16-61 And if Allah were to destroy men for their iniquity, He would not leave therein a single creature, but He respites them till an appointed time. So when their doom comes, they are not able to delay (it) an hour, nor can they advance (it).a
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍۢ وَلَـٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ مُّسَمًّۭى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۭ ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ (۶۱)
16-61a: دَآبَّةٍۢ – Some consider دَآبَّةٍۢ to mean all living beings while others consider it to mean only those unjust people who are iniquitous. According to Ibn Abbas, by دَآبَّةٍۢ is meant the polytheists in this verse (RM). Whereas it is true that if all humans are destroyed there would be no need of other living beings who have been created for humans, but the mention of iniquity clearly shows that the reference is only to the creation that can be iniquitous, which is humans. This verse portrays the condition of the world as it existed at the time of the Holy Prophet when oppression had become so widespread in the earth that one felt humanity should no longer inhabit it. People had forgotten their God and the whole of humanity was embroiled in polytheism, transgression, and sins. Humanity was dead spiritually and hence it had become deserving of being destroyed physically as well. However, what saved it from destruction is the heavenly rain which is mentioned towards the end of the section.
16-62 And they ascribe to Allah what they (themselves) hate, and their tongues relate the lie that for them is good. Assuredly for them is the Fire, and they will be (therein) abandoned.a
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۖ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ (۶۲)
16-62a: مُّفْرَطُونَ – The meaning of فَرۡط has been explained in 6-31a, and the meaning of اِفۡراط is to exceed all bounds in moving forward. Other meanings of اِفۡراط are اِعۡجال to make haste, to leave or abandon, and to cause to forget
ما اَفۡرَطۡتُ من القوم احدا ای ما تَرَکۡتُ اَفۡرَط الشَئۡ نَسِیَه‘ (LA). So the meaning of مُفۡرط can be sent ahead, sent with haste or sent quickly, and left in torment. Faraa has taken the last mentioned to be its meaning (LA).
The corrupt beliefs of polytheists are portrayed here in that they ascribe to Allah what they do not like for themselves. This injustice influences a person’s behavior and they begin to ascribe evil actions to pious and holy men which results in that vice gradually getting normalized and appearing as a virtue. This is the lowest level to which a nation sinks.
16-63 By Allah! We certainly sent (messengers) to nations before thee, but the devil made their deeds fair-seeming to them. So
he is their patron today, and for them is a painful chastisement.a
تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ أَعْمَـٰلَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ (۶۳)
16-63a: This verse informs us that Allah had been sending messengers in previous times, just as He has sent a Messenger now, but the followers of those messengers went astray. The devil made their evil deeds so fair seeming to them that they began to follow the devil. By the time of the advent of the Holy Prophet, they were so much under the influence of the devil that he became their friend and companion.
16-64 And We have not revealed to thee the Book except that thou mayest make clear to them that wherein they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.a
وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ ۙ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ (۶۴)
16-64a: In the context of mentioning previous messengers, it is stated that despite those messengers there was a need to send one more Messenger so that he may resolve through his revelation, which is the Quran, the differences that existed among the followers of the previous prophets. There is no other way to solve the religious differences prevalent in the world except through Divine revelation. Because the Quran resolves all religious differences, it follows that Muslims will not differ in the fundamental principles of faith, as occurred in the previous religions. In the next verse, the heavenly water is Divine revelation that brings back life to hearts that are spiritually dead.
16-65 And Allah sends down water from above, and therewith gives life to the earth after its death. Surely there is a sign in this for a people who listen.
وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةًۭ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يَسْمَعُونَ (۶۵)
Bayan-ul-Quran 