Subscribe to CIF Foundation Network
سورة المؤمنون
The Believers
Al-Mominoon | Sura # 23 | 118 verses | Makkan
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ١
23:1 The believers are indeed successful (in both the worlds).
The characteristics of the believers have been described in the following verses.
الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ٢
23:2 (The believers are those) who are humble in their prayers,
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ٣
23:3 who avoid idle talk;
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَاةِ فَاعِلُونَ٤
23:4 who are active in the deeds of charity;
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ٥
23:5 who guard their chastity;
إِلَّا عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ٦
23:6 except with their wives or whom their right hands held in trust, for which they will not be blamed.
فَمَنِ ابْتَغَىٰ وَرَاءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْعَادُونَ٧
23:7 Those who seek anything beyond that are transgressors.
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَاتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ٨
23:8 (The believers are) those who are true to their trusts and covenants;
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ٩
23:9 those who diligently observe the prayers.
أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ١٠
23:10 The believers will be the heirs,
الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ١١
23:11 who will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein (for ever).
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ سُلَالَةٍ مِنْ طِينٍ١٢
23:12 Verily We have created man from the quintessence of clay.
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُطْفَةً فِي قَرَارٍ مَكِينٍ١٣
23:13 Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;
ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا النُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا الْمُضْغَةَ عِظَامًا فَكَسَوْنَا الْعِظَامَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَاهُ خَلْقًا آخَرَ ۚ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ١٤
23:14 then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones, and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creation. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ١٥
23:15 Then, later you will surely die.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ١٦
23:16 Again, on the Day of Judgement, you will be resurrected.
After the description of the humble birth of human beings, Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) describes the provisions provided to them for their survival on planet earth.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَائِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ الْخَلْقِ غَافِلِينَ١٧
23:17 And We have created above you seven heavenly dimensions, and We have never abandoned (Our) creation.
وَأَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً بِقَدَرٍ فَأَسْكَنَّاهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابٍ بِهِ لَقَادِرُونَ١٨
23:18 We send down rain from the sky in perfect measure, causing it to soak into the earth. And We are surely able to take it away.
فَأَنْشَأْنَا لَكُمْ بِهِ جَنَّاتٍ مِنْ نَخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ لَكُمْ فِيهَا فَوَاكِهُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ١٩
23:19 With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and grapes, in them you have abundant fruits from which you eat.
وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ طُورِ سَيْنَاءَ تَنْبُتُ بِالدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِلْآكِلِينَ٢٠
23:20 And the (Olive) tree that grows (in places like) at Mount Sinai. It produces oil and relish for those who eat.
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِي الْأَنْعَامِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُسْقِيكُمْ مِمَّا فِي بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ٢١
23:21 And there is a lesson for you in livestock, we give you milk to drink from their bellies, (and you get) many other benefits from them; (like) you eat (their meat).
وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى الْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ٢٢
23:22 And on them, as well as in ships, you ride.
After the description of many provisions for the sustenance of human beings, Allah describes that He has been sending Prophets and Apostles right from the time of Adam (عليه السلام) for the guidance of human beings for their successful life in this world and in Hereafter. The following verses describe the events related to Apostle Nooh (عليه السلام).
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٢٣
23:23 (And we sent many Prophets for your guidance.) We sent Nooh (عليه السلام) to his nation. He said, 'O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. Are you not afraid of Him for committing shirk?'
فَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَأَنْزَلَ مَلَائِكَةً مَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِي آبَائِنَا الْأَوَّلِينَ٢٤
23:24 The rich and influential among his people, who disbelieved, said (to their people), 'This (Nooh عليه السلام) is only a human being like yourselves who wants to attain some superiority over you. If Allah had wished, He would have sent down angels (instead). We never heard about this (new belief) from our forefathers (ancestors).
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ بِهِ جِنَّةٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوا بِهِ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ٢٥
23:25 (And some said) 'He is only a man possessed. Wait (have patience) with him for a time.'
قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ٢٦
23:26 (Nooh - عليه السلام) said, 'O my Lord! help me as they are accusing me of falsehood!'
فَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اصْنَعِ الْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّورُ ۙ فَاسْلُكْ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَنْ سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَوْلُ مِنْهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تُخَاطِبْنِي فِي الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ۖ إِنَّهُمْ مُغْرَقُونَ٢٧
23:27 So We revealed to him : 'Build the Ark under Our (watchful) Eyes and direction. Then when Our command comes and the oven bursts (with water), take on board a pair from every species along with your family, except those against whom the decree (to drown) has already been passed. And do not plead with Me for those who have done wrong, for they will surely be drowned.'
Bursting of an oven (or a well) was probably made an indication to Prophet Nooh (عليه السلام) that the torment has arrived and he should prepare to board the mighty Ark.
فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْتَ أَنْتَ وَمَنْ مَعَكَ عَلَى الْفُلْكِ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَجَّانَا مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ٢٨
23:28 When you and those with you are boarded and settled in the Ark, then say, 'All praise is due to Allah, who has saved us from the oppressive people.'
وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلًا مُبَارَكًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْمُنْزِلِينَ٢٩
23:29 And say : 'My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the best of those who bring (people) to land (safely).'
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ وَإِنْ كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ٣٠
23:30 There are many lessons in this story, and surely We do test people.
The events of prophets described in Quran are meant for people to learn lesson and act righteously and appreciate the efforts of the Prophets and Apostles. It is evident from these stories that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) provides long respites for nations while they are provided with answers to all their doubts. Whoever comes to the right path during this time, is saved. Those who rebel, are eventually destroyed.
ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا آخَرِينَ٣١
23:31 Then We raised up, after them, another generation.
فَأَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٣٢
23:32 And We sent to them an Apostle from among themselves, (saying), 'Worship Allah! you have no other god but He. Will you not fear (Him)?'
وَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِلِقَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ وَأَتْرَفْنَاهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يَأْكُلُ مِمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ مِنْهُ وَيَشْرَبُ مِمَّا تَشْرَبُونَ٣٣
23:33 And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting (of Allah) in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed good things of this life, said (to their people), 'he (the prophet) is no more than a man like yourselves. He eats the same what you eat, and drinks the same what you drink.'
وَلَئِنْ أَطَعْتُمْ بَشَرًا مِثْلَكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَخَاسِرُونَ٣٤
23:34 'And if you obey a man like you, then you will indeed be losers.'
أَيَعِدُكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ إِذَا مِتُّمْ وَكُنْتُمْ تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَنَّكُمْ مُخْرَجُونَ٣٥
23:35 'Does he describe that when you die and become dust and bones, you will be brought forth (alive again)?'
هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لِمَا تُوعَدُونَ٣٦
23:36 Impossible, simply impossible is what you have been told!
إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا الدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَبْعُوثِينَ٣٧
23:37 There is nothing beyond our worldly life. We die, others are born, and none will be resurrected.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا وَمَا نَحْنُ لَهُ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ٣٨
23:38 'He is only a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in him!'
قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ٣٩
23:39 He (the Apostle) said, 'My Lord, help me as they are calling me a liar.'
قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ لَيُصْبِحُنَّ نَادِمِينَ٤٠
23:40 Allah responded, (saying) soon they will surely be regretful.
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّيْحَةُ بِالْحَقِّ فَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ غُثَاءً ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِلْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ٤١
23:41 So a mighty shriek (الصَّيْحَةُ) justly struck them, (they were all dead) and We swept them away like scum. Away then with the oppressive people.
ثُمَّ أَنْشَأْنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُونًا آخَرِينَ٤٢
23:42 Then We raised after them other generations.
مَا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ٤٣
23:43 No people can advance their doom, nor can they delay it.
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَىٰ ۖ كُلَّ مَا جَاءَ أُمَّةً رَسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ ۚ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِقَوْمٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ٤٤
23:44 Then We sent our Apostles in succession. Every time there came to a people their Apostle, they accused him of falsehood. So We made them follow each other (in punishment). And We made them as a tale (that is told). So gone is the nation of disbelievers.
Not to belief in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is indeed a curse. If you do not obey your creator, you will end up obeying many man-made gods and many notorious clergymen who will push you into religious-slavery in the name of their false religion/idol worship. These chieftains take advantage of their people and exploit them for generations. They are also involved in rivalry and in infighting among themselves in which only innocent people on both sides die and suffer.
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَأَخَاهُ هَارُونَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ٤٥
23:45 Then We sent Musa and his brother Haroon (عليهم السلام), with Our Signs and clear authority (from Us),
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا عَالِينَ٤٦
23:46 to Pharaoh and his Chieftains; but they acted arrogantly. And they were a tyrant lot.
فَقَالُوا أَنُؤْمِنُ لِبَشَرَيْنِ مِثْلِنَا وَقَوْمُهُمَا لَنَا عَابِدُونَ٤٧
23:47 They said, 'Shall we believe in two men, like ourselves, whose community (the children of Israel) are our slaves?'
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُوا مِنَ الْمُهْلَكِينَ٤٨
23:48 So they rejected them and became of those who were destroyed.
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ٤٩
23:49 And We gave Musa (عليه السلام) the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.
وَجَعَلْنَا ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ آيَةً وَآوَيْنَاهُمَا إِلَىٰ رَبْوَةٍ ذَاتِ قَرَارٍ وَمَعِينٍ٥٠
23:50 And We made Isa Ibn Maryam (عليه السلام) and his mother a sign, and gave them refuge on a high ground, (which was a comfortable) place to rest with (abundant) flowing water.
يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ٥١
23:51 (We commanded all our Apostles) 'Partake of the decent things of life and work for the betterment of humanity. Verily, I am aware of what you do'.
وَإِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاتَّقُونِ٥٢
23:52 'Indeed, this religion of yours is (only) one, and I am your Lord, so fear Me (alone).
Indeed, the religion of all prophets sent by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is one, ie., Islam. Islam's basic belief is Tawheed, belief in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and following His guidance which has reached people via His Apostles. People are required to remain united within the guidelines of Islam.
فَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا ۖ كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ٥٣
23:53 Yet (the followers in successive generations) tore their unity piece by piece, each faction rejoicing in what it has.
فَذَرْهُمْ فِي غَمْرَتِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ٥٤
23:54 So leave them (O' Prophet ﷺ) in their heedlessness for a while.
أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ مَالٍ وَبَنِينَ٥٥
23:55 Do they think that because We have given them abundance of wealth and sons,
نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ بَلْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ٥٦
23:56 and We hasten in giving them good things? No, they do not understand (that these things are a test for them).
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ هُمْ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِمْ مُشْفِقُونَ٥٧
23:57 Surely those, who, in view of the awe of their Lord, are cautious,
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ٥٨
23:58 those who believe in the Signs of their Lord;
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِرَبِّهِمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ٥٩
23:59 those who never associate partners with their Lord,
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوْا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ٦٠
23:60 who give in charity whatever they can, and their hearts are full of fear that they shall have to return to their Lord,
أُولَٰئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ٦١
23:61 it is they who race to do good, always taking the lead.
وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَلَدَيْنَا كِتَابٌ يَنْطِقُ بِالْحَقِّ ۚ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ٦٢
23:62 On no one, do We place a burden greater than he can bear. With Us is a record which clearly shows the truth. They will never be wronged.
بَلْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فِي غَمْرَةٍ مِنْ هَٰذَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْمَالٌ مِنْ دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ هُمْ لَهَا عَامِلُونَ٦٣
23:63 Rather, the (unbelievers') hearts are in confusion about this (Quran) and they have other (evil) deeds besides this, in which they are engrossed.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَخَذْنَا مُتْرَفِيهِمْ بِالْعَذَابِ إِذَا هُمْ يَجْأَرُونَ٦٤
23:64 But as soon as We seize their elite (the rich and influential people among them) with torment, they start to cry for help.
لَا تَجْأَرُوا الْيَوْمَ ۖ إِنَّكُمْ مِنَّا لَا تُنْصَرُونَ٦٥
23:65 (They will be told), 'Do not cry for help today. Surely you will never be saved from Us (Our torment).
قَدْ كَانَتْ آيَاتِي تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ تَنْكِصُونَ٦٦
23:66 Indeed, when My verses were recited to you, you used to turn back on your heels,
مُسْتَكْبِرِينَ بِهِ سَامِرًا تَهْجُرُونَ٦٧
23:67 behaving arrogantly, and talking nonsense (about the Apostle ﷺ and the verses) in your nightly secret conversations.'
أَفَلَمْ يَدَّبَّرُوا الْقَوْلَ أَمْ جَاءَهُمْ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِ آبَاءَهُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ٦٨
23:68 Then have they not reflected on the Quran, or has there come to them that which had not come to their forefathers? (Prophets have been coming to all nations and they have been warned all along).
أَمْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا رَسُولَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَهُ مُنْكِرُونَ٦٩
23:69 Do they not recognize their Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)? So why do they reject him?
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ بِهِ جِنَّةٌ ۚ بَلْ جَاءَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَارِهُونَ٧٠
23:70 Or do they say, 'He is possessed?' Nay, he has brought them the Truth, but most of them hate the Truth.
وَلَوِ اتَّبَعَ الْحَقُّ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ لَفَسَدَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ ۚ بَلْ أَتَيْنَاهُمْ بِذِكْرِهِمْ فَهُمْ عَنْ ذِكْرِهِمْ مُعْرِضُونَ٧١
23:71 If the Truth (Allah's commands) were made subjected to their desires, surely, the heavens and the earth, and whoever is in them, would have been corrupted. Instead, We have given them their Reminder, but they turn away from it.
أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ خَرْجًا فَخَرَاجُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ٧٢
23:72 Or (do they think that) you are asking them for (some) compensation, when your Lord's reward is the best (for you)? He is the Best of Providers.
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ٧٣
23:73 And certainly, you are calling them to a Straight Path.
وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ عَنِ الصِّرَاطِ لَنَاكِبُونَ٧٤
23:74 But those who do not believe in the Hereafter turn away from the straight path.
The people who reject the resurrection or who do not want to realize the facts of Hereafter get involve in all kinds of sinful activities. The fact is, realization comes by seeing a thing from your eyes or by experiencing it physically. This is the reason Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) asks us to go round the earth and see the remains of the nations who were destroyed for their consistent disbelieve and tribulation on earth. If that kind of punishment is not given to you in this world for some reason, it does not mean that you will not face the consequences of your evil deeds in the Hereafter. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) provides at many places in Quran a full description of horror of what will happen in Hereafter and on the day of Judgement. How the disbelievers, hypocrites, followers of deviant sects will be subjected to punishment in the Hell. All these descriptions in Quran are meant to instill in us the awe of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and fear of His punishment and realize His mercy and rewards in Hereafter for those who are believers.
وَلَوْ رَحِمْنَاهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِمْ مِنْ ضُرٍّ لَلَجُّوا فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ٧٥
23:75 (Even) if We had Mercy on them and removed their affliction, they would still persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.
وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْعَذَابِ فَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ٧٦
23:76 For even now, when We have inflicted punishment on them, they have neither submitted to their Lord nor humbled themselves towards Him.
The above verse probably refers to the famine that had struck the Hijaz region those days.
When famines struck, earthquakes take place, massive storms and Tsunamis create destruction on land or tyrants create killing carnage and carryout destruction of countries, all these are indication of Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) wrath. It is important that people take note of these calamities and turn towards Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) asking for His forgiveness and return back to good deeds. If people become heedless of these indications considering it to be natural disasters, then a permanent destruction and humiliation is imposed. This is what looks to have happened to Muslim Ummah these days. What is required is the Muslims of the world need to come back to Sahih Iman and repent for their evil deeds.
There are many deviant sects among Muslims who are divided into innumerable groups who take you away from Sahih Iman, instill in you wrong Iman, in the name of Islam and lead you towards permanent Hell.
What is Sahih Iman?
We have discussed the issue of Sahih Iman in detail in the Tafseer of Sura Al-Baqara, Verse # 2 earlier, a part of that is reproduced below.
A Muslim has to believe in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) as the creator of this Cosmos and no one but Him can be worshiped. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is free from the considerations of body, form, shape, etc. Everything in this cosmos is His creation. Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) creations are appearing in the cosmos in specific shapes/forms/characteristics as per their facts. This Iman was taught to us by Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
What is Wrong Iman?
(a) Some people associate divinity (اُلوہيت) with some human beings and call them God-men or Avataar. Some people believe different gods for different works in this cosmos and they make pictures and mud/metallic idols of these gods and worship them. Some people believe that god has a son and angels are god’s daughters. All these beliefs are polytheism, contrary to the Islamic belief of Monotheism/Sahih Iman.
(b) Some Muslim sects (Wahhabis, Kharijis and their like minded groups) believe that their God has a huge human like body with human like physical features. He is sitting over the skies separated from his creatures. They call this Sky Idol God as Allah (Astaghfirullah). This belief is polytheism (شرک). They have created an idol of a sky God in their minds and worship this idol claiming it to be Allah. Why do they call it Allah? Because God is translated in Arabic as Allah.
(c) Some Muslim sects ( Devbandis and their like minded groups) believe that God can commit sinful acts. They believe that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) can lie, and to lie is within His powers. They argue that when people can lie and it is in their power to lie, then to deny this power for Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is apostasy. They claim that there is a difference between saying - ‘Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) lies’ or Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) can lie - and they believe that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) can lie.
The above belief is Kufr because it sows the seed of suspicion about Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) perfection. Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) omnipotence (قدرتِ اِلٰہی) is relevant to His knowledge. Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) ‘will’ is the result of His wisdom, which in turn is dependent upon His knowledge. A thing which is contrary to his ‘Wisdom’ will not appear. To believe Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) can perform unwise deeds is equal to not believing Him Wise.
The omnipotence (قدرت) of insane and mad is not subordinated to knowledge and wisdom. The omnipotence of sensible, intelligent and wise is subordinated to 'knowledge and wisdom'.
The irrelevance of 'omnipotence' of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) ' to baseless things (مُستحیلات) and forbidden things (مُمتنعات) does not indicate Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) powerlessness. The powerlessness is indicated when the thing was possible in the first place.
(d) Polytheism and Idol worship is contrary to Islamic monotheism. If a person recites Kalima Tayyiba orally/publicly and claims himself to be a Muslim, but at the same time visits Hindu temples, Sikh Gurduwaras, Jew Synagogues, Christian Churches and participates in their functions and does not mind standing along with them in their worship in the name of Inter-faith, is a Muslim just for the namesake. There is a difference between the person who is a real Muslim and a person who is claiming to be a Muslims. The person who claims to be a Muslim but acts like non-Muslims, is surely a hypocrite. Since these so called Muslims are involved in, or participates/joins in worship other than Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), their Islamic faith is only a lip service that will neither benefit them in this world, nor will be helpful in Hereafter.
When these people, who claim themselves to be Secular/Liberal Muslims are questioned about their actions, they claim that they are doing it for peace and harmony among different faiths and sections of society. Indeed, it is a deception on their part. They are fooling people for the sake of some political/material gains.
It is in Quran - لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ [Make no excuse; you have done Kufr after your Iman.] (At-Tauba - 66).
As far as working for peace and harmony in a multi-cultural society is concerned, this can be achieved in hundreds of other ways, without sacrificing your Iman.
We are discussing the essential requirement of Islamic faith. It is important to note that hating people on the basis of their sect, faith, or ethnicity is not an Islamic practice. Faith is a choice of every individual on this planet. They can choose any faith. To keep good relations with everyone is part of Islamic teachings.
It is in Hadith – Ibn Abbas (رضئ الله تعالى عنه) reported, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said ‘He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while the neighbor to his side is hungry’ ( Baihaqi, Sunan al-Kubra).
In the above Hadith there is no mention that your neighbor should be a true Muslim in order to help him/her in any manner needed. He/She can be anyone, belonging to any sect, faith and ethnicity.
Hadith of Ihsan - Abu Huraira (رضئ الله تعالى عنه) narrated - One day while the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was sitting in the company of some people, (angel) Jibreel (عليه السلام) came and sat, folding his knees (like a student sits in front of a teacher) and asked, "What is faith?" Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) replied, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), His angels, (the) meeting with Him (on the day of judgment), His Apostles, and to believe in Resurrection.’ Then he asked, "What is Islam?" Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) replied, "To worship Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the compulsory charity ‘Zakat’ and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan." Then he asked, "What is Ihsan?" Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) replied, "To pray as if you see Him, and if you cannot see him then you must consider that He is looking at you." (Bukhari – part of the Hadith).
As per the above Hadith, there are three categories of people in Muslim Ummah.
(i) People of Iman - They truthfully believe in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). People of Sahih Iman will eventually get salvation.
(ii) People of Islam - There are two types of Muslims under this category, (a) Who have Sahih Iman, and (b) the followers of deviant sects who do not have Sahih Iman.
The people who are not good at Iman and their believes come under the purview of apostasy / polytheism / hypocrisy / blasphemy are faithless Muslims even though they recite Kalima Tayyiba verbally, claim themselves to be Muslims, and act upon certain Islamic deeds.
It is in Hadith - Abu Said Al-Khudri (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated - Allah’s Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said ‘there will appear some people among you whose prayer will make you look down upon yours, and whose fasting will make you look down upon yours, and they will recite Qur'an ( in melodious voices and memorize it) but Quran will not go down their throats (they will misunderstand and misinterpret the meanings of Quran) and will go out of Islam as the arrow goes out of the bow. (Bukhari )
Some people consider that people belonging to all Sects will get salvation on the day of Judgment. Some will get instant salvation, the others will get salvation after they are punished for wrong Iman. This is not a correct understanding because the first and foremost requirement is Sahih Iman. A person who dies without the light of Iman in his heart, lived in darkness in this world, will remain in darkness in Hereafter as well. His Islamic deeds will not be useful for him for his salvation.
It is in Hadith - Abu Hurairah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrated that the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, 'Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts. (Muslims)
Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) looks at your Iman and intentions because all your outward deeds are dependent upon your Sahih Iman. If you do not have Sahih Iman (correct Islamic faith) in your heart, all your good deeds go in vain.
(iii) People of Ihsan - Those who are good both in Iman (Islamic faith) and Islamic deeds. These are the people who are successful in both the worlds. They are the ones who will get innumerable bounties of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) in Hereafter.
It is in Quran - إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ [ Allah is with those who are righteous and practice Ihsan. ] (An-Nahl - 128).
It is in Quran - - إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ [ Allah loves those who practice Ihsan.] (Al-Baqara - 195; Aale-Imraan - 134, 148; Al-Maidah - 13, 93).
Who are the people of Ihsan? People of Ihsan are the friends of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).
It is in Quran - أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ - الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ - لَهُمُ الْبُشْرَىٰ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِكَلِمَاتِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ [Behold the friends of Allah. On them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve. These are they, who have believed in Allah and are mindful of Him and are righteous (abstain from everything evil). To them good tidings come. This in itself is a great felicity. (Younus 62-64).
Followers of Salafi/Wahhabi/Devbandi sects and their like minded groups do not believe in Awliya Allah and consider their pious graves as places of polytheism. The Muslims who visit their graves for barakah are called by these sects as ‘Grave worshipers’ They do not realize that it is the practice of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and Sahabah who used to visit the graves of Muslims frequently. There are many Ahadith in this context in almost all authentic Ahadith books. By doing blasphemy of Awliya Allah, followers of these sects surely invite the wrath of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).
It is in Hadith - Whoever takes a Wali of mine (ولي الله) an enemy, I will wage a war on him (Bukhari, part of the Hadith).
Righteousness (Taqwa)
Sahih Iman and Taqwa go hand in hand. Both these are inter-dependent. Once these two are joined in a person, he becomes good in the eyes of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and all his issues are directly taken care of by Him. He will be protected in this life and in Hereafter both from the Mercy of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). Some requirements of righteousness (Taqwa) are as follows.
(i) The person should refrain from what is forbidden in Islam.
(ii) Avoid issues which are doubtful which may lead to committing sins.
(iii) Avoid spending his time in wasteful avocations and evil considerations (thoughts).
(iv) He should try to spend his time in remembering Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) to an extent that the thought of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) overtakes other irrelevant thoughts of the world.
(v) He should try to give due right to everyone around him, including his own self, as per the commandments of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).
(vi) He should be alert in all his actions by realizing the presence of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) around him. If this is not possible, he should always keep in mind that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is watching all his actions in this world, and this is the elevated state of righteousness described in the Hadith of Ihsan mentioned above.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَابًا ذَا عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ إِذَا هُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ٧٧
23:77 But as soon as We open for them a gate of severe punishment, they will be utterly desperate.
We pray - رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ [ Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. Pardon us, forgive us and have mercy on us. You are our protector. Give us victory over those who stand against faith. ] (Al-Baqara - 286)
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنْشَأَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَا تَشْكُرُونَ٧٨
23:78 It is Allah Who has given you ears, eyes and hearts. Yet seldom you show gratitude.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي ذَرَأَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ٧٩
23:79 It is He who multiplied you on the earth, and it will be before Him that you will be gathered.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَلَهُ اخْتِلَافُ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ٨٠
23:80 And it is He who gives life and causes death, and He is the one who causes alternation of the night and the day. Then will you not reason?
بَلْ قَالُوا مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ الْأَوَّلُونَ٨١
23:81 On the contrary, they said the same as what the former people used to say.
قَالُوا أَإِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَامًا أَإِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ٨٢
23:82 They say, 'What! when we die and become dust and bones, could we really be raised up again?
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا نَحْنُ وَآبَاؤُنَا هَٰذَا مِنْ قَبْلُ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ٨٣
23:83 'We have heard such discourses before, and so did our forefathers. These are just ancient fables.'
قُلْ لِمَنِ الْأَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ٨٤
23:84 (O' Prophet ﷺ) ask them : 'To whom belongs the earth and everything therein? Tell me if you know?'
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ٨٥
23:85 They will reply, 'To Allah!' Say, 'Why are you not then mindful?'
قُلْ مَنْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ٨٦
23:86 (And) ask them, 'Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Mighty Throne?'
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٨٧
23:87 They will reply, 'Allah.' Say, 'Will you not then fear (Him)?'
قُلْ مَنْ بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ٨٨
23:88 Ask (them) : 'In Whose Hand is the absolute ownership and dominion of all things, and He (who) protects and grants asylum, whereas against Him no asylum is available, and He never needs protection (for himself)? (Tell me,) if you have any knowledge.'
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ ۚ قُلْ فَأَنَّىٰ تُسْحَرُونَ٨٩
23:89 They will say : 'Allah'. Say : 'So how have you been bewitched?'
بَلْ أَتَيْنَاهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ٩٠
23:90 The fact is that We have given them the truth and they are liars.
مَا اتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ مِنْ وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ ۚ إِذًا لَذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَٰهٍ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ٩١
23:91 Allah has not begotten a son, nor is there any god besides Him. Otherwise, each god would have taken away what he created, and they would have tried to dominate one another. Glorified is Allah above what they claim!
عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ٩٢
23:92 The Knower of the Unseen and the seen and absolutely exalted is He, above all that they associate with Him as partners.
قُلْ رَبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّي مَا يُوعَدُونَ٩٣
23:93 Say, (O Prophet ﷺ), 'My Lord! would You show me what they are threatened with?
رَبِّ فَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي فِي الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ٩٤
23:94 (And) 'My Lord, do not place my (believing followers) among unjust people.'
وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ أَنْ نُرِيَكَ مَا نَعِدُهُمْ لَقَادِرُونَ٩٥
23:95 We certainly have the power to make you see what We have promised them.
ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ السَّيِّئَةَ ۚ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ٩٦
23:96 (O' Prophet ﷺ) Respond to evil with virtue. We know well what they claim.
وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيَاطِينِ٩٧
23:97 And say, 'My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils,
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَنْ يَحْضُرُونِ٩٨
23:98 and I seek Your protection, My Lord, from even their presence near me.’
Knowledge is light and ignorance / evil is darkness. Allah first created Noor-e-Mohammadi (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from His light and from the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) light, all Cosmos was created. This fact is proved from Quran and authentic Ahadith. We have described this fact at many places in this Tafseer in detail. Thus, there is no way for the Devil to come near the illuminated light of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). When the light is illuminated, there is no place for darkness near it. Therefore, the supplications in the above verses are taught to us via the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ٩٩
23:99 When death comes to one of them (disbelievers), he says, ´My Lord, send me back again,'
لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صَالِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ ۚ كَلَّا ۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَائِلُهَا ۖ وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ١٠٠
23:100 so that I may do good in that which I have left. By no means! It is a (mere) word that he speaks; and before them is a barrier until the day of Resurrection (and they cannot come back to this world again).
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَلَا أَنْسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلَا يَتَسَاءَلُونَ١٠١
23:101 On that day when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no ties between them, nor will they ask (about) each other.
فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ١٠٢
23:102 Then those whose measure (of good deeds) is heavy, they will attain salvation.
وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِي جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ١٠٣
23:103 But those whose scales weigh light will have doomed themselves; in Hell they will abide.
تَلْفَحُ وُجُوهَهُمُ النَّارُ وَهُمْ فِيهَا كَالِحُونَ١٠٤
23:104 The Fire will burn their faces, distorting them horribly.
أَلَمْ تَكُنْ آيَاتِي تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنْتُمْ بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ١٠٥
23:105 (They will be told) 'Were not My Verses recited to you, and you used (to) deny them?'
قَالُوا رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوْمًا ضَالِّينَ١٠٦
23:106 They will say : 'our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became the people of astray!
رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْهَا فَإِنْ عُدْنَا فَإِنَّا ظَالِمُونَ١٠٧
23:107 'Our Lord! bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then shall we be wrongdoers indeed!'
قَالَ اخْسَئُوا فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ١٠٨
23:108 Allah (will) say, 'Remain despised in it and (do) not speak to Me.
إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِنْ عِبَادِي يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ١٠٩
23:109 Indeed, (there) was a group of My servants (who) said, 'Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us and have mercy on us, and You (are) best (of) those who show Mercy.
فَاتَّخَذْتُمُوهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا حَتَّىٰ أَنْسَوْكُمْ ذِكْرِي وَكُنْتُمْ مِنْهُمْ تَضْحَكُونَ١١٠
23:110 "But you treated them with ridicule, to an extent that (ridicule of) them made you forget My Message while you were laughing at them.
إِنِّي جَزَيْتُهُمُ الْيَوْمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ١١١
23:111 Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day because they were patient, indeed, they are the successful ones.
قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ١١٢
23:112 He will say, 'How long did you remain in the earth, (in) number (of) years?
قَالُوا لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ فَاسْأَلِ الْعَادِّينَ١١٣
23:113 They will say, 'We (probably) remained a day or a part (of) a day; but ask those who keep count.'
قَالَ إِنْ لَبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا ۖ لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ١١٤
23:114 He will say, 'No, you stayed but a little, if you only knew.
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ١١٥
23:115 'Then did you think that We created you without a purpose and that you would not be brought back to Us?'
فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ١١٦
23:116 So exalted is Allah, the King, the real God. (There is) no god but He, (the) Lord (of) the Honorable Throne.
وَمَنْ يَدْعُ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا آخَرَ لَا بُرْهَانَ لَهُ بِهِ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُفْلِحُ الْكَافِرُونَ١١٧
23:117 Whoever invokes, besides Allah, another (false) god, for which they can have no proof, they will surely find the consequence (of their claim) with their Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will never succeed.
وَقُلْ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ١١٨
23:118 And, say, 'My Lord, forgive and have mercy; and You are the most Merciful to all (Your servants).
سورة النور
The Light
An-Noor | Sura # 24 | 64 verses | Madinan
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful
سُورَةٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهَا وَفَرَضْنَاهَا وَأَنْزَلْنَا فِيهَا آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ١
24:1 (This is) a Surah which We have sent down and made (its rulings) obligatory, and revealed in it clear commandments so that you may be mindful.
الزَّانِيَةُ وَالزَّانِي فَاجْلِدُوا كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا مِائَةَ جَلْدَةٍ ۖ وَلَا تَأْخُذْكُمْ بِهِمَا رَأْفَةٌ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ وَلْيَشْهَدْ عَذَابَهُمَا طَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ٢
24:2 The (unmarried) woman or man found guilty of adultery, punish each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not let compassion for them prevent you from obeying Allah's law, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.
This punishment prescribed in the above verse is known as 'prescribed punishment' (حد). It is required to be given publicly so that it serves everyone as a deterrent to stay away from the evil act.
الزَّانِي لَا يَنْكِحُ إِلَّا زَانِيَةً أَوْ مُشْرِكَةً وَالزَّانِيَةُ لَا يَنْكِحُهَا إِلَّا زَانٍ أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ ۚ وَحُرِّمَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ٣
24:3 A male fornicator would only marry a female fornicator or idolatress. And a female fornicator would only be married to a fornicator or idolater. This is forbidden to the believers.
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ فَاجْلِدُوهُمْ ثَمَانِينَ جَلْدَةً وَلَا تَقْبَلُوا لَهُمْ شَهَادَةً أَبَدًا ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ٤
24:4 Those who accuse chaste, honorable women (of illicit sexual relations) but do not produce four male witnesses (who will witness that they personally saw the act being committed), flog them with eighty lashes, and do not accept from them any testimony ever after. They are indeed transgressors,
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ تَابُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ٥
24:5 Except for the ones who repent later on, and reform. Allah is All Forgiving, Most Merciful.
وَالَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ أَزْوَاجَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ شُهَدَاءُ إِلَّا أَنْفُسُهُمْ فَشَهَادَةُ أَحَدِهِمْ أَرْبَعُ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ ۙ إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ٦
24:6 Those men who accuse their own wives but have no witness except themselves, each one of them shall be made to swear four times by Allah that his charge is true,
وَالْخَامِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ٧
24:7 and the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie.
وَيَدْرَأُ عَنْهَا الْعَذَابَ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللَّهِ ۙ إِنَّهُ لَمِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ٨
24:8 But it would avert the punishment from the wife, if she bears witness four times (with an oath) By Allah, that (her husband) is telling a lie;
وَالْخَامِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا إِنْ كَانَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ٩
24:9 and the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser husband) is telling the truth.
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ حَكِيمٌ١٠
24:10 If it were not for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, you would have no method of handling these situations. Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, the All Wise.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ جَاءُوا بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ ۚ لَا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّا لَكُمْ ۖ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۚ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ مَا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ ۚ وَالَّذِي تَوَلَّىٰ كِبْرَهُ مِنْهُمْ لَهُ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ١١
24:11 Surely! Those who brought forth the slander (against Ummul Momineen Aisha رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا), are a group among you. Consider it is not a bad thing for you but it is a good (lesson) for you. Every person among them (who took part) has earned its sin, and as for the one among them who had the greater share (leading part) in it, shall have a great punishment.
Ten Verses (11-20) in this Sura are revealed in defense of Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) who was slandered by some people. It was all started by one Abdullah bin Ubay, who was ring leader of the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) in Madina al-Munawwara during Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) time.
BRIEF HISTORY
This incident took place during the return journey of Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from the expedition to Bani Mustaliq, in 5-6 AH. The incident is recorded in many authentic books of Ahadith.
It is in Hadith - Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) narrated that whenever, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) intended to go on a journey, he used to draw lots among his wives, and Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) used to take with him the one on whom lot fell. He drew lots among us during one of the Ghazwaat (غزوات) (Ghazwa, plural Gazwaat, is the battle in which Prophet Mohammad ﷺ personally took part). This time lot fell on me, so I proceeded with Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). This Ghazwa took place after Allah's commandment about veiling (of women) had been revealed.
I was carried in Howdaj (هودج) (a closed compartment put on the back of camel, used for carrying brides and important women). The Howdaj was brought down when we came to a halt. We remained at that place (and the Muslim army went ahead for the battle). We remained at this place till Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) had finished from that Ghazwa and returned.
On our return journey, when we were near the city of Medina we halted for sometime. After the brief halt, the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) announced at night that it was time for move on to Madina. So when they announced the news of departure, I got up and went away from the army camps, and after finishing from the call of nature, I came back to my riding camel but I realized that my necklace which was made of Zifar beads (Yemenite beads partly black and partly white) was missing. So I returned to look for my necklace and my search for it detained me (for a while). (In the meanwhile, the people who used to carry me on my camel, came. It was dark in the night. They took my Howdaj and put it on the back of my camel on which I used to ride, as they considered that I was in it. In those days women used to be very thin as they did not get fat, and flesh did not cover their bodies in abundance as they used to eat only a little food. Those people therefore, disregarded the lightness of the Howdaj while lifting and carrying it; and at that time I was still a young girl. They made the camel rise and all of them left.
I found my necklace after the army had gone. Then I came to their camping place to find no call maker of them, nor one who would respond to the call. So I intended to go to the place where I used to stay, thinking that when they will find me missing, they would come back searching for me. While I was sitting in my resting place, I was overwhelmed by sleep and slept.
Safwan bin Al-Muattal As-Sulami Adh-Dhakwani was behind the army. When he reached my place in the morning, he saw the figure of a sleeping person and he recognized me on seeing me as he had seen me before the commandment of compulsory veiling (was prescribed). So I woke up when he recited this Quranic verse - 'Inna lillahi wa inna llaihi raji'un' (إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون) (Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return. ) (Al-Baqara-156). As soon as he recognized me, I veiled my face with my head cover, and by Allah, we did not speak a single word, and I did not hear him saying any word. He dismounted from his camel and made it kneel down, putting his leg on its front legs and then I got up and rode on it. Then he set out leading the camel that was carrying me till we overtook the army in the extreme heat of midday while they were at a halt.
(Because of this event) some people brought destruction upon themselves and the one who spread the slander (اِفك) on me, was Abdullah bin Ubay Ibn Salul. (the chief of hypocrites in Madina)
(Urwa said, 'The people propagated the slander and talked about it in his (Abdullah bin Ubay's) presence and he confirmed it and listened to it and asked about it to let it prevail.' Urwa also added, 'None was mentioned as members of the slanderous group besides (Abdullah bin Ubay) except Hassan bin Thabit, and Mistah bin Uthatha, and Hamna bint Jahsh, along with others about whom I have no knowledge, but they were a group as Allah said. It is said that the one who carried most of the slander was 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul.'
Urwa added, Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) disliked to have Hassan abused in her presence (for his involvement in the slander because he defended the Prophet ﷺ by his poetry). She used to say, 'It was he who said : My father and my grandfather and my honor are all for the protection of Muhammad's ﷺ honor'.
'Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) added, 'After we returned to Medina, I became ill for a month. The people were propagating the statements of the slanderers while I was unaware of anything about that. However, I felt that in my present ailment, I was not receiving the same kindness from Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as I used to receive when I got sick. (But now) Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) would only come, greet me and say, 'How is that (lady)?' and leave. That roused my doubts, but I did not discover the evil (slander) till I went out, after my convalescence. I went out with Um Mistah to Al-Manasi (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) where we used to answer the call of nature and we used not to go out (to answer the call of nature) except at night, and that was before we had latrines near our houses. And this habit of ours concerning evacuating the bowels, was similar to the habits of the old Arabs living in the deserts, for it would be troublesome for us to take latrines near our houses.
So I and Um Mistah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا), who was the daughter of Abu Ruhm bin Al-Muttalib bin Abd Manaf (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), whose mother was the daughter of Sakhr bin 'Amir (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) and the aunt of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) and whose son was Mistah bin Uthatha bin 'Abbas bin Al-Muttalib (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), went out. I and Um Mistah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) returned to my house after we finished answering the call of nature. On the way, Um Mistah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) stumbled by getting her foot entangled in her covering sheet and on that she said, 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said, 'What a hard word you have said. Do you abuse a man who took part in the battle of Badr?' On that she said, 'O you Hantah! Didn't you hear what he (Mistah) said?' I said, 'What did he say?'
Then she told me about the slander of the people. So my ailment was aggravated on hearing it. When when I reached my home, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) came to me, and after greeting me, said, 'How is that (lady)?' I said, 'Will you allow me to go to my parents' as I wanted to be sure about the news through them. Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) allowed me (and I went to my parents) and asked my mother, 'O mother! What are the people talking about?' She said, 'O my daughter! Don't worry, for scarcely is there a charming woman who is loved by her husband and whose husband has other wives besides herself that they (women) would find faults with her.' I said, 'Subhan-Allah! Are the people really talking in this way?' I kept on weeping that night till dawn I could neither stop weeping nor sleep then in the morning again, I kept on weeping.
When the Divine Inspiration was delayed, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) called Ali bin Abu Talib and Usama bin Zaid (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہم) to ask and consult them about divorcing me. Usama bin Zaid (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said what he knew of my innocence, and the respect he preserved in himself for me. Usama (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said, '(O Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)!) She is your wife and we do not know anything except good about her.' 'Ali bin Abi Talib (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, 'O Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! Allah does not put you in difficulty and there are plenty of women other than she, yet, ask the maid servant who will tell you the truth.' On that Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) called Barira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا - the maid-servant) and said, 'O Barira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) ! Did you ever see anything which aroused your suspicion?' Barira (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said to him, 'By Him Who has sent you with the Truth. I have never seen anything in her (Aisha - رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) which I would conceal, except that she is a young girl who sleeps leaving the dough of her family exposed so that the domestic goats come and eat it.'
So, on that day, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) got up on the pulpit and complained about 'Abdullah bin Ubay (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Sad bin Mu'adh (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) the brother of Banu 'Abd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! I will relieve you from him; if he is from the tribe of Al-Aus, then I will chop his head off, and if he is from our brothers, i.e. Al-Khazraj tribe, then order us, and we will fulfill your order.' On that, a man from Al-Khazraj tribe got up. Um Hassan, his cousin, was from his branch tribe, and he was Sad bin Ubada, chief of Al-Khazraj tribe. Before this incident, he was a pious man, but his love for his tribe goaded him into saying to Sad (bin Mu'adh). 'By Allah, you have told a lie; you shall not and cannot kill him. If he belonged to your people, you would not wish him to be killed.'
On that, Usaid bin Hudair (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) who was the cousin of Sad (bin Mu'adh رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) got up and said to Sad bin 'Ubada, 'By Allah! You are a liar! We will surely kill him, and you are a hypocrite arguing on the behalf of hypocrites.' On this, the two tribes of Al-Aus and Al Khazraj got so much excited that they were about to fight while Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was standing on the pulpit. Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) kept on quietening them till they became silent and so did he. All that day I kept on weeping with my tears never ceasing, and I could never sleep.
The next day morning, my parents were with me and I wept for two nights and a day with my tears never ceasing and I could never sleep till I thought that my liver would burst from weeping. So, while my parents were sitting with me and I was weeping, an Ansari woman asked me to grant her admittance. I allowed her to come in, and when she came in, she sat down and started weeping with me. While we were in this state, Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) came, greeted us and sat down. He had never sat with me since that day of the slander. A month had elapsed and no Divine revelation came to him about my case. Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) then recited Tashah-hud (التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ) and then said, أما بعد, (أما بعد is a segmentation tool. It serves to announce that the preceding part ie., Prophet's ﷺ recitation of Tashahud was a preamble, and he wanted to say something). The Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said O 'Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)! I have been informed so-and-so about you; if you are innocent, then soon Allah will reveal your innocence, and if you have committed a sin, then repent to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and ask Him for forgiveness for when a slave confesses his sins and asks Allah for forgiveness, Allah accepts his repentance.'
When Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) finished his speech, my tears ceased flowing completely that I no longer felt a single drop of tear flowing. I said to my father, 'Reply to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) on my behalf concerning what he has said.' My father said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).' Then I said to my mother, 'Reply to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) on my behalf concerning what he has said.' She said, 'By Allah, I do not know what to say to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).' In spite of the fact that I was a young girl and had a little knowledge of Qur'an, I said, 'By Allah, no doubt I know that you heard this (slanderous) speech so that it has been planted in your hearts (i.e. minds) and you have taken it as a truth. Now if I tell you that I am innocent, you will not believe me, and if confess to you about it, and Allah knows that I am innocent, you will surely believe me. By Allah, I find no similitude for me and you except that of Yusuf (عليه السلام) father when he said, '(For me) patience in the most fitting against that which you assert; it is Allah (alone) Whose Help can be sought.' Then I turned to the other side and lay on my bed; and Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) knew then that I was innocent and hoped that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) would reveal my innocence. But, by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), I never thought that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) would reveal about my case, by a divine revelation, that would be recited (forever) as I considered myself too unworthy to be talked of by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) with something of my concern, but I hoped that Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) might have a dream in which Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) would prove my innocence. But, by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), before Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) left his seat and before any of the household left, the Divine revelation came to Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
So there overtook him the same hard condition which used to overtake him, (when he used to receive divine revelation). The sweat was dropping from his body like pearls though it was a wintry day and that was because of the weighty Statement which was being revealed to him. When that state of Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was over, he got up smiling, and the first word he said was, 'O Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)! Allah has declared your innocence!' Then my Mother said to me, 'Get up and go to him (Allah's Apostle ﷺ).' I replied, 'By Allah, I will not go to him, and I praise none but Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).' So Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) revealed the ten Verses : 'Verily! They who spread the slander Are a gang, among you.' (An-Noor- 11-20). (Bukhari)
A few issues need to be clarified in this context.
(Q 1) Did the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) know about the innocence of Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا)?
(Ans) Surely, he was fully aware of it.
It is in Hadith - The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said - إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لأُبْصِرُ مَنْ وَرَائِي كَمَا أُبْصِرُ مَنْ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ [ By Allah, I see behind me as I see in front of me.] (Muslim, Book 4, Hadith # 119)
It is in Hadith - Hudhayfa (رضئ الله تعالى عنه) narrated : "The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) stood among us (speaking) for a long time and did not leave out one thing from that time until the rising of the Final Hour except he told us about it. Whoever remembers it, remembers it and whoever forgot it forgot it. All those who were present know this. Some of it I might have forgotten, then I see it (happen) and remember it just as someone would remember a man who had been away and then appears before him and he instantly recognizes him." (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
It is in Hadith - The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), if you could see what I see, you would laugh little and wept much more. They (the Sahabah) said : What do you see, O' Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)? He replied : (I see) Paradise and Hell. (Muslim, Book 4, Hadith # 123)
It is in Quran - يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا [ Certainly We (Allah) have sent you (O' Prophet ﷺ) as witness, deponent, the one who gives good tiding and as a fore warner.] (Al-Ahzab - 45).
Who is a witness (as per the law)? He is the one who sees things from his eyes. Statement of a Deponent who has only heard about a thing is not acceptable in the Court of law.
The above Quranic verse establishes the comprehensive knowledge of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) collectively and individually in the Cosmos.
(Q 2) Then why did he not rejected the slander in the first place and warned people about the sinfulness of this slander?
(Ans) If he had taken a stand and rejected the the slander of hypocrites, they would have said that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is trying to hide and protect Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا). It might have created havoc in the minds of many others who were affected by this slander.
Who asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) to keep quiet in this matter?
It is in Quran - وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ - إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ [ The Prophet ﷺ does not speak out of desire. It is the revelation that is coming to him.] (An-Najm - 3-4)
It is in Hadith Qatadah reported : I said, “Ummul Momineen, tell me about the character of the Apostle of Allah, (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, 'Have you not read the Quran?' I said, “Of course!” Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) said, 'Verily, the character of the Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was the Quran.' (Muslim).
When we study the life of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), we realize that there are certain occasions when he said or acted as he was unaware of things. Why it is so?
Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) represented humanity in all its formats. He showed happiness on certain things and displeasure on certain things. He showed fore knowledge of certain things and showed his unawareness of certain things. He pleaded with Almighty for His forgiveness. He walked in streets like normal human beings. He fought with infidels along with his companions and sometimes the results of the battles were inconclusive and sometimes he won. He became concerned when something went wrong with his family members or his companions and shared happiness with them on happy occasions.
It is in Quran - لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ [Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is an exemplary model (for all of you)] (Al-Ahzab – 21).
He is an icon of humanity. In other words, he is a perfect human being. Like him there is none. He represents various facets of humanity at various stages of his life. Sometimes, he shows utmost humility of a desperate human being and on other occasions, pointing his finger towards the moon splits it into two, which was witnessed by many from their naked eyes.
(Q 3) What is that we need to learn from the above episode?
The importance of the members of Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) house hold (His Ahle Bait-e-At Haar). Their place among Ummah is not just elevated because they were closely related to him. They shared all hardship and the tests and trials in life and became models of conduct for the entire Ummah till the day of Resurrection. As the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is unique among human beings, indeed his Ahle Bait-e-At-Haar are also unique among his Ummah. Their respect and honor is mandatory upon all of us.
لَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ ظَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ خَيْرًا وَقَالُوا هَٰذَا إِفْكٌ مُبِينٌ١٢
24:12 When you heard about this rumor, why did the believing men and women not think well of one another and say : 'This is an obvious slander?'
لَوْلَا جَاءُوا عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ ۚ فَإِذْ لَمْ يَأْتُوا بِالشُّهَدَاءِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ١٣
24:13 Why did they not produce four witnesses? If they could not produce any witnesses, they were indeed liars in the sight of Allah.
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِي مَا أَفَضْتُمْ فِيهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ١٤
24:14 And had it not been for Allah's favor upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter, you would have already been afflicted by terrible suffering for indulging in such talk.
إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَهُ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَتَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُمْ مَا لَيْسَ لَكُمْ بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَتَحْسَبُونَهُ هَيِّنًا وَهُوَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَظِيمٌ١٥
24:15 When you passed it (the rumor) from one tongue to the other, and said with your mouths (about) what you had no knowledge of, taking it lightly, while it is (extremely) serious in the sight of Allah.
وَلَوْلَا إِذْ سَمِعْتُمُوهُ قُلْتُمْ مَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَتَكَلَّمَ بِهَٰذَا سُبْحَانَكَ هَٰذَا بُهْتَانٌ عَظِيمٌ١٦
24:16 Why did you not, when you heard about it, say : 'It is not befitting for us to talk about it, Allah forbid! This is a monstrous slander?'
يَعِظُكُمُ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَعُودُوا لِمِثْلِهِ أَبَدًا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ١٧
24:17 Allah admonishes you never to repeat a mistake like this, if you are true believers.
وَيُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ١٨
24:18 Allah explains His commands to you clearly, for Allah is All Knowing and All Wise.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ١٩
24:19 Those who enjoy hearing that immorality has spread among the believers will have a painful punishment both in this world and the Hereafter. Allah knows and you do not know.
وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ٢٠
24:20 Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah towards you, (the act of spreading rumors would have produced very bad results for you). Allah is indeed very Kind, most Merciful.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَّبِعْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ ۚ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ مَا زَكَىٰ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ أَبَدًا وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُزَكِّي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ٢١
24:21 O you who believe! Do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Whoever follows in the footsteps of Satan, (let him know that) Satan calls towards indecent and shameful behavior and all that is evil. Were it not for Allah’s bounty on you, and His mercy, not one of you would have ever attained purity; but Allah purifies whomever He wills. Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing.
وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُو الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَالسَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوا أُولِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَلْيَعْفُوا وَلْيَصْفَحُوا ۗ أَلَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ٢٢
24:22 Do not let the people of virtue and affluence among you swear to suspend donations to their relatives, the needy, and the emigrants in the cause of Allah. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love to be forgiven by Allah? And Allah is All Forgiving, Most Merciful.
When the slander on Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) was spread, some people kept quiet while some others talked about it privately and this way it spread among a large number of people. Once, the rumor mongers were reprimanded by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), the people who were angry on those who took part in spreading the rumor, stopped giving any financial aid to them by taking an oath never ever to help them in any manner whatsoever. In the above verse, Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) commands that they should be pardoned as they have done repentance for their mistake and the aid which was provided to them should be continued as usual. Indeed, Allah is All Forgiving and Most Merciful.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَرْمُونَ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ لُعِنُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ٢٣
24:23 Surely those who accuse chaste believing women, unaware (of the evil), are cursed in this world and the hereafter, and they shall have a grievous chastisement.
يَوْمَ تَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ٢٤
24:24 On the Day their tongues, hands, and feet will testify against them for what they used to do.
يَوْمَئِذٍ يُوَفِّيهِمُ اللَّهُ دِينَهُمُ الْحَقَّ وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ الْمُبِينُ٢٥
24:25 On that Day, Allah will give them their just penalty in full, and they will know that Allah is the Ultimate Truth.
الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ ۖ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلطَّيِّبِينَ وَالطَّيِّبُونَ لِلطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ مُبَرَّءُونَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ ۖ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ٢٦
24:26 Wicked women are for wicked men, and wicked men are for wicked women. And virtuous women are for virtuous men, and virtuous men are for virtuous women. The virtuous are innocent of what the wicked say. They will have forgiveness and an honorable provision.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ٢٧
24:27 O' believers! Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission and said greetings of peace to the occupants; this is better for you, so that you may be mindful.
فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا فِيهَا أَحَدًا فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ قِيلَ لَكُمُ ارْجِعُوا فَارْجِعُوا ۖ هُوَ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ٢٨
24:28 If you find no one at home, do not enter it until you have been given permission. And if you are asked to leave, then leave. That is purer for you. And Allah has knowledge of what you do.
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ مَسْكُونَةٍ فِيهَا مَتَاعٌ لَكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ٢٩
24:29 There is no blame on you if you enter houses which are not used for dwelling (of common use) and in which you have something belonging to you; and Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal.
قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ٣٠
24:30 Tell believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Allah is acquainted with what they do.
وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَىٰ عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ٣١
24:31 Tell the believing women to lower their eyes, guard their private parts, and not display their charm except what is apparent outwardly, and cover their bosoms with their veils and not to show their finery except to their husbands or their fathers or fathers-in-law, their sons or step-sons, brothers, or their brothers' and sisters' sons, or their women attendants or captives, or male attendants who do not have any need (for women), or boys not yet aware of sex. They should not walk stamping their feet lest they make known what they hide of their Ornaments. O believers, turn to Allah, every one of you, so that you may be successful.
وَأَنْكِحُوا الْأَيَامَىٰ مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ ۚ إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ٣٢
24:32 Marry off those among you who are unmarried and those who are righteous among your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them from His favor; Allah is All Encompassing and All Knowing.
It is in Hadith - It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Masud (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) once said : O' young men, whosoever among you can afford to marry, he should marry, because this will be a means of restraining the eyes from casting the evil look and of keeping one pure and chaste, and the one who cannot afford, should fast, because fasting helps cool down the passions. (Bukhari, Muslim)
It is in Hadith It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : Allah has taken upon Himself to succor three men : (i) who marries with a view to guarding his chastity, (ii) the slave who works to earn his freedom, and (iii) the one who goes out to fight in the way of Allah (Tirmizi, Nasai, Ibn Majah, Ahmad)
وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ يَبْتَغُونَ الْكِتَابَ مِمَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ فَكَاتِبُوهُمْ إِنْ عَلِمْتُمْ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا ۖ وَآتُوهُمْ مِنْ مَالِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي آتَاكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيَاتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا لِتَبْتَغُوا عَرَضَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ وَمَنْ يُكْرِهْهُنَّ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ مِنْ بَعْدِ إِكْرَاهِهِنَّ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ٣٣
24:33 And let those who do not find means to marry, keep themselves chaste until Allah enriches them out of His bounty. As for those of your slaves who wish to buy out their liberty, execute the deed of liberty with them if you find them deserving, and give them some of the wealth which Allah has given you. Do not force your slave-girls into prostitution for your own worldly gains, if they wish to preserve their chastity. If anyone compels them to prostitution, then Allah will be All Forgiving, All Compassionate to them after they are subjected to such compulsion.
There were 3 types of slaves in pre-Islamic Arabia as follows.
(i) Prisoners of Wars
(ii) People who were captured and traded as slaves
(iii) Hereditary slaves who were unaware when their ancestors were made slaves by the ancestors of their masters and to which of the above two categories their ancestors belonged.
During Islamic rule, capturing people and making them slaves was forbidden. No one was allowed to capture a free person by force and make him a slave.
Thus there were only two types of slaves during Islamic rule, (i) the Prisoners of wars, and (ii) Hereditary slaves.
All hereditary slaves were freed gradually. Only the prisoners of wars remained as slaves. In stead of keeping the prisoners of war in prison, they were allowed to become part of the society over a period of time.
Since, the pre-Islamic society was primarily dependent upon the slave labor, rather than wage earners, it was not possible to ban slavery in one go. Thus the Islamic rule first focused on the problem of hereditary slavery. The ownership rights of people of the hereditary slaves were not abrogated en masse as it would have paralyzed the entire social and economic order of the society those days. If it was done in one go, it would have triggered a major civil war in the entire region. Therefore, Islam took the rout of gradual emancipation of slaves of all types. The priority was to free the hereditary slaves. A great movement of emancipation of slaves was introduced in which people were educated, persuaded and motivated to free slaves willingly. To earn their salvation in Hereafter, people were encouraged to free slaves. Also slaves were made to be freed as an expiation of their wrong deeds. Slaves were encouraged to earn, make some money and pay for their freedom. Wealthy men were encouraged to help such slaves in finding work and by helping them financially. People were encouraged to marry slave girls. There was a strict law to take care of slaves as people were required to provide food to the slaves what they eat and provide cloths to them, what they wear.
It is reported that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) freed 63 slaves. Ummul Momineen Aisha (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہا) freed 67 slaves. Abbas bin Abdul Mutallib (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) free 70 slaves. Hakim bin Hizam (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) freed 100 slaves. Abdullah bin Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) freed 1000 slaves. Zulkala Himyari (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) freed 8000 slaves. Abdur Rahman bin Auf (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) freed 30,000 slaves. Othman bin Affan, Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہم ) freed thousands of slaves. There was a movement among people in freeing slaves to earn Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) favor. Thousands of slaves were bought by Sahabah from the non-believers and freed. And within no time the hereditary slavery was completely eliminated from Arabian Peninsula.
Even among the prisoners of wars, the women became part of Muslim society as they were allowed to live as wives. The rule was, any children born to these women were treated as free men and women. Equal rights were given to such women in living, food, clothing. No injustice was allowed in any manner whatsoever. As far as men were concerned, people got them married to their daughters. They were made Governors of provinces and some of them became Kings after the death of their masters. In effect, slavery of all kind was eliminated by successful Islamic governments all over the world.
وَلَقَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ آيَاتٍ مُبَيِّنَاتٍ وَمَثَلًا مِنَ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَمَوْعِظَةً لِلْمُتَّقِينَ٣٤
24:34 We have sent down to you verses making things clear, and the description of those who passed before you, and an advice to those who fear Allah.
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ٣٥
24:35 Allah is the Light of the Heavens and Earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is, as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon Light (نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ). Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) guides to His light whom He will. And Allah ( عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ) speaks to mankind in allegories, for Allah ( عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ) knows all things.
The 'Light upon light' (نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ) mentioned in the above verse refers to Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
It is established from Quran and Ahadith that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created the Noor of Prophet Mohammad ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) first, which is the abstract form of this Cosmos, and from this 'Noor' He created the entire cosmos.
(i) Suyūtī said in al-Riyād al-Aniqa : Ibn Jubair (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) and K'ab al-Āhbar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said, 'What is meant by the second light [in Light upon Light (نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ )] is Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) (as it is also described in verse 46, Sura al-Ahzab) because he is the Apostle and the Expositor and the Conveyor from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) of what is enlightening and manifest.
(ii) It is in Hadith - It is related that Jābir Ibn Abdullah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said to Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), 'O Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) may my father and mother be sacrificed for you, tell me the first thing Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created before all things.' The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : O' Jabir (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), the first thing Allah ( عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) created was the light of your Prophet ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from His light. (And everything else was created from that light). (Part of the Hadith).
The above Hadith was narrated by Abdur Razzaq (d. 211 AH) in his Musannaf according to Qastallani in al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya (1:55) and Zarqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba`a al-Amira edition, Cairo).
There cannot be any doubt as to the reliability of Abd al-Razzaq as a narrator. Bukhari took 120 narrations from him while Muslim took 400.
Biahaqi also narrated the above Hadith with a different wording in "Dala'il al-Nubuwwa, according to Zurqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba'a al-amira, Cairo). Also Diyarbakri narrated it in 'Taarikh al-Khamis (1-20).
The authenticity of the above Hadith is also proved from the following Quranic verses and Ahadith.
(iii) It is in Quran - قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ (From Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has come to you a Light and a Book manifest.) (Al-Maeda - 15).
The above verse is very clear in describing Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as 'Noor from Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). In the exegesis (Tafseer) of the above verse, many well known Ulema have confirmed that the 'light' refers to Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
References - (a) Suyuti in Tafsir al-Jalalayn. (b) Feruzabadi in the Tafsir Ibn `Abbas entitled Tanwir al-miqbas p. 72) (c) Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, in his Tafsir al-kabir (11:189) (d) Qadi Baidawi in his Tafsir entitled Anwar at-Tanzil. (e) Al-Baghawiin his Tafsir entitled Ma`alim at-Tanzil (2:23). (f) Al-Shirbini in his Tafsir entitled al-Siraj al-Munir (p. 360). (g) The author of Tafsir Abi Sa`ud (4:36).(h) Thana’ullah Pani Pati in his Tafsir al-mazhari, (3:67). (i) Shaikh Mohammad Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) in his Tafseer-e-Siddiqui. (j) All Ulema-e-Ahle Sunnah in their translations and Tafaseer. (k) Ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his Tafsir jami' al-Bayan (6:92).(l) Al-Khazin in his Tafsir (2:28). (m) Al-Nasafi in his commentary entitled Tafsir Al-Madarik (1:276) and al-Qasimi in his Mahasin at-ta’wil (6:1921). (n) Ahmad al-Sawi in his super commentary on Tafsir al-Jalalayn (1:258). (m) Sayyid Mahmud al-Alusi in his commentary entitled Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani (6:97).
(iv) It is in Quran - فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَالنُّورِ الَّذِي أَنزَلْنَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ [Believe, therefore, in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and in the Light which we have sent down. And Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is well acquainted with all that you do.] (At-Taghabun - 8).
Some people translate 'noor' in the verse as Quran. If we translate it this way, it will contradict the verse mentioned at # (iii) above. Thus the meaning of the above verse is Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) commands human beings to believe in Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and the light ( نُورٍ ) of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) which has come down upon humanity in the shape of Hidaya through Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) via Quran-e-Mubeen and Seeratun Nabi (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).
فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ٣٦
24:36 (This light can best be obtained and those guided to it are found) in some houses (that are usually concealed from people’s eyes and) for which Allah has provided a way for them to be built and appreciated, and for His Name to be mentioned and invoked therein; in them glorify Him in the morning and evening,
The above verse may be a reference to Khanqa / residents of Awliya Allah. It may also be a reference to some mosques where Sahih-ul-Aqeedah pious Muslims go for Salah and Zikr.
رِجَالٌ لَا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجَارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ ۙ يَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ الْقُلُوبُ وَالْأَبْصَارُ٣٧
24:37 By men (Awliya Allah) whom neither commerce nor exchange (nor any other worldly preoccupations) can divert from the remembrance of Allah, in establishing the Salah and paying the Zakat; they are in fear of a Day on which all hearts and eyes will be overturned.
لِيَجْزِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنَ مَا عَمِلُوا وَيَزِيدَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ٣٨
24:38 Allah will reward them in accordance with the best of what they have ever done, and give them yet more out of His bounty. Allah provides beyond all measure for whom He wills.
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَعْمَالُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَاءً حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَهُ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْئًا وَوَجَدَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ فَوَفَّاهُ حِسَابَهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ٣٩
24:39 But the unbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert that the thirsty mistake for water until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing. Instead, he finds only Allah there, and Allah will pay him his full due, for Allah is quick to take account.
أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَاهَا ۗ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ نُورٍ٤٠
24:40 Or (another parable for a disbeliever) is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with waves topped by waves, topped by dark clouds, (layers of) darkness upon darkness, if a person stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! The one for whom Allah has not made light, there is no light for him.
This is with reference to people who do not have Sahih Iman in their hearts. They live in darkness in this world and they will remain in darkness in Hereafter.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالطَّيْرُ صَافَّاتٍ ۖ كُلٌّ قَدْ عَلِمَ صَلَاتَهُ وَتَسْبِيحَهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ٤١
24:41 Do you not see that all that is in the heavens and the earth, and the birds flying in patterned ranks with wings spread out, glorify Allah. Each knows the way of its prayer and glorification. Allah has full knowledge of all that they do.
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ٤٢
24:42 To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah is the return journey (of all humans).
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُزْجِي سَحَابًا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيْنَهُ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ رُكَامًا فَتَرَى الْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَالِهِ وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِنْ جِبَالٍ فِيهَا مِنْ بَرَدٍ فَيُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَصْرِفُهُ عَنْ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۖ يَكَادُ سَنَا بَرْقِهِ يَذْهَبُ بِالْأَبْصَارِ٤٣
24:43 Do not you see that Allah drives the clouds, then brings them together, and then piles them into heaps until you see rain come pouring from them? He sends down from the sky mountains (of clouds) filled with hail, striking with it whom He wills and averting it from whom He wills. The flash of its lightening almost blinds the eyes.
يُقَلِّبُ اللَّهُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ٤٤
24:44 Allah causes to alternate the night and the Day. Indeed, there is a lesson in this for those who have insight.
وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَ كُلَّ دَابَّةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ ۖ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ بَطْنِهِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ رِجْلَيْنِ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَمْشِي عَلَىٰ أَرْبَعٍ ۚ يَخْلُقُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ٤٥
24:45 And Allah has created every animal from water; of them there are some, that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things.
لَقَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا آيَاتٍ مُبَيِّنَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ٤٦
24:46 We have indeed sent down revelations clarifying (the truth). But Allah guides whoever He wills to the Straight Path.
وَيَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالرَّسُولِ وَأَطَعْنَا ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٌ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا أُولَٰئِكَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ٤٧
24:47 They say, 'We believe in Allah and in the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), and we obey': but even after that, some of them turn away. They are not (real) Believers.
وَإِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِنْهُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ٤٨
24:48 When they are summoned to Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), in order that He may judge between them (in their disputes), look some of them refuse (to come).
Those who are not just (rightful) in the dispute do not show up because they know for sure that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) would not decide in their favor. But when they are just in their dispute, they surely will come submissively to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) because they know that his decision will be in their favor.
وَإِنْ يَكُنْ لَهُمُ الْحَقُّ يَأْتُوا إِلَيْهِ مُذْعِنِينَ٤٩
24:49 But if the right is on their side, they come to (the Prophet ﷺ) most submissively!
أَفِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ أَمِ ارْتَابُوا أَمْ يَخَافُونَ أَنْ يَحِيفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ بَلْ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ٥٠
24:50 Is there a sickness in their hearts (that corrupts their will and character)? Or have they fallen prey to doubts? Or do they fear that Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) will deal unjustly with them? No, the truth is that they themselves are wrongdoers.
إِنَّمَا كَانَ قَوْلَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذَا دُعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ لِيَحْكُمَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ يَقُولُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ٥١
24:51 The answer of the Believers, when summoned to Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), in order that He may judge between them, is no other than this. They say, 'We hear and we obey'. These are the people who will attain felicity.
وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَخْشَ اللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ٥٢
24:52 For whoever obeys Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), and is in awe of Allah and is ever mindful of Him, it is they who are the successful.
وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ أَمَرْتَهُمْ لَيَخْرُجُنَّ ۖ قُلْ لَا تُقْسِمُوا ۖ طَاعَةٌ مَعْرُوفَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ٥٣
24:53 They swear by Allah in their most solemn oaths that if you (O' Prophet ﷺ) were to command them, they would certainly march forth (in Allah’s cause). Say, '(You) do not (have to) swear; your obedience is well known! Surely Allah is All Aware of what you do.'
It is for the believers that they do not have to swear again and again to assure the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) that they will obey his command. Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) know it all who are sincere, who will obey the call (for Jihad) and who will turn away with excuses.
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُمْ مَا حُمِّلْتُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ تُطِيعُوهُ تَهْتَدُوا ۚ وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ٥٤
24:54 Say, 'Obey Allah and obey the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). But if you turn away, then he is only responsible for what he has been given to do, and you are responsible for yours. And if you obey him, you will be (rightly) guided. The Apostle's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) responsibility is only to deliver (the message) clearly.'
وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ٥٥
24:55 Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good deeds that He will most certainly make them vicegerent in the earth as He made their ancestors before them, and that He will establish for them their religion, the one which He has chosen for them, and that He will change their present state of fear into peace and security. Let them worship Me Alone and not to commit shirk with Me; and if anyone rejects faith after this, it is they who are the transgressors.
The above verse is such an assurance for our present day Muslims who are globally suffering in the hands of the enemies of Islam. What is required is to have Sahih Iman and Taqwa. Join these two in your life, the rest will be taken care of by our Lord. He will make resources for you and will surely change your present state of humiliation in the world and will make you the vicegerent again on planet Earth.
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ٥٦
24:56 So establish Salah and pay Zakat; and obey the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم); that you may receive mercy.
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مُعْجِزِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ ۚ وَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُ ۖ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ٥٧
24:57 Do not even think that the unbelievers can ever escape Allah on earth. Their refuge will be the Fire. What an evil destination.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِيَسْتَأْذِنْكُمُ الَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا الْحُلُمَ مِنْكُمْ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ۚ مِنْ قَبْلِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُمْ مِنَ الظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنْ بَعْدِ صَلَاةِ الْعِشَاءِ ۚ ثَلَاثُ عَوْرَاتٍ لَكُمْ ۚ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌ بَعْدَهُنَّ ۚ طَوَّافُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ٥٨
24:58 O believers! Let your servants and those children who have not yet attained puberty ask your permission before coming in (into your room) to see you on three occasions: before Fajr, at noon when you put off your clothes, and after the Isha. These are your three times of privacy. At other times, there is no blame on you if you, or they, go around visiting one another. Thus Allah makes His revelations clear to you, for Allah is All Knowing, All Wise.
وَإِذَا بَلَغَ الْأَطْفَالُ مِنْكُمُ الْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَأْذِنُوا كَمَا اسْتَأْذَنَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ٥٩
24:59 And when your children reach the age of puberty, let them seek permission (to come into your room), as their seniors do. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, for Allah is All Knowing, All Wise.
وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ ۖ وَأَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَهُنَّ ۗ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ٦٠
24:60 There is no blame on elderly women who are past the age of marriage, if they take off their outer clothing (robe of veiling over the cloths), without revealing their adornments. But it would be better for them to guard themselves. Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing.
لَيْسَ عَلَى الْأَعْمَىٰ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى الْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَى الْمَرِيضِ حَرَجٌ وَلَا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَنْ تَأْكُلُوا مِنْ بُيُوتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ آبَائِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ إِخْوَانِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَخَوَاتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَعْمَامِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ عَمَّاتِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ أَخْوَالِكُمْ أَوْ بُيُوتِ خَالَاتِكُمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكْتُمْ مَفَاتِحَهُ أَوْ صَدِيقِكُمْ ۚ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَنْ تَأْكُلُوا جَمِيعًا أَوْ أَشْتَاتًا ۚ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمْ بُيُوتًا فَسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ تَحِيَّةً مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مُبَارَكَةً طَيِّبَةً ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ٦١
24:61 There is no harm if the blind, the lame, the sick, or you yourselves, eat in your own houses or the houses of your fathers, mothers, or your brothers' houses, or those of your sisters', or your fathers' brothers' or sisters', or your mothers' brothers' or sisters', or in the houses whose care is entrusted to you, or the houses of your friends. There is nothing wrong with your eating (either) together or separately, but, when you enter any house, give greetings of peace upon each other, a greeting from Allah, blessed and good. In this way Allah makes His revelations clear to you so that you may understand.
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَإِذَا كَانُوا مَعَهُ عَلَىٰ أَمْرٍ جَامِعٍ لَمْ يَذْهَبُوا حَتَّىٰ يَسْتَأْذِنُوهُ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَأْذِنُونَكَ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۚ فَإِذَا اسْتَأْذَنُوكَ لِبَعْضِ شَأْنِهِمْ فَأْذَنْ لِمَنْ شِئْتَ مِنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمُ اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ٦٢
24:62 The true believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), and who, when gathered with him on a matter requiring collective action, do not depart until they have obtained his permission. Only those who ask your permission are the ones who truly believe in Allah and His Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). So when they ask your permission to leave and attend to their personal affairs, you may give permission to those of them whom you deem appropriate and seek Allah's forgiveness for them. Indeed, Allah is Most forgiving and Most Merciful.
The above verse is an important rule of etiquette. The Sahabah are asked to take Apostle's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) permission to come to him but for leaving, they should leave when he permits them to go. There is no need to ask permission to leave to attend to your personal errand because the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is fully aware of all your needs. If someone seeks permission to leave, the permission is granted with the supplication of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) to forgive him for this.
The above has been the practice of Awliya Allah and Sufi Shuyookh of Ihsan. When they are in the company of their shaikh-e-Kamil, they sit with full attention towards him and until he permits them to leave, they wont leave.
لَا تَجْعَلُوا دُعَاءَ الرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَاءِ بَعْضِكُمْ بَعْضًا ۚ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ يَتَسَلَّلُونَ مِنْكُمْ لِوَاذًا ۚ فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ٦٣
24:63 Do not make (your) calling of the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) among yourselves as the call of one of you to another. Already Allah knows those of you who slip away, concealed by others. So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) order, lest affliction strike them or a painful punishment.
أَلَا إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ قَدْ يَعْلَمُ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَيَوْمَ يُرْجَعُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَيُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ٦٤
24:64 Beware! Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Allah. He knows all your thoughts and actions. On the Day of Judgment when they will be brought back to Him, He will tell them all that they have done. Allah has the knowledge of everything.
سورة الفرقان
The Criterion
Al-Furqaan | Sura # 25 | 77 verses | Makkan
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا١
25:1 Blessed is He Who has sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, the Quran) to His servant (Prophet Mohammad ﷺ), so that he be a Warner to (all) the worlds.
Everything in this Cosmos is a creation of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). Among His creation, the human beings are His Servants. Among His servants, the Prophets are honorable servants. And among Prophets, Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is most honorable. There is none like him in the Cosmos. He is the perfect and complete human being. Those who treat Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as a normal sinful human being and associate all human weakness with his person, have lost the right path of Islam and have gone astray. There are no two opinions in this context.
الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُ تَقْدِيرًا٢
25:2 (Allah is) the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, Who has never had (any) offspring, nor does He have a partner in (governing) His dominion. He has created everything, ordaining it precisely.
وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلَا حَيَاةً وَلَا نُشُورًا٣
25:3 Yet the unbelievers have taken besides Him other gods which can create nothing but are themselves created, which can neither harm nor help even to themselves, and which have no power over life or death, or raising the dead to life.
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا إِفْكٌ افْتَرَاهُ وَأَعَانَهُ عَلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ آخَرُونَ ۖ فَقَدْ جَاءُوا ظُلْمًا وَزُورًا٤
25:4 The disbelievers say, 'This (Quran) is nothing but a fabrication which he (the Prophet ﷺ) has made up with the help of others.' Their claim is totally unjustified and untrue!
وَقَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا٥
25:5 And they say : '(It consists of) only fables of the ancients which he (the Prophet ﷺ) has got written (by someone). They are being read to him in early mornings and evenings (when people are in their homes).'
قُلْ أَنْزَلَهُ الَّذِي يَعْلَمُ السِّرَّ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا٦
25:6 Say, (O Prophet ﷺ), 'This (Quran) has been revealed by the One Who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth. Surely He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.'
وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَٰذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ ۙ لَوْلَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ نَذِيرًا٧
25:7 And they also say, 'What sort of an Apostle is he who eats food and walks in the markets? Should not at least an angel have been sent down for him, to help him with his warning?'
أَوْ يُلْقَىٰ إِلَيْهِ كَنْزٌ أَوْ تَكُونُ لَهُ جَنَّةٌ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهَا ۚ وَقَالَ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنْ تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَسْحُورًا٨
25:8 'Why has he not been given a treasure or at least a garden from which he could eat?' And these wicked people further say (to the believers) : 'You are only following a man who is bewitched.'
انْظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا لَكَ الْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًا٩
25:9 See what kind of comparisons they make for you! Surely, they have gone astray, and never a way will they be able to find!
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي إِنْ شَاءَ جَعَلَ لَكَ خَيْرًا مِنْ ذَٰلِكَ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكَ قُصُورًا١٠
25:10 Blessed is the One who, if He wishes, can make for you better than that what they propose, gardens with rivers flowing beneath them, and He will make for you palaces.
بَلْ كَذَّبُوا بِالسَّاعَةِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِمَنْ كَذَّبَ بِالسَّاعَةِ سَعِيرًا١١
25:11 But they have denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blazing fire.
إِذَا رَأَتْهُمْ مِنْ مَكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا١٢
25:12 When (Hell) appears to them from some distance they will hear it raging and roaring.
وَإِذَا أُلْقُوا مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوْا هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورًا١٣
25:13 And when they are tossed into a narrow place inside (Hell), chained together, they will pray for death.
لَا تَدْعُوا الْيَوْمَ ثُبُورًا وَاحِدًا وَادْعُوا ثُبُورًا كَثِيرًا١٤
25:14 (They will be told), 'Do not cry only once for death, but cry many times over!'
قُلْ أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ أَمْ جَنَّةُ الْخُلْدِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۚ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَزَاءً وَمَصِيرًا١٥
25:15 Say, (O Prophet ﷺ), 'Is this better or the Garden of Eternity which the righteous have been promised, as a reward and (an ultimate) destination?
لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَاءُونَ خَالِدِينَ ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ وَعْدًا مَسْئُولًا١٦
25:16 Where they can have whatever they wish forever. This is a binding promise from your Lord.
وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَقُولُ أَأَنْتُمْ أَضْلَلْتُمْ عِبَادِي هَٰؤُلَاءِ أَمْ هُمْ ضَلُّوا السَّبِيلَ١٧
25:17 The day He will gather them together as well as those whom they worship besides Allah, He will ask : 'Was it you who let My servants go astray, or did they stray from the Path themselves?'
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ مَا كَانَ يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَتَّخِذَ مِنْ دُونِكَ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ وَلَٰكِنْ مَتَّعْتَهُمْ وَآبَاءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَسُوا الذِّكْرَ وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا بُورًا١٨
25:18 Those deities will answer : 'Glory be to You! It was not befitting for us that we could take any protector besides You, but You let them and their forefathers enjoy the comforts of worldly life until they forgot the Reminder (to obey their Lord), and thereby became worthless people.'
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوكُمْ بِمَا تَقُولُونَ فَمَا تَسْتَطِيعُونَ صَرْفًا وَلَا نَصْرًا ۚ وَمَنْ يَظْلِمْ مِنْكُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَابًا كَبِيرًا١٩
25:19 (The idolaters will be told) : 'Your gods have refuted your assertion. You can neither avert (your doom) nor receive any help. And whoever of you does wrong, We will make them taste a horrible punishment.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ ۗ وَجَعَلْنَا بَعْضَكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ فِتْنَةً أَتَصْبِرُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ بَصِيرًا٢٠
25:20 (O' Apostle Mohammad ﷺ) We never sent Apostles before you but they surely ate food and went about in the market places (to buy their needs). We cause you (O humankind) to be a means of testing for one another. Will you (then) show patience and perseverance (in the face of Our decrees and remain steadfast in Our way)? Your Lord is All Seeing.
Cookies and Privacy
We use cookies to serve our visitors better
so they have good experience while visiting
our website. Privacy Policy
© 2024 Sahih Iman | Terms | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact
Network Websites
