Ramadhan Day 21 - Quran, Chapter 21

Surah 29, Al-Ankaboot (The Spider), Verses 45-69 & Surah 30, Ar-Room (The Romans), 60 Verses & Surah 31, Luqman, 34 Verses & Surah 32, As-Sajda (The Prostation), 30 Verses & Surah 33, Al-Ahzaab (The Clans), Verses 1-30

From here on in, there will be lots of Surahs covered in each chapter. In the remaining 10 Chapters there are still over 80 Surahs to get through. Continuing with Surah 29 and the remaining 3 sections.

Surah 29, Al-Ankaboot (The Spider)

Section 5: To argue in the best way possible, verses 45-51

"And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our Allah and your Allah is One, and unto Him we surrender. In like manner We have revealed unto thee the Scripture, and those unto whom We gave the Scripture aforetime will believe therein; and of these (also) there are some who believe therein. And none deny Our revelations save the disbelievers." (Verses 46-47)

"And thou (O Muhammad) wast not a reader of any scripture before it, nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood. But it is clear revelations in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge, and none deny Our revelations save wrong-doers." (Verses 48-49)

Islam recognises the truthfulness of every prophet of Allah and the genuineness of what was revealed to him, but that which was given to the prophets, preceding the Holy Prophet, was sectional and seasonal, not universal and permanent as the message of Islam conveyed to mankind through the Holy Prophet. Allah gave the full knowledge of the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul-Bayt.

Verses 48 shows that the Holy Prophet did not acquire knowledge of reading or writing as other scholars do after taking lessons from tutors and teachers. Allah Himself taught the Holy Prophet. It is therefore incorrect to think that he was incapable of reading or writing, otherwise he who was deprived of the capacity of reading or writing would not be commissioned by Allah as a prophet to teach the book and wisdom to the people.

Section 6: The disbelievers warned, verses 52-63

"They bid thee hasten on the doom, when lo! hell verily will encompass the disbelievers On the day when the doom will overwhelm them from above them and from underneath their feet, and He will say: Taste what ye used to do!" (Verses 55-56)

"Every soul will taste of death. Then unto Us ye will be returned. Those who believe and do good works, them verily We shall house in lofty dwellings of the Garden underneath which rivers flow. There they will dwell secure. How sweet the guerdon of the toilers, Who persevere, and put their trust in their Lord!" (Verses 57-59)

"And if thou wert to ask them: Who causeth water to come down from the sky, and therewith reviveth the earth after its death? they verily would say: Allah. Say: Praise be to Allah! But most of them have no sense." (Verse 63)

The reward and punishment for the believer and disbeliever respectively is nicely contrasted between verses 55-56 and verses 57-59. Everyone's time on Earth is ordained and judgement will come to pass accordingly on the Day of Judgement.

Section 7: The sincere seekers shall be guided aright, verses 64-69

"This life of the world is but a pastime and a game. Lo! the home of the Hereafter - that is Life, if they but knew." (Verse 64)

"Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah, or denieth the truth when it cometh unto him? Is not there a home in hell for disbelievers? As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good." (Verses 68-69)

As verse 64 clearly states the life of this world is a vain sport in comparison to the hereafter which is a lasting reality and those who strive in the way of Allah are promised much reward once more.

That concludes Surah 29 and we now move on to Surah 30, Ar-Room (The Romans), another Surah that is recited on Layatul Qadr. It has 60 verses in 6 sections.

Surah 30, Ar-Room (The Romans)

Section 1: The defeat of the Romans, prophesised, verses 1-10

"The Romans have been defeated In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious Within ten years - Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter - and in that day believers will rejoice" (Verses 2-4)

"Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? They were stronger than these in power, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built. Messengers of their own came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty). Surely Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves. Then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Allah and made a mock of them." (Verses 9-10)

The Romans were defeated by the Persians around 615 AD, in the Byzantine region. This worried the Muslims as the Persians were disbelievers and aggressive towards the Holy Prophet. The Holy Quran then prophesised the imminent defeat of the Persians by the Romans once more and this was fulfilled in 642 AD.

Section 2: The five times of the daily glorification of God, verses 11-19

"Allah produceth creation, then He reproduceth it, then unto Him ye will be returned. And in the day when the Hour riseth the unrighteous will despair. There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Allah. And they will reject their partners (whom they ascribed unto Him)." (Verses 11-13)

"So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning - Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth! - and at the sun's decline and in the noonday." (Verses 17-18)

"He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and He bringeth forth the dead from the living, and He reviveth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth." (Verse 19)

Verses 17-18 refer to the five daily prayers. "Enter the night" = Isha, "enter the morning" = Fajr, "sun's decline" = Maghrib and "in the noonday" = Zuhr & Asr.

Section 3: The might of God manifesting in nature, verses 20-27

"And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect. And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge." (Verses 21-22)

"He it is Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and it is easier for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude in the heavens and the earth. He is the Mighty, the Wise." (Verse 27)

Verse 21 has been quoted on pretty much every Muslim wedding card, man and woman have been created for a union together in love and marriage. Allah also describes the different physical appearances and the different languages of mankind across the world.

Section 4: Islam, the natural religion, verses 28-40

"So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not - Turning unto Him (only); and be careful of your duty unto Him and establish worship, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him); Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets." (Verses 30-32)

"And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein; but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo! they are in despair! So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah's Countenance. And such are they who are successful. That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold." (Verses 37-39)

Once again we are advised to submit to Islam in the proper way, to fear only Allah and to keep up with prayer. Those who attribute partners to Allah or divide the religion, create sects have been condemned. Mankind's fickle nature is repeatedly highlighted throughout the Holy Quran and here once more, Allah mentions those who rejoice in his mercy but then soon forget about the All ?Mighty. Also, the charging of interest is touched upon and forbidden again, but charity is strongly advised. 

Section 5: Sufferings of the world through what men have themselves wrought, verses 41-53

"Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for those who were before you! Most of them were idolaters. So set thy purpose resolutely for the right religion, before the inevitable day cometh from Allah. On that day mankind will be sundered- Whoso disbelieveth must (then) bear the consequences of his disbelief, while those who do right make provision for themselves - That He may reward out of His bounty those who believe and do good works. Lo! He loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance)." (Verses 42-45)

"Allah is He Who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth Him, and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them. And when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, lo! they rejoice; Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair. Look, therefore, at the prints of Allah's mercy (in creation): how He quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! He verily is the Quickener of the Dead, and He is Able to do all things." (Verses 48-50)

Just as rainwater can bring life back to the dead earth, Allah can also resurrect  the dead back to the living on the Day of Judgement, where everyone's actions are for the profit or loss of each individual.

Section 6: The evidence of those given knowledge and faith, verses 54-60

"Allah is He Who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then, after strength, appointed weakness and grey hair. He createth what He will. He is the Knower, the Mighty." (Verse 54)

"Verily We have coined for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes; and indeed if thou camest unto them with a miracle, those who disbelieve would verily exclaim: Ye are but tricksters! Thus doth Allah seal the hearts of those who know not. So have patience (O Muhammad)! Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make thee impatient." (Verses 58-60)

No excuse shall be accepted from the guilty nor will they be entitled to seek Allah's grace. Those who had knowledge and faith on Earth will understand the significance of the Day of Judgement and what they are about to face.

Moving on, after the end of Surah 30, to Surah 31, Luqman. It is named after Luqman who was blessed with abundant wisdom and it narrates the advice he has given to his son. It was revealed at Mecca and contains 34 verses in 4 sections.

Surah 30, Luqman

Section 1: Quran - a guidance and mercy for the righteous, verses 1-11

"These are revelations of the wise Scripture, A guidance and a mercy for the good, Those who establish worship and pay the poor-due and have sure faith in the Hereafter." (Verses 2-4)

"And when Our revelations are recited unto him he turneth away in pride as if he heard them not, as if there were a deafness in his ears. So give him tidings of a painful doom. Lo! those who believe and do good works, for them are the gardens of delight, Wherein they will abide. It is a promise of Allah in truth. He is the Mighty, the Wise." (Verses 7-9)

"This is the Creation of Allah. Now show me that which those (ye worship) beside Him have created. Nay, but the wrong-doers are in error manifest!" (Verse 11)

The Holy Quran is a book of wisdom and knowledge. Whoever seeks guidance from it receives it. As its wisdom is complete and perfect its guidance is thorough and invariably leads to truth, goodness and salvation. Its practicability depends on the intellect and taqwa of the person who puts it into practice. The availability of such an all-encompassing and comprehensive guidance is a mercy from Allah.

Section 2: The ethics preached through Luqman, verses 12-19

"And verily We gave Luqman wisdom, saying: Give thanks unto Allah; and whosoever giveth thanks, he giveth thanks for (the good of) his soul. And whosoever refuseth - Lo! Allah is Absolute, Owner of Praise. And (remember) when Luqman said unto his son, when he was exhorting him: O my dear son! Ascribe no partners unto Allah. Lo! to ascribe partners (unto Him) is a tremendous wrong - And We have enjoined upon man concerning his partners - His mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years - Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is the journeying." (Verses 12-14)

"O my dear son! Lo! though it be but the weight of a grain of mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Lo! Allah is Subtile, Aware. O my dear son! Establish worship and enjoin kindness and forbid iniquity, and persevere whatever may befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast heart of things. Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster. Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice. Lo! the harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass." (Verses 16-19)

It is said that Luqman was not a Prophet of Allah but was blessed with wisdom. He was the nephew of Prophet Ayyub. He lived for one thousand years, from the time of Prophet Dawood to the time of Prophet Yunus. Once, when he was asleep, angels came and asked if he would like to be Allah's deputy on the earth. To this, he replied that if it was a command from Allah, he would accept it, however, if Allah had asked his desire he would like to be excused because it was a great responsibility to dispense justice among men, and he could not bear the burden. It is also said he was who the Greeks referred to as Aesop, of Aesop's fables fame.

In a letter to his son he highlights the virtues of the true believer in the above verses. The importance of respect to parents, establishing prayer and to refrain from arrogance, to be modest and humble at all times. This letter is targetted at all of mankind to apply and uphold in our daily lives.

Section 3: He who submits himself to God holds the firmest rope, verses 20-30

"See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and hath loaded you with His favours both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a scripture giving light. And if it be said unto them: Follow that which Allah hath revealed, they say: Nay, but we follow that wherein we found our fathers. What! Even though the devil were inviting them unto the doom of flame? Whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, he verily hath grasped the firm hand-hold. Unto Allah belongeth the sequel of all things." (Verses 20-22)

"And if all the trees in the earth were pens, and the sea, with seven more seas to help it, (were ink), the words of Allah could not be exhausted. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Wise." (Verse 27)

The words and signs and mercies of Allah are in all creation, and can never be fully set out in human language, no matter how much resource is available to us in this world.

Section 4: Let not the life of this world deceive anyone, verses 31-34

"O mankind! Keep your duty to your Lord and fear a Day when the parent will not be able to avail the child in aught, nor the child to avail the parent. Lo! Allah's promise is the very truth. Let not the life of the world beguile you, nor let the deceiver beguile you, in regard to Allah. Lo! Allah! With Him is knowledge of the Hour. He sendeth down the rain, and knoweth that which is in the wombs. No soul knoweth what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knoweth in what land it will die. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware." (Verses 33-34)

Imam Ali (as) has said: "Your yesterday is past. You have no hold over it. Your tomorrow has not yet come, therefore it is uncertain whether you will be there or not, but your today is the day you must use in the best possible way and act as you are commanded by Allah."

After Surah 31 comes Surah As-Sajda (The Prostation). This Surah was revealed in Mecca and contains 30 verses in 3 sections.

Surah 32, As-Sajda (The Prostation)

Section 1: Quran, the book from Allah, verses 1-11

"The revelation of the Scripture whereof there is no doubt is from the Lord of the Worlds. Or say they: He hath invented it? Nay, but it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayst warn a folk to whom no warner came before thee, that haply they may walk aright." (Verses 2-3)

"Such is the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Mighty, the Merciful, Who made all things good which He created, and He began the creation of man from clay; Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid; Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit; and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. Small thanks give ye!" (Verses 6-9)

Since the departure of prophet Isa no prophet was sent by Allah till the Holy Prophet to prevent people from going astray from the right path. By the time of the Holy Prophet the earlier revealed scriptures had been corrupted by human ignorance, or selfishness, or lost altogether. The Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet direct from Allah, therefore it does not contain any human conjecture or point of view in which there is always room for dispute or doubt. The final book of guidance is a divine revelation.

Allah's creation is in proper proportion and adapted for the functions it has to perform. There is no disorder in it. The disorder found is due to man's free will. Therefore to guide and bring it into order, Allah sent His Prophets, Imams and the Holy books. Man with his five senses would have remained an animal if Allah had not breathed His spirit into him.

Section 2: A believer and disbeliever cannot be equal, verses 12-22

"And if We had so willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me concerning evildoers took effect: that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together. So taste (the evil of your deeds). Forasmuch as ye forgot the meeting of this your day, lo! We forget you. Taste the doom of immortality because of what ye used to do." (Verses 14-15)

"Only those believe in Our revelations who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate and hymn the praise of their Lord, and they are not scornful, Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them." (Verses 16-17)

"Is he who is a believer like unto him who is an evil-liver? They are not alike. But as for those who believe and do good works, for them are the Gardens of Retreat - a welcome (in reward) for what they used to do. And as for those who do evil, their retreat is the Fire. Whenever they desire to issue forth from thence, they are brought back thither. Unto them it is said: Taste the torment of the Fire which ye used to deny." (Verses 18-20)

Verse 17 refers to the tahajjud  prayers that are highly recommended to perform after midnight. All commentators agree that verse 18 refers to Imam Ali (as) as the believer and Walid ibn Aqbah who fought against Imam Ali (as) in the Battle of Badr.

Section 3: Similitude of Moses' missions, verses 23-30

"We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel. And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command." (Verses 23-24)

"And they say: When cometh this victory (of yours) if ye are truthful? Say (unto them): On the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve (and who then will believe) will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved. So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), and await (the event). Lo! they (also) are awaiting (it)." (Verses 28-30)

The Surah concludes with a mention of Prophet Musa being given a book to guide the children of Israel, whereas the Holy Prophet has been given the Holy Quran as a guidance for the whole of mankind. Also, the Day of Judgement will be a day of recompense, no respite will be granted to anyone.

The last Surah of Chapter 21 is Al-Ahzaab (The Clans). This contains arguably the most famous verse of the Holy Quran. The Surah was revealed at Madina and contains 73 verses in 9 sections. Chapter 21 has the first 4 sections.

Surah 33, Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)

Section 1: Prophet Muhammed's claim upon the soul of the believers, verses 1-8

"Allah hath not assigned unto any man two hearts within his body, nor hath He made your wives whom ye declare (to be your mothers) your mothers, nor hath He made those whom ye claim (to be your sons) your sons. This is but a saying of your mouths. But Allah saith the truth and He showeth the way. Proclaim their real parentage. That will be more equitable in the sight of Allah. And if ye know not their fathers, then (they are) your brethren in the faith, and your clients. And there is no sin for you in the mistakes that ye make unintentionally, but what your hearts purpose (that will be a sin for you). Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful." (Verses 4-5)

"The Prophet is closer to the believers than their selves, and his wives are (as) their mothers. And the owners of kinship are closer one to another in the ordinance of Allah than (other) believers and the fugitives (who fled from Mecca), except that ye should do kindness to your friends. This is written in the Book (of nature)." (Verse 6)

This section addresses some of the allegations against the Holy Prophet about the kind of wives he had. Firstly, in reference to the beginning of verse 4, Imam Ali (as) has said ""The love of the Ahlul Bayt can never coexist with allegiance to their enemies, because there are not two hearts in one breast. He who is a friend of our enemies is not our friend, even if he claims to be attached with us, nor do we accept him as our ally and follower."

From that the discussion changes to cover the wives of the Holy Prophet. The rest of verse 4 and verse 5 refer to the marriage of the Holy Prophet with a divorcee (Zainab) of his adopted son (Zaid). People tried to criticise the Holy Prophet for marrying his son's ex-wife, but there was no such obstruction in Islam as an adopted son is not the same as an actual son. This has been earlier clarified in Surah 4, Verse 23: "Forbidden unto you...the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins."

Verse 6 was revealed when some followers of the Holy Prophet were reluctant to accompany him on his expedition to Tabuk. This verse establishes the overwhelming authority of the Holy Prophet over the souls of all believers. The wives of the Holy Prophet are the mothers of the believers. Imam Ali (as) given the ability to divorce any of the wives by the Holy Prophet on his behalf: "O Ali, Allah has bestowed honour on my wives, but if they disobey the laws and commands of Allah, made known through me, they come out of the sacred range of the divine grace. At anytime, after me, if any of them rebel against you, you have the authority to divorce her on my behalf."  It was one of the reasons why Imam Ali (as) was hated so much by Ayesha and you could argue she was the one person whom Imam Ali (as) could have divorced from the Holy Prophet if he wished, due to her actions after the Holy Prophet's demise.

Section 2: The treachery of the hypocrites exposed, verses 9-20

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah's favour unto you when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a great wind and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever Seer of what ye do. When they came upon you from above you and from below you, and when eyes grew wild and hearts reached to the throats, and ye were imagining vain thoughts concerning Allah." (Verses 9-10)

"And when the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, were saying: Allah and His messenger promised us naught but delusion. And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefor turn back. And certain of them (even) sought permission of the Prophet, saying: Our homes lie open (to the enemy). And they lay not open. They but wished to flee." (Verses 12-13)

"And verily they had already sworn unto Allah that they would not turn their backs (to the foe). An oath to Allah must be answered for." (Verse 15)

"Being sparing of their help to you (believers). But when the fear cometh, then thou (Muhammad) seest them regarding thee with rolling eyes like one who fainteth unto death. Then, when the fear departeth, they scald you with sharp tongues in their greed for wealth (from the spoil). Such have not believed. Therefor Allah maketh their deeds fruitless. And that is easy for Allah." (Verse 19)

This section deals with the actions of the hypocrites at the Battle of Khandaq. Al-Ahzaab takes its name from the clans which came against the Muslims in Madina (Yathrib), and there were hypocrites amongst the Muslim camp who retreated and ran away during battle our of fear. Despite the Holy Prophet showing signs of clear victory (verse 9), the hypocrites accused him of keeping the Muslims in deluded hope (verse 12) and tried to tempt them all to retreat back to their homes (verse 13). However, when the danger passed, the same people would come out and show their greed for the booty and fake-pride in the victory (verse 19).

Section 3: An excellent pattern in the apostle Muhammed, verses 21-27

"Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much. And when the true believers saw the clans, they said: This is that which Allah and His messenger promised us. Allah and His messenger are true. It did but confirm them in their faith and resignation. Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least; That Allah may reward the true men for their truth, and punish the hypocrites if He will, or relent toward them (if He will). Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Verses 21-24)

"And He brought those of the People of the Scripture who supported them down from their strongholds, and cast panic into their hearts. Some ye slew, and ye made captive some." (Verse 26)

In contrast to the previous section, here the true believers are mentioned and praised. Those who supported the Holy Prophet in the Battle of Khandaq and refused to give in to the advancing enemy and helped achieved a famous victory. Verse 21 describes the attitude of these believers who faithfully followed the example of the Holy Prophet. Whatever he preached he practiced.

Verse 26 refers to the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza who colluded with the Quraysh during the battle and went against the Muslims. They were eventually overcome in the battle. It has been alleged that after their surrender the Prophet permitted the massacre of the entire tribe, men, women and children. This is a completely false allegation and not befitting of the Holy Prophet. I have discussed it in more detail in an earlier blog.

Section 4: The People of the House (the Ahlul Bayt), divinely made clean, verses 28-34

"O Prophet! Say unto thy wives: If ye desire the world's life and its adornment, come! I will content you and will release you with a fair release. O ye wives of the Prophet! Whosoever of you committeth manifest lewdness, the punishment for her will be doubled, and that is easy for Allah. And whosoever of you is submissive unto Allah and His messenger and doeth right, We shall give her her reward twice over, and We have prepared for her a rich provision. O ye wives of the Prophet! Ye are not like any other women. If ye keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease aspire (to you), but utter customary speech." (Verses 28-32)

"And stay in your houses. Bedizen not yourselves with the bedizenment of the Time of Ignorance. Be regular in prayer, and pay the poor-due, and obey Allah and His messenger. Allah's wish is but to remove uncleanness far from you, O People of the Household, and cleanse you with a thorough cleansing." (Verse 33)

This section discusses the conduct and behaviour of the wives of the Holy Prophet. In verse 28 the Holy Prophet offers to set free any wife who was unhappy with their situation. The wives who behaved appropriately, followed the Holy Prophet and Allah, for them a great reward lay ahead. Those who didn't and went against the Prophet, the punishment would be doubled (verse 29).

Verse 33 (Ayat-al Tathir), was revealed at the time of the event of the cloak - Hadith-al Kisa. The Holy Prophet gathered his daughter, Bibi Fatima (as), Imam Ali (as), and his grandsons Imam Hasan (as) & Imam Hussain (as) under a cloak as a symbolic gesture to highlight the importance of the Ahlul-Bayt. Angel Jibrail was sent down to reveal this verse at that time. Two wives of the Holy Prophet including Ayesha asked to be included in the blanket but they were denied as they were not of the Ahlul-Bayt.

This verse has been open to much debate because of where it is placed in the Quran. Sunnis argue that because the first part discusses the wives of the Holy Prophet, the Ahlul-Bayt also refers to the wives as well. We argue that the first part of the verse is in a feminine tone but then the sentence about purification changes to masculine. Once again, like the verses in Surah al-Maidah (discussed in Chapter 6) being out of order, I am confused as to why this verse could not have been clearer.

That concludes Chapter 21 and we continue with the rest of Surah 33 in Chapter 22 tomorrow. We shall also cover Surahs 34, 35 & 36 inshallah.

Thank you for reading.