- For the people, their reckoning has drawn near, yet they are turning away in heedlessness (21:1). Whenever a new reminder comes to them from their Lord, they only listen to it while they are playing (21:2). With their hearts distracted, the wrongdoers conceal their private counsel, saying, ‘Is this man none other than a human being like yourselves? Will you then yield to magic while you can clearly see? (21:3). He said, “My Lord knows whatever is said in the heavens and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (21:4). But they say, “Rather, these are confused dreams; no, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. Let him bring us a sign just like the former generations had been sent.” (21:5). Not a single town before them had believed among those We destroyed; will they then believe? (21:6). And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed; so ask the people of the reminder if you do not know (21:7). And We did not make them bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortal (21:8). Then We fulfilled the promise to them; so We saved them and whomever We willed, and We destroyed the transgressors (21:9). We have certainly sent down to you a scripture, in it is your remembrance. Will you not then use intelligence?” (21:10).
Note: God has confirmed that Quran is a reminder of these people like the reminder that was sent down for the previous generations while the people listen to it paying no attention to it. The messengers are human beings who have been sent with divine inspiration. So, it is neither made up nor what are in it are evil dreams. In fact, it is a reminder for a people who have understanding to remind them that the reckoning of people is approaching. According to the prediction based on facts derived from the Quran, the world will end on 2280 A.D (1710 A.H). Hence, the survival of the world after the revelation of the Quran is calculated 1709 lunar years.
- And how many a town have We destroyed that was wicked, and We raised up another people after them?” (21:11). So when they perceived Our retribution, behold, they were fleeing from it (21:12). Do not flee, but come back to the luxury you enjoyed and to your homes, so that you may be questioned (21:13). Oh, woe to us! Indeed, we were wicked.” (21:14). And that screaming of theirs did not cease until We made them like a harvest reaped, completely extinguished.” (21:15).
Note: The destruction of many previous wicked generations should serve as warning for the subsequent generations of people.
- And We have not created the heavens and the earth, and what is between them in play (21:16). If We had intended to take an amusement, We would certainly have taken it from Ourselves, if We were to do so (21:17). Rather, We cast the truth against falsehood, so it crushes it, and behold, it vanishes. And woe to you for what you ascribe (21:18). And to Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who are with Him are not too proud for His worship, nor do they tire. (21:19). They glorify Him night and day, they do not cease (21:20).
Note: God has created the heavens and the earth for a specific purpose, which is not clear to many but for sure, it is not for amusement. It is His plan to support truth against falsehood to vanish it. However, everything that belongs to God in the universe and those who are closer to Him, glorify Him night and day.
- Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? (21:21). If there had been gods therein except God, they both would have been ruined. So glory to God, Lord of the Throne, above what they ascribe (21:22). He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned (21:23).
Note: There is no other gods besides God in the heavens and the earth, otherwise, it would be a great disaster. So, all glory be to God, the Lord of the universe being possessor of the throne.
- Or have they taken gods other than Him? Say, “Bring your proof. This is a reminder for whoever is with me and a reminder for whoever was before me. But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.” (21:24).
Note: Quran is a reminder for those who believe in it and also for those who believe in the previous scripture, but most people who do not know the truth turn away from it.
- And We have not sent any messenger before yourself except that We inspired to him that there is no god except Me, so worship Me (21:25). And they said, “The Gracious has taken a son!” Glory be to Him! Nay, they are honored servants (21:26). They do not precede Him in speech, and they act according to His command (21:27).He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They do not intercede except for whom He approves, and they stand in fear of Him (21:28). And whoever of them says, “Indeed, I am a god other than Him” — then that one We will recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers (21:29).
Note: God has not sent any messenger without inspiration and the core message has always been the same that you shall worship Him. There is no distinction between them as all of them are His honored servants. They do not have their own mission while they act according to His command. They will not intercede rather they will be worried from fear of Him.
- Do those who disbelieved not see that the heavens and the earth were a single unit, then We parted them? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?(21:30). And We have placed mountains in the earth, lest it tremble with them, and We have made wide pathways in it so that they may be guided (21:31). And We made the heavens a protected ceiling, yet they turn away from its signs (21:32). And He is the One who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each is floating in an orbit (21:33). And We have not granted immortality to any human before you; so if you die, would they then be immortal? (21:34). Every soul will taste death, and We test you with evil and good as a trial, and to Us you will be returned (21:35).
Note: God has created the universe with all that are needed to support life in the earth as well as to test us. Both adversity and prosperity are included in the test giving mortality to each soul. Then each soul will be returned to Him with what it has earned. The Big Bang theory and the evolution of life in the earth are fully supported.
- And when those who disbelieved see you, they only treat you with ridicule, saying, “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” While at the reminder of the Gracious, they are disbelievers. (21:36). The human being was created from haste. I will show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten (21:37). And they say, “When is this promise, if you are truthful? (21:38). If only those who disbelieved knew [of the time] when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs, nor will they be helped (21:39). Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly, and it will stun them. They will neither be able to avoid it, nor will they be given any respite (21:40).
Note: The promised day must come but it will come to the disbelievers all on a sudden when they cannot protect them from the Fire nor will they be helped nor will they be given respite.
- And certainly, messengers before you were mocked, so those who mocked among them were enveloped by that which they had been mocking (21:41). Say, “Who can protect you from the Gracious during the night or during the day?” Rather, they are turning away from the reminder of their Lord.(21:42). Or do they have gods to protect them other than Us? They cannot help themselves, nor will they be protected from Us.” (21:43). Rather, We have provided for these people and their ancestors until they reached an old age. Do they not see that We bring the earth closer to its end? Can they then be the winners? (21:44). Say, “I only warn you with the revelation.” But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned (21:45). When a trace of your Lord’s retribution touches them, they will say, “Oh, woe to us! Indeed, we were wicked.” (21:46). And We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be wronged in anything. Even if there be the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We will bring it. And We have sufficed as reckoners.”
(21:47).
Note: Ridiculing messengers or turning away from the reminder when it comes from the Most Gracious has occurred among all generations of people disregarding the warning behaving like a deaf while the scale of justice will be set up to bring them into equitable judgment.
- And certainly, We had given Moses and Aaron the statute book, a light, and a reminder for the righteous (21:48). Those who fear their Lord in the unseen, and they tremble in fear of the Hour (21:49). And this is a blessed reminder We have sent it down. Are you then deniers of it?(21:50). And certainly, We had given Abraham his guidance before, and We had been the Knower of him (21:51).
Note: Quran is a reminder while before it the reminder was given to Moses and Aaron and before them a guidance was given to Abraham for the righteous.
- When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?” (21:52). They said, “We have found our forefathers worshipers of them.” (21:53). He said, “Certainly, you yourselves and your forefathers have been in an obvious straying.” (21:54). They said, “Have you come to us with the truth, or are you among the mockers?” (21:55). He said, “Nay, your Lord is Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who has created them, and I am, to that, one of the witnesses.” (21:56). And by God, “I have a plan to deal with your statues after you go away, turning back.” (21:57). So he made them into pieces, except for the largest one of them, so that they may return to it (21:58). They said, “Who has done this with our gods? Indeed, he is surely one of the wicked.” (21:59). They said, “We have heard a youth mentioning them; he is called Abraham.” (21:60). They said, “So bring him before the eyes of the people so that they may bear witness.” (21:61). They said, “Have you done this with our gods, O Abraham?” (21:62). He said, “Rather, this chief of theirs has done it. So ask them, if they have been speaking.” (21:63). So they returned to themselves and said, “Indeed, you yourselves are the wicked.” (21:64). Then they were turned upside down upon their heads, saying, “You know full well that these do not speak.” (21:65). He said, “Do you then worship other than God what does not benefit you in anything, nor harm you?” (21:66). Fie on you and on what you worship other than God! Will you not then use intelligence?” (21:67). They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you have been doers.” (21:68). We had said, “O Fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.” (21:69). Thus, they schemed against him, but We made them the greatest losers.”(21:70). And We had saved him, and Lot, to the land that We had blessed the people in it (21:71).
- And we had granted to him Isaac, and Jacob as a gift, and each we had made righteous (21:72). And We had made them leaders, they had guided by Our command; and We had inspired them with the doing of good deeds, and the establishing of the salat prayer, and the giving of the zakat, and they had been worshippers of Us (21:73).
- And Lot, We had given him wisdom and knowledge, and We had saved him from the town which was committing wicked deeds; indeed, they had been a people of evil, disobedient (21:74). And We had admitted him into Our mercy; indeed, he was among the righteous (21:75). And Noah, when he had called before, so We had responded to him; and We had saved him and his family from the great disaster (21:76). And We supported him against the people who had denied Our revelations. Indeed, they had been a people of evil, so We had drowned them all (21:77).
- And David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field as the sheep of a people had pastured in it, and We had been witnesses to their judgment (21:78). So We had made Solomon understand it, and to each We had given wisdom and knowledge. And We had committed the mountains and the birds to glorify Us with David. And We had been doers (21:79). And We taught him the crafting of armor for you, so that it might shield you from your mutual violence. Will you then be grateful? (21:80). And to Solomon, the gusting wind, it blows by his command to the land that We had blessed in it, and We had been Knower of everything (21:81). And among the devils were those who would dive for him and would perform work other than that, and We had been their guardians (21:82).
- And Job, when he had called to his Lord: “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the possessor of most mercy of the merciful ones.” (21:83). Then We had responded to him, and We had removed what was with him of adversity; and We had given him his family and the like of them with them, as a mercy from Our end and a reminder for the worshippers (21:84). And Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhul-Kifl; all had been among the patient ones (21:85). And We had admitted them into Our mercy; indeed, they had been among the righteous ones (21:86). And Dhul-Nun, when he had departed in anger, then he had thought that We would never restrain him. Then he had called out in the darknesses: ‘That there is no god except You; Glory is Yours! Indeed, I have been among the wrongdoers (21:87). So We had responded to him and We had saved him from the distress; and thus We save the believers (21:88). And Zechariah, when he had called to his Lord: “My Lord, do not leave me alone, and You are the best of the inheritors.” (21:89). So We had responded to him and We had granted to him John, and We had cured for him his wife. Indeed, they had been racing to good deeds, and they would call Us in hope and fear, and they had been reverent to Us (21:90). And the one who had protected her chastity, so We had breathed into her from Our spirit, and We had made her and her son a sign for the people (21:91).
- Indeed, this is your community, one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me (21:92). But they had divided their affair among themselves; all to Us are returning.(21:93).So whoever does of the righteous deeds while he is a believer, then there is no rejection of his effort, and indeed, We are recorders for him (21:94). And prohibition is upon a town We had destroyed: that they shall not return (21:95).
- Until, when Gog and Magog had been let loose, and they descend from every elevation (21:96). And the true promise had approached, then behold, the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring in horror: ‘O woe to us! We had been in heedlessness of this; nay, we had been wrongdoers (21:97).
- Indeed, you and what you worship other than God are fuel of Hell; you are arrivers to it (21:98). If these had been gods, they would not have arrived at it; and all in it are dwellers forever (21:99). For them therein is sighing, and they therein will not hear (21:100). Indeed, those for whom the best reward had preceded from Us — those will be removed far from it (21:101). They will not hear the slightest sound of it, and they will be in what their souls desired dwellers forever (21:102). The great horror will not grieve them, and the angels will receive them: ‘This is your day, which you had been promised.” (21:103).
- The Day We will fold the heaven like the folding of the scroll for the writings. As We had begun a first creation, We will repeat it—a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We had been doers (21:104). And We had certainly written in the Psalms, after the reminder (given to Moses and Aaron), that the earth — My righteous servants will inherit it (21:105).
- Indeed, Indeed, in this is surely a clear message for a worshipping people (21:106). And We had not sent you, [O Prophet], except as a mercy for the people.”(21:107). Say, “It is only inspired to me, [O Prophet], that your God is One God; so will you be submitters? (21:108). So if they have turned away, then say, “I, [O Prophet], have announced to you on an equal basis; while I do not know whether it is near or far, what you are promised.” (21:109). Indeed, He knows what is declared of speech, and He knows what you conceal (21:110). And I do not know; that it is a test for you and an enjoyment for a time.” (21:111). He said, “My Lord, judge with the truth; and our Lord is the Gracious, the One whose help is sought against what you attribute.” (21:112).
Note: Abraham asked his people not to worship statues but they rejected his call. Then he broke all their statues except the biggest one. When he was accused of doing this, he told them to ask about the broken ones pointing to the biggest one which was still there. When they presented their logic that they cannot speak, he asked them then why you worshiped those other than God that cannot harm or benefit you. Then God saved him when his people placed in the fire to burn him. He also saved Lot but destroyed his wicked people.
Note: God favored Abraham and gave him Isaac and Jacob as a gift, who were made imams.
Note: God saved Lot from the town which had done to practice wicked things. Noah was saved from a great disaster.
Note: David and Solomon were given good judgment, while mountains and birds were given under disposal of David, and the devils and winds were given under disposal of Solomon.
Note: The affliction was removed from Job. Ismail, Idris and Dhul-Kifl were admitted into His mercy. Dhul-Nun who called in the darkness was saved from the distress. Zakariya was granted John. Mary and Jesus, son of Mary were made a sign for all the people referring to Mary and Jesus without mentioning them by name. It is also noteworthy that Jesus has been mentioned 25 times by name in the Quran which is exactly equal to the number of times Adam has been mentioned by name confirming that the creation of Jesus is as same as the creation of Adam as per God is concern.
Note: Those who obey God and worship Him is one community. But people have divided themselves into different communities making them accountable to Him on their return to Him.
Note: The appearance of Gog and Magog is a sign that the truthful promise has approached. Thus, their appearance is connected with the end of the world, and is one of many signs when the world will come to an end. It is noteworthy that Gog and Magog occur in surah al-Kahf 18:94 consisting of 110 verses and in surah al-Anbiyaa-a 21:96 consisting of 112 verses, precisely 17 verses before the end of each surah, representing 17 lunar centuries (1700 AH) while there is a prediction from the Quran that the world will end on 1710 AH (2280 AD). It also indicates that Gog and Magog are corruptors of the earth who will be allowed to continue their evil activities at least 10 years before the end of the world. However, on the day, the disbelievers will realize that they were heedless to it, while they will stare in horror.
Note: Those who have worshiped other than God will be fuel of Hell wherein they will abide forever while those who have deserved reward from God will be protected from it as well as will be received by the angels.
Note: On a day of the Judgment the heaven will be recreated and the righteous servant of God will inherit the new earth.
Note: Quran is a message for a people of worshipers while this is a mercy for all the people. So, anyone can use it to have mercy of God while the role of the prophet was to deliver the message containing warning for the people and he had no knowledge of the promised day whether it is near or far. God is the Gracious Who is sought by His worshipers to get help.
Conclusion
There are 112 verses in the surah al-Anbiyaa-a (the Prophets) and the most significant aspects that are covered in the sura are: (1) listening to the reminder paying no attention, (2) history of destruction of the wicked generations, (3) glorifying God night and day, (4) There is no god except God in the heavens and the earth, (5) Quran is a reminder for the followers of it as well as the followers of the previous scripture, (6) a core message sent with all messengers in the same, (7) creation of the universe with all needed to support life in the earth, (8) promise day will come suddenly to the disbelievers, (9) consequence of ridiculing messengers, (10) there has been reminder and guidance before Quran, (11) A short history of some messengers, (12) one god/one community/one religion, (13) appearance of Gog and Magog, (14) final destination, (15) recreation of the universe, (16) role of messenger and (17) God is One who is sought by His worshipers to get help.
In the history of messengers what has been highlighted are: Abraham was given Isaac and Jacob as a gift and he was saved from fire, Lot was saved from the evil and disobedient people while his people were destroyed, Noah was saved from the great disaster while his people were drowned, mountains and birds were given under disposal of David while the devils and winds were given under disposal of Solomon, the affliction was removed from Job, Dhul-Nun (Jonah) was saved from the distress, Zachariah was given John, and Mary and her son, Jesus were made a sign for all the people.
God has created the universe with all that are needed to support life in the earth to test us that support modern science research findings: the Big Bang Theory and origin of life from water. On the day of judgment the universe will be recreated and the earth will be inherited by His worshipers.
Zul-Qarnain is only mentioned in surah 18, while Gog and Magog are mentioned in surahs 18 and 21 connected to the end of the world. The advent of Zul-Qarnain, and appearance of Gog and Magog is a final sign that the world is coming to an end. In addition to the year the world will end, there are mathematical confirmations for both the advent of Zul-Qarnain just before the end of the world with every means and the appearance of Gog and Magog 10 years before the end of the world. We are blessed to have the information that the world will end on 2280 A.D (1710 A.H). Hence, the survival of the world after the revelation of the Quran is 1709 lunar years as calculated from the seven pairs of signs and the great Quran (15:87) unveiled through a messenger of God permitted by Him being it His system (72:27).
Quran has repeatedly been mentioned as a reminder in this surah and also a mercy for all the people while the previous scripture was also a reminder for the respective generations of people before it. Thus, Quran is not only a reminder for the believers but also for the people of the previous scripture confirming one god, one community and one religion for all the people of the world. God may help us all to work towards this goal just following only one divine source to make this happen when our reckoning is not too far from now as we are blessed to know its time.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (8/12/2016).