Ar-Ra'd

Allah says, `Just as We sent you, O Muhammad, to your Ummah,

(..in order that you might recite unto them what We have revealed to you,) so that you deliver to them Allah's Message. Likewise, We sent others to earlier nations that disbelieved in Allah. The Messengers whom We sent before you, were also denied and rejected, so you have an example in what they faced. And since We sent Our torment and revenge on those people, then let these people fear what will strike them, for their denial of you is harsher than the denial that the previous Messengers faced,'

(By Allah, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you.) (16-63) Allah said in another Ayah,

(Verily, many Messengers were denied before you, with patience they bore the denial and suffering until; till Our help reached them, and none can alter the Words (decree) of Allah. Surely, there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you).))6-34(, meaning, `How We gave them victory and granted the best end for them and their followers in this life and the Hereafter. 'Allah said next,

(while they disbelieve in the Most Gracious (Allah).) Allah says, `These people, that We sent you to, disbelieve in the Most Gracious and deny Him, because they dislike describing Allah by Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim )the Most Gracious, Most Merciful(.' This is why on the day of Al-Hudaybiyyah, as Al-Bukhari narrated, they refused to write, "In the Name of Allah, Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim,'' saying, "We do not know Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim!'' Qatadah narrated this words. Allah the Exalted said,

(Say: "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him, for to Him belong the Best Names.) (17:110) In his Sahih, Imam Muslim recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(The most beloved names to Allah the Exalted are: `Abdullah and `Abdur-Rahman.)Allah said next,

(Say: "He is my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but He!'') meaning: for I believe in Allah in Whom you disbelieve and affirm His Divinity and Lordship. He is my Lord, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him,

(In Him is my trust,) in all of my affairs,

(and to Him I turn.) meaning: to Him I return and repent, for He alone is worthy of all this and none else besides Him.

(31. And if there had been a Qur'an with which mountains could be moved (from their places), or the earth could be cloven asunder, or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this Qur'an). But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah. Have not then those who believed yet known that had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it (i.e. the disaster) settles close to their homes, until the promise of Allah comes to pass. Certainly, Allah breaks not His promise.)

Allah praises the Qur'an which He has revealed to Muhammad, peace be upon him, and prefers it to all other divinely revealed Books before it,

(And if there had been a Qur'an with which mountains could be moved,) Allah says, `If there were a Book among the previous Divine Books with which the mountains could be moved from their places, or the earth could be cleaved asunder, or the dead speak in their graves, it would have been this Qur'an and none else.' Or, this Qur'an is more worthy to cause all this, because of its marvelous eloquence that defies the ability of mankind and the Jinns, even if all of them gather their forces together to invent something like it or even a Surah like it. Yet, these idolaters disbelieve in the Qur'an and reject it. Allah said,

(But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah.) The decision over all affairs is with Allah Alone, whatever He wills, occurs and whatever He does not will, never occurs. Certainly, he whom Allah misguides, will never find enlightenment and he whom Allah guides, will never be misled. We should state here that it is possible to call other Divine Books, `Qur'an', since this Qur'an is based on all of them. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(Reciting was made easy for (Prophet) Dawud (David) in that he used to order that his animal be prepared for him to ride and in the meantime he would read the entire Qur'an. He used to eat only from what his hand made.) Al-Bukhari collected this Hadith. The Qur'an mentioned here is refers to the Zabur. Allah said next,

(Have not then those who believed yet known) that not all people would believe and understand and that,

(had Allah willed, He could have guided all mankind) Surely, there is not a miracle or evidence more eloquent or effective on the heart and mind than this Qur'an. Had Allah revealed it to a mountain, you would see the mountain shake and humbled from fear of Allah. The Sahih recorded that the Messenger of Allah said,

(Every Prophet was given (a miracle) the type of which would make (some) people believe. What I was given, however, is a revelation from Allah to me, and I hope that I will have the most following among them (Prophets) on the Day of Resurrection.) This Hadith indicates that every Prophet's miracle disappeared upon his death, but this Qur'an will remain as evidence for all times. Verily, the miracle of the Qur'an will never end, nor will it become old the more it is read, nor will scholars ever have enough of it. The Qur'an is serious and is not meant for jest; any tyrant that abandons it, Allah will destroy him; he who seeks guidance in other than the Qur'an, then Allah will misguide him. Allah said next,

(But the decision of all things is certainly with Allah.) Ibn `Abbas commented, "He will only do what He wills and He decided that He will not do that.'' Ibn Ishaq reported a chain for this, and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari agreed with it. Allah said next,

(And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieved because of their (evil) deeds or it settles close to their homes,) because of their denial, disasters will still strike them in this life or strike those all around them, as a lesson and example for them. Allah said in other Ayat,

(And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you, and We have shown (them) the Ayat in various ways that they might return (to the truth).))46-27(, and,

(See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders Is it then they who will overcome) )21:44) Qatadah narrated that Al-Hasan commented on Allah's statement,

(or it settles close to their homes,) "It is in reference to the disaster.'' This is the apparent meaning here. Al-`Awfi reported that bin `Abbas said about,

(And a Qari`ah (disaster) strikes them because of their (evil) deeds) "A torment that descends on them from heaven,

(or it settles close to their homes,) when the Messenger of Allah camps near their area and fights them.'' Similar was reported from Mujahid and Qatadah. `Ikrimah said in another narration he reported from Ibn `Abbas that,

(Qari'ah) means affliction. These scholars also said that,

(until the promise of Allah comes to pass.) refers to the conquering of Makkah. Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that it refers to the Day of Resurrection. Allah said next,

(Certainly, Allah breaks not His promise.) to His Messengers to aid them and their followers in this life and the Hereafter,

(So think not that Allah will fail to keep His promise to His Messengers. Certainly, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.))14:47(

(32. And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you but I granted respite to those who disbelieved, and finally I punished them. Then how (terrible) was My punishment!)

Allah says to His Messenger, while comforting him in facing his people's denial of him,

`(And indeed (many) Messengers were mocked at before you), so you have a good example in them,

(but I granted respite to those who disbelieved,) deferred their judgment for a term appointed,

(and finally I punished them.) with encompassing punishment. How did you obtain the news of how I gave them respite and then took them with punishment' Allah said in another Ayah,

(And many a township did I give respite while it was given to wrongdoing. Then (in the end) I seized it (with punishment). And to Me is the (final) return (of all).))22:48) It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Prophet said,

(Verily, Allah gives respite to the unjust until when He seizes him, He never lets go of him.) The Messenger next recited this Ayah,

(Such is the punishment of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His punishment is painful, (and) severe.))11:102(

(33. Is then He (Allah) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned (like any other deity who knows nothing) Yet, they ascribe partners to Allah. Say: "Name them! Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth or is it (just) a show of false words.'' Nay! To those who disbelieved, their plotting is made fair-seeming, and they have been hindered from the right path; and whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide.)

Allah said,

(Is then He (Allah) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned) Allah is the guard and watcher over every living soul and knows what everyone does, whether good or evil, and nothing ever escapes His perfect observation. Allah said in other Ayat,

(Neither you do any deed nor recite any portion of the Qur'an, nor you do any deed, but we are witness thereof, when you are doing it.) (10:61) and Allah said,

(Not a leaf falls, but He knows it.) (6:59)

(And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposits. All is in a Clear Book.) (11:6),

(It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.) (13:10)

(He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.) (20:7) and,

(And He is with you wherever you may be. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.) (57:4) Is He Who is like this similar to the idols, that the polytheists worship, which can neither hear nor see nor do they have a mind nor able to bring good to themselves or to their worshippers nor prevent harm from themselves or their worshippers The answer to the question in the Ayah was omitted, because it is implied, for Allah said next,

(Yet, they ascribe partners to Allah.) which they worshipped besides Him, such as idols, rivals and false deities,

(Say: "Name them!'') make them known to us and uncover them so that they are known, for surely, they do not exist at all! So Allah said,

(Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth) for had that thing existed in or on the earth, Allah would have known about it because nothing ever escapes His knowledge,

(or is it (just) a show of words) or doubts expressed in words, according to Mujahid, while Ad-Dahhak and Qatadah said, false words. Allah says, you (polytheists) worshipped the idols because you thought that they had power to bring benefit or harm, and this is why you called them gods,

(They are but names which you have named - you and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the guidance from their Lord!) (53:23) Allah said next,

(Nay! To those who disbelieved, their plotting is made fair seeming,) or their words, according to Mujahid. This Ayah refers to the misguidance of the polytheists and their propagation night and day. Allah said in another Ayah,

(And We have assigned for them (devils) intimate companions, who have made fair-seeming to them.) Allah said next,

(and they have been hindered from the right path;) Some read with Fatha over the Sad (i.e. wa Saddu), which would mean, `and they hindered from the right path, feeling fond of the misguidance they are in, thinking that it is correct, they called to it and thus hindered the people from following the path of the Messengers.' Others read it with Damma over the Sad (i.e. wa Suddu), which would mean, `and they have been hindered from the right path,' explained it this way: because they thought that their way looked fair or correct, they were hindered by it from the right path, so Allah said,

(and whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide.) Allah said in similar instances,

(And whomsoever Allah wants to suffer a trial, you can do nothing for him against Allah.) (5:41), and,

(If you covet for their guidance, then verily, Allah guides not those whom He makes to go astray. And they will have no helpers.))16:37(

(34. For them is a torment in the life of this world, and certainly, harder is the torment of the Hereafter. And they have no defender (or protector) against Allah.) (35. The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.)

Allah said,

(Is then He (Allah) Who takes charge of every person and knows all that he has earned) Allah is the guard and watcher over every living soul and knows what everyone does, whether good or evil, and nothing ever escapes His perfect observation. Allah said in other Ayat,

(Neither you do any deed nor recite any portion of the Qur'an, nor you do any deed, but we are witness thereof, when you are doing it.) (10:61) and Allah said,

(Not a leaf falls, but He knows it.) (6:59)

(And no moving creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposits. All is in a Clear Book.) (11:6),

(It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day.) (13:10)

(He knows the secret and that which is yet more hidden.) (20:7) and,

(And He is with you wherever you may be. And Allah is the All-Seer of what you do.) (57:4) Is He Who is like this similar to the idols, that the polytheists worship, which can neither hear nor see nor do they have a mind nor able to bring good to themselves or to their worshippers nor prevent harm from themselves or their worshippers The answer to the question in the Ayah was omitted, because it is implied, for Allah said next,

(Yet, they ascribe partners to Allah.) which they worshipped besides Him, such as idols, rivals and false deities,

(Say: "Name them!'') make them known to us and uncover them so that they are known, for surely, they do not exist at all! So Allah said,

(Is it that you will inform Him of something He knows not in the earth) for had that thing existed in or on the earth, Allah would have known about it because nothing ever escapes His knowledge,

(or is it (just) a show of words) or doubts expressed in words, according to Mujahid, while Ad-Dahhak and Qatadah said, false words. Allah says, you (polytheists) worshipped the idols because you thought that they had power to bring benefit or harm, and this is why you called them gods,

(They are but names which you have named - you and your fathers - for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the guidance from their Lord!) (53:23) Allah said next,

(Nay! To those who disbelieved, their plotting is made fair seeming,) or their words, according to Mujahid. This Ayah refers to the misguidance of the polytheists and their propagation night and day. Allah said in another Ayah,

(And We have assigned for them (devils) intimate companions, who have made fair-seeming to them.) Allah said next,

(and they have been hindered from the right path;) Some read with Fatha over the Sad (i.e. wa Saddu), which would mean, `and they hindered from the right path, feeling fond of the misguidance they are in, thinking that it is correct, they called to it and thus hindered the people from following the path of the Messengers.' Others read it with Damma over the Sad (i.e. wa Suddu), which would mean, `and they have been hindered from the right path,' explained it this way: because they thought that their way looked fair or correct, they were hindered by it from the right path, so Allah said,

(and whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide.) Allah said in similar instances,

(And whomsoever Allah wants to suffer a trial, you can do nothing for him against Allah.) (5:41), and,

(If you covet for their guidance, then verily, Allah guides not those whom He makes to go astray. And they will have no helpers.))16:37(

(34. For them is a torment in the life of this world, and certainly, harder is the torment of the Hereafter. And they have no defender (or protector) against Allah.) (35. The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised: Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade; this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.)

Here, Allah mentions the punishment of the disbelievers and the reward of the righteous believers, after describing the Kufr and Shirk that the disbelievers indulge in,

(For them is a torment in the life of this world,) by the hands of the believers, killing and capturing them,

(and certainly, the torment of the Hereafter.) which will come after they suffer humiliation in this life,

(is harder) many times harder. The Messenger of Allah said to those who agreed to Mula`anah,

(Surely, the torment of this life, is easier than the torment of the Hereafter.) Indeed, and just as the Messenger of Allah stated, the torment of this life ends but the torment of the Hereafter is everlasting in a Fire that is seventy times hot than our fire, where there are chains whose thickness and hardness are unimaginable. Allah said in other Ayat,

(So on that Day none will punish as He will punish. And none will bind as He will bind.) )89:25-26(, and,

(And for those who deny the Hour, We have prepared a flaming Fire. When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring. And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they will exclaim therein for destruction. Exclaim not today for one destruction, but exclaim for many destructions. Say: "Is that (torment) better, or the Paradise of Eternity promised for those who have Taqwa'' It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination.)(25:11-15) Similarly He said;

(The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised) meaning its description and qualities;

(Underneath it rivers flow,) these rivers flow in the various parts and grades of Paradise and wherever its people wish they flow and gush forth for them. Allah also said,

(The description of Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey, therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness.) )47:15( Allah said next,

(its provision is eternal and so is its shade) for Paradise has foods, fruits and drinks that never end or finish. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Ibn `Abbas narrated in the Hadith about the Eclipse prayer that the Companions said, "O Allah's Messenger! While you were standing )in prayer(, we saw you reach for something with your hand and then you brought it back.'' The Messenger said,

(I saw Paradise - or was shown Paradise - and reached for a cluster (of grapes or other fruit), and had I kept it, you would have eaten from it as long as this life remains.) Imam Muslim recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(The people of Paradise eat and drink, and they do not need to blow their noses, or answer the call of nature, or urinate, for they pass the food excrements in belches, which smell like musk. They will be inspired to praise and glorify (Allah) as spontaneously as they breathe.) Imams Ahmad and An-Nasa'i recorded that Thumamah bin `Uqbah said that he heard Zayd bin Arqam say, "A man from the People of the Scriptures came and said (to the Prophet), `O Abul-Qasim! You claim that the people of Paradise eat and drink' The Prophet said,

(Yes. By He in Whose Hand is Muhammad's life, a man among them will be given the strength of a hundred men in eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and appetite.) That man asked, `He who eats and drinks needs to relieve the call of nature, but Paradise is pure )from feces and urine(' The Prophet said,

(One of them (residents of Paradise) relieves the call of nature through a sweat that emanates from the skin, with the scent of musk, and the stomach becomes empty again.) Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith. Allah said in other Ayat,

(And fruit in plenty, whose supply is not cut off nor are they out of reach.) )56:32-33(, and,

(And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach.) (76:14) The shade of Paradise is everlasting and never shrinks, just as Allah said,

(But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have pure mates, and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening.) (4:57) Allah often mentions the description of Paradise and the description of the Fire together, to make Paradise appealing and warn against the Fire. This is why, after Allah mentioned the description of Paradise here, He next said,

(this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.) Allah said in another Ayah,

(Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.) (59:20)

(36. Those to whom We have given the Book, rejoice at what has been revealed unto you, but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him. To Him I call and to Him is my return.'') (37. And thus have We sent it (the Qur'an) down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic. Were you to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Wali (protector) or defender against Allah.)

Here, Allah mentions the punishment of the disbelievers and the reward of the righteous believers, after describing the Kufr and Shirk that the disbelievers indulge in,

(For them is a torment in the life of this world,) by the hands of the believers, killing and capturing them,

(and certainly, the torment of the Hereafter.) which will come after they suffer humiliation in this life,

(is harder) many times harder. The Messenger of Allah said to those who agreed to Mula`anah,

(Surely, the torment of this life, is easier than the torment of the Hereafter.) Indeed, and just as the Messenger of Allah stated, the torment of this life ends but the torment of the Hereafter is everlasting in a Fire that is seventy times hot than our fire, where there are chains whose thickness and hardness are unimaginable. Allah said in other Ayat,

(So on that Day none will punish as He will punish. And none will bind as He will bind.) )89:25-26(, and,

(And for those who deny the Hour, We have prepared a flaming Fire. When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring. And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they will exclaim therein for destruction. Exclaim not today for one destruction, but exclaim for many destructions. Say: "Is that (torment) better, or the Paradise of Eternity promised for those who have Taqwa'' It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination.)(25:11-15) Similarly He said;

(The description of the Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised) meaning its description and qualities;

(Underneath it rivers flow,) these rivers flow in the various parts and grades of Paradise and wherever its people wish they flow and gush forth for them. Allah also said,

(The description of Paradise which those who have Taqwa have been promised (is that) in it are rivers of water the taste and smell of which are not changed, rivers of wine delicious to those who drink, and rivers of clarified honey, therein for them is every kind of fruit, and forgiveness.) )47:15( Allah said next,

(its provision is eternal and so is its shade) for Paradise has foods, fruits and drinks that never end or finish. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that Ibn `Abbas narrated in the Hadith about the Eclipse prayer that the Companions said, "O Allah's Messenger! While you were standing )in prayer(, we saw you reach for something with your hand and then you brought it back.'' The Messenger said,

(I saw Paradise - or was shown Paradise - and reached for a cluster (of grapes or other fruit), and had I kept it, you would have eaten from it as long as this life remains.) Imam Muslim recorded that Jabir bin `Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(The people of Paradise eat and drink, and they do not need to blow their noses, or answer the call of nature, or urinate, for they pass the food excrements in belches, which smell like musk. They will be inspired to praise and glorify (Allah) as spontaneously as they breathe.) Imams Ahmad and An-Nasa'i recorded that Thumamah bin `Uqbah said that he heard Zayd bin Arqam say, "A man from the People of the Scriptures came and said (to the Prophet), `O Abul-Qasim! You claim that the people of Paradise eat and drink' The Prophet said,

(Yes. By He in Whose Hand is Muhammad's life, a man among them will be given the strength of a hundred men in eating, drinking, sexual intercourse and appetite.) That man asked, `He who eats and drinks needs to relieve the call of nature, but Paradise is pure )from feces and urine(' The Prophet said,

(One of them (residents of Paradise) relieves the call of nature through a sweat that emanates from the skin, with the scent of musk, and the stomach becomes empty again.) Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa'i collected this Hadith. Allah said in other Ayat,

(And fruit in plenty, whose supply is not cut off nor are they out of reach.) )56:32-33(, and,

(And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach.) (76:14) The shade of Paradise is everlasting and never shrinks, just as Allah said,

(But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have pure mates, and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening.) (4:57) Allah often mentions the description of Paradise and the description of the Fire together, to make Paradise appealing and warn against the Fire. This is why, after Allah mentioned the description of Paradise here, He next said,

(this is the end (final destination) of those who have Taqwa, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.) Allah said in another Ayah,

(Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.) (59:20)

(36. Those to whom We have given the Book, rejoice at what has been revealed unto you, but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him. To Him I call and to Him is my return.'') (37. And thus have We sent it (the Qur'an) down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic. Were you to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any Wali (protector) or defender against Allah.)

Allah said,

(Those to whom We have given the Book,) and they adhere by it,

(rejoice at what has been revealed unto you,) i.e. the Qur'an, because they have evidence in their Books affirming the truth of the Qur'an and conveying the good news of its imminent revelation, just as Allah said in another Ayah,

(Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited.) (2:121) Allah said,

(Say: "Believe in it (the Qur'an) or do not believe.'') (17:107), until,

(Truly, the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled.) (17:109) meaning, Allah's promise to us in our Books to send Muhammad is true. It is certain and will surely come to pass and be fulfilled, so all praise to our Lord, how truthful is His promise, all the thanks are due to Him,

(And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.) (17:109) Allah said next,

(but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof.) meaning, `There are those among the sects who disbelieve in some of what was revealed to you (O Muhammad).' Mujahid said that,

(but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates)), refers to Jews and Christians,

(those who reject a part thereof), meaning, `They reject a part of the truth that came down to you - O Muhammad.' Similar was reported from Qatadah and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. Allah said in similar Ayat,

(And there are, certainly, among the People of the Scripture, those who believe in Allah.)
(3:199) Allah said next,

(Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him...'') meaning, `I (Muhammad) was sent with the religion of worshipping Allah alone without partners, just as the Messengers before me,

(To Him (alone) I call), I call the people to His path,

(and to Him is my return.) final destination and destiny.' Allah said,

(And thus have We sent it (the Qur'an) down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic.) Allah says, `Just as We sent Messengers before you and revealed to them Divine Books from heaven, We sent down to you the Qur'an, a judgment of authority in Arabic, as an honor for you, and We preferred you among all people with this clear, plain and unequivocal Book that,

(Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.)' (41:42) Allah's statement,

(Were you to follow their (vain) desires), means, their opinions,

(after the knowledge which has come to you) from Allah, all praise to Him,

(then you will not have any Wali (protector) or defender against Allah.) This part of the Ayah warns people of knowledge against following the paths of misguidance after they had gained knowledge in (and abided by) the Prophetic Sunnah and the path of Muhammad, may Allah's best peace and blessings be on him.

(38. And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and made for them wives and offspring. And it was not for a Messenger to bring a sign except by Allah's leave. (For) every matter there is a decree (from Allah).) (39. Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book.)

Allah said,

(Those to whom We have given the Book,) and they adhere by it,

(rejoice at what has been revealed unto you,) i.e. the Qur'an, because they have evidence in their Books affirming the truth of the Qur'an and conveying the good news of its imminent revelation, just as Allah said in another Ayah,

(Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited.) (2:121) Allah said,

(Say: "Believe in it (the Qur'an) or do not believe.'') (17:107), until,

(Truly, the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled.) (17:109) meaning, Allah's promise to us in our Books to send Muhammad is true. It is certain and will surely come to pass and be fulfilled, so all praise to our Lord, how truthful is His promise, all the thanks are due to Him,

(And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.) (17:109) Allah said next,

(but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates) those who reject a part thereof.) meaning, `There are those among the sects who disbelieve in some of what was revealed to you (O Muhammad).' Mujahid said that,

(but there are among the Ahzab (Confederates)), refers to Jews and Christians,

(those who reject a part thereof), meaning, `They reject a part of the truth that came down to you - O Muhammad.' Similar was reported from Qatadah and `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. Allah said in similar Ayat,

(And there are, certainly, among the People of the Scripture, those who believe in Allah.)
(3:199) Allah said next,

(Say: "I am commanded only to worship Allah and not to join partners with Him...'') meaning, `I (Muhammad) was sent with the religion of worshipping Allah alone without partners, just as the Messengers before me,

(To Him (alone) I call), I call the people to His path,

(and to Him is my return.) final destination and destiny.' Allah said,

(And thus have We sent it (the Qur'an) down to be a judgment of authority in Arabic.) Allah says, `Just as We sent Messengers before you and revealed to them Divine Books from heaven, We sent down to you the Qur'an, a judgment of authority in Arabic, as an honor for you, and We preferred you among all people with this clear, plain and unequivocal Book that,

(Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.)' (41:42) Allah's statement,

(Were you to follow their (vain) desires), means, their opinions,

(after the knowledge which has come to you) from Allah, all praise to Him,

(then you will not have any Wali (protector) or defender against Allah.) This part of the Ayah warns people of knowledge against following the paths of misguidance after they had gained knowledge in (and abided by) the Prophetic Sunnah and the path of Muhammad, may Allah's best peace and blessings be on him.

(38. And indeed We sent Messengers before you, and made for them wives and offspring. And it was not for a Messenger to bring a sign except by Allah's leave. (For) every matter there is a decree (from Allah).) (39. Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book.)

Allah said,

(Allah blots out what He wills) of the divinely revealed Books,

(and confirms), until the Qur'an, revealed from Allah to His Messenger peace be upon him, abrogated them all. Mujahid commented;

(Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills).) "Except life and death, misery and happiness )i.e., faith and disbelief(, for they do not change.'' Mansur said that he asked Mujahid, "Some of us say in their supplication, `O Allah! If my name is with those who are happy (believers), affirm my name among them, and if my name is among the miserable ones (disbelievers), remove it from among them and place it among the happy ones.'' Mujahid said. "This supplication is good.'' I met him a year or more later and repeated the same question to him and he recited these Ayat,

(We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night.) Mujahid commented next, "During Laylatul-Qadr (Night of the Decrees), Allah decides what provisions and disasters will occur in the next year of. He then brings forward or back (or blots out) whatever He wills. As for the Book containing the records of the happy (believers) and the miserable (disbelievers), it does not change.'' Al-A`mash narrated that Abu Wa'il, Shaqiq bin Salamah said that he used to recite this supplication often, "O Allah, if You wrote us among the wretched ones, remove this status from us and write us among the blessed ones. If You wrote us among the blessed ones, please let us stay that way, for surely, You blot out and confirm what You will, and with You is the Mother of the Book.'' Ibn Jarir At-Tabari collected this. Similar statements were collected from `Umar bin Al-Khattab and `Abdullah bin Mas`ud, indicating that Allah blots out (or abrogates) and affirms what He wills in the Book of Records. What further supports this meaning is that Imam Ahmad recorded that Thawban said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(A man might be deprived of a provision (that was written for him) because of a sin that he commits; only supplication changes Al-Qadar (Predestination); and only Birr (righteousness) can increase the life span.'') An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah collected this Hadith. There is also a Hadith recorded in the Sahih that affirms that maintaining the ties of the womb increases the life span. Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said about Allah's statement,

(Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills). And with Him is the Mother of the Book.) "A man might work in Allah's obedience for a while but he reverts to the disobedience of Him and then dies while misguided. This is what Allah blots out, while what He confirms is a man who works in His disobedience, but since goodness was destined for him, he dies after reverting to the obedience of Allah. This is what Allah confirms.'' It was also reported that Sa`id bin Jubayr said that this Ayah is in the meaning of another Ayah,

(Then He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is able to do all things.) (2:284)

(40. Whether We show you part of what We have promised them or cause you to die, your duty is only to convey (the Message) and on Us is the reckoning.) (41. See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders. And Allah judges, there is none to put back His judgment, and He is swift at reckoning.)