معنی
What is meant in this verse when it says that "Allāh mocks them"?
جواب
Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:
- Allāh opens a door of Paradise for them while they are in Hellfire. As they rush toward it, it is slammed shut. Then another door is opened, and they rush again, only for it to be shut upon them. The believers laugh at them. [Narrated from Ibn ʿAbbās]
- On the Day of Judgment, the fire will freeze like solid fat in a pot. The hypocrites will attempt to walk over it, but it will sink beneath them. [Narrated from al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī]
- The mocking refers to when a barrier is placed between them and the believers. The barrier has a gate: its inner side holds mercy, while the outer side has punishment. The hypocrites will remain in darkness and will be told: “Go back behind you and seek light.” (57:13). [Muqātil]
- It means that Allāh punishes them for their mockery. The word “mocking” is used to reflect their behavior but differs in meaning. It is similar to the verses: “The recompense of an evil deed is an evil like it” (42:40) and “So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you” (2:194). [Mentioned by Ibn al-Anbārī]
- Allāh's mocking refers to discrediting and deeming their actions foolish, meaning: Allāh invalidates their actions and exposes their ignorance in persisting in disbelief. [Mentioned by Ibn al-Anbārī]
- It refers to Allāh leading them on through gradual entrapment (istidrāj). [Mentioned by Ibn al-Anbārī]
- It refers to Allāh turning their mockery, deception, and schemes back at them. [Mentioned by Ibn al-Anbārī]
- It refers to Allāh addressing them in Hellfire while they are utterly humiliated: “Taste this! Indeed, you are the mighty, the noble.” (44:49). [ʿAlī Ibn ʿUbayd Allāh]
- The word "mockery" is used here for the way that Allāh's treatment of them in the Hereafter is contrary to the rulings applied to them (as though they were believers) in this life.

