Surah Al-Qamar (54) — Ayah 55

(Ayah 55) ➊ { فِيْ مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِنْدَ مَلِيْكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ:} here {’’ مُقْتَدِرٍ ‘‘} in the sense of {’’صَادِقٌ‘‘} is for emphasis, just as {’’عَدْلٌ‘‘} in the sense of {’’عَادِلٌ‘‘} is for emphasis, and {’’ مَقْعَدِ ‘‘ } is a described noun annexed to its attribute {’’ صِدْقٍ ‘‘} (meaning {صَادِقٌ}), just as it is said: The original meaning of {’’مَسْجِدُ الْجَامِعِ۔‘‘ ’’ صِدْقٍ ‘‘} is that the statement corresponds to reality. “So-and-so is truthful” means that what he says actually happens as he said. Then this word began to be used for the praise of anything and for being perfect in its own attributes. {’’ فُلَانٌ رَجُلُ صِدْقٍ‘‘} means he is perfect in manliness. In Urdu it is said, “So-and-so is truly a man.” Allah Almighty said: « وَ لَقَدْ بَوَّاْنَا بَنِيْۤ اِسْرَآءِيْلَ مُبَوَّاَ صِدْقٍ » [یونس : ۹۳ ] “And We settled the Children of Israel in a settlement that was perfect as a settlement, truly an honorable settlement.” And He said: « وَ اجْعَلْ لِّيْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْاٰخِرِيْنَ» [ الشعراء : ۸۴ ] “And grant me a true reputation among later generations.” And He said: «وَ قُلْ رَّبِّ اَدْخِلْنِيْ مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ » [ بني إسرائیل : ۸۰ ] “And say: My Lord, cause me to enter a true entrance.” The meaning of {’’ فِيْ مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ ‘‘} is that they will be in such a gathering that will be perfect in every respect as a gathering, adorned with all the requirements and appropriateness of a gathering, a truly genuine gathering.

➋ Remember that here the translation of {’’ مَقْعَدِ ‘‘} as “gathering” does not convey its full meaning, because both {’’ قَعْدٌ‘‘} and {’’جَلَسٌ‘‘ } mean “to sit,” but in {’’ مَقْعَدِ ‘‘} there is the sense of remaining, which is not found in “gathering.” For example, in Surah At-Tawbah, verse (81): « فَرِحَ الْمُخَلَّفُوْنَ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ خِلٰفَ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ» the meaning of {’’ بِمَقْعَدِهِمْ ‘‘} is not just “to sit” but “to remain sitting,” and in Surah An-Nisa, verse (95): «لَا يَسْتَوِي الْقٰعِدُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ» the meaning of {’’ الْقٰعِدُوْنَ ‘‘} is “those believers who remain sitting.” Similarly, in Surah An-Nur, verse (60): « وَ الْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَآءِ » the meaning of {’’ الْقَوَاعِدُ ‘‘} is “those women who remain sitting.” Here, instead of {’’ الْقَوَاعِدُ ‘‘}, the word {’’اَلْجَوَالِسُ‘‘} cannot be used. In Surah Qaf, verse (17): « عَنِ الْيَمِيْنِ وَ عَنِ الشِّمَالِ قَعِيْدٌ » the meaning of the angels being constantly present is conveyed, which is not in { ’’جَلِيْسٌ‘‘ }. Now, in comparison, look at Surah Al-Mujadila, verse (11), it is said: «اِذَا قِيْلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوْا فِي الْمَجٰلِسِ فَافْسَحُوْا يَفْسَحِ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْ وَ اِذَا قِيْلَ انْشُزُوْا فَانْشُزُوْا » “When you are told to make room in gatherings, then make room; Allah will make room for you. And when you are told to rise, then rise.” Here, from {’’ تَفَسَّحُوْا ‘‘} (make room), movement in the gathering is proven, and from {’’ انْشُزُوْا ‘‘} (rise), it is clear that the sitting in the gathering can also be abandoned, but this is not the case with {’’قُعُوْدٌ‘‘}. The summary of this whole discussion is that the righteous will be in a “maq‘ad sidq” which will be enduring. The phrase “majlis sidq” does not convey this meaning. The commentator Razi has written this matter in great detail and with evidence.

➌ { عِنْدَ مَلِيْكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ:’’ مَلِيْكٍ ‘‘ ’’مُلْكٌ‘‘} is of the pattern of {’’فَعِيْلٌ‘‘}, meaning “possessor of dominion.” In this, there is more emphasis than {’’مَلِكٌ‘‘}, so the translation is “the Great King.” In {’’ مُقْتَدِرٍ ‘‘} there is more emphasis than {’’ قَادِرٌ‘‘} or {’’ قَدِيْرٌ‘‘}, as has been mentioned earlier under {’’ اَخْذَ عَزِيْزٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ ‘‘}, so the translation is “the One with immense power.” The status of any house or dwelling is determined by the place where it is located; the wife of Pharaoh, Asiya (may Allah be pleased with her), prayed to Allah Almighty to build her a house near Him in Paradise when all the comforts of the world were taken away: «رَبِّ ابْنِ لِيْ عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ » [ التحریم : ۱۱ ] “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise.” Here Allah Almighty has mentioned His attributes {’’ مَلِيْكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ ‘‘}, because people desire to be in the gatherings and proximity of kings, and the greater the authority of the king, the greater the desire for his nearness. Allah Almighty has given glad tidings to the righteous that their residence will be with the King of kings, Who is the Owner of all authority. Then who can estimate their honor and glory. [ اَللّٰھُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنْھُمْ ]