Surah Abasa 80:22
سُورَةُ عَبَسَ · Meccan · Verse 22 of 42
ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُۥ
Translation
When He wills, He will raise him up again.
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This powerful verse, Surah 80:22, marks the culmination of a sequence that describes the human journey from creation to death, culminating in the ultimate truth of resurrection. It speaks directly to the disbelieving human, challenging their denial of the afterlife by reminding them of Allah's absolute power and wisdom.
The Cycle's End
The verse, "ثُمَّ إِذَا شَآءَ أَنشَرَهُۥ" (Thumma idhā shā’a ansharahū), follows Allah's detailed account of creating humankind from a lowly drop, guiding them through life, then causing them to die and granting them the dignity of a grave. The particle "ثُمَّ" (thumma), meaning "then" or "next," signals not just a chronological progression but also a grand culmination, marking the final, most significant stage in this divine process.
The Choice of "أنشره"
Let's consider the specific word choice. The Arabic word "أَنشَرَهُۥ" (anshahu) refers to the act of resurrection. Ibn Ashur, a renowned commentator, explains that the root *nashara* (نَشَرَ) originally means to "unfold" or "spread out" something that was hidden or folded, like unfolding a garment or opening a scroll. The particular form *anshahu*, with the added hamza (أ), specifically applies this meaning to bringing the dead back to life, to "unfold" them from the earth where they were hidden. This word choice beautifully illustrates the miraculous nature of resurrection: just as a tightly folded cloth can be spread out, so too can Allah bring forth life from what seems utterly lifeless and hidden in the earth. It is a powerful image of re-creation and revelation.
The Significance of "إذا شاء"
Perhaps the most crucial insight in this short phrase lies in "إِذَا شَآءَ" (idhā shā’a), meaning "when He wills." Both al-Razi and Ibn Ashur highlight this phrase. Al-Razi points out that while some aspects of life and death have predictable elements, the exact timing of the resurrection is known only to Allah. This phrase is a clear declaration that the timing of this grand event is entirely dependent on Allah's divine will, not on human demands or expectations. Ibn Ashur further clarifies that this phrase serves as a direct rebuttal to the disbelievers who mocked the idea of resurrection and demanded its immediate occurrence as proof. Allah asserts that it will happen according to His wisdom, in His chosen time, not to fulfill their challenges or whims. It underscores the profound truth that creation and return are entirely within Allah's command, in perfect wisdom and power.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Abasa 80:22 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.