25. Surah Al-Furqaan

الفرقانThe Criterion · 77 ayahsمعارف القرآن انگلش

Read Surah Al-Furqaan in the Quran reader
Ayah 25:1

تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِیْ نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلٰى عَبْدِهٖ لِیَكُوْنَ لِلْعٰلَمِیْنَ نَذِیْرَاۙ Open ayah 25:1 in the Quran reader

Glorious is the One who has revealed the Criterion to His servant, so that he may be a warner to the worlds,

Special features of the Surah There is consensus among the commentators that this Surah was revealed in Makkah. However, Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ and Qatadah ؓ contend that three of its verses are Madani and rest of the Surah is Makkan. Yet Qurtubi and a few others maintain that the Surah itself is Madani and only a few verses are Makkan. The gist of the subject matter of the Surah is to describe and define the greatness of the Holy Qur'an and the truth of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، to which there were doubts expressed by the unbelievers. The Surah contains answers to their objections. Commentary تَبَارَ‌كَ (25:1) is derived from بَرَکَہ ، meaning abundance of a good thing. Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ ` e' ' has explained that the meaning of the first verse is that all blessings are from Allah alone. فُرْ‌قَانَ (Furgan, translated above as 'criterion' )is a title of the Qur'an and its meaning is to distinguish. The Holy Qur'an by its very nature distinguishes between right and wrong, and differentiates, through miracles between the right people and the wrong ones, hence it is called as Furqan. لِلْعَالَمِينَ (warner to the worlds - 25:1). This proves that the Holy Prophet ﷺ prophethood was for the entire universe and not just for a certain community or time, as was the case with other prophets. In a Hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophet ﷺ has pointed out six special features about his prophethood. One of the special features is the universality of his prophethood i.e. it is for all ages and all people.
Ayahs 25:2–5

اِ۟لَّذِیْ لَهٗ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ لَمْ یَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَّ لَمْ یَكُنْ لَّهٗ شَرِیْكٌ فِی الْمُلْكِ وَ خَلَقَ كُلَّ شَیْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهٗ تَقْدِیْرًا Open ayah 25:2 in the Quran reader

the One to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and who did neither have a son, nor is there any partner to him in the kingdom, and who has created everything and designed it in a perfect measure.

وَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اٰلِهَةً لَّا یَخْلُقُوْنَ شَیْئًا وَّ هُمْ یُخْلَقُوْنَ وَ لَا یَمْلِكُوْنَ لِاَنْفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَّ لَا نَفْعًا وَّ لَا یَمْلِكُوْنَ مَوْتًا وَّ لَا حَیٰوةً وَّ لَا نُشُوْرًا Open ayah 25:3 in the Quran reader

And they have coined gods, other than Him, who do not create any thing, rather they themselves are created, and they possess no power to cause harm or benefit even to themselves, nor do they have any power over death or life or resurrection.

وَ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اِنْ هٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اِفْكُ اِ۟فْتَرٰىهُ وَ اَعَانَهٗ عَلَیْهِ قَوْمٌ اٰخَرُوْنَ١ۛۚ فَقَدْ جَآءُوْ ظُلْمًا وَّ زُوْرًاۚۛ Open ayah 25:4 in the Quran reader

And said those who disbelieve, “ This is nothing but a lie he (the messenger) has fabricated and some other people have helped him in it." Thus they came up with transgression and falsehood.

وَ قَالُوْۤا اَسَاطِیْرُ الْاَوَّلِیْنَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِیَ تُمْلٰى عَلَیْهِ بُكْرَةً وَّ اَصِیْلًا Open ayah 25:5 in the Quran reader

And they said, " (These are) the tales of the ancients he (the messenger) has caused to be written, and they are read out to him at morn and eve."

Special Wisdom in every creation فَقَدَّرَ‌هُ تَقْدِيرً‌ا (And designed it in a perfect measure - 25:2): Here تَقْدِير‌ (designing in a perfect measure) is mentioned after تخلِیق (Creation). تخلِیق means to create something from nothing that is to bring in something without any pre-existing substance whatsoever. And (designed in a perfect measure) means that, whatever has been created, its components, appearance, properties and signs are made to suit the purpose of its creation. The form of the sky, its constituents and its shape are in conformity to that purpose for which Allah Ta’ ala has created it. Similarly, the stars and planets possess those qualities for which they are created. Whatever we see on the earth is absolutely perfect in its form, shape and construction to suit the purpose and requirement of its creation. For instance, earth is not made in such a liquid form, that anything put on it is drowned, nor is it made too hard like steel or concrete to be dug. It is made in the solid form and given a Hardness that it could be dug to take out underground water or to place foundations for the buildings. Water is given the liquid form which again is full of Divine Wisdom and helps meet the multifarious needs of the creatures spread all over the earth. Water does not reach on its own at all the places where it is needed. Man has to put in some skill and labour to take it to places where it is required. On the other hand air is a compulsory gift which reaches every place without any labour or an active role from human beings. Even if someone wants to avoid it, he has to exert extra labour. It is not the place to describe Divine creations and their characteristics as it needs volumes for the purpose. Each and every creation of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ ala is perfect in its purpose and has its own peculiar properties and traits. Imam Ghazzali has written a book on the subject by the name الحکمۃ فی مخلوقات اللہ تعالیٰ . These verses define the sacred and exalted position of the Holy Qur’ an and by addressing the person on whom the book is revealed as عَبدَہ (His slave) in the very beginning of the Surah, his honoured position is highlighted. There cannot be a greater honour for any one than to be called by Allah Ta’ ala as 'His own'..
Ayahs 25:6–8

قُلْ اَنْزَلَهُ الَّذِیْ یَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ١ؕ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِیْمًا Open ayah 25:6 in the Quran reader

] Say, "It is sent down by the One who knows the secret in the heavens and the earth. Indeed He is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.

وَ قَالُوْا مَالِ هٰذَا الرَّسُوْلِ یَاْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَ یَمْشِیْ فِی الْاَسْوَاقِ١ؕ لَوْ لَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْهِ مَلَكٌ فَیَكُوْنَ مَعَهٗ نَذِیْرًاۙ Open ayah 25:7 in the Quran reader

And they said, "What sort of messenger is this who eats food and walks in the markets? Why is it that an angel has not been sent down to him who would have been a warner alongwith him,

اَوْ یُلْقٰۤى اِلَیْهِ كَنْزٌ اَوْ تَكُوْنُ لَهٗ جَنَّةٌ یَّاْكُلُ مِنْهَا١ؕ وَ قَالَ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ اِنْ تَتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا رَجُلًا مَّسْحُوْرًا Open ayah 25:8 in the Quran reader

or that a treasure is not thrown down to him, or that he has no garden to eat from it?" And the transgressors said, "You are following none but a bewitched man."

Commentary From this point onward the objections raised by infidels and polytheists against the Holy Qur'an and the prophethood of the Holy Prophet ﷺ are related together with the answers to those objections. The first objection was that the Qur'an was not a revealed book from Allah Ta’ ala, but has been compiled from the old stories and narrations by the Jews and Christians which have been reduced into writing by the Companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، since he himself was illiterate and could not write. And because he could not read or write, he would get them read out to him day and night, so that he could remember them by heart, then he would repeat them before people and claim that he had received that revelation from Allah Ta’ ala. The answer to this objection was given by the Holy Qur’ an قُلْ أَنزَلَهُ الَّذِي يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ‌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْ‌ضِ , that is (Say, "It is sent down by the One who knows the secret in the heavens and the earth - 25:6). The essence of this answer is that the Qur'an itself is an evidence to the fact that it is the Divine message from Him who is Omniscient and who knows fully well all the secrets of the Heavens and the earth. This is why Qur'an is a miraculous Message, and the whole world is challenged to bring out a Surah or even a verse to match it, if its divine origin is refused. This was a challenge to a people - the Arabs - who were well known for their literary proficiency and art of expression, and for whom composition of a piece of literature was not a problem. But they too did not dare to attempt to compose something similar to Qur’ an. Although they were willing to sacrifice all their material wealth for opposing the Holy Prophet ﷺ in his mission, so much so that they were willing to sacrifice even their children and their own lives to counter the Holy Prophet ﷺ mission and message, but they dared not attempt to compose a passage similar to a Surah of the Qur'an. This is a clear proof of the fact that it is not a work of a human being. Otherwise other people could also have composed passages similar to Qur'an. Therefore, it is definitely the revelation from Allah Ta ala. Apart from the beauty of expression and language, the Book also excels in its meanings. The multifarious subjects it covers can only be dealt by One who knows everything whether hidden or exposed. This subject has been dealt with in detail in the first volume of Ma’ ariful Qur'an.
Ayahs 25:9–19

اُنْظُرْ كَیْفَ ضَرَبُوْا لَكَ الْاَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوْا فَلَا یَسْتَطِیْعُوْنَ سَبِیْلًا۠ Open ayah 25:9 in the Quran reader

See how they coined similes for you, so they have gone astray and cannot find a way.

تَبٰرَكَ الَّذِیْۤ اِنْ شَآءَ جَعَلَ لَكَ خَیْرًا مِّنْ ذٰلِكَ جَنّٰتٍ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْاَنْهٰرُ١ۙ وَ یَجْعَلْ لَّكَ قُصُوْرًا Open ayah 25:10 in the Quran reader

Glorious is the One who, if He so wills, would give you better than that - gardens beneath which rivers flow, and would give you palaces.

بَلْ كَذَّبُوْا بِالسَّاعَةِ١۫ وَ اَعْتَدْنَا لِمَنْ كَذَّبَ بِالسَّاعَةِ سَعِیْرًاۚ Open ayah 25:11 in the Quran reader

But they have disbelieved the Hour (the Day of Judgment) and We have prepared, for those who disbelieve the Hour, a flaming fire.

اِذَا رَاَتْهُمْ مِّنْ مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِیْدٍ سَمِعُوْا لَهَا تَغَیُّظًا وَّ زَفِیْرًا Open ayah 25:12 in the Quran reader

] When it will see them from a distant place, they will hear (the sounds of) its raging and breathing,

وَ اِذَاۤ اُلْقُوْا مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَیِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِیْنَ دَعَوْا هُنَالِكَ ثُبُوْرًاؕ Open ayah 25:13 in the Quran reader

] and when they will be thrown into a narrow place therein, while they will be chained together, they will call for death.

لَا تَدْعُوا الْیَوْمَ ثُبُوْرًا وَّاحِدًا وَّ ادْعُوْا ثُبُوْرًا كَثِیْرًا Open ayah 25:14 in the Quran reader

] Do not call for one death today, but call for many a death.

قُلْ اَذٰلِكَ خَیْرٌ اَمْ جَنَّةُ الْخُلْدِ الَّتِیْ وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُوْنَ١ؕ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَزَآءً وَّ مَصِیْرًا Open ayah 25:15 in the Quran reader

Say, "Is that better or the eternal paradise the God-fearing are promised?' It will be a reward for them and a final abode.

لَهُمْ فِیْهَا مَا یَشَآءُوْنَ خٰلِدِیْنَ١ؕ كَانَ عَلٰى رَبِّكَ وَعْدًا مَّسْئُوْلًا Open ayah 25:16 in the Quran reader

For them there will be whatever they wish, while they will be living for ever. This is a promise undertaken by your Lord, (the fulfillment of) which will be prayed for.

وَ یَوْمَ یَحْشُرُهُمْ وَ مَا یَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ فَیَقُوْلُ ءَاَنْتُمْ اَضْلَلْتُمْ عِبَادِیْ هٰۤؤُلَآءِ اَمْ هُمْ ضَلُّوا السَّبِیْلَؕ Open ayah 25:17 in the Quran reader

And (remember) the Day when He will gather them and what they used to worship beside Allah and will say (to the latter ones), 'Did you mislead these My servants or did they themselves lost the way?"

قَالُوْا سُبْحٰنَكَ مَا كَانَ یَنْۢبَغِیْ لَنَاۤ اَنْ نَّتَّخِذَ مِنْ دُوْنِكَ مِنْ اَوْلِیَآءَ وَ لٰكِنْ مَّتَّعْتَهُمْ وَ اٰبَآءَهُمْ حَتّٰى نَسُوا الذِّكْرَ١ۚ وَ كَانُوْا قَوْمًۢا بُوْرًا Open ayah 25:18 in the Quran reader

They will say, "Pure are you. It was not for us to take to other guardians than You. Instead, You gave them and their fathers (worldly) benefits till they forgot the advice and became a ruined people."

فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوْكُمْ بِمَا تَقُوْلُوْنَ١ۙ فَمَا تَسْتَطِیْعُوْنَ صَرْفًا وَّ لَا نَصْرًا١ۚ وَ مَنْ یَّظْلِمْ مِّنْكُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَابًا كَبِیْرًا Open ayah 25:19 in the Quran reader

Thus they will refute you in what you say and you will not be able to repulse (the punishment) or to receive help. And whoever commits injustice from among you, We will make him taste a painful punishment.

The Second Objection was that if the Holy Prophet ﷺ was a prophet, he should not have been eating and drinking like common people; instead he should have been free from eating and drinking like angels. And if this was not so, he should have at least enough wealth and gardens to take care of his day to day needs, so that he may not need to care for his living. Furthermore, how could he be accepted as a prophet when he is neither an angel nor does an angel accompany him to endorse what he preaches, therefore it appears that he has been charmed by someone which has turned his head and that is why he talks like this. A general answer to this objection is given in the verse انظُرْ‌ كَيْفَ ضَرَ‌بُوا لَكَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ at is (See how they coined similes for you, so they have gone astray and cannot find a way. - 25:9). The detailed answer to the objection is given in the next few verses.
Ayah 25:20

وَ مَاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ اِلَّاۤ اِنَّهُمْ لَیَاْكُلُوْنَ الطَّعَامَ وَ یَمْشُوْنَ فِی الْاَسْوَاقِ١ؕ وَ جَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً١ؕ اَتَصْبِرُوْنَ١ۚ وَ كَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِیْرًا۠ Open ayah 25:20 in the Quran reader

And We did not send any messengers before you, but all of them used to eat food and walk in the markets. And We have made some of you a test for some others. Would you observe patience? And your Lord is Ever-seeing.

Commentary In the forgoing verses a general answer was given to the doubts raised by the infidels and polytheists in regard to prophethood of the Holy Prophet ﷺ . Here in the above verses a detailed reply is given to the objections. The gist of the reply is that because of your ignorance and mental block you have raised the issue that if he were really a prophet, then he should have possessed a great deal of material wealth and gardens etc. so that he should have been free from making efforts for his sustenance. The simple reply to this objection is that there is no problem for Us to provide material wealth to Our messengers; rather if We so wish we can make them kings of the mammoth empires, as we had done in the case of Sayyidna Dawud (رح) and Sayyidna Sulayman علیہ السلام who were made rulers of the gigantic empires and were endowed with enormous wealth, which is a clear sign of Our omnipotence. But in the interest of common people and other numerous considerations, it is required that prophets should be kept away from the material wealth of the world. Especially in the case of the Holy Prophet ﷺ it was preferred by Allah Ta’ ala to keep him in line with the ordinary Muslims by way of worldly possessions, and he also preferred for himself to be like that. It is reported in the Musnad of Ahmad and in Tirmidhi on the authority of Sayyidna Abu 'Umamah ؓ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said that Allah Ta’ ala offered to him to turn the entire valley and hills of Makkah into gold for him. On that he requested to Him "No my Lord, I would prefer that I get sustenance one day (to offer my thanks to You) and go without food the next (to be patient). Also, Sayyidah ` A'ishah ؓ has reported that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said "If I wanted, mountains of gold would have been around me." (Mazhari) The sum and substance of all this is that it is Allah's wisdom to keep the prophets poor which is also in the best interest of the people at large. Also, the prophets are not forced to lead a poor life. On the contrary they have a choice either to opt for an ordinary simple life or else Allah Ta’ ala can make them wealthy with a lot of property. But Allah Ta ala has made them such that they do not desire any material wealth and instead prefer a simple and poor life for themselves. The second objection infidels had raised was that if he was really a prophet, he would not have been eating and drinking like ordinary people nor would he walk in the markets to earn his livelihood. This objection was based on the assumption of many infidels that Allah's messengers could only be angels and not humans. The answer to this false notion is given in the Holy Qur'an at several places. The answer given here is that the prophets whom you admit to be prophets were also humans and not angels. They used to eat, drink and work like ordinary human beings. Hence you should have deduced from this that eating and drinking is not something repugnant to prophethood. The last verse وَمَا أَرْ‌سَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْ‌سَلِينَ إِلَّا إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ (And We did not send any messengers before you, but all of them used to eat food - 25:20) has put forward the same argument. There is great wisdom in economic difference between people وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً (And We have made some of you test for some others - 25:20). There is an allusion in the verse that Allah Ta ala had complete power to make all humans wealthy, prosperous, healthy and of high status. But this way nobody would have been poor, weak or sick - a position which would have created innumerable social problems resulting in chaos and confusion. Therefore, Allah Taala has made some rich and some poor, some healthy and some sick, some strong and some weak, and some with high status and some others unknown. This way every single individual is at test because of his or her peculiar placing in society and community. The rich and healthy people are at test for their thankfulness, while poor and sick persons are on trial for their patience. For this very reason the Holy Prophet has advised that whenever you see someone who is wealthier, healthier, stronger or higher in status you should at once try to turn towards those who are lower than you in wealth, health, strength and status so that instead of feeling jealous, which is a sin, you should thank Allah Ta’ ala for giving you better placing in this world as against those who have less than you. (Bukhari, Muslim, Mazhari)
Ayah 25:21

وَ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یَرْجُوْنَ لِقَآءَنَا لَوْ لَاۤ اُنْزِلَ عَلَیْنَا الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ اَوْ نَرٰى رَبَّنَا١ؕ لَقَدِ اسْتَكْبَرُوْا فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ عَتَوْ عُتُوًّا كَبِیْرًا Open ayah 25:21 in the Quran reader

And said those who do not apprehend to meet Us, 'y the angels are not sent down to us or why do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they think too highly of themselves and have gone too far in rebellion.

Commentary وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَرْ‌جُونَ لِقَاءَنَا (And said those who do not believe in meeting Us - 25:21). رَجَاء (Raja:) means to hope for something desired. Sometimes it is also used for having fear, as mentioned by Ibn-al-Ambari, the famous scholar of Arabic lexicon. Here in this verse it is used for apprehension and fear. Thus the meaning of the phrase is 'those who are not apprehensive of being brought before Us'. The allusion is toward those who totally deny the Hereafter as only they could have the courage to raise such preposterous and absurd points and put such frivolous demands. Those who believe in the Hereafter dread it so much all the time that they have no time to waste over such ridiculous ideas. In the present time those who appear to be unsure about the teachings and injunctions of Islam and indulge in dubious debate and arguments under the influence of modern education allude toward weakness of their faith in the Hereafter. When one attains total faith in the Hereafter then there is no question of having such dubious doubts.
Ayahs 25:22–23

یَوْمَ یَرَوْنَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةَ لَا بُشْرٰى یَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُجْرِمِیْنَ وَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ حِجْرًا مَّحْجُوْرًا Open ayah 25:22 in the Quran reader

The Day they will see the angels, there will be no good news for the sinners that day, and they will say , " (We need) a shelter, fully protected!"

وَ قَدِمْنَاۤ اِلٰى مَا عَمِلُوْا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنٰهُ هَبَآءً مَّنْثُوْرًا Open ayah 25:23 in the Quran reader

And We will come to whatever deeds they did and will turn them into scattered dust.

حِجْرً‌ا مَّحْجُورً‌ا (25:22) The literal meaning of حِجر is protection, and مَّحْجُورًا is fully protected. This word was used in Arabic language at the time of danger, when there was a danger in sight. The word was used to seek protection - that is to ask for protection against the imminent danger. Likewise, on the Dooms Day when the infidels will see angels approaching toward them with chastisement, they will utter this word as per their habit in this world to seek protection. Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has described the meaning of this word حَرَاماً مُحَرَّماً (that is banned, prohibited). According to this interpretation, the phrase will mean that on the Dooms Day when the infidels will see the angels approaching them with chastisement, they will seek their pardon and plead to let them in the paradise. In response to their pleading the angels will reply حِجْرً‌ا مَّحْجُورً‌ا that is the Paradise is banned and prohibited for infidels. (Mazhari)
Ayah 25:24

اَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّةِ یَوْمَئِذٍ خَیْرٌ مُّسْتَقَرًّا وَّ اَحْسَنُ مَقِیْلًا Open ayah 25:24 in the Quran reader

The people of Paradise, on that day will be the best in (terms of their) abode and best in (terms of their) resting-place.

Commentary خَيْرٌ‌ مُّسْتَقَرًّ‌ا وَأَحْسَنُ مَقِيلًا (The best in (terms of their) abode and best in (terms of their) resting-place - 25:24). Permanent residence is called مُّسْتَقَرًّ while مَقِيلً is derived from قَیلُولہ which means siesta. Hence مَقِيلً means the place for having siesta. Probably مَقِيلً is specifically mentioned here because it is referred in one of the traditions that on the Dooms day Allah Ta’ ala will complete reckoning of the entire creation by noon and the people of paradise will reach Paradise at the time of siesta and so will the condemned in the Hell. (Qurtubi)
Ayahs 25:25–27

وَ یَوْمَ تَشَقَّقُ السَّمَآءُ بِالْغَمَامِ وَ نُزِّلَ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ تَنْزِیْلًا Open ayah 25:25 in the Quran reader

And the Day the sky will break open with a cloud 'and the angels are sent down in a majestic descent,

اَلْمُلْكُ یَوْمَئِذِ اِ۟لْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمٰنِ١ؕ وَ كَانَ یَوْمًا عَلَى الْكٰفِرِیْنَ عَسِیْرًا Open ayah 25:26 in the Quran reader

the Kingdom on that day will be for the Rahman, and for the disbelievers it will be a difficult day.

وَ یَوْمَ یَعَضُّ الظَّالِمُ عَلٰى یَدَیْهِ یَقُوْلُ یٰلَیْتَنِی اتَّخَذْتُ مَعَ الرَّسُوْلِ سَبِیْلًا Open ayah 25:27 in the Quran reader

] And (Be mindful on the Day the wrongdoer will bite his hands saying, 'Would that I had taken a path along with the messenger!

تَشَقَّقُ السَّمَاءُ بِالْغَمَامِ (The sky will break open with a cloud - 25:25). The explanation of the verse is that the sky will rip apart and a sort of liquid cloud will descend from it which will be carrying angels with it. This cloud will look like a canopy descending from the sky and will be bearing Allah Ta’ ala's refulgence surrounded by angels. This will precede the beginning of the reckoning and the sky will rip open only to make an opening. It will not be the same ripping as the one when the sur (صُور) will be blown to finish off the earth and the sky, because this descension of the cloud will take place after the second blowing of the sur (صُور) when the earth and the sky would have taken the new shape. (Bayan u1-Qur’ an)
Ayahs 25:28–29

یٰوَیْلَتٰى لَیْتَنِیْ لَمْ اَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِیْلًا Open ayah 25:28 in the Quran reader

Woe to me! Would that I had not taken so-and-so for my friend!

لَقَدْ اَضَلَّنِیْ عَنِ الذِّكْرِ بَعْدَ اِذْ جَآءَنِیْ١ؕ وَ كَانَ الشَّیْطٰنُ لِلْاِنْسَانِ خَذُوْلًا Open ayah 25:29 in the Quran reader

Indeed he led me astray from the advice after it had come to me." And the Satan is man's betrayer.

يَا وَيْلَتَىٰ لَيْتَنِي لَمْ أَتَّخِذْ فُلَانًا خَلِيلًا (Woe to me! would that I had not taken so-and-so for my friend - 25:28). This verse was revealed on an especial occasion, but its implication is universal. The background is that 'Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu` ait was one of the chieftains of polytheists in Makkah. It was customary with him that whenever he would return after an expedition, he used to invite the nobility of the city to dinner. He also used to call on the Holy Prophet ﷺ frequently. When he presented the food to the Holy Prophet ﷺ he said "I cannot eat your food until you proclaim that Allah is one and no one can be associated with Him in worship and that I am His Rasul." 'Uqbah recited this sentence and then the Holy Prophet ﷺ ate the dinner according to his promise, 'Ubayy Ibn Khalaf was a close friend of 'Uqbah. When he learnt that 'Uqbah has accepted Islam and has recited the Kalimah Tayyabah he was very crossed with him. 'Uqbah tried to defend himself by explaining that Muhammad ﷺ was an eminent person of Quraysh and if he had returned without having his meal at his house, it would have been very degrading for 'Uqbah. Therefore, in order to please him, he repeated the sentence (کلمہ). 'Ubayy Ibn Khalaf did not accept this explanation and asked 'Uqbah to go and spit on Holy Prophet's ﷺ face if he was really ashamed. The wretched man obliged his depraved friend and did as he had suggested. Allah Ta’ ala disgraced them both in this world as well, as both were killed in the battle of Badr (Baghawi). The torment he will face on the Dooms day is described in this verse that when he will see the torment before him, he will bite his fingers in distress and repentance and say "would that he had not made 'Ubayy Ibn Khalaf his friend in the world". (Mazhari Qurtubi) Friendship of wicked persons and non believers will be a matter of shame and repentance in the Hereafter It is explained in Tafsir Mazhari that although these verses were revealed in respect of the 'Uqbah, yet the moral of the verse is universal. This can be noticed by the use of the word فُلاناً (so-and-so) in the verse, which alludes that the message is universal. The moral that can be deduced from these verses is that when two friends get together in acts of immorality and sin and help each other in performing forbidden deeds, then the same will apply to them and they will be remorseful and feel sorry for their friendship in the Hereafter. Musnad Ahmed, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud etc. have reproduced a narration on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Said al-Khudri ؓ that the Holy Prophet ﷺ once said لا تصاحب الا مؤمنا ولا یاکل مالک الا تقی (Do not make a non-Muslim your friend and your possessions should be used only by the pious persons.- Mazhari), that is, do not have the non-pious as your friend. And Sayyidna Abu Hurairah has reported a tradition of the Holy Prophet ﷺ : المرء علی دین خلیلہ فلینظر من یخالل (رواہ البخاری) Every person is influenced by the faith and way of life of his friends. Therefore, one must be very mindful when selecting his friends. (Bukhari) Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has reported that the Holy Prophet ﷺ was asked what sort of friends should we keep in our company. To this he replied: من ذکر کم باللہ رویتہ، وزاد فی علمکم منطقہ، و ذکرکم بالآخرۃ عملہ (رواہ البزار) The one who reminds you of Allah when you see him, and adds to your knowledge when he speaks, and reminds you of the Hereafter when he acts. (Qurtubi)
Ayah 25:30

وَ قَالَ الرَّسُوْلُ یٰرَبِّ اِنَّ قَوْمِی اتَّخَذُوْا هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ مَهْجُوْرًا Open ayah 25:30 in the Quran reader

And the messenger will say, "0 my Lord, my people had taken this Qur'an as a thing to be deserted."

وَقَالَ الرَّسُوْلُ يٰرَبِّ اِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوْا ھٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ مَهْجُوْرًا (That is Rasul will say, 0 my Lord my people have forgotten and forsaken Qur'an - 25:30). There is a difference of opinion among the commentators whether this complaint of the Holy Prophet ﷺ to Allah Ta’ ala about his people would be on Dooms Day or was made in his life time. Both views appear valid. But the verse following this verse suggests that he made this complaint during his lifetime and the next verse was revealed to appease him.
Ayah 25:31

وَ كَذٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِیٍّ عَدُوًّا مِّنَ الْمُجْرِمِیْنَ١ؕ وَ كَفٰى بِرَبِّكَ هَادِیًا وَّ نَصِیْرًا Open ayah 25:31 in the Quran reader

And in a similar way We made for every prophet an enemy from among the sinners, but your Lord suffices as a guide and as a supporter.

The next verse reads وَكَذٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا مِّنَ الْمُجْرِمِيْنَ (In a similar way We made for every prophet an enemy from among the sinners - 25:31). It means that if your adversaries do not accept Qur'an, it is not something new. In the past as well people have defied Our message and the messengers had to contend with that. The best course for you also is to be contended. Abandoning to follow Qur'an is a great sin On the face of it abandonment of Qur'an means its denial or non non-acceptance, which is expected only from the infidels. However, in certain traditions it is reported that those Muslim who do believe in the Qur'an but neither they read it nor try to follow it fall as much within the ambit of this category of people. Sayyidna Anas ؓ has quoted the Holy Prophet ﷺ as saying: من تعلّم القرآن و علّق مصحفہ لم یتعاھدہ ولم ینظر فیہ جاء یوم القیامۃ متعلقا بہ یقول : یا ربّ العالمین ان عبدک ھذا اتخزنی مھجوراً فاقض بینی و بینہ ۔ ذکرہ الثعلبی (قرطبی) The person who has learnt Qur'an and then hanged it (on the wall), neither he recites it routinely nor ponders over its injunctions will be brought on the Doomsday with Qur'an hanging by his neck with a sling, and will complain before Allah Ta’ ala 'this servant of Yours had abandoned me, so decide between me and him". (Qurtubi)
Ayah 25:32

وَ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَوْ لَا نُزِّلَ عَلَیْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ جُمْلَةً وَّاحِدَةً١ۛۚ كَذٰلِكَ١ۛۚ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهٖ فُؤَادَكَ وَ رَتَّلْنٰهُ تَرْتِیْلًا Open ayah 25:32 in the Quran reader

And said those who disbelieved, "Why has the Qur'an not been revealed to him all at once?" (It has been sent down) in this way (i.e. in parts) so that We make your heart firm, and We revealed it little by little.

Commentary The sequence of objections by the infidels and polytheists and their answers, which had started in the beginning of the Surah, is continuing. Here in this verse the objection as to why the Qur'an was revealed gradually bit by bit and not in one go is answered. The wisdom behind gradual revelation of the Qur'an as explained in the verse is that it was to keep the heart of the Holy Prophet ﷺ firm and strong. By gradual revelation the Holy Prophet's ﷺ heart was made strong in the following manner: 1. It was made easy for him to remember the Qur'an by heart. If the whole Book was revealed in one go, its remembrance by heart would not have been that easy. Remembrance of the Qur'an by heart expelled all worries from his heart. 2. Whenever an objection was raised by the infidels or a maltreatment was perpetrated, a verse would reveal to give him fortitude. In case the entire Qur’ an was revealed in one piece and the fortitude for the special occasion had also been mentioned in it, its search in the Book would have been painstaking. Moreover, it would have been uncertain whether or not the attention of the Holy Prophet ﷺ would be drawn to the particular verse. 3. Instant response by way of revelation to answer awkward questions was by itself the confirmation of Allah Ta’ ala's support which is the biggest source of strength for the heart. The wisdom of keeping the heart strong is not dependent on gradual revelations alone. Other factors in this regard are mentioned in the following verse of Surah Bani Isra'il وَقُرْاٰنًا فَرَقْنٰهُ لِتَقْرَاَهٗ عَلَي النَّاسِ عَلٰي مُكْثٍ (And We have divided the Qur'an in portion, so that you may recite it to the people gradually - 17:106). (Bayan ul-Qur’ an)
Ayahs 25:33–35

وَ لَا یَاْتُوْنَكَ بِمَثَلٍ اِلَّا جِئْنٰكَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ اَحْسَنَ تَفْسِیْرًاؕ Open ayah 25:33 in the Quran reader

And they bring to you no hypothesis, but We bring to you the correct position and (an answer) better explained.

اَلَّذِیْنَ یُحْشَرُوْنَ عَلٰى وُجُوْهِهِمْ اِلٰى جَهَنَّمَ١ۙ اُولٰٓئِكَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَّ اَضَلُّ سَبِیْلًا۠ Open ayah 25:34 in the Quran reader

Those who will be driven on their faces to hell - they are the worst in situation and far more astray from the path.

وَ لَقَدْ اٰتَیْنَا مُوْسَى الْكِتٰبَ وَ جَعَلْنَا مَعَهٗۤ اَخَاهُ هٰرُوْنَ وَزِیْرًاۚۖ Open ayah 25:35 in the Quran reader

And surely We gave Musa the Book and appointed his brother Harun as a minister with him.

Commentary Verse no. 33 supports and accentuates the explanation given above for the wisdom in the gradual revelation of Qur'an in as much as it promises Allah's support in any situation of awkward questions asked by the infidel.
Ayah 25:36

فَقُلْنَا اذْهَبَاۤ اِلَى الْقَوْمِ الَّذِیْنَ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا١ؕ فَدَمَّرْنٰهُمْ تَدْمِیْرًاؕ Open ayah 25:36 in the Quran reader

So we said, "Go, both of you, to the people who have rejected Our signs" Then We annihilated them totally.

الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا (who have rejected Our signs - 25:36). Here it is described that the people of Pharaoh had denied Allah's verses. It is to be noted that by that time Torah was not revealed to Sayyidna Musa (علیہ السلام) . Therefore it cannot be Torah which was denied. Hence it is either the proofs of the Oneness of Allah, which can be understood by any one according to his mental level, or the traditions of the past prophets which are passed on through generations, no matter in what little detail, are referred here as rejection of His message. The same thing is referred in Qur'an as well وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِن قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ (Joseph brought you the clear signs before - 40:34). It mentions about the teachings of the earlier prophets, which had also reached them. (Bayan ul-Quran)