The disbelievers boast of the best dwellings and the finest gatherings

I take refuge with Allaah from the accursed devil.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem: In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Welcome to my blog and praise the Magnificent Lord as you enter: Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Greatest .

May the Peace and Blessings of Allah Azza wa Jal, our Lord Glorified and Praised be He, be upon our beloved  Prophet, his Family, and Companions.

The disbelievers boast of the best dwellings and the finest gatherings.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَى عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَـتُنَا بِيِّنَـتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ أَىُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَاماً وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيّاً

(73. And when Our clear Ayat are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Which of the two groups has the best dwellings and the finest Nadiyyan”)

 وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَاثاً وَرِءْياً

 (74. And how many a generation have We destroyed before them, who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance)

Surah 19 Maryam Verse 73-74

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Allah, the Exalted, informs that when the clear, evident Ayat of Allah are recited to the disbelievers, they reject them and turn away. They say about those who believe, while boasting to them and arguing that their false religion is correct,

(best dwellings and the finest Nadiyyan.) This means the best houses, with the loftiest levels and the finest Nadiyyan, which are meeting rooms for men to gather and discuss matters. Thus, this means that their meeting rooms are full of more people who come to attend. In this they were saying, “How can we be upon falsehood while we are in this manner of successful living” These people were actually those who were concealed in the house of Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam and its likes from the other houses. This is as Allah says about them,

(And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: “Had it been a good thing, they (the weak and the poor) would not have preceded us thereto!”) [46:11] Nuh’s people said,

(“Shall we believe in you, when the weakest (of the people) follow you”) [26:111] And Allah says,

(Thus We have tried some of them with others, that they might say: “Is it these (poor believers) whom Allah has favored among us” Does not Allah know best those who are grateful) [6:53] This is why Allah refuted their doubts:

(And how many a generations have We destroyed before them) This means, “How many nations and generations did We destroy of those who denied (this message) due to their disbelief”

(who were better in wealth, goods and outward appearance) This means that they were better than these present people in wealth, possessions, looks and appearance. Al-A`mash reported from Abu Zibyan, who reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said concerning the Ayah,

(best dwellings and finest Nadiyyan.) “Position [Maqam] means home, Nadi means place of gathering, wealth refers to material possessions and outward appearance is how they look physically.” Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Position [Maqam] means dwelling, Nadi means place of gathering and the blessing and happiness that they were living in. This is as Allah says about the people of Fir`awn when He destroyed them and related the story of their situation in the Qur’an,

(How many gardens and springs that they [Fir`awn's people] left behind, and green crops and honored places [Maqam].) [44:25-26] Therefore, position [Maqam] refers to their dwellings and splendid bounties, and Nadi is the places of gathering and meeting where they used to congregate. Allah said while relating the story to His Messenger of what happened with the people of Lut,

(And practice Al-Munkar (evil deeds) in your meeting places [Nadiyakum].) [29:29] The Arabs call a place of gathering a Nadi.”

قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى الضَّلَـلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ مَدّاً حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَوْاْ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا العَذَابَ وَإِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَاناً وَأَضْعَفُ جُنداً

(75. Say: whoever is in error, the Most Gracious will extend [circumstances] for him, until, when they see that which they were promised, either the torment or the Hour, they will come to know who is worst in position, and who is weaker in forces.)

Surah 19 Maryam Verse 75

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

Allah, the Exalted, says,

(Say) This means, “O Muhammad, say to these people who are associating partners with their Lord, while claiming to follow the truth, that they are really following falsehood.”

(whoever is in error) This means, `be they from us or from you.’

(the Most Gracious will extend [circumstances] for him.) This means that the Most Beneficent will give him respite in that which he is in, until he meets his Lord and his appointed time will have arrived.

(until, when they see that which they were promised, either the torment) that will strike him,

(or the Hour) that will come suddenly,

(they will come to know) at that time,

(who is worst in position, and who is weaker in forces.) This is in refutation of thier argument about their nice dwellings and splendid places of gathering. This is a challenge against the idolators who claim that they were following guidance in what they were doing. This is similar to the challenge that Allah mentions about the Jews when He says,

(O you Jews! If you pretend that you are friends of Allah, to the exclusion of (all) other people, then long for death if you are truthful.) [62:6] Meaning, `Supplicate for death to come to those who are following falsehood among us if you truly claim to be upon the truth. If you are true, then this supplication will not harm you.’ But they refused to do so. An extensive discussion of this has already preceded in Surat Al-Baqarah, and to Allah is the praise. Likewise, Allah mentioned the challenge that was given to the Christians in Surah Al `Imran, when they were persistent in their disbelief and continued in their transgression. They refused to give up their exaggerating claim that `Isa was the son of Allah. Therefore, Allah mentioned His arguments and proofs against the worship of `Isa, and that he was merely a creature like Adam. After this, Allah said,

(Then whoever disputes with you about him after (all this) knowledge that has come to you, say: “Come, let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves – then we pray and invoke (sincerely) the curse of Allah upon those who lie.”) [3:61] However, they (the Christians) also retreated from this challenge.

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَواْ هُدًى وَالْبَـِّقِيَـتُ الصَّـلِحَـتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَاباً وَخَيْرٌ مَّرَدّاً

(76. And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright. And the righteous good deeds that last are better with your Lord for reward and better for resort.)

Surah 19 Maryam Verse 76

Tafsir Ibn Kathir

After Allah mentions the extended time and respite that is allowed to those who are in misguidance, increasing them in misguidance, He informs of the increase in guidance of those who are rightly guided. Similarly He says,

(And whenever there comes down a Surah, some of them say: “Which of you has had his faith increased by it”) [9:124] And the following Ayah also shows this. Concerning Allah’s statement,

(And the righteous good deeds that last) Its explanation has already preceded in Surat Al-Kahf, along with a lengthy discussion concerning it and the related Hadiths.

((they) are better with your Lord for reward.) meaning the recompense and reward.

(and better for resort.) meaning in the final outcome, the result for its doer.