إِلّا رَحمَةً مِنّا وَمَتاعًا إِلىٰ حينٍ
Except by a mercy from Us and for an enjoyment until some time.
EXPOSITION
This verse is a continuation of the previous verse, indicating that if God wants to drown them, no one would be able to rescue them by any means and any cause unless, if God had His mercy upon them, they would be rescued and enjoy living longer. However, even this would not be for long, because everyone has a destined time in this world and death is inevitable.
So, if We do not drown them, it is due to Our mercy, not because they deserve it; and because We have destined that they live for an appointed time. They are saved for two reasons; first, because of Our mercy, and second, because the decree is passed that they should enjoy for a while.
Enjoyment until some time is mentioned in the Quran in several places. Allah first uses this when He addresses Prophet Adam (a): We said: ‘Get down, being enemies of one another! On the earth shall be your abode and enjoyment [of sustenance] for a time’ (2:36). This decree has been passed, which means that no matter how many sins the people on the earth commit and how much mischief they bring about, they would live on earth until the appointed time. This appointed time – the end of human life on earth – seems very long for us. At times, one wonders why despite all the oppressions, mischief, and wrongdoings we commit, Allah seemingly does not do anything. The reason is that there should be an enjoyment of provision on earth until an appointed time for us. Were Allah to take mankind to task for their wrongdoing, He would not leave any living being upon it. But He respites them until a specified time; so when their time comes, they shall not defer it by a single hour nor shall they advance it (16:61).
However, even by rescuing a human who might be in the middle of a storm and extending their life out of His mercy, they would not live in this world forever. Their life would be extended until their destined time of death. Through this scenario, God shows the fine thread between death and life, that when a person is aboard a ship in the middle of the ocean, it is just like a floating straw in the middle of it, that could drown at any time.
INSIGHTS FROM HADITH
- Prophet Muhammad (s) said: ‘No one will enter paradise except with the mercy of God.’ He was asked: ‘Neither you?’ He said: ‘No, neither me, except if God covers me [in His mercy].’
- Imam al-Sajjād (a) said: ‘A believer who is between three qualities will not be destroyed: testifying that there is no God except Allah, who is alone without any partner; the intercession of Prophet Muhammad (s); and the vast mercy of God.’
- Prophet Muhammad (a) said: ‘Verily, God created 100 shares of mercy; one share is amongst the creation, they exchange it among themselves. And He kept the rest of the ninety-nine shares for His beloved ones.’
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
According to Rāzī, the rescue may be because of two things: mercy and enjoyment. If someone believes and repents, God would rescue him out of His mercy. And if God rescues someone who is wicked and does not deserve His mercy, then it would be a time of enjoyment in which he may increase sinning until his prescribed time of death arrives, because death is inevitable for everyone and no one can escape it.
It seems Rāzī is alluding to these verses: When they board the ship, they invoke Allah putting exclusive faith in Him, but when He delivers them to land, behold, they ascribe partners [to Him], being ungrateful for what We have given them! So let them enjoy. Soon they will know! (29:65-66); Let the faithless not suppose that the respite that We grant them is good for their souls: We give them respite only that they may increase in sin, and there is a humiliating punishment for them (3:178); There is a [preordained] time for every nation: when their time comes, they shall not defer it by a single hour nor shall they advance it (7:34).
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- Some sailed over the ocean in ships, earning their living on the seas. They saw what the LORD can do, his wonderful acts on the seas. He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow and stirred up the waves. The ships were lifted high in the air and plunged down into the depths. In such danger, the sailors lost their courage. They stumbled and staggered like drunks – all their skill was useless. Then, in their trouble, they called the LORD, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the raging storm, and the waves became quiet. They were glad because of the calm, and he brought them safe to the port they wanted. They must thank the LORD for his constant love, for the wonderful things he did for them.
[1] Mizan, 17/92.
[2] Amthal, 14/199.
[3] Amthal, 14/200.
[4] Muhammad Rayshahri, Mīzān al-Ḥikmah, 2/1049.
[5] Muhammad Rayshahri, Mīzān al-Ḥikmah, 2/1049.
[6] Muhammad Rayshahri, Mīzān al-Ḥikmah, 2/1049.
[7] Razi, 26/82.
[8] Psalms 107:23-31.