Surah Al A'raf Notes (200-206)

(200) And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitan (Satan) then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

(And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan), "If the devil lures you to get angry, thus directing you away from forgiving the ignorant and towards punishing him (then seek refuge with Allah.) Allah commands here to seek refuge with Him from the devil's whispers, (Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.) Allah hears the ignorance that the fools subject you to, your seeking refuge with Him from the devil's whispers, and the rest of the speech of His creation; none of it escapes His knowledge. He knows what drives the lures of the devil away from you, as well as, the rest of what His creatures do.'' 

The Whispering of Shaytan and the People of Taqwa

(201) Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqun, when an evil thought comes to them from Shaitan (Satan), they remember (Allah), and (indeed) they then see (aright).

Allah mentions His servants who have Taqwa, obeying His orders, and avoid what He forbade.

(when comes to them) an evil thought, or anger, or the whispers of Shaytan cross their mind, or intend to err, or commit an error.

(they remember) Allah's punishment, as well as, His tremendous reward. They remember Allah's promises and threats, then repent, go back to Him, seek refuge with Him and ask for forgiveness before death.

(and (indeed) they then see (aright)) they become aright and aware of the error of their ways.

A Brethren of Devils among Mankind lure to Falsehood

(202) But (as for) their brothers (the devils) they (i.e. the devils) plunge them deeper into error, and they never stop short.

(But (as for) their brothers they plunge them deeper) in reference to the devils' brothers among mankind.

(Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayatin) ﴿17:27﴾ for they are followers of the Shayatin, who listen to them and obey their orders.

(They plunge them deeper into error) the devils help them commit sins, making this path easy and appealing to them.

(and they never stop short) for the devils never cease inciting mankind to commit errors.


Idolators ask to witness Miracles

(203) And if you do not bring them a miracle [according to their (i.e. Quraish-pagans') proposal], they say: "Why have you not brought it?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This (the Quran) is nothing but evidences from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe." 

(And if you do not bring them a miracle, they say: "Why have you not brought it'') "They say, `Produce a miracle of your own. The pagans asked the Prophet, why did you not strive hard to bring us an Ayah (miracle) from Allah so that we witness it and believe in it.

(Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord.'') I do not ask such things of my Lord. I only follow what He reveals and commands me. Therefore, if Allah sends a miracle, I will accept it. Otherwise, I will not ask for it unless He allows me. Certainly, Allah is Most Wise, the All-Knower. 

 Allah next directs the servants to the fact that this Qur'an is the most powerful miracle, clearest evidence and most true proof and explanation, saying, (This (the Qur'an) is nothing but evidences from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.)


The Order to listen to the Qur'an

(204) So, when the Quran is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy. [i.e. during the compulsory congregational prayers when the Imam (of a mosque) is leading the prayer (except Surat Al-Fatiha), and also when he is delivering the Friday-prayer Khutbah].

After Allah mentioned that this Qur'an is a clear evidence, guidance and mercy for mankind, He commanded that one listen to the Qur'an when it is recited, in respect and honor of the Qur'an. This is to the contrary of the practice of the pagans of Quraysh, who said, ("Listen not to this Qur'an, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation)'') 


Remembering Allah in the Mornings and Afternoons

(205) And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.

(And glorify the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting.) ﴿50:39﴾ Before the night of Isra', when the five daily prayers were ordained, this Ayah was revealed in Makkah ordering that Allah be worshipped at these times.

(humbly and with fear) meaning, remember your Lord in secret, not loudly, with eagerness and fear.

(and without loudness in words). Therefore, it is recommended that remembering Allah in Dhikr is not performed in a loud voice. 

(206) Surely, those who are with your Lord (angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him, but they glorify His Praise and prostrate before Him.

(Surely, those who are with your Lord (i.e., angels) are never too proud to perform acts of worship to Him) Allah reminded the servants of this fact so that they imitate the angels in their tireless worship and obedience of Allah. Prostration, here, upon the mention that the angels prostrate to Allah is legitimate. 

(Why not you stand in line (for the prayer) like the angels stand in line before their Lord They continue the first then the next lines and they stand close to each other in line. ) This is the first place in the Qur'an where it has been legitimized -- according to the agreement of the scholars -- for the readers of the Qur'an, and those listening to its recitation, to perform prostration.

Surah Al A'raf - Summary

Introduction  

It is a Meccan Surah which is revealed before Surah Al An’am. It is the longest of all Meccan Surahs with 206 verses. It gets its name from an elevated place called A’raf which is between Paradise and Hell.

1 - 31	·        The Rasools as well as the people to whom they were sent shall be questioned on the Day of Judgment. ·        The Scale of Justice shall be established. ·        The Story of Adam and Iblees. Adam and Eve’s repentance. ·        Warning against falling in trap of Shaiytan.
32 - 58	·        Command of Allah to wear decent and proper dress, and eat good food. ·        Children of Adam are directed to follow the Guidance of Allah which is brought by the Rasools. ·        The Gates of heaven will not open for the disbelievers. Only believers will enter the Paradise. ·        Dialogue between the residents of Paradise and inmates of Hell. ·        Dialogue between People of A’raf and Inmates of Hell. They shall beg for water & food from people of Paradise. ·        Allah is the One who created this Universe and Pray to Allah with fear and hope.
59 -99	·        Story of Prophet Nuh and the disbelief of his People. ·        Story of Prophet Hud and the disbelief of his People. ·        Story of Prophet Saleh and the disbelief of his People. ·        Story of Prophet Lut and the disbelief of his People. ·        Story of Prophet Shuaib and the disbelief of his People. ·        Adversity and Prosperity are reminders from Allah.
100 - 157	·        Prophet Musa was sent for the Guidance of Pharoah and his Chiefs. ·        Musa’s confrontation with the Magicians of Pharoah. ·        Pharoah’s revenge against the People of Moses. ·        Final destruction of Pharoah and his Chiefs from Allah as punishment. ·        Allah rescued Children of Israel but still they disbelieved in One God. ·        Musa’s communication with Allah. Musa was given written tablets of Torah. ·        Israelites started worshipping the calf. ·        The advent of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was described in Torah and Gospel.
158 - 171	·        Muhammed (PBUH) is the Prophet for the whole mankind. ·        Allah provided food and water to the people of Musa in the desert. ·        Jewish Sabbath and its violation. ·        Jew’s wrong belief about Allah’s forgiveness.
172 - 206	·        Mankind’s testimony at the time of Adam’s creation that Allah is their Rabb. ·        Example of those who deny Allah’s revelation. ·        Misguided people are like animals, even worse. ·        Those who deny Allah’s revelation are drawing closer to destruction. ·        The Prophet himself has no power to benefit anyone or to avert any harm. ·        Allah created the whole of mankind from a single soul. ·        Show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant. ·        When Quran is being recited listen to it with complete silence.

Surah Al A'raf Notes (193-199)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

(193) And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or you keep silent.

(And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not.) Allah says, these idols do not hear the calls of those who worship them. Therefore, the result is the same, whether calling the idols or shunning them.

 Ibrahim, peace be upon said, ("O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not and cannot avail you in anything'') ﴿19:42﴾

(194) Verily, those whom you call upon besides Allah are slaves like you. So call upon them and let them answer you if you are truthful.

 Next, Allah states that the idols were created, just as those who worship them. Rather, the people are better than the idols, because they are able to hear, see and exert harm. The idols, on the other hand, have no such powers.

(195) Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear? Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite!

(196) "Verily, my Wali (Protector, Supporter, and Helper, etc.) is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Quran), and He protects (supports and helps) the righteous.

(Verily, my protector is Allah Who has revealed the Book (the Qur'an), and He protects the righteous.) Allah's support is sufficient and He will suffice for me, He is My supporter, I trust in Him and take refuge with Him. He is my protector, in this life and the Hereafter, and the protector of every righteous believer after me. 

(197) "And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allah) cannot help you nor can they help themselves."

(198) And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not.

(and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not.) meaning, they have eyes that stare as if they see, although they are solid. Therefore, the Ayah treated them as if they had a mind ﴿saying, Tarahum, instead of Taraha﴾, since they are made in the shape of humans with eyes drawn on them.

Showing Forgiveness

(199) Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don't punish them).

 Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Yunus said that Sufyan bin `Uyaynah narrated that Umay said, "When Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this Ayah, (Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-`Urf (what is good), and turn away from the foolish) to His Prophet, the Messenger of Allah asked, (`What does it mean, O Jibril) Jibril said, `Allah commands you to forgive those who wronged you, give to those who deprived you, and keep relations with those who cut theirs with you.'

 Some scholars said that people are of two kinds, a good-doer, so accept his good doing and neither ask him more than he can bear nor what causes him hardship. The other kind is the one who falls in shortcomings, so enjoin righteousness on him. If he still insists on evil, becomes difficult and continues in his ignorance, then turn away from him, so that your ignoring him might avert his evilness. 

(The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient -- and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion in this world.) ﴿41:34-35

Surah Al A'raf Notes (188-192)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Messenger does not know the Unseen, and He cannot bring Benefit or Harm even to Himself

 (188) Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allah wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe."

Allah commanded His Prophet to entrust all matters to Him and to inform, about himself, that he does not know the unseen future, but he knows of it only what Allah informs him.

(If I had the knowledge of the Ghayb (Unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth.) refers to money. In another narration, Ibn `Abbas commented, "I would have knowledge of how much profit I would make with what I buy, and I would always sell what I would make profit from.

("and no evil should have touched me.'') and poverty would never touch me.


All Mankind are the Offspring of Adam

 (189) It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her. And when he covers her, she carries a light burden and continues therein. And when it becomes heavy, they both invoke Allah , their Lord, "If You should give us a good [child], we will surely be among the grateful."

(And (then) He has created from him his wife, in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her.) so that he is intimate and compassionate with her.

Indeed, there is no intimacy between two souls like that between the spouses. This is why Allah mentioned that the sorcerer might be able with his trick to separate between a man and his wife ﴿thus indicating the difficulty of separating them in normal circumstances.

(When he covered her) meaning had sexual intercourses with her.

(she became pregnant and she carried it about lightly) in reference to the first stage of pregnancy when the woman does not feel pain, for at that time, the fetus will be just a Nutfah (the mixture of the male and female discharge), then becomes an `Alaqah (a piece of thick coagulated blood) and then a Mudghah (a small lump of flesh).

(and she carried it about), she continued the pregnancy.

(Then when it became heavy), she became heavier with the fetus.

(they both invoked Allah, their Lord (saying): "If You give us a Salih child,) if he is born human in every respect.

 (190) But when He gave them a Salih (good in every aspect) child, they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them. High be Allah, Exalted above all that they ascribe as partners to Him. 

(they ascribed partners to Him (Allah) in that which He has given to them)  This Ayah refers to those among the offspring of Adam who fell into Shirk.


Idols do not create, help, or have Power over Anything

(191) Do they attribute as partners to Allah those who created nothing but they themselves are created?

(192) No help can they give them, nor can they help themselves.

Allah admonishes the idolators who worshipped idols, rivals and images besides Him, although these objects were created by Allah, and neither own anything nor can they bring harm or benefit. These objects do not see or give aid to those who worship them. They are inanimate objects that neither move, hear, or see. Those who worship these objects are better than they are, for they hear see and have strength of their own.

Surah A'raf Notes (187) | The Last Hour and its Portents

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Last Hour and its Portents

(187) They ask you about the Hour (Day of Resurrection): "When will be its appointed time?" Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (Alone). None can reveal its time but He. Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden." They ask you as if you have a good knowledge of it. Say: "The knowledge thereof is with Allah (Alone) but most of mankind know not."

 Allah commanded His Messenger that when asked about the appointed term of the Last Hour, he referred its knowledge to Allah, the Exalted. Only Allah knows the Last Hour's appointed term and when it will certainly occur, and none besides Him has this knowledge.
(Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth) "Its knowledge is heavy on the residents of the heavens and earth, they do not have knowledge in it.
(Heavy is its burden through the heavens and the earth.) "When it commences, the heavens will be torn, the stars will scatter all over, the sun will be wound round (thus losing its light), the mountains will be made to pass away and all of which Allah spoke of will occur. 
(It shall not come upon you except all of a sudden.) He then said, "We were informed that Allah's Prophet said, 
The Hour will start (suddenly) for the people while one is mending his watering hole, giving water to his cattle, setting his goods in the market or lowering his scale and raising it (selling and buying).''

 Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said, (The Hour will not commence until the sun rises from the west. When it rises (from the west) and the people see it, then, all people will believe. However, this is when faith does not benefit a soul that did not believe beforehand nor earned good in faith. The Hour will (all of a sudden) commence while two men have spread a garment between them, and they will neither have time to conclude the transaction nor to fold the garment. The Hour will commence after a man milked his animal, but he will not have time to drink it. The Hour will start when a man is making his watering hole (for his animals), but will not have time to make use of the pool. And the Hour will commence while a man has raised his hand with a bite to his mouth, but will not eat it.)

When Jibril came in the shape of a bedouin man to teach the people matters of their religion, he sat next to the Messenger of Allah asking him as if to learn. Jibril asked the Messenger about Islam, then about Iman (faith) then about Ihsan (Excellence in the religion). He asked next, "When will the Hour start'' Allah's Messenger said, (He who is asked about it has no more knowledge of it than the questioner.) Therefore, the Prophet was saying, `I have no more knowledge in it than you (O Jibril), nor does anyone have more knowledge in it than anyone else.' 

Surah Al A'raf Notes (130-137)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

Fir`awn and His People suffer Years of Drought

 (130) And indeed We punished the people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) with years of drought and shortness of fruits (crops, etc.), that they might remember (take heed).

 (131) But whenever good came to them, they said: "Ours is this." And if evil afflicted them, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Musa (Moses) and those with him. Be informed! Verily, their evil omens are with Allah but most of them know not.

 But whenever good came to them) such as a fertile season and provisions, (they said, "This is for us.''), because we deserve it,
(and if evil afflicted them) drought and famine,
(they considered it an omen Musa and those with him. ) saying that this hardship is because of them and what they have done.
(Verily, their omens are with Allah) "Allah says that their afflictions are with and from Him, (but most of them know not.)''


Allah punishes the People of Fir`awn because of Their Rebellion

 (132) They said [to Musa (Moses)]: "Whatever Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) you may bring to us, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you."

("Whatever Ayat you may bring to us, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you.'') They said, `whatever miracle, proof and evidence you bring us, we will neither accept it from you nor believe in you or what you came with.' 

(133) So We sent on them: the flood, the locusts, the lice, the frogs, and the blood: (as a succession of) manifest signs, yet they remained arrogant, and they were of those people who were Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.).

(So We sent on them the Tufan) Ibn `Abbas commented; "It was a heavy rain that ruined the produce and fruits.'' He is also reported to have said that Tuwfan refers to mass death. Mujahid said it is water that carries the plague every where. As for the locust, it is the well-known insect, which is permissible to eat.

Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "When Musa came to Fir`awn, he demanded, `Release the Children of Israel to me.' But, Fir`awn did not comply; and Allah sent the Tuwfan, and that is a rain which continued until they feared that it was a form of torment. They said to Musa, `Invoke your Lord to release us from this rain, and we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel with you.' Musa invoked his Lord and He removed the affliction from them. However, they did not believe, nor did they send the Children of Israel with him. In that year, Allah allowed (the earth) to grow various types of produce, fruits and grass for them as never before. They said, `This is what we hoped for.' So Allah sent the locusts, and the locusts started to feed on the grass. When they saw the effect the locusts had on the grass, they knew that no vegetation would be saved from devastation. They said, `O Musa! Invoke your Lord so that He will remove the locusts from us, and we will believe in you and release the Children of Israel to you.' Musa invoked his Lord, and He removed the locusts. Still, they did not believe and did not send the Children of Israel with him.

They collected grains and kept them in their homes. They said, `We saved our crops.' However, Allah sent the Qummal, grain bugs, and one of them would take ten bags of grains to the mill, but only reap three small bags of grain. They said, `O Musa! Ask your Lord to remove the Qummal (weevil) from us and we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel with you.' Musa invoked his Lord, and Allah removed the Qummal from them. However, they did not send the Children of Israel with him. Once, when he was with Fir`awn, Musa heard the sound of a frog and said to Fir`awn, `What will you and your people suffer from this (the frogs)' Fir`awn said, `What can frogs do' Yet, by the time that night arrived a person would be sitting in a crowd of frogs that reached up to his chin and could not open his mouth to speak without a frog jumping in it. They said to Musa, `Invoke your Lord to remove these frogs from us, and we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel with you.' Musa invoked his Lord, but they did not believe.

Allah then sent blood that filled the rivers, wells and the water containers they had. They complained to Fir`awn, saying, `We are inflicted with blood and do not have anything to drink.' He said, `Musa has bewitched you.' They said, `How could he do that when whenever we look for water in our containers we found that it has turned into blood' They came to Musa and said, `Invoke your Lord to save us from this blood, and we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel with you.' Musa invoked his Lord and the blood stopped, but they did not believe nor send the Children of Israel with him.'' A similar account was attributed to Ibn `Abbas, As-Suddi, Qatadah and several others among the Salaf. Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar said, "The enemy of Allah, Fir`awn, went back defeated and humiliated, after the sorcerers believed (in Musa). He insisted on remaining in disbelief and persisted in wickedness. Allah sent down the signs to him, and he (and his people) were first inflicted by famine. Allah then sent the flood, the locusts, the Qummal, the frogs then blood, as consecutive signs. When Allah sent the flood, it filled the surface of the earth with water. But the water level receded, and they could not make use of it to till the land or do anything else. They became hungry. 

 (134) And when the punishment fell on them they said: "O Musa (Moses)! Invoke your Lord for us because of His Promise to you. If you will remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you."

(They said: "O Musa! Invoke your Lord for us because of His promise to you. If you remove the punishment from us, we indeed shall believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you.'') Musa invoked his Lord and He removed the affliction from them, but they did not keep their promises. So Allah sent locusts that ate the trees and consumed the nails on their doors, until the doors fell from their homes and residences. They again said what they said to Musa before, and he called on his Lord and He removed the affliction. Still, they did not keep their promises, and Allah sent the Qummal. Musa, peace be upon him, was commanded to go to a mound and strike it with his staff. So Musa went to a huge mound, struck it with his staff and the Qummal fell out of it in tremendous numbers, until they overwhelmed the houses and food reserves, ultimately depriving them of sleep and rest. When they suffered under this affliction, they said similar to what they said before, and Musa invoked his Lord and He removed the affliction. They did not keep their promise and Allah sent the frogs to them, and they filled the houses, foods and pots. One of them would not pick up a piece of clothing, or uncover some food, without finding frogs in it. When this affliction became hard on them, they made similar promises as before, Musa supplicated to his Lord and Allah removed the affliction. They did not keep any of the promises they made, and Allah sent the blood, and the waters of the people of Fir`awn turned to blood. Any water they collected from a well, a river, or a container, turned to blood.''

 (135) But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term, which they had to reach, behold! They broke their word!

The People of Fir`awn drown in the Sea; the Children of Israel inherit the Holy Land

 (136) So We took retribution from them. We drowned them in the sea, because they belied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and were heedless about them.

Allah states that when the people of Fir`awn rebelled and transgressed, even though He inflicted them with consecutive signs, one after another, He took retribution from them by drowning them in the sea that Musa parted by Allah's power, and he and the Children of Israel passed through. In their pursuit, Fir`awn and his soldiers went in the sea chasing Musa and his people. When they all had gone inside the water, the sea closed in on them and they all drowned, because they belied the Ayat of Allah and were heedless of them. Allah said that He has granted the people who were considered weak, the Children of Israel, to inherit the eastern and western parts of the land. 

(137) And We made the people who were considered weak to inherit the eastern parts of the land and the western parts thereof which We have blessed. And the fair Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because of their endurance. And We destroyed completely all the great works and buildings which Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his people erected.

(...the eastern parts of the land and the western parts thereof which We have blessed.) refers to the Sham area (Greater Syria). 

(And the fair Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because of their endurance.) is explained by Allah's other statement, (And We wished to do a favor to those who were weak (and oppressed) in the land, and to make them rulers and to make them the inheritors. And to establish them in the land, and We let Fir`awn and Haman and their hosts receive from them that which they feared) ﴿28:5-6

(And We destroyed what Fir`awn and his people produced,) meaning, We destroyed what Fir`awn and his people produced, such as agriculture and buildings.

(they erected) means, they built.

Surah Al A'raf Notes (178 - 186) | Guidance is only from Allah

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

 (178) Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the guided one, and whomsoever He sends astray, those! They are the losers.

 Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the guided one, and whomsoever He sends astray, -- then those! They are the losers.) Allah says, whomever He leads aright, then none can lead him to misguidance, and whomever He leads astray, will have acquired failure, loss and sure misguidance. Verily, whatever Allah wills occurs; and whatever He does not will, does not occur.

A Hadith narrated from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud reads

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ للهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَهْدِيهِ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا، مَنْ يَهْدِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللهُ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُه»

(All praise is due to Allah, Whom we praise and seek help, guidance and forgiveness from. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils within ourselves and from the burden of our evil deeds. He whom Allah guides, will never be misled; and he whom He misguides, will never have one who will guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah without partners and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.)


Disbelief and the Divine Decree

(179)And surely, We have created many of the jinns and mankind for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not (the truth). They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless ones.

Allah said,
 (And surely, We have created for Hell) We made a share in the Fire for,

 (many of the Jinn and mankind) We prepared them for it by their performance of the deeds of its people. When Allah intended to create the creation, He knew what their work will be before they existed. He wrote all this in a Book, kept with Him, fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth.

Muslim recorded that `Abdullah bin `Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, (Verily, Allah decided the destination and due measurement of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and earth, and His Throne was over the water.)

(They have hearts wherewith they understand not, and they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not.) meaning, they do not benefit from these senses that Allah made for them as a means of gaining guidance. 

(They are like cattle), means, those who neither hear the truth, nor understand it, nor see the guidance, are just like grazing cattle that do not benefit from these senses, except for what sustains their life in this world. 

(nay even more astray), than cattle, because cattle still respond to the call of their shepherd, even though they do not understand what he is saying. As for the people described here, they are unlike cattle, which fulfill the purpose and service they were created for. The disbeliever was created to worship Allah alone in Tawhid, but he disbelieved in Allah and associated others in His worship. Therefore, those people who obey Allah are more honorable than some angels, while cattle are better than those who disbelieve in Him.

Other related verses in Quran  

• Allah also said about the hypocrites,(They are) deaf, dumb, and blind, so they return not (to the right path)) ﴿2:18
• (Had Allah known of any good in them, He would indeed have made them listen; and even if He had made them listen, they would but have turned away with aversion (to the truth).) ﴿8:23
• (Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.) ﴿22:46
• (And whosoever turns away blindly from the remembrance of the Most Gracious (Allah), We appoint for him Shaytan to be an intimate companion to him. And verily, they hinder them from the path, but they think that they are guided aright!)﴿43:36-37 

Allah's Most Beautiful Names

(180) And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, (Verily, Allah has ninety-nine Names, a hundred less one; whoever counts (and preserves) them, will enter Paradise. Allah is Witr (One) and loves Al-Witr (the odd numbered things).

 We should state that Allah's Names are not restricted to only ninety-nine. 

`Abdullah bin Mas`ud said that the Messenger of Allah said; (Any person who is overcome by sadness or grief and supplicates, `O Allah! I am Your servant, son of Your female servant. My forelock is in Your Hand. Your decision concerning me shall certainly come to pass. Just is Your Judgement about me. I invoke You by every Name that You have and that You called Yourself by, sent down in Your Book, taught to any of Your creatures, or kept with You in the knowledge of the Unseen that is with You. Make the Glorious Qur'an the spring of my heart, the light of my chest, the remover of my grief and the dissipater of my concern.' Surely, Allah will remove his grief and sadness and exchange them for delight.) The Prophet was asked "O Messenger of Allah! Should we learn these words'' He said, "Yes. It is an obligation on all those who hear this supplication to learn it." 

(and leave the company of those who belie His Names) "They derived Al-Lat (an idol's name) from Allah, and Al-`Uzza (another idol) from Al-`Aziz (the All-Mighty).'' Qatadah stated that Ilhad refers to associating others with Allah in His Names (such as calling an idol Al-`Uzza). The word Ilhad ﴿used in the Ayah in another from﴾ means deviation, wickedness, injustice and straying. The hole in the grave is called Lahd, because it is a hole within a hole, that is turned towards the Qiblah (the direction of the prayer).

(181) And of those whom We have created, there is a community who guides (others) with the truth, and establishes justice therewith.

(And of those whom We have created), in reference to some nations,
(a community), that stands in truth, in words and action,
(who guides (others) with the truth), they proclaim it and call to it,
(and establishes justice therewith), adhere to it themselves and judge by it. It was reported that this Ayah refers to the Ummah of Muhammad . 

 In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Mu`awiyah bin Abi Sufyan said that the Messenger of Allah said, (There will always be a group of my Ummah who are apparent on the Truth, unabated by those who fail or oppose them, until the (Last) Hour commences.) 

 (182) Those who reject Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not.


(Those who reject Our Ayat, We shall gradually seize them in ways they perceive not) meaning, the doors of provisions will be opened for them and also the means of livelihood, in this life. They will be deceived by all this and think that they are on the correct path. 

(183) And I respite them; certainly My Plan is strong.

(And I respite them) prolong what they are in, (certainly My plan is strong) and perfect.

(184) Do they not reflect? There is no madness in their companion (Muhammad SAW). He is but a plain warner.

(Do they not reflect)- `those who deny Our Ayat,' 
there is not in their companion)- Muhammad ,
(madness)- Muhammad is not mad, rather, he is truly the Messenger of Allah, calling to Truth,
(but he is a plain warner)- and this is clear for those who have a mind and a heart by which they understand and comprehend. 

(185) Do they not look in the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all things that Allah has created, and that it may be that the end of their lives is near. In what message after this will they then believe?

Do they not look in the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all things that Allah has created; and that it may be that the end of their lives is near. In what message after this will they then believe) - Allah asks, those who denied faith, did they not contemplate about Our Ayat in the kingdom of the heavens and earth and what was created in them Do they not contemplate about all this and learn lessons from it, so that they are certain that He Who has all this, has no equal or rival All this was made by He Who Alone deserves the worship and sincere religion, so that they might have faith in Him and believe in His Messenger, all the while turning to Allah's obedience, rejecting any rivals to Him, and rejecting idols. They should be warned that their lifes may have reached their end, and they, thus, face their demise while disbelievers, ending up in Allah's torment and severe punishment. 

(In what message after this will they then believe) Allah says, what more warnings, and discouragements should compel them to believe, if the warnings and threats that Muhammad brought them from Allah in His Book do not compel them to do so.

(186) Whomsoever Allah sends astray, none can guide him; and He lets them wander blindly in their transgressions.

Whomsoever Allah sends astray, none can guide him; and He lets them wander blindly in their transgressions.) Allah says, those who were destined to be misguided, then none can lead them to guidance, and even if they try their best effort to gain such guidance, this will not avail them.