سُوْرَةُ الْوَاقِعَةِ

Surah Al-Waaqia (56) — Ayah 14

The Inevitable · Meccan · Juz 27 · Page 534

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وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ ﴿14﴾

Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

And a few of those (foremost) will be from the later generations.

Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning

وَقَلِيلٌۭ waqalīlun And a few
مِّنَ mina of
ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ l-ākhirīna the later (people)

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

14. 1. It is said that by "the first ones" is meant the people of the communities from Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) up to the Prophet ﷺ, and by "the last ones" the individuals of the Ummah of Muhammad. The meaning is that among the previous communities, there is a large group of the foremost, because their era is very long, in which the foremost of thousands of prophets are included. In comparison, the era of the Ummah of Muhammad (until the Day of Judgment) is short, so among them, the foremost will also be fewer than those of the previous communities. And in a hadith it is mentioned in which the Prophet ﷺ said, "I hope that you will be half of the people of Paradise." So this verse is not contrary to the mentioned meaning, because the foremost and the general believers of the Ummah of Muhammad, combined, will become half of the people of Paradise. Therefore, merely the abundance of the foremost (in previous communities) does not negate the number stated in the hadith. However, this statement is questionable, and some have taken the first and the last to mean only the individuals of the Ummah of Muhammad. That is, among its earlier people, the number of the foremost will be more, and among the later people, it will be fewer. Imam Ibn Kathir has preferred this second opinion. And this seems to be more correct. This is a parenthetical sentence, between "فی جنت النعیم" and "علی سرر موضونۃ".

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

14. And a few from the later generations [8].

[8]
What is meant by ﴿سابقون لاوّلون﴾?

In these two verses, due to the difference in the determination of the earliest and the later ones, these verses can have three meanings. One is that by the earliest are meant the people of previous communities, and by the later ones, the people of this community. In this sense, the meaning will be that the number of those who believed in the previous prophets, who excelled others in the battle for truth, and who surpassed others in good and virtuous deeds, will be much greater than the number of the forerunners of this community. The second is that by the earliest and the later ones are meant the people of our own Muslim community. In this sense, the meaning will be that among its earliest, that is, the Companions ؓ, the Followers, and the Followers of the Followers, the number of the forerunners will be much greater than among the later ones. Thirdly, that by the earliest and the later ones are meant the earliest and later ones of every prophet’s community. In this sense, this will become a principle: that among the earliest of every prophet’s community, the number of forerunners is usually greater than among the later ones.
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