Surah Al Anbiya Tafseer in English: Ibn Kathir Verse 1-56
Al-Anbiya – (The Prophets)
Verse Number 1-6
Which was revealed in Makkah
The Virtues of Surat Al-Anbiya’
Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid said that `Abdullah said, “Banu Isra’il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta Ha and Al-Anbiya’ – they are among the earliest and most beautiful Surahs and they are my treasure.”
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The Hour is at hand but People are heedless
This is a warning from Allah of the approach of the Hour, and that people are heedless of it, i.e., they are not working for it or preparing for it. An-Nasa’i recorded that Abu Sa`id reported from the Prophet :
فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
(while they turn away in heedlessness), he said,
«فِي الدُّنْيَا»
(in this world.) Allah says:
أَتَى أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلاَ تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ
(The Event ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it)
اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ وَإِن يَرَوْاْ ءَايَةً يُعْرِضُواْ
(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away.) 54:1,2. Then Allah states that they do not listen to the revelation (Wahy) that He sends down to His Messenger , which is addressed to the Quraysh and all disbelievers like them.
مَا يَأْتِيهِمْ مِّن ذِكْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ مُّحْدَثٍ
(Comes not unto them an admonition from their Lord as a recent revelation) meaning, newly-revealed,
إِلاَّ اسْتَمَعُوهُ وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
(but they listen to it while they play. ) This is like what Ibn `Abbas said, “Why do you ask the People of the Book about what they have, which has been altered and distorted, and they have added things and taken things away, when your Book is the most recently revealed from Allah, and you read it pure and unadulterated” Al-Bukhari recorded something similar to this.
وَأَسَرُّواْ النَّجْوَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ
(Those who do wrong, conceal their private counsels) meaning, what they say to one another in secret.
هَلْ هَـذَآ إِلاَّ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ
(Is this more than a human being like you) meaning, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They did not believe that he could be a Prophet because he was a human being like them, so how could he have been singled out to receive revelation, and not them They said:
أَفَتَأْتُونَ السِّحْرَ وَأَنتُمْ تُبْصِرُونَ
(Will you submit to magic while you see it) meaning, will you follow him and be like one who submits to magic when he knows that it is magic Allah said in response to their fabrications and lies:
قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ الْقَوْلَ فِى السَّمَآءِ وَالاٌّرْضِ
(He said: “My Lord knows what is said in the heavens and on earth…”) Nothing at all is hidden from the One Who knows that, and He is the One Who reveals this Qur’an which contains news of the earliest and last generations. No one can produce the like of this except the One Who knows all the secrets of the heavens and the earth.
وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
(And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.) means, He hears all that they say and He knows all their circumstances. This is a warning and a threat to them.
The Disbelievers’ Ideas about the Qur’an and the Messenger ; their demand for a Sign and the Refutation of that
بَلْ قَالُواْ أَضْغَـثُ أَحْلاَمٍ بَلِ افْتَرَاهُ
(Nay, they say: “These are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it!…”) Here Allah tells us of the stubbornness and heresy of the disblievers, and the various things they said about the Qur’an, and how they were confused and misguided about it. Sometimes they described it as magic, and sometimes they described it as poetry, or mixed up false dreams, or a fabrication. As Allah says:
انْظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُواْ لَكَ الاٌّمْثَالَ فَضَلُّواْ فَلاَ يَسْتَطِيعْونَ سَبِيلاً
(See what examples they have put forward for you. So they have gone astray, and never can they find a way) 17:48
فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ الاٌّوَّلُونَ
(Let him then bring us an Ayah like the ones that were sent before!) They were referring to the she-camel of Salih, and the signs of Musa and `Isa. And Allah says,
وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِالاٌّيَـتِ إِلاَّ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا الاٌّوَّلُونَ
(And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat but that the people of old denied them.) 17:59. So Allah said here:
مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـهَآ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
(Not one of the towns of those which We destroyed, believed before them; will they then believe) None of the peoples to whom Messengers were sent were given a sign at the hands of their Prophet and believed. On the contrary, they disbelieved and We destroyed them as a result. Would these people believe in a sign if they saw it Not at all! In fact,
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ – وَلَوْ جَآءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ ءايَةٍ حَتَّى يَرَوُاْ الْعَذَابَ الاٌّلِيمَ
(Truly, those, against whom the Word of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful torment.) 10:96-97. Indeed, they witnes- sed clear signs and definitive proof at the hands of the Messen- ger of Allah , signs which were far clearer and more overwhel- ming than any that had been witnessed in the case of any other Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon them all.
Verse Number 7-9
The Messengers are no more than Human Beings
Here Allah refutes those who denied that human Messengers could be sent:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلاَّ رِجَالاً نُّوحِى إِلَيْهِمْ
(And We sent not before you but men to whom We revealed.) meaning, all the Messengers who came before you were men, human beings. There were no angels among them. This is like the Ayat:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلاَّ رِجَالاً نُّوحِى إِلَيْهِمْ مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَى
(And We sent not before you any but men unto whom We revealed, from among the people of townships) 12:109
قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعاً مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ
(Say: “I am not a new thing among the Messengers…) 46:9 Allah tells us that the previous nations denied that and said:
أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا
(“Shall mere men guide us”) 64:6. So Allah says here:
فَاسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنْتُم لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
(So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.) meaning, ask the people of knowledge among the nations such as the Jews and Christians and other groups: `were the Messengers who came to you human beings or angels’ Indeed they were human beings. This is a part of the perfect blessing of Allah towards His creation: He sent to them Messengers from among themselves so that they could receive the Message from them and learn from them.
وَمَا جَعَلْنَـهُمْ جَسَداً لاَّ يَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ
(And We did not place them in bodies that did not eat food…) meaning, rather they had bodies that ate food, as Allah says:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلاَّ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِى الاٌّسْوَاقِ
(And We never sent before you any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets) 25:20 meaning, they were human beings who ate and drank like all other people, and they went to the marketplaces to earn a living and engage in business; that did not affect them adversely or reduce their status in any way, as the idolators imagined.
مَا لِهَـذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِى فِى الاٌّسْوَاقِ لَوْلا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ نَذِيراًأَوْ يُلْقَى إِلَيْهِ كَنْزٌ أَوْ تَكُونُ لَهُ جَنَّةٌ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا
(And they say: “Why does this Messenger eat food, and walk about in the markets. Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat”) 25:7-8
وَمَا كَانُواْ خَـلِدِينَ
(nor were they immortals) meaning, in this world; on the contrary, they lived, then they died.
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ
(And We granted not to any human being immortality before you) 21:34 But what distinguished them from others was that they received revelation from Allah, and the angels brought down to them from Allah His rulings concerning His creation, what He commanded and what He prohibited.
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَـهُمُ الْوَعْدَ
Then We fulfilled to them the promise. the promise that their Lord made to destroy the evildoers. Allah fulfilled His promise and did that. He says:
فَأَنجَيْنَـهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَآءُ
(So We saved them and those whom We willed,) meaning, their followers among the believers,
وَأَهْلَكْنَا الْمُسْرفِينَ
(but We destroyed Al-Musrifin.) meaning, those who disbelieved the Message brought by the Messengers.
Verse Number 10-15
The Virtue of the Qur’an Here
Allah points out the noble status of the Qur’an and urges them to recognize its worth:
لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَـباً فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ
(Indeed, We have sent down for you a Book in which there is Dhikrukum). Ibn `Abbas said: “Honor for you.”
أَفَلاَ تَعْقِلُونَ
(Will you not then understand) means, will you not understand this blessing, and accept it This is like the Ayah:
وَإِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَّكَ وَلِقَوْمِكَ وَسَوْفَ تُسْـَلُونَ
(And verily, this is indeed a Reminder for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) 43:44
How the Evildoers were destroyed
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَـلِمَةً
(How many a town given to wrongdoing, have We destroyed,) meaning, they were very many. This is like the Ayah:
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن بَعْدِ نُوحٍ
(And how many generations have We destroyed after Nuh!) 17:17
فَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَـهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ فَهِىَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَى عُرُوشِهَا
(And many a township did We destroy while they were given to wrongdoing, so that it lie in ruins) 22:45.
وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْماً ءَاخَرِينَ
(and raised up after them another people!) means, another nation which came after them.
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسُّواْ بَأْسَنَآ
(Then, when they sensed Our torment,) when they realized that the torment would undoubtedly come upon them, just as their Prophet had warned them,
إِذَا هُمْ مِّنْهَا يَرْكُضُونَ
(behold, they (tried to) flee from it.) they tried to run away.
لاَ تَرْكُضُواْ وَارْجِعُواْ إِلَى مَآ أُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيهِ وَمَسَـكِنِكُمْ
(Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes,) This is a way of ridiculing them. It will be said to them by way of ridicule: “Do not run away from the coming torment; go back to the delights and luxuries and fine homes in which you were living.” Qatadah said, “Mocking them.”
لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْأَلُونَ
(in order that you may be questioned) about whether you gave thanks for what you had.
قَالُواْ يوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـلِمِينَ
(They cried: “Woe to us! Certainly we have been wrong- doers.”) They will confess their sins when it will be of no benefit to them.
فَمَا زَالَت تِلْكَ دَعْوَاهُمْ حَتَّى جَعَلْنَـهُمْ حَصِيداً خَـمِدِينَ
(And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct.) meaning, “they will keep on saying that, admitting their wrong- doing, until We harvest them as it were, and their movements and voices come to a stop.”
Verse Number 16-20
Creation was made with Justice and Wisdom
Allah tells us that He created the heavens and the earth in truth, i.e. with justice.
لِيَجْزِىَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُواْ بِمَا عَمِلُواْ وَيِجْزِى الَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُواْ بِالْحُسْنَى
(that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good, with what is best.) 53:31. He did not create all that in vain or for (mere) play:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَآءَ وَالاٌّرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَـطِلاً ذَلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنَ النَّارِ
(And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!) 38:27
لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْواً لاَّتَّخَذْنَـهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ إِن كُنَّا فَـعِلِينَ
(Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).) Ibn Abi Najih said, narrating from Mujahid:
لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْواً لاَّتَّخَذْنَـهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ
(Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us,) “Meaning, `From Ourself,’ He is saying, `We would not have created Paradise or Hell or death or the resurrection or the Reckoning.”‘
إِن كُنَّا فَـعِلِينَ
(if We were going to do (that). ) Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i and Mughirah bin Miqsam said: “This means, `We will not do that.”‘ Mujahid said, every time the word
أَنْ
(if) is used in the Qur’an, it is a negation.
بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِالْحَقِّ عَلَى الْبَـطِلِ
(Nay, We fling the truth against the falsehood,) means, `We explain the truth and thus defeat falsehood.’ Allah says:
فَيَدْمَغُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ
(so it destroys it, and behold, it disappears.) it is fading and vanishing.
وَلَكُمُ الْوَيْلُ
(And woe to you) O you who say that Allah has offspring.
مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ
(for that which you ascribe.) that which you say and fabricate. Then Allah informs of the servitude of the angels, and how they persevere in worship night and day:
Everything belongs to Allah and serves Him
وَلَهُ مَن فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
(To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him) i.e., the angels,
لاَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ
(are not too proud to worship Him,) they do not feel proud and do not refuse to worship Him. This is like the Ayah:
لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ الْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْداً للَّهِ وَلاَ الْمَلَـئِكَةُ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ وَمَن يَسْتَنْكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيهِ جَمِيعاً
(Al-Masih will never be proud to reject being a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near. And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.) 4:172
وَلاَ يَسْتَحْسِرُونَ
(nor are they weary.) means, they do not get tired or feel bored.
يُسَبِّحُونَ الْلَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لاَ يَفْتُرُونَ
(They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.) They persist in their worship night and day, obeying Allah to the utmost, and they are able to do this, as Allah says:
لاَّ يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَآ أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
(who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded) 66:6
Verse Number 21-23
Refutation of false gods
Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:
أَمِ اتَّخَذُواْ آلِهَةً مِّنَ الاٌّرْضِ هُمْ يُنشِرُونَ
(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ آلِهَةٌ
(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,
لَفَسَدَتَا
(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:
مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَـهٍ إِذاً لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَـهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلاَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ سُبْحَـنَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) 23:91. And Allah says here:
فَسُبْحَـنَ اللَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.
لاَ يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْـَلُونَ
(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.
وَهُمْ يُسْـَلُونَ
(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ – عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) 15:92-93
وَهُوَ يُجْيِرُ وَلاَ يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ
(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) 23:88
Verse Number 24-25
أَمِ اتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِهِ ءَالِهَةً قُلْ
(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) — O Muhammad —
هَاتُواْ بُرْهَـنَكُمْ
(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.
هَـذَا ذِكْرُ مَن مَّعِىَ
(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur’an.
وَذِكْرُ مَن قَبْلِى
(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلاَّ نُوحِى إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ أَنَاْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): “There is no god but I. ..”) This is like the Ayat:
وَاسْئلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ الرَّحْمَـنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ
(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: “Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious”) 43:45
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُواْ الْطَّـغُوتَ
(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).”) 16:36 Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.
Verse Number 26-29
The Refutation of Those Who claim that the Angels are the Daughters of Allah; description of their Deeds and Status
Here Allah refutes those who claim that He has offspring among the angels — exalted and sanctified be He. Some of the Arabs believed that the angels were the daughters of Allah, but Allah says:
سُبْحَانَهُ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
(Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) meaning, the angels are servants of Allah who are honored by Him and who hold high positions of noble status. They obey Him to the utmost in all their words and deeds.
لاَ يَسْبِقُونَهُ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِأَمْرِهِ يَعْمَلُونَ
(They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) meaning, they do not initiate any matter before Him or go against His commands; on the contrary, they hasten to do as He commands, and He encompasses them with His knowledge so that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ
(He knows what is before them, and what is behind them,)
وَلاَ يَشْفَعُونَ إِلاَّ لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى
(and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.) This is like the Ayat:
مَن ذَا الَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ
(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission) 2:255
وَلاَ تَنفَعُ الشَّفَـعَةُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ
(Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits) 34:23. There are many Ayat which say similar things.
وَهُمْ مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِ
(And they for fear of Him) means, because they fear Him.
مُشْفِقُونَوَمَن يَقُلْ مِنْهُمْ إِنِّى إِلَـهٌ مِّن دُونِهِ
(And they stand in awe. And if any of them should say: “Verily, I am a god besides Him,”) meaning, whoever claims to be a god instead of Allah, i.e., alongside Allah,
فَذلِكَ نَجْزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ كَذَلِكَ نَجْزِى الظَّـلِمِينَ
(such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.) meaning, everyone who says this. This is a conditional sentence, and the condition stated does not necessarily have to take place. This is like the Ayat:
قُلْ إِن كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَـنِ وَلَدٌ فَأَنَاْ أَوَّلُ الْعَـبِدِينَ
(Say: “If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of worshippers.”) 43:81
لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَـسِرِينَ
(If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely, (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.) 39:65
Verse Number 30-33
The Signs of Allah in the Heavens and the Earth and in the Night and the Day
Here Allah tells of His perfect might and power in His creation and subjugation of all things.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ
(Have not those who disbelieve known) means, those who deny His Divine nature and worship others instead of Him, do they not realize that Allah is the One Who is Independent in His powers of creation and is running the affairs of all things with absolute power So how can it be appropriate to worship anything else beside Him or to associate others in worship with Him Do they not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, i.e. in the beginning they were all one piece, attached to one another and piled up on top of one another, then He separated them from one another, and made the heavens seven and the earth seven, placing the air between the earth and the lowest heaven. Then He caused rain to fall from the sky and vegetation to grow from the earth. He says:
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ أَفَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ
(And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe) meaning, they see with their own eyes how creation develops step by step. All of that is proof of the existence of the Creator Who is in control of all things and is able to do whatever He wills.
In everything there is a Sign of Him, showing that He is One
Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from `Ikrimah that Ibn `Abbas was asked; “Did the night come first or the day” He said, “Do you think that when the heavens and the earth were joined together, there was anything between them except darkness Thus you may know that the night came before the day. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Umar said that a man came to him and questioned him about when the heavens and earth were joined together then they were parted. He said, “Go to that old man (Shaykh) and ask him, then come and tell me what he says to you.” So he went to Ibn `Abbas and asked him. Ibn `Abbas said: “Yes, the heavens were joined together and it did not rain, and the earth was joined together and nothing grew. When living beings were created to populate the earth, rain came forth from the heavens and vegetation came forth from the earth.” The man went back to Ibn `Umar and told him what had been said. Ibn `Umar said, “Now I know that Ibn `Abbas has been given knowledge of the Qur’an. He has spoken the truth, and this is how it was.” Ibn `Umar said: “I did not like the daring attitude of Ibn `Abbas in his Tafsir of the Qur’an, but now I know that he has been given knowledge of the Qur’an.” Sa`id bin Jubayr said: “The heavens and the earth were attached to one another, then when the heavens were raised up, the earth became separate from them, and this is their parting which was mentioned by Allah in His Book.” Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, “They were joined together, then they were separated by this air.”
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ
(And We have made from water every living thing. ) meaning, the origin of every living thing is in water. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, “I said: O Messenger of Allah, when I see you I feel happy and content, tell me about everything.” He said,
«كُلُّ شَيْءٍ خُلِقَ مِنْ مَاء»
(Everything was created from water.) “I said, tell me about something which, if I do it, I will enter Paradise.” He said:
«أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمِ الطَّعَامَ، وَصِلِ الْأَرْحَامَ، وَقُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ، ثُمَّ ادْخُلِ الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلَام»
(Spread (the greeting of) Salam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and stand in prayer at night when people are sleeping. Then you will enter Paradise in peace.) This chain of narration fulfills the conditions of the Two Sahihs, apart from Abu Maymunah, who is one of the men of the Sunans, his first name was Salim; and At-Tirmidhi classed him as Sahih.
وَجَعَلْنَا فِى الاٌّرْضِ رَوَاسِىَ
(And We have placed on the earth firm mountains,) means, mountains which stabilize the earth and keep it steady and lend it weight, lest it should shake with the people, i.e., move and tremble so that they would not be able to stand firm on it — because it is covered with water, apart from one-quarter of its surface. So the land is exposed to the air and sun, so that its people may see the sky with its dazzling signs and evidence. So Allah says,
أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ
(lest it should shake with them, ) meaning, so that it will not shake with them.
وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجاً سُبُلاً
(and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through,) means, mountain passes through which they may travel from region to region, country to country. As we can see, the mountains form barriers between one land and another, so Allah created gaps — passes — in the mountains so that people may travel from here to there. So He says:
لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
(that they may be guided.)
وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَآءَ سَقْفاً مَّحْفُوظاً
(And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well-guarded.) means, covering the earth like a dome above it. This is like the Ayah,
وَالسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَـهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ
(With Hands We constructed the heaven. Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof.) 51:47
وَالسَّمَآءِ وَمَا بَنَـهَا
(By the heaven and Him Who built it.) 91:5
أَفَلَمْ يَنظُرُواْ إِلَى السَّمَآءِ فَوْقَهُمْ كَيْفَ بَنَيْنَـهَا وَزَيَّنَّـهَا وَمَا لَهَا مِن فُرُوجٍ
(Have they not looked at the heaven above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no rifts in it) 50:6. The building and making described here refers to the raising of the dome, as when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْس»
(Islam is built on five.) i.e., five pillars, which can only refer to a tent as familiar among the Arabs.
مَّحْفُوظاً
(safe and well-guarded.) means, high and protected from anything reaching it. Mujahid said, “Raised up.”
وَهُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
(Yet they turn away from its signs.) This is like the Ayah:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن ءَايَةٍ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
(And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom) 12:105. They do not think about how Allah has created it, so vast and high, and adorned it with heavenly bodies both stationary and moving by night and day, such as the sun which completes its circuit in one day and night, until it completes its allotted time, which no one knows except Allah, Who created it and subjugated it and directed its course. Then Allah says, drawing attention to some of His signs,
وَهُوَ الَّذِى خَلَقَ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَـرَ
(And He it is Who has created the night and the day,) meaning, the one with its darkness and stillness, and the other with its light and human interaction; sometimes the one is longer while the other is shorter, then they switch.
وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ
(and the sun and the moon,) the sun with its own light and its own path and orbit and allotted time, and the moon which shines with a different light and travels on a different path and has its own allotted time.
كُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
(each in an orbit floating.) means, revolving. Ibn `Abbas said, “They revolve like a spinning wheel, in a circle.” This is like the Ayah:
فَالِقُ الإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ الَّيْلَ سَكَناً وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ حُسْبَاناً ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ
((He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. Such is the measuring of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.) 6:96
Verse Number 34-35
No One has been granted Immortality in this World
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ
(And We granted not to any human being immortality before you;) means, O Muhammad.
الْخُلْدَ
(immortality) means, in this world. On the contrary,
كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ – وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلْـلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
(Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever.) 55:26-27.
أَفَإِيْن مِّتَّ
(then if you die) means, O Muhammad,
فَهُمُ الْخَـلِدُونَ
(would they live forever) means, they hope that they will live forever after you, but that will not happen; everything will pass away. So Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ
(Everyone is going to taste death,)
وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً
(and We shall test you with evil and with good by way of trial. ) Meaning, “We shall test you, sometimes with difficulties and sometimes with ease, to see who will give thanks and who will be ungrateful, who will have patience and who will despair.” `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas:
وَنَبْلُوكُم
(and We shall test you) means, We will test you,
بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً
(with evil and with good by way of trial.) means, with difficulties and with times of prosperity, with health and sickness, with richness and poverty, with lawful and unlawful, obedience and sin, with guidance and misguidance.
وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
(And to Us you will be returned.) means, and We will requite you according to your deeds.
Verse Number 36-37
How the Idolators mocked the Prophet Allah tells His Prophet …
وَإِذَا رَآكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ
(And when those who disbelieved see you,) meaning, the disbelievers of the Quraysh, such as Abu Jahl and his like.
إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلاَّ هُزُواً
(they take you not except for mockery) means, they make fun of you and insult you, saying,
أَهَـذَا الَّذِى يَذْكُرُ آلِهَتَكُمْ
(“Is this the one who talks about your gods”) meaning, is this the one who insults your gods and ridicules your intelligence Allah says:
وَهُمْ بِذِكْرِ الرَّحْمَـنِ هُمْ كَـفِرُونَ
(While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most Gracious.) meaning, they disbelieve in Allah and yet they mock the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. As Allah says:
وَإِذَا رَأَوْكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلاَّ هُزُواً أَهَـذَا الَّذِى بَعَثَ اللَّهُ رَسُولاً – إِن كَادَ لَيُضِلُّنَا عَنْ ءَالِهَتِنَا لَوْلاَ أَن صَبْرَنَا عَلَيْهَا وَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ حِينَ يَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ مَنْ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً
(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): “Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!” And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) 25:41-42
خُلِقَ الإنْسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ
(Man is created of haste.) This is like the Ayah:
وَكَانَ الإِنْسَـنُ عَجُولاً
(and man is ever hasty) 17:11, in all matters. The reason why the haste of man is mentioned here is that when mention is made of those who mock the Messenger , (the believers) will want to avenge them swiftly, and that so should happen sooner. Allah says,
خُلِقَ الإنْسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ
(Man is created of haste.) because He delays (the punishment) until a time when, once He seizes him, He will never let him go. He delays it, then He hastens it; He waits, then He does not delay any longer. So He says:
سَأُوْرِيكُمْ ءَايَـتِى
(I will show you My Ayat) meaning, My vengeance, ruling and power over those who disobey Me.
فَلاَ تَسْتَعْجِلُونِ
(So ask Me not to hasten (them).)
Verse Number 38-40
The Idolators seek to hasten on the Punishment
Allah also tells us how the idolators seek to hasten punishment upon themselves, out of denial, rejection, disbelief, stubbornness and a belief that it will never happen. He says:
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَى هَـذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ
(And they say: “When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful”.) And Allah says:
لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ حِينَ لاَ يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ النَّارَ وَلاَ عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ
(If only those who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs,) meaning, if only they knew for certain that it will inevitably come to pass, they would not seek to hasten it. If only they knew how the torment will overwhelm them from above them and from beneath their feet.
لَهُمْ مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ مِّنَ النَّارِ وَمِن تَحْتِهِمْ ظُلَلٌ
(They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and coverings (of Fire) beneath them) 39:16
لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ
(Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hellfire)) 7:41. And in this Ayah Allah says:
حِينَ لاَ يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ النَّارَ وَلاَ عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ
(when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs,) And Allah says:
سَرَابِيلُهُم مِّن قَطِرَانٍ وَتَغْشَى وُجُوهَهُمْ النَّارُ
(Their garments will be of tar, and fire will cover their faces) 14:50. The torment will surround them on all sides,
وَلاَ هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
(and they will not be helped.) means, and they will have no helper. This is like the Ayah:
وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ
(And they have no guardian against Allah) 13:34.
بَلْ تَأْتِيهِم بَغْتَةً
(Nay, it will come upon them all of a sudden) means, the Fire will come upon them suddenly, i.e., it will take them by surprise.
فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ
(and will perplex them,) means, it will scare them, and they will succumb to it in confusion, not knowing what they are doing.
فَلاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَدَّهَا
(and they will have no power to avert it) means, they will have no means of doing so.
وَلاَ هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
(nor will they get respite. ) means, it will not be delayed for them even for an instant.
Verse Number 41-43
The Lessons to be learned from Those Who mocked the Messengers in the Past
Allah says consoling His Messenger for the pain and insult caused by the mockery and disbelief of the idolators,
وَلَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِىءَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِالَّذِينَ سَخِرُواْ مِنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
(Indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you, but the scoffers were surrounded by what they used to mock.) meaning, the punishment which they thought would never come to pass. This is like the Ayah:
وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُواْ عَلَى مَا كُذِّبُواْ وَأُوذُواْ حَتَّى أَتَـهُمْ نَصْرُنَا وَلاَ مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـتِ اللَّهِ وَلَقدْ جَآءَكَ مِن نَّبَإِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ
(Verily, Messengers were denied before you, but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt; till Our help reached them, and none can alter the Words of Allah. Surely, there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you)) 6:34. Then Allah menitons His favor for His creatures; He protects them by night and by day, taking care of them and watching over them with His Eye that never sleeps.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِالَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ مِنَ الرَّحْمَـنِ
(Say: “Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the Most Gracious”) means, other than the Most Gracious Himself
بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِمْ مُّعْرِضُونَ
(Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.) means, they do not recognize the blessings and favor of Allah towards them; they turn away from His signs and blessings.
أَمْ لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌ تَمْنَعُهُمْ مِّن دُونِنَا
(Or have they gods who can guard them from Us) This is a rhetorical question aimed at denouncing and rebuking. The meaning is, do they have any gods who can protect them and take care of them other than Us It is not as they imagine or as they claim. Allah says:
لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَ أَنْفُسِهِمْ
(They have no power to help themselves,) these gods on whom they rely instead of Allah cannot even help themselves.
وَلاَ هُمْ مِّنَّا يُصْحَبُونَ
(nor can they be protected from Us.) Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas,”Nor can they be guarded from Us.”
Verse Number 44-47
How the Idolators are deceived by their long and luxurious Lives in this World, and the Explanation of the Truth
Allah explains that they have been deceived and misled by the luxuries that they enjoy in this world and the long life that they have been given, so they believe that they are following something good. Then Allah warns them:
أَفَلاَ يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى الاٌّرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ
(See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders) This is like the Ayah:
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُمْ مِّنَ الْقُرَى وَصَرَّفْنَا الاٌّيَـتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
(And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you, and We have shown the Ayat in various ways that they might return.) 46:27 Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: “This means the victory of Islam over disbelief.” The meaning is: Do they not learn a lesson from the fact that Allah supported those (believers) against their enemies, He destroyed the disbelieving nations and the evil-doing townships, and He saved His believing servants So Allah says:
أَفَهُمُ الْغَـلِبُونَ
(Is it then they who will overcome) meaning, on the contrary, they are the ones who will be overcomed, who will be defeated, humiliated and brought low.
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُنذِرُكُم بِالْوَحْىِ
(Say: “I warn you only by the revelation.”) meaning, `I only convey to you the warning of Allah’s punishment and vengeance, and this is no more than that which Allah reveals to me.’ But this is of no benefit to the one whom Allah has made blind and has put a seal over his hearing and his heart. He says:
وَلاَ يَسْمَعُ الصُّمُّ الدُّعَآءَ إِذَا مَا يُنذَرُونَ
(But the deaf will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned.)
وَلَئِن مَّسَّتْهُمْ نَفْحَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ يويْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَـلِمِينَ
(And if a breath of the torment of your Lord touches them, they will surely, cry: “Woe unto us! Indeed we have been wrongdoers!”) If these disbelievers were affected by the slightest touch of Allah’s punishment, they would confess their sins and admit that they had wronged themselves in this world.
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَزِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَلاَ تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئاً
(And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything.) meaning, “We shall set up the Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection.” The majority of scholars state that it is one Balance, and the plural form is used here to reflect the large number of deeds which will be weighed therein.
فَلاَ تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئاً وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَى بِنَا حَـسِبِينَ
(then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.) This is like the Ayat:
وَلاَ يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا
(and your Lord treats no one with injustice) 18:49
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ وَإِن تَكُ حَسَنَةً يُضَـعِفْهَا وَيُؤْتِ مِن لَّدُنْهُ أَجْراً عَظِيماً
(Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of speck of dust, but if there is any good, He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) 4:40
يبُنَىَّ إِنَّهَآ إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُنْ فِى صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِى السَّمَـوَتِ أَوْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ
(“O my son! If it be equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle, Well-Aware.”) 31:16 In the Two Sahihs it was recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ الْعَظِيم»
(Two words which are light on the tongue, heavy in the Balance and beloved to Ar-Rahman: “Subhan Allahi wa bi hamdihi, Subhan Allahil `Azim (Glory and praise be to Allah, Glory be to Allah the Almighty).”) Imam Ahmad also recorded that `A’ishah said that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sat down before him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have two slaves who lie to me, betray me and disobey me, and I hit them and insult them. How do I stand with regard to them” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«يُحْسَبُ مَا خَانُوكَ وَعَصَوْكَ وَكَذَّبُوكَ وَعِقَابُكَ إِيَّاهُمْ، فَإِنْ كَانَ عِقَابُكَ إِيَّاهُمْ بِقَدْرِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ، كَانَ كَفَافًا لَا لَكَ وَلَا عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنْ كَانَ عِقَابُكَ إِيَّاهُمْ دُونَ ذُنُوبِهِمْ، كَانَ فَضْلًا لَكَ، وَإِنْ كَانَ عِقَابُكَ إِيَّاهُمْ فَوْقَ ذُنُوبِهِمْ، اقْتُصَّ لَهُمْ مِنْكَ الْفَضْلُ الَّذِي بَقِيَ قَبْلَك»
(The extent to which they betrayed you, disobeyed you and lied to you will be measured against the punishment you meted out to them. If your punishment was commensurate with their misconduct, then you will be equal and you will not have anything counted for you or against you. If your punishment of them was less than that what they deserved for their misconduct, then this will count in your favor. If your punishment of them was more than what they deserved for their misconduct, then Allah will take what is due to them from you.) Then the man started to weep before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked,
«مَالَهُ لَا يَقْرَأُ كِتَابَ الله
وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَزِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَلاَ تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئاً وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَى بِنَا حَـسِبِينَ »
(What is the matter with him Has he not read the words of Allah, (And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.)) The man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I think there is nothing better than keeping away from these people — meaning his slaves — I call upon you to bear witness that they are all free.”
Verse Number 48-50
The Revelation of the Tawrah and the Qur’an
We have already noted that Allah often mentions Musa and Muhammad together — may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both — and He often mentions their Books together as well. He says:
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى وَهَـرُونَ الْفُرْقَانَ
(And indeed We granted to Musa and Harun the criterion) Mujahid said, “This means the Scripture.” Abu Salih said: “The Tawrah.” Qatadah said: “The Tawrah, what it permits and it forbids, and how Allah differentiated between truth and falsehood.” In conclusion, we may say that the heavenly Books included the distinction between truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, transgression and the right way, lawful and unlawful, and that which will fill the heart with light, guidance, fear of Allah and repentance. So Allah says:
الْفُرْقَانَ وَضِيَآءً وَذِكْراً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
(the criterion, and a shining light and a Reminder for those who have Taqwa.) meaning, a reminder and exhortation for them. Then He describes them as:
الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ
(Those who fear their Lord in the unseen.) This is like the Ayah:
مَّنْ خَشِىَ الرَّحْمَـنَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَجَآءَ بِقَلْبٍ مُّنِيبٍ
(Who feared the Most Gracious in the unseen and came with a repenting heart. ) 50:33
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ
(Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.) 67:12 t
وَهُمْ مِّنَ السَّاعَةِ مُشْفِقُونَ
(and they are afraid of the Hour.) means, they fear it. Then Allah says:
وَهَـذَا ذِكْرٌ مُّبَارَكٌ أَنزَلْنَـهُ
(And this is a blessed Reminder which We have sent down;) means, the Magnificent Qur’an, which falsehood cannot approach, from before it or behind it, revealed by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.
أَفَأَنْتُمْ لَهُ مُنكِرُونَ
(will you then deny it) means, will you deny it when it is the utmost in clarity and truth
Verse Number 50-56
The Story of Ibrahim and his People
Allah tells us about His close Friend Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and how He bestowed upon him guidance aforetime, i.e., from an early age He inspired him with truth and evidence against his people, as Allah says elsewhere:
وَتِلْكَ حُجَّتُنَآ ءَاتَيْنَـهَآ إِبْرَهِيمَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ
(And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people) 6:83. The point here is that Allah is telling us that He gave guidance to Ibrahim aforetime, i.e., He had already guided him at an early age.
وَكُنَّا بِهِ عَـلِمِينَ
(and We were Well-Acquainted with him.) means, and he was worthy of that. Then Allah says:
إِذْ قَالَ لاًّبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ مَا هَـذِهِ التَّمَـثِيلُ الَّتِى أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَـكِفُونَ
(When he said to his father and his people: “What are these images, to which you are devoted”) This is the guidance which he had been given during his youth: his denunciation of his people’s worship of idols instead of Allah. Ibrahim said:
مَا هَـذِهِ التَّمَـثِيلُ الَّتِى أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَـكِفُونَ
(“What are these images, to which you are devoted”) meaning, which you worship with such devotion.
قَالُواْ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا لَهَا عَـبِدِينَ
(They said: “We found our fathers worshipping them.”) means, they had no other evidence apart from the misguided actions of their forefathers. Ibrahim said:
لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُمْ فِى ضَلَـلٍ مُّبِينٍ
(Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.) meaning, Speaking to your fathers whose actions you cite as evidence would be the same as speaking to you. Both you and they are misguided and are not following any straight path.’ When he called their intelligence into question, and said that their fathers were misguided and belittled their gods,
قَالُواْ أَجِئْتَنَا بِالْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ اللَّـعِبِينَ
(They said: “Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who play about”) They said: `These words that you are saying, are you speaking in jest or are you telling the truth For we have never heard such a thing before.’
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ الَّذِى فطَرَهُنَّ
(He said: “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them…”) meaning, your Lord, beside Whom there is no other god, is the One Who created the heavens and the earth and all that they contain; He is the One Who initiated their creation; He is the Creator of all things.
وَأَنَاْ عَلَى ذلِكُمْ مِّنَ الشَّـهِدِينَ
(and to that I am one of the witnesses. ) means, and I bear witness that there is no God other than Him and no Lord except Him.