Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...

Chapter 16: Surah al-Nahl
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
(The commandment of Allah will come to pass…) [16:1].
Said Ibn ‘Abbas: “When Allah, exalted is He, revealed (The Hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in
twain) [54:1], the unbelievers said to each other: ‘This man claims that the Day of Judgement is near, so
refrain from some of the things you usually do until we see what happens’. When they saw that nothing
happened, they said: ‘Nothing happened’, and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed (Their reckoning draweth
nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness…) [21:1]. They again became apprehensive and
waited for the nearing last Hour. When a long time had passed [and nothing happened] they said: ‘O
Muhammad, nothing of that with which you have threatened us happened’. And Allah, exalted is He, revealed
(The commandment of Allah will come to pass). The Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace,
jumped up when he heard this and people raised their heads [to heaven]. The revelation (so seek not ye
to hasten it) came, and people felt relieved. And when this verse was revealed, the Messenger of Allah,
Allah, bless him and give him peace, said: ‘I and the last Hour are like this — and he pointed with his
finger — ; it almost came before me’ ”. 1
Other unbelievers said: “The judgement is already here; it is chastisement through the sword”. This is
the answer of al-Nadr ibn al-Harith when He said (O Allah! If this be indeed the truth from Thee, then
rain down stones on us…) [8:32], as if hastening chastisement, and so Allah exalted is He, revealed this
verse.
(He hath created man from a drop of fluid, yet behold! he is an open opponent) [16:4].
This verse was revealed about Ubayy ibn Khalaf al-Jumahi when he brought decaying bones to the Messenger
of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, and then said: “O Muhammad, do you think Allah
will bring this to life after its decay”. 2
Something similar to this verse is Allah’s words in Surah Yasin (Hath not man seen that We have created
him from a drop of seed Yet lo! He is an open opponent…) [36:77] up to the end of the Surah. This verse
was revealed on the occasion of this incident.
(And they swear by Allah their most binding oaths (that) Allah will not raise up him who
dieth…) [16:38].
Al-Rabi‘ ibn Anas reported from Abu’l-‘Aliyah: “A Muslim man had a debt with an idolater and he went
to ask for it to be paid. As they were talking, the Muslim happened to say: ‘By Him in Whom I have hope
after death’, and the idolater retorted: ‘And you claim you will be resurrected after death’ And he swore
by Allah that Allah will not resurrect those who die. Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse [to confirm
the dead will be resurrected]”. 3
1
Tabari, :75; Qurtubi, :66; Durr, :108.
2
Cf. Qurtubi, :68.
3
Durr, :130; Tabari, :105; Qurtubi, :105.