384 Page Notes

27 Surah An-Naml (continued)

Page 384 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 384 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 384 of the standard Madinah Mushaf contains Surah An-Naml (27:77–88). This section transitions from praising the Qur'an as a mercy and guide into a series of profound eschatological and cosmic signs.

It addresses the finality of divine judgment, the inability of the dead to hear the living (metaphorically or physically), the physical emergence of the Beast of the Earth (Dabbat al-Ard) as a major sign of the Last Hour, and the terrifying first blast of the Trumpet that will throw the cosmos into chaos.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadith literature provide extensive commentary on these verses, particularly regarding the major signs of the Day of Judgment.

1. Hadiths Related to the Hearing of the Dead (Verses 80–81)

“Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs, retreating. And you cannot guide the blind away from their error...” (27:80–81)

These verses use the dead, deaf, and blind as metaphors for the spiritual state of the Makkans who refused to accept Islam. However, they also form the basis of a famous classical discussion in the Sunnah regarding whether physically deceased humans can hear the living.

The Casualties at the Well of Badr

The Sunnah establishes a unique exception where the dead were made to hear the Prophet ($\rho$), anchoring how the companions understood verse 80.

Hadith: After the pagan leaders were slain at the Battle of Badr and thrown into a well, the Prophet ($\rho$) stood over them and called them by their names and their fathers' names: "O so-and-so... have you found what your Lord promised you to be true?"

Umar (r.a.) said, "O Messenger of Allah! You are speaking to bodies that have no souls!" The Prophet ($\rho$) replied: “By Him in Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, you do not hear what I am saying any better than they do, but they cannot reply.”

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 3976), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2874).

Aisha's (r.a.) Reconciliation: When this was later mentioned to Aisha, she cross-referenced the event directly with Surah An-Naml verse 80, clarifying that the Prophet meant they now realized the absolute truth of his words, because absolute, independent hearing belongs only to the living, unless Allah performs a specific miracle.

2. Hadiths Related to the Beast of the Earth (Verse 82)

“And when the word [i.e., decree] befalls them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, because the people were, of Our verses, not certain.” (27:82)

This verse introduces Dabbat al-Ard (The Beast of the Earth). The Sunnah firmly places the manifestation of this creature among the Ten Major Signs of the Last Hour, occurring when the door of repentance is permanently closed.

The Beast as a Major Chronological Sign

The Sunnah outlines the rapid timeline of cosmic events once this creature emerges from the ground as described in verse 82.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) said: “The Hour will not feet established until you see ten signs... the smoke, the Dajjal (Antichrist), the Beast (of the Earth), the rising of the sun from its west, the descent of Jesus son of Mary...”

• Source Citation: Sahih Muslim (Book 54, Hadith 2901), Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 4311).

Marking the Believers from the Deniers

The Sunnah expands on what the Beast does when it "speaks to them," noting that it physically distinguishes humanity based on their faith.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) said: “The Beast will emerge and it will brand the people on their noses. Then these people will live among you until a man will buy a camel and he will be asked: 'From whom did you buy it?' and he will reply: 'From one of those who are branded (as disbelievers).'”

• Source Citation: Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 22309). Classed as Sahih by Al-Albani in Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah (Hadith 322).

3. Hadiths Related to the First Blast of the Trumpet (Verse 87)

“And [warn of] the Day the Trumpet will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will be terrified except whom Allah wills. And all shall come to Him humbled.” (27:87)

This refers to the Nafkhat al-Faza' (The Blast of Terror), which paralyzes the cosmos. The Sunnah details the physical nature of the Angel tasked with executing this command.

The Readiness of the Angel Israfil

The Prophet ($\rho$) lived with acute awareness of verse 87, reminding his companions that the countdown to this cataclysmic event had already begun.

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ($\rho$) said: “How can I feel at ease when the Angel of the Trumpet (Israfil) has placed the Trumpet to his mouth, lowered his forehead, and is listening intently, waiting for the command to blow it?” The companions asked, "What should we say, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied: “Say: 'Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs (Hasbunallah wa ni'mal wakeel).'”

• Source Citation: Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2424), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 11039). Classed as Sahih.

4. Hadiths Related to the Movement of Mountains (Verse 88)

“And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass away as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah, who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Aware of that which you do.” (27:88)

The Destruction of the Earth's Anchors

While mountains seem like the most unshakeable structures on earth, verse 88 states that during the collapse of the universe, they will float away like weightless clouds. The Sunnah describes this event during the physical transformation of the earth on the Day of Resurrection.

Hadith: The Prophet ($\rho$) explained that on that Day, the entire geography of the earth will change as its structural foundations dissolve: “The people will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection on a pale, reddish-white earth, like a loaf of clean bread.” The Companion Sahl bin Sa'd added: "There will be no signposts, mountains, or landmarks for anyone thereon."

• Source Citation: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6521), Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2791).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. (1997). Sahih al-Bukhari (Vols. 1-9). Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Sijistani, A. D. (2008). Sunan Abi Dawud. Darussalam Publishers.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. (2007). Sunan al-Tirmidhi. Darussalam Publishers.

• Ibn Hanbal, A. (2012). Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal. Mu'assasat al-Risalah.

• Muslim, I. (2007). Sahih Muslim. Darussalam Publishers.