Surah Al-Qalam — Verse 30

Word Meanings:

• "فَأَقْبَلَ" (fa-aqbala): They turned to / they faced one another.
• "بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ" (ba'duhum 'ala ba'd): Some of them upon others — meaning they directed their speech and attention to each other.
• "يَتَلَاوَمُونَ" (yatalawamoon): They blame one another; each one reproaches the other for the wrongdoing they committed.

Explanation of the Verse:

After the owners of the garden realized that their beautiful orchard had been burnt to ashes overnight — a punishment from Allah for their stingy intention to withhold its fruits from the poor and needy — they stood there in shock, regret, and confusion. At first, they thought they had taken the wrong path, but when they recognized it was indeed their own garden, they acknowledged their loss and their sin.

In this verse, Allah describes their state: "Then they turned to one another, blaming each other." They began to reproach one another — each one blamed the other for the evil plan they had all agreed upon. One said to the other: "You suggested we go early and prevent the poor from taking anything." Another replied: "You agreed with the idea and did not advise us to say 'If Allah wills.'" The most just among them reminded them: "Did I not tell you to say 'If Allah wills'?" So they exchanged words of blame, each trying to absolve himself while pointing fingers at his companion. This mutual blame was a natural result of their collective guilt — they all shared responsibility for the sin, and now they all shared the regret.

This scene is a profound lesson for humanity. When people conspire to do wrong and exclude the rights of others, their eventual outcome is not only loss but also internal conflict and mutual accusation. No one escapes blame, because everyone was complicit.

A Da'wah Reflection:

Dear reader, this verse carries a timeless message about the consequences of greed and the importance of sincere intention. The owners of the garden did not commit a major crime in the eyes of the world — they simply decided not to give charity that day. But Allah, the All-Knowing, saw their hearts and their miserly intentions, and He taught them — and us — a powerful lesson: wealth and blessings are trusts from Allah, and withholding them from those in need invites His displeasure.

How beautiful is Islam that teaches us to say "In sha' Allah" (If Allah wills) when we plan anything, and to keep our hearts generous and open to others! The owners of the garden forgot Allah in their planning, and their garden was taken away in one night. But Allah's mercy is vast — when they repented and acknowledged their wrongdoing, they hoped for something better, saying: "Perhaps our Lord will give us better than it in exchange."

So let us learn from their story: never be stingy with what Allah has given you, always remember Allah in your plans, and when you make a mistake, turn back to Him in sincere repentance. For Allah is the Most Merciful, and He loves those who return to Him. The punishment of this world is temporary, but the reward of the Hereafter is eternal — and the one who gives for Allah's sake will never lose.