56:14 Al-Waaqia (The Inevitable)

وهذا يدل على فضل صدر هذه الأمة في الجملة على متأخريها، لكون المقربين من الأولين أكثر من المتأخرين.والمقربون هم خواص الخلق،

يقول تعالى مخبرا عن هؤلاء السابقين أنهم ثلة أي جماعة من الأولين وقليل من الآخرين وقد اختلفوا في المراد بقوله الأولين والآخرين فقيل المراد بالأولين الأمم الماضية وبالآخرين هذه الأمة وهذا رواية عن مجاهد والحسن البصري رواها عنهما ابن أبي حاتم وهو اختيار ابن جرير واستأنس بقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم "نحن الآخرون السابقون يوم القيامة" ولم يحك غيره ولا عزاه إلى أحد ومما يستأنس به لهذا القول ما رواه الإمام أبو محمد ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أبي حدثنا محمد بن عيسى بن الطباع حدثنا شريك عن محمد بن عبدالرحمن عن أبيه عن أبي هريرة قال: لما نزلت "ثلة من الأولين وقليل من الآخرين" شق ذلك على أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فنزلت "ثلة من الأولين وثلة من الآخرين" فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إني لأرجو أن تكونوا ربع أهل الجنة ثلث أهل الجنة بل أنتم نصف أهل الجنة أو شطر أهل الجنة وتقاسمونهم النصف الثاني ورواه الإمام أحمد عن أسود بن عامر عن شريك عن محمد بياع الملاء عن أبيه عن أبي هريرة فذكره وقد روى من حديث جابر نحو هذا ورواه الحافظ ابن عساكر من طريق هشام بن عمارة حدثنا عبدربه بن صالح عن عروة بن رويم عن جابر بن عبدالله عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لما نزلت "إذا وقعت الواقعة" ذكر فيها "ثلثة الأولين وقليل من الآخرين" قال عمر يا رسول الله ثلة من الأولين وقليل منا؟ قال فأمسك آخر السورة سنة ثم نزل "ثلة من الأولين وثلة من الآخرين" فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يا عمر تعال فاسمع ما قد أنزل الله "ثلة من الأولين وثلة من الآخرين" ألا وإن من آدم إلي ثلة وأمتي ثلة ولن نستكمل ثلتنا حتى نستعين بالسودان من رعاة الإبل ممن شهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له هكذا أورده في ترجمة عروة بن رويم إسنادا ومتنا ولكن في إسناده نظر وقد وردت طرق كثيرة متعددة بقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم إني لأرجو أن تكونوا ربع أهل الجنة" الحديث بتمامه وهو مفرد في صفة الجنة ولله الحمد والمنة وهذا الذي اختاره ابن جرير ههنا فيه نظر بل هو قول ضعيف لأن هذه الأمة هي خير الأمم بنص القرآن فيبعد أن يكون المقربون في غيرها أكثر منها اللهم إلا أن يقابل مجموع الأمم بهذه الأمة والظاهر أن المقربين من هؤلاء أكثر من سائر الأمم والله أعلم فالقول الثاني في هذا المقام هو الراجح وهو أن يكون المراد بقوله تعالى "ثلة من الأولين" أي من صدر هذه الأمة "وقليل من الآخرين" أي من هذه الأمة وقال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا الحسن بن محمد بن الصباح حدثنا عفان حدثنا عبدالله بن أبي بكر المزني سمعت الحسن أتى على هذه الآية "والسابقون السابقون أولئك المقربون" فقال أما السابقون فقد مضوا ولكن اللهم اجعلنا من أصحاب اليمين. ثم قال حدثنا أبي حدثنا أبو الوليد حدثنا السري بن يحيى قال قرأ الحسن "والسابقون السابقون أولئك المقربون في جنات النعيم ثلة من الأولين" قال ثلة ممن مضى من هذه الأمة وحدثنا أبي حدثنا عبدالعزيز بن المغيرة المنقري حدثنا أبو هلال عن محمد بن سيرين أنه قال في هذه الآية "ثلة من الأولين وقليل من الآخرين" قال كانوا يقولون أو يرجون أن يكونوا كلهم من هذه الأمة فهذا قول الحسن وابن سيرين أن الجميع من هذه الأمة ولا شك أن أول كل أما خير من آخرها فيحتمل أن تعم الآية جميع الأمم كل أمة بحسبها ولهذا ثبت في الصحاح وغيرها من غير وجه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال "خير القرون قرني ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم" الحديث بتمامه. فأما الحديث الذي رواه الإمام أحمد حدثنا عبدالرحمن حدثنا زياد أبو عمر عن الحسن عن عمار بن ياسر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم"مثل أمتي مثل المطر لا يدرى أوله خير أم آخره" فهذا الحديث بعد الحكم بصحة إسناده محمول على أن الدين كما هو محتاج إلى أول الأمة في إبلاغه إلى من بعدهم كذلك هو محتاج إلى القائمين به في أواخرها وتثبيت الناس على السنة وروايتها وإظهارها والفضل للمتقدم وكذلك الزرع هو محتاج إلى المطر الأول وإلى المطر الثاني ولكن العمدة الكبرى على الأول واحتياج الزرع إليه آكد فإنه لولاه ما نبت في الأرض ولا تعلق أساسه فيها ولهذا قال عليه السلام "لا تزال طائفة من أمتي ظاهرين على الحق لا يضرهم من خذلهم ولا من خالفهم إلى قيام الساعة" وفي لفظ "حتى يأتي أمر الله تعالى وهم كذلك" والغرض أن هذه الأمة أشرف من سائر الأمم والمقربون فيها أكثر من غيرها وأعلى منزلة لشرف دينها وعظم نبيها ولهذا ثبت بالتواتر عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه أخبر أن في هذه الأمة سبعين ألفا يدخلون الجنة بغير حساب وفي لفظ "مع كل ألف سبعون ألفا - وفي آخر- مع كل واحد سبعون ألفا" وقد قال الحافظ أبو القاسم الطبراني حدثنا هشام بن يزيد الطبراني حدثنا محمد هو ابن اسماعيل بن عياش حدثني أبي حدثني ضمضم يعني ابن زرعة عن شريح هو ابن عبيد عن أبي مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "أما والذي نفسي بيده ليبعثن منكم يوم القيامة مثل الليل الأسود زمرة جميعها يحيطون الأرض تقول الملائكة لما جاء مع محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم أكثر مما جاء مع الأنبياء عليهم السلام" وحسن أن يذكر ههنا عند قوله تعالى "ثلة من الأولين وقليل من الآخرين"الحديث الذي رواه الحافظ أبو بكر البيهقي في دلائل النبوة حيث قال أخبرنا أبو نصر بن قتادة أخبرنا أبو عمرو بن مطر أخبرنا جعفر بن محمد بن المستفاض الفريابي حدثني أبو وهب الوليد بن عبدالملك بن عبدالله بن مسرح الحراني حدثنا سليمان بن عطاء القرشي الحراني عن مسلم بن عبدالله الجني عن عمه أبي مشجعة بن ربعي عن أبي زمل الجهني رضي الله عنه قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا صلى الصبح يقول وهو ثان رجليه "سبحان الله وبحمده أستغفر الله إن الله كان توابا" سبعين مرة ثم يقول "سبعين بسبعمائة لا خير لمن كانت ذنوبه في يوم واحد أكثر من سبعمائة" ثم يقول ذلك مرتين ثم يستقبل الناس بوجهه وكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم تعجيه الرؤيا ثم يقول "هل رأى أحد منكم شيئا؟" قال أبو زمل فقلت أنا يا رسول الله فقال "خير تلقاه وشر توقاه وخير لنا وشر على أعدائنا والحمد لله رب العالمين اقصص رؤياك" فقلت رأيت جميع الناس على طريق رحب سهل لاحب والناس على الجادة منطلقين فبينما هم كذلك إذا أشفى ذلك الطريق على مرج لم تر عيني مثله يرف رفيفا يقطر ماؤه فيه من أنواع الكلأ قال وكانوا بالرعلة الأولى حين أشفوا على المرج كبروا ثم أكبوا رواحلهم في الطريق فلم يظلموه يمينا ولا شمالا قال فكأني أنظر إليهم منطلقين ثم جاءت الرعلة الثانية وهم أكثر منهم أضعافا فلما أشفوا على المرج كبروا ثم أكبوا رواحلهم في الطريق فمنهم المرتع ومنهم الآخذ الضغث ومضوا على ذلك قال ثم قدم عظم الناس فلما أشفوا على المرج كبروا وقالوا هذا خير المنزل كأني أنظر إليهم يميلون يمينا وشمالا فلما رأيت ذلك لزمت الطريق حتى آتي أقصى المرج فإذا أنا بك يا رسول الله على منبر فيه سبع درجات وأنت في أعلاها درجة وإذا عن يمينك رجل آدم شثل أفنى إذا هو تكلم يسمو فيقرع الرجال طولا وإذا عن يسارك رجل ربعة باز كثير خيلان الوجه كأنما حمم شعره بالماء إذا هو تكلم أصغيتم إكراما له وإذا أمام ذلك رجل شيخ أشبه الناس بك خلقا ووجها كلكم تأمونه تريدونه وإذا أمام ذلك ناقة عجفاء شارف وإذا أنت يا رسول الله كأنك تبعثها قال فامتقع لون رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ساعة ثم سري عنه وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "أما ما رأيت من الطريق السهل الرحب اللاحب فذاك ما حملتكم عليه من الهدى وأنتم عليه وأما المرج الذي رأيت فالدنيا وغدارة عيشها مضيت وأنا وأصحابي لم تتعلق منها بشيء ولم تتعلق منا ولم نردها ولم تردنا ثم جاءت الرعلة الثانية من بعدنا وهم أكثر منا أضعافا فمنهم المرتع ومنهم الآخذ الضغث ونجوا على ذلك ثم جاء عظم الناس فمالوا في المرج يمينا وشمالا فإنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون وأما أنت فمضيت على طريقة صالحة فلن تزال عليها حتى تلقاني وأما المنبر الذي رأيت فيه سبع درجات وأنا في أعلاها درجة فالدنيا سبعة آلاف سنة أنا في آخرها ألفا وأما الرجل الذي رأيت على يميني الآدم الشثل فذلك موسى عليه السلام إذا تكلم يعلو الرجال بفضل كلام الله إياه والذي رأيت عن يساري الباز الربعة الكثير خيلان الوجه كأنما حمم شعره بالماء فذلك عيسى ابن مريم نكرمه لإكرام الله إياه وأما الشيخ الذي رأيت أشبه الناس بي خلقا ووجها فذاك أبونا إبراهيم كلنا نؤمه ونقتدي به وأما الناقة التي رأيت ورأيتني أبعثها فهي الساعة علينا تقوم لا نبي بعدي ولا أمة بعد أمتي" قال فما سأل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن رؤيا بعد هذا إلا أن يجييء الرجل فيحدثه بها متبرعا.

The Reward of the Foremost in Faith

Allah states that the foremost of the close believers are a multitude, a crowd among the earlier generations and a few from the latter generations. There is a difference over the meaning of the first generations and the later generations. Some said that the former means earlier (believing) nations, while the later refers to this Ummah. This was reported from Mujahid and Al-Hasan Al-Basri, in the collection of Ibn Abi Hatim, and this is the preference of Ibn Jarir. He considered it supported by the saying of Allah's Messenger ﷺ:

«نَحْنُ الْاخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة»

(We are the later nation, but the foremost on the Day of Resurrection.) Ibn Jarir did not mention any other interpretation nor did he attribute this view to anyone else. There is another Hadith that could support this meaning. Imam Abu Muhammad bin Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that when these Ayat were revealed,

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّوَّلِينَ - وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الاٌّخِرِينَ

(A multitude of those (foremost) will be from the first ones. And a few of those will be from the later ones.), this news became hard for the Companions of the Prophet . These this Ayat,

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّوَّلِينَ وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّخِرِينَ

(A multitude of those will be from the first ones. And a multitude of those will be from the later ones.), were revealed. The Prophet then said,

«إِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونُوا رُبُعَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ، ثُلُثَ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ، بَلْ أَنْتُمْ نِصْفُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ أَوْ: شَطْرُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَتُقَاسِمُونَهُمُ النِّصْفَ الثَّانِي»

(I hope that you will comprise a quarter of the residents of Paradise, a third of the residents of Paradise. Rather, you are a half of the residents of Paradise, and will have a share in the other half.) Imam Ahmad also recorded this. However, this opinion that Ibn Jarir chose is questionable, rather it is a deficient interpretation. This is because this Ummah is the best of all nations, according to the text of the Qur'an. Therefore, it is not possible that the foremost believers from earlier nations are more numerous than those of in this Ummah; the opposite is true. The latter opinion is the correct one, that,

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّوَّلِينَ

(A multitude of those will be from the first ones), refers to the earlier generations of this Ummah, while,

وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الاٌّخِرِينَ

(And a few of those will be from the later ones.), refers to the latter people of this Ummah. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that As-Sari bin Yahya said that Al-Hasan recited this Ayah,

وَالسَّـبِقُونَ السَّـبِقُونَ - أُوْلَـئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ فِى جَنَّـتِ النَّعِيمِ ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّوَّلِينَ

(And those foremost will be foremost. These will be the nearest (to Allah). In the Gardens of Delight. A multitude of those will be from the first ones.), Then he commented, "A multitude from the earlier generation of this Ummah." Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded that Muhammad bin Sirin commented:

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الاٌّوَّلِينَ - وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الاٌّخِرِينَ

(A multitude of those will be from the first ones. And a few of those will be from the later ones.), "They stated, or hoped that they will all be from this Ummah." Therefore, these are the statements of Al-Hasan and Ibn Sirin that those foremost in faith are all from this Ummah. There is no doubt that the earlier generations of each nation were better than the latter generations. In this pretext, this Ayah might include all previous believing nations. In this regard, it is confirmed in the authentic Hadith compilations, from more than one route, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said;

«خَيْرُ الْقُرُونِ قَرْنِي، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ، ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُم»

(The best people are my generation, then the next generation, then the next generation....) He also said:

«لَا تَزَالُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي ظَاهِرِينَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ، لَا يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَذَلَهُمْ وَلَا مَنْ خَالَفَهُمْ، إِلَى قِيَامِ السَّاعَة»

(A group of my Ummah will always remain on the truth and dominant, unharmed by those who fail to support them and those who defy them, until the Last Hour begins.) In another narration:

«حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللهِ تَعَالَى وَهُمْ كَذلِك»

(..until Allah's command comes while they are like this.) This Ummah is more honored than any other Ummah. The foremost believers of this Ummah are more numerous and hold a higher rank than those of other nations, due to the status of their religion and Prophet. In a Mutawatir Hadith, the Prophet mentioned that seventy thousand of this Ummah will enter Paradise without reckoning. In another narration of this Hadith, the Prophet added,

«مَعَ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا»

(With each thousand, another seventy thousand.) In yet another narration, he said,

«مَعَ كُلِّ وَاحِدٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا»

(With every one of them is another seventy thousand.) Allah's statement,

عَلَى سُرُرٍ مَّوْضُونَةٍ

(on Thrones, Mawdunah.) Ibn `Abbas said, "Woven with gold." Similar was reported from Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Zayd bin Aslam, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others. Allah said,

مُّتَّكِئِينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَـبِلِينَ

(Reclining thereon, face to face.) indicating that they will face each other, and none of them will be in the back lines,

يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَنٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ

(Immortal boys will go around them), who will never grow up, get old or change in shape,

بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ

(With cups, and jugs, and a glass of flowing wine) these cups do not have handles or spouts, while the jugs sometimes do and sometimes do not. All of them, including the glasses, will contain wine drawn from a flowing spring, not from containers that might get empty. Rather, this spring of wine flows freely,

لاَّ يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلاَ يُنزِفُونَ

(Wherefrom neither Yusadda`un nor Yunzifun.) meaning, they will never get headaches from this wine nor intoxicated. Rather, this wine does not affect their minds, even though it has a strong and tremendously delightful taste. Ad-Dahhak reported from Ibn `Abbas: "The wine (of this life) has four side-effects, it intoxicates, gives headaches, induces vomiting and causes excessive urine. So Allah mentioned the wine of Paradise free of these characteristics." Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, Qatadah and As-Suddi said that Allah's statement,

لاَّ يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا

(Wherefrom neither Yusadda`un) means, "It does not give them a headache." While they said that

وَلاَ يُنزِفُونَ

(nor will they Yunzifun. ) means that "It does not change their sense of reasoning." Allah's statement,

وَفَـكِهَةٍ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ - وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

(And with fruit that they may choose. And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.) meaning, whatever fruits they wish for will be distributed among them. This Ayah is a proof that we are allowed to choose the fruits that we prefer and wish to eat. Imam Ahmad recorded that Thabit said that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ liked dreams. A man might have a dream, so he would ask about him if he did not know him, and would like to hear the dream if that man was praised for his good qualities. Once a woman came to him and said, "O Allah's Messenger! I had a dream that I was taken out of Al-Madinah and entered Paradise. I heard noise because of which Paradise wept. I looked and found so-and-so, so-and-so,' and she mentioned the names of twelve men whom the Prophet had sent with a military expedition. They were later brought on (in Paradise, in the dream) with their wounds still bleeding. It was said, `Take them to the river Baydakh or -- Baydhakh.' They were taken to that river and submerged in it and their faces turned as radiant as the full moon. They were brought a plate made of gold containing green dates. They ate as much of the green dates they wanted to and whenever they turned that plate around, they would eat from the fruit it contained, as much as they wanted, and I (the woman said) ate with them." Later on, that army sent an emissary to convey the news (of the battle) and he said that so-and-so and so-and-so died, mentioning the names of the twelve men who were mentioned in the dream. So, Allah's Messenger ﷺ called the woman and again asked her to mention her story, and she did. This is the narration that Abu Ya`la collected, and Al-Hafiz Ad-Diya' said, "This Hadith meets the criteria of Muslim." Allah said,

وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

(And with the flesh of fowls that they desire.) Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

«إِنَّ طَيْرَ الْجَنَّةِ كَأَمْثَالِ الْبُخْتِ، يَرْعَى فِي شَجَرِ الْجَنَّة»

(Birds of Paradise are like Bukht camels that graze in the trees of Paradise.) Abu Bakr commented, "O Allah's Messenger! Surely, these birds must be wonderful." The Messenger ﷺ said,

«آكِلُهَا أَنْعَمُ مِنْهَا»

(Those who eat them are more wonderful.) and repeated this statement thrice. The Prophet went on,

«وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا»

(And I hope that you will be among those who eat from them.) Only Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith using this chain of narration. Allah said;

كَأَمْثَـلِ اللُّؤْلُؤِ الْمَكْنُونِ

(Like unto preserved pearls.), indicating that they are just as white and pure fresh pearls. We mentioned Allah's statement,

كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيْضٌ مَّكْنُونٌ

(As if they were eggs preserved.)(37:49), in Surat As-Saffat (chapter 37), and also their description in Surat Ar-Rahman (chapter 55). This is why Allah said afterwards,

جَزَآءً بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ

(A reward for what they used to do.) meaning, `these delights that We granted them are rewards for the good deeds that they performed (in this life).' Allah the Exalted said,

لاَ يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْواً وَلاَ تَأْثِيماً - إِلاَّ قِيلاً سَلَـماً سَلَـماً

(No Laghw (evil vain talk) will they hear therein, nor any sinful speech. But only the saying of: "Salaman (peace,)! Salaman (peace.)!") meaning they will not hear foul or unnecessary speech in Paradise.

لاَّ تَسْمَعُ فِيهَا لَـغِيَةً

(Where they shall neither hear harmful speech nor falsehood.) (88:11), meaning, no foul words are uttered therein. Allah said,

وَلاَ تَأْثِيماً

(nor any sinful speech.) meaning, nor speech that contains foul words,

إِلاَّ قِيلاً سَلَـماً سَلَـماً

(But only the saying of: "Salaman (peace!), Salaman (peace!)."), they will greet each other with Salam, just as Allah said in another Ayah,

تَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَـمٌ

(Their greeting therin will be: "Salaman (peace!).") (14:23) And, as we mentioned, their words will be free from impure and needless speech.

and a few from the later ones from among the community of Muhammad (s) being the foremost from among the communities of old and this community the predicate is the following ‘alā sururin mawdūnatin

ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ (...many from the earlier generations, and of a small number from the later ones....56:13-14) The word ثُلَّةٌ thullatun, means 'a party, group, company'. Zamakhshari says that thullatun refers to 'a throng or a large number of people '.

Who are الْأَوَّلِينَ Awwalin (earlier generations) and الْآخِرِ‌ينَ 'Akhirin (later ones)?

The words 'awwalin' (earlier generations) and ` akhirin' (later ones) are used twice: First, in connection with As-sabiqun (the Foremost) who are favoured with special Divine nearness; and secondly, in connection with Ashab-ul-yamin [ the People of the Right, or the general body of believers ]. In the case of the 'Foremost' it is mentioned that there will be 'many' from amongst the 'awwalin' (earlier generations) who will be categorized as 'the Foremost', but from amongst the later generations, the number of the 'Foremost' will be smaller. As opposed to this, in the description of the People of the Right, the word 'thullah' (many) is applied to both 'earlier' and 'later' generations in the following words: ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ ( many from the first generations, and many from the later ones...56:39-40)

The question now is: Who are 'earlier generations' and 'later generations'? In this connection, two views of the commentators have been recorded: The first view is that 'earlier generations' include all the creation of Allah from the time of 'Adam to the time just prior to the advent of the 'Holy Prophet ﷺ . And 'later generations' include all the creation of Allah from the time of the advent of the Holy Prophet ﷺ to the Doomsday. This interpretation is recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim (رح) [ with a chain of transmitters ] from Mujahid and Hasan Basri رحمۃ اللہ علیہما . Ibn Jarir ؓ has preferred this interpretation. This interpretation has also been adopted in the Bayan-ul-Qur'an. This is supported by the Prophetic Tradition transmitted on the authority of Sayyidna Jabir Ibn ` Asakir reports the Tradition [ with his chain of transmitters ] thus: "When the first pair of verses regarding 'the Foremost' was revealed stating that they will comprise 'many from the first generations, and of a small number from the later ones, ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ [ 56:13-14], Sayyidna ` Umar Ibn Khattab ؓ enquired: '0 Messenger of Allah, will there be a larger number of 'the Foremost' from among the earlier generations and a small number from amongst us?' For about a year, no revelation in this connection came down. A year later, verses [ 39] and [ 40] ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْآخِرِ‌ينَ "many from the first generations, and many from the later ones." were revealed. The Messenger ﷺ of Allah called Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ and said to him:

اِسمَع یَا عُمَرُ مَا قَد اَنزَلَ اللہُ ثُلَّۃُ مَّنَ الاَوَّلِین وَ ثُلَّۃُ مَّنَ الاٰخِرِینَ اَلاَوَاِنَّ مِن اٰدَمَ اَلَیَّ ثُلَّۃُ وَّاُمَّتِی ثُلَّۃُ ۔ (الحدیث) – ابن کثیر۔

"0 ` Umar, listen to what Allah has revealed many from the first generations, and many from the later ones). Behold! From 'Adam to me is one thullah (throng) and my Ummah is another thullah' (throng)."

The theme of this Tradition is supported by the Tradition recorded by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Abi Hatim رحمۃ اللہ علیہما on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Hurairah ؓ that when verses [ 13] and [ 14] were revealed, the Companions ؓ found this painful, because they understood them to mean that the foremost believers from earlier nations are more numerous than those of this Ummah. As a result, verses [ 39] and [ 40] were revealed and the Messenger ﷺ of Allah stated 'I hope that you will comprise a quarter of the inmates of Paradise, a third of the inmates of Paradise. Rather, you are a half of the inmates of Paradise, and will have a share in the other half.' (Ibn Kathir) Thus, collectively, majority of the inmates of Paradise will be the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . However, a question arises about both these Traditions. The question is that verse 40 relates to the People of the Right, while verse 13 was about the Foremost. Then, how can verse 40 remove the concern of the Companions ؓ about verse 13?

Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani resolves the problem thus: The noble Companions ؓ ، in general, and Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ in particular, were saddened by the verse 13 presumably because they thought that the proportion of the later generations in the 'People of the Right' will be the same as it is in the Foremost, and thus the later generations will be small in number even among the 'People of the Right'. From this point of view, they thought their number in relation to all the inmates of Paradise, put together, will be very small. But when verses [ 39] and [ 40] were revealed, the point was clarified that collectively the majority of the inmates of Paradise will be the followers of the Holy Prophet ﷺ even though the collective number of later generations in the category of the Foremost' may be smaller as compared to the previous nations, especially since a large number of the previous nations will comprise the Prophets. In relation to them, it does not matter if the followers of the Holy Prophet ﷺ are fewer.

However, Ibn Kathir, Abu Hayyan, Qurtubi, Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani, Mazhari and others prefer another interpretation: 'the earlier generations' and 'the later generations imply, according to them, the earlier and the latter followers of the Holy Prophet's ﷺ own Ummah. 'Earlier generations', in their view, are the Companions ؓ of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and their pupils, who are termed in a Hadith as 'khair-ul-qurun' (the best generation), and 'later generations' include all those who came after them.

As for the Hadith narrated by Jabir quoted above from Ibn Kathir, in support of the first interpretation, Ibn Kathir himself has expressed his reservation about its chain of transmitters. He writes وَ لٰکِن فِی اِسنَادہٖ نَظَرُ "In its chain of transmission, there is some defect." In support of his own interpretation, he quotes verses relating to Ummah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ being the best of nations, as for instance كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ You are the best of nations...". (3:110) Therefore, it is not possible that the foremost believers from earlier nations are more numerous than those of this Ummah. Thus ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ الْأَوَّلِينَ 'many from the earlier generations' refers to the earlier generation of this Ummah and قَلِیلُ مِنَ الآخِرِین 'of a small number from the later generations' refers to the later generation of this Ummah from whom a small number will be included in the category of the 'Foremost'.

In support of this view, Ibn Kathir has cited the statement of Sayyidna Hasan Basri (رح) ، as recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim (رح) ، to the effect that he recited the Verse 10 about 'the Foremost' and said, 'They have predeceased, but 0 Allah! make us from amongst the People of the Right hand'. In another statement, Sayyidna Hasan Basri (رح) is reported to have said in explanation of Verse 13: ثُلَّثۃُ مِّمَّن مَّضیٰ مِن ھٰذِہِ الاُمَّۃِ ' 'Those foremost Faith are all from this Ummah'. Likewise, Muhammad Ibn Sirin said in connection with Verse 13 and 14: 'The scholars stated and hoped that they (the Foremost of earlier and later generations) will all be from amongst this Ummah.'

Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani puts forward the following Prophetic Hadith with a good chain of transmitters in support of the second interpretation:

اخرَجَ مُسَدَّدُ فِی مُسنَدِہ وَ ابن المنذِرِ وَ الطّبرَانِی وَابن مردویہ بِسنَدِ حَسَنِ عَن اَبِی بَکرَۃَ عَنِ النَّبِیِّ ؓ فِی قَولِہٖ سُبحَانَہ ثُلَّۃُ مَّنَ الاَوَّلِین وَ ثُلَّۃُ مِّنَ الاٰخرِینَ قالَ ھُمَا جَمِیعاً مِّن ھٰذِہِ الاُمَّۃِ ۔

"Musaddad in his Musnad, Ibn-ul-Mundhir, Tabarani and Ibn Marduyah report with a good chain on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Bakrah ؓ that, while interpreting verses [ 39] and [ 40] (Many from the earlier generations and of a small number from the later ones), the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: 'They are both from this Ummah.'"

Many Scholars of Hadith report another Prophetic Tradition with a weak chain on the authority of Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ also. The wordings are: ھُمَا جَمِیعاً مِّن اُمَّتِی . "They [ the earlier and the later generations ] are from my Ummah." From this point of view, verse [ 7] of this Chapter وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً "and you will be (divided into) three categories. [ 7] " addresses the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and all three categories will be from this Ummah.

Mazhari has held the first interpretation as improbable, because according to the clear text of the Qur'an, this Ummah is the best and most honoured of all nations. Therefore, it is inconceivable that the foremost believers from earlier nations should be more numerous than those of this Ummah. The higher rank of this Ummah vis-a-vis the other nations is proved by the express texts of the Holy Qur'an. The Qur'anic verse [ 3:110] reads: كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِ‌جَتْ لِلنَّاسِ "You are the best Ummah raised for the good of mankind...".Verse [ 3:110] reads: لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّ‌سُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا "...so that you should be witnesses over the people, and the Messenger a witness to you." Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Darimi have recorded a narration on the authority of Sayyidna Bahz Ibn Hakim ؓ in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said:

اَنتُم تُتِمُّونَ سَبعِینَ اُمّۃً اَنتُم اَخِیرُھا وَ اَکرَمُھَا عَلَی اللہِ تَعَلٰی

"You are complement to the seventy nations of the days of yore. You are the choicest one and the most honourable one in the sight of Allah."

Imam Bukhari (رح) narrates a Tradition on the authority of Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Mas` ud ؓ in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is reported to have said: "Will it please you if you are a quarter of the inmates of Paradise?" The Companions replied: "Yes, indeed, it would please us." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

وَالَّذِی نَفسِی بِیَدَہٖ اِنِّی لَاَرجُو اَن تَکُونُوا نِصفَ اَھلِ الجَنَّۃِ

"By Him in Whose control is my life! I hope that you will comprise a half of the inmates of Paradise." (Mazhari)

Tirmidhi, Hakim and Baihaqi report on the authority of Sayyidna Buraidah ؓ that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

اَھلُ الجَنَّۃَ وَّ عِشرُونَ صَفِّا ثَمَانُونَ مِنھَا مِن ھٰذِہِ الاُمَّۃِ وَ اَربَعُونَ مِن سَایِٔر الاُمَم

"The inmates of Paradise will be ranged in 120 ranks: eighty of them will be from this Ummah, and forty from the rest of the nations." (Tirmidhi has rated this tradition as 'Hasan' and Hakim as 'sahih'.)

The ratio between this Ummah and other communities in Paradise is given differently at different times, ranging between one third, one quarter, a half and two-thirds. There is no conflict in the ratios mentioned on different occasions. That was based on the estimation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ which has been increasing at different times.

(A multitude of those of old, And a multitude of those of later time) [56:13-14]. �Urwah ibn Ruwaym said: �When Allah, exalted is He, revealed (A multitude of those of old, And a few of those of later time) [56:13-14], �Umar [ibn al-Khattab] wept and said: �O Messenger of Allah, we believed in you and accepted your message and despite this only a few of us will be saved�. Allah, exalted is He, revealed (A multitude of those of old, And a multitude of those of later time). The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, then summoned �Umar and said: �O �Umar ibn al-Khattab, Allah has revealed something about what you said and made it (A multitude of those of old, And a multitude of those of later time)�. �Umar exclaimed: �We are pleased with our Lord and believe in our Prophet. The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, then said: �From Adam to us a multitude of people, and from me to the Day of Judgement a multitude which will only be completed by black herdsmen who say, there is no deity except Allah� �.