayah 2:

لِّلْكَافِرِينَ لَيْسَ لَهُ دَافِعٌ

Li al Kaafireena laysa lahu daafi'

For the Ungrateful Disbelievers, none can -especially for him- that can divert it


Li - for
Al - the


Kaafireen
(plural) / Kaafir (singular) - kafara - Covers. the disbeliever Covers the favours of Allah with his ungratefulness and disbelief.

"(the Punishment is landing inevitably on and attaching) for the ungrateful Disbelievers."


Li =
[Ibn Hishaam has a book called Ma'aani al Huroof (Meanings of the PreDispositions / Letters) which discusses the definitions in depth. The letter 'Laam' has 6 useages, and 2 of these useages can be found in the Quran.]


LI :-

1 - Milkiyyah (Ownership).
Li al Kaafireen - FOR the Ungrateful Disbelievers.
= this inevitable Punishment belongs FOR them, it was made especially for them (the sarcastic disbelievers).

2 - 'Intihaa ul Ghaaya - where something ends.'

I.e.
كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى - Kullun yaJree LI ajalin musamman - everything is in motion TILL a set time. (surah Fatir 35:13)

So 'Li' may also imply: 'Till'.
= "a questioner asks about the Inevitable landing punishment, TILL it reaches the ungrateful disbeliever."

The punishment will keep coming down TILL it reaches/targets/attacks the ungrateful disbeliever(s).


"..Laysa lahu daafi'" - there is nothing Especially for him that can repel (it - the punishment.)


daafi' - daf' - to Avert / repel something.



Allah tells us in;

مَّا لَهُ مِن دَافِعٍ Maa lahu min daafi' - There is none especially for it who can avert it. [Surah Tur 52:8]

MAA - strong negation. (used in a nominal sentence.) ('min' when associated in the same sentence with 'Maa' implies STRONG NEGATION - there is absolutely NO thing that can avert it.)

LAYSA - Negation (used in a verb sentence.)


We see that surah Tur has a strong tone (see its powerful oaths at the beginning).

In comparison - surah Ma'arij has a less stronger tone, so 'Laysa' is used.

"Laysa lahu* daafi' " - there is especially* for him [the disbeliever] None (who can) avert it.

* 'especially' is said because it is mentioned earlier in the sentence structure to imply; exclusivity/especially.


Emphasis of these Aayaat
:

1 - People/disbelievers are mocking and ridiculing and making fun of the punishment.
2 - the people are foolish into thinking the punishment isn't real, but it is inevitable and will no doubt fall on them. Which makes them even more foolish/less intelligent.
3 - It is meant for those who are ungrateful to Allah.
4 - The punishment will land, and it can happen at anytime unexpectedly.

Go to Top^




Ayah 3:

مِّنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ

Min Allahi dhee al Ma'aarij

From Allah, Possessor of Great Heights


The Punishment is going to inevitably come, soon, unexpectedly, and this punishment is from Allah the Master of everything.


Dhee-al Ma'aarij -

Dhee - Possessor.

Dhee al Ma'aarij - Possessor of means to Ascend Extremely High to great Heights.

Ma'aarij - 'aarij - to Rise / ascend.
Ascend slowly in stages (where there are places of stop.)
Mi'raj - a Tool used to ascend gradually.


Similar word:
Sullam - a Ladder.


But Mi'raj helps you ascend extremely high to great heights (higher than a ceiling.)

Ma'aarij is plural of Mi'raj


Meanings:

1 - could refer to Punishments which Ascend. But this does not make much sense because the context is of punishment coming down.

2 - Becoming closer to Allah. Because the next ayah talks about the Angels (Jibreel/Gabriel) ascending closer to Allah. But again, this does not make sense in the context of discussion.

3 - Dhee al Ma'aarij - Possessor of Great Heights. This word is used to honor someone of a high rank, and in this context is a praise of Allah. So Allah is being described as the Possessor of Great Heights, the Lofty, the All High.


So Allah the One who will send a Punishment to these sarcastic disbelievers is the Possessor of Great Heights, the Lofty, the Most High. He is below no-one in any way and has power to do whatever He wants.

Go to Top^

 

 

Ma'arij 2 [Download MP3]

Summary of Aayaat 1 - 3:

This surah was revealed in the middle of the Makkan period, when the disbelievers had heard the message over and over again. But their rejection of the message had made them become arrogant, and sarcastic. So they would sarcastically ask when the punishment of Allah would come down on them.

1 - So the 1st ayah could refer to either;
a) Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) asking Allah to send the inevitable punishment on the disbelievers due to their stubbornness, arrogance and mocking the warnings and signs of Allah.

b) - The disbelievers sarcastically asking Allah to send the punishment (of raining stones [mentioned in surah al-Anfal 8:32]) soon if what Prophet Muhammad came with is the truth. They are doing this to make fun of the warnings of Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam).


2 - Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) is warning the disbelievers to believe in this Inevitable Punishment which will no doubt land on the disbelievers (waaqi'). They should believe now before Allah sends it down and it lands on top of them, then they will not be helped and it will be too late to turn back and believe.

3 - Li-al Kaafireena laysa lahu daafi' = (the punishment has been sent down especially) for the Disbelievers, and nothing can repel or avert it (the punishment.)

[Huroof al Jaarra - Prepositions]:- 3 Huroof al Jarr (Prepositions) are in these 3 aayaat:

Bi - signifying; punishment will come - no doubt. And hinting at the Mocking the disbelievers are doing.

Li - (Li-al ghaaya = where something fits and belongs) = this punishment is specifically fitting and belonging for them and their destruction.
It's a force to be reckoned with.


Min Allahi dhi-al Ma'aarij
- from Allah of Great Heights.

Min = From.
So Allah who is of great Heights will send a punishment down FROM Himself.

This 'Min' emphasises that Allah will directly send this Punishment down FROM Himself. So no doubt, His punishment will be severe and also reach its target (the arrogant disbelievers) accurately.

The disbelievers even sarcastically prayed to Allah to rain down stones on them if what Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) came with is the truth. (see surah al Anfal 8: 32)

So Allah is telling them that your mocking and making fun of the Quran and Messenger will in reality cause Allah to send down an inevitable punishment from above the skies onto the disbelievers.

Go to Top^


Grammar - Sentence Structure:

If you broke down these 3 Aayaat according to Grammar, it would be 2 sentences and not 3 Aayaat.

1st sentence: Sa'ala saa'ilun bi 'adhaabin waaqi'un li-al kaafireen - an Asker asks about the inevitable landing punishment for the Disbelievers.

2nd sentence: Laysa lahu daafi'un, min Allahi dhi-al Ma'aarij - None can avert it, [it is] from Allah the Possessor of Great Heights.

But it is not broken down like that, rather it is broken down into 3 Aayaat instead.


Why could this be?

We see that 2 normal sentences have been broken down into 3 Aayaat to produce and enhance a Powerful Rhyming scheme/pattern.

This field of knowledge is called: al FaSl al Qur'an (the Separating of the Qur'an [aayaat]); I.e. Where does the Qur'an pause, where do the aayaat break down? Etc.

When we hear the Qur'an, it may seem like its Rhyming, but sometimes this rhyming is due to the FaSl al Qur'an.

The amazing thing is that Allah does not break down the aayaat merely to fit a Rhyming scheme. But it is due to other great Literary/Linguistic benefits aswell, to get the point/meaning across better.

Poetry: might lose some grammar or shorten words (qawaafiyyah?) etc. so the Rhyming scheme stays perfect.

But with the Qur'an; we see that;
1-The Grammar remains intact
2-The Word Meaning is very Powerful
3-The Pauses (FaSl) are at the right places to cause a perfect Rhyming scheme.

This shows us that the Qur'an is extremely powerful that it does not have to give up its perfect Linguistic standards and tools while keeping a Rhyming scheme - which enhances the Theme of what is being said.

Go to Top^




Ayah 4:

ÊîÙòÑïÌï ÇäòåîäîÇÆðãîÉï èîÇäÑñïèÍï Åðäîêòçð áðê êîèòåí ãîÇæî åðâòÏîÇÑïçï ÎîåòÓðêæî Ãîäòáî ÓîæîÉí
ta'ruju al malaa'ikatu wa al-Roohu ilayhi fee yawmin kaana miQdaaruhu khamseena alfa sanah

The Angels and the Ruh (Angel Jibreel) climb up it, in a day which measures 50,000 years.


ta'ruju - climb up, to ascend, to go upwards. Climbing up something step by step, little by little, part by part.


Ta'ruju al-Malaa'ikah - the Angels Climb up little by little.


Malaa'ikah (plural) Angels.
Malak (single) - Angel.

The origin root of Malak is; (letter Hamza) Alak, so placing the letter Meem [M] before it = Ma'lakun.

Alak = when a horse bites down on its reins (the rope which goes in its mouth.).
(It does this when someone riding the horse hits it to run faster, and out of the effort and stress - it bites the rope/reins in its mouth. [Alak al Farasu Li-jaama?])

This is what the root 'Alak' means.

Allah tells us that He has made the Angels carry the message from Him. They are so sincere and dedicated to their task - its like they are rushing (like the fast horse) gripping (the message) tightly with their mouths.

This shows us that the Angels are; Quick, Efficient, Obedient, and do what they are told to do Straightaway.

[Ma'lakun is hard to say often and repeatedly, so the 'Arabs dropped the Hamza and pronounced it as; 'Malak' (Angel) instead.]


Wa al - And the

Rooh (commonly translated as 'soul') - Raaha = Comfort.

similar words from the same Root
:
-miRwaha = Fan (because it gives comfort in the heat).
-IstiRaah - to go and seek some Rest.
-taRaaweeh (plural) - taRweeha (singular) = the rests you take after each set of night voluntary prayers.


Rooh = that which brings comfort.


The Soul is called the Rooh because it brings comfort to the body.

When the Soul leaves the body (at death), the body stiffens up. Yet when the Soul is in the body, the body remains comfortable and flexible.

In the Qur'an and the Sunnah, whenever the word 'Rooh' is used along with the Malaa'ikah (Angels) - it is specifically referring to Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

One of the titles of Angel Jibreel is Rooh.


Why is Angel Jibreel called al-Rooh
?
Because his main role has always been to bring down the Revelation from Allah to the human Messengers who have guided the people to the truth. And it is this truth which gives Comfort, peace and tranquility (sukoon) to the hearts of the people.


ya'ruju al Malaa'ikatu wa al-Roohu ilayHi
- Ascend; the Angels and the Angel Jibreel, little by little to Him (Allah)..

Go to Top^


Why is Angel Jibreel separated When he could be mentioned within the category of al Malaa'ikah
(the Angels?)

This is; 'Atf ul khaas 'ala al-'Aam - Placing the Specific over the general masses.

There is always a special reason why the specific one is mentioned separately. In this case, Angel Jibreel is mentioned separately to the other Angels because:

1 - This whole dialogue is talking about the Divine Revelation. And it is especially Angel Jibreel who delivers this message to Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam). So extra focus is given to Angel Jibreel in separation to the other Angels.

2 - Angel Jibreel is the leader of the Angels and of the most magnificent creations of Allah.
A hadeeth in Sahih al Bukhari quotes Allah's Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) telling us how he saw Angel Jibreel twice in his original form.

Allah's Messenger described Angel Jibreel:
His feet were on the Earth, his head was in the skies. He had 600 wings, he opened just 2 of his wings, which were so vast and so great, that they covered the entire distance from the East to the West.

So if Angel Jibreel goes upto Allah step by step, little by little. Yet he is so big and magnificent of a creation, then how amazing and powerful his Creator is (Allah Almighty Himself!)

Go to Top^


When is Angel Jibreel behind the Angels, and When is he at their Front Ranks
?

The Malaa'ikah (Angels) and Angel Jibreel (Rooh) ascend [ya'rujju] to Allah. (surah Ma'aarij 70:4)

The Malaa'ikah and the Rooh continuously descend [taNazzala] (surah Qadr 97:4)

Yawma yaqoomu ar-Roohu wa-al Malaa'ikatu saffa - the Day the Rooh (Angel Jibreel) and the Angels will stand in straight rows.
(surah Naba 78:38)

We see that whenever the Angels are Ascending and Descending from the skies, Angel Jibreel is mentioned after the Malaa'ikah, signifying he is at the back and behind the other Angels.

Similarly: Allah's Messenger Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) would be behind his group of people in travel and not at the front.
Staying at the back showed that he did not want to show off by being at the front, rather - he wanted to lookafter them all by staying at the back and keeping an eye on all of them including the weak ones.


On Judgment Day, Allah mentions Angel Jibreel as standing and leading the Angels, since he is the leader of the Angels. And in this type of situation, the leader needs to stand forward to represent those under him.

Similarly an Imam [leader] (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) stands infront of his people in Prayer, and on Judgment Day he will be standing forward to represent his people.


Fee yawmin - in a Day

Kaana miQdaaru khamseena alfa sanah - whose measure was 50,000 (fifty thousand) years.


The majority of scholars said this is referring to Judgment Day.

A minority opinion is that this is referring to the end of ayah 3. (meaning; if the Angels including Angel Jibreel went up the skies, it would take them 50,000 years to reach Allah.)

But the majority interpretation is that this is referring to Judgment Day being 50,000 years long.


What is meant by Judgment Day being 50,000 years
?


èîæïáðÎî áðê ÇäÕñïèÑð áîÕîÙðâî åîæ áðê ÇäÓñîåîÇèîÇÊð èîåîæ áðê ÇäòÃîÑòÖð ÅðäñîÇ åîæ ÔîÇÁî Çääñîçï ? Ëïåñî æïáðÎî áðêçð ÃïÎòÑîé? áîÅðÐîÇ çïåò âðêîÇåì êîæØïÑïèæî


And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on closely. [al-Zumar 39:68]



Why is Judgment Day so long
?

It will be that long to test peoples limit, people will be anxious and waiting for any new thing to happen, looking around (because most will not know what is going to happen next.)

So the people will run to different Prophets' and Messengers' of Allah and ask them to ask Allah to start the Judgment. But the Messengers' will decline and say that Allah is angry like He has never been angry before, so they will ask them to go to another Messenger, until finally the people will run to Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) and he will pray to Allah to start the Judgment, and Allah will accept his request, and this is when Judgment starts.

Some righteous people will be under the Shade of Allah's throne and be safe on that Day. (see the hadith Qudsi of the 7 types of people Under the Shade of Allah.)

To make the believers feel better;

Hadith 1:
Al Haakim and al Bayhaqi: Abu Hurairah said that Allah's Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) said;
"yaKoonu 'ala al mu'mineena ka miQdaari maa bayna dhuhri wa al 'asr.
It (Judgment Day) is upon the believers like the measurement (of) what is between Dhuhr (Afternoon prayer) and 'Asr (Sunset prayer.)"

People who are obedient to Allah, Judgment Day will literally feel like just a few hours.

Hadith 2:
"Innahu la yuKhafafu 'an-il mu'min hat-taa yaKoona aKhaffa 'alayhi min Salaatin maktooba yuSallee haa fi al-dunya -
Surely it [Judgment Day] will be light in regards to the believer, until it is lighter upon him than a Obligatory/Prescribed (Fardh) Prayer (salaah) he prayed in the world."

This is how long Judgment Day will feel for the true believer.

But the person who is not in the favour of Allah, they will face 50,000years length of Judgment Day.


There is a hadeeth that mentions there are 999 out of every 1000 people who will go to hell.
But this does not have to be literal, since the Arabic language uses large numbers to intimidate and emphasise.


So the people who are under the shade of Allah's throne, they are joyous and having fun celebrating. So the time is going fast for them.

But the evildoers are under the heat of the sun and scorching heat. To them it seems like thousands of years and time is not passing for them.

We ask Allah to place us under His shade on Judgment Day, when there is no shade except His shade.

Go to Top^


Ayah 5:

áîÇÕòÈðÑòÕîÈòÑëÇÌîåðêäëÇ


Fa aSbir Sabran Jameela


So tie yourself to a beautiful Patience


Sabr -
(common translation; Patience).
Literal meaning: 'to tie something down/to restrain something.'
I.e. To control yourself patiently.

Sabran Jameela - a Beautiful Patience.


So the Questioner asked;
- Allah told that it would come inevitably (no doubt/, and it would last for 50,000 years
- Then Allah told His Messenger to be Patient, a Beautiful and Noble patience. Stay firm on this message and conveying it.

You need to be patient how it befits you. The worser they get, the more noblility you show.
Why? Because you are the best standard and example for these people.

This is why many people who opposed Islam became Muslims after 20years of opposition and war against the Muslims. Like; Abu Sufyan, Khalid ibn al Waleed, Ikrimah ibn Abu Jahl, Wahshee - who killed Hamzah the beloved Uncle of Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) etc. They all became Muslim due to the great character and beautiful patience of Prophet Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam.)

Go to Top^



Ayah 6:

Åðæñîçïåò êîÑîèòæîçï ÈîÙðêÏëÇ


InnaHum yaRawnaHu ba'eedan
Surely They are seeing It (Judgment Day, punishment etc.) as Very Far.

yaRaw - Ru'ya - to See, Assume, Percieve etc.


Go to Top^



Ayah 7
:


èîæîÑîÇçï âîÑðêÈëÇ


Wa NaRaahu Qareeba
And We See it as very Close

yaRaw - Ru'ya - to See, Assume, Percieve etc.

Qareeb - very Close.


Another related ayah in the Quran on the approaching of Judgment Day:

ÇâòÊîÑîÈî äðäæñîÇÓð ÍðÓîÇÈïçïåò èîçïåò áðê ÚîáòäîÉí åñïÙòÑðÖïèæî


[The time of] their account/judgment has come extremely close [iQtaraba] for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
[Anbiya 21:1]

iQtaRaBa - iQtiRaab - to be extremely close like it is under your nose.

(the more letters in a word - the more complete/full the meaning)

..wa hum fee ghaflatin mu'riDoon - and they are (immersed) in unawareness, ignoring/turning away.


Allah is telling us that the disbelievers think it (Judgment Day) is far away, but Allah sees/knows it as close.

Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wasalam) told us that he and the Final Hour had come together, and he joined his index and middle finger together (showing the closeness of Prophet Muhammad's arrival and Judgment Day's coming.)


Another way of understanding these aayaat
;

In terms of Probability of a Judgment Day: The disbelievers reject a Life after Death, and they say it is like old stories.

Allah is telling that they think it is ba'eed (Far-fetched), and We (Allah) know it as Near (and true reality.)

Go to Top^


Return to LinguisticMiracle.com