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Al-Baqarah - 2:21
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Tawhid Al-Uluhiyyah
Allah says
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may acquire Taqwa.
Allah mentioned His Oneness in divinity and stated that He has favored His servants by bringing them to life after they did not exist.
He also surrounded them with blessings, both hidden and apparent.
Al-Baqarah - 2:22
الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الَارْضَ فِرَاشاً
Who has made the earth a resting place for you, He made the earth a resting place for them, just like the bed, stable with the firm mountains.
وَالسَّمَاء بِنَاء
And the sky as a canopy, meaning, 'a ceiling'.
Similarly, Allah said in another Ayah,
وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَأءَ سَقْفاً مَّحْفُوظاً وَهُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well-guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds). (21:32)
وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء
And sends down for you water (rain) from the sky, meaning, through the clouds, when they need the rain.
فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقاً لَّكُمْ
and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you.
Hence, Allah caused the various types of vegetation and fruits to grow as a means of sustenance for people and their cattle.
Allah reiterated this bounty in various parts of the Qur'an.
There is another Ayah that is similar to this Ayah (2:22), that is, Allah's statement,
الَّذِى جَعَـلَ لَكُـمُ الاٌّرْضَ قَـرَاراً وَالسَّمَأءَ بِنَـأءً وَصَوَّرَكُـمْ فَأَحْسَنَ صُوَرَكُـمْ وَرَزَقَكُـمْ مِّنَ الطَّيِّبَـتِ ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُـمْ فَتَـبَـرَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
It is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord, so Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all that exists. (40:64)
The meaning that is reiterated here is that Allah is the Creator, the Sustainer, the Owner and Provider of this life, all that is in and on it. Hence, He alone deserves to be worshipped, and no one and nothing is to be associated with Him.
This is why Allah said next,
فَلَ تَجْعَلُواْ لِلّهِ أَندَاداً وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونََ
Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He alone has the right to be worshipped).
The Two Sahihs record that Ibn Mas'ud said, "I said to the Messenger of Allah, 'Which evil deed is the worst with Allah?'
He said,
أَنْ تَجْعَلَ للهِ نِدًّا وَهُوَ خَلَقَك
To take an equal with Allah, while He alone created you."
Also, Mu'adh narrated the Prophet's statement,
أَتَدْرِي مَا حَقُّ اللهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ
أَنْ يَعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا يُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْيًا
Do you know Allah's right on His servants?
They must worship Him alone and refrain from associating anything with Him in worship.
Another Hadith states,
لَاا يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ مَا شَاءَ اللهُ وَشَاءَ فُلَانٌ وَلكِنْ لِيَقُلْ مَا شَاءَ اللهُ ثُمَّ شَاءَ فُلَان
None of you should say, 'What Allah and so-and-so person wills. Rather, let him say, 'What Allah wills, and then what so-and-so person wills.
A Hadith with the same Meaning
Imam Ahmad narrated that Al-Harith Al-Ashari said that the Prophet of Allah said,
إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّوَجَلَّ أَمَرَ يَحْيَى بْنَ زَكَرِيَّا عَلَيْهِ السَّلَمُ بِخَمْسِ كَلِمَاتٍ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِهِنَّ وَأَنْ يَأْمُرَ بَنِي إِسْرَايِيلَ أَنْ يَعْمَلُوا بِهِنَّ وَأَنَّهُ كَادَ أَنْ يُبْطِىءَ بِهَا
Allah commanded Yahya bin Zakariyya to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them, but Yahya was slow in carrying out these commands.
فَقَالَ لَهُ عِيسَى عَلَيْهِ السَّلَمُ إِنَّكَ قَدْ أُمِرْتَ بِخَمْسِ كَلِمَاتٍ أَنْ تَعْمَلَ بِهِنَّ وَتَأْمُرَ بَنِي إِسْرَايِيلَ أَنْ يَعْمَلُوا بِهِنَّ فَإِمَّا أَنْ تُبَلِّغَهُمْ وَإمَّا أَنْ أُبَلِّغَهُنَّ
'Isa said to Yahya, 'You were ordered to implement five commands and to order the Children of Israel to implement them. So either order, or I will do it.'
فَقَالَ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أَخْشَى إِنْ سَبَقْتَنِي أَنْ أُعَذَّبَ أَوْ يُخْسَفَ بِي قَالَ فَجَمَعَ يَحْيَى بْنُ زَكَرِيَّا بَنِي إِسْرَايِيلَ فِي بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ حَتَّى امْتَلََ الْمَسْجِدُ
Yahya said, 'My brother! I fear that if you do it before me, I will be punished or the earth will be shaken under my feet.' Hence, Yahya bin Zakariyya called the Children of Israel to Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), until they filled the Masjid.
فَقَعَدَ عَلَى الشَّرَفِ فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ
He sat on the balcony, thanked Allah and praised him and then said,
إِنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَنِي بِخَمْسِ كَلِمَاتٍ أَنْ أَعْمَلَ بِهِنَّ وَامُرَكُمْ أَنْ تَعْمَلُوا بِهِنَّ أَوَّلُهُنَّ أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْيًا فَإِنَّ مَثَلَ ذلِكَ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى عَبْدًا مِنْ خَالِصِ مَالِهِ بِوَرِقٍ أَوْ ذَهَبٍ فَجَعَلَ يَعْمَلُ وَيُوَدِّي غَلَّتَهُ إِلى غَيْرِ سَيِّدِهِ فَأَيُّكُمْ يَسُرُّهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَبْدُهُ كَذلِكَ وَإِنَّ اللهَ خَلَقَكُمْ وَرَزَقَكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْيًا
'Allah ordered me to implement five commandments and that I should order you to adhere to them. The first is that you worship Allah alone and not associate any with Him. The example of this command is the example of a man who bought a servant from his money with paper or gold. The servant started to work for the master, but was paying the profits to another person. Who among you would like his servant to do that Allah created you and sustains you. Therefore, worship Him alone and do not associate anything with Him.
وَامُرَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّ اللهَ يَنْصِبُ وَجْهَهُ لِوَجْهِ عَبْدِهِ مَا لَمْ يَلْتَفِتْ فَإِذَا صَلَّيْتُمْ فَلَا تَلْتَفِتُوا
I also command you to pray, for Allah directs His Face towards His servant's face, as long as the servant does not turn away. So when you pray, do not turn your heads to and fro.
وَامُرُكُمْ بِالصِّيَامِ فَإِنَّ مَثَلَ ذلِكَ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ مَعَهُ صُرَّةٌ مِنْ مِسْكٍ فِي عِصَابَةٍ كُلُّهُمْ يَجِدُ رِيحَ الْمِسْكِ وَإِنَّ خَلُوفَ فَمِ الصَّايِم أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ
I also command you to fast. The example of it is the example of a man in a group of men and he has some musk wrapped in a piece of cloth, and consequently, all of the group smells the scent of the wrapped musk. Verily, the odor of the mouth of a fasting person is better before Allah than the scent of musk.
وَامُرُكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ فَإِنَّ مَثَلَ ذلِكَ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ أَسَرَهُ الْعَدُوُّ فَشَدُّوا يَدَيْهِ إِلى عُنُقِهِ وَقَدَّمُوهُ لِيَضْرِبُوا عُنُقَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ هَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْ أَفْتَدِيَ نَفْسِي مِنْكُمْ فَجَعَلَ يَفْتَدِي نَفْسَهُ مِنْهُمْ بِالْقَلِيلِ وَالْكَثِيرِ حَتَّى فَكَّ نَفْسَهُ
I also command you to give charity. The example of this is the example of a man who was captured by the enemy. They tied his hands to his neck and brought him forth to cut off his neck. He said to them, 'Can I pay a ransom for myself?' He kept ransoming himself with small and large amounts until he liberated himself.
وَامُرُكُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللهِ كَثِيرًا وَإِنَّ مَثَلَ ذلِكَ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلِ طَلَبَهُ الْعَدُوُّ سِرَاعًا فِي أَثَرِهِ فَأَتَى حِصْنًا حَصِينًا فَتَحَصَّنَ فِيهِ وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَأَحْصَنَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ إِذَا كَانَ فِي ذِكْرِ الله
I also command you to always remember Allah. The example of this deed is that of a man who the enemy is tirelessly pursuing. He takes refuge in a fortified fort. When the servant remembers Allah, he will be resorting to the best refuge from Satan.
Al-Harith then narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,
وَأَنَا امُرُكُمْ بِخَمْسٍ اللهُ أَمَرَنِي بِهِنَّ
الْجَمَاعَةِ
وَالسَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ
وَالْهِجْرَةِ
وَالْجِهَادِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ
فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْجَمَاعَةِ قِيدَ شِبْرٍ فَقَدْ خَلَعَ رَبْقَةَ الاْإِسْلَإمِ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يُرَاجِعَ وَمَنْ دَعَا بِدَعْوَى جَاهِلِيَّةٍ فَهُوَ مِنْ جُثَى جَهَنَّم
And I order you with five commandments that Allah has ordered me.
Stick to the Jama'ah (community of the faithful),
listen and obey (your leaders) and
perform Hijrah (migration) and
Jihad for the sake of Allah.
Whoever abandons the Jama'ah, even the distance of a hand span, will have removed the tie of Islam from his neck, unless he returns. Whoever uses the slogans of Jahiliyah (the pre-Islamic period of ignorance) he will be among those kneeling in Jahannam (Hellfire).)
They said, "O Messenger of Allah! Even if he prays and fasts?"
He said,
وَإِنَّ صَلَّى وَصَامَ وَزَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ
فَادْعُوا الْمُسْلِمِينَ بِأَسْمَايِهِمْ عَلَى مَا سَمَّاهُمُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ الْمُوْمِنِينَ عِبَادَ الله
Even if he prays, fasts and claims to be Muslim.
So call the Muslims with their names that Allah has called them:'The Muslims, the believing servants of Allah.'
This is a Hasan Hadith, and it contains the statement, "Allah has created and sustains you, so worship Him and do not associate anything with Him in worship."
This statement is relevant in the Ayat (2:21-22) we are discussing here and support singling Allah in worship, without partners.
Signs of Allah's Existence
Several scholars of Tafsir, like Ar-Razi and others, used these Ayat as an argument for the existence of the Creator, and it is a most worthy method of argument. Indeed, whoever ponders over the things that exist, the higher and lower creatures, their various shapes, colors, behavior, benefits and ecological roles, then he will realize the ability, wisdom, knowledge, perfection and majesty of their Creator.
Once a Bedouin was asked about the evidence to Allah's existence, he responded, "All praise is due to Allah! The camel's dung testifies to the existence of the camel, and the track testifies to the fact that someone was walking. A sky that holds the giant stars, a land that has fairways and a sea that has waves, does not all of this testify that the Most Kind, Most Knowledgeable exists"
Hence, whoever gazes at the sky in its immensity, its expanse, and the various kinds of planets in it, some of which appear stationary in the sky - whoever gazes at the seas that surround the land from all sides, and the mountains that were placed on the earth to stabilize it, so that whoever lives on land, whatever their shape and color, are able to live and thrive - whoever reads Allah's statement,
وَمِنَ الْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَنُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالاٌّنْعَـمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَنُهُ كَذَلِكَ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ
And among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. And likewise, men and Ad-Dawabb (moving (living) creatures, beasts) and cattle are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah. (35:27-28)
Whoever thinks about the running rivers that travel from area to area bringing benefit, whoever ponders over what Allah has created on earth; various animals and plants of different tastes, scents, shapes and colors that are a result of unity between land and water, whoever thinks about all of this then he will realize that these facts testify to the existence of the Creator, His perfect ability, wisdom, mercy, kindness, generosity and His overall compassion for His creation. There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, nor is there a Lord besides Him, upon Him we rely and to Him we turn in repentance.
There are numerous Ayat in the Qur'an on this subject.
Al-Baqarah - 2:23
The Message of Messenger of Allah is True
Allah says;
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ وَادْعُواْ شُهَدَاءكُم مِّن دُونِ اللّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our servant (Muhammad), then produce a Surah of the like thereof and call your witnesses (supporters and helpers) besides Allah, if you are truthful.
Allah begins to prove the truth of Prophethood after He stated that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him.
Allah said to the disbelievers, وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا (And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our servant) meaning, Muhammad, فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ (then produce a Surah) meaning, similar to what he brought to you.
Hence, if you claim that what he was sent with did not come from Allah, then produce something similar to what he has brought to you, using the help of anyone you wish instead of Allah. However, you will not be able to succeed in this quest.
Ibn Abbas said that, شُهَدَاءكُم (your witnesses), means "Aids."
Also, As-Suddi reported that Abu Malik said the Ayah means, "Your partners, meaning, some other people to help you in that. Meaning then go and seek the help of your deities to support and aid you."
Also, Mujahid said that, وَادْعُواْ شُهَدَاءكُم (and call your witnesses) means, "People, meaning, wise and eloquent men who will provide the testimony that you seek."
The Challenge
Allah challenged the disbelievers in various parts of the Qur'an. For instance, Allah said in Surah Al-Qasas,
قُلْ فَأْتُواْ بِكِتَـبٍ مِّنْ عِندِ اللَّهِ هُوَ أَهْدَى مِنْهُمَأ أَتَّبِعْهُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ
Say (to them, O Muhammad):"Then bring a Book from Allah, which is a better guide than these two (the Tawrah (Torah) and the Qur'an), that I may follow it, if you are truthful". (28:49)
Also, Allah said in Surah Al-Isra,
قُل لَّيِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الاِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
Say:"If mankind and the Jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another." (17:88)
Allah said in Surah Hud,
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ قُلْ فَأْتُواْ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِ مُفْتَرَيَاتٍ وَادْعُواْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ
Or they say, "He (Prophet Muhammad) forged it (the Qur'an)."
Say: "Bring you then ten forged Surahs like it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allah (to your help), if you speak the truth!" (11:13)
and in Surah Yunus,
وَمَا كَانَ هَـذَا الْقُرْءَانُ أَن يُفْتَرَى مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَـكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِى بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَـلَمِينَ
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ قُلْ فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِ وَادْعُواْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـدِقِينَ
And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be produced by other than Allah (Lord of the heavens and the earth), but it is a confirmation of (the revelation) which was before it (i.e. the Tawrah, and the Injil), and a full explanation of the Book (i.e. Laws decreed for mankind) ـ wherein there is no doubt ـ from the Lord of all that exists.
Or do they say: "He (Muhammad) has forged it!"
Say :"Bring then a Surah like it, and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful!" (10:37-38)
All of these Ayat were revealed in Makkah.
Allah also challenged the disbelievers in the Ayat that were revealed in Al-Madinah.
In this Ayah, Allah said, وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِي رَيْبٍ (And if you (Arab pagans, Jews, and Christians) are in Rayb) meaning, doubt.
مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا (Concerning that which We have sent down (i.e. the Qur'an) to Our servant) meaning, Muhammad, فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ (then produce a Surah (chapter) the like thereof) meaning, similar to the Qur'an.
This is the Tafsir of Mujahid, Qatadah, Ibn Jarir At-Tabari, Az-Zamakhshari and Ar-Razi.
Ar-Razi said that this is the Tafsir of Umar, Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn Abbas, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and the majority of the scholars. And he gave preference to this view and mentioned the fact that Allah has challenged the disbelievers as individuals and as groups, whether literate or illiterate, thus making the challenge truly complete. This type of challenge is more daring than simply challenging the disbelievers who might not be literate or knowledgeable.
This is why Allah said, فَأْتُواْ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِ Bring you then ten forged Surahs like it (11:13) and, لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ They could not produce the like thereof. (17:88)
Therefore, this is a general challenge to the Arab disbelievers, the most eloquent among all nations. Allah challenged the Arab disbelievers both in Makkah and Al-Madinah several times, especially since they had tremendous hatred and enmity for the Prophet and his religion.
Al-Baqarah - 2:24
Yet, they were unable to succeed in answering the challenge, and this is why Allah said, فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُواْ وَلَن تَفْعَلُواْ But if you do it not, and you can never do it, indicating that they will never be able to answer the challenge.
This is another miracle, in that, Allah clearly stated without doubt that the Qur'an will never be opposed or challenged by anything similar to it, for eternity. This is a true statement that has not been changed until the present and shall never change.
How can anyone be able to produce something like the Qur'an, when the Qur'an is the Word of Allah Who created everything!
How can the words of the created ever be similar to the Words of the Creator!
Examples of the Miracle of the Qur'an
Whoever reads through the Qur'an will realize that it contains various levels of superiority through both the apparent and hidden meanings that it mentions.
Allah said,
الر كِتَابٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءايَـتُهُ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ
Alif Lam Ra. (This is) a Book, the verses whereof are perfect (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is Wise and well-acquainted (with all things). (11:1)
So the expressions in the Qur'an are perfect and its meanings are explained. Further, every word and meaning in the Qur'an is eloquent and cannot be surpassed. The Qur'an also mentioned the stories of the people of the past; and these accounts and stories occurred exactly as the Qur'an stated.
Also, the Qur'an commanded every type of righteousness and forbade every type of evil, just as Allah stated, وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَعَدْلاً And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. (6:115) meaning, true in the stories it narrates and just in its Laws.
The Qur'an is true, just and full of guidance. It does not contain exaggerations, lies or falsehood, unlike Arabic and other types of poems that contained lies. These poems, conform with the popular statement, "The most eloquent speech is the one that contains the most lies!"
Sometimes, one would find a long poem that mainly contains descriptions of women, horses or alcohol. Or, the poem might contain praise or the description of a certain person, horse, camel, war, incident, fear, lion, or other types of items and objects. Such praise or descriptions do not bring any benefit, except shed light on the poet's ability to clearly and eloquently describe such items. Yet, one will only be able to find one or two sentences in many long poems that elaborate on the main theme of the poem, while the rest of the poem contains insignificant descriptions and repetitions.
As for the Qur'an, it is entirely eloquent in the most perfect manner, as those who have knowledge in such matters and understand Arabic methods of speech and expressions concur.
When one reads through the stories in the Qur'an, he will find them fruitful, whether they were in extended or short forms, repeated or not. The more these stories are repeated, the more fruitful and beautiful they become. The Qur'an does not become old when one repeats reciting it, nor do the scholars ever get bored with it.
When the Qur'an mentions the subject of warning and promises, it presents truths that would make solid, firm mountains shake, so what about the comprehending, understanding hearts! When the Qur'an promises, it opens the hearts and the ears, making them eager to attain the abode of peace - Paradise - and to be the neighbors of the Throne of the Most Beneficent.
For instance, on the subject of promises and encouragement, the Qur'an said,
فَلَ تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَّأ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do. (32:17) and,
وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ الاٌّنْفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ الاٌّعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ
(There will be) therein all that inner selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever. (43:71)
On the subject of warning and discouragement;
أَفَأَمِنتُمْ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمْ جَانِبَ الْبَرِّ
Do you then feel secure that He will not cause a side of the land to swallow you up! (17:68) and,
أَءَمِنتُمْ مَّن فِى السَّمَأءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ الاٌّرْضَ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَمُورُ
أَمْ أَمِنتُمْ مِّن فِى السَّمَأءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَـصِباً فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ
Do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not cause the earth to sink with you, and then it should quake!
Or do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not send against you a violent whirlwind! Then you shall know how (terrible) has been My warning. (67:16-17)
On the subject of threats, the Qur'an said, فَكُلًّ أَخَذْنَا بِذَنبِهِ So We punished each (of them) for his sins. (29:40)
Also, on the subject of soft advice, the Qur'an said,
أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَـهُمْ سِنِينَ
ثُمَّ جَأءَهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يُوعَدُونَ
مَأ أَغْنَى عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُواْ يُمَتَّعُونَ
Tell Me, (even) if We do let them enjoy for years. And afterwards comes to them that (punishment) which they had been promised.
All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them. (26:205-207).
There are many other examples of the eloquence, beauty, and benefits of the Qur'an.
When the Qur'an is discussing Laws, commandments and prohibitions, it commands every type of righteous, good, pleasing and beneficial act. It also forbids every type of evil, disliked and amoral act.
Ibn Mas'ud and other scholars of the Salaf said, "When you hear what Allah said in the Qur'an, such as, يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ O you who believe! then listen with full attention, for it either contains a type of righteousness that Allah is enjoining, or an evil that He is forbidding."
For instance, Allah said,
يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَـهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَـتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَـيِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالاٌّغْلَـلَ الَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ
He (Muhammad) commands them for Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibat (i.e. all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khaba'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful things), he releases them from their heavy burdens and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. (7:157)
When the Ayat mention Resurrection and the horrors that will occur on that Day, and Paradise and the Fire and the joys and safe refuge that Allah prepared for His loyal friends, or torment and Hell for His enemies, these Ayat contain glad tidings or warnings. The Ayat then call to perform good deeds and avoid evil deeds, making the life of this world less favorable and the Hereafter more favorable. They also establish the correct methods and guide to Allah's straight path and just legislation, all the while ridding the hearts of the evil of the cursed devil.
The Qur'an is the Greatest Miracle given to the Prophet
The Two Sahihs record that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet said,
مَا مِنْ نَبِيَ مِنَ الاْاَنْبِيَاءِ إِلاَّ قَدْ أُعْطِيَ مِنَ الايَاتِ مَا امَنَ عَلَى مِثْلِهِ الْبَشَرُ وَإنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُه وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللهُ إِلَيَّ فَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَة
Every Prophet was given a miracle, the type of which brings mankind to faith. What I was given is a revelation that Allah sent down to me. Yet, I hope that I will have the most following on the Day of Resurrection.
This is the wording narrated by Muslim.
The Prophet stated that among the Prophets he was given a revelation, meaning, he was especially entrusted with the miraculous Qur'an that challenged mankind to produce something similar to it. As for the rest of the divinely revealed Books, they were not miraculous according to many scholars. Allah knows best.
The Prophet was also aided with innumerable signs and indications that testify to the truth of his Prophethood and what he was sent with, all thanks and praise is due to Allah.
Meaning of Stones
Allah said, فَاتَّقُواْ النَّارَ الَّتِي وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ Then fear the Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers.
'Fuel' is wood or similar substances, used to start and feed a fire.
Similarly, Allah said, وَأَمَّا الْقَـسِطُونَ فَكَانُواْ لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَباً And as for the Qasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the right path), they shall be firewood for Hell. (72:15) and,
إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَارِدُونَ
لَوْ كَانَ هَـوُلاءِ ءَالِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا وَكُلٌّ فِيهَا خَـلِدُونَ
Certainly you (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely) you enter it.
Had these (idols) been alihah (gods), they would not have entered there (Hell), and all of them will abide therein. (21:98-99)
The stones mentioned here are the giant, rotten, black, sulfuric stones that become the hottest when heated, may Allah save us from this evil end.
It was also reported that the stones mentioned here are the idols and rivals that were worshipped instead of Allah, just as Allah said, إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ Certainly you (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (21:28)
Allah's statement, أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ (prepared for the disbelievers), it appears most obvious that it refers to the Fire that is fueled by men and stones, and it also may refer to the stones themselves.
There is no contradiction between these two views, because they are dependent upon each other.
'Prepared' means, it is 'kept' and will surely touch those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger.
Ibn Ishaq narrated that Muhammad said that Ikrimah or Sa'id bin Jubayr said that Ibn Abbas said, أُعِدَّتْ لِلْكَافِرِينَ (prepared for the disbelievers), "For those who embrace the disbelief that you (disbelievers) have embraced."
Jahannam (Hellfire) exists now
Many of the Imams of the Sunnah used this Ayah to prove that the Fire exists now. This is because Allah said, أُعِدَّتْ (prepared) meaning, prepared and kept.
There are many Hadiths on this subject. For instance, the Prophet said, تَحَاجَّتِ الْجَنَّةُ وَالنَّار Paradise and the Fire had an argument..
Also, the Prophet said,
اسْتَأْذَنَتِ النَّارُ رَبَّهَا فَقَالَتْ رَبِّ أَكَلَ بَعضِي بَعْضًا فَأذِنَ لَهَا بِنَفَسَيْنِ نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْف
The Fire sought the permission of her Lord. She said, 'O my Lord! Some parts of me consumed the other parts.' And Allah allowed her two periods to exhale, one in winter and one in summer.
Also, there is a Hadith recorded from Ibn Mas'ud that the Companions heard the sound of a falling object. When they asked about it, the Messenger of Allah said,
هَذَا حَجَرٌ أُلْقِيَ بِهِ مِنْ شَفِيرِ جَهَنَّمَ مُنْذُ سَبْعِينَ سَنَةً الاْنَ وَصَلَ إِلى قَعْرِهَا
This is a stone that was thrown from the top of Jahannam seventy years ago, but only now reached its bottom.
This Hadith is in Sahih Muslim.
There are many Hadiths that are Mutawatir (narrated by many different chains of narrations) on this subject, such as the Hadiths about the eclipse prayer, the night of Isra etc.
Allah's statements, فَأْتُواْ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ (Then produce a Surah of the like thereof) (2:23), and, بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِ (A Surah like it) (10:38), this includes the short and long Surahs of the Qur'an. Therefore, the challenge to creation stands with regards to both the long and short Surahs, and there is no disagreement that I know of on this fact between the scholars of old and new.
Before he became Muslim, Amr bin Al-'As met Musaylimah the Liar who asked him, "What has recently been revealed to your fellow (meaning Muhammad) in Makkah?"
Amr said, "A short, yet eloquent Surah."
He asked, "What is it?"
He said,
وَالْعَصْرِ
إِنَّ الاِنسَـنَ لَفِى خُسْرٍ
By Al-'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, (103:1-2)
Musaylimah thought for a while and said, "A similar Surah was also revealed to me."
Amr asked, "What is it?"
He said, "O Wabr, O Wabr (i.e. a wild cat), you are but two ears and a chest, and the rest of you is unworthy and thin."
Amr said, "By Allah! You know that I know that you are lying.
Al-Baqarah - 2:25
Rewards of Righteous Believers
After mentioning the torment that Allah has prepared for His miserable enemies who disbelieve in Him and in His Messengers, He mentions the condition of His happy, loyal friends who believe in Him and in His Messengers, adhere to the faith and perform the good deeds. This is the reason why the Qur'an was called Mathani, based on the correct opinion of the scholars. We will elaborate upon this subject later.
Mathani means to mention faith and then disbelief, or vice versa. Or, Allah mentions the miserable and then the happy, or vice versa.
As for mentioning similar things, it is called Tashabbuh, as we will come to know, Allah willing.
Allah said,
وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِين امَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الَانْهَارُ
And give glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous good deeds, that for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise),
Consequently, Allah stated that Paradise has rivers that run beneath it, meaning, underneath its trees and rooms.
From Hadiths it is learned that the rivers of Paradise do not run in valleys, and that the banks of Al-Kawthar (the Prophet's lake in Paradise) are made of domes of hollow pearls, the sand of Paradise is made of scented musk while its stones are made from pearls and jewels. We ask Allah to grant Paradise to us, for verily, He is the Most Beneficent, Most Gracious.
Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ تَفَجَّرُ تَحْتَ تِلَلٍ أَوْ مِنْ تَحْتِ جِبَالِ الْمِسْ
The rivers of Paradise spring from beneath hills, or mountains of musk.
He also reported from Masruq that Abdullah said, "The rivers of Paradise spring from beneath mountains of musk."
The similarity between the Fruits of Paradise
Allah said next,
كُلَّمَا رُزِقُواْ مِنْهَا مِن ثَمَرَةٍ رِّزْقاً قَالُواْ هَـذَا الَّذِي رُزِقْنَا مِن قَبْلُ
Every time they will be provided with a fruit therefrom, they will say:"This is what we were provided with before".
Ibn Abi Hatim reported that Yahya bin Abi Kathir said, "The grass of Paradise is made of saffron, its hills from musk and the boys of everlasting youth will serve the believers with fruits which they will eat. They will then be brought similar fruits, and the people of Paradise will comment, `This is the same as what you have just brought us.' The boys will say to them, `Eat, for the color is the same, but the taste is different.
Hence Allah's statement, وَأُتُواْ بِهِ مُتَشَابِهاً and they will be given things in resemblance."
Abu Jafar Ar-Razi narrated that Ar-Rabi bin Anas said that Abu Al-Aliyah said that,
وَأُتُواْ بِهِ مُتَشَابِهاً (and they will be given things in resemblance) means, "They look like each other, but the taste is different."
Also, Ikrimah said, وَأُتُواْ بِهِ مُتَشَابِهاً (and they will be given things in resemblance), "They are similar to the fruits of this life, but the fruits of Paradise taste better."
Sufyan Ath-Thawri reported from Al-Amash, from Abu Thubyan, that Ibn Abbas said, "Nothing in Paradise resembles anything in the life of this world, except in name."
In another narration, Ibn Abbas said, "Only the names are similar between what is in this life and what is in Paradise."
The Wives of the People of Paradise are Pure
Allah said, وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا أَزْوَاجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ and they shall have therein Azwajun Mutahharatun, Ibn Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas said, "Purified from filth and impurity."
Also, Mujahid said, "From menstruation, relieving the call of nature, urine, spit, semen and pregnancies."
Also, Qatadah said, "Purified from impurity and sin."
In another narration, he said, "From menstruation and pregnancies."
Further, Ata, Al-Hasan, Ad-Dahhak, Abu Salih, Atiyah and As-Suddi were reported to have said similarly.
Allah's statement, وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُون and they will abide therein forever. Meaning ultimate happiness, for the believers will enjoy everlasting delight, safe from death and disruption of their bliss, for it never ends or ceases.
We ask Allah to make us among these believers, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind and Most merciful.
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