A small verse that is Spinal Cord of Al Qur’an

Mankind was created by the Lord of the worlds as a test case to see who among the lot has steered one's life to the Divine path and pledges that alone the Lord of the world is to be worshiped and to Him alone we seek help. This pledge has been drilled deep in the hearts of true believers who have an unflinching faith in one true God, we Muslims call Allah.

Today, we share a small verses from the very first Surah (Chapter) of Al Qur'an: Surah al-Fātiḥah. This verse sits in the center of the Surah and is considered as the Spinal Cord of Al Qur'an for just this small verses embodies in itself the entire meaning of Al Qur'an. Let us share the verse and then present its an in-depth analysis:

The Verse:

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

“You alone do we worship, and You alone do we turn for help.”

This verse is the spinal cord of the Qur’an. Everything before it prepares for it, and everything after it flows from it.

Ibn Kathir describes that the first part is a declaration of innocence from Shirk (polytheism), while the second negates having any power or strength, displaying the recognition that all affairs are controlled by Allah alone. This meaning is reiterated in various instances in the Qur'an. 

For instance, Allah said, (So worship Him (O Muhammad ) and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you (people) do.) (11:123)

((He alone is) the Lord of the east and the west; La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He). So take Him alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs)), (73:9) 

And that this verse as the declaration of ultimate tawhid (oneness of God). It signifies worshipping Allah alone, free from Shirk, while relying solely on Him for aid in all matters. This verse represents the core of Islamic belief, balancing submission with seeking Divine help.

Position in Surah al-Fātiḥah: Why this verse is central

Surah al-Fātiḥah has 7 verses, and 1:5 stands exactly in the middle. Herein under is the breakdown of the seven verses of the Surah:

• Verses 1–4: Who Allah is (Lord, Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment)
• Verse 5 denotes our response to that knowledge expressed in verses 1-4
• Verses 6–7 Having acknowledged that Allah is and that Allah alone is to be worshiped and is the only source of help for the mankind, verses 6-7 carry our request for guidance and salvation.

The entire Surah sums up our faith resting on correct knowledge of Allah that leads us to worship and depend on Him alone.

Linguistic depth of the verse 5

•  “Iyyāka” (إِيَّاكَ)
• Arabic places “You alone” before the verb for emphasis.
• Normal order: We worship You
• Qur’anic order: You alone we worship
• "You...'', means, we worship You alone and none else, and rely on You alone and none else. This is the perfect form of obedience and the entire religion is implied by these two ideas. Some of the Salaf said, Al-Fatihah is the secret of the Qur'an, while these words are the secret of Al-Fatihah
• Implication: (1) No worship of anyone else—explicit or subtle, (2) No divided loyalty, and (3) No hidden dependence
• “Naʿbudu” (نعبد): 
• The meaning of worship: ʿIbādah in Islam is not ritual alone. It includes: (1) Love, (2) Fear. (3) Hope, (4) Obedience, (5) Submission, and (6) Moral surrender
• Qur’anic echo: “I did not create jinn and mankind except that they worship Me.” (51:56)
• The term ibadah is used in three sense: (i) worship and adoration; (ii) obedience and submission; and (iii) service and subjection. In this particular context the term carries all these meanings simultaneously. In other words, we say to God that we worship and adore Him, that we are obedient to Him and follow His will, and also that we are His servants. Moreover man is so bound to none save God, that none but He, may be the subject of man's worship and total devotion, of man's unreserved obedience, of man's absolute subjection and servitude.
• “Nastaʿīn” (نستعين): The meaning of seeking help. Seeking help here is ultimate reliance, not denial of means.
• Not only do we worship God, but our relationship with Him is such that we turn to Him alone for help and succour. We know that He is the Lord of the whole universe and that He alone is the Master of all blessings and benefactions. Hence, in seeking the fulfilment of our needs we turn to Him alone. It is towards Him alone that we stretch forth our hands when we pray and supplicate. It is in Him that we repose our trust. It is therefore to Him alone that we address our request for true guidance.
• Qur’anic support: “And rely upon Allah if you are believers.” (5:23)

Why worship comes before help

• This order is deliberate. Because Worship is related to purpose, while Help is support for fulfilling purpose
• That is We do not worship Allah because He helps us; but because He helps us because we worship Him.
• This purifies intentions and prevents transactional faith.

Why Plural form is used (“We worship… we seek help”)

We should mention that in this Ayah, the type of speech here changes from the third person to direct speech by using the Kaf in the statement Iyyaka (You). This is because after the servant praised and thanked Allah, he stands before Him, addressing Him directly.

Another viewpoint: The implication of using We instead I is for a reason:

• Islam is communal, not individualistic
• You never stand alone before Allah
• Unity in worship creates moral solidarity
• Even in private prayer, you speak as part of an ummah.

Theological foundation: Tawḥīd

This verse combines two core forms of Tawḥīd:

• Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah: You alone we worship
• Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah: You alone we seek for help
• Together they negate: (1) Shirk in belief, (2) Shirk in practice, and (3) Shirk in reliance.

Connection to guidance (verses 6)

• اِهۡدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِيۡمَۙ‏ (1:6) Direct us on to the Straight Way
• Only after declaring: Exclusive worship and Exclusive reliance, that we ask: “Guide us to the straight path.”
• That is Guidance is not given to divided hearts.

In summary, Surah 1:5 is a covenant of exclusive devotion and total dependence—declaring that life’s purpose is worship, and life’s strength comes only from Allah.

This verse expresses another fundamental principle that follows logically from the preceding ones. It is also a decisive and crucial principle that draws a line between the freedom man gains in submitting to God and the abuse and debasement implicit in man’s servitude to man. Once man has submitted himself to God and sought help and guidance from Him alone, he has achieved total liberation from the tyranny of all religious, intellectual, moral and political powers.

May Allah guide our hearts to worship Him without any prejudice and depend upon Him for any help or assistance, rather than banking on the worldly gods, which unfortunately many Muslims do.

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 verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

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

Photo Credit: Zaffar Bhatti Artist | 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.

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Devastating fate of the disbelieving wife of Prophet Lot (Lūṭ عليه السلام) and his people - as mentioned in Al Qur'an

There are many anecdote mentioned in Al Qur'an of the people of the bygone times and their fate for their ungratefulness. While majority of stories relate to the mankind, there are many a mention of women that have been part of the theological history. Though many women are mentioned, they are usually identified by their relationships, such as "the wife of..." or "the mother of..." rather than their proper names, adhering to the Arab tradition of the time. The only woman mentioned by name is Maryam (Mary), mother of Prophet Eesa عليه السلام. 

Besides Maryam, the Quran often uses specific women to highlight virtues or lessons, such as the unfaithful wife of Noah, wife of Abu Lahab and the betraying wife of Prophet Lot (Lūṭ عليه السلام) as examples of disbelief, versus Mary and the wife of Pharaoh as examples of faith. Despite having such good fortunes and such close relations with Allah’s (SWT) prophets, the wives of Prophet Noah and Lot, AS, chose not to benefit from Allah’s(SWT) infinite mercy and blessings. They incurred Allah’s (SWT) wrath by their own actions and brought it upon themselves.

There is also a mention of Queen Sheba along with mention of Prophet Sulaiman, AS. We have already published an exclusive post on Maryam: Women in Quran - Maryam (Mary) - Mother of Prophet Eesa (Jesus). Today through this post, we talk about the devastating fate of betraying wife of Prophet Lot (Lūṭ عليه السلام), who betrayed her pious husband and prophet of Allah and sided with her people who lived a life of utter disgust in a place where shame had died and indecency mocked the mankind.

We have already published a detailed account of the curse of homosexuality in which the people of Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام have indulged in our earlier post: Prophet Lut (Lot) and Allah's Wrath on his People. Herein under we intend showing our readers an AI generated video exclusively made about the betraying wife of Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام to graphically show the fate of his wife and people after they refused to life an honourable life and failed the Divine test.

Before we share the video, herein under is just a summary of the complete anecdote that resulted into the Divine wrath on the wicked people who lived in the ancient city of Sodom. The Qur’an presents the story as a moral and spiritual warning:

Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام was sent to a people who openly practiced grave immorality, rejected divine guidance, and mocked reform despite clear admonition. Lūṭ عليه السلام called them to purity, repentance, and obedience to Allah, but they persisted in denial and hostility. Although his wife lived in the same household as a prophet, she did not share his faith; instead, she sided inwardly with the wrongdoing society and betrayed the mission by supporting the disbelievers (not through marital infidelity, but through belief and loyalty). When Allah’s decree came, the believers were saved while the town was destroyed, and Lūṭ’s wife perished with the disbelievers, demonstrating that nearness to righteousness by relationship does not save anyone—only faith and obedience do (cf. 7:80–84, 11:77–83, 26:160–175, 66:10).

* The photo used in the caption of a statue is attributed in the history books as that of the wife of  Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام who turned into ashes and was frozen on the ground when she tried to look back to see the Divine wrath falling on her people despite the warning that no one would look back. 

Herein under now watch the AI generated video of the wicked life of people of Sodom and the fate of their life along with the betraying wife of  Prophet Lūṭ عليه السلام:

The purpose of sharing such anecdotes of disbelief, betrayal and wickedness is to impress upon the notion that a pious woman can live with a disbelieving husband (like wife o Pharaoh) and still preserve her faith in one true God, while wicked and unfaithful wives, like wives of Prophets Noah and Lot,  could not benefit from the teachings of their pious husbands and were perished and remain noted in the history books as an example of betrayal and Divine punishment. This story is one of the darkest chapters in human history — a story Allah preserved in the Qur’an as a warning until the Last Day.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the reference material contained in Islam: My Ultimate Decision are that of the Islamic scholars / websites. We have shared these view as added information for better understanding of Islam. The reader may or may not agree with the views owing to their own perception / school of thought being followed. If any one differs with the material contained in this blog, 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 our posts all encompassing / comprehensive.

You may also refer to our reference page on Women in Islam and other Reference Pages created so far, to know more about Islam.

Photo: 

References:  | 1 |  2 | 3 |

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 Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Why does Allah mention the Thunder and Thunderbolts in Al Qur'an

We usually use the word "awe" without really understanding the depth hidden in this three lettered word. Generally seeking, awe is a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. However, in Al Qur'an uses the thunder and thunderbolts, that really shake us when these powerful noises and light is seen across the sky, to perfectly describe what awe truly is.

Today we share the 12-13th verses from Surah 13. Ar Ra'ad, a Surah which means the Thunder, to explain how the combination of the thunder and thunderbolts instill the otherwise rather misunderstood word "awe."  Let us first read the meaning of these two verses and then explain how Allah describe "awe" to glorify His immense might and power:

هُوَ الَّذِىۡ يُرِيۡكُمُ الۡبَرۡقَ خَوۡفًا وَّطَمَعًا وَّيُنۡشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ​ۚ‏ 

(13:12) He it is Who causes you to see lightning that inspires you with both fear and hope, and He it is Who whips up heavy clouds.

​وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعۡدُ بِحَمۡدِهٖ وَالۡمَلٰۤـئِكَةُ مِنۡ خِيۡفَتِهٖ ​ۚ وَيُرۡسِلُ الصَّوَاعِقَ فَيُصِيۡبُ بِهَا مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ وَهُمۡ يُجَادِلُوۡنَ فِى اللّٰه​ۚ ِ وَهُوَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡمِحَالِؕ‏ 

(13:13) The thunder celebrates His praise and holiness, and the angels, too, celebrate His praise for awe of Him. He hurls thunderbolts, striking with them whom He wills while they are engaged in disputation concerning Allah. He is Mighty in His contriving.

These two verses are short, but carry a complete worldview about nature, power, fear, hope, and human arrogance.

Immediate context of Surah Ar-Raʿad

We have already published an Overview and Exegesis of Sürah (13) Ar Ra’ad (The Thunder). Herein under is just a passing reference to what Surah Ar Ra'ad is about.  Surah Ar-Raʿd is about: (1) Signs in nature, (2) Rejection (by non believers and atheists) despite evidence, (3) Human insistence on arguing rather than reflecting and (4) The certainty of divine power behind visible laws

The above mentioned two verses come in a section where Allah is teaching through the natural world, not scripture alone — so the message addresses all humanity, believers and non-believers alike, specially the atheists of modern day. Let us explain to understand they why of these two verses:

Lightning: fear and hope together (13:12)

(13:12) He it is Who causes you to see lightning that inspires you with both fear and hope, and He it is Who whips up heavy clouds.

The Qur’an deliberately combines opposites. Here both fear and hope are mentioned to instill the Divine fear in the hearts of those who shrug off the Divine signs of fear that results into destruction, danger, loss, while at the same time the thunderbolts are a cue for hope that binges rain resulting into life and growth.

Key lesson: The verses means that Reality is not random — it is balanced. And that Lightning is neither purely benevolent nor purely destructive. Rather it reflects: (1) Human vulnerability, (2) Dependence on forces beyond control.

It also has lesson for the atheists that Nature is not “kind” or “cruel” — it is indifferent to human ego. Yet it is finely balanced in ways that sustain life.

Heavy clouds: unseen preparation before visible outcomes (“He brings forth heavy clouds.”). This means that Rain does not arrive suddenly. It requires a complete natural procedure to set in like: (1) Evaporation, (2) Accumulation, (3) Movement, (3) Timing.

Universal lesson: Major outcomes are preceded by unseen processes. This challenges: (1) Instant gratification, (2) * Reductionist thinking, and (3) Denial of unseen realities (including resurrection).

* Reductionist thinking is a cognitive approach that analyzes complex systems, problems, or behaviors by breaking them down into their smallest, most fundamental, and simple parts. Originating from René Descartes, this method posits that understanding the individual components allows for comprehension of the entire system. It is widely used in scientific fields like physics, chemistry, and biology to create objective, testable models, though it is often criticized for ignoring the context and interactions that make up the whole.

Thunder glorifies Allah (13:13) — what does this mean?

(13:13) The thunder celebrates His praise and holiness, and the angels, too, celebrate His praise for awe of Him. He hurls thunderbolts, striking with them whom He wills while they are engaged in disputation concerning Allah. He is Mighty in His contriving.

This is not poetic exaggeration. In Qur’anic language: (1) Everything follows the role assigned to it, (2) 

Obedience to divine law is tasbīḥ,  (3) 

Thunder “glorifies” Allah by: (1) Obeying physical laws flawlessly, (2) Never rebelling, (3) Never deviating

Contrast with humans: (1) Nature obeys without ego, and (2) Humans resist despite understanding.

Thunderbolts and human dispute “He strikes with them whom He wills, yet they dispute about Allah.”

This is a sharp rebuke. That is while people witness uncontrollable power, death can strike unpredictably - that is Safety is never guaranteed.

Despite these immense display of power and might, people (specially the atheists) still: (1) Argue about God’s existence, (2) Demand absolute proof, and (3) Mock the notion of accountability

Here is the Qur’anic irony: Human beings debate sovereignty while standing inside it.

“Severe in power” — not cruelty, but reality “He is severe in power.”

This does not mean Allah is unjust. Rather it means (1) His power is not symbolic, (2) His laws are not negotiable, and that (3) His authority is not theoretical

Nature already demonstrates this severity:

The Divine power and might strikes in the form of Earthquakes, Storms, Death and Aging. None of these is in the power of the humans, who can never control these events nor delay. These would strike as and when Divinely desired, no one knows where, when and how. 

Here the Qur’an asks: If you accept severity in nature, why deny sovereignty behind it?

Lessons specifically for atheists

These verses challenge atheism without insults or theology-heavy arguments. It may be added that despite denying the existence of a Divine Beings Who controls every movement, the atheists are too struck with the awe and fear the destruction that may strike them.  It calls:

• You already live by fear and hope
• That is why you take (1) Safety measures, (2) Insurance, and look for the Weather forecasts so that you are not caught in a storm and get hurt.
• And yet you deny: (1) Moral accountability, (2) Ultimate meaning
• You trust unseen processes like electrons, gravity, probability But reject: (1) Unseen purpose and (2) Unseen will
• You debate God under God’s sky while being benefiting from order and protected by balance, yet being Threatened by the same system at the same time. The Qur’an’s critique is simple: Denial is not intellectual — it is moral hesitation.

Lessons for all of mankind

• Humility  - Power surrounds us at all times — yet we live as if autonomous.
• Gratitude - Rain is not guaranteed. Stability is not promised.
• Restraint - If nature obeys, rebellion is uniquely human — and uniquely dangerous.
• Reflection over argument - The Qur’an does not say they deny Allah — it says: “They dispute about Allah.” - that is Disputation replaces reflection when arrogance enters.

One-line Qur’anic summary

These verses do not aim to prove God mathematically. Rather these aim to wake the conscience. That is while mankind argues, forgetting that it lives inside a reality it did not create. 

This is what Al Qur'an is saying: Look at the sky before you argue about the One who governs it. Thus, let the Divine awe instill fear in us the Divine might and power  while at them same time being hopeful of His infinite mercy so that we are not struck by His destructive power and bowing to Him for His mercy to help us understand the Divine wisdom in everything that we see around us. 

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 13. Al Ra'd - The Thunder  already published.

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 verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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: Overview and Selected verses from Sürah (13) Ar Ra’ad (The Thunder)

Sūrah Ar-Ra'd, (Arabic: الرعد ), the Thunder, is the 13th sūrah (chapter) of Al-Qurʾān, composed of 43 verses (āyāt), part of Juzʼ13 with one Sajdah ۩ (Prostration) in the 15th verse. It is predominantly Makkan (though some scholars note a few Madinan verses, but its tone and themes are Makkan). The Surah begins with "المر (Alif. Lam. Mim. Ra", one of the Huroof Muqatta’at - Disjoined Letters. Please refer to our earlier post "Understanding the Holy Quran: Huroof Muqatta’at - Disjoined Letters" to know more about these disjoined letters.

The Sürah draws its name from the verse: “And the thunder glorifies His praise, and so do the angels out of fear of Him.” (13:13). Thunder here symbolizes The overwhelming power of Allah, nature itself bearing witness to His majesty.

We have already shared the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Surah. Herein under we will only present a condensed overview of the entire Sūrah, which includes the context, major themes and subjects and lessons that we can learn from this Sūrah, followed by references to  some of the selected verses already published.

Context of revelation (Why this surah was revealed)

Surah Ar-Raʿd was revealed in the difficult times of life Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the last stage of the Mission of the Holy Prophet at Makkah and during the same period in which Surahs Yunus, Hud and Al- A'araf were sent down. The mocking of the Prophet ﷺ at the hands of the dis-believers of Makkah was at its peak while rejecting the concept of resurrections and demanding a "sign" from the Heavenly Deity to satisfy them that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was indeed a prophet of Allah. Allah responds by: (1) 

Redirecting attention from spectacles to signs, (2) From external miracles to inner transformation, and (3) From impatience to moral endurance and (3)

Core theme of Surah Ar-Raʿd

Truth is not validated by noise or numbers, but by inner transformation and steadfastness upon divine guidance.

This sūrah is concerned with the oneness of God, the message, the Day of judgement, and the penalty. The sūrah revolves around an important axis: what is truth is clear through power and stability, and what is falsehood is clear through its weakness. The verses call upon people to not be deceived by the glitter of falsehood because it is inevitably fleeting, while the truth shines throughout the entire universe.

Rundown of the Surah with Selected / group of important verses

1️⃣ The Qur’an is truth—even if denied (13:1)

• “These are the verses of the Book; and what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.”
• Lesson today: (1) Truth does not depend on majority approval, (2) Rejection does not negate reality, (3) Faith often begins in isolation

2️⃣ Allah’s signs in the universe (13:2–4)

• These verses mention: (1) Heavens raised without pillars, (2) Order of the sun and moon, (3) Diversity of land, crops, fruits
• “Indeed, in that are signs for people who reflect.” (13:4)
• Lesson today: (1) Islam invites reflection, not blind belief, (3) Scientific discovery should lead to humility, not arrogance

3️⃣ Certainty of resurrection (13:5)

• “If you are astonished, then astonishing is their saying: ‘When we are dust, will we indeed be in a new creation?’”
• Lesson today: (1) Denial of the Hereafter leads to moral confusion, (2) Accountability gives meaning to ethics

4️⃣ Allah does not change people until they change themselves (13:11)

•  ⭐ One of the most cited verses: “Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.”
• Meaning: (1) Divine help follows moral reform, (2) Decline is internal before it is external
• Application today: (1) Personal growth precedes social reform. (2) Blaming systems without self-accountability is futile
• Applicability to Muslims: Muslims once dominated in all fields of science, astrology, astronomy, medicine, oceanography, mathematics and others while the Western world was far behind them. Now tides have changed. The initial euphoria of rise has subdued and taken over by the West / Non Muslims while Muslims have become entirely dependent on research and development in all forms of knowledge and sciences of the West. This verse should serve as an eye opener for the Muslims and to wake up from their slumber of ignorance to rise and reclaim their past glory.

5️⃣ Thunder, fear, and hope (13:12–13)

• “He shows you lightning, causing fear and hope…”
• Lesson - Faith balances: (1) Fear without despair, (2) Hope without complacency, and (3) Nature reminds us of human fragility

6️⃣ Falsehood is loud but shallow; truth is quiet but lasting (13:17)

• ⭐ A powerful parable: “As for the foam, it vanishes; but what benefits people remains on the earth.”
• Lesson today: (1) Trends fade, truth remains, (2) Propaganda disappears, principles endure, (3) Social media “noise” is not moral substance

7️⃣ The people of understanding (13:19–22)

• “Is one who knows that what has been revealed to you is the truth like one who is blind?”
• Allah describes the people of insight as those who: (1) Keep their covenant with Allah, (2) Maintain ties, (3) Are patient, and (4) Repel evil with good
• Lesson: (1) Faith is seen in character, not claims, (2) Knowledge must produce ethics

8️⃣ The world is not the reward (13:26)

• “The life of this world is nothing compared to the Hereafter except temporary enjoyment.”
• Lesson today: (1) Material comfort is not success, (2) Delayed justice is not denial of justice

9️⃣ The mission of the Prophet ﷺ (13:40)

• “Your duty is only to convey; upon Us is the reckoning.”
• There is a message in the verse for all people engaged in Da'wah - like all prophets, their job is only to extend the invitation. Thereafter, it is for others to come to Islam and those who still do not accept the ultimate truth, their matter is with Allah.
• Lesson: Da'wah is responsibility, not control for results belong to Allah.

Herein under are links to the explanation of some of the essential verses of Sürah Ar Ra’ad already published:

• Verse 11: A single verse lays down three foundational truths about: Life, Destiny and Moral Responsibility
• Verses 12-13: Why does Allah mention the Thunder and Thunderbolts in Al Qur'an
• Verse 26: But the life of this world (compared to the Hereafter) is only a fleeting enjoyment
• Verse 28: Surely in remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest

In time we shall add more verses for the benefit 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.

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

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

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

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

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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Al Qur'an: Overview and Selected verses from Sürah (34) Saba’- (The Sabaeans)

Surah Saba’ (سَبَأ) is the 34th chapter of Al Qur'an with 54 verses part of the Juzʼ 22. It is a Makkan surah focusing on the civilizations as how societies rise through gratitude and justice, and fall through arrogance, denial, and ingratitude.

The name of the chapter refers to Sheba, a kingdom mentioned in the Qur'an and the Bible. Sheba is the subject of verses 15 to 21 of the surah, although this passage likely does not refer to the kingdom under the famous Queen of Sheba, but rather about a group of people in the same region in a later period. Orientalist A. F. L. Beeston and Jérémie Schiettecatte identified the people in these verses to be the Sabaeans who lived in the Ma'rib valley. [1]

Note: A very important clarification

Before we go further, we make one clarification for the readers of Al Qur'an who often mistake this Surah with the mention of the Queen of Sheba and her interaction / dialogue, diplomacy, and conversion with Solomon. Instead the mention of Queen of Sheba (Bilqīs) appears in Surah An-Naml (27:22–44), where: (1) She rules a powerful kingdom, (2) She initially worships the sun, (3) She corresponds with Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, and (3) She witnesses Allah’s signs and submits to Him.

Why the difference? Surah Saba focuses on civilizational gratitude and collapse, while Surah An-Naml focuses on guidance, wisdom, and submission to truth. Remember, Al Qur’an distributes aspects of history thematically, not chronologically.

Coming over to the 34th Surah, We have already shared the | Exegesis / Tafseer | of the Sürah Saba’ which can be read from clicking on the highlighted link. 

Although, the theme of this post is the some of the selected verses from this surah, however, herein under we first present an overview of the Sūrah, as an introduction to the Sūrah. Thereafter, we will share some of the selected verses that cover the basic theme of the Sūrah. Therefore, the following overview covers the context, major themes / subjects and lessons that we draw from this Sūrah for our guidance in present times.

Core theme of Surah Saba’

At its core, Sürah Saba’ addresses gratitude vs. ingratitude, faith vs. denial, and accountability in the Hereafter. It contrasts people who recognize Allah’s favors and submit to Him with those who become arrogant, deny resurrection, and misuse blessings. The surah weaves together:

• Historical examples
• Stories of prophets
• Arguments for resurrection
• Refutations of shirk (associating partners with Allah)

Main Themes of Sürah Saba’

• Allah’s Absolute Knowledge / Power & the Hereafter
• The surah opens by affirming that nothing in the heavens or the earth escapes Allah’s knowledge (34:1–3). This directly refutes the denial of resurrection, emphasizing that One who knows all can surely resurrect all.
• Key verse: “Not absent from Him is the weight of an atom in the heavens or the earth…” (34:3)
• Lesson today: (1) Nothing escapes accountability, (2) Hidden injustice is still recorded, and (3) Denial of resurrection is intellectually shallow. This refutes modern materialism that dismisses moral consequence.
• Denial of the Hereafter and Its Consequences
• Disbelievers mock the idea of resurrection.
• Allah responds with rational and moral arguments: denial does not erase accountability (34:3–9).
• Mention of Prophets Dāwūd & Sulaymān: Power with gratitude (34:10–14): These prophets are presented as models of gratitude despite immense power:
• Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Mountains and birds joined him in glorifying Allah; he was taught skill in armor-making (34:10–11).
• Prophet Sulayman عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ: Commanded the wind, jinn, and animals, yet remained a thankful servant (34:12–14). The emphasis is that Prophet Sulaymān had: (1)Political power, (2)Economic strength, and (3)Technological advantage - Yet he: Acknowledged Allah and used power for service, not arrogance.
• Key verses: “Work, O family of Dāwūd, in gratitude. And few of My servants are truly grateful.” (34:13)
• The people of Saba’: Prosperity destroyed by ingratitude (34:15–19): This is the central historical parable of the surah, which focuses on their rise and fall.
• Central verse: “There was for [the people of] Saba’ a sign in their dwelling place…” (34:15)
• They lived in prosperity with fertile land, economic stability and a magnificent dam (Ma’rib Dam). and they were Divinely told to "Eat from the provision of your Lord and be grateful to Him.” (34:15)
• But they turned away in arrogance and ingratitude.
• Thus Allah caused the dam to collapse, turning their lush land into barren terrain (34:16–17).
• Lesson: 
• Civilizations do not fall due to lack of resources, but due to moral decay and ingratitude.
• Environmental and social collapse often follows moral decay
• Blessings abused become means of destruction
• False Leaders and Blind Following
• On the Day of Judgment, followers will blame their leaders, and leaders will deny responsibility (34:31–33).
• This exposes the illusion of power and influence in dunya.
• False sense of security through wealth & children (34:35–37)
• Key verse: “It is not your wealth nor your children that bring you closer to Us…” (34:37)
• Lesson today: (1)Status is not spirituality, (2)Privilege is not proof of truth, and (3)Nearness to Allah is moral, not material
• Shayṭān’s strategy exposed (34:20–21)
• Key verse: “And Iblīs found his assumption about them to be true…” (34:20)
• Shayṭān does not force disbelief—he exploits: (1) Negligence, (2) Ingratitude, and (3) Moral laziness
• Lesson today: Most people fall not through rebellion, but distraction
• The illusion of intercession & false leaders (34:22–23)
• Key verse: “Say: Call upon those you claim besides Allah…” (34:22)
• Lesson today: No ideology, celebrity, or system will save anyone - the responsibility rests with the individuals.
• Psychology of denial (34:31–33): These verses show: Followers blaming leaders and leaders blaming followers. Thus No one will escape accountability.
• The Prophet ﷺ as a universal warner: The Prophet ﷺ is reassured that rejection is not new. Past nations also denied truth—until reality overtook them (34:43–54)
• Key verse: “We have not sent you except as a bringer of good news and a warner to all mankind.”
• Lesson today: Islam is universal and Da'wah transcends ethnicity, class, and geography

Lessons for us today

• Prosperity without ethics is fragile
• Gratitude is a civilizational force
• Environmental collapse is often moral collapse
• Wealth does not equal worth
• Faith must shape how power is used
• Accountability cannot be outsourced

Summarizing, Surah Saba’ teaches that gratitude sustains civilizations, arrogance destroys them, wealth is a test not a proof, and accountability before Allah is unavoidable.

We now share herein under some of the selected verses from  Sürah Saba’ already published:

• Verse 13: But few of My servants are grateful
• Verses 31-33: A Jaw-Dropping dialogue of blame game  (on Day of Judgement) between the blind followers and the misleading masters (mentioned in Al Qur’an)

We will add more verses in time, In Sha Allah.

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 verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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

A Jaw-Dropping dialogue of blame game (on Day of Judgement) between the blind followers and the misleading masters (mentioned in Al Qur’an)

Blame game is an age old tactics on the part of the wrong doers and criminals who continue to do immoral and unbecoming acts that fall under the jurisdiction of law of society or country so long they are not caught. However, once caught and are produced in a court to be charged with their crime, they throw the blame on those on whose behest they have indulged in their heinous acts. Before we proceed further in our post of tday, herein under is the definition of blame-game:

The "blame game" is a common, unproductive, and often destructive pattern of behavior where individuals or groups involved in a failure or mistake focus on assigning fault to others rather than taking responsibility or finding solutions. It involves mutual accusations, finger-pointing, and, in many cases, the creation of scapegoats to avoid accountability.

Keeping the concept of blame game at the back of our mind, we share three verses from Al Qur'an which form a unique dialogue which will be witnessed on the Day of Judgement in the Divine COurt of the Lord of the universe between a group of people who hade been following their leaders blindly and acting in ways completely tangent to the Divine commandments. Upon hearing their charge sheet they would straightaway blame their masters, while the masters would try to absolve them of the charges saying that it was the fault of their followers to listen to them and act taking their own decisions for their gains.

These three verses (34: 31-33) are from Surah 34. Saba which form one continuous scene. The Qur’an pulls the curtain back on what will happen after denial hardens into regret, especially in societies where people outsource thinking and morality to elites.

The verses (meaning-focused translation)

• (34:31) 
• The disbelievers say:  “We shall never believe in this Qur'an, nor in any Scripture before it.” If you could only see the wrong-doers arrayed before their Lord, each bandying charges against the other. Those who were suppressed will say to those who waxed arrogant: “Had it not been for you, we would have been believers.”
• That is, the common people who are following their leaders, chiefs, saints and rulers blindly, and are not prepared to listen to any word of advice from a well-wisher against them. When the same people will sec the actual reality and will also remember how their religious leaders used to misrepresent things, and when they will realize what doom they are going to meet on account of following their leaders, they will turn on them, and say, “O wretched people, you led us astray: you are responsible for all our afflictions. Had you not misguided us, we would have listened to the Messengers of Allah and believed in what they said.
• A similar scenario has been painted in Surah 2. Al Baqarah (The Cow) in which the followed will disown their followers saying: (2:166) At that moment those who have been followed will disown their followers, and they will see the chastisement, and their resources will be cut asunder.

Then Allah says: If only you could see when the wrongdoers are made to stand before their Lord, throwing blame back and forth at one another…

• (34:32) 
• The arrogant ones will retort to those who were suppressed: “What! Did we bar you from the guidance after it came to you? Not at all; rather you yourselves were evil-doers.
• That is, they will say: We had no power by which a few of us could have compelled hundreds of thousands of the people like you to follow us. If you had the will to believe, you could have deposed us from leadership and power and authority and government. In fact, you were our army, you were the source of our wealth and power. But for your offerings and gifts and taxes we should have been paupers. Had you not sworn allegiance to us, we could not have flourished as saints even for a day. Had you not appreciated and applauded us as leaders, we would have remained unknown.
• (34:33) 
• Those who were suppressed will say to those who waxed arrogant: “By no means; it was your scheming, night and day, when you would enjoin us to disbelieve in Allah and set up others as equals to Him.” When they are confronted with the chastisement, they will be remorseful in their hearts. We shall put fetters around the necks of the unbelievers. Can people be requited except for their deeds?
• That is the common people’s reply will be: “How can you hold us as equal partners in this responsibility? Do you also remember what sort of trickeries and deceptions and false propaganda you practiced and what efforts you used to make to tempt and entice the people day and night. It is not just that you presented the world before us and we were allured, but this is also a fact that you used to befool us by your frauds and deceptions and each one of you brought a new bait every day to tempt and lure the simple people.”
• The fate of the followed and followers will be the same as also mentioned in Surah 2. Al Baqarah (2:167) And the followers will then say: “Oh if only we might return again, we would disown them as they have disowned us?”  Thus Allah will show them their works in a manner causing them bitter regrets. Never will they come out of the Fire.

Then all of them will conceal regret when they see the punishment.

The core of Framework of these verses

Before we describe the dialogue of these three verses in detail, let us see how these describe a recurring human pattern on the Day of Judgment:

• Followers blame leaders for misguidance
• Leaders deny responsibility and blame followers
• Both are held accountable

That is this is not merely eschatology; it is a diagnosis of social psychology. The Qur’an is exposing how systems of influence operate and how moral responsibility is evaded.

The Qur’anic Framework (in brief)

From 34:31–33, we learn four principles:

• Influence exists (leaders shape thought)
• Choice exists (followers are not coerced)
• Blame-shifting is universal
• Accountability is individual

Now let us return to the context and explanation of these three verses.

Immediate context in Surah Saba

We have already mentioned the context in which Surah Saba was revealed in the Overview and the Exegesis of the surah already published. Herein under is just a brief point wise context with which Surah Saba deals with:

• Denial despite evidence
• Civilizations intoxicated by power
• False confidence in leaders, wealth, and systems
• Collapse followed by blame
• Earlier in the surah: (1) Knowledgeable people recognize truth (34:6), and (2) Sabaʾ collapses due to ingratitude (34:15–19)

Now, in 34:31–33, Allah shows the psychological endgame of denial that is when truth is rejected collectively, no one accepts responsibility individually.

Why the Qur’an stages a dialogue

This is an obvious question some readers may come up with. But this not merely storytelling for drama, for it is moral exposure.

Two groups are identified in these verses are: (1) Al-mustad‘afūn – the socially weak, followers, masses, and (2) Al-mustakbirūn – the arrogant elites, influencers, power-holders.  

The Qur’an shows that both are guilty, but in different ways. And if we look around, the same blame game still continues despite these jaw drooping mentions and cautions in Al Qur'an. Let us now expand these verses for better understanding:

The illusion exposed: “We were just following”

When the weak followers, yet offenders and law breakers or not following the path shown to them by the messengers and prophets of Allah, due to their blind following of their deceiving leaders:

• The Excuse of the Weak: “If it were not f or you, we would have believed.”
• This reflects a universal excuse: 
• “I was just following society”
• “This is how the system works”
• “Everyone thinks this way”
• “Our leaders/scientists/media said so”
• Qur’anic verdict: Al Qur'an strictly reject such notions for:
• Moral agency cannot be delegated.
• Guidance came to them directly — through revelation, conscience, and signs.

The counter-illusion: “It was their choice”

The elite and the mighty who once occupied the positions of authority and misled their people to follow them or what their forefathers did or how they tried to counter the prophets by enticing their followers to side with them so that their positions could not be harmed. On the Day of Judgement, when they would see their once faithful followers have found courage to speak the truth and themselves being cornered, 

• The elites would respond: “Did we block you from guidance?”
• This exposes another false comfort: (1) Leaders claim neutrality, (2) Influencers deny responsibility, and (3) Power structures pretend they only “offer options”
• But the Qur’an immediately unmasks this claim.

“Makr al-layl wa-n-nahār”  - “Your plotting night and day” (34:33)

This is the most relevant phrase today, even today. But this is not accidental wording, for t refers to:

• Continuous persuasion
• Normalization of falsehood
• Cultural engineering
• Ideological pressure disguised as progress

Applicability of the verses

The quoted verses apply to people and their leaders in all walks of life. Be it be religion, governments, establishments of all type. As for religions, pushing away the prophets for the sake of faith of the forefathers, supporting ruthless and illegitimate governments despite their cruelty and corruption and siding with the policies of the bosses in organizations no matter how inhuman they may be, or even in societies where the general populations is suppressed by the demagogues. Yet supporting them for own temporary gains will leave them accounted for and will be punished along with those at the helm of the affairs.

And what a strange coincidence that in modern times we still witness the same equivalents like: 

• 24/7 media narratives, most of which is to brain wash the viewers with articulately shaping the false news which look like authentic to mislead the audience on the behest of individuals, groups or even government.
• Algorithm-driven influence
• Economic coercion
• Redefining truth, morality, and success

The Qur’an acknowledges systemic manipulation — but does not absolve submission to it.

The most terrifying moment: concealed regret (“They will conceal regret when they see the punishment.”)

A time finally comes when concealing regret is the only thing one can do for: (1) Blame no longer benefits anyone, (2) Truth is now undeniable, and (3) All excuses have expired

This is regret without repentance is of its worst kind, for regretting one's misconduct or unfaithfulness and repenting over it cannot revert the game. Seeing the punishment in front means the time has run out and no excuses can work anymore. That is why man has been reminded time and again to instantly regret one's wrong doings and and seek Divine forgiveness for one never knows when his time is up in this world. 

Comparison of the Framework mentioned in 34:31-33 with Pharaoh and his people

Surah Saba 34:31–33 does not name Pharaoh, yet it describes the same moral architecture that the Qur’an repeatedly exposes through Pharaoh’s story. One is abstract and dialogical; the other is historical and concrete. Together they reveal a timeless pattern. Let us just correlate these to connections briefly:

• Pharaoh as the living embodiment of mustakbirūn: Pharaoh personifies what 34:32–33 describes as given in Al Qur'an 10:83 “Indeed, he was arrogant and among the transgressors.”
• Pharaoh Traits: Pharaoh exhibited the exact traits that could be attributed to mustakbirūn. 
• Claimed ultimate authority (“I am your highest lord” — 79:24)
• Controlled truth and fear
• Defined loyalty as survival
• This is exactly the arrogant leadership blamed in Surah Saba.
• “Makr al-layl wa-n-nahār” in Pharaoh’s Egypt
• Surah Saba says: “Your plotting night and day…” (34:33)
• Pharaoh’s system operated the same way: 
• Killing sons, sparing women (28:4)
• Using magicians as spectacle (7:116)
• Framing Musa ﷺ as a threat to order (40:26)
• This was continuous psychological control, not a single act of oppression.
• Followers’ excuse: “We were powerless”
• In Surah Saba, the followers lamented: “If not for you, we would have believed.”
• In Pharaoh’s story: People feared loss of livelihood  as Pharaoh's warned: “Will you leave Musa and his people to cause corruption?” (7:127)
• Qur’anic correction: Fear explains obedience — it does not absolve it.
• Leaders’ denial of responsibility
• Surah Saba leaders say: “Did we block you from guidance?”
• Pharaoh says: “I only show you what I see, and I only guide you to the right path.” (40:29)
• Same claim: (1) “We are neutral” (2) “We are rational” (3) “We offer stability”
• The Qur’an exposes this as false guardianship.
• The moment of regret
• Pharaoh: Believes at drowning — too late (10:90–91)
• People: Follow him into destruction (11:98), Will argue in Hell (40:47–48)
• This mirrors 34:33: “They will conceal regret when they see the punishment.”
• A direct Qur’anic parallel verse: “When they argue with one another in the Fire…” (40:47) - This is the same courtroom scene as Surah Saba — just expressed elsewhere.
• Shared Qur’anic principle: Both narratives establish that (1) Tyrants fall, followers scatter, and no one carries another’s moral burden, and (2) Obedience to false authority is still a choice.
• Relevance to our present life
• Pharaoh is not just a man — he is a pattern: (1) Authoritarian leaders, (2) Ideological states, (3) Cultural tyrannies, (4) Corporate or media Pharaohs.
• And people still say: (1) “We had no alternative” (2) “This was the system” (3) “Everyone followed”

Thus Surah Saba and Pharaoh’s story answer: Guidance reaches individuals even inside oppressive systems. Pharaoh shows how misguidance is organized; Surah Saba shows how it is judged. The Qur’an does not merely condemn tyrants — it warns societies. Pharaoh fell not because he ruled alone, but because people walked behind him.

Comparison of 34:31-33 with Surah Al-A‘rāf 7:38–39 (Nations accusing nations)

While 34:31-33 solely mention people with the ones whom they follow, the same blame game on a larger canvas can be witnessed between nations. We are presently witnessing this phenomenon where nations once following the bigger powers have later been complaining of being drawn in the dirty game and blamed those they once willingly followed.

Without going into sufficient details, we just mention the crux of 7:38-30 which tell us of groups enter Hell one after another and each nation curses the previous one for leading them astray. The later ones demand double punishment for the earlier ones. And in reply Allah declares: “For each is double — but you do not know.” That is both the followed and following nations will be paid in full, rather double, for everyone has to get one's due share for disobedience of Divine commandments. 

Correlation with our present life

These verses speak directly to today’s world and cautioning us against, specially viewed in the comparison of Pharaoh and his followers presented above:

• Blind following the (1) Political tribes, (2) Celebrity intellectuals, and (3) Cultural norms over conscience
• Elite manipulation like shaping values subtly, not forcefully and replacing God with “systems”, “markets”, “science”, or “self”
• Mutual blame culture wherein citizens blame leaders, Leaders blame masses and thus everyone trying to avoid accountability and throwing blame on others.

That is the Qur’an declares that on the Day of Judgment, no one carries another’s moral burden. This should serve as a caution that guidance does reach the individuals, even when misguidance is organized collectively. It is up to the blind followers to decide now how would the brace them on the Day of Judgement when they will pitched against the real truth.

One lime Summary of Surah Sabah 34:31-33

On the Day of Judgment, followers will realize they chose comfort over conscience, and leaders will realize influence without responsibility is condemnation. But then this realization will be too late.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 34. Saba  (The Sabaeans)  already published.

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 verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. .

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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.

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