Ala-Maududi
(41:30) Those[32] who say “Allah is our Lord” and then remain
steadfast,[33] upon them descend angels[34] (and say): “Do not fear nor
grieve,[35] and receive good tidings of Paradise which you were promised.
32. After warning the disbelievers of the consequences of their opposition to the truth and their
stubbornness, the address now turns to the believers and the Prophet (peace be upon him).
33. That is, they did not call Allah their Lord merely incidentally, nor were they involved in
the error to regard Allah as their Lord and at the same time others as well as their lords, but
they embraced the faith sincerely and stood by it steadfastly: neither adopted a creed contrary
to it later nor mixed it up with a false creed, but they fulfilled the demands of the doctrine
of Tauhid in their practical lives as well.
“Then remain upright” has been explained by the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the eminent
companions thus:
Anas has reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Many people called Allah their Lord,
but most of them became disbelievers. Firm and steadfast is he who remained firm on this creed
till his death. (Ibn Jarir, Nasai, Ibn Abi Hatim).
Abu Bakr Siddiq has explained it thus: Then he did not associate another with Allah: did not
attend to any other deity beside Him. (Ibn Jarir).
Umar once recited this verse on the pulpit and said: By God, the steadfast are those who remained
firm on obedience to Allah: did not run about from place to place like foxes. (Ibn Jarir).
Uthman says: Performed his deeds sincerely for the sake of Allah only. (Kashsaf).
Ali says: Performed the duties enjoined by Allah faithfully and obediently. (Kashshaf).
34. It is not necessary that the coming down of the angels may be perceptible, and the believers
may see them with the eyes, or hear their voices with the ears. Although Allah also sends the
angels openly for whomever He wills, generally their coming down for the believers, especially
in hard times when they are being persecuted by the enemies of the truth, takes place in
imperceptible ways and their voices penetrate into the depths of the heart as peace and
tranquility instead of just striking the ear-drums. Some commentators have regarded this coming
down of the angels as restricted to the time of death or grave, or the Plain of Resurrection.
But if the conditions in which these verses were sent down are kept in view, there remains no
doubt that the real object of stating this thing here is to mention the coming down of the
angels on those who struggle with their lives in this world in the cause of the truth, so that
they are consoled and encouraged and they rest assured that they are not helpless but the angels
of Allah are at their back. Although the angels also come to receive the believers at the time
of death and they also welcome them in the grave (in the state of burzakh), and they will also
accompany them constantly on the Day of Resurrection, from the time Resurrection takes place
till their entry into Paradise, yet their company is not particularly restricted to the
Hereafter but remains available in this world also. The context clearly shows that in the
conflict between the truth and falsehood just as the worshipers of falsehood are accompanied by
the devils and mischievous people, so are the believers accompanied by the angels. On the one
hand, the companions of the worshipers of falsehood show their misdeeds seem fair to them and
assure them that the tyrannical and dishonest acts that they are committing are the very means
of their success and through them only will their leadership and dominance remain safe in the
world. On the other hand, the angels come down to the worshipers of the truth and give them the
message that is being mentioned in the following sentences.
35. These are very comprehensive words, which contain a new theme of consolation and peace for
the believers, in every stage of life, from the world till the Hereafter. This counsel of the
angels in this world means: No matter how strong and powerful be the forces of falsehood, you
should not be afraid of them, and whatever hardships and deprivations you may have to experience
on account of your love of the truth, you should not grieve on account of them, for ahead there
lie in store for you such things against which every blessing of the world is insignificant.
When the angels say the same words at the time of death, they mean this: There is no cause of
fear for you in the destination you are heading for, for Paradise awaits you there, and you have
no cause of grief for those whom you are leaving behind in the world, for we are your guardians
and companions here. When the angels will say these very words in the intermediary state between
death and Resurrection and in the Plain of Resurrection, they will mean: Here, there is nothing
but peace for you. Do not grieve for the hardships you had to suffer in the world, and do not
fear what you are going to face in the Hereafter, for we are giving you the good news of
Paradise, which used to be promised to you in the world.