Transliteration:( Wa izaa tutlaa 'alaihim Aayaatunaa baiyinaatin qaalal lazeena kafaroo lillazeena aamanooo aiyul fareeqaini khairum maqaamanw wa ahsanu nadiyyaa )
"And when Our clear verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve [129] say to those who believe, 'Which of the two groups is better in position and more excellent in assembly?' [130]"
This verse was revealed about the wealthy Quraysh, who mocked the poor believers, boasting about their rich clothes and lifestyle. (Tafseer Khazainul Irfaan)
They claimed: “If a Day of Judgement exists, we will be better off there too—just as we are in this world.” Or they falsely assumed that wealth is a sign of divine approval.
This shows that measuring success by worldly comfort is a trait of disbelievers, and such luxury may become a cause of loss in the Hereafter.
73. And when Our clear Ayat are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Which of the two groups has the best dwellings and the finest Nadiyyan” 74. And how many a generation have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance
Allah, the Exalted, informs that when the clear, evident Ayat of Allah are recited to the disbelievers, they reject them and turn away. They say about those who believe, while boasting to them and arguing that their false religion is correct,
(best dwellings and the finest Nadiyyan.) This means the best houses, with the loftiest levels and the finest Nadiyyan, which are meeting rooms for men to gather and discuss matters. Thus, this means that their meeting rooms are full of more people who come to attend. In this they were saying, “How can we be upon falsehood while we are in this manner of successful living” These people were actually those who were concealed in the house of Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam and its likes from the other houses. This is as Allah says about them,
(And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: “Had it been a good thing, they (the weak and the poor) would not have preceded us thereto!”) ﴿46:11﴾ Nuh’s people said,
(“Shall we believe in you, when the weakest (of the people) follow you”) ﴿26:111﴾ And Allah says,
(Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: “Is it these (poor believers) whom Allah has favored among us” Does not Allah know best those who are grateful) ﴿6:53﴾ This is why Allah refuted their doubts:
(And how many a generations have We destroyed before them) This means, “How many nations and generations did We destroy of those who denied (this message) due to their disbelief”
(who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance) This means that they were better than these present people in wealth, possessions, looks and appearance. Al-A`mash reported from Abu Zibyan, who reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said concerning the Ayah,
(best dwellings and finest Nadiyyan.) “Position ﴿Maqam﴾ means home, Nadi means place of gathering, wealth refers to material possessions and outward appearance is how they look physically.” Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Position ﴿Maqam﴾ means dwelling, Nadi means place of gathering and the blessing and happiness that they were living in. This is as Allah says about the people of Fir`awn when He destroyed them and related the story of their situation in the Qur’an,
(How many gardens and springs that they ﴿Fir`awn’s people﴾ left behind, and green crops and honored places ﴿Maqam﴾.) ﴿44:25-26﴾ Therefore, position ﴿Maqam﴾ refers to their dwellings and splendid bounties, and Nadi is the places of gathering and meeting where they used to congregate. Allah said while relating the story to His Messenger of what happened with the people of Lut,
(And practice Al-Munkar (evil deeds) in your meeting places ﴿Nadiyakum﴾.) ﴿29:29﴾ The Arabs call a place of gathering a Nadi.”
(19:73) When Our clear revelations are recited to those who deny the Truth they are wont to say to those who have faith: “Which of the two groups has a better status and whose assemblies are grander?”[45]
45. In respon`se to the believers to show that they were in the right: Who has grander houses to live in? Who has a higher standard of life? Who enjoys splendid meetings? If we are enjoying all these things while you are deprived of them, you may decide for yourselves whether we, who are enjoying happy worldly lives, are in the wrong, or you who are living miserable lives of indigence are in the right? Also see (Surah Al-Kahf, ayat 35-36) note 37-38.
[824]- In regard to worldly interests.
For a faster and smoother experience,
install our mobile app now.
Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics