The Tafsīr of Sūrat Ar-Ra'd (Chapter -13)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Qur’an 13:1الٓمٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«1. Alif Lām Mīm Rā. These are the verses of the Book (the Qur'ān), and that which has been revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth, but most men believe not.»

The Qur'ān is Allāh's Kalām (Speech)

We talked before, in the beginning of Sūrat Al-Baqarah (chapter 2) about the meaning of the letters that appear in the beginnings of some chapters in the Qur'ān. We stated that every Sūrah that starts with separate letters, affirms that the Qur'ān is miraculous and is an evidence that it is a revelation from Allāh, and that there is no doubt or denying in this fact. This is why Allāh said next,

Qur’anتِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«These are the verses of the Book», the Qur'ān, which Allāh described afterwards,

Qur’an 13:1وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ

«and that which has been revealed unto you», O Muḥammad,

Qur’anمِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ

«from your Lord is the truth,» Allāh said next,

Qur’anوَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«but most men believe not.» just as He said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 13:1–5الٓمٓر تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَدَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَٰوِرَٰتٌ وَجَنَّٰتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَٰبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَآءٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

Qur’an 12:103وَمَآ أَكْثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

«And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.» [12:103] Allāh declares that even after this clear, plain and unequivocal explanation (the Qur'ān), most men will still not believe, due to their rebellion, stubbornness and hypocrisy.

Qur’an 13:2ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ

«2. Allāh is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you can see. Then, He rose above (Istawā) the 'Arsh [Throne]. He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running (its course) for a term appointed. He manages and regulates all affairs; He explains the Āyāt in detail, that you may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.»

Clarifying Allāh's Perfect Ability

Allāh mentions His perfect ability and infinite authority, since it is He Who has raised the heavens without pillars by His permission and order. He, by His leave, order and power, has elevated the heavens high above the earth, distant and far away from reach. The heaven nearest to the present world encompasses the earth from all directions, and is also high above it from every direction. The distance between the first heaven and the earth is five hundred years from every direction, and its thickness is also five hundred years. The second heaven surrounds the first heaven from every direction, encompassing everything that the latter carries, with a thickness also of five hundred years and a distance between them of five hundred years. The same is also true about the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and the seventh heavens.^{1This comes from an authentic narration from Ibn Mas'ud. See Al-'Ulū (Mukhtaṣir) p. 103. and Al-Majma' 1:86. There is also a weak narration attributed to the Prophet ﷺ saying the same. It was recorded by Aṭ-Tirmidhi 2:525, as well as others.} Allāh said,

Qur’an 65:12ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ

«It is Allāh who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof.» [65:12]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:2بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا

«..without any pillars that you can see.»

meaning, 'there are pillars, but you cannot see them,' according to Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, and several other scholars.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:324.} Iyās bin Mu'āwiyah said, "The heaven is like a dome over the earth," meaning, without pillars.^3Ibid. Similar was reported from Qatādah, and this meaning is better for this part of the Āyah,^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:325.} especially since Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 22:65وَيُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَآءَ أَن تَقَعَ عَلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦٓ

«He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except by His permission.»[22:65]

Therefore, Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:2تَرَوْنَهَا

«..that you can see», affirms that there are no pillars. Rather, the heaven is elevated (above the earth) without pillars, as you see. This meaning best affirms Allāh's ability and power.

Al-Istawā', Rising above the Throne

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:2ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ

«Then, He rose above (Istawā) the Throne.»

We explained the meaning of the Istawā' in Sūrat Al-A'rāf (7:54), and stated that it should be accepted as it is without altering, equating, annulling its meaning, or attempts to explain its true nature. Allāh is glorified and praised from all that they attribute to Him.

Allāh subjected the Sun and the Moon to rotate continuously

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:2وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى

«He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running (its course) for a term appointed.»

It was said that the sun and the moon continue their course until they cease doing so upon the commencement of the Final Hour, as Allāh stated,

Qur’an 36:38وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّ لَّهَا

«And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed).»[36:38]

It was also said that the meaning is: until they settle under the Throne of Allāh after passing the other side of the earth. So when they, and the rest of the planetary bodies reach there, they are at the furthest distance from the Throne. Because according to the correct view, which the texts prove, it is shaped like a domb, under which is all of the creation. It is not circular like the celestial bodies, because it has pillars by which it is carried.^{5See Sūrat Ghāfir 40:7.} This fact is clear to those who correctly understand the Āyāt and authentic Ḥadīths. All the (praise is due to) Allāh and all the favors are from Him.

Allāh mentioned the sun and the moon here because they are among the brightest seven heavenly objects. Therefore, if Allāh subjected these to His power, then it is clear that He has also subjected all other heavenly objects. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 41:37لَا تَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلشَّمْسِ وَلَا لِلْقَمَرِ وَٱسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَهُنَّ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

«Prostrate yourselves not to the sun nor to the moon, but prostrate yourselves to Allāh Who created them, if you (really) worship Him.» [41:37]

and,

Qur’an 7:54وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His command. Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allāh, the Lord of all that exists!» [7:54]

Allāh's statement next,

Qur’an 13:2يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ

«He explains the Āyāt in detail, that you may believe with certainty in the Meeting with your Lord.»

means, He explains the signs and clear evidences that testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. These evidences prove that He will resurrect creation if He wills, just as He started it.

Qur’an 13:3–4وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَدَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَٰوِرَٰتٌ وَجَنَّٰتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَٰبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَىٰ بِمَآءٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«3. And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn (two in pairs). He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are Āyāt (signs) for people who reflect.»

«4. And in the earth are neighboring tracts, and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms, growing into two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise, watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Verily, in these things there are Āyāt (signs) for the people who understand.»

Allāh's Signs on the Earth

After Allāh mentioned the higher worlds, He started asserting His power, wisdom and control over the lower parts of the world. Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:3وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَدَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ

«And it is He Who spread out the earth»

made it spacious in length and width. Allāh has placed on the earth firm mountains and made rivers, springs and water streams run through it, so that the various kinds of fruits and plants of every color, shape, taste and scent are watered with this water,

Qur’an 13:3وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ

«and of every kind of fruit He made Zawjayn Ithnayn.», two types from every kind of fruit,

Qur’anيُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ

«He brings the night as a cover over the day.»

Allāh made the day and night pursue each other, when one is about to depart, the other overcomes it, and vice versa. Allāh controls time just as He controls space and matter,

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«Verily, in these things, there are Āyāt for people who reflect.» who reflect on Allāh's signs and the evidences of His wisdom.

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:4وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَٰوِرَٰتٌ

«And in the earth are neighboring tracts,»

Meaning, next to each other, some of them are fertile and produce what benefits people, while others are dead, salty and do not produce anything. This meaning was collected from Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Sa'īd bin Jubayr, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and several others.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:331-333.} This also covers the various colors and types of diverse areas on the earth; some red, some white, or yellow, or black, some are stony, or flat, or sandy, or thick, or thin, all made to neighbor each other while preserving their own qualities. All this indicates the existence of the Creator Who does what He wills, there is no deity or lord except Him. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:4وَجَنَّٰتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَٰبٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ

«and gardens of vines, and green crops (fields), and date palms...»

Allāh's statement, next,

Qur’an 13:4صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ

«Ṣinwānun wa (or) Ghayru Ṣinwān.»

'Ṣinwān' means, growing into two or three from a single stem, such as figs, pomegranate and dates. 'Ghayru Ṣinwān' means, having one stem for every tree, as is the case with most plants. From this meaning, the paternal uncle is called one's 'Ṣinw' of his father. There is an authentic Ḥadīth that states that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb,

Ḥadīthأَمَا شَعَرْتَ أَنَّ عَمَّ الرَّجُلِ صِنْوُ أَبِيهِ

«Do you not know that man's paternal uncle is the Ṣinw of his father?»^{2Muslim 2:677.}

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:4يُسْقَىٰ بِمَآءٍ وَٰحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ

«watered with the same water; yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat.» Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ commented on Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:4وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلْأُكُلِ

«yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat.»

Ḥadīthالدَّقَلُ، وَالْفَارِسِيُّ، وَالْحُلْوُ، وَالْحَامِضُ

«The Dagal,^{3These are different dates.} the Persian, the sweet, the bitter..."»^{4Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 8 :544.}

At-Tirmidhi collected this Ḥadīth and said, "Ḥasan Gharīb." Therefore, there are differences between plants and fruits with regards to shape, color, taste, scent, blossoms and the shape of their leaves. There are plants that are very sweet or sour, bitter or mild, fresh; some plants have a combination of these attributes, and the taste then changes and becomes another taste, by Allāh's will. There is also some that are yellow in color, or red, or white, or black, or blue, and the same can be said about their flowers; and all these variances and complex diversities are watered by the same water. Surely, in this there are signs for those who have sound reasoning, and surely, all this indicates the existence of the Creator Who does what He wills and Whose power made distinctions between various things and created them as He wills. So Allāh said,

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«Verily, in these things there are Āyāt for the people who understand.»

Qur’an 13:5وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

«5. And if you wonder, then wondrous is their saying: "When we are dust, shall we indeed then be (raised) in a new creation?" They are those who disbelieved in their Lord! They are those who will have iron chains linking their hands to their necks. They will be dwellers of the Fire to abide therein forever.» Denying Resurrection after Death, is Strange

Allāh says to His Messenger Muḥammad, peace and blessings be upon him,

Qur’an 13:5وَإِن تَعْجَبْ

«And if you wonder.»

at the rejection of the polytheists who deny Resurrection, even though they witness Allāh's signs and evidences that He made in His creation which testify that He is able to do everything. Yet, they admit that Allāh originated the creation of all things and brought them into existence after they were nothing. However, they deny Allāh's claim that He will resurrect the world anew, even though they admit to what is more amazing than what they deny and reject. Therefore, it is amazing that they said,

Qur’an 13:5أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ

«When we are dust, shall we indeed then be (raised) in a new creation?»

It is an obvious fact to every sane and knowledgeable person that creating the heavens and earth is a greater feat than creating men, and that He Who has originated creation is more able to resurrect it anew,

Qur’an 46:33أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحْـِۧىَ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«Do they not see that Allāh, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes, He surely is able to do all things»[46:33]

Allāh described those who deny Resurrection,

Qur’an 13:5أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِرَبِّهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَغْلَٰلُ فِىٓ أَعْنَاقِهِمْ

«They are those who disbelieved in their Lord! They are those who will have iron chains linking their hands to their necks.»

They will be dragged in the Fire by these chains,

Qur’an 13:5وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

«They will be dwellers of the Fire to abide therein forever.», for they will remain in Hell forever and will never escape it or be removed from it.

Qur’an 13:6وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَٰتُ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ

«6. They ask you to hasten the evil before the good, while exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them. But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind, in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment.»

The Disbelievers ask for the Punishment to be delivered now!

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:6وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ

«They ask you to hasten», in reference to the disbelievers,

Qur’an 13:6بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ

«the evil before the good,» meaning, the punishment. Allāh said in other Āyāt that they said,

Qur’an 15:6–8وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِذًا مُّنظَرِينَ

«And they say: "O you to whom the Dhikr (the Qur'ān) has been sent down! Verily, you are a mad man! Why do you not bring angels to us if you are of the truthful?" We send not the angels down except with the truth (i.e. for torment), and in that case, they (the disbelieves) would have no respite!»[15:6-8],

and two Āyāt;

Qur’anوَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ

«And they ask you to hasten on the torment!»[29:53-54] Allāh also said,

Qur’an 70:1سَأَلَ سَآئِلٌۢ بِعَذَابٍ وَاقِعٍ

«A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall.» [70:1],

Qur’an 42:18يَسْتَعْجِلُ بِهَا ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مُشْفِقُونَ مِنْهَا وَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهَا ٱلْحَقُّ

«Those who believe not therein seek to hasten it, while those who believe are fearful of it, and know that it is the very truth.»[42:18],

and,

Qur’an 38:16وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا عَجِّل لَّنَا قِطَّنَا

«They say: "Our Lord! Hasten to us Qiṭṭana.»[38:16], meaning, our due torment and reckoning. Allāh said that they also supplicated,

Qur’an 8:32وَإِذْ قَالُوا۟ ٱللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَٰذَا هُوَ ٱلْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ

«And (remember) when they said: "O Allāh! If this (the Qur'an) is indeed the truth from You.»[8:32]

They were such rebellious, stubborn disbelievers that they asked the Messenger to bring them Allāh's torment. Allāh replied,

Qur’an 13:6وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ ٱلْمَثُلَٰتُ

«while exemplary punishments have indeed occurred before them.»

Meaning, 'We have exerted Our punishment on the previous disbelieving nations, and made them a lesson and example for those who might take heed from their destruction.'

If it was not for His forbearance and forgiveness, Allāh would have indeed punished them sooner. Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 35:45وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِمَا كَسَبُوا۟ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ

«And if Allāh were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving creature on the surface of the earth.»[35:45]

Allāh said in this honorable Āyah,

Qur’an 13:6وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ

«But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind in spite of their wrongdoing.»

He is full of forgiveness, pardoning and covering the mistakes of people, in spite of their wrongdoing and the errors committed night and day. Allāh next reminds that His punishment is severe, so that fear and hope are both addressed and mentioned. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 6:147فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَٰسِعَةٍ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُۥ عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

«If they belie you, say: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy, and never will His wrath be turned back from the people who are criminals."»[6:147]

Qur’an 7:167إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ ٱلْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Verily, your Lord is quick in retribution and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.»[7:167],

and,

Qur’an 15:49–50نَبِّئْ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ٱلْأَلِيمُ

«Declare unto My servants that truly I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.»[15:49-50]

There are many other Āyāt that mention both fear and hope.

Qur’an 13:7وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦٓ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

«7. And the disbelievers say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and to every people there is a guide.»

The Idolators ask for a Miracle

Allāh states that out of their disbelief and stubbornness, the idolators asked why is not a miracle sent down to the Messenger ﷺ from his Lord, just like the earlier Messengers? For instance, the disbelievers were being stubborn when they asked the Prophet ﷺ to turn Aṣ-Ṣafā into gold, to remove the mountains from around them, and to replace them with green fields and rivers. Allāh said,

Qur’an 17:59وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرْسِلَ بِٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ

«And nothing stops Us from sending the Āyāt but that the people of old denied them.»[17:59]

Allāh said here,

Qur’an 13:7إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ

«You are only a warner», and your duty is only to convey Allāh's Message which He has ordered you,

Qur’an 2:272لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَىٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ

«Not upon you is their guidance, but Allāh guides whom He wills.»[2:272]

Allāh said;

Qur’an 13:7وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ

«And to every people there is a guide.»

meaning that for every people there has been a caller, according to Ibn 'Abbās and as narrated from him by Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:357.} Allāh said in a similar Āyah,

Qur’an 35:24وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلَّا خَلَا فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

«And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them.»[35:24]

Similar has reported from Qatādah and 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:356.}

Qur’an 13:8–9ٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ أُنثَىٰ وَمَا تَغِيضُ ٱلْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِندَهُۥ بِمِقْدَارٍ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْكَبِيرُ ٱلْمُتَعَالِ

«8. Allāh knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion.»

«9. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High.»

Allāh is All-Knower of Al-Ghayb (Unseen)

Allāh affirms His perfect knowledge, from which nothing is hidden, and that He has complete knowledge of whatever every female creature is carrying,

Qur’an 31:34وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلْأَرْحَامِ

«And He knows that which is in the wombs.»[31:34],

whether male or female, fair or ugly, miserable or happy, whether it will have a long or a short life. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 53:32هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ إِذْ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِذْ أَنتُمْ أَجِنَّةٌ

«He knows you well when He created you from the earth, and when you were fetuses.»[53:32],

and,

Qur’an 39:6يَخْلُقُكُمْ فِى بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ خَلْقًا مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَلْقٍ فِى ظُلُمَٰتٍ ثَلَٰثٍ

«He creates you in the wombs of your mother: creation after creation in three veils of darkness.»[39:6]

meaning stage after stage. Allāh also said,

Qur’an 23:12–14وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَٰهُ نُطْفَةً فِى قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا ٱلنُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْمُضْغَةَ عِظَٰمًا فَكَسَوْنَا ٱلْعِظَٰمَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَٰهُ خَلْقًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ

«And indeed We created man out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah in a safe lodging. Then We made the Nutfah into a clot, then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allāh, the Best of creators.»[23:12-14]

In the two Ṣaḥīḥs it is recorded that 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ خَلْقَ أَحَدِكُمْ يُجْمَعُ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ عَلَقَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَكُونُ مُضْغَةً مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ، ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكًا فَيُؤْمَرُ بِأَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ، بِكَتْبِ رِزْقِهِ، وَعُمْرِهِ، وَعَمَلِهِ، وَشَقِيٌّ أَوْ سَعِيدٌ

«The matter of the creation of one of you is put together in the womb of the mother in forty days, and then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period, and then a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then Allāh sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his provisions, his life span, his deeds, and whether he will be blessed or wretched."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:486, Muslim 4:2036.} In another Ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthفَيَقُولُ الْمَلَكُ: أَيْ رَبِّ أَذَكَرٌ أَمْ أُنْثَى؟ أَيْ رَبِّ أَشَقِيٌّ أَمْ سَعِيدٌ؟ فَمَا الرِّزْقُ؟ فَمَا الْأَجَلُ؟ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ: وَيَكْتُبُ الْمَلَكُ

«Then the angel asks, "O my Lord! Is it a male or a female, miserable or happy, what is its provisions and life span?" Allāh then ordains and the angel records it.»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:486, Muslim 4:2038.}

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:8وَمَا تَغِيضُ ٱلْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ

«and by how much the wombs fall short or exceed.»

Al-Bukhāri recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَفَاتِيحُ الْغَيْبِ خَمْسٌ، لَا يَعْلَمُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللَّهُ: لَا يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي غَدٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَا تَغِيضُ الْأَرْحَامُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَتَى يَأْتِي الْمَطَرُ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَلَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ، وَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَتَى تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

«The Keys of the Ghayb (unseen knowledge) are five, nobody knows them but Allāh. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow except Allāh; nobody knows what is in the womb except Allāh; nobody knows when it will rain except Allāh; no soul knows at what place he will die except Allāh; and nobody knows when the (Final) Hour will begin except Allāh.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:225.}

Al-'Awfi reported from Ibn 'Abbās that he said,

Qur’an 13:8وَمَا تَغِيضُ ٱلْأَرْحَامُ

«and by how much the wombs fall short», this refers to miscarriages,

Qur’an 13:8وَمَا تَزْدَادُ

«or exceed», this refers to carrying her fetus in her womb for the full term. Some women carry their fetus for ten months, while others for nine months. Some terms are longer or shorter than others. This is the falling short or exceeding that Allāh the Exalted mentioned, and all this occurs by His knowledge."»^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:359.} Qatādah commented on Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:8وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ عِندَهُۥ بِمِقْدَارٍ

«Everything with Him is in proportion.»

"For a term appointed. Allāh has the records of the provisions and terms of His creation and made an appointed term for everything." An authentic Ḥadīth mentioned that one of the Prophet's daughters sent (a messenger) to him requesting him to come as her child was dying, but the Prophet ﷺ returned the messenger and told him to say to her,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى، وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى، فَمُرُوهَا فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ

«Verily, whatever Allāh takes is for Him and whatever He gives is for Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world), and so she should be patient and hope for Allāh's reward.»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11 :502.}

Allāh said next,

Qur’anعَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ

«All-Knower of the Ghayb (the unseen) and the Shahadah (the witnessable),»

Who knows everything that the servants see and all what they cannot see, and none of it ever escapes His knowledge,

Qur’an 13:9ٱلْكَبِيرُ

«the Most Great», greater than everything,

Qur’an 13:9ٱلْمُتَعَالِ

«the Most High.» above everything,

Qur’an 65:12قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًۢا

«(Allāh) surrounds all things in (His) knowledge.»[65:12],

and has full power over all things, the necks are under His control and the servants are subservient to Him, willingly or unwillingly.

Qur’an 13:10–11سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَٰتٌ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوٓءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ

«10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.» «11. For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allāh. Verily, Allāh will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves. But when Allāh wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, and they will find besides Him no protector.»

Allāh's Knowledge encompasses all Things Apparent and Hidden

Allāh declares that His knowledge is encompassing all of His creation, those who declare their speech or hide it, He hears it and nothing of it ever escapes His observation. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 20:7وَإِن تَجْهَرْ بِٱلْقَوْلِ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى

«And if you speak aloud, then verily, He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.»[20:7], and,

Qur’an 27:25وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ

«And (Allāh) knows what you conceal and what you reveal.» 'Ā'ishah said, "All praise is due to Allāh Whose hearing has encompassed all voices! By Allāh, she who came to complain about her husband to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was speaking while I was in another part of the room, yet I did not hear some of what she said. Allāh sent down,

Qur’an 58:1قَدْ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوْلَ ٱلَّتِى تُجَٰدِلُكَ فِى زَوْجِهَا وَتَشْتَكِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ يَسْمَعُ تَحَاوُرَكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ

«Indeed Allāh has heard the statement of her that disputes with you concerning her husband and complains to Allāh. And Allāh hears the argument between you both. Verily, Allāh is All-Hearer, All-Seer.»[58:1]^{1Al-Bukhāri 7385, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 11570, Ibn Mājah 188, Aṭ-Ṭabri 5:28.} Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:10وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ

«whether he be hid by night», in his house in the darkness of the night,

Qur’an 13:10وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ

«or goes forth freely by day.» moves about during the daylight; both are encompassed by Allāh's knowledge. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 11:5أَلَا حِينَ يَسْتَغْشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمْ

«Surely, even when they cover themselves with their garments.» [11:5], and,

Qur’an 10:61وَمَا تَكُونُ فِى شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُوا۟ مِنْهُ مِن قُرْءَانٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَآ أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْبَرَ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ

«Neither you do any deed nor recite any portion of the Qur'ān nor you do any deed, but We are witness thereof when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the a speck of dust on the earth or in the heaven. Not what is less than that or what is greater than that but is (written) in a Clear Record.»[10:61]

The Guardian Angels Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:11لَهُۥ مُعَقِّبَٰتٌ مِّنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ يَحْفَظُونَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allāh.»

Allāh states that there are angels who take turns guarding each servant, some by night and some by day. These angels protect each person from harm and accidents. There are also angels who take turns recording the good and evil deeds, some angels do this by day and some by night. There are two angels, one to the right and one to the left of each person, recording the deeds. The angel to the right records the good deeds, while the angel to the left records the evil deeds. There are also two angels that guard and protect each person, one from the back and one from in front. Therefore, there are four angels that surround each person by day and they are replaced by four others at night, two scribes and two guards. An authentic Ḥadīth states,

Ḥadīthيَتَعَاقَبُونَ فِيكُمْ مَلَائِكَةٌ بِاللَّيْلِ وَمَلَائِكَةٌ بِالنَّهَارِ، وَيَجْتَمِعُونَ فِي صَلَاةِ الصُّبْحِ وَصَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ، فَيَصْعَدُ إِلَيْهِ الَّذِينَ بَاتُوا فِيكُمْ فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِكُمْ: كَيْفَ تَرَكْتُمْ عِبَادِي؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: أَتَيْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ، وَتَرَكْنَاهُمْ وَهُمْ يُصَلُّونَ

«Angels take turns around you, some at night and some by day, and all of them assemble together at the time of the Fajr and 'Aṣr prayers. Then those who have stayed with you throughout the night, ascend to Allāh Who asks them, and He knows the answer better than they about you, "How have you left My servants?" They reply, "As we have found them praying, we have left them praying."»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:426.} Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا وَقَدْ وُكِّلَ بِهِ قَرِينُهُ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَقَرِينُهُ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ

«Verily, every one among you has his companion from the Jinn and his companion from the angels."»

They said, "And you too, O Allāh's Messenger?" He said,

Ḥadīthوَإِيَّايَ، وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ أَعَانَنِي عَلَيْهِ، فَلَا يَأْمُرُنِي إِلَّا بِخَيْرٍ

«And I too, except that Allāh has helped me against him, so he only orders me to do good.»^{3Aḥmad 1:401.} Muslim collected this Ḥadīth.^{4Muslim no. 2814.}

Ibn Abi Ḥātim narrated that Ibrāhīm said, "Allāh revealed to a Prophet from among the Children of Israel, 'Say to your nation: every people of a village or a house who used to obey Allāh but changed their behavior to disobeying Him, then He will take away from them what they like and exchange it for what they dislike." Ibrāhīm next said that this statement has proof in Allāh's Book,

Qur’an 13:11إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ

«Verily, Allāh will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves.»

Qur’an 13:12–13هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِۦ وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُمْ يُجَٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْمِحَالِ

«12. It is He Who shows you the lightning, as a fear and as a hope. And it is He Who brings up the clouds, heavy (with water).» «13. And Ar-Ra'd (thunder) glorifies and praises Him, and so do the angels because of His awe. He sends the thunderbolts, and therewith He strikes whom He wills, yet they (disbelievers) dispute about Allāh. And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment.»

Clouds, Thunder and Lightning are Signs of Allāh's Power

Allāh states that He has full power over Al-Barq (lightning), which is the bright light that originates from within clouds. Ibn Jarīr recorded that Ibn 'Abbās once wrote to Abu Al-Jald asking about the meaning of Al-Barq, and he said that it is water.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:387.} Qatādah commented on Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:12خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا

«as a fear and as a hope.» "Fear for travelers, for they feel afraid of its harm and hardship, and hope for residents, awaiting its blessing and benefit and anticipating Allāh's provisions." Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:12وَيُنشِئُ ٱلسَّحَابَ ٱلثِّقَالَ

«And it is He Who brings up the clouds, heavy.» meaning, He originates the clouds that are heavy and close to the ground because of being laden with rain. Mujāhid said that this part of the Āyah is about clouds that are heavy with rain.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:388.} Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:13وَيُسَبِّحُ ٱلرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ

«And Ar-Ra'd (thunder) glorifies and praises Him», is similar to His other statement,

Qur’an 17:44وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ

«And there is not a thing but glorifies His praise.» [17:44] Imām Aḥmad recorded that Ibrāhīm bin Sa'd said, "My father told me that he was sitting next to Ḥamīd bin 'Abdur Raḥmān in the Masjid. A man from the tribe of Ghifār passed and Ḥamīd sent someone to him to please come to them. When he came, Ḥamīd said to me, 'My nephew! Make space for him between me and you, for he had accompanied Allāh's Messenger ﷺ.' When that man came, he sat between me and Ḥamīd and Ḥamīd said to him, 'What was the Ḥadīth that you narrated to me from the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ?' He said, 'A man from Ghifār said that he heard the Prophet ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُنْشِىءُ السَّحَابَ فَيَنْطِقُ أَحْسَنَ النُّطْقِ، وَيَضْحَكُ أَحْسَنَ الضَّحِكِ

«Verily, Allāh originates the clouds, and they speak in the most beautiful voice and laugh in the most beautiful manner.»^{3Aḥmad 5:435.}

It appears, and Allāh has the best knowledge, that the cloud's voice is in reference to thunder and its laughter is the lightning. Mūsā bin 'Ubaydah narrated that Sa'd bin Ibrāhīm said, "Allāh sends the rain and indeed, none has a better smile than it, nor more comforting voice. Its smile is lightning and its voice is thunder."

Supplicating to Allāh upon hearing Ar-Ra'd (Thunder) Imām Aḥmad recorded that Sālim bin 'Abdullāh narrated that his father said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to say upon hearing the thunder and thunderbolts,

Ḥadīthاللَّهُمَّ لَا تَقْتُلْنَا بِغَضَبِكَ، وَلَا تُهْلِكْنَا بِعَذَابِكَ، وَعَافِنَا قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ

«O Allāh! Do not kill us with Your anger, nor destroy us with Your torment, and save us before that.»^{4Aḥmad 2:100.}

This Ḥadīth was recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Al-Bukhāri in his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, An-Nasā'ī in 'Amal Al-Yawm wal-Laylah, and Al-Ḥākim in Al-Mustadrak.^{5Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:412, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 187, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:230, Al-Ḥākim 4:286.} When 'Abdullāh bin Az-Zubayr used to hear thunder, he would stop talking and would supplicate, "All praise is to He Whom Ar-Ra'd (thunder) glorifies and praises, and so do the angels because of His awe." He would then say, "This is a stern warning to the people of earth." Mālik collected this Ḥadīth in Al-Muwaṭṭa', and Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad.^{6Al-Muwaṭṭa' 2:992, Al-Bukhāri in Al-Adāb Al-Mufrad no. 724.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthقَالَ رَبُّكُمْ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ: لَوْ أَنَّ عَبِيدِي أَطَاعُونِي لَأَسْقَيْتُهُمُ الْمَطَرَ بِاللَّيْلِ، وَأَطْلَعْتُ عَلَيْهِمُ الشَّمْسَ بِالنَّهَارِ، وَلَمَا أَسْمَعْتُهُمْ صَوْتَ الرَّعْدِ

«Your Lord, the Exalted and Most High, said, 'Had My servants obeyed Me, I would have given them rain by night and the sun by day, and would not have made them hear the sound of the Ra'd (thunder).'»^{7Aḥmad 2:359.} Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:13وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَآءُ

«He sends the thunderbolts, and therewith He strikes whom He wills,» indicates that He sends thunderbolts as punishment upon whom He wills, and this is why thunderbolts increase as time comes to an end.

Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abu Al-Qāsim Aṭ-Ṭabarāni narrated that Ibn 'Abbās said that Arbad bin Qays bin Juzu' bin Julayd bin Ja'far bin Kulab, and 'Āmir bin Aṭ-Ṭufayl bin Mālik came to Al-Madīnah to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and sat where he was sitting. 'Āmir bin Aṭ-Ṭufayl said, "O Muḥammad! What will you give me if I embrace Islām?" The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلَكَ مَا لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَلَيْكَ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ

«You will have the rights and duties of all Muslims.»

'Amir bin Aṭ-Ṭufayl said, "Will you make me your successor if I embrace Islām?" The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلَيْسَ ذَلِكَ لَكَ وَلَا لِقَوْمِكَ، وَلَكِنْ لَكَ أَعِنَّةُ الْخَيْلِ

«That is not your right, nor your people's right. However, I could appoint you a commander of the horsemen (i.e., war).»

'Āmir said, "I am already the commander of the horsemen of Najd (in the north of Arabia). Give me control over the desert and you keep the cities." The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ refused. When these two men were leaving the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, 'Āmir said, "By Allāh! I will fill it (Al-Madīnah) with horses and men (hostile to Muslims)." The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ replied,

«يَمْنَعُكَ اللهُ»

«Rather, Allāh will prevent you.»

When 'Āmir and Arbad left, 'Āmir said, "O Arbad! I will keep Muḥammad busy while talking to him, so you can strike him with the sword. Verily, if you kill Muḥammad, the people (Muslims) will agree to take blood money and will hate to wage war over his murder. Then we will give them the blood money." Arbad said, "I will do that," and they went back to the Messenger ﷺ. 'Āmir said, "O Muḥammad! Stand next to me so that I can talk to you." The Messenger ﷺ stood up, and they both stood next to a wall talking to each other. Arbad wanted to grab his sword, but his hand froze when it touched the sword's handle and he could not take the sword out of its sheath. Arbad did not strike the Messenger ﷺ as 'Āmir suggested, and the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ looked at Arbad and realized what he was doing, so he departed. When Arbad and 'Āmir left the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and arrived at Al-Ḥarrah of Wāqim area, they dismounted from their horses. However, Sa'd bin Mu'ādh and Usayd bin Ḥuḍayr came out saying, "Come, O enemies of Allāh! May Allāh curse you." 'Āmir asked, "Who is this with you, O Sa'd?" Sa'd said, "This is Usayd bin Ḥuḍayr." They fled until they reached the Riqm area, where Allāh struck Arbad with a bolt of lightning and he met his demise. As for 'Āmir, he went on until he reached the Kharīm area, where Allāh sent an open ulcer that struck him. During that night, 'Āmir took refuge in a woman's house, from Banu Salūl. 'Āmir kept touching his open ulcer and saying, "An ulcer as big as a camel's hump, while I am at the house of a woman from Bani Salūl, seeking to bring my death in her house!" He rode his horse, but he died while riding it headed to his area. Allāh sent down these Āyāt (13:8-11) in their case,

Qur’an 13:8ٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ أُنثَىٰ

«Allāh knows what every female bears» until,

Qur’an 13:11وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَالٍ

«..and they will find besides Him no protector.»

Ibn 'Abbās commented, "The angels in succession, guard Muḥammad, peace be upon him, by the command of Allāh." He next mentioned the demise of Arbad by Allāh's command, reciting this Āyah,

Qur’an 13:13وَيُرْسِلُ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقَ

«He sends the thunderbolts,»" ^{8Aṭ-Ṭabarāni 10:379-381. A Ḥadīth mentioning some of this story was collected by Al-Bukhāri, no. 4091, it does not mention the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ.}

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:13وَهُمْ يُجَٰدِلُونَ فِى ٱللَّهِ

«yet they (disbelievers) dispute about Allāh.» they doubt Allāh's greatness and that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him,

Qur’an 13:13وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْمِحَالِ

«And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment.»

Allāh's torment is severe against those who rebel against Him, defy Him and persist in disbelief, according to the Tafsīr of Ibn Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabari.^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:394.} There is a similar Āyah in the Qur'ān,

Qur’an 27:50–51وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily, We destroyed them and their nation all together.»[27:50-51] 'Ali bin Abi Ṭālib said that,

Qur’an 13:13وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْمِحَالِ

«And He is Mighty in strength and Severe in punishment (Al-Miḥāl)», means, His punishment is severe.^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:396.}

Qur’an 13:14لَهُۥ دَعْوَةُ ٱلْحَقِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَٰسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَٰلِغِهِۦ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍ

«14. For Him is the Word of Truth. And those whom they invoke besides Him, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not; and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but misguidance.»

A Parable for the Weakness of the False Gods of the Polytheists

'Ali bin Abi Ṭālib said that Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:14لَهُۥ دَعْوَةُ ٱلْحَقِّ

«For Him is the Word of Truth.»

is in reference to Tawḥīd, according to Ibn Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabari.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:398.} Ibn 'Abbās, Qatādah, and Mālik who narrated it from Muḥammad bin Al-Munkadir, said that,

Qur’an 13:14لَهُۥ دَعْوَةُ ٱلْحَقِّ

«For Him is the Word of Truth.» means, "La ilāha illallāh."^2Ibid. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:14وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ

«And those whom they invoke besides Him...», meaning, the example of those who worship others besides Allāh,

Qur’an 13:14كَبَٰسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ

«like one who stretches forth his hand for water to reach his mouth,»

'Ali bin Abi Ṭālib commented, "Like he who stretches his hand on the edge of a deep well to reach the water, even though his hands do not reach it; so how can the water reach his mouth?"^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:400.} Mujāhid said about,

Qur’an 13:14كَبَٰسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ

«like one who stretches forth his hand»

"Calling the water with his words and pointing at it, but it will never come to him this way."^4Ibid. The meaning of this Āyah is that he who stretches his hand to water from far away, to either collect some or draw some from far away, will not benefit from the water which will not reach his mouth, where water should be consumed. Likewise, those idolators who call

Qur’an 13:14–18لَهُۥ دَعْوَةُ ٱلْحَقِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَىْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَٰسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى ٱلْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَٰلِغِهِۦ وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍ وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ أَمْ جَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُوا۟ كَخَلْقِهِۦ فَتَشَٰبَهَ ٱلْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّٰرُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَٰعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَٰطِلَ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ

another deity besides Allāh, will never benefit from these deities in this life or the Hereafter, hence Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:14وَمَا دُعَآءُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍ

«and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but misguidance.»

Qur’an 13:15وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ

«15. And unto Allāh falls in prostration whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons.»

Everything prostrates unto Allāh

Allāh affirms His might and power, for He has full control over everything, and everything is subservient to Him. Therefore, everything, including the believers, prostrate to Allāh willingly, while the disbelievers do so unwillingly,

«وَظِلَالُهُم بِالْغُدُوِّ»

Qur’an 13:15وَظِلَٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ

«and so do their shadows in the mornings», in the beginning of the days,

«وَالْآصَالِ»

Qur’anوَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ

«and in the afternoons.» towards the end of the days. Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 16:48أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ يَتَفَيَّؤُا۟ ظِلَٰلُهُۥ

«Have they not observed things that Allāh has created: (how) their shadows incline.» [16:48]

Qur’an 13:16قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ أَمْ جَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُوا۟ كَخَلْقِهِۦ فَتَشَٰبَهَ ٱلْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّٰرُ

«16. Say: "Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?" Say: "(It is) Allāh." Say: "Have you then taken (for worship) Awliyā' (protectors) other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allāh partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creation seemed alike to them?" Say: "Allāh is the Creator of all things; and He is the One, the Irresistible."»

Affirming Tawḥīd

Allāh affirms here that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, since they admit that He alone created the heavens and the earth and that He is their Lord and the Disposer of all affairs. Yet, they take as lords others besides Allāh and worship them, even though these false gods do not have the power to benefit or harm themselves, or those who worship them. Therefore, the polytheists will not benefit or have harm removed from them by these false deities. Are those who worship the false deities instead of Allāh equal to those who worship Him alone, without partners, and thus have a light from their Lord? This is why Allāh said here,

Qur’an 13:16قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ أَمْ جَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُوا۟ كَخَلْقِهِۦ فَتَشَٰبَهَ ٱلْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ

«Say: "Is the blind equal to the one who sees? Or darkness equal to light? Or do they assign to Allāh partners who created the like of His creation, so that the creations seemed alike to them?"»

Allāh asks, 'Do these polytheists worship gods besides Him that rival Him in what He created? Have their false deities created similar creations to those Allāh created and, thus, they are confused between the two types of creations, not knowing which was created by others besides Allāh?' Rather, the Āyah proves that the truth is nothing like this. There is none similar to Allāh, nor does He have an equal, a rival, anyone like Him, a minister, a son, or a wife. Allāh is glorified in that He is far away from all that is ascribed to Him. These idolators worship gods that they themselves admit were created by Allāh and are subservient to Him. They used to say during their Talbiyah:

"Here we rush to Your obedience. There is no partner for You, except Your partner, You own him and he owns not." Allāh also mentioned their polytheistic statements in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 39:3مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ

«We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allāh.» [39:3]

Allāh admonished them for this false creed, stating that only those whom He chooses are allowed to intercede with Him,

Qur’an 34:23وَلَا تَنفَعُ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُۥ

«Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits.» [34:23]

Qur’an 53:26وَكَم مِّن مَّلَكٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ

«And there are many angels in the heavens.....»[53:26], and,

Qur’an 19:93–95إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّآ ءَاتِى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا لَّقَدْ أَحْصَىٰهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَرْدًا

«There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allāh) as a servant. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection.» [19:93-95]

If all are Allāh's servants, then why do any of them worships each other without proof or evidence that allows them to do so? Rather, they rely on sheer opinion and innovation in the religion, even though Allāh has sent all of His Prophets and Messengers, from beginning to end, prohibiting this practice (polytheism) and ordering them to refrain from worshipping others besides Allāh. They defied their Messengers and rebelled against them, and this is why the word of punishment struck them as a worthy recompense,

Qur’an 18:49وَلَا يَظْلِمُ رَبُّكَ أَحَدًا

«And your Lord treats no one with injustice» [18:49]

Qur’an 13:17أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَٰعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَٰطِلَ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

«17. He sends down water from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface - and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does Allāh (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood. Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allāh sets forth parables.»

Two Parables proving that Truth remains and Falsehood perishes

This honorable Āyah contains two parables which affirm that truth remains and increases, while falsehood diminishes and perishes. Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:17أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً

«He sends down water from the sky,» He sends rain,

Qur’an 13:17فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا

«and the valleys flow according to their measure,»

each valley taking its share according to its capacity, for some valleys are wider and can retain more water than others which are small and thus retain smaller measures of water. This Āyah indicates that hearts differ, for some of them can retain substantial knowledge while others cannot entertain knowledge, but rather are bothered by knowledge,

Qur’an 13:17فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا

«but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface»

of the water that ran down the valleys; this is the first parable. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:17وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَٰعٍ

«and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils...»

This is the second parable, whereas gold and silver ore is heated with fire to make adornments with it, and iron and copper ore are heated to make pots and the like with it. Foam also rises to the surface of these ores, just as in the case with water,

Qur’an 13:17كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَٰطِلَ

«thus does Allāh (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood.»

when they both exist, falsehood does not remain, just as foam does not remain with the water or the gold and silver ores which are heated in fire. Rather, foam dissipates and vanishes,

Qur’an 13:17فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً

«Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks,»

for it carries no benefit and dissipates and scatters on the banks of the valley. The foam also sticks to trees or is dissipated by wind, just as the case with the scum that rises on the surface of gold, silver, iron and copper ores; it all goes away and never returns. However, water, gold and silver remain and are used to man's benefit. This is why Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:17وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

«while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allāh sets forth parables.»

Allāh said in a similar Āyah,

Qur’an 29:43وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَٰلِمُونَ

«And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge.» [29:43] Some of the Salaf (rightly guided ancestors) said, "When I would read a parable in the Qur'ān that I could not comprehend, I would cry for myself because Allāh the Exalted says,

Qur’an 29:43وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْعَٰلِمُونَ

«But none will understand them except those who have knowledge.»" [29:43]

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that 'Abdullāh bin 'Abbās commented on Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:17أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا

«He sends down water from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure,»

"This is a parable that Allāh has set; the hearts carry knowledge from Him, and certainty according to the amount of doubt. As for doubt, working good deeds does not benefit while it exists. As for certainty, Allāh benefits its people by it, hence Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:17فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ

«Then, as for the foam», which refers to doubt,

Qur’an 13:17فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth.»

in reference to certainty. And just as when jewelry is heated in fire and is rid of its impurity, which remains in the fire, similarly Allāh accepts certainty and discards doubt."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:410.}

The Qur'ān and the Sunnah contain Parables that use Water and Fire

Allāh has set two examples in the beginning of Sūrat Al-Baqarah (chapter 2) about the hypocrites, one using fire and another using water. Allāh said,

Qur’an 2:17مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ

«Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it illuminated all around him.» [2:17] then He said,

Qur’an 2:19أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَٰتٌ وَرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ

«Or like a rainstorm in the sky, bringing darkness, thunder, and lightning.» [2:19]

Allāh also has set two parables for the disbelievers in Sūrat An-Nūr (chapter 24), one of them is,

Qur’an 24:39وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَعْمَٰلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ

«As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert.»[24:39]

The mirage occurs during intense heat. It is recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthفَيُقَالُ لِلْيَهُودِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ: فَمَا تُرِيدُونَ؟ فَيَقُولُونَ: أَيْ رَبَّنَا عَطِشْنَا فَاسْقِنَا. فَيُقَالُ: أَلَا تَرِدُونَ؟ فَيَرِدُونَ النَّارَ فَإِذَا هِيَ كَسَرَابٍ يَحْطِمُ بَعْضُهَا بَعْضًا

«It will be said to the Jews on the Day of Resurrection, "What do you desire?" They will reply, "We need to drink, for we have become thirsty, O our Lord!" It will be said, "Will you then proceed to drink," and they will head towards the Fire, which will appear as a mirage, its various parts consuming the other parts."»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:98, Muslim 4:168.} Allāh said in the second parable (in Sūrat An-Nur);

Qur’an 24:40أَوْ كَظُلُمَٰتٍ فِى بَحْرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ

«Or is like the darkness in a vast deep sea.»[24:40]

In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it is recorded that Abu Mūsā Al-Ash'ari said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

«إِنَّ مَثَلَ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْعِلْمِ، كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَصَابَ أَرْضًا، فَكَانَ مِنْهَا طَائِفَةٌ قَبِلَتِ الْمَاءَ فَأَنْبَتَتِ الْكَلَأَ وَالْعُشْبَ الْكَثِيرَ، وَكَانَتْ مِنْهَا أَجَادِبُ أَمْسَكَتِ الْمَاءَ، فَنَفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهَا النَّاسَ، فَشَرِبُوا، وَرَعَوْا، وَسَقَوْا، وَزَرَعُوا، وَأَصَابَتْ طَائِفَةً مِنْهَا أُخْرَى، إِنَّمَا هِيَ قِيعَانٌ لَا تُمْسِكُ مَاءً وَلَا تُنْبِتُ كَلَأً، فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ مَنْ فَقُهَ فِي دِينِ اللهِ وَنَفَعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا بَعَثَنِي وَنَفَعَ بِهِ، فَعَلِمَ وَعَلَّمَ، وَمَثَلُ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ بِذَلِكَ رَأْسًا وَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ هُدَى اللهِ الَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ»

«The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allāh has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed the rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard, it held the rain water and Allāh benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, grazing, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation purposes. And another portion of it fell on barren land, which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation. The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allāh's religion and gets benefit, as well as benefiting others (from the knowledge and guidance) which Allāh has revealed through me and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not embrace Allāh's guidance revealed through me.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 1:211, Muslim 4:1788.}

This parable uses water in it. In another Ḥadīth that Imām Aḥmad collected, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ، جَعَلَ الْفَرَاشُ وَهَذِهِ الدَّوَابُّ الَّتِي يَقَعْنَ فِي النَّارِ يَقَعْنَ فِيهَا، وَجَعَلَ يَحْجُزُهُنَّ وَيَغْلِبْنَهُ فَيَقْتَحِمْنَ فِيهَا - قَالَ -: فَذَلِكُمْ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمْ، أَنَا آخِذٌ بِحُجَزِكُمْ عَنِ النَّارِ، هَلُمَّ عَنِ النَّارِ، فَتَغْلِبُونِي، فَتَقْتَحِمُونَ فِيهَا

«My example and the example of you is like that of a person who lit a fire. When the fire illuminated his surroundings, butterflies and insects started falling into it, as they usually do, and he started swatting at them to prevent them from falling; but they overwhelmed him and kept falling into the fire. This is the parable of me and you, I am holding you by the waist trying to save you from the Fire, saying, "Go away from the Fire," yet you overwhelm me and fall into it.»^{4Aḥmad 2:312.} The Two Ṣaḥīḥs also collected this Ḥadīth.^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:323, Muslim 4:1790.} This is a parable using fire.

Qur’an 13:18لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُۥ مَعَهُۥ لَٱفْتَدَوْا۟ بِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ

«18. For those who answered their Lord's call is Al-Ḥusnā. But those who answered not His call, if they had all that is in the earth together with its like, they would offer it in order to save themselves. For them there will be the terrible reckoning. Their dwelling place will be Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest.»

Reward of the Blessed and Wretched Ones

Allāh mentions the final destination of the blessed ones and the wretched ones,

Qur’an 13:18لِلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَجَابُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمُ

«For those who answered their Lord's call»

obeyed Allāh and followed His Messenger (Muḥammad, peace be upon him) by obeying his commands and believing in the narrations he brought about the past and the future, theirs will be,

Qur’an 13:18ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ

«Al-Ḥusnā», which is the good reward. Allāh said that Dhul-Qarnayn declared,

Qur’an 18:87–88أَمَّا مَن ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُۥ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ فَيُعَذِّبُهُۥ عَذَابًا نُّكْرًا وَأَمَّا مَنْ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَلَهُۥ جَزَآءً ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَسَنَقُولُ لَهُۥ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا يُسْرًا

«As for him who does wrong, we shall punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell). But as for him who believes and works righteousness, he shall have the best reward (Al-Ḥusnā), and we shall speak unto him mild words by our command»[18: 87-88]

Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 10:26لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ

«For those who have done good is the best (Al-Ḥusnā) and even more.﴿ [10:26]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:18وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لَهُۥ

«But those who answered not His call,» disobeyed Allāh,

Qur’an 13:18لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا

«if they had all that is in the earth together»

meaning, in the Hereafter. This Āyah says: Had the earth's fill of gold and its like with it, they would try to ransom themselves from Allāh's torment at that time. However, this will not be accepted from them. Verily, Allāh the Exalted will not accept any type of exchange from,

Qur’an 13:18أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

«For them there will be the terrible reckoning.»

in the Hereafter, when they will be reckoned for the Naqīr^{1The speck on the back of a date stone.} and the Qiṭmīr,^{2The thin membrane over the date stone.} the big and the small. Verily, he who is reckoned in detail on that Day will receive punishment, hence Allāh's statement next,

Qur’an 13:18وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ

«Their dwelling place will be Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest.»

Qur’an 13:19أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«19. Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.»

The Believer and the Disbeliever are never Equal

Allāh says, They could never be equal; those among people who know that what,

Qur’anأُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ

«has been revealed unto you», O Muḥammad,

Qur’anمِن رَّبِّكَ

«from your Lord» is the truth about which there is no doubt and in which there is no confusion, vagueness or contradiction. Rather, they believe that all of it is the truth, each part of it testifying to another. They believe that none of its parts contradicts the others, that all its information is true and that all its commandments and prohibitions are just,

Qur’an 6:115وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًا وَعَدْلًا

«And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice.» [6:15]

It is accurate in its information and stories and just in what it orders. Therefore, the Āyah says, those who believe in the truth that you brought, O Muḥammad, are not at all similar to those who are blind and cannot find guidance to what benefits them, which they cannot even comprehend. And even if they comprehend the guidance, they will not follow it, believe in it or abide by it.' Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 59:20لَا يَسْتَوِىٓ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ

«Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.» [59:20]

Allāh said in this honorable Āyah,

Qur’an 13:19أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ

«Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you from your Lord is the truth, be like him who is blind?»

They are not equal. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:19إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

«But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.»

meaning, it is those who have sound minds who draw lessons, gain wisdom and understand. We ask Allāh to make us among them.

Qur’an 13:20–22ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَٰقَ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوٓءَ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟

Qur’an 13:22–24مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّٰتِهِمْ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ

«20. Those who fulfill, the covenant of Allāh and break not the trust.»

«21. And those who join that which Allāh has commanded to be joined and fear their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning.»

«22. And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Face, perform the Ṣalāh, and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and repel evil with good, for such there is a good end.»

«23. 'Adn Gardens, which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying) :﴾

﴿24. "Salāmun 'Alaykum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"»

Qualities of the Blessed Ones, which will lead to Paradise

Allāh states that those who have these good qualities, will earn the good, final home: victory and triumph in this life and the Hereafter,

Qur’an 13:20ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَٰقَ

«Those who fulfill the covenant of Allāh and break not the trust.»

They are nothing like the hypocrites who when one of them makes a covenant, he breaks it; if he disputes, he is most quarrelsome; if he speaks, he lies; and if he is entrusted, he betrays his trust. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:21وَٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ

«And those who join that which Allāh has commanded to be joined»

they are good to their relatives and do not sever the bond of kinship. They are also kind to the poor and the needy and generous in nature,

Qur’an 13:21وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ

«and fear their Lord», in what they do or do not do of actions and statements. They remember that Allāh is watching during all of this and are afraid of His terrifying reckoning in the Hereafter. Therefore, all their affairs are on the straight path and correct, whether they are active or idle, and in all of their affairs, including those that affect others,

Qur’an 13:22وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ

«And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Face,»

They observe patience while staying away from sins and evil deeds, doing so while dedicating themselves to the service of their Lord the Exalted and Most Honored and seeking His pleasure and generous reward,

Qur’anوَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ

«and perform the Ṣalāh», preserving its limits, times, bowing, prostration and humbleness, according to the established limits and rulings of the religion,

Qur’an 13:22وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ

«and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them,»

They spend on those whom they are obliged to spend on them, such as their spouses, relatives and the poor and needy in general,

Qur’anسِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً

«secretly and openly,» They spend during all conditions and times, whether during the night or the day, secretly and openly,

Qur’an 13:22وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ

«and repel evil with good» they resist evil with good conduct. When the people harm them they face their harm with good patience, forbearing, forgiveness and pardon. Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 41:34–35ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ

Qur’an 41:35إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ

«Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient - and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion in this world.»[41:34-35]

This is why Allāh states here that those who have these good qualities, the blessed ones, will earn the final home, which He explained next,

Qur’an 13:23جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ

«'Adn Gardens», where, 'Adn, indicates continuous residence; they will reside in the gardens of everlasting life.

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:23وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّٰتِهِمْ

«and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring.»

Allāh will gather them with their loved ones, from among their fathers, family members and offspring, those who are righteous and deserve to enter Paradise, so that their eyes are comforted by seeing them. He will also elevate the grade of those who are lower, to the grades of those who are higher, a favor from Him out of His kindness, without decreasing the grade of those who are higher up (in Paradise). Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 52:21وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَٰنٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ

«And those who believe and whose offspring follow them in faith: to them shall We join their offspring.» [52:21]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:23–24وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ

«And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): "Salāmun 'Alaykum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!"»

The angels will enter on them from every direction congratulating them for entering Paradise. The angels will welcome them with the Islāmic greeting and commend them for earning Allāh's closeness and rewards, as well as, being admitted into the Dwelling of Peace, neighbors to the honorable Messengers, the Prophets and the truthful believers.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr bin Al-'Āṣ, may Allāh be pleased with them both, narrated that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthهَلْ تَدْرُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللهِ؟

«Do you know who among Allāh's creation will enter Paradise first?»

They said, "Allāh and His Messenger have more knowledge." He said,

Ḥadīthأَوَّلُ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ الَّذِينَ تُسَدُّ بِهِمُ الثُّغُورُ، وَتُتَّقَى بِهِمُ الْمَكَارِهُ، وَيَمُوتُ أَحَدُهُمْ وَحَاجَتُهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ، لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ لَهَا قَضَاءً، فَيَقُولُ اللهُ تَعَالَى لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ مَلَائِكَتِهِ: ائْتُوهُمْ فَحَيُّوهُمْ، فَتَقُولُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ: نَحْنُ سُكَّانُ سَمَائِكَ، وَخِيرَتُكَ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَفَتَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَأْتِيَ هَؤُلَاءِ وَنُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ؟ فَيَقُولُ: إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا عِبَادًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا، وَتُسَدُّ بِهِمُ الثُّغُورُ، وَتُتَّقَى بِهِمُ الْمَكَارِهُ، وَيَمُوتُ أَحَدُهُمْ وَحَاجَتُهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ لَهَا قَضَاءً - قَالَ - : فَتَأْتِيهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ فَيَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ بَابٍ

«The first among Allāh's creation to enter Paradise are the poor emigrants (in Allāh's cause) with whom the outposts (of the land) are secured and the various afflictions are warded off. One of them would die while his need is still in his chest, because he was unable to satisfy it himself. Allāh will say to whom He will among His angels, "Go to them and welcome them with the Salām." The angels will say, "We are the residence of Your heaven and the best of Your creation, do You command us to go to them and welcome them with the Salām?" Allāh will say, "They are My servants who worshipped Me and did not associate anyone or anything with Me in worship. With them, the outposts were secured and the afflictions were warded off. One of them would die while his need is in his chest, unable to satisfy it." So the angels will go to them from every gate (of Paradise),» saying,

Qur’an 13:19–28أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ ٱلْمِيثَٰقَ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوٓءَ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ ءَابَآئِهِمْ وَأَزْوَٰجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّٰتِهِمْ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَٰعٌ وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

«Salāmun 'Alaykum (peace be upon you) for you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!»"^{1Aḥmad 2:168.}

Qur’an 13:25وَٱلَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ

«25. And those who break the covenant of Allāh, after its ratification, and sever that which Allāh has commanded to be joined, and work mischief in the land, on them is the curse, and for them is the unhappy (evil) home (i.e. Hell).»

Characteristics of the Wretched Ones which will lead to the Curse and the Evil Home

This is the destination of the Wretched ones and these are their characteristics. Allāh mentioned their end in the Hereafter, to contrast the end that the believers earned, since their characteristics were to the opposite of the believer's qualities in this life. The latter used to keep Allāh's covenant and join that which Allāh has ordained on them to join. As for the former, they used to,

Qur’an 13:25يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مِيثَٰقِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَآ أَمَرَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦٓ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِى

Qur’an 13:25ٱلْأَرْضِ

«break the covenant of Allāh, after its ratification, and sever that which Allāh has commanded to be joined, and work mischief in the land,»

An authentic Ḥadīth states that,

Ḥadīthآيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ

«The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise); if you entrust him, he proves to be dishonest."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 1:111.}

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthوَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ

«If he enters into a covenant, he betrays it; and if he disputes, he proves to be most quarrelsome.»^2Ibid.

This is why Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:25أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱللَّعْنَةُ

«on them is the curse,» they will be cast away from Allāh's mercy,

Qur’an 13:25وَلَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلدَّارِ

«and for them is the unhappy home.» the evil end and destination,

Qur’an 13:18وَمَأْوَىٰهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُ

«Their dwelling place will be Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest.» [13:18]

Qur’an 13:26ٱللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَٰعٌ

«26. Allāh increases the provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills), and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of this world compared to the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment.»

Increase and Decrease in Provision is in Allāh's Hand

Allāh states that He alone increases the provisions for whom He wills and decreases it for whom He wills, according to His wisdom and perfect justice. So, when the disbelievers rejoice with the life of the present world that was given to them, they do not know that they are being tested and tried. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 23:55–56أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٍ وَبَنِينَ نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ بَل لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ

«Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them. We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not.»[23:55-56]

Allāh belittled the life of the present world in comparison to what He has prepared for His believing servants in the Hereafter,

Qur’an 13:26وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَٰعٌ

«whereas the life of this world compared to the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment.»

Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 4:77قُلْ مَتَٰعُ ٱلدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا

«Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who has Taqwā, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly even equal to the amount of a Fatilā.»^{1The thin membrane over the date stone.} [4:77] and,

Qur’an 87:16–17بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ

«Nay, you prefer the life of this world, although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.»[87:16-17]

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Al-Mustawrid, from Bani Fihr, said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا كَمَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ هَذِهِ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ

«The life of the present world, compared to the Hereafter, is just like when one of you inserts his finger in the sea, so let him contemplate how much of it will it carry.» and he pointed with the index finger.^{2Aḥmad 4:228.} Imām Muslim also collected this Ḥadīth in his Ṣaḥīḥ.^{3Muslim 4:2193.} In another Ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ passed by a dead sheep, whose ears were small, and said,

Ḥadīthوَاللهِ لَلدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذَا عَلَى أَهْلِهِ حِينَ أَلْقَوْهُ

«By Allāh! The life of this present world is as insignificant to Allāh as this sheep was to its owners when they threw it away.»^{4Muslim no. 2957.}

Qur’an 13:27–29وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ

«27. And those who disbelieved say: "Why is not a sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "Verily, Allāh sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself those who turn to Him in repentance."»

«28. Those who believed and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allāh. Verily, in the remembrance of Allāh do hearts find rest.»

«29. Those who believed, and work righteousness, Ṭūbā is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return.»

Disbelievers ask for Miracles, Allāh's Response to Them

Allāh says that the idolators said,

Qur’an 13:27لَوْلَآ

«Why is not», meaning, there should be,

Qur’anأُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ءَايَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ

«a sign sent down to him from his Lord?»

The idolators also said,

Qur’an 21:5فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَٔايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ

«Let him then bring us an Āyah like the ones (Prophets) that were sent before (with signs)!» [21:5]

We mentioned this subject several times before and stated that Allāh is able to bring them what they wanted. There is a Ḥadīth which mentions that the idolators asked the Prophet ﷺ to turn Mount Aṣ-Ṣafā into gold and, they also asked him for a spring to gush forth for them and to remove the mountains from around Makkah and replace them with green fields and gardens. Allāh revealed to His Messenger ﷺ: "If You wish, O Muḥammad, I will give them what they asked for. However, if they disbelieve thereafter, I will punish them with a punishment that I did not punish any among the 'Ālamīn (mankind and the Jinns). Or, if you wish, I will open for them the door to repentance and mercy." The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthبَلْ تُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ بَابُ التَّوْبَةِ وَالرَّحْمَةِ

«Rather, open for them the door to repentance and mercy.»^{1There is a Ḥadīth with similar wording recorded by Aḥmad 1:242.}

This is why Allāh said to His Messenger ﷺ next,

Qur’an 13:27قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ

«Say: "Verily, Allāh sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself those who turn to Him in repentance."»

Allāh states that He brings misguidance or guidance whether the Messenger ﷺ was given a sign (a miracle) according to their asking or not. Verily, earning the misguidance or the guidance are not connected to the miracles or the lack of them. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 10:101وَمَا تُغْنِى ٱلْـَٔايَٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ

«But neither Ayāt nor warners benefit those who believe not.» [10:101]

Qur’an 10:96–97إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِمْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ وَلَوْ جَآءَتْهُمْ كُلُّ ءَايَةٍ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ

«Truly, those, against whom the Word of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful torment.»[10:96-97], and,

Qur’an 6:111وَلَوْ أَنَّنَا نَزَّلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ وَكَلَّمَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَحَشَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ قُبُلًا مَّا كَانُوا۟ لِيُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ

«And even if We had sent down unto them angels, and the dead had spoken unto them, and We had gathered together all things before their very eyes, they would not have believed, unless Allāh willed, but most of them behave ignorantly.» [6:111]

Allāh said here,

Qur’an 13:27قُلْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِىٓ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ

«Say: "Verily, Allāh sends astray whom He wills and guides unto Himself those who turn to Him in repentance."»

meaning, He guides to Him those who repent, turn to Him, beg Him, seek His help and humbly submit to Him.

The Believer's Heart finds Comfort in the Remembrance of Allāh

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:28ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«Those who believed, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allāh.»

for their hearts find comfort on the side of Allāh, become tranquil when He is remembered and pleased to have Him as their Protector and Supporter. So Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:28أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ

«Verily, in the remembrance of Allāh do hearts find rest.» and surely, He is worthy of it.

The Meaning of Ṭūbā

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:29ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ

«Those who believed, and work righteousness, Ṭūbā is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return.»

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās said that Ṭūbā means, "Happiness and comfort or refreshment of the eye."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:435.} 'Ikrimah said that Ṭūbā means, "How excellent is what they earned,"^3Ibid. while Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "A joy for them."^4Ibid. Furthermore, Ibrāhīm An-Nakhʿī said that Ṭūbā means, "Better for them,"^{5Al-Baghawi 3:18.} while Qatādah said that it is an Arabic word that means, 'you have earned a good thing.'^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:435.} In another narration, Qatādah said that 'Ṭūbā for them' means, "It is excellent for them,"^7Ibid.

Qur’an 13:29وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ

«and a beautiful place of return.» and final destination. These meanings for Ṭūbā are all synonymous and they do not contradict one another.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Sa‘īd Al-Khuḍri said that a man asked, "O Allāh's Messenger! Ṭūbā for those who saw you and believed in you!" The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthطُوبَى لِمَنْ رَآنِي وَآمَنَ بِي، وَطُوبَى ثُمَّ طُوبَى ثُمَّ طُوبَى لِمَنْ آمَنَ بِي وَلَمْ يَرَنِي

«Ṭūbā is for he who saw me and believed in me. Ṭūbā, and another Ṭūbā, and another Ṭūbā for he who believed in me, but did not see me.»

A man asked, "What is Ṭūbā?" The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthشَجَرَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مَسِيرَتُهَا مِائَةُ عَامٍ ثِيَابُ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ أَكْمَامِهَا

«A tree in Paradise whose width is a hundred years, and the clothes of the people of Paradise are taken from its bark.»^{8Aḥmad 3:71.}

Al-Bukhāri and Muslim recorded that Sahl bin Sa'd said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ شَجَرَةً يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ فِي ظِلِّهَا مِائَةَ عَامٍ لَا يَقْطَعُهَا

«There is a tree in Paradise, if a rider travels in its shade for one hundred years, he would not be able to cross it.»

Qur’an 13:29–34ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍ كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْءَانًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ ٱلْجِبَالُ أَوْ قُطِّعَتْ بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَوْ كُلِّمَ بِهِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بَل لِّلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا أَفَلَمْ يَا۟يْـَٔسِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَهَدَى ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُوا۟ قَارِعَةٌ أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ وَعْدُ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ أَفَمَنْ هُوَ قَآئِمٌ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ قُلْ سَمُّوهُمْ أَمْ تُنَبِّـُٔونَهُۥ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَم بِظَٰهِرٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ بَلْ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مَكْرُهُمْ وَصُدُّوا۟ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ لَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَقُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ

An-Nu'mān bin Abi 'Ayyāsh Az-Zuraqi added, "Abu Sa'īd Al-Khudri narrated to me that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ شَجَرَةً يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ الْجَوَادَ الْمُضَمَّرَ السَّرِيعَ مِائَةَ عَامٍ مَا يَقْطَعُهَا

«There is a tree in Paradise, if a rider travels in its shade on a fast, sleek horse for one hun- dred years, he would not be able to cross it.»"^{9Al-Bukhāri no. 6552, Muslim no. 2827.}

In his Ṣaḥīḥ, Imām Muslim recorded that Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said that Allāh the Exalted and Most Honored said,

Ḥadīthيَا عِبَادِي لَوْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَكُمْ وَآخِرَكُمْ وَإِنْسَكُمْ وَجِنَّكُمْ قَامُوا فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ فَسَأَلُونِي فَأَعْطَيْتُ كُلَّ إِنْسَانٍ مَسْأَلَتَهُ مَا نَقَصَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مُلْكِي شَيْئًا إِلَّا كَمَا يَنْقُصُ الْمِخْيَطُ إِذَا أُدْخِلَ فِي الْبَحْرِ

«O My slaves! If the first and the last among you, mankind and Jinns among you, stood in one spot and asked Me and I gave each person what he asked, it will not decrease from My dominion, except what the needle decreases (or carries) when entered into the sea.»^{10Muslim 4:1994.}

Khālid bin Ma‘ddān said, "There is a tree in Paradise called Ṭūbā, that has breasts that nurse the children of the people of Paradise. Verily, the miscarriage of a woman will be swimming in one of the rivers of Paradise until the Day of Resurrection commences, when he will be gathered with people while forty years of age." Ibn Abi Ḥātim collected this statement.

Qur’an 13:30كَذَٰلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ فِىٓ أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَآ أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ

«30. Thus have We sent you to a community before whom other communities have passed away, in order that you might recite unto them what We have revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Gracious (Allāh). Say: "He is my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He! In Him is my trust, and to Him I turn."»

Our Prophet ﷺ was sent to recite and call to Allāh's Revelation

Allāh says, 'Just as We sent you, O Muḥammad, to your Ummah,

Qur’an 13:30لِّتَتْلُوَا۟ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ

«..in order that you might recite unto them what We have revealed to you,»

so that you deliver to them Allāh's Message. Likewise, We sent others to earlier nations that disbelieved in Allāh. The Messengers whom We sent before you, were also denied and rejected, so you have an example in what they faced. And since We sent Our torment and revenge on those people, then let these people fear what will strike them, for their denial of you is harsher than the denial that the previous Messengers faced,'

Qur’an 16:63تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ

«By Allāh, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you.»[16-63]

Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 6:34وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا كُذِّبُوا۟ وَأُوذُوا۟ حَتَّىٰٓ أَتَىٰهُمْ نَصْرُنَا وَلَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَكَ مِن نَّبَإِى۟ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

«Verily, many Messengers were denied before you, with patience they bore the denial and suffering until; till Our help reached them, and none can alter the Words (decree) of Allāh. Surely, there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you).»[6-34],

meaning, 'How We gave them victory and granted the best end for them and their followers in this life and the Hereafter.'

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:30وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ

«while they disbelieve in the Most Gracious (Allāh).»

Allāh says, 'These people, that We sent you to, disbelieve in the Most Gracious and deny Him, because they dislike describing Allāh by Ar-Raḥmān Ar-Raḥīm [the Most Gracious, Most Merciful].' This is why on the day of Al-Ḥudaybiyyah, as Al-Bukhāri narrated,^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:446.} they refused to write, "In the Name of Allāh, Ar-Raḥmān Ar-Raḥīm," saying, "We do not know Ar-Raḥmān Ar-Raḥīm!" Qatādah narrated this words.^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 5:390.} Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 17:110قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُوا۟ فَلَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ

«Say: "Invoke Allāh or invoke the Most Gracious (Allāh), by whatever name you invoke Him, for to Him belong the Best Names.» [17:110]

In his Ṣaḥīḥ, Imām Muslim recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَسْمَاءِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمٰنِ

«The most beloved names to Allāh the Exalted are: 'Abdullāh and 'Abdur-Raḥmān.»^{3Muslim 3:1682.} Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:30قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّى لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

«Say: "He is my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He!"»

meaning: for I believe in Allāh in Whom you disbelieve and affirm His Divinity and Lordship. He is my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him,

Qur’anعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ

«In Him is my trust,» in all of my affairs,

Qur’an 13:30وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ

«and to Him I turn.» meaning: to Him I return and repent, for He alone is worthy of all this and none else besides Him.

Qur’an 13:31وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْءَانًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ ٱلْجِبَالُ أَوْ قُطِّعَتْ بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضُ أَوْ كُلِّمَ بِهِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بَل لِّلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا أَفَلَمْ يَا۟يْـَٔسِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَهَدَى ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُوا۟ قَارِعَةٌ أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ وَعْدُ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ

«31. And if there had been a Qur'ān with which mountains could be moved (from their places), or the earth could be cloven asunder, or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Qur'ān). But the decision of all things is certainly with Allāh. Have not then those who believed yet known that had Allāh willed, He could have guided all mankind? And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it (i.e. the disaster) settles close to their homes, until the promise of Allāh comes to pass. Certainly, Allāh breaks not His promise.»

Virtues of the Qur'ān and the Denial of Disbelievers

Allāh praises the Qur'ān which He has revealed to Muḥammad, peace be upon him, and prefers it to all other divinely revealed Books before it,

Qur’an 13:31وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْءَانًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ ٱلْجِبَالُ

«And if there had been a Qur'ān with which mountains could be moved,»

Allāh says, 'If there were a Book among the previous Divine Books with which the mountains could be moved from their places, or the earth could be cleaved asunder, or the dead speak in their graves, it would have been this Qur'ān and none else.' Or, this Qur'ān is more worthy to cause all this, because of its marvelous eloquence that defies the ability of mankind and the Jinns, even if all of them gather their forces together to invent something like it or even a Sūrah like it. Yet, these idolators disbelieve in the Qur'ān and reject it. Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:31بَل لِّلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا

«But the decision of all things is certainly with Allāh.»

The decision over all affairs is with Allāh Alone, whatever He wills, occurs and whatever He does not will, never occurs. Certainly, he whom Allāh misguides, will never find enlightenment and he whom Allāh guides, will never be misled.

We should state here that it is possible to call other Divine Books, 'Qur'ān', since this Qur'ān is based on all of them. Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthخُفِّفَتْ عَلَى دَاوُدَ الْقِرَاءَةُ فَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ بِدَابَّتِهِ أَنْ تُسْرَجَ، فَكَانَ يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُسْرَجَ دَابَّتُهُ، وَكَانَ لَا يَأْكُلُ إِلَّا مِنْ عَمَلِ يَدَيْهِ

«Reciting was made easy for (Prophet) Dāwud (David) in that he used to order that his animal be prepared for him to ride and in the meantime he would read the entire Qur'ān. He used to eat only from what his hand made.»^{1Aḥmad 2:314.}

Al-Bukhāri collected this Ḥadīth.^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:248.} The Qur'ān mentioned here is refers to the Zabūr. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:31أَفَلَمْ يَا۟يْـَٔسِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟

«Have not then those who believed yet known»

that not all people would believe and understand and that,

Qur’an 13:31أَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَهَدَى ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

«had Allāh willed, He could have guided all mankind?»

Surely, there is not a miracle or evidence more eloquent or effective on the heart and mind than this Qur'ān. Had Allāh revealed it to a mountain, you would see the mountain shake and humbled from fear of Allāh. The Ṣaḥīḥ recorded that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَا مِنْ نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا وَقَدْ أُوتِيَ مَا آمَنَ عَلَى مِثْلِهِ الْبَشَرُ، وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُهُ وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيَّ، فَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

«Every Prophet was given (a miracle) the type of which would make (some) people believe. What I was given, however, is a revelation from Allāh to me, and I hope that I will have the most following among them (Prophets) on the Day of Resurrection.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:619.}

This Ḥadīth indicates that every Prophet's miracle disappeared upon his death, but this Qur'ān will remain as evidence for all times. Verily, the miracle of the Qur'ān will never end, nor will it become old the more it is read, nor will scholars ever have enough of it. The Qur'ān is serious and is not meant for jest; any tyrant that abandons it, Allāh will destroy him; he who seeks guidance in other than the Qur'ān, then Allāh will misguide him.

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:31بَل لِّلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا

«But the decision of all things is certainly with Allāh.»

Ibn 'Abbās commented, "He will only do what He wills and He decided that He will not do that."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:447} Ibn Isḥāq reported a chain for this, and Ibn Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabari agreed with it. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:31وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُوا۟ قَارِعَةٌ أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ

«And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it settles close to their homes,»

because of their denial, disasters will still strike them in this life or strike those all around them, as a lesson and example for them. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 46:27وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَصَرَّفْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

«And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you, and We have shown (them) the Āyāt in various ways that they might return (to the truth).»[46-27], and,

Qur’an 21:44أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ أَفَهُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ

«See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will overcome?» [21:44]

Qatādah narrated that Al-Ḥasan commented on Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:31أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ

«or it settles close to their homes,»

"It is in reference to the disaster."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:459.} This is the apparent meaning here.

Al-'Awfi reported that bin 'Abbās said about,

Qur’an 13:31تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُوا۟ قَارِعَةٌ

«And a Qāri'ah (disaster) strikes them because of their (evil) deeds»

"A torment that descends on them from heaven,

Qur’an 13:31أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ

«or it settles close to their homes,»

when the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ camps near their area and fights them." Similar was reported from Mujāhid and Qatādah. 'Ikrimah said in another narration he reported from Ibn 'Abbās that,

Qur’an 13:31قَارِعَةٌ

«Qari'ah» means affliction. These scholars also said that,

Qur’an 13:31حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِىَ وَعْدُ ٱللَّهِ

«until the promise of Allāh comes to pass.»

refers to the conquering of Makkah. Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri said that it refers to the Day of Resurrection. Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:31إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱلْمِيعَادَ

«Certainly, Allāh breaks not His promise.»

to His Messengers to aid them and their followers in this life and the Hereafter,

Qur’an 14:47فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ

«So think not that Allāh will fail to keep His promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allāh is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.»[14:47]

Qur’an 13:32وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ

«32. And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then how (terrible) was My punishment!»

Comforting the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ

Allāh says to His Messenger, while comforting him in facing his people's denial of him,

Qur’an 13:32وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ

'«And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you», so you have a good example in them,

Qur’an 13:32فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟

«but I granted respite to those who disbelieved,» deferred their judgment for a term appointed,

Qur’an 13:32ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ

«and finally I punished them.»

with encompassing punishment. How did you obtain the news of how I gave them respite and then took them with punishment?' Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 22:48وَكَأَيِّن مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَمْلَيْتُ لَهَا وَهِىَ ظَالِمَةٌ ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهَا وَإِلَىَّ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

«And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrongdoing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).»[22:48]

It is recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ

«Verily, Allāh gives respite to the unjust until when He seizes him, He never lets go of him.»

The Messenger ﷺ next recited this Āyah,

Qur’an 11:102وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

«Such is the punishment of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His punishment is painful, (and) severe.»[11:102]^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:205, Muslim 4:1997.}

Qur’an 13:33أَفَمَنْ هُوَ قَآئِمٌ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ قُلْ سَمُّوهُمْ أَمْ تُنَبِّـُٔونَهُۥ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَم بِظَٰهِرٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ بَلْ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مَكْرُهُمْ وَصُدُّوا۟ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

«33. Is then He (Allāh) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned (like any other deity who knows nothing)? Yet, they ascribe partners to Allāh. Say: "Name them! Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth or is it (just) a show of false words." Nay! To those who disbelieved, their plotting is made fair-seeming, and they have been hindered from the right path; and whom Allāh sends astray, for him there is no guide.»

There is no Similarity between Allāh and False Deities in any Respect

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:33أَفَمَنْ هُوَ قَآئِمٌ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ نَفْسٍۭ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ

«Is then He (Allāh) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned?»

Allāh is the guard and watcher over every living soul and knows what everyone does, whether good or evil, and nothing ever escapes His perfect observation. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 10:61وَمَا تَكُونُ فِى شَأْنٍ وَمَا تَتْلُوا۟ مِنْهُ مِن قُرْءَانٍ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ

«Neither you do any deed nor recite any portion of the Qur'ān, nor you do any deed, but we are witness thereof, when you are doing it.» [10:61] and Allāh said,

Qur’an 6:59وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا

«Not a leaf falls, but He knows it.» [6:59]

Qur’an 11:6وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزْقُهَا وَيَعْلَمُ مُسْتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسْتَوْدَعَهَا كُلٌّ فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ

«And no moving creature is. there on earth but its provision is due from Allāh. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposits. All is in a Clear Book.»[11:6],

Qur’an 13:10سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ

«It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.» [13:10]

Qur’an 20:7يَعْلَمُ ٱلسِّرَّ وَأَخْفَى

«He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.» [20:7] and,

Qur’an 57:4وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

«And He is with you wherever you may be. And Allāh is the All-Seer of what you do.» [57:4]

Is He Who is like this similar to the idols, that the polytheists worship, which can neither hear nor see nor do they have a mind nor able to bring good to themselves or to their worshippers nor prevent harm from themselves or their worshippers? The answer to the question in the Āyah was omitted, because it is implied; for Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:33وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ

«Yet, they ascribe partners to Allāh.»

which they worshipped besides Him, such as idols, rivals and false deities,

Qur’an 13:33قُلْ سَمُّوهُمْ

«Say: "Name them!"» make them known to us and uncover them so that they are known, for surely, they do not exist at all! So Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:33أَمْ تُنَبِّـُٔونَهُۥ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth?»

for had that thing existed in or on the earth, Allāh would have known about it because nothing ever escapes His knowledge,

Qur’an 13:33أَم بِظَٰهِرٍ مِّنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ

«or is it (just) a show of words?»

or doubts expressed in words, according to Mujāhid,^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:466.} while Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and Qatādah said, false words.^2Ibid. Allāh says, you (polytheists) worshipped the idols because you thought that they had power to bring benefit or harm, and this is why you called them gods,

Qur’an 53:23إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّآ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَٰنٍ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهْوَى ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُم مِّن رَّبِّهِمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ

«They are but names which you have named - you and your fathers - for which Allāh has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the guidance from their Lord!»[53:23]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:33بَلْ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مَكْرُهُمْ

«Nay! To those who disbelieved, their plotting is made fair seeming,»

or their words, according to Mujāhid.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:467} This Āyah refers to the misguidance of the polytheists and their propagation night and day. Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 41:25وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَآءَ فَزَيَّنُوا۟ لَهُم

«And We have assigned for them (devils) intimate companions, who have made fair-seeming to them.»

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:33وَصُدُّوا۟ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

«and they have been hindered from the right path;»

Some read with Fatḥa over the Ṣād (i.e. wa Ṣaddū), which would mean, 'and they hindered from the right path, feeling fond of the misguidance they are in, thinking that it is correct, they called to it and thus hindered the people from following the path of the Messengers.' Others read it with Damma over the Ṣād (i.e. wa Ṣuddū), which would mean, 'and they have been hindered from the right path,' explained it this way: because they thought that their way looked fair or correct, they were hindered by it from the right path, so Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:33وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْ هَادٍ

«and whom Allāh sends astray, for him there is no guide.»

Allāh said in similar instances,

Qur’an 5:41وَمَن يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ فِتْنَتَهُۥ فَلَن تَمْلِكَ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا

«And whomsoever Allāh wants to suffer a trial, you can do nothing for him against Allāh.» [5:41], and,

Qur’an 16:37إِن تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَىٰهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَن يُضِلُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«If you covet for their guidance, then verily, Allāh guides not those whom He makes to go astray. And they will have no helpers.»[16:37]

Qur’an 13:34–35لَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَشَقُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ

«34. For them is a torment in the life of this world, and certainly, harder is the torment of the Hereafter. And they have no defender (or protector) against Allāh.»

«35. The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwā have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwā, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.»

Punishment of the Disbelievers and Reward of the Pious Believers

Here, Allāh mentions the punishment of the disbelievers and the reward of the righteous believers, after describing the Kufr and Shirk that the disbelievers indulge in,

Qur’an 13:34لَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

«For them is a torment in the life of this world,»

by the hands of the believers, killing and capturing them,

Qur’an 13:34وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ

«and certainly, the torment of the Hereafter.» which will come after they suffer humiliation in this life,

Qur’an 13:34أَشَقُّ

«is harder» many times harder. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to those who agreed to Mulā'anah,^{1The curse invoked when it is believed that the spouse has committed adultery and there are no witnesses. See the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Nūr no 7.}

Ḥadīthإِنَّ عَذَابَ الدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْآخِرَةِ

«Surely, the torment of this life, is easier than the torment of the Hereafter.»^{2Muslim 2:1131.}

Indeed, and just as the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ stated, the torment of this life ends but the torment of the Hereafter is everlasting in a Fire that is seventy times hot than our fire, where there are chains whose thickness and hardness are unimaginable. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 89:25–26فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يُعَذِّبُ عَذَابَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ وَلَا يُوثِقُ وَثَاقَهُۥٓ أَحَدٌ

«So on that Day none will punish as He will punish. And none will bind as He will bind.»[89:25-26], and,

Qur’an 25:11–12وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِمَن كَذَّبَ بِٱلسَّاعَةِ سَعِيرًا إِذَا رَأَتْهُم مِّن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا

Qur’an 25:13–15وَإِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوْا۟ هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورًا لَّا تَدْعُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ثُبُورًا وَٰحِدًا وَٱدْعُوا۟ ثُبُورًا كَثِيرًا قُلْ أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ أَمْ جَنَّةُ ٱلْخُلْدِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ جَزَآءً وَمَصِيرًا

«And for those who deny the Hour, We have prepared a flaming Fire. When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring. And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they will exclaim therein for destruction. Exclaim not today for one destruction, but exclaim for many destructions. Say: "Is that (torment) better, or the Paradise of Eternity promised for those who have Taqwā?" It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination.» [25:11-15]

Similarly He said;

Qur’an 13:35مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

«The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwā have been promised»

meaning its description and qualities;

Qur’anتَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ

«Underneath it rivers flow,»

these rivers flow in the various parts and grades of Paradise and wherever its people wish they flow and gush forth for them.

Allāh also said,

Qur’an 47:15مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ فِيهَآ أَنْهَٰرٌ مِّن مَّآءٍ غَيْرِ ءَاسِنٍ وَأَنْهَٰرٌ مِّن لَّبَنٍ لَّمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُۥ وَأَنْهَٰرٌ مِّنْ خَمْرٍ لَّذَّةٍ لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ وَأَنْهَٰرٌ مِّنْ عَسَلٍ مُّصَفًّى وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ

«The description of Paradise which those who have Taqwā have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey, therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness.» [47:15]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:35أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا

«its provision is eternal and so is its shade» for Paradise has foods, fruits and drinks that never end or finish. It is recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that Ibn 'Abbās narrated in the Ḥadīth about the Eclipse prayer that the Companions said, "O Allāh's Messenger! While you were standing [in prayer], we saw you reach for something with your hand and then you brought it back." The Messenger ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ الْجَنَّةَ - أَوْ أُرِيتُ الْجَنَّةَ - فَتَنَاوَلْتُ مِنْهَا عُنْقُودًا، وَلَوْ أَخَذْتُهُ لَأَكَلْتُمْ مِنْهُ مَا بَقِيَتِ الدُّنْيَا

«I saw Paradise - or was shown Paradise - and reached for a cluster (of grapes or other fruit), and had I kept it, you would have eaten from it as long as this life remains.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 2:271, Muslim 2:626.}

Imām Muslim recorded that Jābir bin 'Abdullāh said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthيَأْكُلُ أَهْلُ الْجَنَّةِ وَيَشْرَبُونَ، وَلَا يَتَمَخَّطُونَ وَلَا يَتَغَوَّطُونَ، وَلَا يَبُولُونَ، طَعَامُهُمْ جُشَاءٌ كَرِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، وَيُلْهَمُونَ التَّسْبِيحَ وَالتَّقْدِيسَ كَمَا يُلْهَمُونَ النَّفَسَ

«The people of Paradise eat and drink, and they do not need to blow their noses, or answer the call of nature, or urinate, for they pass the food excrements in belches, which smell like musk. They will be inspired to praise and glorify (Allāh) as spontaneously as they breathe.»^{4Muslim no. 2835.}

Imāms Aḥmad and An-Nasā'ī recorded that Thumāmah bin 'Uqbah said that he heard Zayd bin Arqam say, "A man from the People of the Scriptures came and said [to the Prophet ﷺ], 'O Abul-Qāsim! You claim that the people of Paradise eat and drink?' The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthنَعَمْ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ، إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْهُمْ لَيُعْطَى قُوَّةَ مِائَةِ رَجُلٍ فِي الْأَكْلِ وَالشُّرْبِ وَالْجِمَاعِ وَالشَّهْوَةِ

«Yes. By He in Whose Hand is Muḥammad's life, a man among them will be given the strength of a hundred men in eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and appetite.»

That man asked, 'He who eats and drinks needs to relieve the call of nature, but Paradise is pure [from feces and urine]?' The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthتَكُونُ حَاجَةُ أَحَدِهِمْ رَشْحًا يَفِيضُ مِنْ جُلُودِهِمْ كَرِيحِ الْمِسْكِ فَيَضْمُرُ بَطْنُهُ

«One of them (residents of Paradise) relieves the call of nature through a sweat that emanates from the skin, with the scent of musk, and the stomach becomes empty again.»

Imām Aḥmad and An-Nasā'ī collected this Ḥadīth.^{5Aḥmad 4:367, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 1178.}

Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 56:32–33وَفَٰكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍ

«And fruit in plenty, whose supply is not cut off nor are they out of reach.»[56:32-33], and,

Qur’an 76:14وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلَٰلُهَا وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًا

«And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach.»[76:14]

The shade of Paradise is everlasting and never shrinks, just as Allāh said,

Qur’an 4:57وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَنُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا لَّهُمْ فِيهَآ أَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَنُدْخِلُهُمْ ظِلًّا ظَلِيلًا

«But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have pure mates, and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening.»[4:57]

Allāh often mentions the description of Paradise and the description of the Fire together, to make Paradise appealing and warn against the Fire. This is why, after Allāh mentioned the description of Paradise here, He next said,

Qur’an 13:35تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ

«this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwā, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.»

Allāh said in another Āyah ,

Qur’an 59:20لَا يَسْتَوِىٓ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ

«Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.» [59:20]

Qur’an 13:36–37وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُۥ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَلَآ أُشْرِكَ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُوا۟ وَإِلَيْهِ مَـَٔابِ وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ حُكْمًا عَرَبِيًّا وَلَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم بَعْدَ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا وَاقٍ

«36. Those to whom We have given the Book, rejoice at what has been revealed unto you, but there are among the Aḥzāb (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allāh and not to join partners with Him. To Him I call and to Him is my return."»

«37. And thus have We sent it (the Qur'ān) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic. Were you to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Walī (protector) or defender against Allāh.»

The Truthful Ones from among the People of the Scriptures rejoice at what Allāh has revealed to Muḥammad ﷺ

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:36وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ

«Those to whom We have given the Book,» and they adhere by it,

Qur’an 13:36يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ

«rejoice at what has been revealed unto you,»

i.e. the Qur'ān, because they have evidence in their Books affirming the truth of the Qur'ān and conveying the good news of its imminent revelation, just as Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 2:121ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَتْلُونَهُۥ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِۦٓ

«Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited.» [2:121]

Allāh said,

Qur’an 17:107قُلْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوْ لَا تُؤْمِنُوٓا۟

«Say: "Believe in it (the Qur'an) or do not believe."» [17:107], until,

Qur’an 17:108إِن كَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفْعُولًا

«Truly, the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled.» [17:109]

meaning, Allāh's promise to us in our Books to send Muḥammad ﷺ is true. It is certain and will surely come to pass and be fulfilled, so all praise to our Lord, how truthful is His promise, all the thanks are due to Him,

Qur’an 17:109وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلْأَذْقَانِ يَبْكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمْ خُشُوعًا

«And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.» [17:109]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:36وَمِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُۥ

«but there are among the Aḥzāb (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof.»

meaning, 'There are those among the sects who disbelieve in some of what was revealed to you (O Muḥammad).' Mujāhid said that,

Qur’an 13:36وَمِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ

«but there are among the Aḥzāb (Confederates)», refers to Jews and Christians,

Qur’an 13:36مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُۥ

«those who reject a part thereof», meaning, 'They reject a part of the truth that came down to you - O Muḥammad.' Similar was reported from Qatādah and 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:474. Meaning Allāh has not done those things mentioned in Āyah no 31.} Allāh said in similar Āyāt,

Qur’an 3:199وَإِنَّ مِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَمَن يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ

«And there are, certainly, among the People of the Scripture, those who believe in Allāh.» [3:199]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:36قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَلَآ أُشْرِكَ بِهِۦٓ

«Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allāh and not to join partners with Him..."»

meaning, 'I (Muḥammad) was sent with the religion of worshipping Allāh alone without partners, just as the Messengers before me,

Qur’an 13:36إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُوا۟

«To Him (alone) I call», I call the people to His path,

Qur’an 13:36وَإِلَيْهِ مَـَٔابِ

«and to Him is my return.» final destination and destiny.'

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:37وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ حُكْمًا عَرَبِيًّا

«And thus have We sent it (the Qur'ān) down to be a judgement of authority in Arabic.»

Allāh says, 'Just as We sent Messengers before you and revealed to them Divine Books from heaven, We sent down to you the Qur'ān, a judgement of authority in Arabic, as an honor for you, and We preferred you among all people with this clear, plain and unequivocal Book that,

Qur’an 41:42لَّا يَأْتِيهِ ٱلْبَٰطِلُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ

«Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.»' [41:42]

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:37وَلَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم

«Were you to follow their (vain) desires», means, their opinions,

Qur’an 13:37بَعْدَ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ

«after the knowledge which has come to you» from Allāh, all praise to Him,

Qur’an 13:37مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا وَاقٍ

Qur’an 13:35–42مَّثَلُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى وُعِدَ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ أُكُلُهَا دَآئِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا تِلْكَ عُقْبَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّعُقْبَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ٱلنَّارُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُۥ قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَلَآ أُشْرِكَ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُوا۟ وَإِلَيْهِ مَـَٔابِ وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ حُكْمًا عَرَبِيًّا وَلَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُم بَعْدَ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِىٍّ وَلَا وَاقٍ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِۦ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ وَقَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَكْرُ جَمِيعًا يَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلْكُفَّٰرُ لِمَنْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ

«then you will not have any Walī (protector) or defender against Allāh.»

This part of the Āyah warns people of knowledge against following the paths of misguidance after they had gained knowledge in (and abided by) the Prophetic Sunnah and the path of Muḥammad, may Allāh's best peace and blessings be on him.

Qur’an 13:38–39وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«38. And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and made for them wives and offspring. And it was not for a Messenger to bring a sign except by Allāh's leave. (For) every matter there is a decree (from Allāh).»

«39. Allāh blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book.»

All Prophets and Messengers were Humans

Allāh says, 'Just as We have sent you O Muḥammad, a Prophet and a human, We sent the Messengers before you from among mankind, that eat food, walk in the markets, and We gave them wives and offspring.' Allāh said to the most honorable and Final Messenger,

Qur’anقُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ

«Say: "I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me."» [18:110]

It is recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthأَمَّا أَنَا فَأَصُومُ وَأُفْطِرُ، وَأَقُومُ وَأَنَامُ، وَآكُلُ اللَّحْمَ، وَأَتَزَوَّجُ النِّسَاءَ، فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي

«As for me, I fast and break the fast, stand in prayer at night and sleep, eat meat and marry women; so whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of mine.»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 9:5, Muslim 2:1020.}

No Prophet can bring a Miracle except by Allāh's Leave

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:38وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِىَ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ

«And it was not for a Messenger to bring a sign except by Allāh's leave.»

meaning, no Prophet could have brought a miracle to his people except by Allāh's permission and will, for this matter is only decided by Allāh the Exalted and Most Honored, not the Prophets; surely Allāh does what He wills and decides what He wills.

Qur’an 13:38لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ

«(For) every matter there is a decree (from Allāh).»

for every term appointed, there is a record (or decree) that keeps it, and everything has a specific due measure with Allāh,

Qur’an 22:70أَلَمْ تَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ فِى كِتَٰبٍ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

«Know you not that Allāh knows all that is in the heaven and on the earth? Verily, it is (all) in the Book. Verily, that is easy for Allāh.»[22:70] Meaning of Allāh blotting out what He wills and confirming what He wills of the Book

Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:39يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ

«Allāh blots out what He wills» of the divinely revealed Books,

Qur’an 13:39وَيُثْبِتُ

«and confirms», until the Qur'ān, revealed from Allāh to His Messenger peace be upon him, abrogated them all.

Mujāhid commented;

Qur’an 13:39يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ

«Allāh blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills).»

"Except life and death, misery and happiness [i.e., faith and disbelief], for they do not change."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:479.} Manṣūr said that he asked Mujāhid, "Some of us say in their supplication, 'O Allāh! If my name is with those who are happy (believers), affirm my name among them, and if my name is among the miserable ones (disbelievers), remove it from among them and place it among the happy ones." Mujāhid said. "This supplication is good." I met him a year or more later and repeated the same question to him and he recited these Āyāt,

Qur’an 44:3إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍ

«We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night.»

Mujāhid commented next, "During Laylatul-Qadr (Night of the Decrees), Allāh decides what provisions and disasters will occur in the next year of. He then brings forward or back (or blots out) whatever He wills. As for the Book containing the records of the happy (believers) and the miserable (disbelievers), it does not change."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:480.} Al-A'mash narrated that Abu Wā'il, Shaqīq bin Salamah said that he used to recite this supplication often, "O Allāh, if You wrote us among the wretched ones, remove this status from us and write us among the blessed ones. If You wrote us among the blessed ones, please let us stay that way, for surely, You blot out and confirm what You will, and with You is the Mother of the Book."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:481.} Ibn Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabari collected this. Similar statements were collected from 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb and 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd, indicating that Allāh blots out (or abrogates) and affirms what He wills in the Book of Records. What further supports this meaning is that Imām Aḥmad recorded that Thawbān said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُحْرَمُ الرِّزْقَ بِالذَّنْبِ يُصِيبُهُ، وَلَا يَرُدُّ الْقَدَرَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ، وَلَا يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمْرِ إِلَّا الْبِرُّ

«A man might be deprived of a provision (that was written for him) because of a sin that he commits; only supplication changes Al-Qadar (Predestination); and only Birr (righteousness). can increase the life span."»

An-Nasā’ī and Ibn Mājah collected this Ḥadīth.^{5Aḥmad 5:227, Ibn Mājah no. 90.} There is also a Ḥadīth recorded in the Ṣaḥīḥ that affirms that maintaining the ties of the womb increases the life span.^{6Muslim no. 2557.}

Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās said about Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 13:39يَمْحُوا۟ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُۥٓ أُمُّ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«Allāh blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book.»

"A man might work in Allāh's obedience for a while but he reverts to the disobedience of Him and then dies while misguided. This is what Allāh blots out, while what He confirms is a man who works in His disobedience, but since goodness was destined for him, he dies after reverting to the obedience of Allāh. This is what Allāh confirms."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:483.} It was also reported that Sa'īd bin Jubayr said that this Āyah is in the meaning of another Āyah,

Qur’an 2:284فَيَغْفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«Then He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allāh is able to do all things.»^{8Al-Qurṭubi 9:331.} [2:284]

Qur’an 13:40–41وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا وَٱللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِۦ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

«40. Whether We show you part of what We have promised them or cause you to die, your duty is only to convey (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning.»

«41. See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders. And Allāh judges, there is none to put back His judgement, and He is swift at reckoning.»

Punishment is by Allāh, and the Messenger's Job is only to convey the Message

Allāh said to His Messenger ﷺ,

Qur’an 13:40وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ

'«Whether We show you» O Muḥammad, part of the disgrace and humiliation We have promised your enemies in this life,

Qur’an 13:40أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ

«or cause you to die» before that,

Qur’an 13:40فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ

«your duty is only to convey» We have only sent you to convey to them Allāh's Message, and by doing so, you will have fulfilled the mission that was ordained on you,

Qur’an 13:40وَعَلَيْنَا ٱلْحِسَابُ

«and on Us is the reckoning», their reckoning and recompense is on Us.' Allāh said in similar Āyāt,

Qur’an 88:21–26فَذَكِّرْ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُذَكِّرٌ لَّسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُصَيْطِرٍ إِلَّا مَن تَوَلَّىٰ وَكَفَرَ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَكْبَرَ إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا حِسَابَهُم

«So remind them - you are only one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them - Save the one who turns away and disbelieves. Then Allāh will punish him with the greatest punishment. Verily, to Us will be their return, Then verily, for Us will be their reckoning.»[88:21-26]

Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:41أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا

«See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders.»

Ibn 'Abbās commented, "See they not that We are granting land after land to Muḥammad (ﷺ)?"^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:493.} Al-Ḥasan and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk commented that this Āyah refers to Muslims gaining the upper hand over idolators,^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:494.} just as Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 46:27وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ

«And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you.» [46:27]

Qur’an 13:42وَقَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَكْرُ جَمِيعًا يَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلْكُفَّٰرُ لِمَنْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ

«42. And verily, those before them did devise plots, but all planning is Allāh's. He knows what every person earns, and the disbelievers will know who gets the good end (final destination).»

The Disbelievers plot, but the Believers gain the Good End

Allāh says,

Qur’an 13:42وَقَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

«And verily, those before them did devise plots,» against their Messengers, they wanted to expel them from their land, but Allāh devised plots against the disbelievers and gave the good end to those who fear Him. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 8:30وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ

الْمَاكِرِينَ ﴾

﴿And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out; they were plotting and Allāh too was plotting; and Allāh is the Best of those who plot.» [8:30], and,

Qur’an 27:50–51وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily, We destroyed them and their nation, all together.»[27:50,51] Allāh said next,

Qur’an 13:42يَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ

«He knows what every person earns,»

meaning, He alone knows all secrets and concealed thoughts and will reckon each person according to his work,

Qur’an 13:42وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلْكُفَّٰرُ

and the Kāfir (disbeliever) will know

Qur’an 13:42ٱلْكُفَّٰرُ

or the Kuffār (disbelievers) according to another way of reciting,

Qur’an 13:42لِمَنْ عُقْبَى ٱلدَّارِ

«who gets the good end.» who will earn the ultimate and final victory, they or the followers of the Messengers. Indeed, the followers of the Messengers will earn the good end in this life and the Hereafter, all thanks and praise is due to Allāh.

Qur’an 13:43وَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«43. And those who disbelieved, say: "You are not a Messenger." Say: "Sufficient as a witness between me and you is Allāh and those too who have knowledge of the Scripture."» Allāh and those who have Knowledge of the Scripture are Sufficient as Witness to the Message of the Prophet ﷺ

Allāh says, the disbelievers reject you and say,

Qur’an 13:43لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا

«You are not a Messenger.» from Allāh,

Qur’an 13:43قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدًۢا بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَكُمْ

«Say: "Sufficient as a witness between me and you is Allāh..."»

meaning, say, 'Allāh is sufficient for me and He is the witness over me and you. He is witness that I (Muḥammad) have conveyed the Message from Him and over you, O rejecters, to the falsehood that you invent.' Allāh said,

Qur’an 13:43وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ عِلْمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ

«and those too who have knowledge of the Scripture.»

This refers to 'Abdullāh bin Salām, according to Mujāhid.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:502.} However, this opinion is not plausible, since this Āyah was revealed in Makkah and 'Abdullāh bin Salam embraced Islām soon after the Prophet ﷺ emigrated to Al-Madīnah. A more suitable explanation is that narrated by Al-'Awfi from Ibn 'Abbās that this Āyah refers to Jews and Christians.^2Ibid. Qatādah said that among them are, 'Abdullāh bin Salām, Salmān (Al-Fārisi) and Tamīm Ad-Dāri.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 16:503.}

The correct view is that this Āyah,

Qur’an 13:43وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ

«and those too who have...», refers to the scholars of the People of the Scriptures who find the description of Muḥammad ﷺ in their Books and the good news of his advent that were conveyed to them by their Prophets. Allāh said in other Āyāt,

Qur’an 7:156وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا

Qur’an 7:156–157يُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ

«And My mercy embraces all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who have Taqwā, and give Zakāh; and those who believe in Our Āyāt; Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write whom they find written with them in the Tawrāh and the Injīl.» [7:156-157] and,

Qur’an 26:197أَوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ ءَايَةً أَن يَعْلَمَهُۥ عُلَمَٰٓؤُا۟ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ

«It is not a sign to them that the learned scholars of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)?»[26:197]

There are similar Āyāt that affirm that the scholars of the Children of Israel know this fact from their divinely revealed Books.

This is the end of Sūrat Ar-Ra'd, and all praise is due to Allāh and all favors are from Him.