The Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Taghābun (Chapter - 64)

Which was revealed in Al-Madīnah or Makkah

Qur’an 64:1–9يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ فَذَاقُوا۟ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ زَعَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا۟ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلنُّورِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلْنَا وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

Qur’an 64:1–4يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

«1. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allāh. His is the dominion, and to Him belongs the praise, and He is Able to do all things.»

«2. He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers. And Allāh is All-Seer of what you do.»

«3. He has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and He shaped you and made good your shapes. And to Him is the return.» «4. He knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allāh is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.»

Praising Allāh and mentioning His Creation and Knowledge

This is the last Sūrah among Al-Musabbiḥāt. We mentioned before that all creatures praise the glory of Allāh, their Creator and Owner. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:1لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ

«His is the dominion, and to Him belongs the praise,» meaning, He is the One Who has control over all creation, the One praised for all He created and decreed. Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 64:1وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

«and He is Able to do all things.» means that whatever He wills occurs without resistance, and whatever He does not will, never occurs. Allāh said,

Qur’an 64:2هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنكُم مُّؤْمِنٌ

«He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers.» meaning, Allāh created you with these characteristics and He willed that for you. Therefore, there will be believers and disbelievers. Surely, Allāh is the One Who sees those who deserve guidance and those who deserve misguidance. He is the Witness over His servant's deeds and He will completely recompense them. This is why Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:2وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

«And Allāh is All-Seer of what you do.» Allāh said,

Qur’an 64:3خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِٱلْحَقِّ

«He has created the heavens and the earth with truth,» with equity and wisdom,

Qur’an 64:3وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ

«and He shaped you and made good your shapes.» He made you in the best shapes and forms. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 82:6–8يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلْكَرِيمِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ فِىٓ أَىِّ صُورَةٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ

«O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the most Generous? Who created you, fashioned you perfectly and gave you due proportion; in whatever form He willed, He put you together.» (82:6-8) And His saying,

Qur’an 40:64ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَصَوَّرَكُمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ

«Allāh, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things.» (40:64) and His saying;

Qur’an 64:3وَإِلَيْهِ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

«And to Him is the return.» means the return and final destination. Allāh then informs of His knowledge of all that there is in the heavens, in the earth and in the souls, He said:

Qur’an 64:4يَعْلَمُ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

«He knows what is in the heavens and on earth, and He knows what you conceal and what you reveal. And Allāh is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts.»

Qur’an 64:5–6أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ فَذَاقُوا۟ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

«5. Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime? And so they tasted the evil result of their disbelief, and theirs will be a painful torment.» «6. That was because there came to them their Messengers with Bayyināt, but they said: "Shall mere men guide us?" So they disbelieved and turned away. But Allāh was not in need. And Allāh is not in need, Worthy of all praise.»

A Warning delivered through mentioning the End of the Disbelieving Nations

Informing about the past nations and the torment and disciplinary lessons that they suffered because of opposing the Messengers and denying the truth. Allāh says;

Qur’an 64:5أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَبْلُ

«Has not the news reached you of those who disbelieved aforetime?» meaning, information about them and what happened to them,

Qur’an 64:5فَذَاقُوا۟ وَبَالَ أَمْرِهِمْ

«And so they tasted the evil result of their disbelief.» They tasted the evil consequences of their denial and sinful actions. And it refers to the punishment and humiliation they received in the life of the world,

Qur’an 64:5وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

«and theirs will be a painful torment.» in the Hereafter, added to the torment they received in this life. Allāh explained why;

Qur’an 64:6ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُۥ كَانَت تَّأْتِيهِمْ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ

«That was because there came to them their Messengers with Bayyināt,» supporting arguments, evidence, and clear proofs,

Qur’an 64:6فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَبَشَرٌ يَهْدُونَنَا

«but they said: "Shall mere men guide us?"» They discounted and dismissed the possibility that the Message would be sent to a human and that their guidance would come by the hands of a man like themselves,

Qur’an 64:6فَكَفَرُوا۟ وَتَوَلَّوا۟

«So they disbelieved and turned away.» they denied the truth and turned away from abiding by it,

Qur’an 64:6وَّٱسْتَغْنَى ٱللَّهُ

«But Allāh was not in need.» of them,

Qur’an 64:6وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ

«And Allāh is not need, Worthy of all praise.»

Qur’an 64:7–10زَعَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا۟ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلنُّورِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلْنَا وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

«7. The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected. Say: "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of what you did; and that is easy for Allāh."»

«8. Therefore, believe in Allāh and His Messenger and in the Light which We have sent down. And Allāh is All-Aware of what you do.»

«9. The Day when He will gather you on the Day of Gathering, that will be the Day of At-Taghābun. And whosoever believes in Allāh and performs righteous deeds, He will expiate from him his sins, and will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever; that will be the great success.»

«10. But those who disbelieved and denied Our Āyāt, they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination.»

Life after Death is True

Allāh the Exalted informs about the disbelievers, idolators and the atheists that they claim that they will not be resurrected,

Qur’an 64:7قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ

«Say: "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of what you did..."»

meaning, 'you will be informed of all of your actions, whether major or minor, big or small,'

Qur’an 64:7وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

«and that is easy for Allāh.» 'resurrecting and recompensing you is easy for Allāh.' This is the third Āyah in which Allāh orders His Messenger ﷺ to swear by His Lord, the Exalted and Most Honored, that Resurrection occurs. The first is in Sūrah Yūnus,

Qur’an 10:53وَيَسْتَنۢبِـُٔونَكَ أَحَقٌّ هُوَ قُلْ إِى وَرَبِّىٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَحَقٌّ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعْجِزِينَ

«And they ask you to inform them: "Is it true?" Say: "Yes! By my Lord! It is the very truth! and you can not escape it!"» (10:53), The second is in Sūrah Saba',

Qur’an 34:3وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَا تَأْتِينَا ٱلسَّاعَةُ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ

«Those who disbelieve say: "The hour will not come to us." Say: "Yes, by my Lord, it will come to you..."» (34:3), and the third is this Āyah,

Qur’an 64:7زَعَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا۟ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

«The disbelievers pretend that they will never be resurrected. Say: "Yes! By my Lord, you will certainly be resurrected, then you will be informed of what you did; and that is easy for Allāh."» Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:8فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَٱلنُّورِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلْنَا

«Therefore, believe in Allāh and in His Messenger and in the Light which We have sent down.» that is, the Qur'ān,

Qur’an 64:8وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ

«And Allāh is All-Aware of what you do.» none of your deeds ever escapes His knowledge.

The Day of At-Taghābun

Allāh said,

Qur’an 64:9يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُكُمْ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْجَمْعِ

«The Day when He will gather you on the Day of Gathering,» meaning the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day when the earlier and later generations will all be gathered in one area, a caller would be heard by them all, and one's vision would easily see them all. Allāh said,

Qur’an 11:103ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوعٌ لَّهُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَذَٰلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَّشْهُودٌ

«That is the Day whereon mankind will be gathered together, that is a Day when all will be present.» (11:103), and,

Qur’an 56:49–50قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَٰتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ

«Say: "(Yes) verily, those of old, and those of later times. All will surely be gathered together for appointed meeting of a known Day."» (56:49-50)

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 64:9ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ ٱلتَّغَابُنِ

«that will be the Day of At-Taghābun»

Ibn 'Abbās said, "It is one of the names of the Day of Judgement, and that is because the people of Paradise will have gained over the people of the Fire."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:420.} Qatādah and Mujāhid said similarly.^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:419, 420.}

Muqātil bin Ḥayyān said, "There is no mutual loss and gain greater than these entering Paradise and those being taken to the Fire."

Allāh explained His statement saying;

Qur’an 64:9–10وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ وَيَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا يُكَفِّرْ عَنْهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِۦ وَيُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

«And whosoever believes in Allāh and performs righteous deeds, He will expiate from him his sins, and will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever; that will be the great success. But those who disbelieved and denied Our Āyāt, they will be the dwellers of the Fire, to dwell therein forever. And worst indeed is that destination.»

We explained these meanings several times before.

Qur’an 64:11–13مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ

«11. No calamity occurs, but by the permission of Allāh, and whosoever believes in Allāh, He guides his heart. And Allāh is the All-Knower of everything.»

«12. Obey Allāh, and obey the Messenger; but if you turn away, then the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey clearly.»

«13. Allāh! Lā ilāha illā Huwa. And in Allāh therefore let the believers put their trust.»

All that occurs to Mankind is by Allāh's Permission

Allāh informs us as He did in Sūrat Al-Ḥadīd,

Qur’an 57:22مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَآ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ

«No calamity occurs on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in a record before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allāh.» (57:22)

Allāh said here,

Qur’an 64:11مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ

«No calamity occurs, but by the permission of Allāh,»

Ibn 'Abbās said; "By the command of Allāh," meaning from His decree and will.

Qur’an 64:11وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

«and whosoever believes in Allāh, He guides his heart. And Allāh is the All-Knower of everything.»

meaning, whoever suffered an affliction and he knew that it occurred by Allāh's judgement and decree, and he patiently abides, awaiting Allāh's reward, then Allāh guides his heart, and will compensate him for his loss in this life by granting guidance to his heart and certainty in faith. Allāh will replace whatever he lost for Him with the same or what is better.

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported from Ibn 'Abbās,

Qur’an 64:11وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ

«and whosoever believes in Allāh, He guides his heart.»

"Allāh will guide his heart to certainty. Therefore, he will know that what reached him would not have missed him and what has missed him would not have reached him."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 23:421.}

There is an agreed upon Ḥadīth [that Al-Bukhāri and Muslim collected and] which states,

Ḥadīthعَجَبًا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ لَا يَقْضِي اللَّهُ لَهُ قَضَاءً إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ، وَلَيْسَ ذٰلِكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ

«Amazing is the believer: There is no decree that Allāh writes for him, but is better for him. If an affliction strikes him, he is patient and this is better for him. If a bounty is granted to him, he is thankful and this is better for him. This trait is only for the faithful believer.»^{2Muslim 4:2295.}

The Order to obey Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ

Allāh said,

Qur’an 64:12وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ

«Obey Allāh, and obey the Messenger;»

Allāh commands obedience to Him and to His Messenger ﷺ in all that His legislates and in implementing His orders. Allāh also forbids one from all that His Messenger ﷺ forbids and prohibits. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:12فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

«but if you turn away, then the duty of Our Messenger is only to convey clearly.»

meaning, 'if you refrain from abiding by the faith, then the Messenger's mission is to convey and your mission is to hear and obey. ‘Az-Zuhrī said, "From Allāh comes the Message, its

Qur’an 64:10–18وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَىٰ رَسُولِنَا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ إِن تُقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

deliverance is up to the Messenger, and the adherence is up to us."^{3Al-Bukhāri, in the Book of Tawḥīd, chapter 46.}

Tawḥīd

Allāh states that He is the One, Whom all creations need and seek, the One other than Whom there is no (true) God.

Qur’an 64:13ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ

«Allāh! Lā ilāha illā Huwa. And in Allāh therefore let the believers put their trust.»

So, He first informs about Tawḥīd and its meaning. The implied meaning is to single Him out for deification, being purely devoted to Him, and relying upon Him, as He said;

Qur’an 73:9رَّبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ فَٱتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلًا

«The Lord of the east and the west; La ilāha illā Huwa. So take Him alone as Trustee.» (73:9)

Qur’an 64:14–18يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ إِن تُقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ شَكُورٌ حَلِيمٌ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«14. O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you; therefore beware of them! But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive, then verily, Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.»

«15. Your wealth and your children are only a Fitnah, whereas Allāh! With Him is a great reward.»

«16. So have Taqwā of Allāh as much as you can; listen and obey, and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves. And whosoever is saved from his own greed, then they are the successful ones.»

«17. If you lend to Allāh a handsome loan, He will double it for you, and will forgive you. And Allāh is Shakūr, Ḥalīm,»

«18. All-Knower of the unseen and seen, the Almighty, the All-Wise.»

Warning against the Fitnah of Spouses and Offspring

Allāh states that some wives and children are enemies to their husbands and fathers, in that they might be busied with them rather than with performing the good deeds. Allāh said in another Āyah,

Qur’an 63:9يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَٰدُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ

«O you who believe! Let not your properties or you children divert you from the remembrance of Allāh. And whosoever does that then they are the losers.» (63:9)

Allāh the Exalted said here,

Qur’an 64:14فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ

«therefore, beware of them!» for your religion, according to Ibn Zayd. Mujāhid explained the Āyah,

Qur’an 64:14إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ

«Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you;»

by saying, "They might direct the man to sever his relation or disobey his Lord. The man, who loves his wives and children, might obey them in this case." Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded that Ibn 'Abbās said to a man who asked him about this Āyah,

Qur’an 64:14يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ مِنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدِكُمْ عَدُوًّا لَّكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُمْ

«O you who believe! Verily, among your wives and your children there are enemies for you; therefore beware of them!»

"There were men who embraced Islām in Makkah and wanted to migrate to Allāh's Messenger ﷺ. However, their wives and children refused to allow them. Later when they joined Allāh's Messenger ﷺ, they found that those who were with him (the Companions) have gained knowledge in the religion, so they were about to punish their wives and children. Allāh the Exalted sent down this Āyah,

Qur’an 64:14وَإِن تَعْفُوا۟ وَتَصْفَحُوا۟ وَتَغْفِرُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

«But if you pardon (them) and overlook, and forgive, then verily, Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.»"

At-Tirmidhi collected this Ḥadīth and said that it is Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ.^{1Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:222.} Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 64:15إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

«Your wealth and your children are only a Fitnah, whereas Allāh! With Him is a great reward.»

Allāh said that the wealth and children are a test and trial from Allāh the Exalted for His creatures, so that He knows those who obey Him and those who disobey Him. Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 64:15وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥٓ

«whereas Allāh! With Him» meaning, on the Day of Resurrection,

Qur’an 64:15أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

«is a great reward.» As Allāh said;

Qur’an 3:14زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْبَنِينَ وَٱلْقَنَٰطِيرِ ٱلْمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلْفِضَّةِ وَٱلْخَيْلِ ٱلْمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ وَٱلْحَرْثِ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَٰعُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسْنُ ٱلْمَـَٔابِ

«Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women children, Qanāṭīr Al-Muqanṭarah^{2See volume two, the Tafsīr of Sūrah Āl 'Imrān (3:14).} of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allāh has the excellent return with him.» (3:14), and the Āyah after it.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that Buraydah said, "The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was giving a speech and Al-Ḥasan and Ḥusayn came in wearing red shirts, walking and tripping. The Messenger ﷺ descended from the Minbar, held them and placed them in front of them and said,

Ḥadīthصَدَقَ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ، نَظَرْتُ إِلَى هٰذَيْنِ الصَّبِيَّيْنِ يَمْشِيَانِ وَيَعْثُرَانِ، فَلَمْ أَصْبِرْ حَتَّى قَطَعْتُ حَدِيثِي وَرَفَعْتُهُمَا

«Allāh and His Messenger said the truth,'Verily, your wealth and your children are a Fitnah.' I saw these two boys walking and tripping and could not be patient until I stopped my speech and picked them up.»"^{3Aḥmad 5:354.}

This was recorded by the Sunan compilers, and At-Tirmidhi said, "Ḥasan Gharīb."^{4Abu Dāwud 1:663, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 10:278, An-Nasā'ī 3:108, Ibn Mājah 2:1190.}

The Order for Taqwā, as much as One is Capable

Allāh said,

Qur’an 64:16فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ

«So have Taqwā of Allāh as much as you can;»

meaning, as much as you are able and can bear or endure. The Two Ṣaḥīḥs recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthإِذَا أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِأَمْرٍ فَأْتُوا مِنْهُ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ، وَمَا نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْهُ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ

«When I command you to do something, do as much as you can of it, and whatever I forbid for you, then avoid it.»^{5Fatḥ Al-Bāri 13:264, Muslim 2:975.}

Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 64:16وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟

«listen and obey,» means, obey what Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ command you to do and do not stray from it to the right or left. Do not utter a statement or make a decision before Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ issue a statement or decision. Do not ignore what you were ordered to do, nor commit what you were forbidden from doing.

Encouraging Charity

Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:16وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ

«and spend in charity; that is better for yourselves.»

meaning, give from what Allāh has granted you to your relatives, the poor, the needy and the weak. Be kind to Allāh's creatures, just as Allāh was and still is kind with you. This will be better for you in this life and the Hereafter. Otherwise, if you do not do it, it will be worse for you in this life and the Hereafter. Allāh said;

Qur’an 64:16وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

«And whosoever is saved from his own greed, then they are the successful ones.»

This was explained with a similar Āyah in Sūrat Al-Ḥashr, where we also mentioned the relevant Ḥadīths.^{6See volume nine, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Al-Ḥashr (59:9).} Therefore, we do not need to repeat them here, all praise and gratitude is due to Allāh. Allāh the Exalted said,

Qur’an 64:17إِن تُقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعِفْهُ لَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ

«If you lend to Allāh a handsome loan, He will double it for you, and will forgive you.»

meaning, whatever you spend, then Allāh will replace it, and on Him will be the reward of whatever you give away in charity.

Allāh considered giving charity as if it is a loan to Him, just as Allāh said in a Qudsi Ḥadīth,

Ḥadīthمَنْ يُقْرِضُ غَيْرَ ظَلُومٍ وَلَا عَدِيمٍ

«"Who will give a loan to He Who is neither unjust nor poor?"»^{7Muslim 1:522.}

This is why Allāh the Exalted said in Sūrat Al-Baqarah,

Qur’an 2:245فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً

«So that He may multiply it to him many times» (2:245)

Allāh said;

Qur’an 64:17وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ

«and will forgive you.» meaning, He will erase your mistakes,

Qur’an 64:17وَٱللَّهُ شَكُورٌ

«And Allāh is Shakūr» meaning, He gives abundantly in return for what was little,

Qur’an 64:17حَلِيمٌ

«Ḥalīm» means, He forgives, pardons, covers and absolves the sins, mistakes, errors and shortcomings,

Qur’an 64:18عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ

«All-Knower of the unseen and seen, the Almighty, the All-Wise.»

Its explanation has already preceded several times.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Taghābun, all the praise and appreciation is due to Allāh.