Surah Faatir (35) — Ayah 41

(Ayah 41) ➊ {اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الْاَرْضَ اَنْ تَزُوْلَا…:} That is, the state of the partners you have made is such that neither have they created the earth or anything in it, nor do they have any share in the heavens; those helpless ones cannot even manage themselves, whereas Allah, Glorious is He, is the One who created the entire universe and He alone is running its system. He alone has held these magnificent heavens and the earth in their respective places so that they do not move from their positions due to any earthquake or accident, and if they were to move from their places, there is none besides Him who could hold them. If you say that your partners cannot create, nor do they have any share in the heavens, but they hold up those who are falling, then your notion is also wrong. Holding up those who are falling is also the work of the One who has held everything in its place.

➋ {اِنَّهٗ كَانَ حَلِيْمًا غَفُوْرًا :} That is, your polytheistic statements and actions are so deserving of dreadful punishment that because of them the heavens could be torn apart, the earth split open, and the mountains collapse upon you, as He said: « تَكَادُ السَّمٰوٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَ تَنْشَقُّ الْاَرْضُ وَ تَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدًّا (90) اَنْ دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمٰنِ وَلَدًا» [ مریم : ۹۰، ۹۱ ] "The heavens are almost torn apart from it, and the earth split asunder, and the mountains fall down in collapse, that they ascribe a son to the Most Merciful." But Allah Almighty has prevented the heavens and the earth from falling, because He is extremely forbearing, and so He keeps granting respite upon respite; He is exceedingly forgiving, and whoever takes advantage of His forbearance and repents, He forgives all his sins. Another meaning of the verse could be that these polytheists, because of their polytheism and disobedience, have become deserving that the heavens be brought down upon them and the earth split open to destroy and ruin them, but Allah Almighty, due to His forbearance and forgiveness, is holding the heavens and the earth, and if they were to move from their places, there is no power besides Him that could hold them.

41. 1. This is a statement of Allah’s perfect power and craftsmanship. Some have said that the meaning is that their polytheism necessitates that the heavens and the earth should not remain in their state, but rather be subject to destruction and disintegration, just as the meaning of the verse تکاد السموات۔۔ مریم is.
41. 2. That is, along with Allah’s perfect power, it is also His perfect mercy that He is holding the heavens and the earth, and does not let them move or shake from their places. Otherwise, in the blink of an eye, the system of the world would be destroyed, because if He were not holding them and were to move them from their places, there is no being besides Allah who could hold them. Allah has mentioned this favor and sign of His at other places as well. (وَيُمْسِكُ السَّمَاۗءَ اَنْ تَقَعَ عَلَي الْاَرْضِ اِلَّا بِاِذْنِهٖ ۭ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بالنَّاسِ لَرَءُوْفٌ رَّحِيْمٌ) 22. Al-Hajj: 65). He is the One who has prevented the sky from falling upon the earth except when His command is given. “Among His signs is that the heavens and the earth stand firm by His command.”
41. 3. Despite having such powers, He is Forbearing; He sees His servants committing disbelief, polytheism, and disobedience, yet He does not hasten to seize them, but rather gives them respite. And He is also Forgiving; if anyone repents and humbles himself in His court, expressing repentance, seeking forgiveness, and remorse, He forgives him.

41. Surely Allah holds the heavens [46] and the earth lest they move away from their places, and if they were to move, none could hold them in place after Him. Surely, He is Most Forbearing [47], Most Forgiving.

[46] By mentioning the heavens and the earth, the Noble Quran generally refers to the entire system of the universe, and this is such a complex system that, despite the daily discoveries and inventions of science, it remains astonishing for mankind. How, despite all these planets revolving in space at full speed, they are so firmly held that no planet falls upon another, nor do they collide anywhere. There is no change in their speed either. They cannot change their course or direction. These are such matters that compel a person to acknowledge that the Being who created, maintains, and controls this system must be of the highest degree of wisdom, planning, power, and authority. Under whose perfect wisdom, such grand and gigantic bodies float and move in the vastness of the universe.

[47] That Being, despite possessing such power, authority, and control, is forbearing. He does not immediately destroy those who share His authority with others. And He continues to pardon His rebels, deniers, and disobedient ones.