The Disbeliever and the Believer (Surah Al-Mulk 67:22)

22. Is he who walks prone on his face, more rightly guided, or he who walks upright on a straight path.


The Parable of the Disbeliever and the Believer


Is he who walks prone on his face, more rightly guided, or he who walks upright on a straight path.  This is a parable which Allah made of the believer and the disbeliever. So the condition of the disbeliever is like one who walks prone on his face. This is like a person walking bent over on his face (with his head down) instead of walking upright. This person does not know where he is going or how. Rather, he is lost, astray and confused. Is this person more guided,

or he who walks upright meaning, he who stands erect.

on a straight path meaning, this person who walks upright is on a clear path, and he is straight within himself while his path is straight as well. This is their likeness in this world, and their likeness will be the same in the Hereafter. So the believer will be gathered (on the Day of Judgement) walking upright upon the straight path and the vast and spacious Paradise will be opened up for him. However, the disbeliever will be gathered walking down on his face to the Hellfire.

Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions and what they used to worship instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire. (37:22-23)  

"Companions'' here means those like them.

Imam Ahmad recorded from Anas bin Malik that it was said, "O Messenger of Allah! How will the people be gathered on their faces'' So the Prophet replied,

Is not He who made them to walk on their legs able to make them walk on their faces'' This Hadith is also recorded in the Two Sahihs.



Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version.