Tafseer Ibn Kathir of AZ ZUMAR [36]

36. Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him! And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide. 37. And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allah Almighty, Possessor of Retribution 38. And verily, if you ask them: ”Who created the heavens and the earth'' Surely, they will say: ”Allah.'' Say: ”Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah -- if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm Or if He intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy'' Say: ”Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust must put their trust.'' 39. Say: ”O My people! Work according to your way, I am working. Then you will come to know'' 40. ”To whom comes a disgracing torment, and on whom descends an everlasting torment.''

(Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant) Some of them read it ”His servants.'' It means that Allah is Sufficient for the one who worships Him and relies upon Him.

(Yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him!) means, the idolators tried to scare the Messenger of Allah with their idols and gods which they called upon besides Allah out of ignorance and misguidance. Allah says:

(And whom Allah sends astray, for him there will be no guide. And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there will be no misleader. Is not Allah Almighty, Possessor of Retribution) meaning, whoever relies on Him and turns to Him, will never be forsaken, for He is the Almighty Who cannot be overwhelmed by another, and there is none more severe than Him in exacting retribution on those who disbelieve in Him, associate others in worship with Him and resist His Messenger .  

(And verily, if you ask them: ”Who created the heavens and the earth'' Surely, they will say: ”Allah.'') means, the idolators used to recognize that Allah was the Creator of all things, but despite that they still worshipped others besides Him, others who had no power to bring benefit or cause harm. Allah said:

(Say: ”Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah -- if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm Or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy'') meaning, they cannot do any of that at all. Here Ibn Abi Hatim recorded a narration from Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, attributing it to the Prophet :

(Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you; be mindful of Allah and you will find Him ever with you. Turn to Allah in times of ease and He will turn to you in times of difficulty. If you ask anyone for anything, then ask Allah; if you seek help from anyone, then seek help from Allah. Know that even if the entire nation were to come together to do you some harm that Allah has not decreed for you, they will never be able to harm you, and if they were to come together to do you some good that Allah has not decreed for you, they will never be able to do that. The pages have dried and the pens have been lifted. Strive for the sake of Allah with thankfulness and firm conviction, and know that in patiently persevering with regard to something that you dislike there is much goodness. Victory comes with patience, a way out comes from difficulty and with hardship comes ease.)

(Say: ”Sufficient for me is Allah...'') means, `Allah is enough for me.'

(In Him I put my trust, and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.) ï´¿12: 67ï´¾ This is like what Hud, peace be upon him, said to his people:

(”All that we say is that some of our gods have seized you with evil. '' He said: ”I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship, with Him. So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature but He has the grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path.'')(11:54-56).

(Say: ”O My people! Work according to your way...'') This is a threat and a warning.

(I am working) means, `according to my way.'

(Then you will come to know) means, you will learn the consequences.

(To whom comes a disgracing torment,) means, in this world,

(and on whom descends an everlasting torment.) means, ongoing and eternal, with no escape, which will come on the Day of Resurrection. We seek refuge with Allah from that.