How not to succumb to pressure of a bullying superior - Allah told how to Prophet Mūsā (Moses) as mentioned in Al Qur'an

Man is always confronted with a situation in the office or otherwise when he is compelled by a bullying superior or a relative to act in a way that amounts to conduct unbecoming. In such situations, one is left with two choices: Either succumb to the pressure or refuse. While the first options leaves a stain on one's character, the second option draws wrath  of the superior which may result in demotion or even being fired. Many opt for the first option to ensure continuation of the job, promotion prospects and be in the good looks of the superior. However, there are some who stand firm on their feet and do not budge to come under pressure to  do an illegal action, no matter the consequences.

So what should we do if opt for the second option? The best thing is stay calm, respectful, and firm: do not argue emotionally, but clearly state that you cannot carry out an action that violates the law or your professional duty. Ask for the instruction in writing, keep accurate records, and, where appropriate, consult compliance, HR, legal counsel, or a higher competent authority. Avoid unnecessary confrontation, but do not let fear of transfer, promotion, reputation, or displeasure push you into wrongdoing. 

Let us see how AL Qur'an helps us in this situation. In Qur’anic terms, combine gentle speech with moral courage—speak wisely, act lawfully, take proper precautions, and trust Allah with the consequences. Surah Ṭā Hā 20:45–46 captures a deeply human moment: Prophet Mūsā and Hārūn were commanded to confront Pharaoh, yet they openly admitted that they were afraid. Allah did not rebuke them for feeling fear; He answered their fear with reassurance.

قَالَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا نَخَافُ أَنْ يَفْرُطَ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَنْ يَطْغَىٰ ۝ قَالَ لَا تَخَافَا إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ

“They said, ‘Our Lord, we fear that he may act hastily against us or transgress.’ Allah said, ‘Do not fear. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.’” — 20:45–46

The central theme is therefore courage through awareness of Allah’s presence.

The context

Just before these verses, Allah commanded Prophet Mūsā and Hārūn to go to Pharaoh, who had become extraordinarily arrogant and tyrannical, and yet to address him gently:

“Speak to him with gentle words, perhaps he may take heed or fear Allah.” — 20:44

This was not an easy preaching assignment. Pharaoh was not merely a difficult individual; he was the ruler who had persecuted Banī Isrā’īl and possessed the political power to imprison, torture or kill. So Prophet Mūsā and Hārūn said: “We are afraid.”

Their fear was reasonable. Ibn Kathīr explains that they feared Pharaoh might quickly punish them or exceed all bounds in his treatment of them. Allah’s reply was that Pharaoh should not be feared in the ultimate sense because Allah was with them—with His protection, support and knowledge. Nothing in the confrontation would escape His hearing or sight.

That makes these verses especially important: the Qur’an does not portray courage as absence of fear. Courage is continuing to obey Allah despite fear.

Why did Allah say “I hear and I see”?

Allah could simply have said: “Do not be afraid.” But He added:

إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ “Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see.”

That reassurance addresses the deepest sources of anxiety.

• “I hear” means that Allah hears what you say and what the person threatening you says.
• “I see” means that Allah sees what is happening to you—even when nobody else sees it.

Ibn Kathīr accordingly explains this “with you” as Allah’s special presence of protection, help and support, while hearing and seeing everything that takes place. The verse therefore does not mean that believers will never experience difficulty. It means that they never face it outside Allah’s knowledge, authority and care.

What is especially striking about Mūsā’s fear?

Mūsā was a prophet. He had already spoken directly with Allah. He had already witnessed extraordinary signs. Yet he still said: “We are afraid.” 

This is extremely instructive. Faith does not necessarily eliminate natural human emotion. A believer can feel nervous before confronting a powerful person, worried about employment, fearful of family reaction, anxious about financial consequences—and still possess strong īmān.

The question is not: “Did I feel afraid?” - The question becomes: “What did fear make me do?” That is did fear cause me to abandon what I know to be right, or did I carry out my responsibility while relying upon Allah? That is the difference.

How scholars understand the passage

Ibn Kathīr emphasizes that Prophet Mūsā and Hārūn were genuinely concerned that Pharaoh might punish or abuse them, but Allah reassured them that Pharaoh remained completely under Allah’s authority. His power was not independent of Allah.

The broader Tafsīr tradition also highlights that their fear surfaced precisely when they were preparing to act. This is psychologically realistic: we often appear courageous while thinking abstractly, but fear becomes intense when the moment of action arrives. Ibn ʿĀshūr’s al-Taḥrīr wa’l-Tanwīr notes this connection between considering consequences and preparing to carry out the command.

Another commentary observes that Pharaoh’s extreme arrogance and claim to divine authority naturally made the mission intimidating, but Allah reminded the messengers that worldly power cannot overcome divine protection and command.

So the passage gives us a remarkable formula: Real danger + natural fear + obedience + awareness of Allah = Qur’anic courage.

How do we understand this today?

Most of us will never stand before a Pharaoh. But we encounter many smaller forms of pressure.

• A manager may expect us to manipulate figures.
• Colleagues may expect us to participate in dishonest practices.
• Friends may pressure us to compromise religious values.
• Relatives may ridicule religious observance.
• Family members may demand something we believe is wrong.
• Social circles may make us embarrassed to appear “too religious.”

At such moments, 20:46 becomes extremely practical:

لَا تَخَافَا إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ “Do not fear. I am with you; I hear and I see.”

It changes the question from: “What will people think of me?” to: “What does Allah see me doing?” That shift can change an entire life.

1.    In the office

Suppose your superior asks you to conceal information, manipulate an account, falsely certify something or harm another employee unfairly. Instantly, Fearful thoughts creep in:

• What if I refuse?
• Will my promotion disappear?
• Will the boss become hostile?
• Will everyone think I am difficult?

The lesson of 20:45 is not to pretend those fears do not exist.

• Acknowledge them: “My Lord, I am afraid of what may happen.”
• But then remember 20:46: “Allah hears and sees.”

You should then choose the wisest lawful response—perhaps explaining respectfully, proposing another solution, documenting matters properly, or seeking advice rather than behaving recklessly.

That is very close to Mūsā’s method: courage without unnecessary aggression. Remember that immediately before sending Mūsā to Pharaoh, Allah said: 

فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَيِّنًا “Speak to him gently.” — 20:44

So Qur’anic courage does not mean becoming confrontational. It means: Firm principle + gentle speech.

2.    With relatives

Family pressure can sometimes be harder than workplace pressure because emotional bonds are involved. You may know something is religiously wrong, yet hear:

• “Everybody does it.”
• “What will people say?”
• “Don't embarrass the family.”
• “Why are you becoming so strict?”

Again, the lesson is not to insult relatives or declare oneself more righteous. Remember Mūsā was ordered to speak gently even to Pharaoh. If Pharaoh deserved qawlan layyinan—gentle speech—our parents, siblings and relatives deserve even greater courtesy.

You can therefore respectfully say:

“I understand why you feel this way, and I respect you, but I cannot knowingly do something I believe Allah has prohibited.”

You maintain the relationship while maintaining the principle. One very important balance:

• These verses should not be interpreted as: “I believe Allah is with me, therefore whatever position I take must be correct.”
• That can become dangerous self-righteousness.
• Prophet Mūsā's confidence came because Allah had actually commanded him.
• For us, therefore, before resisting pressure we should ask:
• Is this truly a command or prohibition established by Islam—or merely my personal opinion?
• If the matter is genuinely religious, we should stand firm.
• If it is an issue where scholars legitimately differ, humility and tolerance are necessary.
• This distinction prevents religious conviction from turning into stubbornness.

A practical way to live by 20:45–46: When you feel pressured, mentally pass through four stages:

• First: acknowledge the fear. “Ya Allah, I am worried about the consequences.” - That is exactly what Mūsā and Hārūn did.
• Second: identify your duty. Ask: What does Allah actually require of me here?
• Third: choose the gentlest effective method. Remember 20:44: “Speak gently.”
• Fourth: surrender the consequences to Allah.
• Remember: إِنَّنِي مَعَكُمَا أَسْمَعُ وَأَرَىٰ “I am with you; I hear and I see.”
• That is where tawakkul begins.

The deepest lesson

These two verses teach something extraordinarily relevant to modern life:

• You do not need to become fearless before doing what is right. Mūsā and Hārūn were afraid before they went.
• But Allah did not say: “Come back when you are no longer frightened.”
• Instead He said: “Do not fear; I am with you.”

So courage in Islam is not necessarily a calm heart before the trial. Sometimes courage means a trembling heart that nevertheless refuses to abandon Allah's command. And perhaps this is the message we most need when facing pressure from bosses, colleagues, friends or relatives:

1. People may control opportunities.
2. People may express approval or disapproval.
3. People may make life difficult.
4. But they do not control your ultimate provision, dignity or destiny.

Therefore, neither confront people arrogantly nor surrender your principles timidly. Speak gently. Act wisely. Stand firmly. And remember that Allah hears and sees.

Note: The explanation of the verses above does not mean to become arrogant and bluntly confront one's superior no matter how bullying or arrogant he may be. One should never let emotions override him and take a discussion into a hotly contested argument. the best was is to let the superior say what ever he want to - take a break and ponder over your calculated response - consult friends or legal teams before reaching out to the superior and present your view point calmly yet firmly devoid of an emotional outburst. In many a case, the superior may also have cooled down and listen to you in a less hostile mood - and may even concur to your view point. 

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: Surah 20 Ta Ha طه for selected verses from this Surah. You may also refer to explanation of verse 46 at: Man laments: I am all alone - Allah assures him 'Have no fear, I am with you'

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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One of the strongest verse of Al Qur'an about Tawakkul - complete reliance upon Allah after doing what one can

Let us illustrate the absolute Tawakkul displayed by Prophet Musa (Moses) which only men of true conviction of faith can exhibit. 

Imagine the vast, roaring expanse of the Red Sea stretched out as far as the eye can see—an impassable barrier. On the shores stand the Children of Israel, exhausted from their flight out of Egypt. The air is thick with panic and despair. Dust billows in the distance, growing closer by the second. The ground trembles under the weight of Pharaoh's massive, heavily armed military force. Chariots, weapons, and ruthless soldiers are rapidly closing in. The Israelites look forward at the deep waters and backward at the approaching army. In the previous verse (26:61), they cry out in absolute terror: "Indeed, we are to be overtaken!"

In the center of this chaos stands Prophet Musa (Moses). From a worldly perspective, there is no escape; they are completely trapped. Yet, Musa does not flinch. He doesn't look at the army, nor does he despair at the sea. But for Moses, that was the moment of absolute conviction. He stands tall, radiating absolute tranquility and unwavering faith. When his people say they are doomed, he points to his heart and to the heavens, illustrating an unbreakable bond with the Divine: "Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me."

Immediately following this profound declaration of trust (Tawakkul), God commands Musa to strike the sea with his staff. The immense waters crash and split into towering mountains of water, revealing a dry, safe path for his people to cross, turning a moment of impossible despair into one of the greatest miracles in history.

This verse beautifully illustrates that even when the "sea" is in front of you and the "army" is behind you, true faith means knowing that God's guidance and deliverance can make a way where there seems to be absolutely no way out. This illustration is based on a verse from Al Qur'an, Surah Ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:62, which is one of the Qur’an’s most powerful statements of tawakkul — complete reliance upon Allah after doing what one can. Let us expand this verse and ask ourselves of our status of Tawakkul in our Creator:

The Versee

قَالَ كَلَّا إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ

“Moses said, ‘No! Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.’” — Qur’an 26:62

The dramatic context

The verse comes at what appears, humanly speaking, to be the end of the road. Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام had led Banī Isrā’īl out of Egypt by Allah’s command. Pharaoh then pursued them with his forces. When the Israelites reached the sea, they found themselves trapped: the sea was in front of them, Pharaoh’s army was behind them, and there appeared to be no escape.

So when the two groups came within sight of one another, Prophet Mūsā’s followers cried:

إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ “We will surely be overtaken!” — 26:61

Their conclusion was perfectly understandable from the standpoint of what their eyes could see. But Prophet Mūsā saw something their fear had temporarily hidden from them. 

• He replied: كَلَّا “Never!”
• Then came the reason: إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي “Indeed, my Lord is with me.”
• And finally: سَيَهْدِينِ “He will guide me.”

Immediately afterward Allah commanded Mūsā to strike the sea with his staff, and the sea parted, creating the very escape route that no human being could have anticipated.

That sequence is essential: No visible road → trust in Allah → divine guidance → an unexpected road opens.

What Mūsā’s words really mean Prophet Mūsā did not say: “I know exactly how we are going to escape.” Rathher, e effectively said: “I do not yet know the way out, but I know the One who will show me the way out.”

That distinction is the heart of tawakkul. Tawakkul does not require knowing how Allah will solve your difficulty. It means trusting Allah even when the how remains invisible.

Scholarly explanation

1.    Ibn Kathīr explains the passage as demonstrating Mūsā’s certainty in Allah while his people feared they would be captured. Allah then fulfilled that confidence by instructing him to strike the sea. In other words, Mūsā's confidence was not optimism without foundation. It rested upon Allah's promise, command and protection.

2.    Maududi interprets “My Lord is with me; He will direct me” as Mūsā's certainty that Allah would show him a way out of the calamity. This gives tawakkul an important dimension: sometimes Allah does not remove the crisis immediately; rather, He guides you through it.

3.    Yusuf Ali draws attention to the contrast between the frightened Israelites and Mūsā's faith. He understands “He will guide me” as Allah showing a way of escape from the danger—which is precisely what subsequently occurred.

So the verse contrasts two ways of looking at exactly the same situation: (1) The people saw Pharaoh + the sea. (2) Mūsā saw Allah above both.

Why is tawakkul necessary?

Because there are limits to what human beings can control. We can plan, calculate, work, save money, consult physicians, seek employment, educate children, conduct business and take precautions—but eventually we reach a boundary beyond which outcomes are not ours to command.

The Qur'an therefore does not teach: “Do nothing and trust Allah.” - It teaches: “Do what Allah has enabled you to do, then entrust what you cannot control to Allah.”

Prophet Mūsā himself illustrates this perfectly. He did not remain in Egypt saying, Allah will rescue us. He left Egypt and led his people. He travelled toward the sea. And when Allah commanded: “Strike the sea with your staff,” he struck it. 

So tawakkul came alongside action, not instead of action.

This is why the Prophet ﷺ famously expressed the same principle in the hadith about birds: they leave their nests hungry in the morning and return full. Their provision is from Allah—but they still fly out searching for it.

Please refer to earlier post on Tawakkul: Is Allah not sufficient for His servants? - One of the Qur'an's greatest verses about trust (tawakkul) in Allah 

Tawakkul is therefore not fatalism

There is an important difference:

        Fatalism                                             Tawakkul

“Whatever happens, happens.” “Allah controls the outcome.”

Avoids responsibility                 Fulfils responsibility

May produce inactivity                 Encourages appropriate action

Depends upon circumstances         Depends upon Allah

Gives up when doors close         Trusts that Allah may open another door

The sea itself is perhaps the perfect metaphor. 

• To the Israelites:  The sea was the end of the road.
• To Allah: The sea became the road.

That is the lesson of سَيَهْدِينِ — “He will guide me.”

How can we practice 26:62 today?

1.    Suppose someone loses a job. Tawakkul does not mean sitting at home saying, “Allah will provide.” It means updating the CV, contacting people, applying for jobs, improving one's skills, making duʿā—and while doing all this thinking: إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ My Lord is with me; He will guide me.

2.    Suppose a person becomes ill. Tawakkul does not mean rejecting medical treatment. One consults competent doctors, takes prescribed medicine, seeks another opinion when appropriate—and remembers that ultimately healing belongs to Allah: وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ “And when I am ill, it is He who heals me.” — 26:80

3.    Suppose one faces financial difficulty. Reduce unnecessary expenditure, seek lawful income, restructure obligations, ask trustworthy people for advice—and do not allow anxiety to convince you that Allah's provision has disappeared.

4.    Suppose a family problem seems insoluble. Communicate, seek reconciliation, consult wise people and fulfil your own responsibilities—but do not assume that because you cannot presently see the solution, there is no solution.

That is precisely the mistake Banī Isrā’īl made at the sea. They said: “We are finished.” But Prophet Mūsā said: “Allah will show the way.”

Perhaps the deepest lesson of 26:62

There are moments in life when Allah allows us to reach our own metaphorical Red Sea:

• Behind us may be something we cannot return to.
• Ahead of us may appear to be something we cannot cross.
• And we may have no idea what happens next.

At that moment tawakkul does not necessarily say: “Everything will happen exactly as I want.” - Rather it says: “Allah knows where I am. Allah has not lost control of my circumstances. I will obey Him, use the means available to me, and trust Him with what I cannot see.”

That is a much deeper faith. And this may be why Mūsā did not say merely: “Allah will save us.” Instead he said: إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ “Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me.”

Sometimes the greatest manifestation of tawakkul is not knowing where the road is, while remaining certain that Allah knows where it is! So trust in Allah after doing your best and be rest assured whatever is good for you will happen -may not what you wanted it to be. Please ponder over it.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 26 Ash-Shuʿarāʾ 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.

| Resources 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

Who were Hārūt and Mārūt - Why are they mentioned in the Qur’an?

The major portion of Al Qur'an is based on Divine commands, guidance and cautions. Yet there are parables, imageries, metaphors and anecdotes to make readers of Qur'an understand a concept or a passage which some may not otherwise understand easily. We have already shared many such mentions with explanations for the interest and understanding, based on interpretation by some of the eminent scholars of Islam and exegetes of Al Qur'an.

Today, we share the mention of Hārūt and Mārūt in Al Qur'an, given is verse 102 of Surah 2. Al Baqarah (The Cow).  Hārūt and Mārūt were in fact two angels sent to people of Babylon during the the time of Prophet Solomon (Sulaymān عليه السلام ), entrusted with a divine test involving knowledge of sorcery (siḥr). They did not invite people to disbelief; rather, they clearly warned anyone who approached them: “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.” Yet some people still chose to learn and misuse harmful practices, even causing separation between husband and wife. The passage therefore teaches that knowledge can become a test, that harmful knowledge should not be pursued or misused, and that no magic or unseen force can harm anyone independently of Allah’s permission.

The verse (in part)

“And they followed [instead] what the devils had recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic and that which was revealed to the two angels at Babylon, Hārūt and Mārūt. But they [i.e., the two angels] do not teach anyone unless they say, "We are a trial, so do not disbelieve [by practicing magic]." And [yet] they learn from them that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife. But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allāh. And they [i.e., the people] learn what harms them and does not benefit them. But they [i.e., the Children of Israel] certainly knew that whoever purchased it [i.e., magic] would not have in the Hereafter any share. And wretched is that for which they sold themselves, if they only knew.”

Who were Hārūt and Mārūt?

Let us now understand who were these two angels and why were they sent. According to the straightforward reading adopted by many classical mufassirūn, Hārūt and Mārūt were two angels sent to Babylon as a test for people. Their presence was not an invitation to practice magic. Quite the opposite: whenever someone approached them, they first gave an explicit warning:

إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.”

Scholarly Interpretation

1. Ibn Kathīr: they were a test, and people were warned

Ibn Kathīr records several interpretations transmitted from earlier authorities. The most commonly understood reading is that Hārūt and Mārūt were two angels in Babylon, and whoever came to them was first explicitly warned:

إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.”

Thus, their role was connected with a divinely permitted fitnah — a test. The sin did not lie in the angels encouraging evil; rather, people knowingly chose to misuse what they encountered despite the warning. Ibn Kathīr also records alternative early interpretations, including reports attributed to al-Ṭabarī and others concerning the grammatical meaning of the verse, showing that the details were debated among early exegetes.

Importantly, the colourful later narrative claiming that the two angels descended, became infatuated with a woman, drank wine, committed murder and were punished should not be treated as part of the Qur’anic account itself. Much of that material comes through disputed reports and Isrā’īliyyāt traditions rather than a clear Qur’anic statement.

2. Al-Ṭabarī: a noteworthy alternative interpretation

Al-Ṭabarī discusses a less common interpretation according to which the verse need not mean that Allah actually sent magic down through two angels. In one line of interpretation preserved in his tafsīr, the reference could be connected with false claims circulating among the Jews about angels and magic. He nevertheless reports the interpretation that Hārūt and Mārūt were angels as well. Ibn Kathīr cites this disagreement and does not hide the exegetical complexity.

This tells us something important: Muslim scholarship distinguished the definite message of the verse from speculative details surrounding the story.

3. Maʿārif al-Qur’an / Ashraf ʿAlī Thanawī: they exposed magic so people could distinguish it from miracles

This interpretation gives a particularly interesting explanation.

According to Maʿārif al-Qur’an, drawing upon Mawlānā Ashraf ʿAlī Thanawī, magic had become widespread in Babylon. People were becoming so impressed by extraordinary magical phenomena that they were beginning to confuse sorcery with prophetic miracles.

• Allah therefore sent Hārūt and Mārūt so that people could understand what magic really was and thereby distinguish: (1) magic from miracle, (2) magicians from prophets, (3) deception from divine signs.
• Before explaining anything, however, they warned the person that this knowledge itself constituted a test. The purpose was therefore protective and educational, not an endorsement of sorcery.

Maʿārif al-Qur’an gives an illuminating analogy: a scholar may explain false doctrines in detail so that students can recognize and refute them. If a student subsequently embraces those doctrines, that does not make the teacher responsible. Similarly, Hārūt and Mārūt warned people beforehand, while some later misused the knowledge.

4. Al-Qurṭubī and other classical scholars: caution about the details

Classical tafsīr literature records more than one grammatical and theological interpretation of this passage. Al-Qurṭubī discusses the view that what was “sent down” should not necessarily be understood as Allah sending magic for people to practise.

The important point remains unchanged: Allah did not command people to become sorcerers. Whatever knowledge was involved, the angels explicitly warned: “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.”

That single sentence prevents us from interpreting their mission as promoting magic.

5. The interpretation of many later scholars: knowledge can itself be a moral examination

Later commentators often emphasize the ethical dimension. The significant Qur’anic expression is not merely that people “learned,” but: “They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them.”

This transforms the story into a profound discussion of beneficial versus harmful knowledge. Knowledge is therefore not automatically virtuous merely because it is knowledge. A person may know how to manipulate people, destroy relationships, deceive society, make weapons, steal information or exploit vulnerabilities. 

The moral question is: What will you do with what you know?

This is one reason Hārūt and Mārūt remain extraordinarily relevant.

6.    Where the scholars substantially agree

Despite their disagreements over historical details, their interpretations converge on several fundamentals:

• Sulaymān عليه السلام was innocent of magic. The Qur’an expressly declares: “Sulaymān did not disbelieve.”
• Magic is associated with the devils and serious spiritual danger.
• Hārūt and Mārūt warned people rather than enticing them.
• Their presence constituted a fitnah — a test.
• Human beings remained responsible for their own choices.
• Some people deliberately pursued knowledge that harmed rather than benefited them.
• No occult power operates independently of Allah.

The interpretation most important for us today The most powerful part of the passage may actually be the contrast between two expressions:

إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ  “We are only a test.” - and  وَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مَا يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمْ “They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them.”

Put together, they establish an extraordinary Qur’anic principle: The ability to acquire knowledge does not automatically give us the moral right to use it.

That applies far beyond ancient Babylon. Modern humanity possesses unprecedented knowledge—AI, biotechnology, surveillance, psychological manipulation, weapons and mass communication. The Qur’anic question remains essentially the same: Will knowledge be used to benefit creation, or will human beings knowingly choose what harms them? In that sense, Hārūt and Mārūt are not merely mysterious figures from antiquity. Their mention becomes a warning for every generation about knowledge, temptation, responsibility and the misuse of power.

Why are they mentioned in the Qur’an?

Their story is very much a lesson for later generations. The Qur’an is not merely recording an unusual event in Babylon. It is demonstrating a permanent principle: knowledge itself can become a test.Hārūt and Mārūt warned people before teaching them. This means that the individual was confronted with a moral choice: You now know that this knowledge can lead you away from Allah—will you still pursue it?

The Qur’an then gives a disturbing example: “…they learned from them that by which they caused separation between a man and his wife…”

Notice the kind of harm highlighted. It is not merely spectacular magic. It is the destruction of human relationships, especially marriage. The Qur’an therefore exposes one of the ugliest uses of knowledge: using it not to heal, reconcile or benefit people, but to manipulate, divide and destroy them.

The deeper lesson: Not everything we can learn should be learned or used. This principle becomes even more relevant in later generations. Human beings continually acquire greater powers: science, technology, psychology, surveillance, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, weapons, media manipulation and sophisticated methods of influencing other people. 

The Qur’anic lesson of Hārūt and Mārūt asks a timeless question: Just because something can be known or done, does that mean it should be done? The people mentioned in 2:102 possessed knowledge, but Allah says: “They learned what harmed them and did not benefit them.”

That is perhaps the central warning of the passage.

Islam therefore does not measure knowledge merely by how fascinating, mysterious or powerful it is. Knowledge is also judged by where it leads. Knowledge that brings a person closer to truth, justice and human welfare is a blessing. Knowledge deliberately used for deception, oppression, manipulation or corruption may become a fitnah—an examination of one's faith and character.

Another crucial lesson: Magic has no independent power. The verse immediately places an important theological restriction upon the subject: “…but they could not harm anyone through it except by Allah’s permission.”

This protects a believer from two opposite errors. (1) One is denying Allah's sovereignty by imagining that sorcerers, spirits, occult practitioners or unseen forces possess autonomous supernatural power. (2) The other is becoming obsessed and terrified by them.

The Qur’an teaches that nothing operates independently of Allah. A believer therefore does not live in superstitious fear of magicians, amulets, fortune-tellers or supposed occult powers.

Why was Prophet Sulaymān mentioned immediately before them?

The verse begins by correcting another misconception: “Sulaymān did not disbelieve, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic…” Certain people had apparently associated Sulaymān's extraordinary kingdom with sorcery. The Qur’an categorically clears him:

وَمَا كَفَرَ سُلَيْمَانُ “Sulaymān did not disbelieve.”

His extraordinary authority over wind, jinn and other aspects of creation was a miracle and gift from Allah, not magical power obtained through occult practices. So the verse sharply distinguishes between:

• Divine gift and occult manipulation;
• prophethood and sorcery;
• beneficial knowledge and harmful knowledge;
• trust in Allah and pursuit of forbidden powers.

Why does the Qur’an specifically mention husband and wife?

The Qur’an says that people learned something through which they caused:

يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِ “separation between a man and his wife.”

This is significant. The Qur’an could have chosen many examples of harm, but it points to the destruction of the closest human relationship. Several commentators therefore see the verse as demonstrating the destructive character of sorcery: instead of building society, it breaks trust, affection and families.

And yet the Qur’an immediately places a theological boundary around its power:

وَمَا هُم بِضَارِّينَ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ “They cannot harm anyone through it except by Allah's permission.”

Thus Islam simultaneously acknowledges the danger while denying that magic possesses independent power outside Allah's sovereignty.

What should we learn from Hārūt and Mārūt today?

Their mention teaches at least these lasting lessons:

• Life itself contains tests disguised as opportunities. Something attractive or powerful may actually be a test of obedience.
• A warning removes excuses. Hārūt and Mārūt explicitly said, “Do not disbelieve.” Those who proceeded did so knowingly.
• Knowledge carries moral responsibility. The more power knowledge gives us, the greater our accountability for how we use it.
• Do not seek knowledge whose purpose is harm. The Qur’an condemns people who deliberately learned what harmed rather than benefited them.
• Destroying relationships is a grave evil. The verse specifically mentions separating husband and wife.
• Never attribute independent supernatural power to creation. Harm occurs only within Allah's decree.
• Do not confuse miracles with magic. Sulaymān's powers came from Allah; sorcery belonged to the path of devils.

The most profound message

The story of Hārūt and Mārūt is therefore not principally a mysterious story about two angels. It is a story about human choice. Two people may encounter exactly the same knowledge. One recognizes the warning and walks away. The other says, “I know it is wrong, but I want the power it gives me.”

That is why the verse concludes with such severity:

“…they certainly knew that whoever purchased it would have no share in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed was that for which they sold themselves, if only they knew.”

The expression “sold themselves” is particularly striking. The Qur’an is telling us that sometimes the real price of forbidden power is not money—it is one's own soul and relationship with Allah.

Thus, the mention of Hārūt and Mārūt has a powerful message for every generation: seek knowledge, but never separate knowledge from morality; seek power, but never at the cost of obedience to Allah; and whenever knowledge becomes a choice between benefit and corruption, remember the warning: “We are only a trial, so do not disbelieve.”

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 2 Al Baqarah (The Cow)  already published

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

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

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

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

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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What do we learn from the parable of spider's web "The frailest of houses" mentioned in Al Qur'an

The Qur’an uses parables, imagery and metaphors because many spiritual realities—faith, hypocrisy, guidance, worldly attachment, resurrection, reliance on Allah—are invisible or abstract. Parables let us to distinguish attitudes of the heart. A parable often does several things at once. It makes the unseen understandable: false reliance becomes the fragile spider’s house (29:41). We have already shared a number of parables, metaphors and imageries in our earlier posts. Today we will try expand the parable of spider's web which appears in Surah Al-ʿAnkabūt 29:41. In fact the surah itself is named Al Ankabut - the spider's house: 

The Verse

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوۡلِيَآءَ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِ ٱتَّخَذَتۡ بَيۡتٗاۖ وَإِنَّ أَوۡهَنَ ٱلۡبُيُوتِ لَبَيۡتُ ٱلۡعَنكَبُوتِۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ

“The parable of those who take protectors besides Allah is that of the spider which makes a house; and indeed, the weakest of houses is the spider’s house—if only they knew.”

The verse is not really about spiders as such. The spider’s house is being used as a symbol of false security: something may look intricate, carefully constructed and sufficient, yet when real danger comes, it cannot provide true protection.

Why is the spider’s house such a powerful parable?

The Arabic word used is بَيْت — bayt, “house” or “dwelling.” The Qur’an does not say that spider silk itself is the weakest material. In fact, modern materials research shows that some spider silks have remarkable tensile strength and toughness.

The point is therefore better understood as the weakness of the house as a refuge. However beautifully constructed, a spider’s web offers little protection from powerful external forces. Classical tafsir similarly explains that it cannot truly shelter its occupant in the way a strong dwelling does.

That produces an extraordinary contrast:

Intricate — yet fragile.

Impressive — yet insecure.

Useful for some purposes — yet useless as ultimate protection.

And this is exactly what the Qur’an says about whatever people make into an ultimate protector instead of Allah.

The context of the verse makes the parable even stronger

Immediately before 29:41, the Qur’an recalls powerful peoples and individuals—among them ʿĀd, Thamūd, Qarun, Pharaoh and Hāmān—who possessed wealth, political power, buildings, armies or worldly prestige, yet none of those things could protect them when Allah’s judgment came. Verse 40 concludes that each was seized because of wrongdoing. Then comes the spider parable.

So the sequence is deliberate: Powerful civilizations based on apparent security ultimately collapse just like the spider’s house.

Eminent scholar Maududi makes this connection especially strongly. He says that these earlier peoples trusted deities, patrons and imagined protectors to rescue them, but when destruction arrived, all such expectations collapsed. He describes their system of dependence as essentially a “toy-house of expectations”, comparable to a cobweb that cannot survive confrontation with Allah’s decree. That is perhaps the key to the entire parable.

Scholarly Interpretation of the Parable

1.    Ibn Kathir explains that those who worship or rely upon beings besides Allah resemble someone holding onto a spider’s web expecting protection. The web provides no real support when genuine danger arrives. By contrast, the believer whose heart relies upon Allah has grasped a firm and trustworthy support.

2.    Maududi broadens the image considerably. The false “protectors” are not merely idols. The historic nations thought certain beings had power over their fortunes and could rescue them from adversity. History proved those assumptions false. Maududi therefore sees the spider’s house as the entire structure of expectations built upon powers other than Allah.

3.    Yusuf Ali notices something subtle: the spider’s web can be astonishingly sophisticated and effective for its limited purpose—catching prey and transmitting vibrations—yet it remains flimsy as a real dwelling. He sees in this a comparison with worldly resources that may appear ingenious, beautiful and powerful but become insignificant when treated as substitutes for the ultimate Reality of Allah.

The common conclusion is therefore not that worldly means are useless. Rather, worldly means become spiritually dangerous when we mistake them for the ultimate source of security.

What are the “spider webs” of our own age?

This is where 29:41 becomes very contemporary. For the original audience, the most obvious application was shirk—taking deities and spiritual protectors besides Allah. That remains the primary meaning.

But the underlying principle applies much more widely. A person may construct his security around: wealth, political influence, powerful friends, professional status, family connections, technology, military strength, fame, physical health, or even his own intelligence.

Although, none of these is inherently wrong. Islam encourages lawful wealth, knowledge, planning and strength. The problem begins when the heart quietly says: “Because I possess this, nothing can happen to me.” At that moment a legitimate means has begun to become a spider’s house.

• Money disappears.
• Governments fall.
• Relationships change.
• Health collapses.
• Businesses fail.
• Technology breaks.
• Powerful people die.

The Qur’an therefore does not necessarily tell us to abandon worldly means. It tells us: Do not confuse a means with the One who controls the means.

There is another striking feature: the web can trap others. A spider’s web not only looks like a shelter; it can also become a trap. Yusuf Ali draws attention to its hunting function: an insect that enters may become entangled while the spider senses the vibrations and approaches its prey.

As a spiritual reflection—not necessarily the primary classical meaning—this gives the parable another dimension. 

• False securities often work exactly like this. A person thinks: “My wealth will protect me.” 
• Then his entire life becomes devoted to acquiring wealth.  “My position gives me security.” 
• Then he becomes terrified of losing his position. “This powerful person will protect me.”
• Then he becomes dependent upon that person. 
• However, The very thing he thought would protect him can eventually entangle him.

This beautifully fits the Qur’anic psychology of attachment.

Does modern science prove a “miracle” here?

It is sometimes claimed that the Qur’an called the spider’s home weak because of particular details of spider mating, cannibalism or family behaviour. Some spider species certainly display unusual reproductive behaviours, but spider biology is extremely diverse. Such claims should therefore not be presented as the established meaning of the verse.

The classical commentators understood the verse perfectly well centuries before modern zoology: the comparison concerns the unreliability of the spider’s dwelling as protection, just as false objects of reliance cannot protect those who depend upon them.

Interestingly, science actually strengthens the need for precision: spider silk itself can be extraordinarily strong relative to its mass. So the Qur’an’s wording is significant:

• It does not say, “The weakest thread is the spider’s thread.”
• It says, “The weakest of houses is the spider’s house.”

That distinction matters greatly.

Why does Allah use a parable rather than simply saying “do not rely on others”?

Because an image remains in the mind. You can explain theological dependence abstractly: “Anything besides Allah possesses only limited power.”

But then Allah gives you a picture: A spider carefully builds an elaborate structure, settles inside it and seems secure—yet a small disturbance can destroy the whole thing. Suddenly the theological argument becomes visible.

That is why the very next verse about Qur’anic parables says: “These are the examples We set forth for mankind, but none truly understand them except those who possess knowledge.” — 29:43

The Qur’an wants us to go behind the picture to the principle. The deepest lesson of 29:41 The verse is ultimately about tawakkul—where the heart places its final reliance.

Islam does not teach: Do nothing and rely upon Allah. It teaches: Use every lawful means—but know that the means possesses no independent power apart from Allah.

That is:

• You can take medicine, but healing ultimately belongs to Allah, 
• You can earn money, but rizq ultimately belongs to Allah. 
• You can seek help from people, but people remain limited servants of Allah.
• You can lock your house, but the lock is not your ultimate Protector.

This is the difference between using a means and worshipping the means with the heart.

The spider parable can therefore be reduced to one profound warning: Do not build your ultimate security upon something that is itself dependent, temporary and powerless before Allah.

And there is a beautiful contrast elsewhere in the Qur’an. While 29:41 describes false reliance as the fragile house of a spider, Qur’an 2:256 describes faith in Allah as grasping: “the firmest handhold which will never break.”

So spiritually there are two houses before us:

• The spider’s house: impressive perhaps, but ultimately fragile.
• Reliance upon Allah: invisible perhaps, but ultimately unbreakable.

That contrast is really the heart of Surah Al-ʿAnkabūt: life will test us, and those tests eventually reveal whether what we trusted was a real foundation—or only a beautifully constructed web.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 29. Al-‘Ankabūt "العنكبوت" (The Spider) 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
• You may also refer to our Reference Pages  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

A striking verse from Al Qur'an that links faith with observation

All of us travelers in some degree - yet a few of us observe what we see while passing through places, ruins, valleys or rivers. Those who observe, also reflect on the creations of the Creator and wonder over the why of the creations. In fact pondering and reflecting over creations broadens our vision to appreciate and ponder of the beauty of even a snail crawling over a leaf. 

While traveling, we should learn to see creation as signs (āyāt), not merely scenery. The Qur’an urges us to “travel through the earth and observe” (29:20). Mountains can remind us of Allah’s power, changing landscapes of His creativity, ruins of past civilizations of the temporary nature of human greatness, and plants, animals, seas, and skies of the extraordinary order sustaining life. Travel therefore becomes an act of reflection when we move beyond taking photographs to asking: Who created this? What does it teach me about Allah? What happened to those who lived here before me? And how should this knowledge change the way I live? In this way, the eyes travel through the earth while the heart travels toward its Creator.

This is the theme of Surah Al-ʿAnkabūt 29:20 which we shall expand and try to dig deeper into the wisdom behind this post to enlighten our vision:

The Verse

قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“Say, ‘Travel throughout the land and observe how He originated creation. Then Allah will bring about the later creation. Surely Allah has power over everything.’” — 29:20

This is a remarkable Qur’anic verse because Allah does not merely say “believe that I created”; He says, in effect, go, look, observe and think.

The context of 29:20

The immediate subject of verses 29:19–23 is resurrection. The people being addressed could acknowledge Allah as Creator, yet some regarded resurrection after death as impossible. The Qur’an answers: if Allah brought creation into existence the first time, why should recreating human beings be considered impossible? Maʿārif al-Qur’an explicitly explains the passage in this way: the first creation is presented as evidence for the possibility of the second creation.

That is why Verse 19 first asks: “Have they not seen how Allah originates creation and then repeats it? Indeed, that is easy for Allah.” — 29:19

And then verse 20 takes the argument further: Do not merely hear the argument — go out into the world and examine the evidence yourselves.

So its sequence is: Creation before our eyes → Creator → His power → resurrection → accountability.

This is why the second half of 29:20 immediately says: “Then Allah will bring about the later creation.”

The principal subject is therefore not tourism, geology or biology by themselves. Rather observation of nature is being used to awaken certainty about Allah and the Hereafter.

Why does Allah say “Travel through the earth”?

There are two important commands:

• سِيرُوا — sīrū: Travel, move about, journey.
• فَانظُرُوا — fa-nẓurū: Then look, observe, contemplate.

The second command is crucial. A person can travel thousands of kilometres and learn almost nothing spiritually. 

The Qur’an asks for travel with an observing mind and asks to look at:

• mountains and valleys,
• oceans and rivers,
• deserts and forests,
• animals and plants,
• human beings,
• civilizations and their ruins,
• birth, growth, decay and death,
• and the extraordinary order underlying creation

Ibn Kathir specifically mentions contemplation of the heavens, stars and planets, as well as earth's plains, mountains, valleys, deserts, trees, rivers, fruits and oceans. For him, these visible realities point toward both a Creator and His ability to resurrect creation.

So 29:20 is teaching something profound: The believer should not pass through Allah's creation without reading its signs.

Scholarly interpretation of  the verse

1. Ibn Kathir: creation is evidence for resurrection Ibn Kathir's interpretation is straightforward.

Human beings once did not exist; Allah brought them into existence. Therefore, the One who created them initially can create them again. He then says people should contemplate the visible signs throughout the horizons—the heavens, planets, earth, mountains, rivers, vegetation and oceans.

His reasoning is essentially: If first creation is before you, why doubt the second creation?

For Ibn Kathir, therefore, 29:20 teaches both: (1) Tawḥīd: creation points toward the Creator, and (2) Ākhirah: the Creator who originated life can restore it after death.

2. Maududi: observe what Allah is already doing Maududi focuses especially on the logical argument. 

He explains that people are already witnessing God's creative power. Once this power is acknowledged, re-creation cannot rationally be regarded as beyond Allah's ability.

The argument can be simplified: (1) First creation exists. (2) First creation required divine power. (3) The same divine power remains. (4) Therefore resurrection cannot be impossible for Allah.

This is characteristic of the Qur’anic method: it takes something observable and uses it to make us think about something presently unseen.

3. Yusuf Ali: travel both literally and intellectually

Yusuf Ali gives this verse a particularly broad and beautiful interpretation. He understands travelling through the earth both literally and, in a broader sense, intellectually.

He draws attention to the wonders encountered across the world—mountains, rivers, geological formations and other natural marvels—and then moves inward to the constitution of matter, energy, animal instinct and human capacities. His central thought is that from what humanity can observe, we may reason toward realities we cannot yet observe directly.

That is an important insight into 29:20: Observation should lead beyond observation.

You see creation;

• you reflect upon its origin;
• you recognize power and wisdom;

And finally you recognize that resurrection is not incredible.

What is particularly remarkable about this verse?

• The Qur’an could simply have said: “Allah created everything, therefore believe.”
• Instead it says: سِيرُوا — Travel and while travelling فَانظُرُوا — Observe.

This establishes an important Qur’anic attitude toward knowledge:

• Faith need not fear observation.
• Nature is not an enemy of revelation. In the Qur’anic worldview, nature itself contains āyāt—signs—which invite contemplation of the Creator.

The Muslim should therefore possess two books, metaphorically speaking:

• The revealed Book — the Qur’an, and
• The created “book” — the universe.

Both invite reflection upon Allah.

Is 29:20 a command to study science?

Now coming over to oft asked question that what Qur'an says about a particular thing - and is it ratified by science. It has been explained time and again that in books of theologies, science has no place - but it is science which can draw conclusions from what has been said.

Therefore, it would be going too far to say that the verse specifically commands modern disciplines such as geology, biology, paleontology or cosmology. The classical tafsirs primarily understand its immediate purpose as proving Allah's creative power and resurrection. Ibn Kathir and Maududi are particularly clear about this.

But the intellectual attitude encouraged by the verse certainly accommodates serious investigation of creation.

A Muslim scientist studying cells, DNA, embryonic development, fossils, ecosystems, mountains, oceans, stars or galaxies, can approach those subjects not merely asking: “How does this work?” - but also: “What does the existence, order and intelligibility of creation make me reflect upon?”

Science studies mechanisms and processes. The Qur’anic reflection goes further and asks questions of meaning, origin, purpose and ultimate destiny. We should therefore avoid forcing particular modern scientific theories into 29:20. Its message is broader and more enduring: Examine creation carefully; what you discover should deepen your awareness of the Creator and His power.

Why has this been stressed upon believers?

Although the verse directly challenges those denying resurrection, its method is immensely valuable for believers because faith can become habitual. 

We say Allah is the Creator. But when did we last seriously contemplate what that means?

Consider one seed becoming a tree. One fertilized human cell developing into a complex human body. A lifeless-looking landscape becoming green after rain. Billions of stars occupying an immense universe. Generations appearing, living and disappearing.

The Qur’an asks us not to become spiritually blind to familiar things. Something does not cease to be extraordinary merely because we see it every day. A sunrise becomes “ordinary” only because it happens repeatedly. Birth becomes “ordinary” because babies are born every day. Yet both remain astonishing signs when contemplated deeply.

How should we implement 29:20 today?

We can implement the verse on several levels.

• Travel with reflection
• When visiting mountains, seas, deserts, forests or historic civilizations, do more than take photographs.
• Ask: Who created this? - What does this teach me? - How temporary am I compared with what I see? - What became of the generations who lived here before me?
• Then travel becomes something close to tafakkur — reflective contemplation.
• Study creation Muslims should encourage children to study astronomy, biology, medicine, geology, archaeology and other fields of knowledge—not because every scientific discovery must be labelled a “Qur’anic miracle,” but because understanding creation can deepen appreciation of its complexity and order.
• Study history and ruined civilizations
• “Travel through the earth” also has a historical dimension throughout the Qur’an.
• Ancient civilizations remind us that they: possessed wealth, constructed cities, exercised power and thought their world would continue.
• But then then they disappeared - Their ruins silently preach the temporary nature of worldly power.
• Observe yourself
• One need not always travel thousands of kilometres.
• Our own bodies are extraordinary fields of reflection: heartbeat, consciousness, eyesight, memory, healing, ageing and reproduction.
• The “journey” into creation can therefore begin within ourselves.
• Connect every observation with the Hereafter - This is the part most easily forgotten.

Remember, 29:20 does not finish: “See how Allah originated creation.” Rather, it immediately continues: “Then Allah will bring about the later creation.” Therefore the intended journey is:

Observation → reflection → Creator → resurrection → accountability

If our study of creation produces knowledge but never humility, we have only completed part of the Qur’anic journey.

A powerful contemporary reading of 29:20

The verse could be paraphrased—not as a translation, but as a reflection—as saying:

Go out of your small world. Look at the earth. Study life. Examine creation. Learn from history. Think about beginnings. Then ask yourself: if Allah brought all this into existence once, why should you doubt that He can bring you back to life?

That final question is the heart of 29:20. The verse therefore joins three things that we sometimes wrongly separate: (1) Faith — believe in Allah. (2) Reason — think about the evidence. (3) Observation — go and see it yourself. And all three finally lead to: Ākhirah — you will be created again and returned to Him.

Perhaps the greatest lesson of 29:20 for us today is this: a believer should never move through the world with closed eyes. The earth is not merely a place to live upon; it is an enormous field of signs. The more deeply we observe creation, the more consciously we should remember the Creator—and the more seriously we should prepare for the “next creation” that the same verse promises.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 29. Al-‘Ankabūt "العنكبوت" (The Spider) 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.

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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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