Az-Zukhruf · Makki · ayah 44 of 89

Az-Zukhruf 43:44

وَإِنَّهُۥ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ ۖ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَٔلُونَ

“And indeed, it is a remembrance[1441] for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.”

Saheeh International

Essence

The Quran is an honour and a reminder for those it came to, and every honour carries a question that will one day be asked.

A reflection

Honour comes with a question attached

The ayah gives a gift and a question in the same breath. Wa-innahu la-dhikrun laka wa-li-qawmik: it is an honour for you and your people. Wa-sawfa tusʾalūn: and you will be asked.

One modern commentary traces the logic in a single chain. The Quran came down in their language. So they understand it better than anyone. So they ought to be the most upright in following it, and the most faithful in acting on it. And they will be asked about thanking Allah for it and living by it.

That chain runs through every kind of privilege. To be given more is to be expected to do more. Being close to something precious is not a reason to relax. It is a reason to be accountable.

Another commentary lists what the question will cover. Did you uphold its right? Did you honour it? Were you grateful for being given it above others?

Anyone who leads knows the pattern. The title, the office and the respect all arrive at once. So does the scrutiny. The wise leader does not resent the scrutiny. She expects it, because she knows what she was given.

The heir to a long-established family bakery inherits the recipes, the shop and a town's affection. In his first year he cuts corners on the flour to raise profits. Customers notice within a month. An old regular tells him: your grandfather's name is on that sign, and you will answer to it.

What have you been given that others were not? Faith, knowledge, a home where the Quran was recited? Each one is an honour. Each one has a question waiting inside it.

The full entry has 5 more reflections, questions to sit with, and "Live it today" - with the words, the roots and the tafsir alongside. Free, no account, works offline.