Surah Al-Jathiyah, Ayah 11

The Description of the Sinful Liar and His Requital

Allah the Exalted says,

تِلْكَ آيَـتُ اللَّهِ

(These are the Ayat of Allah) -- in reference to the Qur'an with the proofs and evidences that it contains,

نَتْلُوهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ

(which We recite to you with truth.) for they contain the truth from the Truth (i.e., Allah). Therefore, if they do not believe in Allah's Ayat nor abide by them, what speech after Allah and His Ayat will they then believe in Allah said next,

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍ

(Woe to every sinful liar.) who lies in his speech, often swears, who is worthless, commits and utters sinful acts and statements, and disbelieves in Allah's Ayat,

مِّن وَرَ‌ائِهِمْ جَهَنَّمُ "In front of them, there is Jahannam...45:10" The word وَرَ‌اءِ war' in Arabic is mostly used in the sense of "behind" and occasionally used in the sense of "front". Most commentators have taken the word in this context to mean ` front' and we have translated it accordingly. However, some of the commentators have taken it in this context to mean ` back/behind' and interpreted it to mean that those who are living in haughtiness and arrogance, the fire of Hell is trailing behind/after them. (Qurtubi).

Very often, an admission of the Truth is synonymous with the surrendering of a high position. Since man does not want to lose his elevated status, he does not accept the Truth. But, not bowing down before the Truth amounts to a refusal to bow down before God. God will mete out the most severe of punishments to the recalcitrant. Though a man turns away from Truth out of conceit, he nevertheless presents theoretical arguments meant to justify his behaviour. But these arguments are nothing but false utterances. The denier of truth misrepresents some facet of reality and makes this an excuse; and on the basis of this excuse ridicules the Truth and the preacher of Truth. Such individuals deserve the most severe punishment, because they compound their misdeeds with arrogance. What prompts them to behave arrogantly is the prominence of their worldly position. But, worldly position will be of no avail to anyone in the Hereafter.