Al-Jaathiya (Crouching)

21. Do those who commit evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous good deeds and their life and death shall be equal? How incorrect is the judgment that they make.

The verbal noun ijtirah deriving from the root j-r-h denotes any harm afflicted on the body. Since committing sins hurts the sinner’s soul, the verbal form ijtarahu “they harm” is used in this Verse.

It is worthy of note that a comparison between a believer and a disbeliever indicates that the former finds peace of mind by remembering God, is satisfied with whatever God has given to him, is hopeful about future, his path is illuminated, and regards death as migrating to a more spacious dwelling, whereas the latter always circumambulates false deities and illegitimate authorities, entangled with the vain desires of his or others, regards the future to be dark, and considers death as perdition.

Therefore, the Qur’an makes use of comparison and contrast for further illumination so that people with different backgrounds be able to understand the point in question. Thus it is inquired in this Verse regarding the disbelievers thinking that those who have committed sins and opposed the believers who have found guidance and insight through the Qur’an, are worthy of being granted Divine Mercy, and have done good deeds are equal.

It is never like that. How would it be possible to pass such inaccurate judgment? The believers’ and disbelievers’ life and death are not equal.

Believers have grasped:

“the most trustworthy handhold that will never break”1 ,

i.e., through grasping the firmest and unbreakable handhold, believers in their mundane life rely on Divine Mercy and seeking succor from Him and their hearts are illuminated by the light of knowledge. They know that they are always protected by Him and thanks to their hope in Divine Grace they are happy at all times irrespective of being healthy or sick, poor or rich, and experiencing ups and downs.

They are always patient, satisfied, and submitted to the Divine Will, since they know that everything happens by Divine Will and whatever happens to them is in accordance with Divine Omniscience and Wisdom and the believers’ and disbelievers’ deaths are not on an equal basis.

After death, the latter descend to the lowest level of nature befitting their mundane life, as God Almighty says in the Qur’an¹ that upon their demise, angels beat them on their faces and their backs and harshly make their souls leave their bodies. Au contraire, upon their demise, believers ascend from the vicissitudes of the mundane world and enter the Divine world as per their way of life in this world.

The angels of mercy bear them the good tidings of transporting them to Paradise and the Abode of Dignity:

(“an exact recompense [according to their deeds]”)3 .

Divine Reward and Retribution are consistent with man’s acts. One whose heart is illumined by Divine Light is not on a par with one whose heart is tarnished by the shadows of disbelief.