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Showing posts with label Chapter 11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chapter 11. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 July 2025

Islam continues to permeate into the hearts and minds despite the rejection

Man has always rejected the Divine religions for they have had affiliation and strong bondage with the customs, culture and traditions of their forefathers. When Prophet Musa. Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), called his people to the Divine revelations he had received directly from the Lord of the universe at Mt. Sinai, many of his people whom he had freed from the bondage of the Pharaoh, turned against him and out rightly objected the idea of him proclaiming as a messenger of God and the commandments he had brought back after meeting God. 

This has always been so before Prophet Musa and thereafter when Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم proclaimed himself as messenger of Allah and told them the revelation he has received from Allah through arch Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel). Like Prophet Musa, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم too was subjected to a very harsh treatment both physical and mental, at times almost killing him. But due to the resilience and steadfastness God always provided to His prophets and messengers, the Divine regions thrived. Today, Islam which was once out rightly rejected is the second most adopted religion in the world, after Christianity. And some analysts claim that by 2050 Islam may overtake Christianity.

With this premise at the background, let us now share the 110th verse from Surah 11. Hūd, which draws a parallel between the conditions that both Prophets Musa and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم faced and yet came out with huge success.

The Verse:

وَلَقَدۡ اٰتَيۡنَا مُوۡسَى الۡكِتٰبَ فَاخۡتُلِفَ فِيۡهِ​ ؕ وَ لَوۡلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتۡ مِنۡ رَّبِّكَ لَـقُضِىَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ​ ؕ وَاِنَّهُمۡ لَفِىۡ شَكٍّ مِّنۡهُ مُرِيۡبٍ‏ 
(11:110) And We certainly gave Moses the Book before, and there arose disagreements about it (even as there are disagreements now about the Book revealed to you). Had it not been for a decree that had already gone forth from your Lord, the matter would have long been decided between them. Indeed they are in a disquieting doubt about it.

Let us explain the above quoted verse Explanation of the verse:

Context and Meaning:
This verse refers to Prophet Musa (Moses) and his mission, particularly the dispute and rejection that followed his delivering of the Torah (the Scripture) to the Israelites. The verse points out that many people disputed the divine revelation brought by Moses, just as people did with earlier prophets.
  • "And We gave Moses the Scripture, but it was disputed":
    • The Torah, like every revealed scripture, faced opposition and misunderstanding.
    • People questioned and doubted the divine origins of Moses' message, just as they questioned the validity of previous revelations.
  • "Had it not been for a word that preceded from your Lord, the matter would have been decided between them":
    • This refers to God's prior decree, which held back immediate judgment and punishment for the disbelievers. God’s mercy is a recurring theme in the Quran, and it highlights that the final decision will come at a later time (on the Day of Judgment).
    • It suggests that although the disbelievers were defying the truth, God had not yet executed the full consequences but allowed some time for reflection and repentance.
  • "And indeed, they are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt":
    • The people were in a state of doubt and confusion about the truth of the message, despite its clear signs and miracles.
    • The "disquieting doubt" suggests that the rejection wasn’t purely intellectual; it was emotionally charged, rooted in pride, tribalism, and fear of losing authority.
Relevance to the Quran's Rejection:
This verse is particularly relevant when considering the rejection of the Quran by many, even up until today, and there are several parallels between the reaction to Musa's message and the reaction to the Quran:
  • Doubt and Disputation:
    • Just like the Torah, the Quran has been disputed by many. There is a doubt and skepticism surrounding it, especially by those who do not want to accept the divine authority behind it. The Quranic revelations have been questioned, interpreted differently, or even outright rejected by some, as was the case with earlier scriptures. 
    • The "disquieting doubt" is even seen today in people who claim to have doubts about the "originality and authenticity" of Quran and its divine nature, often based on their own biases, lack of understanding, or unwillingness to accept its truth.
  • Delayed Judgment: In the same way that the "matter would have been decided between them" but God allowed time before judgment, today we see that despite the rejection and opposition to the Quran, the ultimate consequences of disbelief are delayed by God’s mercy. This mirrors the warning that people will face accountability on the Day of Judgment.
  • Rejection Due to Pride and Power Dynamics:
    • Much of the rejection of the Quran in the past and present stems from pride, fear of losing control, or social/cultural power. People, whether in the time of Moses or now, often reject what threatens their established way of life or challenges their beliefs and authority. 
    • Just as Pharaoh and his followers rejected Moses’ message because it threatened their political and spiritual control, so too do many reject the Quran because it challenges established worldviews, materialism, or secular ideologies.
  • Emotional and Psychological Resistance:
    • The “disquieting doubt” mentioned in the verse suggests that rejection is not always purely intellectual. It is often a psychological or emotional resistance to a message that demands change and self-reflection. 
    • This is seen today as many are resistant to the Quran not because they find it intellectually flawed but because it demands a moral shift or a transformation of personal or societal behavior.
Why is it Similar?
Whenever a new Divine Scripture was presented, it was outrightly contested. Now that the Qur'an is the final Divine Scripture, and there is no new Scripture is to be revealed, it continues to be subjected to negation, criticism and rejection. Let us see how the conditions faced by all earlier prophets and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم are similar:
  • Universal Rejection: The Quran, like the previous scriptures, faces universal rejection. Just as Moses’ revelation was disputed, the Quran faces rejection not only from non-believers but also from those who consider themselves learned or enlightened, yet remain skeptical or dismissive.
  • Human Nature: The nature of disbelief and rejection of truth remains largely the same. Pride, fear of change, and attachment to worldly gains have always been factors that hinder people from accepting divine truth.
  • Delayed Consequences: The verse reminds us that God has allowed time for people to reflect, but His ultimate decision will be made when the appointed time comes. The rejection of the Qur'an today does not mean God’s justice will be delayed forever; it will come at the appointed time, as it did with past nations.
Contemporary Lessons:
  • Patience and Trust: For Muslims, this verse reminds us to be patient in the face of rejection or opposition, trusting that, as with past prophets, God’s justice will prevail in the end.
  • Encouragement to Seek Truth: It encourages all to reflect on the message of the Quran, to seek truth, and to not follow the doubts and misconceptions surrounding it. Doubt is natural, but sincere inquiry into the Quran leads to enlightenment.
In summary, 11:110 highlights a timeless phenomenon: the rejection of divine guidance due to human resistance, pride, and doubt. It draws a clear parallel between the disputes around Moses' Torah and the rejection of the Quran, serving as a reminder of the delayed judgment and the ultimate triumph of truth. Already in many a countries, Islam is gaining popularity and acceptance at pace which has never been witnessed before. This is due to the fat that social media has provided easy and free access to Islam, Qur'an and Sunnah, which was previously generally inaccessible.  The ultimate truth will always prevail in the end.

Please visit our reference page:  Sūrah Hūd  (Prophet Hūd " هود‎ ") for selected verses from Surah Hud.
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 also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

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.
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.

    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.

    Thursday, 24 July 2025

    Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 11. Hūd (Prophet Hūd " هود‎ ") - The Sūrah of Prophets

    Sūrah Hūd " هود‎ " is the 11th chapter of the Qur'an with 123 āyāts (verses) with 10 ruku / sections, part of the 11th-12th Juz'. This Surah has been named after Prophet Hūd (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) whose story has been related in verses 50-60. Besides, stories of Prophets Nuh (Noah), Salih, Ibrahim, Lut, Shu‘ayb, and Musa (Moses) have also been extensively mentioned. Thus, it would not be wrong to call this Sūrah as the Sūrah of Prophets. Sūrah Hūd is a Meccan surah and focuses heavily on prophetic warnings, divine justice, and steadfastness in the face of opposition

    The Surah deals with the same subject as Sūrah 10. Yunus (Prophet Jonah), in which the stress was laid on the side of Allah's dealing with man which leans to Mercy. Here in this sūrah the invitation to the Message, admonition and warning, with this difference that the warning is sterner when all Grace is resisted. This is also supported by a Tradition:
    It is related that after its revelation, once Hadrat Abu Bakr asked Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, "Of late I have been noticing that you are growing older and older. What is the cause of it?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم replied, "Surah Hūd and the like Surahs have made me old." This shows that it was a very hard time for the Holy Prophet and these stern warnings added greatly to his anxieties that were caused by the persecution from the Quraish, who were doing their worst to crush down the Message of Islam. For it was obvious to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that the last limit of the respite given by Allah was approaching nearer and nearer and he was afraid lest the term of the respite should expire and his people be seized by the torment.
    Here's a breakdown of its theme and major thrust:

    Overall Theme
    The overall theme of the surah is the Divine justice and the consequences of rejecting God's guidance.

    Surah Hūd emphasizes the fate of past nations who denied their prophets, drawing parallels to the opposition Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was facing in Mecca. It serves as a warning to the Quraysh and a source of consolation and strength for the Prophet.

    Major Thrusts / Key Messages
    • Consolation to Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
      • The Prophet is reminded to remain patient and firm, just as the earlier prophets did.
      • The verse 11:120 captures this:
      • "And all We relate to you of the stories of the messengers is to make your heart firm with it..."
    • Narratives of Past Prophets: The Surah, besides mention of Prophet Hūd, also mentions accounts of Prophets Nuh (Noah), Hud, Salih, Ibrahim, Lut, Shu‘ayb, and Musa (Moses). These stories are told to show:
      • God's repeated warnings through prophets.
      • The eventual destruction of nations that rejected the truth.
      • The survival of the believers due to their faith and obedience.
      • These stories serve both as warnings and lessons.
    • Warning of Inevitable Accountability:
      • Emphasizes the Day of Judgment and how no one can escape it.
      • The surah warns against complacency and disbelief, highlighting the certainty of divine retribution.
    • Call to Righteousness and Repentance:
      • Verse 11:114: “Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds...”
      • The surah urges people to turn to Allah, seek forgiveness, and live righteously.
    • Moral and Spiritual Steadfastness:
      • Perhaps the most poignant command is in verse 11:112: “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded...”
      • It reflects the core burden of the Prophet’s mission — to stay firm in the face of resistance and to model upright character.
    Summary:
    Surah Hud is a powerful message about perseverance in faith, warning against disbelief, and trust in divine justice. It uses historical examples to underscore that God's judgment is real, and believers must stand firm, even when the odds seem overwhelming.

    We have already published detailed exegesis of the Surah which can be accessed from links given below:
    Overview | Exegesis: | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV |

    We now share some of the verses from Sūrah Hūd which have already been published covering some important messages:
    In time we will continue to add more selected verses from Sūrah Hūd for information of our readers.
    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.

    Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from Surah 14. Ibrāhīm "إبراهيم" (Prophet Abraham) for verses from this Surah

    You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

    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.
    Photo | Reference: | 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.

      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.

      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.

      Tuesday, 15 July 2025

      Do not pray for idolatrous relatives - Lesson from the acts of Two Prophets

      No Divine religion advocates idolatory for it is tantamount to associating someone with the one true God, Muslims call Allah. There are numerous ayat / verses in Qur'an that forbid idolatory and having a soft corner for their kin and relatives even if polythetic.

      Today we share comparison of two prophets who had soft corner for their relatives and invoked mercy of Allah for their forgiveness. In both cases, the prophets were admonished and cautioned against taking side of their polythetic relatives.

      The Qur'an draws a powerful parallel between Prophet Noah (Nuh) praying for his disbelieving son and Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) praying for his disbelieving father, highlighting a lesson in divine boundaries of mercy, justice, and loyalty to faith over blood ties.

      These two referred prophets are mentioned in Surah Hud (11:45–46) and Surah At Tauba (9:114)

      Similarities Between the Two Stories
      • Both Prophets Show Natural Family Love
        • Noah for his son
        • Abraham for his father
        • They both initially pray for forgiveness or safety for their close family members who are disbelievers.
      • Relevant Verses
        • Noah and His Son — Surah Hud (11:45–46): 
          • "O my Lord! Indeed, my son is of my family..."
          • [Allah said:] 'O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, his work was unrighteous.'"
          • Allah stops Noah from making further intercession for his son after his disbelief becomes clear.
        • Abraham and His Father — Surah At-Tawbah (9:114): "And the request of forgiveness by Abraham for his father was only because of a promise he made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him."
      Key Message and Relationship
      • Noah and His Son (relationfather and son)
        • Prayed for son’s salvation during the flood, though his son has shown no inclination to leave idolatory and refused to listen to his father's invitation to be on his side, leaving idolatory.
        • Allah’s Response: Son is not part of Noah’s “spiritual” family
      • Abraham and his Father )relation son and father)
        • Abraham prayed to Allah to forgive his father, though knowing he was staunch polythetic and did not heed to many pleas of his son to leave idolatory.
        • However, on admonishming from Allah and having finally known that his father is clear the father was an enemy of Allah, Abraham disassociated
      Lesson: Blood ties do not override faith. Loyalty must be to God first.

      Theological Message
      • Faith is not inherited — even a prophet’s child or parent can be among the disbelievers.
      • Prophetic compassion has limits — when someone opposes God knowingly, even prophets must stop pleading for them.
      • Spiritual kinship vs biological kinship — true family in the Qur'an is defined by shared belief and righteousness, not just blood.
      Qur’anic Principle – Surah Mujadila (58:22):
      “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred.”

      The above comparative cases have been mentioned for beleivers to know that there is no let up if one commits shirk: Assoccating someone / earthly deities at par with Allah, for Allah is the Omnipotent and shares His powers with no one. That is why even requests of prophets, whowere very dear to Allah, were turned down outsightly and told to set aside relations based on biological kinship against the spiritual kinship. This the test the beleivers ahve to take and qualify to be known as true beleivers with form faith.

      Those who “strictly observe the limits prescribed by Allah” in regard to the articles of the faith, worship-morality, social behavior, culture, economics, politics, judiciary, peace and war, and in all the aspects of their individual and collective lives are the blessed ones. They neither transgress these limits in order to follow their lusts nor invent laws, nor replace the divine law by other laws. They establish these limits and prevent their violations. Hence, the true believers are those who not only strictly observe the limits prescribed by Allah, but also do their very best to establish them and safeguard them so as to prevent their violation to the best of their powers and capabilities.
      Let us not soften our hearts fro those who violate the Divine Order. Praying to them is tantamount to deviating from the Divine Order and if it is done inadvertantly, one must immediate repent and seek Divine forgiveness. Indeed Allah is the most forgiving and merciful.

      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 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. 
      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 reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah .9 At Tauba (The Repentance) for more selected verses from Surah  At Tauba.

      Fore more selected verses from Al-Qurʾān Please refer to our Selected verses from Sūrahs of Qur'an to highlight important topics with detailed explanation and Reference Page on Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

      Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

      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 FacebookYou may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

      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.

      Thursday, 2 January 2025

      Prohibited means of earning in Islam - Diminishing measures and weights

      In one of our previous posts, Prohibited means of earning in Islam, we mentioned a number of means that are prohibited to earning money, or so MORE money, so to say. One such means is cheating customers by not ensuring complete weights and measures and thus selling less their commodities under weight but taking full money. This is something that is one of the most detestable act by Allah and such people have been waned of grave consequences.

      This is very unfortunate that this ill practice continues since time immemorial and even many Muslim traders and vendors are engaged in such dealings and cheating their customers to earn a few dollars more, completely forgetting their fate when they will be presented in the Divine court on the Day of Judgement and asked why did they cheat their customers to earn more.

      In the 84th verse of Surah 11. Hud of the Qur'an, mention of such people has been made:
      وَاِلٰى مَدۡيَنَ اَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبًا​ ؕ قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَـكُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰهٍ غَيۡرُهٗ ​ؕ وَلَا تَـنۡقُصُوا الۡمِكۡيَالَ وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ​ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰٮكُمۡ بِخَيۡرٍ وَّاِنِّىۡۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ مُّحِيۡطٍ‏  
      (11:84) And to (the people of) Midian We sent their brother Shu'ayb. He said: 'My people! Serve Allah; you have no god other than Him. And do not diminish the measure and weight. Indeed I see that you are prospering now, but I fear for you the chastisement of an encompassing day in the future.

      Context of the Verse: The people of Midian were known for their prosperity but also for their unethical behavior, especially in trade. They had wealth and success, but they were also engaging in fraudulent practices such as cheating in measurements and weights, which is seen as a violation of fairness and justice. They also worshipped idols and engaged in other forms of social injustice.

      Shu'ayb was sent to guide them back to righteousness, urging them to turn to Allah alone, to stop their dishonest practices, and to prepare for the inevitable reckoning of the Hereafter. Despite his efforts, the majority of the people rejected him, and as a result, they faced the divine punishment.

      "And do not diminish the measure and weight.":
      This part of the verse refers to a specific form of corruption that the people of Midian were engaged in: dishonesty in trade. They would cheat others by giving less than what was owed in terms of weight or measurement, thus exploiting others for personal gain.

      The prohibition of diminishing measures and weights is a general principle of justice and fairness in all transactions. It highlights that corrupt practices in business, like dishonesty in trade, are condemned in Islam and lead to social and economic harm.

      For this very reason, the people of Midian were warned: "Indeed I see that you are prospering now, but I fear for you the chastisement of an encompassing day in the future.": Prophet Shu'ayb acknowledges the material prosperity of his people at the time. They were wealthy and had success in their trade, but he cautions them that this prosperity would not save them from divine punishment if they continued in their sinful ways.

      The "chastisement of an encompassing day" refers to the day of judgment or the punishment that would befall them in the future due to their moral corruption, greed, and rejection of the divine message. The term "encompassing day" suggests that the punishment would be vast, comprehensive, and all-encompassing, affecting everyone who persisted in wrongdoing.

      There is an incident where a merchant came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) complaining about a dishonest trader in the marketplace. The dishonest merchant was using inaccurate measures to shortchange customers, specifically in terms of weight and measure. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) condemned this practice severely. He said, "Woe to the one who cheats in business." Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that the wrongdoer would face punishment on the Day of Judgment and that any form of cheating in business, especially with weights and measures, is a grave sin. "Whoever cheats is not one of us," he said, indicating the importance of fairness in business dealings. The Prophet made it clear that dishonesty in trade is a serious violation of ethical and religious principles.

      Let us also read another Hadith, reported by Narrated Abu Huraira and as mentioned in Sahi Al Bukhari as Hadith number 2358: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There are three persons whom Allah will not look at on the Day of Resurrection, nor will he purify them and theirs shall be a severe punishment. They are: -1. A man possessed superfluous water, on a way and he withheld it from travelers. -2. A man who gave a pledge of allegiance to a ruler and he gave it only for worldly benefits. If the ruler gives him something he gets satisfied, and if the ruler withholds something from him, he gets dissatisfied. -3. And man displayed his goods for sale after the `Asr prayer and he said, 'By Allah, except Whom None has the right to be worshipped, I have been given so much for my goods,' and somebody believes him (and buys them). The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: "Verily! Those who purchase a little gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant and their oaths." (3.77) 

      Key Messages from the Verse:
      • Monotheism: Worship Allah alone and reject all false gods.
      • Honesty in Trade: Always be fair in your transactions, not cheating or manipulating weights and measures.
      • Accountability in the Hereafter: Material prosperity does not protect from divine judgment. If one persists in wrongdoing, they will face the consequences, regardless of their current worldly success.
      • Divine Punishment: There is a warning about the future consequences for those who reject divine guidance and live in corruption.
      Relevance to Today:
      • This verse serves as a timeless reminder to be honest in dealings, maintain integrity in business, and remember that material success is temporary. 
      • True prosperity is found in living in accordance with divine principles and being mindful of accountability in the Hereafter. 
      • The verse also calls for vigilance against societal corruption and injustice, as these lead to collective harm and divine wrath.
      Let us, our Muslim brethren adhere to complete weights and measures and not cheat others to earn Haram / prohibited means of income and be contend with less that is Halal and please Allah, rather than adding Haram to our earning and calling for the Divine anger and severe accountability in the Hereafter.

      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.

      You may like to read more posts on similar theme in our series of posts related to: Ref Page: Prohibited means of earning in Islam

      For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'anYou may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
      Photo
      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.

      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.

      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.

      Monday, 14 August 2023

      But those who believe are indeed just a few

      Standing alone or with the few is one of the most difficult things to do. By doing so, one not gets isolated but also has to listen to the others in large numbers. Such a bunch of a few is always subjected to criticism, and even sarcasm for not siding with the majority. This generally happens in democracy and one's faith. Whenever a prophet or a messenger called upon its people to follow the Divine Truth, none but a few paid heeds to them. Rather the majority subjected them to intense physical and mental torture for leaving the faith of their forefathers and listening to lunatic, sorcerers, magicians and poets, that is what the named the prophets. However, the few always have been right and flourished despite all odds against them. 

      Recently, we have taken upon ourselves to share the same theme based on verses from Qur'an that Only a few are grateful. In doing so, we first listed and wrote about who are the Most. we come to the main theme of Being among the few. Thus, we share the 40the verse from Surah 11. Hud, in which mention is made of Prophet Nuh (Noah, may peace be upon him) who had but a few by his side while the majority abandoned and cursed him. They did not know that whosoever curses or abandons a prophet is untimely himself cursed and condemned by the Lord of the universe. The explanation given in the verse below is only given to put the readers in the right perspective by providing them with just the immediate background when the great deluge started to happen and only the few who believed Prophet Noah survived. even the son of Prophet Noah perished in the water right in front of the eyes of his father.

      Note: For our previous posts, please visit our post: Let us be of the few who are grateful. Also read the premise to better understand why we shared a number of posts to be of the few.

      Thus, this verse is about the beginning of the Flood and Nuh loading Every Creature in Pairs upon the Ship. This was the promise of Allah to Nuh, when the command of Allah came, the rain was continuous and there was a severe storm which did not slacken or subside.

      حَتّٰۤى اِذَا جَآءَ اَمۡرُنَا وَفَارَ التَّنُّوۡرُۙ قُلۡنَا احۡمِلۡ فِيۡهَا مِنۡ كُلٍّ زَوۡجَيۡنِ اثۡنَيۡنِ وَاَهۡلَكَ اِلَّا مَنۡ سَبَقَ عَلَيۡهِ الۡقَوۡلُ وَمَنۡ اٰمَنَ​ؕ وَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ مَعَهٗۤ اِلَّا قَلِيۡلٌ‏ 
      (11:40) Thus it was until Our command came to pass and the oven boiled over. We said: 'Take into the Ark a pair of every species; and take your own family except those who have already been declared (as unworthy); and also take everyone who believes. But those who, along with him, had believed were indeed just a few.
      Different interpretations have been given of this, but we are of the opinion that the correct one is the one that is based on the plain words of the Text. The Deluge started from At-Tannur, a particular oven from under which water began to boil up. At the same time heavy rain began to fall and springs began to gush up water from many places in the earth. This is given in detail in vv. 11-12 of Surah AI-Qamar: "We opened the gates of the sky from which it began to rain heavily and constantly, and We tore open the earth and springs began to gush forth water from every side: Thus, the two kinds of water gathered together to fulfill the destined doom."

      In this connection, it should also be noted that the prefix (al) (the) before (tannurالتَّنُّوۡرُۙ ), oven, shows that a particular oven had been specifically marked by God for the purpose of starting the Deluge. This began to boil up water as soon as it was commanded to do so, and afterwards it began to be called (The Oven). It has been explicitly stated in v. 7 of XXIII that the said Tannur was specified beforehand. 

      (We said: 'Take into the Ark a pair of every species; and take your own family except those who have already been declared (as unworthy)) That is, "Don't embark in the Ark those who had specifically been marked as unbelievers from your household, for they do not deserve to be shown Our Compassion. Most probably there were two people. One was his son who drowned (v. 43), and the other was his wife: (LXVI: 10). And if there were any others, they have not been mentioned in the Qur'an. 

      (And also take everyone who believes) Incidentally, this refutes the theory of the historians and genealogists who trace the genealogy of the whole human race to the three sons of Prophet Noah. This wrong theory became prevalent because of the stories in the Bible that none other than Prophet Noah, his three sons and his wife were rescued from the deluge. (Genesis 6: 18, 7: 7, 9, and 9: 19). But the Qur'an contradicts this in many places, saying that besides the people of his own household, sane other people of his community, though small in number, were also rescued along with him. Moreover, the Qur'an declares that the generations which came after Prophet Noah were his descendants and of all those people who were rescued in the Ark: "You are the descendants of those whom We bore in the Ark with Noah-- (XVII: 3) ". . . . they were from the descendants of Adam, and from the seed of those whom we carried in the Ark with Noah...." (XIX: 58). 

      Tafsir Ibn-Kathir notes that (And none believed with him, except a few) means that only a very small number believed, even after the long period of time that he (Nuh) was among them -- nine hundred and fifty years. It is reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said, "They were eighty people including their women.'' 

      Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:
      This sentence expresses yearning and sorrow: a vast majority of people continued to evade the truth in spite of several hundred years of warnings delivered to them by Noah (sws) and were finally drowned in the sea. There is also an indirect message of assurance in these words for the Prophet (sws) and his companions: if the arrogant majority of the Quraysh also reaches a similar fate, then this should not be any cause of wonder. Many nations before them have encountered such a fate.

      In nutshell, only a few people side with someone who is talking sense and leading people to the truth and trusted path: The path of the blessed ones. Such people endure hardships and backlash from the majority. Yet still they cling to the truth and continue to call others to the truth and to One True God, without any associates. So let us be of the few and stand tall, for our salvation lies in siding with those who truly believe, and let us not be overwhelmed by those who do not believe.
      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.

      For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'anYou may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
      Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3

      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 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 order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 
      • Tafsir Ibn Khatir
      • Muhammad Asad Translation
      • Yusuf Ali Translation
      • Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
      • Qur'an Wiki
      • Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
      • Towards Understanding the Quran
      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.

      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

      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.

      Saturday, 5 August 2023

      Qur'an contains the Divine Truth - though most people do not believe

      In our series of posts on pointers towards Most People, who have disbelief despite the clear signs of existence of One True God, the sole creator of the Universe, we share the 17th verse of Surah 11. Hud, which is about Most people Who do not believe in Oneness of Allah and the last of the Divine scriptures, The Qur'an.

      The verse shared herein under gives out a premise of people who did not believe in prophets right from day of Divine revelations to selected prophets and messengers so as to convey to them the truth that has been hidden from them from their tainted mindset based on following their ancestors. Even many people of the Books deny what the following prophets brought to them. This verse refers to the previous prophets and finally culminates saying that Qur'an contains the divine truth, yet many people do not believe it. However, there are many who have are finding the divine truth in Qur'an and embracing Islam in thousands across the globe.

      اَفَمَنۡ کَانَ عَلٰی بَیِّنَۃٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّہٖ وَ یَتۡلُوۡہُ شَاہِدٌ مِّنۡہُ وَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہٖ کِتٰبُ مُوۡسٰۤی اِمَامًا وَّ رَحۡمَۃً ؕ اُولٰٓئِکَ یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِہٖ ؕ وَ مَنۡ یَّکۡفُرۡ بِہٖ مِنَ الۡاَحۡزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوۡعِدُہٗ ۚ فَلَا تَکُ فِیۡ مِرۡیَۃٍ مِّنۡہُ ٭ اِنَّہُ الۡحَقُّ مِنۡ رَّبِّکَ وَ لٰکِنَّ اَکۡثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
      (11:17) Can it happen that he who takes his stand on clear evidence from his Lord, subsequently followed by a witness from Him (in his support), and prior to that the Book of Moses was revealed as a guide and a mercy, (would even he deny the truth in the manner of those who adore the life of this world)? Rather, such men are bound to believe in it. The Fire shall be the promised resort of the groups that disbelieve. So be in no doubt about it for this indeed is the truth from your Lord although most people do not believe.
      (Can it happen that he who takes his stand on clear evidence from his Lord) This shows that even apart from revelation, there is ample evidence in man's own self, in the structure of the heavens and the earth, and in the order that prevails in the universe to prove that God is the only creator, master, lord and sovereign of the universe. The evidence referred to above also inclines man to believe that the present life will be followed by another one in which man will be required to render an account of his deeds and wherein he might be requited.

      (Subsequently followed by a witness from Him (in his support)) The 'witness from Him' is the Qur'an. The testimony of the natural phenomena combined with that provided by man's own self had already created in man the disposition to affirm the truths mentioned earlier. All that was further reinforced by the Qur'an which came as reassurance that what he was predisposed to believe in was indeed true.

      (And prior to that the Book of Moses was revealed as a guide and a mercy, (would even he deny the truth in the manner of those who adore the life of this world)? Rather, such men are bound to believe in it.) In the present context the verse means that those who are overly infatuated with the allurements of a worldly life will be inclined to reject the message of the Qur'an. Distinguishable from these are those who take full note of the testimony furnished by their own beings and by the structure and order prevailing in the universe in support of God's unity. This testimony was further reinforced by the heavenly books revealed before the Qur'an. How could such people close their eyes to such overwhelming testimony as this and join their voice with those of the unbelievers?

      This verse clearly indicates that even before the Qur'an was revealed, the Prophet (peace be on him) had reached the stage of belief in the Unseen. We have seen in al-An'am (see 6: 75 ff.) the case of Abraham. Before being appointed a Prophet, Abraham (peace be on him) was led by a careful observation of the natural phenomena to knowledge of God's unity. Likewise, the present verse makes it clear that by his reflection, the Prophet (peace be on him), had been led to believe in the Unseen even before the Qur'an was revealed. Subsequently, when the Qur'an was revealed it not only confirmed what he had already become inclined to accept, but also provided definite knowledge about it.

      Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: The One Who believes in the Qur'an is upon Clear Proof from His Lord:
      Allah, the Exalted, informs of the condition of the believers who are upon the natural religion of Allah, which He made inherent in His creatures. This is based upon their confession to Him that there is no one worthy of worship except He. This is similar to Allah's statement, (So set you your face towards the religion, Hanifan. Allah's Fitrah with which He has created mankind.) [30:30], 

      In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Every child is born upon the Fitrah, but his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian. This is just like the calf that is born whole. Have you noticed any calves that are born mutilated) 

      In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that `Iyad bin Himar said that the Messenger of Allah said, (Allah, the Exalted, says, `Verily, I created my servants Hunafa', but the devils came to them and distracted them from their religion. They made it unlawful for them that I had made lawful for them and they commanded them to associate partners with Me, concerning which no authority has been revealed.) Therefore, the believer is one who remains upon this Fitrah. 

      Concerning Allah's statement, (وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ and whom a witness from Him recites (follows) it;) This means that a witness comes to him from Allah. That witness is the pure, perfect and magnificent legislation that Allah revealed to the Prophets. These legislations were finalized with the legislation (Shari`ah) of Muhammad. The believer has the natural disposition that bears witness to (the truth of) the general legislation, and accepts that specific laws are taken from the general legislation. The Fitrah accepts the Shari`ah and believes in it. 

      For this reason, Allah, the Exalted, says, (Can they who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness from Him recites (follows) it;) This clear proof which is recited is the Qur'an, which Jibril conveyed to the Prophet and the Prophet Muhammad conveyed it to his Ummah. 

      Then Allah says, (وَمِن قَبْلِهِ كِتَابُ مُوسَ and before it, came the Book of Musa,) This means that before the Qur'an, there was the Book of Musa, the Tawrah.

      (إَمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً a guidance and a mercy) This means that Allah, the Exalted, revealed it to that Ummah as a leader for them and a guide for them to follow, as a mercy from Allah upon them. Therefore, whoever believed in it with true faith, then it would lead him to believe in the Qur'an as well. 

      For this reason, Allah said, (أُوْلَـئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ they believe therein) 

      Then Allah, the Exalted, threatens those who reject the Qur'an, or any part of it, by saying, (وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place.) This is directed towards everyone on the face of the earth who disbelieves in the Qur'an, whether they are idolators, disbelievers, People of the Scripture, or other sects from the descendants of Adam. This applies to all whom the Qur'an reaches, regardless of their differences in color, appearance, or nationality. 

      As Allah says, (لاٌّنذِرَكُمْ بِهِ وَمَن بَلَغَ that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach. ) [6:19] 

      Allah, the Exalted, said, (قُلْ يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا Say: "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah.') Allah says, (وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الاٌّحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُ but those of the sects that reject it, the Fire will be their promised meeting place.) 

      In Sahih Muslim it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said, (By He in Whose Hand is my soul! there is no one of this Ummah, whether he be a Jew or Christian, who hears of me and does not believe in me, except that he will enter the Hell- fire.)

      Every Hadith is confirmed by the Qur'an: Ayyub As-Sakhtiyani reported from Sa`id bin Jubayr that he said, "I did not hear any Hadith of the Prophet, substantiated as he stated it, except that I found its confirmation in the Qur'an. (The narrator said, "Or he said, `I found its verification in the Qur'an.''') 

      Thus, it reached me that the Prophet said, (There is no one of this Ummah, whether he be a Jew or Christian, who hears of me and does not believe in me, except that he will enter the Hellfire.) Therefore, I said, `Where is its verification in the Book of Allah Most of what I have heard reported from the Messenger of Allah, I have found its verification in the Qur'an.' 

      Then I found this verse, (but those of the sects that reject it (the Qur`an), the Fire will be their promised meeting place.) And this means from all religions.''

      Then Allah says, (فَلاَ تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ إِنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ So be not in doubt about it. Verily, it is the truth from your Lord,) This means that the Qur'an is the truth from Allah and there is no doubt or suspicion concerning it. 

      This is as Allah says, (Alif Lam Mim. The revelations of the Book, in which there is no doubt, is from the Lord of all that exists!) [32:1-2]

      Allah, the Exalted, says, (الم ذَلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لاَ رَيْبَ فِيهِ Alif Lam Mim. This is the Book in which there is no doubt.) [2:1-2] 

      The Ayah; (وَلَـكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ but most of mankind believe not.) is similar to Allah's statement, (وَمَآ أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ and most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.)[12:103] 

      Likewise, Allah says, (وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِى الاٌّرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّ and if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path.) 

      Allah also says, (وَلَقَدْ صَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِبْلِيسُ ظَنَّهُ فَاتَّبَعُوهُ إِلاَّ فَرِيقاً مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ and indeed Iblis did prove true his thought about them: and they followed him, all except a group of true believers.) [34:20]

      Tafsir Qur'an Wiki: (Testimony in Support of Clear Evidence)
      The Qur’ān cannot be truly appreciated except by those who fight the same battle as the early believers and look to the Qur’ān for guidance and instruction. Those who try to understand the meaning of the Qur’ān in a cold and detached academic manner cannot appreciate its true nature as long as they remain away from its battle. The Qur’ān never reveals its secrets to those who opt for safety and comfort even if their choice requires them to submit to some authority other than God’s.

      Have you considered him who takes his stand on clear evidence from his Lord, followed by a testimony from Him, which is preceded by the Book of Moses [revealed as] a guide and a mercy [to people]? These believe in it. As for those, of any group, who deny its truth, the fire is their appointed place. So, be not in doubt concerning it; it is the truth from your Lord, even though most people do not believe.” (Verse 17) Qur’ānic commentators express different views about the meaning of this verse, depending upon their understanding of the referent of each of the third person pronouns used: ‘him who takes his stand on a clear evidence from his Lord,’ ‘a testimony from him,’ and [it is] followed by’.17 To my mind, the weightier view is to say that the one ‘who takes his stand on a clear evidence from his Lord’ is the Prophet Muĥammad (peace be upon him), and, by extension, everyone who believes in his message. The next phrase, ‘followed by a testimony from Him,’ means that the Prophet is followed by a witness giving a testimony to the truth of his message and prophethood. This witness is the Qur’ān which is, by itself, proof of its being revealed from God, as no one can produce anything similar to it. ‘Which is preceded by,’ again refers to the Qur’ān as a witness, while ‘the Book of Moses’ also testifies to the truthfulness of the Prophet as it contains clear references to him as the final prophet, and also by the fact that in its original form, the Torah, which is the Book of Moses, is in full agreement with the Qur’ān.

      Thus, the overall meaning of this verse is as follows: consider this Prophet to whose honesty and truthfulness all evidence points. He takes his stand on clear evidence which he finds in his innermost soul, granted to him by his Lord. This clear evidence is followed by a testimony from God, which is the Qur’ān, a book with clear characteristics confirming its divine source. He is further supported by another testimony which was given long before him, that is, the Torah, the book revealed to Moses to be a constitution for the Children of Israel and a mercy bestowed on them from on high. The Torah gives evidence to the truthfulness of the Prophet, God’s Messenger, in two ways: it tells plainly of his message and prophethood, and it includes the same ideological principles of the universal religion acceptable to God. Is it right, then, that such a prophet should face hostility, stubborn rejection, a denial of his message and accusations of forgery? This is singularly odd, considering all the evidence confirming and endorsing his message.

      It then portrays the attitude of believers in the Qur’ān and those, of all races, colours and communities, who deny it, and shows the punishment awaiting them in the hereafter. It reassures the Prophet and the believers that what they have is the truth. They should not, therefore, be disturbed by the unbelievers’ attitude despite the fact that they formed the majority at that time.

      These believe in it. As for those, of any group, who deny its truth, the fire is their appointed place. So, be not in doubt concerning it; it is the truth from your Lord, even though most people do not believe.” (Verse 17) Some commentators find the first sentence in this section of the verse problematic. If the one who takes his stand on clear evidence from his Lord,’ is the Prophet in person, as we have explained, then the pronoun ‘these’ is problematic because it is plural referring to a group who believe in God’s revelations and the proof it contains. But there is no problem really. The pronoun it’ in this sentence, ‘These believe in it,’ refers to the ‘testimony’ which is the Qur’ān. Thus, there is nothing unusual in saying, ‘These believe in it,’ meaning that they believe in the Qur’ān. Indeed, the Prophet was the first to believe in what was revealed to him, followed by those who accepted his message:

      The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him by his Lord, and so do all the believers. Each one of them believes in God, His angels, His books and His messengers.” (2:285) The present verse refers to him and includes with him those who have accepted his message and believed in the faith which he conveyed to them. This is a method of expression often used in the Qur’ān.

      As for those, of any group, who deny its truth, the fire is their appointed place.” (Verse 17) The appointment will not fail, for God [limitless is He in His glory] is the One who has appointed it.

      Unshakeable Belief in the Truth: “So, be not in doubt concerning it; it is the truth from your Lord, even though most people do not believe.” (Verse 17) The Prophet never entertained any doubt about the truthfulness of the revelations he was receiving. How could he have doubted when he had taken his stand on clear evidence from his Lord? However, this divine instruction, coming immediately after all the pointers and evidence made in this verse, suggests that the Prophet was concerned that his call had not made any real headway in Makkah and that it faced determined opposition from many quarters. He therefore needed some reassurance, as did the small group of his followers. Such reassurance is granted here by God, the Merciful.

      The advocates of Islamic revival face a similar situation wherever they happen to be. They have to confront all sorts of rejection, hostility, ridicule, persecution as well as physical and moral repression. All forces of jāhiliyyah, local and international, are marshaled against them. They are subjected to the most ghastly and wicked forms of repression. Conversely, those who conduct such persecution are treated as heroes. In their present difficulty, the advocates of Islam will be well advised to understand this verse fully, with all that it states and imarshaledey are in urgent need of the reassurance provided by God’s appropriate affirmation: “Be not in doubt concerning it; it is the truth from your Lord, even though most people do not believe.” (Verse 17)

      Advocates of Islam need to find within themselves a share of the clear, divine evidence God’s messengers had in their hearts. They need to feel His mercy which God’s messengers never doubted for a moment and through which they confirmed their commitment regardless of the great difficulties they faced: “Think, my people! If I take my stand on clear evidence from my Lord who has bestowed on me His grace, who will save me from God were I to disobey Him? You are, in such a case, only aggravating my ruin.” (Verse 63)

      Advocates of Islam nowadays face a situation that is not dissimilar to the situations faced by God’s messengers (peace be upon them). In fact, our situation today is similar to that which prevailed when the Prophet conveyed his message to all of humanity. He faced the jāhiliyyah into which humanity had sunk after it was put on the path of Islam [i.e., submission to God] by Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, John, Jesus and the rest of the prophets.

      Jāhiliyyah may or may not recognize the existence of God. In either form it appoints for people deities who rule over them in a way that is different from that revealed by God. It establishes for mankind values, traditions and legislations which make them submit to these deities, and not to God. The Islamic message to all of humanity is to renounce these false deities in order to return to God. We should believe in Him as our only Lord, submit ourselves to Him, follow only His legislation and obey only His commandments. This is indeed what starts the grinding battle between monotheism and polytheism, Islam and jāhiliyyah, the advocates of Islamic revival and the tyrants who rule the world in the name of their false deities.

      Hence, it is necessary for advocates of Islam to refer to the Qur’ān where they may find a picture of their own situation and the battle they are fighting. This is what we mean when we say that this Qur’ān can only be appreciated by those who fight its battle, and who face situations similar to those that existed at the time of its revelation and for which it provided guidance and instruction.

      So, my brothers and sisters in Islam, and all those non-Muslims reading the post, read Qur'an in detail and grasp the message it contains, which leads to the Divine Truth and better understanding of the past days of ignorance and setting up a knowledge base to know what Lord of the worlds wants us to know, that is unflinching belief in One True God, without assistants and associates. 
      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.

      For our previous posts about Most of the People, please visit our post: Let us be of the few who are grateful

      For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'anYou may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
      Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

      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 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 order to augment and add more explanation as already provided, additional input has been interjected from the following sources: 
      • Tafsir Ibn Khatir
      • Muhammad Asad Translation
      • Yusuf Ali Translation
      • Translation Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
      • Qur'an Wiki
      • Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle
      • Towards Understanding the Quran
      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.

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