A powerful rhetorical question in Al Qur’an: Is Divine guidance a mercy to everyone even if they disbelieve

Al Qur'an is replete with rhetorical questions mostly posed to the disbelievers when they challenge to word of One True God and show no confidence in the prophets sent to them. The disbelievers  often objected to Al Qur'an revelated to an orphan among them while they, the affluent of Makkah, were left out. In fact what they were saying was that why the Divine guidance not sent to one from them so they could be honoured and respected more.

In such like environment, Allah poses a counter question as mentioned in the 5th verse of Surah 43. Az Zukhruf (The Golden Ornaments) being shared today along with its explanation and its relevance even to the mindset of all those who still disbelieve in existing of One True God and turn to wordily deities:

أَفَنَضْرِبُ عَنكُمُ ٱلذِّكْرَ صَفْحًا أَن كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا مُّسْرِفِينَ

Now, should We despair and stop sending this Admonition to you only because you are a people who have transgressed (all limits)?

Context of the verse

Surah Az Zukhruf was revealed in Makkah, where the Prophet Muhammad was facing strong rejection from the Quraysh. Many people were dismissing the Qur’an, mocking it, or refusing to reflect on its message. Thus, verses around 43:5 emphasize:

• The Qur’an is a Reminder (dhikr) sent for guidance.
• Even when people persist in wrongdoing or disbelief, Allah does not immediately withdraw guidance.
• Instead, He continues to send reminders as a form of mercy.

So the verse is essentially rhetorical: “Should We stop reminding you just because you keep rejecting it?” The implied answer is no—Allah continues to provide guidance despite human stubbornness. Here, Allah is questioning the disbelievers' arrogance. Should He cease revealing the Qur'an simply because they are a people who have exceeded all limits (extravagant/mushrikin) in their disbelief and rebellion? The verse implies that despite their continuous rejection and sins, Allah's mercy allows the guidance (the Quran) to continue reaching them. It is not removed from them just because they choose to act recklessly, even though they deserve for it to be taken away.

Key meaning

Allah’s message is not dependent on human acceptance. That is persistent rejection does not mean the truth disappears. Therefore continued revelation is a sign of patience and mercy, not indifference.

Ibn Kathir explains this verse as a rebuke to the idolaters for rejecting the Qur'an. The verse emphasizes that the Quran is a gracious "Reminder" and guide, and despite the people's stubbornness and excess in disbelief, Allah continues to send it as proof against them rather than abandoning them entirely.

One of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi explains that:

• In this one sentence the whole history that had taken place since the time the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) had proclaimed to be a Prophet till the revelation of these verses during the past few years has been compressed. 
• This sentence depicts the following picture: A nation has been involved in ignorance, backwardness and depravity for centuries. Suddenly, Allah looks at it with favor. He raises in it an illustrious guide and sends down His own Word to take it out of the darkness of ignorance so that it is aroused from slumber, it gives up superstitions of ignorance and it becomes aware of the truth and adopts the right way of life. 
• But the ignorant people of the nation and the tribal chiefs turn hostile to the guide, and try their utmost to defeat him and his mission. With the passage of time their hostility and mischief go on increasing; so much so that they make up their mind to kill him. 
• At this, it is being said: "Should We stop making any efforts to reform you because you are proving to be un-worthy people? Should We withhold sending down this Admonition, and leave you lying in the same wretched state in which you have been lying since centuries ? Do you really think that should be the demand of Our Mercy ? Have you ever considered what doom you would meet when you have turned down the bounty of Allah and persisted in falsehood after the truth has come before you?" 

Relevance for those who don’t believe

For someone who does not believe in Allah, the verse carries a few important ideas:

• Opportunity remains open The message is still being presented—through scripture, reflection, and signs—rather than being withdrawn.
• Accountability is emphasized If guidance continues to come but is ignored, responsibility increases.
• It challenges indifference The verse pushes a person to ask: “If this message keeps appearing, is it worth examining more seriously?”
• It reflects divine patience Instead of immediate punishment, there is time given to reconsider, question, and explore.

In simple terms. the verse is saying: “Even if people reject the truth, should it stop being offered to them? No—the reminder continues.”

Looking around us, there are lot of people who today, in a life of extreme exposure of information, scientific correlations and jaw dropping realities, who still do not believe in One True God and try to re-mould the Divine scriptures to suit their own likinn -g. Yet despite their rejection and ignorance, the message of One True God remains unchanged, still calling all disbelievers to His very own final religion - Islam.

It is indeed most remarkable that God, in His glory and sublimity, should care for such people, revealing to them a book which is easy to understand, telling them about what they feel, explaining the inner aspects of their lives, showing them the path delineated by His guidance, relating to them accounts of earlier communities and reminding them of God's law that was in effect during ancient times. Yet they continue to ignore His guidance, turning away from it. Yet, God continues to shower His mercies on them - for God to say that they will be deprived of His care and be ignored for their transgression sounds dreadful. 

At this, it is being said: " Should We stop making any efforts to reform you because you are proving to be un-worthy people? Should We withhold sending down this Admonition, and leave you lying in the same wretched state in which you have been lying since centuries ? Do you really think that should be the demand of Our Mercy ? Have you ever considered what doom you would meet when you have turned down the bounty of Allah and persisted in falsehood after the truth has come before you? "

So let those who disbelieve in One True God take heed to Divine kindness and mercy and accept His Divine message which today is much more easy to understand and interpret.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah (43) Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments of Gold / luxury)  already published. In time we will add more selected ayat / verses from this surah.

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 pages: 

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

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

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

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

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

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

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

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Al-Qurʾān: Overview and Selected verses from: Sürah (43) Az-Zukhruf (Ornaments of Gold)

Wealth is THE biggest weakness of man since time immemorial. Man has been in pursuit of rare metals, diamonds and precious objects. However, god stands out from the list for for most it is the sign one's wealth which helps him lead a luxurious life. That is why believers are warned not to pursue a luxurious life for it distances them from remembrance of Allah and also from one's near and dear ones. the abundance of wealth also induces arrogance and self pride which leads him to occupy corridors of power and rule others, mostly because of the power of wealth.

In this context, we share today an overview of Surah Az-Zukhruf (43), (Named after the golden ornaments recognized in verse 35 and again in verse 53, this surah dates back to the Second Meccan Period before the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medina.), that confronts a very specific mindset: being dazzled by wealth, status, and luxury until truth is ignored. The title “Az-Zukhruf” means “ornaments / glitter / gold adornment”—a perfect symbol for the illusion it critiques. Surah Az-Zukhruf teaches that wealth and luxury are not signs of truth or success but tests that can blind the heart—true honor lies in faith, remembrance of Allah, and prioritizing the Hereafter over the glitter of this world.

We have already published the Tafseer / Exegesis of the Sürah, which can be accessed from by clicking on the highlighted link:  Surah Az-Zukhruf The Ornaments of Gold. Herein under we will only present an overview entire Sūrah and some of the selected verses for selective reading / references. The following overview 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.

What the surah is about (core theme)

At its heart, the surah says: Don’t measure truth by wealth—and don’t let luxury blind your heart. It does this by:

• Reaffirming revelation as guidance
• Exposing the logic of the wealthy elites of Makkah
• Showing how material success can become a veil
• Reminding that the Hereafter is the real measure of success

The mindset it challenges (then and now)

• The mindset it challenges (then and now): 
• As mentioned earlier, this Surah of Al Qur'an confronts the rich and the affluent, those whose wealth gave them status, power and authority. And out of arrogance it has been quoted in this Surah that “Why was this Qur’an not sent down upon a great man from the two cities?” (43:31). That is if at all a prophet was to be chosen from their tribe, why an orphan has been preferred over the rich and powerful.
• Today’s version: 
• “If it were true, powerful people would follow it.”
• “Success proves correctness.”
• “Influencers define reality.”
• The Qur’an rejects this completely.
• “We follow what our society follows”
• “Indeed, we found our forefathers upon a way, and we are following their footsteps.” (43:22) - This is social conformity over truth.
• Today nothing has changed. Cultural trends and consumer lifestyle norms blind imitation of “successful” people.
• Wealth as proof of divine favor
• Those who are gifted, proudly proclaim their closeness to the Divine power, though they hardly believe in it.
• for them it has been said: “Do they think that what We extend to them of wealth and children is hastening good for them? Rather, they do not perceive.” (related meaning across Qur’anic themes), 
• Thus, the surah dismantles the idea that possession of wealth approves their status and closeness to the Divine deity - which in fact is nothing but a fallacy.

The most powerful verse on luxury

Verses 43:33–35 spell out the illusion of luxury

“If it were not that people would become one community (in disbelief), We would have made for those who disbelieve… houses with silver roofs, stairways, doors, couches… and gold adornments. But all that is nothing but enjoyment of worldly life, and the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.”

This is extraordinary. For it means Allah could give unlimited luxury to disbelievers - but that would mislead humanity. Therefore, wealth is not a sign of truth

Deep lesson: What these verses mean is that luxury is not honor—it is a test. That more wealth one has, more he is put to tests and their apparent comfort many times become more of discomfort and real life tests.

Another key warning: spiritual blindness

The following verse, the 36th verse, shows that luxury leads to distraction, which in turn means forgetfulness of Allah that results into spiritual blindness:

 

“Whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Merciful, We assign to him a devil who becomes his companion.” (43:36)

That is a person may feel “successful,  but internally becomes guided by desires and illusions.

How this relates to the affluent and rich today

The stage set at the time of this surah has not changed. We have wealth overflowing the vaults, yet nothing seems to change in terms of spiritual hollowness and distance from the One who created us. The surah reads like a direct critique of modern material culture as well:

• Today’s parallels:
• Luxury lifestyle obsession (cars, brands, status)
• Social media glamour culture
• Success measured by net worth
• Moral compromise for financial gain
• Ignoring spirituality due to comfort

This shows the repetition or the continuation of the same psychology: “If I have more, I must be better.”

The real danger of luxury (Qur’ānic insight)

The Qur’an is not ضد (against) wealth itself. The danger is What luxury does to the heart. It:

• Creates ghaflah (heedlessness)
• Builds false superiority
• Weakens dependence on Allah
• Reduces empathy for the poor
• Makes آخِرَة (Hereafter) feel distant

What in the surah being said is that : Luxury doesn’t just decorate life — It can reshape values silently.

How to protect ourselves from the “lust of luxury”

The Qur’an and Sunnah give a very practical path:

• Redefine success
• “The Hereafter is better and more lasting.” (87:17)
• Train your mind that Success is closeness to Allah - Not accumulation of wealth and possessions
• Practice gratitude + detachment
• Use wealth, but don’t let it own you.
• Ask regularly: “If this is taken away, am I still at peace?”
• Give consistently (charity)
• Nothing breaks the spell of wealth like giving it away.
• Remember: Zakāh purifies and Sadaqah softens the heart
• Stay connected to Qur’an
• 43:36 shows: Distance from remembrance leads to spiritual corruption
• Therefore cling to recitation of Al Qur'an daily - it will protect from illusions.
• Remember death and آخِرَة
• Remember Luxury thrives on forgetting endings.
• Therefore, regularly reflect on قبر (grave), Accountability and Temporary nature of life
• Live with simplicity—even if wealthy
• The Prophet ﷺ lived simply despite access to wealth.
• Ensure simplicity in life, therefore, for it Protects القلب (heart), builds humility and prevents attachment to wealth and this temporary life.

One powerful reflection from the surah

Allah can give luxury to anyone—even those far from Him. So the real question is not: “How much do I have?” - But: “What has it done to my heart?”

Summing up, this surah acts as a reminder to believers that the goodness of God cannot be found within wealth and material power. The surah rejects the claim of disbelievers that prophets, leaders and worthy figures should be marked by their riches and thereby empowers them to refrain from temptations, indulgences and distractions. The surah warns disbelievers who succumb to the “mere enjoyments of this life” (Q43:17) of a terrible and tormented afterlife and it encourages believers to relish not in riches but in their faith and love of God.

Major Themes / Other references

some of the major themes and other references of the Surah are as under:

• Themes
• Affirmation of the revelation (Verses 2-4 emphasize the Scripture as being “clear” and “truly exalted and authoritative.)
• Exaltation of God and divinity of the Quran
• Debate between the believers and disbelievers (In verses 5-19 there occurs a debate between the believers and the disbelievers in which the disbelievers are reprimanded for mocking the revelations and the prophets that have generously been sent down to them by God.)
• Afterlife (verses 57 through 89 declare the imminent Judgment Day)
• Angels as daughters (Verses 15-19 discuss the ungrateful disbelievers who consider the angels to be more than just servants of God)
• Textual notes
• Jesus as the Word of God (Verses 63-64 additionally discuss Jesus, denouncing the divinity he is given as the son of God and emphasizing him as a special servant who was born by the miraculous word of God)
• Source of Scripture
• You and Your Spouses (Surah 43 explicitly states, "Enter Paradise, you and your spouses: you will be filled with joy)
• The Most Merciful (The divine names Allah and Ar-Rahman ('the Most-merciful) occur eight times throughout this surah)
• Biblical references
• Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him (Verses 20-80 of this surah introduce Abraham by way of a narrative of salvation history- a narrative that presents “excerpts of messages from the ‘book’ which, in turn, is clearly understood to be a corpus of literature apart from the rest of the known stories currently available through known tradition.")
• Prophet Moses, peace be upon him (46-80 which introduce Moses as a messenger and servant of God bearing no “gold bracelets”)

Now let us share herein some of the selected ayat / verses from this surah already shared:

• Verses 3-4: Al Qur’an:  The Divine Scripture revealed in localized language (Arabic) yet Universal in message
• Verse 5: A powerful rhetorical question in Al Qur’an: Is Divine guidance a mercy to everyone even if they disbelieve
• Verse 13: Supplication / Dua before mounting a means of transportation
• Verses 33-35: O’ Men Know! Wealth is not proof of truth or closeness to God - Al Qur'an
• Verse 86: Do not O’ believers ever treat graves as places of guaranteed supernatural intervention - Al Qur'an

In time we will add more selected ayat / verses from this surah.

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 pages: 

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

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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

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

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

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

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

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Islam commands men and women to lower their gaze and protect their modesty

Modesty is defined differently in different cultures, societies and countries. At its core, modesty usually refers to not drawing excessive attention to oneself—especially in appearance, behavior, or self-promotion. When it comes to matter related to modesty, women figure out more than men for their revealing and inviting attires and knocking high heels on the floor attracting attention of the onlookers. It may not be wrong to say that most of the crimes take place due to revealing attire of women than men who generally wear clothes not exposing their bare flesh.  

In Islam, there is much stress on the chastity and modesty -for both men and women. Surah An Nur, The 24th chapter of AL Qur'an gives special importance to modesty and commands both men and women to lower their graze with respect to opposite sexes, thereby protecting their modesty. Herein under we share verses 30-31 which command both men and women separately to protect their modesty:

Surah An-Nur (24:30)

“And O Prophet, enjoin the Believing men to restrain their gaze and guard their private parts. This is a more righteous way for them: Allah has knowledge of what they do..”

• Context of the Verse 
• Surah An-Nūr deals with purity of society—not just outward rules, but also Inner discipline, Social boundaries and Protection of dignity.
• Importantly: This command comes first to men (24:30) and then a parallel command comes to women (24:31)
• Both  these verses act as a comprehensive set of social regulations designed to protect the chastity, honor, and purity of the Muslim community by controlling unlawful sexual desires and the means that lead to them.
• This shows that Responsibility begins with self-control, not blaming others
• What Does “Lower the Gaze” Mean?
• Some may think that men should never look and glance at a woman and living in isolation.
• Remember there are two things: Looking and gazing. Looking is only meant to recognize someone and greeting with good intention. 
• But gazing is often with lustful looks or inappropriate looking. Gazing leads to desires, which can lead to zina. Thus, the restriction is a preventative measure.
• Therefore, men are warned to avoid staring, objectifying, consuming indecent imagery in order to “Guard their as well as that of the females' chastity.”
• Guarding modesty means to protect actions, thoughts, and desires from corruption and not letting evil thoughts coming close or entering one's thoughts.
• The Deeper Meaning
• This verse is about inner اخلاق (character):
• The eye is a gateway to the heart
• What you repeatedly look at shapes, these effect thoughts, desires and behavior.
• That is why Islam addresses the problem at its root - to lower gaze
• Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this is a direct command from Allah to restrain the eyes from looking at prohibited things, particularly women who are not permissible for them (non-mahram). If a person's gaze falls upon something prohibited unintentionally, they should immediately look away. The transgression is looking intentionally and repeatedly. Ibn Kathir quotes a Hadith explaining that the eyes, ears, tongue, and hands can commit their own form of "adultery" (zina) by engaging with forbidden things before the private parts act on it.
• Another enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi explains:  
• It is not lawful for a man to cast a full gaze at the other women except at his own wife or the mahram women of his family. The chance look is pardonable but not the second look which one casts when one feels the lure of the object. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has termed such gazing and glancing as wickedness of the eyes. He has said that man commits adultery with all his sensory organs. The evil look at the other woman is the adultery of the eyes; lustful talk is the adultery of the tongue; relishing the other woman's voice is adultery of the ears; and touching her body with the hand or walking for an unlawful purpose is adultery of the hands and feet. After these preliminaries the sexual organs either bring the act of adultery to completion or leave it incomplete. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Da'ud).
• "Guard their private parts": Abstain from illicit sexual gratification and from exposing their satar before others. For males, the satar is the part of the body from the navel to the knee, and it is not permissible to expose that pan of the body intentionally before anybody except one's own wife.

Surah An-Nur (24:31)

And tell the believing women to lower their glances and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O Believers, that you might succeed.

While verse 30 restricts men to lower their gaze and protect their modesty, women in the next verse are asked one added thing: not to expose their adornment. Those who can reflect on these two verses would know that the exposure of body parts of women are more attractive to men and in fact all ills of the society commence from the exposure of women. Let us dwell on this post as explained by eminent Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir:

• Tafsir of Ayah 31: Modesty and Veil for Women And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts..."
• Women's Responsibility: Similar to men, women are ordered to guard their modesty and avoid gazing at men with desire.
• Adornment (Zinah): Women are commanded not to display their beauty or ornaments except for what appears naturally (such as the outer garment or hands/face according to different interpretations).
• Covering the Chest: The verse commands women to draw their veils (khumur) over their chests (juyub) to cover their neck and bosom.
• Exceptions (Mahram): A woman may display her adornments only to close relatives (mahram) who are forbidden to her in marriage (e.g., father, son, brother, etc.), or other women, servants, and small children.
• Walking Modestly: Women are instructed not to stamp their feet to attract attention to their hidden beauty (such as ankle bracelets).
• Tafsir Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi
• The Commandments of restraining the gaze for women are the same as for men. They should not glance intentionally at the other men, and if they happen to cast a chance look, they should turn their eyes away; and they should abstain from looking at the satar of others. However, the Commandments relating to the men's looking at women are a little different from those relating to the women's looking at men. On the one hand, there is an incident related in a Tradition saying that Hadrat Umm Salamah and Hadrat Umm Maimunah, wives of the Holy Prophet, were sitting with him when lbn Umm Maktum, a blind Companion, made his appearance. The Holy Prophet said to his wives: "Conceal your faces from him." The wives said, "O Messenger of Allah: Is he not a blind man '? Neither will he see us nor recognize us." Thereupon the Holy Prophet remarked: "Are you two also blind? Do you not see him?" While it is forbidden for women to sit face to face with men, it is not unlawful if they cast a look at men while passing on the way or see a harmless performance by them from a distance. There is also no hams for women to see the other men in case of real need.
• They should abstain from illicit gratification of their sex desire as well as from exposing their satar before others. Though the commandments for men in this respect are the same as for women, the boundaries of satar for women are different from those prescribed for men. Moreover, the female satar with respect to men is different from that with respect to women.
• The Female Satar ( that is to "concealer," "veil," or "cover")
• The female satar with respect to men is the entire body, excluding only the hand and the face, which should not be exposed before any other man, not even the brother and father, except the husband. The woman is not allowed to wear a thin or a tight fitting dress which might reveal the skin or the outlines of the body.
• The boundaries of female satar with respect to women are the same as the boundaries of the male satar with respect to men, which is the part of the body from the navel to the knee. This does not, however, mean that a woman should appear half naked before other women. It only means that while it is obligatory to keep the part of body from the navel to the knee duly covered, it is not so in case of other parts. 
• "Adornment" includes attractive clothes, ornaments and other decorations of the head, face, hand, feet, etc. which the women usually employ, and is expressed by the modern word 'make-up'. The injunction that this `makeup' should not be displayed before others

Relevance Today: Social Media Reality

Let’s be direct—this verse is extremely relevant today. Today, the access to open ended social media, where men and women can easily interact and converse, which often results in closeness and getting into acts unbecoming. Following matter:

• Constant Exposure
• Social media promotes: (1) Body display, (2) Sexualized content, and (3) Attention through appearance.
• What used to be occasional is now constant and normalized.
• The Culture of Objectification
• Women (and increasingly men) are reduced to appearance and judged by physical attraction.
• This creates: (1) Unrealistic standards, (2) Insecurity, and (3) Loss of dignity.
• Addiction to Visual Stimulation
• Endless scrolling trains the mind to seek stimulation - to lose self-control.
• This weakens: (1) Focus, (2) Discipline, and (4) Spiritual awareness

What the Verse is Addressing

This verse is not just about “looking”: It is about: (1) Respecting human dignity, (2) Protecting the heart from فساد and (3) preventing society from becoming morally chaotic.

How to create a Balance (Very Important)

• This verse does NOT mean: (1) Blaming women for men’s behavior, (2) Ignoring male responsibility, and (3) Policing others while ignoring نفسك
• Instead it starts with: “Tell the believing men…” You are responsible for your gaze first
• The verses apply to both genders, recognizing that both men and women have responsibilities in maintaining a decent society.

Practical Application Today

• Digital Discipline: (1) Unfollow harmful content, (2) Filter your feed, and (3) Be intentional, not passive.
• Lowering the “Digital Gaze” Not just in real life, but also What You (1) Watch, (2) Scroll or (3) Linger on.
• Respect Over Objectification See people as Humans and not as Objects of Desires.
• Internal Awareness:  
• Remember: “Allah is aware of what they do”
• That is even in Private browsing and hidden habits.

A Deeper Reflection

• The verse ends with: “That is purer for them”. Which means it protects your heart, mind and relationships. 
• That is what seems like restriction is actually protection and purification

A Powerful Way to Understand It

In today’s terms, this verse is saying: Don’t let your eyes be controlled by a culture that profits from your ضعف (weakness). Take control of what you consume.

In a world where exposure is normalized, modesty is mocked in the name of freedom and desires are constantly stimulated, this verse stands as a counter-cultural principle:

Final Reflection: Real strength is not in seeing everything… It is in controlling what you allow yourself to see. The Divine commands are clear with respect to gazing other sexes and more so on women not to show their adornment openly for it has very negative fallout. All Muslim men and women must adhere to these commands lest we unknowingly commit sins that are unpardonable, unless sincerely repented.

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. from Al Qur'an:

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 24. An Nur (The Light), already published.

Following referencces may also be consulted for more selected verses from Al Qur'an: 

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

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

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

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

How Qur'an helps shaping the Character "Akhlāq" of a Man

Qur'an, the last of the Divine Scriptures, which provides the best of the guidance to the mankind. Unlike other religious books with volumes attached, Qur'an, a merely a six hundred plus pages book, is addressed directly to man and each of its verses seems like God, the Only One God without associates and assistance, talking directly to His subjects.

And it is through these Divine words, God tells His servants how to shape their character to become a better man. But for that, one has to read and read each verse of Qur'an time and again to go to the depth of wisdom contained therein. And if one finds it hard to know what is being said, one must consult authentic Tafsir / exegesis of Qur'an or consult some of the most unbiased scholars and exegete of Qur'an.

The Qur’an does not merely inform the mind; it reforms the heart and disciplines behavior. Together with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, it shapes a person’s character (akhlāq) at every level. Herein under  are ten powerful Qur’anic guiding verses that directly build character —not just belief, but how a person thinks, behaves, and lives. Each one targets a core trait needed today.

Beside mention of a framework for character building of a man, there is a  Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which says: The best among you is the best in character and manners. Both these verses and Hadith should serve as a premise for our post today.

Note: We only refer to these ten verses with a brief note. For detailed reflection and understand, link under each trait are mentioned in some , while for others news post will be added to understand the character in wholesome.

1. Truthfulness & Integrity

• “O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful.” Surah At-Tawbah (9:119)
• Honesty builds Moral courage and Authenticity to what one says.
• Please refer to our earlier posts on truthfulness and Integrity:
• Believers, fear Allah and speak the truth Surah 33. Al Ahzab Verse 70
• Truth: The Essence of Holy Quran

2. Justice—even Against Yourself

• “Stand firmly for justice, even against yourselves, parents, or relatives…” Surah An-Nisa (4:135)
• Justice builds Integrity over bias and Courage to uphold truth
• Please refer to our Reference Page on Selected verses from Qur'an on Justice / Rules of Islamic Law to know in detail why justice is so important for believers to ensure. Remember, with impartial justice no society can progress - nor the humans.

3. Control of Anger & Forgiveness

• “…those who restrain anger and pardon people…” Surah Aal-E-Imran (3:134)
• Anger management builds Emotional intelligence, mercy and maturity
• Please refer to our already published posts on Anger Management and Ability to Forgive:
• Why must one restrain Anger and how: Islamic viewpoint on Anger Management
• Allah loves those who restrain their anger, and forgive others Surah 3:134
• Anger Management as taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ : What to say when one is angry
• Selected Verses from Quran: Charity and Suppression of Anger

4. Guarding Speech

• “Do not mock one another… nor insult one another…” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11)
• Guarding one's speech adds respect, social acceptance and healthy communication with others.
• Please refer to our already published posts on sanctity of speech 
• Etiquettes of  Speech for a Believer - Speak Good
• The best among you is he who is Pure at Heart and Sincere in Speech (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

5. Avoid Suspicion, Spying & Backbiting

• “Avoid much suspicion… do not spy or backbite…” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12)
• Avoiding suspicion and valuing others dignity builds mutual trust purity of heart and improves ethical social behavior
• Please refer to our already published posts on Suspicion, Slandering and Backbiting:
• What is the wisdom behind Prohibition of Backbiting (ghibah الغيبة) in Islam
• Woe to every scandal-monger and backbiter
• Don't Backbite and be Excessively Suspicious 
• DO NOT Slander or Backbite your brother (Surah Al Ahzab verse 58)
• Backbiting and slandering - The worst acts of a believer (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

6. Lowering the Gaze & Modesty

• “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty…” Surah An-Nur (24:30)
• Modesty adds to one's self control,  inner discipline and respect for others
• Please refer to our following posts covering verses 30-31 from Surah AN Nur for detailed explanation of this very  important subject:
• Social Etiquettes of Islam: Say (O Prophet) enjoin believing men to cast down their looks - verse 30
• Special instructions for Muslim women: Do not reveal your adornment  - verse 31
• Islam commands men and women to lower their gaze and protect their modesty (Verses 30-31)

7. Humility in Life

• “The servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk on the earth humbly…” Surah Al-Furqan (25:63)
• Humility builds calmness under provocation
• Please refer to our already published post on Humility: Important DOs and DON'Ts from Qur'an: Walk on earth Gently

8. Kindness to Parents

• “…Do not say even ‘uff’ to them, and speak to them noble words.” Surah Al-Isra (17:23)
• Kindness to parents builds , Respect, and Emotional sensitivity
• Please refer to our already published posts on kindness to parents:
• Islam enjoins Man to care for his parents as an act of worship next to worship of Allah (31:14)
•  Be Good to Your Parents
• Who will be the unlucky to be humbled into dust (Hadith Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

9. Fulfilling Trusts & Promises

• “Those who are faithful to their trusts and their promises…” Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:8)
• Fulfilling trusts and promises adds one's Reliability and Trustworthiness.
• Please refer to our already published posts on Keeping promises:
• Successful are those who are true to their trusts and covenants (23:8)

10. Excellence in Conduct

• “Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence (ihsan), and giving to relatives…” Surah An-Nahl (16:90)
• An exemplary conduct builds Justice, Generosity and Excellence beyond obligation
• Universal moral code as explained in Al Qur'an (16:90)

Final Reflection

These verses together shape a complete personality:

• Inner character → sincerity, humility, self-control
• Social character → respect, honesty, kindness
• Moral strength → justice, truth, responsibility

a glance over each trait mention above means that the Qur’an does not just teach you what to believe… It teaches you who to become.

These traits are not difficult to be made part of one's life, which will earn greater rewards not only yhis world, but the eternal life of the Hereafter.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why the wrongdoers are robbed of Humility and punished - Selected verses from Al Qur'an

We live in this world with all type of people around: honest and humble, hypocrites and the cruel and oppressor. While one can feel a radiance of humility from the honest, we feel a strange strong smell of arrogance and heartlessness from the oppressors. Ever wondered why?

In stead of I answering the question, let me quote a verse from Al Qur'an which would tell you why. This is the 57th verse of Surah Aal-E-Imran, the 3rd chapter / Surah of Al Qur'an shared herein under:

The Verse

“As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, He will give them their full rewards. And Allah does not love the wrongdoers (ẓālimīn).”

Note: This verse is also part of our reference post Warning Shots of severe consequences for the Oppressors and dispensers of injustice mentioned in Al Qur'an. Refer to this page to know the other verses on the subjects.

What the Verse is Saying

This verse makes a clear moral divide:

• Believers with righteous deeds will be fully rewarded
• Wrongdoers (ẓālimīn) will be deprived of Allah’s love

That is the greatest loss is not punishment alone for the wrongdoers, it is being cut off from Allah’s love. And when the heart is devoid of love of Allah, one becomes stubborn, cruel and heartless. Such people who love to torture and oppress others for in their hearts love of Allah does not reside, therefore flowing tears from the eyes of the oppressed do not move them.

Who Are the “Ẓālimīn” (Wrongdoers)?

In the Qur’anic sense, they include those:

• Who reject truth knowingly
• Who oppress others
• Who act with arrogance and فساد (corruption)
• Who persist in wrongdoing without repentance

Examples from the Past who did not allow love of Allah reside in their hearts and faced Divine Consequences

These are those people or even communities who reject the Divine path which makes their hearts hardened for the light of truth does not reach their hearts. Such are the people who are robbed of softness of their hearts, and thus humility. These are often mentioned in Al Qur'an repeatedly. Some are mentioned below:

• Pharaoh (Fir‘awn)
• Pharaoh is notorious for Enslavement of Bani Israeel بني إسرائيل and killing of innocent children for he proclaimed himself as a god as a symbol of his extreme arrogance: “I am your lord most high.”
• His stubbornness, arrogance and self centeredness hardened his heart to be inclined to the love of God.
• For this brutal behaviour of his, he was drowned in the sea along with his army of which he was proud of and from which it wielded his power and arrogance.
• The mention of Pharaoh which exhibits tyranny and arrogance lead to humiliation and destruction
• Nation of Nūḥ (Noah)
• For over 900 years Prophet Nūḥ persuaded his people to obey Allah and leave their stubbornness. But they mocked truth and persistently denied existence of God.
• Therefore they were drowned in the great flood and only those survived who listened to him and accepted the existence of God. It was unfortunate that son of Nūḥ did not listen to his father and was too perished in the flood.
• Nations of ʿĀd and Thamūd Both these nations prided in their strength and rejecting clear signs of God. They were thus destroyed by violent winds and ear tearing blast.
• People of Lūṭ (Lot) and Shuʿayb Defied Divine commandments, exhibit moral corruption and economic justice. Thus their people were destroyed

A Deeper Understanding of Devoid of love of Allah and “Divine Wrath”

When people become heartless and commandments of Allah do not find a way into their hearts, Allah too devoid them of humility, add more to their arrogance and false pride which finally invites Divine wrath for them and they are destroyed.

It is not only complete destructing of such people always. Sometimes they are robbed of Barakah (blessings) or inner emptiness of their hearts, which gradually results into their downfall. From high positions of power of strength, they fall to the earth duly exposed of their hollowness and utterly humiliated.

The Most Important Application

Let us not only look back for this verse is not just about “them”—it is about us. We need to ask ourselves:

• Do I oppress others—even in small ways?
• Do I justify my wrong actions?
• Do I ignore truth when it challenges me?
• Do I find hollowness in my heart or absence of even iota of goodness?
• Do I feel happy seeing people in misery and under burden of oppression?

If the answer is yes, we need to repent immediately and let love of Allah enter into our hearts to make us humble and caring. For if we continue with our oppressive actions and wrongdoings, let us be ready for the Divine wrath which may befall unannounced.

Remember: The line between “believer” and “ẓālim” is drawn by actions and sincerity

A Powerful Reflection

The verse ends with: “Allah does not love the wrongdoers”

Think about that a person my be powerful, successful and admired. Yet if he is oppressive, he is living without divine love - and that is the greatest loss.

So let us not focus only on who was punished… Focus on what made them deserving of punishment—

so we too never fall into the same category of wrongdoers and oppressors.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 3. Al-i'Imran (The Family of Imran) already published

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

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

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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

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

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

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

Follow @IslamUltimate

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

Read More

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

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

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

The Verse Surah Hud (11:102)

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

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

Context of the Verse

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

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

What Does akhdhahu “Seizure” (أخذ) Mean?

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

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

Why Were They Punished?

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

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

The Examples of Oppression and Injustice of previous nations/people

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

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

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

A Deep Pattern in the Qur’an

This verse teaches a universal law:

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

Can this be Applied to Oppressors in Our Lives?

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

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

How This Applies Personally 

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

A Psychological Insight

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

A Powerful Way to Understand It

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

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

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

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

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

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

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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

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

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

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