Surah
15, Al-Hijr (The Rock), 99 Verses & Surah 16, An-Nahl (The Bee), 128 Verses
Not since the very first
Chapter has the start of a
Surah coincided with the start of a chapter until Chapter 14 today. Surah
al-Hijr (The Rock) was revealed at Mecca. It has 99 verses in 6 sections.
Surah 15, Al-Hijr (The Rock)
Section 1: Quran ever protected
by God, verses 1-15
"It may be that those who
disbelieve wish ardently that they were Muslims. Let them eat and enjoy life,
and let (false) hope beguile them. They will come to know!" (Verses 2-3)
"And they say: O thou unto whom
the Reminder is revealed, lo! thou art indeed a madman! Why bringest thou not
angels unto us, if thou art of the truthful? We send not down the angels save
with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated." (Verses 6-8)
"Lo! We, even We, reveal the
Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian. We verily sent (messengers)
before thee among the factions of the men of old." (Verses 9-10)
In verses 2-3 Allah asks the Holy Prophet to leave
the disbelievers alone to satisfy their lust for worldly desires. Although the
rewards seem plentiful and great, a great chastisement awaits them in the end.
For every people, as for every individual, there is a definite period of life
or existence. They have a free choice to mould their will according to Allah's
will in order to identify themselves with His universal law. During that period
they are given plenty of rope but after the respite is past there will be no
escape.
The Holy Prophet spoke of
higher spiritual, purer and nobler things that the pagans refused to understand.
They would often make false accusations about the Holy Prophet as mentioned in
verse 6. Angels are not sent down to satisfy the whims or curiosity of the
disbelievers. They are sent down to bring Allah's commands to his messengers
and to execute his decrees.
Unlike the Torah or the Bible,
Allah has promised to protect the Holy Quran himself in verse 9. Having seen the
previous Holy Scriptures vandalised and disguised beyond recognition the Holy
Quran is guaranteed not to suffer the same fate.
Section 2: Everything in the
universe takes place by God's command, verses 16-25
"And verily in the heaven we have
set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders. And We have
guarded it from every outcast devil, Save him who stealeth the hearing, and
them doth a clear flame pursue." (Verses 16-18)
"And there is not a thing but
with Us are the stores thereof. And we send it not down save in appointed
measure. And We send the winds fertilising, and cause water to descend from the
sky, and give it you to drink. It is not ye who are the holders of the store
thereof." (Verses 21-22)
The metaphysical side of heaven
is mentioned in verses 16-18 by describing the stars which are visible in the sky.
The belt of Zodiac is considered to be the lowest heaven.
Heaven is guarded from any evil including the Shaitan. It has been said that
when the Holy Prophet was born, shooting stars were seen in the sky. The stars
were driving away any evil forces from heaven and their access for blocked
forever.
Verses 21-22 confirm that everything on Earth
originates from Allah and is sustained by him. All shall be collected to
account for on the Day of Judgement.
Section 3: Man's creation,
Satan's arrogance, verses 26-44
"Verily We created man of
potter's clay of black mud altered,
"So, when I have made him and
have breathed into him of My Spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves
unto him. So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together Save Iblis. He
refused to be among the prostrate." (Verses 29-31)
"He (Shaitan) said: I am not one
to prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter's clay
of black mud altered!
He said: Then go thou forth from
hence, for lo! thou art outcast."
And lo! the curse shall be upon thee
till the Day of Judgment."
He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the
day when they are raised.
"He said: My Lord! Because Thou
hast sent me astray, I verily shall adorn the path of error for them in the
earth, and shall mislead them every one, Save such of them as are Thy perfectly
devoted slaves." (Verses 39-40)
" Lo! as for My slaves, thou hast
no power over any of them save such of the froward as follow thee, And lo! for
all such, hell will be the promised place. It hath seven gates, and each gate
hath an appointed portion." (Verses 42-44)
This section deals with the
creation of Shaitan when he refused to bow down to Prophet Adam. Thinking he
was superior because he was created from fire versus the mud that Prophet Adam
was created from, his arrogance got the better of him. He ignored the fact that
Prophet Adam had the spirit of Allah in him and was given the knowledge of the
names (see
Chapter 1).
At this point, Shaitan
requested respite until the Day of Judgement so that he can try to lead people
astray. Allah grants him this respite but announces that there will be some who
can't be touched no matter what Shaitan does, "Save such of them as are Thy perfectly
devoted slaves." These
devoted slaves are the messengers of God and the Ahlul-Bayt and Shaitan will "hast no power over any of them." For
those who follow the Shaitan, a great punishment in Hell awaits. If only God
hadn't granted him permission...!
Sections 4 & 5: Reward for
the righteous, Angels give Abraham tidings of a son & Lot and Shuaib's
people verses 45-79
"Lo! those who ward off (evil)
are among gardens and watersprings. (And it is said unto them): Enter them in
peace, secure.And We remove whatever rancour may be in their breasts. As
brethren, face to face, (they rest) on couches raised. Toil cometh not unto
them there, nor will they be expelled from thence." (Verses 45-48)
Verses 52-59 refer to the angels blessing Abraham
with two sons despite him and his wife's old age, and verses 60-79 speak
of the people of Prophet Lot and Shuaib once again. This has been previously
discussed in Surah Al-Araaf, Chapter
8 and Surah Hud, Chapter
12.
Section 6: The people of the
Rock, verses 80-99
"And the dwellers in Al-Hijr
denied (Our) messengers. And we gave them Our revelations, but they were averse
to them." (Verses 80-81)
"We created not the heavens and
the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and lo! the Hour is
surely coming. So forgive, (O Muhammad), with a gracious forgiveness." (Verse 85)
"Strain not thine eyes toward
that which We cause some wedded pairs among them to enjoin, and be not grieved
on their account, and lower thy wing (in tenderness) for the believers. And
say: Lo! I, even I, am a plain warner, Such as We send down for those who make
division, Those who break the Qur'an into parts." (Verses 88-91)
"But hymn the praise of thy Lord,
and be of those who make prostration (unto Him). And serve thy Lord till the
Inevitable cometh unto thee. (Verse 98-99)
Verses 80-84 refer to the
people of the Rock at the time of Prophet Saleh. This has been discussed in
Surah al-Araaf, Chapter
8.
Verse 85 explains that the creation of this
world is for the purpose of the hereafter. If there is no hereafter then this
life is meaningless. The pleasures and comforts of this world should be treated
merely as a respite. The Holy Prophet is then advised in verse 88 to remind the
believers not to turn their eyes towards material blessings that Allah has
given to some disbelievers. The Holy Prophet is advised to turn away from the
disbelievers and leave the matter to Allah.
Verse 87 refers to the 7 verses of Surah al-Fateha which sums up the
teachings of the entire Holy Quran and constitute the most precious gift to a
Muslim. We are reminded in verses 98-99 that prayer needs to continue until
death which is sure to come to every soul.
Next up is Surah 16, An-Nahl
(The Bee). This Surah was revealed at Mecca, contains 128 verses with 16
sections.
Surah 16, An-Nahl (The Bee)
Section 1: The existence of
God, proved by nature, verses 1-9
"The commandment of Allah will
come to pass, so seek not ye to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above
all that they associate (with Him)." (Verse 1)
"And the cattle hath He created,
whence ye have warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat; And wherein is
beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to pasture.
And they bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great
trouble to yourselves. Lo! your Lord is Full of Pity, Merciful. And horses and
mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them, and for ornament. And
He createth that which ye know not." (Verses 5-8)
"And Allah's is the direction of
the way, and some (roads) go not straight. And had He willed He would have led
you all aright." (Verse 9)
The description of certain
animals which have been created to help mankind in different functions is
discussed in verses 5-8. They act as a
proof of God. In verse 9, following Allah
is the straight, correct way. Allah does not force anyone to follow the true
way but has given us free will to chose our path.
Section 2: God's unity
testified in nature, verses 10-21
"He it is Who sendeth down water
from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your
beasts to pasture. Therewith He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive
and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is indeed a
portent for people who reflect. And He hath constrained the night and the day
and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you, and the stars are made
subservient by His command. Lo! herein indeed are portents for people who have
sense." (Verses 10-12)
"And He it is Who hath
constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and
bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships
ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty and that haply ye may
give thanks. And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with
you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way." (Verses 14-15)
"And Allah knoweth that which ye
keep hidden and that which ye proclaim. Those unto whom they cry beside Allah
created naught, but are themselves created. (They are) dead, not living. And
they know not when they will be raised." (Verses 19-21)
It is a figure of speech in verse 15 and repeatedly used in the Holy Quran,
to speak of the earth as a stretched surface with mountains as a steadying
agent to keep it from shaking. It may refer to the geological fact that the
below the surface activities would have shaken the earth if there were no
mountains to keep it steady.
Once again, verses 19-21 condemn the idea of polytheism - a
recurrent topic made throughout the Holy Quran. The idea of attributing others
to God is futile, pointless and ultimately deserving of the greatest punishment
in the hereafter.
Section 3: God of all in only
One, verses 22-25
"Your Allah is One Allah. But as
for those who believe not in the Hereafter their hearts refuse to know, for
they are proud." (Verse 22)
"That they may bear their burdens
undiminished on the Day of Resurrection, with somewhat of the burdens of those
whom they mislead without knowledge. Ah! evil is that which they bear!" (Verse 25)
Section 4: The disgrace which
the wicked shall have, verses 26-34
"Those before them plotted, so
Allah struck at the foundations of their building, and then the roof fell down
upon them from above them, and the doom came on them whence they knew not; Then
on the Day of Resurrection He will disgrace them and will say: Where are My
partners, for whose sake ye opposed (My guidance)? Those who have been given
knowledge will say: Disgrace this day and evil are upon the disbelievers, Whom
the angels cause to die while they are wronging themselves. Then will they make
full submission (saying): We used not to do any wrong. Nay! Surely Allah is
Knower of what ye used to do." (Verses 26-28)
"And it is said unto those who
ward off (evil): What hath your Lord revealed? They say: Good. For those who do
good in this world there is a good (reward) and the home of the Hereafter will
be better. Pleasant indeed will be the home of those who ward off (evil) - Gardens
of Eden which they enter, underneath which rivers flow, wherein they have what
they will. Thus Allah repayeth those who ward off (evil), Those whom the angels
cause to die (when they are) good. They say: Peace be unto you! Enter the
Garden because of what ye used to do." (Verses 30-32)
Allah gives the rope of respite
to the disbelievers with which they hang themselves in the end. Evil always
devises plots against good, but the evil-doers finally shall be overcome and
shall be mustered towards hell so that Allah may distinguish the evil from the
good. Heaven is often described in the Holy Quran as a garden with rivers. This
is believed to be a metaphor implying the peace and beauty that lies there and
further qualified by verse 31, "...wherein they have what they
will."
Sections 5: Every people had
guidance through and apostle from God, verses 35-40
"And the idolaters say: Had Allah
willed, we had not worshipped aught beside Him, we and our fathers, nor had we
forbidden aught without (command from) Him. Even so did those before them. Are
the messengers charged with aught save plain conveyance (of the message)? And
verily We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah
and shun false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some
of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land
and see the nature of the consequence for the deniers!" (Verses 35-36)
"And they swear by Allah their
most binding oaths (that) Allah will not raise up him who dieth. Nay, but it is
a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not, That He
may explain unto them that wherein they differ, and that those who disbelieved
may know that they were liars." (Verse 38-39)
It is an old excuse of the
disbelievers to shift the responsibility of their actions to Allah by ignoring
the fact that he has given free will to all of mankind. The messengers have
been sent as a guidance in every age to all peoples.
Section 6: To seek guidance
from the people of the Quran, verses 41-50
"And those who became fugitives
for the cause of Allah after they had been oppressed, We verily shall give them
goodly lodging in the world, and surely the reward of the Hereafter is greater,
if they but knew; Such as are steadfast and put their trust in Allah." (Verses 41-42)
"And We sent not (as Our
messengers) before thee other than men whom We inspired - Ask the people of the
Remembrance if ye know not! - With clear proofs and writings; and We have
revealed unto thee the Remembrance that thou mayst explain to mankind that
which hath been revealed for them, and that haply they may reflect." (Verses 43-44)
"Have they not observed all
things that Allah hath created, how their shadows incline to the right and to
the left, making prostration unto Allah, and they are lowly? And unto Allah
maketh prostration whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth
of living creatures, and the angels (also) and they are not proud." (Verses 48-49)
The "Remembrance" in verse 43 refers to the Holy Quran and Allah. The "people of the Remembrance," are the
Holy Prophet and the Ahlul-Bayt - people who are always conscious of Allah.
In verses 48-49, the
believers prostrate before Allah by their own free will. All other creations
cast their shadows to the right and the left to prostrate before Allah in all
humbleness. Though outwardly the disbelievers do not prostrate before Allah,
yet their native nature obeys God and one day they will meet the natural end of
life, howsoever they may try to avoid it.
Section 7: Polytheism
prohibited, verses 51-60
"Allah hath said: Choose not two
gods. There is only One Allah. So of Me, Me only, be in awe. Unto Him belongeth
whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth, and religion is His for ever. Will
ye then fear any other than Allah?" (Verses 51-52)
"And whatever of comfort ye
enjoy, it is from Allah. Then, when misfortune reacheth you, unto Him ye cry
for help. And afterward, when He hath rid you of the misfortune, behold! a set
of you attribute partners to their Lord, So as to deny that which We have given
them. Then enjoy life (while ye may), for ye will come to know." (Verses 53-55)
"And they assign unto Allah
daughters - Be He Glorified! - and unto themselves what they desire; When if
one of them receiveth tidings of the birth of a female, his face remaineth
darkened, and he is wroth inwardly. He hideth himself from the folk because of
the evil of that whereof he hath had tidings, (asking himself): Shall he keep
it in contempt, or bury it beneath the dust. Verily evil is their judgment. For
those who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil similitude, and Allah's is
the Sublime Similitude. He is the Mighty, the Wise." (Verses 57-60)
The pagans in Mecca used to
practice the evil act of burying their new-born daughters. This was condemned
as an abhorrent and disgusting act by Allah.
Section 8: Quran - the guidance
and the mercy, verses 61-65
"If Allah were to take mankind to
task for their wrong-doing, he would not leave hereon a living creature, but He
reprieveth them to an appointed term, and when their term cometh they cannot
put (it) off an hour nor (yet) advance (it)." (Verse 61)
"And We have revealed the
Scripture unto thee only that thou mayst explain unto them that wherein they
differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe." (Verse 64)
Section 9: Guidance from the
bounties of God for man, verses 66-70
"And thy Lord inspired the bee,
saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which
they thatch; Then eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made
smooth (for thee). There cometh forth from their bellies a drink divers of
hues, wherein is healing for mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people
who reflect." (Verses 68-69)
"And Allah createth you, then
causeth you to die, and among you is he who is brought back to the most abject
stage of life, so that he knoweth nothing after (having had) knowledge. Lo!
Allah is Knower, Powerful." (Verse 70)
Section 10: The faithful and
the unfaithful ones compared, verses 71-76
"And Allah hath favoured some of
you above others in provision. Now those who are more favoured will by no means
hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so
that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Is it then the grace of
Allah that they deny?" (Verse 71)
"Allah coineth a similitude: (on
the one hand) a (mere) chattel slave, who hath control of nothing, and (on the
other hand) one on whom we have bestowed a fair provision from Us, and he
spendeth thereof secretly and openly. Are they equal? Praise be to Allah! But
most of them know not." (Verse 75)
On the one hand there was Imam
Ali (as) who gave away whatever he had in the cause of Allah and his Holy
Prophet. He left no stone unturned and spared nothing that belonged to him to
establish the true faith, in the worst circumstance. On the other hand there
were others in the history of Islam who not only shrinked and shirked at
crucial times but also deserted the Holy Prophet whenever the odds were against
him.
Section 11: The hour of
judgement shall arrive suddenly, verses 77-83
"And unto Allah belongeth the
Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and the matter of the Hour (of Doom) is
but as a twinkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo! Allah is Able to do
all things." (Verse 77)
"And Allah hath given you, of
that which He hath created, shelter from the sun; and hath given you places of
refuge in the mountains, and hath given you coats to ward off the heat from
you, and coats (of armour) to save you from your own foolhardiness. Thus doth
He perfect His favour unto you, in order that ye may surrender (unto
Him)." (Verse 81)
Once again, verse 83 refers to Ghadir Khum. The "favour of Allah" was
completed when Imam Ali (as) was confirmed as the Holy Prophet's successor.
Those who "deny
it" refers
to the people who deprived him of his right.
Section 12: Apostle Muhammed a
witness over all witnesses, verses 84-89
"And when those who ascribed
partners to Allah behold those partners of theirs, they will say: Our Lord!
these are our partners unto whom we used to cry instead of Thee. But they will
fling to them the saying: Lo! ye verily are liars!" (Verse 86)
"And (bethink you of) the day
when We raise in every nation a witness against them of their own folk, and We
bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal the Scripture
unto thee as an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a mercy and good
tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah)." (Verse 89)
The Holy Prophet, who came with
the Holy Quran, is described as witness over all witnesses. He will give
witness over all the Prophets and messengers of Allah who will be raised as
witnesses over their respective followers. Evidence given by a witness can be
accepted only when the witness has witnessed the event in question. The Holy
Prophet has been present in this world from the very beginning and will be here
until the end to witness what has happened and what has taken place.
Section 13: To keep up
covenants and promises, verses 90-100
"Lo! Allah enjoineth justice and
kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness and abomination and
wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed. Fulfil the
covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the
asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah
knoweth what ye do." (Verses 90-91)
"Make not your oaths a deceit
between you, lest a foot should slip after being firmly planted and ye should
taste evil forasmuch as ye debarred (men) from the way of Allah, and yours
should be an awful doom." (Verse 94)
"That which ye have wasteth away,
and that which Allah hath remaineth. And verily We shall pay those who are
steadfast a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.
Whosoever doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we
shall quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion
to the best of what they used to do." (Verses 96-97)
"And when thou recitest the
Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast. Lo! he hath no power over
those who believe and put trust in their Lord.His power is only over those who
make a friend of him, and those who ascribe partners unto Him (Allah)." (Verses 98-100)
Section 14: Quran brought down
by the Holy Spirit, verses 101-110
"And when We put a revelation in
place of (another) revelation, - and Allah knoweth best what He revealeth -
they say: Lo! thou art but inventing. Most of them know not. Say: The holy
Spirit hath delivered it from thy Lord with truth, that it may confirm (the
faith of) those who believe, and as guidance and good tidings for those who
have surrendered (to Allah)." (Verses 101-102)
"Whoso disbelieveth in Allah
after his belief - save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still
content with the Faith - but whoso findeth ease in disbelief: On them is wrath
from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom." (Verse 106)
"Then lo! thy Lord - for those
who became fugitives after they had been persecuted, and then fought and were
steadfast - lo! thy Lord afterward is (for them) indeed Forgiving,
Merciful." (Verse 110)
Verse 106 confirms the concept
of taqiyyah -
dissimulation, a topic I have blogged about previously.
Section 15: Every soul shall be
paid in full what it has earned, verses 111-119
"On the Day when every soul will
come pleading for itself, and every soul will be repaid what it did, and they
will not be wronged." (Verse 111)
"So eat of the lawful and good
food which Allah hath provided for you, and thank the bounty of your Lord if it
is Him ye serve. He hath forbidden for you only carrion and blood and
swineflesh and that which hath been immolated in the name of any other than
Allah; but he who is driven thereto, neither craving nor transgressing, lo!
then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Verses 114-115)
"And speak not, concerning that
which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the falsehood: "This
is lawful, and this is forbidden," so that ye invent a lie against Allah.
Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed." (Verse 116)
"Then lo! thy Lord - for those
who do evil in ignorance and afterward repent and amend - lo! (for them) thy
Lord is afterward indeed Forgiving, Merciful." (Verse 119)
Section 16: Abraham praised -
his faith made an ideal, verses 120-129
"And afterward We inspired thee
(Muhammad, saying): Follow the religion of Abraham, as one by nature upright.
He was not of the idolaters." (Verse 123)
"Call unto the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo!
thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware
of those who go aright." (Verse 125)
"Endure thou patiently (O
Muhammad). Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them,
and be not in distress because of that which they devise. Lo! Allah is with
those who keep their duty unto Him and those who are doers of good." (Verses 127-128)
That concludes Surah 16. You'll
notice that I'm beginning to just highlight verses without much discussion -
that is because a lot of the same points that we discussed earlier are being
repeated and I'm highlighting any additional points that come up as we go
along. I've noticed that the Quran is big on repetition and that is purely
because of how important certain topics are. On the Day of Judgement mankind
will have no excuses for their errors or lack of faith, all the information is
available and repeated plenty of times. We can never claim ignorance.
Tomorrow I'll continue with
Surahs 17 & 18 in Chapter 15 as we inshallah reach the halfway point of the
Holy Quran.
Thanks for reading.
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