Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 56-60

Asking for Miracles

Insisting on disbelief and extreme stubbornness make the disbelievers and the stubborn people ask for farfetched or strange things that agree with their hardline positions, and stagnant minds. The position of Quraysh, the tribe of the Messengerﷺ, was such. They demanded the Messengerﷺ to do things that he could not do to maintain their stubborn position, and deep-rooted misguidance. Such a position neither justified their disbelief, nor supported their misguidance. On the contrary, it denotes their being so far from rational principles, and impossibility of their belief and reform. The Quran narrates about their position to record their obstinacy. 

(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’ 

Those, whom they worship, do themselves seek means of approach to their Lord. They hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Indeed, the torment of your Lord must be feared. 

There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book. 

Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them. We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it. And We do not send miracles, but as warning.

Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people. And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Quran, but as a test for people. We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 56-60] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

After condemning the disbelievers’ denial of resurrection on the Day of Judgment, Allah refuted their worship of the angels, the jinn, Jesus, and Uzair, who are some of His creatures. The angels, the jinn, Jesus, and Uzair worship, and obey Allah, Exalted is He, and fear His torment. Indeed, the only true God deserving worship is Allah. He alone can bring benefit and remove harm. 

Then Allah mentions that the end of the former disbelieving nations was annihilation and destruction, or severe torment such as, killing, and enslavement. 

Then Allah told the disbelievers, who asked for great miracles, that granting them what they demanded, would not be in their interests. If the miracles were granted and they disbelieved in them, they would be punished and annihilated. Such punishment was the share of the former disbelieving nations. When Thamud, the tribe of Prophet Saleh, disbelieved in their Messenger, they were punished and annihilated.   

Finally, Allah mentions that the Night Journey of al-Al-Isra and Ascension to the heaven, which Messenger Muhammad did, were tests for the belief of people; just as the cursed tree mentioned in the Quran was a test.

Ayah 56-57: Cause of Revelation

The scholars of Tafsir mention some narrations about the cause of revelation of these ayat. Ibn Kathîr said , ‘Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding the following ayah: (Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’): The disbelievers used to say, ‘We worship the angels, Jesus, and Uzair.’ Al-Bukhãrî narrated that Abdul-Allah bin Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said about this ayah, (There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book.): ‘Some people used to worship the jinn, but these jinn embraced Islam.’ In another narration, he said, ‘Some people used to worship a group of jinn, but these jinn embraced Islam, and those people insisted on worshipping them.’

Imam al-Qurtuby  said, ‘(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah.): When Quraysh suffered from draught, they complained to the Messengerﷺ. Then Allah revealed this ayah.’ Al-Hassan said, ‘The ayah refers to the angels, Jesus, and Uzair.’ Ibn Mas’ûd said, ‘It refers to the jinn.’ (They are unable to remove harm…), that is to say, they cannot remove the draught you are suffering from, according to the statement of Muqãtil. (nor transfer it to another person.), that it to say, they cannot change poverty into richness, and illness into healthiness.’ 

Imam at-Tabarî  said, ‘The most correct opinion on the interpretation of the ayah is the narration of ibn Mas’ûd, that is to say, Allah  informed about the gods that were worshipped and that the disbelievers invoked them to bring them closer to Allah during the time of Prophet Muhammad. It is known that Uzair was not alive during the time of the Prophetﷺ. Similarly, Jesus was raised to the heaven then. On the other hand, whoever, seeks to be close to Allah, must obey Him, and do righteous deeds. As for the thing cannot do righteous deeds, how can it seek to be close to Allah? If such opinion is non-sense, then the correct opinion is the narration of ibn Mas’ûd, or that the ayah refers to the angles. These two meanings are the most possible interpretations of the ayah.’

Tafsir

(Say, ‘Call those whom you claimed to be gods besides Allah. They are unable to remove harm, nor transfer it to another person.’) [56]

Challenging the disbelievers and seeking to guide them to the right path, Allah, Exalted is He, says, 
O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah that these gods cannot remove harm from you, e.g. poverty, illness, or drought, nor transfer it to another person. Indeed, these false gods cannot help them. Therefore, do not worship them. You must worship Allah sincerely, and obey Him as He is the only true God, deserving worship.  
The ayah mentions only removing harms because human beings usually seek to remove harm when calamities befall more than seeking to attain benefit. 

Then Allah says that every god worshipped besides Him needs His help, reward, and pleasure.

(Those, whom they worship, do themselves seek means of approach to their Lord. They hope for His mercy and fear His torment. Indeed, the torment of your Lord must be feared.) [57] 

The false gods that are worshipped besides Allah seek to be close to Allah, hope for His mercy, and fear His torment. 
Ayah 56 & 57 logically clarify that Allah, Exalted is He, is the Creator of everything in the universe, and He alone manages the affairs of His slaves. Every created being needs Allah’s help, forgiveness, and pleasure. Those whom the disbelievers claim that they are gods besides Allah, such as Jesusﷺ, Uzair, and the angels, are slaves of Allah, who seek to be closer to Allah by obeying Him, hoping for His mercy, and fearing His torment. 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions that His rules must realize. 

(There is no town but We shall destroy it before the Day of Judgment, or torture it with severe torment. That is recorded in the Book.) [58]

 Allah, Exalted is He, says that He has ordained and recorded in the Preserved Tablet that there is no town but He will destroy by annihilating its inhabitants or torturing them because of their sins. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(How many a town that transgressively disobeyed the command of its Lord and His Messengers. So We severely called it to account, and tortured it dreadful torment.)[Quran 65:8] 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions some of His bounties on the Muslims. 

(Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them. We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it. And We do not send miracles, but as warning.) [59]

Cause of Revelation 

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the people of Mecca asked the Prophetﷺ to make the mount of as-Safa and Marwa gold, and remove the mountains so that they could cultivate the land. It was said to him, ‘If you want, they will be given a respite. And if you want, they will be given their request. If they disbelieve after that, they will be destroyed just as the former nations were destroyed.’ The Prophet said, ‘No. I would rather that they would be given a respite.’ Then Allah, Exalted is He, revealed, (Nothing has prevented Us from sending miracles, except that the former nations disbelieved in them.) 

O Messenger! We did not give the disbelievers their requests when they asked you to bring them miracles because We knew that they would disbelieve in them if they were given their requests just as the former disbelieving nations did. In which case, they would deserve annihilating torment, as it is the rule applied against whoever disbelieves after seeing the clear the miracles of Allah. 

(We gave Thamud the she-camel as a clear miracle, but they disbelieved in it.)

Thamud is the tribe of Prophet Saleh . They were specifically mentioned because the people of Mecca knew them well since they used to pass by the remains of their houses when traveling to ash-Shãm.

The she-camel was the miracle Allah gave the people of Thamud in order to believe in their messenger, but they disbelieved, killed the she-camel, and extremely transgressed.  

O Messenger! The people of Thamud asked their prophet Saleh to bring them a miracle. We granted them the she-camel as a clear miracle. However, they disbelieved in it. Thus, We destroyed them. 
(…the she-camel as a clear miracle…), it means that the she-camel was an obvious miracle that the people of Thamud could see. 

In other words, O Muhammad! We, out of Our mercy, did not give your people their request. That is because if We gave them a miracle and they insisted on disbelief, We would destroy them as We did with the former disbelieving nations. 

(And We do not send miracles, but as warning.)

Allah grants miracles, denoting the truthfulness of His Messengers to warn their people about the evil consequence of their disbelief. 
Then Allah mentioned something in order to increase the firmness of Messenger Muhammad, and that denotes His comprehensive knowledge, and limitless wisdom.

Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people. And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Qur’an, but as a test for people. We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression. 

Allah urges His Prophetﷺ to convey the message of Islam. He assures him that He will protect him from whoever wants to harm him. 

(Mention when We told you that your Lord is fully aware of the people.) 

O Messenger! Mention when We told you that your Lord, Allah, is aware of the people, and His knowledge and ability encompass them. They are under His control. He will protect you from them. Thus, go ahead. Convey the message of Islam without any fear from anyone. Indeed, Allah will guard you. 

This statement implies solace to the Prophetﷺ, and good news to His companions that they will be victorious as well as urges them to keep on following the path of Islam without fear from anyone except Allah, Exalted is He. 

(And We did not make the vision We showed you as well as the cursed tree in the Quran, but as a test for people.)

The vision refers to the night journey that the Prophetﷺ made to Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, in which he saw miracles. Allah caused His Prophetﷺ to make this journey to test the people and clearly distinguish those whose faith was strong from those whose faith was weak.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said about (And We did not make the vision…). It refers to what the Messengerﷺ saw with his eyes during the night journey to Jerusalem. And (…the cursed tree in the Quran…), it refers to the tree of Zaqûm.’  

Whatever the Messengerﷺ saw during that journey was a test for the people because some people renounced Islam when he told them what he saw, and some people hesitated to embrace it. People’s mind could not accept the idea of the Prophet’s travel from the Sacred mosque in Mecca to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, then ascension to the heavens, and returning to Mecca in one night. 
O Messenger! We did not make the vision that We showed you, and cursed tree mentioned in the Quran but as a test for the people. Some believers renounced their belief in Islam, and the disbelievers adhered more to their disbelief when the Prophetﷺ told them what he saw during his night journey to Jerusalem. 

As for the disbelievers’ test regarding the cursed tree, abû Jahal, and the disbelievers said, ‘Muhammad says that there is a tree in Hellfire. The fire consumes trees, so how does a tree grow inside Hellfire? 

(We warn them, but it only increases them extreme transgression.)

We warn the disbelievers by means of threatening with torment and punishment; however, our warning increases them nothing but extreme transgression, and disbelief.

Learned Lessons

• None is able to remove harm, such as poverty, illness, or affliction, and change it into another state, or transfer it to another person except Allah, Exalted is He.
• There is no point in seeking help from other than Allah, Exalted is He. False gods worshipped besides Allah, such as the angels, Jesus, and Uzair, seek to be closer to Allah, humbly hope for His forgiveness, and fear His punishment. 
• There is no oppressive town but Allah will destroy or torture with severe torment before the Day of Judgment. Thus, the oppressors and tyrants must fear Allah and stop oppressing people. 
• Allah did not grant the disbelievers their request when they asked the Messengerﷺ to bring them miracles because if He granted them their request and they did not believe, He would annihilate them just as He did with the former nations. Moreover, Allah did not torment the disbelievers of Mecca, as He knew that some of them would believe in the future.
• Allah, Exalted is He, gave His Messengerﷺ the good news that He is fully aware of the people. Thus, he should convey the Islamic message without fear, depending on Allah, Who would protect and guard him.
• The night journey of al-Al-Isra and the cursed tree in Hellfire are tests for the people. Whoever is destined to be a believer will believe in them. Likewise, whoever is destined to be a disbeliever will disbelieve in them.

Tafsir of Surah al-sra: Ayah 53- 55

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 1-8

In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful

Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. 

He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.

Wherein they will abide forever.

And it warns those who say, ‘Allah has had a son.’ 

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie. 

You may destroy yourself, grieving over their rejection, if they do not believe in this Quran.

Indeed, We have made what is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them as to which of them does the best deed.

Indeed, We shall make what is on it a barren ground. 

[Surah al-Kahf: 1-8] 

Tafsir

Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. [1]

Surah al-Kahf begins by confirming the fact that Allah alone deserves absolute praise and thank. One of the greatest blessings that Allah must be thanked for is revealing the Quran to His Prophet, Messenger, and slave Muhammad. By means of the Quran, Allah, out of His mercy, is paving the way for people to be saved from the darkness of ignorance, and provides them with guidance leading to the straight path. The Quran is totally free from any type of deviance, inconsistency, discrepancy, or differences whether in terms of wording or meaning. Rather, it is characterized by the highest degree of consistency and precision.

Allah, Exalted is He, has commanded people to praise Him because He has revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad since it contains guidance that will save them from ignorance and  guides them to what brings them happiness in this life and the Hereafter. 

He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward. [2]

(He has made it strictly consistent.)

After confirming that the Quran is free from any deviance, Allah affirmed that it is strictly consistent. Sometimes something may be free from outwardly deviance but it may have inward deviance. Therefore, Allah combines between negating deviance and affirming consistency. 

Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad to warn of His severe torment for the disbelievers who do not believe in His Oneness, and to give good news to the believers who believe in the Oneness of Allah and do righteous deeds that they will enjoy a good reward in Paradise.

Wherein they will abide forever. [3]

The believers who believe in the Oneness of Allah and do the righteous deeds will enjoy a good reward in Paradise wherein they will abide forever. 

And it warns those who say, ‘Allah has had a son.’ [4]

After clarifying the greatness of the Quran, Allah clarifies the enormity of the sins committed by those who fabricate a lie about Him when they claim that He, Exalted is He, has had a son. For example, the Jews claim that Uzair is the son of Allah, the Nazarene claim that Jesus, the son of Mary, is the son of Allah, and some disbelievers claim that the angels are the daughters of Allah.

They have no knowledge of it, nor had their fathers. It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie. [5]

They have no knowledge about what they claim; rather, they say so out of ignorance, false guess, and blind following of their ancestors. Moreover, they have no evidence or proof substantiating such a claim. 

(It is a dreadful word, coming out of their mouths. Indeed, they say nothing but a lie.)

Allah severely criticizes the disbelievers’ claim. He says that their claim that Allah, Exalted is He, has had a son, which their mouths shamelessly utter, is a dreadful statement that has not any proof supporting it. 

Most of the time, Satan whispers evil things in the hearts of people, but they do not utter them, and try to control themselves. So, how about uttering such an enormity about Allah, Exalted is He! Verily, claiming that Allah has had a son is an abhorrent statement. The following ayah refers to the same meaning of the previous ayah. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

They say, ‘The All-Merciful has had a child.’ Indeed, you have said an atrocious thing. The heavens are about to burst therefrom, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to crumble to pieces that they have ascribed a child to the All-Merciful. It does not befit the All-Merciful to have a child. None is there in the heavens and the earth but he comes before the All-Merciful as a slave.  [Surah Maryam: 88-93] 

Consolation … Reproof

Addressing Messenger Muhammad in order to ease his grief and sadness caused by the refusal of the disbelievers to believe in the message of Islam, Allah says,

You may destroy yourself, grieving over their rejection, if they do not believe in this Quran. [6]

O Messenger! Do not destroy yourself, grieving over your people’s rejection to believe in Islam. Your duty is only to convey the Islamic message. Allah will call people to account on the Day of Judgment and punish the disbelievers for their disbelief in His Oneness.

This consolation implies reproof. It is as Allah was saying to Messenger Muhammad, ‘How do you busy yourself with what is not your duty?’ In another ayah of the Quran, Allah says, (Indeed, you cannot rightly guide whom you love, but Allah rightly guides whom He wills. He knows best of the rightly guided ones.) [Surah al-Qasas: 56] 

The True Nature of the Worldly Life

Indeed, We have made what is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them as to which of them does the best deed. [7]

Indeed, We shall make what is on it a barren ground. [8]

O Messenger! We, out of Our wisdom, have made whatever is on the earth, e.g. animals, plants, rivers, palaces, etc. adornment for its inhabitants to test them as to who of them will do the best deeds. In other words, who will follow the commands of Allah and who will disobey them; who will swiftly comply with the commands of Allah; and who will not be deceived by the enjoyments of the worldly life. We, out of Our wisdom, are going to make whatever is on earth a barren ground on the Day of Judgment. 

The purpose of the two previous ayat is to further strengthen the heart of Messenger Muhammad and console him because of the sadness he was experiencing due to the disbelievers’ insistence on rejection of Islam.

It is as if Allah was saying to Messenger Muhammad: Go and convey the Islamic message that We have revealed to you; do not care about their insistence on disbelief; and do not feel any grief because of their position. We, out of Our wisdom, have made whatever is on the earth to serve as enjoyments and test for its inhabitants. Thus, those who do good deeds will be distinguished from the evil doers. Moreover, We, out of Our wisdom, will make whatever is on the earth a barren ground on the Day of Judgment. Then We shall call people to account for what they did in worldly life and recompense each person according to his deeds, good or evil. O Messenger! Be patient. Indeed, the disbelievers think that the Day of Judgment will not occur, but it will definitely take place and they will suffer the evil consequences of their disbelief. 

Summary of the Previous Ayat [1-8]

The ayat confirm the following points: Perfect praise is due to Allah alone. The Quran that Allah has revealed to His Messenger Muhammad is free from any deviance. The purpose of revealing the Quran is to give good news to the believers who believe in Islam and do righteous deeds, warn the disbelievers of punishment if they disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah. Allah consoled Messenger Muhammad because he was deeply sad due to the disbelievers’ rejection of Islam. The reality of the worldly life is that Allah has made whatever is on earth to test its inhabitants so the good doers will be distinguished from the evil doers; accordingly, Allah will reward the good doers, and punish the evil doers.

Learned Lessons

• The Quran is free from any deviance. It contains perfect teachings that lead to happiness in the worldly life and the hereafter.
• Pondering on the true nature of the worldly life removes sadness from the heart.
• Invitation do righteous deeds, sincerely comply with Allah’s commands, follow the teachings of Messenger Muhammad, and avoid Allah’s prohibitions. 

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Tafsir of Surah al-sra: Ayah 53- 55

Using the Best Manner of Argumentation with the Opponents

Muslims believe in a sublime message sent to guide all humanity to the right path. This belief necessitates that they should embody the noble ethics that the Islamic message represents in their dealings, deeds, and speech. That is because a successful propagator should have a great deal of forbearance, knowledge, leniency, and gentleness in order to be able to convince other people of the validity of his call.

It is a fact that a polite word has attractiveness and charm, affecting the hearts. If sound thinking and a wise method are used with polite words, the result will be convincing the invited people and achieving the desired goal, which is guiding humanity to the straight path of believing in the Oneness of Allah. 

(Tell My slaves that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan stirs enmity among them. Verily, Satan is ever an open enemy to man.

Your Lord knows you very well. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, and if He wills, He will torment you. We have not sent you as a guardian over them. 

Your Lord knows very well all those in the heavens and the earth. Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 53-55] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

 Allah mentioned the indisputable proof, refuting worshipping other gods besides Him, (Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’) [42] He also mentioned the unequivocal evidence confirming the occurrence of resurrection, (They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’) [51]

 Then Allah has commanded to adopt the best manners and use the best method of argumentation when arguing with opponents. Moreover, Allah has said the duty of the Messenger of Allah is to clearly convey the Islamic message to people and not forcing them to believe in it. Allah has also mentioned that He sent His Messenger to give good news to the believers in the Islamic message and warn the disbelievers in the Islamic message of severe punishment.  

Tafsir 

(Tell My slaves that they should say that which is best. Indeed, Satan stirs enmity among them. Verily, Satan is ever an open enemy to man.) [53]

O Prophet! Tell the believers that when arguing with other people and inviting them to follow the right path, it has to be done in the best manner by using polite and lenient speech. That is because politeness and leniency increase positive feelings and remove negative ones. 

Verily, Satan stirs enmity among people so that discord spreads among them. Satan does his best to incite disagreement among people, as he is their open enemy since the time he refused to prostrate before their father, Adam. 

Then the ayat mention that all creatures will return to Allah, who fully knows their conditions and circumstances. 

(Your Lord knows you very well. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, and if He wills, He will torment you. We have not sent you as a guardian over them.)[ 54]

O people! Allah, your Creator, knows you very well. He knows who deserves to be guided to the straight path and sound belief, and who does not deserve. If He wills, He will have mercy on you, so that He will save you from misguidance, and guide you to the path of obedience and repentance. Likewise, if He wills, He will torment you so that He will not guide you to believe in Him, and accordingly you will die as disbelievers; thus, your final abode will be Hell. 

(We have not sent you as a guardian over them.) 

O Messenger! We have not sent you to be people’s guardian, forcing them to believe in Allah. Rather, We have sent you to clearly convey the Islamic message, give good news to the believers, and warn the disbelievers of severe punishment. 

(Your Lord knows very well all those in the heavens and the earth. Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.) [55]

O Messenger! Allah is fully aware of those in the heavens and earth. Nothing of their affairs is hidden from Him, Exalted is He. He fully knows the obedient and the disobedient, and who deserves to carry out the noble duty of conveying His message. 

(Indeed, We have favored some Prophets over others, and We gave David the Psalms.)

This is clarification showing Allah’s perfect knowledge, and comprehensive and generous bounty.

Allah, out of His knowledge and wisdom, has favored some Prophets over others, e.g. He spoke directly to Moses, He chose Ibrahim to be His beloved friend, He granted David the Psalms, and He sent Muhammadﷺ to all people. 

Learned Lessons

• Allah has commanded the believers that when arguing with other people, it shall be done by using the best manner of argumentation.

• Satan is an open enemy to people. Thus, they must prevent him from achieving his goals of inciting enmity among them. This can be achieved by using lenient, polite, and respectful manner of communication with each other.

• Allah’s knowledge is comprehensive. He knows all conditions, affairs, and circumstances of the creatures. If He wills, He will make them obedient, and if He wills, He will torment them due to their disobedience and sins. 

• Allah, Exalted is He, has not sent His Messenger Muhammadﷺ to force people to believe in Islam. Rather, Prophet Muhammad’s duty is to convey the Islamic message, give good news to the obedient, and warn the disobedient of painful torment.  

• Not all prophets enjoy the same status. Allah has favored some of them over the others.

• Just as Allah, Exalted is He, revealed the Psalms to David, He revealed the Quran to Muhammadﷺ.  

   

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 49-52

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf

Name of Surah al-Kahf

This surah is named after the cave to which the youths, whose story is mentioned in this surah, went for protection. Naming the surah after those youths indicates their noble rank, perpetuates and honors their memory, and appreciates their steadfastness and sacrifice. Moreover, their story is a practical example for whoever seeks protection from trials.

The main theme of surah al-Kahf is how to seek protection from trials. The greatest of which is the trial of the false Messiah, which Messenger Muhammad warned of. 

Virtues of Surah al-Kahf

There is a number of Prophetic narrations about the virtue of surah al-Kahf, among which are the following,

• Abu ad-Drdra’ reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever memorizes ten ayat from the beginning of surah al-Kahf will be immune to trial of the false Messiah.’ 

• Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever recites surah al-Kahf on Friday, light will illuminate for him between the two Fridays.’ 

• An-Nawas bin Sam’an reported that Messenger Muhammad mentioned the false Messiah. He said, ‘…if he comes out when I am alive, I will suffice to protect you therefrom and triumph over him, using evidence. But if he comes out when I am not alive, then every Muslim should do his best to triumph over him, using evidence, and Allah will protect every Muslim. Indeed, he is a young man with curly hair, and a protuberant eye. I liken him to Abdul-Uzza bin Qatan. Whoever of you meets him let him recite the beginning of surah al-Kahf before him.’ 

Al-Kahf is a Meccy Surah

Surah al-Kahf was revealed in Mecca where Messenger Muhammad and his followers encountered great hardship, suffering, and pain from the disbelievers. The surah reassured Messenger Muhammad and his followers, informing them that believers before them had encountered similar sufferings, but ultimately triumphed over their enemies. 

Number of its Ayat, Words & Letters 

Surah al-Kahf has one thousand, five hundred, and seventy words. It also has six thousand, three hundred, and sixty letters. 

According to the Madany and Meccy counting, there are one hundred and five ayat in surah al-Kahf. However, it contains one hundred and six ayat according to the Shamy counting, one hundred and ten ayat according to the Kufy counting, and one hundred and eleven ayat according to the Basry counting. 

Main Theme of Surah al-Kahf

Surah al-Kahf mentions that one of the most important goals of revealing the Quran is to show how to attain protection from endless and sweeping trials facing man in this life. These trials include but not limited to authority, youthfulness, kinship, wealth, offspring, love of the worldly life, Satan, knowledge, Gog and Magog, and whims.  

The surah sheds light on these trials and warns of their dangers. It also presents the method of protection and salvation. It is to obey Allah, seek His help, have correct conception, demonstrate values, and see the universe and life from a proper angle. It is also to discern the reality of the worldly life, seek the reward of the Hereafter, have righteous companionship, seek beneficial knowledge, worship Allah in the right manner, show patience and firmness, practice good ethics, and learn lessons from the stories of those came before us. 

Relationships in the Surah

• Some scholars said that surah al-Kahf came in line after surah al-Isra in the Quran since surah al-Isra begins with glorification, and surah al-Kahf beings with praising Allah. Both of which typically come together in the Quran and in everyday speech . For example, Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Thus, glorify your Lord, praising Him and be of those who prostrate.) [Q 15:98]

• The Jews caused the disbelievers of Mecca to ask Messenger Muhammad about the true nature of the spirit, the story of the companions of the cave, and the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn. Allah mentions the answer for the first question at the end of surah al-Isra. Therefore, it was appropriate to put the surah that has the answer for the remaining questions after surah al-Isra. 

• The main theme of surah al-Kahf is mentioning how to seek protection from trials. It also mentions how the youths of the cave sought protection from the disbelievers by hiding in the cave to protect their faith from the oppressors.

• Surah al-Kahf begins by referring to the bounty of revealing of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1] 

• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with a statement about the ayat of the Quran, whose miracles and meanings are endless. Thus, the conclusion of the surah confirms and reminds of what is mentioned at the beginning. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘If the sea were ink for writing the words of my Lord, the sea would be exhausted before the words of my Lord were exhausted, even if We brought the like thereof as replenishment.’)[Surah al-Kahf: 109]

• The beginning of surah al-Kahf refers to the characteristics and goals of the Quran. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Praise is due to Allah, Who has revealed the Book to His slave and has not made any deviance therein. He has made it strictly consistent to warn of severe torment from Him and give good news to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward.) [Surah al-Kahf: 1-2]

• Surah al-Kahf is concluded with showing the nature and duty of Messenger Muhammad, who brought this revelation. Allah says, interpretation of meaning, (Say, ‘I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Whoever hopes to meet his Lord should do righteous deeds and must not worship no one besides His Lord.’) [Surah al-Kahf: 110]

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 49-52

The Disbelieves’ Denial of Resurrection 

The beliefs of the disbelievers of Mecca were corrupt. Some of them claimed that Allah, Exalted is He, had a son, and wife. They considered Allah like the created beings. Some of them denied the occurrence of Resurrection on the Day of Judgment since they believed that after annihilation, matters never return to their former states, i.e. after death human body never returns to life. They had such understanding because they did not comprehend the Omnipotence of Allah, the Almighty, and that He is able to restore life to dead matters only by saying a word, i.e. ‘Be’. The following ayat narrate about the disbelievers’ denial of Resurrection on the Day of Judgment.  

(They say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, will we be resurrected as a new creation?

Say, ‘Be stones or iron, or other creation that your minds deem impossible.’ They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’ They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’ Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’

On the day when He will call you, you will respond while praising Him, and you will think that you remained a little while.  [Quran Surah al-Isra: 49-52]

Relationship with the Previous Part

After mentioning things related to the creed of belief in the Oneness of Allah in the previous part, the ayat mention suspicions of the disbelievers regarding denying resurrection after death on the Day of Judgment, and refuting their claim. 

Tafsir

(They say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, will we be resurrected as a new creation?) [49]

The disbelievers say, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains after death, will we be resurrected from our graves as new creation and be brought for reckoning On the Day of Judgment?’ 

Their statement indicates their absolute ignorance of the Omnipotence of Allah, Exalted is He.  

(Say, ‘Be stones or iron, or other creation that your minds deem impossible.’ They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life?’ Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’ They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’ Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’) [51-52]

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers who deny resurrection after death, ‘If you can, be stones, like the idols that you worship besides Allah, be iron, like the tools you use in your life, or be any creation that your minds deem impossible thing. Indeed, Allah is able to recreate you and get you back to life after death to recompense you for what you did in the worldly life, and punish you. 

The ayah confirms the perfect ability of Allah, and that nothing is impossible for Him. Challenging the disbelievers, who deny resurrection after death, Allah tells them to change themselves to anything that their minds deem impossible to return to life, e.g. stone, iron, etc. Allah will bring them back to life after their death and recompense them for what they did in the worldly life. 

(They will say, ‘Who will bring us back to life’)

The disbelievers will say, ‘Who will bring us to life after being stones, iron, or any other impossible thing?’ 

(Say, ‘He who created you the first time.’)

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers that Allah, who created them the first time, will bring them back to life after their death for reckoning. 

(They will shake their heads before you, and say, ‘When will it be?’)

After receiving such a decisive reply, the disbelievers will shake their heads and mockingly say, ‘When the resurrection will be after we become bones and crumbled remains?’ 

(Say, ‘Maybe it will be soon.’)

 O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers that the day they think is far will come soon. Anything that is certain to happen will come soon.

(On the day when He will call you, you will respond while praising Him, and you will think that you remained a little while.) [52] 

 O disbelievers! Resurrection will take place on the Day of Judgment. On that day you will be called and respond positively to the caller. You will be praising Allah for His Omnipotence and forget your claims that there would be neither resurrection, nor reckoning. And you will think then that you stayed for a short time in the worldly life. 

Qatãda said, ‘(You shall think that you remained a little while.). You shall think that you remained a little while in the worldly life. When the disbelievers experience the horrors of the Day of Judgment, they will feel that the duration of the worldly life was very short.’ 

   

Learned Lessons

• The disbelievers do not only worship other gods besides Allah, they also deny resurrection after death on the Day of Judgment. 

• Allah, Exalted is He, is Omnipotent. There is no cause for wonder. If people doubt and think it is impossible the fact of brining bones and crumbled remains back to life, it is because of their imperfect understanding, and weak ability. Allah is able, and nothing in the heavens, nor on the earth stands before His ability. Even if people become stones, irons, or something that is stronger, Allah, Exalted is He, will bring them back to life after death for reckoning on the Day of Judgment. 

• When people will be called to come out of their graves on the Day of Judgment, they will obey the command while praising Allah. 

• When people go back to life on the Day of Judgment, they will believe that they only stayed very a short time in the worldly life in comparison with their stay in the Hereafter, which will be forever. 

Tafsir of Surah al-Israh: Ayah 45-48

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Israh: Ayah 45-48

Protecting the Prophet ﷺ from Abuse

The disbelievers abused the Messengerﷺ by countless ways. Their abuse was not restricted to abusing him personally and preventing people from listening to his invitation to Islam. They used to abuse him in the most special times of his personal life, i.e. when reciting the Quran in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. However, Allah, Exalted is He, protected him from their conspiracy and harm and usually from their abuse, and attempts of preventing him from conveying the Message of Islam. In the following ayat, the Quran narrates about some of their abuse. 

(When you recite the Quran, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealing veil.

And We put covers over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back. 

We are fully aware of how they listen to it. When they listen to you, confiding to one another, the wrongdoers say, ‘Indeed, you follow none but a bewitched man.’ 

Consider how they cite examples for you! Thus, they have gone astray and cannot find the guiding path.

[Quran Surah al-Isra: 45-48]

Relationship with the Previous Part

In the previous part, Allah, Exalted is He, established proofs, denoting His Oneness, and confirmed that everything in the universe glorifies and praises Him. Then He has mentioned the disbelievers’ reaction when listening to the Quran. 

Tafsir  

(When you recite the Quran, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealing veil.)[45]

O Prophet! When you recite the Quran, which guides to the right path, Allah, the able, puts between you and those who disbelieve in the Hereafter a concealing veil, preventing them from understanding the meanings of the Quran so they cannot benefit from its guidance.

Allah, Exalted is He, punishes them by such punishment because they disbelieve in the Quran, and refuse to listen to the invitation to follow the path of truth that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, brought, i.e. Islam. 

(And We put covers over their hearts lest they understand it, and deafness in their ears. When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back.) [46]

Allah puts covers over the hearts of the disbelievers, preventing them from understanding the Quran. He also puts deafness in their ears, preventing them from listening to the Quran so that they cannot benefit from its guidance. That is because they reject to follow the path of guidance. 

(When you mention your Lord alone in the Quran, they aversively turn back.)

O Messenger! When you mention Allah in the Quran, testifying His Oneness, without mentioning the alleged deities of the disbelievers, the disbelievers will aversively turn back due to their arrogance and haughty refusal to affirm the Oneness of Allah, Exalted is He.  

Then Allah, Exalted is He, mentions what demonstrates His comprehensive knowledge, and that He will recompense the disbelievers for their evil deeds.

(We are fully aware of how they listen to it. When they listen to you, confiding to one another, the wrongdoers say, ‘Indeed, you follow none but a bewitched man.’) [47]

Allah is fully aware of how the disbelievers listen to the Prophetﷺ when he recites the Quran and calls them to follow Islam, the path of guidance. They listen to him mockingly, disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah and the Islamic message. 

Moreover, Allah fully knows how the disbelievers confide to one another when they listen to Messenger Muhammad when he recites the Quran, saying, ‘Indeed, Muhammad is a bewitched man, so do not follow him.’ 

The following ayah is consolation to the Messenger of Allah as well as it strengthens the hearts of believers so they keep on following Islam. 

(Consider how they cite examples for you! Thus, they have gone astray and cannot find the guiding path.) [48]

O Messenger! Consider how the disbelievers cite examples for you. Sometimes they say that you are a bewitched man, other times they say that you are a poet, and so on. By describing you with such attributes, they indeed, have gone astray so they cannot find the guiding path. 

Muhammad bin Ishãq reported in the biography of Prophet Muhammadﷺ that Muhammad bin Muslim bin Shihãp az-Zuhry said, ‘I was informed that once abû Sufyãn bin Harab, abû Jahal bin Hishãm, and al-A’khnas bin Shurayk went out to listen to the recitation of the Messenger of Allah when he was praying in his house during night. Each one of them sat at a different place listening to the recitation without knowing the place of the other ones. They spent the night listening to the prophet’s recitation. At dawn, they left their places. They met one another on their return. They blamed each other, saying, ‘Do not return to listen to Muhammad’s recitation. If someone of the foolish sees you, you will make him doubt.’ Then they returned to their houses. The next night, each one of them returned to the same place, and listened to the Prophet’s recitation. Once again, they spent the night listening to the Prophet’s recitation. They said to one another what they said the previous time, and then returned to their houses. 

The third night, each one of them returned and sat at the same place, and spent the night listening to the Prophet’s recitation. At dawn, they left their places. They met on their return to their houses. They said, ‘We shall not leave this place until we make a covenant that we will never return to do so.’ They made a covenant and left one another.

In the morning, al-A’khnas bin Shurayk took his stick, and went to the house of abû Sufyãn bin Harab. He said, ‘Abû Hanzala! Tell me your opinion on what you heard from Muhammad.’ Abû Sufyãn said, ‘O abû Tha’laba! By Allah, I have heard things that I know, but I do not know what they mean. And I heard things I neither know what they mean, nor what they refer to.’ Al-A’khnas said, ‘So am I. By the one you swore.’

 Then he left abû Sufyã, and went to abû Jahal. He entered his house and said, ‘O abû al-Hakam! What is your opinion on what you heard from Muhammad? Abû Jahal said, ‘What I heard! The family of banû Abd-Manãf and our family compete with one another. They fed people, so we fed people, they engaged in battles, so we engaged in battles, and they gave, so we gave. When we have become close to one another like two competing horses in a race, they said, ‘There is a prophet from our family to whom revelation from the heaven comes. How could we compete with that? By Allah, we will neither believe in him, nor trust him.’ Thereupon, al-A’khans left him.’ 

Learned Lessons

• Allah, Exalted is He, put veils over the hearts of the disbelievers, preventing them from understanding the Quran. He also put deafness in their ears so that they could not hear it. That is because they stubbornly refused to listen to the truth and follow it.  

• Allah was fully aware of how the conditions of the disbelievers were when listening to the Messenger when he recited the Quran. They confided to one another and said that Messenger Muhammad was a magician so do not follow him.

• The attitude of the disbelievers towards the Prophetﷺ was strange. Sometimes they said that he was a magician, other times they said that he was insane, and other times they said that he was a poet. Thus, they became astray, and could not find the right path leading to the truth.  

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 40-44

English Translation of Surah al-Isra 

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 40-44

Reproof for Ascribing a Son and Partner to Allah

There is no greater, more serious, graver lie in human history than ascribing a son and partner to Allah, Exalted is He. Indeed, human beings go extremely beyond the proper limit by saying such a false claim without any proof, or evidence except their corrupt comparison. They compare themselves with Allah, Exalted is He. They do not understand the great difference between the weak created being, needing a son, and partner, and the Creator, who is in no need of a son, or partner. Indeed, Allah is Self-Sufficient and far above having any partner or son. 

(What! Has your Lord chosen sons for you, and made the angles His daughters? Indeed, you utter a grave statement.

Indeed, We have diversely clarified things in this Quran for people that they may be admonished, but it increases them only aversion.  

Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’ 

Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say! 

The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify Him. There is not a thing but glorifies Him, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 40-44]

Relationship with the Previous Part

After warning of worshipping other gods besides Allah, the ayat refer to the ignorance of whoever ascribes a son or partner to Allah, Exalted is He. The ayat reproof the disbelievers, who ascribe a son to Allah. They have chosen the male for themselves, though they know their impotence and weakness, and they have ascribed daughters to Allah, Exalted is He, despite their knowledge that Allah is perfect, and glorious. 

Then the ayat mention that Allah has given many different examples in the Quran so that people may be admonished. These examples present clear proofs, confirming that it is impossible that Allah, Exalted is He, would have a son, or partner. Rather, all that exist in the universe glorify Allah, and are under His control.

Tafsir

(What! Has your Lord chosen sons for you, and made the angles His daughters? Indeed, you utter a grave statement.) [40]

O disbelievers! Has Allah, your Lord, chosen male offspring for you, and made the angels His female offspring. You do not accept such thing for yourselves. If you beget female offspring, you kill them.  It is far from wisdom to attribute to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, what His slaves hate and are ashamed of for themselves. 

In other words, the ayah negates that Allah has chosen female offspring for Himself, and chosen male offspring for the disbelievers. He is far above of what the disbelievers ascribe to Him. 

(Indeed, you utter a grave statement.)

Indeed, ascribing female offspring to Allah by the disbelievers is a grave statement that their corrupt understanding produced.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

They say, ‘The All-Merciful has a child.’ Indeed, you have said an atrocious thing. The heavens are about to burst therefrom, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to crumble to pieces. That they have ascribed a child to the All-Merciful. It does not befit the All-Merciful to have a child. None is there in the heavens and the earth but he comes before the All-Merciful as a slave.  [Quran Surah Maryam: 88-93] 

Then the ayat mention that the Quran that Allah revealed to His Prophet Muhammadﷺ contains guidance. 

(Indeed, We have diversely clarified things in this Quran for people that they may be admonished, but it increases them only aversion.) [41]

  
Indeed, Allah has diversely clarified many kinds of proofs, and examples e.g. promises, warnings, stories, and news, in the Quran for people to admonish them, learn lessons therefrom, and become certain that Allah has revealed this Quran to guide them to the right path, leading to Paradise.  

(…but it increases them only aversion.)

Instead of following the guidance of the Quran, the disbelievers insist on disbelief and favor misguidance over guidance. They avoid the Quran because of their stubbornness. 

Then Allah, Exalted is He, commanded His Messengerﷺ to censure the disbelievers for worshipping other gods besides Allah, informing them of clear evidence of their corrupt minds.

(Say, ‘If there had been other gods besides Allah, as they say, then they would seek to find out a way, leading to the Lord of the Throne.’)[42] 

(Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say!)[43]

O Messenger! Inform the disbelievers, who worship other gods besides Allah, that if there had been any gods besides Allah, as they claim, these gods would seek to find out a means and way, leading to Allah in order to contend with Him for sharing His kingdom with Him, just as partners do.
Allah says, interpretation of meaning, 

(Had there been deities other than Allah in the heavens and earth, they would have been in a state of disorder. Then, glory belongs to Allah, the Lord of the Throne! He is High above what they allege.)[Q 21:22]

Then, Allah, Exalted is He, says that He is far above what the disbelievers claim.

(Glory and Highness belong to Him! He is high above what they say!) 

 Allah, Exalted is He, is far above what the disbelievers claim as He has never a son, nor partner. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(Say, ‘He is Allah, the One; Allah is the Owner of all perfection. He neither begot anyone, nor was He begotten, and there is none equal to Him.’) [Q 112: 1-4]

Then the ayat mention that all created beings glorify and praise Allah.

(The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify Him. There is not a thing but glorifies Him, but you do not understand their glorification. Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.) [44]

Glory is to Allah. The seven heavens, the earth, and all that is in them glorify and praise Allah. There is no created being in the universe but glorifies Allah, but human beings do not understand their glorification. 

Indeed, this ayah makes the souls fear Allah as it explicitly states that every non-living thing, animals, birds, insects, and whatever being in the universe glorifies and praises Allah, Exalted is He. This clear statement must make every prudent man obey Allah, and sincerely worship Him. 

(Indeed, He is ever All-Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.)

Indeed, Allah is ever forbearing and forgiving. He does not swiftly punish the sinners; rather, He gives them opportunities to repent and amend their mistakes. He also forgives the sins of whoever repents, and then does righteous deeds. 

Learned Lessons

• Ascribing offspring to Allah, and claiming that the angles are the daughters of Allah is a grave sin. Allah, Exalted is He, is far above having offspring.
• Despite the fact that the Quran contains clear evidence and proofs, denoting the Oneness of Allah, the disbelievers increase in their stubbornness, and avoidance of the right path because of their deviant understanding. 
• Had there been other gods besides Allah, as the disbelievers claim, these gods would seek to find out a means, leading to Allah, the Lord of the Throne, to contend with Him for sharing His kingdom with Him, just as partners usually do. 
• Everything in the universe, living, or non-living, glorifies and praises Allah, but human beings do not understand their glorification and praises. 
• Allah is forbearing so He does not punish the wrongdoers immediately; rather, He gives them chances to repent and amend their mistakes. He is also forgiving, and He forgives the sins of the sinners if they acknowledge their sins, repent, and do righteous deeds.

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 31-39

English Translation of Surah al-Isra