Question
And We have given Moses the scripture. So do not be in any doubt about meeting Him. And We made it a guide for the Children of Israel. Al-Quran 32:23.
Kindly could you pls explain what does this verse exactly mean and why do prophet (pbuh) doubt about meeting him? To whom does “him” here refers?
Jazzak Allah Khair
Regards
Answer
The whole Sura of al-Sajda, overall, is about belief and disbelief in the day of judgement and standing in front of the Almighty in that day. Here are a few highlights of the Sura to assist understanding the verse under question:
- Verse 10 in particular refers to people who reject the idea of meeting their Lord. The word Liqa (meeting) is used here, as it is used in the verse under question.
- Verse 22 says who is more unjust than those who see the signs of their Lord yet turn away from them.
- It is then here that one of the signs of the Lord is reminded to people, and that is the story of Musa and Bani Israel in verses 23 and 24.
- Then verse 26 criticises Quraysh because of their disbelief and asserts that, as the signs of the Almighty, is it not enough for them to see the remains of the nations before them who were perished by the Almighty.
Based on the above, my understanding of the verse under question is as follows:
…(and just as we gave you a book to guide your people) We verily gave the Book to Moses and made it a guide for the children of Israel, (so this is nothing new, therefore) do not have any doubt about meeting Him (i.e. your Lord in the Day of Judgement) – Al Sajdah 32:23
Accordingly, it is ‘meeting of the Almighty in the day of judgement’ that the above verse – in line with the rest of the Sura – is referring to, and not meeting with Musa. Also, although apparently only the Prophet (pbuh) is addressed in this verse, however we know from the style of the Arab writing at the time, that the main addressees are the Quraysh.
Abdullah Rahim