A reflection on Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:10-11 - the believers described as As-Sabiqun, those who race ahead in obedience and are drawn near to Allah (SWT).
At Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy, we often speak to our students about not delaying a good deed once the chance arrives - finishing a page of revision now rather than tomorrow, correcting a mistake in recitation the moment it's pointed out. Surah Al-Waqi'ah gives this habit a name and a promise.
Three Groups, One Standing Apart
After describing the certainty of the Hereafter, the surah divides humanity into three groups on that Day: the companions of the right, the companions of the left, and a third group singled out for special honour:
وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ
"And the forerunners, the forerunners -" (Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:10)
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ
"Those are the ones brought near [to Allāh]" (Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:11)
Scholars call this group As-Sabiqun, those who race ahead in obedience, sincerity, and devotion. Imam Ibn Kathir notes that whoever takes the lead in good in this life will, in the Hereafter, be among those foremost in honour - "the recompense is of the same nature as the deed."
Not Reserved for an Earlier Generation
It would be easy to assume this rank belonged only to the earliest believers. The surah corrects that: in every generation there are believers who strive to excel, who do not postpone worship when the opportunity is in front of them. The door remains open.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "We are the last, yet we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih Muslim 855) Being foremost is not about when a person lived, but how readily their heart responded when Allah (SWT) opened a door to good.
What We Try to Build in Our Students
We want our students to become people who do not wait for the "right moment" to revise a page, make an apology, or give in charity. The moment a door to good opens is itself the right moment. Small, immediate obedience, repeated consistently, is what the Sabiqun were made of.
May Allah (SWT) make our students and their families among those who race toward His pleasure without delay, and draw them near to Him as He drew near the foremost. Ameen.