...CONTINUED
Surah
Al-Muddaththir 74: - (The Enveloped One)
This Surah is Makki. It contains 56 verses and 2 sections
With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful
Everyone
will be detained (in the Hell) because of what he did, [38]
except the People of the Right, (i.e. those who will be given
their Book of Deeds in their right hands) [39]
who will be in gardens, asking [40]
about the guilty persons, [41]
'What has brought you to? (Saqar: Hell)" [42]
They will say, "We were not among those who offered Salaah
(obligatory prayer) [43]
and we used not to give food to the needy, [44]
1 and we used to indulge (in mocking at the truth) along with
those who indulged, [45]
and used to deny the Day of Requital, [46]
until when we were overtaken by that which is certain."
[47]
COMMENTARY:
The word Rahinah is used in the sense of Marhinah 'will be
detained'. The word is derived from Rahn 'to give something
valuable to a pawnbroker as a security for a debt. The valuable
thing is thus merely detained by the pawnbroker. He cannot
use it or take advantage of it'.
Likewise,
every person on the Day of Judgement will be detained in lieu
of his sins, except those who will be given their Book of
Deeds in their right hands. In this context, 'detention' could
refer to being detained in Hell. In this case, the statement
would mean that every person will be held in pledge in Hell
against his sins to receive punishment, except the People
of the Right.
The
context indicates that the People of the Right are those who
have repaid their debt, i.e. they have fulfilled their obligations
in this world towards Allah and other human beings. In these
instances there is no need for them to be detained. This interpretation
seems to be plain, simple and straightforward. However, if
'detention' refers to being held at some other place before
giving account or before admission into Paradise or Hell,
it signifies that every person will be held to give an account
of his deeds. No person will be permitted to move out unless
the account is taken.
In
this case, the exception of the People of the Right could
refer to the sinless who are not accountable, such as minors
or immature children as explained by Sayyidana Ali RA. According
to a Tradition, a segment of the Holy Prophet's community
would be exempted from accountability. They will enter Paradise
without having to account for actions. Possibly, it could
be referring to this segment.
According
to Surah al-Waqiah, there will be three categories of people
on the Plain of Gathering:
[I] Sabiqiin 'the Foremost' and Muqarrabiin 'who have attained
nearness to Allah';
[2] The People of the Right; and
[3] The People of the Left.
On
this occasion, the Muqarrabiin have been merged with 'the
People of the Right', and only the latter people have been
mentioned. From this point of view, there is no express text
which states that all the People of the Right will be accepted,
and will not be detained for accountability. The first interpretation
that is being held in Hell, appropriately fits the context.
And Allah knows best!
~
MA'AARIFUL QUR'AN ~
TO BE CONTINUED... |