I am sharing the 58th verse of Surah 53. An Najm today for a special reason. A few days back, a brother believer posted a comment on Facebook that so and so place always averts a disaster because besides Allah, there are revered Muslim scholars buried there and it is because of their presence that diesters are averted from that city.
This notion in fact is the display of weak faith that knowing fully well that Allah alone is the preventer of all calamities and if He so desires He can avert a disaster from a particular place or a location and devastate another people and place. For He knows how to maintain checks and balances. Read the following verse and then its explanation, for it should be enough for believers of weak faith who still need protection from worldly deities even when they are dead:
لَيۡسَ لَهَا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ كَاشِفَةٌ ؕ
(53:58) and none but Allah can avert it.
Although this verse was revealed about the Hour of Judgment that when it does arrive, you will not be able to stop it, nor your deities other than Allah have the power to avert it. Allah alone can stop it but He will not. Yet it has many a lesson for us from our daily lives.
Remember when Prophet Yunus (Jonah, peace be upon him) fell into the rough sea and it was Allah Who saved him when he was swallowed by a big fish and remained inside her belly for God knows how many days - only to be gulped out unhurt on the seashore.
When the sea gets rough and a lonely ship is battling the ferocious sea waves, who saves us from the impending catastrophe: None but Allah for He alone can tame the waves for us if He so wanted. No one besides Allah can prevent a disaster from coming, nor does anyone know when it will come, except Him.
But at the same time, when Allah decides to punish a people, then no one else but He can avert His disaster. Look around the ruins of once greatest empires where now only billowing whistling winds have their abode. The mighty people of Ad and Thamud are no more except the ruins of their mighty structures that could not save them from the wrath of Allah.
And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth, but He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All Seer of His slaves. (Fatir 35:45)
The immediate context of this verse is the warning of the approaching Day of Judgment. The preceding verses speak about the nearness of the Hour, and this verse emphasizes that when Allah's final decree comes, no one has the power to delay, prevent, or remove it.
At a broader level, the verse teaches that ultimate control over events belongs to Allah alone. Human beings have knowledge, technology, and the ability to take precautions, but these abilities themselves are part of the means Allah has placed in creation. We are instructed to use those means while recognizing that the final outcome rests with Him.
Regarding natural disasters and calamities, humans can often reduce their impact, though they cannot exercise absolute control over them. For example:
- Earthquake-resistant buildings can save lives during earthquakes.
- Flood barriers, drainage systems, and early warning systems can lessen flood damage.
- Weather forecasting allows communities to evacuate before hurricanes or cyclones.
- Vaccines, sanitation, and public health measures can prevent or limit the spread of many diseases.
However, these efforts do not "avert" calamities in the absolute sense; rather, they are means of mitigation and preparedness. Sometimes, despite every precaution, disasters still occur, while at other times a small intervention prevents immense loss. Islam encourages taking such practical measures—the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught believers to tie their camel before trusting in Allah, illustrating that reliance on Allah (tawakkul) includes making responsible use of available means.
The verse53:58 does not discourage human action. Instead, it places human effort in the proper perspective: we are responsible for doing our best, but ultimate power over creation and the fulfillment or removal of divine decrees belongs to Allah alone.
So believe in Allah with unswerving faith that He alone can help us and save us - no worldly deities can come forward and save us when Allah decides to punish a people. Let us be always thankful to Allah for He saves us from many misfortune which we not know. May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.
You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah (53) An-Najm النجم (The Star) 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.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that:
- The plain translation has been taken from the Qur'ān officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- 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 the references of other sources including ChatGPT which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.
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