Amr ( أَمْرُ )

Command  

The Bee (16:12)

وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَعْقِلُونَ ١٢

And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.

— Saheeh International

https://quran.com/16/12

The Quran mentions creation and command as two separate actions: 

The Heights (7:54)

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًۭا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٥٤

Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne.[1] He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

— Saheeh International

[1] See footnote to 2:19: Allāh states in the Qur’ān that He has certain attributes such as hearing, sight, hands, face, mercy, anger, coming, encompassing, being above the Throne, etc. Yet, He has disassociated Himself from the limitations of human attributes or human imagination. Correct Islāmic belief requires faith in the existence of these attributes as Allāh has described them without applying to them any allegorical meanings or attempting to explain how a certain quality could be (while this is known only to Allāh) and without comparing them to creation or denying that He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) would have such a quality. His attributes are befitting to Him alone, and "There is nothing like unto Him." (42:11)

https://quran.com/7/54

Allah عزوجل creates with materials, such as humans with 'turab' and 'teen', jaan from 'naar', and so on. 

Allah عزوجل commands and creation complies with His Commands. For example: 

The Cow (2:117)

بَدِيعُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ١١٧

Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

— Saheeh International

https://quran.com/2/117

Explained in Detail (41:11-12)

41:11

ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌۭ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًۭا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ ١١

Then He directed Himself[1] to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being],[2] willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."

— Saheeh International

[1]Literally, 'become' or 'do [as commanded].'

[2]See footnote to 2:19: quoted above under Q7:54

41:12

فَقَضَىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَاتٍۢ فِى يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِى كُلِّ سَمَآءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَحِفْظًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ ١٢

And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired [i.e., made known] in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars, for beauty] and as protection.[1] That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

— Saheeh International

[1]From the devils who attempt to steal information from the angels.

https://quran.com/41/11-12

Those endowed with free-will are directed to willingly submit to their Creator and Sustainer. So, when Allah عزوجل commanded Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام): 

The Cow (2:131)

إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥٓ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ١٣١

When his Lord said to him, "Submit," he said, "I have submitted [in Islām][1] to the Lord of the worlds."

— Saheeh International

[1]The meaning of the word 'Islām' is 'submission to the will of Allāh.' This is the way of life ordained by Allāh and taught by all of the prophets from Adam to Muḥammad (ﷺ). A Muslim is one who submits himself to Allāh.

https://quran.com/2/131

This was the legacy of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام), and which was followed upon by the believers in his progeny, as quoted in the next two ayaat (Q2:132-133). Also, we find quoted his great grandson Joseph (Yusuf عليه السلام)'s prayer in Q12:101 praying to die in a state of Islam. 

The Forgiver (40:66-68)

40:66

۞ قُلْ إِنِّى نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِىَ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ مِن رَّبِّى وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٦٦

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you call upon besides Allāh once the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds."

— Saheeh International

40:67

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍۢ ثُمَّ مِن نُّطْفَةٍۢ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍۢ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًۭا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوٓا۟ أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا۟ شُيُوخًۭا ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُتَوَفَّىٰ مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلِتَبْلُغُوٓا۟ أَجَلًۭا مُّسَمًّۭى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ٦٧

It is He who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot; then He brings you out as a child; then [He develops you] that you reach your [time of] maturity, then [further] that you become elders. And among you is he who is taken in death before [that], so that you reach a specified term;[1] and perhaps you will use reason.

— Saheeh International

[1]The time decreed for your death.

40:68

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ ٦٨

He it is who gives life and causes death; and when He decrees a matter, He but says to it, "Be," and it is.

— Saheeh International

https://quran.com/40/66-68

Joseph (12:40)

مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءًۭ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَـٰنٍ ۚ إِنِ ٱلْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ ۚ أَمَرَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٤٠

You worship not besides Him except [mere] names you have named them,[1] you and your fathers, for which Allāh has sent down no evidence. Legislation is not but for Allāh. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

— Saheeh International

[1]The false objects of worship which you have called 'gods.'

https://quran.com/12/40

Looking up in corpus.quran.com: 

The triliteral root hamza mīm rā (أ م ر) occurs 248 times in the Quran. 

Q2:27 those who ..., cut off what Allah has commanded (أَمَرَ) to be joined, and ... 

Q2:44 Do you command (أَتَأْمُرُونَ) people birr, and forget your own nafs? 

Q2:67 ... Indeed, Allah commands (يَأْمُرُكُمْ) you to slaughter a cow ...

Q2:68 ... so do what you are commanded (تُؤْمَرُونَ) 

Q2:93 And when we took your Covenant ... , ... , and their hearts absorbed the calf because of their disbelief... how wretched is that which your belief commands (يَأْمُرُكُمْ) you to do, if you should be believers

Q2:109 many of the people of the scripture ... , envy ... , so pardon and overlook till Allah brings about His Command (بِأَمْرِهِ), ...

Q2:117 Inventor of the skies and earth, when He decrees a command (أَمْرًا), He only says to it 'Be' and it becomes. 

Q2:210 do they await that Allah should come to them in covers of clouds, and the angels, and decrees His Command (الْأَمْرُ), and unto Allah are all commands (الْأُمُورُ) returned.  

Q2:169 he (Satan) only orders (يَأْمُرُكُمْ) evil and immorality, and that you say about Allah what you do not know 

Q2:222 ... menstruation ... wives ... when they have purified, come to them from where Allah has commanded (أَمَرَكُمُ) you   

Q2:268 Satan threatens you with poverty and orders (وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ) immorality, ...

Q2:275 those who consume Riba ... , but whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and desists, may have what is past, and his command (وَأَمْرُهُ) rests with Allah, ...  

Q3:21 those who disbelieve ..., and kill ..., and kill those who enjoin (يَأْمُرُونَ) equity among the people (بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ), give them tidings of a painful punishment

Q3:80 nor could he order (يَأْمُرَكُمْ) you to take the angels as Lords; would he order (أَيَأْمُرُكُمْ) you to disbelief after you have become Muslims?  

Q3:104 and let there be from among you an Ummat inviting to all that is good, and ordering (وَيَأْمُرُونَ) what is right, and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be successful. 

Q3:109 and to Allah belongs whatever is in the skies and earth, and to Allah will be returned all commands (الْأُمُورُ) 

Q3:110 You are the best Ummat produced for mankind. You enjoin (تَأْمُرُونَ) what is right, and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in Allah. ...  

Q3:114 they believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin (وَيَأْمُرُونَ) what is right, and they forbid what is wrong, and hasten to good deeds, and those are among the reformed 

Q3:128 not for you is the decision (الْأَمْرِ) anything, whether Allah turns to them or punishes them, for indeed they are zalimun  

Q3:147 ... 'Our Lord forgive us our sins, and the excesses in our affairs (وَإِسْرَافَنَا فِي أَمْرِنَا), and plant firmly our feet, and grant us victory over the disbelieving nation 

Q3:152 and Allah certainly fulfilled His Promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His Permission until you lost courage and fell into disputing about the order (الْأَمْرِ), and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love, ... 

Q3:154 then after distress, He sent security drowsiness overcoming a faction of you, while another faction worried about their nafs, thinking thoughts about Allah other than the truth, the thoughts of ignorance, saying is there for us in this matter (الْأَمْرِ) anything? say 'all matters (الْأَمْرَ) belong completely to Allah' ... they say, 'if there was for us in this matter (الْأَمْرِ) anything, we would not have been killed right here', say ...  

Q3:159 So, by the Mercy of Allah, you were lenient with them, ... , so pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter (الْأَمْرِ), and when you have decided ... 

Q3:186  ... but if you are patient and fear Allah, surely that is determined (upholding of) commands  (عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ) 

Q4:37 those who are stingy, and enjoin (وَيَأْمُرُونَ) upon people stinginess, and hide what Allah has given them from His bounty, and We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. 

Q4:47 O you who have been given the scripture, believe in what We have sent down confirming that which is with you, before We obliterate faces and turn them towards their back or curse them as We cursed the people of the sabbath, and ever is the decree (أَمْرُ) of Allah accomplished.  

Q4:58 Indeed, Allah, He commands you (يَأْمُرُكُمْ) that you restore trusts to whom their owners, and when you judge between people, you judge with justice, indeed Allah excellently advises you with, and Allah is ever Hearing Seeing 

Q4:59 O you who have believed: obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those in authority (وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ) among you; and if you disagree over anything, return it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is good and better in outcome. 

Q4:60 have you not seen those who have claimed to believe in what was revealed to you, and what was revealed before you? they wish to refer legislation to Taghut, even though they were ordered (أُمِرُوا) to reject it, and Satan wishes to lead them far astray.   

Q4:83 and when comes to them some matter (أَمْرٌ) of security or fear, they broadcast it; and if they had returned it to the Messenger and those in authority among them, they could have found out through proper investigators among them, and if not for the favour of Allah upon you and His Mercy, you would certainly have followed Satan except a few.  

Q4:114 no good is in their in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin (أَمَرَ) charity, or that which is right, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means of approval of Allah, then we are going to soon give him a great reward.     

Q4:119 'and I will mislead them, and I will arouse in them desires, and I will command them (وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ) so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them (وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ) so they will change (deteriorate (فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ) the creation of Allah.' And whoever takes Satan as an ally instead of Allah has certainly sustained a clear loss.  

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Q12:53 I do not acquit my nafs; indeed the nafs commands (النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ) evil (بِالسُّوءِ), except those upon whom my Lord has Mercy; indeed, my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful 

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Last updated on: April 3, 2025

The Permanent Touch

...

The Cow (2:80-81)

2:80

وَقَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَةًۭ ۚ قُلْ أَتَّخَذْتُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَهْدًۭا فَلَن يُخْلِفَ ٱللَّهُ عَهْدَهُۥٓ ۖ أَمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ٨٠

˹Some of˺ the Jews claim, “The Fire will not touch us except for a number of days.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Have you taken a pledge from Allah—for Allah never breaks His word—or are you ˹just˺ saying about Allah what you do not know?”

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

And they say, "Never will the Fire touch us, except for [a few] numbered days." Say, "Have you taken a covenant with Allāh? For Allāh will never break His covenant. Or do you say about Allāh that which you do not know?"

— Saheeh International

They say, “The fire shall not touch us for more than a few days.” Say, “Have you taken a pledge from Allah, and Allah will not go against His promise? Or, do you say about Allah what you do not know?”

— T. Usmani

They say, ‘The Fire will only touch us for a few days.’ Say to them, ‘Have you received a promise from God- for God never breaks His promise- or are you saying things about Him of which you have no real knowledge?’

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

They say: “The Fire will certainly not touch us except for a limited number of days.” [1] Say (to them): “Have you received a promise from Allah – for Allah never breaks His promise – or do you attribute to Allah something about which you have no knowledge?”

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]This is a misconception entertained by all Jews, laymen as well as rabbis. They felt sure that no matter what they did, they would remain immune from hell-fire just by virtue of being Jews! The worst they could conceive of was the possibility of a transient punishment before they were transported to heaven.

And they say: The Fire (of punishment) will not touch us save for a certain number of days. Say: Have ye received a covenant from Allah - truly Allah will not break His covenant - or tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?

— M. Pickthall

And they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days:" Say: "Have ye taken a promise from Allah, for He never breaks His promise? or is it that ye say of Allah what ye do not know?"

— A. Yusuf Ali

And they (Jews) say, "The Fire (i.e. Hell-fire on the Day of Resurrection) shall not touch us but for a few numbered days." Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to them): "Have you taken a covenant from Allâh, so that Allâh will not break His Covenant? Or is it that you say of Allâh what you know not?"

— Al-Hilali & Khan

وہ کہتے ہیں کہ دوزخ کی آگ ہمیں ہرگز چھونے والی نہیں ہے۔ الَّا یہ کہ چند روز کی سزا مل جائے تو مل جائے ۔ ان سے پوچھو کہ کیا تم نے اللہ سے کوئی عہد لیا ہے ، جس کی خلاف ورزی وہ نہیں کرسکتا ، یا بات یہ ہے کہ تم اللہ کے ذمے ڈال کر ایسی باتیں کہہ دیتے ہو جن کے متعلق تمہیں علم نہیں ہے کہ اس نے ان کا ذمہ لیا ہے ۔ “

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an

وہ کہتے ہیں کہ دوزخ کی آگ ہمیں ہرگزچُھونے والی نہیں اِلّا یہ کہ چند روز کی سزا مِل جائے تو مِل جائے [1]۔ اِن سے پوچھو ، کیا تم نے اللہ سے کوئی عہد لے لیا ہے ، جس کی خلاف ورزی وہ نہیں کر سکتا؟ یا بات یہ ہے کہ تم اللہ کے ذمّے ڈال کر ایسی باتیں کہ دیتے ہو جن کے متعلق تمہیں علم نہیں ہے کہ اُس نے ان کا ذمہ لیا ہے؟ آخر تمہیں دوزخ کی آگ کیوں نہ چُھوئے گی؟

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یہ یہودیوں کی عام غلط فہمی کا بیان ہے، جس میں ان کے عامی اور عالم سب مُبتلا  تھے۔ وہ سمجھتے تھے کہ ہم خواہ کچھ کریں ، بہرحال چونکہ ہم یہُودی ہیں ، لہٰذا  جہنّم کی آگ ہم پر حرام ہے اور بالفرض اگر ہم کو سزا دی بھی گئی، تو بس چند روز کے  لیے وہاں بھیجے جائیں گے اور پھر سیدھے جنّت کی طرف پلٹا دیے جائیں گے۔

اور کہتے ہیں کہ (دوزخ کی) آگ ہمیں چند روز کے سوا چھو ہی نہیں سکے گی۔ ان سے پوچھو، کیا تم نے خدا سے اقرار لے رکھا ہے کہ خدا اپنے اقرار کے خلاف نہیں کرے گا۔ (نہیں)، بلکہ تم خدا کے بارے میں ایسی باتیں کہتے ہو جن کا تمہیں مطلق علم نہیں

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

اور وہ کہتے ہیں ہمیں تو آگ ہرگز چھو نہیں سکتی مگر گنتی کے چند دن ان سے کہیے کیا تم نے اللہ سے کوئی عہد لے لیا ہے کہ اب (تمہیں یہ یقین ہے کہ) اللہ اپنے عہد کے خلاف نہیں کرے گا ؟ یا تم اللہ کے ّ ذمے وہ باتیں لگا رہے ہو جنہیں تم نہیں جانتے ؟

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

اور کہتے ہیں ہم کو ہر گز آگ نہ لگے گی مگر چند روز گنے چنے [1] کہدو کیا تم لے چکے ہو اللہ کے یہاں سے قرار کہ اب ہرگز خلاف نہ کرے گا اللہ اپنے قرار کے  یا جوڑتے ہو اللہ پر جو تم نہیں جانتے کیوں نہیں  [2] 

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]بنی اسرائیل کی خوش فہمی:بعض نے کہا سات دن اور بعض نے چالیس دن (جتنے روز بچھڑے کو پوجا کی تھی) اور بعض نے چالیس سال (جتنی مدت تیہ میں سرگرداں رہے تھے) اور بعض نے کہا ہر ایک جتنی مدت دنیا میں زندہ رہا۔

[2]یعنی یہ بات غلط ہے کہ یہودی ہمیشہ کے لئے دوزخ میں نہ رہیں گے۔ کیونکہ خلود فی النار اور خلود فی الجنۃ کا جو قاعدہ کلیہ آگے بیان فرمایا ہے اسی کے مطابق سے  معاملہ ہو گا۔ یہودی اس سے نکل نہیں سکتے۔

یہ لوگ کہتے ہیں کہ ہم تو صرف چند روز جہنم میں رہیں گے، ان سے کہو کہ کیا تمہارے پاس اللہ تعالیٰ کا کوئی پروانہ ہے؟ اگر ہے تو یقیناً اللہ تعالیٰ اپنے وعدے کا خلاف نہیں کرے گا، (ہرگز نہیں) بلکہ تم تو اللہ کے ذمے وه باتیں لگاتے ہو جنہیں تم نہیں جانتے۔

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

اور وہ کہتے ہیں ہم کو دوزخ کی آگ نہیں چھوئے گی مگر گنتی کے چند دن کہو، کیا تم نے اللہ کے پاس سے کوئی وعدہ لے لیا ہے کہ اللہ اپنے وعدہ کے خلاف نہیں کرے گا، یا تم اللہ کے اوپرایسی بات کہتے ہو جو تم نہیں جانتے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Woh kehte hain ke dozakh ki aag humein hargiz choone wali nahin illa yeh ke chandh roz ki saza mil jaye to mil jaye. Inse pucho , kya tumne Allah se koi ahad le liya hai, jiski khilaf-warzi woh nahin kar sakta? Ya baat yeh hai ke tum Allah ke zimme daal kar aisi baatein kehdete ho jinke mutaaliq tumhein ilm nahin hai ke usne inka zimma liya hai? Aakhir tumhein dozakh ki aag kyun na chooeygi

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

2:81

بَلَىٰ مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةًۭ وَأَحَـٰطَتْ بِهِۦ خَطِيٓـَٔتُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ ٨١

But no! Those who commit evil and are engrossed in sin will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Yes, [on the contrary], whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally.

— Saheeh International

Why not? Those who commit evil and are besieged by their sins, those are people of the Fire - there they shall live forever.

— T. Usmani

Truly those who do evil and are surrounded by their sins will be the inhabitants of the Fire, there to remain,

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

Those who earn evil and are encompassed by their sinfulness are the people of the Fire, and there will they abide;

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

Nay, but whosoever hath done evil and his sin surroundeth him; such are rightful owners of the Fire; they will abide therein.

— M. Pickthall

Nay, those who seek gain in evil, and are girt round by their sins,- they are companions of the Fire: Therein shall they abide (For ever).

— A. Yusuf Ali

Yes! Whosoever earns evil and his sin has surrounded him, they are dwellers of the Fire (i.e. Hell); they will dwell therein forever.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

آخر تمہیں دوزخ کی آگ کیوں چھوئے گی ۔ جو بھی بدی کمائے گا اور اپنی خطاکاری کے چکر میں پڑا رہے گا وہ دوزخی ہے اور دوزخ میں وہ ہمیشہ رہے گا

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an

جو بھی بدی کمائے گا اور اپنی خطا کاری کے چکر میں پڑا رہے گا، وہ دوزخی ہے او ر دوزخ ہی میں وہ ہمیشہ رہے گا

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

ہاں جو برے کام کرے، اور اس کے گناہ (ہر طرف سے) گھیر لیں تو ایسے لوگ دوزخ (میں جانے) والے ہیں (اور) وہ ہمیشہ اس میں (جلتے) رہیں گے

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

کیوں نہیں جس شخص نے جان بوجھ کر ایک گناہ کمایا  اور اس کا گھیراؤ کرلیا اس کے گناہ نے پس یہی ہیں آگ والے وہ اسی میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے۔

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

جس نے کمایا گناہ اور گھیر لیا اس کو اس کے گناہ نے [1] سو وہی ہیں دوزخ کے رہنے والے وہ اسی میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]گناہ کسی کا احاطہ کر لیں ۔ اس کا یہ مطلب ہے کہ گناہ اس پر ایسا غلبہ کر لیں کہ کوئی جانب ایسی نہ ہو کہ گناہ کا غلبہ نہ ہو ۔ حتٰی کی دل میں ایمان و تصدیق باقی ہو گی تو بھی احاطہ مذکور محقق نہ ہو گا۔ تو اب کافر ہی پر یہ صورت صادق  آ سکتی ہے۔

یقیناً جس نے بھی برے کام کئے اور اس کی نافرمانیوں نے اسے گھیر لیا، وه ہمیشہ کے لئے جہنمی ہے۔

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

ہاں جس نے کوئی برائی کی اور اس کے گناہ نے اس کو اپنے گھیرے میں لے لیا، تو وہی لوگ دوزخ والے ہیں ، وہ اس میں ہمیشہ رہیں گے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Jo bhi badhi kamayega aur apni khata-kaari ke chakkar mein pada rahega, woh dozakhi hai aur dozakh hi mein woh hamesha rahega

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

https://quran.com/2/80-81

The promise of the Hereafter has a permanence to it. In this life, our situation can be subject to change. In the Hereafter, the segregation and sorting will be permanent. Historically, the Bani Israel used to hold on to that belief. Some people among Muslims also believe that the Fire, if it touches them, will touch them for a limited time, and then they will be rescued and sent to the Gardens. The Quran refutes all such beliefs. 

Again, in the next surah, we read: 

Family of Imran (3:24-25)

3:24

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامًۭا مَّعْدُودَٰتٍۢ ۖ وَغَرَّهُمْ فِى دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ ٢٤

This is because they say, “The Fire will not touch us except for a few days.” They have been deceived in their faith by their wishful lying.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

That is because they say, "Never will the Fire touch us except for [a few] numbered days," and [because] they were deluded in their religion by what they were inventing.

— Saheeh International

That is because they have said: “The Fire shall not touch us except for a few days.” Thus they are deceived in their faith by what they themselves used to invent.

— T. Usmani

‘The Fire will only touch us for a limited number of days.’ The lies they have invented have led them astray in their own religion.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

This is because they say: 'The fire of Hell shall not touch us except for a limited number of days. [1] The false beliefs which they have forged have deluded them in their faith.

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

[1]These people considered themselves to be God's favourites and cherished the illusion that, regardless of what they did, they were bound to enter Paradise. They took the view that since they were believers, were descended from pious people, followed noble Prophets, and were disciples and admirers of holy men, Hell would not dare touch them. They also thought that even if they were thrown into Hell they would remain there for a few days only, to be purged of the impurity of the sins which had afflicted them, and would then be sent straight to Paradise. Such notions had made them so bold that even when they committed the most atrocious crimes and the most mortal of sins, and brazenly deviated from Truth and rectitude, their hearts remained utterly unmoved by the fear of God.

That is because they say: The Fire will not touch us save for a certain number of days. That which they used to invent hath deceived them regarding their religion.

— M. Pickthall

This because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a few numbered days": For their forgeries deceive them as to their own religion.

— A. Yusuf Ali

This is because they say: "The Fire shall not touch us but for a number of days." And that which they used to invent regarding their religion has deceived them.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

ان کا یہ طرز عمل اس وجہ سے ہے کہ وہ کہتے ہیں ۔ کہ آتش دوزخ تو ہمیں مس تک نہ کرے گی اور اگر دوزخ کی سزا ہم کو ملے گی بھی تو بس چند روز “ ان کے خودساختہ عقیدوں نے ان کو اپنے دین کے معاملے میں بڑی غلط فہمیوں میں ڈال رکھا ہے۔

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an

ان کا یہ طرز عمل اس وجہ سے ہے کہ وہ کہتے ہیں ”آتش ِ دوزخ تو ہمیں مَس تک نہ کرے گی اور اگر دوزخ کی سزا ہم کو ملے گی بھی تو بس چند روز“۔[1] اُن کے خود ساختہ عقیدوں نے اُن کو اپنے دین کے معاملے میں بڑی غلط فہمیوں میں ڈال رکھا ہے

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

[1]یعنی یہ لوگ 

اپنے آپ کو خدا کا چَہیتا سمجھ بیٹھے ہیں۔ یہ اس خیال ِ خام میں مبتلا ہیں 

کہ ہم خواہ کچھ کریں بہرحال جنت ہماری ہے ۔ ہم اہلِ ایمان ہیں، ہم فلاں کی 

اولاد اور فلاں کی اُمّت اور فلاں کے مریداور فلاں کے دامن گرفتہ ہیں ، 

بھلا دوزخ کی کیا مجال کہ ہمیں چھُو جائے۔ اور بالفرض اگر ہم دوزخ میں ڈالے 

بھی گئے تو بس چند روز وہاں رکھے جائیں گے تاکہ گناہوں کی جو آلائش لگ گئی 

ہے وہ صاف ہو جائے، پھر سیدھے جنت میں پہنچا دیے جائے گے۔ اسی قسم کے 

خیالات نے ان کو اتنا جری و بے باک بنا دیا ہے کہ وہ سخت سے سخت جرائم کا 

ارتکاب کر جاتے ہیں، بدترین گناہوں کے مرتکب ہوتے ہیں ، کُھلم کُھلا حق سے 

انحراف کرتے ہیں اور ذرا خدا کا خوف ان کے دل میں نہیں آتا۔

یہ اس لیے کہ یہ اس بات کے قائل ہیں کہ (دوزخ کی) آگ ہمیں چند روز کے سوا چھو ہی نہیں سکے گی اور جو کچھ یہ دین کے بارے میں بہتان باندھتے رہے ہیں اس نے ان کو دھوکے میں ڈال رکھا ہے

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

یہ اس وجہ سے ہے کہ یہ کہتے ہیں کہ ہمیں تو جہنم کی آگ چھو ہی نہیں سکتی مگر گنتی کے چند دن اور انہیں دھوکے میں مبتلا کردیا ہے ان کے دین کے بارے میں ان چیزوں نے جو یہ گھڑتے رہے ہیں۔

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

یہ اس واسطے کہ کہتے ہیں وہ ہم کو ہرگز نہ لگے گی آگ دوزخ کی مگر چند دن گنتی کے اور بہکے ہیں اپنے دین میں اپنی بنائی باتوں پر [1

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]یہودیوں کے من گھڑت عقائد کی تردید:یعنی ان کے تمرد و طغیان اور گناہوں پر جری ہونے کا سبب یہ ہے کہ سزا کی طرف سے بےخوف ہیں ان کے بڑے جھوٹ بنا کر کہہ گئے کہ ہم میں اگر کوئی سخت گنہگار بھی ہو گا تو گنتی کے چند روز سے زیادہ عذاب نے پائے گا۔ جیسا کہ سورۂ 'بقرہ' میں گذر چکا۔ اور اسی طرح کی بہت سے باتیں گھڑ رکھی ہیں۔ مثلًا کہتے تھے کہ ہم تو اللہ کے چہیتے بیٹے ہیں۔ یا انبیاء کی اولاد ہیں اور اللہ تعالیٰ یعقوبؑ سے وعدہ کر چکا ہے کہ ان کی اولاد کو  سزا نہ دے گا مگر یوں ہی برائے نام قسم کھانے کو۔ اور نصاریٰ نے تو کفار کا مسئلہ نکال کر گناہ و معصیت کا سارا حساب ہی بےباق کر دیا۔ اللھم اعذ بامن شرور انفسنا۔

اس کی وجہ ان کا یہ کہنا کہ ہمیں تو گنے چنے چند دن ہی آگ جلائے گی، ان کی گڑھی گڑھائی باتوں نے انہیں ان کے دین کے بارے میں دھوکے میں ڈال رکھا ہے۔[1

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]یعنی کتاب اللہ کے ماننے سے گریز واعراض کی وجہ ان کایہ زعم باطل ہے کہ اول تووہ جہنم میں جائیں گے ہی نہیں، اوراگرگئے بھی تو صرف چند دن ہی کے لئے جائیں گے۔ اور انہی من گھڑت باتوں نے انہیں دھوکےاور فریب میں ڈال رکھا ہے۔

[2]- الٹے طور پر ہاتھ پاؤں کاٹنے کا مطلب، دایاں ہاتھ اور بایاں پیر یا بایاں ہاتھ اور دایاں پیر ہے۔ اس پر سولی مستزاد۔ یعنی ہاتھ پیر کاٹنے سے بھی اس کی آتش غضب ٹھنڈی نہ ہوئی، مزید اس نے سولی پر لٹکانے کا اعلان کیا۔

یہ اس سبب سے کہ وہ لوگ کہتے ہیں کہ ہم کو ہر گز آگ نہ چھوئے گی بجز گنے ہوئے چند دنوں کے اور ان کی بنائی ہوئی باتوں نے ان کو ان کے دین کے بارے میں دھوکے میں ڈال دیا ہے

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Unka yeh tarz-e-amal is wajah se hai ke woh kehte hain “ aatish e dozakh to humein mass (choo) tak na karegi aur agar dozakh ki saza humko milegi bhi to bas chandh roz”. Unke khud saakhta aqeedon ne unko apne deen ke maamle mein badi galat fehmiyon mein daal rakkha hai

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

3:25

فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جَمَعْنَـٰهُمْ لِيَوْمٍۢ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ٢٥

But how ˹horrible˺ will it be when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt—when every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and none will be wronged!

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

So how will it be when We assemble them for a Day about which there is no doubt? And each soul will be compensated [in full for] what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

— Saheeh International

Then, how (will it be) when We will gather them together on a day about which there is no doubt, and everybody will be paid in full for what he has earned, and they shall not be wronged?

— T. Usmani

How will they fare when We gather them together for a Day of which there is no doubt, when every soul will be paid in full for what it has done, and they will not be wronged?

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

How, then, will they fare when We shall gather them all together to witness the Day about (the coming of) which there is no doubt, and when every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has done, and none shall be wronged?

— A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

How (will it be with them) when We have brought them all together to a Day of which there is no doubt, when every soul will be paid in full what it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.

— M. Pickthall

But how (will they fare) when we gather them together against a day about which there is no doubt, and each soul will be paid out just what it has earned, without (favour or) injustice?

— A. Yusuf Ali

How (will it be) when We gather them together on the Day about which there is no doubt (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And each person will be paid in full what he has earned? And they will not be dealt with unjustly.

— Al-Hilali & Khan

مگر کیا بنے گی ان پر جب ہم انہیں اس روز جمع کریں گے جس کا آنا یقینی ہے ؟ اسی روز ہر شخص کو اس کی کمائی کا بدلہ پورا پورا دیدیا جائے گا اور کسی پر ظلم نہ ہوگا۔ “

— Fe Zilal al-Qur'an

مگر کیا بنے گی اُن پر جب ہم انہیں اُس روز جمع کریں گے جس کا آنا یقینی ہے؟ اس روز ہر شخص کو اس کی کمائی کا بدلہ پورا پورا دے دیا جائیگا اور کسی پر ظلم نہ ہوگا

— Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi

تو اس وقت کیا حال ہوگا جب ہم ان کو جمع کریں گے (یعنی) اس روز جس (کے آنے) میں کچھ بھی شک نہیں اور ہر نفس اپنے اعمال کا پورا پورا بدلہ پائے گا اور ان پر ظلم نہیں کیا جائے گا

— Fatah Muhammad Jalandhari

تو کیا حال ہوگا جب ہم انہیں اکٹھا کریں گے اس دن جس کے بارے میں کوئی شک نہیں ! اور ہر جان کو پورا پورا دے دیا جائے گا جو کچھ اس نے کمائی کی ہوگی اور ان پر کوئی زیادتی نہیں ہوگی

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

پھر کیا ہو گا حال جب ہم انکو جمع کریں گے ایک دن کہ اسکے آنے میں کچھ شبہ نہیں اور پورا پاوے گا ہر کوئی اپنا کیا [1] اور انکی حق تلفی نہ ہو گی [2 

— Shaykh al-Hind Mahmud al-Hasan(with Tafsir E Usmani)

[1]یعنی اس وقت پتہ چلے گا کہ کس اندھیرے میں پڑے ہوئے تھے۔ جب محشر میں تمام اولین و آخرین اور خود اپنے بزرگوں کےسامنے رسوا ہوں گے اور ہر عمل کا پورا پورا بدلہ ملے گا۔ نہ کفارہ کا مسئلہ یاد آئے گا نہ نسبی تعلقات اور من گھڑت عقیدے کام دیں گے۔

[2]یعنی فرضی جرائم پر سزا نہ ہوگی۔ ان کاموں پر ہوگی جن کا جرم ہونا خود تسلیم کریں گے اور جس قدر سزا کا استحقاق ہو گا، اس سے زیادہ نہ دی جائے گی نہ کسی کی ادنیٰ سے ادنیٰ نیکی ضائع ہو سکے گی۔

پس کیا حال ہوگا جبکہ ہم انہیں اس دن جمع کرینگے؟ جس کے آنے میں کوئی شک نہیں اور ہر شخص اپنا اپنا کیا پورا پورا دیاجائے گا اور ان پر ﻇلم نہ کیا جائے گا۔[1 

— Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi

[1]قیامت والے دن ان کے یہ دعوے اور غلط عقائد کچھ کام نہ آئیں گے اور اللہ تعالیٰ بے لاگ انصاف کے ذریعے سے ہر نفس کو، اس کے کیے کاپورا پورا بدلہ دے گا،کسی پر ظلم نہیں ہوگا۔

[2]لا ضَيْرَ کوئی حرج نہیں یا ہمیں کوئی پروا نہیں۔ یعنی اب جو سزا چاہے دے لے، ایمان سے نہیں پھر سکتے۔

پھر اس وقت کیا ہوگا جب ہم ان کو جمع کریں گے ایک دن جس کے آنے میں کوئی شک نہیں اور ہر شخص کو جو کچھ اس نے کیا ہے، اس کا پورا پورا بدلہ دیا جائے گا اوران پر ظلم نہ کیا جائے گا

— Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Magar kya banegi unpar jab hum unhein us roz jamaa karenge jiska aana yaqeeni hai? Us roz har shaks ko uski kamayi ka badla poora poora de diya jayega aur kisi par zulm na hoga

— Abul Ala Maududi(Roman Urdu)

https://quran.com/3/24-25

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Also read: 

Point and Place in SpaceTime  

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The Example of The Fly

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يٰۤـاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسۡتَمِعُوۡا لَهٗ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ لَنۡ يَّخۡلُقُوۡا ذُبَابًا وَّلَوِ اجۡتَمَعُوۡا لَهٗ​ ؕ وَاِنۡ يَّسۡلُبۡهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيۡــًٔـا لَّا يَسۡتَـنۡـقِذُوۡهُ مِنۡهُ​ ؕ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالۡمَطۡلُوۡبُ‏ ٧٣

O men! Here is a parable set forth! listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!

— A. Yusuf Ali

اے لوگو ! ایک مثال بیان کی جاتی ہے پس اسے ذرا توجہّ سے سنو یقیناً (تمہارے وہ معبود) جنہیں تم اللہ کے سوا پکارتے ہو ایک مکھی بھی تخلیق نہیں کرسکتے اگرچہ وہ سب اس کے لیے اکٹھے ہوجائیں اور اگر مکھی ان سے کوئی چیز چھین لے جائے تو یہ اس سے وہ چیز چھڑا نہیں سکتے کس قدر کمزور ہے طالب بھی اور مطلوب بھی

(بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

[Al-Quran, Surah alHajj, ayat 73]

The Quran presents the example of the fly:

• this example is presented towards the conclusion of Surah alHajj (the pilgrimage) 
• the surah mentions Allah's ancient house (the Kaaba in Makkah) 
• the surah mentions sacrifice of the cattle Allah has especially sent for humans 
• the surah begins with the warning of the great earthquake of The Hour, such that: 
• every female will stop nursing  
• every pregnant female will deliver 
• humans will seem intoxicated, even though they won't be intoxicated 
• the torment of Allah will be severe 
• the surah details the stages of human development from dust to spermdrop to death 
• and draws attention to the water being sent to give vegetative life to dead land 
• Allah is the Reality, He gives life to the dead, and He has control over all things 
• The Hour is coming, and so is Resurrection  
• this has been sent down (Quran): 
• containing clear signs, and 
• Allah guides whom He Wills  
• don't you see that everyone prostates to Allah ... 
• forbids polytheism
• commanded Abraham purification of the House for those circumambulating, for those standing, and bowing-prostrating 
• announce Hajj, people will come from everywhere 
• for every ummah a rite of sacrifice has been appointed to pronounce the Name of Allah upon the sacrificial cattle He has provided for them, you have only One God, so submit to Him, and give good news to those who humble themselves 
• those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, and who patiently endure whatever befalls them, and they establish prayer, and from whatever we have provided for them, they spend (يُنۡفِقُوۡنَ‏)   

The Pilgrimage (22:36) 

وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَـٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَـٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٣٦

The sacrificial camels we have made for you as among the symbols from Allah: in them is (much) good for you: then pronounce the name of Allah over them as they line up (for sacrifice): when they are down on their sides (after slaughter), eat ye thereof, and feed such as (beg not but) live in contentment, and such as beg with due humility: thus have We made animals subject to you, that ye may be grateful.

— A. Yusuf Ali

اور قربانی کے اونٹوں کو ہم نے تمہارے لیے شعائر اللہ میں سے بنایا ہے تمہارے لیے ان میں بھلائی ہے تو تم ان پر اللہ کا نام لو انہیں صفوں میں کھڑا کر کے تو جب ان کے پہلو زمین پر ٹک جائیں تو اب اس میں سے خود بھی کھاؤ اور قناعت سے بیٹھ رہنے والے اور سوال کرنے والے کو بھی کھلاؤ اسی طرح ہم نے ان کو تمہارے لیے ّ مسخر کردیا ہے تاکہ تم شکر ادا کرو

 (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد) —

[Al-Quran, Surah alHajj, Ayat 36]

Cattle and The Camels (وَٱلْبُدْنَ) have been especially tamed for humans. We could not have done it, had Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى not subjugated them for us. They have been humbled for us. We should humble ourselves. 

and in the ayat about the fly, it states: 

• listen carefully
• Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose
• and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly
• Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition 

... اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ تَدۡعُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ لَنۡ يَّخۡلُقُوۡا ذُبَابًا وَّلَوِ اجۡتَمَعُوۡا لَهٗ ... 

... Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly (ذُبَابًا), if they all met together for the purpose ... 

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There are many studies being conducted to understand the fly. This tiny creature, with all its simplicity and complexity, is a wonder of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's creation.  

There is the house fly, the fruit flies, and several more types of true flies, classified as Order Diptera. It is one of the largest insect orders with more than a hundred thousand species. However this classification includes mosquitoes, whereas The Quran presents the example of the mosquito (بَعُوۡضَةً) separately.  

Then, there are robber flies. 

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... وَاِنۡ يَّسۡلُبۡهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَيۡــًٔـا لَّا يَسۡتَـنۡـقِذُوۡهُ مِنۡهُ ... 

... and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly ...

Flies, particularly house flies, are notoriously difficult to catch. The reason being that they see slower, much slower, and move faster, much faster. Allah has given them this ability to see in slow motion, such that they can process each movement of the opponent in detail, rapidly, and move away accordingly. 

For example, when a fan is on, we cannot put our hands through it without the risk of being harmed. However, if we could see it in slow-motion, and move much faster than we can, we might be able to pass through its rotating blades without touching them. 

So, flies experience time differently, much slower than us. Scientists theorise that it is perhaps because of their tiny size. Now, that is something that needs to be understood, before we can even begin comprehending the different worlds of different creatures. This means they can gather more information per second than larger creatures. This helps them make good decisions very quickly, which is essential for their survival. 

The eyes of flies are biologically different from human eyes. It is a different system altogether. This is an image of a fruit fly's eye and part of its brain: 

Attribution: Eye on the Fly

A study conducted on urban and desert species of fruit flies found that they employ different navigation tactics. They have been found to have super resolution stereo vision. In spite of their tiny size and simplicity, they have a complex symphony of vision. Colour-vision, motion-vision, the integration and  successful processing of the information is crucial and remarkable. Observations have revealed that there exist also eyeless fruit flies. Furthermore, genetic research and experimentations has led to eyes popping up on the flies' legs, wings and other parts of their body. Legs have grown in place of antennae. What a mess! Human efforts to tinker with creation simply results in corruption of creation. The trouble with us humans is that we don't know where to stop. It is one thing appreciating the diversity and complexity of nature, while giving credit to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى the Creator who gives everything its form, and it is another thing to tinker with and ruin creation. We may be able to stop and/or reverse the mess we induce in other creatures, but who will correct us if/when we mutate ourselves? The Deen-e-Qayimah specifically forbids change in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's creation (Q30:30). 

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Fly hearing is another wonder. Recent researches have discovered that they have an acute sense of hearing, and can probably hear better than humans. 

Flies have been found to intelligently choose / avoid stimuli that please / annoy them. That is, they also have preferences. 

Studies have found that flies can experience chronic pain, which involves the nervous system. 

Flies have also been demonstrated to learn from experience, and consequently learn pain relief.  

Flies have been observed to try to rescue their fellow fly from the clutch of a predator. 

Flies cleanse themselves by rubbing their 'hands' and legs. It is crucial for them to keep themselves clean. 

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The robber fly preys on the fruit fly and other small insects, just about anything it can catch:

Robber fly (Promachus leoninus) with honeybee prey

Attribution: Wikipedia By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122473893

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 ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالۡمَطۡلُوۡبُ ...

... Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!

Both the seeker and the sought, the petitioner and the petitioned, are weak. 

The example of the fly is mentioned in Surah al-Hajj, which means 'The Pilgrimage' to Kaaba, the ancient house, that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى asked Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) to announce pilgrimage to. Historically, a huge army of elephants was being led towards the Kaaba to destroy it. The Quran, Surah al-Fil (The Elephants) mentions how the army was annihilated. See Surah al-Fil and its tafsir. 

Even the huge elephants, worshipped in some cultures, hopelessly try to swat flies with their feeble tail. Polytheists worship a variety of representations of what they consider divine. For example, the photo in this news from India dated 10 January 2023. 

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After presenting the example of the tiny fly, Surah alHajj goes on to state:

• they haven't made a just estimate of Allah as He deserves 
• He is Qawi (Powerful) Aziz (Mighty) 
• Allah has chosen messengers from angels, and from humans
• Indeed, Allah is Sami (Hearer), Baseer (Seer) 
• He knows what is before and what is behind them 
• and to Allah are  all matters returned 
• O you Believers, bow and prostrate, and worship your Rabb (Lord-Sustainer), and do good
• so that you prosper 
• and strive for Allah as is His Right to be striven for ... 

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱرْكَعُوا۟ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ وَٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمْ وَٱفْعَلُوا۟ ٱلْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ۩ ٧٧

O believers! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord, and do ˹what is˺ good so that you may be successful.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

O ye who believe! bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper.

— A. Yusuf Ali

اے ایمان کے دعوے دارو ! جھک جاؤ اور سر بسجود ہوجاؤ اور اپنے رب کی بندگی کرو اور نیک کام کرو تاکہ تم فلاح پاؤ

( بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

وَجَـٰهِدُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِۦ ۚ هُوَ ٱجْتَبَىٰكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍۢ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِى هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ ٱلنَّصِيرُ ٧٨

Strive for ˹the cause of˺ Allah in the way He deserves, for ˹it is˺ He ˹Who˺ has chosen you, and laid upon you no hardship in the religion—the way of your forefather Abraham. ˹It is Allah˺ Who named you ‘the ones who submit’1 ˹in the˺ earlier ˹Scriptures˺ and in this ˹Quran˺, so that the Messenger may be a witness over you, and that you may be witnesses over humanity. So establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and hold fast to Allah. He ˹alone˺ is your Guardian. What an excellent Guardian, and what an excellent Helper!

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[1]  i.e., Muslims.

And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline). He has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims, both before and in this (Revelation); that the Messenger may be a witness for you, and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer, give regular Charity, and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector - the Best to protect and the Best to help!

— A. Yusuf Ali

اور جہاد کرو اللہ کے لیے جیسا کہ اس کے لیے جہاد کا حق ہے اس نے تمہیں چن لیا ہے اور دین کے معاملے میں تم پر کوئی تنگی نہیں رکھی تمہارے جدّ امجد ابراہیم ؑ کی ملت اسی نے تمہارا نام مسلم رکھا ہے اس سے پہلے بھی (تمہارا یہی نام تھا) اور اس (کتاب) میں بھی ہے تاکہ پیغمبر تم پر گواہ ہو اور تم لوگوں پر گواہ ہو پس نماز قائم کرو اور زکوٰۃ ادا کرو اور اللہ کے ساتھ چمٹ جاؤ وہ تمہارا مولیٰ ہے تو کیا ہی اچھا ہے وہ مولیٰ اور کیا ہی اچھا ہے مددگار

( بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد —

[Al-Quran, Surah alHajj, ayaat 77-78]

The tiny fly contributes in diverse ways to the planet. It has the potential to harm, it has the potential to contaminate, yet it also pollinates plants, decomposes waste and dead matter, and contributes hugely to the ecosystem of the planet. It has its strength and its weaknesses. 

We humans, and especially Adam عليه السلام and the progeny of Adam عليه السلام , have be created for 'khilafat'. We have a much larger role in the grand scheme of things. We also have the potential for good and evil. We have the example of Abraham (Ibrahim عليه السلام) as to what it means to be true to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . We need to try and live up to our role. 

Also read: 

Eight Pairs of Cattle 

Related Web Links: 

Britannica list of flies 

BBC Why is it so hard to swat a fly? 

hhmi Eye on the Fly 

The Rockefeller University Fruit flies move their retinas much like humans move their eyes 

UCLA Study discovers that fruit flies’ visual navigation tactics differ by environment 

University of Sheffield Fruit flies have super resolution stereo vision 

Max-Plank-G... Fruit fly's complex symphony of vision 

ScienceDirect The photoreceptor array of the dipteran retina 

ScienceDirect Mechanisms of vision in the fruit fly 

YouTube Why is it so hard to hit flies with your hands?  

BBC Slow-motion world for small animals 

PHYS.ORG The remarkable hunting ability of the robber fly 

National Eye Institute Small creatures teach big lessons 

Science The Fly Eyes Have It: A Second Master Gene? 

Be Genetic Mutations of Drosophila melanogaste (fruit fly) 

YouTube Do flies have ears? | Natural History Museum 

entomology today New Research Reveals How Flesh Flies Hear 

Jounal of Insect Science The Auditory System of the Dipteran Parasitoid Emblemasoma auditrix (Sarcophagidae)  

ScienceDirect Leucokinin signaling regulates hunger–driven reduction of behavioral responses to noxious heat in Drosophila 

Smithsonian Magazine Study Finds Insects Can Experience Chronic Pain 

ResearchGate ‘Pain relief’ learning in fruit flies 

Nature Fellow-Feeling in House-Flies and Swallows 

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NIH House Flies Are Underappreciated Yet Important Reservoirs and Vectors of Microbial Threats to Animal and Human Health 

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Last updated on: March 25, 2025

The Example of The Donkey

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اَوۡ كَالَّذِىۡ مَرَّ عَلٰى قَرۡيَةٍ وَّ هِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلٰى عُرُوۡشِهَا ​ۚ قَالَ اَنّٰى يُحۡىٖ هٰذِهِ اللّٰهُ بَعۡدَ مَوۡتِهَا ​ۚ فَاَمَاتَهُ اللّٰهُ مِائَةَ عَامٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهٗ ​ؕ قَالَ كَمۡ لَبِثۡتَ​ؕ قَالَ لَبِثۡتُ يَوۡمًا اَوۡ بَعۡضَ يَوۡمٍ​ؕ قَالَ بَلۡ لَّبِثۡتَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ فَانۡظُرۡ اِلٰى طَعَامِكَ وَشَرَابِكَ لَمۡ يَتَسَنَّهۡ​ۚ وَانْظُرۡ اِلٰى حِمَارِكَ وَلِنَجۡعَلَكَ اٰيَةً لِّلنَّاسِ​ وَانْظُرۡ اِلَى الۡعِظَامِ كَيۡفَ نُـنۡشِزُهَا ثُمَّ نَكۡسُوۡهَا لَحۡمًا ​ؕ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهٗ ۙ قَالَ اَعۡلَمُ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ‏ ٢٥٩

Or take the one who passed by a ruined town. He said, ‘How will God give this life when it has died?’ So God made him die for a hundred years, and then raised him up, saying, ‘How long did you stay like that?’ He answered, ‘A day, or part of a day.’ God said, ‘No, you stayed like that for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink: they have not gone bad. Look at your donkey- We will make you a sign for the people- look at the bones: see how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh!’ When all became clear to him, he said, ‘Now I know that God has power over everything.’

[Al-Quran 2:259, Translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem]

This man was not only shown a sign, privately, but the ayah also states that: '... Look at your donkey- We will make you a sign for the people- look at the bones: see how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh! ...'

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وَّالۡخَـيۡلَ وَالۡبِغَالَ وَالۡحَمِيۡرَ لِتَرۡكَبُوۡهَا وَزِيۡنَةً​ ؕ وَيَخۡلُقُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ٨

And (He created) horses, mules and donkeys, so that you may ride on them, and they may give you a good look. And He creates what you do not know (as yet).

[Al-Quran 16:8, Translation: T. Usmani]

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has provided us with countless comforts and beauty. Among them are donkeys. 

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وَاقۡصِدۡ فِىۡ مَشۡيِكَ وَاغۡضُضۡ مِنۡ صَوۡتِكَ​ؕ اِنَّ اَنۡكَرَ الۡاَصۡوَاتِ لَصَوۡتُ الۡحَمِيۡرِ‏ ١٩

اپنی رفتار میں میانہ روی اختیار کر، اور اپنی آواز پست کر یقیناً آوازوں میں سب سے بدتر آواز گدھوں کی آواز ہے

[Al-Quran 31:19, Translation: Maulana Muhammad Junagarhi]

In Surah Luqman, the famous physician of antiquity, is advising his son. Among the advices is the lowering of voice. He compares loud voices to the sound that donkeys make. Both human screams and donkey brays are in the range of 80 decibels or more. 

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مَثَلُ الَّذِيۡنَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوۡرٰٮةَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَحۡمِلُوۡهَا كَمَثَلِ الۡحِمَارِ يَحۡمِلُ اَسۡفَارًا​ ؕ بِئۡسَ مَثَلُ الۡقَوۡمِ الَّذِيۡنَ كَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰيٰتِ اللّٰهِ ​ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يَهۡدِى الۡقَوۡمَ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ‏ ٥

جن لوگوں کو توراة کا حامل بنایا گیا تھا مگر انہوں نے اس کا بار نہ اُٹھایا، اُن کی مثال اُس گدھے کی سی ہے جس پر کتابیں لدی ہوئی ہوں۔ اِس سے بھی زیادہ بُری مثال ہےاُن لوگوں کی جنہوں نے اللہ کی آیات کو جُھٹلا دیا ہے۔ ایسے ظالموں کو اللہ ہدایت نہیں دیا کرتا

[Al-Quran 62:5, Translation: Tafheem e Qur'an - Syed Abu Ali Maududi]

The Bani Israel are under a ratified a covenant with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to observe its commandments, to live by it, and to make it known to all people and nations. Those who fail to carry the load of The Torah are being compared to donkeys who carry loads of books, but do not know or understand what is in it.  

Even worse is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى . 

Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى does not guide such who are prone to darkness (الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ).  

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كَاَنَّهُمۡ حُمُرٌ مُّسۡتَنۡفِرَةٌ ۙ‏ ٥٠

گویا وہ بدکے ہوئے جنگلی گدھے ہیں۔

[Al-Quran 74:50, Translation: (بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)]

Surah alMudaaththir compares people who turn away from their reminder (The Scriptures) to frightened donkeys. It is typical of scared donkeys to move away a short distance before turning back to face it. We have a limited lifespan to harken to the Reminder before the certainty of death overtakes us, and we can no longer benefit from it.  

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اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ اَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً ​ۚ فَاَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهٖ ثَمَرٰتٍ مُّخۡتَلِفًا اَلۡوَانُهَاؕ وَمِنَ الۡجِبَالِ جُدَدٌۢ بِيۡضٌ وَّحُمۡرٌ مُّخۡتَلِفٌ اَلۡوَانُهَا وَغَرَابِيۡبُ سُوۡدٌ‏ ٢٧

Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky with which We bring forth fruits of different colours? And in the mountains are streaks of varying shades of white, red, and raven black;

[Al-Quran 35:27, Translation: Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran]

In all instances of the triliteral root ḥā mīm rā (ح م ر), we find the word translated as donkey, except in Surah Fatir, where it is translated as the colour 'red'. Yes, the arabic word for the colour 'red' is 'أحمر' , which shares the same root. Considering that:

1. this ayah occurs in Surah Fatir, which literally means 'Separator' 
2. the first ayah mentions Allah as the Fatir (separator) of Skies and Earth
3. ayah 27 mentions the sending of water from the sky to the earth to bring forth fruits of different colours
4. then ayah 27 mentions mountains 
5. then white, then حُمۡرٌ of varying colours, and then black 
6. the next ayah draws attentions to the varying colours of humans, moving creatures, and cattle  

The donkey is an ideal animal for use in rugged terrains. They can carry loads, their legs are well-suited to rocky terrains, they need less food than horses, and so on. They are low-maintenance creatures. They also seem to have intelligence about danger, which makes them more suited for difficult terrains. Donkeys come in all shades. 

Is The Quran informing us of the origin of donkeys: that they have been created from mountains (وَمِنَ الۡجِبَالِ)?