TAFSEER-E-ASEDI

By
Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Juz 24 - فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ

سورة الزمر

The Groups

Az-Zumar | Sura # 39 | 75 verses | Makkan

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ كَذَبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَكَذَّبَ بِالصِّدْقِ إِذْ جَاءَهُ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِلْكَافِرِينَ٣٢

39:32 Who could be more wicked than the one who invents a lie against Allah, and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is there not an abode in Hell for such unbelievers?

وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ٣٣

39:33 And the one who comes with the truth, and the one who confirms it,  surely are the righteous.

لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ٣٤

39:34 They will have with their Lord whatever they desire.  This is the reward for those who do good.

لِيُكَفِّرَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ أَسْوَأَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ٣٥

39:35 As such, Allah will absolve them of (even) the worst of what they did,  and reward them according to the best of what they used to do.

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِكَافٍ عَبْدَهُ ۖ وَيُخَوِّفُونَكَ بِالَّذِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ٣٦

39:36 Is Allah not sufficient for His servant (the Apostle ﷺ)? Yet they threaten you with other (false powerless) gods besides Him. Whoever Allah leaves to stray,  will be left with no guide.

وَمَنْ يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ مُضِلٍّ ۗ أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِعَزِيزٍ ذِي انْتِقَامٍ٣٧

39:37 And the one whom Allah guides, there is none to mislead him. Is not Allah the Mighty, the Possessor of Retribution?

وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَاشِفَاتُ ضُرِّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَنِي بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَاتُ رَحْمَتِهِ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ الْمُتَوَكِّلُونَ٣٨

39:38 And, if you ask them : 'Who created the heavens and the earth?' Surely, they will say : 'Allah.'   Say : 'Do you see these idols that you invoke besides Allah, if Allah intends some harm for me, could they remove the harm, or if He intends some Mercy for me, could they withhold His Mercy?' Say : 'Allah is sufficient for me, (and) all those who truly trust,  put their trust in Him.'

قُلْ يَا قَوْمِ اعْمَلُوا عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنِّي عَامِلٌ ۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ٣٩

39:39 Say : 'O my people! If you do not believe me, then do whatever you want in your power,  and so shall I.  Soon you will find out, 

مَنْ يَأْتِيهِ عَذَابٌ يُخْزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيْهِ عَذَابٌ مُقِيمٌ٤٠

39:40 who will be visited by a humiliating torment (in this life), as well as  an everlasting punishment (in Hereafter).' 

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ لِلنَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ فَمَنِ اهْتَدَىٰ فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۖ وَمَا أَنْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِوَكِيلٍ٤١

39:41 Surely, We have sent down to you (O' Prophet  ﷺ) the book (the Quran) for mankind,  in truth.  So those who accept the guidance, it is only for their own good,  and those who go astray, they go astray only to their own loss.  You  are not a trustee over them. 

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنْفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَىٰ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ٤٢

39:42 It is Allah who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that don’t die during their sleep.  He keeps those souls for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for an appointed term.  Surely, in that there are signs for people who reflect. 

In death and in sleep, the commonality is that the body of the person becomes unaware of its physical surroundings. This is the reason, it is similar to the state of death. When we wake up, we become aware of the physical surroundings.

In death, however, the support system of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) associated with our body, known as 'soul', gets associated with another body as per the requirements of the 'Life after Death', as you will have to live there for sometime till the day of resurrection. This has been explained in the above verse.

أَمِ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ شُفَعَاءَ ۚ قُلْ أَوَلَوْ كَانُوا لَا يَمْلِكُونَ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ٤٣

39:43 Or have they taken others (Idols) besides Allah as intercessors? Ask them,  '(How can they intercede) if they don’t possess anything and have no intelligence?'

قُلْ لِلَّهِ الشَّفَاعَةُ جَمِيعًا ۖ لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ٤٤

39:44 Say : 'Intercession is wholly in the hands of Allah. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and to Him you shall all be brought back.'

Intercession is a bestowal of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) that is associated with Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), other prophets, Sahabah and Awliya Allah. Intercession of virtuous men (both living and dead) in this world is related to alleviation of our difficulties, and intercession in Hereafter is for our salvation.

Wahhabis, Salafis, Deobandis, Khawaarij and their like minded groups impose the above verse on Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), Sahabah, dignitaries of Islam and Awliya Allah and claim that after their deaths, they cannot hear or pray for us. They stop innocent Muslims from visiting their graves for barakah. Surely, the preachers of these sects and their followers will realize their mistake in misleading innocent Muslims after their deaths, and at that time it will be too late for them to repent and come back to Sahih Iman.

وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ اشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ٤٥

39:45 The hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with disgust when Allah alone is mentioned, but when those (idols) other than Him are mentioned, they suddenly rejoice.

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِي مَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ٤٦

39:46 Pray : 'O Allah! the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who has the knowledge of the unseen and the seen, You Alone can judge the disputes of your servants concerning those matters in which they differ.  (O' our lord, guide us to the right path).'

وَلَوْ أَنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لَافْتَدَوْا بِهِ مِنْ سُوءِ الْعَذَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ وَبَدَا لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَحْتَسِبُونَ٤٧

39:47 Those who did wrong (the disbelievers, if they) possessed all that is in earth and as much again with it, they surely would offer it to ransom with it (to save themselves) from the severe punishment on the Day of Resurrection.  It will become apparent to them from Allah what they would never have imagined.

وَبَدَا لَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ٤٨

39:48 And the evil (consequences) of their deeds will unfold before them, and they will be overwhelmed by (the retribution of) what they used to ridicule.

فَإِذَا مَسَّ الْإِنْسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَانَا ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلْنَاهُ نِعْمَةً مِنَّا قَالَ إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ ۚ بَلْ هِيَ فِتْنَةٌ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ٤٩

39:49 When the distress afflicts man, he prays to Us (for relief). But once We grant him Our blessings, he says, 'In fact, I have been granted all this because of my (superior) knowledge.' Of course not!  Rather, it is a test for him! But most of them do not know.

قَدْ قَالَهَا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَمَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ٥٠

39:50 The same had already been said by those (destroyed) before them, their (worldly) gains were of no benefit to them,

فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا ۚ وَالَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ سَيُصِيبُهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا كَسَبُوا وَمَا هُمْ بِمُعْجِزِينَ٥١

39:51 as the evil of their deeds caught up with them.  (Similarly),  the evil deeds of those who have wronged themselves among these people (Makkans) will also catch up with them, and they will not be able to evade Allah.

أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ٥٢

39:52 Do they not know that Allah expands or restricts His provision for whomever He wills?  In this are signs for a people who believe.

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ٥٣

39:53 Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves (by sinning), do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.  Indeed, it is He who is All Forgiving,  Most Merciful.

وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُونَ٥٤

39:54 Turn towards your Lord and obey Him before the punishment comes upon you when you will not be helped.

وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ٥٥

39:55 Follow the best teaching sent down to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly, when you are not expecting it,

أَنْ تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَا عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطْتُ فِي جَنْبِ اللَّهِ وَإِنْ كُنْتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ٥٦

39:56 Then the (evil) person would say, 'Oh pity on me! Concerning Allah I was too neglectful (and I went too far). I was among those who used to mock at His revelations.

أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنْتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ٥٧

39:57 Then he will say, 'I would have been an Allah fearing person, had Allah guided me!'

أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ٥٨

39:58 Or say, upon seeing the torment, 'If only I had a second chance, I would be one of those who are good.'

بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنْتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ٥٩

39:59 Then Allah will say to him : 'My revelations did come to you; but you denied them, were arrogant and you were among the disbelievers.'

وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُمْ مُسْوَدَّةٌ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ٦٠

39:60 On the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied against Allah, their faces will be black.  Is there not an abode for the arrogant in Hell?

وَيُنَجِّي اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا بِمَفَازَتِهِمْ لَا يَمَسُّهُمُ السُّوءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ٦١

39:61 On the contrary, Allah will deliver the righteous to their place of salvation. No harm shall touch them, nor shall they ever grieve.

اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ٦٢

39:62 Allah is the Creator of everything, and He is the Guardian over everything.

لَهُ مَقَالِيدُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ٦٣

39:63 To Him belongs the keys of the heavens and the earth. Those who deny the revelations of Allah, it is they who will be the losers.

قُلْ أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَأْمُرُونِّي أَعْبُدُ أَيُّهَا الْجَاهِلُونَ٦٤

39:64 (O Prophet  ﷺ) Tell the Pagans : 'O ignorant people! Do you bid me to worship someone other than Allah?'

وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ٦٥

39:65 Tell them plainly 'because it has already been revealed to you,  as it was revealed to those before you,  that if you commit shirk, all your deeds will become fruitless and you will surely be among the losers.'

بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ٦٦

39:66 Therefore, pray Allah alone and be among those who are grateful to Him.

وَمَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ وَالْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالسَّمَاوَاتُ مَطْوِيَّاتٌ بِيَمِينِهِ ۚ سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ٦٧

39:67 They did not revere Allah as He rightfully deserves. On the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will be grasped in His Jurisdiction and the heavens will be rolled up under His authority.  Glory be to Him, and High is He above that they associate partners with Him!

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنْظُرُونَ٦٨

39:68 When the (first) trumpet is blown, all who are in the heavens and the earth will fall dead, except those whom Allah wills. Then the trumpet will blow for a second time and they all will be (alive) standing, looking on.

وَأَشْرَقَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِنُورِ رَبِّهَا وَوُضِعَ الْكِتَابُ وَجِيءَ بِالنَّبِيِّينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ٦٩

39:69 The light emanating from the Lord will flood the earth, and make it glitter. The book (of deeds) will be placed (in evidence). The prophets and (other) witnesses would be at hand (to testify). The matter would be settled with justice. No one would be wronged at all!

وَوُفِّيَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ٧٠

39:70 And each person will get recompense  for what he/she did; and Allah is all aware of what they did.

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِ رَبِّكُمْ وَيُنْذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا ۚ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَةُ الْعَذَابِ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ٧١

39:71 After the Judgment, the Unbelievers will be driven to Hell in groups.  When they reach there, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say : 'Did there not come to you Apostles from among yourselves, who recited to you the revelations of your Lord and forewarned you about the meeting of this Day?' 'Yes,' they will answer. But at that time the sentence of punishment would have already been  announced against the unbelievers.'

قِيلَ ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ٧٢

39:72 They will be told : 'Enter the gates of Hell to live therein.' Evil shall be the abode of the arrogant.'

وَسِيقَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا رَبَّهُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ زُمَرًا ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءُوهَا وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُهَا وَقَالَ لَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ طِبْتُمْ فَادْخُلُوهَا خَالِدِينَ٧٣

39:73 As for those who fear their Lord, they shall be guided towards paradise in groups. When they reach there, its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say : 'Peace be on you! You have done well, now enter (the Paradise) to live therein forever.'

وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ ۖ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ٧٤

39:74 They will say : 'Praise be to Allah Who has truly fulfilled His promise and gave us this place to inherit, now we can live in Paradise wherever we like.'  How excellent will be the reward for the righteous?

وَتَرَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ حَافِّينَ مِنْ حَوْلِ الْعَرْشِ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ٧٥

39:75 And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah) from all round, glorifying the praise of their Lord. They (the people) will be judged with truth, and it will be said : 'All praises are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!'

سورة غافر

The Forgiver

Ghafir | Sura # 40 | 85 verses | Makkan

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful

حم١

40:1 Ha-meem

'Ha-meem' is known as ‘Solemn Verse' (Ayat-e-Muqatta'at - آیتِ مقطعات).

Fourteen Arabic alphabets have been used, in varied combinations, in 14 ‘Solemn Verses' (Ayaat-e-Muqatta'at - آیاتِ مقطعات) in the form of initials of 29 Chapters (سورة) of holy Quran. Ha-meem ( حم ) is one of them.

Since Quran is 'Mubeen' (الْمُبِينِ); its description is clear and manifest. The meanings of all the verses of Quran, including 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are surely known to its principle addressee, ie., Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). It is also likely that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) has informed the meanings of these Verses to some of his Sahabah and Awliya Allah.

We believe in whatever is meant by the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

Since we have been commanded to read the Quran carefully and try to understand the significance of every verse of the Quran, we do ponder over these verses. And when we think, by focusing our attention towards Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) for guidance, it comes to our mind that the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are actually the 'Solemn Titles of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) given by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) throughout the Quran. Our understanding is based on the fact that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has addressed Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in the Quran by specific names, like Muzzammil (مزمل - O' beloved who covers self in a coverlet), Muddassir (مدثر - O' beloved, who covers self in a bed sheet). With this understanding, it is most likely that Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) other names / titles have been mentioned in Quran by denoting certain initials/alphabets.

تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ٢

40:2 The revelation of this Book (the Quran) is from Allah, the Almighty, All Knowing,

غَافِرِ الذَّنْبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ٣

40:3 the Forgiver of sins, Who accepts the repentance, Stern in punishment, and the Lord of the Bounty; there is no god but He, to Whom all shall return.

مَا يُجَادِلُ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَلَا يَغْرُرْكَ تَقَلُّبُهُمْ فِي الْبِلَادِ٤

40:4 None disputes the revelations of Allah but those who disbelieve; so (O' Believers) let not their worldly affluence in the land deceive you.

كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَالْأَحْزَابُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ ۖ وَهَمَّتْ كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ بِرَسُولِهِمْ لِيَأْخُذُوهُ ۖ وَجَادَلُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ لِيُدْحِضُوا بِهِ الْحَقَّ فَأَخَذْتُهُمْ ۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ٥

40:5 Before them the people of Nooh (عليه السلام) denied and so did others after them. Every (disbelieving) nation plotted against their Apostle to seize him, and disputed  by means of falsehood to refute therewith the truth.  So I seized them (with punishment), and how severe was My Punishment!

وَكَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ٦

40:6 And so your Lord’s decree has been proven true against the disbelievers, that they will be the inmates of the Fire.

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ٧

40:7 Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those who are around it,  glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe, (saying) : 'Our Lord! Your Mercy and knowledge have encompassed all things, so forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and spare them from the punishment of Hell.

رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدْتَهُمْ وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ٨

40:8 Our Lord! Admit them into the Gardens of Eternity which You have promised them, along with the righteous among their parents, spouses and descendants. You (alone) are truly the Almighty, All Wise.

وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ وَمَنْ تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ٩

40:9 And protect them from (the consequences of their) evil deeds.   He whom You will deliver from the punishment of their sins on that Day,  will surely earn Your Mercy,  and that will surely be the highest achievement (for him).

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنَادَوْنَ لَمَقْتُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ مَقْتِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِذْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْإِيمَانِ فَتَكْفُرُونَ١٠

40:10 (On the Day of Judgment) the unbelievers would be informed, 'Surely at this time you hate yourself.  But earlier (in your previous life) Allah´s dislike for you was far greater  because you refused when you were invited to believe.'

قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَمَتَّنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَأَحْيَيْتَنَا اثْنَتَيْنِ فَاعْتَرَفْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا فَهَلْ إِلَىٰ خُرُوجٍ مِنْ سَبِيلٍ١١

40:11 They will say : 'Our Lord! Twice have You made us die and twice have You given us life.  We now confess our sins. Is there any way out?'

ذَٰلِكُمْ بِأَنَّهُ إِذَا دُعِيَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ كَفَرْتُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يُشْرَكْ بِهِ تُؤْمِنُوا ۚ فَالْحُكْمُ لِلَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْكَبِيرِ١٢

40:12 (They will be told, no way.) This is because when Allah alone was invoked, you (staunchly) disbelieved. But when others were associated with Him (in worship),  you (readily) believed. So (Today) the judgment belongs to  Allah, the Great and Exalted.'

هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُنَزِّلُ لَكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ رِزْقًا ۚ وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ إِلَّا مَنْ يُنِيبُ١٣

40:13 It is He Who shows you His signs,  and sends down sustenance from the heavens for you. Yet, none learns from these signs, except those who turn to Him.

فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ١٤

40:14 So (O' Believers) call upon Allah with sincere devotion, even to the dismay of the disbelievers.

رَفِيعُ الدَّرَجَاتِ ذُو الْعَرْشِ يُلْقِي الرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ لِيُنْذِرَ يَوْمَ التَّلَاقِ١٥

40:15 The Highly Exalted, the Lord of the Throne,  sends Angel (Jibreel  عليه السلام) carrying His message to any of His (chosen) servants (Prophets) He wants. So that His servant (the Prophet) may sound the alarm about the day of the meeting (with the Lord).

The advent of prophets ended after the advent of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). Thus Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is the seal of prophet-hood.

It is in Quran - مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ [ Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is not the father of (any one of your men, but (he is) the Apostle of Allah and last of the prophets.] (Al-Ahzab - 40)

يَوْمَ هُمْ بَارِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَيْءٌ ۚ لِمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ١٦

40:16 The Day when they all shall come forth from their graves with nothing hidden from Allah, it will be asked : 'Whose is the Kingdom today?' No one shall dare to speak, and Allah Himself will say : 'To Allah, the One and Only, the Invincible!'

الْيَوْمَ تُجْزَىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ ۚ لَا ظُلْمَ الْيَوْمَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ١٧

40:17 This Day every one shall be recompensed for what he/she has earned. Today no injustice (shall be done to anyone). Truly, Allah is Swift in reckoning.'

وَأَنْذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْآزِفَةِ إِذِ الْقُلُوبُ لَدَى الْحَنَاجِرِ كَاظِمِينَ ۚ مَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ حَمِيمٍ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ يُطَاعُ١٨

40:18 Warn them (O' Prophet  ﷺ) for the Day that is drawing near, when the hearts will leap up to the throats with grief; when the wrongdoers will have neither a close friend nor intercessor to be heard.

يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ١٩

40:19 Allah knows the eyes' deceptive glances and what the hearts conceal.

وَاللَّهُ يَقْضِي بِالْحَقِّ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ لَا يَقْضُونَ بِشَيْءٍ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ٢٠

40:20 Allah decides and concludes everything with justice. Those (Idols) they pray beside Him, (can) decide nothing. Allah is certainly the One Who hears and sees (everything).

أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا هُمْ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَآثَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَاقٍ٢١

40:21 Have they not traveled on earth that they could see what happened to those before them? They were greater in strength than they, and have left behind traces (of their ruins) on the earth. Yet they were seized by Allah for their sins, and had none to protect them from Allah's wrath.

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَكَفَرُوا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ قَوِيٌّ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ٢٢

40:22 That was because there came to them their Apostles with clear evidences. But they disbelieved. So Allah seized them. Surely, He is Strong, and Severe in punishment.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ بِآيَاتِنَا وَسُلْطَانٍ مُبِينٍ٢٣

40:23 Indeed, We sent Musa (عليه السلام) with Our signs and compelling proof,

إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَقَارُونَ فَقَالُوا سَاحِرٌ كَذَّابٌ٢٤

40:24 to Pharaoh, Haman and Qaroon, but they said, '(He is) a lying magician.'

فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا قَالُوا اقْتُلُوا أَبْنَاءَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ وَاسْتَحْيُوا نِسَاءَهُمْ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ٢٥

40:25 Then, when he brought them the truth from Us, they said : 'Kill the sons of those who share his faith and spare only their females.'  But futile were the schemes of the unbelievers.

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ ذَرُونِي أَقْتُلْ مُوسَىٰ وَلْيَدْعُ رَبَّهُ ۖ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَ دِينَكُمْ أَوْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ فِي الْأَرْضِ الْفَسَادَ٢٦

40:26 Pharaoh said, 'Let me kill Musa (عليه السلام) and let him appeal to his Lord. I fear that he may change your religion or spread disorder in the land.'

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ مُتَكَبِّرٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُ بِيَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ٢٧

40:27 Musa (عليه السلام) responded, 'I   have sought refuge with my Lord and your Lord from every haughty person who does not believe in the day of reckoning!'

وَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمَانَهُ أَتَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلًا أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ وَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يَكُ كَاذِبًا فَعَلَيْهِ كَذِبُهُ ۖ وَإِنْ يَكُ صَادِقًا يُصِبْكُمْ بَعْضُ الَّذِي يَعِدُكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ كَذَّابٌ٢٨

40:28 A believing man from Pharaoh’s people, who was hiding his faith, argued, 'Will you kill a man (only) for saying : 'My Lord is Allah,' while he has in fact come to you with clear proofs from your Lord?  If he is a liar, it will be to his own loss. But if he is truthful, then you will be afflicted with some of what he is threatening you with. Surely Allah does not guide whoever is a transgressor, a blatant liar.

يَا قَوْمِ لَكُمُ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ ظَاهِرِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَمَنْ يَنْصُرُنَا مِنْ بَأْسِ اللَّهِ إِنْ جَاءَنَا ۚ قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ مَا أُرِيكُمْ إِلَّا مَا أَرَىٰ وَمَا أَهْدِيكُمْ إِلَّا سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ٢٩

40:29 'O my people! You are the ruler today and you reigning supreme in the land. But who will save us from the punishment of Allah, if it comes to us?' Pharaoh said : 'I show you what I see correct and I guide you to the way of right policy'.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِثْلَ يَوْمِ الْأَحْزَابِ٣٠

40:30 The believer said, ‘My people, I fear your fate will be the fate of those others who opposed (their prophets),

مِثْلَ دَأْبِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ ۚ وَمَا اللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلْمًا لِلْعِبَادِ٣١

40:31 like the fate of the people of Nooh (عليه السلام), Aad, Thamud, and those after them.  For Allah does not wish to subject His servants to any injustice. 

وَيَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَوْمَ التَّنَادِ٣٢

40:32 O my people!  I truly fear for you the Day all will be crying out (to each other).

يَوْمَ تُوَلُّونَ مُدْبِرِينَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۗ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ٣٣

40:33 The day you will turn your backs and flee, with none to defend you against Allah. Whoever Allah allows to go astray has none to show him the way.

وَلَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ يُوسُفُ مِنْ قَبْلُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا زِلْتُمْ فِي شَكٍّ مِمَّا جَاءَكُمْ بِهِ ۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا هَلَكَ قُلْتُمْ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ رَسُولًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ مَنْ هُوَ مُسْرِفٌ مُرْتَابٌ٣٤

40:34 And indeed Yusuf (عليه السلام) did come to you before with clear signs, but you were always in doubt concerning what he did bring to you, till when he died, you said,  'Allah will never send an Apostle after him.' Thus Allah leaves those astray who are (always) suspicious.

From the above conversation, it looks that the person was one of Pharaoh's nobles or courtiers and was learned man.

الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ ۖ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَعِنْدَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ قَلْبِ مُتَكَبِّرٍ جَبَّارٍ٣٥

40:35 Those who argue about Allah's revelations without having been given an authority,  are doing something despised by Allah and by those who believe. This is how Allah seals up the heart of every arrogant tyrant.

وَقَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ يَا هَامَانُ ابْنِ لِي صَرْحًا لَعَلِّي أَبْلُغُ الْأَسْبَابَ٣٦

40:36 (After hearing this) Pharoah said,  'O Haman! Build me a high tower that I may attain the means of access,

أَسْبَابَ السَّمَاوَاتِ فَأَطَّلِعَ إِلَىٰ إِلَٰهِ مُوسَىٰ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّهُ كَاذِبًا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِفِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَصُدَّ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ ۚ وَمَا كَيْدُ فِرْعَوْنَ إِلَّا فِي تَبَابٍ٣٧

40:37 leading up to the heavens and look for the God of Moses, although I am sure he is a liar.' And so Pharaoh’s evil deeds were made so appealing to him that he was hindered from the (Right) path. But the plotting of Pharaoh was only in vain.

وَقَالَ الَّذِي آمَنَ يَا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُونِ أَهْدِكُمْ سَبِيلَ الرَّشَادِ٣٨

40:38 The man who believed said : 'O my people, follow me; I will guide you to the right path.

يَا قَوْمِ إِنَّمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ وَإِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ هِيَ دَارُ الْقَرَارِ٣٩

40:39 O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but an enjoyment, and surely, the Hereafter is the home that will remain forever.

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً فَلَا يُجْزَىٰ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا ۖ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ يُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ٤٠

40:40 Whoever does an evil deed will only be paid back with its equivalent. And whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, they will enter Paradise, where they will be provided for,  without limit.

وَيَا قَوْمِ مَا لِي أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى النَّجَاةِ وَتَدْعُونَنِي إِلَى النَّارِ٤١

40:41 'O my people! How is it that I invite you to salvation, while you invite me to the Fire!'

تَدْعُونَنِي لِأَكْفُرَ بِاللَّهِ وَأُشْرِكَ بِهِ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِهِ عِلْمٌ وَأَنَا أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى الْعَزِيزِ الْغَفَّارِ٤٢

40:42 'You invite me to disbelieve in Allah and to join (partners) with Allah about which I have no knowledge; while I invite you to the Almighty, Most Forgiving!'

لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّمَا تَدْعُونَنِي إِلَيْهِ لَيْسَ لَهُ دَعْوَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ مَرَدَّنَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَأَنَّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ هُمْ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ٤٣

40:43 'There is no doubt that whatever (idols) you invite me to (worship) have no foundation either in this world or in Hereafter. (Undoubtedly),  our return is to Allah, and the transgressors will be the inmates of the Fire.'

فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ٤٤

40:44 'So bear in mind what I have told you, I am entrusting my affairs to Allah, surely Allah is ever watchful over His servants.'

فَوَقَاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا ۖ وَحَاقَ بِآلِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ الْعَذَابِ٤٥

40:45 So Allah protected him from the evils they plotted (against him), while a terrible punishment encompassed Pharaoh's clan, '

When the person's faith became apparent to the people of Pharaoh, they did try to harm him, but Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) protected him from their plots.

النَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا ۖ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ٤٦

40:46 they are exposed to the fire morning and afternoon, and on the Day when the Hour will be established (angels will be told) : 'Cause Pharaoh’s people to enter the severest punishment.'

The above verse is an explicit proof that the wrongdoers are punish in the world of demarcation (Aalam-e-Barzaq) or Life after death. And the believers live in the life of comforts in Barzaq.

It is in Hadith - It is reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) passed by two graves and said 'they are being punished. Then he took a fresh branch, broke it in two and planted each piece on a grave. Then he said : 'May their punishment be reduced so long as this does not dry out.' (Bukhari, Muslim)

Ibn Abd al-Wahab an-Najdi at-Tamimi, the Imam of present day Salafis (a sub sect of Kharijis) mentioned a Hadith in his book 'Ahkam Tamanni al-Mawt. A young boy used to do (a lot) of prayers in Masjid, however one woman fell in love with him and she started to attract him towards herself until one day he got persuaded and came to her house, but he recalled this Quranic verse - إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ [Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember (Him) and at once they have insight.] (Al-Araaf - 201), he fainted right over there, when he recovered he remembered the verse again and fainted once again but this time he passed away. After his death Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) met his father being saddened at his death, (the boy) was buried during night, Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) took his companions along and visited his grave, he prayed there and 'Called the Boy' saying: Whosoever feared to stand in front of his Lord then there are 2 gardens for him! Voice came from the grave O' Omar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has granted me both the gardens. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir, verse (Al-Araaf - 201)

It is quoted by Salafi scholar Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya in his book 'Kitab ar-Rooh'. It is narrated by Ibn Uyaina's maternal cousin Fudayl that he got very sad on the death of his father and he used to do Ziyarah of his Grave everyday. However, by the will of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), after sometime he did not visit him often. Once when he came and sat by the side of the grave of his father, (after some time) he fell asleep and saw in the dream that his father's grave has been opened and he is covered in a sheet with a look which is of dead people. Seeing this, he started to cry. (His father) asked : My son why did not you visit me everyday? He replied : Are you aware of my visitation? (His father) said: I was aware of your arrival every time and your visitation and your Dua is a source of happiness not only for me but also those who are buried near me. After this I (again) started to visit his Grave very often. (Kitab ar-Rooh by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya).

وَإِذْ يَتَحَاجُّونَ فِي النَّارِ فَيَقُولُ الضُّعَفَاءُ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا كُنَّا لَكُمْ تَبَعًا فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ مُغْنُونَ عَنَّا نَصِيبًا مِنَ النَّارِ٤٧

40:47 (Consider the Day) when they will dispute in the Fire, and the lowly (followers) will appeal to the arrogant (leaders), 'We were your (dedicated) followers, will you then shield us (at least) from a portion of the Fire?'

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا كُلٌّ فِيهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ حَكَمَ بَيْنَ الْعِبَادِ٤٨

40:48 The arrogant will say, 'We are all in it! (For) Allah has already passed judgment over (His) servants.'

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ فِي النَّارِ لِخَزَنَةِ جَهَنَّمَ ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ يُخَفِّفْ عَنَّا يَوْمًا مِنَ الْعَذَابِ٤٩

40:49 Those in the Fire will say to the keepers of Hell, 'Pray to your Lord to lighten our punishment for a day.'

قَالُوا أَوَلَمْ تَكُ تَأْتِيكُمْ رُسُلُكُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ۖ قَالُوا بَلَىٰ ۚ قَالُوا فَادْعُوا ۗ وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ٥٠

40:50 The keeper of Hell will reply 'did not the Apostles (of Allah) bring you the clear proofs?'  They will reply, 'Yes they did!' The keepers will then say, 'So ask (Him) yourself!'  But the calls (and prayers) of the unbelievers would come to no avail!

إِنَّا لَنَنْصُرُ رُسُلَنَا وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ يَقُومُ الْأَشْهَادُ٥١

40:51 Certainly we help Our Apostles, and those who believe, in the life of this world and on the Day when the Witnesses will stand forth (to testify concerning people’s response to their Apostles).

يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ الظَّالِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ ۖ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ٥٢

40:52 The Day when their excuses (and apologies) will not benefit the wrongdoers. They will be condemned and the worst place (Hell)  will be their home.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْهُدَىٰ وَأَوْرَثْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْكِتَابَ٥٣

40:53 And indeed We gave Musa (عليه السلام) the guidance, and We caused the children of Israel to inherit the Scripture (the Taurait),

هُدًى وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ٥٤

40:54 as guidance and a reminder for those with understanding.

فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِبْكَارِ٥٥

40:55 So, (be sure and) remain patient (O' Prophet ﷺ). The promise of your Lord is really true! (Since you represent your Ummah) pray for forgiveness for (their) shortcomings and glorify the praises of your Lord in the early evening and morning.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ ۙ إِنْ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَا هُمْ بِبَالِغِيهِ ۚ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ٥٦

40:56 Surely those who dispute Allah’s signs, with no proof given to them, have nothing in their hearts but greed for dominance, which they will never attain. So seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, He alone is All Hearing, All Seeing.

لَخَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ٥٧

40:57 Truly, creating the heavens and the earth is bigger act than creating (and re-creating) the human beings.   But most people  do not understand.

وَمَا يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَىٰ وَالْبَصِيرُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَلَا الْمُسِيءُ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ٥٨

40:58 The blind and the seeing are not the same, nor are those who believe and do good deeds equal to the evildoers. How seldom you reflect?

إِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ٥٩

40:59 Surely, the Hour (Day of Judgment) is coming and there is no doubt about it, yet most people do not believe.

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ٦٠

40:60 Your Lord has ordained, 'Call upon Me, I will accept your supplication. Surely those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell, fully humbled.'

From the above verse it is clear that all supplications are accepted by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). But, there are multiple ways how these supplications are granted.

(i) If the supplication is as per the grand scheme of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) in this Cosmos and the time is appropriate for the servant, his supplication is granted immediately.

(ii) Sometimes the supplication is granted after some delay when the time is appropriate.

(iii) Sometimes a thing is rewarded to the servant which is better than what he had supplicated for.

(iv) If the supplication is not to be granted in his life, the servant will be rewarded a lot of bounties on the day of resurrection for all his supplications that were not granted in this world. Looking at the bounties, the servant will say 'I wish none of my prayers were granted in that world'.

It is in Hadith - It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said : 'There is no Muslim who does not offer any du’a in which there is no sin or severing of family ties but Allah will give him one of three things in return, (i) either He will answer his du’a sooner, (ii) or he will store it up for him in the Hereafter, (iii) or He will divert an equivalent evil away from him because of it.' They said : 'We will do a lot of du’a'. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said, 'Allah is more generous.' (Ahmad)

It is in Hadith - 'Nothing can change the Divine decree except dua'. (Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Jami At-Tirmidhi )

It is in Hadith - 'No precaution can protect against the decree of Allah. Dua is beneficial with regard to what has been decreed and what has not been decreed. The dua meets the calamity that has been decreed and wrestles with it, until the Day of Resurrection.' (Tabarani)

The meanings of the above two Ahadith are, it is already in the Divine decree that if the people sincerely pray to avoid the calamity by turning towards their Lord, the calamity will not happen. And if they remain in their evil conduct, forgetting about their Lord, the calamity will sure struck them

(v) The best way to supplicate is, pray Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), 'O My Lord, you know my difficulty and hardship, and You are the one who alleviates the hardships of your servants. I sincerely pray for your forgiveness for my sins I know and I do not know. I seek your pardon from the waseelah of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and all your beloved servants in both the worlds.' Say Ameen, and recite durood.

It is in Quran - وَيَسْتَجِيبُ الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَالْكَافِرُونَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ [ He answers the prayers of those who believe and do good deeds and gives them even more out of His bounty. As for the unbelievers, they shall have severe punishment. ] (Ash-Shura - 26)

(vi) Supplications of disbelievers are also granted by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) whenever they are in distress. But the problem with the disbelievers is that as soon as the difficulty is removed from them, they give the credit to the their false gods, thereby plunging more into the darkness of faithlessness. This is the reason they do not get any share of Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) mercy in Hereafter.

It is in Quran - وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِنَّا مِنْ بَعْدِ ضَرَّاءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ هَذَا لِي وَمَا أَظُنُّ السَّاعَةَ قَائِمَةً وَلَئِنْ رُجِعْتُ إِلَى رَبِّي إِنَّ لِي عِنْدَهُ لَلْحُسْنَى فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ [ And if We let them taste a mercy from Us after being touched with adversity, they will certainly say, 'This is what I deserve. I do not think the Hour will (ever) come. And if in fact I am returned to my Lord, the finest reward with Him will definitely be mine.' But We will surely inform the disbelievers of what they used to do. And We will certainly make them taste a harsh torment. ] (Fussilat - 50)

The disbelievers' assertions mentioned in the above verse are because of their worldly prosperity. They think that their worldly affluence and riches is the testimony that they are on the right path.

(vii) Similar is the state of the followers of deviant sects Kharijis, Salafis, Deobandis, Shias and their sub groups and like minded people who claim that their prosperity in this world is the sign that they are on the right path. However, when they are in distress, or a Jinn/devil overtakes one of their people, they turn towards Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and visit the graves of Awliya Allah for their help in getting rid of the evil. Once it is removed, they again start talking blasphemy against the prophets, Awliya Allah and stop Muslims from the right path of Islam. It is obvious that the followers of these sects also do not get any share of Allah's (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) Mercy in Hereafter for their wrongful beliefs.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوا فِيهِ وَالنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ٦١

40:61 It is Allah who has made the night for you so that you may rest in it,  and the day for you to see (and earn your living).  Truly, Allah gives Bountiful to the mankind, yet most people are ungrateful.

ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤْفَكُونَ٦٢

40:62 That is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things, there is no one worthy of worship but He, how then you are turned away (from Him)?

كَذَٰلِكَ يُؤْفَكُ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ٦٣

40:63 This is how those who deny the signs of Allah turn away.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ ۖ فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ٦٤

40:64 It is Allah Who has made for you the earth a place of residence,  and the sky as a canopy, has given you shape and made your shapes good looking and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, then blessed be Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

هُوَ الْحَيُّ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ ۗ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ٦٥

40:65 He is the Living, there is no god but He, so call on Him, and dedicate your religion entirely to Him.  Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

قُلْ إِنِّي نُهِيتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَمَّا جَاءَنِيَ الْبَيِّنَاتُ مِنْ رَبِّي وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ٦٦

40:66 Say, (O Prophet  ﷺ), 'I have been forbidden to worship those (idols) you worship besides Allah, since clear proofs have come to me from my Lord.   And I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of all worlds.'

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلًا ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا شُيُوخًا ۚ وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُتَوَفَّىٰ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۖ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا أَجَلًا مُسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ٦٧

40:67 It is He who created you from dust, then from a drop of semen, then from a tiny clinging form, then He brought you forth as infants, then He allowed you to reach maturity, then He let you grow old, though some of you die sooner, and reach your appointed term, so that you may understand (the reality of life).

هُوَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ ۖ فَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ٦٨

40:68 It is He who gives life and death.  When He decides (to create) a thing, He simply says, 'Be', and 'it is' (comes into existence).

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ أَنَّىٰ يُصْرَفُونَ٦٩

40:69 Do you not see how those who argue about the revelations of Allah turn away from the Right Path?

الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِالْكِتَابِ وَبِمَا أَرْسَلْنَا بِهِ رُسُلَنَا ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ٧٠

40:70 Those who have rejected the book, and that which We revealed to Our Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), would soon come to know,

إِذِ الْأَغْلَالُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَالسَّلَاسِلُ يُسْحَبُونَ٧١

40:71 when shackles will be around their necks and chains (on their legs). They will be dragged,

فِي الْحَمِيمِ ثُمَّ فِي النَّارِ يُسْجَرُونَ٧٢

40:72 in boiling water, and are then thrown into the Fire, where they will be consumed.

ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ٧٣

40:73 It will then be said to them, 'where are those (associates) whom you used to consider divine,

مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ۖ قَالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا بَلْ لَمْ نَكُنْ نَدْعُو مِنْ قَبْلُ شَيْئًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الْكَافِرِينَ٧٤

40:74 besides Allah?' They will answer : 'They have forsaken us, now we have come to know that those to whom we used to invoke, were in fact nothing.'   Thus Allah confounds the disbelievers.

ذَٰلِكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَمْرَحُونَ٧٥

40:75 It will be said : 'You have met this fate because during your life on earth, you took delight in things other than the truth and you led a wanton life.'

ادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ٧٦

40:76 'Enter the gates of Hell, to stay there forever. What an evil home for the arrogant!'

فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ ۚ فَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ٧٧

40:77 So be patient, (O Prophet  ﷺ), Allah's promise is true. Whether We let you witness the evil consequences with which they are being warned, or We recall you before We smite them, in any case, they shall all return to Us.

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ لَمْ نَقْصُصْ عَلَيْكَ ۗ وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۚ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ قُضِيَ بِالْحَقِّ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ٧٨

40:78 We have sent Apostles before you. Some We have told you about, and others We did not. No Apostle can produce a miracle except with Allah's permission. Then, when Allah's command comes, just judgment will be passed, and those who followed falsehood will be lost,  then and there.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَنْعَامَ لِتَرْكَبُوا مِنْهَا وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ٧٩

40:79 It is Allah Who has made cattle for you so that you may ride on some of them and eat (the meat of) some of them.

وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا عَلَيْهَا حَاجَةً فِي صُدُورِكُمْ وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى الْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ٨٠

40:80 Also, you find in them (other) benefits. And by means of them you may reach destinations you desire. And you are carried upon (some of) them and upon ships.

وَيُرِيكُمْ آيَاتِهِ فَأَيَّ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ تُنْكِرُونَ٨١

40:81 And (thus) He shows you His signs. So, which of Allah's signs do you deny?

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَانُوا أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَأَشَدَّ قُوَّةً وَآثَارًا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَمَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ٨٢

40:82 Have they not traveled in the land and seen how was the end of those before them who were far more numerous than they and more strong, and have left behind them traces on the earth.  And yet nothing of what they did profited them.

فَلَمَّا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَرِحُوا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ٨٣

40:83 When their Apostles came to them with clear proofs, they were prideful in whatever (worldly) knowledge they had, and were (ultimately) overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِ مُشْرِكِينَ٨٤

40:84 So when they saw Our punishment, they said : 'We believe in Allah alone and reject all what we associated as partners with Him.'

فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنْفَعُهُمْ إِيمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا بَأْسَنَا ۖ سُنَّتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي قَدْ خَلَتْ فِي عِبَادِهِ ۖ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْكَافِرُونَ٨٥

40:85 But after seeing Our punishment, their professing the faith (of Islam) was of no use to them; such was the practice of Allah in dealing with His servants in the past, and thus the disbelievers were lost.

سورة فصلت

Explained In Detail

Fussilat | Sura # 41 | 54 verses | Makkan

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful

حم١

41:1 Ha-meem

'Ha-meem' is known as ‘Solemn Verse' (Ayat-e-Muqatta'at - آیتِ مقطعات).

Fourteen Arabic alphabets have been used, in varied combinations, in 14 ‘Solemn Verses' (Ayaat-e-Muqatta'at - آیاتِ مقطعات) in the form of initials of 29 Chapters (سورة) of holy Quran. Ha-meem ( حم ) is one of them.

Since Quran is 'Mubeen' (الْمُبِينِ); its description is clear and manifest. The meanings of all the verses of Quran, including 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are surely known to its principle addressee, ie., Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). It is also likely that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) has informed the meanings of these Verses to some of his Sahabah and Awliya Allah.

We believe in whatever is meant by the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

Since we have been commanded to read the Quran carefully and try to understand the significance of every verse of the Quran, we do ponder over these verses. And when we think, by focusing our attention towards Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) for guidance, it comes to our mind that the 'Solemn Verses' (آیاتِ مقطعات) are actually the 'Solemn Titles of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) given by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) throughout the Quran. Our understanding is based on the fact that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) has addressed Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in the Quran by specific names, like Muzzammil (مزمل - O' beloved who covers self in a coverlet), Muddassir (مدثر - O' beloved, who covers self in a bed sheet). With this understanding, it is most likely that Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) other names / titles have been mentioned in Quran by denoting certain initials/alphabets.

تَنْزِيلٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ٢

41:2 (This is) a revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ٣

41:3 A book whose verses are distinct and described in detail. The Quran is (revealed) in the Arabic language for the people who know.

بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ٤

41:4 It bears the good news and also warns.  But most of them turn away. They (just) do not listen.

وَقَالُوا قُلُوبُنَا فِي أَكِنَّةٍ مِمَّا تَدْعُونَا إِلَيْهِ وَفِي آذَانِنَا وَقْرٌ وَمِنْ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌ فَاعْمَلْ إِنَّنَا عَامِلُونَ٥

41:5 They say : 'Our hearts are covered (screened) from that to which you invite us, there is deafness in our ears and there is a screen between us and you; so you work (your way) and surely we are working (our way).'

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَاسْتَقِيمُوا إِلَيْهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ٦

41:6 Say (O Prophet  ﷺ) : 'I am human being like yourselves. It is revealed to me that your God is One God, therefore take the Right Path towards Him and implore for His forgiveness. Woe to the idol worshipers  (who associate other gods with Allah).

We will discuss here briefly about the meaning of - قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ [ Say (O Prophet ﷺ), 'I am human being 'like yourselves'. ]

There is a difference between saying - قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ [ Say (O Prophet ﷺ), 'I am human being]; and - قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ [ Say (O Prophet ﷺ), 'I am human being 'like yourselves'. ]

The above verse describes بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ. If Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) wanted to emphasize on the ordinary human aspect of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), the above verse could have been - قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ [ Say (O' Prophet ﷺ) I am a human being)]. But in this verse, there is an addition of word مِّثْلُكُمْ, meaning like you in looks or in the pattern of general human beings.

By adding the word مِّثْلُكُمْ, Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is emphasizing the distinction of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) from general human beings. This aspect is made clear from the rest of the verse يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ ( I am the Apostle of Allah which makes me distinct from all of you). Our understanding of this verse is also supported from the many Quranic verses and Ahadith.

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).

It is in Hadith - Narrated by Ibn Omer, Abu Huraira and Anas (رضئ اللھ تعالی عنہم اجمعین). Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) kept fast after fast, sometimes 5 days in a row. Sahabah tried to emulate (follow his practice), but realized it was not possible. Prophet Mohammad - صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم told his companions, ‘I am not like you. I live with my Sustainer who feeds and provides me with drink. (Bukhari, Muslim).

Three things are established from the above Hadith.

(i) He is not like any normal human being. He is placed at an exalted state ‘Maqaam-e-Mahmood’ as described in verse أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا ( Allah will raise you to the highest place of praise and glory ) (Al-Isra - 79).

(ii) Bodily he lives in this world, but spiritually he lives with His Sustainer.

(iii) Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) provides him with special spiritual food and drink.

The Quran is full of the descriptions of exclusive features of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). We need to take all these verses into consideration to understand the fact of Prophet Mohammad (حقيقتِ محمدي صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

Those who focus their attention on the physical body of Prophet Mohammad ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) they lose sight of the distinctive aspect of Prophet Mohammad ( صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and start equating him with normal (sinful) human beings and ensure their permanent home in Hell. Christians did the same mistake. They focused too much attention on the Spiritual aspect of Prophet Isa ( علیھ السلا م) and his miraculous birth and started claiming him to be 'Son of God'.

The problem with deviant sects like Kharijis, Salafis, Deobandis and their like minded groups is that the things which are visible to the normal physical eyes are also ignored by them. They do not pay attention to the fact that there is a commonality which is common in two things, but it is the distinction which is the deciding factor of excellence.

They should know that between human being and animals there are many commonalities. The animals are living beings, they eat and they reproduce their species. These are commonalities between animals and human beings. But the distinction between the two is that the human beings are crowned with common sense, intelligence, therefore, they are made masters of the world.

They should know that there are many commonalities between believers and non-believers as well. The distinction between the two is the Islamic faith. Because of this distinction, one will go the Paradise and the other will be burned in Hell fire permanently.

Makkan apostates like Abu Jahel and others used to say, what is the difference between him (Prophet Mohammad ﷺ) and other people of Makkah, as he lives a life of a normal human being. The deviant sects follow their example.

It is in Quran - وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَـٰذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ ۙ لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُ نَذِيرًا [ (the apostates of Makka used to say) ‘What is there in this Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) and other people of Makkah, as he lives a life of a normal human being.), he eats food like us and goes to around the markets like us’. (Al-Furqan – 7).

But Sahabah never used to think on these lines and they never compared Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) with normal human beings. They looked at Prophet Mohammad’s (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) life as an absolute miracle of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ). To them Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) has been an unusual phenomenon of Allah’s (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) omnipotence.

It is in Hadith Miswar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) narrate the account of the treaty of Al-Hudaibiya in which Urwa came to Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) to negotiate its terms and when returned to his people and said, 'O people! By Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) I have been to the kings and to Caesar, Khosrau and An-Najashi, yet I have never seen any of them respected by his courtiers as much as Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is respected by his companions. By Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ), if he spat, the spittle would fall in the hand of one of them (Sahaba) who would rub it on his face and skin; if he ordered them, they would carry out his order immediately; if he performed ablution, they would struggle to take the remaining water; and when they spoke, they would lower their voices and would not look at his face constantly out of respect." (Bukhari, Ahmad, Tabarani, Ibn Hibban, Baihaqi, etc.)

It is in Quran – وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ - إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ [ (Prophet Mohammad -صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) does not say anything with his self desire, except that this is the revelation which is coming to him (from Allah).] (An-Najm – 3-4).

Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) represents humanity in all his actions. He shows happiness on certain things and displeasure on certain things. He shows fore knowledge of certain things and his unawareness of certain things. He pleads with Almighty for His forgiveness. He walks in streets like normal human beings. He fights with infidels along with his companions and sometimes the results of the battles are inconclusive and sometimes he wins. He becomes concerned when something goes wrong with his family members and his companions and shares happiness with them on happy occasions.

Why it is so? Did you ever think about that? Read this Quranic verse to understand this phenomenon.

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 and of all creations. Since he is the root of all creations, therefore, whatever form Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) chose for him to manifest, he will show that form’s perfection. 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 all Quraish. This miracle is mentioned in Holy Quran as well.

It is in Quran - اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ - وَإِن يَرَوْا آيَةً يُعْرِضُوا وَيَقُولُوا سِحْرٌ مُّسْتَمِرٌّ [The Hour (the Day of Resurrection) came near and the moon was split. And if they see any sign, then turn their faces and say this is magic perpetual]. (Al-Qamar -1-2).

It is established from Quran and Ahadith that Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) is the root of all creation.

(i) 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 Abdur 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 an-Nubuwwa, according to Zurqani in his Sharh al-Mawahib (1:56 of the Matba'a al-amira, Cairo). Also Diyarbakri narrated it in 'Tarikh al-Khamis (1-20).

The authenticity of the above Hadith is also proved from the following Quranic verses and Ahadith.

( (i) It is in Quran – يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا - وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا [ O’ Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)! Truly, We have sent you as a Witness, a Bearer of Glad Tidings and Warner (for the entire Cosmos); and as one who invites to Allah's - عَزَّ وَجَلَّ (Grace) by His consent, and as a lamp spreading light (into the whole cosmos).] (Al - Ahzab 45-46).

The above verse describes Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) as 'Lamp spreading light (into the whole cosmos). He is also referred as a Witness, a bearer of glad tidings and warner to humanity. A witness is the one who knows about all the physical and spiritual aspects of this cosmos.

(ii) It is in Quran - - اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ [ Allah ( عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) 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.] (An-Nur - 35).

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, Al-Ahzab- 46.

(iii)It is in Quran - قَدْ جَاءَكُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ (From Allah has come to you a Light and a Book manifest.) ((Al-Maida - 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 - (1) Suyuti in Tafsir al-Jalalayn. (2) Feruzabadi in the Tafsir Ibn 'Abbas entitled Tanwir al-miqbas (p. 72). (3) Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, in his Tafsir al-kabir (11:189). (4) Qadi Baidawi in his Tafsir entitled Anwar at-Tanzil. (5) Al-Baghawi in his Tafsir entitled Ma`alim at-Tanzil (2:23). (6) Al-Shirbini in his Tafsir entitled al-Siraj al-Munir (p. 360). (7) The author of Tafsir Abi Sa`ud (4:36). (8) Thana’ullah Pani Pati in his Tafsir al-Mazhari, (3:67). (9) Shaikh Mohammad Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) in his Tafseer-e-Siddiqui. (10) Ibn Jarir al-Tabari in his Tafsir jami` al-bayan (6:92) (11) Al-Khazin in his Tafsir (2:28). (12) Al-Nasafi in his commentary entitled Tafsir Al-Madarik (1:276) and al-Qasimi in his Mahasin at-ta’wil (6:1921). (13) Ahmad al-Sawi in Tafsir al-Jalalayn (1:258). (14) Sayyid Mahmud al-Alusi in his commentary entitled Tafsir Ruh al-Ma`ani (6:97) and many others.

(iv) It is in Quran - وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ ۗ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ [ And look, He is Who have created you from single soul (نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ) then there is (for you) a resting-place and a depository; indeed We have detailed our signs for the people who understand.] (Al-Ana’am – 98).

Some people say that the above verse refers to Prophet Adam ( علیھ السلا م ). Their contention is true as far as the Human beings are concerned. But as far as the entire creation is concerned, everything in this cosmos was created from the Noor of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم).

(vi) It is in Hadith - Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ). When Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) was asked since how long he is the Prophet, he replied, ‘When Adam (علیھ السلا م ) had not yet had his spirit joined to his body (Tirmidhi).

(vii) It is in Quran – وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ لَمَا آتَيْتُكُم مِّن كِتَابٍ وَحِكْمَةٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مُّصَدِّقٌ لِّمَا مَعَكُمْ لَتُؤْمِنُنَّ بِهِ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُ ۚ قَالَ أَأَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَخَذْتُمْ عَلَىٰ ذَ‌ٰلِكُمْ إِصْرِي ۖ قَالُوا أَقْرَرْنَا ۚ قَالَ فَاشْهَدُوا وَأَنَا مَعَكُم مِّنَ الشَّاهِدِينَ [ Behold! Allah took the covenant (promise) of (all) the prophets, saying : 'I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you an Apostle (Mohammad – صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), confirming what is with you; do you believe in him and render him help.' Allah said : 'Do you agree, and take this my Covenant as binding on you?' They said : 'We agree.' He said : 'Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.] (Aal-e-Imran – 81).

(viii) It is in Hadith Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) said 'Allah gives and I distribute'. (Bukhari and Muslim)

The above Hadith establishes the pivotal and central role of Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم). The process of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) giving and Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) distributing is eternal, from the time this Cosmos came into existence.

الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ٧

41:7 (Those who associate other gods with Allah)  They (also) do not pay Zakat and deny the Hereafter.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ٨

41:8 As for those who have faith and do righteous deeds, there will be an everlasting reward for them.

قُلْ أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُونَ بِالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَرْضَ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُونَ لَهُ أَنْدَادًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ٩

41:9 Ask (them, O Prophet  ﷺ), 'How can you disbelieve in the One Who created the earth in two Days? And how can you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of all worlds.

وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ مِنْ فَوْقِهَا وَبَارَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَا أَقْوَاتَهَا فِي أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ سَوَاءً لِلسَّائِلِينَ١٠

41:10 He placed firm mountains over it, and He blessed it and apportioned its provisions to all who would seek them, (all) in four days.

ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ائْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ١١

41:11 Then He turned to the Heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, 'Come willingly or unwillingly.' They said, 'We come willingly.'

فَقَضَاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِي كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَحِفْظًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ١٢

41:12 So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate. And We adorned the lowest heaven with (stars like) lamps (for beauty) and for protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All Knowing.'

The above verses confirm the fact that the Universe was created in stages.

It is in Quran - إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ [ Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself (His authority) above the Throne. ] (Al-Araaf - 54)

The days in the above verse are not the days consisting of 24 hours as they are understood by human beings. These are 6 spans of periods known to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)

From the above verses, we understand that Allah created all stars, planets and Galaxies in 2 days (spans). The following two days (spans) were spent in creating provisions for the living and survival of all His creatures who would inhabit these places. He then turned his attention towards the seven heavens and created them in two days (spans), assigning to each its mandate, and establish His authority on Arsh to run the administration of this Cosmos. His authority was manifested as Tajalli-e-Rahman on the Throne.

Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) and His Apostle Mohammad صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم know best.

فَإِنْ أَعْرَضُوا فَقُلْ أَنْذَرْتُكُمْ صَاعِقَةً مِثْلَ صَاعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَثَمُودَ١٣

41:13 Now if they turn away, say to them : 'I have given you warning of a thunderbolt, like the thunderbolt which struck Aad and Thamud.'

إِذْ جَاءَتْهُمُ الرُّسُلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۖ قَالُوا لَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّنَا لَأَنْزَلَ مَلَائِكَةً فَإِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلْتُمْ بِهِ كَافِرُونَ١٤

41:14 The Apostles came to them (and told them what lay) ahead of them as well as behind them, and instructed them to worship no one except Allah. But they said, 'Had our Lord wanted this, He would have sent us angels (to preach). We (hereby) reject that which (you claim) has been revealed to you.'

فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ١٥

41:15 As for Aa'd, they acted arrogantly throughout the land with no right, boasting, (and saying) 'Who is superior to us in might?' Did they not see that Allah, Who created them, was far superior to them in might?  Still they persisted in denying Our signs.

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِي أَيَّامٍ نَحِسَاتٍ لِنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَخْزَىٰ ۖ وَهُمْ لَا يُنْصَرُونَ١٦

41:16 So We sent a screaming wind upon them for a few miserable days to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in this worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter will be more humiliating, and they will not be helped.

وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَىٰ عَلَى الْهُدَىٰ فَأَخَذَتْهُمْ صَاعِقَةُ الْعَذَابِ الْهُونِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ١٧

41:17 As for Thamud, We guided them, but they preferred blindness over guidance, so the thunderbolt of humiliating punishment seized them, just as they deserved.

وَنَجَّيْنَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَكَانُوا يَتَّقُونَ١٨

41:18 But We saved those who believed and feared Allah.

وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَاءُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ١٩

41:19 Imagine that Day when the enemies of Allah will be brought together and led to the Hellfire in groups.

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا مَا جَاءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ٢٠

41:20 When they reach it, their ears, eyes, and skin will testify against what they used to do.

وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدْتُمْ عَلَيْنَا ۖ قَالُوا أَنْطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنْطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ٢١

41:21 And they will ask their skins : 'Why did you testify against us?' Their skins will reply : 'Allah Who gives the faculty of speech to everything, has made us speak.  He is the One Who created you to begin with, and now to Him you are being brought back.

وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَا أَبْصَارُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ ظَنَنْتُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًا مِمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ٢٢

41:22 'During your life on earth you used to hide yourselves while committing crimes, you never thought that your own ears, your own eyes and your own skins would ever testify against you. Rather you thought that even Allah had no knowledge of many things that you do.'

وَذَٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ الَّذِي ظَنَنْتُمْ بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَاكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ٢٣

41:23 ' It is this notion you had of your Lord that caused your ruin, and you are lost.'

فَإِنْ يَصْبِرُوا فَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ يَسْتَعْتِبُوا فَمَا هُمْ مِنَ الْمُعْتَبِينَ٢٤

41:24 Then, whether they have patience or not, the fire will still be their home, and even if they beg for pardon, it shall not be granted to them.

وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَاءَ فَزَيَّنُوا لَهُمْ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا خَاسِرِينَ٢٥

41:25 We placed at their disposal (evil) associates who made their past and future (misdeeds) appealing to them. (So) the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified against them, (for) they were truly losers.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَسْمَعُوا لِهَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَالْغَوْا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِبُونَ٢٦

41:26 Those who disbelieve say (to each other) : 'Don’t listen to this Quran and make noise in it (during recitation) so that you may gain the upper hand.'

فَلَنُذِيقَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَسْوَأَ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ٢٧

41:27 So We will certainly make the disbelievers taste a severe punishment, and We will surely repay them according to the worst of their deeds.

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ أَعْدَاءِ اللَّهِ النَّارُ ۖ لَهُمْ فِيهَا دَارُ الْخُلْدِ ۖ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ٢٨

41:28 Such is the retribution of the enemies of Allah : the fire will be their eternal home, a retribution for their denial Our revelations.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا رَبَّنَا أَرِنَا اللَّذَيْنِ أَضَلَّانَا مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ نَجْعَلْهُمَا تَحْتَ أَقْدَامِنَا لِيَكُونَا مِنَ الْأَسْفَلِينَ٢٩

41:29 The unbelievers will say, 'Our Lord, show us those jinn and men who misled us; we will trample them under our feet so that they become the lowest of the low (in Hell).'

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ٣٠

41:30 Surely those who say, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, (saying), 'Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised.

نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَاؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِي أَنْفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ٣١

41:31 We are your guardian in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. You will find in it what you desire and you will find in it what you ask for;

نُزُلًا مِنْ غَفُورٍ رَحِيمٍ٣٢

41:32 a gift of welcome from Him, Who is All Forgiving, Most Merciful.'

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ٣٣

41:33 Who is better in speech than the one who calls people towards Allah, does good deeds and says : 'I am a Muslim?'

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ٣٤

41:34 (O' believers), Good and evil cannot be equal.  Repel evil with what is good (talk to your enemies nicely even if they provoke and ill treat you) and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend.

وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ٣٥

41:35 But none will attain this quality except those who patiently endure and none will attain this quality except those who are truly fortunate.

وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ٣٦

41:36 (O' Believers) If an evil whisper from Satan comes to you, seek refuge in Allah. Surely, He is the All Hearing, the All Knowing.

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ ۚ لَا تَسْجُدُوا لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَاسْجُدُوا لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُنَّ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ ۩٣٧

41:37 Among His signs are the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Do not bow down in worship to the sun, nor to the moon, but bow down to Allah, Who created them, it is Him that you worship.

The above is the 'Verse of Sajda' (آیت سجدہ). If someone is reading it alone, should do prostration (سجدة) alone. If it is read loudly in an audience, the reciter and all the listeners should do 'Prostration of Recitation' (Sajda-e-Tilaawah - سجدة التلاوة) individually.

The Prostration can be done in sitting or standing position. In the Hanafi school of thought, 'Prostration of Recitation' (Sajda-e-Tilaawah - سجدة التلاوة) is obligatory (Fardh). With Shafii and Maliki, it is Sunnah.

It is in Hadith - When you have recited a verse requiring Sajdah-e-Tilaawaah, you should go down for Sajdah with Allahu-Akbar and rise from Sajdah with Allahu-Akbar, which may be performed sitting, though it is preferable to prostrate oneself from the standing position. (Abu Dawood)

Have the intention to do Prostration of recitation (سجدة التلاوة). The place where you are reading/reciting Quran should be clean. Face towards Qibla, say (quietly) Allahu Akbar, go into prostration once, recite the 'Tasbih of Sajdah' 'Subhana Rabbi al-A'alaa' (سبحان ربّي الاعلى ) at least 3 times and raise from the Sajda saying Allahu Akbar.

فَإِنِ اسْتَكْبَرُوا فَالَّذِينَ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ يُسَبِّحُونَ لَهُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْأَمُونَ ٣٨

41:38 The unbelievers may turn away (from the truth) arrogantly, but those (angels) close to your Lord glorify Him (and recite His praises) day and night. They do not get tired.

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنَّكَ تَرَى الْأَرْضَ خَاشِعَةً فَإِذَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ اهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِي أَحْيَاهَا لَمُحْيِي الْمَوْتَىٰ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ٣٩

41:39 And among His signs is that you see the earth devoid of life, but as soon as We send down rain upon it, it begins to come back (to life) and swell.  Indeed, the One Who revives it, can easily revive the dead. He is certainly Most Capable of everything.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَا ۗ أَفَمَنْ يُلْقَىٰ فِي النَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَمْ مَنْ يَأْتِي آمِنًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ٤٠

41:40 Those who twist and distort Our verses are, of course, not unknown to Us.  So, who will fare better on the Day of Judgment? The one flung in the Hellfire or the one who arrives safe and secure (into paradise)?  Do what you want.  Of course, He watches whatever you do.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ ۖ وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ٤١

41:41 Those who reject this reminder (the Quran) when it comes to them,  should know that in fact it is a mighty Book.

لَا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ ۖ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ٤٢

41:42 Falsehood can neither confront it (the Quran) head on, nor approach it (stealthily) from behind. (It is) a revelation from the Wise, the One Worthy of praise.

مَا يُقَالُ لَكَ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ قِيلَ لِلرُّسُلِ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ وَذُو عِقَابٍ أَلِيمٍ٤٣

41:43 (O Prophet  ﷺ), Nothing is said to you (by the deniers) except what was already said to the Apostles before you. Surely your Lord is  (the Lord) of forgiveness and painful punishment.

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ ۖ أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِنْ مَكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ٤٤

41:44 Had We revealed it as a non-Arabic Quran, they would have certainly argued, 'If only its verses were made clear (in our language). What! A non-Arabic revelation for an Arab audience!' Say, (O Prophet  ﷺ), 'it is a guide and a healing to the believers. As for those who disbelieve, there is deafness in their ears and blindness to it (in their hearts). It is as if they are being called from a faraway place.'

Indeed, Quranic verses are not only a healing for the heart in fortifying Islamic faith, but also helpful in 'answering of the objectives / wishes and prevention of disease and warding off, of evil touch. Many books have been written by Islamic scholars in this regard. The books like 'Shamsul Ma'arif by Booni and Muraqqa Kalimi of Kalimullah Jahanabadi, etc., are important in this context. In the invocations (ازکار) mentioned in these books, the supreme and the most effective invocations are invocation from the verses of Quran.

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَاخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ ۗ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِنْهُ مُرِيبٍ٤٥

41:45 Before this Quran, We had given the Book to Musa (عليه السلام) and it was similarly disputed. If your Lord had not already given a word, the Judgment would have been passed between the disputants; grave though their suspicions were about it.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ ۖ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا ۗ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِلْعَبِيدِ٤٦

41:46 Whoever does good does so for himself, and whoever does wrong bears the guilt thereof. Your Lord does no wrong to His servants.

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