سُوْرَةُ الْقِيَامَةِ
Surah Al-Qiyaama (75) — Ayah 3
أَيَحْسَبُ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ أَلَّن نَّجْمَعَ عِظَامَهُۥ ﴿3﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَيَحْسَبُ
ayaḥsabu
Does think
ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ
l-insānu
[the] man
أَلَّن
allan
that not
نَّجْمَعَ
najmaʿa
We will assemble
عِظَامَهُۥ
ʿiẓāmahu
his bones
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.
(Ayah 4,3) ➊ { اَيَحْسَبُ الْاِنْسَانُ اَلَّنْ نَّجْمَعَ عِظَامَهٗ … : ’’ قٰدِرِيْنَ ‘‘} is a circumstantial clause; before it, there is an omitted verb: {’’أَيْ بَلٰي نَجْمَعُهَا قَادِرِيْنَ…‘‘} “That is, why should We not gather them, while We are capable of this….”
➋ The deniers of the Resurrection were not willing to accept that when their bones would become decayed and scattered into particles, they would be brought back to life again. Allah Almighty said that (if a person thinks that his bones cannot gather by themselves or that no one among the creation can gather them again, then he has the right to think this, but) does he think about Us that We cannot gather his bones? The first time, when he did not even exist, We created him, so why can We not gather his bones now? Certainly, We will gather them, and not only the major bones, but We are also capable of reconstructing his entire fingertips, which consist of extremely fine and delicate bones. This subject has been explained in detail in Surah Ya-Sin (77 to 79) and Surah Bani Isra’il (49 to 51).
➌ These verses clearly show that on the Day of Resurrection, bodies will be brought back to life, and they will also participate with the soul in reckoning, punishment, and reward. In Sahih Bukhari (3481), there is mention of a man from Bani Isra’il whose sons, according to his instructions, after his death, burned him and crushed his bones, scattering some of the ashes in the air and some in water. Then Allah Almighty commanded the air and water, gathered his particles, and brought him back to life. If only the soul were to be questioned, what was the need to gather the particles and make him stand before Him again?
➋ The deniers of the Resurrection were not willing to accept that when their bones would become decayed and scattered into particles, they would be brought back to life again. Allah Almighty said that (if a person thinks that his bones cannot gather by themselves or that no one among the creation can gather them again, then he has the right to think this, but) does he think about Us that We cannot gather his bones? The first time, when he did not even exist, We created him, so why can We not gather his bones now? Certainly, We will gather them, and not only the major bones, but We are also capable of reconstructing his entire fingertips, which consist of extremely fine and delicate bones. This subject has been explained in detail in Surah Ya-Sin (77 to 79) and Surah Bani Isra’il (49 to 51).
➌ These verses clearly show that on the Day of Resurrection, bodies will be brought back to life, and they will also participate with the soul in reckoning, punishment, and reward. In Sahih Bukhari (3481), there is mention of a man from Bani Isra’il whose sons, according to his instructions, after his death, burned him and crushed his bones, scattering some of the ashes in the air and some in water. Then Allah Almighty commanded the air and water, gathered his particles, and brought him back to life. If only the soul were to be questioned, what was the need to gather the particles and make him stand before Him again?
