Surah Al-Wagqi‘ah : 56: 1 - 56 283
applied to both ‘earlier’ and ‘later’ generations in the following words: Fi
& ath Ss SSG (many from the first generations, and many from the
later ones. . .56:39-40)
The question now is: Who are ‘earlier generations’ and ‘later
generations’? In this connection, two views of the commentators have
been recorded: The first view is that ‘earlier generations’ include all the
creation of Allah from the time of Adam 32) to the time just prior to the
advent of the 'Holy Prophet ee And ‘later generations' include all the
creation of Allah from the time of the advent of the Holy Prophet to the
Doomsday. This interpretation is recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim [with a chain
of transmitters] from Mujahid and Hasan Basri. Ibn Jarir has preferred
this interpretation. This interpretation has also been adopted in the
Bayan-ul-Qur’an. This is supported by the Prophetic Tradition
transmitted on the authority of Sayyidna Jabir 48. Tbn ‘Asakir reports
the Tradition [with his chain of transmitters] thus: "When the first pair of
verses regarding ‘the Foremost’ was revealed stating that they will
comprise 'many from the first generations, and of a small number from
the later ones, 3M 33 (hss QIN) &