494 Page Notes

43 Surah Az-Zukhruf (continued)

Page 494 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 494 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Surah Az-Zukhruf, verses 61 through 73, contains profound eschatological themes, including the nature of Jesus, the reality of the Hour, and the state of relationships on the Day of Judgment. While there is no single, specific "occasion of revelation" for these verses as a unified set, classical scholarship and the Sunnah provide essential context for understanding them.

Key Themes and Relevant Traditions

1. Jesus as a Sign of the Hour (Verse 61)

Verse 61, "And indeed, he [Jesus] will be [a sign for] knowledge of the Hour, so be not in doubt of it...", is one of the most discussed verses in Islamic eschatology.

• Scholarly Consensus: The majority of classical Sunni and Shi'a exegetes interpret this verse as referring to the return of Jesus (Isa) before the Day of Resurrection, viewing his descent as a major sign of the end times. This is strongly supported by a large body of Ahadith al-Malahim (narrations about the trials and signs of the end times) which describe Jesus descending to defeat the Antichrist (al-Dajjal) and restore justice.

• Theological Perspective: Some contemporary scholars argue that the verse refers to Jesus’ miraculous birth and life as "knowledge" (evidence) that confirms God's power to resurrect humanity, rather than strictly a future eschatological sign. However, the traditional view regarding his descent remains the most prevalent in mainstream Tafsir literature.

2. The Transformation of Friendships (Verse 67)

Verse 67 states: "Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous."

• Sunnah Context: This verse underscores the concept of Al-Wala' wa'l-Bara' (loyalty and disavowal). The Prophet Muhammad frequently taught that a person's company in this world determines their state in the next.

• Hadith: The Prophet said, "A person will be with whom he loves [on the Day of Judgment]" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6169; Sahih Muslim 2640). This serves as the practical application of verse 67; those whose friendships were based on piety and obedience to Allah will remain allies, while those built on worldly corruption will turn into enmity.

3. The Reassurance of the Believers (Verses 68–73)

These verses describe the ease and joy awaiting the Muttaqun (the God-fearing). They are told, "Enter Paradise, you and your kinds, delighted" (v. 70).

• The Promise of Reward: The description of the gardens of Paradise and the bounties within is a recurring theme in the Quranic Tashweeq (encouragement toward paradise).

• Hadith of Pleasure: In a narration regarding the final state of the believers in Paradise, the Prophet related that Allah will ask the residents of Paradise if they are pleased, and eventually bestow upon them His eternal pleasure, surpassing all other bounties (Sahih al-Bukhari 6549; Sahih Muslim 2829).

Summary of Classical Commentary

For detailed study of this specific page, the following works are highly recommended:

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Provides extensive references to the Ahadith regarding the signs of the Hour, specifically citing reports about the descent of Jesus.

• Tafsir al-Tabari: Offers a deep linguistic analysis of the term "‘ilm" (knowledge) in verse 61 and explains how the friendships mentioned in verse 67 relate to the companionships formed during one's life.

These verses act as a reminder that worldly allegiances are transient, and true success is defined by the righteous companionship that survives into the Hereafter.

Page 494 of the Holy Quran contains Surah Az-Zukhruf (Chapter 43), Verses 61 through 73. This page features some of the most profound theological and eschatological (end-times) declarations in the Surah. It directly addresses the second coming of Prophet Isa (Jesus), the finality of the Day of Judgment, the shifting nature of worldly friendships, and the eternal rewards of Paradise.

Classical Tafsir (such as Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi, and Al-Tabari) connects several foundational Hadiths and Sunnah narratives to these specific verses:

1. Prophet Isa (Jesus) as a Sign of the Hour (Verse 61)

“And indeed, Jesus will be a sign for the Hour, so have no doubt if it, and follow Me. This is a straight path.”

The Second Coming of Isa

This verse is one of the primary textual evidences in the Quran for the physical descent of Prophet Isa (Jesus) before the Day of Judgment. The Sunnah provides extensive, explicit details regarding this event, clarifying that his return is a major sign of the Last Hour.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, surely the son of Mary (Jesus) will soon descend among you and will judge mankind justly by the Law of the Quran (as a just ruler)..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3448)

His Characteristics Upon Return

The Sunnah further describes his physical descent, aligning with his role as a "sign" mentioned in the verse. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"The Prophets are paternal brothers... and I am the closest of mankind to Jesus, son of Mary, because there was no prophet between him and me. When you see him, recognize him: a man of medium height, reddish-white complexion, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops of water were falling down from his head though it is not wet..." (Sunnan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4324; Authenticated by Al-Albani)

2. Worldly Friendships vs. Righteous Friendships (Verse 67)

“Close friends, that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.”

The Sunnah on Choosing Friends

This verse warns that relationships built on worldly gain, sin, or vanity will turn into bitter hatred on the Day of Judgment. Only friendships anchored in piety (Taqwa) will survive.

The Sunnah heavily emphasizes this concept, teaching believers to be highly selective of their social circles to preserve their faith. Abu Hurayrah reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "A man follows the religion of his close friend, so let each of you look to whom he takes as a close friend." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2378)

The Reward of Loving for Allah's Sake

Conversely, the Sunnah provides glad tidings for those who fulfill the exception in the verse ("except for the righteous"). Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who love one another for the sake of My Glory? Today I will shade them with My shade on a Day when there is no shade but Mine.'" (Sahih Muslim, Book 45, Hadith 6225)

3. The Perfection of Paradise (Verses 71–73)

“Circulated among them will be trays and cups of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally. And that is Paradise which you are made to inherit for what you used to do. For you therein is much fruit from which you will eat.”

The Gold of Paradise vs. Worldly Restrictions

Verse 71 mentions that the dwellers of Paradise will be served in gold trays and cups. The Sunnah explicitly links this eternal luxury to the worldly self-discipline of a believer, who refrains from using gold and silk in this life.

Hudhayfah narrated that he heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say:

"Do not wear silk or Dibaj (silk brocade), and do not drink from gold or silver vessels, nor eat from gold or silver plates, for these things are for them (the disbelievers) in this world and for us in the Hereafter." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5426)

"Whatever the Souls Desire"

The phrase "therein is whatever the souls desire" is contextualized in the Sunnah by various companion inquiries. For instance, the Sahabah would ask the Prophet (ﷺ) if specific worldly pleasures they loved—like horses or farming—existed in Jannah.

A Bedouin once asked the Prophet (ﷺ) if there is farming in Paradise. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied:

"Yes, a man from the people of Paradise will ask his Lord for permission to farm... He will sow the seed, and within a blink of an eye, it will grow, become ripe, and be harvested, yielding heaps like mountains. Allah will then say: 'Take it, O son of Adam, for nothing satisfies you!'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2348)