S61.SURAT-US-SAF

Introduction
NAME: There is a mention of fighting by lining up in the way of Allah in ayah 4. It has given this name “Saf” (rank) to this surah.
TIME OF REVELATION: It is Medinite and a look at the subject matter indicates that it was, revealed after the battle of Uhad in the 3rd year of the Hijri era.
CENTRAL THEME: To exert Muslims to wage a jihad (struggle) in the way of Allah.
ORDER OF THE VERSES: The first ayat is introductory which informs us that all the things in the heavens and the earth are hallowing the sacred Name of Allah constantly’
Ayah 2 takes exception to the behaviour of those persons who do not act upon their word and who do not fulfill their promise. It praises those Muslims who fight in the way of Allah lining themselves up in ranks and give a proof that they are faithful.
Ayah 5 and 6 warn Muslims that they must not follow the footsteps of Jews who persecuted their prophets and who went astray as a result of which their hearts too went astray. Then they denied the prophethood of a messenger who was raised from among them though he had arrived with clear miracles.
Ayah 7 to 9 while warning the opponents of Islam, announce that the Light of Allah will definitely attain completion; that His Deen (religion) will over-power all other religions even though the deniers and polytheists may dislike it to any extent.
Ayah 10 to 13 instruct Muslims to fulfill the demands of their Faith and to wage jihad in the way of Allah. The reward of the same, in the Hereafter has also been described and the good tidings of an early victory with Divine help has also been given. In ayah 14, after giving an example of the faithful companions of prophet Isa (peace be upon him), the Believers have been invited to be helpers of Allah (his Deen).

61.SURAT-US-SAF Ayah : 14

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. All that is in the heavens and the earth recite Tasbeeh of (hallow) Allah1 and HE is the Mighty, the Wise.

2. O you who believe ! 2 Why do you say a thing which you do not do!3

3. It is most odious to Allah that you say which you do not.4

4. Allah loves those who battle in His way in rank as if they were a compact wall. 5

5. And remember when Moosa said to his people: O my people why do you harass me when you know well that I am Allah’s messenger to you.6 So when they went astray, Allah made their hearts go astray.7 Allah does not guide the transgressors.8

6. And when Isa son of Mariyam said: O children of Israel ! I am Allah’s messenger to you.9 confirming that which is from Taurat before me10 And giving good tidings of a messenger who is to come after me. His name will be Ahmad.11 Then when he came to them with clear signs they said; this is clear magic.12

1. This has been explained in note-1 of Surah Hadeed.

2. Though the address is to common Muslims, it is meant for persons having a weak character.

3. Here the aim is to make man realise that he should act exactly upon what he says. Why should he announce a thing which he is, not going to do? Though this is a general exhortation, which includes breaking promise, in view are particularly, those people who used to say that if they got a chance to fight with the disbelievers they would fight courageously against them, But when they began to get such chances they hesitated and tried to the avoid a real fight.

4. Allah extremely dislikes and frowns upon those people who do not do what they say and who are mere orators and only warriors of words. They are valueless in the sight of Allah. It is absolutely essential that one must act upon what he says, Islam gives importance to “performing”not“proclaiming or pronouncing”. It is very detestable to make big claims and then become cold-feet.

5. Allah loves men of character who unite, line up and fight in the way of Allah in a well organized way. Lining up in ranks in the battlefield is an effective show of force and an expression of command decision. It also prevents infiltration of enemies.
War in the way of Allah can be waged only by those who battle only for the attainment of Allah’s pleasure and for making His religion supreme. Those wars of Muslims which are for worldly gains cannot be called “Jihad Fee Sabeelillaah” (Battles for Allah’s cause).

6. Despite knowing that prophet Moosa is Allah’s messengers, the Bani Israel were harassing him. Quran has quoted several instances of such misbehavior of Bani Israel. Surah Maidah mentions the trouble given by them to Moosa in the matter of “jihad fee sabeelillah.” When prophet Moosa (peace be upon him) ordered them to enter the holy land they replied that the people living there are very strong so we will not go there until they vacate. Not only that, they also said;
“Go you and your Lord; and fight you two, we shall remain here sitting.” (Maaidah : 24)
By pointing to this misbehavior of Israel toward prophet Moosa, it is intended that followers of the holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should never adopt such attitude toward their prophet. They must have full confidence in the leadership and guidance of their prophet and fight faithfully and make extreme sacrifice for the noble cause.

7. The one who does not like the straight religion (path) and talks in a deviated manner, Allah deviates his heart too. Thereafter the entire mode of his thinking becomes crooked and he proceeds only on the wrong path. Therefore, the believers have been advised to recite this prayer from the bottom of their hearts:
Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate after you have guided us, and bestow on us mercy from your blessings”, (Aal-e- Imran: 8)

8. The path of guidance is not disclosed for those who want to remain disobedient, Only he gets guidance who desires and appreciates it.
When the Bani Israel (Children of Israel) disobeyed the command for jihad, they were branded “Fasiq” (transgresssors). (Please see ayah 25-26 of Surah Maidah).

9. For explanation please see Surah Aal-e- IMRAN, note: 72.

10. This has been explained in Surah Aal-e- Imran, note: 74.
It becomes clear from the words” that which is from Taurat before me” that Taurat was not extant in full and in its original form even in the time of prophet Isa (peace be upon him). Only parts there from were extant. The holy prophet testified them.

11. This is a very clear prediction of foretelling about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).Which was given by Prophet Isa. Since Isa was the last prophet from Bani Israel, after whom Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was to rise from Bani Ismail, the task of giving good tidings about it was entrusted by Allah especially to prophet Isa (Peace be upon him). He very explicitly, told the world about the grandeur of the coming prophet.
Prophecies, of whatever kind they may be have been, generally, given in hints. Whenever it is about a prophet then it has described his attribute instead of his original name. The only exception is prophet Yahya. The reason of it is that the attribute may be an evidence of his Prophethood.
“Ahmad” was the second (alias) name of the holy prophet. A hadith says:
“Jubair bin Mutam has narrated that the holy prophet said:I am Muhammad and I am Ahmad.” (Muslim, Kitab-ul- Fazaail)
The word “Ahmad” is derived from “Hamd” Imam Raghib has explained it thus:
“The hint of Ahmad is toward the name and the character of the holy prophet. What is meant to convey is that he will be “Isme -ba- musammaa” that is: he will be praiseworthy in his character and moral.” (Mafradat,P.130)
Another meaning of this word is “Who recites Allah’s praise very much (Ahmad magnifies hamd). The great extent to which the holy prophet has raised Allah, the expansion with which he has presented Allah’s praiseworthy attributes, the way he made salat to begin with the Surah Hamd, the grand treasure of Hamd and Tasbeeh which he gave to the Muslim community and the manner in which he filled the entire atmosphere with Allah’s praise is his distinction and a clear proof of his being Ahmed.
This name of the holy prophet is very well known. The poet companion Hassan bin Thabit has said in his poem:
“Allah and the angels around the Throne and the pious people send Darood on the holy prophet Muhammad”.
So far as the currently available injeels of Matthew, Marks, Lukes and John are concerned, they present the life and the teaching of prophet Isa in a defective way because those authors had compiled these books several years after prophet Isa had left this world. These compilers, except Matthew, were not the disciples of Isa, who might have heard Isa personally. Therefore the present one is not the original Injeel which held descended on prophet Isa. Of course some parts are certainly found in it. However it is not the original one. The religious language of Bani Israel was Hebrew and Taurat and other booklets (scriptures)are in Hebrew language, though in an altered condition. But the Injeel (Bible) is not extant in Hebrew.
The presently available Gospels are translated from Greek language. However, translation of translation has altered the original matter very much. Then these books themselves also do not claim to be the word by word Divine Revelation. The style of making up stories is clearly visible in them The commentator of Bible himself admits it. It has been mentioned in the Bible of Lukes that description of events is its aim. Nowhere it is claimed that it is Revelation:
“The motive and method of the writing of a Gospel are described in the prologue of the Gospel of Luke, without any claim to inspiration, the writer set out to get the best information that he could and to use the previous attempts which had been made. The narrative was not designed to be sacred scripture. It was a record of events wherein the sacred scriptures were fulfilled.” (Peak’s commentary on the Bible London 1962, P.4)
Yet we find clear signs of the coming prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) alone. For example:
“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me”.(John; 14:30)
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Councilor will not come to you.” (John,16:7)
“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come”. (John, 16: 12-13)
The word “madadgar” (helper) is used in the Urdu translation of the Gospel. But Ibne Hishaam has clarified that the word used in Suryani language version of the Injeel is “Munhamanna” which means Muhammad. (See Ibne Hishaam, 1:251)
And there is this foretelling about the last Prophet in Matthew :-
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.
“And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on anyone it will crush him. (Methews 21:42 to 45)
Now regarding the Bible of Barnabbas, the prophesy is explicit with name:
“Jesus replied: Be assured Barnabbas!....God desired that people may mock me on the death of Yehudah and all may know that I died on the cross. And this mockery will continue until God’s Prophet Muhammad comes. For when he comes he will unveil this fraud to those who believe in God’s commandments.” (Chapter 220) But this is not as authentic as the Injeel. The prophethood of the Holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is as bright as the sun. There is no need of resorting to weak pillars to prove it. The prophesies of the Gospel of Barnabbas cannot convince Christians as they do not regard it as authentic. A study of this bible indicates that it has been prepared by a Muslim and then attributed to Barnabbas. A detailed discussion is required about the non reliability of it but it is not possible here. So some points are given bellow:
1) It is not proved that Barnabbas was a Hawari of Isa(peace be upon him). “Acts” has mentioned that he had accompanied Paul in his journey of propagation to Antakiya. (Acts,15-22). But further details are missing.
2) Barnabbas has, in the beginning of his book, mentioned that the aim of writing it was to contradict the corrupt beliefs being spread by Paul and to bring forth the truth. But, at the end of his book, he writes that Jesus told him: “Listen Barnabbas! You do write my Bible.” (Chapter: 221) If Isa (peace up upon him) had ordered him earlier to write the Bible he should have done” this job from the very first day and he should also have stated the same, as the reason of its writing. But he remained silent until Paul spread his corrupt beliefs.
3) It is said about the Gospel of Barnabbas that taken its only one copy which was in the Italian language was in the library of Pope Sixtus(1585-1590) and it appeared in public in the beginning of the eighteenth century of the Christian era. If this Bible is really written by Barnabbas, in which language was it written and why it did not come to the knowledge of the whole world?
4) In this bible it is written regarding Mariam (peace be upon her) that when she became pregnant, she selected a companion from her clan for fear of being stoned to death, due to allegation of adultery and that the name of that fellow was Yusuf. (Chapter 2) This statement is totally against the Quran. It also tarnishes the noble character of Maryam Dawatul Quran 709 S. 61 (Alaihas Salam). She was a statue (model) of chastity. She had an unwavering Faith in Allah. How then could she connect (attribute her marriage) herself with a man who was not her husband?
5) It is mentioned in this bible that during a feast Isa (Alaihis Salaam) had turned water into wine miraculously. What an humbug thing has been attributed to the holy prophet Isa!!! (Chapter 15)
6) In this bible it is mentioned that Jesus said that the number of prophets was 1,44,000. (Chapter 17)
This mention is found in a weak tradition. It seems it is taken from that Daeef Hadith. In the same chapter it is also mentioned that in the time of Eliyah, Izbil had killed 10,000 prophets. This is sheer exaggeration. There is no ground for the existence of such a big number of messengers at one time. This is neither supported by Quran nor by Hadith.
7) It is mentioned in this Bible that Isa (A.S.) had said :”Satan was a Kahin and leader of angels”. (Chapter 25). This statement is also totally opposed to Quran.
8) According to a story of Adam mentioned in this bible:
“ When Adam got up he saw a writing in the air which was as bright as the sun that God is One and Muhammad is His Messenger. There upon Adam opened his mouth to say that: O God! My God! You have ordained my creation and I thankful to you for It. But I pray you to explain me the meaning of these words. “Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. Were there men even before me? Then God said: Well done my slave Adam! I inform you that you are the first man created by me and that the fellow whom you saw (mentioned) is your son, who will come in the world many years after you. He will be my Messenger. All things are created for his sake Adam prayed to God; My Lord, inscribe this writing on the nails of the fingers of my hands. Then God put it on the thumbs of the first man. On the right thumb was written “God is One” and on the left “Muhammad is God’s Messenger”. Then the first man, due to fatherly affection, kissed these words and rubbed his eyes and said: Blessed is the day when you will come. (Chapter 29) and it is mentioned in Chapter 41 that Adam saw on the gate of paradise the writing “God is only one and Muhammad is His Messenger”.
Such things are found in concocted traditions.(Mauzoo Ahadith)
It is really strange that Maulana Maududi has mentioned such a Gospel as authentic in which such baseless things are written and whose writer is an unknown person. Relying on them he has quoted the prophesies found in it. He writes:
“This discussion proves that the Gospel of Barnabbas is indeed more authentic than the four Gospels. It presents the true teaching and character of Isa (Alaihis Salaam)”. (Tafheemul Quran, Vol:V,P.471)
But it is not correct to be impressed by the pleasing things mentioned in a book which claims to be revelation. It affects our position (stand) and also creates other problems.

12. That is, Bani Israil termed the miracles of Isa (Alaihis Salam) magic. This subject has been mentioned in Surah Maidah also:
“And When I restrained (the hands of) Bani Israil from (harming) you, when you went to them with clear signs, and those of them, who disbelieved said: “This is nothing but clear magic.” Maidah : 110)
O you believe! Be Allah’s helpers. Just as Isa son of Maryam, said to his Hawaries (disciples): Who are my helpers in the way of Allah? The Havaries (disciples) responded: We are Allah’s helpers. So one group of the children of Israel believed and the other disbelieved.So WE helped the believers against their enemies and the became victorious.

7. And who is greater wrong doer than he who fabricates lie against Allah even as he is invited to Islam? 13 Allah does not guide the unjust people.14

8. They want to extingush the light of Allah with the blows of their mouth. But Allah is to perfect His light even though it may be disgusting to the disbeleivers.15

9. It is HE Who sent His messenger with Guidance and True Religion so that HE may make it supreme over all religions even though polytheists may dislike it. 16

10. O you who believe! May I lead you to a merchandise that will save you from a painful tormeat.17

11. Believe in Allah and His prophet.18 and strive in the way of Allah with your wealth and your lives.19 This is better for you if you know.20

12. He will forgive your sins.21 and will makes you enter in gardens beneath which rivers flow and decent houses22 in everlasting garden.23 This is the grand success.24

13. And also the other thing which you desire: help from Allah and an early victory.25 And (O Prophet!) give good tidings to the believer.

14. . O you believe! Be Allah’s helpers.26 just as Isa son of Maryam, said to his Hawaries (disciples): Who are my helpers in the way of Allah? The Havaries (disciples) responded: We are Allah’s helpers.27 So one group of the children of Israel believed and the other disbelieved.28 So WE helped the believers against their enemies and the became victorious.29

13. That is, the call of the prophet of the Quran is directly toward Islam but these Jews etc, on the grounds of their false religious beliefs, are opposing it. Any belief which does not have Divine authority is tantamount to attribution of falsehood to God. For example the claim of the Jews that a prophet can come only in the Bani Israil, the Christian claim that Isa is the son of God, and the claim of the polytheists that there are several gods (deities) and that this man (Muhammad Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is not a messenger of Allah. These and other un- Islamic beliefs which are being considered as religious matters by the followers of other faiths due to which they do not accept Islam are attributing clear falsehood to Allah, even if they may or may not mention the name of Allah while saying such things because belief or religion is necessarily related to God. Hence to tell untruth about God is not an ordinary crime. It is a very serious sin.

14. So long as they do not give up this wrongdoing (deviation) they cannot get guidance.

15. The explanation has been given in Surah Taubah, note 64.

16. For clarification please see Surah Taubah, note 64 and Surah Fath, note 58.

17. Man engages himself in trade for getting profit. But this profit is temporary which is limited to the worldly life. Compared to it, that transaction with Allah in which man invests his precious capital of wealth and life and for which he works very hard is the real transaction of eternal profit. The foremost profit of it is that the investor will be protected from Divine torment which will be very severe, and secondly, he will attain an eternal success as described after this.
Here, ayah 111 and note 199 of Surah Taubah conquest may also be kept in mind.
This ayah makes man concentrate his attention on the point that the real problem of man is that of salvation in the Hereafter for which he must make arrangements in this worldly life. Until this thought does not preoccupy man he will continue to be entangled in worldly problems and will form wrong criteria of success and failure.

18. This directive (to believe) which is addressed to the believers is in the sense that “make yourself a sincere believer and fulfill all the demands of Faith”.

19. Jihad is the most important demand of Faith. When it becomes imperative to stake life to make Deen Victorious the believers must stake their lives and properties. In the circumstances of that time Jihad had become quite indispensable and the liberation of Masjidul Haram from the control of polytheists was the greatest mission. Moreover this jihad was being waged under the leadership (command) of the holy prophet. This had made it all the more important.

20. If you keep in view the best reward of it you will surely consider it very beneficial for you.

21. Pardoning of sins is a very big reward. What will be the fate of man if Allah catches hold of man even for only one of his sins But Allah appreciates the sacrifices of those who make sacrifices in His Path and He forgives their sins.

22. Means clean and best residences compared to which mansions of this world are nothing. How unwise are these peoples who raise the slogan of “roti, kapda aur makan” (food, cloth and house) to safe guard their world and also work hard for it but do not at all worry about the permanent place where they have to live for ever. They do not think as to how these things will be available there. Had they pondered over this problem they would not have considered this world as everything.

23. That is a permanent house, and a permanent garden and a permanent dweller.

24. That is, this is the real profit of this trade which means a bright future and an eternal life with the best blessings. What a grand and great success!!

25. Besides this eternal success you will get the thing also which you love, that is, Allah’s help and an early victory. Early victory indicates the conquest of Makkah for which Muslims were restless. On this occasion, while giving the good tiding of Divine help, they were also informed that Makkah would be conquered soon. Accordingly Makkah was conquered soon after the revelation of this Surah. The truth of Quran and the Prophet was proved so thoroughly that staunch opponents of Islam were also convinced.

26. Being helpers of God means being the helpers, supporters, defenders of His religion. Obviously Allah needs no one’s help. Yet HE bestows the title of “Helpers of God” on those who support His religion, especially in trying circumstances for their appreciation and encouragement and so that they be more and more inspired to work for Allah’s cause.

27. “Hawari” means sincere friend. When prophet Isa saw that it was not possible to spread the message of his prophethood and his religion without risking life, he called upon his companions and asked who would rise up to support him in those trying times by propagating Allah’s religion in a straightforward manner. They replied: we are God’s helpers ever ready to fulfill this mission. This response was given by the sincere companions of the prophet Isa who were called “Hawari”. The aim of making a mention of it here is to inspire the followers of the holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) so that they may rise to support him and to propagate his Faith and to spread Allah’s Message of Islam.
Prophet Isa did not get an opportunity to make jihad with sword. But the circumstances which confronted him were such that to present religion in its real spirit, to invite people to true religiosity instead of traditions and show business and to spread the word of God was certainly not less than a jihaad.
In today’s world also, to call people to Islam in a correct and straightforward way, to present the unity of God in the midst of polytheism, to scratch out the innovations and the nonsense which have enveloped our religion so as to make Islam fully and correctly visible, to reject false thoughts and to spread Islamic thinking to support and defend Islamic Shariat laws in opposition to non-Islamic laws and to make efforts for uplifting the banner of Islam is a very great service to religion and a big jihad. Allah says:
“Those who strive: for Us We will surely guide them to Our Paths. Allah is with the righteous.”( Ankaboot:69)

28. As a result of the Prophet Isa’s call and as a consequence of his companions’ propagation, a group of Bani Israil believed in the prophethood of Isa (Alaihis salam).They were Muslim. But afterwards the followers of the Prophet Isa came to be known as ‘Nasara’ (Christians). The others who refused to accept the prophethood of Isa and to believe in Injeel (Gospel) as the Word of God were considered disbelievers. They are the Jews.
It must be borne in mind that man becomes a disbeliever by denying any of Allah’s Messengers and by refusing to believe in any of the Divine Scriptures even if he claims to have faith in other things and even if he is related to any religion of any Prophet.

29. This ayat makes it clear that those who believed in Isa finally became victorious. So far as the victory of the proof (argument or Hujjat) is concerned, they had it already. Therefore, the “galabah (victory) mentioned here can only be the control of power. The word “zahireen” has appeared elsewhere also in the Quran in the meaning of control of power or power of controlling. The Faithful Momin had declared in the court of Pharoah:
“O my people! Yours is the kingdom today, you being the masters in the land. But who would save us from wrath of Allah should it reach us? (Mumin: 29)
Here note 65 of Surah Taubah may be kept in mind.
The aim of this ayah is to make it clear that, just as those who put faith in God’s Messenger Isa became victorious, so also will win those who believe in the prophet of the Quran. History bears witness that it so happened.
The Holy Quran also contains the good tidings given to Isa.
“And I will place who follows you above those who reject you until the Day of Resurrection”. (Al-e- Imraan:55)
So far as history is concerned its pages are not quite clear. However, it is proved that after the lifting up unto heaven of the prophet Isa his followers passed through all storms of opposition and went on gaining control over those who had rejected him. Their message went on spreading and their centers were established in big cities of the Roman empire. Judaism went on shrinking until, in the year 70 AD, Titus invaded Jerusalem and scattered the Jews and thereafter the Jews could never stand against the followers of Isa (Alaihis Salam). The number or the followers of Isa went on increasing and after the attack of Titus, the Romans started to accept the Faith of Jesus and the followers of Maseeh gained victory after victory. Ibne Khaldoon writes:
“Then the Romans began to accept the religion of Maseeh and to honour it. Thereafter the conditions of Roman kings was different. Sometimes they accepted the Faith of Nasaras and sometimes they rejected it, until Constantine arrived.” (Muqaddimah Ibne Khaldoon,p.335).
When the Roman king Constantine came to power he became a supporter of Maseehism and then the followers of Isa got so much control that till today Christianity is victorious over Judaism.
For the history of Christianity please see: INTERPRETER’S ONE VOLUME COMMENTARY ON BIBLE, P. 1051)