The Night Journey
Al-Isrâ'
الاسراء
LEARNING POINTS
The Prophet (ﷺ) is honoured in this life and the Next.
Allah blessed him in this world through the Night Journey, which took him from Makkah to Jerusalem then to the heavens and back to Makkah—all in one night.
He will also be honoured on Judgment Day through the Station of Praise, where he will pray to Allah for judgment to begin.
The Quran has been revealed by Allah to guide humanity.
The people of Musa (A.S.) are warned against corruption.
People cry to Allah for help in difficult times, but they quickly become ungrateful when things get better for them.
The Devil is an enemy to humanity.
The Makkans are criticized for denying life after death, worshipping useless idols, and for demanding ridiculous things.
Allah provides a set of rules to help people succeed in this life and enter Jannah in the Next.
BACKGROUND STORY
Al-Isra' refers to the Prophet's Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, which happened about a year before moving from Makkah to Madinah (known as Hijrah). This surah was revealed to comfort the Prophet (ﷺ) after several years of abuse, which included 3 years of starvation. The Makkan idol-worshippers drove the early Muslims to an isolated place outside Makkah and banned everyone from trading with, feeding, or even marrying them. This was followed by the 'Year of Sadness' in which the Prophet's (ﷺ) two main defenders passed away: his wife Khadijah (R.A.) and his uncle Abu Talib.
During the Night Journey, the Prophet (ﷺ) was carried overnight by the Buraq (a mighty horse-like creature) from Makkah to Jerusalem, where he met earlier prophets and led them in salah. He was later carried to the heavens (in a journey called Al-Mi'raj) where he received direct orders from Allah to pray 5 times a day. This journey is referred to in 53:13-18.
Ibn 'Abbas (R.A.) said that the Prophet (ﷺ) received three gifts directly from Allah during Al-Mi'raj: 1. The 5 daily prayers. 2. The last 2 verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. 3. The promise that Allah will forgive Muslims who never make anyone equal to Him and die upon Islam. {Imam Muslim}
JOURNEY FROM MAKKAH TO JERUSALEM
1Glory be to the One Who took His ser-vant 'Muhammad' by night from the Holy Mosque 'in Makkah' to the most distant place of worship 'in Jerusa-lem' which We have blessed all around, to show him some of Our signs. Surely He alone hears and sees 'everything'. 2And We gave Musa the Book and made it a guide for the Children of Isra'il, 'or-dering:' 'Do not trust anyone with your matters except Me,' 3'O' children of those We carried with Nuh 'in the Ark'! He was truly a grateful servant'.
سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَسۡرَىٰ بِعَبۡدِهِۦ لَيۡلٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡأَقۡصَا ٱلَّذِي بَٰرَكۡنَا حَوۡلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَآۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡبَصِيرُ 1وَءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ هُدٗى لِّبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُواْ مِن دُونِي وَكِيل 2ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنۡ حَمَلۡنَا مَعَ نُوحٍۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَبۡدٗا شَكُورٗا3
THE TWO CORRUPTIONS
4And We warned the Children of Isra'il in the Book, 'You will definitely cause corruption in the landt twice and become extremely arrogant.' 5When the first of the two warnings happens, We would send against you some of Our servants of great power, who would turn your homnes inside out. And the warning would come true. 6Then 'after your repentance' We would give you the upper hand over your enemy and supply you with wealth and children, making you greater in number. 7If you do good, it is to your own ben-efit. But if you do wrong, it is your own loss. Then when the second warning happens, your enemy would 'be left to' totally disgrace you and enter that place of worship 'in Jerusalem' as they did the first time, and completely destroy what-ever would fall into their hands. 8Perhaps your Lord will have mercy on you 'if you repent', but if you return 'to sin', We will return 'to punishment'. And We have made Hell a 'permanent prison for the disbelievers'.
وَقَضَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَتُفۡسِدُنَّ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَّتَيۡنِ وَلَتَعۡلُنَّ عُلُوّٗا كَبِيرٗا 4فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ عِبَادٗا لَّنَآ أُوْلِي بَأۡسٖ شَدِيدٖ فَجَاسُواْ خِلَٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِۚ وَكَانَ وَعۡدٗا مَّفۡعُول 5ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنَا لَكُمُ ٱلۡكَرَّةَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَأَمۡدَدۡنَٰكُم بِأَمۡوَٰلٖ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ أَكۡثَرَ نَفِيرًا 6إِنۡ أَحۡسَنتُمۡ أَحۡسَنتُمۡ لِأَنفُسِكُمۡۖ وَإِنۡ أَسَأۡتُمۡ فَلَهَاۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ لِيَسُُٔواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ وَلِيَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٖ وَلِيُتَبِّرُواْ مَا عَلَوۡاْ تَتۡبِيرًا 7عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمۡ أَن يَرۡحَمَكُمۡۚ وَإِنۡ عُدتُّمۡ عُدۡنَاۚ وَجَعَلۡنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ حَصِيرًا8
THE MESSAGE OF THE QURAN
9Surely this Quran guides to the best way, and gives good news to the believers who do good that they will have a huge reward. 10As for those who do not be-lieve in the Next Life, We have prepared for them a painful punishment.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَهۡدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقۡوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرٗا كَبِيرٗا 9وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ أَعۡتَدۡنَا لَهُمۡ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا10
PRAYERS IN ANGER
11Humans 'quickly' pray for evil' just as they pray for good--humankind is al-ways hasty.
وَيَدۡعُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ بِٱلشَّرِّ دُعَآءَهُۥ بِٱلۡخَيۡرِۖ وَكَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ عَجُولٗا11
Verse 11: Some people are quick to pray against themselves or others when they are angry or frustrated.
THE DAY & NIGHT
12We made the day and night as two signs. So We removed light from the sign of the night, and We made the sign of the day 'perfectly' bright, so that you can seek the blessings of your Lord and know the number of years and the calcu-lation 'of time'. And We have explained everything in detail.
وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيۡنِۖ فَمَحَوۡنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَجَعَلۡنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبۡصِرَةٗ لِّتَبۡتَغُواْ فَضۡلٗا مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَلِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَۚ وَكُلَّ شَيۡءٖ فَصَّلۡنَٰهُ تَفۡصِيلٗ12
SIDE STORY
Many centuries ago, a man was arrested for going against the government. Then they handed him a big record of all the bad things that he had done. He told them that this record was scarier than the book of deeds he would receive on Judgment Day. When they asked why, he replied, "On Judgment Day, my book will have both my good and bad deeds. But your record shows only my bad deeds, as if I've never done anything good in my life."
THE BOOK OF DEEDS
13We have attached everyone's fate to their neck? And on Judgment Day We will bring out for each 'person' a book which they will find laid open. 14'They will be told, 'Read your book. You 'alone' are enough to take account of yourself this Day.'' 15Whoever chooses to be guided, it is only for their own good. And whoever chooses to stray, it is only their own loss. No sinner will carry the sin of another. And We would never punish 'a commu-nity' until We have sent a messenger to warn them'.
وَكُلَّ إِنسَٰنٍ أَلۡزَمۡنَٰهُ طَٰٓئِرَهُۥ فِي عُنُقِهِۦۖ وَنُخۡرِجُ لَهُۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ كِتَٰبٗا يَلۡقَىٰهُ مَنشُورًا 13ٱقۡرَأۡ كِتَٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفۡسِكَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ عَلَيۡكَ حَسِيبٗا 14مَّنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهۡتَدِي لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيۡهَاۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٞ وِزۡرَ أُخۡرَىٰۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبۡعَثَ رَسُولٗ15
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
16When We intend to destroy a society, We command its spoiled elite 'to obey Al-lah' but they continue to make trouble in it. So they deserve to be doomed, and We wipe it out completely. 17'Imagine' how many generations We have destroyed af-ter Nuh! It is enough that your Lord fully knows and sees the sins of His servants.
وَإِذَآ أَرَدۡنَآ أَن نُّهۡلِكَ قَرۡيَةً أَمَرۡنَا مُتۡرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُواْ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيۡهَا ٱلۡقَوۡلُ فَدَمَّرۡنَٰهَا تَدۡمِيرٗا 16وَكَمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ نُوحٖۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرٗا17
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verses 18-21 explain the difference between those who care only about this life and those who care about the Next Life. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Those who make the Next Life their goal, Allah enriches their hearts, organizes all their matters, and the world will definitely come to them. As for those who make this life their goal, Allah puts poverty in front of their eyes, disorganizes all their matters, and nothing will come to them from this world, except what has been written for them." {Imam At-Tirmizi}
THIS LIFE OR THE NEXT?
18Whoever desires only this short life, We decide to speed up in it whatever 'pleasures' for whoever We want; then We have prepared Hell for them, where they will burn, disgraced and rejected. 19But whoever desires the Next Life and works for it properly, and is a 'true' be-liever, their efforts will be appreciated. 20We provide both of them from the blessings of your Lord 'in this world'!. And your Lord's blessings can never be restricted. 21See how We have favoured some over others 'in this life', but the Next Life is far greater in ranks and in favours.
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلۡنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصۡلَىٰهَا مَذۡمُومٗا مَّدۡحُورٗا 18وَمَنۡ أَرَادَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعۡيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٞ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعۡيُهُم مَّشۡكُورٗا 19كُلّٗا نُّمِدُّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنۡ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَۚ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحۡظُورًا 20ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ فَضَّلۡنَا بَعۡضَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖۚ وَلَلۡأٓخِرَةُ أَكۡبَرُ دَرَجَٰتٖ وَأَكۡبَرُ تَفۡضِيل21
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Quran always reminds us of the rights of Allah and the rights of the people upon us. Verses 22-37 teach us that:
• We should worship Allah alone, making none equal to Him.
• We should take good care of our parents, especially in their old age.
• We should be nice to people, even if we can't help them with money.
• We should stay away from illegal relations, stealing, and cheating.
• We should honour our promises.
• We shouldn't harm others physically, financially, or emotionally.
• We shouldn't spend too much or too little.
• We shouldn't act ignorantly.
• We shouldn't be arrogant.
SIDE STORY
This is a story of a very old man who was sitting with his son in the backyard. His son was on his phone the whole time. Suddenly, a little bird landed on a branch in front of them. The old man asked his son, "What is this?" His son took a quick look at it and replied, "A bird," with his eyes fixed on his phone. A few seconds later, the father asked the same question. His son answered, "It's a bird." It was clear from the son's voice that he was getting annoyed. A minute later, when the father repeated the same question for the 3rd time, his son exploded, "I told you it's a bird. Why do you keep asking me the same question?"
The father stood up and went inside the house. A few minutes later, he came back with an old diary. He opened it and pointed to a section from 1975 and told his son to read it out loud. His son put his phone down and started to read: "Today is my son's 3rd birthday. We spent time playing in the backyard. When he saw a little bird, he asked me 20 times what it was and all 20 times I answered that it was a bird. I hugged him every single time he asked, never getting annoyed. I hope he will treat me the same way when I'm older." His son became emotional and realized his mistake. He hugged his dad and apologized for his ungrateful attitude.
RULES SET BY ALLAH
22Do not set up any other god with Allah, or you will end up disgraced and aban-doned in Hell 23because your Lord has commanded that you worship none except Him. And take good care of your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them even 'ugh' or yell at them. Rather, speak to them with respect. 24And be gentle with them out of mercy, and pray, 'My Lord! Be merciful to them as they raised me when I was young.' 25Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts. If you are good, He is truly Forgiving to those who 'always' turn to Him. 26Give to close rel-atives their right,' as well as the poor and the 'needy' travellers. And do not waste. 27Surely those who waste are like' brothers to the devils. And the Devil is al-ways ungrateful to his Lord. 28Butif you have to turn them down 'because you have nothing to give'while expecting to receive something from your Lord-then 'at least' give them a kind word. 29Do not spend too little, because you will be blamed; or too much, because Y you will end up in poverty. 30Your Lord certainly gives generous or limited re-sources to whoever He wants. Surely He fully knows and sees His servants. 31Do not kill your children, fearing poverty. We provide for them and for you. Surely killing them is a horrible sin. 32Do not come anywhere close to illegal relation-ships. It is truly a shameful practice and an evil way. 33Do not take a 'human' Hfe protected by Allah, except with le-gal right. If anyone is killed unjustly, J We have given their closest relatives the authority, but do not let them go too far with revenge, because they are already supported 'by law'. 34Do not come near the wealth of orphans-unless you want to improve it-until they mature. And honour 'your' pledges; you will certainly be accountable for them. 35Give the full amount when you measure, and weigh with an even scale. That is fairer and bet-ter in the end. 36Do not follow what you do not know. Everyone will definitely be accountable for their ability to see, hear, and think. 37And do not walk on the earth arrogantly; you cannot crack the earth 'with your feet' or stretch yourself to the height of the mountains. 38Breaking any of these rules is hated by your Lord. 39This is part of the wisdom which your Lord has revealed to you 'O Proph-et. Again, do not set up any god with Allah, or you will be thrown into Hell, blamed and rejected.
لَّا تَجۡعَلۡ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَذۡمُومٗا مَّخۡذُولٗا 22وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَٰنًاۚ إِمَّا يَبۡلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلۡكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوۡ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفّٖ وَلَا تَنۡهَرۡهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوۡلٗا كَرِيمٗا 23وَٱخۡفِضۡ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحۡمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرۡحَمۡهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرٗا 24رَّبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمۡۚ إِن تَكُونُواْ صَٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِلۡأَوَّٰبِينَ غَفُورٗا 25وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلۡمِسۡكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرۡ تَبۡذِيرًا 26إِنَّ ٱلۡمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓاْ إِخۡوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورٗا 27وَإِمَّا تُعۡرِضَنَّ عَنۡهُمُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ رَحۡمَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرۡجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمۡ قَوۡلٗا مَّيۡسُورٗا 28وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ يَدَكَ مَغۡلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبۡسُطۡهَا كُلَّ ٱلۡبَسۡطِ فَتَقۡعُدَ مَلُومٗا مَّحۡسُورًا 29إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبۡسُطُ ٱلرِّزۡقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرٗا 30وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَوۡلَٰدَكُمۡ خَشۡيَةَ إِمۡلَٰقٖۖ نَّحۡنُ نَرۡزُقُهُمۡ وَإِيَّاكُمۡۚ إِنَّ قَتۡلَهُمۡ كَانَ خِطۡٔٗا كَبِيرٗا 31وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةٗ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلٗ 32وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظۡلُومٗا فَقَدۡ جَعَلۡنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا فَلَا يُسۡرِف فِّي ٱلۡقَتۡلِۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورٗا 33وَلَا تَقۡرَبُواْ مَالَ ٱلۡيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبۡلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥۚ وَأَوۡفُواْ بِٱلۡعَهۡدِۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَهۡدَ كَانَ مَسُۡٔولٗا 34وَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ إِذَا كِلۡتُمۡ وَزِنُواْ بِٱلۡقِسۡطَاسِ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمِۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٞ وَأَحۡسَنُ تَأۡوِيل 35وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡبَصَرَ وَٱلۡفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنۡهُ مَسُۡٔولٗ 36وَلَا تَمۡشِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخۡرِقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَلَن تَبۡلُغَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ طُولٗا 37كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ كَانَ سَيِّئُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّكَ مَكۡرُوهٗا 38ذَٰلِكَ مِمَّآ أَوۡحَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ رَبُّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡحِكۡمَةِۗ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتُلۡقَىٰ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومٗا مَّدۡحُورًا39
BACKGROUND STORY
Many idol-worshippers valued sons more than daughters. Some even killed their daughters at a young age. Yet, according to verse 40, some of them claimed that the angels were the daughters of Allah. Even though males and females are equal in the eyes of Allah, this claim is offensive because 1) Allah does not have children in the first place, and 2) because the idol-worshippers made up daughters for Allah when they wanted sons for themselves. {Imam Ibn Kathir}
FALSE CLAIM
40Has your Lord favoured you 'idol-worshippers' with sons and taken angels as 'His' daughters? You are truly making a horrible claim. 41We have certainly ex-plained things in different ways in this Quran so perhaps they will learn the les-son, but it only drives them farther away.
أَفَأَصۡفَىٰكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱتَّخَذَ مِنَ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنَٰثًاۚ إِنَّكُمۡ لَتَقُولُونَ قَوۡلًا عَظِيمٗا 40وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَا فِي هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمۡ إِلَّا نُفُورٗا41
ADVICE TO THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
42Say, 'O Prophet,' 'If there were other gods besides Him-as they claimthen those gods would have definitely tried to find a way to 'challenge' the Lord of the Throne.' 43He is greatly praised and honoured high above what they claim. 44The seven heavens, the earth, and ev-eryone in them praise Him. There is not a single thing that does not praise His glo-ry-but you simply cannot understand their praise. He is truly full of patience and forgiveness.
قُل لَّوۡ كَانَ مَعَهُۥٓ ءَالِهَةٞ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذٗا لَّٱبۡتَغَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ذِي ٱلۡعَرۡشِ سَبِيلٗا 42سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوّٗا كَبِيرٗا 43تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ ٱلسَّبۡعُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّۚ وَإِن مِّن شَيۡءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفۡقَهُونَ تَسۡبِيحَهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورٗا44
MAKKANS MOCK THE QURAN
45When you 'O Prophet' recite the Qu-ran, We put a hidden barrier between you and those who do not believe in the Next Life. 46We have covered their hearts-making them unable to understand it-and blocked their ears. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they turn their backs and run away. 47We know best how they listen to your recita-tion and what they say privately-when those doing wrong say, 'You would just be following a man under a spell.' 48See what names they call you 'O Prophet'!? They have strayed so far that they cannot find the 'Right' Way.
وَإِذَا قَرَأۡتَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ جَعَلۡنَا بَيۡنَكَ وَبَيۡنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ حِجَابٗا مَّسۡتُورٗا 45وَجَعَلۡنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفۡقَهُوهُ وَفِيٓ ءَاذَانِهِمۡ وَقۡرٗاۚ وَإِذَا ذَكَرۡتَ رَبَّكَ فِي ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ وَحۡدَهُۥ وَلَّوۡاْ عَلَىٰٓ أَدۡبَٰرِهِمۡ نُفُورٗا 46نَّحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَسۡتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذۡ يَسۡتَمِعُونَ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِذۡ هُمۡ نَجۡوَىٰٓ إِذۡ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلٗا مَّسۡحُورًا 47ٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبُواْ لَكَ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ فَضَلُّواْ فَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلٗا48
Verse 48: They rejected you as a magician, a poet, and a crazy man.
LIFE AFTER DEATH
49And they say 'mockingly', 'What! When we are turned into bones and ashes, will we really be raised back to life again?' 50Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Yes, even if you become stones, or iron,' 51Or what-ever you think is harder to bring to life!' Then they will ask 'you', 'Who will bring us back 'to life'?' Say, 'The One Who cre-ated you the first time' They will then hake their heads at you and ask, 'When will that be?' Say, 'Perhaps it is soon!' 52On the Day He will call you, you will 'immediately' respond by praising Him, thinking you had stayed 'in the world only for a little while.
وَقَالُوٓاْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمٗا وَرُفَٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ خَلۡقٗا جَدِيدٗا 49قُلۡ كُونُواْ حِجَارَةً أَوۡ حَدِيدًا 50أَوۡ خَلۡقٗا مِّمَّا يَكۡبُرُ فِي صُدُورِكُمۡۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ مَن يُعِيدُنَاۖ قُلِ ٱلَّذِي فَطَرَكُمۡ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٖۚ فَسَيُنۡغِضُونَ إِلَيۡكَ رُءُوسَهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هُوَۖ قُلۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَرِيبٗا 51يَوۡمَ يَدۡعُوكُمۡ فَتَسۡتَجِيبُونَ بِحَمۡدِهِۦ وَتَظُنُّونَ إِن لَّبِثۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا52
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
53Tell My 'believing' servants to say only what is best. Satan certainly tries to cre-ate conflict between them. Satan is truly a clear enemy to humankind.
وَقُل لِّعِبَادِي يَقُولُواْ ٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلۡإِنسَٰنِ عَدُوّٗا مُّبِينٗا53
INVITATION TO THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
54Your Lord knows you best. He may have mercy on you if He wants, or punish you if He wants. We have not sent you 'O Prophet' as a keeper over them. 55Your Lord knows best everyone in the heav-ens and the earth. And We have surely favoured some prophets above others, and We gave the Zabur to Dawood.
رَّبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِكُمۡۖ إِن يَشَأۡ يَرۡحَمۡكُمۡ أَوۡ إِن يَشَأۡ يُعَذِّبۡكُمۡۚ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَكِيلٗا 54٥٤ وَرَبُّكَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَلَقَدۡ فَضَّلۡنَا بَعۡضَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖۖ وَءَاتَيۡنَا دَاوُۥدَ زَبُورٗا55
OTHER GODS BESIDES ALLAH?
56Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Call upon those you claim 'to be holy' besides Himthey do not have the power to undo harm from you or turn it away. 57Even the ones they call upon are themselves seeking their Lord, trying to be the closest to Him, hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment. Surely, your Lord's pun-ishment is something to be feared.
قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ كَشۡفَ ٱلضُّرِّ عَنكُمۡ وَلَا تَحۡوِيلًا 56أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ يَبۡتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّهُمۡ أَقۡرَبُ وَيَرۡجُونَ رَحۡمَتَهُۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُۥٓۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحۡذُورٗا57
BACKGROUND STORY
The idol-worshippers always demanded ridiculous things just to try to prove the Prophet (ﷺ) wrong and make fun of him. At one point, they challenged him to turn Mount Safa into gold and to push Makkah's mountains away so they could have more land to farm. So Allah inspired him: "If you want, they will be given extra time. Or if you want, We can give them what they have demanded. But if they still deny, they will be totally destroyed like those before them." The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, "I'd rather give them more time." So verses 58-59 were revealed. {Imam Ahmad}
MIRACLES ALWAYS DENIED
58There is no 'wicked' society that We will not destroy or hit with a severe pun-ishment before Judgment Day. That is written in the Book. 59Nothing keeps Us from sending the signs the Makkans demanded' except the fact that they had already been denied by earlier peoples. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign, but they did wrong by 'harm-ing' her. We only send the signs as a warning.
وَإِن مِّن قَرۡيَةٍ إِلَّا نَحۡنُ مُهۡلِكُوهَا قَبۡلَ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ أَوۡ مُعَذِّبُوهَا عَذَابٗا شَدِيدٗاۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ مَسۡطُورٗا 58وَمَا مَنَعَنَآ أَن نُّرۡسِلَ بِٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ إِلَّآ أَن كَذَّبَ بِهَا ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَۚ وَءَاتَيۡنَا ثَمُودَ ٱلنَّاقَةَ مُبۡصِرَةٗ فَظَلَمُواْ بِهَاۚ وَمَا نُرۡسِلُ بِٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ إِلَّا تَخۡوِيفٗا59
SIGNS AS A TEST
60And 'remember, O Prophet' when We told you, 'Surely your Lord has everyone under His control.' And We have made the sights We showed you as well as the cursed tree mentioned' in the Quran ¹⁰ only as a test for 'your' people. We keep warning them, but it only makes them far more stubborn.
وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِٱلنَّاسِۚ وَمَا جَعَلۡنَا ٱلرُّءۡيَا ٱلَّتِيٓ أَرَيۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلنَّاسِ وَٱلشَّجَرَةَ ٱلۡمَلۡعُونَةَ فِي ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِۚ وَنُخَوِّفُهُمۡ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمۡ إِلَّا طُغۡيَٰنٗا كَبِيرٗا60
Verse 60: During the Night Journey mentioned at the beginning of this surah.
SATAN'S ARROGANCE
61And 'remember' when We said to the angels, 'Bow down to Adam,' so they all did-but not Iblis, who protested, 'How can I bow down to someone You creat-ed from mud?' 62He added, 'Do you see this one you honoured above me? If you delay my end until Judgment Day, I will certainly take full control of his children, except for a few.!' 63Allah responded, 'Go then! Whoever of them follows you, you all will definitely end up in Jahannam, to be paid back in full. 64And encourage whoever you can of them with your voice, rally your horse and foot soldiers against them, manipulate them in their wealth and children, and make them promises.' But Satan promises them nothing exXcept illusion. 65'Allah added,' 'You will truly have no authority over My faithful' ser-vants.' And your Lord is enough as a Pro-tector.
وَإِذۡ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأٓدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ قَالَ ءَأَسۡجُدُ لِمَنۡ خَلَقۡتَ طِينٗا 61قَالَ أَرَءَيۡتَكَ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِي كَرَّمۡتَ عَلَيَّ لَئِنۡ أَخَّرۡتَنِ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ لَأَحۡتَنِكَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا 62قَالَ ٱذۡهَبۡ فَمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنۡهُمۡ فَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ جَزَآؤُكُمۡ جَزَآءٗ مَّوۡفُورٗا 63وَٱسۡتَفۡزِزۡ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡتَ مِنۡهُم بِصَوۡتِكَ وَأَجۡلِبۡ عَلَيۡهِم بِخَيۡلِكَ وَرَجِلِكَ وَشَارِكۡهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡوَٰلِ وَٱلۡأَوۡلَٰدِ وَعِدۡهُمۡۚ وَمَا يَعِدُهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا 64إِنَّ عِبَادِي لَيۡسَ لَكَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ سُلۡطَٰنٞۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ وَكِيلٗا65
UNGRATEFUL HUMANS
66Your Lord is the One Who steers the ships for you through the sea so that you can seek His blessings. Surely He is always Merciful to you. 67When you go through a difficult time in the sea, you 'totally' forget all those 'gods' you 'nor-mally' call upon, except Him. But when He brings you 'safely' to shore, you turn away. Humankind is truly ungrateful. 68Do you feel safe that He will not cause the land to swallow you up or send against you a storm of stones? And then you will find none to protect you. 69Or do you feel safe that He will not send you back to sea once again and unleash upon you a violent storm, drowning you for being so ungrateful? And then you will find none to take revenge for you against Us. 70Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, given them good resources, and favoured them far above many of Our creation.
رَّبُّكُمُ ٱلَّذِي يُزۡجِي لَكُمُ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ لِتَبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِكُمۡ رَحِيمٗا 66وَإِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فِي ٱلۡبَحۡرِ ضَلَّ مَن تَدۡعُونَ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُۖ فَلَمَّا نَجَّىٰكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡبَرِّ أَعۡرَضۡتُمۡۚ وَكَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ كَفُورًا 67أَفَأَمِنتُمۡ أَن يَخۡسِفَ بِكُمۡ جَانِبَ ٱلۡبَرِّ أَوۡ يُرۡسِلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ حَاصِبٗا ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُواْ لَكُمۡ وَكِيلًا 68أَمۡ أَمِنتُمۡ أَن يُعِيدَكُمۡ فِيهِ تَارَةً أُخۡرَىٰ فَيُرۡسِلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ قَاصِفٗا مِّنَ ٱلرِّيحِ فَيُغۡرِقَكُم بِمَا كَفَرۡتُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُواْ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡنَا بِهِۦ تَبِيعٗا 69وَلَقَدۡ كَرَّمۡنَا بَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ وَحَمَلۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِ وَرَزَقۡنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَفَضَّلۡنَٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٖ مِّمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَا تَفۡضِيل70
THE BOOK OF DEEDS
71Watch for' the Day We will call ev-ery people 'for judgment', along with their leader'' So those given their book of deeds in their right hand will read it 'happily' and will not be wronged even one tiny bit. 72But those blind 'to the truth' here will be blind in the Next Life and even farther away from the Right' Way.
يَوۡمَ نَدۡعُواْ كُلَّ أُنَاسِۢ بِإِمَٰمِهِمۡۖ فَمَنۡ أُوتِيَ كِتَٰبَهُۥ بِيَمِينِهِۦ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يَقۡرَءُونَ كِتَٰبَهُمۡ وَلَا يُظۡلَمُونَ فَتِيل 71وَمَن كَانَ فِي هَٰذِهِۦٓ أَعۡمَىٰ فَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ أَعۡمَىٰ وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلٗا72
BACKGROUND STORY
Just like the people of Pharaoh, the idol-worshippers tried to stop the Prophet (ﷺ) and his followers from practicing and inviting others to Islam. They tried to bribe the Prophet (ﷺ) with wealth and authority. But when he refused to give up his mission, they started bullying him and his companions. This is why verses 73-77 were revealed to support the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Muslim community. {Imam Al-Qurtubi}
WORDS OF WISDOM
Bullying exists in all times and places and unfortunately affects more people than you think. According to BullyingCanada.ca, almost half of Canadian parents report having a child who is a victim of bullying. There have even been cases where someone was bullied while it was live-streamed on social media. These are the most common forms of bullying:
Verbal bullying: name-calling, spreading rumours, threatening, making negative comments about one's culture, race, religion, etc. Social bullying: excluding someone from a group, humiliating them, putting them down publicly, etc. Physical bullying: hitting, shoving, destroying or stealing their belongings, etc. Cyber-bullying: using the internet or text messaging to threaten, spread rumours, or make fun of someone.
Generally, bullies use force against others and are not interested in dialogue. But why would someone bully others? These are some of the reasons: A bully may be desperate for attention. They may be jealous of someone who they see as better than themselves. A bully might have been bullied by others so now they try to take it out on someone else. Bullies may come from broken families with history of domestic violence and abuse. Some bullies may have been impacted by the violence they see in games and movies. A bully may have mental health issues and may not have been taught appropriate ways to manage difficult emotions.
What happens when someone is bullied? Bullying may lead to: Isolation. Loss of confidence. Identity issues. Not doing well at school. Depression. Self-harm.
What needs to be done to stop bullying? It's important for parents to talk to their children to understand how things are at school. If you have been bullied, you need to talk to your parents and teachers for support. Learning self-defence is a good idea and a lifelong skill, for both boys and girls.
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
73Those idol-worshippers thought they' were about to distract you from what We have revealed to you, hoping that you would make up something that We did not say. And then they would have defi-nitely taken you as a close friend. 74If We did not make you stand your ground, you probably would have been flexible with them. 75And then We definitely would have made you taste double punishment both in this life and after death, and you would have found no one to help you against Us. 76They were about to bully you into leaving the land of Makkah:. But then they would not have survived after you left' except for a little bit.1? 77'This has been' Our way with the mes-sengers We sent before you. And you will never find any change in Our way.
وَإِن كَادُواْ لَيَفۡتِنُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ لِتَفۡتَرِيَ عَلَيۡنَا غَيۡرَهُۥۖ وَإِذٗا لَّٱتَّخَذُوكَ خَلِيل 73وَلَوۡلَآ أَن ثَبَّتۡنَٰكَ لَقَدۡ كِدتَّ تَرۡكَنُ إِلَيۡهِمۡ شَيۡٔٗا قَلِيلًا 74إِذٗا لَّأَذَقۡنَٰكَ ضِعۡفَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ وَضِعۡفَ ٱلۡمَمَاتِ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُ لَكَ عَلَيۡنَا نَصِيرٗا 75وَإِن كَادُواْ لَيَسۡتَفِزُّونَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لِيُخۡرِجُوكَ مِنۡهَاۖ وَإِذٗا لَّا يَلۡبَثُونَ خِلَٰفَكَ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗ 76سُنَّةَ مَن قَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ مِن رُّسُلِنَاۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ لِسُنَّتِنَا تَحۡوِيلًا77
Verse 76: The text for this footnote is not available in the provided document.
SIDE STORY
Anas ibn Malik (R.A.) used to cry every time the victory of Tustur was mentioned. Tustur was a city in Persia, which the Muslims tried to conquer for one and a half years. The Muslim army was made up of 30,000 soldiers fighting against 150,000 Persians. One night after 18 months, a battle broke out and the Muslims were able to win just after sunrise, only to realize that they had missed Fajr salah. Anas (R.A.) started to cry because he missed his Fajr prayer for the first time in his life. Even though the Muslim army had a strong excuse because they were in the middle of a very difficult battle, Anas (R.A.) used to say, "What is the point of winning Tustur but losing Fajr?"
SIDE STORY
In his famous book, 'First Things First,' Dr. Stephen Covey mentions the story of a teacher who once entered the classroom with a jar, rocks, pebbles, and sand. The students were curious to see what he was up to. First, he started putting the rocks inside the jar until he couldn't add any more. He asked the students if the jar was full and everybody said yes. He then added the pebbles in the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asked if the jar was full and they said yes. Finally, he poured the sand inside the jar, which fit through the little gaps between the rocks and the pebbles.
The teacher explained that this is how we should set our priorities in life. The rocks represent our relationship with Allah, the pebbles represent other important things like family, friends, school, and work, while the sand represents less important things like screen time. If you fill up the jar with sand first, there will be no space left for the pebbles or the rocks.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verse 78 talks about salah, which is a very important act of worship. The verse lists the times of the 5 daily prayers: The 'time the sun tilts' refers to both Zuhr and 'Asr. The 'darkness of the night' refers to both Maghrib and 'Isha. The 'Fajr salah' refers to the early morning prayer, which is witnessed by angels.
We know that Allah created us to worship Him and give Him thanks. Salah is one of the best ways to do that. Each prayer only takes a few minutes to perform, and yet many Muslims fail to pray. What will they say to Allah on Judgment Day? What excuses do they really have? It's our responsibility to pray on time and encourage others to do the same.
MORE ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
78Pray salah from the time the sun tilts in the afternoon until the darkness of the night and also at Fajr. Surely the rec-itation at Fajr is witnessed 'by angels'. 79And rise at 'the last' part of the night, offering extra prayers, trusting that your Lord will raise you to a Station of Praise.l3 80And say, 'My Lord! Let me enter in a good way and exit in a good way,' and support me with 'a mighty' authority from You. 81And declare, 'The truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Sure-ly, falsehood is doomed to vanish.'
أَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِدُلُوكِ ٱلشَّمۡسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَقُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِۖ إِنَّ قُرۡءَانَ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ كَانَ مَشۡهُودٗا 78وَمِنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ فَتَهَجَّدۡ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةٗ لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبۡعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامٗا مَّحۡمُودٗا 79وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدۡخِلۡنِي مُدۡخَلَ صِدۡقٖ وَأَخۡرِجۡنِي مُخۡرَجَ صِدۡقٖ وَٱجۡعَل لِّي مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلۡطَٰنٗا نَّصِيرٗا 80وَقُلۡ جَآءَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ ٱلۡبَٰطِلُۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡبَٰطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقٗا81
THE QURAN FOR HEALING
82We send down the Quran as a source of healing and mercy for the believers. As for those doing wrong, it only adds to their loss.
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٞ وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارٗا82
UNGRATEFUL HUMANS
83When We shower someone with bless-ings, they turn away, acting arrogantly. But when something bad happens to them, they lose all hope. 84Say, 'O Proph-et,' 'Everyone acts in their own way. But your Lord knows best who follows the right way.'
وَإِذَآ أَنۡعَمۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡإِنسَٰنِ أَعۡرَضَ وَنََٔا بِجَانِبِهِۦ وَإِذَا مَسَّهُ ٱلشَّرُّ كَانَ ئَُوسٗا 83قُلۡ كُلّٞ يَعۡمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمۡ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنۡ هُوَ أَهۡدَىٰ سَبِيلٗ84
BACKGROUND STORY
'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (R.A.) said that one day he was walking with the Prophet (ﷺ) when they passed by a group of Jews. They asked him about the soul, so verse 85 was revealed. The verse says that no one knows the true nature of the soul except Allah. {Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim}
WORDS OF WISDOM
The soul is blown into every human being while they are still inside their mother, which causes them to come to life. When the soul leaves the body, the person dies. To better understand this concept, think of your body as a phone and your soul as the charge. Once the battery dies, the phone dies. No one knows what the soul looks like. Only Allah knows all the details about it.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Every human being is formed as a human seed inside their mother for 40 days, then develops into something hanging in the womb for a similar period, then a clot for a similar period, then Allah sends an angel to blow the soul into the baby. The angel is ordered to write 4 things about that baby: 1. How long they will live (ajal). 2. What they will do ('amal). 3. What they will earn and the resources they will have (rizq). 4. Whether they will be happy or miserable in the Next Life." {Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim}
QUESTION ABOUT THE SOUL
85They ask you 'O Prophet' about the soul. Tell them. 'Its nature is known only to my Lord, but you have only been given little knowledge.'
وَيَسَۡٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّي وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ إِلَّا قَلِيل85
THE QURAN AS A FAVOUR
86If We wanted, We could have easily taken away what We revealed to you 'O Prophet', then you would find none to guarantee its return from Us. 87Butit has been kept with you by' your Lord's mer-cy. Surely, His favour upon you is huge.
وَلَئِن شِئۡنَا لَنَذۡهَبَنَّ بِٱلَّذِيٓ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ ثُمَّ لَا تَجِدُ لَكَ بِهِۦ عَلَيۡنَا وَكِيلًا 86إِلَّا رَحۡمَةٗ مِّن رَّبِّكَۚ إِنَّ فَضۡلَهُۥ كَانَ عَلَيۡكَ كَبِيرٗا87
THE QURAN CHALLENGE
88Say, 0 Prophet, 'If all humans and jinn came together to make something similar to this Quran, they could never do it, no matter how much they helped each other.'
قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجۡتَمَعَتِ ٱلۡإِنسُ وَٱلۡجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتُواْ بِمِثۡلِ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لَا يَأۡتُونَ بِمِثۡلِهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ لِبَعۡضٖ ظَهِيرٗا88
MEANINGLESS DEMANDS
89We have already given every 'kind of lesson for humanity in this Quran, but most people just keep denying. 90They demand: 'We will never believe in you until you cause a spring to gush out of the earth for us, 91Or until you have a garden of date trees and grapes, and cause rivers to floW all over, 92or cause the sky to fall upon us in pieces, as you have claimed, or bring Allah and the angels in front of us, face-to-face, 93Or until you have a house of gold, or you climb up into heaven-and even then we will not believe you actually did it until you bring down to us a book that we can read.' Say, 'Good Lord! Am I not just a human messenger?'
وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَا لِلنَّاسِ فِي هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٖ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَكۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا كُفُورٗا 89وَقَالُواْ لَن نُّؤۡمِنَ لَكَ حَتَّىٰ تَفۡجُرَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ يَنۢبُوعًا 90أَوۡ تَكُونَ لَكَ جَنَّةٞ مِّن نَّخِيلٖ وَعِنَبٖ فَتُفَجِّرَ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرَ خِلَٰلَهَا تَفۡجِيرًا 91أَوۡ تُسۡقِطَ ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَمَا زَعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡنَا كِسَفًا أَوۡ تَأۡتِيَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ قَبِيلًا 92أَوۡ يَكُونَ لَكَ بَيۡتٞ مِّن زُخۡرُفٍ أَوۡ تَرۡقَىٰ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَن نُّؤۡمِنَ لِرُقِيِّكَ حَتَّىٰ تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيۡنَا كِتَٰبٗا نَّقۡرَؤُهُۥۗ قُلۡ سُبۡحَانَ رَبِّي هَلۡ كُنتُ إِلَّا بَشَرٗا رَّسُولٗا93
DEMANDING AN ANGEL-MESSENGER?
94Nothing has prevented people from believing when guidance comes to them except their argument: 'Has Allah really sent a human as a messenger?' 95Say, 'O Prophet,' 'If the earth was full of an-gels that walked all over, feeling at home, We would have definitely sent down for them an angel from heaven as their messenger.' 96Say, 'Allah is enough as a Witness between me and you. Surely He fully knows and sees His servants.'
وَمَا مَنَعَ ٱلنَّاسَ أَن يُؤۡمِنُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓاْ أَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ بَشَرٗا رَّسُولٗا 94قُل لَّوۡ كَانَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَلَٰٓئِكَةٞ يَمۡشُونَ مُطۡمَئِنِّينَ لَنَزَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَلَكٗا رَّسُولٗا 95قُلۡ كَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدَۢا بَيۡنِي وَبَيۡنَكُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرَۢا بَصِيرٗا96
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
97Whoever Allah guides is truly guided. But whoever He leaves to stray, you will find no protectors for them besides Him. On Judgment Day, We will drag them on their faces-deaf, mute, and blind. Jah-annam will be their home. Whenever it dies down, We will flare it up for them. 98That is their punishment for reject-ing Our signs and asking 'mockingly' 'What! When we are turned into bones and ashes, will we really be raised back to life again?' 99Have they not realized that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, can easily re-create them? He has 'already' set for them a time, about which there is no doubt. But those doing Wrong just keep denying. 100Tell them 'O Prophet', 'Even if you were in charge of the 'infinite' treasures of my Lord's mer-cy, then you would definitely hold 'them' back, fearing they would run out. Hu-mankind hates sharing!'
وَمَن يَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِۖ وَمَن يُضۡلِلۡ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِهِۦۖ وَنَحۡشُرُهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ عَلَىٰ وُجُوهِهِمۡ عُمۡيٗا وَبُكۡمٗا وَصُمّٗاۖ مَّأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ كُلَّمَا خَبَتۡ زِدۡنَٰهُمۡ سَعِيرٗا 97ذَٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَفَرُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالُوٓاْ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمٗا وَرُفَٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ خَلۡقٗا جَدِيدًا 98أَوَ لَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ قَادِرٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخۡلُقَ مِثۡلَهُمۡ وَجَعَلَ لَهُمۡ أَجَلٗا لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ فَأَبَى ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ إِلَّا كُفُورٗا 99قُل لَّوۡ أَنتُمۡ تَمۡلِكُونَ خَزَآئِنَ رَحۡمَةِ رَبِّيٓ إِذٗا لَّأَمۡسَكۡتُمۡ خَشۡيَةَ ٱلۡإِنفَاقِۚ وَكَانَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ قَتُورٗا100
WORDS OF WISDOM
Allah gave Musa (A.S.) 9 signs to prove to Pharaoh and his people that he was really a prophet. As mentioned in 20:17-22 and 7:130-133, the 9 signs are:
1. The staff, which he used to defeat the magicians. He also used it to split the sea and cause water to gush out of a rock for his people to drink. 2. His dark-skinned hand, which he put under his armpit and it became bright. When he put it back, it changed to its original colour.
3. Lack of rain. 4. Years of starvation. 5. Floods.
6. Locusts that swarmed their crops. 7. Lice that attacked them. 8. Frogs that took over their homes. 9. All liquids turned into blood.
PHARAOH CHALLENGES MUSA
101We surely gave Musa nine clear signs. 'You, O Prophet, can' ask the Children of Isra'il. When Musa came to them, Pha-raoh said to him, 'I really think that you, O Musa, are under a spell.!' 102Musa re-plied, 'You know very well that none has sent these 'signs' except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as eye-openers. And I really think that you, O Pharaoh, are doomed.' 103So Pharaoh wanted to scare Musa's people out of the land of Egypt', but We drowned him and all of those with him. 104And We said to the Children of Isra'il after Pharaoh, 'Live in the land, but when the promise of the Next Life comes true, 15 We will bring you all together.'
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَىٰ تِسۡعَ ءَايَٰتِۢ بَيِّنَٰتٖۖ فَسَۡٔلۡ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ إِذۡ جَآءَهُمۡ فَقَالَ لَهُۥ فِرۡعَوۡنُ إِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَٰمُوسَىٰ مَسۡحُورٗا 101قَالَ لَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَ مَآ أَنزَلَ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِلَّا رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ بَصَآئِرَ وَإِنِّي لَأَظُنُّكَ يَٰفِرۡعَوۡنُ مَثۡبُورٗا 102فَأَرَادَ أَن يَسۡتَفِزَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ جَمِيعٗا 103وَقُلۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ لِبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱسۡكُنُواْ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعۡدُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ جِئۡنَا بِكُمۡ لَفِيفٗا104
Verse 104: This may also refer to the second warning mentioned in 17:7.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Why was the Quran revealed in parts, not all at once?" Allah revealed the Quran over 23 years for the following reasons:
1. To keep supporting the Prophet (ﷺ) through revelations over a long period of time.
2. To give the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions time to memorize and understand the new passages.
3. To make it easy for the community to apply the rulings one at a time.
4. To answer new questions or deal with certain situations.
5. To prove that the Quran is from Allah through the proofs that came in response to the arguments and demands of the idol-worshippers. 6. To prove that the Quran is consistent.
7. Some rulings were replaced by others when the Muslims were ready for change as we mentioned in Surah 16.
EXCELLENCE OF THE QURAN
105We have sent down the Quran in truth, and with the truth it has come down. We have sent you 'O Prophet' only as a giver of good news and a warner. 106It is' a Quran We have revealed in parts so that you can recite it to people slowly. And We have sent it down little by little. 107Say, 'O Prophet,' 'It is up to you to believe in this 'Quran' or not. As for those giv-en knowledge before it 'was revealed' 16 when it is recited to them, they fall upon their faces, bowing down, 108and say, 'Glory be to our Lord! Surely the promise of our Lord has come true' 109And they fall down upon their faces in tears, and it makes them more humble.'
وَبِٱلۡحَقِّ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ وَبِٱلۡحَقِّ نَزَلَۗ وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرٗا وَنَذِيرٗا 105وَقُرۡءَانٗا فَرَقۡنَٰهُ لِتَقۡرَأَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ مُكۡثٖ وَنَزَّلۡنَٰهُ تَنزِيلٗا 106قُلۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِهِۦٓ أَوۡ لَا تُؤۡمِنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمَ مِن قَبۡلِهِۦٓ إِذَا يُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ يَخِرُّونَۤ لِلۡأَذۡقَانِۤ سُجَّدٗاۤ 107وَيَقُولُونَ سُبۡحَٰنَ رَبِّنَآ إِن كَانَ وَعۡدُ رَبِّنَا لَمَفۡعُولٗا 108وَيَخِرُّونَ لِلۡأَذۡقَانِ يَبۡكُونَ وَيَزِيدُهُمۡ خُشُوعٗا ۩109
BACKGROUND STORY
The idol-worshippers criticized the Prophet (ﷺ) for praying to Allah, using some of His Beautiful Names such as Ar-Rahman ('the Most Kind'). They claimed that those Names referred to more than one god. Verse 110 came down to teach them that Allah has many Beautiful Names, including Ar-Rahman. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
BACKGROUND STORY
Many people called upon different objects of worship, including: Some Arabs who claimed that the angels were Allah's daughters, along with the Christians who claimed that 'Isa (Jesus) was the son of God. Some believed that Allah had partners (other gods equal to Him). Others worshipped useless idols made of wood and stone.
Verse 111 responds to all these claims by saying that: • Allah has no children. • Allah has no partners. • The idols are not real gods. It was also reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to teach verse 111 to his family members, both young and old. {Imam Ibn Kathir}
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
110Say, 'O Prophet, 'Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Kind-either way, He has the Most Beautiful Names' Do not recite too loudly or silently in your prayers, but keep it in between. 111And say, 'All praise is for Allah, Who has nev-er had any chíldren.' He has no partner in His kingdom. And He is not pathetic, n need of a protector.19 And honour Him greatly.'
قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱللَّهَ أَوِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنَۖ أَيّٗا مَّا تَدۡعُواْ فَلَهُ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَلَا تَجۡهَرۡ بِصَلَاتِكَ وَلَا تُخَافِتۡ بِهَا وَٱبۡتَغِ بَيۡنَ ذَٰلِكَ سَبِيل 110وَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي لَمۡ يَتَّخِذۡ وَلَدٗا وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ شَرِيكٞ فِي ٱلۡمُلۡكِ وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلِيّٞ مِّنَ ٱلذُّلِّۖ وَكَبِّرۡهُ تَكۡبِيرَۢا111
Verse 111: Like 'Isa according to many Christians and the angels according to some ancient Arab idol-worshippers.