Tafsir of Surah Al-Isra: Ayah 105-109

The Quran & the Truth

Humanity needs a divine code, guiding them to what brings them happiness and wards off misery in the worldly life and the Hereafter. Therefore, Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the Quran, upholding the truth, and containing the truth. 

(Upholding the truth, We have revealed it, and containing the truth, it has been revealed. We have not sent you, but as a giver of good news and a warner.

It is a clear Quran which We have revealed so that you may deliberately recite it to men, and We have revealed it in stages. 

Say, ‘Believe or do not believe in it. Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces prostrating.’

They say, ‘Glory be to our Lord! Indeed, our Lord’s promise must be fulfilled.’  

They fall down on their faces weeping, and it increases their humbleness.)

[Quran Surah al-Isra:105-109] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part mentioned that the Quran is inimitable, and that the disbelievers asked Messenger Muhammad to bring them miracles so that they might believe in Islam. If their request was met and then they disbelieved, they would be punished and destroyed. Then the ayat returns to speak about the greatness and sublimity of the Quran. 

Tafsir  

(Upholding the truth, We have revealed it, and containing the truth, it has been revealed. We have not sent you, but as a giver of good news and a warner.) [105]

(Upholding the truth, We have revealed it.) Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad in order to support, uphold, establish, and sanction the truth.

(… and containing the truth, it has been revealed.) The Quran contains the truth in every matter, creed, worship, etc. 

Allah revealed the Quran containing proofs of His Oneness, laws and legislation, regulating people’s life, commandments to implement justice and practice virtue ethics, and prohibitions of injustice and vice ethics. In sum, the Quran contains all man needs to know to attain happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Moreover, Allah revealed the Quran and took upon Himself to protect it from distortion, alteration, increase, and decrease. 

(We have not sent you, but as a giver of good news, and a warner.)

This is praise for Messenger Muhammad to whom the Quran was revealed.

O Messenger! We have sent you only as a giver of good news to the good doers and a warner to the evil doers. We have not sent you to force people to belief in Islam. 

Verily, only Allah is able to guide people to follow the path of guidance. 

(It is a clear Quran which We have revealed so that you may deliberately recite it to men, and We have revealed it in stages.) [106]

O Messenger! We have revealed the Quran to you. It is distinctively clear.  It precisely states commands, prohibitions, rules, and laws. We have revealed it in stages so that you might deliberately recite it to men. 

Reciting the Quran deliberately facilitates understanding and implementing its rules as well as its memorization. The companions of Messenger Muhammad followed this method in learning and memorizing the Quran. For them, it was not only a book they should recite, it was also a road map they should follow to achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. 

Abu Abdur-Rahman as-Sulamy said, ‘Those who used to teach us the Quran told us that they used to learn the Quran from Messenger Muhammad. When they learned ten ayat, they would not learn other ayat until they implemented the teachings of the learned ayat. Thus they learned the Quran and implemented its teachings at the same time.’ 

(We have revealed it in stages.)

Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years in accordance with His wisdom, and events that took place. It was revealed in such a manner to facilitate its understanding and memorization for the Muslims.  If they were asked to implement the entire rules and teachings of the Quran at once, it would be difficult for them. 

Then Allah threatened the disbelievers, showing their insignificance. 

(Say, ‘Believe or do not believe in it. Indeed, those who were given knowledge before it, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces prostrating.’) [107]

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers, who refused to believe in Islam, described the Quran as tales of the ancient, and asked for miracles, ‘Do as you like. Believe or disbelieve in the Quran. Your belief will not increase its sublimity, and your disbelief will not decrease its significance. The scholars among the Jews and Christians, who have knowledge of the former divine Scriptures and can distinguish the truth from falsehood, fall  down on their faces, prostrating when the Quran is recited to them.’ 

Those scholars fall down on their faces, prostrating when listening to the recitation of the Quran in order to thank Allah, Who have fulfilled His promise by sending Messenger Muhammad and revealing the Quran as He promised in the former Scriptures. 

 (…when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces prostrating.)

 The conduct of the scholars among the Jews and Christians indicates that their belief was very strong that the effect of listening to the recitation of the Quran immediately appeared through their prostration. They humbly fell down on their faces, prostrating as soon as they listened to the recitation of the Quran. 

 Falling down on the face is particularly referred to because the face is the first part of the body touches the earth when prostrating, and because it shows humility and submission. 

(They say, ‘Glory be to our Lord! Indeed, our Lord’s promise must be fulfilled.’) [108]

When listening to the recitation of the Quran, the scholars among the Jews and Christians say, ‘Glory be to Allah, our Lord. Indeed, His promise must be fulfilled.’ 

They glorified Allah, as He fulfilled His promise in the Torah and the Gospel that He would send Messenger Muhammad and reveal the Quran, which happened. Indeed, sending Messenger Muhammad as a messenger to invite people to believe in the Oneness of Allah and revealing the Quran, which contains what brings happiness to man in this world and the Hereafter is a great blessing that Allah must be thanked for. 

(They fall down on their faces weeping, and it increases their humbleness.) [109]

Praising the scholars among the Jews and Christians is repeated in this ayah, (They fall down on their faces weeping, and it increases their humbleness.) That is because the reason for their falling down on their faces prostrating in this ayah is different from that of ayah [107]

The first prostration was to glorify and thank Allah as He fulfilled His promise by sending Messenger Muhammad and revealing the Quran. As for the second prostration, it was because they were greatly affected by the admonitions and lessons of the Quran. 

 (They fall down on their faces weeping, and it increases their humbleness.)

The scholars among the Jews and Christians prostrated themselves when listening the Quran, and wept out of submission and humbleness to Allah. 

The scholars deduced from ayah [107 &109] that weeping out of fear of Allah indicates true belief, and purity of the soul. Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Two eyes shall never be touched by the hellfire. They are an eye that cried out of fear of Allah, and an eye that spends the night guarding the borders for the sake of Allah.’ 

Learned Lessons

• Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the Quran, upholding and containing the truth.

• The Quran was revealed in stages over a period of twenty-three years in order to facilitate its recitation, understanding, memorization and implementing its rules and teachings. Otherwise, it might be difficult for people to comprehend and implement its teachings.

• Allah, Exalted is He, threatened the disbelievers, who disbelieved in the Quran. He mentioned that the scholars among the Jews and Christians believed in the Quran. They would fall down on their faces prostrating when listening to the recitation of the Quran in order to glorify and thank Allah, who fulfilled His promise by sending Messenger Muhammad and revealing the Quran. In addition, they showed their submission and humbleness to Allah by their prostration. 

• Crying for fear of Allah indicates strong faith, and fear of Allah.

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 101-104

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

The Scholars’ Opinions on Al-Muqatta’at Letters (Separated Letters) in the Quran

Al-Muqatta’at Letters [disconnected letters] are the separated letters found at the beginning of twenty-nine surah of the Quran. The scholars differ about their meanings. Their opinions can be summarized as follows: 

a) These letters have meanings; however, they differ about specifying their meanings whether they are names of Allah, names of the surahs, or that they refer to how long the nation of Muhammad [saw] will remain, and so on.
b) They are alphabetical letters and do not have meanings.
c) They have meanings, which only Allah knows.
d) Refraining from giving any opinion.

The most correct opinion is (b), i.e. they are alphabetical letters and do not have meanings. This opinion is based on the fact that the Quran was revealed in the Arabic language, and its alphabetic letters do have meanings. Similarly, these separated letters at the beginning of some surahs of the Quran do not have meanings. 

The wisdom behind these letters, according to those who say that they do not have meanings, is that separated letters demonstrate the inimitability of the Quran. That is because it has not brought words or letters that are beyond the reach of man. Rather, these letters are some of the letters used in people's speech. However, they cannot bring something like Quran.

The Lawful is Clear & the Unlawful is Clear in Islam
Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Yusuf
The Seven under the Shade of Allah

Learned Lessons from Surah Joseph Ayah 1-6

The Noble Quran Surah Yusuf:Translation and Tafsir  

Translation of the Meanings of Surah Joseph Ayah 1-6

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the clear Book. [Q12:1] 

Indeed, We have revealed it as an Arabic Quran that you may understand. [Q12:2] 

We relate to you the best of stories by revealing this Quran to you though before its revelation you were unaware of them. [Q12:3] 

Mention when Joseph said to his father, ‘O father! I saw eleven stars, the sun, and the moon in a dream. I saw them all prostrating before me.’ [Q12:4] 

He said, ‘O son! Do not relate your dream to your brothers lest they should contrive a plot against you. Indeed, Satan, to man, is an open enemy.’ [Q12:5]  

In the same manner, your Lord will choose you, teach you the interpretation of events, and perfect His blessing on you and the family of Jacob, just as He perfected it on your forefathers before, Ibrahim and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is all-Knowing, all-Wise. [Q12:6] 

Learned Lessons from Surah Joseph Ayah 1-6

• The Quran is a clear book. It explains matters people need to know to attain happiness in this life and the Hereafter, e.g. the lawful, the unlawful, commandments of Allah, rules related to individuals and society, etc. 

• Narrating stories to clarify concepts and ideas is a praiseworthy method.

• Arabic is the language of the Quran. It is the most eloquent tongue, and it is the language of the Arab, the people of Messenger Muhammad. 

• The Quran contains the most truthful and clear stories and news. It relates stories about the former nations in the most eloquent manner.

• The story of Joseph is the best story. It contains beneficial lessons, as well as it speaks about important matters, such as matters related to the Oneness of Allah, interpretation of dreams, politics, management of government, business, etc. It is a comprehensive story that refers to things related to the worldly life and the Hereafter.

• The dreams of the Prophets of Allah and the righteous people are truthful. Aisha, the wife of Messenger Muhammad, may Allah be pleased with her, said that the prophet-hood of Messenger Messenger began by seeing truthful dreams. He used not to see a dream but it would come true, just like a clear break of dawn.  Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Nothing of prophet-hood will remain after my death but good news.’ His companions said, ‘What is good news?’ He said, ‘It is a good dream that a person sees (for himself), or a person dreams about someone else.’ 

• A dream shall only be told to a person who can interpret it or a loving person. 

• It is recommended not to speak about the blessings that Allah grants us before those who may envy us.

• It is permissible to advise people on harmful things. It is not considered backbiting. Prophet Jacob advised his son, Joseph, not to relate his dream to his brothers lest they should envy him.

• Ayah [Q12:6] indicated that Prophet Jacob knew how to interpret dreams. He told Joseph that he would achieve a high position.

• The interpretation of Joseph’s dream conveyed glad tidings. It denoted that Joseph would enjoy prophet-hood and distinguished status and that Allah would bestow His blessings on him and the family of Jacob. 

Quran, English Translation of the Meaning of Surah Joseph

Quran, Tafsir ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Surah Joseph

Towards Understanding the Quran, Surah Joseph

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Yusuf

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 17-18

You would see that when rising, the sun would move away from their cave towards the right, and when setting, it would leave them towards the left while they were lying in the spaciousness thereof. That was of Allah’s signs. Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided, and whomever He leaves astray, never will you find a helping guide for him.

You would think them awake while they were asleep. We would turn them to the right and to the left. Their dog was stretching its legs at the yard. If you had seen them, you would have turned away, fleeing and been extremely frightened of them.  [Surah al-Kahf: 17-18]

Tafsir

Under the Protection of Allah’s Mercy

You would see that when rising, the sun would move away from their cave towards the right, and when setting, it would leave them towards the left while they were lying in the spaciousness thereof. That was of Allah’s signs. Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided, and whomever He leaves astray, never will you find a helping guide for him. [17]

The ayat move on to narrate how the young men stayed in the cave after Allah, Exalted is He, caused them to sleep deeply.  

The scholars of interpretation of the Quran have two opinions regarding the meaning of ayah 17. The first is that the entrance of the cave was open toward the north. Thus, when the sun rose, it would be to the right side of the cave, and when it set, it would be to the left side of the cave. Therefore, the sun’s light would not enter into the cave, but mild breeze would enter. In other words, Allah kept the young men of the cave away from the sun’s light. The second opinion is that when the sun rose, Allah would prevent the sun’s light from entering the cave, and the same thing when it set, which was a miraculous matter, and a great miracle that Allah bestowed upon those men in the cave. This was the opinion of az-Zajjaj, a famous grammarian of Arabic language. He argued that this was a sign denoting Allah’s omnipotence. If the true meaning was the first one, then it would be normal rather than a miraculous thing. On the other hand, it would be a great miracle if the true meaning was the second one. The ayat also mentioned that they were lying in the spaciousness of the cave so that a mild breeze would blow on them.  

(Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided, and whomever He leaves astray, never will you find a helping guide for him.)

Whomever Allah guides to follow the right path surely is rightly guided. He will attain happiness in this life and the Hereafter. However, whomever Allah leaves astray and does not guide to follow the right path surely is misguided. He will find no person to help and guide him to the right path. Indeed, such a person will definitely be a loser. 

Then the ayat describes the wondrous state of the young men inside the cave. 

You would think them awake while they were asleep. We would turn them to the right and to the left. Their dog was stretching its legs at the yard. If you had seen them, you would have turned away, fleeing and been extremely frightened of them. [18]   

If someone observed them, he would think them awake because their eyes were open and they were being turned toward the right and the left, which indicates that they were being turned a lot.  They were being turned to the right and the left sides to protect their bodies from disintegration due to their long sleep.   
Then the ayat mentions how their dog was sleeping. 

(Their dog was stretching its legs at the yard. If you had seen them, you would have turned away, fleeing and been extremely frightened of them.)  

Their dog was stretching its legs at the cave’s yard as if he were guarding them. If someone saw the young men of the cave and their dog in this state, he would be extremely frightened of them.  
The scholars deduced some lessons from this ayah, among which the following: The dog lay at the cave’s yard, which was a natural habit of dogs, as if he were guarding the young men of the cave. The blessing of those righteous young men included their dog as it slept as they did, which was an advantage of accompanying the righteous. Thus, this dog attained a good status. 

If a dog acquired such a high rank by accompanying the righteous that it was mentioned in the Quran, then what the case will be if a human being accompanies the righteous. Undoubtedly, he will attain a great rank and gain a sublime reputation.

Anas bin Malik said: ‘As Messenger Muhammad and I were getting out of the mosque, we met a man at the dooryard. The man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! When the Day of Resurrection will occur?’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘What have you prepared for it?’ The man, as if he submitted, replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah! I have not prepared so much praying, fasting, nor charity for it. However, I love Allah and His Messenger.’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘You will be with those whom you loved.’ In another narration, Anas bin Malik said, ‘We were not so happy with something after embracing Islam like being happy with the statement of Messenger Muhammad, ‘You will be with those whom you loved.’ Anas said, ‘I love Allah, Messenger Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Umar. I hope to be with them in the Hereafter even if my deeds are not as perfect as their deeds.’   

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 13-16

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

The Noble Quran Tafsir Surah an-Nahl Ayah 70

The Noble Quran, Surah an-Nahl, Translation and Tafsir

Allah has created you; then He will cause you to die. Some of you will be left to reach very old age so that he will know nothing after being knowledgeable. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All- Able.[Quran, Surah an-Nahl: 70]

      Allah created man from nothing. Then He will cause him to die when his life span ends.

 (Some of you will be left to reach very old age so that he will know nothing after being knowledgeable.)

   Some people will reach old age to the extent that they become very weak in their bodies and senses; either by losing them or by being unable to understand, remember, or memorize information. 

  Sa’d ibn Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad used to seek protection from Allah from these things after every prayer. He used to say, ‘O Allah! I seek refuge with you from cowardice and miserliness. I seek refuge with you from reaching very old age. I seek refuge with you from the trials of worldly life. And I seek refuge with you from the torment of the grave.’ 

(Allah has created you; then He will cause you to die. Some of you will be left to reach very old age so that he will know nothing after being knowledgeable.)

   The ayah speaks about life and death, which affect every soul. Life is dear, and reflecting on its conditions may make a hard heart lenient, and feel the power, the blessings, and the ability of Allah. Similarly, fearing for one’s life may engender a sense of fear of Allah, caution, and seeking the help of the giver of life. Moreover, the image of old age, when one becomes so weak, forgets what he learned, and becomes just like a child in respect of inability, forgetfulness, and naivety, may make the soul reflects on the stages of life, and reduces some of one’s arrogance, and proudness of his strength, knowledge, and ability. 

(Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All- Able.)

   Indeed, Allah knows everything. He makes man strong, and then weak for wisdom that He knows and man does not know. Verily, Allah is Able and nothing can stop before His ability. 

   Just as Allah is able to make man go through different stages in his life, He is also able to raise him after death and resurrect him for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. 

The Noble Quran, Surah an-Nahl, English Translation

Tafsir ibn Kathir Surah an-Nahl 

Reflection on the Flying Birds

Tafsir of Surah an-Nahl Ayah 79

Have they not seen the birds, made subservient in mid-air? None holds them up but Allah. Surely in that are proofs for people who believe. [Quran Surah an-Nahl:79] 

Have the disbelievers not seen the birds, which are made subservient in mid-air? They fly between the earth and heaven. No one holds them while they stretch and contract their wings except Allah, Exalted be He, by His ability.

If they deliberately reflect on this matter, they will know that the One who made them fly in such a manner is Allah, the only true God. 

(Surely in that are proofs for people who believe.)

 Making the birds subservient in mid-air in such an amazing manner is evidence for people who believe in the truth, open their hearts to it, and keep themselves away from falsehood.  

Have they not seen the birds, made subservient in mid-air? None holds them up but Allah. Surely in that are proofs for people who believe. [Quran Surah an-Nahl:79] 

The view of birds, flying in the sky is frequent. Its familiarity has stripped away its wonders. The heart will not see it attentively except when it wakes up and observes the universe through the eyes of a talented poet. The soaring of the birds in the sky forcefully moves the sensitive feeling that it is suddenly fascinated by the new-old view. Nothing holds the birds while they are flying in the sky but Allah through His laws that instilled in the birds’ disposition and the universe around them. Allah has made the birds able to fly and He has made the air suitable for such flying and enabled them not to fall. Indeed, this matter is evidence for people who believe. Verily, the believing heart is a sensitive one that senses the wonders of the universe and creation. Such a heart perceives their amazing marvels that forcefully move the feelings and consciences. This heart expresses his impression of the wonders of the creation by worship and glorification. The believers endowed with the ability to express themselves can compose many wonderful statements about the creativity in the creation that a poet whose heart is not touched by the bright light of faith cannot do [Fi Zilal al-Quran, Sayyid Qutub]. 

The Noble Quran, English Translation of Surah an-Nahl

Tafsir ibn Kathir Surah an-nahl

Creation of Man
Exhortations and the Listeners

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir Kindle Edition

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra Ayah 70-72

Honoring the Children of Adam

Allah has honored the children of Adam tangibly and intangibly. He saves them from the dangers of seas and lands, preserves their honor, protects their rights, and subjugates all that is on the earth and heavens for them. Indeed, no created being enjoys the honor Allah has bestowed on the children of Adam.

(Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with transport on the land and the sea, given them tasty sustenance, and favored them greatly over many of those We have created.

Mention the Day when We shall call every group with their leader. Then whoever will be given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and will not be wronged in the least. 

Whoever has been blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter, and greatly far from the right path.)

[Quran Surah al-Isra: 70-72] 

Relationship with Previous Part

After Allah mentioned some of His bounties on the children of Adam, He, Exalted is He, has mentioned that He has honored and favored them over many of His creatures. Then Allah, Exalted is He, has mentioned how their conditions will be in the Hereafter. 

Tafsir

(Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam, provided them with transport on the land and the sea, given them tasty sustenance, and favored them greatly over many of those We have created.) [70]

Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam. We have subjugated all that in the universe for them. We have subjugated animals to carry them on the land, and ships to carry them on the sea. Moreover, We have given them tasty sustenance, and favored them greatly over many created beings.

(Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam…)

Some aspects of the honoring of Allah to the children of Adam include the following:

- Allah has created man in the best form. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Indeed, We have created man in the best form) [Q 95:4]

- Allah has distinguished man with intellect, utterance, and various faculties, which enable him to be responsible for fulfilling Allah’s obligations on him.

- Allah has subjugated many of His creatures for serving man. 

(…provided them with transport on the land and the sea…)

Allah, the Omnipotence, has provided man with means of transportation on earth, e.g. animals, trains, and cars. He also has given them means of transportation to travel on the sea, such as ships.

 (…given them tasty sustenance…)

Allah, out of His bounty, has given man various kinds of tasty sustenance without which he cannot live.

(…and favored them greatly over many of those We have created.)

Allah has favored human beings greatly over many other creatures.

Some scholars believe that there is a difference between honoring and favoring, and among them is Imam Fakhar ad-Dayn ar-Razy. He said, ‘In the beginning of the ayah, Allah says, (Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam.), and at the end of the ayah, Allah says, (…and favored them greatly over many of those We have created.). There must be a difference between honoring and favoring; otherwise, there will be repetition. The most plausible interpretation is that Allah has favored man over all animals with natural dispositions, e.g. intellect, utterance, stature, etc. Then Allah has enabled man by means of the intellect and understanding to acquire sound belief and morals.’ 

After clarifying people’s conditions in this world, the ayat mention their circumstances in the Hereafter.

(Mention the Day when We shall call every group with their leader. Then whoever will be given his record in his right hand - those will read their records, and will not be wronged in the least.)[71]

O Messenger! Mention to the people about the Day of Judgment. On that day, We will call every group with their leader, whom they used to follow in the worldly life. The righteous believers will be given the records of their deeds in their right hands. They will read them happily, when they find out what has been written therein. They will be rewarded for their righteous deeds and will not be wronged in the least. 

In the Arabic version, ‘fateela,’ translated as ‘in the least’ is used to refer to the fact that the reward of the righteous believers will never be decreased even a small part equals to the very thin fiber, called ‘fateel’ found in the side of a date seed. 

Then the ayat mention the evil end of the evil doers. 

(Whoever has been blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter, and greatly far from the right path.) [72]

Blindness in this ayah refers to heedlessness of the heart, not blindness of the eyes. In another ayah, Allah says, interpretation of meaning: 

(Have they not travelled on earth so that they would have reasons that understand, or ears that attentively hear? Indeed, the eyes do not become blind, but the hearts within the breasts become blind.)[Q 22: 46] 

Whoever has a heedless heart in the worldly life, favoring disbelief in Allah over believing in Him will be extremely heedless in the Hereafter and greatly far from knowing the right path. That is because he had the opportunity to reform his way and obey Allah in the worldly life, but he insisted on disbelief and following the path of misguidance. As for the Hereafter, he cannot reform what he missed in the worldly life. 

In other words, the person, who deliberately refuses to observe proofs, denoting the Oneness of Allah in the worldly life, will be blind in the Hereafter and will not know the right path, leading to salvation. 

Learned Lessons 

• Allah has honored the children of Adam and favored them over many of His creatures. He has honored them with creating them in the best form, distinguishing them with intellect and understanding, giving them means of transportation on the land and the sea, and providing them with tasty sustenance. 

• On the Day of Judgment, every person will receive and read the record of his deeds wherein all his committed deeds and uttered statements in the worldly life are written. 

• Those who receive the record of their deeds in their right hands will be happy and will be immensely rewarded. 

• Real blindness in the worldly life is not blindness of the eyes; rather, it is heedlessness of the hearts so that they cannot observe evidence denoting the Oneness of Allah.  

• The disobedient will fail to recognize the right path on the Day of Judgment, just as they failed to follow it in the worldly life.

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 66-69

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

The Noble Quran, Surah an-Nahl Ayah 97, Happy Life

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Translation and Tafsir

Whoever, male or female, does righteous deeds while being a believer – We shall surely make him live a good life and We shall recompense them their reward according to the best of what they sued to do.  [Quran Surah an-Nahl :97] 

The reward of the good-doers, male or female, who believe in Allah’s Oneness and perform righteous deeds, is that Allah will make them live a good life in this world and reward them according to the best of their deeds in the Hereafter.

The scholars mention different meanings for ‘good life.’ They say that it means lawful sustenance, contentment, belief in Allah and obeying Him, happiness, Paradise, good health and sufficient sustenance, and being pleased with the ordainment of Allah.  

Imam Ibn Kathir said, ‘This is a promise from Allah to whoever does righteous deeds that agree with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of Messenger Muhammad while believing in Allah’s Oneness and His Messenger Muhammad. Allah will make him/her live a good life in this world and reward them according to the best of what they used to do in the Hereafter. A good life means comfortable life no matter what form it may take.’      

Indeed, the righteous believer lives a good life whether he is rich or poor. If he is rich, he thanks Allah and spends his wealth on what pleases Allah. And if he is poor, he is content and pleased with the ordainment of Allah.  

The Noble Quran, English Translation, Surah an-Nahl

The Noble Quran, Tafsir ibn Kathir

The Young Men of the Cave Woke Up After Long Sleep

Tafsir of Surah al-kahf Ayah 19-20 

And similarly, We caused them to wake up so that they might ask one another. One of them said, ‘How long have you slept here?’ They said, ‘We have slept a day or part of a day.’ Others said, ‘Your Lord knows best how long you have slept. Send one of you to the town, and give him these silver coins. Let him look for the tastiest food and bring you provision thereof. Let him be cautious so that no one would know about you. 

Indeed, if they find you, they will stone you to death, or force you to return to their creed, and then you will never succeed. 

Tafsir 

Waking up, Perplexity, Caution 

The ayat narrate the condition of the young men of the cave after they woke up.

And similarly, We caused them to wake up so that they might ask one another. One of them said, ‘How long have you slept here?’ They said, ‘We have slept a day or part of a day.’ Others said, ‘Your Lord knows best how long you have slept. Send one of you to the town, and give him these silver coins. Let him look for the tastiest food and bring you provision thereof. Let him be cautious so that no one would know about you. [19]

 As We, Allah, had caused them to sleep; similarly, We caused them to wake up so that they would ask one another about how long they slept (maybe they felt that they slept for long time). 

One of them said, ‘How long have you been sleeping in this cave? ‘Another person replied, ‘We stayed a day (maybe he thought as the sun set).’ However, when they realized that the sun did not set, another person said, ‘We stayed asleep for some hours of the day.’

(Others said, ‘Your Lord knows best how long you have slept.)

Then, some of them said that Allah knew exactly how long they had been sleeping in the cave.

The Scholars inferred from the young men’s inquiry that they did not find any change in their bodies indicating that they slept for such a long time, i.e. they woke up in the same state. None of them became old, and neither did their hair color to white. Therefore, they thought that they slept for some time of a day or a day. 

 After talking about how long they had been sleeping, the young men said,

(Send one of you to the town, and give him these silver coins. Let him look for the tastiest food and bring you provision thereof. Let him be cautious so that no one would know about you.) 

The young men said, ‘Send one of you to the town, and give him these silver coins to buy some food for us, i.e. the town meant is the town they used to live in before their sleep in the cave. When he would reach the town, let him go to its market and buy us the tastiest and most blessed food. Let him be cautious so that no one in the city would know him.’ 

This ayah clearly indicates that adopting means to reach an end is lawful and does not contradict dependence on Allah, Exalted is He. 

Indeed, if they find you, they will stone you to death, or force you to return to their creed, and then you will never succeed. [20]

This ayah presents the reason why the young men asked their fellow to be cautious when he was to go to the market to buy them food. It means asking the person who will go to buy you food to be cautious, so no one in the town will know about your whereabouts. That is because if anyone knows about you, they will stone you to death or force you to return to disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, and if you do so, you will never succeed in this life and the Hereafter. 

The previous two ayat eloquently expressed the condition of those young men while they were secretly discussing their affairs after they woke up from their very long sleep. 

It appears from their discussion they did not realize how long they slept, that many generations had passed since they slept, that their town, which they left, had changed, and that their enemies had perished. 

The Story of Moses and al-Khidr [Part 2]

The Reward of the Believers in the Hereafter

Surah Al-Kahf Ayah 19

Tafsir Surah al-Isra: Ayah 73-77

The Disbelievers’ Attempts to Tempt & Expel Messenger Muhammad from Mecca

The disbelievers thought that they could convince Messenger Muhammad to abandon the message Allah revealed to him, change the revelation of Allah, fabricate things that Allah did not reveal, and sanction their worship of the idols by using tricks and plots. When they failed to achieve their goals, they threatened the Prophetﷺ with expulsion from Mecca. In the end, they failed, and success and victory were the share of the Messenger of Allah and his followers. 

(Indeed, they were about to tempt you away from what We revealed to you to make you fabricate something else against Us. Then they would have made you their beloved friend.

Had We not made you firm, indeed, you were about to incline to them a little bit.

In that case, We would have surely made you suffer double torment in this world, and double torment in the Hereafter. Then you would find no helper against Us.

Indeed, they were about to harass you to drive you out of the land. Had they done so, they would have not remained after you, but a little while.

Such was Our way with the Messengers We sent before you. You will find no change in Our way.) 

[Quran Surah al-Isra:73- 77] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

In the previous part, Allah enumerated some of His bounties on people. Then He mentioned how their conditions and ranks would be in the Hereafter, referring to those who would attain His pleasure and the losers.

Then, Allah has warned the believers of being deceived by the temptations and deceptive speech of the misguided people.  Allah has also mentioned how He supported, helped, and protected Messenger Muhammad from the plots and evil plans of the disbelievers. He saved His Messenger from the dangers and evils of his enemies and granted him victory. 

Tafsir

(Indeed, they were about to tempt you away from what We revealed to you to make you fabricate something else against Us. Then they would have made you their beloved friend.) [73]

O Messenger! The disbelievers thought, due to their corrupt understanding and baseless claims, that they would be able to convince, deceive, and tempt you away from the Quran that Allah revealed to you. Thus, you might fabricate something against Allah. If you were deceived by their corrupt attempts and tricks and accepted their evil suggestions, they would make you their beloved friend.

After mentioning the statements of the scholars regarding the cause of revelation of this ayah, Imam ibn Jarîr at-Tabarî said, ‘The correct opinion on this matter is that Allah mentioned that the disbelievers were about to tempt the Messengerﷺ away from the revelation of Allah. Thus, he might follow another one, which would be fabrication against Allah. It is possible that this refers to asking the Messenger to touch their gods. It might also refer to what ibn Abbas narrated about the request of the tribe of Thaqyf, and it might refer to another thing. Nothing in the Quran nor in the authentic narration of Messenger Muhammad that supports any of these opinions. Thus, the correct course is to believe in the apparent meaning of the ayah until authentic evidence, clarifying the matter is found.’ 

Allah mentions in the Quran that Messenger Muhammad rejected the suggestions of the disbelievers. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

When Our clear ayat are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet Us say, ‘Bring Quran other than this or change it.’ Say, ‘It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I follow only what is revealed to me. I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the torment of a terribly great day.’ [Q10:15]  

Then Allah has mentioned some aspects of His bounties on Messenger Muhammad. 

(Had We not made you firm, indeed, you were about to incline to them a little bit.)[74]

O Messenger! Had We not made you firm and protected you from accepting the disbelievers’ suggestions, you were about to incline to them a little bit since their deceit and trickery were strong and artful.  

This ayah clearly states that Messenger Muhammad is innocent of inclining to the disbelievers let alone accepting their deceptive suggestions. 

Allah made Messenger Muhammad firm and protected him from the temptations of the disbelievers. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘The Messengerﷺ was infallible. However, the Quran informs his followers not to incline to the disbelievers regarding any rule of Islam.’  

Qatãda, may Allah have mercy on him, said, ‘(Had We not made you firm, indeed, you were about to incline to them a little bit). When it was revealed, the Prophetﷺ said, ‘O Allah! Do not make me rely on my own self even as much as a blink of an eye.’’ 

Then the ayat present the expected punishment if Messenger Muhammad had inclined to the disbelievers. 

(In that case, We would have surely made you suffer double torment in this world, and double torment in the Hereafter. Then you would find no helper against Us.) [75]

O noble Messenger! If you had inclined to the disbelievers a little bit and accepted their suggestions, We would have made you suffer double torment in this world and double torment in the Hereafter. Then you would find no supporter nor helper, who would help you against Us, and save you from the torment.

The torment would be doubled because the gravity of a mistake is commensurate with the great rank of its perpetrator. Likewise, its insignificance is commensurate with the insignificant rank of its perpetrator. 

Messenger Muhammad is the greatest man. Therefore, Allah threatened him with double torment if he should incline to the disbelievers even a little bit. 

Then the ayat mention another plot of the disbelievers. They attempted to expel the Messengerﷺ from his town, Mecca, so that they would be able to worship their false gods without any condemnation.

(Indeed, they were about to harass you to drive you out of the land. Had they done so, they would have not remained after you, but a little while.)[76]

O Messenger! The disbelievers were about to harass you by their enmity and cunning in order to drive you out of Mecca. Had they done so, they would not have remained after you left it, but a little while, then they would have been destroyed. 

Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to migrate from Mecca to al-Madinah. Then He granted him and his companions victory in the battle of Badr, noting that there were only two years between his migration and the Badr battle. 

(Such was Our way with the Messengers We sent before you. You will find no change in Our way.) [77]

Such was the way of Allah with those who disbelieved and drove the messengers of Allah out of their towns. O Messenger! You will find no change in Our way. 

Allah has not left any nation that drove out its messenger from his town, but punished it. This is the way of Allah and it will not change.  

In another ayah, Allah mentions that He will make His messengers victorious. Allah, says, interpretation of meaning,

(Indeed, Our word has already been given to Our slaves, the Messengers. Indeed, they would be victorious, and Our soldiers would be prevailing.) [Q 37:171-173] 

Learned Lessons

• Messenger Muhammad suffered from various kinds of abuse and harassment of the disbelievers of Mecca. The most dangerous of which were attempts to convince him to change the revelation that Allah revealed to him, and to expel him from his hometown, Mecca.

• Allah made Messenger Muhammad firm. The disbelievers failed to convince him to fabricate lies about Allah.

• Messenger Muhammad left Mecca when Allah commanded him to migrate to al-Madinah.

• Messenger Muhammad was infallible. Allah protected him from the plots and cunning of the disbelievers, and he never inclined to the disbelievers.

• The unchangeable way of Allah with the people who expel their messenger from his town is that He destroys them.

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra Ayah 70-72

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Ayah 90

Indeed, Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to the relatives, and forbids indecency, immorality, and transgression. He admonishes you that you may take heed. [Quran Surah an-Nahl: 90]

Abdul-Allah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘(Indeed, Allah enjoins justice and kindness.) Commanding to uphold justice is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah. And commanding to uphold kindness is to be patient in respect of obeying the commands of Allah and avoiding His prohibitions at times of hardship, easiness, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction, namely, implementing the obligations of Allah in all times.’ 

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Translation and Tafsir

The Noble Quran, Surah an-Nahl Ayah 97, Happy Life

The Noble Quran English Translation Surah an-Nahl