(167–182) “They used to say, ‘If only we had a scripture like that of earlier peoples, we would surely have been Allah’s chosen servants.’ Yet they rejected it, so they will soon know. Our word has already gone forth concerning Our servants, the messengers: they will surely be granted victory, and Our forces will surely prevail. So turn away from them for a time”—to the end of the surah.
Allah Most High informs us that these polytheists professed this wish, saying: Had the same revelations and scriptures come to us that came to ⦗709⦘ earlier peoples, we would have devoted our worship sincerely to Allah; indeed, we would truly have been among His chosen servants.
They were lying in this claim. The finest of scriptures came to them, yet they rejected it, making it known that they were defiant toward the truth. “So they will soon know” the punishment when it befalls them. Nor should they suppose that they will prevail in this world. Rather, the irrevocable word of Allah, which none can repel or oppose, had already gone forth concerning His messengers and His successful forces: they shall prevail over others and be granted by their Lord a mighty victory through which they will be able to establish their religion. This is a tremendous glad tiding for anyone who truly belongs to Allah’s forces—one whose conduct is upright and who fights those whom he has been commanded to fight: he will prevail and be granted victory.
He then commanded His Messenger to turn away from those who stubbornly opposed and refused to accept the truth. All that remained was to await the punishment that would descend upon them. Hence He said, “Watch them, for they too will soon see” upon whom the exemplary punishment will fall. It will indeed fall upon them.
“When it descends into their courtyard”—that is, when it descends upon them and nearby—“what a dreadful morning it will be for those who were warned,” for it will be a morning of evil, punishment, and utter destruction.
He then repeated the command to turn away from them and the threat that the punishment would befall them.
Since He mentioned in this surah many of the vile assertions by which they described Him, He declared Himself far above them, saying: “Glory be to your Lord”—that is, He is far above and exalted—“the Lord of Might,” meaning the One whose might overwhelms all things and who is far above every evil they ascribe to Him.
“And peace be upon the messengers,” because they are free from sins and defects and because their descriptions of the Originator of the heavens and earth are sound and free from error.
“And all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds.” The definite article indicates totality. Thus, every kind of praise—for His perfect and majestic attributes and for the acts by which He nurtures all worlds, lavishes blessings upon them, wards afflictions away from them, and directs them in their movements, their stillness, and all their circumstances—belongs entirely to Allah Most High. He is sanctified above every deficiency, praised for every perfection, loved and revered. His messengers are free from fault and blessed with peace, and whoever follows them in this will enjoy safety in this world and the Hereafter. [His enemies, however, face ruin and destruction in this world and the Hereafter] (1).
The commentary on Surah al-Sāffāt was completed on 6 Shawwāl 1343 AH by its compiler, Abd al-Rahmān ibn Nāsir al-Sa‘dī. May Allah send blessings upon our master Muhammad and grant him abundant peace. Praise be to Allah, by whose grace righteous deeds are completed. Volume Seven of Taysīr al-Karīm al-Mannān fī Tafsīr Āyāt al-Qurān, compiled by Abd al-Rahmān ibn Nāsir al-Sa‘dī. May Allah forgive him, his parents, and all Muslims.