29. SURAH AL-ANKABOOT (THE SPIDER)

In class=i>NAME: In Verse No.41 those who consider others, instead of God, as their masters and authority are likened to the spider whose dwelling is the weakest of all the dwelling places. This allusion gives the Surah its name.
TIME OF REVELATION : It is Meccan Surah and from the topics it is gathered that it might have been revealed a little after the migration to Ethiopia (Abyssinia).
CENTRAL THEME : In view of the trying times and the difficulties through which the people who embrace Islam have to pass they are required to be comforted and reassured and they are advised to keep patience.
ORDER OF THE VERSES: In ayat Nos. 1 to 13 those who accept the faith of Islam and are subjected to oppression and have to pass through various kinds of trials and tribulations are given guidance.
In ayat Nos. 14 to 40 this aspect of the character and lives of the different prophets (peace be upon them)are presented which shows how they faced adversities and the oppression to which their communities subjected them, and how they stuck to truth in that most trying times.
Ayat Nos. 41 to 44 invite the polytheists to contemplate and ponder.
Verse Nos. 45 to 60 remove the doubts of the deniers and the people of faith are given directions according to the needs of the time and circumstances.
In ayat Nos. 61 to 68 universally accepted realities are presented and from there minds are turned to tawheed (monotheism).
Ayah No.68 is the last ayat of the surah in which those who strive in the way of Allah are reassured that they will receive guidance from Him and also His nearness.

29-SURAH AL-ANKABOOT (THE SPIDER)

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

1. Alif. Lam. Meem.1

2. Do people think that they would be left alone if they (merely) say ‘We believe’ and they would not be tried2?

3. And verily We tested those who have gone before them.3 So Allah will surely see those who are truthful and will surely see those who are liars.4

4. Or do the evil-doers think that they will escape (Our punishment)? What an evil decision is theirs! 5

5. Whoever look forward to the meeting with Allah (let him know)that Allah’s appointed hour is sure to come,6 and He (alone) hears all, knows all.7

6. And whoever strives (in Allah’s path) strives for himself. Verily Allah is totally Independent of (His) creatures.8

7. As for those who believe and perform good acts, We will remove from them their evil deeds and will repay them the best for their acts.9

8. We have enjoined on man to be kind to his parents; and if they strive to make you join with Me that of which you have knowledge,10 do not have obey them.11 To Me is your return, and I will tell you what you used to do.

9. And those who believe and perform good acts, We Shall include them among the righteous.12

COMMENTARY

1. For the explanation of separate letters, please see Surah Baqarah Note No.1 and Surah Yunus Note No.1.
On this occasion Imam Razi has related a very important point about the separate letters and it is that the letters awaken the addressee that he should come out of his slovenliness. A wise person attracts the attention of his addressee before he expresses his objective. These letters have also appeared before the meaningful words so that through them the addressee should be first alerted. Therefore, when these letters are read separately, then their sound gives a jolt, and this creates an effectiveness in what is said (See Tafseer Kabir, Vol. 25,page 26).
In this surah Alif hints at Eeman (faith), which is repeated often, e.g. in ayat Nos. 2, 7, 9,11, 12, 24, 44, 46, etc.
Lam hints at ‘Liqa-Allah’ (meeting with Allah), which is mentioned in ayat Nos. 5 and 23.
And Meem hints at Munafiqeen, mentioned in ayat No.11.
Besides in this surah the hypocrites (Munafiqeen) have been reproached at various places and the qualities of the people of faith have been presented.

2. Refers to those trying conditions which those who believed in Qur’an and its Messenger had to face. The infidels of Makkah were subjecting them to various kinds of oppression, so much so that they were compelled to forsake their houses and the native place. Accordingly one group of Muslims had left Makkah and had reached Abyssinia. In view of these conditions a question arises in the mind of some people that after accepting the faith why this antagonism of the circumstances ? This very question has been answered in these introductory ayat.
This ayah means that the people have taken for granted that after accepting the faith they would not be made to pass through any tests. It is their great misunderstanding. (For further explanation, please see Surah Baqarah Note No.310).

3. This has been Allah’s tradition (rule) that in every age when people accepted the faith preached by any divine messenger they were made to pass various tests by Allah to judge their sincerity. Therefore, if today the followers of the prophet of Qur’an are made to undergo hard times what is so strange about that?

4. Allah will put them into the fire of trial to judge whether their gold is pure or not, their faith was sincere or was it merely a lip service.
If they remain steadfast and patient in the sufferings inflicted on them by the infidels, then their faith is sincere, and in this path the sacrifices given by them strengthens their relationship with Allah and their character becomes strong. But those who have not accepted Islam sincerely and are made to undergo suffering at the hands of their opponents, they then turn away from Islam openly or else keep their relation with Islam only in name. They have misgivings against Allah and no desire to offer any sacrifice for Allah is created in their hearts. They express no active interest in Islam and succeed in safeguarding their own personal interests with the help of the infidels. Such people are in reality involved in hypocrisy, and with Allah their claim of being faithful is proved be false.
Even today those who give up their own ancestral religion and embrace Islam, they, are made to suffer great hardships at the hands of their own parents, family people or others of the same community. And if a girl embraces Islam, then life is made very hard for her. But those who embrace Islam after understanding its underlying truth, they are prepared to face these adversities as their hearts are strengthened by the force of their faith.

5.This is a warning to those who oppress those who embrace Islam. They should not be under this misunderstanding that by such methods they would be able to stop such persons from following the true religion, when Allah has decided to make them victorious. They should know that they cannot stop Allah from enforcing His decision, nor would they be able to escape His punishment.

6. The people of faith Who are hopeful or meeting with Allah are being reassured that the appointed hour of meeting will surely come, that is, the Day of Resurrection when they will go in the presence of Allah, and the people of faith will be overjoyed by this meeting that they have achieved their goal.
When this desire to meet with Allah is created in the heart, it provides a great immunity against the oppression of the idolaters and such a man stands up to them like a mountain.

7. Hints at the point that Allah answers the appeal of the oppressed people of faith, and knows who is tyrant and who is oppressed. And when He hears and knows all this, then why will He not cause such a day to occur when the oppressed will get justice and the oppressors will be sent to their adverse consequences.

8. In the text the word ‘yujahidu’ is used, derived from the word ‘mujahidah’, meaning striving fully for achieving one’s objective, and bearing utmost suffering. In certain circumstances, to stand firm on Islam, to openly declare its being the true religion, and to fulfil its practical demands, man has to undergo considerable trials and tribulations, and to offer every kind of sacrifice, particularly those people who have embraced Islam recently. Here this very exertion and toil that is being undertaken in the path of Allah has been termed as ‘mujahidah’ (jihad) or striving, and it has been made clear that the benefit of this mujahidah and sacrifice will be received by the person who does this striving and gives sacrifices for his faith, and in this way he makes himself deserving of Allah’s mercy and reward. By his striving and sacrifices Allah will not be benefited in any way. He is Independent of all these and is unconcerned. He does not need anything or anybody.

9. Allah will remove the stains of evil from the sheet of those who will accept the faith and perform good acts, and live righteously. He will give them best rewards for their righteous acts.

10. If to make someone Allah’s partner is against reality, then what is the significance of having faith in an unreal proposition?
‘That of which you have no knowledge’ means: O man ! you do not know that these things are not really god, but some people have made them god by their imagination.

11. Fair and kind treatment of parents had been a part of the divine teaching in every age, but it does not mean that obedience to parents’ teaching has precedence over Allah’s teachings. All obedience, are subservient to Allah’s obedience, and any command of creatures which goes contrary to the commands of the Creator is not worth obeying. If parents command a person to associate some one with Allah or not to accept Allah’s faith, then it is an open sin against Allah, and in matters of sinning there is no question of obeying parents. Therefore, in this matter no pressure from parents should be encouraged.
It is an event concerning Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas (R) that after his embracing Islam, his mother applied great pressure on him that he should give up Islam, so much so that she vowed that she would neither talk to him nor would she take any food or drink till he gave up Islam. In this connection an ayah was revealed to the Prophet and the great companion of the Prophet stuck to his belief and ultimately his mother had to break her vow (See Sahih Muslim Kitabul Fazail.)

12.That is: They will be included in the company of the righteous and virtuous people, which group is the one that will be triumphant in the Hereafter.
Among men there are some who say: ‘We believe in Allah’ but if they be made to suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider persecution of men as Allah’s punishment; and if help comes from your Lord, they will say: ‘Verily, we were with you (all along). Is not Allah best aware of what is in the bosoms of the people? (Al-Quran)

10. Among men there are some who say: ‘We believe in Allah’ but if they be made to suffer for the sake of Allah, they consider persecution of men as Allah’s punishment;13 and if help comes from your Lord, they will say: ‘Verily, we were with you (all along).14 Is not Allah best aware of what is in the bosoms of the people?15

11. And most certainly Allah will know who believe and most certainly He will know who are hypocrites.16

12. Those who disbelieve say to those who believe: ‘Follow our ways (of religion), we will bear your burden of sins.’17 They are not going to bear aught of their sins. Verily, they are liars.18

13. And (it will surely come to pass) they will bear their own burden and other burden beside their own,19 and they will surely be questioned on the Day of Resurrection about the falsehood invented by them.20

14. And We verily sent 21 Nooh to his people, and he dwelt among them a thousand years less fifty,22 and the deluge23 engulfed them and they were wrong-doer.24

15. And We rescued 25 him and those with him in the Ark, and made it a great sign for mankind. 26

16. And (We sent) Ibrahim,27 when he said to his people: “Worship Allah and fear Him;28 that is better for you if you but knew.”29

17. You worship idols instead of Allah30 and invent falsehoods.31 Verily those whom you worship instead of Allah cannot give you food (provision). So seek your provision from Allah32 and worship Him, and give thanks to Him. To Him you shall return.33

13. That is: These claimants to faith are frightened by the suffering which they have to undergo because of their faith at the hands of the idolaters. In such circumstances they ignore the demands of faith, and give up the company of the Prophet and his companions. Thus they prepare themselves to receive Allah’s punishment by not standing up to face the worldly dangers in the cause of their faith although the sufferings that come from the people are insignificant compared to the punishment that come from Allah, in the Hereafter.
Today what a large number of people hesitate to embrace Islam, inspite of considering it to be a true religion, for fear of reprisals from their family people or the community! As for the punishment of Hereafter in the event of not believing and following the true religion, it will be seen when it will confront them. In this way they equate the suffering that is received from the humans with the punishment from Allah, and because of this they do not prepare themselves to face the sufferings from the humans.

14. It is a hint at the point that when Islam would become a powerful religion, with the help of Allah, these very people who were content with a formal relationship with the people of faith will say proudly that they were with them all the while that is they were always among the Muslims, thus they are trying to get credit which they did not at all deserve, and they will conveniently forget that in the time of difficulties they had not sided with Islam.

15. It is a pointer to the fact that these people had not accepted faith with sincerity. Had they accepted faith with sincerity, they would have come forward to help Islam’s cause, they would have kept their attitude straight in difficult times, and they would have given sacrifices for Allah.

16. That is: Allah will definitely see who proves himself to be a true and sincere Muslim and who proves himself to be a hypocrite. Trying times bring out the difference between the faithful and the hypocrite clearly.
It may be noted that only that faith carries weight with Allah which is held sincerely and with the full support of heart. This faith creates a special feeling and a special light in man’s heart, by which a Momin’s entire life is illuminated. As against this a hypocrite expresses his belief, but his heart does not confirm it, therefore, true faith does not at all exist in his heart, and for this reason he is not prepared to meet the demands of faith, nor in his life influences of faith are seen.

17. This is the talk of the big people. This is what they say to the common people, and particularly to their subordinate people that you follow our religions and do not give it up to embrace Islam. They say that first of all the Day of Resurrection is not going to occur, and even if it occurs, then on that day the burden of all the sins that you would have committed would be taken by us on our shoulder, and the responsibility of committing the sin of not accepting Islam by you will be taken by us.

18. That is: On the Day of Resurrection they will not be willing to take the responsibility of the sins of those whom they are advising to follow their religions, they are fooling the people by telling lies.

19. They will bear the burden of their own sins, as well as the burden of the sins of others whom they have misguided. In the Hadith it is stated-
“Whoever calls towards misguidance (evil), there will be burden of sins on him also as it will be on the person who commits the evil act, and there will be nothing short in his own sins.”(Muslim, Kitabul Ilm).

20. That is: The falsehood that they have been inventing and the lies that they have been concocting in the name of religion and imputing it to God will have to be accounted for by them on the Day of Resurrection. They will be questioned about them.

21. Here events of the lives of Prophet Nooh and other messengers are briefly presented, which give an idea of how trying times and hard circumstances the prophets (peace be upon them) had to pass. For details about Prophet Noah, see Surah A’raf Note No.95.

22. Qur’an does not go into the minute details of the events, it has not related the age of any prophet. But since the purpose to show that Prophet Nooh spent an extraordinary period in striving for spreading the message of Islam. which is an excellent example of keeping patience and persevering in trying circumstances, therefore here it has been clarified that he lived in his community for a period of nine hundred and fifty years, and by stating this period to be a thousand years less fifty is to emphasise the long period spent by him in the dawah work, as this style is very effective.
Prophet Nooh dwelt for nine hundred and fifty years among his community, but how long he lived after the destruction of his community, has not been clarified. Therefore, we cannot say what was the age of Prophet Nooh, but it is certain that it was a little more than nine hundred and fifty years. However in the Bible his total age has been shown to be nine hundred and fifty years. In ancient times the age of human beings used to be much longer than the normal ages of the present day humans. Accordingly in the Bible the age of Prophet Nooh’s father has been shown to be seven hundred and seventy seven years and the age of his grandfather is shown to be nine hundred and sixty nine years” (Genesis, Chapter 5). The natural environment of those ancient days was quite different from the present day environment and it was free from all unnatural and artificial encumbrances. Moreover in those days the natural factors were quite helpful for longer living.

23.The flood refers to the well known deluge which drowned the community of Prophet Nooh.

24. They had wronged themselves by indulging in polytheism and disbelief, and they stuck to this wrong doing till their last.

25. For explanation, please see Surah A’raf Note No.103.

26. That is: The Ark of Prophet Nooh (Noah’s Ark) was made a great sign for the people of the world. As long as this Ark was being seen by the people, it reminded them of this event and was a sign which taught them a moral. After this the event of the Ark is preserved by the pages of the history and the Qur’an in such a way that till the end of the world the people will get the lesson that only those people will be rescued from the punishment of Allah who will believe in Him and will follow His Messenger.

27. That is: Ibrahim was sent as a messenger. For explanation please see Surah An’am Note No.127.

28. Fear Allah means fear disobeying Allah, and the greatest disobedience of Allah is polytheism and idolatry.

29. That is: If you give up ignorance and try to learn in what your benefit lies, then you will easily understand that worshipping the only God and living a life fearing Him only is the right, fruitful and beneficial way.

30.Those whom you worship are not gods but mere idols. These statues of stone have no attributes of godhood in them. Their reality is nothing beyond stone and dust. Then what is the meaning of worshipping them ?
That idolatry is non-sensical is quite clear and there is absolutely no argument in favour of its being right or lawful. But it is strange that not only in the past but in the present times also, which is supposed to be the age of knowledge and intellectualism, many people still indulge in idolatry, and when there is no reasonable argument in support of idolatry, they make strange statements. Some extracts from the’ Outlines of Hinduism’ may be seen:
“The Idol is the most concrete of God’s form.” “and the belief is that God descends into the idol and makes it divinely alive so that he may be easily accessible to his devotees.” -(Outlines of Hinduism by T.M.P. Mahadevan p.193-194). When no reasonable argument is found in support of idolatry then its exponents indulge in such senseless talk. Would that they use their intelligence and talk sensibly!

31. That is: your god is imaginary as also your religion. Thus it is falsehood and nothing else, which you have named as god and religion.

32. To provide food and provision was not within the power of these idols whom they worshipped as gods nor in the power of others, but it is within the power of Allah and they should, there fore, seek their provision and food from Allah.
Inspite of the clear directions: ‘Seek livelihood from Allah only’ a big group of Muslims seeks livelihood in their prayers from the saints, which is open polytheism. When they shout invoking ‘Khwaja’ to fill in their ‘jholi’ (cloth basket), they have no realisation that such an act of theirs is polluted with polytheism, for the ‘ignorant scholars’ (ulema) have taught them so. If they would have studied Qur’an with an open mind, the truth would have become clear to them and they would have been saved from straying.

33. After death you will neither be returned to the idols nor to any other beings, but you will be returned to Allah only, and He alone will give you recompense for your all actions. Therefore, your real God is He only and to Him only you will be returning.

18. And if you deny, then (other) nations before Had denied. And there is no responsibility on the messenger but to convey (the Message) clearly.34

19. Do they35 not see how Allah initiates the creation and then will reproduce it? Verily for Allah that is easy.36

20. Say: “Travel in the land and see how He originated Creation, then Allah will create a later Creation.” Verily Allah has power over everything.37

21. He punishes whom He will, and shows mercy38 to whom He will, and to Him you will be returned.39

22. You cannot escape (from Him) in the earth or in the sky,40 and beside Allah there is for you no Guardian nor Helper.41

23. And those who disbelieve in the revelations of Allah and in (their) Meeting with Him, they will have no hope of My mercy,42 and they are those for whom is painful punishment.

24. The reply of Ibrahim’s people was nothing except that they said: “Kill him or burn him.”43 ' But Allah rescued him from the fire.44 Verily there are signs in it for those who believe.45

25. He said: “You have chosen idols instead of Allah (to promote) mutual affection among you in this world. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will disown one another, and curse one another, your home will be Hellfire, and you will have no helpers.”46

26. And Loot believed in him.47 And Ibrahim said: “I will migrate towards my Lord.48 Verily, He is the Mighty One, the Wise.”49

34.The duty of the divine messenger is to convey Allah’s word and message in clear terms and to believe in that is your responsibility.

35.The statement of Prophet Ibrahim concluded with the foregoing ayah. The matter from here till the ayah No.23 is addition from Allah, as is clear from the style of the words used, so that the addressees of the Qur’an may be invited to contemplate and ponder.

36. The deniers of the Hereafter considered life in the next world impossible. To remove their doubt, they have been invited to ponder over the beginning of the Creation, that the Being for whom it was possible to bring in existence a creature like man from non-existence, for such a Being what difficulty is there to repeat such a process once more? (For further explanation, please see Surah Hajj Note No.7 and Surah Muminoon, Note No.18).

37. When man goes out of his surroundings, he sees strange models of creation which invite him to ponder over them, for example in sea travel new and novel types of fishes will be seen, in the journey by land colourful birds and in the jungles various kinds of animals will be observed. In short the outside world will appear like a zoo, where life will appear in thousands of forms. If the observer has a wakeful conscience, then it will speak out that it is the creation of a Being, who is the Holder of Great Might, Grand Craftsman, has full control over creation, Knower and Wise, Beautiful and perfectionist. This aspect of recognition of the Creator will create in the heart of man a belief that He has power to create man for the second time, and the talk of reviving men on the Day of Resurrection presented by Qur’an is quite true. Qur’an has invited man to undertake travel in the land with this noble cause in view.
It is therefore, learnt that to undertake journey for seeking knowledge and for research in the cause of Allah is the means resulting in good and is auspicious.

38. Hints at the fact that by travelling in the land the history of the rise and fall of the nations passes before man’s eyes, and he will know how many nations were made the victims of Allah’s punishment and how many nations were rescued or saved, and were helped to progress by His mercy.

39. That is: Ultimately you have to be brought back to Allah’s presence.

40. As man is bound by the physical laws, similarly he is bound by Allah’s law of reward and punishment. At every place he is within Allah’s reach, whether he goes to the remotest corner of the land or on the highest peak of the mountain. Today man travels in the air in an aeroplane, but his helplessness is such that if Allah Wants him to be a victim of an accident, then it becomes impossible for him to save himself.

41. For you there is really no Reliever or Helper except Allah, therefore, do not consider any other being as your reliever and helper and do not treat him in the manner in which Allah is to be treated. And remember that if Allah wants to seize you with His punishment, then there is none who can help you in any way.

42. In this ayah an important reality has been stated concerning deniers, and it is that if they nursed any hope in their hearts of receiving reward from Him and partaking of His mercy, they would not have rejected His revelations nor would have they denied the Hereafter; but when they have denied it they have done so believing that the Hereafter will never occur, nor would there be an occasion for them to receive Allah’s mercy and any reward from Him; the life is restricted to this world only, after this it is all over, where will they be for receiving Allah’s mercy. And when they have adopted the negative stance in connection with Allah’s mercy then there is no reason that they should partake of it in the Hereafter. Therefore they will be thrown away from the mercy and they will have to suffer painful punishment.
Those who have a soft corner for the infidels in their hearts, they interpret strangely the everlasting punishment which the infidels are to get and want that they should also get some part of Allah’s mercy, but they forget that the disbelievers themselves are pessimistic about Allah’s mercy. Had they been candidates for Allah’s mercy, they would have believed in the Hereafter.

43. That is: The reply Prophet Ibrahim’s community gave to the message which he presented to them was that he should be finished so that these unpleasant talks might not be heard by them.

44. Finally they threw Prophet Ibrahim into the fire, but Allah saved him miraculously, as is narrated in Surah Anbiya, ayah No.69, clearly.

45. In this event concerning Ibrahim (Alaihis Salam) there exist signs of monotheism being the right faith, Ibrahim being the true prophet of Allah, his being persecuted at the hands of the disbelievers and the miraculous manifestation of Allah’s help.

46. This statement of Prophet Ibrahim, as is clear from the style of the wording of the Qur’an, pertains to the time after his safely coming out of the fire, and this statement means that these idols are for them the means of national unity and mutual affection, and they feel that giving them up would be instrumental in disrupting their unity. Under this wrong impression they have over looked the adverse consequences of idolatry which they will have to face in the Hereafter. On the Day of Resurrection when the reality of polytheism being false and a serious crime will become manifest to them, then where this national unity and affection of theirs will be. At that time they will be accusing one another of misleading and will be cursing one another. Ultimately all of them will be thrown in Hell. Then of what use are such national unity and mutual affection.
Even today quite a number of idolaters. knowing fully well that idolatry is nonsensical are not willing to give it up because it will affect their social relationships and their relation with their community will be cut off. What kind of sensible people are they that they are not prepared to face this worldly danger and are willing to undergo the permanent punishment in the Hereafter.

47.In the whole nation there was only one person who agreed with Prophet Ibrahim and believed in what he said, and that person was Prophet Loot, he believed in his prophethood. According to Bible’s clarification Prophet Loot was Prophet Ibrahim’s nephew. He was blessed with prophethood after migration. A person who is to become prophet acts righteously, is of rightful nature, from the very first day of his life. Therefore, the message of Prophet Ibrahim was not a novel thing for him. Therefore he came forward to accept his dawah and believed in his prophethood.

48.That is: I migrate for the sake of my Lord, by His command and under His guidance. I will go wherever He will take me, for in reality my Lord only is my destination.
After conveying to the community Allah’s message convincingly Prophet Ibrahim left his native place by Allah’s command, so that the work of religion may be carried on in another country, if it was finished in his country. He was a citizen of Ur (Iraq), then he lived in Haran, and from there he migrated to Canaan (Syria). In this migration, Prophet Loot was also with him, and according to Bible his wife Sarah was also with him. This small caravan of people of faith comprising of three persons, changed the history of the world.

49. At the time of migration, Prophet Ibrahim referred to these two attributes of Allah in consideration of the fact that Allah’s decision is inevitably enforced, and He is Wise, therefore, every plan of His must be perfect and wise one. After the migration the grand acts which were performed by Prophet Ibrahim fully manifested the wise planning of Allah. And We bestowed on him Ishaq and Yaqub, and caused the prophethood and the Book to be given to his descendents, and We gave him his reward in this world, and verily in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous. (Al-Quran)

27. And We bestowed on him Ishaq and Yaqub.50 and caused the prophethood and the Book to be given to his descendents,51 and We gave him his reward in this world,52 and verily in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.53

28. And (We sent) Loot,54 when he said to his people: “Verily you commit indecent acts such as no creature did before you.55

29. ”Do you lust after men, and commit robberies on the highways,56 and perform indecent acts in your meetings?”57 But the answer of his people was nothing except this: “Bring down Allah’s punishment on us, if you are truthful.”58

30. He prayed: “My Lord! help me against the degenerate people.”59

31. And when Our messengers brought Ibrahim the good news, they said: “Verily we are about to destroy the people of that township, for its people are wrong-doers.”60

32. He said: “Verily, Loot is also there.” They said: “We very well know who is there. We will deliver him and his kinsfolk except his wife, who is of those who will stay behind.”61

33. And when Our messengers came to Loot, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless 62 (to protect them,) They said “Have no fear, nor grieve. Verily, we will deliver you and your kinsfolk except your wife, who is of those who will stay behind.

34. ”Surely we will bring down on the people of this township a scourge from heaven for they are disobeying people.”63

35. And verily We have left a clear sign64 of that for people who have sense.

50. Ishaq (Isaac) was Ibrahim’s son and Yaqub (Jacob) his grandson. Both of them were blessed by Allah with His prophethood.

51. The chain of prophethood and Scriptures continued in the descendents of Prophet Ibrahim only, and the leadership of mankind remained with this very family. In view of this reality, we cannot imagine anyone who is not a descendent of Prophet Ibrahim to be a divine prophet, e.g. there cannot be any question of Gautam Buddha being a prophet, as he was not a descendent of Prophet Ibrahim. Similarly any book after the time of Prophet Ibrahim which is related to a person who is not a descendent of Prophet Ibrahim cannot be considered a divine scripture. Various religious books of India which are considered holy come under this category.
The interpretation of the ayah presented by us is supported by this explanation of Allama Ibn Katheer:
“After Prophet Ibrahim there was no prophet who was not his descendent.” -(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Vol.3,p.411) And Allama Shaukani states:
“Allah did not send a prophet after Ibrahim except he was from his descendents.” -(Fathul Qadeer, Vol. 4 page. 199).

52. After causing Prophet Ibrahim to pass through various trials and tribulations, these are the rewards which Allah bestowed on him in this world, including blessings like true honour and success, leadership, a son blessed with prophethood, chain of prophethood and scriptures in his descendents, his remembrance with praises, and heartfelt prayers of people of faith for peace and mercy for him. Compared to all these blessings the wealth of this world is insignificant.

53. In the Hereafter he will be with virtuous people, and will be blessed with rewards and mercy.

54. After migration Prophet Loot was sent to the townships of Siddom and Ammura, which are on the shores of the Dead Sea. For further explanation, please see Surah A’raf Note No.127.

55. This has been explained in Surah A’raf Note No.129

56. It seems they also indulged in highway robberies and kidnappings, that is why Prophet Loot asked them to stop their nefarious activities.

57. They had become so shameless that they used to commit indecent acts openly in their gatherings.
In present times for social commitment of evils and indecent acts night clubs and other such institutions have been opened, which are the great means of corruption in the society.

58. On the one side was Prophet Loot who was striving with full ardour for the reform of his community and on the other side was his community which was inviting Allah’s punishment on itself with full audacity.

59. When Prophet Loot was disappointed with his community, he prayed to Allah in this way.

60. At that time Prophet Ibrahim was in Hibrun (Palestine) and at a distance of a few miles from it was Siddom, where the community of Prophet Loot was living. The angels had gone to Prophet Ibrahim with the glad tidings of the birth of Prophet Ishaq and Yaqub. On this occasion they also informed Prophet Ibrahim that they would be destroying the community of Loot, i.e. on one hand they gave him the good news of Allah’s mercy for him, and on the other hand they informed him of the destruction of a wicked community.

61. for explanation, please see Surah A’raf Note No.132

62. This has been explained in Surah Hood. Note No.108.

63. Accordingly a rain of stones fell on the community of Loot, and Allah had appointed these angels for effecting this punishment. For further explanation, see Surah Hood, Note No.119.

64. That is: Some signs of this township have been left, which provide a lesson for others. These signs existed for a long time and afterwards this portion drowned in the sea, which is called the Dead Sea, and its other name is Sea of Loot, which reminds us how wrong-doers are wiped out from the page of existence. The water of the Dead Sea is so much saline that no fish, etc., can survive in this water. (See Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. V, P.525).

36. And to Madyan (we sent) their brother, Shuaib.65 He said: “O my people! worship Allah,66 and look forward to the Last Day,67 and do not corrupt on the earth with wickedness.”68

37. But they denied him, so the dreadful earthquake took them, and they lay prostrate in their dwelling places.69

38. And A’ad70 and Thamud71 (We also destroyed),and it is manifest to you from (the ruins of) their dwellings.72 Satan made their foul deeds look beautiful to them, and debarred them from the right path, though they were observers.73

39. And Qaroon,74 and Firaun and Haman 75 (also We destroyed). Moosa came to them with clear signs, but they were boastful in the land, though they were powerless to escape Us.

40. So each of them We seized for his sin; of them was he on whom We sent a hurricane, and of them was he who was overtaken by the dreadful Cry, and of them was he whom We caused the earth to swallow and of them was he whom We drowned.76 It was not for Allah to wrong them, but they wronged themselves.77

41. The likeness of those who choose other guardians than Allah is as the likeness of the spider that has made its house, and verily the frailest of all houses is the house of the spider, if they but knew it.78

42. Verily, Allah knows what thing they invoke instead of Him. He is the Mighty, the Wise.79

43. And these example We relate for ( the understanding of ) the people, but none understand it except the men of knowledge.80

65. For explanation, please see Surah A’raf, Note No.134.

66. That is: Worship and serve only Allah and none else.

67. Worshipping Allah, look forward to and hope that a Day of Recompense will surely come when you will be meeting Allah, and He, for the reason that you had been worshipping Him and had lived as His faithful slave, will reward you fully for that.

68. In human society corruption and mischief are caused only by those who have no interest in worshipping Allah nor have they any hope of getting rewards from Him in the Hereafter; they are desirous of only worldly benefits, in whatever manner and by whatever methods they may be got.

69. For explanation please see Surah A’raf Note No.147.

70. For explanation please see Surah Fajr Note No.8

71. For explanation please see Surah Fajr Note No.13

72. The ruins of the dwelling places of the tribe of A’ad existed till the time of the revelation of Qur’an, but they have now perished. But the ruins of the dwelling places of the tribe of Thamud still exist in the north of Madina at a place known as Al-’Ula.

73. In their worldly matter they were very keen observers and clever, but wherever there arose the question of religion and God their keenness of observation and cleverness failed them. Same is the case of the present day people. They have used their intellectual capabilities to achieve great material progress, but in the matter of their achievements for the Hereafter they have remained blank.

74. For explanation please see Surah Qasas Note No.143.

75. For explanation please see Surah Qasas Note No.11

76. Different nations were given different kinds of punishment. The events of the destructions of these transgressing nations have been narrated in the Qur’an at various places.

77. Whoever will place himself in fire will get ,burnt, because that is the natural outcome of going against the laws of nature, therefore, he himself is responsible for his own destruction and not God. Similarly those nations who rebel against Allah, they challenge the law of justice of Allah. If, therefore, the whip of Allah’s punishment cracks down on them, then for that they themselves are responsible for they had offered themselves for destruction. No responsibility for that devolves on Allah. In fact Allah is ruling over this world with perfect justice.

78. This is the example of the worshippers of the beings other than Allah, that the deities on whom they keep their reliance have no power of their own. They can neither fulfill their needs nor can they relieve them of distress, nor can they intercede on their behalf with Allah and get them any relief. Therefore, these supports have no better position than the cobwebs of a spider. The spider’s web is so frail and weak that the slightest breeze is enough to blow it away. Similarly those who put their faith in others for fulfilling their needs of relieving them in distress, instead of on Allah, they build their house of hopes and expectations on mere superstition, but when the time for declaration of results will come, they will find that their house does not exist at all. How many hopes have thus been dashed! The example of the spider also occurs in the Bible:
“the hope of the atheist shall perish, His confidence breaks in sunder, and his trust is ‘a spider’s web. He leans against his house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it does not endure. (job 8 : 13-15) -

79. Whomsoever they invoke besides Allah for fulfilling their needs what is their reality is very well known by Allah. It means that the polytheists may claim all kinds of divine powers or their ability to intercede before Allah on their behalf in respect of these deities or saints, Allah knows well that all these claims are false and none deserves to be invoked for redressing their distress.
It may be noted that a group of Muslims which indulges in polytheism and innovations (bid’at) considers the applicability of these ayat in which the invocation of others besides Allah is limited to gods and goddesses only. As for invoking the saints, etc., they do not consider it as polytheism. They say to invoke saints, etc., is like calling police or other government officers for help, but this argument is irrelevant and untenable. If in reply to this point that we should not bow before anybody besides Allah, some one says that we have to bow before the barber, then it is merely an irrelevant and foolish answer. Every statement and point has a place and an occasion, and if it is removed from that place and the occasion it would lose its original sense. Every one knows that to call the police or any government official and to invoke a saint who is buried miles away is a lot of difference. The first thing belongs to the material and existing world, and the second thing pertains to the world of Unseen. For the first thing there is no concept of there being any divine power, while for the second thing this concept is always there. For this very reason they are supposed to posses the divine attributes which are exclusively meant for Allah, e.g. ‘Ghauth’ (answering the appeals for help), ‘Mushkilkusha’ (reliever of suffering), etc. In fact to deal with anybody as one deals with Allah is to consider that being equal to Allah. To consider saints everpresent and ever-seeing like Allah is nothing else but polytheism.

80. That is: Those who do not live in the darkness of ignorance but live in the light of knowledge, for such people the teachings of Qur’an are understandable.
Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth.Surely there is a great sign in this for the believers. Recite from the Book that has been revealed to you, and establish salat. Verily salat prevents from lewdness and evil. And Allah’s remembrance is great.And Allah knows what you do.(Al-Quran)

44. Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth.81 Surely there is a great sign82 in this for the believers.

45. Recite from the Book that has been revealed to you,83 and establish salat. Verily salat prevents from lewdness and evil.84 And Allah’s remembrance is great.85 And Allah knows what you do.

46. And do not argue with the people of the Book except in a way which is better, unless it is with those among them who do wrong. And say: “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, our God and your God is one, and to Him we are submissive.”86

47. Likewise We have revealed the book to you.87 Those to whom We gave the Scripture (before) believe in it; 88 and some of these (Meccans) also believe in it,89 and only the disbelievers deny our revelations.90

48. (O Prophet ! ) never had you read a book before, nor had you written it with your right hand, for then who follow falsehood might have doubted it.91

49. But it is clear revelation in the hearts of those who are endowed with knowledge.92 And only the wrong-doers deny Our revelations.

50. And they say: “Why no signs have been sent down to him from his Lord ?”93 Say: “Signs are with Allah, and I am but a clear warner.”

51. Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the Book which is recited to them ? Verily there is in this a reminder for the people who believe.94

81. For explanation please see Surah An’am Note No.124.

82. That is: The sign to show that monotheism is true which negates polytheism.

83. In this conflict of truth and falsehood mentioned above the Prophet, Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, and through him his followers, have been directed to recite the Qur’an and establish salat, which signifies that the deniers are wasting their lives, let them do it, you should develop in yourselves a quality which would beautify your lives and which would provide to you benefit in the Hereafter. And that quality is: deep relationship with Allah, and deep relation with Allah is established by reciting the Divine Book and by establishing the prayer.
Full benefit from the recitation of the Qur’an can be obtained only by reciting in the manner which it deserves, i.e. first of all man should try to ponder over its teachings. He should accept its consul, and accepting its guidance adopt His life according to its teaching. But it does not mean that non-Arabic knowing Muslims should always read Qur’an with its translation. It is not always possible, for in the salat only recitation of Qur’an is possible. The question of reading its translation there does not arise. The main point is that Qur’an being the word of Allah, its mere recitation is Allah’s worship and is the means of nearness to Allah; when a man believing in it with sincerity recites it then he remembers Allah and because of the effect of the divine word his heart becomes tender, and it is a great spiritual wealth. That is why for every word of Qur’an its reciter gets a reward, therefore, the importance of the recitation of Qur’an cannot be lessened. The more arrangement for its recitation the more would be its reward. Such an encouragement is given in the Qur’an itself and also in the hadith. As for those who recite the Qur’an much but do not try to understand its meaning, it is like offering the salat without knowing what is being read in it, so much so that they do not know what are the meanings of the Surah Fatiha, bowing and prostration and what is read in them, nor do they know what promises they make in the salat and what they deny in it. Though such prayers are supposed to have been duly performed, they remain defective from the standpoint of their fruitfulness, their blessings and their rewards. Similarly by recitation, the benefit of worship is achieved, but on account of carelessness concerning its sense and meaning not only the reward for this worship is lessened but a person who is reciter of this kind is not benefited from the Qur’an and he is unable to establish the relationship which he should have established with the Qur’an for his own training, purification and guidance, and this is a great deprivation. Do such people feel that Allah wont ask them as to why they did not try to understand Qur’an which was with them? Was this Book revealed only for recitation or was it revealed to enable them to get light (of knowledge) from it?

84. This is quite a perceptible effect of salat that it causes purification in thinking and righteousness inactions. Even then what a large number of people are there who are regular prayer-offerers and also evil-doers, but this is their own fault, because only that prayer is effective which is performed with concentration, devotion and humility. And Allah has guaranteed triumph in the Hereafter for only those people of faith who offer their prayer with humility and concentration, (Surah Muminoon, ayah No.2 and note No.2) If the prayer is bereft of sincerity, then the desire to avoid sin does not develop.

85. From this the importance of remembering Allah becomes clear. This is a great form of worship and salat is the best example of this form. In ‘zikr’ (remembering) Allah, is included remembering Him in heart, to utter His name from the mouth and singing His praises. Whoever remembers Allah, he establishes a relationship with Him, and its extraordinary effects influence his heart, mind and practical life. Then the sweetness, the pleasure and enjoyment experienced in remembering Allah cannot be imagined by those who have no interest in this activity.
Allama Ibn Taimiyah has clarified the importance of the remembrance of Allah in a very nice way. He writes :
“Salat eliminates undesirable things like shamelessness and evil and refreshes Allah’s remembrance, which is a desirable thing; and achieving of this desirable thing compared to eliminating the undesirable things is a great achievement, for remembrance of Allah is His worship, and Allah’s worship from heart is in itself the desired objective, while elimination of evil from it is the natural objective for some thing.”
(Majmu’ Fatawa Ibn Taimiyah, Vo1.10, p.188) For further explanation, please see Surah Taha Note No.16.

86. This Surah was revealed at a time when a group of Muslims had migrated to Abyssinia due to the oppression by the unbelievers. In Abyssinia (Ethiopia)the ruler was a Christian. Thus Muslims got an opportunity to present the message of Qur’an before the Christians. In view of this the direction is given that with them the argument and debate should be in a better way, and further on it was clarified that the discussion should be started with the point of agreement between the two, and it was this that the scriptures which were revealed for them are also believed in by Muslims, and that the God of both is one, then why should they not believe in the Book that He has revealed then; and if the reality of faith is acceptance and agreement, then why should they not put their faith in the Prophet whom He has sent for the guidance of all, and why should they not accept him as their prophet?
In connection with the dawah the direction to adopt the best way and nice style of discussion is a direction of principle. Aggressive debating and philosophical discussion do not yield anything. However sober discussion, argumentative power and appealing style conquer hearts. For further explanation, please see Surah Nahl, Note No.186.
As for the wrong-doers, that is those who are not prepared to use their common sense and intelligence and are determined to stick to their wrongdoing, then however good a method of dawah may be adopted it is not going to influence them at all.

87. That is: O Prophet! As We had been revealing the holy Scriptures before this, similarly this time also We are revealing the divine Book to you.

88. Qur’an uses the phrases: ‘the Book was bestowed’ and ‘the Book was given’ with a certain shade of difference, the Book was bestowed or revealed is to indicate those people of the Book who appreciated the divine Book, and the Book was given indicates the general people of the Book.
Here those people of the Book whose accepting the faith is mentioned are the sincere ones who believed in the divine Book from before and when the Qur’an was presented to them, they at once believed in it. The reference particularly is to those Christians of Abyssinia who believed in Qur’an and its Prophet, and among them the king of Abyssinia, Najashi (Negus) was in the forefront.

89. That is: From among the people of Makkah also there are people who are embracing Islam.

90. Here by ‘Kafir’ (disbelievers) are meant those people who are not at all prepared to accept faith, i.e. die-hard disbelievers.

91. What can be a more convincing proof of Muhammad, Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam, being a true prophet than the fact that he did not know to read or write i.e. he was unlettered. He had never read the Torah or the Injeel, the divine Books that were with the people of the Book, nor did he ever copy anything from those books with his hands. And this thing was known to the idolaters of Makkah and all others, therefore, none denied the fact of his being an unlettered man. In such a case the question arises: How did it become possible for an unlettered man like him to present to the world a Book like Qur’an which is a treasure of knowledge and enlightenment, and which presents the history of prophets with perfect authenticity, which is a remedy for the sick hearts, which also bedecks man with good moral character, and whose every statement is balanced and appropriate and every word a ruby and diamond, and in which the right recognition of God is given, and in which provision is made for the guidance of man? There is no other answer to this question except that the Qur’an is not of his authorship but is a Book revealed by God, and this is a clear proof of his prophethood.
After the bestowal of prophethood also, he did not learn reading and writing and no authentic hadith can be produced in support of the point that afterwards he had not remained unlettered. His being unlettered is not a but is a thing to be proud of because inspite of being unlettered his presenting of a Book full of wisdom like Qur’an is an open miracle, which will last for ever.
For further explanation please see Surah A’raf Note No.234

92. This is another proof of Qur’an being the Book of God. The message of Qur’an is the Natures invitation, and a right-minded person, hearing its ayat, feels that it is a distinguished piece of wordings and it is God who is speaking. And if the person has knowledge of other divine Books which were revealed before Qur’an, then he will know that the source of both is the same, as if the people of knowledge consider the verses of Qur’an as if they are the matter of their own heart. In other words, the ayat of Qur’an are written on the tablets of heart of the people of knowledge, and this is the clear evidence of its being the word of God.

93. Means tangible and perceptible miracles.

94. This is an answer to their query that he is a prophet, then why he does not manifest a miracle before them saying this Book is a great miracle; in the presence of this miracle there is no need for any other miracle.
Then this miracle is very beneficial owing to its nature: those who will believe in it, Allah’s mercy will descend upon them and they will get a reminding admonition from it.

52. ( O Prophet ! ) Say: “Allah suffices for witness between me and you.95 He knows what is in the heavens and the earth. Those who believe in falsehood and deny Allah they will be the losers.”96

53. They demand of you to hasten the punishment. Had it not been for the appointed term, they would have been overtaken by the punishment; 97 and it will overtake them suddenly, and they will not perceive it98 (coming).

54. They demand of you to hasten the punishment, although the Hell is (already) encompassing the disbelievers.99

55. On the day the punishment will cover them from above and underneath their feet and He will say: “Taste (the reward of) what you had been doing.”

56. O my slaves, who believe! My earth is vast, so worship Me only.100

57. Every soul will taste death.101 Then to us you will be returned.

58. Those who believe and do good acts, verily We will house them in lofty mansions102 of Paradise underneath which rivers flow; therein they will abide forever. How sweet is the reward for righteous workers,

59. Who persevere patiently and put their trust in their Lord!103

60. How many an animal that does not bear its own provision! Allah provides for it and for you too.104 He is the Hearer, the Knower.105

61. If you ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and made subservient the sun and the moon, they would say: “Allah.” How can they turn away from Him?106

95. After conveying the arguments of the Qur’an, there does not remain any need for presenting any argument for prophethood. By revealing this Book, the evidence which Allah has provided is sufficient for his prophethood.

96.’Batil’ or falsehood means opposed to truth. Allah is the greatest reality of this universe, whose real recognition can be gained through His messenger and His Book. Any belief of theory that a man would hold against this reality will be false and its result will be nothing else but doom.

97. That is: The punishment will not come until the term of performing good or bad acts, fixed by Allah, is over. If it were not the rule of Allah that the denier of His messenger were not to be given time to reform then the punishment would have descended on them much before.

98. That is: If they stuck to their disbelief, then punishment will surely come, and it will come in such a way that they will not even know when and how it came.
Subsequently however people continued to embrace Islam and the number of the Prophet’s followers went on increasing. Therefore, the few disbelievers that were left, for them Allah’s wisdom did not consider it necessary to send down punishment from the heavens, and instead He caused the swords of Muslims to fall on their heads as His punishment. Accordingly battles between Islam and disbelief were fought and the disbelievers were eliminated in a way they hardly imagined.

99.That is: This was the case of punishment in this world. As for the punishment in the next world, then the Hell is not far away from the disbelievers. It is encompassing them from all sides, i.e. they are in the grip of the Hell in every way.
For further explanation, please see Surah Kahf, Note No.47.

100. At the time of the revelation of this Surah, Muslims in Makkah were handful only. On their embracing Islam the disbelievers let loose a reign of terror against them. In view of these circumstances, they were directed to migrate to some other country, If they had no freedom of worship in their own land. Accordingly the migration to Abyssinia started.
It is the basic teaching of Islam that if the conditions in their country become intolerable, even in the holy city of Makkah also, that they cannot express their faith openly and cannot worship the only God, then they should leave their land and go to some other country where it is possible for them to follow the basic tenets of their religion; on such occasions love for the country and the nation should not be an obstruction, for one’s religion and faith the nation, the country and the home can be given up, but for the nation, the country and the home the religion and the faith cannot be sacrificed.
“The country’s love is part of the faith” is an invented hadith, which is presented by the people without any research, and the purpose is to prove that Islam supports nationalism, although in the Qur’an migration has been presented as demand of faith, which is quite opposed to nationalism.

101. That is: When everybody has to die, then the worry should be for the life after death. The remembrance of death prepares man to face the sufferings that come in the way of following the religion, and it keeps him away from the luxuries of the world. The hadith says:
“Remember often the thing which ends the pleasures i.e. the death.” -(Tirmizi-Abwabuzzuhd).

102. In the foregoing ayah there was a mention of giving up native places and homes for the sake of religion, here in that context a mention is made, particularly of rewarding them with lofty mansions in the Paradise.
For further explanation, please see Surah Furqan Note No.109.

103. Here two attributes of the people of faith have been stated: patience and trust in God. With reference to context it means to be patient while enduring sufferings in the cause of the faith, and to undergo all trials and tribulation that come in the way of following the religion. As for the trust in God, the people of faith do not put their trust in material things, but always in Allah who is the Original Causative Force, and changes the circumstances according to His will. Trust is that condition of heart which is created as a result of earnest belief in God’s ability to rule the world.

104. In the event of migration the question of livelihood arises, therefore, attention is being drawn to this reality, that to provide food and livelihood is Allah’s responsibility. He provides food to the animals, so why would He not provide food for you. You see that countless animals, birds and creatures living in water do not carry food with them, but Allah provides them food wherever they go. Similarly He is providing food regularly to the humans, therefore, they should worry only about worshipping Allah and not about what they would eat.
Such a guarantee from Allah of providing food does not mean that man should not at all adopt right methods of livelihood and obtaining food. Even animals have to make some efforts to obtain their food, or else the spider would not have made its cobwebs, and the ants would not have formed long queues, nor the birds would have flown away from their nests in search of food every morning. A hadith has it:
“If you had put trust in Allah as is the right way of doing it, then you would be given food as birds are given their food, that in the morning they set out hungry and in the evening return belly full.”
(Tirmizi-Abwabuz- Zuhd).
However, this teaching of trust in God saves Muslims from becoming bread-worshippers, which is the product of the communist mentality nowadays.

105. Hints at the fact that Allah hears your appeals and knows your conditions.

106. The polytheists of Makkah knew that Allah had created the heavens and the earth and He had made the sun and the moon subservient to man, but inspite of this admission of the reality they deviated from its demands and indulged in polytheism. Here such a fact has been quoted as an amazing practice, that is when they admit the reality then what makes them deviate from faith ? And how is it that they go astray? Allah gives provision abundantly to whom He will and sparingly to whom He will. Verily Allah is Aware of all things. (Al-Quran)

62. Allah gives provision abundantly to whom He will and sparingly to whom He will. Verily Allah is Aware of all things.107

63. If you ask them who sent water from the sky and revived the earth when it was dead, they would say: “Allah.” Say: “Praise108 then be to Allah:” But most of them have no sense. 109

64. This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Verily the abode of the Hereafter that is (the true) life, if they only knew it !110

65. When they sail in the ship they invoke Allah, making their submissiveness pure for Him only,111 but when He brings them safe to land, at once they ascribe partners to Him,

66. So that they may show ingratitude for what We have given them, and that they may enjoy (the life of this world).

67. Do they not see that We have made a safe sanctuary, while all around them men are carried off by force?112 Do they then believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the bounty of Allah?

68. And who is more wicked than the man who invents a lie about Allah, or denies the truth when it comes to him?113 Is not there a home in Hell for disbelievers?

69. Those who strive for Us,114 We will surely guide them to Our paths.115 Allah is with the righteous.116

107. That is: If they invoke someone other than Allah for their food, then they should know that the problem of providing food is Allah’s concern alone, all his methods are wise, He knows what is good for His slaves, and it is His wise method that to some one He provides abundant food and means and to some others He provides sparingly and in measured quantities.

108. Allah be praised and thanked that you have admitted that Allah has created all this, and when you admit this, then you should sing His praises and thank Him always.

109. If they had used their intelligence, then they would not have indulged in contradictory talk. On the one hand they admit this great reality and on the other hand they deviate from its logical demands.

110. The real and the everlasting life is that of the Hereafter, where the blessings are constant, the spring is ever present and the comforts and pleasures are unending. As against this the life of this world is temporary, whose benefits and pleasures are lowly. But the attractions of the worldly pleasures is such that man’s heart is satisfied, and he is so much absorbed in its benefits and pleasures that he forgets himself. In the Hereafter when he will open his eyes he will realise that the real life is the life of the Hereafter, and the life, which he spent in the world, losing himself in its benefits, luxuries and comforts, was from this aspect merely a pastime and sport. In view of this reality man should make the Hereafter, and not this world as his goal. He should live in the world in such a way that he should achieve success in the next world.
This insignificance of the worldly life is from the aspect of its material benefits and outer glitter compared to the life in the Hereafter, otherwise according to the clarification of Qur’an the life of the world is the life of trial, and the man who accepts faith and lives righteous life, he collects the great wealth of everlasting virtues and this is his great achievement.

111. For explanation, please see Surah Yunus, Note No.42.

112. For explanations, please see Surah Qasas, Note No. 111.

113. For explanation, please see Surah An’am, Note No.40.

114. For explanation, please see Surah Ankaboot, Note No.8.

115. Means paths of virtue and good. Whoever undergoes sufferings and tribulation in the cause of Allah, He opens for him paths of good and righteousness, therefore, excellent qualities develop in him, he becomes courageous, he is prepared to face falsehood bravely, he gets insights and wisdom, his capabilities are nourished, and by the grace of God he goes on achieving blessings after blessings, and ultimately meets his Creator.

116. By righteous here is meant especially those who strive in the cause of Allah, undergoing in life difficulties and sufferings for His Sake, and sticking to His religion and for its propagation facing all kinds of difficulties. For such virtuous people Allah has given the glad tidings of His companionship and nearness, and those who get Allah’s nearness, they will obviously be helped at every step, and he will definitely reach the goal of success.