The Gates of Hell vs. The Gates of Paradise - Abdul Sattar [Surah Zumar 39: 71-72]

Gems of the Quran: The Gates of Hell vs. The Gates of Paradise - Abdul Sattar


One of the beauties of the Quran is its revelation in the Arabic language. Some of the gems that one can glean from its words, neither require one to know 13 Arabic sciences nor to have studied for 13 years. Knowing the effects of a single letter can change the story, the tapestry that the Quran creates for us. InshAllah examples like this will encourage us to drown ourselves in the ocean that is the Quran and to learn its language.


Allah says in Surah Zumar 39/71:

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَذَا قَالُوا بَلَى وَلَكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ - قِيلَ ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened. And its keepers will say: “Did not the Messengers come to you from yourselves, reciting to you the Ayaat of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours” They will say: “Yes,” but the Word of torment has been justified against the disbelievers!






Now let us take a look at the verse in the same Surah which talks about the people of Paradise 39/73-74:

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ - وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ

And those who had Taqwa will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: “Salam `Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever.”) (74. And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah Who has fulfilled His promise to us and has made us inherit the land. We can dwell in Paradise where we will; how excellent a reward for the workers!”


These translations however, do no justice to a slight, beautiful, and amazing difference between these two which can only be made beautiful in the subtlety of Arabic. Let us take a look at these two again, focusing only on the first sentence of each verse - I have differentiated the parts that seem to be the only difference between the two:

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَـفَرُواْ إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ زُمَراً حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا

And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups till when they reach it, the gates thereof will be opened.
and

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْاْ رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الّجَنَّةِ زُمَراً حَتَّى إِذَا جَاؤُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا

Glancing quickly we may think the only difference between these two is that the first group is الَّذِينَ كَـفَرُواْ (those who disbelieve) and are being driven إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ (to Hell), whereas the second group is الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْاْ رَبَّهُمْ (those who feared and knew their Lord) and are being driven إِلَى الّجَنَّةِ (to Paradise).

However, we missed something. In the second verse… instead of saying فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا (the Gates will be opened), Allah says وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا (there is a letter و added) in front of the phrase. This letter و changes the image completely.

Explanation:

In the first group, the people who rejected belief in Allah and His Prophets, are being driven to hell in large groups. When they reach Hellfire…فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا! Suddenly and with no warning, the massive gates of Hellfire ambush them and open before them. They were being driven somewhere by the angels, prodded like cattle, and brought before this structure, and these massive gates SUDDENLY OPEN. Imagine their sound as Surah Mulk says, that Hellfire will be shrieking and yelling. It will be calling out for fuel. And its fuel is men and stones. “Indeed, Hell is a place of ambush” as is written in Sura Naba. The gates slam open as their FIRST ambush and the people are shown the eternal fate that awaits them.

In the second group however, Allah says: وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا. The people are being driven to the gates of Paradise. They are being taken there and they come upon Paradise….and وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا - They find the gates ALREADY OPEN. They saw it while coming upon it, they saw it as they came upon it, they are able to gaze into the open doors. This SINGLE LETTER و causes the image of these gates to change by showing the state of the gates as the people come upon them. There is no surprise. There is no questioning. There is no wonder if this place is meant for them….it is meant for them. They are welcome. The gates are open already and it is why they have been taken there. Paradise is theirs and they are being called into it from these gates.

A single letter tells us that the gates of hellfire will ambush the people of Hell, but that the gates of paradise will be wide open waiting for its inhabitants to enter. May Allah make us of those people who will be taken to the gates of Paradise.

إِنَّآ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

Indeed, we have sent it down as an Arabic Quran in order that you might understand.

And Allah knows best.

Abdul Sattar

(Source)

And by the winds that scatter [Mursalaat 77:1]

In the Qur’an in Surah Mursalaat [77: 1-4], Allah does Oaths by certain objects for us to reflect on.


There is a difference of opinion if ‘mursalaat’ refers to angels or winds, but in a literary context, ‘winds’ is a more appropriate definition.


Allah azza wa jal says:


وَالْمُرْسَلَاتِ عُرْفًا and by the winds that scatter [77:1]: ‘urf literally means the mane of a horse. If a horse has no reins, the rider only has the mane to hold on too, and if the rider let’s go, the horse will go wild.


This first ayah is showing how if Allah ta’ala let a wind go, it would spread wildly without control.


فَالْعَاصِفَاتِ عَصْفًا and by the winds that blow violently [77:2]: the “fa” at the beginning of this verse shows reason, due too, because of the mursalaati ‘urfaa: al-’aasifaati ‘asfa. ‘asf literally means inconsiderate movement, such as a bulldozer. (Think of a car coming straight at you on the highway, if that car doesn’t move, and rams right into you–that is ‘asf) It is a merciless wind that destroys everything in its path.


In these two verses, Allah ta’laa is talking about winds that brings destruction. Why? This is a makkee surah, and Allah ta’ala is reminding the Quraysh–those who mock at the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam to bring the punishment–these winds of punishment CAN be let go and it has been done before, no intricate planning or arrangement is required for your destruction. 


In Suratul Haqqah [69:6], Allah ta’ala describes the scene of ‘Aad who were destroyed by a wind: for eight days their whole city were being tossed around like it was nothing.




Then Allah ta’ala says in the next ayah:


وَالنَّاشِرَاتِ نَشْرًا and by the winds that scatter [77:3]: this ayah begins with a ‘wa’ so we know it is a new oath. Allah ta’ala swears by the winds that do nashr. Nashr means to spread randomly all over, such as the act of taking seeds and scattering them on the soil.

An-naashiraat are those winds that distribute. What do they distribute? Clouds that bring the rain. If these winds did not distribute the clouds, then cities would suffer from drought. Modern science learns now that pollen is also distributed by winds, so without these winds there would be no vegetation. These naashiraat distribute from both the sky (rain) and the ground (vegetation).


This verse shows the life that the winds carry, while the first two verses displayed death and destruction.


Allah azza wa jal continues:


فَالْفَارِقَاتِ فَرْقًا and by those winds that separate: farq means to distribute and separate, with a very precise division.


These winds distribute mercy, just as the first two winds sent punishment. This verse shows us that all of these winds, either bringing mercy or punishment, are precisely distributed.




فَالْمُلْقِيَاتِ ذِكْرًا and by those that deliver a message: Both of these winds, the ones of mercy and the ones of destruction, carry a reminder for the people. The winds of mercy remind us that these winds bring rain, which is a rizq (provision) from the sky, showing we are totally dependent on Allah ta’ala, such as a man who is feeding a caged animal–the animal is totally dependent on the master. These verses remind us no matter how disobedient or how wild we are: we depend totally on Allah. When the rain falls from the sky that these winds have scattered, we see the dead earth being brought to life, reminding us that we will be resurrected just as the dead land.



These reminders are:


عُذْرًا أَوْ نُذْرًا as a justification or to warn: ‘udhra means to receive an excuse or a lesson, or an ignoring. There are two people mentioned in this verse: those who take a reminder of these winds, and those who ignore the reminder.


But either way:

إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَاقِعٌ Surely, what you have been promised will definitely come to pass: the promise of the Day of Judgment, of Resurrection and the destruction of those who disobey Allah. Those who enjoy the mercy of these winds, the rain, the vegetation, the rizq, they will be destroyed.


May Allah ta’ala make us among those who benefit from the reminder,

Ameen.


(Source)

By the (steeds) that run, with panting (breath) [al-'Aadiyaat 100: 1-7]

In the Qur’an, there is a relationship between oaths and what follows the oaths. When Allah ta’ala swears by something, it shows the importance of the object He is swearing by and that object will be elevated. Furthermore, whatever comes after the oath is very important as well. There are many examples in the Qur’an, here are two of them:

Allah ta’ala says in Suratul ‘Aadiyaat,


وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا
فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا
فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا
فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعًا

فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا

By the (steeds) that run, with panting (breath),

Striking sparks of fire (by their hooves),

And scouring to the raid at dawn

And raise the dust in clouds the while,

Penetrating forthwith as one into the midst (of the enemy).

(Surat ul ‘Aadiyaat 100:1-5)


Makkee/Makkan surahs have amazing imagery, and these first five verses are dedicated to horses in battle.

1400years ago, when there was no TV, movies, picture books, all that was available was one’s imagination, especially when the audience of the Qur’an were people from a desert with nothing to look at. Allah (azza wa jal) is painting a magnificient scene in the mind of the Quraysh:


The horses being described here are feminine (الْعَادِيَاتِ), why? The Arabs preferred the female horses in battle because they were faster. Allah (azza wa jal) is describing the horses in the morning time, when there is still moisture in the air and instead of the dust rising as it does in a desert, the moisture causes the dust to settle.

Imagine: these horses who are fast by nature, running so fast that they are causing the dust to rise up–even with the moisture, sparks are flying even though there is moisture on the rocks, and they don’t see infront of them because of the dust in the air–not knowing if there is an enemy or spear waiting on the other side.


Think of the amazement of the non Muslims listening to the Prophet alayhi salaatu wa salaam recite these verses…Anyone amongst them who has a horse realized how loyal their horse is to them; how it will even die for its owner just out of submission to the master.


Then right after these amazing images, Allah ta’ala says:

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ

Indeed man is not loyal to his Rabb! (100:6) 

Just as this horse submits to its master, going into the enemy range without even knowing what is there, completely loyal to the Master…Allah ta’ala reminds them: man is not loyal to his Rabb [Master].


Not only that he’s not loyal but also:

وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَ*ٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ

And to that fact he bears witness (100:7)

Man bears witness to the fact that he is not loyal! He knows! How? Allah azza wa jal just reminded them of the loyalty of the steeds/horses to their owner in the previous verses; if your horse submits to you, then why do you not submit to your Owner?


SubhanAllah!

Say: I seek protection in the Lord of mankind; the King of mankind; the God of mankind." [al-Naas 114]

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ إِلَهِ النَّاسِ

Say: I seek protection in the Lord of mankind; the King of mankind; the God of mankind." 

[Surah al Naas 114]

These ayat in this Surah have not come with a "waw al-'atf" (i.e. the word "and") in between them so it is not permissible in origin to say, "In the Lord of mankind, and the King of mankind, and the God of mankind." It has only come as, "Say: I seek protection in the Lord of mankind; the King of mankind; the God of mankind."

This is so that it will not be suspected that there are three essences [dhat] because there is only One: Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) - the Lord, the King, the God. And so that it will not be suspected that what is intended is more than one, rather He (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is One. So Laa ilaaha illaa Allah [there is no god but Allah].


(Adapted from Lamsat Bayaniyyah fi Nusus min al-Tanzeel by Dr. Fadil Salih al-Samira'i)

Which Comes First: Ins [men] or Jinn ? [An'am 6:112] [Rahman 55:33]

Asalaam alaikum Warahmatulah Wabarakatuh.


Which Comes First: Ins [men] or Jinn ?




Allah says in surat al An'am 6:112:

( وكذلك جعلنا لكل نبي عدوا شياطين الإنس والجن )

Likewise did We make for every Messenger an enemy,- evil ones among men and jinns.

And in surah Rahman 55:33

( يا معشر الجن والإنس إن استطعتم أن تنفذوا من أقطار السماوات والأرض فانفذوا لا تنفذون إلا بلسطان )

O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass!

We notice that in the First ayah here Men [al-Ins] are mentioned first, and the Second ayah - Jinns are mentioned first. So why is this?


The First ayah is explaining about the enemies of the Prophets, the opposition that they faced. Its clear and known that the shayateen/devils from mankind were stronger in that, and the people of truth were exposed to more opposition and evil from these human ones. So this is why al-Ins [human] devils preceded here as in this topic it was more appropriate to mention them first.

The Second ayah is constrasting whereby Jinns were mentioned first. Upon contemplating the meaning of this it was found that the reason for this here is to do with their level of knowledge in this. Its like a challenge in this ayah, if you can do this then do it. And who has more knowledge of the heavens/skies? its known that the jinns knowledge is more in this sphere, and they are more capable in it and therefore their mention preceded that of al-ins [humans].

And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded, "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. [Ibrahim 14:22]

وَقَالَ الشَّيْطَانُ لَمَّا قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَعَدَكُمْ وَعْدَ الْحَقِّ وَوَعَدتُّكُمْ فَأَخْلَفْتُكُمْ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لِيَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا أَن دَعَوْتُكُمْ فَاسْتَجَبْتُمْ لِي ۖ فَلَا تَلُومُونِي وَلُومُوا أَنفُسَكُم ۖ مَّا أَنَا بِمُصْرِخِكُمْ وَمَا أَنتُم بِمُصْرِخِيَّ ۖ إِنِّي كَفَرْتُ بِمَا أَشْرَكْتُمُونِ مِن قَبْلُ ۗ إِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ


And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded [on Judgment Day], "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah ] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."

[Surah Ibrahim 14:22]


 A sister [Um Reem] from MuslimMatters.org did an exorcism of a girl in Pakistan to remove a Jinn from her, and this Jinn had been sent to possess the girl due to black magic and jealousy.




I quote;

[She, the female Jinn (called Seeta)] said that he [iblis] has told them that he will wear a crown on the Day of Judgment.

He has also promised them of unlimited ‘rewards’. She said;

“Your Rabb [Master/Allah] has promised you rewards and our Iblees has promised us rewards.”

  


And Satan will say when the matter has been concluded [on Judgment Day], "Indeed, Allah had promised you the promise of truth. And I promised you, but I betrayed you. But I had no authority over you except that I invited you, and you responded to me. So do not blame me; but blame yourselves. I cannot be called to your aid, nor can you be called to my aid. Indeed, I deny your association of me [with Allah ] before. Indeed, for the wrongdoers is a painful punishment."

[Surah Ibrahim 14:22]



Read the Full Exorcism Experience here;
http://muslimmatters.org/2008/02/11/a-conversation-with-a-jinn-the-exorcism-experience/
http://salaf-stories.blogspot.com/2009/12/conversation-with-jinn-exorcism.html
 

Your refuge is the Fire. It is most worthy of you, and wretched is the destination. [Surah Hadeed 57:15]

فَالْيَوْمَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنكُمْ فِدْيَةٌ وَلَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ مَأْوَاكُمُ النَّارُ ۖ هِيَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

So today no ransom will be taken from you or from those who disbelieved. Your Mawla is the Fire. It is most worthy of you, and wretched is the destination. [Surah Hadeed 57:15]


As we know; ‘That is because certainly Allah is the Mawlaa of those who believe, and indeed the disbelievers have no Mawlaa.’ [Surah Muhammad 47:11]


The meaning of Mawlaa is one who is willing to protect you, and does protect you.


Your Mawlaa is An-Naar [the fire] - which can not protect anyone, so in reality its not a "mawlaa" [protector]. By what we understand from the word is like "the only thing that you could take for a mawlaa is an-naar [the fire]" "that is your only refuge", when that is not even really a protector. Infact, it's your own enemy.



This is similar to when Allah says;

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ


But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those are the companions (As-haab) of Hellfire. [Ma'idah 5:10]




Because the hellfire is not a good companion, rather it is your enemy. And a Sahabi [companion] is someone who is always with you.