Surah Fussilat Notes (1-6)

Source: Ibn Kathir

Which was revealed in Makkah

(1) Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]

Description of the Qur'an, and what Those Who turn away from it say.

(2) A revelation from Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

(Ha Mim. A revelation from the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.) means, the Qur'an is revealed from the Most Gracious, Most Merciful. This is like the Ayat:

(Say Ruh Al-Qudus (Jibril) has brought it down from your Lord with truth) (16:102).

(And truly, this is a revelation from the Lord of all that exists, Which the trustworthy Ruh (Jibril) has brought down upon your heart that you may be (one) of the warners.) (26:192-194).

(3) A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Quran in Arabic for people who know.

(A Book whereof the Ayat are explained in detail) means, its meanings are clear and its rulings are sound and wise.

(a Qur'an in Arabic) means, because it is a clear Arabic Qur'an, its meanings are precise and detailed and its words are clear and not confusing. This is like the Ayah:

((This is) a Book, the Ayat whereof are completed, and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise Well-Acquainted) (11:1). meaning, it is miraculous in its wording and in its meanings.

(for people who know.) means, this clear style will be readily understood by scholars who are thoroughly versed in knowledge.

(4) Giving glad tidings [of Paradise to the one who believes in the Oneness of Allah (i.e. Islamic Monotheism) and fears Allah much (abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds) and loves Allah much (performing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], and warning (of punishment in the Hell Fire to the one who disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah), but most of them turn away, so they listen not.

(Giving glad tidings and warning,) means, sometimes it brings glad tidings to the believers, and sometimes it brings a warning to the disbelievers.

(but most of them turn away, so they hear not.) means, most of the Quraysh did not understand anything of it at all, despite the fact that it was so clear.

(5) And they say: "Our hearts are under coverings (screened) from that to which you invite us, and in our ears is deafness, and between us and you is a screen, so work you (on your way); verily, we are working (on our way)."

(And they say: "Our hearts are under coverings...'') meaning, they are wrapped and screened,

(from that to which you invite us; and in our ears is deafness,) means, `we are deaf to the message you bring to us.'

(and between us and you is a screen,) `so nothing of what you say reaches us.'

(so work you (on your way); verily, we are working) means, go your way, and we will go our way, and we will not follow you.

The Call to Tawhid 

(6) Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), therefore take Straight Path to Him (with true Faith Islamic Monotheism) and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc).

(Say) `O Muhammad, to these disbelievers and idolators,'

(I am only a human being like you. It is revealed to me that your God is One God,) `not like these idols and false gods which you worship. Allah is one God,'

(therefore take straight path to Him) means, `worship Him Alone sincerely, in accordance with what He has commanded you through His Messengers.'

(and seek forgiveness of Him) means, `for your past sins.'

(And woe to the polytheists.) means, doom, and destruction is their lot.