Surah Adiyat: Negation of Preparation for the Day of Judgment
This verse emphasizes the lack of preparation for the Day of Judgment, even though people are aware of its inevitable arrival. While believers acknowledge the Day of Judgment and prepare for it through righteous deeds, the infidels may also acknowledge its occurrence but do not prepare for it due to their rejection of faith and jealousy.
Key Insights:
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Awareness vs. Preparation:
- The question in the verse is posed for negation, implying that while everyone is aware of the Day of Judgment, very few actually prepare for it through good deeds and righteous living.
- The believers are aware of the Day of Judgment and take it seriously, preparing by acting in accordance with Allah’s commands and seeking His mercy.
- The infidels, while knowing about the Day of Judgment, fail to act upon this knowledge because they do not believe in it or are too absorbed in worldly matters. Despite acknowledging the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, they reject his message due to jealousy and arrogance.
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Infidels' Knowledge vs. Rejection:
- The infidels were aware of the truth of the Holy Prophet ﷺ’s mission but rejected it because of their jealousy, hatred for the Prophet, and stubbornness.
- They recognized the truth of the Prophet’s message but refused to accept it because it went against their desires, status, and established way of life.
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The Consequence of Neglect:
- Simply knowing about the Day of Judgment is not enough; the crucial factor is how one responds to this knowledge. The infidels failed to prepare for it because they did not accept the truth of the Prophet’s message, while the believers took it to heart and acted in accordance with their belief.
Lesson for Believers:
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True Belief Requires Action:
- Belief in the Day of Judgment should compel one to prepare for it. This preparation involves not just knowing about the Day, but living a righteous life, engaging in worship, fulfilling obligations, and avoiding sin.
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Awareness Must Lead to Action:
- Mere awareness of the truth, without accompanying action, is insufficient. A person who truly believes in the Day of Judgment will make conscious efforts to prepare for it by living in a way that pleases Allah.
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Avoid Rejection Due to Arrogance:
- Jealousy, pride, and stubbornness can lead to the rejection of the truth. Even when people are aware of the truth, these negative emotions can cloud their judgment and prevent them from accepting what is right.
Conclusion:
This verse highlights the stark contrast between those who are aware of the Day of Judgment and those who act upon that knowledge. While all people have some knowledge of the inevitable Day, only the believers act in accordance with this knowledge, preparing for their ultimate accountability before Allah. The infidels, though aware, reject this truth out of jealousy and pride, failing to prepare for what lies ahead. The verse serves as a reminder for us to not only believe in the Day of Judgment but also to prepare for it through righteous actions and sincerity.
Ibn-Kathir
The tafsir of Surah Adiyat verse 9 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Adiyat ayat 1 which provides the complete commentary from verse 1 through 11.
Ala-Maududi
(100:9) Is he not aware that when whatever lies (buried) in the graves is overthrown;[7]
7. That is, the dead men will be raised back as living men from whatever state and wherever they would be lying buried in the earth.
(9) But does he not know that when the contents of the graves are scattered
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