Where is Allah?

The question posed in this post is one of the most sought questions by many non-believers, especially atheists. Also, many who are obsessed with finding a scientific answer to everything, want an answer to prove the existence of Allah or His location. But before we answer the question as answered by Allah Himself in the Qur'an, let us discuss first what propinquity or connectedness mean.

We humans establish our connectivity with other humans based on closeness or nearness of our relations, our connectivity and its means and the propinquity, which is one of the main factors leading to interpersonal attraction. 

Propinquity refers to the physical or psychological proximity between people. Propinquity can mean physical proximity, a kinship between people, or a similarity in nature between things ("like-attracts-like"). Two people living on the same floor of a building, for example, have a higher propinquity than those living on different floors, just as two people with similar political beliefs possess a higher propinquity than those whose beliefs strongly differ.

Coming over to the question: Where is Allah? Many when talk of presence of God, their mindset is focused on physical closeness and connectedness with Allah, and they want a scientific answer to that presence and how it can be felt. But they forget that there are no clear-cut answers when dealing with Divine matters. The closeness of presence of Allah with regard to His servant is not based on hearing and listening when talking or making a supplication. For Allah, distances do not matter and He is always ears to the supplication of His servants no matter from where these are made. 

Now without any more discussion on the subject, let me share here the 186th verse from Surah 2. Al Baqarah (The Cow) in which Allah Himself tells His revered messenger Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the answer to this query:

وَاِذَا سَاَلَـكَ عِبَادِىۡ عَنِّىۡ فَاِنِّىۡ قَرِيۡبٌؕ اُجِيۡبُ دَعۡوَةَ الدَّاعِ اِذَا دَعَانِ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيۡبُوۡا لِىۡ وَلۡيُؤۡمِنُوۡا بِىۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡشُدُوۡنَ‏ 

(2:186) (O Muhammad), when My servants ask you about Me, tell them I am quite near; I hear and answer the call of the caller whenever he calls Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me; perhaps they will be guided aright.

That is, "Although you cannot see Me nor perceive Me with your senses, yet you must never imagine that I am far from you. Nay, I am so near to every servant of Mine that he can invoke Me and place his request before Me wherever he is. So much so that I hear and answer even those requests which are not expressed in words but are made only in the innermost heart. As to the false and impotent gods you have created in your ignorance and folly, you have to travel co them, and even then they do not hear and answer you. But here am I, the Sovereign, the absolute Ruler of the boundless universe and Possessor of all powers and authority, so near to hear and answer you that you need no recommendation of intercession for making any request anywhere at any time you like. Therefore, you should free yourselves from the folly of running from door to door after false gods, and accept My invitation and turn to Me and trust in Me and submit to Me and become My servants."  

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: Allah hears the Servant's Supplication

Imam Ahmad reported that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said, "We were in the company of Allah's Messenger during a battle. Whenever we climbed a high place, went up a hill or went down a valley, we used to say, `Allah is the Most Great,' raising our voices. 

The Prophet came by us and said: (O people! Be merciful to yourselves (i.e., don't raise your voices), for you are not calling a deaf or an absent one, but One Who is All-Hearer, All-Seer. The One Whom you call is closer to one of you than the neck of his animal. O `Abdullah bin Qais (Abu Musa's name) should I teach you a statement that is a treasure of Paradise: `La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (there is no power or strength except from Allah).')

This Hadith was also recorded in the Two Sahihs, and Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah recorded similar wordings. 

Furthermore, Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said that the Prophet said: ("Allah the Exalted said, `I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him whenever he invokes Me.') Allah accepts the Invocation

Imam Ahmad also recorded Abu Sa`id saying that the Prophet said: (No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a Du`a that does not involve sin or cutting the relations of the womb, but Allah will grant him one of the three things. He will either hasten the response to his supplication, save it for him until the Hereafter, or would turn an equivalent amount of evil away from him.') They said, "What if we were to recite more (Du`a).'' He said, (There is more with Allah.)

`Abdullah the son of Imam Ahmad recorded `Ubadah bin As-Samit saying that the Prophet said: (There is no Muslim man on the face of the earth who supplicates to Allah but Allah would either grant it to him, or avert a harm from him of equal proportions, as long as his supplication does not involve sin or cutting the relations of the womb.) At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith.

Allah accepts the Invocation: Imam Ahmad also recorded Abu Sa`id saying that the Prophet said: (No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a Du`a that does not involve sin or cutting the relations of the womb, but Allah will grant him one of the three things. He will either hasten the response to his supplication, save it for him until the Hereafter, or would turn an equivalent amount of evil away from him.') They said, "What if we were to recite more (Du`a).' He said, (There is more with Allah.)

`Abdullah the son of Imam Ahmad recorded `Ubadah bin As-Samit saying that the Prophet said: (There is no Muslim man on the face of the earth who supplicates to Allah but Allah would either grant it to him, or avert a harm from him of equal proportions, as long as his supplication does not involve sin or cutting the relations of the womb.) At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith.

Imam Malik recorded that Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah's Messenger said: (One's supplication will be accepted as long as he does become get hasty and say, `I have supplicated but it has not been accepted from me.'')

This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs from Malik, and this is the wording of Al-Bukhari.

Muslim recorded that the Prophet said: (The supplication of the servant will be accepted as long as he does not supplicate for what includes sin, or cutting the relations of the womb, and as long as he does not become hasty.) He was asked, "O Messenger of Allah! How does one become hasty' He said, (He says, `I supplicated and supplicated, but I do not see that my supplication is being accepted from me.' He thus loses interest and abandons supplicating (to Allah).)

Three Persons Whose Supplication will not be rejected: In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad and the Sunans of At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah's Messenger said: (Three persons will not have their supplication rejected: the just ruler, the fasting person until breaking the fast, and the supplication of the oppressed person, for Allah raises it above the clouds on the Day of Resurrection, and the doors of heaven will be opened for it, and Allah says, `By My grace! I will certainly grant it to you, even if after a while.')

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. 

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

 The implication is that when the Almighty is near them and is also answering their questions to remove their confusions, no one should adopt a hypocritical attitude with Him and neither should people object to and raise doubts against any of His directives; in fact, they should obey them with full faith and conviction.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

Interposed among the verses dealing with fasting comes a verse reflecting a profound insight into human nature. It reaches to the deepest recesses of the human psyche, offering solace and ample rewards for keeping the fast in response to God’s commands: “If My servants ask you about Me, well, I am near; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls to Me. Let them then respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may follow the right way.”

How kind and compassionate God truly is! Any hardship encountered in keeping fast fades in comparison with this friendly and gentle reassurance. The choice of words creates an atmosphere of intimacy and accessibility, with God Himself stating a direct contact between Him and His servants. He does not give instructions to His Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on how to answer believers’ questions about Him. He gives the answer Himself: “I am near.” His closeness is not only to listen but also for immediate response: “I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls to Me.”

This verse fills a believer’s heart with love, confidence and utter reassurance. In this atmosphere of friendliness and compassion, God, who has no need for anyone, directs believers to respond to Him and believe in Him, in the hope that this will guide them to wisdom and righteousness. “Let them then respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may follow the right way.” By earning God’s generosity and guidance, believers end up winners on all counts.

Belief in God and response to His commands lead to true guidance. The way of life God has ordained for man is the only one truly worthy of adoption and adherence; all other ideologies lead only to ruin and frustration. When one responds to God’s call, one must be confident that God will answer one’s prayers (du`ā’). However, one should not hasten God’s response, for He alone decides the most appropriate time to respond.

Salmān, the Persian, a Companion of the Prophet, quotes the Prophet as saying: “God would not like to see His servant holding out his arms pleading for help and turn him away empty handed.” [Related by Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī and Ibn Mājah]

`Ubādah ibn al-Şāmit quotes the Prophet as saying: “God shall answer the prayer (du`ā’) of any Muslim anywhere on earth, or He will protect him against contrasting harm, as long as he does not ask for something evil or for the break-up of kinship relations.” [Related by al-Tirmidhī on ibn Thawbān’s authority and by `Abdullāh ibn Imām Aĥmad]

The Prophet is also reported to have said: “Your prayers shall be answered as long as you remain patient. Do not say, ‘I have prayed but my prayer has never been answered!’ “[Related by al-Bukhārī and Muslim]

He is also reported as saying: “Prayers [du`ā’] shall be answered unless one asks for something evil or the break-up of kinship relations, and as long as one does not become impatient.” When the Prophet was asked to explain how one becomes impatient, he said: “One says, ‘I have prayed many times but I have had no response,’ then gives up hope and abandons praying [du`ā’] altogether.” [Related by Muslim]

A fasting person has the best chance of his prayers being answered. Abū Dāwūd al-Ţayālisī relates on the authority of `Abdullāh ibn `Umar that the Prophet said: “The prayer a fasting person says at the time when he is about to finish his fast shall be answered.” Accordingly, `Abdullāh ibn `Umar, a learned Companion of the Prophet, used to gather his family together when breaking the fast and pray.

Ibn Mājah also relates a ĥadīth in which `Abdullāh ibn `Umar quoted the Prophet as saying: “On breaking the fast, the prayer of a fasting person is never turned down.” This is supported by a ĥadīth in which Abū Hurayrah quotes the Prophet as saying: “Prayers by three people shall never be turned down: a just ruler, a fasting person until he breaks the fast, and the oppressed for whose prayer [du`ā’] the gates of heaven shall be opened wide and God shall say to him, ‘By My power, I shall support you, even though it may be in due course.’“ [Related by Imām Aĥmad, al- Tirmidhī, al-Nasā’ī and Ibn Mājah]

You may now listen to eminent Muslim scholar of present times Nouman Ali Khan explaining the above quoted verse:

In nutshell, the answer to the query raised in this post is that in Divine matters, faith matters most rather than questioning the presence or absence, closeness or otherwise of Allah, for we must have faith that whenever we supplicate to Allah, we should be very sure that our supplication is listened to and responded in many ways that we just cannot comprehend. Also, all supplications are not instantly answered or fulfilled for it is Allah Who knows what is good or bad for His servant and He never harms His servant if he is asking for something that he thinks is right and justified in asking, but may be harmful for him as per Divine Wisdom. Thus, a better thing is granted to the servant which is good for him. So let us have firm faith in Allah and focus more on His lsitening to us rather than finding out where He is.

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Why life of many believers is in Shadows

The pre-Islam Arabian landscape was covered with darkness of ignorance and a life lived bowing in front of man-made stoned or wooden gods as has been the practice sine times unknown. But when Allah chose Muhammad ﷺ as His most revered and last of the Prophets, the fog of ignorance and disbelief lifted and Divine Light (Noor of Allah) started to skirt the sand dunes of Arabia, obliterating the shadows of darker days.

And since the dawn of Islam fourteen centuries ago, more and more non-Muslims are reverting to Islam after having found the eternal truth and the ultimate path that leads to one's salvation and a shower of Godly blessings. Yet we find that life of many a believer is still overcast by shadows and they do not seem to be finding the road that is straight, Siraat e Mustaqeem, and full of blessings. Why despite clear Divine Commandments in the Qur'an, augmented by many sayings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, many a believer, who though live a life of a believer, are still lost and have not been able to understand Islam in its entirety and living a life as is expected of them as a true believer?

To my reckoning, there could be many reasons, some of which may be as under:

• We have a shallow belief in Allah. Though we have faith in Allah, yet we do not have the capacity and courage to follow and act upon His commands as spelled out in Qur'an.
• We recite Qur'an almost daily, yet the recitation does not move our hearts for we are not willing to practice and shape our lives as being commanded in Qur'an.
• Our love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is fathomless and we display it emotionally, yet we do not follow his Sunnah and act upon his sayings (Hadiths).
• We are utterly ungrateful to the blessings of Allah. We enjoy the countless blessings being showered on us every day, yet we never thank our Lord for having bestowed upon us His blessings and remain ungrateful to Him.
• Everyone wants to enter paradise / Jannah in the life of the Hereafter, yet many are clueless as to how to prepare the grounds for entering into it.
• Likewise, all of us want to evade the raging fire of Hell / Jahannam, yet our every step is taking us closer to the fire rather than taking us away from it.
• Knowing fully well that Satan is our biggest enemy and distractor, yet we keep falling into his trap and do not want to leave the amusement and lewdness unleashed by him for we do not want to enter a life of hard tests and trails.
• Despite being warned time and again both in Qur'an and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we backbite our brethren, we gossip and talk ill of others in their absence to mean harm to them and debase their character rather than standing tall to defend them in their absence.
• We know every living being has to taste the death and that this life is but a temporary abode, yet our actions do not reflect living a life in fear of death and setting our sails to follow the right winds.
• We see our near and dear ones dying, we bury them, yet we remain oblivious of the fact that tomorrow we too will be buried under the earth. The deaths of others do not leave us a strong message to correct our sails and we don't learn any lessons from their deaths. 
• We continue to like being entrapped by the machinations of the Satan and do not spend even few minutes to remember Allah and be thankful to Him.

Time is now my dear brothers and sisters to set our sights right and steer our lives as directed by our Lord and His revered Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Time is fast running out for no one ever know when the angel of death will knock on our doors and he seldom goes away empty handed. Let us come out of the darkness of our life and enlighten it with light as shown by Qur'an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

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. 

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

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

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

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

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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

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

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Islam in Venezuela

We have covered almost the entire Latin American for the presence of Islam and life of Muslims in these countries. Today we are covering Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.

Venezuela has a small but influential Muslim population, which is about 100,000 in numbers or 0.4 percent of the total population of the country. However, another report gives an estimated Muslim population of 126,876 Muslims in Venezuela, 0.5 percent of the nation's population. Most Muslims are Arabs of Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian and Turkish descent. The capital city Caracas has a Muslim population of 15,000. Muslim migrants to a lesser extent usually come from countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Kuwait, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Ghana, Togo, Somalia and Sierra Leone. On the other hand, according to Ahmad Abdo, there are more than 3,000 Venezuelan converts to Islam by 2020.

Majority of the Muslims are Sunnis who belong to belong to the Shafi and Hanbali schools and to a lesser extent Hanafi and Maliki, but he also points to the presence of Shiites in Caracas and San Félix. There is also some presence of Sufis in Venezuela, but without established institutions

National Art Gallery, Ibrahim Al-lbrahim Mosque and CANTV headquarters in Caracas 

[Photo: Jesús Rincón}

The hallmark of the presence of Islam in the capital city Caracas is the Mosque of Sheikh Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim in Caracas is the second largest mosque in Latin America. This historic mosque features a dome, minaret with an octagonal hall rising up from a platform to a circular dome to achieve the transition between the street and the interior of the prayer hall. It was constructed with funds from the Ibrahim bin Abdul Aziz Al-Ibrahim Foundation under the planning of architect Oscar Bracho.

The mosque designed by architect Zuhair Fayez occupies an area of 5000 m², its minaret is 113 metres high and the dome is 23 metres high. Construction of the mosque was completed in 1993. The mosque can hold around 3500 worshipers. Rising higher between the Catholic Cathedral a few blocks away and the Caracas Synagogue, the minaret is the highest in the Americas. 

Other notable mosques and Islamic organisations include the Isla Margarita-Caribe La Comunidad Islámica Venezolana, Centro Islámico de Venezuela, the Mezquita al-Rauda in Maracaibo, the Asociación Honorable Mezquita de Jerusalén in Valencia, Centro Islámico de Maiquetía in Vargas, and the Asociación Benéfica Islámica in Bolívar. There is also a mosque in Punto Fijo built in 2008.

Fixed Point Mosque, Punto Fijo [Photo]

The Punto Fijo Mosque is located in the city of Punto Fijo on the Paraguaná peninsula, in the autonomous municipality of Carirubana in the north of the Falcón state and northwest of the South American country of Venezuela. It was established in 2008 due to the growth of the Muslim community near the duty- free area of ​​Paraguaná.

Margarita Island, a free-trade zone that is home to a sizeable Arab Muslim community. The local cable television outlet carries Al-Jazeera as well as channels from Lebanon and Syria. Women in hijab work cash registers, and on most shop counters, Quranic ayah are on display. Arabs are involved in retail businesses as well as travel agencies and banks.

I have not been able to find any source which could me an insight of living conditions, communities and way of life of Muslims in Venezuela. However, based on the remarks by a girl in the video shared below, it seems that there is strict prejudices about Muslims and they happily coexist with the local non-Muslim population.

I will keep trying and will add as and when I find any. In the meantime, any Venezuelan Muslim reading this post may update by proffering comments in the comment box at the end of the post.

You may now watch a short video on Muslim community in Venezuela:

Disclaimer: The data for this post has been collected from the references given below. If any one 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.

To know more about life of Muslims in other non-Muslim countries, please visit our page: Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo (Flag) | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

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, Twitter, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Cursed are those who accuse chaste believing women

Islam lays an immense emphasis on dignity, honour and respect of both believing men and women in many verses of Qur'an. However, the dignity and honour of believing women is specially emphasized for a false accusation or slander can ruin the piety of an innocent and pious believing woman.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has also stressed not to harm the good name and morality of a believing woman. He has been quoted as saying: To slander chaste women is one of the seven deadly sins. According to another tradition cited by Tabarani from Huzaifah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: To slander a pious woman suffices to ruin the good deeds of a hundred years.

In this context we share the 23rd verse of Surah 24. An Noor and its explanation by eminent Muslim scholars and exegetes. This verse prescribes a severe punishment for those who falsely accuse chaste women of adultery without sufficient evidence, highlighting the seriousness of slander.

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ يَرۡمُوۡنَ الۡمُحۡصَنٰتِ الۡغٰفِلٰتِ الۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ لُعِنُوۡا فِى الدُّنۡيَا وَالۡاٰخِرَةِ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيۡمٌۙ‏

(24:23) Those that accuse chaste, unwary, believing women, have been cursed in the world and the Hereafter, and a mighty chastisement awaits them.

The word ghafilat " الۡغٰفِلٰتِ "as used in the text means the women who are simple, unpretentious souls, who do not know any artifice, who have pious hearts and have no idea of immorality. They cannot even imagine that their names could ever be associated with any slander.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: (A Threat to Those who accuse Chaste Women, who never even think of anything touching their Chastity and are Good Believers)

This is a warning and threat from Allah to those who accuse chaste women, who never even think of anything effecting their chastity since they are good believers. The Mothers of the believers are more entitled to be included in this category than any other chaste woman, especially the one who was the reason for this Ayah being revealed: `A'ishah bint As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with them both. All of the scholars agree that whoever slanders her or makes accusations against after what has been said in this Ayah, is a disbeliever, because of his being obstinate with the Qur'an. The same ruling applies to all of the Mothers of the believers.

(لُعِنُواْ فِى الدُّنْيَا وَالاٌّخِرَةِ are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter,) This is like the Ayah:(Verily, those who annoy Allah and His Messenger,) ﴿33:57﴾ `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "This is about `A'ishah, and whoever does anything similar nowadays to Muslim women, the same applies to him, but `A'ishah is the one who is primarily referred to here.'' 

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said: (اجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوبِقَاتِ Shun the seven destructive sins. ) He was asked, "What are they, O Messenger of Allah'' 

He said: (Associating partners with Allah; magic; killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden to be killed, except with just cause; consuming Riba; consuming the property of orphans; desertion at the time of war; and accusing chaste women, who never even think of anything touching their chastity and are good believers.) This was recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the Two Sahihs.

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

According to Razi, the absence of repentance is incontrovertibly implied in the condemnation expressed in the sequence, since the Qur'an makes it clear in many places that God always accepts a sinner's sincere repentance.

Lit., "chaste, unmindful [or "careless"] believing women", i.e., virtuous women who thoughtlessly expose themselves to situations on which a slanderous construction may be put.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

Good women are sometimes indiscreet because they think of no evil. But even such innocent indiscretion lands them, and those who hold them dear, in difficulties. Such was the case with Hadhrat 'Aisha, who was in extreme pain and anguish for a whole month because of the slanders spread about her. Her husband and her father were also placed in a most awkward predicament, considering their position and the great work in which they were engaged. But unprincipled people, who start false slanders, and their unthinking tools who help in spreading such slanders, are guilty of the gravest spiritual offence, and their worst punishment is the deprivation of Allah's grace, which is the meaning of a state of Curse.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

Ie., simple and decent women who are unaware of the deceptions of the world. A subtle reference is also found in this to the pure and chaste lady who faced the aforementioned slander and allegation.

The actual word is: يَرْمُوْنَ. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

... Here there is a special eloquence in using this word for accusing an innocent woman. Hidden in this expression is the purport that those who accuse innocent and chaste women of fornication in fact make them a target of their arrows while they are sleeping. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 5, 389)

It is a result of this curse that even before the Hereafter they have been disgraced in this world as well and they have been totally wiped out from the land of Arabia. The Qur’ān has mentioned this at many instances that once the truth is conclusively conveyed to the disbelievers, this is the fate they meet, in accordance with the established practice of the Almighty.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

The forgiveness of which God reminds the believers is granted only to those who repent of their errors, accusing chaste women of adultery and spreading corruption in the Muslim community. On the other hand, those who, like Ibn Ubayy, deliberately, and out of malice, make such accusations, will have no pardon or forgiveness. Even though they may escape punishment in this world, because no witnesses will testify against them, they will inevitably endure the punishment in the hereafter when no witnesses will be required. Those who accuse chaste women who may have been unthinkingly careless but remained true believers, shall be rejected by God in this world as well as in the life to come. The sūrah paints their crime in stark colours so as to expose its odious nature. It is an accusation against chaste women believers who go about their lives, totally oblivious to any possibility of accusation. They behave naturally, not thinking that they will be accused of something, simply because they have done nothing wrong. To accuse them of immorality is thus seen to be very serious, betraying the contemptible and mean nature of their accusers. Hence, they are cursed now by God, and expelled from among those who receive His grace in this present life and in the life to come.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

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.

Please refer to our reference page: Al-Qurʾān: Selected verses from Surah .24 An Nur (The Light) for more selected verses from this Surah. For more selected verses on the subject, refer to our Reference Page: Selected Verses from Qur'an: Slandering and False Accusations 

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.

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

Allah promises Ultimate Reward for the righteous slaves (Al Hadith ul Qudsi)

Allah, the Lord of the entire universe, has given the man two choices to choose from while in his worldly life: The hard life of tests and trials with its ultimate reward in the life of the Hereafter, and the life of amusement and lewdness in this earthly world with severe retribution in the life of the hereafter. Those who choose the latter form are generally seen joyous, merrily living their lives and in a state of immense amusement. These people are often envied by many who cannot afford a luxurious life with no worries and amusement. But the men of faith and the true and righteous slaves of Allah know that the illusions of this world have no meaning to them for their reward of curbing their desires and taking the harder tests in this life for they have been promised a much luxurious life that one cannot even dream of.

This life of comfort and luxury is such that man's shallow vision cannot even perceive what reward is in waiting in the life of Hereafter as has been promised in the 17th verse of Surah 32. As-Sajda. This in fact is a reference to the eternal kingdom which the righteous will receive as a reward for the few days of effort they put in.:

فَلَا تَعۡلَمُ نَفۡسٌ مَّاۤ اُخۡفِىَ لَهُمۡ مِّنۡ قُرَّةِ اَعۡيُنٍ​ۚ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ‏ 

(32:17) No one knows what delights of the eyes are kept hidden for them as a reward for their deeds.

Yusuf Ali in his explanation of the verse terms Delights of the eye as an idiom for that which pleases most and gives most satisfaction. In our present state we can scarcely imagine the real Bliss that will come to us in the Future.

Muhammad Asad notes that literary "what is kept hidden for them [by way] of a joy of the eyes", i.e., of blissful delights, irrespective of whether seen, heard or felt. The expression "what is kept hidden for them" clearly alludes to the unknowable - and, therefore, only allegorically describable - quality of life in the hereafter. The impossibility of man's really "imagining" paradise has been summed up by the Prophet in the well-authenticated hadith: "God says: 'I have readied for My righteous servants what no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard, and no heart of man has ever conceived'" (Bukhari and Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurayrah; also, Tirmidhi). 

The same promise has been mentioned in a Hadith ul Qudsi, as mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  (Book 97 Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) كتاب التوحيد / Chapter 35: “…They want to change Allah’s Words….” باب قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى ‏{‏يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُبَدِّلُوا كَلاَمَ اللَّهِ}) as Hadith 7498, reproduced herein under:

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ أَسَدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ أَعْدَدْتُ لِعِبَادِي الصَّالِحِينَ مَا لاَ عَيْنٌ رَأَتْ، وَلاَ أُذُنٌ سَمِعَتْ، وَلاَ خَطَرَ عَلَى قَلْبِ بَشَرٍ ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, "I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think of.' "

The Grade of this Hadith is "Muttafaqun Alayhi", for this also appears in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim in Book Sahi Muslim, Chapter 52 (The Book of Paradise, Its Description, Its Bounties and Its Inhabitants), Baab: Jannat Aur Is Ki Naimatein Awr Ehl E Jannat as Hadith number 7132.

Besides Bukhari, Muslim (as mentioned above), Tirmidhi and Imam Ahmad have in different ways cited on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah says: I have made ready for My righteous servants that which has neither been seen by the eye, nor heard by the ear, nor ever conceived by any man.” The same thing has been reported with a little difference in wording by Abu Said Khudri, Mughirah bin Shubah and Sahl bin Saad asSaidi from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and related with authentic links by Muslim. Ahmed, Ibn Jarir and Tirmidhi.

So, believers, and even non-Muslims reading this post, be happy if you have chosen the righteous, yet the harder life, to please Allah and mock the Satan for he must be feeling helpless not having brought you in his evil fold and seeing you slipping away from his life of lust and lewdness. Let us all remain steadfast and anxiously wait for the immense reward that awaits us in the life of Hereafter, something that we in this world cannot even perceive of.

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

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

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

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

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

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

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

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. 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.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 |

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

Whenever you read the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed

Reading Qur'an is central to everyday routine of Muslims around the world. Since the reading of Qur'an is one of the most liked acts in the eyes of Allah, the accursed Satan gets awfully worried for he feels threatened that his grip over the believers is being loosened. And thus, he tries to disturb the concentration of the believers to worldly attractions as an act of deviation. 

Mindful of the Satanic machinations, Allah has cautioned believers about it and has asked them to seek refuge with Allah from the Satan whenever reading Qur'an. The 98th verse of Surah An Nahl spells out the attitude towards Qur’ānic Recitation:

فَاِذَا قَرَاۡتَ الۡقُرۡاٰنَ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيۡطٰنِ الرَّجِيۡمِ‏  

(16:98) Whenever you read the Qur'an seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.

This does not mean that one should merely repeat the Arabic words: (I seek Allah's refuge against the accursed Satan). It means that one should have a sincere desire and do one's utmost to guard against Satan's evil suggestions when one is reciting the Holy Qur'an and should not allow wrong and irrelevant doubts and suspicions to enter one's heart. One should try to sec everything contained in the Qur'an in its true light, and refrain from mixing it up with one's self-invented theories or ideas foreign to the Qur'an so as to construe its meaning against the will of Allah. Moreover, one should feel that the most sinister and avowed design of Satan is that the reader should not obtain any guidance from the Quran. This is why Satan tries his utmost to delude the reader and pervert him from getting guidance from it, and mislead him into wrong ways of thinking. Therefore, the reader should be fully on his guard against Satan and seek Allah's refuge for help so that Satan should not be able to deprive him of the benefits froth this source of guidance, for one who fails to get guidance from this source, will never be able to get guidance from anywhere else. Above all, the one who seeks to obtain deviation from this Book, is so entangled in deviation that he can never get out of this vicious circle.

The context in which this verse occurs here is to serve as an introduction to the answers to the questions which the mushriks of Makkah were raising against the Qur'an. They have been warned that they could appreciate the blessing of the Qur'an only if they would try to see it in its true light by seeking Allah's protection against Satan's misleading suggestions, and not by raising objections against it. Otherwise, Satan does not let a man understand the Qur'an and its teachings.

The next two verses augment the substance of the aforementioned verse, which assures the believers that Satan has no power over them as long as their faith in Allah is unwavering and their belief in destiny is cemented with trust in Allah:

اِنَّهٗ لَـيۡسَ لَهٗ سُلۡطٰنٌ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَعَلٰى رَبِّهِمۡ يَتَوَكَّلُوۡنَ‏ 

(16:99) Surely, he has no power over those who have faith and who place their trust in their Lord.

اِنَّمَا سُلۡطٰنُهٗ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يَتَوَلَّوۡنَهٗ وَالَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ بِهٖ مُشۡرِكُوۡنَ

(16:100) He has power only over those who take him as their patron and who, under his influence, associate others with Allah in His Divinity.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: (The Command to seek Refuge with Allah before reciting the Qur'an)

This is a command from Allah to His servants upon the tongue of His Prophet, telling them that when they want to read Qur'an, they should seek refuge with Allah from the cursed Shaytan. The Hadiths mentioned about seeking refuge with Allah (Isti`adhah), were quoted in our discussion at the beginning of this Tafsir, praise be to Allah. The reason for seeking refuge with Allah before reading is that the reader should not get confused or mixed up, and that the Shaytan would not confuse him or stop him from thinking about and pondering over the meaning of what he reads. Hence the majority of scholars said that refuge should be sought by Allah before starting to read.

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

The present passage (verses {98-105}) evidently connects with the broad ethical exhortation given in verse {90} above and, thus, with the statement (in verse {89}) that the Qur'an is meant "to make everything clear and to provide guidance and grace and a glad tiding unto all who have surrendered themselves to God" - which, in its turn, implies that the Qur'an is the ultimate source of all God-willed ethical and moral values, and thus an unchanging criterion of good and evil. But since man is always, by virtue of his nature, prone to question the very validity of the moral standards established through revelation, the believer is now called upon to seek, whenever he reads or meditates on this divine writ, God's spiritual aid against the whisperings of what the Qur'an describes as "Satan, the accursed" - that is, all the evil forces, both within man's own soul and within his social environment, which tend to undermine his moral convictions and to lead him away from God.

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

Evil has no authority or influence on those who put their trust in Allah. It is good to express that trust in outward actions, and a formal expression of it-as in the formula, "I seek Allah's protection from Evil"-helps us. Man is weak at best, and he should seek strength for his will in Allah's help and protection.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

This directs the Prophet (sws) to seek God’s refuge when he presents the message of the Qur’ān. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

The potent effect of the Qur’ān is dependent on the state of the heart of a person. If a person seeks refuge of God through his tongue only, it does not have much of an influence on him. However, when this supplication comes out from the depth of his heart, he is braced with such force that it gives him support to counter the onslaught of Satan and his accomplices. This onslaught is a consequence of the trial which the Almighty has ordained in this world for human beings. Hence there is no escape from this in any situation. The hidden potential of a person comes to the surface because of this. If a person has the support of the blessing of seeking refuge with the Almighty, he can never be defeated by Satan and his agents. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 4, 448)

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki: (Attitude to Qur’ānic Recitation)

The Sūrah then speaks about the Qur’ān and the values to be observed when reciting it. It also mentions some of the false assertions the unbelievers used to make about it. “Whenever you read the Qur’ān, seek refuge with God from Satan, the accursed. He certainly has no power over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord. He has power only over those who are willing to follow him, and thus ascribe to him a share in God’s divinity.” (Verses 98-100) Seeking God’s refuge against Satan prepares the atmosphere such that it is more congenial for the recitation of God’s book. It gives a sense of purity that strengthens the reader’s bond with God, so that he is free from any other preoccupation, that is with any aspect of the world of evil that Satan represents.

This is all generated by seeking refuge with God from Satan and his schemes. Yet it is made clear that Satan “has no power over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord.” (Verse 99) Those who appeal to God alone and purge their hearts of any loyalty to any other bond are free of Satan’s power. Much as he may whisper to them, their bond with God protects them from toeing his line. They may slip and commit errors, but they do not submit to Satan. They will always purge their hearts of Satan’s influence and turn to God in repentance. “He has power only over those who are willing to follow him, and thus ascribe to him a share in God’s divinity.” (Verse 100) It is such people who make Satan their patron, who allow their desires to dictate their actions under Satan’s influence that are subject to his power. Indeed, some of them make Satan their Lord. Indeed, some have even worshipped Satan, or a similar deity of evil. However, following Satan’s footsteps is a kind of associating him as a partner with God.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

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.

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

Leave those who deluded by worldly life take amusement and diversion as their religion

There are number of verses / Ayats in Qur'an that caution man from living and wasting away their lives in amusement and lewdness for these are diversionary means that Satan uses to take believers away from the path that would ensure an entry ticket into the paradise / Jannah. Yet man is too engrossed in the so-called liveliness and amusement of life that he really doesn't care for such cautions, especially when he is young and his lustful desires are at their best. It is only when one's youth starts to drift by and rationale takes over emotions, one comes to know the true reality of worldly life. It is then he comes to know that this life was but a life of tough tests and trials. Those who controlled their emotions and desires and lived to pass the tests and trials given to them by their Lord, would be the ones who would be among the successful. 

The Prophet, and indeed every Muslim, is commanded to ignore, by word and deed, those who treat religion as a pastime and as idle play. This description applies to anyone who does not give his faith respect by making it the basis of all aspects of his life: worship, beliefs, practices, moral values, and a legal code. It also applies to anyone who describes the principles and legislations of this faith in derogatory terms, such as those who ridicule the concept of believing in the world beyond the reach of human perception, which is an essential part of the Islamic faith. [4]

And such are the people who despite being told the harsh realities of life and the need to cling to their firm faith in Allah, just shy away from such efforts and continue to live a life that pleases them, and not the life that pleases their Lord. 

For such people, the 70th verse of Surah 6. Al An An'am should serve as a warning. Please read the verse below and its explanation by some of the eminent Muslim scholars of all times:

وَذَرِ الَّذِيۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا دِيۡنَهُمۡ لَعِبًا وَّلَهۡوًا وَّغَرَّتۡهُمُ الۡحَيٰوةُ الدُّنۡيَا​ وَ ذَكِّرۡ بِهٖۤ اَنۡ تُبۡسَلَ نَفۡسٌ ۢ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ​ۖ لَـيۡسَ لَهَا مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ وَلِىٌّ وَّلَا شَفِيۡعٌ​ ۚ وَاِنۡ تَعۡدِلۡ كُلَّ عَدۡلٍ لَّا يُؤۡخَذۡ مِنۡهَا​ ؕ اُولٰٓـئِكَ الَّذِيۡنَ اُبۡسِلُوۡا بِمَا كَسَبُوۡا​ ۚ لَهُمۡ شَرَابٌ مِّنۡ حَمِيۡمٍ وَّعَذَابٌ اَ لِيۡمٌۢ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَكۡفُرُوۡنَ

(6:70) Leave alone those who have made a sport and a pastime of their religion and whom the life of the world has beguiled. But continue to admonish them (with the Qur'an) lest a man should be caught for what he has himself earned for there shall neither be any protector nor intercessor apart from Allah; and though he may offer any conceivable ransom it shall not be accepted from him, for such people have been caught for the deeds that they have themselves earned. Boiling water to drink and a painful chastisement to suffer for their unbelief is what awaits them.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: 

(And leave alone those who take their religion as play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world.) The Ayah commands such people to leave, ignore them and give them respite, for soon, they will taste a tremendous torment.

This is why Allah said, (But remind with it) meaning, remind the people with this Qur'an and warn them against Allah's revenge and painful torment on the Day of Resurrection. 

Allah said; (lest a soul Tubsal for that which one has earned,) meaning, so that it is not Tubsal. Ad-Dahhak from Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan and As-Suddi said that Tubsal means, be submissive. Al-Walibi said that Ibn `Abbas said that Tubsal means, `be exposed'. Qatadah said that Tubsal means, `be prevented', Murrah and Ibn Zayd said that it means, `be recompensed', Al-Kalbi said, `be reckoned'. All these statements and expressions are similar, for they all mean exposure to destruction, being kept away from all that is good, and being restrained from attaining what is desired. 

Allah also said; (Every person is restrained by what he has earned. Except those on the Right.) [74:38-39], and (when he will find for himself no protector or intercessor besides Allah,) and,(and even if he offers every ransom, it will not be accepted from him.) meaning, whatever the ransom such people offer, it will not be accepted from them. 

Allah said in a similar statement, (Verily, those who disbelieved, and died while they were disbelievers, the (whole) earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them.) [3:91] 

Allah said here, (Such are they who are given up to destruction because of that which they have earned. For them it will be a drink of boiling water and a painful torment because they used to disbelieve. )

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

(And leave to themselves all those who, beguiled by the life of this world, have made play and passing delights their religion;) The phrase attakhadhu dinahum la'iban wa-lahwan can be understood in either of two ways: (l) "they have made their religion [an object of] play and fun", or (2) "they have made play and fun [or "passing delights"] their religion" - i.e., the main goal of their lives. To my mind, the latter reading is definitely preferable inasmuch as it brings out the fact that many of those who are "beguiled by the life of this world" devote themselves to the pursuit of what the Qur'an describes as "passing delights" - including the pleasures which money and power can provide - with something akin to religious fervour: an attitude of mind which causes them to lose sight of all spiritual and moral values.

(but remind [them] herewith that [in the life to come] every human being shall be held in pledge for whatever wrong he has done, and shall have none to protect him from God, and none to intercede for him; and though he offers any conceivable ransom,) Lit., "though he might [try to] ransom himself with all ransom" - i.e., though he might proffer, after resurrection, any atonement whatever for his past sins.

(it shall not be accepted by him. It is [people such as] these that shall be held in pledge for the wrong they have done; for them there is [in the life to come] a draught of burning despair,) Among the various meanings attributable to the word hamim are the concepts of intense heat as well as of painful cold (Qamus, Taj al-'Arus). In the eschatology of the Qur'an, it invariably refers to the suffering of the sinners in the life to come, and since all Qur'anic references to life after death are, necessarily, allegorical, the term hamim may be rendered as "burning despair".

Yusuf Ali Explanation: 

Cf. vi 32. where we are told that the life of this world is mere play and amusement, and Religion and the Hereafter are the serious things that require our attention. Worldly people reverse this because they are deceived by the allurements of this life. But their own acts will find them out.

We must never forget our own personal responsibility for all we do, or deceive ourselves by the illusion of vicarious atonement.

Javed Ahmad Ghamidi Explanation:

Stated here is the real reason of their mischief. Imām Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī writes:

... Their real misconception is that since they are leading a successful life, then their attitude must definitely be correct. They give the life of this world the status of the life to come. This world is not governed by the principle of reward and punishment; on the contrary, it is governed by the principle of trial and test. Here the Almighty has given respite to evil as well together with the truth. To realize their desires, they have regarded evil as their religion and think that this life is all there is and that the attitude they have adopted is correct. They further think that the fate of which the Qur’ān has warned them is a far-fetched threat. (Amīn Aḥsan Iṣlāḥī, Tadabbur-i Qur’ān, vol. 3, 80)

The actual words are: اَنْ تُبْسَلَ نَفْسٌۣ. A word to the effect مخافة (lest) is suppressed beforeاَنۡ in accordance with linguistic principles.

The actual words are: لَهُمْ شَرَابٌ مِّنْ حَمِيْمٍ وَّعَذَابٌ اَلِيْمٌۣ. In other words, their first feast will be boiling water and then they will be consigned to a severe torment. This has been specified by the Qur’ān in verse 93 of Sūrah al-Wāqi‘ah.

Tafsir Qur'an Wiki:

This verse re-emphasizes the distinction between the two communities, making several important points.

The Prophet, and indeed every Muslim, is commanded to ignore, by word and deed, those who treat religion as a pastime and as idle play. This description applies to anyone who does not give his faith respect by making it the basis of all aspects of his life: worship, beliefs, practices, moral values, and a legal code. It also applies to anyone who describes the principles and legislations of this faith in derogatory terms, such as those who ridicule the concept of believing in the world beyond the reach of human perception, which is an essential part of the Islamic faith. The same is the case with people who talk disrespectfully of zakat which is one of the pillars upon which the structure of Islam is built, or describe morality and chastity as the values of rural and feudal societies, and those who speak disapprovingly of the Islamic rules of marriage, or describe as fetters the sort of guarantees God has given to Muslim women to help them maintain their chastity. It applies above all to those who deny God’s absolute sovereignty and His authority to legislate for human life in political, social, economic and legal fields, claiming that human beings may legislate for themselves without reference to God’s law. All those are included as ones who `take their religion for a pastime and a sport’. Every Muslim is commanded to stay away from them except to remind them of their duty towards God. They are among the wrongdoers and unbelievers described in this verse as ones who are held in pledge for what they have done’. They are threatened with having to drink boiling water and having to endure painful suffering for their disbelief.

The Prophet, and indeed every Muslim is further instructed to remind these people of God and warn them against being held in pledge and destroyed in consequence of what they have done. They are to be reminded that they cannot enjoy any support against God, and no one can intercede with Him on their behalf. No ransom will be accepted from them. The Qur’anic style here is exceedingly beautiful and effective: “Remind them with this (Qur’an), lest every human being should be held in pledge for whatever he has done, when he shall have none to protect him from God, and none to intercede for him. If he were to offer any conceivable ransom, it shall not be accepted from him.” Every single soul will have to account for itself, without support, and when no ransom is of any use.

As for those who have taken their religion in jest and been beguiled by the life of this world, they are already held in pledge for what they have done. Their doom is sealed: “Those are the ones who are held in pledge for what they have done. Scalding water shall they drink, and grievous suffering awaits them because they were unbelievers.” The scalding water, which boils in their throats and stomachs, and the painful suffering which ensues are a fitting recompense for their ridicule of faith.

Speaking of the unbelievers, God describes them as "Those who take their religion for a pastime and a sport". Is it truly their religion? This description fits perfectly those who declared their acceptance of Islam and then treated their religion as an object of ridicule. There were some people like that to whom the appellation `hypocrites’ was given, but they were in Madinah. Can the same statement apply to unbelievers who did not embrace Islam in the first place? Well, Islam is the religion of all mankind, including those who do not believe in it, since it is the only faith God accepts from human beings ever since the revelation of the message preached by the Prophet Muhammad, the last of all messengers. Hence, anyone who rejects it actually rejects his own faith.

Hence, it is significant that the possessive pronoun is used in the beginning of this verse: “Stay away from those who take their religion for a pastime and a sport.” It is most probably, and God knows best, a reference to the fact that Islam is a religion for all mankind. Whoever makes fun of it, even though he may be an idolater, actually makes fun of his own religion. We probably still need to explain who are meant by the term `idolaters. They are those who claim that any being has a share of God’s attributes. This may take the form of believing in the existence of deities other than God, or offering worship and performing rituals to anyone other than God, or acknowledging the authority to legislate to anyone besides God. Needless to say, the term idolaters also include those who claim for themselves any of these, however strongly they may profess to be Muslims. We should then be clear about who belongs to our faith.

The last point concerns the limits within which it is permissible to sit with the wrongdoers, or idolaters, and those who take religion as an object of fun and ridicule. As we have already mentioned, this is permissible only when it is done to remind them of divine faith and to warn them against disobeying God. It can have no other purpose. Once we realize that they engage in idle talk about God’s revelations or treat them as an object of ridicule we must leave their company immediately. In commenting on this verse, al-Qurtubi explains the rulings mentioned in the Qur’an: “This verse provides an answer in God’s Book to anyone who claims that high standing Imams and their followers may have social contacts with wrongdoers, or may try to protect themselves by pretending to accept their views as correct.”

Our view is that the Qur’anic verse allows mixing with the wrongdoers in order to admonish and warn them, and to correct their erring views. Mixing with them and keeping quiet about what they say and do in order to protect ourselves is unacceptable, because it imparts an impression of accepting falsehood and rejecting the truth. In addition, it deceives people and degrades the divine faith and its advocates. Such a situation is totally unacceptable.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

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 | 

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.

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