Al-A'raf ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^̂^^ ^^^^^̂

Introduction Surah Al-A'raf is the largest Makkan surah in the Holy Qur'an with 24 rukus

and 206 ayaat. It forms a pair with Al-An'aam with respect to the topics and

subjects discussed.

This surah mostly deals with the subjects which are related to the

Hereafter, punishment and Prophethood. Between the first and the sixth

section (rukus) the subject under discussion is the return to Hereafter. Here

the people of Makkah have been given a warning about the consequences of

their wrong attitude and are admonished to accept the message that Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) has been sent with. When this surah was being revealed

the Prophet (SAW) was about to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, thus the

concluding portion of this surah has been directed towards the People of the

Book with whom he was going to come into contact at Madinah. The

discourse upto twenty first section gives a detailed discussion of the past

Prophets, their communities and the punishments meted out to them.

During the course of this the Jews have also been warned of the

consequences of their hypocritical attitude towards the Prophets, for they

professed to believe in Prophet Moses (AS) but they not only disobeyed him

but in fact clung to falsehood.

At the end of the surah, Allah (SWT) has given some instructions to the

Prophet (SAW) and his followers to show patience in dealing with their

enemies and are advised to be very careful and not take any step that might

harm their cause.

(1) "Alif Lam Mim Sad" Refer to ayah 1 of Al-B aqarah.

(2) "(This is the) Book sent down unto you." i.e. This Qur'an is the Book of Allah

(SWT) sent down to you 0 Muhammad (SAW) . "So let not your breast be troubled

about it, that you warn thereby, and a reminder unto the believers." Allah (SWT)

commands His Messenger (SAW) not to show constraint in his heart nor

hesitate in conveying the Qur'an and warn with it. This ayah does not mean

that the Prophet (SAW) had any doubts about this Qur'an; rather the

constraint experienced by him was because of the affectionate concern for

his people. That is why he felt pain when his people would not believe even

after listening to the Holy Qur'an. Instead they would deny him, ridicule,

and make a mockery of Allah's revelations. Thus in this ayah Allah (SWT)

comforts His Prophet (SAW) by instructing him that his only duty is to remind

them of His Message and warn them with this Qur'an and that it is not his

responsibility to see who becomes a Muslim and who rejects faith.

(3) "Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord." i.e. the Qur'an and the

Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) . "And follow not as friends besides Him. Little do you

remember!" i.e. do not follow those who order you to disregard the Messenger

(SAW) or to associate partners with Allah (SWT) . Do not follow other masters

besides Him. But you seldom heed warning.

(4) "And how many towns have We destroyed. Our torment came upon them by night or

while they were sleeping for their afternoon rest." This is the main theme of this

surah i.e. warning the unbelievers about the consequences of their denial

through examples of punishments inflicted upon former generations for

their wrong attitude towards His Messengers and His Message.

(5) "And when Our scourge fell upon them, their only plea was: 'We have indeed been

wicked men'." i.e. when Allah (SWT) inflicted torment upon the wrongdoers,

their only cry was that they admitted their sins and acknowledged that they

were on the wrong path.

(6) "Then surely, We shall question those to whom it was sent and verily, We shall question

the Messengers." This ayah indicates that on the Day of Resurrection Allah

(SWT) will ask His servants as how did they treat His Messengers and how did

they respond to the Messages that He sent them with. Similarly, the

Messengers will also be questioned if they had delivered His Message to their

people or not. That is why at the Farewell Hajj the Prophet (SAW) asked his

companions (RAA), did I convey Allah's message? The companions (RAA)

unanimously replied, "we bear witness that you have conveyed the message

and fulfilled your mission." He raised his finger towards the sky and said,

"O'Allah! Be witness." He repeated it thrice. ' Hence it means that the

Prophet as Allah's (SWT) representative will bear witness to the fact that he

conveyed the message to the Muslims which he was sent with and the

Muslims will bear witness that they conveyed the message to the rest of

Mankind.

(7) "Then surely, We shall recount to them (what they have done) with knowledge, and

indeed We were not absent." This refers to the Book of deeds which will be placed

before them on the Day of Resurrection and they will find therein all that

they did.

(8) "And the weighing on that day will be with justice. So as for those whose scale will be

heavy, they will be the successful." This ayah indicates that the weighing of good

and bad deeds on the Day of Judgment is true and whoever has his good

deeds heavier then he will surely be admitted into Paradise i.e. the ultimate

abode for those who are successful.

(9) "And as for those whose scale are light, they are those who will lose their souls because

they denied and rejected Our revelations." On the other hand, those who will find

their scale lighter with good deeds i.e. heavier with evil deeds, then they

shall find themselves in loss for they had disbelieved in Allah's revelations.

(10) "And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and provided you therein with a

livelihood. Yet, you are seldom thankful." Allah (SWT) has blessed mankind with

ownership and control on this earth. He has made this earth as a place of

comfort and as a means of provision for His servants, so that they should

show gratitude to their Lord. But, human beings are prone to ingratitude

and heedlessness and they show little gratitude to Him.

(11) "And surely, We created you and then gave you shape, then We told the angels,

"Prostrate to Adam", and they prostrated, except 1blees (Satan), he refused to be of those who

prostrate." This ayah describes the creation of Adam (A5) . Allah (5WT) used the

plural in this case, because Adam (A5) is the father of all mankind as He

created the whole human race from this single being. Then Allah (5WT)

commanded the angels to prostrate before Adam (A5) and they all obeyed

their Lord except Iblees who rejected the command of Allah (5WT) and did not

prostrate to Adam (A5). For further commentary on this subject, refer to ayah

34 of Al-B aqarah.

(12) "(Allah) said: "What prevented you that you did not prostrate, when 1 commanded

you?" 1blees said: "1 am better than him, You created me from fire, and him You created from

clay."" The Jinn are created from fire whereas Allah (5WT) created the body of

humans from clay. The Jinn are more like humans, for both are required to

worship Allah (5WT) and follow Islam and both are given the free-will to

exercise. Therefore, like humans they may either be obedient or disobedient

to their Creator. Thus when Allah (5WT) commanded Iblees to prostrate

before Adam (A5) , he became proud and jealous from the superiority given to

the humans as he saw only the lower side of the man (clay) and failed to see

the higher side (soul). Therefore he refused to obey and rejected Allah's

command.

(13) "(Allah) said: "get down from this, it is not for you to be arrogant here. Get out, for you

are of those humiliated and disgraced."" The rebellious nature and arrogance of

Iblees earned him nothing but wrath of Allah (5WT) and was thrown out of

the Paradise.

(14) "(1blees) said: "Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up."" Iblees prayed to

Allah (5WT) to grant him reprieve till the Last Day so that he can prove that

these humans whom Allah (5WT) has chosen above him and all creations, are

disobedient to Allah (5WT) .

(15) "(Allah) said: "You are of those allowed respite."" Allah (SWT) answered his

request and gave him respite till the Day of Judgment. Thus he became a

staunch enemy to Adam (AS) and his progeny and is always planning to

mislead them from the right path. This is the basis of the struggle between

good and evil, truth and falsehood—with Iblees and his followers on one side

and the Allah's servants on the other.

(16) "(1blees) said: "Because You have led me astray, surely 1 will sit in wait against them on

Your Straight Path." i.e. as You have misguided me and expelled me from the

Garden and Your Mercy, likewise I will misguide Your servants whom you

create from amongst the progeny of the one for whom you expelled me i.e.

Adam (AS) . The important point to note here is that Iblees is assigning his

own willful disobedience to Allah (SwT) , whereas in fact his own conduct was

responsible for his degradation.

(17) "Then 1 will spring upon them from before them and behind them, from their right and

from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones."" i.e. I will mislead

Your servants from all sides and directions by raising doubts in them about

their beliefs and causing confusion in their religion, thus luring them to the

path of evil. And most of them will not show gratitude to You but will follow

their desires and the evil ways that I will teach them.

(18) "(Allah) said: "Get out from this (Paradise) disgraced and expelled."" Again in this

ayah Iblees has been commanded to be expelled and banished from the

heavens in a disgraceful manner. Then Allah said: "Whoever of them (mankind)

will follow you, then surely 1 will fill Hell with you all." i.e. whoever amongst the

progeny of Adam (AS) will follow Satan and his evil ways, then he will surely

be thrown into the Hellfire in the Hereafter.

(19) ""And 0 Adam (AS) ! Dwell you and your wife in Paradise, and eat thereof as you both

wish, but approach not this tree otherwise you both will be of the wrongdoers."" This ayah

is already commented upon in ayah 35 of Al-B aqarah.

(20) "Then Satan whispered suggestions to them both in order to uncover that which was

hidden from them of their private parts (before); he said: "Your Lord did not forbid you this

tree save you should become angels or become immortals."" This ayah indicates that

Iblees plotted against Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) and suggested to them

treachery by whispering into their ears. Iblees wanted to make them disobey

their Lord and thus reveal to them the private parts of their bodies that were

hidden from them before. Therefore, he lied to them and told them that the

reason that Allah (SWT) has forbidden them to eat from this tree is because

He does not want them to be like angels or live in this Paradise forever.

(21) "And he (Satan) swore by Allah (SWT) to them both (saying): "Verily, 1 am one of the

sincere well-wishers for you both."" i.e. he tried to persuade them to eat from the

tree and even swore by Allah (SWT) that he is telling them the truth and that

it is in their interest that they must trust him and follow him.

(22) "So he misled them with deception." This indicates the error and disobedience

of Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) cannot be termed as a sin as it only arose from the

misunderstanding produced by the cursed Iblees. "Then when they tasted of the

tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame became manifest to them and they

began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves." i.e. when they ate from

the tree the private parts of their bodies that were hidden from them before

were made visible to them and thus they began to cover themselves with the

leaves of the Paradise trees i.e. making them as a dress. "And their Lord called

out to them (saying): "Did 1 not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily, Satan is an open

enemy unto you?"" i.e. Allah (SWT) reminded them of His commandment and

His warning to Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) about the enmity and hatred of Iblees

towards them and their offspring.

(23) "They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. 1f You forgive us not, and bestow

not upon us Your Mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers."" When Adam (AS) and Eve

(AS) committed that act of disobedience, they wanted to repent and return to

Paradise but they could not find the words to use them in their prayers. So

Allah (SWT) bestowed His mercy and blessing on them and taught them these

words, with which they could pray and ask for repentance. Thus Allah (SWT)

pardoned them and accepted their repentance, as we already read in Al-

Baqarah.

This also refutes the false belief of 'The Original Sin' amongst the Christians.

They claim that when Adam (AS) ate from the forbidden tree, Allah (SWT)

became angry and directed punishment onto him; that punishment

continued on Adam's offspring's until the coming of Jesus (AS) . His

crucifixion was to relieve the generations after him from their forefather's

sin. On the other hand, Islam does not accept the belief of 'The Original Sin'

whereby Adam's disobedience to Allah (SWT) has been inherited by all his

descendants. In other words, it does not accept that all human beings on

earth are sinful by birth because of their forefather's sin. Qur'an states that

when Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) sinned, they repented and received Allah's

forgiveness. Muslims believe all newborns are born pure and sinless i.e. on

their Fitrah, and a child does not bear the burden of a sin committed by an

ancestor.

(24) "(Allah) said: "Get down, one of you an enemy to the other. On earth will be a dwelling

place for you and sustenance, for a time."^ This means that Iblees and Adam (AS)

became enemies forever. Iblees prayed to Allah (SWT) to grant him life till the

Last Day so that he can prove that these humans whom Allah (SWT) has

chosen above him and all creations, are disobedient to Allah (SWT) , and thus

he became an enemy to Adam (AS) and his progeny. This is the basis of the

struggle between good and evil, truth and falsehood that has been going on

for centuries and will continue till the appointed time of the Last Doom.

(25) "He said: "Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from it you shall be

brought out."^ When Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) were sent down to earth, they were

told that the earth will be a dwelling place for them for a temporary period of

time. They will live, die and buried in their graves, from which they will then

be resurrected on the Day of Judgment.

(26) "0 Children of Adam (AS) ! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves and

as an adornment, and the raiment of righteousness, that is better." This ayah states

that Allah (SWT) has given three kinds of clothing for the children of Adam (AS)

to wear viz. Libas, Rish and Libas of Taqwa. Libas refers to the dress which

is used to cover body parts the uncovering of which is taken as bad and

shameful. Rish refers to the dresses which Allah (SWT) has blessed humans

with for beautification and to make them look handsome. The third kind of

dress mentioned is the dress of Taqwa. This Libas of Taqwa conceals

human weaknesses and moral shortcomings and acts as a spiritual dress of

good deeds and fear of Allah (SWT) . Then Allah (SWT) said: "This is of the

revelations of Allah (SWT) that they may take heed." i.e. He has revealed these signs

as an invitation for the people to understand and recall the primordial

truths.

(27) "0 Children of Adam (AS) ! Let not Satan deceive you, as he got your parents out of

Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts." Allah (SWT)

warns the children of Adam (AS) that they should guard themselves against

the seduction of Iblees and his followers, lest, he also deceives them like he

did their parents, Adam (AS) and Eve (AS) . "Verily, he and his tribe see you from

where you cannot see them." i.e. the Satan and his followers can see and interact

with the humans just like the angels, while the human beings cannot see

them. The Jinns like the angels can also transform themselves into the

shape of a human being, which makes their deception even more dangerous.

"Verily, We made the devils friends for those who do not believe." i.e. they act as

guardians and supporters of the unbelievers.

(28) "And when they commit a shameful act, they say: "We found our fathers doing it, and

Allah (SWT) has commanded us of it." Say: "Nay, Allah (SWT) never commands what is

shameful. Do you say of Allah (SWT) what you know not?" This ayah refers to one of

the many shameful and absurd customs of the Arabs before the advent of

Islam. The people of Makkah and all those coming for the Pilgrimage would

circumambulate around the Ka'bah naked. Allah (SWT) revealed this ayah to

abolish that shameful custom and refuted their false claim that their elders

and forefathers had been doing this all along and that this is what Allah

(SWT) has told them to do. On the contrary, it was said to them that Allah

(SWT) never commands a shameful act and that they are attributing a lie

against Him without having any proof or evidence for it.

(29) "Say: My Lord has enjoins justice and that you should face Him in every place of

worship." i.e. worship none but Allah (SWT) and face the Ka'bah at Makkah

during all your prayers. But this injunction is not confined to Prayer only,

instead it also means being upright or keeping the orientation straight in all

acts of worship, dealings and transactions. "And invoke Him only making your

religion sincere to Him." i.e. to worship Allah (SWT) , purely and exclusively,

without associating anyone with Him in any capacity. This also indicates

that only formal obedience is not enough for all is in vain without inward

sincerity (Ikhlas). Further, the ayah states: "As He brought you into being, so shall

be your return." This means that it is He Who created you in the first place

and it is He Who will make you rise again on the Day of Judgment.

(30) "A group He has guided and a group deserved to be in error, for they took the devils as

friends instead of Allah (SwF), and think that they are guided." In this ayah Allah (SWT)

has differentiated between those who are misguided and those whom He has

guided. The ayah states that there are some people He has guided to the

straight path while there are others who have fallen into misguidance and

error because they made the devils as their protectors and friends instead of

Him and still thought that they were on the right path. So Allah has justly

left in error.

(31) "0 Children of Adam (AS) ! Dress well every time you pray and eat and drink but waste

not by extravagance, certainly He does not like the extravagant." This ayah again

refutes the false custom of circumambulating around the Ka'bah in a naked

state. Instead Allah (SWT) has commanded the believers to present

themselves in the best of their adornments when going out for prayers in the

mosque, for every place of prostration is a mosque. This also indicates that

covering oneself for Prayer and Tawaf (circumambulation) is what is meant

by adorning oneself to worship Allah (SWT) . However the word adornment is

used rather than the word covering to signify that what is meant is that a

person should adorn himself and not limit it to simply covering. Another of

their false customs attributed to Allah (SWT) was that they would abstain

from eating and drinking during the days of Pilgrimage. But Allah (SWT)

commanded the believers to eat and drink from all pure things that He has

provided for them as long as they abstain from two things viz. eating and

drinking what He has prohibited and indulging in extravagance.

(32) "Say: " Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah (SWT), which He has

produced for his slaves, and the things clean and pure for sustenance?"" This ayah is an

admonishment for those who think that good dress and good food made

lawful by Allah (SWT) is unlawful for them. Islam does not teach to live in

tattered rags or torn clothes despite of having the means to adorn

themselves. Therefore an unkempt, dirty and slovenly Faqir cannot claim

sanctity in Islam. Instead, Allah (SWT) says that He has provided and allowed

for the believers the best of clothing, so that they should adorn themselves

and has provided for them good and pure things for food, so that they eat

from them and be grateful to Him. "Say: "They are, in the life of this world, for those

who believe, (and) exclusively for them on the Day of Resurrection."" Allah (SWT)

commanded His Messenger (SAW) to say that even though all these blessings

that He has provided in this earthly life are also enjoyed by the disbelievers

in the Hereafter the disbelievers will have no share in it, for Paradise is

exclusively made for the believers. "Thus We explain the revelations in detail for

people who have knowledge." i.e. He has made His signs and revelations clear

and abolished all the superstitions that were falsely attributed to Him. Allah

makes plain His revelations to men of understanding.

(33) "Say: "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are shameful acts whether

committed openly or secretly, sins, unrighteous oppression, joining partners with Allah (SWT)

for which He has given no sanction, and saying things about Allah (SWT) of which you have

no knowledge."" Allah (SWT) commanded His Prophet (SAW) to tell the idolators

the things which He has made unlawful for them. The first thing made

unlawful by Allah (SWT) as described in this ayah is to commit shameful

deeds like adultery, fornication, whoredom etc. whether committed openly or

in secret. Then comes the prohibition for all kinds of sins whether limited to

one personally or which relate to the rights and dealings with others. In the

end Allah (SWT) sternly warns against committing Shirk i.e. joining partners

with Him, and attributing lies against Him.

(34) "And every nation has its appointed term; when their term is reached, neither can they

delay it nor can they advance it an hour. 2 " This means that Allah (SWT) has

determined a fix term for every community on the face of this earth. If they

do not do good and believe during the time of this probation, then when

their term expires they would not be given any respite even for a single

moment nor will the Last hour be delayed. Nor can they go before it.

(35) "O Children of Adam (AS) ! 1f there come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting

to you My revelations, then whosoever becomes pious and righteous, on them shall be no fear,

nor shall they grieve." This ayah promises reward for those who, when Prophets

of Allah (SWT) come to them with guidance and Divine injunctions, listen to

them carefully and act accordingly with piety and righteousness. They will

be saved from sorrows and grief and they shall have eternal peace and

comfort. They will have nothing to fear or to regret.

(36) "But those who reject Our revelations and treat them with arrogance, they are the

dwellers of the (Hell) Fire, they will abide therein forever." On the other hand, those

who reject His Messengers and disobey His commandments will suffer the

eternal punishment of Hellfire. That is to say, those that deny and scorn

Allah's revelations shall be the people of the Fire, and there they shall

remain for ever.

(37) "Who is more unjust than one who invents a lie against Allah (SWT) or rejects His

revelations? For such their appointed portion will reach them from the Book, until when Our

Messengers come to them to take their souls, they will say: "Where are those whom you used

to invoke and worship besides Allah (SwT)," they will reply, "They have vanished and

deserted us." And they will bear witness against themselves, that they were disbelievers." In

other words, what is being said here is that although the disbelievers who

invent lies and utter falsehood against Allah (SWT) and reject His revelations

are the most unjust and wicked people, yet they get their due share of good

things and life (i.e., the chance of repentance and reformation) during the

probation period in this world. But once that period expires, angels of death

will take their souls out of their bodies and they will be called to account.

They will be asked about the false deities that they used to invoke and

worship besides Allah (SWT) but soon they will realize that the same false

deities have forsaken them and thus they will confess their sin and will

admit that they were unbelievers.

Foot Notes [1]Sahih Muslim 2: 886. [2] Hour in the text expresses indefinite but short period of time—normally a moment.

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Al-Maidah I I I ^^^^^̂

Introduction This is the last of the first group of Madinan surahs which started from

surah Al-Baqarah. Some Scholars believe that it was revealed in 6 A.H , while

others identify it as one of the last surahs to be revealed, as it is reported by

Al-Hakim that Jubayr bin Nufayr said: "I performed Hajj once and visited

Aishah p^A^ and she said to me, "0 Jubayr! Do you read Al-Maidah" I

answered "Yes." She said: "It was the last surah to be revealed. Therefore,

whatever permissible matters you find in it, then consider them permissible.

And whatever impermissible matters you find in it, then consider them

impermissible."" ' Like surah An-Nisa, surah Al-Maidah also carries

instructions for the consolidation of an Islamic Community and secondary

injunctions mostly related to dealings and contracts. The Muslims have

been directed to fulfill their obligations that Allah (SWT) has ordained for

them and they have been admonished over and over again to be just and not

to follow the wrong behavior of their predecessors i.e. the People of the Book.

They are further enjoined to remain steadfast to the Covenant that they had

made with Allah (SWT) and be obedient to Him. The People of the Book have

also been admonished to give up their evil behavior and accept the guidance

and the truth revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) .

(1) "0 you who believe! Fulfill and be true to your obligations." The Arabic word 'Aqd'

literally means tying together. Here all types of covenants, agreements,

promises and treaties are meant whether between man and Allah (SWT) or

His prophets, or between human beings. Thus Allah (SWT) commands His

servants to fulfill all their covenants and treaties, made with Him i.e. refrain

from what He has prohibited and take what He has permitted, with His

Prophets i.e. to have faith in them and follow them, and those made with

their fellow beings, i.e. contracts which bind two persons, two groups or

parties. "Lawful to you (for food) are all the quadruped cattle except that which will be

announced to you" These are the first instructions given concerning the lawful

and unlawful food. All four-legged animals like camels, cows and sheep are

made lawful by Allah (SWT) except for those prohibited in the Qur'an and the

Ahadith of the Prophet (SAW) . Thus believers must eat from the animals that

Allah (SWT) has made lawful for them to eat. Similarly, they should abstain

from eating those animals which He has declared unlawful. This is because

Allah (SWT) knows what is better for His creatures and what can cause them

harm, as He is the one who has created them all and makes what is good

and pure lawful for them and only forbids unclean and impure animals that

may be harmful for them. "But hunting is unlawful when you wear Ihram for

pilgrimage." i.e. even those animals which are lawful to eat in normal

circumstances become unlawful to hunt in the state of Ihram. "Verily, Allah

(SWF) commands that which He wills." i.e. from His infinite knowledge, He knows

what is better for His creatures, so it is better for them to obey Him in all

that He has commanded and refrain from what He has prohibited.

(2) "0 you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the rites of Allah (SwF), nor of the Sacred

Month." Sha'air or symbols of Allah (SWT) refers to signs or marks by which

something is known to belong to some particular person or a group of

persons, like Safa and Marwa and the station of Abraham (AS) , which have

been described as the signs of Allah (SWT) in surah Al-Baqarah. Thus respect

or honor towards anything which stimulates the remembrance of Allah (SWT)

is a symbol or a sign. In this ayah the symbols of Allah (SWT) refer to the

rituals of Hajj (pilgrimage). Further Allah (SWT) commands the believers not

to violate the sanctity of the Sacred month (Dhul-Hijjah) by refraining from

what He has prohibited in them e.g. killing and fighting. "Nor of the animals

brought for sacrifice, nor the garlanded animals, etc." Allah (SWT) commands the

Muslims not to prevent others from bringing their animals to the Sacred

House for sacrifice, with garlands in their necks to mark them out as sacred.

"Nor the people coming to the Sacred House, seeking the bounty and good pleasure of their

Lord." i.e. do not prevent the pilgrims from entering the Sacred House of

Allah (SWT) , nor stop those who are heading towards the Sacred House to

seek the grace and good pleasure of their Lord. "But when you finish the Ihram,

you may hunt" Permission is being given for hunting once a pilgrim comes out

of the state of Ihram. "And let not the hatred of some people, who (once) hindered you

from the Sacred Mosque, lead you to transgression." The Quraysh prevented the

Muslims from reaching the Sacred House for pilgrimage at the event of

Hudaybiyah. Thus the Muslims returned to Madinah with increase in their

anger and enmity towards the Quraysh. But now when Allah (SWT) has given

the Muslims power over the Quraysh, He commands them not to take

revenge for what happened in the past and that their hatred for them should

not make them transgress Allah's limits and thus turn them away from

justice. "Help one another in righteousness and piety; but do not help one another in sin

and transgression." This is the spirit of justice and righteousness i.e. helping

one another in piety and virtue but not assisting each other in sin and

transgression. "And fear Allah (SWT) . Verily, Allah (SWT) is Severe in punishment."

Although He is the Most-Gracious and the Most-Merciful, He is also severe

in punishment for those who transgress His limits. Have fear of Allah, for

He is stern in retribution.

(3) "Forbidden to you are: the dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that

which has been invoked the name of other than Allah (SWT), and that which has been killed by

strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns, and that

which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal unless you are able to slaughter it" In this

ayah Allah (SWT) commands His servants to refrain from eating those

animals that are made unlawful herein. The first is a dead animal who die

before they are slaughtered but dead animals of the sea are excluded from

the ruling as we have already explained in ayah 173 of Al-Baqarah. Second

is the blood and the flesh of swine whether it is slaughtered or not. Third

are those offerings that are sacrificed in the name of other than Allah (SWT)

or they have been slaughtered for idols etc. Other animals that have been

made unlawful to eat are those who have been strangled to death or died

with a violent blow or have fallen from a high place and died. Another in the

category of animals made unlawful is the gored and those which have been

killed by wild beasts, unless one finds it alive and slaughters it before it

dies. "And that which is sacrificed on stone altars." The altar refers to slabs of rocks

placed around the Ka'bah, which the people of ignorance took as objects of

worship. They named them after their gods and they would bring animals

near the altars and sacrifice them dedicated to these gods. But Allah (SWT)

declared such practices as a type of Shirk and forbade the believers from it.

"(Forbidden) also is the decision by raffling of arrows." The Arabs during the time of

ignorance used to draw arrows for making a decision or for the distribution

of the meat amongst themselves. But Allah (SWT) forbade such practice for

the believers. "All these are sinful acts." This refers to all the prohibitions

mentioned in this ayah. "This day, those who disbelieved have given up all hope of

your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me." After the conquest of Makkah and

almost all of the Arabia, Islamic law prevailed all over the Peninsula.

Thereupon, because of the increase in strength and success of the Muslims,

the disbelievers had lost all hope in eliminating Islam or its followers. Thus

Allah (SWT) commands the Muslims not to fear them, but instead should fear

Allah (SWT) alone i.e. follow His commandments. "This day, I have perfected your

religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your

religion." This ayah was revealed on the day of Arafat of the Last Hajj of the

Holy Prophet (SAW) , in the tenth year of Hjrah. On that great day the divine

blessing and true faith which was to be bequeathed to all human beings in

this world, beginning from Prophet Adam (AS) had reached its perfection

with the Final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) . Thus, there is now no

need of a new religion or any other Prophet to be sent after Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) . "But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to

sin, then surely, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." According to this ayah, it is

permissible for a person to take any of the things prohibited by Allah (SWT)

in cases of extreme necessity, provided that he only consumes that much

amount which is necessary for his survival, and he himself is not inclined

to eat what is prohibited. If such is the case then surely Allah (SWT) will

forgive him. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

(4) "They ask you what is lawful for them. Say: "All good and pure things are lawful for

you. And those beasts and birds of prey which you have trained as hounds, training and

teaching them (to catch) in the manner as directed to you by Allah (SWT); so eat of what they

catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah (SWT) over it"" Some of the

Companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked him questions regarding lawful

food and the permissibility of training beasts like dogs for hunting

purposes. This ayah gives an answer to that question. Allah (SWT) clarifies

that all pure things that have been mentioned herein are lawful for the

Muslims to eat. Secondly, Allah (SWT) gives permission to train one's beasts

like dogs or falcons to hunt an animal for them, if the following conditions

are met. First is that the beasts should be trained according to the manner

directed by Allah (SWT) i.e. it should be trained in such a manner that when

it catches the prey for you, it brings it back to you and does not start eating

it. The second condition is that when you release the dog or the falcon after

the game, mention the name of Allah (SWT) over it. If these conditions are

met then it becomes lawful to eat and there is no need to slaughter the

animal caught. "And fear Allah (STA/F) . Verily, Allah (STA/F) is Swift in reckoning." i.e. be

mindful of your duty to Allah (SWT) and take whatever He has made

permissible for you, but refrain from what He has prohibited. Surely, He is

swift in taking account of your deeds.

(5) "Made lawful to you this day are all good and pure things." i.e. all kinds of lawful

foods Allah (SWT) has made permissible to eat e.g. meat of slaughtered

eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits, etc. "And the food

of the people of the Book is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them." The meat

slaughtered by the Jews and the Christians has been made lawful for the

Muslims, provided that it is of an animal that Allah (SWT) had made lawful.

Similarly the meat slaughtered by the Muslims can also be presented to the

People of the Book. "(Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers

and chaste women from those who were given the Book before your time, when you have

given their dowry, desiring chastity neither committing fornication, nor taking them as

mistresses." Allah (SWT) has made it lawful for the Muslims to marry chaste

women amongst the believers as well as amongst the People of the Book,

provided that they pay their dowry and live in honour with them i.e. their

intention is not to commit fornication or keep them as secret

concubines. "And whosoever rejects faith, then fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter

he will be among the losers." i.e. whoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah (SWT)

and in all the other articles of Faith, then all of their deeds will be in vain

and in the Hereafter he will be amongst the losers.

(6) "0 you who believe! TA/hen you intend to offer the prayer, wash your faces and your

hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles." In

this ayah Allah (SWT) commands the believers to perform ablution before they

pray. Before the start of ablution it is prescribed to make an intention and

say Bismillah (In the name of Allah (SWT)). Then one should start his ablution

by washing his hands and his face. Then he should wash his forearms up to

his elbows. Then he should take some water in his palm and rub his head.

In the end he should wash his feet up to his ankles. "If you are in a state of

impurity, purify yourself." This ayah commands the Muslims to take a bath and

cleanse themselves when in a state of conjugal impurity. "But if you are ill or on

a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact

with women and you find no water, then take clean earth and rub therewith your faces and

hands." This ayah has already been commented upon in ayah 43 of surah An-

Nisa. "Allah (SWT) does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and

to complete His Favor on you that you may be thankful." Allah (SWT) does not burden

any human being with more than he can bear. Thus He makes things easier

for His servants, purifies them and bestows His blessings on them, so that

they may show gratefulness.

(7) "And remember Allah's favor upon you and His Covenant with which He bound you

when you said: "We hear and we obey."" This ayah reminds the Muslims of the

blessings of Allah (SWT) and the covenant which He took from them to obey

His commandments and follow His Messenger, when they said "we hear and

we obey." "And fear Allah (SWT). Verily, Allah (SWT) knows the secrets of your hearts." i.e.

be mindful of Allah (SWT) Who knows those who fulfill their covenants and

those who turn away. Have fear of Allah (SWT). He knows of those (thoughts)

in your hearts.

(8) "0 you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah (SWT) and be just witnesses and let not

the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice." Allah (SWT) commands the

Muslims to maintain justice and forbids them not to let enmity and hatred

of others incite them to do injustice. Rather they are commanded to fight

against injustice and tyranny and bear witness for Allah (SWT) i.e. say the

truth whenever a testimony is needed. "Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear

Allah (SWT) . Verily, Allah (SWT) is Well-Acquainted with what you do." Again Allah (SWT)

states that piety and righteousness is much better than abandoning justice.

And fear Him alone, as He is well aware of all your actions.

(9) "Allah (SWT) has promised those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, that for them

there is forgiveness and a great reward." Those who believed in Allah (SWT) and His

Messengers and did righteous deeds, will have their sins forgiven and will be

admitted into Paradise.

(10) "They who disbelieve and deny our ayat are those who will be the dwellers of the Hell-

fire." On the other hand, those who disbelieved in Allah (SWT) and His

revelations will be thrown into the Hellfire.

(11) "0 you who believe! Remember the favor of Allah (SWT) unto you when some people

desired to stretch out their hands against you, but (Allah (SWT)) withheld their hands from

you." After the battle of the trench the enemies of Islam stretched their

hands again and again against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers,

especially at the time of treaty of Hudaybiyah. But Allah (SWT) bestowed His

favor upon the Muslims and His Messenger (SAW) and restrained their hands

from them and made the disbelievers powerless. "So fear Allah (SWT) . And in Allah

(SWT) let believers put their trust." Allah (SWT) commands the believers to fear Him

alone and put their whole trust in Him. For if they do so, then Allah (SWT) will

surely help them and protect them against the disbelievers.

(12) "Indeed Allah (SWT) took the covenant from the Children of Israel, and We appointed

twelve leaders among them." This refers to the covenant that Allah (SWT) took from

the Children of Israel that they will follow Allah's revelations and will obey

Him and all His Messengers. For this purpose Allah (SWT) appointed twelve

leaders amongst them, one from each tribe who took this pledge. Similarly,

the number of leaders appointed by the Prophet (SAW) was also twelve, when

he took pledge from the Ansar in Madinah, with three people from the tribe

of Aws and nine from the tribe of Khazraj. "And Allah (SWT) said: "I am with you if

you establish regular prayers and give the obligatory charity and believe in My Messengers;

honor and assist them, and lend to Allah (SWT) a good loan. Verily, I will remit your sins and

admit you to Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise)."" After the covenant,

Allah (SWT) assured them His support and help if they establish regular

prayers, pay their regular obligatory charity and not only believe in His

Messengers, but also support them in establishing Allah's Deen, and spend

generously in its cause. Whoever does this then Allah (SWT) will forgive his

sins and admit him in Paradise. "But if any of you after this, disbelieved, he has

indeed gone astray from the Straight Path." On the contrary, those who break their

covenant have surely strayed from the right path.

(13) "So because of the breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow

hard. Fhey change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the

Message that was sent to them." Allah (SWT) says that He cursed the Children of

Israel and made their hearts so that they do not heed any advice. This was a

punishment because they distorted His revelations and neglected much of

what they were enjoined. "And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a

few of them. But forgive them, and overlook." i.e. they always try to deceive the

Muslims and make plots against them, but Allah (SWT) encourages His

believers to forgive them and overlook their misdeeds. "Verily, Allah loves good-

doers". Allah (SWT) loves those who do good.

(14) "And from those who call themselves Christians, We took their covenant, but they have

abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. So We planted amongst them

enmity and hatred till the Day of Resurrection, and Allah will inform them of what they used

to do." This refers to the covenant that Allah (SWT) made with the disciples of

Jesus (AS) that whenever He sends His Last Prophet (SAW), they would follow

him and support him. But they also broke the covenant and neglected much

of what they were enjoined, discarding Allah's Book and disobeying His

Prophet (SAW) . This is why as a punishment Allah (SWT) stirred among them

enmity and hatred for each other, which will last till the Day of Judgment

when Allah will declare to them all that they have done.

(15) "O people of the Book! Now Our Messenger (SAW) has come to you revealing to you

much of that which you used to hide from the Book and passing over much." The Jews

and the Christians used to conceal and distort the true teachings of the

Books given to their Prophets. Then Allah (SWT) sent His Last Messenger (SAW)

explaining to them the true teachings that they used to hide and guiding

them to the truth. "Indeed, there has come to you from Allah (SWF) a light and a plain

Book." Here the light refers to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) i.e. the light of

guidance, and the Book refers to this Qur'an.

(16) "Wherewith Allah (SWF) guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace,

and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight

Way." i.e. with this light and Book, Allah (SWT) guides those who seek His

pleasure to the ways of peace. And He brings them out of the darkness of

disbelief and evil into the light of truth. As mentioned earlier in ayah 257 of

surah Al-Baqarah, the light is always mentioned in a singular form while the

darkness in the plural, because disbelief comes in different shades of evil

and sin while there is only one truth.

(17) "Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allah (SWF) is the Messiah, son of Mary

(AS). Say: " Who then has the least power against Allah (SWF), if He were to destroy the

Messiah, son of Mary (AS), his mother, and all those who are on the earth?" And to Allah

(SWF) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. He

creates what He wills. And Allah (SWF) is Able to do all things." Although all the

Prophets of Allah (SWT) have a very high status and are the most honored, yet

they are but men and creations of Allah (SWT) . Christians claim that Jesus

(AS) is God incarnate, but Allah (SWT) refutes them in this ayah and reminds

them of His Sovereignty and that He is the Creator of everything, even Jesus

(AS) and all other creatures. And He is able to do whatever He Wills. Thus, if

He were to destroy Jesus (AS) , or His mother or anyone else, then there is no

one who can stop Him or prevent Him from doing that. He creates what He

wills and has power over all things.

(18) "And the Jews and the Christians say: "We are the children of Allah (SWF) and His loved

ones." Say: "Why then does He punish you for your sins?"" The Jews and the

Christians thought of themselves as the chosen ones and they say they are

the children of Allah (SWT) . But Allah (SWT) commands His Prophet (SAW) to

ask them that if you really are true in your claims that you are His loved

ones then why does He punish you and make you suffer for your crimes.

"Nay, you are but human beings, of those He has created, He forgives whom He wills and He

punishes whom He wills." i.e. you are no different than the rest of His creations,

thus your being Jews or Christians does not make you immune from His

punishment; rather He punishes whom He Wills and He forgives whom He

wills. "And to Allah (SWT) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is

between them, and to Him is the return (of all)." i.e. everything is under His

Supreme control and power and everything is eventually going to return to

him. He has control over the heavens and the earth and all that lies between

them. And all shall return to Him.

Foot Notes [1] Al-Hakim 2 : 311, who said, "It is Sahih according to the criteria of the two Shaikhs (Bukhari and Muslim) and they did not record it."

F:\Dorah Tar^umahQuran-English-50Sessions Final\Done\Zaid Mustafa\1-Al-Maidah (1to18).doc All remaining amendments done by Nadeem.

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(38) "(Allah) will say: "Enter you in the company of nations who have gone before you, of

men and Jinns, into the Fire."" On the Day of Resurrection, Allah (SWT) will say to

those who invented lies against Him and rejected His revelations to enter

into the fire of Hell along with those who belied His revelations from the

previous disbelieving nations. "Every time a new nation enters, it curses its sister

nation, until they are all gathered in the Fire. The last of them will say to the first of them:

" Our Lord! These misled us, so give them a double torment of the Fire."" This refers to

the people of fire who will dispute and curse each other. When they will all

be gathered in Hell, the nation to enter last will curse the previous nations

for they were the first to disbelieve and the later ones just followed them.

Thus they will say to Allah (SWT) to give these earlier generations a double

punishment for they themselves disbelieved and then also misguided us

from the right path. But, "He will say: "For each one there is double, but you know

not."" i.e. each one of you will get a double punishment for as your previous

nations misled you from the right path, so did you misguide your later

generations.

(39) "The first of them will say to the last of them: "You were not better than us, so taste the

penalty of your misdeeds."" i.e. the previous nations would say to the last ones

that you are no different from us for you also misled your later generations

as we did. Therefore, taste the punishment for your misdeeds.

(40) "Verily, those who denied and scorned Our revelations, for them the gates of heaven will

not be opened." This ayah and some Ahadith narrated from the Companions of

the Prophet (RAA) indicate that the gates of the heavens will not be opened for

the soul of the disbelievers. Their souls are taken upto the gate of heaven

but when it does not open for them, they are thrown back from there. Then

Allah (SWT) says: "And they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of

the needle." This means that as it is impossible for a camel to pass through

the eye of a needle, similarly it is impossible for the souls of the disbelievers

to enter into Paradise. "Thus do We recompense the criminals." i.e. their only

reward shall be that they remain in Hellfire forever. Thus shall the guilty be

rewarded.

(41) "Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings. Thus do We recompense

the wrongdoers." i.e. their resting place as well as their coverings will be made

up of the fire of Hell. This is how the people who deserve the punishment of

Hell be treated. Thus shall the wicked be rewarded.

(42) "But those who believed, and did righteous deeds - We charge not any person beyond his

scope, such are the dwellers of Paradise. They will abide therein for ever." And conversely,

those who obeyed and followed the injunctions given by Allah (SWT) and

performed good deeds will be the inmates of Paradise and they shall live

therein forever. In the second part of the ayah Allah (SWT) states that He

shall not burden a soul beyond its capacity i.e. He does not ask a person

what is beyond his ability nor will He punish him for what he was not able

to abstain from.

(43) "And We shall remove from their hearts any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury."

Before entering into Paradise, the believers will be cleansed of whatever of

malice they had in their hearts for other believers. If someone had any

grudge or ill-will against anyone, all that will be removed and they will be

rendered free of hatred and animosity before they go to Paradise. "Rivers will

flow beneath them and they will say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah (SWT), Who has

guided us to this, never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah (SWT) had

guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth."" When the

believers enter Paradise and see all the bounties and blessings therein, they

will show their gratitude to their Lord that He guided them to the right path

which made it easy for them to enter Paradise and that if it would not have

been the grace and Mercy of Allah (SWT) , they would not have been sent the

truth through His Messengers and thus they would have never reached

there. "And a voice will cry out to them saying: "This is the Paradise which you have

inherited with your labours."" i.e. you earned His Mercy and thus entered

Paradise because of the good deeds you performed in your terrestrial

existence.

(44) "And the dwellers of Paradise will call out to the dwellers of the Fire (saying): " We have

indeed found true what our Lord had promised us; have you also found true, what your Lord

promised?" They shall say: "Yes." Then a herald will proclaim between them: "The Curse of

Allah (SWT) is on the wrongdoers."" This ayah indicates that the people of

Paradise will tell the people of Hell that they found the promise of blessings

and comforts made by their Lord through His Messenger as true and

absolute, and then they will ask them if the punishment and the severe

torment against which they were warned in this world from their Lord came

to them or not. The people of Hell will admit that certainly the promise was

true. And a herald will cry out among them: 'cursed are the evil-doers'.

(45) "Those who hindered (men) from the Path of Allah (SWT), and would seek to make it

crooked, and they were disbelievers in the Hereafter." The last part of the previous

ayah stated that the curse of Allah (SWT) be upon the evil-doers. Here Allah

(SWT) describes them by stating that these were the ones who prevented

people from following His path and wished that the believers too become

crooked and disbelieve as they have disbelieved and thus deny the reality of

the Hereafter.

(46) "And between them will be a veil and on the heights will be men, who would recognize

all by their marks, they will call out to the dwellers of Paradise, "Peace be on you" and at that

time they will not yet have entered it (Paradise), but they will hope to enter (it) with

certainty." This refers to the people of A'raf. Al-A'raf is a barrier between

Paradise and Hell and its residents will be the ones whose good and bad

deeds will come out to be equal in weight. Their evil deeds prevented them

from entering into Paradise but, because of their good deeds, they will also

have their deliverance from the Hellfire. Therefore, they will be stopped at

this place until the judgment regarding them is over. These people would see

the happenings in Paradise and Hell and would be able to talk and recognize

people on both sides. It is said that they would recognize the people of

Paradise by their white faces and the people of Hell by their black faces.

Then they will call out to the people of Paradise and greet them with hope

that they will also be admitted in Paradise with them.

(47) "And when their eyes will be turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they will say:

" Our Lord! Place us not with the people who are wrongdoers." Then when they will be

made to see the people of Hell, they will pray to their Lord to save them from

the punishment of Hellfire and do not put them in the company of these

wicked people.

(48) "And the men on the heights will call unto the men, whom they would recognize by

their marks, saying: "Of what benefit to you were your riches and your arrogance against

Faith?"" The people of Al-A'raf will address the people of Hell and admonish

them that today, your wealth and multitude which made you proud and

arrogant in the world have not availed you, for it did not save you from

Hellfire.

(49) "Are they those, of whom you swore that Allah (SWT) would never show them mercy?

"Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you, nor shall you grieve."" This refers to the

people of Al-A'raf about whom the disbelievers thought that they would

never enter into Paradise. But Allah (SWT) will declare His mercy upon them

and they will be told to enter the Paradise and that they have no fear about

the past and no grief or anxiety about the future.

(50) "And the dwellers of the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: "Pour on us some

water or anything that Allah (SWT) has provided you with." They will say: "Allah (SWT) has

forbidden both of these things to the disbelievers."" This ayah indicates that the

favors of Paradise are prohibited for the people of Hellfire. Allah has

forbidden both to the unbelievers.

(51) ""Who made their religion a pastime and an idle sport and who were beguiled by the

earthly life."" This ayah further describes the disgrace of the people of Hellfire

to whom the favors of Paradise are forbidden. Allah (SWT) says that they were

those who made a mockery of their religion and were deceived by the

attractions and amusements of the life on earth. Thus Allah (SWT) said: "So

this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of this Day, and as they used to

reject Our revelations." i.e. on the Day of Judgment, Allah (SWT) will treat them

as if He has forgotten them just as they rejected His revelations and forgot

about the Last Day.

(52) "Certainly, We have brought to them a Book which We have explained in detail with

knowledge, - a guidance and a mercy to a people who believe." This refers to the

Glorious Qur'an which Allah (SWT) revealed to His Messenger (SAW) to guide

mankind to the right path, thus leaving no excuse for them on the Day of

Judgment.

(53) "Do they just wait for the final fulfillment of the event? On the Day the event is finally

fulfilled, those who neglected it before will say: "Verily, the Messengers of our Lord did come

with the truth, now are there any intercessors for us that they might intercede on our behalf?

Or could we be sent back so that we might do deeds other than those deeds which we did.""

This ayah describes the state of the disbelievers on the Day of Resurrection.

It states that on that Day, the disbelievers who rejected the truth in this life

will confess their evil deeds and will call out for help. They will wish that

they could return to their earthly life again and perform righteous deeds, so

that they would be saved from the Hellfire. Then Allah (SWT) said: "Verily, they

have lost their souls and that which they used to fabricate has gone away from them." i.e.

they destroyed themselves because of their evil deeds and all those false

deities that they worshipped besides Allah (SWT) abandoned them and could

not save them from the Hellfire.

(54) "Indeed your Lord is Allah (SWT), Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days."

i.e. it is only Allah (SWT) Who created this universe with such perfection and

keeps it functioning through the wisest of systems. It is said that He created

all this in six days, but the question arises whether these six days means a

time duration equal to six days and nights of our time or they are much

longer than these. Most of the commentators agree that by these six days is

meant six epochs or six long periods. This is also supported by the Qur'an

when it says that the Day of Judgment will be longer than a thousand years

of our time.1 Then Allah (SWT) said: "And then He rose over the Throne." To

understand the meaning of this ayah we should follow the way of the noble

Companions of the Prophet (IAA) who never asked such questions from the

Prophet (SAW) and follow our righteous predecessors such as Imam Malik (IA)

who was once asked about the meaning of this ayah, he replied that we

accept the meaning of Istawa, but without discussing its true essence i.e.,

equating it with ordinary meaning, altering it or denying it. Then, Allah (SWT)

said: "He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly." i.e. through this

alternation of day and night He brings the whole world from light into

darkness and then from darkness into light without the least of delay. "And

He created the sun, the moon and the stars subservient by His Command." i.e. He created

all these heavenly bodies in a state that they are moving in obedience to His

will and Divine command and they show an order which is an evidence of

His constant care and management. "Surely, His is the Creation and

Commandment." This ayah means that creating all this is the work of none but

Him and all is under His command and control. There is also another

explanation for this ayah according to some commentators i.e. creation

through the phenomenon of Khalq (material creation) and Amr

(Commandment)2 . Everything between the heavens and the earth is from

matter and it is termed as Aalam Al-Khalq. Everything that happens in this

realm takes time. The universe took approximately 15 billion years to

develop from the Big Bang and the primitive gaseous state to its present

condition. A fertilized ovum takes forty weeks to grow into a fully developed

human baby. On the other hand, the realm which was created before this

physical realm which is free from matter, is known as Aalam Al-Amr. There

is absolutely no time factor involved in this realm, and things happen

instantaneously: He says: "Be!" and it becomes. This initial act of the

creation of matter out of nothing represents a direct command or Amr of

Allah (SWT) , and, like this act of creation ex nihilo, the Qur'an also suggests

that the angels, human spirits, and the phenomenon of Divine Revelation

also belong to this realm. "Blessed be Allah (SWT), the Lord of the Worlds!" i.e. He is

the Master of perfect power, the sender of blessings and Lord of all the

Worlds.

(55) "Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret." In this ayah Allah (SWT)

commands His servants to supplicate to Him alone in humbleness and

humility i.e. one should appear before Him as weak, modest and humble

with total negation of any pride, dignity and ego. "He likes not the aggressors."

i.e. those who cross the limits in acts of worship and other of His

commandments.

(56) "And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order." Allah (SWT)

prohibited His servants from creating mischief and disorder through their

sins and disobedience, after He had made this earth good for them and in

proper order. "And invoke Him with fear and hope." This is another dimension of

Dua i.e. to have fear of the Dua remaining unanswered, while on the other

hand, having full hope in His Mercy. "Surely, Allah's Mercy is (ever) near unto the

good-doers." This means that His Mercy is for those who do good, obey His

commandments and abstain from what He has prohibited them from. His

mercy is within reach of the righteous.

(57) "And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy

(rain). Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead, and

then We cause water to descend thereon. Then We produce every kind of fruit

therewith. Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember." This ayah

describes the blessings that Allah (SWT) provided in nature as a means of

survival for His entire creation. It states that it is He Who brings the heavy

clouds laden with water, riding on the shoulders of wind. They are then

driven to the dead land where the rain falls as much as He wills and then

produces fruit and vegetation from it. The sense of this ayah is that the

Master and Creator who enables dead land to thrive with life again by

sending water from the skies and brings out from it fruits, trees and flowers

can surely raise the human beings from dead. In the end of the ayah, it has

been stated that all these examples have been given so that people take a

lesson from this observation.

(58) "The vegetation of a good soil yields (rich) produce by the Permission of its Lord, and

that which is bad, yields nothing but a little. Thus do We explain variously the revelations for

a people who give thanks." This means that the rain is the same for every town

and land but soils are of two kinds, a good land that yields rich produce and

helps growth when it rains and a barren land which yields poor produce.

Similarly, if the nature of a person is perverted even the Divine Guidance i.e.

the Glorious Qur'an, cannot bring any good out of him, but those who are

grateful to their Lord and are obedient derive benefit from it, for it is only

they who recognize its real worth and value.

From the following discourse begins the description of the mission of

Prophet Noah (AS) and the state of the community to which he was sent.

(59) "Indeed, We sent Noah (AS) to his people and he said: "0 my people! Worship Allah

(SWT) ! You have no other God but Him." " Allah (SWT) sent Noah (AS) to his people as

a Prophet to invite them to worship Him alone without any partners. The

word used here is Ibadah (Worship), which means total obedience to Allah

(SWT) by carrying out what He has commanded with all sincerity,

submissiveness and love. If a person is obedient but not sincere or he is

sincere but not obedient then this will not be accepted of him as Ibadah.

Thus he should worship Allah (SWT) with all humility and submissiveness,

which is the sole purpose of the creation of the Jinn.s and the humans. Then

Noah (AS) warned his people and said: "Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a

Great Day!" i.e. if you do not mend your ways and abandon Shirk. Beware of

the torment of a fateful day.

(60) "The leaders of his people said: "Verily, we see you in plain error."" i.e. all your

ideas and teachings to worship only Allah (SWT) and believe in the Last Day

are nothing but misguidance and you are in clear error.

(61) "He said: "O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of

the Worlds!" i.e. all I preach to you has been sent to me by Allah (SWT) , the

Lord of all the Worlds, so your accusation that I have gone astray is not

true.

(62) "I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know

from Allah (SWT) what you know not." Noah (AS) told them that his sole mission

was to convey the message of Allah (SWT) to them, which was in their interest

and for their good and Allah (SWT) gave him the knowledge of things which

they knew not.

(63) " Do you think it strange that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through

a man from amongst you, that he may warn you, so that you may fear Allah (SWT) and that

you may receive (His) Mercy?" The people of Noah (AS) thought that Noah (AS) was

only a human, a man like them who ate, slept and walked in the streets like

they did, so how could he be a Messenger of Allah (SWT) . But Allah (SWT)

answered them in this ayah and said that surely it is not strange that He

bestows the status of Prophethood to one of His servants as a Mercy to them

so that he might guide human beings and warn them from His punishment.

(64) "But they belied him, so We saved him and those along with him in the ship, and We

drowned those who belied Our revelations. They were indeed a blind people." The people

of Noah (AS) became blind from the truth and rejected him, thus Allah (SWT)

sent upon them the punishment of Flood which overtook them suddenly and

destroyed all of them except Noah (AS) and those of his followers in the Ark.

After the water receded, the ark came to rest over Mount Judi.. The

occupants of the ark came out and thanked the Lord for their miraculous

survival. They then spread out to inhabit the Earth again with the blessings

of their Lord. Prophet Noah (AS) had three sons. His eldest surviving son

Yafiz went northwest towards Europe and settled there. His descendents are

known as the Japhetic race. His middle son Sam remained in the Middle

East. His descendents are known as the Semitic race. The youngest son Ham

went south west and settled in northern Africa. His descendents are called

the Hamitic race. The Glorious Qur'an only describes the events occurred in

the history of the Semitic nations. The next few ayaat describe the events of

one such Semitic nation, the people of A'ad.

(65) "And to A'ad (We sent) their brother Hud (AS) . He said: "0 my people! Worship Allah

(SWT) ! You have no other God but Him. Will you not fear (Allah)?"" Then after Noah

(AS) , Allah (SWT) sent His Prophet Hud (AS) to the people of A'ad, who also

invited them to worship Allah (SWT) alone without associating any partners

with Him and warned them of the severity and gravity of His punishment

that He sends upon the disbelieving people.

(66) "The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: "Verily, we see you in

foolishness, and verily, we think you are one of the liars."" i.e. they said to Noah (AS)

that we see you are misguided and want to misguide us from the path of our

forefathers, so that we abandon worshipping idols and we deem that you are

a liar.

(67) "He said: "0 my people! There is no foolishness in me, but (Iam) a Messenger from the

Lord of the Worlds!" Refer to ayah 61 above.

(68) "I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord, and I am a trustworthy adviser for you."

i.e. my only mission is to convey Allah's Message to you, which is surely in

your interest and for your own good.

(69) " Do you think it strange that there has come to you a Reminder from your Lord through

a man from amongst you that he may warn you?" This is the same argument raised

by the people of Noah (AS) that how can a human being like us be a

Messenger of Allah (SWT) . "And remember that He made you successors after the people

of Noah (AS), and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces from Allah (SWT),

so that you may be successful." These are the blessings which Allah (SWT)

bestowed on them and made them from among the heirs of Noah (AS) . He

made their lands fertile and gave them rich gardens. He gave them strength

and power so that they construct mansions and palaces to live therein. Allah

(SWT) gave them all these blessings so that they may show gratitude to Him,

for this would have been for their own good.

(70) "They said: "You have come to us that we should worship Allah (SWT) Alone and forsake

that which our fathers used to worship. So bring down the scourge you have threatened us if

you are of the truthful."" i.e. they became so intoxicated in their power and

wealth that instead of showing gratitude to their Lord Who bestowed on

them all these blessings, they paid no heed to His commandments and gave

a reply to Hud (AS) that go ahead and bring upon us the punishment that

you are warning us with.

(71) "He said: "Torment and wrath have already fallen on you from your Lord." i.e. the

punishment of Allah (SWT) that they were looking for is to come soon. "Would

you dispute with me about mere names which you and your forefathers have invented,

without any authority from Allah (SWT) ?" i.e. do you dispute with me over these

idols who have no sense and life and whom you have taken as objects of

worship without having any proof from Allah's revelation to support your

position. "Then wait, I am with you among those who wait."" This is a warning from

Allah's Prophet to his people which means that wait for His decision, for I

will too wait with you.

(72) "So We saved him and those who were with him by a Mercy from Us, and We cut the

roots of (annihilated) those who belied Our revelations, and they were not believers." i.e.

Allah (SWT) sent upon them His punishment because of their rejection and

disbelief in His revelations and destroyed them completely, but He bestowed

His Mercy on Hud (AS) and his followers and saved them from the

punishment.

Prophet Hud (AS) along with his followers then migrated to the north western

part of Arabia where they settled in a city called Hjr. After them came the

people of Thamud. Allah (SWT) gave them power, courage and wealth and they

were very artistically inclined. They were not only skilled in making

mansions in open grounds but also were known to carve out mountains to

make palaces and buildings inside them. These buildings still exist today in

Jordan and Saudi Arabia (Madain Al-Saleh).

(73) "And to Fhamud (We sent) their brother Salih (AS) . He said: "0 my people! Worship

Allah (SWF) ! You have no other God but Him." Afterwards when the worldly wealth

and power made the people of Thamud sway away from the right path, Allah

(SWT) sent them His Prophet Salih (AS) , who like all other Prophets invited

them to worship Him alone without any partners. "Indeed there has come to you a

clear sign from your Lord. Fhis she-camel of Allah (SWF) is a sign unto you; so you leave her

to graze in Allah's earth, and do not molest her, lest a painful torment should seize you."

This miracle was the result of the demand that the disbelievers made to

their Prophet Salih (AS) that if you really are Messenger of Allah (SWT) then

make a strong, healthy and pregnant she-camel come out of the hills. Thus

Salih (AS) prayed to Allah (SWT) , Who answered his prayer and showed them

this miracle. Then Allah (SWT) commanded that the she-camel should be left

alone to eat and drink from wherever she wants and she should not be

harmed, otherwise, they will suffer a painful punishment. When this she-

camel drank from the well from which the people of Thamud used to take

their water, she would drink up all the water in the well. It was decreed that

she would drink from the well one day and the next day will be for the

people of Thamud. They also used to milk her and dill their containers with

it.

(74) "And remember when He made you successors after Aad and gave you habitations in

the land, you build for yourselves palaces in plains, and carve out homes in the

mountains. So remember the graces from Allah (SWF), and do not go about making mischief

on the earth." i.e. 0 people of Thamud you should remember the blessings of

Allah (SWT) that He after the destruction of the people of Aad, gave you the

lands and gardens to settle down and bestowed on you skills to make

palaces in open plains and to carve out mountains to make rooms and

palaces in them. Thus they should remember Him and not become like

those who in their liking for wealth and power become arrogant and make

mischief on earth.

(75) "The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to the oppressed among

them who believed: "Do you Know that Salih (AS) is one sent from his Lord." They said: " We

indeed believe in that with which he has been sent."" This is a dialogue between those

who came to believe in Prophet Salih (AS) and those arrogant leaders of

people of Thamud who opposed him and rejected him. The arrogant

disbelievers asked the believers if they really believed that Salih was a

Messenger of Allah (SWT) , and that Salih (AS) is not a liar? Thus the believers

answered them that indeed we believe in all the guidance and truth that he

has brought from Allah (SWT) .

(76) "Those who were arrogant said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.""

i.e. they replied that they reject what the believers had accepted.

(77) "So they killed the she-camel and insolently defied the Commandment of their Lord, and

said: "0 Salih (AS) ! Bring about your threats if you are indeed one of the Messengers."" i.e.

they defied the commandments of their Lord and killed the she-camel. It is

said that there were nine people from the tribe of Thamud, lead by Qudar

who hamstrung the she-camel by cutting her legs with his sword and then

slaughtered her along with her offspring. Then these cruel and wicked

people challenged Prophet Salih (AS) and asked him to bring the scourge if he

indeed was speaking the truth that he is a Messenger of Allah (SWT) .

(78) "So the earthquake seized them, and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes." Thus,

for their arrogance and defiance, they were destroyed by a dreadful

earthquake from down below the earth, which threw them on the ground,

falling upside down and buried them with their houses and their buildings.

(79) "Then he turned from them, and said: "0 my people! I have indeed conveyed to you the

Message of my Lord, and have given you good advice but you like not good advisers."" It

appears that after Allah (SWT) destroyed the people of Thamud, Prophet Salih

(AS) addressed them and admonished them for defying Him and avoiding

guidance. This address resembles the address of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ,

hen he said a few words to the dead disbelievers in the Battle of Badr.

(80) "And Lot (AS), when he said to his people: "Do you commit the worst sin such as none

in the world has committed before you?"" This is the story of Lot (AS) . He was the

nephew of Prophet Abraham (AS) . He also became a believer and migrated

along with Abraham (AS) to Syria. Allah (SWT) made Lot (AS) a Prophet and sent

him to Sodom to call its people to worship Him alone and enjoin

righteousness. Prophet Lot (AS) forbad them from their evil practices and

their wickedness. These people were involved in evil acts that none in the

creation had done anything like that before them. They used to approach

men for their sexual gratification instead of females.

(81) " Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people

transgressing beyond bounds." Allah (SWT) has created females to marry men so

that to satisfy their natural desires by a lawful method. But these wicked

people involved themselves in acts of unnatural indecencies, thus crossing

the limits set by Allah (SWT) .

(82) "And the answer of his people was only that they said: "Drive them out of your town,

these are indeed men who want to be pure!"" In response to Prophet Lot's advice, his

people had nothing to answer but tried to expel Lot (AS) and his followers

from their village saying that these people seem to be very pious claiming a

lot of purity for them. Thus they should be thrown out of the town.

(83) "Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of those who remained

behind." Then Allah (SWT) punished the people of this town, but saved the

family of Lot (AS) , who left the town in the night with his family, except for

his wife, who remained behind with her people.

(84) "And We rained down on them a rain (of stones)." i.e. the rain of stones came

from above one over the other. It is also said that every stone was marked,

with the name of the person who was destined to be destroyed with it. Then

in the end Allah (SWT) said: "Then see what was the end of the criminals." Even today

those who use the Arabia-Syria route for their travel can see the signs of an

awful punishment which destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Foot Notes [1] Surah A1-Sajdah (32):5 AND

Surah A1-Ma'arij ('70):4 [2] Surah A1-Baqarah(2): 28

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All remaining amendments done 01 nadeem

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(19) "0 people of the Book! Now has come to you 0ur Messenger (SAW) making (things)

clear unto you, after a break in Messengers, lest you say: "There came unto us no bringer of

glad tidings and no Warner" But now has come unto you a bringer of glad tidings and a

Warner." There has not been a time period when Allah (SWT) did not send His

Messengers to mankind up till Prophet Jesus (AS) . Then He sent His Last

Prophet (SAW) , after whom there will be no Prophet or Messenger, who came

after a long break in the series of Prophets between him and Jesus (AS) . This

interval between the time of Jesus (AS) and the time of Prophet Muhammad

(SAW) is known as Fatrah. Allah (SWT) sent His Final Prophet (SAW) , so that on

the Day of Judgment people should not be able to give an excuse for their

not following Islamic Monotheism and say that no one came to give us good

news or warn us. Thus the Final Messenger (SAW) came to them as one who

brought good tidings for the believers and as a Warner from evil. "And Allah is

Able to do all things." Allah has power all things.

(20) "And (remember) when Moses (AS) said to his people: "0 my people! Remember the

Favor of Allah (SWT) to you, when He made Prophets among you, made you kings, and gave

you what He had not given to any other among the mankind."" There was a continuous

chain of Prophets sent to the Children of Israel. He bestowed on them His

blessings, made them kings and gave them kingdoms which were never

given to anyone of His creatures but they neglected His Prophets and

rejected them. Thus because of their evil deeds and disobedience, there

came a time when there was no Prophet among them and Allah (SWT) made

their enemies overwhelm them, who captured many of them, killed them

and took possession of their lands.

(21) ""0 my people! Enter the holy land which Allah (SWT) has assigned to you, and turn not

back (in flight) for then you will be returned as losers."" Allah (SWT) directed His

Prophet Moses (AS) to lead the Children of Israel to the Promised Land i.e.

Palestine, which had been promised to Abraham (AS) as a land in which the

pious and Allah-fearing of his offspring would live and uphold Allah's law.

Thus Moses (AS) commanded His people to enter the holy land and recapture

it from their enemies; otherwise they themselves will be the losers in the

sight of Allah (SWT) .

(22) "They said: "0 Moses (AS) ! In it are a people of great strength, and we shall never enter

it, till they leave it; when they leave, then we will enter."^ The Children of Israel

refused to enter the Promised Land and gave excuses that our enemy is

strong and vicious and more powerful than us. And therefore we will never

be able to defeat them and we will only enter this city, when they leave.

(23) "Two Allah-fearing men among them on whom Allah (SWT) had bestowed His Grace

said: "Assault them through the gate, for when you are in, victory will be yours, and put

your trust in Allah (SWT) if you are believers indeed."^ The Children of Israel were six

thousand strong but still there was no one amongst them who agreed to

fight for Allah's cause except for two pious, Allah-fearing men. They were

Joshua and Caleb. They encouraged their people to go forward and fight in

Allah's cause, and they said to them that if you obey Allah (SWT) and follow

His commandments then surely He will help you and make you victorious

over your enemies.

(24) "They said: "0 Moses (AS) ! We shall never enter it as long as they are there. So go you

and your Lord and fight, we are sitting right here."^ The Children of Israel showed

cowardice and refused to fight their enemy. They rebelled against Allah's

commandments and committed blasphemy to such an extent that they

replied to Moses (AS) that you and your Lord fight yourself with the enemies

and we are not going to join you.

(25) "He said: "0 my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother, so separate us

from these rebellious people!"^ After the Children of Israel disobeyed Allah's

commandments and refused to fight, Moses (AS) invoked Allah (SWT) against

them and supplicated to Him to separate him and his brother Aaron (AS)

from these disobedient people.

(26) "Allah (SwT) said: "Therefore it is forbidden to them for forty years; in distraction they

will wander through the land. So be not sorrowful over these rebellious people."" This

refers to the exodus of the Children of Israel. As a punishment for their

cowardice Allah (SWT) let them wander homeless in the desert for forty years

till one full generation of Israelites died and was replaced by a new

generation brought up in the tough conditions of the desert life.

(27) "And recite to them (the Jews) the story of the two sons of Adam in truth; when each

offered a sacrifice, it was accepted from the one but not from the other. The latter said to the

former: "I will surely kill you." The former said: "Verily, Allah accepts only from those who

are pious." This story is about the two sons of Adam (AS) and Eve, Abel and his

brother Cain. Eve used to give birth each time to twins: a boy and a girl.

Allah (SWT) revealed to Adam that he should marry each son to the twin

sister of the other. Adam (AS) instructed his children according to Allah's

(SWT) command, but Cain was displeased with the partner chosen for him, for

Abel's twin-sister was not as beautiful as his own. This attraction caused

Cain to envy his brother Abel and he rebelled against Allah's (SWT) command

by refusing to accept his father's advice. Then to settle the dispute Allah

(SWT) commanded Prophet Adam (AS) that each of his son should offer a

sacrifice, and he whose offering was accepted he will marry with his choice.

Abel offered his best camel, while Cain offered his worst grain. His sacrifice

was not accepted by Allah (SWT) because of his disobedience to his father and

the insincerity in his offering. This enraged Cain even further and he

threatened to kill his brother. But Abel advised his brother that instead of

threatening him he should look into his own mistakes as to why Allah (SWT)

did not accept his sacrifice.

(28) ""If you do stretch your hand against me to kill me, I shall never stretch my hand

against you to kill you, for I fear Allah (SwT); the Lord of the Worlds."" Abel was an

Allah-fearing person and very obedient to His commandments. Thus he

refused to fight Cain even after he had threatened him because he did not

want to hurt his brother and attain Allah's displeasure.

(29) ""Verily, I intend to let you draw my sin on yourself as well as yours, then you will be

one of the dwellers of the Fire, and that is the recompense of the wrongdoers."" Abel

reminded his brother of the consequences of the evil of killing an innocent

person. He warned Cain that if he kills him then he will not only bear the

burden of the sin of the murder but he will also be burdened by his sins,

and thus will become an inmate of Hellfire, which is the punishment for the

wrong-doers.

(30) "So the soul (self) of the other encouraged him to the murder of his brother; he murdered

him and became one of the losers." i.e. his Nafs (inner-self) prompted him to kill his

brother making it seem fair to him, thus he killed him and in the process

ruined his life.

(31) "Then Allah (SWT) sent a crow who scratched the ground to show him to hide the dead

body of his brother. He said: " Woe to me! Am I not even able to be as this crow and to hide

the dead body of my brother?" Then he became one of those who regretted." After killing

his brother, Cain did not know what to do with his corpse. He carried it on

his back wandering from place to place with his conscience saddled with

guilt. Then, Allah (SWT) sent two ravens that began fighting, causing the

death of one. The victorious bird used its beak and claws to dig a hole in the

ground, rolled its victim into it and then covered it. After Cain saw this, he

felt ashamed and regretted of what he had done. He then buried his brother

in the sand and thus it became the first burial of man.

(32) "Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not

in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all

mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind." Allah

(SWT) decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills an innocent soul

will be as if he has killed the whole of humanity except for the punishment

of murder i.e. Qisas ' , or making mischief in land. Likewise, Allah (SWT)

ordained for them that whoever saved a life, it is as if he saved the whole

humanity. It is stated in Talmud2 that "He who destroys one soul of a human

being, the Scripture considers him as if he destroyed a whole world, and him

who saves one soul of Israel, the Scripture considers him as if he saved a

whole world... "3 In Islam also, the protection of one soul from being killed is

regarded equal to giving life to all humankind. Similarly, the killing of a soul

without any justification is equal to the killing of the entire human race, as

stated in this ayah. Further Allah (SWT) states: "And indeed, there came to them

Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them

continued to exceed the limits in the land!." Allah (SWT) sent His Messengers to the

Children of Israel one after the other. They came with teachings and clear

evidences of truth, but still they transgressed the limits set by Allah (SWT) by

committing major sins and doing oppression unjustly.

(33) "The recompense of those who wage war against Allah (SWT) and His Messenger and do

mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet

be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world,

and a great torment is their lots in the Hereafter." This ayah mentions the

punishments for those who oppose Allah's commandments and His

Messenger (SAW) i.e. commit treason against an Islamic state, thus making

mischief on land. These four punishments are applied according to the

gravity of the crime committed viz. execution for committing murder or

becoming an apostate, crucifixion, cutting hands and feet from opposite

sides for the crime of theft and exile from the land. Those who commit these

crimes will be humiliated in this world by these punishments and they will

suffer a grievous punishment in the Hereafter.

(34) "Except for those who repent before you overpower them; in that case, know that Allah

(SWT) is OftForgiving, Most Merciful." This ayah refers to idolators that rebel

against an Islamic state and make mischief in land. It means that the

punishment for such people who repent afterwards is annulled provided

they repent before they are caught by the authorities. Surely Allah (SWT) is

Forgiving and Merciful and He forgives all sins of those who repent.

(35) "O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah (SWT) and fear Him. Seek the means of

approach to Him." In this ayah Allah (SWT) commands His servants to obey Him

sincerely and avoid everything which is against His Will or law and seek the

means of nearness to Him. Allah (SWT) has prescribed for us a number of

types of means to approach Him 4 . The best of which is to call upon Allah

(SWT) by means of His perfect Names such as a Muslim saying in his

supplication: "0 Allah (SWT) I ask you by your Mercy...I ask you being the

Most Gracious..." etc. The proof of this is in the following ayah: "7he most

beautiful names belong to Allah (Sw7 , so call on Him by them... '^ "And strive

hard in His Cause as much as you can. So that you may be successful." Then Allah (SWT)

encourages His servants to do Jihad in His cause and fight against the

enemies of Islam and promises eternal bliss and happiness for those who

obey His commandments.

(36) "Verily, those who disbelieve, if they had all that is in the earth, and as much again

therewith to ransom themselves thereby from the torment on the Day of Resurrection, it

would never be accepted of them, and theirs would be a painful torment." This is the

actual reality of this world, which is close to nothing as compared to the

blessings of the Hereafter. Thus on the Day of Judgment, no amount of

ransom will be accepted from those who rejected faith in order to save

themselves from the grievous punishment of the Hellfire, even if they bring

this earth full of gold or twice as much.

(37) "They will long to get out of the Fire, but they will never get out therefrom, and theirs

will be a lasting torment." i.e. they will never be able to escape the torment of

Hellfire and they will live there forever.

(38) "Cut off the hand of the thief, male or female, as a recompense for that which they

committed, an exemplary punishment from Allah (SwF)." An Islamic state has an

obligation to protect the five essentials of life and ensure that they remain

safe viz. religion, life, honor, mental health and one's property. Thus Islam

protects these essentials of life by means of the punishments which Allah

(SWT) has prescribed to attain peace and security. This ayah describes one of

these punishments prescribed for theft in Islam i.e. to cut off the right hand

of the thief, whether male or female, from the wrist joint, so as to deter

others from committing such crimes. "And Allah (SwF) is All-Powerful, All-Wise."

i.e. Allah (SWT) is All-Powerful to punish whoever He wants in whatever way

He Wills, and He is also All-Wise i.e. He knows what is better for His

servants.

(39) "But whosoever repents after his crime and does righteous good deeds, then verily, Allah

(SWT) will pardon him. Verily, Allah (SWT) is 0ft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Sometimes a

Muslim may fall into that which Allah (SWT) has forbidden. But Allah (SWT)

says that He is Kind and Merciful to His servants. Thus if anyone repents

sincerely after he has committed the crime, Allah (SWT) will accept his

repentance and forgive him.

(40) "Don't you know that to Allah (SWT) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth!

He punishes whom He wills and He forgives whom He wills. And Allah (SWT) is Able to do

all things." i.e. Allah (SWT) owns everything and He does what He Wills for His

creatures and no one can question His decision or judgment.

(41) "0 Messenger (SAW) ! Let not those who plung headlong into unbelief grieve you, of such

who say: "We believe" with their mouths but their hearts have no faith." This ayah refers

to the hypocrites who embrace Islam but soon after deviate from belief in

Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW) . They only pretend to be faithful but in

reality they are the bitter enemies of Islam and its followers. "And of the Jews

are men who listen much and eagerly to lies, listen to others who have not come to you." i.e.

there are those amongst Jews who are eager to catch up any lies against

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) . They also attend his gatherings and listen to

what he says, so that they can convey it to his enemies who cannot attend

Prophet's (SAW) gatherings or come near him. "They change the words from their

places; they say, "If you are given this, take it, but if you are not given this, then beware!""

i.e. they distort their books and alter its meanings so that they can hide its

knowledge from their people. Further, whenever they brought their disputes

to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) , they would decide beforehand that they would

accept Prophet's (SAW) decision if it is in their favor, otherwise they will not

accept it and walk away. "And whomsoever Allah (SWT) wants to put in trial; you can

do nothing for him against Allah (SWT). Those are the ones whose hearts Allah (SWT) does not

want to purify; for them there is a disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter a great

torment." i.e. whoever Allah (SWT) intends to put on trial and error then there

is none who can save him from His punishment, in this world and in the

Hereafter.

(42) "(They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden." i.e. they eagerly

listen and indulge in falsehood so that they can eat what is forbidden for

them e.g. usury and bribes. "So if they come to you, either judge between them, or turn

away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot hurt you in the least. And if you

judge, judge with justice between them. Verily, Allah (SWT) loves those who act justly."

When the Jews came to the Prophet (SAW) for a judgment, they did not seek

the truth and justice but hoped that some partiality will be shown in favor of

them. Therefore Allah (SWT) says to His Prophet (SAW) that there is no harm

on you O'Muhammad (SAW) if you do not want to adjudicate between them

because of their behavior and partiality, but if you do act as judge, then

judge between them in fairness, for Allah (SWT) loves those who judge with

fairness.

(43) "But how do they come to you for judgement while they have the Torah, in which is the

(plain) judgement of Allah (SWT); yet even after that, they turn away. For they are not (really)

believers." It was reported that this ayah was revealed regarding some Jews

who came to the Prophet (SAW) for a judgment concerning a man and a

women amongst them who committed adultery. The Prophet (SAW) said to

them: "What would you do in this case" They said: "We would humiliate and

expose them." The Prophet recited: "Bring here the Torah and recite it, if you

are truthful." So they brought a man who was blind in one eye and who was

respected among them and said to him, "Read (from the Torah)." So he read

until he reached a certain verse and then covered it with his hand. He was

told, "Remove your hand," and it was the verse about stoning. So that man

said, "0 Muhammad (SAW)! This is the verse about stoning, and we had hid its

knowledge among us." So the Messenger ordered that the two adulterers be

stoned, and they were stoned to death. 6

(44) "Verily, We did send down the Torah, therein was guidance and light, by which the

Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah's Will, judged the Jews. And the rabbis and the

priests for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they were witnesses

thereto." In this ayah Allah (5WT) praises the Torah which He revealed to His

Prophet Moses (A5) , for the Children of Israel. It contained the guidance and

the light from Allah (5WT) to take them out of the darkness of ignorance and

show them the right path. All the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel

followed the laws of Torah by which they judged the Jews and they did not

deviate from the straight path i.e. they submitted themselves to the Will of

their Lord. Not only the Prophets but also the Rabbis and their Jurists

judged according to the laws of Torah. They were entrusted with its

protection and to be the witnesses of its truth and to testify that they had

made it known to the people. Then Allah (5WT) said: "Therefore fear not men but

fear Me and sell not My revelations for a miserable price." Allah (5WT) commanded the

Children of Israel to fear Him alone and not to distort or conceal what He

has revealed to them in fear of other men or to suit their own desires. "And

whosoever does not judge by what Allah (SWT) has revealed, such are the disbelievers." Along

with the People of the Book, this ayah also applies to those Muslims who do

not follow the Qur'an and judge their matters according to it. There is not a

single Islamic country on the face of this earth today that judges or decides

its matters solely according to what Allah (5WT) has revealed. This ayah

concludes that those who judge or rule according to what Allah (5WT) has

revealed are Muslims and those who do not judge or rule according to what

Allah (5WT) has revealed and distort Allah's revelations then they are Kafiroon

(disbelievers).

(45) "And We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear,

tooth for tooth, and for wounds equal punishement."" This ayah indicates that Allah

(5WT) ordained the law of retribution in the Torah as it is in Islam, but the

Jews defied the ruling and refused to accept the divine commandments. "But

if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation." i.e. if

the victim forgives the aggressor and does not retaliate then it becomes an

expiation for his sins and he will have his reward with Allah (5WT) . "And

whosoever does not judge by that which Allah (SWT) has revealed, such are the wrongdoers."

Here this ayah refers to the Jews who do not follow Allah's commandments

and give false judgments. They only follow their lusts and desires and do not

judge their matters according to what Allah (SWT) has revealed to His

Messenger (SAW) . Thus Allah (SWT) says that they are unjust and evildoers

(Zalimoon).

(46) "And in their footsteps, We sent Jesus (AS), son of Mary (AS), confirming the Torah that

had come before him, and We gave him the Injeel, in which was guidance and light and

confirmation of the Torah that had come before it, a guidance and an admonition for the

pious." In the continuous chain of the Prophets sent to the Children of Israel,

Jesus (AS) , son of Mary (AS) was the last one. He was sent to confirm and

verify the truth of Torah and rule by its laws. Allah (SWT) gave him Injeel

which also contained guidance and light to direct people towards the right

path. It was a guidance and admonition for the pious and the righteous and

it came verifying the truth of the previous Scriptures, like the Torah. Jesus

(AS) said that he did not come to abrogate the Torah7 , but to complete it by

going to the spirit of its substance and to get at its essence.

(47) "Let the people of the Injeel judge by what Allah has revealed therein." The

Christians are being warned to judge according to what Allah (SWT) revealed

to them, and believe in all that is present therein including the coming of the

Allah's Last Messenger (SAW) with His Last and final revelation i.e. the

Qur'an. "And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the

transgressors." Here this ayah specifically refers to the Christians who rebelled

against and abandoned the truth that Allah (SWT) revealed to them through

His Prophet Jesus (AS) . But this ayah does not only apply to the Christians

or the Jews, but to any one, a Muslim or a non-Muslim who does not

submit himself totally to the authority of Allah (SWT) and abandons the truth.

He becomes a disbeliever, a wrongdoer or a transgressor (Fasiq) according

the degree of his disobedience.

(48) "And We have sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming the Scripture that came

before it and to safeguard it." Allah (SWT) revealed this Qur'an to Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) with the truth that it is indeed coming from Him. It came

confirming the truth of all the earlier scriptures, guarding them in truth i.e.

preserving them from distortion and corruption, for it has within it the

teachings of all the previous Books. "So judge between them by what Allah (SWT) has

revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to

you." Allah (SWT) commands His Prophet (SAW) to judge and rule according to

the laws prescribed in the Holy Qur'an and do not judge according to the

desires of these ignorant people, thus diverging away from the truth. "To each

among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way." Allah (SWT) ordained a law and

a way of life for every Messenger and his nation, and when human thought

and intellect progressed from infancy to maturity reaching its climax, He

revealed His final law and way of life for all mankind to come, to His Last

and Final Messenger, Muhammad (SAW) . "If Allah (SWT) willed, He would have made

you one nation, but that (He) may test you in what He has given you." i.e. if Allah (SWT)

had Willed He would have made all mankind into a single nation with one

language, one religion and one law. But in His perfect Wisdom He divided

mankind into different nations and gave them different laws to govern at

their given time so as to test their abilities and obedience to Him in

everyone's own capacity. He will thus reward them or punish them

accordingly. "So strive as in a race in good deeds. The return of you (all) is to Allah (SWT);

then He will inform you about that in which you used to differ." Allah (SWT) encourages

His servants to vie with one another in doing virtuous and righteous deeds.

And commands them to be always mindful of the fact that your final return

is to Allah (SWT), who will show you the truth of those matters in which you

disputed.

(49) "And so judge between them by what Allah (SWT) has revealed and follow not their vain

desires" This ayah is repeated here to emphasize the importance of this

command. "take heed lest they turn you far away from some of that which Allah (SWT) has

sent down to you." i.e. beware of the Jews who are always in search of an

opportunity to deceive you and wish to turn you away from the truth. "And if

they turn away, then know that Allah's Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs." i.e.

if they disbelieve then know that it is Allah's Will to deviate them from the

truth and scourge them for some of their sins. "And truly, most of men are

transgressors." i.e. majority of the people in the world have rebelled against

Allah's obedience and thus deviated from the truth.

(50) "Do they then seek the judgment of (the Days of) Ignorance." This ayah applies to

all those who seek judgment from laws other then what Allah (SWT) has

prescribed for His servants, defy His commandments and instead follow

their own desires and lusts. In other words every judgment which does not

come from the Book of Allah (SWT) or the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW) is of

the Jahiliyyah (days of pagan ignorance). "And who is better in judgment than

Allah (S WT) for a people who have firm Faith." Allah (SWT) is the Creator of mankind

and He has the perfect knowledge of everything. Therefore He knows best

what is beneficial for them and what is harmful to them.

Foot Notes [1] Execution for committing deliberate murder. [2] The collection of ancient rabbinic writings consisting of the Mishnah, text of the Oral Law, and the emara, a commentary on the Mishnah, constituting the basis of religious authority in Orthodox Judaism. [3] Talmud, Mishnah Tractate Sanhedrin 4:5 (37a). URL: www.jewishvirtua11ibrarv.org/jsource/Talmud/sarihedrin4.htm1 [4] Cf. Tawassul; Its types and its rulings. By Sheikh Naasiruddeen al-Albanee. [5] Surah Al-A'raf (7) : 180. [6] Sahih Al-Bukhari : 4556. [7] ospel of Matthew 5: 17.

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The series of the stories of Prophets in this surah continues. The following

few ayaat briefly mention Prophet Shuaib (AS) and his people. Then there is a

long passage concerning Prophet Moses (AS) and the Children of Israel. As we

mentioned in the introduction of this surah, the time this surah was

revealed, the Holy Prophet (SAW) was going to migrate from Makkah. Thus a

good portion of the Surah addresses the people of the Book with whom the

Prophet (SAW) was going to come into contact. During the course of the

address to the Jews, the consequences of their hypocritical conduct towards

Prophethood have also been pointed out clearly, for they professed to believe

in Prophet Moses (AS) but in practice opposed his teachings, disobeyed him

and adhered to falsehood and consequently were afflicted with ignominy and

disgrace.

(85) "And to Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shuaib (AS) . He said: "0 my people! Worship

Allah (SWT) ! You have no other God but Him."" From here begins the story of

Prophet Shuaib (AS) and the people of Mad yan. The people of Madyan were

the descendants of Mad yan, the son of Midyan, the son of Prophet Abraham

(AS) . Prophet Shuaib (AS) was also from one of the tribes of Madyan, to whom

he was sent by Allah (SWT) to proclaim His Message. Thus, he called them to

the Oneness of Allah (SWT) like all other Prophets before him. Then he said:

" Verily, a clear prooffrom your Lord has come unto you." This refers to the proofs and

miracles which were manifested through the hands of Prophet Shuaib (AS) .

And he said: "So give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things."

i.e. he commanded them not to cheat people in buying and selling and give

full measure and weight and not cause harm to anyone by holding back

what is their due. "And do not mischief on the earth after it has been set in order that will

be better for you, if you are believers." The people of Madyan are being admonished

by Prophet Shuaib (AS) not to disobey the commands of their Lord and not to

transgress the limits that He has set for them, for this is much better for

them.

(86) "And sit not on every road, threatening, and hindering from the Path of Allah those who

believe in Him, seeking to make it crooked." These people would sit on the roads

and streets and would terrorize people, rob them and threaten them of

worse consequences if they believed in Prophet 5huaib (A5) . They would

further twist and misrepresent the Message of Allah (5WT) to turn them away

from His path. Thus they were commanded to abandon such evil acts and it

was said to them: "And remember when you were but few, and He multiplied you. And

see what was the end of the mischief-makers." i.e. you should remember the favors of

Allah (5WT) , Who made you strong when you were weak and then increased

your numbers to make you a large nation. And also remember the fate of the

previous nations who were destroyed for their disobedience to Allah (5WT)

and rejection of His Messengers, like the people of Noah (A5) , A'ad, Thamud

and the people of Lot (A5) . Consider the fate of the evil-doers.

(87) " And if there is a party of you who believes in that with which I have been sent and a

party who do not believe, so be patient until Allah (SWT) judges between us." /n this a yah

Prophet 5huaib (A5) addressed his people that if you become divided

concerning me, and some of you believe in the message that / have brought

while others reject it, then do not make haste and be patient for Allah's

decree will certainly come and He will decide between us and you. "And He is

the Best of judges." i.e. He is surely the best to decide as to who is to be

rewarded for his righteousness among His servants and who deserves His

punishment.

(88) "The chiefs of those who were arrogant among his people said: "We shall certainly drive

you out, 0 Shuaib (AS), and those who have believed with you from our town, or else you (all)

shall return to our religion."" The arrogant chiefs of the people of Mad yan

warned Prophet 5huaib (A5) and his followers that they should revert to the

disbeliever's religion or else they would be expelled from their village. But

Prophet 5huaib (A5) replied to them: "He said: "Even though we hate it!"" i.e. are

you trying to force us to accept your religion, even though we do not like it

and consider it as falsehood.

(89) " We should have invented a lie against Allah (SWT) if we returned to your religion, after

Allah (SWT) has rescued us from it." This is the answer of Prophet Shuaib (AS) to

the chiefs of his people. He told them that after he and his followers had

believed in what Allah (SWT) had revealed to them and after having its

knowledge, reverting to disbelief would mean that the first standpoint was

false and this would be an accusation against Allah (SWT) . Then he said: "And

it is not for us to return to it unless Allah (SWT), our Lord, should will. Our Lord

comprehends all things in His Knowledge. In Allah (SWT) (Alone) we put our trust." i.e. to

succeed in staying away from evil and falsehood is nothing but the grace of

Allah (SWT) , for all matters are referred to Him, Who has the perfect

knowledge of everything. Then Prophet Shuaib (AS) prayed: "Our Lord! Judge

between us and our people in truth, for You are the Best of those who give judgment." i.e.

he prayed for their victory and for the destruction of the disbelievers among

his people.

(90) "The chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: "If you follow Shuaib (AS), be

sure then you will be the losers!"" This is the misleading statement of the

disbelieving chiefs of the people of Mad yan to their people, so that they do

not obey and follow Prophet Shuaib (AS) .

(91) "So the earthquake seized them and they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes." This

was the punishment for the disbelievers who expelled Shuaib (AS) and his

followers and rejected him.

(92) "Those who belied Shuaib (AS) became as if they had never dwelt there. Those who belied

Shuaib (AS), they were the losers." i.e. they were destroyed completely and they

themselves were the actual losers.

(93) "Then he turned from them and said: "O my people! I have indeed conveyed my Lord's

Messages unto you and I have given you good advice. Then how can I sorrow for the

disbelieving people."" With punishment for his people in sight, Prophet Shuaib

(AS) felt concerned in his heart because of his affection to his people.

Therefore he turned to them and admonished them for defying Allah's

commandments and avoiding guidance and said to them that he will not feel

grieved for them since they rejected him.

(94) "And We sent no Prophet unto any town, but We seized its people with tribulation and

adversity, so that they might humble themselves." Allah (SWT) tested them with

hardships and afflictions so as to see if the earnest and sincere believers

within them turn to Allah (SWT) and repent on His disobedience or they turn

away. Also refer to ayah 42 of surah Al-A na'am.

(95) "Then We changed the evil for the good, until they increased in number and in wealth,

and said: "Our fathers were touched with evil and with good." So We overtook them

suddenly while they were unaware." Then Allah (SWT) gave them increasing wealth,

children and provisions and opened the world of material comforts for them.

But instead of showing gratitude to their Lord, they became completely lost

in their material desires and said that this suffering and prosperity came to

our fathers too and it has nothing to do with our deeds. Thus while they

became lost in the labyrinth of luxuries, Allah (SWT) seized them suddenly

with a painful punishment.

(96) "And if the people of the towns had believed and had Taqwa (piety), certainly, We

should have opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they disbelieved. So

We took them for what they used to earn." This ayah indicates that Allah's blessings

do not depend upon one's prosperity and wealth. /nstead, blessings in all

the heavenly and earthly things can only be achieved through faith and

obedience of Allah (SWT) . Thus, this ayah states that if the people to whom

Allah (SWT) had sent His Messengers, would have believed and showed piety,

then He surely would have bestowed upon them His blessings. But they

denied His Messengers and thus they were punished for their disobedience.

(97) "Do the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night

while they are asleep?" This refers to the people of the towns living at the time of

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) . This is a warning to the disbelievers among them

that they should not feel secure for themselves from the punishment of Allah

(SWT) which may come to them suddenly while they are asleep.

(98) "Or, do the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the

forenoon while they play?" i.e. the punishment of Allah (SWT) may also come to

them suddenly while they are busy in their worldly pursuits.

(99) "Do they then feel secure against Allah's scheming?" i.e. His punishment. "None

feels secure from it except the people who are the losers." This refers to the disbelievers

ho commit evil acts while feeling secure from His wrath and punishment.

(100) "Is it not clear to those who inherit the earth in succession from its possessors, that had

We willed, We would have punished them for their sins." i.e. was it not made clear for

those people who become successors of this earth after Allah (SWT) destroyed

their previous generations that if He wanted He would have punished them

too for their disbelief just like their ancestors. Then Allah (SWT) said: "And We

seal up their hearts so that they hear not?" This means that they have taken no

lesson from the past events, thus Allah (SWT) sealed their hearts and they are

now unable to listen to the truth. So they were left bereft of hearing.

(101) "Those were the towns whose story We relate unto you." i.e. O Muhammad (SAW)

We narrate to you the news of the towns to whom We sent Our Messengers.

"And there came indeed to them their Messengers with clear proofs, but they were not such

as to believe in that which they had rejected before." The Messengers came to them

with miracles and signs from their Lord, but the disbelievers rejected the

truth and obstinately followed the path of ignorance, only because they had

once belied them. "Thus Allah (SWT) does seal up the hearts of the disbelievers." i.e.

because of their rigidity and rejection of the truth.

(102) "And most of them We found not (true) to their covenant, but most of them We found

transgressors." This covenant refers to the Primordial Covenant (Ahd Alast),

which took place before the creation of this material realm i.e. in the realm

of spirits (Aalam-e-Arwah). The covenant was taken from the souls (Arwah)

of the human beings by Allah (SWT) before they were sent to the physical

world. Allah (SWT) said to them: "Am I not your Lord?" Then all the humans

entered into a covenant when they answered "Yes". This will further be

elaborated in ayah 172 of this surah.

(103) "Fhen after them We sent Moses (AS) with 0ur Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but

they wrongfully rejected them." After the five Prophets mentioned in this surah,

Allah (SWT) sent Prophet Moses (AS) with miracles and His Book to proclaim

His Message to Pharaoh and his people. But instead of being grateful to

Allah (SWT) for these miracles and guidance, they rejected His revelations. "So

see how was the end of the mischief-makers." i.e. look how We punished them for

their transgression and think of your own fate if you do the same.

(104) "And Moses (AS) said: "0 Pharaoh! I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds."

(105) "Proper it is for me that I say nothing concerning Allah (SWF) but the truth." Prophet

Moses (AS) further said to Pharaoh that as a Prophet of Allah (SWT) , it is his

duty to convey His message as it is given to him and that his status of

Prophethood does not allow him to ascribe anything but truth to Allah (SWT) .

"Indeed I have come unto you from your Lord with a clear proof." This refers to all the

miracles given to Moses (AS) by Allah (SWT) as a proof of his Prophethood. "So

let the Children of Israel depart along with me." i.e. with all these miracles and signs

as a clear proof of his Prophethood, Pharaoh must believe in them and

release the Children of Israel from his slavery.

(106) "(Pharaoh) said: "If you have come with a sign, show it forth, - if you are one of those

who tell the truth."" i.e. if you really are what you claim then produce a sign or

miracle for us to see.

(107) "Then he (Moses) threw his staff and behold! it was a serpent plain (for all to see). His

staff turned into a big snake that opened its mouth and rushed towards

Pharaoh, who jumped from his throne and sought shelter from Moses (A5) .

(108) "And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the

beholders." This was the second miracle performed by Prophet Moses (A5) at

this occasion.

(109) "The chiefs of the people of Pharaoh said: "This is indeed a skilled enchanter."" After

seeing these great miracles the Pharaoh and his people feared that Moses

(A5) might lure their people to his side with these great signs thus they

plotted against him to pose him as a liar and said to the people that this is

nothing but sorcery.

(110) "He wants to get you out of your land, so what do you advise?" Pharaoh feared

that Moses (A5) could get the people on his side, so that they drive them out

from their land. Therefore, he asked his chiefs for advice.

(111) "They said: "Put him and his brother off (for a time), and send forth heralds to the

cities to collect."

(112) "And bring to you all skilled magicians." i.e. they decided to bring expert

sorcerers from all over the country, who are capable enough to defeat Moses

(A5) .

(113) "And so the sorcerers came to Pharaoh. They said: "Indeed there will be a (good)

reward for us if we are the victors."" /t should be noted that the first thing the

sorcerers demanded from Pharaoh was a reward for their performance as all

worldly people do. On the contrary, the Prophets do not ask for any reward

for they preach and convey the Message only to gain Allah's pleasure.

(114) "He said: "Yes, and moreover you will become my favourites."" Pharaoh assured

them that he will reward them and give them great provisions.

(115) "They said: "0 Moses (AS) ! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first)

throw?"" The sorcerers asked Moses (AS) , if he would drop his staff first or

should they throw their first.

(116) "He (Moses) said: "Throw you (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of

the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic." Then Prophet

Moses (AS) gave them permission to begin and they demonstrated their magic

by bewitching the eyes of the people that made them see their staffs and

strings as snakes. They were terrified by a display of great wonders.

(117) "And We revealed to Moses (AS): "Throw your staff," and behold! It swallowed up

straight away all the false devices which they showed." As soon as Moses (AS) dropped

his staff on the ground, it turned into a great snake that swallowed all the

snakes of the sorcerers.

(118) "Thus the truth prevailed and all their doings proved vain." i.e. the truth

prevailed over falsehood.

(119) "So they were defeated there and put to humiliation." i.e. the Pharaoh and his

magicians were defeated and put to shame.

(120) "And the sorcerers fell down prostrate." The enchanters prostrated themselves in

adoration.

(121) "They said: " We believe in the Lord of the Worlds."

(122) "The Lord of Moses (AS) and Aaron (AS) ." The magicians realized that what

Moses (AS) showed them was not magic and it can only be from Allah (SWT) ,

thus they fell in prostration and became believers.

(123) "Pharaoh said: "You have believed in him before I give you permission. Surely, this is a

plot which you have contrived in the city to drive out its people." /t was an

embarrassing situation for Pharaoh, but he was clever enough to conceal his

state of mind in front of the people and tried to change the situation by

putting the blame back on the sorcerers. He threatened the sorcerers on one

hand that how dare they accept faith without his permission. And on the

other hand, he claimed that this is all a part of a great conspiracy and that

these sorcerers had joined hands with Moses (AS) , so that to gain power over

them and expel them from their land. He further threatened them and said:

"But you shall come to know." i.e. what punishment / give to you.

(124) "Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and then I will

crucify you all." This is the punishment that the Pharaoh threatened the

sorcerers with, if they persist in their rebellion against him.

(125) "They said: "Verily, we are returning to our Lord."" i.e. their belief in Allah (SWT)

became so strong that they were ready to face any threat or punishment

against them. This satisfaction was due to the fact that now this temporary

world had no value in their eyes and they were sure of the meeting with

their Lord and that they shall get eternal bliss in the Hereafter.

(126) " And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the signs of our Lord when

they reached us!" The sorcerers further said to Pharaoh that you take revenge

from us simply because we have come to believe that the signs and miracles

produced by Moses (AS) are by none other than Allah (SWT) . Then they prayed:

"Our Lord! Pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims." i.e. make us firm

in our religion, lest we should turn back to disbelief and falsehood and make

us die as Muslims even if we are punished and tortured to death.

(127) "The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said: "Will you leave Moses (AS) and his people to

spread mischief in the land, and to abandon you and your gods?"" With these great

signs in sight that Allah (SWT) showed to Pharaoh and his people, his chiefs

became frightened and worried of the fact that people will start following

Prophet Moses (AS) and forsake their false gods, thus they advised Pharaoh

that if he did not kill Moses (AS) and his brother Aaron (AS) then they would

surely spread unrest calling his people to worship Allah (SWT) alone instead

of him. But Pharaoh had nothing to answer his chiefs but he said: "He said:

" We will kill their sons, and let live their women, and we have indeed irresistible power over

them."^ With this order he meant to satisfy his people that we will eliminate

them completely by killing their males while keeping their daughters alive

and we shall triumph over them.

(128) "Moses (AS) said to his people: "Seek help in Allah (SWT) and be patient. Verily, the

earth is Allah's (SWT) . He gives it as a heritage to whom He will of His slaves, and the

(blessed) end is for the pious."^ When Pharaoh advised his evil plot against the

Children of /srael, Prophet Moses (AS) advised them that the only way to

succeed through this trial was to seek help from Allah (SWT) and be patient.

And if they show piety and righteousness, then they will certainly prevail

and inherit the land, for all the land belongs to Allah (SWT) alone and He

gives it to whomsoever He wills from among His servants.

(129) "They said: "We had suffered troubles before you came to us, and since you have come

to us." He said: "It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you rulers in

the earth, so that He may see how you act?"^ The Israelites did not show patience

and blamed Prophet Moses (AS) that he did not deliver them from the

persecution of Pharaoh and their fate remained unchanged even after he

came to them as a Messenger of Allah (SWT) . But Moses (AS) encouraged them

to show gratitude to Allah (SWT) and remain steadfast, for it might be that He

removes affliction and oppression from them and makes them the rulers of

this earth testing them with great provisions and bounties. This ayah also

indicates that Allah (SWT) judges the acts of those who are given power and

authority and sees how they make use of this trust.

(130) "And indeed We punished the people of Pharaoh with years of drought and shortness of

fruits, that they might remember." They were inflicted with calamities and

sufferings so that they take heed from this warning and mend their ways.

(131) "But whenever good came to them, they said: "Ours is this." And if evil afflicted them,

they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Moses (AS) and those with him." i.e.

whenever Allah (SWT) gave them provisions and bounties, they would accept

it and said that we have been bestowed upon because we deserve it, but

whenever He tested them with famine or drought, they would blame Prophet

Moses (AS) and his followers that this is because of what they had done.

Then Allah (SWT) said: "Be informed! Verily, their evil omens are with Allah (SWT) but

most of them know not." i.e. good and bad fate comes from Allah (SWT) alone, for

everything in this universe happens under His Will. But these disbelievers

do not know, for they are ignorant of this fact. It was Allah [SWT] who had

ordained their ill fortune, though most of them did not know it.

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(51) "0 you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as friends and protectors; they

are but friends and protectors to one another." Allah (SWT) prohibits the Muslims to

take the Jews and the Christians as their friends and protectors. Because

they are only friends and protectors to one another against Islam and have a

strong enmity against the Muslims.

This ayah is more applicable in present times because we see that

throughout the long Judeo-Christian history the relationship between the

Jews and the Christians has not been good and it is quite understandable

as the latter not only hold the former responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus

(AS) but also resent their slander that Jesus (AS) was born out of wedlock.

Today ' however ' all this has changed. The Jews have gradually eroded the

Christian society dividing them into different factions ' most of which support

them. Protestant Christians ' in general ' and among them Evangelical

Christians ' in particular ' provide massive financial and political support to

the Jews to the extent that these Christian conservatives are sometimes

often referred to as Christian Zionists for their blatant bias. ' "And if any

amongst you takes them as friends and protectors, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allah

(SWT) guides not those people who are the wrongdoers." Allah (SWT) warns the believers

that if they take them as friends and protectors then they will be counted as

one of them and surely they will have wronged themselves and He will not

guide such wrongdoers.

(52) "And you see those in whose hearts there is a disease, they hurry to their friendship,

saying: "We fear lest some misfortune of a disaster may befall us."" This refers to the

hypocrites of Madinah who made the disbelievers their friends in secret and

in public ' and when they were asked as to why they befriended these

enemies of Islam ' they said that they fear that the disbelievers might defeat

the Muslims. Therefore ' if this be the outcome of a battle they should be in a

position to have their support and favor in return. "Perhaps Allah (SWT) may

bring a victory or a decision according to His Will. Then they will become regretful for what

they have been keeping as a secret in themselves." i.e. whenever Allah (SWT) made the

Muslims victorious or gave a decision according to His Will ' the hypocrites

would regret for what they hid in their hearts. Scholars say that in this

ayah' victory refers to the conquering of Makkah2 and the decision

according to His Will refers to the Jizyah paid by the Jews and the

Christians.

(53) "And those who believe will say: "Are these the men who swore their strongest oaths by

Allah (SWT) that they were with you?"" The hypocrites had promised help and

protection to the enemies of Islam in secret ' but when the Muslims became

victorious ' the true reality of the hypocrites was exposed. Then ' not only the

Muslims abandoned them but they also turned back from their promises

with the disbelievers. This made the Muslims ask the disbelievers: are these

hypocrites not the same people who promised help for you? "All that they did

has been in vain, and they have become the losers." i.e. all their claims and promises

were nothing but lies and they surely have not succeeded in their schemes.

(54) "0 you who believe! Whoeverfrom among you turns back from his religion, Allah (SWT)

will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers,

stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah (SWT), and never afraid of the

blame of the blamers." In this ayah Allah (SWT) gives a stern warning to the

Muslims not to turn back from Islam ' and if they do so then He will replace

them with people who are more obedient and righteous than them and

whom He loves and they will love Him. They will have the following qualities:

they will be stern towards the unbelievers and very lenient and humble with

their fellow believers. They will do Jihad in His cause and will have no fear of

reproach from any critic. "That is the Grace of Allah (SWT) which He bestows on whom

He wills. And Allah (SWT) is All-Embracing, All-Knower." i.e. this is only from His

bounty and Grace that He gives such qualities to whoever He wishes and

this is very easy for Him. Surely Allah (SWT) is All-Sufficient for the needs of

His creatures and knows everything. He is Munificent ' Knowing.

(55) "Verily, your Protector or Helper is Allah (SWT), His Messenger (SAW), and the

believers; those who perform regular prayers, and give regular charity and they bow down."

The hypocrites take their friends from the disbelievers or others from the

Jews and the Christians instead of the believers but the real protecting

friends are Allah (SWT) ' His Messenger (SAW) and the faithful believers who

perform their regular prayers ' give the poor their due and bow down in

humility when they give charity. Alternatively it also means that they bow

down in prayers in congregation with other believers.

(56) "And whosoever takes Allah (SWT), His Messenger (SAW), and those who have believed,

as Protectors, then the party of Allah (SWT) will be the victorious." i.e. these are the

people who will gain success in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah's

followers are sure to triumph.

(57) "0 you who believe! Take not for protectors and helpers, those who take your religion for

a mockery andfun from among those who received the Scripture before you, nor from among

the disbelievers; and fear Allah (SWT) if you indeed are true believers." To emphasize the

importance of this command ' it has been repeated here ' which clearly

forbids the Muslims from taking the enemies of Islam and its followers as

their friends and protectors. Allah (SWT) then commands His servants to fear

Him alone and have faith in Him.

(58) "And when you call for prayers, they take it (but) as a mockery and fun; that is because

they are a people who understand not." i.e. the disbelievers used to ridicule and

mock at the pronouncement of Adhan (Call for prayer). They treated it as a

jest and a pastime. They did this because they are devoid of understanding.

(59) "Say: "0 people of the Book! Do you criticize and blame us for no other reason than that

we believe in Allah (SWT), and in which has been revealed to us and in that which has been

revealed before, and that most of you are transgressors." Allah (SWT) commands His

Messenger (SAW) to ask those who make fun of Islam and its followers that

you ridicule the Islamic teachings and make fun of the Muslims just for the

fact that they believe in Allah (SWT) and this Qur'ari ' along with all the

scriptures revealed before it. The fact is that most of them are rebellious in

nature and evil-doers.

(60) "Say: "Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from

Allah (SWT): those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allah (SWT) and His Wrath, those of

whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swine, those who worshipped Taghut (forces

of evil); such are worse in rank, and far more astray from the Right Path."" This ayah

criticizes the Jews who did not think well about the Muslims. So ' Allah (SWT)

says that the Jews themselves are the worst in retribution from Allah (SWT) .

They have incurred His curse and wrath upon themselves and some of them

were even transformed into apes and swine ' because they worshipped the

devil and forces of evil which rebel against Allah (SWT) . Such in Allah's (SWT)

sight are the worst and those who have strayed farther from the right path.

(61) "When they come to you, they say: "We believe." But in fact they enter with (an

intention of) disbelief and they go out with the same." i.e. the hypocrites proclaim

their faith and pretend to be Muslims when they are in Prophet's presence

or with the Muslims. But Allah (SWT) informs His Prophet (SAW) about the

disbelief and hypocrisy that the hypocrites conceal in their hearts and the

matter of fact is that they came with disbelief and they went out in the same

condition. "And Allah (SWT) knows all what they were hiding." i.e. He knows their

intentions. Allah knows best what they conceal.

(62) "And you see many of them vie with one another in sin and transgression, and eating

illegal things." This refers to the Jews and we have already gone through the

details of the crimes and sins committed by the Jews in the previous

surahs. And "Evil indeed is that which they have been doing." Evil indeed are their

actions.

(63) "Why do not the rabbis and the religious learned men forbid them from uttering sinful

words and from eating illegal things. Evil indeed is that which they have been performing."

One of the reasons behind the degeneration of a society is that their

scholars and those in authority do not enjoin good or forbid their people

from committing sinful things. This is what Allah (SWT) explains about the

Jews in this ayah. Their Rabbis and religious leaders not forbid their people

from uttering sin or consuming illegal things and persisted in their evil '

which eventually became the reason for their decline and punishment.

(64) "Fhe Jews say: "Allah's Hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed

for what they uttered." By this statement the Jews meant that Allah (SWT) does

not give and spend from His bounty thus they say that He is poor and we

are rich. But far holier and Glorified is He than what they utter about Him.

Because of such rebellious attitude and blasphemy against Allah (SWT) ' He

has cursed them with ignorance and misery in this world and humiliation in

the Hereafter. "Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends as He wills."

Allah (SWT) spends and gives from His limitless bounty to whomever He Wills.

He gives His servants what they ask for and bestows on them His blessings

by day and by night ' yet His bounty does not decrease but is perfectly full.

"Verily, the Revelation that has come to you from Allah (SWF) increases in most of them their

obstinate rebellion and disbelief." i.e. they had so much hatred and jealousy for

the Prophet (SAW) and the Muslims that whenever Allah's revelations were

sent to His Prophet (SAW) ' it increased them in their wickedness and unbelief.

"We have put enmity and hatred amongst them till the Day of Resurrection." i.e. because

of their defiance and rejection of Allah's (SWT) revelations and His Prophet

(SAW) . "Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allah (SWF) extinguished it." This refers to

the plots and schemes they used to conspire against the believers. "And they

(ever) strive to make mischief on earth. And Allah (SWF) does not like the mischief makers."

When they fail in their plots and schemes ' then they strive hard to spread

mischief but Allah (SWT) does not love the mischief mongers.

(65) "And if only the people of the Book had believed and been righteous. We would indeed

have blotted out their sins and admitted them to Gardens of bliss." i.e. if they would

have sincerely believed in Allah (SWT) and followed His Messenger (SAW) ' then

surely He would forgive their sins and admit them in Paradise.

(66) "And if only they had acted according to the Forah, the Injeel, and what has been sent

down to them from their Lord, they would surely have gotten provision from above them and

from underneath their feet." This means that if the People of the Book had

established the laws revealed to their Prophets and believed in what was

revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) i.e. the Qur'an' then surely Allah (SWT)

would have blessed them with provisions descending from the sky as well as

from those grown in the earth. "Fhere are from among them people who are on the

right course." This refers to those Jews and Christians who adhered to their

Books and followed their laws and when Allah (SWT) sent His last Prophet

(SAW) with His last revelation ' they also believed in him and followed him.

Amongst them was Abdullah bin Salaam (RAA) ' who was a very

knowledgeable and pious Jewish scholar and as soon as he heard of

Prophet's message ' he embraced Islam. "But many of them do evil deeds." i.e.

majority of them do nothing but evil.

(67) "0 Messenger (SAW) ! Proclaim which has been sent down to you from your Lord."

Allah (SWT) commands His Messenger (SAW) to convey His message to

mankind and thus fulfill his mission. "And if you do not, then you have not

conveyed His Message." i.e. if you do not deliver the message revealed to you 0

Muhammad (SAW) then you have not done justice to your mission and

conveyed Allah's message. That is why at the Farewell Hajj the Prophet (SAW)

asked his Companions (RAA) ' did I convey Allah?s message. The Companions

(RAA) unanimously replied ' ??we bear witness that you have conveyed the

message and fulfilled your mission??. He raised his finger towards the sky

and said ' 0?Allah!

Be witness??. He repeated it thrice. "Allah (SWF) will protect you

from mankind." Allah (SWT) encourages His Messenger (SAW) to convey His

message to mankind and asked not to fear any of them for He will support

him and protect him from his enemies. "Verily, Allah (SWF) guides not the people

who disbelieve." i.e. Prophet's duty is only to convey the message and it is Allah

(SWT) who guides whom He Wills and He has decided that He will not guide

those who disbelieve. He does not guide the unbelievers.

(68) "Say: "0 people of the Book! You have no ground to stand on unless you act according

to the Torah, the Injeel, and what has (now) been sent down to you from your Lord."" This

ayah warns the People of the Book that you cannot attain salvation unless

you adhere to the laws revealed to you by Allah (SWT) and believe in that

which He has sent to His last Prophet (SAW) . "Verily, that which has been sent down

to you from your Lord increases in many of them their obstinate rebellion and disbelief."

This ayah has already been commented upon in ayah 64 of this surah. "So be

not sorrowful over the people who disbelieve." i.e. 0 Muhammad (SAW) you should

not grieve about those who reject faith for they will certainly be punished for

their disbelief.

(69) "Surely, those who believe, those who are the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians;

whosoever believed in Allah (SWT) and the Last Day, and do what is righ = on them shall be no

fear, nor shall they grieve." We have already commented upon this ayah in the

explanation of ayah 62 of surah Al-B aqarah.

(70) "Verily, We took the covenant of the Children of Israel and sent them Messengers.

Whenever there came to them a Messenger with what they themselves desired not =a group

of them they accused of lying and killed some." Allah (SWT) reminds the Jews of their

covenant that He took from them at Mount Sinai that they will obey Him and

His Messengers and worship none with Him. But instead they followed their

desires and whenever Allah (SWT) sent them His Messengers with guidance

and truth ' they either called them imposters or killed them. 4

(71) "They thought there will be no trial, so they became blind and deaf; after that Allah

(SWT) turned to them; yet again many of them became blind and deaf." i.e. those who

mocked at Allah's Messengers and killed them thought that no affliction

would follow and they will never be punished or put to trial for their crimes.

So they became blind from the truth and turned a deaf ear to Allah's

message. Even after that Allah (SWT) turned to them in mercy and forgave

them but they still persisted in their disbelief and many of them again

turned blind and deaf. "And Allah (SwF) is the All-Seer of what they do." i.e. Allah

observes all their actions. He is ever watching over what they do.

(72) "Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah (SwF) is the Messiah, son of Mary." But

the Messiah (AS) said: "O Children of Israel! Worship Allah (SwF), my Lord and your Lord.""

Allah (SWT) criticizes the Christians for their claim that Jesus is God

incarnate. They believe that Jesus (AS) claimed divinity for himself but Allah

(SWT) rebukes them and says that Jesus (AS) never uttered such words '

instead he commanded the Children of Israel to worship Allah (SWT) alone '

besides whom none stands worthy of worship. "Verily, whosoever sets up partners

in worship with Allah (SwF), then Allah (SWT) has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire

will be his abode. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers." This is the worst crime

a person can commit i.e. associating partners with Allah (SWT) ' and it

deserves the severest of punishments. Thus Allah (SWT) has forbidden

Paradise for such and has chosen Hellfire as their eternal abode ' and their

will be no helper or protector for such wrongdoers.

(73) "Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah (SVVT) is the third of the three (in a

Trinity)." But there is no God but One Allah (SWT) . And if they desist not from saying so,

verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them." Allah (SWT) rebukes

the Christians for their false belief of Trinity and commands them to refrain

from uttering such words and worship Him alone without attributing any

partners or sons to Him ' and believe in Jesus (AS) only as His Messenger and

His servant. But if they persist in their disbelief and Shirk then a painful

punishment awaits them in the Hereafter.

(74) "Will they not repent to Allah (SWT) and ask His Forgiveness? For Allah (SwF) is Oft-

Forgiving, Most Merciful." Although they had committed such grave sins and

persisted in their Shirk' yet Allah (SWT) in His mercy ' calls them to repent

from their sins and from associating partners to Him ' so that He forgives

them. For surely ' He forgives those who repent and mend their ways. He is

Forgiving ' Merciful.

(75) "The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers

that passed away before him." The true status of Jesus (AS) in Islam is that he is

one of the honorable Messengers of Allah (SWT) just like all other Prophets

and Messengers that came before him ' thus refuting the false beliefs of the

Christians that he claimed divinity. "His mother was a truthful woman. They both

used to eat food." She was a very pious and virtuous woman and contrary to

the beliefs of the Christians she never claimed divinity for herself or her son

Jesus (AS) . In fact both of them were mere mortals and human beings and

like the rest of Allah's creatures they were also subject to necessities and

needed food to live ' whereas Allah (SWT) does not eat. "Look how We make the

revelations clear to them, yet look how they are deluded away (from the truth)." Allah (SWT)

has made His revelations clear to them ' yet see how they ignore the truth.

(76) "Say: "How do you worship besides Allah (SWT) something which has no power either to

harm or to benefit you?" Allah (SWT) commands His Prophet (SAW) to ask those

who worship other deities besides Him that how can your minds be so

perverted that you worship those who cannot prevent any harm from you

nor can they benefit you. "But it is Allah (SWT) Who is the All-Hearer, All-Knower.""

i.e. it is only Allah (SWT) who has the authority and power to protect you and

bring benefit for you ' as He sees all His servants and He hears all what they

say.

(77) "Say: "0 people of the Book! Exceed not the limits in your religion other than the truth,

and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray in times gone by, and who

misled many, and strayed from the Right Path."" Allah (SWT) commands His

Messenger (SAW) to say to the Jews and the Christians that do not transgress

the bounds set by Him and do not exaggerate in your religion e.g. Allah (SWT)

sent Jesus (AS) as His Messenger but the Christians exaggerated his status

and gave him the rank of God. And do not follow the evil ways and

misguidance of those who were before you. They misled many others before

you and they themselves strayed from the straight path.

Foot Notes [1] Cf. Why Protestants are supporting Jews, by Abid Ullah Jan. [2] At Tabari 10: 405. [3] Sahih Muslim 2: 886. [4] For more on the covenant, Refer to ayah 83 of surah A1 Baqarah and its ayah 87 on Children of Israel slaying the Prophets.

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(132) "They said: "Whatever signs you may bring to us, to work therewith your sorcery on

us, we shall never believe in you."" i.e. they rejected the truth even when they

ere shown the signs and miracles from their Lord.

(133) "So We sent on them the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs and the blood: manifest

signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were sinful." This

ayah mentions the punishments that came to the people of Pharaoh. Allah

(SWT) sent down clear signs to them, inflicting them with famine. Then He

sent the flood and all the lands and houses of Pharaoh and his people were

inundated with water. Then they were sent a storm of locusts which ate up

all the crops and fruits. After that lice were sent upon them, which ate their

grain. Then came the punishment of frogs, which appeared in such a large

number that it filled their houses and covered them up. Then after a month

of relief, Allah (SWT) sent the next punishment to them, which was of blood.

All these punishments came to them one after the other as a clear sign but

still they persisted in their arrogance and did not take any lesson from these

warnings.

(134) "And when the punishment fell on them they said: "0 Moses (AS) ! Invoke your Lord

for us because of His Promise to you. If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed

shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you."" This ayah

indicates that whenever a punishment came to Pharaoh and his people, they

would ask Moses (AS) to invoke Allah (SWT) for their relief from the calamity.

They further promised that if He removes their suffering, then they will

surely believe in Allah (SWT) and let the Children of Israel go with him.

(135) "But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to

reach, behold! They broke their promise!" i.e. when Allah (SWT) removed the infliction

from them, they would again revert to disbelief and did not keep their

promises.

(136) "So We punished them and drowned them in the sea, because they belied 0ur signs and

were heedless about them." Because of their arrogance and disbelief, they were

finally caught with the last punishment i.e. the death. They chased Prophet

Moses (AS) and his people in the sea who had already crossed it but when

Pharaoh and his people tried to cross it, the sea closed on them and they

were all drowned.

(137) "And We made the people who were considered weak to inherit the eastern parts of the

land and the western parts thereof which We have blessed." This refers to the Children

of Israel, who were considered as weak, but with Allah's support and help,

they were made the rulers of the eastern and western parts of the blessed

land. The 'blessed land' mentioned here refers to the land of Syria and

Egypt. "And the gracious word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because

of their endurance." Allah (SWT) promised them that if they show patience and

endurance, then He will surely destroy their enemies and make them owners

of the land. Thus He fulfilled His promise as always and bestowed His favor

upon the Israelites . "And We destroyed completely all the great works and buildings

which Pharaoh and his people erected." This refers to the splendid monuments and

buildings that the Pharaoh and his people had built, which were completely

destroyed and turned into dust.

(138) "And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people

devoted to some of their idols. They said: "0 Moses (AS) ! Make for us a god as they have

gods."" This was the saying of the ignorant ones among the Children of Israel,

who after their victory over Pharaoh and his people started to show some

signs of ignorance and superstitions. But Prophet Moses (AS) replied: "He said:

" Verily, you are a people who know not."" i.e. how can you think of making for

yourselves a god other than Allah (SWT) , while it is He Who has given you

superiority over other nations and saved you from the persecution of

Pharaoh and his people.

(139) " Verily, these people will be destroyed for that which they are engaged in. And all that

they are doing is in vain." i.e. all that they worshipped besides Allah (SWT) would

go waste and this in the end will be the real cause of their destruction.

(140) "He said: "Shall I seek for you a God other than Allah (SWF), while He has given you

superiority over the worlds."" i.e. how can they think of worshipping others

besides Allah (SWT) when He has given them excellence over the people of the

worlds.

(141) "And when We rescued you from Pharaoh people, who were afflicting you with the

worst torment, killing your sons and saving your women a live. And in that was a great trial

from your Lord." In this ayah Allah (SWT) reminds the Children of Israel of His

blessings on them when He rescued them from the punishment and

humiliation of Pharaoh and his people, who used to kill their sons and spare

their daughters. This was a trial for them, so that they learn patience and

humility.

(142) "And We appointed for Moses (AS) thirty nights and added ten, and he completed the

term, appointed by his Lord, of forty nights." Allah (SWT) appointed thirty nights for

Prophet Moses (AS) to fast. After the completion of the thirty days he broke

his fast and cleaned his teeth with a twig because of the odor generated by

fasting in one's mouth. Allah (SWT) said to Moses (AS) that the odor of one's

mouth generated by fasting is liked by Him, therefore, He asked Moses (AS) to

fast another ten days, thus making it forty in all. "And Moses (AS) said to his

brother Aaron (AS): "Fake my place among my people, act in the right way and follow not the

way of the wrong-doers."" Prophet Moses (AS) before leaving for Mount Sinai left

his brother Aaron (AS) with the Children of Israel as his deputy. He instructed

him to follow the right path and refrain from evil.

(143) "And when Moses (AS) came at the time and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke

to him, he said: "0 my Lord! Reveal Yourself to me that I may look upon You."" When

Moses (AS) came to Mount Sinai at the appointed time to speak to Allah (SWT) ,

he asked to see Him. But "Allah (SWF) said: "You cannot see Me, but look upon the

mountain if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me."" i.e. no physical eye is

capable of enduring such an experience in this lifetime. This also indicates

that the seeing of Allah (SWT) is not impossible and authentic Ahadith of

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) further affirm the fact that the believers will see

their Lord in the Hereafter. "So when his Lord manifested His glory on the mountain,

He crushed it to fine dust, and Moses (AS) fell down senseless." i.e. the radiance of

Divine glory was so powerful that it smashed the Mount into pieces and

dazzled by its splendor and radiance Prophet Moses (AS) fell down

unconscious. "Then when he recovered his senses he said: "Glory be to You, I turn to You

in repentance and Iam the first of the believers."" Moses (AS) then realized that seeing

Allah (SWT) in this life is far above the grasp of our physical senses and thus

repented from asking Him to see Him and became the first amongst the

Children of Israel, to believe in the impossibility of seeing Allah (SWT) with

eyes in this world.

(144) "(Allah) said: "0 Moses (AS) I have chosen you above men by My Messages, and by

My speaking (to you)."" Allah (SWT) spoke to Prophet Moses (AS) directly and

informed him that He had chosen him above the people of his time to deliver

His Message to his people and to have conversation with Him, which He did

not have with any other Prophet. Then Allah (SWT) said: "So hold that which I

have given you and be of the grateful." i.e. be grateful to Allah (SWT) for the Book i.e.

the Torah, which He has revealed to you.

(145) "And We wrote for him on the Tablets all kinds of exhortations and the explanation of

all things." This ayah states that Allah (SWT) had written on the Tablets, the

details of everything needed for guidance in this world and in the Hereafter

and also the commandments for lawful and prohibited matters. Then Allah

(SWT) said: "Hold unto these with firmness, and enjoin your people to take the better

therein." i.e. observe these commandments with firmness and obedience and

also enjoin on your people to follow these instructions according to the best

of their abilities, for Allah (SWT) does no burden any soul beyond its capacity,

but at the same time they are also asked to seek the best and highest

possible for them in conduct. Then in the end of this ayah Allah (SWT) said:

"Soon 1 shall show you the abode of the transgressors." i.e. the destruction of those

who belied Allah's revelations and deviated from His obedience.

(146) "1 shall turn away from My revelations those who behave arrogantly on the earth,

without a right, and (even) if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them." This

ayah indicates that the arrogant people who deny Allah's revelations will be

deprived of knowledge and understanding of His signs, for a sin hardens the

heart and makes it blind to the truth. They are so much lost in their false

pride and sense of superiority that even if they are shown the signs of Allah

(SWT) , they will still not believe in it. Then Allah (SWT) said: "And if they see the

way of righteousness, they will not adopt it as the Way, but if they see the way of error, they

will adopt that way, that is because they have rejected Our revelations and were heedless from

them." i.e. because of their rejection of Allah's revelations, they have been

covered with blindness and deafness, thus if a path to salvation and

guidance appears to them, they do not follow it, but if a path of error and

misguidance appears to them, they will surely choose it for themselves.

(147) "Those who deny Our revelations and the Meeting in the Hereafter, their deeds are in

vain. Shall they not be rewarded according to their deeds?" i.e. those who are blinded

from the Divine revelations and show deafness to the warnings of the

Hereafter then all their deeds will be in vain, for they should not expect

anything but justice i.e. the just punishment for their sins.

(148) "And the people of Moses (AS) made in his absence, out of their ornaments, the image of

a calf, which gave a (mooing) sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor

guide them to the way? They took it for worship and they were wrong-doers." When

Prophet Moses (AS) did not return from Mount Sinai after thirty days, some of

his people became restless and started worshipping a calf that a person

named Samiri made for them out of their jewels and ornaments. He melted

the ornaments and fashioned a calf from it. Then he threw a handful of dust

from the trace of the horse that the Angel Gabriel was riding, which

produced a mooing sound out of the calf. Thus the people started

worshipping the calf, and took it as their god. In the last part of this ayah,

Allah (SWT) condemns the Israelites for worshipping a lifeless statue of the

calf, which could neither speak to them nor brought them any benefit, and

thus became the wrong-doers.

(149) "And when they regretted and saw that they had gone astray, they said: "If our Lord

have not mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall certainly be of the losers."^ i.e. they felt

sorrow and remorse on this guilt and repented to their Lord for their evil

actions.

(150) "And when Moses (AS) returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "What an

evil thing is that which you have done during my absence. Would you hasten the retribution

of your Lord?" And he threw down the Tablets and seized his brother by his head and

dragged him towards him. Aaron (AS) said: "0 son of my mother! Indeed the people judged

me weak and were about to kill me, so make not the enemies rejoice over me, nor put me

amongst the people who are wrong-doers."^ Allah (SWT) had already informed Moses

(AS) of the perversion of his people on the Mount of Sinai. After the

conversation with his Lord, when he returned to his people he became

extremely angry to see his people in this state of ignorance. First he

admonished his people for their evil actions and going against the

commands of Allah (SWT) . Then in his anger Moses (AS) threw down the

Tablets and turned to his brother Aaron (AS) , whom he made a deputy in his

absence. He grabbed him from his hair and asked him to give the true

account of the event and what caused his people to act in haste and commit

Shirk. Prophet Aaron (AS) then told him not to put him equal with the evil-

doers and that it was not his fault that his people committed these evil acts,

for they did not listen to him and were about to kill him and he asked Moses

(AS) not to let his enemies laugh at him by treating him in this way.

(151) "Moses (AS) said: "0 my Lord! Forgive me and my brother, and make us enter into

Your Mercy, for you are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy."^ i.e. he asked

forgiveness for himself and his brother for any shortcomings with regard to

his duties.

(152) "Certainly, those who took the calf, wrath from their Lord and humiliation will come

upon them in the life of this world. Thus do We recompense those who invent a lie." This

was the warning to those who took to worship of the calf, of the punishment

that would strike them for their Shirk and of a disgraceful and humiliated

life in this world.

(153) "But those who committed evil deeds and then repented afterwards and believed, verily,

your Lord after (all) that is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." This refers to those

amongst the Israelites who repented to Allah (SWT) for their sin of committing

Shirk. They were ordered that those who worshipped the calf be killed by

those who did not worship it, so that their repentance is accepted. It is

reported that seventy thousand of them committed Shirk and thus were

executed. Prophet Moses (AS) ordered to kill all these seventy thousand

people, every tribe killing his own men, for their forgiveness.

(154) "And when the anger of Moses (AS) was appeased, he took up the Tablets." i.e. when

Prophet Moses calmed down, he took up the Holy Tablets, which he had

thrown because of his anger on the people who worshipped the calf. Then

Allah (SWT) said: "And in their inscription was guidance and mercy for those who fear

their Lord." i.e. on the Holy Tablets on which was inscribed guidance and

mercy to those that fear their Lord.

(155) "And Moses (AS) chose out of his people seventy men for Our appointed time and place

of meeting, and when they were seized with a violent earthquake." Allah (SWT)

commanded Moses (AS) to choose seventy men from among his people, who

would accompany him to Mount Sinai in order that they supplicate to their

Lord for forgiveness for worshipping the calf. The seventy men demanded

that they will not believe in Allah (SWT) until they see Allah (SWT) publicly with

their own eyes. Because of this foolish and ignorant demand, Allah's wrath

fell upon them and they were caught by an earthquake from beneath and by

a thunderbolt from above, so their souls were captured and they all died.

Prophet Moses (AS) became extremely sad by this incident and stood up

supplicating to his Lord: "He said: "O my Lord, if it had been Your Will, You could

have destroyed them and me before, would You destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones

among us?" i.e. You could have killed us at the time You drowned Pharaoh

and his people or at the time of calf worship, but You did not do so. Thus

would You now destroy us just for the actions of the foolish ones amongst

us who worshipped the calf? He further said: "It is naught but Your Trial by which

You lead astray whom You will, and guide whom You will. You are our Protector, so forgive

us and have Mercy on us, for You are the Best of those who forgive." i.e. this is only a

test from You. You let some people go astray with Your test and give

guidance to others who learn the lesson from Your test. The decision is

Yours alone, for You are our only Protector and none except You can forgive

our sins.

(156) "And ordain for us good in this world, and in the Hereafter. Certainly we have turned

unto You." This is the last portion of the prayer by Prophet Moses (AS) who

invoked Allah (SWT) to grant them good in both lives. Then Allah (SWT) replied:

"He said: I afflict with My Punishment whom I will and My Mercy embraces all

things." i.e. although He punishes the disobedient and the wicked but His

Mercy, that encompasses everything, is far greater than His wrath. "That I

shall ordain for those who are the pious and give Zakah and those who believe in Our

revelations." i.e. His mercy shall be bestowed on those who fear Allah (SWT) and

fulfill their religious obligations and avoid things forbidden by Him, pay their

regular charity and firmly believe in His revelations.

(157) "Those who follow the Messenger (SAW), the Prophet who can neither read nor write

whom they find written with them in the Torah and the Injeel." This ayah indicates

that the people fulfilling the conditions, referred to in the previous ayah, are

those who follow the unlettered Prophet (SAW) . So this ayah gives the

description of the distinct qualities of the Holy Prophet (SAW) . He is referred

to as the unlettered Prophet (SAW) i.e. because the people of Arab were

generally incapable of reading and writing. He never had any opportunity to

learn how to read and write for upto forty years of his life, but then Allah

(SWT) gave him great wisdom and knowledge and in such a linguistic style

and diction that none in the world can produce a match for it i.e. the

Qur'an. Another attribute of the Prophet mentioned in this ayah is that they

shall find him written in the Torah and the Injee^. All of the previous

Prophets mentioned him to their people and commanded them to follow him.

Then Allah (SWT) said: "He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil. He

makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits them from what is bad." This is the

description of the Prophet (SAW) in previous Books. Among them is his

attribute of commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil. Also he

has been described as having the attribute of making pure things lawful for

the people and impure things as unlawful. Then it is said: "He releases them

from their heavy burdens and from the fetters that were upon them." i.e. he abrogated all

previous injunctions by Allah's will, which were burdensome on the

followers and replaced them with a lenient and easy religion. "So those who

believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light which has been sent down with him,

it is they who will be successful." i.e. those who respect and honor Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) , follow his commandments, help him by helping in his

mission, and follow the commandments of the Holy Qur'an are the ones who

will achieve success in this world and in the Hereafter. Thus, in other words,

this ayah indicates that the eternal salvation is dependent on the obedience

of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah. This has to be the obedience

in the true sense i.e. having the utmost love and respect for the Prophet

(SAW) . That is to say one should have as much love and reverence for him as

to make this obedience dearest to him.

(158) "Say: "0 mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah - to Whom

belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, there is no god but He. It is He Who gives

life and causes death."" In this ayah Allah (SWT) commands His Prophet (SAW) to

declare that he has been sent as a Messenger of Allah (SWT) for all mankind,

Arabs and non-Arabs alike. He was the seal of the Prophets because his

message was for all people and for all ages to come. Prophet (SAW) was also

commanded to describe Allah (SWT) in these words that he was sent as a

Messenger from the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and

the earth and in His control is the life and death of every creature. Then the

last part of the ayah states: "So believe in Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW), the

unlettered Prophet who believes in Allah (SWT) and His Words and follow him so that you

may be guided." This ayah establishes the fact that there is no other way to

achieve success in this world and in the Hereafter but to have belief in Allah

(SWT) and follow His Last Prophet (SAW) , who himself believed in Him and His

words. Therefore, the people should embrace his path of guidance and follow

him devoutly.

(159) "And of the people of Moses (AS) there is a community who lead with truth and

establish justice therewith." This refers to those people amongst the Children of

Israel who faithfully followed the teachings of Torah and Injeel at the time

they were revealed and the people of the Book who embraced Islam after the

advent of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) .

(160) "And We divided them into twelve tribes (as distinct) nations. We revealed to Moses

(AS) when his people asked him for water, (saying): "Strike the stone with your stick", and

there gushed forth out of it twelve springs: each group knew its own place for water. We

shaded them with the clouds and sent down upon them Manna and the Salwa (saying): "Eat

of the good things with which We have provided you." They harmed Us not but they used to

harm themselves." This ayah and the following few ayaat are similar to ayaat

57-59 of surah Al-B aqarah which describe the various favors that Allah (SWT)

had bestowed upon the Children of Israel. For details refer to the ayaat

specified above.

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(78) "Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of

David (AS) and Jesus (AS), son of Mary (AS). That was because they disobeyed and were

ever transgressing beyond bounds." Psalms of David (AS) and Injeel given to

Jesus (AS) has different passages and statements by these noble

Prophets cursing the Children of Israel. David (AS) prophesied about

the wickedness of the Jews and said: "The sinner speaketh what will

condemn him, and there is no fear of God before his eyes." ^ And he

said: "They brought forth against me the word of error; he who slept

shall he not awake? Shall then the man of my peace (i.e., my friend),

whom I trusted, who ate my food, lift up his foot against me?"^ Likewise

Prophet Jesus (AS) also condemned them and he said: "Ye serpents, ye

generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"3 They

were cursed because they disobeyed Allah's commandments and

transgressed against His creatures.

(79) "They did not to forbid one another from committing iniquities. Verily, evil was

what they used to do." As we already mentioned in the previous discourse,

one of the reasons for the downfall of a society is that they do not

enjoin good and forbid one another from committing evil deeds. The

same applies to the Children of Israel; they in their time did not forbid

each other from the wickedness they did and indeed it was evil what

they used to commit.

(80) "You see many of them taking the disbelievers as their protectors and

helpers. Evil indeed is that which their souls have sent forward before them, for that

Allah's Wrath fell upon them and in torment they will abide." Allah (SWT) curses

the Jews for taking the disbelievers as their friends and protectors.

The Jews of Madinah had so much hatred against Prophet

Muhammad (SAW) that they even made friendship ties with the pagan

Arabs and considered them better than the Muslims. But Allah (SWT)

says that they have only sent forth for themselves their evil deeds in

the Hereafter and for that reason they incurred His wrath and

punishment upon themselves, which they will suffer forever.

(81) "And had they believed in Allah (SWT), and in the Prophet (SAW) and in what has

been revealed to him, never would they have taken them as protectors and helpers, but

many of them are the transgressors." i.e. if the Jews had believed in Allah

(SWT) and His Messenger (SAW) and what was revealed to him i.e. the

Qur ,an, then surely they would have not sided with the disbelievers

and made them their friends and protectors instead of the believers.

But Allah (SWT) says that most of them disobeyed and became

evildoers.

The following ayaat were revealed concerning the delegation that An-

Najashi of Ethiopia sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) . They were the

followers of the teachings of Jesus (AS) , who when came to the Prophet

(SAW) and heard the Qur ,an, they wept and felt humbled and

immediately embraced /slam.

(82) "Verily, you will find the strongest among men in enmity to the believers

(Muslims) are the Jews and the Pagans." The Jews and the Pagan Arabs were

the worst enemies of /slam. This is because the Jews knew that what

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) brought was the truth but they in their

arrogance and defiance rejected his message and rebelled against the

commandments of Allah (SWT) . Even today we see that /srael is the

worst enemy of /slam and has even made ties with the Pagan Hindus4

against the Muslims. "And you will find the nearest in love to the believers

(Muslims) are those who say: "We are Christians." That is because amongst them are

priests and monks, and they are not proud." This does not refer to those

Christians who merely say that we are Christians, but to those who

sincerely follow the true teachings of Prophet Jesus (AS) and the Injee^.

This is because amongst them are those who are monks and priests

who worship their Lord and they are free from pride.

(83) "And when they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (SAW), you

see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They

say: "0ur Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses." When the

delegation from Ethiopia came to the Prophet (SAW) and heard the

Qur ,ari, they cried and were humbled, as they recognized the truth of

the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) , whose advent was already

prophesized in their Scriptures. Thus they embraced /slam and prayed

to Allah (SWT) to count them among the witnesses of the truth.

(84) "And why should we not believe in Allah (SWT) and in that which has come to us

of the truth? And we wish that our Lord will admit us along with the righteous

people." They further supplicated to Allah (SWT) and humbled

themselves in His obedience. They very much wished for admission

among the righteous.

(85) "So because of what they said, Allah rewarded them Gardens under which rivers

flow, they will abide therein forever." Thus Allah (SWT) rewarded them for

their obedience and recognizing the truth and admitted them in

Paradise, which will be their abode forever. "Such is the reward of good--

doers." i.e. those who devote their lives for Allah's religion and worship

Him alone with full sincerity and devotion. This indeed is the

recompense of the righteous.

(86) "But those who disbelieved and belied 0ur revelations, they shall be the dwellers

of the (Hell) Fire." On the contrary, the disbelievers and those who deny

Allah's revelations will be the inmates of Hellfire and they will remain

in it forever.

(87) "0 you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things, which Allah (SWF) has

made lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allah (SWF) does not like the

transgressors." i.e. do not exaggerate in your religion and make it

difficult for you to follow by even prohibiting those things which Allah

(SWT) has made lawful for you and do not fall into extravagance; rather

accept what He has made lawful for you with gratitude, because He

does not like those who exceed the bounds set by Him.

(88) "And eat of the things which Allah (SwF) has provided for you, lawful and good,

and fear Allah (SwF) in Whom you believe." i.e. eat all the pure and lawful

things that Allah (SWT) has made lawful for you and always remain

conscious of Allah (SWT) in whom you believe, by fulfilling His

commandments and obeying Him sincerely.

(89) "Allah (SwF) will not punish you for what is unintentional in your oaths." We

already commented upon the subject of unintentional oaths in ayah

225 of surah Al-Baqarah. "But He will punish you for your deliberate oaths; for

its expiation feed ten poor persons, on a scale of the average of that with which you

feed your own families; or clothe them; or set free a slave. But whosoever cannot afford

(that), then he should fast for three days. Fhat is the expiation for the oaths when you

have sworn. And protect your oaths. Fhus Allah (SWF) makes clear to you His

revelations, that you may be grateful." This ayah describes the expiation for

breaking one's deliberate oaths. Allah (SWT) has given a person the

choice of three things; Feeding ten poor persons with the average kind

of food that he feeds his family, by giving each person half a Saa ,5 of

the usual local staple, such as rice, wheat etc. This is equivalent to

approximately one-and-a-half kilograms. /f he cannot feed ten persons

then he should give clothing for ten poor people, which means giving

each of them clothing that is suitable for praying in and if he cannot

afford then he has to free a believing slave. And whoever cannot do

any of the above should fast for three consecutive days. Therefore, be

mindful of your oaths and pay their expiation if you broke them. /n

this way Allah (SWT) explains His revelations and makes clear His signs

to the mankind, so that they are grateful to Him.

(90) "0 you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, dedication to stones, and raffling

by arrows are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. So avoid that in order that you

may be successful." /n this ayah Allah (SWT) forbids the believers from the

consumption of intoxicants and gambling. For further explanation on

the prohibition of intoxication and gambling refer to ayah 219 of Al-

Baqarah and ayah 43 of An-Nisa, and refer to ayah 3 of this surah for

dedication to stone alters and making decision by raffling of arrows.

All these are filthy works of the cursed Satan. Therefore Allah (SWT)

commands His servants to avoid such things and stay away from

them as far as possible, so that they may be successful in this world

and in the Hereafter.

(91) "Satan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants

and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and from the

prayer." These are the tools of Satan to distract a believer from the

worship and remembrance of his Lord and to stir up hatred and

discord between the believers. "So, will you not then abstain?" This is a

stern and final warning from Allah (SWT) concerning the consumption

of /ntoxicants and gambling.

(92) "And obey Allah (SWT) and the Messenger (SAW), and beware. Then if you turn

away, you should know that it is 0ur Messenger's duty to convey (the Message) in

the clearest way." Allah (SWT) commands His servants to obey Him and

His Messenger (SAW) and abstain from all these things which He has

prohibited for you. But those who do not then only they themselves

will be responsible for the consequences and there will be no blame on

the Prophet (SAW) as his duty is only to convey His message clearly to

mankind and it is Allah (SWT) who guides whom He Wills and He will

not guide those who disbelieve in Him and His Messengers.

(93) "Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is no sin on them for what

they ate (in the past)." At that time when the ayaat prohibiting the

intoxicants were revealed, some people asked the Prophet (SAW) about

those who died drinking it i.e. before its prohibition. Thus Allah (SWT)

revealed these ayaat, which meant that He will forgive those who

consumed intoxicants before its prohibition if they had firm faith in

Him and His Messenger (SAW) and performed righteous deeds

afterwards. "If they fear Allah (SwF), and believe and do righteous good deeds, and

again fear Allah (SWF) and believe, and once again fear Allah (SwF) and do good deeds

with perfection. And Allah (SWF) loves the good-doers." This is a very important

ayah which gives an explanation of the three essential elements of

Deen: Islam, Iman and Ihsan. This is also explained in the hadith of

Gabriel in which he asked the Prophet (SAW) about these three

essential elements. When angel Gabriel asked him about /slam, he

replied: "Islam is that you bear witness that there is no God, except the

One Allah (SWT) and that Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah

(SWT); that you establish your prayers; that you pay Zakah (obligatory

charity); that you fast during Ramadan; and that you undertake the

Hajj of the Bait Allah, if you are in a position to do so." Then Gabriel

asked the Prophet (SAW) about /man, he replied: "It is to believe in Allah

(SWT), His angels, His books, His Messengers, and the Last Day, and to

believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof." Then he

asked about /hsan, so the Prophet (SAW) replied: "It is to worship Allah

(SWT) as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not, yet

truly He sees you". Within these three stages the driving force that

carries a person from one stage to a higher one is Taqwa. /t is a state

of mind and heart which reflects in every aspect of a believer's life. /t

can also be termed as God-consciousness i.e. consciousness of one's

duty towards Him, and an awareness of one's accountability to Him.

Thus increase in consciousness and awareness of a believer's duty

towards Allah (SWT) also increases him in faith, and spiritually takes

him up to a higher level.

(94) "0 you who believe! Allah (SwF) will certainly make a trial of you with

something in the game that is well within reach of your hands and your spears, that

Allah (SwF) may test who fears Him unseen." Allah (SWT) tests His servants

with bounties, calamities and afflictions, so that the earnest and

sincere believers who fear Him, though unseen, can be distinguished

from those who lack zeal and genuine belief. /n this ayah the game

refers to the hunt of animals which is not allowed in state of Ihram.

Thus Allah (SWT) says that He tests the believers by making a lawful

animal well within their reach of their hands or their spears. "Then

whoever transgresses thereafter, for him there is a painful torment." This is a

threat for those who transgress and disobey Allah (SWT) even after they

have been warned and they will suffer a painful punishment in the

Hereafter.

(95) "0 you who believe! Do not game while you are in a state of Ihram, and

whosoever of you kills it intentionally, the penalty is an offering, brought to the

Ka'bah, of a domestic animal equivalent to the one he killed, as determined by two just

men among you; or, for expiation, he should feed poor persons, or its equivalent in

Fasting, that he may taste the heaviness (punishment) of his deed." This ayah

describes the rulings on expiation of killing an animal while in state of

Ihram. /t states that if a person hunts a domestic animal like sheep,

goat, cow etc. intentionally while in state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah

then he has to offer a sacrifice at Ka ,bah, of an animal similar to one

that was killed, which will be judged by two men among the believers.

/f the guilty person cannot afford to sacrifice an animal then he must

feed six poor people or fast for three days. 6 This is all done so that the

guilty person tastes the evil consequences of his actions. "Allah (SwF) has

forgiven what is past, but whosoever commits it again, Allah (SWF) will take

retribution from him. And Allah (SwF) is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution." i.e.

Allah (SWT) forgives those sins committed during the time of ignorance,

but those who repeats it again after it has been declared prohibited,

then He will take retribution from him, and surely Allah (SWT) is All-

Mighty and capable of retribution.

(96) "Lawful to you is the pursuit of water-game and its use forfood for the benefit of

yourselves and those who travel, but forbidden is the pursuit of land-game as long as

you are in a state of Ihram." Those who travel by sea are allowed to hunt

and eat its food even if they are in a state of Ihram for Pilgrimage while

the prohibition of hunting on land for them remains unlawful. "And

fear Allah (SWT) to Whom you shall be gathered back." i.e. be mindful of your

duty to Allah (SWT) and refrain from what He has forbidden to you and

remember that you will all be assembled in His presence.

(97) "Allah (SWT) has made the Ka'bah, the Sacred House, an asylum of security for

mankind, and also the Sacred Month and the animals of offerings and the garlanded."

Allah (SWT) has made the city of Makkah sacred, in which war is

prohibited, thus giving a sense of security for those living in it or in its

precincts. Further Allah (SWT) reminds us the sanctity of the Sacred

month (Dhul-HWah) so that we refrain from what He has prohibited in

it i.e. warfare, and also of those animals sent to the Ka ,bah for

sacrifice and those who have garlands in their necks to mark them off

as sacred. "that you may know that Allah (SWT) has knowledge of all that is in the

heavens and all that is in the earth, and Allah (SWT) has full knowledge of everything."

i.e. Allah (SWT) has made all these symbols as a sign for mankind so

that they know that He has supreme knowledge of everything.

(98) "Know that Allah (SWT) is Severe in punishment and that Allah (SWT) is 0ft-

Forgiving, Most Merciful." i.e. He is severe in punishment for those who

disobey Him and reject His commandments, but He forgives and

bestows His mercy upon those who repent and do righteous deeds

thereafter.

(99) "The Messenger's duty is but to convey (the Message). And Allah (SWT) knows

all that you reveal and all that you conceal." The duty of the Prophet (SAW) is

only to give warning and convey the message. Allah (SAW) knows all

that you hide and all that you reveal.

(100) "Say: "Not equal are the evil things and the good things, even though the

abundance of evil may please you. "So fear Allah (SWT) much, 0 men of

understanding in order that you may be successful." This is an admonition to

all mankind that all that is evil cannot be equal to all that is good even

though the abundance of bad may dazzle them and they might get

inclined towards it. Thus Allah (SWT) commands those who have sound

minds to fear Him alone and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil

deeds that He has forbidden and perform all kinds of good things that

He has permitted so that they may prosper in this world and in the

Hereafter.

Foot Notes [1] Psalm 36: 1. [2] Psalm 61:9. [3] Gospel of Matthew 23: 33. [4] Bilateral relations between India and Israel have strengthened significantly in recent years with both nations experiencing a convergence of interests on a range of issues ' especially in war against Islam. [5] One Saa' is equal to four Mudd ' and one Mudd is equal to the amount held by cupping the two hands together. It is a measure by volume and not by weight. [6] At-Tabari 11: 31.

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(101) "O you who believe! Ask not about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you

trouble." Allah (SWT) forbids His servants from asking unnecessary and

useless questions for which if answer is sought, it might be difficult for them

to adhere to it and they will be sorry afterwards that they had asked the

question. It is also recorded in a hadith that Prophet (SAW) said: "Allah (SW7

has ordained some obligations, so do not ignore them; has set some limits so

do not trespass them; has prohibited some things, so do not commit them and

has left some things without rulings, out of mercy for you, not that He forgot

them, so do not ask about them." "But if you ask about them while the Qur'an is

being revealed, they will be made plain to you." i.e. if you ask questions about things

which are not yet revealed or you have been forbidden from asking them,

then these things will be made plain to you by His revelation. "Allah (SWT) has

forgiven that, and Allah (SWF) is OftForgiving, Most Forbearing." i.e. Allah (SWT) has

forgiven those who asked such questions before this prohibition, and surely

He is Forgiving and Most-Forbearing.

(102) "Before you, a community asked such questions, then on that account they became

disbelievers." i.e. these people also put such unnecessary questions to their

Prophets, and when they were given answers , it made it so difficult for them

that they rejected the answers and consequently became disbelievers.

(103) "Allah (SWT) has not instituted things like Bahirah or a Sa'ibah, or a Wasilah or a

Ham. But those who disbelieve invent lies against Allah (SWF), and most of them have no

understanding." A Bahirah was a she-camel whose milk was spared for the

idols and no one was allowed to milk it, while a Sa'ibah was a she-camel let

loose for free pasture for their false gods, e.g. idols, etc., and nothing was

allowed to be carried on it. The third kind of animal devoted for their false

gods was Wasilah, a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to

a female camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel

at its second delivery. As for the Ham, it was a male camel freed from work

for their idols, after it had finished a number of copulations assigned for it.

All these animals were liberated in honor of idols as practiced by pagan

Arabs in the pre Islamic era.

(104) "And when it is said to them: "Come to what Allah (SWT) has revealed and unto the

Messenger (SAW) ." They say: "Enough for us is that which we found our fathers following,"

even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance." In this ayah

Allah (SWT) states that when the disbelievers are asked to follow His religion

and follow His commandments and those of His Prophet (SAW), they say that

we will only follow our forefathers who worshipped idols and their following

is enough for us. So Allah (SWT) asks them: will they still follow their

forefathers and imitate their practices even when they know that those

whom they follow had no knowledge and guidance?

(105) "0 you who believe! Guard your own souls." This means that 0 Muslims take

care of your own souls i.e. perform righteous deeds as much as you can and

fear Allah (SWT) by abstaining from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He

has forbidden while performing good deeds that He has ordained for you.

But this does not mean that people should only take care about themselves

and stop enjoining good and forbidding evil to others, rather it is an

obligation on every Muslims as the Messenger of Allah (SAW) once said: "If the

people witness evil and do not change it, then Allah (SW7) is about to send His

punishment to encompass them2 ." "If you follow the right guidance, no hurt can come

to you from those who err." i.e. those who stray from the right path cannot affect

those who follow the right guidance. Then Allah (SWT) said: "The return of you all

is to Allah (SWT), then He will inform you about (all) that which you used to do." i.e.

always be mindful of the fact that your final goal is to Allah (SWT), who will

show you the truth of all that you used to do.

(106) "0 you who believe! When death approaches any of you, and you make a bequest, then

take the testimony of two just men of your own folk or two others from outside, if you are

traveling through the land and the calamity of death befalls you. Detain them both after the

prayer, (then) if you are in doubt, let them both swear by Allah (SWT) (saying): " We wish not

for any worldly gain in this, even though he (the beneficiary) be our near relative. We shall

not hide Testimony of Allah (SWT), for then indeed we should be of the sinful."" Allah (SWT)

commands His servants to take two just witnesses for their final will. They

should be from amongst the Muslims and should be men of honor and

integrity. But if a person is traveling through a land and suddenly death

comes upon him and he does not find any Muslims to be witnesses for his

final will then he has the option to take two non-Muslim witnesses,

preferably from amongst the People of the Book. If the beneficiary has any

doubts in their truthfulness or integrity then he should detain them after

prayers in the mosque and they should testify that they will not sell this

testimony for any price, even if it is their own relative and they will not hide

or distort, which they have witnessed before Allah (SWT) , for if they do so then

they will be counted among the sinful.

(107) "If then it gets known that these two had been guilty of sin, let two others stand forth

in their places, nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right. Let them swear by

Allah (SWT) (saying): " We affirm that our testimony is truer than that of both of them, and

that we have not trespassed (the truth), for then indeed we should be of the wrongdoers.""

This ayah states that if the two witnesses are found guilty of distorting the

testimony or stealing from the wealth of the beneficiary, then oaths are

taken from two of the nearest rightful owners as witnesses in their place.

These two should also swear by Allah (SWT) and affirm that their testimony is

truer than the other two and that they have not transgressed from the truth,

for if they do so, then they will be counted among the evil-doers and will be

punishable by Allah (SWT) .

(108) "That should make it closer (to the fact) that their testimony would be in its true nature

and shape, or else they would fear that (other) oaths would be admitted after their oaths."

This procedure has been mentioned to eliminate the chances of false

evidence, so that the witnesses offer their testimony in truth or at least they

have fear that their testimony can be abrogated, so they are not tempted to

steal anything or hide the truth. "And fear Allah (SWT) and listen. And Allah (SWT)

does not guide those who are transgressors." i.e. always be mindful of Allah (SWT) and

be obedient to Him, for He does not give guidance to those who are

disobedient transgressors.

(109) "0n the Day when Allah (SWT) will gather the Messengers together and say to them:

" What was the response you received? They will say: "We have no knowledge, verily, only

You have all the knowledge of the unseen."" On the Day of Resurrection, all the

Messengers of Allah (SWT) will be gathered in His presence and they will be

asked about the response of their nations to their teachings. The

Messengers in their humbleness and out of respect to Allah (SWT) will reply

that O our Lord we have no knowledge compared to your infinite knowledge

and you perfectly know what our people believed in and what they hid in

their breasts as we only saw what was visible thereof, for it is only You who

know all that is hidden and all that they revealed.

(110) "When Allah (SWT) will say: "0 Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My Favor to you and

to your mother when I supported you with the Holy Spirit." On the Day of

Resurrection, Allah (SWT) will remind His Prophet Jesus (AS) of the favors and

blessings that He bestowed on him and his mother. He created Jesus (AS)

miraculously without father and exalted her mother, purified her and chose

her above the women of all nations and strengthened them and supported

them with angel Gabriel (AS) . "So that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in

maturity." Jesus (AS) spoke to the people from his cradle defending his mother

when they accused Mary (AS) of being unchaste and he also spoke to them

when he reached his maturity. Refer to ayah 46 of surah Al-Imran for further

comments on this ayah. "And when I taught you the Book, the Wisdom, the Torah and

the Injeel (Gospel)." Allah (SWT) gave Jesus (AS) the knowledge of writing and

Wisdom and also that which was given to Moses (AS) along with the

knowledge of Injeel. "And when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird,

by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you

healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the

dead by My Permission." Further Allah (SWT) will remind him of His favors to

him and the miracles that he performed by His permission. For further

comments on this ayah, refer to ayah 49 of Al-Imran. "And when I restrained the

Children of Israel from you since you came unto them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers

among them said: "This is nothing but evident magic."" The Children of Israel rejected

Jesus (A5), accused him of being a magician and tried to crucify him, even

though he showed them clear miracles by Allah's leave. Therefore, Allah (5WT)

saved him from their plots and raised him up to heavens. 2

(111) "And when I put in the hearts of the disciples to believe in Me and My Messenger."

Hawarieen refers to the disciples of Jesus (A5) who believed in him and

followed his teachings. Allah (5WT) states that He inspired these disciples to

have faith in Him and His Messenger. Thus "They said: "We believe. And bear

witness that we are Muslims."" i.e. we have believed and have submitted

ourselves to Allah's obedience.

(112) "Remember when the disciples said: "0 Jesus, son of Mary (AS) ! Can your Lord send

down to us a table spread (with food) from heaven?" Jesus (AS) said: "Fear Allah (SWT), if you

are indeed believers."" The disciples requested Jesus (A5) for yet another miracle

and asked to supplicate to His Lord to send down a table spread with food

for them. In reply Jesus (A5) asked them to have fear of Allah (5WT) and do not

make such requests, instead show gratitude to Him for the provisions that

He has provided you with, if you are true believers.

(113) "They said: "We wish to eat thereof and to be stronger in Faith, and to know that you

have indeed told us the truth and that we ourselves be its witnesses."" i.e. they asked

Jesus (A5) for the miracle so that to reassure their hearts and to be stronger

in faith. This is as Abraham (A5) said: "My Lord! Show me how you give life to

the dead." He (Allah (sw7)) replied: "Have you no faith in this?" Abraham said:

"Yes! But I ask this to reassure my heart. "^4

(114) "Jesus, son of Mary (AS), said: "0 Allah (SWT), our Lord! Send us from heaven a table

spread that there may be for us - for the first and the last of us - a festival and a sign from

You; and provide us sustenance, for You are the Best of sustainers."" Prophet Jesus (AS)

fulfilled the request of his disciples and supplicated to Allah (SWT) to send

them a table spread with food, so that his followers will take this day as a

festival and a sign from Him. Further he prayed to Allah (SWT) to give them

the best of provisions, for surely He is the best of Providers.

(115) "Allah (SWF) said: "I am going to send it down unto you, but if any of you after that

disbelieves, then I will punish him with a torment such as I have not inflicted on anyone

among (all) the mankind."" i.e. It has been the sunnah of Allah (SWT) that

whenever a nation disbelieves after they have been shown clear signs and

miracles by Him, they are inflicted with severe punishment. Thus Allah (SWT)

states that whosoever disbelieves after there descends a table spread from

the heavens then they will certainly suffer a severe torment in this life and

in the Hereafter.

(116) "And (remember) when Allah (SWF) will say: "0 Jesus, son of Mary (AS) ! Did you say

unto men: 'Worship me and my mother as gods besides Allah (SWF) ?' "He will say: "Glory be

to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You

would surely have known it. You know what is in my heart though I do not know what is in

Yours, truly, You, only You, are the All-Knower of all that is hidden and unseen." On the

Day of Resurrection Allah (SWT) will take Jesus (AS) to account about the false

doctrines that his followers invented about him, his mother and Allah (SWT) .

Prophet Jesus (AS) will disclaim any knowledge of these things attributed to

him and will glorify his Lord with all due humbleness and submissiveness.

(117) " Never did I say to them aught except what You did command me to say: "Worship

Allah, my Lord and your Lord." And I was a witness over them while I dwelt amongst them,

but when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are a Witness to all

things." Jesus (AS) further acknowledges that he was mortal, and that his

knowledge was limited like that of a mortal, and he taught his followers the

true teachings of Monotheism and commanded the Children of Israel to

worship Allah (SWT) alone, besides whom none is worthy of worship.

(118) "If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, only

You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." i.e. Allah (SWT) does whatever He Wills and

He is able to do all things. He is the Creator and Master of everything and

He punishes whoever He wishes and pardons whoever He likes in His perfect

Wisdom.

(119) "Allah (SWT) will say: "This is a Day on which the truthful will profit from their truth:

theirs are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise) - they shall abide therein forever.

Allah (SWT) is pleased with them and they with Him. That is the great success." This is the

proclamation of the good news of Paradise for those who always followed the

truth, and also the pleasure of Allah (SWT) , the greatest success indeed.

(120) "To Allah (SWT) belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is

therein, and He is Able to do all things." To Allah belongs the control over the heavens

and the earth and all that they contain. He has power over all things.

Foot Notes [1] Sahih A1-Bukhari 4623. [2] Musnad Ahmed 1: 5. [3] Cf. Surah An-Nisa(4): 157. [4] Surah A1-Baqarah (2): 260.

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