Surah 54:48
Show Full Scripture Context (54:47-55) — 9 Verses
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ وَسُعُرٖ
Surely the sinners are astray and raving mad!
يَوۡمَ يُسۡحَبُونَ فِي ٱلنَّارِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمۡ ذُوقُواْ مَسَّ سَقَرَ
On the Day when they are dragged on their faces into the Fire: ‘Taste the effect of Saqar!’
إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيۡءٍ خَلَقۡنَٰهُ بِقَدَرٖ
Surely We have created everything in measure,
وَمَآ أَمۡرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٞ كَلَمۡحِۭ بِٱلۡبَصَرِ
and Our command is but a single (act), like a blink of the eye.
وَلَقَدۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَآ أَشۡيَاعَكُمۡ فَهَلۡ مِن مُّدَّكِرٖ
Certainly We have destroyed your parties (before), yet (is there) anyone who takes heed?
وَكُلُّ شَيۡءٖ فَعَلُوهُ فِي ٱلزُّبُرِ
Everything they have done is in the scriptures,
وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٖ وَكَبِيرٖ مُّسۡتَطَرٌ
and every small and great (deed) is inscribed.
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّـٰتٖ وَنَهَرٖ
Surely the ones who guard (themselves) will be in (the midst of) gardens and a river,
فِي مَقۡعَدِ صِدۡقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٖ مُّقۡتَدِرِۭ
in a sure seat in the presence of a powerful King.
Allah the Exalted states that the criminals are misguided away from the truth and engulfed in confusion, because of the doubts and uncertainty they are in. This description befits every disbeliever and innovator of all types and forms of sects. Allah the Exalted said, {The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire}, meaning, just as they were consumed in doubt, suspicion and hesitation, they ended up in the Fire. And just as they were misguided, they will end up being dragged on their faces, unaware of where they will be taken. They will be admonished and criticized, {"Taste you the touch of Hell!"}
Everything was created with Qadar
Allah's statement, {Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.} is similar to several other Ayat, {He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements (Faqaddarahu Taqdir).} (25:2) and, {Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High. Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it. And Who has measured (Qaddara) and then guided.} (87:1-3), i.e., He measured out the total sum (Qadar) of everything and then guided the creation to it. The Imams of the Sunnah relied on this honorable Ayah as evidence that Allah created the creation with destined limits before they were created. He knew everything that will occur before it occurred and recorded everything that will occur, before they occurred. They used this Ayah and similar Ayat and Hadiths to refute the Qadariyyah sect, who started their sect during the latter time of the Companions. I mentioned this subject in detail in my explanation on the chapter on faith of Sahih Al-Bukhari I will mention here some Hadiths pertaining to this honorable Ayah. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "The idolators of the Quraysh came to the Messenger of Allah arguing with him and discounting the Qadar. This Ayah was revealed, {The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.}" Muslim, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah collected this Hadith. Al-Bazzar recorded that 'Amr bin Shu'ayb said that his father narrated that his grandfather said, "These Ayat were revealed about those who deny Al-Qadar, {Verily, the criminals are in error and will burn. The Day they will be dragged on their faces into the Fire: "Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.}" Ibn Abi Hatim also recorded that Zurarah said that his father said that the Prophet recited this Ayah, {"Taste you the touch of Hell!" Verily, We have created all things with Qadar.} and then said, "These Ayat were revealed about some members of my Ummah. They will come before the end of time and deny Al-Qadar." 'Ata' bin Abi Rabah said, "I went to Ibn 'Abbas and found him drawing water from the well of Zamzam. The bottom of his clothes were wet with the water of Zamzam and I said to him, They talked about Al-Qadar (some denied it).' He asked, "Have they done this?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'By Allah! This Ayah was revealed only about them.
— from Tafsir Ibn Kathir (366-369)