As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes to it; he finds it to be nothing. But he finds Allah with him Who will pay him his due. And Allah is swift in taking account. (Quran 24:39)
Object of Parable
Long ago, Arab merchants and traders would travel in caravans through the harsh conditions of the desert bringing supplies from village to village. Many times their eyes would be deceived by illusions of distant water with their journey being quickly diverted. With hope in their heart and physical strife they would seek after precious water to quench their thirst, cool their bodies and water their camels. However they would soon approach only to find the hot dry sand of the desert with no tales or traces of water. An optical illusion caused by a layer of hot air near the desert surface, refracting the light from the scorching hot sun, forming what is commonly known as Mirage.
The meaning of Sareea’ Al Hisaab
In the Quran Allah describes himself by his Names and Attributes, and in the above parable He mentions how He is Sareea’ Al Hisaab, describing how He is swift in taking His creation to account and recompensing them. Not a word do the children of Adam utter nor an act they perform but the Kiraam Kaatibeen write it down in the book of deeds. And He will recompense every soul by rewarding and punishing them on Yawm Al Hisaab (The Day of Reckoning). Every deed together with the blessings He bestowed will be taken into account. Truly He is Al Haseeb, the All Perfect Reckoner.
The believers and disbelievers react differently when they are reminded that Allah is Sareea’ Al Hisaab. As for the believers then it increases them in Taqwa, for they remember that Allah takes their actions into account and can punish them for their sins. So fear develops within their heart, leading them to stay away from evil deeds. This is why Allah says, ‘And have Taqwa of Allah. Verily Allah is Sareea’ Al Hisaab.’ (Quran 5:4). As for the disbelievers then it increases them in wrongdoing for they do not fear Allah nor believe in The Day of Reckoning. So Allah allows them to wander blindly and increase in sin until they meet Him. Then He will recompense them and no injustice will be done. It is in this context that Allah mentions He is Sareea’ Al Hisaab in the above parable which concerns the deeds of those who disbelieve.
Meaning of the Parable
In this parable of the mirage, Allah mentions how the deeds of the disbelievers will be null and void, without any benefit or reward on The Day of Judgement. Some human beings spend there life trying to accomplish worldly achievement, benefits, and enjoyment; trying to do good to others while disbelieving in He Who created them.
Allah rewards good deeds performed by the disbelievers by giving them reward in this worldly life. So any act of goodness towards creation is met with an earthly reward. He gives them that which they are seeking, worldly reward. So a disbeliever may perform a number of good deeds from feeding an animal to helping a fellow human being, and because of it Allah increases them in worldly provisions in its various forms. Allah has taken their actions into account and promptly rewarded them.
However on The Day of Reckoning, Allah will hold the disbelievers to account for their evil deeds. They will stand with humiliated faces, humbled eyes and pounding beating fearful hearts. Angels will gather them together in groups before they stand before Allah on a Day whose measure is fifty thousand years. Their book of records will be opened and every deed will be listed and numbered. As for any good they did then their reward preceded that Day, with Allah paying their wages in full during the life of this world. When this reality will sink in, and justice established, they will lose all hope, their scales will be light amounting to ashes and dust as they see their deeds vanish like a mirage. Instead they will be left with all their evil deeds and enough of an evil was their word of Kufr and Shirk, an evil that will make all other evil deeds seem trivial. Allah will recompense them for that which they did. They opposed the whisperings of their Fitrah. They enjoyed His abundant favours yet denied Him. They set up partners with Him yet He created all creation. And when messengers were sent as a mercy from Him they denied them, mocked them, and turned away. On that Day, He will forget them just as they forgot their meeting with Him. Allah is Sareea' Al Hisaab.
Written by Kamillah Khan
