Sincere repentance is not measured by the size of the sin - but by the sincerity of the heart

The main theme of Surah At Tauba (The Repentance), the ninth chapter of Al Qur'an, is sincerity and loyalty to Allah above all else. Revealed during the final years of the Prophet ﷺ's mission, it distinguishes true faith from hypocrisy by showing that genuine belief is proven through obedience, sacrifice, truthfulness, and trust in Allah, especially in times of hardship. Throughout the surah, Allah repeatedly contrasts those who put worldly comfort, wealth, and personal interests before faith with those who willingly sacrifice for His pleasure. Its enduring message is that a believer's ultimate allegiance must always be to Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and the Hereafter, while remaining truthful, repentant, and steadfast regardless of the trials or temptations of worldly life.

Man is born to err - lucky and blessed are those who accept their sin or wrong doing and return to their Creator in sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness. Surah At Tauba is this an exclusive surah of Al Qur'an which gives good tidings to the believers who have sinned to repent and seek forgiveness of Allah, and Allah promises that they would be forgiven. Herein under, we share one of the most moving verses in the Qur'an about repentance (tawbah), honesty, patience, and Allah's mercy. It tells the story of three sincere believers who made a serious mistake, accepted full responsibility, endured its consequences, and were ultimately forgiven by Allah.

It is a timeless lesson that Allah's mercy is open to those who sincerely repent, even after grave failures.

The Verse (118th verse of Surah At Tauba)

  وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوا أَن لَّا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللَّـهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ 

"And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind, until when the earth, despite its vastness, became constrained for them, and their souls became constrained, and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so that they might repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Most Merciful."

Note: The detailed explanation of this verse is given in our post: Surat At Tawbah - The Repentance:  9th Chapter of Quran (Exegesis Part III). Herein under we are giving just the gist of the context with special reference to its applicability in our present times.

Historical Context

The understanding of this verse cannot be complete unless its explanation with refference to the context is kept in mind. This verse relates to the Expedition of Tabuk. As discussed earlier, the Prophet ﷺ called the Muslims to join a difficult expedition during. The back ground is already given in detail in one of earlier posts: Believers!! Do not let your sins mean that you are beyond mercy - Let them become the reason to return to God, based on verse 102nd of the same surah.

While, many hypocrites fabricated excuses and stayed behind, three sincere believers also failed to join—not out of hypocrisy, but through procrastination and weakness. Being true believers and unlike the hypocrites, they did not invent excuses. When the Prophet ﷺ returned, they simply confessed: "We have no excuse." That honesty changed everything.

What happened?

These Three were among those who came to the Holy Prophet ﷺ to present their excuses for staying behind. More than eighty of them were hypocrites, who put forward lame excuses and the Holy Prophet accepted these and let them go. Then came the turn of these Three, who were true Believers, and they confessed their fault plainly. Therefore the Holy Prophet postponed the decision of their case and instructed the Muslim community not to speak to them. And for fifty days nobody spoke to them.  After forty days of this boycott their wives also were ordered to have nothing to do with them. In these days, they experienced complete social isolation.

One of the three was Ka'b ibn Malik. He described the experience beautifully: "The earth seemed vast, yet it became narrow for me." Exactly as the Qur'an later described. "The earth became narrow" Allah says: "...until the earth, spacious as it is, became constricted for them..."

And on the fiftieth day, verses 117-118 were revealed to the revered Prophet proclaiming the acceptance of their repentance and forgiveness.

Explanation of the Verse

"...until the earth, spacious as it is, became constricted for them..." is not describing geography - rather is describes psychology. They could travel anywhere. yet nowhere felt comfortable. Their guilt made the entire world feel small. This is one of the Qur'an's most profound descriptions of a troubled conscience.

"Their souls became constricted" Then Allah says: "...and their own souls became constrained..."

This is even deeper. Sometimes our greatest burden is not external circumstances. It is the pain inside our own hearts. The three companions experienced: regret, shame, loneliness, fear, hope,

longing for Allah's forgiveness.

"They realized there is no refuge from Allah except with Him"

This is the heart of the verse.  When they realized that no wealth, friends,  status could help - there remained no excuses. 

They understood: The only refuge from Allah's judgment is Allah's mercy. This is one of the greatest principles in Islam. We do not run away from Allah after sinning. We run back to Him. That is why Allah accepted their repentance

Then comes one of the most beautiful statements in the Qur'an: "Then He turned to them so that they could repent."

The scholars explain something remarkable: 

• Allah first enabled their hearts to repent.
• Then He accepted that repentance.

That is even our ability to return to Allah is itself a mercy from Him.

Why didn't Allah forgive them immediately? This teaches several lessons:

• Repentance is not merely saying: "I'm sorry."
• It involves:
• Admitting the mistake,
• Accepting responsibility,
• Enduring consequences patiently,
• Maintaining hope,
• Remaining truthful.

The fifty-day trial purified their hearts.

The importance of honesty

Perhaps the greatest lesson comes from Ka'b ibn Malik's own reflection. He said:

"By Allah, I never received a greater blessing after Allah guided me to Islam than my telling the truth to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."

Had he lied like the hypocrites, he might have escaped temporary embarrassment but would have lost Allah's pleasure. His honesty brought temporary hardship and lasting honor.

What does this teach us today?

1. Sincere believers can make serious mistakes

• These were not hypocrites - rather they were righteous companions. But even good people can fail and falter, and take hasty decisions for which they lament later on.
• The important question is: What do they do afterward?

2. Never justify your sins

• Modern culture often teaches: (1) Blame society, (2) Blame circumstances, or (3) Blame others - something we often see in courts where lawyers of the criminals try to protect their clients by beautiful oratory backed by loopholes in the law and more often than not aid acquittal of their clients.
• Instead, the Qur'an teaches "Take responsibility."  That is the beginning of healing.

3. Never despair of Allah's mercy No matter how serious the mistake, Allah's door remains open - But the condition is sincere repentance. One cannot hoodwink Allah for He is All Seeing and All Knowing. He only wants His servants to come forward to Him, repent their sin sincerely and seek His forgiveness.

4. Guilt can be a blessing

• Healthy guilt is not something to eliminate. It is something that pushes us toward Allah.
• These companions felt deep remorse. That remorse became the road to forgiveness.

5. Truthfulness saves

• One lie often requires another - but the three companions chose honesty despite knowing it would cost them dearly.
• Their story shows that truthfulness may bring temporary difficulty but leads to lasting honor with Allah.

6. There is no refuge except Allah

Many people today seek escape through:

• Distractions,
• Entertainment,
• Wealth,
• Intoxicants,
• Endless busyness.

This verse reminds us that true peace comes only by returning to Allah.

A beautiful connection

The very next verse, Qur'an, says: "O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful."

This is no coincidence. After narrating the story of the three truthful companions, Allah commands all believers to embrace truthfulness as a way of life.

Reflection

Surah At-Tawbah 9:118 asks each of us:

• When I make a mistake, do I hide behind excuses or admit my fault?
• Do I run away from Allah—or run back to Him?
• Do I lose hope because of my sins, or trust in His mercy?
• Am I willing to accept the consequences of my mistakes while seeking His forgiveness?

The story of the three companions teaches that sincere repentance is not measured by the size of the sin but by the sincerity of the heart. Those who turn back to Allah with honesty, patience, and hope will find that "there is no refuge from Allah except in Him." That realization, far from being frightening, is the beginning of true freedom, because the One to whom we return is "the Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful."

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 like to read more selected verses from Surah At Taubah published at: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah 9. At-Tauba (The Repentance)

Please also refer to our exclusive page on: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject: Repentance and forgiveness to know more about repentance

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Does the enjoyment of worldly life mean everything to you? A Divinely asked question in Al Qur'an

Enjoyment is the feeling of pleasure, satisfaction, happiness, or delight that a person experiences from something they value or find fulfilling. To many, the glitters and galore of the world are more fascinating than the rigours of life and such would attract man more than reflecting on the meaning of the worldly life.

In Islam, the phrase "the enjoyment of worldly life" (Arabic: مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا – matāʿ al-ḥayāt al-dunyā) appears repeatedly in the Qur'an. It does not mean that man should restrain himself from all worldly pleasures and consider these evi, nor does it mean that man should only worship Allah and abstain himself and his family from enjoying to live happily. Rather, it refers to the temporary comforts, attractions, and possessions of this life when they become our ultimate focus instead of a means to seek Allah's pleasure. That is becoming so attached to worldly comfort that we hesitate to fulfill our duties toward Allah. 

Today we share the 38th verse from Surah 9. At Tauba (The Repentance) which cautions man not to cling wholly to the worldly pleasures and desires and forgetting one's duties to Allah. Although it was revealed in a specific historical context, its message remains deeply relevant today.

The Verse (Arabic)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَا لَكُمْ إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمُ انْفِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ۚ أَرَضِيتُم بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ ۚ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

Translation (Sahih International)

"O you who believe! What is [the matter] with you that, when you are told, 'Go forth in the cause of Allah,' you cling heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But the enjoyment of the worldly life compared to the Hereafter is but little." Surah 9. At Tauba (Repentance) verse 38.

Historical Context

Before we correlate this world to our present times, let us know why this verse was revealed. This verse was revealed in connection with the Expedition of Tabuk in the ninth year after the Hijrah, when the Prophet ﷺ called the Muslims to march north to face a potential threat from the Byzantine Empire. It was an exceptionally difficult campaign because:

• It was the intense summer heat;
• The expedition entailed a laborious journey stretched over hundreds of kilometers.
• Muslims were not very wealthy and thus the provisions were scare and there shortage of water and means to carry it.
• At that time, the date orchards in and around were were ripe for harvest, making it tempting to many stay behind.

For these reasons, some believers hesitated—not because they rejected Islam, but because the cost was high. This verse came as a wake-up call, urging them not to let attachment to comfort outweigh obedience to Allah.

Explanation of the verse

Classical exegetes such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain the verse in this context.

• "You cling heavily to the earth"
• The Arabic expression اثَّاقَلْتُمْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ (ith-thāqaltum ilā al-arḍ) is especially vivid.
• It literally conveys the image of weighing oneself down to the ground, as though someone is reluctant to rise.
• The scholars explain that this symbolizes attachment to comfort, love of wealth, fear of hardship, preference for worldly ease over sacrifice.
• It is not simply about physical laziness—it is about a heart that has become too attached to worldly life.
• "Are you satisfied with the worldly life?"
• That is Allah asks a searching question: "Are you satisfied with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter?"
• This is not a prohibition against enjoying lawful blessings. Elsewhere, the Qur'an encourages gratitude for Allah's favors.
• Rather, the verse challenges priorities:
• Which comes first when the two come into conflict?
• Do we choose comfort over obedience?
• Do we compromise principles for convenience?

The timeless lesson

Although the immediate context was military mobilization, the principle is far broader. Every generation of Muslims faces moments when following Allah's guidance requires sacrifice.

Today, "going forth in the cause of Allah" may include:

• Standing for truth when it is unpopular;
• Spending wealth to help those in need;
• Dedicating time to learning and teaching Islam;
• Serving one's family and community sincerely;
• Resisting temptations that are socially accepted;
• Speaking honestly even when it has a personal cost.

That is this verse asks whether we are willing to leave our "comfort zone" for Allah.

Why is this verse especially relevant today?

1. The culture of comfort Modern society prizes convenience, entertainment, and personal comfort. This verse reminds believers that growth often requires sacrifice. A faith that demands nothing eventually changes nothing.

2. Material success is not ultimate success 

• Many people measure success by: income, possessions, status, influence.
• Allah shifts the perspective: "The enjoyment of the worldly life compared to the Hereafter is but little."
• That is the world has value, but only as a means to prepare for what is everlasting.

3. Faith requires action The Qur'an repeatedly joins faith (īmān) with righteous deeds (ʿamal ṣāliḥ). This verse warns against a faith that remains theoretical while shrinking from responsibility.

4. Every believer should examine their heart

The verse invites personal reflection: What "earth" am I clinging to? Is it wealth? Career? Reputation? Comfort? Social acceptance? Fear of criticism? The obstacle differs from person to person, but the question remains timeless.

A beautiful connection with another verse from Al Qur'an

This verse echoes another profound reminder:

"Know that the life of this world is only play, amusement, adornment, boasting among yourselves, and competition in wealth and children... But in the Hereafter there is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure. And the worldly life is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion." — Qur'an

It also complements:

"Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth in exchange for Paradise." — Qur'an

Together, these verses teach that the believer's life is not centered on comfort but on devotion to Allah.

Reflection

Surah At-Tawbah 9:38 asks a question that every believer should revisit throughout life: When Allah calls me to something difficult but right, do I rise to the challenge—or do I cling to the earth?

The answer shapes not only our actions but also the direction of our hearts. The verse is a reminder that the true measure of success is not how comfortable we become in this world, but how faithfully we respond to Allah's call while we are here.

The same question asked in the beginning of the post can be asked in many ways that are more eloquent and faithful to the verse:

• Has the enjoyment of worldly life become everything to you?
• Are you so attached to the pleasures of this worldly life that you neglect the Hereafter?
• Do the pleasures of this worldly life mean more to you than the Hereafter?
• Have the comforts of this world become more important to you than Allah's call?

The last two especially capture the spirit of Surah At-Tawbah 9:38, where Allah asks the believers whether they have become content with the fleeting attractions of this world instead of striving for the eternal reward of the Hereafter. 

This verse has been shared since it requires our sincere reflection and to gauge our sincerity to our faith and ask us plainly: Do we prefer the pleasures of this world and pend preparing for the life of the Hereafter. Before asking this question, we must counter question us: Do we know we live another day to decide?

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Photo | references: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A. You may also refer to our refference page: Scholars' Viewpoint on important issue related to Islam to know more about Islam.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Believers!! Do not let your sins mean that you are beyond mercy - Let them become the reason to return to God

No matter which faith or belief one belongs to, it is a fact that when anyone commits a sin, there is constant hammering from the sinner's heart that something bad has taken place. At that time one really doesn't know what to do and how to take off the burden of the sin so committed to put him at ease. Under such circumstances, the sinners go to priests, religious men and scholars to know a way out. But even if these religious men offer a respite, which they themselves are not very sure of, the sinner's heart remains restless. 

Islam is perhaps the only religion which comes to the rescue of such people and asks them to repent and turn to their Creator for forgiveness, for it is Divinely reassured that anyone who turn to his Creator will always be listened to and be forgiven. His heart slate becomes clean altogether to start afresh.

This is subject of the 102nd verse of Surah 9. At Taubah (Repentance) which provides solace to the restless hearts and shows them a beacon that takes them to their Creator - with no intermediary in between. And those who sincerely repent, would have the feeling that their Creator "out there" is all ears and will surely forgive them.

The Verse

وَءَاخَرُونَ ٱعْتَرَفُوا۟ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا۟ عَمَلًا صَٰلِحًا وَءَاخَرَ سَيِّئًا عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

And [there are] others who have acknowledged their sins. They had mixed [i.e., polluted] a righteous deed with another that was bad. Perhaps Allāh will turn to them in forgiveness. Indeed, Allāh is Forgiving and Merciful.

Note: Before we unpack the verse mentioned above, let us share two important previous posts to understand how important is repenting one's sins and mercy of Allah befalls on the repenting servant and is so forgiven:

• Understanding concept of Tauba and Astaghfar (Repentance and Forgiveness) in Islam
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject: Repentance and forgiveness

Context of the verse

This verse appears in Surah At-Tawbah, a chapter that discusses several groups of people during a difficult period in the early Muslim community, including the expedition to Tabuk. Around this section of the chapter:

• Some people openly opposed the faith or acted hypocritically.
• Others sincerely believed but failed in their duties, such as staying behind from the expedition without a valid excuse.

Verse 9:102 speaks about a third category: people who were not rebels or hardened hypocrites, but believers who genuinely recognized that they had sinned. The key feature of these people is that they admitted their wrongdoing instead of denying it or making excuses for it. It is mentioned in historical books that they acknowledged their wrongdoing and chained themselves to the pillars of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina until their repentance was accepted.

The verse thus serves as a universal reminder of mercy, showing that God forgives those who confess their faults, feel sincere remorse, and strive to improve.

What does “mixed a righteous deed with another that was bad” mean?

Classical commentators generally understood this to mean that these people had both good and bad elements in their lives:

• They had faith and had performed good deeds.
• They also committed serious mistakes or acts of disobedience.
• Rather than claiming innocence, they acknowledged their faults.

The verse recognizes the complexity of human beings. A person is not always entirely righteous or entirely sinful. Many people have a mixture of obedience and failure.

How can this be a cue for sinners to return to their Creator?

This verse is often seen as one of the Qur'an's verses of hope because it highlights several principles:

• Acknowledging sin is the beginning of repentance: The people mentioned did not hide from their mistakes. They recognized them. The verse suggests that honest self-accountability is a path toward divine mercy.
• Past sins do not erase all good: The verse does not describe them as hopeless. Even though they sinned, their good deeds and faith still mattered.
• Allah's mercy remains open: The ending—“Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”—directs attention toward the possibility of forgiveness rather than despair.
• Repentance is available before perfection: The verse does not speak about people who had already become flawless. It speaks about people who were still imperfect but turned back toward God.

A broader spiritual lesson

Many readers understand 9:102 as a reminder that there is a difference between:

• A sinner who admits their fault and seeks God, and
• A person who persists in wrongdoing while refusing to acknowledge it.

The verse encourages the first response. It tells those who feel burdened by their mistakes that recognition of sin, sincere repentance, and returning to one's Creator are themselves signs of spiritual life. The emphasis is not on pretending one has never failed, but on turning back after failure with honesty and hope.

In that sense, 9:102 can be read as a powerful invitation: do not let your sins convince you that you are beyond mercy; let them become the reason you return to God.

This post is part of the five verses about forgiveness of Allah and must be read to reflect on the mercy of Allah, which no other deity can bestow upon a man:

• 9:102 – Some believers admitted their sins; they mixed good and bad deeds. Allah may forgive them — He is Merciful.
• 9:103 – The Prophet ﷺ is told to accept charity from them to purify and bless them.
• 9:104 – Allah alone accepts repentance and charity; He is Forgiving and Merciful.
• 9:105 – Everyone will be judged by their deeds; Allah and His Messenger will see them.
• 9:106 – Some will have their fate delayed until Allah decides — either punished or forgiven.

Let us never be disheartened if a sin is committed - we must immediately repent our action and seek forgiveness of Allah with the form resolve of not repeating it. Allah says that He wil keep forgiving His servants so long they seek His forgiveness till they see the angel of death - a time when Divine forgiveness ceases and the sinner will be punished for not seeking forgiveness which was thrown open to him and the denial of this open favour did not become a reason for him to return to Allah.

Let us share a video of tafseer / explanation of verses 102 to 106 by one of the eminent Muslim scholar and exegete Ibn Kathir:

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 refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 9 At-Tauba (The Repentance)  already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah 9. At-Tauba (The Repentance)

Surah At-Taubah " ٱلتَّوْبَة " (The Repentance) — also known as Bara’ah "  البراءة "(Disassociation) — is the 9th chapter of the Qur’an. It contains 129 verses (ayat) and is one of the last Medinan surahs. It is called At-Taubah in light of the fact that it articulates taubah (repentance) and informs about the conditions of its acceptance. (verse 9:102, 9:118). The name Bara'at (release) is taken from the opening word of the Surah.

It deals with almost the same topics as those dealt with in Surat al-Anfal. In contrast to all other surahs, the Islamic prophet Muhammad did not order that this formula should be put at the beginning of this surah. At-Tawba's verse 40 refers to Abu Bakr, the first Muslim to embrace Islam and a very close aide of Prophet of Islam, as thaniya ithnayn ('Second of the Two').

Why opener Bismillah is omitted?

This is the only Surah of the Quran to which Bismillah " بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ  " is not prefixed, the usual opening formula, In the name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. Though the commentators have given different reasons for this, the correct one that which has been given by Imam Razi: namely, this is because the Holy Prophet himself did not dictate it at the beginning of the Surah. Therefore the Companions did not prefix it and their successors followed them., This is a further proof of the fact that utmost care has been taken to keep the Quran intact so that it should remain in its complete and original form.

Let us now have a glance in skeleton form about the subjects and theme of the Surah:

Core Message of Surah At-Tawbah:

A call to sincerity in faith, accountability in action, and clarity in alliances — especially regarding hypocrisy, treaties, and the responsibility of the Muslim community.

Key Themes and Messages

• Disavowal of Treacherous Alliances
• The surah opens with a declaration of disassociation (bara’ah) from pagan tribes who repeatedly broke treaties with the Muslims (verses 1–3).
• It sets a deadline of 4 months for such tribes to repent or face consequences (verse 2).
• The message: Justice requires accountability, not blind tolerance.
• Rules of Engagement and Peace
• It clarifies that not all non-Muslims are enemies. Only those who violate treaties or wage war against Muslims are targeted.
• Those who seek peace, fulfill their treaties, or seek protection must be treated honorably (verse 6).
• Condemnation of Hypocrisy
• A large portion of the surah criticizes hypocrites (munafiqoon)—those who claim Islam but act with cowardice, selfishness, or deceit (verses 38–96).
• Traits of hypocrites:
• Reluctance to join in struggle (jihad).
• Mocking the Prophet and believers.
• Making excuses to avoid obligations.
• The surah calls for discernment between sincere believers and those who only pretend.
• Repentance (Tawbah) and Redemption
• Despite the severity, the surah emphasizes that Allah is always ready to forgive those who turn back sincerely (verses 102–118).
• The example of the Three Who Stayed Behind (verse 118) shows that even grave errors can be forgiven with true repentance.
• Call to Sacrifice for the Faith
• Urges believers not to cling to worldly life, wealth, or comfort when the faith requires action (verse 38–39).
• True believers are those who:
• Support the cause of Islam with their wealth and lives.
• Remain steadfast and honest.
• Avoid hypocrisy and excuses.
• Finality of the Prophet’s Mission
• This surah solidifies the political and spiritual leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
• Declares that Islam is now the dominant religious and moral system in the Arabian Peninsula (verse 33).

Summary Message of Surah At-Tawbah:

Be sincere in faith, firm in justice, and accountable to your word. True belief requires action, courage, and integrity — not just words. Hypocrisy and betrayal have no place in a believing community.

For detailed overlay / outline and the tafseer  / explanation of the surah, please refer to our posts on the subject already published from links given herein under:

| Overview | Exegesis: | Part I | Part II | 

Herein under are links to some of the selected verses from Surah At Tauba already published:

• He it is Who has sent the True Religion to prevail over all religions - verse 33
• Believers !! Beware of anchorites who devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah - verse 34
• A painful torments awaits for those who hoard and spend not in the way of Allah - verse 34
• Does the enjoyment of worldly life mean everything to you? A Divinely asked question in Al Qur'an - Verse 38
• Believers! Be contended with what Allah gives you and turn to Him with hope - verse 57
• The Virtue of Contentment and Thankfulness - verse 59
• Who are recipient of glad tidings of Allah - verse 112
• Do not to pray for idolatrous relatives - Lesson from the acts of Two Prophets - verse 114
• Sincere repentance is not measured by the size of the sin -   but by the sincerity of the heart - verse 118
• Allah is sufficient for me; there is no god but He - The Lord of the Mighty Throne -verse 129
• Allah suffices me: there is no god but He - verse 129

We will continue to add more verses from this surah in time.

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.

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Allah is sufficient for me; there is no god but He - The Lord of the Mighty Throne

When prophets are confronted with people who do not listen to what Allah has ordained for them, they are ordained to tell them that whether they listen to them or not, it does not matter much for one day truth shall prevail. They are thus told to tell that Allah is sufficient for them, for it is the pleasure and guidance of Allah which is they seek for them and for those who believe in Allah.

The last verse (129th) of Surah 9. At Tauba (Repentance) is one such commandment from Allah for Prophet of Allah, Muhammad ﷺ, which tells the revered prophet to disregard the indifferent attitude of those who turn away from listening to him and tell them that even if they close their ears to what he says, Allah alone is sufficient for him and those who believe. It should be borne in mind that it is not the Prophet of Allah telling those who do not listen to him, but in fact these is a Divine Commandment which tells the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he is the messenger, and whoever turned away from this message has nothing to do with Allah and his messenger ﷺ.

This verse has thus become a sort of supplication for the believers to recite when they encounter difficulties, especially when extending invitation of Islam to the non-Muslims:

فَاِنۡ تَوَلَّوۡا فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِىَ اللّٰهُ ۖ  لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ ؕ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ​ ؕ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الۡعَرۡشِ الۡعَظِيۡمِ

[9:129] Yet, if they should turn away, then tell them: "Allah is sufficient for me; there is no god but He. In Him I have put my trust. He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne."

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ but if they turn away), from the glorious, pure, perfect and encompassing Law that you -- O Muhammad -- brought them, (then say: فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ اللَّهُ لا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ "Allah is sufficient for me. There is no God but He,) Allah is sufficient for me, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and in Him I put my trust.

Similarly, Allah said, (رَّبُّ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ فَاتَّخِذْهُ وَكِيلاً (He alone is) the Lord of the east and the west; there is no God but He. So, take Him alone as a guardian.) [73:9]. 

Allah said next, (Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves ...) [9:128]'' until the end of the Surah It is recorded in the Sahih that Zayd bin Thabit said, "I found the last Ayah in Surah Bara'ah with Khuzaymah bin Thabit.'' This is the end of Surah Bara'ah, all praise is due to Allah.

(وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne) [9:129]. He is the King and Creator of all things, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne (`Arsh), which is above all creation; all that is in and between the heavens and earths is under the Throne (`Arsh) and subservient to Allah's power. His knowledge encompasses all things, and His decision will certainly come to pass over all matters. He is the guardian of all things. 

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that Ubayy bin Ka`b said, "The last Ayah revealed from the Qur'an was this Ayah, ( لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. . . ) until the end of the Surah It is recorded in the Sahih that Zayd bin Thabit said, "I found the last Ayah in Surah Bara'ah with Khuzaymah bin Thabit . 'This is the end of Surah Bara'ah, all praise is due to Allah.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

But if the Message is rejected, he still proclaims the burning Faith of his heart, which is unquenchable. Allah is sufficient to all. To trust Him is to find the accomplishment of all spiritual desires. His grandeur is figured by a lofty Throne, supreme in glory! Thus, have we been led, through a notable incident in Al-Mustafa's earthly career, to truths of the highest spiritual import.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

Ie., if they are not being able to understand the Prophet’s earnest message that the favours of this world and the next which are hidden in his call to waging jihād for the cause of God at His behest, then he should not be concerned about them. He should clearly tell them that these are not his needs and that God is self-sufficient.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

The Sūrah addresses the Prophet, showing him what attitude to take when people turn away from him and his message. It points to the source of power which gives him all the protection he needs. To Him belong all power, dominion, greatness and honour. His support is sufficient for everyone who seeks His patronage.

The Sūrah which concentrates mainly on fighting and striving for God’s cause is thus concluded with the directive to rely on God alone, trust Him and seek His powerful support. After all, “He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”

This Sūrah outlines the final rulings on the permanent relations between the Muslim community and the outside world, as explained in our commentary on its various passages. Hence, we have to refer to its latest statements since these represent the final say on these relations. These statements must not be restricted or narrowed down in their applicability on the basis of earlier statements and rulings, which we described as provisional. In doing so, we have relied on the chronological order of the revelation of these verses and statements, and on the progress of the Islamic movement at the time of the Prophet, as well as the events marking that progress.

We have also been guided by our understanding of the nature of the Islamic message and its method of action which we have explained in our presentation of the sūrah and our commentary on its verses. This method of action is only understood by those who deal with this faith of Islam as a movement striving to establish itself in human life. As we have explained, the goal of that striving is to liberate mankind from submission to others so that they submit to God alone.

There is a wide gap between an understanding based on active striving and one based on academic study which is bound to ignore action. The first type of understanding looks at Islam as it conducts its direct confrontation with the system of jāhiliyyah, taking one step after another and moving from one stage to the next. It also looks at it as it proclaims its legislation to deal with the changing situation in its confrontation.

Moreover, these final laws and verdicts outlined in this last sūrah were actually revealed when the general situation of the Muslim community and the world around it required such legislation. Prior to that, when the situation required different rulings, these were given in earlier sūrahs to serve as provisional rulings.

When a new Muslim community emerges again and starts to strive for the establishment of this faith in human life, it may be appropriate for this community to apply the provisional rulings, provided that it remains well aware that these are only provisional. It should also be aware that it must strive to reach the stage when only the final rulings govern its relations with the world around it. God will certainly help that community and guide it on its way.

Herein under, please listen to eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan explaining the 129th verse of Surah 9 Al Tauba:

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 Invocations / Dua " دُعا " from the Qur'an. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the 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 following sources: 

• Towards Understanding the Quran
• Tafsir Ibn Khatir
• Muhammad Asad Translation
• Javed Ahmad Ghamidi / Al Mawrid
• Al-Quran, Yusuf Ali Translation
• Verse by Verse Qur'an Study Circle

In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given below. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

Tafseer References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More