Tafsir Surah al-Isra: Ayah 73-77

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Quran Surah al-Isra:73- 77] 

Relationship with the Previous Part

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

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

Tafsir

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Learned Lessons

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

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

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

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

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

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra Ayah 70-72

English Translation of Surah al-Isra

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Ayah 90

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

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

The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl Translation and Tafsir

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

The Noble Quran English Translation Surah an-Nahl

Miracles that Allah Gave Messenger Moses

This article mentions an English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Isra, ayah 101 to ayah 104.

 It speaks about the miracles that Allah, Exalted be He, gave His Prophet and Messenger Moses. 

Arguments and conflicts between Messenger Moses and Pharaoh were extremely strong. Pharaoh wanted to preserve his kingdom and dominance in Egypt. He feared that Moses might compete with him in order to take over dominance in Egypt. On the other hand, Messenger Moses wanted to prove the truthfulness of his prophet-hood. Thus, Allah gave him miracles to support him. 

(Indeed, We gave Moses nine clear miracles. Ask the Children of Israel when he came to them. Then Pharaoh said to him, ‘O Moses! I think you are indeed bewitched.’ 

He said, ‘Indeed, you know that no one has produced these miracles but the Lord of the heavens and the earth as clear proofs. O Pharaoh! I think you are indeed doomed.’ 

Then he wanted to drive them out of the land. Thus, We drowned him and all those with him.

Thereafter, We said to the Children of Israel, ‘Dwell in the land. When the appointed time of the Hereafter comes, We shall bring you all together.’) [Quran Surah al-Isra: 101-104]

Relationship with the Previous Part

It should be noted that the disbelievers asked Messenger Muhammad to bring them great miracles. Thus, Allah told him that He granted the Children of Israel great miracles like the miracles that they asked for, or even greater. If Allah knew that granting miracles to Messenger Muhammad would be beneficial, He would have done so, just as He granted miracles to Messenger Moses. However, Allah did not give Messenger Muhammad miracles because He knew that no benefit would be attained by granting these miracles. 

Extraordinary miracles are not the main cause of belief in Allah. Rather, having responsive hearts that are willing to accept the truth is the undeniable important cause of belief. Allah mentions the story of Messenger Moses with Pharaoh. Allah said that He granted Messenger Moses great miracles testifying to his truthfulness. However, Pharaoh insisted on disbelief in Allah and rejecting the truth. 

Tafsir 

(Indeed, We gave Moses nine clear miracles. Ask the Children of Israel when he came to them. Then Pharaoh said to him, ‘O Moses! I think you are indeed bewitched.’) [101] 

(Indeed, We gave Moses nine clear miracles.)

O Messenger! Do not think that denying and hateful hearts may believe in Allah. The proof is that We granted Messenger Moses nine clear miracles, proving his truthfulness. However, these miracles increased Pharaoh and his followers nothing but stubbornness and disbelief. So be patient with the negative reaction of your people, and their disbelief, just as the messengers before you were patient. 

Mentioning nine clear proofs in the ayah, in particular, does not negate that Allah gave Messenger Moses other miracles. 

Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Ikrima, ash-Sha’by, and Qatãda said that the nine miracles referred to in the ayah are Moses’ hand turned white, his rod turned into a snake, the famine that befell Pharaoh and his people, shortage of crops, the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood. 

(Ask the Children of Israel when he came to them.)

O Messenger! Ask your contemporaries among the Children of Israel like Abdul-Allah bin Salam in order to be certain that these miracles are mentioned in the Torah.

Allah gave Moses many miracles because multiplicity of proofs makes them have a strong impact and more convincing. 

(Then Pharaoh said to him, ‘O Moses! I think you are indeed bewitched.’) 

When Messenger Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel leave Egypt with him after he showed him the clear proofs testifying to his truthfulness, Pharaoh said, ‘O Moses! I think that you are indeed bewitched. Therefore, you say and claim unsound things.’

Pharaoh’s reaction represents the typical reaction of the tyrant throughout history. When they see that truth surrounds them, and their corruption is exposed, they accuse the advocates of the truth of every kind of defect. 

(He said, ‘Indeed, you know that no one has produced these miracles but the Lord of the heavens and the earth as clear proofs. O Pharaoh! I think you are indeed doomed.’) [102] 

Messenger Moses said to Pharaoh, ‘Indeed, you know that no one has produced these miracles but Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Allah has produced them as clear evidence so that people may be guided to the right path.’

This reply implies censure to Pharaoh as he disregarded the truth though he certainly knew that Moses was neither bewitched nor a magician and that Allah gave him the miracles.

(O Pharaoh! I think you are indeed doomed.)

This is another reprimand to Pharaoh. Messenger Moses said, ‘O Pharaoh! I believe that you are doomed as you insist on disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah, and rejecting the miracles, confirming my truthfulness.’

Then ayat narrate what Pharaoh wanted to do with Messenger Moses and the Children of Israel after being confronted with such decisive evidence.

(Then he wanted to drive them out of the land. Thus, We drowned him and all those with him. [103]

Thereafter, We said to the Children of Israel, ‘Dwell in the land. When the appointed time of the Hereafter comes, We shall bring you all together.’) [104]

Pharaoh wanted to drive Messenger Moses and the Children of Israel out of Egypt or destroy them. However, the result was contrary to his intention. 

(Thus, We drowned him and all those with him.)

Allah made Pharaoh and his soldiers drown in the sea.

(Thereafter, We said to the Children of Israel, ‘Dwell in the land.)

Allah told the Children of Israel through Messenger Moses that they could dwell in Egypt. 

The ayah gives good news to the oppressed believers at all times. It states that the rule of Allah is to destroy the oppressors and make the patient and oppressed believers take over their land and wealth. 

Ibn Kathir said, ‘The ayah gave good news to the Messenger Muhammad that he would take over Mecca though surah al-Isra was revealed before his migration to al-Madinah. Indeed, Allah made Messenger Muhammad take over Mecca later. The disbelievers tried to drive Messenger Muhammad out of Mecca. (Indeed, they were about to harass you to drive you out of the land. Had they done so, they would have not stayed after you, but a little while. Such was Our way with the Messengers We sent before you. You will find no change in Our way.) [Q 17:76- 77] Therefore, Allah made Messenger Muhammad take over Mecca, and triumph over the disbelievers, just as He made the Children of Israel take over Egypt and inherit the wealth of Pharaoh and his people.’ 

(When the appointed time of the Hereafter comes, We shall bring you all together.)

When the time that Allah appointed for the occurrence of the Day of Judgment comes, Allah will bring people back to life, and gather them all for reckoning.

Learned Lessons Surah Al-Isra Ayah 101-104 

• Allah granted Messenger Moses miracles, testifying to his truthfulness.

• Pharaoh insisted on disbelief. He tried to use his power and authority to expel Messenger Moses and the Children of Israel from Egypt. However, Allah drowned him and his soldiers in the sea. 

• It is obligatory to seek protection from Allah when confronting the tyrant. 

• Allah will bring people to life and gather them all on the Day of Judgment for reckoning.

Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Isra

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 110-111

Moses in Islam

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 42-44

His fruit was destroyed. Wringing his hands for what he had spent on it, and seeing it had collapsed on its trellises, he said, ‘I wish I had not worshipped any one besides my Lord.’

He had no company to help him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself.

In such a situation, support comes only from Allah, the true God. He is the best giver of reward, the best end for the obedient. 

[Surah al-Kahf: 42-44]

Ingratitude demonstrated by the owner of the two gardens for the blessings of Allah resulted in the destruction of his gardens and wealth. Thus, he remorsefully wrung his hands because he spent great wealth and put a lot effort to build and take care of the gardens, which all were in vain. 

His fruit was destroyed. Wringing his hands for what he had spent on it, and seeing it had collapsed on its trellises, he said, ‘I wish I had not worshipped any one besides my Lord.’ [42]

The expectations of the righteous believer realized. The gardens’ fruits were destroyed. At that time, the owner of the gardens hoped that he had not worshipped any one besides Allah. This is the case of most people. They remember Allah at times of afflictions, and forget Him at times of comfort and health. 

The ayah eloquently depicts the reaction of the owner of the two gardens. Usually, when affliction befalls someone, he will be astonished, shocked, and become speechless. Then, when he regains his consciousness, he will begin to speak and express his feelings, which is the case of the owner of the gardens as narrated in the Quran. When he saw the destruction of his gardens, he remorsefully wrung his hands and became speechless. Then when he recovered from his shock, he began to speak and hoped that he had not worshipped any one besides Allah. 

 It is totally a striking scene. The entire crops were destroyed as if the calamity engulfed them from all sides so nothing was left. The two gardens had completely been ruined and their owner was regretfully wringing his hands, grieving his wasted wealth and labor. He regretted that he had worshipped other gods besides Allah, and acknowledged Allah’s Oneness though he did not explicitly say so. However, being proud of other earthly values other than belief in Allah served as a form of Shirk, which he denied and regretted now though it was too late.  

Then, the story was concluded with showing Allah’s Omnipotence, and His enforceable will.

He had no company to help him other than Allah, nor could he defend himself. [43]

This ungrateful, conceited person did not find supporters, who could help, protect, or defend him when he lost his gardens. Only Allah is the giver of help and support. He was also unable to protect himself as he was prevented from all means of help by preferring disbelief to belief. 

 The ayah clearly shows the inability of all powers to help that deserted man except the power of Allah and the inability of that man to help himself, and prevent the punishment of Allah.

In such a situation, support comes only from Allah, the true God. He is the best giver of reward, the best end for the obedient. [44]

In such a situation and case, support and help is sought only from Allah, the only true God. Indeed, He is the best giver of reward to His obedient slaves, and the best end to which they return. 

 The example of the owner of the two gardens and his poor fellow is an example of the righteous and the disobedient. It eloquently describes the evil end of the conceited people, and the happy end of the thankful and humble ones. It also shows the good effects of belief in the Oneness of Allah and performance of righteous deeds, and the evil effects of disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, and bad deeds. It clearly states that Allah is the only Owner of power and support, and the only One who deservers worship. No reward for the obedient is better than His reward, and no end for them is better than returning to Him. 

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 37-41

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Allah is All-Powerful

Understand and Learn English Translation andTafsir of Surah al-Isra Ayah 99-100

Allah confirms in the Quran that resurrection will take place on the Day of Judgment by pointing out to things that man can see. For example, the creation of the heavens and the earth with their magnificence is clear evidence that nothing is impossible for Allah, who created them. 

(Have they not seen that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth, is able to create the like of them? He has appointed a term for them, about which there is no doubt. Yet the wrongdoers refuse to accept nothing but disbelief.

Say, ‘If you possessed the treasures of my Lord’s mercy, you would hold them back for fear of spending. Man is ever stingy.’) 

Relationship with the Previous Part

After refuting suspicions of the deniers of prophethood, the ayat return to refute to suspicions of the deniers of resurrection on the Day of Judgment. They claim that it is impossible that man becomes alive after dying and becoming crumbled remains. Allah has proved that such a claim is false by referring to the fact that the One Who is able to create the heavens and the earth with magnificent creation is able to bring back the dead alive. 

Tafsir 

(Have they not seen that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth, is able to create the like of them? He has appointed a term for them, about which there is no doubt. Yet the wrongdoers refuse to accept nothing but disbelief.) [99]

(Have they not seen that Allah, who created the heavens and the earth, is able to create the like of them?)

Can the disbelievers not see the truth that those who are endowed with sound intellect can easily discern? 

Do the disbelievers not know that Allah, who has created the heavens and the earth, is able to create a greater creation, and bring them back to life after death for reckoning on the Day of Judgment?

Indeed, He is Omnipotent and nothing is impossible for Him, Exalted is He. The disbelievers’ ignorance of such a clear fact is evidence of their defective minds. 

After establishing clear evidence for the occurrence of resurrection, and that people will become alive after death, then Allah mentions that resurrection will take place at an appointed time according to His wisdom and will.

(He has appointed a term for them, about which there is no doubt.)

Allah has appointed a specific time for resurrection on the Day of Judgment. People will be brought out of their graves for reckoning and recompense on that day.

  

(Yet the wrongdoers refuse to accept nothing but disbelief.)

This shows the disbelievers’ insistence on rejecting and denying the truth though they know it.

The deniers of resurrection accept nothing but disbelief in Allah, which is the typical characteristic of the ignorant. 

Then Allah commanded Messenger Muhammad to encounter the disbelievers, informing them about their inborn stinginess after they asked him for corrupt suggestions.

(Say, ‘If you possessed the treasures of my Lord’s mercy, you would hold them back for fear of spending. Man is ever stingy.’) [100]

O Messenger! Tell the disbelievers, who have rejected your message and asked you impossible things, ‘O people! If you possessed the treasures of sustenance of Allah, you would be stingy and not spend them for fear of becoming poor though the treasures of Allah never run out. But stinginess is your inherent disposition.’

(Man is ever stingy.)

Man is extremely stingy by nature. He is tightfisted with people and even with his own self for fear of poverty even if he owns all the treasures of the heavens and the earth. 

Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Isra Ayah 99-100

• Though evidence, denoting the Oneness of Allah and His omnipotence, is clear, e.g. creation of the heavens and the earth, the disbelievers insist on disbelief.

• The Day of Judgment will certainly occur. 

• Even if man owns all treasures of the heavens and the earth, he will not spend them for fear of poverty, as stinginess is his innate characteristic. 

• It may be said that there are generous people. How can this be reconciled with the fact that man is stingy by nature? 1) Stinginess is an inherent characteristic of man since he normally needs things, so he loves things that avail and protect him from being in need. He may be generous for reasons that force him to be generous. 2) When man gives to people, he may do so in order to be thanked, he may be obliged to give, and he may give to be rewarded by Allah. In fact, he gives to attain compensation. 

English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant)

Introduction to English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Ad-Duha

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 37-41

He said to his companion, conversing with him, ‘Do you disbelieve in He who created you from dust, then from a drop of fluid, and then formed you into a man?’ 

But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not worship any one besides my Lord. 

Why did you not say, when you entered your garden, ‘This is what Allah has willed, and there is no power except by Allah’s help’? Although you see that I have less wealth and children than you.  

It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send upon it torment from heaven, so it will become a slippery, plantless land, or its water will sink into the ground, so you will never be able to seek it out. [Surah al-Kahf: 37-41]

Tafsir

Admonition & Warning

The following ayat present what the believing man said to the owner of the two gardens, who was ungrateful to Allah’s blessings on him. 

He said to his companion, conversing with him, ‘Do you disbelieve in He who created you from dust, then from a drop of fluid, and then formed you into a man? [37]

The poor believing man replied to the owner of the two gardens, who denied resurrection on the Day of Judgment, and was ungrateful to Allah, who granted him the wealth he was enjoying. He said, ‘Do you disbelieve in Allah, who created Adam, your first father, from dust, and then created you by means of sexual reproduction, and formed you into a man in the best form? 
Do you disbelieve in He who created you from dust, then from a drop of fluid, and then formed you into a man?

The interrogation indicates disapproval and astonishment. That is because knowing that Allah is the Creator necessitates worshipping Him alone sincerely and thanking Him for His blessings.  In another ayah, Allah says,

How do you disbelieve in Allah, seeing that you were dead, then He gave you life, then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you back to life, and then you will be returned to Him? [Surah al-Baqarah: 28]

How could you disbelieve in Allah though proofs denoting His existence are clear, and self-evident? There is no created being but knows that he was nothing, and then was created, and his existence does not depend on any other created being because it is created just like him. Therefore, it becomes clear that there is a Creator, Allah, who created everything. 

Then, the righteous man courageously declares his position. 

But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not worship any one besides my Lord. [38]

O disbeliever! While you have disbelieved in Allah, who created you and formed you into a man, I will never disbelieve in Allah. I believe in Him and worship Him alone. 

In this manner, the glory of faith powerfully emerges. It does not care for wealth, supporters, nor pride. It also does not declare the truth hesitatingly, nor does it try to flatter the companion at the expense of the truth. In this manner, the believing man believes that he is noble before prestige and wealth, and that attaining Allah’s reward is better than all worldly life enjoyments. He believes that Allah’s bounty is great. He also believes that Allah’s wrath against the arrogant people is also great, and will imminently befall them.  
The believer guided his disbelieving fellow to what he should say when entering his gardens.

Why did you not say, when you entered your garden, ‘This is what Allah has willed, and there is no power except by Allah’s help’? Although you see that I have less wealth and children than you. [39] 

This is exhortation and admonition. The believer said to the owner of the gardens, ‘When you entered your garden, looked at, and admired it, why you did not thank Allah for His blessings, and the wealth and offspring that He granted to you. Why did you not say, ‘This is what Allah has willed for me, and I have no power except by Allah’s help?’’ 

 Some of the righteous predecessors said, ‘If one admires anything of his condition, health, or wealth, he should say, ‘This is what Allah has willed for me, and I have no power except by Allah’s help.’ 

The believer wants to teach the owner of the two gardens how to react to Allah’s blessings by attributing them to their giver, Allah. That is because a person enjoying a blessing does not play any role in obtaining it; rather, Allah is its giver. Gardens and orchard, how do they come? They grow on the land that Allah created. When the person cultivates it with a plow, Allah has granted him this blessing. Allah also has granted him the power he uses to work, and He may take it at any time. This will render the person weak and unable to do anything. Hence, all blessings come from Allah.  

 After exhorting and admonishing the owner of the gardens, the righteous believer replied to the conceit and pride of his fellow.  

It may be that my Lord will give me something better than your garden, and will send upon it torment from heaven, so it will become a slippery, plantless land, or its water will sink into the ground, so you will never be able to seek it out. [40-41] 

O conceited one! Although I have less wealth and offspring than yours, I hope that Allah, the Omnipotent, will give me something that better than your garden, and will send upon it torment on your garden, so it will be slippery, plantless ground. It may be that Allah will make water in your garden sink into the ground, so you will never be able to seek it out. No one can give you water but Allah.
 In other words, the disbeliever’s garden will become useless. It will be destroyed by either heavenly torment or a calamity.

Then the ayat conclude the story of the owner of the two gardens by mentioning the evil end that the conceited, ungrateful owner of the gardens suffered. 

Tafsir of Surah al-Kahf: Ayah 32-36

English Translation of Surah al-Kahf

Rule of Guidance and Misguidance

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra Ayah 97-98

The rule of guidance and misguidance states that the one whom Allah guides to believe in His Oneness is indeed the guided one. On the other hand, the one whom Allah lets go astray because he rejects to follow the truth, no one can guide him to the right path. 

(Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided; and whom He lets go astray, you will find no supporters for them other than Him. And We shall gather them on the Day of Judgment, dragged on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf. Their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase its burning.

That will be their recompense because they disbelieved in Our proofs and said, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, shall we be resurrected as a new creation?’)

[Quran Surah al-Isra: 97-98] 

Relationship with the Previous Part 

Some suspicions of the disbelievers were refuted in the previous part. Then consolation to Messenger Muhammad is mentioned for the oppression and abuse he suffered from the disbelievers. He was told that whomever is destined to follow the right path would be rightly guided, and those whom are destined to follow the path of misguidance would never be guided to the right path. 

Tafsir

(Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided; and whom He lets go astray, you will find no supporters for them other than Him. And We shall gather them on the Day of Judgment, dragged on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf. Their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase its burning.) [97]

(Whomever Allah guides is rightly guided; and whom He lets go astray, you will find no supporters for them other than Him.)

Whomever Allah guides to the right path is truly the guided one. He will attain the pleasure of Allah. On the other hand, whomever is destined to follow the path of misguidance, will go astray, and one can guide him to the right path. Indeed, being guided to the right path and being misguided is only in the hands of Allah, according to His will and wisdom. 

It should be understood that the fact that Allah knows beforehand who will follow the right path and who will not follow it does not mean human beings are compelled to be believers or disbelievers. Rather, man has full will to choose which path to follow according to his will. Allah says, interpretation of meaning,

(It is nothing but admonition for all the worlds, for whomever of you who wants to be rightly guided. And you will not want unless Allah, the Lord of the worlds, wants.)[Q81:27-29] 

The Quran is admonition for whomever wants to be rightly guided to the truth, but whoever does not want to benefit from its guidance, he will never be guided to the truth. Someone may say, ‘Can a person choose what he wills? Yes, he can choose what he wills. Allah has given man will and ability to choose and do what he wants. If he wants to something, he will do it. On the other hand, if he does not want to do something, he will do it. Otherwise, evidence against people to whom the messengers of Allah were sent would not be established.  Likewise, whoever wants to obey Allah will obey Him, and whoever wants to disobey Allah will disobey Him. Thus, man has his own will, yet it is certain that man is unable to choose anything unless Allah wills it to be so in the first place. 

Then the ayat depict the horrible state of the disbelievers when they will be gathered and resurrected on the Day of Judgment.

(And We shall gather them on the Day of Judgment, dragged on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf.)

On the Day of Judgment, the disbelievers will be resurrected from their graves, be gathered, and dragged to Hell on their faces. On that day, they will be blind, dumb, and deaf. They will be humiliated and treated in such a disgracing manner because they rejected to believe in the Oneness of Allah in the worldly life. 

The scholars have three opinions on how the disbelievers will be gathered on the Day of Judgment. The first is that they will walk on their faces. Anas bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that a man asked Messenger Muhammad about how the disbeliever will walk on his face on the Day of Judgment when Allah will gather people. The Messengerﷺ said, ‘The One, Who made him walk on his feet in the worldly life, will make him walk on his face on the Day of Judgment.’ The second is that the disbelievers will be resurrected and gathered while being dragged on their faces. The third is that they will be gathered and move swiftly. 

Then the ayat mention the end abode of the disbelievers.

(Their abode will be Hell; whenever it abates, We shall increase its burning.)

The final abode of the disbelievers will be Hell. It will severely burn and destroy their skins and flesh. This will make it abate. Then their burned skin and flesh will be changed, and this will make Hell rekindle blazingly. This process will be repeated forever. 

The following ayah presents the causes that make the disbelievers deserve such horrible punishment.

(That will be their recompense because they disbelieved in Our proofs and said, ‘What! When we become bones and crumbled remains, shall we be resurrected as a new creation?’) [98]

The disbelievers will deserve such severe torment because they disbelieved in the Oneness of Allah in the worldly life though proofs, denoting His Oneness were conclusively clear and abundant. Denyingly and ignorantly, they said, ‘When we become bones and crumbled remains after death, shall we be resurrected as a new creation?’ 

They insisted on disbelief and denied resurrection and reckoning on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, their punishment will be severe. Allah will make Hell burn their skins and flesh. Then they will be given new skins and flesh and it will be re-burn again. This process will be repeated forever. 

Learned Lessons 

• Only Allah can guide to the right path. Thus, He must be worshipped alone and invoked for help and guidance. 

• The torment of the disbelievers in Hell on the Day of Judgment will be severe and forever. 

• Hell is the final abode of those who disbelieve on resurrection and reckoning on the Day of Judgment. 

• Proofs in the Quran, Sunnah of Messenger Muhammad, and logic confirm that the Day of Judgment will be established. Logic dictates that the one, who creates something from nothing, is able to re-create it. Allah has created man from nothing and He is able to re-create him on the Day of Judgment. 

Tafsir of Surah al-Isra: Ayah 94-96

English Translation of Surah al-Isra