Surah Qaf ayat 4 Tafsir Quran 50:4

﴿قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الْأَرْضُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَعِندَنَا كِتَابٌ حَفِيظٌ﴾
[ ق: 4]

50:4 We know what the earth diminishes of them, and with Us is a retaining record.

We know what the earth diminishes consumes of them and with Us is a preserving Book namely the Preserved Tablet al-lawh al-mahfūz which contains everything that has been ordained by God.

But We Have already and thus early known to what extent has the earth consumed of the corpses of their dead, (or it may be; what the earth shall regularly consume of them by death) We keep a book where everything is related in writing and set down in a permanent form

Which was revealed in Makkah The Beginning of the Mufassal Section of the Qur'an This Surah is the first Surah in the Mufassal section of the Qur'an, according to the correct view.
It is said that the Mufassal starts with Surat Al-Hujurat.
Some common people say that the Mufassal starts with Surah `Amma An-Naba, ( chapter 78 ), however, this is not true because none of the respected scholars ever supported this opinion.
Aws ( bin Hudhayfah ) said; "I asked the Companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺ how they divided the Qur'an.
They said; `Three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, and the Mufassal section as one.' " This was recorded by Ibn Majah and Imam Ahmad.
If one counts forty-eight Surahs, the next Surah will be Surah Qaf.
The details are as follows: The first three Surahs are Al-Baqarah ( chapter 2 ), Al `Imran ( 3 ), then An-Nisa' ( 4 ).
The five are Al-Ma'idah ( 5 ), Al-An`am ( 6 ), Al-A`raf ( 7 ), Al-Anfal ( 8 ) and Bara'ah ( or At-Tawbah ) ( 9 ).
The seven next Surahs are Surah Yunus ( 10 ), Hud ( 11 ), Yusuf ( 12 ), Ar-Ra`d ( 13 ), Ibrahim ( 14 ), Al-Hijr ( 15 ) and An-Nahl ( 16 ).
The nine next Surahs are, Subhan ( or Al-Isra' (17 ), Al-Kahf ( 18 ), Maryam ( 19 ), Ta Ha ( 20 ), Al-Anbiya' ( 21 ), Al-Hajj ( 22 ), Al-Mu`minun ( 23 ), An-Nur ( 24 ) and Al-Furqan ( 25 ).
The next eleven Surahs are Surat Ash-Shu`ara ( 26 ), An-Naml ( 27 ), Al-Qasas ( 28 ), Al-`Ankabut ( 29 ), Ar-Rum ( 30 ), Luqman ( 31 ), Alif Lam Mim As-Sajdah ( 32 ), Al-Ahzab ( 33 ), Saba' ( 34 ), Fatir ( 35 ) and Ya Sin ( 36 ).
The next thirteen are Surat As-Saffat ( 37 ), Sad ( 38 ), Az-Zumar ( 39 ), Ghafir ( 40 ), Ha Mim As-Sajdah ( or Fussilat ) ( 41 ), Ash-Shura ( 42 ), Az-Zukhruf ( 43 ), Ad-Dukhan ( 44 ), Al-Jathiyah ( 45 ), Al-Ahqaf ( 46 ), Al-Qital ( or Muhammad ) ( 47 ), Al-Fath ( 48 ) and Al-Hujurat ( 49 ).
After that comes the Mufassal section, according to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.
Therefore, Surah Qaf ( chapter 50 ) is the first of the Mufassal, just as we stated, and all praise is due to Allah and all favors are from Him. The Virtues of Surah Qaf Imam Ahmad recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Abu Waqid Al-Laythi, "What did the Prophet recite during the `Id Prayer" Abu Waqid said, "Surah Qaf and Surat Iqtarabat i.e.
Surat Al-Qamar ( 54 )." Muslim and the Four Collectors of the Sunan collected this Hadith.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Hisham bint Harithah said, "For around two years, or a year and a part of another year, our oven and the oven of the Prophet was one and the same.
I memorized Surah, ق وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ ( Qaf.
By the Glorious Qur'an. ) from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who used to recite it every Friday while standing on the Minbar delivering the Friday sermon to the people." Muslim collected this Hadith.
Abu Dawud also recorded that the daughter of Al-Harith bin An-Nu`man said, "I only memorized Surah Qaf from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who used to recite it in every Friday Khutbah.
Our oven and the oven of the Messenger was one and the same." Muslim and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith.
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite this Surah during large gatherings such as the `Ids and during Friday sermons.
He did so because this Surah contains news of the beginning of creation, Resurrec- tion, the Return, Standing ( before Allah ), the Reckoning, Paradise, the Fire, Allah's reward and punishment, lessons of encouragement, and lessons of discouragement.
Allah knows best. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. ق ( Qaf. ) which is one of the letters of the alphabet that are mentioned in the beginning of some Surahs, such as, ص ( Sad. ) ( 38:1 ) ن ( Nun.
) ( 68:1 ) الم ( Alif Lam Mim. ) ( 2:1 ), حـم ( Ha Mim. ) ( 40:1 ), and طس ( Ta Sin ) ( 28:1 ) and etc., Mujahid and several others said this.
We also discussed this in the beginning of the explanation of Surat Al-Baqarah, and therefore, it is not necessary to repeat it here. The Disbelievers wonder at the Message and Resurrection Allah said, وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ ( By the Glorious Qur'an. ) means by the Honorable and Great Qur'an, which, لاَّ يَأْتِيهِ الْبَـطِلُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلاَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ ( Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is ) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.)( 41:42 ) The subject of the oath contained in this Ayah is specified afterwards, even though it does not appear by word, emphasizing prophethood, resurrection and affirming that they are true.
There are similar kinds of oaths in the Qur'an, whose subject is included in the meaning but not by word, such as, ص وَالْقُرْءَانِ ذِى الذِّكْرِ - بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ ( Sad.
By the Qur'an full of reminding.
Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition. )( 38:1-2 ) Allah said here, ق وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ - بَلْ عَجِبُواْ أَن جَآءَهُمْ مُّنذِرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَقَالَ الْكَـفِرُونَ هَـذَا شَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌ ( Qaf.
By the Glorious Qur'an.
Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves.
So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing!" ) They wondered at the wisdom behind sending a Messenger who is a human being.
Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said in another Ayah أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ ( Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our revelation to a man from among themselves (saying ): "Warn mankind.") ( 10:2 ), meaning, this is not strange, for Allah chooses Messengers from angels and humans.
Allah the Exalted and Most Honored mentioned that the disbelievers also wondered about the Resurrection and discounted its coming, أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَاباً ذَلِكَ رَجْعُ بَعِيدٌ ( When we are dead and have become dust.
That is a far return. ) They said, `after we die, disintegrate, with our organs torn apart and we become dust, how can we be brought back to our original shape and bodies,' ذَلِكَ رَجْعُ بَعِيدٌ ( That is a far return. ) `it is not likely that it will ever occur.' They thought that Resurrection was far from happening and will never occur.
Allah the Exalted responded to their statement by saying, قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الاٌّرْضَ مِنْهُمْ ( We know that which the earth takes of them. ) meaning, `We know what the earth consumes of their dead bodies.' Where and how the bodies disintegrated, what they turned into and how they have become, all of this is never absent from Allah's knowledge. وَعِندَنَا كِتَـبٌ حَفِيظٌ ( and with Us is a Book preserved, ) `that keeps all records.
Therefore, Our knowledge is encompassing and the Book of decrees has everything precisely recorded in it.
Al-`Awfi narrated that `Abdullah bin `Abbas commented on the statement of Allah the Exalted, قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الاٌّرْضَ مِنْهُمْ ( We know that which the earth takes of them, ) "It refers to what the earth consumes of their flesh, skin, bones and hair." A similar view was recorded from Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and several others.
Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, explained the reason behind their disbelief, rebellion and discounting the possibility of what is truly possible, بَلْ كَذَّبُواْ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ فَهُمْ فِى أَمْرٍ مَّرِيجٍ ( Nay, but they have denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a Marij state. ) This is the state of all those who defy the Truth: whatever they say and utter after denying the Truth, is utterly false.
Marij means, in disarray, in a confused state and defying the characteristics of the Truth.
Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah, إِنَّكُمْ لَفِى قَوْلٍ مُّخْتَلِفٍ - يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ أُفِكَ ( Certainly, you have different ideas.
Turned aside therefrom is he who is turned aside. )( 51:8-9 )

(50:4) (Thus do they imagine, although) We know well what the earth takes away from them. With Us is a Record that preserves everything. *4

We know what the earth diminishes of meaning

*4) That is, " If it cannot be comprehended by intellect, it is their own narrow mind to blame.
It does not mean that Allah's knowledge and power also should be narrow.
They think that it is in no way possible to collect the scattered particles of the bodies of the countless human beings who have died since the beginning of creation and will die till Resurrection.
But the fact is that Allah directly knows each of those particles in whatever form and in whichever place they are.
Furthermore, a full record of this is being maintained in the Register of Allah, which has not left out any particle un-recorded.
Then, as soon as AIIah commands, His angels will forthwith take out every particle from wherever it is with the help of this record, and will make up the same bodies once again in which human beings had lived and worked in the world. "
This verse also is one of those verses which point out that the lift hereafter will not only be a physical lift as it is in this world, but the body of every person also will be the same which he had in this world.
If it were not so, it would be meaningless to tell the disbelievers: " We know very well whatever the earth consumes of their bodies and We have a Book which preserves everything.
" ( For further explanation, sec E.N.
25 of Surah Ha Mim As-Sajdah )
 

Which was revealed in Makkah The Beginning of the Mufassal Section of the Qur'an This Surah is the first Surah in the Mufassal section of the Qur'an, according to the correct view.
It is said that the Mufassal starts with Surat Al-Hujurat.
Some common people say that the Mufassal starts with Surah `Amma An-Naba, ( chapter 78 ), however, this is not true because none of the respected scholars ever supported this opinion.
Aws ( bin Hudhayfah ) said; "I asked the Companions of Allah's Messenger ﷺ how they divided the Qur'an.
They said; `Three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, and the Mufassal section as one.' " This was recorded by Ibn Majah and Imam Ahmad.
If one counts forty-eight Surahs, the next Surah will be Surah Qaf.
The details are as follows: The first three Surahs are Al-Baqarah ( chapter 2 ), Al `Imran ( 3 ), then An-Nisa' ( 4 ).
The five are Al-Ma'idah ( 5 ), Al-An`am ( 6 ), Al-A`raf ( 7 ), Al-Anfal ( 8 ) and Bara'ah ( or At-Tawbah ) ( 9 ).
The seven next Surahs are Surah Yunus ( 10 ), Hud ( 11 ), Yusuf ( 12 ), Ar-Ra`d ( 13 ), Ibrahim ( 14 ), Al-Hijr ( 15 ) and An-Nahl ( 16 ).
The nine next Surahs are, Subhan ( or Al-Isra' (17 ), Al-Kahf ( 18 ), Maryam ( 19 ), Ta Ha ( 20 ), Al-Anbiya' ( 21 ), Al-Hajj ( 22 ), Al-Mu`minun ( 23 ), An-Nur ( 24 ) and Al-Furqan ( 25 ).
The next eleven Surahs are Surat Ash-Shu`ara ( 26 ), An-Naml ( 27 ), Al-Qasas ( 28 ), Al-`Ankabut ( 29 ), Ar-Rum ( 30 ), Luqman ( 31 ), Alif Lam Mim As-Sajdah ( 32 ), Al-Ahzab ( 33 ), Saba' ( 34 ), Fatir ( 35 ) and Ya Sin ( 36 ).
The next thirteen are Surat As-Saffat ( 37 ), Sad ( 38 ), Az-Zumar ( 39 ), Ghafir ( 40 ), Ha Mim As-Sajdah ( or Fussilat ) ( 41 ), Ash-Shura ( 42 ), Az-Zukhruf ( 43 ), Ad-Dukhan ( 44 ), Al-Jathiyah ( 45 ), Al-Ahqaf ( 46 ), Al-Qital ( or Muhammad ) ( 47 ), Al-Fath ( 48 ) and Al-Hujurat ( 49 ).
After that comes the Mufassal section, according to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.
Therefore, Surah Qaf ( chapter 50 ) is the first of the Mufassal, just as we stated, and all praise is due to Allah and all favors are from Him. The Virtues of Surah Qaf Imam Ahmad recorded that `Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Abu Waqid Al-Laythi, "What did the Prophet recite during the `Id Prayer" Abu Waqid said, "Surah Qaf and Surat Iqtarabat i.e.
Surat Al-Qamar ( 54 )." Muslim and the Four Collectors of the Sunan collected this Hadith.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Hisham bint Harithah said, "For around two years, or a year and a part of another year, our oven and the oven of the Prophet was one and the same.
I memorized Surah, ق وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ ( Qaf.
By the Glorious Qur'an. ) from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who used to recite it every Friday while standing on the Minbar delivering the Friday sermon to the people." Muslim collected this Hadith.
Abu Dawud also recorded that the daughter of Al-Harith bin An-Nu`man said, "I only memorized Surah Qaf from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who used to recite it in every Friday Khutbah.
Our oven and the oven of the Messenger was one and the same." Muslim and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith.
Therefore, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite this Surah during large gatherings such as the `Ids and during Friday sermons.
He did so because this Surah contains news of the beginning of creation, Resurrec- tion, the Return, Standing ( before Allah ), the Reckoning, Paradise, the Fire, Allah's reward and punishment, lessons of encouragement, and lessons of discouragement.
Allah knows best. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. ق ( Qaf. ) which is one of the letters of the alphabet that are mentioned in the beginning of some Surahs, such as, ص ( Sad. ) ( 38:1 ) ن ( Nun.
) ( 68:1 ) الم ( Alif Lam Mim. ) ( 2:1 ), حـم ( Ha Mim. ) ( 40:1 ), and طس ( Ta Sin ) ( 28:1 ) and etc., Mujahid and several others said this.
We also discussed this in the beginning of the explanation of Surat Al-Baqarah, and therefore, it is not necessary to repeat it here. The Disbelievers wonder at the Message and Resurrection Allah said, وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ ( By the Glorious Qur'an. ) means by the Honorable and Great Qur'an, which, لاَّ يَأْتِيهِ الْبَـطِلُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلاَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ ( Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is ) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.)( 41:42 ) The subject of the oath contained in this Ayah is specified afterwards, even though it does not appear by word, emphasizing prophethood, resurrection and affirming that they are true.
There are similar kinds of oaths in the Qur'an, whose subject is included in the meaning but not by word, such as, ص وَالْقُرْءَانِ ذِى الذِّكْرِ - بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ ( Sad.
By the Qur'an full of reminding.
Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition. )( 38:1-2 ) Allah said here, ق وَالْقُرْءَانِ الْمَجِيدِ - بَلْ عَجِبُواْ أَن جَآءَهُمْ مُّنذِرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَقَالَ الْكَـفِرُونَ هَـذَا شَىْءٌ عَجِيبٌ ( Qaf.
By the Glorious Qur'an.
Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves.
So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing!" ) They wondered at the wisdom behind sending a Messenger who is a human being.
Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said in another Ayah أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ ( Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our revelation to a man from among themselves (saying ): "Warn mankind.") ( 10:2 ), meaning, this is not strange, for Allah chooses Messengers from angels and humans.
Allah the Exalted and Most Honored mentioned that the disbelievers also wondered about the Resurrection and discounted its coming, أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَاباً ذَلِكَ رَجْعُ بَعِيدٌ ( When we are dead and have become dust.
That is a far return. ) They said, `after we die, disintegrate, with our organs torn apart and we become dust, how can we be brought back to our original shape and bodies,' ذَلِكَ رَجْعُ بَعِيدٌ ( That is a far return. ) `it is not likely that it will ever occur.' They thought that Resurrection was far from happening and will never occur.
Allah the Exalted responded to their statement by saying, قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الاٌّرْضَ مِنْهُمْ ( We know that which the earth takes of them. ) meaning, `We know what the earth consumes of their dead bodies.' Where and how the bodies disintegrated, what they turned into and how they have become, all of this is never absent from Allah's knowledge. وَعِندَنَا كِتَـبٌ حَفِيظٌ ( and with Us is a Book preserved, ) `that keeps all records.
Therefore, Our knowledge is encompassing and the Book of decrees has everything precisely recorded in it.
Al-`Awfi narrated that `Abdullah bin `Abbas commented on the statement of Allah the Exalted, قَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا تَنقُصُ الاٌّرْضَ مِنْهُمْ ( We know that which the earth takes of them, ) "It refers to what the earth consumes of their flesh, skin, bones and hair." A similar view was recorded from Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and several others.
Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, explained the reason behind their disbelief, rebellion and discounting the possibility of what is truly possible, بَلْ كَذَّبُواْ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُمْ فَهُمْ فِى أَمْرٍ مَّرِيجٍ ( Nay, but they have denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a Marij state. ) This is the state of all those who defy the Truth: whatever they say and utter after denying the Truth, is utterly false.
Marij means, in disarray, in a confused state and defying the characteristics of the Truth.
Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah, إِنَّكُمْ لَفِى قَوْلٍ مُّخْتَلِفٍ - يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ أُفِكَ ( Certainly, you have different ideas.
Turned aside therefrom is he who is turned aside. )( 51:8-9 )

Allah, Exalted is He, said: ( We know that which the earth taketh of them ) We know that which the earth devours of their flesh after they die and that which it leaves, ( and with Us is a recording Book ) and with Us is a Book preserved from Satan. This is the Guarded Tablet wherein is recorded their death, stay in the grave and resurrection on the Day of Judgement.

We know that which the earth takes of them (their dead bodies), and with Us is a Book preserved (i.e. the Book of Decrees).

Page 518 English transliteration