Introduction
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Chapter thirty-two is named The
Prostration. The title comes from verse fifteen, in which the true believers
bow down in worship. This verse is one of fifteen places in the Quran where
the worshippers should bow down, or prostrate during recitation. The beginning
of the chapter emphasizes the truth of the Quran and by the end Prophet Muhammad,
may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, is told to pay no attention to
those who cannot see the significance of God’s signs. It is a Meccan chapter
whose main theme is the Oneness of God.
Verse 1 -3 Without doubt
This chapter begins with the Arabic letters, alif, lam,
meem. It is one of six chapters that begin with this particular combination of
letters and one of twenty-nine chapters that begin with various combinations of
letters. God did not reveal any specific meaning regarding them. There is no
doubt that this Book, the Quran, is from God, the Lord of all the worlds. People
try to say that Muhammad has made it up, or forged it but that is not true. It
is a Book of truth from God to Prophet Muhammad in order that he may warn his
people. No warner has come to them before and from this Book they will receive
guidance.
Verses 4 – 11 The creation of Adam and humankind
It was God who created the heavens and the earth and
everything between them in six days (periods of time), He then set Himself
above the throne. (Mentioning the throne establishes the fact that God not
only created the worlds but rules over them in a very real way.) There is no
protection or intercession except what comes from God Himself, so why will you
not listen and take heed. God arranges every matter in the heavens and on
earth and then they will ascend to Him in one day, but in the reckoning of the
human being this is a period of one thousand years. (This could be understood
to mean that events in a thousand years of our history are accomplished by God
in one day.)
God knows everything that is hidden and everything that
is openly revealed. He is Almighty and He is Merciful, the One who perfected
everything. He created the beginning of humankind with the creation of Adam
from clay. He then made his descendants from an extract of fluid (semen). He
then fashioned him in perfect proportions and breathed life into him, giving
him hearing, and sight, and a mind. Even so humankind is seldom grateful. And
they say, when we are dead and buried will we really be recreated? They
disbelieve in the meeting with their Lord. Say, the angel of death, who has
been assigned to you will carry you back to your Lord.
Verses 12 – 22 On the Day of Judgment
If only you could see how the criminals hang their heads
in shame asking their Lord to return them to the world. We are now convinced
and will try to do better, they say. If it had been God’s will He could have
given guidance to every soul. But God’s word will be fulfilled and Hell will
be filled with jinn and humankind. You ignored the meeting planned for
Judgment Day and now you will be ignored by God. You will taste the punishment
for all of eternity.
The people who believe in God’s revelations prostrate
themselves whenever they are reminded of them. They bow down in worship and
praise God. They are not arrogant, and they forsake their beds in order to
pray to their Lord with fear and hope. They are charitable with what God has given
them. Nobody knows what joy they will receive as a reward for what they have
done. Is a believer like a transgressor? Of course not! Those who believe and
do good deeds will be rewarded with gardens of Paradise. However, those who
defy God will have their eternal home in the Fire. Every time they try to
leave they will be returned and told to taste the punishment. They will surely
taste the calamities and disasters of this world in the hope that they will
return to the Right Path. The one who rejects the messages from God recited to
him will surely face retribution.
Verses 23 – 30 Similarities between Revelations
(Prophet Muhammad) Do not have any doubt in the Book you
are receiving (Quran). It meets the same criteria as the Book we gave to
Prophet Moses as a guide for the Children of Israel. When they were patient
and believed in Our signs We raised leaders from among them who guided
according to their Book. And on the Day of Judgment God will decide the matters
over which they differed.
They do not understand how many previous generations
were destroyed by God. They walk and dwell in the same places but still do not
see the signs, nor do they hear. They do not think about how God sends down rain
onto the barren land. Without it they would have no crops or vegetation, for
their livestock or for themselves. They do not listen and they do not see. They
ask when the Day of Judgment will take place. Tell them that on that Day
believing will be of no benefit to the disbelievers. It will be too late and
they will not be granted reprieve. Do not pay any attention to them, turn away
and wait. They are also waiting.