Sura 27. An-Naml (The Ants) Mecca
The embellished story of Solomon and the conversion of the Queen of Sheba to Islam is the chief new feature of the chapter otherwise the theme continues of the preservation of believers and the punishment of non-believers. The name of this chapter is derived from the story of the ants: “At length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: O ye ants get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you without knowing it.” (v 18)
Moses at the burning bush
“Behold! Moses said to his family: I perceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye may warm yourselves. But when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise… Now do thou throw thy rod! But when he saw it moving as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: O Moses! Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as messengers have no fear, But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” ( v 7-11).
This appears to be another story relating to the burning bush but there are differences from the accounts in chapter 20 verses 9-13 and 28:29-33. There are also some differences from Exodus 3:1-6 in the Bible. Moses’ killing of an Egyptian before his mission may be hinted at here to show that the messenger’s subsequent meritorious activity may entitle him to God’s pardon.
T he knowledge of David and Solomon
“We gave knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe! And Solomon was David’s heir. He said: O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed grace manifest (from Allah.) (v 15, 16)
S
olomon’s army and the ants
And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. At length, when they came to a valley of ants, one of the ants said: O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you without knowing it. So he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous servants. (v 17-19)
The alleged supernatural book of the Quran records these Jewish fables as facts
a) The Queen of Sheba and the Hoopoe Bird
“And he took a muster of the birds; and he said: Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence). But the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true (v 20-22).
b) The Queen of Sheba and the magnificent throne
“‘I found a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne” (v 23).
“He (Solomon) said Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission? Said an ‘Ifrit, of the Jinns: I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted. Said one who had knowledge of the Book: I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye! Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: This is by the grace of my Lord! to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful!” (v 38-40)
In the second targum of the Book of Esther, the throne is said to have been unequalled and belonged to Solomon. The Quran tells us that it was carried about by genii where the targum gives this responsibility to twenty-four eagles.
c) The Queen of Sheba invited to submit to Islam
“I ( the Hoopoe) found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the path, so they receive no guidance …………… (Solomon) said: Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied! Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and see what answer they return……………………… (The queen) said: Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me a letter worthy of respect. It is from Solomon, and is ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful: ‘Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true religion).’ ……… She said: Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave. But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors. Now when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift! Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled” (v 24-37)
The resemblance of this story and the above targum is considerable only in the targum the letter is sent by a red-cock.
d) The Queen of Sheba submits to Islam
“He
(Solomon) said: Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance. So when she arrived, she was asked, Is this thy throne? She said, It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah. And he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was of a people that had no faith. She was asked to enter the lofty palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass. She said: O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the worlds.” (v 40-44)
Solomon questioned the queen about the altered throne which she thought was the same as hers. Solomon had built a palace for the queen it was said to be made of transparent glass, laid over running water, in which fish were swimming. The queen, supposing it to be water, lifted up her robe and exposed her legs which were said to be hairy. Some jinns removed the hair and it is said that Solomon married her and she became a Muslim. The story of the Queens legs is found in the Muslim traditions, namely the Araish al Majalis. The factual Bible account is found in 1 Kings 10:1-13.
Believers preserved and unbelievers destroyed
Effects of the preaching of Salih (v 45-53)
“Then see what was the end of their plot! this, that We destroyed them and their people, all” (v 51).
“And We saved those who believed and practised righteousness” (v 53).
In this late Meccan sura the plot against Salih should be understood as a warning to his opponents the Quarraish whom Muhammad believed were plotting against him.
Lot preserved unbelievers destroyed (v 54-58)
“But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind” (v 57).
“And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished “(v 58)!
The beast from the earth a sign of Judgement Day
“And when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), we shall produce from the earth a beast to (face) them: He will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in Our signs” (v 82).
This monster is supposed to be sixty cubits high, with two wings. It is to be compound of various animals, to have the head of a bull, the horns of a stag, the neck of an ostrich, the legs of a camel and the voice of an ass. It will mark the faces of believers with Mu’min, and the unbelievers with Kafir.
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Sura 28. Al-Qasas (The Story) Mecca
A great deal of this chapter is taken up with the repetition of much earlier material concerning the narration of Moses, with whom Muhammad wished to be compared. The title found in verse 25 is taken from an incident in the early life of Moses: “So when he came to him and narrated the story, he said: Fear thou not: (well) hast thou escaped from unjust people.” Because of the repetition of features of Moses’ life elsewhere only a few points will be noted, however, we do mention the rebellious activities of Korah, who is made out to be a man of great wealth.
Moses the early years (v 3-13)
He is said to be adopted by Pharaoh’s wife:
“The wife of Pharaoh said: (Here is) joy of the eye, for me and for thee: slay him not. It may be that he will be use to us, or we may adopt him as a son. And they perceived not (what they were doing)!” (v 9)
Exodus 2:5-10 agrees that Moses was adopted but not to Pharaohs wife but his daughter.
Moses kills an Egyptian (v 14-21)
“A
nd he entered the city at a time when its people were not watching: and he found there two men fighting, one of his own religion, and the other, of his foes. Now the man of his own religion appealed to him against his foe, and Moses struck him with his fist and made an end of him. He said: This is a work of evil (Satan): for he is an enemy that manifestly misleads!” (v 15)
Moses flees to Midian (v 22-28)
Moses and the burning bush (29-32)
Moses goes with Aaron to Pharaoh (v 33-37)
Haman builds a high tower for Pharaoh
“Pharaoh said: O chiefs! no god do I know for you but myself: therefore, O Haman! light me a (kiln to bake bricks) out of clay, and build me a lofty palace, that I may mount up to the god of Moses: but as far as I am concerned, I think (Moses) is a liar!” (v 38)
Haman actually lived in Persia and was in the service of King Ahasuerus. See the book of Esther for details.
The books of Moses and the Quran rejected by the Quraish
“But (now), when the truth has come to them from ourselves, they say, Why are not (signs) sent to him, like those which were sent to Moses? Do they not then reject (the signs) which were formerly sent to Moses? They say: Two kinds of sorcery, each assisting the other! And they say: For us, we reject all (such things)! Say: Then bring ye a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than either of them, that I may follow it! (do), if ye are truthful!” (v 48, 49)
Here Muhammad acknowledges that both the books of Moses and the Quran are inspired.
Jews and Christians who become Muslims receive a double reward
“Those to whom We sent the Book before this, they do believe in this (revelation): And when it is recited to them, they say: We believe therein, for it is the truth from our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims from before this. Twice will they be given their reward, for that they have persevered, that they avert evil with good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them.” (v 52-54)
It is suggested that those who were formerly Jews and Christians held the doctrine of Islam. Those who became Muslims were to receive a double reward, as they accepted both the former scriptures and the Quran.
The story of Qarun’s wealth (Korah)
“Qarun was doubtless, of the people of Moses; but he acted insolently towards them: such were the treasures We had bestowed on him that their very keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men, behold, his people said to him: Exult not, for Allah loveth not those who exult” (v 76) .
“So he went forth among his people in the (pride of his worldly) glitter. Said those whose aim is the life of this world: Oh! that we had the like of what Qarun has got! for he is truly a lord of mighty good fortune! But those who had been granted knowledge said: Alas for you! The reward of Allah (in the hereafter) is best for those who believe and work righteousness: but this none shall attain, save those who steadfastly persevere. Then We caused the earth to swallow up him and his house; and he had not (the least little) party to help him against Allah, nor could he defend himself.” (v 79-81)
The Muslim commentators identify Qarun with the biblical Korah yet this Qarun has been endued with immense wealth. One Muslim writer says that forty mules were required to carry Qarun’s keys. It may be that Muhammad used this story of Korah, the leader of the rebellion against Moses but had in mind a wealthy opposer of himself. See Numbers 16 for the true account. In the Talmud it is said that “Joseph concealed three treasures in Egypt, one of which became known to Korah ………….. The keys (v 76) of Korah’s treasure chambers were a burden for 300 white mules.” (Midr. Jalkut on Eccl v 12).
Muhammad encouraged in his faith and purpose
“And thou hadst not expected that the Book would be sent to thee except as a mercy from thy Lord: herefore lend not thou support in any way to those who reject. And let nothing keep thee back from the signs of Allah after they have been revealed to thee: and invite (men) to thy Lord, and be not of the company of those who join gods with Allah. And call not, besides Allah, on another god. There is no god but He. Everything will perish except His own face. To Him belongs the command, and to Him will ye (all) be brought back” (v 86-88).
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Sura 29. Al-’Ankabut (The Spider) Mecca
A
t this time, Muhammad was very anxious to gain the allegiance of the Jews and so in several ways he strove to win them to his side. They turned to Jerusalem in prayer, so did he; they observed the Feast of Atonement on the tenth day of the month by sacrificing and fasting, he ordered his followers to do the same. So he made it easy for certain Jews to pass over to Islam. These men proved very useful, for they could supply him with the much needed information about the Jewish religion and they led him to believe there were passages in them relating to his advent. In order to meet the opposition of the Qurraish he pointed to the activity of those who had rejected the earlier prophets for example Noah, Lot and Moses. The Qurraish would be destroyed unless they believed but they responded by demanding from Muhammad a miracle which he declined to give alleging that the Quran was a sufficient miracle.
The chapter derives its name from the mention of a spider where idolatry is likened to the flimsiness of a spider‘s web. The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (for itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider’s house; if they but knew (v 41).
Believers must be proved
“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and that they will not be tested?” (v 2)
“And Allah most certainly knows those who believe, and as certainly those who are hypocrites” (v 11).
The trials and hardships the Muslim believers endured were said to be necessary in order to distinguish them from the fickle hypocrites.
Messengers delivered, idolaters punished
Noah (v 14 -15)
“We sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.”
Abraham preaches against idolatry (v 16-27)
“And (We also saved) Abraham: behold, he said to his people, Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be best for you If ye understand!”
Lot and the fate of the inhabitants of Sodom (v 28-35)
“And (remember) Lut: behold, he said to his people………………….. ”
The Prophet Shu’aib’s message rejected (v 36, 37)
“To the Madyan (people) (We sent) their brother Shu’aib But they rejected him: Then the mighty blast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning.
‘Ad and Thamud destroyed for unbelief (v 38)
“(Remember also) the ‘Ad and the Thamud (people):the Evil One made their deeds alluring to them, and kept them back from the path, though they were gifted with intelligence and skill.”
Korah, Pharaoh and Haman reject the message of Moses(v 39-40)
“(Remember also) Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman: there came to them Moses with clear signs, but they behaved with insolence on the earth . Their condemnation was that they rejected the clear evidences of the messengers when their idolatry was like a fragile spider’s web.”
Disputes with the People of the Book
“And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong: but say, We believe in the revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you; Our Allah and your Allah is one; and it is to Him we bow. And thus (it is) that We have sent down the Book to thee. So the People of the Book believe therein, as also do some of these (pagan Arabs): and none but unbelievers reject our signs” (v 46, 47).
The Jews read the Law in Hebrew and explained it to the Muslims in Arabic so the Prophet said: ’Neither agree with the possessors of the Scriptures, nor call them liars and say we believe on God and that which He hath sent down. The great body of the Jews did not accept him nor admit his claims for the prophet for whom they looked was to come from the House of David. This verse is thought to have been abrogated by the verse of the sword (At-Taubah 18:29) and Baidawi states (Vol 2 p.98) that it was repealed when the breach with the Jews was complete. Others think that this verse only relates to those who were in alliance with the Muslims.
The truth of the Quran claims to be in Muhammad’s inability to read or write
“And thou wast not (able) to recite a book before this (book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand: In that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted” (v 48).
Muslims generally believe Muhammad was unable to read or write at all, and for this reason the Quran is a miracle. Some understand the words ‘before it,’ to mean that at first he was ignorant but now miraculously he was able to read and write.
The Quran a sufficient miracle
“And they say: Why are not signs sent down upon him from his Lord?
Say: The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a plain warner.
Is it not enough for them that We have revealed to you the book which is recited to them?
Most surely there is mercy in this and a reminder for a people who believe.” (v 49-50).
The Meccans wanted more than the Quran as a sign of revelation.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sura 30. Ar-Rum (The Romans) Mecca
The chapter is so called because of the alleged prophesy of the coming triumph of the Romans over Persia while the remainder of the chapter deals with issues like the foolishness of idolatry, proofs of God’s power, goodness and the final judgement.
“The Roman Empire has been defeated in a land close by; but they, after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious. Within a few years. With Allah is the decision, in the past and in the future: on that day shall the believers rejoice” (v 2-5)
Muslims regard this passage as a wonderful prophecy and a proof that the Quran really came from God. The passage states that there was a great victory of the Persians over the Romans. When this news came to Mecca the idolaters were elated but Muhammad, who claimed to believe in the divine scriptures, and would have naturally wanted the Christians to defeat the idolatrous fire-worshippers, was tormented seeing this as a sign that the idolaters would also defeat him and his religion. Then he prophesied that the Romans would defeat the Persians.
The statement ‘The Roman Empire has been defeated,’ probably refers to the incident which occurred in the year 615 A.D., that is the 6th year before the Hijrah, when Khosrou Parviz of Persia conquered Syria from the Romans. The Persians then continued their expansion with the capture of Palestine and Jerusalem and then laid siege to Constantinople in A.D. 625. On this occasion however, the Romans gained a victory over them and the comment ‘in a few years,’ would then allude to this defeat of the Persians by Heraclius.
The text does not mention who defeated the Romans or where they were defeated. It also should be borne in mind that there are technical points of grammar in verse 1 which make the sense of the text difficult. Some argue that the passage could possibly be said to have been constructed in such a way that it proved true in any event.
Foolishness of idolatry: Idolaters are destroyed
“Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their messengers with clear (signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls” (v 9).
The Meccans are warned of the consequences of rejecting Allah’s messenger by presenting evidence of the destruction of former cities who rejected the messengers.
Foolishness of idolatry: Idols of no value on the Judgement Day:
“On the day that the hour will be established, the guilty will be struck dumb with despair.
No intercessor will they have among their partners and they will reject their partners.
On the day that the hour will be established, that day shall (all men) be sorted out” (v 12-14).
God to be praised in the morning and evening etc
“So (give) glory to Allah, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise in the morning; yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.” (v 17-18).
Go
d’s signs of creation and providence : Mankind:
” Among His signs in this, that He created you from dust; and then, behold, ye are men scattered! And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are signs for those who reflect And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are signs for those who know. And among His signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye (make) out of His bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken.” (v 20, 21)
God’s signs of creation and providence: Nature:
“ And among His signs, He shows you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: verily in that are signs for those who are wise. And among His signs is this, that heaven and earth stand by His command: then when He calls you, by a single call, from the earth, behold, ye come forth. To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him. It is He Who begins creation; then repeats it; and for Him it is most easy. To Him belongs the loftiest similitude in the heavens and the earth: for He is exalted in might, full of wisdom” (v 22-27).
Amongst Muhammad’s natural theology most prominent is his mention the power of nature. The phenomena most frequently mentioned: the creation of the heavens and the earth, the creation of man, the various benefits towards men such as animals, the alternation of night and day, the shining of sun, moon and stars, the changing winds, the sending of rain and the restoration of life on the land, the movement of ships on the sea and the stability of the mountains.
Clear signs given despite Muhammad’s inability to perform miracles
“So verily thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs and turn away. Nor canst thou lead back the blind from their straying: only those wilt thou make to hear, who believe in Our signs and submit” (v 52, 53).
Unbelievers and believers at the resurrection
“Yet are there truly many among men who deny the meeting with their Lord (at the Resurrection)!” (v 8)
“On the day that the hour (of reckoning) will be established, the transgressors will swear that they tarried not but an hour: thus were they used to being deluded! But those endued with knowledge and faith will say: Indeed ye did tarry, within Allah’s decree, to the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection: but ye were not aware!” (v 55, 56)
The Arabs would be aware of the almost miraculous way in which the dead land was revived by rain. It was this miracle-like revival of the dead land that became Muhammad’s natural arguement for the general resurrection of the dead rather than the individual resurrection of Christ.
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