The Family of 'Imran
Âli-'Imran
آلِ عِمران
LEARNING POINTS
The message of Islam was delivered by all prophets from Adam to Muhammad.
Allah sent revelations throughout history to guide different faith-communities.
The People of the Book are criticized for corrupting their own revelations and denying the prophethood of Muhammad.
Allah is our only Lord and Islam is the only religion acceptable to Him.
The stories of Maryam, Yahya, and 'Isa are mentioned, along with a challenge regarding the false beliefs about 'Isa and Ibrahim.
The pleasures of this life are nothing compared to the joys of Jannah.
Muslims should not take the enemies of their faith-community as trusted partners.
The second half of the surah focuses on the lessons to be learned from the Muslims' defeat at the Battle of Uhud.
Every community has good and bad people.
To be successful, Muslims should always obey Allah and His Prophet.
Tests are important because they distinguish between the faithful and the hypocrites.
The hypocrites are criticized for their actions and attitudes towards the Muslim community.
Everything happens according to Allah's plan.
Just like Surahs 1 and 2, this surah ends with a beautiful du'a made by the faithful.
REVELATION AS A SOURCE OF GUIDANCE
1Alif-Lam-Mim. 2Allah—there is no god that deserves worship except Him, the Living, Who takes care of everything. 3He has revealed the Book to you 'O Prophet' in truth, confirming what came before it. Just like He revealed the Tawrah and the Injil. 4Previously as a guide for people, and also revealed the Standard that tells right from wrong. Surely those who reject Allah's revelations will suffer a severe punishment. Allah is Almighty, capable of punishment.
الٓمٓ 1ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُ 2نَزَّلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ مُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَأَنزَلَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ 3مِن قَبۡلُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَأَنزَلَ ٱلۡفُرۡقَانَۗ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ شَدِيدٞۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٞ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍ4
Verse 4: the standard (Al-FURQAN)is one of the names of the queen
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verse 7 talks about the specific and complex verses of the Quran.
The specific verses, which make up most of the Quran, are clear, straightforward, and can be understood in one way. These verses deal mostly with basic beliefs and practices. This includes the verses that say: Allah is One, Muhammad is His Prophet, the Quran is a revelation from Allah, salah is a must, pork is haram, Judgment Day is true, the believers will be rewarded, the disbelievers will be punished, and so on.
In his tafsir, Imam Ibn Ashur gives 10 reasons why some verses may be considered complex. To keep it simple, complex verses are few and can be understood in different ways or their meaning is beyond our comprehension. For example, we don't know for sure what Alif-Lam-Mim means. According to the Quran, Allah has a Face, Hands, and Eyes, but these qualities are not like ours. In the same way, we have a life, knowledge, and power, but they are nothing compared to His eternal life, infinite knowledge, and supreme power. The Creator is not like His creation.
To give an example from our daily lives, we appreciate both smartphones and airplanes, even though we know how to use a phone but don't know how to fly a plane.
Verse 7 criticizes the unfaithful who use the complex verses to mislead others and spread doubts about the Quran. As for the faithful, they follow the specific verses and believe in the complex ones.
TRUE FAITH IN THE QURAN
5Indeed, nothing on earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah. 6He is the One Who shapes you in the wombs of your mothers as He wants. There is no god that deserves worship except Him—the Almighty and Wise. 7He is the One Who has revealed the Book to you 'O Prophet'. Some of its verses are specific—which make up most of the Book—while others are complex. Those with misguided hearts follow the complex verses just to spread doubts through their false understanding. But no one knows the full meaning of these verses except Allah. As for those with solid knowledge, they say, 'We believe in this Quran—it is all from our Lord.' But none will keep this in mind except those who truly understand. 8They also say, 'Our Lord! Do not let our hearts stray after You have guided us. Give us Your mercy. You are truly the Giver of all blessings.' 9Our Lord! You will certainly gather all people for the 'promised' Day—about which there is no doubt. Surely Allah does not break His promise.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَخۡفَىٰ عَلَيۡهِ شَيۡءٞ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ 5هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُصَوِّرُكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡحَامِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ 6هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَٰتٞ مُّحۡكَمَٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَٰبِهَٰتٞۖ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ زَيۡغٞ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ مَا تَشَٰبَهَ مِنۡهُ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ ٱلۡفِتۡنَةِ وَٱبۡتِغَآءَ تَأۡوِيلِهِۦۖ وَمَا يَعۡلَمُ تَأۡوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ يَقُولُونَ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ كُلّٞ مِّنۡ عِندِ رَبِّنَاۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّآ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ 7رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغۡ قُلُوبَنَا بَعۡدَ إِذۡ هَدَيۡتَنَا وَهَبۡ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحۡمَةًۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡوَهَّابُ 8رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ جَامِعُ ٱلنَّاسِ لِيَوۡمٖ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُخۡلِفُ ٱلۡمِيعَادَ9
WORDS OF WISDOM
Badr is the name of the place where the Muslim and Makkan armies fought in the 2nd year after Hijrah. The Muslim army was made up of 313 companions, whereas the Makkan army had over 1,000 soldiers. Before the battle, both armies saw each other as few in number, and this encouraged them to fight (8:44). During the battle, however, the idol-worshippers started to see the Muslims as twice their own number, causing them to lose courage and suffer defeat (3:13). (Imam Ibn Kathir)
According to Imam Ar-Razi, the Muslim victory at Badr was a clear sign (a miracle) because:
The Muslims were outnumbered 3-1.
It was the first time the Muslims fought under the leadership of the Prophet.
They just came to take the Makkan caravan, not to fight. So, they were not ready for battle. As for the Makkan soldiers, they came with all their weapons, ready to fight.
Still, the Muslims achieved a great victory over the Makkans.
FATE OF THE DENIERS
10Indeed, the disbelievers' wealth and children will not help them against Allah at all, and they will be the fuel for the Fire. 11Their fate will be like the people of Pharaoh and those before them—they all rejected Our signs, so Allah destroyed them for their sins. And Allah is severe in punishment. 12Tell the disbelievers, 'O Prophet! Soon you will be defeated and driven to Hell. What an evil place to rest!' 13There was already a 'clear' sign for you 'deniers' in the two armies that met in battle 'at Badr'—one fighting for the cause of Allah and the other denying the truth. They actually saw the believers twice their own number. Allah supports with His help whoever He wants. Surely in this is a lesson for those who are wise.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغۡنِيَ عَنۡهُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡٔٗاۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ وَقُودُ ٱلنَّارِ 10كَدَأۡبِ ءَالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ 11قُل لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَتُغۡلَبُونَ وَتُحۡشَرُونَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ 12قَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ ءَايَةٞ فِي فِئَتَيۡنِ ٱلۡتَقَتَاۖ فِئَةٞ تُقَٰتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُخۡرَىٰ كَافِرَةٞ يَرَوۡنَهُم مِّثۡلَيۡهِمۡ رَأۡيَ ٱلۡعَيۡنِۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصۡرِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبۡرَةٗ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرِ13
TEMPORARY PLEASURES OR ETERNAL REWARDS?
14People are attracted by their love for the things they desire, including women, children, treasures of gold and silver, fine horses, cattle, and farmland. These are 'just' the 'little' pleasures of this life, but with Allah is the greatest destination. 15Say, 'O Prophet! Shall I tell you about something much better than all of this? Those who keep Allah in mind will have Gardens with their Lord, under which rivers flow, to stay there forever, and pure wives, along with Allah's pleasure.' And Allah always sees 'His' servants. 16Those who pray, 'Our Lord! We have believed, so forgive our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.' 17They are the ones who are patient, sincere, obedient, charitable, and who pray for forgiveness in the last part of the night.
زُيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ حُبُّ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلۡبَنِينَ وَٱلۡقَنَٰطِيرِ ٱلۡمُقَنطَرَةِ مِنَ ٱلذَّهَبِ وَٱلۡفِضَّةِ وَٱلۡخَيۡلِ ٱلۡمُسَوَّمَةِ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ وَٱلۡحَرۡثِۗ ذَٰلِكَ مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلۡمََٔابِ 14قُلۡ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيۡرٖ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمۡۖ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ جَنَّٰتٞ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزۡوَٰجٞ مُّطَهَّرَةٞ وَرِضۡوَٰنٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ 15ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ 16ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلۡقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلۡمُنفِقِينَ وَٱلۡمُسۡتَغۡفِرِينَ بِٱلۡأَسۡحَارِ17
Verse 16: Optional prayers in the last part of the night are recommended and more likely to be accepted.
Verse 17: . Especially sons, because in the ancient Arab culture they provided for their families and defended their tribes.
ONE GOD & ONE WAY
18Allah Himself is a Witness that there is no god "that deserves worship' except Him-and so are the angels and people blessed with knowledge. He manages everything with justice. There is no god that deserves worship except Him, the Almighty and Wise. 19Indeed, Allah's only Way is Islam. Those who were given the Book started to differ, because of jealousy, only when knowledge came to them. Whoever denies Allah's revelations 'should know that Allah is truly quick in judgment. 20So, if they argue with you O Prophet', say, "I have submitted myself to Allah, along with my followers." And ask those who were given the Book and those with no Book,5 "Have you submitted yourselves 'to Allah'?" If they submit, they will be 'rightly' guided. But if they refuse, then your duty is only to deliver "the message'. And Allah always sees His' servants.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُوْلُواْ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ قَآئِمَۢا بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ 18إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمُۗ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡۗ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ 19فَإِنۡ حَآجُّوكَ فَقُلۡ أَسۡلَمۡتُ وَجۡهِيَ لِلَّهِ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِۗ وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡأُمِّيِّۧنَ ءَأَسۡلَمۡتُمۡۚ فَإِنۡ أَسۡلَمُواْ فَقَدِ ٱهۡتَدَواْۖ وَّإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَٰغُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ20
Verse 19: According to Al-Qurțubi, the Jews and Christians disagreed among themselves when they received the truth about Islam.
Verse 20: They were like the idol-worshippers.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "How come verse 21 calls the painful punishment 'good news'?" This sarcastic style is common in the Quran and is used with those who take Allah's laws lightly, make fun of the truth, and then feel good about themselves.
So, Allah pays them back by telling them: if you think what you are doing is 'great', then this is the 'great' punishment I have for you!
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
21Indeed, those who deny Allah's signs, kill the prophets with no right, and kill people who call for justice-give them good news of a painful punishment. 22They are the ones whose deeds are wasted in this life and the Next. And they will have no helpers. 23Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Book?6 Yet when they are invited to the Book of Allah to judge between them, some of them turn away carelessly. 24This is because they say, "The Fire will not touch us except for a few days." They have been deceived in their faith by their own lies. 25But how 'horrible' will it be when We gather them for the Day-about which there is no doubt-when every soul will be fully paid back for what it has done. None will be treated unfairly!
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ بِغَيۡرِ حَقّٖ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فَبَشِّرۡهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ 21أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ 22أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ يُدۡعَوۡنَ إِلَىٰ كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَلَّىٰ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ 23ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَالُواْ لَن تَمَسَّنَا ٱلنَّارُ إِلَّآ أَيَّامٗا مَّعۡدُودَٰتٖۖ وَغَرَّهُمۡ فِي دِينِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ 24فَكَيۡفَ إِذَا جَمَعۡنَٰهُمۡ لِيَوۡمٖ لَّا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ وَوُفِّيَتۡ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّا كَسَبَتۡ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ25
Verse 25: * The Tawrah.
ALLAH'S INFINITE POWER
26Say, "O Prophet, "O Allah! Master of all authority! You give authority to whoever You want and remove it from whoever You want. You honour whoever You want and disgrace whoever You want. All good is in Your Hands. Surely You have power over all things. 27You enter the night into the day and the day into the night. You bring the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living.' And You provide for whoever You will without limit"
قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَٰلِكَ ٱلۡمُلۡكِ تُؤۡتِي ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلۡخَيۡرُۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ 26تُولِجُ ٱلَّيۡلَ فِي ٱلنَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِي ٱلَّيۡلِۖ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَيَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَتُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَيِّۖ وَتَرۡزُقُ مَن تَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٖ27
Verse 27: allah is able to ring plants out of seeds and seeds out of plants chicken out of egg and egg out of chicken be lievers out of disbeliever such as ibrahim and his father and disbelievers out of believers such as nuh and his son and so on
ADVICE TO THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
28Believers should not take disbelievers as trusted partners instead of the believers-and whoever does so will have nothing to hope for from Allah-unless you do it to protect yourselves from their abuse. Allah warns you about Himself. And to Allah is the final return. 29Say, 'O Prophet,' "Whether you hide or show what is in your hearts, it is all known to Allah. And He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah has power over all things." 30"Watch for' the Day when every soul will be presented with whatever good it has done. And it will wish that its evil deeds were far off. Allah warns you about Himself. And Allah is always Kind to 'His' servants. 31Say, "O Prophet, "If you 'truly' love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." 32Say, "O Prophet,' "Obey Allah and His Messenger" If they still turn away, then Allah definitely does not like the disbelievers.
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَۖ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيۡسَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ فِي شَيۡءٍ إِلَّآ أَن تَتَّقُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ تُقَىٰةٗۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسَهُۥۗ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ 28قُلۡ إِن تُخۡفُواْ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمۡ أَوۡ تُبۡدُوهُ يَعۡلَمۡهُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَيَعۡلَمُ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ 29يَوۡمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّا عَمِلَتۡ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ مُّحۡضَرٗا وَمَا عَمِلَتۡ مِن سُوٓءٖ تَوَدُّ لَوۡ أَنَّ بَيۡنَهَا وَبَيۡنَهُۥٓ أَمَدَۢا بَعِيدٗاۗ وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسَهُۥۗ وَٱللَّهُ رَءُوفُۢ بِٱلۡعِبَادِ 30قُلۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي يُحۡبِبۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 31قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ32
Verse 32: like 4:139 and 4:144 this verse forbids the believers from trusting their enemies who were at war with the muslim community
BIRTH OF MARYAM
33Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Nuh, the family of Ibrahim, and the family of 'Imran above all others. 34They all came from the same family line. And Allah hears and knows 'everything'. 35Remember' when the wife of 'Imran prayed, "My Lord! I dedicate what is in my womb entirely to Your service, so accept it from me. You 'alone' truly hear and know 'Everything:'" 36When she gave birth, she said, "My Lord! I have given birth to a girl,'-and Allah fully knew what she had given birth to-"and the male is not like the female, I have named her Maryam, and I seek Your protection for her and her children from the cursed Sa-Tan." 37So her Lord accepted her kindly and blessed her with a good upbringing, trusting her to the care of Zakariya. Whenever Zakariya visited her in the prayer hall, he found her supplied with food. He wondered, "O Maryam! Where did all this come from?" She replied, "It is from Allah. Surely Allah provides for whoever He wants without limit"
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰٓ ءَادَمَ وَنُوحٗا وَءَالَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَءَالَ عِمۡرَٰنَ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 33ذُرِّيَّةَۢ بَعۡضُهَا مِنۢ بَعۡضٖۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 34إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱمۡرَأَتُ عِمۡرَٰنَ رَبِّ إِنِّي نَذَرۡتُ لَكَ مَا فِي بَطۡنِي مُحَرَّرٗا فَتَقَبَّلۡ مِنِّيٓۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ 35فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتۡهَا قَالَتۡ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعۡتُهَآ أُنثَىٰ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا وَضَعَتۡ وَلَيۡسَ ٱلذَّكَرُ كَٱلۡأُنثَىٰۖ وَإِنِّي سَمَّيۡتُهَا مَرۡيَمَ وَإِنِّيٓ أُعِيذُهَا بِكَ وَذُرِّيَّتَهَا مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ 36فَتَقَبَّلَهَا رَبُّهَا بِقَبُولٍ حَسَنٖ وَأَنۢبَتَهَا نَبَاتًا حَسَنٗا وَكَفَّلَهَا زَكَرِيَّاۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَ عَلَيۡهَا زَكَرِيَّا ٱلۡمِحۡرَابَ وَجَدَ عِندَهَا رِزۡقٗاۖ قَالَ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ أَنَّىٰ لَكِ هَٰذَاۖ قَالَتۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَرۡزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ37
Verse 36: to the service of the temple
Verse 37: only male were allowed to serve at the temple according to imam al qurtubi
BIRTH OF YAHYA
38Then and there Zakariya prayed to his Lord, saying, "My Lord! Bless me with a good son, as a favour from You. Surely, You hear 'all' prayers" 39So the angels called out to him while he stood praying in the prayer hall, "Allah gives you good news of 'the birth of Yahya, who will confirm the Word of Allah. He will be a great leader, decent, and a prophet among the faith-Ful." 40Zakariya wondered, "My Lord! How can I have a son when I am very old and my wife is unable to have children?" He replied, "So will it be. Allah does what He wants" 41Zakariya said, "My Lord! Give me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not be able to speak to people for three full days except through signs. Remember your Lord often and praise Him' morning and evening."
هُنَالِكَ دَعَا زَكَرِيَّا رَبَّهُۥۖ قَالَ رَبِّ هَبۡ لِي مِن لَّدُنكَ ذُرِّيَّةٗ طَيِّبَةًۖ إِنَّكَ سَمِيعُ ٱلدُّعَآءِ 38فَنَادَتۡهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَهُوَ قَآئِمٞ يُصَلِّي فِي ٱلۡمِحۡرَابِ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِيَحۡيَىٰ مُصَدِّقَۢا بِكَلِمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَسَيِّدٗا وَحَصُورٗا وَنَبِيّٗا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 39قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَٰمٞ وَقَدۡ بَلَغَنِيَ ٱلۡكِبَرُ وَٱمۡرَأَتِي عَاقِرٞۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱللَّهُ يَفۡعَلُ مَا يَشَآءُ 40قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَل لِّيٓ ءَايَةٗۖ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمۡزٗاۗ وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ كَثِيرٗا وَسَبِّحۡ بِٱلۡعَشِيِّ وَٱلۡإِبۡكَٰرِ41
MARYAM HONOURED
42And 'remember' when the angels said, "O Maryam! Surely Allah has selected you, purified you, and chosen you over all other women. 43O Maryam! Be faithful to your Lord, kneel down 'in prayer' and bow along with those who bow Down." 44This is news of the unseen that We reveal to you 'O Prophet'. You were not with them when they entered into a draw to decide who would be Maryam's guardian, and you were not there when they argued 'about it'.
وَإِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصۡطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 42٤٢ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ ٱقۡنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَٱسۡجُدِي وَٱرۡكَعِي مَعَ ٱلرَّٰكِعِينَ 43ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيۡكَۚ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يُلۡقُونَ أَقۡلَٰمَهُمۡ أَيُّهُمۡ يَكۡفُلُ مَرۡيَمَ وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيۡهِمۡ إِذۡ يَخۡتَصِمُونَ44
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Can I use the Bible to convince Christians that 'Isa (Jesus) is not God?" The following points might be a bit technical, but they should give you a general idea about the answer:
1. From an Islamic point of view, the Bible has been corrupted over the centuries, since prophets like Musa (AS) and 'Isa (AS) didn't leave hard copies of their revelations, which were written long after them. This is why the Quran is unique because it was memorized and written down during the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
2. It's not a secret that there are many different versions and editions of the Bible that are not identical, including the Catholic, Protestant, Russian Orthodox, and Ethiopian Bibles.
Still, there are some elements of truth in the Bible that have been confirmed by the Quran. Let's say, there is someone who lives on a desert island with no knowledge whatsoever about Islam or Christianity. If this person finds the Quran and the Bible on a rock and reads both cover to cover, he or she will come to the conclusion that:
• There is only One God.
• Jesus was human.
• He was sent as a prophet only to the Children of Isra'il.
• He performed miracles, only with the help of God.
• He will return to the world before the end of time.
3. Many Christians are not concerned if the Bible is authentic or if the idea of the trinity (the belief that there are 3 gods in 1) makes sense. What matters to them is their emotional connection to (and love for) 'Isa as a very special figure in their faith.
4. For Muslims, 'Isa (AS) is also very special, because he is one of the top 5 prophets of Islam, along with Ibrahim (AS), Nuh (AS), Musa (AS), and Muhammad (PBUH).
5. Jesus was born in a miraculous way. It's important to note that people come to this world in 4 different ways, as far as fathers and mothers are concerned. Let's apply this to 4 prophets mentioned by name in this surah. Muhammad (PBUH) had a father and a mother, while Adam (AS) had none. Yahya (John) (AS) had a father, but his mother was probably 88 years old when he was born, even though she couldn't have children in her youth. 'Isa (AS) (Yahya's cousin) had a mother, but no father. Here is the summary:
• Adam (father no) (mother no)
• Muhammad (PBUH) (father yes) (mother yes)
• Yahya (AS) (father yes) (mother ?)
• 'Isa (AS) (father no) (mother yes)
Like 'Isa (AS), the birth of Yahya (AS) was a miracle. Their stories are similar in many ways. For example, according to the Quran, both Zakariya (AS) (Yahya's father) and Maryam (AS) ('Isa's mother) were in shock when they got the news that they were going to have children. Also, Zakariya (AS) wasn't able to talk when he got the good news (3:41 and 19:10). In the same way, Maryam (AS) didn't talk to anyone after the birth of 'Isa (AS) (19:26). Both Yahya (AS) and 'Isa (AS) were cousins, blessed with prophethood at a young age. Both were given their names by Allah, and both never got married.
6. Just because 'Isa (AS) was born in a unique way doesn't make him God.
7. If Christians consider 'Isa (AS) to be 'God' because he didn't have a father, then what about Adam (AS), who had no father or mother? According to the Quran (3:59), both Adam (AS) and 'Isa (AS) were created with the word 'kun' ('Be!').
8. How could Maryam (AS) who was created by God - give birth to God?
9. Those who worship 'Isa (AS) because the Bible calls him the son of God should know that many people are also called the sons or children of God in the Bible (in the sense that He took care of them), including Adam (AS), Ibrahim (AS), Ishaq (AS), Dawood (AS), and all the faithful.
10. 'Isa (AS) put his face on the ground and prayed to Allah, not to himself.
11. He (AS) had to eat, go to the washroom, and sleep. So, he was in need of food and rest (5:75). Allah is not in need of anyone or anything.
12. On Judgment Day, Allah will ask 'Isa (AS) if he ever asked anyone to worship him and he will say that he never did (5:116).
13. According to the Quran, the Christians and Jews have extreme views about Jesus – one group believes he was God, while the other believes he was a fraud. Now, if someone thinks you are a teacher and someone else thinks you are a nurse, the only way to know who you are is to ask you. If we apply this to 'Isa (AS), he never said in his own words, "I'm God" or "Worship me." Not once! He always invited others to believe in One God.
14. The early followers of 'Isa (AS) never believed that he was God. The belief in the trinity (the father (God), the son (Jesus), and the holy spirit) was made up by the Romans centuries after Jesus, when Emperor Constantine became Christian. The Romans had a long history of believing in multiple gods, so they added their own touch to their new faith. This was mainly done at the Council of Nicaea (325 years after Jesus) and was made the official faith of the Roman Empire. [NPR, "If Jesus Never Called Himself God, How Did He Become One?"; (www.npr.org/2014/04/07/300246095). Website visited on December 23, 2022.]
Here are some tips to keep in mind when inviting a Christian to Islam:
• Christians are our brothers and sisters in humanity. As people of faith, we share many good values with them, including mercy, generosity, and kindness.
• We love for them to go to Paradise as we love it for ourselves.
• When you invite a Christian to Islam, don't make comparisons between the two faiths to prove them wrong.
• Instead, focus on the beauty of Islam and how the belief in One God makes sense and can easily be supported by revelations, without having to twist passages or make up proofs.
• Many of the Christians who became Muslim say that Islam made them better Christians because it brought them closer to the original, pure message of Jesus.
• 'Isa (AS) was one of many prophets who were sent by Allah to invite people to have faith in One God and do good.
• The concept of 'love' is very important to Christians. In Islam, one of the Names of Allah is Al-Wadud (The Most Loving).
BIRTH OF 'ISA
45'Remember' when the angels declared, "O Maryam! Allah gives you good news of a Word from Him." His name will be the Messiah, 'Isa, son of Maryam. He will be honoured in this world and the Next Life and will be one of those closest 'to Allah. 46And he will speak to people as a newborn and as an adult, and will be one of the faithful" 47Maryam wondered, "My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?" 'An angel' replied, "So will it be. Allah creates what He wants. When He decides something, He simply tells it, 'Be!' And it is! 48And Allah will teach him writing and wisdom, the Tawrah and the Injil, 49and make him' a messenger to the Children of Isra'il 'to declare, 'I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make for you a bird from clay, breathe into it, and it will become a 'real' bird-by Allah's permission. I will heal the blind and the people and raise the dead back to life-by Allah's permission. And I will even' tell you what it is that you eat and store in your houses. Surely in this is a sign for you if you 'truly' believe. 50And I will confirm the Tawrah revealed before me and allow some of what had been forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. 51Surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him 'alone'. This is the Straight Path."
إِذۡ قَالَتِ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ يَٰمَرۡيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكِ بِكَلِمَةٖ مِّنۡهُ ٱسۡمُهُ ٱلۡمَسِيحُ عِيسَى ٱبۡنُ مَرۡيَمَ وَجِيهٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ 45وَيُكَلِّمُ ٱلنَّاسَ فِي ٱلۡمَهۡدِ وَكَهۡلٗا وَمِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 46قَالَتۡ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي وَلَدٞ وَلَمۡ يَمۡسَسۡنِي بَشَرٞۖ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخۡلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمۡرٗا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ 47وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةَ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلَ 48وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّي قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بَِٔايَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ أَنِّيٓ أَخۡلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيَۡٔةِ ٱلطَّيۡرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيۡرَۢا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُبۡرِئُ ٱلۡأَكۡمَهَ وَٱلۡأَبۡرَصَ وَأُحۡيِ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأۡكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِي بُيُوتِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ 49وَمُصَدِّقٗا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَلِأُحِلَّ لَكُم بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي حُرِّمَ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَجِئۡتُكُم بَِٔايَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ 50إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٞ مُّسۡتَقِيمٞ51
Verse 49: In the Quran, 'Isa (AS) is called the "Word" of Allah because he was created with the word "Be!".
Verse 50: The Messiah (Al-Masih) is used in the Quran as a title for 'Isa (AS).
Verse 51: A leper is someone with an infectious skin condition.
CONSPIRACY AGAINST 'ISA
52When 'Isa realized that the people would continue to disbelieve, he asked, "Who will stand up with me for Allah?" His closest followers replied, "We will stand up for Allah. We believe in Allah, so be our witness that we have submitted." 53They prayed to Allah,' "Our Lord! We believe in Your revelations and follow the messenger, so count us among the witnesses" 54And the disbelievers made a plan 'against 'Isa', but Allah also planned--and Allah is the best of planners. 55Remember' when Allah said, "O 'Isa! I will take you and raise you up to Myself. I will save you from the disbelievers, and raise your followers above the unfaithful until Judgment Day. Then to Me you will all return, and I will judge between you about your differences. 56As for those who disbelieve, I will hit them with a severe punishment in this life and the Next, and they will have no helpers. 57And as for those who believe and do good, they will be fully rewarded. And Allah does not like those doing wrong." 58We recite all this to you O Prophet' as one of the signs'5 and as a wise reminder.
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسَّ عِيسَىٰ مِنۡهُمُ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ قَالَ مَنۡ أَنصَارِيٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ ٱلۡحَوَارِيُّونَ نَحۡنُ أَنصَارُ ٱللَّهِ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَٱشۡهَدۡ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ 52رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا بِمَآ أَنزَلۡتَ وَٱتَّبَعۡنَا ٱلرَّسُولَ فَٱكۡتُبۡنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ 53وَمَكَرُواْ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُۖ وَٱللَّهُ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمَٰكِرِينَ 54إِذۡ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَٰعِيسَىٰٓ إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوكَ فَوۡقَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَأَحۡكُمُ بَيۡنَكُمۡ فِيمَا كُنتُمۡ فِيهِ تَخۡتَلِفُونَ 55فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَأُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابٗا شَدِيدٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ 56وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمۡ أُجُورَهُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 57ذَٰلِكَ نَتۡلُوهُ عَلَيۡكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ وَٱلذِّكۡرِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ58
Verse 58: as a proof that muhamad is prophet because nobody knew all these details before him.
THE TRUTH ABOUT 'ISA
59Indeed, the example of Isa in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam, He created him from dust, then said to him, "Be!" And he was! 60This is the truth from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt. 61Now, if someone argues with you O Prophet' about 'Isa after full knowledge has come to you, then say, "Come! Let us gather our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us sincerely call for Allah's curse to be on whoever is lying" 62This is definitely the true story, and there is no god that deserves worship' except Allah. Surely Allah is the Almighty and Wise. 63If they turn away, then certainly Allah has 'perfect' knowledge of the corruptors.
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ ءَادَمَۖ خَلَقَهُۥ مِن تُرَابٖ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ 59ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡمُمۡتَرِينَ 60فَمَنۡ حَآجَّكَ فِيهِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ فَقُلۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ نَدۡعُ أَبۡنَآءَنَا وَأَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَنِسَآءَنَا وَنِسَآءَكُمۡ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمۡ ثُمَّ نَبۡتَهِلۡ فَنَجۡعَل لَّعۡنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ 61إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡقَصَصُ ٱلۡحَقُّۚ وَمَا مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ 62فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ63
Verse 63: adam and isa aare ach mentioned 25 times by namme in the quran
TRUE FAITH IN ALLAH
64Say, 'O Prophet,' "O People of the Book! Let us all agree on something we should have in common: that we will not worship anyone but Allah, make anyone equal to Him, or take each other as lords instead of Allah" But if they turn away, then say, "Be witnesses that we have submitted to Allah alone" 65O People of the Book! Why do you argue about Ibrahim, while the Tawrah and the Injil were not revealed until long after him? Do you not understand? 66Here you are, arguing over something you may be familiar with, but why argue over something you know absolutely nothing about? Allah knows and you do not know. 67Ibrahim was not a Jew or a Christian. Rather he was an upright Muslim, and was not an Idol-worshipper. 68Indeed, the closest people to Ibrahim are his followers, this Prophet, and the believers. Allah is the Guardian of those who believe.
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٖ سَوَآءِۢ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡٔٗا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابٗا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ 64يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَتِ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةُ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلُ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ 65هَٰٓأَنتُمۡ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ حَٰجَجۡتُمۡ فِيمَا لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞ فَلِمَ تُحَآجُّونَ فِيمَا لَيۡسَ لَكُم بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 66مَا كَانَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيّٗا وَلَا نَصۡرَانِيّٗا وَلَٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفٗا مُّسۡلِمٗا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ 67إِنَّ أَوۡلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِإِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَٰذَا ٱلنَّبِيُّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ68
Verse 64: Arguing about the nature of 'Isa (AS).
Verse 65: عیسیٰ (علیہ السلام) کی ماہیت کے بارے میں بحث کرنا۔
Verse 66: A Muslim is someone who submits entirely to Allah. This is why all prophets were Muslims.
Verse 67: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the spiritual heir of Ibrahim (AS).
Verse 68: Because Muslims believe in the pure message of Ibrahim (AS), unlike others who have corrupted his message.
BACKGROUND STORY
A group of Jewish scholars made a plan, pretending to accept Islam and then leave it shortly after. Their goal was to put doubts in the minds of some Muslims with weak faith, because they would say, 'Wait a minute! If those scholars experienced Islam and then abandoned it, maybe we should do the same, because they know better than us.' This is why verse 72 was revealed.
According to Imam Ar-Razi, this revelation was a miracle because:
• Nobody knew about this evil plan except that Jewish group.
• It prepared the Muslim community to deal with such evil tactics.
• Eventually, that group gave up on their plan because it had been exposed.
DECEPTION EXPOSED
69Some of the People of the Book wish to mislead you 'believers'. However, they mislead none but themselves, yet they do not realize it. 70O People of the Book! Why do you reject the signs of Allah when you know very well they are true? 71O People of the Book! Why do you mix the truth with falsehood and hide the truth intentionally? 72A group among the People of the Book said 'to each other', "Believe in what has been revealed to the believers in the morning and reject it in the evening, so they too may abandon their faith. 73And do not trust anyone except those who follow your faith." Say, "O Prophet," "The only true guidance is Allah's guidance. Are you saying this just because you are afraid that someone would receive knowledge similar to yours or argue against you in front of your Lord?" Also say, "Surely, all blessings are in Allah's Hands-He gives them to whoever He wants. And Allah is full of blessings and knowledge." 74He chooses whoever He wants for His mercy. And Allah is the Lord of great blessings.
وَدَّت طَّآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَوۡ يُضِلُّونَكُمۡ وَمَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ 69يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَنتُمۡ تَشۡهَدُونَ 70يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَلۡبِسُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِٱلۡبَٰطِلِ وَتَكۡتُمُونَ ٱلۡحَقَّ وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ 71وَقَالَت طَّآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ءَامِنُواْ بِٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَجۡهَ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱكۡفُرُوٓاْ ءَاخِرَهُۥ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ 72وَلَا تُؤۡمِنُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِمَن تَبِعَ دِينَكُمۡ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ أَن يُؤۡتَىٰٓ أَحَدٞ مِّثۡلَ مَآ أُوتِيتُمۡ أَوۡ يُحَآجُّوكُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّكُمۡۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡفَضۡلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤۡتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيم 73يَخۡتَصُّ بِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلۡفَضۡلِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ74
Verse 74: the proof that muhammad is atrue prophet
HONOURING TRUSTS
75There are some among the People of the Book that you can trust with a ton of gold and they will give it back. But there are some who will not give back a single coin, unless you keep demanding it. This is because they say, "We are not sinning for taking advantage of outsiders" And so they make up lies about Allah intentionally. 76Not at all! Those faithful who honour their trusts and avoid evil-surely Allah loves those who keep Him in mind.
وَمِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ مَنۡ إِن تَأۡمَنۡهُ بِقِنطَارٖ يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيۡكَ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ إِن تَأۡمَنۡهُ بِدِينَارٖ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيۡكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِ قَآئِمٗاۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ قَالُواْ لَيۡسَ عَلَيۡنَا فِي ٱلۡأُمِّيِّۧنَ سَبِيلٞ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ 75بَلَىٰۚ مَنۡ أَوۡفَىٰ بِعَهۡدِهِۦ وَٱتَّقَىٰ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ76
Verse 76: Meaning non-Jews, like the Arabs who accepted Islam.
BREAKING ALLAH'S PLEDGE
77Indeed, those who trade Allah's pledge and their oaths for a little gain will have no share in the Next Life, Allah will not speak to them, look at them, or purify them on Judgment Day. And they will suffer a painful punishment. 78There are some among them who twist the meaning of the Book with their tongues to make you think it is from the Book, but it is not what the Book says. They claim, "It is from Allah" but it is not from Allah. And so they make up lies about Allah intentionally.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشۡتَرُونَ بِعَهۡدِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلًا أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَا خَلَٰقَ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا يَنظُرُ إِلَيۡهِمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَلَا يُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيم 77وَإِنَّ مِنۡهُمۡ لَفَرِيقٗا يَلۡوُۥنَ أَلۡسِنَتَهُم بِٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِتَحۡسَبُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ78
Verse 78: they promised to belive in all prophet ut rejected prophet muhammad just to keep enjoying worthness from their followers
PROPHETS ARE FAITHFUL
79It is not possible for someone that Allah has blessed with the Book, wisdom, and prophethood to say to people, "Worship me instead of Allah" Rather, he would say, "Be true to your Lord, according to what you teach and study in the Book." 81Remember' when Allah made a pledge with the prophets, 'saying," "Now that I have given you the Book and wisdom, if there comes to you a messenger confirming what you have, you must believe in him and support him." He added, "Do you agree with this and accept My serious pledge?" They said, "Yes, we do." Allah said, "Then be witnesses, and I too am a Witness." 82Whoever turns back after this, they will be the troublemakers.
مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤۡتِيَهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحُكۡمَ وَٱلنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُواْ عِبَادٗا لِّي مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن كُونُواْ رَبَّٰنِيِّۧنَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تُعَلِّمُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَدۡرُسُونَ 79وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَٰقَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ لَمَآ ءَاتَيۡتُكُم مِّن كِتَٰبٖ وَحِكۡمَةٖ ثُمَّ جَآءَكُمۡ رَسُولٞ مُّصَدِّقٞ لِّمَا مَعَكُمۡ لَتُؤۡمِنُنَّ بِهِۦ وَلَتَنصُرُنَّهُۥۚ قَالَ ءَأَقۡرَرۡتُمۡ وَأَخَذۡتُمۡ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُمۡ إِصۡرِيۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَقۡرَرۡنَاۚ قَالَ فَٱشۡهَدُواْ وَأَنَا۠ مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ 81فَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ82
THE WAY OF ISLAM
83Do they seek something other than the Way of Allah, knowing that everyone in the heavens and the earth submits to His authority, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they will 'all' be returned? 84Say, O Prophet, "We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Ibrahim, Isma'il, Ishaq, Ya'qub and his grandsons; and what was given to Musa, 'Isa, and other prophets from their Lord-we do not treat any of them differently, and to Him we fully' submit" 85Whoever seeks a way other than Islam, it will never be accepted from them, and in the Next Life they will be among the losers.
أَفَغَيۡرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبۡغُونَ وَلَهُۥٓ أَسۡلَمَ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ طَوۡعٗا وَكَرۡهٗا وَإِلَيۡهِ يُرۡجَعُونَ 83قُلۡ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِيَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ 84وَمَن يَبۡتَغِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمِ دِينٗا فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡهُ وَهُوَ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ85
Verse 85: full submission to allah
STRAYING FROM THE RIGHT PATH
86How will Allah guide those who chose to disbelieve after they had believed, recognized the Messenger to be true, and received clear proofs? Allah does not guide those doing wrong. 87Their punishment is that they will be rejected by Allah, the angels, and all of humanity. 88They will be in Hell forever. Their punishment will not be lightened, and they will not be delayed 'from it'. 89As for those who repent afterwards and change their ways, then surely Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. 90Indeed, those who disbelieve after having believed then increase in disbelief, their repentance will never be accepted. They have 'truly' lost their way. 91Indeed, if each of those who disbelieve, then die as disbelievers, offered an entire world full of gold to save themselves from the Fire', it would never be accepted from them. They will suffer a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers. 92You believers' will not achieve true faith until you donate some of what you love, And whatever donation you give is definitely known to Allah.
كَيۡفَ يَهۡدِي ٱللَّهُ قَوۡمٗا كَفَرُواْ بَعۡدَ إِيمَٰنِهِمۡ وَشَهِدُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلرَّسُولَ حَقّٞ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهۡدِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 86أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمۡ أَنَّ عَلَيۡهِمۡ لَعۡنَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجۡمَعِينَ 87خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا لَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمۡ يُنظَرُونَ 88إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ تَابُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصۡلَحُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٌ 89إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بَعۡدَ إِيمَٰنِهِمۡ ثُمَّ ٱزۡدَادُواْ كُفۡرٗا لَّن تُقۡبَلَ تَوۡبَتُهُمۡ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلضَّآلُّونَ 90إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمۡ كُفَّارٞ فَلَن يُقۡبَلَ مِنۡ أَحَدِهِم مِّلۡءُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ذَهَبٗا وَلَوِ ٱفۡتَدَىٰ بِهِۦٓۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن نَّٰصِرِينَ 91لَن تَنَالُواْ ٱلۡبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيۡءٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيم92
BACKGROUND STORY
According to Imam Ar-Razi, some Jewish scholars in Madinah criticized the Prophet (PBUH) for eating camel meat, claiming that it had been forbidden in the faith of Ibrahim (AS). Verses 93-95 were revealed to respond to this claim, saying that Allah never made camel meat forbidden in the past. It was Ya'qub (AS) (also known as Isra'il) who banned himself from camel meat after he had recovered from a certain illness. So, it wasn't forbidden by Allah to Ibrahim (AS) or other prophets.
They also criticized the Prophet (PBUH) for changing the qiblah (direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Makkah, claiming that the older qiblah was better. Verses 96-97 came down to confirm that the Ka'bah was the first and greatest structure ever built for worship.
YA'QUB'S FOOD RESTRICTION
93All food was allowed for the children of Isra'il, except what Isra'il had banned for himself long before the Tawrah was even revealed. Say, "O Prophet,' "Bring the Tawrah and read it, if your claims are true" 94Then whoever keeps making up lies about Allah after this will be the ones 'truly' doing wrong. 95Say, "O Prophet,' "Allah has declared the truth. So follow the Way of Ibrahim, the upright-who was not an idol-worshipper"
كُلُّ ٱلطَّعَامِ كَانَ حِلّٗا لِّبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ إِلَّا مَا حَرَّمَ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلُ عَلَىٰ نَفۡسِهِۦ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تُنَزَّلَ ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةُۚ قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ فَٱتۡلُوهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 93فَمَنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ 94قُلۡ صَدَقَ ٱللَّهُۗ فَٱتَّبِعُواْ مِلَّةَ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ حَنِيفٗاۖ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ95
HAJJ TO THE KA'BAH
96Indeed, the first House 'of worship' ever built for people is the one at Bakkah—a source of blessings and guidance for all. 97In it are clear signs, including the standing-place of Ibrahim. Whoever enters it should be safe. Allah has made hajj to this House a duty on whoever is able. And whoever disbelieves, surely Allah is not in need of 'any of His' creation.
إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيۡتٖ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكٗا وَهُدٗى لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 96فِيهِ ءَايَٰتُۢ بَيِّنَٰتٞ مَّقَامُ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنٗاۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَاعَ إِلَيۡهِ سَبِيلٗاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ97
REJECTING THE TRUTH
98Say, "O Prophet, "O People of the Book! Why do you deny the revelations of Allah, when Allah is a Witness to what you do?" 99Say, "O People of the Book! Why do you turn the believers away from the Way of Allah, trying to make it appear' crooked, while you are witnesses to its truth? And Allah is never unaware of what you do."
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا تَعۡمَلُونَ 98قُلۡ يَٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لِمَ تَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ تَبۡغُونَهَا عِوَجٗا وَأَنتُمۡ شُهَدَآءُۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ99
Verse 98: bakkah is another name for makkah
Verse 99: such as the black stone the well of zamzam and the stand place of ibrahim
WARNING AGAINST BAD INFLUENCE
100O believers! If you obey some of those who were given the Book, they would turn you back from belief to disbelief. 101How could you disbelieve when Allah's revelations are recited to you and His Messenger is still among you? Whoever holds on to Allah is surely guided to the Straight Path.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تُطِيعُواْ فَرِيقٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ يَرُدُّوكُم بَعۡدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمۡ كَٰفِرِينَ 100وَكَيۡفَ تَكۡفُرُونَ وَأَنتُمۡ تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ وَفِيكُمۡ رَسُولُهُۥۗ وَمَن يَعۡتَصِم بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ هُدِيَ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ101
Verse 101: hajj is a duty on every muslim at least once in thier lifetime if they are able to go
SIDE STORY
Before Islam, Bahilah was known as the lowest tribe in the whole of Arabia. One of the great Muslim military leaders was a man named Qutaibah, who came from the tribe of Bahilah. Qutaibah led the Muslim armies all the way to China. One day, he asked a Bedouin man (who lived in the desert all his life), 'Would you join my tribe, Bahilah, if I offered you half of my authority?' The man strongly refused.
Qutaibah then asked him jokingly, 'What if you were offered Jannah to join my tribe?' The man paused for a moment and replied, 'Fine! But I have one condition: I don't want anyone in Jannah to know that I'm from Bahilah!'
WORDS OF WISDOM
Before Islam, people took so much pride in their tribes and looked down upon others whose tribe was inferior. This is why the Arabs were always divided. When Islam came, it united all tribes, making everyone equal.
In Islam, no one is better than another based on their race, color, or social status.
Verse 103 teaches Muslims the importance of sticking together as a community to be able to achieve success in this life and the Next. The believers are warned against division, which could make them weak and an easy target for their enemies.
The Muslims' defeat in medieval Spain and in modern times can easily be linked to their failure to stay united.
SIDE STORY
A lion came across 3 bulls in the jungle: one was white, the other was black, and the third was brown. The lion knew that he couldn't attack the bulls all at once, because they were strong together. So, he made a plan to take them down one by one.
First, he introduced himself to the bulls as a friend, saying that he wanted to protect them from danger. Then, he was able to gain their trust over time.
One day, the lion met the black and brown bulls privately. He convinced them that the white bull was a threat, because hunters could easily spot him in the jungle, making the other bulls an easy target. To protect them, he offered to do them a favour by eating the white bull. Without thinking, the two bulls agreed to the plan and watched as the white bull was torn to pieces.
A week later, the lion had a private meeting with the brown bull, telling him that they both were like brothers because they had the same brownish colour. The lion convinced him that the black bull was a threat, because he was going to finish all their food. Again, he offered to eat him as a favour to the brown bull. The bull agreed and watched as the black bull was eaten.
Sure enough, a week later, the lion approached the brown bull and said that he had to eat him because he was a threat, just like the other 2 bulls. The brown bull realized his mistake when he said, "I was doomed the day the white bull was eaten."
WARNING AGAINST DISUNITY
102O believers! Keep Allah in mind the way He deserves, and do not die except in 'a state of full' submission 'to Him. 103And stick together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided. Remember Allah's favour upon you when you were enemies, then He united your hearts, so you became brothers by His mercy. And you were at the edge of a fiery pit, but He saved you from it. This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you, so that you may be 'rightly' guided. 104Let there be a group among you who call others to goodness, encourage what is right, and forbid what is wrong. Such people will be successful. 105And do not be like those who split 'into groups' and differed after clear proofs had come to them. They will suffer a horrible punishment. 106On that Day some faces will be bright while others depressed. Those with depressed faces will be told, "Did you disbelieve after having believed? So taste the punishment for your disbelief:" 107As for those with bright faces, they will be in Allah's mercy, where they will stay forever. 108These are Allah's revelations, which We recite to you 'O Prophet' in truth. And Allah would never want to be unfair to anyone. 109Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth belongs to Allah. And 'all' matters will be returned to Allah 'for judgment.'
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ 102وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعٗا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ أَعۡدَآءٗ فَأَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوبِكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم بِنِعۡمَتِهِۦٓ إِخۡوَٰنٗا وَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفۡرَةٖ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنۡهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ 103وَلۡتَكُن مِّنكُمۡ أُمَّةٞ يَدۡعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ 104وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُواْ وَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيم 105يَوۡمَ تَبۡيَضُّ وُجُوهٞ وَتَسۡوَدُّ وُجُوهٞۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡوَدَّتۡ وُجُوهُهُمۡ أَكَفَرۡتُم بَعۡدَ إِيمَٰنِكُمۡ فَذُوقُواْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ 106وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ٱبۡيَضَّتۡ وُجُوهُهُمۡ فَفِي رَحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ 107تِلۡكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱللَّهِ نَتۡلُوهَا عَلَيۡكَ بِٱلۡحَقِّۗ وَمَا ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ظُلۡمٗا لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 108وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرۡجَعُ ٱلۡأُمُورُ109
Verse 102: Ibn Mas'ud (RA) said, 'Keeping Allah in mind the way He deserves' means to obey Him and never disobey Him, to thank Him and never fail to give Him thanks, and to remember Him and never forget Him. (Imam Ibn Kathir)
Verse 103: Meaning 'as Muslims'.
Verse 104: His faith.
Verse 107: If they had died before Islam, they would have gone to Hell because of their idol-worship.
EXCELLENCE OF THE MUSLIM NATION
110You are the best community ever raised for humanity-you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. If the People of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are troublemakers. 111They can never harm you, except with hurtful words. But if they meet you in battle, they will run away and be left with no help. 112They will be covered with disgrace wherever they go, unless they are protected by a pledge with Allah or a peace agreement with the people. They have ended up with Allah's anger, and have been covered with misery for rejecting Allah's signs and killing prophets with no right. This is 'a fair punishment' for disobeying and breaking the rules.
كُنتُمۡ خَيۡرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِۗ وَلَوۡ ءَامَنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَكَانَ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۚ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ 110لَن يَضُرُّوكُمۡ إِلَّآ أَذٗىۖ وَإِن يُقَٰتِلُوكُمۡ يُوَلُّوكُمُ ٱلۡأَدۡبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يُنصَرُونَ 111ضُرِبَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلذِّلَّةُ أَيۡنَ مَا ثُقِفُوٓاْ إِلَّا بِحَبۡلٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَحَبۡلٖ مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَضُرِبَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَسۡكَنَةُۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلۡأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيۡرِ حَقّٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَواْ وَّكَانُواْ يَعۡتَدُونَ112
FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
113Yet they are not all the same: there are some among the People of the Book who are upright, reciting Allah's revelations throughout the night and bowing down 'in salah'. 114They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race to do good deeds. Those are 'truly' among the faithful. 115They will never be denied the reward for any good they do. And Allah perfectly knows those who keep Him in mind.
لَيۡسُواْ سَوَآءٗۗ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أُمَّةٞ قَآئِمَةٞ يَتۡلُونَ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَهُمۡ يَسۡجُدُونَ 113يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَيَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيُسَٰرِعُونَ فِي ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 114وَمَا يَفۡعَلُواْ مِنۡ خَيۡرٖ فَلَن يُكۡفَرُوهُۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ115
Verse 115: Those who accepted Islam, like 'Abdullah ibn Salam (RA).
WARNING AGAINST HYPOCRITES
116Indeed, the disbelievers' wealth and children will not help them against Allah at all. Those will be the people of the Fire. They will be there forever. 117The good they do in this life is like the harvest of an evil people hit by a bitter wind, destroying it all. Allah never wronged them, but they wronged themselves. 118O believers! Do not be close friends with others who do not miss a chance to harm you. They only want to see you suffer. Their hate for you' has become clear from what they say, and what their hearts hide is far worse. We have made Our revelations clear to you, if only you understood. 119Here you are! You love them but they do not love you, and you believe in all Books. When they meet you they say, "We too believe." But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips in rage. Say, "O Prophet,' "May you die of your rage!" Surely Allah knows best whatever 'secrets are hidden' in the hearts. 120When something good happens to you 'believers', it makes them sad. But when something bad hits you, it makes them glad. However, if you stay patient and keep Allah in mind, their evil plans will not harm you in any way. Surely Allah is fully Aware of what they do.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَن تُغۡنِيَ عَنۡهُمۡ أَمۡوَٰلُهُمۡ وَلَآ أَوۡلَٰدُهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡٔٗاۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ 116مَثَلُ مَا يُنفِقُونَ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَثَلِ رِيحٖ فِيهَا صِرٌّ أَصَابَتۡ حَرۡثَ قَوۡمٖ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فَأَهۡلَكَتۡهُۚ وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنۡ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ 117يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَتَّخِذُواْ بِطَانَةٗ مِّن دُونِكُمۡ لَا يَأۡلُونَكُمۡ خَبَالٗا وَدُّواْ مَا عَنِتُّمۡ قَدۡ بَدَتِ ٱلۡبَغۡضَآءُ مِنۡ أَفۡوَٰهِهِمۡ وَمَا تُخۡفِي صُدُورُهُمۡ أَكۡبَرُۚ قَدۡ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ 118هَٰٓأَنتُمۡ أُوْلَآءِ تُحِبُّونَهُمۡ وَلَا يُحِبُّونَكُمۡ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡكِتَٰبِ كُلِّهِۦ وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمۡ قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوۡاْ عَضُّواْ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡأَنَامِلَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَيۡظِۚ قُلۡ مُوتُواْ بِغَيۡظِكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 119إِن تَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ حَسَنَةٞ تَسُؤۡهُمۡ وَإِن تُصِبۡكُمۡ سَيِّئَةٞ يَفۡرَحُواْ بِهَاۖ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ لَا يَضُرُّكُمۡ كَيۡدُهُمۡ شَيًۡٔاۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيط120
Verse 119: Meaning hypocrites from among the People of the Book.
Verse 120: But they do not believe in your Book.
BACKGROUND STORY
According to Imam Ibn Hisham, the Makkan army was terribly defeated by a small Muslim force at Badr in the 2nd year of Hijrah. A year later, the Makkans came back for revenge with an army of 3,700 soldiers. The Prophet (PBUH) asked his companions if they should wait for the Makkans to reach Madinah or meet them outside. They decided to fight outside the city by the mountain of Uhud. On the way to Uhud, Ibn Saloul (a chief hypocrite) refused to join the fight and returned to Madinah with 300 soldiers. So, the Muslim army was left with only 750 fighters.
Before the battle, the Prophet (PBUH) positioned 50 archers on a hill and told them not to move no matter what happened. At the beginning, the Muslims were winning and the Makkans started running away. The archers thought the fight was over, so they began to argue about keeping their position. Eventually, most of them came down to collect war gains, leaving the Muslim army uncovered. Khalid ibn Al-Walid (who was not Muslim at the time) took advantage of their terrible mistake by turning around the hill along with his troops and launching a surprise attack on the Muslim army from the back.
The Muslim soldiers were in total shock. Most of the companions ran away, leaving only a few to defend the Prophet (PBUH) with their lives. The Prophet himself was injured, and a rumor quickly spread that he had died. Around 70 companions were killed in this battle, including Anas ibn An-Nadr who alone suffered more than 80 wounds all over his body. The Prophet (PBUH) also lost his uncle Hamzah (RA). As for the Makkans, they lost only 24 soldiers. So, what started off as a great victory for the Muslims ended up as a total disaster for them.
The trouble was not over when the Makkans left. The great reputation that the Muslim army had achieved at Badr was completely shattered at Uhud. Now, the Muslims had to deal with the terrible consequences of this defeat. For example, in the following months, some tribes started to think that the Muslim community had become weak, so they began to prepare for attacks on Madinah. This is why the Prophet (PBUH) had to launch campaigns to stop those tribes from reaching the city and to punish those who attacked and killed some Muslims.
The following passages were revealed to comfort the believers and teach them these important lessons:
1. Victory comes only from Allah.
2. The Prophet (PBUH) should be obeyed.
3. Qualified people should be asked for their opinion before making important decisions.
4. Mistakes happen, but we should learn from them.
5. Allah is Merciful and Forgiving.
6. The Prophet (PBUH) is kind to the believers.
7. There is a battle between good and evil. Good always wins in the end.
8. Life is full of tests.
9. Tests show us who is truly strong or weak in faith.
10. Hypocrites are a threat to the Muslim community.
11. There is no success without making sacrifices.
12. No one dies before or after the time written for them.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "How did the Prophet (PBUH) react after this terrible defeat?" To be honest, if it was another leader, he would have definitely scolded, blamed, or even punished the archers for this disaster. But the Prophet (PBUH) didn't do any of that. Surprisingly, after the Makkans had left, he told his companions (including those who were injured), "Line up so I can appreciate my Lord!" He then made an emotional prayer.
The following are some of the things he said in his emotional prayer, which is reported by Imam Al-Bukhari in his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad:
• O Allah! All praise is for You alone.
• O Allah! No one can release whatever blessings You hold back, and no one can hold back whatever blessings You release.
• O Allah! Shower us with Your blessings, mercy, favours, and all means of support.
• O Allah! I ask You for permanent blessings that are not changed or removed.
• O Allah! I ask You for blessings on the day of need and security on the day of fear.
• O Allah! Make us fall in love with the faith, making it beautiful in our hearts. Make us hate disbelief, rule-breaking, and disobedience. And make us among those rightly guided.
• O Allah! Allow us to live and die as Muslims, and join us with the faithful, not being disgraced or failing the test.
• O Allah! Fight the disbelievers, who keep rejecting Your messengers and preventing others from Your Way. O Lord of Truth!
Verse 159 praises the Prophet's (PBUH) kind and gentle treatment of the believers. He was even merciful to his enemies, including those who fought against him.
It's astonishing to know that many of the leaders of the Makkan army at Uhud ended up accepting Islam, including Khalid ibn Al-Walid, Abu Sufyan, 'Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, and Safwan ibn Umayyah. Not only that, some of his former enemies were ready to defend him with their lives after they accepted Islam.
THE BATTLE OF UHUD
121Remember, O Prophet, when you left your home in the early morning to position the believers in the battlefield. And Allah hears and knows 'everything'. 122Remember' when two groups among you 'believers' were about to lose courage, but Allah protected them. So in Allah let the believers put their trust.
وَإِذۡ غَدَوۡتَ مِنۡ أَهۡلِكَ تُبَوِّئُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ مَقَٰعِدَ لِلۡقِتَالِۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 121إِذۡ هَمَّت طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنكُمۡ أَن تَفۡشَلَا وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّهُمَاۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ122
Verse 122: According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, when Ibn Saloul (the hypocrite) left the Muslim army along with 300 of his followers before the Battle of Uhud, two Muslim groups from Madinah were about to do the same, but Allah made them change their minds.
THE BATTLE OF BADR
123Allah had already given you victory at Badr when you were powerless. So keep Allah in mind, perhaps you will be grateful. 124'Remember, O Prophet,' when you said to the believers, "Would you not be satisfied if your Lord sends down three thousand angels for your support?" 125Of course! Now, if you 'believers' stay patient and keep Allah in mind and those enemies' attack you suddenly, Allah will support you with five thousand angels assigned 'for battle'. 126Allah made this support 'only as good news for you and comfort for your hearts. Victory comes only from Allah-the Almighty and Wise. 127to destroy a section of the disbelievers and humble the rest, causing them to retreat in frustration.
وَلَقَدۡ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدۡرٖ وَأَنتُمۡ أَذِلَّةٞۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ 123إِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكۡفِيَكُمۡ أَن يُمِدَّكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَٰثَةِ ءَالَٰفٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ 124بَلَىٰٓۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ وَيَأۡتُوكُم مِّن فَوۡرِهِمۡ هَٰذَا يُمۡدِدۡكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِخَمۡسَةِ ءَالَٰفٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ 125وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشۡرَىٰ لَكُمۡ وَلِتَطۡمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِۦۗ وَمَا ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ 126لِيَقۡطَعَ طَرَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَوۡ يَكۡبِتَهُمۡ فَيَنقَلِبُواْ خَآئِبِينَ127
FATE OF THE MAKKAN ENEMIES
128You 'O Prophet' have no say in the matter. It is up to Allah to show them mercy or punish them-they are certainly doing wrong. 129Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth belongs to Allah. He forgives whoever He wants and punishes whoever He wants. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَيۡءٌ أَوۡ يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ أَوۡ يُعَذِّبَهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ ظَٰلِمُونَ 128وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ يَغۡفِرُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيُعَذِّبُ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ129
Verse 129: It's up to Allah to guide those Makkans to Islam or not.
WARNING AGAINST INTEREST-MONEY
130O believers! Do not charge interest, multiplying it many times over. And keep Allah in mind, so you may be successful. 131Guard yourselves against the Fire prepared for the disbelievers. 132Obey Allah and the Messenger, so you may be blessed with mercy.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَأۡكُلُواْ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓاْ أَضۡعَٰفٗا مُّضَٰعَفَةٗۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ 130وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِيٓ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 131وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ132
SIDE STORY
A man came to Imam Al-Hassan Al-Basri and complained about the lack of rain. The imam told him to ask Allah for forgiveness. Another man came and complained about poverty, and the imam told him to ask Allah for forgiveness. A third man came and complained that he had no children. Again, the imam told him to ask Allah for forgiveness.
Someone asked the imam, 'These 3 people came to complain about 3 different things. How come you advised all of them to ask Allah for forgiveness?' The imam replied, 'This advice is not from me; it's from Allah, as He said in Surah Nuh (10-12): Ask your Lord for forgiveness; He is truly Most Forgiving. He will shower you with a lot of rain and supply you with wealth and children.' (Imam Tantawi)
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Quran always talks about the importance of asking Allah for forgiveness. Even though the Prophet (PBUH) was perfect and had no sins, he prayed for Allah's forgiveness more than 70 times every day, as reported by Imam Al-Bukhari. We sin all the time, so we are strongly in need of asking Allah to forgive our sins. Verses 133-136 talk about the faithful believers who are promised Jannah. Even though they may do bad things every now and then, they quickly remember Allah and pray for His forgiveness, knowing that no one can forgive sins except Him. They try to avoid sinning to the best of their ability. They also do good deeds, such as donating, controlling their anger, and forgiving others. Allah promises to forgive them and reward them with Jannah.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The best way to ask for forgiveness is to say: 'O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no god (that deserves worship) except You. You created me, and I am Your servant. I stick to Your pledge and promise to the best of my ability. I seek protection in You from the evil of what I have done. I admit Your favors upon me. And I confess my sins to You. So, forgive me; no one can forgive sins except You'" He added, "Whoever says this during the day—with sure faith in it—then dies before nighttime will be from the people of Jannah. And whoever says it at night—with sure faith in it—then dies before daytime will be from the people of Jannah" (Imam Al-Bukhari)
He (PBUH) reported that Allah said, "O children of Adam! As long as you call upon Me and hope for My mercy, I don't mind forgiving what you have done. O children of Adam! If your sins reached the clouds of the sky and you asked for My forgiveness, I still wouldn't mind forgiving you. O children of Adam! If you came to Me with sins filling up the whole world, but without making others equal to Me, I would certainly match your sins with forgiveness." (Imam Ahmad & Imam At-Tirmidhi)
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
133And race towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Jannah as huge as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who keep Allah in mind. 134'They are' those who donate in good and bad times, control their anger, and excuse others. And Allah loves those doing good. 135Also, if they do something shameful or wrong themselves, they remember Allah, pray for their sins to be forgiven-and who forgives sins except Allah?-and they do not intentionally keep sinning. 136Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever. How excellent is the reward for those who do good!
وَسَارِعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ مَغۡفِرَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرۡضُهَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ 133ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ 134وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَٰحِشَةً أَوۡ ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ ذَكَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسۡتَغۡفَرُواْ لِذُنُوبِهِمۡ وَمَن يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمۡ يُصِرُّواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُواْ وَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُونَ 135أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَجَنَّٰتٞ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ وَنِعۡمَ أَجۡرُ ٱلۡعَٰمِلِينَ136
SIDE STORY
A little boy was complaining to his mom about how everything was going wrong for him with school, homework, toys, and friends. His mom was in the kitchen preparing the ingredients for his favorite cake. She asked if he wanted to eat something yummy, and of course he said yes. When she offered him some flour, he said it was yucky. Then she offered him cooking oil, raw eggs, and baking soda, but again he said they were all yucky.
She explained, 'Each of these items may taste bad by itself. However, if we mix all the ingredients and put them in the oven, together they will make a delicious cake. In the same way, we may experience some bad things in life. But if we see the whole picture, we realize that in-sha-Allah something good will come out in the end.'
This surah talks about many of the challenges and difficulties the Prophet (PBUH) and the companions had to go through, including the defeat at Uhud, secret plans by hypocrites, threats from different enemies, and lack of resources. Verse 139 instructs the believers to never give up because eventually things are going to work in their favour. All they have to do is to put their trust in Allah, have patience, and do their best.
BATTLE BETWEEN GOOD & EVIL
137Similar situations had already happened before you, so travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers. 138This is a clear lesson to people-a guide and a reminder to those who keep Allah in mind. 139So, do not give up or feel bad-you will have the upper hand, if you are 'true' believers. 140If you have suffered 'at Uhud, they also suffered 'at Badr'. We switch these days 'of victory and defeat between people so that Allah may identify the 'true' believers and choose martyrs from among you--Allah does not like those doing wrong. 141This is also to refine the believers and destroy the disbelievers. 142Do you think you will enter Jannah without Allah proving which of you 'truly' make sacrifices 'in His cause' and are patient? 143You definitely wished 'for the opportunity' to fight before coming face-to-face with death. Now you have seen it all with your own eyes.
قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ سُنَنٞ فَسِيرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ 137هَٰذَا بَيَانٞ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدٗى وَمَوۡعِظَةٞ لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ 138وَلَا تَهِنُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلۡأَعۡلَوۡنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ 139إِن يَمۡسَسۡكُمۡ قَرۡحٞ فَقَدۡ مَسَّ ٱلۡقَوۡمَ قَرۡحٞ مِّثۡلُهُۥۚ وَتِلۡكَ ٱلۡأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمۡ شُهَدَآءَۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 140وَلِيُمَحِّصَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَيَمۡحَقَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 141أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعۡلَمِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَٰهَدُواْ مِنكُمۡ وَيَعۡلَمَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ 142وَلَقَدۡ كُنتُمۡ تَمَنَّوۡنَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تَلۡقَوۡهُ فَقَدۡ رَأَيۡتُمُوهُ وَأَنتُمۡ تَنظُرُونَ143
BACKGROUND STORY
When the idol-worshippers spread the rumor that the Prophet (PBUH) had been killed in the Battle of Uhud, many Muslims were shocked and quickly gave up fighting. Some of the hypocrites argued, 'If he was really a prophet, he wouldn't have been killed.'
Before Anas ibn An-Nadr (RA) lost his life, he stood up and declared, 'Even if Muhammad (PBUH) has died, Allah never dies. You should all give up your lives for the cause he died for.' Verses 144-148 were revealed to teach the faithful to stand up for the truth and never lose courage. (Imam Ibn 'Ashur & Imam Tantawi)
DO NOT GIVE UP
144Muhammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have gone before him. If he died or lost his life, would you fall back 'into disbelief'? Those who do so will not harm Allah in any way. And Allah will reward those who are grateful. 145No one can ever die without Allah's permission at the set time. Those who desire 'only' the gain of this life, We will let them have it. And those who desire the reward of the Next Life, We will give it to them. And We will reward those who are grateful. 146Imagine' how many faithful followers fought along with their prophets. But they never lost courage, became weak, or gave up no matter how much they suffered in Allah's cause. Allah loves those who are patient. 147And all they said was: "Our Lord! Forgive our sins and shortcomings, make our steps firm, and give us victory over the disbelieving people. 148So Allah gave them the reward of this life and the excellent reward of the Next. Allah loves those doing good.
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٞ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُۚ أَفَإِيْن مَّاتَ أَوۡ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبۡتُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَٰبِكُمۡۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبۡ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيۡهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيۡٔٗاۗ وَسَيَجۡزِي ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ 144وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ كِتَٰبٗا مُّؤَجَّلٗاۗ وَمَن يُرِدۡ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا نُؤۡتِهِۦ مِنۡهَا وَمَن يُرِدۡ ثَوَابَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ نُؤۡتِهِۦ مِنۡهَاۚ وَسَنَجۡزِي ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ 145وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيّٖ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٞ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ 146وَمَا كَانَ قَوۡلَهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا ٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَإِسۡرَافَنَا فِيٓ أَمۡرِنَا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 147فََٔاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَحُسۡنَ ثَوَابِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ148
VICTORY WASTED AT UHUD
149O believers! If you obey the disbelievers, they will drag you back to disbelief, and you will become losers. 150But no! Allah is your Guardian, and He is the best Helper. 151We will put panic into the hearts of the disbelievers for making 'false gods' equal to Allah—a practice He has never approved. The Fire will be their home. What an evil place to stay for those doing wrong! 152Indeed, Allah's promise to you came true when you started sweeping them away by His permission. But then you lost focus, argued about the command, and disobeyed, after Allah had brought victory within your reach. Some of you just wanted the gains of this life while others wanted the rewards of the Next Life. So He prevented you from winning them as a test. But now He has excused you. And Allah is Kind to the believers.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تُطِيعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يَرُدُّوكُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَٰبِكُمۡ فَتَنقَلِبُواْ خَٰسِرِينَ 149بَلِ ٱللَّهُ مَوۡلَىٰكُمۡۖ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلنَّٰصِرِينَ 150سَنُلۡقِي فِي قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلرُّعۡبَ بِمَآ أَشۡرَكُواْ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗاۖ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُۖ وَبِئۡسَ مَثۡوَى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 151وَلَقَدۡ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُۥٓ إِذۡ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذۡنِهِۦۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلۡتُمۡ وَتَنَٰزَعۡتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِ وَعَصَيۡتُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمۡ عَنۡهُمۡ لِيَبۡتَلِيَكُمۡۖ وَلَقَدۡ عَفَا عَنكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ152
WORDS OF WISDOM
In Surah 24, we spoke about the great Islamic concept of 'husnu az-zann', which means to think well of others.
For example, we should think highly of Allah. If we go through a difficult time, we trust that He will make things easy for us. When we feel disappointed, we trust that He will not let us down. When we pray, we trust that He will answer our du'a when the right time comes. If we ask for forgiveness, we trust that He will forgive us. When we leave this world, we trust that He will shower us with mercy and give us Jannah.
We should also think well of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. We should try to find excuses and not jump to conclusions, even if we think they made a mistake or fell short of our expectations. Remember: when you point a finger to blame someone, you have 3 fingers already pointing back at you.
SIDE STORY
In 2019, I visited a local masjid in Canada to give a Friday khutbah. As I came in, I put my shoes on the big shoe rack at the entrance. Those shoes were very special to me because I had recently bought them from Makkah during hajj. After Jum'ah salah when most people had left, I went to pick up my shoes. Even though I kept looking for them, they were nowhere to be found. To be honest, I was very frustrated.
A clip started playing in my head with me having a boxing match with that masjid's imam and the entire board for failing to defend my beloved shoes! Suddenly, a taller brother noticed my frustration, then simply took the shoes from the top shelf and put them in my hands. It turned out that I had placed them all the way up but kept looking for them at the bottom.
SIDE STORY
Hamzah had to take his mother to the hospital for one day, but he didn't have enough money to pay her bill. On the way to work, he called his best friend 'Ali and explained the situation to him. 'Ali told him, 'Don't worry. In-sha-Allah, I'll do my best today after 'Asr.' Before 'Asr, Hamzah kept calling 'Ali to see if he was able to secure the money, but he got no response. Hamzah was very frustrated and started having bad thoughts about him. He said to himself, 'What a traitor! He doesn't even want to answer the phone. My best friend has let me down when I needed him the most. He's not my friend anymore.'
Then Hamzah went to the hospital after work and was surprised when his mother told him that the money had been paid by his friend 'Ali after 'Asr'. Hamzah tried to call his friend, but again there was no answer. Later, he went to 'Ali's house and asked why he was not picking up. 'Ali told him that he too didn't have enough money to pay the hospital bill, so he had to sell his smartphone.
THE ARMY RETREATS
153Remember' when you were running far away 'in panic'—not looking at anyone—while the Messenger was calling to you from behind! So Allah paid you back with stress upon stress. But do not feel sad for the victory you lost or the harm you suffered. And Allah is fully Aware of what you do. 154Then after stress, He sent down a sense of peace upon some of you in the form of sleep. But some others were disturbed by incorrect thoughts about Allah—the thoughts of 'pre-Islamic ignorance'. They said 'to themselves', "Do we even have a say in this matter?" Say, "O Prophet, All matters are decided by Allah." They hide in their hearts what they do not show to you, adding, "If we had any say in the matter, none of us would have come to die here." Say, "O Prophet,' "Even if you had stayed in your homes, those of you who were going to die would have come out to die anyway." Through this, Allah reveals what is in your minds and purifies what is in your hearts. And Allah knows best whatever 'secrets are hidden' in the hearts. 155Indeed, those 'believers' who ran away on the day when the two armies met were made to slip by Satan because of something wrong they did. But Allah has excused them. Surely Allah is full of forgiveness and patience. 156O believers! Do not be like the unfaithful 'hypocrites' who say about their brothers who died while travelling throughout the land or in battle, "If they had stayed with us, they would not have died or lost their lives." Allah makes their attitude a cause of pain in their own hearts. It is Allah Who gives life and causes death. And Allah sees what you do. 157If you lose your lives or die in the cause of Allah, then His forgiveness and mercy are far better than whatever 'wealth' people collect. 158Whether you die or lose your lives, all of you will definitely be gathered in front of Allah 'for judgment'.
إِذۡ تُصۡعِدُونَ وَلَا تَلۡوُۥنَ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٖ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدۡعُوكُمۡ فِيٓ أُخۡرَىٰكُمۡ فَأَثَٰبَكُمۡ غَمَّۢا بِغَمّٖ لِّكَيۡلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمۡ وَلَا مَآ أَصَٰبَكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ 153ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡغَمِّ أَمَنَةٗ نُّعَاسٗا يَغۡشَىٰ طَآئِفَةٗ مِّنكُمۡۖ وَطَآئِفَةٞ قَدۡ أَهَمَّتۡهُمۡ أَنفُسُهُمۡ يَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡحَقِّ ظَنَّ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِيَّةِۖ يَقُولُونَ هَل لَّنَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِن شَيۡءٖۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ كُلَّهُۥ لِلَّهِۗ يُخۡفُونَ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا لَا يُبۡدُونَ لَكَۖ يَقُولُونَ لَوۡ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَيۡءٞ مَّا قُتِلۡنَا هَٰهُنَاۗ قُل لَّوۡ كُنتُمۡ فِي بُيُوتِكُمۡ لَبَرَزَ ٱلَّذِينَ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقَتۡلُ إِلَىٰ مَضَاجِعِهِمۡۖ وَلِيَبۡتَلِيَ ٱللَّهُ مَا فِي صُدُورِكُمۡ وَلِيُمَحِّصَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِكُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ 154إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَلَّوۡاْ مِنكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡتَقَى ٱلۡجَمۡعَانِ إِنَّمَا ٱسۡتَزَلَّهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ بِبَعۡضِ مَا كَسَبُواْۖ وَلَقَدۡ عَفَا ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيم 155يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَقَالُواْ لِإِخۡوَٰنِهِمۡ إِذَا ضَرَبُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَوۡ كَانُواْ غُزّٗى لَّوۡ كَانُواْ عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُواْ وَمَا قُتِلُواْ لِيَجۡعَلَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسۡرَةٗ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِير 156وَلَئِن قُتِلۡتُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡ مُتُّمۡ لَمَغۡفِرَةٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَحۡمَةٌ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ 157وَلَئِن مُّتُّمۡ أَوۡ قُتِلۡتُمۡ لَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ158
Verse 157: Meaning their evil thought that Allah wouldn't support His religion.
Verse 158: The decision to fight.
THE PROPHET AS A BLESSING
159It is because of Allah's mercy that you 'O Prophet' have been gentle with them. If you had been harsh or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So excuse them, ask Allah's forgiveness for them, and consult with them about matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him. 160If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He does not help you, then who else can help you after that? So in Allah let the believers put their trust. 161A prophet would never secretly take anything from the war gains for himself. And whoever does this, it will be held against him on Judgment Day. Then every soul will be fully paid back for what it has done. None will be treated unfairly. 162Are those who seek to please Allah like those who deserve Allah's anger? Jahannam is their home. What an evil destination! 163These two groups' are on 'totally' different levels in the sight of Allah. And Allah sees what they do.
فَبِمَا رَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمۡۖ وَلَوۡ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلۡقَلۡبِ لَٱنفَضُّواْ مِنۡ حَوۡلِكَۖ فَٱعۡفُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ 159إِن يَنصُرۡكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمۡۖ وَإِن يَخۡذُلۡكُمۡ فَمَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦۗ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ 160وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَغُلَّۚ وَمَن يَغۡلُلۡ يَأۡتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّا كَسَبَتۡ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ 161أَفَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضۡوَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَنۢ بَآءَ بِسَخَطٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأۡوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمَصِيرُ 162هُمۡ دَرَجَٰتٌ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرُۢ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ163
Verse 163: According to Imam Al-Qurtubi and Imam Ibn 'Ashur, this verse told the archers that they should have kept their positions because the Prophet (PBUH) wouldn't have touched their share of the gains or given it to anyone else.
ALLAH'S FAVOUR UPON THE BELIEVERS
164Indeed, Allah has done the believers a 'great' favour by raising a messenger from among them, reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom—they definitely had lost their way in the past.
لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيهِمۡ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٍ164
BACKGROUND STORY
The following passage talks about hypocrites like Ibn Saloul, who was against fighting outside Madinah. On the way to Uhud, Ibn Saloul decided to return to Madinah with around one-third of the army, arguing that there would be no fighting. This put the small Muslim army in a difficult situation. However, the Prophet (PBUH) continued to Uhud as planned.
Later, when the Muslims were defeated and many of them were killed, those hypocrites argued, 'If they had listened to us, they wouldn't have lost their lives.' Verses 154 and 168 teach the hypocrites that no one can escape death when their time comes. (Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi)
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF UHUD
165What! Even though you made your enemy suffer 'at Badr' twice as much as what you suffered 'at Uhud', you still protested, "How could this be?" Say, "O Prophet, 'You brought this upon yourselves'." Surely Allah has power over all things. 166What you suffered on the day the two armies met was by Allah's permission, so that He might identify the 'true' believers 167and expose the hypocrites. When they were told, "Come fight in the cause of Allah or at least defend yourselves," they argued, "We would have definitely joined you if there was going to be a fight." They were closer to disbelief than to belief on that day, for saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. Allah fully knows what they hide. 168Those 'hypocrites' sat back and said about their brothers, "If they had listened to us, they would not have lost their lives." Say, 'O Prophet,' "Try not to die when your time comes', if what you say is true!"
أَوَلَمَّآ أَصَٰبَتۡكُم مُّصِيبَةٞ قَدۡ أَصَبۡتُم مِّثۡلَيۡهَا قُلۡتُمۡ أَنَّىٰ هَٰذَاۖ قُلۡ هُوَ مِنۡ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٞ 165وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡتَقَى ٱلۡجَمۡعَانِ فَبِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 166وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُواْۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ قَٰتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدۡفَعُواْۖ قَالُواْ لَوۡ نَعۡلَمُ قِتَالٗا لَّٱتَّبَعۡنَٰكُمۡۗ هُمۡ لِلۡكُفۡرِ يَوۡمَئِذٍ أَقۡرَبُ مِنۡهُمۡ لِلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيۡسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَكۡتُمُونَ 167ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ لِإِخۡوَٰنِهِمۡ وَقَعَدُواْ لَوۡ أَطَاعُونَا مَا قُتِلُواْۗ قُلۡ فَٱدۡرَءُواْ عَنۡ أَنفُسِكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ168
HONOURING THE FAITHFUL
169Never think that those who lost their lives in the cause of Allah are dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, well provided for. 170They are very pleased with Allah's blessings and excited for those who have yet to join them. There will be no fear for them, and they will never be sad. 171They are very happy to receive Allah's favours and blessings, knowing that Allah does not deny the reward of the believers.
وَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمۡوَٰتَۢاۚ بَلۡ أَحۡيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ يُرۡزَقُونَ 169فَرِحِينَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ وَيَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ بِٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يَلۡحَقُواْ بِهِم مِّنۡ خَلۡفِهِمۡ أَلَّا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ 170يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ بِنِعۡمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضۡلٖ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ171
BACKGROUND STORY
The Prophet (PBUH) realized that the city of Madinah became exposed after the Muslims' defeat at Uhud. So, on the next day after the battle, he decided to lead a small force of his companions to chase away the Makkan army, which was camping at a place called Hamra' Al-Asad (around 12 km from Madinah). The Muslims followed the Prophet (PBUH), even though many of them had been wounded at Uhud.
Abu Sufyan (the commander of the Makkan army) was thinking about returning to Madinah to finish off the Muslims. However, he got the news that the Prophet (PBUH) was coming after them, so he sent him a message with some travelers. The message said that the Makkans were ready to wipe out the Muslim army. The Muslims had faith that Allah would support them. The Prophet (PBUH) also sent a warning to Abu Sufyan that the Muslims were coming for revenge. By the time the Prophet (PBUH) arrived at Hamra' Al-Asad, Abu Sufyan had already run away to Makkah with his army. (Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi)
WORDS OF WISDOM
According to verse 173, when the Prophet (PBUH) and his companions got the news that the Makkans were going to attack Madinah after the Battle of Uhud, they declared: 'Hasbuna Allahu wa ni'ma al-wakil.' This means: 'Allah 'alone' is enough 'as a helper' for us, and 'He' is the best to take care of everything.'
In other words, they said, 'If Allah is on our side, we don't care who is against us.' This is very powerful, given the fact that the Muslims had just been defeated, with many of them killed or wounded. When they put their trust in Allah, He protected them and made them successful.
According to a hadith reported by Imam Al-Bukhari, the same thing was said by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when his enemies threw him in the fire. This is why Allah protected him and made him successful. Remember to say this du'a when you feel helpless and all doors seem closed. Allah will always be there for you.
SIDE STORY
This is a true story that happened with me personally. Back in February 2022, I was trying to book a flight from Canada to Türkiye in the summer. After several days of searching, I found a good deal with Ukrainian Airlines with one stop in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. So, I paid through a booking website using my card. However, a few days later, I got a phone call from the website saying that my payment didn't go through. I asked if I could re-book the same flight, and they said that the price had doubled. In frustration, I said to myself, 'Hasbuna Allahu wa ni'ma al-wakil.'
I asked a friend for advice, and he recommended booking through a particular travel agency in Toronto. When I called them, they gave me a direct flight with Turkish Airlines. It was such a good deal that I was very happy my payment with the first airline hadn't gone through. A week later, Ukraine was invaded by Russian troops, and all future Ukrainian flights were cancelled.
SIDE STORY
In 1565, there was a lack of rain for a long time and people were starving in Tihamah (a large area in Arabia by the Red Sea). One scholar named Ibn 'Omar Ad-Damadi gathered the people and prayed for rain. After the prayer, he recited an emotional poem to beg Allah for rain, saying that He was their only hope.
As soon as he finished his poem, it started raining so much that people had to hold him to his house to protect him from being swept away by rainwater. The following are selected lines from his poem, along with my humble translation.
REWARD OF THE PATIENT
172As for' those who responded to the call of Allah and His Messenger after their injury, those who did good and kept Allah in mind will receive a great reward. 173Those who were warned by others, "Your enemies have gathered their forces against you, so fear them," the warning only made them grow stronger in faith and they declared, "Allah 'alone' is enough 'as a helper' for us, and 'He' is the best to take care of everything. 174So they returned with Allah's favours and blessings, suffering no harm, because their intention was to please Allah. And surely Allah is 'the' Lord of great blessings. 175That 'warning' was only 'from' Satan, trying to make you fear his followers. So do not fear them; fear Me if you are 'true' believers.
ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَآ أَصَابَهُمُ ٱلۡقَرۡحُۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٌ 172ٱلَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ قَدۡ جَمَعُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱخۡشَوۡهُمۡ فَزَادَهُمۡ إِيمَٰنٗا وَقَالُواْ حَسۡبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡوَكِيلُ 173فَٱنقَلَبُواْ بِنِعۡمَةٖ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضۡلٖ لَّمۡ يَمۡسَسۡهُمۡ سُوٓءٞ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ رِضۡوَٰنَ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَظِيمٍ 174إِنَّمَا ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ يُخَوِّفُ أَوۡلِيَآءَهُۥ فَلَا تَخَافُوهُمۡ وَخَافُونِ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ175
HYPOCRITES EXPOSED
176Do not be sad for those who race to disbelieve 'O Prophet!'—surely they will not harm Allah in any way. Allah wants them to have no share in the Next Life, and they will suffer a horrible punishment. 177Those who trade belief for disbelief will never harm Allah at all, and they will suffer a painful punishment. 178Those who disbelieve should not think that letting them live longer is good for them. We only give them more time so they increase in sin, and they will suffer a humiliating punishment. 179Allah would not leave the believers in the condition you were in, until He distinguished the good from the evil 'among you'. And Allah would not 'directly' reveal to you the unseen, but He chooses whoever He wants as a messenger. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you have faith and keep Allah in mind, you will receive a great reward. 180And do not let those 'hypocrites' who hold back Allah's blessings think this is good for them—in fact, it is bad for them! They will have their necks leashed on Judgment Day by whatever 'wealth' they used to hold back. The heavens and the earth belong to Allah after all. And Allah is fully Aware of what you do.
وَلَا يَحۡزُنكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِي ٱلۡكُفۡرِۚ إِنَّهُمۡ لَن يَضُرُّواْ ٱللَّهَ شَيۡٔٗاۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَلَّا يَجۡعَلَ لَهُمۡ حَظّٗا فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ 176١٧٦ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشۡتَرَوُاْ ٱلۡكُفۡرَ بِٱلۡإِيمَٰنِ لَن يَضُرُّواْ ٱللَّهَ شَيۡٔٗاۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيم 177وَلَا يَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّمَا نُمۡلِي لَهُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لِّأَنفُسِهِمۡۚ إِنَّمَا نُمۡلِي لَهُمۡ لِيَزۡدَادُوٓاْ إِثۡمٗاۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٞ مُّهِينٞ 178مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنتُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلۡخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِۗ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُطۡلِعَكُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡتَبِي مِن رُّسُلِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۖ فََٔامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦۚ وَإِن تُؤۡمِنُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَلَكُمۡ أَجۡرٌ عَظِيمٞ 179وَلَا يَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَبۡخَلُونَ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ هُوَ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۖ بَلۡ هُوَ شَرّٞ لَّهُمۡۖ سَيُطَوَّقُونَ مَا بَخِلُواْ بِهِۦ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٞ180
Verse 180: Meaning Allah would not directly reveal to you the names of the hypocrites.
OFFENSIVE WORDS EXPOSED
181Indeed, Allah has heard those 'among the Jews' who said, "Allah is poor and we are rich!" We have definitely recorded their insult as well as their killing of prophets with no right. Then We will say, "Taste the punishment of burning! 182This is because of what you have done. And Allah is never unjust to 'His' creation." 183Those 'are the same people' who demanded, "Allah has told us not to believe in any messenger unless he brings us an offering to be eaten by fire 'from the sky'." Say, "O Prophet," "Other messengers before me already came to you with clear proofs and even what you demanded. Why then did you kill them, if what you say is true?" 184If you are rejected by them 'O Prophet', so too were messengers before you, who came with clear proofs, holy writings, and guiding Books.
لَّقَدۡ سَمِعَ ٱللَّهُ قَوۡلَ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ فَقِيرٞ وَنَحۡنُ أَغۡنِيَآءُۘ سَنَكۡتُبُ مَا قَالُواْ وَقَتۡلَهُمُ ٱلۡأَنۢبِيَآءَ بِغَيۡرِ حَقّٖ وَنَقُولُ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلۡحَرِيقِ 181ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا قَدَّمَتۡ أَيۡدِيكُمۡ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَيۡسَ بِظَلَّامٖ لِّلۡعَبِيدِ 182ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَهِدَ إِلَيۡنَآ أَلَّا نُؤۡمِنَ لِرَسُولٍ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡتِيَنَا بِقُرۡبَانٖ تَأۡكُلُهُ ٱلنَّارُۗ قُلۡ قَدۡ جَآءَكُمۡ رُسُلٞ مِّن قَبۡلِي بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَبِٱلَّذِي قُلۡتُمۡ فَلِمَ قَتَلۡتُمُوهُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 183فَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقَدۡ كُذِّبَ رُسُلٞ مِّن قَبۡلِكَ جَآءُو بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَٱلزُّبُرِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡمُنِير184
Verse 184: According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, they made this claim because they said that Allah was asking people to donate to support His cause.
LIFE IS FULL OF TESTS
185Every soul will taste death. And you will only be fully paid back on Judgment Day. Whoever is saved from the Fire and entered into Jannah will be the winner, whereas the life of this world is no more than the illusion of enjoyment. 186You 'believers' will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Book before you and from the idol-worshippers. But if you stay patient and keep Allah in mind—surely this is something to aim for.
كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلۡمَوۡتِۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوۡنَ أُجُورَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۖ فَمَن زُحۡزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدۡخِلَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ فَقَدۡ فَازَۗ وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلۡغُرُورِ 185لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذٗى كَثِيرٗاۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ186
Verse 186: Meaning through the loss of wealth as well as sickness, injuries, and the loss of life.
BREAKING ALLAH'S PLEDGE
187Remember' when Allah took the pledge of those who were given the Book to declare it to people and not hide it, yet they threw it behind their backs and traded it for a little gain. What a miserable profit! 188As for those who are happy with their misdeeds and take credit for what they have not done, do not think they will escape punishment. They will suffer a painful punishment.
وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَٰقَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُۥ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكۡتُمُونَهُۥ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَآءَ ظُهُورِهِمۡ وَٱشۡتَرَوۡاْ بِهِۦ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلٗاۖ فَبِئۡسَ مَا يَشۡتَرُونَ 187لَا تَحۡسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡرَحُونَ بِمَآ أَتَواْ وَّيُحِبُّونَ أَن يُحۡمَدُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَفۡعَلُواْ فَلَا تَحۡسَبَنَّهُم بِمَفَازَةٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ188
Verse 188: According to Imam Ibn Kathir, this verse was revealed when the Prophet (PBUH) asked some Jewish scholars about something. Even though they didn't tell him the truth, they expected thanks from him.
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Prophet (PBUH) used to recite the following passage in his late-night salah. In one hadith, he cried when these verses were revealed to him (Ibn Hibban). In another hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) looked at the sky one night and recited these verses, then said, 'O Allah! Put light in my heart, light on my tongue, light in my sight, light in my hearing, light to my right, light to my left, light above me, light below me, light in front of me, light behind me, light in my soul, and bless me with great light' (Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim).
REWARD OF THE FAITHFUL
189The kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. And Allah has power over all things. 190Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the rotation of the day and night there are signs for those who truly understand. 191'They are' those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth 'saying, "Our Lord! You have not created 'all of this' without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the punishment of the Fire. 192Our Lord! Indeed, those You enter into the Fire will be completely disgraced! And those doing wrong will have no helpers. 193Our Lord! We have heard the caller inviting to the 'true' faith, 'saying:' 'Believe in your Lord, so we believed. Our Lord! Forgive our sins, clear us of our misdeeds, and join us with the faithful when we die. 194Our Lord! Give us what You have promised us through Your messengers, and do not put us to shame on Judgment Day. You certainly never fail in Your promise." 195So their Lord responded to them: "I will never deny any of you—male or female—the reward of your deeds. Both are equal in reward. As for those who migrated or were expelled from their homes, suffered for My sake, and fought or lost their lives, I will certainly forgive their sins and enter them into Gardens under which rivers flow, as a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the best reward!"
وَلِلَّهِ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ 189إِنَّ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ 190ٱلَّذِينَ يَذۡكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ قِيَٰمٗا وَقُعُودٗا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمۡ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقۡتَ هَٰذَا بَٰطِلٗا سُبۡحَٰنَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ 191رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ مَن تُدۡخِلِ ٱلنَّارَ فَقَدۡ أَخۡزَيۡتَهُۥۖ وَمَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ مِنۡ أَنصَار 192رَّبَّنَآ إِنَّنَا سَمِعۡنَا مُنَادِيٗا يُنَادِي لِلۡإِيمَٰنِ أَنۡ ءَامِنُواْ بِرَبِّكُمۡ فََٔامَنَّاۚ رَبَّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا وَكَفِّرۡ عَنَّا سَئَِّاتِنَا وَتَوَفَّنَا مَعَ ٱلۡأَبۡرَارِ 193رَبَّنَا وَءَاتِنَا مَا وَعَدتَّنَا عَلَىٰ رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخۡزِنَا يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۖ إِنَّكَ لَا تُخۡلِفُ ٱلۡمِيعَادَ 194فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ أَنِّي لَآ أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَٰمِلٖ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰۖ بَعۡضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡضٖۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ وَأُخۡرِجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِمۡ وَأُوذُواْ فِي سَبِيلِي وَقَٰتَلُواْ وَقُتِلُواْ لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنۡهُمۡ سَئَِّاتِهِمۡ وَلَأُدۡخِلَنَّهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ ثَوَابٗا مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱللَّهُ عِندَهُۥ حُسۡنُ ٱلثَّوَابِ195
Verse 195: The caller is Muhammad (PBUH).
ADVICE TO THE BELIEVERS
196Do not be deceived by the comfortable living of the disbelievers throughout the land. 197It is only a brief enjoyment, then Jahannam will be their home. What an evil place to rest! 198But those who keep their Lord in mind will be Gardens under which rivers flow, to stay there forever, as a welcoming reception from Allah. And what is with Allah is best for the faithful.
لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي ٱلۡبِلَٰدِ 196مَتَٰعٞ قَلِيلٞ ثُمَّ مَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ 197لَٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ رَبَّهُمۡ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٞ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا نُزُلٗا مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّلۡأَبۡرَارِ198
FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
199There are some among the People of the Book who truly believe in Allah and what has been revealed to you 'Muslims' and what was revealed to them. They humble themselves to Allah, never trading Allah's revelations for a little gain. Their reward is with their Lord. Surely Allah is quick in judgment.
وَإِنَّ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَمَن يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُمۡ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ خَٰشِعِينَ لِلَّهِ لَا يَشۡتَرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ثَمَنٗا قَلِيلًاۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلۡحِسَابِ199
ADVICE FOR SUCCESS
200O believers! Have patience, be more patient than the others, stand on guard, and keep Allah in mind, so you may be successful.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱصۡبِرُواْ وَصَابِرُواْ وَرَابِطُواْ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ200