Surah 64: The Mutual Loss and Gain - Overview

Introduction

This is the eighth of the short Madiah Surahs, each dealing with a special aspect of the life of the Community.

The special aspect spoken of here is the mutual gain and loss of Good and Evil, contrasted in this life and in the Hereafter.

It is an early Madinah Surah, of the year 1 of the Hijrah or possibly even of the Makkan period just before the Hijrah.

Summary

1- Both the Unbelievers and the Believers were created by the One True God, Who created all and knows all: why should Unbelief and Evil exult in worldly gain when their loss will be as manifest in the Hereafter as will be the gain of the Believers? (64:1-18)

True Adjustments [64:1-18] The self-same God created all men. If some do good and others evil, and ye wonder how the good do suffer and the evil thrive, remember the Final Goal, when true adjustments will be made. The Gainers here will be the Losers there, and the Losers Gainers. Some of this exchange you will see even here, in this life, for Unbelievers who deny the Hereafter; but in the Hereafter, full account and true adjustment of good and ill will follow before the Judgment Seat: nay, Good will get more than its full reward: for God is Bounteous, Merciful, Mighty, Wise.