Tafsir of Surah Al-Hijr (The Rock) Ayah 90-99
The call for Islamic message was secret in the beginning for fear of the abuse of the disbelievers, who vehemently opposed it. They did their best to harass and annoy the believers. Then, Allah commanded His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad to openly declare his call for Islam no matter what circumstances and difficulties that he might encounter. Allah told Messenger Muhammad that He would deal with his opponents and punish them.
It is as We have revealed to the dividers, [Q 15: 90]
who have divided the Quran into parts [Q 15: 91]
By your Lord, We shall surely question them all [Q 15: 92]
about what they used to do. [Q 15: 93]
Thus, proclaim what you have been commanded and turn away from the polytheists. [Q 15: 94]
Indeed, We shall spare you the mockers, [Q 15: 95]
who worship other gods besides Allah. They will surely come to know. [Q 15: 96]
Indeed, We know that your heart is distressed by what they say.
[Q 15: 97]
Thus, glorify your Lord, praising Him, and be of those who prostrate.
[Q 15: 98]
And worship your Lord until the Inevitable comes to you. [Q 15: 99]
Relationship with the Previous Part
Surah al-Hijr mentions the stories of the people of Prophet Saleh. It also mentions that Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to warn his people of punishment if they rejected to follow Islam. The conditions of the people of Prophet Saleh and Prophet Muhammad are similar to the conditions of earlier sects that turned a blind eye to the message of their Prophets and divided the revelation into parts.
Tafsir
It is as We revealed to the dividers, [Q 15: 90]
who have divided the Quran into parts. [Q 15: 91]
The scholars have different opinions on the identity of those who divided the Scriptures into parts. Some scholars say that they are the Jews and Christians, who believe in some of the Quran and disbelieve in other parts. They mockingly divide the Quran into parts. So some of them say this surah belongs to me and another surah belongs to you. Therefore, they are called, the dividers. Another opinion states that the dividers are the Jews and Christians, who divide their Scriptures among themselves. Thus, some of them believe in some of the Scriptures, while others disbelieve in other parts. Other scholars maintain that the dividers refer to the people of Prophet Muhammad. They divide themselves into groups; each group sits at a particular place in Mecca, waiting for those who might come to the city. If someone comes, they will tell him that Messenger Muhammad is a poet, soothsayer, or a mad man in order not to believe in him [Tafsir al-Mawardi].
After mentioning the opinions of the scholars on the meaning of the dividers, Imam Muhammad bin Jarir at-Tabari said, ‘Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to warn his people, who divided the Quran into parts, and tell them that Allah sent him to warn them of severe torment that would befall them if they insisted on disbelief in Islam. It would befall them what befell to the dividers before them for their disbelief in Allah and His Messengers. The dividers may refer to the Jews and Christians because they divided the Scriptures of Allah into parts. The Jews believed in some of the Torah and disbelieved in other parts, and they disbelieved in the Gospel. Similarly, the Christians believed in some of the Gospel and disbelieved in other parts. Moreover, the dividers may refer to the people of the Prophet Muhammad. They were divided into groups in respect of their opinions on the Quran. Some of them said that it was poetry; others said that it was magic, and others said that it was stories of the ancient people. Furthermore, the dividers may refer to a group of the people of Prophet Saleh, who swore to kill him. There is no concrete evidence, supporting one of these opinions, and there is no authentic prophetic narration about this issue as well as there is no plausible supportive evidence. The apparent meaning of the ayah could refer to any one of the aforementioned groups. Therefore, it is obligatory to believe that the dividers refer to everyone, who divides the Book of Allah, by believing in some parts of it and disbelieving in other parts and any group that is divided concerning disobeying Allah among those whom Allah punished from the earlier nations [Tafsir al-Tabari].’
It is as We revealed to the dividers, who have divided the Quran into parts. [Q 15: 90- 91]
O Messenger Muhammad, We granted you the seven oft-repeated ayat and the Glorious Quran just as We revealed to the dividers among the people of the Scriptures. They divided their Scriptures into parts. They revealed some parts of it and hid others. They also divided the Quran into parts, believing in some of it and disbelieving in other parts.
By your Lord, We shall surely question them all [Q 15: 92]
about what they used to do. [Q 15: 93]
O Messenger Muhammad, by your Lord, Allah! We shall question the disbelievers about what they used to do in the worldly life. Their acts and statements were hideous. They disbelieved in Allah and His Messengers. Then We shall punish them severely. The questioning is for rebuke and reprimand.
The Ayah is a consolation for Messenger Muhammad. It is also a threat to the disbelievers, warning them of severe torment if they insist on their disbelief in Allah and His Messenger.
Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘By Allah, with whom there is no god! No one of you but will be alone with Allah on the Day of Judgment, just as you sit alone in a full moon night. Allah will say, ‘O son of Adam! What deceived you about Me! O son of Adam! What you did in respect of you learned? O son of Adam! What was your answer to the call of the Messengers?’
Abu al-Alya said, ‘All people will be asked about two things on the Day of Judgment. What they worshipped and what was their reply to the message of the Messengers.’
Then, Allah, Exalted be He, commanded Messenger Muhammad to keep on conveying Islam, declare it openly, and not worry about the disbelievers, as He would spare him their harm and plots.
Thus, proclaim what you have been commanded and turn away from the polytheists. [Q 15: 94]
O Messenger Muhammad, proclaim the message of Islam, convey it publicly, and do not concern yourself about the disbelief and absurdity of the disbelievers. Confront the disbelievers. Indeed, Allah will protect you.
Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him said, ‘Messenger Muhammad kept on conveying the message of Islam secretly until Allah revealed, [Thus, proclaim what you have been commanded and turn away from the polytheists.] [Tafsir ibn Kathir]
Indeed, We shall spare you the mockers, [Q 15: 95]
who worship other gods besides Allah. They will surely come to know. [Q 15: 96]
O Messenger Muhammad, We shall spare you the mockers, who ridicule the message of Islam. Convey Islam publicly and do not fear anyone except Allah. We will protect you from your enemies.
There are many narrations about the number, names of those who used to mock Messenger Muhammad, and how they did so. There is no need to specify particular names. The known fact about them is that they were powerful personalities because such people had the power to treat Messenger Muhammad in such a manner [Tafsir al-Razi].
Besides mocking Messenger Muhammad, those disbelievers worshipped other gods besides Allah. On the Day of Judgment, they will come to know the evil consequences of their disbelief and mocking. They will suffer severe torment in Hell.
Messenger Muhammad was a human being. He used to be distressed when he saw that people worshipped other gods besides Allah and mock the message of Islam.
Indeed, We know that your heart is distressed by what they say.
[Q 15: 97]
O Messenger Muhammad, We do indeed know that your heart is distressed by what the disbelievers say, e.g. their disbelief in Islam and their mockery. Do not make their reactions distract you from conveying Islam. Depend on Allah, who will take care of you and make you victorious. Seek His help and support when you are distressed. He will certainly support you.
Thus, glorify your Lord, praising Him, and be of those who prostrate.
[Q 15: 98]
O Messenger Muhammad, when you are distressed by the abuse and mockery of the disbelievers, seek help and support from Allah. Glorify and praise Him and constantly pray to Him.
The Ayah refers to the prayer by ‘be one of those who prostrate.’ Prostration is part of the prayer, but it is specifically mentioned because of its importance and virtue.
Verily glorifying and praising Allah and constant prayers are the best cure for distress and sadness.
And worship your Lord until the Inevitable comes to you. [Q 15: 99]
O Messenger Muhammad, worship your Lord, Allah, as long as you are alive until death, which is an inevitable thing that will come to all human beings at the time that Allah appointed.
Learned Lessons from Surah al-Hijr Ayah 90-99
• It is prohibited to differ about the Quran as the Jews and Christians differed about their Scriptures.
• On the Day of Judgment, people will be asked about and recompensed for what they did in the worldly life.
• The duty of Messenger Muhammad was to convey the message of Islam, warn the disbelievers, and give good news to the believers.
• Allah protected Messenger Muhammad from the danger of the disbelievers.
• Glorifying and praising Allah are a cure for distressed hearts.
• It is recommended to pray when facing problems and hardship.
• The Muslim is required to worship Allah alone until he dies.
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