Message for Muslims

64 Sura At-Taghabun (Mutual Loss and Gain) Mecca/Medina

There are different suggestions for the title of this chapter possibly it is based upon verse 9 which states that that believers will gain Paradise and intimates that the unbelievers will enter hell. The familiar topics of God the Creator; the resurrection and the unity of God are again described, while men are called upon not to be distracted by wealth and children from their service to Allah.

God the Creator

“Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the praises and glory of Allah:

to Him belongs dominion, and to Him belongs praise: and He has power over all things.

It is He Who has created you; and of you are some that are unbelievers, and some that are believers:

and Allah sees well all that ye do.

He has created the heavens and the earth in just proportions,

and has given you shape, and made your shapes beautiful: and to Him is the final goal” (v 1-3).

 

Unbelievers rejected the prophets

“Has not the story reached you, of those who rejected faith aforetime? So they tasted the evil result of their conduct; and they had a grievous penalty. That was because there came to them messengers with clear signs, but they said: “Shall (mere) human beings direct us?” So they rejected (the message) and turned away. But Allah can do without (them): and Allah is free of all needs, worthy of all praise” (v 5, 6).

Unbelievers reject the resurrection

“The unbelievers think that they will not be raised up (for judgment). Say: “Yea, By my Lord, Ye shall surely be raised up:

then shall ye be told (the truth) of all that ye did. And that is easy for Allah.”(v 7)

Mutual loss and gain on Judgement Day

“The day that He assembles you (all) for a day of assembly, that will be a day of mutual loss and gain (among you),

and those who believe in Allah and work righteousness, He will remove from them their ills,

and He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: that will be the supreme achievement. (v 9)

Wealth and children must not distract from serving Allah

“O ye who believe! Truly, among your wives and your children are (some that are) enemies to yourselves: so beware of them!

But if ye forgive and overlook, and cover up (their faults), verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Your riches and your children may be but a trial: but in the presence of Allah, is the highest, reward (v 14, 15).

 

“If ye loan to Allah, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you forgiveness:

for Allah is most ready to appreciate (service), most forbearing.” (v 17)

 

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65 Sura At-Talaq (The Divorce)

The chapter contains laws concerning divorce, and the Arabs continue to be admonished to believe in one God.

Divorce in Islam

This subject is immense and cannot be discussed here in detail. The Muslim law of divorce is founded on the Quran and the traditions and its rules occupy a very large section in all Islamic works on jurisprudence. The right to one-sided dissolution of marriage belonged to the man exclusively, among the pre-Islamic Arabs and the Quran’s detailed instructions about this subject suggest that new rules, quite unknown to the Arabs were being introduced.

“O Prophet! When ye do divorce women, divorce them at their prescribed periods, and count (accurately), their prescribed periods: And fear Allah your Lord: and turn them not out of their houses, nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open lewdness, those are limits set by Allah: and any who transgresses the limits of Allah, does verily wrong his (own) soul” (v 1 and on to v 7)

Arabs admonished to believe by the fate of former nations

“How many populations that insolently opposed the command of their Lord and of His messengers, did we not then call to account, to severe account? and We imposed on them an exemplary punishment. Then did they taste the evil result of their conduct, and the end of their conduct was perdition. Allah has prepared for them a severe punishment (in the hereafter). Therefore fear Allah, O ye men of understanding who have believed! for Allah hath indeed sent down to you a message, A messenger, who rehearses to you the signs of Allah containing clear explanations” (v 8-11)

The seven storeys of heaven and earth

“Allah is He who created seven firmaments and of the earth a similar number.

Through the midst of them (all) descends His command:

that ye may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in (His) knowledge” (v 12).

Muhammad taught his followers that just as there are seven heavens one above another, so there are seven earths one beneath another, the distance between each of these regions is five hundred years (Mishkat, book 24 chapter 1 part 3)

 

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66 Sura At-Tahrim (The Prohibition)

The title of this chapter is taken from the first verse which reads “O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee?” Muslims consider Muhammad the ideal husband and the perfect example of how one should treat one’s wives with justice and equity. This chapter, however, shows that the harem at one time became so dysfunctional that Muhammad thought about divorcing all his wives! Examples of the wives of Noah and Lot are given to demonstrate the punishment awarded on unbelieving wives while Pharaoh’s wife and Mary, daughter of Imran are commended as examples of believing wives.

The termination of Muhammad’s oath

“O Prophet! Why holdest thou to be forbidden that which Allah has made lawful to thee? Thou seekest to please thy consorts.

But Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Allah has already ordained for you, the dissolution of your oaths:

and Allah is your Protector, and He is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (v 1, 2)

The Bible regards the taking of vows very seriously but here in this opening verse the Quran appears to relax this principle in order that the prophet can change his mind.

Matters spoken in confidence & threat to divorce his wives

“When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his consorts, and she then divulged it (to another), and Allah made it known to him, he confirmed part thereof and repudiated a part. Then when he told her thereof, she said, “Who told thee this?” He said, “He told me who knows and is well-acquainted.” If ye two turn in repentance to Him, your hearts are indeed so inclined; But if ye back up each other against him, truly Allah is his Protector, and Gabriel, and (every) righteous one among those who believe, and furthermore, the angels will back (him) up. It may be, if he divorced you (all), that Allah will give him in exchange consorts better than you, who submit (their wills), who believe, who are devout, who turn to Allah in repentance, who worship, who travel (for faith) and fast, previously married or virgins (v 2-5).

The household of Muhammad was not always a happy one. According to tradition on one occasion his two wives ‘Ayesha and Hafsa were involved in domestic tensions: Narrated Ibn Abbas: “O chief of the believers! (’Umar) Who were the two wives of the Prophet who aided one another against him?” He said, “They were Hafsa and ‘Aisha.” …….. Once while I was thinking over a certain matter, my wife said, “I recommend that you do so-and-so.” I said to her, “What have you got to do with the is matter? Why do you poke your nose in a matter which I want to see fulfilled?” She said, how strange you are, O son of Al-Khattab! You don’t want to be argued with whereas your daughter, Hafsa surely, argues with Allah’s Apostle so much that he remains angry for a full day!” ‘Umar then reported; how he at once put on his outer garment and went to Hafsa and said to her, “O my daughter! Do you argue with Allah’s Apostle so that he remains angry the whole day?” Hafsa said, “By Allah, we argue with him.” ‘Umar said, “Know that I warn you of Allah’s punishment and the anger of Allah’s Apostle . . . O my daughter! Don’t be betrayed by the one who is proud of her beauty because of the love of Allah’s Apostle for her (i.e. ‘Aisha).” (Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 435 see also Number 436)

Another situation occurred when Muhammad married Zainab bint Jahsh. This matter had been a cause of great jealousy so much so that ’Ayesha and Hafsa colluded together in order to try to get Muhammad to spend less attention on her.

Verse 5 above shows that the tension between his wives became so great on one occasion that Muhammad contemplated divorcing all his wives. This is confirmed by the following hadith: Narrated ‘Umar: The wives of the Prophet out of their jealousy backed each other against the Prophet, so I said to them, “It may be, if he divorced you all, that Allah will give him, instead of you wives better than you.” So this verse was revealed. (66.5) (Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 438)

Exhortations to believers

“O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing), the commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded” (v 6)

“O ye who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance: In the hope that your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow” (8)

Examples of the unbelieving wives Noah and Lot

“Allah sets forth, for an example to the unbelievers, the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot: they were under two of our righteous servants,

but they were false to their (husbands), and they profited nothing before Allah on their account, but were told:

“Enter ye the fire along with (others) that enter!”  (v 10)

In the Bible Noah’s wife entered the ark along with her husband and there is no hint of unbelief in Genesis 7:13.

 

Examples of believing wives Pharaoh’s wife and the Virgin Mary

“And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe the wife of Pharaoh:

Behold she said: “O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the garden, and save me from Pharaoh

and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong”;

And Mary the daughter of ‘Imran, who guarded her chastity;

and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit;

and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His revelations, and was one of the devout (v 11-12).

Muslim commentators state the wife of Pharaoh believed Moses and was punished intensely by her husband. With the aid of angels and with the view of the prepared mansion for her in paradise she overcame and was received into heaven.

 

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67 Sura Al-Mulk (Dominion) Mecca

The title of the chapter comes from verse one ”Blessed be He in whose hands is dominion; and He over all things hath power.” In this chapter the idolaters are warned of the consequences of rejecting Muhammad even though God’s power is actively displayed in different aspects of His created dominion.

God the Lord of heavens

“He who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out. And we have, adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and We have made such (lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the evil ones, and have prepared for them the penalty of the blazing fire” (v 3-5)

The state of the unbelievers in hell after rejecting the warner

“Every time a group is cast therein, its keepers will ask, “Did no warner come to you?” They will say: “Yes indeed; a warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said, ‘Allah never sent down any (message): ye are nothing but an egregious delusion!’” They will further say: “Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the companions of the blazing fire. They will then confess their sins: but far will be (forgiveness) from the companions of the blazing fire! (v 8-11)

The Creator God

“And whether ye hide your word or publish it, He certainly has knowledge, of the secrets of hearts. Should He not know, He that created? and He is the one that understands the finest mysteries (and) is well-acquainted (with them). It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the resurrection. Do ye feel secure that He who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)? Or do ye feel secure that He who is in heaven will not send against you a violent tornado, so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning? Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things. Say: “It is He Who has created you, and made for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give. Say: “It is He Who has multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered together.” (v 13-24)

 

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68 Sura Al-Qalam (The Pen) Mecca

“Nun. By the pen and the (record) which (men) write” (v 1)

This chapter, which is an early Meccan sura is also sometimes called Sura Nun

 

Muhammad not mad or an impostor

“Thou art not, by the grace of thy Lord, mad or possessed. Nay, verily for thee is a reward unfailing:

And thou (standest) on an exalted standard of character” (v 2-4).

“And the unbelievers would almost trip thee up with their eyes when they hear the message;

and they say: “Surely he is possessed!” (v 51)

Muhammad had considerable opposition from such persons as Abu Sufyan, Nadhir, Walid, ’Utba, Shaibu and others and his response was that his inspiration was from God. During the next two years the theory of divine inspiration becomes more fully developed and the infallibility of the Prophet more strenuously asserted.

Muhammad denounced by an opponent

“Heed not the type of despicable men, ready with oaths,

A slanderer, going about with calumnies, hindering good, transgressing beyond bounds, deep in sin,

Violent, with all that, base-born, because he possesses wealth and sons.

When to him are rehearsed Our signs, “Tales of the ancients”, he cries!

Soon shall We brand (the beast) on the snout!” (v 10-16)

The commentators are not agreed as the identity of the opponent but those who say it was Al Walid go on to explain that his nose was slit at the battle of Badr and that he went to the grave carrying that wound.

Punishment and fate of the selfish owner of a garden

“Verily We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden, when they resolved to gather the fruits of the (garden) in the morning. And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor)”“Then there came on the (garden) a visitation from thy Lord, (which swept away) all around, while they were asleep. So the (garden) became, by the morning, like a dark and desolate spot, As the morning broke, they called out, one to another, Saying: Go early to your tilth if you would cut (the produce). “Let not a single indigent person break in upon you into the (garden) this day.” But when they saw the (garden), they said: “We have surely lost our way: (v 17-28 and on to v.33)

The garden of palm trees was said to be owned by a charitable man, who at harvest time informed the poor so that they could come and gather the generous gleanings. After his death, his sons gave no such notice to the poor, but when they came to gather their harvest they found their plantation had been destroyed in the night.

Muhammad exhorted to be patient and be established like Jonah

“So wait with patience for the command of thy Lord, and be not like the companion of the fish, when he cried out in agony.

Had not grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been cast off on the nake

d shore, in disgrace.

Thus did his Lord choose him and make him of the company of the righteous.” (v 48-50)

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69 Sura Al-Haqqah (The Inevitable)

The principle subj ect is the certainty of the doctrine of a future judgement. It is expressed in the first verse in different ways by different translators 1. The sure reality! (Yusuf Ali); 2.The reality! (Pickthal); 3.The sure calamity! (Shakir)

Muslim belief about the last day

• It will be preceded by three blasts of a trumpet. At the first blast all creatures in heaven and earth will be struck with terror. At the second blast all creatures in heaven and earth will die. At the last blast, forty years later, all will be raised again for the judgement.
• It will be a general resurrection of men, angels, jinn and animals.
• There are differing views given by the commentators about the length of time for the judgement day. Many say the judgement will take half a day however, in sura 32:5 As-Sajdah the length of the day of judgement is said to be 1,000 years: “He rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth: in the end it will  go up to Him, on a day, the space whereof will be (as) a thousand years of your reckoning.” Others say the period will be 50,000 years based on sura 70:4 Al-Ma’arij “ The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years.”
• When all are assembled for judgement the angels will keep them waiting for 40 years (this period varies up to 50,000 according to differing commentators). After this, God will appear to judge them, and Muhammad will intercede for them after Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus have declined, feeling themselves so unworthy of so great a task.
• Each person will be examined from his own book of deeds which will have all his words and actions recorded. The righteous will receive their book in the right hand but the unrighteous will be forced to take their book in the left hands which will be bound behind their backs.
• All deeds and words (or, according to some, the books containing the records of those deeds and words) will be weighed in a balance scale – one balance being over paradise and the other over hell. Sura Al-Anbiya 21:47 records the setting up of the scales” We shall set up scales of justice for the day of judgement, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.” There is no salvation in Islam other than by works.

Here below is the outline of Sura 69 Al-Haqqah