Verse Number 69-73
The Coming of the Angels to Ibrahim and Their Glad Tidings to Him of Ishaq and Ya`qub
Allah, the Exalted, says,
وَلَقَدْ جَآءَتْ رُسُلُنَآ
(And verily, there came Our messengers) The word “messengers” here means angels.
إِبْرَهِيمَ بِالْبُشْرَى
(to Ibrahim with the glad tidings.) It has been said that the word “the glad tidings” means, “Receive the glad tidings of Ishaq.” Others have said that it means, “The destruction of the people of Prophet Lut.” The proof of the correctness of the first view is in Allah’s statement,
فَلَمَّا ذَهَبَ عَنْ إِبْرَهِيمَ الرَّوْعُ وَجَآءَتْهُ الْبُشْرَى يُجَـدِلُنَا فِى قَوْمِ لُوطٍ
(Then when the fear had gone away from (the mind of) Ibrahim, and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with Us for the people of Lut.)11:74
قَالُواْ سَلَـماً قَالَ سَلَـمٌ
(They said: “Salaman.” He answered, “Salamun.”) This means, “Upon you.” The scholars of explanation have said, “Ibrahim’s reply of `Salamun’ was better than that with which they had greeted him with, because the subjective case (Salamun instead of Salaman) alludes to affirmation and eternity. “
فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ حَنِيذٍ
(and he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.) This means that he (Ibrahim) left with haste in order to bring them food, as a host. The food that he brought was a calf. The word Hanidh means roasted upon heated stones. This meaning has been reported from Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah and others. This is as Allah has said in another verse,
فَرَاغَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَجَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ – فَقَرَّبَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلاَ تَأْكُلُونَ
(Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf. And placed it before them (saying): “Will you not eat”)51:26-27 This verse contains many aspects of the etiquettes of hosting guests.
فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَيْدِيَهُمْ لاَ تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ
(But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he mistrusted them,) This means that he felt estranged from them.
وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً
(and conceived a fear of them.) This is because angels are not concerned with food. They do not desire it, nor do they eat it. Therefore, when Ibrahim saw them reject the food that he had brought them, without tasting any of it at all, he felt a mistrust of them.
وَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةً
(and conceived a fear of them. ) As-Suddi said, “When Allah sent the angels to the people of Lut, they set out walking in the form of young men, until they came to Ibrahim and they were hosted by him. When Ibrahim saw them, he rushed to host them.
فَرَاغَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَجَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَمِينٍ
(Then he turned to his household, and brought out a roasted calf.)51:26 He slaughtered it (the calf), roasted it on hot stones and brought it to them. Then, he sat down with them. when he placed it before them. (saying): `Will you not eat’ They said, `O Ibrahim! Verily, we do not eat food without a price.’ Ibrahim then said, `Verily, this food has a price.’ They said, `What is its price’ He said, `You must mention the Name of Allah over it before eating it and praise Allah upon finishing it.’ Jibril then looked at Mika’il and said, `This man has the right that his Lord should take him as an intimate friend.’
فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَيْدِيَهُمْ لاَ تَصِلُ إِلَيْهِ نَكِرَهُمْ
(But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he mistrusted them,) When Ibrahim saw that they were not eating, he became scared and frightened by them. Then, when Sarah looked and saw that he was honoring them, she began to serve them and she was laughing. She said, `What amazing guests we have. We serve them ourselves, showing them respect and they do not eat our food.”‘ Then, concerning Allah’s statement about the angels,
قَالُواْ لاَ تَخَفْ
(They said: “Fear not,”) They were saying, “Do not be afraid of us. Verily, we are angels sent to the people of Lut in order to destroy them.” Then, Sarah laughed in delight of the good news of their destruction. This is because they had caused much corruption and their disbelief was severe. For this reason, she was rewarded with the glad tidings of a son, even after her despair. Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسْحَـقَ يَعْقُوبَ
(and after Ishaq, of Ya`qub.) This means that the son that she was going to have would have a son (her grandson) who would succeed him and beget many children. For verily, Ya`qub was the son of Ishaq, just as Allah says in Surat Al-Baqarah,
أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَآءَ إِذْ حَضَرَ يَعْقُوبَ الْمَوْتُ إِذْ قَالَ لِبَنِيهِ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن بَعْدِى قَالُواْ نَعْبُدُ إِلَـهَكَ وَإِلَـهَ آبَآئِكَ إِبْرَهِيمَ وَإِسْمَـعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـقَ إِلَـهًا وَاحِدًا وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ
(Or were you witnesses when death approached Ya’qub When he said unto his sons, “What will you worship after me” They said, “We shall worship your God, the God of your fathers, Ibrahim, Isma`il, Ishaq, One God, and to him we submit.”) 2:133 From this point in this verse there is an evidence for those who say that Isma`il was the son of Ibrahim who was to be sacrificed. It could not have been Ishaq, because the glad tidings were given that he would have a son born to him named Ya`qub. So how could Ibrahim be commanded to sacrifice him when he was a small child and there had not been born to him a child yet, named Ya`qub, who was promised The promise of Allah is true and there is no breaking of Allah’s promise. Therefore, it is not possible that Ibrahim was to sacrifice this child (Ishaq) with the condition being as it was. This makes it clear that Isma`il was the son that was to be sacrificed and this is the best, most correct and clearest evidence of that. And all praise is due to Allah. 9
قَالَتْ يوَيْلَتَا ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَاْ عَجُوزٌ وَهَـذَا بَعْلِى شَيْخًا
(She said (in astonishment): “Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and here is my husband an old man”) Allah speaks of her statement in this verse, just as He spoke of her action in another verse.
فَأَقْبَلَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ فِى صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ
(Then his wife came forward with a loud voice: she smote her face, and said: “A barren old woman!”)51:29 This was the custom of the women in their speech and actions when they were expressing amazement.
قَالُواْ أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ
(Then said: “Do you wonder at the decree of Allah”) This means that the angels were saying to her, “Do not be amazed at the command of Allah, for verily, whenever He wants something, He merely says `Be’ and it is. So do not be amazed at this, even though you are old and barren and your husband is a very old man. Verily, Allah is able to do whatever He wills.”
رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَـتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِنَّهُ حَمِيدٌ مَّجِيدٌ
(The mercy of Allah and His blessing be on you, O the family (of Ibrahim). Surely, He (Allah) is All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.) This means that He is the Most Praiseworthy in all of His actions and statements. He is praised and glorified in His Attributes and His Self. For this reason, it is confirmed in the two Sahihs that they (the Prophet’s Companions) said, “Verily, we already know how to greet you with Salam (peace), but how do we send Salah (prayer) upon you, O Messenger of Allah” He said,
«قُولُوا: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلِ إبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيد»
(Say, “O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You have sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. And bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You have blessed the family of Ibrahim. Truly, You are the All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious.”)
Verse Number 74-76
The Dispute of Ibrahim over the People of Lut
Allah, the Exalted, informs of what happened after the fright of Ibrahim left him and he felt no more fear of the angels when they refused to eat. After this, they gave him the glad tidings of the birth of a son and the destruction of the people of Lut. When they told him of this, he spoke to them as Sa`id bin Jubayr narrated concerning this verse. Sa`id said: When Jibril and the other angels who were with him came to Ibrahim, they said,
إِنَّا مُهْلِكُو أَهْلِ هَـذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ
(Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this town.) Ibrahim said to them, “Will you destroy a town that has three hundred believers in it” They said, “No.” He then said, “Will you destroy a town that has two hundred believers in it” They said, “No.” He said, “Will you destroy a town that has forty believers in it” They said, “No.” He then said, “Thirty” They still replied, “No.” This continued until he said, “Five” They said, “No.” Then he said, “What do you think if there is one Muslim man in the town, would you destroy it” They said, “No.” With this, Ibrahim said,
إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطاً قَالُواْ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن فِيهَا لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلاَّ امْرَأَتَهُ
(But there is Lut in it. They said: “We know better who is there. We will verily, save him and his family except his wife.”) Therefore, Ibrahim remained silent and his soul was at rest. Concerning Allah’s statement,
إِنَّ إِبْرَهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّاهٌ مُّنِيبٌ
(Verily, Ibrahim was, without doubt, forbearing, used to invoke Alllah with humility, and was repentant (to Allah).) 11:75 This is a commendation for Ibrahim because of these beautiful characteristics. Then Allah says,
يإِبْرَهِيمُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَـذَآ إِنَّهُ قَدْ جَآءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ
(O Ibrahim! Forsake this. Indeed, the commandment of your Lord has gone forth.) This means the decree was settled concerning them and the Word was already given that they should be destroyed. The evil torment was coming to them, that cannot be averted from wicked people.
Verse Number 77-79
The Coming of the Angels to Lut, His Grief, and His Discussion with His People
Allah, the Exalted, informs about the coming of His messenger angels. After they informed Ibrahim of their mission to destroy the people of Lut, they left him and set out to destroy Lut’s people that very night. After leaving Ibrahim, they came to Lut. Some say that they came to him while he was on a piece of land that belonged to him. Others say that they came to him while he was in his home. They approached him while they were in the most handsome of forms. They appeared in the forms of young men with handsome faces. This was a test from Allah that contained much wisdom and a firm evidence. Their appearance saddened him (Lut) and he felt grief in his soul because of them. He was afraid that if he did not host them as his guests, someone else of his people would host them and harm them.
وَقَالَ هَـذَا يَوْمٌ عَصِيبٌ
(He said: “This is a distressful day.”) Ibn `Abbas and others said that this means, “A severe test for him.” This was because he knew that he would have to defend them and it would cause great problems for him. Qatadah said, “They came to him while he was on a piece of land that belonged to him. They requested him to host them. He agreed, but he was shy of them and he walked in front of them. On the way to his home he said to them in attempt to convince them to go away, `By Allah, I do not know any people on the face of the earth more wicked and disgusting than these people of this town.’ Then he walked on a little further. Then he repeated the same statement to them. He continued doing this until he had repeated the same thing four times.” Then Qatadah said, “They were ordered not to destroy them until their Prophet testified against them of this.” Concerning Allah’s statement,
يُهْرَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ
(rushing towards him.) meaning, they made haste and rushed due to their delight of this (new young men). Concerning the statement,
وَمِن قَبْلُ كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ
(and since aforetime they used to commit crimes.) This means that this did not cease being their behavior until they were seized (by Allah’s torment) and they were still in the same condition.
قَالَ يقَوْمِ هَـؤُلاءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ
(He said: “O my people! Here are my daughters (the women of the nation), they are purer for you…”) This was his attempt to direct them to their women, for verily the Prophet is like a father for his nation. Therefore, he tries to guide them to that which is better for them in this life and the Hereafter. This is similar to his statement to them in another verse,
أَتَأْتُونَ الذُّكْرَانَ مِنَ الْعَـلَمِينَ – وَتَذَرُونَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ مِّنْ أَزْوَجِكُمْ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَادُونَ
(Go you in unto the males of the nation, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your wives Nay, you are a trespassing people!)26:165-166 Allah said in another verse,
قَالُواْ أَوَلَمْ نَنْهَكَ عَنِ الْعَـلَمِينَ
(They (the people of the city) said: “Did we not forbid you from entertaining any of the `Alamin”)15:70 This means, “Didn’t we forbid you from hosting men (male) guests”
قَالَ هَـؤُلآءِ بَنَاتِى إِن كُنْتُمْ فَـعِلِينَ – لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِى سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
(Lut said: “These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters, if you must act (so).” Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.)15:71-72 Then, Allah said, in this noble verse,
هَـؤُلاءِ بَنَاتِى هُنَّ أَطْهَرُ لَكُمْ
(Here are my daughters, they are purer for you.) Mujahid said, “Actually, they were not his daughters, but they were from among his nation. Every Prophet is like a father to his nation.” A similar statement has been reported from Qatadah and others. Concerning the statement,
فَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُخْزُونِ فِى ضَيْفِى
(So have Taqwa of Allah and disgrace me not with regard to my guests!) This means, “Accept what I command you by limiting the fulfillment of your desires to your women.”
أَلَيْسَ مِنْكُمْ رَجُلٌ رَّشِيدٌ
(Is there not among you a single right-minded man) This means, “Is there not a good man among you who will accept what I am enjoining upon you and abandon what I have forbidden for you”
قَالُواْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا لَنَا فِى بَنَاتِكَ مِنْ حَقٍّ
(They said: “Surely, you know that we have no need of your daughters…”) This means, “Verily, you know that we do not want our women, nor do we desire them.”
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ
(and indeed you know well what we want!) This means, “We only want males and you know that. So what need is there for you to continue speaking to us about this”
قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ آوِى إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ
Verse Number 80-81
Lut’s Inability, His Desire for Strength and the Angels’ Informing Him of the Reality
Allah, the Exalted says that Lut was threatening them with his statement,
لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً
(Would that I had strength (men) to overpower you,) meaning, `I would surely have made an example of you and done (harm) to you from myself and my family.’ In this regard, there is a Hadith which is reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَى لُوطٍ لَقَدْ كَانَ يَأْوِي إِلَى رُكْنٍ شَدِيد»
يَعْنِي اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
«فَمَا بَعَثَ اللهُ بَعْدَهُ مِنْ نَبِيَ إِلَّا فِي ثَرْوَةٍ مِنْ قَوْمِه»
(May Allah’s mercy be upon Lut, for verily, he betook himself to a powerful support –meaning Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. Allah did not send any Prophet after him, except amidst an influential family among his people.) With this, the angels informed him that they were the messengers of Allah ﷺ sent to them. They also told him that his people would not be able to reach him (with any harm).
قَالُواْ يلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُواْ إِلَيْكَ
(They (messengers said): “O Lut! Verily, we are the messengers from your Lord! They shall not reach you!) They commanded him to travel with his family during the last part of night and that he should follow them from behind. In this way it would be as though he were driving his family (as a cattle herder).
وَلاَ يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌ
(and let not any of you look back;) This means, “If you hear the sound of what (torment) befalls them (the people of the village), do not rush towards that disturbing noise. Rather, continue leaving.”
إِلاَّ امْرَأَتَكَ
(but your wife,) Most of the scholars said that this means that she would not travel at night and she did not go with Lut. Rather, she stayed in her house and was destroyed. Others said that it means that she looked back (during the travel). This later group says that she left with them and when she heard the inevitable destruction, she turned and looked back. When she looked she said, “O my people!” Thus, a stone came down from the sky and killed her. Then they (the angels) brought close to him the destruction of his people as good news for him, because he said to them, “Destroy them in this very hour.” They replied,
إِنَّ مَوْعِدَهُمُ الصُّبْحُ أَلَيْسَ الصُّبْحُ بِقَرِيبٍ
(Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near) They were saying this while Luts people were standing at his door. They tried to rush his door from all sides and Lut was standing at the door repelling them, deterring them and trying to prevent them from what they were doing. Yet, they would not listen to him. Instead, they threatened him and sought to intimidate him. At this point, Jibril came out to them and struck them in their faces with his wing. This blow blinded their eyes and they retreated, unable to see their way. This is as Allah said,
وَلَقَدْ رَاوَدُوهُ عَن ضَيْفِهِ فَطَمَسْنَآ أَعْيُنَهُمْ فَذُوقُواْ عَذَابِى وَنُذُرِ
(And they indeed sought to shame his guest (asking to commit sodomy with them). So We blinded their eyes (saying), “Then taste you My torment and My warnings.”)54:37
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا جَعَلْنَا عَـلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهَا حِجَارَةً مِّن سِجِّيلٍ مَّنْضُودٍ
Verse Number 82-83
The Town of Lut’s People is overturned and Their Destruction
Allah, the Exalted, says,
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا
(So when Our commandment came,) This happened at sunrise.
جَعَلْنَا عَـلِيَهَا
(We turned it…) The city of Sadum (Sodom)
سَافِلَهَا
(upside down,) This is similar to Allah’s statement,
فَغَشَّـهَا مَا غَشَّى
(So there covered them that which did cover (torment with stones).)53:54 This means, “We rained upon it with stones made of Sijjil.” Sijjil is a Persian word meaning stones made of clay. This definition has been mentioned by Ibn `Abbas and others. Some of the scholars said that it (Sijjil) derived from the word Sang, which means a stone. Some others said it means Wakil, which is clay. In another verse Allah says,
حِجَارَةً مِّن طِينٍ
(the stones of clay,) This means clay made into strong, hard stone. Some of the scholars said it means baked clay. Al-Bukhari said, “Sijjil means that which is big and strong.” Concerning Allah’s statement,
مَّنْضُودٍ
(in an array. ) Some of the scholars said that Mandud means the stones were arranged in the heavens and prepared for that (destruction). Others said,
مَّنْضُودٍ
(in an array.) This word means that some of them (the stones) followed others in their descent upon the people of Lut. Concerning the statement,
مُّسَوَّمَةً
(Marked) meaning the stones were marked and sealed, all of them having the names of their victims written on them. Qatadah and `Ikrimah both said, “Musawwamah means each stone was encompassed by a sprinkling of red coloring.” The commentators have mentioned that it (the shower of stones) descended upon the people of the town and upon the various villages around it. One of them would be speaking with some people when a stone would strike him from the sky and kill him while he was among the people. Thus, the stones followed them, striking the people in the entire land until they destroyed them all. Not a single one of them remained. Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَمَا هِى مِنَ الظَّـلِمِينَ بِبَعِيدٍ
(and they are not ever far from the wrongdoers.) This means that this vengeance (of Allah) is not far from similar wrongdoers. Verily, it has been reported in a Hadith of the Sunan collections, from Ibn `Abbas, which he attributed to the Prophet ,
«مَنْ وَجَدْتُمُوهُ يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَ قَوْمِ لُوطٍ فَاقْتُلُوا الْفَاعِلَ وَالْمَفْعُولَ بِه»
(Whoever you find doing the deed of Lut’s people homosexuality, then kill the doer and the one who allows it to be done to him (both partners).)
Verse Number 84
The Story of the People of Madyan and the Call of Shu`ayb
Allah, the Exalted, says, `We sent a Messenger to the people of Madyan.’ They were a tribe of Arabs who lived between the land of the Al-Hijaz and Ash-Sham, close to the land of Ma`an. Their land was known by the name of their tribe and was thus, called Madyan. Allah sent unto them the Prophet Shu`ayb and he was of the noblest of them in lineage. For this reason, Allah said,
أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا
(their brother Shu`ayb.) Shu`ayb commanded them to worship Allah alone without associating any partners with him. He also prohibited them from cheating in their weights and measures (for business transactions).
إِنِّى أَرَاكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ
(I see you in prosperity) meaning, `in your livelihood and your provisions. And verily, I fear that you will be deprived of this bounty that you are enjoying by violating Allah’s prohibitions.’
وَإِنِّى أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ مُّحِيطٍ
(and verily, I fear for you the torment of a Day encompassing.) This means the abode of the Hereafter.
Verse Number 85-86
First, he (Shu`ayb) prohibited them from cheating in business by decreasing the weights whenever they gave (products) to people.
He commanded them to give just measure and weight whether they were giving or receiving (in transactions). He also forbade them from causing mischief and corruption in the land. This was due to their practice of highway robbery along the roads. Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said,
بَقِيَّتُ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ
(That which is left by Allah (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you,) “This means what you gain from your successful business dealings in which you have given just measure, is better for you than wrongfully taking the wealth of the people.” Ibn Jarir said that this statement has been reported from Ibn `Abbas and I say it is similar to Allah’s statement,
قُل لاَّ يَسْتَوِى الْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكَ كَثْرَةُ الْخَبِيثِ
(Say: “Not equal are Khabith (all that is evil) and Tayyib (all that is good), even though the abundance of Khabith may please you.”)5:100 Allah then says,
وَمَآ أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُمْ بِحَفِيظٍ
(And I am not a guardian over you.) This means a watcher over you people. In other words, “Do this for Allah and not to be seen by the people.”
Verse Number 87
The Response of Shu`ayb’s People
They said to Shu`ayb, in mockery,
أَصَلَوَتُكَ
(Does your Salah) Al-A`mash said, “This means your reading.”
تَأْمُرُكَ أَن نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءابَاؤُنَآ
(command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,) meaning the idols and statues.
أَوْ أَن نَّفْعَلَ فِى أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشَؤُا
(or that we give up doing what we like with our property) This means, “Should we abandon our practice of lightening the scales because of your statement This is our wealth and we will do with it as we please.” Al-Hasan said concerning Allah’s statement,
أَصَلَوَتُكَ تَأْمُرُكَ أَن نَّتْرُكَ مَا يَعْبُدُ ءابَاؤُنَآ
(Does your Salah command you that we give up what our fathers used to worship,)11:87 “By Allah, this means that his prayer commanded them to abandon what their fathers used to worship.” At-Thawri said concerning Allah’s statement,
أَوْ أَن نَّفْعَلَ فِى أَمْوَالِنَا مَا نَشَؤُا
(or that we give up doing what we like with our property) “They were speaking in reference to the paying of Zakah (charity). “
إِنَّكَ لاّنتَ الْحَلِيمُ الرَّشِيدُ
(Verily, you are the forbearer right-minded!) Ibn `Abbas, Maymun bin Mihran, Ibn Jurayj, Ibn Aslam, and Ibn Jarir all said, “These enemies of Allah were only saying this in mockery. May Allah disfigure them and curse them from ever receiving His mercy. And verily, He did so.”
Verse Number 88
Shu`ayb’s Refutation of His People
He said to them: Do you see O my people, that if I
عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى
(have a clear evidence from my Lord) meaning, upon clear guidance in that which I am calling to.
وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا
(and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself.) It has been said that he meant the prophethood. It has also been said that he meant the lawful provisions. It seems that the verse carries both meanings. Ath-Thawri said,
وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ
(I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) meaning, `do not forbid you from something and at the same time I contradict my prohibitions in secret behind your backs, doing what I have forbidden.’ This is similar to what Qatadah said concerning Allah’s statement,
وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَى مَآ أَنْهَـكُمْ عَنْهُ
(I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you.) “He is saying, `I do not forbid you all from something while I do it myself.”‘
إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلاَّ الإِصْلَـحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ
(I only desire reform to the best of my power.) This means, “In that which I command and forbid you, I only want to correct your affair as much as I am able.”
وَمَا تَوْفِيقِى
(And my guidance cannot come) This means, “In whatever I intend that agrees with the truth.”
إِلاَّ بِاللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ
(except from Allah, in Him I put my trust) This means in all of my affairs.
وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
(and unto Him I repent.) meaning; “I return.” This has been said by Mujahid and others.
Verse Number 89-90
وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى
(And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) This means, “Do not let your hatred and enmity of me cause you to persist in your corruption and disbelief. If you continue this way, you will suffer the same vengeance and torment that overcame Nuh’s people, Hud’s people, Salih’s people and Lut’s people.” Qatadah said,
وَيقَوْمِ لاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شِقَاقِى
(And O my people! Let not my Shiqaq cause you) “He is saying, `Do not be influenced by your differing with me.”‘ As-Suddi said, “This means your enmity of me should not lead you to continue in misguidance and disbelief, or else you will be afflicted by what afflicted them.” Concerning His statement,
وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوطٍ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٍ
(and the people of Lut are not far off from you!) It has been said that this refers to the period of time. Qatadah said, “This means that they were only destroyed before you yesterday.” It has also been said that it refers to place. Actually, the verse carries both meanings.
وَاسْتَغْفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمْ
(And ask forgiveness of your Lord) from the previous sins.
ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ
(and turn unto Him in repentance.) In whatever evil actions you may encounter in the future. Concerning his statement,
إِنَّ رَبِّى رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
(Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving.) to those who repent.
Verse Number 91-92
The Response of Shu`ayb’s People
They said,
يشُعَيْبُ مَا نَفْقَهُ
(O Shu`ayb! We do not understand) This means that we do not comprehend.
كَثِيراً
(much) `most of what you say’. Ath-Thawri said, “He (Shu`ayb) was called the orator of the Prophets.” As-Suddi said,
وَإِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفًا
(and we see you weak among us.) “They meant, `You are only one person.”‘ Abu Rawq said, “They meant, `You are despised, because your tribe is not upon your religion.”‘
وَلَوْلاَ رَهْطُكَ لَرَجَمْنَـكَ
(Were it not for your family, you would have been stoned,) This means, your people. Were it not for their powerful position over the people of Madyan, they would have stoned him to death. Some said that this means with rocks. It has also been said that this means that they would have cursed and insulted him verbally.
وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيْنَا بِعَزِيزٍ
(and you are not powerful against us.) This means, “You have no position of power over us.”
Shu`ayb’s Refutation of His People
قَالَ يقَوْمِ أَرَهْطِى أَعَزُّ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ
(He said: “O my people! Is then my family of more weight with you than Allah”)( He says: You would leave me alone out of respect for my people but not out of respect for the greatness of the Lord, the Most Blessed and Exalted Does not your awe of Allah prevent you from harming His Prophet Indeed you have placed the fear of Allah,
وَرَآءَكُمْ ظِهْرِيّاً
(behind your backs.) This means that you have thrown it behind you. You do not obey it, nor do you respect it.
إِنَّ رَبِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
(Verily, my Lord is surrounding all that you do.) This means that He knows all of your actions and He will reward you according to them.
Verse Number 93-95
Shu` ayb’s threatening of His People When the Prophet of Allah,Shu` ayb, despaired of their response to him, he said, “O mypeople
اعْمَلُواْ عَلَى مَكَانَتِكُمْ
(Act according to your ability,) This means, “Act according to your current ways.” This is actually a severe threat.
إِنِّى عَـمِلٌ
(I am acting.) according to my way.
سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ
(You will come to know who it is on whom descends the torment that will cover him with ignominy, and who is a liar!) meaning, between me and you.
وَارْتَقِبُواْ
(And watch you!) This means to wait.
إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ رَقِيبٌ
(I too am watching with you.) Allah then says,
وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا نَجَّيْنَا شُعَيْبًا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِّنَّا وَأَخَذَتِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ الصَّيْحَةُ فَأَصْبَحُواْ فِى دِيَـرِهِمْ جَـثِمِينَ
(And when Our commandment came, We saved Shu`ayb and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us. And As-Sayhah (awful cry) seized the wrongdoers, and they lay (Jathimin) in their homes.) His saying Jathimin means extinct and lifeless without any movement. Here Allah mentions that a loud cry (Sayhah) came to them. In Surat Al-A`raf He says a severe quake (Rajfah) came to them. In Surat Ash-Shu`ara’, He said it was a torment of a cloudy day. They were one nation upon which all of these punishments were gathered on the day of their destruction. In each context, Allah only mentioned that which was suitable. In Surat Al-A`raf when they said,
لَنُخْرِجَنَّكَ يـشُعَيْبُ وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَكَ مِن قَرْيَتِنَآ
(We shall certainly drive you out, O Shu`ayb, and those who have believed with you from our town.)7:88 In this verse it was suitable to mention a tremor, or quake (Rajfah). The earth in which they practiced their wrongdoing and they wanted to expel their Prophet from it, shook them. Here, due to their disrespectful manners in speaking to their Prophet, Allah mentioned the awful cry (Sayhah) which overcame them and killed them. In Surat Ash-Shu`ara’ when they said,
فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفاً مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ الصَّـدِقِينَ
(So cause a piece of the heaven to fall on us, if you are of the truthful!)26:187 Allah said in response,
فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ الظُّلَّةِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
(So the torment of the day of Shadow seized them. Indeed that was the torment of a Great Day.)26:189 This is from the intricate secrets and to Allah belongs all praise and much bounty forever. Concerning the statement,
كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْاْ فِيهَآ
(As if they had never lived there!) This means it was as if they had not lived in their homes before that.
أَلاَ بُعْدًا لِّمَدْيَنَ كَمَا بَعِدَتْ ثَمُودُ
(So away with Madyan as just as Thamud went away!) They (Thamud) were their neighbors and they did not live far from the homes of the people of Madyan. They were similar in their disbelief and their highway robbery. They were also both Arabs.
Verse Number 96-99
The Story of Musa and Fir`awn
In these verses Allah informs of His sending Musa with His signs and clear proofs to Fir’awn, the king of the Coptic people, and his chiefs.
فَاتَّبَعُواْ أَمْرَ فِرْعَوْنَ
(but they followed the command of Fir`awn.) This means that they followed his path, way and methodology in transgression.
وَمَآ أَمْرُ فِرْعَوْنَ بِرَشِيدٍ
(and the command of Fir`awn was no right guide.) This means there was no right guidance in it. It was only ignorance, misguidance, disbelief and stubbornness. Just as they followed him in this life and he was their leader and chief, likewise he will lead them to the Hellfire on the Day of Resurrection. He will lead them directly to it and they will drink from springs of destruction. Fir`awn will have a great share in that awful punishment. This is as Allah, the Exalted, said,
فَعَصَى فِرْعَوْنُ الرَّسُولَ فَأَخَذْنَـهُ أَخْذاً وَبِيلاً
(But Fir`awn disobeyed the Messenger; so We seized him with a severe punishment.)73:16 Allah also said,
فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَى – ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ يَسْعَى – فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَى – فَقَالَ أَنَاْ رَبُّكُمُ الاٌّعْلَى – فَأَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ نَكَالَ الاٌّخِرَةِ وَالاٍّوْلَى – إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّمَن يَخْشَى
(But Fir`awn belied and disobeyed. Then he turned his back, striving (against Allah). Then he gathered (his people) and cried aloud, Saying: “I am your lord, most high.” So Allah, seized him with exemplary punishment for his last and first transgression. Verily, in this is an instructive admonition for whosoever fears Allah.)79:21-26 Allah also said,
يَقْدُمُ قَوْمَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ فَأَوْرَدَهُمُ النَّارَ وَبِئْسَ الْوِرْدُ الْمَوْرُودُ
(He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led.) This will be the condition of those who were followed. They will have a great share of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection. This is as Allah says,
لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَـكِن لاَّ تَعْلَمُونَ
(For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.) 7:38 Allah also says that the disbelievers will say while they are in the Hellfire,
رَبَّنَآ إِنَّآ أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَآءَنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا السَّبِيلاْرَبَّنَآ ءَاتِهِمْ ضِعْفَيْنِ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ
(“Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (right) way. Our Lord! Give them double torment.”) 33:67-68 Concerning the statement,
وَأُتْبِعُواْ فِى هَـذِهِ لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ
(They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. ) meaning, `We have made them to be followed by something more than the punishment of the Fire and that is their being cursed in this life.’
وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ بِئْسَ الرِّفْدُ الْمَرْفُودُ
(and on the Day of Resurrection, evil is the gift granted.) Mujahid said, “Another curse will be added to them on the Day of Resurrection, so these are two curses.” `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said,
بِئْسَ الرِّفْدُ الْمَرْفُودُ
(evil indeed is the gift granted.) “The curse of this life and the Hereafter.” Ad-Dahhak and Qatadah both said the same thing. This is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَجَعَلْنَـهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيـمَةِ لاَ يُنصَرُونَ – وَأَتْبَعْنَـهُم فِى هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا لَعْنَةً وَيَوْمَ القِيَـمَةِ هُمْ مِّنَ الْمَقْبُوحِينَ
(And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire: and on the Day of Resurrection, they will not be helped. And We made a curse to follow them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among the despised.)28:41-42 Allah also says,
النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوّاً وَعَشِيّاً وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُواْ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ
(The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): “Cause Fir`awn’s people to enter the severest torment!”)40:46
Verse Number 100-101
The Lesson taken from the Destroyed Towns
When Allah mentioned the story of the Prophets and what happened with them and their nations — how He destroyed the disbelievers and saved the believers — He goes on to say,
ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَنْبَآءِ الْقُرَى
(That is some of the news of the (population of ) towns) meaning, news of them
نَقُصُّهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهَا قَآئِمٌ
(which We relate unto you; of them, some are (still) standing,) This means still remaining.
وَحَصِيدٌ
(and some have been (already) reaped.) This means totally destroyed.
وَمَا ظَلَمْنَـهُمْ
(We wronged them not,) This means, “When We destroyed them.”
وَلَـكِن ظَلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ
(but they wronged themselves.) their rejecting their Messengers and disbelieving in them.
فَمَا أَغْنَتْ عَنْهُمْ ءَالِهَتَهُمُ
(So their gods, profited them not…) This is referring to their idols that they used to worship and invoke.
مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِن شَىْءٍ
(other than Allah naught) the idols did not benefit them, nor did they save them when Allah’s com- mand came for their destruction.
وَمَا زَادُوهُمْ غَيْرَ تَتْبِيبٍ
(nor did they add aught to them but destruction.) Mujahid, Qatadah and others said, “This means loss. Because the reason for their destruction and their ruin was that they followed those false gods. Therefore, they were losers in this life and the Hereafter.”
Verse Number 102
إِنَّ أَخْذَهُ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ
(Verily, His punishment is painful (and) severe.) In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Musa said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«إِنَّ اللهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْه»
(Verily, Allah gives respite to a wrongdoer until He seizes him and he cannot escape.) Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited,
وَكَذلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَا أَخَذَ الْقُرَى وَهِىَ ظَـلِمَةٌ
(Such is the punishment of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong. )
Verse Number 103-105
The Destruction of the Towns is a Proof of the Establishment of the Hour (Judgement)
Allah, the Exalted, is saying that in the destruction of the disbelievers and the salvation of the believers by us is,
لآيَةً
(a sure lesson). This means an admonition and lesson concerning the truthfulness of that which We are promised in the Hereafter.
إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الاٌّشْهَـدُ
.(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth.)40:51 Allah, the Exalted, also says,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ لَنُهْلِكَنَّ الظَّـلِمِينَ
(So their Lord revealed to them: “Truly, We shall destroy the wrongdoers.) 14:13 Concerning Allah’s statement,
ذلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ النَّاسُ
(That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together,) This means the first of them and the last of them. This is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَحَشَرْنَـهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً
(And We shall gather them all together so as to leave not one of them behind.) 18: 47
وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ
(and that is a Day when all will be present.) This means a day that is great. The angels will be present, the Messengers ﷺ will gather and all of the creation will be gathered with their families. The humans, Jinns, birds, wild beasts and domesticated riding animals will all be gathered. Then the Most Just, Who does not wrong anyone even an atom’s weight, will judge between them and He will increase their good deeds in reward. Concerning the statement,
وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلاَّ لاًّجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ
(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed.) This means for a fixed period of time than cannot be increased or decreased. Then He says,
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ
(On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah’s) leave.) This means that on the Day of Judgement no one will speak except with the permission of Allah. This is similar to another verse, which says,
لاَّ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَقَالَ صَوَاباً
(they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious (Allah) allows, and he will speak what is right.) 78:38 Allah also says,
وَخَشَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـنِ
(And all the voices will be humbled for the Most Gracious (Allah). ) 20:108 In the Hadith about the intercession, which is recorded in the Two Sahihs, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«وَلَا يَتَكَلَّمُ يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلَّا الرُّسُلُ، وَدَعْوَى الرُّسُلِ يَوْمَئِذٍ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْ سَلِّم»
(No one will speak on that day except the Messengers, and the call of the Messengers will be, “O Allah, save us, save us.”) Concerning Allah’s statement,
فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
(Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) This means that from the people of the gathering (on Judgement Day), some will be miserable and some will be happy. This is as Allah said,
فَرِيقٌ فِى الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِى السَّعِيرِ
(When a party will be in Paradise and a party in the blazing Fire) 42:7 Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la recorded in his Musnad on the authority of Ibn `Umar that `Umar said, “When this verse was revealed,
فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
(Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) I asked the Prophet , `O Messenger of Allah, will there be a sign for us to know (which party we are from) Will it be because of something that a person did, or something that he did not do’ He said,
«عَلَى شَيْءٍ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنْهُ يَا عُمَرُ وَجَرَتْ بِهِ الْأَقْلَامُ،وَلَكِنْ كُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَه»
(O `Umar, it will be due to something that he did and the pens wrote it down. But every easy deed was created for its purpose (to be carried out).) Then Allah explains the situation of the wretched people and the happy people. He, the Exalted, says,
The Destruction of the Towns is a Proof of the Establishment of the Hour (Judgement)
Allah, the Exalted, is saying that in the destruction of the disbelievers and the salvation of the believers by us is,
لآيَةً
(a sure lesson). This means an admonition and lesson concerning the truthfulness of that which We are promised in the Hereafter.
إِنَّا لَنَنصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الاٌّشْهَـدُ
.(Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those who believe in this world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth.)40:51 Allah, the Exalted, also says,
فَأَوْحَى إِلَيْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ لَنُهْلِكَنَّ الظَّـلِمِينَ
(So their Lord revealed to them: “Truly, We shall destroy the wrongdoers.) 14:13 Concerning Allah’s statement,
ذلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ النَّاسُ
(That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together,) This means the first of them and the last of them. This is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَحَشَرْنَـهُمْ فَلَمْ نُغَادِرْ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً
(And We shall gather them all together so as to leave not one of them behind.) 18: 47
وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ
(and that is a Day when all will be present.) This means a day that is great. The angels will be present, the Messengers will gather and all of the creation will be gathered with their families. The humans, Jinns, birds, wild beasts and domesticated riding animals will all be gathered. Then the Most Just, Who does not wrong anyone even an atom’s weight, will judge between them and He will increase their good deeds in reward. Concerning the statement,
وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُ إِلاَّ لاًّجَلٍ مَّعْدُودٍ
(And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed.) This means for a fixed period of time than cannot be increased or decreased. Then He says,
يَوْمَ يَأْتِ لاَ تَكَلَّمُ نَفْسٌ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ
(On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allah’s) leave.) This means that on the Day of Judgement no one will speak except with the permission of Allah. This is similar to another verse, which says,
لاَّ يَتَكَلَّمُونَ إِلاَّ مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَـنُ وَقَالَ صَوَاباً
(they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious (Allah) allows, and he will speak what is right.) 78:38 Allah also says,
وَخَشَعَتِ الأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَـنِ
(And all the voices will be humbled for the Most Gracious (Allah). ) 20:108 In the Hadith about the intercession, which is recorded in the Two Sahihs, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«وَلَا يَتَكَلَّمُ يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلَّا الرُّسُلُ، وَدَعْوَى الرُّسُلِ يَوْمَئِذٍ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْ سَلِّم»
(No one will speak on that day except the Messengers, and the call of the Messengers will be, “O Allah, save us, save us.”) Concerning Allah’s statement,
فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
(Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) This means that from the people of the gathering (on Judgement Day), some will be miserable and some will be happy. This is as Allah said,
فَرِيقٌ فِى الْجَنَّةِ وَفَرِيقٌ فِى السَّعِيرِ
(When a party will be in Paradise and a party in the blazing Fire) 42:7 Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la recorded in his Musnad on the authority of Ibn `Umar that `Umar said, “When this verse was revealed,
فَمِنْهُمْ شَقِىٌّ وَسَعِيدٌ
(Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.) I asked the Prophet , `O Messenger of Allah, will there be a sign for us to know (which party we are from) Will it be because of something that a person did, or something that he did not do’ He said,
«عَلَى شَيْءٍ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنْهُ يَا عُمَرُ وَجَرَتْ بِهِ الْأَقْلَامُ،وَلَكِنْ كُلٌّ مُيَسَّرٌ لِمَا خُلِقَ لَه»
(O `Umar, it will be due to something that he did and the pens wrote it down. But every easy deed was created for its purpose (to be carried out).) Then Allah explains the situation of the wretched people and the happy people. He, the Exalted, says,
Verse Number 106-107
The Condition of the Wretched People and their Destination
Allah, the Exalted, says,
لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ
(in it they will experience Zafir and Shahiq.) Ibn `Abbas said, “Az-Zafir is a sound in the throat and Ash-Shahiq is a sound in the chest. This means that their exhaling will be Zafir and their inhaling will Shahiq.” This will be due to the torment that they will be experiencing. We seek refuge with Allah from such evil.
خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَـوَتُ وَالاٌّرْضُ
(They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure,) Imam Abu Ja`far bin Jarir said, “It was from the customs of the Arabs that when they wanted to describe something that would last forever, they would say, `This is as enduring as the heavens and the earth.’ Or, `It will last as until the night and day separate.’ They would say, `As long as talkers at night continue to chat.’ They meant by these statements the condition of eternity. Therefore, Allah addressed them in a manner that they were familiar with among themselves. Thus, He said,
خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَـوَتُ وَالاٌّرْضُ
(They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure,) The literal meaning is also intended with; “for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure.” This is due to the fact that there will be heavens and earth in the life of the next world, just as Allah said,
يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ الاٌّرْضُ غَيْرَ الاٌّرْضِ وَالسَّمَـوَتُ
(On the Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will be the heavens.) 14:48 For this reason, Al-Hasan Al-Basri said concerning the statement of Allah,
مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَـوَتُ وَالاٌّرْضُ
(the heavens and the earth endure.) “Allah is referring to a heaven other than this heaven (which we see now) and an earth other than this earth. That (new) heaven and earth will be eternal.” Concerning Allah’s statement,
إِلاَّ مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
(except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the doer of whatsoever He intends.) This is similar to His statement,
النَّارُ مَثْوَاكُمْ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَآ إِلاَّ مَا شَآءَ اللَّهُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ
(The Fire be your dwelling place, you will dwell therein forever, except as Allah may will. Certainly your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing.) 6:128 It has been said that the exception mentioned in this verse refers to the disobedient among the people of Tawhid. It is these whom Allah will bring out of the Fire by the intercession of the interceders. Those who will be allowed to intercede are the angels, the Prophets and the believers. They will intercede even on behalf of those who committed major sins. Then, the generous mercy of Allah will remove from the Fire those who have never done any good, except for saying La ilaha illallah one day of their life. This has been mentioned in numerous authentic reports from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, including narrations from Anas bin Malik, Jabir bin `Abdullah, Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri, Abu Hurayrah and other Companions. No one remains in the Fire after this final intercession, except those who will remain there forever without escape. This is the opinion held by many of the scholars, both past and present, concerning the explanation of this verse.
Verse Number 108
The Condition of the Happy People and their Destination
Allah, the Exalted, says,
وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ سُعِدُواْ
(And those who are blessed.) These are the followers of the Messengers.
فَفِى الْجَنَّةِ
(they will be in Paradise,) This means that their final abode will be Paradise.
خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَآ
(abiding therein for all the time) This means that they will remain there forever.
مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَـوَتُ وَالاٌّرْضُ إِلاَّ مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَ
(that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills:) The meaning of the exception that is made here is that the condition of eternal pleasure that they will experience therein is something that is not mandatory by itself. Rather, it is something that is dependent upon the will of Allah. Unto Him belongs the favor of immortality upon them. For this reason they are inspired to glorify and praise Him, just as they are inspired to breathe. Ad-Dahhak and Al-Hasan Al-Basri both said, “It is about the right of the disobedient people of Tawhid who were in the Fire and then brought out of it.” Then Allah finished this statement by saying,
عَطَآءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ
(a gift without an end.) This means that it will never be cut off. This has been mentioned by Mujahid, Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah and others. This has been mentioned so that the suspicious person will not doubt after the mention of the will of Allah. Someone may think that the mention of Allah’s will here means that the pleasure of Paradise may end or change. To the contrary, it has been decreed that this pleasure will truly be forever and will never end. Likewise, Allah has clarified here that the eternal torment of the people of the Fire in Hell also is due to His will. He explains that He punishes them due to His justness and wisdom. This is why He says,
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
(Verily, your Lord is the doer of whatsoever He intends.) Similarly, Allah says,
لاَ يُسْأَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْـَلُونَ
(He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.)21:23 Here, Allah soothes the hearts and affirms the intent, by His saying,
عَطَآءً غَيْرَ مَجْذُوذٍ
(a gift without an end.) It has been recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«يُؤتَى بِالْمَوْتِ فِي صُورَةِ كَبْشٍ أَمْلَحَ فَيُذْبَحُ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَالنَّارِ،ثُمَّ يُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ خُلُودٌ فَلَا مَوْتَ، وَيَا أَهْلَ النَّارِ خُلُودٌ فَلَا مَوْت»
(Death will be brought in the form of a handsome ram (on the Day of Judgement) and it will be slaughtered between Paradise and the Hellfire. Then, it will be said, “O people of Paradise! Eternity and no death! O people of Hellfire! Eternity and no death!”) In the Sahih it is recorded that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«فَيُقَالُ: يَا أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ إِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَعِيشُوا فَلَا تَمُوتُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَشِبُّوا فَلَا تَهْرَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَصِحُّوا فَلَا تَسْقَمُوا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ أَنْ تَنْعَمُوا فَلَا تَبْأَسُوا أَبَدًا»
(It will be said, `O people of Paradise, verily you will live and you will never die. You will remain young and you will never grow old. You will remain healthy and you will never become ill. You will be happy and you will never grieve.)
Verse Number 109-111
Associating Partners with Allah is no doubt Misguidance
Allah, the Exalted, says,
فَلاَ تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّمَّا يَعْبُدُ هَـؤُلاءِ
(So be not in doubt as to what these people worship.) This refers to the polytheists. Verily, what they are doing is falsehood, ignorance and misguidance. Verily, they are only worshipping what their fathers worshipped before. This means that they have no support for their Shirk. They are only mimicking their fathers in ignorance. Therefore, Allah will give them due recompense for that and He will punish them with a punishment the likes of which none can give besides Him. If they did any good deeds, then Allah will reward them for those good works in this life, before the life of the Hereafter. Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَإِنَّا لَمُوَفُّوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ غَيْرَ مَنقُوصٍ
(And verily, We shall repay them in full their portion without diminution.) `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, “We will pay them in full their portion of punishment without diminution.” Then, Allah mentions that He gave Musa the Book, but the people differed concerning it. Some believed in it and some disbelieved in it. Therefore, you, Muhammad, have an example in the Prophets who came before you. So do not grieve or be upset by their denial of you.
وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ
(and had it not been for a Word Kalimah that had gone forth before from your Lord, the case would have been judged between them,) Ibn Jarir said, “If it were not that the punishment had already been delayed until an appointed time, then Allah would have decided the matter between you now. The word Kalimah carries the meaning that Allah will not punish anyone until the proof has been established against him and a Messenger has been sent to him.” This is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاً
(And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning).) 17:15 For verily, Allah says in another verse,
وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَاماً وَأَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى فَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُونَ
(And had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord, and a term determined, (their punishment) must necessarily have come (in this world). So bear patiently what they say.)20:129-130 Then, Allah informs that He will gather the early generations and the later generations from all of the nations. He will then reward them based upon their deeds. If they did good deeds, their reward will be good, and if they did evil deeds, their reward will be bad. Allah says,
وَإِنَّ كُـلاًّ لَّمَّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُمْ رَبُّكَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ إِنَّهُ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
(And verily, to each of them your Lord will repay their works in full. Surely, He is All-Aware of what they do.) This means that He is All-Knower of all of their deeds. This includes their honorable deeds and their despicable deeds, their small deeds and their great deeds. There are many different modes of recitation for this verse, yet all of their meanings agree with what we have mentioned. This is similar to Allah’s statement,
وَإِن كُلٌّ لَّمَّا جَمِيعٌ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ
(And surely, all – everyone of them will be brought before Us.)36:32
Verse Number 112-113
The Command to Stand Firm and Straight
Allah, the Exalted, commands His Messenger and His believing servants to be firm and to always be upright. This is of the greatest aid for gaining victory over the enemy and confronting the opposition. Allah also forbids transgression, which is to exceed the bounds (of what is allowed). Verily, transgression causes destruction to its practitioner, even if the transgression was directed against a polytheist. Then, Allah informs that He is All-Seer of the actions of His servants. He is not unaware of anything and nothing is hidden from Him. Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَلاَ تَرْكَنُواْ إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ
(And incline not toward those who do wrong,) `Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Do not compromise with them.” Ibn Jarir said that Ibn `Abbas said, “Do not side with those who do wrong.” This is a good statement. This means, “Do not seek assistance from wrongdoers, because it will be as if you are condoning their actions (of evil).”
فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لاَ تُنصَرُونَ
(lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allah, nor you would then be helped.) This means that you will not have besides Allah any friend who can save you, nor any helper who can remove you from His torment.
Verse Number 114-115
The Command to establish the Prayer
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said,
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَوةَ طَرَفَىِ النَّهَارِ
(And perform the Salah, at the two ends of the day) “This is referring to the morning prayer (Subh) and the evening prayer (Maghrib).” The same was said by Al-Hasan and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. In one narration reported by Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and others, Al-Hasan said, “It means the morning prayer (Subh) and the late afternoon prayer (`Asr).” Mujahid said, “It is the morning prayer at the beginning of the day and the noon prayer (Zuhr) and late afternoon prayer (`Asr) at the end of the day.” This was also said by Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi and Ad-Dahhak in one narration from him.
وَزُلَفاً مِّنَ الَّيْلِ
(and in some hours of the night.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Hasan and others said, “This means the night prayer (`Isha’).” Ibn Al-Mubarak reported from Mubarak bin Fadalah that Al-Hasan said,
وَزُلَفاً مِّنَ الَّيْلِ
(and in some hours of the night.) “This means the evening (Maghrib) and late night (`Isha’) prayers. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«هُمَا زُلَفَا اللَّيْلِ: الْمَغْرِبُ وَالْعِشَاء»
(They are the approach of the night: Maghrib and `Isha’.) The same was said by Mujahid, Muhammad bin Ka`b, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak (that this means the Maghrib and `Isha’ prayers). It should be noted that this verse was revealed before the five daily prayers were made obligatory during the night of Isra’ (the Prophet’s night journey to Jerusalem). At that time there were only two obligatory prayers: a prayer before sunrise and a prayer before sunset. During the late night another prayer (Tahajjud) was also made obligatory upon the Prophet and his nation. Later, this obligation was abrogated for his nation and remained obligatory upon him . Finally, this obligation was abrogated for the Prophet as well, according to one opinion. Allah knows best.
The Good Deeds wipe away the Evil Deeds
Concerning Allah’s statement,
إِنَّ الْحَسَنَـتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّـيِّئَـتِ
(Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.) This is saying that the performance of good deeds is an expiation of previous sins. This has been mentioned in a Hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad and the Sunan Compilers, that the Commander of the faithful, `Ali bin Abi Talib, said, “Whenever I used to hear a narration from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Allah would cause me to benefit by it however He willed. If anyone informed me of any statement that he said, I would make him swear (by Allah) that the Prophet said it. If he swore by Allah, then I would believe him. Abu Bakr once told me — and Abu Bakr was truthful — that he heard the Messenger of Allah say,
«مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْبًا فَيَتَوَضَّأُ وَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ إِلَّا غُفِرَ لَه»
(There is not any Muslim who commits a sin, then he makes Wudu’ and prays two units of prayer, except that he will be forgiven (that sin).) In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that the Commander of the faithful, `Uthman bin `Affan made Wudu’ for the people (to see), just like the Wudu’ of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Then he said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ make Wudu’ like this, and he said,
«مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لَا يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّم مِنْ ذَنْبِه»
(Whoever makes Wudu’ like this Wudu’ of mine, then he prays two units of prayer in which he does not speak to himself, he will be forgiven for his previous sins.) In the Sahih it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ أَنَّ بِبَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ نَهْرًا غَمْرًا، يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسَ مَرَّاتٍ، هَلْ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ شَيْئًا؟»
(Do you think that if there was a flowing river at the door of anyone of you and he bathed in it five times every day, would there be any dirt left on him) They said, “No, O Messenger of Allah!” He () said;
«كَذَلِكَ الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ يَمْحُو اللهُ بِهِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ وَالْخَطَايَا»
(This is like the five daily prayers, for Allah uses them to wipe away the sins and wrongdoings.) Muslim recorded in his Sahih that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say,
«الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ، وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ، وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ، مُكَفِّرَاتٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَا اجْتُنِبَتِ الْكَبَائِر»
(The five daily prayers, Jumu`ah (Friday prayer) to Jumu`ah and (the fast of) Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for whatever sins were committed between them, as long as you stay away from the major sins.) Al-Bukhari recorded Ibn Mas`ud saying that a man kissed a woman (who was not his relative or wife). He then came to the Prophet and informed him about the incident. Thus, Allah revealed,
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَوةَ طَرَفَىِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفاً مِّنَ الَّيْلِ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَـتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّـيِّئَـتِ
(And perform Salah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.)11:114 The man then said, “O Messenger of Allah, is this only for me” The Prophet replied,
«لِجَمِيعِ أُمَّتِي كُلِّهِم»
(This is for all of my (Ummah) followers.) Al-Bukhari recorded this narration in the Book of Prayer as well and the Book of Tafsir. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that a man came to `Umar and said that a woman came to do business with him. During the course of their business, he took her into his place and did everything with her except the actual act of sexual intercourse. `Umar said, “Woe unto you! She probably was a woman whose husband is away (fighting) in the path of Allah.” The man said, “Of course she was.” `Umar then said, “Go to Abu Bakr and ask him about this.” The man went to Abu Bakr and asked him about the matter. Abu Bakr said, “She probably was a woman whose husband is away (fighting) in the path of Allah,” just as `Umar had said. Then he went to the Prophet and told him the same story. The Prophet said,
«فَلَعَلَّهَا مُغِيبَةٌ فِي سَبِيلِ الله»
(She probably was a woman whose husband is away (fighting) in the path of Allah.) Then a verse of Qur’an was revealed,
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَوةَ طَرَفَىِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفاً مِّنَ الَّيْلِ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَـتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّـيِّئَـتِ
(And perform the Salah, at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds.) The man then said, “O Messenger of Allah! Is this verse only for me, or does it apply to all of the people in general” `Umar then struck the man on his chest with his hand and said, “No, rather it is for all of the people in general.” Then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«صَدَقَ عُمَر»
(`Umar has spoken the truth.)
Verse Number 116-117
There must be a Group of People Who forbid Lewdness
Allah, the Exalted, says that there should have been a group of wise people present among the past generations who called to good and forbade the evil and corruption that took place among them in the land. His statement,
إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً
(except a few) This means that there were only a small number of people present among them who were of this caliber. They were those whom Allah saved at the sudden striking of His vengeance, when His anger was let lose. For this reason Allah commanded this noble Ummah (followers of Muhammad ) to always have among them those who command the good and forbid the evil. This is as Allah says,
وَلْتَكُن مِّنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
(Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. And it is they who are the successful.)3:104 It is related in a Hadith that the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ النَّاسَ إِذَا رَأَوُا الْمُنْكَرَ فَلَمْ يُغَيِّرُوهُ أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يَعُمَّهُمُ اللَّهُ بِعِقَاب»
(Verily, whenever a group of people see an evil and they do not change it, it is likely that Allah will cover them with (His) punishment.) Thus, Allah says,
فَلَوْلاَ كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُوْلُواْ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِى الاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ
(If only there had been among the generations before you persons having wisdom, There must be a Group of People Who forbid Lewdness Allah, the Exalted, says that there should have been a group of wise people present among the past generations who called to good and forbade the evil and corruption that took place among them in the land. His statement,
إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً
(except a few) This means that there were only a small number of people present among them who were of this caliber. They were those whom Allah saved at the sudden striking of His vengeance, when His anger was let lose. For this reason Allah commanded this noble Ummah (followers of Muhammad ) to always have among them those who command the good and forbid the evil. This is as Allah says,
وَلْتَكُن مِّنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
(Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. And it is they who are the successful.)3:104 It is related in a Hadith that the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ النَّاسَ إِذَا رَأَوُا الْمُنْكَرَ فَلَمْ يُغَيِّرُوهُ أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يَعُمَّهُمُ اللَّهُ بِعِقَاب»
(Verily, whenever a group of people see an evil and they do not change it, it is likely that Allah will cover them with (His) punishment.) Thus, Allah says,
فَلَوْلاَ كَانَ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُوْلُواْ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْفَسَادِ فِى الاٌّرْضِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ
(If only there had been among the generations before you persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from the Fasad in the earth,- except a few of those whom We saved from among them!) Concerning the statement,
وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مَآ أُتْرِفُواْ فِيهِ
(Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life,) This means that they continued in their ways of disobedience and evils and they did not heed the protesting of those righteous people, until the torment suddenly seized them.
وَكَانُواْ مُجْرِمِينَ
(and were criminals.) Then, Allah informs that he does not destroy any town, except that it has wronged itself. No correctional punishment or torment comes to any town, except that its people were wrongdoers. This is as Allah says, s
وَمَا ظَلَمْنَـهُمْ وَلَـكِن ظَلَمُواْ أَنفُسَهُمْ
(We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves.) 11:101 Allah also says,
وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّـمٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ
(And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) servants.) 41:46
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ النَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ
Verse Number 118-119
Allah has not made Faith universally accepted
Allah, the Exalted, informs that He is able to make all of mankind one nation upon belief, or disbelief. This is just as He said,
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لآمَنَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا
(And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed, all of them together.) 10:99 Allah goes on to say,
وَلاَ يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَإِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ
(but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy,) This means that people will always differ in religions, creeds, beliefs, opinions and sects. Concerning Allah’s statement,
إِلاَّ مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ
(Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy,) This means that those who have received the mercy of Allah by following the Messengers are excluded from this. They are those who adhere to what they are commanded in the religion by the Messengers of Allah ﷺ. That has always been their characteristic until the coming of the finality of the Prophets and Messengers (Muhammad ﷺ). Those who received Allah’s mercy are those who followed him, believed in him and supported him. Therefore, they succeeded by achieving happiness in this life and the Hereafter. They are the Saved Sect mentioned in the Hadith recorded in the Musnad and Sunan collections of Hadith. The routes of transmission of this Hadith all strengthen each other (in authenticity). In these narrations the Prophet said,
«إِنَّ الْيَهُودَ افْتَرَقَتْ عَلَى إِحْدَى وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً، وَإِنَّ النَّصَارَى افْتَرَقَتْ عَلَى اثْنَتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً، وَسَتَفْتَرِقُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً، كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا فِرْقَةً وَاحِدَة»
(Verily, the Jews split into seventy-one sects, and the Christians split into seventy-two sects, and this nation (of Muslims) will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one sect.) They (the Companions) said, “Who are they (the Saved Sect) O Messenger of Allah” He said,
«مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي»
(The sect that is upon what my Companions and I are upon.) Al-Hakim recorded this narration in his Mustadrak with this additional wording. Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لاّمْلاّنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
(And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled (His saying): “Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinn and men all together.”) Allah, the Exalted, informs that He precedes everything in His preordainment and decree, by His perfect knowledge and penetrating wisdom. The result of this decree is that from those whom He has created, some deserve the Paradise and some deserve the Hell Fire. From this decree is that He will fill the Hellfire with both mankind and Jinns. His is the profound evidence and the perfect wisdom. In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«اخْتَصَمَتِ الْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّارُ فَقَالَتِ الْجَنَّةُ: مَا لِي لَا يَدْخُلُنِي إِلَّا ضُعَفَاءُ النَّاسِ وَسَقَطُهُمْ وَقَالَتِ النَّارُ: أُوثِرْتُ بِالْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَالْمُتَجَبِّرِينَ. فَقَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ: أَنْتِ رَحْمَتِي أَرْحَمُ بِكِ مَنْ أَشَاءُ، وَقَالَ لِلنَّارِ: أَنْتِ عَذَابِي أَنْتَقِمُ بِكِ مِمَّنْ أَشَاءُ، وَلِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْكُمَا مِلْؤُهَا، فَأَمَّا الْجَنَّةُ فَلَا يَزَالُ فِيهَا فَضْلٌ، حَتَّى يُنْشِىءَ اللهُ لَهَا خَلْقًا يُسْكِنُ فَضْلَ الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَمَّا النَّارُ فَلَا تَزَالُ تَقُولُ: هَلْ مِنْ مَزِيدٍ حَتَّى يَضَعَ عَلَيْهَا رَبُّ الْعِزَّةِ قَدَمَهُ فَتَقُولُ: قَطْ قَطْ وَعِزَّتِك»
(Paradise and the Hellfire debated. Paradise said, `None will enter me except the weak and despised of the people.’ The Hell- fire said, `I have inherited the haughty and the arrogant people.’ Then Allah said to the Paradise, `You are My mercy and I grant mercy with you to whoever I wish.’ Then He said to the Hellfire, `You are My torment and I take vengeance with you upon whoever I wish. I will fill each one of you.’ However, the Paradise will always have more bounties, to such an extent that Allah will create more creatures to dwell in it and enjoy its extra bounties. The Hellfire will continue saying, `Are there anymore (to enter me),’ until the Lord of might places His Foot over it. Then it (Hell) will say, “Enough, enough, by Your might!”)
Verse Number 120
The Conclusion
Allah, the Exalted, is saying, `We relate all of these stories to you (Muhammad) concerning what happened with the Messengers who came before you with their nations. This is an explanation of what transpired in their arguments and disputes and how the Prophets were all rejected and harmed. These stories also explain how Allah helped His party of believers and disgraced His enemies, the disbelievers. We relate all of this to you (Muhammad) in order to make your heart firm and so that you may take an example from your brothers who passed before you of the Messengers.’ Concerning Allah’s statement,
وَجَآءَكَ فِى هَـذِهِ الْحَقُّ
(And in this has come to you the truth,) This is referring to this Surah itself. This was said by Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and a group of the Salaf and it is the correct view. This means, `This comprehensive Surah contains the stories of the Prophets and how Allah saved them, and the believers along with them and how He destroyed the disbelievers. There has come to you (Muhammad) stories of truth and true events in this Surah. In this Surah is an admonition that prevents the disbelievers, and a reminder that causes the believers to reflect.’
Verse Number 121-122
Allah, the Exalted, commands His Messenger to say to those who disbelieve in what he has come …
اعْمَلُواْ عَلَى مَكَانَتِكُمْ
(Act according to your ability) This means upon your path and your way.
إِنَّا عَامِلُونَ
(We are acting (in our way). This means that we are upon our path and our way (Islam).
وَانْتَظِرُواْ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ
(And you wait ! We (too) are waiting.) This means,
فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَن تَكُونُ لَهُ عَـقِبَةُ الدَّارِ إِنَّهُ لاَ يُفْلِحُ الظَّـلِمُونَ
(And you will come to know for which of us will be the (happy) end in the Hereafter. Certainly the wrongdoers will not be successful.)6:135 Verily, Allah fulfilled His promise to His Messenger , helped him and aided him. He made His Word uppermost (victorious), and the word of those who disbelieved lowly and disgraced. Allah is truly the Most Mighty, Most Wise.
Verse Number 123
Allah, the Exalted, informs that He is the All-Knower of the unseenof the heavens and the earth and that unto Him is the final return.
He explains that everyone who does a deed, He will give them their deed (reward for it) on the Day of Reckoning. Unto Him belongs the creation and the command. Then He, the Exalted, commands that He should be worshipped and relied upon, for verily, He is sufficient for whoever trusts and turns to Him. Concerning His statement,
وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
(And your Lord is not unaware of what you do.) This means, `The lies (of the disbelievers) against you O Muhammad are not hidden from Him. He is the All-Knower of the conditions of His creatures and He will give them the perfect recompense for their deeds in this life and the Hereafter. He will aid you (Muhammad) and His party over the disbelievers in this life and in the Hereafter.’ This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Hud, and all praises and thanks are due to Allah.