This is a Makki Surah having 69 Ayahs. The Surah strengthens
believers in their dedication to the right path. This Surah encompasses four
aspects. First part discusses the trials of the hypocrite’s and their trials
which disclose their inner feelings. Second part deals with the stories of
Prophets Noah, Ibrahim, Lut, and Sho’aib to inspire the newly converted Muslims
and warn the oppressive polytheists. Third part deals with the Tawheed and
conflict with the polytheism. Fourth part deals with the false deities,
importance of salaat and virtuous treatment of parents.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Whoever
recites this Surah receives ten times the number of the believers and
hypocrites.” The Infallible Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Whoever recites
this Surah and the Surah al-Rum on the night of 23 Ram’zaan will be among the
people of Paradise.”
People will be tried, although they verbally declare
their faith. It will distinguish the true believer from the hypocrite.
People in the past were also tried. Allah knows the truthful and the liars.
Although people think that they will escape Allah but everyone will return to
Him. Whoever strives, strives for himself as Allah is Self-Sufficient. People
who believe and do good deeds, Allah will forgive their evil deeds.
Allah orders the believers to be kind to their parents and follow their wishes
except if they order him to associate others with Him then do not follow their
order. The disbelievers assure the believers that if they follow them then they
will bear their wrongs. It is a false promise. Everyone is responsible for his
own acts.
We try our best to practice Islam as much as we can
with mixed feeling of hope and fear. It is entirely Allah’s will; He may
punish anyone He pleases and have mercy on anyone He pleases. The people,
who disbelieve the Signs of Allah and the meeting with Allah, will have a
painful punishment. There are Signs of Allah in the stories of Noah,
Ibrahim, Lute, and Sho’aib. The people of Noah were unjust in spite of his long
preaching (he lived for 950 years) hence they were drowned in a mammoth
flooding but Allah saved Noah and his true followers. Ibrahim preached his
people not to worship idols but worship and fear only Allah. They tried to burn
Ibrahim alive but Allah ordered the fire to cool down and save Ibrahim. Ibrahim
was the friend of Allah hence He rewarded Ibrahim with the Prophets of Is’haque
and Y’aqub and also awarded him the Book in his progeny. Similarly Lut warned
his people to desist from the indecent acts of homosexuality but they did not
listen to him hence Allah punished them by the rain of stones and saved Lute
and his followers, except his wife. On the same lines, Sho’aib advised his
people to worship Allah and desist from corruption on earth but they did not
respond hence Allah punished them by an earthquake. The creation of heaven and
the earth is also one of the Signs of Allah.
The example of people who take guardians other than
Allah is like a spider whose house is the frailest of all houses.
The Sa’laat is the pillar of the religion. Allah is
encouraging the people to read the Book (Glorious Qur’an) and establish prayer
(Sa’laat); surely prayer keeps the Muslims away from indecency and evil.
(Please refer my article on the subject on ZULFIQAR5.BLOGSPOT.COM). Remembrance
of Allah is the greatest act of worship. In fact all modes of worship revolve
around the concept of “Remembrance of Allah”. Allah knows what His creatures do. People were
asking for miracles from the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.). Miracles are shown
at the discretion of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.). Prophets in the past were given miracles
by Allah which was for a short time like the division of river Nile for Musa.
Islam had come to guide the humanity till the Day of Judgment. Hence the
Glorious Qur’an is the everlasting miracle of the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) till the Day of Judgment! Similarly, the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) did not read or write before the start of revelation; hence it was
clear Sign of Allah in the hearts of those were given knowledge. The Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s tradition is relevant here: “I am the City of
Knowledge and Ali is the Gateway.”
Every soul shall taste of death and the men shall return
to Allah.
Every creature of Allah, whether man or other creatures,
is provided sustenance. Other creatures, other than man, do not carry their
sustenance with them. Seek sustenance from Allah. Allah is All-Aware and He
increases the sustenance of whomever He pleases and curtails it for whomever He
pleases.
Whoever strives in the way of Allah, Allah will guide
them in His way. Allah is always with the doer of good.
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an (English translation)
by Mir Ahmed Ali & Ayatollah H.M.M. Pooya
The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) by Maulana Sayyid
Farman Ali
Al-Islam.org & Zulfiqar5.Blogspot.com
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