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“Tafsiri-Guide to the Quran”
(the Third Part)
(From Surah SHUA’RAA to Surah QAAF)
visit also:
http://www.m-saleemdada.com/
Al-Hamdu Lillah
Surah SHUA’RAA
(Consists of 11 Ruku; MK-5)
SHUA’RAA-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN MIM.
2. These are the verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.
3. Perhaps you will kill yourself with grief because they do not believe.
4. If We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven so that their necks stoop to it.
5. And there does not come to them a new reminder from the Beneficent Allah but they turn aside from it.
6. So they have indeed rejected (the Truth), therefore the news of that which they mock shall soon come to them.
7. Do they not see the earth, how many of every noble kind We have caused to grow in it?
8. Most surely there is a sign in that, but most of them will not believe.
9. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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After the accomplishment of writing TAFSIR of the last part of the Quran by the blessing of Allah, that is from Surah ZAARI’AAT to its last, I, MSD, begin the writing of its third part now, by the blessing of Allah; Surah SHUA’RAA starts with letters “TA SIN MIM” that are among the MUQATTA’AAT (that means the 14 disjointed letters that are among the Arabic alphabets which come at the commencement of 29 Surah in specific combinations) and it is not necessary for a person to know them in the understanding of the Quran; note also that all these letters are present at Surah FATIHA and my writing “The Expressions of Quran” presents much detail for them; seeing the MUQATTA’AAT, it is an interesting fact to note that all Surah that begin with them, have reference to the Holy Book Quran after them except for Surah-29 (ANKABUT) and Surah-30 (ROUM); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this denotes clearly that these disjointed letters are certainly related to the subject-matter of the Holy Book Quran, especially to the Surah where they occur; note that both of Surah that are exceptions denote the will of Allah which the world would see very soon, just after the disjointed letters as ANKABUT reads at the beginning, “ALIF LAAM MEEM; do men think that they will be left alone on saying, ‘we believe, and not be tried?’ and certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know (i.e. He would bring at fore) those who are true and He will certainly know (i.e. He would bring at fore) the liars”; Surah-ROUM reads at the beginning, “ALIF LAAM MEEM; the Romans are vanquished, in a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome within a few years; Allah's is the command before and after; and on that day the believers shall rejoice with the help of Allah; He helps whom He pleases; and He is the Mighty, the Merciful”; note that the Romans faced devastating defeat by the Persians and that defeat was such that it seemed that the Romans would not stand against the Persians under Heraclius; but they defeated the Persians within a few years and the news of their victory against the Persians reached Madinah when the Muslims were celebrating their win against the forces of Makkah at BADR; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first Ruku of SHUA’RAA tells that Allah has settled the man upon earth so that He examines who really is rightful to get Jannah and who is not; if He intended, He would have given such sign from the heaven that they had to accept the Truth totally yet His intention is not that; each person has to get the pleasure of Allah by his/her belief and deeds by his/her own freewill as that only would prove that he/she is worthy to get Jannah; this Ruku tells the Prophet PBUH that he does not need to worry so much if the disbelievers do not accept the fundamental Islamic teachings as this world certainly is the place of examination; Surah KAHF-6 & 7 read, “then maybe you will kill yourself with grief, sorrowing after them (‘ALA-AASAREHIM), if they do not believe in this announcement (i.e. the message of the Quran); surely We have made whatever is on the earth an embellishment for it, so that We may try them (as to) which of them is best in works”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; whole of Surah SHUA’RAA presents how Allah dealt with those who disbelieved in His authority and challenged His Messengers so it elaborates the message that Allah has provided at this Ruku; AAYAT-1 to AAYAT- 7 state, “TA SIN MIM; these are the AAYAAT of the Book that makes (things) clear (about the true belief and the virtuous deeds); perhaps (O Prophet PBUH) you will kill yourself with grief because they do not believe; if We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven (as they are asking, which will prove that the Quran tells the Truth only) so that their necks stoop to it (but Allah does not intend that they believe in the Truth by compulsion); and there does not come to them a new reminder (AAYAAT of the Quran that guides to the Truth) from the Beneficent Allah but they turn aside from it; so they have indeed rejected (the Truth), therefore the news of that which they mock shall soon come to them (as disbelief in the message of Allah would put destruction to them even at the world); do they not see the earth, how many of every noble kind We have caused to grow in it (for the sake of physical convenience that they live their lives without being tense)?”; the last two AAYAAT that are 8 & 9 of this Ruku have repeatedly come at this Surah because they express that if the disbelievers ask for sign then there is sign in the psyche of the man and in his history for certain; Allah relates the events in this Surah, of His Messengers which clearly tell that disbelief in the Messengers of Allah leads to destruction; they were asking the disbelievers to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam but the challenge of disbelievers to them, brought extreme destruction upon the disbelievers; first, Allah narrates the event related to Moses-AS and then to Abraham-AS; then He presents those events which relate to His five Messengers and we have read about them at Surah AARAAF & Surah HOODH too; these five Messengers that Allah has mentioned here at this Surah too had their dwelling places near to each other with difference of their periods at the world; note that after sending any of His Messengers to some nation, Allah appoints such time where they would ultimately accept the fundamental Islamic teachings or face certain death; we all have studied at AARAAF in its second Ruku about Adam & Eve that is explicit that the worldly life is an examination to the mankind so all persons must keep to the three fundamental teachings of Islam that all the Messengers of Allah have guided to; the five of these narratives in sequence are of Noah, HOODH, SALEH, Lot and SHOAIB (SALAM on all the Messengers of Allah) and they all gave the same message that are TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord) and AKHIRAT (Allah would judge all peoples of the world at the Day of Judgment) and RISALAT (Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note that Al-FATIHA, the opening Surah of the Quran, guides to all these three fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Surah SHUA’RAA repeats these narratives of the five Messengers in the same sequence; all Messengers did try their best to guide their respective nations as Allah asked them; however, their nations did not comply and so Allah destroyed them completely at the world and they certainly would be among the severely punished peoples at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these last two AAYAAT of the Ruku read, “most surely there is a sign in that, but most of them will not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; note about these attributes of Allah that the last AAYAT of the Ruku presents, that they have high significance in understanding of this Surah as AZIZ (Mighty) means that He provides for such happenings that keep the world to His will by His authoritative measures so no one becomes able to cause such deviation at the world that leads it away from His set manner for it that causes FASAD (high difficulties to work upon the Islamic teachings) for high length of period; He destroyed by events that are named as natural calamities, many such nations that had challenged His authority and were causing FASAD at the world; Surah ANKABUT has the AAYAT (that is AAYAT-40) where Allah tells us that “each one of them We seized for his crime; so in them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers of stones); some were caught by blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned; it was not Allah Who injured them but they injured (and oppressed) their own souls”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; RAHIM (Merciful) means that He provided ample space to disbelievers by sending His Messengers to them (when they were coming to the world by His will and now the Quran guides all persons who need the true guidance) and gave them all the time they needed, to consider the fundamental teachings of Islam; He cares for all of mankind that they live-on their lives where their physically security is at hand for them and also, that they live-on their lives where their spiritual security is at hand for them; so note that His name RAHIM denotes His attribute which tells His care for the spiritual guidance to the mankind and His patience upon their wrong doings until they receive the ample time He has appointed for them, to accept it; so, because He is RAHIM, He would care for the true believers exclusively at AKHIRAT mercifully as they do believe Him not only as the only Creator of all the creation Who always has all His authority, but also believe Him as the only RABB of all creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Second Ruku
10. And when your Lord called out to Musa, saying: Go to the unjust people,
11. The people of Pharaoh: Will they not guard (against evil)?
12. He said: O my Lord! surely I fear that they will reject me;
13. And by breast straitens, and my tongue is not eloquent, therefore send Thou to Haroun (to help me);
14. And they have a crime against me, therefore I fear that they may slay me.
15. He said: By no means, so go you both with Our signs; surely We are with you, hearing;
16. Then come to Pharaoh and say: Surely we are the apostle of the Lord of the worlds:
17. Then send with us the children of Israel.
18. (Pharaoh) said: Did we not bring you up as a child among us, and you tarried among us for (many) years of your life?
19. And you did (that) deed of yours which you did, and you are one of the ungrateful.
20. He said: I did it then while I was of those unable to see the right course;
21. So I fled from you when I feared you, then my Lord granted me wisdom and made me of the apostles;
22. And is it a favor of which you remind me that you have enslaved the children of Israel?
23. Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the worlds?
24. He said: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure.
25. (Pharaoh) said to those around him: Do you not hear?
26. He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old.
27. Said he: Most surely your Apostle who is sent to you is mad.
28. He said: The Lord of the east and the west and what is between them, if you understand.
29. Said he: If you will take a god besides me, I will most certainly make you one of the imprisoned.
30. He said: What! even if I bring to you something manifest?
31. Said he: Bring it then, if you are of the truthful ones.
32. So he cast down his rod, and lo! it was an obvious serpent,
33. And he drew forth his hand, and lo! it appeared white to the onlookers.
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The second Ruku relates that Allah appointed Moses-AS as His Messenger and commanded him to go to Pharaoh and his people that they accept the Truth, the fundamental teachings of Islam, and leave their unjust ways that they have shown towards the Bani-Israel; note that the Quran has mentioned Moses-AS more than any other Messenger of Allah as he is nearer to Muhammad PBUH by many aspects and so events related to him supported Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, much at his life; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Moses-AS said to Allah, the true Lord, that he feared that they would reject the message of Allah as he presents it to them; he asked Allah to make his brother Haroun (Aaron-AS) too His Messenger as he gets troubled due to his stammering in speech; he also showed his fear that as he had accidentally killed one of their men, they would kill him due to it; this happened when he had fought in defense of a person who was among the Bani-Israel and hit the man with a deadly punch; Allah told him that nothing of this sort would happen as Allah would see that they do not get any dominion over him to charge him with the accidental murder officially; he shall go to him by assistance of Aaron-AS and they both would present the message of Allah to Pharaoh that he needs to accept Allah as the true Lord and release Bani-Israel from captivity; so Allah had commanded Pharaoh clearly, to send Bani-Israel with them; at AYAT-16, Allah asks both Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and tell him that they both are apostles of Allah, the true Lord, but the word “apostle” is in singular at this place; note that many of commentators on the Quran, who are adept in Arabic, have explicitly mentioned that such usage is acceptable in Arabic grammar in the context that manifests here; however, I, MSD, intend to elaborate upon the meaning that it presents as at this Tafsiri-Guide, that is significant; the notable point here is that, by the usage of the term in singular, the Quran has told in most clear terms that the message of all Messengers of Allah is basically the same; they all do call towards the fundamental teachings of Islam to all persons Allah has sent them to (and Allah has sent His last Messenger Muhammad PBUH to all peoples of the world), for which they ask all persons to worship Allah only and obey His Messenger sent to them with complete belief in AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; as both Moses and Aaron also had to ask Pharaoh to send Bani-Israel with them releasing them from captivity, Moses mentioned it additionally which AAYAT-17 tells here; this is the manner of the Quran to present its message with the most beautiful way of usage of terms that is most comprehensive for it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-18 to last, the Ruku narrates the dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh whereas the last two AAYAAT of it tell that Moses showed him the two miracles that Allah has provided to him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-18 to AAYAT-22 narrate that Pharaoh told Moses that he had spent his childhood at the palace of Pharaoh where he had spent many years with the household; and he also told him that he had killed one of their men so he was very ungrateful person towards that household; note that Pharaoh intended to put him at his defense so that he becomes unable to present the message of Allah; note also that it seems that this Pharaoh was the grandson of Thutmose-II, the weak Pharaoh, who ruled for about 10 years only, coming to the throne at 1510 BC or so (and most probably, it was his wife Hatshepsut known as AASEIAH in the literature of Muslims, who had saved Moses-AS when he was flowing at the waters in his crib); read also the note at the sixth Ruku of Surah BAQARAH; Moses answered his second issue first that he did kill one of their men yet it was an accident which happened because of his care to Bani-Israel, his people, when he did not have awareness of the principles that Allah, the true Lord, asks to put at life; so when he feared them (as they treated their captives in extremely harsh manner and they would have gladly killed him for his accidental act), he ran away so Allah provided him the command over the Bani-Israel because he is most sincere to them for their physical safety and made him His Messenger to all of them for their spiritual safety, and even to Pharaoh and his people; Al-Hamdu Lillah; then Moses-AS answered the second issue that Pharaoh raised about his childhood at their palace; he told Pharaoh that they have kept the Bani-Israel at their captivity and yet he is taking the credit for his childhood at the palace whereas his mother had put him at specific crib in the flowing water just to save him from the atrocities that his grandfather was committing against the Bani-Israel; so that Pharaoh was responsible for the murder of many of the Bani-Israel and he wants him to get credit for saving one of them, who even was saved by Hatshepsut and not particularly by him; seeing that he gets blame instead of credit (and there were many Israelites too at his court), he changed the topic and asked Moses to clarify about his statement that he is the Messenger of RABB (the true Lord Whom all have to obey) of the worlds; Moses told him that Allah Who has made him His Messenger, is the true Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them (i.e. the true Lord of all His creation), if they do ask to accept the Truth certainly; note that when we Muslims need to say that Allah has created all things, we need to say it in this manner that Allah only has created the heavens and the earth and what is between them; this is the manner He has provided us in the Quran to mention all of His creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also that even the Pharaoh and his people had the acceptance that there is One Who has created all yet they did not take Him as RABB i.e. the true Lord to obey at all their issues of life; the disbelievers at all periods & places, had rejected Allah as their RABB and had refused to take His guidance for the true belief and had denied to take the principles He has provided for the virtuous deeds of the life; the Muslims believe that He not only is the Creator of all the creation Who never loses His attributes, but He also is the only true Lord of all the creation Whom the jinn and the mankind have to obey totally by their freewill in all aspects of life; Al-Hamdu Lillah; other of disbelief is where someone does believe that Allah is RABB, the true Lord, yet has the notion that his disobedience to Allah would not cause any harm to him, as that is of no consequence or as the recommendation at the court of Allah of some good person for him (or his sacrifice for him) would save him from his wrong-doings at the Day of Judgment; this also leads to the result that the disbeliever ignores that he has to fulfill the commands of Allah at all issues of life and so practically he does not believe that Allah is RABB, the true Lord, of all the creation; the Muslims believe that every person has to face his/her deeds alone at AKHIRAT and for that every person must care to obey Allah in all his deeds to get His pleasure there as that only is the true success; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the answer of Moses-AS clearly presented TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord); as it had turned alien to people that they shall obey too the One Who has created them, besides accepting Him as the Creator of all, Pharaoh addressed all persons around if they heard that answer which is so very alien to acceptable notion of their living manner; Moses clarified further that He is your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old; by this clarification, he guided their attention towards the day of HASHR that whoever disobeys Allah, he/she would certainly face extreme trouble at that certain day; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this clarification infuriated Pharaoh and he again addressed all persons around that Moses who claims to be the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds, seems affected by lunacy; note that all such persons who know that it is not their virtue inside which makes them get respect of their people (as they have none), but their official status among them, they try to degrade any challenger to them in view of their people rather than try to present themselves positively; this attitude in itself results by fear of losing their official status, which takes place by their inferiority complex; finally, Moses clarified that He is the Lord of the east and the west and what is between them, if they really do intend to understand that He is RABB (the true Lord Whom all have to obey) of the worlds; this was the last straw as it directly challenged the status of the Pharaoh which he claimed that whatever the belief of any person at his rule, Pharaoh shall be obeyed unconditionally; so he said to Moses directly if he will take a god besides him, he would most certainly imprison him; AAYAAT-21 to 26 of Surah NAZI’AAT read, “but he (Pharaoh) rejected (the Truth) and disobeyed; then he went back hastily; then he gathered (men) and called out; then he said- I am your lord, the most high- so Allah seized him with the punishment of the hereafter and the former life; most surely there is in this a lesson to him who fears (Allah)”; note that Pharaoh said to the people that he is their RABB but he did not claim that he has anything to do with the creation of the universe as that would have been blatant untruth; this is why Abraham-AS left Nimrod (who also took himself as RABB of his people) dumbfounded by asking him to bring the sun out from the west (see the note at the thirty-fifth Ruku of Surah BAQARAH); the word of Allah only denotes the worthy standard to lead the life at the world for its improvement ahead and so certainly, Allah only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that the jinn and the man have to obey Him unconditionally by their own freewill for all aspects of life because Allah has given these both only, the freewill to accept or reject the fundamental teachings of Islam; if someone obeys any of men, it would only be so when he commands in accordance with the commands of Allah or his command does not challenge the commands of Allah in any manner, as there is no other RABB except Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Moses replied to this threat by asking the Pharaoh if he would still imprison him if he gives him the proof that he really is the Messenger of Allah, the true Lord; note that the unplaced confidence on authority sometimes corrupts the person so much that he is unable to see the consequence of his own doings and certainly Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; due to such confidence, Pharaoh asked him to provide his evidence so Moses-AS put his staff down and it transformed into an obvious serpent; and as he drew forth his hand, it appeared white (shining beautifully) to the onlookers; this led to events which ultimately culminated at the exodus of the Bani-Israel; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Third Ruku
34. (Pharaoh) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician,
35. Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise?
36. They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities
37. That they should bring to you every skillful magician.
38. So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day,
39. And it was said to the people: Will you gather together?
40. Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers.
41. And when the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers?
42. He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near.
43. Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast.
44. So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Pharaoh's power, we shall most surely be victorious.
45. Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told.
46. And the magicians were thrown down prostrate;
47. They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds:
48. The Lord of Musa and Aaron.
49. Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all.
50. They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back;
51. Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers.
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This Ruku like the fourteenth Ruku of Surah AARAAF, narrates the contest between Moses-AS and the magicians whom the Pharaoh had called to defeat him; Allah helped Moses and he won that contest completely; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it happened that when the Pharaoh and his courtiers saw the two amazing miracles, he consulted his courtiers and those courtiers from among his nation consulted the prominent persons (at the Bani-Israel) to advise them about the course of action to take against Moses by telling them that he is the most adept magician who intends to take the Bani-Israel out of their lands; they advised the courtiers to send some official collectors to different cities from whence they would bring every such magician who is adept in his magic (so when they compete with Moses in magic, they would show that it only is the spell of magic with which he intends to enchant all persons to accept his demand); the collectors informed the skilled magicians to attend the gathering at some national specific day of their celebrations to challenge Moses and they did so at the presence of Pharaoh; they were so confident of their win that they asked Pharaoh if they would get their due prize if they win; Pharaoh assured them of that and also told them that they would be among his near ones getting high respect among the people; they had said that Pharaoh would get more of honor as they win (and it automatically implied that he would get highest of disrespect if they lose) and then they asked Moses who among them would begin the contest; he asked them to open the show so they threw their ropes and canes that seemed as the wriggling serpents to the onlookers; it certainly was the most skillful demonstration of their spell of magic; but Allah commanded Moses to put his staff at the ground and as he did so, it turned into the huge serpent that swallowed up all the falsehood that they faked; so the Truth manifested and their doings became vain so they were vanquished there and Pharaoh and his courtiers became lower; the skillful magicians gathered there, fell to ground as they realized that it certainly was not any spell of magic that Moses had demonstrated; this is mentioned in passive manner that they were thrown down prostrate to ground (by the guidance of the voice of the Truth inside) in prostration to Allah and they said in the clearest manner that they believe in the Lord of the worlds Who is the Lord of Moses and Aaron; note that they totally clarified that by the Lord they mean Allah whom Moses and Aaron believe so that Pharaoh and his people have no doubts about their words as Pharaoh presented his own self as the lord to the people; so the reason to their immediate belief was their view that the huge serpent ate up their doings which they knew clearly would not be any magic in any manner as they were most skillful at spells of magic; it plainly was the most amazing miracle that Moses had presented so this led them to believe in the words of Moses then and there; Pharaoh changed his stance at once that they have believed in the miracle before Pharaoh has allowed them to believe; note his arrogance that he wanted the people under his authority to believe that he is their lord and no other is superior to him to obey; he blamed them of being associates of Moses as the face-saving statement for him amongst the people and told the people that they all have united as they intend to expel the people set at their lands out of that; he told the magicians that he would punish them severely by cutting off one of their hands and one of their legs (opposite sides) and then he would crucify them all; their answer plainly was that they would surely return to their true Lord and what else the Pharaoh had found in them except that they had believed in the miracle from Allah when it has come to them; they made DUA to Allah, the true Lord, to pour out upon them patience and to cause them to die in submission to Him only; Al-Hamdu Lillah; their statement tells that when the person guides the asking of goodness in his self to the righteous direction, that even does lead him to the right path as just a little while back, they were asking the benefits of the world, its wealth and status, from Pharaoh but when they saw that the true benefits is where Moses is calling them to, they did not take any time to accept it and to become firm on it; they had consulted each other well when Moses had advised them to leave their stance and to accept the righteousness, before the contest and then only they had decided to challenge him (see Surah TA-HA-61 to 64); they accepted the punishment which Pharaoh had announced for them with the clear statement, “no harm; surely to our Lord we go back; surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs (due to challenging the Messenger of Allah on behalf of Pharaoh and due to asking of benefits at life at the world) because we (as compensation to wrongs) are the first of the believers”; certainly, Allah guides whom He wills and He only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Fourth Ruku
52. And We revealed to Musa, saying: Go away with My servants travelling by night, surely you will be pursued.
53. So Pharaoh sent heralds into the cities;
54. Most surely these are a small company;
55. And most surely they have enraged us;
56. And most surely we are a vigilant multitude.
57. So We turned them out of gardens and springs,
58. And treasures and goodly dwellings,
59. Even so. And We gave them as a heritage to the children of Israel.
60. Then they pursued them at sunrise.
61. So when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Musa cried out: Most surely we are being overtaken.
62. He said: By no means; surely my Lord is with me: He will show me a way out.
63. Then We revealed to Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. So it had cloven asunder, and each part was like a huge mound.
64. And We brought near, there, the others.
65. And We saved Musa and those with him, all of them.
66. Then We drowned the others.
67. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
68. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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As the Pharaoh and his men persisted on the disbelief, Allah told Moses to lead the Bani-Israel to safety; the Pharaoh had sent his men at cities to discourage people so that they do not support Moses, by the announcement that his followers are not much in quantity and they have infuriated him and his men are most watchful over them so there is no option for them to save themselves if they leave Egypt so no person shall follow them; but Allah had to save the Bani-Israel so his plans against them, were useless and it happened that as the Pharaoh and his army followed them, they all were drowned there while the Bani-Israel looked on to it from the bank of safety after they had crossed the Red Sea that gave way to them all when Moses struck the waters there with his staff by the command of Allah; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that when Moses-AS hit his staff at the sea, it divided into two huge parts and each part was like a huge mound; the words that the Quran uses here, imply that it was the command of Allah to the sea to stand in such manner so it is quite erroneous to try to find any physical reason to it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; afterwards, they made their base at Sinai and their generation grew there that had not seen slavery, who conquered the lands in the command of Joshua-AS as Aaron and Moses had died there during this period; at Sinai, Allah told Moses to hit his ASA (Staff) upon the huge specific stone there and by that strike, twelve springs gushed out of that (see the note at the seventh Ruku of Surah BAQARAH); it is interesting to note that when Moses was leading Bani-Israel to safety when the Pharaoh and his army were following them, it was this ASA the strike of which produced the way at the river so it parted the waters then; now the strike of the same at the huge stone brought forth the twelve springs of the fresh water from it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there were twelve tribes of the Bani-Israel (as Israel-AS had twelve sons and the descendants of each one became a tribe of Bani-Israel) so each of the tribes assigned one of the springs to them; Allah asked them to eat the MANN (the sweet that manifested there) and SALWA (the small birds that used to come there) and drink from the springs; that would keep them safe from making such mischief that might lead to FASAD so the taking-in of these wonderful edibles and the miraculous water certainly had some blessing from Allah in them that these would have kept them away from all such mischief by the permission of Allah; so the intake of anything affects the man even in the spiritual sense and the Quran asks at places to take care about what he eats; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last couple of AAYAAT are the recurring AAYAAT at the Surah which read, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; this tells clearly that the disbelievers need to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam in the good time on, which Allah has provided them by His blessing or else, when the extreme disaster gets them, their repentance even will be totally useless; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Fifth Ruku
69. And recite to them the story of Ibrahim.
70. When he said to his father and his people: What do you worship?
71. They said: We worship idols, so we shall be their votaries.
72. He said: Do they hear you when you call?
73. Or do they profit you or cause you any harm?
74. They said: Nay, we found our fathers doing so.
75. He said: Have you then considered what you have been worshipping:
76. You and your ancient sires.
77. Surely they are enemies to me, but not (so) the Lord of the worlds;
78. Who created me, then He has shown me the way:
79. And He Who gives me to eat and gives me to drink:
80. And when I am sick, then He restores me to health
81. And He Who will cause me to die, then give me life;
82. And Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment.
83. My Lord: Grant me wisdom, and join me with the good
84. And ordain for me a goodly mention among posterity
85. And make me of the heirs of the garden of bliss
86. And forgive my father, for surely he is of those who have gone astray;
87. And disgrace me not on the day when they are raised
88. The day on which property will not avail, nor sons
89. Except him who comes to Allah with sincere heart (free from all evil).
90. And the garden shall be brought near for those who guard (against evil),
91. And the hell-fire shall be made manifest to the erring ones,
92. And it shall be said to them: Where are those that you used to worship;
93. Besides Allah? Can they help you or yet help themselves?
94. So they shall be thrown down into it, they and the erring ones,
95. And the hosts of the Satan, all of them.
96. They shall say while they contend therein:
97. By Allah! we were certainly in manifest error,
98. When we made you equal to the Lord of the worlds;
99. And none but the guilty led us astray;
100. So we have no intercessors,
101. Nor a true friend;
102. But if we could but once return, we would be of the believers.
103. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
104. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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Abraham-AS was born at the city of UR and the people there worshipped idols and took stars even, as objects to worship; their king asked unconditional obedience from them and demanded to consider him as their lord to obey; Abraham challenged these aspects of their belief at different occasions as we find the mention at BAQARAH-258, at AN’AAM-the ninth Ruku, at ANBIYA-the fifth Ruku and here at SHUA’RAA; the narration here relates that Abraham asked his father and his people why do they take idols as objects to worship; they told him they do this in the following of their forefathers; to this, Abraham told them boldly that he finds all of them in manifest error; the Quran narrates the dialogue between Abraham and his people here and like Moses addressed Pharaoh and his courtiers, Abraham at the period he lived, also guided that Allah only is the true Lord Who would judge their doings at the Day of Judgment; he told them explicitly that the idols that they worship are unable to benefit them in any way and they are unable to harm them too; they and their forefathers have been doing extreme wrong by worshipping idols because Allah only is the true Lord of all the worlds at all times; so he guided his nation towards TAUHID of Allah that He only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; he told them plainly that Allah only cares for the mankind and does not put any burden on any person when that person worships Him truly and obeys Him truly; He provides physical and spiritual benefits to the man when the man is truly attentive to Him, the true Lord; AAYAAT from 77 to 82 narrate his words, “surely they (i.e. idols) are enemies to me, but not (so) the Lord of the worlds, Who created me, then He has shown me the way; and He Who gives me to eat and gives me to drink; and when I am sick, then He restores me to health; and He Who will cause me to die, then give me life; and Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are significant points to note in this speech of Abraham-AS and the first one is that he guided their attention to the fact that they make idols by themselves and then they worship them in the name of following of their ancestors whereas Allah is He Who has created the mankind and He is the true Lord for all times at all places; so if their ancestors were doing an extreme wrong, they should refrain from such wrongs and they should rather challenge their doings; they should only take the right path of acceptance of the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the second point to note is that he guided their attention that Allah has provided the guidance to the fundamental teachings of Islam to the mankind and put an urge inside the man to accept it for his true benefits so all persons should come to it and not challenge it by their wrong doings; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the third point to note is that he guided their attention that Allah takes care of the basic physical necessities of the mankind because he has provided all facilities to the man at his life at the world to get them all with little of efforts if they do not create troubles for each other; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fourth point is that he guided their attention that Allah restores the health of the man when he is afflicted by some sickness or by some wound or by some troublesome physical distress; it is common observation that the body heals itself of many afflictions with time and Abraham guided the attention of his people to this; Allah has provided an amazing immune system to the man and a beautiful manner of adjustment to physical distresses so if the man does trust that with total attention towards Allah, it would certainly save him from all physical troubles with due efforts unless the appointed time of his death has come for him; note that Abraham referred the cause of affliction to his own self and mentioned that Allah cures it so this is notable that Allah does not put any trouble to the mankind unless the man himself becomes foolish towards his own self; there are such influences around that may affect the physique of the man adversely if he does not take care to his necessary hygiene; Abraham phrased his statement in such way that the words do not seem any disrespect to Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fifth point is that he guided their attention that Allah would bring all persons to life at the certain day of HASHR when all of them would be dead; he said, “and He Who will cause me to die, then give me life” so with reference to his own self, he indicated to them that every person though he/she may have come at any time & at any place in the world, is answerable for his/her life at the world to Allah, the true Lord, at the Day of Judgment; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last point here is that he told them in dialogue with them, “and Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment”; this is very notable as here my mistake (“KHATIATI”) that he mentioned seems his stay in them in the hope that they might come to the right path so it took place just by his placement there as he took some time to leave them; note that he did not mention it as a sin but termed it as his mistake as such mistake of placement does not become sin unless some person accepts it practically and totally ignores TABLIGH for the Truth; although his response to their wrongs was not very late yet as one of the Messengers of Allah, he took care to take it as a mistake for which he asked Allah to show mercy; note also that before this dialogue, he had challenged their belief in the heavenly bodies (see the note at the ninth Ruku of Surah AN’AAM) and after this dialogue, he did try to demonstrate to them practically too how unable their idols are even to protect their own selves (see the note at the fifth Ruku of Surah ANBIYA) which led to his departure from UR, with his wife Sarah-AS and nephew Lot-AS; this tells that it is necessary for a righteous person to challenge the wrongs around to his utmost capability as he learns of it because without it, he would be mistaken that would lead him to sin except where he does ask Allah to show mercy on his mistake; Al-Hamdu Lillah; ahead in the Ruku, AAYAAT 83 to 89 narrate DUA of Abraham-AS to Allah which read, “my Lord- grant me wisdom (to judge the rightness in any given situation), and join me with the good (righteous persons); and ordain for me a goodly mention among posterity; and make me of the heirs of the garden (JANNAH) of bliss; and forgive my father, for surely he is of those who have gone astray -(note that later he left asking forgiveness for his father as he died on disbelief; see TAUBAH-114)-; and disgrace me not on the day when they are raised, the day on which property will not avail, nor sons, except him who comes to Allah with sincere heart (free from all evil)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran tells at places that the righteous persons would be most happy from the very time when they see JANNAH which they would be about to enter; and it would happen that as the wrong doers would be put into the hell-fire, they would blame each other for their extreme troubles; Allah tells about this at AAYAAT from 90 to 102 which read, “and (at the Day of HASHR) the garden (JANNAH) shall be brought near for those who guard (against evil); and the hell-fire shall be made manifest to the erring ones; and it shall be said to them- where are those that you used to worship, besides Allah?- can they help you or yet help themselves?- so they shall be thrown down into it, they and (all of) the erring ones and the hosts of the Satan, all of them; they shall say while they contend therein (blaming each other)- by Allah! we were certainly in manifest error, when we made you equal to the Lord of the worlds, and none but the guilty (i.e. from among their ancestors) led us astray; so we have no intercessors nor a true friend –(this would be the statement of such persons from among them who had thought that they would be saved by some intercessor for them or some friend that would stand for them at the Day of HASHR which proved wrong)-; but if we could but once return, we would be of the believers”; this is certain to happen that JANNAH would come closer to righteous persons who had always kept their hearts free from all evil, and the hell-fire would be shown to the wrong doers so that they see its fierceness then & there; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last two AAYAAT of the Ruku are the recurring AAYAAT at this Surah that guide attention of all persons, specially those who ask Allah to provide signs to believe, that in each of the narrated events here, there is a very clear sign to believe so they must come to the righteous belief before it is too late; these AAYAAT read, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; this certainly tells clearly that the disbelievers need to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam in the good time on, which Allah has provided them by His blessing or else, when the extreme disaster gets them, their repentance even will be totally useless; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Sixth Ruku
105. The people of NUH (Noah) rejected the apostles.
106. When their brother Noah said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
107. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
108. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
109. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds:
110. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me.
111. They said: Shall we believe in you while the meanest follow you?
112. He said: And what knowledge have I of what they do?
113. Their account is only with my Lord, if you could perceive
114. And I am not going to drive away the believers;
115. I am naught but a plain warner.
116. They said: If you desist not, O Noah, you shall most certainly be of those stoned to death.
117. He said: My Lord! Surely my people give me the lie!
118. Therefore judge Thou between me and them with a (just) judgment, and deliver me and those who are with me of the believers.
119. So We delivered him and those with him in the laden ark.
120. Then We drowned the rest afterwards
121. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
122. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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From this Ruku, the Surah narrates about the five significant Messengers of Allah which are Noah, HOODH, SALEH, Lot & SHOAIB (Salam on all Messengers of Allah) and this narration extends to the tenth Ruku; we have read about them in this very sequence at Surah AARAAF and Surah HOODH too; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these five Messengers that Allah has mentioned here had their dwelling places near to each other with difference of their periods at the world as Noah, HOODH and SALEH were before Abraham-AS while Lot was his nephew and SHOAIB was among his descendants who lived at about three hundred years after his time; it tells us how they gave their nations the message of Allah and how Allah punished their nations even at the world when they rejected that message; note that after sending any of the Messengers to some nation, Allah appoints such time where they would ultimately accept the fundamental Islamic teachings or face certain death; we all have studied at Surah AARAAF in its second Ruku about Adam & Eve which is explicit that the life at the world is an examination to the mankind so all persons must keep to the three fundamental teachings of Islam that all of Messengers of Allah have guided to; they all gave the same message that are TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord) and AKHIRAT (Allah would judge all peoples of the world at the Day of Judgment) and RISALAT (Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note that Al-FATIHA, the opening Surah of the Quran, guides to all these three fundamental teachings of Islam (see also the supplementary note at AAYAT-25 & 26 of Surah HOODH after the note at its third Ruku); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Surah i.e. SHUA’RAA, tells clearly that the message that all of these Messengers of Allah gave, has this repeatedly that “will you not guard (against evil)?- surely I am a faithful apostle to you; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds”; so all the Messengers did try their best to guide their nations as Allah has asked them; however, their nations did not comply and so Allah destroyed all of them completely at the world as their respective appointed times took place and they all certainly would be among the most severely punished peoples at AKHIRAT; note that the Messenger of Allah had to provide the message of Allah and it is not his liability to see that his people do accept it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also here that the Ruku opens by the statement that “the people of NUH (Noah) rejected the apostles” and this tells that to reject one apostle of Allah is to reject all of them as their message that is the message of Allah, is basically the same; this is the manner by which other Ruku ahead start too up-to the tenth which narrate about the apostles of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; so this explains the term “apostle” used in singular at AAYAT-16 of this Surah further where by the usage of the term in singular, the Quran has told in most clear terms that the message of all Messengers of Allah is basically the same; all of them do call all persons Allah has sent them to, towards the fundamental teachings of Islam (and Allah has sent His last Messenger Muhammad PBUH to all peoples of the world), for which they ask all persons to worship Allah only and obey His Messenger sent to them with complete belief in AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Noah-AS had told his nation who were idolaters that they must worship Allah only and if they do not take Him as the only One to worship, they would get the most severe punishment at the Day of Judgment (and even at the world); he did not ask them to obey the commands of Allah at first but he told them to obey him because he knew that as he guides them to the Truth then his obedience would cause them to obey the commands of Allah, once they accept Him as the only One to worship; Al-Hamdu Lillah; he told them that he does not need any returns from them on the Guidance to the right path that he is providing to them as Allah, the Lord of the worlds, would provide him his returns for it; he told them on their invalid argument (which was that only persons of low social status among them were following him), that he is not going to drive away any of the true believers because of their low social status as that status has no adverse consequence to their belief and certainly, that is of no concern to him as his task is to warn all persons that they shall not disobey Allah Who only is their true Lord; note that the disbelievers are so obsessed with the life at the world that they take the attainment of wealth and status among people as the criteria for the rightness of some person; though the error lied on their side, the nation of Noah took him as in clear error and told him in response to his TABLIGH that if he does not desist from it, they would stone him to death; when Allah told Noah-AS that further on, no more persons would accept the fundamental teachings of Islam, he asked Allah to punish them severely; note that he made this DUA against his nation after many centuries of calling them to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; Allah accepted this DUA and so the result of their rejection to him was that they all were drowned except for the believers with him at the ark; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last couple of AAYAAT at the Ruku, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Seventh Ruku
123. AAD gave the lie to the apostles.
124. When their brother HOODH said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
125. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
126. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
127. And I do not ask you any reward for it; surely my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds
128. Do you build on every height a monument? Vain is it that you do:
129. And you make strong fortresses that perhaps you may last forever
130. And when you lay hands (on men) you lay hands (like) tyrants;
131. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
132. And be careful of (your duty to) Him Who has given you abundance of what you know.
133. He has given you abundance of cattle and children
134. And gardens and fountains;
135. Surely I fear for you the chastisement of a grievous day
136. They said: It is the same to us whether you admonish or are not one of the admonishers
137. This is naught but a custom of the ancients;
138. And we are not going to be punished.
139. So they gave him the lie, then We destroyed them. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
140. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The second narrative of these Messengers presented here is of HOODH-AS; his nation was named as AAD and he gave them the same message as Noah had given to his nation; in addition, he told them not to do such things which show their preference to the life at the world but rather, they need to show gratitude to Allah; note that his nation lived in the area of curved sand-hills in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula and they were very strong in physique and had handsome height and looks; here, in Surah SHUA’RAA, the AAYAAT tell that HOODH-AS also provided his nation the righteous social manner to live at the world which read that he told his nation, "do you build on every height a monument?- vain is it that you do; and you make strong fortresses that perhaps you may last forever; and when you lay hands (on men) you lay hands (like) tyrants; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and be careful of (your duty to) Him Who has given you abundance of what you know; He has given you abundance of cattle and children; and gardens and fountains; surely I fear for you the chastisement of a grievous day” (AAYAAT-128 to 135); these have few most significant advices relating to the righteous practical manner of living and I, MSD, find that with all comments which have been written on them, they yet need due attention in these current times; note that the guidance that any of Messengers of Allah gave to his nation in addition to the fundamental teachings of Islam which the Quran has reported explicitly, has worth for us all (as they are directly related to the Truth) even at these current times except where the Quran itself has mentioned it as specific to that nation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; insha Allah, I would comment on this beautiful guidance that HOODH-AS provided to his nation in few necessary points ahead; the first point to note here is that it is highly wrong to make landmarks (and picnic spots) at every breezy place at height though some of them for the necessary need of pleasure caring about the Islamic commands are fine as the AAYAT here has the word “KUL” (every) and the word “TA’BATHUN” (vain is it that you do); the second point to note here is that to make such extensive fortresses, castles, buildings and any of very tall skyscrapers, is highly wrong even if they are termed necessary by unworthy reasons as the word used here is MASANE’ which applies to all of extensive buildings in width or height; we all must say this time & again at these current times most explicitly when some persons have developed this thought that they would make skyscrapers to impose their importance to the world; the third point is that in all matters related to life at the world, the Muslim person must show necessary respect to every man as the creation of Allah and not abuse the authority that Allah has given to him, in any manner; the AAYAT here forbids abuse of authority when the officials grab a person, even though responsible for any wrong, or/and when they grab some challengers to them, even though they are of enemy, as such persons get totally defenseless against them; they need proper official verdict for their doings to punish them rather than official abuse of authority in any manner as the acceptance certainly has to be “not guilty unless proven officially”; note that this abuse of authority was so prevalent at the ancient times that when ZELICHA had falsely blamed Yusuf-AS of an attempt to rape her, she had asked her husband (who held high official position in administration) to imprison him or to punish him by extreme physical torment (see Surah YOUSUF-25); so, even at Egypt that was considered a developed place of that time, this type of brutality of beating the weak persons of the land without any valid official verdict for it, prevailed; even after four hundred years of Yusuf-AS, Moses-AS had asked Allah to save him from the brutal clutches of the Egyptian officials, when he had accidentally killed an Egyptian person there (see Surah QASAS-21); this brutality, as a custom, still prevails all over the world (even though the physical things around us have developed much in the past century) and it is fair to say that the man truly has not yet developed; the AAYAT has the word JABBARIN (tyrants) which denotes their manner to deal with weak persons when they got hold of them and thus this directs to leniency in general, even to criminals except for the execution of the official due verdict that they receive in due time; the fourth point here is that HOODH tried to correct their attitudes about their manner of living socially where they fell against the Truth; their attitudes denoted preference of life at the world whereas the virtuous manner according to the fundamental teachings of Islam, is to live with the total preference of AKHIRAT over the life at the world; note that we have seen at the previous Ruku that Noah-AS did not give any concern to the low social status of those who believed in the Truth as it had no adversity to the true belief yet HOODH-AS challenged their attitudes by which they lived on socially as that were most adverse to the true belief in the fundamental teachings of Islam; so these are the most worthy points to note for all persons even at these current times and they must shape their attitudes according to it so that they live on in total compliance to Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; with all the guidance that HOODH-AS provided to his nation, it like the nation of Noah, took him as in grave folly and told him plainly that they would not listen to him and would not leave the manner to live which they have taken of their forefathers; they even said that they would not be punished and his speech is the manner of old where someone takes upon himself as bound to show the way; the outcome of their rejection to him was that they all were destroyed except for the believers with him; note that they had given their idols different names and had become such idolaters that they did not tolerate hearing anything against them; so they were punished by furious violent wind that stayed upon them for seven nights and eight days as the wrath of Allah upon them; Surah HAAQQAH says about this punishment that it was such “which Allah imposed on them for seven nights and eight days so that (O listener) you might have seen men lying overthrown, as they were hollow trunks of palm-trees” (HAAQQAH-7); the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Eighth Ruku
141. THAMUD gave the lie to the apostles
142. When their brother SALEH said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
143. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you
144. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
145. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
146. Will you be left secure in what is here;
147. In gardens and fountains,
148. And cornfields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees?
149. And you hew houses out of the mountains exultingly;
150. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me;
151. And do not obey the bidding of the extravagant,
152. Who make mischief in the land and do not act aright.
153. They said: You are only of the deluded ones;
154. You are naught but a mortal like ourselves; so bring a sign if you are one of the truthful.
155. He said: This is a she-camel; she shall have her portion of water, and you have your portion of water on an appointed time;
156. And do not touch her with evil, lest the punishment of a grievous day should overtake you.
157. But they hamstrung her, then regretted;
158. So the punishment overtook them. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
159. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The third of the narratives here is of SALEH-AS whose nation was named as THAMUD; his nation too was polytheist and gave total preference to the life at the world so he gave them the same message as Noah & HOODH had given to their nations; those people were good at construction of buildings by carving and structuring and used to build mansions at plains and carved houses at the mounts; AAYAAT from 146 to 152 tell how SALEH guided them to the right path by telling them that Allah has given life to the man for his examination and He would try them certainly; they must believe in Allah truly and they must not prefer the life at the world but care for AKHIRAT where they have to account for all of their doings; they certainly need to be grateful to Allah, Who only is the true Lord, for all blessings that He has provided to them; he warned the common people that they certainly need to take care that the elite among them, who were averse to his virtuous teachings, do not misguide them to wrongs; these AAYAAT read, “will you be left secure in what is here, in gardens and fountains, and cornfields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees?- and you hew houses out of the mountains exultingly; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and do not obey the bidding of the extravagant, who make mischief in the land and do not act aright”; the disbelievers in THAMUD told SALEH-AS that before these teachings that he professes, they took him as one of the most intelligent persons but now they find him teaching to leave all their idols that even their ancestors used to worship; SALEH told them clearly that he is providing them the message of Allah in purity and they need to believe in it for their own safety at the world and at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; however, their ruling elite rejected his message outright and asked others too to reject it; it happened that some disbelievers in THAMUD asked SALEH for some sign to believe him to which Allah provided them a she-camel that showed-up miraculously coming from behind a huge rock, at one of the mounts there, that moved from its place and she was in the state of pregnancy; he told them that this is the she-camel that Allah has given for them as a sign that he is the Messenger of Allah to them; therefore they must leave her to pasture on Allah's earth and not touch her with evil, for then a near chastisement would overtake them; AAYAT-155 here (and Surah QAMAR-28 too) implies that Allah told him to tell his people that the water is to be divided between them and each one has the right to drink from the wells by turns at alternate days; but it happened that some of their youth planned to slay her and the Quran mentions the one who did slay her as the most wicked of them all (see Surah SHAMS-12); as the disbelievers in the people of SALEH stood by that most wicked character so he told all such persons that within three days, they would face the calamity (the terrible earthquake with the most dreadful scream of rumbling) that would hit them in their abode by the command of Allah and this is certain to happen; AAYAAT at Surah AARAAF for this narration read, “then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode; then SALEH turned away from them and said - O my people - I did certainly deliver to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice - but you do not love those who give good advice” (AARAAF-78 & 79); the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Ninth Ruku
160. The people of Lot gave the lie to the apostles.
161. When their brother Lot said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
162. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
163. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
164. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
165. What! do you come to the males from among the creatures
166. And leave what your Lord has created for you of your wives? Nay, you are a people exceeding limits.
167. They said: If you desist not, O Lot! you shall surely be of those who are expelled.
168. He said: Surely I am of those who utterly abhor your act;
169. My Lord! deliver me and my followers from what they do.
170. So We delivered him and his followers all,
171. Except an old woman, among those who remained behind.
172. Then We utterly destroyed the others.
173. And We rained down upon them a rain, and evil was the rain on those warned.
174. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
175. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The fourth of the narratives here is of Lot-AS who had been sent to the people living at Sodom and Gomorrah at south of the dead sea; they were extremely filthy persons who used to commit the heinous sin of sodomy among men; Lot, who actually did not belong to that nation but had been sent to them as the Messenger of Allah, tried his best to reform them of this heinous sin but to no avail; in fact, they intended to expel him from their city just because he challenged their filth as AAYAT-167 tells here; AAYAAT-80 to 84 at AARAAF tell the narrative, “and (We sent) Lot when he said to his people - what - do you commit an indecency which anyone in the world has not done before you?; most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay you are an extravagant people; and the answer of his people was no other than that they said - turn them out of your town - surely they are people who seek to purify (themselves); so We delivered him and his followers, except his wife (which is mentioned here at AAYAT-171 as an old woman); she was of those who remained behind; and We rained upon them a rain (of stones, to eliminate them totally as AAYAAT-172 & 173 mention here); consider then what the end was of the guilty”; Allah had sent angels to punish this filthy people and these angels had visited Abraham-AS before coming to Lot-AS; at that occasion, they had even told Abraham the manner of the punishment to them as Surah ZAARIYAAT states, “they said - surely we are sent to guilty people that we may send down upon them stones of clay that are sent forth with markings from your Lord for the wanton people” (AAYAT-32, 33 & 34 of ZAARIYAAT); Allah tells that He saved the believers therein though there only was one house of the Muslims (that was of Lot-AS and even from there, his wife stayed among the punished people as she did not disapprove of their heinous crime) and so He made them lesson ahead that He would punish all such persons who commit any of major sins together (especially of the most shameful nature) even at the world most severely; the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Tenth Ruku
176. The dwellers of the thicket gave the lie to the apostles.
177. When SHOAIB said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
178. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
179. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
180. And I do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
181. Give a full measure and be not of those who diminish;
182. And weigh (things) with a right balance,
183. And do not wrong men of their things, and do not act corruptly in the earth, making mischief.
184. And guard against (the punishment of) Him Who created you and the former nations.
185. They said: You are only of those deluded;
186. And you are naught but a mortal like ourselves, and we know you to be certainly of the liars.
187. Therefore cause a portion of the heaven to come down upon us, if you are one of the truthful.
188. He said: My Lord knows best what you do.
189. But they called him a liar, so the punishment of the day of covering overtook them; surely it was the punishment of a grievous day.
190. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
191. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The period of SHOAIB-AS is between Abraham-AS and Moses-AS and he also guided his nation to the Truth at Madyan, that is also named as ASHABUL-AYKAH (the dwellers of the thicket); he also additionally hit the wrongs in their living manner that challenged the fundamental teachings of Islam just as other of Messengers had challenged such wrongs among their respective peoples; they were polytheists following the wrong path of their ancestors and they also gave their total preference to the life at the world and did not care to obey the commands of Allah; they did not have any concern for rights of their fellow-beings and tried to gain more worldly profits by trying to give lesser returns to the amounts of the buyer; they mismanaged their measures and weights just to get these unfair profits and this narration that the Quran tells us, implies that this extreme wrong attitude leads to FASAD at the place which means that it becomes most difficult to live upon the Islamic teachings at such place; note that if a person abuses his authority without any care to the commands of Allah at any level where he is at the business of life, he makes the living on the Islamic teachings difficult by his attitude at that level; SHOAIB-AS as the Messenger of Allah to his people, also provided them the true guidance according to the command of Allah yet there are couple of things in this Ruku that need some address; first is that SHOAIB was sent to Madyan and we find here that he was sent to ASHABUL-AYKAH and the second is that the narratives of other four Messengers of Allah tell them as the brother to their respective nations yet his narrative does not relate him to his people by this term; note here that these both matters are interrelated as the people of Madyan were living extensively at that area, mainly at Madyan proper yet also at its adjacent area to TABUK where the largest pocket of them was at some specific thicket that are named as ASHABUL-AYKAH; they all were related to business activities and had similar ills in them which SHOAIB addressed head-on; he was not termed as their brother (though the Quran has called him the brother to the people of Madyan proper at HOODH-84 and at ANKABUT-36), as his dwelling place was Madyan proper which also was the center of his guidance to the fundamental teachings of Islam; note that Allah eliminated the people of Madyan proper by a deadly rumbling earthquake as He had destroyed the people of SALEH on their disbelief in Him whereas He eliminated ASHABUL-AYKAH by the dark cloud that covered them and put lightening onto them, probably within a short period after the Madyan proper was destroyed due to their disbelief; AAYAAT from 181 to 184 tells about his additional teachings to his nation, “give a full measure and be not of those who diminish; and weigh (things) with a right balance; and do not wrong men of their things, and do not act corruptly (in this manner) in the earth, making mischief (as that causes high trouble in practice of Islamic teachings in the ordinary business of life); and guard against (the punishment of) Him Who created you and the former nations”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it confused the persons at his nation that they have to care for the commands of Allah even to get the material profits they make at market, as they took the belief as something that relates to the concepts of the individual at the spiritual level with no impression at material things at the collective living of persons who live in huge number together; note here that the Islamic teachings challenge the concept of secularism head-on whereas the statement of the disbelievers in the nation of SHOAIB, is mentioned at the eighth Ruku of Surah HOODH that “they said- O SHOAIB- does your SALAH enjoin you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do what we please with regard to our property?; you are undoubtedly the forbearing, the right-directing one” (HOODH-87); note that they did credit SHOAIB as one of the most intelligent persons among them (just as the people of SALEH took him as one of the most intelligent persons); however, they questioned his intelligence where he asked them to leave their idols and worship Allah only and with that, also care for the righteous moral values at their dealings at market; they did not accept his message to believe in Allah truly and did not accept his message to take His guidance in principle in all issues of life practically so ultimately, their disbelief led to their destruction; Al-Hamdu Lillah; they had asked SHOAIB to cause the portion of the heaven to come down upon them so AAYAT-189 tells, “but they called him a liar, so the punishment of the day of covering (of a dark cloud) overtook them; surely it was the punishment of a grievous day”; the Quran gives the message most explicitly that those who challenge Allah would certainly see their destruction in high number even at the world; the last two AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Last Ruku
192. And most surely this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
193. The Faithful Spirit has descended with it,
194. Upon your heart that you maybe among warners
195. In plain Arabic language.
196. And most surely the same is in the scriptures of the ancients.
197. Is it not a sign to them that the learned men of the Israelites know it?
198. And if we had revealed it to any of the foreigners
199. So that he should have recited it to them, they would not have believed therein.
200. Thus have We caused it to enter into the hearts of the guilty.
201. They will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment.
202. And it shall come to them all of a sudden, while they shall not perceive;
203. Then they will say: Shall we be respited?
204. What! do they still seek to hasten on Our punishment?
205. Have you then considered if We let them enjoy themselves for years,
206. Then there comes to them that with which they are threatened,
207. That which they were made to enjoy, shall not avail them?
208. And We did not destroy any town but it had (its) warners,
209. To remind, and We are never unjust.
210. And the SHAYATIN (followers of the Satan among the JINN) have not come down with it.
211. And it behooves them not, and they have not the power to do (it).
212. Most surely they are far removed from the hearing of it.
213. So call not upon another god with Allah, lest you be of those who are punished.
214. And warn your nearest relations,
215. And be kind to him who follows you of the believers.
216. But if they disobey you, then say: Surely I am clear of what you do.
217. And rely on the Mighty, the Merciful,
218. Who sees you when you stand up.
219. And your turning over and over among those who prostrate themselves before Allah.
220. Surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
221. Shall I inform you (of him) upon whom the SHAYATIN descend?
222. They descend upon every lying, sinful one,
223. They pour hearsay vanities, and most of them are liars.
224. And as to the poets, those who go astray follow them.
225. Do you not see that they wander about bewildered in every valley?
226. And that they say that which they do not do,
227. Except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act oppressively shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back.
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This Ruku, that comprises of 36 AAYAAT, is one of the longest Ruku in the Quran by AAYAAT in it, though the longest among all is the second Ruku of the thirty-seventh Surah i.e. SAAFFAAT (which also descended at Makkah, at the seventh year) as it has 53 AAYAAT in it; note that the fifth Ruku too, of this Surah SHUA’RAA, has 36 AAYAT in it and note also that there are 558 Ruku in the Holy Book Quran whereas there are 7 MANAZIL in it; there are 6236 AAYAAT in it though with the addition of the AAYAT “BISM-Allah”, which has a permanent placement in it, that comes to the total of 6237; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Ruku tells about the Holy Book Quran- that it has been sent by Allah, the true Lord, but there are such wrong persons who would never believe in it, even if they see that it certainly is sent by Allah, until they see their punishment most clearly as their hearts lean towards the criminal attitude (AAYAAT 192 to 209) and that the Prophet PBUH shall go on providing its teachings to all persons, which are the most virtuous teachings that Allah has sent to him with utmost protection, so that all persons see the Truth to accept it, and he shall care for the believers by asking total mercy from Allah, the true Lord, for them (AAYAAT 210 to 220); the last part of it tells that the Quran is totally safe from all such wrong persons who are affected by SHAYATIN (the satanic persons among the jinn) and who are given to their thoughts that are averse to Islam, which totally makes clear that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah who is totally free of all such wrongs, has safely received the Holy Book Quran in text and meaning from Allah, the true Lord, with utmost protection from all satanic impression (AAYAAT 221 to the last); Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT 192 to 209 read, “and most surely this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds; RUHUL-AMIN Gabriel-AS (i.e. the Faithful Spirit) has descended with it, upon your heart (O Muhammad PBUH) that you may be among the warning persons; (it is) in plain Arabic language; and most surely the same (good teaching) is in the scriptures of the ancients (i.e. in Torah and the holy scriptures that Allah provided to the mankind before it through His Messengers); is it not a sign to them that the learned men of the Israelites know it (though they take what they find easy in the commands of Allah to practice and leave others)? and if we had revealed it to any of the foreigners (i.e. not an Arab), so that he should have recited it to them, they (still) would not have believed therein; thus have We caused it (i.e. the disbelief) to enter into the hearts of the guilty (that are in the disbelievers that) they will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment (even at the world); and it shall come to them all of a sudden (as is the manner of Allah to send His punishment to the extreme disbelievers), while they shall not perceive; then they will say- shall we be respited? What (after hearing that they would be defenseless then)! do they still seek to hasten on Our punishment? have you then considered if We let them enjoy themselves for years, then there comes to them that with which they are threatened (i.e. the extreme punishment), that which they were made to enjoy (that is the enjoyment of life at the world for many years), shall not avail them (therefore no one should forget that he/she is going through an examination in the world)? and We did not destroy any town but it had (its) warning persons to remind (as Allah does not send His punishment unless the disbelievers see the Truth clearly and then reject it, as we have studied at this Surah too), and We are never unjust”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT 210 to 220 read, “and the SHAYATIN (followers of the Satan among the JINN) have not come down with it (so it certainly has descended on Muhammad PBUH as Allah sent it to him); and it behooves them not, and they have not the power to do so; most surely they are far removed from the hearing of it (see the note at the second Ruku of Surah HIJR); so call not upon another god with Allah (but worship Allah only, the true Lord, as you O Muhammad PBUH have always done) lest you be of those who are punished, and warn your nearest relations (at Makkah), and be kind to him who follows you of the believers (from among them); but if they disobey you, then say- surely I am clear of what you do (because you O Muhammad PBUH have the liability to provide the Truth to all persons but you do not have to see that they come to Islam); and rely on the Mighty, the Merciful (so He would provide punishment to those who disbelieve in Him, by His true authority and He would care for those who believe in Him truly), Who sees you when you stand up (at Salah at nights); and your turning over and over among those (true Muslims) who prostrate themselves before Allah (at Salah at nights, to guide them more to Islam); surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing (Who keeps the respective records of all persons that they would see at AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note about the command of Allah -“and warn your nearest relations”- to Muhammad PBUH, His last Messenger to all of mankind, that he had to start spreading the teachings of Islam by the rule “AL-AQRAB-FAL-AQRAB” (first the nearer among all persons then to the next among them and so on), beginning from his household and then expanding it to all peoples of the world; this is the manner to seek necessarily, in providing monetary amounts too to the needy among the people; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last part of it tells that the Quran is totally safe from all such wrong persons who are affected by SHAYATIN (the satanic persons among the JINN) and who are given to their thoughts that are averse to Islam, which totally makes clear that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah who is totally free of all such wrongs, has safely received the Holy Book Quran in text and meaning from Allah, the true Lord, with utmost protection from all satanic impression; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it tells that there are two types of wrong persons that are affected by Satan so one of them are extreme liars that have become most sinful (who may try to alter the text of the Quran) and the other of them are poets given to unworthy futile thoughts (who may try to adversely affect the meaning of the Quran) but both of these are totally unable to make any change to the Quran; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it happens that SHAYATIN blow those words that they had stolen by hearing the speech of angels (and they even add words to what they had heard) at the insides of extreme liars because these SHAYATIN too are the most extreme liars; as for such poets who are given to unworthy futile thoughts, their followers are those who go off the right path and these poets do not focus on righteousness but say different things in their poetic verses that even fall against each other; their utmost wrong is that even if they happen to say something right in their poetic verses, they do not follow it practically; however, the last AAYAT of the Ruku, that also is the last AAYAT of the Surah, gives them space when they do have some necessary good qualities in them; it reads, “except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act oppressively shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back”; this AAYAT specifies that by four of good traits, the person who says poetic verses is not included in those who adversely affect the teachings of the Quran, though he shall have these all traits simultaneously; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the good poet who is an exception, shall be the believer in the Truth, he shall practice the commands of Allah in life, he shall remember Allah at all occasions reciting His praise at all times much and he shall readily defend the true Muslims by his poetry from all such persons who try to spread rumors about them, to give them a bad name and put blame on them to pave way for an unjust attitude towards them; the last AAYAT tells most clearly at the last of it that even if the poetic verses of the good poet who is an exception, do not affect the oppressors to care for justice towards the true Muslims, he does not need to worry as “they who act oppressively shall know (soon enough) to what final place of turning (at the hell-fire), they shall turn back (at AKHIRAT)”; certainly all praise is for Allah, the true Lord, Who has all the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
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Surah NAML
(Consists of 7 Ruku; MK-5)
NAML-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN! These are the verses of the Quran and the Book that makes (things) clear
2. A guidance and good news for the believers,
3. Who keep up Salah and pay the poor-rate, and of AKHIRAT, they are sure.
4. As to those who do not believe in AKHIRAT, We have surely made their deeds fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on.
5. These are they who shall have an evil punishment, and at AKHIRAT, they shall be the greatest losers.
6. And most surely you are made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing.
7. When Musa said to his family: Surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you there-from a burning firebrand so that you may warm yourselves.
8. So when he came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
9. O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise;
10. And cast down your staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating and did not return: O Musa! fear not; surely the apostles shall not fear in My presence;
11. Neither he who has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the Forgiving, the Merciful:
12. And enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it shall come forth white without evil; among nine signs to Pharaoh and his people, surely they are a transgressing people.
13. So when Our clear signs came to them, they said: This is clear enchantment.
14. And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief-makers.
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Surah NAML also descended the same year as Surah SHUA’RAA just after it and it tells about those Prophets of Allah who had received miracles from Allah, to bring their respective peoples to the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it responds to the demand of disbelievers for miracles, that they need to see the signs at AAFAAQ (the environment that is around them) and at their own selves (their attitudes at times) so that they tell them about Allah as these are the AAYAAT (signs, indications, miracles, revelations, evidences), that have the capability to guide them to the right path; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it has the subtle message that even miracles benefit those only who are most prepared to accept the Truth when it manifests to them; the first Ruku states about the good traits of the true Muslims and also gives the account of Moses-AS how Allah appointed him as His Messenger and how he provided the Truth at the Pharaoh’s court with the presentation of the miracles that he had received from Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT from the first to the sixth state, “TA SIN! these are the verses of the Quran and the Book (LAUHE-MAFUZ) that makes (things) clear; a guidance and good news for the believers, who keep up Salah and pay the poor-rate, and of AKHIRAT, they are sure; as to those who do not believe in AKHIRAT, We have surely made their deeds fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on (without giving any care that they would have to face their respective accounts of deeds for certain at the certain day of HASHR, the first day of AKHIRAT); these are they who shall have an evil punishment, and at AKHIRAT, they shall be the greatest losers; and most surely you are made to receive the Quran from (Allah, Who is) the Wise (so He is taking the world on towards the destination He intends), the Knowing (so He records all good deeds of all good Muslims that they would certainly see at AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-7 to AAYAT-14, the Ruku narrates how Allah appointed Moses-AS as His Messenger and how he provided the Truth at the Pharaoh’s court with presentation of the miracles that he had received from Allah, the true Lord; note that Moses-AS had married at Madyan where he had arrived to save himself from the unjust law of Egyptians when he had accidentally killed an Egyptian; his father-in-law has asked him to serve their household for eight years, and better still for ten years, so that he marries his daughter to him; Moses accepted the deal and served him for ten years at the place; he might have stayed for few more years at Madyan by his own intention but the Quran has kept silence on that; then, he took his family and intended for some other place to reside when on the route, he saw some light as fire at the side of the Mount TOOR; those were cold nights and he told his family that he had seen some fire so they would wait as he brings some authentic news of the way and better still, some brand of fire that they might be able to get warmth for themselves; Surah NAML states at AAYAT-7, “when Musa said to his family- surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you there-from a burning firebrand (SHIHABEN-QABASEN) so that you may warm yourselves”; note that the next Surah, that is Surah QASAS, presents this same statement of Moses at AAYAT-29 but for the firebrand, it has the term “JAZWATEM-MINAN-NAAR” which in essence means the same; this tells that at translation of some words to other language, the Quran permits some space to the translator whereas the meaning remains similar in essence, though its translation would not be termed as the Quran; it also happens that the Quran relates an event at one place and then provides some more detail to the same at another place which does explain it; and it also happens that it focuses on that aspect of an event at a place which is related to the concerned issue at that place; Al-Hamdu Lillah; now, when Moses got nearer to that site, he found that some bush is burning and he heard the voice of Allah, the true Lord, that “blessed is Whoever is in the fire (i.e. the show of Allah’s authority that He showed at the bush and He only knows truly how He affected it) and whatever is about it (i.e. the angels and also Moses-AS); and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds; O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise”; note that the bondage of time & place does not apply to Allah and Moses heard His voice which addressed him, from all sides; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there he got the two significant signs from Allah that his staff changed to the huge serpent as he put it down and became his staff as he picked it up and when he put his hand inside his bosom and pulled it out, it lighted without any affliction; when at first, he saw the staff changing into a serpent, he became afraid and ran back fearfully; Allah called him and said not to fear as He is appointing him as His Messenger and His Messengers need not fear anything as He always keeps watch on them after He appoints them to some people that there befalls no adversity to them; Allah told him to draw his hand near to him if he fears anything so that would soothe him; with these signs, Allah sent him to Pharaoh and his people and on his request, his brother Aaron was also appointed as one of the Prophets with him (as Moses had the issue of stuttering in speech); Allah told him that Pharaoh and his people would be unable to harm any of them even though he had accidentally killed one of their men; he had done good to repent that act at that very time and had asked mercy from Allah, which He had granted to him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran tells clearly that the Pharaoh and his people did not believe in the message of Allah that Moses and Aaron brought to them, though they did have the notion inside them that this certainly is the Truth, yet they rather mocked him; and the two amazing miracles that he showed them, they took it as plain magic and rejected the message; note that there were nine of signs that Allah showed Pharaoh and his people through Moses-AS yet they did not accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; besides his staff that changed to the huge serpent and the shining hand, there were (iii) draughts (shortage of crops), (iv) diminution of fruits (this also means lesser returns to efforts) (v) TOOFAAN (hail-storm), (vi) locusts, (vii) lice, (viii) frogs and (ix) blood; see also the supplementary note after the fifteenth Ruku of AARAAF that presents the life of Moses briefly but comprehensively; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah drowned Pharaoh and his men who were following Moses-AS and the Bani-Israel whereas they all reached to safety by the will of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Second Ruku
15. And certainly We gave knowledge to DAWUD-AS and Suleiman-AS, and they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants.
16. And Suleiman was DAWUD’s heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace.
17. And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups.
18. Until when they came to the valley of the NAML (Ants), a NAMLITE said: O NAML! enter your houses, (that) Suleiman (Solomon) and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know.
19. So he smiled, wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.
20. And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees?
21. I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment, or slaughter him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea.
22. And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba.
23. Surely I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty throne:
24. I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go aright
25. That they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal:
26. Allah, there is no god but He: He is the Lord of the mighty throne.
27. He said- we will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars:
28. Take this my letter and put it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return.
29. She said: O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me
30. Surely it is from Suleiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;
31. Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission.
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This Ruku and the Ruku ahead, narrate a few events related to Suleiman-AS (i.e. Solomon); he was the son of DAWUD-AS (i.e. David) and they both were Kings of the Israelites, with all necessary things to benefit from, at their disposal keeping to the commands of Allah; their period is from about 1100 BC that comes to about three hundred years after Moses-AS; Suleiman was the heir to David, and they both were among the wisest persons of the Bani-Israel for which they praised Allah all the time much; in addition to being king of Israelites, Allah had also provided Suleiman the rule over jinn and over birds, the language of whom he understood well; Allah had also made the wind subservient to him that it took him to places far-away just in a morning or just in an evening which normally took a month of travel to reach at those times; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah tells at Surah SABA, “and (We made) the wind (subservient) to Suleiman, which made a month's journey in the morning and a month's journey in the evening, and We made a fountain of molten copper to flow out for him, and of the jinn there were those who worked before him by the command of his Lord; and whoever turned aside from Our command from among them, We made him taste of the punishment of burning” (Surah SABA-12); Al-Hamdu Lillah; here at Surah NAML, we learn that once, when Suleiman was passing through a valley of ants with his army (and intended to land nearby), which included not only men but also many of jinn and many of birds, one of ants warned her fellow-ants that they shall take shelter fast as not to be crushed by the army of Suleiman; AAYAT-18 reads,” until when they came to the valley of the NAML (Ants), a NAMLITE said: O NAML! enter your houses, (that) SULAIMAN and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know”; this tells that even ants (especially these ancient ants which probably were much higher in size to which we find them today) do have an understanding when something from above may pounce on them while the army of Suleiman had plenty of birds in them and their diet mainly included insects in it; we find here that they do have their own system of communication by which they send messages to each other, especially when there is threat to life nearby, whereas the army of Suleiman was still far from the area when the ant realized that they are heading towards it; note that it was a female ant that warned her mates and we have read at Surah NAHL (which means honey-bee) that it is the female in bees that work industriously to make its hive and the honey so we do find that the female in insects have more agility than the male in them; as the Surah does not mention that Suleiman had heard the speech of the ant directly (because Allah had provided him the ability to understand the speech of birds only that we learned by AAYAT-16 and though ants sometimes do develop little wings yet they are not taken in birds) so it happened that Allah made him aware of this communication among ants and learning that, he was most pleased and showed his extreme gratitude humbly to Him for this most impressive status that even ants did care for; he asked Allah to keep him always into the most righteous persons by giving him TOFIQ for good deeds all his life, as Allah only has the true authority; note that this same Surah NAML has that “and when the Word (QIYAMAT i.e. the last day of the world) falls upon them (i.e. comes near to them), we would bring out an animal out of earth that would talk to them, as people did not believe truly our indications” (Surah NAML-82); it is said in commentaries related to the Quran that this animal would appear in Makkah near the end of the world and Hadith has explicitly mentioned it; the Quran tells amazing occurrences at different places that are mostly related to birds but there are such occurrences that it states even for animals specially reptiles, insects and even fish that present the fact that Allah is Able to provide his directions well even by these of His creation too; Al-Hamdu Lillah; may Allah save all true Muslims from giving-in to satanic whims and keep them always on the right path; Al-Hamdu Lillah; at this occasion, when he landed with his army at a site inside or near to the valley of ants, Suleiman-AS took attendance of birds in his army personnel and found that HUD-HUD (the hoopoe) in them was missing; note that the hoopoe, as we find today, has pinkish to cinnamon body with a notable crest which is usually held flat; its legs are strong and so it walks and runs swiftly as it searches for worms & insects to eat, probing the ground with its curved bill; though primarily a ground-bird, this beautiful bird does roost in trees and flies efficiently; the female lays about 6 eggs normally yet sometimes as many as 12, in some safe hole in a tree or in a wall; its male bird feeds his mate while she incubates the clutch for about 18 days; note also that the hoopoe which is mentioned in these AAYAAT, was probably much larger than the size in which we find it today (which is near to a foot) and probably even larger than of those as were found at those days; Suleiman got angry on this breach of discipline of hoopoe, that he had left them without his permission, and said in clear words, “I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment (probably he meant that he would punish the bird by taking feather of his wings off), or slaughter him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea (as the person at management of affairs shall certainly care to the valid excuse of something done out of way, by any of staff)”; only some of time had passed then, when the hoopoe returned as the bird is very swift in flying, and he had some significant information that he presented to Suleiman in most beautiful manner certainly; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the bird told him as the AAYAAT state, “I comprehend that which you (O king Suleiman) do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba (which is a place in Yemen); surely, I found a woman (the queen of Sheba) ruling over them, and she has been given abundance (of assets of the world) and she has a mighty throne; I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them (that they do not reflect on their extreme wrong-doing) and thus turned them from the way (while they think that they are righteous), so they do not go aright; that they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal; Allah- there is no god but He- He is the Lord of the (true) mighty throne”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are some significant things to note in this beautiful speech which insha-Allah I, MSD, would presently note here; the first thing to note is that this speech comes from a bird, that is most observant, yet it certainly is guidance to righteousness; the second thing is that the bird spoke boldly to Suleiman, “I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba”; we have read at the beginning of the Ruku that Suleiman was the heir to David, and Allah gave both of them the knowledge of the Truth and so they both were among the wisest persons of the Bani-Israel for which they praised Allah all the time much; the notable thing is that there is significant difference between the knowledge that rises to wisdom, and the news that relates to some worldly issues; the hoopoe meant that he had the news about Sheba and that did not challenge the beautiful knowledge that Suleiman had of the Truth in any way certainly; the third thing is that the bird noted that it is a woman that rules Sheba so that denotes that men were expected to rule some place and not women, in general; the fourth thing is that the bird said, “the queen of Sheba has been given abundance” by which he meant that she had been given everything necessary from the worldly assets, especially to rule the land of which she was the empress; when KULLA-SHAYEN (everything) comes for Allah, it does mean everything i.e. all of His creation but for others, it means all assets that is necessary for them from the world by total convenience; the fifth thing that the bird told about those people in his speech was that they worshipped the sun instead of Allah and added that the Satan had made their deeds fair-seeming to them; this tells that even birds are totally aware that only Allah is the true Lord to whom all of the creation must show their total respect; additionally, the hoopoe was most fortunate to have the company of the Prophet Suleiman-AS; we have read at the first AAYAT of the Quran that is “Al-Hamdu Lillah RABBEL-AALAMIN” which means “all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds”; He only is the true Lord of all, so He asks for total obedience from all of His creation, that is most sincere; Al-Hamdu Lillah (all praise certainly is for Allah); the sixth thing is that the bird mentioned in his speech that “Allah brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal”; he praised Allah for the blessings that all persons see most clearly yet they are especially appealing to birds; note that he meant that Allah sends angels down from the heavens and waters of rains down that is hidden in clouds, towards the earth that makes the trees beautiful and He brings forth crops through it and even insects, that are hidden inside the earth from which all, specially birds, do benefit; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last thing is that the bird stated in his speech that, “Allah- there is no god but He- He is the Lord of the mighty throne”; so he corrected himself by expressing explicitly that the true mighty throne is certainly of Allah, the true Lord, Who has all true authority over all His creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; though Suleiman-AS trusted the hoopoe yet he told him that he would still verify his statement for which he gave him a letter addressed to the queen and asked him to see what conversation she has with the prominent persons at her court as she receives the letter; it is an interesting fact that birds (especially pigeons) had been taking letters from the ancient times, to the set destination where they were tamed and thus communicated well among persons; this hoopoe was clever enough to take it directly to the queen without any suspicion of them that he is able to observe their gestures getting to what they signify; note that Suleiman had asked the hoopoe to “see” how they respond so he threw the letter into her lap while she probably was seated at her court and perched somewhere near, to observe their gestures; now, as the queen read it, she immediately presented its contents to all prominent persons at her court; she did not question the contents so it is most evident that Sheba fell well inside the ruling area of Suleiman and the empress knew this that he has all the right to ask her and her people there to commit to the Islamic manner of living; his letter implied that if they did not comply to his command, they would face certain trouble; the last AAYAAT of the Ruku (from 27 to 31) read, “He said (to the hoopoe)- we will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars; take this my letter and put it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return; she (the queen) said (as she received the letter)- O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me, surely it is from Suleiman and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, saying- exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission”; note that she spoke about the letter that it is honorable and cared to state that Suleiman has begun it by the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (as He only is the true Lord), and not by his own name; note also that “BISM-Allah AR-RAHMAN-ER-RAHIM” (by the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful) has a permanent placement in the Holy Book Quran which is read at the start of each Surah (except for Surah TAUBAH) and this is the only place where it had occurred inside the text; AR-RAHMAN and AR-RAHIM both are the names of Allah that show His attribute that He is Most Merciful though AR-RAHMAN tells that He has so much mercy that to understand its height is impossible and that is why He gives ample space to all peoples at the world to come to the fundamental teachings of Islam; and AR-RAHIM tells that He provides continuous mercy to all those only among all peoples at the world who do accept His message of Islam and that is why He would care only for these sincere believers at AKHIRAT, where He would put disbelievers at the hell-fire; Al-Hamdu Lillah; another notable thing is that Suleiman had written, “exalt not yourselves against me (because he ruled the area and they were rebels in technical terms) and come to me in submission (as he was the Messenger of Allah who had to see that all persons get the message of Islam and accept the fundamental teachings of Islam but if they reject it after getting it clearly, he would certainly challenge them and end their power); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the outcome to this letter was that the queen sent some most valuable gift to Suleiman to see if he is sincere to his cause or would settle for some valuable amounts leaving them on their own as she did not intend to go to war with his force but intended to settle the matter by a mutual pact of some sort; insha-Allah, we all would study this at the Ruku that comes ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Third Ruku
32. She said: O chiefs! give me advice respecting my affair: I never decide an affair until you are in my presence.
33. They said: We are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is yours, therefore see what you will command.
34. She said: Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low, and thus they (always) do;
35. And surely I am going to send a present to them, and shall wait to see what (answer) do the apostles bring back.
36. So when he came to Suleiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because of your present;
37. Go back to them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in disgrace and they shall be in a state of ignominy.
38. He said: O chiefs! which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission?
39. One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it.
40. One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.
41. He said: Alter her throne for her, we will see whether she follows the right way or is of those who do not go aright.
42. So when she came, it was said: Is your throne like this? She said: It is as it were the same, and we were given the knowledge before it, and we were submissive.
43. And what she worshipped besides Allah prevented her, surely she was of disbelieving people.
44. It was said to her: Enter the palace; but when she saw it she deemed it to be a great expanse of water, and bared her legs. He said: Surely it is a palace made smooth with glass. She said: My Lord! surely I have been unjust to myself, and I submit with Suleiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
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The Ruku continues the narration ahead that the queen at that occasion asked the prominent persons at her court to advise her on the matter to which they assured her that whatever would be her decision, they would comply to it; however, they noted for her that they are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess so it was an indication that they would prefer to take-up a war against the force of Suleiman; the queen did not intend to take any fight against his force, so she wisely commented, “surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low (to break the morale of the people there so that none of them tries to rebel against their rule), and thus they (always) do” -(NAML-34); this denotes her awareness to the natural tendency of the man which he generally shows at the occasion of conquest upon enemy; note in this context, that when Moses had told the good old man whom he had met at Madyan (after he fled from Egypt) about his plight, he had soothed him that he is out of troubles with him insha-Allah; at that occasion, one of her daughters had told her father, “O my father! employ him, surely the best of those that you can employ is the strong man (QAVI i.e. capable to do the job), the trustworthy (AMIN i.e. honest to fulfill his liability)” -(QASAS-26); this denotes her sharp observation about Moses; note also in this context, that the Quran relates the words of ZELIKHA at Surah YOUSUF-52 (when she confessed to her wrong accusation of Joseph) which tell her observation that “Allah does not guide the device of the betrayers”; this denotes her understanding of something that certainly is true when betrayal is against some righteous person; she also, like the queen of Sheba (who had blamed the self of hers for the deception she practiced against Suleiman as we would study ahead), had blamed the self of hers for the wrong she had committed against Joseph-AS; so all these three women had awareness to the characteristics of the man, in their own respective manner; this also is notable that they provided their respective intelligent comments when provoked by their focus to three of Messengers of Allah who respectively were Suleiman, Moses and Joseph (Salam on all Messengers of Allah); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the queen of Sheba sent some most valuable present to Suleiman to see whether his concern is for the assets of the world or does he really care to improve them spiritually; though he would have rejected the present anyhow when it was intended to make him leave his task of bringing them to the Truth, yet by what the hoopoe had conveyed to him, he had gathered that the queen wants to know more about his character so he played on her fear and told the envoys, “go back to them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in disgrace and they shall be in a state of ignominy”; he knew that now she would visit him herself to solve the matter in the soft manner by mutual talks as he was aware that the queen does not intend to challenge him at the battleground; however, he did want to be sure about it and the other thing that he wanted, was to examine her intelligence more to see if she has the insight of interpreting signs provided to her; due to this, he enquired the prominent persons at his court if anyone might bring her throne to him before she comes to him; at this enquiry, one of the jinn, who was amazingly strong & audacious, responded, “I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (capable to do the job, and) trusty for it”; note that the jinn mentioned the same two qualities for himself which the daughter of the good old man had presented for Moses-AS, that he is capable to do the job of bringing the throne and he is so trustworthy that he would bring it directly to him for sure; so the Holy Book Quran tells about the person who provides his service for some task or is chosen to that, he must have two necessary attributes that is he would be QAVI (capable to perform his task well) and AMIN (honest to perform his task well); Al-Hamdu Lillah; when the jinn had offered his service, someone from the men there, who had the knowledge of the book (and Allah knows better about this man & the knowledge that he had of the book), said to Suleiman that he would bring him the throne in the twinkling of an eye and just as he said it, it manifested at the court; when Suleiman saw it settled beside him, he praised Allah and acknowledged that He has tried him whether he is grateful or ungrateful when he has such amazing persons around him at his service; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note here that the term JINN comes from combination of letters in Arabic that are used basically for something hidden; jinn are stronger than the human beings but angels, who are even stronger than jinn physically, protect human beings by the command of Allah so that jinn do not attack them by their physical power; however, the man, when he has the knowledge of the Truth well and practices the commands of Allah, is better placed than the jinn as Allah has provided him spiritual supremacy over the jinn; Al-Hamdu Lillah; when the throne of the queen came to Suleiman, he commanded some of men at his service to change some of its looks without altering it beyond recognition basically; now, as the queen reached the place and was welcomed there, she was asked about her throne as she saw it; that query to her was to see if she does accept that her throne could be brought in such short time to this place without any resistance from her armed personnel and without her knowledge of such feat; and it also was to make her realize that if Suleiman-AS intended to get precious worldly assets from her, he could have done it by force available to him but he does not have attachment to worldly assets that she had offered him; she wisely answered that “it was just like that” so as not to embarrass Suleiman, without answering wrongly; she had given respect to his letter too when she had received it so it seems that remaining harmonious to issues around for the sake of peace, was one of her traits; at this occasion, the queen of Sheba said that she and her people had submitted to Allah as they have received the knowledge leading to the Truth even before she has seen this amazing feat which tells that Suleiman-AS has the capability to bring her throne to his court within a short time without any trouble; however, she was making a bluff as the Quran tells clearly, “And what she worshipped besides Allah, prevented her; surely she was of disbelieving people”; Suleiman saw through her deception but he cared for her harmonious nature and her intelligence to see issues at hand (some of commentaries have mentioned that later-on Suleiman even honored her by marrying her); so he chose to convey his recognition of her deception by providing her a sign for it; he put a clear fine glass over a pool of clear water which came at the way to the royal palace to where he asked her to accompany him; as it needed to tread on that delicate fine glass he had made on the way and she thought that she is going to tread on the water that actually was under it, she pulled her cloth up; so Suleiman told her that this palace made with beautiful glass, has this pool of water covered with a delicate fine glass upon it and with that, he directed her well without any speech that as this glass is barrier to the clear water beneath, she also has some reservation in accepting the true belief so without causing her any embarrassment, he guided her to realize that he has detected her deception; she read this sign beautifully that Suleiman had made to her by this path of glass and this time without any deception, accepted Islam truly by heart clarifying that it is just like the acceptance of Suleiman for sure; note that the Holy Book Quran sets a standard for judgment of the true belief that it must be in accordance with the belief of persons well known in righteousness (see Surah-BAQARAH-137; Surah NISA-115; even the magicians who contested Moses, clarified when they accepted the Truth that they have accepted it like Aaron and Moses as TAHA-70 denotes); so the Queen of Sheba accepted the Truth by the same standard relating her acceptance to the acceptance of Suleiman-AS but she noted here that she would vouch for her own true belief without giving any comments to her nation whether they would accept the Truth or not; note that she had told the chiefs at her court, “I never decide an affair until you are in my presence”, yet she decided this most crucial affair as it concerned her individual security at AKHIRAT and she did not take even a little time to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; certainly, haste in the worldly matter is not appreciable by Islam but haste in matters of AKHIRAT is highly appreciable as the Quran points out to us, “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for garden whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous; those are who spend, whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon men, for Allah loves those who do good” (AALE-IMRAN-133 & 134); Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also that an important mode of expression in the Holy Book Quran is when it refers to something twice or even more, then at such places, there is some delicate difference; in the narration of creation of Adam in Surah BAQARAH, we find that Allah gave Adam & Eve the command to descend to earth twice, first before He granted mercy to Adam & Eve and second after His mercy; so the character of this same command is different as at first, it was given as punishment while at second, it was given to examine human-beings whether they really deserve JANNAH i.e. the garden of Paradise or not (see Surah Baqarah-35 to 39); the seventh Ruku at Surah ANFAAL mentions that the disbelievers (hypocrites) are much like the Pharaoh (of the oppression) and his people who disbelieved the AAYAAT of Allah and so Allah punished them severely due to their disbelief so this implies that even that Pharaoh (whose wife Hatshepsut had saved Moses at his birth) and his near relatives knew about the fundamental teachings of Islam; just after this, the Ruku at ANFAAL mentions the Pharaoh and his people again so here the mention relates to the Pharaoh of the Exodus; this is notable that it relates this too that they were drowned though it does not tell this specific punishment at AAYAT-52 of the Ruku that narrates about the Pharaoh of the oppression; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran has stated both the statements of the queen about her belief whereas the second statement that she pronounced to mention her belief was most valid though she did try to deceive Suleiman-AS at first; we find that Allah certainly guides those who do want Guidance to the right path and miracles even, benefit those persons only who are much prepared to accept the Truth as it manifests to them, by the will of Allah; certainly, He only is the true Lord; certainly, He only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Fourth Ruku
45. And certainly We sent to THAMUD their brother SALEH, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects quarrelling with each other.
46. He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully?
47. They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried.
48. And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright.
49. They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful.
50. And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan while they perceived not.
51. See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).
52. So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know.
53. And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil).
54. And (We sent) Lot, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see?
55. What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly.
56. But the answer of his people was no other except that they said: Turn out Lot's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure!
57. But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind.
58. And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned.
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After the narration of events related to Suleiman-AS, this Ruku at Surah NAML tells about Saleh-AS and Lot-AS; Allah sent Saleh to the nation of THAMUD who used to live at the southeastern part of Madyan (this location was placed at the east of the Gulf of Al-AQABAH) and due to their extreme wrongs, met their destruction by the most deadly earthquake and they all were dead at their homes laying prostrate; Allah had provided a she-camel to the nation of Saleh when they asked for a miracle, which they killed without any care to his guidance that they shall never give any trouble to it; the Ruku begins by the statement that Saleh told his nation to believe truly in Allah by acceptance that He only is the true Lord and they need to obey His commands only; though the elite among them did not accept his guidance yet many of ordinary men accepted it; this difference of belief caused much friction among those people as substantial number of persons accepted Saleh and that resulted in their division into two sects that did quarrel with each other; the elite among them blamed Saleh for it and even asked him to bring the disaster that he promises them if they reject the guidance that he is providing them; Saleh told them all, “O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil (i.e. the punishment) before the good (i.e. the acceptance of the Truth)? -why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah (on your wrong-doings) so that you may be dealt with mercifully? they said- we have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you (they meant that they were quarreling among themselves as they are divided into two sects, because of his guidance); he said- the cause of your evil fortune is with Allah (as He has set the life at the world as an examination for all peoples indeed); nay, you are a people who are tried (so he implied that either they accept the Truth or either they face certain death by most extreme punishment even at the world)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there were nine mischievous persons in THAMUD, who were always ready to give trouble to persons around, who planned to kill Saleh with his family at night and decided that they would do it together in such manner that if any of his heirs tried to put any blame on them, they would lie that they do not know anything about it so they would save their tribes from any trouble that they would have to face, due to this act; this council of theirs took place after one of them had killed the she-camel brutally but before they could execute their plan, Allah brought His punishment to all of THAMUD as we have read at Surah AARAAF, “then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode; then Saleh turned away from them and said - O my people - I did certainly deliver to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice - but you do not love those who give good advice”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; read also the note at the tenth Ruku of AARAAF; after this, the Ruku tells about Lot-AS who had been sent to the people living at Sodom and Gomorrah at south of the dead sea; they were extremely filthy persons who used to commit the heinous sin of sodomy among men; Lot who actually did not belong to that nation but had been sent to them as the Messenger of Allah, tried his best to reform them of this heinous sin but to no avail; in fact, they intended to expel him from their city just because he challenged their filth; from AAYAT-54 to the last of Ruku, Allah tells “and (We sent) Lot, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see (the filth of it most clearly)? -what! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women (whom Allah has created in such manner that they may fulfill this need of men becoming wives to them)? -nay, you are a people who act ignorantly (by surrender to extreme perverted lustful feeling); but the answer of his people was no other except that they said -turn out Lot's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure (so they would make disturbance all the time by their righteous TABLIGH)! -but We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind; and We rained on them a rain (of stones), and evil was the rain of those who had been warned”; note that angels came at Sodom & Gomorrah and as a miracle of Lot-AS, even the people saw them though they were unaware that they are angels; they were punished by extreme chastisement that shower of stones fell upon them that caused a painful death to all that nation but Allah saved Lot and all those who had accepted the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Fifth Ruku
59. Say: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what they associate (with Him)?
60. Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud (SAMAA i.e. the nearby heaven); then We cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! they are people who deviate.
61. Or, Who made the earth a resting place, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of them do not know!
62. Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He makes you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Little is it that you mind!
63. Or, Who guides you in utter darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as good news before His mercy. Is there a god with Allah? Most high is Allah above what they associate (with Him).
64. Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.
65. Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised.
66. Nay, their knowledge respecting the hereafter is slight; nay, they are in doubt about it; nay, they are quite blind to it.
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At this Ruku at NAML, Allah tells Muhammad PBUH, His last Messenger, to ask disbelievers to give attention to most obvious things which prove that Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that Allah does not address disbelievers directly at the world so the only AAYAT (i.e. AAYAT-7 of TAHREEM) where Allah addresses disbelievers directly, tells the matter at AKHIRAT and not at their life at the world; it reads, “O you who disbelieve! do not urge excuses today; you shall be rewarded only according to what you did (at the world)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first AAYAT of the Ruku tells him to ask disbelievers that all praise belongs to Him and peace be on all His Messengers who guided their peoples to TAUHID so disbelievers have to see whether Allah is better Who cares to provide the Guidance to the right path to all persons for their safety at the world and at AKHIRAT, or those whom they associate with Him, who do not have any power to make things better for them in any way; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next AAYAT tells him to ask them to observe how Allah has provided for the sustenance of the man that he lives with convenience due to the rainwater that is the most pure water for drinking & for general usage and by which, He has provided the man with edible fruits, crops and plants; it was totally impossible for the mankind to transform the seeds into trees but Allah has created the heaven and the earth in such manner that everything works to bring it to trees and edible items of different shapes, colors and tastes (that even are beautiful to see) for the benefit of the mankind so disbelievers have to see if there could be any of the creation of Allah who may challenge Him Who cares to provide such edibles to all persons for their sustenance, but they still choose to deviate from the right path; the third AAYAT tells him to ask them to observe how beautifully Allah has created the earth as the place for the mankind to live with convenience, in which He has provided rivers to irrigate fields of fruits, crops & trees and has made mountains upon it to provide it solid stability and He placed barrier between two seas to distinguish them from each other; so disbelievers have to see if there could be any of the creation of Allah who may challenge Him Who cares to provide such safe manner to all persons to live at the earth and travel through it with ease, but most of them do not know; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fourth AAYAT of the Ruku tells him to ask them, ”Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He makes you successors in the earth”; Surah AN’AAM-40 & 41 read that, “say -tell me if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you (O disbelievers) or the hour should come upon you, will you call (on others) besides Allah, if you are truthful? -nay, Him you call upon, so He clears away that for which you pray if He pleases and you forget what you set up (with Him)”; so the disbelievers must observe their attitude when some calamity falls upon them; at that crucial time, they would call Allah only as they know that their idols are totally unable to help them and besides Allah, there is nobody who has any control on anything; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that IKRIMAH, the son of ABU-JAHL, accepted Islam truly by heart as he saw at the fierce storm that his ship faced during the voyage at sea when he was running away from Makkah; he observed that everyone was calling Allah for safety and they all had forgotten those that they took as His equals in authority; that affected him most positively and he realized the Truth then & there; he returned and had the honor to accept Islam at the hands of Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah; some people do need a storm in life to realize their true benefit and that even is the blessing of Allah Who brings out light even from darkness; Allah gave him TOFIQ (chance for improvement due to acceptance of Islam) to fight the worse enemies of Islam then, so Allah is the only one Who relieves a man from extreme stress when he puts himself at such condition where he does not find any outlet for his relief; so “the distressed one” at the AAYAT means such person who is unable to find any way out physically when he finds himself into most troublesome situation by his own doing and with that, it also denotes such person who does not have any mentionable good deeds by which he may ask Allah for any improvement of issues at his inside; with all wrongs of man, Allah still is taking the world ahead to the destination He has assigned for it, even by the doings of the man and certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fifth AAYAT of the Ruku, that is AAYAT-63 of the Surah, tells him to ask them Who guides them in utter darkness of land when they travel at it or at sea when they have taken a voyage to somewhere; note that the earth has mounts and protruding shapes at different places that serve as signposts of different sorts at those places providing the awareness to the traveler where he actually is and how far he has to travel to reach his destination; at the sea, they take guidance by stars at nights, and by how the Sun manifests at the heaven at the daylight; the twelfth Ruku of Surah AN’AAM tell that if a person considers the creation around him with observation, he would see that they manifest many of Islamic teachings by different aspects (specially TAUHID as there is order in their working and no clash with each other); if he considers his own self with observation, he would see that it manifests many of Islamic teachings (specially AKHIRAT) as he would see that many people are living on at the world and many have gone to graves so life is going towards some destination as the spirit of the person does not die; if he observes the rainwater, he would see that it brings forth from the earth different fruits and flowers that are similar to and vary with each other; just as they bloom out of the earth amazingly by the rain so the dead would rise from their graves and that would be the Day of Judgment; this fifth AAYAT of the Ruku also tells him to ask them Who sends the good winds as good news before the rainwater that He sends from the heaven so that all persons may prepare for it to benefit from it in different ways and not get troubled by it; the sixth AAYAT, that is AAYAT-64 of the Surah, tells him to ask them, “Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth”; certainly, Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last two AAYAAT of the Ruku guide towards belief in TAUHID and towards belief in AKHIRAT respectively respecting the first AAYAT of the Ruku; they read, “say- no one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah (as He only has the true authority so no one of His creation that the disbelievers associate with Him, are able to challenge Him in any manner); and they (who are dead amongst those whom the disbelievers associate with Him) do not know when they shall be raised; nay, their knowledge (i.e. the knowledge of many disbelievers) respecting AKHIRAT is slight; nay, (as for other of them) they are in doubt about it; nay (as for still other of them), they are quite blind to it (so all three groups of disbelievers are oblivious to AKHIRAT by this reason or that, whereas every person needs to care that he has to answer for all his deeds that he did at the world, at the day of HASHR i.e. the Day of Judgment, the first day of AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Sixth Ruku
67. And those who disbelieve say: What! when we have become dust and our fathers (too), shall we certainly be brought forth?
68. We have certainly been promised this, we and our fathers before; these are naught but stories of the ancients
69. Say: Travel in the earth, then see how was the end of the guilty.
70. And grieve not for them and be not distressed because of what they plan.
71. And they say: When will this threat come to pass, if you are truthful?
72. Say: Maybe there may have drawn near to you somewhat of that which you seek to hasten on.
73. And surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men, but most of them are not grateful.
74. And most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
75. And there is nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book.
76. Surely this Quran declares to the children of Israel most of what they differ in.
77. And most surely it is a guidance and a mercy for the believers.
78. Surely your Lord will judge between them by His judgment, and He is the Mighty, the Knowing.
79. Therefore rely on Allah; surely you are on the clear truth.
80. Surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call when they go back retreating.
81. Nor can you be a guide to the blind out of their error; you cannot make to hear (any one) except those who believe in Our AAYAAT, so they submit.
82. And when the word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature from the earth that shall speak to them, because people did not believe in Our AAYAAT.
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This Ruku starts by the statement of disbelievers which tells their denial of AKHIRAT that when they and their forefathers become dust, they would not be brought to life again; they took the significant teaching of Islam about AKHIRAT as talks only which the ancient teachers told peoples to assert their importance and other than that, it has no consequence; this expresses their total ignorance to things that they are unable to perceive by their five physical senses so whatever is hidden to them, they take it as nonexistent; the Quran tells Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, to clarify to them that even their senses are extremely faulty as they need to travel to places where they would find that Allah destroyed those nations completely which challenged the fundamental teachings of Islam so only the Truth kept firm; AAYAAT ask him not to worry over disbelievers and over whatever they plan to harm the teachings of Islam because his liability is to provide those teachings to them most clearly (and not to necessarily bring them to Islam) and because other of Messengers of Allah had also faced denial to their good teachings, the teachings of Islam; the disbelievers also questioned the Prophet PBUH about the timing of punishment that would get them, as their trust on their physical senses led them to the conclusion that whatever the people before them faced, they are immune to any extreme disaster or they would handle it whenever it came upon them; with their limited sight that only leads to delusion, they thought that when nothing extremely destructive has happened to them for number of decades while they presently have such power to manage any such thing that might get to them, they are invincible; the Quran tells him to clarify to them that if they stick to their wrongs, they certainly would be destroyed and some of that destruction might be touching them even at present; AAYAAT-73, 74 & 75 at the Ruku state, “and surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men (that He gives ample time to all peoples to accept the Truth and eliminates the impression of such people who would only challenge it and would not accept it), but most of them are not grateful (even upon this time provided to them and the beautiful setup of events that Allah has provided by His will); and most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest (so whatever plans they have to harm the Truth or to safeguard themselves, Allah knows them all and they surely would be totally unable to prevent any destruction that Allah puts on them at the time He has set for it); and there is nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book (so if they do deserve the destruction due to their extreme disbelief, they surely would get it as the written time for it, falls upon them)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT ahead mentions the Bani-Israel separately due to their belief in AKHIRAT, which tell that the Quran gives the righteous guidance in many of matters (that especially relate to AKHIRAT) also to the Bani-Israel (and this includes even the Christians here) in which they differ with the true Muslims; so whereas it is guidance to all persons, it is the most specific blessing to the true Muslims; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah would certainly judge between all of them by His judgment (at the Day of Judgment) and He is AZIZ so He does not let any wrong remain at the world by His true authority and He is ALEEM so He knows all respective doings of every person, for which He would judge all persons at the Day of Judgment; note that few names of Allah that denote His attributes, are not disallowed to use for some person too and AZIZ, that actually is one of the names of Allah, is included in such names; however, this has to remain clear that attributes of Allah are QADEEM (they are from always to always), ASL (they are of His Own, not achieved from anyone) and LA-MEHDUD (they all are limitless) whereas the qualities of any man are formed for him, given for him and set in limits for him by Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Surah TAUBAH-128 reads, “now has come unto you Messenger from amongst yourselves- it grieves him that you should perish- ardently anxious is he over you- to the believers, he is most kind (RA’UF) and merciful (RAHIM)”; note that both RA’UF and RAHIM are actually the names of Allah and both denote His attributes; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-79 tells the Prophet PBUH to remain most firm, with total trust upon Allah, on the task of spreading the teachings of Islam as he most certainly is on the right path of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-80 & 81 tell the Prophet PBUH that if they do not accept Islam, it is not due to his inadequacy in any way but they are like dead persons whom no person is able to deliver any message; note that the Quran tells clearly that the dead persons do not hear anything and though this comes to clarify that the disbelievers have become most oblivious to hearing of anything yet the mention of similarity itself tells that the dead persons do not hear anything addressed to them; AAYAT-65 of this Surah also implies this as it reads, “say- no one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah (as He only has the true authority so no one of His creation that the disbelievers associate with Him, are able to challenge Him in any manner); and they (who are dead amongst those whom the disbelievers associate with Him) do not know when they shall be raised”; the Holy Book Quran says in Surah FAATIR, “neither are the living and the dead alike; surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are in the graves” (FAATIR-22); at another place, the Holy Book Quran points out, “and who is in greater error than he who calls besides Allah upon those that will not answer him till the day of resurrection and they are heedless of their call?” (AHQAAF-5); although these AAYAAT have been taken to mean that the persons who do not take the guidance when they are called towards it are like dead persons who do not hear and so do not answer yet this in itself denotes that dead persons do not hear and the simple manner to take issues is always the best; however, please note that there is general acceptance that the Prophet (PBUH) does hear the Salaam addressed to him at his grave while the Salaam that is given by heart to him with some voice at some place away from him is taken-up by angels and conveyed to him; this proves that Allah has allowed him to hear the Salaam presented to him by the UMMAH but that is specific permission for him and that also about Salaam only that is conveyed to him; the important point to note is this that AAYAT-22 of Surah FAATIR of the Holy Book Quran tells very clearly that if the person who has departed from the world does hear anything from here, it is because Allah wants him to hear that and no living person makes anyone that has passed away hear anything from his side by his own efforts; the Prophet (PBUH) did address the dead persons yet it is possible that being the Messenger of Allah, he knew that they would hear him by the permission of Allah; as for us, we all must refrain from addressing the dead as if they are hearing as we do not know the will of Allah though we must pray Allah for their mercy; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that even for the SHAHEED (who give their lives for the cause of Islam), who live at somewhere just as they achieve SHAHADAH (and it might even be some place at JANNAH), the ruling for hearing our voice would remain the same that even they do not get it, as their lives are at the plane that we do not understand; it is mentioned in the Holy Book Quran, “and say not of those who are killed in the way of Allah that ‘they are dead‘; nay, they are living, but you perceive not”; (Surah Baqarah-154); Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-80 & 81 read, “surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call (especially) when they go back retreating; nor can you be a guide to the blind (who has decided to remain ignorant to the Truth by heart) out of their error; you cannot make to hear (any one) except those who (are most ready at heart to) believe in Our AAYAAT, so they submit”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT of the Ruku states, “and when the word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature from the earth that shall speak to them, because people did not believe in Our AAYAAT”; this specifically tells the disbelievers that if they need a manifest sign for believing in AKHIRAT, those of them who would be living much near to the last day of the world would see that too without any chance to recompense; note that if they accept Islam at that time, it would not benefit them as it would be among the most final signs of the last day of the world; it would be some creature coming from the depths of earth that would speak to the mankind with total ease, no matter how strange they think this is; Tirmidhi, one the esteemed books on Ahadith, reports at the book of FITAN (extreme trying times near the last day of the world i.e. QIYAMAT) that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “by Him Who has my life in His grasp, the Last Hour (QIYAMAT) will not come before the beasts speak to men and before the tip of his whip and the thong of his sandal speak to man and his thigh informs him what his family members have been doing since he had left them”; the beasts, though mentioned in plural, actually refers to the beast mentioned here in the AAYAT; by other Ahadith, we know that this amazing beast would come forth at Makkah extremely nearer to QAYAMAT; note that we Muslims do not take this beast as an indication of Antichrist that we call DAJJAL (the greatest imposter) but we take this mentioned beast in the literal sense; about other things that are narrated here in the Hadith about the speech of lifeless things, this plainly seems to me an indication of the scientific gadgets that give us messages about all our surroundings and tell us about our family members wherever we are; the whip, the sandal or the cloth at thigh might be an indication that we would be able to put these wonder gadgets anywhere (especially at thigh); note that the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed about signs and future events near to QAYAMAT in terms that could be understood better in those ancient times though now we live in strange times and it seems that such Ahadith point out much of today’s matters as no doubt, this time is much nearer to QAYAMAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Last Ruku
83. And on the day when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our AAYAAT, then they shall be set in array.
84. Until when they come, He will say: Did you reject My AAYAAT while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did?
85. And the word shall come to pass against them because they were unjust, so they shall not speak.
86. Do they not consider that We have made the night that they may rest therein, and the day to give light? Most surely there are signs in this for the people who believe.
87. And on the day when the trumpet shall be blown, then those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall come to Him abased.
88. And you see the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away as the passing away of the cloud- the handiwork of Allah Who has made everything thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do.
89. Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day.
90. And whoever brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?
91. I am commanded only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of those who submit;
92. And that I should recite the Quran; so whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, then say: I am only one of the warning persons.
93. And say: Praise be to Allah; He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.
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The last Ruku of Surah NAML tells explicitly that the Day of Judgment is certain to come and the world would surely come to an end; the last three AAYAAT conclude by telling the Prophet PBUH that he shall remain firm upon the Islamic teachings and shall go on providing its teachings to all peoples of the world by the Quran; he shall convey to all that he only has to provide the Islamic teachings to them by the Quran yet he does not have the liability to see that they come to Islam necessarily; whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, its evil would fall upon him only, as at AKHIRAT, everyone has to account for his deeds individually; Allah would certainly show His signs near to QAYAMAT (one of them being the creature coming out of earth) and then, the disbelievers would surely see that the last day of the world is very near to them; He is not unaware of the deeds that the disbelievers commit at the world, so He certainly would give them the chastisement that they truly deserve, at the Day of Judgment; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first three AAYAAT of the Ruku state, “and on the day (of Judgment) when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our AAYAAT, then they shall be set in array; until when they come, He will say- did you reject My AAYAAT while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did? (this means that Allah would ask them the reason for their disbelief as He had provided them the Guidance to the right path and had given them everything for their sustenance at the world), and the word shall come to pass against them (that they would see the returns to their evil deeds without any chance to recompense) because they were unjust, so they shall not speak (as they would have no valid answer)”; so the AAYAT at the beginning states that at the Day of Judgment, Allah would take out a host of extreme disbelievers from each of nations, then these disbelievers would be arranged by their ranks due to the intensity of their disbelief; it seems that such disbelievers who were most averse to the fundamental teachings of Islam at the world, would be set aside there; their deeds, even those that seemingly are good, would become useless so there would be no balance set to weigh those, to account for them and they would most certainly, get their extreme chastisement at AKHIRAT; AAYAAT at the last Ruku of Surah KAHF state; “say- shall We inform you of the greatest losers in (their) deeds? (these are) they whose labor is lost in this world's life and they think that they are well versed in skill of the work of hands (i.e. in their deeds for AKHIRAT); these are they who disbelieve in the AAYAAT of their Lord and His meeting, so their deeds become null, and therefore We will not set up a balance for them on the day of resurrection; thus it is that their recompense is hell, because they disbelieved and held My AAYAAT and My apostles in mockery” (KAHF-103 to 106); however, with all said, the final statement certainly is that Allah knows better; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-86, 87 & 88 ahead tell about life at the world and about end of the world; they read, “do they not consider that We have made the night that they may rest therein, and the day to give light? (so this provides an evidence that as the times here at earth are most favorable to the safety of life and as the places here at earth are most favorable to the safety of life, then this all is set by Allah, the true Lord, for some purpose which is that He is examining all persons whether they deserve Jannah or not); most surely there are signs in this for the people who believe (as waking from the sleep of the night shows that awareness returns after the state of oblivion); and on the day when the (first) trumpet shall be blown (to end the life at the world), then those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall come to Him abased (remaining totally humble to Him); and you see the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away (at the end of the world) as the passing away of the cloud (this, Surah QARI’AH-4 & 5 state too that it would be “the day on which men shall be as scattered moths and the mountains shall be as loosened wool”)- the handiwork of Allah Who has made everything thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do (so He certainly would bring the end to the world and then at the day of HASHR i.e. the first day of AKHIRAT, He certainly would present all persons their respective documents of deeds, who had come at the world at any place and at any time)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next couple of AAYAAT state that every person at AKHIRAT would receive the returns to his/her good deeds even better while the returns of his/her evil deeds would lead him/her to the hell-fire; these AAYAAT read, “whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day; and whoever brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?”; note that AAYAT-87 relates that at QIYAMAT (the last day of the world), “those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please“ but for YAUMUL-QIYAMAT (the Day of Judgment i.e. the first day of AKHIRAT), AAYAT-89 declares, “whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day”; so at QIYAMAT, Allah would provide security from being terrified, to all those only who remained most highly committed to the Islamic teachings but at the Day of HASHR, He would provide security to all of good persons who totally deserve to enter Jannah (the gardens of Paradise); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last three AAYAAT conclude the Surah by telling the Prophet PBUH that he shall remain firm upon the Islamic teachings, that are the most sacred teachings which Allah is providing to him at the most sacred city of Makkah, and he shall go on providing its teachings to all peoples of the world by the Holy Book Quran; he shall convey to all peoples of the world that he only has to provide the Islamic teachings to them by the Quran, the Word of Allah, yet he does not have the liability to see that they come to Islam necessarily because whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, its evil would fall upon him only; Allah would show His signs near to QAYAMAT; then, the disbelievers would surely see that the last day of the world is very near to them; He knows all of their deeds completely and so they would certainly get their certain punishment that they deserve, at the Day of Judgment; these AAYAAT read, “I am commanded only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of those who submit; and that I should recite the Quran; so whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, then say- I am only one of the warning persons; and say- praise be to Allah; He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
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Surah QASAS
(Consists of 9 Ruku; MK-5)
QASAS-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN MIM.
2. These are the verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.
3. We recite to you from the account of Musa and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe.
4. Surely Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischief-makers.
5. And We desired to bestow favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs,
6. And to grant them power in the land, and to make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared.
7. And We revealed to Musa's mother, saying: Give him suck, then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve; surely We will bring him back to you and make him one of the apostles.
8. And Pharaoh’s family took him up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken.
9. And Pharaoh’s wife said: A refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive.
10. And the heart of Musa's mother became void (worried); she would have almost disclosed it, had We not strengthened her heart so that she might be of the believers.
11. And she said to his sister: Follow him up. So she watched him from a distance while they did not perceive,
12. And We ordained that he refused to suck any foster mother before, so she said: Shall I point out to you the people of a house who will take care of him for you, and they will be benevolent to him?
13. So We gave him back to his mother that her eye might be refreshed, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true, but most of them do not know.
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Surah QASAS also descended the same year (i.e. MK-5) like Surah SHUA’RAA and Surah NAML, after them; like Surah SHUA’RAA, Surah QASAS also starts with TA SIN MIM that are among MUQATTA’AAT (i.e. the 14 disjointed letters that are among the Arabic alphabets which come at the commencement of 29 Surah in specific combinations) and all these Surah that begin with them, have reference to the Holy Book Quran after them except for Surah-29 (i.e. ANKABUT) and Surah-30 (i.e. ROUM); read also my writing “Expressions of the Quran” to get more awareness to the MUQATTA’AAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from the first Ruku to the fourth, this Surah narrates about Moses-AS as Allah tells in its third AAYAT, “We recite to you from the account of Musa and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe”; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; and the Surah gives the message that status at world, authority at world over high number of people and abundance of wealth here is not the standard for success but the true success is to get Jannah at AKHIRAT so all persons must avoid giving preference to the life at the world over that true life, which is the asking of SABR (patience); it is the will of Allah only, which reigns ultimately at all times and at all places, Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT at this Ruku present the situation of the Bani-Israel at the birth of Moses-AS that it was the time of trial for the Bani-Israel as the Pharaoh Thutmose-II, the weak Pharaoh, had ordered to kill all the male children born that year at Bani-Israel so as to reduce their large population, due to his fear that they do not challenge the Egyptians in the long-run; and so at the birth of Moses, his mother put him in some crib as Allah had commanded her and put him with measures that the crib floats on the water of Nile (and it was the wife of Pharaoh i.e. Hatshepsut, known as AASEIAH in the literature of Muslims, who had saved Moses-AS when he was floating at the waters in his crib); these AAYAAT read, “surely Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischief-makers (as when a person uses his authority only to trouble all persons around, he certainly is among the mischief-makers); and We desired to bestow favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (to lead people to the Truth), and to make them the heirs (of many of assets of the world), and to grant them power in the land (by providing them the management of their affairs by their own), and to make Pharaoh and Haman (his advisor) and their hosts (his chief associates) see from them what they feared (i.e. the challenge to their authority over the Bani-Israel)”; note that Haman was one of the prominent advisors of the Pharaoh of oppression and he was present at the court of the Pharaoh of exodus too in some official status, whom Moses had given the message of Islam by the command of Allah; AAYAT-38 of this Surah states that Pharaoh of exodus had asked Haman to kindle a fire for him and bake bricks at it and then prepare a lofty building so that he obtains knowledge of Whom Musa worships; though it was idiocy of Pharaoh to ask such thing to Haman yet it shows that Haman had lived to a ripe age and had witnessed Moses as he had presented the message of Islam at the Pharaoh’s court; AAYAAT from the seventh to the ninth of the Ruku continue the narrative where Allah tells, “and We revealed to Musa's mother, saying- give him suck, then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve; surely We will bring him back to you and make him one of the apostles; and Pharaoh’s family took him up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken (as they nourished Moses who was to become utmost grief to them); and Pharaoh’s wife said- a refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are three notable things in these three AAYAAT respectively; at the first of these AAYAAT, Allah declares that He “revealed” to Musa’s mother to remain untroubled if she has any fear in respect to the safety of her son Moses so even though she was an ordinary person yet Allah declares that He revealed to her; note also that Allah has not appointed any woman as His Messenger and though Mariam-AS, the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, is mentioned most respectfully yet she too, was not among His Messengers; the notable thing about revelation is that it is of different types and Surah SHURA-51 states, “and it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger (angel JIBRAEL) to reveal, by His permission, what He wills; indeed, He is Most High and Wise” (SHURA-51); this revelation (WAHI) from Allah, truly guides the man spiritually to righteousness but when the man thinks that he has enhanced his observation to height by technical gadgets and he is able to get all facts by it then this thought misguides him much; many of the technical gadgets that we have today, have been put to such usage that they are asking men to go astray from the right path as whatever they get even by the most refined technical gadgets and even by high reflection of mind, they all are totally deficient in understanding life in the true sense; note that Adam-AS was given all sorts of physical knowledge yet for the sake of his spiritual purity, he still had to learn words from Allah to ask for His mercy (see BAQARAH-30 to 39); WAHI (revelation from Allah to the man) was the means by which Allah guided all human-beings though this came to His Prophets only, that were men of very high caliber spiritually, to guide the mankind to righteousness; so, WAHI was the message of Allah that He provided to His chosen men (Prophets) and He gave this message openly to them or even in some concealed manner; it was totally based on pure wisdom and was totally beyond the material sphere so as such, it was that practical knowledge that was about the right path that Allah brought to His Prophets only, who were most pure in spirit; it was in three manners as AAYAT-51 of SHURA explicitly tells that this came to him directly at heart (as with Jesus Christ-AS and this includes dreams too as with Abraham-AS); or Allah talked to him from behind some veil that he heard directly at heart, not coming at fore (as with Moses-AS) or Allah sent Gabriel, the most honored angel, to him that addressed his spirit which he received directly at heart (as with Muhammad PBUH); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this tells that the revelation mentioned at AAYAT-7 to Musa’s mother to remain untroubled, means ILHAAM (revelation from Allah that sometimes extremely pious persons other than the Messengers receive for some specific issue related specifically to their own selves); this ILHAAM is not binding to any other person than the person who receives it (and so he/she is disallowed to ask for its following) so he/she may put it to practice to his own if he/she is sure that it is the guidance for him/her from Allah (but it shall not challenge any of commands of Allah as known by the Quran and the authentic Ahadith); Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that Surah NAHL-68 & 69 read, “and your Lord revealed to the bee saying- make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they (i.e. the people) build- then eat of all the fruits (and of all of flowers that also are the fruits of plants) and walk in the ways of your Lord (to gather the material you need for producing honey) submissively; there comes forth from within it a beverage of many colors (which men would take-out from hives without any harm to bees so that they gather again to produce more of honey), in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for the people who reflect”; so the notable thing at AAYAT-7 here is that the Quran uses the term “revelation” in the meaning of ILHAAM too at some places; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-8 conveys that surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken in providing safety to themselves when they saved the life of Moses; the notable thing here is that the Pharaoh was creating an extreme trouble for the Bani-Israel by killing the male children that were born to them and the reason was to prevent the Bani-Israel from challenging the authority of Egyptians and to remain content with their slavery; but it happened that the Pharaoh nourished that child by his own care, who was destined to save the Bani-Israel from their unjust clutches; when Allah wills for something, He makes all things work for it and any challenge to it, becomes totally futile; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-9 states, “and Pharaoh’s wife said- a refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive”; the notable thing here is that the words “maybe he will be useful to us, or we take him for a son” are the same that AZIZ had said to his wife ZELIKHA when he has brought Yusuf-AS at home (see Surah YOUSUF-21); there are many other highly interesting similarities too between Yusuf-AS and Musa-AS that observation does bring to light; note that in both instances, the women that are named as ZELICHA and AASEIAH respectively, accepted the Truth with time; the latter believed in Moses-AS as the Holy Book Quran confirms it (Surah TAHREEM-11) while the former said such words that do tell that she (ZELICHA) had come to believe in Yusuf-AS completely (Surah YOUSUF-53) and Allah guides to the Truth whom He wills; this denotes that sometimes good words that are spoken to care for good persons, affect someone in such positive manner that he/she gets the highest of blessing by Allah by those good words; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-10 to last tell how Allah gave Moses back to his mother as He had given His word to her; being his mother, she got most worried about Moses if he has reached some safety or not and she came near to telling how she had flowed him at the river; but she had strong belief in Allah and He cared for her that He stopped her from disclosing anything about him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; but she sent his sister Mariam to investigate where Moses had flowed to and she saw him from a safe distance, as not to arouse the suspicion of the gathering there that she is closely related to the child; it happened that Moses did not take the milk of any women so Mariam, who had visited the area around the palace time & again, managed to convey the word to the staff at duty there that she knows a woman who is able to feed the child and that word went ahead and by this manner, the mother of Moses was appointed to feed him; the last AAYAAT of the Ruku state, “and We ordained that he refused to suck any foster mother before, so she (his sister) said- shall I point-out to you the people of a house who will take care of him for you, and they will be benevolent to him? so We gave him back to his mother that her eye might be refreshed, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true, but most of them do not know” (QASAS-12 & 13); Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Second Ruku
14. And when he attained his maturity and became full grown, We granted him wisdom and knowledge; and thus do We reward those who do good (to others).
15. And he went into the city at a time of slackness on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party and the other of his foes, and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck him (i.e. the Egyptian) with his fist and killed him. He said: This is on account of the Satan’s doing; surely he is an enemy, openly leading astray.
16. He said: My Lord! surely I have done harm to myself, so do Thou forgive me; so He forgave him; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful;
17. He said: My Lord! because Thou hast bestowed a favor on me, I shall never be a backer of the guilty.
18. And he was in the city, fearing, vigilant, when lo! he who had asked his assistance the day before was crying out to him for aid. Musa said to him: You are most surely one erring manifestly.
19. So when he desired to seize him who was an enemy to them both, he said: O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright.
20. And a man came running from the remotest part of the city. He said: O Musa! surely the chiefs are consulting together to slay you, therefore depart (at once); surely I am of those who wish well to you.
21. So he went forth therefrom, fearing, vigilant, (and) he said: My Lord! deliver me from the unjust people.
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The Ruku continues the narrative of Moses-AS and in brief, it tells how Moses accidentally killed an Egyptian and how he had to flee from Egypt to save himself from the unjust attitude of the Egyptian law of that time; Moses-AS had attached himself to the Bani-Israel in whom he belonged when he came at his adolescence and it happened that once he saw one of the Egyptian persons beating one of the persons of Bani-Israel so as the latter called him for help, he punched the Egyptian person so hard that he died by that blow on the spot and then he regretted it most highly at that very time; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Ruku of Surah QASAS narrate that the next day, the same man from the Bani-Israel was calling him to help him against another person from amongst the Egyptians; Moses scolded that Israelite by harsh words and as he advanced to hold the Egyptian back, the man from Israelites said to him, “O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright”; this is because he thought that as Moses has scolded him, he would now take him to task and not the Egyptian; as he blurted out what happened the previous day, the secret came out into open that it was Moses who had accidentally killed the Egyptian the previous day and the news reached the palace; before the end of the day, a man sincere to Moses having access at the court of Pharaoh came hurriedly to Moses and told him that the courtiers are consulting to kill him so he must depart from there fast; note that he did not state that the Pharaoh also was included in this consultation and this gives the hint that this was the one who had played with Moses at their childhood; he then left for Madyan fearful and vigilant and his plea to Allah tells how severe the Egyptians were to those persons among the Bani-Israel who acted harshly against someone of them (while Moses had killed one of them though that was an accident); note that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, also had to migrate to Madinah leaving Makkah when the chiefs of Makkah were planning to kill him and much of his life-issues are nearer to Moses while Moses had similarities with Yusuf-AS too, so Muhammad PBUH also was near to Yusuf-AS in some of significant matters at his life; note that Noah-AS is also nearer to both Moses-AS and Muhammad PBUH and they had come to the world by respective space of 2000 years between them i.e. Allah made Moses His Messenger after 2000 years of the period when Allah appointed Noah and He raised Muhammad PBUH as His Messenger to all peoples of the world at Arabia after 2000 years of Moses; whereas Noah was the first of Messengers whom Allah sent to his people specifically, Moses was the first of Messengers who was sent to the Bani-Israel specifically and Muhammad PBUH was the last of all Messengers of Allah; Moses then asked Allah “O my Lord - deliver me from the unjust people” and he did reach Madyan and there it happened that he found a good place to settle himself with all safety that we would learn ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah; at this Ruku, AAYAAT-14 to 17 read, “and when he (i.e. Moses) attained his maturity (at his early twenties) and became full grown (at his early thirties), We granted him (to decide issues by) authority and (to decide them by) knowledge (of the commands of Allah); and thus do We reward those who do good (to others; as he was committed to those who were facing unjust attitudes); and he went into the city at a time of slackness (either at early morning or at mid-afternoon on a hot day) on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party (the Israelites) and the other of his foes (the Egyptians), and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck the Egyptian with his fist and (it had such power that he) killed him; he said- this is on account of the Satan's doing (as he did not mean to kill him); surely he is an enemy (especially to righteous persons), openly leading astray; he said- my Lord! surely I have done harm to myself (& even to my people by acting rashly), so do Thou forgive me; so He forgave him (and Moses realized this by ILHAAM, as he had not yet become the Messenger of Allah and it is notable that the opening AAYAT of the Ruku mentions that Allah had provided him the knowledge which means that he was capable to identify the commands of Allah at issues at hand); surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful; he said: my Lord! because Thou hast bestowed a favor on me (by forgiving me on this rash act), I shall never be a backer of the guilty (and by this, we do get that Islam strictly prohibits to serve at such departments, especially official departments, at some place, from where the decisions put unjust burdens on the common man)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-18 to the last read, “and he was in the city, fearing, vigilant (if the people around have become aware of the yesterday’s event), when lo! he who had asked his assistance the day before was crying out to him for aid (again); Musa said to him- you are most surely one erring manifestly; so when he desired to seize him who was an enemy to them both, he (the Israelite) said- O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person (that was an Egyptian) yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright; and a man (who was friends to Musa and may have been from among Egyptians) came running from the remotest part of the city (where some place was set as council for the chiefs at Pharaoh’s court); he said- O Musa! surely the chiefs are consulting together to slay you, therefore depart (at once); surely I am of those who wish well to you; so he went forth therefrom, fearing, vigilant; (and) he said- my Lord! deliver me from the unjust people (who treat the Bani Israel in the most unkind way)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Third Ruku
22. And when he turned his face towards Madyan, he said: Maybe my Lord will guide me in the right path.
23. And when he came to the water of Madyan, he found on it a group of men watering, and he found besides them two (young) ladies keeping back (their cattle). He said: What is the matter with you? They said: We cannot water until the shepherds take away (their sheep) from the water, and our father is a very old man.
24. So he watered (their sheep) for them, then went back to the shade and said: My Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me.
25. Then one of the two women came to him walking bashfully. She said: My father invites you that he may give you the reward of your having watered for us. So when he came to him and gave to him the account, he said: Fear not, you are secure from the unjust people.
26. Said one of them: O my father! employ him, surely the best of those that you can employ is the strong man, the faithful one.
27. He said: I desire to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you on condition that you should serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be of your own free will, and I do not wish to be hard to you; if Allah please, you will find me one of the good.
28. He said: This shall be (an agreement) between me and you; whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there shall be no wrongdoing to me; and Allah is a witness of what we say.
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The Ruku continues the narrative of Moses-AS and it tells about his arrival and about how he found shelter at Madyan; AAYAAT-22, 23 & 24 tell it that when Moses reached Madyan, he saw two young girls with their sheep who were standing away from the crowd that was providing their cattle and animals water to drink from the well; he asked them about their-selves and they said that they wait till these farmers provide water to their cattle then they advance and give drinks to their sheep; and their father is a very old man; this answer gives some clue to the living manner of the household of these ladies; the first is that they were so refined as not to mingle with the men at such gathering where they had to attend; second is that they had such natural care to HEJAB that they did not begin talks with any unrelated man unless they were spoken to or unless they found it totally necessary; third is that their answer is brief yet comprehensive and they had the understanding that Moses needs to know why no man from their household has attended to this task rather than these two ladies; fourth is that their answer clarifies that there only is their father as their caretaker and he is extremely old so with the state of morals of these farmers that they do not let the cattle of the young ladies get its water first, the best thing was that they take the task of providing the waters to their cattle to their own selves (with assistance to each other) waiting for the crowd there to disperse; fifth is that they did not ask Moses to do the task for them yet Moses had the etiquette to water their cattle when they did need it (and they did appreciate it as the AAYAT ahead implies that they had mentioned him to their father in good terms); AAYAT-24 tells about the beautiful DUA of Moses-AS to Allah at that time, “my Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me”; so Allah provided him shelter at MADYAN, and one of the most upright ladies from these two, as his wife at that place; and after the years that he spent at that place, He made him His Messenger towards all of Bani-Israel so that they live virtuously free from slavery; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; now, knowing about the stranger at the place, when both of them returned to their father earlier than usual that day, the old man called him through one of them and she gave him his message with necessary care to HEJAB; the old man might have remarked before she left to call him that he would see if he is worthy to marry one of them to him (to fulfill his liability towards his daughters) which might have increased her shyness to him; when Moses told the old man about his plight, he soothed him that he is out of troubles with him insha-Allah; note that this old man was one of the believers in the true guidance he had received from SHOAIB-AS who had long passed away; the other of his daughters told her father to keep him at service because he is QAVI (capable to do the necessary tasks needed) and AMIN (trustworthy with honesty); note that these two are those worthy qualities that a person at some service must have in him necessarily as his capability would fulfill the due task and his honesty would not let him slack in his duty by remaining inattentive to it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the girls had seen that he had the good physical quality as he had made his way into the crowd to water their cattle with strength and also had the good spiritual quality as he never viewed any of the young ladies in any impious manner; her father accepted her request and asked Moses to serve him for eight years if he finds it well, in return of which he would marry one of his daughters to him; and if he would serve for two more years, that would be something good by his own will; so Moses accepted the deal and served him for ten years at the place; note that he showed his acceptance for any of the two young girls without being specific, to become his wife which tells that even without seeing any of them directly, he did observe that any of both is most worthy to take into marriage as his wife; one of them had shown her worth by her attitude that related to HEJAB and the other one had the aptitude to remark beautifully about the qualities of the good person, who is at good service of some good person, so any of these wonderful qualities when nothing adverse presents in some young lady, has sure worth to marry her; now, he might have stayed for more years at the place by his own intention and presumably, his stay at MADYAN was much longer that ten years in total and certainly, Allah knows better; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note about the most splendid DUA of Moses that AAYAT-24 states, “my Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me”; this tells that when a good person is in extreme need of basic necessities, he shall not ask Allah for some specific benefits to him as he may err at that time about that but he needs to leave his issues totally to Allah by asking Him whatever good He provides to him, he surely is in need of it; Allah accepted his plea so He provided him with a decent shelter at a noble household that he remains safe from the clutches of Pharaoh’s men and He provided him with a very decent wife that he leads his life well in a settled manner; and above all, as a specific gift to him, He provided him after many years of his splendid plea to Him, the honor to become His Messenger to lead the Bani-Israel out of captivity and to guide them through the teachings of Torah beautifully, towards the right path of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Fourth Ruku
29. So when Musa had fulfilled the term, and he journeyed with his family, he perceived on this side of the mountain a fire. He said to his family: Wait, I have seen a fire, maybe I will bring to you from it some news or a brand of fire, so that you may warm yourselves.
30. And when he came to it, a voice was uttered from the right side of the valley in the blessed spot of the bush, saying: O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
31. And saying: Cast down you staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating, and did not return. O Musa! come forward and fear not; surely you are of those who are secure;
32. Enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it will come forth white without affliction, and draw your hand to yourself to ward off fear: so these two shall be two arguments from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs, surely they are a transgressing people.
33. He said: My Lord! surely I killed one of them, so I fear lest they should slay me;
34. And my brother, Haroun, he is more eloquent of tongue than I, therefore send him with me as an aider, verifying me: surely I fear that they would reject me.
35. He said: We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you both an authority, so that they shall not reach you; (go on) with Our signs; you two and those who follow you shall be uppermost.
36. So when Musa came to them with Our clear signs, they said: This is nothing but forged enchantment, and we never heard of it amongst our fathers of old.
37. And Musa said: My Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him, and whose shall be the good end of the abode; surely the unjust shall not be successful.
38. And Pharaoh said: O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; so, kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for (baking of) brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Whom Musa worship, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars.
39. And he was unjustly proud in the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us.
40. So We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see how was the end of the unjust.
41. And We made them such Imams (i.e. leaders) who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted.
42. And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those, made to appear hideous.
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This Ruku too continues the narrative of Moses-AS and it tells how Allah made him His Messenger and it also tells the result of rejection of Allah’s message by Pharaoh and his men; we have read about this at the previous Surah i.e. NAML too at its first Ruku; the Ruku here too, narrates that he took his family and intended for some other place to reside when en-route, he saw some light as fire at the side of the Mount TOOR; those were dark cold nights and he told his family that he had seen some fire so they would wait as he brings some news of the way to confirm that they are traveling in correct direction and better still, some brand of fire that they might be able to get warmth for themselves; when he got near to that place, he heard the voice of Allah, the true Lord, that “O Moses – I am Allah, the true Lord of all the worlds”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there he got the two significant signs from Allah that his staff transformed to the huge serpent as he put it down and became his staff again as he picked it up and when he put his hand inside his bosom and pulled it out, it lighted without any affliction; when at first, he saw the staff changing into a serpent, he became afraid and ran back fearfully; Allah called him and said not to fear as He is appointing him as His Messenger and Messengers need not fear anything as He always keeps watch on them after He appoints them to some people that there befalls no adversity to them so he has all security; Allah told him to draw his hand near to him if he fears anything so that would soothe him and he would have these two significant arguments from Allah, the true Lord, to Pharaoh and his chiefs who were extremely transgressing people as they preferred the practice of their own rulings over the commands of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the narrative goes ahead as AAYAAT from 33 to 37 state, ”he said- my Lord! surely I killed one of them (Egyptians), so I fear lest they should slay me; and my (elder) brother, Haroun, he is more eloquent of tongue than I (note that Moses had an issue of stuttering), therefore send him with me as an aider (by making him too as one of His Messengers), verifying me- surely I fear that they (the Pharaoh and his chiefs at his court) would reject me; He said- We will strengthen your arm with your brother (i.e. he too shall be one of Messengers of Allah), and We will give you both an authority (to impress the people listening), so that they shall not reach you (i.e. they would not get any access to harm any of Moses or Aaron); (go on) with Our signs; you two and those who follow you shall be uppermost (that would be evident within some period of time); so when Musa came to them with Our clear signs (that were his amazing staff and his shining hand), they said- this is nothing but forged enchantment (which is of no consequence), and we never heard of it amongst our fathers of old (note that they did know about the fundamental Islamic teachings, residing with the Bani-Israel, yet their words imply that their forefathers had kept away from it in all manner); and Musa said- my Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him (to remain to it and get Jannah at AKHIRAT), and whose shall be the good end of the abode (at the world too); surely the unjust (which the Pharaoh, his chiefs and his men are), shall not be successful”; the Ruku tells ahead that the Pharaoh and his men did not believe in the message of Allah that Moses and Aaron brought to them and they rather mocked Moses; they rejected the amazing miracles that he presented to them and took it as plain magic; though this Ruku does not mention it yet we know by other places at the Quran that they brought the skilled magicians of the time against him; the magicians lost the contest and in fact, those magicians accepted the message of Moses and Aaron as they saw plainly that what they have just encountered is certainly a miracle and certainly not magic; see the note at the third Ruku of Surah TA-HA; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT from 38 to the last of Ruku state, “and Pharaoh said- O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; so, kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for (baking of) brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Whom Musa worships, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars; and he was unjustly proud in the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us; so We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see how was the end of the unjust; and We made them (such) Imams (i.e. leaders) who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted; and We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those (who are) made to appear hideous (extremely ugly at face and body)”; these AAYAAT tell about the character of the Pharaoh of the exodus (who presumably was Amenhotep-II, the grandson of Thutmose- II, the Pharaoh of the oppression); his reign was but for a few years only (against what normally is assumed and I, MSD, have commented on that at “Pentateuch by the Islamic view”) and he and his men died by drowning when he followed Moses and his people with the army he had, in his youth around 24 years of age; he, like Nimrod, took himself the authority that his people must obey without any challenge to it and did not care that Allah only is the RABB (the true Lord) of all persons so they need to obey Him only with total love for Him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note here that Haman was one of the prominent advisors of the Pharaoh of oppression and he was present at the court of the Pharaoh of exodus too in some official status, whom Moses had given the message of Islam by the command of Allah; note that AAYAT-38 states that the Pharaoh of exodus asked Haman to kindle a fire for him and bake bricks at it and then prepare a lofty building so that he obtains knowledge of Whom Musa worships; though it was idiocy of Pharaoh to ask such thing to Haman (and such building never materialized so it was only an idiotic stunt of the Pharaoh to misguide his men and ignore the teachings of Moses) yet it shows that Haman had lived to a ripe age and had witnessed Moses as he had presented the message of Islam at the Pharaoh’s court; the outcome of this rejection of the message of Allah by Pharaoh and his men was that Allah drowned them all into the sea and declared them all totally cursed at AKHIRAT, i.e. the true life after this life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Fifth Ruku
43. And certainly We gave Musa the Book after We had destroyed the former generations, (that proves to be) clear arguments for men and a guidance and a mercy, that they may be mindful.
44. And you were not on the western side when We revealed to Musa the commandment, and you were not among the witnesses;
45. But We raised up generations, then life became prolonged to them; and you were not dwelling among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our AAYAAT, but We were the Senders.
46. And you were not on this side of the mountain when We called, but mercy from your Lord that you may warn people to whom no warner came before you, that they may be mindful.
47. And were it not that there should befall them a disaster for what their hands have sent before, then they should say: Our Lord! why didst Thou not send to us an apostle so that we should have followed Thy AAYAAT and been of the believers!
48. But (now) when the Truth has come to them from Us, they say: Why he is not given the same manner as was given to Musa: What! did they not disbelieve in what Musa was given before? They say: Two magic words backing up each other; and they say: Surely we are disbelievers in all.
49. Say: Then bring some (other) book from Allah which is a better guide than both of them so that I may follow it, if you are truthful.
50. But if they do not answer you, then know that they only follow their low desires; and who is more erring than he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
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The first AAYAT of the Ruku implies by its words that the nations before Moses were eliminated when they rejected the message of Allah that they received by His Messengers but when Allah made him His Messenger and provided him Torah that explicitly presented the fundamental teachings of Islam, He did not eliminate whole of any disobedient nation and chose the Bani-Israel to provide on His message to whomsoever they relate; note that Torah comprises of five booklets and as such, it is concise and even with much distortion at ancient times according to us Muslims, it still does have teachings that relate to the true guidance to the right path; it narrates events of many of the Messengers of Allah and so it provides the fundamental Islamic teachings and tells that those who accept these fundamental teachings in their true perspective, they would certainly receive mercy from Allah, the true Lord; they miserably failed in that task as they did not give respect to the Prophets (that the status of those Prophets asked of them) whom Allah had sent to them after Moses and they especially showed extreme disrespect to Jesus Christ-AS whom they rejected as the Messenger of Allah; that was the most fatal blow to their status as the chosen people of Allah and then at the time when Allah sent Muhammad PBUH as His last Messenger to all peoples of the world, they rejected him too as His Messenger and at that time, Allah took away their noble status as punishment to them and chose the Muslims instead of them for His task; He commanded the Muslims that they always keep firm to the Islamic teachings and spread them all to all peoples of the world when Muhammad PBUH departs from here; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next three AAYAAT of the Ruku point out that Muhammad PBUH did not witness the incidents reported about Moses-AS and he was not even present at his times yet the Quran is providing their account explicitly; this in itself proves that Allah has appointed him as His Messenger and he certainly is not speaking the words of the Quran by his own; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these AAYAAT read, “and you (O Prophet PBUH) were not on the western side when We revealed to Musa the commandment (Torah), and (therefore) you were not among the witnesses (to this event); but We raised up generations, then life became prolonged to them (and they forgot the teachings of Torah and took what they found easy by their own to practice and left other commands of Allah and even distorted them); and you were not dwelling among the people of Madyan (when Moses resided there at the service of the old man), reciting to them Our AAYAAT (that you present to all persons now), but We were the Senders (of the Truth to them); and you were not on this side of the mountain (TOOR) when We called (Moses), but (it is) mercy from your Lord that you may warn such people (i.e. the Arab people) to whom no warner (i.e. Messenger of Allah) came before you, that they may be mindful (of the Truth and accept it and practice it to save themselves from the torments at AKHIRAT)”; AAYAT-47 states to clarify the reason why Allah provided the teachings of Islam explicitly to Arabs, “and were it not that there should befall them a disaster for what their hands have sent before (i.e. their wrong-doings), then they (the disbelievers in the fundamental teachings of Islam) should say- our Lord! why didst Thou not send to us an apostle so that we should have followed Thy AAYAAT and been of the believers (in the fundamental teachings of Islam)”; see also TA-HA-134 which presents the same statement of the disbelievers on getting their chastisement from Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that there is time-period of about 2500 years between Ishmael-AS, who was the Prophet of Allah and lived at Arabia, and the last of all Prophets, Muhammad PBUH; the next AAYAAT from AAYAT-48 to the last of the Ruku, indicate their ingratitude to Allah that even though He provided them the Holy Book Quran through the last of His Messengers, they brought a futile objection to it that why Allah did not sent it like He sent Torah; note that it is mentioned that Moses-AS wrote the five books of Torah by the guidance of Allah at tablets, except for the narration of his passing away, when he stayed at TOOR for forty days; note also that even though they presented their objection, they said clearly that they do not believe in Torah too so it was only to make some trouble and not any scholarly pursuit; these AAYAAT read, “but (now) when the Truth (i.e. the Quran that teaches all of Islam through it) has come to them from Us, they say- why he is not given (the Quran) the same manner as was given to Musa (i.e. it should have also descended like Torah)- what! did they (the disbelievers) not disbelieve in what Musa was given before (even when it came instantly)? they say (about Torah and the Quran that they are) two magic words backing up each other; and they say- surely we are disbelievers in all; say- then bring some (other) book from Allah which is a better guide than both of them so that I may follow it, if you are truthful; but if they do not answer you (avoiding to take-up the matter), then know that they only follow their low desires (to make trouble); and who is more erring than he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allah? surely Allah does not guide the unjust people (as we have learnt about how Allah punished Pharaoh and his men, at AAYAT-40 of this Surah QASAS, who were categorically mentioned as the unjust)”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Sixth Ruku
51. And certainly We have made the word to reach them so that they may be mindful.
52. (As to) those whom We gave the Book before it, they are believers in it.
53. And when it is recited to them they say: We believe in it surely it is the truth from our Lord; surely we were submitters before this.
54. These shall be granted their reward twice, because they are steadfast and they repel evil with good and spend out of what We have given them.
55. And when they hear idle talk they turn aside from it and say: We shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds; peace be on you; we do not desire the ignorant.
56. Surely you cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He pleases, and He knows best the followers of the right path.
57. And they say: If we follow the guidance with you, we shall be carried off from our country. What! have We not settled them in a safe, sacred territory to which fruits of every kind shall be drawn? - a sustenance from Us; but most of them do not know.
58. And how many a town have We destroyed which exulted in its means of subsistence, so these are their abodes, they have not been dwelt in after them except a little, and We are the inheritors,
59. And your Lord never destroyed the towns until He raised in their metropolis an apostle, reciting to them Our AAYAAT, and We never destroyed the towns except when their people were unjust.
60. And whatever things you have been given are only a provision of this world's life and its adornment, and whatever is with Allah is better and more lasting; do you not then understand?
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This Ruku gives some detail to issues at the previous Ruku and tells explicitly that Allah has cared to provide the true guidance to all persons so that no person among the disbelievers argues that why did Allah not send to them one of His Messengers, so that they should have followed His guidance and should have been among the believers; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first AAYAT of the Ruku states, “and certainly We have made the Word (the Quran) to reach them (within parts) so that they may be mindful (to believe in Allah truly and to care for the Day of Judgment)”; to understand AAYAAT ahead, note that a group of around twenty good Christians from HABSHA (the northern part of Ethiopia of that time), who lived with care to commands of Allah, visited the Prophet PBUH at Makkah and accepted him as the last of Messengers of Allah; they understood Islam to be the Truth as Torah also provided them its fundamental teachings albeit not in such clear manner as the Quran did; the disbelievers at Makkah mocked them that they had come at Makkah only to lose their belief in Christianity, to which they replied calmly that they shall have their own deeds to face and the mocking persons shall have their own deeds to face; they mentioned clearly that they do not desire to converse with disbelievers at Makkah whom they take as totally ignorant of the Truth; from the second AAYAT of the Ruku to AAYAT-56, the Ruku states, “(as to) those whom We gave the Book (Torah) before it (i.e. the Quran), they are believers in it (this refers to those Christians specifically); and when it (i.e. the Quran) is recited to them they say- we believe in it; surely it is the Truth from our Lord; surely we were submitters before this (as they did believe in the righteous guidance of Torah and also in the genuine teachings of Jesus Christ-AS who was one of the most esteemed Messengers of Allah); these shall be granted their reward twice, because they are steadfast (i.e. they care to sacrifice the worldly assets for the pleasure of Allah to live within necessities) and they repel evil with good (i.e. they ask mercy from Allah whenever they fall into any of sins) and spend out of what We have given them (i.e. they provide the needy with his needs as much as possible for them); and when they hear idle talk (which is to humiliate any of persons around or to disrespect their selves directly), they turn aside from it and say- we shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds; peace be on you; we do not desire (to converse with) the ignorant; surely you (O Prophet PBUH) cannot guide whom you love (as there are disbelievers to Islam even in your near relatives at Makkah), but Allah guides whom He pleases (as He guided those who came from some far-away place and then accepted Islam without any reservation), and He knows best the followers of the right path”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; I, MSD, have heard from some of teachers of Islam that the Muslims shall go on spreading the teachings of Islam which only are the Truth, without care how and whom they affect and Allah would certainly affect all persons by them as He wills, wherever they might be; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-57 to the last, the Ruku states the argument of some of disbelievers at Makkah for not accepting Islam (though they did take it as the true guidance) and the clear-cut answer to their flawed argument; they argued that they would be carried-off from Makkah if they accepted Islam so it would end their high position among Arabs which they have by residing in this city, which all at Arabia respect; Allah answers their flawed argument that He only, has made this city most sacred territory, to which fruits of every kind are brought as provisions to all persons residing there; it is fine to remember what we have studied at Surah IBRAHIM-37 that Ibrahim-AS had asked Allah, the true Lord, that He gives his offspring (which he has settled in a valley that is unproductive of fruits near His Sacred House KA’BAH) such TOFIQ that they keep up prayer and that He makes the hearts of some people yearn towards them and that He provides them with fruits so they remain grateful to Him; so it is the will of Allah that He has made it most reputable and it would remain so ahead if they truly accept Islam, the word of Allah, which provides respect only and does not lead to any disrespect; Al-Hamdu Lillah; and the last three AAYAAT of the Ruku further elaborate this answer that such argument needs that they travel and see that there are places where the residents had pride at their economic stability but their abodes have become an example of destruction where no one has ever dwelt-in after them except a little; this would tell the disbelievers that ultimately Allah got all control of all such assets on which the men thought that they had all control; and Allah, the true Lord, is not unjust certainly as He never destroyed any of towns until He raised in their metropolis an apostle (as He has appointed Muhammad PBUH as His last Messenger from Makkah), who provided all of them the true guidance and even then He gave them ample space of time to accept that but when the people there at the place, were most unjust (i.e. they rejected the true guidance when His Messenger explicitly presented it to them), then only Allah put total destruction upon them because then their doings clearly asked for it; so the rejection of Islam would lead them to their destruction, and not its acceptance, surely; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah only cares for men and He never puts any harm to them unless they challenge the Islamic teachings in clear terms that the Messenger has presented to them; they must see that whatever things they have been given by the will of Allah, they are provision only of this world's life and its adornment which would ultimately end, and whatever is with Allah at AKHIRAT for the true believers in Islam, is much better in quality and more lasting by the consideration of time; this statement implies that basically the argument of the disbelievers, is most flawed as it denotes all preference to the life at the world and not to AKHIRAT; their actual true benefit lies in the acceptance of Islam as that only saves all persons from disgrace at the world and provides all safety to them from the most extreme chastisement at AKHIRAT which is the true life ahead that would never end; it is obvious that they have lost all awareness of their actual true benefit, as they are completely oblivious of AKHIRAT, the true life ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Seventh Ruku
61. Is he to whom We have promised a goodly promise which he shall meet with, like him whom We have provided with the provisions of this world's life, then on the day of resurrection he shall be of those who are brought up?
62. And on the day when He will call them and say: Where are those whom you deemed to be My associates?
63. Those against whom the sentence has become confirmed will say: Our Lord! these are they whom we caused to err; we caused them to err as we ourselves did err; to Thee we declare ourselves to be clear (of them); they never served Us.
64. And it will be said: Call those persons of yours whom you took as associates (to Allah). So they will call upon them, but they will not answer them, and they shall see the punishment; would that they had followed the right path!
65. And on the day when He shall call them and say: What was the answer you gave to the apostles?
66. Then the pleas shall become obscure to them on that day, so they shall not ask each other.
67. But as to him who repents and believes and does good, maybe he will be among the successful:
68. And your Lord creates and chooses whom He pleases; to choose is not theirs; glory be to Allah, and exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
69. And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
70. And He is Allah, there is no god but He! All praise is due to Him in this (life) and the hereafter, and His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
71. Say: Tell me, if Allah were to make the night to continue incessantly on you till the day of resurrection, who is the god besides Allah that could bring you light? Do you not then hear?
72. Say: Tell me, if Allah were to make the day to continue incessantly on you till the day of resurrection, who is the god besides Allah that could bring you the night in which you take rest? Do you not then see?
73. And out of His mercy, He has made for you the night and the day, that you may rest therein, and that you may seek of His grace, and that you may give thanks.
74. And on the day when He shall call them and say: Where are those whom you deemed to be My associates?
75. And We will draw forth from among every nation a witness and say: Bring your proof; then shall they know that the truth is Allah's, and that which they forged shall depart from them.
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The Ruku starts by the statement that the righteous person is truly successful, as he gets the success of AKHIRAT with or without having assets of the world; and the wrong person is truly unsuccessful as he receives extreme punishment for his doings at AKHIRAT, even if he is much wealthy at the world; the only aim of life is to get the pleasure of Allah and to do everything but not to .do the needed, is total idiocy for certain; this Ruku elaborates this statement at its AAYAAT ahead whereas the next Ruku also focuses on it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the disbelievers would see extreme troubles at the Day of Judgment when Allah asks them where are those whom they deemed to have such authority that may challenge Him; the leading persons among the disbelievers would answer that they did cause their followers to err as they too were on the wrong path so they would confess to all of their wrongs when they see clearly that they have no other option; the other of leaders who would not be among the disbelievers but whom the disbelievers had risen to such status where they took them as having all authority besides Allah, would clarify, “to Thee we declare ourselves to be clear (of them); they never served Us”; they actually were unaware that the disbelievers took them as having authority besides Allah as the disbelievers took them as such after these good persons had departed from the world; the erroneous concepts of disbelievers, who had anticipated that they would not face any troubles at AKHIRAT because of support of their leaders who would save them from torments there, would prove useless as it is the true belief (and the righteous deeds according to it) that counts for safety which they did not care for, by their freewill; AAYAT-67 to AAYAT-69 explicitly indicate that only the righteous belief with good deeds according to it, leads to the true success; Allah only gives TOFIQ to any person to come to Islam and to remain firm upon it as His will only reigns upon all happenings in all the universe; certainly He only knows who is better fit to care for, as He is aware of what the breasts conceal and what they manifest; note that the best thing that prevents satanic attacks is to ask Allah for security from them as He only protects the righteous man from such attacks certainly; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-70 declares that the true belief certainly is that Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; and AKHIRAT, the Day of Judgment, is certain to come where all persons would be brought back in front of Allah and He would judge all of them, according to their belief and their deeds which they had done at life at the world; it reads, “and He is Allah, there is no god but He! All praise is due to Him in this (life) and the hereafter, and His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that the last AAYAT of the Ruku guides attention to the third of fundamental teachings of Islam which is RISALAT (which means that Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note also that each of His Messengers, when asked, would provide witness against the disbelievers of his respective nation with the clarification that he did give them His message in most clear terms at life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next three AAYAAT ask to consider how the life would have been if Allah had made the world in such manner that everywhere only the night prevailed all the time; and to consider how the life would have been if Allah had made the world in such manner that everywhere only the day prevailed all the time; but only because of His mercy, He has made for the mankind the night (so that they may rest therein without disturbance at their place) and the day (so that they may seek their good sustenance therein by interacting with each other at their place); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this means that if there is such beautiful setup of time & place for men to do all their necessary tasks with ease, it proves that it is not by chance but Allah has cared for the mankind so that they live with ease and get the good result at AKHIRAT for themselves without any inconvenience; that only would denote that they are truly grateful to Allah for all of His blessings to them; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-74 (like AAYAT-64) tells that Allah would ask the disbelievers where are those whom they deemed to have such authority that may challenge Him; then they would be unable to put any blame on any such righteous persons whom they took as having authority besides Allah as the righteous persons would have stated plainly that they did not ever lead them to wrongs but asked them to follow the right path only, at life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT tells that Allah would take out from each of nations at AKHIRAT, such of righteous persons (i.e. His Messengers) who would provide witness against the disbelievers of his specific nation with the clarification that he did give them His message in most clear terms at life at the world; AAYAT tells, “then shall they know that the true authority is Allah's, and that which they forged shall depart from them”; note that Muhammad PBUH is the last Messenger of Allah whom Allah has assigned to all peoples of the world so after him, the Muslims would now provide the teachings of Islam to all peoples of the world and they would also provide witness, when asked, against the disbelievers at the Day of Judgment; at BAQARAH-143, Allah declares, “and thus We have made you a just nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people, and the Apostle may be bearer of witness to you”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Eighth Ruku
76. Surely QAROUN was of the people of Musa, but he rebelled against them, and We had given him of the treasures, so much so that his keys of wealth would certainly weigh down a company of men possessed of great strength. When his people said to him: Do not exult, surely Allah does not love the exultant;
77. And seek by means of what Allah has given you the future abode, and do not neglect your portion of this world, and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land, surely Allah does not love the mischief-makers.
78. He said: I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty shall not be asked about their faults.
79. So he went forth to his people in his finery. Those who desire this world's life said: O would that we had the like of what QAROUN is given; most surely he is possessed of mighty good fortune.
80. And those who were given the knowledge said: Woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient.
81. Thus We made the earth to swallow up him and his abode; so he had nobody of helpers to assist him against Allah nor was he of those who can defend themselves.
82. And those who yearned for his place only the day before began to say: Ah! Allah amplifies and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants; had not Allah been gracious to us, He would most surely have abased us; Ah! the ungrateful are never successful.
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This Ruku provides the narrative of QAROUN, the wealthiest person among the Bani-Israel, who had access to the court of Pharaoh; it is mentioned about him that he was the first cousin of Moses-AS and Aaron-AS but had little interest in the freedom of the Bani-Israel from the slavery of the Egyptians; AAYAAT at beginning of the Ruku tells about him and his dialogue with the good persons among the Bani-Israel, “surely QAROUN was of the people of Musa, but he rebelled against them (i.e. he did not practice the commands of Allah and lived haughtily), and We had given him of the treasures, so much so that his keys of wealth would certainly weigh down a company of men possessed of great strength; when his people (who were guides to righteousness) said to him- do not exult, surely Allah does not love the exultant; and seek by means of what Allah has given you, the future abode (i.e. the true success at AKHIRAT by providing for the needy) , and do not neglect your portion of this world (so take only what is fitting according to the commands of Allah for your good sustenance at life at the world), and do good (to others by doing charitable acts) as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land (by displaying your wealth as it may cause desire among those people who incline to life at the world, to gain wealth by any means and that would cause neglect of the commands of Allah), surely Allah does not love the mischief-makers; he said- I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have (how to gain wealth; so he justified his dealings in wealth by claiming his total ownership to that without care that Allah actually has provided him with it and he has to keep His commands in practice about it); did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations, those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage (so his arrogance would surely lead him too, to his destruction)? and the guilty shall not be asked about their faults (so when his destruction comes, he would not be asked for any defense and that would finish him off, totally)”; note that in those days, the wealthy persons provided safety to their gold and silver and other things of value by putting them into vaults constructed into the ground; they had strong gates over them which opened by their extremely specific heavy keys; so QAROUN had such immense wealth that even the keys to his numerous vaults were so heavy that it needed many of strong men to carry those keys to their gates whenever that was needed; but instead of being grateful to Allah, he once displayed some of his wealth among the people around and upon viewing such immense wealth, those who preferred the life at the world over the true life at AKHIRAT, remarked, “O would that we had the like of what QAROUN is given; most surely he is possessed of mighty good fortune; and those who were given the knowledge said- woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient”; so immense wealth is not the right standard of getting respect from the people around, but the true belief and the righteous deeds only provides the due respect when the good righteous person has patience (i.e. the prudence to live within the necessities of life at the world, having little care to comforts and having no care to luxuries); this would not only provide him much respect at the world but he also would be one of the most esteemed persons at life at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-81 states the outcome of the haughtiness of QAROUN that Allah made the earth swallow him and his dwelling place and he neither had any host to save him nor he could save his own self from such extreme destruction; his immense wealth was totally useless at that time and at that place of destruction; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT of the Ruku tells that seeing this outcome, those of the Bani-Israel who had wished to have such wealth as he had, realized their grave mistake and showed relief that Allah did not put such destruction to them; it reads, “and those who yearned for his place only the day before (i.e. the recent past) began to say- ah (good for us to see)! Allah amplifies and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants; had not Allah been gracious to us, He would most surely have abased us; ah (good for us to see)! the ungrateful are never successful”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Last Ruku
83. (As for) that future abode, We assign it to those who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth nor to make mischief and the good end is for those who guard (against evil)
84. Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it, and whoever brings evil, those who do evil shall not be rewarded (for) aught except what they did.
85. Most surely He Who has made the Quran binding on you, will bring you back to the destination. Say: My Lord knows best him who has brought the guidance and him who is in manifest error.
86. And you did not expect that the Book would be inspired to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord, therefore be not a backer-up of the disbelievers.
87. And let them not turn you aside from the AAYAAT of Allah after they have been revealed to you, and call (men) to your Lord and be not of the polytheists.
88. And call not with Allah any other god; there is no god but He, everything is perishable but He; His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
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The last Ruku of QASAS sums-up the basic message that we all got through it and that is the mankind has to keep to the righteous belief which is to believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam, and do all his deeds according to that belief; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT at the beginning of the Ruku direct to this most explicitly by mentioning that Allah assigns the future success to those only who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth because of whatever status & resources Allah has provided to them at the world, but they do remain humble in front of Him and do practice His commands in their lives; they do not make any mischief too by taking up haughtiness among the persons around to impress their importance upon them; so the best of end certainly is for these most righteous persons only who are totally attentive to Allah as they truly believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam which practically shows in their lives at the world and they also care most sympathetically for their fellow-beings, without any conceit; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah would provide their good returns for their good deeds even better than those good deeds (at least, ten times better and even more), and those who bring evil, those shall be rewarded for that wrong accordingly; Allah would certainly bring all persons to life again to provide their respective results to them at the Day of HASHR; AAYAT-85 tells that Allah has provided the Quran that presents all His commands (and the Sunnah explains all those commands most clearly to practice) so all the righteous persons shall put that true guidance into their practice for certain; it also tells the Prophet PBUH that though the situation at present seems much difficult to provide the teachings of Islam by the Quran yet Allah would certainly pave way for him to fulfill his task of spreading it totally so he certainly would reach that destination by the will of Allah within his life at the world; it asks the Prophet PBUH to say that Allah, the true Lord, knows best him, who has come with the true guidance (i.e. the Prophet PBUH) and him too, who remains in the manifest error (i.e. every person who is among disbelievers); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last three AAYAAT ask attention of the Prophet PBUH to the most significant blessing of Allah upon him (i.e. Allah made him His last Messenger whereas He provided him the Holy Book Quran) and tell him to be most grateful to Him for it; so he shall go on with the task of teaching the Holy Book Quran whatever comes, to all peoples and he shall always remain firm upon its teachings for certain; they read, “and you did not expect that the Book (Quran) would be inspired to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord, therefore be not a backer of the disbelievers (note that we have seen at this Surah at AAYAT-17 that Moses-AS had mentioned to Allah that now, when Allah has granted him His mercy, he shall never be a backer of the guilty); and let them not turn you aside from the AAYAAT of Allah after they have been revealed to you, and call (men) to your Lord and be not of the polytheists; and call not with Allah any other god; there is no god but He, everything is perishable but He (as all other than Him, is His creation only); His is the judgment, and to Him you (all) shall be brought back”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
-CONTINUED-
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(the Third Part)
(From Surah SHUA’RAA to Surah QAAF)
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Al-Hamdu Lillah
Surah SHUA’RAA
(Consists of 11 Ruku; MK-5)
SHUA’RAA-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN MIM.
2. These are the verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.
3. Perhaps you will kill yourself with grief because they do not believe.
4. If We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven so that their necks stoop to it.
5. And there does not come to them a new reminder from the Beneficent Allah but they turn aside from it.
6. So they have indeed rejected (the Truth), therefore the news of that which they mock shall soon come to them.
7. Do they not see the earth, how many of every noble kind We have caused to grow in it?
8. Most surely there is a sign in that, but most of them will not believe.
9. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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After the accomplishment of writing TAFSIR of the last part of the Quran by the blessing of Allah, that is from Surah ZAARI’AAT to its last, I, MSD, begin the writing of its third part now, by the blessing of Allah; Surah SHUA’RAA starts with letters “TA SIN MIM” that are among the MUQATTA’AAT (that means the 14 disjointed letters that are among the Arabic alphabets which come at the commencement of 29 Surah in specific combinations) and it is not necessary for a person to know them in the understanding of the Quran; note also that all these letters are present at Surah FATIHA and my writing “The Expressions of Quran” presents much detail for them; seeing the MUQATTA’AAT, it is an interesting fact to note that all Surah that begin with them, have reference to the Holy Book Quran after them except for Surah-29 (ANKABUT) and Surah-30 (ROUM); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this denotes clearly that these disjointed letters are certainly related to the subject-matter of the Holy Book Quran, especially to the Surah where they occur; note that both of Surah that are exceptions denote the will of Allah which the world would see very soon, just after the disjointed letters as ANKABUT reads at the beginning, “ALIF LAAM MEEM; do men think that they will be left alone on saying, ‘we believe, and not be tried?’ and certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know (i.e. He would bring at fore) those who are true and He will certainly know (i.e. He would bring at fore) the liars”; Surah-ROUM reads at the beginning, “ALIF LAAM MEEM; the Romans are vanquished, in a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome within a few years; Allah's is the command before and after; and on that day the believers shall rejoice with the help of Allah; He helps whom He pleases; and He is the Mighty, the Merciful”; note that the Romans faced devastating defeat by the Persians and that defeat was such that it seemed that the Romans would not stand against the Persians under Heraclius; but they defeated the Persians within a few years and the news of their victory against the Persians reached Madinah when the Muslims were celebrating their win against the forces of Makkah at BADR; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first Ruku of SHUA’RAA tells that Allah has settled the man upon earth so that He examines who really is rightful to get Jannah and who is not; if He intended, He would have given such sign from the heaven that they had to accept the Truth totally yet His intention is not that; each person has to get the pleasure of Allah by his/her belief and deeds by his/her own freewill as that only would prove that he/she is worthy to get Jannah; this Ruku tells the Prophet PBUH that he does not need to worry so much if the disbelievers do not accept the fundamental Islamic teachings as this world certainly is the place of examination; Surah KAHF-6 & 7 read, “then maybe you will kill yourself with grief, sorrowing after them (‘ALA-AASAREHIM), if they do not believe in this announcement (i.e. the message of the Quran); surely We have made whatever is on the earth an embellishment for it, so that We may try them (as to) which of them is best in works”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; whole of Surah SHUA’RAA presents how Allah dealt with those who disbelieved in His authority and challenged His Messengers so it elaborates the message that Allah has provided at this Ruku; AAYAT-1 to AAYAT- 7 state, “TA SIN MIM; these are the AAYAAT of the Book that makes (things) clear (about the true belief and the virtuous deeds); perhaps (O Prophet PBUH) you will kill yourself with grief because they do not believe; if We please, We should send down upon them a sign from the heaven (as they are asking, which will prove that the Quran tells the Truth only) so that their necks stoop to it (but Allah does not intend that they believe in the Truth by compulsion); and there does not come to them a new reminder (AAYAAT of the Quran that guides to the Truth) from the Beneficent Allah but they turn aside from it; so they have indeed rejected (the Truth), therefore the news of that which they mock shall soon come to them (as disbelief in the message of Allah would put destruction to them even at the world); do they not see the earth, how many of every noble kind We have caused to grow in it (for the sake of physical convenience that they live their lives without being tense)?”; the last two AAYAAT that are 8 & 9 of this Ruku have repeatedly come at this Surah because they express that if the disbelievers ask for sign then there is sign in the psyche of the man and in his history for certain; Allah relates the events in this Surah, of His Messengers which clearly tell that disbelief in the Messengers of Allah leads to destruction; they were asking the disbelievers to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam but the challenge of disbelievers to them, brought extreme destruction upon the disbelievers; first, Allah narrates the event related to Moses-AS and then to Abraham-AS; then He presents those events which relate to His five Messengers and we have read about them at Surah AARAAF & Surah HOODH too; these five Messengers that Allah has mentioned here at this Surah too had their dwelling places near to each other with difference of their periods at the world; note that after sending any of His Messengers to some nation, Allah appoints such time where they would ultimately accept the fundamental Islamic teachings or face certain death; we all have studied at AARAAF in its second Ruku about Adam & Eve that is explicit that the worldly life is an examination to the mankind so all persons must keep to the three fundamental teachings of Islam that all the Messengers of Allah have guided to; the five of these narratives in sequence are of Noah, HOODH, SALEH, Lot and SHOAIB (SALAM on all the Messengers of Allah) and they all gave the same message that are TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord) and AKHIRAT (Allah would judge all peoples of the world at the Day of Judgment) and RISALAT (Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note that Al-FATIHA, the opening Surah of the Quran, guides to all these three fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Surah SHUA’RAA repeats these narratives of the five Messengers in the same sequence; all Messengers did try their best to guide their respective nations as Allah asked them; however, their nations did not comply and so Allah destroyed them completely at the world and they certainly would be among the severely punished peoples at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these last two AAYAAT of the Ruku read, “most surely there is a sign in that, but most of them will not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; note about these attributes of Allah that the last AAYAT of the Ruku presents, that they have high significance in understanding of this Surah as AZIZ (Mighty) means that He provides for such happenings that keep the world to His will by His authoritative measures so no one becomes able to cause such deviation at the world that leads it away from His set manner for it that causes FASAD (high difficulties to work upon the Islamic teachings) for high length of period; He destroyed by events that are named as natural calamities, many such nations that had challenged His authority and were causing FASAD at the world; Surah ANKABUT has the AAYAT (that is AAYAT-40) where Allah tells us that “each one of them We seized for his crime; so in them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers of stones); some were caught by blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned; it was not Allah Who injured them but they injured (and oppressed) their own souls”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; RAHIM (Merciful) means that He provided ample space to disbelievers by sending His Messengers to them (when they were coming to the world by His will and now the Quran guides all persons who need the true guidance) and gave them all the time they needed, to consider the fundamental teachings of Islam; He cares for all of mankind that they live-on their lives where their physically security is at hand for them and also, that they live-on their lives where their spiritual security is at hand for them; so note that His name RAHIM denotes His attribute which tells His care for the spiritual guidance to the mankind and His patience upon their wrong doings until they receive the ample time He has appointed for them, to accept it; so, because He is RAHIM, He would care for the true believers exclusively at AKHIRAT mercifully as they do believe Him not only as the only Creator of all the creation Who always has all His authority, but also believe Him as the only RABB of all creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Second Ruku
10. And when your Lord called out to Musa, saying: Go to the unjust people,
11. The people of Pharaoh: Will they not guard (against evil)?
12. He said: O my Lord! surely I fear that they will reject me;
13. And by breast straitens, and my tongue is not eloquent, therefore send Thou to Haroun (to help me);
14. And they have a crime against me, therefore I fear that they may slay me.
15. He said: By no means, so go you both with Our signs; surely We are with you, hearing;
16. Then come to Pharaoh and say: Surely we are the apostle of the Lord of the worlds:
17. Then send with us the children of Israel.
18. (Pharaoh) said: Did we not bring you up as a child among us, and you tarried among us for (many) years of your life?
19. And you did (that) deed of yours which you did, and you are one of the ungrateful.
20. He said: I did it then while I was of those unable to see the right course;
21. So I fled from you when I feared you, then my Lord granted me wisdom and made me of the apostles;
22. And is it a favor of which you remind me that you have enslaved the children of Israel?
23. Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the worlds?
24. He said: The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure.
25. (Pharaoh) said to those around him: Do you not hear?
26. He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old.
27. Said he: Most surely your Apostle who is sent to you is mad.
28. He said: The Lord of the east and the west and what is between them, if you understand.
29. Said he: If you will take a god besides me, I will most certainly make you one of the imprisoned.
30. He said: What! even if I bring to you something manifest?
31. Said he: Bring it then, if you are of the truthful ones.
32. So he cast down his rod, and lo! it was an obvious serpent,
33. And he drew forth his hand, and lo! it appeared white to the onlookers.
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The second Ruku relates that Allah appointed Moses-AS as His Messenger and commanded him to go to Pharaoh and his people that they accept the Truth, the fundamental teachings of Islam, and leave their unjust ways that they have shown towards the Bani-Israel; note that the Quran has mentioned Moses-AS more than any other Messenger of Allah as he is nearer to Muhammad PBUH by many aspects and so events related to him supported Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, much at his life; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Moses-AS said to Allah, the true Lord, that he feared that they would reject the message of Allah as he presents it to them; he asked Allah to make his brother Haroun (Aaron-AS) too His Messenger as he gets troubled due to his stammering in speech; he also showed his fear that as he had accidentally killed one of their men, they would kill him due to it; this happened when he had fought in defense of a person who was among the Bani-Israel and hit the man with a deadly punch; Allah told him that nothing of this sort would happen as Allah would see that they do not get any dominion over him to charge him with the accidental murder officially; he shall go to him by assistance of Aaron-AS and they both would present the message of Allah to Pharaoh that he needs to accept Allah as the true Lord and release Bani-Israel from captivity; so Allah had commanded Pharaoh clearly, to send Bani-Israel with them; at AYAT-16, Allah asks both Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and tell him that they both are apostles of Allah, the true Lord, but the word “apostle” is in singular at this place; note that many of commentators on the Quran, who are adept in Arabic, have explicitly mentioned that such usage is acceptable in Arabic grammar in the context that manifests here; however, I, MSD, intend to elaborate upon the meaning that it presents as at this Tafsiri-Guide, that is significant; the notable point here is that, by the usage of the term in singular, the Quran has told in most clear terms that the message of all Messengers of Allah is basically the same; they all do call towards the fundamental teachings of Islam to all persons Allah has sent them to (and Allah has sent His last Messenger Muhammad PBUH to all peoples of the world), for which they ask all persons to worship Allah only and obey His Messenger sent to them with complete belief in AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; as both Moses and Aaron also had to ask Pharaoh to send Bani-Israel with them releasing them from captivity, Moses mentioned it additionally which AAYAT-17 tells here; this is the manner of the Quran to present its message with the most beautiful way of usage of terms that is most comprehensive for it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-18 to last, the Ruku narrates the dialogue between Moses and Pharaoh whereas the last two AAYAAT of it tell that Moses showed him the two miracles that Allah has provided to him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-18 to AAYAT-22 narrate that Pharaoh told Moses that he had spent his childhood at the palace of Pharaoh where he had spent many years with the household; and he also told him that he had killed one of their men so he was very ungrateful person towards that household; note that Pharaoh intended to put him at his defense so that he becomes unable to present the message of Allah; note also that it seems that this Pharaoh was the grandson of Thutmose-II, the weak Pharaoh, who ruled for about 10 years only, coming to the throne at 1510 BC or so (and most probably, it was his wife Hatshepsut known as AASEIAH in the literature of Muslims, who had saved Moses-AS when he was flowing at the waters in his crib); read also the note at the sixth Ruku of Surah BAQARAH; Moses answered his second issue first that he did kill one of their men yet it was an accident which happened because of his care to Bani-Israel, his people, when he did not have awareness of the principles that Allah, the true Lord, asks to put at life; so when he feared them (as they treated their captives in extremely harsh manner and they would have gladly killed him for his accidental act), he ran away so Allah provided him the command over the Bani-Israel because he is most sincere to them for their physical safety and made him His Messenger to all of them for their spiritual safety, and even to Pharaoh and his people; Al-Hamdu Lillah; then Moses-AS answered the second issue that Pharaoh raised about his childhood at their palace; he told Pharaoh that they have kept the Bani-Israel at their captivity and yet he is taking the credit for his childhood at the palace whereas his mother had put him at specific crib in the flowing water just to save him from the atrocities that his grandfather was committing against the Bani-Israel; so that Pharaoh was responsible for the murder of many of the Bani-Israel and he wants him to get credit for saving one of them, who even was saved by Hatshepsut and not particularly by him; seeing that he gets blame instead of credit (and there were many Israelites too at his court), he changed the topic and asked Moses to clarify about his statement that he is the Messenger of RABB (the true Lord Whom all have to obey) of the worlds; Moses told him that Allah Who has made him His Messenger, is the true Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them (i.e. the true Lord of all His creation), if they do ask to accept the Truth certainly; note that when we Muslims need to say that Allah has created all things, we need to say it in this manner that Allah only has created the heavens and the earth and what is between them; this is the manner He has provided us in the Quran to mention all of His creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also that even the Pharaoh and his people had the acceptance that there is One Who has created all yet they did not take Him as RABB i.e. the true Lord to obey at all their issues of life; the disbelievers at all periods & places, had rejected Allah as their RABB and had refused to take His guidance for the true belief and had denied to take the principles He has provided for the virtuous deeds of the life; the Muslims believe that He not only is the Creator of all the creation Who never loses His attributes, but He also is the only true Lord of all the creation Whom the jinn and the mankind have to obey totally by their freewill in all aspects of life; Al-Hamdu Lillah; other of disbelief is where someone does believe that Allah is RABB, the true Lord, yet has the notion that his disobedience to Allah would not cause any harm to him, as that is of no consequence or as the recommendation at the court of Allah of some good person for him (or his sacrifice for him) would save him from his wrong-doings at the Day of Judgment; this also leads to the result that the disbeliever ignores that he has to fulfill the commands of Allah at all issues of life and so practically he does not believe that Allah is RABB, the true Lord, of all the creation; the Muslims believe that every person has to face his/her deeds alone at AKHIRAT and for that every person must care to obey Allah in all his deeds to get His pleasure there as that only is the true success; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the answer of Moses-AS clearly presented TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord); as it had turned alien to people that they shall obey too the One Who has created them, besides accepting Him as the Creator of all, Pharaoh addressed all persons around if they heard that answer which is so very alien to acceptable notion of their living manner; Moses clarified further that He is your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old; by this clarification, he guided their attention towards the day of HASHR that whoever disobeys Allah, he/she would certainly face extreme trouble at that certain day; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this clarification infuriated Pharaoh and he again addressed all persons around that Moses who claims to be the Messenger of the Lord of the worlds, seems affected by lunacy; note that all such persons who know that it is not their virtue inside which makes them get respect of their people (as they have none), but their official status among them, they try to degrade any challenger to them in view of their people rather than try to present themselves positively; this attitude in itself results by fear of losing their official status, which takes place by their inferiority complex; finally, Moses clarified that He is the Lord of the east and the west and what is between them, if they really do intend to understand that He is RABB (the true Lord Whom all have to obey) of the worlds; this was the last straw as it directly challenged the status of the Pharaoh which he claimed that whatever the belief of any person at his rule, Pharaoh shall be obeyed unconditionally; so he said to Moses directly if he will take a god besides him, he would most certainly imprison him; AAYAAT-21 to 26 of Surah NAZI’AAT read, “but he (Pharaoh) rejected (the Truth) and disobeyed; then he went back hastily; then he gathered (men) and called out; then he said- I am your lord, the most high- so Allah seized him with the punishment of the hereafter and the former life; most surely there is in this a lesson to him who fears (Allah)”; note that Pharaoh said to the people that he is their RABB but he did not claim that he has anything to do with the creation of the universe as that would have been blatant untruth; this is why Abraham-AS left Nimrod (who also took himself as RABB of his people) dumbfounded by asking him to bring the sun out from the west (see the note at the thirty-fifth Ruku of Surah BAQARAH); the word of Allah only denotes the worthy standard to lead the life at the world for its improvement ahead and so certainly, Allah only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that the jinn and the man have to obey Him unconditionally by their own freewill for all aspects of life because Allah has given these both only, the freewill to accept or reject the fundamental teachings of Islam; if someone obeys any of men, it would only be so when he commands in accordance with the commands of Allah or his command does not challenge the commands of Allah in any manner, as there is no other RABB except Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Moses replied to this threat by asking the Pharaoh if he would still imprison him if he gives him the proof that he really is the Messenger of Allah, the true Lord; note that the unplaced confidence on authority sometimes corrupts the person so much that he is unable to see the consequence of his own doings and certainly Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; due to such confidence, Pharaoh asked him to provide his evidence so Moses-AS put his staff down and it transformed into an obvious serpent; and as he drew forth his hand, it appeared white (shining beautifully) to the onlookers; this led to events which ultimately culminated at the exodus of the Bani-Israel; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Third Ruku
34. (Pharaoh) said to the chiefs around him: Most surely this is a skillful magician,
35. Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise?
36. They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities
37. That they should bring to you every skillful magician.
38. So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day,
39. And it was said to the people: Will you gather together?
40. Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers.
41. And when the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers?
42. He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near.
43. Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast.
44. So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Pharaoh's power, we shall most surely be victorious.
45. Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told.
46. And the magicians were thrown down prostrate;
47. They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds:
48. The Lord of Musa and Aaron.
49. Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all.
50. They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back;
51. Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers.
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This Ruku like the fourteenth Ruku of Surah AARAAF, narrates the contest between Moses-AS and the magicians whom the Pharaoh had called to defeat him; Allah helped Moses and he won that contest completely; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it happened that when the Pharaoh and his courtiers saw the two amazing miracles, he consulted his courtiers and those courtiers from among his nation consulted the prominent persons (at the Bani-Israel) to advise them about the course of action to take against Moses by telling them that he is the most adept magician who intends to take the Bani-Israel out of their lands; they advised the courtiers to send some official collectors to different cities from whence they would bring every such magician who is adept in his magic (so when they compete with Moses in magic, they would show that it only is the spell of magic with which he intends to enchant all persons to accept his demand); the collectors informed the skilled magicians to attend the gathering at some national specific day of their celebrations to challenge Moses and they did so at the presence of Pharaoh; they were so confident of their win that they asked Pharaoh if they would get their due prize if they win; Pharaoh assured them of that and also told them that they would be among his near ones getting high respect among the people; they had said that Pharaoh would get more of honor as they win (and it automatically implied that he would get highest of disrespect if they lose) and then they asked Moses who among them would begin the contest; he asked them to open the show so they threw their ropes and canes that seemed as the wriggling serpents to the onlookers; it certainly was the most skillful demonstration of their spell of magic; but Allah commanded Moses to put his staff at the ground and as he did so, it turned into the huge serpent that swallowed up all the falsehood that they faked; so the Truth manifested and their doings became vain so they were vanquished there and Pharaoh and his courtiers became lower; the skillful magicians gathered there, fell to ground as they realized that it certainly was not any spell of magic that Moses had demonstrated; this is mentioned in passive manner that they were thrown down prostrate to ground (by the guidance of the voice of the Truth inside) in prostration to Allah and they said in the clearest manner that they believe in the Lord of the worlds Who is the Lord of Moses and Aaron; note that they totally clarified that by the Lord they mean Allah whom Moses and Aaron believe so that Pharaoh and his people have no doubts about their words as Pharaoh presented his own self as the lord to the people; so the reason to their immediate belief was their view that the huge serpent ate up their doings which they knew clearly would not be any magic in any manner as they were most skillful at spells of magic; it plainly was the most amazing miracle that Moses had presented so this led them to believe in the words of Moses then and there; Pharaoh changed his stance at once that they have believed in the miracle before Pharaoh has allowed them to believe; note his arrogance that he wanted the people under his authority to believe that he is their lord and no other is superior to him to obey; he blamed them of being associates of Moses as the face-saving statement for him amongst the people and told the people that they all have united as they intend to expel the people set at their lands out of that; he told the magicians that he would punish them severely by cutting off one of their hands and one of their legs (opposite sides) and then he would crucify them all; their answer plainly was that they would surely return to their true Lord and what else the Pharaoh had found in them except that they had believed in the miracle from Allah when it has come to them; they made DUA to Allah, the true Lord, to pour out upon them patience and to cause them to die in submission to Him only; Al-Hamdu Lillah; their statement tells that when the person guides the asking of goodness in his self to the righteous direction, that even does lead him to the right path as just a little while back, they were asking the benefits of the world, its wealth and status, from Pharaoh but when they saw that the true benefits is where Moses is calling them to, they did not take any time to accept it and to become firm on it; they had consulted each other well when Moses had advised them to leave their stance and to accept the righteousness, before the contest and then only they had decided to challenge him (see Surah TA-HA-61 to 64); they accepted the punishment which Pharaoh had announced for them with the clear statement, “no harm; surely to our Lord we go back; surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs (due to challenging the Messenger of Allah on behalf of Pharaoh and due to asking of benefits at life at the world) because we (as compensation to wrongs) are the first of the believers”; certainly, Allah guides whom He wills and He only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Fourth Ruku
52. And We revealed to Musa, saying: Go away with My servants travelling by night, surely you will be pursued.
53. So Pharaoh sent heralds into the cities;
54. Most surely these are a small company;
55. And most surely they have enraged us;
56. And most surely we are a vigilant multitude.
57. So We turned them out of gardens and springs,
58. And treasures and goodly dwellings,
59. Even so. And We gave them as a heritage to the children of Israel.
60. Then they pursued them at sunrise.
61. So when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Musa cried out: Most surely we are being overtaken.
62. He said: By no means; surely my Lord is with me: He will show me a way out.
63. Then We revealed to Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. So it had cloven asunder, and each part was like a huge mound.
64. And We brought near, there, the others.
65. And We saved Musa and those with him, all of them.
66. Then We drowned the others.
67. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
68. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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As the Pharaoh and his men persisted on the disbelief, Allah told Moses to lead the Bani-Israel to safety; the Pharaoh had sent his men at cities to discourage people so that they do not support Moses, by the announcement that his followers are not much in quantity and they have infuriated him and his men are most watchful over them so there is no option for them to save themselves if they leave Egypt so no person shall follow them; but Allah had to save the Bani-Israel so his plans against them, were useless and it happened that as the Pharaoh and his army followed them, they all were drowned there while the Bani-Israel looked on to it from the bank of safety after they had crossed the Red Sea that gave way to them all when Moses struck the waters there with his staff by the command of Allah; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that when Moses-AS hit his staff at the sea, it divided into two huge parts and each part was like a huge mound; the words that the Quran uses here, imply that it was the command of Allah to the sea to stand in such manner so it is quite erroneous to try to find any physical reason to it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; afterwards, they made their base at Sinai and their generation grew there that had not seen slavery, who conquered the lands in the command of Joshua-AS as Aaron and Moses had died there during this period; at Sinai, Allah told Moses to hit his ASA (Staff) upon the huge specific stone there and by that strike, twelve springs gushed out of that (see the note at the seventh Ruku of Surah BAQARAH); it is interesting to note that when Moses was leading Bani-Israel to safety when the Pharaoh and his army were following them, it was this ASA the strike of which produced the way at the river so it parted the waters then; now the strike of the same at the huge stone brought forth the twelve springs of the fresh water from it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there were twelve tribes of the Bani-Israel (as Israel-AS had twelve sons and the descendants of each one became a tribe of Bani-Israel) so each of the tribes assigned one of the springs to them; Allah asked them to eat the MANN (the sweet that manifested there) and SALWA (the small birds that used to come there) and drink from the springs; that would keep them safe from making such mischief that might lead to FASAD so the taking-in of these wonderful edibles and the miraculous water certainly had some blessing from Allah in them that these would have kept them away from all such mischief by the permission of Allah; so the intake of anything affects the man even in the spiritual sense and the Quran asks at places to take care about what he eats; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last couple of AAYAAT are the recurring AAYAAT at the Surah which read, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; this tells clearly that the disbelievers need to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam in the good time on, which Allah has provided them by His blessing or else, when the extreme disaster gets them, their repentance even will be totally useless; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Fifth Ruku
69. And recite to them the story of Ibrahim.
70. When he said to his father and his people: What do you worship?
71. They said: We worship idols, so we shall be their votaries.
72. He said: Do they hear you when you call?
73. Or do they profit you or cause you any harm?
74. They said: Nay, we found our fathers doing so.
75. He said: Have you then considered what you have been worshipping:
76. You and your ancient sires.
77. Surely they are enemies to me, but not (so) the Lord of the worlds;
78. Who created me, then He has shown me the way:
79. And He Who gives me to eat and gives me to drink:
80. And when I am sick, then He restores me to health
81. And He Who will cause me to die, then give me life;
82. And Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment.
83. My Lord: Grant me wisdom, and join me with the good
84. And ordain for me a goodly mention among posterity
85. And make me of the heirs of the garden of bliss
86. And forgive my father, for surely he is of those who have gone astray;
87. And disgrace me not on the day when they are raised
88. The day on which property will not avail, nor sons
89. Except him who comes to Allah with sincere heart (free from all evil).
90. And the garden shall be brought near for those who guard (against evil),
91. And the hell-fire shall be made manifest to the erring ones,
92. And it shall be said to them: Where are those that you used to worship;
93. Besides Allah? Can they help you or yet help themselves?
94. So they shall be thrown down into it, they and the erring ones,
95. And the hosts of the Satan, all of them.
96. They shall say while they contend therein:
97. By Allah! we were certainly in manifest error,
98. When we made you equal to the Lord of the worlds;
99. And none but the guilty led us astray;
100. So we have no intercessors,
101. Nor a true friend;
102. But if we could but once return, we would be of the believers.
103. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
104. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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Abraham-AS was born at the city of UR and the people there worshipped idols and took stars even, as objects to worship; their king asked unconditional obedience from them and demanded to consider him as their lord to obey; Abraham challenged these aspects of their belief at different occasions as we find the mention at BAQARAH-258, at AN’AAM-the ninth Ruku, at ANBIYA-the fifth Ruku and here at SHUA’RAA; the narration here relates that Abraham asked his father and his people why do they take idols as objects to worship; they told him they do this in the following of their forefathers; to this, Abraham told them boldly that he finds all of them in manifest error; the Quran narrates the dialogue between Abraham and his people here and like Moses addressed Pharaoh and his courtiers, Abraham at the period he lived, also guided that Allah only is the true Lord Who would judge their doings at the Day of Judgment; he told them explicitly that the idols that they worship are unable to benefit them in any way and they are unable to harm them too; they and their forefathers have been doing extreme wrong by worshipping idols because Allah only is the true Lord of all the worlds at all times; so he guided his nation towards TAUHID of Allah that He only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; he told them plainly that Allah only cares for the mankind and does not put any burden on any person when that person worships Him truly and obeys Him truly; He provides physical and spiritual benefits to the man when the man is truly attentive to Him, the true Lord; AAYAAT from 77 to 82 narrate his words, “surely they (i.e. idols) are enemies to me, but not (so) the Lord of the worlds, Who created me, then He has shown me the way; and He Who gives me to eat and gives me to drink; and when I am sick, then He restores me to health; and He Who will cause me to die, then give me life; and Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are significant points to note in this speech of Abraham-AS and the first one is that he guided their attention to the fact that they make idols by themselves and then they worship them in the name of following of their ancestors whereas Allah is He Who has created the mankind and He is the true Lord for all times at all places; so if their ancestors were doing an extreme wrong, they should refrain from such wrongs and they should rather challenge their doings; they should only take the right path of acceptance of the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the second point to note is that he guided their attention that Allah has provided the guidance to the fundamental teachings of Islam to the mankind and put an urge inside the man to accept it for his true benefits so all persons should come to it and not challenge it by their wrong doings; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the third point to note is that he guided their attention that Allah takes care of the basic physical necessities of the mankind because he has provided all facilities to the man at his life at the world to get them all with little of efforts if they do not create troubles for each other; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fourth point is that he guided their attention that Allah restores the health of the man when he is afflicted by some sickness or by some wound or by some troublesome physical distress; it is common observation that the body heals itself of many afflictions with time and Abraham guided the attention of his people to this; Allah has provided an amazing immune system to the man and a beautiful manner of adjustment to physical distresses so if the man does trust that with total attention towards Allah, it would certainly save him from all physical troubles with due efforts unless the appointed time of his death has come for him; note that Abraham referred the cause of affliction to his own self and mentioned that Allah cures it so this is notable that Allah does not put any trouble to the mankind unless the man himself becomes foolish towards his own self; there are such influences around that may affect the physique of the man adversely if he does not take care to his necessary hygiene; Abraham phrased his statement in such way that the words do not seem any disrespect to Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fifth point is that he guided their attention that Allah would bring all persons to life at the certain day of HASHR when all of them would be dead; he said, “and He Who will cause me to die, then give me life” so with reference to his own self, he indicated to them that every person though he/she may have come at any time & at any place in the world, is answerable for his/her life at the world to Allah, the true Lord, at the Day of Judgment; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last point here is that he told them in dialogue with them, “and Who, I hope, will forgive me my mistake on the Day of Judgment”; this is very notable as here my mistake (“KHATIATI”) that he mentioned seems his stay in them in the hope that they might come to the right path so it took place just by his placement there as he took some time to leave them; note that he did not mention it as a sin but termed it as his mistake as such mistake of placement does not become sin unless some person accepts it practically and totally ignores TABLIGH for the Truth; although his response to their wrongs was not very late yet as one of the Messengers of Allah, he took care to take it as a mistake for which he asked Allah to show mercy; note also that before this dialogue, he had challenged their belief in the heavenly bodies (see the note at the ninth Ruku of Surah AN’AAM) and after this dialogue, he did try to demonstrate to them practically too how unable their idols are even to protect their own selves (see the note at the fifth Ruku of Surah ANBIYA) which led to his departure from UR, with his wife Sarah-AS and nephew Lot-AS; this tells that it is necessary for a righteous person to challenge the wrongs around to his utmost capability as he learns of it because without it, he would be mistaken that would lead him to sin except where he does ask Allah to show mercy on his mistake; Al-Hamdu Lillah; ahead in the Ruku, AAYAAT 83 to 89 narrate DUA of Abraham-AS to Allah which read, “my Lord- grant me wisdom (to judge the rightness in any given situation), and join me with the good (righteous persons); and ordain for me a goodly mention among posterity; and make me of the heirs of the garden (JANNAH) of bliss; and forgive my father, for surely he is of those who have gone astray -(note that later he left asking forgiveness for his father as he died on disbelief; see TAUBAH-114)-; and disgrace me not on the day when they are raised, the day on which property will not avail, nor sons, except him who comes to Allah with sincere heart (free from all evil)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran tells at places that the righteous persons would be most happy from the very time when they see JANNAH which they would be about to enter; and it would happen that as the wrong doers would be put into the hell-fire, they would blame each other for their extreme troubles; Allah tells about this at AAYAAT from 90 to 102 which read, “and (at the Day of HASHR) the garden (JANNAH) shall be brought near for those who guard (against evil); and the hell-fire shall be made manifest to the erring ones; and it shall be said to them- where are those that you used to worship, besides Allah?- can they help you or yet help themselves?- so they shall be thrown down into it, they and (all of) the erring ones and the hosts of the Satan, all of them; they shall say while they contend therein (blaming each other)- by Allah! we were certainly in manifest error, when we made you equal to the Lord of the worlds, and none but the guilty (i.e. from among their ancestors) led us astray; so we have no intercessors nor a true friend –(this would be the statement of such persons from among them who had thought that they would be saved by some intercessor for them or some friend that would stand for them at the Day of HASHR which proved wrong)-; but if we could but once return, we would be of the believers”; this is certain to happen that JANNAH would come closer to righteous persons who had always kept their hearts free from all evil, and the hell-fire would be shown to the wrong doers so that they see its fierceness then & there; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last two AAYAAT of the Ruku are the recurring AAYAAT at this Surah that guide attention of all persons, specially those who ask Allah to provide signs to believe, that in each of the narrated events here, there is a very clear sign to believe so they must come to the righteous belief before it is too late; these AAYAAT read, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; this certainly tells clearly that the disbelievers need to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam in the good time on, which Allah has provided them by His blessing or else, when the extreme disaster gets them, their repentance even will be totally useless; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Sixth Ruku
105. The people of NUH (Noah) rejected the apostles.
106. When their brother Noah said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
107. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
108. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
109. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds:
110. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me.
111. They said: Shall we believe in you while the meanest follow you?
112. He said: And what knowledge have I of what they do?
113. Their account is only with my Lord, if you could perceive
114. And I am not going to drive away the believers;
115. I am naught but a plain warner.
116. They said: If you desist not, O Noah, you shall most certainly be of those stoned to death.
117. He said: My Lord! Surely my people give me the lie!
118. Therefore judge Thou between me and them with a (just) judgment, and deliver me and those who are with me of the believers.
119. So We delivered him and those with him in the laden ark.
120. Then We drowned the rest afterwards
121. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
122. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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From this Ruku, the Surah narrates about the five significant Messengers of Allah which are Noah, HOODH, SALEH, Lot & SHOAIB (Salam on all Messengers of Allah) and this narration extends to the tenth Ruku; we have read about them in this very sequence at Surah AARAAF and Surah HOODH too; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these five Messengers that Allah has mentioned here had their dwelling places near to each other with difference of their periods at the world as Noah, HOODH and SALEH were before Abraham-AS while Lot was his nephew and SHOAIB was among his descendants who lived at about three hundred years after his time; it tells us how they gave their nations the message of Allah and how Allah punished their nations even at the world when they rejected that message; note that after sending any of the Messengers to some nation, Allah appoints such time where they would ultimately accept the fundamental Islamic teachings or face certain death; we all have studied at Surah AARAAF in its second Ruku about Adam & Eve which is explicit that the life at the world is an examination to the mankind so all persons must keep to the three fundamental teachings of Islam that all of Messengers of Allah have guided to; they all gave the same message that are TAUHID (Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord) and AKHIRAT (Allah would judge all peoples of the world at the Day of Judgment) and RISALAT (Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note that Al-FATIHA, the opening Surah of the Quran, guides to all these three fundamental teachings of Islam (see also the supplementary note at AAYAT-25 & 26 of Surah HOODH after the note at its third Ruku); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Surah i.e. SHUA’RAA, tells clearly that the message that all of these Messengers of Allah gave, has this repeatedly that “will you not guard (against evil)?- surely I am a faithful apostle to you; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds”; so all the Messengers did try their best to guide their nations as Allah has asked them; however, their nations did not comply and so Allah destroyed all of them completely at the world as their respective appointed times took place and they all certainly would be among the most severely punished peoples at AKHIRAT; note that the Messenger of Allah had to provide the message of Allah and it is not his liability to see that his people do accept it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also here that the Ruku opens by the statement that “the people of NUH (Noah) rejected the apostles” and this tells that to reject one apostle of Allah is to reject all of them as their message that is the message of Allah, is basically the same; this is the manner by which other Ruku ahead start too up-to the tenth which narrate about the apostles of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; so this explains the term “apostle” used in singular at AAYAT-16 of this Surah further where by the usage of the term in singular, the Quran has told in most clear terms that the message of all Messengers of Allah is basically the same; all of them do call all persons Allah has sent them to, towards the fundamental teachings of Islam (and Allah has sent His last Messenger Muhammad PBUH to all peoples of the world), for which they ask all persons to worship Allah only and obey His Messenger sent to them with complete belief in AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Noah-AS had told his nation who were idolaters that they must worship Allah only and if they do not take Him as the only One to worship, they would get the most severe punishment at the Day of Judgment (and even at the world); he did not ask them to obey the commands of Allah at first but he told them to obey him because he knew that as he guides them to the Truth then his obedience would cause them to obey the commands of Allah, once they accept Him as the only One to worship; Al-Hamdu Lillah; he told them that he does not need any returns from them on the Guidance to the right path that he is providing to them as Allah, the Lord of the worlds, would provide him his returns for it; he told them on their invalid argument (which was that only persons of low social status among them were following him), that he is not going to drive away any of the true believers because of their low social status as that status has no adverse consequence to their belief and certainly, that is of no concern to him as his task is to warn all persons that they shall not disobey Allah Who only is their true Lord; note that the disbelievers are so obsessed with the life at the world that they take the attainment of wealth and status among people as the criteria for the rightness of some person; though the error lied on their side, the nation of Noah took him as in clear error and told him in response to his TABLIGH that if he does not desist from it, they would stone him to death; when Allah told Noah-AS that further on, no more persons would accept the fundamental teachings of Islam, he asked Allah to punish them severely; note that he made this DUA against his nation after many centuries of calling them to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; Allah accepted this DUA and so the result of their rejection to him was that they all were drowned except for the believers with him at the ark; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last couple of AAYAAT at the Ruku, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Seventh Ruku
123. AAD gave the lie to the apostles.
124. When their brother HOODH said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
125. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
126. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
127. And I do not ask you any reward for it; surely my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds
128. Do you build on every height a monument? Vain is it that you do:
129. And you make strong fortresses that perhaps you may last forever
130. And when you lay hands (on men) you lay hands (like) tyrants;
131. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
132. And be careful of (your duty to) Him Who has given you abundance of what you know.
133. He has given you abundance of cattle and children
134. And gardens and fountains;
135. Surely I fear for you the chastisement of a grievous day
136. They said: It is the same to us whether you admonish or are not one of the admonishers
137. This is naught but a custom of the ancients;
138. And we are not going to be punished.
139. So they gave him the lie, then We destroyed them. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
140. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The second narrative of these Messengers presented here is of HOODH-AS; his nation was named as AAD and he gave them the same message as Noah had given to his nation; in addition, he told them not to do such things which show their preference to the life at the world but rather, they need to show gratitude to Allah; note that his nation lived in the area of curved sand-hills in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula and they were very strong in physique and had handsome height and looks; here, in Surah SHUA’RAA, the AAYAAT tell that HOODH-AS also provided his nation the righteous social manner to live at the world which read that he told his nation, "do you build on every height a monument?- vain is it that you do; and you make strong fortresses that perhaps you may last forever; and when you lay hands (on men) you lay hands (like) tyrants; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and be careful of (your duty to) Him Who has given you abundance of what you know; He has given you abundance of cattle and children; and gardens and fountains; surely I fear for you the chastisement of a grievous day” (AAYAAT-128 to 135); these have few most significant advices relating to the righteous practical manner of living and I, MSD, find that with all comments which have been written on them, they yet need due attention in these current times; note that the guidance that any of Messengers of Allah gave to his nation in addition to the fundamental teachings of Islam which the Quran has reported explicitly, has worth for us all (as they are directly related to the Truth) even at these current times except where the Quran itself has mentioned it as specific to that nation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; insha Allah, I would comment on this beautiful guidance that HOODH-AS provided to his nation in few necessary points ahead; the first point to note here is that it is highly wrong to make landmarks (and picnic spots) at every breezy place at height though some of them for the necessary need of pleasure caring about the Islamic commands are fine as the AAYAT here has the word “KUL” (every) and the word “TA’BATHUN” (vain is it that you do); the second point to note here is that to make such extensive fortresses, castles, buildings and any of very tall skyscrapers, is highly wrong even if they are termed necessary by unworthy reasons as the word used here is MASANE’ which applies to all of extensive buildings in width or height; we all must say this time & again at these current times most explicitly when some persons have developed this thought that they would make skyscrapers to impose their importance to the world; the third point is that in all matters related to life at the world, the Muslim person must show necessary respect to every man as the creation of Allah and not abuse the authority that Allah has given to him, in any manner; the AAYAT here forbids abuse of authority when the officials grab a person, even though responsible for any wrong, or/and when they grab some challengers to them, even though they are of enemy, as such persons get totally defenseless against them; they need proper official verdict for their doings to punish them rather than official abuse of authority in any manner as the acceptance certainly has to be “not guilty unless proven officially”; note that this abuse of authority was so prevalent at the ancient times that when ZELICHA had falsely blamed Yusuf-AS of an attempt to rape her, she had asked her husband (who held high official position in administration) to imprison him or to punish him by extreme physical torment (see Surah YOUSUF-25); so, even at Egypt that was considered a developed place of that time, this type of brutality of beating the weak persons of the land without any valid official verdict for it, prevailed; even after four hundred years of Yusuf-AS, Moses-AS had asked Allah to save him from the brutal clutches of the Egyptian officials, when he had accidentally killed an Egyptian person there (see Surah QASAS-21); this brutality, as a custom, still prevails all over the world (even though the physical things around us have developed much in the past century) and it is fair to say that the man truly has not yet developed; the AAYAT has the word JABBARIN (tyrants) which denotes their manner to deal with weak persons when they got hold of them and thus this directs to leniency in general, even to criminals except for the execution of the official due verdict that they receive in due time; the fourth point here is that HOODH tried to correct their attitudes about their manner of living socially where they fell against the Truth; their attitudes denoted preference of life at the world whereas the virtuous manner according to the fundamental teachings of Islam, is to live with the total preference of AKHIRAT over the life at the world; note that we have seen at the previous Ruku that Noah-AS did not give any concern to the low social status of those who believed in the Truth as it had no adversity to the true belief yet HOODH-AS challenged their attitudes by which they lived on socially as that were most adverse to the true belief in the fundamental teachings of Islam; so these are the most worthy points to note for all persons even at these current times and they must shape their attitudes according to it so that they live on in total compliance to Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; with all the guidance that HOODH-AS provided to his nation, it like the nation of Noah, took him as in grave folly and told him plainly that they would not listen to him and would not leave the manner to live which they have taken of their forefathers; they even said that they would not be punished and his speech is the manner of old where someone takes upon himself as bound to show the way; the outcome of their rejection to him was that they all were destroyed except for the believers with him; note that they had given their idols different names and had become such idolaters that they did not tolerate hearing anything against them; so they were punished by furious violent wind that stayed upon them for seven nights and eight days as the wrath of Allah upon them; Surah HAAQQAH says about this punishment that it was such “which Allah imposed on them for seven nights and eight days so that (O listener) you might have seen men lying overthrown, as they were hollow trunks of palm-trees” (HAAQQAH-7); the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Eighth Ruku
141. THAMUD gave the lie to the apostles
142. When their brother SALEH said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
143. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you
144. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me
145. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
146. Will you be left secure in what is here;
147. In gardens and fountains,
148. And cornfields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees?
149. And you hew houses out of the mountains exultingly;
150. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me;
151. And do not obey the bidding of the extravagant,
152. Who make mischief in the land and do not act aright.
153. They said: You are only of the deluded ones;
154. You are naught but a mortal like ourselves; so bring a sign if you are one of the truthful.
155. He said: This is a she-camel; she shall have her portion of water, and you have your portion of water on an appointed time;
156. And do not touch her with evil, lest the punishment of a grievous day should overtake you.
157. But they hamstrung her, then regretted;
158. So the punishment overtook them. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
159. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The third of the narratives here is of SALEH-AS whose nation was named as THAMUD; his nation too was polytheist and gave total preference to the life at the world so he gave them the same message as Noah & HOODH had given to their nations; those people were good at construction of buildings by carving and structuring and used to build mansions at plains and carved houses at the mounts; AAYAAT from 146 to 152 tell how SALEH guided them to the right path by telling them that Allah has given life to the man for his examination and He would try them certainly; they must believe in Allah truly and they must not prefer the life at the world but care for AKHIRAT where they have to account for all of their doings; they certainly need to be grateful to Allah, Who only is the true Lord, for all blessings that He has provided to them; he warned the common people that they certainly need to take care that the elite among them, who were averse to his virtuous teachings, do not misguide them to wrongs; these AAYAAT read, “will you be left secure in what is here, in gardens and fountains, and cornfields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees?- and you hew houses out of the mountains exultingly; so guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me; and do not obey the bidding of the extravagant, who make mischief in the land and do not act aright”; the disbelievers in THAMUD told SALEH-AS that before these teachings that he professes, they took him as one of the most intelligent persons but now they find him teaching to leave all their idols that even their ancestors used to worship; SALEH told them clearly that he is providing them the message of Allah in purity and they need to believe in it for their own safety at the world and at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; however, their ruling elite rejected his message outright and asked others too to reject it; it happened that some disbelievers in THAMUD asked SALEH for some sign to believe him to which Allah provided them a she-camel that showed-up miraculously coming from behind a huge rock, at one of the mounts there, that moved from its place and she was in the state of pregnancy; he told them that this is the she-camel that Allah has given for them as a sign that he is the Messenger of Allah to them; therefore they must leave her to pasture on Allah's earth and not touch her with evil, for then a near chastisement would overtake them; AAYAT-155 here (and Surah QAMAR-28 too) implies that Allah told him to tell his people that the water is to be divided between them and each one has the right to drink from the wells by turns at alternate days; but it happened that some of their youth planned to slay her and the Quran mentions the one who did slay her as the most wicked of them all (see Surah SHAMS-12); as the disbelievers in the people of SALEH stood by that most wicked character so he told all such persons that within three days, they would face the calamity (the terrible earthquake with the most dreadful scream of rumbling) that would hit them in their abode by the command of Allah and this is certain to happen; AAYAAT at Surah AARAAF for this narration read, “then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode; then SALEH turned away from them and said - O my people - I did certainly deliver to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice - but you do not love those who give good advice” (AARAAF-78 & 79); the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Ninth Ruku
160. The people of Lot gave the lie to the apostles.
161. When their brother Lot said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
162. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
163. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
164. And I do not ask you any reward for it; my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
165. What! do you come to the males from among the creatures
166. And leave what your Lord has created for you of your wives? Nay, you are a people exceeding limits.
167. They said: If you desist not, O Lot! you shall surely be of those who are expelled.
168. He said: Surely I am of those who utterly abhor your act;
169. My Lord! deliver me and my followers from what they do.
170. So We delivered him and his followers all,
171. Except an old woman, among those who remained behind.
172. Then We utterly destroyed the others.
173. And We rained down upon them a rain, and evil was the rain on those warned.
174. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
175. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The fourth of the narratives here is of Lot-AS who had been sent to the people living at Sodom and Gomorrah at south of the dead sea; they were extremely filthy persons who used to commit the heinous sin of sodomy among men; Lot, who actually did not belong to that nation but had been sent to them as the Messenger of Allah, tried his best to reform them of this heinous sin but to no avail; in fact, they intended to expel him from their city just because he challenged their filth as AAYAT-167 tells here; AAYAAT-80 to 84 at AARAAF tell the narrative, “and (We sent) Lot when he said to his people - what - do you commit an indecency which anyone in the world has not done before you?; most surely you come to males in lust besides females; nay you are an extravagant people; and the answer of his people was no other than that they said - turn them out of your town - surely they are people who seek to purify (themselves); so We delivered him and his followers, except his wife (which is mentioned here at AAYAT-171 as an old woman); she was of those who remained behind; and We rained upon them a rain (of stones, to eliminate them totally as AAYAAT-172 & 173 mention here); consider then what the end was of the guilty”; Allah had sent angels to punish this filthy people and these angels had visited Abraham-AS before coming to Lot-AS; at that occasion, they had even told Abraham the manner of the punishment to them as Surah ZAARIYAAT states, “they said - surely we are sent to guilty people that we may send down upon them stones of clay that are sent forth with markings from your Lord for the wanton people” (AAYAT-32, 33 & 34 of ZAARIYAAT); Allah tells that He saved the believers therein though there only was one house of the Muslims (that was of Lot-AS and even from there, his wife stayed among the punished people as she did not disapprove of their heinous crime) and so He made them lesson ahead that He would punish all such persons who commit any of major sins together (especially of the most shameful nature) even at the world most severely; the last couple of AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Tenth Ruku
176. The dwellers of the thicket gave the lie to the apostles.
177. When SHOAIB said to them: Will you not guard (against evil)?
178. Surely I am a faithful apostle to you;
179. So guard against (the punishment of) Allah and obey me:
180. And I do not ask you any reward for it, my reward is only with the Lord of the worlds;
181. Give a full measure and be not of those who diminish;
182. And weigh (things) with a right balance,
183. And do not wrong men of their things, and do not act corruptly in the earth, making mischief.
184. And guard against (the punishment of) Him Who created you and the former nations.
185. They said: You are only of those deluded;
186. And you are naught but a mortal like ourselves, and we know you to be certainly of the liars.
187. Therefore cause a portion of the heaven to come down upon us, if you are one of the truthful.
188. He said: My Lord knows best what you do.
189. But they called him a liar, so the punishment of the day of covering overtook them; surely it was the punishment of a grievous day.
190. Most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe.
191. And most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.
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The period of SHOAIB-AS is between Abraham-AS and Moses-AS and he also guided his nation to the Truth at Madyan, that is also named as ASHABUL-AYKAH (the dwellers of the thicket); he also additionally hit the wrongs in their living manner that challenged the fundamental teachings of Islam just as other of Messengers had challenged such wrongs among their respective peoples; they were polytheists following the wrong path of their ancestors and they also gave their total preference to the life at the world and did not care to obey the commands of Allah; they did not have any concern for rights of their fellow-beings and tried to gain more worldly profits by trying to give lesser returns to the amounts of the buyer; they mismanaged their measures and weights just to get these unfair profits and this narration that the Quran tells us, implies that this extreme wrong attitude leads to FASAD at the place which means that it becomes most difficult to live upon the Islamic teachings at such place; note that if a person abuses his authority without any care to the commands of Allah at any level where he is at the business of life, he makes the living on the Islamic teachings difficult by his attitude at that level; SHOAIB-AS as the Messenger of Allah to his people, also provided them the true guidance according to the command of Allah yet there are couple of things in this Ruku that need some address; first is that SHOAIB was sent to Madyan and we find here that he was sent to ASHABUL-AYKAH and the second is that the narratives of other four Messengers of Allah tell them as the brother to their respective nations yet his narrative does not relate him to his people by this term; note here that these both matters are interrelated as the people of Madyan were living extensively at that area, mainly at Madyan proper yet also at its adjacent area to TABUK where the largest pocket of them was at some specific thicket that are named as ASHABUL-AYKAH; they all were related to business activities and had similar ills in them which SHOAIB addressed head-on; he was not termed as their brother (though the Quran has called him the brother to the people of Madyan proper at HOODH-84 and at ANKABUT-36), as his dwelling place was Madyan proper which also was the center of his guidance to the fundamental teachings of Islam; note that Allah eliminated the people of Madyan proper by a deadly rumbling earthquake as He had destroyed the people of SALEH on their disbelief in Him whereas He eliminated ASHABUL-AYKAH by the dark cloud that covered them and put lightening onto them, probably within a short period after the Madyan proper was destroyed due to their disbelief; AAYAAT from 181 to 184 tells about his additional teachings to his nation, “give a full measure and be not of those who diminish; and weigh (things) with a right balance; and do not wrong men of their things, and do not act corruptly (in this manner) in the earth, making mischief (as that causes high trouble in practice of Islamic teachings in the ordinary business of life); and guard against (the punishment of) Him Who created you and the former nations”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it confused the persons at his nation that they have to care for the commands of Allah even to get the material profits they make at market, as they took the belief as something that relates to the concepts of the individual at the spiritual level with no impression at material things at the collective living of persons who live in huge number together; note here that the Islamic teachings challenge the concept of secularism head-on whereas the statement of the disbelievers in the nation of SHOAIB, is mentioned at the eighth Ruku of Surah HOODH that “they said- O SHOAIB- does your SALAH enjoin you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do what we please with regard to our property?; you are undoubtedly the forbearing, the right-directing one” (HOODH-87); note that they did credit SHOAIB as one of the most intelligent persons among them (just as the people of SALEH took him as one of the most intelligent persons); however, they questioned his intelligence where he asked them to leave their idols and worship Allah only and with that, also care for the righteous moral values at their dealings at market; they did not accept his message to believe in Allah truly and did not accept his message to take His guidance in principle in all issues of life practically so ultimately, their disbelief led to their destruction; Al-Hamdu Lillah; they had asked SHOAIB to cause the portion of the heaven to come down upon them so AAYAT-189 tells, “but they called him a liar, so the punishment of the day of covering (of a dark cloud) overtook them; surely it was the punishment of a grievous day”; the Quran gives the message most explicitly that those who challenge Allah would certainly see their destruction in high number even at the world; the last two AAYAAT at this Ruku too, state explicitly, “most surely there is a sign in this, but most of them do not believe; and most surely your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
SHUA’RAA-The Last Ruku
192. And most surely this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
193. The Faithful Spirit has descended with it,
194. Upon your heart that you maybe among warners
195. In plain Arabic language.
196. And most surely the same is in the scriptures of the ancients.
197. Is it not a sign to them that the learned men of the Israelites know it?
198. And if we had revealed it to any of the foreigners
199. So that he should have recited it to them, they would not have believed therein.
200. Thus have We caused it to enter into the hearts of the guilty.
201. They will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment.
202. And it shall come to them all of a sudden, while they shall not perceive;
203. Then they will say: Shall we be respited?
204. What! do they still seek to hasten on Our punishment?
205. Have you then considered if We let them enjoy themselves for years,
206. Then there comes to them that with which they are threatened,
207. That which they were made to enjoy, shall not avail them?
208. And We did not destroy any town but it had (its) warners,
209. To remind, and We are never unjust.
210. And the SHAYATIN (followers of the Satan among the JINN) have not come down with it.
211. And it behooves them not, and they have not the power to do (it).
212. Most surely they are far removed from the hearing of it.
213. So call not upon another god with Allah, lest you be of those who are punished.
214. And warn your nearest relations,
215. And be kind to him who follows you of the believers.
216. But if they disobey you, then say: Surely I am clear of what you do.
217. And rely on the Mighty, the Merciful,
218. Who sees you when you stand up.
219. And your turning over and over among those who prostrate themselves before Allah.
220. Surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.
221. Shall I inform you (of him) upon whom the SHAYATIN descend?
222. They descend upon every lying, sinful one,
223. They pour hearsay vanities, and most of them are liars.
224. And as to the poets, those who go astray follow them.
225. Do you not see that they wander about bewildered in every valley?
226. And that they say that which they do not do,
227. Except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act oppressively shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back.
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This Ruku, that comprises of 36 AAYAAT, is one of the longest Ruku in the Quran by AAYAAT in it, though the longest among all is the second Ruku of the thirty-seventh Surah i.e. SAAFFAAT (which also descended at Makkah, at the seventh year) as it has 53 AAYAAT in it; note that the fifth Ruku too, of this Surah SHUA’RAA, has 36 AAYAT in it and note also that there are 558 Ruku in the Holy Book Quran whereas there are 7 MANAZIL in it; there are 6236 AAYAAT in it though with the addition of the AAYAT “BISM-Allah”, which has a permanent placement in it, that comes to the total of 6237; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Ruku tells about the Holy Book Quran- that it has been sent by Allah, the true Lord, but there are such wrong persons who would never believe in it, even if they see that it certainly is sent by Allah, until they see their punishment most clearly as their hearts lean towards the criminal attitude (AAYAAT 192 to 209) and that the Prophet PBUH shall go on providing its teachings to all persons, which are the most virtuous teachings that Allah has sent to him with utmost protection, so that all persons see the Truth to accept it, and he shall care for the believers by asking total mercy from Allah, the true Lord, for them (AAYAAT 210 to 220); the last part of it tells that the Quran is totally safe from all such wrong persons who are affected by SHAYATIN (the satanic persons among the jinn) and who are given to their thoughts that are averse to Islam, which totally makes clear that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah who is totally free of all such wrongs, has safely received the Holy Book Quran in text and meaning from Allah, the true Lord, with utmost protection from all satanic impression (AAYAAT 221 to the last); Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT 192 to 209 read, “and most surely this is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds; RUHUL-AMIN Gabriel-AS (i.e. the Faithful Spirit) has descended with it, upon your heart (O Muhammad PBUH) that you may be among the warning persons; (it is) in plain Arabic language; and most surely the same (good teaching) is in the scriptures of the ancients (i.e. in Torah and the holy scriptures that Allah provided to the mankind before it through His Messengers); is it not a sign to them that the learned men of the Israelites know it (though they take what they find easy in the commands of Allah to practice and leave others)? and if we had revealed it to any of the foreigners (i.e. not an Arab), so that he should have recited it to them, they (still) would not have believed therein; thus have We caused it (i.e. the disbelief) to enter into the hearts of the guilty (that are in the disbelievers that) they will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment (even at the world); and it shall come to them all of a sudden (as is the manner of Allah to send His punishment to the extreme disbelievers), while they shall not perceive; then they will say- shall we be respited? What (after hearing that they would be defenseless then)! do they still seek to hasten on Our punishment? have you then considered if We let them enjoy themselves for years, then there comes to them that with which they are threatened (i.e. the extreme punishment), that which they were made to enjoy (that is the enjoyment of life at the world for many years), shall not avail them (therefore no one should forget that he/she is going through an examination in the world)? and We did not destroy any town but it had (its) warning persons to remind (as Allah does not send His punishment unless the disbelievers see the Truth clearly and then reject it, as we have studied at this Surah too), and We are never unjust”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT 210 to 220 read, “and the SHAYATIN (followers of the Satan among the JINN) have not come down with it (so it certainly has descended on Muhammad PBUH as Allah sent it to him); and it behooves them not, and they have not the power to do so; most surely they are far removed from the hearing of it (see the note at the second Ruku of Surah HIJR); so call not upon another god with Allah (but worship Allah only, the true Lord, as you O Muhammad PBUH have always done) lest you be of those who are punished, and warn your nearest relations (at Makkah), and be kind to him who follows you of the believers (from among them); but if they disobey you, then say- surely I am clear of what you do (because you O Muhammad PBUH have the liability to provide the Truth to all persons but you do not have to see that they come to Islam); and rely on the Mighty, the Merciful (so He would provide punishment to those who disbelieve in Him, by His true authority and He would care for those who believe in Him truly), Who sees you when you stand up (at Salah at nights); and your turning over and over among those (true Muslims) who prostrate themselves before Allah (at Salah at nights, to guide them more to Islam); surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing (Who keeps the respective records of all persons that they would see at AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note about the command of Allah -“and warn your nearest relations”- to Muhammad PBUH, His last Messenger to all of mankind, that he had to start spreading the teachings of Islam by the rule “AL-AQRAB-FAL-AQRAB” (first the nearer among all persons then to the next among them and so on), beginning from his household and then expanding it to all peoples of the world; this is the manner to seek necessarily, in providing monetary amounts too to the needy among the people; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last part of it tells that the Quran is totally safe from all such wrong persons who are affected by SHAYATIN (the satanic persons among the JINN) and who are given to their thoughts that are averse to Islam, which totally makes clear that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah who is totally free of all such wrongs, has safely received the Holy Book Quran in text and meaning from Allah, the true Lord, with utmost protection from all satanic impression; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it tells that there are two types of wrong persons that are affected by Satan so one of them are extreme liars that have become most sinful (who may try to alter the text of the Quran) and the other of them are poets given to unworthy futile thoughts (who may try to adversely affect the meaning of the Quran) but both of these are totally unable to make any change to the Quran; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it happens that SHAYATIN blow those words that they had stolen by hearing the speech of angels (and they even add words to what they had heard) at the insides of extreme liars because these SHAYATIN too are the most extreme liars; as for such poets who are given to unworthy futile thoughts, their followers are those who go off the right path and these poets do not focus on righteousness but say different things in their poetic verses that even fall against each other; their utmost wrong is that even if they happen to say something right in their poetic verses, they do not follow it practically; however, the last AAYAT of the Ruku, that also is the last AAYAT of the Surah, gives them space when they do have some necessary good qualities in them; it reads, “except those who believe and do good and remember Allah much and defend themselves after they are oppressed; and they who act oppressively shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back”; this AAYAT specifies that by four of good traits, the person who says poetic verses is not included in those who adversely affect the teachings of the Quran, though he shall have these all traits simultaneously; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the good poet who is an exception, shall be the believer in the Truth, he shall practice the commands of Allah in life, he shall remember Allah at all occasions reciting His praise at all times much and he shall readily defend the true Muslims by his poetry from all such persons who try to spread rumors about them, to give them a bad name and put blame on them to pave way for an unjust attitude towards them; the last AAYAT tells most clearly at the last of it that even if the poetic verses of the good poet who is an exception, do not affect the oppressors to care for justice towards the true Muslims, he does not need to worry as “they who act oppressively shall know (soon enough) to what final place of turning (at the hell-fire), they shall turn back (at AKHIRAT)”; certainly all praise is for Allah, the true Lord, Who has all the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
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Surah NAML
(Consists of 7 Ruku; MK-5)
NAML-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN! These are the verses of the Quran and the Book that makes (things) clear
2. A guidance and good news for the believers,
3. Who keep up Salah and pay the poor-rate, and of AKHIRAT, they are sure.
4. As to those who do not believe in AKHIRAT, We have surely made their deeds fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on.
5. These are they who shall have an evil punishment, and at AKHIRAT, they shall be the greatest losers.
6. And most surely you are made to receive the Quran from the Wise, the Knowing.
7. When Musa said to his family: Surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you there-from a burning firebrand so that you may warm yourselves.
8. So when he came to it a voice was uttered saying: Blessed is Whoever is in the fire and whatever is about it; and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds;
9. O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise;
10. And cast down your staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating and did not return: O Musa! fear not; surely the apostles shall not fear in My presence;
11. Neither he who has been unjust, then he does good instead after evil, for surely I am the Forgiving, the Merciful:
12. And enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it shall come forth white without evil; among nine signs to Pharaoh and his people, surely they are a transgressing people.
13. So when Our clear signs came to them, they said: This is clear enchantment.
14. And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief-makers.
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Surah NAML also descended the same year as Surah SHUA’RAA just after it and it tells about those Prophets of Allah who had received miracles from Allah, to bring their respective peoples to the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it responds to the demand of disbelievers for miracles, that they need to see the signs at AAFAAQ (the environment that is around them) and at their own selves (their attitudes at times) so that they tell them about Allah as these are the AAYAAT (signs, indications, miracles, revelations, evidences), that have the capability to guide them to the right path; Al-Hamdu Lillah; it has the subtle message that even miracles benefit those only who are most prepared to accept the Truth when it manifests to them; the first Ruku states about the good traits of the true Muslims and also gives the account of Moses-AS how Allah appointed him as His Messenger and how he provided the Truth at the Pharaoh’s court with the presentation of the miracles that he had received from Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT from the first to the sixth state, “TA SIN! these are the verses of the Quran and the Book (LAUHE-MAFUZ) that makes (things) clear; a guidance and good news for the believers, who keep up Salah and pay the poor-rate, and of AKHIRAT, they are sure; as to those who do not believe in AKHIRAT, We have surely made their deeds fair-seeming to them, but they blindly wander on (without giving any care that they would have to face their respective accounts of deeds for certain at the certain day of HASHR, the first day of AKHIRAT); these are they who shall have an evil punishment, and at AKHIRAT, they shall be the greatest losers; and most surely you are made to receive the Quran from (Allah, Who is) the Wise (so He is taking the world on towards the destination He intends), the Knowing (so He records all good deeds of all good Muslims that they would certainly see at AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-7 to AAYAT-14, the Ruku narrates how Allah appointed Moses-AS as His Messenger and how he provided the Truth at the Pharaoh’s court with presentation of the miracles that he had received from Allah, the true Lord; note that Moses-AS had married at Madyan where he had arrived to save himself from the unjust law of Egyptians when he had accidentally killed an Egyptian; his father-in-law has asked him to serve their household for eight years, and better still for ten years, so that he marries his daughter to him; Moses accepted the deal and served him for ten years at the place; he might have stayed for few more years at Madyan by his own intention but the Quran has kept silence on that; then, he took his family and intended for some other place to reside when on the route, he saw some light as fire at the side of the Mount TOOR; those were cold nights and he told his family that he had seen some fire so they would wait as he brings some authentic news of the way and better still, some brand of fire that they might be able to get warmth for themselves; Surah NAML states at AAYAT-7, “when Musa said to his family- surely I see fire; I will bring to you from it some news, or I will bring to you there-from a burning firebrand (SHIHABEN-QABASEN) so that you may warm yourselves”; note that the next Surah, that is Surah QASAS, presents this same statement of Moses at AAYAT-29 but for the firebrand, it has the term “JAZWATEM-MINAN-NAAR” which in essence means the same; this tells that at translation of some words to other language, the Quran permits some space to the translator whereas the meaning remains similar in essence, though its translation would not be termed as the Quran; it also happens that the Quran relates an event at one place and then provides some more detail to the same at another place which does explain it; and it also happens that it focuses on that aspect of an event at a place which is related to the concerned issue at that place; Al-Hamdu Lillah; now, when Moses got nearer to that site, he found that some bush is burning and he heard the voice of Allah, the true Lord, that “blessed is Whoever is in the fire (i.e. the show of Allah’s authority that He showed at the bush and He only knows truly how He affected it) and whatever is about it (i.e. the angels and also Moses-AS); and glory be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds; O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Mighty, the Wise”; note that the bondage of time & place does not apply to Allah and Moses heard His voice which addressed him, from all sides; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there he got the two significant signs from Allah that his staff changed to the huge serpent as he put it down and became his staff as he picked it up and when he put his hand inside his bosom and pulled it out, it lighted without any affliction; when at first, he saw the staff changing into a serpent, he became afraid and ran back fearfully; Allah called him and said not to fear as He is appointing him as His Messenger and His Messengers need not fear anything as He always keeps watch on them after He appoints them to some people that there befalls no adversity to them; Allah told him to draw his hand near to him if he fears anything so that would soothe him; with these signs, Allah sent him to Pharaoh and his people and on his request, his brother Aaron was also appointed as one of the Prophets with him (as Moses had the issue of stuttering in speech); Allah told him that Pharaoh and his people would be unable to harm any of them even though he had accidentally killed one of their men; he had done good to repent that act at that very time and had asked mercy from Allah, which He had granted to him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran tells clearly that the Pharaoh and his people did not believe in the message of Allah that Moses and Aaron brought to them, though they did have the notion inside them that this certainly is the Truth, yet they rather mocked him; and the two amazing miracles that he showed them, they took it as plain magic and rejected the message; note that there were nine of signs that Allah showed Pharaoh and his people through Moses-AS yet they did not accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; besides his staff that changed to the huge serpent and the shining hand, there were (iii) draughts (shortage of crops), (iv) diminution of fruits (this also means lesser returns to efforts) (v) TOOFAAN (hail-storm), (vi) locusts, (vii) lice, (viii) frogs and (ix) blood; see also the supplementary note after the fifteenth Ruku of AARAAF that presents the life of Moses briefly but comprehensively; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah drowned Pharaoh and his men who were following Moses-AS and the Bani-Israel whereas they all reached to safety by the will of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Second Ruku
15. And certainly We gave knowledge to DAWUD-AS and Suleiman-AS, and they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has made us to excel many of His believing servants.
16. And Suleiman was DAWUD’s heir, and he said: O men! we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given all things; most surely this is manifest grace.
17. And his hosts of the jinn and the men and the birds were gathered to him, and they were formed into groups.
18. Until when they came to the valley of the NAML (Ants), a NAMLITE said: O NAML! enter your houses, (that) Suleiman (Solomon) and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know.
19. So he smiled, wondering at her word, and said: My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.
20. And he reviewed the birds, then said: How is it I see not the hoopoe or is it that he is of the absentees?
21. I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment, or slaughter him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea.
22. And he tarried not long, then said: I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba.
23. Surely I found a woman ruling over them, and she has been given abundance and she has a mighty throne:
24. I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go aright
25. That they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal:
26. Allah, there is no god but He: He is the Lord of the mighty throne.
27. He said- we will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars:
28. Take this my letter and put it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return.
29. She said: O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me
30. Surely it is from Suleiman, and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;
31. Saying: exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission.
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This Ruku and the Ruku ahead, narrate a few events related to Suleiman-AS (i.e. Solomon); he was the son of DAWUD-AS (i.e. David) and they both were Kings of the Israelites, with all necessary things to benefit from, at their disposal keeping to the commands of Allah; their period is from about 1100 BC that comes to about three hundred years after Moses-AS; Suleiman was the heir to David, and they both were among the wisest persons of the Bani-Israel for which they praised Allah all the time much; in addition to being king of Israelites, Allah had also provided Suleiman the rule over jinn and over birds, the language of whom he understood well; Allah had also made the wind subservient to him that it took him to places far-away just in a morning or just in an evening which normally took a month of travel to reach at those times; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah tells at Surah SABA, “and (We made) the wind (subservient) to Suleiman, which made a month's journey in the morning and a month's journey in the evening, and We made a fountain of molten copper to flow out for him, and of the jinn there were those who worked before him by the command of his Lord; and whoever turned aside from Our command from among them, We made him taste of the punishment of burning” (Surah SABA-12); Al-Hamdu Lillah; here at Surah NAML, we learn that once, when Suleiman was passing through a valley of ants with his army (and intended to land nearby), which included not only men but also many of jinn and many of birds, one of ants warned her fellow-ants that they shall take shelter fast as not to be crushed by the army of Suleiman; AAYAT-18 reads,” until when they came to the valley of the NAML (Ants), a NAMLITE said: O NAML! enter your houses, (that) SULAIMAN and his hosts may not crush you while they do not know”; this tells that even ants (especially these ancient ants which probably were much higher in size to which we find them today) do have an understanding when something from above may pounce on them while the army of Suleiman had plenty of birds in them and their diet mainly included insects in it; we find here that they do have their own system of communication by which they send messages to each other, especially when there is threat to life nearby, whereas the army of Suleiman was still far from the area when the ant realized that they are heading towards it; note that it was a female ant that warned her mates and we have read at Surah NAHL (which means honey-bee) that it is the female in bees that work industriously to make its hive and the honey so we do find that the female in insects have more agility than the male in them; as the Surah does not mention that Suleiman had heard the speech of the ant directly (because Allah had provided him the ability to understand the speech of birds only that we learned by AAYAT-16 and though ants sometimes do develop little wings yet they are not taken in birds) so it happened that Allah made him aware of this communication among ants and learning that, he was most pleased and showed his extreme gratitude humbly to Him for this most impressive status that even ants did care for; he asked Allah to keep him always into the most righteous persons by giving him TOFIQ for good deeds all his life, as Allah only has the true authority; note that this same Surah NAML has that “and when the Word (QIYAMAT i.e. the last day of the world) falls upon them (i.e. comes near to them), we would bring out an animal out of earth that would talk to them, as people did not believe truly our indications” (Surah NAML-82); it is said in commentaries related to the Quran that this animal would appear in Makkah near the end of the world and Hadith has explicitly mentioned it; the Quran tells amazing occurrences at different places that are mostly related to birds but there are such occurrences that it states even for animals specially reptiles, insects and even fish that present the fact that Allah is Able to provide his directions well even by these of His creation too; Al-Hamdu Lillah; may Allah save all true Muslims from giving-in to satanic whims and keep them always on the right path; Al-Hamdu Lillah; at this occasion, when he landed with his army at a site inside or near to the valley of ants, Suleiman-AS took attendance of birds in his army personnel and found that HUD-HUD (the hoopoe) in them was missing; note that the hoopoe, as we find today, has pinkish to cinnamon body with a notable crest which is usually held flat; its legs are strong and so it walks and runs swiftly as it searches for worms & insects to eat, probing the ground with its curved bill; though primarily a ground-bird, this beautiful bird does roost in trees and flies efficiently; the female lays about 6 eggs normally yet sometimes as many as 12, in some safe hole in a tree or in a wall; its male bird feeds his mate while she incubates the clutch for about 18 days; note also that the hoopoe which is mentioned in these AAYAAT, was probably much larger than the size in which we find it today (which is near to a foot) and probably even larger than of those as were found at those days; Suleiman got angry on this breach of discipline of hoopoe, that he had left them without his permission, and said in clear words, “I will most certainly punish him with a severe punishment (probably he meant that he would punish the bird by taking feather of his wings off), or slaughter him, or he shall bring to me a clear plea (as the person at management of affairs shall certainly care to the valid excuse of something done out of way, by any of staff)”; only some of time had passed then, when the hoopoe returned as the bird is very swift in flying, and he had some significant information that he presented to Suleiman in most beautiful manner certainly; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the bird told him as the AAYAAT state, “I comprehend that which you (O king Suleiman) do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba (which is a place in Yemen); surely, I found a woman (the queen of Sheba) ruling over them, and she has been given abundance (of assets of the world) and she has a mighty throne; I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Satan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them (that they do not reflect on their extreme wrong-doing) and thus turned them from the way (while they think that they are righteous), so they do not go aright; that they do not make obeisance to Allah, Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal; Allah- there is no god but He- He is the Lord of the (true) mighty throne”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are some significant things to note in this beautiful speech which insha-Allah I, MSD, would presently note here; the first thing to note is that this speech comes from a bird, that is most observant, yet it certainly is guidance to righteousness; the second thing is that the bird spoke boldly to Suleiman, “I comprehend that which you do not comprehend and I have brought to you a sure information from Sheba”; we have read at the beginning of the Ruku that Suleiman was the heir to David, and Allah gave both of them the knowledge of the Truth and so they both were among the wisest persons of the Bani-Israel for which they praised Allah all the time much; the notable thing is that there is significant difference between the knowledge that rises to wisdom, and the news that relates to some worldly issues; the hoopoe meant that he had the news about Sheba and that did not challenge the beautiful knowledge that Suleiman had of the Truth in any way certainly; the third thing is that the bird noted that it is a woman that rules Sheba so that denotes that men were expected to rule some place and not women, in general; the fourth thing is that the bird said, “the queen of Sheba has been given abundance” by which he meant that she had been given everything necessary from the worldly assets, especially to rule the land of which she was the empress; when KULLA-SHAYEN (everything) comes for Allah, it does mean everything i.e. all of His creation but for others, it means all assets that is necessary for them from the world by total convenience; the fifth thing that the bird told about those people in his speech was that they worshipped the sun instead of Allah and added that the Satan had made their deeds fair-seeming to them; this tells that even birds are totally aware that only Allah is the true Lord to whom all of the creation must show their total respect; additionally, the hoopoe was most fortunate to have the company of the Prophet Suleiman-AS; we have read at the first AAYAT of the Quran that is “Al-Hamdu Lillah RABBEL-AALAMIN” which means “all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds”; He only is the true Lord of all, so He asks for total obedience from all of His creation, that is most sincere; Al-Hamdu Lillah (all praise certainly is for Allah); the sixth thing is that the bird mentioned in his speech that “Allah brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you hide and what you reveal”; he praised Allah for the blessings that all persons see most clearly yet they are especially appealing to birds; note that he meant that Allah sends angels down from the heavens and waters of rains down that is hidden in clouds, towards the earth that makes the trees beautiful and He brings forth crops through it and even insects, that are hidden inside the earth from which all, specially birds, do benefit; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last thing is that the bird stated in his speech that, “Allah- there is no god but He- He is the Lord of the mighty throne”; so he corrected himself by expressing explicitly that the true mighty throne is certainly of Allah, the true Lord, Who has all true authority over all His creation; Al-Hamdu Lillah; though Suleiman-AS trusted the hoopoe yet he told him that he would still verify his statement for which he gave him a letter addressed to the queen and asked him to see what conversation she has with the prominent persons at her court as she receives the letter; it is an interesting fact that birds (especially pigeons) had been taking letters from the ancient times, to the set destination where they were tamed and thus communicated well among persons; this hoopoe was clever enough to take it directly to the queen without any suspicion of them that he is able to observe their gestures getting to what they signify; note that Suleiman had asked the hoopoe to “see” how they respond so he threw the letter into her lap while she probably was seated at her court and perched somewhere near, to observe their gestures; now, as the queen read it, she immediately presented its contents to all prominent persons at her court; she did not question the contents so it is most evident that Sheba fell well inside the ruling area of Suleiman and the empress knew this that he has all the right to ask her and her people there to commit to the Islamic manner of living; his letter implied that if they did not comply to his command, they would face certain trouble; the last AAYAAT of the Ruku (from 27 to 31) read, “He said (to the hoopoe)- we will see whether you have told the truth or whether you are of the liars; take this my letter and put it over to them, then turn away from them and see what (answer) they return; she (the queen) said (as she received the letter)- O chief! surely an honorable letter has been delivered to me, surely it is from Suleiman and surely it is in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, saying- exalt not yourselves against me and come to me in submission”; note that she spoke about the letter that it is honorable and cared to state that Suleiman has begun it by the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (as He only is the true Lord), and not by his own name; note also that “BISM-Allah AR-RAHMAN-ER-RAHIM” (by the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful) has a permanent placement in the Holy Book Quran which is read at the start of each Surah (except for Surah TAUBAH) and this is the only place where it had occurred inside the text; AR-RAHMAN and AR-RAHIM both are the names of Allah that show His attribute that He is Most Merciful though AR-RAHMAN tells that He has so much mercy that to understand its height is impossible and that is why He gives ample space to all peoples at the world to come to the fundamental teachings of Islam; and AR-RAHIM tells that He provides continuous mercy to all those only among all peoples at the world who do accept His message of Islam and that is why He would care only for these sincere believers at AKHIRAT, where He would put disbelievers at the hell-fire; Al-Hamdu Lillah; another notable thing is that Suleiman had written, “exalt not yourselves against me (because he ruled the area and they were rebels in technical terms) and come to me in submission (as he was the Messenger of Allah who had to see that all persons get the message of Islam and accept the fundamental teachings of Islam but if they reject it after getting it clearly, he would certainly challenge them and end their power); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the outcome to this letter was that the queen sent some most valuable gift to Suleiman to see if he is sincere to his cause or would settle for some valuable amounts leaving them on their own as she did not intend to go to war with his force but intended to settle the matter by a mutual pact of some sort; insha-Allah, we all would study this at the Ruku that comes ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Third Ruku
32. She said: O chiefs! give me advice respecting my affair: I never decide an affair until you are in my presence.
33. They said: We are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess, and the command is yours, therefore see what you will command.
34. She said: Surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low, and thus they (always) do;
35. And surely I am going to send a present to them, and shall wait to see what (answer) do the apostles bring back.
36. So when he came to Suleiman, he said: What! will you help me with wealth? But what Allah has given me is better than what He has given you. Nay, you are exultant because of your present;
37. Go back to them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in disgrace and they shall be in a state of ignominy.
38. He said: O chiefs! which of you can bring to me her throne before they come to me in submission?
39. One audacious among the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (and) trusty for it.
40. One who had the knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye. Then when he saw it settled beside him, he said: This is of the grace of my Lord that He may try me whether I am grateful or ungrateful; and whoever is grateful, he is grateful only for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful, then surely my Lord is Self-sufficient, Honored.
41. He said: Alter her throne for her, we will see whether she follows the right way or is of those who do not go aright.
42. So when she came, it was said: Is your throne like this? She said: It is as it were the same, and we were given the knowledge before it, and we were submissive.
43. And what she worshipped besides Allah prevented her, surely she was of disbelieving people.
44. It was said to her: Enter the palace; but when she saw it she deemed it to be a great expanse of water, and bared her legs. He said: Surely it is a palace made smooth with glass. She said: My Lord! surely I have been unjust to myself, and I submit with Suleiman to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
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The Ruku continues the narration ahead that the queen at that occasion asked the prominent persons at her court to advise her on the matter to which they assured her that whatever would be her decision, they would comply to it; however, they noted for her that they are possessors of strength and possessors of mighty prowess so it was an indication that they would prefer to take-up a war against the force of Suleiman; the queen did not intend to take any fight against his force, so she wisely commented, “surely the kings, when they enter a town, ruin it and make the noblest of its people to be low (to break the morale of the people there so that none of them tries to rebel against their rule), and thus they (always) do” -(NAML-34); this denotes her awareness to the natural tendency of the man which he generally shows at the occasion of conquest upon enemy; note in this context, that when Moses had told the good old man whom he had met at Madyan (after he fled from Egypt) about his plight, he had soothed him that he is out of troubles with him insha-Allah; at that occasion, one of her daughters had told her father, “O my father! employ him, surely the best of those that you can employ is the strong man (QAVI i.e. capable to do the job), the trustworthy (AMIN i.e. honest to fulfill his liability)” -(QASAS-26); this denotes her sharp observation about Moses; note also in this context, that the Quran relates the words of ZELIKHA at Surah YOUSUF-52 (when she confessed to her wrong accusation of Joseph) which tell her observation that “Allah does not guide the device of the betrayers”; this denotes her understanding of something that certainly is true when betrayal is against some righteous person; she also, like the queen of Sheba (who had blamed the self of hers for the deception she practiced against Suleiman as we would study ahead), had blamed the self of hers for the wrong she had committed against Joseph-AS; so all these three women had awareness to the characteristics of the man, in their own respective manner; this also is notable that they provided their respective intelligent comments when provoked by their focus to three of Messengers of Allah who respectively were Suleiman, Moses and Joseph (Salam on all Messengers of Allah); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the queen of Sheba sent some most valuable present to Suleiman to see whether his concern is for the assets of the world or does he really care to improve them spiritually; though he would have rejected the present anyhow when it was intended to make him leave his task of bringing them to the Truth, yet by what the hoopoe had conveyed to him, he had gathered that the queen wants to know more about his character so he played on her fear and told the envoys, “go back to them, so we will most certainly come to them with hosts which they shall have no power to oppose, and we will most certainly expel them therefrom in disgrace and they shall be in a state of ignominy”; he knew that now she would visit him herself to solve the matter in the soft manner by mutual talks as he was aware that the queen does not intend to challenge him at the battleground; however, he did want to be sure about it and the other thing that he wanted, was to examine her intelligence more to see if she has the insight of interpreting signs provided to her; due to this, he enquired the prominent persons at his court if anyone might bring her throne to him before she comes to him; at this enquiry, one of the jinn, who was amazingly strong & audacious, responded, “I will bring it to you before you rise up from your place; and most surely I am strong (capable to do the job, and) trusty for it”; note that the jinn mentioned the same two qualities for himself which the daughter of the good old man had presented for Moses-AS, that he is capable to do the job of bringing the throne and he is so trustworthy that he would bring it directly to him for sure; so the Holy Book Quran tells about the person who provides his service for some task or is chosen to that, he must have two necessary attributes that is he would be QAVI (capable to perform his task well) and AMIN (honest to perform his task well); Al-Hamdu Lillah; when the jinn had offered his service, someone from the men there, who had the knowledge of the book (and Allah knows better about this man & the knowledge that he had of the book), said to Suleiman that he would bring him the throne in the twinkling of an eye and just as he said it, it manifested at the court; when Suleiman saw it settled beside him, he praised Allah and acknowledged that He has tried him whether he is grateful or ungrateful when he has such amazing persons around him at his service; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note here that the term JINN comes from combination of letters in Arabic that are used basically for something hidden; jinn are stronger than the human beings but angels, who are even stronger than jinn physically, protect human beings by the command of Allah so that jinn do not attack them by their physical power; however, the man, when he has the knowledge of the Truth well and practices the commands of Allah, is better placed than the jinn as Allah has provided him spiritual supremacy over the jinn; Al-Hamdu Lillah; when the throne of the queen came to Suleiman, he commanded some of men at his service to change some of its looks without altering it beyond recognition basically; now, as the queen reached the place and was welcomed there, she was asked about her throne as she saw it; that query to her was to see if she does accept that her throne could be brought in such short time to this place without any resistance from her armed personnel and without her knowledge of such feat; and it also was to make her realize that if Suleiman-AS intended to get precious worldly assets from her, he could have done it by force available to him but he does not have attachment to worldly assets that she had offered him; she wisely answered that “it was just like that” so as not to embarrass Suleiman, without answering wrongly; she had given respect to his letter too when she had received it so it seems that remaining harmonious to issues around for the sake of peace, was one of her traits; at this occasion, the queen of Sheba said that she and her people had submitted to Allah as they have received the knowledge leading to the Truth even before she has seen this amazing feat which tells that Suleiman-AS has the capability to bring her throne to his court within a short time without any trouble; however, she was making a bluff as the Quran tells clearly, “And what she worshipped besides Allah, prevented her; surely she was of disbelieving people”; Suleiman saw through her deception but he cared for her harmonious nature and her intelligence to see issues at hand (some of commentaries have mentioned that later-on Suleiman even honored her by marrying her); so he chose to convey his recognition of her deception by providing her a sign for it; he put a clear fine glass over a pool of clear water which came at the way to the royal palace to where he asked her to accompany him; as it needed to tread on that delicate fine glass he had made on the way and she thought that she is going to tread on the water that actually was under it, she pulled her cloth up; so Suleiman told her that this palace made with beautiful glass, has this pool of water covered with a delicate fine glass upon it and with that, he directed her well without any speech that as this glass is barrier to the clear water beneath, she also has some reservation in accepting the true belief so without causing her any embarrassment, he guided her to realize that he has detected her deception; she read this sign beautifully that Suleiman had made to her by this path of glass and this time without any deception, accepted Islam truly by heart clarifying that it is just like the acceptance of Suleiman for sure; note that the Holy Book Quran sets a standard for judgment of the true belief that it must be in accordance with the belief of persons well known in righteousness (see Surah-BAQARAH-137; Surah NISA-115; even the magicians who contested Moses, clarified when they accepted the Truth that they have accepted it like Aaron and Moses as TAHA-70 denotes); so the Queen of Sheba accepted the Truth by the same standard relating her acceptance to the acceptance of Suleiman-AS but she noted here that she would vouch for her own true belief without giving any comments to her nation whether they would accept the Truth or not; note that she had told the chiefs at her court, “I never decide an affair until you are in my presence”, yet she decided this most crucial affair as it concerned her individual security at AKHIRAT and she did not take even a little time to accept the fundamental teachings of Islam; certainly, haste in the worldly matter is not appreciable by Islam but haste in matters of AKHIRAT is highly appreciable as the Quran points out to us, “Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for garden whose width is that of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous; those are who spend, whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon men, for Allah loves those who do good” (AALE-IMRAN-133 & 134); Al-Hamdu Lillah; note also that an important mode of expression in the Holy Book Quran is when it refers to something twice or even more, then at such places, there is some delicate difference; in the narration of creation of Adam in Surah BAQARAH, we find that Allah gave Adam & Eve the command to descend to earth twice, first before He granted mercy to Adam & Eve and second after His mercy; so the character of this same command is different as at first, it was given as punishment while at second, it was given to examine human-beings whether they really deserve JANNAH i.e. the garden of Paradise or not (see Surah Baqarah-35 to 39); the seventh Ruku at Surah ANFAAL mentions that the disbelievers (hypocrites) are much like the Pharaoh (of the oppression) and his people who disbelieved the AAYAAT of Allah and so Allah punished them severely due to their disbelief so this implies that even that Pharaoh (whose wife Hatshepsut had saved Moses at his birth) and his near relatives knew about the fundamental teachings of Islam; just after this, the Ruku at ANFAAL mentions the Pharaoh and his people again so here the mention relates to the Pharaoh of the Exodus; this is notable that it relates this too that they were drowned though it does not tell this specific punishment at AAYAT-52 of the Ruku that narrates about the Pharaoh of the oppression; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the Quran has stated both the statements of the queen about her belief whereas the second statement that she pronounced to mention her belief was most valid though she did try to deceive Suleiman-AS at first; we find that Allah certainly guides those who do want Guidance to the right path and miracles even, benefit those persons only who are much prepared to accept the Truth as it manifests to them, by the will of Allah; certainly, He only is the true Lord; certainly, He only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Fourth Ruku
45. And certainly We sent to THAMUD their brother SALEH, saying: Serve Allah; and lo! they became two sects quarrelling with each other.
46. He said: O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil before the good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah so that you may be dealt with mercifully?
47. They said: We have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you. He said: The cause of your evil fortune is with Allah; nay, you are a people who are tried.
48. And there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and did not act aright.
49. They said: Swear to each other by Allah that we will certainly make a sudden attack on him and his family by night, then we will say to his heir: We did not witness the destruction of his family, and we are most surely truthful.
50. And they planned a plan, and We planned a plan while they perceived not.
51. See, then, how was the end of their plan that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).
52. So those are their houses fallen down because they were unjust, most surely there is a sign in this for a people who know.
53. And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil).
54. And (We sent) Lot, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see?
55. What! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women? Nay, you are a people who act ignorantly.
56. But the answer of his people was no other except that they said: Turn out Lot's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure!
57. But We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind.
58. And We rained on them a rain, and evil was the rain of those who had been warned.
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After the narration of events related to Suleiman-AS, this Ruku at Surah NAML tells about Saleh-AS and Lot-AS; Allah sent Saleh to the nation of THAMUD who used to live at the southeastern part of Madyan (this location was placed at the east of the Gulf of Al-AQABAH) and due to their extreme wrongs, met their destruction by the most deadly earthquake and they all were dead at their homes laying prostrate; Allah had provided a she-camel to the nation of Saleh when they asked for a miracle, which they killed without any care to his guidance that they shall never give any trouble to it; the Ruku begins by the statement that Saleh told his nation to believe truly in Allah by acceptance that He only is the true Lord and they need to obey His commands only; though the elite among them did not accept his guidance yet many of ordinary men accepted it; this difference of belief caused much friction among those people as substantial number of persons accepted Saleh and that resulted in their division into two sects that did quarrel with each other; the elite among them blamed Saleh for it and even asked him to bring the disaster that he promises them if they reject the guidance that he is providing them; Saleh told them all, “O my people! why do you seek to hasten on the evil (i.e. the punishment) before the good (i.e. the acceptance of the Truth)? -why do you not ask forgiveness of Allah (on your wrong-doings) so that you may be dealt with mercifully? they said- we have met with ill luck on account of you and on account of those with you (they meant that they were quarreling among themselves as they are divided into two sects, because of his guidance); he said- the cause of your evil fortune is with Allah (as He has set the life at the world as an examination for all peoples indeed); nay, you are a people who are tried (so he implied that either they accept the Truth or either they face certain death by most extreme punishment even at the world)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there were nine mischievous persons in THAMUD, who were always ready to give trouble to persons around, who planned to kill Saleh with his family at night and decided that they would do it together in such manner that if any of his heirs tried to put any blame on them, they would lie that they do not know anything about it so they would save their tribes from any trouble that they would have to face, due to this act; this council of theirs took place after one of them had killed the she-camel brutally but before they could execute their plan, Allah brought His punishment to all of THAMUD as we have read at Surah AARAAF, “then the earthquake overtook them, so they became motionless bodies in their abode; then Saleh turned away from them and said - O my people - I did certainly deliver to you the message of my Lord, and I gave you good advice - but you do not love those who give good advice”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; read also the note at the tenth Ruku of AARAAF; after this, the Ruku tells about Lot-AS who had been sent to the people living at Sodom and Gomorrah at south of the dead sea; they were extremely filthy persons who used to commit the heinous sin of sodomy among men; Lot who actually did not belong to that nation but had been sent to them as the Messenger of Allah, tried his best to reform them of this heinous sin but to no avail; in fact, they intended to expel him from their city just because he challenged their filth; from AAYAT-54 to the last of Ruku, Allah tells “and (We sent) Lot, when he said to his people: What! do you commit indecency while you see (the filth of it most clearly)? -what! do you indeed approach men lustfully rather than women (whom Allah has created in such manner that they may fulfill this need of men becoming wives to them)? -nay, you are a people who act ignorantly (by surrender to extreme perverted lustful feeling); but the answer of his people was no other except that they said -turn out Lot's followers from your town; surely they are a people who would keep pure (so they would make disturbance all the time by their righteous TABLIGH)! -but We delivered him and his followers except his wife; We ordained her to be of those who remained behind; and We rained on them a rain (of stones), and evil was the rain of those who had been warned”; note that angels came at Sodom & Gomorrah and as a miracle of Lot-AS, even the people saw them though they were unaware that they are angels; they were punished by extreme chastisement that shower of stones fell upon them that caused a painful death to all that nation but Allah saved Lot and all those who had accepted the fundamental teachings of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Fifth Ruku
59. Say: Praise be to Allah and peace on His servants whom He has chosen: is Allah better, or what they associate (with Him)?
60. Nay, He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sent down for you water from the cloud (SAMAA i.e. the nearby heaven); then We cause to grow thereby beautiful gardens; it is not possible for you that you should make the trees thereof to grow. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! they are people who deviate.
61. Or, Who made the earth a resting place, and made in it rivers, and raised on it mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier. Is there a god with Allah? Nay! most of them do not know!
62. Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He makes you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Little is it that you mind!
63. Or, Who guides you in utter darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as good news before His mercy. Is there a god with Allah? Most high is Allah above what they associate (with Him).
64. Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful.
65. Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised.
66. Nay, their knowledge respecting the hereafter is slight; nay, they are in doubt about it; nay, they are quite blind to it.
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At this Ruku at NAML, Allah tells Muhammad PBUH, His last Messenger, to ask disbelievers to give attention to most obvious things which prove that Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that Allah does not address disbelievers directly at the world so the only AAYAT (i.e. AAYAT-7 of TAHREEM) where Allah addresses disbelievers directly, tells the matter at AKHIRAT and not at their life at the world; it reads, “O you who disbelieve! do not urge excuses today; you shall be rewarded only according to what you did (at the world)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first AAYAT of the Ruku tells him to ask disbelievers that all praise belongs to Him and peace be on all His Messengers who guided their peoples to TAUHID so disbelievers have to see whether Allah is better Who cares to provide the Guidance to the right path to all persons for their safety at the world and at AKHIRAT, or those whom they associate with Him, who do not have any power to make things better for them in any way; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next AAYAT tells him to ask them to observe how Allah has provided for the sustenance of the man that he lives with convenience due to the rainwater that is the most pure water for drinking & for general usage and by which, He has provided the man with edible fruits, crops and plants; it was totally impossible for the mankind to transform the seeds into trees but Allah has created the heaven and the earth in such manner that everything works to bring it to trees and edible items of different shapes, colors and tastes (that even are beautiful to see) for the benefit of the mankind so disbelievers have to see if there could be any of the creation of Allah who may challenge Him Who cares to provide such edibles to all persons for their sustenance, but they still choose to deviate from the right path; the third AAYAT tells him to ask them to observe how beautifully Allah has created the earth as the place for the mankind to live with convenience, in which He has provided rivers to irrigate fields of fruits, crops & trees and has made mountains upon it to provide it solid stability and He placed barrier between two seas to distinguish them from each other; so disbelievers have to see if there could be any of the creation of Allah who may challenge Him Who cares to provide such safe manner to all persons to live at the earth and travel through it with ease, but most of them do not know; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fourth AAYAT of the Ruku tells him to ask them, ”Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He makes you successors in the earth”; Surah AN’AAM-40 & 41 read that, “say -tell me if the chastisement of Allah should overtake you (O disbelievers) or the hour should come upon you, will you call (on others) besides Allah, if you are truthful? -nay, Him you call upon, so He clears away that for which you pray if He pleases and you forget what you set up (with Him)”; so the disbelievers must observe their attitude when some calamity falls upon them; at that crucial time, they would call Allah only as they know that their idols are totally unable to help them and besides Allah, there is nobody who has any control on anything; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that IKRIMAH, the son of ABU-JAHL, accepted Islam truly by heart as he saw at the fierce storm that his ship faced during the voyage at sea when he was running away from Makkah; he observed that everyone was calling Allah for safety and they all had forgotten those that they took as His equals in authority; that affected him most positively and he realized the Truth then & there; he returned and had the honor to accept Islam at the hands of Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah; some people do need a storm in life to realize their true benefit and that even is the blessing of Allah Who brings out light even from darkness; Allah gave him TOFIQ (chance for improvement due to acceptance of Islam) to fight the worse enemies of Islam then, so Allah is the only one Who relieves a man from extreme stress when he puts himself at such condition where he does not find any outlet for his relief; so “the distressed one” at the AAYAT means such person who is unable to find any way out physically when he finds himself into most troublesome situation by his own doing and with that, it also denotes such person who does not have any mentionable good deeds by which he may ask Allah for any improvement of issues at his inside; with all wrongs of man, Allah still is taking the world ahead to the destination He has assigned for it, even by the doings of the man and certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the fifth AAYAT of the Ruku, that is AAYAT-63 of the Surah, tells him to ask them Who guides them in utter darkness of land when they travel at it or at sea when they have taken a voyage to somewhere; note that the earth has mounts and protruding shapes at different places that serve as signposts of different sorts at those places providing the awareness to the traveler where he actually is and how far he has to travel to reach his destination; at the sea, they take guidance by stars at nights, and by how the Sun manifests at the heaven at the daylight; the twelfth Ruku of Surah AN’AAM tell that if a person considers the creation around him with observation, he would see that they manifest many of Islamic teachings by different aspects (specially TAUHID as there is order in their working and no clash with each other); if he considers his own self with observation, he would see that it manifests many of Islamic teachings (specially AKHIRAT) as he would see that many people are living on at the world and many have gone to graves so life is going towards some destination as the spirit of the person does not die; if he observes the rainwater, he would see that it brings forth from the earth different fruits and flowers that are similar to and vary with each other; just as they bloom out of the earth amazingly by the rain so the dead would rise from their graves and that would be the Day of Judgment; this fifth AAYAT of the Ruku also tells him to ask them Who sends the good winds as good news before the rainwater that He sends from the heaven so that all persons may prepare for it to benefit from it in different ways and not get troubled by it; the sixth AAYAT, that is AAYAT-64 of the Surah, tells him to ask them, “Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth”; certainly, Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last two AAYAAT of the Ruku guide towards belief in TAUHID and towards belief in AKHIRAT respectively respecting the first AAYAT of the Ruku; they read, “say- no one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah (as He only has the true authority so no one of His creation that the disbelievers associate with Him, are able to challenge Him in any manner); and they (who are dead amongst those whom the disbelievers associate with Him) do not know when they shall be raised; nay, their knowledge (i.e. the knowledge of many disbelievers) respecting AKHIRAT is slight; nay, (as for other of them) they are in doubt about it; nay (as for still other of them), they are quite blind to it (so all three groups of disbelievers are oblivious to AKHIRAT by this reason or that, whereas every person needs to care that he has to answer for all his deeds that he did at the world, at the day of HASHR i.e. the Day of Judgment, the first day of AKHIRAT)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Sixth Ruku
67. And those who disbelieve say: What! when we have become dust and our fathers (too), shall we certainly be brought forth?
68. We have certainly been promised this, we and our fathers before; these are naught but stories of the ancients
69. Say: Travel in the earth, then see how was the end of the guilty.
70. And grieve not for them and be not distressed because of what they plan.
71. And they say: When will this threat come to pass, if you are truthful?
72. Say: Maybe there may have drawn near to you somewhat of that which you seek to hasten on.
73. And surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men, but most of them are not grateful.
74. And most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
75. And there is nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book.
76. Surely this Quran declares to the children of Israel most of what they differ in.
77. And most surely it is a guidance and a mercy for the believers.
78. Surely your Lord will judge between them by His judgment, and He is the Mighty, the Knowing.
79. Therefore rely on Allah; surely you are on the clear truth.
80. Surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call when they go back retreating.
81. Nor can you be a guide to the blind out of their error; you cannot make to hear (any one) except those who believe in Our AAYAAT, so they submit.
82. And when the word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature from the earth that shall speak to them, because people did not believe in Our AAYAAT.
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This Ruku starts by the statement of disbelievers which tells their denial of AKHIRAT that when they and their forefathers become dust, they would not be brought to life again; they took the significant teaching of Islam about AKHIRAT as talks only which the ancient teachers told peoples to assert their importance and other than that, it has no consequence; this expresses their total ignorance to things that they are unable to perceive by their five physical senses so whatever is hidden to them, they take it as nonexistent; the Quran tells Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, to clarify to them that even their senses are extremely faulty as they need to travel to places where they would find that Allah destroyed those nations completely which challenged the fundamental teachings of Islam so only the Truth kept firm; AAYAAT ask him not to worry over disbelievers and over whatever they plan to harm the teachings of Islam because his liability is to provide those teachings to them most clearly (and not to necessarily bring them to Islam) and because other of Messengers of Allah had also faced denial to their good teachings, the teachings of Islam; the disbelievers also questioned the Prophet PBUH about the timing of punishment that would get them, as their trust on their physical senses led them to the conclusion that whatever the people before them faced, they are immune to any extreme disaster or they would handle it whenever it came upon them; with their limited sight that only leads to delusion, they thought that when nothing extremely destructive has happened to them for number of decades while they presently have such power to manage any such thing that might get to them, they are invincible; the Quran tells him to clarify to them that if they stick to their wrongs, they certainly would be destroyed and some of that destruction might be touching them even at present; AAYAAT-73, 74 & 75 at the Ruku state, “and surely your Lord is the Lord of grace to men (that He gives ample time to all peoples to accept the Truth and eliminates the impression of such people who would only challenge it and would not accept it), but most of them are not grateful (even upon this time provided to them and the beautiful setup of events that Allah has provided by His will); and most surely your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest (so whatever plans they have to harm the Truth or to safeguard themselves, Allah knows them all and they surely would be totally unable to prevent any destruction that Allah puts on them at the time He has set for it); and there is nothing concealed in the heaven and the earth but it is in a clear book (so if they do deserve the destruction due to their extreme disbelief, they surely would get it as the written time for it, falls upon them)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT ahead mentions the Bani-Israel separately due to their belief in AKHIRAT, which tell that the Quran gives the righteous guidance in many of matters (that especially relate to AKHIRAT) also to the Bani-Israel (and this includes even the Christians here) in which they differ with the true Muslims; so whereas it is guidance to all persons, it is the most specific blessing to the true Muslims; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah would certainly judge between all of them by His judgment (at the Day of Judgment) and He is AZIZ so He does not let any wrong remain at the world by His true authority and He is ALEEM so He knows all respective doings of every person, for which He would judge all persons at the Day of Judgment; note that few names of Allah that denote His attributes, are not disallowed to use for some person too and AZIZ, that actually is one of the names of Allah, is included in such names; however, this has to remain clear that attributes of Allah are QADEEM (they are from always to always), ASL (they are of His Own, not achieved from anyone) and LA-MEHDUD (they all are limitless) whereas the qualities of any man are formed for him, given for him and set in limits for him by Allah, the true Lord; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Surah TAUBAH-128 reads, “now has come unto you Messenger from amongst yourselves- it grieves him that you should perish- ardently anxious is he over you- to the believers, he is most kind (RA’UF) and merciful (RAHIM)”; note that both RA’UF and RAHIM are actually the names of Allah and both denote His attributes; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-79 tells the Prophet PBUH to remain most firm, with total trust upon Allah, on the task of spreading the teachings of Islam as he most certainly is on the right path of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-80 & 81 tell the Prophet PBUH that if they do not accept Islam, it is not due to his inadequacy in any way but they are like dead persons whom no person is able to deliver any message; note that the Quran tells clearly that the dead persons do not hear anything and though this comes to clarify that the disbelievers have become most oblivious to hearing of anything yet the mention of similarity itself tells that the dead persons do not hear anything addressed to them; AAYAT-65 of this Surah also implies this as it reads, “say- no one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah (as He only has the true authority so no one of His creation that the disbelievers associate with Him, are able to challenge Him in any manner); and they (who are dead amongst those whom the disbelievers associate with Him) do not know when they shall be raised”; the Holy Book Quran says in Surah FAATIR, “neither are the living and the dead alike; surely Allah makes whom He pleases hear, and you cannot make those hear who are in the graves” (FAATIR-22); at another place, the Holy Book Quran points out, “and who is in greater error than he who calls besides Allah upon those that will not answer him till the day of resurrection and they are heedless of their call?” (AHQAAF-5); although these AAYAAT have been taken to mean that the persons who do not take the guidance when they are called towards it are like dead persons who do not hear and so do not answer yet this in itself denotes that dead persons do not hear and the simple manner to take issues is always the best; however, please note that there is general acceptance that the Prophet (PBUH) does hear the Salaam addressed to him at his grave while the Salaam that is given by heart to him with some voice at some place away from him is taken-up by angels and conveyed to him; this proves that Allah has allowed him to hear the Salaam presented to him by the UMMAH but that is specific permission for him and that also about Salaam only that is conveyed to him; the important point to note is this that AAYAT-22 of Surah FAATIR of the Holy Book Quran tells very clearly that if the person who has departed from the world does hear anything from here, it is because Allah wants him to hear that and no living person makes anyone that has passed away hear anything from his side by his own efforts; the Prophet (PBUH) did address the dead persons yet it is possible that being the Messenger of Allah, he knew that they would hear him by the permission of Allah; as for us, we all must refrain from addressing the dead as if they are hearing as we do not know the will of Allah though we must pray Allah for their mercy; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that even for the SHAHEED (who give their lives for the cause of Islam), who live at somewhere just as they achieve SHAHADAH (and it might even be some place at JANNAH), the ruling for hearing our voice would remain the same that even they do not get it, as their lives are at the plane that we do not understand; it is mentioned in the Holy Book Quran, “and say not of those who are killed in the way of Allah that ‘they are dead‘; nay, they are living, but you perceive not”; (Surah Baqarah-154); Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-80 & 81 read, “surely you do not make the dead to hear, and you do not make the deaf to hear the call (especially) when they go back retreating; nor can you be a guide to the blind (who has decided to remain ignorant to the Truth by heart) out of their error; you cannot make to hear (any one) except those who (are most ready at heart to) believe in Our AAYAAT, so they submit”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT of the Ruku states, “and when the word shall come to pass against them, We shall bring forth for them a creature from the earth that shall speak to them, because people did not believe in Our AAYAAT”; this specifically tells the disbelievers that if they need a manifest sign for believing in AKHIRAT, those of them who would be living much near to the last day of the world would see that too without any chance to recompense; note that if they accept Islam at that time, it would not benefit them as it would be among the most final signs of the last day of the world; it would be some creature coming from the depths of earth that would speak to the mankind with total ease, no matter how strange they think this is; Tirmidhi, one the esteemed books on Ahadith, reports at the book of FITAN (extreme trying times near the last day of the world i.e. QIYAMAT) that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “by Him Who has my life in His grasp, the Last Hour (QIYAMAT) will not come before the beasts speak to men and before the tip of his whip and the thong of his sandal speak to man and his thigh informs him what his family members have been doing since he had left them”; the beasts, though mentioned in plural, actually refers to the beast mentioned here in the AAYAT; by other Ahadith, we know that this amazing beast would come forth at Makkah extremely nearer to QAYAMAT; note that we Muslims do not take this beast as an indication of Antichrist that we call DAJJAL (the greatest imposter) but we take this mentioned beast in the literal sense; about other things that are narrated here in the Hadith about the speech of lifeless things, this plainly seems to me an indication of the scientific gadgets that give us messages about all our surroundings and tell us about our family members wherever we are; the whip, the sandal or the cloth at thigh might be an indication that we would be able to put these wonder gadgets anywhere (especially at thigh); note that the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed about signs and future events near to QAYAMAT in terms that could be understood better in those ancient times though now we live in strange times and it seems that such Ahadith point out much of today’s matters as no doubt, this time is much nearer to QAYAMAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
NAML-The Last Ruku
83. And on the day when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our AAYAAT, then they shall be set in array.
84. Until when they come, He will say: Did you reject My AAYAAT while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did?
85. And the word shall come to pass against them because they were unjust, so they shall not speak.
86. Do they not consider that We have made the night that they may rest therein, and the day to give light? Most surely there are signs in this for the people who believe.
87. And on the day when the trumpet shall be blown, then those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall come to Him abased.
88. And you see the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away as the passing away of the cloud- the handiwork of Allah Who has made everything thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do.
89. Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day.
90. And whoever brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?
91. I am commanded only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of those who submit;
92. And that I should recite the Quran; so whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, then say: I am only one of the warning persons.
93. And say: Praise be to Allah; He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do.
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The last Ruku of Surah NAML tells explicitly that the Day of Judgment is certain to come and the world would surely come to an end; the last three AAYAAT conclude by telling the Prophet PBUH that he shall remain firm upon the Islamic teachings and shall go on providing its teachings to all peoples of the world by the Quran; he shall convey to all that he only has to provide the Islamic teachings to them by the Quran yet he does not have the liability to see that they come to Islam necessarily; whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, its evil would fall upon him only, as at AKHIRAT, everyone has to account for his deeds individually; Allah would certainly show His signs near to QAYAMAT (one of them being the creature coming out of earth) and then, the disbelievers would surely see that the last day of the world is very near to them; He is not unaware of the deeds that the disbelievers commit at the world, so He certainly would give them the chastisement that they truly deserve, at the Day of Judgment; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first three AAYAAT of the Ruku state, “and on the day (of Judgment) when We will gather from every nation a party from among those who rejected Our AAYAAT, then they shall be set in array; until when they come, He will say- did you reject My AAYAAT while you had no comprehensive knowledge of them? Or what was it that you did? (this means that Allah would ask them the reason for their disbelief as He had provided them the Guidance to the right path and had given them everything for their sustenance at the world), and the word shall come to pass against them (that they would see the returns to their evil deeds without any chance to recompense) because they were unjust, so they shall not speak (as they would have no valid answer)”; so the AAYAT at the beginning states that at the Day of Judgment, Allah would take out a host of extreme disbelievers from each of nations, then these disbelievers would be arranged by their ranks due to the intensity of their disbelief; it seems that such disbelievers who were most averse to the fundamental teachings of Islam at the world, would be set aside there; their deeds, even those that seemingly are good, would become useless so there would be no balance set to weigh those, to account for them and they would most certainly, get their extreme chastisement at AKHIRAT; AAYAAT at the last Ruku of Surah KAHF state; “say- shall We inform you of the greatest losers in (their) deeds? (these are) they whose labor is lost in this world's life and they think that they are well versed in skill of the work of hands (i.e. in their deeds for AKHIRAT); these are they who disbelieve in the AAYAAT of their Lord and His meeting, so their deeds become null, and therefore We will not set up a balance for them on the day of resurrection; thus it is that their recompense is hell, because they disbelieved and held My AAYAAT and My apostles in mockery” (KAHF-103 to 106); however, with all said, the final statement certainly is that Allah knows better; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-86, 87 & 88 ahead tell about life at the world and about end of the world; they read, “do they not consider that We have made the night that they may rest therein, and the day to give light? (so this provides an evidence that as the times here at earth are most favorable to the safety of life and as the places here at earth are most favorable to the safety of life, then this all is set by Allah, the true Lord, for some purpose which is that He is examining all persons whether they deserve Jannah or not); most surely there are signs in this for the people who believe (as waking from the sleep of the night shows that awareness returns after the state of oblivion); and on the day when the (first) trumpet shall be blown (to end the life at the world), then those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please, and all shall come to Him abased (remaining totally humble to Him); and you see the mountains, you think them to be solid, and they shall pass away (at the end of the world) as the passing away of the cloud (this, Surah QARI’AH-4 & 5 state too that it would be “the day on which men shall be as scattered moths and the mountains shall be as loosened wool”)- the handiwork of Allah Who has made everything thoroughly; surely He is Aware of what you do (so He certainly would bring the end to the world and then at the day of HASHR i.e. the first day of AKHIRAT, He certainly would present all persons their respective documents of deeds, who had come at the world at any place and at any time)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next couple of AAYAAT state that every person at AKHIRAT would receive the returns to his/her good deeds even better while the returns of his/her evil deeds would lead him/her to the hell-fire; these AAYAAT read, “whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day; and whoever brings evil, these shall be thrown down on their faces into the fire; shall you be rewarded (for) aught except what you did?”; note that AAYAT-87 relates that at QIYAMAT (the last day of the world), “those who are in the heavens and those who are in the earth shall be terrified except such as Allah please“ but for YAUMUL-QIYAMAT (the Day of Judgment i.e. the first day of AKHIRAT), AAYAT-89 declares, “whoever brings good, he shall have better than it; and they shall be secure from terror on the day”; so at QIYAMAT, Allah would provide security from being terrified, to all those only who remained most highly committed to the Islamic teachings but at the Day of HASHR, He would provide security to all of good persons who totally deserve to enter Jannah (the gardens of Paradise); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last three AAYAAT conclude the Surah by telling the Prophet PBUH that he shall remain firm upon the Islamic teachings, that are the most sacred teachings which Allah is providing to him at the most sacred city of Makkah, and he shall go on providing its teachings to all peoples of the world by the Holy Book Quran; he shall convey to all peoples of the world that he only has to provide the Islamic teachings to them by the Quran, the Word of Allah, yet he does not have the liability to see that they come to Islam necessarily because whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, its evil would fall upon him only; Allah would show His signs near to QAYAMAT; then, the disbelievers would surely see that the last day of the world is very near to them; He knows all of their deeds completely and so they would certainly get their certain punishment that they deserve, at the Day of Judgment; these AAYAAT read, “I am commanded only that I should serve the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred, and His are all things; and I am commanded that I should be of those who submit; and that I should recite the Quran; so whoever goes aright, he goes aright for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, then say- I am only one of the warning persons; and say- praise be to Allah; He will show you His signs so that you shall recognize them; nor is your Lord heedless of what you do”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
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Surah QASAS
(Consists of 9 Ruku; MK-5)
QASAS-The First Ruku
1. TA SIN MIM.
2. These are the verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.
3. We recite to you from the account of Musa and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe.
4. Surely Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischief-makers.
5. And We desired to bestow favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams, and to make them the heirs,
6. And to grant them power in the land, and to make Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts see from them what they feared.
7. And We revealed to Musa's mother, saying: Give him suck, then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve; surely We will bring him back to you and make him one of the apostles.
8. And Pharaoh’s family took him up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken.
9. And Pharaoh’s wife said: A refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive.
10. And the heart of Musa's mother became void (worried); she would have almost disclosed it, had We not strengthened her heart so that she might be of the believers.
11. And she said to his sister: Follow him up. So she watched him from a distance while they did not perceive,
12. And We ordained that he refused to suck any foster mother before, so she said: Shall I point out to you the people of a house who will take care of him for you, and they will be benevolent to him?
13. So We gave him back to his mother that her eye might be refreshed, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true, but most of them do not know.
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Surah QASAS also descended the same year (i.e. MK-5) like Surah SHUA’RAA and Surah NAML, after them; like Surah SHUA’RAA, Surah QASAS also starts with TA SIN MIM that are among MUQATTA’AAT (i.e. the 14 disjointed letters that are among the Arabic alphabets which come at the commencement of 29 Surah in specific combinations) and all these Surah that begin with them, have reference to the Holy Book Quran after them except for Surah-29 (i.e. ANKABUT) and Surah-30 (i.e. ROUM); read also my writing “Expressions of the Quran” to get more awareness to the MUQATTA’AAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from the first Ruku to the fourth, this Surah narrates about Moses-AS as Allah tells in its third AAYAT, “We recite to you from the account of Musa and Pharaoh with truth for people who believe”; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; and the Surah gives the message that status at world, authority at world over high number of people and abundance of wealth here is not the standard for success but the true success is to get Jannah at AKHIRAT so all persons must avoid giving preference to the life at the world over that true life, which is the asking of SABR (patience); it is the will of Allah only, which reigns ultimately at all times and at all places, Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT at this Ruku present the situation of the Bani-Israel at the birth of Moses-AS that it was the time of trial for the Bani-Israel as the Pharaoh Thutmose-II, the weak Pharaoh, had ordered to kill all the male children born that year at Bani-Israel so as to reduce their large population, due to his fear that they do not challenge the Egyptians in the long-run; and so at the birth of Moses, his mother put him in some crib as Allah had commanded her and put him with measures that the crib floats on the water of Nile (and it was the wife of Pharaoh i.e. Hatshepsut, known as AASEIAH in the literature of Muslims, who had saved Moses-AS when he was floating at the waters in his crib); these AAYAAT read, “surely Pharaoh exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischief-makers (as when a person uses his authority only to trouble all persons around, he certainly is among the mischief-makers); and We desired to bestow favor upon those who were deemed weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (to lead people to the Truth), and to make them the heirs (of many of assets of the world), and to grant them power in the land (by providing them the management of their affairs by their own), and to make Pharaoh and Haman (his advisor) and their hosts (his chief associates) see from them what they feared (i.e. the challenge to their authority over the Bani-Israel)”; note that Haman was one of the prominent advisors of the Pharaoh of oppression and he was present at the court of the Pharaoh of exodus too in some official status, whom Moses had given the message of Islam by the command of Allah; AAYAT-38 of this Surah states that Pharaoh of exodus had asked Haman to kindle a fire for him and bake bricks at it and then prepare a lofty building so that he obtains knowledge of Whom Musa worships; though it was idiocy of Pharaoh to ask such thing to Haman yet it shows that Haman had lived to a ripe age and had witnessed Moses as he had presented the message of Islam at the Pharaoh’s court; AAYAAT from the seventh to the ninth of the Ruku continue the narrative where Allah tells, “and We revealed to Musa's mother, saying- give him suck, then when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear nor grieve; surely We will bring him back to you and make him one of the apostles; and Pharaoh’s family took him up that he might be an enemy and a grief for them; surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken (as they nourished Moses who was to become utmost grief to them); and Pharaoh’s wife said- a refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there are three notable things in these three AAYAAT respectively; at the first of these AAYAAT, Allah declares that He “revealed” to Musa’s mother to remain untroubled if she has any fear in respect to the safety of her son Moses so even though she was an ordinary person yet Allah declares that He revealed to her; note also that Allah has not appointed any woman as His Messenger and though Mariam-AS, the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, is mentioned most respectfully yet she too, was not among His Messengers; the notable thing about revelation is that it is of different types and Surah SHURA-51 states, “and it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger (angel JIBRAEL) to reveal, by His permission, what He wills; indeed, He is Most High and Wise” (SHURA-51); this revelation (WAHI) from Allah, truly guides the man spiritually to righteousness but when the man thinks that he has enhanced his observation to height by technical gadgets and he is able to get all facts by it then this thought misguides him much; many of the technical gadgets that we have today, have been put to such usage that they are asking men to go astray from the right path as whatever they get even by the most refined technical gadgets and even by high reflection of mind, they all are totally deficient in understanding life in the true sense; note that Adam-AS was given all sorts of physical knowledge yet for the sake of his spiritual purity, he still had to learn words from Allah to ask for His mercy (see BAQARAH-30 to 39); WAHI (revelation from Allah to the man) was the means by which Allah guided all human-beings though this came to His Prophets only, that were men of very high caliber spiritually, to guide the mankind to righteousness; so, WAHI was the message of Allah that He provided to His chosen men (Prophets) and He gave this message openly to them or even in some concealed manner; it was totally based on pure wisdom and was totally beyond the material sphere so as such, it was that practical knowledge that was about the right path that Allah brought to His Prophets only, who were most pure in spirit; it was in three manners as AAYAT-51 of SHURA explicitly tells that this came to him directly at heart (as with Jesus Christ-AS and this includes dreams too as with Abraham-AS); or Allah talked to him from behind some veil that he heard directly at heart, not coming at fore (as with Moses-AS) or Allah sent Gabriel, the most honored angel, to him that addressed his spirit which he received directly at heart (as with Muhammad PBUH); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this tells that the revelation mentioned at AAYAT-7 to Musa’s mother to remain untroubled, means ILHAAM (revelation from Allah that sometimes extremely pious persons other than the Messengers receive for some specific issue related specifically to their own selves); this ILHAAM is not binding to any other person than the person who receives it (and so he/she is disallowed to ask for its following) so he/she may put it to practice to his own if he/she is sure that it is the guidance for him/her from Allah (but it shall not challenge any of commands of Allah as known by the Quran and the authentic Ahadith); Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that Surah NAHL-68 & 69 read, “and your Lord revealed to the bee saying- make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in what they (i.e. the people) build- then eat of all the fruits (and of all of flowers that also are the fruits of plants) and walk in the ways of your Lord (to gather the material you need for producing honey) submissively; there comes forth from within it a beverage of many colors (which men would take-out from hives without any harm to bees so that they gather again to produce more of honey), in which there is healing for men; most surely there is a sign in this for the people who reflect”; so the notable thing at AAYAT-7 here is that the Quran uses the term “revelation” in the meaning of ILHAAM too at some places; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-8 conveys that surely Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts were extremely mistaken in providing safety to themselves when they saved the life of Moses; the notable thing here is that the Pharaoh was creating an extreme trouble for the Bani-Israel by killing the male children that were born to them and the reason was to prevent the Bani-Israel from challenging the authority of Egyptians and to remain content with their slavery; but it happened that the Pharaoh nourished that child by his own care, who was destined to save the Bani-Israel from their unjust clutches; when Allah wills for something, He makes all things work for it and any challenge to it, becomes totally futile; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-9 states, “and Pharaoh’s wife said- a refreshment of the eye to me and to you; do not slay him; maybe he will be useful to us, or we may take him for a son; and they did not perceive”; the notable thing here is that the words “maybe he will be useful to us, or we take him for a son” are the same that AZIZ had said to his wife ZELIKHA when he has brought Yusuf-AS at home (see Surah YOUSUF-21); there are many other highly interesting similarities too between Yusuf-AS and Musa-AS that observation does bring to light; note that in both instances, the women that are named as ZELICHA and AASEIAH respectively, accepted the Truth with time; the latter believed in Moses-AS as the Holy Book Quran confirms it (Surah TAHREEM-11) while the former said such words that do tell that she (ZELICHA) had come to believe in Yusuf-AS completely (Surah YOUSUF-53) and Allah guides to the Truth whom He wills; this denotes that sometimes good words that are spoken to care for good persons, affect someone in such positive manner that he/she gets the highest of blessing by Allah by those good words; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-10 to last tell how Allah gave Moses back to his mother as He had given His word to her; being his mother, she got most worried about Moses if he has reached some safety or not and she came near to telling how she had flowed him at the river; but she had strong belief in Allah and He cared for her that He stopped her from disclosing anything about him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; but she sent his sister Mariam to investigate where Moses had flowed to and she saw him from a safe distance, as not to arouse the suspicion of the gathering there that she is closely related to the child; it happened that Moses did not take the milk of any women so Mariam, who had visited the area around the palace time & again, managed to convey the word to the staff at duty there that she knows a woman who is able to feed the child and that word went ahead and by this manner, the mother of Moses was appointed to feed him; the last AAYAAT of the Ruku state, “and We ordained that he refused to suck any foster mother before, so she (his sister) said- shall I point-out to you the people of a house who will take care of him for you, and they will be benevolent to him? so We gave him back to his mother that her eye might be refreshed, and that she might not grieve, and that she might know that the promise of Allah is true, but most of them do not know” (QASAS-12 & 13); Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Second Ruku
14. And when he attained his maturity and became full grown, We granted him wisdom and knowledge; and thus do We reward those who do good (to others).
15. And he went into the city at a time of slackness on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party and the other of his foes, and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck him (i.e. the Egyptian) with his fist and killed him. He said: This is on account of the Satan’s doing; surely he is an enemy, openly leading astray.
16. He said: My Lord! surely I have done harm to myself, so do Thou forgive me; so He forgave him; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful;
17. He said: My Lord! because Thou hast bestowed a favor on me, I shall never be a backer of the guilty.
18. And he was in the city, fearing, vigilant, when lo! he who had asked his assistance the day before was crying out to him for aid. Musa said to him: You are most surely one erring manifestly.
19. So when he desired to seize him who was an enemy to them both, he said: O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright.
20. And a man came running from the remotest part of the city. He said: O Musa! surely the chiefs are consulting together to slay you, therefore depart (at once); surely I am of those who wish well to you.
21. So he went forth therefrom, fearing, vigilant, (and) he said: My Lord! deliver me from the unjust people.
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The Ruku continues the narrative of Moses-AS and in brief, it tells how Moses accidentally killed an Egyptian and how he had to flee from Egypt to save himself from the unjust attitude of the Egyptian law of that time; Moses-AS had attached himself to the Bani-Israel in whom he belonged when he came at his adolescence and it happened that once he saw one of the Egyptian persons beating one of the persons of Bani-Israel so as the latter called him for help, he punched the Egyptian person so hard that he died by that blow on the spot and then he regretted it most highly at that very time; Al-Hamdu Lillah; this Ruku of Surah QASAS narrate that the next day, the same man from the Bani-Israel was calling him to help him against another person from amongst the Egyptians; Moses scolded that Israelite by harsh words and as he advanced to hold the Egyptian back, the man from Israelites said to him, “O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright”; this is because he thought that as Moses has scolded him, he would now take him to task and not the Egyptian; as he blurted out what happened the previous day, the secret came out into open that it was Moses who had accidentally killed the Egyptian the previous day and the news reached the palace; before the end of the day, a man sincere to Moses having access at the court of Pharaoh came hurriedly to Moses and told him that the courtiers are consulting to kill him so he must depart from there fast; note that he did not state that the Pharaoh also was included in this consultation and this gives the hint that this was the one who had played with Moses at their childhood; he then left for Madyan fearful and vigilant and his plea to Allah tells how severe the Egyptians were to those persons among the Bani-Israel who acted harshly against someone of them (while Moses had killed one of them though that was an accident); note that Muhammad PBUH, the last Messenger of Allah, also had to migrate to Madinah leaving Makkah when the chiefs of Makkah were planning to kill him and much of his life-issues are nearer to Moses while Moses had similarities with Yusuf-AS too, so Muhammad PBUH also was near to Yusuf-AS in some of significant matters at his life; note that Noah-AS is also nearer to both Moses-AS and Muhammad PBUH and they had come to the world by respective space of 2000 years between them i.e. Allah made Moses His Messenger after 2000 years of the period when Allah appointed Noah and He raised Muhammad PBUH as His Messenger to all peoples of the world at Arabia after 2000 years of Moses; whereas Noah was the first of Messengers whom Allah sent to his people specifically, Moses was the first of Messengers who was sent to the Bani-Israel specifically and Muhammad PBUH was the last of all Messengers of Allah; Moses then asked Allah “O my Lord - deliver me from the unjust people” and he did reach Madyan and there it happened that he found a good place to settle himself with all safety that we would learn ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah; at this Ruku, AAYAAT-14 to 17 read, “and when he (i.e. Moses) attained his maturity (at his early twenties) and became full grown (at his early thirties), We granted him (to decide issues by) authority and (to decide them by) knowledge (of the commands of Allah); and thus do We reward those who do good (to others; as he was committed to those who were facing unjust attitudes); and he went into the city at a time of slackness (either at early morning or at mid-afternoon on a hot day) on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party (the Israelites) and the other of his foes (the Egyptians), and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck the Egyptian with his fist and (it had such power that he) killed him; he said- this is on account of the Satan's doing (as he did not mean to kill him); surely he is an enemy (especially to righteous persons), openly leading astray; he said- my Lord! surely I have done harm to myself (& even to my people by acting rashly), so do Thou forgive me; so He forgave him (and Moses realized this by ILHAAM, as he had not yet become the Messenger of Allah and it is notable that the opening AAYAT of the Ruku mentions that Allah had provided him the knowledge which means that he was capable to identify the commands of Allah at issues at hand); surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful; he said: my Lord! because Thou hast bestowed a favor on me (by forgiving me on this rash act), I shall never be a backer of the guilty (and by this, we do get that Islam strictly prohibits to serve at such departments, especially official departments, at some place, from where the decisions put unjust burdens on the common man)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT-18 to the last read, “and he was in the city, fearing, vigilant (if the people around have become aware of the yesterday’s event), when lo! he who had asked his assistance the day before was crying out to him for aid (again); Musa said to him- you are most surely one erring manifestly; so when he desired to seize him who was an enemy to them both, he (the Israelite) said- O Musa! do you intend to kill me as you killed a person (that was an Egyptian) yesterday? You desire nothing but that you should be a tyrant in the land, and you do not desire to be of those who act aright; and a man (who was friends to Musa and may have been from among Egyptians) came running from the remotest part of the city (where some place was set as council for the chiefs at Pharaoh’s court); he said- O Musa! surely the chiefs are consulting together to slay you, therefore depart (at once); surely I am of those who wish well to you; so he went forth therefrom, fearing, vigilant; (and) he said- my Lord! deliver me from the unjust people (who treat the Bani Israel in the most unkind way)”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Third Ruku
22. And when he turned his face towards Madyan, he said: Maybe my Lord will guide me in the right path.
23. And when he came to the water of Madyan, he found on it a group of men watering, and he found besides them two (young) ladies keeping back (their cattle). He said: What is the matter with you? They said: We cannot water until the shepherds take away (their sheep) from the water, and our father is a very old man.
24. So he watered (their sheep) for them, then went back to the shade and said: My Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me.
25. Then one of the two women came to him walking bashfully. She said: My father invites you that he may give you the reward of your having watered for us. So when he came to him and gave to him the account, he said: Fear not, you are secure from the unjust people.
26. Said one of them: O my father! employ him, surely the best of those that you can employ is the strong man, the faithful one.
27. He said: I desire to marry one of these two daughters of mine to you on condition that you should serve me for eight years; but if you complete ten, it will be of your own free will, and I do not wish to be hard to you; if Allah please, you will find me one of the good.
28. He said: This shall be (an agreement) between me and you; whichever of the two terms I fulfill, there shall be no wrongdoing to me; and Allah is a witness of what we say.
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The Ruku continues the narrative of Moses-AS and it tells about his arrival and about how he found shelter at Madyan; AAYAAT-22, 23 & 24 tell it that when Moses reached Madyan, he saw two young girls with their sheep who were standing away from the crowd that was providing their cattle and animals water to drink from the well; he asked them about their-selves and they said that they wait till these farmers provide water to their cattle then they advance and give drinks to their sheep; and their father is a very old man; this answer gives some clue to the living manner of the household of these ladies; the first is that they were so refined as not to mingle with the men at such gathering where they had to attend; second is that they had such natural care to HEJAB that they did not begin talks with any unrelated man unless they were spoken to or unless they found it totally necessary; third is that their answer is brief yet comprehensive and they had the understanding that Moses needs to know why no man from their household has attended to this task rather than these two ladies; fourth is that their answer clarifies that there only is their father as their caretaker and he is extremely old so with the state of morals of these farmers that they do not let the cattle of the young ladies get its water first, the best thing was that they take the task of providing the waters to their cattle to their own selves (with assistance to each other) waiting for the crowd there to disperse; fifth is that they did not ask Moses to do the task for them yet Moses had the etiquette to water their cattle when they did need it (and they did appreciate it as the AAYAT ahead implies that they had mentioned him to their father in good terms); AAYAT-24 tells about the beautiful DUA of Moses-AS to Allah at that time, “my Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me”; so Allah provided him shelter at MADYAN, and one of the most upright ladies from these two, as his wife at that place; and after the years that he spent at that place, He made him His Messenger towards all of Bani-Israel so that they live virtuously free from slavery; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah; now, knowing about the stranger at the place, when both of them returned to their father earlier than usual that day, the old man called him through one of them and she gave him his message with necessary care to HEJAB; the old man might have remarked before she left to call him that he would see if he is worthy to marry one of them to him (to fulfill his liability towards his daughters) which might have increased her shyness to him; when Moses told the old man about his plight, he soothed him that he is out of troubles with him insha-Allah; note that this old man was one of the believers in the true guidance he had received from SHOAIB-AS who had long passed away; the other of his daughters told her father to keep him at service because he is QAVI (capable to do the necessary tasks needed) and AMIN (trustworthy with honesty); note that these two are those worthy qualities that a person at some service must have in him necessarily as his capability would fulfill the due task and his honesty would not let him slack in his duty by remaining inattentive to it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the girls had seen that he had the good physical quality as he had made his way into the crowd to water their cattle with strength and also had the good spiritual quality as he never viewed any of the young ladies in any impious manner; her father accepted her request and asked Moses to serve him for eight years if he finds it well, in return of which he would marry one of his daughters to him; and if he would serve for two more years, that would be something good by his own will; so Moses accepted the deal and served him for ten years at the place; note that he showed his acceptance for any of the two young girls without being specific, to become his wife which tells that even without seeing any of them directly, he did observe that any of both is most worthy to take into marriage as his wife; one of them had shown her worth by her attitude that related to HEJAB and the other one had the aptitude to remark beautifully about the qualities of the good person, who is at good service of some good person, so any of these wonderful qualities when nothing adverse presents in some young lady, has sure worth to marry her; now, he might have stayed for more years at the place by his own intention and presumably, his stay at MADYAN was much longer that ten years in total and certainly, Allah knows better; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note about the most splendid DUA of Moses that AAYAT-24 states, “my Lord! surely I stand in need of whatever good Thou may send down to me”; this tells that when a good person is in extreme need of basic necessities, he shall not ask Allah for some specific benefits to him as he may err at that time about that but he needs to leave his issues totally to Allah by asking Him whatever good He provides to him, he surely is in need of it; Allah accepted his plea so He provided him with a decent shelter at a noble household that he remains safe from the clutches of Pharaoh’s men and He provided him with a very decent wife that he leads his life well in a settled manner; and above all, as a specific gift to him, He provided him after many years of his splendid plea to Him, the honor to become His Messenger to lead the Bani-Israel out of captivity and to guide them through the teachings of Torah beautifully, towards the right path of Islam; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Fourth Ruku
29. So when Musa had fulfilled the term, and he journeyed with his family, he perceived on this side of the mountain a fire. He said to his family: Wait, I have seen a fire, maybe I will bring to you from it some news or a brand of fire, so that you may warm yourselves.
30. And when he came to it, a voice was uttered from the right side of the valley in the blessed spot of the bush, saying: O Musa! surely I am Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
31. And saying: Cast down you staff. So when he saw it in motion as if it were a serpent, he turned back retreating, and did not return. O Musa! come forward and fear not; surely you are of those who are secure;
32. Enter your hand into the opening of your bosom, it will come forth white without affliction, and draw your hand to yourself to ward off fear: so these two shall be two arguments from your Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs, surely they are a transgressing people.
33. He said: My Lord! surely I killed one of them, so I fear lest they should slay me;
34. And my brother, Haroun, he is more eloquent of tongue than I, therefore send him with me as an aider, verifying me: surely I fear that they would reject me.
35. He said: We will strengthen your arm with your brother, and We will give you both an authority, so that they shall not reach you; (go on) with Our signs; you two and those who follow you shall be uppermost.
36. So when Musa came to them with Our clear signs, they said: This is nothing but forged enchantment, and we never heard of it amongst our fathers of old.
37. And Musa said: My Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him, and whose shall be the good end of the abode; surely the unjust shall not be successful.
38. And Pharaoh said: O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; so, kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for (baking of) brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Whom Musa worship, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars.
39. And he was unjustly proud in the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us.
40. So We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see how was the end of the unjust.
41. And We made them such Imams (i.e. leaders) who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted.
42. And We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those, made to appear hideous.
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This Ruku too continues the narrative of Moses-AS and it tells how Allah made him His Messenger and it also tells the result of rejection of Allah’s message by Pharaoh and his men; we have read about this at the previous Surah i.e. NAML too at its first Ruku; the Ruku here too, narrates that he took his family and intended for some other place to reside when en-route, he saw some light as fire at the side of the Mount TOOR; those were dark cold nights and he told his family that he had seen some fire so they would wait as he brings some news of the way to confirm that they are traveling in correct direction and better still, some brand of fire that they might be able to get warmth for themselves; when he got near to that place, he heard the voice of Allah, the true Lord, that “O Moses – I am Allah, the true Lord of all the worlds”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; there he got the two significant signs from Allah that his staff transformed to the huge serpent as he put it down and became his staff again as he picked it up and when he put his hand inside his bosom and pulled it out, it lighted without any affliction; when at first, he saw the staff changing into a serpent, he became afraid and ran back fearfully; Allah called him and said not to fear as He is appointing him as His Messenger and Messengers need not fear anything as He always keeps watch on them after He appoints them to some people that there befalls no adversity to them so he has all security; Allah told him to draw his hand near to him if he fears anything so that would soothe him and he would have these two significant arguments from Allah, the true Lord, to Pharaoh and his chiefs who were extremely transgressing people as they preferred the practice of their own rulings over the commands of Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the narrative goes ahead as AAYAAT from 33 to 37 state, ”he said- my Lord! surely I killed one of them (Egyptians), so I fear lest they should slay me; and my (elder) brother, Haroun, he is more eloquent of tongue than I (note that Moses had an issue of stuttering), therefore send him with me as an aider (by making him too as one of His Messengers), verifying me- surely I fear that they (the Pharaoh and his chiefs at his court) would reject me; He said- We will strengthen your arm with your brother (i.e. he too shall be one of Messengers of Allah), and We will give you both an authority (to impress the people listening), so that they shall not reach you (i.e. they would not get any access to harm any of Moses or Aaron); (go on) with Our signs; you two and those who follow you shall be uppermost (that would be evident within some period of time); so when Musa came to them with Our clear signs (that were his amazing staff and his shining hand), they said- this is nothing but forged enchantment (which is of no consequence), and we never heard of it amongst our fathers of old (note that they did know about the fundamental Islamic teachings, residing with the Bani-Israel, yet their words imply that their forefathers had kept away from it in all manner); and Musa said- my Lord knows best who comes with guidance from Him (to remain to it and get Jannah at AKHIRAT), and whose shall be the good end of the abode (at the world too); surely the unjust (which the Pharaoh, his chiefs and his men are), shall not be successful”; the Ruku tells ahead that the Pharaoh and his men did not believe in the message of Allah that Moses and Aaron brought to them and they rather mocked Moses; they rejected the amazing miracles that he presented to them and took it as plain magic; though this Ruku does not mention it yet we know by other places at the Quran that they brought the skilled magicians of the time against him; the magicians lost the contest and in fact, those magicians accepted the message of Moses and Aaron as they saw plainly that what they have just encountered is certainly a miracle and certainly not magic; see the note at the third Ruku of Surah TA-HA; see also the supplementary note on AAYAT-129 of AARAAF after the note at its fifteenth Ruku; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT from 38 to the last of Ruku state, “and Pharaoh said- O chiefs! I do not know of any god for you besides myself; so, kindle a fire for me, O Haman, for (baking of) brick, then prepare for me a lofty building so that I may obtain knowledge of Whom Musa worships, and most surely I think him to be one of the liars; and he was unjustly proud in the land, he and his hosts, and they deemed that they would not be brought back to Us; so We caught hold of him and his hosts, then We cast them into the sea, and see how was the end of the unjust; and We made them (such) Imams (i.e. leaders) who call to the fire, and on the day of resurrection they shall not be assisted; and We caused a curse to follow them in this world, and on the day of resurrection they shall be of those (who are) made to appear hideous (extremely ugly at face and body)”; these AAYAAT tell about the character of the Pharaoh of the exodus (who presumably was Amenhotep-II, the grandson of Thutmose- II, the Pharaoh of the oppression); his reign was but for a few years only (against what normally is assumed and I, MSD, have commented on that at “Pentateuch by the Islamic view”) and he and his men died by drowning when he followed Moses and his people with the army he had, in his youth around 24 years of age; he, like Nimrod, took himself the authority that his people must obey without any challenge to it and did not care that Allah only is the RABB (the true Lord) of all persons so they need to obey Him only with total love for Him; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note here that Haman was one of the prominent advisors of the Pharaoh of oppression and he was present at the court of the Pharaoh of exodus too in some official status, whom Moses had given the message of Islam by the command of Allah; note that AAYAT-38 states that the Pharaoh of exodus asked Haman to kindle a fire for him and bake bricks at it and then prepare a lofty building so that he obtains knowledge of Whom Musa worships; though it was idiocy of Pharaoh to ask such thing to Haman (and such building never materialized so it was only an idiotic stunt of the Pharaoh to misguide his men and ignore the teachings of Moses) yet it shows that Haman had lived to a ripe age and had witnessed Moses as he had presented the message of Islam at the Pharaoh’s court; the outcome of this rejection of the message of Allah by Pharaoh and his men was that Allah drowned them all into the sea and declared them all totally cursed at AKHIRAT, i.e. the true life after this life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Fifth Ruku
43. And certainly We gave Musa the Book after We had destroyed the former generations, (that proves to be) clear arguments for men and a guidance and a mercy, that they may be mindful.
44. And you were not on the western side when We revealed to Musa the commandment, and you were not among the witnesses;
45. But We raised up generations, then life became prolonged to them; and you were not dwelling among the people of Madyan, reciting to them Our AAYAAT, but We were the Senders.
46. And you were not on this side of the mountain when We called, but mercy from your Lord that you may warn people to whom no warner came before you, that they may be mindful.
47. And were it not that there should befall them a disaster for what their hands have sent before, then they should say: Our Lord! why didst Thou not send to us an apostle so that we should have followed Thy AAYAAT and been of the believers!
48. But (now) when the Truth has come to them from Us, they say: Why he is not given the same manner as was given to Musa: What! did they not disbelieve in what Musa was given before? They say: Two magic words backing up each other; and they say: Surely we are disbelievers in all.
49. Say: Then bring some (other) book from Allah which is a better guide than both of them so that I may follow it, if you are truthful.
50. But if they do not answer you, then know that they only follow their low desires; and who is more erring than he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allah? Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
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The first AAYAT of the Ruku implies by its words that the nations before Moses were eliminated when they rejected the message of Allah that they received by His Messengers but when Allah made him His Messenger and provided him Torah that explicitly presented the fundamental teachings of Islam, He did not eliminate whole of any disobedient nation and chose the Bani-Israel to provide on His message to whomsoever they relate; note that Torah comprises of five booklets and as such, it is concise and even with much distortion at ancient times according to us Muslims, it still does have teachings that relate to the true guidance to the right path; it narrates events of many of the Messengers of Allah and so it provides the fundamental Islamic teachings and tells that those who accept these fundamental teachings in their true perspective, they would certainly receive mercy from Allah, the true Lord; they miserably failed in that task as they did not give respect to the Prophets (that the status of those Prophets asked of them) whom Allah had sent to them after Moses and they especially showed extreme disrespect to Jesus Christ-AS whom they rejected as the Messenger of Allah; that was the most fatal blow to their status as the chosen people of Allah and then at the time when Allah sent Muhammad PBUH as His last Messenger to all peoples of the world, they rejected him too as His Messenger and at that time, Allah took away their noble status as punishment to them and chose the Muslims instead of them for His task; He commanded the Muslims that they always keep firm to the Islamic teachings and spread them all to all peoples of the world when Muhammad PBUH departs from here; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next three AAYAAT of the Ruku point out that Muhammad PBUH did not witness the incidents reported about Moses-AS and he was not even present at his times yet the Quran is providing their account explicitly; this in itself proves that Allah has appointed him as His Messenger and he certainly is not speaking the words of the Quran by his own; Al-Hamdu Lillah; these AAYAAT read, “and you (O Prophet PBUH) were not on the western side when We revealed to Musa the commandment (Torah), and (therefore) you were not among the witnesses (to this event); but We raised up generations, then life became prolonged to them (and they forgot the teachings of Torah and took what they found easy by their own to practice and left other commands of Allah and even distorted them); and you were not dwelling among the people of Madyan (when Moses resided there at the service of the old man), reciting to them Our AAYAAT (that you present to all persons now), but We were the Senders (of the Truth to them); and you were not on this side of the mountain (TOOR) when We called (Moses), but (it is) mercy from your Lord that you may warn such people (i.e. the Arab people) to whom no warner (i.e. Messenger of Allah) came before you, that they may be mindful (of the Truth and accept it and practice it to save themselves from the torments at AKHIRAT)”; AAYAT-47 states to clarify the reason why Allah provided the teachings of Islam explicitly to Arabs, “and were it not that there should befall them a disaster for what their hands have sent before (i.e. their wrong-doings), then they (the disbelievers in the fundamental teachings of Islam) should say- our Lord! why didst Thou not send to us an apostle so that we should have followed Thy AAYAAT and been of the believers (in the fundamental teachings of Islam)”; see also TA-HA-134 which presents the same statement of the disbelievers on getting their chastisement from Allah; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that there is time-period of about 2500 years between Ishmael-AS, who was the Prophet of Allah and lived at Arabia, and the last of all Prophets, Muhammad PBUH; the next AAYAAT from AAYAT-48 to the last of the Ruku, indicate their ingratitude to Allah that even though He provided them the Holy Book Quran through the last of His Messengers, they brought a futile objection to it that why Allah did not sent it like He sent Torah; note that it is mentioned that Moses-AS wrote the five books of Torah by the guidance of Allah at tablets, except for the narration of his passing away, when he stayed at TOOR for forty days; note also that even though they presented their objection, they said clearly that they do not believe in Torah too so it was only to make some trouble and not any scholarly pursuit; these AAYAAT read, “but (now) when the Truth (i.e. the Quran that teaches all of Islam through it) has come to them from Us, they say- why he is not given (the Quran) the same manner as was given to Musa (i.e. it should have also descended like Torah)- what! did they (the disbelievers) not disbelieve in what Musa was given before (even when it came instantly)? they say (about Torah and the Quran that they are) two magic words backing up each other; and they say- surely we are disbelievers in all; say- then bring some (other) book from Allah which is a better guide than both of them so that I may follow it, if you are truthful; but if they do not answer you (avoiding to take-up the matter), then know that they only follow their low desires (to make trouble); and who is more erring than he who follows his low desires without any guidance from Allah? surely Allah does not guide the unjust people (as we have learnt about how Allah punished Pharaoh and his men, at AAYAT-40 of this Surah QASAS, who were categorically mentioned as the unjust)”; certainly, Allah only has the true authority; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Sixth Ruku
51. And certainly We have made the word to reach them so that they may be mindful.
52. (As to) those whom We gave the Book before it, they are believers in it.
53. And when it is recited to them they say: We believe in it surely it is the truth from our Lord; surely we were submitters before this.
54. These shall be granted their reward twice, because they are steadfast and they repel evil with good and spend out of what We have given them.
55. And when they hear idle talk they turn aside from it and say: We shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds; peace be on you; we do not desire the ignorant.
56. Surely you cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He pleases, and He knows best the followers of the right path.
57. And they say: If we follow the guidance with you, we shall be carried off from our country. What! have We not settled them in a safe, sacred territory to which fruits of every kind shall be drawn? - a sustenance from Us; but most of them do not know.
58. And how many a town have We destroyed which exulted in its means of subsistence, so these are their abodes, they have not been dwelt in after them except a little, and We are the inheritors,
59. And your Lord never destroyed the towns until He raised in their metropolis an apostle, reciting to them Our AAYAAT, and We never destroyed the towns except when their people were unjust.
60. And whatever things you have been given are only a provision of this world's life and its adornment, and whatever is with Allah is better and more lasting; do you not then understand?
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This Ruku gives some detail to issues at the previous Ruku and tells explicitly that Allah has cared to provide the true guidance to all persons so that no person among the disbelievers argues that why did Allah not send to them one of His Messengers, so that they should have followed His guidance and should have been among the believers; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the first AAYAT of the Ruku states, “and certainly We have made the Word (the Quran) to reach them (within parts) so that they may be mindful (to believe in Allah truly and to care for the Day of Judgment)”; to understand AAYAAT ahead, note that a group of around twenty good Christians from HABSHA (the northern part of Ethiopia of that time), who lived with care to commands of Allah, visited the Prophet PBUH at Makkah and accepted him as the last of Messengers of Allah; they understood Islam to be the Truth as Torah also provided them its fundamental teachings albeit not in such clear manner as the Quran did; the disbelievers at Makkah mocked them that they had come at Makkah only to lose their belief in Christianity, to which they replied calmly that they shall have their own deeds to face and the mocking persons shall have their own deeds to face; they mentioned clearly that they do not desire to converse with disbelievers at Makkah whom they take as totally ignorant of the Truth; from the second AAYAT of the Ruku to AAYAT-56, the Ruku states, “(as to) those whom We gave the Book (Torah) before it (i.e. the Quran), they are believers in it (this refers to those Christians specifically); and when it (i.e. the Quran) is recited to them they say- we believe in it; surely it is the Truth from our Lord; surely we were submitters before this (as they did believe in the righteous guidance of Torah and also in the genuine teachings of Jesus Christ-AS who was one of the most esteemed Messengers of Allah); these shall be granted their reward twice, because they are steadfast (i.e. they care to sacrifice the worldly assets for the pleasure of Allah to live within necessities) and they repel evil with good (i.e. they ask mercy from Allah whenever they fall into any of sins) and spend out of what We have given them (i.e. they provide the needy with his needs as much as possible for them); and when they hear idle talk (which is to humiliate any of persons around or to disrespect their selves directly), they turn aside from it and say- we shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds; peace be on you; we do not desire (to converse with) the ignorant; surely you (O Prophet PBUH) cannot guide whom you love (as there are disbelievers to Islam even in your near relatives at Makkah), but Allah guides whom He pleases (as He guided those who came from some far-away place and then accepted Islam without any reservation), and He knows best the followers of the right path”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; I, MSD, have heard from some of teachers of Islam that the Muslims shall go on spreading the teachings of Islam which only are the Truth, without care how and whom they affect and Allah would certainly affect all persons by them as He wills, wherever they might be; Al-Hamdu Lillah; from AAYAT-57 to the last, the Ruku states the argument of some of disbelievers at Makkah for not accepting Islam (though they did take it as the true guidance) and the clear-cut answer to their flawed argument; they argued that they would be carried-off from Makkah if they accepted Islam so it would end their high position among Arabs which they have by residing in this city, which all at Arabia respect; Allah answers their flawed argument that He only, has made this city most sacred territory, to which fruits of every kind are brought as provisions to all persons residing there; it is fine to remember what we have studied at Surah IBRAHIM-37 that Ibrahim-AS had asked Allah, the true Lord, that He gives his offspring (which he has settled in a valley that is unproductive of fruits near His Sacred House KA’BAH) such TOFIQ that they keep up prayer and that He makes the hearts of some people yearn towards them and that He provides them with fruits so they remain grateful to Him; so it is the will of Allah that He has made it most reputable and it would remain so ahead if they truly accept Islam, the word of Allah, which provides respect only and does not lead to any disrespect; Al-Hamdu Lillah; and the last three AAYAAT of the Ruku further elaborate this answer that such argument needs that they travel and see that there are places where the residents had pride at their economic stability but their abodes have become an example of destruction where no one has ever dwelt-in after them except a little; this would tell the disbelievers that ultimately Allah got all control of all such assets on which the men thought that they had all control; and Allah, the true Lord, is not unjust certainly as He never destroyed any of towns until He raised in their metropolis an apostle (as He has appointed Muhammad PBUH as His last Messenger from Makkah), who provided all of them the true guidance and even then He gave them ample space of time to accept that but when the people there at the place, were most unjust (i.e. they rejected the true guidance when His Messenger explicitly presented it to them), then only Allah put total destruction upon them because then their doings clearly asked for it; so the rejection of Islam would lead them to their destruction, and not its acceptance, surely; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah only cares for men and He never puts any harm to them unless they challenge the Islamic teachings in clear terms that the Messenger has presented to them; they must see that whatever things they have been given by the will of Allah, they are provision only of this world's life and its adornment which would ultimately end, and whatever is with Allah at AKHIRAT for the true believers in Islam, is much better in quality and more lasting by the consideration of time; this statement implies that basically the argument of the disbelievers, is most flawed as it denotes all preference to the life at the world and not to AKHIRAT; their actual true benefit lies in the acceptance of Islam as that only saves all persons from disgrace at the world and provides all safety to them from the most extreme chastisement at AKHIRAT which is the true life ahead that would never end; it is obvious that they have lost all awareness of their actual true benefit, as they are completely oblivious of AKHIRAT, the true life ahead; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Seventh Ruku
61. Is he to whom We have promised a goodly promise which he shall meet with, like him whom We have provided with the provisions of this world's life, then on the day of resurrection he shall be of those who are brought up?
62. And on the day when He will call them and say: Where are those whom you deemed to be My associates?
63. Those against whom the sentence has become confirmed will say: Our Lord! these are they whom we caused to err; we caused them to err as we ourselves did err; to Thee we declare ourselves to be clear (of them); they never served Us.
64. And it will be said: Call those persons of yours whom you took as associates (to Allah). So they will call upon them, but they will not answer them, and they shall see the punishment; would that they had followed the right path!
65. And on the day when He shall call them and say: What was the answer you gave to the apostles?
66. Then the pleas shall become obscure to them on that day, so they shall not ask each other.
67. But as to him who repents and believes and does good, maybe he will be among the successful:
68. And your Lord creates and chooses whom He pleases; to choose is not theirs; glory be to Allah, and exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
69. And your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they manifest.
70. And He is Allah, there is no god but He! All praise is due to Him in this (life) and the hereafter, and His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
71. Say: Tell me, if Allah were to make the night to continue incessantly on you till the day of resurrection, who is the god besides Allah that could bring you light? Do you not then hear?
72. Say: Tell me, if Allah were to make the day to continue incessantly on you till the day of resurrection, who is the god besides Allah that could bring you the night in which you take rest? Do you not then see?
73. And out of His mercy, He has made for you the night and the day, that you may rest therein, and that you may seek of His grace, and that you may give thanks.
74. And on the day when He shall call them and say: Where are those whom you deemed to be My associates?
75. And We will draw forth from among every nation a witness and say: Bring your proof; then shall they know that the truth is Allah's, and that which they forged shall depart from them.
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The Ruku starts by the statement that the righteous person is truly successful, as he gets the success of AKHIRAT with or without having assets of the world; and the wrong person is truly unsuccessful as he receives extreme punishment for his doings at AKHIRAT, even if he is much wealthy at the world; the only aim of life is to get the pleasure of Allah and to do everything but not to .do the needed, is total idiocy for certain; this Ruku elaborates this statement at its AAYAAT ahead whereas the next Ruku also focuses on it; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the disbelievers would see extreme troubles at the Day of Judgment when Allah asks them where are those whom they deemed to have such authority that may challenge Him; the leading persons among the disbelievers would answer that they did cause their followers to err as they too were on the wrong path so they would confess to all of their wrongs when they see clearly that they have no other option; the other of leaders who would not be among the disbelievers but whom the disbelievers had risen to such status where they took them as having all authority besides Allah, would clarify, “to Thee we declare ourselves to be clear (of them); they never served Us”; they actually were unaware that the disbelievers took them as having authority besides Allah as the disbelievers took them as such after these good persons had departed from the world; the erroneous concepts of disbelievers, who had anticipated that they would not face any troubles at AKHIRAT because of support of their leaders who would save them from torments there, would prove useless as it is the true belief (and the righteous deeds according to it) that counts for safety which they did not care for, by their freewill; AAYAT-67 to AAYAT-69 explicitly indicate that only the righteous belief with good deeds according to it, leads to the true success; Allah only gives TOFIQ to any person to come to Islam and to remain firm upon it as His will only reigns upon all happenings in all the universe; certainly He only knows who is better fit to care for, as He is aware of what the breasts conceal and what they manifest; note that the best thing that prevents satanic attacks is to ask Allah for security from them as He only protects the righteous man from such attacks certainly; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-70 declares that the true belief certainly is that Allah only is the Creator of all the creation and He always has all His attributes and He only is the true Lord; and AKHIRAT, the Day of Judgment, is certain to come where all persons would be brought back in front of Allah and He would judge all of them, according to their belief and their deeds which they had done at life at the world; it reads, “and He is Allah, there is no god but He! All praise is due to Him in this (life) and the hereafter, and His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back”; Al-Hamdu Lillah; note that the last AAYAT of the Ruku guides attention to the third of fundamental teachings of Islam which is RISALAT (which means that Allah had sent His Messengers to the world to provide the Guidance to the right path); note also that each of His Messengers, when asked, would provide witness against the disbelievers of his respective nation with the clarification that he did give them His message in most clear terms at life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the next three AAYAAT ask to consider how the life would have been if Allah had made the world in such manner that everywhere only the night prevailed all the time; and to consider how the life would have been if Allah had made the world in such manner that everywhere only the day prevailed all the time; but only because of His mercy, He has made for the mankind the night (so that they may rest therein without disturbance at their place) and the day (so that they may seek their good sustenance therein by interacting with each other at their place); Al-Hamdu Lillah; this means that if there is such beautiful setup of time & place for men to do all their necessary tasks with ease, it proves that it is not by chance but Allah has cared for the mankind so that they live with ease and get the good result at AKHIRAT for themselves without any inconvenience; that only would denote that they are truly grateful to Allah for all of His blessings to them; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-74 (like AAYAT-64) tells that Allah would ask the disbelievers where are those whom they deemed to have such authority that may challenge Him; then they would be unable to put any blame on any such righteous persons whom they took as having authority besides Allah as the righteous persons would have stated plainly that they did not ever lead them to wrongs but asked them to follow the right path only, at life at the world; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT tells that Allah would take out from each of nations at AKHIRAT, such of righteous persons (i.e. His Messengers) who would provide witness against the disbelievers of his specific nation with the clarification that he did give them His message in most clear terms at life at the world; AAYAT tells, “then shall they know that the true authority is Allah's, and that which they forged shall depart from them”; note that Muhammad PBUH is the last Messenger of Allah whom Allah has assigned to all peoples of the world so after him, the Muslims would now provide the teachings of Islam to all peoples of the world and they would also provide witness, when asked, against the disbelievers at the Day of Judgment; at BAQARAH-143, Allah declares, “and thus We have made you a just nation that you may be the bearers of witness to the people, and the Apostle may be bearer of witness to you”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Eighth Ruku
76. Surely QAROUN was of the people of Musa, but he rebelled against them, and We had given him of the treasures, so much so that his keys of wealth would certainly weigh down a company of men possessed of great strength. When his people said to him: Do not exult, surely Allah does not love the exultant;
77. And seek by means of what Allah has given you the future abode, and do not neglect your portion of this world, and do good (to others) as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land, surely Allah does not love the mischief-makers.
78. He said: I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have. Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty shall not be asked about their faults.
79. So he went forth to his people in his finery. Those who desire this world's life said: O would that we had the like of what QAROUN is given; most surely he is possessed of mighty good fortune.
80. And those who were given the knowledge said: Woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient.
81. Thus We made the earth to swallow up him and his abode; so he had nobody of helpers to assist him against Allah nor was he of those who can defend themselves.
82. And those who yearned for his place only the day before began to say: Ah! Allah amplifies and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants; had not Allah been gracious to us, He would most surely have abased us; Ah! the ungrateful are never successful.
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This Ruku provides the narrative of QAROUN, the wealthiest person among the Bani-Israel, who had access to the court of Pharaoh; it is mentioned about him that he was the first cousin of Moses-AS and Aaron-AS but had little interest in the freedom of the Bani-Israel from the slavery of the Egyptians; AAYAAT at beginning of the Ruku tells about him and his dialogue with the good persons among the Bani-Israel, “surely QAROUN was of the people of Musa, but he rebelled against them (i.e. he did not practice the commands of Allah and lived haughtily), and We had given him of the treasures, so much so that his keys of wealth would certainly weigh down a company of men possessed of great strength; when his people (who were guides to righteousness) said to him- do not exult, surely Allah does not love the exultant; and seek by means of what Allah has given you, the future abode (i.e. the true success at AKHIRAT by providing for the needy) , and do not neglect your portion of this world (so take only what is fitting according to the commands of Allah for your good sustenance at life at the world), and do good (to others by doing charitable acts) as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to make mischief in the land (by displaying your wealth as it may cause desire among those people who incline to life at the world, to gain wealth by any means and that would cause neglect of the commands of Allah), surely Allah does not love the mischief-makers; he said- I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have (how to gain wealth; so he justified his dealings in wealth by claiming his total ownership to that without care that Allah actually has provided him with it and he has to keep His commands in practice about it); did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of the generations, those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage (so his arrogance would surely lead him too, to his destruction)? and the guilty shall not be asked about their faults (so when his destruction comes, he would not be asked for any defense and that would finish him off, totally)”; note that in those days, the wealthy persons provided safety to their gold and silver and other things of value by putting them into vaults constructed into the ground; they had strong gates over them which opened by their extremely specific heavy keys; so QAROUN had such immense wealth that even the keys to his numerous vaults were so heavy that it needed many of strong men to carry those keys to their gates whenever that was needed; but instead of being grateful to Allah, he once displayed some of his wealth among the people around and upon viewing such immense wealth, those who preferred the life at the world over the true life at AKHIRAT, remarked, “O would that we had the like of what QAROUN is given; most surely he is possessed of mighty good fortune; and those who were given the knowledge said- woe to you! Allah's reward is better for him who believes and does good, and none is made to receive this except the patient”; so immense wealth is not the right standard of getting respect from the people around, but the true belief and the righteous deeds only provides the due respect when the good righteous person has patience (i.e. the prudence to live within the necessities of life at the world, having little care to comforts and having no care to luxuries); this would not only provide him much respect at the world but he also would be one of the most esteemed persons at life at AKHIRAT; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAT-81 states the outcome of the haughtiness of QAROUN that Allah made the earth swallow him and his dwelling place and he neither had any host to save him nor he could save his own self from such extreme destruction; his immense wealth was totally useless at that time and at that place of destruction; Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last AAYAT of the Ruku tells that seeing this outcome, those of the Bani-Israel who had wished to have such wealth as he had, realized their grave mistake and showed relief that Allah did not put such destruction to them; it reads, “and those who yearned for his place only the day before (i.e. the recent past) began to say- ah (good for us to see)! Allah amplifies and straitens the means of subsistence for whom He pleases of His servants; had not Allah been gracious to us, He would most surely have abased us; ah (good for us to see)! the ungrateful are never successful”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
QASAS-The Last Ruku
83. (As for) that future abode, We assign it to those who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth nor to make mischief and the good end is for those who guard (against evil)
84. Whoever brings good, he shall have better than it, and whoever brings evil, those who do evil shall not be rewarded (for) aught except what they did.
85. Most surely He Who has made the Quran binding on you, will bring you back to the destination. Say: My Lord knows best him who has brought the guidance and him who is in manifest error.
86. And you did not expect that the Book would be inspired to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord, therefore be not a backer-up of the disbelievers.
87. And let them not turn you aside from the AAYAAT of Allah after they have been revealed to you, and call (men) to your Lord and be not of the polytheists.
88. And call not with Allah any other god; there is no god but He, everything is perishable but He; His is the judgment, and to Him you shall be brought back.
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The last Ruku of QASAS sums-up the basic message that we all got through it and that is the mankind has to keep to the righteous belief which is to believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam, and do all his deeds according to that belief; Al-Hamdu Lillah; AAYAAT at the beginning of the Ruku direct to this most explicitly by mentioning that Allah assigns the future success to those only who have no desire to exalt themselves in the earth because of whatever status & resources Allah has provided to them at the world, but they do remain humble in front of Him and do practice His commands in their lives; they do not make any mischief too by taking up haughtiness among the persons around to impress their importance upon them; so the best of end certainly is for these most righteous persons only who are totally attentive to Allah as they truly believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam which practically shows in their lives at the world and they also care most sympathetically for their fellow-beings, without any conceit; Al-Hamdu Lillah; Allah would provide their good returns for their good deeds even better than those good deeds (at least, ten times better and even more), and those who bring evil, those shall be rewarded for that wrong accordingly; Allah would certainly bring all persons to life again to provide their respective results to them at the Day of HASHR; AAYAT-85 tells that Allah has provided the Quran that presents all His commands (and the Sunnah explains all those commands most clearly to practice) so all the righteous persons shall put that true guidance into their practice for certain; it also tells the Prophet PBUH that though the situation at present seems much difficult to provide the teachings of Islam by the Quran yet Allah would certainly pave way for him to fulfill his task of spreading it totally so he certainly would reach that destination by the will of Allah within his life at the world; it asks the Prophet PBUH to say that Allah, the true Lord, knows best him, who has come with the true guidance (i.e. the Prophet PBUH) and him too, who remains in the manifest error (i.e. every person who is among disbelievers); Al-Hamdu Lillah; the last three AAYAAT ask attention of the Prophet PBUH to the most significant blessing of Allah upon him (i.e. Allah made him His last Messenger whereas He provided him the Holy Book Quran) and tell him to be most grateful to Him for it; so he shall go on with the task of teaching the Holy Book Quran whatever comes, to all peoples and he shall always remain firm upon its teachings for certain; they read, “and you did not expect that the Book (Quran) would be inspired to you, but it is a mercy from your Lord, therefore be not a backer of the disbelievers (note that we have seen at this Surah at AAYAT-17 that Moses-AS had mentioned to Allah that now, when Allah has granted him His mercy, he shall never be a backer of the guilty); and let them not turn you aside from the AAYAAT of Allah after they have been revealed to you, and call (men) to your Lord and be not of the polytheists; and call not with Allah any other god; there is no god but He, everything is perishable but He (as all other than Him, is His creation only); His is the judgment, and to Him you (all) shall be brought back”; Al-Hamdu Lillah.
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