Tafsir Ibn Kathir - 006 An'am

8/9/2019 Tafsir Ibn Kathir - 006 An'am

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Revealed in Makkah

The Virtue of Surah Al-Anàm and When it Was Revealed

Al-Awfi, Ikrimah and Ata said that Ibn Abbas said,

"Surah Al-Anàm was revealed in Makkah.''

At-Tabarani recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"All of Surah Al-Anàm was revealed in Makkah atnight, accompanied by seventy thousand angels, raisingtheir voices in glorification of Allah.''

As-Suddi said that Murrah said that Abdullah said,

"Surah Al-Anàm was revealed in the company of seventy thousand angels.''

ا ـ ا ا In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most

Merciful.



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و ضر او تـ ا ى ا ان ی او آ ی ا ر او ـ ا

6:1 All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens

and the earth, and originated the darkness and thelight, yet those who disbelieve hold others as equalwith their Lord.

م أو أ م ى ا ه نأ نو

6:2 He it is Who has created you from clay, and then

has decreed a stated term. And there is with Himanother determined term, yet you doubt.

آ س ی ض وه ا ا ـت و ارن م یو آ و

6:3 And He is Allah, in the heavens and the earth,He knows what you conceal and what you reveal,

and He knows what you earn.

All Praise is Due to Allah for His Glorious Ability and Great

Power

Allah praises Himself;

ي ا ار او ت ا و ض ...ا وات وار

All praise be to Allah, Who created the heavens and theearth, and originated the darkness and the light,

Allah praises and glorifies His Most Honorable Self for creating the heavens and earth, as a dwellingfor His servants, and for making the darkness andthe light to benefit them in the night and the day.

In this Ayah, Allah describes darkness in theplural, Zulumat (where Zulmah is singular for



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darkness), while describing the light in thesingular, An-Nur, because An-Nur is morehonored.

In other Ayat, Allah said,

ا ـ

To the right and to the lefts. (16:48)

Near the end of this Surah, Allah also said;

ا ا و م ا ا ـ ه ن وأ س ق

And verily, this is my straight path, so

follow it, and follow no (other) ways, forthey will separate you away from His way.(6:153)

Allah said next,

...ن ی او آ ی ا ١

Yet those who disbelieve hold others as equal with their

Lord.meaning, in spite of all this, some of Allah'sservants disbelieve in Him and hold others aspartners and rivals with Him. Some of Allah'sservants claimed a wife and a son for Allah,hallowed be He far above what they attribute toHim.

Allah's statement,

ا ه م ي...

He it is Who has created you from clay,

refers to the father of mankind, Adam, fromwhom mankind originated, multiplied in numbersand spread about, east and west.

Allah said,

... م أو أ ...



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Then has decreed a stated term. And there is with Himanother determined term...

His saying; أ (Then has decreed a statedterm),

refers to death,

while, أو (And there is with Him another

determined term...),

refers to the Hereafter,

according to Saìd bin Jubayr who reported thisfrom Ibn Abbas.

Similar statements were narrated from Mujahid,Ikrimah, Saìd bin Jubayr, Al-Hasan, Qatadah,Ad-Dahhak, Zayd bin Aslam, Atiyah, As-Suddi,Muqatil bin Hayyan and others.

Ibn Abbas and Mujahid said that, أ (And then

has decreed a stated term),

is the term of this earthly life,

while, أو (And there is with Himanother determined term),

refers to man's extent of life until he diesas mentioned in Allah's statement;

ر م یو آ ی ي ا هو

It is He, Who takes your souls by night

(when you are asleep), and has knowledgeof all that you have done by day, then Heraises (wakes) you up again that a termappointed (life) be fulfilled. (6:60)

The meaning of Allah's statement, (With Him), isthat;

none but Him knows when it will occur.

Allah said in other Ayat,



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ه إ ی ر نإ

The knowledge thereof is with my Lord.None can reveal its time but He. (7:187)

and,

ـ س م ن یأ ا ن ی ها آذ م نأ

ـ م ر إ

They ask you about the Hour -- when willbe its appointed time! You have noknowledge to say anything about it. To

your Lord belongs (the knowledge of) theterm thereof. (79:42-44)

Allah said,

...نو نأ ٢

Yet you doubt.

According to As-Suddi,

the coming of the (last) Hour.

Allah said next,

ا ا هو م یو آ و آ س ی ض وات و ارن ٣

And He is Allah in the heavens and the earth, He knows

what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knowswhat you earn.

Meaning, it is He Who is called Allah, throughoutthe heavens and the earth, that is, it is He who isworshipped, singled out, whose divinity isbelieved in by the inhabitants of the heavens andthe earth. They call Him Allah, and theysupplicate to Him in fear and hope, except those

who disbelieve among the Jinns and mankind.



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In another Ayah, Allah said;

ـ إ ض و ار ـ إ ء ا ى ا هو

It is He Who is God in the heavens and theearth. (43:84)

meaning, He is the God of those in heavenand those on earth, and He knows allaffairs, public and secret.

... م یون

And He knows what you earn.

all the good and bad deeds that you perform.

ا ن آ إ ر ـ یاء م یاء م مو ض م

6:4 And never an Ayah comes to them from the Ayatof their Lord, but that they have been turning away

from it.

م ء نأ ی ف هء ا آ نو آ ن ا ی ء

6:5 Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came tothem, but there will come to them the news of thatwhich they used to mock at.

ـ م ن م م هأ آ او ی أ ن م ض ار

6:6 Have they not seen how many a generationbefore them We have destroyed whom We hadestablished on the earth such as We have notestablished you!



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وأرس ا ء م رارا و ان ـ ى م

And We poured out on them rain from the sky in

abundance, and made the rivers flow under them.

نأو ن ـ ه ی اء ن ه م نYet We destroyed them for their sins, and createdafter them other generations.

Threatening the Idolators for their Stubbornness

Allah says;

ا ن آ إ ر ت ی م ی م مو ض م ٤

And never an Ayah comes to them from the Ayat of their Lord, but that they have been turning away from it.

Allah states that the rebellious, stubborn

polytheists will turn away from every Ayah,meaning, sign, miracle and proof that is evidenceof Allah's Uniqueness and the truth of Hishonorable Messengers. They will not contemplateabout these Ayat or care about them.

Allah said,

ی ا ن آ م ء نأ ی ف هء ا آ نو ؤ

٥ Indeed, they rejected the truth when it came to them,but there will come to them the news of that which theyused to mock at.

This Ayah contains a warning and a stern threatfor the disbelievers' rejection of the truth, statingthat the disbelievers will surely know the truth of what they used to deny and taste the evil end of their behavior.



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Allah advises and warns the disbelievers, that theyshould avoid the torments and afflictions of this life,similar to what befell their likes from previous nations,who were stronger, wealthier, had more offspring, andwere more exploitive on the earth.

Allah said,

ن م ض م ه ار ن م م هأ آ او ی أ ...

Have they not seen how many a generation before themWe have destroyed whom We had established on theearth such as We have not established you!

meaning, they had more wealth, children,

buildings, abundant provision, riches and soldiers.

Allah said next,

...وأرس ا ء م رارا...

and We poured out on them rain from the sky inabundance,

in reference to rain that comes often,

... م ي ر نا و...

And made the rivers flow under them.

as rain was abundant and the springs wereplentiful, so that We deceived them.

... ن ه ه ...

Yet We destroyed them for their sins,

meaning the mistakes and errors that theycommitted,

...ی ن ه م ن نأو٦

and created after them other generations,

for, these generations of old perished and became

as legends and stories, ن ن وأ ن ه



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(And created after them other generations), sothat We test the new generations, as well. Yet,they committed similar errors and weredestroyed, as their ancestors were destroyed.Therefore, beware of the same end that mightbefall you, for you are not dearer to Allah than

these previous nations, but the Messenger whomyou defied is dearer to Allah than the Messengersthey defied. Thus, you are more liable than themto receive torment, if it was not for Allah's mercyand kindness.

ل ی ی س ـ آ ن و م س إ ـ ه ن ا ی آ وا إ6:7 And even if We had sent down unto you aMessage written on paper so that they could touchit with their hands, the disbelievers would havesaid: "This is nothing but obvious magic!''

م لنأ ا و6:8 And they say: "Why has not an angel been sentdown to him!''

نو ی ما م نأ وHad We sent down an angel, the matter would havebeen judged at once, and no respite would be

granted to them.

م و ر ـ م ـ ون ی

6:9 And had We appointed him an angel, We indeedwould have made him a man, and We would havecertainly caused them confusion in a matter which

they have already covered with confusion.



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او س ی ق م س ءى سا ونو م م آ ن ا ی ء

6:10 And indeed Messengers were mocked before

you, but their scoffers were surrounded by the verything that they used to mock at.

ـ ن آ آ او نا ض س وا ار ا

6:11 Say: "Travel in the land and see what was theend of those who rejected truth.''

Censuring the Rebellious and their Refusal to Accept Human

Messengers

Allah describes the rebellion and stubbornness of the idolatorsin defying the truth and arguing against it,

آ ن و ی ی س ...

And even if We had sent down unto you a Messagewritten on paper so that they could touch it with theirhands,

meaning, if they saw this Message's descent andwere eye-witnesses to that,

...ی ا ل م س إ ا ـ ه ن ٧آ وا إ

the disbelievers would have said: "This is nothing butobvious magic!''

This is similar to Allah's description of the disbelievers'defiance of facts and truth,

ا م ون ی ا ء

نو ن ن م م ر ـ أ ت س نإ ا

And even if We opened to them a gate from theheaven and they were to continue ascending



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thereto. They would surely say: "Our eyes havebeen (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a peoplebewitched.'' (15:14-15)

م آ م ـ س ا ی ـ س ء ا م آ او ی ن وإ

And if they were to see a piece of the heaven

falling down, they would say, "Clouds gathered inheaps!'' (52:44)

م لنأ ...و ا

And they say: "Why has not an angel been sent down tohim!''

to convey the Message with admonition along

with him.

Allah replied,

...نو ی ما م نأ و٨

Had We sent down an angel, the matter would havebeen judged at once, and no respite would be granted tothem.

Consequently, even if the angels descend, whilethe disbelievers still had the same attitude, thenthe torment will surely befall them from Allah as aconsequence.


ی م اذإ ا ن آ مو إ ـ ا ل ن م

We send not the angels down except withthe truth (i.e. for torment, etc.), and inthat case, they (the disbelievers) wouldhave no respite! (15:8)

ـ ا ن ى ی م م ی م ی و

On the Day they will see the angels, noglad tidings will there be for the criminals

that day. (25:22)



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Allah's statement,

ی م و ر م ون٩

And had We appointed him an angel, We indeed wouldhave made him a man, and We would have certainlycaused them confusion in a matter which they have

already covered with confusion.

meaning, if We send an angel along with thehuman Messenger, or if We send an angel as aMessenger to mankind, he would be in the shapeof a man so that they would be able to speak tohim and benefit from his teachings. In this case,the angel (in the shape of a human) will alsocause confusion for them, just as the confusionthey caused themselves over accepting humansas Messengers!

Allah said,

م ن ی ـ م ض آ ن ار سر م ء ا م

Say: "If there were on the earth, angels

walking about in peace and security, Weshould certainly have sent down for themfrom the heaven an angel as aMessenger.'' (17:95)

It is a mercy from Allah to His creation that Hesends every type of creation, Messengers fromamong their kind, so that they are able to calltheir people to Allah, and their people able to talkto them, ask them and benefit from them.


م سر ذإ م ا ا م آ یو ـ یاء ا ی نأ

Indeed Allah conferred a great favor onthe believers when He sent among them a

Messenger from among themselves,



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reciting unto them His verses (the Qur'an),and purifying them. (3:164)

Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn Abbas said about the Ayah (6:9),

"If an angel was sent to them, he would come in

the shape of a man. This is because they will notbe able to look at the angel due to light.''

...ن ی م و

... and We would have certainly caused them confusionin a matter which they have already covered withconfusion.

meaning, We would confuse them over theirconfusion.

And Al-Walibi reported Ibn Abbas saying;

"We brought doubts around them.''

Allah's statement,

ا ن آ م م او س ی اس ىء س م ق و

نو ١٠ی ؤ

And indeed Messengers were mocked before you, buttheir scoffers were surrounded by the very thing thatthey used to mock at.

comforts the Messenger concerning the denial of him by his people. 'The Ayah also promises theMessenger, and his believers, of Allah's victory

and the good end in this life and the Hereafter.Allah said next,

ا ن آ آ او نا ض ١١س وا ار

Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth.''

meaning, contemplate about yourselves and think

about the afflictions Allah struck the previousnations with, those who defied His Messengers



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and denied them. Allah sent torment, afflictionsand punishment on them in this life, as well asthe painful torment in the Hereafter, while savingHis Messengers and believing servants.

ض م ا ـت وار6:12 Say: "To whom belongs all that is in theheavens and the earth!''

Say: "To Allah.''

ا ن آHe has prescribed mercy for Himself.

ـ ا م ی إ یر Indeed He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt.

ن م ی نأ او ی اThose who destroy themselves will not believe.

او ا س م و ا ا هو ر6:13 And to Him belongs whatsoever exists in the

night and the day, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.''

هو ض أ ا أ و ا ـت وار ی و ی

6:14 Say: "Shall I take as a guardian any other thanAllah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth! And

it is He Who feeds but is not fed.''



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م ن و سأ م لوأ ن آأ ن إن أم ت أ آ ا

Say: "Verily, I am commanded to be the first of

those who submit.'' And be not you of the idolators.

م ی با ر ن إن أ ف إ6:15 Say: "I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the tormentof a Mighty Day.''

م ی ف ی م ا ر وذ ا ز6:16 Who is averted from (such a torment) on thatDay; then He (Allah) has surely been Merciful tohim. And that would be the obvious success.

Allah is the Creator and the Sustainer

Allah says;

م ا ن آ ض ... ا وات وار

Say: "To whom belongs all that is in the heavens and theearth!''

Say: "To Allah.''

He has prescribed mercy for Himself.

Allah states that He is the King and Owner of theheavens and earth and all of what is in them, andthat He has written mercy on His Most HonorableSelf.

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs, that Abu Hurayrah saidthat the Prophet said,

ا ق آ ، آ ا ا ن نإ ش ،إ

ر



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When Allah created the creation, He wrote in aBook that He has with Him above the Throne;`My mercy overcomes My anger.'

Allah said;

... ی ... إ ی م ا م ر

Indeed He will gather you together on the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt.

swearing by His Most Honored Self that He will

gather His servants, م م ت إ (For

appointed meeting of a known Day), (56:50), theDay of Resurrection that will certainly occur, andthere is no doubt for His believing servants in this

fact. As for those who deny and refuse, they arein confusion and disarray.

Allah's statement,

... نأ او ی ا...

Those who destroy themselves,

on the Day of Resurrection,

...ن م ی ١٢

will not believe.

in the Return and thus do not fear therepercussions of that Day.

Allah said next,

ر او ا س م و...

And to Him belongs whatsoever exists in the night andthe day.

meaning, all creatures in the heavens and earthare Allah's servants and creatures, and they areall under His authority, power and will; there is nodeity worthy of worship except Him,



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... ا ا هو١٣

and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

He hears the statements of His servants andknows their actions, secrets and what theyconceal.

Allah then said to His servant and Messenger Muhammad,whom He sent with the pure Tawhid and the straight religion,commanding him to call the people to Allah's straight path;

ض أ و ا وات وار ا أ ...

Say: "Shall I take as a guardian any other than Allah,the Creator of the heavens and the earth!''

The meaning here is, I will not take a guardianexcept Allah, without partners, for He is theCreator of the heavens and earth Who originatedthem without precedent,

Similarly, Allah said,

ن ـ ا یأ أ نو م ا أ Say: "Do you order me to worship other

than Allah, O you fools!'' (39:64)... ی و ی هو...

And it is He Who feeds but is not fed.

For He sustains His creatures without needingthem.

Allah also said;

نو إ ناو ا موAnd I created not the Jinn and humansexcept that they should worship Me(Alone). (51:56)

Some scholars read it,

ی و ی هو

And it is He Who feeds but He does not eat.''meaning, Allah does not eat.



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Abu Hurayrah narrated,

"A man from Al-Ansar from the area of Quba'invited the Prophet to eat some food, and wewent along with the Prophet. When the Prophetate and washed his hands, he said,

، أو نا مو ، و ی ي ی ا ا ا م ن آو ،با ا م ن سو، ن أ ء آو ،ي

م و ،ر و م ر و م عد م ا،

ن آو ،با ا م ن سو ،م ا م أ ي ا ا نا هو ،ي ا م و ، ا م ن و ،ل ا م

، م آ

ا ا رب

All praise is due to Allah, Who feeds but is neverfed, He bestowed bounty unto us, Who gave usguidance and fed us, gave us something to drink,covered our nakedness; and for every favor He

has given us.All praise is due to Allah, praise that should notbe neglected, my Lord, all the while affirming thatwe will never be able to duly thank Him; nor beappreciative enough of Him, nor be free of needing Him.

All thanks and praises are due to Allah Who fedus the food, gave us the drink, covered our

nudity, guided us from misguidance, gave ussight from blindness, and honored us above manyof His creatures.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists.''

... سأ م لوأ ن آأ ن ... إن أم ت أ

Say: "Verily, I am commanded to be the first of thosewho submit themselves to Allah as (Muslims).''

from this Ummah,



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... ا م ن و آ١٤

م ی با ر ن ١٥إن أ ف إ

And be not you of the idolaters.

Say: "I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the torment of a

Mighty Day.''

the Day of Resurrection,

ف ی م...

Who is averted from,

such a torment,

.... ر می...

on that Day, He has surely been Merciful to him,

meaning, Allah will have been merciful to him,

... ا ز ا ذو١٦

And that would be the obvious success.

Allah also said, ز ا دأو ر ا ح ز

And whoever is moved away from the Fire andadmitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.(3:185)

success here indicates acquiring profit andnegates loss.

ا ی ن نوإ آ ـ إ ه وإی ء ش آ ی

6:17 And if Allah touches you with harm, none canremove it but He, and if He touches you with good,

then He is able to do all things.



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ق ه ا هو ا ا هو د6:18 And He is the Irresistible, above His servants,and He is the All-Wise, Well-Acquainted with allthings.

ةـ ش آأ ء ش ىأ 6:19 Say: "What thing is the most great inwitness!''

ش ا نا وأو إ ه ـا ا ء و ئأ مو آرن

Say: "Allah is Witness between you and I; thisQur'an has been revealed to me that I maytherewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.

ى و ن م ا ءا أ ن أCan you verily bear witness that besides Allah thereare other gods!''

ش أSay "I bear no (such) witness!''

ن آ م ءى نإو إن ه إ ـ وSay: "Only He is God, alone, and truly I am innocentof what you join in worship with Him.''

هء أ ن ی آ ن ی ـ ا ـ اء ی ا6:20 Those to whom We have given the Scripturerecognize him, as they recognize their own children.

ن م ی نأ او ی اThose who have lost (destroyed) themselves will

not believe.



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ـ یـ ب آ وأ آ ا ىا م أ مون ـ ا إن ی

6:21 And who does more wrong than he who

invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Ayat!Verily, the wrongdoers shall never be successful.

Allah is the Irresistible, Able to Bring Benefit and Protect fromHarm

Allah states that He Alone brings benefit or harm, and that Hedoes what He wills with His creatures, none can resist His

judgment or prevent what He decrees,

ی ن ن ی ا آ ش إ ه وإ وإی ءش آ ١٧

And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove itbut He, and if He touches you with good, then He is ableto do all things.


وم ی م ر م س ا م ی م س م

Whatever mercy, Allah may grant to mankind,none can withhold it, and whatever He maywithhold, none can grant it thereafter. (35:2)

It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allahused to supplicate,

ذا ، و ی م و م أ ن ا م ا م ا

O Allah, there is none Who can avert what Yougrant or give what You deprive, and no fortune

ever helps the fortunate against You.



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This is why Allah said,

د ق ه ا هو...

And He is the Irresistible, above His servants,

meaning, to Him the necks are subservient, the

tyrants humble before Him and He has completecontrol over all things. The creatures have allbowed to Allah and are humbled before His grace,honor, pride, greatness, highness and ability overall things. The creatures are insignificant beforeHim, for they are all under His irresistible decisionand power,

... ا هو...

and He is the All-Wise, (in all His actions),

... ا١٨

Well-Acquainted with all things.

Who places everything in its rightful place, grantsand favors whomever deserves His favor.

Allah said next,

آأ ء ش يأ ةد ش ...

Say: "What thing is the most great in witness!''

or what is the greatest witness,

... و ش ا ...

Say: "Allah (the Most Great!) is Witness between youand I.''

for He knows what I brought you and what youwill answer me with,

... مو آرن ن ا ا ه ...وأو إ

this Qur'an has been revealed to me that I maytherewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach.



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Therefore, this Qur'an is a warner for all thosewho hear of it.

In another Ayah, Allah said,

م ر با ا م ی مو

But those of the sects that reject it, theFire will be their promised meeting place.(11:17)

Ar-Rabi bin Anas said,

"Those who follow the Messenger of Allah oughtto call to what the Messenger of Allah called toand warn against what he warned against.''

Allah said next,

...نو ئأ...

"Can you verily bear witness...'' (O idolators),

...ش ن م ا أ ى أ ...أ

"that besides Allah there are other gods!'' Say, "I bearno (such) witness!''

Similarly, in another Ayah, Allah said;

م او ش ن

Then if they testify, testify not you with them.(6:150)

Allah said next,

... نإ ن آ م ءي نإو او ـ إ ه ١٩

Say: "Only He is God, alone, and truly I am innocent of what you join in worship with Him.''



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People of the Book Recognize the Prophet Just as They

Recognize Their Own Children

Allah says,

هء أ ن ی آ ن ی ب ا ه ی ا...

Those to whom We have given the Scripture recognizehim, as they recognize their own children.

Allah says, the People of the Book know what youbrought them, O Muhammad, as they know theirown children. This is because they received goodnews from the previous Messengers and Prophetsabout the coming of Muhammad, his attributes,homeland, his migration, and the description of

his Ummah.

Allah said next,

...ی ا نأ او ...

Those who have lost (destroyed) themselves,

and thus incurred the ultimate loss,

...ن م ی ٢٠

will not believe.

in this clear matter. A matter about which theprevious Prophets gave good news, and a matterextolled about in ancient and modern times.

Allah said next,

ی ب آ و ا ى ا آ أ م أ مو...

And who does more wrong than he who invents a lieagainst Allah or rejects His Ayat,

meaning, there is no person more unjust than hewho lies about Allah and claims that Allah hassent him, while Allah did not send him. There isno person more unjust than he who denies Allah's

proofs, signs and evidences,



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...ن ا ی نإ٢١

Verily, the wrongdoers shall never be successful.

Surely, both of these people will never acquiresuccess, whoever falsely (claims that Allah senthim) and whoever refuses (Allah's Ayat).

یأ ا آ شأ ی ل ن ه ن م یو شن آ ی ا آؤ آ

6:22 And on the Day when We shall gather them alltogether, We shall say to those who joined partners

in worship (with Us): "Where are your partners(false deities) whom you used to assert (aspartners in worship with Allah)!''

آ م آ م ر او ا ن أ إ 6:23 There will then be (left) no Fitnah for them butto say: "By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who

joined others (in worship with Allah).''

ان آ آ ا أن وض م آ ن انو ی

6:24 Look! How they lie against themselves! But the(lie) which they invented will disappear from them.

أ و إ ی م مون ای ی م اآ أ ن ی وا آ ء ی و ءاذان و ا وإ

6:25 And of them there are some who listen to you;but We have set veils on their hearts, so theyunderstand it not, and deafness in their ears; if theysee every one of the Ayat they will not believetherein;



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ـه ن وا إ آ ی ا ل ی ن ـ ی كوء اذإ وا ـ سأ إ

to the point that when they come to you to argue

with you, those who disbelieve say: "These arenothing but tales of the men of old.''

نأ إ ن ی ن ن وإ ن وی و ی هونو ی مو

6:26 And they prevent others from him and theythemselves keep away from him, and (by doing so)

they destroy none but themselves, yet theyperceive (it) not.

The Polytheists Shall be Questioned About the Shirk TheyCommitted

About the polytheists, Allah said:

ه ن م یو...

And on the Day when We shall gather them all together,

This is on the Day of Resurrection,

...ا آ شأ ی ... ن ل

We shall say to those who joined partners in worship

(with Us):

when He will ask them about the idols and rivalsthat they worshipped instead of Him.

Allah will say to them,

...ن آ ی ا آؤ آ ش یأ٢٢

Where are your partners (false deities) whom you usedto assert (as partners in worship with Allah)!



27

Allah said in Surah Al-Qasas,

آ ی ا ئ آ ش یأ ل ی ـ ی می نو

And (remember) the Day when He will call tothem, and say, "Where are My (so-called)partners whom you used to assert!'' (28:62)

Allah's statement,

...

There will then be (left) no Fitnah for them,

means, argument.

Ata' Al-Khurasani said that, (There will thenbe (left) no Fitnah for them),

in the face of the affliction that will be placed onthem,

... آ م آ م ر او ا ن ٢٣إ أ

but to say: "By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who

joined others (in worship with Allah).''

Allah said next,

نو ی ا ن آ م ضو نأ ا آ آ نا٢٤

Look! How they lie against themselves! But the (lie)which they invented will disappear from them.

which is similar to His other statement,

ن آ آ م یأ

ش م ا ن ن ا ـ ض ا ـ ا نو م د ا ا ی آی ـ

Then it will be said to them: "Where are (all)those whom you used to join in worship as

partners, Besides Allah'!'



28

They will say, "They have vanished from us: Nay,we did not invoke (worship) anything before.''

Thus Allah leads astray the disbelievers. (40:73-74)

The Miserable Do Not Benefit from the Qur'anAllah's statement,

ی ن ...وم م ی إ و أآ أ

And of them there are some who listen to you; but Wehave set veils on their hearts, so they understand it not,

means, they come to you, (O Muhammad ), so

that they hear you recite the Qur'an, but itsrecitation does not benefit them, because Allahhas set veils on their hearts, and so they do notunderstand the Qur'an,

...و ذان و ا...

and (set) deafness in their ears;

that prevents them from hearing what benefitsthem.


إ ی ی ى ا آ او آ ی ا موء نو ء د

And the example of those who disbelieve,

is as that of him who shouts at one whohears nothing but calls and cries. (2:171)

Allah said next,

... ا م ی ی آ او ی ن ...وإ

if they see every one of the Ayat they will not believetherein;

meaning, they will not believe in any of the Ayat,proofs, clear evidences and signs they witness



29

because they do not have sound comprehensionor fair judgment.


س ا ا و

Had Allah known of any good in them, Hewould indeed have made them listen.(8:23)

Allah said,

... ن د ی كوؤ اذإ ...

to the point that when they come to you to argue with

you...

using falsehood against truth,

...او آ ی ا ل ی وا سأ إ ه ن ٢٥إ

those who disbelieve say: "These are nothing but tales of the men of old.''

The disbelievers say, what you (O Muhammad)brought us was taken from the books of thosewho were before us, meaning plagiarized,

ن ن وی و ی هو...

And they prevent others from him and they themselveskeep away from him,

They discourage people from following the truth,

believing in Muhammad and obeying the Qur'an, ن و و (and they themselves keep away fromhim),

They thus combine both evil acts, for theyneither benefit themselves, nor let othersbenefit from the Prophet.

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas said that the

Ayah, ن هو (And they prevent others from him),means,



30

they hinder people from believing in Muhammad.

Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiyyah said,

"The disbelievers of Quraysh used to refrain frommeeting Muhammad and they discouraged peoplefrom coming to him.''

Similar was reported from Qatadah, Mujahid andAd-Dahhak and several others.

...نو ی مو نأ إ ن ی ن ٢٦وإ

and (by doing so) they destroy not but themselves, yetthey perceive (it) not.

They destroy themselves by committing this evilaction, and its harm will only touch them. Yet,they do not perceive this fact!

و د ن ی ا ر ا ا و ذإ ى و

م ا م ن ن ـی ـ ر و ب ن6:27 If you could but see when they will be heldover the (Hell) Fire! They will say: "Would that wewere but sent back (to the world)! Then we wouldnot deny the Ayat of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!''

م ن ی ا ن آ م ا 6:28 Nay, what they had been concealing beforehas become manifest to them.

ر ون ـ نإو ا ن اوـ اودBut if they were returned (to the world), they wouldcertainly revert to that which they were forbidden.And indeed they are liars.



31

ن مو نا إ ه ن و ا إ6:29 And they said: "There is no (other life) but our(present) life of this world, and never shall we beresurrected.''

اـ ه أ ل ر ا و ذإ ى و6:30 If you could but see when they will standbefore their Lord! He will say: "Is not this thetruth!''

رو ا They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!''

نو آ با ا ا و ل He will then say: "So taste you the torment becauseyou used not to believe.''

Wishes and Hopes Do Not Help One When He Sees theTorment

Allah tells;

ر ا ا و ذإ ى و...

If you could but see when they will be held over the

(Hell) Fire!Allah mentions the condition of the disbelieverswhen they are made to stand before the Fire onthe Day of Resurrection and witness its chainsand restraints, along with seeing the horrible,momentous conditions in the Fire with their owneyes. This is when,

... ن و د ن ی ا م ا م ن نو ر ت ی ب٢٧



32

They will say: "Would that we were but sent back (to theworld)! Then we would not deny the Ayat of our Lord,and we would be of the believers!''

They wish that they would be sent back to the lifeof the world so that they could perform righteousdeeds, refrain from disbelieving in the Ayat of their Lord and be among the believers.

Allah said,

م ن ی ا ن آ م ا ...

Nay, what they had been concealing before has becomemanifest to them.

meaning, the disbelief, denial and rebellion thatthey used to hide in their hearts will then beuncovered, even though they will try to hide thisfact in this life and the Hereafter.

Earlier, Allah said,

آ م آ م ر او ا ن إ أ

نو ی ا ن آ م ضو نأ ا آ آ نا There will then be (left) no trial for them but tosay: "By Allah, our Lord, we were not those who

joined others in worship with Allah.'' Look! Howthey lie against themselves! But the (lie) whichthey invented will disappear from them. (6:23-24)

It is also possible that the meaning here is thatthe disbelievers will realize the truth that theyknew all along in their hearts, that is, that whatthe Messengers brought them in this life is true,although they used to deny his Message beforetheir followers.

Allah said that Musa said to Firàwn,

ت ـ ا بر إ ء ـ ه لنأ م

ئ ض وار



33

"Verily, you know that these signs haveclearly been sent down by none but theLord of the heavens and the earth as eye-opening evidence.'' (17:102)

Allah said about Firàwn and his people,

ا و نأ ساو او وAnd they belied them (those Ayat)wrongfully and arrogantly, though theywere themselves convinced thereof.(27:14)

م ن ی ا ن آ م ا ...

Nay, it has become manifest to them what theyhad been concealing before.

When this occurs, and the disbelievers ask to bereturned to this life, they will not do so becausethey truly wish to embrace the faith. Rather, theyask to be returned to this life for fear of thetorment that they are witnessing before them, aspunishment for the disbelief they committed, andto try and avoid the Fire that they see beforetheir eyes.

... ذ نإو ا ن او د ٢٨نو ردوا

But if they were returned, they would certainly revert tothat which they were forbidden. And indeed they areliars.

meaning, they lie when they say they wish to goback to this life so that they can embrace thefaith.

Allah states that even if they were sent back tothe life of this world, they will again commit thedisbelief and defiance that they were prohibited.

ن ذ نإو (And indeed they are liars), in their statement

that,



34

...ب ن و د ن ی ا م ا م ن نو ر ت ی

م ن ی ا ن آ م ا ا ن اود اودر ون ذ نإو

"Would that we were but sent back! Then we would not

deny the Ayat of our Lord, and we would be of thebelievers!''

Nay, what they had been concealing before has becomemanifest to them. But if they were returned, they wouldcertainly revert to that which they were forbidden. Andindeed they are liars.

Therefore, they will revert to their old behavior,

نا إ ه ن ...و ا إ And they said: There is no life but our life of this world,

and there is no Hereafter,

... ن مو٢٩

and never shall we be resurrected.

Allah said,

ا و ذإ ى و ر ...

If you could but see when they will stand before theirLord!

in front of Him,

... ا ه أ ل ...

He will say: "Is not this the truth''

meaning, is not Resurrection true, contrary towhat you thought,

... رو ا...

They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!''

...نو آ با ا ا و ل٣٠

He will then say: "So taste you the torment because youused not to believe.''



35

and because you today denied Resurrection.Therefore, taste the torment,

نو نأ مأ ا ـ ه أ

"Is this magic, or do you not see!'' (52:15)

ا ء اذإ ا ء ا آ ی ا م ی ا

6:31 They indeed are losers who denied theirmeeting with Allah, until all of a sudden, the Hour(signs of death) is upon them, and they say: "Alasfor us that we gave no thought to it,''

س أ هر هرازوأ ن ی هو م ءنو ی ر

while they will bear their burdens on their backs;and evil indeed are the burdens that they will bear!

ة ا را و و إ نا ة ا مون أ ن ی ی 6:32 And the life of this world is nothing but playand amusement. But far better is the abode of theHereafter for those have Taqwa. Will you not thenunderstand!

Allah says;

ا ء ا آ ی ا ...

They indeed are losers who denied their meeting withAllah,

Allah describes the regret of the disbelieverswhen facing Him, and their disappointment at the

commencement, along with their sorrow for notperforming good deeds and for their evil deeds.



36


... م ی ا ا ء اذإ ...

until all of a sudden, the Hour (signs of death) is uponthem, and they say: "Alas for us that we gave nothought to it.''

Ìt' here refers to either the life of this world, orthe affairs of the Hereafter.

Allah's statement,

...نو ٣١وه ی ن أوزاره ره أ س ء م یر

while they will bear their burdens on their backs; andevil indeed are the burdens that they will bear!

Asbat said that As-Suddi said,

"Upon entering his grave, every unjust person willmeet a man with an ugly face, dark skin, awfulodor, wearing dirty clothes, who will enter hisgrave with him. When the unjust person seeshim, he will say, `How ugly is your face!'

He will reply, `So was your work, it was ugly.'

The unjust person will say, `How foul is the odorcoming from you!'

He will reply, `Such was the case with your work,it stunk.'

The unjust person will say, `How dirty are yourclothes!'

He will reply, Ànd your work too was dirty.'

The unjust person will ask, `Who are you?'

He will reply, Ì am your deeds.'

So he will remain with the unjust person in hisgrave, and when he is resurrected on the Day of Resurrection, his companion will say to him, Ìnthe life of the world, I used to carry you becauseyou followed desire and lust. Today, you carry

me.'



37

So he will ride on the unjust person's back andlead him until he enters the Fire.

So Allah said, ء س أ هر هرازوأ ن هونو ر (while they will bear their burdens on their

backs; and evil indeed are the burdens that theywill bear!''

Allah's statement,

و إ نا ة ا مو...

And the life of this world is nothing but play andamusement.

means, most of it is play and amusement,

...ن أ ن ی ی ة ا را و٣٢

But far better is the abode of the Hereafter for those whohave Taqwa. Will you not then understand!

ن ی ن ن ی ى ا ن نإ ن نو ی ا ـ ی ـ ـ ا ـ و6:33 We know indeed the grief which their wordscause you; it is not you that they deny, but it is theverses of Allah that the wrongdoers deny.

ا آ م او م سر آ و و ا ـ ل م و ن ن ـ أ اوذوأو

س ا ن م كء 6:34 Verily, (many) Messengers were denied beforeyou, but with patience they bore the denial, andthey were hurt, till Our help reached them, andnone can alter the Words of Allah. Surely, there hasreached you the information about the Messengers

(before you).



38

ن ن اس أ ضا إ آ نآ ن وإ ی ـ ء ا س وأ ض ن ار

6:35 If their aversion is hard on you, then if you

were able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a ladderto the sky, so that you may bring them a sign.

م ن ى ا ا ءش و ـ ا

And had Allah willed, He could have gathered themtogether upon true guidance, so be not you one of

the ignorant.

ا ی او ن ی ی ا ی نإن ی إ

6:36 It is only those who listen, that will respond,but as for the dead, Allah will raise them up, then toHim they will be returned.

Comforting the Prophet

Allah comforts the Prophet in his grief over his people's denialand defiance of him,

ن ی ي ا ن نإ ن ...

We know indeed the grief which their words cause you;

meaning, We know about their denial of you andyour sadness and sorrow for them.


ت ن ه

So destroy not yourself in sorrow for them.(35:8)



39

and,

م م ا ن ی أ ن ـ

It may be that you are going to killyourself with grief, that they do notbecome believers. (26:3)

and,

ا ـ ا م ی ن ه إ ـ اء ن ـ سأ ی ا

Perhaps, you, would kill yourself in grief,over their footsteps (for their turning away

from you), because they believe not in thisnarration. (18:6)

Allah's statement,

...نو ی ا ت ی ا و ن ی ن ٣٣

it is not you that they deny, but it is the verses of Allahthat the wrongdoers deny.

means, they do not accuse you of being a liar,نو ا ت ا و (but it is the Verses of

Allah that the wrongdoers deny). It is only thetruth that they reject and refuse.

Muhammad bin Ishaq mentioned that Az-Zuhri said that;

Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan Sakhr bin Harb and Al-Akhnas bin Shurayq once came to listen to the

Prophet reciting the Qur'an at night, but thesethree men were not aware of the presence of each other. So they listened to the Prophet'srecitation until the morning, and then left.

They met each other on their way back and eachone of them asked the others, "What broughtyou!''

So they mentioned to each other the reason whythey came. They vowed not to repeat this incident



40

so that the young men of Quraysh would not hearof what they did and imitate them.

On the second night, each one of the three cameback thinking that the other two would not comebecause of the vows they made to each other. Inthe morning, they again met each other on theirway back and criticized each other, vowing not torepeat what they did.

On the third night, they again went to listen tothe Prophet and in the morning they again vowednot to repeat this incident.

During that day, Al-Akhnas bin Shurayq took hisstaff and went to Abu Sufyan bin Harb in his

house saying, "O Abu Hanzalah! What is youropinion concerning what you heard fromMuhammad.''

Abu Sufyan said, "O Abu Thalabah! By Allah, Ihave heard some things that I recognize andknow their implications. I also heard some thingswhose meaning and implications were unknownto me.''

Al-Akhnas said, "And I the same, by He Whomyou swore by!''

Al-Akhnas left Abu Sufyan and went to Abu Jahland asked him, "O Abu Al-Hakam! What is youropinion about what you heard from Muhammad.''

Abu Jahl said, "We competed with Bani Abd Manaf

(the Prophet's sub tribe) and so we fed as theyfed and gave away as they gave away. So, whenwe were neck and neck with them, just as twohorses in a race, they said, `There is a Prophetfrom among us, to whom revelation from theheaven comes.' So how can we ever beat them atthat! By Allah we will never believe in him oraccept what he says.'

This is when Al-Akhnas left Abu Jahl and wentaway.''



41

Allah's statement,

ه أ اوذوأو ا آ م او م سر آ و ن ن...

Verily, (many) Messengers were denied before you, but

with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt,till Our help reached them,

This comforts the Prophet's concern for those whodenied and rejected him.

Allah also commands the Prophet to be patient, just as the mighty Messengers before him were.He also promised him victory, just as the previous

Messengers were victorious and the good end wastheirs, after the denial and harm their peopleplaced on them. Then, victory came to them inthis life, just as victory is theirs in the Hereafter.

Allah said,

... ا ت ل م و...

and none can alter the Words of Allah.

This refers to His decision that victory in this lifeand the Hereafter is for His believing servants.


سرو نأ ا آی ى ا ن إ

Allah has decreed: "Verily! It is I and My

Messengers who shall be the victorious.'' Verily,Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty. (58:21)

Allah said;

... س ا ن م كء و٣٤

Surely, there has reached you the information about theMessengers (before you).



42

who were given victory and prevailed over thepeople who rejected them. And you (OMuhammad) have a good example in them.

Allah said next,

ضا إ آ ن آ ن ...وإ

If their aversion is hard on you,

and you cannot be patient because of theiraversion,

ض أو س ا ء... ن ن ار اس أ ن ...

then if you were able to seek a tunnel in the ground or a

ladder to the sky...

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas commented,

"If you were able to seek a tunnel and bring theman Ayah, or go up a ladder in the sky and bring abetter Ayah than the one I (Allah) gave them,then do that.''

Similar was reported from Qatadah, As-Suddi andothers.

... ی ...

so that you may bring them a sign.

Allah's statement,

... ه ا م ن ى ا ا ء ش و٣٥

And had Allah willed, He could have gathered themtogether upon true guidance, so be not you one of theignorant.

is similar to His statement,

آ ض و ش ء ر م م ار

And had your Lord willed, those on earth wouldhave believed, all of them together. (10:99)



43

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said about

Allah's statement, ى ا ا ء ش و (And had

Allah willed, He could have gathered them together upontrue guidance),

"The Messenger of Allah was eager that all people

believe and be guided to follow him. Allah toldhim that only those whose happiness Allah haswritten in the first Dhikr will believe.''

Allah's statement,

ن ی ی ا ی نإ...

It is only those who listen, that will respond,

means, only those who hear the speech,comprehend and understand it, will accept yourcall, O Muhammad!


ر م یاء ل ن ا و6:37 And they said: "Why is not a sign sent down tohim from his Lord!''

رد ا ن ن ی ل ءای و ـ أآ ه إ أن ی

Say: "Allah is certainly able to send down a sign,but most of them know not.''

إ ی ئ و ض وم م د ار ـ م أم أ

6:38 There is not a moving creature on earth, nor abird that flies with its two wings, but are Umam like

you.



44

نو ی ر إ ء ش م ـ ا مWe have neglected nothing in the Book, then untotheir Lord they (all) shall be gathered.

ـ ا و ـ ی ـ ا آ ی او6:39 Those who reject Our Ayat are deaf and dumbin darkness.

ط ی ی مو ی ا ی م م

Allah sends astray whom He wills and He guides onthe straight path whom He wills.

The Idolators Ask for a Miracle

Allah says;

ر م ی ل ن ا و...

And they said: "Why is not a sign sent down to him fromhis Lord!''

Allah states that the idolators used to proclaim,"Why does not (Muhammad) bring an Ayah fromhis Lord,'' meaning, a miracle of their choice!

They would sometimes say,

ب إ أن آ ـ س ی أن ن وم م ا د اءو ن وا مو ا ة م ی إ ـ ن س ی

And nothing stops Us from sending the

Ayat but that the people of old deniedthem. And We sent the she-camel to



45

Thamud as a clear sign, but they did herwrong. And We sent not the signs exceptto warn, and to make them afraid (of destruction). (17:59)

and,

ـ أ یاء ء ا م ل ن ن ن إ ـ

If We will, We could send down to themfrom the heaven a sign, to which theywould bend their necks in humility. (26:4)

The Meaning of Umam

Allah said,

... م ض و ئ ی إ أم أ وم م د ار

There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor abird that flies with its two wings, but are Umam likeyou.

Mujahid commented,

"Meaning, various species that have distinctnames.''

Qatadah said,

"Birds are an Ummah, humans are an Ummah and the Jinns are an Ummah.''

As-Suddi said that, أ أ إ (but are Umam likeyou) means,

creations (or species).

Allah's statement,

...ء ش م ب ا م...

We have neglected nothing in the Book,



46

means, the knowledge about all things is withAllah, and He never forgets any of His creatures,nor their sustenance, nor their affairs, whetherthese creatures live in the sea or on land.


ه م ی رض إ ا رز و ا د م موب آ آ د مو م

And no moving creature is there on earth but itsprovision is due from Allah. And He knows itsdwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus,grave, etc.). All is in a Clear Book. (11:6)

there is a record of their names, numbers,movements, and lack of movement.


ا هو آ یإو ز ی ا زر د م ی آو ا

And so many a moving creature there is, that

carries not its own provision! Allah provides for itand for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (29:60)

...نو ی ر إ ٣٨

then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered.

Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Ibn Abbas said about the

Ayah,"Death gathers them.''

It was also said that the Day of Resurrection gathersthem, for in another Ayah, Allah said;

ت ش ا اذإو

And when the wild beasts shall be gathered

together. (81:5)



47

Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Abu Hurayrah said aboutAllah's statement,

إ أ أ ب ا ء ث إ ر ون

but are Umam like you. We have neglected nothing inthe Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall begathered,

"All creatures will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection, the beasts, birds and all others.Allah's justice will be so perfect, that the un-horned sheep will receive retribution from thehorned sheep. Allah will then command them,

`Be dust!' This is when the disbeliever will say, ا آ ("Woe to me! Would that I were

dust!)'' (78: 40)

And this was reported from the Prophet in theHadith about the Trumpet.

The Disbelievers will be Deaf and Mute in Darkness

Allah said,

ا و ی ا آ یاوت ...

Those who reject Our Ayat are deaf and dumb indarkness.

due to their ignorance, little knowledge andminute comprehension. Their example is that of

the deaf-mute who cannot hear nor speak, as wellas being blinded by darkness. Therefore, how cansuch a person find guidance to the path or changethe condition he is in


م تء ضأ ار ن سا ى ا آ منو ی ـ آ و هر ا هذ

ن ی



48

Their parable is that of one who kindled afire; then, when it illuminated all aroundhim, Allah took away their light and leftthem in darkness. (So) they could not see.They are deaf, dumb, and blind, so theyreturn not (to the right path). (2:17-18)

and,

ج م م ج م ـ ی ـ آ أوج أ ذإ ق ـ ب س م

ا ی مو ها ی ی ی م ار نر ن

Or like the darkness in a vast deep sea,overwhelmed with a great wave topped bya great wave, topped by dark clouds,darkness, one above another, if a manstretches out his hand, he can hardly seeit! And he for whom Allah has notappointed light, for him there is no light.(24:40)

This is why Allah said here,

... م طا ی ی مو ی ا ی م٣٩

Allah sends astray whom He wills and He guides on thestraight path whom He wills.

for He does what He wills with His creatures.

أ ا أ وأ ا با ـ ن أ أرأی إ ـ آ ن ا ن إ

6:40 Say: "Tell me if Allah's torment comes uponyou, or the Hour comes upon you, would you thencall upon any one other than Allah! (Reply) if youare truthful!''



49

ء س ـ ن م مأ إ سرأ ون ی ء او

6:41 Nay! To Him alone you call, and, if He willed,He would remove that (distress) for which you callupon Him, and you forget at that time whateverpartners you joined with Him (in worship)!

ن و ء ش ن إی ـ ن م ن إ إن آ م

6:42 Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nationsbefore you. And We seized them with extreme

poverty and loss of health so that they mightbelieve with humility.

ا إذ ءه س 6:43 When Our torment reached them, why then didthey not believe with humility!

ا ن آ م ـ ا یزو ـ ون یBut their hearts became hardened, and Shaytanmade fair-seeming to them that which they used todo.

او آذ م ا ن ء ش آ با أ ن م ه اذ ـ ن أ ا وأ ا اذإ 6:44 So, when they forgot (the warning) with whichthey had been reminded, We opened to them thegates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, allof a sudden, We took them to punishment, and lo!They were plunged into destruction with deep

regrets and sorrows.



50

ا ی ا م ا اد 6:45 So the roots of the people who did wrong werecut off.

ـ ا وا ربAnd all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lordof the all that exists.

The Idolators Call On Allah Alone During Torment andDistress

Allah states that He does what He wills with His creatures andnone can resist His decision or avert what He decrees for them.He is the One Who has no partners, Who accepts thesupplication from whomever He wills.

Allah said,

أ وأ ا با آ أ ن ن أرأی إ ا أ ا ن إ

د آ٤٠ Say: "Tell me if Allah's torment comes upon you, or theHour comes upon you, would you then call upon any oneother than Allah! (Reply) if you are truthful!''

This means, you -- disbelievers -- will not callother than Allah in this case, because you knowthat none except He is able to remove the

affliction. د ن آ إ (if you are truthful) by

taking gods besides Him.

Allah said,

م ن یإ ن آ م ن و ء ش ن ن إ إ٤١

Nay! To Him alone you call, and, if He willed, Hewould remove that (distress) for which you call

upon Him, and you forget at that time whateverpartners you joined with Him (in worship)!



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for in times of necessity, you only call on Allahand forget your idols and false deities.


یإ إ ن م ض ا ا م اذإوAnd when harm touches you upon the sea,those that you call upon besides Himvanish from you except Him (Allah).(17:67)

Allah said;

...و أرس إ أم م ن ه س ء

Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before

you. And We seized them with extreme poverty...

That is, loss of wealth and diminished provisions,

...وا اء...

and loss of health,

various illnesses, diseases and pain,

...ن ی ٤٢

so that they might believe with humility.

and call Allah and supplicate to Him withhumbleness and humility.

Allah said;

ا س هء ذإ ...

When Our torment reached them, why then did they notbelieve with humility,

Meaning: Why do they not believe and humblethemselves before Us when We test them withdisaster!'

... ـ و...

But their hearts became hardened,for their hearts are not soft or humble,



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...ن ی ا ن آ م ن ا یزو٤٣

and Shaytan made fair-seeming to them that whichthey used to do.

That is, Shirk, defiance and rebellion.

او آذ م ا ن ...

So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they hadbeen reminded,

by ignoring and turning away from it,

....ء ش آ با أ ...

We opened to them the gates of everything,

Meaning: `We opened the gates of provisions forthem from wherever they wished, so that Wedeceive them.'

We seek refuge with Allah from such an end.


...ا وأ ا اذإ ...

until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which theywere given,

such as wealth, children and provisions,

...ن م ه اذ ه ن أ٤٤

all of a sudden, We took them to punishment and lo!They were plunged into destruction with deep regretsand sorrows.

They have no hope for any type of good thing.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said,

"Whomever Allah gives provision and he thinks

that Allah is not testing him, has no wisdom.Whomever has little provision and thinks that



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Allah will not look at (provide for) him, has nowisdom.''

He then recited the Ayah,

ن ا م ذآ وا أ اب آ ش ء إذا

ن م ه اذ ه ن أ ا وأ ا So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they

had been reminded, We opened to them thegates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midstof their enjoyment in that which they were given,all of a sudden, We took them to punishment, andlo! They were plunged into destruction with deepregrets and sorrows.

He added,

"By the Lord of the Ka`bah! Allah deceived thesepeople, when He gave them what they wished,and then they were punished.''

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded this statement.

Allah's statement,

ا بر او ا ی ا م ا اد ٤٥

So the roots of the people who did wrong were cut off.And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the all that exists.

أ ن آ و أرأی إ ـ أو س ا ی ا ـ إ م

6:46 Say: "Tell me, if Allah took away your hearingand your sight, and sealed up your hearts, is there agod other than Allah who could restore them toyou!''



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ن ی ه ـ یا ف ن آ ناSee how variously We explain the Ayat, yet theyturn aside.

ی ه ة وأ ا با ـ أ ن أرأی إن ـ ا م ا إ

6:47 Say: "Tell me, if the punishment of Allahcomes to you suddenly, or openly, will any bedestroyed except the wrongdoing people!''

یر مو ی م إ س ا س ن مو6:48 And We send not the Messengers but as giversof glad tidings and as warners.

ن ن ی ه و ف أو ماء So whosoever believes and does righteous gooddeeds, upon such shall come no fear, nor shall they

grieve.

اب آ ن ا ی نوا ی آ ا ـ ی ـ ی ا6:49 But those who reject Our Ayat, the tormentwill strike them for their rebelling.

Allah said to His Messenger, ...

say,

O Muhammad, to those rebellious liars,

... س ا ن أ ... وأ رآ أرأی إ

Tell me, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight.

just as He gave these senses to you.



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ـ او ا و آ نأ ى ا ه

It is He Who has created you, and endowed youwith hearing, seeing. (67:23)

The Ayah above might also mean that Allah will notallow the disbelievers to benefit from these senses inreligious terms. This is why He said next,

... و...

and sealed up your hearts,.

He also said in other Ayat,

ـ او ا ی مأ

Or who owns hearing and sight! (10:31)

and,

و ء ا ل ی ا ن وا ا أ

And know that Allah comes in between a personand his heart.

Allah said;

... م ی ا ـ إ...

Is there a god other than Allah who could restore themto you!

Meaning, is there anyone except Allah who is ableto give you back these senses if Allah took themfrom you! Only Allah is able to do so, and this iswhy He said here,

...ت یا ف ن آ نا...

See how variously We explain the Ayat,

and make them plain and clear, testifying toAllah's Oneness in lordship and that those



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worshipped besides Him are all false andunworthy.

... ه ن ی٤٦

yet they turn aside.

After this explanation, they still turn away fromthe truth and hinder people from following it.

Allah's statement,

ا ن أ آ اب ... أرأی إ

Say: "Tell me, if the punishment of Allah comes to yousuddenly...''

means, while you are unaware -- or during thenight -- striking you all of a sudden,

...ة وأ...

or openly

during the day, or publicly,

...ن ا م ا إ ی ه٤٧

will any be destroyed except the wrongdoing people.

This torment only strikes those who commitinjustice against themselves by associating otherswith Allah, while those who worship Allah alonewithout partners will be saved from it, and they

will have no fear or sorrow.In another Ayah, Allah said;

ـ یإ ا ی و ا ماء ی ا

It is those who believe and confuse nottheir belief with Zulm, (wrong or Shirk).(6:82)

Allah's statement,



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یر مو ی م إ س ا س ن مو...

And We send not the Messengers but as bearers of gladtidings and as warners.

means, the Messengers bring good news toAllah's servants, as well as, command all that isgood and righteous. They also warn those whodisbelieve in Allah of His anger and of all types of torment.

Allah said,

... أو م ...

So whosoever believes and does righteous good deeds,

meaning, whoever believes in his heart with whatthe Messengers were sent with and makes hisworks righteous by imitating them;

... ف ...

upon such shall come no fear,

concerning the future,

...ن ن ی ه و٤٨

nor shall they grieve.

about what they missed in the past and leftbehind them in this world. Certainly, Allah will bethe Wali and Protector over what they leftbehind.

Allah said next,

ن ی ٤٩وا ی آ ا ی ی ا اب آ ن ا

But those who reject Our Ayat, the torment will strikethem for their rebelling.

The torment will strike them because of disbelieving in the Message of the Messengers,

defying Allah's commands, committing what Heprohibited and transgressing His set limits.



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و ا أ ل ى ئ ا و أ إ ی م إ أ ن أ ل إن م إ

6:50 Say: "I don't tell you that with me are thetreasures of Allah, nor (that) I know the Unseen;nor do I tell you that I am an angel. I but followwhat is revealed to me.''

نو أ او ا ى ی ه Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal!

Will you not then consider!''

ر إ او ی ن وأنر ا ی ی ن أن ی ش و و نود م

6:51 And warn therewith those who fear that theywill be gathered before their Lord, when there willbe neither a protector nor an intercessor for them

besides Him, so that they may have Taqwa.

نو ی ی او ةا ر ن ی ی ا د و و

6:52 And turn not away those who invoke theirLord, morning and evening seeking His Face.

م مو ء ش م م م ـ ا م ن هد ء ش م

You are accountable for them in nothing, and theyare accountable for you in nothing, that you mayturn them away, and thus become of thewrongdoers.



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ا م ءـ هأ ا آو م

6:53 Thus We have tried some of them with others,

that they might say: "Is it these (poor believers)that Allah has favored from amongst us!''

ی ـ ا أDoes not Allah know best those who are grateful!

ـ س ـ ی ـ ن م ی ی ا كء اذإو6:54 When those who believe in Our Ayat come toyou, say: "Salamun Àlaykum'' (peace be on you);

م س ءا م نأ ا ن ر آ ر ر ن أو م ب

your Lord has written mercy for Himself, so that, if

any of you does evil in ignorance, and thereafterrepents and does righteous good deeds, thensurely, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

The Messenger Neither has the Key to Allah's Treasures, NorKnows the Unseen

Allah said to His Messenger,

ا ئ ي ل أ ...

Say: "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allah.''

meaning, I do not own Allah's treasures or haveany power over them,

... ا أ و...

nor (that) I know the Unseen,



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and I do not say that I know the Unseen, becauseits knowledge is with Allah and I only know whatHe conveys of it to me.

... م نإ ل أ و...

nor I tell you that I am an angel.

meaning, I do not claim that I am an angel. I amonly a human to whom Allah sends revelation,and He honored me with this duty and favoredme with it.

... ن أ إ م ی إ ...إ

I but follow what is revealed to me.

and I never disobey the revelation in the least.

وا ه ی ي ا... ...

Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal!''

meaning, Ìs the one who is guided, following thetruth, equal to the one misled!'

...نو أ٥٠

Will you not then consider!


أ نإ أ ه آ ا ر م إ لنأ نأ ی ـ ا ا وأ آ ی

Shall he then who knows that what has beenrevealed to you from your Lord is the truth, belike him who is blind But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed. (13:19)

Allah's statement,

و نود م ر إ او ی ن وأنر ا ی ی ن أ

ش و...



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And warn therewith those who fear that they will begathered before their Lord, when there will be neither aprotector nor an intercessor for them besides Him,

means, warn with this Qur'an, O Muhammad,

ن م ر م ه ی ا

Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord,(23:57)

who,

ن یب ا ء س ن ی ر

Fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.

(13:21)

ر إ او ن أ ن ا ر نأو (those who fearthat they will be gathered before their Lord), on

the Day of Resurrection, ش و و نود (when there will be neither a protector nor anintercessor for them besides Him), for on thatDay, they will have no relative or intercessor whocan prevent His torment if He decides to punish

them with it, ن (so that they may haveTaqwa).

Therefore, warn of the Day when there will be no judge except Allah,

...ن ی ٥١

so that they may have Taqwa.

and thus work good deeds in this life, so thattheir good deeds may save them on the Day of Resurrection from Allah's torment, and so that Hewill grant them multiple rewards.

Prohibiting the Messenger from Turning the Weak Away andthe Order to Honor Them

Allah said,



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ر ن ی ی ا د و و نو ی ی او ةا ...

And turn not away those who invoke their Lord, morningand evening seeking His Face.

meaning, do not turn away those who have thesequalities, instead make them your companionsand associates.


او ةا ر ن ی ی ا م ن اوة ا یز ی ك و و نو ی ی ه او ن آذ أ م و ناا

مأ ن آو

And keep yourself patiently with those whocall on their Lord morning and evening,seeking His Face, and let not your eyesoverlook them, desiring the pomp andglitter of the life of the world; and obeynot him whose heart We have madeheedless of Our remembrance, one whofollows his own lusts and whose affair(deeds) has been lost.(18:28)

Allah's statement, ر ن (invoke their Lord...),

refers to those who worship Him and supplicate toHim,

او ةا (morning and evening),

referring to the obligatory prayers,according to Saìd bin Al-Musayyib,Mujahid, Al-Hasan and Qatadah.


س اد ن أ ـ ر ل و

And your Lord said, "Invoke Me, I willrespond (to your invocation).'' (40:60)

I will accept your supplication.



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Allah said next, و نو (seeking His Face),

meaning, they seek Allah's Most Generous Face,by sincerity for Him in the acts of worship andobedience they perform.

Allah said;

...ء ش م م مو ء ش م م م...

You are accountable for them in nothing, and they areaccountable for you in nothing,

This is similar to the answer Nuh gave to his people

when they said, ن ذر ا او نأ (Shall we believe in

you, when the meekest (of the people) follow you!''

(26:111) Nuh answered them,

ن ا ن آ و ل

نو ر إ ح ن إ

And what knowledge have I of what they used todo! Their account is only with my Lord, if youcould (but) know. (26:112-113)

meaning, their reckoning is for Allah not me, justas my reckoning is not up to them.

Allah said here,

... م ن هد ا٥٢

that you may turn them away, and thus become of the

wrongdoers.

meaning, you will be unjust if you turn themaway.

Allah's statement,

آ ...و

Thus We have tried some of them with others!



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means, We tested, tried and checked them witheach other,

... م ا م ء ـ هأ ا ...

That they might say: "Is it these (poor believers) thatAllah has favored from amongst us!''

This is because at first, most of those whofollowed the Messenger of Allah were the weakamong the people, men, women, slaves, and onlya few chiefs or noted men followed him.

Nuh, was also addressed by his people إ كا ن ه ا إ ا كا ن و ا يأا يد ذارأ (Nor

do we see any follow you but the meekest amongus and they (too) followed you without thinking).(11:27)

Heraclius, emperor of Rome, asked Abu Sufyan,"Do the noblemen or the weak among peoplefollow him (Muhammad)?''

Abu Sufyan replied, "Rather the weak amongthem.''

Heraclius commented, "Such is the case withfollowers of the Messengers.''

The idolators of Quraysh used to mock the weakamong them who believed in the Prophet andthey even tortured some of them. They used tosay, "Are these the ones whom Allah favoredabove us,'' meaning, Allah would not guide these

people, instead of us, to all that is good, if indeedwhat they embraced is good.

Allah mentioned similar statements in the Qur'anfrom the disbelievers,

إ ن س م ا ن آ

Had it been a good thing, they (weak and

poor) would not have preceded us to it!(46:11)



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and,

ی او آ ی ا ل ـ ـ یاء اذإو ا ىأ ا ماء ی ن أو م م ی

And when Our clear verses are recited to

them, those who disbelieve say to thosewho believe: "Which of the two groups isbest in position and station.'' (19:73)

Allah said in reply,

هأ آویءرو أ أ ه ن م

And how many a generation (past nations)

have We destroyed before them, who werebetter in wealth, goods and outwardappearance. (19:74)

Here, Allah answered the disbelievers when they said,

... ـ هأ م ا م ءی آ ا أ٥٣

"Is it these (poor believers) that Allah has favored fromamongst us!'' Does not Allah know best those who aregrateful!

Meaning is not Allah more knowledgeable of thosewho thank and appreciate Him in statement,action and heart!

Thus Allah directs these believers to the ways of peace, transfers them from darkness to light byHis leave, and guides them to the straight path.


ی او ا ن ی س وإ او ـ ا

As for those who strive hard for Us (Ourcause), We will surely guide them to Ourpaths (i.e. Allah's religion). And verily,Allah is with the doers of good.'' (29:69)



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An authentic Hadith states,

إ ی و ، نا أ إ و آر إ ی ا ن إ أو

Allah does not look at your shapes or colors, but

He looks at your heart and actions.

Allah's statement,

م س ی ن م ی ی ا كء اذإو...

When those who believe in Our Ayat come to you, say:"Salamun Àlaykum'' (peace be on you);

means, honor them by returning the Salam andgive them the good news of Allah's exclusive,encompassing mercy for them.

So Allah said;

... ا ن ر آ...

your Lord has written Mercy for Himself,

meaning, He has obliged His Most Honored Self togrant mercy, as a favor, out of His compassionand beneficence,

... اء س م م نأ...

So that, if any of you does evil in ignorance...

as every person who disobeys Allah does it inignorance,

... أو م ب ...

and thereafter repents and does righteous good deeds,

by repenting from the sins that he committed,intending not to repeat the sin in the future, butto perform righteous deeds,

... ر ر ن ٥٤

then surely, He is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.



67

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that theMessenger of Allah said,

ش ا ق ب آ آ ا ا :ن إ ر

When Allah finished with the creation, He wrote ina Book that He has with Him above the Throne,`My mercy prevails over My anger'.

This Hadith was also recorded in the TwoSahihs.

م ا س و ـ یا ن آو6:55 And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail, thatthe way of the criminals, may become manifest.

ا نو ا ی ن م د ن أ إن ن أ6:56 Say: "I have been forbidden to worship thosewhom you invoke (worship) besides Allah.''

ی ا م نأ مو اذإ ض آء هأ أ Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, Iwould go astray, and I would not be one of therightly guided.''

م ى م آو ر م نإ ا ی إ ا ن ن إ هو ـ ا

6:57 Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord, butyou deny it. I do not have what you are hastilyseeking (the torment). The decision is only forAllah, He declares the truth, and He is the best of

judges.''



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أ ما ن م ى ن ـ و وا أ

6:58 Say: "If I had that which you are asking for

impatiently (the torment), the matter would havebeen settled at once between you and I, but Allahknows best the wrongdoers.''

ه إ ی ا م و6:59 And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (allthat is hidden), none knows them but He.

إ رو م مو او ا م یو ی

And He knows whatever there is on the land and inthe sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it.

إ ی و ر و ضر ا ـ و م ـ آ

There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth noranything fresh or dry, but is written in a ClearRecord.

The Prophet Understands What He Conveys; Torment is

in Allah's Hands Not the Prophet'sAllah says, just as We mentioned the clear signs that testify anddirect to the path of guidance, all the while chastising uselessarguments and defiance,

ت یا ن آو...

And thus do We explain the Ayat in detail,



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that is, whatever responsible adults needexplained to them, in the affairs of life andreligion,

... م ا س و٥٥

That the way of the criminals may become manifest.

so that the path of the criminals who defy theProphets is apparent and clear.

This Ayah was also said to mean, so that you, OMuhammad, are aware of the path of thecriminals.

Allah's statement,

ا أ ن ون ا أ أه اءآ إن ن أ ی ن م دی ا م نأ مو اذإ ض٥٦

Say: "I have been forbidden to worship those whom youinvoke (worship) besides Allah.''

Say: "I will not follow your vain desires. If I did, I wouldgo astray, and I would not be one of the rightly guided.''

Allah's statement,

ر م نإ ...

Say: "I am on clear proof from my Lord...''

means: I have a clear understanding of the Lawof Allah that He has revealed to me,

... آو... but you deny it.

meaning, but you disbelieve in the truth thatcame to me from Allah.

... ن م ي م...

I do not have what you are hastily seeking,

meaning, the torment,



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...ا ن ... إ إ

The decision is only for Allah,

for the ruling of this is with Allah. If He wills, Hewill punish you soon in response to your wish! If He wills, He will give you respite, out of His greatwisdom.


... ی ا هو ا ٥٧

He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.

and the best in reckoning between His servants.

Allah's statement,

و ما ن م ي ن ... أ

Say: "If I had that which you are asking for impatiently(the torment), the matter would have been settled atonce between you and I,''

means, if I have what you ask for, I will surelysend down what you deserve of it,

... ٥٨وا أ

but Allah knows best the wrongdoers.

Someone might ask about the meaning of this Ayah compared to the Hadith in the Two Sahihs, from

Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that;she said to the Messenger, "O Allah's Messenger !Have you encountered a day harder than the day(of the battle) of Uhud?''

The Prophet replied,

ذإ، ا م ی م م شأ ن آو ، م م

ی ،ل آ ی ا ن ض إ



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إ سأ ، و م وأن م ن ،تدرأ م، نأ اذ ، سأر ، ا ن

Your people have troubled me a lot and the worsttrouble was on the day of Aqabah when Ipresented myself to Ibn Abd Yalil bin Abd Kulal,

who did not respond to my call. So I departed,overwhelmed with severe sorrow, proceeded onand could not relax until I found myself at QarnAth-Thaàlib where I raised my head towards thesky to see a cloud unexpectedly shading me.

ل ناد ،م ا ی اذ ت : ا ن إ م إ ، و اودر مو ، م ل س

، ش م ،ل اI looked up and saw Jibril in it and he called mesaying, Ìndeed Allah has heard what you said tothe people and what they have responded to you.Therefore, Allah has sent the Angel of theMountains to you so that you may order him todo whatever you wish to these people.'

ناد ل ، سو ل ا م: ا ن إ م كی م ن م ، إ ر ، و م ل س ا أ ش ن ش ، إ

The Angel of the Mountains called and greetedme, and then said, Ò Muhammad! verily, Allahhas heard how your people responded to you andHe has sent me to you so that you could order meto do what you wish. If you like, I will let Al-

Akhshabayn (two mountains to the north andsouth of Makkah) fall on them.'

The Prophet said,

ك ی ا ی م ، أ م ا ج ی ن ر أ أ ش

No, but I hope that Allah will let them generate

offspring who will worship Allah Alone, and willworship none besides Him.



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This is the wording of Muslim.

Tormenting the disbelievers of Quraysh wasoffered to the Prophet, but he chose patience andasked Allah for respite for them, so that Allahmight let them generate offspring who will notassociate anything with Him in worship.

Therefore, how can we combine the meaning of this Hadith and the honorable Ayah,

و ما ن م ي ن أ أ او

Say: "If I had that which you are asking for

impatiently (the torment), the matter would havebeen settled at once between you and I, but Allahknows best the wrongdoers.''

The answer to this question is, Allah knows thebest, that the Ayah states that if the punishmentthat they asked for was in the Prophet's hand atthe time, he would have sent it on them as theyasked.

As for the Hadith, the disbelievers did not ask theProphet to send the torment down on them. Rather, theangel responsible for the mountains offered him thechoice to let the two mountains to the north and south of Makkah close in on the disbelievers and crush them. TheProphet did not wish that and asked for respite out of compassion for them.

Only Allah Knows the Unseen

Allah said next,

ه إ ی ا م و...

And with Him are the keys of the Ghayb (all that ishidden), none knows them but He.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Salim bin Abdullah said that hisfather said that the Messenger of Allah said,



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ا إ ی ا م

The keys of the Unseen are five and none exceptAllah knows them:

•ن ا ا إ

• ا وی ل•م را م ی و

•ا اذ م ن ىر مو

• ا ن ض ت إ وم رى ن ى أر

• Verily, Allah! With Him (Alone) is theknowledge of the Hour,

• He sends down the rain,

• and knows that which is in the wombs.

• No person knows what he will earn tomorrow,

• and no person knows in what land he will die.

Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware.'' (31:34)

Allah's statement,

... یو او ا م ...

And He knows whatever there is on the land and in thesea;

means, Allah's honored knowledge encompasseseverything, including the creatures living in thesea and on land, and none of it, not even the

weight of an atom on earth or in heaven, everescapes His knowledge.

Allah's statement,

... ی إ رو م مو...

not a leaf falls, but He knows it.

means, He knows the movements of everythingincluding inanimate things. Therefore, what about



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His knowledge of the living creatures, especially,those whom the Divine laws have been imposedupon such as mankind and the Jinns.


رو ا مو ا ئ ی

Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and allthat the breasts conceal. (40:19)

... م ب آ إ ی و ر و ض و ت ار٥٩

There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth noranything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record.

ر م یو ـ ى ی ا هو م إ م أ ی

ن آ ی6:60 It is He, Who takes your souls by night (whenyou are asleep), and has knowledge of all that youhave done by day, then he raises (wakes) you upagain, that a term appointed be fulfilled, then (inthe end), unto Him will be your return. Then He willinform you of what you used to do.

ه ا هواذإ س یو د ا ت رس وه ی ن ق آ أ ء 6:61 He is the Qahir over His servants, and Hesends guardians over you, until when deathapproaches one of you, Our messengers take hissoul, and they never neglect their duty.

ع سأ هو ا أ ا ـ م ا إ اودر



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ـ ا6:62 Then they are returned to Allah, their Master,the Just Lord. Surely, His is the judgment and He isthe swiftest in taking account.

The Servants are in Allah's Hands Before and After Death

Allah states that He brings death to His servants in their sleepat night, for sleep is minor death. Allah said in other Ayat,

ی ا ل ذإ إ ارو م نإ

And (remember) when Allah said: "O Ìsa! I will take

you and raise you to Myself...'' (3:55)

and,

ا ـ م م او ـ م نا ی ا م أ ا ت وی س اى إ

It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of theirdeath, and those that die not during their sleep. He

keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death andsends the rest for a term appointed. (39:42)

thus mentioning both minor and major death.

Allah says,

ر م یو آ ی ي ا هو...

It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you areasleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done byday,

meaning, He knows the deeds and actions thatyou perform during the day.

This Ayah demonstrates Allah's perfectknowledge of His creation, by day and night, andin their movements and idleness.




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م ء س ه مو مو ل ا سأ م ر بر سو م

It is the same (to Him) whether any of youconceal his speech or declare it openly,whether he be hid by night or go forth

freely by day. (13:10)

and,

ا ر او ا ر مو م ا و

It is out of His mercy that He made nightand day, so that you may rest therein, (by

night), and that you may seek of Hisbounty (by day). 28:73)

Allah said,

س ا و

ش م ر ا و

And (We) have made the night as acovering. And (We) have made the day forlivelihood. (78:10-11)

Allah said here,

م یو آ ی ي ا هور ...

It is He, Who takes your souls by night

(when you are asleep), and has knowledgeof all that you have done by day, (6:60)

Then said,

... ی ...

then he raises (wakes) you up again,

According to Mujahid, Qatadah and As-Suddi,



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by day.

Allah's statement,

... م أ ...

that a term appointed be fulfilled.

refers to the life span of every person,

... م إ ...

then (in the end), unto Him will be your return.

on the Day of Resurrection.

...ن آ ی ٦٠

Then He will inform you of what you used to do.

He will reward you, good for good, and evil forevil.

Allah's statement,

د ق ه ا هو...

He is the Qahir over His servants.

The Qahir means, the one who controlseverything, all are subservient to His supremegrace, greatness and majesty,

... س یو...

and He sends guardians over you,

angels who guard mankind.


م أ م ن ی مو ی ی م ـ م ا

For each (person), there are angels insuccession, before and behind him. They



78

guard him by the command of Allah.(13:11),

watching his deeds and recording them.

Allah said,

ـ ن وإBut verily, over you (are appointed angelsin charge of mankind) to watch you.(82:10)

and,

ل ا و ا ن ا ی ذإ

ر م ی م ل إ ی

(Remember!) that the two receivers(recording angels) receive, one sitting onthe right and one on the left. Not a worddoes he utter, but there is a watcher byhim, ready. (50:17-18)

Allah's statement,

... ا آ أ ء اذإ ت...

until when death approaches one of you...

refers to, when one's life span comes to an endand he is dying,

... سر ...

Our messengers take his soul...

meaning, there are angels who are responsiblefor this job.

Ibn Abbas and several others said that;

the Angel of Death has angels who pull the soul

from its body and when it reaches the throat, theAngel of Death captures it.



79

Allah said;

...ن ی هو٦١

and they never neglect their duty.

They guard the soul of the dead person and take

it to wherever Allah wills, to Illiyyin if he wasamong the righteous, and to Sijjin if he wasamong the wicked (disbelievers, sinners, etc.), weseek refuge with Allah from this end.

Allah said next,

... م ه ا ردوا إ ا

Then they are returned to Allah, their Master, the JustLord.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that theProphet said,

ا ، ا ا ن ذا آ ئ ا ا ن :إ ا ا، ا ا ن آ ا ا یأ

،ن برو ،ن ی ي وح ور ة ،وأThe angels attend the dying person. If he is arighteous person, the angels will say, Ò puresoul from a pure body! Come out with honor andreceive the good news of rest, satisfaction and aLord Who is not angry.'

،ء ا إ ج ی ،ج ذ ل ی لا

؟ ل م ه اThe angels will keep saying this until the soulleaves its body, and they will then raise it up toheaven and will ask that the door be opened forthe soul and it will be asked, `Who is this?'

ل :،ن

It will be said, `(The soul of) so-and-so.'



80

ل: دا ، ا ا ن آ ، ا م،ن برو ن یرو حو ي أو ة

It will be said, `Welcome, to the pure soul thatinhabited the pure body. Enter with honor andreceive the good news of rest, satisfaction and a

Lord Who is not angry.'

ا ا ء ا إ ی ذ ل ی لا ، و

This statement will be repeated until the soulreaches the heaven above which there is Allah.

ا ،ء ا ا نآ ا : وإذ ا ا یأ ا ي أو مذ ا ، ا ا ن آ

ذ ل ی لا ،جاوزأ ش م و ،ق و ،ج

If the dying person is evil, the angels will say,`Get out (of your body), O wicked soul from awicked body! Get out in disgrace and receive thenews of boiling fluid, a fluid dark, murky,intensely cold and other (torments) of similar kind- all together - to match them.' This statementwill be said repeatedly until the evil soul leaves itsbody.

ل ،ء ا إ ج ی :؟ا ه م

The soul will be raised up to heaven and arequest will be made that the door be opened forit. It will be asked, `Who is this?'

ل :،ن

It will be said, `(The soul of) so and so.'

ل :، ا ا آن ا م ن ی ، مذ را م س ،ء ا با أ

، ا إ ء ا



81

It will be said, `No welcome to the wicked soulfrom the wicked body. Return with disgrace, forthe doors of heaven will not be opened for you.'So it will be thrown from heaven until it returns tothe grave.

ی ا م م ل ، ا ا ی ا م م ل ء ا ا یو ، لوا ن ا

So the righteous person sits and similar is said tohim as before. And the evil person sits and similaris said to him as before.

It is also possible that the meaning of, ردوا (Then they

are returned...),

refers to the return of all creation to Allah on theDay of Resurrection, when He will subject them toHis just decision.


ی او وا ن إ

م م م ی ـ م إ ن

Say: "(Yes) verily, those of old, and thoseof later times. All will surely be gatheredtogether for an appointed meeting of aknown Day.'' (56:49-50)

and,

وح ن ه ن در أح ا (And We shallgather them all together so as to leave not

one of them behind... until, و را حأ (And your Lord treats no one withinjustice). (18:47-49)

Allah said here,

... ا ه م س ا ع سأ هو ا أ٦٢



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their Master, the Just Lord. Surely, His is the judgmentand He is the swiftest in taking account.

ی م ن او ا ـ م م ن ـ ه م ـ نأ و ی ـ ا

6:63 Say: "Who rescues you from the dark recessesof the land and the sea, when you call upon Himbegging and in secret (saying): Ìf He (Allah) onlysaves us from these (dangers), we shall truly be

grateful.''

ن آ نأ ب آ آ مو م ی ا 6:64 Say: "Allah rescues you from these (dangers)and from all distress, and yet you commit Shirk.''

وأ م ا ی ن أ ه ا درس ی یو ش ی وأ رأ م

6:65 Say: "He has the power to send torment onyou from above or from under your feet, or toYalbisakum in party strife, and make you taste theviolence of one another.''

ن ی ـ یا ف ن آ ناSee how variously We explain the Ayat, so that theymay understand.

Allah's Compassion and Generosity, and His Power andTorment



83

Allah mentions how He favors His servants, saving them duringtimes of need, in the darkness of land and at sea, such as whenstorms strike. In such cases, they call on Allah alone, withoutpartners, in supplication. In other Ayat, Allah said,

یإ إ ن م ض ا ا م اذإو

And when harm strikes you at sea, those that you callupon besides Him vanish from you except Him. (17:67)

آ اذإ او ا آ ى ی ا ه ی و ا م آ ج ا هء و یر ء ا و ی م نأ یا م ا ا د أ نأ ا و ن م

ن ـ هی ـ ا م He it is Who enables you to travel through the land andthe sea, till when you are in the ships and they sail withthem with a favorable wind, and they rejoice, thencomes a stormy wind and the waves come to them fromall sides, and they think that they are encircled therein,they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him alone,saying: "If You deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful''. (10:22)

س ی مو او ا ـ ی ی مأ

ی ى ا ح یا

ن آ ی ا ا م ـ ر أءIs not He (better than your gods) Who guides you in thedarkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends thewinds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercyIs there any god with Allah High Exalted be Allah aboveall that they associate as partners (with Him)! (27:63)

Allah said in this honorable Ayah,

و ن او ا ت م ی م ...

Say: "Who rescues you from the dark recesses of theland and the sea, when you call upon Him begging and insecret.''

i.e., in public and secret,

... ن نأ ...

(Saying): Ìf He (Allah) only saves us...



84

... ـ ه م...

from these (dangers),

from this distress,

...ی آ ا م ن ٦٣

we shall truly be grateful.

thereafter.

Allah said,

ن آ نأ ب آ آ مو م ی ا ٦٤

Say: "Allah rescues you from these (dangers) and fromall distress, and yet you commit Shirk.''

meaning, yet you call other gods besides Him intimes of comfort.

Allah said;

رأ م وأ م ا ی ن ه ا در أ...

Say: "He has the power to send torment on you from

above or from under your feet,'' He said this after His statement, ن آ نأ (And yet

you commit Shirk). Allah said next, ن ا در أ ه ا (Say: "He has the power to send torment on

you..''), after He saves you.

Allah said in Surah Isra',

نإ ا م ا ا ى ی ا ر ر ن آ

م ض ا ا م اذإو ـ ن یإ إ ن آ را ـ نا ن آو ض أ ا إ

س ی وأ ا ن ی ن أ م أ آو او

آ ن ی أ م أ مأ م س ى أ ةر او آ یا



85

Your Lord is He Who drives the ship for youthrough the sea, in order that you may seek of His bounty. Truly! He is Ever Merciful towardsyou. And when harm strikes you upon the sea,those that you call upon besides Him vanish fromyou except Him. But when He brings you safely to

land, you turn away (from Him). And man is everungrateful. Do you then feel secure that He willnot cause a side of the land to swallow you up, orthat He will not send against you a storm of stones! Then, you shall find no guardian. Or doyou feel secure that He will not send you back asecond time to sea, and send against you ahurricane of wind and drown you because of yourdisbelief, then you will not find any avenger

therein against Us. (17:66-69)

Al-Bukhari, may Allah grant him His mercy, commentedon Allah's statement,

رد ا ه ... ی یو ش ی وأ س ...

Say: "He has the power to send torment on you fromabove or from under your feet, or to Yalbisakum in

party strife, and make you taste the violence of oneanother.''

"Yalbisakum means, `cover you with confusion',So it means to, `divide into parties and sects'.

Jabir bin Abdullah said,

`When this Ayah was revealed, ن أ رد ا ه

ا (Say: "He has power to send

torment on you from above''), Allah's Messenger

said, ذ أ (I seek refuge with Your Face), و أ رأ (or from under your feet),

he again said, ذ أ (I seek refuge with Your

Face), س و ش وأ (or to

cover you with confusion in party strife, and makeyou to taste the violence of one another), he said,

یأ و ن أ ه ه أ



86

This is less burdensome or easier.'''

Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith again in the bookof Tawhid (in his Sahih), and An-Nasa'i alsorecorded it in the book of Tafsir.

Another Hadith

Imam Ahmad recorded that;

Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas said, We accompanied theMessenger of Allah and passed by the Masjid of Bani Muàwiyah. The Prophet went in and offereda two Rakàh prayer, and we prayed behindhim. He supplicated to his Lord for a long timeand then said,

ر س:

•، ن ق مأ ی ن س أ

•، ن مأ ی ن وس أ

• س ی ن وس أ

I asked my Lord for three:

• I asked Him not to destroy my Ummah (Muslims) by drowning and He gave that tome.

• I asked Him not to destroy my Ummah byfamine and He gave that to me.

• And I asked Him not to make them taste theviolence of one another, but He did not give

that to me.Muslim, but not Al-Bukhari, recorded this Hadith in the book on Fitan (trials) (of his Sahih).

Another Hadith

Imam Ahmad recorded that;

Khabbab bin Al-Aratt, who attended the battle of

Badr with the Messenger of Allah, said, "I metAllah's Messenger during a night in which he



87

prayed throughout it, until dawn. When theMessenger of Allah ended his prayer, I said, ÒAllah's Messenger! This night, you haveperformed a prayer that I never saw you performbefore.'

Allah's Messenger said,

نإ أث و ر س ، هرو ر ة ،ةا ل ،ن ا وم و

Yes, it was a prayer of eagerness and fear. Duringthis prayer, I asked my Lord for three things andHe gave me two and refused to give me the third.

• م ا هأ ی ن ر و أ س، ن

• وا م ن ی و أ ر سو، ن ن

• ر سو ش ی ن و أ• I asked my Lord not to destroy us with

what He destroyed the nations before us

and He gave me that.

• I asked my Lord not to make our enemiesprevail above us and He gave me that.

• I asked my Lord not to cover us withconfusion in party strife, but He refused.

An-Nasa'i, Ibn Hibban in his Sahih, and At-Tirmidhi also recorded it. In the book on Fitan, in

Al-Jami`, At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih''.

Allah's statement,

... ش ی وأ...

or to cover you with confusion in party strife,

means, He causes you to be in disarray and

separate into opposing parties and groups.



88

Al-Walibi (Ali bin Abi Talhah) reported that Ibn Abbassaid that;

this Ayah refers to desires.

Mujahid and several others said similarly.

A Hadith from the Prophet, collected from variouschains of narration, states,

إ ر ا آ ، سو ث ما ه ق سووا ة

And this Ummah (Muslims) will divide intoseventy - three groups, all of them in the Fireexcept one.

Allah said;

... س ی یو...

and make you taste the violence of one another.

According to Ibn Abbas and others,

meaning, some of you will experience torture and

murder from one another.Allah said next,

...ت یا ف ن آ نا...

See how variously We explain the Ayat,

by making them clear, plain and duly explained,

...ن ی ٦٥

So that they may understand.

and comprehend Allah's Ayat, proofs and evidences.

ا هو م ب آو6:66 But your people have denied it (the Qur'an)though it is the truth.



89

آ Say: "I am not responsible for your affairs.''

ن ف سو م ن 6:67 For every news there is a reality and you willcome to know.

ض وإذا رأی ا ی ـ یاء ن ض ی ی ا ض ی

6:68 And when you see those who engage in false

conversation about Our verses (of the Qur'an) bymocking at them, stay away from them till they turnto another topic.

م ا م ىآا ـ ا ی مإو ـ ا

And if Shaytan causes you to forget, then after theremembrance, sit not you in the company of thosepeople who are the wrongdoers.

ی ی ا مو ـ و ء ش م م ن ن ی ى آذ

6:69 There is no responsibility for them upon thosewho have Taqwa, but (their duty) is to remindthem, that they may (attain) Taqwa.

The Invitation to the Truth is Guidance Without Coercion

Allah said,

ب آو...



90

But have denied it,

denied the Qur'an, guidance and clear explanationthat you (O Muhammad) have brought them,

... م ...

your people,

meaning, Quraysh,

... ا هو...

though it is the truth.

beyond which there is no other truth.

... آ ٦٦

Say: "I am not responsible for your affairs.''

meaning, I have not been appointed a guardianor watcher over you.

Allah also said;

ر م ا و ء ش مو م ء ش And say: "The truth is from your Lord.'' Thenwhosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoeverwills, let him disbelieve. (18:29)

This means, my duty is to convey the Messageand your duty is to hear and obey. Those whofollow me, will acquire happiness in this life and

the Hereafter. Those who defy me will becomemiserable in this life and the Hereafter.

So Allah said;

م ن ...

For every news there is a reality...,

According to Ibn Abbas and others,



91

meaning, for every news, there is a reality, inthat, this news will occur, perhaps after a while.


ن و

And you shall certainly know the truth of itafter a while. (38:88)

ب آ أ

(For) each and every matter there is adecree (from Allah). (13:38)

This, indeed, is a warning and a promise that will

surely occur,

...ن ف سو٦٧

and you will come to know.

Allah's statement,

ا یأر اذإو ی ن ض ی ی...

And when you see those who engage in falseconversation about Our verses (of the Qur'an),

by denying and mocking them.

The Prohibition of Sitting with Those Who Deny and MockAllah's Ayat

Allah said,

... ض ی ا ض ی ...

stay away from them till they turn to another topic.

until they talk about a subject other than thedenial they were engaged in.

......وإم ی ا ن

And if Shaytan causes you to forget...,



92

This command includes every member of thisUmmah. No one is to sit with those who denyand distort Allah's Ayat and explain themincorrectly.

If one forgets and sits with such people,

... اآ ى... then after the remembrance sit not you,

after you remember,

... ا م ا م٦٨

in the company of those people who are the wrongdoers.

A Hadith states,

ا ه سا مو ن او ا مأ رMy Ummah was forgiven unintentional errors,forgetfulness and what they are coerced to do.

The Ayah above (6:68) is the Ayah mentioned in Allah'sstatement,

ی ا ـ یاء س اذإ ن أ ـ ا ل ن و أ وی ی ا ض ی م او

م اذإ نإ

And it has already been revealed to you in theBook that when you hear the Verses of Allahbeing denied and mocked at, then sit not withthem, until they engage in a talk other than that;(but if you stayed with them) certainly in that

case you would be like them. (4:140),

for, if you still sit with them, agreeing to whatthey say, you will be just like them.

Allah's statement,

م ن ی ی ا موء ش م ...

There is no responsibility for them upon those who haveTaqwa,



93

means, when the believers avoid sitting withwrongdoers in this case, they will be innocent of them and they will have saved themselves fromtheir sin.

Allah's statement,

...ن ی ى آذ ـ و٦٩

but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may avoidthat.

means, We commanded you to ignore and avoidthem, so that they become aware of the errorthey are indulging in, that they may avoid thisbehavior and never repeat it again.

ة ا و ا و ید او ا ی ا رذو نا

6:70 And leave alone those who take their religionas play and amusement, and are deceived by thelife of this world.

آذونو ن ن آ م د أ ن ل آ ل ی م ش وإ و و ا

But remind (them) with it (the Qur'an) lest a soulTubsal for that which one has earned, when he will

find for himself no protector or intercessor besidesAllah, and even if he offers every ransom, it will notbe accepted from him.

ا آ ا أ ی ا ـ وأSuch are they who are given up to destructionbecause of that which they have earned.



94

نو ی ا ن آ أ با و م با ش For them will be a drink of boiling water and apainful torment because they used to disbelieve.

Allah said,

و ا و ید او ا ی ا رذو نا ة ا ...

And leave alone those who take their religion as play andamusement, and are deceived by the life of this world.

The Ayah commands to leave such people, ignore

them and give them respite, for soon, they willtaste a tremendous torment.


... آذو...

But remind with it,

meaning, remind the people with this Qur'an and

warn them against Allah's revenge and painfultorment on the Day of Resurrection.

Allah said;

... ن ن ... آ أ

lest a soul Tubsal for that which one has earned,

meaning, so that it is not Tubsal.

Ad-Dahhak from Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ikrimah, Al-Hasanand As-Suddi said that;

Tubsal means, be submissive.

Al-Walibi said that Ibn Abbas said that;

Tubsal means, `be exposed'.

Qatadah said that;



95

Tubsal means, `be prevented'.

Murrah and Ibn Zayd said that;

it means, `be recompensed'.

Al-Kalbi said,

`be reckoned'.

All these statements and expressions are similar, forthey all mean exposure to destruction, being kept awayfrom all that is good, and being restrained from attainingwhat is desired.

Allah also said;

هر آ ن آ

ا ـ أ إ

Every person is restrained by what he hasearned. Except those on the Right. (74:38-39)

and,

... ش و و ا نو ... م د

when he will find for himself no protector or intercessorbesides Allah.

and,

... م ی ل آ ل ن ...وإ

and even if he offers every ransom, it will not beaccepted from him.)

meaning, whatever the ransom such people offer,it will not be accepted from them.

Allah said in a similar statement,

ه أ م ی ر آ هو ا مو او آ ی ا ن إ

هذ ض م ء ار



96

Verily, those who disbelieved, and diedwhile they were disbelievers, the (whole)earth full of gold will not be accepted fromanyone of them. (3:91)

Allah said here,

... و اب أ م با ش ا آ ا أ ی ا ـ وأنو ی ا ن آ٧٠

Such are they who are given up to destruction becauseof that which they have earned. For them will be a drinkof boiling water and a painful torment because they usedto disbelieve.

د نو ن ی و ی م ا نو أن ا م د آ ا نا ه ذإ ـ أ ـ ا سا ى

ان أ ـ ی ن إ ا ى ض ار ئا

6:71 Say: "Shall we invoke others besides Allah(false deities), that can do us neither good norharm, and shall we turn on our heels after Allah hasguided us -- Like one whom the Shayatin (devils)have made to go astray, confused (wandering)through the land, his companions calling him toguidance (saying): `Come to us.'''

ا ب ن مأو ى ا ه ا ى ه ن ـ إSay: "Verily, Allah's guidance is the only guidance,and we have been commanded to submit(ourselves) to the Lord of all that exists.

نو إ ى ا هو او ة ا ا أ ن وأ6:72 And to perform the Salah, and have Taqwa of



97

Him, and it is He to Whom you shall be gathered.

ل ی م یو ض وه ا ى ا ـت وارن آ

6:73 It is He Who has created the heavens and theearth in truth, and on the Day He will say: "Be!'' itshall become.

ا His Word is the truth.

ةـ او ا ـ ر ا ی می ا و ا ا هوHis will be the dominion on the Day when the Surwill be blown. All-Knower of the unseen and theseen. He is the All-Wise, Well-Aware.

The Parable of Those Who Revert to Disbelief After Faith andGood Deeds

As-Suddi said,

"Some idolators said to some Muslims, `Follow us andabandon the religion of Muhammad.' Allah sent down therevelation,

أ د نو ن ی و ی م ا نو ... أن م د

Say: "Shall we invoke others besides Allah, that can dous neither good nor harm, and shall we turn on ourheels...''

by reverting to disbelief,

... ا نا ه ذإ ...

"...after Allah has guided us.''



98

for if we do this, our example will be like hewhom the devils have caused to wander inconfusion throughout the land.

Allah says here, your example, if you revert todisbelief after you believed, is that of a man whowent with some people on a road, but he lost hisway and the devils led him to wander in confusionover the land. Meanwhile, his companions on theroad were calling him to come to them saying,`Come back to us, for we are on the path.' But,he refused to go back to them. This is theexample of he who follows the devil afterrecognizing Muhammad, and Muhammad is theperson who is calling the people to the path, and

the path is Islam.''

Ibn Jarir recorded this statement.

Allah's statement,

...ض انآ ي اس ا ار ...

Like one whom the Shayatin (devils) have made to goastray confused (wandering) through the land,

refers to ghouls,

... ئا ى ا إ ن ی ب أ ...

his companions calling him to guidance (saying): `Cometo us.'''

(calling him) by his name, his father's and his

grandfather's names. So he follows the devils' callthinking that it is a path of guidance, but by themorning he will find himself destroyed andperhaps they eat him. The Jinns will then let himwander in a wasteland where he will die of thirst.

This is the example of those who follow the falsegods that are being worshipped instead of Allah,Most Honored.

Ibn Jarir also recorded this.



99

Allah said,

...ى ا ه ا ى ه ن ... إ

Say: "Verily, Allah's guidance is the only guidance,''

Allah said in other instances,

م م ا ی مو

And whomsoever Allah guides, for him there willbe none to misguide him. (39:37)

and,

م مو ی م ى ی ا ن ها ه ص ن إ

ی ـ نIf you covet for their guidance, then verily Allahguides not those whom He makes to go astray.And they will have no helpers. (17:37)

Allah's statement,

... ا ب ن مأو٧١

and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of all that exists.

means, we were commanded to worship Allah insincerity to Him alone, without partners.

ا ا أ ن ...ة وا وأ

And to perform the Salah, and have Taqwa of Him.

meaning, we were commanded to perform theprayer and to fear Allah in all circumstances,

...نو إ ي ا هو٧٢

and it is He to Whom you shall be gathered.




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ض ...وه ا ي ا وات وار

It is He Who has created the heavens and the earth intruth.

meaning, in justice, and He is their Originator andOwner Who governs their affairs and the affairs of their inhabitants.

Allah said,

...ن آ ل ی م یو...

and on the Day He will say: "Be!'' it shall become.

Referring to the Day of Resurrection, which will

come faster than the blink of an eye, when Allahsays to it, `Be.'

... ا ...

His Word is the truth.

As-Sur; The Trumpet

Allah's statement,

... ا هو ةد او ا ر ا ی م ی ا و ا٧٣

His will be the dominion on the Day when the Sur will beblown. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is theAll-Wise, Well-Aware.

ر ا م (on the Day when the Sur will beblown...),

refers to His statement, ن آ ل م و (and onthe Day He will say: "Be!'' it shall become). as westated above.

Or, it means, ر ا م ا و (His will bethe dominion on the Day when the Sur will be

blown).



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ر ا ا م ا ا

Whose is the kingdom this Day It isAllah's, the One, the Irresistible! (40:16)

ی ـ ا م ی ن آو ـ ا م ی اا

The sovereignty on that Day will be thetrue (sovereignty), belonging to the MostBeneficent (Allah), and it will be a hardDay for the disbelievers. (25:26)

The Sur is the Trumpet into which the angel Israfil,peace be upon him, will blow.

The Messenger of Allah said,

م م ی ی و ،ر ا ا ا سإ ن إ

Israfil has held the Sur in his mouth and lowered

his forehead, awaiting the command to blow in it.

Muslim recorded this Hadith in his Sahih.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah bin Àmr said,

"A Bedouin man said, Ò Allah's Messenger! Whatis the Sur?' He said,

ی ن

A Trumpet which will be blown.''

ن وإذ ل إ ه ءازر أ أ م ءا إ م ـ ض م و كارأ

6:74 And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his



102

father Azar: "Do you take idols as gods! Verily, I seeyou and your people in manifest error.''

ض وآ ن ى إ ه م ت ا ـت وار ا م ن و

6:75 Thus did we show Ibrahim the kingdom of theheavens and the earth that he be one of those whohave faith with certainty.

ر اـ ه ل آ آ ىأر ا 6:76 When the night overcame him he saw aKawkab. He said: "This is my lord.''

ا أ ل أ But when it Afala, he said: "I like not those thatset.''

ر اـ ه ل ز ا ىأر 6:77 When he saw the moon rising up, he said:"This is my lord.''

م ا م ن آ ر ن ی ل أ ا

But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guidesme, I shall surely be among the misguided people.''

آأ ـه ر اـ ه ل ز ا ى رأ6:78 When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "Thisis my lord. This is greater.''

ل ی م إن ىء م آ ن أ

But when it Afalat, he said: "O my people! I am



103

indeed free from all that you join as partners inworship with Allah.

ض إن و و ى ا ـت وار آ ا م نأ مو

6:79 Verily, I have turned my face towards HimWho has created the heavens and the earth,Hanifan, and I am not of the idolators.''

Ibrahim Advises his Father

Ibrahim advised, discouraged and forbade his father from

worshipping idols, just as Allah stated,

م أ أ رز ها إ ل ...وإذ

And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father Azar:"Do you take idols as gods!''

meaning, do you worship an idol instead of Allah.

... م و كارأ نإ...

Verily, I see you and your people...,

who follow your path,

... م ل ض ٧٤

in manifest error.

wandering in confusion unaware of where to go.Therefore, you are in disarray and ignorance, andthis fact is clear to all those who have soundreason.

Allah also said,

ن ی ن آ نإ ه إ ـ ا آذاو

ی و ی و ی م ی ل ذإ ش



104

نإ یا ك هأ ی م ا م نء ی س

ـ ن آ ـ ا ن إ ـ ا ی

ن ـ ا م با ی ن ی إن أ ف أ ـ و

ر ه ی نأ ارأ ل م ن هاو

ن آ نإ ر سس ـ س ل

أو ا نو ن م د مو أ أو ر د ش ر ء ن آأ

And mention in the Book (the Qur'an, the storyof) Ibrahim.

Verily! He was a man of truth, a Prophet. Whenhe said to his father: "O my father! Why do youworship that which hears not, sees not andcannot avail you in anything O my father!

Verily! There has come to me of knowledge thatwhich came not unto you. So follow me. I willguide you to a straight path.

O my father! Worship not Shaytan. Verily!Shaytan has been a rebel against the MostBeneficent (Allah).

O my father! Verily! I fear lest a torment from theMost Beneficent (Allah) overtakes you, so thatyou become a companion of Shaytan (in theHell-fire).''

He (the father) said: "Do you reject my gods, OIbrahim If you stop not (this), I will indeed stoneyou. So get away from me safely before I punishyou.''



105

Ibrahim said: "Peace be on you! I will askforgiveness of my Lord for you. Verily! He is untome, Ever Most Gracious. And I shall turn awayfrom you and from those whom you invokebesides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and Ihope that I shall not be unanswered in my

invocation to my Lord.'' (19:41-48)

Ibrahim continued asking for forgiveness for hisfather for the rest of his father's life. When hisfather died an idolator and Ibrahim realized thisfact, he stopped asking Allah for forgiveness forhim and disassociated himself from him.

Allah said,

یإ ه و ة م إ ه إ ر سا ن آ موو نأ او ه إ ن أ م إ

And invoking for his father's forgiveness was onlybecause of a promise he had made to him. Butwhen it became clear to him that he was anenemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him.Verily Ibrahim was patient in supplication and

forbearing. (9:114)

It was recorded in the Sahih that;

Ibrahim will meet his father Azar on the Day of Resurrection and Azar will say to him, "My son!This Day, I will not disobey you.''

Ibrahim will say, "O Lord! You promised me not to

disgrace me on the Day they are resurrected; andwhat will be more disgraceful to me than cursingand dishonoring my father!''

Then Allah will say, "O Ibrahim! Look behindyou!''

He will look and there he will see (that his fatherwas changed into) a male hyena covered in dung,which will be caught by the legs and thrown in the(Hell) Fire.''



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Tawhid Becomes Apparent to Ibrahim

Allah's statement,

ض ني إ اه م ت ا وات وار آو...

Thus did We show Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens

and the earth...,

means, when he contemplated about the creationof the heaven and earth, We showed Ibrahim theproofs of Allah's Oneness over His dominion andHis creation, which indicate that there is no godor Lord except Allah.

Allah said in other Ayat;

ض ت وار ـ ا اذم ان وا

Say: "Behold all that is in the heavens andthe earth.'' (10:101)

ء ا م مو ی یأ وا إ م أ ی ن وأ ض ن ن ن ار ض إ وار

م ی ذ ن آ م ا ء إSee they not what is before them andwhat is behind them, of the heaven andthe earth If We will, We sink the earth withthem, or cause a piece of the sky to fallupon them. Verily, in this is a sign forevery servant who turns to Allah. (34:9)

... ا م ن و٧٥ ...that he be one of those who have faith with certainty.

Allah said next,

ا ...

When the night overcame him,

covered him with darkness,



107

... آ آ ىأر...

He saw a Kawkab, (a star).

... أ ر ا ـ ه ل...

He said: "This is my lord.'' But when it Afala,

meaning, set,

he said,

... ا أ ل ٧٦

I like not those that set.

Qatadah commented,

"Ibrahim knew that his Lord is Eternal and neverceases.''

ر ن ی ل أ ر ا ـ ه ل ز ا ىأر ا م ا م ن آ٧٧

When he saw the moon rising up, he said: "This is my

lord.'' But when it set, he said: "Unless my Lord guidesme, I shall surely be among the misguided people.''

ر ا ـ ه ل ز ا ىأر ...

When he saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is mylord.''

this radiating, rising star is my lord,

... آأ ـ ه...

This is greater,

bigger than the star and the moon, and moreradiant.

... أ ...

But when it Afalat, (set),

... م ءي نإ م ی ل ن آ ٧٨



108

...إن و و

he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all thatyou join as partners in worship with Allah. Verily, I haveturned my face...,''

meaning, I have purified my religion and made

my worship sincere,

...ض ... ي ا وات وار

"towards Him Who has created the heavens and theearth,''

Who originated them and shaped them withoutprecedence,

... ... Hanifan,

avoiding Shirk and embracing Tawhid.

This is why he said next,

... آ ا م نأ م ٧٩و

"and I am not of the idolators.''

Prophet Ibrahim Debates with his People

We should note here that, in these Ayat, Ibrahim, peace beupon him, was debating with his people, explaining to them theerror of their way in worshipping idols and images.

• In the first case with his father, Ibrahim explained to hispeople their error in worshipping the idols of earth,

which they made in the shape of heavenly angels, sothat they intercede on their behalf with the GloriousCreator. His people thought that they are tooinsignificant to worship Allah directly, and this is whythey turned to the worship of angels as intercessors withAllah for their provisions, gaining victory and attainingtheir various needs.

• He then explained to them the error and deviation of

worshipping the seven planets, which they said were theMoon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and



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Saturn. The brightest of these objects and the mosthonored to them was the Sun, the Moon then Venus.

• Ibrahim, may Allah's peace and blessings be on him, firstproved that Venus is not worthy of being worshipped, forit is subservient to a term and course appointed that itdoes not defy, nor swerving right or left. Venus does nothave any say in its affairs, for it is only a heavenly objectthat Allah created and made bright out of His wisdom.Venus rises from the east and sets in the west where itdisappears from sight. This rotation is repeated the nextnight, and so forth. Such an object is not worthy of beinga god.

• Ibrahim then went on to mention the Moon in the same

manner in which he mentioned Venus, and then the Sun.When he proved that these three objects were not gods,

although they are the brightest objects the eyes can see, لن آ ءي نإ م (he said: "O my people! I am indeed free

from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah.''),

meaning, I am free from worshipping these objects andfrom taking them as protectors. Therefore, if they are

indeed gods as you claim, then all of you bring your plotagainst me and do not give me respite.

م نأ مو ض إن و و ي ا وات وار آ ا

Verily, I have turned my face towards Him Who hascreated the heavens and the earth, Hanifan, and I amnot one of the idolators.

meaning, I worship the Creator of these things,Who originated and decreed them, and Whogoverns their affairs and made them subservient.It is He in Whose Hand is the dominion of allthings, and He is the Creator, Lord, King and Godof all things in existence.




110

س ض وار ت ـ ا ى ا ا ر ن إ ی ر ا ا ی ش ا ى سا م یأ أ م ت م م او او او

ماو ا ـ ا بر ا كر Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the

heavens and the earth in six Days, andthen He Istawa (rose over) the Throne.He brings the night as a cover over theday, seeking it rapidly, and (He created)the sun, the moon, the stars, subjectingthem to His command. Surely, His is thecreation and commandment. Blessed beAllah, the Lord of all that exists! (7:54)

Allah described Prophet Ibrahim,

ـ آو م شر ه إ اء و

نأ ا ـ ا ـ إذ ل و م م هن ـ

And indeed We bestowed aforetime onIbrahim his (portion of) guidance, and We

were well-acquainted with him. When hesaid to his father and his people: "Whatare these images, to which you aredevoted!'' (21:51-52)

These Ayat indicate that Ibrahim was debating with

his people about the Shirk they practiced.

و نا ه و ا ن أ ل م و ن آ م ف أ ش ر ء ی ن إ أ6:80 His people disputed with him. He said: "Do youdispute with me about Allah while He has guidedme, and I fear not those whom you associate withAllah in worship. (Nothing can happen to me)except when my Lord wills something.



111

نو آ أ ء ش آ ر س وMy Lord comprehends in His knowledge all things.Will you not then remember!

آ شأ نأ ن و آ شأ م ف أ آو ل ی مـ س

6:81 And how should I fear those whom youassociate in worship with Allah, while you fear notthat you have joined in worship with Allah thingsfor which He has not sent down to you any Sultan.

م أ ی ا ى ن آ ن إ(So) which of the two parties has more right to bein security If you but know.''

ما ـ وأ ـ یإ ا ی و ا ما ا ی ءنو م هو

6:82 It is those who believe and confuse not theirbelief with Zulm (wrong), for them (only) there issecurity and they are the guided.

م ه إ ـ اء و6:83 And that was Our proof which We gaveIbrahim against his people.

م ـ رد ن ر ن ن ء إWe in degrees raise whom We will. Certainly yourLord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

Allah says;

ل م و...



112

His people disputed with him. He said:

Allah states that His Khalil, Prophet Ibrahim, saidwhen his people mentioned various doubts anddisputed with him about the Tawhid that hecalled to:

...نا ه و ا ن أ... Do you dispute with me about Allah while He has guidedme.

The Ayah means, do you argue with me aboutAllah, other than Whom there is no god worthy of worship, while He has guided me to the Truth andmade me aware of it! Therefore, how can I everconsider your misguided statements and false

doubts!

Ibrahim said next,

...ن آ م ف أ و ش ر ء ی ن ... إ أ

and I fear not those whom you associate with Allah inworship. (Nothing can happen to me) except when myLord wills something.

Ibrahim said, among the proofs to the falsehoodof your creed, is that these false gods that youworship do not bring about any effect, and I donot fear them or care about them. Therefore, if these gods are able to cause harm, then usethem against me and do not give me respite.

Ibrahim's statement, ء ر ش نأ إ (exceptwhen my Lord wills something),

means, only Allah causes benefit or harm.

... ء ش آ ر سو...

My Lord comprehends in His knowledge all things.

meaning, Allah's knowledge encompasses allthings and nothing escapes His completeobservation.

...نو آ أ٨٠



113

Will you not then remember!

what I explained to you, considering your idols asfalse gods and refraining from worshipping them.

This reasoning from Prophet Ibrahim is similar to theargument that Prophet Hud used against his people,

Àd. Allah mentioned this incident in His Book, when Hesaid,

اء آر وم ن م د ی ا م ن مو

ا ء كا ا إ ل ن ن إ ا شأ نإ ل ء ن آ م ءى نأ او شاو

نو نو نود م اء ه إ د ر ور م م ا آ نإ

ن ر ط م إThey said: "O Hud! No evidence have you broughtus, and we shall not leave our gods for your(mere) saying! And we are not believers in you.All that we say is that some of our gods have

seized you with evil.''He said: "I call Allah to witness - and bear youwitness - that I am free from that which youascribe as partners in worship with Him (Allah).So plot against me, all of you, and give me norespite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and yourLord! There is not a moving creature but He hasgrasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the

straight path (the truth).'' (11:53-56)Ibrahim's statement,

آ شأ م ف أ آو...

And how should I fear those whom you associate...,

means, how should I fear the idols that youworship instead of Allah.

... س ل ی م آ شأ نأ ن و ن...



114

while you fear not that you have joined in worship withAllah things for which He has not sent down to you anySultan.

According to Ibn Abbas and others among theSalaf ,

meaning, proof,Allah said in similar Ayat;

ا ش ء آ ش مأ ا ن م ای م ی ذOr have they partners who have institutedfor them a religion which Allah has notallowed! (42:21)

لنأ س ه أن وءا ؤآ م ء س إ أ ه ن إ ـ س م اThey are but names which you havenamed, you and your fathers, for whichAllah has sent down no authority. (53:21)

His statement,

...ن آ ن ٨١ي ا ی أ م إ

(So) which of the two parties has more right to be insecurity! If you but know.

means, which of the two parties is on the truth,those who worship Him in Whose Hand is harmand benefit, or those who worship what cannotbring harm or benefit, without authority to justifyworshipping them Who among these two partieshas more right to be saved from Allah's tormenton the Day of Resurrection.

Allah said,

نو م هو ما ـ وأ ن یإ ا ی و ا م ی ا٨٢

It is those who believe and confuse not their belief withZulm (wrong), for them (only) there is security and theyare the guided.



115

Therefore, those who worship Allah alone withoutpartners, will acquire safety on the Day of Resurrection, and they are the guided ones in thislife and the Hereafter.

Shirk is the Greatest Zulm (Wrong)

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abdullah said,

"When the Ayah, و ن إ ا (and confuse nottheir belief with Zulm (wrong)) was revealed, theCompanions of the Prophet said, Ànd who among us did

not commit Zulm against himself?' The Ayah, ك ا ن إ (Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is agreat Zulm (wrong) indeed) (31:13), was later

revealed.''

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abdullah said,

"When this Ayah was revealed, ن إ ا و ا ا (It is those who believe and confuse not their belief

with Zulm (wrong)), it was hard on the people. Theysaid, Ò Allah's Messenger! Who among us did notcommit Zulm against himself?'

He said,

ا ا ل م ا أ ،ن ي ا نإ

It is not what you understood from it. Did you not hear

what the righteous servant (Luqman) said, ك ك ا ن إ (O my son! Join not in worship

others with Allah. Verily! Shirk is a great Zulm (wrong)indeed). (31:13), Therefore, it is about Shirk.

Allah's statement,

م ها إ ه و...

... ر ن ٨٣ن در ت م ن ء إ

And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim againsthis people.



116

means, We directed him to proclaim Our proof against them.

Mujahid and others said that Òur proof' refers to,

م آ شأ نأ ن و آ شأ م ف أ آو

ا ي ن س ل یم أ ی And how should I fear those whom you associatein worship with Allah (though they can neitherbenefit nor harm, while you fear not that youhave joined in worship with Allah things for whichHe has not sent down to you any Sultan. (So)which of the two parties has more right to be insecurity!

Allah has testified Ibrahim's statement andaffirmed security and guidance, saying;

هو ما ـ وأ ن یإ ا ی و ا م ی ا منو

It is those who believe and confuse not theirbelief with Zulm, for them there is security andthey are the guided.

Allah said,

و ه إ اه م ن در ت م ن ء...

And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahimagainst his people. We raise in degrees whom Wewill.

... ر ن ٨٣إ

Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

He is All-Wise in His statements and actions, All-Knower of those whom He guides or misguides,and whether the proof was established againstthem or not.

Allah also said,



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ن م ی ر آ ی ا ن إ

ا با ا او ی یاء آ ء و

Truly! Those, against whom the Word (wrath) of your Lord has been justified, will not believe.

Even if every sign should come to them -- untilthey see the painful torment. (10:96-97)

This is why Allah said here, ح ر ن إCertainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.

م ی ه نو ی ه آ ب یو ـ سإ هوو س یو ب یأو ـ سو دوواد یر وم ذنو ـ هو س مو

6:84 And We bestowed upon him Ishaq and Yaqub,each of them We guided, and before him, We guidedNuh and among his progeny Dawud, Suleiman,Ayub, Yusuf, Musa, and Harun.

ا ى ن آوThus do We reward the good-doers.

ـ ا م آ س إو و ی وزآ ی و6:85 And Zakariyya, and Yahya and Isa and Ilyas,each one of them was of the righteous.

آو و ن یو او ـ سإو ـ ا

6:86 And Ismail and Al-Yasa`, and Yunus and Lut,and each one of them We preferred above theAlamin (mankind and Jinns, of their times).



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ـ ی هو ـ او ن إو ـ یرذو ئ اء مو م ط إ

6:87 And also some of their fathers and theirprogeny and their brethren, We chose them, andWe guided them to a straight path.

د م ء ی م ى ی ا ى ه ذ6:88 This is the guidance of Allah with which Heguides whomsoever He wills of His servants.

ن ی ا ن آ م ا آش ,But if they had joined in worship others with Allahو أall that they used to do would have been of nobenefit to them.

ی ن ة او ا ا ـ و ـ اء ی ا ـ وأ ـ ا م آو ءـ ه ی

6:89 They are those whom We gave the Book, Al-Hukm, and Prophethood. But if they disbelievetherein, then, indeed We have entrusted it to apeople who are not disbelievers therein.

ا ها ا ى ه ی ا ـ وأ6:90 They are those whom Allah had guided. So

follow their guidance.

ـ ى آذ إ ه ن أ ا إ س أSay: "No reward I ask of you for this (the Qur'an).It is only a reminder for the Àlamin (mankind andJinns).''



119

Ibrahim Receives the News of Ishaq and Ya`qub During HisOld Age

Allah states that after Ibrahim became old and he, and his wife,Sarah, lost hope of having children, He gave them Ishaq. Theangels came to Ibrahim on their way to the people of Prophet

Lut (to destroy them) and they delivered the good news of achild to Ibrahim and his wife. Ibrahim's wife was amazed at thenews,

ء ا ـ ه ن ا ش إ ـه یی ءأ وأن ز و

نإ ا هأ ـ آ و ا ر ا مأ م أ ا م

She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I beara child while I am an old woman, and here is myhusband, an old man! Verily! This is a strange thing!''

They said: "Do you wonder at the decree of Allah Themercy of Allah and His blessings be on you, O the family(of Ibrahim). Surely, He (Allah) is All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.'' (11:72-73)

The angels also gave them the good news that Ishaq willbe a Prophet and that he will have offspring of his own.


ـ ا م ن ـ س ـ ن و

And We gave him the good news of Ishaq a Prophet fromthe righteous.(37:112), which perfects this good news

and completes the favor.

Allah said,

ب ی ـ سإ ءرو مو ـ س

(of Ishaq, and after him, of Ya`qub... (11:71),

meaning, this child will have another child in yourlifetime, so that your eyes are comforted by him, just asyour eyes will be comforted by his father.



120

Certainly, one becomes jubilant and joyous when hebecomes a grandfather, because this means that hisoffspring will continue to exist.

It was also expected that if an elderly couple hadchildren, due to the child's weakness, he would have nooffspring. This is why Allah delivered the good news of Ishaq and of his son Yaqub, whose name literally means`multiplying and having offspring'.

This was a reward for Ibrahim who left his people andmigrated from their land so that he could worship Allahalone. Allah compensated Ibrahim with better than hispeople and tribe when He gave him righteous children of his own, who would follow his religion, so that his eyes

would be comforted by them.In another Ayah, Allah said;

آو ب یو ـ س إ هو ا نو م د نو ی مو ا ن

So when he turned away from them and from thosewhom they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him

Ishaq and Yaqub, and each one of them We made aProphet. (19:49)

Allah said here,

ی ه آ ب یو س ...ووه إ

And We bestowed upon him Ishaq and Yaqub, each of them We guided,

Allah said;

... م ی ه نو...

and before him, We guided Nuh...,

meaning, We guided Nuh before and gave himrighteous offspring, just as We guided Ibrahimand gave him righteous children.



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Qualities of Nuh and Ibrahim

Each of these two Prophets had special qualities. When Allahcaused the people of the earth to drown, except those whobelieved in Nuh and accompanied him in the ark, Allah madethe offspring of Nuh the dwellers of the earth thereafter. Ever

since that occurred, the people of the earth were and still arethe descendants of Nuh.

As for Ibrahim, Allah did not send a Prophet after him but fromhis descendants. Allah said in other Ayat,

ـ او ة ا یرذ و

And We ordained among his (Ibrahim's) offspringProphethood and the Book. (29:27)

ن سرأ و ـ او ة ا یرذ و ه إو

And indeed, We sent Nuh and Ibrahim, and placed intheir offspring Prophethood and the Book. (57:26)

and,

ذ م ا م ا نأ ی ا ـ وأ م مو مداء یر اذإ ا ی و ه مو یء سإو ه إ یرذ مو ح ن

و ا س او ـ ا ـ یاء

Those were they unto whom Allah bestowed His gracefrom among the Prophets, of the offspring of Adam, andof those whom We carried (in the ship) with Nuh, and of the offspring of Ibrahim and Israil and from among thosewhom We guided and chose. When the verses of the

Most Beneficent (Allah) were recited unto them, they felldown prostrating and weeping. (19:58)

Allah said in this honorable Ayah here,

... یرذ مو...

and among his progeny...

meaning, We guided from among his offspring,



122

...ن سو دوواد...

Dawud, Suleiman...,

from the offspring of Nuh, according to Ibn Jarir.

It is also possible that the Ayah refers to Ibrahim since

it is about him that the blessings were originallymentioned here, although Lut is not from his offspring,for he was Ibrahim's nephew, the son of his brotherMaran, the son of Azar. It is possible to say that Lut wasmentioned in Ibrahim's offspring as a generalization. AsAllah said,

نو م ل ذإ ت ا آ ش ء إذ ی ب مأ

ـ سإو ه ئ إ ـ إو ـ إ ن ا ى من م نو ا او ـ إ ـ سإو

Or were you witnesses when death approachedYaqub When he said unto his sons, "What will youworship after me!''

They said, "We shall worship your God, and theGod of your fathers, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, One

God, and to Him we submit.'' (2:133)

Here, Ismail was mentioned among theascendants of Yaqub, although he was Yaqub'suncle.

Similarly Allah said,

ن أ آ ـ ا

ی ـ ا م ن ی ن إ إ أ أ

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of themtogether. Except Iblis -- he refused to be amongthose to prostrate. (15:30-31)

Allah included Iblis in His order to the angels toprostrate, and chastised him for his opposition, all

because he was similar to them in that (order), so hewas considered among them in general, although he was



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a Jinn. Iblis was created from fire while the angels werecreated from light.

Allah says;

... ا ي ن آو نو ٨٤وأی ب وی س وم س وه ر

ا م آ س إو و یو ی آزو٨٥

ا آو و نی ٨٦وإس وا و

Ayub, Yusuf, Musa, and Harun. Thus do We reward thegood-doers. And Zakariyya, and Yahya and Isa andIlyas, each one of them was of the righteous. And Ismailand Al-Yasa`, and Yunus and Lut, and each one of them

We preferred above the Alamin (mankind and Jinns, of their times).

Mentioning Ìsa in the offspring of Ibrahim, or Nuh as westated above, is proof that the grandchildren from aman's daughter's side are included among his offspring.Ìsa is included among Ibrahim's progeny through hismother, although Ìsa did not have a father.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that;

Abu Harb bin Abi Al-Aswad said,

"Al-Hajjaj sent to Yahya bin Ya`mar, saying, Ìwas told that you claim that Al-Hasan and Al-Hussein are from the offspring of the Prophet, didyou find it in the Book of Allah I read the Qur'anfrom beginning to end and did not find it.'

Yahya said, `Do you not read in Surah Al-Anàm, ن سو دوواد رذ و (and among his

progeny Dawud, Sulayman...) until, و و (and Yahya and Ìsa...).

Al-Hajjaj said, `Yes.'

Yahya said, Ìs not Ìsa from the offspring of Ibrahim, although he did not have a father!'

Al-Hajjaj said, `You have said the truth.'''



124

For example, when a man leaves behind a legacy, atrust, or gift to his "offspring'' then the children of hisdaughters are included. But if a man gives something tohis "sons'', or he leaves a trust behind for them, thenthat would be particular to his male children and theirmale children.

Allah's statement,

نا إو یرذو ئ مو...

And also some of their fathers and their progeny andtheir brethren,

mentions that some of these Prophets'ascendants and descendants were also guided

and chosen.

So Allah said,

... ه ا هی ه إ اط م و ٨٧و

We chose them, and We guided them to a straight path.

Shirk Eradicates the Deeds, Even the Deeds of the Messengers

Allah said next,

د م ء ی م ي ی ا ىه ذ...

This is the guidance of Allah with which He guideswhomsoever He wills of His servants.

meaning, this occurred to them by Allah's leave

and because He directed them to guidance.

Allah said;

...ن ی ا ن آ م ا آ شأ و٨٨

But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, allthat they used to do would have been of no benefit tothem.



125

This magnifies the serious danger of Shirk andthe gravity of committing it.


إ وأ و آش أ م ی ا إو

And indeed it has been revealed to you, as it wasto those (Allah's Messengers) before you: "If you

join others in worship with Allah, surely yourdeeds will be in vain.'' (39:65)

Ìf' here does not mean that this would everoccur, as is similar in Allah's statement;

ی ـ ا و ن أول ـ ن آ ن إSay: "If the Most Beneficent had a son,then I am the first of Allah's worshippers.''(43:81)

ـ آ ن م ن إ ـ ن ا ن ن أردن أ

If We intended to take a pastime (a wife ora son, etc.) We could surely have taken itfrom Us, if We were going to do (that).(21:17)

ی ن م ی ء أراد ا أ ی م ا و ر ا ا ا ه ـ س

If Allah willed to take a son, He could have

chosen whom He pleased out of thosewhom He created. But glory be to Him! Heis Allah, the One, the Compelling. (39:4)

Allah said,

ة او ا ی ه ا ب و ا ـ وأ...

They are those whom We gave the Book, Al-Hukm, and

Prophethood.



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We bestowed these bounties on them, as a mercyfor the servants, and out of our kindness forcreation.

... ی ن ...

But if they disbelieve therein...,

in the Prophethood, or the three things; the Book,the Hukm and the Prophethood,

ء... ـ ه...

They...,

According to Ibn Abbas, Saìd bin Al-Musayyib, Ad-

Dahhak, Qatadah, As-Suddi, and others,

refers to the people of Makkah.

...ی ا م آو ٨٩

then, indeed We have entrusted it to a people who arenot disbelievers therein.

This Ayah means, if the Quraysh and the rest of the people of the earth - Arabs and non-Arabs,illiterate and the People of the Scripture -disbelieve in these bounties, then We haveentrusted them to another people, theMuhajirun and Ansar, and those who follow

their lead until the Day of Resurrection, ا (who are not disbelievers therein).

They will not deny any of these favors, not evenone letter. Rather, they will believe in themtotally, even the parts that are not so clear tosome of them.

We ask Allah to make us among them by Hisfavor, generosity and kindness.

Addressing His servant and Messenger, Muhammad, Allah said;

ـ وأ...



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They are...,

the Prophets mentioned here, along with theirrighteous fathers, offspring and brethren,

... ا ى ه ی ا...

those whom Allah had guided.

meaning, they alone are the people of guidance,

... ا ها ...

So follow their guidance.

Imitate them.

This command to the Messenger certainly applies to hisUmmah, according to what he legislates and commandsthem.

While mentioning this Ayah, Al-Bukhari recorded that;

Mujahid asked Ibn Abbas, "Is there an instancewhere prostration is warranted in (Surah) Sad?''

Ibn Abbas said, "Yes.''

He then recited, ب و سإ هوو ...And We

bestowed upon him Ishaq and Ya`qub... until,

ا ها (...So follow their guidance).

He commented,

"He (our Prophet, Muhammad) was among

them.''

In another narration, Mujahid added that IbnAbbas said,

"Your Prophet was among those whose guidancewe were commanded to follow.''

Allah's statement,

... أس أ ا...



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Say: "No reward I ask of you for this.''

means, I do not ask you for any reward fordelivering the Qur'an to you, nor anything else,

... ه ن ٩٠إ ذآ ى إ

"It is only a reminder for the Alamin (mankind andJinns).''

so they are reminded by it and guided fromblindness to clarity, from misguidance toguidance, and from disbelief to faith.

ا اور مو ا لنأ م ا ذإ ر ء ش م

6:91 They did not estimate Allah with an estimationdue to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allah senddown to any human being (by inspiration).''

ى ا ـ ا لنأ م ى هو ار ن س م ء و ا آ س ن ون و ن آؤ اء و نأ ا م

Say : "Who then sent down the Book which Musabrought, a light and a guidance to mankind whichyou (the Jews) have made into (separate)papersheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealingmuch. And you were taught that which neither younor your fathers knew.''

ا Say: "Allah (sent it down).''

ن ی ض هرذ



129

Then leave them to play in their vain discussions.

ی ی ى ا ق م كر م ـ نأ ـ آ اـ هو مو ى ا مأ ر و

6:92 And this is a blessed Book which We have sentdown, confirming what came before it, so that youmay warn the Mother of Towns and all those aroundit.

هو ن م ی ة وا ی ی م نن ی

Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it, andthey are constant in guarding their Salah.

The Messenger is but a Human to Whom the Book wasRevealed by Inspiration

Allah says;

ا ذإ ر ا اور مو...

They did not estimate Allah with an estimation due toHim when they said:

Allah says that those who rejected HisMessengers did not give Allah due consideration.

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and Abdullah bin Kathir said that;

this Ayah was revealed about the Quraysh.

It was also said that it was revealed about some Jews.

... م ا لنأ مء ش ...

(They said): "Nothing did Allah send down to any humanbeing (by inspiration).''

Allah also, said,



130

س ا رنأ ن و إ ر م أ ن أ أآ ن س أ

Is it a wonder for mankind that We have inspiredto a man from among themselves (saying):"Warn mankind.'' (10:2)

أ ا ن ى إ أ ا هء ذإ ا م ن ی أ س ا م مو سر ا ا

م ن ی ـ م ض ار ن آ سر م ء ا م

And nothing prevented men from believing whenthe guidance came to them, except that theysaid: "Has Allah sent a man as Messenger!''

Say: "If there were on the earth, angels walkingabout in peace and security, We should certainlyhave sent down for them from the heaven anangel as a Messenger.'' (17:94-95)

Allah said here,

م ا لنأ م ا ذإ ر ا اور م وء ش

They did not estimate Allah with an estimationdue to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allahsend down to any human being (by inspiration).''

Allah answered them,

...س ى هو ار ن س م ء ي ا ب ا لنأ م ...

Say : "Who then sent down the Book which Musabrought, a light and a guidance to mankind!''

meaning, say, O Muhammad, to those who denythe concept that Allah sent down Books by

revelation, answering them specifically, لنأ س ء ي ا ب ا (Who then sent down the

Book which Musa brought) in reference to the



131

Tawrah that you and all others know that Allahsent down to Musa, son of Imran.

Allah sent the Tawrah as a light and a guidancefor people, so that it could shed light on theanswers to various disputes, and to guide awayfrom the darkness of doubts.

Allah's statement,

... ن ا ون و ن آ ا...

which you have made into (separate) paper sheets,disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much).

means, you made the Tawrah into separate

sheets which you copied from the original andaltered, changed and distorted as you wished.You then said, "this is from Allah,'' meaning it isin the revealed Book of Allah, when in fact, it is

not from Allah. This is why Allah said here, ن ا ون و ن آ ا (which you have madeinto (separate) paper sheets, disclosing (some of it) and concealing (much)).

Allah said;

... آؤ و نأ ا م و...

And you were taught that which neither you nor yourfathers knew.

meaning, Who sent down the Qur'an in whichAllah taught you the news of those who were

before you and the news of what will come after,that neither you nor your fathers had knowledgeof.

Allah's statement,

... ا ...

Say: "Allah.''

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said,



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"Meaning, `Say, Allah sent it down.'''

Allah said,

...ن ی ض هرذ ٩١

Then leave them to play in their vain discussions.

leave them to play in ignorance and misguidanceuntil the true news comes to them from Allah.Then, they will know whether the good end istheirs or for the fearful servants of Allah.

Allah said,

ب آ ا ـ هو...

And this is a Book, (the Qur'an),

...مأ ر و ی ی ي ا ق م ك ...ا ىأن م ر

Blessed, which We have sent down, confirming whichcame before it, so that you may warn the Mother of Towns,

that is, Makkah,

... مو...

and all those around it...

referring to the Arabs and the rest of the childrenof Adam, Arabs and non-Arabs alike.


إ ا ل سر نإ س ا ی ی

Say: "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to youall as the Messenger of Allah.'' (7:158)

مو آرن

"that I may therewith warn you and

whomsoever it may reach.'' (6:19)



133

and,

م ر با ا م ی مو

but those of the sects who reject it, theFire will be their promised meeting place.(11:17)

ن ا ل ى ن ا كر ـ ن ای ن

Blessed be He Who sent down the criterionto His servant that he may be a warner tothe Alamin (mankind and Jinn). (25:1)

ا سأ ن سأء ماو ـ ا ا وأ ی و او ـ ا ن ا ن وا وإ ها د

And say to those who were given theScripture and to those who are illiterates:"Do you submit yourselves!'' If they do,they are rightly guided; but if they turn

away, your duty is only to convey theMessage; and Allah is All-Seer of (His)servants. (3:20)

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs, that the Messenger of Allah said,

ء ن ا م أ ی أ

I have been given five things which were not

given to any one else before me.The Prophet mentioned among these five things,

إ و ، م إ ی ا ن آو م س ا

Every Prophet was sent only to his nation,but I have been sent to all people.




134

... ن م ی ة ن م ی ی او...

Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in it,

meaning, those who believe in Allah and the LastDay, believe in this blessed Book, the Qur'an,which We revealed to you, O Muhammad.

...ن ی هو٩٢

and they are constant in guarding their Salah.

for they perform what Allah ordered them,offering the prayers perfectly and on time.

آ أو ل أو وم أ م ا ى ا ل نأ م م لن س ل مو ء ش إ و ی ح إ

ا6:93 And who can be more unjust than he whoinvents a lie against Allah, or says: "I have received

inspiration,'' whereas he is not inspired in anything;and who says, "I will reveal the like of what Allahhas revealed.''

ـ ا ا ت و ن ات ـا ذإ ى و ن ی أ ا أ ی س ا أ

And if you could but see when the wrongdoers arein the agonies of death, while the angels arestretching forth their hands (saying): "Deliver yoursouls!

ا ن آ ا ن اب ن ا م و ا

This day you shall be recompensed with the



135

torment of degradation because of what you usedto utter against Allah other than the truth.

نو ـ یاء آوAnd you used to reject His Ayat with disrespect!''

و ة م لوأ ـ آ ىدا ن و م آ آر ءارو ـ

6:94 And truly you have come unto Us alone, as Wecreated you the first time. You have left behind youall that which We had bestowed on you.

نأ ز ی ا آء ش م ى ن مو ن آ م ض ش آ ء و

We see not with you your intercessors whom youclaimed to be your partners. Now you and they havebeen cut off, and all that you used to claim hasvanished from you.

None is Worse Than One who Invents a Lie Against Allah andClaims that Revelation Came to Him

Allah said,

آ ا ى ا م أ مو...

And who can be more unjust than he who invents a lieagainst Allah,

Therefore, none is more unjust than one who liesabout Allah claiming that He has partners or ason, or falsely claiming that Allah sent him as aProphet;

...ء ش إ ح ی و إ وأ ل وأ...



136

or says: "I have received inspiration,'' whereas he is notinspired with anything;

Ikrimah and Qatadah said that;

this Ayah was revealed about Musaylimah Al-Kadhdhab.

... ا ل نأ م م ...وم ل س نل

and who says, "I will reveal the like of what Allah hasrevealed.''

This refers to he, who claims that the lies heinvents rival the revelation that came from Allah.


ء ن س ا ی اذإوا ـ ه م

And when Our verses (of the Qur'an) arerecited to them, they say: "We have heardthis (the Qur'an); if we wish we can saythe like of this.'' (8:31)

The Condition of These Unjust People Upon Death and on theDay of Resurrection

Allah, the Most Honored, said,

...ن ا ذإ ى وت ا ... ات

And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in theagonies of death...

suffering from the hardships, agonies andafflictions of death,

... یی ...وا ئ س ا أ

while the angels are stretching forth their hands...

beating them.



137

Allah said in other Ayat:

ك ی إ

If you do stretch your hand against me tokill me.. (5:28)

and,

ء أو ی یأ إ ا یو

And stretch forth their hands and theirtongues against you with evil. (60:2)

Ad-Dahhak and Abu Salih said that,

`stretch forth their hands,' means, `withtorment'.


ن ی ـ ا او آ ی ا ی ذإ ى و و ه ـ دأو ه

And if you could see when the angels take

away the souls of those who disbelievethey smite their faces and their backs.(8:50)

Allah said, أ ا س ئ او (while the angels arestretching forth their hands),

beating them, until their souls leave their bodies,

saying, نأ ا أ ("Deliver your souls!''),

When the disbeliever is near death, the angelswill convey the `good news' to him of torment,vengeance, chains, restraints, Hell, boiling waterand the anger of the Most Beneficent, MostMerciful. The soul will then scatter in the body of the disbeliever and refuse to get out of it. Theangels will keep beating the disbeliever until hissoul exits from his body,



138

... ا نأ ا أ ا ن آ ن ا با ن م و ا ...

(Saying): "Deliver your souls! This day you shall berecompensed with the torment of degradation because of what you used to say about Allah other than the truth.''

This Ayah means, today, you will be utterlyhumiliated because you used to invent liesagainst Allah and arrogantly refused to follow HisAyat and obey His Messengers.

...نو ی آو٩٣

And you used to reject His Ayat with disrespect!''

There are many Hadiths, of Mutawatir grade, thatexplain what occurs when the believers and disbelieversdie, and we will mention these Hadiths when explaining

Allah's statement, ا ل ا ا ا نا ة ا ة ا و (Allah will keep firm those who believe, with theword that stands firm in this world, and in theHereafter). (14:27)

Allah said next,

ة م لوأ آ آ ىدا ن و...

And truly you have come unto Us alone as We createdyou the first time.

and this statement will be said on the Day of Return.


ـ ن آ ر ا ض وة م لوأ

And they will be set before your Lord inrows, (and Allah will say): "Now indeed,you have come to Us as We created you

the first time.' (18:48),



139

meaning, just as We started your creation,We brought you back, although you usedto deny Resurrection and reject itspossibility. Therefore, this is the Day of Resurrection!

Allah said,

... آر ءارو آ م آ و...

You have left behind you all that which We had bestowedon you.

The wealth and the money that you collected inthe life of the world, you left all this behind you.

It is recorded in the Sahih that Allah's Messenger said,

، آأ م إ م م هو م م مد ا ل ی ها أو ، أو م ، وم سى ذ

و رآ س

The Son of Adam says, `My money, my money!'But, what part of your money do you have, other

than what you eat of it and is thus spent, whatyou wear and tear and what you gave in charityand thus remains (in the record of good deeds).Other than that, you will depart and leave it tothe people.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri said,

"On the Day of Resurrection, the Son of Adam will

be brought, as if he were a golden chariot andAllah, the Most Honored, will ask, `Where is whatyou collected?'

He will reply, Ò Lord! I collected it and left it asintact as ever.'

Allah will say to him, Ò Son of Adam! Where iswhat you sent forth for yourself (of righteous,good deeds),' and he will realize that he did notsend forth anything for himself.''



140

Al-Hasan then recited the Ayah,

ن و م آ و ة م لوأ آ آ ىدا آر ءارو آ

And truly you have come unto Us alone as

We created you the first time. You haveleft behind you all that which We hadbestowed on you.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded this statement.

Allah said;

...وم ن ى م ش ءآ ا ی ز أن ش آ ء...

We see not with you your intercessors whom youclaimed to be your partners.

This chastises and criticizes the disbelievers forthe rivals, idols and images that they worshippedin this life, thinking they will avail them in this lifeand upon Resurrection, if there is Resurrection, asthey thought. On the Day of Resurrection, allrelationships will be cut off, misguidance will beexposed, and those whom they used to call uponas gods will disappear from them. Allah will thencall them, while the rest of creation is listening,

ن آ ا ئ آ ش أ (Where are My (so-

called) partners whom you used to assert!(28:62)

نو آ م یأ و

نو ی وأ نو ی ه ا نو م د

And it will be said to them: "Where are those thatyou used to worship. Instead of Allah! Can theyhelp you or help themselves!'' (26:92-93)

Allah said here, نأ ز ا آء ش ى و ن ش آ ء (We see not with you your intercessors

whom you claimed were partners).



141

meaning partners in worship. That is,partners in a share of your worship.

... ...

Now you and they have been cut off,

or, the Ayah is recited with the meaning: allconnections,

means, and ties between you and them havebeen severed.

... ضو...

and vanished from you,

you have lost,

...ن آ م٩٤

all that you used to claim) of hope in the benefit of theidols and rivals (you worshipped with Allah).


و با ا اوأرو ا ا ی ا م ا ا ی ا أ ذإب سا

م اوء آ م أ ة ن آ أ ا ا ی ا ل و ا ی ی آ م ـ ه مو ت ـ أ

ر ا

When those who were followed, declarethemselves innocent of those who followed(them), and they see the torment, then all theirrelations will be cut off from them. And those whofollowed will say: "If only we had one morechance to return, we would disown them as theyhave disowned us.''

Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regret

for them. And they will never get out of the Fire.(2:166-167)



142

and,

ر ا ن اذ ن ء ی و م ی ـ نأ

Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will beno kinship among them that Day, nor will theyask of one another. (23:101)

and,

ةد م ـ وأ ا نو م د ا نإ نا ة ا آاو مو یو ی ـ ا ی م

ی ـ ن م مو ر ا

You have taken (for worship) idols instead of

Allah, and the love between you is only in the lifeof this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, youshall disown each other, and curse each other,and your abode will be the Fire, and you shallhave no helper. (29:25)

and,

ا ی ه آء آ ش ا دا و

And it will be said (to them): "Call upon yourpartners'', and they will call upon them, but theywill give no answer to them. (28:64)

and,

ه ن ن ل ی أش آ اوی م

And the Day whereon We shall gather them alltogether, then We shall say to those who

committed Shirk... (10:28) until, ضوا ن آ نو (And their invented false deities will vanish

from them). (10:30)

ن ا ا وا ى إ



143

6:95 Verily! It is Allah Who causes the seed grainand the fruit stone to split and sprout.

ا م ا ج مو ا م ا ی جHe brings forth the living from the dead, and it is He

Who brings forth the dead from the living.

ا ذن ن Such is Allah, then how are you deluded away fromthe truth!

او او س ا و ح ا

ن 6:96 (He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He hasappointed the night for resting, and the sun and themoon for reckoning.

ا ی ا ی ذSuch is the measuring of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.

ا ـ او م ا ى ا هو او

6:97 It is He Who has set the stars for you, so thatyou may guide your course with their help throughthe darkness of the land and the sea.

ن ی م ـ ایWe have (indeed) explained in detail Our Ayat forpeople who know.

Recognizing Allah Through Some of His Ayat



144

Allah

ا وا ى ا ن ...إ

Verily! It is Allah Who causes the seed grain and the fruitstone to split and sprout.

Allah states that He causes the seed grain and thefruit stone to split and sprout in the ground,producing various types, colors, shapes, andtastes of grains and produce.

The Ayah, وا ى ا (Who causes the seedgrain and the fruit stone to split and sprout) isexplained by the next statement,

... ا م ا ... وم ج ا م ا ی ج

He brings forth the living from the dead, and it is HeWho brings forth the deed from the living.

meaning, He brings the living plant from the seedgrain and the fruit stone, which is a lifeless andinanimate object.

Allah said,

م أو ه أ ا ض ار یون آ ی

And a sign for them is the dead land. Wegave it life, and We brought forth from itgrains, so that they eat thereof. (36:33)

until, ن و نأ و (as well as of

their own (human) kind (male andfemale), and of that which they know not.(36:36)

Allah's statement, ا ا ج و (and it is He Whobrings forth the dead from the living).

There are similar expressions in meaning such as,He brings the egg from the chicken, and theopposite.



145

Others said that it means, He brings the wickedoffspring from the righteous parent and theopposite, and there are other possible meaningsfor the Ayah.

Allah said,

... ا ذ...

Such is Allah,

meaning, He Who does all this, is Allah, the Oneand Only without partners,

...ن ن ٩٥

then how are you deluded away from the truth.meaning, look how you are deluded from Truth tothe falsehood of worshipping others besides Allah.

Allah's statement,

س ا و ح ا ...

(He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointedthe night for resting,

means, He is the Creator of light and darkness.

Allah said in the beginning of the Surah, ور او ت ا (And originated the darkness and the

light).

Indeed, Allah causes the darkness of the night todisappear and brings forth the day, thus bringingbrightness to the world and light to the horizon,

while dissipating darkness and ending the nightwith its depth of darkness and starting the daywith its brightness and light.

Allah said,

ی ر ا ا ی

He brings the night as a cover over theday, seeking it rapidly. (7:54)



146

In this Ayah, Allah reminds of His ability to creatediversified things in opposites, testifying to Hisperfect greatness and supreme power. Allahstates that He is the Cleaver of the daybreak and

mentioned its opposite, when He said, ا و س (He has appointed the night for resting),

meaning, created darkness, in order for thecreation to become halt and rest during it.


او

س اذإ اوBy the forenoon. And by the night when it

is still. (93:1-2)

ی اذإ او

اذإ ر او

By the night as it envelops. And by the dayas it appears in brightness. (92:1,2)

ـ اذإ ر او

ـ ی اذإ اوAnd by the day as it shows up (the sun's)brightness. And by the night as it concealsit. (91:3-4)

Allah's statement,

... ن او او...

...And the sun and the moon for reckoning.

means, the sun and the moon have specificorbits, according to a term appointed withmagnificent precision that never changes oralters. Both the sun and the moon have distinctpositions that they assume in summer and winter,effecting changes in the length of night and day.




147

ض ء وا ن ر ا ى ا هر و الز م

It is He Who made the sun a shining thingand the Moon as a light and measured outstages for it. (10:5)

س ا و ا كر ن أ ی ا ن ی آو ر ا

It is not for the sun to overtake the moon,nor does the night outstrip the day. Theyall float, each in an orbit. (36:40)

م ت م م او او او

The sun and the moon; and the stars aresubjected by His command. (16:12)

Allah's statement,

... ا ی ا ی ذ٩٦

Such is the measuring of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.

means, all of this occurs according to the decreeand due measurement of the Almighty Who isnever resisted or contradicted. He is the Knowerof all things and nothing ever escapes Hisknowledge, not even the weight of an atom onearth or in heavens.

Allah often mentions the creation of the night, the

day, the sun and the moon and then ends HisSpeech by mentioning His attributes of power andknowledge, as in this Ayah above (6:96), and inHis statement,

ن م ه اذ ر ا م ن ا یاءو

ا ی ا ی ذ ـ ى او

And a sign for them is the night, We withdrawthere from the day, and behold, they are in



148

darkness. And the sun runs on its fixed course fora term. That is the decree of the Almighty, theAll-Knowing. (36:37-38)

In the beginning of Surah Ha-Mim As-Sajdah,after mentioning the creation of the heavens andearth and all that is in them, Allah said:

ی ذ و ـ نا ء ا یزو ا ی ا

And We adorned the nearest (lowest)heaven with lamps (stars) to be anadornment as well as to guard. Such is thedecree of Him, the Almighty, the All-

Knower. (41:12)Allah said next,

او ا ت او م ا ي ا هو...

It is He Who has set the stars for you, so that you mayguide your course with their help through the darknessof the land and the sea.

Some of the Salaf said;

Whoever believes in other than three things aboutthese stars, then he has made a mistake, and liedagainst Allah. Indeed Allah made them asdecorations for the heavens, and to shoot at theShayatin, and for directions in the dark recessesof the land and sea.

Then, Allah said,

...ت یا ...

We have explained in detail Our Ayat,

meaning, We made them clear and plain,

...ن ی م ٩٧

for people who know.

who have sound minds and are able to recognizethe truth and avoid falsehood.



149

أن آ م ن و ة وم دعوه ا ى6:98 It is He Who has created you from a singleperson, and has given you a place of residing and aplace of storage.

ن ی ای ـ مIndeed, We have explained in detail Our revelationsfor people who understand.

آ ت ن ء م ء ا م لنأ ى ا هو

آا م م ج ن ا م ء ش6:99 It is He Who sends down water from the sky,and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds,and out of it We bring forth green stalks, fromwhich We bring forth thick clustered grain.

ـ أ م ـ ان و ن د م ا مو

م ن ماو ن یاو ـ م و And out of the date-palm and its sprouts come forthclusters of dates hanging low and near, andgardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, eachsimilar, yet different.

ن ذ ی ـان وا إ إذ أ وی إ

ن م ی م Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, andYanìh. Verily! In these things there are signs forpeople who believe.

Allah said,

ة او ن م آن ...وه ا ي أ



150

It is He Who has created you from a single person,

in reference to Adam, peace be upon him.


ة و م ن ى ا ر ا ا س ا ی ـ ی

نو ا آ ر م و ءو م زوO mankind! Have Taqwa of your Lord,Who created you from a single person, andfrom him He created his mate, and fromthem both He created many men andwomen. (4:1)

Allah said,

... عد مو...

Mustaqar and Mustawda`

Ibn Masùd, Ibn Abbas, Abu Abdur-Rahman As-Sulami,Qays bin Abu Hazim, Mujahid, Ata, Ibrahim An-Nakhaì,Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, As-Suddi and Ata' Al-Khurasaniand others said that,

(Mustaqar), ìn the wombs'.

They, or most of them, also said that, وعد (And Mustawda), means, ìn your father'sloins'.

Ibn Masùd and several others said that,

Mustaqar, means residence in this life, while,

Mustawda, means the place of storage afterdeath (the grave).

Allah's statement,

...ا ن ی م ت ی٩٨

Indeed, We have explained in detail Our revelations forpeople who understand.

refers to those who comprehend and understandAllah's Words and its meanings.



151

Allah said next,

...وه ا ي أنل م ا ء م ء

It is He Who sends down water (rain) from the sky,

in due measure, as a blessing and provision for

the servants, relief and means of survival for thecreatures and mercy from Allah for His creation.

Allah's statement,

... آ ت ن ء ش ...

And with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds,

is similar to,

ء ش آ ء ا م و

And We have made from water every living thing.(21:30)

... م ا...

and out of it We bring forth green stalks,

green produce and trees, on which We growseeds and fruits.

... آا م م ج ن...

from which We bring forth thick clustered grain.

lined on top of each other in clusters, like an earor spike of grain.

... ا مونا م ...

And out of the date-palm and its sprouts come forthclusters,

of dates,

... ناد...

hanging low.

Within reach and easy to pick.



152

Ali bin Abi Talhah Al-Walibi said that Ibn Abbas said that,

ناد نا (clusters hanging low) refers to shortdate trees whose branches hang low, close to theground.

This was recorded by Ibn Jarir.

Allah's statement

...ب أ م ت و...

and gardens of grapes,

means, We bring forth gardens of grapes.

Grapes and dates are the most precious fruits tothe people of Al-Hijaz (Western Arabia), andperhaps both are the best fruits in this world.Allah has reminded His servants of His favor inmaking these two fruits for them, when He said,

و ا ت مو زرو ا س م نو ـ ا

And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you

derive strong drink and a goodly provision.(16:67),

before intoxicating drinks were prohibited, and;

ن م ـ و ـ أوAnd We have made therein gardens of date-palmsand grapes. (36:34)

Allah said,... م و م ن ماو ن یاو...

olives and pomegranates, each similar yet different.

According to the explanation of Qatadah and severalothers,

The leaves are similar in shape and appearance,yet different in the shape, and taste. And the kind

of fruit each plant produces is different.



153

Allah's statement,

... یو ...ان وا إ إذا أ

Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, andYanìh.

According to Al-Bara bin Azib, Ibn Abbas, Ad-Dahhak,Ata Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi, Qatadah and others,

means, when the fruits become ripe.

This Ayah means, contemplate the ability of the Creatorof these fruits, Who brought them into existence afterthey were dry wood, and they later became grapes anddates; and similar is the case with the various colors,shapes, tastes and fragrance of whatever Allah created.

Allah said,

نو عرزو ـ أ م ـ و تر ـ م ض و ار نو و ء ی ن و ن

آا

And in the earth are neighboring tracts, andgardens of vines, and green crops, and date-palms, growing out, two or three from a single

stem root, or otherwise, watered with the samewater, yet some of them We make better thanothers to eat. (13:4)

This is why Allah said here,

... ذ ن ...إ

In these things there are... (O people),

...ت ی... signs...

and proofs that testify to the perfect ability,wisdom and mercy of He Who created thesethings,

...ن م ی م ٩٩

for people who believe.

in Allah and obey His Messengers.



154

ش ا آ ء ا و و ا و ت و

6:100 Yet, they join the Jinns as partners inworship with Allah, though He has created them,and they attribute, falsely without knowledge - sonsand daughters to Him.

سن ی ـ و ـ Be He Glorified and Exalted above what that they

attribute to Him.

Rebuking the Idolators

Allah says;

و ا ء آ ش ا و...

Yet, they join the Jinns as partners in worship with Allah,though He has created them,

This Ayah refutes the idolators who worshipped othersbesides Allah and associated the Jinns with Him inworship. Glory be to Allah above this Shirk and Kufr. If someone asks, how did the idolators worship the Jinns,although they only were idol worshippers The answer isthat in fact, they worshipped the idols by obeying theJinns who commanded them to do so.


ای م ـ ش إ ن ی ن وإ ـ نإ إ نود م ن ی ن إ

ضو م ن كد م ن ل ا و

ـ نا نا وم ن وض وم وم ن ءاذ ا نو م د و ـ ا وم ی ا ن

م نا



155

ارو إ ـ ا ه ی مو یو ه ی

They invoke nothing but female deities besidesHim, and they invoke nothing but Shaytan, apersistent rebel! Allah cursed him. And he(Shaytan) said: "I will take an appointed portion

of your servants. Verily, I will mislead them, andsurely, I will arouse in them false desires; andcertainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change thenature created by Allah.''

And whoever takes Shaytan as a protectorinstead of Allah, has surely suffered a manifestloss. He (Shaytan) makes promises to them, and

arouses in them false desires; and Shaytan's promises are nothing but deceptions. (4:117-120)

and,

نو أ ون وذری أو ء م د

Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring asprotectors and helpers rather than Me! (18:50)

Ibrahim said to his father,

ـ ن آ ـ ا ن إ ـ ا ی

"O my father! Worship not Shaytan. Verily!Shaytan has been a rebel against the MostBeneficent (Allah).'' (19:44)

Allah said,

إ أ أو نإ ـ ا او ن أ مداء ی م

م ط ا ـ ه نو ا ن وأ

Did I not ordain for you, O Children of Adam, thatyou should not worship Shaytan. Verily, he is a

plain enemy to you. And that you should worshipMe. That is a straight path. (36:60-61)



156

On the Day of Resurrection, the angels willproclaim,

ه ـآ أ ا نو ی ا ن آ نود و م نأ ـ سن م م

Glorified be You! You are our Protector instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the Jinn;most of them were believers in them. (34:41)

This is why Allah said here, ا ء آ ش ا و و (Yet, they join the Jinns as partners in

worship with Allah, though He has created them).Alone without partners.

Consequently, how is it that another deity isbeing worshipped along with Him As Ibrahim said,

ن م نو أ ل

ن مو او

"Worship you that which you (yourselves) carveWhile Allah has created you and what you make!''

(37:95-96)

Allah alone is the Creator without partners.Therefore, He Alone deserves to be worshippedwithout partners.

Allah said next,

... ت و ا و ...

And they Kharaqu (attribute falsely) without knowledge,sons and daughters to Him.

Allah mentions the misguidance of those whowere led astray and claimed a son or offspring forHim, as the Jews did with Uzayr, the Christianswith Isa and the Arab pagans with the angelswhom they claimed were Allah's daughters. Allah

is far holier than what the unjust, polytheistpeople associate with Him.



157

According to the scholars of the Salaf ,

the word, Kharaqu, means `falselyattributed, invented, claimed and lied'.

Allah's statement next,

...ن ی و ن س١٠٠

Be He Glorified and Exalted above (all) that theyattribute to Him.

means, He is holier than, hallowed, and Exaltedabove the sons, rivals, equals and partners thatthese ignorant, misled people attribute to Him.

ض ی ا ـت وار6:101 He is the Badi` (Originator) of the heavensand the earth.

ء ش آ و ـ و و ن ی نأ ء ش هو

How can He have children when He has no wife Hecreated all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.

Meaning of Badi`

Allah said;

ض ... ی ا وات وار

He is the Badi` of the heavens and the earth,

Meaning He originated, created, invented andbrought them into existence without precedence,

as Mujahid and As-Suddi said.



158

This is why the word for innovation - Bidàh -comes from it, because it is something that didnot have a precedence.

... و و ن ی ن ...أ

How can He have children when He has no wife!

for the child is the offspring of two compatiblespouses. Allah does not have an equal, none of His creatures are similar to Him, for He alonecreated the entire creation.

Allah said;

ا و ـ ا ا ا و

ادإ ش And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allah) hasbegotten a son.'' Indeed you have brought forth

(said) a terrible evil thing. (19:88-89) until, آو ا دا م (And everyone of them will come

to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. (19:95)

... ١٠١و آ ش ء وه ش ء

He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything.

He has created everything and He is All-Knowerof all things. How can He have a wife from Hiscreation who is suitable for His majesty, whenthere is none like Him! How can He have a childthen! Verily, Allah is Glorified above having a son.

و ء ش آ ـ ه إ ـ إ ر ا ذ هو آو ء ش آ

6:102 Such is Allah, your Lord! None has the rightto be worshipped but He, the Creator of all things.So worship Him (alone), and He is the Guardian

over all things.



159

ـ ا كر ی هو ـ ا آر 6:103 No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is overall vision.

ا ا هوHe is the Most Subtle, Well-Acquainted (with allthings).

Allah is Your Lord

Allah said, ر ا ذ...

Such is Allah, your Lord!

Who created everything and has neither a son nora wife.

...و ء ش آ ه إ ـ إ ...

None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Creatorof all things. So worship Him.

Alone without partners, and attest to HisOneness, affirming that there is no deity worthyof worship except Him. Allah has neitherdescendants, nor ascendants, wife, equal or rival.

... آو ء ش آ هو١٠٢

And He is the Guardian over all things.

meaning, Trustee, Watcher and Disposer of affairsfor all things in existence, giving them provisionsand protection by day and night.

Seeing Allah in the Hereafter Allah said,

ر ا آر ...

No vision can grasp Him,in this life.



160

The vision will be able to look at Allah in the Hereafter,as affirmed and attested to by the numerous Hadiths from the Prophet through authentic chains of narration inthe collections of the Sahihs, Musnad and Sunan collections.

As for this life, Masruq narrated that Aishah said,

"Whoever claims that Muhammad has seen hisLord, will have uttered a lie against Allah, for

Allah the Most Honored, says, هو ر ا آر ر ا كر (No vision can grasp Him, but His

grasp is over all vision.)''

In the Sahih (Muslim) it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-

Ashari narrated from the Prophet,

أ و ی م ی ا ن وی ، إ ا ی م ،ی ن،ر ا ا و ، ا ر ا إ ی م و ت س آ ر ا وأ ر ا

م إ نا

Verily, Allah does not sleep and it does not befitHis majesty that He should sleep. He lowers thescale (of everything) and raises it. The deeds of the day are ascended to Him before the night,and the deeds of the night before the day. HisVeil is the Light -- or Fire -- and if He removes it(the veil), the Light of His Face will burn everycreated thing that His sight reaches.

In the previous (revealed) Books there is this statement,

"When Musa requested to see Him, Allah said toMusa:

Ò Musa! Verily, no living thing sees Me, but itdies and no dried things sees me, but it rolls up.'''

Allah said,

ق أ سم دآ و ر م ا لوأ نأو إ ـ س ل



161

So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, Hemade it collapse to dust, and Musa fell downunconscious. Then when he recovered his senseshe said: "Glory be to You, I turn to You inrepentance and I am the first of the believers.''(7:143)

These Ayat, Hadiths and statements do not negate thefact that Allah will be seen on the Day of Resurrection byHis believing servants, in the manner that He decides, allthe while preserving His might and grace as they are.

The Mother of the Faithful, Aishah, used to affirm that;

Allah will be seen in the Hereafter, but deniedthat it could occur in this life, mentioning this

Ayah as evidence, ر ا كر هو ر ا آر (No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over allvision). Her denial was a denial of the ability toencompass Him, meaning to perfectly see Hisgrace and magnificence as He is, for that is notpossible for any human, angel or anythingcreated.

Allah's statement,

...ر ا كر ی هو...

but His grasp is over all vision.

means, He encompasses all vision and He has fullknowledge of them, for He created them all.


ا ا هو م ی أ

Should not He Who has created know! And He isthe Most Subtle, Well Acquainted (with all things).(67:14)

It is also possible that àll vision' refers to those whohave the vision.



162

As-Suddi said that Allah's statement, هو ر ا آر ر ا كر (No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is

over all vision.) means,

"Nothing sees Him (in this life), but He sees allcreation.''

... هو ا ا ١٠٣

He is the Most Subtle, Well-Acquainted (with all things).

Abu Al-Aliyah said about Allah's statement that it means,

"He is the Most Subtle, bringing forth all things,Well-Acquainted with their position and place.''

Allah knows best.

In another Ayah, Allah mentions Luqman's adviceto his son,

لد م ل م ن ی إن إ ا ت ی ض ار وأ ت ـ ا وأ ة

ا ن إ

O my son! If it be (anything) equal to theweight of grain of mustard seed, andthough it be in a rock, or in the heavens orin the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily,Allah is Most Subtle, Well Acquainted.(31:16)

ر م ئ آء مو أ نأ مو

6:104 Verily, Basa'ir (proofs) have come to youfrom your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so for(the good of) himself, and whosoever blindshimself, will do so against himself, and I am not a

Hafiz over you.



163

م و سرد ا و ـ وآ ن ف این ی

6:105 Thus We explain variously the verses so that

they (the disbelievers) may say: "You have Darasta(studied),'' and that We may make the matter clearfor the people who have knowledge.

The Meaning of Basa'ir

Allah says;

مو م ر أ ئ آء ...

Verily, Basa'ir (proofs) have come to you from yourLord, so whosoever sees, will do so for (the good of)himself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so againsthimself,

Basa'ir are the proofs and evidences in the Qur'an andthe Message of Allah's Messenger.

The Ayah, أ (so whosoever sees, will do so

for (the good of) himself) is similar to,

ی ن ض مو ى ی ن ى ها

So whosoever receives guidance, he does so forthe good of himself, and whosoever goes astray,he does so at his own loss. (10:108)

After Allah mentioned the Basa'ir, He said, و (And whosoever blinds himself, will do so againsthimself),

meaning, he will only harm himself.

Allah said,

ـ ا ن ا ب ا ـ و رو ا



164

Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind,but it is the hearts which are in the breaststhat grow blind. (22:46)

... نأ مو١٠٤

And I (Muhammad) am not a Hafiz over you.

neither responsible, nor a watcher over you.Rather, I only convey, Allah guides whom He willsand misguides whom He wills.

Allah said,

ت یا ف ن آو...

Thus We explain variously the verses...,

meaning, just as We explained the Ayat in thisSurah, such as explaining Tawhid and that thereis no deity worthy of worship except Allah. This ishow We explain the Ayat and make them plainand clear in all circumstances, to suffice theignorance of the ignorant; and so that theidolators and disbelievers who deny you say, Ò

Muhammad! You have Darasta with those whowere before you from among the People of theBook and learned with them'.

...س ...و ا در

...so that they (the disbelievers) may say: "Youhave Darasta (studied),''

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Saìd bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak said similarly.

At-Tabarani narrated that Àmr bin Kaysan said that heheard Ibn Abbas saying,

"Darasta, means, `recited, argued anddebated.'''

This is similar to Allah's statement about thedenial and rebellion of the disbelievers,



165

م ن أو ا ا إ إ ا ـ ه ن ی آ وا إ ا ل وون ءوا اءاروزو

أو ة آا وا ـ سأ ا و

Those who disbelieve say, "This (the Qur'an) is

nothing but a lie that he has invented, and othershave helped him at it, so that they have producedan unjust wrong (thing) and a lie.''

And they say, "Tales of the ancients, which hehas written down, and they are dictated to himmorning and afternoon.'' (25:4-5)

Allah described the chief liar of the disbelievers

(Al-Walid bin Al-Mughirah Al-Makhzumi),

ر و نإ

ر آ

ر آ

ن

و

ساو دأ

ی س إ ـ ه ن ل إ

ا ل إ ـ ه ن إ

Verily, he thought and plotted. So let him becursed! How he plotted! And once more let himbe cursed, how he plotted! Then he thought. Thenhe frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way.Then he turned back and was proud. Then hesaid, "This is nothing but magic from that of old.This is nothing but the word of a human being!''(74:18-25)

Allah said next,



166

...ن ی م و١٠٥

And that We may make the matter clear for the peoplewho have knowledge.

The Ayah means, so that We explain the matterto a people who know truth, and thus follow it,and know falsehood, and thus avoid it. Allah'swisdom is perfect, He allows the disbelievers tostray, and He guides the people who haveknowledge.


ی آ ا وی ي آ ا

By it He misleads many, and many He guidesthereby. (2:26)

ی م س او ض م ی ـ ا

That He (Allah) may make what is thrown in byShaytan a trial for those in whose hearts is a

disease and whose hearts are hardened. (22:53)

ن ا د ا ی ءام ا إ ط م وإ

And verily, Allah is the Guide of those whobelieve, to the straight path. (22:54)

إ مو ـ م إ ر ا ـ أ مو او آ ی ا ماء ی ا داد یو ـ ا ا وأ ی ا

ی ا ل و ن م او ـ ا ا وأ ی ا ب ی و ـ یإ آ ا م ـ ا دارأ ذ م نو ـ ا و ض م

یإ ر د وم ی ء وی ى م ی ء م ی ا ه

And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have fixed their number only asa trial for the disbelievers, in order that thePeople of the Scripture may arrive at a certainty



167

and the believers may increase in faith, and thatno doubts may be left for the People of theScripture and the believers, and that those inwhose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and thedisbelievers may say, "What does Allah intend bythis example!''

Thus Allah leads astray whom He wills and guideswhom He wills. And none can know the hosts of your Lord but He. (74:31)

ی ی و م رو ء ش م ه نا ء ا م ل نو إ را ـ ا

And We send down in the Qur'an that which is a

healing and a mercy to the believers, and itincreases the wrongdoers in nothing but loss.(17:82)

ناذاء ه ی ءام ا ه ى وش ء وا ی ی م ن ن م م ن ی دو ـ وأ هو و

Say, "It is for those who believe, a guide and ahealing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is

heaviness in their ears, and it is blindness forthem. They are those who are called from a placefar away.'' (41:44)

There are similar Ayat that testify that Allah sentdown the Qur'an as guidance to those who fearHim and that He guides or misguides whom Hewills by the Qur'an.

ض ا م أو إ م ر إ ـ إ ه وأآ ا

6:106 Follow what has been inspired (revealed) toyou from your Lord, none has the right to beworshipped but He, and turn aside from the

idolators.



168

ش وا آ شأ م ا ء6:107 Had Allah willed, they would not have takenothers besides Him in worship.

آ نأ مو ـ موAnd We have not made you Hafiz over them nor areyou set over them to dispose of their affairs.

The Command to Follow the Revelation

Allah commands His Messenger and those who followed hispath,

ر م إ وأ م ا...

Follow what has been inspired to you from your Lord,

meaning, follow it, obey it and act according to it.What has been revealed to you from your Lord isthe Truth, no doubt, and there is no deity worthy

of worship except Him,... ه إ ـ إ ...

none has the right to be worshipped but He,

... آ ا ض أو١٠٦

and turn aside from the idolators.

meaning, forgive them, be forbearing and endure

their harm until Allah brings relief to you,supports you and makes you triumphant overthem. Know -- O Muhammad -- that there is awisdom behind misleading the idolators, and thathad Allah willed, He would have directed allpeople to guidance,

ا آ شأ م ا ء ش و...

Had Allah willed, they would not have taken othersbesides Him in worship.



169

Allah's is the perfect will and wisdom in alldecrees and decisions, and He is neverquestioned about what He does, while they all willbe questioned.

Allah's statement,

... ك م ...و

And We have not made you Hafiz over them.

means, a watcher who observes their statementsand deeds,

... آ نأ مو١٠٧

Nor are you set over them to dispose of their affairs.

or to control their provision. Rather, your only jobis to convey, just as Allah said,

آ م نأ نإ آ

س

So remind them, you are only one who reminds.You are not a dictator over them. (88:21-22)

and,

ب ا و ـ ا ن

Your duty is only to convey and on Us is thereckoning. (13:40)

ی ی ا ا واو ا ا ا نو ن م د

6:108 And insult not those whom they worshipbesides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully

without knowledge.



170

م ر إ مأ یز آ ن ی ا ن آ

Thus We have made fair seeming to each people its

own doings; then to their Lord is their return andHe shall inform them of all that they used to do.

The Prohibition of Insulting the False gods of the Disbelievers,So that they Do not Insult Allah

Allah says;

او ا ا ا نو ی ن م د ی ا ا و...

And insult not those whom they worship besides Allah,lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.

Allah prohibits His Messenger and the believers frominsulting the false deities of the idolators, although thereis a clear benefit in doing so. Insulting their deities willlead to a bigger evil than its benefit, for the idolators

might retaliate by insulting the God of the believers,Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but He.

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas commented on thisAyah,

"They (disbelievers) said, Ò Muhammad! You willstop insulting our gods, or we will insult yourLord.' Thereafter, Allah prohibited the believers

from insulting the disbelievers' idols, ا ا وا (lest they insult Allah wrongfully without

knowledge).''

Abdur-Razzaq narrated that Ma`mar said that Qatadahsaid,

"Muslims used to insult the idols of thedisbelievers and the disbelievers would retaliate

by insulting Allah wrongfully without knowledge.Allah revealed, ا نو د ن ا ا و (And



171

insult not those whom they worship besidesAllah).''

On this same subject -- abandoning what carries benefitto avert a greater evil - it is recorded in the Sahih thatthe Messenger of Allah said,

ی او س م ن مCursed is he who insults his own parents!

They said, "O Allah's Messenger! And how woulda man insult his own parents!''

He said,

مأ مأ یو أ ا أ ی

He insults a man's father, and that man insultshis father, and insults his mother and that maninsults his mother.

Allah's statement,

... مأ یز آ...

Thus We have made fair seeming to each people its owndoings;

means, as We made fair seeming to the idolatorsloving their idols and defending them, likewise Wemade fair seeming to every previous nation themisguidance they indulged in. Allah's is the mostperfect proof, and the most complete wisdom inall that He wills and chooses.

... م ر إ ...

then to their Lord is their return,

gathering and final destination,

...ن ی ا ن آ ١٠٨

and He shall then inform them of all that they used todo.

He will compensate them for their deeds, good for

good and evil for evil.



172

ـ یأ ا أو م یاء ء

6:109 And they swear their strongest oaths by

Allah, that if there came to them a sign, they wouldsurely believe therein.

تء اذإ نأ آ ی مو ا ـیا نإ ن م ی

Say: "Signs are but with Allah and what will makeyou perceive that (even) if it came, they will not

believe!''

ة م لوأ ا م ی آ ه ـ أو ون أن ی ن هر نو

6:110 And We shall turn their hearts and their eyesaway, as they refused to believe therein for the firsttime, and We shall leave them in their trespass to

wander blindly.

Asking for Miracles and Swearing to Believe if They Come

Allah says;

أو ن یأ ا ...

And they swear their strongest oaths by Allah,

Allah states that the idolators swore theirstrongest oaths by Allah,

... ی ء ...

that if there came to them a sign...,

a miracle or phenomenon,



173

... م ...

they would surely believe therein.

affirming its truth.

... ا ت یا نإ ...

Say: "Signs are but with Allah.''

meaning: Say, O Muhammad - to those who askyou for signs out of defiance, disbelief andrebellion, not out of the desire for guidance andknowledge - "The matter of sending signs is forAllah. If He wills, He sends them to you, and if Hewills, He ignores your request.''

Allah said next,

... ی تء اذإ نأ آ ی مون م١٠٩

And what will make you perceive that (even) if it came,they will not believe.

According to Mujahid it was said that;

`you' in `make you perceive' refers to theidolators.

In this case, the Ayah would mean,

what makes you -- you idolators --perceive that you are truthful in the vowsthat you swore.

Therefore, in this recitation, the Ayah means, theidolators will still not believe if the sign that theyasked for came.

It was also said that;

`you' in, `what will make you perceive', refers tothe believers,

meaning, what will make you perceive, O

believers, that the idolators will still not believe if the signs come.



174

Allah also said,

مأ ذإ أ م م

"What prevented you (O Iblis) that you didnot prostrate, when I commanded you!''(7:12)

ن ی نأ ـ هأ ی و ام

And a ban is laid on every town(population) which We have destroyedthat they shall not return (to this worldagain). (21:95)

These Ayat mean: `What made you, O Iblis,

refrain from prostrating, although I commandedyou to do so, and, in the second Ayah, thatvillage shall not return to this world again.

In the Ayah above (6:109) the meaning thusbecomes:

What makes you perceive, O believers,who wish eagerly for the disbelievers to

believe, that if the Ayat came to themthey would believe.

Allah said next,

ة م لوأ ا م ی آ هر أو أ نو...

And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away, asthey refused to believe therein for the first time,

Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas said about this Ayah,

"When the idolators rejected what Allah sentdown, their hearts did not settle on any one thingand they turned away from every matter (of benefit).''

Mujahid said that Allah's statement, هر أو أ نو

(and We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away)means,



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We prevent them from the faith, and even if every sign came to them, they will not believe,

just as We prevented them from faith the firsttime.

Similar was said by Ìkrimah and Àbdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam.

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas said,

"Allah mentions what the servants will say beforethey say it and what they will do before they do

it. Allah said; و (And none caninform you like Him Who is the All-Knower).(35:14)

and,

ا م ی ن ل ن أ

Lest a person should say, "Alas, my grief that I

was undutiful to Allah.'' (39:56) until, ة آ ن أ ا آ ن ("If only I had another chance,

then I should indeed be among the doers of

good).'' (39:58)So Allah, glory be to Him, states that if they weresent back to life, they would not accept the

guidance, ن ذ نإو ا ن اود اودر و (But

if they were returned, they would certainly revertto that which they were forbidden. And indeedthey are liars). (6:28)

Allah said, ر أو أ نوة لوأ ا آ هAnd We shall turn their hearts and their eyesaway (from guidance), as they refused to believetherein for the first time),

meaning: Ìf they were sent back to thislife, they would be prevented fromembracing the guidance, just as Weprevented them from it the first time,

when they were in the life of this world.''



176

Allah said,

... هر نو...

and We shall leave them...

and abandon them,

... ن ...

in their trespass...,

According to Ibn Abbas and As-Suddi,

meaning, disbelief.

Abu Al-Aliyah, Ar-Rabi bin Anas and Qatadah said that;

`their trespass' means, `their misguidance'.

...ن ی١١٠

to wander blindly.

or playfully, according to Al-A`mash.

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Abu Al-Aliyah, Ar-Rabi, Abu Malikand others commented,

"to wander in their disbelief.''

ن و ا آو ـ ا إ ن نأ و

ء ی ن ا آ ش ء م آ ن ا م ا إ أ ن ی ه آأ ـ و6:111 And even if We had sent down unto themangels, and the dead had spoken unto them, andWe had gathered together all things before them,they would not have believed, unless Allah willed,but most of them behave ignorantly.



177

Allah says:

ئ ا إ ن نأ و...

And even if We had sent down unto them angels,

Allah says: `Had We accepted what thedisbelievers asked for,' that is -- those who sworetheir strongest oaths by Allah that if a miraclecame to them they would believe in it -- `had Wesent down angels,' to convey to them Allah'sMessage, in order to support the truth of the

Messengers, as they asked, when they said, وأ ئ او (or you bring Allah and the angels

before (us) face to face). (17:92)

ا سر وأ م م ن م ن اThey said: "We shall not believe until we receivethe like of that which the Messengers of Allah hadreceived.'' (6:124)

and,

ن ى وأ ـ ا لنأ نء ن ی ی ا ل وا آ ا ا و نأ ر اس وا

And those who expect not a meeting with Us said:"Why are not the angels sent down to us, or whydo we not see our Lord!" Indeed they think toohighly of themselves, and are scornful with greatpride. (25:21)

Allah said,

... ا آو...

and the dead had spoken unto them,

This is, to inform them of the truth of what theMessengers brought them;

... ء ش آ ن و...

and We had gathered together all things before them,

Ali bin Abi Talhah and Al-Awfi reported from Ibn Abbas,

before their eyes.



178

This is the view of Qatadah and Abdur-Rahmanbin Zayd bin Aslam.

This Ayah means, if all nations were gathered beforethem, one after the other, and each one testifies to thetruth of what the Messengers came with,

... ا ء ی ن ...م آ ن ا م ا إ أ

they would not have believed, unless Allah willed,

for guidance is with Allah not with them.Certainly, Allah guides whom He wills andmisguides whom He wills, and He does what He

wills, ن هو ل (He cannot be

questioned about what He does, while they will be

questioned). (21:23)This is due to His knowledge, wisdom, power,supreme authority and irresistibility.


ن م ی ر آ ی ا ن إ

ی ی وا ا اب ا و ء آ ءا

Truly, those, against whom the Word (wrath) of your Lord has been justified, will not believe.Even if every sign should come to them, untilthey see the painful torment. (10:96-97)

... ی ه آأ ـ ون ١١١

but most of them behave ignorantly.

او نا ـ ش او ن آ وارو ل ا ف ز إ ی

6:112 And so We have appointed for every Prophetenemies -- Shayatin among mankind and Jinn,inspiring one another with adorned speech as a

delusion.



179

نو ی مو هر م ر ء ش وIf your Lord had so willed, they would not havedone it; so leave them alone with their fabrications.

وة ن م ی ی ا ة أ إ ن م ه م ا و ض و

6:113 And Tasgha to it that the hearts of those whodo not believe in the Hereafter may incline to such(deceit), and that they may remain pleased with it,and that they may commit what they arecommitting.

Every Prophet Has Enemies

Allah says,

ا ...وآ ن وا ش ان و

And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies --Shayatin among mankind and Jinn, inspiring oneanother with adorned speech as a delusion.

Allah says, just as We made enemies for you, OMuhammad, who will oppose and rebel againstyou and become your adversaries, We also madeenemies for every Prophet who came before you.Therefore, do not be saddened by this fact.

Allah said in other Ayat:

اوذوأو ا آ م او م سر آ و

Verily, Messengers were denied before you, butwith patience they bore the denial, and they werehurt... (6:34)

ة م و ر ن إ م س م إ ل ی م أ ب وذو



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Nothing is said to you except what was said tothe Messengers before you. Verily, your Lord isthe Possessor of forgiveness, and (also) thePossessor of painful punishment. (41:43)

م ا م او ن آو

Thus have We made for every Prophet an enemyamong the criminals. (25:31)

Waraqah bin Nawfal said to Allah's Messenger,

"None came with what you came with but he wasthe subject of enmity.''

Allah's statement, نا ش (Shayatin among

mankind...,

refers to, وا (enemies...), meaning,

the Prophets have enemies among the devils of mankind and the devils of the Jinns.

The word, Shaytan, describes one who isdissimilar to his kind due to his or her

wickedness. Indeed, only the Shayatin, mayAllah humiliate and curse them, from amongmankind and the Jinns oppose the Messengers.

Abdur-Razzaq said that Ma`mar narrated that Qatadah

commented on Allah's statement, او نا ش(Shayatin (devils) among mankind and Jinn...),

"There are devils among the Jinns and devils

among mankind who inspire each other.''

Allah's statement,

... یارو ل ا ف ز إ ...

inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion.

means, they inspire each other with beautified,adorned speech that deceives the ignorant whohear it.



181

... م ر ء ش و...

If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it;

for all this occurs by Allah's decree, will anddecision, that every Prophet had enemies fromthese devils.

...نو ی مو هر ١١٢

so leave them alone with their fabrications, (and lies).

This Ayah orders patience in the face of the harmof the wicked and to trust in Allah against theirenmity, for, "Allah shall suffice for you (OMuhammad) and aid you against them.''

Allah's statement,

...و إ

And Tasgha to it.

According to Ibn Abbas,

means, "incline to it.''

...ة ن م ی ی ا ة أ...

the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter...

their hearts, mind and hearing.

As-Suddi said that;

this Ayah refers to the hearts of the disbelievers.

... ض و...

And that they may remain pleased with it.

they like and adore it. Only those who disbelievein the Hereafter accept this evil speech, beingenemies of the Prophets, etc., just as Allah said in

other Ayat,



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نو مو ن

ـ نأ م

ا ل ه م إ

So, verily, you (pagans) and those whomyou worship (idols). Cannot lead astray.Except those who are predestined to burnin Hell! (37:161-163)

نإ م ل

أ م ی

Certainly, you have different ideas. Turnedaside therefrom is he who is turned aside.(51:8-9)

Allah said;

...ن م ه م ا و١١٣

And that they may commit what they are committing.

According to Ali bin Abi Talhah who reported from IbnAbbas that;

meaning, "let them earn whatever they will earn,''

As-Suddi and Ibn Zayd also commented,

"Let them do whatever they will do.''

ى أن ل إ ا ـأ ا أ وه ا م

6:114 (Say:) "Shall I seek a judge other than Allahwhile it is He Who has sent down unto you theBook, explained in detail."



183

ر م ل م نأ ن ی ـ ا ـ اء ی اوی ا م ن

Those unto whom We gave the Scripture know that

it is revealed from your Lord in truth. So be not youof those who doubt.

ـ ل م و ر و آ 6:115 And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilledin truth and in justice. None can change His Words.

ا ا هوAnd He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

Allah tells His Prophet to say to these polytheists who worshipothers besides Allah,

أ ا ...أ

Shall I seek a judge other than Allah...

between you and I,

... م ب ا إ ل نأ ي ا ه ...و

while it is He Who has sent down unto you the Book,explained... (in detail),

...وب ا ه ی ا...

and those unto whom We gave the Scripture,

the Jews and the Christians,

... ر م ل م نأ ن ی...

know that it is revealed from your Lord in truth.

because the previous Prophets have conveyed thegood news of you coming to them.



184

Allah's statement,

...ی ا م ن ١١٤

So be not you of those who doubt.

is similar to His other statement,

ا ل س ش م أن إ آ ن ـ ا نو ی ی ءی ا م ن ر م ا كء م

So if you are in doubt concerning that which Wehave revealed unto you, then ask those who arereading the Book before you. Verily, the truth hascome to you from your Lord. So be not of thosewho doubt (it). (10:94)

The conditional ìf' in this Ayah does not mean that`doubt' will ever occur to the Prophet.

Allah said,

و ر آ و...

And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth andin justice.

Qatadah commented,

"In truth concerning what He stated and in justiceconcerning what He decided.''

Surely, whatever Allah says is the truth and He is MostJust in what He commands. All of Allah's statements aretrue, there is no doubt or cause for speculation about

this fact, and all His commandments are pure justice,besides which there is no justice. All that He forbade isevil, for He only forbids what brings about evilconsequences.

Allah said in another Ayah,

ا ـ یو فو ه م ی

He commands them with good; and forbids themfrom evil... (7:157) until the end of the Ayah.



185

... ل م ...

None can change His Words.

meaning, none can avert Allah's judgmentwhether in this life or the Hereafter.

... ا هو...

And He is the All-Hearer,

Hearing, His servants' statements,

... ا١١٥

The All-Knower.

of their activities and lack of activity, Who awardseach according to their deeds.

ا س ك ی ض ن أآ م ار وإ6:116 And if you obey most of those on the earth,

they will mislead you far away from Allah's path.

ن ی إ ه ن ن ی ن إ ا وإ إThey follow nothing but conjecture, and they donothing but lie.

أ هو س ی م أ ن ر ه إ

ی 6:117 Verily, your Lord! It is He Who knows bestwho strays from His way, and He knows best therightly guided.





187

م ـ ی آ ن م ا م ذآ اس ا إ6:118 So eat of that on which Allah's Name hasbeen mentioned, if you are believers in His Ayat.

و ا سا آذ م ا آ أ مو إ ر ضا م إ م م

6:119 And why should you not eat of that on whichAllah's Name has been mentioned, while He hasexplained to you in detail what is forbidden to you,except under compulsion of necessity!

ئا ه ن ا آ ن وإAnd surely, many do lead astray by their owndesires through lack of knowledge.

ی أ ه ر ن إCertainly your Lord knows best the transgressors.

Allowing What was Slaughtered in the Name of Allah

Allah says;

م ا م م ی آ ن ١١٨ذآ اس ا إ

So eat of that on which Allah's Name has been

mentioned, if you are believers in His Ayat. This is a statement of permission from Allah, forHis servants, allowing them to eat theslaughtered animals wherein His Name wasmentioned when slaughtering them. It isunderstood from it that He has not allowed thatover which Allah's Name was not mentioned whenslaughtering. This was the practice of the pagans

of Quraysh who used to eat dead animals and eatwhat was slaughtered for the idols.



188

Allah next encourages eating from the meat of sacrificedanimals on which His Name was mentioned uponslaughtering,

و ا سا آذ م ا آ أ مو م م ...

And why should you not eat of that on which Allah's

Name has been mentioned, while He has explained toyou what is forbidden to you...

meaning, He has explained and made clear to youwhat He has prohibited for you in detail,

... إ ر ضا م إ...

except under compulsion of necessity.

In which case, you are allowed to eat whateveryou can find.

Allah next mentions the ignorance of the idolators intheir misguided ideas, such as eating dead animals andwhat was sacrificed while other than Allah's Name wasmentioned when slaughtering them.

Allah said,

...ی أ ه ر ن ن آ ا ن ه ائ إ وإ ١١٩

And surely, many do lead astray by their own desiresthrough lack of knowledge. Certainly your Lord knowsbest the transgressors.

He has complete knowledge of theirtransgression, lies and inventions.

و ا ـ اورذو6:120 Leave sin, open and secret.

ی ا ن ن آ ن ا ی نإ ی ن ا س وVerily, those who commit sin will get due

recompense for that which they used to commit.



189

Allah says;

و ا ه اورذو...

Leave evil, open and secret...

Mujahid said that,

it refers to all kinds of sins committed in publicand secret.

Qatadah said that, و ا ه اورذو (Leave sin, openand secret...),

encompasses sins committed in public and secret,whether few or many.

In another statement, Allah said,

مو م م ا ر م نإ

Say: "(But) the things that my Lord hasindeed forbidden are Al-Fawahish (evilsins) whether committed openly orsecretly. (7:33)


...ن ن آ ن ا ی نإ ١٢٠ا ی ی ن ا س و

Verily, those who commit sin will get due recompense forthat which they used to commit.

Whether the sins they committed were public orsecret, Allah will compensate them for these sins.

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that An-Nawwas bin Samànsaid,

"I asked Allah's Messenger about Al-Ithm.

He said,



190

ی ن ا م ك رك وآ ه أ س ا

The sin is that which you find in your heart and

you dislike that people become aware of it.

نإو ا سا آ ی م ا آ و6:121 Eat not of that on which Allah's Name has notbeen pronounced, for surely it is disobedience.

إ ن ـ ا ن نوإ أو ئ ـ آ وإن آ نإ ه أ

And certainly, the Shayatin do inspire their friendsto dispute with you, and if you obey them, then youwould indeed be polytheists.

The Prohibition of what was Slaughtered in other than Allah'sName

Allah says;

نإو ا سا آ ی م ا آ و...

Eat not of that on which Allah's Name has not beenpronounced, for surely it is disobedience.

This Ayah is used to prove that slaughtered animals arenot lawful when Allah's Name is not mentioned overthem -- even if slaughtered by a Muslim.

The Ayah about hunting game, او آذاو أ ا ا سا (So eat of what they (trained hunting dogs or

birds of prey) catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah over it), (5:4) supports this.



191

The Ayah here emphasized this ruling, when Allah said,

نإو (for surely it is disobedience). They say that

"it'' refers to eating it, and others say that itrefers to the sacrifice for other than Allah.

There are various Hadiths that order mentioning Allah's

Name when slaughtering and hunting.

The Hadith narrated by Adi bin Hatim and Abu Thalabah(that the Prophet said);

سرأ اذإ مأ م ا سا تآ وذ ا آ

When you send your trained hunting dog andmention Allah's Name on releasing it, then eatfrom whatever it catches for you.

This Hadith was collected in the Two Sahihs.

The Rafi bin Khadij narrated that the Prophet said;

ا سا آذو ما ن م أ

You can use what would make blood flow (i.e.,slaughter) and you can eat what is slaughteredand the Name of Allah is mentioned at the time of slaughtering.

This Hadith was also collected in the TwoSahihs.

Ibn Masùd narrated that Allah's Messenger said to the

Jinns.

ا سا آذ آ

(For food) you have every bone on which Allah'sName was mentioned on slaughtering.

Muslim collected this Hadith.

Jundub bin Sufyan Al-Bajali said that the Messenger of Allah said,



192

، ذ ی مو ،ى أ ن م ی ن أ م ذا س

Whoever slaughtered before he prayed (the Ìd prayer), let him slaughter another sacrifice in itsplace. Whoever did not offer the sacrifice before

we finished the prayer, let him slaughter andmention Allah's Name.

The Two Sahihs recorded this Hadith.

The Devil's Inspiration

Allah said,

... آ د ئ وأ إ ن ا ن ...وإ

And certainly, the Shayatin do inspire their friends todispute with you,

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Ishaq said that;

a man said to Ibn Umar that Al-Mukhtar claimedthat he received revelation.

So Ibn Umar said, "He has said the truth,'' and

recited this Ayah, ئ و ح ن إ أ ا ن وإ (And certainly, the Shayatin do inspire theirfriends...).

Abu Zamil said,

"I was sitting next to Ibn Abbas at a time whenAl-Mukhtar bin Abi Ubayd was performing Hajj.So a man came to Ibn Abbas and said, Ò IbnÀbbas! Abu Ishaq (Al-Mukhtar) claimed that hereceived revelation this night.'

Ibn Abbas said, He has said the truth.'

I was upset and said, Ìbn Abbas says that Al-Mukhtar has said the truth.'

Ibn Abbas replied, `There are two types of revelation, one from Allah and one from the devil.



193

Allah's revelation came to Muhammad, while theShaytan's revelation comes to his friends.'

He then recited, ئ وأ إ ن ح ا ن وإ (And

certainly, the Shayatin do inspire their friends...).

We also mentioned Ikrimah's commentary on the Ayah,

ا ل ورا ف ز إ ح (Inspiring one another

with adorned speech as a delusion). (6: 112)

Allah said next, آ د (to dispute with you),

Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Abbas commented; ا آ و ا سا آ (Eat not of that on which Allah's Name

has not been mentioned...) until, آ د (...to dispute

with you),

"The devils inspire their loyal supporters, `Do youeat from what you kill but not from what Allahcauses to die'''

As-Suddi said;

"Some idolators said to the Muslims, `You claimthat you seek Allah's pleasure. Yet, you do noteat what Allah causes to die, but you eat whatyou slaughter.'

Allah said, ه أ ن وإ (and if you obey them...),

and eat dead animals, ن آ نإ then you would

indeed be polytheists."

Similar was said by Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and

several others among scholars of the Salaf .

Giving Preference to Anyone's Saying Over the Legislation of Allah is Shirk

Allah's statement,

...ن آ نإ ه أ ن ١٢١وإ

and if you obey them, then you would indeed bepolytheists.



194

means, when you turn away from Allah'scommand and Legislation to the saying of anyoneelse, preferring other than what Allah has said,then this constitutes Shirk.


ا نو أر م د ـ ه ه ور ـ أ او اThey (Jews and Christians) took theirrabbis and their monks to be their lordsbesides Allah. (9:31)

In explanation of this Ayah, At-Tirmidhi recorded that;

Adi bin Hatim said, "O Allah's Messenger! They

did not worship them.''

The Prophet said,

ه ل ا ا م و ما ا ا أ نإ ه یإ د

Yes they did. They (monks and rabbis) allowedthe impermissible for them and they prohibited

the lawful for them, and they followed them inthat. That was their worship of them.

ی ا أوم آ ن م ـ و ن رجر ـ ا م آ س ا م

6:122 Is he who was dead, and We gave him life,and set for him a light, whereby he can walk amongmen -- like him who is in the darkness from whichhe can never come out!

ن ی ا ن آ م یـ یز آThus it is made fair seeming to the disbelievers that

which they used to do.



195

The Parable of the Disbeliever and the Believer

Allah says;

آ س ا ی ا ...أو م آ ن م و ن ر

Is he who was dead, and We gave him life, and set for

him a light, whereby he can walk among men --

This is an example that Allah has given of thebeliever who was dead, meaning, wandering inconfusion and misguidance. Then, Allah broughtlife to him, by bringing life to his heart with faith,guiding him to it and guiding him to obeying His

Messengers, آ س ا ار ن (And set for

him a light whereby he can walk amongst men)for he became guided to where he should go andhow to remain on the correct path.

The light mentioned here is the Qur'an, according to IbnAbbas, as Al-Awfi and Ibn Abi Talhah reported from him.

As-Suddi said that the light mentioned here is Islam.

Both meanings are correct.

... ت ا م...

Like him who is in the darkness,

of ignorance, desires and various types of deviation,

... م جر ...

From which he can never come out,

for he is unable to find a way out from what he isin.

In Musnad Ahmad, it is recorded that the Prophet said;

ا ن إ ،ر ن م ش ر ،

ض أ مو ،ى ها أ ذ ا ر



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Allah created creation in darkness, then Heshowered His Light upon them. Whoever wasstruck by that light is guided, whoever it missedis astray.


ی او ر ا إ ـ ا م ی ا ماء ی ا و ا ـ ا إ ر ا ی ن م ت ـ ا هؤ وأ او آ

ا ـ أ ـ وأنو ـ ه ر

Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. Hebrings them out from darkness into light. But asfor those who disbelieve, their friends areTaghut, they bring them out from light into

darkness. Those are the dwellers of the Fire, andthey will abide therein forever. (2:257)

and,

ی س و أه ى أم ی م أ ی م ط

Is he who walks prone on his face, more rightly

guided, or he who walks upright on the straightway! (67:22)

and,

ه او او او آ ی ا منو آ أ م ن ی ی

The parable of the two parties is as the blind andthe deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are theyequal when compared! Will you not then takeheed! (11:24)

and,

او ا ى ی مو

و ا ت و ا ر



197

رو ا و ا و

مو ء م ی ی ا ن إ تا ما و ء ا ى وم ی نأر ا م

ی ن إ نأ ن إNot alike are the blind and the seeing. Nor aredarkness and light. Nor are the shade and thesun's heat. Nor are the living and the dead.Verily, Allah makes whom He wills to hear, butyou cannot make hear those who are in thegraves. You are only a warner. (35:19-23)

There are many other Ayat on this subject.

We explained before why Allah mentioned the light in thesingular sense and the darkness in the plural sense whenwe explained the Ayah at the beginning of the Surah,

ر او ت ا و (And originated the darknesses and the

light). (6:1)

Allah's statement,

...ن ی ا ن آ م ی یز آ١٢٢

Thus it is made fair seeming to the disbelievers thatwhich they used to do.

means, We made their ignorance andmisguidance appear fair to them, as Allah decreedout of His wisdom, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him alone without partners.

م م ـ آأ ی آ آواو نو ی مو ن إ نو ی مو

6:123 And thus We have set up in every town greatones of its wicked people to plot therein. But theyplot not except against themselves, and they

perceive (it) not.



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ذإو م م ن م ن ا یاء ء ا ا سر وأ

6:124 And when there comes to them a sign they

say: "We shall not believe until we receive the likeof that which the Messengers of Allah received."

أ ا سر ی Allah knows best with whom to entrust HisMessage.

ی ش با و ا ر ا م أ ی ا سنو ی ا ن آ Humiliation and disgrace from Allah and a severetorment will overtake the criminals for that whichthey used to plot.

Evil Plots of the Leaders of the Criminals and theirSubsequent Demise

Allah says:

او م م آأ ی آ آو...

And thus We have set up in every town great ones of itswicked people to plot therein.

Allah says: Just as We appointed chiefs andleaders for the criminals who call to disbelief,hinder from the path of Allah, and oppose anddefy you in your town, O Muhammad. Such wasalso the case with the Messengers before you,who were tested with the same. But the good endwas always theirs.' Allah said in other Ayat,

م ا م او ن آو



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Thus have We made for every Prophet anenemy among the criminals. (25:31)

Allah said,

ا م ن مأ ی ن ن وإذ أردن أ

And when We decide to destroy a town,We send a definite order to those amongthem who lead a life of luxury, and theytransgress therein. (17:16)

meaning, We command them to obey Us,but they defy the command and as aconsequence, We destroy them.

It was also said that, "We send a definiteorder'',

in the last Ayah means, "We decree for

them,'' as Allah stated here او (to

plot therein).

Ibn Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas explained the

Ayah او آأ (...great ones of its wicked

people to plot therein),

"We give the leadership to these wicked ones andthey commit evil in it. When they do this, Wedestroy them with Our torment.''

Mujahid and Qatadah said that;

in the Ayah, آأ (great ones) refers to

leaders.

I say that this is also the meaning of Allah's statements,

إ ی ن م ی سرأ مو سرأ نإ ه م لنو ـ آ

ن مو ا ـ وأو مأ ـ آأ ن ا و

And We did not send a warner to a township, butthose who were given the worldly wealth and



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luxuries among them, said: "We believe not inwhat you have been sent with." And they say:"We have too much wealth and too many childrenand we are not going to suffer punishment."(34:34-35)

And,

ل إ ی ن م ی م سرأ م آو ه منو م ه ـ اء نإو مأ نء اء ن و نإ

And similarly, We sent not a warner before you toany town but the luxurious ones among themsaid: "We found our fathers following a certainway and religion, and we will indeed follow their

footsteps.'' (43:23)

`Plot' in the Ayah (6:123) refers to beautified speechand various actions with which the evil ones call tomisguidance.

Allah said about the people of Prophet Nuh, peace beupon him,

م او موار آ اAnd they have plotted a mighty plot. (71:22)

Allah said,

ی ی ى و نا ء ا ا ـ م ن او آ ی ا ل و إ ی ر ن م ن ـ ا ذإ ى و

نأ او اس ی ا اس ی ا ل ی ل ا م م

ـ ند نأ ا وا ی اس ی اس ا ل م م آ آء ذإ ى ا

ذإ ر او ا م او سا ی ا سا ی ا ل وادانأ نو ن ن م ون أ

But if you could see when the wrongdoers will bemade to stand before their Lord, how they will



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cast the (blaming) word one to another! Thosewho were deemed weak will say to those whowere arrogant: "Had it not been for you, weshould certainly have been believers.''

And those who were arrogant will say to thosewho were deemed weak: "Did we keep you backfrom guidance after it had come to you! Nay, butyou were criminals."

Those who were deemed weak will say to thosewho were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plottingby night and day, when you ordered us todisbelieve in Allah and set up rivals for Him!"(34:31-33)

Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Ibn Abi Umar said thatSufyan said,

"Every `plot' mentioned in the Qur'an refers toactions.''

Allah's statement,

...نو ی مو ن إ نو ی م ١٢٣و

But they plot not except against themselves, and theyperceive (it) not.

means, the harm of their wicked plots, as well asmisguiding those whom they lead astray, will onlystrike them.


أ م أو أ و

And verily, they shall bear their own loads, andother loads besides their own. (29:13)

نو م أوزار ا ی ی ن أ س ء م ی ر و

And also of the burdens of those whom they

misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is thatwhich they shall bear! (16:25)



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Allah said;

ا سر وأ م م ن م ن ا ی ء اذإو...

And when there comes to them a sign they say: "Weshall not believe until we receive the like of that whichthe Messengers of Allah received.''

When there comes to them a sign they say, ا سر وأ ن ح ن (We shall not

believe until we receive the like of that which theMessengers of Allah received.) until the angelsbring us the Message from Allah, just as theybrought it to the Messengers.


ـ ا أنل نء ن ی ی ا ل و ر ى ن و أ

And those who expect not a meeting withUs said: "Why are not the angels sentdown to us, or why do we not see ourLord!" (25:21)

Allah's statement,

... سر ی أ ا...

Allah knows best with whom to entrust His Message.

means, He knows best with whom His Messageshould be given and which of His creatures are

suitable for it.Allah said in other Ayat,

ن ر م ا ی و ا ا ا ه ل ن

ر ر ن ی هأ

And they say: "Why is not this Qur'an sentdown to some great man of the two



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towns!" Is it they who would portion outthe mercy of your Lord! (43:31-32)

They said, why was not this Qur'anrevealed to a mighty, respectable leader,

honored by us, ا (...from one of

the two towns) Of Makkah and At-Ta'if.This is because they, may Allah cursethem, belittled the Messenger out of envy,transgression, rebellion and defiance. Allahdescribed them,

ا ى ا ا ـ هأ او ه إ نو ی ن وإذا رأوك إ سر

And when they see you, they only mock:"Is this the one whom Allah has sent as aMessenger!" (25:41)

ا ـ هأ او ه إ نو ن ی ی آ وا إ ا كر اذإو ـ آ ه ـ ا آ هو آ ی ى انو

And when those who disbelieved see you,they only mock at you: "Is this the onewho talks about your gods!" While theydisbelieve at the mention of the MostGracious (Allah). (21:36)

ی ق م س ءى سا واو سنو م م آ ن ا ی ء

Indeed Messengers were mocked before,

but the scoffers were surrounded by that,whereat they used to mock. (21:41)

The Disbelievers Admit to the Prophet's Nobility of Lineage

The disbelievers did all of this although they admitted to theProphet's virtue, honorable lineage, respectable ancestry andpurity of household and upbringing, may Allah, His angels, andthe believers send blessings upon him.



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The disbelievers used to call the Prophet, before he receivedrevelation, Al-Amin -- the Truthful. The leader of the Qurayshdisbelievers, Abu Sufyan, had to admit to this fact whenHeraclius, emperor of Rome, asked him, "How honorable is his(the Prophet's) ancestral lineage among you!''

Abu Sufyan answered, "His ancestry is highly regarded amongus.''

Heraclius asked, "Do you find that he lied, before he started hismission!''

Abu Sufyan replied, "No.''

The emperor of Rome relied on the honor and purity of theProphet to recognize the truth of his Prophethood and what he

came with.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Wathilah bin Al-Asqa said that theMessenger of Allah said,

سإ م او ، سإ ها إ و م ا ا ن إ آ م او ن آ ش ه ی م او ی ن

ش ه م ن او

Verily, Allah has chosen Ismail from the offspring of Ibrahim, Bani Kinanah from the offspring of Ismail,Quraysh from Bani Kinanah, Bani Hashim from Qurayshand, He has chosen me from Bani Hashim.

Muslim recorded this Hadith.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messengerof Allah said,

ي ا ن ا م ، ن ن مد نو م آ

I was chosen from a succession of the best generationsof the Children of Adam, until the generation I was sentin.

Allah's said,

...ی ش با و ا ر ا م ...س ا ی أ





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Meaning, the secrets, hidden thoughts andintentions will be exposed.

In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah said,

ل ، م ا م ی سا ءا رد ی:ةر ه ن ن ن

A banner will be raised for every deceitful personfrom his anus on the Day of Resurrection, and itwill say; `This is the treacherous plot of so-and-so, son of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.

The wisdom in this is that since a plot occurs in

secret, and people are usually unaware of it, thenon the Day of Resurrection the plot itself willbecome public news testifying to the actions of those who committed it.

د ی مو ـ س ر ح ی ی ی ن ی د ا أ

ی ن آ ض ر ی ی ن ا ءأ6:125 And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, Heopens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He willsto send astray, He makes his breast closed andconstricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky.

ن م ی ی ا ا ا ی آThus Allah puts the wrath on those who believe not.

Allah said,

م س ر ح ی ی ی ن ... ی د ا أ

And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens hisbreast to Islam;



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He makes Islam easy for him and strengthens hisresolve to embrace it, and these are good signs.


ر م ر ن ـ س ر ا ح ش أ

Is he whose breast Allah has opened toIslam, so that he is in light from His Lord(as he who is a non-Muslim). (39:22)

and,

ـ و آو یزو ـیا إ انو شا ه ـ وأ ن او ق او ا إ

But Allah has endeared the faith to youand has beautified it in your hearts, andhas made disbelief, wickedness anddisobedience hated by you. Such are theywho are the rightly guided. (49:7)

Ibn Abbas commented on Allah's statement, م س ر ح ن أ ا د (And whomsoever

Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast toIslam),

"Allah says that He will open his heart to Tawhid and faith in Him.''

This is the same as was reported from Abu Malikand several others, and it is sound.

Allah's statement,

ح ر س م ن د ا أ (and

whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes hisbreast closed and constricted),

refers to inability to accept guidance, thus beingdeprived of beneficial faith.

... ض ر ی ی ن ...وم ی د أ

and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his

breast closed and constricted,



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...آ ن ی ا ء...

...as if he is climbing up to the sky.

because of the heaviness of faith on him.

Saìd bin Jubayr commented that in this case,

"(Islam) finds every path in his heartimpassable.''

Al-Hakam bin Aban said that Ikrimah narrated from Ibn

Abbas that he commented on: ا ء ن آ (...as if

he is climbing up to the sky),

"Just as the Son of Adam cannot climb up to the

sky, Tawhid and faith will not be able to enterhis heart, until Allah decides to allow it into hisheart.''

Imam Abu Jafar bin Jarir commented:

"This is a parable that Allah has given for theheart of the disbeliever, which is completelyimpassable and closed to faith. Allah says, the

example of the disbeliever's inability to acceptfaith in his heart and that it is too small toaccommodate it, is the example of his inability toclimb up to the sky, which is beyond his capabilityand power.''

He also commented on Allah's statement,

...ن م ی ی ا ا ا ی آ١٢٥

Thus Allah puts the Rijs (wrath) on those who believenot.

"Allah says that just as He makes the heart of whomever He decides to misguide, closed andconstricted, He also appoints Shaytan for himand for his likes, those who refused to believe inAllah and His Messenger. Consequently, Shaytan

lures and hinders them from the path of Allah.''



209

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said that,

Rijs, refers to Shaytan,

Mujahid said that;

Rijs, refers to all that does not contain goodness.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that,

Rijs, means, `torment'.

م ر ط اـ هو

6:126 And this is the path of your Lord leadingstraight.

نو آ ی م ـ یا

ن ی ا ن آ و هو ر ـ ا راد 6:127 For them will be the abode of peace with

their Lord. And He will be their Wali because of what they used to do.

After Allah mentioned the way of those who were themselvesled to stray from His path and who hindered others from it, Heemphasized the honor of the guidance and religion of truth thatHe sent His Messenger with.

Allah said next,

ر طا ا ـ هو م ...

And this is the path of your Lord leading straight.

that is, Islam, that We have legislated for you, OMuhammad, by revealing this Qur'an to you, isAllah's straight path.



210

...ت یا ...

We have detailed Our Ayat...,

We have explained the Ayat and made themclear and plain,

...نو آ ی م ١٢٦

for a people who take heed.

those who have sound comprehension and understandwhat Allah and His Messenger convey to them,

م ا راد ...

For them will be the abode of peace, (Paradise),

... ر ...

with their Lord.


Allah described Paradise as `the abode of peace',

because its residents are safe due to their accessto the straight path, which conforms to the way of the Prophets. And just as their way was notwicked, they earned the abode of peace (which isfree from all wickedness).

... و هو...

And He will be their Wali.

Protector, Supporter and Helper.

...ن ی ا ن آ ١٢٧

because of what they used to do.

As reward for their good deeds, Allah has favoredthem and been generous with them, and awardedthem Paradise.



211

م سا ا ـی ه ی م یو نا

6:128 And on the Day when He will gather themtogether (and say): "O you assembly of Jinn! Manydid you mislead of men,"

سا ر ن ا م هؤ و و ل أ أ ى ا أ و

and their friends among the people will say: "OurLord! We benefited one from the other, but now wehave reached our appointed term which You didappoint for us."

ا ء ش م إ ی ـ آا م ل ا رHe will say: "The Fire be your dwelling place, youwill dwell therein forever, except as Allah may will.

ر ن إCertainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing."

Allah says, `Mention, O Muhammad, in what you convey andwarn,' that,

ه ی م یو...

on the Day when He will gather them (all) together.

gather the Jinns and their loyal supporters frommankind who used to worship them in this life,seek refuge with them, obey them and inspireeach other with adorned, deceitful speech.

Allah will proclaim then,



212

...نا م سا ا م ی...

O you assembly of Jinn! Many did you mislead of men,

So the Ayah; نا اس (Many did you

mislead of men) refers to their misguiding and

leading them astray.Allah also said;

و نإ ـ ا او ن أ مداء ی إ أ أ م

م ط ا ـ ه نو ا ن وأ

ن ا ن و أض م آ ا أDid I not command you, O Children of Adam, thatyou should not worship Shaytan. Verily, he is aplain enemy to you. And that you should worshipMe. That is the straight path. And indeed he(Shaytan) did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand. (36:60-62)

And,

... سا ر نا م هؤ وأ ل و...

and their friends among the people will say: "Our Lord!We benefited one from the other...''

The friends of the Jinns among humanity will givethis answer to Allah, after Allah chastises them

for being misguided by the Jinns.

Al-Hasan commented,

"They benefited from each other when the Jinnsmerely commanded and mankind obeyed.''

Ibn Jurayj said,

"During the time of Jahiliyyah, a man would

reach a land and proclaim, Ì seek refuge withthe master (Jinn) of this valley,' and this is how



213

they benefited from each other. They used this asan excuse for them on the Day of Resurrection.''

Therefore, the Jinns benefit from humans sincehumans revere the Jinns by invoking them forhelp. The Jinns would then proclaim, "We becamethe masters of both mankind and the Jinns.''

... أ ي ا أ و...

but now we have reached our appointed term which Youdid appoint for us.

meaning, death, according to As-Suddi.

... آا م ر ا ل ...

He (Allah) will say: "The Fire be your dwelling place...''

where you will reside and live, you and yourfriends,

... ی ...

you will dwell therein forever.

and will never depart except what Allah may will.

... ا ء ش م إ....

except as Allah may will.

... ر ن ١٢٨إ

Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing."

ی ا ن آ ـ ا ن آون 6:129 And thus We do make the wrongdoerssupporters of one another, because of that whichthey used to earn.



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The Wrongdoers Are the Supporters of Each other

Allah says;

ن ی ا ن آ ا ن آو١٢٩

And thus We do make the wrongdoers supporters of one

another, because of that which they used to earn.

Ma`mar said that Qatadah commented on this Ayah,

"Allah makes the wrongdoers supporters for eachother in the Fire by following one another into it.''

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on

Allah's statement, ا ن آو (And thus

We do make the wrongdoers supporters of one another),

"It refers to the wrongdoers of the Jinns andmankind.''

He then recited,

ی ن ش ن ـ ا آذ ی مو

And whosoever turns away blindly from theremembrance of the Most Gracious (Allah), Weappoint for him Shaytan to be a companion tohim. (43:36)

He said next -- concerning the meaning of theAyah;

"We appoint the wrongdoer of the Jinnsover the wrongdoer of mankind.''

A poet once said,

"There is no hand, but Allah's Hand is above it,and no wrongdoer but will be tested by anotherwrongdoer.''

The meaning of this honorable Ayah thus becomes:

`Just as We made this losing group of mankindsupporters of the Jinns that misguided them, We



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also appoint the wrongdoers over one another,destroy them by the hands of one another, andtake revenge from them with one another. This isthe just recompense for their injustice andtransgression.'

ن ی م سر ی أ ن او ا ـ ی ی ـ وی رون ء ی م ه ـا

6:130 O you assembly of Jinn and humans! "Did notthere come to you Messengers from amongst you,reciting unto you My verses and warning you of themeeting of this Day of yours!''

نأ ن ش ا They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves.''

ة ا وا ن آ نأ نأ او شو ن ا

ی ـ آ

It was the life of this world that deceived them. Andthey will bear witness against themselves that theywere disbelievers.

Chastising the Jinns and Humans after their Admission thatAllah Sent Messengers to Them

Allah will chastise the disbelieving Jinns and humans on the Dayof Resurrection, when He asks them, while having betterknowledge, if the Messengers delivered His Messages to them,

أ ناو ا م ی م سر ی...

"O you assembly of Jinn and humans! Did not therecome to you Messengers from among you,''

We should note here that the Messengers are fromamong mankind only, not vice versa, as Mujahid, Ibn



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Jurayj and others from the Imams of Salaf and latergenerations have stated. The proof for this is that Allahsaid,

م او ح ن و إ آ أو إ إن أ

Verily, We have sent the revelation to you as Wesent the revelation to Nuh and the Prophets afterhim. (4:163) until,

ا س ن ی یر مو ی م سر سا

Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no

plea against Allah after the (coming of)Messengers. (4:165)

Allah said, concerning the Prophet Ibrahim,

ـ ا ذری ا ة و و

And We ordained among his offspringProphethood and the Book. (29: 27),

thus sending the Prophethood and the Book exclusivelythrough the offspring of the Prophet Ibrahim. No one hasclaimed that there were Prophets from among the Jinnsbefore the time of Ibrahim, but not after that.

Allah said,

ن س إ إ ا م سرأ موم ا ن آ

قا سا ن یوAnd We never sent before you any of theMessengers but verily, they ate food and walkedin the markets. (25:20)

ه ا ى وم أرس م إ ر ن إ م أ

And We sent not before you any but men unto

whom We revealed, from among the people of townships. (12:109)



217

Therefore, concerning Prophethood, the Jinns followmankind in this regard and this is why Allah said aboutthem,

م ا ن إ ذإو نا ء ا ن ی ایر م م إ ا و ا نأ ا و

م س م م لنأ ـ آ م إن س ی ا ا إ ى ی ی ی م ی إو

نذ م ی ا ماءو ا اد ا أ م ی وی آ م اب أ

م و ض وم ی دا ا ار

وأ نود م ـ ض ـ وأ ء And (remember) when We sent towards you agroup of the Jinn, listening to the Qur'an. Whenthey stood in the presence thereof, they said:"Listen in silence!" And when it was finished, theyreturned to their people, as warners. They said:"O our people! Verily, we have heard a Book sentdown after Musa, confirming what came before it,it guides to the truth and to the straight way. Oour people! Respond to Allah's caller, and believein him. He (Allah) will forgive you your sins, andwill save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire). And whosoever does not respond to Allah'scaller, he cannot escape on earth, and there willbe no helpers for him besides Allah. Those are inmanifest error. (46:29-32)

A Hadith collected by At-Tirmidhi stated that;

the Messenger of Allah recited Surah Ar-Rahman, to these Jinns, in which Allah said,

ن ا یأ غ س

ن ر ءاء ى We shall attend to you, O you two classes (Jinnand men)! Then which of the blessings of your



218

Lord will you both (Jinn and men) deny! (55:31-32)

Allah said in this honorable Ayah,

م سر ی أ ناو ا م ی ی ن ی

ی ء نور یو نأ ن ش ا ا ـ ه م...O you assembly of Jinn and humans! "Did not therecome to you Messengers from amongst you, recitingunto you My verses and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours!" They will say: "We bear witnessagainst ourselves.''

meaning, we affirm that the Messengers have

conveyed Your Messages to us and warned usabout the meeting with You, and that this Day willcertainly occur.

Allah said next,

... نا ة ا و...

It was the life of this world that deceived them.

and they wasted their lives and broughtdestruction to themselves by rejecting theMessengers and denying their miracles. This isbecause they were deceived by the beauty,adornment and lusts of this life.

... شو نأ او ...

And they will bear witness against themselves,


...ی آ ا ن آ نأ١٣٠

that they were disbelievers...

in this worldly life, rejecting what the Messengers,(may Allah's peace and blessings be on them),

brought them.



219

ن ـ ه ن ی ر م ا ى وأ ذ أ6:131 This is because your Lord would not destroythe (populations of) towns for their wrongdoingwhile their people were unaware.

ون ی ـ ر مو ا م ـ رد 6:132 For all there will be degrees according towhat they did. And your Lord is not unaware of what they do.

Allah said,

ى ا م ر ی ن ١٣١وأه نذ أ

This is because your Lord would not destroy the(populations of) towns for their wrongdoing while theirpeople were unaware.

meaning: `We sent the Messengers and revealedthe Books to the Jinns and mankind, so that noone has an excuse that he is being punished forhis wrongs although he did not receive Allah'sMessage. Therefore, We did not punish any of thenations, except after sending Messengers tothem, so that they have no excuse.'


ن م أم إ ن یوإ

And there never was a nation but a warnerhad passed among them. (35:24)

ا او ا او ا ن آ أم رس أ وت ـ ا

And verily, We have sent among everyUmmah a Messenger (proclaiming):



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"Worship Allah, and stay away from At-Taghut (all false deities)." (16:36)

and,

سر ن م آ م و

And We never punish until We have sent aMessenger. (17:15)

and,

أ آی ن ی أ ن س ج

ی ن نء ا

Every time a group is cast therein, itskeeper will ask: "Did no warner come toyou!"

They will say: "Yes, indeed a warner didcome to us, but we belied him.'' (67:8-9)

There are many other Ayat on thissubject.

Allah's statement,

ا م ت رد و...

For all there will be degrees according to what they did.)

At-Tabari said,

means, every person who obeys Allah or behaves

disobediently, has grades and ranks according totheir works, which Allah gives them asrecompense, good for good and evil for evil.'' I

say, it is possible that Allah's statement, وا ت رد (For all there will be degrees

according to what they did) refers to thedisbelievers of the Jinns and mankind who willearn a place in the Fire according to their evil

deeds. Allah said, ض ل (He will say: "Foreach one there is double (torment).'' (7:38)



221

and,

او آ ی ابا ا ق ا ـ ندز ا س او ونو ی ا ن آ

Those who disbelieved and hinder (others) from

the path of Allah, for them We will add torment tothe torment because they used to spreadcorruption. (16:88)

Allah said next,

...ن ی ر مو١٣٢

And your Lord is not unaware of what they do.

Ibn Jarir commented,

"All these deeds that they did, O Muhammad,they did while your Lord is aware of them, and Hecollects and records these deeds with Him, sothat He recompenses them when they meet Himand return to Him.

م یو ه ی ی ن ور ا ذو ا إیا آ م ی ء آ أن آ م ذری م ء

6:133 And your Lord is Al-Ghani, full of mercy; if Hewills, He can destroy you; and in your place makewhom He wills as your successors, as He raised youfrom the seed of other people.

ی نأ مو ت نو م نإ6:134 Surely, that which you are promised, willverily come to pass, and you cannot escape.



222

ف م نإ ن م ا ا م ـ ی ن ـ ا ی نإ راا ـ ن م ن 6:135 Say: "O my people! Work according to your

way, surely, I too am working, and you will come toknow for which of us will be the (happy) end in theHereafter. Certainly the wrongdoers will not besuccessful."

If They Disobey, They Will Perish

Allah said,

رو...

And your Lord..., (O Muhammad),

... ا...

is Al-Ghani,

Rich, free from needing His creatures in any wayor form, while they stand in need of Him in allsituations,

... ا وذ...

full of mercy;

towards creation.


ر فوء س ا ن إTruly, Allah is full of kindness, the MostMerciful towards mankind. (2:143)

... ه ی ی ن ...إ

if He wills, He can destroy you.if you defy His commandments,



223

... م آ م یوء ی ...

And in your place make whom He wills as yoursuccessors,

who behave obediently,

...ی ١٣٣آ أن آ م ذری م

As He raised you from the seed of other people.

and surely, He is able to do this, and it is easy forHim. And just as Allah has destroyed the earliernations and brought their successors, He is ableto do away with these generations and bringother people in their place.

Allah has also said;

ی ـ ت یو س ا یأ ه ی ی ن إ ذ ا ن آو ای

If He wills, He can take you away, O people, andbring others. And Allah is Ever Capable over that.(4:133)

ا ا ه او ا إ ء ا نأ س ا یی

ی ی ن وی ت یإ ـ ه

ی ا ذ مو

O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah.

But Allah is Rich (free of all needs), Worthy of allpraise. If He willed, He could destroy you andbring about a new creation. And that is not hardfor Allah. (35:15-17)

آ م ل ی ا ن ا ء وإ نأو ا او نا ن ی

But Allah is Rich (free of all needs), and you are

poor. And if you turn away, He will exchange you



224

for some other people and they will not be yourlikes. (47:38)

Muhammad bin Ishaq said that Yaqub bin Utbah saidthat he heard Aban bin Uthman saying about this Ayah,

م رذ آ نأ آ (As He raised you from the seed

of other people),"`The seed' means the offspring and thechildren.''

Allah's statement,

ی نأ مو ت نو م ن ١٣٤إ

Surely, that which you are promised, will verily, come to

pass and you cannot escape.

means, tell them, O Muhammad, that what theyhave been promised of Resurrection will surely

occur, نأ و (and you cannot escape)

from Allah. Rather, He is able to resurrect youeven after you become dust and bones. Certainly,Allah is able to do all things and nothing everescapes His power.

Allah said;

ن ف م نإ ن م ا ا م ی ...

Say: "O my people! Work according to your way, surely,I too am working and you will come to know.''

This contains a stern warning and a sure promise,

saying; remain on your way, if you think that youare rightly guided, for I will remain on mine.


ن م نإ ن م ا ا و ی ی م ن

نو م نإ او ناو

And say to those who do not believe: "Actaccording to Makanatikum, We are acting





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Verily, We will indeed make victorious OurMessengers and those who believe in this world'slife and on the Day when the witnesses will standforth. The Day when their excuses will be of noprofit to the wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse,and theirs will be the evil abode. (40:51-52)

and,

ىد ی ض ن ار أ آا م ر ا آ ون ـ ا

And indeed We have written in the Zabur afterthe Dhikr that My righteous servants shall inheritthe land. (21:105)

ا ن م ناو ث ا م أر و ا م ذ ئ آ ا ـ هو اـ ه

6:136 And they assign to Allah a share of the tilthand cattle which He has created, and they say:

"This is for Allah," according to their claim, "andthis is for our partners."

ن آ مو ا إ ی ئ آ ن آ آ ش ئ س ء م ی نی إ

But the share of their "partners" reaches not Allah,while the share of Allah reaches their "partners"!

Evil is the way they judge!

Some Acts of Shirk

Allah chastises and criticizes the idolators who inventedinnovations, Kufr and Shirk, and called on partners and rivalswith Allah among His creation, although He created every thing,

all praise is due to Him. This is why Allah said,



227

أرذ م ا و...

And they assign to Allah from that which He has created,

...ث ا م...

of the tilth,

meaning, fruits and produce,

... ن م ناو...

and of the cattle a share,

meaning a part and a section.

... ئ آ ا ـ هو ا ـ ه ا ...

and they say: "This is for Allah,'' according to their claim,"and this is for our partners.''

Allah said next,

... إ ی ن آ مو ا إ ی ئ آ ن آ ئ آ ش...

But the share of their "partners" reaches not Allah, whilethe share of Allah reaches their "partners"!

Ali bin Abi Talhah and Al-Awfi narrated that Ibn Abbassaid;

"When they, the enemies of Allah, would cultivatethe land or collect produce, they would assign a

part of it to Allah and another part to the idol.They would keep the share for the idol, whetherland, produce or anything else, and preserve itsdivision to such an extent that they would collectanything that accidentally falls from the sharethey assigned to Allah and add it to the share of the idol. If the water that they assigned for theidol irrigated something (a section of land, forinstance) that they assigned for Allah, they would

add whatever this water irrigated to the idol'sshare! If the land or produce that they assigned



228

for Allah was accidentally mixed with the sharethat they assigned for the idol, they would saythat the idol is poor. Therefore, they would add itto the share they assigned for the idol and wouldnot return it to the share they assigned for Allah.If the water that they assigned for Allah irrigated

what they assigned for the idol they would leaveit (the produce) for the idol. They also madesome of their other property sacred, like theBahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham, assigningthem to the idols, claiming that they do so as wayof seeking a means of approach to Allah. Allah

said, ن م ناو ث ا أرذ ا و (And they

assign to Allah a share of the tilth and cattlewhich He has created...).''

Similar was said by Mujahid, Qatadah, As-Suddiand others.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented;

"Every type of slaughter that they would assignfor Allah, would never be eaten unless theymentioned the names of their idols when

slaughtering it. Yet for what they sacrificed in thenames of the idols, they would not mentionAllah's Name when slaughtering it.''

He then recited the Ayah (6:136) until hereached,

...ن ی م ء س١٣٦

Evil is the way they judge!This Ayah means, evil is that which theydetermined, for they committed error in thedivision. Certainly, Allah is the Lord, Owner andCreator of all things and His is the dominion. Allthings are His property and under His supremecontrol, will and decree. There is no deity worthyof worship, or Lord, except Him. And even when

the polytheists made this evil division, they didnot preserve it, but cheated in it.



229


ن ی م و ن س ـ ا ن یوAnd they assign daughters unto Allah --glory be to Him -- and unto themselveswhat they desire. (16:57)

م ر ـ نا ن و ا م د ءا إYet, they assign to some of His servants ashare with Him. Verily, man is indeed amanifest ingrate! (43:15)

ا أ نا و آ

إذا ض ىIs it for you the males and for Him thefemales! That indeed is a division mostunfair! (53:21-22)

هـ وأ آ ا م یز آو

و هود هؤ آ ش ید ا

6:137 And so to many of the idolators, their"partners" have made fair seeming the killing of their children, in order to lead them to their owndestruction and cause confusion in their religion.

م ا ء ش ونو ی مو هر

And if Allah had willed, they would not have doneso. So leave them alone with their fabrications.

Shaytan Lured the Idolators to Kill Their Children

Allah says,

آ ا م یز آو هود هؤ آ ش هدوأ ید ا و...



230

And so to many of the idolators, their "partners" havemade fair seeming the killing of their children, in order tolead them to their own destruction and cause confusionin their religion.

Allah says, just as the Shayatin lured theidolators to assign a share for Allah from what Hecreated of agriculture and cattle - and a share forthe idols, they also made it seem fair for them tokill their children, for fear of poverty, and buryingtheir daughters alive, for fear of dishonor.

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas that he

commented; هؤ آ ش هدوأ آ ا ز آو(And so to many of the idolators, their "partners" have

made fair seeming the killing of their children...)."They make killing their children attractive tothem.''

Mujahid said,

"Idolators' partners among the devils orderedthem to bury their children for fear of poverty.''

As-Suddi said,

"The devils commanded them to kill their

daughters so that they, هود (lead them to

their own destruction), and to, د ا و (cause confusion in their religion).''

Allah said,

... م ا ء ش و...

And if Allah had willed, they would not have done so.

meaning, all this occurred by Allah's leave, willand decree, but He dislikes these practices, andHe has the perfect wisdom in every decree. He isnever questioned about what He does, but theyall will be questioned.

...نو ی مو هر ١٣٧



231

So leave them alone with their fabrications.

meaning, avoid and abandon them and what theydo, for Allah will judge between you and them.

ی ث و ـ نأ ـ ه ا وء ن م إ

6:138 And according to their claim, they say thatsuch and such cattle and crops are Hijr (forbidden),and none should eat of them except those whom weallow.

آ ی ـ نأو هر م ـ نأو ا سا نونو ی ا ن آ ی س ء ا

And (they say) there are cattle forbidden to be usedfor burden, and cattle on which (at slaughtering)the Name of Allah is not pronounced; lying againstHim (Allah). He will recompense them for what they

used to fabricate.

The Idolators Forbade Certain Types of Cattle

Allah says;

ء ن م إ ی ث و م نأ ـ ه ا و...

And according to their claim, they say that such andsuch cattle and crops are Hijr (forbidden), and noneshould eat of them except those whom we allow.

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said,

"Hijr refers to what they forbade, such as theWasilah, and the like.''

Similar was said by Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, As-

Suddi, Qatadah, Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd binAslam and others.



232

Qatadah commented on, ح ث حو م نأ ـ و ا ه (Theysay that such and such cattle and crops are Hijr),

"It is a prohibition that the Shayatin appointedfor their wealth, and a type of exaggeration andextremism that did not come from Allah.''

Abdur-Rahman Ibn Zayd bin Aslam said that,

ح (Hijr) refers to what the idolators designatedfor their deities.

As-Suddi said that the Ayah, ء إ ن(And none should eat of them except those whom weallow, they claimed...),

means, "They said, only those whom we choosecan eat of them, and the rest are prohibited fromeating them.''

Similar to this honorable Ayah, Allah said,

م قزر م ا لنأ م یأرأ نو ا ن أم ام و ء أذ

Say: "Tell me, what provision Allah hassent down to you! And you have made of it lawful and unlawful."

Say: "Has Allah permitted you (to do so),or do you invent a lie against Allah!"(10:59)

and,

م و و و ئ س و ة م ا م ا ا نو ی او آ ی ا ـ و ه آأو ب

ن ی

Allah has not instituted things likeBahirah or a Sa'ibah or a Wasilah or aHam. But those who disbelieve invent lies

against Allah, and most of them have nounderstanding. (5:103)



233

As-Suddi said that;

cattle forbidden to be used for burden were theBahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham, as well ascattle for which the idolators did not mentionAllah's Name when slaughtering them nor whenthey were born.

Abu Bakr bin Ayyash said that Asim bin Abi An-Najudsaid,

"Abu Wa'il said to me, `Do you know the meaningof the Ayah,

... هر م م نأو ا سا ون آ ی م نأو...

And (they say) there are cattle forbidden to beused for burden, and cattle on which the Name of Allah is not pronounced.

I said, `No.'

He said, Ìt is the Bahirah, which they would notuse to for Hajj (either by riding it or carryingthings on it).'''

Mujahid also said that;

they were some of the camels belonging toidolators on which Allah's Name was notmentioned when riding, milking, carrying things,copulation or any other action.

... ءا ا...

lying against Him.

against Allah.

The idolators indeed lied when they attributedthis evil to Allah's religion and Law; He did notallow them to do that nor did He approve of it.

...نو ی ا ن آ ی س١٣٨

He will recompense them for what they used to fabricate.

against Him, and falsely attribute to Him.



234

نر آ ـ نا ـ ه ن م ا وء آ ش م ی ن وم م أزو وإ

6:139 And they say: "What is in the bellies of such

and such cattle is for our males alone, andforbidden to our females, but if it is born dead, thenall have shares therein."

س نإ ی وHe will punish them for their attribution (of suchfalse orders to Allah). Verily, He is All-Wise, All-Knower.

Allah says;

م مو نر آ م ن ا ـ ه ن م ا و اوزأ و ی س ء آ ش م ی ن ...وإ

And they say: "What is in the bellies of such and such

cattle is for our males alone, and forbidden to ourfemales, but if it is born dead, then all have sharestherein." He will punish them for their attribution (of such false orders to Allah).

Abu Ishaq As-Subayi narrated that Abdullah bin Abi Al-

Hudhayl reported that Ibn Abbas said that, ا و نر آ م نا ـ ه ن (And they say: "What is in the

bellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone..."),

refers to milk.

Awfi said that Ibn Abbas said about this Ayah, ا و نر آ م نا ـ ه ن (And they say: "What is in thebellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone..."),

"It is about milk, which they prohibited for theirfemales and allowed only their males to drink.

When a sheep would give birth to a male sheep,they would slaughter it and feed it to their males,



235

but not to their females. If the newly born lambwas a female, they would not slaughter it, but if itwas stillborn, they would share in it (with theirfemales)! Allah forbade this practice.''

Similar was said by As-Suddi.

Ash-Shabi said,

"The Bahirah's milk was only given to the men.But if any cattle from the Bahirah died, both menand women would share in eating it.'' Similar wassaid by Ikrimah, Qatadah and Abdur-Rahman binZayd bin Aslam.

Mujahid commented; ا ـ ه ن ا و نر آ م ن

اوز أ م و (And they say: "What is in the bellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone, andforbidden to our females...''),

"It refers to the Sa'ibah and the Bahirah.''

Abu Al-Aliyah, Mujahid and Qatadah said that Allah's

statement, و س (He will punish them for their

attribution) means,

uttering such falsehood.

This is explained by Allah's statement,

ـ ا ـ ه ب ا أ ا وما ا ـ هو ب ا ا نو ی ی ا ن إ ب ا ا او

ن ی

And say not concerning that which your tonguesfalsely utter: "This is lawful and this is forbidden."so as to invent lies against Allah. Verily, thosewho invent lies against Allah will never prosper.(16:116)

Allah said,

... نإ...

Verily, He is All-Wise,



236

in His actions, statements, Law and decree.

... ١٣٩

All-Knower.

in the actions of His servants, whether good or

evil, and He will recompense them for thesedeeds completely.

ا م و س هـ وأ ا ی ا م رز ا ا ء ا ض ا وم آن ا

ی م6:140 Indeed lost are they who have killed theirchildren, foolishly, without knowledge, and (they)have forbidden that which Allah has provided forthem, inventing a lie against Allah. They haveindeed gone astray and were not guided.

Allah says that those who committed these evil acts haveearned the loss of this life and the Hereafter

Allah says;

ا زر م ا م و س هدوأ ا ی ا م ا ن آ مو ا ض ا ءا ای١٤٠

Indeed lost are they who have killed their children,foolishly, without knowledge, and (they) have forbiddenthat which Allah has provided for them, inventing a lieagainst Allah. They have indeed gone astray and werenot guided.

As for this life, they lost when they killed theirchildren and made it difficult for themselves byprohibiting some types of their wealth, as an act

of innovation that they invented on their own. Asfor the Hereafter, they will end up in the worst



237

dwellings, because they used to lie about Allahand invent falsehood about Him.

Allah also said,

ن ی ب ا ا نو ی ی ا ن إ

با ا ی ن إ م نا ـ م ن آ ی انو ی اSay: "Verily, those who invent a lie againstAllah will never be successful." (A brief)enjoyment in this world! And then unto Uswill be their return, then We shall makethem taste the severest torment becausethey used to disbelieve. (10:69-70)

Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah recorded that IbnAbbas commented,

"If it pleases you to know how ignorant the Arabsused to be, then recite the Ayat beyond Ayah one hundred and thirty in Surah Al-Anàm,

دوأ ا ی ا ه.......ی م ا ن آ موIndeed lost are they who have killed theirchildren, foolishly, without knowledge, and (they)have forbidden that which Allah has provided forthem, inventing a lie against Allah. They haveindeed gone astray and were not guided.''

Al-Bukhari also recorded this in the section of hisSahih on the virtues of the Quraysh.

ـ شو م و ـ شو م ـ نأ ى ا هون ماو ن یاو آأ م عراو او

م ـ م و ـ 6:141 And it is He Who produces gardensMa`rushat and not Ma`rushat, and date palms, andcrops of different shape and taste, and olives, andpomegranates, similar, and different.



238

ا اءو أ ذإ م ا آو د م ی ا

Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due

thereof on the day of their harvest, and waste notby extravagance.

ا ی نإVerily, He likes not the wasteful.

ـ نا مو ش و 6:142 And of the cattle (are some) for burden and(some smaller) for Farsh.

نإ ـ ا ت ا و ا زر م ا آ م و

Eat of what Allah has provided for you, and follow

not the footsteps of Shaytan. Surely, he is to you anopen enemy.

Allah Created the Produce, Seed Grains and Cattle

Allah states that He created everything, including the produce,fruits and cattle that the idolators mishandled by theirmisguided ideas, dividing them into various designated parts,

allowing some and prohibiting some.

Allah said,

ت شو م و ت شو م ت نأ ي ا هو...

And it is He Who produces gardens Ma`rushat and notMa`rushat,

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas commented,



239

"Ma`rushat refers to what the people trellises,while `not Ma`rushat' refers to fruits (andproduce) that grow wild inland and onmountains.''

Ata Al-Khurasani said that Ibn Abbas said,

"Ma`rushat are the grapevines that are trellised,while `not Ma`rushat' refers to grapevines thatare not trellised.''

As-Suddi said similarly.

... و م ن ماو ن یاو آأ م عراو او م...

and date palms, and crops of different shape and taste,and olives, and pomegranates, similar, and different.

As for these fruits being similar, yet different, Ibn Jurayjsaid,

"They are similar in shape, but different in taste.''

... أ اذإ م ا آ...

Eat of their fruit when they ripen,

Muhammad bin Ka`b said that the Ayah means,

"(Eat) from the dates and grapes they produce.''

Allah said next,

...د م ی ا و...

but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest,

Mujahid commented,

"When the poor people are present (on the day of harvest), give them some of the produce.''

Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Mujahid commented on the

Ayah,



240

"When planting, one gives away handfuls (of seedgrains) and on harvest, he gives away handfulsand allows them to pick whatever is left on theground of the harvest.''

Ath-Thawri said that Hammad narrated that Ibrahim An-Nakhai said,

"One gives away some of the hay.''

Ibn Al-Mubarak said that Shurayk said that Salim said

that Saìd bin Jubayr commented; د ح م ح ا و (but

pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest),

"This ruling, giving the poor the handfuls (of seedgrains) and some of the hay as food for their

animals, was before Zakah became obligatory.''

Allah has chastised those who harvest, without givingaway a part of it as charity. Allah mentioned the story of the owners of the garden in Surah Nun, (68:18-33)

ا ـ أ ن آ ـ ن نإ......ن ی ا ن آ

When they swore to pluck the fruits of the

(garden) in the morning. Without saying: "If Allahwills." Then there passed by on the (garden) avisitation (fire) from your Lord at night, burning itwhile they were asleep. So the (garden) becameblack by the morning, like a pitch dark night (incomplete ruins). Then they called out one toanother as soon as the morning broke. Saying:"Go to your tilth in the morning, if you wouldpluck the fruits."

So they departed, conversing in secret low tones(saying). "No poor person shall enter upon youinto it today." And they went in the morning withstrong intention, thinking that they have power(to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruitstherefrom). But when they saw the (garden),they said: "Verily, we have gone astray." (Thenthey said): "Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (thefruits)!"



241

The best among them said: "Did I not tell you,why say you not: Ìf Allah wills'." They said:"Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have beenwrongdoers.''

Then they turned one against another, blaming.They said: "Woe to us! We have transgressed. Wehope that our Lord will give us in exchange abetter (garden) than this. Truly, we turn to ourLord."

Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly,the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if theybut knew. (68:18-33)

Prohibiting ExtravaganceAllah said,

... ا ی نإ ا و١٤١

And waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not thewasteful.

It was said that;

the extravagance prohibited here refers toexcessive charity beyond normal amounts.

Ibn Jurayj said,

"This Ayah was revealed concerning Thabit binQays bin Shammas, who plucked the fruits of hisdate palms. Then he said to himself, `This day,

every person who comes to me, I will feed himfrom it.'

So he kept feeding (them) until the evening cameand he ended up with no dates. Allah sent down,

ا نإ ا و (And waste not by

extravagance. Verily, He likes not the wasteful).''

Ibn Jarir recorded this statement from Ibn Jurayj.



242

However, the apparent meaning of this Ayah, and Allah

knows best, is that; د ح وآ ا إذا أ و ا ح ما (Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due

thereof on the day of their harvest, and waste not...)refers to eating,

meaning, do not waste in eating because thisspoils the mind and the body.


ا و ا شاو ا آو

And eat and drink but waste not byextravagance. (7: 31)

In his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded a Hadith without achain of narration;

م و فا سإ م ا او ا شاو ا آ

Eat, drink and clothe yourselves withoutextravagance or arrogance.

Therefore, these Ayat have the same meaning as

this Hadith, and Allah knows best.

Benefits of Cattle

Allah's statement,

ش و م نا مو...

And of the cattle (are some) for burden and (some

smaller) for Farsh.means, He created cattle for you, some of whichare suitable for burden, such as camels, andsome are Farsh.

Ath-Thawri narrated that Abu Ishaq said that Abu Al-Ahwas said that Abdullah said that;

ànimals for burden' are the camels that are used

for carrying things, while, `Farsh', refers to smallcamels.



243

Al-Hakim recorded it and said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did not record it.''

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that;

ànimals for burden' refers to the animals thatpeople ride, while, `Farsh' is that they eat (its

meat) and milk it. The sheep is not able to carrythings, so you eat its meat and use its wool forcovers and mats (or clothes).

This statement of Abdur-Rahman is sound, andthe following Ayat testify to it,

ـ نأ ی یأ م نأ او ی وأ

ن ـ من آ ی مو آر ـ ذو

Do they not see that We have created forthem of what Our Hands have created, thecattle, so that they are their owners. AndWe have subdued them unto them so thatsome of them they have for riding and

some they eat. (36:71-72)

and,

م ن م ن ة ـ نا ن وإ ر ئ س مدو ث

And verily, in the cattle, there is a lessonfor you. We give you to drink of that which

is in their bellies, from between excretionsand blood, pure milk; palatable to thedrinkers. (16:66) until,

إ ـ مو ـ أ هر شأو هر و وم أ ا وأ

And of their wool, fur and hair, furnishingsand articles of convenience, comfort for a

while. (16:80)



244

Eat the Meat of These Cattle, But Do Not Follow Shaytan's

Law Concerning Them

Allah said,

... ا زر م ا آ...

Eat of what Allah has provided for you,

of fruits, produce and cattle. Allah created allthese and provided you with them as provision.

...ن ا تا ا و...

and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan.

meaning, his way and orders, just as the idolatorsfollowed him and prohibited fruits and producethat Allah provided for them, claiming that thisfalsehood came from Allah.

... نإ...

Surely, he is to you,

meaning; Shaytan, O people, is to you,

... م و ١٤٢

an open enemy.

and his enmity to you is clear and apparent. Allahsaid in other Ayat,

ا ن إن ی او و و ـ ا ن ا إ ـ أ مSurely, Shaytan is an enemy to you, so take(treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire. (35:6)

ع ی ا م ی أ ج أ آ ـ ا ی مد ـ ی

ء س ی س



245

O Children of Adam! Let not Shaytan deceiveyou, as he got your parents out of Paradise,stripping them of their raiment, to show themtheir private parts. (7:27)

و هو نود م ء وأ یرذو نو أ

ـ Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring asprotectors and helpers rather than Me while theyare enemies to you What an evil is the exchangefor the wrongdoers. (18:50)


م جوزأ ـ ا ا مو ا ن ا6:143 Eight pairs: of the sheep two (male andfemale), and of the goats two (male and female).

م رأ شا مأ نا مأ م ی آء

ن ن نا ـ آ ن Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the twoإfemales, or (the young) which the wombs of thetwo females enclose! Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful."

ا ا مو ا ا مو6:144 And of the camels two, and of oxen two.

م رأ شا مأ نا مأ م ی آء ان أم آ ش ء إذ و ـ ا ـا

Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the twofemales or (the young) which the wombs of the twofemales enclose! Or were you present when Allah

ordered you such a thing!



246

س ا آ ا ى ا م أ

Then who does more wrong than one who invents a

lie against Allah, to lead mankind astray withoutknowledge.

ـ ا م ا ي ی ا ن إCertainly Allah guides not the people who arewrongdoers."

These Ayat demonstrate the ignorance of the Arabs beforeIslam

Allah says;

مأ م ی آ ا ا مو ا ن ا م جاوزأ ن نا...

Eight pairs: of the sheep two (male and female), and of the goats two (male and female). Say: "Has Heforbidden the two males or the two females,

They used to prohibit the usage of some of their cattleand designate them as Bahirah, Sa'ibah, Wasilah andHam etc. These were some of the innovations theyinvented for cattle, fruits and produce. Allah stated thatHe has created gardens, trellised and untrellised, and

cattle, as animals of burden and as Farsh.

Allah next mentioned various kinds of cattle, male andfemale, such as sheep and goats. He also created maleand female camels and the same with cows. Allah did notprohibit any of these cattle or their offspring. Rather,they all were created for the sons of Adam as a sourcefor food, transportation, work, milk, and other benefits,which are many.

Allah said,



247

جوزأ ـ ـ نا م لنأو

And He has sent down for you of cattle eightpairs... (39:6)

Allah said;

... نا م رأ شا مأ...

...or (the young) which the wombs of the two femalesenclose...

This refutes the idolators' statement, م نا ـ ه ن اوز آ رن و م أ (What is in the bellies of such

and such cattle is for our males alone, and forbidden to

our females). (6:139)Allah said,

... د آ ن ١٤٣ن ون إ

Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.

meaning, tell me with sure knowledge, how andwhen did Allah prohibit what you claimed is

prohibited, such as the Bahirah, Sa'ibah,Wasilah and Ham etc.

Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas said, "Allah's statement, ن جاوز ا أ ا و ا ن ا (Eight pairs: of the sheep

two, and of the goats two...),

these are four pairs,

... نا مأ م ی آ ...

Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the twofemales...''

I (Allah) did not prohibit any of these.

... نا م رأ شا مأ...

or (the young) which the wombs of the twofemales enclose,



248

and does the womb produce but males andfemales! So why do you prohibit some and allowsome others!

... ن آ د ١٤٣ن ون إ

Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.

Allah is saying that all of this is allowed.''

Allah said,

نا مأ م ی آ ا ا م ا و ا مو مأ نا م رأ شا...

And of the camels two, and of oxen two. Say: "Has Heforbidden the two males or the two females or (theyoung) which the wombs of the two females enclose!

... و ذإ ءا ش آ م اأ ـ ا آ...

Or, were you present when Allah ordered you such athing!

mocking the idolators' innovations, and their lies

that Allah made sacred what they haveprohibited.

... س أ م ا ى ا آ ا...

Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lieagainst Allah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge.

Therefore, no one is more unjust than the peopledescribed here and

... ا م ا ي ی ا ن ١٤٤إ

Certainly, Allah guides not the people who arewrongdoers.

The person most worthy of this condemnation isÀmr bin Luhay bin Qumàh. He was the firstperson to change the religion of the Prophets anddesignate the Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham, as

mentioned in the Sahih.



249

ی م م إ وأ م أ ن ی وأ م مد وأ م ن ی ن إ أ

ا هأ وأ ر6:145 Say: "I find not in that which has beenrevealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten byone who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (adead animal) or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine; for that surely, is unclean (Rijs), orimmorally slaughtered in the name of other thanAllah.

ر ر ر ن د و غ ضا But whosoever is forced by necessity without willfuldisobedience, nor transgressing due limits; (forhim) certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, MostMerciful."

Forbidden ThingsAllah commands His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ,

...

Say,

O Muhammad to those who prohibited what Allahhas provided them, claiming this falsehood to befrom Allah,

... م م إ و ... ی أ م أ

I find not in that which has been revealed to meanything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eatit,

This Ayah means, I do not find any animals that are

prohibited, except these mentioned here. We shouldmention here that the prohibited things mentioned in



250

Surah Al-Ma'idah and the Hadiths on this subjectamend the meaning of this Ayah.

... م ن ی ن ...إ أ

unless it be Maytah (a dead animal),

... م مد وأ...

or blood poured.

Qatadah commented,

"Poured blood was prohibited, but the meat thatstill has some blood in it is allowed.''

Al-Humaydi said that Sufyan narrated to us that Àmrbin Dinar narrated to us,

"I said to Jabir bin Abdullah, `They claim that theMessenger of Allah prohibited the meat of donkeys during (the day of) Khaybar.'

He said, Al-Hakam bin Àmr narrated that fromthe Messenger of Allah. That scholar - referring to

Ibn Abbas - denied it, reciting the Ayah; ی م م إ وأ م أ ...

Say: "I find not in that which has been revealedto me anything forbidden to be eaten by one whowishes to eat it...'''

Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud collected it.

Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah and Al-Hakim, in hisMustadrak, recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"During the time of Jahiliyyah, the people usedto eat some things and avoid some other things,because they disliked them. Later on, Allah sentHis Prophet, revealed His Book, allowed what Heallowed, and prohibited what He prohibited.Therefore, whatever Allah allowed is lawful and

whatever He prohibited is unlawful. Whatever Hedid not mention, there is no sin in it.''



251

He then recited the Ayah, إ حوأ أ (Say: "I find not in that which

has been revealed to me anything forbidden to beeaten by one who wishes to eat it...").

This is the wording with Ibn Marduwyah.

Abu Dawud also recorded this statement, and Al-Hakim said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did notrecord it.''

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"A sheep belonging to Sawdah bint Zamàh diedand she said, Ò Allah's Messenger! So-and-so(sheep) has died.' He said,

م أ ؟Why did you not use its skin?

She said, `Should we use the skin of a sheep thathas died?'

Allah's Messenger said,

ا ل نإ:

Allah only said,

ن أ م أو إ م م ی إ أی و ...ی ن م أو دم م أ

Say: "I find not in that which has been revealedto me anything forbidden to be eaten by one whowishes to eat it, except Maytah (a dead animal)or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine....,

ا ن وإن ن أ

You will not be eating it if you tan its skin andbenefit from it.

So she had the sheep skinned, the skin wastanned and made into a water skin that she keptuntil it wore out.''

Al-Bukhari and an-Nasa'i collected a similarHadith.



252

... و ... أه ا ن ر أ

for that surely, is unclean (Rijs), or immorallyslaughtered in the name of other than Allah.

Allah said,

...د و غ ضا ...

But whosoever is forced by necessity without willfuldisobedience, nor transgressing due limits;

Therefore, whoever is forced by necessity to eatanything that Allah has forbidden in thishonorable Ayah, without transgressing his limits,then for him,

... ر ر ر ن ١٤٥

certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

We mentioned the explanation of this Ayah in Surah Al-Baqarah. This honorable Ayah contradicts the idolators'innovated prohibitions for certain kinds of wealth, relyingmerely on their misguided ideas, such as the Bahirah,

Sa'ibah, Wasilah and Ham. Allah commanded HisMessenger to inform them that he does not find thatsuch types of animals are prohibited in what Allahrevealed to him.

In this Ayah, Allah only prohibited;

• dead animals,

• poured blood,

• the flesh of swine and

• what has been slaughtered for something otherthan Allah.

Other things were not prohibited here, but rather treatedas that which does not have a ruling, i.e., permissible.Therefore, how do you -- idolators -- claim that suchitems are prohibited, and why did you prohibit them

when Allah did not prohibit them!



253

ا مو ىذ آ م اوده ی ا و هر م إ م ش م او

ا م وأ یا ا وأ

6:146 And unto those who are Jews, We forbadeevery (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbadethem the fat of the ox and the sheep except whatadheres to their backs or their Hawaya, or is mixedup with a bone.

ـ ی ذن ـ نإوThus We recompensed them for their rebellion. Andverily, We are Truthful.

Foods that were Prohibited for the Jews Because of theirTransgression

Allah says,

يذ آ م اوده ی ا و...

And unto those who are Jews, We forbade every(animal) with undivided hoof,

Allah says, We forbade for the Jews every birdand animal with undivided hoof, such as thecamel, ostrich, duck and goose.

Allah said here,

... م او ا مو م ش ...

and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep...,

The Jews used to forbid these types of foodssaying that Israil, or Yaqub, used to forbid themfor himself so they too forbid them.

This was mentioned by As-Suddi.



254

...إ هر م...

except what adheres to their backs,

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said that it,

refers to the fat that clings to their backs.

Allah said next,

... یا ا ...أو

or their Hawaya,

According to Abu Jafar bin Jarir,

that is, the entrails.

He also said,

"The meaning here is, Ànd from ox andsheep, We forbade their fat for the Jews,except the fat on their backs and what theentrails carry.''

Ali bin Abi Talhah said that, Ibn Abbas said that

the, Hawaya, are the entrails.

Similar was reported from Mujahid, Saìd binJubayr and Ad-Dahhak.

Allah's statement,

... ا م وأ...

....or is mixed up with a bone.

means, We allowed the Jews the fat that is mixed withbones. Ibn Jurayj commented,

"The fat on the rump that is mixed with thetailbone was allowed for them, and also the fat onthe legs, head, eyes and what adheres to thebones.''

As-Suddi said similarly.



255

Allah said,

... ه ی ذ...

Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion.

meaning, We imposed this restriction on them as

recompense for their rebellion and defying Ourcommandments.


أ ـ م اود ه ی ا م وا آ ا س ه

For the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made

unlawful for them certain good foods whichhad been lawful for them -- and for theirhindering many from Allah's way. (4:160)

Allah's statement,

...ن د نإو١٤٦

And verily, We are Truthful.

means, We were justified in the penalty We gavethem.


"We are Truthful in what We informed you of, OMuhammad; Our forbidding these foods for them,not as they claimed, that Israel merely forbadethese things for himself (so they imitated him,they claimed).''

The Tricks of the Jews, and Allah's Curse

Abdullah bin Abbas narrated,

"When Umar bin Al-Khattab was told that Samurah soldliquor, he commented, `May Allah fight Samurah! Did henot know that the Messenger of Allah said,

ه ه م ا م د ا ا



256

May Allah curse the Jews! The fats were forbidden forthem, so they melted the fat and sold it.''

This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs.

Jabir bin Abdullah said,

"In the year of the victory of Makkah, I heard Allah'sMessenger saying;

م سرو ا ن إ

• ا

• او

•ی او

وا م•

Allah and His Messenger have forbidden selling

• alcoholic drinks (intoxicants),

• dead animals,

• swine and

• idols.

He was asked, `What about the fat of dead animal; theyare used to dye skins, paint ships and are used as lightby the people.'

He said,

ه امNo, it is still unlawful.

He then said,

ا آأو م ش م ا ن إ د ا ا

May Allah fight the Jews! When Allah forbade them thefats of animals, they melted the fat, sold it and ate itsprice.''

The Group recorded this Hadith.



257

س د ی و سو ر وذ ر ك آ ن م ا م ا

6:147 If they deny you say: "Your Lord is the Owner

of vast mercy, and never will His wrath be turnedback from the people who are criminals."

Allah says,

ك آ ن ...

If they deny you,

Allah says, if your opponents among the idolators,Jews and their likes reject you, O Muhammad,

... ساو ... ر ذو ر

Say: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy..."

encouraging them to seek Allah's vast mercy andfollow His Messenger,

... م ا م ا س د ی و١٤٧

and never will His wrath be turned back from the peoplewho are criminals.

discouraging them from defying the Messenger,the Final Prophet, Muhammad.

Allah often joins encouragement with threats in theQur'an. Allah said at the end of this Surah:

ر ر نإو ب ا ی س ر ن إ

Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, andcertainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.(6:165)

Allah also said,



258

ی ر ن وإ س ة ن ر و م وإب ا

But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness formankind in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily,your Lord is (also) severe in punishment. (13:6)

ا ر ا نأ نأ ىد ء ن-با ا ه ا ن وأ ا

Declare unto My servants, that truly, I am theOft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that Mytorment is indeed the most painful torment.(15:49-50)

ب ا ی ش ب ا ان وThe Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance,the Severe in punishment. (40:3)

and,

ی ر ن وی - إ ءى ی ه نإ-ر ا هو

ا دود

Verily, the punishment of your Lord is severe andpainful. Verily, He it is Who begins and repeats.And He is Oft-Forgiving, full of love. (85:12-14)


شأ ی ا ل سو آ شأ م ا ء ش ا آء ش م م و نؤ اى

6:148 Those who committed Shirk say: "If Allah hadwilled, we would not have committed Shirk, norwould our fathers, and we would not haveforbidden anything (against His will)."



259

س ا اذ م ی ا ب آ آLikewise belied those who were before them, tillthey tasted Our wrath.

إ ن ن ن أن إ ه آ م إ نا وإSay: "Have you any knowledge (proof) that you canproduce before us! Verily, you follow the Zann andyou do nothing but lie."

أ آا ء ش ـ ا ا 6:149 Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof andargument; had He so willed, He would indeed haveguided you all."

م ا ن ون أ ی ی ا آء ش ه 6:150 Say: "Bring forward your witnesses, who cantestify that Allah has forbidden this."

ن اـ هی ا ء هأ و م او ش هو ة ن م ی یاو ـ ی ا آ

ن یThen if they testify, do not testify with them. Anddo not follow the vain desires of those who belieOur Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter,and they hold others as equal with their Lord.

A False Notion and its Rebuttal

Allah tells;

ا آ شأ ی ا ل س...

Those who committed Shirk say:



260

Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators,refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk andthe things that they prohibited.

They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth.Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to thefaith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling intodisbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they saidAllah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed thatwe do all this. They said,

... شأ م ا ء ش ء ش م م و نؤ و آ...

"If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners

(in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and wewould not have forbidden anything."


ا ء ش ا و ـ ن م ـ

And they said: "If it had been the will of the MostGracious (Allah), we should not have worshippedthem (false deities)." (43:20)

Similar is mentioned in Surah An-Nahl.

Allah said next,

... م ی ا ب آ آ ...

Likewise belied those who were before them,

for by using and relying on this understanding,the misguided ones before them were led astray.This notion is false and ungrounded, for had itbeen true, Allah would not have harmed them,destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengersover them, and made them taste His painfulpunishment.

... س ا اذ ...

till they tasted Our wrath.



261

... م آ ه ...

Say: "Have you any knowledge..."

that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways,

... ...

that you can produce before us.

and make it plain, apparent and clear for us.

However,

... ا إ ن ن ...إ

Verily, you only follow the Zann,

doubts and wishful thinking,

...إون إ نأ ن١٤٨

and you do nothing but lie.

about Allah in the false claims that you utter.

Allah said next,

أ آا ء ش ا ا ١٤٩

Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; hadHe so willed, He would indeed have guided you all."

Allah said to His Prophet;

...

Say, (O Muhammad, to them),

... ا ا ...

"With Allah is the perfect proof and argument...,"

the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to

guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills.



262

... أ آا ء ش

had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.

All of this happens according to His decree, Hiswill, and His choice. So in this way, He is pleasedwith the believers, and angry with thedisbelievers. Allah said in other Ayat,

و ش ء ا ا ى

And had Allah willed, He could have gatheredthem together (all) on true guidance, (6:35)

م م ر ء ش وض ار

And had your Lord willed, those on earth wouldhave believed, all of them together. (10:99)

م ن ا ی و ة او مأ س ا ر ء ش و

و و ر ر م إ ن م ر آ أ س او ا م

And if your Lord had so willed, He could surelyhave made mankind one Ummah, but they willnot cease to disagree. Except him on whom yourLord has bestowed His mercy and for that did Hecreate them. And the Word of your Lord has beenfulfilled: "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinns andmen all together." (11:118-119)

Ad-Dahhak said,

"No one has an excuse if he disobeys Allah.Surely, Allah has the perfect proof establishedagainst His servants.''

Allah said,

آءا ش ه ...

Say: "Bring forward your witnesses,

produce your witnesses,



263

ا... ـ ه م ا ن ون أ ...ا ی ی

who can testify that Allah has forbidden this."

which you have forbidden and lied and inventedabout Allah in this regard,

... م او ش ن ...

Then if they testify, do not testify with them.

because in this case, their testimony is false anduntrue,

... آ ی ا ءاه ا ی وا ی ی م ن ة وه و أ

ن ی ١٥٠ And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie OurAyat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and theyhold others as equal with their Lord.

by associating others with Allah in worship andtreating them as equals to Him.

ر م م أ ا 6:151 Say: "Come, I will recite what your Lord hasprohibited you from:

• ش ا آ أ

•إ ی ون • ه یإو ز ن ن ـ مإ م آـ وأ ا و

• مو م م ا و ا

• إ ا م ا ا ا و



264

• Join not anything in worship with Him;

• be kind and dutiful to your parents;

• kill not your children because of poverty --We provide sustenance for you and for them.

• Come not near to Al-Fawahish (immoral sins)whether committed openly or secretly;

• and kill not anyone whom Allah hasforbidden, except for a just cause.

ن ـ و ذThis He has commanded you that you may

understand."

Ten Commandments

Dawud Al-Awdy narrated that, Ash-Sha`bi said that, Alqamahsaid that Ibn Masùd said,

"Whoever wishes to read the will and testament of the

Messenger of Allah on which he placed his seal, let himread these Ayat,

ش ا آ أ ر م م أ ا ...

Say: "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibitedyou from: Join not anything in worship with Him...'')

until, ن (...so that you may have Taqwa."

(6:153) In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"In Surah Al-Anàm, there are clear Ayat, and they arethe Mother of the Book (the Qur'an).''

He then recited,

ر م م أ ا ...

Say: "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibitedyou from..."



265

Al-Hakim said,

"Its chain is Sahih, and they did not record it.''

In his Mustadrak Al-Hakim also recorded that Ubadah bin As-Samit said,

"The Messenger of Allah said,

أی ی ی ث

Who among you will give me his pledge to do threethings.

He then recited the Ayah,

م م أ ا ر...

Say: "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibitedyou from..." until the end of the Ayat.

He then said,

ا آرد ش م نا مو ا و ن آ نا ء ش ن إ ا إ م ة ا إ أ مو ،

ء ش ن وإWhoever fulfills (this pledge), then his reward will bewith Allah, but whoever fell into shortcomings and Allahpunishes him for it in this life, then that will be hisrecompense. Whoever Allah delays (his reckoning) untilthe Hereafter, then his matter is with Allah. If He wills,He will punish him, and if He wills, He will forgive him.''

Al-Hakim said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did notrecord it.''

As for the explanation of this Ayah, Allah said to His Prophetand Messenger Muhammad:

Say, O Muhammad, to those idolators who worshippedother than Allah, forbade what Allah provided them withand killed their children, following their opinions and the

lures of the devils,'



266

...

Say, (to them),

...ا ...

Come, (come here, come close),

... ر م م أ...

I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from.

meaning, I will inform you about what your Lordhas forbidden for you in truth, not guessing orwishful thinking. Rather, it is revelation and anorder from Him.

Shirk is Forbidden

Allah said,

... ش ا آ أ...

Join not anything in worship with Him;

this Allah has ordained, for He said at the end of the Ayah, ن آ و ذ (This He has

commanded you that you may understand).

In the the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Dharrsaid that the Messenger of Allah said,

ی ن أ مأ م ش ك ی ت م م نأ ن

، ا دJibril came to me and conveyed the good newsthat, "Whoever among your followers dies,worshipping none along with Allah, will enterParadise."

ز ن ن س ق وإ ؟ن وإ

I said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse!''



267

ل :،ق س ن ن زن وإ وإ

He said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse."

:ق س ن ن زن وإ ؟وإ

I said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse!"

ل :،ق س ن ن زن وإ وإ

He said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse."

:ق س ن ن زن وإ ؟وإI said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse!"

ل : ا ب ش ن ن س ق وإ ن وإ ن ز وإ

He said, "Even if he stole or committed illegalsexual intercourse or even if drank alcohol."

Some of the Musnad and Sunan compilers recordedthat Abu Dharr said that the Messenger of Allah said,

ل ی: أ ن رو د م ن إ مد ا یض ار اب أ و، أ و م ن آ م

ن ا م ة م ك ش ، وإ أ ت أ ت سا ء ا ن كی

Allah said, Ò Son of Adam! As long as yousupplicate to Me and hope of Me, I will forgivewhatever you committed, and it will be easy forMe to do that. And even if you brought the earth'sfill of sins to Me, I will bring forth its fill of forgiveness, as long as you do not associateanything or anyone in worship with Me. And evenif you err and your errors accumulate until they

reach the boundaries of the sky and you then askMe for forgiveness, I will forgive you.'



268

This subject is also mentioned in the Qur'an, forAllah said,

ء ی ذ نو ن ی ك وی م د ن ا ی أ إ

Verily, Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting uppartners (in worship) with Him, but He forgiveswhom He wills, sins other than that. (4:116)

Muslim recorded a Hadith in the Sahih thatreads,

ـ ا د ش ك ی ت م م

Whoever dies associating none with Allahwill enter Paradise.

There are many Ayat and Hadiths on thissubject.

The Order for Kindness to Parents

Allah said next,

... ن إ ی ا و...

be kind and dutiful to your parents;

meaning, Allah has commanded and ordered youto be kind to your parents.


ـ إ ی و ـ یإ إ او أ ر و

And your Lord has decreed that you worship nonebut Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents.(17:23)

Allah often mentions obeying Him and beingdutiful to parents together.

Allah said,



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و هو هو مأ ی ـ نا وو ا إ ی و شا ن م أ

م ك ن اك أ ـ ن وإ إ إ ب نأ م س او و م نا ـ و

ن آ ن مGive thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Meis the final destination. But if they (both) strivewith you to make you join in worship with Meothers that of which you have no knowledge, thenobey them not; but behave with them in thisworld kindly, and follow the path of him whoturns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then

to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you whatyou used to do. (31:14-15)

Therefore, Allah ordered children to be dutiful andkind to their parents, even if they were idolators.

Allah also said,

سإ ـ و ی وإذ أ ن م ا إ نو یء

ن إAnd (remember) when We took a covenant fromthe Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none butAllah and be dutiful and kind to parents. (2:83)

There are several Ayat on this subject.

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Ibn Masùd said,

"I asked Allah's Messenger about which deed isthe best. He said,

و ة ا

The prayer, when it is performed on time.

I said, `Then.'

He said,



270

ی اا

Being dutiful to parents.

I asked, `Then.'

He said,

ا س د ا

Jihad in Allah's cause.

Ibn Masùd said,

"The Messenger of Allah said these words to me,and had I asked him for more, he would have

said more.''

Killing Children is Forbidden

Allah said,

... ه یإو ز ن ن ق مإ م آدوأ ا و...

Kill not your children because of poverty, We shall

provide sustenance for you and for them.

After Allah commanded kindness to parents andgrandparents, He next ordered kindness to

children and grandchildren. Allah said, ا وق إ آدو أ (kill not your children because of poverty), because the idolators used to kill theirchildren, obeying the lures of the devils. Theyused to bury their daughters alive for fear of

shame, and sometimes kill their sons for fear of poverty.

It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abdullah binMasùd said,

"I asked the Messenger of Allah, `Which sin is thebiggest?'

He said,



271

هو ا ن ن أ

To call a rival for Allah, while He Alone createdyou.

I said, `Then what?'

He said,

م ی ن ن و ك أ أ

To kill your son for fear that he might share yourfood.

I said, `Then what?'

He said,

نا ن ركأ

To commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.

Then the Messenger of Allah recited the Ayah,

ا ا ن ی و اء ـ إ ا م ن ی ی او

ن ن ی و إ ا م And those who invoke not any other god alongwith Allah, nor kill such person as Allah hasforbidden, except for just cause, nor commitillegal sexual intercourse..." (25:68)

Allah's statement, ق إ (Because of Imlaq),

According to Ibn Abbas, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others, refers to poverty.

The Ayah means, do not kill your children because youare poor.

Allah said in Surah Al-Isra', آدوأ ا وق إ (And do not kill your children for fear from

Imlaq). (17:31) that is, do not kill your childrenfor fear that you might become poor in the future.



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This is why Allah said, آ إو ز ن ن (We shall

provide sustenance for them and for you) (17:31)thus mentioning the provision of the children first,meaning, do not fear poverty because of feedingyour children. Certainly, their provision isprovided by Allah.

Allah said, ه إو ز ن ن (We providesustenance for you and for them), thus startingwith parents, because this is the appropriatesubject here and Allah knows.

Allah said next,

... مو م م ا ا ا و...

Come not near Al-Fawahish (immoral sins) whethercommitted openly or secretly.

Allah said in a similar Ayah,

ر م نإ او مو م م ا ـ س ل ی م ا آ ن وأ ا او

ن م ا ا ن وأ

Say: "(But) the things that my Lord has indeedforbidden are Al-Fawahish (immoral sins)whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of allkinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners(in worship) with Allah for which He has given noauthority, and saying things about Allah of whichyou have no knowledge." (7:33)

We also explained this meaning in the explanation of theAyah, و ا ه اورذو (Leave sin, open and secret),

(6:120).

The Two Sahihs recorded that Ibn Masùd said that theMessenger of Allah said,

أ أ م م ا ا م ذ أ م ،ا م

مو



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None is more jealous than Allah. This is why Hehas forbidden the immoral sins committed openlyor secretly.

Abdul-Malik bin Umayr said that Warrad narrated that Al-Mughirah said that Sa`d bin Ubadah said,

"If I see a man with my wife (committingadultery), I will kill him with the sword."

When the matter came to the Messenger of Allah,he said,

، س م ن أ ا ؟ س ة م ن أ أ او مو م م ا ا م ذ أ م ، م

Do you wonder at Sa`d's jealousy By Allah, I ammore jealous than Sa`d, and Allah is more

jealous than I. This is why He has forbidden theimmoral sins committed openly and in secret.

This Hadith is in the Two Sahihs.

The Prohibition of Unjustified Killing

Allah said,

... إ ا م ا ا ا و...

And kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except fora just cause (according to Islamic law).

This part of the Ayah emphasizes this prohibitionin specific, although it is included in the immoral

sins committed openly and in secret.

In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Ibn Masùd saidthat the Messenger of Allah said,

،ا ل سر نأو ا إ إ ن ی أ م ءى ما مد ی ث ى إ: ی كر او ، او ، ناا ا

قر ا



274

The blood of a Muslim person who testifies thatthere is no deity worthy of worship except Allahand that I am the Messenger of Allah isprohibited, except for three offenses: a marriedperson who commits illegal sexual intercourse,life for life, and whoever reverts from the religion

and abandons the Jamaàh (the community of faithful believers).

There is a prohibition, a warning and a threat againstkilling the Muàhid, i.e., non-Muslims who have a treatyof peace with Muslims.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Abdullah bin Àmr said that theProphet said,

م یر ن ، وإ ا ئار ح ی ا ه م م م رأ ة م

Whoever killed a person having a treaty of protection with Muslims, shall not smell the scentof Paradise, though its scent is perceived from adistance of forty years.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said,

،ا م أ سر مذو ا مذ ا ه م م م یر ن ، وإ ا ئا م ة س ی ح ر

ی

Whoever killed a person having a treaty of protection with the Muslims, and who enjoys theguarantee of Allah and His Messenger, he willhave spoiled the guarantee of Allah (for him). Heshall not smell the scent of Paradise though itssmell is perceived from a distance of seventyyears.

Ibn Majah and At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith,and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Sahih.''

Allah's statement,



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...ن آ و ذ١٥١

This He has commanded you that you may understand.

means, this is what He has commanded you thatyou may comprehend His commandments andprohibitions.

ی أ ه إ ا ل م ا ونا او ا ا و أش وأ

6:152 "And come not near to the orphan's property,except to improve it, until he (or she) attains theage of full strength; and give full measure and fullweight with justice."

س ن ن إ و-- We burden not any person, but that which he canbear --

ا وأ ا و اذ ن آ و ا اذإونو آ ـ و ذ

"And whenever you speak, say the truth even if anear relative is concerned, and fulfill the covenantof Allah. This He commands you, that you mayremember."

The Prohibition of Consuming the Orphan's Property

Allah said;

شأ ی أ ه إ ا ل م ا و...

"And come not near to the orphan's property, except toimprove it, until he (or she) attains the age of fullstrength;



276

Ata bin As-Sa'ib said that Saìd bin Jubayr said that IbnAbbas said,

"When Allah revealed, ه إ ا ل ا و حأ (And come not near to the orphan's

property, except to improve it). and, ن آ ا ن إ

ا لا أ (Verily, those who unjustly eat upthe property of orphans) (4:10) those who wereguardians of orphans separated their food fromthe orphans' food and their drink from their drink.When any of that food or drink remained, theyused to keep it for the orphan until he or she ateit or it spoiled. This became difficult for thecompanions and they talked about it to theMessenger of Allah, and Allah sent down theAyah,

ه ن وإ ح إ ـ ا ن ـ یو ن

And they ask you about orphans. Say: "The bestthing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they are

your brothers." (2:220)

Thereafter, they mixed their food and drink withfood and drink of the orphans.''

Abu Dawud collected this statement.

Allah's statement, شأ ح (until he (or she) attains

the age of full strength);

According to Ash-Sha`bi, Malik and several othersamong the Salaf ,

refers to reaching the age of adolescence.

The Command to Give Full Measure and Full Weight withJustice

Allah's statement,

... او ا ا وأو نا...



277

and give full measure and full weight with justice.

is a command to establish justice while giving andtaking.

Allah has also warned against abandoning thiscommandment, when He said,

ی و

آا اذإ ی ان ی س ا ا

نو ی ه نزو وأ ه آ اذإو

ن م نأ ـ وأ ی أ

م

ـ ا ب س ا م ی م ی

Woe to Al-Mutaffifin. Those who, when theyhave to receive by measure from men, demandfull measure. And when they have to give bymeasure or weight to (other) men, give less than

due. Do they not think that they will beresurrected (for reckoning). On a Great Day TheDay when (all) mankind will stand before the Lordof all that exists. (83:1-6)

Allah destroyed an entire nation that wasaccustomed to giving less in weights andmeasures.

Allah said next,

... س ... ن ن إ و

We burden not any person, but that which he can bear.

that is, whoever strives while pursuing his rightsand giving other peoples' full rights, then there isno sin on him if he commits an honest mistakeafter trying his best and striving to do what isright.



278

The Order for Just Testimony

Allah said;

...ذإو اذ ن آ و ا ا...

And whenever you give your word, say the truth even if

a near relative is concerned.

This is similar to His statement,

ء ش ما ا ن آ ا ماء ی ا ی ـ ی

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses. (5:8)

And there is a similar Ayah in Surah An-Nisa'.

So Allah commands justice in action andstatement, with both near relatives and distantrelatives. Indeed, Allah orders justice foreveryone at all times and in all situations.

Fulfilling the Covenant of Allah is an Obligation

Allah said next,

...ا وأ ا و...

and fulfill the Covenant of Allah.


"Allah commands: Fulfill Allah's commandments

that He has ordered you. You will do so when youobey Him in what He commanded, refrain fromwhat He prohibited and abide by His Book and theSunnah of His Messenger. This constitutesfulfilling the covenant of Allah.

... آ و ذنو آ ١٥٢

...This He commands you, that you may

remember.



279

Allah says here, that this is what He has orderedand commanded, and He stressed its importance

for you, نو آ (...that you may remember),

that you may be advised and thus refrain fromwhat you used to do before this.''

ا ا و م اـ ه ن وأن ـ و ذ س ق

6:153 "And verily, this is My straight path, so followit, and follow not (other) paths, for they willseparate you away from His path. This He has

ordained for you that you may have Taqwa."

The Prohibition of Consuming the Orphan's Property

Allah said;

إ ا ل م ا و شأ ی أ ه ...

"And come not near to the orphan's property, except toimprove it, until he (or she) attains the age of fullstrength;

Ata bin As-Sa'ib said that Saìd bin Jubayr said that IbnAbbas said,

"When Allah revealed, ه إ ا ل ا و حأ (And come not near to the orphan's

property, except to improve it). and, ن آ ا ن إ ا لا أ (Verily, those who unjustly eat up

the property of orphans) (4:10) those who wereguardians of orphans separated their food fromthe orphans' food and their drink from their drink.When any of that food or drink remained, theyused to keep it for the orphan until he or she ateit or it spoiled. This became difficult for the

companions and they talked about it to the



280

Messenger of Allah, and Allah sent down theAyah,

ه ن وإ ح إ ـ ا ن ـ یو ن

And they ask you about orphans. Say: "The bestthing is to work honestly in their property, and if you mix your affairs with theirs, then they areyour brothers." (2:220)

Thereafter, they mixed their food and drink withfood and drink of the orphans.''

Abu Dawud collected this statement.

Allah's statement, شأ ح (until he (or she) attainsthe age of full strength);

According to Ash-Sha`bi, Malik and several othersamong the Salaf ,

refers to reaching the age of adolescence.

The Command to Give Full Measure and Full Weight withJustice

Allah's statement,

... نا او ا ا وأو...

and give full measure and full weight with justice.

is a command to establish justice while giving and

taking.

Allah has also warned against abandoning thiscommandment, when He said,

ی و

ن ی س ا ا آا اذإ ی ا

نو ی ه نزو وأ ه آ اذإو



281

ن م نأ ـ وأ ی أ

م

س ا م ی م ی ـ ا ب

Woe to Al-Mutaffifin. Those who, when theyhave to receive by measure from men, demandfull measure. And when they have to give bymeasure or weight to (other) men, give less thandue. Do they not think that they will beresurrected (for reckoning). On a Great Day TheDay when (all) mankind will stand before the Lordof all that exists. (83:1-6)

Allah destroyed an entire nation that wasaccustomed to giving less in weights andmeasures.

Allah said next,

...إ ن ن س ...و

We burden not any person, but that which he can bear.

that is, whoever strives while pursuing his rightsand giving other peoples' full rights, then there isno sin on him if he commits an honest mistakeafter trying his best and striving to do what isright.

The Order for Just Testimony

Allah said;

... اذ ن آ و ا اذإو...

And whenever you give your word, say the truth even if a near relative is concerned.

This is similar to His statement,

ی ـ ی ء ش ما ا ن آ ا ماء ی ا

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses. (5:8)



282

And there is a similar Ayah in Surah An-Nisa'.

So Allah commands justice in action andstatement, with both near relatives and distantrelatives. Indeed, Allah orders justice foreveryone at all times and in all situations.

Fulfilling the Covenant of Allah is an Obligation

Allah said next,

...ا وأ ا و...

and fulfill the Covenant of Allah.


"Allah commands: Fulfill Allah's commandmentsthat He has ordered you. You will do so when youobey Him in what He commanded, refrain fromwhat He prohibited and abide by His Book and theSunnah of His Messenger. This constitutesfulfilling the covenant of Allah.

...نو آ آ و ذ١٥٢

...This He commands you, that you mayremember.

Allah says here, that this is what He has orderedand commanded, and He stressed its importance

for you, نو آ (...that you may remember),

that you may be advised and thus refrain fromwhat you used to do before this.''

ا ا و م اـ ه ن وأ و ذ س ق ن ـ

6:153 "And verily, this is My straight path, so followit, and follow not (other) paths, for they willseparate you away from His path. This He has

ordained for you that you may have Taqwa."



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The Command to Follow Allah's Straight Path and to AvoidAll Other Paths

Allah says;

ق ا ا و م ا ا ـ ه ن وأ

ن آ و ذ س١٥٣

"And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, andfollow not (other) paths, for they will separate you awayfrom His path. This He has ordained for you that youmay have Taqwa."

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas commented

on Allah's statements, ا ا و س ق (And

follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you awayfrom His path.), and, ا و ا ا أ ن أ (Saying)

that you should establish religion and make no divisionsin it), (42:13) and similar Ayat in the Qur'an,

"Allah commanded the believers to adhere to theJamaàh and forbade them from causingdivisions and disputes. He informed them thatthose before them were destroyed because of

divisions and disputes in the religion of Allah.''

Similar was said by Mujahid and several others.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded that Abdullah binMasùd said,

"The Messenger of Allah drew a line with his hand(in the sand) and said,

م ا س ا هThis is Allah's path, leading straight.

He then drew lines to the right and left of thatline and said,

إ ی ن ش إ س ه ا م These are the other paths, on each path there is adevil who calls to it.



284

He then recited,

ن ا ا م و ا ا قوأ ـ ه س ...

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it,

and follow not (other) paths, for they willseparate you away from His path."

Al-Hakim also recorded this Hadith and said; "Itschain is Sahih, but they did not record it.''

Imam Ahmad and Abd bin Humayd recorded (and this isthe wording of Ahmad) that Jabir said;

"We were sitting with the Prophet when he drew a

line in front of him and said,

ا س ا ه

This is Allah's path.

He also drew two lines to its right and two lines toits left and said,

ه س ا نThese are the paths of Shaytan.

He then placed his hand on the middle path andrecited this Ayah;

ا ـ ه ن ا م و ا ا قوأن آ و ذ س

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it,and follow not (other) paths, for they willseparate you away from His path. This He hasordained for you that you may have Taqwa.

Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, in the Book of theSunnah in his Sunan, and Al-Bazzar collectedthis Hadith.

Ibn Jarir recorded that;



285

a man asked Ibn Masùd, "What is As-Sirat Al-Mustaqim (the straight path)?''

Ibn Masùd replied,

"Muhammad left us at its lower end and its otherend is in Paradise. To the right of this Path are

other paths, and to the left of it are other paths,and there are men (on these paths) calling thosewho pass by them. Whoever goes on the otherpaths will end up in the Fire. Whoever takes theStraight Path, will end up in Paradise.''

Ibn Masùd then recited the Ayah;

ق ا ا و م ا ا ـ ه ن وأ س

And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it,and follow not (other) paths, for they willseparate you away from His path.'"

Imam Ahmad recorded that, An-Nawwas bin Samànsaid that the Messenger of Allah said,

م ا ب ضنا أ اب م ، ا م ، و ا اط س رAllah has given a parable of the straight path, andon the two sides of this path, there are two wallscontaining door ways.

ة م ر س با ا و ی عاد طا ا ب و: یأی ا س ه ا اد ا ا اط ا و ا

On these door ways, there are curtains that arelowered down. on the gate of this path there is acaller heralding, Ò people! come and enter thestraight path all together and do not divide.'

ش ی ن أ ن ن ا دارأ اذ طا ا ق ی م عادو ن م ا اب ل وی ن إ

There is also another caller that heralds fromabove the path, who says when a person wants to



286

remove the curtain on any of these doors, `Woeto you! Do not open this door, for if you open it,you will enter it.

ان و س م وا ر ا طا ا با او ا د،ا ب آ طا ا س رأ اا ذ م رم ا و

م آ ا او طا ا ق م ااوThe (straight) path is Islam, the two walls areAllah's set limits, the open doors lead to Allah'sprohibitions, the caller on the gate of the path isAllah's Book (the Qur'an), while the caller fromabove the path is Allah's admonition in the heartof every Muslim.

At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasa'i also recorded thisHadith, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan Gharib.''

Allah's statement, ا ا و (so follow it, andfollow not (other) paths...),

describes Allah's path in the singular sense,because truth is one. Allah describes the otherpaths in the plural, because they are many and

are divided.Allah said in another Ayah,

إ ـ ا ا ی م ی ءام ا و ا ن ی ت ـ ا هؤ وأ او آ ی او ر ا

ـ ا إ ر ا م ه ر ا ـ أ ـ وأنو ـ

Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian)of those who believe. He brings them outfrom darknesses into light. But as forthose who disbelieve, their supporters areTaghut (false deities), they bring themout from light into darknesses. Those arethe dwellers of the Fire, and they will abidetherein forever. (2:257)



287

أ ى ا م ـ ا س م اء ء ر و ش ء وه ى ور

ن م ی6:154 Then, We gave Musa the Book (the Tawrah),complete for that which is best, and explaining allthings in detail and a guidance and a mercy thatthey might believe in the meeting with their Lord.

ـ نأ ـ آ اـ هو ا او ك م رن

6?:155 And this is a blessed Book (the Qur'an)which We have sent down, so follow it and haveTaqwa, so that you may receive mercy.

Praising the Tawrah and the Qur'an

Allah says;

ب ا س م ...

Then, We gave Musa the Book (the Tawrah),

After Allah described the Qur'an by saying, ا ا ـ ه ن وأ (And verily, this is My straight path, so

follow it...), He then praised the Tawrah and its

Messenger,

ب ا س (Then, We gave Musa the

Book...). Allah often mentions the Qur'an and theTawrah together.

Allah said,

ن ق م ـ آ ا ـ هو رو م مإ س م ـ آ مو

And before this was the Scripture of Musa as a

guide and a mercy. And this is a confirming Bookin the Arabic language. (46:12)



288

Allah said in the this Surah,

س ى هو ار م س ن ء ى ا ـ ا لنأ م ن ا آ ن و نو

Say: "Who then sent down the Book which Musa

brought, a light and a guidance to mankind whichyou have made into paper sheets, disclosing(some of it) and concealing (much)." (6:91)

م ـ نأ ـ آ ا ـ هوكر

And this is a blessed Book which we have sentdown... (6:92)

Allah said about the idolators,

وأ م م وأ ا ن م ا هء س م

But when the truth has come to them from Us,they say: "Why is he not given the like of whatwas given to Musa!" (28:48)

Allah replied,

ا ـ نا س ا م س م وأ او ی وأنو ـ آ نإ ا و

"Did they not disbelieve in that which was givento Musa of old!" They say: "Two kinds of magic(the Tawrah and the Qur'an), each helping theother!" And they say: "Verily, in both we are

disbelievers." (28:48)

Allah said about the Jinns that they said,

س م م لنأ ـ آ س نإ م ی ی ی م ا إ ى ی

"O our people! Verily, we have heard a Book sentdown after Musa, confirming what came before it,

it guides to the truth." (46:30)



289

Allah's statement,

... و أ ي ا م ...

...complete for that which is best, and explaining allthings in detail..."

means; `We made the Book that We revealed toMusa, a complete and comprehensive Book,sufficient for what he needs to complete his Law.'

Similarly, Allah said in another Ayah,

ء ش آ م حاا آوAnd We wrote for him on the Tablets thelesson to be drawn from all things. (7:145)

Allah's statement, حأ ي ا (for that which is best),means:

às a reward for his doing right and obeying Ourcommands and orders.'


ـ ا إ ـ ا ء ه

Is there any reward for good other than what isbest! (55:60)

ـ نإ ل ـ ر ه إ ا ذإوس م مإ

And (remember) when the Lord of Ibrahim triedhim with (certain) commands, which he fulfilled.

He (Allah) said (to him), "Verily, I am going tomake you an Imam for mankind." (2:124)

م نو ی ئأ و م ـی ـ ا ن آو او نن ی

And We made from among them (Children of Israel), leaders, giving guidance under Ourcommand, when they were patient and believedwith certainty in Our Ayat. (32:24)



290

Allah said;

... و ... ش ء وه ى ور

and explaining all things in detail and a guidance and amercy,

praising the Book that Allah sent down to Musa,while,

...ن م ی ر ء ١٥٤

كر م نأ ب آ ا ـه ١٥٥وا ا نو

...that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord.And this is a blessed Book (the Qur'an) which We havesent down, so follow it and have Taqwa so that you mayreceive mercy.

This calls to following the Qur'an. Allahencourages His servants to follow His Book (theQur'an) and orders them to understand it, adhereto it and call to it. He also describes it as beingblessed, for those who follow and implement it inthis life and the Hereafter, because it is the FirmRope of Allah.

ن ئ م وإ ـ ا لنأ نإ ا ن أ ـ سا آ در

6:156 Lest you should say: "The Book was sentdown only to two sects before us, and for our part,we were in fact unaware of what they studied."

م ى هأ ـ ا لنأ نأ ا وأ6:157 Or lest you should say: "If only the Book hadbeen sent down to us, we would surely have beenbetter guided than they."



291

رو ى هو ر م آء So now has come unto you a clear proof from yourLord, and a guidance and a mercy.

أ م آ ب ی ـ ا و ف س ى ـ ی ن ی ی ا س ء ا اب آن ا

ن یWho then does more wrong than one who rejectsthe Ayat of Allah and Sadafa away therefrom Weshall requite those who turn away from Our Ayat

with an evil torment, because of their turning away.

The Qur'an is Allah's Proof Against His Creation

Allah says;

م ئ ب ا لنأ نإ ا ن ...أ

Lest you should say: "The Book was sent down only totwo sects before us,

Ibn Jarir commented on the Ayah,

"The Ayah means, this is a Book that We sent

down, so that you do not say, ب ا لنأ نإ ئ ("The Book was sent down only to

two sects before us)." This way, you will have no

excuse.


أ وا ی یأ م ن م ـ یاء سر إ سر ر أ

Otherwise, they would have suffered acalamity because of what their hands sentforth, and said: "Our Lord! Why did You



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not send us a Messenger We would thenhave followed Your Ayat.''" (28:47)

The Ayah, ئ (to two sects before us),

According to Ali bin Abi Talhah who narrated it from IbnAbbas,

refers to the Jews and Christians,

Similar was reported from Mujahid, As-Suddi,Qatadah and several others.

Allah's statement,

... سارد آ ن ١٥٦وإ

"...and for our part, we were in fact unaware of whatthey studied."

meaning: `we did not understand what they saidbecause the revelation was not in our tongue.We, indeed, were busy and unaware of theirmessage,' so they said.

Allah said next,

م ى هأ ب ا لنأ نأ ا وأ...

Or lest you should say: "If only the Book had been sentdown to us, we would surely, have been better guidedthan they."

meaning: We also refuted this excuse, had youused it, lest you say, "If a Book was revealed tous, just as they received a Book, we would havebeen better guided than they are.''

Allah also said.

ن ی ن هء ـ یأ ا أو ما ى إ م ى هأ

And they swore by Allah their most bindingoath that if a warner came to them, they



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would be more guided than any of thenations (before them). (35:42)

Allah replied here,

... رو ى هو ر م آء ...

So now has come unto you a clear proof from your Lord,and a guidance and a mercy.

Allah says, there has come to you from Allah aGlorious Qur'an revealed to Muhammad, the ArabProphet. In it is the explanation of the lawful andunlawful matters, guidance for the hearts andmercy from Allah to His servants who follow andimplement it.

Allah said;

...آ م أ ف و ا ت ی ب...

Who then does more wrong than one who rejects theAyat of Allah and Sadafa away therefrom,

This refers to the one who neither benefited from

what the Messenger brought, nor followed whathe was sent with by abandoning all other ways.Rather, he Sadafa from following the Ayat of Allah, meaning, he discouraged and hinderedpeople from following it.

This is the explanation of As-Suddi for Sadafa,while Ibn Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah said thatSadafa means, he turned away from it.

...ن ی ا ن آ با ا ء س ی ن ی ی ا ي س١٥٧

We shall requite those who turn away from Our Ayat with an evil torment, because of their turning away.



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ن ون إ أ ی هوأ ر ی وأ ـ ا ر ـ یاء ی

6:158 Do they then wait for anything other than

that the angels should come to them, or that yourLord should come, or that some of the Signs of yourLord should come!

م ی ن یإ ن ی ر ـ یاء ی آ إی ـ ا ءام م أو

The day that some of the signs of your Lord do

come, no good will it do to a person to believe then,if he believed not before, nor earned good with hisfaith.

نو م نإ او نا Say: "Wait you! We (too) are waiting."

The Disbelievers Await the Commencement of the Hereafter,or Some of its Portents

Allah sternly threatens the disbelievers, those who defy HisMessengers, deny His Ayat and hinder from His path,

ر ی وأ ئ ا ن ون إ أ ی ه...

Do they then wait for anything other than that the

angels should come to them, or that your Lord (Allah)should come...


... ن ی ر تی ی م ی ر ت ی ی وأ ن یإ...

or that some of the signs of your Lord should come! Theday that some of the signs of your Lord do come no goodwill it do to a person to believe then.



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Before the commencement of the Day of Resurrection, there will come signs and portentsof the Last Hour that will be witnessed by thepeople living at that time.

In a section explaining this Ayah, Al-Bukhari recordedthat Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

س ا هر اذ م م ا ا م م م

The Last Hour will not commence until the sunrises from the west. When the people witnessthat, they will all believe. This is when.

... ن یإ ن ی م م ...

no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before.

Ibn Jarir recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that theMessenger of Allah said,

وأ م م ن یإ ن ی اذإ ث

ل او م م ا ع ،ا ن یإ آض ودا ار

Three, if they appear, then a soul will not benefitfrom its faith, if it had not believed before orearned good in its faith: when the sun rises fromthe west, Ad-Dajjal and the Beast of the earth.

Ahmad also recorded this Hadith, and in his

narration, the Prophet mentioned the Smoke.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Àmr bin Jarir said,

"Three Muslim men sat with Marwan in Al-Madinah and they heard him talking about thesigns (of the Last Hour).

He said that the first sign will be the appearanceof Ad-Dajjal. So these men went to Abdullah bin

Àmr and told him what they heard from Marwanabout the signs.



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Ibn Àmr said, Marwan said nothing. I rememberthat I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,

جو و م م ا ع و تی ا لوأ ن إ اا ه أ ى ن آ ی ض

The first of the signs to appear are the sun risingfrom the west and the Beast that appears in theearly morning. Whichever comes before theother, then the second sign will appear soon afterit.''

Then Abdullah said - and he used to read theScriptures -

"And I think the first of them is the sunrising from the west. That is because whenit sets it comes under the Throne,prostrates and seeks permission to return.So it is permitted to return until Allahwants it to rise from the west. So it doesas it normally would, it comes beneath theThrone, it prostrates and seeks permissionto return. But it will get no response. Then

it will seek permission to return (again),but it will get no response, until what Allahwills of the night to pass goes by, and itrealizes that if it is permitted to return itwould not (be able to) reach the east. Itsays; `My Lord! The east is so far, whatgood would I be to the people' Until thehorizons appear as a (lightless) ring, itseeks permission to return and is told;

`Rise from your place,' so it rises upon thepeople from where it set.''

Then he recited,

... ن یإ ن ی م م ...

no good will it do to a person to believethen, if he believed not before,

This was also recorded by Muslim in his Sahih,and Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah in their Sunans.



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Allah's statement,

... ن یإ ن ی م م ...

no good will it do to a person to believe then, if hebelieved not before,

means, when the disbeliever believes then, it willnot be accepted from him. As for those who werebelievers before, if they earned righteous deeds,they will have earned a great deal of good. If theyhad not done good nor repented before then, itwill not be accepted from them, according to theHadiths that we mentioned.

This is also the meaning of Allah's statement,

...أو آ إی ن ا...

...nor earned good through his faith.

meaning, one's good deeds will not be acceptedfrom him unless he performed good deeds before.

Allah said next,

...نو م نإ او نا ١٥٨

Say: "Wait you! We (too) are waiting."

This is a stern threat to the disbelievers and asure promise for those who delay embracing thefaith and repenting until a time when faith orrepentance shall not avail. This will occur when

the sun rises from the west because the LastHour will then be imminent and its major signswill have begun to appear.


ء ن أ ا إ نو ی هاآ أش ا ن إذا ء ذ

Do they then await (anything) other thanthe Hour, that it should come upon them



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suddenly! But some of its portents havealready come; and when it is upon them,how can they benefit then by theirreminder! (47:18)

and,

آ ن ـ آو و ماء رأوا س ا ی آ م س اوأر ـ یإ ی

So when they saw Our punishment, theysaid: "We believe in Allah alone and reject(all) that we used to associate with Him aspartners." Then their faith could not availthem when they saw Our punishment.

(40:84-85)

م ش ا ن آو ید ا ی ا ن إن ی ا ن آ ی ا إ ه مأ نإ ء ش

6:159 Verily, those who divide their religion and

break up into sects, you have no concern with themin the least. Their affair is only with Allah, Who thenwill tell them what they used to do.

Criticizing Division in the Religion

Allah says;

ء ش م ش ا ن آو ید ا ی ا ن ...إ

Verily, those who divide their religion and break up intosects, you have no concern with them in the least.

Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said that;

this Ayah was revealed about the Jews andChristians.



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Al-Awfi said that Ibn Abbas commented, د ا ا ن إ ش ا ن آو (Verily, those who divide their religion and

break up into sects...),

"Before Muhammad was sent, the Jews andChristians disputed and divided into sects. When

Muhammad was sent, Allah revealed to him, ن ءإ ش ش ا نآ و ا ا د (Verily,

those who divide their religion and break up intosects, you have no concern with them in theleast).

It is apparent that this Ayah refers to all those who defythe religion of Allah, or revert from it. Allah sent HisMessenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that

He makes it victorious and dominant above all religions.His Law is one and does not contain any contradiction orincongruity. Therefore, those who dispute in the religion,

ش ا ن آو (...and break up into sects), religious sects,

just like those who follow the various sects, desires andmisguidance - then Allah has purified His Messengerfrom their ways.

In a similar Ayah, Allah said,

إ وأ ى او ن و م ی ا م ع ش

He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religionwhich He ordained for Nuh, and that which Wehave revealed to you. (42:13)

A Hadith reads,

ا ش م ن او ید ت د وأ ء نWe, the Prophets, are half brothers but have onereligion.

This, indeed, is the straight path which the Messengershave brought and which commands worshipping Allahalone without partners and adhering to the Law of thelast Messenger whom Allah sent. All other paths are

types of misguidance, ignorance, sheer opinion anddesires; and as such, the Messengers are free from





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deed shall have only the recompense of the like thereof,and they will not be wronged.

This Ayah explains the general Ayah;

ء م م

Whoever comes with good, then he will receivebetter than that. (28:84)

There are several Hadiths that are in agreement withthe apparent wording of this honorable Ayah.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded that Ibn Abbas saidthat the Messenger of Allah said about his Lord,

ی آ ه م ر و ر ن أض فإ إ ئ ا إ س ن آ ة آ. ه مو ن آ ی

إ ا ی و و ا ه ی وأ ة او آ ه

Your Lord is Most Merciful. Whoever intends toperform a good deed and does not do it, it will be

written for him as a good deed. If he performs it,it will be written for him as ten deeds, to sevenhundred, to multifold. Whoever intends to commitan evil deed, but does not do it, it will be writtenfor him as a good deed. If he commits it, it will bewritten for him as a sin, unless Allah erases it.Only those who deserve destruction will bedestroyed by Allah.

Al-Bukhari, Muslim and An-Nasa'i also recordedthis Hadith.

Ahmad also recorded that Abu Dharr said that theMessenger of Allah said,

ی و ا ل:

•یزأو م م أ

• أ وأ م هؤا س م و



302

• ك ی ض ر ا با مو م م ش،ة

• إ ب ا مو ارذ إ ا ا ش إ ب ا مو و ه أ ی ن أ مو إ ا ارذ

Allah says,• `Whoever performs a good deed, will have

tenfold for it and more.

• Whoever commits a sin, then his recompensewill be the same, unless I forgive.

• Whoever commits the earth's fill of sins andthen meets Me while associating none withMe, I will give him its fill of forgiveness.

• Whoever draws closer to Me by a hand's span,I will draw closer to him by a forearm'slength. Whoever draws closer to Me by aforearm's length, I will draw closer to him byan arm's length. And whoever comes to Mewalking, I will come to him running.'

Muslim also collected this Hadith.

Know that there are three types of people who refrainfrom committing a sin that they intended.

• There are those who refrain from committing thesin because they fear Allah, and thus will havewritten for them a good deed as a reward. Thistype contains both a good intention and a gooddeed. In some narrations of the Sahih, Allah saysabout this type, "He has left the sin for My sake.''

• Another type does not commit the sin because of forgetfulness or being busy attending to otheraffairs. This type of person will neither earn a sin,nor a reward. The reason being that, this persondid not intend to do good, nor commit evil.

• Some people abandon the sin because they wereunable to commit it or due to laziness, aftertrying to commit it and seeking the means that

help commit it. This person is just like the personwho commits the sin.



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There is an authentic Hadith that states,

إذا ا ا ن وا ل ا ر

When two Muslims meet with their swords, thenthe killer and the killed will be in the Fire.

They said, "O Allah's Messenger! We know aboutthe killer, so what about the killed?''

He said,

ی ن آ نإ

He was eager to kill his companion.

Al-Hafiz Abu Al-Qasim At-Tabarani said that Abu MalikAl-Ashàri said that the Messenger of Allah said,

وزی دة ا ا و ةر آ ال ا ن ذو ،م یأ:

Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), plusthree more days, erase whatever was committed(of sins) between them. This is because Allah

says:

مأ ء م

Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten timesthe like thereof to his credit.

Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,

آ ها م ش آ م م ی أ م مWhoever fasts three days every month, will havefasted all the time.

Ahmad, An-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah recorded thisHadith, and this is Ahmad's wording.

At-Tirmidhi also recorded it with this addition;

آ ذ ی ا لن



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So Allah sent down affirmation of this

statement in His Book, ء أ (Whoever brings a good deed shall

have ten times the like thereof to hiscredit),

ام ة أیمTherefore, a day earns ten days.

At-Tirmidhi said; "This Hadith is Hasan.''

There are many other Hadiths and statementson this subject, but what we mentioned should besufficient, Allah willing, and our trust is in Him.

م ید م ط إ ر نا ه نإ آ ا م ن آ مو ها إ

6:161 Say: "Truly, my Lord has guided me to astraight path, a right religion, the religion of

Ibrahim, Hanifan (monotheism) and he was not of the Mushrikin."

بر مو ى مو نو ن إ ـ ا

6:162 Say: "Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, myliving, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all

that exists.''

ا لوأ نأو ت مأ و ی ش 6:163 "He has no partner. And of this I have beencommanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."



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Islam is the Straight Path

Allah commands His prophet to;

نا ه نإ مو ها إ م ید م طا إ ر آ ا م ن آ١٦١

Say: "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, aright religion, the religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan (monotheism) and he was not of the Mushrikin."

Allah commands His Prophet, the chief of theMessengers, to convey the news of being guidedto Allah's straight path. This path is neither

wicked, nor deviant, د (a right religion...)

that is, established on firm grounds, ح ها إ آ ا ن آ و (The religion of Ibrahim, Hanifan

and he was not of the Mushrikin).

Allah said in similar Ayat,

ن س م إ ه إ م ی مو

And who turns away from the religion of Ibrahim

except him who deludes himself! (2:130)

مو ـ ا ه ـ ا او ـ و ه إ أ م ج م یا

And strive hard in Allah's cause as you ought tostrive. He has chosen you, and has not laid uponyou in religion any hardship: it is the religion of your father Ibrahim. (22:78)

آ ا م ی و ـ مأ ن آ ه إ ن إ

إ ا هو ـ ا ن ط م ش آ ا

ـ ا ة ا نإو ن ا ـ اء و

م ن ه وم آ م إ ا ن أو إ أ

آ ا



306

Verily, Ibrahim was an Ummah (or a nation),obedient to Allah, a Hanif , and he was not one of the Mushrikin.

(He was) thankful for His (Allah's) favors. He(Allah) chose him (as an intimate friend) andguided him to a straight path. And We gave himgood in this world, and in the Hereafter he shallbe of the righteous.

Then, We have sent the revelation to you(saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim, (he wasa) Hanif , and he was not of the Mushrikin.''(16:120-123)

Ordering the Prophet to follow the religion of Ibrahim,

the Hanifiyyah, does not mean that Prophet Ibrahimreached more perfection in it than our Prophet. Rather,our Prophet perfectly established the religion and it wascompleted for him; and none before him reached thislevel of perfection. This is why he is the Final Prophet,the chief of all the Children of Adam who holds thestation of praise and glory, the honor of intercession onthe Day of Resurrection. All creation (on that Day) will

seek him, even Ibrahim the friend of Allah, peace beupon him (to request the beginning of Judgment).

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn Abbas said,

"The Messenger of Allah was asked, `Whichreligion is the best with Allah, the Exalted?'

He said,

ا ا

Al-Hanifiyyah As-Samhah (the easymonotheism).''

The Command for Sincerity in Worship

Allah said next,

ا بر مو ي مو نو ن ١٦٢إ



307

Say: "Verily, my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, and mydying are for Allah, the Lord of the all that exists."

Allah commands the Prophet to inform theidolators who worship other than Allah andsacrifice to something other than Him, that heopposes them in all this, for his prayer is forAllah, and his rituals are in His Name alone,without partners.

Allah said in a similar statement,

ناو

Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord andsacrifice. (108:2)

meaning, make your prayer and sacrificefor Allah alone.

As for the idolators, they used to worship theidols and sacrifice to them, so Allah commandedthe Prophet to defy them and contradict theirpractices. Allah, the Exalted, commanded him todedicate his intention and heart to being sincere

for Him alone.

Mujahid commented, نو ن إ (Verily, my prayer

and my Nusuk...),

refers to sacrificing during Hajj and Umrah.

ا لوأ نأو ت مأ و ی ش ١٦٣

"He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded,and I am the first of the Muslims."

Islam is the Religion of all Prophets

The Ayah, ا لوأ نأو (and I am the first of the Muslims),means,

from this Ummah, according to Qatadah.



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This is a sound meaning, because all Prophets before ourProphet were calling to Islam, which commandsworshipping Allah alone without partners.


نأ إ ـ إ نأ إ ن إ ل سر م م سرأ م ونو

And We did not send any Messenger before youbut We revealed to him (saying): "None has theright to be worshipped but I, so worship Me.''(21:25)

Allah informed us that Nuh said to his people,

ت مأو ا إ ى أ ن إ أ م س ن ا م ن آأ ن أ

But if you turn away, then no reward have Iasked of you, my reward is only from Allah, and Ihave been commanded to be of the Muslims.(10:72)

Allah said,

ـ ا و ن س م إ ه إ م ی مو ـ ا ة ا نإو نا

ـ ا ب سأ ل سأ ر ل ذإ

ا ا ن إ ـ ی ب یو ه إ وو

ن م نأو إ یاAnd who turns away from the religion of Ibrahimexcept him who deludes himself Truly, We chosehim in this world and verily, in the Hereafter hewill be among the righteous.

When his Lord said to him, "Submit (i.e. be aMuslim)!''

He said, "I have submitted myself (as a Muslim)to the Lord of the all that exists.''





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Verily, We did send down the Tawrah, thereinwas guidance and light, by which the Prophets,who submitted themselves to Allah's will, judgedfor the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests (didalso). (5:44)

and,

ماء ا س و ا ماء ن وإذ أو إ ا اری أ م ن شاون

And when I (Allah) inspired Al-Hawariyyun (thedisciples) (of Isa) to believe in Me and MyMessenger, they said: "We believe. And bearwitness that we are Muslims." (5:111)

Therefore, Allah states that He sent all His Messengerswith the religion of Islam, although their respective lawsdiffered from each other, and some of them abrogatedothers. Later on, the Law sent with Muhammadabrogated all previous laws and nothing will everabrogate it, forever. Certainly, Muhammad's Law willalways be apparent and its flags raised high, until theDay of Resurrection.

The Prophet said,

او ید ت د وأ ء ن ا ش م ن

We, the Prophets, are half brothers, but ourreligion is one.

Half brothers, mentioned in the Hadith, refers to

the brothers to one father, but different mothers.Therefore, the religion, representing the onefather, is one; worshipping Allah alone withoutpartners, even though the laws which are like thedifferent mothers in this parable, are different.Allah the Most High knows best.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ali said that when theMessenger of Allah used to start the prayer with Takbir

(saying, "Allahu Akbar'' (Allah is the Great)) he wouldthen supplicate,



311

ا ي و و م نأ مو ض ات وا ربر مو ي مو نو ن ا آ ،إ

اI have directed my face towards He Who hascreated the heavens and earth, Hanifan and I

am not among the Mushrikin. Certainly, myprayer, sacrifice, living and dying are all for Allah,Lord of the worlds.

ك نأو ر نأ ،ن إ أ إ ا نأ اا ی نذ ن او نب ن

، نأ إ ي ی ق ا ن هاو ، نأ إ آر ، نأ إ س ف ی س ف او

إ ب أو ك سأ ، وO Allah! You are the King, there is no deityworthy of worship except You. You are my Lordand I am Your servant. I have committed wrongagainst myself and admitted to my error, soforgive me all my sins. Verily, You, only Youforgive the sins. (O Allah!) Direct me to the bestconduct, for none except You directs to the best

conduct. Divert me from the worst conduct, foronly You divert from the worst conduct. Glorifiedand Exalted You are. I seek Your forgiveness andrepent to You.

This Hadith, which was also recorded by Muslimin the Sahih, continues and mentions theProphet's supplication in his bowing, prostratingand final sitting positions.

و ء ش آ بر هو ر أ ا أ زو ةرزاو ر و إ ن آى أ ر

6:164 Say: "Shall I seek a lord other than Allah,while He is the Lord of all things No person earnsany (sin) except against himself (only), and nobearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another.



312

م ر إ ن آ Then unto your Lord is your return, so He will tellyou that wherein you have been differing."

The Command to Sincerely Trust in Allah

Allah said,

...

Say,

O Muhammad, to those idolators, aboutworshipping Allah alone and trusting in Him,

... ر أ ا أ...

Shall I seek a lord other than Allah...,

...ء ش آ بر هو...

while He is the Lord of all things.

and Who protects and saves me and governs allmy affairs But, I only trust in Him and go back toHim, because He is the Lord of everything, Ownerof all things and His is the creation and thedecision.

This Ayah commands sincerely trusting Allah, while theAyah before it commands sincerely worshipping Allahalone without partners. These two meanings are often

mentioned together in the Qur'an. Allah directs Hisservants to proclaim, ن ك إو ن ك إ (You (alone) we

worship, and You (alone) we ask for help (for each andevery thing). (1:5)

Allah said,

آ و

So worship Him and put your trust in Him.(11:123)



313

and,

آ و ماء ـ ا ه

Say: "He is the Most Gracious (Allah), in Him webelieve, and in Him we put our trust''. (67:29)

and,

آو ه إ ـ إ با رب ا ق و

Lord of the east and the west; none has the rightto be worshipped but He. So take Him a guardian.(73:9)

There are similar Ayat on this subject.

Every Person Carries His Own Burden

Allah said,

...و آ ن إ و ر وازرة وزر أ ى...

No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only),and no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of

another.

thus emphasizing Allah's reckoning, decision and justice that will occur on the Day of Resurrection.The souls will only be recompensed for theirdeeds, good for good and evil for evil. No personshall carry the burden of another person, a factthat indicates Allah's perfect justice.


ن آ و ء ش م ی إ م ع ن وإ اذ

And if one heavily laden calls another to(bear) his load, nothing of it will be liftedeven though he be near of kin. (35:18)

and,



314

ه و ف ی

Then he will have no fear of injustice, norof any curtailment (of his reward).(20:112)

Scholars of Tafsir commented, "No person will bewronged by carrying the evil deeds of anotherperson, nor will his own good deeds be curtailedor decreased.''

Allah also said;

هر آ ن آ

ا ـ أ إEvery person is a pledge for what he hasearned. Except those on the Right. (74:38-39)

meaning, every person will be tied to hisevil deeds. But, for those on the right --the believers -- the blessing of their goodworks will benefit their offspring andrelatives, as well.

Allah said in Surah At-Tur,

أ ـ ی یرذ او ا ماء ی او ء ش م م ـ أ مو یرذ

And those who believe and whose

offspring follow them in faith, to themshall We join their offspring, and We shallnot decrease the reward of their deeds inanything. (52:21)

meaning, We shall elevate their offspringto their high grades in Paradise, eventhough the deeds of the offspring wereless righteous, since they shared faith with

them in its general form.



315

Allah says, We did not decrease the grades of these righteous believers so that those (theiroffspring and relatives) who have lesser grades,can share the same grades as them. Rather Allahelevated the lesser believers to the grades of their parents by the blessing of their parents'

good works, by His favor and bounty. Allah saidnext (in Surah At-Tur),

هر آ ءى ما آ

Every person is a pledge for that which hehas earned. (52:21),

meaning, of evil.

Allah's statement here,

... آ م ر إ ن١٦٤

Then unto your Lord is your return, so He will tell youthat wherein you have been differing.

means, work you (disbelievers), and we will alsowork. Surely, both you and us will be gathered to

Allah and He will inform us of our deeds and yourdeeds and the decision on what we used todispute about in the life of this world.


ن ـ ن و م أ ن ـ

هو ی ر ی ح ا ا

Say: "You will not be asked about our sins,nor shall we be asked of what you do."

Say: "Our Lord will assemble us alltogether, then He will judge between uswith truth. And He is the Just Judge, theAll-Knower of the true state of affairs."(34:25-26)



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ض وه ا ى ـ ار6:165 And it is He Who has made you generationscoming after generations, replacing each other onthe earth.

م آ ـ رد ق رو ـ And He has raised you in ranks, some above othersthat He may try you in that which He has bestowedon you.

ر ر نإو ب ا ی س ر ن إSurely, your Lord is Swift in retribution, andcertainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Allah Made Mankind Dwellers on the earth, Generation AfterGeneration, of Various Grades, in order to Test Them

Allah said,

ض ...وه ا ي ئ ار

And it is He Who has made you generations coming aftergenerations, replacing each other on the earth.

According to Ibn Zayd and others,

meaning, He made you dwell on the earthgeneration after generation, century after centuryand offspring after forefathers.

Allah also said,

م ء ن ون ی ض ار ـ م

And if it were Our will, We would have madeangels to replace you on the earth! (43:60)





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Allah's statement,

... آ م آ ...

that He may try you in that which He has bestowed onyou.

means, so that He tests you in what He hasgranted you, for Allah tries the rich concerning hiswealth and will ask him about how he appreciatedit. He also tries the poor concerning his povertyand will ask him about his patience with it.

Muslim recorded that Abu Saìd Al-Khudri said that theMessenger of Allah said,

م ا ن ن ان ة ة وإ إ نا ا ،ن اذ م

ئا سإ لوأ ن ء ا ا اوآ ن ا ء

Verily, this life is beautiful and green, andAllah made you dwell in it generation aftergeneration so that He sees what you will do.Therefore, beware of this life and beware of

women, for the first trial that the Children of Israel suffered from was with women.

Allah's statement,

... ر ر نإو ب ا ی س ر ن ١٦٥إ

Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly Heis Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

this is both discouragement and encouragement,by reminding the believers that Allah is swift inreckoning and punishment with those whodisobey Him and defy His Messengers.



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... نإور ر

And certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

for those who take Him as protector and followHis Messengers in the news and commandmentsthey conveyed. Allah often mentions these twoattributes together in the Qur'an.

Allah said,

ی ر ن وإ س ة ن ر و م وإب ا

But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for

mankind in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily,your Lord is (also) severe in punishment. (13:6)

ن ا ر ا نأ نأ ىد ء

ا با ا ه ا ن وأ

Declare unto My servants, that truly, I am theOft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My

torment is indeed the most painful torment.(15:49-50)

There are similar Ayat that containencouragement and discouragement.

Sometimes Allah calls His servants to Him withencouragement, describing Paradise and making themeager for what He has with Him. Sometimes, He calls His

servants with discouragement, mentioning the Fire andits torment and punishment, as well as, the Day of Resurrection and its horrors.

Sometimes Allah mentions both so that each person isaffected by it according to his or her qualities.

We ask Allah that He makes us among those who obeywhat He has commanded, avoid what He has prohibited,and believe in Him as He has informed. Certainly, He is



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Tafsir Ibn Kathir - 006 An'am