It was also said: They are communities like you, some of whom understand one another. And it was said: They are communities like you in creation, death, and resurrection. Ata said: They are communities like you in affirming Allah’s oneness and knowing Him. Ibn Qutaybah said: They are communities like you in seeking nourishment and provision and in avoiding perils.

“We have neglected nothing in the Record,” that is, in the Preserved Tablet. “Then to their Lord they will be gathered.” Ibn Abbas and al-Dahhak said: Their gathering is their death. Abu Hurayrah said: Allah will gather all creatures on the Day of Resurrection—livestock, beasts, birds, and everything else—and He will requite the hornless sheep from the horned one. Then He will say, “Be dust!” At that point, the disbeliever will wish and say, “Would that I were dust!”

Abu Abd Allah Muhammad ibn al-Fadl al-Khiraqi informed us; Abu al-Hasan al-Taysafuni informed us; Abd Allah ibn Umar al-Jawhari informed us; Ahmad ibn Ali al-Kushmihanī informed us; Ali ibn Hujr informed us; Ismail ibn Jafar informed us, from al-Ala, from his father, from Abu Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Rights will certainly be restored to their rightful owners on the Day of Resurrection, until the hornless sheep is requited from the horned one.” (1)

“Those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb, in utter darkness. Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray, and whoever He wills He places upon a straight path. (39) Say, ‘Have you considered: if Allah’s punishment were to come upon you, or the Hour were to overtake you, would you call upon any besides Allah, if you are truthful?’ (40) Rather, it is Him alone you call upon; then, if He wills, He removes that for which you call upon Him, and you forget those whom you associate with Him. (41) We sent messengers to communities before you, then We afflicted them with adversity and hardship so that they might humble themselves. (42) If only they had humbled themselves when Our punishment came to them! But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made what they were doing seem fair to them. (43)”

His saying, exalted is He, “Those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb”: they do not hear what is good, nor do they speak of it. “In utter darkness,” meaning, in the misguidance of disbelief. “Allah leaves whoever He wills to stray, and whoever He wills He places upon a straight path,” which is Islam.

His saying, exalted is He, “Say, ‘Have you considered?’” means: Have you seen? The suffix in it is for emphasis. Al-Farra said: The Arabs say, “Have you considered?” while intending, “Tell us,” as when one says, “Have you considered: if I were to do such-and-such, what would you do?” That is, “Tell me.” The people of