Al-Qurʾān: Speak with fairness and justice - regardless of personal relationships

Ensuring justice is the hallmark of any person, society, community or country to ensure no one is wronged no matter how much influential or powerful. While many of us seek forgiveness of our sins, when we sit on the seat of authority, many tend to favour the criminals rather than the ones who have been wronged. 

Islam, lays extreme emphasis on fairness and ensuring justice, even if it is against one's kith or kin or friends. The emphasis on justice is both on individuals as witnesses and the judges as they sit on seat of authority and any wrong judgement or taking side of personal relationship or the powerful and wealthy can be devastating for those who may be wronged twice, one by false witness and then by a wrong judgement

Therefore, Allah commands in 152nd verse of Surah Al-An‘am (6:152) to ensure justice as is expected of Him:

"...وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ..."

"...And when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a near relative..."

Explanation of the Verse

This command is part of a longer passage (verses 6:151–153) in which Allah lists fundamental moral teachings — similar to the Ten Commandments — which form the foundation of Islamic ethics.

The part in focus here is a direct instruction to: Speak with fairness and justice, regardless of personal relationships.

Meaning:

• "When you speak..." – whether in testimony, advice, judgment, or everyday interaction.
• "Be just..." – adhere to truth, fairness, and impartiality.
• "Even if it concerns a near relative..." – don’t let family bias cause you to twist the truth, hide facts, or take sides unfairly.

Ethical and Legal Importance in Islam

• Justice is a core value in Islam:
• Allah commands justice even against oneself, parents, or kin.
• At another place in Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa, 4:135, the emphasis of justice is given as : "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your kin..."
• The Prophet ﷺ is quoted to have said: “Shall I not inform you of the best of all deeds, the purest in the sight of your Lord, and the one that raises your ranks the most?... It is establishing justice.” (Tirmidhi)
• In legal matters:
• This verse is the basis for the objectivity of testimony in Islamic courts.
• A Muslim must speak truthfully in testimony, even if it implicates their family, tribe, or even themselves.
• There is no favoritism in truth — whether the person is rich or poor, friend or foe.

Relevance to Today

• In Personal Life:
• Don’t lie or hide truth to protect a friend or relative.
• Don’t exaggerate or slander someone else to defend your own.
• Be honest in disputes, even when it feels uncomfortable.
• In Society:
• Justice must be impartial, especially in law, politics, media, and business.
• Nepotism, favoritism, and tribal or ethnic bias — common in many societies — are condemned by this verse.
• A just society depends on truthful speech and moral courage, even when it costs us socially or emotionally.

In Testimony and Judgment:

• Islam obliges Muslims to speak the truth without distortion, even when testifying against a loved one or for someone disliked.
• This applies in courts, investigations, conflict resolution, and even public discourse.

Summary of the Message

• Speak truthfully: Always tell the truth, especially in important matters
• Be fair in judgment: Don’t let personal ties distort your moral compass
• Avoid bias and favoritism: Treat all people equally before the law and truth
• Uphold justice for Allah’s sake: Justice is not just a social duty, it’s a spiritual command

Final Thought:

This verse is a timeless moral compass. In a world filled with tribalism, corruption, and bias, Allah reminds us that real justice requires moral integrity, even when it hurts. Upholding justice, even against our own kin, is one of the highest forms of taqwa (God-consciousness).

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 our exclusive reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected Verses from: Surah 6 Al-An'am (The Cattle)  for more selected 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 |

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 echoes of Polytheistic mindset at the time of revelation of Al Qur'an can still be heard today

Man has always been stubborn and arrogant to challenge any new thing that is tangent to the customs and traditions of his forefathers. That is why whenever a messenger or a prophet was sent to them by the Lord of the universe, they were confronted with extreme hostility. This has been the case with Prophet Noah who despite calling his people to one true God for about nine hundred years finally gave in and asked Allah to send the Divine wrath for those who were heedless to the path prescribed for them by their Creator. And the list is not small. It goes down on and on to every following prophet like Prophets Hud, Lot, Moses, Jesus and even the last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

And this rejection to the Divine faith continues till date as many a non Muslims, specially the polytheists of today still continue to raise same objections against Islam as was raised fourteen hundred years ago against Islam and Qur'an when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ extended Da'wah (invitation to Islam) to them. Let us share a verse from Al Qur'an and then expand it to see its closeness to the echoes of the polytheistic mindset still be heard today.

The Verse (Surah 8 Al Anfal :31):

وَاِذَا تُتۡلٰى عَلَيۡهِمۡ اٰيٰتُنَا قَالُوۡا قَدۡ سَمِعۡنَا لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَـقُلۡنَا مِثۡلَ هٰذَٓا​ ۙ اِنۡ هٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسَاطِيۡرُ الۡاَوَّلِيۡنَ‏ 

(8:31) And when Our verses are recited to them, they say: 'We have heard. We could, if we willed, compose the like of it. They, are nothing but fables of the ancient times.' (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:31)

Historical Context of Revelation

This verse was revealed in Medina, post the Battle of Badr, but it refers to the attitude of the Meccan disbelievers toward the Quran before the migration. And it is interesting to note that the allegations against Islam and Al Qur'an levelled more than fourteen centuries ago are still prevalent and non Muslim continue to label the same allegations as was done by the pagans of Makkah in the times of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Let us expand this verse for its better understanding.

Who are "they" in this verse?

Refers specifically to the Quraysh leaders such as:

• Al-Nadr ibn Al-Harith
• Abu Jahl
• Umayyah ibn Khalaf

They mocked the Quran when it was recited to them and claimed:

• “We’ve heard it. Nothing new.”
• “We could produce something like this if we wanted.”
• “It’s just old stories, like the ones our ancestors told.”

Why did they say this?

It was a dismissive and arrogant response aimed at:

• Undermining the divine origin of the Quran.
• Avoiding accountability, since accepting its truth would require changing their lifestyle and beliefs.
• Preserving social and political power, which Islam threatened.

Al-Nadr ibn al-Harith, for instance, used to travel to Persia and would come back with fables and tales, saying, “I can tell better stories than Muhammad.”

Explanation of the Verse

•  "We have heard..."
• A sarcastic way of saying, “We’ve heard this already; it’s nothing special.”
• Shows their intellectual arrogance and mockery.
• "We could say something like it if we wanted..."
• This reflects their false claim that the Quran is man-made.
• Yet, despite this claim, they never produced anything like it, even when challenged repeatedly:
• The Quran challenges:
• “Then produce a surah like it...” (Surah Yunus 10:38, also Hud 11:13)
• They failed to respond with anything remotely comparable.
• "This is nothing but fables of the ancients"
• They reduced divine revelation to mere myths or legends, i.e., stories from previous generations with no real authority.
• This phrase was common among Quraysh when denying both the Quran and resurrection.

Relevance to the Present Times

This verse perfectly mirrors the attitudes of many in modern times — especially skeptics, secular critics, and anti-theistic voices — who respond to divine guidance with:

• Dismissiveness toward Revelation
• People say: “We've heard this before,” or “Religion is outdated.”
• They view divine texts as irrelevant, repetitive, or lacking originality, despite not genuinely engaging with them.
• Claiming Human Equivalence
• Some argue: “The Quran is just Arabic poetry,” or “Any intelligent writer could come up with something similar.”
• But no one has met the Quran's literary challenge over 14 centuries — in content, structure, law, theology, and effect on hearts.
• Accusing Islam of Being 'Backward' or 'Mythical': The phrase “fables of the ancients” is echoed today in accusations that religion is based on superstition or ancient folklore, ignoring its moral clarity, transformative power, and intellectual depth.
• Irrelevance of Qur'an with science: This is the most interesting accusation among those, specially the ashiest, who  find "no relevance" of Qur'an with modern day science.
• While this accusation is meaningless for the simple reason that Divine scriptures are meant to guide mankind to true faith and worship of one true God, it may be noted that none of the earlier Divine Scriptures are non-scientific either. So why single out Qur'an only, despite many scientific proofs presented in Qur'an only.
• Qur'an explains in detail the evolution of birth in all its stages, not even known at the time of its revelation. Rather it was many centuries later that medical science progressed to find out what Qur'an said about the stages of childbirth are but true.
• It is Qur'an which told mankind that iron is not native to the earth but it came down from the outer space. Now science has proved its correctness that iron was bombarded on earth in the shape of meteoroids which were detached from the dying stars.
• It was Qur'an which reassured the Rome after their defeat by the Persians that they will regain their lost pride and will be victorious.
• It is the Qur'an which tells us that mountains are like giant spikes that are holding the earth and supporting it, so proved by the science today.
• There are many more examples that can be quoted out of Qur'an about scientific discoveries that came to be true until recently.
• Yet, despite all this knowledge, Qur'an remains a Book of Guidance and not a book of science, so to say.

Key Lessons from 8:31

• Arrogance blinds from truth: Intellectual pride prevents people from recognizing divine guidance
• Claiming false equivalence with revelation: Many still say religious texts are human-made without serious study
• Repeating old patterns of denial: Human skepticism toward prophets and scriptures is a recurring theme
• Importance of sincerity in seeking truth: 
• Truth is not found through mockery, but honest reflection and humility
• The mention of many things only recently found by science to be true and yet not confirming these for sincerity in seeking the truth through Qur'an is lacking.

Final Reflection

Verse 8:31 shows how the same patterns of rejection repeat across time. Whether in 7th-century Mecca or 21st-century secular societies, the human heart often resists what challenges its ego, habits, or worldview.

Yet the Quran continues to stand unchallenged — in its message, beauty, preservation, and power to transform hearts. "This Quran is not such as can be produced by other than Allah..." (Surah Yunus 10:37)

Despite all accusations, it is heartening to note that more and more non Muslims and polytheists of day are reverting to Islam for more one ponders over Qur'an, keeping aside one's arrogance and attachment to one's culture, traditions and faith, the more truth one finds in Qur'an. Those who revert to Islam now know that the misinformation they have been fed with about Islam was not true and was only aimed to keep the world away from Divine truth that Islam and Qur'an teach. Today, Islam is the second religion after Christianity and many researchers believe that by 2050 Islam will be the dominating religions. 

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 8. Al-Anfāl  - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال  (The Spoils of War)‎ 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 |

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

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

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

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

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

Read More

Al-Qurʾān: Selected Verses from: Surah 8. Al-Anfāl - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال (The Spoils of War)‎

Surah Al-Anfal - سورة ٱلْأَنْفَال (The Spoils of War) is a Medinan surah, with 75 verses and part of Juzʼ 9—10 in the Qur'an. Its context of revelation is closely tied to the events of the Battle of Badr, which occurred in 2 AH (624 CE) — the first major battle between the Muslims of Medina and the polytheists Quraysh of Mecca.

The meaning of Al-Anfāl:

The name "Al-Anfal" means spoils of war, and the first verse opens with a question from the companions:

• “They ask you [O Prophet] about the spoils of war. Say, ‘The spoils belong to Allah and the Messenger. So fear Allah, and amend that which is between you, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.’” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:1)
• This verse indicates that conflict had arisen among the Muslims about how the spoils should be divided. It set the tone that obedience to Allah and unity are more important than material gain.

Why was Surah Al-Anfal revealed?

The surah was revealed after the Battle of Badr. Since this was the first ever battle fought under the banner of Islam by the Muslims, they were Divinely guided to address issues related to:

• The distribution of war booty (Al-Anfāl) and treatment of the prisoners of war.
• The moral, spiritual, and political lessons from the battle.
• The conduct of believers in war and peace.
• The contrast between true faith and hypocrisy.

Historical Background – The Battle of Badr

• The Battle of Badr was a turning point for the Muslim community:
• Muslims were outnumbered (313 Muslims vs. ~1000 Quraysh).
• Despite being ill-equipped, the Muslims achieved a miraculous victory.
• It established the political and military presence of Islam in Arabia.
• The surah addresses both the strategic aspects of the battle and the spiritual dimensions of victory and trust in Allah.

The readers may like to  read the Overview of the Surah already published to understand the context under which this surah was revealed and why Battle of Badr was fought and for what reasons.

Main Themes and Major Subjects of Surah Al-Anfal

• War and Its Ethics in Islam
• The surah outlines rules of engagement, conduct in battle, treatment of prisoners, and the importance of justice, discipline, and sincerity.
• Muslims are reminded that victory comes from Allah, not from numbers or strategy:
• "And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw..."
• (8:17)
• Distribution of Spoils of War
• The first verse and others later clarify that spoils of war are not personal property but must be managed under divine guidance and by the Prophet.
• Fair distribution, caring for the poor, orphans, and ensuring unity in the Muslim ranks is emphasized.
• Characteristics of True Believers: The surah describes true believers as those who:
• Fear Allah.
• Obey the Prophet.
• Are humble, united, and sincere.
• True faith is not merely verbal; it’s demonstrated in action, especially in trials like war.
• "The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith..." (8:2)
• Hypocrisy and Weak Faith
• Those who turned away from the fight or doubted Allah’s help are warned.
• Hypocrisy is shown to be dangerous for the unity and moral strength of the Muslim community.
• Divine Support and Angels in Badr
• Allah mentions how He sent angels to assist the Muslims during Badr:
• “[Remember] when your Lord revealed to the angels: ‘I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed...’” (8:12)
• This underlines that success is tied to faith, not numbers or strength.
• Peace and Treaty Obligations
• The surah discusses how Muslims should honor treaties and when they are permitted to break them — especially if the other side breaks them first (8:56–61).
• Also, if the enemy inclines toward peace, Muslims should accept:
• “But if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah...” (8:61)
• Prisoners of War: Surah Al-Anfāl provides the first framework for how to treat prisoners of war, including ransom, mercy, or freeing as an act of charity.
• Establishing the Authority of Islam
• The surah legitimizes the new Islamic political entity in Medina.
• It encourages the Muslims to:
• Be united under the leadership of the Prophet.
• Rely on divine guidance in all matters — spiritual, legal, and military.
• Understand their identity as a community with a mission (ummah).

Summary of Themes in Surah Al-Anfāl:

• Spoils of War 8:1, 8:41
• Ethics of War 8:60–61, 8:67–68
• Battle of Badr – Divine Support 8:7–12, 8:17
• Description of Believers 8:2–4
• Hypocrisy and Weak Faith 8:15–16, 8:49
• Unity, Obedience, Brotherhood 8:45–46, 8:73
• Treatment of Prisoners 8:70–71
• Peace and Treaty Guidelines 8:56–61

Why is Surah Al-Anfal Still Relevant Today?

• Teaches discipline, unity, and sincerity in all efforts, especially during challenges.
• Sets moral standards for conflict, much needed in modern times.
• Reinforces the message that material gain is not the goal — obedience to Allah and moral integrity are.
• Emphasizes that victory lies in tawakkul (trust in Allah) and righteous action, not numbers or weapons.

We have already published detailed exegesis of the Surah which can be accessed from links given below:

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

We now share some of the verses from Surah Al-Anfāl which have already been published covering some important messages:

• The echoes of Polytheistic mindset at the time of revelation of Al Qur'an can still be heard today - verse 31
• Believers!! Do not quarrel among your ranks, lest your unity withers away - verse 46
• Rules in Islam for keeping  covenant (or otherwise) with others - verse 58
• Be fully equipped and ready to defend yourself at all times - verse 60

In time we will continue to add more selected verses from Surah Al-Anfāl 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 |

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

Stern Divine Warning: Do not boastfully claim yourselves to be purified. Allah fully knows who are truly Godfearing

Man has been time and again warned by the Lord of the universe, through all His scriptures, that they are always under watch and that He knows what is in the hearts and what is the intention of a man when performing any act. while man has been consistently told about the very many blessings and forgiveness for those who seek so, they have also been warned for not acting to please their Lord while their intentions are not supportive of their intended acts.

Today we share the 32nd ayat / verse of Surah 53. Surah An-Najm which promises Allah's infinite mercy and displeasure:

The Verse:

اَلَّذِيۡنَ يَجۡتَنِبُوۡنَ كَبٰٓـئِرَ الۡاِثۡمِ وَالۡفوَاحِشَ اِلَّا اللَّمَمَ​ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَاسِعُ الۡمَغۡفِرَةِ​ؕ هُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِكُمۡ اِذۡ اَنۡشَاَكُمۡ مِّنَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَاِذۡ اَنۡتُمۡ اَجِنَّةٌ فِىۡ بُطُوۡنِ اُمَّهٰتِكُمۡ​ۚ فَلَا تُزَكُّوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ​ ؕ هُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ اتَّقٰى

(53:32) on those who avoid grave sins and shameful deeds, even if they may sometimes stumble into lesser offences. Surely your Lord is abounding in His Forgiveness. Very well is He aware of you since He produced you from the earth, and while you were still in your mothers' wombs and not yet born. So do not boastfully claim yourselves to be purified. He fully knows those that are truly Godfearing.

This verse emphasizes several key concepts related to sin, repentance, and the knowledge of Allah. Let’s break it down:

Key Themes of the ayat / verse

This verse can be broken down in two parts: Mercy and Warning for boasters.

• Avoidance of Major Sins and Immoralities:
• The verse speaks of people who avoid major sins (kabā’ir) and immoralities (fahshā’). Major sins are those whose prohibition is clearly stated in the Quran and Sunnah (e.g., polytheism, murder, theft, adultery, etc.), while minor sins are those which may not lead to eternal punishment if repented for.
• Avoiding major sins is emphasized as a virtue, and those who do so are rewarded with Allah's forgiveness.
• Commitment of Slight Sins:
• The verse acknowledges that even the righteous might still commit slight sins (sagha’ir). These are minor infractions, but they don’t necessarily result in severe consequences if one seeks repentance.
• The key here is that minor sins are more easily forgiven, and their impact can be mitigated by good deeds and seeking forgiveness.
• Allah’s Forgiveness:
• The verse underscores the vastness of Allah's forgiveness: "Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness."
• Allah is capable of forgiving sins, whether they are major or minor, and He is aware of the conditions of His creation — from the moment of conception to how we behave in life.
• That is, the forgiveness for the one guilty of minor sins is not for the reason that a minor sin is no sin, but for the reason that Allah Almighty does not treat His servants narrow-mindedly and does not seize them on trifling faults; if the servants adopt piety and abstain from major sins and indecencies, He will not seize them for their minor errors and will forgive them magnanimously on account of His infinite mercy.
• The Righteousness of Allah’s Judgment:
• This is the the second and the core of the above quoted verse.
• Allah knows us intimately, from the moment of creation to our life on earth. Thus, no one can claim to be pure or perfect; only Allah knows who is truly righteous and who is not.
• That is everyone should realize who they are and what their status is. A creature first created from water and mud and then from a trivial drop of fluid does not deserve to think of himself as an elevated being and demand any privilege. This is said to them because the addressees were the custodians of the House of God and the progeny of Abraham (sws) and Ishmael (sws) and because of this had false notions the way Muslims of today have such false notions. These Muslims by regarding themselves to be a forgiven nation have forsaken all responsibilities related to their faith and deeds.
• This reminds us to avoid pride or self-righteousness, as ultimate judgment rests with Allah alone.

References from the Quran on Major and Minor Sins

1. Major Sins (Kabā’ir):

• Surah An-Nisa (4:31): 
• “If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden, We will expiate from you your evil deeds and admit you to a noble entrance.”
• This verse speaks about how avoiding major sins leads to forgiveness from Allah.
• Surah Al-Furqan (25:68-70):
• “And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever does that will meet a penalty.”
• “The punishment will be multiplied for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated.”
• These verses list some of the major sins, including polytheism (shirk), murder, and adultery.

2. Forgiveness for Minor Sins

• Surah Al-Ahzab (33:5): “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord will be gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him.”
• Minor sins are expiated through good deeds and seeking forgiveness from Allah. The believer who strives to avoid major sins is promised Allah’s forgiveness for the smaller missteps.

3. Repentance and Allah's Mercy

• Surah Az-Zumar (39:53): "Say, 'O My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own actions, do not despair of Allah's mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'"
• This verse stresses that Allah's mercy is encompassing and that no sin is too great to be forgiven if one repents sincerely.

Hadiths on Major and Minor Sins

• 1. Hadith on the Avoidance of Major Sins:
• Sahih Muslim: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever avoids the major sins and immoralities, Allah will forgive his minor sins."
• This Hadith clearly ties forgiveness of minor sins to the avoidance of major sins.
• 2. Hadith on the Expiation of Minor Sins:
• Sahih Bukhari: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “When a servant of Allah commits a sin, a black spot is placed upon his heart. If he repents, stops sinning, and seeks forgiveness, the heart is polished clean; otherwise, the spot increases until it covers his entire heart.”
• This hadith highlights that minor sins can lead to spiritual impurity, but with repentance, they are expiated.
• 3. Hadith on Purification of the Heart:
• The following hadith is for those with corrupted hearts.
• Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body, which, if it becomes good (reformed), the whole body becomes good; but if it becomes corrupt, the whole body becomes corrupt. That piece of flesh is the heart.”
• This illustrates the central role of the heart in both the avoidance of sin and the attainment of forgiveness. A sincere heart leads to the avoidance of major sins and repentance for minor ones.

Lessons from 53:32 and Other References

• Importance of Avoiding Major Sins: The verse teaches us to avoid the major sins, which are clearly forbidden in Islam. These sins have serious spiritual consequences, and avoiding them is a mark of a righteous person.
• Allah's Mercy: The vastness of Allah’s forgiveness is emphasized. Even if a person commits minor sins, they can always seek forgiveness, and Allah will forgive those who are sincere in their repentance.
• Humility and Purity of Heart: The verse ends with a reminder not to claim purity for oneself, as Allah alone knows who is righteous. This teaches humility, recognizing that only Allah can judge the purity of one’s heart.
• Forgiveness through Repentance and Good Deeds: Minor sins can be forgiven through repentance and good deeds. The Quran and Hadiths encourage maintaining good character, praying, fasting, and giving charity to purify the soul.

In conclusion, Surah An-Najm (53:32) is a reminder of the importance of avoiding major sins, the vastness of Allah’s mercy, and the need for humility. It ties closely with other Quranic verses and Hadiths, reinforcing the concepts of repentance, spiritual purification, and avoiding self-righteousness.

The verse also warns those who do good deeds of charity, chivalry and acts that are expressive of outwardly humility and kindness while their hearts are corrupted. Here they are reminded that Allah is well aware of what resides in one's hearts and for what reason they do good things. If intentions are pure, the reward will be enormous. But if intentions are otherwise, remember Allah cannot be deceived.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more posts on status of women in Islam, please refer to our exclusive page: Women in Islam. You may also refer to our reference page on Selected verses women exclusive Surah An Nisa (The Women)

For more Q&A about Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

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.

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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
• 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

Three important functions of Al Qur’an summarized in one āyāt / verse of Surah An Nur

Al Qur'an is an immense source of guidance for the mankind. At numerous places, Divine commandments have been mentioned so that there is no excuse left not to abide by these. These Divine commandments while have been made very easy to under, Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم has given detailed explanation of these commandments to his companions which continue to trickle down since last more than 1400 years for the benefit of mankind and guidance of the believers.

We have been sharing these Divine commandments and their explanation off and on in our posts for the benefit of all our readers. Today, we share a very powerful āyāt / verse which summarizes three functions of Al Qur'an which must be understood so as to understand Al Qur'an and what it requires of us.

The  Verse (āyāt) 34 of Surah 24. An Nur (The Light)

وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ آيَاتٍۭ مُّبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ وَمَثَلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

"And We have certainly sent down to you distinct verses and examples from those who passed on before you and an admonition for those who fear Allah."

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse is a powerful reminder summarizing three important functions of the Qur’an:

1. "آيَاتٍ مُّبَيِّنَـٰتٍ" — Clear Verses:

The Qur’an contains clear and detailed rulings, signs, and guidance. The laws and principles mentioned earlier in Surah An-Nur—especially about modesty, social conduct, and punishment for slander—are examples of these mubayyināt (clear verses). Allah clarifies what is permissible and what is forbidden to help build a morally upright society.

2. "وَمَثَلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ" — Examples from Those Who Came Before:

The Qur’an also includes historical examples of previous nations—how they were tested, how some obeyed and were rewarded, while others rejected guidance and were destroyed. These stories are not just for information but as warnings and lessons.

Similar mention is made in following Surahs of Al Qur'an:

• “Indeed in their stories is a lesson for people of reason.” (Yusuf 12:111)
• “Have they not traveled through the land and seen how was the end of those before them?” (Muhammad 47:10)

3. "وَمَوْعِظَةًۭ لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ" — An Admonition for the God-Fearing:

The Qur’an serves as mawʿiẓah (a reminder or admonition) for the muttaqīn—those who have taqwa (God-consciousness). It gives spiritual insight, urging the believers to remain righteous and avoid paths that lead to immorality, hypocrisy, or disbelief.

This is similar to Allah saying in Surah Al-Imran 3:138: “This [Qur’an] is a clear statement to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those conscious of Allah.” 

Connection with Earlier Verses in Surah An-Nur:

Surah An-Nur includes very specific legal rulings and moral teachings, which are very clearly stated in earlier verses of the Surah:

• Laws about zina (adultery) and its punishment (24:2)
• False accusations and the penalty for slander (24:4-5)
• The incident of the Ifk (false accusation against Aisha RA) (24:11-20)
• Adab (etiquette) of entering homes and lowering the gaze (24:27-31)
• Encouragement of marriage and modest living (24:32-33)

Verse 34 comes as a summary and conclusion to these detailed laws and stories—it reaffirms that all of this is not arbitrary but revealed with wisdom, clarity, and purpose.

Support from the Sunnah:

• The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that: The Qur’an is not just a book of recitation but a source of ḥikmah (wisdom), ʿibrah (lessons), and hudā (guidance).
• He said: “I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and the Sunnah; if you follow these you will never go astray.” (Muwatta Malik, Hadith 1594)

Prophet ﷺ also explained verses through his words and actions. For example: The punishment for slander mentioned in Surah An-Nur was implemented in the incident of the Ifk, where after divine revelation cleared Aisha (RA), the slanderers were punished accordingly.

Reflections and Lessons:

• The Qur'an is holistic: Legal rulings, moral stories, and spiritual reminders all come together for one purpose: to guide those who fear Allah.
• Lessons from the past: We are meant to study history through the lens of revelation, learning from the successes and failures of earlier communities.
• Reminder for the righteous: Only those with taqwa will truly benefit from divine guidance. Others may hear the verses, but they will not internalize them.

May Allah help us interpret these otherwise clear and meaningful verses that open up the vista of understanding Al Qur'an and specially this very important surah of Al Qur'an.

For more selected verses from this Surah, Please refer to our exclusive reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Sūrah 24. An-Nur (The Light)

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

You may like to 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