Source: Ibn Kathir
| The Idolators admit that Allah is the Sole Creator because Their gods are incapable |
(And verily, if you ask them: "Who created the heavens and the earth'' Surely, they will say: "Allah.'') means, the idolators used to recognize that Allah was the Creator of all things, but despite that, they still worshiped others besides Him, others who had no power to bring benefit or cause harm.
Allah said:
(Say: "Tell me then, the things that you invoke besides Allah -- if Allah intended some harm for me, could they remove His harm Or if He (Allah) intended some mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy'') meaning, they cannot do any of that at all.
Here Ibn Abi Hatim recorded a narration from Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, attributing it to the Prophet: (Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you; be mindful of Allah and you will find Him ever with you. Turn to Allah in times of ease and He will turn to you in times of difficulty. If you ask anyone for anything, then ask Allah; if you seek help from anyone, then seek help from Allah. Know that even if the entire nation were to come together to do you some harm that Allah has not decreed for you, they will never be able to harm you, and if they were to come together to do you some good that Allah has not decreed for you, they will never be able to do that. The pages have dried and the pens have been lifted. Strive for the sake of Allah with thankfulness and firm conviction, and know that in patiently persevering with regard to something that you dislike there is much goodness. Victory comes with patience, a way out comes from difficulty and with hardship comes ease.)
(Say: "Sufficient for me is Allah...'') means, `Allah is enough for me.'
(In Him I put my trust and let all those that trust, put their trust in Him.) ﴿12: 67﴾
This is like what Hud, peace be upon him, said to his people:
("All that we say is that some of our gods have seized you with evil. '' He said: "I call Allah to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship, with Him. So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite. I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature but He has the grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path.'')(11:54-56).
(Say: "O My people! Work according to your way...'') This is a threat and a warning.
(I am working) means, `according to my way.'
(Then you will come to know) means, you will learn the consequences.
(To whom comes a disgracing torment,) means, in this world,
Allah says, addressing His Messenger Muhammad:
(Verily, We have sent down to you the Book) meaning, the Qur'an.
(for mankind in truth.) means, for all of the creation, mankind, and Jinn, so that he may warn them therewith.
(So, whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for himself;) means, the benefit of that will return to him.
(and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss.) means, the consequences of that will return to him.
(And you are not a trustee over them. ) means, `you are not responsible for guiding them.'
(But you are only a warner. And Allah is a Trustee over all things) (11:12).
(your duty is only to convey and on Us is the reckoning) (13:40).
| Allah is the One Who causes Death and gives Life |
Then Allah tells us that He is in control of all things and does as He wills. He causes men to die (the "greater death'') when He sends the angels to take men's souls from their bodies, and He causes them to "die a lesser death'' when they sleep.
Allah says:
(It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then He raises (wakes) you up again that a term appointed be fulfilled, then (in the end) unto Him will be your return. Then He will inform you of that which you used to do. He is the Irresistible, over His servants, and He sends guardians (angels guarding and writing all of one's good and bad deeds) over you, until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (angels) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty.)(6:60-61). Here Allah mentions the two deaths, the lesser death then the greater death after it; in the Ayah above (39: 42), He mentions the greater then the lesser.
Allah says:
(It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed.) This indicates that they ﴿the souls﴾ meet in the higher realm, as was stated in the Hadith attributed to the Prophet which was narrated by Ibn Mandah and others.
In the Two Sahihs of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, it is reported that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah said: (When anyone of you goes to bed, let him brush down the bed with his garment, for he does not know what has come to his bed since he left it. Then let him say, "In Your Name, O Lord, I lay down my side and in Your Name I raise it up; if You take my soul, have mercy on it, and if You send it back, protect it with that which You protect Your righteous servants.'')
(He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death) means, those which have died, and He returns the others back for an appointed term. As-Suddi said, "For the rest of their lives.'' Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "He keeps the souls of the dead and sends back the souls of the living, and He does not make any mistakes.
(Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.)
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