Who are those promised a Painful Seizure mentioned in Al Qur'an

This world was created for human coexistence - a place where everyone cared for the others to live happily. And certainly, this world was not created for tyranny or oppression, but rather is a place where human beings are tested, often allowing free will to produce injustice alongside opportunities for justice and compassion. There have been rulers and communities that upheld the justice and treated others with kindness and care. Yet there have been rulers and nations that enjoyed oppression and usurping rights of the masses. It is the second category that often inadvertently called for the Divine wrath and were destroyed for ever.

Today, in our series of posts on Warning Shots of severe consequences for the Oppressors and dispensers of injustice mentioned in Al Qur'an, we share the 102nd verse of Surah 11. Hud, which warns the oppressors and dispensers of injustice of a painful seizure to show them that Divine justice always prevails.

The Verse Surah Hud (11:102)

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخْذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَهِىَ ظَٰلِمَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ أَخْذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٌ شَدِيدٌ

“Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are oppressive. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.”

Context of the Verse

This verse comes after a long section in Surah Hūd where Allah recounts the stories of earlier nations like the People of Nūḥ (Noah), ʿĀd, Thamūd, People of Lūṭ and People of Shuʿayb  just to mention a few. Each of these societies: persisted in Zulm (injustice, oppression, corruption) and rejected truth despite clear warnings

So this verse is a concluding principle: What happened to them is not random—it is a pattern of divine justice. This verse thus follows accounts of past destroyed nations serving as a warning to the people of Mecca and all future generations about the consequences of rejecting faith and committing injustices.

What Does akhdhahu “Seizure” (أخذ) Mean?

It means here not just punishment - but a sudden, decisive, overwhelming consequence. It represents God's intervention to punish, which is inevitable for those who ignore prophetic warnings. It may be delayed, but when it comes: It is inescapable and complete. None at that time escapes the Divine seizure, so is the degree of punishment for those who oppress people heartlessly.

Ibn Kathir notes that the phrase "painful and severe" indicates the intense nature of Allah's punishment upon oppressive nations.

Why Were They Punished?

The people mentioned above were punished when their oppression exceeded to an unbearable degree.

The verse specifies: “…while they are oppressive (ẓālimah)” This means it was not just their disbelief, but but systemic ظلم, including: exploitation, moral corruption, rejection of truth, and physically and spiritually harming and torturing others. That is their ظلم was the defining trait that caught them in the unescapable seizure.

The Examples of Oppression and Injustice of previous nations/people

Let us briefly see who were the people who were caught by Divine seizure - why and how:

• People of Nūḥ (Noah)
• What was their ظلم? Mocking the truth - Rejecting the Prophet for generations, and Moral corruption became normalized
• The “seizure” A flood that wiped out the entire corrupt society
• Key insight: They were given long time (centuries) - but when the seizure came - it was total and irreversible, 
• Nation of ʿĀd
• What was their ظلم? Arrogance due to power and the notion: “Who is stronger than us?” attitude. Thus they created oppression and فساد (corruption)
• The “seizure” A violent, freezing wind that destroyed them
• Lesson: Power does not protect from divine justice
• Nation of Thamūd
• What was their ظلم? Denial after clear signs (the she-camel miracle), Arrogance and oppression
• The “seizure” A mighty blast/earthquake that left them lifeless
• Lesson: Rejecting truth knowingly leads to sudden collapse
• People of Lūṭ (Lot)
• What was their ظلم? Moral فساد at a societal level - Public normalization of sin (open acts of homosexuality) and aggression toward the Prophet
• The “seizure” Their towns were turned upside down and destroyed
• Lesson: When corruption becomes public and defended, consequences escalate
• People of Shuʿayb (Madyan)
• What was their ظلم? Economic injustice by cheating in trade and exploiting people financially
• The “seizure” A cry/blast and destruction
• Lesson: ظلم is not only moral—it includes economic injustice

These examples show that what happened to them is not isolated history - It is a universal law of justice

A Deep Pattern in the Qur’an

This verse teaches a universal law:

• When the oppression spreads beyond limits, Divine warnings are delivered to them by the prophets. They are given time to mend their ways. 
• But the people ignore Divine warnings, seizures happen and there comes sudden inescapable accountability that no one can escape.
• The punishment is directed at towns and people who are zalim (doing wrong/oppressing) and persisting in their tyranny. 
• In Kathir cites a Sahih Bukhari/Muslim Hadith where Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "Verily, Allah gives respite to a wrongdoer until He seizes him and he cannot escape".

Can this be Applied to Oppressors in Our Lives?

Yes indeed - though the scale of Divine seizures has much reduced, for man has become wiser and generally heeds to Divine cautions and warnings. However, still there are large scale earthquakes, tornados, flash floods and even persistent droughts that still remind man of his ungratefulness and oppression he continues to commit.

• What You CAN Understand
• This verse assures you that Allah sees injustice and that no oppressor is beyond His accountability.
• Delay does NOT mean approval or neglect - rather it gives: Patience (ṣabr) and Hope in justice
• What You SHOULD NOT Assume
• You should not declare specific people as “doomed” or predict exactly when or how punishment will come.
• Because Divine justice operates with wisdom beyond our view

How This Applies Personally 

• When you Face ظلم, don’t lose hope or think injustice will last forever, Rest assured that Justice may be delayed—but it is never absent.
• When You Are Tempted to Do Wrong, this verse is also a warning to yourself: No ظلم is small in the sight of Allah
• When You See Global Injustice GO back into pages of history and see how mighty empires rose to their utter glory - but then crumbled in no time due to their injustice and oppression. This verse thus explains: why downfall happens

A Psychological Insight

One of the hardest things for humans is seeing injustice go unpunished. This verse answers that pain - What you see is partial reality. The full reality includes: time, accountability and divine justice.

A Powerful Way to Understand It

This verse can be summarized like this: Oppression may build power… but it also builds the conditions of its own سقوط (collapse).

Final Reflection This verse is both: A warning to the oppressor and a comfort to the oppressed. It tells us not to be deceived by temporary power… Because when justice comes, it is complete and undeniable. While the verse discusses past communities, it is a standing warning to all future generations, including the Muslim Ummah.

So let us not be just contended with the notion that we are Muslims and above everything. In our ranks today, we have oppressors and dispensers of injustice too other than the non Muslims. And we too are liable for Divine seizure unless we give heed to Divine cautions and warnings and dispense justice lest time runs out for us.

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 visit our reference page:  Sūrah 11. Hūd  (Prophet Hūd " هود‎ ") for selected verses from Surah Hud.

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.

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A Qur’anic verse that captures the core of Prophetic Integrity - a lesson for Men of Position today

Prophets, though ordinary in appearance, have always been chosen for their extraordinary character qualities, that made them stand tall from the crowd. They were beacon of truth, selflessness, humility, integrity and a far higher degree of fear of their Creator. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم before his prophethood was a successful businessman known for his fair and honest dealings and truthfulness. For this extraordinary human qualities he was admired by his tribesmen and people he did business with. And was Divinely chosen to be a revered prophet and messenger to convey the commandments of his Creator to his people.

Likewise all prophets were specially chosen who rose above the rest in strength of character, integrity and truthfulness. Today, we share the 88th verse from Al Qur'an (Surah Hūd), which captures the core prophetic integrity of Prophet Shuʿayb (peace be upon him) which he displayed while talking to his stubborn and arrogant people. The Qur’an quotes him as saying (paraphrased meaning):

“O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided for me a good provision from Him? I do not intend to differ from you in that which I forbid you. I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is only through Allah. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I return.”

About Prophet  Shuʿayb: 

Also spelled Shuaib, Shoaib, Shuayb or  (Arabic: شُعَيْب‎, IPA: meaning: "who shows the right path") is an ancient Midianite prophet in Islam and the most revered prophet in the Druze faith. He is sometimes identified with the Hebrew biblical Jethro, Moses's father-in-law. Shuaib is mentioned in the Quran 11 times.[2] He is believed to have lived after Ibrahim (Abraham), and Muslims believe that he was sent as a prophet to the Midianites, who are also known as the Aṣḥāb al-Aykah ("Companions of the Wood") for their worship of a large tree. To the Midianites, Shuaib proclaimed the "straight path", warning them to end their fraudulent ways[example needed]. When the community did not repent, God destroyed the community.

Alongside Hud, Salih, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all), Shuaib is understood by Muslims as one of the four Arabian prophets sent by God. Ibn Kathir stated that he was known by Muslims as "the eloquent preacher amongst the prophets" because he was, according to tradition, granted talent and eloquence in his language. 

Let us now unpack this verse and see the strength of character of a prophet who refuses to subscribe to the ills of his people and remains steadfast in his integrity.

What Is This Verse About? 

This verse captures the core of prophetic integrity. Shuʿayb is addressing a people who were cheating in trade and committing economic injustice.

The verse follows the blatant hostility of his people who suspected him to be one of them alike but outwardly acting as a pious and righteous. This is mentioned in the previous verse as under:

(11:87) They replied: 'O Shu'ayb! Does your Prayer enjoin upon you that we should forsake the deities whom our forefathers worshipped, or that we should give up using our wealth as we please? Do you fancy that you, and only you, are forbearing and right-directed?' 

The verse contains four major themes

• Moral consistency “I do not intend to differ from you in that which I forbid you.”
• He is saying: I do not tell you to stop wrongdoing while secretly doing it myself.
• This establishes that prophets: (1) Practice what they preach, (2) Do not exploit their authority, and (3) Lead by example
• What the prophet is saying is "It is a proof of the truth of my claim that I myself practice what I preach to you. For instance, if I had forbidden you to visit the shrines of gods and goddesses but had myself become the guardian of some such shrine, you would have been justified in bringing this charge against me that I was preaching the doctrine of Tauhid merely for the sake of ruining the business of others in order to make room for my own trade. Likewise, if I had prohibited the use of unlawful means for you but had myself applied the same in my own trade, you would have been justified in charging me with preaching honesty merely for winning good reputation for the prosperity of my own trade. But you yourselves are a witness to this that I myself abstain from those evils which I forbid you to practice and I keep myself pure from those blemishes of which I desire to cleanse you and I follow the way to which I invite you. All this is a clear proof that I believe in the truth of the message I am conveying to you."
• Reform, not power 
• “I only intend reform as much as I am able.”
• His goal is: (1) Not control, (2) Not humiliation, (3) Not personal gain
• But reform (islāh) within his capacity.
• Reliance on God
• “My success is only through Allah.”
• He acknowledges that (1) Reform does not happen by ego, (2) Success is not self-generated, and that *3) Guidance and outcomes belong to Allah
• Humble return
• “Upon Him I rely, and to Him I return.”
• This shows the resolve of prophetic Trust (tawakkul), fear of Accountability and Awareness that final judgment belongs to God.

How Classical Scholars interpret this verse

Exegetes like Ibn Kathir explain that Shuʿayb was affirming:

• He was not benefiting from what he prohibited.
• He had no hidden economic advantage.
• His call to justice was sincere and morally consistent.

Similarly, Al-Tabari emphasizes that the phrase “I do not intend to differ from you” means: He would not secretly commit the same corruption he publicly condemned.

The verse establishes prophetic credibility.

Do Muslims Sincerely Believe in the Prophet’s Resolve Here?

Yes — in mainstream Islamic theology, Muslims believe prophets are:

• Truthful (ṣādiq)
• Trustworthy (amīn)
• Morally upright
• Protected from deliberate betrayal of their message

This doctrine is often referred to as ʿismah (prophetic protection). Belief in prophetic sincerity is foundational in Islam. If prophets were seen as hypocritical or self-serving, their message would lose authority.

So when Shuʿayb says: “I only intend reform… My success is only through Allah.” Muslims understand this as a genuinely sincere declaration — not rhetorical performance.

Why This Verse Is Powerful

Even outside theology, the verse models ethical leadership:

• Consistency between speech and action
• Reform limited by ability (realistic responsibility)
• Dependence on something higher than ego
• Accountability beyond public approval

It’s often cited as a template for moral integrity.

Summary of the verse

Shu`ayb, fully confident of the truth of his message, and aware of his people’s ignorance and short-sightedness, does not let their sarcasm affect him. On the contrary, he seeks to inform them politely that he takes his stand on clear evidence from his Lord, which he feels in his innermost heart. He explains to them that he is fully confident of the truth of what he advocates because his knowledge far exceeds theirs. When he calls on them to stick to honest dealings, the effects of such honesty also apply to him since he is a businessman. He is after no personal gain which he seeks to realize for himself. He does not intend to do behind their backs what he has forbidden them so that he enjoys a market free from competition. His call is one of reform which includes himself. The path he enjoins them to follow will not cause them any losses, as they mistakenly think.

 

It is, then, the general reform of society which Shu`ayb is after. It is a reform which brings benefit to every individual and every community. Some may think that to adhere to moral values and implement the divine law may make them lose some chances which may be open to them, or lose some gain which they would otherwise achieve. But implementing the divine law can only make them lose evil gains and wicked opportunities. It compensates them with goodly gains and lawful provisions. It also establishes a society which is characterized by the co-operation of its individuals. It is a society which is free from grudges, treachery and selfish quarrels.

Is there a lesson from this verse for the Men of Position today?

Yes, of course. If we look around, we find men of position exactly as the people of the Prophet Shuʿayb. They project them to the people as the most rightful and the truthful. Yet from the inside they are just the opposite. They deceive and lie to their people and instead of benefiting them, they harm their interests in a  manner that no one visible sees the effect of their sinister personality. This the reason that men of position have overflowing secret vaults, bank accounts looted from public exchequer and the fate and plight of the people they claim to serve remains unchanged - or even goes from bad to worse every day. 

This verse should serve them as an eye opener for the Divine accountability is much harsher than they might believe and think that that they would escape it as do they from the wrath of the people. This verse is a clear warning from every man of position, from a supervisor, foreman, manager, director, ministers or even kings and presidents who under the garb of welfare of their people, make fortunes and leave their subjects in rag tags forever.

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 visit our reference page:  Sūrah 11. Hūd  (Prophet Hūd " هود‎ ") for selected verses from Surah Hūd. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on 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 | 5 |

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.

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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.

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 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:

• Believers !!  Do Not  Scoff or revile one another by nicknames - verse 11
• Qur'an contains the Divine Truth - though most people do not believe - verse 17
• But those who believe are indeed just a few - verse 40
• Do not pray for idolatrous relatives - Lesson from the acts of Two Prophets - verse 45-46
• Supplication Attributed to Prophet Noah (Nuh علي السلام) in Qur'an - verse 47
• Prohibited means of earning in Islam - Diminishing measures and weights - verse 84
• A Qur’anic verse that captures the core of Prophetic Integrity - a lesson for Men of Position today -  Verse 88
• Seek forgiveness of Allah and turn to Him in repentance - Surely Allah is Ever Merciful, Most Loving - verse 90
• Islam continues to permeate into the hearts and minds despite the rejection  (A parallel between rejection of Prophet Musa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)- verse 110

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.

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

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

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'an. You 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.

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