The Ascending Stairways, The Ladders — Verse 3

from God mina’Llāhi is semantically connected to wāqi‘in ‘impending’ Lord of the Ascensions the ascension routes of the angels which are the heavens.

دعا داع من المشركين على نفسه وقومه بنزول العذاب عليهم، وهو واقع بهم يوم القيامة لا محالة، ليس له مانع يمنعه من الله ذي العلو والجلال، تصعد الملائكة وجبريل إليه تعالى في يوم كان مقداره خمسين ألف سنة من سني الدنيا، وهو على المؤمن مثل صلاة مكتوبة.

نزل الله تعالى: "سأل سائل بعذاب واقع" فقال لمن هو؟ فقال للكافرين; فاللام في الكافرين متعلقة "بواقع". وقال الفراء: التقدير بعذاب للكافرين واقع; فالواقع من نعت العذاب واللام دخلت للعذاب لا للواقع, أي هذا العذاب للكافرين في الآخرة لا يدفعه عنهم أحد. وقيل إن اللام بمعنى على, والمعنى: واقع على الكافرين. وروي أنها في قراءة أبي كذلك. وقيل: بمعنى عن; أي ليس له دافع عن الكافرين من الله. أي ذلك العذاب من الله ذي المعارج أي ذي العلو والدرجات الفواضل والنعم; قاله ابن عباس وقتادة فالمعارج مراتب إنعامه على الخلق وقيل ذي العظمة والعلاء وقال مجاهد: هي معارج السماء. وقيل: هي معارج الملائكة; لأن الملائكة تعرج إلى السماء فوصف نفسه بذلك. وقيل: المعارج الغرف; أي إنه ذو الغرف, أي جعل لأوليائه في الجنة غرفا. وقرأ عبدالله "ذي المعاريج" بالياء. يقال: معرج ومعراج ومعارج ومعاريج; مثل مفتاح ومفاتيح. والمعارج الدرجات; ومنه: "ومعارج عليها يظهرون" [الزخرف: 33].

لأنه واقع من الله - تعالى - ( ذِي المعارج ) .والمعارج جمع معرج ، وهو المصعد ، ومنه قوله - تعالى - ( يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ المرء مِنْ أَخِيهِ . وَأُمِّهِ وَأَبِيهِ . وصاحبته وَبَنِيهِ . لِكُلِّ امرىء مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ شَأْنٌ يُغْنِيهِ ) والحميم : هو الصديق الوفى القريب من نفس صديقه .

وقوله: ( لَيْسَ لَهُ دَافِعٌ * مِنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) يقول تعالى ذكره: ليس للعذاب الواقع على الكافرين من الله دافع يدفعه عنهم.وقوله: ( ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) يعني: ذا العلوّ والدرجات والفواضل والنعم.وبنحو الذي قلنا في ذلك قال أهل التأويل.* ذكر من قال ذلك:حدثني عليّ، قال: ثنا أبو صالح، قال: ثني معاوية، عن عليّ، عن ابن عباس، في قوله: ( ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) يقول: العلوّ والفواضل.حدثنا بشر، قال: ثنا يزيد، قال: ثنا سعيد، عن قتادة ( مِنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ): ذي الفواضل والنِّعم.حدثني محمد بن عمرو، قال: ثنا أبو عاصم، قال: ثنا عيسى؛ وحدثني الحارث، قال: ثنا الحسن، قال: ثنا ورقاء، جميعا عن ابن أبي نجيح، عن مجاهد، في قول الله: ( مِنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) قال: معارج السماء.حدثني يونس، قال: أخبرنا ابن وهب، قال، قال ابن زيد، في قوله: ( ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) قال: الله ذو المعارج.حدثنا ابن حميد، قال: ثنا مهران، عن سفيان، عن الأعمش، عن رجل، عن سعيد بن جبير، عن ابن عباس ( ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ ) قال: ذي الدرجات.

"من الله ذي المعارج" قال ابن عباس: أي ذي السموات، سماها معارج لأن الملائكة تعرج فيها. وقال سعيد بن جبير: ذي الدرجات. وقال قتادة: ذي الفواضل والنعم، ومعارج: الملائكة.

مِنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ (3) وبهذا يكون حرف { مِن } مستعملاً في تعيين مجازين متقاربين .وإجراء وصف { ذي المعارج } على اسم الجلالة لاستحضار عظمة جلالة ولإِدماج الإِشعار بكثرة مراتب القرب من رضاه وثوابه ، فإن المعارج من خصائص منازل العظماء قال تعالى : { لبيوتهم سقفاً من فضة ومعارج عليها يظهرون } [ الزخرف : 33 ] . ولكل درجة المعارج قوم عملوا لنوالها قال تعالى : { يرفع الله الذين ءامنوا منكم والذين أوتوا العلم درجات } [ المجادلة : 11 ] ، وليكون من هذا الوصف تخلص إلى ذكر يوم الجزاء الذي يكون فيه العذاب الحق للكافرين .و { المعارج } : جمع مِعْرَج بكسر الميم وفتح الراء وهو ما يعرج به ، أي يصعد من سلم ومدرج .

فالعذاب لا بد أن يقع عليهم من الله، فإما أن يعجل لهم في الدنيا، وإما أن يؤخر عنهم إلى الآخرة ، فلو عرفوا الله تعالى، وعرفوا عظمته، وسعة سلطانه وكمال أسمائه وصفاته، لما استعجلوا ولاستسلموا وتأدبوا، ولهذا أخبر تعالى من عظمته ما يضاد أقوالهم القبيحة فقال: { ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ}

وقال الحسن : أنزل الله تعالى : سأل سائل بعذاب واقع فقال : لمن هو ؟ فقال : للكافرين ; فاللام في الكافرين متعلقة ب " واقع " . وقال الفراء : التقدير بعذاب للكافرين واقع ; فالواقع من نعت العذاب ، واللام دخلت للعذاب لا للواقع ، أي هذا العذاب للكافرين في الآخرة لا يدفعه عنهم أحد . وقيل إن اللام بمعنى على ، والمعنى : واقع على الكافرين . وروي أنها في قراءة أبي كذلك . وقيل : بمعنى عن ; أي ليس له دافع عن الكافرين من الله . [ ص: 259 ] أي ذلك العذاب من الله ذي المعارج أي ذي العلو والدرجات الفواضل والنعم ; قاله ابن عباس وقتادة فالمعارج مراتب إنعامه على الخلق وقيل ذي العظمة والعلاء وقال مجاهد : هي معارج السماء . وقيل : هي معارج الملائكة ; لأن الملائكة تعرج إلى السماء فوصف نفسه بذلك . وقيل : المعارج الغرف ; أي إنه ذو الغرف ، أي جعل لأوليائه في الجنة غرفا . وقرأ عبد الله " ذي المعاريج " بالياء . يقال : معرج ومعراج ومعارج ومعاريج ; مثل مفتاح ومفاتيح . والمعارج الدرجات ; ومنه : ومعارج عليها يظهرون .

The scenes of Doomsday cannot either be revealed in reality or truly described in the present world. However, in the Quran, these have been allegorically conveyed by allusions and examples, so that man should have a brief idea of their significance. When Doomsday arrives, it will be so terrible that man will forget this relations and the interests to which he gives the utmost importance today and for which he ignores the Truth.

The disbelievers used to come to the Holy Prophet ﷺ in groups mocking at the Muslims, and denying the Islamic beliefs, including Resurrection. But at the same time, they used to claim, in ironical style, that they would enter the Paradise, and enjoy its bliss. This verse refers to this attitude of the disbelievers. Since their pretended aspiration to enter Paradise was merely a mockery, and in fact they intended to deny Resurrection, their denial is refuted in this verse by saying that admittedly Allah has created them from a lifeless drop of semen, as they knew it well, and a drop of semen is more difficult to be transformed into a perfect human being. If Allah has power to make it a living man, how easy it is for Him to give life to a dead body! Still, they do not believe in Resurrection. Then, how can they enter Paradise?' (Muhammad Taqi Usmani) Commentary سَأَلَ سَائِلٌ (A demanding person has asked for the punishment that is going to befall....70:1). The Arabic word suwal/su'al means to 'ask a question'. The word is used in more than one sense: [ 1] It could mean to inquire about something. In this sense, the Arabic word is followed by the preposition 'an' [ about ]; and [ 2] It is used in the sense of 'request'. In this sense, the word is followed by the preposition 'bi' [ for ] as in this instance. Nasa'i transmits a narration from Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ that this demanding person was Nadr Ibn Harith. In rejecting the Qur'an and the Prophet ﷺ ، he daringly demanded: اللَّـهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـٰذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ‌ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَ‌ةً مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ أَوِ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ '0 Allah, if this be indeed the truth [ revealed ] from You, then, rain down upon us stones from the heavens, or bring upon us a painful punishment. [ 8:32] The result of this demand was that Nadr Ibn Harith was killed by Muslims in the Battle of Badr. (Mazhari, citing the narration of Ibn Abi Hatim). The Qur'an, further setting down the factual position of the demanded punishment, says that the punishment is inevitable and will most certainly occur in this world or in the Hereafter or in both the worlds. It cannot be averted. The impending punishment is from Allah, the Lord of the stairways. The last statement is also the proof of the preceding statement, in that the punishment is from the Lord of the Ascending Steps. It is not possible for anyone to avert it. The word ma’ arij is the plural of mi` raj or mi'raj. It means a 'ladder or a staircase, having steps for reaching high places. The Divine attribute given in this verse as 'dhil-ma’ arij' [ Lord of the stairways ] means that He is the Lord of high degrees. This is the interpretation given by Said Ibn Jubair. Sayyidna Ibn Masud ؓ says that these stairways or higher rungs are seven heavens one above another, and 'dhil-ma’ arij' means 'dhis-samawat', that is to say, malik-us-samawat [ Lord of the heavens ].

(From Allah) this punishment of the disbelievers comes from Allah, (Lord of the Ascending Stairways) the Creator of the heavens

Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. A Request to hasten the Day of Judgement سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ (A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall) This Ayah contains an assumed meaning that is alluded to by the letter "Ba". It is as though it is saying, a questioner requested to hasten on the torment that is about to fall. It is similar to Allah's statement, وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ وَلَن يُخْلِفَ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ (And they ask you to hasten on the torment! And Allah fails not His promise.) (22:47) meaning, that its torment will occur and there is no avoiding it. Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas concerning the Ayah, سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ (A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall) "That is the questioning of the disbelievers about the torment of Allah and it will occur to them." Ibn Abi Najih reported from Mujahid that he said concerning Allah's statement سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌ (A questioner asked), "A person called out (requesting) for the torment that will occur in the Hereafter to happen." Then he said, "This is their saying, اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ أَوِ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (O Allah! If this is indeed the truth from you, then rain down stones on us from the sky or bring on us a painful torment.)" (8:32) Allah's statement, وَاقِعٍلِلْكَـفِرِينَ (about to befall (Waqi`) upon the disbelievers,) means, it is waiting in preparation for the disbelievers. Ibn `Abbas said, "Waqi` means coming." لَيْسَ لَهُ دَافِعٌ (which non can avert) meaning, there is no one who can repel it if Allah wants it to happen. Thus, Allah says, مِّنَ اللَّهِ ذِي الْمَعَارِجِ (From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent (Al-Ma`arij).) The Tafsir of "Lord of the ways of ascent `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas, "Lord of the ways of ascent means loftiness and abundance." Mujahid said, "Lord of the ways of ascent means the ways of ascension into the heavens." Concerning Allah's statement, تَعْرُجُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ (The angels and the Ruh Ta`ruju to Him) `Abdur-Razzaq reported from Ma`mar from Qatadah that Ta`ruju means to ascend. In reference to the Ruh, Abu Salih said, "They are creatures from the creation of Allah that resemble humans but they are not humans." It could be that here it means Jibril, and this is a way of connecting the specific to the general (other angels). It could also be referring to the name of the souls (Arwah) of the Children of Adam (humans). For verily, when they (the human souls) are taken at death, they are lifted up to the heavens just as the Hadith of Al-Bara' proves. The Meaning of "a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years Concerning Allah's statement, فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ (in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years.) This refers to the Day of Judgement. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Ibn `Abbas that he said concerning the Ayah, فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ (in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years.) "It is the Day of Judgement." The chain of narration of this report (to Ibn `Abbas) is authentic. Ath-Thawri reported from Simak bin Harb from `Ikrimah that he said concerning this verse, "It is the Day of Judgement." Ad-Dahhak and Ibn Zayd both said the same. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas concerning the Ayah, تَعْرُجُ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ (The angels and the Ruh ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years.) "It is the Day of Judgement that Allah has made to be the measure of fifty thousand years for the disbelievers. " Many Hadiths have been reported with this same meaning. Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu `Umar Al-Ghudani that he said, "I was with Abu Hurayrah when a man from Bani `Amir bin Sa`sa`ah passed and it was said: `This man is the wealthiest man of Bani `Amir.' So Abu Hurayrah said, `Bring him back to me.' So they brought the man back to Abu Hurayrah. Then Abu Hurayrah said, `I have been informed that you are a man of great wealth.' The man from Bani `Amir replied, `Yes, by Allah. I have one hundred red-colored camels, one hundred brown-colored camels...' and so on he counted numerous colored camels, the races of the slaves and the types of fetters for his horses that he owned. So Abu Hurayrah said, `Beware of the hooves of the camels and the cloven hooves of the cattle.' He continued repeating that to him until the color of the man began to change. Then the man said, `O Abu Hurayrah what is this' Abu Hurayrah replied, `I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say, «مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ إِبِلٌ لَا يُعْطِي حَقَّهَا فِي نَجْدَتِهَا وَرِسْلِهَا» (Whoever has camels and does not give their due (Zakah) in their Najdah and their Risl...) We interrupted saying, `O Messenger of Allah! What is their Najdah and Risl' He said, «فِي عُسْرِهَا وَيُسْرِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا تَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَغَذِّ مَا كَانَتْ وَأَكْثَرِهِ وَأَسْمَنِهِ وَآشَرِهِ، ثُمَّ يُبْطَحُ لَهَا بِقَاعٍ قَرْقَرٍ فَتَطَؤُهُ بِأَخْفَافِهَا، فَإِذَا جَاوَزَتْهُ أُخْرَاهَا أُعِيدَتْ عَلَيْهِ أُولَاهَا فِي يَوْم كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ، حَتْى يُقْضَى بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَيَرَى سَبِيلَهُ. وَإِذَا كَانَتْ لَهُ بَقَرٌ لَا يُعْطِي حَقَّهَا فِي نَجْدَتِهَا وَرِسْلِهَا، فَإِنَّهَا تَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَغَذِّ مَا كَانَتْ وَأَكْثَرِهِ وَأَسْمَنِهِ وَآشَرِهِ،ثُمَّ يُبْطَحُ لَهَا بِقَاعٍ قَرْقَرٍ، فَتَطَؤُهُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ ظِلْفٍ بِظِلْفِهَا وَتَنْطَحُهُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ قَرْنٍ بِقَرْنِهَا، لَيْسَ فِيهَا عَقْصَاءُ وَلَا عَضْبَاءُ، إِذَا جَاوَزَتْهُ أُخْرَاهَا أُعِيدَتْ عَلَيْهِ أُولَاهَا، فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ حَتْى يُقْضَى بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَيَرَى سَبِيلَهُ. وَإِذَا كَانَتْ لَهُ غَنَمٌ لَا يُعْطِي حَقَّهَا فِي نَجْدَتِهَا وَرِسْلِهَا فَإِنَّهَا تَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَغَذِّ مَا كَانَتْ وَأَسْمَنِهِ وَآشَرِهِ حَتْى يُبْطَحَ لَهَا بِقَاعٍ قَرْقَرٍ فَتَطَؤُهُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ ظِلْفٍ بِظِلْفِهَا وَتَنْطَحُهُ كُلُّ ذَاتِ قَرْنٍ بِقَرْنِهَا، لَيْسَ فِيهَا عَقْصَاءُ وَلَا عَضْبَاءُ إِذَا جَاوَزَتْهُ أُخْرَاهَا أُعِيدَتْ عَلَيْهِ أُولَاهَا، فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ، حَتْى يُقْضَى بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَيَرَى سَبِيلَه» (It is their difficulty and their ease, for verily, they will come on the Day of Resurrection healthier than before. They will be more in number, fatter and more lively and unruly. Then a soft, level plain will be spread out for them and they will trample him with their hooves. When the last of them has passed over him, the first of them will return to trample him again during a day whose measure will be fifty thousand years. This will continue until the case of all the people is decided between them. Then he (the withholder of Zakah) will see his path (i.e., either to Paradise or Hell). If he had cows that he did not pay the Zakah in their ease and their difficult times, then they will come on the Day of Judgement healthier than they were before. They will be more in number, fatter and more lively and unruly. Then a soft, level plain will be spread out for them and they will trample him. Every one of them that has cloven hooves will trample him with its hooves, and every one of them that has a horn will butt him with its horn. There will not be any hornless or bent horned animals among them. When the last of them has passed over him, the first of them will return to trample him again during a day whose measure will be fifty thousand years. This will continue until the case of all the people is decided between them. Then he (the withholder of Zakah) will see his path (i.e., either to Paradise or Hell). If he has any sheep that he does not pay the due Zakah in their difficulty and their ease, then they will come on the Day of Judgement healthier than they were before. They will be more (in number) fatter and more lively and unruly. Then a soft, level plain will be spread out for them and they will trample him. Every one of them that has a cloven hoof will trample him with its hooves, and every one of them that has a horn will butt him with its horn. There will not be any hornless or bent horned animals among them. When the last of them has passed over him, the first of them will return to trample him again during a day whose measure will be fifty thousand years. This will continue until the case of all the people is decided between them. Then he (the withholder of Zakah) will see his path (i.e., either to Paradise or Hell).) Then, the man from Bani `Amir said, `What is the due of the camel, O Abu Hurayrah' Abu Hurayrah said, `It is that you give (in your Zakah payment) from your most valuable camels, that you lend a milking she-camel, that you lend your mount for riding, that you give the milk (to the people) for drinking, and you lend the male camel for breeding."' This Hadith was also recorded by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'i. A Different Version of this Hadith Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, «مَا مِنْ صَاحِبِ كَنْزٍ لَا يُؤَدِّي حَقَّهُ إِلَّا جُعِلَ صَفَائِحَ، يُحْمَى عَلَيْهَا فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ، فَتُكْوَى بِهَا جَبْهَتُهُ وَجَنْبُهُ وَظَهْرُهُ، حَتْى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِهِ فِي يَوْم كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِمَّا تَعُدُّونَ، ثُمَّ يَرَى سَبِيلَهُ إِمَّا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَإِمَّا إِلَى النَّار» (There is not any owner of treasure who does not pay its due except that it will be made into heated metal plates and branded upon him in the fire of Hell. His forehead, side and back will be scorched with these metal plates. This will continue until Allah judges between His servants on a Day whose measure is fifty thousand years of what you count. Then he will see his path, either to Paradise or to the Fire.) Then he (Abu Hurayrah) mentions the rest of the Hadith about the sheep and camels just as mentioned before. In this narration (of Ahmad) the Prophet also added, «الْخَيْلُ لِثَلَاثَةٍ: لِرَجُلٍ أَجْرٌ، وَلِرَجُلٍ سِتْرٌ، وَعَلَى رَجُلٍ وِزْر» (The horse is for three (on the Day of Judgement): for one man it is a reward, for another man it is a shield (protection), and upon another man it is a burden.) And the Hadith continues. Muslim also recorded this Hadith in its entirety even though Al-Bukhari did not mention it. The intent behind mentioning this here is the Prophet's statement, «حَتْى يَحْكُمَ اللهُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِهِ فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ خَمْسِينَ أَلْفَ سَنَة» (Until Allah judges between His servants on a day whose measurement is fifty thousand years.) Instructing the Prophet to have Patience Then Allah says, فَاصْبِرْ صَبْراً جَمِيلاً (So be patient, with a good patience.) meaning, `be patient, O Muhammad, with your people's rejection and their seeking to hasten the torment since they think it will not occur.' Allah says in another Ayah, يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا الْحَقُّ (Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth.) (42:18) Thus, Allah says, إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُ بَعِيداً (Verily, they see it (the torment) afar off.) meaning, the happening of the torment and the establishment of the Hour (Day of Judgement). The disbelievers see this as something that is farfetched. The word "Ba`id" here means that which is impossible to occur. وَنَرَاهُ قَرِيباً (But We see it (quite) near.) meaning, the believers believe that its occurrence is near, even though its time of occurrence is unknown and no one knows when it will be except Allah. All of what is approaching then it is near and it will definitely happen.