“For them there is in store a goodly portion out of that which they have earned. Allah is swift at reckoning.” — M. M. Pickthall
Taberî9-10. c.✓ Citation verified
According to Taberî, the expression 'Allah is swift in reckoning' indicates that Allah does not need to count the deeds of His servants by counting on His fingers or retaining them in His heart; rather, He knows them completely both before the servant performs the deed and after. To support this view, a parable narrated from Ubay b. Ka'b is mentioned: just as a man overcome by thirst thinks a mirage is water and heads towards it, only to find nothing upon arrival, so too does the disbeliever think his deeds will benefit him, but when death comes, he sees that his deeds have brought him no benefit.
لأنه تعالى ذكره لا يحتاج إلى عقد أصابع ولا حفظ بقلب ولكنه عالم بذلك كله قبل أن يعمله العبد، ومن بعده ما عمله
Zemahşerî12. c.✓ Citation verified
According to Zemahşerî, the deeds of the disbelievers are likened to ashes scattered by a fierce wind; just as nothing can be obtained from ashes scattered in the wind, no reward can be obtained from the deeds of the disbelievers and nothing remains in their hands from them.
أي لا يرون له أثرا من ثواب ، كما لا يقدر من الرماد المطير في الريح على شيء
Fahreddin er-Râzî12-13. c.✓ Citation verified
According to this exegete, the expression 'ulâike' refers to the second group who desire both this world and the Hereafter, and they have earned their share of this world and the Hereafter because of their deeds; the 'min' here indicates the beginning of purpose, not apportionment. Furthermore, the verse shows that punishment is tied to deeds, but this is according to Allah's promise, not an inherent right of the servant. Allah's swiftness in reckoning is explained by His knowing all the requests of His servants simultaneously without any confusion and responding to them.
المراد : لهم نصيب من الدنيا ومن الآخرة بسبب كسبهم وعملهم فقوله : { من } في قوله : لابتداء الغاية لا للتبعيض . السؤال الثاني : هل تدل هذه الآية على أن الجزاء على العمل ؟ الجواب : نعم . ولكن بحسب الوعد لا بحسب الاستحقاق الذاتي .
Kurtubî13. c.✓ Citation verified
According to Kurtubî, the expression 'swift in reckoning' indicates that Allah does not need to count, record, or perform a mental operation when reckoning, because He already knows the deeds of His servants and their recompense. Moreover, other meanings of this expression are also transmitted, such as that Allah is swift in punishing His servants or that it alludes to the nearness of the Day of Judgment. According to a report from al-Hasan, Allah's reckoning is swifter than the time it takes to open and close one's eyes.
والمعنى في الآية : أن الله سبحانه سريع الحساب لا يحتاج إلى عد ولا إلى عقد ولا إلى إعمال فكر كما يفعله الحساب ولهذا قال قوله الحق : وكفى بنا حاسبين
Beydâvî13. c.✓ Citation verified
According to Beydâvî, 'goodness in this world' means health, sufficiency, and success in good; 'goodness in the Hereafter' means reward and mercy. The request for protection from the Fire is realized through forgiveness and pardon. Furthermore, it is transmitted that 'Ali interpreted worldly goodness as a righteous woman and Hereafter goodness as a houri, while al-Hasan explained worldly goodness as knowledge and worship and Hereafter goodness as Paradise.
ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة يعني الصحة والكفاف وتوفيق الخير. وفي الآخرة حسنة يعني الثواب والرحمة. وقنا عذاب النار بالعفو والمغفرة، وقول علي رضي الله تعالى عنه: الحسنة في الدنيا المرأة الصالحة، وفي الآخرة الحوراء
İbn Kesîr14. c.✓ Citation verified
This passage indicates that those who seek good in both this world and the Hereafter are praised, and it transmits that a report was deemed authentic by al-Hâkim according to the standard of al-Shaykhain, though they did not transmit it. It also leaves room for the possibility that both meanings (this world and the Hereafter) may have been intended together in the expressions mentioned in the verse.
ويحتمل أن يكون المعنيان مرادين والله أعلم
Comparison
Common ground
Taberî, Zemahşerî, and Kurtubî converge on the idea that the expression 'Allah is swift in reckoning' signifies that He knows the deeds of His servants completely and beforehand without needing to count or record them; Beydâvî and Ibn Kathîr, on the other hand, focus on a different section of the verse (regarding worldly and Hereafter goodness) and prefer to transmit the interpretations of the Companions and Successors.
Differences
While Taberî explains the futility of the disbeliever's deeds through a tradition-based parable (the mirage example), Zemahşerî handles the same idea through rhetorical and figurative language analysis (scattered ashes); Râzî takes a more theoretical approach by delving into the grammatical function of the 'min' particle and theological discussions of inherent right; Kurtubî blends both linguistic and hadith/companion sayings approaches by listing multiple possible interpretations; Beydâvî and Ibn Kathîr prefer to transmit Companion interpretations in a different context (worldly and Hereafter goodness).
Historical context
While Taberî, the early period exegete, relies on traditions and parables, later scholars like Zemahşerî and al-Râzî prioritize linguistic and theological methods; Kurtubî and Beydâvî provide a more inclusive synthesis by combining both the tradition-based and linguistic-analytical approaches; Ibn Kathîr, in the later period, adds a methodological contribution through hadith criticism (al-Hâkim's authenticity judgment); the fundamental line of meaning has largely remained constant.
Modern connection
These different readings invite reflection on whether a person's intention and deeds, even if they appear to provide benefit on the surface, ultimately have any real value; this also reminds us of the importance of sincerity and performing deeds with genuine intention. Moreover, the idea of seeking a balance between this world and the Hereafter can inspire a constructive attitude toward balancing both material and spiritual responsibilities in daily life.
AI analysis — not a fatwa or ruling, not yet reviewed by a scholar