Surah 39: Crowds - Overview

Verses	Description
39:1-21	To God alone is devotion due; variety in creation points to unity in plan: all nature proclaims His Grace and Loving-Kindness
39:22-52	God teaches men by parables, but His Word is straight and clear; no other thing can be of any account before His Law
39:53-75	No soul should despair because of its sin; God's Mercy unbounded: repent before Judgment comes

Introduction

This is the last of the series of six Surahs beginning with S.34, which deal with the mysteries of the spiritual world, as leading up to the Ma'ad, or the Hereafter. See Introduction to S.34.

Its subject matter is how Creation in its great variety is yet sorted out in Groups or Classes, all governed by one Plan, and created and sustained by One God, Who will separate Good from evil at the Last Day.

It belongs to the later Makkan period.

Summary

1- The variety in Creation yet points to the unity of Plan: there is only One God; to Him is due all worship and from Him flow all Justice and Grace. (39:1-21)

Sincere Devotion [39:1-21] To God is due sincere devotion, and to Him Alone: there is none like unto Him. All nature obeys His laws, and our own growth and life proclaim Him Lord and Cherisher. How can we blaspheme? We must serve Him, the One, the True, with sincere devotion, and follow His Law in its highest meaning: or else the loss is our own. All nature proclaims aloud His Grace and Loving-Kindness.

2- There is unity in Revelation, and guidance comes from God alone: turn to Him only, for all else is false. (39:22-52)

Enlightened by His Light [39:22-52] What distance separates the man whose heart is melted by the Message of God and enlightened by His Light, and him who rejects Revelation! God teaches men by Parables; straight in His Word and clear. Any doubts in the minds of men will be resolved after Death; even now, God's Signs are enough; no other can guide. Death and his twin brother, sleep, are in the hands of God; to Him is our Goal. He will judge in the End. His Will is all-in-all. No other thing can be of any account before His Law.

3- God's Mercy is all-embracing; despair not; seek it before it is too late; for Judgment and Justice will come for certain. (39:53-75)

When Judgment Comes [39:53-75] But no soul need be in despair because of its sin: God's Forgiveness and Mercy are unbounded. Turn to God in repentance now, for at Judgment it will be too late. Unity in worship and life is commanded by God. Go not astray. When Judgment comes, it will be a new World. In perfect justice will the followers of Evil be sorted out from the Good. And the righteous will rejoice, singing praises to God with the angels on high.