Kashf al-Ma'aanee of Ibn Jama'aah - Juzz 20

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Surah al-Qasas

وَمَا أُوتِيتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتُهَا ۚ وَمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

“And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the life of (this) world and its adornment, and that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever. Have you then no sense?” [28:60]

The pleasures of the Dunyaa are an example for the Kuffaar to ponder upon, because they have been deceived by it and its enjoyment, thus the Aayah ends with, “Have you then no sense”, i.e. to the reality of the enjoyment you think you are having?

As for the believers, then their attitude to the Dunyaa is different:

فَمَا أُوتِيتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

“So whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah (Paradise) is better and more lasting for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and put their trust in their Lord (concerning all of their affairs).” [42:36]

Thus when addressing the believers, Allaah, the Most High, Commands the believers to put their Tawakkul upon Him – as the believers are not deceived by the pomp of the Dunyaa and they rely on Him totally for their place in the Aakhirah.

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ اللَّيْلَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِضِيَاءٍ ۖ أَفَلَا تَسْمَعُونَ {71}

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ إِلَٰهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ يَأْتِيكُمْ بِلَيْلٍ تَسْكُنُونَ فِيهِ ۖ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ 

“Say (O Muhammad): "Tell me! If Allah made night continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an ilah (a god) besides Allah who could bring you light? Will you not then hear?" Say (O Muhammad): "Tell me! If Allah made day continuous for you till the Day of Resurrection, who is an ilah (a god) besides Allah who could bring you night wherein you rest? Will you not then see?"” [28:71-72]

Nightfall comes before daytime because that’s the origin of creation; the sun and its rays were created after the darkness of the night. 

In contrast, the benefit that the creation get from daylight and the opportunity they have within it to gain their provision is incomparable to that of the night. 


The wording in these Aayaat indicate to this also. “Will you not then hear” comes before “Will you not then see”. Hearing is connected to nighttime and seeing is connected to day, and the alternation of day and night is brought only by Allaah so that we can benefit by His Leave.