Surah Az-Zumar 39:9

سُورَةُ الزُّمَرِ · Meccan · Verse 9 of 75

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

Translation

What about someone who worships devoutly during the night, bowing down, standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, hoping for his Lord’s mercy? Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed.

English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.

Meaning and reflection

Wording

This powerful verse, following a description of the disbeliever who turns to Allah only in distress, beautifully shifts to portray the truly devoted individual. Allah is addressing the Prophet, instructing him to highlight a profound contrast. The immediate situation is one of sharp distinction, a rhetorical question designed to make the audience ponder the immense difference between two ways of life.

The Posture of Devotion

The verse opens with a striking question: "أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ" (Is he who is devoutly obedient during the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord?). The structure, using "amman" (is he who), poses a rhetorical question, implying an undeniable difference between such a person and the ungrateful disbeliever mentioned just before. It's a contrast between someone who makes Allah their sole focus versus one who turns away.

The word "قَانِتٌ" (qanit) signifies consistent, dedicated obedience and devotion. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain it as one who fulfills all duties of obedience. The phrase "آناءَ ٱلَّيْلِ" (ana' al-layl), meaning "hours of the night," is particularly illuminating. As Ibn Ashur and al-Razi point out, night worship holds special merit because it's less prone to showing off, fosters deeper sincerity, and requires more effort, as it's a time for rest. This specific mention emphasizes the depth of commitment, not excluding daytime worship, but highlighting the excellence of prayer in the quiet solitude of the night. The description "سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا" (sajidan wa qa'iman), prostrating and standing, further details the acts of worship, portraying a person immersed in prayer.

Crucially, the verse captures the internal state of this worshiper: "يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ" (fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord). This is the beautiful balance of fear (khawf) and hope (raja') that drives true faith. Al-Razi notes that while fear is generalized to the "Hereafter," hope is specifically tied to "his Lord's mercy," suggesting a personal, intimate connection to Allah's divine attribute. This combination keeps the believer both striving for good and turning to Allah with humility and trust.

The Light of Knowledge

The verse then continues with a direct command to the Prophet: "قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ" (Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'). The repetition of "Qul" (Say) underscores the immense importance of this pronouncement. This rhetorical question means, unequivocally, "No, they are not equal." Ibn Ashur explains that "those who know" refers to individuals characterized by true understanding of Allah and His religion, while "those who do not know" are the disbelievers and the ignorant. This isn't just about academic knowledge, but about the profound awareness that guides one's actions and life choices. Knowledge, in this context, is light and guidance, leading to devotion and good deeds.

The Sound Intellect's Grasp

The verse concludes with a powerful statement of exclusivity: "إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ" (Only those of sound intellect remember/reflect). The particle "إِنَّمَا" (innama) here signifies that this understanding, this ability to truly grasp the monumental difference between the devoted and the heedless, is exclusive to a select group. "أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ" (ulul-albab) are those with pure, sound intellects, whose minds are unclouded by worldly distractions or personal biases. They are the ones who reflect deeply, connect insights, and take heed. As Ibn Ashur elucidates, they are the people of true knowledge and correct understanding. This final phrase affirms that the distinction being made isn't superficial; it requires a discerning heart and an active mind to truly appreciate its depth and implications for one's own life.

Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)

Topics that discuss this verse

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