The Thirty-Fifth Surah

Al-Fatir (The Originator)

Mecca Period 43

35:45 [Asad] Now if God were to take men [at once] to task for whatever [wrong] they commit [on earth], He would not leave a single living creature upon its surface. However, He grants them respite for a term set [by Him]: 55 but when their term comes to an end-then, verily, [they come to know that] God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His servants.

The Quranic text and Ali’s version

وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا ...

35:45 [Ali] If Allah were to punish men according to what they deserve,

C3940. Cf. 16:61.

There would be no salvation for any of us if we went merely on our deserts. It is Allah's mercy that saves us and helps us to a better and better life until we attain the goal of our existence.

... مَا تَرَكَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَابَّةٍ...

He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature:

C3941. A single living creature. This may refer to man, the living crawling creature, with so many possibilities and yet so many weaknesses.

But it may mean all creatures literally, as the life of this planet more or less centres round the life of man. He has been given dominion on this earth, and in his state of purity he is Allah's vicegerent.

... وَلَكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى...

but He gives them respite for a stated Term:

... فَإِذَا جَاء أَجَلُهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ بَصِيرًا ﴿٤٥﴾

when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His servants.

C3942. Has in His sight all creatures: i.e., to deal with, according to His laws of Forbearance, Mercy and Justice:

see n. 3937 above.

The respite does not mean that any one escapes Hiis vigilant eye. All will be dealt with according to their deeds, with justice tempered with Mercy.