The Tafsīr of Sūrat Ar-Rūm (Chapter - 30)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 30:6–15وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ يَعْلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآئِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَٰفِرُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ ٱللَّهُ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُبْلِسُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُم مِّن شُرَكَآئِهِمْ شُفَعَٰٓؤُا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ كَٰفِرِينَ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَفَرَّقُونَ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَهُمْ فِى رَوْضَةٍ يُحْبَرُونَ

Qur’an 30:1–7الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ يَعْلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ

«1. Alif Lām Mīm.» «2. The Romans have been defeated.» «3. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious.» «4. In Biḍ'i years. The decision of the matter, before and after is only with Allāh. And on that day, the believers will rejoice» «5. With the help of Allāh. He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.» «6. A promise from Allāh, and Allāh fails not in His promise, but most men know not.»

«7. They know only the outer appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.»

Foretelling the Victory of the Romans

These Āyāt were revealed about the victory of Sābūr, the king of Persia, over Ash-Shām (Greater Syria), the adjoining partisan states of the Arabian Peninsula, and the outlying regions of the land of the Romans. Heraclius, the emperor of the Romans, was forced to flee to Constantinople where he was besieged for a lengthy period. Then Heraclius regained the upper hand. Imām Aḥmad recorded that Ibn 'Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, commented on this Āyah:

Qur’an 30:1–3الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land,» He said, "They were defeated and then they were victorious." He said, "The idolators wanted the Persians to prevail over the Romans, because they were idol worshippers, and the Muslims wanted the Romans to prevail over the Persians, because they were People of the Book. This was mentioned to Abu Bakr, who mentioned it to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthأَمَا إِنَّهُمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ

«They will certainly prevail.» Abu Bakr mentioned this to the idolators, and they said, "Set a time limit for that, and if we prevail, we will get such and such; and if you prevail, you will get such and such." So he set a limit of five years, and they (the Romans) did not prevail. Abu Bakr mentioned that to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and he said:

Ḥadīthأَلَا جَعَلْتَهَا إِلَى دُونَ - أُرَاهُ قَالَ: الْعَشْرِ -

«Why do you not make it less than» [I (the narrator) think he meant less than ten]. Sa'īd bin Jubayr said: "Biḍ' means less than ten." Then the Romans were victorious, and he said, "That is what Allāh said:

Qur’an 30:1–5الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. In Biḍ'i years. The decision of the matter, before and after is only with Allāh. And on that day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allāh. He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.»^{1Aḥmad 1:276.}

This was also recorded by At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā'ī. At-Tirmidhi said: "Ḥasan Gharīb."^{2Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:51, An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:426.}

Another Ḥadīth

Abu 'Īsā At-Tirmidhi recorded that Niyār bin Mukram Al-Aslami said: "When the following Āyāt were revealed:

Qur’an 30:1–4الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. In Biḍ' years.»

on the day they were revealed, the Persians were prevailing over the Romans. The Muslims wanted the Romans to prevail over them (the Persians), because they were both people who followed a Book. Concerning this Allāh said:

Qur’an 30:4–5وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«And on that day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allāh. He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.»

The Quraysh, on the other hand, wanted the Persians to prevail, because neither of them were people who followed a Book and neither of them believed in the Resurrection. When Allāh revealed these Āyat, Abu Bakr went out proclaiming throughout Makkah:

Qur’an 30:1–4الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِىٓ أَدْنَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ غَلَبِهِمْ سَيَغْلِبُونَ فِى بِضْعِ سِنِينَ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. In Biḍ' years.»

Some of the Quraysh said to Abu Bakr: 'This is (a bet) between us and you. Your companion claims that the Romans will defeat the Persians within three to nine years, so why not have a bet on that between us and you?' Abu Bakr said, 'Yes.' This was before betting had been forbidden. So, Abu Bakr and the idolators made a bet, and they said to Abu Bakr: 'What do you think, Biḍ' means something between three and nine years, so let us agree on the middle.' So they agreed on six years. Then six years passed without the Romans being victorious, so the idolators took what they had bet with Abu Bakr. When the seventh year came and the Romans were finally victorious over the Persians, the Muslims rebuked Abu Bakr for agreeing on six years. He said: 'Because Allāh said: "In Biḍ' years."' At that time, many people became Muslim." This is how it was narrated by At-Tirmidhi, then he said, "This is a Ḥasan Ḥadīth."^{3Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:52.}

Who were the Romans?

Qur’an 30:1–2الٓمٓ غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ

«Alif Lām Mīm. The Romans have been defeated.»

We have already discussed the separate letters which appear at the beginning of some Sūrahs in the beginning of our Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Baqarah.

With regard to the Romans (Ar-Rūm), they are the descendents of Al-'Iyṣ bin Isḥāq bin Ibrāhīm. They are the cousins of the Children of Isrā'īl, and are also known as Bani Al-Aṣfar. They used to followed the religion of the Greeks, who were descendents of Yāfith bin Nūḥ, the cousins of the Turks. They used to worship the seven planets, and they prayed facing the direction of the North Pole. It is they who founded Damascus and built its temple in which there is a prayer niche facing north. The Romans followed this religion until approximately three hundred years after the time of the Messiah. The king who ruled Greater Syria along with the Fertile Crescent (semicircle of fertile land from Syrian Desert to Persian Gulf) was called Caesar. The first of them to enter the Christian religion was Constantine the son of Costas, whose mother was Maryam Al-Hīlāniyyah Ash-Shadqāniyyah, from the land of Ḥarrān. She had become Christian before him, and she invited him to her religion. Before that he had been a philosopher, then he followed her. It was said that this was merely an outward show of belief. Then the Christians met with him. During his time they debated with 'Abdullāh bin Ariyūs (Arius) and great differences arose which could not be reconciled. Then a gathering of three hundred and eighteen bishops reached an agreement, and presented their creed to Constantine. This is what they call the Great Trust, but in fact it is the Worst Betrayal. They presented to him their laws, i.e., books of rulings on what was lawful and prohibited, and other things that they needed. They changed the religion of the Messiah (peace be upon him), adding some things and taking some things away. They began praying towards the East, and changed the Sabbath (Saturday) rites to Sunday. They worshipped the cross, permitted eating of pigs, adopted innovated observances such as the festival of the cross, Mass, baptism, etc., Palm Sunday and other occasions. They appointed a pope, as their leader, and patriarchs, metropolitans, bishops, priests and deacons, and they invented monasticism. The king built churches and places of worship for them, and he founded the city which is named after him, Constantinople. It was said that during his time twelve thousand churches were built, three places of prayer in Bethlehem, and that his mother built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. These are the ones who followed the religion of the kings.

Then after them came the Jacobites, followers of Ya'qub Al- Askāf, then the Nestorians, the followers of Nestorius. There are many groups and sects among them, as the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّهُمُ افْتَرَقُوا عَلَى اثْنَتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ فِرْقَةً

«They split into seventy two sects.»

The point here is that they continued to follow Christianity. Every time one Caesar died, another succeeded him, until the last of them, Heraclius, came to power. He was a wise man, one of the most astute and intelligent of kings, who had deep insight and well-formed opinions. His was a great and glorious reign. He was opposed by Chosroes, the king of Persia and of regions such as Iraq, Khurasān, Ar-Riy and all the lands of the Persians. His name was Sābūr Dhul-Aktāf, and his kingdom was greater than the kingdom of Caesar. He was the leader of the Persians and was as stubborn as the Persians who were Zoroastrian fire worshippers.

How Caesar defeated Chosroes (Kisrā)

It was previously reported that 'Ikrimah said: "Chosroes sent his deputy and his army against Caesar, and they fought." It is well-known that Chosroes himself fought in the army that invaded his land, and he defeated Caesar and overwhelmed him until he had nothing left except the city of Constantinople, where Chosroes besieged him for a long time, until things became very difficult for him. He was highly venerated among the Christians, and Chosroes was not able to conquer the city because it was well fortified, and half of it faced the land while the other half faced the sea, from where supplies were able to reach them. After this had gone on for a long time, Caesar thought of a clever trick. He asked Chosroes to let him leave his city in return for money given as a peace-offering, on whatever terms he (Chosroes) wanted. Chosroes agreed to that and asked for a huge amount of wealth - gold, jewels, fabric, servant-women, servants, and much more - such that no king on earth could ever pay. Caesar went along with that and gave him the impression that he had all that he had asked for, although he thought he was crazy for asking for such a thing, because even if the two of them were to combine all of their wealth, it would not amount to even one- tenth of that. He asked Chosroes to let him go out of the city to Ash-Shām and the other regions of his kingdom, so that he could gather that from his storehouses and places where his wealth was buried. Chosroes let him go, and when Caesar was about to leave Constantinople, he gathered his people together and told them: “I am going out on a mission I have decided to do so with some soldiers I have selected from my army; if I come back to you before one year passes, I will still be your king but if I do not come back after that, you will have the choice. Then, if you wish, you may remain loyal to me, or if you wish you may appoint someone instead of me.” They replied, “You are our king for as long as you live, even if you are gone for ten years.”

When he left Constantinople, a cavalry detachment left with him, and Chosroes camped outside Constantinople to await his return. Caesar went straight away to the land of the Persians, where he started to kill all the men of fighting age, one by one, and he did not stop killing until he reached Al-Madāin, which was the seat of power of the kingdom of Chosroes. He killed everyone in the city, and took all its treasures and wealth. He captured the women of Chosroes, shaved his son's head and made him ride on his donkey, sending with him the leaders of his people in a state of utmost humiliation. He wrote to Chosroes saying, 'This is what you asked for, so take it.' When this reached Chosroes, he was extremely distressed, to an extent known only by Allāh. His anger was directed against the city of Constantinople and he renewed his siege with increased vehemence, but he was not able to besiege it for long, nor was he able to go to the ford of the river Jayḥūn, which was the only route through which Caesar could reach Constantinople. When Caesar heard of this, he came up with an unprecedented strategy, whereby he left his troops and goods by the ford, and went off with some of his army. He commanded them to pick up some straw and animal droppings, and to travel approximately one day upstream. Then he told them to throw those things unto the water. When they passed by Chosroes, he and his soldiers thought that the Romans had gone that way, so they rode off in pursuit of them, and the ford was no longer occupied by the Persians. Then Caesar commanded his men to get up and jump into the river, which they did, thus escaping Chosroes and his troops, then they entered Constantinople.

That was a great day for the Christians. Chosroes and his army remained in a state of confusion, not knowing what they were doing. They had not been able to conquer the land of Caesar, and their own land was devastated by the Romans, who seized their wealth, and captured their women and children. This was how the Romans defeated the Persians, and this happened nine years after the Persians defeated the Romans. This conflict between the Persians and the Romans continued until the Romans prevailed between Adhru'āt (Ash-Shām) and Buṣrā, according to what was stated by Ibn 'Abbās, 'Ikrimah and others. This is a place on the edge of Ash-Shām, along the border with Al-Ḥijāz. Mujāhid said, “That was a place in the Arabian Peninsula which is closer to the land of the Romans than to Persia.” And Allāh knows best.

Qur’an 30:4لِلَّهِ ٱلْأَمْرُ مِن قَبْلُ وَمِنۢ بَعْدُ

«The decision of the matter, before and after is only with Allāh.»

before that and after that.

Qur’an 30:4–5وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ

«And on that day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allāh.»

They will rejoice because the Romans, the companions of Caesar, the king of Ash-Shām, defeated the Persians, the companions of Chosroes, who were Zoroastrians. According to many of the scholars, such as Ibn 'Abbās, Ath-Thawri, As-Suddī and others, the victory of the Romans over the Persians happened on the same day as the battle of Badr. It was reported in the Ḥadīth recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Jarīr, Ibn Abi Ḥātim and Al-Bazzār that Abu Sa'īd said: “On the day of Badr, the Romans defeated the Persians, and the believers were happy and rejoiced about that. And Allāh revealed the words:

Qur’an 30:4–5وَيَوْمَئِذٍ يَفْرَحُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِنَصْرِ ٱللَّهِ يَنصُرُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«And on that day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allāh. He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.»"^{4Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:50, Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:73.}

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that Az-Zubayr Al-Kilābi said, "I saw the victory of the Persians over the Romans, then I saw the victory of the Romans over the Persians, then I saw the victory of the Muslims over both the Persian and the Romans, and all of that happened within fifteen years."

Allāh's saying:

Qur’anوَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ

«and He is the All-Mighty,» means, in His defeat of and vengeance upon His enemies. His saying:

Qur’an 30:5ٱلرَّحِيمُ

«the Most Merciful.» means, towards His believing servants.

Qur’an 30:6وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ لَا يُخْلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥ

«(It is) a promise of Allāh, and Allāh fails not in His promise.»

means, 'this that We have told you, O Muḥammad, that the Romans will defeat the Persians, is a true promise from Allāh, truth which cannot be changed and which will surely come to pass, because Allāh has decreed that the one of the two parties that is closer to the truth will prevail and that victory will be theirs.'

Qur’anوَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«but most men know not.»

means, they do not know the decree of Allāh concerning His creation, but what He does is wise and is based on justice.

His saying:

Qur’an 30:7يَعْلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ

«They know only the outer appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.»

means, most people know only about this world and how to make a living and so on. They are clever when it comes to getting what they need and earning a living, but they are heedless of that which will benefit them in the Hereafter; they are unaware of it and have no idea about it.

Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri said, "It has reached the state that in this world one of them could put a Dirham on his finger and tell how much it weighs, but he does not know how to pray properly."

Qur’an 30:7يَعْلَمُونَ ظَٰهِرًا مِّنَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ

«They know only the outer appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the Hereafter.»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "This means that the disbelievers know how to prosper in this world, but they are ignorant of matters of religion."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:76.}

Qur’an 30:8–10أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآئِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَٰفِرُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً وَأَثَارُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَعَمَرُوهَآ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا عَمَرُوهَا وَجَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«8. Do they not reflect on themselves? Allāh has created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, except with truth and for an appointed term. And indeed many of mankind deny meeting with their Lord.»

«9. Do they not travel in the land, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength, and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these have done, and there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs. Surely, Allāh wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.»

«10. Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they denied the Āyāt of Allāh and made a mockery of them.»

Signs of Tawḥīd

Allāh tells us that pondering His creation will show that He exists and that He is Unique in creating it, and that there is no god nor lord besides Him.

So He says:

Qur’an 30:8أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم

«Do they not reflect upon themselves?»

Thinking and pondering how Allāh created various things in the upper and lower realms and in the space between, realizing that this was not created in jest or in vain, but in truth, and that it will continue until an appointed time, the Day of Resurrection, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:8وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِلِقَآئِ رَبِّهِمْ لَكَٰفِرُونَ

«And indeed many of mankind deny meeting with their Lord.»

Then Allāh tells us of the truth of the Message brought by the Messengers and how He supported them with miracles and clear signs, such as when He destroyed those who disbelieved in them and saved those who believed in them.

Qur’an 30:9أَوَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ

«Do they not travel in the land?» means, 'do they not understand and think and see and hear about the people of the past?' Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:9فَيَنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَانُوٓا۟ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً

«and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength,»

meaning, 'the nations of the past who came before you were stronger than you to whom Muḥammad ﷺ has been sent; they had more wealth and more sons. You have not been given one-tenth of what they were given. They stayed longer in this world than you will stay. They were more civilized than you and were more prosperous in the land than you.'

Yet despite all that, when their Messengers came to them with clear signs, while they were enjoying their life of luxury, Allāh punished them for their sins and they had no one who could protect them from Allāh. Their wealth and sons could not protect them from the wrath of Allāh in the slightest, and Allāh was not at all unjust towards them when He sent His punishment upon them.

Qur’anوَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ

«but they used to wrong themselves.»

They brought destruction upon themselves, when they rejected and mocked the signs of Allāh. All of this only happened because of their previous sins and their rejection (of the Messengers). Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:10ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ أَن كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they denied the Āyāt of Allāh and made a mockery of them.»

This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 6:110وَنُقَلِّبُ أَفْـِٔدَتَهُمْ وَأَبْصَٰرَهُمْ كَمَا لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِهِۦٓ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَنَذَرُهُمْ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ

«And We shall turn their hearts and their eyes away, as they refused to believe therein for the first time, and We shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly.» (6:110),

Qur’an 61:5فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ

«So when they turned away, Allāh turned their hearts away.» (61:5),

Qur’an 5:49فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَٱعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُصِيبَهُم بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ

«And if they turn away, then know that Allāh's will is to punish them for some sins of theirs» (5:49).

It was said that the meaning of the phrase

Qur’an 30:10ثُمَّ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسَٰٓـُٔوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓأَىٰٓ

«Then evil was the end of those who did evil,»

is that evil was their inevitable end, because they rejected the signs of Allāh and made fun of them. This is the view of Ibn Jarīr, which he recorded from Ibn 'Abbās and Qatādah.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:79.}

Ibn Abi Ḥātim also recorded it from them and from Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk bin Muzāḥim. This is the apparent meaning - and Allāh knows best - of the phrase:

Qur’an 30:16–24وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَلِقَآئِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُونَ فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ خَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَٰفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَٰنِكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّلْعَٰلِمِينَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبْتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَيُحْىِۦ بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

Qur’an 30:10وَكَانُوا۟ بِهَا يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

«and made a mockery of them.»

Qur’an 30:11–16ٱللَّهُ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُبْلِسُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُم مِّن شُرَكَآئِهِمْ شُفَعَٰٓؤُا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ بِشُرَكَآئِهِمْ كَٰفِرِينَ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَفَرَّقُونَ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَهُمْ فِى رَوْضَةٍ يُحْبَرُونَ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَلِقَآئِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُونَ

«11. Allāh originates the creation, then He will repeat it, then to Him you will be returned.»

«12. And on the Day when the Hour will be established, the criminals will be plunged into destruction with despair.»

«13. No intercessors will they have from those whom they made equal with Allāh, and they will reject and deny their partners.»

«14. And on the Day when the Hour will be established - that Day shall they be separated.»

«15. Then as for those who believed and did righteous good deeds, such shall be honored and made to enjoy a luxurious life in a Garden of Delight.»

«16. And as for those who disbelieved and denied Our Āyāt, and the meeting of the Hereafter, such shall be brought forth to the torment.» Allāh said:

Qur’an 30:11ٱللَّهُ يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ

«Allāh originates the creation, then He will repeat it,»

Just as He was able to create it in the first place, so He is also able to repeat it.

Qur’an 30:11ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

«then to Him you will be returned.» on the Day of Resurrection, when each will be requited according to his deeds. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:12وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُبْلِسُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

«And on the Day when the Hour will be established, the criminals will be plunged into destruction with despair.»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "The sinners will be filled with despair." Mujāhid said, "The sinners will be exposed;" according to another report he said, "The sinners will grieve."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:80.}

Qur’an 30:13وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُم مِّن شُرَكَآئِهِمْ شُفَعَٰٓؤُا۟

«No intercessors will they have from those whom they made equal with Allāh,»

means, the gods whom they used to worship instead of Allāh will not intercede for them; they will reject them and betray them despite their desperate need of them. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:14وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَفَرَّقُونَ

«And on the Day when the Hour will be established – that Day shall (all men) be separated.»

Qatādah said: "By Allāh, this refers to the separation after which there will be no reunion."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:81.} In other words, if one person is taken up to the highest heights and another is sent down to the lowest depths of Hell, that is the last they will ever see of one another. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:15فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَهُمْ فِى رَوْضَةٍ يُحْبَرُونَ

«Then as for those who believed and did righteous good deeds, such shall be honored and made to enjoy a luxurious life in a Garden of Delight.»

Mujāhid and Qatādah said, "This means, they will enjoy a life of luxury."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:82.}

Qur’an 30:17–19فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ

«17. So glorify Allāh, when you enter the evening, and when you enter the morning.» «18. And His is all the praise in the heavens and the earth; and in 'Ashiyya and when Tuẓhirūn.» «19. He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out.»

The Command to pray Five Times Daily

Here Allāh glorifies Himself and commands His servants to glorify and praise Him at these times which come one after the other and are indicative of His might and power in the heavens. This is when the night comes with its darkness, then in the morning the day comes with its light. This glorification is followed by befitting praise, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:18وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«And His is all the praise in the heavens and the earth;» meaning, He is the One who is to be praised for what He has created in the heavens and on earth. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:18وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ

«and in 'Ashiyya and when Tuẓhirūn.» - the 'Ashiyy is the time when the darkness is most intense, and Iẓhār is the brightest point of the day. Glory be to the One Who created both of them, the Cleaver of the daybreak and the One Who makes night a time of rest. Allāh says:

Qur’an 91:3–4وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا جَلَّىٰهَا وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰهَا

«By the day as it shows up its brightness. By the night as it conceals it.» (91:3-4)

Qur’an 92:1–2وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ

«By the night as it envelops. By the day as it appears in brightness.» (92:1-2)

Qur’an 93:1–2وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ

«By the forenoon (after sunrise). By the night when it darkens.» (93:1-2)

And there are many similar Āyāt.

Qur’an 30:19يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ

«He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living.»

This is what we see of His power to create things and their opposites. These Āyāt which come one after the other are all of the same; in each of them Allāh mentions the creation of things and their opposites, to indicate to His creation the perfection of His power. Thus He creates the plant from the seed and the seed from the plant; He creates the egg from the chicken and the chicken from the egg; He creates man from sperm and sperm from man; He creates the believer from the disbelievers and the disbeliever from the believers.

Qur’an 30:19وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا

«And He revives the earth after its death.» This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 36:33وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَٰهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ

«And a sign for them is the dead land. We give it life, and We bring forth from it grains, so that they eat thereof.» until:

Qur’an 36:34وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْعُيُونِ

«and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein.» (36:33-34)

Qur’an 22:5وَتَرَى ٱلْأَرْضَ هَامِدَةً فَإِذَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهَا ٱلْمَآءَ ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنۢبَتَتْ مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۭ بَهِيجٍ

«And you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred, and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind.» until:

Qur’an 22:7وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ

«and certainly, Allāh will resurrect those who are in the graves.» (22:5-7)

Qur’an 7:57وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا

«And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy. Till when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud» until:

Qur’an 7:57لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

«so that you may remember or take heed.» (7:57)

Allāh says here:

Qur’an 30:19وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ

«And thus shall you be brought out.»

Qur’an 30:20–21وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«20. And among His signs is this that He created you from dust, and then - behold you are human beings scattered!» «21. And among His signs is this that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.»

Among the Signs of Allāh

Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:20وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ

«And among His signs» - which speak of His might and power, is the fact that He created your father Ādam out of dust.

Qur’an 30:20ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ

«and then - behold you are human beings scattered!» So man's origins lie in dust, then in a despised liquid, then he is formed and becomes a clot, then a lump of flesh, then bones in the form of a human being. Then Allāh clothes the bones with flesh. Then the soul is breathed into him and he can hear and see. Then he comes forth from his mother's womb, small and weak, but the longer he lives, the stronger he becomes, until he reaches the age where he can build cities and strongholds, and he travels to different lands and across the seas, earning a living and amassing wealth, and he is smart and intelligent and crafty, with ideas and opinions of his own, and each one is able to achieve great things in this world and in the Hereafter according to his individual means. Glory be to the One Who has enabled them and made it easy for them to learn all kinds of skills for earning a living, and has caused them to vary in their levels of knowledge and intellectual ability, and in how handsome or ugly, rich or poor they are, and in whether they are blessed and doomed. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:20وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ

«And among His signs is this that He created you from dust, and then - behold you are human beings scattered!»

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Mūsā said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الله خَلَقَ آدَمَ مِنْ قَبْضَةٍ قَبَضَهَا مِنْ جَمِيعِ الْأَرْضِ، فَجَاءَ بَنُو آدَمَ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْأَرْضِ، جَاءَ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْيَضُ وَالْأَحْمَرُ وَالْأَسْوَدُ وَبَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ، وَالْخَبِيثُ وَالطَّيِّبُ، وَالسَّهْلُ وَالْحَزْنُ وَبَيْنَ ذٰلِكَ

«Allāh created Ādam from a handful taken from throughout the earth. Hence the sons of Ādam vary as the earth varies, so they are white and red and black and [colors] in between, evil and good, easy-going or difficult - or something in between.»"^{1Aḥmad 4:406.}

This was also recorded by Abu Dāwud and At-Tirmidhi, who said, "This Ḥadīth is Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ."^{2Abu Dāwud 5:67, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 8:290.} Allāh said:

Qur’an 30:21وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا

«And among His signs is this that He created for you wives from among yourselves,» meaning, 'He created females of your own kind, to be wives for you.'

Qur’an 30:21لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا

«that you may find repose in them,» This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 7:189هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَٰحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا

«It is He Who has created you from a single person, and He has created from him his wife, in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her» (7:189). This refers to Ḥawwā'. Allāh created her from Ādam, from the short rib on his left. If Allāh had made all of Ādam's progeny male, and created the females from another kind, such as from Jinn or animals, there would never have been harmony between them and their spouses. There would have been revulsion if the spouses had been from a different kind. Out of Allāh's perfect mercy He made their wives from their own kind, and created love and kindness between them. For a man stays with a woman because he loves her, or because he feels compassion towards her if they have a child together, or because she needs him to take care of her, etc.

Qur’an 30:21إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

«Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.»

Qur’an 30:22–23وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ خَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَٰفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَٰنِكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّلْعَٰلِمِينَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبْتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ

«22. And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.» «23. And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking His bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen.» Allāh said:

Qur’an 30:22وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ

«And among His signs» indicating His magnificent power.

Qur’anخَلْقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«is the creation of the heavens and the earth,» The heavens with their vast height and brightness and beauty of the stars and planets, and the earth with its density and its mountains, valleys, seas, plains, animals and trees.

Qur’an 30:22وَٱخْتِلَٰفُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ

«and the difference of your languages» So, we see that some speak Arabic, and the Tatars have their own language, as do the Georgians, Romans, Franks, Berbers, Tou Couleurs (of Sudan), Ethiopians, Indians, Persians, Slavs, Khazars, Armenians, Kurds and others. Only Allāh knows the variety of languages spoken among the sons of Ādam. And the difference of their colors mentioned here refers to their appearance, for all the people of this world, from the time that Allāh created Ādam, and until the Hour begins, each of them has two eyes, two eyebrows, a nose, a forehead, a mouth and two cheeks, but none of them looks like another; there is bound to be some difference in posture, appearance and speech, whether it is apparent or is hidden and can only be noticed with careful observation. Each face has its own characteristics and does not look like another; even if there was a group of people who looked alike, having a beautiful or ugly characteristic in common, there would still be a difference between one person and the next.

Qur’an 30:22إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّلْعَٰلِمِينَ

«Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.»

Qur’an 30:23وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ مَنَامُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱبْتِغَآؤُكُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦٓ

«And among His signs is your sleep by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty.» Among His signs is the cycle of sleep that He has created during the night and the day, when people are able to cease moving and rest, so that their tiredness and exhaustion will go

Qur’an 30:25–32وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِى مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ فَأَنتُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ تَخَافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَمَن يَهْدِى مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَٱتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

away. And He has enabled you to seek to earn a living and to travel about during the day, this is the opposite of sleep.

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ

«Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen.» meaning, understand.

Qur’an 30:24–25وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَيُحْىِۦ بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ

«24. And among His signs is that He shows you the lightning, for fear and for hope, and He sends down water from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand.» «25. And among His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His command. Then afterwards when He will call you by a single call, behold, you will come out from the earth.» Allāh says,

Qur’an 30:24وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ

«And among His signs» which speak of His greatness,

Qur’an 30:24يُرِيكُمُ ٱلْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا

«He shows you the lightning, for fear and for hope,» Sometimes you fear the heavy rain and destructive thunderbolts that follow it, and sometimes you feel hope, when you see a flash of lightning, that much-needed rain will come. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:24وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَيُحْىِۦ بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ

«and He sends down water from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death.» After it was barren, with nothing growing there, then the water comes to it and

Qur’an 22:5ٱهْتَزَّتْ وَرَبَتْ وَأَنۢبَتَتْ مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۭ بَهِيجٍ

«it is stirred, and it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).» (22:5). In this is a clear sign and proof of the resurrection and the coming of the Hour. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:24إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand.» Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:25وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن تَقُومَ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ

«And among His signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His command.» This is like the Āyāt:

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

«He withholds the heaven from falling on the earth except by His leave» (22:65).

Qur’an 35:41إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا

«Verily, Allāh grasps the heavens and the earth lest they should move away from their places» (35:41). Whenever 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb, may Allāh be pleased with him, swore an emphatic oath, he would say, "No, by the One by Whose command the heaven and the earth stand," i.e., they stand firm by His command to them and His subjugation of them. Then, when the Day of Resurrection comes, the Day when the earth will be exchanged with another earth and the dead will come forth from their graves, brought back to life by His command and His call to them,

Qur’an 30:25ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ إِذَآ أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ

«Then afterwards when He will call you by a single call, behold, you will come out from the earth.»

This is like the Āyāt:

Qur’an 17:52يَوْمَ يَدْعُوكُمْ فَتَسْتَجِيبُونَ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَتَظُنُّونَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

«On the Day when He will call you, and you will answer with His praise and obedience, and you will think that you have stayed but a little while!» (17:52)

Qur’an 79:13–14فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُم بِٱلسَّاهِرَةِ

«But it will be only a single Zajrah.^{1See the Tafsīr of Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣāffāt [37:19].} When behold, they find themselves on the surface of the earth alive after their death.» (79:13-14), and

Qur’an 36:53إِن كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً فَإِذَا هُمْ جَمِيعٌ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ

«It will be but a single Ṣayḥah,^{2See volume five, the Tafsīr of Sūrah Hūd (11:94).} so behold they will all be brought up before Us!» (36:53).

Qur’an 30:26–27وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«26. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient to Him.»

«27. And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it; and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.»

Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:26وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth.» means, He owns it and it is enslaved to Him.

Qur’an 30:26كُلٌّ لَّهُۥ قَٰنِتُونَ

«All are obedient to Him.» they are humble before Him and submit to Him, whether willingly or unwillingly.

Repeating the Creation is easier for Allāh

Allāh's saying:

Qur’an 30:27وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ

«And He it is Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it; and this is easier for Him.»

Ibn Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās said, "This means it is easier for Him."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:92.} Mujāhid said: "Repeating it is easier for Him than originating it, and originating it is easy for Him."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:92.} This was also the view of 'Ikrimah and others.^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:92.} Al-Bukhāri recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allāh be pleased with him, said that the Prophet ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthقَالَ اللهُ: كَذَّبَنِي ابْنُ آدَمَ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ ذٰلِكَ، وَشَتَمَنِي وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ ذٰلِكَ، فَأَمَّا تَكْذِيبُهُ إِيَّايَ فَقَوْلُهُ: لَنْ يُعِيدَنِي كَمَا بَدَأَنِي وَلَيْسَ أَوَّلُ الْخَلْقِ بِأَهْوَنَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ إِعَادَتِهِ، وَأَمَّا شَتْمُهُ إِيَّايَ فَقَوْلُهُ: اتَّخَذَ اللهُ وَلَدًا، وَأَنَا الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

«Allāh says; "The son of Ādam denied Me, and he had no right to do so. And he reviled Me, and he had no right to do so. As for his denying Me, it is his saying: 'He will not remake me as He originated me' - while originating the creation is not easier for Me than re-creating him. As for his reviling Me, it is his saying: 'Allāh has taken to Himself a son,' while I am the One, the Self-Sufficient Master; I beget not, nor was I begotten, and there is none comparable to Me."»

This was recorded only by Al-Bukhāri.^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:611 612.}

Qur’an 30:27وَلَهُ ٱلْمَثَلُ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ

«His is the highest description in the heavens and in the earth.» 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported Ibn 'Abbās said, "This is like the Āyah:

Qur’an 42:11لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِۦ شَىْءٌ

«There is nothing like Him» (42:11)." Qatādah said: "His description is Lā ilāha illallāh, and there is no Lord but He."

Qur’an 30:28–29ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِى مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ فَأَنتُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ تَخَافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَهْوَآءَهُم بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَمَن يَهْدِى مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«28. He sets forth for you a parable from yourselves: Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you, whom you fear as you fear each other? Thus do We explain the signs in detail to a people who have sense.» «29. Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Then who will guide him whom Allāh has sent astray? And for such there will be no helpers.»

A Parable of Tawḥīd

This is the parable Allāh makes of the idolators, those who worship others besides Him and attribute partners to Him, while at the same time admitting that these so-called partners - idols and false gods - are enslaved to and belong to Him. In their Talbiyah (during Ḥajj and 'Umrah they used to say, "At Your service, You have no partner except the partner that You have, You own Him and whatever he owns."

Qur’an 30:28ضَرَبَ لَكُم مَّثَلًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ

«He sets forth for you a parable from yourselves» 'something which you yourselves can see witness, and understand.'

Qur’an 30:28هَل لَّكُم مِّن مَّا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُم مِّن شُرَكَآءَ فِى مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ فَأَنتُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ

«Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you...?» 'None of you would like to have his servant as a partner in his wealth, each of them having an equal share.'

Qur’an 30:28تَخَافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ

«whom you fear as you fear each other.» 'You fear that they will have a share in your wealth with you.' Abu Mijlaz said, "You do not fear that your servant will have a share in your wealth, because he has no such right; similarly, Allāh has no partner."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:96.} The point is, that since any one of you would abhor such a thing, how can you attribute rivals to Allāh from among His creation? Aṭ-Ṭabarāni recorded that Ibn 'Abbās said, "The people of Shirk used to say in their Talbiyah, 'At Your service, You have no partner except the partner that You have, You own Him and whatever he owns.' Then Allāh revealed the words:

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

«Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you, whom you fear as you fear each other?»"^{2Aṭ-Ṭabarāni 12:20, with a weak chain of narration.} If humans have this characteristic, this parable shows that it is even less befitting for Allāh to have a partner.

Qur’an 30:28كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

«Thus do We explain the signs in detail to a people who have sense.» Then Allāh points out that when the idolators worship others instead of Him, doing so out of their own folly and ignorance:

Qur’an 30:29بَلِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟

«Nay, but those who do wrong follow...», meaning, the idolators,

Qur’an 30:29أَهْوَآءَهُم

«...their own lusts»

means, in their worship of false gods without knowledge.

Qur’an 30:29فَمَن يَهْدِى مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُ

«Then who will guide him whom Allāh has sent astray?»

means, no one can guide them if Allāh has decreed that they will be misguided.

Qur’an 30:29وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ

«And for such there will be no helpers.»

means, there is no one who can save them from the power of Allāh or grant them a way out, for what He wills, happens and what He does not will, does not happen.

Qur’an 30:30–32فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَٱتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

«30. So, set you your face towards the religion as a Ḥanīf. Allāh's Fiṭrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Allāh's Khalq, that is the straight religion, but most men know not.»

«31. (And remain always) turning in repentance to Him and have Taqwā of Him; and perform the Ṣalāh and be not of idolators.»

«32. Of those who split up their religion, and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.»

The Command to adhere to Tawḥīd

Allāh says: 'so set your face and persevere in the religion which Allāh has prescribed for you, the worship of Allāh Alone, the religion of Ibrāhīm, to which Allāh has guided you and which He has perfected for you with the utmost perfection. In this manner, you will also adhere to the sound Fiṭrah with which He created His creation.' Allāh created His creation to recognize Him and know His Tawḥīd, and that there is no God except Him, as we have already seen when discussing the Āyah,

Qur’an 7:172وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ

«and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes!..."» (7:172).

And according to a Ḥadīth, Allāh said,

Ḥadīthإِنِّي خَلَقْتُ عِبَادِي حُنَفَاءَ، فَاجْتَالَتْهُمُ الشَّيَاطِينُ عَنْ دِينِهِمْ

«"I created my servants Ḥunafā (i.e., monotheists), then the Shayāṭīn misled them from their religion."»^{1Muslim 4:2197.}

We will see in the Ḥadīths that Allāh created His creation with the Fiṭrah of Islām, then among some of them there emerged corrupt religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism.

Qur’an 30:30لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ

«No change let there be in Allāh's Khalq,» Some of them said that this means, 'do not change the creation of Allāh, for if you do, you will divert the people away from the Fiṭrah with which He created them.' So it is instructive; just as His saying:

Qur’an 3:97وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًا

«And whoever enters it, he is safe» This is a good and correct interpretation. Others said that this means, Allāh made all of His creation equal, all of them have the same sound Fiṭrah and are by nature upright; they are all born with this nature and there is no disparity among people in this regard. Ibn 'Abbās, Ibrāhīm An-Nakha'ī, Sa'īd bin Jubayr, Mujāhid, 'Ikrimah, Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and Ibn Zayd said that the Āyah:

Qur’an 30:30لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ

«No change let there be in Allāh's Khalq» means, the religion of Allāh.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:99.}

Al-Bukhāri said:

Qur’an 30:30لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ

«No change let there be in Allāh's Khalq,»

"It means, the religion of Allāh, and the religion, and the Fiṭrah is Islām." Then he reported that Abu Hurayrah said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

Ḥadīthمَا مِنْ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ إِلَّا عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ، كَمَا تُنْتَجُ الْبَهِيمَةُ بَهِيمَةً جَمْعَاءَ، هَلْ تُحِسُّونَ فِيهَا مِنْ جَدْعَاءَ؟

«No child is born except in a state of Fiṭrah, then his parents make him a Jew or a Christian or a Zoroastrian, just as each animal produces a perfect animal like itself - do you see any among them that are born mutilated?» then the narrator (Abu Hurayrah) said (recite this Āyah),

Qur’an 30:30فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ

«Allāh's Fiṭrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Allāh's Khalq, that is the straight religion.»" This was also recorded by Muslim.^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:372 11:512, Muslim 4:2047, 2048}

Qur’an 30:30ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ

«that is the straight religion,»

means, adherence to the Sharī'ah and the sound Fiṭrah is the true, straight religion.

Qur’anوَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

«but most men know not.» means, most people do not know this and they deviate far astray from it, as Allāh says:

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

«And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.» (12:103)

Qur’an 6:116وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ

«And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allāh's path» (6:116).

Qur’an 30:31مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ

«turning in repentance to Him» Ibn Zayd and Ibn Jurayj said, "This means, returning to Him."^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:100}

Qur’anوَٱتَّقُوهُ

«and have Taqwā of Him;» means, fear Him and remember that He is always watching.

Qur’anوَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ

«and perform the Ṣalāh,» which is the greatest act of worship.»

Qur’an 30:31وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ

«and be not of the idolators.» Be of those who single out Allāh, devoting their worship sincerely for Him alone, not anyone or anything other than Him. Ibn Jarīr recorded that Yazīd bin Abi Maryam said: "Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, passed by Mu'ādh bin Jabal and asked, 'What is the foundation of this Ummah?' Mu'ādh said, 'Three things, and they are the things that will bring salvation: Al-Ikhlāṣ (doing a deed for Allāh alone), which is the Fiṭrah with which Allāh created mankind; Ṣalāh, which is the thing that tells a believer apart from a disbeliever; and obedience, which is protection.' 'Umar said: 'You have spoken the truth.'"^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:98.}

Splitting into Sects and the Saved Sect^{6This is one of the headings added to the English version of this book.}

His saying:

Qur’an 30:32مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

«Of those who Farraqu Dīnahum (split up their religion), and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.»

means, do not be of the idolators who split up their religion, i.e., changed it by believing in parts of it and rejecting other parts. Some scholars read this as Fāraqū Dīnahum, meaning

Qur’an 30:33–41وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلنَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا۟ رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَا۟ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

"neglected their religion and left it behind them."

These are like the Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, idol worshippers and all the followers of false religions, besides the followers of Islām, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:159إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ

«Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allāh» (6:159).

The followers of the religions before us had differences of opinions and split into false sects, each group claiming to be following the truth. This Ummah too has split into sects, all of which are misguided apart from one, which is Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamā'ah, those who adhere to the Book of Allāh and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and what was followed by the first generations, the Companions, their followers, and the Imāms of the Muslims of earlier and later times. In his Mustadrak, Al-Ḥākim recorded that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was asked which of the sects was the saved sect and he said:

Ḥadīthمَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي

«What I and my Companions are upon.»^{7Al-Ḥākim 1:129.}

Qur’an 30:33–37وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلنَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا۟ رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَآ أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ لِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ فَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنًا فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«33. And when harm touches men, they cry sincerely only to their Lord, turning to Him in repentance; but when He gives them a taste of His mercy, behold, a party of them associates partners in worship with their Lord.»

«34. So as to be ungrateful for the graces which We have bestowed on them. Then enjoy; but you will come to know.»

«35. Or have We revealed to them an authority, which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him?»

«36. And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein; but when some evil afflicts them because of what their hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!»

«37. Do they not see that Allāh expands the provision for whom He wills and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who believe.»

How man sways between Tawḥīd and Shirk, and between Joy and Despair, according to His Circumstances

Allāh tells us that when man is in dire straits, he calls upon Allāh alone with no partner or associate, then when times of ease come and they have the choice, some people associate others with Allāh and worship others alongside Him.

Qur’anلِيَكْفُرُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ

«So as to be ungrateful for the graces which We have bestowed on them.»

Then Allāh warns them by saying:

Qur’an 30:34فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ

«but you will come to know.» One of them said: By Allāh, if a law enforcment officer were to say this to me, I would be afraid, so how about when the One Who is issuing the warning is the One Who merely says to a thing "Be!" and it is?

Then Allāh denounces the idolators for fabricating lies and worshipping others instead of Him with no evidence or proof:

Qur’an 30:35أَمْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنًا

«Or have We revealed to them an authority,» means, proof.

Qur’an 30:35فَهُوَ يَتَكَلَّمُ

«which speaks» means, tells

Qur’an 30:35بِمَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يُشْرِكُونَ

«of that which they have been associating with Him?»

This is a rhetorical question intended to denounce them, for they have no such thing.

Qur’an 30:36وَإِذَآ أَذَقْنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحْمَةً فَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا وَإِن تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَقْنَطُونَ

«And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein; but when some evil afflicts them because of what their hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!»

This is a denunciation of man for the way he is, except for those whom Allāh protects and helps, for when man is given blessings, he is proud, and says:

Qur’an 11:10ذَهَبَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتُ عَنِّىٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَفَرِحٌ فَخُورٌ

«"Ills have departed from me." Surely, he is exultant, and boastful.» (11:10)

He rejoices over himself and boasts to others, but when difficulties befall him, He despairs of ever having anything good again. Allāh says:

Qur’an 11:11إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ

«Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds».

They are patient during times of difficulty and do good deeds at times of ease. It was reported in the Ṣaḥīḥ:

«عَجَبًا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ لَا يَقْضِي اللهُ لَهُ قَضَاءً إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ»

«How wonderful is the affair of the believer. Allāh does not decree anything for him but it is good for him. If good things happen to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him; and if bad things happen to him, he bears that with patience, and that is good for him.»^{1Muslim 4:2295.}

Qur’an 30:37أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ

«Do they not see that Allāh expands the provision for whom He wills and straitens (it for whom He wills).»

He is the One Who is controlling and doing that, by His wisdom and justice, so He expands the provision for some people and restricts it for some.

Qur’anإِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

«Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who believe.»

Qur’an 30:38–40فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَا۟ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«38. So, give to the kindred his due, and to Al-Miskīn and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allāh's Face; and it is they who will be successful.»

«39. And that which you give in Ribā in order that it may increase from other people's property, has no increase with Allāh; but that which you give in Zakāh seeking Allāh's Face, then those they shall have manifold increase.»

«40. Allāh is He Who created you, then provided food for you, then will cause you to die, then He will give you life. Is there any of your partners that do anything of that? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that they associate.» The Command to uphold the Ties of Kinship and the Prohibition of Ribā

Allāh commands giving:

Qur’an 30:38ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ

«to the kindred his due» his due of respect and upholding the ties of kinship.

Qur’an 30:38وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ

«and to Al-Miskīn» the one who has nothing to spend on his needs, or he has something but it is not enough.

Qur’an 30:38وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

«and to the wayfarer.» the traveler who is in need of money and other things during his journey.

Qur’an 30:38ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ

«That is best for those who seek Allāh's Face;»

meaning; to look upon Him on the Day of Resurrection, which is the ultimate aim.

Qur’anوَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

«and it is they who will be successful.» means, in this world and the Hereafter. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:39وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن رِّبًا لِّيَرْبُوَا۟ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَرْبُوا۟ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ

«And that which you give in Ribā, in order that it may increase from other people's property, has no increase with Allāh;»

This means, that which is given as a gift to others in the hope that they will give back more than they were given. There is no reward for this with Allāh. This is how this Āyah was interpreted by Ibn 'Abbās, Mujāhid, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Qatādah, 'Ikrimah, Muḥammad bin Ka'b and Ash-Sha'bi.^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:104, 105.} Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:39وَمَآ ءَاتَيْتُم مِّن زَكَوٰةٍ تُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُضْعِفُونَ

«but that which you give in Zakāh seeking Allāh's Face, then those they shall have manifold increase.»

Those are the ones for whom Allāh will multiply the reward. It was reported in the Ṣaḥīḥ:

Ḥadīthوَمَا تَصَدَّقَ أَحَدٌ بِعَدْلِ تَمْرَةٍ مِنْ كَسْبٍ طَيِّبٍ إِلَّا أَخَذَهَا الرَّحْمَنُ بِيَمِينِهِ فَيُرَبِّيهَا لِصَاحِبِهَا، كَمَا يُرَبِّي أَحَدُكُمْ فَلُوَّهُ أَوْ فَصِيلَهُ حَتَّى تَصِيرَ التَّمْرَةُ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ أُحُدٍ

«No person gives in charity the equivalent of a date which was earned in a lawful manner, but the Most Merciful takes it in His Right Hand and takes care of it for its owner, just as any one of you takes care of his foal or young camel, until the date becomes the size of Mount Uḥud.»^{2Muslim 2:702.}

Creation, Provision, Life and Death are all in the Hand of Allāh

Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:40ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَكُمْ

«Allāh is He Who created you, then provided food for you,»

means, He is the Creator and Provider. He brings man forth from his mother's womb naked and knowing nothing, not able to see or hear, and having no strength. Then He provides him with all these things, giving him household effects, clothing, wealth, possessions and earnings.

Qur’an 30:40ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ

«then will cause you to die,» means, after this life.

Qur’an 30:40ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ

«then (again) He will give you life.»

means, on the Day of Resurrection.

Qur’an 30:40هَلْ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم

«Is there any of your partners» means, those whom you worship instead of Allāh,

Qur’an 30:40مَّن يَفْعَلُ مِن ذَٰلِكُم مِّن شَىْءٍ

Qur’an 30:42–50قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلُ كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّشْرِكِينَ فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ ٱلْقَيِّمِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصَّدَّعُونَ مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُۥ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن يُرْسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٰتٍ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟ وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَٰلِهِۦ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ فَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِ رَحْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«that do anything of that?» meaning, none of them are able to do any of that. But Allāh is the One Who is Independent in His powers of creation, provision, and giving life and death. Then He will resurrect His creation on the Day of Resurrection. This is why, after all this He says:

Qur’anسُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

«Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that they associate.» meaning, exalted and sanctified and glorified be He far above having any partner, peer, equal, son or father, for He is the One, the Unique, the Self-Sufficient Master, Who begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable unto Him.

Qur’an 30:41–42ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلُ كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّشْرِكِينَ

«41. Evil has appeared in Al-Barr and Al-Bahr because of what the hands of men have earned, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return.»

«42. Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)! Most of them were idolators."»

The Effects of Sin in this World

Ibn 'Abbās, 'Ikrimah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, As-Suddī and others said: "What is meant by Al-Barr here is the empty land or wilderness, and by Al-Baḥr is towns and cities."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:108.} According to a report narrated from Ibn 'Abbās and 'Ikrimah, Al-Baḥr refers to towns and cities which are on the banks of rivers.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:108.} Others said that what was meant was the usual meaning of the words, i.e., land and sea. Zayd bin Rāfi' said:

Qur’an 30:41ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ

«Evil has appeared» "The rain is withheld from the land and this is followed by famine, and it is withheld from the sea, adversely affecting the animals which live in it." This was recorded by Ibn Abi Ḥātim, who said: "Muḥammad bin 'Abdullāh bin Yazīd Al-Muqri' told us, from Sufyān from Ḥumayd bin Qays Al-A'raj from Mujāhid:

Qur’an 30:41ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ

«Evil has appeared on land and sea»

"Evil on land means the killing of the son of Ādam, and evil on the sea means piracy."

According to the first opinion, the phrase,

Qur’an 30:41ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ

«Evil has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned,»

means the shortfall in the crops and fruits is because of sins. Abu Al-'Āliyah said: "Whoever disobeys Allāh in the earth has corrupted it, because the good condition of the earth and the heavens depends on obedience to Allāh." Hence it says in the Ḥadīth which was recorded by Abu Dāwud:

Ḥadīthلَحَدٌ يُقَامُ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا مِنْ أَنْ يُمْطَرُوا أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحًا

«Any prescribed punishment which is carried out in the land is better for its people than if it were to rain for forty days.»^{3An-Nasā'ī 8:75.} The reason for that is that if the prescribed punishments are carried out, this will deter the people - most or many of them - from violating the prohibitions of Allāh. If they give up sin, this will be a cause of blessings in the skies and on the earth. So, when ʿĪsā bin Maryam, peace be upon him, comes down at the end of time, he will judge according to this Sharīʿah at that time, and will kill the pigs and break the cross and abolish the Jizyah. He will accept nothing except Islām or the sword. When Allāh destroys the Dajjāl and his followers, and Ya'jūj and Ma'jūj during his time, it will be said to the earth, bring forth your blessing. Then groups of people will eat from one pomegranate, and will seek shade beneath its skin, and the milk of one pregnant camel will be sufficient for a group of people. This will only be because of the blessings that will result from application of the Sharīʿah of Muḥammad ﷺ. The more justice is established, the more the blessings and good things will increase. It was reported in the Ṣaḥīḥ:

Ḥadīthإِنَّ الْفَاجِرَ إِذَا مَاتَ تَسْتَرِيحُ مِنْهُ الْعِبَادُ وَالْبِلَادُ وَالشَّجَرُ وَالدَّوَابُّ

«When the evildoer dies, it is a relief for the people, the land, the trees and the animals.»^{4Ibn Abi Ḥātim mentioned it without a chain of narrators under the explanation of this Āyah. Without the addition of "Then he recited..." until the end, it was recorded by At-Tirmidhi no. 2013 and others, and it is considered a Ḥasan Ḥadīth.}

Imām Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal recorded that Abu Qaḥdham said: "At the time of Ziyād or Ibn Ziyād, a man found a cloth in which were wrapped grains of wheat which were as big as date stones; on it was written: This grew at a time when justice prevailed.'"^{5Aḥmad 2:296, with a weak chain of narration.}

Qur’an 30:41لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ ٱلَّذِى عَمِلُوا۟

«that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done,»

means, He tries them with the loss of wealth, souls and fruits as a test and as a punishment for what they have done.

Qur’an 30:41لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

«in order that they may return.» means, from disobedience. This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 7:168وَبَلَوْنَٰهُم بِٱلْحَسَنَٰتِ وَٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

«And We tried them with good and evil in order that they might turn.» (7:168).

Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:42قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلُ

«Say: "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)!"»

meaning, those who came before you.

Qur’an 30:42كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّشْرِكِينَ

«Most of them were idolators.» means, so see what happened to them when they rejected the Messengers and were ungrateful for the blessings.

Qur’an 30:43–45فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ ٱلْقَيِّمِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصَّدَّعُونَ مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُۥ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«43. So, set you your face to the straight and right religion, before there comes from Allāh a Day which none can avert. On that Day men shall be divided.»

«44. Whosoever disbelieves will suffer from his disbelief, and whosoever does righteous good deeds, then such will prepare a good place for themselves.»

«45. That He may reward those who believe and do righteous good deeds, out of His bounty. Verily, He likes not the disbelievers.»

The Command to follow the Straight Path before the Day of Resurrection

Here Allāh commands His servants to hasten to obedience to Him and to hasten to do good deeds.

Qur’an 30:43فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ ٱلْقَيِّمِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا مَرَدَّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ

«So, set you your face to the straight and right religion, before there comes from Allāh a Day which none can avert.» The Day of Resurrection, for when Allāh wants it to happen, no one will be able to avert it.

Qur’an 30:43يَوْمَئِذٍ يَصَّدَّعُونَ

«On that Day men shall be divided.» means, they will be separated, with one group in Paradise and another in Hell. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:44–45مَن كَفَرَ فَعَلَيْهِ كُفْرُهُۥ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَلِأَنفُسِهِمْ يَمْهَدُونَ لِيَجْزِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ

«Whosoever disbelieves will suffer from his disbelief, and whosoever does righteous good deeds, then such will prepare a good place for themselves. That He may reward those who believe. and do righteous good deeds, out of His bounty.»

meaning that He may reward them from His bounty, in return for one good deed, he will get the reward for ten, up to seven hundred like it, as much as Allāh wills.

Qur’an 30:45إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

«Verily, He likes not the disbelievers.» yet He is still just with them and does not oppress them.

Qur’an 30:46–47وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَن يُرْسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٰتٍ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟ وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

«46. And among His signs is this that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His mercy, and that the ships may sail at His command, and that you may seek of His bounty, in order that you may be thankful.»

«47. And indeed We did send Messengers before you to their own peoples. They came to them with clear proofs, then, We took vengeance on those who committed crimes; and it was incumbent upon Us to help the believers.»

Among the Signs of Allāh are the Winds

Here Allāh mentions the favor He does for His creatures by sending winds to them, as harbingers of His mercy, meaning that they will be followed by rain. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:46وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ

«giving you a taste of His mercy,» that is, the rain which will come down and revive people and the land.

Qur’an 30:46وَلِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ

«and that the ships may sail at His command,» means, on the sea, for they are driven by the wind.

Qur’an 30:46وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ

«and that you may seek of His bounty,» means, by trading, earning a living and traveling from one country to another, one region to another.

Qur’an 30:46وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

«in order that you may be thankful.» means, that you may give thanks to Allāh for the innumerable favors He has done for you, both visible and hidden. Then Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:47وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا۟

«And indeed We did send Messengers before you to their own peoples. They came to them with clear proofs, then, We took vengeance on those who committed crimes;» These are words of consolation from Allāh to His servant and Messenger Muḥammad ﷺ. They tell him that if many of his people and of mankind disbelieve in him, the previous Messengers were also rejected, despite the clear signs that they brought, but Allāh punished those who rejected and opposed them, and saved those who believed in them.

Qur’an 30:47وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

«and it was incumbent upon Us to help the believers.» This is a duty which Allāh took upon Himself as a blessing and a favor to them. This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 6:54كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةَ

«your Lord has prescribed mercy for Himself» (6:54). Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that Abu Ad-Dardā', may Allāh be

Qur’an 30:51–60وَلَئِنْ أَرْسَلْنَا رِيحًا فَرَأَوْهُ مُصْفَرًّا لَّظَلُّوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ يَكْفُرُونَ فَإِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِهَٰدِ ٱلْعُمْىِ عَن ضَلَٰلَتِهِمْ إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْقَدِيرُ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُقْسِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ مَا لَبِثُوا۟ غَيْرَ سَاعَةٍ كَذَٰلِكَ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْفَكُونَ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ فَهَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْبَعْثِ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَلَئِن جِئْتَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ لَّيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَلَا يَسْتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ

pleased with him, said: "I heard Allāh's Messenger ﷺ saying:

Ḥadīthما مِن امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ يَرُدُّ عَنْ عِرْضِ أَخِيهِ إِلَّا كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّ عَنْهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

«No Muslim man defends the honor of his brother except that there would be a right upon Allāh to defend him from the fire of Hell on the Day of Resurrection.» Then he recited this Āyah:

Qur’an 30:47وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

«and it was incumbent upon Us to help the believers.»"^{1Similar was recorded by Al-Bukhāri, no. 6512.}

Qur’an 30:48–51ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَٰلِهِۦ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ فَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِ رَحْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَلَئِنْ أَرْسَلْنَا رِيحًا فَرَأَوْهُ مُصْفَرًّا لَّظَلُّوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ يَكْفُرُونَ

«48. Allāh is He Who sends the winds, so that they raise clouds and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall on whom of His servants as He wills, lo, they rejoice!» «49. And verily, before that - just before it was sent down upon them - they were in despair!»

«50. Look then at the effects of Allāh's mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily, that shall indeed raise the dead, and He is able to do all things.»

«51. And if We send a wind, and they see it turn yellow - behold, they then would become unthankful (disbelievers).»

The Revival of the Earth is a Sign of the Resurrection Here Allāh explains how He creates the clouds that rain the water.

Qur’an 30:48ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا

«Allāh is He Who sends the winds, so that they raise clouds» either from the sea, as was mentioned by more than one (of the scholars), or from whatever Allāh wills.

Qur’an 30:48فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ

«and spread them along the sky as He wills,» means, He spreads them and causes them to increase and grow. From a little He makes a lot, and creates the clouds that look like shields. Then He spreads them out until they fill the horizon. Sometimes the clouds come from the sea, heavy and full, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 7:57وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقْنَٰهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ

«And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy. Till when they have carried a heavy- laden cloud, We drive it to a land that is dead» until:

Qur’an 7:57كَذَٰلِكَ نُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

«Similarly, We shall raise up the dead, so that you may remember or take heed.» (7:57) Allāh says here:

Qur’an 30:48ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابًا فَيَبْسُطُهُۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيْفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجْعَلُهُۥ كِسَفًا

«Allāh is He Who sends the winds, so that they raise clouds and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments»

Mujāhid, Abu 'Amr bin Al-'Alā', Maṭar Al-Warrāq and Qatādah said, "This means pieces."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 20:114.} Others said that it means 'piled up,' as Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said. Others said that it means black, because they contained so much water, and sometimes they are heavy and close to the earth. His saying:

Qur’an 30:48فَتَرَى ٱلْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَٰلِهِۦ

«until you see rain drops come forth from their midst!» means, 'so you see the drops, i.e., the rain, which come from the midst of those clouds.'

Qur’an 30:48فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦٓ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ

«Then when He has made them fall on whom of His servants as He wills, lo, they rejoice!» They rejoice at the rain when it comes to them because of their need for it.

Qur’an 30:49وَإِن كَانُوا۟ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُنَزَّلَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمُبْلِسِينَ

«And verily, before that – just before it was sent down upon them – they were in despair!» The people to whom this rain came were in despair, thinking that it rain would never fall, just before it came to them. When it came to them, it came at the time of greatest need, so it was a tremendous event for them What this means is that they were in need of it before it fell, and there had been no rainfall for a long time, so they were waiting for it at the time when it was due, but it did not come to them at that time. The rain was late, and a long time passed. Then the rain came to them suddenly, after they began to despair, and after their land became dry and barren, it was stirred to life, and it swelled and produced every lovely kind of growth. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:50فَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِ رَحْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ

«Look then at the effects of Allāh's mercy,» meaning, the rain.

Qur’an 30:50كَيْفَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ

«how He revives the earth after its death.» Thus Allāh draws attention to the revival of people's bodies after they have died and disintegrated into nothing.

Qur’an 30:50إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ

«Verily, that (Allāh) shall indeed raise the dead.» means, the One Who does that is able to raise the dead.

Qur’anوَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«and He is able to do all things.»

Qur’an 30:51وَلَئِنْ أَرْسَلْنَا رِيحًا فَرَأَوْهُ مُصْفَرًّا لَّظَلُّوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ يَكْفُرُونَ

«And if We send a wind, and they see it turn yellow - behold, they then would become unthankful (disbelievers).»

Qur’an 30:51وَلَئِنْ أَرْسَلْنَا رِيحًا

«And if We send a wind,» means, a wind which dries up the crops which they have tended and cultivated and which have matured, and they see them turn yellow, and start to rot, if this were to happen, they would become ungrateful, i.e., they would deny the previous blessings that they were given. This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 56:63أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ

«Then tell Me about the seed that you sow in the ground.» until:

Qur’anبَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ

«Nay, but we are deprived!» (56:63-67)

Qur’an 30:52–53فَإِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِهَٰدِ ٱلْعُمْىِ عَن ضَلَٰلَتِهِمْ إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

«52. So verily, you cannot make the dead to hear, nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs and turn away.»

«53. And you cannot guide the blind from their straying; you can make to hear only those who believe in Our Āyāt, and have submitted (to Allāh in Islām).»

The Disbelievers are like the Dead, Deaf and Blind Allāh says, 'just as you are not able to make the dead hear in their graves, or to make your words reach the deaf who cannot hear and who still turn away from you, so too you cannot guide the blind to the truth and bring them back from their misguidance.' That is a matter which rests with Allāh, for by His power He can make the dead hear the voices of the living if He wills. He guides whom He wills and sends astray whom He wills, and no one but He has the power to do this. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:53إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ

«you can make to hear only those who believe in Our Āyāt, and have submitted (to Allāh in Islām).» means, those who are humble and who respond and obey. These are the ones who will listen to the truth and follow it; this is the state of the believers; the former (being deaf and blind) is the state of the disbelievers, as Allāh says:

Qur’an 6:36إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ وَٱلْمَوْتَىٰ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ

«It is only those who listen will respond, but as for the dead, Allāh will raise them up, then to Him they will be returned.» (6:36) 'Ā'ishah, the Mother of the faithful, may Allāh be pleased with her, used this Āyah –

Qur’an 27:80إِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ

«So verily, you cannot make the dead to hear» as evidence against 'Abdullāh bin 'Umar when he reported that the Prophet ﷺ had addressed the slain disbelievers who had been thrown into a dry well three days after the battle of Badr, rebuking and reprimanding them, until 'Umar said, "O Messenger of Allāh, are you addressing people who are dead bodies?" He said:

Ḥadīthوَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا أَنْتُمْ بِأَسْمَعَ لِمَا أَقُولُ مِنْهُمْ، وَلَكِنْ لَا يُجِيبُونَ

«By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you do not hear what I say any better than they do, but they cannot respond.»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:351.} 'Ā'ishah interpreted this event to mean that the Prophet ﷺ was making the point that now they would know that what he had been telling them was true.^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:351.} Qatādah said: "Allāh brought them back to life for him so that they could hear what he said by way of rebuke and vengeance."^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:351.}

Qur’an 30:54ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْقَدِيرُ

«54. Allāh is He Who created you in weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and grey hair. He creates what He wills. And He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.»

The Different Stages of Man Here Allāh points out how man passes through different stages of creation, one phase after another. He is originally created from dust, then from a Nutfah,^{1See volume six, the explanation of Sūrat Al-Ḥajj (22:4), and Sūrat Al-Mu'minūn (23:13) in volume seven.} then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh. Then he becomes bones, then the bones are clothed with flesh, then the soul is breathed into him. Then he emerges from his mother's womb, weak and thin and powerless. Then he grows up little by little, until he becomes a child, then he reaches the stage of puberty, then he becomes a young man, which is strength after weakness. Then he starts to get older, reaching middle age, then old age and senility, weakness after strength, so he loses his resolve, power of movement and ability to fight, his hair turns grey and his characteristics, both inward and outward, begin to change. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:54ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ

«then after strength gave (you) weakness and grey hair. He creates what He wills.»

He does whatsoever He wills and controls His servants in whatever way He wants.

Qur’an 30:54وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْقَدِيرُ

«And He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.»

Qur’an 30:55–57وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ يُقْسِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ مَا لَبِثُوا۟ غَيْرَ سَاعَةٍ كَذَٰلِكَ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْفَكُونَ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ فَهَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْبَعْثِ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ

«55. And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the criminals will swear that they stayed not but an hour - thus were they ever deluded.»

«56. And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and Faith will say: "Indeed you have stayed according to the decree of Allāh, until the Day of Resurrection; so this is the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not."»

«57. So, on that Day no excuse of theirs will avail those who did wrong, nor will they be allowed to return to seek (Allāh's) pleasure.»

The Ignorance of the Disbelievers in this World and in the Hereafter Here Allāh tells us of the ignorance of the disbelievers in this world and in the Hereafter. In this world they worship idols, and in the Hereafter they will also display great ignorance. They will swear by Allāh that they did not even stay for one hour in this world. They will mean that there was not enough time given to establish proof against them which would leave them with no excuse. Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:55–56كَذَٰلِكَ كَانُوا۟ يُؤْفَكُونَ وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَٱلْإِيمَٰنَ لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ

«thus were they ever deluded. And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and Faith will say: "Indeed you have stayed according to the decree of Allāh, until the Day of Resurrection..."»

The believers who have knowledge of the Hereafter will respond to them, just as they established the proof of Allāh against them in this world. When they swear that they did not stay even one hour in this world, they will say to them:

Qur’an 30:56لَقَدْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ

«Indeed you have stayed according to the decree of Allāh,» meaning, the Book of deeds,

Qur’an 30:56إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْبَعْثِ

«until the Day of Resurrection;» means, 'from the day when you were created until the day you were resurrected.'

Qur’an 30:56وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

«but you knew not.» Allāh says:

Qur’an 30:57فَيَوْمَئِذٍ

«So, on that Day» meaning, the Day of Resurrection,

Qur’an 30:57لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ

«no excuse of theirs will avail those who did wrong,» means, their excuses for what they did.

Qur’an 30:57وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ

«nor will they be allowed (then) to return to seek (Allāh's) pleasure.»

means, they will not be allowed to return to this world. This is like the Āyah,

Qur’an 41:24وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ

«and if they seek to please (Allāh), yet they are not of those who will ever be allowed to please (Allāh)» (41:24).

Qur’an 30:58–60وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ وَلَئِن جِئْتَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ لَّيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَلَا يَسْتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ

«58. And indeed We have set forth for mankind, in this Qur'ān every kind of parable. But if you bring to them any sign or proof, the disbelievers are sure to say (to the believers): "You follow nothing but falsehood and magic."»

«59. Thus does Allāh seal up the hearts of those who know not.»

«60. So be patient. Verily, the promise of Allāh is true; and let not those who have no certainty of faith discourage you (from conveying Allāh's Message).»

Parables in the Qur'ān and how the Disbelievers do not learn from them

Qur’an 30:58وَلَقَدْ ضَرَبْنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ

«And indeed We have set forth for mankind, in this Qur'ān every kind of parable.»

means, 'We have explained the truth to them and have made it clear to them, and have set forth for them parables so that they may understand the truth and follow it.'

Qur’an 30:58وَلَئِن جِئْتَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ لَّيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا مُبْطِلُونَ

«But if you bring to them any sign or proof, the disbelievers are sure to say (to the believers): "You follow nothing but falsehood and magic."»

If they were to see any kind of sign, whether it was at their own direction or otherwise, they would not believe in it and they would think that it was magic and falsehood, as they said when the moon was cleft asunder, etc., as Allāh says:

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

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

Allāh says here:

Qur’an 30:59–60كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ فَٱصْبِرْ إِنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّ

«Thus does Allāh seal up the hearts of those who know not. So be patient. Verily, the promise of Allāh is true;»

meaning, 'bear their stubborn opposition with patience, for Allāh will fulfill His promise to grant you victory over them and cause you and those who follow you to prevail in this world and in the Hereafter.'

Qur’an 30:60وَلَا يَسْتَخِفَّنَّكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُوقِنُونَ

«and let not those who have no certainty of faith discourage you (from conveying Allāh's Message).»

'Remain steadfast in the mission with which Allāh has sent you, for it is truth in which there is no doubt. Do not turn away from it, for nowhere else is there truth which is to be followed; the truth rests exclusively in the Message with which you have been sent.'

Reports concerning the Virtues of this Sūrah and that it is recommended to recite it during Fajr

Imām Aḥmad recorded from a man among the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ led them in Fajr prayer and recited Ar-Rūm in the prayer, but he became confused in his recitation. He said:

Ḥadīthإِنَّهُ يَلْبِسُ عَلَيْنَا الْقُرْآنَ، فَإِنَّ أَقْوَامًا مِنْكُمْ يُصَلُّونَ مَعَنَا لَا يُحْسِنُونَ الْوُضُوءَ، فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَنَا فَلْيُحْسِنِ الْوُضُوءَ

«We have become confused in our recitation of Qur'ān, because some people among you are praying with us but they have not performed Wuḍū' properly. Whoever attends the prayer with us, let him perform Wuḍū' properly.»^{1Aḥmad 3:471.}

This has a Ḥasan chain of narration, the text itself is Ḥasan. It contains amazing information, that the Prophet ﷺ was affected by the faulty Wuḍū' of some of those whom he was leading in prayer. This indicates that the prayer of the person who is praying in the congregation is connected to the prayer of the Imām.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Ar-Rūm. Allāh's is the praise and thanks.