The Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Naḥl (Chapter - 16)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 16:1أَتَىٰٓ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«1. The Event ordained by Allāh has indeed come, so do not seek to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him.»

Warning about the approach of the Hour

Allāh is informing about the approach of the Hour in the past tense [in Arabic] in order to confirm that it will undoubtedly come to pass. This is like the following Āyāt, in which the verbs appear in the past tense in Arabic:

Qur’an 21:1ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ

«Mankind's reckoning has drawn near them, while they turn away in heedlessness.»[21:1]

Qur’an 54:1ٱقْتَرَبَتِ ٱلسَّاعَةُ وَٱنشَقَّ ٱلْقَمَرُ

«The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft.» [54:1]

Qur’an 16:1فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ

«so do not seek to hasten it.» means, what was far is now near, so do not try to rush it. As Allāh said,

Qur’an 29:53–54وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ وَلَوْلَآ أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى لَّجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَيَأْتِيَنَّهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِٱلْعَذَابِ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌۢ بِٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«And they ask you to hasten the torment (for them), and had it not been for a term appointed, the torment would certainly have come to them. And surely, it will come upon them suddenly while they are unaware! They ask you to hasten on the torment. And verily! Hell, of a surety, will encompass the disbelievers» (29:53-54).

Ibn Abi Ḥātim reported from 'Uqbah bin 'Āmir that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthتَطْلُعُ عَلَيْكُمْ عِنْدَ السَّاعَةِ سَحَابَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ مِثْلَ التُّرْسِ، فَمَا تَزَالُ تَرْتَفِعُ فِي السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي مُنَادٍ فِيهَا: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! فَيُقْبِلُ النَّاسُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ: هَلْ سَمِعْتُمْ، فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَقُولُ: نَعَمْ، وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَشُكُّ، ثُمَّ يُنَادِي الثَّانِيَةَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! فَيَقُولُ النَّاسُ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ: هَلْ سَمِعْتُمْ، فَيَقُولُونَ: نَعَمْ، ثُمَّ يُنَادِي الثَّالِثَةَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ! أَتَى أَمْرُ الله فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُ

«When the Hour approaches, a black cloud resembling a shield will emerge upon from the west. It will continue rising in the sky, then a voice will call out, 'O mankind!' The people will say to one another, 'Did you hear that?' Some will say, 'yes', but others will doubt it. Then a second call will come, 'O mankind!' The people will say to one another, 'Did you hear that?' And they will say, 'Yes.' Then a third call will come, 'O mankind!' The Event ordained by Allāh has indeed come, so do not seek to hasten it.'»

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthفَوَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، إِنَّ الرَّجُلَيْنِ لَيَنْشُرَانِ الثَّوْبَ فَمَا يَطْوِيَانِهِ أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَمُدَّنَّ حَوْضَهُ فَمَا يَسْقِي فِيهِ شَيْئًا أَبَدًا، وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَحْلُبُ نَاقَتَهُ فَمَا يَشْرِبُهُ أَبَدًا - قَالَ - وَيَشْتَغِلُ النَّاسُ

«By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, two men will spread out a cloth, but will never refold it; a man will prepare his trough, but will never water his animals from it; and a man will milk his camel, but will never drink the milk.'' Then he said, "The people will be distracted."»^{1Al-Ḥākim 4:539.}

Then Allāh tells us that He is free from their allegations of partners to their worship of idols, and making equals for Him. Glorified and exalted be He far above that. These are the people who deny the Hour, so He says:

Qur’an 16:1سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him.»

Qur’an 16:2يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ أَنْ أَنذِرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱتَّقُونِ

«2. He sends down the angels with the Rūḥ (revelation) of His command to those servants of His whom He wills (saying): "Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshipped but I, so have Taqwā of Me."»

Allāh sends Whomever He wills with the Message of Tawḥīd

Qur’an 16:2يُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ بِٱلرُّوحِ

«He sends down the angels with the Rūḥ» refers to the revelation. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 42:52وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا

«And thus We have sent to you a Rūḥ (revelation) by Our command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is the faith. But We have made it a light by which We guide whomever We will among Our servants.» [43:52]

Qur’an 16:2عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ

«to those servants of His whom He wills» meaning the Prophets, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:124ٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُۥ

«Allāh best knows where to place His Message.» [6:124]

Qur’an 22:75ٱللَّهُ يَصْطَفِى مِنَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ

«Allāh chooses Messengers from angels and from men.» [22:75]

Qur’an 40:15–16يُلْقِى ٱلرُّوحَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِۦ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ لِيُنذِرَ يَوْمَ ٱلتَّلَاقِ يَوْمَ هُم بَٰرِزُونَ لَا يَخْفَىٰ

Qur’an 40:16عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ

«He sends the Rūḥ (revelation) by His command to whoever among His servants He wills to, that he may warn of the Day of Meeting. The Day when they will (all) come out, nothing about them will be hidden from Allāh. Whose is the kingdom this Day? : It is Allāh's, the One, the Irresistible!» (40:15-16)

Qur’an 16:2أَنْ أَنذِرُوٓا۟

«(saying): "Warn..."» meaning that they should alert them.

Qur’an 16:2أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱتَّقُونِ

«that none has the right to be worshipped but I, so have Taqwā of Me.»

means, 'fear My punishment, if you go against My commands and worship anything other than Me.'

Qur’an 16:3–4خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ تَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ

«3. He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. High is He, Exalted above all that they associate as partners with Him.»

«4. He has created man from a Nutfah,^{1Drop of sperm.} then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.»

Allāh is the One Who has created the Heavens, the Earth, and Man

Allāh tells us about His creation of the upper realm, which is the heavens, and the lower realm, which is the earth, and everything in them. They have been created for a true purpose, not in vain, so that

Qur’an 53:31لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى

«He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).» [53:31]

Then He declares Himself to be above the Shirk of those who worship others besides Him. He is independent of His creation, alone with no partner or associate. For this reason He deserves to be worshipped Alone, without partners. Then He mentions how man has been created from a Nutfah, i.e., something that is insignificant, weak and has no value - but when man becomes independent and is able to fend for himself - then he begins to dispute with his Lord, may He be exalted, and disbelieves in Him and fights His Messengers. But man was created to be a servant, not an opponent, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 25:54–55وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ بَشَرًا فَجَعَلَهُۥ نَسَبًا وَصِهْرًا وَكَانَ رَبُّكَ قَدِيرًا وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُهُمْ وَلَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَكَانَ ٱلْكَافِرُ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ ظَهِيرًا

«And it is He Who has created man from water, and gave him descendants, and made Him kindred by marriage, and your Lord is capable (of all things). And they worship besides Allāh, that which can neither profit them nor harm them; and the disbeliever is ever a helper (of Shayṭān) against his Lord» (25:54-55).

And;

Qur’an 36:77–79أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُّبِينٌ وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًا وَنَسِىَ خَلْقَهُۥ قَالَ مَن يُحْىِ ٱلْعِظَٰمَ وَهِىَ رَمِيمٌ قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَهَآ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ

«Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah. Yet, behold he stands as an open opponent. And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says: "Who will give life to these bones after they are rotten and have become dust?" Say: "He will give life to them Who created them the first time! And He is the knower of every creature!"» (36:77-79).

Imām Aḥmad and Ibn Mājah reported that Busr bin Jaḥḥāsh said: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ spat in his palm, then he said,

Qur’an 16:7–14وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَآئِرٌ وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لَّكُم مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرْعَ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبَ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Ḥadīthيقول الله تعالى: ابن آدم أنى تعجزني وقد خلقتك من مثل هذه، حتى إذا سويتك فعدلتك مشيت بين بُردَيك وللأرض منك وئيد، فجمعت ومنعت حتى إذا بلغت الحلقوم قلت: أتصدق، وأنى أوان الصدقة

«Allāh, may He be exalted, says: "O son of Ādam, how could you be more powerful than I when I have created you from something like this, and when I have fashioned you perfectly and made you complete, you walk wearing your two garments and the earth makes a sound (beneath your feet). You collect money but do not give anything to anyone, then when the soul of a dying person reaches the throat, you say, 'I want to give in charity', but it is too late for charity."»^{2Aḥmad 2:410, Ibn Mājah 2:903.}

Qur’an 16:5–7وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمَ خَلَقَهَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«5. And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and you eat from them.»

«6. And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture (in the morning).»

«7. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach yourselves except with great trouble. Truly, your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.»

The Cattle are part of the Creation of Allāh and a Blessing from Him

Allāh reminds His servants of the blessing in His creation of An'ām, this term includes camels, cows and sheep, as was explained in detail in Sūrat Al-An'ām where the "eight pairs" are mentioned.^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-An'ām [6:143-144].} The blessings include the benefits derived from their wool and hair, from which clothes and furnishings are made, from their milk which is drunk, and their young which are eaten. Their beauty is a kind of adornment, thus Allāh says,

Qur’an 16:6وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ

«And there is beauty in them for you, when you bring them home in the evening.»

which is when they are brought back from the pasture in the evening. This is a reference to how their flanks become fat, their udders fill with milk and their humps become bigger.

Qur’an 16:6وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ

«and as you lead them forth to pasture (in the morning).» meaning when you send them out to the pasture in the morning.

Qur’an 16:7وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ

«And they carry your loads» meaning the heavy burdens that you cannot move or carry by yourselves

Qur’an 16:7إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ

«to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves»

meaning journeys for Ḥajj, 'Umrah, military campaigns, and journeys for the purpose of trading, and so on. They use these animals for all kinds of purposes, for riding and for carrying loads, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 23:21–22وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ

«And verily, there is indeed a lesson for you in the An'ām (cattle). We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are numerous (other) benefits in them for you. Of them you eat, and on them and on ships you are carried.» (23:21-22)

Qur’an 40:79–81ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمَ لِتَرْكَبُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا۟ عَلَيْهَا حَاجَةً فِى صُدُورِكُمْ وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ وَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ فَأَىَّ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ تُنكِرُونَ

«Allāh, it is He Who has made cattle for you, so that some you may ride, and some you may eat. And you find (many other) benefits in them; you may reach by their means a desire that is in your breasts (i.e. carry your goods, loads), and on them and on ships you are carried. And He shows you His Āyāt. Which, then of the Āyāt of Allāh do you deny?» (40:79-81).

Thus here Allāh says, after enumerating these blessings,

Qur’an 16:7إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Truly, your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.»

meaning, your Lord is the One Who has subjugated the An'ām (cattle) to you. This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 36:71–72أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَآ أَنْعَٰمًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَٰلِكُونَ وَذَلَّلْنَٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ

«Do they not see, that of what Our Hands have created, We created the An'ām (cattle) for them, so that they may own them, and We subdued them so that they may ride some and they may eat some.»(36:71-72).

Qur’an 43:12–14وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْفُلْكِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ لِتَسْتَوُۥا۟ عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِۦ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا۟ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُۥ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ

«And He made mounts for you out of ships and cattle. In order that you may ride on their backs, and may then remember the favor of your Lord when you mount upon them, and say: "Glory be to the One Who subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return!"» (43:12-14)

Ibn 'Abbās said,

Qur’an 16:5لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ

«In them there is warmth» refers to clothing;

Qur’an 16:5وَمَنَٰفِعُ

«and numerous benefits» refers to the ways in which they derive the benefits of food and drink from them."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:168.}

Qur’an 16:8وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

«8. And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride, and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge.»

This refers to another category of animals that Allāh has created as a blessing for His servants; horses, mules and donkeys, all of which He made for riding and adornment. This is the main purpose for which these animals were created. It was reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that Jābir bin 'Abdullāh said: "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ forbade us to eat the meat of domestic donkeys, but he allowed us to eat the meat of horses."^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 9:570, Muslim 3:1541.}

Imām Aḥmad and Abu Dāwud reported with two chains of narration, each of which meet the conditions of Muslim, that Jābir said: "On the day of Khaybar we slaughtered horses, mules and donkeys. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ forbade us from eating the mules and donkeys, but he did not forbid us from eating the horses."^{2Aḥmad 3:356, 362, Abu Dāwud 4:149, 151.}

According to Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Asmā' bint Abi Bakr (may Allāh be pleased with them both) said: "At the time of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ we slaughtered a horse and ate it when we were in Al-Madīnah."^{3Muslim 3:1541.}

Qur’an 16:9وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَآئِرٌ وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«9. And it is up to Allāh to show the right way. But there are ways that stray. And had He willed, He would have guided you all.»

Explanation of the Different Religious Paths

When Allāh mentioned the animals which may be used for the purpose of physical journeys, He also referred to the moral, religious routes that people may follow. Often in the Qur'ān there is a shift from physical or tangible things to beneficial spiritual and religious matters, as when Allāh says,

Qur’an 2:197وَتَزَوَّدُوا۟ فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ ٱلزَّادِ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ

«And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is Taqwā (piety, righteousness).» [2:197]

And,

Qur’an 7:26يَٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ

«O Children of Ādam! We have granted clothing for you to cover yourselves, as well as for adornment; but the raiment of righteousness, that is better.» [7:26]

Since Allāh mentioned cattle and other such animals in this Sūrah, all of which are ridden or can be used in any way necessary, carrying people's necessities for them to distant places and on difficult journeys - then He mentions the ways which people follow to try to reach Him, and explains that the right way is the one that does reach Him. He says:

Qur’an 16:9وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

«And it is up to Allāh to show the right way.»

This is like the Āyāt,

Qur’an 6:153وَأَنَّ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطِى مُسْتَقِيمًا فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلسُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ

«And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow the (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path.» [6:153]

and,

Qur’an 15:41قَالَ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ

«(Allāh) said: "This is the way which will lead straight to Me."» (15:41)

Qur’an 16:9وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

«And it is up to Allāh to show the right way.»

Mujāhid said: "The true way is up to Allāh."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:175.}

Qur’an 16:9وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ قَصْدُ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

«And it is up to Allāh to show the right way.»

Al-'Awfi said that Ibn 'Abbās said: "It is up to Allāh to clarify, to explain the guidance and misguidance." This was also reported by 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah, and was also the opinion of Qatādah and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk.

Hence Allāh said:

Qur’an 16:9وَمِنْهَا جَآئِرٌ

«But there are ways that stray.» meaning they deviate from the truth. Ibn 'Abbās and others said: "These are the different ways,"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:176.} and various opinions and whims, such as Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Ibn Mas'ūd recited it as

(وَمِنْكُمْ جَائِرٌ)

"But among you are those who stray."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:176.}

Then Allāh tells us that all of that happens by His will and decree. He says:

Qur’an 16:9وَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدَىٰكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

«And had He willed, He would have guided you all.»

And Allāh says:

Qur’an 10:99وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا

«If your Lord had willed, then all who are in the earth would have believed.» [10:99]

Qur’an 11:118–119وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ

«And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely, have made humanity one Ummah, but they will not stop disagreeing. Except those for whom your Lord has granted mercy. And it is for this that He did create them; and the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled (i.e. His saying): "Surely, I shall fill Hell with Jinn and men all together."» (11:118-119).

Qur’an 16:10–11هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لَّكُم مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرْعَ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبَ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«10. He it is Who sends water down from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture.»

«11. With it He causes crops to grow for you, the olives, the date palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily, in this there is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.»

The Blessings of Rain, and explaining how it is one of the Signs

When Allāh mentions the blessings of cattle and other animals that He has granted mankind, He then mentions how He has blessed them by sending rain down from the sky above, which has been fulfilling the needs and bringing joy to people and their cattle. Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:10لَّكُم مِّنْهُ شَرَابٌ

«from it you drink» meaning, He made it fresh and pure so that they can drink it, not salty and undrinkable.

Qur’an 16:10وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ

«and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture.» meaning, from it He raised plants on which your cattle graze. Ibn 'Abbās, 'Ikrimah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah and Ibn Zayd, all said that this refers to grazing animals^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:178.} including camels.

Qur’an 16:11يُنۢبِتُ لَكُم بِهِ ٱلزَّرْعَ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلنَّخِيلَ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبَ وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ

«With it He causes crops to grow for you, olives, date palms, grapes, and every kind of fruit.»

meaning, with this one kind of water, He makes the earth sprout plants with different tastes, colors, scents and shapes. For this reason He says,

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«Verily, in this there is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.»

meaning, this is a sign and a proof that there is no god besides Allāh, as He says:

Qur’an 27:60أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ حَدَآئِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَّا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُنۢبِتُوا۟ شَجَرَهَآ أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ

«Is not He (better than your gods) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends water down for you from the sky, from which We cause wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight to grow? You are not able to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilāh (god) with Allāh? Nay, but they are a people who make equals (to Him)!» (27:60).

Qur’an 16:12–13وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَٰتٌۢ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

«12. And He has subjected the night and the day for you, and the sun and the moon; and the stars are subjected by His command. Surely, in this are proofs for people who understand.»

«13. And all He has created of varying colors on the earth for you. Verily, in this is a sign for people who reflect.» Signs in the Subjection of Night and Day, the Sun and the Moon, and in that which grows on Earth

Allāh mentions the mighty signs and immense blessings to be found in His subjection of night and day, which follow one another; the sun and moon, which revolve; the stars, both fixed and moving through the skies, offering light by which people may find their way in the darkness. Each of (these heavenly bodies) travels in its own orbit, which Allāh has ordained for it, and travels in the manner prescribed for it, without deviating in any way. All of them are under His subjugation, His control and His decree, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 7:54إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ يُغْشِى ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose (Istawā) over the Throne. He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars (all) subjected to His command. Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allāh, the Lord of all that exists!» (7:54)

Thus Allāh says;

Qur’an 16:12إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«Surely, in this are proofs for people who understand.»

meaning, they are indications of His immense power and might, for those who think about Allāh and understand His signs.

Qur’an 16:13وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَٰنُهُۥٓ

«And whatsoever He has created of varying colors on the earth for you.»

When Allāh points out the features of the skies, He also points out the wondrous things that He has created on earth, the variety of its animals, minerals, plants and inanimate features, all having different colors and shapes, benefits and qualities.

Qur’an 16:13إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

«Verily, in this is a sign for people who reflect.»

meaning (those who remember) the blessings of Allāh and give thanks to Him for them.

Qur’an 16:14–18وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَسُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ وَعَلَٰمَٰتٍ وَبِٱلنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ أَفَمَن يَخْلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخْلُقُ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«14. And He it is Who subjected the sea (to you), that you may eat from the fresh tender meat, and that you bring forth out of it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships plowing through it, that you may seek from His bounty and that you may perhaps be grateful.»

«15. And He has driven firm standing mountains into the earth, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves.

«16. And (by the) landmarks; and by the stars, they guide themselves.»

«17. Is then He Who creates the same as one who creates, not? Will you not then reflect?»

«18. And if you would try to count the favors of Allāh, you would never be able to count them. Truly, Allāh is Forgiving, Most Merciful.»

Signs in the Oceans, Mountains, Rivers, Roads and Stars

Allāh tells us how He has subjected the seas, with their waves lapping the shores, and how He blesses His servants by subjecting the seas for them so that they may travel on them, and by putting fish and whales in them, by making their flesh permissible to eat - whether they are caught alive or dead - at all times, including when people are in a state of Iḥrām. He has created pearls and precious jewels in the oceans, and made it easy for His servants to recover ornaments that they can wear from the ocean floor. He made the sea such that it carries the ships which plow through it. He is the One Who taught mankind to make ships, which is the inheritance of their forefather Nūḥ. He was the first one to travel by ship, he was taught how to make them, then people took this knowledge from him and passed it down from generation to generation through the centuries, so that they could travel from country to country and from place to place, bringing goods from here to there and from there to here. Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:14وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

«that you may seek from His bounty and that you may perhaps be grateful.» - for His bounty and blessings.

Then Allāh mentions the earth and how He placed in it mountains standing firm, which make it stable and keep it from shaking in such a manner that the creatures dwelling on it would not be able to live. Hence Allāh says,

Qur’an 79:32وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَرْسَىٰهَا

«And the mountains He has fixed firmly.» (79:32).

Qur’an 16:15وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَسُبُلًا

«and rivers and roads» meaning He has made rivers which flow from one place to another, bringing provision for His servants. The rivers arise in one place, and bring provision to people living in another place. They flow through lands and fields and wildernesses, through mountains and hills, until they reach the land whose people they are meant to benefit. They meander across the land, left and right, north and south, east and west - rivers great and small - flowing sometimes and ceasing sometimes, flowing from their sources to the places where the water gathers, flowing rapidly or moving slowly, as decreed by Allāh. There is no god besides Him and no Lord except Him. He also made roads or routes along which people travel from one land or city to another, and He even made gaps in the mountains so that there would be routes between them, as He says:

Qur’an 21:31وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا

«And We placed broad highways for them to pass through.» [21:31]

Qur’an 16:16وَعَلَٰمَٰتٍ

«And landmarks» meaning, signs like great mountains and small hills, and so on, things that land and sea travelers use to find their way if they get lost.

Qur’an 16:16وَبِٱلنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ

«and by the stars (during the night), they (mankind) guide themselves.»

meaning, in the darkness of the night. This was the opinion of Ibn 'Abbās.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:185.}

Worship is Allāh's Right

Then Allāh tells us of His greatness, and that worship should be directed to Him alone, not to any of the idols which do not create but are rather themselves created. Thus He says

Qur’an 16:17أَفَمَن يَخْلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخْلُقُ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ

«Is then He, Who creates, the same as one who does not create? Will you not then reflect?»(16:17).

Then He shows His servants some of the many blessings He granted for them, and the many kinds of things that He has done for them. He says;

Qur’an 16:18وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«And if you would try to count the favors of Allāh, you would never be able to count them. Truly, Allāh is Forgiving, Most Merciful.» (16:18)

meaning that He pardons and forgives them. If He were to ask you to thank Him for all of His blessings, you would not be able to do so, and if He were to command you to do so, you would be incapable of it. If He punishes you, He is never unjust in His punishment, but He is Forgiving and Most Merciful, He forgives much and rewards for little. Ibn Jarīr said: "It means that Allāh is Forgiving when you fail to thank Him properly, if you repent and turn to Him in obedience, and strive to do that which pleases Him. He is Merciful to you and

Qur’an 16:15–26وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَأَنْهَٰرًا وَسُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ وَعَلَٰمَٰتٍ وَبِٱلنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ أَفَمَن يَخْلُقُ كَمَن لَّا يَخْلُقُ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ أَمْوَٰتٌ غَيْرُ أَحْيَآءٍ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مُّنكِرَةٌ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُم مَّاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ لِيَحْمِلُوٓا۟ أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ قَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّقْفُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

does not punish you if you turn to Him and repent."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:187.}

Qur’an 16:19–21وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ أَمْوَٰتٌ غَيْرُ أَحْيَآءٍ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ

«19. And Allāh knows what you conceal and what you reveal.» «20. Those whom they invoke besides Allāh have not created anything, but are themselves created.» «21. (They are) dead, not alive; and they do not know when they will be resurrected.» Allāh tells us that He knows what is hidden in people's hearts as well as what is apparent. He will reward or punish everyone for their deeds on the Day of Resurrection. If their deeds are good then they will be rewarded, and if their deeds are evil, then they will be punished.

The gods of the Idolators are Created, they do not create

Then Allāh tells us that the idols which people call on instead of Him cannot create anything, they are themselves created, as Al-Khalīl (Ibrāhīm) said:

Qur’an 37:95–96أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

«"Do you worship that which you (yourselves) carve? While Allāh has created you and what you make!"» (37:-96).

Qur’an 16:21أَمْوَٰتٌ غَيْرُ أَحْيَآءٍ

«(They are) dead, not alive» means, they are inanimate and lifeless, they do not hear, see, or think.

Qur’an 16:21وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ

«and they know not when they will be resurrected.»

meaning, they do not know when the Hour will come, so how can anyone hope for any benefit or reward from these idols? They should hope for it from the One Who knows all things and is the Creator of all things.

Qur’an 16:22–23إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مُّنكِرَةٌ وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ

«22. Your god is one God. But for those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts are in denial, and they are proud.» «23. Certainly, Allāh knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He does not like the proud.»

None is to be worshipped except Allāh

Allāh tells us that there is none to be worshipped besides Him, the One, the Unique, the Lone, the Self-Sufficient. He tells us that the hearts of the disbelievers deny that and are astonished by that:

Qur’an 38:5أَجَعَلَ ٱلْـَٔالِهَةَ إِلَٰهًا وَٰحِدًا إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عُجَابٌ

«"Has he made the gods (all) into One God?! Verily, this is a curious thing!"» (38:5).

Qur’an 39:45وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ ٱشْمَأَزَّتْ قُلُوبُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَإِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

«And when Allāh alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled with disgust, and when those besides Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice!» (39:45).

Qur’an 16:22وَهُم مُّسْتَكْبِرُونَ

«and they are proud» meaning they are too proud to worship Allāh, and their hearts reject the idea of singling Him out, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 40:60إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

«Verily! Those who scorn My worship they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!» [40:60]

So here, Allāh says;

Qur’anلَا جَرَمَ

«Certainly», meaning truly,

Qur’an 16:23أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ

«Allāh knows what they conceal and what they reveal.» meaning He will requite them for that in full.

Qur’an 16:23إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ

«Truly, He does not like the proud.»

Qur’an 16:24–25وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُم مَّاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ لِيَحْمِلُوٓا۟ أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ

«24. And when it is said to them: "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" They say: "Tales of the men of old!"»

«25. They will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!»

The Destruction of the Disbelievers and Intensification of their Punishment for rejecting the Revelation

Allāh informs us that when it is said to those liars,

Qur’an 16:24مَّاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوٓا۟

«"What is it that your Lord has revealed?" They say,» not wanting to answer,

Qur’an 16:24أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

«"Tales of the men of old!"»

meaning nothing is revealed to him, what he is reciting to us is just tales of the men of old, taken from the previous Books. As Allāh says,

Qur’an 25:5وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ٱكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِىَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا

«And they say: "Tales of the ancients, which he has written down, and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon."» (25:5)

i.e., they tell lies against the Messenger ﷺ and say things contradicting one another, but all of it is false, as Allāh says,

Qur’an 17:48ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا۟ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًا

«Look at the parables they make of you, so they have gone astray, and they are not able to find the right way.»(17:48)

Once they have gone beyond the bounds of the truth, whatever they say will be in error. They used to say that he (the Prophet ﷺ) was a sorcerer, a poet, a soothsayer, or a madman, then they settled on an idea proposed by their leader, an individual known as Al-Walīd bin Al-Mughīrah Al-Makhzūmi, when:

Qur’an 74:18–24فَكَّرَ وَقَدَّرَ فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ثُمَّ نَظَرَ ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ وَٱسْتَكْبَرَ فَقَالَ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ يُؤْثَرُ

«He thought, and plotted. So let him be cursed, how he plotted! And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! Then he thought. Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; then he turned back, and was proud. Then he said: "This is nothing but the magic of old."» (74:18-24)

meaning something that had been transmitted and passed down. So they dispersed having agreed on this opinion, may Allāh punish them.

Qur’an 16:25لِيَحْمِلُوٓا۟ أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ

«They will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge.»

meaning, 'We decreed that they would say that, so they will carry the burden of their own sins and some of the burden of those who followed them and agreed with them,' i.e., they will be held guilty not only for going astray themselves, but also for tempting others and having them follow them. As it says in a Ḥadīth:

Ḥadīthمَنْ دَعَا إِلَى هُدًى كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ أُجُورِ مَنِ اتَّبَعَهُ، لَا يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئًا، وَمَنْ دَعَا إِلَى ضَلَالَةٍ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْإِثْمِ مِثْلُ آثَامِ مَنِ اتَّبَعَهُ، لَا يَنْقُصُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ آثَامِهِمْ شَيْئًا

«Whoever invites people to guidance, he will receive a reward like that of those who follow him, without diminishing their reward in the least. And whoever invites people to misguidance, he will bear a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without diminishing their burden in the least.»^{1Muslim 4:2060.}

Allāh says;

Qur’an 29:13وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالًا مَّعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْ وَلَيُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ

«They shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own; and they shall be questioned about their false allegations on the Day of Resurrection.» (29:13)

Al-'Awfi reported from Ibn 'Abbās that it is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 16:25لِيَحْمِلُوٓا۟ أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ

«That they may bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge.» (16:25)

Allāh says,

Qur’an 29:13وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالًا مَّعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْ

«They shall bear their own loads, and other loads besides their own» (29:13).^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:191.}

Mujāhid said: "They will bear the burden of their own sins, and they will bear the sins of those who obeyed them, but that will not lessen the punishment of those who obeyed them at all."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:190.}

Qur’an 16:26–27قَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّقْفُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يُخْزِيهِمْ وَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ

Qur’an 16:27شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تُشَٰٓقُّونَ فِيهِمْ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ إِنَّ ٱلْخِزْىَ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«26. Those before them indeed plotted, but Allāh struck at the foundation of their building, the roof fell down upon them from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive.»

«27. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: "Where are My (so-called) partners, those over which you caused so much discord?" Those who have been given the knowledge will say: "Indeed it is a Day of disgrace and misery for the disbelievers."»

Discussion about what the previous Peoples did, and what was done to Them

Qur’an 16:26قَدْ مَكَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

«Those before them indeed plotted,»

Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās said: "This refers to Namrūd (Nimrod), who built the tower."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:193.} Others said that it refers to Bukhtanassar (Nebuchadnezzar). The correct view is that this is said by way of example, to refute what was done by those who disbelieved in Allāh and associated others in worship with Him. As Nūḥ said,

Qur’an 71:22وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا

«"And they have hatched a mighty scheme."» (71:22)

meaning, they used all sorts of ploys to misguide their people, and tempted them to join them in their Shirk via all possible means. On the Day of Resurrection their followers will say to them:

Qur’an 34:33بَلْ مَكْرُ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذْ تَأْمُرُونَنَآ أَن نَّكْفُرَ بِٱللَّهِ وَنَجْعَلَ لَهُۥٓ أَندَادًا

«"Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allāh and set up rivals to Him!"» (34:33)

Qur’an 16:26فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ

«but Allāh struck at the foundation of their building.»

meaning, He uprooted it and brought their efforts to naught. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 5:64كُلَّمَآ أَوْقَدُوا۟ نَارًا لِّلْحَرْبِ أَطْفَأَهَا ٱللَّهُ

«Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allāh extinguished it.» [5:64]

and

Qur’an 59:2فَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَمْ يَحْتَسِبُوا۟ وَقَذَفَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلرُّعْبَ يُخْرِبُونَ بُيُوتَهُم بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَيْدِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَٱعْتَبِرُوا۟ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَبْصَٰرِ

«But Allāh's (torment) reached them from a place where they were not expecting it, and He cast terror into their hearts so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).» [59:2]

Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:26–27فَأَتَى ٱللَّهُ بُنْيَٰنَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّقْفُ مِن فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَىٰهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يُخْزِيهِمْ

«but Allāh struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them» [16:26-27]

meaning, He will expose their scandalous deeds and what they used to hide in their hearts, and He will bring it out in the open. As He says,

Qur’an 86:9يَوْمَ تُبْلَى ٱلسَّرَآئِرُ

«The Day when all the secrets will be (exposed and) examined.» (86:9)

They will be displayed and made known, as found in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs, where Ibn 'Umar reported that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

«يُنْصَبُ لِكُلِّ غَادِرٍ لِوَاءٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عِنْدَ اسْتِهِ بِقَدْرِ غَدْرَتِهِ، فَيُقَالُ: هَذِهِ غَدْرَةُ فُلَانٍ ابْنِ فُلَانٍ»

«On the Day of Resurrection a banner will be set up by his backside for every deceitful person, (whose size is) in accordance with the amount of his deceit. It be said, "This is the one who deceived so-and-so, the son of so-and-so."»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 10:578 Muslim 3:1360.}

Thus, what they used to plot in secret will be made public. Allāh will humiliate them before all of His creation, and the Lord will say to them, in rebuke and reprimand;

Qur’an 16:27أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تُشَٰٓقُّونَ فِيهِمْ

«Where are My (so-called) partners, those over which you caused so much discord?»

meaning, you fought and made enemies for their sake, so where are they now to help and save you?

Qur’an 26:93هَلْ يَنصُرُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَنتَصِرُونَ

«Can they help you or (even) help themselves?» [26:93]

Qur’an 86:10فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن قُوَّةٍ وَلَا نَاصِرٍ

«Then will (man) have no power, nor any helper.» [86:10]

When evidence and proof is established against them, and the Word (of Allāh) is justified against them, and they will be unable to give any excuse, realizing that escape is impossible, then

Qur’an 16:27قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ

«Those who have been given the knowledge will say»

who are the leaders in this world and the Hereafter and who know about the truth in this world and the Hereafter - will say,

Qur’an 16:27إِنَّ ٱلْخِزْىَ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«Indeed it is a Day of disgrace and misery for the disbelievers.»

meaning, today those who disbelieved in Allāh and worshipped others who have no power either to benefit or to harm them are now surrounded by disgrace and punishment.

Qur’an 16:28–29ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ فَٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

«28. Those whose lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to themselves. Then, they will (falsely) submit (saying): "We did not do any evil." (The angels will reply): "Yes! Truly, Allāh is Most Knowing of what you did."»

«29. "So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode there is for the arrogant."»

The Condition of the Disbeliever during and after Death

Allāh informs us of the state of the idolators who are doing wrong to themselves when death approaches and the angels come to seize their evil souls.

Qur’an 16:28فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ

«Then, they will (falsely) submit» meaning, they will make it appear as if they used to listen and obey by saying,

Qur’an 16:28مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ

«We did not do any evil.» Similarly, on the Day of Resurrection, they will say,

Qur’an 6:23وَٱللَّهِ رَبِّنَا مَا كُنَّا مُشْرِكِينَ

«By Allāh, our Lord, we were not idolators.» [6:23]

Qur’an 58:18يَوْمَ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ جَمِيعًا فَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُۥ كَمَا يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ

«On the Day when Allāh will resurrect them all together; then they will swear to Him as they swear to you.» [58:18]

Allāh says, rejecting what they say,

Qur’an 16:28–29بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ فَٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

«"Yes! Truly, Allāh is Most Knowing of what you did. So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed, what an evil abode there is for the arrogant."» (16:28-29),

meaning, a miserable position in the abode of humiliation for

Qur’an 16:27–34ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يُخْزِيهِمْ وَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَآءِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُنتُمْ تُشَٰٓقُّونَ فِيهِمْ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ إِنَّ ٱلْخِزْىَ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَٱلسُّوٓءَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ ظَالِمِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَأَلْقَوُا۟ ٱلسَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِن سُوٓءٍۭ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ فَٱدْخُلُوٓا۟ أَبْوَٰبَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى ٱلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

those who were too arrogant to pay attention to the signs of Allāh and follow His Messengers. They will enter Hell from the day they die with their souls, and their bodies will feel the heat and hot winds of their graves. When the Day of Resurrection comes, their souls will be reunited with their bodies, to abide forever in the fire of Hell, and

Qur’an 35:36لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا۟ وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا

«It will not be complete enough to kill them nor shall its torment be lightened for them.» (35:36)

As Allāh says,

Qur’an 40:46ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ

«The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): "Cause Fir'awn's people to enter the severest torment!"» (40:46).

Qur’an 16:30–32وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَلَدَارُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَ يَقُولُونَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«30. And (when) it is said to those who had Taqwā (piety and righteousness), "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" They say: "That which is good." For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise) of those who have Taqwā.»

«31. 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity) which they will enter, under which rivers flow, in it they will have all that they wish. Thus Allāh rewards those who have Taqwā.»

«32. Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state saying (to them) "Salāmun 'Alaikum (peace be on you!). Enter Paradise because of what (good) you used to do (in the world)."»

What the Pious say about the Revelation, their Reward and their Condition during and after Death

Here we are told about the blessed, as opposed to the doomed, who, when they are asked,

Qur’an 16:30مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ

«What is it that your Lord has revealed?»

they will reluctantly answer, "He did not reveal anything, these are just the fables of old." But the blessed, on the other hand, will say, "That which is good," meaning - He revealed something good, meaning mercy and blessings for those who followed it and believed in it. Then we are told about Allāh's promise to His servants which He revealed to His Messengers. He says:

Qur’an 16:30لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ فِى هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ

«For those who do good in this world, there is good»

This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 16:97مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«Whoever works righteousness - whether male or female - while being a true believer verily, to him We will give a good life, and We shall certainly reward them in proportion to the best of what they used to do.» (16:97),

which means that whoever does good in this world, Allāh will reward him for his good deeds in this world and in the next. Then we are told that the home of the Hereafter will be better, i.e., better than the life of this world, and that the reward in the Hereafter will be more complete than the reward in this life, as Allāh says,

Qur’an 28:80وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ

«But those who were given (religious) knowledge said: "Woe to you! The reward of Allāh (in the Hereafter) is better» [28:80] and,

Qur’an 3:198وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ لِّلْأَبْرَارِ

«and what is with Allāh for the righteous is better.» [3:198] and;

Qur’an 87:17وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ

«Although the Hereafter is better and enduring» (87:17). Allāh said to His Messenger ﷺ:

Qur’an 93:4وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

«And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present» (93:4). Then Allāh describes the abode of the Hereafter, saying,

Qur’an 16:30وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

«And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise) of those who have Taqwā.»

Qur’an 16:31جَنَّٰتُ عَدْنٍ

«'Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity)» refers to the home of the Muttaqūn, i.e., in the Hereafter they will have Gardens of Eternity in which they will dwell forever.

Qur’an 16:31تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ

«under which rivers flow» meaning, between its trees and palaces.

Qur’an 16:31لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَآءُونَ

«in it they will have all that they wish» this is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 43:71وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ

«in it (there will be) all that souls could desire, and all that eyes could delight in, and in it you will live forever.» [43:71]

Qur’an 16:31كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

«Thus Allāh rewards those who have Taqwā.»

meaning, this is how Allāh rewards everyone who believes in Him, fears Him, and does good deeds.

Then Allāh tells us about their condition when death approaches them in a good state, i.e., free from Shirk, impurity and all evil. The angels greet them and give them the good news of Paradise, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 41:30–32إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَقَٰمُوا۟ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَبْشِرُوا۟ بِٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَآؤُكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِىٓ أَنفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ نُزُلًا مِّنْ غَفُورٍ رَّحِيمٍ

«Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is Allāh (alone)," and then behave righteously, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): "Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the good news of Paradise as you have been promised! We have been your friends in the life of this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. In it you shall have (all) that your souls desire, and in it you shall have (all) that you ask for. An entertainment from (Allāh), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."»(41:30:32)

We have already referred to the Ḥadīths that have been reported on the taking of the soul of the believer and the soul of the disbeliever, when we discussed the Āyah,

Qur’an 14:27يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلْقَوْلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ

«Allāh will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allāh Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allāh will cause the wrongdoers to stray, and Allāh does as He wills.» (14:27)

Qur’an 16:33–34هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّآ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِىَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«33. Are they but waiting for the angels to come to them, or there comes the command of your Lord? Thus did those before them. And Allāh did not wrong them, but they were wronging themselves.»

«34. Then, they were afflicted by their evil deeds, and they were surrounded by that which they used to mock.»

The Disbelievers' Refrain from Faith means that They were simply awaiting Punishment

Threatening the idolators for their persistence in falsehood and their conceited delusions about this world, Allāh says: Are these people waiting only for the angels to come and take their souls? Qatādah^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:199.} said:

Qur’an 16:33أَوْ يَأْتِىَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ

«Or there comes the command of your Lord?» means the Day of Resurrection and the terror that they will go through."

Qur’anكَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

«Thus did those before them.» means, thus did their predecessors and those who were like them among the idolators persist in their Shirk, until they tasted the wrath of Allāh and experienced the punishment and torment that they suffered.

Qur’an 16:33وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ

«And Allāh did not wrong them.» because by sending His Messengers and revealing His Books He gave them enough warning and clearly demonstrated His proofs to them.

Qur’anوَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

«but they were wronging themselves.» meaning, by opposing the Messengers and denying what they brought. For this reason

Qur’an 16:35–42وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ إِن تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَىٰهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَن يُضِلُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ لَا يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ كَٰذِبِينَ إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَىْءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدْنَٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

Allāh's punishment tormented them.

Qur’anوَحَاقَ بِهِم

«they were surrounded» meaning, they were overwhelmed by the painful torment.

Qur’anمَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«by that which they used to mock.» meaning, they used to make fun of the Messengers when they warned them Allāh's punishment, and for this it will be said to them on the Day of Resurrection:

Qur’an 52:14هَٰذِهِ ٱلنَّارُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ

«This is the Fire which you used to belie.» (52:14).

Qur’an 16:35–37وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ نَّحْنُ وَلَآ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ إِن تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَىٰهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَن يُضِلُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«35. And those who worshipped others with Allāh said: "If Allāh had so willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped any but Him nor would we have forbidden anything without (a command from) Him." Those before them did the same. Then! Are the Messengers charged with anything but to clearly convey the Message?»

«36. And We have indeed sent a Messenger to every Ummah (community, nation) (saying): "Worship Allāh (Alone), and shun the Ṭāghūt (all false deities)." Then among them were some whom Allāh guided, and among them were some who deserved to be left to stray. So travel through the land and see the end of those who denied (the truth).»

«37. [Even] if you desire that they be guided, then verily, Allāh does not guide those whom He allowed to stray, and they will have no helpers.»

The Idolators Argument that their Shirk was Divinely decreed, and the Refutation of this Claim

Allāh tells us about the idolators delusion over their Shirk, and the excuse they claimed for it based on the idea that it is ordained by divine decree. He says:

Qur’an 16:35لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ

﴿(They say :) "If Allāh had so willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped any but Him, nor would we have forbidden anything without (a command from) Him."»

They had superstitious customs dealing with certain animals, e.g. the Baḥīrah^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrah Yūnus nos. 59-60.} the Sā'ibah and the Waṣīlah and other things that they had invented and innovated by themselves, with no revealed authority. The essence of what they said was: "If Allāh hated what we did, He would have stopped by punishing us, and He would not have enabled us to do it." Rejecting their confusing ideas, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:35فَهَلْ عَلَى ٱلرُّسُلِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

«Are the Messengers charged with anything but to clearly convey the Message?»

meaning, the matter is not as you claim. It is not the case that Allāh did not rebuke your behavior; rather, He did rebuke you, and in the strongest possible terms, and He emphatically forbade you from such behavior. To every nation - that is, to every generation, to every community of people - He sent a Messenger. All of the Messengers called their people to worship Allāh (Alone) as well as forbidding them from worshipping anything or anybody except for Him.

Qur’an 16:36أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ

«Worship Allāh (Alone), and shun the Ṭāghūt (all false deities).»

Allāh continued sending Messengers to mankind with this Message, from the first incidence of Shirk that appeared among the Children of Ādam, in the people to whom Nūḥ was sent - the first Messenger sent by Allāh to the people of this earth - until He sent the final Messenger, Muḥammad ﷺ, whose call was addressed to both men and Jinn, in the east and in the west. All of the Messengers brought the same Message, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 21:25وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ

«And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muḥammad) but We revealed to him (saying): None has the right to be worshipped but I (Allāh), so worship Me (alone and none else)."» (21:25)

Qur’an 43:45وَسْـَٔلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَآ أَجَعَلْنَا مِن دُونِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ءَالِهَةً يُعْبَدُونَ

«And ask (O Muḥammad) those Messengers of Ours whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appointed to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious (Allāh)?"» (43:45)

And in this Āyah, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:36وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّٰغُوتَ

«And We have indeed sent a Messenger to every Ummah (community, nation) (saying): "Worship Allāh (alone), and shun the Ṭāghūt (all false deities)."»

So how could any of the idolators say,

Qur’an 16:35لَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِن دُونِهِۦ مِن شَىْءٍ

«If Allāh had so willed, we would not have worshipped any but Him,» The legislative will of Allāh is clear and cannot be taken as an excuse by them, because He had forbidden them to do that upon the tongue of His Messengers, but by His universal will [i.e., by which He allows things to occur even though they do not please Him] He allowed them to do that as it was decreed for them. So there is no argument in that for them. Allāh created Hell and its people both the Shayāṭīn (devils) and disbelievers, but He does not like His servants to disbelieve. And this point constitutes the strongest proof and the most unquestionable wisdom.

Then Allāh informs us that He rebuked them with punishment in this world, after the Messengers issued their warning, thus He says:

Qur’an 16:36فَمِنْهُم مَّنْ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُ فَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

«Then among them were some whom Allāh guided, and among them were some who deserved to be left to stray. So travel through the land and see the end of those who denied (the truth).»

This means: ask about what happened to those who went against the Messengers and rejected the truth, see how:

Qur’an 47:10دَمَّرَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلِلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَمْثَٰلُهَا

«Allāh destroyed them completely, and a similar (end awaits) the disbelievers.» (47:10)

and,

Qur’an 67:18وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ

«And indeed those before them belied (the Messengers of Allāh), so then how terrible was My denial (punishment)?» (67:18)

Then Allāh told His Messenger ﷺ that His eagerness to guide them will be of no benefit to them if Allāh wills that they should be misguided, as He says:

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

«And for whoever Allāh wills to try with error, you can do nothing for him against Allāh» (5:41).

Nūḥ said to his people:

Qur’an 11:34وَلَا يَنفَعُكُمْ نُصْحِىٓ إِنْ أَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَنصَحَ لَكُمْ إِن كَانَ ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يُغْوِيَكُمْ

«"And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you good counsel, if Allāh's will is to keep you astray."»(11:34).

In this Āyah, Allāh says:

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

«(Even) if you desire that they be guided, then verily, Allāh does not guide those whom He allowed to stray,» As Allāh says:

Qur’an 7:186مَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِىَ لَهُۥ وَيَذَرُهُمْ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

«Whomsoever Allāh allows to stray, then there is no guide for him; and He lets them wander blindly in their transgressions.» (7:186)

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

«Truly! Those deserving the Word (wrath) of your Lord will not believe, even if every sign should come to them - until they see the painful torment» (10:96-97).

Qur’anفَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ

«then verily, Allāh» meaning, this is the way in which Allāh does things. If He wills a thing, then it happens, and if He does not will a thing, then it does not happen. For this reason Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:37لَا يَهْدِى مَن يُضِلُّ

«Allāh does not guide those whom He allowed to stray,» meaning the one whom He has caused to go astray, so who can guide him apart from Allāh? No one.

Qur’anوَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«And they will have no helpers.» means, they will have no one to save them from the punishment of Allāh,

Qur’an 7:54أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«Surely, His is the creation and commandment. Blessed is Allāh, the Lord of all that exists!) (7:54).

Qur’an 16:38–40وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ لَا يَبْعَثُ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَمُوتُ بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى يَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ كَٰذِبِينَ إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَىْءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدْنَٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

«38. And they swear by Allāh with their strongest oaths, that Allāh will not raise up one who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not.»

«39. In order that He may make clear to them what they differed over, and so that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.»

«40. Verily, Our Word to a thing when We intend it, is only that We say unto it: "Be!" - and it is.»

The Resurrection after Death is true, there is Wisdom behind it, and it is easy for Allāh

Allāh tells us that the idolators swore by Allāh their strongest oaths, meaning that they made oaths swore fervently that Allāh would not resurrect the one who died. They considered that to be improbable, and did not believe the Messengers when they told them about that, swearing that it could not happen. Allāh said, refuting them:

Qur’anبَلَىٰ

«Yes», meaning it will indeed happen,

Qur’an 16:38وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا

«a promise (binding) upon Him in truth,» - meaning it is inevitable,

Qur’an 16:38وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«but most of mankind know not.» means, because of their ignorance they oppose the Messengers and fall into disbelief. Then Allāh mentions His wisdom and the reason why He will resurrect mankind physically on the Day of Calling (between the people of Fire and of Paradise). He says,

Qur’an 16:39لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ

«In order that He may make clear to them» means, to mankind,

Qur’an 16:39ٱلَّذِى يَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ

«what they differed over,» means, every dispute.

Qur’an 53:31لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ بِٱلْحُسْنَى

«that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done (i.e. punish them in Hell), and reward those who do good, with what is best (i.e. Paradise).» (53:31)

Qur’an 16:39وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ كَٰذِبِينَ

«and so that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.» meaning that they lied in their oaths and their swearing that Allāh would not resurrect those who die. Thus they will be pushed down by force to the Fire with horrible force on the Day of Resurrection, and the guards of Hell will say to them:

Qur’an 52:14–16هَٰذِهِ ٱلنَّارُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ أَفَسِحْرٌ هَٰذَآ أَمْ أَنتُمْ لَا تُبْصِرُونَ ٱصْلَوْهَا فَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ أَوْ لَا تَصْبِرُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

«This is the Fire which you used to belie. Is this magic or do you not see? Taste its heat, and whether you are tolerant of it or intolerant of it - it is all the same. You are only being requited for what you have done.» (52:14-16).

Then Allāh tells us about His ability to do whatever He wills, and that nothing is impossible for Him on earth or in heaven. When He wants a thing, all He has to do is say to it "Be!" and it is. The Resurrection is one such thing, when He wants it to happen, all He will have to do is issue the command once, and it will happen as He wills, as He says:

Qur’an 54:50وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِٱلْبَصَرِ

«And Our commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye» (54:50)

and,

Qur’an 31:28مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ

«The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all are only as (the creation and resurrection of) a single person.» [31:28]

And in this Āyah, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:40إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَىْءٍ إِذَآ أَرَدْنَٰهُ أَن نَّقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

«Verily, Our Word to a thing when We intend it, is only that We say to it: "Be!" - and it is.»

meaning, We issue the command once, and then it happens.

Allāh does not need to repeat or confirm whatever He commands, because there is nothing that can stop Him or oppose Him. He is the One, the Compelling, the Almighty, whose power, might and dominion have subjected all things. None has the right to be worshipped except Him, and there is no Lord other than Him.

Qur’an 16:41–42وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

«41. And as for those who emigrated for the cause of Allāh, after they had been wronged, We will certainly give them good residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater; if they but knew!»

«42. (They are) those who remained patient, and put their trust in their Lord.»

The Reward of the Muhājirīn

Allāh tells us about the reward of those who migrated for His sake, seeking His pleasure, those who left their homeland behind, brothers and friends, hoping for the reward of Allāh. This may have been revealed concerning those who migrated to Ethiopia, those whose persecution at the hands of their own people in Makkah was so extreme that they left them and went to Ethiopia so that they would be able to worship their Lord. Among the most prominent of these migrants were 'Uthmān bin 'Affān and his wife Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, Ja'far bin Abi Ṭālib, the cousin of the Messenger ﷺ, and Abu Salamah bin 'Abdul-Asad, among a group of almost eighty sincere and faithful men and women, may Allāh be pleased with them. Allāh promised them a great reward in this world and the next. Allāh said:

Qur’an 16:41لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً

«We will certainly give them good residence in this world,» Ibn 'Abbās, Ash-Sha'bi and Qatādah said: (this means) "Al-Madīnah."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:205, 206.} It was also said that it meant "good provision". This was the opinion of Mujāhid.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:206.} There is no contradiction between these two opinions, for they left their homes and wealth, but Allāh compensated them with something better in this world. Whoever gives up something for the sake of Allāh, Allāh compensates him with something that is better for him than that, and this is what happened. He gave them power throughout the land and caused them to rule over the people, so they became governors and rulers, and each of them became a leader of the pious. Allāh tells us that His reward for the Muhājirīn in the Hereafter is greater than that which He gave them in this world, as He says:

Qur’an 16:41وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ

«but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater» meaning, greater than that which We have given you in this world.

Qur’an 16:41لَوْ كَانُوا۟ يَعْلَمُونَ

«if they but knew!»

means, if those who stayed behind and did not migrate with them only knew what Allāh prepared for those who obeyed Him and followed His Messenger ﷺ. Then Allāh describes them as:

Qur’an 16:42ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

«those who remained patient, and put their trust in their Lord.» (16:42),

meaning, they bore their people's persecution with patience, putting their trust in Allāh Who made their end good in this world and the Hereafter.

Qur’an 16:43–44وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«43. And We sent not (as Our Messengers) before you (O Muḥammad) any but men, whom We sent revelation. So ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr, if you know not.»

«44. With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also revealed the Dhikr to you so that you may clearly explain to men what was revealed to them, and that perhaps they may reflect.»

Only Human Messengers have been Sent

Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, reporting from Ibn 'Abbās: "When Allāh sent Muḥammad ﷺ as a Messenger, the Arabs, or some of them, denied him and said, 'Allāh is too great to send a human being as a Messenger.' Then Allāh revealed:

Qur’an 10:2أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ

«Is it a wonder to people that We have sent Our Inspiration to a man from among themselves (saying): "Warn mankind..."» and He said,

Qur’an 16:43وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

«And We sent not (as Our Messengers) before you (O Muḥammad) any but men, whom We sent Revelation. So ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr, if you know not.».

meaning, (ask) the people of the previous Books, were the Messengers that were sent to them humans or angels? If they were angels, then you have the right to find this strange, but if they were human, then you have no grounds to deny that Muḥammad ﷺ is a Messenger.

Allāh says:

Qur’an 12:109وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ

«And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men to whom We revealed, from among the people of townships.» [12:109]

and not from among the people of heaven as you say."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:208.} It was reported by Mujāhid from Ibn 'Abbās that what is meant by Ahl Adh-Dhikr is the People of the Book.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:208.} This is as Allāh says:

Qur’an 17:93–94قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّى هَلْ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤْمِنُوٓا۟ إِذْ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ أَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ بَشَرًا رَّسُولًا

«Say: "Glorified be my Lord! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger?" And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: "Has Allāh sent a man as (His) Messenger?"» (17:93-94)

Qur’an 25:20وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّآ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ

«And We never sent before you (O Muḥammad) any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets.» (25:20)

Qur’an 21:8وَمَا جَعَلْنَٰهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ خَٰلِدِينَ

«And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortals.»(21:8)

Qur’an 46:9قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ

«Say (O Muḥammad ﷺ): "I am not a new thing among the Messengers."» [46:9],

Qur’anقُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ

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

Then Allāh informs those who doubt that a Messenger can be a human to ask those who have knowledge of the previous Scriptures about the Prophets who came before: were their Prophets humans or angels? Then Allāh mentions that He has sent them,

Qur’anبِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ

«with clear signs», meaning proof and evidence, and

Qur’an 16:44وَٱلزُّبُرِ

«and Books [Zubur]», meaning Scriptures. Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Ad-Ḍaḥḥāk and others^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:211} said: Zubur is the plural of Zabūr, and the Arabs say, Zaburtul-Kitāb meaning, "I wrote the book." Allāh says:

Qur’an 54:52وَكُلُّ شَىْءٍ فَعَلُوهُ فِى ٱلزُّبُرِ

«And everything they have done is noted in (their) Records (of deeds) [Zubur]» (54:52)

Qur’an 21:105وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ

«And indeed We have written in Az-Zabūr^{4Here the meaning includes all the revealed Holy Books the Tawrāh (Torah), the Injīl (Gospel), the Zabūr (Psalms), the Qur'ān, as it is interpreted by the scholars of Tafsīr. See the explanation of Sūrat Al-Anbiyā', no. 105 for the details.} after the Dhikr^{5In this Āyah, Adh-Dhikr is explained by the scholars with the same meaning as Al-Lawḥ Al-Maḥfūẓ, the Preserved Tablet upon which all of the divine decree has been recorded. See the previous reference.} that My righteous servant shall inherit the land (i.e. the land of Paradise).» (21:105)

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:44وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ

«And We have also revealed the Dhikr to you», meaning the Qur'ān,

Qur’an 16:44لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ

«so that you may clearly explain to men what was revealed to them,»

meaning, sent down from their Lord, because you know the meaning of what Allāh has revealed to you, and because of your understanding and adherence to it, and because We know that you are the best of creation and the leader of the Children of Ādam. So that you may explain in detail what has been mentioned in brief, and explain what is not clear.

Qur’an 16:44وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Qur’an 16:43–54وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَأَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ يَتَفَيَّؤُا۟ ظِلَٰلُهُۥ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَٱلشَّمَآئِلِ سُجَّدًا لِّلَّهِ وَهُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ إِلَٰهَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَإِيَّٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ وَلَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًا أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْـَٔرُونَ ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ ٱلضُّرَّ عَنكُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنكُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

«so that perhaps they may reflect.» meaning, they should examine themselves and be guided by it, so that they may attain the victory of salvation in this world and the next.

Qur’an 16:45–47أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا۟ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«45. Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allāh will not cause them to sink into the earth, or that torment will not seize them from where they do not perceive it?»

«46. Or that He may punish them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their livelihood), so that there be no escape for them (from Allāh's punishment)?»

«47. Or that He may punish them where they fear it most? Indeed, Your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.»

How the Guilty can feel Secure

Allāh informs us about His patience, and how He delays the punishment for the sinners who do evil things and call others to do likewise, plotting to call others to do evil - even though He is able to make the earth swallow them or to bring His wrath upon them.

Qur’anمِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ

«from where they do not perceive it», meaning in such a way that they do not know where it comes from. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 67:16–17ءَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ

«Do you feel secure that He Who is over the heaven (Allāh), will not cause you to sink into the earth, when it quakes? Or do you feel secure that He Who is over the heaven (Allāh), will not send a storm of stones upon you? Then you shall know how My warning really is.» (67:16-17).

Qur’an 16:46أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِى تَقَلُّبِهِمْ

«Or that He may punish them in the midst of their going to and fro»

meaning, when they are busy with their daily business, travel, and other distracting activities. Qatādah and As-Suddi said:

Qur’an 16:46تَقَلُّبِهِمْ

«Their going to and fro» means their journeys."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:213.} As Allāh says:

Qur’an 7:97–98أَفَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا بَيَٰتًا وَهُمْ نَآئِمُونَ أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ

«Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our punishment by night while they were asleep? Or, did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our punishment in the forenoon while they were playing?» (7:97-98)

Qur’an 16:46فَمَا هُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ

«so that there be no escape for them (from Allāh's punishment)?» meaning, it is not impossible for Allāh, no matter what their situation.

Qur’an 16:47أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ

«Or that He may punish them where they fear it most?»

meaning, or Allāh will take from them what they most fear, which is even more frightening, because when the thing you most fear to happen does happen, this is even worse. Hence Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās said that,

Qur’an 16:47أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ

«Or that He may punish them where they fear it most?» means that Allāh is saying: If I wish, I can take him after the death of his companion and after he has become frightened of that.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:214.} This was also reported from Mujāhid, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah and others.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:215.}

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:47فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Indeed your Lord is full of kindness, Most Merciful.» meaning, because He does not hasten to punish, as was reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs:

Ḥadīthلَا أَحَدَ أَصْبَرُ عَلَىٰ أَذًى سَمِعَهُ مِنَ اللهِ، إِنَّهُمْ يَجْعَلُونَ لَهُ وَلَدًا وَهُوَ يَرْزُقُهُمْ وَيُعَافِيهِمْ

«No one is more patient in the case of hearing offensive speech than Allāh, for they attribute to Him a son, while He [alone] is giving them provision and good health.»^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:372, Muslim 4:2160.}

And it is also recorded in Two Ṣaḥīḥs,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ اللهَ لَيُمْلِي لِلظَّالِمِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَخَذَهُ لَمْ يُفْلِتْهُ

«Allāh will let the wrongdoer continue until, when He begins to punish him, He will never let him go.»

Then the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ recited:

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. Indeed, His punishment is painful, (and) severe» (11:102)^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:205, Muslim 4:1997.}

And Allāh says:

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 I punished it. And to Me is the (final) return (of all).» (22:48)

Qur’an 16:48–50أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ يَتَفَيَّؤُا۟ ظِلَٰلُهُۥ عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ وَٱلشَّمَآئِلِ سُجَّدًا لِّلَّهِ وَهُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

«48. Have they not observed things that Allāh has created: (how) their shadows shift from right to left, prostrating to Allāh while they are humble?»

«49. And to Allāh prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, the moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allāh) with humility].»

«50. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.»

Everything prostrates to Allāh

Allāh informs us about His might, majesty and pride, meaning that all things submit themselves to Him and every created being - animate and inanimate, as well as the responsible - humans and Jinns, and the angels - all humble themselves before Him. He tells us that everything that has a shadow leaning to the right and the left, i.e., in the morning and the evening, is by its shadow, prostrating to Allāh. Mujāhid said, "When the sun passes its zenith, everything prostrates to Allāh, may He be glorified."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:217.} This was also said by Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and others.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:217.}

Qur’an 16:48وَهُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ

«while they are humble» means, they are in a state of humility. Mujāhid also said: "The prostration of every thing is its shadow",^3Ibid. and he mentioned the mountains and said that their prostrations are their shadows. Abu Ghālib Ash-Shaybāni said: "The waves of the sea are its prayers". It is as if reason is attributed to these inanimate objects when they are described as prostrating, so Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:49وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن دَآبَّةٍ

«And to Allāh prostrate all that are in the heavens and all that are in the earth, of the moving creatures»

As Allāh says:

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

«And to Allāh (alone) all who are in the heavens and the earth fall in prostration, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and in the afternoons.» (13:15)

Qur’an 16:49وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ

«and the angels, and they are not proud.» means, they prostrate to Allāh and are not too proud to worship Him.

Qur’an 16:50يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ

«They fear their Lord above them» means, they prostrate out of fear of their Lord, may He be glorified.

Qur’an 16:50وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ

«and they do what they are commanded.» meaning they continually obey Allāh, doing what He tells them to do and avoiding that which He forbids.

Qur’an 16:51–55وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ إِلَٰهَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَإِيَّٰىَ فَٱرْهَبُونِ وَلَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًا أَفَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْـَٔرُونَ ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ ٱلضُّرَّ عَنكُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنكُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

«51. And Allāh said "Do not worship two gods. Indeed, He (Allāh) is only One God. Then fear Me Alone.»

«52. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth and the religion. Will you then fear any other than Allāh?»

«53. And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allāh. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.»

«54. Then, when He has removed the harm from you, behold! some of you associate others in worship with their Lord (Allāh).»

«55. So they are ungrateful for that which We have given them! Then enjoy yourselves but you will soon come to know.»

Allāh Alone is Deserving of Worship

Allāh tells us that there is no god but He, and that no one else should be worshipped except Him, alone, without partners, for He is the Sovereign, Creator, and Lord of all things.

Qur’an 16:52وَلَهُ ٱلدِّينُ وَاصِبًا

«His is the religion Wāṣiba»

Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Maymūn bin Mahrān, As-Suddi, Qatādah and others said that this means forever.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:222.} It was also reported that Ibn 'Abbās said, "It means obligatory."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:223.} Mujāhid said: "It means purely for Him," i.e., worship is due to Him Alone, from whoever is in the heavens and on earth. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 3:83أَفَغَيْرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبْغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ

«Do they seek other than the religion of Allāh, while to Him submitted all creatures in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly. And to Him shall they all be returned.» (3:83)

This is in accordance with the opinion of Ibn 'Abbās and 'Ikrimah, which is that this Āyah is merely stating the case. According to the opinion of Mujāhid, it is by way of instruction, i.e., it is saying: You had better fear associating partners in worship with Me, and be sincere in your obedience to Me. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 39:3أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ

«Surely, the pure religion (sincere devotion) is for Allāh only.» (39:3)

Then Allāh tells us that He is the One Who has the power to benefit and harm, and that the provisions, blessings, good health and help, His servants enjoy are from His bounty and graciousness towards them.

Qur’an 16:53ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْـَٔرُونَ

«Then, when harm touches you, to Him you cry aloud for help.»

meaning because you know that none has the power to remove that harm except for Him, so when you are harmed, you turn to ask Him for help and beg Him for aid. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 17:67وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدْعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْبَرِّ أَعْرَضْتُمْ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ كَفُورًا

«And when harm touches you at sea, those that you call upon vanish, except for Him. But when He brings you safe to land, you turn away. And man is ever ungrateful.»(17:67)

Here, Allāh tells us:

Qur’an 16:54–55ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ ٱلضُّرَّ عَنكُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنكُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ

«Then, when He has removed the harm from you, behold! some of you associate others in worship with their Lord (Allāh). So they are ungrateful for that which We have given them!» (16:54-55)

It was said that the Lām here (translated as "So") is an indicator of sequence, or that it serves an explanatory function, meaning, 'We decreed that they would conceal the truth and deny the blessings that Allāh has bestowed upon them. He is the One Who bestows blessings and the One Who removes distress.' Then Allāh threatens them, saying:

Qur’an 16:55فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟

«Then enjoy yourselves» meaning, do what you like and enjoy what you have for a little while.

Qur’an 16:55فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

Qur’an 16:55–64لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ نَصِيبًا مِّمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ تَٱللَّهِ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَفْتَرُونَ وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَٰتِ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ يَتَوَٰرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ مِن سُوٓءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۦٓ أَيُمْسِكُهُۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«but you will soon come to know.» meaning the consequences of that.

Qur’an 16:56–60وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ نَصِيبًا مِّمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ تَٱللَّهِ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَفْتَرُونَ وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَٰتِ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ يَتَوَٰرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ مِن سُوٓءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۦٓ أَيُمْسِكُهُۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«56. And they assign a portion of that which We have provided them with, to what they have no knowledge of (false deities). By Allāh, you shall certainly be questioned about (all) that you used to fabricate.»

«57. And they assign daughters to Allāh! Glorified (and Exalted) is He (above all that they associate with Him!). And for themselves (they assign) what they desire;»

«58. And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inner grief!»

«59. He hides himself from the people because of the evil of what he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth? Certainly, evil is their decision.»

«60. For those who do not believe in the Hereafter is an evil description, and for Allāh is the highest description. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.» Among the Behavior of the Idolators was vowing to Things that Allāh had provided for Them to their gods

Allāh tells us about some of the heinous deeds of those who used to perform baseless worship of other gods besides Him, such as idols and statues, with no grounds for doing so. They gave their idols a share of that which Allāh had provided for them,

Qur’an 6:136فَقَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا لِلَّهِ بِزَعْمِهِمْ وَهَٰذَا لِشُرَكَآئِنَا فَمَا كَانَ لِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ فَلَا يَصِلُ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ يَصِلُ إِلَىٰ شُرَكَآئِهِمْ سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

«They say: "This is for Allāh," according to their claim, "and this is for our partners." But the share of their "partners" is not directed to Allāh, while the share of Allāh is directed to their "partners"! How evil is that with which they judge» (6:136)

That is they assigned a share for their idols as well as Allāh, but they gave preference to their gods over Him, so Allāh swore by His Almighty Self to question them about these lies and fabrications. He will most certainly call them to account for it and give them the unrelenting punishment in the fire of Hell. So He says,

Qur’an 16:56تَٱللَّهِ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَفْتَرُونَ

«By Allāh, you shall certainly be questioned about (all) that you used to fabricate.»

Then Allāh tells us how they used to regard the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, as being female, and that they considered them to be Allāh's daughters, and they worshipped them with Him. In all of the above, they made very serious errors. They attributed offspring to Him when He has no offspring, then they assigned Him the kind of offspring they regarded as inferior, namely daughters, which they did not even want for themselves, as He said:

Qur’an 53:21–22أَلَكُمُ ٱلذَّكَرُ وَلَهُ ٱلْأُنثَىٰ تِلْكَ إِذًا قِسْمَةٌ ضِيزَىٰٓ

«Are the males for you and the females for Him? That is indeed an unfair division!» (53:21-22)

And Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:57وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْبَنَٰتِ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ

«And they assign daughters unto Allāh! Glorified (and Exalted) is He.» meaning, above their claims and fabrications.

Qur’an 37:151–154أَلَآ إِنَّهُم مِّنْ إِفْكِهِمْ لَيَقُولُونَ وَلَدَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ أَصْطَفَى ٱلْبَنَاتِ عَلَى ٱلْبَنِينَ مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ

«But no! It is from their falsehood that they say: "Allāh has begotten." They are certainly liars! Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons? What is the matter with you? How do you decide?» (37:151-154)

Qur’an 16:57وَلَهُم مَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

«And for themselves, what they desire;»

meaning they choose the males for themselves, rejecting the daughters that they assign to Allāh. Exalted be Allāh far above what they say!

The Idolators' Abhorrence for Daughters

Qur’an 16:58وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا

«And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark»

meaning with distress and grief.

Qur’an 16:58وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

«and he is filled with inner grief!» meaning he is silent because of the intensity of the grief he feels.

Qur’an 16:59يَتَوَٰرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ

«He hides himself from the people» meaning he does not want anyone to see him.

Qur’an 16:59مِن سُوٓءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۦٓ أَيُمْسِكُهُۥ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ

«because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonor or bury her in the earth?»

meaning should he keep her, humiliating her, not letting her inherit from him and not taking care of her, preferring his male children over her?

Qur’an 16:59أَمْ يَدُسُّهُۥ فِى ٱلتُّرَابِ

«or bury her in the earth?» meaning bury her alive, as they used to do during the days of ignorance. How could they dislike something so intensely, yet attribute it to Allāh?

Qur’an 16:59أَلَا سَآءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ

«Certainly, evil is their decision.» meaning how evil are the words they say, the way they want to share things out and the things they attribute to Him. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 43:17وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُم بِمَا ضَرَبَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ مَثَلًا ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُۥ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ

«And if one of them is informed of the news of (the birth of a girl) that which he sets forth as a parable to the Most Gracious (Allāh), his face becomes dark, and he is filled with grief!» (43:17).

Here, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:60لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ مَثَلُ ٱلسَّوْءِ

«For those who do not believe in the Hereafter there is an evil description,»

meaning, only imperfection is to be attributed to

Qur’an 16:60وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ

«and for Allāh is the highest description» meaning He is absolutely perfect in all ways and this absolute perfection is His Alone.

Qur’an 16:60وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.»

Qur’an 16:61–62وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِم مَّا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ سَاعَةً وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ

«61. And if Allāh were to punish (all) mankind for their wrongdoing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving creature, but He defers them to an appointed term; and when their term comes, they can neither delay nor advance it an hour (or a moment).» «62. They assign to Allāh that which they dislike (for themselves), and their tongues assert the lie that the better things will be theirs. No doubt the Fire is for them, and they will be forsaken.»

Allāh does not immediately punish for Disobedience

Allāh tells us about His patience with His creatures, even though they do wrong. If He were to punish them for what they have done, there would be no living creature left on the face of the earth, i.e., He would have destroyed every animal on earth after destroying the sons of Ādam. But the Lord - magnificent is His glory - is forbearing and He covers people's faults. He waits until the appointed time, i.e., He does not rush to punish them. If He did, then there would be no one left. Ibn Jarīr reported that Abu Salamah said: "Abu Hurayrah heard a man saying, 'The wrongdoer harms no one but himself.' He turned to him and said, 'That is not true, by Allāh! Even the buzzard dies in its nest because of the sins of the wrongdoer.'"^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:231.}

They attribute to Allāh what They Themselves dislike

Qur’an 16:62وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ

«They assign to Allāh that which they dislike (for themselves),» meaning, daughters, and partners, who are merely His servants, yet none of them would like to have someone sharing in his wealth.

Qur’an 16:62وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ

«and their tongues assert the lie that the better things will be theirs.»

This is a denunciation of their claims that better things will be theirs in this world, and in the Hereafter. Allāh tells us about what some of them said, as in the Āyat:

Qur’an 11:9–10وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةً ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَٰهَا مِنْهُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيَـُٔوسٌ كَفُورٌ وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَٰهُ نَعْمَآءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتُ عَنِّىٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُورٌ

«And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us, and then take it from him, verily! He is hopelessly, ungrateful. But if We let him taste of goodness after harm has touched him, he is sure to say: "Ills have departed from me." Surely, he is cheerful, and boastful (ungrateful to Allāh).» (11:9-10)

Qur’an 41:50وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَٰهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ هَٰذَا لِى وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّجِعْتُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّ لِى عِندَهُۥ لَلْحُسْنَىٰ فَلَنُنَبِّئَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ

«And if We give him a taste of mercy from Us, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say: "This is due to me; I do not think that the Hour will occur. But if I am brought back to my Lord, then , with Him, there will surely be the best for me." Then, We will certainly show the disbelievers what they have done, and We shall make them taste severe torment.» (41:50)

Qur’an 19:77أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا

«Have you seen the one who disbelieved in Our Āyāt and said: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children (if I came back to life)."» (19:77)

Allāh tells us about one of the two men:

Qur’an 18:35–36وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا

«He went into his garden while wronging himself. He said: "I do not think that this will ever perish. And I do not think that the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), then surely, I shall find better than this when I return to Him."» (18:35-36)

These people combined bad deeds with the false hopes of being rewarded with good for those bad deeds, which is impossible.

Thus Allāh refuted their false hopes, when He said:

Qur’anلَا جَرَمَ

«No doubt», meaning, truly it is inevitable that

Qur’an 16:62أَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَ

«for them is the Fire», meaning, on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 16:62وَأَنَّهُم مُّفْرَطُونَ

«and they will be forsaken». Mujāhid, Sa'īd bin Jubayr, Qatādah and others said: "This means they will be forgotten and neglected there."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:233.} This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 7:51فَٱلْيَوْمَ نَنسَىٰهُمْ كَمَا نَسُوا۟ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِهِمْ هَٰذَا

«So today We forget them just as they forgot meeting on this day of theirs.» (7:51).

It was also reported from Qatādah that,

Qur’an 16:62مُّفْرَطُونَ

«they will be forsaken» means 'they are hastened into the Fire.'^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:234.} There is no contradiction between the two, because they will be hastened into the Fire on the Day of Resurrection, then they will be forgotten there, i.e., left to dwell there for eternity.

Qur’an 16:63–65تَٱللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ

«63. By Allāh, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you, but Shayṭān made their deeds seeming fair to them. So today he is their helper, and theirs will be a painful torment.»

«64. And We have not revealed the Book to you, except that you may clearly explain to them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.»

«65. And Allāh sends water down from the sky, then He revives the earth with it after its death. Surely that is a sign for people who listen.»

Finding Consolation in the Reminder of Those Who came before

Allāh says, 'He sent Messengers to the nations of the past, and they were rejected. You, O Muḥammad, have an example in your brothers among the Messengers, so do not be distressed by your people's rejection. As for the idolators' rejection of the Messengers, the reason for this is that the Shayṭān made their deeds attractive to them.'

Qur’an 16:63فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ

«So today he (Shayṭān) is their helper,» meaning they will be suffering punishment while Shayṭān is their only helper, and he cannot save them, so they have no one to answer their calls for help, and theirs is a painful punishment.

The Reason why the Qur'ān was revealed

Then Allāh says to His Messenger ﷺ that He has revealed the Book to him to explain the truth to mankind in matters which they dispute over. So the Qur'ān is a decisive arbitrator for every issue that they argue about.

Qur’anوَهُدًى

«and (as) a guidance» meaning, for their hearts.

Qur’anوَرَحْمَةً

«and a mercy» meaning, for the one who adheres to it.

Qur’anلِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«for a people who believe.» Just as Allāh causes the Qur'ān to bring life to hearts that were dead from disbelief, so He brings the earth to life after it has died, by sending down water from the sky.

Qur’an 16:65إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ

«Surely that is a sign for people who listen.» meaning those who understand the words and their meanings.

Qur’an 16:66–67وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً

Qur’an 16:67لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«66. And there is indeed a lesson for you in the An'ām (cattle). We have made a drink for you out of what is in its belly, from between excretions and blood, pure milk; palatable to the drinkers.»

«67. And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you derive strong drink and a goodly provision. There is indeed a sign in this for those of reason.»

Lessons and Blessings in Cattle and the Fruit of the Date-palm and Grapevine

Qur’an 16:66وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ

«there is for you» - O mankind -

Qur’an 16:66فِى ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ

«in the cattle» - meaning camels, cows and sheep,

Qur’an 16:66لَعِبْرَةً

«a lesson» meaning a sign and an evidence of the wisdom, power, mercy and kindness of the Creator.

Qur’an 16:66نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ

«We have made a drink for you out of what is in its belly»

meaning its singular forms refers to one cattle, or it could refer to the whole species. For cattle are the creatures which provide a drink from what is in their bellies and in another Āyah it is 'in their bellies.' Either way is plausible.

He said,

Qur’an 16:66مِنۢ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا

«from between excretions and blood, pure milk;»

meaning it is free of blood, and is pure in its whiteness, taste and sweetness. It is between excrement and blood in the belly of the animal, but each of them goes its own way after the food has been fully digested in its stomach. The blood goes to the veins, the milk goes to the udder, the urine goes to the bladder and the feces goes to the anus. None of them gets mixed with another after separating, and none of them is affected by the other.

Qur’an 16:66لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ

«pure milk; palatable to the drinkers.» meaning nothing to cause one to choke on it.

When Allāh mentions milk and how He has made it a palatable drink for mankind, He follows this with a reference to the drinks that people make from the fruits of the date palm and grapevine, and what they used to do with intoxicating Nabīdh (drink made from dates) before it was forbidden. Thus He reminds them of His blessings, and says:

Qur’an 16:67وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا

«And from the fruits of date palms and grapes, you derive strong drink»

This indicates that it was permissible to drink it before it was forbidden. It also indicates that strong drink (i.e., intoxicating drink) derived from dates is the same as strong drink derived from grapes. Also forbidden are strong drinks derived from wheat, barley, corn and honey, as is explained in detail in the Sunnah.

Qur’an 16:67سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا

«strong drink and a goodly provision.»

Ibn 'Abbās said: "Strong drink is the product of these two fruits that is forbidden, and the good provision is what is permitted of them."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:241.} According to another report: "Strong drink is its unlawful, and the goodly provision is its lawful,"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:242.} referring to the fruits when they are dried, like dates and raisins, or products derived from them such as molasses, vinegar and wine (of grapes, dates) which are permissible to drink before they become strong (becomes alcoholic), as was stated in the Sunnah.

Qur’an 16:67إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«There is indeed a sign in this for those of reason.»

Qur’an 16:65–72وَٱللَّهُ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَّبَنًا خَالِصًا سَآئِغًا لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ وَمِن ثَمَرَٰتِ ٱلنَّخِيلِ وَٱلْأَعْنَٰبِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًا إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرْذَلِ ٱلْعُمُرِ لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ

It is appropriate to mention reason here, because it is the noblest feature of man. Hence Allāh forbade this Ummah from drinking intoxicants, in order to protect their ability to reason. Allāh says:

Qur’an 36:34–36وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّٰتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَٰبٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْعُيُونِ لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«And We placed gardens of date palms and grapes in it, and We caused springs of water to gush forth in it. So that they may eat of its fruit - while their hands did not make it. Will they not then give thanks? Glory be to Him Who created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.» (36:34-36)

Qur’an 16:68–69وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلنَّحْلِ أَنِ ٱتَّخِذِى مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ ثُمَّ كُلِى مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«68. And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they (humans) erect."»

«69. "Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the routes that your Lord made easy (for you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colors, in which there is a cure for men. There is indeed a sign in that for people who reflect.»

In the Bee and its Honey there is Blessing and a Lesson

What is meant by inspiration here is guidance. The bee is guided to make its home in the mountains, in trees and in structures erected by man. The bee's home is a solid structure, with its hexagonal shapes and interlocking forms there is no looseness in its combs. Then Allāh decrees that the bee will have permission to eat from all fruits and to follow the ways which Allāh has made easy for it,^{1The word translated here as "made easy" is Dhululan. This may be understood as meaning "made easy", in which case it refers to the routes followed by the bees, or it may be understood as meaning "subjugated", in which case it refers to the bees themselves. These two scholarly interpretations are the two opinions discussed here.} wherever it wants to go in the vast spaces of the wilderness, valleys and high mountains. Then each bee comes back to its hive without swerving to the right or left, it comes straight back to its home where its offspring and honey are. It makes wax from its wings, and regurgitates honey from its mouth, and lays eggs from its rear, then the next morning it goes out to the fields again.

Qur’an 16:69فَٱسْلُكِى سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا

«and follow the routes of your Lord made easy (for you)»

Qatādah and 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam said: "This means, in an obedient way",^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:249.} understanding it to be a description of the route of migration. Ibn Zayd said that this is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 36:72وَذَلَّلْنَٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ

«And We have subdued them for them so that some they may ride and some they may eat.» (36:72)^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:249.}

He said: "Do you not see that they move the bees' home from one land to another, and the bees follow them?" The first opinion is clearly the more likely, as it describes the routes that the bees follow, i.e., 'follow these routes as they are easy for you.' This was stated by Mujāhid. Ibn Jarīr said that both opinions are correct.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:249.}

Qur’an 16:69يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ

«There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men.»

[meaning, honey, that is] white, yellow, red, or of other good colors, depending on the different things that the bees eat.

Qur’an 16:69فِيهِ شِفَآءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ

«in which there is a cure for men.»

meaning there is a cure in honey for diseases that people suffer from. Some of those who spoke about the study of Prophetic medicine said that if [Allāh] had said, 'in which there is the cure for men', then it would be the remedy for all diseases, but He said, 'in which there is a cure for men', meaning that it is the right treatment for every "cold" disease, because it is "hot", and a disease should be treated with its opposite.

Al-Bukhāri and Muslim recorded in their Ṣaḥīḥs from Qatādah from Abu Al-Mutawakkil 'Ali bin Dāwud An-Nāji from Abu Sa‘īd Al-Khuḍri that a man came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and said, "My brother is suffering from diarrhea". He said,

«اسْقِهِ عَسَلًا»

«Give him honey to drink.» The man went and gave him honey, then he came back and said, "O Messenger of Allāh! I gave him honey to drink, and he only got worse." The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthاذْهَبْ فَاسْقِهِ عَسَلًا

«Go and give him honey to drink.» So he went and gave him honey, then he came back and said, "O Messenger of Allāh! it only made him worse." The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthصَدَقَ اللهُ وَكَذَبَ بَطْنُ أَخِيكَ، اذْهَبْ فَاسْقِهِ عَسَلًا

«Allāh speaks the truth and your brother's stomach is lying. Go and give him honey to drink.»

So he went and gave him honey, and he recovered."^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 10:178, Muslim 4:1732.} It is reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs from 'Ā'ishah, may Allāh be pleased with her, that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to like sweet things and honey.^{6Fatḥ Al-Bāri 10:81, Muslim 2:1101.} This is the wording of Al-Bukhāri, who also reported in his Ṣaḥīḥ from Ibn 'Abbās that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthالشِّفَاءُ فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ: فِي شَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، أَوْ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، أَوْ كَيَّةٍ بِنَارٍ، وَأَنْهَى أُمَّتِي عَنِ الْكَيِّ

«Healing is to be found in three things: the cut made by the cupper, or drinking honey, or in branding with fire (cauterizing), but I have forbidden my Ummah to use branding.»^{7Fatḥ Al-Bāri 10:143.}

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«There is indeed a sign in that for people who reflect.»

meaning in the fact that Allāh inspires this weak little creature to travel through the vast fields and feed from every kind of fruit, then gather it for wax and honey, which are some of the best things, in this is a sign for people who think about the might and power of the bee's Creator Who causes all of this to happen. From this they learn that He is the Initiator, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise, the All-Knowing, the Most Generous, the Most Merciful.

Qur’an 16:70وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمْ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرْذَلِ ٱلْعُمُرِ لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ

«70. And Allāh created you and then He will cause you to die; and among you there are some who are sent back to senility, so that they know nothing after having known (much). Truly, Allāh is Knowing, capable of all things.»

In Man there is a Lesson

Allāh tells us that He is controlling the affairs of His servants. He is the One Who created them out of nothing, then He will cause them to die. But there are some of them that He allows to grow old, which is a physical weakness, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:54ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً

«Allāh is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness» (30:54)

Qur’an 16:70لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْـًٔا

«so that they know nothing after having known.»

meaning, after he knew things, he will reach a stage where he knows nothing because of weakness of mind due to old age and senility. Thus Al-Bukhāri, when commenting on this Āyah, reported a narration from Anas bin Mālik that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to pray:

Ḥadīthأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ وَالْكَسَلِ وَالْهَرَمِ، وَأَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَفِتْنَةِ الدَّجَّالِ وَفِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ

«I seek refuge with You from miserliness, laziness, old age, senility, the punishment of the grave, the Fitnah of the Dajjāl and the trials of life and death.»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:239}

Zuhayr bin Abi Sulmā said, in his famous Mu'allaqah:^{2Mu'allaqah (lit. "suspended"): during the days of Jāhiliyyah, poetry, in the form of the Qasīdahs or odes, was the only means of literary expression. Seven Qasīdahs which were masterpieces of their genre were suspended on the walls of the Ka'bah. They are known as the "Seven Mu'allaqāt".} "I became exhausted from the responsibilities of life. Whoever lives for eighty years, no wonder he is tired. I saw death hitting people like a crazed camel, and whoever it hit dies, but whoever is not hit lives until he grows old."

Qur’an 16:71وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ

«71. And Allāh honored some of you over others with wealth and properties. Then, those who are so honored will by no means hand over their wealth and properties to those (captives of war) whom their right hands possess, so that they may be equal with them in that. Do they then deny the favor of Allāh?»

There is a Sign and a Blessing in Matters of People's Livelihood

Allāh explains to the idolators the ignorance and disbelief involved in their claim that Allāh has partners while also admitting that these partners are His servants. In their Talbiyah^{1The audible supplication uttered upon the commencement of the Ḥajj rites, "Here I am O Allāh..."} for Ḥajj, they used to say, "Here I am, there are no partners for You except Your own partner, You own him and everything he owns." Allāh says, denouncing them: 'You would not accept for your servant to have an equal share in your wealth, so how is it that Allāh would accept His servant to be His equal in divinity and glory? As Allāh says elsewhere:

Qur’an 30:28ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِى مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ فَأَنتُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ تَخَافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ

«He sets forth a parable for you from yourselves: Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess (i.e. your servant) to share as equals in the wealth We have granted you, those whom you fear as you fear each other?» (30:28)

Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās mentioned this Āyah, saying, "Allāh is saying - 'If they did not want their servant to have a share with them in their wealth and wives, how can My servant have a share with Me in My power?' Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:71أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ

«Do they then deny the favor of Allāh?»"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:252.}

According to another report, Ibn 'Abbās said: "How can they accept for Me that which they do not accept for themselves?"

Qur’an 16:71أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ

«Do they then deny the favor of Allāh?»

meaning, they assign to Allāh a share of the tilth and cattle which He has created. They denied His blessings and associated others in worship with Him. Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri said: "Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb wrote this letter to Abu Mūsā Al-Ash'ari: 'Be content with your provision in this world, for the Most Merciful has honored some of His servants over others in terms of provision as a test of both. The one who has been given plenty is being tested to see if he will give thanks to Allāh and fulfill the duties which are his by virtue of his wealth...” It was reported by Ibn Abi Ḥātim.

Qur’an 16:72وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ

«72. And Allāh has made for you mates of your own kind, and has made for you, from your mates, sons and grandsons, and has granted you good provisions. Do they then believe in false deities and deny favor of Allāh?»

Among His Blessings and Signs are Mates, Children and Grandchildren

Allāh mentions the blessing He has bestowed upon His servant by giving them mates from among themselves, mates of their own kind. If He had given them mates of another kind, there would be no harmony, love and mercy between them. But out of His mercy He has made the Children of Ādam male and female, and has made the females wives or mates for the males. Then Allāh mentions that from these wives He creates children and grandchildren, one's children's children. This was the opinion of Ibn 'Abbās, 'Ikrimah, Al-Ḥasan, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and Ibn Zayd.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:256, 257.}

Shu'bah said, narrating from Abu Bishr from Sa'īd bin Jubayr from Ibn 'Abbās: "Children and grandchildren, who are one's children and one's children's children."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:257.} It was also said that this means servants and helpers, or it means sons-in-law or in-laws. I say: if we understand

Qur’an 16:72وَحَفَدَةً

«grandsons» to refer back to wives, then it must mean children, children's children, and sons-in-law, because they are the husbands of one's daughter or the children of one's wife.

Qur’an 16:72وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ

«and has granted you good provisions.» meaning your food and drink. Then Allāh denounces those who associate others in worship with the One Who bestows blessings on them:

Qur’an 16:72أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Do they then believe in false deities», meaning idols and rivals to Allāh

Qur’an 16:72وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ

«and deny the favor of Allāh?» meaning, by concealing the blessings that Allāh has given them and attributing them to others. According to a Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الله يَقُولُ لِلْعَبْدِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مُمْتَنًّا عَلَيْهِ: أَلَمْ أُزَوِّجْكَ؟ أَلَمْ أُكْرِمْكَ؟ أَلَمْ أُسَخِّرْ لَكَ الْخَيْلَ وَالْإِبِلَ، وَأَذَرْكَ تَرْأَسُ وَتَرْبَعُ؟

«Allāh will say to His servant on the Day of Resurrection, reminding him of His blessings: "Did I not give you a wife? Did I not honor you? Did I not subject horses and camels to your use, and cause you to occupy a position of leadership and honor?"»^{3Muslim 4:2279.}

Qur’an 16:73وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

«73. And they worship others besides Allāh such as do not have power to grant them any provision from the heavens or the earth nor the ability to do so.»

«74. So do not give examples on behalf of Allāh. Truly, Allāh knows and you know not.»

Denouncing the Worship of anything besides Allāh

Allāh tells us about the Mushrikīn who worship others besides Him, even though He alone is the bountiful Provider, the Creator and Sustainer, without partners or associates, but they still worship idols and make rivals for Him. He says:

Qur’an 16:73مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ شَيْـًٔا

Qur’an 16:73–79وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَٰهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا هَلْ يَسْتَوُۥنَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَآ أَمْرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ ٱلْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَٱللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«such as do not have power to grant them any provision from the hea- vens or the earth»

meaning, nobody can cause rain to fall, or make plants and trees grow. They cannot do these things for them- selves, even if they wanted to. Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:74فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

«So do not give examples on behalf of Allāh.» meaning, do not set up rivals to Him or describe anything as being like Him.

Qur’an 16:74إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

«Truly, Allāh knows and you know not.»

meaning, He knows and bears witness that there is no god but Him, but you are ignorant and associate others in worship with Him.

Qur’an 16:75ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَّمْلُوكًا لَّا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَمَن رَّزَقْنَٰهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًا هَلْ يَسْتَوُۥنَ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«75. Allāh gives the example of a servant under the possession of another, he has no power of any sort, and a man on whom We have bestowed good provisions from Us, and he spends from that secretly and openly. Can they be equal? (By no means). All the praises and thanks are to Allāh. Nay! (But) most of them know not.» The Example of the Believer and the Disbeliever, or the Idol and the True God

Al-‘Awfi reported that Ibn ‘Abbās said: “This is the example which Allāh gives of the disbeliever and the believer.”^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:261.} This was also the view of Qatādah^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:261.} and Ibn Jarīr.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:263.} The servant who has no power over anything is like the disbeliever, and the one who is given good provisions and spends of them secretly and openly is like the believer. Ibn Abi Najīḥ reported that Mujāhid said: “This is an example given of the idol and the True God - can they be the same?”^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:263.} Once the difference between them is so clear and so obvious, no one can be unaware of it except the one who is foolish. Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:75ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«All the praises and thanks are to Allāh. Nay! (But) most of them know not.»

Qur’an 16:76وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«76. And Allāh gives an example of two men, one of them dumb, who has no power over anything, and he is a burden on his master; whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a man equal to one who commands justice, and is himself on the straight path?»

Another Example

Mujāhid said, “This also refers to idols and the True God, may He be exalted.” Meaning that the idol is dumb and cannot speak or say anything, good or otherwise. It cannot do anything at all, no words, no action, it is dependent and is a burden on its master.

Qur’an 16:76أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ

«whichever way he directs him,» meaning, wherever he sends him

Qur’an 16:76لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ

«he brings no good.» meaning, he does not succeed in what he wants.

Qur’an 16:76هَلْ يَسْتَوِى

«Is such a man equal» meaning, a man who has these attributes

Qur’an 16:76وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ

«to one who commands justice» meaning fairness, one whose words are true and whose deeds are righteous.

Qur’an 16:76وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«and is himself on the straight path?» Al-'Awfi reported that Ibn 'Abbās said: “This is also an example of the disbeliever and the believer”, as in the previous Āyah.

Qur’an 16:77–79وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَآ أَمْرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ ٱلْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَٱللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍ فِى جَوِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«77. And to Allāh belongs the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. And the matter of the Hour is not but as a twinkling of the eye, or even nearer. Truly, Allāh is able to do all things.»

«78. And Allāh has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts, that you might give thanks.»

«79. Do they not see the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them up but Allāh. Verily, in this are clear signs for people who believe.»

The Unseen belongs to Allāh and only He has Knowledge of the Hour

Allāh tells us of the perfection of His knowledge and ability to do all things, by telling us that He alone knows the Unseen of the heavens and the earth. No one knows anything about such things except for what Allāh informs about as He wills. His complete power, which no one can oppose or resist, means that when He wants a thing, He only has to say to it “Be!” and it is, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 54:50وَمَآ أَمْرُنَآ إِلَّا وَٰحِدَةٌ كَلَمْحٍۭ بِٱلْبَصَرِ

«And Our commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye.» (54:50)

meaning, whatever He wills happens in blinking. Thus Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:77وَمَآ أَمْرُ ٱلسَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ ٱلْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«And the matter of the Hour is not but as a twinkling of the eye, or even nearer. Truly, Allāh is Able to do all things.»

Elsewhere, Allāh says:

Qur’an 31:28مَّا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ

«The processes of creating you all and resurrecting you all are but like that of (the creation and resurrection of) a single person.» (31:28)

Among the Favors Allāh has granted People are Hearing, Sight and the Heart

Then Allāh mentions His blessings to His servants in that He brought them from their mothers’ wombs not knowing a thing, then He gives them hearing to recognize voices, sight to see visible things and hearts - meaning reason - whose seat, according to the correct view, is the heart, although it was also said that its seat is the brain. With his reason, a person can distinguish between what is harmful and what is beneficial. These abilities and senses develop gradually in man. The more he grows, the more his hearing, vision and reason increase, until they reach their peak. Allāh has created these faculties in man to enable him to worship his Lord, so he uses all these organs, abilities and strengths to obey his Master.

Al-Bukhāri reported in his Ṣaḥīḥ from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

«يَقُولُ تَعَالَى: مَنْ عَادَى لِي وَلِيًّا فَقَدْ بَارَزَنِي بِالْحَرْبِ، وَمَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِشَيْءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَدَاءِ مَا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ، وَلَا يَزَالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ، وَبَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ، وَيَدَهُ الَّتِي يَبْطِشُ بِهَا، وَرِجْلَهُ الَّتِي يَمْشِي بِهَا، وَلَئِنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنْ دَعَانِي لَأُجِيبَنَّهُ، وَلَئِنِ اسْتَعَاذَ بِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ، وَمَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ تَرَدُّدِي فِي قَبْضِ نَفْسِ عَبْدِي الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَأَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ وَلَا بُدَّ لَهُ مِنْهُ«

«Allāh says: “Whoever takes My friend as an enemy, has declared war on Me. My servant does not draw near to Me with anything better than his doing that which I have enjoined upon him, and My servant keeps drawing near to Me by doing Nawāfil (supererogatory) deeds until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his vision with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask Me for anything, I would give it to him, if he were to call on Me, I would respond, if he were to seek Me for refuge I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of My believing servant, because he hates death and I hate to upset him, but it is inevitable."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:348.}

The meaning of the Ḥadīth is that when a person is sincere in his obedience towards Allāh, all his deeds are done for the sake of Allāh, so he only hears for the sake of Allāh, he only sees for the sake of Allāh - meaning he only listens to or looks at what has been allowed by Allāh. He does not strike or walk except in obedience to Allāh, seeking Allāh's help in all of these things. Thus in some versions of the Ḥadīth, narrated outside the Ṣaḥīḥ, after the phrase “his foot with which he walks”, there is added:

Ḥadīthفَبِي يَسْمَعُ، وَبِي يُبْصِرُ، وَبِي يَبْطِشُ، وَبِي يَمْشِي

«So through Me he hears, through Me he sees, through Me he strikes and through Me he walks.»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:352.}

Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:78وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

«And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks.﴿

Elsewhere, He says:

Qur’an 67:23–24قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ قُلْ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

«Say it is He Who has created you, and endowed you with hearing and seeing, and hearts. Little thanks you give. Say: “It is He Who has created you on the earth, and to Him shall you be gathered (in the Hereafter).”» (67:23-24)

In the Subjection of the Birds in the Sky there is a Sign

Then Allāh tells His servants to look at the birds held (flying) in the sky, between heaven and earth, and how He has caused them to fly with their wings in the sky. They are held up only by Him, it is He Who gave them the strength to do that, subjecting the air to carry them and support them. As Allāh says in Sūrat Al-Mulk:

Qur’an 67:19أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَٰٓفَّٰتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ إِنَّهُۥ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۭ بَصِيرٌ

«Do they not see the birds above them, spreading their wings out and folding them in? None holds them up except the Most Gracious (Allāh). Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything.» (67:19)

And here Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:79إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Verily, in this are clear signs for people who believe.»

Qur’an 16:80–83وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ أَثَٰثًا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَٰلًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ أَكْنَٰنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ ٱلْحَرَّ وَسَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ

«80. And Allāh had made your homes a place of rest for you, and made dwellings for you out of the hides of the cattle which you find so light when you travel and when you camp; and furnishings and articles of convenience out of their wool, fur, and hair - comfort for a while.﴿

﴿81. And Allāh has made shade for you out of that which He has created, and He has made places of refuge in the mountains for you, and He has made garments for you to protect you from the heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your violence. Thus does He perfect His favor for you, that you may submit yourselves to His will.﴿

﴿82. Then, if they turn away, your duty (O Muḥammad) is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way.﴿

﴿83. They recognize the grace of Allāh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others besides Allāh) and most of them are disbelievers.﴿

Homes, Furnishings and Clothing are also Blessings from Allāh

Allāh mentions His great blessings for His servant in that He has given them homes to dwell in and protect themselves with, in which they find all kinds of benefits. He has also given them homes from the hides of cattle, i.e., leather, which are light and easy to carry on journeys and can be erected wherever they stop, whether they are traveling or are settled. Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:80تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ

«which you find so light when you travel and when you camp ;»

Qur’an 16:80وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ

«out of their wool, fur and hair» refers to sheep, camels and goats respectively.

Qur’anأَثَٰثًا

«furnishings» meaning what you take from them, i.e., wealth. It was also said that it means articles of convenience, or clothing. The correct view is more general in meaning than this; it means that you make carpets, clothing and other things from their wool, hair etc., which you use as wealth and for trade. Ibn ‘Abbās said: ‘Al-Athath means articles of convenience and comfort.”^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:268.} This was also the view of Mujāhid, ‘Ikrimah, Sa‘īd bin Jubayr, Al-Ḥasan, ‘Aṭiyah Al-‘Awfī, ‘Aṭā’ Al-Khurāsāni, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and Qatādah. The phrase,

Qur’an 16:80إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

«for a while» means, until the appointed time.

Shade, Places of Refuge in the Mountains, Garments and Coats of Mail are also Blessings from Allāh

Qur’an 16:81وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَٰلًا

«And Allāh has made shade for you out of that which He has created,»

Qatādah said: “This means trees.”^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:269.}

Qur’an 16:81وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ أَكْنَٰنًا

«and He has made places of refuge in the mountains for you,» meaning fortresses and strongholds.

Qur’an 16:81وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ ٱلْحَرَّ

«and He has made garments for you to protect you from the heat,» meaning clothing of cotton, linen and wool.

Qur’an 16:81وَسَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ

«and coats of mail to protect you from your violence.» such as shields made of layers of sheet iron, coats of mail and so on.

Qur’an 16:81كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ

«Thus does He perfect His favor for you,» meaning, thus He gives you what you need to go about your business, so that this will help you to worship and obey Him.

Qur’an 16:81لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ

«that you may submit yourselves to His will». This is interpreted by the majority to mean submitting to Allāh or becoming Muslim.

Qur’an 16:80–87وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ أَثَٰثًا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَٰلًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ أَكْنَٰنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ ٱلْحَرَّ وَسَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ وَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ

All the Messenger has to do is convey the Message

Qur’anفَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟

«Then, if they turn away,» meaning, after this declaration and reminder, do not worry about them.

Qur’an 16:82فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

«your duty (O Muḥammad) is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way», and you have delivered the Message to them.

Qur’an 16:83يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا

«They recognize the grace of Allāh, yet they deny it»

meaning they know that Allāh is the One Who grants these blessings to them, and that He is Bountiful towards them, but they still deny this by worshipping others besides Him and thinking that their help and provisions come from others besides Him.

Qur’an 16:83وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ

«and most of them are disbelievers.»

Qur’an 16:84–88وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ وَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟

Qur’an 16:88وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَٰهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يُفْسِدُونَ

«84. And on the Day when We resurrect a witness from each nation, then those who disbelieve will not be given leave, nor will they be allowed (to return to the world) to repent and ask for Allāh's forgiveness.»

85. And once those who did wrong see the torment, it will not decrease for them, nor will they be given respite.»

«86. And when those who associated partners with Allāh see their partners, they will say: "Our Lord! These are our partners whom we used to call upon besides you." But they will throw back their statement at them (saying): "You indeed are liars!"»

«87. And they will offer (their full) submission to Allāh on that Day, and what they falsely invented will wander away from them.»

«88. Those who disbelieved and tried to obstruct the path of Allāh, for them We will add torment on top of the torment because of the corruption they spread.»

The Plight of the Idolators on the Day of Judgement

Allāh tells us about the predicament of the idolators on the Day when they will be resurrected in the realm of the Hereafter. He will raise a witness from every nation - that is - their Prophet, to testify about their response to the Message he conveyed from Allāh.

Qur’an 16:84ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟

«then, those who disbelieved will not be given leave.»

meaning, they will not be allowed to offer any excuse, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 77:35–36هَٰذَا يَوْمُ لَا يَنطِقُونَ وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ

«That will be a Day when they do not speak. And they will not be permitted to present any excuse» (77:35-36).

Hence, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:84–85وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟

«nor will they be allowed (to return to the world) to repent and ask for Allāh's forgiveness. And once those who did wrong see» meaning those who associated others in worship with Allāh,

Qur’an 16:85ٱلْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ

«the torment, it will not decrease for them,» meaning it will not be reduced for them even for a moment.

Qur’an 16:85وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

«nor will they be given respite.» meaning, it will not be delayed for them, rather they will be taken quickly from the place of gathering, with no calling to account. Then Hell will be brought forth, pulled by seventy thousand ropes, each of which is held by seventy thousand angels, and a neck will stretch forth from Hell towards the people, and it will expel a gust of hot air. No one will be left but will fall to his knees. Then it (the neck that is stretched forth) will say, “I have been entrusted to deal with every stubborn, arrogant one who joined another god with Allāh,” and so and so, mentioning different types of people, as was reported in the Ḥadīth. Then it will come down upon them and pick them up from where they are standing as a bird picks up a seed. Allāh says:

Qur’an 25:12–14إِذَا رَأَتْهُم مِّن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا وَإِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ مِنْهَا مَكَانًا ضَيِّقًا مُّقَرَّنِينَ دَعَوْا۟ هُنَالِكَ ثُبُورًا لَّا تَدْعُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ ثُبُورًا وَٰحِدًا وَٱدْعُوا۟ ثُبُورًا كَثِيرًا

«When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring. And when they are thrown into a narrow part of it, chained together, they will cry for destruction. Today, do not scream for one destruction, but scream repeatedly for destruction.» (25:12-14)

Qur’an 18:53وَرَءَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٱلنَّارَ فَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُم مُّوَاقِعُوهَا وَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ عَنْهَا مَصْرِفًا

«And the guilty shall see the Fire and apprehend that they are about to fall into it. And they will find no way to avoid it.» (18:53)

Qur’an 21:39–40لَوْ يَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ حِينَ لَا يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَلَا عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ بَلْ تَأْتِيهِم بَغْتَةً فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَدَّهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ

«If only those who disbelieved knew (about the time) when they will not be able to protect their faces nor their backs from the Fire, and they have no help. Nay, it (the Fire) will come upon them all of a sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert it nor will they have any respite.» (21:39-40)

The gods of the Idolators will disown Them at the Time when They need them most

Then Allāh tells us that their gods will disown them when they need them most. He says:

Qur’an 16:86وَإِذَا رَءَا ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَهُمْ

«And when those who associated partners with Allāh see their partners» meaning, those whom they used to worship in this world.’

Qur’an 16:86قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُرَكَآؤُنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِكَ فَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ

«they will say: "Our Lord! These are our partners whom we used to call upon besides you." But they will throw their statements back at them (saying): "You are indeed liars!"» i.e., those gods will say to them, ‘you are lying. We never commanded you to worship us.’ Allāh says:

Qur’an 46:5–6وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّن يَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَن لَّا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَهُۥٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ وَهُمْ عَن دُعَآئِهِمْ غَٰفِلُونَ وَإِذَا حُشِرَ ٱلنَّاسُ كَانُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَعْدَآءً وَكَانُوا۟ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ كَٰفِرِينَ

«And who is more astray than one who calls upon others besides Allāh, such as will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection, and who are (even) unaware of their invocations to them? And when the people are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they (false deities) will become their enemies and will deny their worship,» (46:5-6)

Qur’an 19:81–82وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّا كَلَّا سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا

«And they have taken gods besides Allāh, that they might give them honor, power and glory. Nay, but they will deny their worship, and become their adversaries (on the Day of Resurrection).» (19:81-82) Al-Khalīl [Ibrāhīm] said:

Qur’an 29:25ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُم بِبَعْضٍ

«but on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown each other» [29:25] And Allāh says:

Qur’an 28:64وَقِيلَ ٱدْعُوا۟ شُرَكَآءَكُمْ

«And it will be said (to them): "Call upon your partners"» [28:64] And there are many other similar Āyāt.

Everything will surrender to Allāh on the Day of Resurrection

Qur’an 16:87وَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلسَّلَمَ

«And they will offer (their full) submission to Allāh on that Day,» Qatādah and ‘Ikrimah said: “They will humble themselves and surrender on that Day,”^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:276.} i.e., they will all surrender to Allāh, there will not be anyone who does not hear and obey. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 19:38أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا

«How clearly will they see and hear, the Day when they will appear before Us!» [19:38] meaning, they will see and hear better than they have ever seen and heard before. And Allāh says:

Qur’an 32:12وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا

«And if you only could see when the guilty hang their heads before their Lord (saying): "Our Lord! We have now seen and heard."» [32:12]

Qur’an 20:111وَعَنَتِ ٱلْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَىِّ ٱلْقَيُّومِ

«And (all) faces shall be humbled before the Ever Living, the Sustainer.» [20:111] meaning, they will humble and submit themselves.

Qur’an 16:87وَأَلْقَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ ٱلسَّلَمَ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَفْتَرُونَ

«And they will offer (their full) submission to Allāh on that Day, and what they falsely invented will wander away from them.» The things that they used to worship which were all based on fabrications and lies, will all disappear, and they will have no helper or supporter, and no one to turn to.

Those among the Idolators who corrupted Others will receive a Greater Punishment

Then Allāh tells us:

Qur’an 16:88ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَٰهُمْ عَذَابًا

«Those who disbelieved and tried to obstruct the path of Allāh, for them We will add torment» meaning one punishment for their disbelief and another punishment for turning others away from following the truth, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:26وَهُمْ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ وَيَنْـَٔوْنَ عَنْهُ

«And they prevent others from him and they themselves keep away from him» [6:26] meaning they forbade others to follow him and they themselves shunned him, but:

Qur’an 6:26وَإِن يُهْلِكُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ

«they destroyed only themselves, while they do not realize it.» This is evidence that there will be varying levels of punishment for the disbelievers, just as there will be varying degrees of Paradise for the believers, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 7:38قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَعْلَمُونَ

«For each one there is double (torment), but you know not.» [7:38]

Qur’an 16:89وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تِبْيَٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«89. And on the Day when We resurrect a witness from each nation from among themselves, and We bring you (O Muḥammad) as a witness against these. And We have revealed the Book (the Qur'ān) to you as an explanation of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and good news for the Muslims.»

Every Prophet will bear Witness against his Nation on the Day of Resurrection

Allāh addressed His servant and Messenger Muḥammad ﷺ, saying:

Qur’an 16:89وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ

«And on the Day when We resurrect a witness from each nation from among themselves, and We bring you (O Muḥammad) as a witness against these.»,

meaning, your Ummah. The Āyah means: remember that Day and its terrors, and the great honor and high position that Allāh has bestowed upon you. This Āyah is like the Āyah with which ‘Abdullāh bin Mas‘ūd ended when he recited to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ from the beginning of Sūrat An-Nisā’. When he reached the Āyah:

Qur’an 4:41فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۭ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شَهِيدًا

«How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muḥammad) as a witness against these?» [4:41]

the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to him:

«حَسْبُكَ»

«Enough.» Ibn Mas‘ūd said: “I turned to him and saw his eyes streaming with tears.”^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:99.} The Qur'ān explains Everything

Qur’an 16:89وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تِبْيَٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ

«And We revealed the Book (the Qur'ān) to you as an explanation of everything,»

Ibn Mas'ūd said: "[Allāh] made it clear that in this Qur'ān there is complete knowledge and about everything."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:269.} The Qur'ān contains all kinds of beneficial knowledge, such as reports of what happened in the past, information about what is yet to come, what is lawful and unlawful, and what people need to know about their worldly affairs, their religion, their livelihood in this world, and their destiny in the Hereafter.

Qur’anوَهُدًى

«a guidance» means, for their hearts.

Qur’an 16:89وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«a mercy, and good news for the Muslims.»

Al-Awzā'i said:

Qur’an 16:89وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تِبْيَٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ

«And We have revealed the Book (the Qur'ān) as an explanation of everything,»

meaning, with the Sunnah.^{3Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 5:158.}

The is the reason why the phrase,

Qur’an 16:89وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ

«And We have revealed the Book to you» is mentioned immediately after the phrase,

Qur’an 16:89وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ

«And We shall bring you (O Muḥammad) as a witness against these.»

the meaning - and Allāh knows best - is that the One Who obligated you to convey the Book which He revealed to you, will also ask you about that on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 7:6فَلَنَسْـَٔلَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْـَٔلَنَّ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

«Then We shall indeed question those (people) to whom it (the Book) was sent and We shall indeed question the Messengers.» (7:6)

Qur’an 15:92–93فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«So by your Lord We question them all about what they did.» (15:92-92)

Qur’an 5:109يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَيَقُولُ مَاذَآ أُجِبْتُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَآ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ

«On the Day when Allāh gathers the Messengers together and says to them: "What was the response you received (to your Message)?" They will say: "We have no knowledge, indeed only You are the Knower of all that is hidden."» (5:109)

And Allāh says:

Qur’an 28:85إِنَّ ٱلَّذِى فَرَضَ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لَرَآدُّكَ إِلَىٰ مَعَادٍ

«Verily, He Who obligated the Qur'ān upon you (O Muḥammad) will surely bring you back to the return.» [28:85]

meaning, the One Who gave you the obligation of conveying the Qur'ān will bring you back to Him, and your return will be on the Day of Resurrection, and He will question you about you commission of the duty He gave you. This is one of the opinions, and it presents a good understanding of it.

Qur’an 16:90إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

«90. Verily, Allāh orders justice and kindness, and giving (help) to the relatives, and He forbids immoral sins, and evil and tyranny. He admonishes you, so that perhaps you may take heed.»

The Command to be Fair and Kind

Allāh tells us that He commands His servant to be just, i.e., fair and moderate, and that He encourages kindness and good treatment. As He says:

Qur’an 16:126وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّٰبِرِينَ

«And if you punish them, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you have patience with them, then it is better for those who are patient.» (16:126)

Qur’an 42:40وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ

«The recompense for an offense is an offense the like thereof; but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allāh.» [42:40]

Qur’an 5:45وَٱلْجُرُوحَ قِصَاصٌ فَمَن تَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦ فَهُوَ كَفَّارَةٌ لَّهُۥ

«and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shall count as atonement for him.» [5:45]

And there are other Āyāt which support the institution of justice in Islām, as well as encouraging a fair and generous attitude.

The Command to maintain the Ties of Kinship and the prohibition of Immoral Sins, Evil and Tyranny

Qur’an 16:90وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ

«and giving (help) to relatives,» meaning that Allāh is commanding us to uphold the ties of kinship, as He says:

Qur’an 17:26وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

«And give the relative his due and to the poor and to the wayfarer. But do not spend wastefully in the manner of a spendthrift.» (17:26)

Qur’an 16:90وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ

«and He forbids immoral sins, and evil»

Faḥshā' refers to all things that are forbidden, and Munkar refers to those forbidden deeds that are committed openly by the one who does them. Hence Allāh says elsewhere:

Qur’an 7:33قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّىَ ٱلْفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ

«Say (O Muḥammad): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are the indecencies, whether committed openly or secretly» (7:33)

Baghy refers to aggression towards people. In a Ḥadīth, the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا مِنْ ذَنْبٍ أَجْدَرُ أَنْ يُعَجِّلَ اللهُ عُقُوبَتَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعَ مَا يَدَّخِرُ لِصَاحِبِهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْبَغْيِ وَقَطِيعَةِ الرَّحِمِ

«There is no sin more deserving of having its punishment hastened in this world, as well as what is reserved in the Hereafter for the one who does it, than tyrannical aggression and cutting the ties of kinship.»^{1Abu Dāwud 5:208.}

Qur’an 16:90يَعِظُكُمْ

«He admonishes you,» meaning, He commands what He commands you of good and He forbids what He forbids you of evil;

Qur’an 16:90لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

«so that perhaps you may take heed»

Ash-Sha'bi reported that Shatiyr bin Shakl said: "I heard Ibn Mas'ūd say: 'The most comprehensive Āyah in the Qur'ān is in Sūrat An-Nahl:

Qur’an 16:90إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ

«Verily, Allāh enjoins justice and kindness...»'"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:280.} It was reported by Ibn Jarīr.

The Eyewitness Account of 'Uthmān

Concerning the revelation of this Āyah, Imām Aḥmad reported a Ḥasan Ḥadīth from 'Abdullāh bin 'Abbās who said: "While the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was sitting in the courtyard of his house, 'Uthmān bin Maẓ'ūn passed by and smiled at the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said to him,

«أَلَا تَجْلِسُ؟»

«Won't you sit down?»

He said, 'Certainly.' So the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ sat facing them whom He killed at Badr, then His Messenger ﷺ and the believers gained the upper hand, and Allāh enabled His Messenger ﷺ to conquer Makkah, and He disgraced them and humiliated them (the disbelievers).

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 29:68وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَهُۥٓ

«And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allāh or denies the truth, when it comes to him?»

There is no one who will be more severely punished than one who tells lies about Allāh and says that Allāh revealed something to him at the time when Allāh did not reveal anything to him, or says, 'I shall reveal something like that which Allāh revealed.' And there is no one who will be more severely punished than one who denies the truth when it comes to him, for the former is a fabricator and the latter is a disbeliever. Allāh says:

Qur’an 29:68أَلَيْسَ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«Is there not a dwelling in Hell for the disbelievers?»

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 29:69وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا

«As for those who strive hard for Us,»

meaning the Messenger ﷺ and his Companions and those who follow him, until the Day of Resurrection,

Qur’an 29:69لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا

«We will surely guide them to Our paths.»

means, 'We will help them to follow Our path in this world and the Hereafter.'

Ibn Abi Ḥātim narrated that 'Abbās Al-Hamdāni Abu Aḥmad - one of the people of 'Akkā (Palestine) - said, concerning the Āyah:

Qur’an 29:69وَٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

«As for those who strive hard for Us (in Our cause), We will surely guide them to Our paths. And verily, Allāh is with the doers of good.»

Qur’an 16:88–93ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَصَدُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ زِدْنَٰهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يُفْسِدُونَ وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ تِبْيَٰنًا لِّكُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَٰهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثًا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَلَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

'Uthmān said: 'That was when faith was established in my heart and I began to love Muḥammad ﷺ."^{3Aḥmad 1:318. This Ḥadīth has some deficiencies in its narration leading Al-Albāni to grade it weak in Da'īf Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, as well as Al-Arna'ūt in his notes on the Musnad. The first deficiency is one of its narrators, Shahr bin Ḥawshab, who was considered weak by a number of the scholars, the second deficiency was mentioned by Aḥmad Shākir who graded its chain Ṣaḥīḥ, but pointed out that it is one of the Mursal narrations of Ibn 'Abbās since he did not see 'Uthmān bin Maẓ'ūn.}

It is a Ḥasan Ḥadīth having a good connected chain of narrators in which their hearing it from each other is clear.

Qur’an 16:91–92وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَٰهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثًا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

«91. And fulfill the covenants (taken in the Name of) Allāh when you have taken them, and do not break the oaths after you have confirmed them - and indeed you have appointed Allāh as your guarantor. Verily, Allāh knows what you do.»

«92. And do not be like the one who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong, by taking your oaths as a means of deception among yourselves when one group is more numerous than another group. Allāh only tests you by this, and on the Day of Resurrection, He will certainly clarify that which used to differ over.»

The Command to fulfill the Covenant

This is one of the commands of Allāh, to fulfill covenants, keep promises and to fulfill oaths after confirming them. Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:91وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا

«and do not break the oaths after you have confirmed them»

There is no conflict between this and the Āyāt:

Qur’an 2:224وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عُرْضَةً لِّأَيْمَٰنِكُمْ

«And do not use Allāh as an excuse in your oaths» [2:224]

Qur’an 5:89ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّٰرَةُ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ

«That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. And protect your oaths.» [5:89]

meaning, do not forgo your oaths without offering the penance.

There is also no conflict between this Āyah (16:91) and the Ḥadīth reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs according to which the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنِّي وَاللهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَا أَحْلِفُ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَأَرَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِلَّا أَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ وَتَحَلَّلْتُهَا - وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ - وَكَفَّرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي

«By Allāh, if Allāh wills, I will not swear an oath and then realize that something else is better, but I do that which is better and find a way to free myself from the oath. According to another report he said: "and I offer penance for my oath."»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:525, Muslim 3:1269.}

There is no contradiction at all between all of these texts and the Āyah under discussion here, which is:

Qur’an 16:91وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا

«and do not break the oaths after you have confirmed them»

because these are the kinds of oaths that have to do with covenants and promises, not the kind that have to do with urging oneself to do something or preventing him from doing something. Therefore Mujāhid said concerning this Āyah:

Qur’an 16:91وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا

«and do not break the oaths after you have confirmed them»

"The oath here refers to oaths made during Jāhiliyyah."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:282.} This supports the Ḥadīth recorded by Imām Aḥmad from Jubayr bin Muṭ'im, who said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthلَا حِلْفَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ، وَأَيُّمَا حِلْفٍ كَانَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَزِيدُهُ الْإِسْلَامُ إِلَّا شِدَّةً

«There is no oath in Islām, and any oath made during the Jāhiliyyah is only reinforced by Islām.»^{3Aḥmad 4:83.}

This was also reported by Muslim.^{4Muslim 4:1961.} The meaning is that Islām does not need oaths as they were used by the people of the Jāhiliyyah; adherence to Islām is sufficient to do away with any need for what they used to customarily give oaths for.

In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it was reported that Anas said: "The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) swore the treaty of allegiance between the Muhājirīn (emigrants) and the Anṣār (helpers) in our house."^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 4:552, Muslim 4:1960.} This means that he established brotherhood between them, and they used to inherit from one another, until Allāh abrogated that. And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 16:91إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

«Verily, Allāh knows what you do.»

This is a warning and a threat to those who break their oaths after confirming them.

Qur’an 16:92وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّتِى نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنكَٰثًا

«And do not be like the one who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong,»

'Abdullāh bin Kathīr and As-Suddi said: "This was a foolish woman in Makkah. Everytime she spun thread and made it strong, she would undo it again."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:285.} Mujāhid, Qatādah and Ibn Zayd said: "This is like the one who breaks a covenant after confirming it."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:285.} This view is more correct and more apparent, whether or not there was a woman in Makkah who undid her thread after spinning it. The word Ankāthan could be referring back to the word translated as "undoes", reinforcing the meaning, or it could be the predicate of the verb "to be", meaning, do not be Ankāthan, the plural of Nakth (breach, violation), from the word Nākith (perfidious). Hence after this, Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:92تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ

«by taking your oaths as a means of deception among yourselves» meaning for the purposes of cheating and tricking one another.

Qur’an 16:92أَن تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِىَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ

«when one group is more numerous than another group.» meaning, you swear an oath with some people if they are more in number than you, so that they can trust you, but when you are able to betray them you do so. Allāh forbids that, by showing a case where treachery might be expected or excused, but He forbids it. If treachery is forbidden in such a case, then in cases where one is in a position of strength it is forbidden more emphatically.

Mujāhid said: "They used to enter into alliances and covenants, then find other parties who were more powerful and more numerous, so they would cancel the alliance with the first group and make an alliance with the second who were more powerful and more numerous. This is what they were forbidden to do.” Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah and Ibn Zayd said something similar.

Qur’an 16:92إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ

Qur’an 16:94–102وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمٌۢ بَعْدَ ثُبُوتِهَا وَتَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ سُلْطَٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ إِنَّمَا سُلْطَٰنُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشْرِكُونَ وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَآ ءَايَةً مَّكَانَ ءَايَةٍ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُفْتَرٍۭ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ قُلْ نَزَّلَهُۥ رُوحُ ٱلْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«Allāh only tests you by this» Sa'īd bin Jubayr said: "This means (you are tested) by the large numbers."^{8Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 5:163.} This was reported by Ibn Abi Ḥātim. Ibn Jarīr said: "It means (you are being tested) by His command to you to adhere to your covenants."

Qur’an 16:92وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ مَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

«And on the Day of Resurrection, He will certainly clarify that which you differed over.» Everyone will be rewarded or punished in accordance with his deeds, good or evil.^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:287.}

Qur’an 16:93–96وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَلَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمٌۢ بَعْدَ ثُبُوتِهَا وَتَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا إِنَّمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«93. And had Allāh willed, He would have made you (all) one nation, but He allows whom He wills to stray and He guides whom He wills. But you shall certainly be called to account for what you used to do.» «94. And do not make your oaths a means of deception among yourselves, resulting in the slip of a foot after it was firmly planted, and you taste the evil of having hindered from the path of Allāh, and you will suffer a terrible punishment.»

«95. And do not use an oath by Allāh for the purchase of little value, what is with Allāh is better for you if you only knew.»

«96. Whatever you have will be exhausted, and what is with Allāh will remain. And to those who are patient, We will certainly grant them their rewards in proportion to the best of what they used to do.»

If Allāh had willed, He would have made all of Humanity one Nation

Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:93وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ

«And had Allāh willed, He would have made you» meaning - O mankind,

Qur’an 16:93أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً

«(all) one nation,» This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 10:99وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَـَٔامَنَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كُلُّهُمْ جَمِيعًا

«And had your Lord willed, all of those on earth would have believed together.» [10:99],

meaning, He could have created harmony among them, and there would not be any differences, conflicts or hatred between them.

Qur’an 11:118–119وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ

«And if your Lord had so willed, He would surely, have made mankind one Ummah [nation or community], but they will not cease to disagree. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His mercy, and for that did He create them.» (11:118-119)

Similarly, Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:93وَلَٰكِن يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ

«but He allows whom He wills to stray and He guides whom He wills.»

Then on the Day of Resurrection, He will ask them all about their deeds, and will reward or punish them even equal to a scalish thread in the long slit of a date stone or the size of a speck on the back of a date stone, or even a thin membrane of the date stone.

The Prohibition on taking an Oath for Purposes of Treachery

Then Allāh warns His servant against taking oaths as means of deception, i.e., using them for treacherous purposes, lest a foot should slip after being firmly planted. This is an analogy describing one who was on the right path but then deviated and slipped from the path of guidance because of an unfulfilled oath that involved hindering people from the path of Allāh. This is because if a disbeliever were to find that after having agreed to a covenant, then the believer betrayed him, then the believer will have hindered him from entering Islām. Thus Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:94وَتَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

«and you taste the evil of having hindered from the path of Allāh, and you will suffer a terrible punishment.»

Do not break Oaths for the sake of Worldly Gain

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:95وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا

«And do not use an oath by Allāh for the purchase of little value.»

meaning, do not neglect an oath sworn in the Name of Allāh for the sake of this world and its attractions, for they are few, and even if the son of Ādam were to gain this world and all that is in it, that which is with Allāh is better for him, i.e., the reward of Allāh is better for the one who puts his hope in Him, believes in Him, seeks Him and fulfills his oaths in the hope of that which Allāh has promised. This is why Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:95–96إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ

«if you only knew. Whatever you have will be exhausted,» meaning, it will come to an end and will vanish, because it is only there for a certain, limited time.

Qur’an 16:96وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَاقٍ

«and what is with Allāh will remain.» meaning, His reward for you in Paradise will remain, without interruption or end, because it is eternal and will never change nor disappear.

Qur’an 16:96وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«And to those who are patient, We will certainly grant them their rewards in proportion to the best of what they used to do.» Here the Lord swears, with the Lām of affirmation, that He will reward the patient for the best of their deeds, i.e., He will forgive them for their bad deeds.

Qur’an 16:97مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

«97. Whoever does righteous deeds - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a believer; then We will certainly give them a good life, and We will certainly grant them their rewards in proportion to the best of what they used to do.»

Righteous Deeds and their Reward

This is a promise from Allāh to those Children of Ādam, male or female, who do righteous deeds - deeds in accordance with the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ, with a heart that believes in Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ, while believing that these deeds are commanded and enjoined by Allāh. Allāh promises that He will give them a good life in this world and that He will reward them according to the best of their deeds in the Hereafter. The good life includes feeling tranquillity in all aspects of life. It has been reported that Ibn 'Abbās and a group (of scholars) interpreted it to mean good, lawful provisions. It was reported that 'Ali bin Abi Ṭālib interpreted as contentment. This was also the opinion of Ibn 'Abbās, 'Ikrimah and Wahb bin Munabbih. 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah recorded from Ibn 'Abbās that it meant happiness. Al-Ḥasan, Mujāhid and Qatādah said: "None gets [this] good life [mentioned] except in Paradise." Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said: "It means lawful provisions and worship in this life". Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk also said: "It means working to obey Allāh and finding joy in that." The correct view is that a good life includes all of these things. as found in the Ḥadīth recorded by Imām Aḥmad from 'Abdullāh bin 'Amr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthقَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ، وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا، وَقَنَّعَهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ

«He who submits [becomes a Muslim] has succeeded, is given sufficient provisions, and is content with Allāh for what he is given.»^{1Aḥmad 2:268.}

It was also recorded by Muslim.^{2Muslim 2:730.}

Qur’an 16:98–100فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ سُلْطَٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ إِنَّمَا سُلْطَٰنُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشْرِكُونَ

«98. So when you recite the Qur'ān, seek refuge with Allāh from Shayṭān, the outcast.» «99. Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord.» «100. His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Shayṭān), and those who join partners with Him (Allāh).»

The Command to seek Refuge with Allāh before reciting the Qur'ān

This is a command from Allāh to His servants upon the tongue of His Prophet ﷺ, telling them that when they want to read Qur'ān, they should seek refuge with Allāh from the cursed Shayṭān. The Ḥadīths mentioned about seeking refuge with Allāh (Isti'ādhah), were quoted in our discussion at the beginning of this Tafsīr, praise be to Allāh. The reason for seeking refuge with Allāh before reading is that the reader should not get confused or mixed up, and that the Shayṭān would not confuse him or stop him from thinking about and pondering over the meaning of what he reads. Hence the majority of scholars said that refuge should be sought with Allāh before starting to read.

Qur’an 16:99إِنَّهُۥ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ سُلْطَٰنٌ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

«Verily, he has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord.»

Ath-Thawri said: "He has no power to make them commit a sin they will not repent from."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:294.} Others said: it means that he has no argument for them. Others said it is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 15:40إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ

«Except Your chosen servants amongst them.» [15:40]

Qur’an 16:100إِنَّمَا سُلْطَٰنُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُۥ

«His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Shayṭān),»

Mujāhid said: "Those who obey him."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:294.} Others said, "Those who take him as their protector instead of Allāh."

Qur’an 16:100وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِهِۦ مُشْرِكُونَ

«and those who join partners with Him.» means, those who associate others in worship with Allāh.

Qur’an 16:101–102وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَآ ءَايَةً مَّكَانَ ءَايَةٍ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُفْتَرٍۭ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ قُلْ نَزَّلَهُۥ رُوحُ ٱلْقُدُسِ مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«101. And when We change a verse in place of another - and Allāh knows best what He reveals - they (the disbelievers) say: "You (O Muḥammad) are but a forger." Rather, most of them know not.»

«102. Say (O Muḥammad); "Rūḥ-ul-Qudus has brought it (the Qur'ān) down from your Lord with truth." for the conviction of those who believe, and as a guide and good news for the Muslims.» The Idolators' Accusation that the Prophet ﷺ was a Liar since some Āyāt were abrogated, and the Refutation of their Claim

Allāh tells us of the weak minds of the idolators, and their lack of faith and conviction. He explains that it is impossible for them to have faith when He has decreed that they are doomed. When they saw that some rulings had been changed by being abrogated, they said to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ:

Qur’an 16:101إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مُفْتَرٍۭ

«You are but a forger» meaning one who tells lies. But Allāh is the Lord Who does whatever He wills, and rules as He wants.

Qur’an 16:101وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَآ ءَايَةً مَّكَانَ ءَايَةٍ

«And when We change a verse (of the Qur'ān) in place of another»

Mujāhid said: this means, "We remove one and put another in its place."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:297.} Qatādah said: this is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 2:106مَا نَنسَخْ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ أَوْ نُنسِهَا

«Whatever verse We change [abrogate] or omit [the abrogated]...»" (2:106).^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:297.}

Allāh said, in response to them:

Qur’an 16:102قُلْ نَزَّلَهُۥ رُوحُ ٱلْقُدُسِ

«Say: "Rūḥ-ul-Qudus has brought it..."» meaning, Jibrīl,

Qur’an 16:102مِن رَّبِّكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ

«from your Lord with truth,» meaning, with truthfulness and justice

Qur’an 16:102لِيُثَبِّتَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟

«for the conviction of those who believe,»

so that they will believe what was revealed earlier and what was revealed later, and humble themselves towards Allāh.

Qur’an 16:103–110وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُۥ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَهْدِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِى ٱلْكَذِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰذِبُونَ مَن كَفَرَ بِٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَٰنِهِۦٓ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ وَلَٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِٱلْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ ٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا عَلَى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰفِلُونَ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا۟ ثُمَّ جَٰهَدُوا۟ وَصَبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Qur’an 16:102وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ

«and as a guide and good news for the Muslims.» meaning He has made it a guide and good news to the Muslims who believe in Allāh and His Messengers.

Qur’an 16:103وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُۥ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ

«103. And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: "It is only a human being who teaches him." The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur'ān) is (in) a clear Arabic tongue.»

The Idolators' Claim that the Qur'ān was taught by a Human, and the Refutation of their Claim

Allāh tells us about the idolators' lies, allegations, and slander when they claimed that this Qur'ān which Muḥammad ﷺ had recited for them, was actually taught to him by a human. They referred to a foreign (i.e., non-Arab) man who lived among them as the servant of some of the clans of Quraysh and who used to sell goods by Aṣ-Ṣafā. Maybe the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to sit with him sometimes and talk to him a little, but he was a foreigner who did not know much Arabic, only enough simple phrases to answer questions when he had to. So in refutation of their claims of fabrication, Allāh said:

Qur’an 16:103لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ

«The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur'ān) is a (in) clear Arabic tongue.» meaning, how could it be that this Qur'ān with its eloquent style and perfect meanings, which is more perfect than any Book revealed to any previously sent Prophet, have been learnt from a foreigner who hardly speaks the language? No one with the slightest amount of common sense would say such a thing.

Qur’an 16:104–105إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَهْدِيهِمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِى ٱلْكَذِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْكَٰذِبُونَ

«104. Verily, those who do not believe in Allāh's Āyāt (signs, or revelation), Allāh will not guide them, and theirs will be a painful punishment.» «105. It is only those who do not believe in Allāh's Āyāt who fabricate the falsehood, and it is they who are liars.» Allāh tells us that He does not guide those who turn away from remembering Him and who are heedless of that which He revealed to His Messenger ﷺ, those who have no intention of believing in that which he has brought from Allāh. This kind of people will never be guided to faith by the signs of Allāh and the Message which He sent His Messengers in this world, and they will suffer a painful and severe punishment in the Hereafter. Then Allāh informs us that His Messenger ﷺ is not a forger nor a liar, because the one who fabricates falsehood about Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ is the most evil of creatures.

Qur’anٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ

«Verily, those who do not believe in Allāh's Āyāt,» Allāh will not guide them, and theirs will be a painful punishment, meaning, the disbelievers and heretics who are known to the people as liars. The Messenger Muḥammad ﷺ, on the other hand, was the most honest and righteous of people, the most perfect in knowledge, deeds, faith and conviction. He was known among his people for his truthfulness and no one among them had any doubts about that - to such an extent that they always addressed him as Al-Amīn (the Trustworthy) Muḥammad. Thus when Heraclius, the king of the Romans, asked Abu Sufyān about the attributes of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, one of the things he said to him was, "Did you ever accuse him of lying before he made his claim?" Abu Sufyān said, "No". Heraclius said, "He would refrain from lying about people and then go and fabricate lies about Allāh?"

Qur’an 16:106–109مَن كَفَرَ بِٱللَّهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ إِيمَٰنِهِۦٓ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ وَلَٰكِن مَّن شَرَحَ بِٱلْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ ٱسْتَحَبُّوا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا عَلَى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ طَبَعَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰفِلُونَ لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

«106. Whoever disbelieves in Allāh after his belief - except one who was forced while his heart is at peace with the faith - but whoever opens their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allāh, and theirs will be a terrible torment.»

«107. That is because they preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter. And Allāh does not guide the people who disbelieve.»

«108. They are those upon whose hearts, hearing (ears) and sight (eyes) Allāh has set a seal over. And they are the heedless!»

«109. No doubt, in the Hereafter they will be the losers.»

Allāh's Wrath against the Apostate, except for the One Who is forced into Disbelief

Allāh tells us that He is angry with them who willingly disbelieve in Him after clearly believing in Him, who open their hearts to disbelief finding peace in that, because they understood the faith yet they still turned away from it. They will suffer severe punishment in the Hereafter, because they preferred this life to the Hereafter, and they left the faith for the sake of this world and Allāh did not guide their hearts and help them to stand firm in the true religion. He put a seal on their hearts so that they would not be able to understand what is beneficial for them, and He sealed their ears and eyes so that they would not benefit from them. Their faculties did not help them at all, so they are unaware of what is going to happen to them.

Qur’anلَا جَرَمَ

«No doubt» means, it is inevitable, and no wonder that those who are like this -

Qur’an 16:109أَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

«in the Hereafter, they will be the losers.» meaning, they will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 16:106إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُۥ مُطْمَئِنٌّۢ بِٱلْإِيمَٰنِ

«except one who was forced while his heart is at peace with the faith»

This is an exception in the case of one who utters statements of disbelief and verbally agrees with the Mushrikīn because he is forced to do so by the beatings and abuse to which he is subjected, but his heart refuses to accept what he is saying, and he is, in reality, at peace with his faith in Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ.

The scholars agreed that if a person is forced into disbelief, it is permissible for him to either go along with them in the interests of self-preservation, or to refuse, as Bilāl did when they were inflicting all sorts of torture on him, even placing a huge rock on his chest in the intense heat and telling him to admit others as partners with Allāh. He refused, saying, "Alone, Alone." And he said, "By Allāh, if I knew any word more annoying to you than this, I would say it." May Allāh be pleased with him.

Similarly, when the Liar Mūsāylimah asked Ḥabīb bin Zayd Al-Anṣāri, "Do you bear witness that Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh?" He said, "Yes." Then Mūsāylimah asked, "Do you bear witness that I am the messenger of Allāh?" Ḥabīb said, "I do not hear you." Mūsāylimah kept cutting him, piece by piece, but he remained steadfast insisting on his words.^{1Asad Al-Ghābah 1049.}

It is better and preferable for the Muslim to remain steadfast in his religion, even if that leads to him being killed, as was mentioned by Al-Ḥāfiẓ Ibn 'Asākir in his biography of 'Abdullāh bin Ḥudhāfah Al-Sahmi, one of the Companions. He said that he was taken prisoner by the Romans, who brought him to their king. The king said, "Become a Christian, and I will give you a share of my kingdom and my daughter in marriage." 'Abdullāh said: "If you were to give me all that you possess and all that Arabs possess to make me give up the religion of Muḥammad ﷺ even for an instant, I would not do it." The king said, "Then I will kill you." 'Abdullāh said, "It is up to you." The king gave orders that he should be crucified, and commanded his archers to shoot near his hands and feet while ordering him to become a Christian, but he still refused. Then the king gave orders that he should be brought down, and that a big vessel made of copper be brought and heated up. Then, while 'Abdullāh was watching, one of the Muslim prisoners was brought out and thrown into it, until all that was left of him was scorched bones. The king ordered him to become a Christian, but he still refused. Then he ordered that 'Abdullāh be thrown into the vessel, and he was brought back to the pulley to be thrown in. 'Abdullāh wept, and the king hoped that he would respond to him, so he called him, but 'Abdullāh said, "I only weep because I have only one soul with which to be thrown into this vessel at this moment for the sake of Allāh; I wish that I had as many souls as there are hairs on my body with which I could undergo this torture for the sake of Allāh." According to some reports, the king imprisoned him and deprived him of food and drink for several days, then he sent him wine and pork, and he did not come near them. Then the king called him and asked him, "What stopped you from eating?" 'Abdullāh said, "It is permissible for me [under these circumstances], but I did not want to give you the opportunity to gloat." The king said to him, "Kiss my head and I will let you go." 'Abdullāh said, "And will you release all the Muslim prisoners with me?" The king said, "Yes." So 'Abdullāh kissed his head and he released him and all the other Muslim prisoners he was holding. When he came back, 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb said, "Every Muslim should kiss the head of 'Abdullāh bin Ḥudhāfah, and I will be the first to do so." And he stood up and kissed his head. May Allāh be pleased with them both.^{2Al-Ḥāfiẓ (Ibn Ḥajar) mentioned this story in brief in Al-Iṣābah (4641), and attributed it to Al-Bayhaqi.}

Qur’an 16:110–111ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا۟ ثُمَّ جَٰهَدُوا۟ وَصَبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ يَوْمَ تَأْتِى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَٰدِلُ عَن نَّفْسِهَا وَتُوَفَّىٰ

Qur’an 16:111كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

«110. Then, verily, your Lord for those who emigrated after they were put to trials and then performed Jihād, and were patient, - after this, your Lord is indeed Forgiving, Most Merciful.»

«111. (Remember) the Day when every person will come pleading for himself, and every one will be paid in full for what he did, and they will not be dealt with unjustly.»

The One who is forced to renounce Islām will be forgiven if He does Righteous Deeds afterwards

This refers to another group of people who were oppressed in Makkah and whose position with their own people was weak, so they went along with them when they were tried by them. Then they managed to escape by emigrating, leaving their homeland, families and wealth behind, seeking the pleasure and forgiveness of Allāh. They joined the believers and fought with them against the disbelievers, bearing hardship with patience. Allāh tells them that after this, meaning after their giving in when put to the test, He will forgive them and show mercy to them when they are resurrected.

Qur’an 16:111يَوْمَ تَأْتِى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَٰدِلُ

«(Remember) the Day when every person will come pleading» meaning making a case in his own defence.

Qur’an 16:111عَن نَّفْسِهَا

«for himself.» means, no one else will plead on his behalf; not his father, not his son, nor his brother, nor his wife.

Qur’an 16:111وَتُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ

«and every one will be paid in full for what he did,» meaning whatever he did, good or evil.

Qur’an 16:111وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

«and they will not be dealt with unjustly.» meaning there will be no decrease in the reward for good, and no increase in the punishment for evil. They will not be dealt

Qur’an 16:111–118يَوْمَ تَأْتِى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَٰدِلُ عَن نَّفْسِهَا وَتُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَٰلِمُونَ فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ مَتَٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

with unjustly in the slightest way.

Qur’an 16:112–113وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَٰلِمُونَ

«112. And Allāh gives the example of a township (Makkah), it was secure and peaceful: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the favors of Allāh. So Allāh made it taste extreme hunger (famine) and fear, because of what they did.»

«113. There has come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment seized them while they were wrongdoers.»

The Example of Makkah

This example refers to the people of Makkah, which had been secure, peaceful and stable, a secure sanctuary while men were being snatched away from everywhere outside of it. Whoever entered Makkah, he was safe, and he had no need to fear, as Allāh said:

Qur’an 28:57وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِن نَّتَّبِعِ ٱلْهُدَىٰ مَعَكَ نُتَخَطَّفْ مِنْ أَرْضِنَآ أَوَلَمْ نُمَكِّن لَّهُمْ حَرَمًا ءَامِنًا يُجْبَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ ثَمَرَٰتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ رِّزْقًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا

«And they say: "If we follow the guidance with you, we would be snatched away from our land." Have We not established a secure sanctuary (Makkah) for them, to which are brought fruits of all kinds, a provision from Ourselves.» [28:57] Similarly, Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:112يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا

«its provision coming to it in abundance» meaning, with ease and in plenty,

Qur’an 16:112مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ

«from every place, but it (its people) denied the favors of Allāh.»

meaning, they denied the blessings of Allāh towards them, the greatest of which was Muḥammad ﷺ being sent to them, as Allāh said:

Qur’an 14:28–29أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ كُفْرًا وَأَحَلُّوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ دَارَ ٱلْبَوَارِ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا وَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرَارُ

«Have you not seen those who have changed the favors of Allāh into disbelief, and caused their people to dwell in the abode of destruction; Hell, in which they will burn, - and what an evil place to settle in!» (14:28-29). Hence Allāh replaced their former blessings with the opposite, and said:

Qur’an 16:112فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ

«So Allāh made it taste extreme hunger (famine) and fear,» meaning, He inflicted it and made them taste of hunger after fruits of all kinds and provision in abundance from every place had been brought to it. This was when they defied the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and insisted on opposing him, so he supplicated against them, asking Allāh to send them seven years like the seven years of Yūsuf (i.e., seven years of famine), and they were stricken with a year in which everything that they had was destroyed, and they ate 'Alhaz', which is the hair of the camel mixed with its blood when it is slaughtered.

Qur’an 16:112وَٱلْخَوْفِ

«and fear». This refers to the fact that their sense of security was replaced with fear of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and his Companions after they had migrated to Al-Madīnah. They feared the power and the attack of his armies, and they started to lose and face the destruction of everything that belonged to them, until Allāh made it possible for His Messenger ﷺ to conquer Makkah. This happened because of their evil deeds, their wrongdoing and their rejection of the Messenger ﷺ that Allāh sent to them from among themselves. He reminded them of this blessing in the Āyah:

Qur’an 3:164لَقَدْ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ

«Indeed, Allāh blessed the believers when He sent Messenger from among themselves to them.» (3:164)

and,

Qur’an 65:10–11فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَٰٓأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَدْ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا رَّسُولًا

«So have Taqwā of Allāh! O men of understanding who have believed, Allāh has indeed revealed to you a reminder (this Qur'ān). (And has also sent to you) a Messenger.» [65:10-11]

and:

Qur’an 2:151كَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِّنكُمْ يَتْلُوا۟ عَلَيْكُمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ

«Similarly (as a blessing), We have sent a Messenger to you from among you, reciting Our Āyāt to you, and purifying you, and teaching you the Book (the Qur'ān) and the Ḥikmah (i.e. Sunnah).» Until

Qur’an 2:152وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ

«and do not be ungrateful.» [2:151-152]

Allāh changed the situation of the disbelievers and made it the opposite of what it had been, so they lived in fear after being secure, they were hungry after having plenty of provisions. After the believers lived in fear, Allāh granted them security, giving them ample provisions after they lived in poverty, making them rulers, governors and leaders of mankind. This is what we say about the example that was given of the people of Makkah. It was also the opinion of Al- ‘Awfi and Ibn 'Abbās,^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:309.} Mujāhid, Qatādah, 'Abdur-Raḥmān bin Zayd bin Aslam, and Mālik narrated it from Az-Zuhri as well. May Allāh have mercy on them all.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:310.}

Qur’an 16:114–117فَكُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ حَلَٰلًا طَيِّبًا وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةَ وَٱلدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ مَتَٰعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

«114. So eat of the lawful and good food which Allāh has provided for you. And be grateful for Allāh's favor, if it is He Whom you worship.»

«115. He has only forbidden dead flesh, blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than Allāh. But if one is forced by necessity, without willful disobedience, nor transgressing, then, Allāh is Pardoning, Most Merciful.»

«116. And do not describe what your tongues have lied about, saying: "This is lawful and this is forbidden," to invent lies against Allāh. Verily, those who invent lies against Allāh, will never succeed.»

«117. A passing brief enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will suffer a painful torment.»

The Command to eat Lawful Provisions and to be Thankful, and an Explanation of what is Unlawful

Allāh orders His believing servants to eat the good and lawful things that He has provided, and to give thanks to Him for that, for He is the Giver and Originator of all favors, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, having no partners or associate. Then Allāh mentions what He has forbidden things which harm them in both religious and worldly affairs, i.,e., dead meat, blood and the flesh of pigs.

Qur’an 16:115وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ

«and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for other than Allāh.» meaning, it was slaughtered with the mention of a name other than that of Allāh. Nevertheless,

Qur’an 16:115فَمَنِ ٱضْطُرَّ

«But if one is forced by necessity.» meaning, if one needs to do it, without deliberately disobeying or transgressing, then,

Qur’an 16:115فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«Allāh is Pardoning, Most Merciful.» We have already discussed a similar Āyah in Sūrat Al-Baqarah, and there is no need to repeat it here. And to Allāh be praise. Then Allāh forbids us to follow the ways of the idolators who declare things to be permitted or forbidden based upon their own whims and whatever names they agree on, such as the Baḥīrah (a she-camel whose milk was spared for the idols and nobody was allowed to milk it), the Sā'ibah (a she-camel let loose for free pasture for their false gods, idols, etc., and nothing was allowed to be carried on it), the Waṣīlah (a she-camel set free for idols because it has given birth to a she-camel at its first delivery and then again gives birth to a she-camel at its second delivery) and the Ḥām (a stallion camel freed from work for the sake of their idols, after it had finished a number of acts of copulation assigned for it), and so on. All of these were laws and customs that were invented during jāhiliyyah. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:116وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَٰلٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ

«And do not describe what your tongues have lied about, saying: "This is lawful and this is forbidden," to invent lies against Allāh.»

This includes everyone who comes up with an innovation (Bid'ah) for which he has no evidence from the Sharī'ah, or whoever declares something lawful that Allāh has forbidden, or whoever declares something unlawful that Allāh has permitted, only because it suits his opinions or whim to do so.

Qur’an 16:116لِمَا تَصِفُ

«describe what...»

meaning, do not speak lies because of what your tongues put forth. Then Allāh warns against that by saying:

Qur’anإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ

«Verily, those who invent lies against Allāh, will never succeed.»

meaning, either in this world or the Hereafter. As for this world, it is transient pleasure, and in the Hereafter, theirs will be a severe punishment, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 31:24نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ

«We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We will drive them into an unrelenting punishment.» (31:24)

and

Qur’an 10:69–70إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ مَتَٰعٌ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْفُرُونَ

«Verily, those who invent a lie against Allāh, will never be successful. (A brief) enjoyment in this world! and then to Us will be their return, then We shall make them taste the severest torment because they disbelieved.» (10:69-70)

Qur’an 16:118–119وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَمَا ظَلَمْنَٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«118. And for those who are Jews, We have forbidden such things as We have mentioned to you before.^{1See Al-An'ām 6:146.} And We did not wrong them, but they wronged themselves.»

«119. Then, your Lord for those who did evil out of ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds - verily, after that, your Lord is Pardoning, Most Merciful.»

Some Good Things were Forbidden for the Jews

After mentioning that He has forbidden us to eat dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allāh, and after making allowances for cases of necessity - which is part of making things easy for this Ummah, because Allāh desires ease for us, not hardship - Allāh then mentions what He forbade for the Jews in their laws before they were abrogated, and the restrictions, limitations and difficulties involved therein. He tells us:

Qur’an 16:118وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ

«And for those who are Jews, We have forbidden such things as We have mentioned to you before.»

meaning in Sūrat Al-An'ām, where Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:146وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِى ظُفُرٍ وَمِنَ ٱلْبَقَرِ وَٱلْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ

«And unto those who are Jews, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep except what adheres to their backs» Until,

Qur’anلَصَٰدِقُونَ

«We are indeed truthful» [6:146] Hence Allāh says here:

Qur’an 16:118وَمَا ظَلَمْنَٰهُمْ

«And We did not wrong them,» meaning, in the restrictions that We imposed upon them.

Qur’anوَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

«but they wronged themselves.» meaning, they deserved that. This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 4:160فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَٰتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيرًا

«Because of the wrong committed of those who were Jews, We prohibited certain good foods which had been lawful for them - and (also) for their hindering many from Allāh's way.» (4:160)

Qur’an 16:119–128ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَٰلَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ ٱجْتَبَىٰهُ وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ

Then Allāh tells us, honoring and reminding believers who have sinned of His blessings, that whoever among them repents, He will accept his repentance, as He says:

Qur’an 16:119ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِجَهَٰلَةٍ

«Then, your Lord for those who did evil out of ignorance» Some of the Salaf said that this means that everyone who disobeys Allāh is ignorant.

Qur’an 16:119ثُمَّ تَابُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوٓا۟

«and afterward repent and do righteous deeds» meaning, they give up the sins they used to commit and turn to doing acts of obedience to Allāh.

Qur’anإِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا

«verily, after that, your Lord is...» means, after that mistake

Qur’anلَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«...Pardoning, Most Merciful.»

Qur’an 16:120–123إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ ٱجْتَبَىٰهُ وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

«120. Verily, Ibrāhīm was (himself) an Ummah, obedient to Allāh, a Ḥanīf (monotheist), and he was not one of the idolators.﴿

﴿121. (He was) thankful for His favors. He (Allāh) chose him and guided him to a straight path.﴿

﴿122. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.﴿

﴿123. Then, We have sent the revelation to you: "Follow the religion of Ibrāhīm (he was a) Ḥanīf, and he was not one of the idolators."﴿

The Khalīl (Close Friend) of Allāh

Allāh praises His servant, Messenger and close friend Ibrāhīm, the Imām of the Ḥanīfs the father of the Prophets, and Allāh declares Ibrāhīm's innocence of the idolators, Jews or Christians. Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:120إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِّلَّهِ حَنِيفًا

«Verily, Ibrāhīm was (himself) an Ummah, obedient to Allāh, a Ḥanīf (monotheist)﴿

Ummah here means the leader who is followed. Qānit (obedient to Allāh) means humble and obedient. Ḥanīf means one who deliberately steers clear of Shirk in favor of Tawḥīd. Hence Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:120وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

«and he was not one of the idolators.﴿

Mujāhid said: "Ummah [here] means that he was a nation on his own."

Qur’an 16:121شَاكِرًا لِّأَنْعُمِهِ

«(He was) thankful for His favors.﴿

means, he gave thanks for the blessings that Allāh gave him. As Allāh says:

Qur’an 53:37وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلَّذِى وَفَّىٰٓ

«And of Ibrāhīm the one who fulfilled.﴿ (53:37)

which means that he did everything that Allāh commanded him to do.

Qur’an 16:121ٱجْتَبَىٰهُ

«He (Allāh) chose him» means, He selected him, as Allāh says :

Qur’an 21:51وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ رُشْدَهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِۦ عَٰلِمِينَ

«And before, We indeed gave Ibrāhīm his integrity, and We were indeed most knowledgeable about him»(21:51).

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:121وَهَدَىٰهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

«and guided him to a straight path.» which means to worship Allāh alone, without partners or associate, in the manner that He prescribed and which pleases Him.

Qur’an 16:122وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً

«And We gave him good in this world,» meaning, 'We granted him all that a believer may require for a good and complete life in this world.'

Qur’an 16:122وَإِنَّهُۥ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ لَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ

«and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.» Concerning the Āyah:

Qur’an 16:122وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً

«And We gave him good in this world,» Mujāhid said: "This means a truthful tongue."

Qur’an 16:123ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا

«Then, We have sent the revelation to you: "Follow the religion of Ibrāhīm (he was a) Ḥanīf...»

meaning, 'because of his perfection, greatness, and the soundness of his Tawḥīd and his way, We revealed to you, O Seal of the Messengers and Leader of the Prophets ﷺ,'

Qur’an 16:123أَنِ ٱتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

«Follow the religion of Ibrāhīm (he was a) Ḥanīf and he was not of the idolators.»

This is like the Āyah in Sūrat Al-An'ām:

Qur’an 6:161قُلْ إِنَّنِى هَدَىٰنِى رَبِّىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ دِينًا قِيَمًا مِّلَّةَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

«Say: "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrāhīm, (he was a) Ḥanīf and he was not of the idolators."» (6:161).

Then Allāh rebukes the Jews,

Qur’an 16:124إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ

«124. The Sabbath was only prescribed for those who differed concerning it, and verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about what they differed over.»

The Prescription of the Sabbath for the Jews

There is no doubt that for every nation, Allāh prescribed one day of the week for people to gather to worship Him. For this Ummah He prescribed Friday, because it is the sixth day, on which Allāh completed and perfected His creation. On this day He gathered and completed His blessings for His servants. It was said that Allāh prescribed this day for the Children of Israel through His Prophet Mūsā, but they changed it and chose Saturday because it was the day on which the Creator did not create anything, as He had completed His creation on Friday. Allāh made observance of the Sabbath obligatory for them in the laws of the Tawrāh (Torah), telling them to keep the Sabbath. At the same time, He told them to follow Muḥammad ﷺ when he was sent, and took their promises and covenant to that effect. Hence Allāh says:

Qur’an 16:124إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ ٱلسَّبْتُ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱخْتَلَفُوا۟ فِيهِ

«The Sabbath was only prescribed for those who differed concerning it,»

Mujāhid said: "They observed the Sabbath (Saturday) and ignored Friday."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:320.} Then they continued to observe Saturday until Allāh sent ʿĪsā bin Maryam. It was said that he told them to change it to Sunday, and it was also said that he did not forsake the laws of the Tawrāh except for a few rulings which were abrogated, and he continued to observe the Sabbath until he was taken up (into heaven). Afterwards, the Christians at the time of Constantine were the ones who changed it to Sunday in order to be different from the Jews, and they started to pray towards the east instead of facing the Dome (i.e., Jerusalem). And Allāh knows best.

It was reported in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs that Abu Hurayrah heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say:

Ḥadīthنَحْنُ الْآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا، ثُمَّ هَذَا يَوْمُهُمُ الَّذِي فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ، فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ تَبَعٌ: الْيَهُودُ غَدًا وَالنَّصَارَى بَعْدَ غَدٍ

«We are the last, but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, even though they were given the Book before us. This is the day that Allāh obligated upon them, but they differed concerning it. Allāh guided us to this day, and the people observe their days after us, the Jews on the following day and the Christians on the day after that.»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:526, Muslim 2:586.}

This version was recorded by Al-Bukhāri.

It was reported that Abu Hurayrah and Ḥudhayfah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأَضَلَّ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَنَا، فَكَانَ لِلْيَهُودِ يَوْمُ السَّبْتِ، وَكَانَ لِلنَّصَارَى يَوْمُ الْأَحَدِ، فَجَاءَ اللَّهُ بِنَا فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ، فَجَعَلَ الْجُمُعَةَ وَالسَّبْتَ وَالْأَحَدَ، وَكَذَلِكَ هُمْ تَبَعٌ لَنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ نَحْنُ الْآخِرُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا، وَالْأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، وَالْمَقْضِيُّ بَيْنَهُمْ قَبْلَ الْخَلَائِقِ

«Allāh let the people who came before us stray from Friday, so the Jews had Saturday and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allāh brought us and guided us to Friday. So now there are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world, but will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and will be the first to be judged, before all of creation.»^{3Muslim 2:586.} It was reported by Muslim.

Qur’an 16:125ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلْمُهْتَدِينَ

«125. Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them with that which is best. Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path, and He best knows those who are guided.»

The Command to invite people to Allāh with Wisdom and Good Preaching

Allāh commands His Messenger Muḥammad ﷺ to invite the people to Allāh with Ḥikmah (wisdom). Ibn Jarīr said: "That is what was revealed to him from the Book and the Sunnah."

Qur’an 16:125وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ

«and fair preaching» meaning, with exhortation and stories of the events that happened to people that are mentioned in the Qur'ān,^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:321.} which he is to tell them about in order to warn them of the punishment of Allāh.

Qur’an 16:125وَجَٰدِلْهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ

«and argue with them with that which is best.»

meaning, if any of them want to debate and argue, then let that be in the best manner, with kindness, gentleness and good speech, as Allāh says elsewhere:

Qur’an 29:46وَلَا تُجَٰدِلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ

«And do not argue with the People of the Book, unless it be with that which is best, except for those who purposefully do wrong.» [29:46]

Allāh commanded him to speak gently, as He commanded Mūsā and Hārūn to do when he sent them to Pharaoh, as He said:

Qur’an 20:44فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ

«And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allāh)﴿(20:44).

Qur’an 16:125إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ

«Truly, your Lord best knows who has strayed from His path,» meaning, Allāh already knows who is doomed (destined for Hell) and who is blessed (destined for Paradise). This has already been written with Him and the matter is finished, so call them to Allāh, but do not exhaust yourself with regret over those who go astray, for it is not your task to guide them. You are just a warner, and all you have to do is convey the Message, and it is He Who will bring them to account.

Qur’an 28:56إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِى مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ

«You cannot guide whom you love» [28:56]

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

«It is not up to you to guide them, but Allāh guides whom He wills.» [2:72]

Qur’an 16:126–128وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ

«126. And if you punish them, then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you have patience with them, then it is better for those who are patient.»

«127. And be patient, and your patience will not be, but by the help of Allāh. And do not grieve over them, and do not be distressed by their plots.»

«128. Truly, Allāh is with those who have Taqwā, and the doers of good.»^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Tawbah 9:120.}

The Command for Equality in Punishment

Allāh commands justice in punishment and equity in settling the cases of rights. 'Abdur-Razzāq recorded that, concerning the Āyah,

Qur’an 16:126فَعَاقِبُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِۦ

«then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted.»

Ibn Sīrīn said, "If a man among you takes something from you, then you should take something similar from him."^{2'Abdur-Razzāq, 2:361.} This was also the opinion of Mujāhid, Ibrāhīm, Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri, and others.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:524, 525.} Ibn Jarīr also favored this opinion. Ibn Zayd said: "They had been commanded to forgive the idolators, then some men became Muslim who were strong and powerful. They said, 'O Messenger of Allāh, if only Allāh would give us permission, we would sort out these dogs!' Then this Āyah was revealed, then it was latter abrogated by the command to engage in Jihād."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 17:324.}

Qur’an 16:127وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ

«And be patient, and your patience will not be but by the help of Allāh.»

This emphasizes the command to be patient and tells us that patience cannot be acquired except by the will, help, decree and power of Allāh. Then Allāh says:

Qur’anوَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ

«And do not grieve over them,» meaning, those who oppose you, for Allāh has decreed that this should happen.

Qur’an 16:127وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ

«and do not be distressed» means do not be worried or upset.

Qur’an 16:127مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ

«by their plots.» meaning; because of the efforts they are putting into opposing you and causing you harm, for Allāh is protecting, helping, and supporting you, and He will cause you to prevail and defeat them.

Qur’an 16:128إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ

«Truly, Allāh is with those who have Taqwā, and the doers of good.» meaning; He is with them in the sense of supporting them, helping them and guiding them. This is a special kind of "being with", as Allāh says elsewhere:

Qur’an 8:12إِذْ يُوحِى رَبُّكَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ أَنِّى مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟

«(Remember) when your Lord revealed to the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so support those who believe."» [8:12]

And Allāh said to Mūsā and Hārūn:

Qur’an 20:46لَا تَخَافَآ إِنَّنِى مَعَكُمَآ أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ

«Fear not, verily I am with you both, hearing and seeing.» [20:46]

The Prophet ﷺ said to (Abu Bakr) Aṣ-Ṣiddīq when they were in the cave:

«لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا»

«Do not worry, Allāh is with us."»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:11.}

The general kind of "being with" some one, or something is by means of seeing, hearing and knowing, as Allāh says:

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

«And He is with you wherever you may be. And Allāh sees whatever you do.» [57:4]

Qur’an 58:7أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَا يَكُونُ مِن نَّجْوَىٰ ثَلَٰثَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ رَابِعُهُمْ وَلَا خَمْسَةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ سَادِسُهُمْ وَلَآ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْثَرَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَعَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كَانُوا۟

«Have you not seen that Allāh knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? There is no secret counsel of three but He is their fourth, - nor of five but He is their sixth, - nor of less than that or more, but He is with them wherever they may be.» [58:7]

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

«You will not be in any circumstance, nor recite any portion of the Qur'an, nor having done any deeds, but We are witnessing you.» [10:61]

Qur’an 2:212وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟

«those who have Taqwā» means, they keep away from that which is forbidden.

Qur’an 16:128وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ

«and the doers of good.» meaning they do deeds of obedience to Allāh. These are the ones whom Allāh takes care of, He gives them support, and helps them to prevail over their enemies and opponents.

This is end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Naḥl. To Allāh be praise and blessings, and peace and blessings be upon Muḥammad and his family and Companions.