Surah As-Saffat 37:24
سُورَةُ الصَّافَّاتِ · Meccan · Verse 24 of 182
وَقِفُوهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ
Translation
and halt them for questioning:
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
The verse, "وَقِفُوهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ", is a direct command from Allah to the angels on the Day of Judgment. It pertains to those who oppressed themselves by rejecting faith and associating partners with Allah in their worldly lives. Following divine instructions to gather these wrongdoers and direct them towards the path leading to Hell, this specific verse orders the angels to halt them for a critical purpose: questioning and rebuke. The tone is one of severe judgment and an undeniable demand for accountability.
The Order to Halt
The word "وَقِفُوهُمْ" (Qifūhum) is an imperative, a forceful command meaning "stop them" or "make them stand still." As explained by scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur, this is not a temporary break for their comfort, but a deliberate pause in their progression towards Hell. It is an immediate and urgent command, signifying that there is no escape or further delay from their destined fate. They are stopped at a crucial juncture, right before fully entering their punishment, to face a specific interrogation.
Certainty of Accountability
The second part of the verse, "إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ" (innahum mas'ūlūn), carries strong emphasis, reinforced by the particle "إِنَّ" (inna), which translates to "indeed" or "certainly." It declares with absolute certainty that "indeed, they will be questioned" or "held accountable." This questioning, however, is not for gathering information, as Allah's knowledge is all-encompassing. Instead, as scholars like al-Jalalayn and Ibn Ashur clarify, it serves as a powerful form of rebuke, shaming, and chastisement. This purpose becomes evident when linked to the next verse, which reveals the nature of the inquiry: "What is it with you that you do not help one another?" This rhetorical questioning on the Day of Judgment aims to highlight their utter helplessness, expose the futility of their earthly alliances, and deepen their regret for their arrogant ways and misdeeds in the worldly life.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah As-Saffat 37:24 is discussed in 5 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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