This is our first post in our series of posts on Who is He, that we will publish in due course about an invisible and unseen Divine Deity which many people do not beleive in. We Muslims, and many other who follow the Divine religions in true letter and spirit, know that Allah is that unseen and invisible Divine Deity that controls and manages the entire universe which none other than He created - a universe that astronomers believe is continueing to expand and no one shall ever be able to reach its farthesest boundaries.
Today we share the 62nd verse of Surah 27. An Naml (The ant) in which Allah answers that who is He who heeds the prayers of the distressed when he calls upon Him:
اَمَّنۡ يُّجِيۡبُ الۡمُضۡطَرَّ اِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكۡشِفُ السُّوۡٓءَ وَيَجۡعَلُكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ ءَاِلٰـهٌ مَّعَ اللّٰهِ ؕ قَلِيۡلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ ؕ
(27:62) Who is it Who heeds the prayers of the distressed when he calls out to Him and Who removes his affliction?76 And who is it Who makes you vicegerents of the earth? Is there any god associated with Allah (in this task)? How little do you reflect!
The phrase أَإِلَـٰهٌ مَّعَ اللَّـهِ "A deity with Allah?" is repeated 5 times in this Surah. This phrase does not occur in any of the Surah of the Qur'an and is unique to Surah an-Naml.
The Arab polytheists themselves knew and acknowledged that Allah alone could avert a disaster. Therefore, the Quran reminds them again and again that they implore Allah alone for help when they are confronted by a calamity. But when the calamity is removed, they start invoking others besides Allah. And this is not only true of the Arab polytheists but of all polytheists; so much so that even the Russian atheists who are regularly campaigning against God-worship, had to invoke God when in the Second World War they were tightly encircled by the German forces.
"Is there any god associated with Allah (in this task)? How little do you reflect!" This has two meanings: (1) “He raises one generation after the other and one nation after the other”; and (2) “He gives you power and authority to rule in the earth”.
After the brief explanation above, let's now deeply explore Surah An-Naml (27:62) which is a powerful verse about du‘ā (supplication), vulnerability, and Allah’s unmatched mercy.
Verse Breakdown and Explanation
1. “أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ” - “Who is it that responds to the one in desperate need when he calls upon Him?”
- Al-Muḍṭarr (المضطر) = the one who is utterly desperate, helpless, and broken — someone who has exhausted all worldly options.
- This part of the verse emphasizes Allah’s exclusive power to answer du‘ā when no one else can.
- Reflection:
- Allah responds not just to words, but to the depth of your heart’s need. When no one else hears or understands, He does — fully and instantly.
- Allah has such power that when He decides to help someone all sources found in the universe needed for it are gathered by Him in the blink of an eye and He delivers that person from his grief and difficulty.
- However, there is one thing to understand and that is when Allah says He hears and redresses one's grievance, it does not mean an instant redressal of the frievance. It is because every piece of the jigsaw puzzle tkaes its own time to fit in. What one may consider something to his benefit, it may not be suitable in the eyes of Allah. So instead Allah may bless him with something better beyond one's imagination. This may be immediate ot may take some time as per the plan of Allah.
2. “وَيَكْشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ” - “And who removes evil/harm?”
- Yakshifu as-sū’ = removes not just pain, but any form of suffering: physical, emotional, spiritual, social.
- Allah removes it in His wisdom — sometimes immediately, sometimes gradually, sometimes by giving strength to endure it.
- Reflection: When you feel buried under hardship, this verse is a promise that Allah lifts what no one else can — when you turn to Him sincerely.
3. “وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ ٱلْأَرْضِ” “And who makes you successors (khalīfah) on the earth?”
- A reminder: Allah didn’t just create you — He entrusted you with a role on earth.
- This is a reference to the established practice of Allah in accordance with which a nation becomes prominent, plays its role and then permanently leaves the stage of this world to vacate its place for the next. It is as if nations also follow the law of life and death which we observe among human beings. This obviously is a task in the sphere of Allah which can only be carried out by the creator of the heavens and the earth.
- It is Allah who despite your weakness in moments of distress, empowers you to rise, recover, and carry responsibility.
- Reflection: Even in desperation, you are still honored by Allah. You are not abandoned. You are chosen to carry meaning.
4. “أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ؟” “Is there any god besides Allah?”
- A rhetorical, powerful question. No one else hears your heart like Allah. No one can respond the way He can.
- Reflection: Allah invites you to detach from false hopes in people or things — and attach yourself to Him alone.
5. “قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ” “Little is it that you remember.”
- A gentle reproach. Allah reminds us how easily we forget — especially when life is smooth.
- The verse calls us to renew awareness, not just in distress, but always.
Overall Meaning and Message
- This verse is divine reassurance for:
- The broken-hearted
- The helpless
- The overwhelmed
- It tells you: ❝ In your most desperate moment, when even your voice trembles — Allah is listening. And only He has the power to respond with full knowledge, mercy, and wisdom. ❞
- This verse teaches:
- Sincerity in du‘ā matters more than eloquence
- Desperation is a door to Allah’s nearness
- Tawḥīd (Oneness of God) isn’t just belief — it’s trusting only Allah in your hardest moments
Real-Life Spiritual Takeaway
When you're feeling Abandoned, Anxious, Drowning in a situation, ecite this verse. Reflect on it. Whisper your du‘ā.
And know this: The One who answered Yunus (عليه السلام) in the belly of the whale, and Maryam (عليها السلام) in childbirth, and Zakariyya (عليه السلام) in old age — is the same One who promises to hear you.
“أمن يجيب المضطر إذا دعاه” - “Who is it that responds to the one in desperate need when he calls upon Him?”
There is a very deep coherence between اَمَّنْ يُّجِيْبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ اِذَا دَعَاهُ (are they better or that [Lord] Who listens to the oppressed when he calls Him) and وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ الْاَرْضِ (and makes you the heir of the earth) the two parts of the verse. The implication is that they do not learn a lesson from these difficulties which they face in their lives nor from the rise and fall of nations. So, who can teach those who have such a weak memory?
Let's explore Surah An-Naml (27:62) in light of the Hadith, connecting both to reveal a deeper spiritual truth.
- Qur’an:
- "Amman yujeebu al-muḍṭarra itha da‘āhu wa yakshifu as-sū’a..." - "Who is it that responds to the distressed one when he calls upon Him, and who removes evil...?"
- Meaning: Allah poses a rhetorical question here to emphasize His unique power and mercy:
- He is the only one who truly responds when someone is in deep distress (muḍṭarr) — desperate, broken, with no one else to turn to.
- He removes harm (yakshifu as-sū’) when none else can.
- This verse highlights Allah’s nearness, His mercy, and His direct response to sincere du‘ā.
- Relevant Hadiths That Reflect This Verse
- "There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah... except He will give it."
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah with a supplication in which there is no sin or severing of family ties, except that Allah will give him one of three: either He will answer his du‘a immediately, or He will save it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert some evil from him because of it.” (Musnad Ahmad, Sahih)
- Connection to the Verse: Allah always responds — not always in the way we imagine, but in the way we most need, especially in distress.
- "Know that Allah does not answer the du‘a from a distracted heart."
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “Call upon Allah while being certain of a response. And know that Allah does not respond to the supplication that comes from a heedless and inattentive heart.” (Tirmidhi, Hasan)
- Connection: Surah An-Naml 62 emphasizes sincere, desperate calling — “when he calls out to Him”. The more broken and focused the heart, the closer the response.
- "Three whose du‘a is never rejected..."
- The Prophet ﷺ said: “Three prayers are never rejected: the du‘a of the oppressed, the du‘a of the traveler, and the du‘a of the parent for his child.” (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood)
- Connection: Distress (iḍṭirār) can be physical (oppression, travel), emotional, or spiritual — and Allah’s response is guaranteed for such du‘ā.
Spiritual Insights from the Qur’an and Hadith
- Du‘ā in Desperation is Powerful: When all else is stripped away, and you cry to Allah with a heart full of dependence, it unlocks divine mercy.
- Allah Loves When You Turn to Him Alone: The verse in Surah An-Naml calls you to abandon reliance on creation and run to the Creator.
- His Help May Not Look Like What You Expect: The hadith shows that Allah’s response can come in different forms:
- Immediate help
- Hidden benefit
- Averted harm
- Reward in the next life
- Desperation Is Not Weakness — It’s a Door to Divine Strength; When the world lets you down, Allah is drawing you nearer to Him.
Final Reflection:
“The louder your heart cries in du‘ā, the nearer the Help of Allah comes — because He is the One who answers the distressed when they call.”
Let us focus on the presence of Allah, though not viisble, but His presence is felt if we have faith in His presence and firm belief that none other than He can be our deliverer, redresser of our grievances and provider of relief from our pains and state of anuguish.
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.
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.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
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.
Please refer to our exclusive Reference Post on Wh is He to know anwers to many mreo questions taht may eclipse our thinking from negativities.
For more Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .
You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān 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, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. 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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