Understanding some of the verses of Al Qur'an can dispel many misconceptions that reside in the minds of Muslims who still cling to beliefs that are tangent to the teachings of Islam. These verses are also meant to remove the misunderstanding of the polytheists, who believed that from among the servants of Allah, someone gave them the provision, someone the children and someone health to their patients. All these superstitions of shirk are baseless, and the pure truth is just that whatever of mercy reaches the people, reaches to them only through Allah Almighty’s bounty and grace. No one else has the power either to bestow it or to withhold it. This theme has been expressed at many places in the Quran and the Ahadith in different ways so that man may avoid the humiliation of begging at every door and at every shrine and may realize that making or marring of his destiny is in the power of One Allah alone and of none else.
To reinforce our premise, we share the second verse from Surah Fatir, the 35 Surah / Chapter of Al Qur'an, given herein under, reflecting on its core meaning and its application to every living being and to ponder over:
The Verse 2 — Surah Fāṭir (35:2):
مَا يَفْتَحِ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا ۖ وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
“Whatever mercy Allah opens up for people, none can withhold it; and whatever He withholds, none can release after Him. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.”
What is Tawhid
Before we explain this verse, let us understand what is Tawhid.
Tawhid means the absolute oneness of God (Allah) and is the most fundamental concept in Islam, asserting that there is only one God who is unique and has no partners. This belief in monotheism is the core of the Islamic faith, signifying that God is the sole creator and sustainer of the universe and that all worship should be directed to Him alone.
Tawhid teaches us:
- Oneness of being: Allah is uniquely one in His being, not composed of parts.
- Oneness of attributes: Allah's divine attributes, such as knowledge, hearing, and power, are unique and not shared with anyone.
- Oneness of actions: Allah has no partner or helper in His divine actions, such as creation and control of the universe.
- Pillar of faith: Tawheed is the first and most important pillar of Islam and is essential for a person to be considered a Muslim.
- Avoidance of Shirk: The practical application of Tawheed involves avoiding Shirk (associating partners with God), which is considered the greatest sin in Islam. This includes avoiding both major forms of shirk (like worshipping idols) and minor forms (like showing off in worship).
That is Tawhid means belief in absolute Oneness of Allah and avoidance of Shirk in all its forms.
What the Verse Means
Let us now see how this verse can be explained to find its relevance to belief in One True God and rejection of Idolism:
- All good comes only from Allah
- Here the Mercy of Allah has been explained which comes to us in many shades despite our arrogant rejection of the Divine Mercy.
- The Mercy here includes: Rizq (sustenance), Health, Guidance, Protection, Success, Peace, Opportunities, Good relationships. Hope, Relief and of course Barakah.
- That is if Allah decides to give you something, no creation can stop it.
- No one can give what Allah withholds
- No boss, no doctor, no government, no powerful person can deliver what has not been written for you.
- This removes: Fear of people, fear of loss, and attachment to worldly sources.
- Allah gives and withholds with perfect wisdom
- The verse ends with two major attributes of Allah: (1) Al-‘Azīz — The All-Powerful, and (2) Al-Ḥakīm — The All-Wise
- The mention of these two powerful attributes of Allah means: (1) His power is perfect, (2) His decisions are wise, (3) His timing is flawless and that (4) Nothing is random.
How to Reflect on This Verse
If one reflects deeply on Who Allah is and what are His limitless powers and mercy, one would start to understand the wisdom behind this verse. Here is just a cue to the immense wisdom this verse carries:
- Trust Allah more, worry less
- When something is meant for you, it will come: a job, marriage, provision, healing, and an opportunity.
- Your heart finds peace knowing that Allah never misses you.
- Stop fearing people: People cannot harm or benefit you except by Allah’s permission. with this form belief, our hearts become free from anxiety and stress.
- Let go of envy: If Allah gave someone something, He opened a door of mercy for them. We uct have faith in the fact that our turn will come if it is good for us.
- Accept the wisdom behind delays: Sometimes Allah withholds to: protect, purify, strengthen, redirect and elevate our rank. Delays are not denials — they are wisdom.
- Strengthen your du‘ā: This verse teaches that ALL mercy is in Allah’s hand, so du‘ā becomes: sincere, hopeful and confident. Our du‘ā is asking the One who controls all outcomes.
- Be grateful for the blessings you already have - Health, family, safety, food, knowledge — these are “doors of mercy” Allah has opened for you.
- Be patient in hardships - Hardship is also mercy if it: brings you closer to Allah, increases your tawakkul, wipes away sins, and reshapes your character. Allah’s withholding is not cruelty — it is mercy in disguise.
Relevance to Our Modern Life
Unless we shape our lives that hinge on unflinching faith and trust in Allah, we can never understand the Divine wisdom of mercy, delays and denials. Remember:
- When job hunting → Allah opens doors no résumé can open.
- When worried about money → rizq is from Allah, not the employer.
- When relationship breaks → Allah withholds for your future good.
- When dealing with illness → healing is a mercy only He grants.
- When feeling anxious → control belongs to Allah, not circumstances.
- When facing injustice → Allah’s power overrides all oppressors.
This, this verse removes crippling fear, anxiety, resentment, and stress and replaces the heart with: trust, patience, contentment, and inner peace. Surah Fāṭir 35:2 teaches that everything you hope for or fear is entirely in Allah’s hands — so attach your heart to Him alone. No idols or saints or priests can help us to our wishes fulfilled, for it is only the Divine Wisdom that decides who to give, when and how much or hold something for someone to test the strength of one's faith. Let us never fail this test.
You may refer to Summary and Selected verses of Sürah (35) Fāṭir “The Originator / The Creator” for more Selected Verses already published. For more scholarly explanation of this verse, click on link |3| given below.
You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
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 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. .
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.
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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment