Surely We created everything according to a measure.
"Everything that was, is, and will be is all My creation by My decree and determination, by My desire and will." The decree has been made, the judgment issued, the work completed. It is not your desire that He puts into effect today. It is the beginningless deed that He makes apparent.
For one person the inscription of bounty was written by the beginningless gentleness. He accepted him before his deeds, He responded to him before his supplication, He bestowed upon him before his asking, He gave a robe of honor before his service, and He pardoned him before his sins. Another person He branded with justice on the first day at the Beginningless Covenant, and He drove him from His threshold. His chastisement was before his disobedience, and His punishment before his sins.
O indigent man! Ask for nothing of Him but Him. Do not serve Him by making a contract. Making a contract is the creed of Iblis. Iblis said, "Now that You have rejected and cursed me and driven me from Your Presence, give me something: Grant me respite till the day they are raised up [7:14]." He gave him all of this world, but He took Himself back from him. When someone is held back from Him, even if he finds everything, he has found nothing. And when someone finds Him, even if he finds nothing, he has found everything.
It is as if God said, "My servant, you were not, but I was there for you. I was there for Myself in exaltedness, I was there for the wage-earner in mercy, and I was there for the friend in companionship. I saw you thrown down and I lifted you up. I saw you put aside and I accepted you. The attribute with which I lifted up is in place. Should I throw down what I lifted up? By My exalted exaltedness, I will not throw down!"
Truly everything read inna kulla shay’in is in the accusative as a dependent clause because of a verb governing it have We created in a measure by ordainment bi-qadarin ‘in a measure’ is a circumstantial qualifier referring to kulla ‘every’ in other words ‘already predetermined’; a variant reading for kulla has nominative kullu as the subject the predicate of which is khalaqnāhu ‘We have created’.
Allah the Exalted states that the criminals are misguided away from the truth and engulfed in confusion, because of the doubts and uncertainty they are in. This description befits every disbeliever and innovator of all types and forms of sects. Allah the Exalted said,
يَوْمَ يُسْحَبُونَ فِى النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ
(The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire), meaning, just as they were consumed in doubt, suspicion and hesitation, they ended up in the Fire. And just as they were misguided, they will end up being dragged on their faces, unaware of where they will be taken. They will be admonished and criticized,
ذُوقُواْ مَسَّ سَقَرَ
("Taste you the touch of Hell!'')
Everything was created with Qadar
Allah's statement,
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَـهُ بِقَدَرٍ
(Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.) is similar to several other Ayat,
وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُ تَقْدِيراً
(He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements (Faqaddarahu Taqdir).) (25:2) and,
(Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it. And Who has measured (Qaddara) and then guided.)(87:1-3), i.e., He measured out the total sum (Qadar) of everything and then guided the creation to it. The Imams of the Sunnah relied on this honorable Ayah as evidence that Allah created the creation with destined limits before they were created. He knew everything that will occur before it occurred and recorded everything that will occur, before they occurred. They used this Ayah and similar Ayat and Hadiths to refute the Qadariyyah sect, who started their sect during the latter time of the Companions. I mentioned this subject in detail in my explanation on the chapter on faith of Sahih Al-Bukhari. I will mention here some Hadiths pertaining to this honorable Ayah. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "The idolators of the Quraysh came to the Messenger of Allah arguing with him and discounting the Qadar. This Ayah was revealed,
(The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!'' Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.)'' Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah collected this Hadith. Al-Bazzar recorded that `Amr bin Shu`ayb said that his father narrated that his grandfather said, "These Ayat were revealed about those who deny Al-Qadar,
(Verily, the criminals are in error and will burn. The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!'' Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.)'' Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded that Zurarah said that his father said that the Prophet recited this Ayah,
(These Ayat were revealed about some members of my Ummah. They will come before the end of time and deny Al-Qadar.) Ata' bin Abi Rabah said, "I went to Ibn `Abbas and found him drawing water from the well of Zamzam. The bottom of his clothes were wet with the water of Zamzam and I said to him, `They talked about Al-Qadar (some denied it).' He asked, `Have they done this' I said, `Yes.' He said, `By Allah! This Ayah was revealed only about them,
("Taste you the touch of Hell!'' Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.) They are the worst members of this Ummah. Do not visit those who fall ill among them or pray the Funeral prayer for those among them who die. If I saw one of them, I would pluck out his eyes with these two fingers of mine.''' Imam Ahmad recorded that Nafi` said, " `Abdullah bin `Umar had a friend in the area of Ash-Sham who used to write to him. `Abdullah bin `Umar wrote to him, `I was told that you started talking about Al-Qadar. Therefore, do not dare write to me any more. I heard the Messenger of Allah say,
(There will be some members of my Ummah who will deny Al-Qadar.)'' Abu Dawud collected this Hadith from Ahmad bin Hanbal. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(Every thing is predetermined, even laziness and intelligence.) Muslim collected this Hadith using a chain of narration through Imam Malik. There is also an authentic Hadith in which the Messenger of Allah said,
(Seek the help of Allah and do not succumb to feebleness. And when an affliction strikes you, say, "Allah has decreed this, and He does as He wills.'' Do not say, "Had I done this or that, this or that would have happened, because "if'' opens the door wide for the work of Ash-Shaytan.)'' In a Hadith from `Abbas, the Messenger of Allah said to him,
(Know that if the Ummah were to all gather their strength to cause you some benefit that Allah has not decreed for you, they will never be able to bring you that benefit. And if they gather their strength to bring a harm to you that Allah has not written on you, they will never be able to harm you. The pens have gone dry and the Books of Record have been closed.) Imam Ahmad recorded that Ubadah bin Al-Walid bin Ubadah said that his father said to him, "I went to `Ubadah when he was ill, and I thought that he was going to die. So I said, `O my father, advise us and make the best effort in this regard.' He said, `Help me sit up,' and when he was helped up, he said, `O my son! Know that you will not taste the delight of Faith or earn true knowledge in Allah until you believe in Al-Qadar, the good and the not so good parts of it.' I asked, `O my father! How can I know (or believe in) Al-Qadar, the good and the not so good parts of it' He said, `When you know that what has missed you, would never have come to you and what has befallen you would never have missed you. O my son! I heard the Messenger of Allah say,
(The first thing Allah created was the Pen, right after that commanded it, `Record!' and the Pen recorded everything that will occur until the Day of Resurrection.) O my son! If you die not having this belief, you will enter the Hellfire.''' At-Tirmidhi also recorded it and said: "Hasan Sahih Gharib.'' It is confirmed in Sahih Muslim from `Abdullah bin `Amr that the Messenger of Allah said,
(And Our commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye.) This is information about the execution of His will in His creation, just as He informed us the execution of His decree in them,
وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلاَّ وَحِدَةٌ
(And Our commandment is but one) meaning, `We only command a thing once, without needing to repeat the command; and whatever We command comes to existence faster than the blinking of an eye without any delay, not even for an instant.' Allah said,
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَآ أَشْيَـعَكُمْ
(And indeed, We have destroyed your likes), i.e. the earlier nations who denied their Messengers,
فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ
(then is there any that will remember) meaning, is there any that will receive admonition by remembering the humiliation and torment that Allah decreed for them
(And a barrier will be set between them and that which they desire, as was done in the past with the people of their kind.)(34:54) Allah's statement,
وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ فَعَلُوهُ فِى الزُّبُرِ
(And everything they have done is noted in Az-Zubur.) meaning, everything they did is recorded in the Books of Record entrusted to the angels, peace be upon them,
وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ
(And everything, small and large,) meaning, of their actions,
مُّسْتَطَرٌ
(is written down.) everything that they do is recorded and written in their Record of deeds, which leave nothing, whether large or small, but it is recorded and counted. Imam Ahmad recorded that `A'ishah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
(O `A'ishah! Beware of small sins, because there is someone assigned by Allah who records them.) An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah also collected this Hadith.
The Good End for Those with Taqwa
Allah said,
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّـتٍ وَنَهَرٍ
(Verily, those who have Taqwa, will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers.), unlike the end that the miserable are facing, loss, confusion and being dragged in the Fire on their faces, as well as being disgraced, punished and threatened. Allah said,
فِى مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ
(In a seat of truth,) in the Dwelling of Allah's honor, encompassed by His pleasure, favors, bounties, generosity and compassion,
عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرِ
(near the Muqtadir King.) meaning with the Magnificent King Who created everything and measured its destiny; He is able to grant them whatever they wish and ask for. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah bin `Amr said that the Prophet said,
(Verily, the just will be with Allah on podiums of light, to the right of Ar-Rahman, and both of His Hands are right. They are those who are just and fair in their judgement and with their families and those whom they are responsible for.) Muslim and An-Nasa'i also recorded this Hadith.
This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Iqtarabat (Al-Qamar). All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and success and immunity from error come from Him.
54.49-53
Maududi - Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi - Tafhim al-Qur'an
That is, 'Nothing in the world has been created at random but with a purpose and destiny. A thing comes into being at an appointed time, takes a particular form and shape, develops to its fullest extent, survives for a certain period, and then decays and dies at an appointed time. Even according to this universal principle this world too has a destiny in accordance with which it is functioning till an appointed time and will come to an end at an appointed tune. It will neither come to an end a moment earlier than its appointed time of end nor survive a moment longer; it has neither existed since eternity nor will exist rill eternity, nor is it the plaything of a child which he may destroy as and when he likes."
That is, 'We shall not have to make any lengthy preparations for bringing about Resurrection, nor will it take long to come. For no sooner will a Command be issued forth from Us than it will take place in the twinkling of an eve."
That is, 'If you think that the world is not the Kingdom of a Wise and.lust God but the lawless empire of a blind ruler, in which man may behave and conduct himself as he likes, without any fear of accountability, history is proof and an eye-opener for you, which shows that the nations that adopted such a way of life, have been sent to their doom, one after the other."
That is, "These people should not be under the delusion that whatever they did in the world has become extinct; nay, they should know that full record of the deeds of every person, every group and every nation, lies preserved and it will be presented before them at the appropriate time."
(Lo! the guilty are in error and madness… Lo! We have created every thing by measure) [54:47-49]. Abu’l-Qasim ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad al-Sarraj informed us (by dictation)> Abu Muhammad ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Musa al-Ka‘bi> Hamdan ibn Salih al-Ashajj> ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Abi Rawwad> Sufyan al-Thawri> Ziyad ibn Isma‘il al-Makhzumi> Muhammad ibn ‘Abbad ibn Ja‘far> Abu Hurayrah who said: "The Quraysh came to dispute the question of Destiny. Allah, exalted is He, therefore revealed (Lo! the guilty are in error and madness… Lo! We have created every thing by measure)". This was narrated by Muslim from Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah> Waki‘> Sufyan. By Allah, I bear witness that Abu’l-Harith Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahim al-Hafiz informed us in Jurjan; he said: "By Allah, I bear witness that Abu Nu‘aym Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Bazzaz informed us; he said: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard ‘Ali ibn Jandal saying: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard Abu’l-Hasan Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ubayy in Khurasan say: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Saqr al-Hafiz say: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard ‘Ufayr ibn Ma‘dan say: ‘by Allah, I bear witness that I heard Salim ibn ‘Amir say: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard Abu Umamah al-Bahili say: ‘By Allah, I bear witness that I heard the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, say: ‘This verse was revealed about the deniers of Destiny (al-Qadariyyah): (Lo! the guilty are in error and madness… Lo! We have created every thing by measure). Abu Bakr ibn al-Harith related to us> ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad al-Asfahani> Jarir ibn Harun> ‘Ali al-Tanafisi> ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Musa> Bahr al-Saqa’> A Shaykh from Quraysh> ‘Ata’ who said: "The bishop of Najran came to the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said: ‘O Muhammad, you claim that sins are created by measure and that the seas and heaven are also created by measure. If it is true that the seas and heaven are created by measure, sins nevertheless cannot be’. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, said: ‘You are Allah’s adversaries!’ And then Allah, exalted is He, revealed (Lo! the guilty are in error and madness) up to His words (Lo! We have created every thing by measure)". Abu Bakr informed us> ‘Abd Allah> ‘Amr ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hasan> Ahmad ibn al-Khalil> ‘Abd Allah ibn Raja’ al-Azdi> ‘Amr ibn ‘Ala’, the brother of Abu ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ala’> Khalid ibn Salamah al-Qurashi> Sa‘id ibn ‘Amr ibn Ja‘dah al-Makhzumi> Ibn Abi Zurarah al-Ansari> his father who related that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, read this verse (Lo! the guilty are in error and madness) and then said: "This verse was revealed about some future people from amongst this community who will deny the Destiny of Allah, exalted is He". Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Hiri informed us> Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub al-Ma‘qili> Abu ‘Utbah Ahmad ibn al-Faraj> Baqiyyah> Ibn Thawban> Bakir ibn Usayd> his father who said: "I was with Muhammad ibn Ka‘b when he said: ‘If you ever see me talk about Destiny, then tie me up for I am then a madman. By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, these verses have not been revealed except about madmen’. Then he recited (Lo! the guilty are in error and madness… Lo! We have created every thing by measure)".
