The Tafsīr of Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣaff (Chapter - 61)

Which was revealed in Al-Madīnah

The Virtues of Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣaff Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh bin Salām said, "We asked, 'Who among us should go to the Messenger ﷺ and ask him about the dearest actions to Allāh?' None among us volunteered. The Messenger ﷺ sent a man to us and that man gathered us and recited this Sūrah, Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣaff, in its entirety.' "^{1Aḥmad 5:452.}

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 61:1–4سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ صَفًّا كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَٰنٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ

«1. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allāh. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.» «2. O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?» «3. Most hateful it is with Allāh that you say that which you do not do.» «4. Verily, Allāh loves those who fight in His cause in rows as if they were a solid structure.»

Chastising Those Who say what They do not do We mentioned in many a places before the meaning of Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 61:1سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allāh. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.» Therefore, we do not need to repeat its meaning here.^{1See volume nine, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ḥadīd (57:1).} Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 61:2يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

«O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?» This refutes those who neglect to fulfill their promises. This honorable Āyah supports the view that several scholars of the Salaf held, that it is necessary to fulfill the promise, regardless of whether the promise includes some type of wealth for the person receiving the promise or otherwise. They also argue from the Sunnah, with the Ḥadīth recorded in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs in which Allāh's Messenger ﷺ said,

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

«There are three signs for a hypocrite: when he promises, he breaks his promise; when speaks, he lies; and when he is entrusted, he betrays.»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 1:111 and Muslim 1:78.} And in another Ḥadīth in the Ṣaḥīḥ,

Ḥadīthأَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا، وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ نِفَاقٍ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا

«There are four characteristics which if one has all of them, he is the pure hypocrite, and if anyone has any of them, he has a characteristic of hypocrisy, until he abandons it.»^{3Fatḥ Al-Bāri 1:111.} So he mentioned breaking the promise among these four characteristics. We mentioned the meaning of these two Ḥadīths in the beginning of the explanation of Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhāri, and to Allāh is the praise and the thanks. Therefore Allāh implied this meaning, when He continued His admonishment by saying,

Qur’an 61:3كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

«Most hateful it is with Allāh that you say that which you do not do.» Imām Aḥmad and Abu Dāwud recorded that 'Abdullāh bin 'Āmir bin Rabī'ah said, "Allāh's Messenger ﷺ came to us while I was a young boy, and I went out to play. My mother said, 'O 'Abdullāh! Come, I want to give you something.' Allāh's Messenger ﷺ said to her,

Ḥadīthوَمَا أَرَدْتِ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ؟

«What did you want to give him?» She said, 'Dates.' He said,

Ḥadīthأَمَا إِنَّكِ لَوْ لَمْ تَفْعَلِي كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْكِ كَذْبَةٌ

«If you had not given them to him, it would have been written as a lie in your record.»"^{4Aḥmad 3:447 and Abu Dāwud 5:265.} Muqātil bin Ḥayyān said, "The faithful believers said, 'If we only knew the dearest good actions to Allāh, we would perform them.' Thus, Allāh told them about the dearest actions to Him, saying,

Qur’an 61:4إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ صَفًّا

«Verily, Allāh loves those who fight in His cause in rows» Allāh stated what He likes, and they were tested on the day of Uḥud. However, they retreated and fled, leaving the Prophet ﷺ behind. It was about their case that Allāh revealed this Āyah:

Qur’an 61:2يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ

«O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?» Allāh says here, 'The dearest of you to Me, is he who fights in My cause.' "^{5Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:146.} Some said that it was revealed about the gravity of fighting in battle, when one says that he fought and endured the battle, even though he did not do so. Qatādah and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said that this Āyah was sent down to admonish some people who used to say that they killed, fought, stabbed, and did such and such during battle, even though they did not do any of it.

Sa'īd bin Jubayr said about Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 61:4إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِهِۦ صَفًّا

«Verily, Allāh loves those who fight in His cause in rows (ranks)»

"Before Allāh's Messenger ﷺ began the battle against the enemy, he liked to line up his forces in rows; in this Sūrah, Allāh teaches the believers to do the same."^{6Al-Qurṭubi 18:81.}

He also said that Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 61:4كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَٰنٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ

«as if they were a solid structure.» means, its parts are firmly connected to each other; in rows for battle. Muqātil bin Ḥayyān said, "Firmly connected to each other." Ibn 'Abbās commented on the meaning of the Āyah,

Qur’an 61:4كَأَنَّهُم بُنْيَٰنٌ مَّرْصُوصٌ

«as if they were a solid structure.» by saying, "They are like a firm structure that does not move, because its parts are cemented to each other."^{7Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:147.}

Qur’an 61:5–6وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِۦ يَٰقَوْمِ لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِى وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

«5. And when Mūsā said to his people: "O my people! Why do you annoy me while you know certainly that I am the Messenger of Allāh to you? So, when they turned away (from the path of Allāh), Allāh turned their hearts away (from the right path). And Allāh guides not the people who are rebellious.»

«6. And (remember) when 'Īsā, son of Maryam, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allāh unto you, confirming the Tawrāh [which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Aḥmad. "But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is plain magic."»

Mūsā admonishes His People for annoying Him Allāh states that His servant and Messenger Mūsā, son of 'Imrān, to whom Allāh spoke directly, said to his people,

Qur’an 61:5لِمَ تُؤْذُونَنِى وَقَد تَّعْلَمُونَ أَنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ

«Why do you annoy me while you know certainly that I am the Messenger of Allāh to you?»

meaning, 'why do you annoy me even though you know my truth regarding the Message that I brought you?' This brings consolation for Allāh's Messenger ﷺ for what the disbelievers among his people and others did to him. And it orders him to be patient. This is why he once said,

Ḥadīthرَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَى مُوسَى لَقَدْ أُوذِيَ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ هَذَا فَصَبَرَ

«May Allāh have mercy with Mūsā: he was annoyed more than this, yet he was patient.»^{1Fatḥ Al-Bāri 7:652.}

By it believers are prohibited from harming or bothering the Prophet ﷺ in any way or form. As Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 33:69يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَاذَوْا۟ مُوسَىٰ فَبَرَّأَهُ ٱللَّهُ مِمَّا قَالُوا۟ وَكَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَجِيهًا

«O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Mūsā, but Allāh cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honorable before Allāh.» (33:69) And His saying:

Qur’an 61:5فَلَمَّا زَاغُوٓا۟ أَزَاغَ ٱللَّهُ قُلُوبَهُمْ

«So, when they turned away, Allāh turned their hearts away.», means, when the Jews turned away from following the guidance, even though they knew it, Allāh turned their hearts away from the guidance. Instead, Allāh placed doubts, suspicion and failure in their hearts, just as He said,

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

«And We shall turn their hearts and vision away, as they refused to believe therin for the first time, and we shall leave them in their trespass to wander blindly.» And His saying;

Qur’an 4:115وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا

«And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and enter him in Hell, what an evil destination it is!» (4:115), and, Similarly Allāh said;

Qur’an 61:5وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ

«And Allāh guides not the people who are rebellious.» (9:24)

The Good News of 'Īsā about Our Prophet ﷺ and that His Name is Aḥmad Allāh said;

Qur’an 61:6وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ

«And when 'Īsā, son of Maryam, said: "O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allāh unto you, confirming the Tawrāh before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Aḥmad."» 'Īsā said, "The Tawrāh conveyed the glad tidings of my coming, and my coming confirms the truth of the Tawrāh. I convey the glad tidings of the Prophet who will come after me. He is the unlettered, Makkan, Arab Prophet and Messenger, Aḥmad." 'Īsā, peace be upon him, is the last and final Messenger from among the Children of Israel. He remained among the Children of Israel for a while, conveying the good news of the coming of Muḥammad, whose name is also Aḥmad, the Last and Final Prophet and Messenger. After Muḥammad, there will be no prophethood or Messengers. How admirable the Ḥadīth is that Al-Bukhāri collected in his Ṣaḥīḥ from Jubayr bin Muṭ'im, who said, "I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say,

Ḥadīthإِنَّ لِي أَسْمَاءً: أَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، وَأَنَا أَحْمَدُ، وَأَنَا الْمَاحِي الَّذِي يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِي الْكُفْرَ، وَأَنَا الْحَاشِرُ الَّذِي يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ عَلَى قَدَمَيَّ، وَأَنَا الْعَاقِبُ

«I have names. I am Muḥammad and Aḥmad. I am Al-Māḥi through whom Allāh will eliminate disbelief. I am Al-Ḥāshir who will be the first to be resurrected, with the people being resurrected Hereafter. I am also Al-'Āqib (i.e., there will be no Prophet after me)."»^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 8:509.}

Also Muslim collected this Ḥadīth from Az-Zuhrī from Jubayr.^{3Muslim 4:1828.}

Muḥammad bin Isḥāq recorded that Khālid bin Ma'dān said that some Companions of Allāh's Messenger ﷺ said, "O Allāh's Messenger! Tell us about yourself." He said,

Ḥadīthدَعْوَةُ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبُشْرَى عِيسَى، وَرَأَتْ أُمِّي حِينَ حَمَلَتْ بِي كَأَنَّهُ خَرَجَ مِنْهَا نُورٌ أَضَاءَتْ لَهُ قُصُورُ بُصْرَى مِنْ أَرْضِ الشَّامِ

«I am the (result of the) invocation made to Allāh from my father Ibrāhīm and the good news 'Īsā delivered. When my mother was pregnant with me, she had a dream in which she saw a light emanating from her that radiated the palaces of Buṣrā in Ash-Shām."»^{4Ibn Hishām 1:175.}

This Ḥadīth has a good chain of narration that is supported by other similar narrations. Imām Aḥmad recorded that Al-'Irbāḍ bin Sāriyah said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

«إِنِّي عِنْدَ اللَّهِ لَخَاتَمُ النَّبِيِّينَ، وَإِنَّ آدَمَ لَمُنْجَدِلٌ فِي طِينَتِهِ، وَسَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِأَوَّلِ ذَلِكَ: دَعْوَةُ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبِشَارَةُ عِيسَى بِي، وَرُؤْيَا أُمِّي الَّتِي رَأَتْ، وَكَذَلِكَ أُمَّهَاتُ النَّبِيِّينَ يَرَيْنَ»

«I was written with Allāh as the Last and Final of the Prophet, even when Ādam was still clay. I will tell of the first good news announcing my advent, the (result of the) invocation to Allāh made from my father Ibrāhīm, the good news 'Īsā conveyed, and the dream that my mother saw. The mothers of all Prophets see similar dreams."»^{5Aḥmad 4:127.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Abu Umāmah said, "I said, 'O Allāh's Messenger! What was the first good news of your coming?' He said,

Ḥadīthدَعْوَةُ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَبُشْرَى عِيسَى، وَرَأَتْ أُمِّي أَنَّهُ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا نُورٌ أَضَاءَتْ لَهُ قُصُورُ الشَّامِ

«The (result of the) invocation to Allāh made from my father Ibrāhīm and the good news 'Īsā conveyed. My mother saw a light emanating from her that filled the palaces of Ash- Shām in a dream.»"^{6Aḥmad 5:262. There are some deficiencies in some of these narrations. Many scholars consider them to support each other as does the author.}

Imām Aḥmad recorded that 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ sent eighty men, including 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd, Ja'far bin Abi Ṭālib, 'Abdullāh bin 'Urfuṭah, 'Uthmān bin Maẓ'ūn, Abu Mūsā, and others, to An-Najāshi. The Quraysh sent 'Amr bin Al-'Āṣ and 'Umārah bin Al-Walīd with a gift for An-Najāshi. When they, 'Amr and 'Umārah, came to An-Najāshi, they prostrated before him and stood to his right and left. 'Amr and 'Umārah said,

"Some of our cousins migrated to your land; they have abandoned us and our religion." An-Najāshi said, "Where are they?" They said, "They are in your land, so send for them," so An-Najāshi summoned the Muslims. Ja'far said to the Muslims, "I will be your speaker today." So, the Muslims followed Ja'far and when he entered on the king he did not prostrate after greeting him. They said to Ja'far, "Why do you not prostrate before the king?" Ja'far said; "We only prostrate for Allāh, the Exalted and Most Honored." They said, "Why?" He said, "Allāh has sent a Messenger to us from Him, who ordered us not to prostrate to anyone except Allāh, the Exalted and Most Honored. He also ordered to perform prayer and give charity."

'Amr bin Al-'Āṣ said, "They contradict your creed about 'Īsā, son of Maryam." The king asked, "What do you say about 'Īsā and his mother Maryam?" Ja'far said, "We only say what Allāh said about him, that he is Allāh's Word^{7Meaning, that Allāh said, "Be" and he was.} , a soul created by Allāh and sent down to the honorable virgin who was not touched by a man nor bearing children before." An-Najāshi lifted a straw of wood and said, "O Ethiopians, monks and priests! By Allāh, what they say about 'Īsā is no more than what we say about him, not even a difference that equals this straw. You are welcomed among us, and greetings to him who sent you. I bear witness that he is Allāh's Messenger whom we read about in the Injīl. He is the Prophet who 'Īsā, son of Maryam, foretold the good news about his advent. Live wherever you wish. By Allāh, had I not been entrusted with the responsibilities of kingship, I would have gone to him, so that I could be honored by carrying his slippers and his water for ablution."

The king ordered that the gifts of the idolators be returned to them. 'Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd soon returned and later on participated in the battle of Badr. He said that when the Prophet ﷺ received the news that An-Najāshi died, he invoked Allāh to forgive him.^{8Aḥmad 1:461.} Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:6فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

«But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is plain magic."»

this refers to Aḥmad, who was anticipated, in accordance with the early Scriptures and early generations, according to Ibn Jurayj and Ibn Jarīr. When the Prophet appeared bringing clear signs, the disbelievers and rejecters said,

Qur’an 61:6هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

«This is plain magic»

Qur’an 61:7–9وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلْإِسْلَٰمِ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِـُٔوا۟ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَٱللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ

7. And who does more wrong than the one who invents a lie against Allāh, while he is being invited to Islām? And Allāh guides not the people who are wrongdoers.» «8. They intend to put out the Light of Allāh with their mouths. But Allāh will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it).» «9. He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it victorious over all religions even though idolators hate (it).»

The Most Unjust among all People Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:7وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلْإِسْلَٰمِ

«And who does more wrong than the one who invents a lie against Allāh, while he is being invited to Islām?» meaning, none is more unjust than he who lies about Allāh and calls upon rivals and associates partners with Him, even while he is being invited to Tawḥīd and sincerely worshipping Him. This is why Allāh said,

Qur’anوَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

«And Allāh guides not the people who are wrongdoers.» Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:8يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِـُٔوا۟ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ

«They intend to put out the Light of Allāh with their mouths.» indicating that the disbelievers will try to contradict the truth with falsehood. Their attempts are similar to one's attempt to extinguish the sun with his mouth, which is impossible.

Qur’an 61:6–14وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَٰبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ إِنِّى رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُّصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَمُبَشِّرًۢا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِى مِنۢ بَعْدِى ٱسْمُهُۥٓ أَحْمَدُ فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُوَ يُدْعَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلْإِسْلَٰمِ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِـُٔوا۟ نُورَ ٱللَّهِ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَٱللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ وَمَسَٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوٓا۟ أَنصَارَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌ فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَٰهِرِينَ

Likewise is the case of their attempt to extinguish truth. So Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:8–9وَٱللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُونَ

«But Allāh will bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it). He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the idolators hate (it).» We explained the meanings of similar Āyāt before, in the Tafsīr of Sūrah Barā'ah.^{1That is breifly discussed in volume nine, the Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Tawbah (9:32)} All praise and thanks are due to Allāh.

Qur’an 61:10–13يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ وَمَسَٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

«10. O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment?» «11. That you believe in Allāh and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allāh with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know!» «12. (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in 'Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that is indeed the great success.» «13. And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allāh and a near victory. And give glad tidings to the believers.»

The Trade that saves One from the Painful Torment We mentioned a Ḥadīth from 'Abdullāh bin Salām in that the Companions wanted to ask the Prophet of Allāh ﷺ about the best actions with Allāh the Exalted and Most Honored, so they could practice them. Allāh the Exalted sent down this Sūrah, including this Āyah,

Qur’an 61:10يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ تِجَٰرَةٍ تُنجِيكُم مِّنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

«O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment?» Allāh then explained this great trade that will never fail, the trade that will earn one what he wishes and saves him from what he dislikes. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 61:11تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

«That you believe in Allāh and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allāh with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know!» this is better than the trade of this life and striving hard for it and amassing it. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 61:12يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ

«He will forgive you your sins,» meaning, 'if you fulfill what I commanded you and guided you to, then I will forgive your sins and admit you into the Gardens of Paradise. In them, you will have exalted residences and high postitions.' This is why Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 61:12وَيُدْخِلْكُمْ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ وَمَسَٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً فِى جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

«and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in 'Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that is indeed the great success.»

Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:13وَأُخْرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَا

«And also another (blessing) which you love,»

meaning, 'I will grant you more favors that you like,'

Qur’an 61:13نَصْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ

«help from Allāh and a near victory.»

meaning, if you fight in Allāh's cause and support His religion, He will grant you victory. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 47:7يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِن تَنصُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ

«O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allāh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.» (47:7), and,

Qur’an 22:40وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ

«Verily, Allāh will help those who help His (cause). Truly, Allāh is All Strong, All-Wise.» (22:40)

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 61:13وَفَتْحٌ قَرِيبٌ

«and a near victory.» means, it will come sooner, and this is the increased favor that is earned in this life and continues, becoming the delight of the Hereafter. It is for those who obey Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ and support Allāh and His religion. Allāh said;

Qur’anوَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

«And give glad tidings to the believers.﴿

Qur’an 61:14يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوٓا۟ أَنصَارَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَا قَالَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ لِلْحَوَارِيِّـۧنَ مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌ فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَٰهِرِينَ

«14. O you who believe! Be you helpers (in the cause) of Allāh as said 'Īsā, son of Maryam, to the Ḥawārīyyīn (the disciples): "Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allāh?" The Hawārīyyūn said: "We are Allāh's helpers" (i.e., we will strive in His cause!). Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).»

Muslims are always the Natural Supporters of Islām

Allāh the Exalted orders His faithful servants to be Allāh's supporters at all times, in all their statements and actions, sacrificing their selves and wealth. Allāh orders them to accept His and His Messenger's call, just as the disciples said to Prophet 'Īsā when he said,

Qur’an 61:14مَنْ أَنصَارِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ

«Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allāh?» meaning, 'who will support me in conveying the Message of Allāh, the Exalted and Most Honored?'

Qur’an 61:14قَالَ ٱلْحَوَارِيُّونَ

«The Ḥawārīyyūn said:» in reference to the followers of 'Īsā, peace be upon him,

Qur’an 61:14نَحْنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ

«We are Allāh's helpers» meaning, 'we will support you with regards to the Message you have been sent with and will help you convey it.' Whereby, 'Īsā sent the disciples to the various areas of Ash-Shām to call the Greeks and the Israelites to Islām.

Similarly, during the days of Ḥajj, Allāh's Messenger ﷺ used to ask,

Ḥadīthمَنْ رَجُلٌ يُؤْوِينِي حَتَّى أُبَلِّغَ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي؟ فَإِنَّ قُرَيْشًا قَدْ مَنَعُونِي أَنْ أُبَلِّغَ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي

«Who will support me in conveying the Message of my Lord? Verily, the Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Message of my Lord.»^{1Aḥmad 3:322, Al-Ḥākim 2:624 and Al-Bayhaqi 8:146.}

Allāh the Exalted and Most Honored raised Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj to support the Prophet ﷺ. They were the residents of Al-Madīnah who gave the pledge to him and supported him, vowing to protect him from mankind and the Jinns if he migrated to them. When he migrated to them with his Companions, they fulfilled their vow to Allāh. This is the reason why Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ called them, Al-Anṣār, the Supporters. The name became synonymous with them. May Allāh be pleased with them and please them, as well.

A Group of the Children of Israel believed in 'Īsā and a Group of Them disbelieved

Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:14فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌ

«Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved.»

When 'Īsā, peace be on him, conveyed the Message of his Lord to his people and the disciples supported him, a group from the Children of Israel believed. They accepted the guidance that 'Īsā brought to them, while another group, was led astray. This group rejected what 'Īsā brought them, denied his prophethood and invented terrible lies about him and his mother. They are the Jews, may Allāh curse them until the Day of Judgement.

Another group exaggerated over 'Īsā, until they elevated him to more than the level of prophethood that Allāh gave him. They divided into sects and factions, some saying that 'Īsā was the son of Allāh, while others said that he was one in a trinity, and this is why they invoke the father, the son and the holy ghost! Some of them said that 'Īsā was Allāh, as we mentioned in the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Nisā'.^{2See volume three, the Tafsīr of Sūrat An-Nisā' (4:171).}

Allāh gives Victory to the Believing Group

Allāh said,

Qur’an 61:14فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ

«So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies,» that is, 'We gave them victory over the group of Christians which defied them,'

Qur’an 61:14فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَٰهِرِينَ

«and they became the victorious (uppermost).» 'over the disbelieving group, when We sent Muḥammad.'

Imām Abu Ja'far bin Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabari reported that Ibn 'Abbās said, "When Allāh decided to raise 'Īsā to heaven, 'Īsā went to his companions while drops of water were dripping from his head. At that time, there were twelve men at the house. 'Īsā said to them, 'Some of you will disbelieve in me twelve times after having believed in me.' He then asked, 'Who among you volunteers that he be made to resemble me and be killed instead of me; he will be with me in my place (in Paradise).' One of the youngest men present volunteered, but 'Īsā commanded him to sit down. 'Īsā repeated his statement and the young man again stood up and volunteered, and 'Īsā again told him to sit down. 'Īsā repeated the same statement and the young man volunteered. This time, 'Īsā said, 'Then it will be you.' The appearance of 'Īsā was cast upon that young man, while 'Īsā, peace be on him, was raised to heaven through an opening in the roof of the house. The Jews came looking for 'Īsā and arrested the one that appeared as him, killing him by crucifixion. Some of them disbelieved in 'Īsā twelve times, after they had believed in him. They divided into three groups. One group, Al-Ya'qūbiyyah (the Jacobites), said, 'Allāh remained with us as much as He willed and then ascended to heaven.' Another group, An-Nasṭūriyyah (the Nestorians), said, 'Allāh's son remained with us as much as Allāh willed and He then rasied him up to heaven.' A third group said, 'Allāh's servant and Messenger remained with us as much as Allāh willed and then Allāh raised him up to Him.' The last group was the Muslim group. The two disbelieving groups collaborated against the Muslim group and annihilated it. Islām remained unjustly concealed until Allāh sent Muḥammad ﷺ,

Qur’an 61:14فَـَٔامَنَت طَّآئِفَةٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَكَفَرَت طَّآئِفَةٌ

«Then a group of the Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved.»

This Āyah refers to the group among the Children of Israel that disbelieved and the group that believed, during the time of 'Īsā,

Qur’an 61:14فَأَيَّدْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ ظَٰهِرِينَ

«So, We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).»

through the victory that Muḥammad ﷺ gained over the religion of the disbelievers, which brought the dominance of their religion."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:366.}

This is the wording in his book for the Tafsīr of this honorable Āyah. Similarly, An-Nasā'ī collected this statement of Ibn 'Abbās in his Sunan.^{4An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:489. This version of the story of the ascension mentioned is considered among the Isrā'īliyāt narrations which the Muslim is neither to believe in nor negate.}

Therefore, the Ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ will always be prevalent on the truth until Allāh's command (the Final Hour) commences, while they are on this path. The last group of them will fight against Ad-Dajjāl along with 'Īsā, peace be on him, according to Ḥadīths in the authentic collections.^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:306, Muslim 3:1524 and Abu Dāwud 3:11.}

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Aṣ-Ṣaff. All praise and thanks are due to Allāh.