How Last Three Ayat / verses of Surah Hashr can shape our lives by knowing Who Allah is

Knowing Allah through His attributes (Asma-ul-Husna) is a way of building a living relationship with Him, where every aspect of your life—fear, hope, patience, gratitude—is shaped by understanding who Allah truly is. These attributes allow believers to know, love, and obey Him, strengthening faith through understanding His perfection. These attributes build a personal connection, enhance worship, inspire good character, shape our lives and living by better knowing Who Allah is.

These attributes are scattered all over Al Qur'an, appearing at places as correlation to context and the subject of the verse. We have already published all these attributes in our previous post with detailed run down on the meaning of these attributes and their effect on our lives. These can be accessed from our exclusive reference page: 99 Attributes of Allah. Also when we mention these attributes in this post, we provide individual links to each attribute when mentioned for easy access for detailed understanding.

Here in this post, we share and explain the last three verses of Surah 59. Al Hashr which contain profound descriptions of Allah’s fifteen attributes and correlate these with our daily lives to know how by reflecting on these attributes we can better shape our lives. They summarize who Allah is, and that knowledge is the foundation of faith, worship, and inner peace.

The Verses

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ ۚ عٰلِمُ الۡغَيۡبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ​ ۚ هُوَ الرَّحۡمٰنُ الرَّحِيۡمُ‏ 

(59:22) He is Allah: there is no god but He; the Knower of the unseen and the manifest, He is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ​ۚ اَلۡمَلِكُ الۡقُدُّوۡسُ السَّلٰمُ الۡمُؤۡمِنُ الۡمُهَيۡمِنُ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡجَـبَّارُ الۡمُتَكَبِّرُ​ؕ سُبۡحٰنَ اللّٰهِ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَ‏ 

(59:23) He is Allah: there is no god but He: the King,36 the Holy, the All-Peace,39 the Giver of security, the Overseer, the Most Mighty, the Overpowering, the All-Great. Exalted be He from whatever they associate with Him.

هُوَ اللّٰهُ الۡخَـالِـقُ الۡبَارِئُ الۡمُصَوِّرُ​ لَـهُ الۡاَسۡمَآءُ الۡحُسۡنٰى​ؕ يُسَبِّحُ لَهٗ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ​ۚ وَهُوَ الۡعَزِيۡزُ الۡحَكِيۡمُ

(59:24) He is Allah, the Planner, Executer and Fashioner of creation. His are the names most beautiful. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth extols His Glory. He is the Most Mighty, the Most Wise.

What Makes These Verses Special?

These verses uniquely gather many of Allah’s most beautiful names (Asma’ al-Husna) in one place, such as:

• Al-`Alim (العليم) (The All-Knowing)
• Ar Rahman (الرحمن), Ar Rahim (الرحيم) (The Most Merciful)
• Al Malik (الملك) (The King)
• Al Quddus (القدوس)(The Pure)
• As Salam (السلام) (The Source of Peace)
• Al 'Aziz (العزيز) (The Mighty)
• Al Khaliq (الخالق), Al Bari' (البارئ), Al Musawwir (المصور)r (The Creator, Originator, Fashioner)

Core Significance

These verses help a believer to know Allah deeply, develop love and awe of Him, strengthen trust (tawakkul) and purify belief (tawḥīd)

Hadith About Their Virtue

A well-known narration is reported in Jami` at-Tirmidhi: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever recites the last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr in the morning, Allah appoints seventy thousand angels to send blessings upon him until evening; and if he dies that day, he dies as a martyr. And whoever recites them in the evening will have the same.”

(Authenticity Note: Scholars have differed regarding the strength of this narration; many consider it weak (ḍa‘īf)).

However, its meaning is supported by general principles: Remembering Allah brings immense reward, Reciting Qur'an, especially verses about Allah’s names, is highly virtuous. So scholars still encourage reciting these verses for reflection and remembrance, not relying solely on this specific reward.

There is a Stronger General Hadith Connection with a very authentic principle reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim:

“Allah has ninety-nine names; whoever enumerates (learns, understands, and lives by) them will enter Paradise.”

Connection to These Verses

The last verses of Surah Al-Hashr are among the best places in the Qur'an to learn many of these names together. So reflecting on them is a direct path to fulfilling this hadith.

Spiritual Meanings of These Verses

• Knowing Allah Leads to Faith When you read: (1) Allah is All-Knowing - you become more conscious of your actions, (2) Allah is Most Merciful - you gain hope, (3) Allah is Mighty - you develop trust and reliance
• These Balance Fear and Hope 
• These verses combine: (1) Power (Al-‘Azīz, Al-Jabbār), (2) Mercy (Ar-Raḥmān, Ar-Raḥīm)
• This creates a balanced relationship with Allah - that is not despair or not overconfidence
• These Shift Focus from Creation to Creator Instead of relying on people, wealth, status, one begins to rely on Allah as Al-Malik (The King) and Allah as Al-Mu’min (The Giver of Security)

How to Spiritually Benefit from These Verses

• Recite Them Daily (Morning/Evening) - Even if the specific hadith is weak. Regular recitation builds connection with Allah and strengthens remembrance (dhikr)
• Reflect on One Name at a Time For example: 
• When you feel anxious - reflect on As-Salām (Source of Peace)
• When you feel weak - reflect on Al-‘Azīz (The Mighty)
• When you sin - reflect on Ar-Raḥmān (The Merciful)
• Turn the Names into Du‘a Make personal supplications like:
• “O Allah, You are Al-‘Alīm, guide me.”
• “O Allah, You are Ar-Raḥīm, have mercy on me.”
• Recite with Presence, Not Just Tongue The real benefit comes when you pause, understand meanings,  connect them to your life. Even a few verses with reflection are more transformative than fast recitation.
• A Deep Spiritual Insight These verses answer life’s biggest questions:
• Who controls everything? - Allah (Al-Malik)
• Who knows my struggles? - Allah (Al-‘Alīm)
• Who can give me peace? - Allah (As-Salām)
• Who created me? - Allah (Al-Khāliq)

How these attributes can help us to Shape our Character 

This is very important. When we try to connect to Allah by using His attributes, we know how using an appropriate attribute, we can ask Allah by mobilizing His correct attribute. From this we learn that if we can correlate our wishes and prayers based on the meaning of each attribute, we should also try to inculcate such qualities in our selves and be helpful to others, Like if we seek mercy from Allah, we should be merciful to our brethren. And if we seek forgiveness form Allah, let us try to forgive others too. In fact the meaning of each attribute if made part of our character, we will radiating love around us and people around will also try to emulate our new found character qualities.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged believers to reflect divine qualities in human form:

• Allah is merciful - be merciful
• Allah forgives - learn to forgive
• Allah is just - act with justice

When a person internalizes this, he develops inner peace, resilience and clarity of purpose

In summary The last three verses of Surah Al-Hashr are significant because these present a powerful summary of Allah’s Names, strengthen faith, hope, and trust, and knowing Allah better than before. These then serve as a daily source of spiritual renewal. Wouldn't it be better to reflect on each attribute of Allah and reshape our character and lives accordingly? 

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.

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.

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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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Al-Qurʾān: Let the dead earth be a Sign for them - The metaphor of dead land revived by rain

One of the most beautiful recurring metaphors in Al-Qurʾān is the image of dead land brought back to life by rain. The aim of such parable is to tell the non believers and present day atheists that it is Allah alone who can revive dead lands and turn these into green fields This image appears in several chapters, such as Sürah Ar-Rum (30:50) and Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33).

 Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33)

“Let the dead earth be a Sign for them. We give it life and bring forth from it grain, and from it they eat.” (36:33)

Though this verse is expressive of a simple natural process, yet it carries deep spiritual meaning. Let us unpack this parable to see the depth of Divine Wisdom behind it:

The Physical Image

The Qur'an asks people to look around and observe a familiar event in . . We often see lifeless barren lands coming to life when rain falls from the clouds above and suddenly plants emerge and the earth becomes green and full of life. This transformation happens every year and is easily observable.

There is a sign for the disbelievers in the lifeless earth: We give it life and produce out of it grain for them to eat. We place in it gardens of date palms and grapes, and cause springs to gush out of it, so that they may eat of its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this. Will they, then, not give thanks? Limitless in His glory is He who created all things in pairs: whatever the earth produces, their own human kind and other creatures of which they have no knowledge. (Verses 33-36) Everything around them in the universe speaks to them about God, giving evidence of His presence. They only need to look at the land in front of them and how they see it dead, lifeless, lacking a drop of water. Then they see it quicken, producing grain and adorned with gardens replete with dates and grapes. Springs of water gush through it; and in no time, it is full of life.

This is what an ordinary mind observes and thanks Allah for making the lands producible to sustain his living. But for the wise, there is something more to this metaphor as explained herein under: 

The First Meaning: Proof of Resurrection

One of the primary purposes of this metaphor is to show that resurrection is not difficult for Allah. Just as Allah brings dead land back to life, He can also bring human beings back to life after death.

The Qur'an repeatedly connects these two ideas: The revival of the earth and the resurrection of people on the Day of Judgment

The same divine power operates in both.

The Second Meaning: Revival of the Human Heart

Scholars often explain a deeper spiritual meaning. The human heart can become like dead land when it is filled with heedlessness, arrogance, sins and forgetfulness of Allah.

But when divine guidance reaches it—through Al-Qurʾān or sincere reflection—the heart becomes alive again - Just as rain revives the earth, revelation revives the soul.

The Psychological Lesson

This metaphor teaches an important truth about human nature: No matter how spiritually distant a person may feel, renewal is always possible. Just as barren land can suddenly become green, a person’s heart can be transformed by: (1) Sincere repentance, (2) Remembrance of Allah, and (3) Reflection on the Qur'an

This gives hope to people who feel spiritually lost.

Why the Qur'an Repeats This Image

This metaphor appears many times in the Qur'an because it illustrates several key realities and peep into the future after the end of the world like: The power of Allah, the possibility of resurrection, the renewal of spiritual life and the mercy of divine guidance

This metaphor uses a simple natural phenomenon to explain profound spiritual realities.

This Metaphor is a Beautiful Reflection

Imagine two landscapes: a desert that appears completely lifeless and the same land after rainfall, full of flowers and greenery. The Qur'an suggests that human hearts can undergo the same transformation.

This means when a man who has been a disbeliever has is heart turned dead and blackened for he never let the Divine light enter in to it. But when one seeks true guidance and repent his previous life, his heart receives the light of Divine guidance. And like the dead land that turns green when rain falls over it, the human heart becomes compassionate, hopeful, morally aware and spiritually alive.

In summary,  this metaphor of dead land revived by rain teaches that (1) Allah can resurrect the dead just as He revives the earth, (2) divine guidance can revive spiritually empty hearts, and (3) renewal and hope are always possible

Through this simple image, the Qur'an invites people to reflect on nature and recognize the deeper spiritual lessons hidden within 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.

For metaphors and parables mentioned in Qur'an, please refer to our reference page: Most profound Metaphors and Parables in Al Qur'an. You may also refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn 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.
• Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
• Reference Pages for all other reference pages

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

Believers! Do not resort to Infighting - lest you lose courage and your strength depart

Unity is the binding force of any body of men or communities, clans or groups. So long these bodies remain united and refrain of internal strife and infighting, no harm comes to them both from within and without. But when desires and ambitions take over and common goals and objectives are set aside, cracks do not take long to weaken the internal strength and this weakness is instantly cashed on by the external forces to their advantage.

Allah has cautioned believers against internal fighting and divisions which can weaken a body of believers as  mentioned in the 46th verse of Sürah 8. Al-Anfāl of Al-Qurʾān, appended herein under:,  The War Booty

The Verse

وَاَطِيۡعُوا اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوۡلَهٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيۡحُكُمۡ​ وَاصۡبِرُوۡا​ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِيۡنَ

“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute with one another lest you lose courage and your strength depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

Let us unpack this verse and understand its context and its applicability to the Muslims as of today.

Context of the Verse

This verse was revealed in Surah Al-Anfāl, which largely discusses the events surrounding the Battle of Badr, the very first encounter between the Muslims and the might of polytheists of Makkah. The early Muslim community was small and facing powerful enemies, so unity and discipline were essential for survival. Therefore, Allah warned the believers that internal disputes weaken a community more than external enemies.

Key Ideas in the Verse

• Obedience to Divine Guidance The verse begins with a command to obey Allah and His Messenger, establishing that unity must be built on shared moral and spiritual guidance.
• Avoid Internal Disputes 
• The phrase “do not dispute with one another” refers to destructive quarrels and factionalism, not healthy discussion or consultation.
• The Qur’an warns that constant conflict leads to: (1) Mistrust, (2) fragmentation, and (3) loss of collective purpose
• Loss of Strength
• The verse says: “your strength will depart” - The Arabic word “rīḥukum” (ريحكم) literally means “your wind” or “your power/momentum.”
• Scholars explain that it refers to  the loss of morale, loss of unity, loss of influence and victory
• Patience as the Solution The verse ends with a reminder that patience (ṣabr) is essential for maintaining unity and overcoming disagreements.

Relevance Today

This verse remains deeply relevant for Muslim societies and communities today. While the Muslims at the time of Battle of Badr were poor, ill equipped and still in the formatting years of their new found faith and obviously no match to the well equipped army of the wealthy polytheist clans of Makkah, the condition of Muslims of today, though far better inn terms of wealth and resources, is not much different.

The Qur’an repeatedly warns Muslims that division, factionalism, and internal conflict weaken the community. Along with Qur'an 8:46, there are several other important verses that form a complete Qur’anic philosophy of unity. Below are three of the most important ones.

• Hold Firmly to the Rope of Allah
• One of the most famous verses about unity is Qur'an 3:103. “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace.”
• Here, the “rope of Allah” is interpreted by scholars as (1) The Qur’an, (2) The religion of Islam, and (3) The covenant with Allah
• The verse teaches that unity must be based on shared faith and principles, not just political alliances.
• Do Not Become Like Those Who Divided Their Religion
• Another warning appears in Qur'an 3:105. “And do not be like those who became divided and differed after clear proofs had come to them.”
• This verse reminds Muslims that previous religious communities split into factions despite receiving clear guidance.
• The Qur’an warns believers not to repeat that pattern.
• We should learn a lesson that Knowledge alone is not enough—arrogance, pride, and sectarian loyalty can still lead to division.
• Those Who Divide Their Religion into Sects
• A very strong warning appears in Qur'an 6:159. “Indeed, those who divide their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them. Their affair is only with Allah.”
• This verse criticizes people who break the unity of religion into rival factions driven by group identity rather than truth.
• It stresses that religion should unite believers, not become a cause of rivalry.
• Al Qur’anic Principle of Unity If we combine these verses—3:103, 3:105, 6:159, and 8:46—a clear philosophy emerges: (1) Unity is a divine blessing that must be protected. (2) Faith and guidance are the foundation of unity. (3) Internal disputes weaken communities. (4) Sectarian divisions corrupt religion, and (5) Patience and humility preserve unity.

Though the verses quoted above teach that Division weakens communities and stresses the need of Unity with patience and humility, it seems no lesson have been learnt to challenges of present times. Muslims, the second largest body of religion, are scattered in small but largely wealthy communities and nations are in no position to face external challenges since internal conflict dominate their politics. Today, if we look around, we find wealthy Muslim nations with well equipped armies and resources far better than the what Muslims had at the Battle of Badr, do not have strength to face external aggression and machinations, for their desires have taken over their will to ensure unity within. For this very reason, there is no coherence within Muslim countries, each having its own priorities than to unite with other Muslim nations to gear up to face many external challenges being faced today.

Many scholars say that this verse is a timeless principle of social stability: communities collapse not only because of enemies, but because internal conflict erodes their strength.

In essence, Al Qur’an teaches that unity, patience, and obedience to moral guidance are the foundations of communal strength, while constant disputes lead to weakness and division. 

A powerful reflection

The Qur’an suggests that communities rarely collapse because of external enemies alone. More often, they weaken when internal disputes destroy their cohesion and shared purpose. The Prophet ﷺ warned that division would eventually appear among Muslims, but he also gave guidance on how believers should deal with it.

“Indeed, those before you from the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects, and this community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in error except one.” The companions asked: “Which one is that, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “That which I and my companions are upon today.”

This narration is recorded in collections such as Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, and others (with some variations).

The Prophet ﷺ was not encouraging division; rather, he was predicting a reality of human societies: people often disagree, interpret differently, and form groups. But he clarified that the path of safety is to remain faithful to: (1) The Qur’an, (2) The authentic Sunnah, (3) The understanding of the early companions, such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib.

When we combine this hadith with Qur’anic teachings like Qur'an 3:103 and Qur'an 8:46, a clear message appears: (1) Unity is a divine command, (2) Division weakens the community, (3) Guidance lies in the Qur’an and Sunnah and that (4) Differences should be handled with patience and humility.

The Prophet ﷺ foresaw that disagreements would arise, but he taught that the way to remain on the right path is to stay connected to the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the spirit of unity among believers.

The State of Muslims in the present times

It is very disturbing to note that no worthwhile unity exits among Muslims today. We have a Arab world and a Non Arab world. We have Sunni and Shia divide and within many sub divisions. This is because we have put our desires and personal / political interests in the forefront and have kept the unity, aas commanded by Allah, somewhere under lock and key. This disunity is being exploited by external powers and most of us have pawns rather than respectable Muslim states. How would we be able to stand on our own and relieve external pressures is a far cry - not seen in a foreseeable future.

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.

Disclaimer: This post is purely an academic quest into the sphere of Muslim unity and disunity. It is based on the general perception as it prevails both within and without the Muslim world. It is by no mean to finger point on specific sects and factions or countries. It is to put across a personal viewpoint on our state of affairs, leaving much to ponder for our readers.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎  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

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Most profound Metaphors and Parables in Al Qur'an (Reference Page)

People are naturally drawn to parables and metaphors in literature because these communicate deep truths in a way that is clear, memorable, emotionally powerful, and intellectually engaging. This is why they appear not only in religious texts like the Qur’an but also in classical literature, philosophy, and storytelling across cultures. These are ways to describe something that is not easily describable with the language at the times.

We have already published a detailed post on Why Metaphors and Parables are used in Al Qur'an.  Now herein under we share some of the most profound metaphors and parables used in Al Qur'an, already published by us, for better understanding of Al Qur'an and reflecting on the Divine Wisdom behind these metaphors and parables:

• Let the dead earth be a Sign for them - The metaphor of dead land revived by rain (36:33)
• A powerful metaphor in Al Qur’an describes the false hopes and delusions of disbelievers
• Why there are so many verses in Al Qur’an that refer to rain as parable for life and death
• A deeply reflective verse of Al Qur’an that teaches man the entire cycle of human life 
• The parable of the beautiful yet fragile cobweb and those who make fragile foundation of their faith based on shirk
• A parable in the Qur’an which teaches absurdity of idolatry and worshiping beings other than Allah

In time we add more metaphors and parables from Al Qur'an for the interest of our readers, which may assist them in better understanding of some of the important verses of Al Qur'an.

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 | 

Please also visit our Reference Pages: 

• Understanding Al Qur'an to know about Al Qur'an. 
• Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A for more Q&A about Understanding 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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Why Metaphors and Parables are used in Al Qur'an

In any work of literature, metaphors and parables are used to awaken thought, deepen understanding, and strengthen faith. People naturally like metaphors and parables because these help the human mind understand complex truths through familiar images and stories. This is why they are widely used in literature, philosophy, and especially in sacred texts like the Qur'an. 

Through this post, we would apprise our readers of the use of metaphors and parables that assist them in better and easy understanding of Al Qur'an and the Divine Revelations.

Let us first understand what is a metaphor before we explain the usage of metaphors and parables used in Al Qur'an:

What is a Metaphor? A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is described in terms of another to convey a deeper meaning, similarity, or lesson. Instead of explaining an idea directly, it uses imagery or comparison to make the meaning clearer and more powerful. For example, saying “the heart is hard like stone” does not mean the heart is literally stone. It means the person has become spiritually insensitive or unresponsive.

On the contrary, a parable is essentially a metaphor that has been extended to form a story. While a metaphor makes a direct, often irrational comparison to create new meaning, a parable uses a realistic scenario (often everyday human life) to illustrate a deeper truth. A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles.

In Arabic rhetoric, metaphors and parables are called amthāl (أمثال), and they are widely used in classical Arabic speech and literature.

Why the Qur'an Uses Metaphors and Parables

The Qur’an contains many profound metaphors (amthāl) that convey spiritual, moral, and psychological truths through vivid imagery. These metaphors are powerful because they connect abstract ideas—like faith, hypocrisy, and the fleeting nature of life—to everyday experiences people can easily imagine. 

Allah Himself explains this purpose in the Qur'an:

“And We present these parables (amthāl) to people so that they may reflect.” — Qur'an 59:21, and

“Indeed, Allah does not hesitate to present a parable of a mosquito or what is smaller than it…” — Qur'an 2:26

These verses show that metaphors are a deliberate teaching method of the Qur'an.

Main Purposes of Metaphors and Parables in the Qur'an

Metaphors and Parables in the Qur'an are a divine teaching method that transforms deep spiritual realities into powerful images, helping people reflect, understand, and remember the message of guidance.  Let us reflect more on it:

• Metaphors Make Abstract Ideas Concrete / Easy to understand
• Many Qur'anic teachings involve spiritual realities (faith, hypocrisy, guidance, the Hereafter). These can be difficult to grasp. Metaphors turn abstract concepts into visible images.
• Metaphors connect abstract ideas / concepts to things we can see and imagine.
• For example, the Qur'an compares worldly life to rain and vegetation that grows and then dries out (10:24). This helps people visualize how temporary life is.
• Instead of a philosophical lecture, a simple image makes the meaning clear and memorable.
• Metaphors Engage the Imagination
• Human beings think naturally in images and stories. When we hear a metaphor, our mind immediately forms a picture.
• For example, in Surah Al-Hashr (59:21) the Qur'an says a mountain would split from the weight of revelation.
• This vivid image makes the message emotionally powerful. A person can almost see the mountain breaking, which leaves a deeper impression than plain explanation.
• Parables Make Lessons Easier to Remember
• Stories and parables stay in memory much longer than abstract statements.
• This is why teachers, prophets, and philosophers use them. The teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ often used simple comparisons from everyday life.
• For example, he compared the guidance he brought to rain that falls on different types of soil—some soil benefits from it and some does not. This parable clearly explains how people respond differently to guidance.
• Metaphors / Parables Encourage Reflection
• Metaphors do not always explain everything directly. Instead, they invite people to think deeply. This stimulates the intellect and makes the reader participate in discovering the meaning.
• The Qur'an frequently says after giving a parable: “Perhaps they will reflect.”
• This means the purpose is not just information but contemplation.
• Metaphors Reach Both the Mind and the Heart
• Logical arguments mainly appeal to the mind, but metaphors also touch the heart and emotions.
• For example: Describing faith as light, and disbelief as darkness
• These images resonate emotionally with people because light and darkness are experiences everyone understands.
• Metaphors Communicate Universal Truths
• Metaphors are powerful because they work across cultures and time.
• A simple image like: A seed growing, a tree with roots, rain reviving dead land
• These can be understood by people in different societies and eras.
• This is one reason the Qur'an uses natural imagery so often.
• Metaphors and Parables Reveal Truth Gradually
• Some truths are too profound to grasp immediately. Metaphors allow people to approach deep meanings step by step.
• A person might read a parable many times and discover deeper insights each time.
• This layered meaning is one reason sacred texts remain meaningful across centuries.

In summary, People love metaphors and parables because these (1) make complex ideas easy to understand, (2) create vivid mental images, (3) stay longer in memory, stimulate reflection and (4) connect with both intellect and emotion. That is why the Qur'an frequently uses powerful parables to guide humanity—not just to inform, but to transform the heart and 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.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 

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.

Read More

The Great Connection between Patience (ṣabr) and Gratitude (shukr) in Islam

If someone asks me what are the two qualities of a true believer, I would not hesitate to say: Patience and Gratitude. It is these two virtues of the character of the believer which refines his faith and trust in the Creator of the universe. In fact the the entire life of a believer revolves around these two qualities: patience (ṣabr صبر) and gratitude (shukr شكر). If we look back these two were the very qualities of every prophet and messenger of Allah. In Islam, Sabr (patience) and Shukr (gratitude) are deeply interconnected, foundational pillars of faith, often described as the "two wings" of a believer or two sides of the same coin. They represent a comprehensive framework for navigating all of life's circumstances—hardship and ease—with faith and spiritual balance. 

This means every situation in life becomes spiritually beneficial for a believer. So let us try to establish a correlation between these two wings of a believer and find a deeper meaning and connection between Patience and Gratitude.

Before we try to establish a correlation between Sabr and Shukr, let us in simple words define both these terminotics:

Ṣabr (patience) is an active state of steadfastness, self-restraint, and reliance on God rather than passive resignation. It involves controlling one's soul, tongue, and actions during trials, avoiding complaints, and maintaining consistency in doing good. Far from being a sign of weakness, it is considered a powerful spiritual virtue that enables a person to endure hardship while remaining faithful to divine commands, ultimately leading to immense reward.

Gratitude (Shukr شكر) denotes thankfulness, gratitude or acknowledgment by humans, being a highly esteemed virtue in Islam. The term may also be used if the subject is God, in which case it takes the meaning of "divine responsiveness".

Why Life Requires Both Patience and Gratitude

Human life constantly moves between two conditions:

• Times of Ease and Gratitude: Good health, success, family and means of sustenance/provision. In these moments the believer shows shukr (gratitude).
• Times of Difficulty: In times of difficulty we need to exhibit extreme sense of patience. When one is faces with setbacks, illness, deprivation of health and wealth, injustice and failures, the believer practices ṣabr (patience).

Since life always alternates between these two states, the believer is always spiritually growing.

The Qur’anic Connection Between Patience and Gratitude

The Qur'an repeatedly pairs these two qualities. For example the 5th verse of Surah Ibrahim, it is said: “Indeed in that are signs for every patient and grateful person.” This verse teaches that people truly understand Allah’s signs when they possess both patience and gratitude.

Patience Protects Faith During Hardship

There are two ways to confront hardships - being impatient and take erratic decisions for which one is always regretful Hardships can easily lead to: rise in anger, despair and loss of faith But if one exhibits extreme level of patience, this keeps the believer connected to Allah and is always blessed Divinely to ease one's sufferings.

Here we can quote the powerful example is the life of Prophet Ayyub. He endured severe illness, loss of wealth, loss of family. He fell ill to an extent that his entire body was blistered and incurable. Yet he remained patient and continued worshipping Allah. Eventually Allah restored his health and blessings.

His story teaches that patience during suffering leads to divine mercy.

Gratitude Protects the Heart During Blessings

For believers with strong faith, blessings bring good tidings, humility and perseverance. But for other with weak faith, blessings can also be dangerous because they can lead to arrogance, pride, forgetting Allah. This failure in test of being blessed often leads to failures and deprivations for Allah does not like the ungrateful and the arrogant.

Mostly people forget that gratitude protects a person from these spiritual diseases. For example, when Prophet Sulaiman received immense power and wealth, he said: “This is from the favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful.” (27:40). Instead of being boastful of his strength and dominance over both humans/jinns and animals, for he understood that blessings are also a test.

There are three conditions to a proper and complete praise of God: 1) To know God as the Giver of bounties, 2) To be pleased and satisfied with what He has given you, and 3) Not to use His bounty in the way of His disobedience.

It is quoted in Sahi Bukhari that the Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, "should I not be a thankful slave."

The Perfect Example of Prophet Yusuf for displaying both Patience and Gratitude

The life of Prophet Yusuf perfectly combines patience and gratitude.

• During hardship he showed patience when right from his early life when he was abandoned by his brothers and thrown into a well, recovered by a passing caravan but sold into slavery. For a sin he never committed he was imprisoned unjustly where he endured hardship along with hardened criminals. Yet instead of repenting, he reflected on his life and connected to Allah trying to understand the meaning of test he was put in and improved his wisdom.
• During success when he became a powerful leader in Egypt, he remained grateful and humble. He later said: “Indeed whoever fears Allah and is patient, Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.” (12:90) His life proves that patience leads to honor and gratitude preserves it.

A Deep Spiritual Insight from Scholars

Muslim scholars often deduce form their research of Qur'an, Sunnah and anecdotes of previous prophets and ungrateful people that Faith is built on two halves: Half patience and Half gratitude. Do you wonder Why?

Because patience helps you endure what you dislike, and gratitude helps you properly use what you love. Together they keep a believer balanced in every situation.

Practical Ways to Practice Both Daily

When something good happens, that is after success, after receiving good news, and after completing a task, always remember to immediately say Alhamdulillah and remember Allah. 

But when something difficult happens, always say: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un” (Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we return)

Then remind yourself that hardship may contain hidden wisdom. The life of Prophet Yusuf is an example who struggled through hardships and extraordinary circumstances. Yet he remained patient and grateful for whatever he was going through taking as a test, not as punishment.

The Result of exercising Patience and Gratitude

A person who practices patience and gratitude develops inner peace, emotional stability, resilience in hardship, humility in success and deep trust in Allah. Such a person becomes spiritually unshakable, because every situation brings them closer to Allah.

Remember, a true believer lives between two states (1) Patience in difficulty (2) Gratitude in blessings throughout his life. This transforms the entire journey of life into a path toward closeness with Allah. Let us try to exercise patience in hardship and gratitude in good times. Patience if hardship is more rewarding than being grateful in good times because the test of believer comes when despite difficulties, rejection, dejection, and injustice, takes the bad and hard times as a test and not as a burden and he never lets go of his patient self. Likewise in good times, he is more humble and thankful for he knows arrogance and ungratefulness can rob his good time, for it is also a test.

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 | Resource References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | Sahi Bukhari |

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.

Read More