Surah Al-Anbiyaa (21) — Ayah 44

(Ayah 44) ➊ { بَلْ مَتَّعْنَا هٰۤؤُلَآءِ وَ اٰبَآءَهُمْ …:} That is, their indifference to Allah’s punishment, mocking the Prophet, and demanding the hastening of punishment is because of the kindness We showed them, the opportunity We gave them and their forefathers to enjoy the provisions of the world. Instead of being grateful for this, they fell into the misconception that this blessing would last forever and would never be taken away, as He said: «{ اَوَ لَمْ تَكُوْنُوْۤا اَقْسَمْتُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلُ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ زَوَالٍ }» [ إبراہیم : ۴۴ ] “And did you not swear before that there would be no decline for you?” And then, gradually, they became so intoxicated with their prosperity that they completely forgot that there is a Lord above them, who can, whenever He wills, send punishment and wipe them out entirely.

➋ { اَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ اَنَّا نَاْتِي الْاَرْضَ نَنْقُصُهَا مِنْ اَطْرَافِهَا …:} That is, do these polytheists who demand the hastening of punishment not see with their own eyes the signs of this punishment, that We are advancing towards their land, continuously reducing it from its borders? Muslims are conquering city after city and region after region, and the time is coming when their occupied land will shrink until it is all taken from their possession—so will they still be the victors? One meaning of reducing the land from its borders is that “land” refers to its inhabitants, as He said: «{ وَ سْـَٔلِ الْقَرْيَةَ الَّتِيْ كُنَّا فِيْهَا }» [ یوسف : ۸۲ ] “And ask the town in which We were.” Here, “town” means the people living in the town. That is, do these disbelievers not see Our overwhelming power with their own eyes, that the number of helpless, oppressed, and subdued Muslims is increasing, and the companions of these leaders are becoming Muslim, causing the number of disbelievers to decrease day by day, which will eventually come to an end? A third meaning is: do these people not see Our overwhelming power, that through heavenly and earthly calamities—such as storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars, plagues, and other punishments—We destroy thousands and millions of people, turning populated lands into desolate ones? The ruined towns of Hud (peace be upon him), Salih (peace be upon him), Lot (peace be upon him), and the people of Saba are before their very eyes—can these people ever prevail against Our magnificent power? The first meaning is closest to the words, but because the surah is Makki, the last two meanings have been mentioned, since the series of Muslim conquests had not yet begun in Makkah. See also Surah Ar-Ra’d (41).

44. 1. That is, if their or their forefathers' lives have passed in luxury and comfort, do they think that they are on the right path? And that nothing will happen to them in the future as well? No, rather, the comfort of this short-lived life is only a part of Our principle of respite; no one should be deceived or deluded by it.

44. 2. That is, the land of disbelief is gradually shrinking and the dominion of Islam is expanding. The ground is slipping from under the feet of disbelief, and the dominance of Islam is increasing, and the Muslims are conquering territory after territory.

44. 3. That is, even after seeing disbelief shrinking and Islam expanding, do these disbelievers think that they are dominant? This is an interrogative of denial. That is, they are not dominant, but subdued; not victors, but vanquished; not honored and dignified, but humiliation and disgrace is their destiny.

44. In fact, We allowed them and their forefathers to enjoy life for a long period [39]. Do they not see that We are gradually reducing their land from its borders? Will they then be the victors [40]?

[39]
Prosperity Makes Man Negligent of Allah:

That is, the condition of these Quraysh of Makkah is such that no period of hardship has come upon them for a long time. Due to their custodianship of the Ka'bah, they are honored throughout Arabia. No tribe dares to rob their trade caravans. Rather, any caravan to which they grant a travel permit is also safe and secure from looting. Because of their trade journeys in winter and summer, they are earning great wealth and are well-off. This very prosperity has made them heedless of Allah and His remembrance. Now their minds cannot be set right until they taste the punishment of Allah.

[40]
The Meaning of Reducing the Land:

These people are seeing with their own eyes that despite all their schemes and efforts to stop Islam, Islam is increasing and spreading day by day, and as Islam spreads, their own living space is automatically becoming restricted, and their troubles are continuously increasing. The second meaning is that wherever Islam has arrived, disbelief has departed, and the land of disbelief has diminished. And this process will continue: the territory or land of disbelief will keep shrinking, contracting, and diminishing, and the land of Islam will keep expanding. This has already begun. Even after seeing all this, are they still under the illusion that they will succeed in suppressing Islam and that, in the end, their dominance will prevail?