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.