Surah Al-Hashr 59:21
سُورَةُ الحَشۡرِ · Medinan · Verse 21 of 24
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍۢ لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خَٰشِعًۭا مُّتَصَدِّعًۭا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Translation
If We had sent this Quran down to a mountain, you [Prophet] would have seen it humbled and split apart in its awe of God: We offer people such illustrations so that they may reflect.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse, spoken by Allah, presents a striking hypothetical scenario to highlight the profound impact of the Quran. It addresses all people, inviting them to reflect on the nature of Allah's word and their own hearts.
The Mountain's Awe
The verse begins with "لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍۢ" (If We had sent down this Quran upon a mountain). The word "لَوْ" (law) sets up a counterfactual, a condition that won't happen, to powerfully illustrate a point. It's as if Allah is saying, "Imagine this impossible scenario." The choice of "جَبَلٍۢ" (jabal, mountain) is highly significant. As Ibn Ashur notes, a mountain is chosen as an example of extreme solidity, hardness, and resistance. It represents the ultimate in inanimate, unyielding strength. The phrase "هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ" (this Quran), using the near demonstrative pronoun "this," emphasizes that the Quran is not distant or obscure; it is present, accessible, and already known to the listeners, making their lack of response even more remarkable.
Humbled and Shattered
The verse continues, "لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خَٰشِعًۭا مُّتَصَدِّعًۭا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ" (you would have seen it humbled, splitting apart from the fear of Allah). The word "خَٰشِعًۭا" (khaashian) means humbled, bowing down in submission. For a mountain, Ibn Ashur explains this figuratively as its peak lowering to the ground. "مُّتَصَدِّعًۭا" (mutasaddiʿan) means splitting apart, shattering. This describes the most extreme physical reaction a solid object can have. Both words depict a profound and overwhelming impact. Scholars like al-Razi and al-Jalalayn explain that this implies the mountain, if it were granted intellect and understanding like humans, would be so overcome by the Quran's majestic promises and severe warnings that it would physically yield. The phrase "مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ" (min khashyatillah), as al-Jadwal indicates, shows that this humility and shattering would be *from* or *because of* its awe and fear of Allah. This is not just any fear, but *khashya*, a fear born of knowing and revering Allah's immense power and majesty.
A Parable for Reflection
The verse concludes with, "وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ" (And these parables We present to people so that they may reflect). The word "ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ" (al-amthaal) explicitly identifies what precedes it as a parable or example. As al-Zamakhshari and Ibn Ashur point out, this confirms the figurative nature of the statement. Allah presents such examples, "نَضْرِبُهَا" (naḍribuhā – We present them), for a clear purpose: "لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ" (laʿallahum yatafakkaroon – so that they may deeply reflect). This is a direct call for introspection. If an inanimate, mighty mountain would be so utterly moved by the Quran, how then should human hearts respond? The verse serves as a powerful reminder, almost a rebuke, to those whose hearts remain hard and unmoved by the divine word, urging them to ponder the Quran's greatness and their own spiritual state.
Source: al-Zamakhshari, al-Razi, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran, Ibn Ashur, al-Jalalayn
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Jalalayn
Worldly Mirror
This profound verse invites us to truly grasp the immense weight and power of the Quran. Allah describes a hypothetical scenario: if He were to send this Quran down upon a mountain, despite its immense strength, it would be seen *خاشعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ* (humbled, splitting apart from the fear of Allah). This isn't a literal expectation for mountains, but a powerful parable (مثل) to make us reflect.
The Quran's Gravity
The mountain, a symbol of permanence and unyielding solidity, would crumble under the sheer gravity of Allah's words if it could comprehend them. It would humble itself, *خاشعًا*, and shatter, *مُتَصَدِّعًا*, from awe and fear of its Creator. Sayyid Qutb emphasizes that this is an allegory, yet it presents a profound reality: the Quran possesses immense power and influence that nothing can withstand. It's a weight that causes even the strongest to waver and break apart. Ibn al-Jawzi clarifies that this means if a mountain were given intellect like humans, it would still fear failing to uphold the Quran's right to be revered.
A Mirror to Our Hearts
This vivid imagery serves as a mirror, held up to us, humanity, *لِلنَّاسِ*. If an inanimate, mighty mountain would react with such overwhelming awe and submission to the Quran, how then should our conscious hearts respond? As al-Munir explains, this parable highlights the Quran's high status and its intense effect on souls. It also acts as a subtle rebuke for those whose hearts remain hard, untouched, or heedless despite understanding Allah's command and pondering His book. Tazkirul Quran notes the contrast: while the news of accountability is severe enough to shake mountains, humans often remain oblivious. Sayyid Qutb recounts the powerful impact the Quran had on Umar ibn al-Khattab, who trembled and was deeply moved when hearing specific verses.
The Call to Ponder
The verse concludes by stating, *وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ* (And these parables We strike for the people, so that they may ponder). This is a direct invitation to deep reflection, to introspect on our own state of heart. Dr. Israr Ahmad highlights that while the Quran offers guidance and healing, its true greatness is beyond our full comprehension. The parable helps us grasp this greatness, urging us to recognize the divine nature of the Speech and what it demands of us. It asks us: if a mountain would shatter from awe, what should be the state of *our* hearts, especially when we are granted the intellect and free will to engage with its meanings? The reflection invites us to cultivate a heart that is not just informed by the Quran, but reshaped, humbled, and awed by its profound truth.
Sources: Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Wisdom
The Weight of Allah's Word
This profound verse from Surah Al-Hashr invites us to pause and truly reflect on the nature of the Quran. Allah, the Exalted, is speaking directly to humanity, presenting a powerful illustration to convey the immense status and impact of His divine speech. The tone is one of profound emphasis, a challenge to human hearts that may have grown heedless.
The Unyielding Mountain and the Receptive Heart
Allah says, "Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting apart from the fear of Allah." (59:21). Imagine a towering, solid mountain, a symbol of strength and unyielding firmness. The verse tells us that if this majestic creation were to be given an intellect, a capacity to understand the Quran's promises and warnings, it would not stand firm. Instead, it would be seen *khāshi'an mutaṣaddi'an min khashyatillah* (humbled, utterly submissive, and splitting apart from the fear of Allah).
Scholars like Mufti Shafi and Ibn al-Jawzi explain that this is a parable, a *mathal*, meant to illustrate the Quran's profound power. If even an inanimate mountain, were it to comprehend, would react with such awe and submission, then how should our human hearts, endowed with intellect and choice, respond to Allah's direct address? This serves as a gentle rebuke for those whose hearts remain hardened or indifferent despite hearing and understanding the Quran, as al-Munir and Ibn al-Jawzi highlight. The verse draws a stark contrast between the potential responsiveness of a mountain and the common apathy found in human hearts.
A Call to Deep Reflection
The verse concludes with a crucial statement: "And these parables We present to the people so that they may reflect." (*la'allahum yatafakkarūn*). Al-Saadi emphasizes that Allah presents these clear examples so that we may ponder His signs and reflect deeply on their meanings. This reflection, or *tadabbur*, is not a mere intellectual exercise; it is meant to open our hearts and minds.
The general lesson here is clear: the Quran possesses an unparalleled power to soften hearts, inspire awe, and transform lives. Its admonitions and teachings are the most profound lessons available to us. For us today, this verse calls for introspection: are our hearts more hardened than the mountains? Are we truly allowing the Quran to humble us, to reshape us, and to instill in us a genuine fear and reverence for Allah? The spiritual response it seeks is a deeper engagement with Allah's words, allowing them to penetrate our hearts and guide our actions. It's an invitation to cultivate a receptiveness that allows the Quran to elicit awe, reflection, and a profound change in our inner state.
Source: al-Muyassar, al-Qurtubi, Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi, al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi
Sources: al-Qurtubi (al-Jami li-Ahkam), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Saadi (Taysir al-Karim), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli), Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Hashr 59:21 is discussed in 13 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Hashr 59:21 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.