A single verse of Al Qur'an (Surah Ya Seen) that contains three enormous truths

Surah Yā-Sīn, the 36th chapter of the Qur’an, is a powerful Makkan Surah centered on revelation, Tawḥīd, resurrection, accountability, and Allah’s absolute power over creation. It calls people to recognize the truth of the Prophet’s message, reflect on the signs of Allah in nature and human life, and remember that every deed and its lasting effects are recorded. Its importance lies in awakening a heedless heart: it reminds us that life is purposeful, death is not the end, resurrection is certain, and ultimate success depends on responding to Divine guidance before we return to Allah.

Surah Yā-Sīn ends with a majestic conclusion of the entire Surah. After discussing revelation, resurrection, accountability, the signs of Allah in creation, and His absolute power, the Surah ends by bringing everything back to one central truth: all sovereignty belongs to Allah, and every human being will ultimately return to Him.

In this post we will expand and reflect on the 83rd verse of the Surah, the last concluding verse that contains three enormous undeniable truth:

The Verse

فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

“So glory be to the One in Whose Hands is the dominion of all things, and to Him you will all be returned.” — 36:83

Its immediate context

Verse 83 should really be read with 36:77–82. The passage answers the objection of a person who could not understand how decayed bones could ever be brought back to life. Allah answers that the One who created human beings the first time can certainly recreate them; the One who created the heavens and the earth is surely capable of resurrecting mankind. 

The argument reaches its climax in verse 82:

“When He wills something, His command is only to say to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.”

Then comes 36:83: Therefore, glory belongs to Him; everything is under His absolute authority; and everyone will return to Him. So verse 83 is not an isolated devotional sentence. It is the conclusion of the Qur’an’s argument for resurrection.

What does “Malakūt” mean?

The word مَلَكُوت — malakūt conveys something stronger than ordinary ownership. It refers to complete sovereignty, supreme dominion and absolute control.

Thus: بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ does not merely mean that Allah “owns” everything. It means that the existence, continuation, destiny and ultimate outcome of everything remain entirely under His authority. Creation does not operate independently of Him. Life and death do not escape Him. Resurrection is therefore not difficult for Him.

Scholarly interpretation

1.    Ibn Kathir reads the ending of Yā-Sīn as the culmination of Allah's proof against those who denied resurrection. If Allah created mankind originally, and created the heavens and earth—which are vastly greater—then recreating human beings cannot be beyond His power. Verse 83 therefore glorifies Allah as the One who possesses complete sovereignty and to whom creation ultimately returns.

In other words: The One who owns creation also owns its ending and its resurrection.

2.    Maududi translates the essential meaning very forcefully: Allah has complete control over everything, and all people will be recalled to Him. This brings an important ethical dimension into the verse.

Allah's sovereignty is not merely a statement about the universe. It means that human beings are accountable subjects within that universe.

We have freedom to choose, but we do not have freedom from the consequences of those choices.

3.    Ma‘ariful Qur’an connects 36:83 directly with verse 82. Human beings need materials, tools, workers, processes and time to accomplish something. Allah does not. His creative authority is absolute; when He wills creation, His will is sufficient. Verse 83 therefore concludes that the One possessing such authority is utterly above every limitation that human beings imagine for Him. This is crucial because the objection to resurrection comes from projecting human limitations onto Allah.

Note: Maarif-ul-Quran is a famous eight-volume commentary of the Holy Quran written by the Pakistani scholar Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani.

Why is 36:83 so important?

The verse contains three enormous truths in a single sentence.

1.    فَسُبْحَانَ الَّذِي — “Glory be to Him” Allah is above every weakness, limitation or imperfection that people attribute to Him.

2.    بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ — “In His hand is the dominion of everything” Nothing ultimately lies outside His authority.

3.    وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ — “And to Him you will be returned” Human existence is going somewhere. Death is not disappearance; it is return.

That final expression is perhaps the most personally significant.

The Qur’an does not say merely: “You will die.” Rather it says: “You will return.”

A return implies that our life began under Allah's authority, continues under His authority, and ends before Him.

How does this verse relate to our present life?

Modern life can easily create the illusion that we are in control. We control bank accounts, businesses, technology, property, schedules and even vast amounts of information. Nations possess extraordinary military and scientific power.

Yet 36:83 quietly reminds us: You possess things temporarily; Allah possesses them absolutely.

All our possessions have a diminishing shades: (1) Health can change overnight. (2) Wealth can disappear. (3) Status can collapse. (4) Life itself can end without warning.

This does not mean that Islam asks us to become passive. Rather, it teaches us to distinguish between responsibility and control: We are responsible for our effort; Allah ultimately controls the outcome.

That understanding produces both humility and peace. It also challenges arrogance. When someone thinks: “I built everything myself.” 36:83 asks:

• Who gave the intelligence?
• Who created the body?
• Who produced the opportunities?
• Who created the earth from which resources came?
• Who keeps the heart beating while the person sleeps?

The verse dismantles the illusion of absolute human self-sufficiency. It changes how we face anxiety. There is also immense comfort in: بِيَدِهِ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ. If everything ultimately lies in Allah's hands, then the believer does not need to believe that circumstances themselves possess independent power.

People may harm us, plans may fail. Even doors may close. But none of these circumstances sits on the throne of ultimate authority. Only Allah does. That is why tawakkul is not merely positive thinking. It arises from a theological certainty: the One I trust actually possesses the dominion of everything. It also changes our moral decisions

The final words are even more sobering: وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ - If we truly understand that we are returning to Allah, many decisions would immediately look different.

• Before earning money: Will I want to explain how I earned this when I return to Allah?
• Before harming someone: Will I want this recorded when I stand before Him?
• Before lying: Is this short-term advantage worth carrying into the Hereafter?
• Before doing good: Even if nobody notices, will Allah know it?

The answer is yes. And that makes accountability not merely a doctrine about the future, but a discipline for today's behaviour.

A beautiful way to understand the ending of Surah Yā-Sīn

The Surah begins by telling us that Muhammad ﷺ is truly among the messengers and that the Qur’an is revelation. It then takes us through: guidance → rejection → signs of creation → death → resurrection → judgment → Paradise and punishment → Divine creative power. And finally ends with: Everything belongs to Allah, and everyone returns to Allah.

So 36:83 can almost be read as the summary sentence of the whole Surah:

You came from Allah's creative power, you live within Allah's dominion, and you are travelling back to Allah. That is why its message is extraordinarily relevant today. Amid careers, possessions, ambitions, disappointments and distractions, this verse asks one fundamental question: If everything ultimately belongs to Allah and I am inevitably returning to Him, am I living today in a way that I will be comfortable presenting to Him when I return?

This is the question we should keep asking us every now and then. And if we find that we are drifting from the course set for us Divinely, we must make amends and re-steer to our defined path.

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 Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn 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 | 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.

Read More

What does the imagery in Al Qur'an (Surah Ya Seen) mean by barriers erected before and behind some people

There are many means adopted in Al Qur'an to better understand a verse and Divine wisdom hidden therein. These means may include metaphors, parable and imageries for many a man understand such methods interesting and attracted to the substance to reflect deeply on what is being indirectly said. We have already shared many such means of understanding in our exclusive reference page: Why Metaphors and Parables are used in Al Qur'an  

This publication also dwells on an imagery which is found in the opening passage of Surah Yā-Sīn, especially verses 8–12. Two ideas are deliberately placed side by side: Some people become spiritually unable to see the truth because of persistent rejection and arrogance (36:8–10), yet every deed—and even the effects we leave behind—is recorded by Allah (36:12).

The key verses

1.    In 36:9, Allah says:

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّا فَأَغْشَيْنَاهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ

“We have placed a barrier before them and a barrier behind them and covered them, so they do not see.”

1.    Then, only a few verses later, 36:12 says:

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْيِ الْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا وَآثَارَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَاهُ فِي إِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ

“Indeed, We give life to the dead, and We record what they have sent ahead and the traces they leave behind; and We have recorded everything in a clear Record.”

Combined together, the theme could very accurately be expressed as:

“A person may close his eyes to the truth, but Allah never loses sight of what he does.”

What is the context?

Surah Yā-Sīn is a Makkan Surah. Its opening passage addresses the resistance faced by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the Makkan unbelievers. Verses 2–6 first affirm that Muhammad ﷺ is indeed a Messenger and that the Qur’an is Divine revelation sent to awaken a heedless people. Verses 7–10 then describe those who had become deeply entrenched in rejection, while verse 11 contrasts them with those whose hearts remain receptive to the Reminder.

Therefore the image of shackles and barriers is primarily spiritual and moral imagery. They possess physical eyes, but pride, stubbornness and repeated rejection have prevented them from recognizing what is directly before them.

This is important: the passage does not teach that Allah arbitrarily blinds innocent people and then punishes them. Rather, the imagery describes the condition reached by those who repeatedly and arrogantly reject guidance.

Why “barriers before them and behind them”?

Eminent scholar and exegete Maududi gives a particularly thought-provoking explanation. The barrier behind them means they refuse to learn properly from the past; the barrier before them means they do not seriously consider where their present choices will lead in the future. Their arrogance effectively surrounds them until obvious realities become invisible to them.

Thus a person can be highly educated, intelligent and worldly-wise—and nevertheless become morally blind. He may see everything except what he does not want to see.

Ibn Kathir interprets verses 8–10 as a vivid picture of people whose obstinate rejection has made guidance extremely difficult for them. The shackles around their necks symbolize their constrained spiritual condition: their heads are held high and they cannot lower themselves humbly before the truth.

The imagery is therefore connected with kibr—pride.

One of the Qur’an's recurring warnings is that intellectual evidence alone may not guide a person whose heart has become dominated by arrogance.

Maududi Maududi interprets the “fetters” as obduracy and pride. The raised head symbolizes the stiffness of arrogance: they have reached the point where even clear signs fail to move them. The barriers signify their inability to benefit either from history or from reflection upon the consequences awaiting them.

This interpretation gives 36:9 a timeless psychological dimension: Sometimes the greatest obstacle between a person and truth is not absence of evidence—but unwillingness to bow before it.

Then why does verse 12 suddenly speak about records?

This transition is extremely significant. After describing those who refuse to see, Allah declares:

“We record what they send forward and their آثار—āthār.”

Āthār literally means traces, footprints, effects or things left behind. So Allah records two dimensions of our lives:

• مَا قَدَّمُوا — “what they sent ahead” - that is What we ourselves actually did.
• وَآثَارَهُمْ — “their traces” - that is What continued because of us after the original act.

This makes 36:12 much deeper than merely saying “Allah records your deeds.”

Let us understand this way:

• Suppose someone teaches another person something good, establishes a charity, raises righteous children, shares beneficial knowledge, or inspires someone toward Allah. The original action may finish, but its trace continues.
• Conversely, a person may spread falsehood, normalize corruption, teach someone an evil practice or circulate something harmful. He may have forgotten it years later—but its consequences may continue travelling through society.

That is why Allah says those traces are also recorded.

The remarkable contrast of 36:9 and 36:12

Now let us read these verses together: (36:9): They cannot see. (36:12): But We record everything.

That creates a sobering Qur’anic contrast: Man may become blind to his actions, but Allah is never unaware of them. A person may convince himself: “There is nothing wrong with what I am doing.” He may silence his conscience. He may surround himself with people who agree with him. He may reinterpret wrongdoing until it appears acceptable.

But changing our perception does not change Allah's record.

An extraordinary lesson for our age

Verse 36:12 has perhaps become even easier to appreciate in the modern world because we now understand how far a person's “traces” can travel. A sentence written online can be copied thousands of times. A video can influence millions. A false accusation can destroy someone's reputation long after the speaker has forgotten it.

But the reverse is equally true. (1) A Qur’anic reflection you share may guide someone years later. (2) A child you teach may teach another generation. (3) A charitable institution you help establish may continue benefiting people after your death.

One sincere action can produce a chain of goodness whose full extent even the original person may never know.

Yet Allah knows every link in that chain. 

• Therefore 36:12 asks us a deeper question than simply: “What deeds are you doing?”
• It asks: “What traces are you leaving behind?”

And this is where verses 8–12 become a complete moral warning for us today:

Do not allow pride to blind you to truth. Remain receptive when Allah's guidance challenges your desires. Remember that every decision leaves a footprint—and although human beings may forget those footprints, Allah preserves them all.

Perhaps the most powerful personal reflection from this passage is therefore: When my life is over, what will my āthār—my footprints—still be doing in this world: leading people toward Allah, or away from Him?

This imagery and the verses are rather difficult to understand, as it did with me. But when you deeply reflect over it, the Divine wisdom will start to unfold. Let us make sure that none of our actions or words leave behind footprints that may come haunting to us on the Day of Judgement.

The Quran is full of wisdom, and those who do not follow its guidance are indeed unfortunate.  However only those who believe in God and fear His punishment will take heed of the warning.  God keeps a clear record of everything. 

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 Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn 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 | 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.

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Let the dead earth be a Sign for them - The metaphor of dead land revived by rain

One of the most beautiful recurring metaphors in Al-Qurʾān is the image of dead land brought back to life by rain. The aim of such parable is to tell the non believers and present day atheists that it is Allah alone who can revive dead lands and turn these into green fields This image appears in several chapters, such as Sürah Ar-Rum (30:50) and Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33).

 Sürah Ya-Sin (36:33)

“Let the dead earth be a Sign for them. We give it life and bring forth from it grain, and from it they eat.” (36:33)

Though this verse is expressive of a simple natural process, yet it carries deep spiritual meaning. Let us unpack this parable to see the depth of Divine Wisdom behind it:

The Physical Image

The Qur'an asks people to look around and observe a familiar event in . . We often see lifeless barren lands coming to life when rain falls from the clouds above and suddenly plants emerge and the earth becomes green and full of life. This transformation happens every year and is easily observable.

There is a sign for the disbelievers in the lifeless earth: We give it life and produce out of it grain for them to eat. We place in it gardens of date palms and grapes, and cause springs to gush out of it, so that they may eat of its fruit. It was not their own hands that made all this. Will they, then, not give thanks? Limitless in His glory is He who created all things in pairs: whatever the earth produces, their own human kind and other creatures of which they have no knowledge. (Verses 33-36) Everything around them in the universe speaks to them about God, giving evidence of His presence. They only need to look at the land in front of them and how they see it dead, lifeless, lacking a drop of water. Then they see it quicken, producing grain and adorned with gardens replete with dates and grapes. Springs of water gush through it; and in no time, it is full of life.

This is what an ordinary mind observes and thanks Allah for making the lands producible to sustain his living. But for the wise, there is something more to this metaphor as explained herein under: 

The First Meaning: Proof of Resurrection

One of the primary purposes of this metaphor is to show that resurrection is not difficult for Allah. Just as Allah brings dead land back to life, He can also bring human beings back to life after death.

The Qur'an repeatedly connects these two ideas: The revival of the earth and the resurrection of people on the Day of Judgment

The same divine power operates in both.

The Second Meaning: Revival of the Human Heart

Scholars often explain a deeper spiritual meaning. The human heart can become like dead land when it is filled with heedlessness, arrogance, sins and forgetfulness of Allah.

But when divine guidance reaches it—through Al-Qurʾān or sincere reflection—the heart becomes alive again - Just as rain revives the earth, revelation revives the soul.

The Psychological Lesson

This metaphor teaches an important truth about human nature: No matter how spiritually distant a person may feel, renewal is always possible. Just as barren land can suddenly become green, a person’s heart can be transformed by: (1) Sincere repentance, (2) Remembrance of Allah, and (3) Reflection on the Qur'an

This gives hope to people who feel spiritually lost.

Why the Qur'an Repeats This Image

This metaphor appears many times in the Qur'an because it illustrates several key realities and peep into the future after the end of the world like: The power of Allah, the possibility of resurrection, the renewal of spiritual life and the mercy of divine guidance

This metaphor uses a simple natural phenomenon to explain profound spiritual realities.

This Metaphor is a Beautiful Reflection

Imagine two landscapes: a desert that appears completely lifeless and the same land after rainfall, full of flowers and greenery. The Qur'an suggests that human hearts can undergo the same transformation.

This means when a man who has been a disbeliever has is heart turned dead and blackened for he never let the Divine light enter in to it. But when one seeks true guidance and repent his previous life, his heart receives the light of Divine guidance. And like the dead land that turns green when rain falls over it, the human heart becomes compassionate, hopeful, morally aware and spiritually alive.

In summary,  this metaphor of dead land revived by rain teaches that (1) Allah can resurrect the dead just as He revives the earth, (2) divine guidance can revive spiritually empty hearts, and (3) renewal and hope are always possible

Through this simple image, the Qur'an invites people to reflect on nature and recognize the deeper spiritual lessons hidden within it.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

For metaphors and parables mentioned in Qur'an, please refer to our reference page: Most profound Metaphors and Parables in Al Qur'an. You may also refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn 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.
• Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
• Reference Pages for all other reference pages

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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Lessons from story of Three Prophets in Al-Qurʾān (Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn) and their Lone Defender

The Lord of the entire universe created our earthly world along with abundance of means of sustenance for man to live comfortably for one sole purpose: Worship of Him, and no one else. For this He chose prophets and messengers from among the men and assigned them the sacred task of extending Da'wah / invitation to follow one true God and none else. These prophets and messengers faced an uphill task to extend the Da'wah to the idolaters who all refused to listen to them, except a few. The prophets were subjected to harsh treatment and were often mishandled and physically and spiritually abused. But they never lost ground under their feet and defended the task assigned to them.

They were, however, never alone, for some God fearing men would stand side by side and defend their cause. This is the theme of verses 13-29 of Surah Ya Seen and is being shared for believers to understand the wisdom behind the parable mentioned in Qur'an. After Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم there are to be no more prophets to extend Da'wah to the faith of Allah. So now it is the responsibility of each believer to defend our faith and extend invitation to all non Muslims to come under the fold of Islam. Like always, the path of Da'wah will always be arduous, difficult and rejections. Despite all these difficulties, the believers need to carry on and do their best, for the task of believers to convince and not enforce the Divine faith. It is up to Allah Who would melt hearts no matter how stoned and prejudiced.

Now lets us first share a brief on verses 13-29 from Surah Ya Seen of Al-Qurʾān and then wee how can we benefit from these verses and extend Da'wah to non Muslims for their own salvation. Al-Qurʾān: 

1. The Story in the Qur’an

The Parable of the Town (36:13–29)

• 36:13–14: 
• “And cite for them the example of the people of the town, when the messengers came to it. When We sent to them two, but they denied them, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said, ‘Indeed, we are sent to you as messengers.’”
• Allah sent two prophets, then strengthened them with a third, showing support and confirmation.
• 36:15–19:
• The people denied them, saying: “You are only men like us.” They accused them of lying and even threatened them: “We see an evil omen in you… we will surely stone you.”
• This highlights the resistance prophets often face.
• 36:20–22:
• “And there came from the farthest end of the city a man, rushing, saying, ‘O my people, follow the messengers! Follow those who ask of you no payment, and they are rightly guided.’”
• A lone believer courageously defended the prophets, urging his people to accept the truth.
• 36:23–27:
• He proclaimed his faith openly: “Why should I not worship Him who created me? And to Him you will be returned.”
• The people killed him, but Allah honored him: “It was said, ‘Enter Paradise.’ He said, ‘If only my people knew how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored.’”
• 36:28–29:
• Then Allah says: “And We did not send down upon his people after him any army from the heaven, nor were We to send [any]. It was but one cry, and immediately they were extinguished.”
• A single heavenly punishment destroyed the rejecters.

This in short is the complete story which mentions Allah sent two messengers to a community who were out rightly rejected by the people of the town. Then another prophet was sent, who too had a similar fate of rejection. Then a lone defender, who had accepted the faith in one true God came running from the far side of the town and pleaded to the idolaters and non believers to heed to the message the prophets were trying to put across. But the arrogant and cruel idolaters treated him harshly too and killed him.

Note: In many explanations of these verses, name of the town, prophets and even the lone defender are mentioned. But these are not associated with any authentic source. Therefore, we have not mentioned the names, for more than the names, the crux of the story matters.

2. Key Lessons for Da‘wah

• Persistence in Prophethood: 
• Allah supported His messengers with reinforcements (first two, then a third) 
• That is da‘wah requires consistency and teamwork.

• Simplicity & sincerity of the messengers: They asked for no payment (36:21). True Da'wah is for Allah alone, not for personal gain.
• The power of one sincere defender: Yet there was just one man who stood up courageously for truth. Sometimes, a single voice of sincerity can outshine an entire hostile crowd.
• Da‘wah with wisdom: He reasoned logically: “Why should I not worship Him who created me?” (36:22). Effective Da'wah appeals to intellect and heart.
• Sacrifice in Da'wah: He gave his life, but Allah rewarded him immediately with Paradise. This shows that martyrdom in the path of truth is not in vain.
• Concern for others even after death: His words in Paradise: “If only my people knew…” (36:26–27) reflect selfless concern even for those who killed him. A da‘ī cares for people’s guidance, not revenge.
• Rejection leads to swift accountability: Once truth is established and rejected arrogantly, divine punishment may follow (36:28–29).

3. Relevance for Us Today

In modern Da'wah, we may face ridicule, hostility, or rejection, just as the prophets did. We have many a incident of intimidation, burning of Qur'an and a deliberated effort to defame Islam and spread of hatred and creating a fear of Islamophobia. Despite all these hurdles and rejections, Da'wah should continue unabated and we must:

• Speak the truth sincerely, without expecting worldly benefit.
• Use reason, compassion, and patience.
• Remember that even if only a few respond, or if we feel alone, Allah values our sincerity.
• Stay firm, because the reward of steadfastness is immense—even Paradise, as in the case of the Lone Defender.

In summary: Surah Yā Sīn (36:13–29) teaches us that Da'wah is about sincerity, patience, sacrifice, and courage. Even one believer standing firm can leave a legacy, and Allah ultimately protects His message.

You may like to watch an informative video lecture by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan anaylysing the above quoted verses threadbare and drawing conclusive lessons for all believers:

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 36. Yā-Sīn already published. You nay also refer to our special reference page on Da'wah to know more about this sacred duty of all Muslims.

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 Courtesy Grok | Resource References: | 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.

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The Day when hands will speak and feet shall bear witness to their evil deeds

The life of evil and lewdness is very pleasing and carefree for when the devils fill the hearts of their targeted subjects they lose any sense of proportion and control over their actions. Just like drinking wine or any intoxicants does to the human minds. When fully intoxicated, one doesn't know what he is doing. It is only after when the hangover is over, he is told to how lowly he had fallen and what sins he committed when under the control of the devils.

Yet, the pleasures of sinful life are so great and attractive that by and by one is completely overtaken by the forces of devil and is unable to escape from them. So is the menace of wealth and power which makes man forget that one day he will be made to answer for his wrong doings and continues to enjoy the powers of lust. It is for such transgressors, that Allah reminds them of the Day when: 

اَلۡيَوۡمَ نَخۡتِمُ عَلٰٓى اَفۡوَاهِهِمۡ وَتُكَلِّمُنَاۤ اَيۡدِيۡهِمۡ وَتَشۡهَدُ اَرۡجُلُهُمۡ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَكۡسِبُوۡنَ‏ 

Today We shall put a seal on their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us and their feet shall bear witness to what they had been doing. (Surah 36 Ya Seen :65) 

This command will be given in respect of the stubborn culprits, who will refuse to confess their crimes, will belie the witnesses, and will also not acknowledge the genuineness of their conduct-book. Then will Allah Almighty command: Well, stop your babbling. Just see what your own limbs say about your misdeeds. In this connection, here only the evidence to be given by the hands and the feet has been mentioned. But at other places it has been said that their eyes and their ears and their tongues, and the very skins of their body, will tell how they had been employed in the world. They should not forget the Day when their own tongues and their own hands and feet will bear testimony to their misdeeds. (Surah An-Noor, Ayat 24) Then, when all will have reached there, their ears and their eyes and their very skins will bear witness against them concerning what they had been doing in the world. (Surah Ha Mim-Sajdah, Ayat 20). 

The question arises: On the one hand, Allah says: We shall seal their mouths, and on the other hand, in the verse of Surah An-Noor, He says: Their tongues will bear testimony against them. How can these two things be reconciled? The answer is: To seal the mouths means to deprive them of their power of speech. That is, after this they will not be able to say whatever they like with their tongue. The testimony of their tongues means that their tongues themselves will tell how the wicked people had used them, what blasphemies and lies they had been made to utter, what mischief they had invented and what falsehoods they had been made to say on different occasions.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 

This will be the state of the disbelievers and hypocrites on the Day of Resurrection, when they deny the sins they committed in this world and swear that they did not do that. Allah will seal their mouths and cause their limbs to speak about what they did. 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "We were with the Prophet and he smiled so broadly that his molar could be seen, then he said: (Do you know why I am smiling) We said, `Allah and His Messenger know best.' 

He said: (Because of the way a servant will argue with his Lord on the Day of Resurrection. He will say, "O Lord, will You not protect me from injustice'' ﴿Allah﴾ will say, "Of course.'' He will say, "I will not accept any witness against me except from myself.'' ﴿Allah﴾ will say, "Today you will be a sufficient witness against yourself, and the honorable scribes will serve as witnesses against you.'' Then his mouth will be sealed, and it will be said to his faculties, "Speak!'' So they will speak of what he did. Then he will be permitted to speak, and he will say, "May you be doomed! It was for you that I was fighting.'')'' This was recorded by Muslim and An-Nasa'i. Ibn Jarir narrated that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "The believer will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection, and his Lord will show him his deeds, just between him and His Lord. He will admit it and will say, `Yes, O Lord, I did do that.' Then Allah will forgive him his sins and conceal them, and no creature on earth will see any of those sins, but his good deeds will be seen, and he will want all the people to see them. Then the disbeliever and the hypocrite will be brought to account, and his Lord will show him his deeds and he will deny them, saying, `O Lord, by Your glory, this angel has written down things that I did not do.' The angel will say to him, `Did you not do such and such on such a day and in such a place' He will say, `No, by Your glory, I did not do that.' When he says this, Allah will seal his mouth.'' Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "I think that the first part of his body to speak will be his right thigh.'' 

Then he recited: (This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn).

Yusuf Ali Explanation:

The ungodly will now be dumbfounded. They will be unable to speak or offer any defence. (The consequences of all acts, which follow according to Allah's Law, are, in Quranic language, attributed to Allah). But their silence will not matter. Their own hands and feet will speak against them. "Hands and feet" in this connection are symbolical of all the instruments for action which they were given in this life. The same extended meaning is to be understood for "eyes" in the following verse. Cf. also xli. 20- 21, where eyes, ears, and skins are all mentioned as bearing witness against such as misused them.

May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Aameen.

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

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.

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 plain translation has been taken from the Qur'ān officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1]
• 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. [2]  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], additional input has been interjected from following sources: 

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

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

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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

Whomsoever We grant a long life, We reverse him in his constitution

The reality of human life cycle is very interesting: A cycle that starts from giggles and hope for the parents of the newly born, passes through various stages of childhood, adolescence and adulthood, finally culminates into the sighs of the old age. From vibrancy and old age though the life cycle is very long, it comes about very soon. Man in his childhood and youth never even thinks of getting old, but the reality dawns at the end. The end life of a man is just the reverse of his life cycle and he once again becomes dependent on his offspring as they were once dependent on him. But while the life of child and a growing man was full of hopes and ambitions, the end days are frightening for one is always afraid of getting sick and getting dependent on his children, who generally are not there to look after them. And at that time, man understands that he was not really created for this world, but had been in transit for a life which will be eternal in the hereafter. 

Those who spend their life well and walk the path shown by Allah have nothing to fear, but those who squandered their life in leisure start to realize  how he messed up his whole life. The same phenomenon is explained in the 68th verse of Surah 36. Ya Seen:

بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ 

وَمَنۡ نُّعَمِّرۡهُ نُـنَكِّسۡهُ فِى الۡخَـلۡقِ​ؕ اَفَلَا يَعۡقِلُوۡنَ‏ 

Whomsoever We grant a long life, We reverse him in his constitution. Do they still not understand?

“Reverse him in creation,” means that in old age Allah turns him back to the state of childhood. He becomes unable to stand and walk without the help and support of others; he is fed by others; he urinates and defecates in bed; talks childishly and is laughed at by others. In short, towards the end of life he returns to the same state of weakness with which he had started life in this world.

Ibn Kathir Explanation:

(Allah is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave weakness and gray hair. He creates what He wills. And it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.) (30:54). 

And Allah says: (And among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, so that he knows nothing after having known) (22:5). The meaning here -- and Allah knows best -- is that Allah is telling us that this world is transient and will come to an end, it is not eternal and lasting.

Allah says: (Will they not then understand) meaning, will they not think about how they were created, then they become gray-haired, then they become old and senile, so that they may know that they were created for another world that is not transient and will not pass away, and from which there is no way out, which is the Hereafter.

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

I.e., man should never postpone his exercise of moral choice - for if human beings are superior creatures inasmuch as they have been endowed with the faculty of discernment and a wide measure of free will, let them also remember that "man has been created weak" (4:28) and liable to decline still further in old age, so that the time at his disposal is short.

Yusuf Ali Explanation:

Everything is possible with Allah. If you doubt how man can be transformed from his present nature, contemplate the transformations he already undergoes in his present nature at different ages. As a child powers of mind and body are still undeveloped. As he grows, they grow, and certain moral qualities, such as courage, daring, the will to conquer, unfold themselves. In extreme old age these are again obscured, and a second childhood supervenes. The back of the man who walked proudly straight and erect is now bent. If these transformations take place even in his present nature and constitution, how much easier was it for Allah to cast him in an immobile mould? But Allah granted him instead the high possibilities and responsibilities referred to in the last note.

May Allah help us understand Qur'ān and help us to act upon the commandments of Allah contained therein. Let us live a life of truth and pray that our end life is healthy, without any crutches and dependency on others. Let us live a life for a blessed life in the hereafter. Aameen.

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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.

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 plain translation has been taken from the Qur'ān officially published by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [1]
• 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. [2]  

In order to augment and add more explanation as already provided by [2], 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 the references of  other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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