Tafseer of Sheba · Saba · 34:9
Then, do they not look at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and earth? If We should will, We could cause the earth to swallow them or [could] let fall upon them fragments from the sky. Indeed in that is a sign for every servant turning back [to Allah].
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
The statement concerning the interpretation of His saying, the Exalted: Hebben zij dan niet gekeken naar wat vóór hen en wat achter hen is van de hemel en de aarde? Als Wij wilden, zouden Wij hen door de aarde laten verzwelgen of stukken van de hemel op hen laten neervallen. Voorwaar, daarin is een teken voor elke berouwvol terugkerende dienaar (34:9).
The Exalted, whose mention is lofty, says: Have these — who deny the resurrection, who reject the rising again after death, who say to Our Messenger Muḥammad, Allah's blessing and peace be upon him: Heeft hij over Allah een leugen verzonnen, of is er in hem een waanzin? — then not looked at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and the earth, so that they might know that wherever they may find themselves, My earth and My heaven surround them from before them, from behind them, from their right side, and from their left side; so that they might desist from their ignorance and restrain themselves from their denial of Our signs, out of fear that We might command the earth to swallow them up, or command the heaven to fall down upon them in pieces — for if We willed to do that with them, We would do it.
And in accordance with what we have said concerning this, the people of interpretation (ahl al-taʾwīl) have spoken.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, saying: Yazīd related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda, concerning His saying Hebben zij dan niet gekeken naar wat vóór hen en wat achter hen is. He said: they look at their right side and at their left side, how the heaven has surrounded them. Als Wij wilden, zouden Wij hen door de aarde laten verzwelgen just as We caused those who were before them to be swallowed up. Of stukken van de hemel op hen laten neervallen, that is to say: fragments of the heaven.
And His saying Voorwaar, daarin is een teken voor elke berouwvol terugkerende dienaar. The Exalted, whose mention is lofty, says: indeed, in the surrounding of the heaven and the earth around the servants of Allah there is a sign — He says: an indication for every penitent, returning servant — He says: for every servant who has returned to his Lord through repentance, and has returned to the knowledge of His oneness (tawḥīd), the acknowledgement of His sovereignty, the affirmation of His uniqueness, and submission to His obedience, that the One who does this is prevented by nothing from doing what He wishes to do, and that it is not impossible for Him to do anything that He wills.
And in accordance with what we have said concerning this, the people of interpretation have spoken.
* Mention of who said that:
Bishr related to us, saying: Saʿīd related to us, on the authority of Qatāda Voorwaar, daarin is een teken voor elke berouwvol terugkerende dienaar: and al-munīb is the one who turns [to Allah] and repents.
