إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَيِّتونَ
You will indeed die, and they [too] will die indeed.
EXEGESIS
The verse literally says: You are indeed dead and they are dead indeed. This could be for two reasons: 1. In and of themselves, all contingent beings are dead. They owe their life to God, and this is exactly why they do not control their lives. Therefore, ‘You are indeed dead and they are dead indeed’ might refer to this essential property of all human beings, including the Prophet and his people. O mankind! You are the ones who stand in need of Allah, and Allah – He is the all-sufficient, the all-laudable (35:15). 2. This is an Arabic literary technique, where, in order to convey the certainty of a future event, it is expressed in past tense or in a nominal sentence as in here. One reason for this form of expression is to emphasise the truth of an event (i.e. death) to which people are averse and naturally tend to ignore. Once, a man saw a dead body (in a funeral procession) and asked: ‘Who is this?’ Abū Dardāʾ told him: ‘This is you, this is you; [for] God says: “You are indeed dead, and they [too] are dead indeed.”’ This is how the pious companions of the Prophet were vigilant of death themselves and used to remind others of this inevitable event.
The verse mentions the Prophet’s death first and then the death of his enemies. This is a very beautiful, subtle, and elegant point that shows the utter justice and courtesy of the Holy Quran, such that it starts with oneself when discussing something unpleasant. A similar case is seen in many other verses in the Quran, where the Prophet is set on a par with his enemies, even though they were clearly not equal (2:139, 34:24, 42:15, 46:9). This has a tremendous impact in softening the hearts of the audience as opposed to a direct attack that could make them block out what is being said. This itself shows God’s infinite mercy and care for His servants, for He does not want anyone to remain in defiance and misguidance, even if that person has shown enmity towards His Messenger.
EXPOSITION
You will indeed die, and they [too] will die indeed. This reminder could serve a few points: 1. It helps to eliminate the feeling of pride and illusion of self-sufficiency that the disbelievers might have. Everyone is equally destined to death, including the prophets and their nations, including the wealthy and the poor: We did not give immortality to any human before you [O Muhammad]. If you are fated to die, will they live on forever? (21:34); Do not be misled by the bustle of the faithless in the towns. It is a trivial enjoyment; then their refuge is hell, and it is an evil resting place (3:196-197). 2. It is an answer – and threat – to the Prophet’s enemies who were anticipating his death (52:30). The Quran tells them that no matter who dies first and no matter how prosperous you are in this world, there is an afterlife where things will be settled and you will receive your fair shares. 3. It is a consolation to the Prophet against the denial, wrongdoing, and transgression of the infidels. 4. It urges the audience to prepare themselves for the inevitable by rectifying their beliefs and actions.
[1] Alusi, 12/252.
[2] Suyuti, 5/328.
[3] Qaraati, 8/167.
[4] Qurtubi, 15/255, with some elaboration.