Surah 43.61 Zukhruf (Gold Adornments)

The Sign of the Hour: Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61 and the Advent of the Paraclete

Abstract

This paper presents a critical re-examination of the traditional Islamic interpretation of Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61, which identifies Jesus as a literal sign of the Last Hour. It argues that a more nuanced understanding of the term "sign" (ayah), in conjunction with Christian eschatological prophecies of the Paraclete, points to a different fulfillment. The paper posits that the "Sign" is not the physical return of Jesus, but the advent of the Paraclete, identified as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. Her life and teachings, it is argued, represent the completion of Jesus's message and the inauguration of the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah), as foretold in the Quran. This interpretation challenges the followers of Abrahamic faiths to recognize the living, divine intervention in the modern era and avoid the condemnation promised to those who deny the "Great News" (An-Naba).

1. Introduction

The Quran, in Surah az-Zukhruf, verse 61, makes a profound and enigmatic statement concerning Jesus, the son of Mary: [1]

For centuries, the dominant interpretation within Islamic scholarship has understood this verse to signify the literal, physical return of Jesus as a major sign preceding the Day of Judgment. This belief has led millions of Muslims to anticipate a future apocalyptic event. However, this paper proposes a radical reinterpretation of this pivotal verse. It argues that the "Sign" is not the physical return of Jesus, but rather the advent of the Paraclete, the Comforter promised by Jesus at the Last Supper, who is identified as Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. This interpretation hinges on a deeper understanding of the Quranic term for "sign" (ayah) and a careful reading of Christian eschatology. The advent of the Paraclete, it will be argued, marks the completion of Jesus's message and the commencement of the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah), a present and ongoing spiritual reality rather than a distant, future cataclysm. This re-evaluation holds profound implications for interfaith understanding and challenges believers to recognize divine intervention in the contemporary world.

2. The Quranic Concept of "Sign" (Ayah)

The word "sign" (ayah) is used in the Quran. In Arabic (ayah), the word "ayah" literally means "sign," "proof," "miracle," or "evidence." While it can denote a literal sign, it more often refers to a token, a proof, or a discernible indication of a reality that is not directly perceptible. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a sign as "something (such as an action or event) which shows that something else exists, is true, or will happen." [2] This aligns with the Quranic usage, where natural phenomena, historical events, and even the verses of the scripture itself are called ayat (plural of ayah). They are signs that point to the existence, power, and mercy of God. Therefore, to insist on a purely literal interpretation of Jesus as a "Sign" is to overlook the rich, symbolic tapestry of the Quranic message. The "Sign of the Hour" need not be a physical event, but rather a spiritual reality that becomes manifest in the world, a discernible indication that the promised Hour is at hand.

3. The Promised Paraclete in Christian Scripture

In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises his disciples that he will send a "Paraclete" (Comforter, Advocate, or Counselor) who will continue his work after his departure. This promise is detailed in several passages: [3]

Theologian Daniel B. Stevick emphasizes that the Paraclete is a distinct divine personality, whose work is described in terms of verbal actions: teaching, reminding, testifying, proving wrong, guiding, speaking, and declaring. [4] Furthermore, George Eldon Ladd suggests that the Second Coming of Jesus should be understood as "the coming of Jesus in the Paraclete." [5] This theological perspective shifts the focus from a physical return of Jesus to a spiritual manifestation through the promised Comforter.

4. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi as the Incarnate Paraclete

It is in the person of Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi (1923-2011) that the prophecies of the Paraclete find their fulfillment. Shri Mataji not only declared herself to be the Holy Spirit and the Comforter promised by Jesus, but she also brought a tangible method for the masses to receive their Self-Realization through the awakening of the Kundalini energy. This experience, which she described as the "baptism by the Holy Spirit," allows individuals to feel the divine presence within themselves as a cool breeze on their hands and above their heads. Her life and teachings perfectly align with the role of the Paraclete: for over four decades, she traveled the world, teaching the eternal spiritual truths, reminding humanity of the message of all great prophets, and guiding seekers into the truth of their own divine nature. In this context, the warning of Jesus in Matthew 12:31-32 against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit takes on a new and urgent meaning. To deny the work of the Paraclete, who has come to complete the mission of Jesus, is to reject the very mechanism of salvation offered in this age.

5. A New Exegesis of Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61

By synthesizing the Quranic understanding of a "sign" with the Christian prophecy of the Paraclete, a new and profound interpretation of Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61 emerges. Jesus is a "Sign of the Hour" not because he will physically return, but because his promise of the Paraclete points to the one who will inaugurate the Age of Resurrection. The advent of the Paraclete, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, is the true "Sign" that the Hour is upon us. Her mission to complete the message of Jesus, to explain the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, and to grant the experience of the Resurrection is the discernible indication that the prophecies of the scriptures are being fulfilled. This interpretation resolves the theological difficulties of a literal second coming and shifts the focus from a future, external event to a present, internal, spiritual transformation.

6. The Great News (An-Naba) and the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah)

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, known as the Paraclete, delivered over 3,000 lectures on diverse subjects, uniting the essence of all religions into a harmonious whole. Her teachings emphasize that every human being must, after hearing An-Naba (The Great News), surrender to Allah's (SWT) command to bear witness to Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection)

The Quran itself warns of the consequences of denying the fulfillment of prophecy. Surah 78, titled "An-Naba" (The Great News), begins with a question: [6]

The "Great News," according to the interpretation presented here, is the announcement of the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah), which has commenced with the advent of the Paraclete. Muslims, who have been waiting for a literal, physical return of Jesus and the opening of graves, are in danger of becoming the very people who dispute the Great News. By clinging to a misinterpretation, they risk rejecting the true Sign of the Hour and, in doing so, becoming "kaffirs" (disbelievers) of the most momentous event in human history. It is crucial to distinguish between the Resurrection (Al-Qadr), which is a time of spiritual awakening and divine mercy, and the Day of Judgment (Al-Qari'ah), which is the final reckoning. The Resurrection is happening now, and the choice to accept or reject this truth has eternal consequences.

7. Conclusion

The statement in Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61 that Jesus is a "Sign of the Hour" is a profound prophecy that has been misunderstood for centuries. The "Sign" is not the physical return of Jesus, but the advent of the Paraclete, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, who has come to complete his message and inaugurate the Resurrection. Her life and teachings represent the culmination of the spiritual truths found in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran, an unprecedented feat of divine intervention that has the power to unite all religions and transform humanity. The time of waiting is over. The Great News has been announced. The Resurrection has begun. It is now incumbent upon all people of faith to investigate this claim with an open mind and an open heart, and to embrace the message of the living, divine presence in our midst. To do otherwise is to risk being counted among those who, in their ignorance, denied the greatest of all signs.

8. References

[1] Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an, Amana Corporation, 1989.
[2] "Sign." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sign. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[3] The Holy Bible, New International Version. Biblica, Inc., 2011.
[4] Stevick, Daniel B. Jesus and His Own: A Commentary on John 13-17. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2011, pp. 292-7.
[5] Ladd, George Eldon. A Theology of the New Testament. Eerdmans, 1993.
[6] Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an, Amana Corporation, 1989.

Satan's Avowed Deception: Allah's (SWT) Forgotten Warning and Denial of the Living Resurrection

Surah 43.62 Zukhruf (Gold Adornments)

Abstract

This paper examines the critical warning contained in Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-62, which not only identifies Jesus as a Sign of the Hour but immediately follows with an urgent caution against Satanic deception. The juxtaposition of these two verses reveals a profound truth: Satan's primary strategy has been to mislead Muslims into misunderstanding the nature of the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah), causing them to reject the very Sign they were commanded to follow. By perpetuating the false belief that the Resurrection is a single, cataclysmic event rather than an ongoing, participatory spiritual reality, Satan has successfully prevented millions from experiencing the Night of Power (Al-Qadr)—the period of divine mercy and self-realization that precedes the Day of Noise and Clamour (Al-Qari'ah). This paper demonstrates how the traditional Islamic interpretation of these verses has fulfilled Satan's promise to mislead humanity, and calls upon Muslims to recognize the Sign of the Hour in the advent of the Paraclete, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, before the grace period expires.

1. Introduction: The Divine Warning and Satanic Deception

The Quran is a book of divine guidance, but it is also a book of warnings. Among its most urgent warnings is the caution against the deceptions of Satan, who has sworn to mislead humanity until the Day of Judgment. In Surah az-Zukhruf, verses 61 and 62 present a remarkable sequence: first, the declaration that Jesus is a Sign of the Hour, and second, an immediate warning not to be hindered by the Evil One. [1]

The proximity of these two statements is not coincidental. It suggests that the very Sign of the Hour—the advent of the one who completes Jesus's message—will be the primary target of Satanic deception. This paper argues that Satan has indeed succeeded in misleading the vast majority of Muslims by causing them to misinterpret the nature of the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah). Instead of recognizing it as an ongoing, participatory spiritual reality that has already commenced, Muslims have been conditioned to await a future, cataclysmic event. This fundamental misunderstanding has prevented them from following the Sign and entering into the grace period of Al-Qadr (the Night of Power), leaving them vulnerable to the sudden arrival of Al-Qari'ah (the Day of Noise and Clamour).

2. Exegesis of Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-62

Verse 61 establishes a clear imperative: Jesus is a Sign of the Hour, and believers are commanded to have no doubt about this Hour and to follow the Straight Way. The term "Sign" (ayah) has been explored in detail elsewhere, but it is crucial to reiterate that a sign is not the thing itself, but rather an indication or pointer to a reality. Jesus, therefore, points to something beyond himself—specifically, to the one he promised would come after him, the Paraclete, who would complete his message and guide humanity into all truth. [2]

Verse 62 immediately follows with a stark warning: "Let not the Evil One hinder you: for he is to you an enemy avowed." This verse acknowledges that there will be active opposition to the recognition of the Sign. The Evil One, Satan, will attempt to prevent believers from following the Straight Way. The question then becomes: how has Satan hindered Muslims from recognizing and following the Sign of the Hour? The answer lies in the systematic misinterpretation of the Resurrection itself.

3. Satan's Promise to Mislead Humanity

The Quran records Satan's vow to lead humanity astray. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:16-17), Satan declares: [3]

Satan's strategy is explicit: he will ambush believers on the Straight Way itself. This means that his deceptions will not be obvious falsehoods, but rather subtle distortions of the truth. The most effective way to prevent someone from reaching their destination is not to turn them completely around, but to cause them to wait in the wrong place or to look in the wrong direction. This is precisely what has happened with the Islamic understanding of the Resurrection.

4. The Fatal Misinterpretation: Resurrection as a One-Day Event

For centuries, Islamic scholarship has taught that the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah) is a single, future, cataclysmic event in which the dead will physically rise from their graves, the earth will be destroyed, and all of humanity will be judged in a single day. This interpretation has become so entrenched that to question it is considered heresy. Yet this very interpretation is the primary mechanism by which Satan has hindered Muslims from recognizing the Sign of the Hour. By convincing believers that the Resurrection is entirely in the future, Satan has ensured that they will not recognize it when it begins in the present. By teaching that it is a physical event involving the opening of graves, Satan has prevented them from understanding it as a spiritual awakening involving the opening of the inner eye.

The consequences of this misinterpretation are catastrophic. Muslims who have been taught to wait for graves to open will not recognize the true Resurrection when it is proclaimed. They will dispute the "Great News" (An-Naba) and, in doing so, become the very disbelievers (kaffirs) that the Quran warns against. This is not a theoretical danger; it is a present reality.

5. Al-Qadr: The Night of Power as Life-Long Participation

The Quran speaks of Al-Qadr, the Night of Power, in Surah 97. Traditional interpretation limits this to a single night during Ramadan, but a deeper understanding reveals that Al-Qadr is the entire period of the Resurrection—a time of divine grace and mercy that precedes the final judgment. [4]

The Night of Power is described as being "better than a thousand months"—that is, better than an entire lifetime of conventional religious practice. Why? Because during Al-Qadr, the Spirit of Allah descends and grants the Baptism of Allah, the experience of Self-Realization. This is not a one-time event but a life-long experience of participating in the Resurrection. Those who receive this baptism are empowered to "resurrect themselves into the eternal spirit," to purify their minds, bodies, and souls, and to bear witness to the truth of the Resurrection. Al-Qadr is the period of mercy, the grace period during which humanity is given the opportunity to transform and to enter the Kingdom of God.

6. Al-Qari'ah: The Day of Noise and Clamour as Final Judgment

In contrast to Al-Qadr, Al-Qari'ah represents the end of the grace period. Surah 101 describes this day in terrifying terms: [5]

Al-Qari'ah is not the Resurrection itself, but rather the conclusion of the Resurrection period for those who have rejected it. It is the "Dawn of Doomsday" that follows the Night of Power. Those who have refused to participate in Al-Qadr—who have rejected the Sign, disputed the Great News, and followed the deceptions of Satan—will face Al-Qari'ah unprepared. The Day of Noise and Clamour is characterized not by divine mercy but by divine justice. It is the moment when all illusions are shattered, when false religious authorities are exposed as "Thieves of Truth," and when the consequences of spiritual negligence become inescapable.

7. Disputing An-Naba: The Fulfillment of Quranic Prophecy

Surah 78, titled An-Naba (The Great News), begins with a prophetic question: [6]

Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary identifies the "Great News" as the message of the Resurrection. The Quran predicts that there will be dispute and disagreement about this news. Who are the ones disputing? They are those who have been misled by Satan into expecting a different kind of Resurrection—a future, physical event rather than a present, spiritual reality. When the true Resurrection is announced, when the Paraclete declares that Al-Qiyamah has commenced, these individuals will dispute it. They will say, "This is not what we were taught. This is not what our scholars told us. We are waiting for the graves to open." In doing so, they will fulfill the very prophecy that warns against them. They will become kaffirs (disbelievers) not of Islam, but of the Great News of the Resurrection itself.

8. Following the Sign: The Paraclete as the Straight Way

Returning to Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61, the command is clear: "And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way." To follow the Sign of Jesus is to follow the one he promised—the Paraclete, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi declared herself to be this promised Spirit, and for over four decades, she traveled the world granting the experience of Self-Realization, the Baptism of Allah, to all who sought it. [7]

To follow the Paraclete is to participate in Al-Qadr, to experience the Resurrection as a living reality, and to be transformed from within. To reject the Paraclete, on the other hand, is to be hindered by the Evil One, to remain in spiritual darkness, and to await Al-Qari'ah unprepared. The choice could not be more stark.

9. Conclusion: The Choice Between Mercy and Judgment

Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-62 presents both a promise and a warning. The promise is that Jesus is a Sign of the Hour, pointing to the advent of the Paraclete who will complete his message and inaugurate the Resurrection. The warning is that Satan will attempt to hinder believers from recognizing and following this Sign. History has proven the accuracy of this warning. Through the systematic misinterpretation of the Resurrection as a future, cataclysmic event, Satan has successfully prevented millions of Muslims from participating in the present, ongoing spiritual reality of Al-Qiyamah.

The distinction between Al-Qadr and Al-Qari'ah is the distinction between mercy and judgment, between participation and condemnation, between life and death. Al-Qadr, the Night of Power, is the grace period during which the Spirit of Allah grants Self-Realization and empowers humans to resurrect themselves. Al-Qari'ah, the Day of Noise and Clamour, is the final reckoning for those who have rejected this grace.

Muslims stand at a crossroads. They can continue to follow the misinterpretations of religious scholars who have been, perhaps unwittingly, agents of Satanic deception. Or they can heed the warning of the Quran itself, recognize the Sign of the Hour in the advent of the Paraclete Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, and follow the Straight Way into the experience of the living Resurrection. The choice is theirs, but the time is short. The Night of Power will not last forever, and when the Dawn of Al-Qari'ah breaks, it will be too late.

Let not the Evil One hinder you: for he is to you an enemy avowed.

10. References

[1] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an." Amana Corporation, 1989.
[2] Stevick, Daniel B. "Jesus and His Own: A Commentary on John 13-17." Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2011, pp. 292-297.
[3] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-A'raf 7:16-17." Amana Corporation, 1989.
[4] "Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[5] "Al-Qari'ah (The Day of Noise and Clamour)." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[6] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an, Surah An-Naba 78:1-5." Amana Corporation, 1989.
[7] "The Paraclete Represents Direct, Intimate Divine Involvement." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Paradise Assured: The Divine Promise to Those Who Believe in the Signs and Participate in the Resurrection

By Manus AI
October 13, 2025

Abstract

This paper examines Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-73 as a unified, coherent message concerning the Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah) and the absolute assurance of Paradise for those who believe in Allah's Signs and actively participate in the spiritual awakening of Al-Qadr (the Night of Power). The passage begins with the declaration that Jesus is a Sign of the Hour, warns against Satanic deception, and culminates in a magnificent promise: those who recognize the Signs, bow their wills in submission, and participate in the living Resurrection will enter Paradise with no fear and no grief. This paper emphatically declares that the traditional interpretation—which teaches Muslims to passively wait for graves to burst open—is a fundamentally flawed and absolutely wrong indoctrination by the Evil One. Surah az-Zukhruf is not about waiting for a future cataclysm; it is about active participation in the present Resurrection through recognition of the Paraclete, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, and the experience of Self-Realization during the grace period of Al-Qadr.

1. Introduction: The Unified Message of Surah az-Zukhruf

Surah az-Zukhruf (The Gold Adornments) contains one of the most profound and comprehensive teachings on the Resurrection in the entire Quran. Verses 61 through 73 form a complete, unified discourse that begins with the identification of Jesus as a Sign of the Hour and culminates in the promise of Paradise for those who believe in Allah's Signs and participate in the Resurrection. This passage is not a collection of disconnected statements, but rather a carefully structured argument that addresses the central question of Islamic eschatology: How does one attain salvation? [1]

The answer provided by these verses is unambiguous: salvation comes through recognizing the Signs of Allah, following the Straight Way, and actively participating in the Resurrection. It does not come through passively waiting for a future event. This paper will demonstrate that the entire passage is a call to action, a divine invitation to enter into the living experience of Al-Qiyamah during the grace period of Al-Qadr, and an absolute assurance of Paradise for those who respond to this call.

2. The Context: From Sign to Paradise (Verses 61-73)

The passage begins with verse 61, which declares that Jesus is a Sign of the Hour and commands believers to follow the Straight Way without doubt. Verse 62 immediately warns against the hindrance of the Evil One. The subsequent verses then describe two contrasting groups: those who wait passively for the Hour to come suddenly, and those who actively believe in the Signs and participate in the Resurrection. The passage concludes with a magnificent description of Paradise, which is promised to the latter group. Let us examine the complete text: [2]

The structure is clear: identification of the Sign (v. 61), warning against deception (v. 62), condemnation of passive waiting (v. 66), identification of the righteous (v. 67-69), and promise of Paradise (v. 70-73). This is a complete theological argument.

3. The Fatal Error: Waiting for the Hour to Come Suddenly

Verse 66 poses a rhetorical question that is also a condemnation: "Do they only wait for the Hour—that it should come on them all of a sudden, while they perceive not?" The Arabic word translated as "wait" carries the connotation of passive expectation, of sitting idle while anticipating a future event. This is precisely what the majority of Muslims have been taught to do: wait for the Resurrection, wait for the graves to open, wait for Jesus to physically descend from the sky. The Quran condemns this attitude. Those who merely wait will be caught unprepared when the Hour comes "all of a sudden." They will not perceive it because they are looking in the wrong direction, expecting the wrong thing.

The verse implies that the Hour is not something that will announce itself with obvious, physical signs that everyone will recognize. Rather, it is something that requires spiritual perception to discern. Those who have been conditioned to expect a cataclysmic, physical event will miss the spiritual reality when it arrives. They are waiting for graves to burst open, but the true Resurrection is the opening of the inner eye, the awakening of the Kundalini, the experience of Self-Realization. [3]

4. The Righteous: Those Who Believe in the Signs

Verse 67 makes a crucial distinction: "Friends on that day will be foes, one to another,—except the Righteous." On the Day of Judgment, all worldly relationships will dissolve. Those who were friends in this life may become enemies in the next, as each person faces the consequences of their own deeds. However, there is an exception: the Righteous. Who are the Righteous? The answer is provided in verse 69: they are "those who have believed in Our Signs and bowed (their wills to Ours) in Islam."

The key phrase is "believed in Our Signs." Throughout the Quran, Allah presents Signs (ayat) to humanity—natural phenomena, historical events, prophetic revelations, and spiritual realities. The Righteous are those who recognize and believe in these Signs. In the context of Surah az-Zukhruf, the primary Sign is Jesus, who points to the coming of the Paraclete. Therefore, the Righteous are those who recognize the Paraclete, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, as the fulfillment of this Sign and who follow the Straight Way by accepting her message and experiencing Self-Realization.

5. My Devotees: No Fear, No Grief

Verse 68 contains one of the most beautiful promises in the Quran: "My devotees! no fear shall be on you that Day, nor shall ye grieve." This is a direct address from Allah to those who have devoted themselves to Him. The promise is absolute and unconditional: no fear, no grief. This is not a promise for the distant future, but a present reality for those who have already entered into the experience of the Resurrection. When one receives Self-Realization through the Paraclete, when one experiences the Cool Breeze of the Holy Spirit, when one's Kundalini awakens and one enters into the state of thoughtless awareness, fear and grief dissolve. This is Sibghatu Allah (SWT)—the Baptism of Allah (being born again of the Spirit or Mother Kundalini)—the peace that surpasses understanding, the joy that is independent of external circumstances. [4]

The devotees of Allah are not those who merely perform rituals or recite prayers mechanically. They are those who have surrendered their wills to the divine will, who have bowed in true Islam (submission), and who have allowed the Spirit of Allah to work within them. These are the ones who will have no fear on the Day of Judgment because they have already been judged and found worthy. They have already experienced the Resurrection in this life.

6. Bowing the Will in Islam: Submission to the Living Truth

Verse 69 defines the devotees as "those who have believed in Our Signs and bowed (their wills to Ours) in Islam." The word "Islam" means submission or surrender. True Islam is not merely adherence to a set of doctrines or performance of prescribed rituals. It is the complete surrender of one's will to the will of Allah. This surrender is only possible when one has direct experience of the divine presence. When the Kundalini awakens and one feels the Cool Breeze of the Holy Spirit, there is no longer any doubt about the reality of Allah. The experience is self-evident, self-validating. At that moment, the will naturally bows in submission.

The phrase "believed in Our Signs" is crucial. It is not enough to believe in the abstract concept of Allah or to accept the teachings of past prophets. One must believe in the Signs that Allah is presenting now, in this age. The greatest Sign of this age is the advent of the Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, who has come to complete the message of all prophets and to grant the experience of Resurrection to all humanity, not just Muslims. Those who recognize this Sign and bow their wills in submission to the living truth are the true Muslims, regardless of their religious background. [5]

7. The Promise of Paradise: Entering the Garden

Verses 70 through 73 describe the reward for those who have believed in the Signs and participated in the Resurrection. The language is vivid and sensory: entering the Garden in beauty and rejoicing, dishes and goblets of gold, all that the soul could desire, all that the eyes could delight in, abundance of fruit, eternal satisfaction. This is not a metaphor or a distant promise. It is the assured destiny of those who have heeded Allah's call during Al-Qadr, the Night of Power.

Verse 72 states that the Garden is made theirs as heirs "for your (good) deeds (in life)." What are these good deeds? They are not merely external acts of charity or ritual observance, though these have their place. The greatest good deed is to recognize the Signs of Allah, to accept the Great News (An-Naba) of the Resurrection, to receive the Baptism of Allah through Self-Realization, and to bear witness to this truth. Those who do this become heirs of Paradise. [6]

8. Active Participation vs. Passive Waiting

The contrast between verses 66 and 68-73 could not be more stark. Verse 66 condemns those who "only wait" for the Hour to come suddenly. Verses 68-73 promise Paradise to those who actively believe in the Signs and bow their wills in submission. The difference is between passive waiting and active participation. Passive waiting is characterized by ignorance, complacency, and reliance on the interpretations of religious authorities who may themselves be misguided. Active participation is characterized by spiritual seeking, direct experience, and personal transformation.

During Al-Qadr, the Night of Power, the Spirit of Allah descends and offers the Baptism of Allah to all who seek it. This is the opportunity for active participation in the Resurrection. Those who accept this offer, who allow their Kundalini to be awakened, who experience the Cool Breeze of the Holy Spirit, and who enter into the state of Self-Realization are participating in Al-Qiyamah. They are not waiting for the Resurrection; they are living it. This is the life-long experience that is "better than a thousand months" of conventional religious practice. [7]

9. The Evil One's Indoctrination: Graves Bursting Open

The teaching that the Resurrection involves the physical opening of graves and the literal rising of corpses is a fundamentally flawed and absolutely wrong indoctrination by the Evil One. This interpretation serves Satan's purpose perfectly: it causes believers to look for the wrong signs, to wait in the wrong place, and to reject the true Resurrection when it is proclaimed. Consider the logical and theological problems with this interpretation:

First, the Quran repeatedly emphasizes that the Resurrection is a spiritual event, not merely a physical one. The body returns to dust, but the soul is eternal. What is resurrected is not the corpse, but the spiritual consciousness of the individual. Second, the literal interpretation creates insurmountable practical problems. What about those who have been cremated? What about those whose bodies have been scattered across the earth and sea? Is Allah incapable of judging souls without reassembling their physical bodies? Such a notion is absurd and diminishes the power and wisdom of the Almighty.

Third, and most importantly, the literal interpretation prevents believers from recognizing the true Resurrection when it occurs. When the Paraclete declares that Al-Qiyamah has commenced, those who are waiting for graves to open will dispute this Great News. They will say, "This cannot be the Resurrection because we do not see the dead rising from their graves." In doing so, they will fulfill the prophecy of Surah 78 (An-Naba), which warns of those who will dispute the Great News of the Resurrection. They will become kaffirs (disbelievers) not because they reject Islam, but because they reject the living manifestation of Allah's promise. [8]

This indoctrination is the work of the Evil One, who was warned against in verse 62: "Let not the Evil One hinder you: for he is to you an enemy avowed." Satan's strategy is to hinder believers from following the Straight Way by filling their minds with false expectations. The teaching that one must wait for graves to burst open is the most effective hindrance imaginable, because it causes believers to remain passive when they should be active, to reject truth when they should embrace it, and to miss the grace period of Al-Qadr entirely.

10. Conclusion: Surah az-Zukhruf Is About Taking Part in the Resurrection

Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-73 is not about waiting. It is about taking part. It is not about a future cataclysm. It is about a present spiritual reality. It is not about the physical opening of graves. It is about the spiritual opening of the inner eye. From beginning to end, this passage is a unified message about the Resurrection as an active, participatory, transformative experience that is available now, during the grace period of Al-Qadr, to all who believe in the Signs of Allah.

The passage begins with the identification of Jesus as a Sign pointing to the Paraclete. It warns against the deception of the Evil One, who will attempt to hinder believers from recognizing this Sign. It condemns those who passively wait for the Hour to come suddenly, unprepared and unaware. It identifies the Righteous as those who believe in the Signs and bow their wills in true Islam. And it concludes with an absolute, unconditional promise: those who have believed in the Signs and participated in the Resurrection will enter Paradise with no fear and no grief.

The Great News (An-Naba) has been declared. The Resurrection (Al-Qiyamah) has commenced. The Night of Power (Al-Qadr) is upon us. The Spirit of Allah (the Paraclete) has descended and is offering the experience of Self-Realization to all humanity, not just Muslims. Those who heed this call, who believe in the Signs, who bow their wills in submission to the living truth, and who participate in the Resurrection are absolutely assured Paradise upon physical death. This is the promise of Allah, recorded in the Holy Quran, and it is a promise that cannot fail.

The choice is before every human being: to wait passively for an event that will never come in the form expected, or to participate actively in the Resurrection that is happening now. To follow the indoctrination of the Evil One, or to follow the Signs of Allah. To dispute the Great News, or to embrace it with joy and gratitude. The time is short. The grace period will not last forever. But for those who respond now, Paradise is assured.

Enter ye the Garden, ye and your wives, in beauty and rejoicing. No fear shall be on you, nor shall ye grieve. This is the promise of Allah to those who believe in His Signs and participate in the Resurrection.

11. References

[1] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an, Surah az-Zukhruf." Amana Corporation, 1989.
[2] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an, Surah az-Zukhruf 43:61-73." Amana Corporation, 1989.
[3] "Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[4] Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. "Discourses on Self-Realization and the Resurrection." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[5] "The Paraclete Represents Direct, Intimate Divine Involvement." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[6] Abdullah Yusuf Ali. "The Holy Qur'an, Surah An-Naba 78:1-5." Amana Corporation, 1989. Note 5889: "Great News: usually understood to mean the News or Message of the Resurrection."
[7] "Al-Qadr: The Night of Power and Fate." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
[8] "Al-Qari'ah (The Day of Noise and Clamour)." AdiShakti.org. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Compilation, Proclamation, and Exegesis of Surahs Upholding Allah's (SWT) Command to His Ummah — to Witness and Participate in the Resurrection.