Al Qur'an: The parable of faithful battle charging horses to warn man of his unfaithfulness to his Lord

Man by nature is drawn towards fiction, parables and metaphors for these help them to remain absorbed in the lessons behind these parables and metaphors better than plain fictional text. In theology, such parables are necessary for many find difficult to understand the Divine wisdom contained in the holy scriptures.

In Arabic, the Qur'an often uses the term mathal (plural: amthāl), usually translated as "parable," "example," or "likeness." A parable, therefore, is a short comparison, analogy, story, or illustrative example used to convey a deeper truth. Rather than stating an idea directly, a parable helps people understand something abstract through something familiar. 

We have already shared a number of parables and metaphors mentioned in AL Qur'an, which can be accessed from our exclusive reference page: Most profound Metaphors and Parables in Al Qur'an. Today we share a very important and mind boggling parable which is mentioned in Surah 100. Al Adiyat (The battle charging horses) - rather this parable is the backbone of a very important lesson for the believers to understand.

Why Horse has been chosen as a parable

In this 11 verses Surah, Allah has taken a charging battle horse as a parable and taken their oath to show how an animal shows utter faithfulness to his master, while a man who has been gifted so much by his Creator, yet he remains unfaithful to his Creator. The parable of horses is for a reason for Arabs are avid horse riders and the Arabian horses are known for their strength, speed and extreme faithfulness. Therefore God swears an oath by the charging steeds that pant, while producing sparks by striking their heels to overawe the opposing enemy and instill fear in their hearts.  They make raids in the early morning when their enemies are unaware and stir up clouds of dust when they dash into the middle of the enemy troops.

The Display of Faithfulness by the Steeds

The "charging horses" imagery appears at the beginning of Surah Al-'Adiyat. Those who are avid horse riders would know why horse is a symbol of faithfulness. Even the onlookers would notice a horse which is running at his top speed, panting heavily with his whole body sweating beyond perhaps his physical limits - but he never stops so long his master doesn't want him to. In fact the parable using a charging horse is not the merely his speed but a fine display of faithfulness.

That is why Al Qur'an opens the surah with a series of oaths describing powerful warhorses rushing into battle. In fact the surah opens up portraying a high high pitched battle scene where amid the howling and shouting of war slogans, the heavy thumping of the horses, and the spark due to striking of their metal shoes under their hooves, making the battle scene eerie. In fact the scene depicts a fine display of faithfulness by an animal rather than a man,

"By the charging steeds, panting, striking sparks of fire, raiding at dawn..." (100:1–3)

Classical and modern commentators have understood these verses in slightly different ways, but the main question is: What are these horses pointing to? The horses are portrayed as:

• Extreme loyalty to their riders.
• Committed to their task.
• Willing to expend all their strength.
• Fearless in carrying out their duty.

Let us go deeper in each of the verse mentioned in the opening of the surah:

( 1 )   وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا  By the racers, panting,

• Here Allah is taking is the oath of the horses, who when charge, pant heavily as if they are using all their energies to run at a pace desired the riders.
• Meaning of ضَبْحًا 
• The root is ض ب ح (ḍ-b-ḥ). Classical Arabic dictionaries describe ḍabḥ as the sound of heavy breathing, panting, or snorting produced by a horse (or similar animal) when running at full speed and has crossed his physical endurance.
• It is not merely "running"; it specifically evokes: (1) Forceful breathing after intense exertion. (2) The audible snorting or panting of a galloping horse. (3) A vivid sensory image of speed, power, and effort.
• The word is in the accusative form (ḍabḥan), functioning as a verbal noun (maṣdar) that intensifies the action of the preceding participle العاديات ("those that charge/run swiftly").
• Why is it used in the opening verse? The opening verses of Surah Al-'Adiyat form a sequence of dramatic images:
• Charging animals.
• Panting/snorting as they run.
• Striking sparks with their hooves.
• Raiding at dawn.
• Raising clouds of dust.
• Penetrating into the midst of a group.
• The use of ضَبْحًا contributes several effects:
• 1. Creates an auditory image Rather than simply saying "the runners" or "the horses," the verse lets the listener almost hear the animals breathing heavily. This makes the scene vivid and immediate.
• 2. Emphasizes effort and determination Panting indicates that the animals are exerting themselves completely. Classical commentators often saw this as highlighting loyalty and obedience: the animals push themselves to exhaustion for their riders.
• 3. Builds dramatic momentum The surah begins with intense movement and energy. The panting sound is the first detail in a rapid sequence that culminates in a charge through dust into the enemy ranks.
• 4. Supports the surah's argument Many classical exegetes, including Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, understood the oath as drawing attention to creatures that display remarkable dedication and faithfulness. The surah then contrasts that with the human tendency toward ingratitude toward God. The loyal, hard-driving animals become part of the rhetorical setup for that contrast.
• This word thus display the Loyalty Protocol of a beast for his master. He knows his utmost will bring victory to his master - while not caring for his own fate when confronting sharp spears and arrows.

( 2 )    فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا  And the producers of sparks [when] striking

The second verses further intensifies the capabilities of the charging horse and adds the sparks that come out when the metal shoes of the horses strike the stones and pebbles. In modern scientific interpretation, these sparks are due to the combination of kinetic and thermal energy. More the speed, more the friction and more the sparks. This combination of speed, panting and sparks is a scene to demoralize the enemy in defence and breaks their will to resist. This also adds to the first verse and shows that loyalty to the master is not only in simple worship, but worship from the core of the heart - that is the ultimate loyalty.

( 3 )    فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا  And the chargers at dawn,

The third verse is about the dawn attack - a time when the opposing forces are generally at rest and least expect an enemy to attack. Like men of the attacking forces, the horses too have had a restless day by closing up to the enemy and waiting to be unleashed at their full capacity and speed. It is a time, when men and animal need rest from a restful day and night before. But when forces get ready to attack and men prepare their horses for the battle charge, the horses display an unmatchable obedience beyond the comfort zone. He gets ready in minutes, ready to take his rider to the enemy with a speed that frightens the enemy.

( 4 )   فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعًا   Stirring up thereby [clouds of] dust,

And here comes the last act which creates the smoke screen effect as it is called in modern day warfare where in the movement is obscured by firing smoke shells to create a smoke screen between the defender and the charging / attacking side. The horses by their high speed and thumping fly dust which creates the same effect as of the modern day smoke screen.

( 5 )   فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا  Arriving thereby in the center collectively

And thus the combination of speed, thumping, sparking and creating dust clouds, the horses overrun the first layer of defence and take the attacking forces right behind them to create the immediate imbalance. - generally enough to destabilize the enemy defences and being overawed. At this stage the horse and his rider are surrounded by the enemy, yet they do not turn back - they fight to win or face their doom. Yet, horses never gives up charging, attacking so long he knows his master is with him and his loyalty demands to remain with him even if injured or fatigued.

The central point of the parable

Many commentators see the oath as highlighting a contrast:

• The horse faithfully serves its master.
• Human beings frequently neglect their duty to Allah.

In this reading, the horse becomes a symbol of steadfast service, exposing human ingratitude.

Change in Theme After discussing the faithfulness and loyalty of the horse, on which Allah has taken an oath, the theme of the surah abruptly changes in the last six verses from loyalty of the horse to the selfishness and unfaithfulness of the man and his intentions. Let us take these two themes briefly with the parable of the horse at the back of our mind.

The Ultimate lesson from the Parable

The first five verses are not merely a parable, these have a far greater lesson for the man. That is why the surah abruptly turns to human beings:

"إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ Indeed, mankind is ungrateful to his Lord." (100:6)

The contrast is striking. The horses display remarkable loyalty and dedication, while humans often fail to show gratitude and devotion to the One who created them.

• Literal meaning of كَنُود (kanūd) The word كَنُود comes from the root ك ن د (k-n-d). In classical Arabic, it refers to someone who:
• Is ungrateful for blessings.
• Remembers hardships but forgets favors.
• Withholds appreciation despite receiving good.
• Fails to acknowledge benefits received.
• Classical lexicographers often describe a kanūd person as one who counts misfortunes and ignores blessings.
• Why not just use the common word for "ungrateful"? 
• Arabic has more common words for gratitude and ingratitude, such as: شَكُور (shakūr) – grateful and كَفُور (kafūr) – ungrateful.
• But kanūd is more vivid and psychologically specific. It doesn't merely mean "ungrateful"; it suggests a person who habitually focuses on what is lacking while overlooking what has been given.
• A concise literal gloss  If translated very literally, كَنُود might be rendered as: "one who ignores favors and dwells on grievances" or "one who is persistently ungrateful despite receiving good." That nuance is stronger and more specific than the simpler translation "ungrateful," which is why many scholars regard kanūd as a particularly powerful choice in verse 100:6.
• This is the lesson: A horse just for a pail of water and grass can render his utmost faithfulness and loyalty to his master - but man always a kanūd is always unfaithful to his Creator and is always lamenting for more, rather than being thankful for what he has been blessed with.

Theme of the remaining part of the Surah

• Theme-1 (Verses 6 – 8 ) People are ungrateful God says that there is no doubt that the human being is disloyal to his master (God).  Most people are ungrateful for all the bounties and blessings He bestows upon them.  They deny God’s favors and this ingratitude is shown through their actions and verbal statements.  There are many who do not even believe that God exists let alone acknowledge the blessings He has bestowed.  On the Day of Judgment, each person will testify against him or herself because they will be unable to speak anything but the truth. Let us briefly discuss the remaining verses:
• ( 7 ) وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ  And indeed, he is to that a witness That is his own conscience and his own deeds are a witness to it; then there are many disbelievers also who by their own tongue express their ingratitude openly, for they do not even believe that God exists to say nothing of acknowledging His blessings for which they may have to render gratitude to Him.
• ( 8 ) وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ And indeed he is, in love of wealth, intense Literally He is most ardent in the love of khair خَيْرِ. But the word khair is not only used for goodness and virtue in Arabic but also for worldly wealth. In ( Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 180), khair has been used in the meaning of worldly wealth. The context itself shows where khair has been used in the sense of goodness and where in that of worldly goods. The context of this verse clearly shows that here khair means worldly wealth and not virtue and goodness. For about the man who is ungrateful to his Lord and who by his conduct is himself testifying to his ingratitude it cannot be said that he is very ardent in the love of goodness and virtue.
• Theme-2 (Verses 9 – 11) Intentions and actions have consequences Pondering the final three verses provides a cure for ingratitude.  It describes a scene from the Day of Resurrection that makes any right-minded person shudder with fear.   We are shocked by a violent and frightening scene; the graves burst open scattering their contents.   People will exit their graves by being wrenched out and thrown around forcefully.  It leaves no doubt that the intense longing for wealth and multitudes of world possessions will provide no protection whatsoever.  Let us unpack the remaining three verses of the surah:
• ( 9 ) أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ But does he not know that when the contents of the graves are scattered Man is so drowned in the lust of wealth and worldly gains that he does not know how every day he is inching towards his grave where he will be buried empty handed. Even if his coffin is made of gold, studded with diamonds and rubies, these will not save him from the torment he awaits in the Hereafter.
• ( 10 ) وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ And that within the breasts is obtained That is all the intentions, aims and objects, ideas and thoughts and the motives behind acts and deeds that lie hidden in the hearts will be exposed and examined in order to sort out the good from the evil. In other words judgment will not be passed only on the apparent and superficial as to what a man practically did but the secrets hidden in the hearts will also be brought out to see what were the intentions and motives under which a man did what he did. If man only considers this, he cannot help admitting that real and complete justice cannot be done anywhere except in the court of God. Secular laws of the world also admit in principle that a person should not be punished merely on the basis of his apparent act but his motive for so acting also should be seen and examined. But no court of the world has the means by which it may accurately ascertain the motive and intention. This can be done only by God: He alone can examine the underlying motives behind every apparent act of man as well as take the decision as to what reward or punishment he deserves. Then, as is evident from the words of the verse, this judgment will not be passed merely on the basis of the knowledge which Allah already has about the intentions and motives of the hearts, but on Resurrection Day these secrets will be exposed and brought out openly before the people and after a thorough scrutiny in the court it will be shown what was the good in it and what was the evil. That is why the words hussila ma fissudur حُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ have been used. Tahsil means to bring out something in the open, and to sort out different things from one another. Thus, the use of tahsil concerning hidden secrets of the hearts contains both the meanings: to expose them and to sort out the good from the evil. This same theme has been expressed in Surah At-Tariq, thus: The Day the hidden secrets are held to scrutiny. (verse 9).
• ( 11 ) إِنَّ رَبَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ Indeed, their Lord with them, that Day, is [fully] Acquainted. That is, Allah's knowledge is full and vigilant at all times. But on that day it will reveal to men secrets which they had long forgotten, for the Book of their Deeds will be made manifest at Judgment.

Spiritual reflection

The surah can be read as asking:

If an animal can show such commitment to a temporary earthly mission, why does a human being often fail to show commitment to their eternal purpose?

The "charging horses" are therefore not merely a scene of battle. They serve as a vivid sign that leads to the surah's real subject: human gratitude, devotion, attachment to wealth, and accountability before Allah. The surah ends by reminding that on the Day of Judgment, what is hidden in hearts will be brought forth and fully known by Allah.

 

One scholar sums up the Surah by saying that if a beast can put his life in danger by extracting the last of strength and power from his muscles, then why cannot the man leave his ego and lust for wealth and become a God obedient? That is cannot we show the least of the loyalty displayed by a beast to our Creator? Man is running and panting like a horse, not in loyalty to God, but in pursuit of wealth and worldly gains. The question here is why -  if all our purists are for wealth, then we are nothing but kanūd. And if all our purists are for our Creator then we fall in loyalty to Him as do the horses for their masters. Therefore, we must learn from horses and recognize our Creator and run towards Him the same way a panting horse takes his rider to his objective. Please ponder over it!!

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 our exclusive reference pages: 

• Surah Al ‘Adiyat - The Chargers: Exegesis / Tafsir 100th Chapter of Qur'an
• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• 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.

| Resource References: | 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.

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What is true Salvation - Does it come from wealth, power or status?

We live in a materialistic world where one's status, power and wealth is more weightier than the truth and piety. For those who have plenty of wealth and wield power, ethics and morality are things of the past and to be left to the priests and imams, Their entire orientation remains focused on how to have more wealth, elevated status and unparoled power so that none can compete or challenge their authority. We have umpteen examples from the history where such people commanded the meek and the weak and anyone who came their way was slain or taken off the scene forever.

But does this ensure freedom or salvation? For all such people have left behind their imprints in the history books to be remembered for their obstinacy, false ego and pride and as a lesson for coming generations to stand with the truth for the salvation lies for those who stand with the truth, no matter what their status may be. We have names like Pharaoh, Genghis Khan and many dictators who ruled through their armies, killed millions who dared to challenge them. But in the end, they too died deaths that were torturing, regretful and empty hands with not a penny in their coffins t save them from the torment of the graves and later when they will be presented to the Lord of the World on the Day of Judgment, when they will be charge sheeted for torturing those who cling to the truth and had the audacity to challenge them, despite knowing their fate.

So who does achieve true salvation in the end? The wealthy demagogues and the torturous rulers or the simple souls who did not possess anything, yet stood by the truth as revealed to them by the prophets and messengers of God?

The answer lies in reading history, specially the formatting years of Islam when Islam was trying to find inroads into hearts of the stubborn, proud and egoistic elite of the Makkah who confronted Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with brutal resistance and never parted with the faith of their forefathers. And who stood with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? The poor and the weak, who saw salvation from the bondage of their ruthless masters. They stood with the strength of every drop of their blood and sided with the truth - truth that made them rise much above the status of their masters and ultimately became the true servant of One True God.

When a man pitches whatever he has earned his ego against the truth, his wealth and status becomes meaningless. For wealth, status, power can be taken away Divinely when one persists in blocking the truth to himself due to his ego. This is exactly what has been mentioned in the second verse of Surah 111 Al Masad wherein it is said: “مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ His wealth and whatever he earned will not avail him.” This has been said about a rich, in fact claimed to be among the four richest men of the leading tribe of Makkah,  and egoistic man called Abu Lahab, who despite being an uncle of the Prophet, not only refused to heed to the Divine truth, but along with his wife, did his utmost to harm his nephew. And thus he faced the Divine torment and the couple died miserably, and his wealth and whatever he had earned did not avail him any good.

The verse conveys a broader principle:

• Wealth alone cannot save a person.
• Social position, power, family ties, or worldly achievements cannot guarantee success before Allah.
• What ultimately matters is faith, sincerity, and one's deeds.

Some commentators have taken ma kasaba in the meaning of the earning, i.r. the benefits that accrued to him from his wealth were his kasab(earning), and some other commentators have taken it to imply children, for the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has said that a man's son also is his kasab (earning). (Abu Da'ud, Ibn Abi Hatim). Both these meanings fully correspond to the fate met by Abu Lahab. For when he was afflicted with the malignant pustule, his wealth availed him nothing, and his children also left him alone to die a miserable, wretched death. They did not even bury him honorably. Thus, within a few years the people witnessed how the prophecy which had been made in this Surah about Abu Lahab was literally fulfilled. 

Abu Lahab and his wife being specifically mentioned in Al Qur'an as the cursed ones, among the enemies of Islam, is just to emphasize that no relationship whatsoever, even with the holy Prophet (S), can be of any benefit when the person lacks in Faith. The men of Faith show no inclination toward those who go astray and never follow them in their wrong way, even when they are their close relatives.

Surah Al-Masad 111:2 teaches that the things people often rely on for security—wealth, influence, and worldly accomplishments—cannot provide true salvation. True salvation comes from one's relationship with Allah, faith, repentance, and righteous deeds. 

This verse is an eye opener for all those who think their wealth and status is ever lasting and none can harm them. But this fallacy is much too often proved wrong as none of the worldly galore remains forever. Men like Karun (Qarun) lost their wealth and their lives too while thinking that their wealth and status will be their saviours. While poor clad in rag tags rose to the highest glories for they knew their salvation rested on their standing with the Divine truth.

This is what Islam asks the men: What attitude one has when it comes to siding with the truth, and not how much wealth one amassed or the status one attained. Because Salvation lies with standing with the truth, and not by boasting of one's status and wealth.

A worth scholar once said: Anyone who wants to stands with the truth and is ready to sacrifice whatever he has to support the truth, should believe firmly on what he believes, develop his character strongly on this belief - this will aid in developing the true spiritual power that will make him stand against the demagogues sure footed - this spiritual growth provide strength much needed to brave the thorny track of truth for the worldly gods will come on to them with their full might to protect their wealth and status built on inner hollowness.

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.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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What is Divine Abandonment – why does it happen

God, the Creator of the entire universe, has sent a large number of prophets and messengers to various nations and communities so that the disarrayed people could be shown the Divine path and guided to it so that they could be blessed. Many had heeded to the Divine guidance since the life on earth began - but at the same time many confronted the prophets and rejected the Divine guidance shown to them. And it is the latter who are given ample time to steer their course of life and life a live as ordained to them Divinely. And when they still persist in their  egoistic outlook, God abandons them for good. 

This question of Divine abandonment  has been discussed by theologians and believers for centuries. In the Qur'an, God is often described as being near to people, guiding them, and responding to those who call upon Him. At the same time, there are verses that speak about God "leaving" people in error or withdrawing guidance from those who persistently reject it.

Let us reflect over this question and try to find out why the mere chastisement of Hell fire is not the only punishment men who deny One Ture God will get. In fact after their denial of Him, this world is made a place unlivable. Here is how it happens:

God, through his prophets establishes a pattern for guidance of men to His path: 

• The God deniers are shown signs, guidance, or opportunities. They are told the stories of the previous nations who confronted and resisted the prophets.
• God allowed them to continue on the path they have chosen.
• And their resistance becomes entrenched by repeatedly rejecting, ignoring, and turning away from prophets of God, they were subjected to horrible wrath which left only the ruins of their buildings as a lesson for the following people to take heed from and return to Him.
• In this view, divine "abandonment" is not usually portrayed as arbitrary. Rather, it is often described as a consequence of a person's persistent choices.

However, many people ask a different question: Why does it feel like God leaves someone alone even when they are trying, suffering, or seeking Him? Different religious traditions offer different answers. Within Islam, common themes include:

• A period of testing or spiritual growth.
• A call to patience and perseverance.
• The fact that God's wisdom may not be immediately apparent.
• The distinction between feeling abandoned and actually being abandoned.

The Quran contains expressions of deep distress from prophets and righteous people who experienced loneliness, fear, or apparent silence. Yet those experiences are not presented as evidence that God had truly forsaken them.

From a philosophical perspective, some thinkers argue that if humans are to have genuine freedom, there must be times when God does not overwhelm them with unmistakable signs or constant intervention. Otherwise, choice and moral responsibility would be diminished.

But those who persistently deny God's guidance, a time comes when they are abandoned altogether.  This abonnement is far severe than  any other test in this world. they are robbed of the peace of mind - although they are seen happy outwardly enjoying the luxuries of life, but deep inside their hearts there is a hollowness, a feeling of left out, finding no light at the end of the tunnel. This happens after persistent denial of God's existence and His blessings that are bestowed upon man. The more one is blessed, more egoistic, proud and criminal minded one becomes. From this stage on, one is something far different from one's actual self - a stage when the prick of the conscious becomes so light that one doesn't even feel it the warning bell that is continuously been sounded but now the volume start to dim and then finally fade.

Does it mean the man has been abandoned forever

When the prick of conscious and the ringing danger bells become ineffective to stir the conscious, does it mean the abandonment is total and complete and a point of no return has reached?

Well, the answer is a BIG NO. Allah has promised at many a places in Al Qur'an that His servants should never lose hope of being forgiven, provided they repent and seek Divine forgiveness. The idea that Allah accepts repentance up until a person reaches the point of death is expressed in the Qur'an, especially in:

“But repentance is not accepted of those who continue to do evil deeds until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘Indeed, I have now repented,’ nor of those who die while they are disbelievers...” — Qur'an

Another often-cited verse is: “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” — Qur'an

Many scholars explain these verses together: Allah's forgiveness is available for any sin as long as a person sincerely repents before reaching the point of death.

This verses indicate that repentance remains open until death actually arrives; once a person reaches the moment of death and sees it approaching, repentance is no longer accepted. As can be seen in the above quoted verse, there is a catch: The catch is before one hears the angel of death knocking at the door. IF one repents before that and seek to be forgives, it is Divine promise that he will be forgiven, for God doesn't leave His servants helpless and unforgiven till the very last moment. 

So do no despair if you think your association with Allah has net been good or you think after so many denials now you will not be heard and Divinely forgiven. Repent as often as you can and continuously seek Divine forgiveness before you are caught unguard by the angel of the death - a time when you will depart this world ready to face the Divine wrath on the Day of Judgement.

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.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Fitrah (فِطْرَة) in Islam: A theological concept compared with the computer motherboard

Every member of the younger generation is well versed with the word "motherboard" - the foundation of a computer. Today, we will use the motherboard as a simple analogy to understand a theological concept based on the Arabic terminology "Fitrah" which is foundation of Islam and then will expand the meaning of Fitrah and reflect over its significance in Islam as the subconscious & instinctive awareness of Oneness of God (Tawhid).

To understand Fitrah, let us begin using a simple analogy of comparing it with the modern usage of word motherboard.

Relationship with Computer Motherboard and Fitrah in Islam

• The Computer Motherboard: Let us first understand what a computer motherboard is and how it functions. The computer motherboard comes from the factory with a specific design and architecture. It is built to support certain functions and has the capacity to connect components and operate correctly. The design exists before any software is installed.
• The Fitrah in Islam: In Islam, humans are created with a built-in fitrah. Fitrah is the original disposition Allah placed within us. It includes a natural capacity to recognize truth, seek meaning, appreciate morality, and turn toward God.
• Correlation
• Both the motherboard and Fitrah have fixed basic functions and capabilities. However, to use these specific to  our requirement, we need software. The software made to run the computer are countless and can be even tailor made to our specific work requirement. Likewise, culture, upbringing, and experiences are like the "software" installed later as far the Fitrah in Islam is concerned.
• That is why the Prophet ﷺ said every child is born upon fitrah, then external influences shape their beliefs and practices.

With this premise in view and general understanding of the terminology of Fitrah, let us turn to AL Qur'an and see how and why this word is used.

The verse Al Quran Surah Ar-Rum 30:30

"So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth—the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created mankind. There is no changing the creation of Allah. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know."

What is fitrah?

Now let us define what The Arabic word Fitrah (فِطْرَة) is. It comes from a root meaning "to originate," "to create," or "to bring forth." In Islamic thought, fitrah refers to the innate disposition with which Allah created human beings.

Classical scholars explain fitrah in slightly different but complementary ways:

• An innate recognition that there is a Creator.
• A natural inclination toward truth and worship of God.
• An inborn moral awareness that distinguishes good from evil.
• A disposition capable of accepting Islam when not distorted by external influences.

Fitrah does not mean that every person is born consciously knowing Islamic theology. Rather, it means human beings possess a natural orientation toward One True God, the sole creator of the entire universe and what all is contained therein, and truth. That is while the soul is naturally inclined toward goodness, external influences such as parents, culture, education, and society can shape a person's beliefs and sometimes cloud or suppress their original Fitrah.

Ibn Kathir emphasizes that "Allah created mankind upon a pure, uncorrupted natural constitution. At our core, humans are hardwired to believe in a Creator and acknowledge His singularity." The term Al-Fitrah here is equated directly with the religion of Islam (the straight, upright path). Fitrah thus is the spiritual equivalent of human instincts; just as the body has physical needs, the soul has a natural craving for truth and divine connection.

The most famous hadith on fitrah: 

• Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim narrate that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Every child is born upon fitrah, then his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian..."
• Scholars understood this to mean that the original human disposition is receptive to faith in God, while environment, culture, and upbringing shape later beliefs.

Other Quranic verses related to fitrah: Although the word fitrah itself appears explicitly in 30:30, several verses express related concepts:

• The covenant verse (7:172): 
• Allah describes taking testimony from the descendants of Adam: "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we testify."
• Many scholars connected this verse to the idea that humans possess a deep-rooted awareness of their Creator.
• The signs within ourselves (41:53):
• "We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth."
• This verse suggests that both the external world and human nature point toward God.
• Turning to God in hardship (10:22–23, 29:65)
• The Quran repeatedly describes people who call upon God sincerely when facing danger, even if they neglect Him during times of ease. 
• Scholars often cite this as evidence of an innate inclination toward God that emerges when worldly distractions are removed.
• Human creation in the best form (95:4)
• "We have certainly created man in the best stature."
• This reflects the dignity and noble potential built into human nature.

How does fitrah relate to Da'wah (inviting non Muslims to Islam)?

A key implication of fitrah is that dawah is not viewed merely as giving people a new idea. Rather, it is often described as reminding people of something already embedded within them.

The Quran frequently describes the Prophet ﷺ as a "reminder" rather than someone forcing belief. For example: "So remind, for you are only a reminder." (88:21)

The dawah approach built on fitrah is therefore:

• Appeal to reason.
• Appeal to conscience.
• Appeal to the human search for meaning.
• Remove misconceptions about Islam.
• Invite rather than compel.

The assumption is that truth resonates with fitrah when presented clearly and sincerely.

How can one discuss fitrah with non-Muslims?

It's important to recognize that fitrah is ultimately a theological concept. You generally cannot "prove" it in the same way you prove a mathematical theorem. Instead, Muslims often explore questions that fitrah seeks to explain:

1. The universal search for meaning

• Across cultures and history, humans have sought (1) Purpose, (2) Morality, (3) Transcendence, (4) Worship
• Why is this tendency so widespread?

2. Objective morality

• Many people intuitively feel that (1) Murder is wrong. (2) Justice is good. (3) Compassion is noble.
• A fitrah-based discussion asks where these deep moral intuitions come from.

3. The question of God

• Many people, even those without religious training, naturally ask: (1) Why do we exist? (2) Why is there something rather than nothing? (3) Is there a Creator?
• Islam sees this questioning itself as consistent with fitrah.

4. Personal experience

Many converts to Islam describe a feeling that Islamic teachings "made sense" or resonated deeply with something they already felt but could not articulate. Muslims often interpret such experiences as fitrah responding to truth.

A balanced dawah approach

The Quran's approach combines several elements:

• Rational argument.
• Reflection on nature.
• Moral reflection.
• Historical examples.
• Spiritual invitation.

For example, when speaking with non-Muslims, one can discuss:

• The existence of God.
• The order and intelligibility of the universe.
• The human longing for meaning.
• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Quran.
• The Islamic understanding of purpose and accountability.

At the same time, the Quran teaches: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:256)

The goal of Da'wah is to present the message clearly, respectfully, and sincerely. From an Islamic perspective, guidance ultimately comes from Allah, while the caller's role is to communicate truth with wisdom and good character.

As many scholars have noted, one of the strongest demonstrations of fitrah in dawah is not merely argumentation but the visible embodiment of Islamic virtues—honesty, justice, mercy, humility, and integrity—because these qualities often resonate with people's innate moral sense.

How can we correlate fitrah with motherboard

Now coming back to our initial premise and by using computer motherboard as an analogy to understand the theological Islamic concept of Fitrah, as long as we remember that every analogy has limits.

A simple analogy Think of a computer motherboard:

• It comes from the factory with a specific design and architecture.
• It is built to support certain functions.
• It has the capacity to connect components and operate correctly.
• The design exists before any software is installed.

Similarly, in Islamic thought:

• Humans are created with a built-in fitrah.
• Fitrah is the original disposition Allah placed within us.
• It includes a natural capacity to recognize truth, seek meaning, appreciate morality, and turn toward God.
• Culture, upbringing, and experiences are like the "software" installed later.

A deeper comparison

            Motherboard                                     Fitrah

    Hardware design                                 Innate human nature

    Factory default state                             Original disposition created by Allah

    BIOS/Firmware settings                     Basic moral and spiritual orientation

    Software installed later                     Family, culture, education, ideology

    Malware can corrupt behavior             Sin, desires, false beliefs can obscure fitrah

    System reset can restore defaults           Repentance, reflection, guidance can reconnect a person with

                                                                   fitrah

Why this analogy can be useful in dawah

Many people today understand technology better than theology.

You might say: Islam teaches that humans are not born as blank slates. Just as a motherboard comes with an intended architecture, human beings come with an intended nature. We are "wired" to seek meaning, truth, morality, and ultimately our Creator.

This captures the Islamic idea that religion is not something completely foreign imposed on humanity; rather, it corresponds to something already present within human nature.

What happens where the analogy breaks down

Although we have tried to correlate a theological concept with the man made machine device purely as an academic discussion, many may argue that these two are can not be correlated for the reason of human limitation in designing a "machined creature" and unlimited powers and creativity of the Creator of the universe in front of which a motherboard is not an atom of the entire universe. This discussion is to agitate our minds and we must reflect over this correlation to ponder of the Divine wisdom, which many have tried to undermine.

But human mind, which is similar to a circuit board made of flesh has intellect ('aql), free choice (ikhtiyar) and can follow or resist their fitrah. And above all, is morally accountable.

So fitrah is not a deterministic program that forces belief in God. It is more like an innate orientation or compass. A compass points north, but a person can still choose to walk in another direction.

An even more accurate technology analogy

Instead of a motherboard, some scholars might prefer the analogy of a factory-installed operating system:

• The system comes with default settings.
• Over time, files, applications, and even malware can be added.
• The original system is still underneath, though it may become obscured.
• A reset can restore the intended configuration.

Likewise, Islam teaches that sins, desires, social conditioning, and false beliefs can cloud the fitrah, but they do not necessarily destroy it. This is why the Quran repeatedly calls people to remember, reflect, and return, rather than suggesting they must acquire an entirely new nature.

When the Quran says "There is no altering the creation of Allah," Ibn Kathir explains that this original nature is fundamentally perfect and true. While external societal, cultural, or environmental factors can cover, corrupt, or alter a person's behavior, the underlying spiritual core can never be completely removed or replaced. Unlike the motherboard whose entire orientation changes with change of processor, RAM, the graphic card, the core of the human soul can never be changed. The Fitrah stays inside the human body and no amount of distraction or even the change of brain and heart can replace it from human body. One may get disoriented like atheists, idolaters and those who believe God is not one but many, the inner and pure call remains intact. Those who turn back from the misleading path, repent and seek Divine forgiveness, find out that they are returning to the call which all along has been calling back to them to their Lord - the Only One God.

This also connects nicely to Quran 30:30: Islam presents itself not as something alien to human beings, but as something that aligns with the way Allah originally created them. The message of dawah, therefore, is often described as awakening or uncovering what is already embedded in the human soul.

Disclaimer: This post is published only for an academic reflection to show that Fitrah is embedded into every human beings whose linkages connect him to his Creator - whether he is aware of it or not. However, those who reflect over Fitrah, would find this linkage as an eye opener which may nullify many a man made myths and concepts.

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.

For an Overview / and more selected verses from Sürah Ar Rum, please refer to our exclusive reference post on Sürah (30) ’Ar-Rūm (The Romans), already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• 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

A deeply reflective verse of Al Qur’an about spiritual blindness

There are two type of the blind: One who is physically blind, but has his spiritual receptiveness to the truth and guidance, the other type of blind is the one who can see everything around him, yet his spiritual receptor are closed which cannot let the guidance and truth pass through and reach the heart and mind to understand the true reality of life. Today we share a deeply verse from Al Qur'an which is about spiritual blindness, guidance, human limitations, and the nature of receptivity to truth.

The Verse

Surah Ar-Rum 30:52.

فَإِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ الدُّعَاءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا مُدْبِرِينَ

“Indeed, you cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they turn away retreating.” 

This teaches that guidance cannot reach hearts that deliberately close themselves to truth; it asks us to keep our hearts spiritually alive, humble, receptive, and sincere before Allah rather than becoming morally and spiritually “dead.” Let us find out how:

Context of the verse

Before we expand this verse, let us briefly say what Surah Ar-Rum discusses in general. The surah talks about the:

• Signs of Allah in creation
• Rise and fall of civilizations
• Human arrogance
• Denial of truth
• Resurrection and accountability

Around this verse, Allah consoles the Prophet ﷺ because in the initial and formatting stage of new found religion of Islam, many people were stubbornly rejecting the message despite clear signs - while Prophet Muhammad ﷺ desperately wanted people to believe and be saved. Thus to console His prophet, Allah tells him: Guidance cannot penetrate a heart that has closed itself.

In his Tafsir Ibn Kathir, the renowned scholar interprets Surah Ar-Rum (30:52) as a metaphor for the spiritual blindness and deafness of the disbelievers, explaining that guiding them to the truth is impossible for humans and rests entirely on the will of Allah.

What does “the dead” mean here?

although, a mention of the dead and deaf is made in this verse, this is not primarily about physically dead people. Let us find out why the men with closed hearts and ears are exclusively mentioned:

• Classical scholars / mufassirūn explain that “The dead” mentioned in the verse are those with spiritually dead hearts.
• Meaning by Hearts that are numb to truth and corrupted by arrogance, ego, desires. A people who refuse reflection.
• That is Al Qur’an often uses “death” metaphorically for a dead heart is a heart without spiritual awareness. These are the people who see things and creations of Allah, yet fail to reflect on the why of these creations and about the the One who created this in the first place.

Ibn Kathir notes that just as a person cannot physically make the dead in their graves hear the voices of the living, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could not force those who reject the truth to hear and understand his message.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi notes that these are those people whose consciences have become dead, whose moral selves have become devoid of life, whose self-worship and stubbornness and obstinacy have destroyed their capacity to understand and accept the Truth.

Who are "The deaf when they turn away”

This is very psychologically precise. Here those people are mentioned who are not merely deaf - but deaf while turning away from listening to the truth. This includes deliberate refusal and avoidance with the sole intent of unwillingness to listen.

Ibn Kathir emphasizes the phrase "when they show their backs, turning away," noting that these individuals actively choose to retreat and flee from the divine message, making their own hearts hardened.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi notes "The deaf"  are those who have put locks on their minds and hearts so that they do not understand anything although they hear everything; then, when such people also try that the message of the Truth should not at all eater their ears, and they should avoid and keep away from the inviter, nobody can make them hear and understand anything.  

What is being pointed here is that the problem is not lack of evidence - The problem is unwillingness to receive truth.

What is Allah teaching the Prophet ﷺ?

Allah is teaching several profound lessons:

1. You cannot force guidance

• Even the Prophet ﷺ could teach, remind and warn.
• But he could not control hearts and force faith into non receptive hearts.
• This is a major Qur’ānic principle: Guidance ultimately belongs to Allah.
• Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi notes that "It is not for the Prophet that he should help and guide the blind by the hand to the the right way all through the life. He can only show guidance to the right path. But guiding those whose mind's eyes have been blinded and who do not at all see the way that the Prophet tries to show them, is not within the power of the Prophets."

2. Truth requires receptivity

• That is A person may hear words physically - but not absorb them spiritually
• The Qur’an here thus distinguishes between hearing sound and hearing truth

3. Some people become spiritually numb

Repeated rejection of truth hardens the heart. And eventually a stage comes when reminders no longer affect them for the dominance of ego weakens their conscientiousness. This is spiritual “death.”

What does this verse ask of Us today?

This verse is not only about others — it asks us to examine ourselves.

• Are our hearts alive? That is do we still:
• Feel moved by Qur’an?
• Reflect?
• Repent?
• Feel moral discomfort when wrong?
• Or have we become spiritually numb?
• Are we truly listening?
• Many people consume information constantly - but avoid transformative truth.
• The verse asks: Are we listening sincerely, or only defending our desires?
• Do we force people harshly?
• The verse teaches balance in Da'wah. That is convey truth sincerely - but do not become arrogant or coercive.
• This is for the reason that hearts are not controlled by humans.
• Modern relevance
• Today people are surrounded by: noise distractions ideology and entertainment.
• This can create: (1) spiritual deafness, (2) Not lack of intelligence — but inability to hear deeper truths.

Connection with other Qur’ānic verses

This theme appears throughout the Qur’an, mentioned herein under:

• 2:18: “Deaf, dumb, blind — they will not return.”
• 35:22: “You cannot make those in the graves hear.”
• 50:37: “Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or listens while present in mind.”

The issue is presence of heart.

A very deep insight

This verse teaches that disbelief is often not merely intellectual. It can become psychological, moral and spiritual.

A person may reject truth because of ego, pride, attachment to tribal and ancestral beliefs, personal desires and above all fear of change. This is why the Qur’an speaks so much about the heart, not only the mind.

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.

For an Overview / and more selected verses from Sürah Ar Rum, please refer to our exclusive reference post on Sürah (30) ’Ar-Rūm (The Romans), already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• 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.

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