“We have certainly created man in the finest stature. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low—except those who believe and do righteous deeds: theirs is an unceasing reward.” (4–6)

“We have certainly created man in the finest stature”: that is, with the most upright form and the most beautiful appearance. For He created every animal bent over upon its face, whereas He created man tall in stature, able to take his food with his hand, and endowed with intellect and discernment.

“Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low”: that is, to old age and decrepit senility, whereby his intellect diminishes and his body grows weak. The lowly are the weak, the chronically infirm, and children; thus, the elderly man is lower than all of these. (1) “The lowest of the low” is an indefinite expression encompassing the entire class, just as one says, “So-and-so is the noblest person standing”; but when made definite, one says, “the noblest of those standing.” In the codex of Abdullah, it reads, “the lowest of the lowly.” (2)

Al-Hasan, Qatadah, and Mujahid said: It means, “Then We returned him to the Fire”—that is, to the lowest of the low—because some parts of Hell are lower than others.

Abu al-Aliyah said: It means, to the Fire in the most evil form, in the form of a pig. He then made an exception, saying: “Except those who believe”—for they will not be returned to the Fire. Those who held the first view said: “We reduced them to the lowest of the low,” such that their minds departed and their deeds ceased; thus, no good deed is recorded for them—except those who believe (3) “and do righteous deeds,” for after old age and mental deterioration, they are recorded as having done the same deeds they used to perform in their youth and good health.

Ibn Abbas said: They were a group of people who were reduced to decrepit old age during the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, so Allah Most High revealed their excuse. He informed that they would receive the reward for the deeds they had performed before their minds departed. (4)

Ikrimah said: This elderly man is not harmed by his old age, (5) since Allah has granted him an end upon the best deeds he used to perform. (6)

Asim al-Ahwal narrated from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas, that he said: “Except those who believe and do righteous deeds.”