A Powerful Theological Truth mentioned in Al-Qurʾān (Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎)

Al Qur'an, like all other three Divine scriptures, is a book of Divine wisdom which only men of wisdom, intellect and understanding can really understand. every word of Al Qur'an is to be read again and again to know the wisdom behind it. Sometimes even a small verse has hidden powerful theological truth which when pondered upon bewilders the reader.

In this context, we share a very small verse, the 26th verse of Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ which unfolds a Divine truth when deeply reflected upon. Herein under is the verse followed by its explanation:

كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ

“All that is on it (the earth) will perish.”

A profound verse which lays down one of the most fundamental truths of Islamic theology and worldview: absolute mortality of creation and absolute permanence of Allah alone.:

First, neither you are immortal nor the provisions that you are enjoying in this world everlasting. Immortal and everlasting is the Being of the High and Supreme God alone Whose greatness this universe testifies, and by Whose grace and kindness you have been favored with these bounties. Now, if some one among you behaves arrogantly, it would be due to his own meanness. If a foolish person assumes haughtiness in his tiny sphere of authority, or becomes god of a few helpless men who fall into his hand, this farce would not last long. A godhead that lags for a mere score or two score years in a corner of the earth whose size in this limitless universe is not even equal to a pea seed, and then becomes a legend of the past, is not something of which one may feel proud and arrogant.

The other important truth of which both these creations have been warned is: None of those whom you have set up as deities and removers of hardships and fulfiller of needs, apart from Allah, whether they are angels or prophets or the moon and the sun, or some other creation, can fulfill any of your needs. These helpless creatures and things themselves stand in need of Allah’s help for their needs and requirements. They themselves pray to Him for help. When they are not able to remove their own hardships, how will they remove your hardships? Whatever is happening in this limitless universe, from the earth to the heavens, is happening under the command of One God alone. No one else has any share in His Godhead. No one therefore can influence anyone else’s destiny in any way.

Here is a deep, structured explanation in light of Qur’an, Sunnah, and Tafsīr:

Universal mortality — no exception for creation

• The word كُلُّ (kullu) means: Every single thing, without exception.
• And مَنْ (man) includes: All living beings be it the Jinn, Animals, and Humans, even Kings & beggars, Believers & disbelievers and the mighty & the weak
• That is nothing on earth — no matter how powerful, beautiful, advanced, or admired — is exempt.

This echoes many Qur’anic verses:

• “Every soul shall taste death.” (3:185)
• “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you.” (4:78)
• “We did not grant immortality to any human before you.” (21:34)

This demolishes the illusion of permanence in dunya / our earthly world.

Collapse of worldly pride and false security

In the verse above, فَانٍ (fān) means vanishing, decaying, coming to an end

Thus this part of the verse directly confronts the human Arrogance, Attachment to wealth, Obsession with status, Trust in systems, power, or technology, that is whatever people build — empires, businesses, reputations, cities, ideologies — all share the same destiny:

 فَانٍ (fān) not only means just the death — it is total fading of worldly reality. This is why Qarun/Korah, Pharaoh, and past nations are lessons: They seemed permanent — but they became history.

A doorway to Tawḥīd (Oneness of Allah)

This verse is immediately followed by:

وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ

“And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.” (55:27)

This contrast is deliberate: 

• All creations are Fān (perishing), while Allah is Bāqī (Everlasting)
• All creations are Dependent while the Almighty Allah is Self-Sufficient
• All creations are weak and meek, while the ever remaining Allah is All Powerful

This is pure Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah and al-Asmāʾ waṣ-Ṣifāt. For only Allah is: Al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living) and Al-Qayyūm (Self-Existing) - click on the highlighted blue text to understand the meaning of these two attributes of Allah.

Spiritual wisdom: where should the heart attach?

This verse answers a deep human question: What is safe to love completely? - and the Islam’s answer: Don’t attach your heart to what will die - Attach it to the One who never dies

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Love whom you wish, but you will surely part from him.” (Reported in meaning in several narrations)

So the verse trains the believer to: (1) Love creation with balance. (2) Rely on Allah with certainty, and Seek the Hereafter over dunya

A cure for grief, arrogance, and despair

This single verse gives:

• For the grieving: What you lost was never permanent.
• For the arrogant: You yourself are temporary.
• For the hopeless: The One you turn to is not temporary.

This is why scholars note that this verse equalizes kings and beggars in the reality of death.

Connection to Surah Ar-Raḥmān’s theme

Surah ar-Raḥmān is about: Blessings to the jinn and humans, Power, Judgment, Mercy of Allah and His neutral and impartial Accountability.

This verse marks a turning point: 

• From enjoying blessings to remembering their end. 
• It teaches: Blessings are real — but not eternal and that Accountability is real — and eternal.

A Daʿwah and life principle for today

When viewed our world which is obsessed with: Legacy, Fame, Digital immortality, Wealth accumulation, this verse declares:

• No matter how advanced you become — you are still temporary.
• True success is not being remembered on earth, but Being accepted by Allah in the Hereafter

One powerful theological summary

Everything you see, love, fear, or rely on in this world is guaranteed to perish — only Allah is permanent, and only what is done for Him will last.

The verse notes that all that exists on Earth will perish but the one and only God never dies.  Just as the creation of this universe is a miracle of God, similarly the end is also a sign of His power because it shows that He is so Magnificent and Self-Sufficient that He does not depend on His creation in any way.  He does not need anything.  Compare it with any of your own creation and your attitude towards its preservation, the heartbreak you feel if it is lost or broken; can you ever have the courage to break your own piece of craft? We are so weak in front of Him.  So, then how can we deny the Almighty Lord? We recognize His power to give us but we do not recognize our duty towards Him which is to be His obedient slaves.  It is His decision that He does not punish us in this world and lets us have our way; so people think that they can keep avoiding His accountability forever.

The above explanation of a very small verse unfolds the stark realities of which we normally close our eyes and turn away to the pomp and show of the wordily life, not being any heed to cautions such like verses contain for the man, and jinn, to know that there still is time that we steer our lives on the path which is being shown to us and the hidden realities that are being open to us. Only men who have the wisdom and intellect to reflect will catch this powerful theological truth.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎ (The Most Merciful) already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Al Qur'an: Overview and selected verses from Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎ (The Most Merciful)

Surah Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎ (The Most Merciful), the 55th Sürah with 78 verses and three Rukus, part of Juz' 27 is one of the most rhythmic and emotionally powerful chapters of the Al Qur’an. It is often called “The Bride of the Qur’an” (a famous description attributed in early literature), because of its beauty, repetition, and deep spiritual impact.  The title of the surah, Ar-Rahman, appears in verse 1 and means "The Most Beneficent / Merciful".

The Sürah was revealed in Makkah and emphasizes themes of mercy, creation, and the relationship between Allah and humanity, making it a significant Sürah in Islamic teachings. 

The unique feature of Sürah Ar Raḥmān is that it addresses both humans and the jinn - something that makes it the only Surah of the entire Al Qur'an which addresses both humans and the jinn. The core verse of the Surah is “So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” which is repeated 31 times emphasizing the unlimited powers of Allah who has made everything in the universe for the man to reflect upon.

We have already shared the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Surah which can be read from links given below:

| Part 1 (Introduction) | Part 2 (Summary) | Part 3 (Tafsir / Exegesis) | 

| Understanding Surah Ar Rahman |

Herein under we will only present a condensed overview of the entire Sūrah, for the scope of this post is to only to introduce the Sūrah and provide links to some of the selected verses from this Sūrah for selective reading / references. The following bird eye view includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to  some of the selected verses already published.

Context of revelation

The surah was revealed at a time when the Quraysh, the polytheist ruling tribe of Makkah reacted arrogantly to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم when he openly proclaimed the religion of Islam to them and straightaway became hostile to him, completely denying Allah’s favors to them. They mocked the very concept of Surah Ar-Raḥmān and rejected out rightly the concept of resurrection and accountability

Thus Allah responded not with argument alone, but with a flood of blessings — natural, spiritual, cosmic, and eternal — to awaken gratitude and humility.

It is also authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ recited this surah to the jinn, and they responded: “None of Your favors do we deny, our Lord; to You belongs all praise.” (Reported in Tirmidhī and others — often cited in tafsīr). This highlights the surah’s Daʿwah power.

Main theme of Surah ar-Raḥmān

Allah’s overwhelming mercy is displayed through countless blessings — and human/jinn ingratitude is exposed by repeated questioning of denial. It ties together: Mercy, Creation, Balance, Accountability, Paradise & Hell and Gratitude vs denial.

Core sections & important verses

• Mercy before law (55:1–4): “The Most Merciful — taught the Qur’an, created man, taught him speech.” - that is Al Qur’an is a gift of mercy, not burden and that Guidance is a blessing before obligation. It has been stated that the teaching of the Qur'an is from Allah Almighty and it is the very demand of His mercy that He should provide guidance to mankind through this teaching, for it is He Who has created man as a rational and intelligent being.
• Balance in the universe (55:5–9): 
• “And the heaven He raised and set the balance…” This is to emphasise that the universe is morally and physically balanced, thus Injustice is a violation of divine order.
• In verses 5-6 it has been said that the whole system of the Universe is functioning under Allah's Sovereignty and everything in the earth and heavens is subject to His Command alone.
• In verses 7-9 another important truth that has been expressed is that Allah has established the entire system of the Universe precisely and equitably on justice, and the nature of this system requires that those who dwell in it also should adhere to justice within the bounds of their authority and should not disturb the balance.
• Earthly blessings (55:10–13): It is emphasised that Food, fruits, palms, grains, fragrance which form the daily sustenance is a sign, not entitlement.
• Creation of humans & jinn (55:14–15): “He created man from clay… and created jinn from smokeless fire.” - both of different origins but will face accountability.
• Power over seas & treasures (55:19–25): This is to emphasise that smooth sailing of ships over seas exhibit that economic power is under Allah’s control alone.
• Mortality & Majesty (55:26–30): 
• “Everyone upon it will perish. And there will remain the Face of your Lord…” which means that Ultimate reality is Allah, not creation.
• Both the men and the jinn have been reminded of the truths that in this Universe no one except One God is immortal and imperishable, and there is none, from the lowest to the highest, who does not stand in need of God for his survival and other requirements. Whatever is happening here, from the earth to the heavens, is happening under His administration and control.
• Judgment & accountability (55:31–36) When it is said “We will attend to you, O two weighty beings…” both the groups have been warned that the time is fast approaching when they will be called to account, which they will not be able to avoid, for God's Kingdom is encircling them from every side; it is not in their power to flee it; if they are involved in the misunderstanding that they can, they may try to do so.
• In verses 37-38 it has been said that this accountability will be held on the Day of Resurrection.
• In verses 39-45 the evil end of the guilty ones, from among men and jinn, who have been disobeying Allah in the world has been mentioned.
• The Promised Reward: From verse 46 to the end of the Surah mention has been made of those rewards and blessings which will be granted to the righteous men and jinn who have led pious lives in the world and lived with a clear understanding that they will have to appear before their Lord one day and render an account of their deeds and actions. Herein, special mention is made of two sets of gardens for the rewarded and specially rewarded ones:
• Two gardens for the righteous (55:46–61) These verses present the detailed description of Jannah, to motivate the man and jinns through hope.
• Two more gardens (55:62–76) Here even more reward is promised for those above the rest in the form of elevated gardens of paradise, showing Allah’s generosity exceeds expectation.

The repeated verse  فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ

The unique feature of the Surah is a verse “So which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?” - فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ which forms the heart of the surah for it is repeated 31 times. This repetition is one of the most powerful rhetorical and spiritual features of the Qur’an. It is repeated for deep, multi-layered reasons — linguistic, psychological, spiritual, and Daʿwah-related.

The repetition of this phrase Awakens conscience, Breaks ingratitude, Forces reflection and Exposes denial.

One-paragraph summary

Surah ar-Raḥmān is a majestic proclamation of Allah’s mercy displayed through creation, guidance, balance, provision, accountability, and eternal reward. By repeatedly asking, “Which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?”, the surah confronts human and jinn ingratitude, forcing the heart to acknowledge blessings that are often ignored. It moves from mercy to law, from worldly gifts to the Hereafter, from fleeting life to eternal gardens, teaching that gratitude is not merely emotion but a moral response to divine generosity.

How we can benefit from Surah ar-Raḥmān today

• Cure for ingratitude & depression: Reorients focus from lack to blessing
• Environmental & social ethics: Balance (mīzān) leads to justice in economy, ecology, society
• Strengthening Tawḥīd: All blessings traced back to Allah
• Daʿwah tool: Softens hearts through mercy, not fear alone
• Daily spiritual renewal: Reciting it trains the heart in shukr / gratitude

One-line takeaway: Surah Ar-Raḥmān is a Qur’anic symphony of mercy that transforms entitlement into gratitude and arrogance into awe.

Now let us share herein some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already shared:

• Verses 7-9: Establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance
• Verses 19-20: Separation of two seas with a barrier
• Verse 26: All that is on it (the earth) will perish - A Powerful Theological Truth mentioned in Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎ 
• Verse 60: Is the reward for good [anything] but good?

In time we will add more selected verses from Sürah Ar Raḥmān

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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How a few verses of Al Qur'an outline the complete Qur'anic Philosophy of Da'wah - calling non Muslims to Islam

Da'wah, دعوة, the invitation to the non Muslim to enter the fold of Islam, is an important pillar of Islam, Allah directs Muslims to involve them in this sacred religious obligation, specially after the cessation of prophethood after the last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad  صلى الله عليه وسلم.

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” [Aal ‘Imran 3:104]

Da'wah, meaning "invitation" or "summons," is the Islamic practice of calling people—both non-Muslims and Muslims—towards a better understanding and practice of Islam, based on the Quran and Sunnah. It involves sharing the message of Allah's Oneness (Tawheed), clearing up misconceptions, and encouraging righteous actions through wisdom, good character, and polite dialogue. Da'wah embodies comprehensive understanding of Islam (through complete understanding of Qur'an and Sunnah) and a general understanding of the faith being followed by the audience to whom Da'wah is being extended. 

We have already published a number of posts on importance, meaning and mode of Da'wah, which can be accessed from our reference page: Da'wah - The Invitation to Non-Muslims to Islam for better understanding of what really Da'wah is.

Today, through this post we link verses from three different Surahs of Qur'an which together form an excellent synthesis. and provide a complete Qur’anic philosophy of Da'wah — covering Da'wah method, limits, and transformation. This balanced framework protects a dāʿī (one extending Da'wah) from arrogance, burnout, and misplaced expectations. These Surahs are Surah Mu'min 40:28–45 with Surah Al-Qasas 28:56 and Surah Ar-Ra'd 13:11.

Before we explain the philosophy of Da'wah, let us in one paragraph explain the passage of verses of Surah Al Mu'min (40:28–45) for it is the basis of the Method of extending Da'wah mentioned in successive lines.

Surah Al Mu'min is revealed in the context of Pharaoh’s court, where a believing man from Pharaoh’s own family secretly held faith in Musa عليه السلام and, at a critical moment, spoke publicly to defend him against unjust execution. In a society dominated by tyranny, propaganda, and arrogance, this believer delivers a reasoned, compassionate, and courageous speech: he appeals to conscience, logic, historical precedent, and fear of the Hereafter, warning his people against persecuting a messenger who came with clear signs. He contrasts the call to Allah with the call to falsehood, expresses sincere concern for their ultimate fate, and entrusts his matter to Allah when facing danger. The passage concludes by showing that Allah protected him while Pharaoh and his people were engulfed by punishment, demonstrating that truth can be spoken even within corrupt systems, that moral courage may be costly but is divinely supported, and that oppressive power ultimately collapses before Allah’s justice. 

Now let us outline a unified Qur’anic Da'wah Philosophy, grounded directly in these three pillars:

• Method: Speak with wisdom, courage, and compassion
• From Surah Mu'min (40:28–45): This passage teaches how to give Da'wah. Following are core methods to give Da'wah:
• Appeal to conscience (40:28)
• Use reason and fairness (40:28)
• Remind of history (40:30–31)
• Show concern for akhirah (40:32–33)
• Clarify moral paths (40:41)
• Center on Tawḥīd (40:42–43)
• End with tawakkul (40:44)
• Da'wah principle: Daʿwah is moral persuasion, not emotional pressure or political force.
• Limits: Guidance is not in human control
• From Surah al-Qaṣaṣ (28:56) “Indeed, you do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills…”
• Core limit: Even the Prophet ﷺ could not guide those he loved most - Love, logic, and effort are not enough
• Da'wah principle: You are responsible for delivery, not conversion.
• This protects the dāʿī from: (1) Guilt, (2( Manipulation, (3) Despair, and even (4) Pride
• Transformation: Change must come from within
• From Surah ar-Raʿd (13:11) “Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”
• Core transformation law: (1) Guidance is not imposed, (2) Hearts must open voluntarily, and (3) Inner moral change precedes outer reform.
• Daʿwah principle: Daʿwah invites — it cannot substitute inner repentance and sincerity.

The Integrated Qur’anic Model

When combined, these verses give this complete structure:

• Verses 40:28-45
• Dimension: What you cannot control
• What it teaches: Wisdom, logic, compassion, courage
• Verse 28:56
• Dimension: How to call
• What it teaches: Hearts & guidance belong to Allah
• Verse 13:11
• Dimension; What must happen in them
• What it Teaches: Inner moral transformation

The Balanced Daʿwah Equation

The balanced Qur’anic formula based on (1) Sincere effort (40), (2) Acceptance of limits (28:56) and (3) Emphasis on inner change (13:11) results into a Healthy, effective, sustainable Daʿwah**

How this formula protects the dāʿī? This framework protects against: (1) Forcing outcomes, (2) Measuring success by numbers, (3) Emotional burnout, (4) Arrogance when people accept, and (5) Despair when people reject.

How this framework applies today

• In family Daʿwah: Da'wah begins at home. It should be every endeavour of the elders to build faith among the children by speaking with love(40), accepting Allah's decree (28:56), and Focus on hearts, not arguments (13:11)
• In public Daʿwah: However, when in public the mode changes to Speaking truth with courage (40), not chasing validation (28:56) and calling for personal reform (13:11)
• In political or social Daʿwah: Address conscience and justice (40), don’t idolize leaders or systems (28:56), and Emphasize ethical revival (13:11)

Summarizing the Qur’anic Daʿwah philosophy in one line 

Call with wisdom and courage, accept that guidance is Allah’s alone, and remember that real change begins in the heart — this is the Qur’anic balance of Daʿwah.

This post ii point form is to introduce outline the Quranic philosophy of Da'wah to our readers and those involved in Da'wah for reflection correlating it with complete explanation of each verse so as to understand the whole picture. remember, Da'wah is not an easy task, it takes complete understanding of Qur'an and Sunnah and detailed knowledge of faith of the audience so that one is able to give answers to the questions of the audience, convincing them that what came earlier and later is a complete chain of Divine plan so that people understand the final religion which in fact is the continuation of the Divine message sent earlier through earlier prophets. 

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 40. Al Mu'min (The Believer)  already published.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Be steadfast in your faith and Seek forgiveness from Allah for your shortcomings

One of the most difficult thing for a believer is to exercise patience "Sabr" specially when confronted with odds and faced with the tyranny of the powerful. We experience hardships in our lives both at home and at places of work and sometimes we are so helpless to protect us and our families and our job that it seems that we are running out of our capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems, or suffering and feel completely helpless.

The prophet of Allah have faced much greater sorrow, helplessness and tyranny of their audience non believers. Remember, the story of *Prophet Jonah, Yunus عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, who was so dejected by the negative response of his people when he called them to follow one true God and in utter impatience he left his people and was thrown overboard from a ship, swallowed by a big fish. There he repented his impatience and begged Allah to forgive him. And when he was forgiven and was gulped out by the fish on the shore, he found that the very people whom he had left had accepted the path of one true God he once told them to do so. That is why at many a places in Qur'an, man is asked to exercise patience for they never know what good lies ahead for them.

* You may read the account at: Prophet Younis (Jonah) and Allah's Displeasure

In the same context, we share the 55th verse of Surah 40. Al Mu'min in which Allah has reassured Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to remain steadfast and be patient when faced with utter odds and seemingly hit against a hall. Herein under is the verse and its explanation as relevant to the premise above:

The Verse

فَاصۡبِرۡ اِنَّ وَعۡدَ اللّٰهِ حَقٌّ وَّاسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۡۢبِكَ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ بِالۡعَشِىِّ وَالۡاِبۡكَارِ‏ 

“So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is true. And seek forgiveness for your sin, and glorify the praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.”

Immediate context in Surah Mu'min

Surah Al-Mu’min is a Makkan surah revealed when Muslims were facing strong opposition, mockery, and pressure. Just before verse 55 (40:51–54), Allah had reassured Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم that Messengers and believers will ultimately be helped, even if they seem weak and that past nations who denied the truth were destroyed. It has been reminded that Guidance and success belong to those who follow revelation.

So verse 40:55 comes as direct guidance to the Prophet ﷺ (and by extension, to all believers) on how to respond while waiting for Allah’s help to manifest.

Explanation of the verse

• “So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is true.” This patience (ṣabr) is not passive waiting. In the context of the surah, it means:
• Remaining firm despite rejection and hostility
• Trusting that Allah’s promise of victory, justice, and accountability is guaranteed, even if delayed
• Not being shaken by the arrogance or temporary power of the disbelievers, which the surah repeatedly highlights as deceptive
• The phrase “the promise of Allah is true” directly counters the doubt created by hardship: delay does not mean denial.
• “Seek forgiveness for your sin” 
• Although the Prophet ﷺ was protected from sin, this command serves multiple purposes:
• It teaches humility, even at the highest level of faith
• It shows that seeking forgiveness is part of spiritual strength, not weakness
• It reminds believers that divine help is connected to purifying oneself, not just confronting external enemies.
• In context, it also contrasts the believers with the arrogant rejecters who refuse to admit fault or repent.
• Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, an eminent Muslim scholar and exegete translates "sin" mentioned as given below:
• A study of the context shows that here “sin” implies the state of impatience that was being caused to the Prophet (peace be upon him) on account of the severe antagonism, especially the persecution of his followers. He earnestly desired that either some miracle should be shown, which should convince the disbelievers or something else should soon come down from Allah, which should quell the storm of opposition. Though this desire in itself was not a sin, which should have called for repentance, the high rank with which Allah had blessed the Prophet (peace be upon him) demanded great grit and will power; so the little impatience shown by him was regarded as inconsistent with his high rank. Therefore, he was required to ask Allah’s forgiveness for showing the weakness and was told to hold his ground like a rock as a man of a high rank like him should.
• “Glorify the praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning” 
• That is, Glorification of Allah with His praises is the only means by which those who work for the sake of Allah can get the strength to resist and overcome the hardships faced in the way of Allah.
• Within the surah’s themes, this means: (1) Staying spiritually grounded while living in a hostile environment, (2) Drawing strength from remembrance rather than reacting emotionally to opposition, and (3) Maintaining a constant connection to Allah while awaiting His judgment and aid

Overall message in context

The above quoted verse ties together three survival tools for believers under pressure:

• Patience in the face of injustice,
• Repentance and humility before Allah, and
• Consistent remembrance and worship

Together, they form a response to persecution that is spiritual, moral, and resilient, reinforcing the surah’s central message: arrogance leads to ruin, but faith anchored in Allah leads to eventual victory.

While this verse was exclusive to Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, it also leaves a strong message for Muslims who get dejected even on a small matter and think that it is the end of the world for Allah is not listening to them. This verse teaches us to be steadfast even under the worst circumstances, pain, rejection and loss. Allah only help those who remain steadfast with complete faith in what comes to them and how they will be taken out of their circumstances by none other than Allah.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 40. Al Mu'min (The Believer) already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Al Qur'an: Overview and selected verses from Sürah 40. Al Mu'min (The Believer)

Sürah al-Muʼmin is the fortieth surah with 85 ayahs with nine rukus, part of the 24th Juzʼ of the Al Qur'an. The Sürah takes its name from verse 28 which mentions a distinguished believer from among the clan of the Pharaoh who supported Moses, referring to him as a "believing man", hence al-Mu'min; The Believer. However, this surah is most often called al-Ghāfir (the All-Forgiving) because of the Divine Name mentioned in verse 3.

There are two surahs in the Holy Qur'an which centers on the Believers and take their names from the mention of the words Mu'min (Believer) and Mu'minoon (Surah 24). In Surah Mu'minoon (Chapter 24) the Believers (Mu'minoon, plural of Mu'min as in this case), the argument is about the collective force of Faith and virtue. In Sürah al-Muʼmin it is about the Individual's witness to faith, and virtues, and his triumph to the end.

With this surah, the Holy Qur'an embarks upon a series of contiguous surahs which are affixed the  Disjoined Letters Ha-Meem " حٰمٓ ". Chronologically they all belong to the same Makkan Period, and they immediately follow the last Sürah in time. The other six surahs that begin with same dis-joined words are:

• Chapter. 41 Surah Fussilat (Explained in Detail)
• Chapter. 42 Surah Ash Shura (The Consultation)
• Chapter. 43 Surah Az Zukhruf (The Ornaments of Gold)
• Chapter. 44 Surah Ad Dukhan (The Smoke)
• Chapter. 45 Surah Al Jathiya (The Crouching)
• Chapter. 46 Surah Al Ahqaf (The Wind Curved Sand Dunes)

* Please read our earlier post: Understanding the Holy Quran: Huroof Muqatta’at - Disjoined Letters to understand the usage of Disjoined Letters with which some of the Surahs of Al Qur'an begin.

We have already shared the Exegesis / Tafseer of the Surah in one of earlier posts, Herein under we will only present a condensed overview of the entire Sūrah, for the scope of this post is to only to introduce the Sūrah and provide links to some of the selected verses from this Sūrah for selective reading / references. The following bird eye view includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to  some of the selected verses already published.

Overview

Sürah al-Muʼmin teaches that Allah’s mercy is vast for those who repent, but His justice is inevitable for those who persist in arrogance and oppression. Through the story of the believing man in Pharaoh’s court, the surah shows how truth can survive even inside corrupt systems, how courage and wisdom in Da'wah matter, and how worldly power ultimately collapses before divine judgment. It reassures believers that unseen support surrounds them, patience is essential, and final success belongs to truth — even if falsehood dominates temporarily.

Period of Revelation

According to Ibn 'Abbas and Jabir bin Zaid, this Surah was sent down consecutively after Surah Az-Zumar, and its present position in the order of the Surahs in the Quran is the same as its chronological order.

Core message of Surah Al Mu'min

Allah is extremely Merciful to those who repent — but extremely severe with those who persist in arrogance and oppression. The surah balances: Hope (Ghāfir adh-dhanb — Forgiver of sin) and Fear  (Shadīd al-ʿiqāb — Severe in punishment)

Notable Verses / group of verses that define the context and theme of the Surah

• Allah’s Names set the tone (40:1–3)
• “The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing. Forgiver of sin, Accepter of repentance, Severe in punishment, Owner of abundance…”
• This means that Allah is not only Merciful and not only Severe. Thus the balance prevents false hope and false security
• Arrogance is the root of rejection (40:4–5)
• “None dispute the signs of Allah except those who disbelieve…”
• This means that Intellectual arguments often hide moral arrogance, and that Rejection is frequently spiritual, not logical.
• Angels making duʿāʾ for believers (40:7–9)
• “Those who carry the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord… and seek forgiveness for those who believe.”
• These verses carry a powerful lesson, which is the believers are supported by the unseen and those who truly believe and fall into the category of "The Believers," their names are mentioned in the heavens if you believe. This builds hope in lonely times.
• The believer from Pharaoh’s family (40:28–45)
• This group of verses is ne of the most remarkable stories in the Qur’an.
• Here a man is mentioned who concealed his faith initially, spoke with wisdom and courage and challenged tyranny from within the system (“Do you kill a man for saying: ‘My Lord is Allah’?” 40:28).
• This group of verses stresses that Truth can exist inside corrupt systems and Da'wah can be strategic and wise. and that speaking truth may cost safety—but saves the soul.
• The psychology of arrogance (40:35–37)
• Bewildered by the expanding ingress of truth among his people, the self proclaimed almighty Pharaoh has been mentioned wanting  to build a tower so as to “Reach the heavens” and mock the truth.
• Arrogance always tries to outperform God and that power breeds delusion.
• These verses have a modern parallel as we witness technological or political arrogance being exhibited without moral humility.
• The reality of Hell and regret (40:47–50)
• This set of verses depict an argument by the people who have been thrown into hell who would then blame their theological as well as political leaders, and beg the angels.
• These verses show that blame-shifting continues even in Hell and the leaders who once mislead their people will abandon them for they themselves be rotting in the hell. And all excuses will die in the Hereafter (Links strongly with 34:31–33)
• The promise to believers (40:51)
• “Indeed, We will surely support Our messengers and those who believe in this worldly life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand.”
• Here comes the reassurance for the Mu'min true believer - good days can be delayed but the promised days in the Paradise will erase the pain of their hardships at the hands of the wordily demagogues.
• The worthlessness of worldly power (40:82)
• “Then they saw Our punishment — and their faith did not benefit them…”
• This warns the arrogant and the timid people who made life of others miserable by telling them that once everyone will be resurrected, at time belief after seeing punishment will be too late, for repentance had a time window which they never tried to open in their wordily life.
• The final command to the Prophet ﷺ (40:55–56)
• These are the closing verses addressed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who was heavily under pressure of the tyranny of the disbelievers.
• “So be patient, [O Muhammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [ Allah ] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning.  (40:55)”
• This group of verses mean that Infallibility is an indispensable attribute of all prophets. which means that all the prophets are infallible in the sense that they do not sin or disobey God's orders. Here, God reminds the believers of an important fact to which Muslims must be attentive on the way to God.
• There is a lesson on these verses for us and that is Patience is not weakness - It is strategic endurance for truth.

Especially powerful verses for reflection today

• 40:3 — Balance of mercy and punishment
• 40:7–9 — Angels making duʿāʾ for believers
• 40:28 — Courage of the believing man
• 40:35 — Arrogance and denial
• 40:51 — Allah’s promise of support
• 40:55 — Patience and certainty
• 40:82 — Regret after punishment

Summarizing the above commentary, Sürah Al Mu'min is about Faith which is ever justified, for Allah forgives: but evil deeds must have evil fruits, for for Allah knows and is just (1-20). In all history Evil came to evil; the protest of Faith, in the midst of Evil, may be ignored; but Faith is protected by Allah, while Evil perishes (21-50). No doubt is there of the Future Judgment; the Power, Goodness, and Justice of Allah are manifest; will man dispute, or will he accept the Signs before it is too late? (51-85).

Now let us share herein some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already shared:

• Verse 7: Our Lord! Forgive those who repent and follow Your Path
• Verses 7-8: A Unique Invocation by the Angels for Forgiveness of the Repenting Believers 
• Verse 19: Allah knows even the stealthiest glance of the eyes and secrets that hearts conceal
• Verse 44: A verse from Qur'an that captures the profound faith of a believer in the face of adversity
• Verse 55: Be steadfast in your faith and Seek forgiveness from Allah for your shortcomings
• Verse 60:
• Those who scorn worship of Allah will surely enter Hell, utterly abased
• Allah Reassures Believers to Call upon Him and He will answer their prayers
• Verse 61: Allah is He Who made the night for you to seek repose in it - but most people are ungrateful
• Verses 64-65: Allah made the earth a dwelling place for you - So call upon Him, consecrating to Him all your devotion

We will continue to add some other important verses from Surah Al Mu'min in time.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

But the life of this world (compared to the Hereafter) is only a fleeting enjoyment

We all live in this world seeing and enjoying the "seen" never ever caring for what is hidden and "promised." For us, this world with all its glitters and amusement is associated with enjoyment, happiness, laughter and pleasure. Yet, a very few of us reflect over the shortness of our life and the permanency of life of the hereafter. 

For this reason, we have selected the 26th verse from Surah Ar-Raʿd (13:26) which cautions us the shortness of this life which has been referred to as a time equated to fleeting enjoyment and the life of the hereafter being the permanent life the pleasures (or otherwise) of which depend on how we spend our lives in our worldly life. 

The verse (meaning-focused translation)

اَللّٰهُ يَبۡسُطُ الرِّزۡقَ لِمَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَيَقۡدِرُ​ؕ وَفَرِحُوۡا بِالۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا ؕ وَمَا الۡحَيٰوةُ الدُّنۡيَا فِى الۡاٰخِرَةِ اِلَّا مَتَاعٌ‏ 

“Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it. They rejoice in the life of this world, but the life of this world compared to the Hereafter is only a fleeting enjoyment.” (13:26)

This single verse touches three of the most sensitive human realities: (1) rizq (provision), (2) happiness, and (3) illusion. Let us expand its meaning and how can this single verse if understood and correctly reflected upon can change our orientation to the worldly life and shape it for a permanent life of the hereafter.

Context within Surah Ar-Raʿd

Surah Ar-Raʿd consistently contrasts: (1) Visible power vs unseen control, (2) Temporary life vs permanent reality, (3) Human assumptions vs divine wisdom.

Just before and after this verse, the Surah speaks about: (1) People who demand signs (13:7), (2) The certainty of divine knowledge (13:8–10), (3) The laws of change in societies (13:11), (4) Natural power and human argument (13:12–13), and (5) The contrast between truth and falsehood (13:17). So 13:26 fits into a larger message and which is "Your material condition is not proof of your worth, truth, or ultimate success."

As per revered Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir, the verse serves as a reminder to focus on the eternal life rather than being distracted by the, often misleading,, temporary enjoyment of this world. This verse has two distinct parts: (1) Allah alone determines, increases, and restricts sustenance (provision) based on His wisdom and will. (2) Then Allah highlights that worldly abundance is merely a temporary enjoyment (trial) that cannot be compared to the everlasting, superior, and true life in the Hereafter.

Rizq / Means of sustenance

In the first part of the verse Allah proclaims that is it He alone who extends rizq / provision and restricts. To some this may appear to be random cruelty, that is giving to some and restricting others from having what other have. 

In fact in Qur’anic worldview, Expansion of provision may be: (1) A test of gratitude and arrogance, (2) A means of influence, (3) A form of delayed accountability, while Restriction of provision may be: (1) A test of patience, (2) A purification, (3) A protection from arrogance, (4) A redirection toward higher values.

This part of the verse thus outlines the key Islamic principle that Rizq is not a scoreboard of divine approval. This directly challenges a modern (and ancient) assumption that If I am succeeding financially, I must be right. The Qur’an dismantles this notion.

World famous exegete of Al Qur'an Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi is thus of the view that:

This verse refutes the wrong criterion by which the disbelievers of Makkah (and all other disobedient people of the world) judged whether one was or was not a favorite of God. They judged a man’s worth by his wealth and worldly prosperity and not by his faith and righteous conduct. They thought that the one who was enjoying all the good things of life was a favorite of God, even if he had erroneous beliefs and did wicked deeds. On the other hand, they considered the one who was poor and indigent to be under the wrath of God, even though he was righteous. That is why in their judgment the chiefs of the Quraish were far superior to the followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him). They would say, "You can see for yourselves that God is with the chiefs of the Quraish.

In this verse, Allah has warned them that they are absolutely wrong in drawing such a conclusion from the worldly conditions of the people. Allah gives His provision to the people abundantly or sparingly for reasons different from those which they presumed and richness or poverty is no criterion by which to judge the worth of people. The real criterion of judging the worth of people is their beliefs and deeds. The one, who has righteous beliefs and does good deeds, shall be higher in rank than the one who has wrong beliefs and does evil deeds. Thus the real criterion is the quality of his deeds and not the possession or the lack of wealth. 

Preference to the worldly life over the permanent life of Hereafter

“They rejoice in the life of this world” - This part of the verse implies deep emotional attachment to the worldly life, not just enjoyment. It refers to people who: (1) Measure success by income, (2) Define worth by lifestyle, (3) Equate happiness with consumption, and thus (4) Feel secure because of wealth.

Qur’anic viewpoint is that though the enjoyment is not haram and one should enjoy this life moderately rather than rejoicing with misplaced loyalty. That is the worldly life should not become one's (1) Goal, (2) Identity, or (3) Proof of one's success

The temporary worldly life

“But the life of this world is only a fleeting enjoyment” - this does not mean that the Qur’an does not say the world is worthless. Rather it is being said that this life (1) Utterly short and temporary, (2) rather it is Deceptive if absolutized, and (3) it is Inadequate as a final goal.

There is an Arabic saying that: Life is something that gives pleasure but does not last — like a traveler’s shade.

Ibn Kathir, contrasting this life with that of the Hereafter, emphasizes the insignificance of worldly wealth and pleasure compared to the eternal life. And that True success is not measured by worldly riches, as the disbelievers often rejoice in this, ignoring the greater, permanent rewards of the afterlife. 

To sum up, it may be noted that the "Worldly-oriented people invariably ignore the preacher of Truth." The reason for this is that a worldly people recognize only worldly glories. As the preacher is in possession of only sublime truths, he is not recognized and is ignored as an unimportant person. But, when the veil over reality is torn asunder, man will come to know at that time that the apparent glory which he considered everything, was absolutely valueless. The truly valuable thing was reality which, because it was unseen, could not claim his attention.

There is a Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which says, "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler," mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  6416 which also tells us the temporary nature of our life. Yet despite all these mentions, our orientation remain towards our present state in this world rather than eyeing the a permanent life that is our final destination.

Correlation with our daily lives 

This verse is truly reflective of the state of mind of a majority of the people who when blessed with more than others think that the world only belongs to them and instead of being thankful to their Creator and the Sustainer, arrogance and obstinacy creeps in and they indulge into merry making to make best of their lives. They thus forget that this life provides them with a mere fleeting enjoyment which would rob them of blessings of the hereafter.

Let us establish a correlation with the verse and our practical life:

• Income inequality & comparison culture: 
• We constantly compare: our Salaries, Homes, Cars and Lifestyles (especially via social media) with others and if having an upper edge, a sense of elation creeps in rather than be humble for what we have is not due to our efforts rather it is because of Divine blessings which are not permanent.
• Rather 13:26 resets the scale and caution those who are blessed more that these blessings can be withdrawn due to their arrogance and pride.
• Anxiety over finances: In contrast to those living in abundance, many people today live with Financial stress, Fear of loss of jobs and Obsession with stability. This verse tells them that control is not with your employer, market, or economy, rather it is with Allah. If understood correctly, one would realize that this verse cancels panic and despair. and give them hope if one persists in one's faith and endures difficulties with sabr / perseverance.
• Arrogance of success: 
• This is a dilemma - When people rise, they attribute it purely to intelligence. At the same time in their arrogance (due to their being rich and efforts), they see others as lazy and they completely undermine unseen help.
• The verse thus indicate expansion / rise a test, not a trophy.
• Despair of hardship: 
• But when people fall, they feel abandoned and feel inferior - thus they lose self-worth.
• This verse comforts the fallen by telling them that restriction is not rejection. Many a man who have true faith rise again and are honoured much more than those who are arrogant.
• Psychological wisdom: 
• This verse also explains why: (1) Rich people are not automatically happy and (2) Poor people are not automatically miserable  - for the reason that happiness is not proportional to provision.
• At the same time, it also notes that rejoicing wrongly placed produces: (1) Fear of loss, (2) Endless desire, and (3) the inner feeling of finding never enough to satisfy their greed.
• A deep link with 13:11 (law of change):
• Earlier in the Surah, it was said “Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” (13:11)
• So while provision is from Allah, character, gratitude, justice, and effort shape how provision is used and experienced.
• One-line Qur’anic worldview: Your bank balance is not your biography in Allah’s sight.
• A reflection for today: In a world obsessed with growth, lifestyle and status consciousness, man is more prone to rely on his wealth to exhibit his false status - something that would be of no use in the life of the hereafter.

Thus the verse 13:26 whispers a dangerous truth to the ego: What you are chasing is not what you were created for. Remember the fate of Qarun / Korah as mentioned in Surah 28. Al-Qasas wherein it has been told to the mankind that even if a man is rich beyond any bounds, his arrogance can lead him to utter disaster, deprivation of all wealth and even his life. So let us be humble even if we are rich or blessed more than others and live this life as a prelude to the life of the Hereafter.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer for more Selected Verses from Sürah 13. Al Ra'd - The Thunder  already published

You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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