Verse number 33
Fahishah, Sin, Transgression, Shirk and Lying about Allah are prohibited
Imam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَا أَحَدَ أَغْيَرُ مِنَ اللهِ فَلِذَلِكَ حَرَّمَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، وَلَا أَحَدَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ الْمَدْحُ مِنَ الله»
(None is more jealous than Allah, and this is why He prohibited Fawahish, committed openly or in secret. And none likes praise more than Allah). This was also recorded in the Two Sahihs. In the explanation of Surat Al-An`am, we explained the Fahishah that is committed openly and in secret. Allah said next,
وَالإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْىَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ
(and Ithm, and transgression without right,) 7:33. As-Suddi commented, “Al-Ithm means, `disobedience’. As for unrighteous oppression, it occurs when you transgress against people without justification.” Mujahid said, “Ithm includes all types of disobedience. Allah said that the oppressor commits oppression against himself.” Therefore, the meaning of, Ithm is the sin that one commits against himself, while `oppression’ pertains to transgression against other people, and Allah prohibited both. Allah’s statement,
وَأَن تُشْرِكُواْ بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَـناً
(and joining partners with Allah for which He has given no authority, ) prohibits calling partners with Allah in worship.
وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
(and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.) such as lies and inventions, like claiming that Allah has a son, and other evil creeds that you — O idolators — have no knowledge of. This is similar to His saying:
فَاجْتَنِبُواْ الرِّجْسَ مِنَ الاٌّوْثَـنِ
(So shun the abomination (worshipping) of the idols) 22:30.
Verse number 34-36
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ
(And every Ummah has), meaning, each generation and nation,
أَجَلٌ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ
(its appointed term; when their term comes) which they were destined for,
لاَ يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلاَ يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
(neither can they delay it nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment)). Allah then warned the Children of Adam that He sent to them Messengers who conveyed to them His Ayat. Allah also conveyed good news, as well as warning,
فَمَنِ اتَّقَى وَأَصْلَحَ
(then whosoever has Taqwa and becomes righteous) by abandoning the prohibitions and performing acts of obedience,
فَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَوَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَايَـتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُواْ عَنْهَآ
(on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. But those who reject Our Ayat and treat them with arrogance,) meaning, their hearts denied the Ayat and they were too arrogant to abide by them,
أُولَـئِكَ أَصْحَـبُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ
(they are the dwellers of the Fire, they will abide therein forever.) without end to their dwelling in it.
Verse number 37
Idolators enjoy Their destined Share in This Life, but will lose Their Supporters upon Death
Allah said,
فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَـتِهِ
(Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah or rejects His Ayat) meaning, none is more unjust than whoever invents a lie about Allah or rejects the Ayat that He has revealed. Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi said that,
أُوْلَـئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ الْكِتَـبِ
(For such their appointed portion will reach them from the Book) refers to each person’s deeds, alloted provisions and age. Similar was said by Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. Allah said in similar statements,
قُلْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لاَ يُفْلِحُونَ – مَتَـعٌ فِى الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ الْعَذَابَ الشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكْفُرُونَ
(Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah, will never be successful. (A brief) enjoyment in this world! And then unto Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they used to disbelieve.) 10:69-70 and,
وَمَن كَفَرَ فَلاَ يَحْزُنكَ كُفْرُهُ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا عَمِلُواْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلاً
(And whoever disbelieves, let not his disbelief grieve you. To Us is their return, and We shall inform them what they have done. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men). We let them enjoy for a little while.) 31:23-24. Allah said next,
حَتَّى إِذَا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ
(until when Our messengers come to them to take their souls.) Allah states that when death comes to the idolators and the angels come to capture their souls to take them to Hellfire, the angels horrify them, saying, “Where are the so-called partners (of Allah) whom you used to call in the life of this world, invoking and worshipping them instead of Allah Call them so that they save you from what you are suffering.” However, the idolators will reply,
ضَـلُّواْ عَنَّا
(“They have vanished and deserted us”) meaning, we have lost them and thus, we do not hope in their benefit or aid,
وَشَهِدُواْ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ
(And they will bear witness against themselves) they will admit and proclaim against themselves,
أَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ كَـفِرِينَ
(that they were disbelievers.)
Verse number 38-39
People of the Fire will dispute and curse Each Other Allahmentioned what He will say to those who associate others withHim, invent lies about Him, and reject His Ayat,
ادْخُلُواْ فِى أُمَمٍ
(Enter you in the company of nations), who are your likes and similar to you in conduct,
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ
(Who passed away before you) from the earlier disbelieving nations,
مِّن الْجِنِّ وَالإِنْسِ فِى النَّارِ
(Of men and Jinn, into the Fire.) Allah said next,
كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَّعَنَتْ أُخْتَهَا
(Every time a new nation enters, it curses its sister nation (that went before)) Al-Khalil (Prophet Ibrahim), peace be upon him, said,
ثُمَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ
(“But on the Day of Resurrection, you shall deny each other) 29:25. Also, Allah said,
إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُواْ مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُواْ وَرَأَوُاْ الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الاٌّسْبَابُ – وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُواْ لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُواْ مِنَّا كَذَلِكَ يُرِيهِمُ اللَّهُ أَعْمَـلَهُمْ حَسَرَتٍ عَلَيْهِمْ وَمَا هُم بِخَـرِجِينَ مِنَ النَّارِ
(When those who were followed declare themselves innocent of those who followed (them), and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off from them. And those who followed will say: “If only we had one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would declare ourselves as innocent from them as they have declared themselves as innocent from us.” Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire) 2:166-167. Allah’s statement,
حَتَّى إِذَا ادَّارَكُواْ فِيهَا جَمِيعًا
(until they are all together in the Fire) means, they are all gathered in the Fire,
قَالَتْ أُخْرَاهُمْ لاٍّولَـهُمْ
(The last of them will say to the first of them) that is, the nation of followers that enter last will say this to the first nations to enter. This is because the earlier nations were worse criminals than those who followed them, and this is why they entered the Fire first. For this reason, their followers will complain against them to Allah, because they were the ones who misguided them from the correct path, saying,
رَبَّنَا هَـؤُلاءِ أَضَلُّونَا فَـَاتِهِمْ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا مِّنَ النَّارِ
(“Our Lord! These misled us, so give them a double torment of the Fire.”) multiply their share of the torment. Allah said in another instance,
يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى النَّارِ يَقُولُونَ يلَيْتَنَآ أَطَعْنَا اللَّهَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُولاَ – وَقَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّآ أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَآءَنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا السَّبِيلاْ رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ
(On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Oh! Would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.” And they will say: “Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (right) way. Our Lord! Give them a double torment.”) 33:66-68. Allah said in reply,
قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ
(He will say: “For each one there is double (torment)…”), We did what you asked, and recompensed each according to their deeds.’ Allah said in another Ayah,
الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَصَدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ زِدْنَـهُمْ عَذَابًا
(Those who disbelieved and hinder (men) from the path of Allah, for them We will add torment)16:88. Furthermore, Allah said,
وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالاً مَّعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْ
(And verily, they shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own) 29:13 and,
وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ الَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ
(And also (some thing) of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge) 16:25.
وَقَالَتْ أُولَـهُمْ لاٌّخْرَاهُمْ
(The first of them will say to the last of them) meaning, the followed will say to the followers,
فَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِن فَضْلٍ
(“You were not better than us. ..”) meaning, you were led astray as we were led astray, according to As-Suddi.
فَذُوقُواْ الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ
(“So taste the torment for what you used to earn.”) Allah again described the condition of the idolators during the gathering (of Resurrection), when He said;
قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُواْ أَنَحْنُ صَدَدنَـكُمْ عَنِ الْهُدَى بَعْدَ إِذْ جَآءَكُمْ بَلْ كُنتُمْ مُّجْرِمِينَ – وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُواْ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُواْ بَلْ مَكْرُ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ إِذْ تَأْمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكْفُرَ بِاللَّهِ وَنَجْعَلَ لَهُ أَندَاداً وَأَسَرُّواْ النَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ اْلَعَذَابَ وَجَعَلْنَا الاٌّغْلَـلَ فِى أَعْنَاقِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلاَّ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
(And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: “Did we keep you back from guidance after it come to you Nay, but you were criminals.” Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: “Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him!” And each of them (parties) will conceal their own regrets, when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they requited aught except what they used to do) 34:32-33
Verse number 40-41
Doors of Heaven shall not open for Those Who deny Allah’s Ayat, and They shall never enter Paradise
Allah said,
لاَ تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَبُ السَّمَآءِ
(for them the gates of the heavens will not be opened,) meaning, their good deeds and supplication will not ascend through it, according to Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr and Ibn `Abbas, as Al-`Awfi and `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from him. Ath-Thawri narrated that, Layth said that `Ata’ narrated this from Ibn `Abbas. It was also said that the meaning here is that the doors of the heavens will not be opened for the disbelievers’ souls, according to Ad-Dahhak who reported this from Ibn `Abbas. As-Suddi and several others mentioned this meaning. What further supports this meaning, is the report from Ibn Jarir that Al-Bara’ said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned capturing the soul of the `Fajir’ (wicked sinner or disbeliever), and that his or her soul will be ascended to heaven. The Prophet said,
«فَيَصْعَدُونَ بِهَا، فَلَا تَمُرُّ عَلَى مَلَأٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ إِلَّا قَالُوا مَا هَذِهِ الرُّوحُ الْخَبِيثَةُ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: فُلَانٌ بِأَقْبَحِ أَسْمَائِهِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُدْعَى بِهَا فِي الدُّنْيَا، حَتَّى يَنْتَهَوا بِهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَيَسْتَفْتَحُونَ بَابَهَا لَهُ فَلَا يَفْتَحُ لَه»
(So they (angels) ascend it and it will not pass by a gathering of the angels, but they will ask, who’s wicked soul is this’ They will reply, `The soul of so-and-so,’ calling him by the worst names he was called in this life. When they reach the (lower) heaven, they will ask that its door be opened for the soul, but it will not be opened for it.) The Prophet then recited,
لاَ تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَبُ السَّمَآءِ
(For them the gates of heaven will not be opened). This is a part of a long Hadith which was also recorded by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah. Ibn Jurayj commented on the Ayah,
لاَ تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَبُ السَّمَآءِ
(for them the gates of heaven will not be opened,) “(The gates of heaven) will not be opened for their deeds or souls.” This explanation combines the two meanings we gave above, and Allah knows best. Allah’s statement,
وَلاَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِ
(and they will not enter Paradise until the Jamal goes through the eye of the needle.) refers to the male camel. Ibn Mas`ud said it is a male camel from the she camel. In another narration it refers to the spouse of the she camel. Mujahid and `Ikrimah said that Ibn `Abbas used to recite this Ayah this way, “Until the Jummal goes through the eye of the needle”, whereas `Jummal’ is a thick rope. Allah’s statement,
لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ
(Theirs will be Mihad from the Fire) means, beds, while;
وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ
(and over them Ghawash), means, coverings, according to Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi. Similar was said by Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim and As-Suddi. Allah said next,
وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِى الظَّـلِمِينَ
(Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.)
Verse number 42-43
Destination of Righteous Believers
After Allah mentioned the condition of the miserable ones, He then mentioned the condition of the happy ones, saying,
وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ
(But those who believed, and worked righteousness) Their hearts have believed and they performed good deeds with their limbs and senses, as compared to those who disbelieved in the Ayat of Allah and were arrogant with them. Allah also said that embracing faith and implementing it are easy, when He said,
وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّـلِحَاتِ لاَ نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَـبُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ
(But those who believed, and worked righteousness — We burden not any person beyond his scope — such are the dwellers of Paradise. They will abide therein. And We shall remove from their breasts any Ghill;) meaning, envy and hatred. Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«إِذَا خَلَصَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ حُبِسُوا عَلَى قَنْطَرَةٍ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ فَاقْتُصَّ لَهُمْ مَظَالِمَ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى إِذَا هُذِّبُوا وَنُقُّوا أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِي دُخُولِ الْجَنَّةِ فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ بِمَنْزِلِهِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَدَلُّ مِنْهُ بِمَسْكَنِهِ كَانَ فِي الدُّنْيَا»
(After the believers are saved from entering the Fire, they will be kept in wait by a bridge between Paradise and Hellfire. Then, transgression that occurred between them in the life of this world will be judged. Until, when they are purified and cleansed, they will be given permission to enter Paradise. By He in Whose Hand is my soul! One of them will be able to find his dwelling in Paradise more so than he did in the life of this world.) As-Suddi said about Allah’s statement,
وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهِمُ الاٌّنْهَـرُ
(And We shall remove from their breasts any Ghill; rivers flowing under them,) “When the people of Paradise are taken to it, they will find a tree close to its door, and two springs from under the trunk of that tree. They will drink from one of them, and all hatred will be removed from their hearts, for it is the cleansing drink. They will take a bath in the other, and the brightness of delight will radiate from their faces. Ever after, they will never have messy hair or become dirty.” An-Nasa’i and Ibn Marduwyah (this being his wording) recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«كُلُّ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ، فَيَقُولُ: لَوْلَا أَنَّ اللهَ هَدَانِي، فَيَكُونُ لَهُ شُكْرًا، وَكُلُّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ: لَوْ أَنَّ اللهَ هَدَانِي، فَيَكُونُ لَهُ حَسْرَة»
(Each of the people of Paradise will see his seat in the Fire and he will say, `Had not Allah guided me! And this will cause him to be grateful. Each of the people of the Fire will see his seat in Paradise, and he will say, `Might that Allah had guided me!’ So it will be a cause of anguish for him.) This is why when the believers are awarded seats in Paradise that belonged to the people of the Fire, they will be told, “This is the Paradise that you inherited because of what you used to do. ” This means, because of your good deeds, you earned Allah’s mercy and thus entered Paradise and took your designated dwellings in it, comparable to your deeds. This is the proper meaning here, for it is recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Prophet said,
«وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّة»
(And know that the good deeds of one of you will not admit him into Paradise.) They said, “Not even you, O Allah’s Messenger” He said,
«وَلَا أَنَا إِلّا أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنْهُ وَفَضْل»
(Not even I, unless Allah grants it to me out of His mercy and favor.)
Verse number 44-45
People of Hellfire will feel Anguish upon Anguish
Allah mentioned how the people of the Fire will be addressed, chastised and admonished when they take their places in the Fire,
قَدْ وَجَدْنَا مَا وَعَدَنَا رَبُّنَا حَقًّا فَهَلْ وَجَدتُّم مَّا وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمْ حَقًّا قَالُواْ نَعَمْ
(“We (dwellers of Paradise) have indeed found true what our Lord had promised us; have you (dwellers of Hell) also found true what your Lord promised (warned)” They shall say: “Yes.”) In Surat As-Saffat, Allah mentioned the one who had a disbelieving companion,
فَاطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِى سَوَآءِ الْجَحِيمِ – قَالَ تَاللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ – وَلَوْلاَ نِعْمَةُ رَبِّى لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِينَ – أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ – إِلاَّ مَوْتَتَنَا الاٍّولَى وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
(So he looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire. He said: “By Allah! You have nearly ruined me. Had it not been for the grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell).” (The dwellers of Paradise will say!) “Are we then not to die (any more) Except our first death, and we shall not be punished”) 37:55-59. Allah will punish the disbeliever for the claims he used to utter in this life. The angels will also admonish the disbelievers, saying,
هَـذِهِ النَّارُ الَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ – أَفَسِحْرٌ هَـذَا أَمْ أَنتُمْ لاَ تُبْصِرُونَ – اصْلَوْهَا فَاصْبِرُواْ أَوْ لاَ تَصْبِرُواْ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
(This is the Fire which you used to belie. Is this magic or do you not see Taste you therein its heat and whether you are patient of it or impatient of it, it is all the same. You are only being requited for what you used to do) 52:14-16. The Messenger of Allah admonished the inhabitants of the well at Badr:
«يَا أَبَا جَهْلِ بْنَ هِشَامٍ وَيَا عُتْبَةَ بْنَ رَبِيعَةَ وَيَا شَيْبَةَ بْنَ رَبِيعَةَ وَسَمَّى رُؤُوسَهُمْ هَلْ وَجَدْتُمْ مَا وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمْ حَقًّا فَإِنِّي وَجَدْتُ مَا وَعَدَنِي رَبِّي حَقًّا»
(O Abu Jahl bin Hisham! O `Utbah bin Rabi`ah! O Shaybah bin Rabi`ah (and he called their leaders by name)! Have you found what your Lord promised to be true (the Fire) I certainly found what my Lord has promised me to be true (victory).) `Umar said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Do you address a people who have become rotten carrion” He said,
«وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا أَنْتُمْ بِأَسْمَعَ لِمَا أَقُولُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ أَنْ يُجِيبُوا»
(By He in Whose Hand is my soul! You do not hear what I am saying better than they do, but they cannot reply.) Allah’s statement,
فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ
(Then a crier will proclaim between them) will herald and announce,
أَن لَّعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّـلِمِينَ
(The curse of Allah is on the wrongdoers) meaning, the curse will reside with the wrongdoers. Allah then described them by saying,
الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا
(Those who hindered (men) from the path of Allah, and would seek to make it crooked) meaning, they hindered the people from following Allah’s path, His Law, and what the Prophets brought. They sought to make Allah’s path appear crooked and winding, so that no one would follow it. Allah said,
وَهُم بِالاٌّخِرَةِ كَـفِرُونَ
(and they were disbelievers in the Hereafter) They disbelieved in the Meeting with Allah in the Hereafter, They used to deny this will ever occur, not accepting it nor believing in it. This is why they used to discount the seriousness of the evil deeds and statements that they committed, because they did not fear any reckoning or punishment. Therefore, they were and are indeed the worst people in statement and action.
Verse number 46-47
The People of Al-A`raf
After Allah mentioned that the people of Paradise will address the people of the Fire, He stated that there is a barrier between Paradise and the Fire, which prevents the people of the Fire from reaching Paradise. Ibn Jarir said, “It is the wall that Allah described,
فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ لَّهُ بَابٌ بَاطِنُهُ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ وَظَـهِرُهُ مِن قِبَلِهِ الْعَذَابُ
(So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Inside it will be mercy, and outside it will be torment.) 57:13 It is also about Al-A`raf that Allah said,
وَعَلَى الاٌّعْرَافِ رِجَالٌ
(and on Al-A`raf will be men).” Ibn Jarir recorded that As-Suddi said about Allah’s statement,
وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌ
(And between them will be a screen) “It is the wall, it is Al-A`raf.” Mujahid said, “Al-A`raf is a barrier between Paradise and the Fire, a wall that has a gate.” Ibn Jarir said, “Al-A`raf is plural for `Urf, where every elevated piece of land is known as `Urf to the Arabs.” As-Suddi said, “Al-A`raf is so named because its residents recognize (Ya`rifun) the people. Al-A`raf’s residents are those whose good and bad deeds are equal, as Hudhayfah, Ibn `Abbas, Ibn Mas`ud and several of the Salaf and later generations said.” Ibn Jarir recorded that Hudhayfah was asked about the people of Al-A`raf and he said, “A people whose good and bad deeds are equal. Their evil deeds prevented them from qualifying to enter Paradise, and their good deeds qualified them to avoid the Fire. Therefore, they are stopped there on the wall until Allah judges them.” Ma`mar said that Al-Hasan recited this Ayah,
لَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا وَهُمْ يَطْمَعُونَ
(and at that time they will not yet have entered it (Paradise), but they will hope to enter (it).) Then he said, “By Allah! Allah did not put this hope in their hearts, except for an honor that He intends to bestow on them.” Qatadah said; “Those who hope are those among you whom Allah informed of their places.” Allah said next,
وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـبِ النَّارِ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّـلِمِينَ
(And when their eyes will be turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they will say: “Our Lord! Place us not with the people who are wrongdoers.”) Ad-Dahhak reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “When the people of Al-A`raf look at the people of the Fire and recognize them, they will supplicate, `O Lord! Do not place us with the people who are wrongdoers.”‘
وَنَادَى أَصْحَـبُ الاٌّعْرَافِ رِجَالاً يَعْرِفُونَهُمْ بِسِيمَـهُمْ قَالُواْ مَآ أَغْنَى عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
Verse number 48-49
مَآ أَغْنَى عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ
(“Of what benefit to you was your gathering…”) meaning, your great numbers,
وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
(“…and your arrogance”) This Ayah means, your great numbers and wealth did not save you from Allah’s torment. Rather, you are dwelling in His torment and punishment. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas,
أَهَـؤُلاءِ الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمْتُمْ لاَ يَنَالُهُمُ اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ
(Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy) refers to the people of Al-A`raf who will be told when Allah decrees:
ادْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلاَ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ
((Behold! It has been said to them): “Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve.”)
Verse number 50-51
The Favors of paradise are Prohibited for the People of the Fire
Allah emphasizes the disgrace of the people of the Fire. They will ask the people of Paradise for some of their drink and food, but they will not be given any of that. As-Suddi said,
وَنَادَى أَصْحَـبُ النَّارِ أَصْحَـبَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ أَفِيضُواْ عَلَيْنَا مِنَ الْمَآءِ أَوْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ
(And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: “Pour on us some water or anything that Allah has provided you with.”) “That is food”. Ath-Thawri said that `Uthman Ath-Thaqafi said that Sa`id bin Jubayr commented on this Ayah, “One of them will call his father or brother, `I have been burned, so pour some water on me.’ The believers will be asked to reply, and they will reply,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَـفِرِينَ
(“Both Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers.”)” `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَـفِرِينَ
(“Both Allah has forbidden to the disbelievers.”) “Refers to the food and drink of Paradise.” Allah describes the disbelievers by what they used to do in this life, taking the religion as amusement and play, and being deceived by this life and its adornment, rather than working for the Hereafter as Allah commanded,
فَالْيَوْمَ نَنسَـهُمْ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِهِمْ هَـذَا
(So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day) meaning, Allah will treat them as if He has forgotten them. Certainly, nothing escapes Allah’s perfect watch and He never forgets anything. Allah said in another Ayah,
فِى كِتَـبٍ لاَّ يَضِلُّ رَبِّى وَلاَ يَنسَى
(In a Record. My Lord neither errs nor forgets) 20:52 Allah said — that He will forget them on that Day — as just recompense for them, because,
نَسُواْ اللَّهَ فَنَسِيَهُمْ
(They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them) 9:67
كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَـتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنْسَى
(Like this: Our Ayat came unto you, but you disregarded them, and so this Day, you will be neglected) 20:126 and,
وَقِيلَ الْيَوْمَ نَنسَاكُمْ كَمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَـذَا
(And it will be said: “This Day We will forget you as you forgot the meeting of this Day of yours.”) 45:34 Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas commented on,
فَالْيَوْمَ نَنسَـهُمْ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِهِمْ هَـذَا
(So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day) “Allah will forget the good about them, but not their evil.” And `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said, “We shall forsake them as they have forsaken the meeting of this Day of theirs.” Mujahid said, “We shall leave them in the Fire.” As-Suddi said, “We shall leave them from any mercy, just as they left any action on behalf of the meeting on this Day of theirs.” It is recorded in the Sahih that Allah will say to the servant on the Day of Resurrection:
«أَلَمْ أُزَوِّجْكَ؟ أَلَمْ أُكْرِمْكَ؟ أَلَمْ أُسَخِّرْ لَكَ الْخَيْلَ وَالْإِبِلَ وَأَذَرْكَ تَرْأَسُ وَتَرْبَعُ؟ فَيَقُولُ: بَلَى، فَيَقُولُ: أَظَنَنْتَ أَنَّكَ مُلَاقِيَّ؟ فَيَقُولُ: لَا، فَيَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَى: فَالْيَوْمَ أَنْسَاكَ كَمَا نَسِيتَنِي»
(“Have I not gotten you married Have I not honored you Have I not made horses and camels subservient for you and allowed you to become a leader and a master” He will say, “Yes.” Allah will say, “Did you think that you will meet Me” He will say, “No.” Allah the Exalted will say, `Then this Day, I will forget you as you have forgotten Me.”)
Verse number 52-53
The Idolators have no Excuse
Allah states that He has left no excuse for the idolators, for He has sent to them the Book that the Messenger came with, and which is explained in detail,
كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءايَـتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ
((This is) a Book, the Ayat whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail ) 11:1 Allah said next,
فَصَّلْنَـهُ عَلَى عِلْمٍ
(We have explained in detail with knowledge) meaning, `We have perfect knowledge of what We explained in it’. Allah said in another Ayah,
أَنزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِهِ
(He has sent it down with His Knowledge,) 4:166 The meaning here is that after Allah mentioned the loss the idolators end up with in the Hereafter, He stated that He has indeed sent Prophets and revealed Books in this life, thus leaving no excuse for them. Allah also said;
وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً
(And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning).) 17:15 This is why Allah said here,
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلاَّ تَأْوِيلَهُ
(Await they just for the final fulfillment of the event) in reference to what they were promised of torment, punishment, the Fire; or Paradise, according to Mujahid and several others.
يَوْمَ يَأْتِى تَأْوِيلُهُ
(On the Day the event is finally fulfilled,) on the Day of Resurrection, according to Ibn `Abbas,
يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِن قَبْلُ
(those who neglected it before will say) those who ignored it in this life and neglected abiding by its implications will say,
قَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ فَهَل لَّنَا مِن شُفَعَآءَ فَيَشْفَعُواْ لَنَآ
(“Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf”) so that we are saved from what we ended up in.
أَوْ نُرَدُّ
(“Or could we be sent back”), to the first life,
فَنَعْمَلَ غَيْرَ الَّذِى كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ
(“So that we might do (good) deeds other than those (evil) deeds which we used to do”). This part of the Ayah is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَلَوْ تَرَى إِذْ وُقِفُواْ عَلَى النَّارِ فَقَالُواْ يلَيْتَنَا نُرَدُّ وَلاَ نُكَذِّبَ بِـَايَـتِ رَبِّنَا وَنَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ – بَلْ بَدَا لَهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ يُخْفُونَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَوْ رُدُّواْ لَعَـدُواْ لِمَا نُهُواْ عَنْهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَـذِبُونَ
(If you could but see when they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say: “Would that we were but sent back! Then we would not deny the Ayat of our Lord, and we would be of the believers!” Nay, it has become manifest to them what they had been concealing before. But if they were returned (to the world), they would certainly revert to that which they were forbidden. And indeed they are liars) 6:27-28 Allah said here,
قَدْ خَسِرُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ
(Verily, they have lost themselves and that which they used to fabricate has gone away from them.) meaning, they destroyed themselves by entering the Fire for eternity,
وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ يَفْتَرُونَ
(And that which they used to fabricate has gone away from them.) What they used to worship instead of Allah abandoned them and will not intercede on their behalf, aid them or save them from their fate.
Verse number 54
The Universe was created in Six Days
Allah states that He created the universe, the heavens and earth and all that is in, on and between them in six days, as He has stated in several Ayat in the Qur’an. These six days are: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Friday, the entire creation was assembled and on that day, Adam was created. There is a difference of opinion whether these days were the same as our standard days as suddenly comes to the mind, or each day constitutes one thousand years, as reported from Mujahid, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, and from Ibn `Abbas according to Ad-Dahhak’s narration from him. As for Saturday, no creation took place in it since it is the seventh day of (of the week). The word `As-Sabt’ means stoppage, or break. Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Hurayrah saying: `Allah’s Messenger told me:
«خَلَقَ اللهُ، (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)، التُّرْبَةَ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ، وَخَلَقَ فِيهَا الْجِبَالَ يَوْمَ الْأَحَدِ، وَخَلَقَ الشَّجَرَ يَوْمَ الْاثْنَيْنِ، وَخَلَقَ الْمَكْرُوهَ يَوْمَ الثُّلَاثَاءِ، وَخَلَقَ النُّورَ يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ، وَبَثَّ فِيهَا الدَّوَابَّ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ، وَخَلَقَ آدَمَ، عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ، بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ مِنْ يَوْم الْجُمُعَةِ، فِي آخِرِ الْخَلْقِ، فِي آخِرِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ سَاعَاتِ الْجُمُعَةِ، فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى اللَّيْل»
. (Allah created the dust on Saturday, and He created the mountains on Sunday, and He created the trees on Monday, and He created the unpleasant things on Tuesday and He created the light on Wednesday and He spread the creatures through out it on Thursday and He created Adam after `Asr on Friday. He was the last created during the last hour of Friday, between `Asr and the night.)
Meaning of Istawa
As for Allah’s statement,
ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ
(and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne) the people had several conflicting opinions over its meaning. However, we follow the way that our righteous predecessors took in this regard, such as Malik, Al-Awza`i, Ath-Thawri, Al-Layth bin Sa`d, Ash-Shafi`i, Ahmad, Ishaq bin Rahwayh and the rest of the scholars of Islam, in past and present times. Surely, we accept the apparent meaning of, Al-Istawa, without discussing its true essence, equating it (with the attributes of the creation), or altering or denying it (in any way or form). We also believe that the meaning that comes to those who equate Allah with the creation is to be rejected, for nothing is similar to Allah,
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَىْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ
(There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.) 42:11 Indeed, we assert and affirm what the Imams said, such as Nu`aym bin Hammad Al-Khuza’i, the teacher of Imam Al-Bukhari, who said, “Whoever likens Allah with His creation, will have committed Kufr. Whoever denies what Allah has described Himself with, will have committed Kufr. Certainly, there is no resemblance (of Allah with the creation) in what Allah and His Messenger have described Him with. Whoever attests to Allah’s attributes that the plain Ayat and authentic Hadiths have mentioned, in the manner that suits Allah’s majesty, all the while rejecting all shortcomings from Him, will have taken the path of guidance.”
The Day and the Night are among the Signs of Allah
Allah said,
يُغْشِى الَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا
(He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly,) meaning, the darkness goes away with the light, and the light goes away with the darkness. Each of them seeks the other rapidly, and does not come late, for when this vanishes, the other comes, and vice versa. Allah also said;
وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ الَّيْلُ نَسْلَخُ مِنْهُ النَّهَارَ فَإِذَا هُم مُّظْلِمُونَ – وَالشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَـا ذَلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ – وَالْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَـهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّى عَادَ كَالعُرجُونِ الْقَدِيمِ – لاَ الشَّمْسُ يَنبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تدْرِكَ القَمَرَ وَلاَ الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
(And a sign for them is the night. We withdraw therefrom the day, and behold, they are in darkness. And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.) 36:37-40 Allah’s statement,
وَلاَ الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ
(Nor does the night outstrip the day) 36:40 means, the night follows the day in succession and does not come later or earlier than it should be. This is why Allah said here,
يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ
(seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His command.) meaning, all are under His command, will and dominion. Allah alerted us afterwards,
أَلاَ لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالاٌّمْرُ
(Surely, His is the creation and commandment) the dominion and the decision. Allah said next,
تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the all that exists!) which is similar to the Ayah,
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى السَّمَآءِ بُرُوجاً
(Blessed be He Who has placed in the heaven big stars) 25:61 Abu Ad-Darda’ said a supplication, that was also attributed to the Prophet ,
«اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْمُلْكُ كُلُّـهُ وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ كُلُّهُ وَإِلَيْكَ يُرْجَعُ الْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُ، أَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّه»
(O Allah! Yours is all the kingdom, all the praise, and Yours is the ownership of all affairs. I ask You for all types of good and seek refuge with You from all types of evil.)
Verse number 55-56
Encouraging supplicating to Allah
Allah commands His servants to supplicate to Him, for this will ensure their welfare in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said,
ادْعُواْ رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً
(Invoke your Lord Tadarru`an and Khufyah) meaning, in humbleness and humility. Allah said in a similar Ayah,
وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ
(And remember your Lord within yourself) 7:205 It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, “The people raised their voices with supplications but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ارْبَعُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلَا غَائِبًا إِنَّ الَّذِي تَدْعُونَ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيب»
(O people! Take it easy on yourselves. Verily, you are not calling one who is deaf or absent, rather, the One you are calling is All-Hearer, Near (to His servants by His knowledge).) Ibn Jarir said that,
تَضَرُّعًا
(Tadarru`an), means obeying Him in humility and humbleness,
وَخُفْيَةً
(and Khufyah), with the humbleness in your hearts and certainty of His Oneness and Lordship not supplicating loudly to show off.
Forbidding Aggression in Supplications
It was reported that `Ata’ Al-Khurasani narrated from Ibn `Abbas, who said about Allah’s statement,
إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
(He likes not the aggressors) “In the Du`a’ and otherwise.” Abu Mijlaz commented on,
إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
(He likes not the aggressors), “Such (aggression) as asking to reach the grade of the Prophets.” Imam Ahmad narrated that Abu Ni`amah said that `Abdullah bin Mughaffal heard his son supplicating, “O Allah! I ask you for the white castle on the right side of Paradise, if I enter it.” So `Abdullah said, “O my son! Ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge with Him from the Fire, for I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying,
«يَكُونُ قَوْمٌ يَعْتَدُونَ فِي الدُّعَاءِ وَالطَّهُور»
(There will come some people who transgress in supplication and purification)” Ibn Majah and Abu Dawud recorded this Hadith with a good chain that there is no harm in, and Allah knows best.
The Prohibition of causing Mischief in the Land
Allah said next,
وَلاَ تُفْسِدُواْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَـحِهَا
(And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order) 5:56. Allah prohibits causing mischief on the earth, especially after it has been set in order. When the affairs are in order and then mischief occurs, it will cause maximum harm to the people; thus Allah forbids causing mischief and ordained worshipping Him, supplicating to Him, begging Him and being humble to Him. Allah said,
وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا
(and invoke Him with fear and hope) fearing what He has of severe torment and hoping in what He has of tremendous reward. Allah then said,
إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ
(Surely, Allah’s mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers) meaning, His mercy is for the good-doers who obey His commands and avoid what He prohibited. Allah said in another Ayah,
وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ
(And My mercy envelopes all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who who have Taqwa.) 7:156. Matar Al-Warraq said, “Earn Allah’s promise by obeying Him, for He ordained that His mercy is near to the good-doers. ” Ibn Abi Hatim collected this statement.
Verse number 57-58
Among Allah’s Signs, He sends down the Rain and brings forth the Produce
After Allah stated that He created the heavens and earth and that He is the Owner and Possessor of the affairs Who makes things subservient (for mankind), He ordained that He be invoked in Du`a’, for He is able to do all things. Allah also stated that He is the Sustainer and He resurrects the dead on the Day of Resurrection. Here, Allah said that He sends the wind that spreads the clouds that are laden with rain. Allah said in another Ayah,
وَمِنْ ءَايَـتِهِ أَن يُرْسِلَ الرِّيَـحَ مُبَشِّرَتٍ
(And among His signs is this, that He sends the winds with glad tidings) 30:46. Allah’s statement,
بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِ
(going before His mercy) means, before the rain. Allah also said;
وَهُوَ الَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا قَنَطُواْ وَيَنشُرُ رَحْمَتَهُ وَهُوَ الْوَلِىُّ الْحَمِيدُ
(And He it is Who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and spreads His mercy. And He is Al-Wali (the Guardian), Al-Hamid (the praiseworthy) 42:28 and,
فَانظُرْ إِلَى ءَاثَـرِ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْىِ الاٌّرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ لَمُحْىِ الْمَوْتَى وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
(Look then at the results of Allah’s mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily, that is the one Who shall indeed raise the dead, and He is able to do all things) 30:50. Allah said next,
حَتَّى إِذَآ أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالاً
(Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud) when the wind carries clouds that are heavy with rain, and this is why these clouds are heavy, close to the earth, and their color is dark. Allah’s statement,
سُقْنَـهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ
(We drive it to a land that is dead) that is, a dry land that does not have any vegetation. This Ayah is similar to another Ayah,
وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ الاٌّرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَـهَا
(And a sign for them is the dead land. We give it life) 36:33. This is why Allah said here,
فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَتِ كَذَلِكَ نُخْرِجُ الْموْتَى
(Then We produce every kind of fruit therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead.) meaning, just as We bring life to dead land, We shall raise up the dead on the Day of Resurrection, after they have disintegrated. Allah will send down rain from the sky and the rain will pour on the earth for forty days. The corpses will then be brought up in their graves, just as the seeds become grow in the ground (on receiving rain). Allah often mentions this similarity in the Qur’an when He gives the example of what will happen on the Day of Resurrection, and bringing life to dead land,
لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
(so that you may remember or take heed.) Allah’s statement,
وَالْبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ
(The vegetation of a good land comes forth (easily) by the permission of its Lord;) meaning, the good land produces its vegetation rapidly and proficiently. Allah said in another Ayah (about Maryam, mother of `Isa, peace be upon him);
وَأَنبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنًا
(He made her grow in a good manner.) 3:37 The Ayah continues,
وَالَّذِى خَبُثَ لاَ يَخْرُجُ إِلاَّ نَكِدًا
(and that which is bad, brings forth nothing but with difficulty.) Mujahid, and others such as As-Sibakh, etc. also said this. Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Musa said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«مَثَلُ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللهُ بِهِ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَالْهُدَى كَمَثَلِ الْغَيْثِ الْكَثِيرِ أَصَابَ أَرْضًا فَكَانَتْ مِنْهَا نَقِيَّةٌ قَبِلَتِ الْمَاءَ فَأَنْبَتَتِ الْكَلَأَ وَالْعُشْبَ الْكَثِيرَ وَكَانَتْ مِنْهَا أَجَادِبُ أَمْسَكَتِ الْمَاءَ فَنَفَعَ اللهُ بِهَا النَّاسَ فَشَرِبُوا وَسَقَوْا وَزَرَعُوا وَأَصَابَ مِنْهَا طَائِفَةً أُخْرَى إِنَّمَا هِيَ قِيعَانٌ لَا تُمْسِكُ مَاءً وَلَا تُنْبِتُ كَلَأً، فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ مَنْ فَقُهَ فِي دِينِ اللهِ وَنَفَعَهُ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللهُ بِهِ فَعَلِمَ وَعَلَّمَ وَمَثَلُ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ بِذَلِكَ رَأْسًا وَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ هُدَى اللهِ الَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِه»
(The parable of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is that of an abundant rain falling on a land, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard and held the rain water; and Allah benefited the people with it, they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it, and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. And a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation. The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit which Allah sent me with, by learnign and teaching others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not accept the guidance Allah sent me with.)
Verse number 59-62
The Story of Nuh and His People
After Allah mentioned the story of Adam in the beginning of this Surah, He started mentioning the stories of the Prophets, the first then the latter of them. Allah mentioned the story of Nuh, because he was the first Messenger Allah sent to the people of the earth after Adam. His name was Nuh bin Lamak bin Matushalakh bin Khanukh. And Khanukh was, as they claim, the Prophet Idris. And Idris was the first person to write letters using pen, and he was the son of Barad bin Mahlil, bin Qanin bin Yanish bin Shith bin Adam, upon them all be peace. This lineage is mentioned by Muhammad bin Ishaq and other Imams who document lineage. `Abdullah bin `Abbas and several other scholars of Tafsir said that the first idol worship began when some righteous people died and their people built places of worship over their graves. They made images of them so that they could remember their righteousness and devotion, and thus, imitate them. When time passed, they made statues of them and later on worshipped these idols, naming them after the righteous people: Wadd, Suwa`, Yaghuth, Ya`uq and Nasr. After this practice became popular, Allah sent Nuh as a Messenger, all thanks are due to Him. Nuh commanded his people to worship Allah alone without partners, saying,
يَـقَوْمِ اعْبُدُواْ اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّى أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
(“O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!”) the torment of the Day of Resurrection, if you meet Allah while associating others with Him.
قَالَ الْمَلأ مِن قَوْمِهِ
(The leaders of his people said) meaning, the general public, chiefs, commanders and great ones of his people said,
إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي ضَلَـلٍ مُّبِينٍ
(“Verily, we see you in plain error”) because of your calling us to abandon the worship of these idols that we found our forefathers worshipping. This, indeed, is the attitude of evil people, for they consider the righteous people to be following misguidance. Allah said in other Ayat,
وَإِذَا رَأَوْهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّ هَـؤُلاَءِ لَضَآلُّونَ
(And when they saw them, they said: “Verily, these have indeed gone astray!”) 83:32 and,
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَوْ كَانَ خَيْراً مَّا سَبَقُونَآ إِلَيْهِ وَإِذْ لَمْ يَهْتَدُواْ بِهِ فَسَيَقُولُونَ هَـذَآ إِفْكٌ قَدِيمٌ
(And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: “Had it been a good thing, they (the weak and poor) would not have preceded us thereto!” And when they have not let themselves be guided by it (this Qur’an), they say: “This is an ancient lie!”) 46:11 There are several other Ayat on this subject.
قَالَ يَـقَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِى ضَلَـلَةٌ وَلَكِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِّن رَّبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(Nuh said: “O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists!”) meaning, there is nothing wrong with me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists, Lord and King of all things,
أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَـلـتِ رَبِّى وَأَنصَحُ لَكُمْ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ
(“I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know from Allah what you know not.”) This is the attribute of a Messenger, that he conveys using plain, yet eloquent words, offers sincere advice and is knowledgeable about Allah; indeed, no other people can compete with the Prophets in this regard. In his Sahih, Muslim recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to his Companions on the Day of `Arafah, when their gathering was as large as it ever was,
«أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ مَسْؤُولُونَ عَنِّي فَمَا أَنْتُمْ قَائِلُونَ؟»
(O people! You will be asked about me, so what will you say) They said, “We testify that you have conveyed and delivered (the Message) and offered sincere advice.” So he kept raising his finger to the sky and lowering it towards them, saying,
«اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَدْ اللَّهُمَّ اشْهَد»
(O Allah! Bear witness, O Allah! Bear witness.)