Commentary on Tafsir al-Jalalayn: “Hold them back” means detain them at the Sirat (the bridge). “Indeed, they will be questioned” about all their words and deeds.
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He says: The command to “hold them back” at the Sirat (the bridge) is from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and the address is to the angels, it appears, because the angels are those who manage the affairs of creation by Allah’s command. So it is said to the angels: “Hold back these liars who associate partners with Allah.” Meaning, detain them. “About all their words and deeds.” The phrase “they will be questioned” is either, as the author said, general, meaning they will be questioned about their words, their deeds, their shirk (associating partners with Allah), their deviation, and all their conditions; or it is specified by his saying: [As-Saffat 37:25] In that case, the thing about which they are questioned is one thing, namely that they are held back and asked this question in rebuke and reproof, as the author said: “And it is said to them in rebuke.” [As-Saffat 37:25] None of you helps the other. So the verse is actually susceptible to two meanings:
The first meaning is: What are you being questioned about? About all conditions and deeds? Or are you being questioned with this question, which is:[As-Saffat 37:25] And in either case, the verse contains rebuke and mockery of them, where it is said to them: [As-Saffat 37:25] Today, in this world, you used to help one another, and those who were helped were the worshippers who defended these idols, as we passed by in the end of Surat Ya-Sin: [Ya-Sin 36:75] So the worshippers defend the gods, just as Abu Sufyan said before he embraced Islam during the Battle of Uhud: “Exalted be Hubal!” He boasted of it and defended it. So on the Day of Resurrection it is said: [As-Saffat 37:25] Meaning, what do you have that prevents you from helping one another? The answer is clear, and it is indicated by his saying: [As-Saffat 37:26] Submissive and humbled. And this sentence, introduced by “but,” indicates a transition from one style to another, meaning they do not help one another because today they are surrendering, they and their idols, humbled and abased. The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said: [As-Saffat 37:25]“None of you helps the other, just as you did in this world.” But today they are surrendering. The interrogative in his saying: [As-Saffat 37:25] is intended for rebuke and mockery, meaning where is the mutual help that was in this world? Do you not help one another today? And the answer is that they cannot help one another because they are humbled and surrendering. [As-Saffat 37:26] Meaning, submissive to Allah’s judgment concerning them as retribution, and to Allah’s (Mighty and Majestic) decree concerning them as destiny.
And hold them, for they are being questioned
وقفوهم إنهم مسئولونHold them back
قفوهمIndeed, they will be questioned
إنهم مسئولون[They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"
ما لكم لا تناصرون[They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"
ما لكم لا تناصرونThe first meaning is: What are you being questioned about? About all conditions and deeds? Or are you being questioned with this question, which is:
