Messenger Muhammad Salla Allah Alayhi Wasallam & Great Moral Character

Indeed, you are a man of great moral character. 

[Surah al-Qalam: 4]

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was asked about Messenger Muhammad’s moral character. She said, ‘His moral character was in conformity with the teachings of the Quran.’ 

Sa’d bin Hisham asked Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, about the moral character of Messenger Muhammad [salla Allah alayhi wasallam]. She said, ‘Do not you recite the Quran? He said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘The moral character of Messenger Muhammad was in conformity with the teachings of the Quran.’ [Tafsir Ibn Khathir]

Messenger Muhammad [salla Allah alayhi wasallam] used to follow the teachings of the Quran. He abides by the commands of the Quran and avoids its prohibitions. 

Love of Messenger Muhammad Salla Allah Alayhi Wasallam [2]

 Abdul Allah bin Hisham, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated, 

‘We were with Messenger Muhammad [salla Allah alayhi wasalam] and he was holding the hand of Umar bin al-Khattab. Then Umar said to him, ‘O, Allah’s Messenger, you are dearer to me than everything except my own self.’ Messenger Muhammad said, ‘No, by Him in whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) until I am drear to you than your own self.’ Then, Umar said, ‘Now, by Allah, you are indeed dearer to me than my own self.’’ Prophet Muhammad said, ‘Now, O Umar (you have complete faith)’’

[Sahih al-Bukhari] 

Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr Ayah 26-44 The Creation of Adam & the Attitude of Satan towards Him

 

This part of surah al-Hijr narrates the story of the creation of man, the story of original disposition, and the story of guidance and misguidance, and their essential factors. It is the story of the creation of Adam. From what substance was he created? What accompanied and followed his creation?

         The surah discusses the story of the creation of Adam from the viewpoint of his formation and bringing him into existence, and the cause behind being guided and misguided, and their fundamental factors in man’s constitution. Then the surah mentions the story of the angels’ prostration before Adam and the refusal of Satan to do so. It mentions also Satan’s attitudes towards Adam and his children. 

Indeed, We created man from dry clay, made of black and molded mud. [Q 15:26] 

And the Jinn We created before from scorching fire. [Q15:27]

Mention – when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud. [Q 15: 28] 

When I have formed him and breathed into him the soul that I own, fall in prostrating before him.’ [Q 15:29] 

Thus, the angels prostrated themselves, all together [Q 15: 30] 

save Iblis. He refused to be among those prostrated. [Q 15: 31] 

He said, ‘O Iblis! What made you not join those who prostrated?’[Q 15: 32] 

He said, ‘I will not prostrate to a human whom You created out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud.’ [Q 15: 33]

He said, ‘Then, get out of it, for you are truly accursed.’ [Q 15:34] 

The curse will surely be upon you until the Day of Judgment. [Q 15:35]

He said, ‘My Lord! Give me respite until the day they will be resurrected.’ [Q 15: 36] 

He said, ‘Then surely, you are of those granted respite [Q 15: 37]

until the day of the predetermined time.’ [Q15:38]

He said, ‘My Lord, because You have made me go astray, I shall make evils seem fair to them on earth and I will surely make them go astray all together [Q15:39]

except, Your chosen slaves among them.’ [Q15:40]

He said, ‘This is a straight path leading to Me. [Q15:41]

Indeed, you will have no authority over My slaves except those who follow you of the misguided.’ [Q15:42]

And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all. [Q 15: 43] 

It has seven gates. For every gate, there is a designated portion of them. [Q 15: 44] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The Quran repeats mentioning that man was created from nothing to denote the ability of Allah to resurrect people on the Day of Judgment. The fact that Allah can give life and cause death is mentioned in the previous part. It is expected that the next ayat will discuss the beginning of creating man from nothing, which is evidence for resurrection on the Day of Judgment that has been briefly mentioned in [Q 15:23]. [Nazam adurar fi Tanasub al-al-Ayat wa-as-Suwar, Burhan ad-Deen al-Biqa’y].  

Tafsir

Indeed, We created man from dry clay, made of black and molded mud. [Q 15:26] 

Man refers to Prophet Adam [peace be upon him] as he was the first man on earth. 

The word ‘salsal’ translated into ‘dry clay’ is used in the Arabic version. ‘Salal’ is dry clay that produces sound when it is knocked. 

‘Ham’’ translated into ‘black mud’ is used in the Arabic version. It refers to mud that is left for a long time then its color becomes black. 

‘Masnun’ translated into ‘molded’ is used in the Arabic version. It means formed, fashioned, and molded to a specific shape. 

Indeed, Allah created the first man from dry mud that produces sound when knocked. The clay is made of mud whose color became black because it was left for a long time. The mud is then molded and formed to a specific shape. 

And the Jinn We created before from scorching fire. [Q15:27]

The jinn refers to Satan; however, some scholars say that it refers to the father of the Jinn.  The Jinn were called so because they cannot be seen. ‘Jann’ means concealing in the Arabic language. 

Allah created the Jinn before creating Adam. The Jinn were created from intensely flamy, hot, windy fire. Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ud said, ‘This intensely flamy, hot, windy fire equals to one part of seventy parts of the fire of Hell.’[Zad al-Masyr fi Ilm at-Tafsir, Ibn al-Jawzi] 

Mention – when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud. [Q 15: 28]

 When I have formed him and breathed into him the soul that I own, fall in prostrating before him.’ [Q 15:29] 

O Messenger, mention to your people - when Allah said to the angels, who never disobey His commands, ‘I shall create a human being out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud. When I perfectly formed him, and then breathed into him the soul that I own, then you must immediately fall, prostrating before him.’ 

[…and breathed into him the soul that I own.] The word ‘ruhy, which means, my soul,’ is used in the Arabic version to refer to the fact that Allah is the only owner of the soul. The soul is described as ‘my soul’ to denote that Allah is its Creator and Owner as well as to indicate honor to Adam. Allah alone knows the true nature of the soul.  

The prostration of the angels before Adam was for salutation and honoring, not prostration out of worship. Prostration of worship is due only to Allah, Exalted be He.

Then the ayat mention the response of the angels and Satan to Allah’s command to prostrate before Adam.

Thus, the angels prostrated themselves, all together [Q 15: 30] 

save Iblis. He refused to be among those prostrated.  [Q 15: 31] 

The angels obeyed Allah’s command. They all immediately fall, prostrating before Adam. However, Satan refused to join the angels in their prostration to Adam out of disobedience to Allah, haughtiness, and conceit. 

The scholars have two opinions on whether Satan was one of the angels or not. The first opinion says that Satan was one of the angels since Allah commanded the angels and Satan to prostrate before Adam. Had he not been one of them, he would not have been commanded to prostrate before Adam. Moreover, had the command to prostrate before Adam not been directed to him, he would not have been disobedient and deserved Allah’s curse. The second opinion says that Satan was not one of the angels. Another surah in the Quran mentions that Satan was one of the Jinn. [Mention when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ They prostrated except Satan, who was one of the Jinn. He disobeyed the command of his Lord. Then do you take him and his descendants as allies instead of Me though they are your enemies? How an evil substitute for the wrongdoers is!] [Surah al-Kahf: 50] Moreover, Satan was created from fire and has progeny, while the angels were created from light and do not have progeny. 

Anyway, the most important thing is that Allah explicitly commanded Satan to prostrate before Adam and that he disobeyed His command. Satan’s presence with the angels does not necessitate that he was one of them.  

He said, ‘O Iblis! What made you not join those who prostrated?’[Q 15: 32] 

Reproachingly, Allah said to Satan, ‘What made you not join those who prostrated to Adam? Why did you disobey My command to prostrate to Adam?’

He said, ‘I will not prostrate to a human whom You created out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud.’ [Q 15: 33]

Satan said, ‘I will not prostrate to a human whom You created out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud. It does not behoove me to prostrate to him.’

Satan's statement implies disobedience to Allah, arrogance, pride, refusal to the judgment of Allah, and ill-manner with Allah. It also implies envy for Adam. In other words, Satan meant that he was better than Adam since he was created from fire and Adam was created from mud.  

Satan thought that his origin was superior to that of Adam because of the substance that he was created from, i.e. he believed fire is better than mud. He did not know that superiority originates from the Creator, Allah, who grants superiority to whomever He wills of His slaves.  

Then the ayat mention Allah’s just judgment on Satan.

He said, ‘Then, get out of it, for you are truly accursed.’ [Q 15:34] 

The curse will surely be upon you until the Day of Judgment. [Q 15:35]

 [Then, get out of it.] The pronoun ‘it’ may refer to Paradise as it is the abode of the obedient or the rank that Satan enjoyed before being expelled from the mercy of Allah. 

Reprovingly, Allah said to Satan, ‘Get out of My Paradise and heaven. Indeed, you are accursed. You will be deprived of My mercy and attaining any honor. You will deserve My curse until the Day of Judgment.’  

[…until the Day of Judgment.] This does not mean that the curse of Allah will not affect Satan on the Day of Judgment; rather, the intended meaning is that the curse of Allah will keep on affecting Satan forever when the Day of Judgment takes place.

Then the ayat mention what Satan requested Allah and what Allah said to him. 

He said, ‘My Lord! Give me respite until the day they will be resurrected.’ [Q 15: 36] 

Satan said to Allah, ‘My Lord! Since You expelled me from Paradise, and cursed me until the Day of Judgment, delay my death until the Day of Judgment takes place and You will resurrect the people then for reckoning.’ 

Satan addressed Allah humbly by saying, ‘My Lord’ hoping that his request would be accepted. Satan asked Allah to delay his death until the Day of Judgment takes place not because he was certain of his rank with Allah and that he believed his request deserved acceptance; rather, he did so out of despair just as a despairing person of salvation does.

He said, ‘Then surely, you are of those granted respite [Q 15: 37]

until the day of the predetermined time.’ [Q15:38]

Allah accepted Satan’s request and granted him respite until the Day of Judgment takes place. Thus, Satan will not die until the Day of Judgment occurs, which no one knows when it will be except Allah. 

Allah accepted Satan’s request not to honor him; rather, He did so to test him and people so that it will be clear who is a truthful and obedient slave of Allah and who is disobedient. Therefore, Allah explicitly and strongly has warned people of the evils of Satan and told them about his wicked way and cunning. 

Then the ayat mention why Satan asked Allah to delay his death until the Day of Judgment takes place. 

He said, ‘My Lord, because You have made me go astray, I shall make evils seem fair to them on earth and I will surely make them go astray all together [Q15:39]

except, Your chosen slaves among them.’ [Q15:40]

Satan said, ‘My Lord, because You have made me go astray and deviate from following the path of guidance, I shall make evils seem fair to the children of Adam. I shall endear sins to them and make them love whims. I shall do my best to make them disobey You and follow the path of misguidance.’

In other words, Satan solemnly swore that he would work hard and do his best without any slackness or despair to make the children of Adam go astray and not follow the path of guidance that Allah loves. 

[…except, Your chosen slaves among them.]

This is a confession from Satan. He confessed that he could not make some of the slaves of Allah go astray, obey him, and follow the path of misguidance. They are the obedient, pious, and sincere slaves. Allah has chosen them to be sincere worshipers and obedient slaves. 

Abu Sa’id al-Khudry reported that the Messenger [peace be upon him] said, ‘Satan said, ‘My Lord, I swear by Your mighty and majesty that I shall keep on leading the children of Adam astray as long as their souls are still in their bodies, i.e. they are alive.’ Allah said, ‘By My mighty and majesty, I shall keep on forgiving their sins as long as they keep on seeking forgiveness from Me.’[Tafsir al-Qurtubi]’

He said, ‘This is a straight path leading to Me. [Q15:41]

Indeed, you will have no authority over My slaves except those who follow you of the misguided.’ [Q15:42]

Allah strongly warned and threatened Satan. He told him that the path of sincere worship, leading to Him is straight. He will make his sincere slaves follow it and comply with His commands. 

The path of sincere worship is described, as straight to emphasize that is it an upright path. It has no deviation nor crookedness. It will be easy for the righteous and pious slaves of Allah to follow it by Allah’s help and guidance. 

Satan does not have authority nor power over the sincere and pious slaves of Allah and he does not have any authority over the deviated ones. However, Satan has authority and power over those who willingly choose to follow him and obey his commands.

 In other words, the wisdom, justice, and mercy of Allah necessitate that Satan will be unable to misguide the sincere, obedient slaves of Allah. Even if they sin, they will immediately repent and ask Allah for forgiveness. On the other hand, Satan can misguide those who choose to obey him and follow his footsteps. By doing so, they give Satan authority and power over them to misguide them.

And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all. [Q 15: 43] 

It has seven gates. For every gate, there is a designated portion of them. [Q 15: 44] 

Hell will be the inevitable destination of the heedless. They willingly choose to follow Satan’s footsteps in the worldly life. Hell has seven gates. There will be a specific gate for a designated portion of its dwellers. The gates are designated according to the degree of the deviation of those who will enter through it. 

Learned Lessons from Surah al-Hijr Ayah: 26-44

• Allah’s ability is perfect and His creation is marvelous. He created man in the best form. 

• Allah honored man and distinguished him from the rest of the creatures. He granted him the intellect that he can use to know the path of guidance and misguidance. 

• Jinn were created before human beings.

• The angels are honored slaves of Allah. They never disobey Allah’s commands. Allah commanded them to prostrate before Adam, which was to salute and honor him. They obeyed Allah’s command and prostrated before Adam. 

• Satan disobeyed Allah. He refused to prostrate before Adam, which made him cursed and deprived of Allah’s mercy forever. 

• Insistence on disobeying Allah causes loss in the worldly life and the Hereafter.

• Arrogance, conceit, and envy made Satan refuse to prostrate before Adam. Consequently, he disobeyed Allah. 

• Allah gave Satan respite. He delayed his death until the Day of Judgment takes place to test the children of Adam. Thus, the sincere and pious slaves of Allah will be distinguished from the wicked and evil ones. 

• The enmity between Satan and his progeny and Adam and his progeny will remain until the occurrence of the Day of Judgment. 

• Satan and his children will do their best to make the children of Adam deviate from the right path that Allah loves. 

• The wisdom and justice of Allah necessitate that Satan will not have power nor authority over the sincere slaves of Allah. On the other hand, he will have authority over those who willingly choose to obey him and follow his footsteps.

• Hell is the abode of Satan and his followers. It has seven gates. Each group of its dwellers will enter through a specific gate. 

Quran, English Translation of Surah al-Hijr

Quran, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Ibrahim

Love of Messenger Muhammad Sallalla Allah Alayhi Wasallam [1]

 Anas bin Malik, may Allah is pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad [sallalla Allah alayhi wasalam] said, 

‘None of you will be truly a believer until I am dearer to him than his son, his father, and all people.’ [Sahih Muslim] 

The meaning of the hadith is as follows: a person’s belief will be complete when he knows that the right of Messenger Muhammad on him is greater than that of his father, his son, and all people because Messenger Muhammad is the cause of saving this person from Hell and guiding him to the path of guidance leading to Paradise. [Commentary on the Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi] 

Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr 16-25 Some Signs of the Ability of Allah

The Quran repeats mentioning signs denoting the ability of Allah, especially, after talking about the stubbornness of the disbelievers and warning them of severe torment. Indeed, Allah is Omnipotent and nothing stands before His ability. Knowing this fact should persuade those who endowed with sound intellect to follow the path of truth and give up stubbornness and disbelief in Allah’s Oneness. Verily, the universe has countless signs inviting to believe in its Creator, Allah. 

Indeed, We have made constellations in the sky and beautified it for the observers. [Q15:16]

And We have protected it from every accursed devil. [Q 15:17]

But he who eavesdrops, then he will be chased by a visible flame. [Q15:18]

And the earth – We have spread it, placed firm mountains therein, and caused to grow all kinds of things therein in due proportion. [Q15:19]

We have made for you therein means of sustenance and those for whom you are not the sustainers. [Q 15: 20]

There is not a thing, but with Us are its treasuries and We do not cause it to come down except in due proportion. [Q 15:21] 

We have sent the winds fertilizing. Thus, We have caused water to come down from the sky. We have made you drink therefrom and you cannot store it. [Q 15:22] 

Indeed, it is We who give life and cause death and We are the Inheritor. [Q 15:23] 

We surely know those who passed away and We surely know those who will come later [Q 15:24] 

Indeed, your Lord Himself will gather them. Indeed, He is All-Wise, All-Knowing. [Q 15: 25] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part refuted the claims of the deniers of prophet-hood. Belief in the truthfulness of Allah’s prophets necessitates belief in the Oneness of Allah, as He is the One, who sent them to people. Therefore, this part mentions some signs of Allah’s Oneness in the heavens and earth. 

Tafsir

Indeed, We have made constellations in the sky and beautified it for the observers. [Q15:16]

The ayah begins with emphasis, i.e. indeed, to draw people’s attention to the ability of Allah, Exalted be He. 

     Allah created constellations that look like great landmarks in the sky so that people find their ways on land and at sea. He, Exalted be He, beautified the sky with stars that attract the beholders, so that they carefully contemplate the stars’ beauty and conclude that there must be a great Creator, who perfectly created them. 

Some scholars believe that ‘constellations’ mentioned in the ayah refer to the constellations of the suns and the moon. They are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Pisces. Other scholars maintain that ‘constellations’ refer to great stars in the sky. Anyway, the meaning refers to one thing, namely, great stars that can be seen clearly in the sky.  

Beautifying the sky with the constellations with their amazing creation implies that beauty is intended in the creation of the universe. It also invites the believers to build their life, seeking to achieve inward and outward beauty. 

Then the ayat mention that as Allah has beautified the sky with the stars, and He has protected it from whatever thing that may tarnish its purity.

And We have protected it from every accursed devil. [Q 15:17]

Allah has protected the sky from every accursed devil. Thus, devils cannot settle in or come close to it. They cannot also spread corruption therein as it the dwelling of the pious ones. 

But he who eavesdrops, then he will be chased by a visible flame. [Q15:18]

If any devil tries to eavesdrop in the heavens by coming close to it, a visible flame will burn him and prevent him from eavesdropping.  

The meteors act as guards for the heavens. They prevent rebellious devils from eavesdropping. If a devil tries to eavesdrop, a burning flame will chase him and kill him. The devil might tell some of what he heard to another devil, who might tell another devil, as it was mentioned in a prophetic narration. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘When Allah decrees some order in heaven, the angels flutter their wings out of submission to what He decreed. The sound of the flutter looks like the sound of chains when dragged on smooth rock. When the angels are no longer afraid, they say, ‘What has your Lord said?’ They will be answered, ‘He has said the truth and He is the all-High, the all-Great.’ Standing one over the other, the devils would try to eavesdrop what Allah decreed. A burning flame may catch one of the eavesdroppers before he tells what he heard to another devil, so it burns him, and the burning flame may not catch him and he tells what he heard to another devil so what they heard reaches the earth. Thus, it reaches a soothsayer, who will tell it and mix a hundred lies with it. Then people will say, ‘Has not he told us such and such on such a day and he said the truth?’ The soothsayer’s statement will be true because of the information that was eavesdropped from the heavens [Sahih al-Bukhari].’  

After Allah mentioned some proofs, denoting His Oneness and signs of His ability in the heavens, He mentions some proofs found on earth.

And the earth – We have spread it, placed firm mountains therein, and caused to grow all kinds of things therein in due proportion. [Q15:19]

Allah has made the earth flat so it will be easy for people to live on it and benefit from its resources. He has also placed firm mountains on earth to make it stable. Moreover, Allah has caused plants of all kinds to grow on earth in due proportion according to wise and beneficial planning.  

We have made for you therein means of sustenance and those for whom you are not the sustainers. [Q 15: 20] 

Allah has created means of sustenance, such as food and drinks that are important for man’s life on earth. Allah has also created those whom man does not sustain, such as children, servants, and cattle, for man. He, Exalted be He, is their Provider and Sustainer.  

The intended meaning of the ayah is that Allah, Exalted be He, reminds people of His bounty on them as He has made life on earth easy for them by creating means of living, servants, cattle, etc. for them. He, out of His generosity, provides for people and all created beings on earth.  

Then Allah mentions that everything in this universe is under His control. 

There is not a thing, but with Us are its treasuries and We do not cause it to come down except in due proportion. [Q 15:21] 

Allah, Exalted be He, is the Owner of everything in this universe. He owns the treasuries of all things, such as plants, minerals, and so on. Allah alone can also create what people need in their life.  

[We do not cause it to come down except in due proportion.]

Allah, the generous, causes beneficial things for people to come down on earth in due proportion and at a specific time determined according to His wisdom and will, and according to people’s needs and situations.  

Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘There is no year that has more rain than another one. However, Allah divides His sustenance among people as He wills. Some years, it rains in this area and it rains in another area in another year.’ Then he recited ayah [Q 15:21][Tafsir al-Tabari].  

        After mentioning proofs denoting the Oneness and ability of Allah on earth, Allah mentions proofs found in the heavens.

We have sent the winds fertilizing. Thus, We have caused water to come down from the sky. We have made you drink therefrom and you cannot store it. [Q 15:22] 

        Sending winds means making the winds blow and move from a place to another one.

      Fertilizing refers to the fact that winds carry what causes rain to come down from the sky. The winds act as pollinators that make the rain come down on earth just as living beings, such as plants, need pollinators for fertilization. The meaning is as follows: the winds act like fertilizers that fertilize the clouds. Then rain falls on earth and the trees produce fruits.

           The winds have eloquently been described as fertilizers. This usage has double meanings. It refers to the clouds and rain and it also refers to the pollination of plants. 

            Allah, All-Powerful, has caused the winds to move from a place to another place, carrying and moving clouds, pollinators, and other things. This makes the rain come down on earth from the sky. Thus, people use water for drinking, providing water for their cattle, and other things necessary for their life. 

[…and you cannot store it.]

        Allah has caused the rain to come down on earth and He only has its storage. People do not have its storage. Allah, Exalted be He, causes rain to come down on earth when He wants and stops it from coming down when He wants.

        The meaning could also be as follows: Allah has caused the rain to come down from the sky. Then people use it for their needs. He also can store it in springs, lakes, etc. and people cannot store it. 

        Then Allah, Exalted be He, mentions that He alone can give life and cause death.

Indeed, it is We who give life and cause death and We are the Inheritor. [Q 15:23] 

       Allah alone can give life to creatures and He alone can cause death. He, Exalted be He, is the only Inheritor of this universe and He is the only One who remains after its destruction. 

        The fact that Allah alone can give life and cause death refutes the claims of the disbelievers who allege that there is no life, no reward, and no punishment after death. Allah, who created the creatures in this life, can resurrect them for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. 

       Then, Allah, Exalted be He, confirms His comprehensive knowledge and ability.

We surely know those who passed away and We surely know those who will come later [Q 15:24] 

          Allah alone knows those who died in former times, those who are still alive, and those who will be created in the future until the Day of Judgment takes place. 

           Then Allah mentions that all creatures will return to Him on the Day of Judgment.

Indeed, your Lord Himself will gather them. Indeed, He is All-Wise, All-Knowing. [Q 15: 25] 

        Allah, Exalted be He, will gather and resurrect all people for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, Allah is wise in all His actions and statements. He is Omniscient. He knows all affairs of His creatures, hidden and apparent. 

Learned Lessons from Surah al-Hijr Ayah: 16-25

• Allah has created constellations in the sky and He has beautified it with stars that are appealing to those who see them.

• Allah has protected the sky. Thus, the devils cannot eavesdrop therein. If any devil tries to eavesdrop in the sky, a burning flame will chase and burn it.

• Allah has created the earth and made it flat and stable so that people’s life will be comfortable and easy on it. Allah has also put firm mountains on earth so that it remains stable and does not shake.

• Allah has created all kinds of plants on earth in due proportion according to wise planning.

• Allah has created sustenance necessary for people’s life on earth and He has created servants, cattle, etc. for the benefit of people.

• Allah alone is the owner of all things in this universe. He gives and provides for the creatures in due proportion.

• Allah has caused the winds to blow whereby rain comes down on earth and plants are pollinated.

• Allah alone can give life and cause death.

• Allah is Omniscient. He knows all those who passed away, those who are still alive, and those who will be created in the future.

• Allah will gather and resurrect people for reckoning on the Day of Judgment.

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Ibrahim

Quran, English Translation, Surah al-Hijr

Quran, Tafsir ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Quran, Towards Understanding the Quran, Surah al-Hijr

 

Tafsir of Surah Al-Hijr Ayah: 10-15 The Attitudes of the Disbelievers

The disbelievers accused Messenger Muhammad of madness, asked for causing angels to come down from heaven to confirm his truthfulness, and ridiculed him and the Quran. The disbelievers’ objections were baseless. However, they were dangerous and needed refutations.

Indeed, We sent before you to the former communities. [Q 15:10] 

No messenger came to them, but they mocked him. [Q 15:11]

Thus, We cause it to enter the hearts of the criminals. [Q 15: 12] 

They will not believe in it. This has been the way of the former communities. [Q 15:13] 

Had We opened a gate for them in the sky and they continued ascending through it, [Q15:14] 

they would say, ‘Our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we are bewitched people.’ [Q15:15] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The disbelievers were rude to Messenger Muhammad. They accused him of madness. Allah consoled His Messenger. He mentioned that the attitude of the former communities towards the message of their messengers was the same. 

Tafsir

Indeed, We sent before you to the former communities. [Q 15:10] 

No messenger came to them, but they mocked him. [Q 15:11]

O Messenger! We sent before you many messengers to the former communities. Their messengers invited them to worship Allah alone and avoid worshipping other gods besides Him, just as you have invited your people to do so. They refused to obey their messengers and mocked them, just as your people refused to obey and follow your message, and mocked you.

Indeed, the disbelievers resemble one another in their hideous disposition in every place and every time. They stubbornly reject the truth and ridicule and mock the advocates of the truth.

Thus, We cause it to enter the hearts of the criminals. [Q 15: 12] 

They will not believe in it. This has been the way of the former communities. [Q 15:13] 

Rejection and refusal of the truth are the normal attitudes of the stubborn and arrogant disbelievers in every place and every time. Just as Allah caused disbelief and mocking Allah’s messengers to enter the hearts of the disbelievers of the former communities, He would do the same thing with the criminal, who disbelieve in Allah’s Oneness among the people of Mecca. They would not believe in Allah’s Oneness, His Messenger Muhammad, and the Quran.

The criminals, whose hearts disbelieve in Allah’s Oneness, will not believe in the Quran until they see a painful torment befalling them.

The way of Allah with the disbelievers of the former communities was that He destroyed them because they disbelieved in their messengers and He saved His messengers and their followers. Allah will do the same thing with criminals, who disbelieve in Him among the succeeding generations and He will give victory to the messengers and their followers.

Had We opened a gate for them in the sky and they continued ascending through it, [Q15:14] 

The ayah depicts a strange image showing the stubbornness of the disbelievers and their denial of the truth. 

Had Allah opened a gate in the sky and enabled the disbelievers to keep on ascending through it, their reactions would agree with their stubbornness. If they ascended to the heavens and saw the angels and the wonders therein, their attitude towards the message of their messengers would never change. They will insist on their disbelief and denial of the truth.

They would say, ‘Our eyes have been dazzled; rather, we are bewitched people.’ [Q15:15] 

After seeing the heavens, the wonders therein, and the angels, the disbelievers would say, ‘Our eyes have been dazzled and magically covered. Rather, we are bewitched people.’

In other words, the stubbornness of the disbelievers is so great that even if they ascended to the heavens and saw the wonders therein, they would say that what they saw was because Messenger Muhammad bewitched them. Thus, their eyes saw those things.

The attitude of the stubborn disbelievers is sufficient to prove that there is no use in arguing with them. Their attitude confirms that they do not need proofs to believe. They are arrogant. They will never use their minds to see and follow the truth.

This type of stubborn mentality is not restricted to a specific place nor time and it is not a product of a particular environment at a particular time. Rather, it is an example of human beings when their natural dispositions are corrupted, their insights are completely closed, and their receptive faculties are impaired. Thus, they are cut off from the world around them with its harmonies and inspirations.   

Learned Lessons from Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr Ayah: 10-15

• Disbelief in and ridiculing Allah’s Messengers are an old habit and a common phenomenon among the disbelievers. Just as the disbelievers of Mecca disbelieved in Allah’s Oneness, Messenger Muhammad, and the Quran, the former communities disbelieved in their messengers.

• Just as the hearts of the people of the former communities rejected the truth and the hearts of the disbelievers of Mecca had the same attitude towards Islam and its messenger.

• The rule of Allah with the disbelievers is that He punish and destroy them if they insist on disbelieving and denying the truth.

• The disbelievers are stubborn. Even if they ascended to the heavens and saw the wonders and the angels therein with their own eyes, they would not believe in Allah’s Oneness and His Messenger. They would claim that their eyes were dazzled and magically covered so that they see strange things.

English Translation of Surah al-Hijr

Quran Tafsir of ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr

Tafsir of Surah an-Nahl: Ayah 79

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Ibrahim

 

Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr Ayah: 1-9 No Punishment without Warning

Divine justice and sound intellect dictate that there is no punishment before clearly knowing the obligations and warning of the negative consequences of not fulfilling them. Anyone, who is entrusted with a task, needs time to be able to perform it. During such time, it will become clear whether he reacts positively or negatively to what he was entrusted. This is the methodology mentioned in the Quran regarding punishing the disbelieving nations. Allah has never destroyed any nation except after clearly stating and conveying the obligations and warning of the negative results of not fulfilling them. 

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the Book and a clear Quran. [Q 15:1]

Many a time, those who disbelieve will wish that they were Muslims.[Q 15: 2]

Let them eat and enjoy and be diverted by hope. Indeed, they will come to know their end. [Q 15: 3] 

Never a city have We destroyed, but it had a predetermined term.[Q 15:4]

No people can advance their predetermined term, nor can they delay it. [Q 15: 5]

They said, ‘O you to whom the Reminder has been revealed! Indeed, you are insane.’ [Q 15:6]

‘Why do you not bring us the angels, if you are of the truthful?’ [Q 15: 7]

We do not cause the angels to come down except for a truthful cause and then they will be given no respite. [Q 15: 8] 

Surely, We have revealed the Reminder and We will surely preserve it. [Q 15: 9] 

Relationship with the Previous Surah 

According to the arrangement of the Mushaf, the written text of the Quran, surah Ibrahim comes before surah al-Hijr.  Allah, Exalted be He, concluded surah Ibrahim with the following ayah, 

This is a proclamation for people that they may be warned thereby, that they may know that indeed there is only One God and that men of sound understanding may learn lessons. [Surah Ibrahim: 52]

The ayah mentions the purpose of revealing the Quran. Allah revealed it to give news of attaining Allah’s pleasure in this life and the Hereafter to the believers and warning the disbelievers of Allah’s anger in this life and the Hereafter. Then surah al-Hijr begins by explaining the nature of the message of the Quran.

Tafsir 

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the Book and a clear Quran. [Q 15:1]

[Alif, Lam, Ra.]

These three Arabic letters are called ‘al-Muqatta, separated letters’. They are among the separated letters found at the beginning of the 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 [peace be upon him] 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 not have meanings. Similarly, these separated letters at the beginning of some surahs of the Quran do not have meanings.  

The wisdom behind mentioning these letters at the beginning of some surahs, according to those who say that they do not have meanings, is that the 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 anything like the Quran.

[These are the ayat of the Book and a clear Quran.]

Praising the Quran and showing its great rank, Allah says that the ayat of the book, the Quran, contain the best meanings and guide to noble aims. The Quran is clear. It conveys meanings, using the best and the clearest proofs. This necessitates that people should submit to its obligations and accept its rulings happily. The Quran is clear in respect of its inimitability, distinguishing the truth from falsehood and differentiating the lawful from the unlawful.  Mujahid said, ‘[These are the ayat of the Book.] The book refers to the Torah and the Gospel [Tafsir al-Tabari].’

Then, Allah mentions that the disbelievers would regret disbelieving in Allah in the Hereafter; however, it would be too late and it would not benefit them. 

Many a time, those who disbelieve will wish that they were Muslims.[Q 15: 2]

In the Hereafter, the disbelievers will hope that they were Muslims in the worldly life when the facts become clear before them. Thus, they will know that they followed the path of falsehood and that the Muslims followed the right path, Islam. On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will regret their disbelief in the Oneness of Allah and His Messengers, hoping that they will be saved for humiliation and punishment.  

Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him said, ‘We have been told that on the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will gather in Hell and some Muslims will be with them therein. They will say to the Muslims, ‘Your belief in Islam has not availed you as you are with us in Hell.’ The Muslims will reply, ‘We have been punished because we did some sins in the worldly life.’ Allah will hear the conversation. Then He will command the angels to bring out of Hell all Muslims. So they will be brought out thereof. Thus, the disbelievers will say, ‘We wish that we were Muslims.’ Then, Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] recited,[Tafsir al-Tabari], [Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the Book and a clear Quran. Many a time, those who disbelieve will wish that they were Muslims.][Q 15: 2]

Ayah [2] gives the believers firmness as it demonstrates that they follow the right path, Islam. It also implies warning to the disbelievers as it indirectly urges them to embrace Islam before it is too late. 

Then, Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad not to worry about the disbelievers, who followed the path of misguidance, after it became clear that they would not benefit from the warning.  

Let them eat and enjoy and be diverted by hope. Indeed, they will come to know their end. [Q 15: 3] 

O Messenger! Let the disbelievers eat in the worldly life and enjoy its pleasures and indulgence in their whims until the appointed time for their death comes. Let them be diverted by false hopes so that they do not obey Allah and be prepared for the Hereafter. Indeed, they will know the evil end of their disbelief.  

The disbelievers will know the end of their disobedience to Allah when they die disbelieving in Allah and then suffer from the severe torment of Hell in the Hereafter. They will know then that their enjoyment in the worldly life will not avail them; rather, it will be a cause for increasing their torment and misery. 

Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad not to worry about disbelievers and not concern himself with their disbelief after he invited them to Islam using wise methods for a long time, but they insisted on their disbelief.  

The ayah mentions eating first to liken the enjoyment of the disbelievers in the worldly life to cattle because they only endeavor to satisfy their bodies’ needs, just like animals. 

Verily, hoping to live a long life is incurable illness. When this illness completely affects the heart, it impairs it that its remedy will become very difficult. Hoping to live a long life makes a person eagerly wish to attain pleasures of this life and forget the Hereafter. Abu ad-Darda’, may Allah be pleased with him, stood one day on the stairs of the pulpit of Damascus Mosque. Then, he said, ‘O people of Damascus! Would listen to your brother, who wants to advise you? Those who were before you used to gather a lot of wealth, build magnificent buildings, and hope to live a long life. What they gathered was destroyed, their buildings became their graves, and their hopes proved to be illusion. The tribe of Aad had many people, great wealth, and a lot of horses and men. Who wishes to buy their inheritance for two Dirhams?[Tafsir al-Qurtubi]’

Then, Allah confirms that oppressive nations have a specific time for their destruction and that His rules and norms in destroying the oppressors never change.  

Never a city have We destroyed, but it had a predetermined term.[Q 15:4]

A city refers to the inhabitants of any city. A predetermined term means the time that Allah has appointed for the destruction of the oppressors. 

Allah did not destroy the oppressive inhabitants of any city but they had a predetermined term for their destruction. Allah, the Omnipotence, knew exactly when their destruction would take place. This implies warning to every oppressor and disbeliever that no matter how long he may live, Allah has appointed time for his punishment, which will take place when Allah wants it to happen without any delay.  

No people can advance their predetermined term, nor can they delay it. [Q 15: 5]

The destruction of the disbelievers and oppressors will take place at the time that Allah has appointed. It will come neither earlier nor later. Indeed, the evil consequence of disobeying Allah will inevitably befall the wrongdoers no matter how long it may delay.  

Then, the ayat narrate about the mannerlessness of disbelievers with Messenger Muhammad.

They said, ‘O you to whom the Reminder has been revealed! Indeed, you are insane.’ [Q 15:6]

‘Why do you not bring us the angels, if you are of the truthful?’ [Q 15: 7]

The disbelievers said to Messenger Muhammad ‘O you to whom the Quran is revealed! Indeed, you are insane because you invite us to follow your religion and stop worshipping our gods. Why do you not bring us the angels to confirm your truthfulness and that Allah has sent you as His Messenger?’

In other words, they said, ‘O Muhammad! If you were truthful about your claim that Allah sent you as His Messenger, it would not be difficult for your Lord to send an angel with you to confirm your truthfulness.’

The conduct of the disbelievers reveals their injustice and ignorance. As for their injustice, their request that Allah should send an angel with Messenger to confirm his truthfulness shows their stubbornness by asking for evidence that Allah has not chosen and has not wanted to be a confirmation of the truthfulness of His Messenger Muhammad. As for their ignorance, the disbelievers do not know what benefit and what harm them. That is because causing the angels to come down from heaven is not in their interests. Allah makes the angels come down to punish the wrongdoers.   

Then the following ayah mentions a reply to the disbelievers’ request that will make them speechless. 

We do not cause the angels to come down except for a truthful cause and then they will be given no respite. [Q 15: 8] 

Allah will not cause the angels to come down from heaven except for a truthful cause that His wisdom necessitates, such as destroying the oppressors, conveying His revelation, or other causes that Allah wants. The suggestion of the disbelievers to send angels with Messenger Muhammad to confirm his truthfulness was not an acceptable cause. Therefore, Allah did not realize their request.  

[…and then they shall be given no respite.]

This shows what would happen to the disbelievers if Allah realized their suggestion and sent an angel with Messenger Muhammad to confirm his truthfulness. 

If Allah sent an angel with Messenger Muhammad and the disbelievers insisted on their disbelief in Allah and His Messenger, they would be immediately punished without any delay. That is because the rule of Allah dictates that if Allah gives people their request to bring a specific miracle and then they disbelieve, Allah’s punishment will immediately befall them. Thus, sending an angel with Messenger Muhammad would harm the disbelievers and lead to their punishment.

Then the following ayah mentions that Allah is responsible for preserving the Quran and protecting it from any distortion. 

Surely, We have revealed the Reminder and We will surely preserve it. [Q 15: 9] 

Indeed, Allah revealed the Quran to His Messenger Muhammad. Verily, Allah will preserve it from whatever thing that may negatively affect it, such as distortion, alternation, increase, decrease … etc.  Indeed, Allah will protect the Quran. 

Someone may ask, ‘Why did the companions of Messenger Muhammad occupy themselves with collecting the Quran and writing it down in a single book though Allah, Exalted be He, said that He would preserve and protect it from any distortion?

Collecting the Quran by the companions of the Messenger is a form of Allah’s preservation of the Quran since He guided them to do so. This collection has helped in persevering the written copy of the Quran for centuries and will preserve it for centuries to come. Moreover, though Muslims have suffered weakness and defeats throughout their history, and sometimes they have been unable to protect themselves and their wealth, this has not affected the holiness of the Quran and preserving it from any distortion or alteration. Furthermore, Muslims’ enemies have been able to fabricate narrations and attributed them to Messenger Muhammad, but they have failed to make the slightest change in the Quran. Finally, preserving the Quran from any distortion is clear evidence that there is a power that exceeds human beings’ power that protects and preserves it. It is Allah, the Able, the All-Powerful.

Learned Lessons from Surah al-Hijr Ayah: 1-9

• The Quran clarifies everything that people need to attain happiness in the worldly life and the Hereafter.

• Warning the disbelievers of the negative results of disbelief in Allah. Their disbelief will make them suffer severe punishment. It will come a time when they wish that they were Muslims.

• The disbelievers are only interested in materialistic enjoyment of the worldly life and occupy themselves with them greatly that they do not care about obeying Allah and thinking about the Hereafter. They are like cattle that are only interested in satisfying their bodily desires.

• Allah, Exalted be He, is just. He does not punish people except after sending them messengers, inviting them to obey Him. Allah will punish them if they refuse to obey His messengers and follow the path of guidance. 

• Allah, Exalted be He, recorded everything that will happen in this universe in the Preserved Tablet.

• Messenger Muhammad suffered from the abuse and ridicule of the disbelievers.

• Allah took upon Himself to preserve and protect the Quran from any distortion.

• There is no use in sending angels testifying to the truthfulness of the Messenger of Allah. If the disbelievers insist on their disbelief after sending the angels, they will be immediately punished. 

Quran, English Translation of Surah al-Hijr

Quran, Tafsir of ibn Kathir, Surah al-Hijr

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Hijr