Surah As-Saffat 37:11

The Certainty of Life after Death

Allah says: `Ask these people, those who deny the resurrection, which is harder to create Are they more difficult to create or the heavens, the earth, the angels, devils, the mighty creatures -- everything in between them' Ibn Mas`ud said that they admitted that these things were harder to create than they were. If this is the case, then why do they deny the resurrection, when they see things that are greater than that which they deny As Allah says:

(The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind; yet, most of mankind know not) (40:57) Then Allah explains that they were created from something weak, as He says:

(Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.) Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak said, "This is the useful kind of mud which sticks to itself." Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and `Ikrimah said, "It is sticky and useful." Qatadah said, "It is that which sticks to the hand."

(Nay, you wondered while they mock.) means, `you were astounded, O Muhammad, at these people who denied the resurrection whilst you were certain that it is true, when they disbelieved in what Allah told you of this wondrous matter, which is the re-creation of their bodies after they have disintegrated. They oppose what you say because of their intense disbelief and they make fun of what you tell them about that.' Qatadah said, "Muhammad was astounded by the mockery of the misguided ones among the sons of Adam."

(And when they see an Ayah) means, clear evidence and proof,

(they mock at it.) Mujahid and Qatadah said, "They make fun of it."

(And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!") means, `this that you have brought is nothing but plain magic.'

(When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected And also our fathers of old) They thought that this was unlikely to happen, and they did not believe it.

(Say: "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated".) means, `tell them, O Muhammad: Yes, you will be raised up on the Day of Resurrection, after you have become dust and bones, and you will be humiliated,' i.e., put to shame before His great might. This is like the Ayat:

(And all shall come to Him, humbled) (27:87), and

(Verily, those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!) (40:60) Then Allah says:

(It will be a single Zajrah, and behold, they will be staring!) means, it will be a single command from Allah, He will call them once to come forth from the earth, then they will be standing before Him, staring at the horrors of the Day of Resurrection. And Allah knows best.

Allah memerintahkan Nabi Muhammad menanyakan kepada orang-orang yang mengingkari adanya kebangkitan dari kubur tentang mana yang lebih sukar antara menjadikan manusia termasuk orang-orang yang ingkar tadi dengan menjadikan malaikat, langit, bumi, dan segala isinya, yang wujudnya lebih besar dan lebih beraneka ragam.

Allah memerintahkan rasul-Nya supaya mengajukan pertanyaan kepada mereka, dimaksudkan sebagai celaan terhadap sikap keras kepala mereka. Sebenarnya, mereka sendiri mengakui bahwa penciptaan langit, bumi, dan segala isinya yang besar itu lebih sukar dari menciptakan manusia. Maka bagaimana mereka dapat mengingkari kebangkitan itu, padahal mereka menyaksikan suatu yang lebih sukar dari apa yang mereka ingkari itu.

Firman Allah:

Dan bukankah (Allah) yang menciptakan langit dan bumi, mampu menciptakan kembali yang serupa itu (jasad mereka yang sudah hancur itu)? Benar, dan Dia Maha Pencipta, Maha Mengetahui. (Yasin/36: 81)

Dalam ayat lain Allah berfirman:

Sungguh, penciptaan langit dan bumi itu lebih besar daripada penciptaan manusia, akan tetapi kebanyakan manusia tidak mengetahui. (al-Mu'min/40: 57)

Untuk menjelaskan perbandingan ini Allah memberikan tambahan penjelasan dengan menyebutkan kejadian nenek moyang mereka, yaitu Adam dari tanah liat. Proses kejadian Adam itu menunjukkan kepada mereka tentang kesederhanaan penciptaannya jika dibandingkan dengan penciptaan alam semesta yang mahabesar ini. Bilamana Allah kuasa menciptakan alam ini, tentulah lebih kuasa lagi menghidupkan kembali anak cucu Adam pada hari Kiamat.

Rasulullah kemudian diperingatkan Allah agar jangan terlalu mengharapkan berimannya mereka yang keras kepala. Tidak ada manfaat bagi mereka segala keterangan dan peringatan itu karena mereka tidak tertarik. Bahkan orang-orang kafir itu memperolok-olokkan Rasul, sehingga Rasulullah sendiri merasa heran.

Sesungguhnya hati mereka telah tertutup, dan jiwa mereka tidak dapat menjangkau keyakinan yang seperti itu. Mereka tidak mampu lagi melihat keterangan-keterangan dan tanda-tanda yang dapat menunjukkan kebangkitan dari kubur. Bahkan kesombongan dan pembangkangan mereka telah sampai ke puncaknya. Mereka memperolok-olokkan apa yang telah diucapkan oleh Nabi Muhammad saw, dan meremehkan kesungguhan beliau supaya mereka meyakini hari kebangkitan itu.