In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.
Abridged by Dr. 'Aqil Ibn Salim al-Shammari.
Surah al-Tin.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
By the fig and the olive,
And by Mount Sinai,
And by this secure city [Makkah].
“Surely We created man of the best stature” (95:4)
“Then we reduced him to the lowest of the low,” (95:5)
Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds.
“Save those who believe and do good works, and theirs is a reward unfailing.” (95:6)
Our Lord, may His glory be exalted, swears by the fig,
Which is the fig that is eaten,
And the olive, from which oil is pressed,
And Mount Sinai, a well-known mountain,
And this city, secure from its enemies,
Who might otherwise fight its people or invade them.
We have certainly created man in the best and most balanced form.
Then We return him to the lowest of the low,
To the age of senility,
Those whose faculties have departed due to old age and infirmity,
For he is in the lowest of states,
In the decline of life and the loss of mental acuity.
Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds,
During their health and youth,
For they shall have an uninterrupted reward after they grow old,
Similar to what they were granted for their deeds,
During the time they were active,
When they were strong enough to perform them,
For they shall have a reward that is not diminished,
Just as it was for them during their days of health and youth.
“So who henceforth will give the lie to thee about the judgment?” (95:7)
“Is not Allah the most conclusive of all judges?” (95:8)
So who can deny you, O Muhammad, after these proofs,
Which We have presented regarding the religion,
Meaning obedience to Allah,
And His recompensing of His servants for their deeds?
Is Allah not, O Muhammad,
The most just of all judges in His decrees,
And the most decisive in His judgment among His servants?
A summary of the Tafsir of al-Tabari.