Surah Al-Hajj (22) — Ayah 17

(Ayah 17) ➊ { اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ الَّذِيْنَ هَادُوْا …:} In the previous verses, besides the believers, various types of people were mentioned: some who deny the Resurrection, some who worship on the edge, some who associate partners with Allah, etc. This raises the question: with so many people of differing beliefs, each so firm in their own stance that they do not abandon it even in the face of clear evidence, will their disputes ever be settled? It is said that Allah Himself will decide their disputes on the Day of Resurrection, when the believers will enter Paradise and the disbelievers will enter Hell. This does not mean that the decision regarding their being right or wrong has not been made in this world. Certainly, it has been made, and that is why the Qur’an is called Al-Furqan. This statement is similar to when, in order to end a debate, the matter is entrusted to Allah, even though the speaker is certain of his own truth and the error of the opponent, as Allah has said: «{لَنَاۤ اَعْمَالُنَا وَ لَكُمْ اَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَكُمْ اَللّٰهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَ اِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيْرُ }» [ الشورٰی : ۱۵ ] “For us are our deeds and for you are your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you. Allah will gather us together, and to Him is the final return.”

➋ The mention of the believers, Jews, Christians, and Sabians has already passed in Surah Al-Baqarah (62); refer there. Here, the Magians and polytheists are further mentioned. By Magians is meant the fire-worshippers who believe in two creators: one creator of good (Yazdan) and one creator of evil (Ahriman). These people call themselves followers of Zoroaster and also mention the name of a prophet. It is not known whether these people went astray later or were wrong from the beginning. Mazdak severely distorted their religion and morals, to the extent that even marriage with one’s real sister was declared permissible among them. {’’ وَ الَّذِيْنَ اَشْرَكُوْۤا ‘‘} (those who associated partners) refers to the polytheists of Arabia and other countries who did not adopt the names of any of the aforementioned groups, such as cow- and idol-worshipping Hindus. The Qur’an mentions them as polytheists and {’’ وَ الَّذِيْنَ اَشْرَكُوْۤا ‘‘}, although, except for the monotheistic Muslims, some form of polytheism is found in all the above-mentioned religions.

➌ { اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيْدٌ:} That is, the decision among all these groups by Allah will not be a blind decision due to His sovereign authority, but will be one of perfect justice and fairness, because everything is before Him, He is witness over everything, and He will reward or punish each one exactly according to his deeds.