Surah Al-Ma’arij; Description of A Punishment Bound to Happen

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Divine punishment for wrongdoers and deniers of God is imminent and much closer than they think. It is certain to come and nothing can stand in its way.

This is according to Surah Al-Ma’arij of the Holy Quran. It is the seventieth chapter of the Quran that has 44 verses and is in the 29^th Juz. It is Makki and the 79^th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet’s heart.

The name of the Surah comes from the word Ma’arij (ranks) in the third verse. In this verse, God is described as the Lord of Ma’arij (exalted positions, ways of ascent).   

The Surah begins with the story of a person who asked God to punish him. “Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God).” (Verse 1)

It then describes some features of the Day of Judgment and some conditions of believers and unbelievers on that day, before warning polytheists and unbelievers.

The main theme of this chapter is resurrection and the Judgment Day. It describes that day and the punishments that await unbelievers. It underlines that the punishment is certain and nothing can stop it. The Surah also stresses that the punishment is imminent and not far away as unbelievers think.

Surah Al-Ma’arij can be divided into four parts according to the themes: The first part talks about imminent punishment for someone who denied some of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) remarks. The second part describes some features of the Day of Judgment and conditions of unbelievers on that day. The third part is about some features of the Resurrection Day and characteristics of good-doers and evil-doers that cause them to go to paradise or hell. And the fourth part includes threats and warnings to polytheists and unbelievers who deny God and the Prophet’s (PBUH) words. It also again refers to the Day of Judgment.

As for the person who asked God to punish him, Quran interpreters say he was a man named Numan who protested to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), saying: “You invited us to monotheism, accepting your prophethood, performing Hajj, Jihad, and Salah, fasting and giving alms, and we accepted them. But you did not consider it enough and are appointing a young man as our leader. Is this your own idea or an order from God?” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said it was an order from God. The man said that if that is the case, “I want God to fling on me a stone from the sky and make me suffer severe pain and torture.” At that moment a stone fell on him from the sky and killed him. Then some verses of Surah Al-Ma’arij were revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).