Tafsir ibn Kathir - 046 Ahkaf

8/14/2019 Tafsir ibn Kathir - 046 Ahkaf

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Revealed in Makkah

ا ـا ا In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most

Merciful.

ـ 46:1 Ha Mim.

ا یا ا م با ی 46:2 The revelation of the Book is from Allah, theAlmighty, the All-Wise.

إ مو ضراو تـا م م أو

46:3 We created not the heavens and the earth andall that is between them except with truth, and for aspecified term.



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اوآ یاو ن م اورنأ But those who disbelieve, turn away from thatwhereof they are warned.

ا اذم نورأ ا نو ن م د م ی أرأـ نا تـا ك مأ ضرا م

م ـ آ ن هـ أو أـة م إ46:4 Say: "Think you about all that you invokebesides Allah Show me what have they created of the earth? Or have they a share in (the creation of)

the heavens? Bring me a scripture prior to this orsome trace of knowledge, if you are truthful!''

ی م ا نو وم أ م ی م دن ـ د هو ـا م إ ی

46:5. And who is more astray than those whoinvoke besides Allah others who will not answer

them until the Day of Resurrection, and who areunaware of their invocations to them?

د انآو ء س آنا أ ا اذإو یـآ

46:6 And when mankind are gathered, they (falsedeities) will become their enemies and will denytheir worship.

The Qur'an is a Revelation from Allah and the Universe is HisTrue Creation

Allah says,

١

Ha Mim.



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ا یا ا م با ی ٢

The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the Almighty,the All-Wise.

Allah informs that He has revealed the Book toHis servant and Messenger Muhammad -- may

Allah's blessings be upon him until the Day of Judgement. Allah then describes Himself as beingof unimaginable glory, possessing ultimatewisdom in His statements and actions.

Allah then says,

إ مو ضرا .... م اوات و

We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is

between them except in truth,

meaning, not in idle play and falsehood.

..م أو ...and for a specified term.

meaning, for a fixed and specified duration thatwill not increase or decrease.

Allah continues,

...ن م اورنأ اوآ یاو ٣

But those who disbelieve, turn away from that of whichthey are warned.

Meaning, the disbelievers are distracted fromwhat is intended for them. Allah has indeedrevealed to them a Book and sent to them aMessenger. Yet, they obstinately turn away fromall of that. Therefore, they will soon realize theconsequence of their behavior.

Refuting the Idolators

Allah then says,

...

Say,



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meaning, to these idolators who worship othersbesides Allah.

...ضرا م ا اذم نورأ ا نود ن م م یأرأ...

Think you about all that you invoke besides Allah Showme what they have created of the earth?

meaning, `show me the place that they haveindependently created from the earth.'

...تاوا ك مأ...

Or have they a share in the heavens?

which means that they are not partners in

anything in the heavens, nor on earth. They donot own even the thin membrane covering adate's pit. The dominion and control only belongto Allah, Exalted is He. `How then would youworship others or join them as partners with Him?Who guided you to that? Who called you to that?Did He command you to do it, or is it somethingthat you suggested yourselves?'

Thus, He says,

...ان ب م ها...

Bring me a scripture prior to this?

meaning, `bring a book from among the Books of Allah that have been revealed to the Prophets,that commands you to worship these idols.'

... م ةرأ وأ...

or some trace of knowledge,

meaning, `some clear evidence justifying thisway you have chosen.'

...د آ ن ٤إ

if you are truthful!



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meaning, `you have absolutely no evidence forthat -- neither textual (from revelation) norrational.'

For this reason, some recited it;

ةأ و أ "or something inherited from

knowledge.''

meaning, òr true knowledge that you haveinherited from anyone before you.'

This is similar to Mujahid's statement when he

said, ةرأ وأ (or some trace of knowledge).

"Or anyone who has inherited any knowledge.''

Allah then says,

ما می إ ی م ا نو وم أ م ی م دن د هو ٥

And who is more astray than those who invokes besidesAllah others who will not answer them until the Day of Resurrection, and who are unaware of their invocations

to them!meaning, no one is more misguided than thosewho invoke idols instead of Allah, asking them forthings that they cannot give -- until the Day of Judgment. They (the idols) are unaware of whathe asks, they can neither hear, see, or act. This isbecause they are inanimate, senseless stones.

Allah then says,

یآ د انآو ءا ا أ س آن ا اذإو ٦

And when mankind are gathered, they will become theirenemies and will deny their worship.

This is similar to Allah's saying:

اء ا نو نا ا واوا م د

ا ن وین ـ نو س آ



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They have taken gods beside Allah, that theymight give them dignity.

No! They will deny their worship of them, and willbe opponents to them. (19:81,82)

meaning, they will betray them when they need

them the most.

(Ibrahim) Al-Khalil, peace be upon him, said:

نا ةا ةدم ـوأ ا نو م د ا نإ ی ـا وی ومواآ یم

ی ـن م مو را

You have taken only idols besides Allah! The lovebetween you is only in the life of this world. Onthe Day of Resurrection, you shall disown eachother and curse each other, and your abode willbe the Fire, and you shall have no helpers.(29:25)

اوآ یا ل ـ ـیاء اذإو م س اـه هء 46:7 And when Our Clear Ayat are recited to them,the disbelievers say of the truth when it reachesthem: "This is plain magic!''

اا ن ی مأ

46:8 Or say they: "He has fabricated it.''

أ ه ا م ن یا ن إن

Say: "If I have fabricated it, still you have no powerto support me against Allah. He knows best of what

you say among yourselves concerning it!



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ا را هو و ا آ Sufficient is He as a witness between me and you!And He is the Oft--Forgiving, the Most Merciful.''

و ی م ىردأ مو سا م آ م 46:9. Say: "I am not a new thing among theMessengers, nor do I know what will be done withme or you.

م ین إ نأ مو إ ی م إ أ ن إ

I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am

but a plain warner.''

Refuting Claims of the Idolators about the Qur'an and theMessenger

Allah says,

ی ت ل ای آوا ءه وإذا ...

And when Our Clear Ayat are recited to them, thedisbelievers say of the truth when it reaches them:

Concerning the disbelief and rebellion of theidolators, Allah says that when the clear Ayat of Allah are recited to them they say;

...م س اه٧

"This is plain magic!''

meaning, simple magic.

In this statement of theirs, they have lied,invented a falsehood, went astray and

disbelieved.



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م ن ااأ ی ...

Or they say: "He has fabricated it.''

They are referring to Muhammad.

Allah responds saying,

... ا م ن یا ن ... إ

... آ ن أ هو ا را هو ا٨

Say: "If I have fabricated it, you have no power tosupport me against Allah...''

which means, ìf I lie against Allah and falselyclaim that He sent me when He actually had not,then He would punish me with a severepunishment. No one on the earth -- you oranyone else -- would then be able to protect mefrom Him.'

It is similar to Allah's saying,

إ ام نود م أ و أ ا م نی نإ ـ ـسرو ا م

Say: "None can protect me from Allah, nor wouldI find a refuge except in Him. (My duty) is only toconvey from Allah and (deliver) His Messages.''(72:22-23)

Allah says,

یوا ل و

م ن

ا م

ی ـ أ م م



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And if he made up a false saying concerning Us,We surely would have seized him by the righthand. Then we would have cut off his life artery.And none of you could withhold Us from(punishing) him. (69:44-47)

Thus, Allah says here,

... ا م ن ی ا ن إ أ هو ا آ ن ...

Say: "If I have fabricated it, still you have nopower to support me against Allah. He knows bestof what you say among yourselves concerning it(i.e. this Qur'an)! Sufficient is He as a witness

between me and you! ...''

This is a severe threat, intimidation and warningfor them.

Allah then says,

...ا را هو ٨

And He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

This is an encouragement for them to repent andturn to Allah. It means, `despite all of this, if youturn back and repent, Allah will accept yourrepentance, pardon you, forgive you, and havemercy upon on.'

This is similar to Allah's saying in Surah Al-Furqan,

أو ة آا وا ـسأ او

ضراو ت ـا ا ی ىا نأ ن إن آر ار

And they say: "(This Book is) legends of theancients that he has written down, and they are

dictated to him morning and afternoon.''



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Say: "It has been sent down by the One Whoknows every secret within the heavens and theearth. Truly, He is ever Forgiving and Merciful.''(25:5-6)

Allah then says,

سا م آ م ...

Say: "I am not a new thing among the Messengers..."

which means, Ì am not the first Messenger whoever came to the world. Rather, Messengers camebefore me. Therefore, I am not an unprecedentedincident that should cause you all to reject meand doubt my being sent to you. Indeed, Allah

has sent before me all of the Prophets to variousnations.'

Allah then says,

دري... ... م ی و وم أ

nor do I know what will be done with me or with you.

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas that he said,

"It (this Ayah) was followed in revelation by, ل و ذ م لا ل (That Allah may forgive

for you your sins of the past and future). (48:2)

Similarly, Ikrimah, Al-Hasan, and Qatadah all said that

this Ayah was abrogated by the Ayah; لا ل ل

و ذ م (That Allah may forgive foryou your sins of the past and future). (48:2)

They said that when the latter Ayah was revealed,one of the Muslims said to Allah's Messenger,"Allah has declared what He will do for you. But

what will He do for us?' Then Allah revealed; ل رلا ي ت ت لاو لا (That He

may admit the believing men and the believingwomen to Gardens under which rivers flow).



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(48:5) This is what they said. That which hasbeen confirmed in the Sahih is that the believerssaid, "May you enjoy that, O Allah's Messenger!But what do we get'' So Allah revealed this Ayah.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Kharijah bin Zayd bin Thabit,reported that Umm Al-Àla' -- a woman from the Ansarwho had given her pledge of loyalty to Allah's Messenger-- said,

"When the Ansar drew lots regarding taking in theMuhajirun to dwell with them, our lot was tohave Ùthman bin Mazùn. Later, Ùthman fellsick in our house, so we nursed him until he died,and we wrapped him in his garments (for burial).Allah's Messenger then came in, and I said, ÒAbu As-Sa'ib! May Allah have mercy on you. Ibear witness that Allah has indeed honored you.'

Allah's Messenger asked,

مآأ ا ن وم یری أ

How do you know that Allah has honored him?

I said, Ì do not know -- may my father andmother both be ransoms for you!'

Allah's Messenger then said,

ا ر نإو،ر م ا ء ه مأ.م او ا لسر نأو يردأ ی م

As for him, certainty (death) has reached him

from his Lord, and I surely wish well for him. Butby Allah, even though I am Allah's Messenger, Ido not know what will happen to me (afterdeath).

I then said,

`Never will I claim a person to be pious afterthis.'



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This incident caused me some distress, and Iwent to sleep thereafter. I saw in my dream thatÙthman owned a running water spring. I went toAllah's Messenger and told him about that. Allah'sMessenger said,

كاذ That was his (good) deeds.''

Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith but Muslim didnot.

In one of the narrations, Allah's Messenger said,

ی م ا لسر نأو يردأ م

Even though I am Allah's Messenger, I do notknow what will happen to him.

This and similar texts indicate that it is notallowed to declare that a specific person will enterJannah except for those who were distinctlyindicated by Allah or his Messenger. Examples of those are the Ten,

• Ibn Sallam,

• Al-Ghumaysa',

• Bilal,

• Suraqah,

• Abdullah bin Àmr bin Haram (Jabir'sfather),

• the Seventy Recitors (of Qur'an) who wereassassinated near the Well of Maùnah,

• Zayd bin Harithah,

• Ja`far,

• Ibn Rawahah,

• and other similar individuals,

may Allah be pleased with them.



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Allah then says,

...إ ی م إ أ ن ...إ

I only follow that which is revealed to me,

which means, Ì only follow what Allah has

revealed to me of the revelation.'

...م ین إ نأ مو ٩

and I am but a plain warner.

meaning, `my warnings are obvious to everyperson with sound intellect and reason.' And Allahknows best.

ه و آو ا م ن ن آ أرءی إسا م إسءی م ـم و

46:10 Say: "Tell me! If it was from Allah and youdisbelieved it, (at the same time), a witness fromamong the Children of Israel has testified tosomething similar and believed while you rejected(the truth)!''

ـا ما ىی ا ن إVerily, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

نس م ا ن وا ی ءاما آ آ یا لو إ

46:11 And those who disbelieve say of those whobelieve: "Had it been a good thing, they (the poorbelievers) would not have preceded us to it!''



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ی إ ـه ن اوی ذإو And when they have not been guided by it, theysay: "This is ancient falsehood!''

آ اـهو رو ممإ سم ـآ مو ـ مق ن ر ای ا وى

46:12. And before this was the Scripture of Musa asa guide and a mercy. And this is a Book confirmingin the Arabic tongue, to warn those who do wrong,

and as glad tidings for the doers of good.

ف اـسا ا ر ا یا ن إن و ه ین

46:13 Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is (only)Allah,'' and thereafter stand firm, on them shall beno fear, nor shall they grieve.

انآ ء یـ ا ـأ ـوأن ی

46:14 Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise,abiding therein (forever) -- a reward for what theyused to do.

The Qur'an is Allah's True Speech and the Position of theDisbelievers and the Muslims towards it

Allah says,

...

Say,

meaning, Ò Muhammad to these idolators whodisbelieve in the Qur'an.'



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...ن ن آ ...أرأی إ

Tell me! If it was, (meaning, this Qur'an).

... م آو ا ...

from Allah, and you disbelieved in it,

meaning, `what do you think that Allah will do toyou if this Book that I have come to you with isactually revealed to me from Him in order that Iconvey it to you, and yet you disbelieve in it anddeny it

...اسإ م ه و م ...

(at the same time), a witness from among the Childrenof Israel has testified to something similar,

meaning, `the previous Scriptures that wererevealed to the Prophets before me all testify toits truthfulness and authenticity. They haveprophecied, well in advance, about things similarto that which this Qur'an informs of.'

Concerning Allah's statement,

...م ...

and believed,

`this person who testified to its truthfulness fromthe Children of Israel, due to his realization that itwas the truth.'

...ساو ...while you rejected (the truth)!

`whereas you have arrogantly refused to followit.'

Masruq said:

"That witness believed in his Prophet and Book,while you disbelieved in your Prophet and Book.''



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...ا ما يی ا ن ١٠إ

Verily, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

The witness here refers to any witness in general.It includes Abdullah bin Salam and other fromthem as well. For indeed, this Ayah was revealedin Makkah before Abdullah bin Salam hadaccepted Islam.

This is similar to the statement of Allah,

آ نإ ر م ا نإ ماء ا ی اذإو م م

And when it is recited to them, they say: "Webelieve in it. Verily, it is the truth from our Lord.Indeed, even before it we have been Muslims.''(28:53)

It is also similar to Allah's saying,

وأ اماء اذإ م ا اوأ یا ن إ ام ن سا ذ نو ی ی

ر و ن ن آ ن ر إ س ن یو

Verily! Those who were given knowledge before it-- when it is recited to them, they fall upon theirfaces in prostration,

and they say: "Exalted is our Lord! Truly, thepromise of our Lord has been fulfilled.'' (17:107-

108)

It has been narrated from Sa`d, may Allah be pleasedwith him, that he said,

"I have not heard Allah's Messenger say aboutanyone walking on the surface of the earth thathe is of the people of Jannah -- except forAbdullah bin Salam. Concerning him the following

Ayah was revealed, اإ ب ه و ((at the same time), a witness from among the



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Children of Israel has testified to somethingsimilar)''

This has been recorded in the Two Sahihs and An-Nasa'i.

Similarly, Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with

him, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah, Ikrimah,Yusuf bin Abdullah bin Salam, Hilal bin Yasaf, As-Suddi, Ath-Thawri, Malik bin Anas and Ibn Zaydall said that this refers to Abdullah bin Salam.

Allah then says,

ی اوآ یا لو إ نس م ا ن ... ما آ

And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: "Hadit been good, they (the weak and poor) would not havepreceded us to it!''

which means that those who disbelieve say of those who believe in the Qur'an: "Had it (theQur'an) been any good, they (the weak and poor)would not have preceded us to it!''

By that, they meant Bilal, Àmmar, Suhayb,Khabbab, may Allah be pleased with them, andothers like them of the weak, the male servants,and female servants.

The pagans said this only because they thoughtthat they held a high status with Allah, and thatHe took special care of them. By that, they madea great and obvious error, as Allah says:

م ا م ء ـهأ ا آو

Thus have We tried some of them with others,that they might say: "Is it these whom Allah hasfavored from among us?'' (6:53)

meaning, they wonder how could those weaklings

be the ones who were guided from among them.



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Thus, Allah says, لإ ا نآ ل (Had itbeen good, they (the weak and poor) would nothave preceded us to it!)

Contrary to this is the position of Ahl us-Sunnahwal-Jamaàh: They say about any act or saying

that has not been reported from the Companions:"It is an innovation. If there was any goodin it, they would have preceded us in doingit, because they have not left off any of the good characteristics except that theyhurried to perform them.''

Allah continues,

... اوی ذإو ...

And when they have not been guided by it, (meaning,the Qur'an).

...ی إ اه ن ١١

they say: "This is an ancient falsehood!''

meaning, an old lie. They mean by this that theQur'an has been quoted and taken from theancient people, thereby belittling the Qur'an andits followers. This is clear arrogance, as Allah'sMessenger said:

س ا و ا

(Arrogance is) rejecting the truth and belittling

the people.

Allah then says,

مو سم بآ ...

And before this was the Scripture of Musa, (and it wasthe Tawrah).

...رو ممإبآ اهو ...



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as a guide and mercy. And this is a Book, (meaning, theQur'an).

...قم ...

confirming,

meaning, that which came before it of theprevious Books.

... ن ...

in the Arabic tongue,

means that it is eloquent and clear.

... ىو ا یا ر ١٢

to warn those who do wrong, and as glad tidings for thedoers of good.

meaning, it contains a warning to the disbelieversand glad tidings for the believers.

Allah then says:

ن ای ا ر ا اسما ...إ

Verily, those who say: "Our Lord is (only) Allah,'' andthereafter stand firm,

The explanation of this has been discussed earlier inSurah As-Sajdah. (41:30)

Allah then says,

... ف ...

on them shall be no fear,

meaning, concerning their future.

...ن ١٣و ه ین

nor shall they grieve.

meaning, over what they have left behind.



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Allah continues,

ن ی انآ ءا ی ا بأ وأ١٤

Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding therein(forever) -- a reward for what they used to do.

meaning, the deeds are a cause for their attainingthe mercy and their being engulfed by it -- andAllah knows best.

ـإ ی ـنا وو

46:15 And We have enjoined on man to be dutifuland kind to his parents.

هآ وو هآ مأHis mother bears him with hardship. And shedelivers him with hardship.

ا ن ـو و And (the period of) his gestation and the weaningof him is thirty months,

أ اذإ زوأ بر ل س رأ و ىو و ن ن أ ن ا أ أ

till when he attains full strength and reaches fortyyears, he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power andability that I may be grateful for Your favor whichYou have bestowed upon me and upon my parents,

یرذ أو ـ ـ أ ن وأand that I may do righteous good deeds, such asplease You, and make my offspring good.



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إو إ نإا م ن Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly,I am one of the Muslims.''

زونو ا م أ ن یا ـوأـس

46:16 They are those from whom We shall acceptthe best of their deeds and overlook their evildeeds.

نو ی انآ ىا قا و ا ـأ (They shall be) among the dwellers of Paradise.That is a promise of truth that they had been

promised.

Allah's Advice about the Parents

After mentioning that one must confess His Oneness, worshipHim with sincerity, and remain upright in obeying Him, Allahfollows that by giving instructions regarding the parents. Theseappear together in many places of the Qur'an, such as Allah'ssaying,

ـإ یو ـیإ إ او أ ر و

Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him,

and that you be dutiful to your parents. (17:23)

Allah says,

ا إ یو ا ن أ

Be grateful to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is thefinal destination. (31:14)

There are many other Ayat like this as well.



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Here Allah says,

نإ یا ن نا وو ...

And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind tohis parents.

meaning, `We have commanded him to treatthem well and show compassion towards them.'

Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi recorded from Sa`d bin AbiWaqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, that his mothersaid to him:

"Hasn't Allah commanded that you obey yourparents Then I will not eat any food or drink any

drink until you disbelieve in Allah.''

Thus she stubbornly abstained from eating anddrinking, until they had to open her mouth with a

stick. Then this Ayah was revealed, نلا وو حإ یلاب (And We have enjoined on man to be

dutiful and kind to his parents).

This was also recorded by Muslim and the Sunan

compilers, except for Ibn Majah.

Allah continues,

...هآ مأ ...

His mother bears him with hardship.

which means that the mother suffers hardship

because of her child, such as fatigue, sickness,vomiting, heaviness, distress, and other forms of hardship that the pregnant women suffer.

...هآ وو ...

And she delivers him with hardship.

meaning, she also delivers him with hardship,

suffering the pains of labor and their severity.



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ن ا... و و ...

And (the period of) his gestation and weaning is thirtymonths,

Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, used this Ayah alongwith the following two Ayat to prove that the minimumperiod of pregnancy (gestation) is six months:

م و

And his weaning is in two years. (31:14)

and

ه ـوأ ی تاو ی ن أراد أ مآ ا

The mothers suckle their children two completeyears -- for those who desire to complete theterm of suckling. (2:233)

This is a strong and valid conclusion, and it wasapproved by Uthman and a number of theCompanions.

Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar narrated from Ba`jah binAbdullah Al-Juhani that;

a man from his tribe (Juhaynah) married awoman from Juhaynah. She delivered a babyafter six months. So her husband went toUthman, may Allah be pleased with him, and toldhim about that. Thus, Uthman summoned her.

When she was getting dressed, her sister startedcrying. She asked her:

"Why do you cry? By Allah, no one has everapproached me (for sexual relations) of Allah'screation except him (my husband). So let Allahdecree (for me) as He wills.''

When she was brought before Uthman, he

commanded that she be stoned to death (foradultery).



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Ali heard of this, came to Uthman, and said:"What are you doing?''

He (Uthman) said: "She delivered after sixmonths! Can this ever happen?'' `

Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "Don't

you read the Qur'an?''

He said: "Yes, of course!''

He (Ali) then said:

`Haven't you heard Allah's saying, حو ول ن ا (and his gestation and

weaning is thirty months), and; آ لح (two complete years) (2:233) (Subtractingthe two numbers) we are only left with sixmonths.''

Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "ByAllah, I did not see that! Bring the woman back.''

But they found that she had already been killed.

Ba`jah continued:

"By Allah, no two crows and no two eggs aremore similar than that child turned out to be tohis father!

When his father saw that he said, `By Allah! Thisis my son without any doubt.'

Later on, Allah afflicted him with a skin abscess inhis face (because of his false accusation to hiswife). It kept eating him up until he died.''

Ibn Abi Hatim related from his father that Farwah bin AbiAl-Maghra' told them that Ali bin Mushir narrated tothem from Dawud bin Abi Hind, who narrated fromIkrimah that Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him,said,

"When a woman delivers after nine months, thebaby will only need twenty-one months of



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suckling. When she delivers after seven months,the baby will need twenty-three months of suckling. When she delivers after six months, thebaby will need two full years of suckling, because

Allah says, أ ب اذإ ح ا ن ل و حو (and his gestation and weaning is thirty months,

till when he attains full strength).''

...أ اذإ ...

till when he attains full strength,

meaning, he becomes strong, youthful, andattains full ability.

...س ر ... و أ

and reaches forty years,

meaning, his complete intellect, understanding,and patience reach the level of maturity.

It has also been said that usually one will notchange his ways once he reaches the age of forty.

... رب أوز ل...

he says: "My Lord! Grant me the power and ability,

meaning, ìnspire me.'

...ياو و نأ ا ن أ ن ن أ أ وأ ...

that I may be grateful for Your favor which You havebestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I maydo righteous good deeds, such as please You,

meaning, in the future.

...یرذ أو ...

and make my offspring good.

meaning, my offspring and descendants.



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...ا م نإو إ نإ١٥

Truly, I have turned to You in repentance, and truly, Iam one of the Muslims.

This contains an instruction for anyone whoreaches forty years of age to renew hisrepentance and turn to Allah with strongresolution.

Allah then says,

ونوز س أو ای ن أ م اا بأ...

Those are the ones from whom We shall accept the bestof what they did and overlook their evil deeds. (Theyshall be) among the dwellers of Paradise.

meaning, those to whom applies the abovedescription -- those who repent to Allah, turnback to Him, and rectify their shortcomingsthrough repentance and seeking forgiveness -those are the ones from whom We will accept the

best of what they did and overlook their evildeeds. Many of their errors will be forgiven andAllah will accept from them a modest amount of deeds.

لا ب أ (among the dwellers of Paradise),

which means that they will be among the dwellersof Paradise. That is Allah's ruling concerning

them, as He has promised for those who repentand turn to Him.

Thus, He says,

...قا ون و ی انآ يا١٦

That is the promise of truth that they had beenpromised.



27

و ج ن أ أف أان أ واى ل ی م نو ا

46:17. But he who says to his parents: "Uff to you!

Do you promise me that I will be raised up whengenerations before me have passed?''

ا و ن ن ا وی ءام إ ی هو While they invoke Allah for help: "Woe to you!Believe! Verily, the promise of Allah is true.''

وا ـسأ إ ـه م ل But he says: "This is nothing but the legends of theancient.''

م مأ لا یا ـوأناو ا م

46:18. They are those against whom the Word (of torment) has justified among the previousgenerations of Jinn and mankind that have passedaway.

یـ ا آن نإVerily, they are ever the losers.

ـأ و ا م ـر و د46:19 And for all, there will be degrees according tothat which they did, so that He might fullyrecompense for their deeds.

ن ی هو And they will not be wronged.



28

را اوآ یا ضی میو 46:20 On the Day when those who disbelieve will beexposed to the Fire (it will be said):

ساو نا ـ ـ هذأ"You received your good things in the life of theworld, and you took your pleasure therein.

نو آ ن ا با نو م ن آ و ا ضرا

Today, you will be recompensed with the torment of extreme humiliation, because you were arrogantupon the earth without a right, and because youused to rebel against Allah's command.

Mention of the Undutiful Children and Their End

In the previous Ayat, Allah mentions the dutiful offspring whosupplicate for their parents and treat them with kindness. Hedescribes the success and salvation He has prepared for them.Here He connects to that discussion the situation of thewretched offspring who are undutiful toward their parents.

Allah says,

فأ یا ل ياو ...

But he who says to his parents: "Uff to you! ...''

As for the saying "Uff '' in this Ayah, it is a generaldescription applying to anyone who says it to hisparents. Some people claim that it was revealedabout Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakr. But this claim isweak and rejected, because Abdur-Rahman bin AbiBakr embraced Islam after this was revealed. His

adherence to Islam was excellent, and he was amongthe best of his contemporaries.



29

Al-Bukhari recorded from Yusuf bin Mahak that;

Marwan (bin Al-Hakam) was governor of Hijaz(Western Arabia), appointed by Muàwiyah binAbi Sufyan. He (Marwan) delivered a speech inwhich he mentioned Yazid bin Muàwiyah andurged the people to give a pledge of allegianceafter his father. Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakr saidsomething to him in response to that, upon whichMarwan commanded his men: "Arrest him!'' Buthe entered Aishah's house, and they were notable to capture him. Marwan then said:

"This is the one about whom Allahrevealed:

و جأ ن ی أف أان أ ا ل ياو م نو ا ...

But he who says to his parents: "Uff toyou! Do you promise me that I will beraised -- when generations before mehave passed?''

From behind the curtain, Aishah responded:"Allah did not reveal any Qur'an in ourregard (i.e. the children of Abu Bakr),except for the declaration of myinnocence.''

In another report recorded by An-Nasa'i, Muhammad binZiyad reported that;

when Muàwiyah was soliciting people to pledgeallegiance to his son, and Marwan declared:

"This follows the tradition of Abu Bakr andÙmar.''

On hearing this, Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Bakr said:"Rather, this is the tradition of Heraclius andCaesar.''

Marwan responded:



30

"This is the one about whom Allah revealed واليل فأ یلال ل (But he who says to his parents:

"Uff to you!'')''

When that was conveyed to A'ishah, she said:

"Marwan is lying! By Allah, that was not revealedabout him. If I wish to name the person meant byit, I could. On the other hand, Allah's Messengerplaced a curse on Marwan's father (Al- Hakam binAbi Al-Às when Marwan was still in his loins, soMarwan (bin Al-Hakam) is an outcome of Allah'scurse.''

As for Allah's statement:

...ج ن أ ...أان أ

Do you promise me that I will be raised?

meaning, resurrected.

... م نو ا و ...

when generations before me have passed,

meaning, generations of people have alreadypassed away, and none of them has everreturned to tell (what happened to them) .

...ا ن ی هو ...

While they invoke Allah for help,

meaning, they ask Allah to guide him, and theysay to their son,

... ا و ن ١٧ا إ أس او ل م ه وی م إ

"Woe to you! Believe!

Verily, the promise of Allah is true.''

But he says: "This is nothing but the legends of theancient.''



31

Allah then says,

مأ لا یا م م ا أویس انآ نإ ناو ١٨

They are those against whom the Word (of torment) has justified among the previous generations of Jinn and

mankind that have passed away. Verily, they are everthe losers.

This indicates that all such people will be amongtheir likes and their peers among the disbelievers,who will lose themselves and their families on theDay of Resurrection.

Allah's saying, لوأ (Those are) after He said, ل ىلاو (But he who says) confirms what we have mentioned

above that the latter is a general description of a type of people including all those who fall under that description.

Al-Hasan and Qatadah both said,

"This applies to the disbelieving, sinful personwho is undutiful to his parents and who deniesresurrection.''

Allah then says,

... و درت م ا

And for all, there will be degrees according to that whichthey did,

meaning that there will be degrees of punishmentfor each of them according to what they did.

...ی هو أ و ن ١٩

so that He might fully recompense them for their deeds,and they will not be wronged.

which means Allah will not be unjust to themeven in the amount of a speck of dust or less.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said:

"The levels of the Fire descend, and those of Paradise ascend.''



32

Allah then says,

را اوآ یا ضی میو نا هذأ ساو ...

On the Day when those who disbelieve will be exposed to

the Fire (it will be said):

"You received your good things in the life of the world,and you took your pleasure therein...''

which means that this will be said to them by wayof blame and reprimand.

The Commander of the faithful, Umar bin Al-Khattab,may Allah be pleased with him, gave up many of the

joys of food and drink and refrained from them whilesaying,

"I am afraid of being like those whom Allah has

reproached and condemned by saying, هذأاو لا ح ب (You received your good

things in the life of the world, and you took yourpleasure therein).''

Abu Mijlaz said:

"Some people will lose good deeds that they had

in the worldly life, and they will be told, هذأح لا (You received your good things

in the life of the world).''

Then Allah says,

...ن ا با ن ون ارض م و آ ن آ و ا٢٠

Today, you will be recompensed with the torment of extreme humiliation, because you were arrogant uponthe earth without a right, and because you used to rebelagainst Allah's command.

which indicates that their punishment will be of atype comparable to their deeds.



33

They enjoyed themselves, were arrogant in theirdenial of the truth, and were involved in sinningand disobedience. Thus, Allah punishes them withextreme humiliation, disgrace, severe pains,continued sorrow, and positions in the terribledepths of Hell -- may Allah protect us from all of

that.

ف م رنأ ذإ د أ آذاو 46:21 And remember the brother of Àd, when hewarned his people in Al-Ahqaf.

او أ إ و ار م یی وم می با فأ نإ ا

And surely, warners had already passed on beforehim and after him (saying):

"Worship none but Allah; truly, I fear for you thetorment of a mighty Day.''

أ ا اء 46:22 They said: "Have you come to delude us fromour gods?

ـا م آ ن ن إ Then bring us that with which you threaten us, if

you are one of the truthful!''

ا ا نإ ل ـو سرأ م أو ن م آارأ

46:23 He said: "The knowledge (of that) is onlywith Allah. And I convey to you that wherewith Ihave been sent, but I see that you are a peoplegiven to ignorance!''



34

ضر اـه ا یدوأ م ر وأر نم

46:24 Then, when they saw it as a dense cloudapproaching their valleys, they said: "This is a cloud

bringing us rain!''

یر سا م ه أ با Nay, but it is that which you were asking to behastened - a wind wherein is a painful torment!

ر م ء آ م 46:25. Destroying everything by the command of itsLord!

ـم إ ىی ا So they became such that nothing could be seenexcept their dwellings!

م ا ما ى آ نThus do We recompense the criminal people!

The Story of Àd

Allah says, consoling His Prophet in regard to the rejection of

those who opposed him among his people,

د أ آذاو ...

And remember the brother of Àd,

This refers to Hud, peace be upon in him.

...ف م رنأ ذإ

when he warned his people in Al-Ahqaf .



35

Allah sent him to the first people of Àd whoinhabited Al-Ahqaf .

Ahqaf is plural of Haqf . According to Ibn Zayd, it meansa sand dune; and according to Ikrimah, it means amountain or a cave.

Qatadah said:

"We were informed that Àd was a tribe inYemen. They dwelt among sand (hills), andoverlooked the sea in a land called Ash-Shihr.''

Under the chapter, "He Who supplicates should firstmention Himself,'' Ibn Majah recorded that Ibn Abbasnarrated that the Prophet said:

ی ا وأ د

May Allah have mercy on us and the Brother of Àd.

Allah then says,

مو یی م را و ...

And surely, warners had already passed on before himand after him.

meaning, Allah had sent Messengers and warners to thetowns surrounding the land of Àd.

This is similar to Allah's saying,

مو یی ـن ـ

And We made it a deterrent punishment for thosewho were present and those who succeededthem. (2:66)

And it is also similar to Allah's saying,

ن ذإ دو د ـ م ـ رنأ ا أا إ او أ مو ییأ م سا ء



36

But if they turn away, then say: "I have warnedyou of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt thatstruck Àd and Thamud. (That occurred) whenthe Messengers had come to them from beforethem and after them (saying): "Worship none butAllah.'' (41:13-14)

...ا إ او أ...

"Worship none but Allah;

Allah then says,

... می با فأ نإ٢١

truly, I fear for you the torment of a mighty Day.

meaning, Hud said this to them (his people), andthey responded to him saying,

أ ا ...

Have you come to delude us from our gods,

meaning, to prevent us ل (from our gods),

...دا م آ ن ٢٢ن إ

(hen bring us that with which you threaten us, if you areone of the truthful!

They sought to hasten Allah's torment and punishment,believing that it will not happen.


ن می یا ی

Those who do not believe in it (the Last Hour)seek to hasten it, (42:18).

Hud's response was,

ا ا نإ ل ...He said: "The knowledge (of that) is only with Allah.''



37

which means, Àllah knows best about you. If you deserve the punishment to be hastened, Hewill do that to you.

... سرأ م أو ...

And I convey to you that wherewith I have been sent,

i.e. As for me, my duty is to deliver my messageto you.'

...ن م آارأ و ٢٣

But I see that you are a people given to ignorance!

which means, `you have no comprehension or

understanding.'

Allah then says,

یدوأ م ر وأر ...

Then, when they saw it as a dense cloud approachingtheir valleys,

meaning, when they saw the punishment comingtowards them, they thought it to be clouds full of rain. That made them happy and joyful, becausethey had a drought and needed rain.

...نم ضر اه ا ...

they said: "This is a cloud bringing us rain!''

Allah then said,

... یر سا م ه أ با ٢٤

Nay, but it is that which you were asking to be hastened-- a wind wherein is a painful torment!

meaning, this is the torment that you called forsaying, "Bring to us what you promise us if youshould be of the truthful.''



38

آ م ء ...

Destroying every thing,

meaning, destroying every part of their land thatcould normally be destroyed.

...ر م ...

by the command of its Lord!

meaning, it had Allah's permission to do that.


مآ إ أ ء م ر م

It spared nothing that it reached, but blew it intobroken spreads of rotten ruins. (51:42)

meaning, like something dilapidated (or decrepit).Because of this,

Allah says,

... آم إ ىی ا ...So they became such that nothing could be seen excepttheir dwellings!

means, all of them were destroyed, and none of them were spared.

Allah then says:

...ما ما ين آ ٢٥

Thus do We recompense the criminal people!

which means that this is Our judgement regardingthose who reject Our Messengers and disobey Ourcommands.

Imam Ahmad recorded from A'ishah, may Allah be

pleased with her, that she said,



39

"I never saw Allah's Messenger fully laughing sothat I would see his uvula. He would only smile.''

She added that when Allah's Messenger saw clouds orwind, that would reflect on his face (as discomfort). Sheasked him:

"O Allah's Messenger! When the people see clouds, theybecome happy, hoping that they bring them rain. But Inotice that when you see them, displeasure appears onyour face.''

Allah's Messenger replied,

م ب ،با ن ی ن ی ، م یم أ

رأى م و ،ی او باا:نم ضر اه

O À'ishah! What would guarantee to me thatthey do not bring punishment Some nations hadbeen punished with wind. On seeing thepunishment approaching them, a nation oncesaid: "This is a cloud bringing us rain.''

This is also recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Imam Ahmad recorded that A'ishah, may Allah bepleased with her, said that when Allah's Messenger sawclouds on any of the horizons, he would leave whateverhe was doing -- even if he was in prayer -- and say:

م م ذأ نإ ا

O Allah! I seek refuge with you from any harmthat it (the cloud) contains.

If Allah removed those clouds, the Prophet wouldpraise Allah, and if rain fell, he would say:

ن ا

O Allah! Make it pouring and beneficent.

Muslim also recorded in his Sahih from A'ishah, may

Allah be pleased with her, that when the wind blew,Allah's Messenger would say,



40

م و م و ه س أرسا إن أ سرأ م و ، م و ،ه م ذأو،

O Allah! I ask You of its good, the good that itcontains, and the good with which it has beensent. And I seek refuge in You from its evil, the

evil that it contains, and the evil with which it hasbeen sent.

She added that if the sky became cloudy, hiscolor would change; he would exit, enter, come,and go.

When it rained, his anxiety would be relieved.

When A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her,noticed that, she asked him about it and he said:

د م ل آ ی :

نم ضر اه ا یدوأ م ر وأر

O À'ishah! It could be like what the people of Àd said,

(Then, when they saw it as a dense cloudapproaching their valleys, they said: "This is acloud bringing us rain!'')

We have previously mentioned the story of thedestruction of the people of Àd in both Surah Al-A`raf and Surah Hud. Thus, there is no need to repeat it here;and verily Allah is worthy of all praise and gratitude.

ـم ن و مـ إ46:26 And indeed We had firmly established themwith that wherewith We have not established you!

اـأو س و We also gave them hearing, vision, and hearts.



41

و وأة أ س و أـهقو ا ـیـ نو ی انآ ذ إ أ م ء

نو م آنا یءBut their hearing, vision, and hearts availed themnothing since they used to deny the Ayat of Allah,and they were completely encircled by that whichthey used to ridicule!

ـیا و ىا م م هأ و ی ن

46:27. And indeed We have destroyed towns roundabout you, and We have shown (them) the signs invarious ways so that they might return.

اء ن ا نو ی اوا م د ا هن 46:28 As for those whom they had taken for godsbesides Allah, as the means of approach to Him,

why then did they not aid them?

نو ی انآ مو إ ذو ا Nay, but they vanished completely from them. Andthat was their falsehood, and what they werefabricating.

Allah says,

آم ن ... و مه إ

And indeed We had firmly established them with thatwherewith We have not established you!

means, `We have granted the earlier nationswealth and offspring in the worldly life. Thatwhich We granted them, we did not give youanything similar or close to it.'



42

Furthermore,

...ةأو ارأو س و و س أ م أ و هرأء قو ا تی نو ی انآ ذإ

ون ٢٦م آنا یؤ

We also gave them hearing, vision, and hearts. But theirhearing, vision, and hearts availed them nothing whenthey used to deny Allah's signs, and they werecompletely encircled by that which they used to ridicule!

meaning, they were encircled by the torment andexemplary punishment that they denied andwhose occurrence they doubted.

This means, you listeners must beware of beinglike them lest a punishment similar to theirsstrikes you in this life and the Hereafter.

Allah then says,

... و أه م م اى

And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you,

This is addressed to the people of Makkah.

Allah destroyed the nations who disbelieved in theMessengers who lived around Makkah, such as

• Àd who were at Al-Ahqaf in Hadramawt nearYemen,

• Thamud whose dwellings were between Makkahand Ash-Sham (Greater Syria),

• Saba' who were in Yemen,

• the people of Madyan who were on the route andpassage to Ghazzah (Western Palestine), and

• the people of Lut who dwelt by the lake (theDead Sea) which they used to pass by (on theway to Jordan) as well.

Allah then says,



43

...تیا و ...

and We have shown (them) the signs in various ways,

meaning, `We explained and clarified them.'

...ن ٢٧ی

ن ا نو ... نه ای اوا م د

so that perhaps they might return.

As for those whom they had taken for gods besidesAllah, as the means of approach to Him, why then didthey not aid them?

meaning, did they help them when they were inthe greatest need for them?

... ا ...

but they vanished completely from them.

Rather, they completely left them alone whenthey needed them the most.

...إ ذو ...

And that was their falsehood, (meaning, their lie).

...نو ی انآ مو ٢٨

and what they were fabricating.

which means that they fabricated lies by taking

them as gods, and they lost and failed in theirworship of them and their reliance upon them --and Allah knows best.

نا ن اء ی ا م ان إ ذإو 46:29 And (remember) when We sent toward you a

group of the Jinn, to listen to the Qur'an.



44

انأ ا و When they attended it, they said: "Listen quietly!''

یرم م إ او And when it was concluded, they returned to theirpeople, as warners.

ا سم م لنأ ـآ س نإ می یی م

46:30 They said: "O our people! Verily, we haveheard a Book sent down after Musa, confirmingwhat came before it,

م ی إو ا إ ىی it guides to the truth and to the straight path.''

اماءو ا اد اأ م ی 31. "O our people! Respond to Allah's Caller, andbelieve in him.

أ با م آ یو نذ م ی He (Allah) will forgive you some of your sins, andprotect you from a painful torment.''

ضرا ا اد وم ی

ءوأ نود م و 46:32 "And whosoever does not respond to Allah'sCaller, he cannot escape on earth, and he will nothave besides Allah any protectors.

م ـ ـوأThose are in manifest error.''



45

The Story of the Jinns listening to the Qur'an

Imam Ahmad recorded from Az-Zubayr that he commented onthe Ayah;

ن ا ن ی ا م ان إ ذإو ...

And (remember) when We sent towards you a group of the Jinn, to listen to the Qur'an.

"They were at a place called Nakhlah while Allah'sMessenger was performing the Ìsha' prayer,

and

ا ن آدوا ین

they crowded on top of each other to hear him.(72:19)''

Sufyan said, "They stood on top of each other likepiled wool.''

Ahmad was alone in recording this.

Imam Ahmad and the famous Imam, Al-Hafiz Abu BakrAl-Bayhaqi in his book Dala'il An-Nubuwwah, bothrecorded that Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him,said,

"Allah's Messenger never recited Qur'an to theJinns, nor did he see them. Allah's Messenger washeading with a group of his Companions towardsthe Ùkaz market. At that time, the devils had

been prevented from eavesdropping on the newsof the heavens, and they were being attacked byburning flames (whenever they tried to listen).When the devils went back to their people, theyasked them what happened to them, and theyanswered,

`We have been prevented from eavesdropping onthe news of the heavens, and burning flames now

attack us.'



46

Their people told them, `You have only beenprevented from eavesdropping on the informationof the heavens because of something (major) thathas happened. So go all over the earth, east andwest, and see what is it that has obstructed youfrom eavesdropping on the news of the heavens.'

Thus they traveled all over the earth, east andwest, seeking that which had obstructed themfrom eavesdropping on the news of the heavens.A group of them went towards Tihamah, andfound Allah's Messenger while he was at a placecalled Nakhlah along the way to the Ùkazmarket. He was leading his Companions in theFajr prayer. When the Jinns heard the recitation

of the Qur'an, they stopped to listen to it, andthen they said:

`By Allah! This is what has prevented you fromeavesdropping on the news of the heavens.'

Then they returned to their people and told them:

Òur people! We certainly have heard an amazingrecitation (the Qur'an), it guides to the right path.So we have believed in it, and we will join none inworship with our Lord.'

So Allah revealed to His Prophet,

م ن سا نأ إ وأ ا

Say: It has been revealed to me that agroup of Jinns have listened (to the

Qur'an). (72:19)

Thus, what was revealed to him was only thesaying of the Jinns.''

Al-Bukhari recorded a similar narration, andMuslim recorded it (as it is here).

At-Tirmidhi also recorded it, as did An-Nasa'i in

his Tafsir.



47

Abdullah bin Masùd reported that;

the Jinns came down upon the Prophet while hewas reciting the Qur'an at a place called Nakhlah.

When they heard him, لا أا (They said:

"Listen quietly.'') meaning, hush!

They were nine in number, and one of them wascalled Zawbaàh. So Allah revealed,

ن ا ن ی ا م ان وإذ إم إ او انأ ا و

یرم

And when We sent toward you a group of

Jinns, to listen to the Qur'an. When theyattended it, they said: "Listen quietly!''And when it was concluded, they returnedto their people as warners. until His

saying: ل manifest error. (Ayah 29-

32)

Thus, this report along with the above one by IbnAbbas, may Allah be pleased with him, indicate

that Allah's Messenger was not aware of thepresence of the Jinns at that time. They onlylistened to his recitation and went back to theirpeople. Later on, they came to him in groups, oneparty after another, and one group after another.

As for Allah's saying,

...یرم م إ او ٢٩

they returned to their people as warners.

It means that they went back to their people andwarned them about what they heard from Allah'sMessenger.


إ ار اذإ م اورو یا ا نو یر



48

...that they may obtain understanding in religionand warn their people when they return to them,so that they might be cautious (of evil). (9:122)

This Ayah has been used as evidence that theJinns have warners from among themselves, butno Messengers. There is no doubt that Allah didnot send Messengers from among the Jinns,because He says,

وم أرس م إ ر ن إ م أه اى

And We did not send before you as Messengersany but men, to whom We revealed from amongthe people of cities. (12:109)

And Allah says,

ما ن آ نإ إ سا م سرأ مو قاسا ن یو

And We never sent before you any of theMessengers but verily they ate food and walked inthe markets. (25:20)

And He says about Ibrahim Al-Khalil, upon himbe peace,

ـا و ذری اة و...And We placed in his descendants Prophethoodand Scripture. (29:27)

Thus, every Prophet whom Allah sent after

Ibrahim was from his offspring and progeny.As for Allah's saying in Surah Al-Anàm,

م سر ی أ ناو ا ـی

O company of Jinns and human beings! Did therenot come to you Messengers from among you?(6:130)

It only applies to the two kinds collectively, but

specifically pertains to just one of them, which isthe human.



49

This is like Allah's saying,

ن او ا م جی

From both of them (salty and fresh waters)emerge pearl and Marjan. (55:22)

Although He said "both of them'' this applies toonly one of the two types of water (the saltywater).

Allah then explains how the Jinns warned their people.He says,

سم م لنأ آ س نإ م ی ا ...

They said: "O our people! Verily, we have heard a Booksent down after Musa...''

They did not mention Ìsa, peace be upon him,because the Injil that was revealed to himcontained admonitions and exhortations, but veryfew permissions or prohibitions. Thus, it was inreality like a complement to the legislation of theTawrah, the Tawrah being the reference. That is

why they said, "Sent down after Musa.''

This is also the way that Waraqah bin Nawfalspoke when the Prophet told him about his firstmeeting with Jibril, An-Namus, peace be uponhim. He said: "Very good, very good! This is (theangel) that used to come to Musa. I wish that Iwas still a young man (to support you).''

...یی م ...

confirming what came before it,

meaning, the Scriptures that were revealedbefore it to the previous Prophets.

They then said,

...ا إ يی ...

it guides to the truth, (means in belief and information).



50

...م ی إو ٣٠

and to the straight path. (which means, in deeds).

For verily, the Qur'an contains two things:

- information and

- commandments.

Its information is true, and its commandmentsare all just, as Allah says,

و ر آ و

And the Word of Your Lord has been fulfilled in

truth and in justice. (6:115)

Allah says,

ا یدو ى سر سرأ يا ه

It is He Who has sent His Messenger with theguidance and the religion of truth. (9:122)

The guidance is the beneficent knowledge, andthe religion of truth means the righteous gooddeeds.

Thus, the Jinns said, لا لإ يی (it guides to the

truth) in matters of belief, ی لإو (and tothe straight path.) meaning, in regard to actions.

ا اد اأ م ی ...

O our people! Respond to Allah's Caller,

This is proof that Muhammad has been sent toboth the human beings and the Jinns.

Thus, Allah says,

... امو ا اد اأ...

Respond to Allah's Caller and believe in him.



51

Then Allah says,

...ی نذ م ...

He will then forgive you some of your sins,

Some scholars say that "some'' here is auxiliary, but this

is questionable since it is rarely used to strengthen anaffirmative meaning.

Others say that it means partial forgiveness.

...أ با م آیو ٣١

and protect you from a painful torment.

meaning, He will protect you from His painfulpunishment.

Then Allah informs that they said,

ضرا ا اد ی مو ...

And whosoever does not respond to Allah's Caller, hecannot escape on earth,

meaning, Allah's power encompasses him andsurrounds him.

... و م دون أوء...

and he will not have besides Allah any protectors.

meaning, no one can protect him against Allah.

...م ل و ٣٢أ

Those are in manifest error.

This is a threat and warning.

Thus, those Jinns called their people with encouragementand warning. Because of this, many of the Jinns tookheed and came to Allah's Messenger in successive

delegations; and verily, Allah is worthy of all praise andgratitude, and Allah knows best.



52

و ضراو تـا ىا ا ن ا أ أو یوا ی ن ی در أ

46:33 Do they not see that Allah, Who created theheavens and the earth, and was not wearied bytheir creation, is Able to give life to the dead?

ی ء آ نإ Yes, He surely is Able to do all things.

ا ضی میو اـه أ را اوآ ی 46:34 And on the Day when those who disbelievewill be exposed to the Fire (it will be said to them):"Is this not the truth?''

رو ا They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!''

نو آ باا او ل He will say: "Then taste the torment, because youused to disbelieve!''

و سا م ما او آ أ

46:35 Therefore be patient as did those of determination among the Messengers and be in nohurry for them.

م س إ ای نو ی م ن آن یم یورن

On the Day when they will see what they arepromised, it will be as though they had notremained (in the world) except an hour in a day.



53

ن ـا ما إ ی غ (This is) a clear Message. But will any be destroyedexcept the defiantly rebellious people?

Evidence for Life after Death

Allah says,

...أو یوا

Do they not see

Allah says, those who deny resurrection onJudgement Day, and doubt that the bodies will beraised on that Last Day -- Do they not see,

... ن ا اي اوات وارض و ی ...أ

that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, andwas not wearied by their creation,

meaning, the creation of the heavens and earthdid not exhaust Him.' Rather, He commandedthem: "Be,'' and they were, without any refusal ordelay. They obeyed and responded to Him withsubmission and fear.

This is similar to what Allah said elsewhere,

ـآأ ـو س ا م ـآأ ضراو ت ـا

ن ی س اVerily, the creation of the heavens and earth isgreater than the creation of the people. But mostpeople do not know. (40:57)

...ا ی ن ... در أis Able to give life to the dead?

i.e. Is He not then able to revive the dead?



54

Allah responds to the above question by saying,

... نإ ی ء آ ٣٣

Yes, He surely is Able to do all things.

Then Allah says, as a threat and a warning to whoever

disbelieves in Him,

اه أ را اوآ یا ضی م ... وی

And on the Day when those who disbelieve will beexposed to the Fire (it will be said to them): "Is this notthe truth?''

meaning, it will be said to them, "Isn't this the

truth? Is this magic?, or do you not see?''

...رو ا ...

They will say: "Yes, by our Lord!''

meaning, they will have no choice but to confess.

...نو آ باا او ل ٣٤

He will say: "Then taste the torment, because you usedto disbelieve!''

Commanding the Prophet to persevere

Allah then commands His Messenger to observe patience withthose who rejected him among his people. He says,

سا م ما اوأ آ ...

Therefore be patient as did those of determinationamong the Messengers.

meaning, as they were patient with their people'srejection of them.

"Those of determination'' among the Messengers

are Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Ìsa and the last of all of the Prophets, Muhammad.



55

Allah has specifically mentioned their names intwo Ayat: Surah Al-Ahzab (33:7) and SurahAsh-Shura (42:13).

... و ...

and be in no hurry for them.

which means, `do not rush the punishment forthem.'

This is similar to Allah's saying:

مو ا وأ او نرذو

And leave Me alone to deal with the rejecters,

those who are in possession of good things of life.And give them respite for a little while. (73:11)

ای ی أم رو ـا

So allow time for the disbelievers, and leave themfor a while. (86:17)

Then Allah says:

...رن م س إ ای نو ی ن م ... آن یم یو

On the Day when they will see that which they arepromised, it will be as though they had not remained (inthe world) except an hour in a day.

Which is similar to Allah's saying,

ـ وأ إ ا ون ی ی م آن یOn the Day they see it (the Hour), it will be asthough they had not remained (in the world)except for a day's afternoon or its morning.(79:46)

and as He says,

ن ری را م س إ ای ن آ هی میو



And on the Day when He shall gather themtogether, (it will be) as if they had not stayed butan hour of a day. They will recognize each other.(10:45)

Then Allah says,

...غ ...

A clear message.

meaning, this Qur'an provides a clear concept.

...ن سا ما إ ی ٣٥

But will any be destroyed except the defiantly rebellious

people.

Which means that Allah does not destroy anyoneexcept those who choose the way of destruction.It is part of Allah's justice that He does not punishanyone except those who deserve the punishment-- and Allah knows best.

This concludes the explanation of Surah Al-Ahqaf . And all

praise and blessings are due to Allah. Both success andprotection from faults are by His help.

Documents

Tafsir ibn Kathir - 046 Ahkaf