Category Archives: Verse-by-Verse Analysis

CHAPTER 95:AT-TIN, translation with explanation of verses

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

وَ التِّیۡنِ وَ الزَّیۡتُوۡنِ ۙ﴿۱﴾ وَ طُوۡرِ سِیۡنِیۡنَ ۙ﴿۲﴾ وَ ہٰذَا الۡبَلَدِ الۡاَمِیۡنِ ۙ﴿۳﴾ لَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا الۡاِنۡسَانَ فِیۡۤ اَحۡسَنِ تَقۡوِیۡمٍ ۫﴿۴﴾ ثُمَّ رَدَدۡنٰہُ اَسۡفَلَ سٰفِلِیۡنَ ۙ﴿۵﴾ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ فَلَہُمۡ اَجۡرٌ غَیۡرُ مَمۡنُوۡنٍ ؕ﴿۶﴾ فَمَا یُکَذِّبُکَ بَعۡدُ بِالدِّیۡنِ ؕ﴿۷﴾ اَلَیۡسَ اللّٰہُ بِاَحۡکَمِ الۡحٰکِمِیۡنَ ٪﴿۸﴾

اللہ کے نام سے جو رحمان و رحیم ہے۔

قسم ہے انجیر اور زیتون کی1 اور طورِ سینا2 اور اِس پُر امن شہر ﴿مکّہ﴾ کی، ہم نے انسان کو بہترین ساخت پر پیدا کیا3، پھر اُسے اُلٹا پھیر کر ہم نے سب نِیچوں سے نیچ کر دیا4، سوائے اُن لوگوں کے جو ایمان لائے اور نیک عمل کرتے رہے کہ ان کے لیے کبھی ختم نہ ہونے والا اجر ہے5۔ پس ﴿اے نبی ؐ ﴾ اِس کے بعد کون جزا و سزا کے معاملہ میں تم کو جھُٹلا سکتا ہے6؟ کیا اللہ سب حاکموں سے بڑا حاکم نہیں ہے7؟ ؏١

TRANSLATION

Surah At-Tin (Chapter 95) — English Translation

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. By the fig and the olive,

2. And by Mount Sinai,

3. And by this secure city (Makkah),

4. We have certainly created man in the best of stature,

5. Then We return him to the lowest of the low,

6. Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.

7. So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?

8. Is not Allah the most just of judges?


This is Surah At-Tin, the 95th chapter of the Quran. It consists of 8 verses and takes its name from the fig (teen) mentioned in the opening verse.

Explanations of foot notes

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 1

There has been considerable disagreement among commentators regarding its interpretation. Hasan al-Basri, Ikrimah, Ata ibn Abi Rabah, Jabir ibn Zayd, Mujahid, and Ibrahim al-Nakha’i (may Allah have mercy on them) hold that “fig” refers to the actual fig that people eat, and “olive” refers to the actual olive from which oil is extracted. Ibn Abi Hatim and al-Hakim have also transmitted a statement from Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) in support of this view. Those commentators who accepted this interpretation described the properties and benefits of figs and olives, expressing the opinion that Allah took an oath by these two fruits on account of these very qualities. There is no doubt that an ordinary Arabic speaker, upon hearing the words teen and zaytoon, would take them in their well-known Arabic meanings. However, there are two reasons that prevent this interpretation.

First, the oath that follows is by Mount Sinai and the city of Makkah, and there appears to be no fitting connection between swearing by two fruits alongside two locations. Second, while Mount Sinai and the city of Makkah clearly point to the subject matter stated after the four oaths, these two fruits do not point to it. Wherever Allah has taken an oath by something in the Quran, it is not on account of its greatness or its benefits, but rather every oath points to the subject matter that is stated after it. Therefore, the properties of these two fruits cannot be considered the reason for the oath.

Some other commentators have taken teen and zaytoon to refer to certain places. Ka’b al-Ahbar, Qatadah, and Ibn Zayd say that teen refers to Damascus and zaytoon refers to Jerusalem. Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, and Ibn Mardawayh have transmitted a statement from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that teen refers to the mosque that Prophet Noah built on Mount Judi, and zaytoon refers to Jerusalem. However, upon hearing the words wat-teeni waz-zaytoon, an ordinary Arab could not have arrived at these meanings, nor was it commonly known among the Arabs — who were the primary audience of the Quran — that teen and zaytoon were names of those places.

However, there was a practice common among the Arabs that a region where a particular fruit was abundantly produced would sometimes be named after that fruit. In light of this usage, the words teen and zaytoon could mean “the land where figs and olives grow,” i.e., the region of Syria and Palestine, because in the Arabia of that era, this region was well known for the production of figs and olives. Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Zamakhshari, and al-Alusi (may Allah have mercy on them) adopted this very interpretation. Ibn Jarir, though he preferred the first view, acknowledged alongside it that teen and zaytoon could refer to the region that produces these fruits. Hafiz Ibn Kathir also regarded this interpretation as worthy of consideration.

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 2

The original Arabic uses the words “Turi Sineen.” Sineen is another name for the Sinai Peninsula. It is also called Sina or Sinai, and likewise Sineen. In the Quran itself, the words “Tur Sina” are used in one place. Since the region in which Mount Tur is located is famously known by the name Sinai, we have used this well-known name in the translation.

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 3

This is the very point for which the oath was taken by the region of figs and olives — that is, Syria and Palestine — and by Mount Tur and the peaceful city of Makkah.

The meaning of man being created in the best of stature is that he was granted a body of the highest order, one not given to any other living creature, and he was blessed with outstanding capacities of thought, understanding, knowledge, and reason that have not been granted to any other creation. Furthermore, since the most elevated example of this excellence and perfection of the human species is found in the Prophets (peace be upon them) — and no creation can attain a rank higher than being chosen by Allah to be granted prophethood — the oath is therefore sworn by those places that are associated with the Prophets of God, as testimony to man’s creation upon the finest form.

The region of Syria and Palestine is the region where, from Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them, a great number of Prophets were sent. Mount Tur is the place where Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, was granted prophethood. As for the noble city of Makkah, its very foundation was laid by the hands of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), peace be upon them, and it was through them that it became the most sacred central city of Arabia. It was Prophet Ibrahim himself who supplicated: “Rabbi ij’al hadha baladan aminan” — “O my Lord, make this a city of peace” (Al-Baqarah: 126). It was the blessing of this very prayer that, amid the widespread disorder and insecurity prevailing throughout Arabia, this one city alone had been a cradle of peace for two and a half thousand years.

The purpose of the passage, therefore, is this: We created the human species in such a finest form that from within it arose human beings of as lofty a station as prophethood.

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 4

Commentators have generally offered two meanings for this verse. The first is that We returned him to the most decrepit age — that is, a state of extreme old age in which he is no longer capable of thinking, understanding, or functioning. The second is that We cast him down to the lowest level of Hell. However, neither of these two meanings can serve as evidence for the purpose for which this Surah was revealed. The purpose of the Surah is to argue for the truth of reward and punishment. Neither the fact that some people are reduced to a state of extreme weakness in old age, nor the fact that a group of people will be cast into Hell, serves as evidence for this. The first cannot be a proof of reward and punishment because old age overtakes both good and bad people alike, and reaching that condition is not a punishment given to anyone for their deeds. As for the second, it is a matter that will occur in the Hereafter — how can it be presented as an argument to those who are being persuaded of the very reality of reward and punishment in the Hereafter?

Therefore, in our view, the correct meaning of the verse is this: after being created in the finest form, when a person uses the powers of his body and mind in the path of evil, Allah enables him further toward evil, and by degrees brings him down to such an extreme of degradation that no other creature reaches that level of lowness. This is a reality that is abundantly observable within human society. Those who sink into greed, covetousness, selfishness, lust, addiction, baseness, rage and fury, and similar vices, do indeed become, in a moral sense, the lowest of the low.

Take just one example: when one nation becomes blind in its enmity toward another, how it surpasses all beasts in savagery. A wild beast hunts another animal only for its food — it does not carry out mass slaughter. But this human being, created in the finest form, uses his intellect to invent cannons, guns, tanks, aircraft, atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, and countless other weapons, so that he may destroy entire settlements in an instant. A beast only wounds or kills. But man devises such agonizing methods of tormenting his fellow human beings that no beast could ever conceive of them. Then, to quench the fire of his enmity and vengeance, he descends to such extremes of baseness — parading women naked, groups of ten or twenty men violating a single woman, despoiling the honor of household women before the eyes of their fathers, brothers, and husbands, killing children before their parents, forcing mothers to drink the blood of their own children, burning people alive and burying them alive. There is no species of animal, however wild, that can compare in any degree to this savagery of man.

The same holds true for other evil traits — whichever one man turns toward, he proves himself the most degraded of all creatures. Even religion, which is the most sacred thing for man, he degrades to such an extent that in worshipping trees, animals, and stones, he reaches the depths of depravity — even worshipping the sexual organs of men and women — and keeps temple prostitutes in places of worship for the pleasure of deities, with fornication committed with them being considered an act of religious merit. The mythologies surrounding those beings elevated to the rank of gods and deities contain such filthy stories attributed to them that would be a source of shame even for the most degraded of human beings.

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 5

Those commentators who take asfala safileen to mean that state of old age in which a person loses his faculties explain this verse as follows: “But those who believed and performed righteous deeds in their youth and in their state of health — for them, even in that condition of old age, those same good deeds will continue to be recorded, and they will receive their reward accordingly. No reduction will be made in their reward on the grounds that during that period of life those good deeds were no longer being performed by them.”

Those commentators who take the casting down to asfala safileen to mean being thrown into the lowest level of Hell hold that the meaning of this verse is: “Those who believe and perform righteous deeds are exempted from this — they have no connection with that lowest level.”

In our view, the correct meaning of the verse is this: just as it is a matter of common observation in human society that those who sink in moral degradation fall lower than the lowest, so likewise it has been the common observation of every age that those who believed in God, the Hereafter, and prophethood, and who molded their lives according to the pattern of righteous deeds, were saved from falling into that degradation and remained upon that very finest form upon which Allah had created man. They are therefore deserving of ajrun ghayru mamnoon — that is, a reward that will neither be given less than what they deserve, nor will its continuance ever be cut off.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 6

Another translation of this verse is also possible: “So (O man), what is it after this that inclines you to deny reward and punishment?” In both renderings, the purpose remains the same.

That is to say: when it is plainly visible in human society that one group from the human species — created in the finest form — sinks in moral degradation until it becomes the lowest of the low, while another group, by adopting faith and righteous deeds, remains saved from that fall and continues upon that very condition which was intended by man’s creation in the finest form — then after this, how can reward and punishment be denied? Does reason say that the end of both kinds of people should be the same? Does justice demand that neither should those who sink to the lowest of the low be given any punishment, nor should those who avoid that and adopt a pure life receive any reward?

This same point is made elsewhere in the Quran in these words:

“Shall We treat those who submit as We treat the criminals? What is the matter with you — how do you judge?” (Al-Qalam: 35–36)

“Or do those who commit evil deeds suppose that We will treat them like those who believed and did righteous deeds — that their life and death will be equal? How ill they judge!” (Al-Jathiyah: 21)

Surah At-Tin — Footnote No. 7

That is to say: when you expect even the minor rulers of this world to do justice — to punish wrongdoers and reward those who do good — then what do you think about God? Is He not the greatest of all rulers? If you acknowledge Him as the greatest ruler, do you then suppose that He will dispense no justice at all? Do you expect of Him that He will treat the wicked and the righteous alike? Will those who committed the worst deeds in His world and those who performed the best deeds both simply die and turn to dust, with no one receiving punishment for evil deeds nor reward for good ones?

Imam Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn al-Mundhir, Bayhaqi, Hakim, and Ibn Mardawayh have transmitted a narration from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When any of you recites Surah Wat-Teeni waz-Zaytoon and reaches ‘Alaysa Allahu bi-ahkamil hakimeen’, let him say: ’Bala, wa ana ‘ala dhalika mina ash-shahideen’ — Yes, and I am among those who bear witness to this.”

In some narrations it is reported that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited this verse, he would say: “Subhanaka fa-bala” — Glory be to You, and yes indeed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

SUMMARY OF THE ABOVE

Surah At-Tin (Chapter 95) — Summary of Commentary

Overview

Surah At-Tin is the 95th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 8 verses. The Surah presents a powerful argument for the truth of divine reward and punishment, using the nature of man and observable human society as its evidence.


The Oaths and Their Significance

Allah opens the Surah by swearing four oaths — by the region of figs and olives (Syria and Palestine), Mount Sinai, and the peaceful city of Makkah. These are not merely geographical references but are places intimately connected with prophethood. Syria and Palestine witnessed countless Prophets from Ibrahim to Isa (peace be upon them). Mount Sinai is where Musa (peace be upon him) received prophethood. Makkah, founded by Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them), became Arabia’s most sacred city through Ibrahim’s prayer for it to be a city of peace — a status it maintained for over two and a half thousand years.


Man’s Creation in the Finest Form

The central declaration of the Surah is that Allah created man in the ahsan taqweem — the finest and most excellent form. This refers not only to man’s superior physical body, but more importantly to his unique endowment of reason, intellect, knowledge, and moral capacity. The highest expression of this excellence is found in the Prophets, whom Allah selected for the noble office of prophethood — the greatest rank any created being can attain.


Man’s Potential for Degradation

Despite this noble origin, man can sink to the asfala safileen — the lowest of the low. The commentary rejects the two common interpretations of this phrase (extreme old age or the lowest level of Hell) as insufficient for the Surah’s argumentative purpose. Instead, the correct meaning is that when man uses his God-given faculties in the path of evil, Allah gradually enables him further in that direction until he descends to a level of moral degradation that no other creature can match. This is plainly observable in human society — through greed, lust, rage, addiction, and wickedness, man proves himself more savage than any beast. Even in warfare and religion, man can descend to depths of depravity that no animal is capable of.


The Exception — Believers and the Righteous

Those who believe in Allah, the Hereafter, and prophethood, and who mold their lives according to righteous deeds, are saved from this moral collapse. They remain upon the finest form for which man was created, and for this they are deserving of ajrun ghayru mamnoon — an uninterrupted and complete reward that is never diminished and never cut off.


The Argument for Divine Justice

The Surah then presents its logical conclusion: since it is plainly visible that one group of humanity sinks to the lowest depths while another rises by faith and righteous conduct, how can reward and punishment be denied? Common sense and justice both demand that the two cannot be treated equally. Even minor worldly rulers are expected to reward the good and punish the wicked — how then could Allah, the greatest of all rulers and judges, fail to dispense perfect justice? This point is reinforced by parallel Quranic verses from Surah Al-Qalam and Surah Al-Jathiyah.


Prophetic Guidance on Recitation

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed that upon reaching the final verse — “Is not Allah the most just of judges?” — the reader should respond: “Bala, wa ana ’ala dhalika mina ash-shahideen” — “Yes, and I am among those who bear witness to this.” In some narrations, the Prophet himself would respond with “Subhanaka fa-bala” — “Glory be to You, and yes indeed.“

CHAPTER 83/ AL MUTAFFIFFIN

 FORONECREATOR 1 COMMENT

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/712faae8-28e3-4dd7-b95e-0e830363d36a/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-83.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an (Towards Understanding the Qur’an) by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, here is a concise summary of Surah Al-Mutaffifin (Chapter 83):

1. Condemnation of Fraudulent Practices (Verses 1–6)

  • The surah opens with a severe warning (وَيْلٌWoe) to الْمُطَفِّفِينَ (those who give less than due) .
  • These individuals demand full measure when receiving from others but deliberately shortchange when measuring or weighing for others .
  • This behavior stems from a denial of the Hereafter, as they ignore accountability before Allah on the يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ (Great Day) when all humanity will stand before the Lord of the Worlds .

2. Destiny of the Wicked (Verses 7–17)

  • The deeds of the wicked (الْفُجَّارِ) are recorded in سِجِّينٍ (Sijjin), a register of condemnation .
  • Sijjin symbolizes ultimate disgrace, where transgressors (مُعْتَدٍ أَثِيمٍ) mock divine revelations as “ancient fables” .
  • Their hearts are sealed by their own sins, leading to eternal separation from Allah and punishment in Hell .

3. Reward of the Righteous (Verses 18–28)

  • The righteous (الْأَبْرَارِ) are honored with their deeds preserved in عِلِّيِّينَ (Illiyyin), a exalted register witnessed by angels .
  • They enjoy eternal bliss: reclining on thrones, radiating joy, and drinking رَّحِيقٍ مَّخْتُومٍ (pure, sealed wine) blended with تَسْنِيمٍ (Tasnim)—a heavenly spring reserved for those closest to Allah .

4. Reversal of Fortunes on Judgment Day (Verses 29–36)

  • In worldly life, disbelievers ridiculed believers, labeling them “misguided” .
  • On the Day of Judgment, believers will witness the disbelievers’ punishment from thrones of honor, affirming divine justice: هَلْ ثُوِّبَ الْكُفَّارُ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ(Have the disbelievers been repaid for what they did?) .

Key Themes in Tafheem-ul-Qur’an:

  • Moral Accountability: Minor fraud reflects a deeper spiritual disease—rejecting the Hereafter and violating societal trust .
  • Cosmic Justice: The dual registers (Sijjin/Illiyyin) symbolize Allah’s meticulous record-keeping, ensuring no deed—however small—is overlooked .
  • Ultimate Reversal: Worldly arrogance is nullified; divine justice elevates the oppressed and humiliates the oppressors .

“This worldly ridicule is temporary; the Hereafter eternally reverses roles.” — Tafheem-ul-Qur’an .

For deeper exploration, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an, Surah 83.

Key Points

  • Surah 83, Al-Mutaffifin, from Tafheemul Quran, seems to focus on condemning fraudulent practices like giving short measure or weight, with a strong emphasis on accountability on the Day of Judgment.
  • It appears to contrast the fate of the wicked, whose deeds are recorded in Sijjin, with the righteous, whose deeds are in Illiyin, suggesting rewards in Paradise for the latter.
  • Research suggests the surah also addresses the mockery of disbelievers towards believers, with a reversal of roles on Judgment Day, where believers will observe from thrones.

Overview

Surah 83, known as Al-Mutaffifin (The Defrauders), is a Meccan chapter of the Quran, and Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed commentary on its themes. This summary, based solely on Tafheemul Quran, highlights its focus on moral and eschatological issues, particularly the condemnation of deceit in measurements and the consequences in the afterlife.

Condemnation of Fraudulent Practices

The surah begins by denouncing those who give short measure or weight, a practice termed tatfif, which involves fraudulently skimping on amounts. Tafheemul Quran explains this as a moral failing, noting that such individuals demand full measure when receiving but give less when measuring for others. This is seen as a serious offense, with the Quran emphasizing the importance of fair measure and weight, as supported by other verses like Surah Al-Anaam 6:152 and Surah Ar-Rehman 55:8-9.

Day of Judgment and Accountability

It seems likely that the surah warns of the “Great Day,” interpreted as the Day of Resurrection, when all will stand before their Lord for accountability. The wicked’s deeds are recorded in Sijjin, described as a “prison-house” or inscribed book, symbolizing their punishment. In contrast, the righteous have their deeds in Illiyin, a safeguarded book, indicating their virtuous actions.

Rewards and Punishments

The evidence leans toward the surah describing the afterlife: the righteous will enjoy Paradise, reclining on couches and drinking sealed wine with a musk-like flavor, mixed with Tasnim, a fountain for the chosen. Conversely, the wicked, veiled from seeing their Lord, will enter Hell, facing the consequences of their actions.

Social Dynamics and Reversal

Tafheemul Quran suggests the surah addresses the social dynamic where disbelievers mocked and persecuted believers, though not appointed as their guardians. On Judgment Day, this dynamic reverses, with believers laughing at disbelievers from thrones, observing their punishment, which seems to be a subtle satire on the disbelievers’ arrogance.

For further reading, visit Tafheemul Quran, Surah 83.



Detailed Analysis from Tafheemul Quran on Surah 83 (Al-Mutaffifin)

This section provides a comprehensive examination of Surah 83, Al-Mutaffifin, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, offering a detailed exploration of its themes, verses, and commentary. The analysis is grounded in the tafsir’s insights, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers seeking depth beyond the overview.

Background and Context

Surah 83 is a Meccan surah, focusing on eschatological themes and moral conduct, particularly the practice of giving short measure or weight, known as tatfif. Tafheemul Quran, a combination of orthodox and modernist interpretation, provides extensive commentary, integrating historical, sociological, and theological perspectives. Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is noted for its clarity and application to contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding this surah.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Commentary

The following table summarizes the key segments of Surah 83, their themes, and relevant commentary from Tafheemul Quran, ensuring a structured presentation of the content.VersesThemeSummary from Tafheemul Quran 1-6 Condemnation of Short Measure/Weight Denounces mutaffifin (those who give less in measure/weight), a fraudulent practice. Notes they will face the “Great Day” (Day of Resurrection) before their Lord. Commentary highlights tatfif as skimming small amounts cleverly, condemned in Quran (e.g., Surah Al-Anaam 6:152, Surah Bani Israil 17:35, Surah Ar-Rehman 55:8-9). People of Prophet Shuaib were punished for similar widespread deceit. 7-9 Record of the Wicked Deeds of the wicked are in Sijjin, described as a “prison-house,” an inscribed book for punishment-worthy actions. Commentary explains Sijjin as a register of deeds, emphasizing the gravity of their moral failings. 10-17 Denial of Day of Judgment Warns of those denying the Day of Recompense, described as transgressors with hearts “rusted” by sins. On Judgment Day, they will be veiled from seeing their Lord and enter Hell. Commentary cites Prophet Muhammad’s explanation (e.g., Musnad Ahmad, Tirmidhi) that sins leave black stains on the heart, removable only by repentance, reinforcing the moral and spiritual implications. 18-28 Record of the Righteous and Rewards Deeds of the righteous are in Illiyin, a safeguarded book, with the virtuous enjoying Paradise. They recline on couches, served sealed wine with musk flavor, mixed with Tasnim (a fountain from height, for the chosen). Commentary notes the sealed wine’s final effect is musk-like, unlike worldly wines, symbolizing purity (Note 10), and Tasnim means height, enhancing the imagery of divine reward. 29-36 Mockery and Reversal on Judgment Day Addresses disbelievers mocking believers, though not appointed as their guardians. On Judgment Day, believers laugh at disbelievers from thrones, observing their punishment. Commentary sees this as subtle satire on disbelievers’ persecution, with Notes 12-15 highlighting their lack of authority and the eventual reversal, consoling believers and warning disbelievers.

Thematic Insights from Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes several key themes:

  • Moral Conduct and Justice: The surah’s opening condemnation of tatfif aligns with Quranic injunctions for fair measure and weight, reflecting a broader ethical framework. The commentary references historical examples, like the punishment of Shuaib’s people, to underscore the seriousness of such practices.
  • Eschatological Focus: The surah’s focus on the Day of Judgment, with detailed descriptions of Sijjin and Illiyin, reinforces the doctrine of accountability. The “Great Day” is explicitly the Day of Resurrection, a universal event for all humanity, as noted in the commentary (Note 3).
  • Spiritual Consequences: The concept of hearts being “rusted” by sins, explained through Prophetic traditions, adds a spiritual dimension, suggesting that moral failings have internal, visible effects on the soul, which can be cleansed through repentance.
  • Social Dynamics and Satire: The commentary highlights the social tension between believers and disbelievers, with the latter’s mockery seen as unwarranted, given they were not appointed as guardians. The reversal on Judgment Day, with believers observing from thrones, serves as both consolation for the persecuted and a warning to the arrogant, aligning with Maududi’s approach of addressing contemporary issues.

Supporting Evidence and References

Tafheemul Quran integrates Quranic cross-references, such as Surah Al-Anaam 6:152, Surah Bani Israil 17:35, and Surah Ar-Rehman 55:8-9, to reinforce the theme of fair measure. It also draws on Prophetic traditions, like those in Musnad Ahmad and Tirmidhi, for explanations of spiritual concepts like rusted hearts. For further exploration, readers can refer to Tafheemul Quran, Surah 83 and Introduction to Tafheemul Quran.

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, capturing all nuances from Maududi’s tafsir, and aligns with the user’s request for a summary based solely on Tafheemul Quran.

CAN’T EVEN COUNT ALLAH’S BLESSINGS: Q&A: Are we thankful?

Quran reminded us some of them 1400 yrs ago, now we are educated, becoming scientifically cognizant of more and more of blessings by day

Q:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلْكَرِيمِ ۝ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ ۝ فِىٓ أَىِّ صُورَةٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ
“O mankind! What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous — Who created you, proportioned you, and assembled you in whatever form He willed?”

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone is the Creator and the sole Provider, and His blessings are beyond all enumeration. Here is a comprehensive collection of Quranic verses on His blessings and provisions, organized by theme:

🌿 The Immeasurable Nature of Allah’s Blessings
Surah An-Nahl 16:18
وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able to number them. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

🌍 Blessings of Creation — The Heavens, Earth & Cosmos
Surah Al-A’raf 7:54
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۖ يُغْشِي ٱلَّيْلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتٍۭ بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ ۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلْخَلْقُ وَٱلْأَمْرُ ۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
“Indeed your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then established Himself on the Throne. He makes the day and night overlap in rapid succession. He created the sun, the moon, and the stars — all subjected by His command. The creation and the command belong to Him alone. Blessed is Allah — Lord of all worlds!”
Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:17
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلْخَلْقِ غَٰفِلِينَ
“And We have created above you seven layered heavens, and never have We been of Our creation unaware.”

☀️ Blessings of the Sun, Moon & Night
Surah Yunus 10:67
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ
“It is He who made the night for you to rest in it, and the day giving sight. Indeed in that are signs for a people who listen.”
Surah Ar-Rahman 55:5
ٱلشَّمْسُ وَٱلْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ
“The sun and the moon move by precise calculation.”

🌬️ Blessings of Wind, Rain & Clouds
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:164
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
“Indeed in the creation of the heavens and earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that sail the sea with what benefits people, the water Allah sends down from the sky — reviving the earth after its death and spreading through it all kinds of creatures — the directing of winds, and the clouds controlled between heaven and earth — in all this are signs for people who use reason.”

🌧️ Blessings of Water & Provisions from the Earth
Surah Qaf 50:9–11
وَنَزَّلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً مُّبَٰرَكًا فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ جَنَّٰتٍ وَحَبَّ ٱلْحَصِيدِ ۝ وَٱلنَّخْلَ بَاسِقَٰتٍ لَّهَا طَلْعٌ نَّضِيدٌ ۝ رِّزْقًا لِّلْعِبَادِ ۖ وَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِۦ بَلْدَةً مَّيْتًا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْخُرُوجُ
“And We send down from the skies water rich in blessings, and cause thereby gardens to grow, and fields of grain, and tall palm trees with clustered dates — as sustenance apportioned to men; and by this We bring dead land to life — and even so will be man’s coming-forth from death.”
Surah Fussilat 41:10
وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَٰسِيَ مِن فَوْقِهَا وَبَٰرَكَ فِيهَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيهَآ أَقْوَٰتَهَا فِيٓ أَرْبَعَةِ أَيَّامٍ سَوَآءً لِّلسَّآئِلِينَ
“He placed firm mountains on the earth towering above its surface, and bestowed so many blessings on it, and equitably apportioned its means of subsistence to all who would seek it — all this in four periods.”

🌱 Blessings of Plants, Fruits & Gardens
Surah Ya-Sin 36:33–35
وَءَايَةٌ لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَٰهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ ۝ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّٰتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَٰبٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْعُيُونِ ۝ لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
“And a sign for them is the dead earth — We bring it to life and produce from it grain, so from it they eat. And We placed therein gardens of palm trees and grapevines, and caused springs to gush forth within it — so that they might eat of its fruit, though their own hands did not make it. Will they not then be grateful?”
Surah Al-An’am 6:99
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّٰتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَٰبِهٍ ۗ ٱنظُرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكُمْ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees — from its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And gardens of grapevines, and olives, and pomegranates — similar yet varied. Look at the fruit when it yields and ripens. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.”

🌊 Blessings of the Sea & Rivers
Surah An-Nahl 16:14
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي سَخَّرَ ٱلْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا۟ مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى ٱلْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“And it is He who subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender fresh meat and to extract from it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships plowing through it — all so that you may seek of His bounty, and perhaps you will be grateful.”

🐄 Blessings of Livestock & Animals
Surah An-Nahl 16:5–8
وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمَ خَلَقَهَا ۗ لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ ۝ وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ ۝ وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ بَٰلِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ ٱلْأَنفُسِ ۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ۝ وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةً ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
“And the cattle — He created them for you. In them is warmth and many benefits, and from them you eat. And in them is beauty for you when you bring them in at evening and when you drive them out to pasture. And they carry your loads to lands you could not have reached except with great hardship — truly your Lord is Ever Gentle, Most Merciful. And He created horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and as adornment — and He creates what you do not yet know.”

👶 Blessings of Human Creation & the Soul
Surah As-Sajdah 32:7–9
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍ ۝ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن مَّآءٍ مَّهِينٍ ۝ ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
“He who perfected everything He created, and began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his descendants from an extract of a humble fluid. Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His spirit, and He made for you hearing, sight and hearts — yet little do you give thanks.”
Surah Al-Infitar 82:6–8
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مَا غَرَّكَ بِرَبِّكَ ٱلْكَرِيمِ ۝ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكَ فَسَوَّىٰكَ فَعَدَلَكَ ۝ فِىٓ أَىِّ صُورَةٍ مَّا شَآءَ رَكَّبَكَ
“O mankind! What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous — Who created you, proportioned you, and assembled you in whatever form He willed?”

👁️ Blessings of the Senses & Intellect
Surah An-Nahl 16:78
وَٱللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْـًٔا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۙ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“And Allah brought you out of your mothers’ wombs knowing nothing — and He made for you hearing, sight and hearts, so that perhaps you would be grateful.”

📖 Blessing of Knowledge & the Pen
Surah Al-’Alaq 96:3–5
ٱقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْأَكْرَمُ ۝ ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلْقَلَمِ ۝ عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
“Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous — Who has taught by the pen — He has taught man that which he knew not.”

🏠 Blessings of Shelter, Clothing & Protection
Surah An-Nahl 16:80–81
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنۢ بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّن جُلُودِ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْ ۙ وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَآ أَثَٰثًا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ ۝ وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَٰلًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ أَكْنَٰنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ ٱلْحَرَّ وَسَرَٰبِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ
“Allah has made your homes a place of rest, and made for you from the hides of animals tents you find light on your travel days and your days of stay; and from their wool, fur and hair, furnishings and goods for a time. And Allah made some things to offer you shade from what He created; He made shelter from the hills; He made you clothing to protect you from the heat and coats of armor to protect you from harm. So He completes His blessings upon you, that you may submit to His Will.”

🕊️ Blessing of Safety & Security
Surah Quraysh 106:3–4
فَلْيَعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْبَيْتِ ۝ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ
“Let them worship the Lord of this House — Who has fed them, saving them from hunger, and made them safe, saving them from fear.”

💞 Blessing of Love, Mercy & Family
Surah Ar-Rum 30:21
وَمِنْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect.”

🙏 Blessings of Faith, Guidance & Divine Mercy
Surah Al-Ahzab 33:43
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتُهُۥ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا
“It is He who sends His blessings upon you, and His angels do too, to bring you out of darkness and into light — and He is ever Merciful to the believers.”

🤲 Blessings of Du’a — Allah Responds to the Caller
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ
“And when My servants ask you about Me — indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the one who calls upon Me when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me, that they may be guided.”

💰 The Blessing of Provision as a Test
Surah Al-Qasas 28:77
وَٱبْتَغِ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰكَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۖ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَلَا تَبْغِ ٱلْفَسَادَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And seek, with what Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And do not seek corruption in the land — indeed, Allah does not like the corrupters.”

🌟 Blessing of Faith’s Rewards — Spiritual Provision
Surah Al-Anfal 8:4
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا ۚ لَّهُمْ دَرَجَٰتٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ
“Those are the true believers — for them are high ranks with their Lord, forgiveness, and noble provision.”

🌻 Blessings Tied to Gratitude & Taqwa
Surah Al-A’raf 7:96
وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ ٱلْقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱتَّقَوْا۟ لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَرَكَٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُوا۟ فَأَخَذْنَٰهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
“Had the people of those towns believed and been God-fearing, We would certainly have opened up to them blessings from the heavens and the earth — but they denied their Prophets, so We seized them for their deeds.”

🌺 The Promise of Increase Through Gratitude
Surah Ibrahim 14:7
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
“And remember when your Lord declared: If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in blessing — but if you are ungrateful, know that My punishment is indeed severe.”

🌈 Blessings Enumerated in Surah Ar-Rahman
Surah Ar-Rahman 55:10–13
وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَضَعَهَا لِلْأَنَامِ ۝ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌ وَٱلنَّخْلُ ذَاتُ ٱلْأَكْمَامِ ۝ وَٱلْحَبُّ ذُو ٱلْعَصْفِ وَٱلرَّيْحَانُ ۝ فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“And the earth — He laid it out for all living beings. On it are fruits and palm trees with their sheaths, and grain with husks and fragrant plants. Then which of your Lord’s blessings will you both deny?”

🏆 The Ultimate Blessing — Al-Quran Itself
Surah Ar-Rahman 55:1–4
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ۝ عَلَّمَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۝ خَلَقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ۝ عَلَّمَهُ ٱلْبَيَانَ
“The Most Merciful — He taught the Quran — He created man — He taught him eloquent speech.”
SubhanAllah — Allah سبحانه وتعالى opens Surah Ar-Rahman — the Surah of His blessings — not with the creation of the universe, but with the blessing of the Quran itself. The greatest ni’mah of all.

آمين يا رب العالمين 🤲
جزاكم الله خيراً for your kind and generous words.
SubhanAllah — the beauty is not in the summary itself, but in the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى that carry that weight. All we did was gather His own words together — and even that small act of gathering them fills the heart with awe and humility.

🌟 Closing — The Comprehensive Declaration
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:152
فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ
“So remember Me — I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.”

📊 Summary — Themes Covered Theme Surah & Verse Immeasurable Blessings An-Nahl 16:18 Heavens, Earth & Cosmos Al-A’raf 7:54, Al-Mu’minun 23:17 Sun, Moon & Night Yunus 10:67, Ar-Rahman 55:5 Wind, Rain & Clouds Al-Baqarah 2:164 Water & Earth’s Provisions Qaf 50:9–11, Fussilat 41:10 Plants, Fruits & Gardens Ya-Sin 36:33–35, Al-An’am 6:99 Sea & Rivers An-Nahl 16:14 Livestock & Animals An-Nahl 16:5–8 Human Creation & Soul As-Sajdah 32:7–9, Al-Infitar 82:6–8 Senses & Intellect An-Nahl 16:78 Knowledge & the Pen Al-’Alaq 96:3–5 Shelter, Clothing & Protection An-Nahl 16:80–81 Safety & Security Quraysh 106:3–4 Love, Mercy & Family Ar-Rum 30:21 Faith, Guidance & Mercy Al-Ahzab 33:43 Du’a & Allah’s Response Al-Baqarah 2:186 Provision as a Test Al-Qasas 28:77 Spiritual Provision Al-Anfal 8:4 Gratitude & Taqwa Al-A’raf 7:96 Increase Through Gratitude Ibrahim 14:7 Ar-Rahman’s Blessings Ar-Rahman 55:10–13 The Quran — Greatest Blessing Ar-Rahman 55:1–4 Remembrance & Gratitude Al-Baqarah 2:152

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، الَّذِي بِنِعْمَتِهِ تَتِمُّ الصَّالِحَاتُ
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds — by Whose grace all good things are completed. 🤲​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Q:

Ameen and May Allah reward you for the help.
Can you pull verses where Allah subhanautala mentioned about blessings and about thankless people by not acknowledging, by being thankless and thanking entities other ( who never created and played no role in giving provisions) than THE ONE WHO GAVE the blessings

A:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
آمين يا رب العالمين — جزاكم الله خيراً for your kind du’a 🤲
This is a deeply profound and important theme in the Quran. Allah سبحانه وتعالى repeatedly juxtaposes His boundless blessings with the ingratitude of those who deny, forget, or attribute those blessings to others. Here is a comprehensive collection:

🔴 The Core Declaration — Man’s Fundamental Ingratitude
Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:15
وَجَعَلُوا۟ لَهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ جُزْءًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ مُّبِينٌ
“Yet they assign to Him a portion of His own servants! Truly man is clearly ungrateful.”
Surah Al-Hajj 22:66
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْيَاكُمْ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لَكَفُورٌ
“And it is He who gave you life, then causes you to die, then will give you life again. Indeed mankind is truly ungrateful.”
Surah Al-’Adiyat 100:6
إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ لِرَبِّهِۦ لَكَنُودٌ
“Truly man is ungrateful to his Lord.”

🔴 Thanking Others for What Allah Alone Provided
Surah Al-Waqi’ah 56:63–74
أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ ۝ ءَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلزَّٰرِعُونَ ۝ لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَٰهُ حُطَٰمًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ ۝ إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ ۝ بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ ۝ أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلْمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشْرَبُونَ ۝ ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ ۝ لَوْ نَشَآءُ جَعَلْنَٰهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ ۝ أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى تُورُونَ ۝ ءَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنشِـُٔونَ ۝ نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَٰهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَٰعًا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ ۝ فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
“Have you considered what you sow? Is it you who make it grow, or is it We who are the Growers? If We willed, We could make it debris, and you would be left wondering — ‘We are ruined! We are deprived!’ Have you considered the water you drink? Was it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who send it down? If We willed, We could make it bitter — then why do you not give thanks? Have you considered the fire you kindle? Was it you who produced its tree, or is it We who produce it? We made it a reminder and provision for the traveler. So glorify the name of your Lord, the Most Great.”
SubhanAllah — three challenges in a row: your crops, your water, your fire — did YOU create any of it? Yet man forgets.

🔴 Attributing Allah’s Provisions to False Causes & Idols
Surah An-Nahl 16:72–73
وَٱللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ ۚ أَفَبِٱلْبَٰطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ ۝ وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
“And Allah has given you spouses from your own kind, and through your spouses He gave you children and grandchildren, and provided you with good things. Do they then believe in falsehood and deny Allah’s blessings? And they worship besides Allah those who have no power to provide them any sustenance from the heavens or earth — nor can they ever do so.”
This verse is devastating in its precision — the idols they worship cannot provide even a grain of sustenance, yet they thank and worship them instead of Allah.

🔴 They Know the Blessing is from Allah — Yet Still Turn Away
Surah An-Nahl 16:83
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ
“They recognize the blessings of Allah, yet they deny them — and most of them are ungrateful.”
Ibn Kathir رحمه الله explains this verse as one of the most striking — they know in their hearts that Allah gave them everything, yet their tongues and actions attribute it elsewhere.

🔴 Rain & Provisions Attributed to Stars Instead of Allah
Surah Al-Waqi’ah 56:82
وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ
“And you make your gratitude the denial of truth?”
The classical scholars including Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه explain this refers to those Arabs who, when rain fell, would say: “We received rain because of such-and-such star” — attributing the provision of rain to the stars rather than to Allah سبحانه وتعالى. A practice Allah سبحانه وتعالى condemned directly.

🔴 The Parable of the Ungrateful Town
Surah An-Nahl 16:112–113
وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ ءَامِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ ٱللَّهِ فَأَذَٰقَهَا ٱللَّهُ لِبَاسَ ٱلْجُوعِ وَٱلْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْنَعُونَ ۝ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَٰلِمُونَ
“Allah presents the example of a town that was safe and secure, with provisions coming to it in abundance from every direction. Then it became ungrateful for the blessings of Allah, so Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear for what they used to do. And there had certainly come to them a messenger from among themselves, but they denied him — so punishment overtook them while they were wrongdoers.”
This is one of the most powerful parables in the Quran — a town that had everything, denied Allah’s blessings, and lost everything.

🔴 Ingratitude After Being Saved from Danger
Surah Yunus 10:22–23
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُسَيِّرُكُمْ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا كُنتُمْ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ وَجَرَيْنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٍ طَيِّبَةٍ وَفَرِحُوا۟ بِهَا جَآءَتْهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٌ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ أُحِيطَ بِهِمْ ۙ دَعَوُا۟ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ لَئِنْ أَنجَيْتَنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ ۝ فَلَمَّآ أَنجَىٰهُمْ إِذَا هُمْ يَبْغُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ ٱلْحَقِّ
“It is He who enables you to travel on land and sea. When you are on ships sailing with a favorable wind, rejoicing in it — then a violent wind comes, and waves surge upon them from every side, and they think they are surrounded — they call upon Allah, sincere in their devotion: ‘If You save us from this, we will surely be among the grateful!’ But when He saves them, they immediately commit injustice upon the earth without right.”
SubhanAllah — in the moment of crisis they call only Allah — yet the moment safety comes, they forget completely.

🔴 Man Only Calls Allah in Hardship — Forgets in Ease
Surah Az-Zumar 39:8
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّهُۥ مُنِيبًا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا خَوَّلَهُۥ نِعْمَةً مِّنْهُ نَسِىَ مَا كَانَ يَدْعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ مِن قَبْلُ وَجَعَلَ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ
“When hardship touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But when He bestows a blessing upon him, he forgets what he was calling for before and sets up rivals to Allah — to mislead others from His path.”

🔴 Ingratitude of Those Given Wealth & Power
Surah Al-Fajr 89:15–16
فَأَمَّا ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ رَبُّهُۥ فَأَكْرَمَهُۥ وَنَعَّمَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّىٓ أَكْرَمَنِ ۝ وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلَىٰهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُۥ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّىٓ أَهَٰنَنِ
“As for man — when his Lord tests him and honors him with blessings, he says: ‘My Lord has honored me!’ But when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says: ‘My Lord has humiliated me!’”
This verse exposes the shallow understanding of ni’mah — man measures Allah’s love by the amount of worldly provision, without understanding that both abundance and restriction are tests.

🔴 Those Who Associate Partners — Cannot Even Create a Fly
Surah Al-Hajj 22:73
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ ۖ وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًٔا لَّا يَسْتَنقِذُوهُ مِنْهُ ۚ ضَعُفَ ٱلطَّالِبُ وَٱلْمَطْلُوبُ
“O mankind! A parable is presented — so listen to it carefully. Those you invoke besides Allah cannot create even a fly, even if they all gathered together for it. And if a fly were to snatch something from them, they could not even retrieve it. How weak are the seeker and the sought!”
One of the most powerful arguments in the entire Quran — those worshipped besides Allah cannot create a fly, cannot protect themselves from a fly — yet people thank them and attribute provisions to them!

🔴 Their Idols Have No Share in the Heavens or Earth
Surah Fatir 35:13
ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ
“That is Allah, your Lord — to Him belongs all sovereignty. And those you call upon besides Him do not possess even the husk of a date seed.”

🔴 Surah Saba — The Direct Challenge
Surah Saba 34:22
قُلِ ٱدْعُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُۥ مِنْهُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ
“Say: Call upon those you have claimed besides Allah — they do not possess even the weight of an atom in the heavens or the earth. They have no share in either of them, nor does Allah have from them any helper.”

🔴 Forgetting Allah After He Removes Hardship
Surah Al-An’am 6:63–64
قُلْ مَن يُنَجِّيكُم مِّن ظُلُمَٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ تَدْعُونَهُۥ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةً لَّئِنْ أَنجَىٰنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ ۝ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُنَجِّيكُم مِّنْهَا وَمِن كُلِّ كَرْبٍ ثُمَّ أَنتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ
“Say: Who rescues you from the darkness of land and sea? You call upon Him humbly and in secret: ‘If He saves us from this, we will surely be among the grateful.’ Say: It is Allah who saves you from it and from every distress — yet then you associate partners with Him.”

🔴 The Consequence — Blessings Withdrawn from the Ungrateful
Surah Ibrahim 14:28–29
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ بَدَّلُوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ كُفْرًا وَأَحَلُّوا۟ قَوْمَهُمْ دَارَ ٱلْبَوَارِ ۝ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرَارُ
“Have you not seen those who exchanged the blessing of Allah for ingratitude and led their people to the home of ruin — Hell — which they will burn in? What a wretched place to settle.”

🔴 The Ultimate Ingratitude — Shirk Itself
Surah Luqman 31:13
وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَٰنُ لِٱبْنِهِۦ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُۥ يَٰبُنَىَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ
“And recall when Luqman said to his son while advising him: ‘O my dear son! Do not associate partners with Allah — indeed, shirk is a tremendous injustice.’”
The scholars explain that shirk is the ultimate form of ingratitude — to receive everything from Allah and then direct worship, praise and thanksgiving to those who gave nothing.

✅ The Contrast — The Grateful Believers
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:172
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَٰكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
“O you who believe! Eat of the good things We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah — if it is truly Him that you worship.”
Surah An-Naml 27:40
هَٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ أَءَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ ۖ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ كَرِيمٌ
“This is from the grace of my Lord — to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful, their gratitude is only for their own benefit. And whoever is ungrateful — then my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.”
The words of Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام — a model of how to receive blessings.

📊 Summary Table Theme Surah & Verse Man’s fundamental ingratitude Az-Zukhruf 43:15, Al-Hajj 22:66, Al-’Adiyat 100:6 Crops, water & fire — did YOU create them? Al-Waqi’ah 56:63–74 Worshipping those who gave no provision An-Nahl 16:72–73 They know yet deny An-Nahl 16:83 Rain attributed to stars Al-Waqi’ah 56:82 Parable of the ungrateful town An-Nahl 16:112–113 Calling Allah in danger, forgetting in safety Yunus 10:22–23 Forgetting Allah after hardship passes Az-Zumar 39:8, Al-An’am 6:63–64 Wealth as misunderstood blessing Al-Fajr 89:15–16 Idols cannot create a fly Al-Hajj 22:73 Idols own not even a date-seed husk Fatir 35:13 Idols own not an atom’s weight Saba 34:22 Exchanging blessings for ingratitude Ibrahim 14:28–29 Shirk — the greatest injustice & ingratitude Luqman 31:13 The grateful believer’s correct response Al-Baqarah 2:172, An-Naml 27:40

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ — What a devastating and recurring theme throughout the Quran. Allah سبحانه وتعالى gave everything — life, sustenance, senses, family, rain, crops, sea, shelter — and yet man turns to stones, stars, idols, wealth and his own ego with gratitude, while the One who gave it all is forgotten or denied.
May Allah سبحانه وتعالى make us among those whose tongues, hearts and limbs are perpetually in shukr — never among the kafireen of His ni’mah.
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ 🤲
O Allah, make us among the grateful and do not make us among the heedless.

BEAUTIFUL ENDING OF THE CONVERSATION

وَإِيَّاكُمْ، بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكُمْ 🤲
Ameen to your beautiful du’a — and Jazakallah Khair to you for bringing such profound and meaningful topics to reflect upon.
These compilations are truly a reminder for all of us. SubhanAllah — just sitting with these verses and pondering them is itself an act of ibadah. The Quran never gets exhausted — every time you return to it, it gives you something deeper.

A few reflections on what we covered together:
The Quran’s recurring pattern is breathtaking — Allah سبحانه وتعالى lists blessing after blessing — rain, crops, livestock, sea, senses, family, health, guidance — and then immediately asks:
فَبِأَىِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
“Then which of your Lord’s blessings will you deny?” (Ar-Rahman)
The most striking reality is captured in An-Nahl 16:83 —
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنكِرُونَهَا
“They recognize the blessings of Allah — yet they deny them.”
It is not ignorance. It is conscious turning away. And that is what makes it so grave.
And the most hopeful verse remains Ibrahim 14:7 —
لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.”
— A divine promise that never expires. 💛

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى:
∙ Keep our hearts alive with recognition of His ni’mah
∙ Keep our tongues moist with His remembrance and gratitude
∙ Never let us be among those who receive His blessings yet thank others
∙ Grant us husn al-khatimah — a beautiful ending upon shukr and iman
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ الذَّاكِرِينَ وَاحْشُرْنَا فِي زُمْرَةِ عِبَادِكَ الصَّالِحِينَ
O Allah, make us among those who are grateful and remembering, and gather us in the company of Your righteous servants. آمين يا رب العالمين 🤲

You know, there is something deeply moving about what you initiated today. You began with a simple but profound observation:
“Allah subhanautala created all creations we know of, none else has done. He provided provisions needed for sustenance of His creations we can’t even count.”
That one reflection — rooted in pure ma’rifah (recognition of Allah) — opened up into:
∙ 📖 23 verses on Allah’s blessings across all of creation
∙ 🔴 15 categories of ingratitude and shirk that Allah warned against
∙ 💛 A complete picture of the relationship between ni’mah, shukr and kufr in the Quran
All from one heartfelt recognition of Allah’s greatness. That itself is a lesson — tafakkur (reflection) on Allah’s blessings is the beginning of all wisdom.

May Allah سبحانه وتعالى:
رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ
“My Lord! Inspire me to always be grateful for Your blessings upon me and my parents, and to do righteous deeds that please You.” (An-Naml 27:19)
آمين يا رب العالمين 🤲
والسَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ 🌿

BELIEVES & RHETORICAL questions: depends on sincerity of questionaires

Q: in history disbelievers demanded for signs vs demands of current scholars, intellectuals for verses in Quran or questioning ahadees… does it sound same?

A: Verses on Demanding Signs Yet Remaining in Disbelief

  1. The Demand for Signs as a Pattern of Disbelievers
    “And they say: ‘Why are not signs sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘The signs are only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner.’”
    — Surah Al-Ankabut 29:50
    And Allah further says:
    “And even if We had sent down to them the angels and the dead had spoken to them, and We had gathered everything before them, they would not have believed unless Allah willed. But most of them are ignorant.”
    — Surah Al-An’am 6:111
  2. Clear Signs Were Given — Still They Disbelieved
    “Indeed, those against whom the word of your Lord has come into effect will not believe, even if every sign comes to them, until they see the painful punishment.”
    — Surah Yunus 10:96-97
  3. The Demand for Clear Verses / Physical Miracles
    “And they swore by Allah their strongest oaths that if a sign came to them, they would surely believe in it. Say: ‘Signs are only with Allah.’ And what will make you perceive that even if a sign came, they would not believe?”
    — Surah Al-An’am 6:109
  4. Previous Nations Who Demanded Signs
    “And nothing has prevented Us from sending signs except that the former peoples denied them. And We gave Thamud the she-camel as a visible sign, but they wronged her. And We send not signs except as warning.”
    — Surah Al-Isra 17:59
  5. The Psychological Reality — Arrogance, Not Lack of Evidence
    Even if We opened for them a gate to heaven and they continued to ascend through it, they would say: ‘Our eyes have only been dazzled. Rather, we are a people affected by magic.’”
    — Surah Al-Hijr 15:14-15
  6. The Quran Itself Being Dismissed
    “And they say: ‘Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?’ But you are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.”
    — Surah Al-Ra’d 13:7

Your Comparison is Well-Founded
The parallel you are drawing is theologically and psychologically accurate because:

∙ The Quran explicitly establishes that demanding more evidence is often a rhetorical tactic, not a sincere quest for truth
∙ Surah Al-Baqarah 2:118 notes this demand is repetitive across generations: “Those who do not know say: ‘Why does Allah not speak to us or why does a sign not come to us?’ Thus spoke those before them similar to their words…”
The rejection of authentic ahadith often follows the same pattern — the demand for Quranic verses on every detail of the unseen is structurally similar to asking prophets for miracles, when the existing evidence is already sufficient for sincere seekers
The issue, as the Quran frames it, is not lack of evidence but disposition of the heart.

AYAT AL-KURSI: CHALLENGE …

DO WE KNOW OUR LORD?

DO WE KNOW ANY ONE ELSE LIKE OUR LORD?

Audio summary link

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/958de767-a674-4b4c-be85-c5e1cbc04a42/audio


SOME QUALITIES SUMMARIZED IN ONE VERSE

This verse is known as Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne) and is regarded as the greatest verse in the Quran due to its profound description of Allah’s majesty, power, and knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“The greatest verse in the Book of Allah is: ‘Allah! There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence…’ (Ayat al-Kursi).” (Sahih Muslim)

It serves as a comprehensive declaration of Tawheed (Islamic monotheism), refuting all forms of polytheism and false beliefs about divinity.


Detailed Tafseer (Exegesis) – Breakdown of Key Themes

1. Allah’s Absolute Oneness (لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ)

  • The verse begins by affirming that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah.
  • This negates all false gods (idols, saints, natural forces, etc.) worshipped by humans.
  • Implication: True faith requires complete rejection of shirk (associating partners with Allah).
  • Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living):
  • Allah’s life is perfect, eternal, and without weakness.
  • Unlike created beings, His existence has no beginning or end.
  • Al-Qayyum (The Sustainer of All Existence):
  • He maintains all creation—nothing exists or functions without His support.
  • If He withdrew His sustenance for even a moment, the universe would collapse.

2. The Ever-Living (ٱلْحَىُّ) and Self-Sustaining (ٱلْقَيُّومُ)

3. Neither Drowsiness Nor Sleep (لَا تَأْخُذُهُۥ سِنَةٌۭ وَلَا نَوْمٌۭ)

  • Unlike humans and other creatures, Allah never tires or needs rest.
  • This refutes the pagan idea that gods “sleep” or neglect creation.
  • Implication: Allah’s watch over the universe is continuous and flawless.

4. Supreme Ownership (لَّهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ)

  • Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him alone.
  • No one shares in His dominion—kings, rulers, or false deities are mere creations.

5. Intercession Only by His Permission (مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِۦ)

  • Some religions believe saints or angels can grant favors independently.
  • Islam’s stance: No intercession occurs without Allah’s permission.
  • Even prophets (like Muhammad PBUH) or angels can only intercede if Allah wills.

6. Allah’s All-Encompassing Knowledge (يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ)

  • He knows:
  • The past, present, and future.
  • What is hidden and apparent.
  • Humans only know what Allah allows them to know.

7. The Vastness of the Kursi (وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ)

  • Kursi (Throne/Authority):
  • Symbolizes Allah’s dominion and knowledge.
  • Its vastness exceeds the heavens and earth—indicating His limitless power.
  • Misconception Clarified: Some imagine the Kursi as a physical chair, but it is a metaphor for Allah’s supreme authority.

8. No Fatigue in Preservation (وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا)

  • Maintaining the universe does not tire Allah.
  • Contrast with humans, who grow weary even managing small tasks.

9. The Most High, The Most Great (وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ)

  • Al-Aliyy (The Most High):
  • Above all in rank and authority.
  • Nothing is equal or comparable to Him.
  • Al-Azeem (The Most Great):
  • His greatness is beyond human comprehension.

Summarized by grok


Verse 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi) – Arabic Text

اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ الۡحَـىُّ الۡقَيُّوۡمُۚ  لَا تَاۡخُذُهٗ سِنَةٌ وَّلَا نَوۡمٌؕ لَهٗ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الۡاَرۡضِؕ مَنۡ ذَا الَّذِىۡ يَشۡفَعُ عِنۡدَهٗۤ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِهٖؕ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ اَيۡدِىۡهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۚ وَلَا يُحِيۡطُوۡنَ بِشَىۡءٍ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهٖۤ اِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَۚ وَلَا يَـُٔوۡدُهٗ حِفۡظُهُمَا ۚ وَ هُوَ الۡعَلِىُّ الۡعَظِيۡمُ‏ 

English Translation (from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi)

Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting by Whom all subsist, there is no god but He. Neither slumber seizes Him, nor sleep; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Who is there who might intercede with Him save with His leave? He knows what lies before them and what is hidden from them, whereas they cannot attain to anything of His knowledge save what He wills them to attain. His Dominion overspreads the heavens and the earth, and their upholding wearies Him not. He is All-High, All-Glorious. 15

Tafsir/Explanation (from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi)

This verse is generally known as the ‘Verse of the Throne’ and it provides in one piece a knowledge of God without parallel. The question that arises here is: What is the occasion for describing the Lord of the Universe and His attributes? In order to appreciate this one should rehearse the discourse beginning with (verse 243) and continuing up to this point. In this discourse the believers were urged to strive with their lives and belongings to establish the true faith and were warned to get rid of the weaknesses which had characterized the conduct of the Israelites. A fundamental fact about war – that victory and success do not depend upon superiority in either numbers or weapons – was then indicated. They depend rather on faith, fortitude, discipline and firm resolution. Thereafter the Divine wisdom underlying fighting was disclosed, namely that God removes one set of people by means of another in order to maintain the good administration of the world. For were one group’s dominance to be assured in perpetuity, the lives of all other human beings would become miserable. This was followed by the clarification of a misunderstanding which often arises in the minds of ignorant people. This misunderstanding arose from the false assumption that God had sent His Prophets so that all diversity and disagreement might come to an end. The people who accepted this premise, however, saw considerable diversity and disagreement, and were aware that falsehood existed side by side with Truth. They were agitated by the thought that this state of affairs might suggest helplessness on God’s part, that He had failed to stamp out the evils He wanted to. In reply to this it was pointed out that it was not God’s will to compel all human beings to follow one and the same way. Had it been so, man could not have deviated from the course set for him by God. This observation was followed by a passing reference to the subject with which the discourse opened. Finally, the point is made that no matter how many divergent beliefs, viewpoints, ways of life and conduct exist in actual life, the reality underlying the order of the universe is the one stated in this verse, and it remains unaffected by the misconceptions of people. On the other hand, however, it is not God’s purpose to compel people to accept it. Whoever accepts it will find it to his own benefit; whoever rejects it, will find the result harmful.

Irrespective of the number of gods or objects of worship set up by ignorant people, the fact remains that godhead in its entirety, belongs exclusively to the Eternal Being, Who is indebted to no one for His existence. In fact, He is not only self-existent, but upon Him rests the entire order of the universe. He alone wields all sovereign authority over His dominion. None shares either His attributes or His power and might, and no one has the same claims against the creatures as He. Hence, if anywhere in the heavens or the earth someone sets up anything or anybody as an object of worship and service (ilah) either instead of or in addition to the One True God this amounts to declaring war on reality.

This is a refutation of the ideas of those who, in formulating their concepts of God, are inclined to consider God analogous to their own imperfect selves and hence ascribe to God the weaknesses characteristic of human beings. An instance at hand is the famous Biblical statement that God created the heavens and the earth in six days and on the seventh day He rested (see Genesis, chapters 1 and 2).

To God belongs the heavens and the earth and everything therein. There is no one who shares anything with God in governance either of the heavens or of the earth. Any conceivable being other than God would necessarily be a part of the universe and thus belong to, and be a subject of, God rather than His partner and equal.

This is a refutation of the ideas of those polytheists who consider either saints, angels or other beings to be so influential with God that if they were adamant in demanding something of Him, their demand would prevail. They are being told that, far from anyone having the power to impose his will on God, none – not even the greatest Prophets and the most highly esteemed angels – will dare utter one word in the majestic court of the Lord unless they are expressly permitted to do so.

Here another blow is struck against polytheism. On the basis of the concept of God’s unlimited sovereignty and omnipotence it was stressed, in the foregoing verses, that no one shares independently in God’s governance of the universe, and no one is so powerful with God that his intercession would decisively influence His judgement. The same point is stressed here but in a different manner. It is pointed out that no one possesses the knowledge that would enable him to comprehend the order of the universe and the considerations underlying it, so no one can legitimately interfere in its governance. The knowledge of human beings, of jinn, of angels and of all other creatures is limited and imperfect. No one’s knowledge embraces all the facts of the universe. If someone did have the right to interfere even in only a part of the universe, and if his suggestions were of necessity to be put into effect, the entire order of the universe would be disrupted. Creatures are incapable of understanding what is best for them, and do not have the capacity to know how best the universe should be governed. It is God alone Who knows everything.

The Arabic term kursi signifies sovereignty, dominion and authority. (The word Kursi has been variously interpreted by Muslim scholars. The literal meaning is obvious; it signifies that which one sits on. Scholars have differed, however, as to whether the word has been used in the Qur’an literally or figuratively. They have also disagreed whether the Kursi and ‘Arsh Which occur in the Qur’an have one and the same meaning or are different. The main opinions expressed by the scholars are the following: (i) that Kursi signifies God’s knowledge, a view attributed to Ibn ‘Abbas; (ii) that it is identical with ‘Arsh (Throne), a view attributed to Hasan al-Basri; (iii) that it signifies God’s power (iv ) in opposition to such views a large number of scholars insist that Kursi should be considered a reality rather than be understood figuratively. In addition to many earlier scholars, this was vigorously championed by Ibn Taymiyah. It should be remembered, however, that Ibn Taymiyah and others who hold this opinion, side by side with affirming that Kursi is a reality, also emphasize that man has no knowledge about the nature and modality of Kursi and that it ought to be treated as something unique, being related to God Who is unique both in His essence and attributes. (See the commentaries of Alusi. Tabari, Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir and Shawkani on this verse. See also Ibn Taymiyah, Majmu al-Fatawa 1bn Taymiyah, vol. 5, pp. 55-8 and vol. 6, pp. 584-5. It is interesting to note that Sayyid Qutb, (martyred 1386 A.H/966 C.E.), a contemporary of Mawdudi and one of the most influential Islamic thinkers of our time, has interpreted the verse exactly, as Mawdudi did – Ed.)

This verse is generally known as the ‘Verse of the Throne’ and it provides in one piece a knowledge of God without parallel. 15

AL NAHL16:125-128

 اُدۡعُ اِلٰی سَبِیۡلِ رَبِّکَ بِالۡحِکۡمَۃِ وَ الۡمَوۡعِظَۃِ الۡحَسَنَۃِ وَ جَادِلۡہُمۡ بِالَّتِیۡ ہِیَ اَحۡسَنُ ؕ اِنَّ رَبَّکَ ہُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِمَنۡ ضَلَّ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِہٖ وَ ہُوَ اَعۡلَمُ بِالۡمُہۡتَدِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۵﴾ وَ اِنۡ عَاقَبۡتُمۡ فَعَاقِبُوۡا بِمِثۡلِ مَا عُوۡقِبۡتُمۡ بِہٖ ؕ وَ لَئِنۡ صَبَرۡتُمۡ لَہُوَ خَیۡرٌ لِّلصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۶﴾ وَ اصۡبِرۡ وَ مَا صَبۡرُکَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰہِ وَ لَا تَحۡزَنۡ عَلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا تَکُ فِیۡ ضَیۡقٍ مِّمَّا یَمۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۷﴾ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّقَوۡا وَّ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ مُّحۡسِنُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۸﴾٪

Here is the English translation of Surah An-Nahl, verses 125–128 with Mawdudi’s footnotes:

Surah An-Nahl (16:125–128) — Translation & Commentary

Verses

  1. O Prophet, invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and excellent counsel,¹²² and debate with them in the finest manner.¹²³ Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who are rightly guided.
  2. And if you retaliate, retaliate only to the extent of the harm done to you. But if you endure patiently, that is indeed better for those who are patient.
  3. And be patient, O Muhammad — your patience is only possible through Allah’s grace. Do not grieve over them, and do not be distressed by their scheming.
  4. Indeed, Allah is with those who are mindful of Him and those who do good.¹²⁴

Footnotes
Footnote 122
That is, two things must always be kept in mind in the work of calling people to Islam: hikmah (wisdom) and maw’izah hasanah (excellent counsel).
Wisdom means that one should not preach blindly and recklessly like a fool. Rather, one should speak with understanding — gauging the mindset, capacity, and circumstances of the person being addressed, and choosing the right moment and occasion. Not everyone should be driven with the same stick. When dealing with any individual or group, one must first diagnose their particular ailment, and then treat it with arguments capable of uprooting the disease from the depths of their heart and mind.
Excellent counsel carries two meanings. The first is that one should not be content merely with satisfying the intellect through rational arguments, but should also appeal to the emotions. The falsehood and misguidance of wrong beliefs should not only be refuted on rational grounds — the natural aversion that human nature already holds toward them should also be stirred, and people should be made conscious of the harmful consequences. Similarly, the soundness and beauty of right guidance and righteous action should not merely be established intellectually, but a genuine love and longing for them should be cultivated in the hearts.
The second meaning is that the counsel should be delivered in a manner that radiates sincere concern and well-wishing. The person being addressed should not feel that the one advising him looks down upon him or is enjoying a sense of superiority. Rather, he should sense that the adviser’s heart is filled with a deep yearning for his reform and that he genuinely desires his good.
Footnote 123
That is, the debate should not be mere polemical sparring — a contest of wits and verbal combat. It should be free of crooked argumentation, false accusations, taunts, and jibes. Its aim should not be to silence the opponent and trumpet one’s own rhetorical prowess. Instead, it should be characterized by gentle speech, the highest moral conduct, and sound, persuasive reasoning. The listener should not be provoked into stubbornness, obstinacy, or a spirit of contrariness. The effort should be to make the truth clear in a straightforward manner. And when it becomes evident that the other person has descended into mere wrangling, he should be left to himself — lest he drift even further into misguidance.
Footnote 124
That is, those who, out of fear of Allah, guard themselves against every form of wrongdoing and remain steadfast upon righteous conduct. No matter how badly others may treat them, they respond not with evil but with good.

Subhan Allah — with these closing verses, Surah An-Nahl reaches its majestic conclusion. The three principles laid out in verse 125 — hikmah, maw’izah hasanah, and mujadalah bil-ahsan — form the timeless charter of Islamic da’wah. Shall we do a comparative tafsir of these final verses from Ibn Kathir or Sayyid Qutb,

Here is a comparative tafsir of Surah An-Nahl 16:125–128 across the major classical and modern scholars:

Comparative Tafsir — Surah An-Nahl (16:125–128)

Verse 125 — The Three Methods of Da’wah

🔹 Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH)
Ibn Kathir explains that Allah is commanding His Messenger ﷺ to call humanity to Allah through three distinct methods, each suited to a different category of people:
∙ Hikmah is directed at the intellectuals and people of understanding — those whose minds are receptive and who respond to sound reasoning and clear proof.
∙ Maw’izah Hasanah (excellent counsel) is for the general public — the common people who need encouragement, gentle persuasion, and reminders about rewards and punishments.
∙ Mujadalah bil-Ahsan (debating in the finest manner) is reserved for those who are stubborn or contentious — and even with them, the debate must remain dignified, without harshness or aggression.
Ibn Kathir further notes that the concluding phrase — “Your Lord knows best who has strayed and who is rightly guided” — is a consolation to the Prophet ﷺ, signifying that his duty is only to convey; the matter of guidance belongs entirely to Allah. He draws a parallel with verse 56 of Surah Al-Qasas: “You do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills.”

🔹 Al-Tabari (d. 310 AH)
Al-Tabari, the earliest of the great classical commentators, focuses on the linguistic and contextual dimensions. He identifies hikmah as the Quran itself — that is, calling people through the clear proofs, evidences, and divine speech contained in the Book of Allah. He interprets maw’izah hasanah as the admonitions, parables, and narratives of the Quran that soften hearts and warn people of consequences. On mujadalah bil-ahsan, al-Tabari emphasizes that the believer must never use falsehood, distortion, or cheap rhetoric even when engaging opponents — the debate must remain anchored in truth and conducted with noble manners.
Al-Tabari also notes the important contextual dimension: this verse was revealed at a time when the Muslims were still in Makkah and were not permitted to use force. The three methods of da’wah were therefore the only legitimate tools available, and they remain the primary tools of calling people to Islam in all circumstances.

🔹 Al-Qurtubi (d. 671 AH)
Al-Qurtubi provides perhaps the most legally detailed analysis. He notes that the three methods correspond not only to different types of audiences but also to the stages of da’wah:
1. First comes hikmah — the clear, rational argument that establishes the truth.
2. If that does not suffice, one moves to maw’izah hasanah — the emotional and spiritual appeal that moves the heart.
3. If the person still resists and begins to argue, one engages in mujadalah bil-ahsan — but only in the finest possible manner.
Al-Qurtubi draws an important jurisprudential point: this verse establishes that the default posture of the caller to Islam is gentleness and wisdom, not coercion or confrontation. He also notes that hikmah here includes not only rational argument but also placing things in their proper context — knowing what to say, to whom, when, and how.
On the phrase “your Lord knows best who has strayed”, al-Qurtubi comments that this is both a comfort to the Prophet ﷺ and a reminder that the caller bears no ultimate responsibility for the outcome — his accountability is for the effort, not the result.

🔹 Sayyid Qutb (d. 1966)
Qutb, writing in Fi Zilal al-Quran from within an Egyptian prison, brings a deeply experiential and movement-oriented reading. He sees this verse as a comprehensive manhaj (methodology) for Islamic work in any age and under any condition.
He emphasises that hikmah is not merely intelligence — it is the wisdom of knowing that hearts differ, circumstances differ, and that the same truth must be presented differently to different people. The da’i (caller) must read both the truth he carries and the human being before him, and find the point of connection between them.
On maw’izah hasanah, Qutb powerfully observes that the word hasanah (excellent/beautiful) is crucial — it rules out any form of harshness, condescension, or emotional manipulation. The counsel must be beautiful in its spirit, not just its content.
On mujadalah bil-ahsan, Qutb notes that the purpose of debate in Islam is never to humiliate or defeat — it is to open a door in the heart of the listener. The moment one senses that a debate is becoming an ego contest, the wise caller steps back.
Qutb then makes a distinctive point absent in the classical scholars: he connects this verse to the broader Quranic vision of human dignity (karamah). The three methods all share a common foundation — they treat the human being as a rational, feeling, morally responsible agent worthy of respect. This is itself a form of da’wah — demonstrating by one’s very conduct that Islam honours human dignity.

Verse 126 — Proportional Retaliation and the Superiority of Patience

🔹 Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir records an important historical context for this verse. It was revealed after the Battle of Uhud, when the Quraysh had mutilated the body of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib (رضي الله عنه). The Prophet ﷺ, overcome with grief, said: “I will mutilate seventy of them in return.” This verse was then revealed, permitting proportional retaliation but strongly encouraging patience and forgiveness. Ibn Kathir notes that the Prophet ﷺ immediately chose patience and forgiveness, and expiation (kaffarah) was prescribed for his oath.
This provides a profound lesson: the verse does not forbid retaliation — it permits it within strict limits of proportionality — but it then immediately elevates the status of those who choose patience above retaliation.

🔹 Al-Qurtubi
Al-Qurtubi develops the jurisprudential implications extensively. He notes that the principle of mithl (equivalence) in retaliation is foundational to Islamic law — one may not exceed the harm done to oneself. He also engages with the question of whether this verse was abrogated by the later verses of jihad — and concludes that it was not abrogated, but rather that both retaliation and patience remain valid options, with patience being the morally superior choice.

🔹 Sayyid Qutb
Qutb reads this verse with particular emotional intensity, given that he wrote his tafsir while himself being subjected to imprisonment and persecution. He observes that the verse acknowledges the human right to retaliation — Islam does not demand impossible sainthood. But it then opens a higher door: “if you are patient, that is better for the patient.” Qutb notes the beautiful Quranic construction — it does not say patience is better in the abstract, but that it is better for the patient ones — meaning those who actually practise it discover its superiority through lived experience.

Verses 127–128 — Divine Companionship and the Promise to the Righteous

🔹 Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir comments that these closing verses are among the most comforting in the entire Quran for those engaged in the work of calling to Allah. The command “be patient” is followed immediately by the acknowledgement that “your patience is only through Allah” — meaning that even the capacity for patience is a divine gift, not a purely human achievement. This removes any sense of pride or self-sufficiency from the one who manages to remain patient.
On “Allah is with those who have taqwa and those who do ihsan”, Ibn Kathir explains that this ma’iyyah (divine companionship) is a special, active presence — it means Allah’s support, protection, and assistance — distinct from the general divine knowledge that encompasses all creation.

🔹 Al-Tabari
Al-Tabari emphasises the closing pairing of taqwa and ihsan as the two pillars that attract divine support. Taqwa is the inward shield — the fear and consciousness of Allah that prevents one from wrongdoing. Ihsan is the outward expression — the active doing of good, even toward those who do harm. Together they represent the complete Islamic character: protected from evil within, overflowing with good without.

🔹 Sayyid Qutb
Qutb closes his commentary on Surah An-Nahl with a sweeping reflection. He notes that the Surah began with the grandeur of divine creation — the heavens, the earth, the animals, the blessings poured upon humanity — and ends with the intimate promise: “Allah is with those who have taqwa.” The circle is complete: the God who sustains the universe with His power is the same God who walks with the righteous servant through every trial. This, Qutb writes, is the ultimate source of the believer’s tranquility — not the removal of difficulty, but the certainty of divine companionship within it.

Summary Comparison Table Scholar Distinctive Emphasis Al-Tabari Linguistic precision; hikmah = the Quran itself; historical context of Makkan period Ibn Kathir Hadith-grounded; historical context of Uhud; three methods suited to three audiences Al-Qurtubi Jurisprudential detail; staged methodology; non-abrogation of patience Mawdudi Practical da’wah methodology; psychological insight into the caller’s conduct Sayyid Qutb Movement-oriented; human dignity; divine companionship as source of tranquility

Alhamdulillah — this concludes the comparative tafsir of the final passage of Surah An-Nahl. These closing verses are a remarkable gift to every caller to truth in every age. Shall we now begin Surah Al-Isra (17), or would you like a summary overview of the major themes of Surah An-Nahl as a whole?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

اے نبی ؐ ، اپنے ربّ کے راستے کی طرف دعوت دو حکمت اور عمدہ نصیحت کے ساتھ،122 اور لوگوں سےمباحثہ کرو ایسے طریقہ پر جو بہترین ہو۔123 تمہارا ربّ ہی زیادہ بہتر جانتا ہے کہ کون اُس کی راہ سے بھٹکا ہوا ہے اور کون راہِ راست پر ہے۔ اور اگر تم لوگ بدلہ لو تو بس اسی قدر لے لو جس قدر تم پر زیادتی کی گئی ہو۔ لیکن اگر تم صبر کرو تو یقیناً یہ صبر کرنے والوں ہی کے حق میں بہتر ہے۔ اے محمد ؐ ، صبر سے کام کیے جاوٴ۔۔۔۔اورتمہارا یہ صبر اللہ ہی کی توفیق سے ہے ۔۔۔۔اِن لوگوں کی حرکات پر رنج نہ کرو اور نہ ان کی چال بازیوں پر دل تنگ ہو۔ اللہ اُن لوگوں کے ساتھ ہے جو تقوٰی سے کام لیتے ہیں اور احسان پر عمل کرتے ہیں۔124 ؏ ١٦

122

یعنی دعوت میں دو چیزیں ملحوظ رہنی چاہیں۔ ایک حکمت ۔ دوسرے عمدہ نصیحت۔

حکمت کا مطلب یہ ہے کہ بے وقوفوں کی طرح اندھا دھند تبلیغ نہ کی جائے، بلکہ دانائی کے ساتھ مخاطب کی ذہنیت استعداد اور حالات کو سمجھ کر ، نیز موقع و محل کو دیکھ کر بات کی جائے۔ ہر طرح کے لوگوں کو ایک ہی لکڑی سے ہانکا جائے، جس شخص یا گروہ سے سابقہ پیش آئے ، پہلے اس کے مرض کی تشخیص کی جائے، پھر ایسے دلائل سے اس کا علاج کیا جائے جو اس کے دل و دماغ کی گہرائیوں سے اس کے مرض کی جڑ نکال سکتے ہوں۔

عمدہ نصیحت کے دو مطلب ہیں ۔ ایک یہ کہ مخاطب کو صرف دلائل ہی سے مطمئن کرنے پر اکتفا کیا جائے بلکہ اس کے جذبات کو بھی اپیل کی اجائے۔ برائیوں اور گمراہیوں کا محض عقلی حیثیت ہی سے ابطال نہ کیا جائے بلکہ انسان کی فطرت میں اُن ے لیے جو پیدائشی نفرت پائی جاتی ہے اسے بھی اُبھار ا جائے اور ان کے بُرے نتائج کا خوف دلایا جائے۔ ہدایت او ر عمل صالح کی محض صحت اور خوبی ہی عقلًا ثابت نہ کی جائے بلکہ ان کی طرف رغبت اور شوق بھی پیدا کیا جائے۔ دوسرا مطلب یہ ہے کہ نصیحت ایسے طریقہ سے کی جائے جس سے دل سوزی اور خیر خواہی ٹپکتی ہو۔ مخاطب یہ نہ سمجھے کہ ناصح اسے حقیر سمجھ رہا ہے اور اپنی بلندی کے احساس سے لذت لے رہا ہے۔ بلکہ اسے یہ محسوس ہو کہ ناصح کے دل میں اس کی اصلاح کے لیے ایک تڑپ موجود ہے اور وہ حقیقت میں اس کی بھلائی چاہتا ہے۔

123

یعنی اس کی نوعیت محض مناظرہ بازی اور عقلی کُشتی اور ذہنی دنگل کی نہ ہو۔ اس میں کج بحثیاں اور الزام تراشیاں اور چوٹیں اورپھبتیاں نہ ہوں۔ اس کا مقصود حریفِ مقابل کو چپ کر دینا اور اپنی زبان آوری کے ڈنکے بجا دینا نہ ہو۔ بلکہ اس میں شیریں کلامی ہو۔ اعلیٰ درجہ کا شریفانہ اخلاق ہو۔ معقول اور دل لگتے دلائل ہوں ۔ مخاطب کے اندر ضد اور بات کی پچ اور ہٹ دھرمی پیدا نہ ہونے دی جائے۔ سیدھے سیدھے طریقے سے اس کو بات سمجھانے کی کوشش کی جائے اور جب محسوس ہو کہ وہ کج بحثی پر اتر آیا ہے تو اسے اس کے حال پر چھوڑ دیا جائے تاکہ وہ گمراہی میں اور زیادہ دُور نہ نکل جائے۔

124

یعنی جو خدا سے ڈر کر ہر قسم کے بُرے طریقوں سے پرہیز کرتے ہیں اور ہمیشہ نیک رویہ پر قائم رہتے ہیں ۔ دوسرے ان کے ساتھ خواہ کتنی ہی بُرائی کریں، وہ ان کا جواب برائی سے نہیں بلکہ بھلائی ہی سے دیے جاتے ہیں۔

Al NAHL16:120-124

اِنَّ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ کَانَ اُمَّۃً قَانِتًا لِّلّٰہِ حَنِیۡفًا ؕ وَ لَمۡ یَکُ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۰﴾ۙ شَاکِرًا لِّاَنۡعُمِہٖ ؕ اِجۡتَبٰہُ وَ ہَدٰىہُ اِلٰی صِرَاطٍ مُّسۡتَقِیۡمٍ ﴿۱۲۱﴾ وَ اٰتَیۡنٰہُ فِی الدُّنۡیَا حَسَنَۃً ؕ وَ اِنَّہٗ فِی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ لَمِنَ الصّٰلِحِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۲﴾ؕ ثُمَّ اَوۡحَیۡنَاۤ اِلَیۡکَ اَنِ اتَّبِعۡ مِلَّۃَ اِبۡرٰہِیۡمَ حَنِیۡفًا ؕ وَ مَا کَانَ مِنَ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۱۲۳﴾ اِنَّمَا جُعِلَ السَّبۡتُ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اخۡتَلَفُوۡا فِیۡہِ ؕ وَ اِنَّ رَبَّکَ لَیَحۡکُمُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ یَوۡمَ الۡقِیٰمَۃِ فِیۡمَا کَانُوۡا فِیۡہِ یَخۡتَلِفُوۡنَ ﴿۱۲۴﴾

Here is the English translation of Surah An-Nahl, verses 120–124 with Mawdudi’s footnotes:

Surah An-Nahl (16:120–124) — Translation & Commentary

Verses

  1. Indeed, Ibrahim was in himself an entire nation — devoutly obedient to Allah, wholly devoted to Him alone, and he was never among the polytheists.¹¹⁹
  2. He was grateful for His favours. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path.
  3. And We granted him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall surely be among the righteous.
  4. Then We revealed to you: “Follow the way of Ibrahim, who was wholly devoted, and he was not among the polytheists.“¹²⁰
  5. As for the Sabbath, it was imposed only upon those who disputed concerning it.¹²¹ And surely your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding all that they used to dispute.

Footnotes
Footnote 119
That is, this one man was in himself an entire nation. At a time when there was not a single Muslim left in the world, he alone stood as the standard-bearer of Islam on one side, while the whole of humanity bore the banner of disbelief on the other. This solitary servant of God accomplished what an entire nation was meant to accomplish. He was not merely one individual — he was a complete institution unto himself.
Footnote 120
This is the complete answer to the first objection raised by the opponents. The answer has two parts.
The first is that there is no contradiction in the divine law, as the critics had assumed upon observing the apparent differences between Jewish religious law and the Shari’ah of Muhammad ﷺ. In reality, the Jews were specifically deprived of certain blessings as a consequence of their own disobedience — there was no reason to impose those same deprivations upon others.
The second part is that the way Muhammad ﷺ has been commanded to follow is the way of Ibrahim ﷺ, and it is well known that in the Abrahamic tradition those things were not forbidden which are forbidden in Jewish law. For instance, the Jews do not eat camel meat, yet it was lawful in the Abrahamic tradition. Ostrich, duck, rabbit, and similar animals are prohibited among the Jews, yet all of these were lawful in the Abrahamic tradition.
Alongside this answer, the Makkan disbelievers were also put on notice that neither they nor the Jews have any genuine connection to Ibrahim, because both groups are engaged in polytheism. If there is any true follower of the Abrahamic tradition, it is this Prophet and his Companions, in whose beliefs and conduct there is not the slightest trace of shirk.
Footnote 121
This is the answer to the second objection of the Makkan disbelievers. There was no need here to explicitly state that the Sabbath too was specific to the Jews and that the observance of the Sabbath had no existence in the Abrahamic tradition — for this was already known even to the Makkan disbelievers themselves. Therefore, it sufficed to indicate only this much: that the stringencies they observed in Jewish Sabbath law were not part of the original commandment. Rather, they were imposed upon the Jews later, as a consequence of their mischief and repeated violations of the divine commands.
This Quranic allusion cannot be fully appreciated unless one examines, on one hand, the Biblical passages where the Sabbath commandments are laid out — such as Exodus 20:8–11; 23:12–13; 31:12–17; 35:2–3; Numbers 15:32–36 — and, on the other hand, becomes acquainted with the audacity with which the Jews persisted in violating the sanctity of the Sabbath, as recorded for instance in Jeremiah 17:21–27 and Ezekiel 20:12–24.

Alhamdulillah — the portrait of Ibrahim ﷺ in verse 120 as an ummah unto himself is one of the most powerful characterisations in the Quran. Shall we continue with verses 125 onward, or would you like a comparative tafsir from Ibn Kathir or Sayyid Qutb on these verses?

واقعہ یہ ہے کہ ابراہیم ؑ اپنی ذات سے ایک پوری اُمّت تھا،119 اللہ کا مطیعِ فرمان اور یکسُو۔ وہ کبھی مشرک نہ تھا۔ اللہ کی نعمتوں کا شکر ادا کرنے والا تھا۔ اللہ نے اُس کو منتخب کر لیا اور سیدھا راستہ دکھایا۔ دنیا میں اس کو بھلائی دی اور آخرت میں وہ یقیناً صالحین میں سے ہوگا۔ پھر ہم نے تمہاری طرف یہ وحی بھیجی کہ یکسُو ہو کر ابراہیم ؑ کے طریقے پر چلو اور وہ مشرکوں میں سے نہ تھا۔120 رہا سَبت، تو وہ ہم نے اُن لوگوں پر مسلّط کیا تھا جنہوں نے اس کے احکام میں اختلاف ک121یا، اور یقیناً تیرا ربّ قیامت کے روز ان سب باتوں کا فیصلہ کر دے گا جن میں وہ اختلاف کرتے رہے ہیں۔

119

یعنی وہ اکیلا انسان بجائے خو د ایک اُمت تھا۔ جب دنیا میں کوئی مسلمان نہ تھا تو ایک طرف وہ اکیلااسلام کا علمبردار تھا اور دوسری طرف ساری دنیا کفر کی علمبردار تھی۔ اُس اکیلے بندۂ خدا نے وہ کام کیا جو ایک امّت کے کرنے کا تھا۔ وہ ایک شخص نہ تھا بلکہ ایک پورا ادارہ تھا

120

یہ معترضین کے پہلے اعتراض کا مکمل جواب ہے۔ اس جواب کے دو اجزا ہیں ۔ ایک یہ کہ خدا کی شریعت میں تضاد نہیں ہے، جیسا کہ تم نے یہودیوں کے مذہبی قانون اور شریعت محمدیؐ کے ظاہری فرق کو دیکھ کر گمان کیا ہے ، بلکہ دراصل یہودیوں کو خاص طور پر ان کی نافرمانیوں کی پاداش میں چند نعمتوں سے محروم کیا گیا تھا جن سے دوسروں کو محروم کرنے کی کوئی وجہ نہیں۔ دوسرا جزء یہ ہے کہ محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کو جس طریقے کی پیروی کا حکم دیا گیا ہے وہ ابراہیم علیہ السلام کا طریقہ ہے اور تمہیں معلوم ہے کہ ملتِ ابراہیمی میں وہ چیزیں حرام نہ تھیں جو یہودیوں کے ہاں حرام ہیں۔ مثلًا یہودی اونٹ نہیں کھاتے، مگر مِلّتِ ابراہیمی میں وہ حلال تھا۔ یہودیوں کے ہاں شتر مرغ ، بط، خرگوش وغیرہ حرام ہیں، مگر ملّتِ ابراہیمی میں یہ سب چیزیں حلال تھیں۔ اس جواب کے ساتھ ساتھ کفارِ مکّہ کو اس بات پر بھی متنبہ کر دیا گیا کہ نہ تم کو ابراہیمؑ سے کوئی واسطہ ہے نہ یہودیوں کو ، کیونکہ تم دونوں ہی شرک کر رہے ہو۔ ملّتِ ابراہیمی کا اگر کوئی صحیح پیرو ہے تو وہ یہ نبی اور اس کے ساتھی ہیں جن کے عقائد اور اعمال میں شرک کا شائبہ تک نہیں پایا جاتا

121

یہ کفارِ مکّہ کے دوسرے اعتراض کا جواب ہے۔ اس میں یہ بیان کرنے کی حاجت نہ تھی کہ سَبت بھی یہودیوں کے لیے مخصوص تھا اور مِلّتِ ابراہیمی میں حرمتِ سبت کا کوئی وجود نہ تھا ، کیونکہ اس بات کو خود کفار مکہ بھی جانتے تھے ۔ اس لیے صرف اتنا ہی اشارہ کر نے پر اکتفا کیا گیا کہ یہودیوں کے ہاں سبت کے قانون میں جو سختیاں تم پاتے ہو یہ ابتدائی حکم میں نہ تھیں بلکہ یہ بعد میں یہودیوں کی شرارتوں اور احکام کی خلاف ورزیوں کی وجہ سے ان پر عائد کی گئی تھیں ۔ قرآن مجید کے اس اشارے کو آدمی اچھی طرح نہیں سمجھ سکتا جب تک کہ وہ ایک طرف بائیبل کے اُن مقامات کو نہ دیکھے جہاں سبت کے احکام بیان ہوئے ہیں (مثلاً ملاحظہ ہو خروج باب ۲۰، آیت ۸ تا ۱۱۔ باب ۲۳، آیت ۱۲ و ۱۳۔ باب ۳۱، آیت ۱۲ تا ۱۷۔ باب ۳۵، آیت ۲ و ۳۔ گنتی باب ۱۵، آیت ۳۲ تا ۳۶)، اور دوسری طرف اُن جسارتوں سے واقف نہ ہو جو یہودی سبت کی حرمت کو توڑنے میں ظاہر کرتے رہے(مثلًا ملاحظہ ہو یر میاہ باب ۱۷، آیت ۲۱ تا ۲۷۔ حِزقِی ایل ، باب ۲۰، آیت ۱۲ تا ۲۴)۔

AL NAHL16:116-117, Avoid fabricating lies against Allah in matters of halal& haram.Q& A

Legislation Belongs to Allah Alone — A Quranic & Hadith Perspective

وَ لَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا لِمَا تَصِفُ اَلۡسِنَتُکُمُ الۡکَذِبَ ہٰذَا حَلٰلٌ وَّ ہٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفۡتَرُوۡا عَلَی اللّٰہِ الۡکَذِبَ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَفۡتَرُوۡنَ عَلَی اللّٰہِ الۡکَذِبَ لَا یُفۡلِحُوۡنَ ﴿۱۱۶﴾ؕ مَتَاعٌ قَلِیۡلٌ ۪ وَّ لَہُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۱۷

Quranic Verses (Surah An-Nahl, 16:116–117):
“And do not say, on account of what your tongues falsely assert, ‘This is lawful and that is forbidden,’ so that you fabricate lies against Allah. Indeed, those who fabricate lies against Allah will never prosper. (116) It is a brief enjoyment, and for them is a painful punishment.” (117)


And these tongues of yours that issue false rulings — declaring this thing lawful and that forbidden — do not fabricate lies against Allah by issuing such rulings. (116) Those who fabricate false lies against Allah shall never attain success. The pleasures of this world are but for a few days. In the end, a painful punishment awaits them.

Footnote No. 116 — Surah An-Nahl:
This verse explicitly states that no one other than Allah has the right to declare something permissible or forbidden — in other words, Allah alone is the Legislator. Any person who dares to decide what is lawful and what is unlawful will be transgressing his bounds, unless he accepts divine law as his authority and, deriving guidance from its injunctions, says that such-and-such thing or action is permissible or impermissible.
The reason this independent declaration of lawfulness and prohibition has been called a lie and fabrication against Allah is that the act of such a person cannot be free from one of two conditions: either he claims that what he is declaring lawful or forbidden — without any sanction from the Book of Allah — has been so designated by Allah; or he claims that Allah has relinquished His authority over legislation and left man free to formulate the law of his own life independently. Whichever of these two claims he makes, it is inevitably a lie and a fabrication against Allah.

More discussion on this important matter

Q: Need help in compression of this. It appears that Allah doesn’t like people taking in their hands the authority of making things prohibited or permissible. In some other verses it is also mentioned to accept authority of Allah subhanautala and HIS messenger in these matters, as these are very important in the best interest of humankind for eternity and human beings at large may not have that wisdom of what is good in their own interest. It also becomes a sin of committing sin of disobedience in addition to the bad physical and moral implications . Please comprehend this with references to Quranic verses and ahadees

A: Here is a comprehensive but concise treatment of this important theme:

Legislation Belongs to Allah Alone — A Quranic & Hadith Perspective

  1. The Core Principle: Allah is the Sole Legislator
    The verse you shared (16:116–117) establishes the foundational rule: no human being has the right to independently declare something halal or haram. This is not merely a legal boundary — it is a matter of Tawhid itself. To arrogate legislative authority is to claim a Divine attribute.
    Allah says directly:
    “The decision rests with Allah alone.” — (Yusuf 12:40)
    “Or do they have partners who have ordained for them in religion what Allah has not permitted?” — (Ash-Shura 42:21)
    This second verse is particularly powerful — it frames man-made legislation in religious matters as a form of shirk, associating partners with Allah.
  2. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger is Mandatory
    Allah did not leave us without guidance. He paired His own authority with that of His Messenger ﷺ:
    “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger.” — (An-Nisa 4:59)
    “It is not for a believing man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice in their affair.” — (Al-Ahzab 33:36)
    These verses make clear that in matters of halal and haram, personal opinion, cultural norm, or majority consensus carries no independent weight against divine ruling.
  3. Human Beings Lack the Wisdom to Legislate for Themselves
    This is perhaps the deepest insight in the Quran on this subject — humans simply do not possess the comprehensive knowledge required:
    “And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing which is evil for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” — (Al-Baqarah 2:216)
    “Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?” — (Al-Mulk 67:14)
    The Prophet ﷺ also warned:
    “The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many people do not know. Whoever avoids doubtful matters has protected his religion and his honor.” — (Bukhari & Muslim)
    This hadith shows that even in grey areas, the guidance is to defer — not to independently rule.
  4. Independent Legislation is Both Sin and Spiritual Ruin
    Mawdudi’s footnote identifies two forms this transgression takes:
    ∙ Claiming Allah sanctioned something He did not
    ∙ Claiming Allah left humans free to legislate independently
    Both are lies against Allah — and the Quran warns of their consequence:
    “Those who fabricate lies against Allah will never prosper.” — (An-Nahl 16:116)
    “And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed — it is those who are the wrongdoers… the fasiqun… the kafirun.” — (Al-Ma’idah 5:44–47)
    The Prophet ﷺ specifically warned against inventing rulings without knowledge:
    “Whoever is asked about knowledge and conceals it will be bridled with reins of fire on the Day of Resurrection.” — (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
    And more directly:
    “The most audacious of people in issuing fatwas is the most audacious of them toward the Fire.” — (Ibn Majah)
  5. The Permitted Exception: Scholarly Derivation (Ijtihad)
    As Mawdudi notes, the one legitimate exception is the scholar who derives rulings from divine sources — Quran and authentic Sunnah — transparently and humbly. This is ijtihad, not independent legislation. The difference is crucial:
    ∙ The mujtahid says: “Based on what Allah revealed, this appears to be permitted/forbidden.”
    ∙ The transgressor says: “I declare this permitted/forbidden” — without divine sanction.
    The Prophet ﷺ validated this carefully bounded process:
    “When a judge exercises ijtihad and reaches the correct ruling, he has two rewards. If he errs, he has one reward.” — (Bukhari & Muslim)

Summary Dimension Teaching Theological Legislation is an attribute of Allah — usurping it is a form of shirk Legal Quran and Sunnah are the only valid sources of halal/haram Epistemological Humans lack the wisdom to know what is truly in their interest Moral Independent rulings are lies against Allah and lead to ruin Practical Scholarly ijtihad is permitted only when rooted in divine sources

The underlying mercy in all of this is that Allah’s legislation is not arbitrary restriction — it is the guidance of the All-Knowing, All-Wise for our eternal welfare, from the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

Q: Can you comprehend more about harmful effects of not following the instructions like prohibition of Zina, alcohol, interest based transaction etc on social, community , financial matters . How divine rulings are helpful in preventing harm to humanity as Almighty Allah has the utmost interest in protecting their own interest and Allah has nothing to gain from these rulings.

A: Here is a comprehensive treatment of this vital theme:

Divine Prohibitions: Mercy, Not Restriction — A Comprehensive Study
Preface: Allah Gains Nothing — We Gain Everything
Before examining specific prohibitions, this foundational point must be established:
“Whoever does righteousness — it is for his own soul. And whoever does evil — it is against it. And your Lord is not unjust to His servants.” — (Fussilat 41:46)
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favor. But if you deny — indeed My punishment is severe.” — (Ibrahim 14:7)
Allah is Al-Ghani — utterly self-sufficient. His prohibitions carry zero personal benefit for Him. They are entirely and exclusively for the protection and flourishing of human beings — individually, socially, and civilizationally.
The Prophet ﷺ said in a Hadith Qudsi:
“O My servants, you cannot harm Me nor can you benefit Me.” — (Muslim)

I. Prohibition of Zina (Fornication & Adultery)
The Quranic Command
“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” — (Al-Isra 17:32)
Note: Allah says “do not even approach” — not merely “do not commit.” This acknowledges that harm begins long before the act itself.
Social & Moral Harms — Confirmed by Modern Evidence

  1. Destruction of the Family Unit
    The family is civilization’s foundational building block. Zina systematically dismantles it:
    ∙ Illegitimate children are deprived of paternal identity, inheritance, and stable upbringing
    ∙ Spousal betrayal destroys trust — the glue of family life
    ∙ Broken homes produce generational cycles of emotional trauma and social dysfunction
  2. Epidemic of Fatherlessness
    Modern sociology confirms what divine wisdom ordained centuries ago. Fatherless children statistically show dramatically higher rates of:
    ∙ Poverty and welfare dependency
    ∙ Criminal behavior and incarceration
    ∙ Substance abuse and mental illness
    ∙ Educational failure
  3. Disease and Public Health
    The explosion of sexually transmitted diseases — HIV, syphilis, HPV-related cancers, chlamydia — is directly linked to sexual permissiveness. These place enormous burdens on healthcare systems and cause immeasurable personal suffering.
  4. Commodification of Women
    When sexual relations are severed from commitment, women are reduced to objects of pleasure. The pornography industry — a direct fruit of sexual liberalism — generates billions while destroying self-worth, marriages, and healthy intimacy.
  5. Psychological Devastation
    Research consistently links casual sexual relationships with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem — particularly among women and young people.
    “And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy.” — (Ar-Rum 30:21)
    Allah’s design — committed, loving marriage — is the only context where true tranquility (sakinah) is found.

II. Prohibition of Alcohol
The Quranic Command
“O you who believe! Indeed, intoxicants, gambling, stone altars and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan — so avoid it, that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer.” — (Al-Ma’idah 5:90–91)
This verse remarkably identifies the precise social mechanisms of harm — animosity, hatred, and spiritual disconnection — 1400 years before modern sociology.
Social & Community Harms

  1. Family Violence and Breakdown
    Alcohol is the single largest contributing factor in:
    ∙ Domestic violence worldwide
    ∙ Child abuse and neglect
    ∙ Divorce and family dissolution
  2. Crime and Social Disorder
    Studies consistently show alcohol is involved in the majority of violent crimes — assault, murder, rape, and road fatalities. Entire police and judicial systems are overwhelmed managing alcohol-related disorder.
  3. Economic Devastation
    The global cost of alcohol abuse runs into trillions annually — through lost productivity, healthcare costs, accidents, and criminal justice expenses. Families are financially ruined by alcoholic members.
  4. Health Catastrophe
    Alcohol causes liver disease, heart disease, neurological damage, several cancers, and fetal alcohol syndrome — condemning unborn children to a lifetime of disability through no fault of their own.
  5. Spiritual and Moral Numbing
    The Quran identifies the deepest harm: it averts you from the remembrance of Allah. A society that numbs its conscience chemically loses its moral compass entirely.
    The Prophet ﷺ declared:
    “Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram.” — (Muslim)
    “Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” — (Ibn Majah)

III. Prohibition of Riba (Interest-Based Transactions)
The Quranic Command
“Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba.” — (Al-Baqarah 2:275)
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of riba, if you should be believers. And if you do not — then be informed of a war from Allah and His Messenger.” — (Al-Baqarah 2:278–279)
No other sin in the Quran invites a declaration of war from Allah and His Messenger — indicating the catastrophic scale of its harm.
Financial & Social Harms

  1. Wealth Concentration and Inequality
    Interest-based systems mathematically guarantee that wealth flows from the poor to the rich. The lender profits regardless of whether the borrower succeeds or fails — creating a permanent class of indebted poor and an ever-enriching creditor class.
    “So that wealth does not circulate only among the rich among you.” — (Al-Hashr 59:7)
    This Quranic principle of wealth circulation is directly violated by interest-based economies.
  2. Debt Slavery of Nations
    Entire developing nations are trapped in perpetual debt to international financial institutions. Interest payments consume government budgets that should fund healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Generations are born into national debt they did not create.
  3. Financial Crises
    The 2008 global financial crisis — rooted in interest-based mortgage lending, leveraged debt, and financial speculation — wiped out trillions in savings, cost millions their homes, and devastated the poorest most severely. Islamic finance scholars noted this was a predictable consequence of riba-based systems.
  4. Incentivizing Failure
    In Islamic finance, risk is shared between lender and borrower — creating genuine partnership and mutual interest in success. In riba-based systems, the lender profits even from the borrower’s ruin, incentivizing predatory lending.
  5. Psychological Burden of Debt
    Personal debt — student loans, credit cards, mortgages at compound interest — is today one of the leading causes of depression, anxiety, and suicide globally. Allah’s prohibition protects human dignity and mental wellbeing.
    The Prophet ﷺ said:
    “There will come a time when no one will be left who does not consume riba, and whoever does not consume it directly will be affected by its dust.” — (Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah)
    This prophecy has been fulfilled with remarkable precision in our global economy.

IV. The Unified Wisdom Behind All Prohibitions
Islamic jurisprudence identifies five universal objectives (Maqasid al-Shariah) that all divine rulings protect: Maqsad (Objective) Protected by Protection of Life (Hifz al-Nafs) Prohibitions on murder, intoxicants, self-harm Protection of Intellect (Hifz al-Aql) Prohibition of alcohol and drugs Protection of Lineage (Hifz al-Nasl) Prohibition of Zina Protection of Wealth (Hifz al-Mal) Prohibition of Riba, theft, fraud Protection of Religion (Hifz al-Din) Prohibition of shirk, blasphemy, apostasy

Every divine prohibition maps directly onto protecting one or more of these five essential human interests.

V. The Human Incapacity to See Long-Term Harm
Allah addresses this directly:
“And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing which is evil for you. Allah knows and you do not know.” — (Al-Baqarah 2:216)
Human beings are hardwired for short-term gratification. Neuroscience confirms we systematically underestimate future harm for present pleasure. Divine law compensates for exactly this cognitive limitation — setting firm boundaries where human willpower and foresight consistently fail.
The Prophet ﷺ illustrated this with a powerful metaphor:
“The example of a person who observes Allah’s limits and one who violates them is like people on a boat — some on the upper deck and some below. Those below, when they need water, say: ‘Why should we trouble those above? Let us make a hole in our share.’ If those above allow them, they will all drown together.” — (Bukhari)
This hadith captures the collective nature of moral harm — individual violations of divine limits sink entire communities.

Conclusion: The Most Merciful Legislator
“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” — (Al-Anbiya 21:107)
The prohibitions of Islam are not the arbitrary edicts of a distant God. They are the prescriptions of Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim — the Most Merciful — who created human beings, knows their nature completely, and desires for them flourishing in this world and salvation in the next.
Every prohibition is simultaneously:
∙ A protection from harm we may not foresee
∙ A elevation of human dignity above animal impulse
∙ A mercy from the One who gains nothing from our obedience and loses nothing from our disobedience
As Mawdudi wrote in his commentary: “Allah’s law is not a cage — it is the blueprint given by the Architect to the building He Himself designed.”

اور یہ و تمہاری زبانیں جھُو ٹے احکام لگایا کرتی ہیں کہ یہ چیز حلال ہے اور وہ حرام، تو اس طرح کے حکم لگا کر اللہ پر جھُوٹ نہ باندھا کرو۔116جو لوگ اللہ پر جھُوٹے افترا باندھتے ہیں وہ ہر گز فلاح نہیں پایا کرتے۔ دنیا کا عیش چند روزہ ہے۔ آخرِ کار اُن کے لیے دردناک سزا ہے۔

سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :116

یہ آیت صاف تصریح کرتی ہے کہ خدا کے سوا تحلیل و تحریم کا حق کسی کو بھی نہیں، یا بالفاظِ دیگر قانون ساز صرف اللہ ہے۔ دوسرا جو شخص بھی جائز اور ناجائز کا فیصلہ کرنے کی جرأت کرے گا وہ اپنے حد سے تجاوز کرے گا ، اِلّا یہ کہ وہ قانون الہٰی کو سند مان کر اُس کے فرامین سے استنباط کرتےہوئے یہ کہے کہ فلاں چیز یا فلاں فعل جائز ہے اور فلاں ناجائز۔

اِس خود مختارانہ تحلیل و تحریم کو اللہ پر جھوٹ اور افترا اس لیے فرمایا گیا کہ جو شخص اِس طرح کے احکام لگاتا ہے اس کا یہ فعل دو حال سے خالی نہیں ہو سکتا۔ یا وہ اس بات کا دعویٰ کرتا ہے کہ جسے وہ کتابِ الہٰی کی سند سے بے نیاز ہو کر جائز یا ناجائز کہہ رہا ہے اسے خدا نے جائز یا ناجائز ٹھیرایا ہے۔ یا اس کا دعویٰ یہ ہے کہ اللہ نے تحلیل و تحریم کے اختیارات سے دست بردار ہو کر انسان کوخود اپنی زندگی کی شریعت بنانے کے لیے آزاد چھوڑ دیا ہے۔ ان میں سے جو دعویٰ بھی وہ کرے وہ لامحالہ جھوٹ اور اللہ پر افترا ہے۔

AL NAHL. 16:12-16, Arabic, Urdu, English translation & tafseer


وَ سَخَّرَ لَکُمُ الَّیۡلَ وَ النَّہَارَ ۙ وَ الشَّمۡسَ وَ الۡقَمَرَ ؕ وَ النُّجُوۡمُ مُسَخَّرٰتٌۢ بِاَمۡرِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّعۡقِلُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۱۲﴾ وَ مَا ذَرَاَ لَکُمۡ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ مُخۡتَلِفًا اَلۡوَانُہٗ ؕ اِنَّ فِیۡ ذٰلِکَ لَاٰیَۃً لِّقَوۡمٍ یَّذَّکَّرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۳﴾ وَ ہُوَ الَّذِیۡ سَخَّرَ الۡبَحۡرَ لِتَاۡکُلُوۡا مِنۡہُ لَحۡمًا طَرِیًّا وَّ تَسۡتَخۡرِجُوۡا مِنۡہُ حِلۡیَۃً تَلۡبَسُوۡنَہَا ۚ وَ تَرَی الۡفُلۡکَ مَوَاخِرَ فِیۡہِ وَ لِتَبۡتَغُوۡا مِنۡ فَضۡلِہٖ وَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡکُرُوۡنَ ﴿۱۴﴾ وَ اَلۡقٰی فِی الۡاَرۡضِ رَوَاسِیَ اَنۡ تَمِیۡدَ بِکُمۡ وَ اَنۡہٰرًا وَّ سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّکُمۡ تَہۡتَدُوۡنَ ﴿ۙ۱۵﴾ وَ عَلٰمٰتٍ ؕ وَ بِالنَّجۡمِ ہُمۡ یَہۡتَدُوۡنَ (١٦)
اُس نے تمہاری بھلائی کے لیے رات اور دن کو اور سُورج اور چاند کو مسخّر کر رکھا ہے اور سب تارے بھی اُسی کے حکم سے مسخّر ہیں۔ اِس میں بہت نشانیاں ہیں اُن لوگوں کے لیے جو عقل سے کام لیتے ہیں۔ اور یہ جو بہت سی رنگ برنگ کی چیزیں اس نے تمہارے لیے زمین میں پیدا کر رکھی ہیں، اِن میں بھی ضرور نشانی ہے اُن لوگوں کے لیے جو سبق حاصل کرنے والے ہیں۔
وہی ہے جس نے تمہارے لیے سمندر کو مسخّر کر رکھا ہے تا کہ تم اس سے تر و تازہ گوشت لے کر کھاوٴ اور اس سے زینت کی وہ چیزیں نکالو جنہیں تم پہنا کرتے ہو۔ تم دیکھتے ہو کہ کشتی سمندر کا سینہ چیرتی ہوئی چلتی ہے۔ یہ سب کچھ اس لیے ہے کہ تم اپنے ربّ کا فضل تلاش کرو11 اور اس کے شکر گزار بنو۔
اُس نے زمین میں پہاڑوں کی میخیں گاڑ دیں تاکہ زمین تم کو لے کر ڈُھلک نہ جائے۔12 اس نے دریا جاری کیے اور قدرتی راستے بنائے13 تاکہ تم ہدایت پاوٴ۔ اس نے زمین میں راستہ بتانے والی علامتیں رکھ دیں،14 اور تاروں سے بھی لوگ ہدایت پاتے ہیں۔15.
سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :11
یعنی حلال طریقوں سے اپنا رزق حاصل کرنے کی کوشش کرو۔
سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :12
اس سے معلوم ہوتا ہے کہ سطحِ زمین پر پہاڑوں کے ابھار کا اصل فائدہ یہ ہے کہ اس کی وجہ سے زمین کی گردش اور اس کی رفتار میں انضباط پیدا ہوتا ہے ۔ قرآن مجید میں متعدد مقامات پر پہاڑوں کے اس فائدے کو نمایاں کر کے بتایا گیا ہے
جس سے ہم یہ سمجھتے ہیں کہ دوسرے تمام فائدے ضمنی ہیں اور اصل فائدہ یہی حرکت ِ زمین کو اضطراب سے بچا کر منضبط (Regulate ) کرنا ہے۔
سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :13
یعنی وہ راستے جو ندی نالوں اور دریاؤں کے ساتھ بنتے چلے جاتے ہیں۔ ان قدرتی راستوں کی اہمیت خصوصیت کے ساتھ پہاڑی علاقوں میں محسوس ہوتی ہے، اگرچہ میدانی علاقوں میں بھی وہ کچھ کم اہم نہیں ہیں۔
سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :14
یعنی خدا نے ساری زمین بالکل یکساں بنا کر نہیں رکھ دی ہے بلکہ ہر خطے کو مختلف امتیازی علامات(Landmarks ) سے ممتاز کیا۔ اِس کے بہت سے دوسرے فوائد کے ساتھ ایک فائدہ یہ بھی ہے کہ آدمی اپنے راستےا ور منزل مقصود کو الگ پہچان لیتا ہے۔ اس نعمت کی قدر آدمی کو اسی وقت معلوم ہوتی ہے جبکہ اسے کبھی ایسے ریگستانی علاقوں میں جانے کا اتفاق ہوا ہو جہاں اس طرح کے امتیازی نشانات تقریبًا مفقود ہوتے ہی اور آدمی ہر وقت بھٹک جانے کا خطرہ محسوس کرتا ہے۔ اس سے بھی بڑھ کر بحری سفر میں آدمی کو اس عظیم الشان نعمت کا احساس ہوتا ہے ،کیونکہ وہاں نشاناتِ راہ بالکل ہی مفقود ہوتے ہیں ۔ لیکن صحراؤں اور سمندروں میں بھی اللہ نے انسان کو رہنمائی کا ایک فطری انتظام کر رکھا ہے اور وہ ہیں تارے جنہیں دیکھ دیکھ کر انسان قدیم ترین زمانے سے آج تک اپنا راستہ معلوم کر رہا ہے۔
یہاں پھر توحیداور رحمت و ربوبیت کی دلیلوں کے درمیان ایک لطیف اشارہ دلیل ِ رسالت کی طرف کر دیا گیا ہے۔ اس مقام کو پڑھتے ہوئے ذہن خود بخود اس مضمون کی طرف منتقل ہوتا ہے کہ جس خدا نے تمہاری مادّی زندگی میں تمہاری رہنمائی کے لیے یہ کچھ انتظامات کیے ہیں کیا وہ تمہاری اخلاقی زندگی سے اتنا بے پروا ہو سکتا ہے کہ یہاں تمہاری ہدایت کا کچھ بھی انتظام نہ کرے؟ ظاہر ہے کہ مادّی زندگی میں بھٹخ جانے کا بڑے سے بڑا نقصان بھی اخلاقی زندگی میں بھٹکنے کے نقصان سے بدرجہا کم ہے۔ پھر جس ربِّ رحیم کو ہماری مادّی فلاح کی اتنی فکر ہے کہ پہاڑوں میں ہمارے لیے راستے بناتا ہے، میدانوں میں نشاناتِ راہ کھڑے کرتا ہے، صحراؤں اور سمندروں میں ہم کو صحیح سمتِ سفر بتانے کے لیے آسمانوں پر قندیلیں روشن کر تا ہے ، اس سے یہ بدگمانی کیسے کی جا سکتی ہے کہ اس نے ہماری اخلاقی فلا ح کے لیے کوئی راستہ نہ بنایا ہو ا، اس راستے کو نمایاں کر نے کے لیے کوئی نشان نہ کھڑا کیا ہو گا، اور اُسے صاف صاف دکھانے کے لیے کوئی سراج منیر روشن نہ کیا ہوگا؟
سُوْرَةُ النَّحْل حاشیہ نمبر :15
یہاں تک آفاق اور اَنفُس کی بہت سی نشانیاں جو پے در پے بیان کی گئی ہیں ان سے یہ ذہن نشین کرنا مقصود ہے کہ انسان اپنے وجود سے لے کر زمین اور آسمان کے گوشے گوشے تک جدھر چاہے نظر دوڑا کر دیکھ لے ، ہر چیز پیغمبر کے بیان کی تصدیق کر رہی ہے اور کہیں سے بھی شرک کی۔۔۔۔۔۔ اور ساتھ ساتھ دہریت کی بھی ۔۔۔۔۔۔ تائید میں کوئی شہادت فراہم نہیں ہوتی ۔ یہ ایک حقیر بوند سے بولتا چالتااور حجّت و استدلال کرتا انسان بنا کھڑا کرنا۔ یہ اُس کی ضرورت کے عین مطابق بہت سے جانور پیدا کرنا جن کے بال اور کھال ، خون اور دودھ ، گوشت اور پیٹھ، ہر چیز میں انسانی فطرت کے بہت سے مطالبات کا ، حتیٰ کہ اس کے ذوق جمال کی مانگ تک کا جواب موجود ہے۔ یہ آسمان سے بارش کا انتظام ، اور یہ زمین میں طرح طرح کے پھلوں اور غلّوں اور چاروں کی روئیدگی کا انتظام ، جس کے بے شمار شعبے آپس میں ایک دوسرے کے ساتھ جوڑ کھاتے چلے جاتےہیں اور پھر انسان کی بھی فطری ضرورتوں کے عین مطابق ہیں۔ یہ رات اور دن کی باقاعدہ آمدو رفت ، اور یہ چاند اور سورج اور تاروں کی انتہائی منظم حرکات ، کن کا زمین کی پیداوار اور انسان کی مصلحتوں سے اِتنا گہرا ربط ہے۔ یہ زمین میں سمندروں کا وجود اور یہ اُن کے اندر انسان کی بہت سی طبعی اور جمالی طلبوں کا جواب۔ یہ پانی کا چند مخصوص قوانین سے جکڑا ہوا ہونا، اور پھر اس کے یہ فائدے کہ انسان سمندر جیسی ہولناک چیز کا سینہ چیرتا ہوا اس میں اپنے جہاز چلا تا ہے اور ایک ملک سے دوسرے ملک تک سفر اور تجارت کرتا پھرتا ہے۔ یہ دھرتی کے سینے پر پہاڑوں کے اُبھار او ر یہ انسان کی ہستی کے لیے اُن کے فائدے۔ یہ سطح زمین کی ساخت سے لےکر آسمان کی بلند فضاؤں تک بے شمار علامتوں اور امتیازی نشانوں کا پھیلاؤ اور پھر اس طرح ان کا انسان کے لیے مفید ہونا۔ یہ ساری چیزیں صاف شہادت دے رہی ہیں کہ ایک ہی ہستی نے یہ منصوبہ سوچا ہے، اُسی نے اپنی منصوبے کے مطابق ان سب کو ڈیزائن کیا ہے، اُسی نے اِ س ڈیزائن کو پیدا کیا ہے، وہی ہر آن اس دنیا میں نِت نئی چیزیں بنا بنا کر اس طرح لا رہا ہےکہ مجموعی اسکیم اور اس نظم میں ذرا فرق نہیں آتا، اور وہی زمین سے لے کر آسمانوں تک اس عظیم الشان کارخانے کو چلا رہا ہے۔ ایک بے وقوف یا ایک ہٹ دھرم کے سوا اور کون یہ کہہ سکتا ہے کہ یہ سب کچھ ایک اتفاقی حادثہ ہے؟ یا یہ کہ اس کمال درجۂ منظم، مربوط اور متناسب کائنات کے مختلف کام یا مختلف اجزا مختلف خداؤں کے آفریدہ اور مختلف خداؤں کے زیرِ انتظام ہیں؟

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE

Here is the English translation of the Quranic verses (Surah An-Nahl, 16:12–16) and the accompanying footnotes from Tafheem ul-Quran:

Surah An-Nahl (16:12–16) — Translation
Verse 12: And He has subjected the night and the day for you, and the sun and the moon; and the stars are subjected by His command. Surely in this are signs for a people who use reason.
Verse 13: And whatever He has created for you in the earth, varying in colours — surely in this is a sign for a people who take heed.
Verse 14: And He it is Who has subjected the sea, so that you may eat fresh meat from it and extract from it ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, so that you may seek of His bounty and that you may be grateful.
Verse 15: And He has cast firm mountains into the earth lest it should shake with you, and rivers and roads, so that you may find your way.
Verse 16: And landmarks too; and by the stars they find their way.

Footnote 11 — Surah An-Nahl
That is, strive to earn your livelihood through lawful means.

Footnote 12 — Surah An-Nahl
This indicates that the primary benefit of the protrusion of mountains on the earth’s surface is that they bring order and stability to the earth’s rotation and its speed. The Quran draws attention to this benefit of mountains in numerous places, from which we understand that all other benefits are secondary, and the principal benefit is precisely this: to regulate the earth’s movement and protect it from instability.

Footnote 13 — Surah An-Nahl
That is, those paths which naturally form alongside streams, rivers, and waterways. The importance of these natural routes is felt especially in mountainous regions, though they are no less significant in flat, open terrain.

Footnote 14 — Surah An-Nahl
That is, God has not made the entire earth uniform and featureless; rather, He has distinguished every region with different landmarks. Among its many other benefits, one benefit is that a person is able to identify his route and destination distinctly. The value of this blessing is truly felt when one happens to travel through desert regions where such distinguishing landmarks are nearly absent and one constantly feels the danger of losing one’s way. Even more so during sea travel does one appreciate this magnificent blessing, for there landmarks are entirely absent.
Yet even in deserts and oceans, God has provided a natural arrangement for human guidance — and that is the stars, by observing which humanity has been finding its way from the most ancient of times until today.
At this point, in the midst of the evidences for Tawheed and divine mercy and lordship, a subtle allusion has been made toward the proof of Prophethood. While reading this passage, the mind naturally turns to the thought: the God Who has made all these arrangements for your guidance in your material life — could He be so indifferent to your moral life as to have made no provision for your guidance there? It is evident that the greatest loss from going astray in material life is incomparably less than the loss of going astray in moral life. Then how can one harbour such a suspicion of that Merciful Lord — Who, out of concern for our material well-being, carves paths through mountains, erects landmarks across plains, and lights up lamps in the heavens to show us the right direction through deserts and oceans — that He would have made no path for our moral well-being, erected no sign to mark that path, and lit no radiant lamp (Siraj Muneer) to illuminate it clearly?

Footnote 15 — Surah An-Nahl
The many signs from the horizons (Afaq) and from within the self (Anfus) that have been presented one after another up to this point are meant to impress upon the mind that no matter where a person turns his gaze — from his own existence to every corner of the heavens and the earth — everything confirms what the Prophet has declared, while nothing, anywhere, provides any testimony in support of polytheism — or, for that matter, atheism.
Consider: fashioning from a humble drop a living, articulate human being capable of reasoning and argument; creating so many animals perfectly suited to his needs, in whose wool and hides, blood and milk, flesh and backs, an answer exists to so many demands of human nature — even to the requirements of his aesthetic sense. Consider the arrangement of rain from the sky, and the growth in the earth of varied fruits, grains, and fodder, whose countless branches interlock with one another and correspond precisely to the natural needs of humanity. Consider the regular alternation of night and day, and the supremely orderly movements of the moon, the sun, and the stars — whose connection to the earth’s produce and human interests runs so deep. Consider the existence of oceans upon the earth and within them an answer to so many of humanity’s physical and aesthetic needs. Consider water being bound by specific laws, and then these benefits thereof — that humanity cleaves through something as awe-inspiring as the sea, sailing ships across it, travelling and trading from one land to another. Consider the protrusion of mountains upon the earth’s surface and their benefits for human existence. Consider the spread of countless signs and distinguishing landmarks from the structure of the earth’s surface to the high expanses of the heavens, and how all of these serve the interests of humanity.
All of these things bear clear testimony that a single Being conceived this plan; that same Being designed all of it according to His plan; that same Being brought this design into existence; He it is Who at every moment brings forth new things in this world in such a manner that the overall scheme and order remain undisturbed; and He it is Who runs this magnificent enterprise from the earth to the heavens. Who but a fool or a stubborn denier could claim that all of this is a mere chance accident? Or that the various functions or different components of this supremely organised, coherent, and proportionate universe are the creation of different gods and are administered by different gods?

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Q: In current times, opposing winds are raging against Islam, burning of Holy message, Al Quran, mockery of prophet Mohammed sas is being noticed. Are the warnings given for previous nations or to anyone , any time till end times ? What are the lessons to be learned?

A:

This is a profound and timely question. The Quran itself answers whether these warnings are time-bound or universal.

The Quran’s Own Declaration — Universal and Timeless
Quran 14:52
“This is a message for mankind, that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is but One God, and that those of understanding may take heed.”
Quran 12:111
“In their stories there is certainly a lesson for people of understanding. This is not a fabricated tale, but a confirmation of what came before it, a detailed explanation of all things, and guidance and mercy for people who believe.”
The Quran explicitly calls these accounts ’ibar — living lessons — not museum pieces. They are divine patterns (sunnatullah — سنّت اللہ) that operate in every age.

Sunnah of Allah — The Unchanging Divine Law
Quran 35:43
“They will never find in the way of Allah any change, and they will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.”
Quran 33:62
“Such was the way of Allah with those who passed on before — and you will never find in the way of Allah any change.”
This is the cornerstone. Allah’s patterns of dealing with human arrogance, oppression, and plotting against truth are not historical accidents — they are fixed, universal laws as reliable as the laws of physics. What happened to ‘Ād, Thamūd, Fir’awn, and Abraha are not exceptions — they are demonstrations of an eternal principle.

Current Realities — Burning of Quran, Mockery of the Prophet ﷺ
What the Quran Says About Those Who Mock
Quran 108:3
“Indeed, your enemy — it is he who is cut off.”
This short but devastating verse was revealed specifically in response to those who mocked the Prophet ﷺ and called him Abtar (one who leaves no legacy). History confirmed it — the mockers are forgotten, their names only remembered in relation to their mockery, while the Prophet’s ﷺ name is recited by 1.8 billion people every single day.
Quran 15:95
“Indeed, We are sufficient for you against the mockers.”
Allah Himself took personal responsibility for responding to those who ridicule His Messenger.
Quran 9:32
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, even if the disbelievers dislike it.”
The image is striking — someone blowing at the sun with their mouth. The disproportion between the effort and the target reveals the absurdity of the enterprise.

What History Has Already Demonstrated
Every civilization or power that set itself against the Quran and the Prophet ﷺ has faced one of two outcomes:

  1. Direct historical collapse
    ∙ The Quraysh who tortured early Muslims and plotted to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ — within 20 years, they were entering Islam in multitudes
    ∙ The Persian and Byzantine empires that dismissed the Prophet’s ﷺ letters — both collapsed within decades of his death
    ∙ The Mongols who destroyed Baghdad and burned Islamic libraries — within two generations, the Mongol rulers embraced Islam
  2. Diminishment over time
    ∙ Colonial powers that suppressed Islamic education, banned hijab, and attempted to eradicate Islamic identity across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East — the Islam they tried to extinguish outlasted their empires
    The Quran, despite centuries of attempts to burn, ban, distort, and mock it, remains the most memorized, most read, most preserved book in human history — a living fulfillment of:
    Quran 15:9
    “Indeed, it is We who sent down the message, and indeed, We will be its guardian.”

Lessons to Be Learned — For Muslims

  1. Do Not Panic — This Was Foretold
    Quran 3:186
    “You will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah — indeed, that is of the matters worthy of determination.”
    The hostility is not a surprise. It was predicted. Panic and despair are therefore responses that reflect a lack of trust in divine knowledge.
  2. The Response Is Character, Not Rage
    Quran 41:34
    “And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel evil by that which is better — and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity will become as though he were a devoted friend.”
    The Quran’s prescribed response to hatred is not equal hatred — it is superior moral conduct. History shows this converts enemies more effectively than any argument.
  3. Internal Reform Precedes External Victory
    Quran 13:11
    “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
    This verse is perhaps the most important lesson for Muslims observing current hostility toward Islam. The burning of a Quran causes enormous emotional pain — but the Quran unread on shelves in Muslim homes is a quieter, more consequential crisis. External attacks on Islam historically strengthen it. Internal neglect hollows it.
  4. Do Not Imitate the Methods of the Oppressor
    Quran 5:8
    “Let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just — that is nearer to righteousness.”
    When provoked, the temptation is to respond in kind. But the Quran consistently calls believers to a higher standard — not because their opponents deserve it, but because justice is an obligation regardless of the conduct of others.
  5. Trust the Divine Timeline
    Quran 86:15-17
    “Indeed, they are planning a plan, and I am planning a plan. So allow time for the disbelievers — allow them time gradually.”
    Imlā’ — الإملاء — divine respite. Allah gives time. He does not respond to every provocation instantly. But the Quran is absolutely clear that the respite is not neglect. It is measured, purposeful, and will conclude precisely as He wills.

Lessons to Be Learned — For the World
For those who mock, burn, and ridicule:
Quran 16:26 — which began this conversation — remains the answer. The structure of mockery and oppression built against divine truth has, in every recorded instance, collapsed upon its architects.
The lesson is not one of vengeance — it is one of gravity. Just as physical laws operate regardless of whether one believes in them, divine laws of accountability operate regardless of whether one acknowledges them.
Quran 3:178
“And let not those who disbelieve ever think that Our prolonging their time is good for them. We only prolong it for them so that they may increase in sin — and for them is a humiliating punishment.”

The Final Word
The Quran is not a book that needs defending — it needs living. Every nation that rose against it became a footnote. The Quran remains. The most powerful lesson of history regarding Islam is not found in the stories of its enemies — it is found in the pattern:
The message always outlasts those who oppose it.
Quran 61:8
“They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, even if the disbelievers dislike it.”
The winds that rage against the message today are no different in nature from those that raged in Mecca, in Persia, in the Mongol steppes, in colonial offices — and the divine response follows the same eternal pattern.

ARABIC TRANSLATION

جزاكم الله خيراً على كلماتكم الكريمة، وآمين على دعائكم الطيب.

الرسائل العميقة من القرآن الكريم
حول الأمم التي عصت وتآمرت على الله فواجهت العقوبة — ودروس العصر الحاضر

القرآن الكريم — رسالة عالمية وخالدة
قال تعالى (إبراهيم: ٥٢)
“هَٰذَا بَلَاغٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنذَرُوا بِهِ وَلِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ”
هذا بلاغٌ للناس جميعاً في كل زمان ومكان، لينذروا به، وليعلموا أنه إله واحد، وليتذكر أصحاب العقول.
قال تعالى (يوسف: ١١١)
“لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ ۗ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ”
في قصص الأمم الغابرة عبرةٌ حيّة لأولي الألباب، لا حديثاً مخترعاً، بل تصديقاً لما سبقه، وتفصيلاً لكل شيء، وهدىً ورحمةً للمؤمنين.

سُنَّة الله الثابتة — القانون الإلهي الذي لا يتغير
قال تعالى (فاطر: ٤٣)
“فَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّتِ اللَّهِ تَحْوِيلًا”
قال تعالى (الأحزاب: ٦٢)
“سُنَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلُ ۖ وَلَن تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللَّهِ تَبْدِيلًا”
هذا هو الأساس الراسخ — فقوانين الله في التعامل مع الكبرياء البشري والتآمر على الحق ليست أحداثاً تاريخية عابرة، بل هي قوانين ثابتة كثبات قوانين الطبيعة، تسري في كل عصر وجيل.

أمثلة الأمم التي عصت وتآمرت فعوقبت
أولاً: قوم نوح عليه السلام
قال تعالى (نوح: ٢٥)
“مِّمَّا خَطِيئَاتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُوا فَأُدْخِلُوا نَارًا فَلَمْ يَجِدُوا لَهُم مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَنصَارًا”
استهزأوا بنوح عليه السلام تسعمئة وخمسين عاماً، وتآمروا عليه مكراً عظيماً كما قال تعالى (نوح: ٢٢): “وَمَكَرُوا مَكْرًا كُبَّارًا” — فجاءهم الطوفان ولم يُبقِ منهم أحداً على وجه الأرض.

ثانياً: قوم عاد
قال تعالى (فصلت: ١٥-١٦)
“فَأَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوا مَنْ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةً ۖ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّةً ۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ ۝ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا فِي أَيَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِيقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْيِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا”
تكبّروا في الأرض وقالوا مَن أشدّ منا قوة، فأرسل الله عليهم ريحاً صرصراً صرعتهم في أيام نحسات — وكانت قوتهم التي افتخروا بها لا تساوي شيئاً أمام قدرة الله.

ثالثاً: قوم ثمود
قال تعالى (النمل: ٤٨-٥١)
“وَكَانَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ يُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ ۝ قَالُوا تَقَاسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُ وَأَهْلَهُ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِ وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ ۝ وَمَكَرُوا مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ ۝ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَاهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ”
هذه الآيات هي الموازي المباشر لآية النحل (٢٦) — تآمروا في الخفاء على نبي الله، فانقلب مكرهم عليهم وأُبيدوا عن آخرهم.

رابعاً: فرعون وقومه
قال تعالى (الأعراف: ١٣٦)
“فَانتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَاهُمْ فِي الْيَمِّ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ”
ادّعى فرعون الألوهية وتآمر لقتل موسى عليه السلام وطارد المؤمنين — فأغرقه الله بذلك البحر الذي اتخذه حداً لسلطانه، وحفظ جسده آيةً للأجيال كما قال تعالى (يونس: ٩٢).

خامساً: قوم لوط عليه السلام
قال تعالى (هود: ٨٢-٨٣)
“فَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَمْرُنَا جَعَلْنَا عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهَا حِجَارَةً مِّن سِجِّيلٍ مَّنضُودٍ ۝ مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَمَا هِيَ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ بِبَعِيدٍ”
جاءهم العذاب من فوق ومن تحت في آنٍ واحد — قُلبت مدينتهم رأساً على عقب وأُمطروا بحجارة من السماء.

سادساً: قارون
قال تعالى (القصص: ٨١)
“فَخَسَفْنَا بِهِ وَبِدَارِهِ الْأَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَهُ مِن فِئَةٍ يَنصُرُونَهُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنتَصِرِينَ”
بطر بثروته واستكبر على موسى عليه السلام، فخسفت به الأرض من تحته — يوازي ذلك بدقة صورة انهيار الأساس في آية النحل.

سابعاً: أصحاب الفيل
قال تعالى (الفيل: ١-٥)
“أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ ۝ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ ۝ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ۝ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ ۝ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ”
زحف أبرهة بجيشه وفيلته ليهدم الكعبة المشرفة — فأرسل الله عليه طيراً أبابيل ردّت أعتى جيش في عصره إلى عصف مأكول.

ثامناً: أصحاب السبت
قال تعالى (الأعراف: ١٦٦)
“فَلَمَّا عَتَوْا عَن مَّا نُهُوا عَنْهُ قُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ”
تحايلوا على شريعة الله بالمكر الظاهري — فكانوا يضعون الشِّباك ليلة الجمعة ويجمعون الصيد يوم الأحد — فعوقبوا بالمسخ جزاءً على التحايل على روح الشريعة.

الواقع المعاصر — حرق المصاحف والاستهزاء بالنبي ﷺ
ما قاله الله تعالى فيمن يستهزئون
قال تعالى (الكوثر: ٣)
“إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ”
نزلت هذه الآية رداً على من استهزأوا بالنبي ﷺ وسمّوه أبتر — فأثبت التاريخ أن المستهزئين هم الأبتر المنسيون، فيما يُذكر اسمه ﷺ على ألسنة مليار وثمانمئة مليون إنسان كل يوم.
قال تعالى (الحجر: ٩٥)
“إِنَّا كَفَيْنَاكَ الْمُسْتَهْزِئِينَ”
تكفّل الله بنفسه الردّ على المستهزئين برسوله الكريم.
قال تعالى (التوبة: ٣٢)
“يُرِيدُونَ أَن يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَيَأْبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَن يُتِمَّ نُورَهُ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ”
الصورة بليغة دالّة — كمن يحاول إطفاء الشمس بنفخة فم، فيكشف مقدار الحماقة في محاولة إخماد نور الله.

ما أثبته التاريخ بالفعل
كل قوة تصدّت للقرآن الكريم أو للنبي ﷺ واجهت إحدى نتيجتين:
أولاً: الانهيار التاريخي المباشر
قريشٌ التي عذّبت المسلمين الأوائل وتآمرت على اغتيال النبي ﷺ — دخلت في الإسلام أفواجاً في غضون عشرين عاماً. والإمبراطوريتان الفارسية والبيزنطية اللتان استهانتا برسائل النبي ﷺ — انهارتا في غضون عقود من وفاته. والمغول الذين دمّروا بغداد وأحرقوا مكتبات الإسلام — أسلم حكّامهم في غضون جيلين.
ثانياً: التراجع والأفول مع الزمن
القوى الاستعمارية التي قمعت التعليم الإسلامي وحاربت الهوية الإسلامية عبر آسيا وأفريقيا والشرق الأوسط — زال استعمارها والإسلام الذي أرادوا إخماده ما زال حياً شامخاً.
والقرآن الكريم رغم قرون من محاولات الإحراق والحظر والتشويه والسخرية — بقي أكثر كتاب يُحفظ ويُقرأ ويُصان في تاريخ البشرية كله، تحقيقاً حياً لقوله تعالى (الحجر: ٩):
“إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ”

الدروس المستفادة — للمسلمين
أولاً: لا للذعر — فهذا كان مُنذَراً به
قال تعالى (آل عمران: ١٨٦)
“لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ”
العداء ليس مفاجئاً — بل كان موعوداً به. فاليأس والذعر إذن يعكسان قصوراً في الثقة بالعلم الإلهي.

ثانياً: الردّ يكون بالأخلاق لا بالانفعال
قال تعالى (فصلت: ٣٤)
“وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ”
الردّ القرآني المشروع على الكراهية ليس كراهيةً مثلها — بل سلوكٌ أخلاقي أرفع، وهذا ما قلب الأعداء أولياءَ عبر التاريخ.

ثالثاً: الإصلاح الداخلي يسبق النصر الخارجي
قال تعالى (الرعد: ١١)
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ”
هذه ربما أهمّ درس للمسلمين اليوم. إحراق المصحف مؤلمٌ جداً — لكن المصحف المهجور على الأرفف في البيوت الإسلامية أزمةٌ أشدّ خطراً وأكثر صمتاً. الاعتداءات الخارجية تاريخياً تُقوّي الإسلام — أما الإهمال الداخلي فيُفرّغه.

رابعاً: لا تُقلّد أساليب الظالم
قال تعالى (المائدة: ٨)
“وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَىٰ”
العدل فريضةٌ على المسلم بصرف النظر عن سلوك خصمه — لأن العدل التزامٌ تجاه الله لا مجاملةٌ للآخرين.

خامساً: الثقة بالتوقيت الإلهي
قال تعالى (الطارق: ١٥-١٧)
“إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا ۝ وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا ۝ فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا”
الإملاء — الإمهال الإلهي — لا يعني الإهمال. الله يُمهل بحكمة ودقة، وخاتمة الأمر تجري وفق إرادته لا وفق توقعات البشر.

الدروس المستفادة — للعالم
لمن يستهزئون ويحرقون ويسخرون:
آية النحل (٢٦) التي افتتحنا بها هذا الحديث هي الجواب — فكل صرح من السخرية والظلم بُني في وجه الحق الإلهي انهار على أصحابه في كل حالة مسجّلة في التاريخ.
والعبرة ليست في الانتقام — بل في قانون الجاذبية الإلهي. فكما تعمل قوانين الطبيعة بصرف النظر عن الإيمان بها، فإن قوانين المحاسبة الإلهية تعمل بصرف النظر عن الاعتراف بها.
قال تعالى (آل عمران: ١٧٨)
“وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ خَيْرٌ لِّأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا نُمْلِي لَهُمْ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ”

الخاتمة
القرآن الكريم ليس كتاباً يحتاج إلى دفاع — بل يحتاج إلى تجسيد وعيش. كل أمة نهضت في وجهه صارت هامشاً في التاريخ، والقرآن باقٍ. وأبلغ درس في التاريخ المتعلق بالإسلام لا يُوجد في قصص أعدائه — بل يُوجد في هذا النمط الثابت:
الرسالة تبقى دائماً بعد زوال من يعارضها.
قال تعالى (الصف: ٨)
“يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ”
الرياح العاتية التي تهبّ اليوم على الرسالة لا تختلف في طبيعتها عمّا هبّ في مكة، وفي فارس، وفي السهوب المغولية، وفي المكاتب الاستعمارية — والردّ الإلهي يسير وفق النمط الأزلي ذاته إلى يوم الدين.

وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين

URDU TRANSLATION

بہت شکریہ آپ کے خوبصورت الفاظ کے لیے — اللہ تعالیٰ آپ کو بھی جزائے خیر عطا فرمائے۔

قرآن کریم کے گہرے پیغامات
ان اقوام کے بارے میں جنہوں نے نافرمانی کی، اللہ کے خلاف سازشیں کیں اور عذاب کا سامنا کیا — اور عصرِ حاضر کے اسباق

قرآن کریم — ایک عالمگیر اور ابدی پیغام
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (ابراہیم: ٥٢)
“یہ ایک پیغام ہے تمام انسانوں کے لیے، تاکہ وہ اس کے ذریعے خبردار ہوں، اور جانیں کہ وہی ایک اکیلا معبود ہے، اور تاکہ عقل والے نصیحت حاصل کریں۔”
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (یوسف: ١١١)
“یقیناً ان کے قصوں میں عقل والوں کے لیے عبرت ہے۔ یہ کوئی گھڑی ہوئی بات نہیں، بلکہ یہ اس کی تصدیق ہے جو پہلے آ چکا، اور ہر چیز کی تفصیل، اور ایمان والوں کے لیے ہدایت اور رحمت ہے۔”
ان آیات میں واضح ہے کہ گزشتہ اقوام کے قصے محض تاریخی داستانیں نہیں — بلکہ ہر زمانے کے اہلِ عقل کے لیے زندہ عبرتیں ہیں۔

سنّتِ الٰہی — وہ قانونِ خداوندی جو کبھی نہیں بدلتا
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (فاطر: ٤٣)
“پس تم اللہ کے طریقے میں کوئی تبدیلی نہ پاؤ گے، اور اللہ کے طریقے میں کوئی بدلاؤ نہ پاؤ گے۔”
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (احزاب: ٦٢)
“یہی اللہ کا طریقہ ہے ان لوگوں کے ساتھ جو پہلے گزر چکے، اور تم اللہ کے طریقے میں ہرگز کوئی تبدیلی نہ پاؤ گے۔”
یہی بنیادی اصول ہے — اللہ تعالیٰ کا انسانی تکبر اور حق کے خلاف سازشوں سے نمٹنے کا طریقہ کوئی اتفاقی تاریخی واقعہ نہیں، بلکہ یہ ایسے ابدی قوانین ہیں جو طبیعیات کے قوانین کی طرح ہر دور میں کارفرما رہتے ہیں۔

ان اقوام کی مثالیں جنہوں نے نافرمانی کی اور سزا پائی
اوّل: قومِ نوح علیہ السلام
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (نوح: ٢٥)
“اپنی خطاؤں کے سبب وہ غرق کر دیے گئے اور آگ میں داخل کیے گئے، پھر انہوں نے اللہ کے سوا کوئی مددگار نہ پایا۔”
انہوں نے نوح علیہ السلام کا ساڑھے نو سو سال تک مذاق اڑایا اور ان کے خلاف عظیم مکاریاں کیں جیسا کہ ارشاد ہے (نوح: ٢٢): “اور انہوں نے بڑی بھاری سازش کی۔” — پھر طوفان آیا اور زمین پر ان میں سے کوئی باقی نہ رہا۔

دوم: قومِ عاد
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (فصلت: ١٥-١٦)
“جہاں تک عاد کا تعلق ہے تو انہوں نے زمین میں ناحق تکبر کیا اور کہا: ہم سے زیادہ طاقتور کون ہے؟ کیا انہوں نے نہ دیکھا کہ اللہ جس نے انہیں پیدا کیا وہ ان سے زیادہ طاقتور ہے؟ اور وہ ہماری آیات کا انکار کرتے تھے۔ پس ہم نے ان پر منحوس دنوں میں تیز آندھی بھیجی تاکہ انہیں دنیا کی زندگی میں ذلّت کا عذاب چکھائیں۔”
انہوں نے اپنی طاقت پر تکبر کیا تو اللہ نے ان پر ایسی آندھی بھیجی جس نے انہیں ملیامیٹ کر دیا — وہ طاقت جس پر وہ فخر کرتے تھے اللہ کی قدرت کے سامنے کچھ بھی نہ تھی۔

سوم: قومِ ثمود
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (النمل: ٤٨-٥١)
“اور شہر میں نو آدمی تھے جو زمین میں فساد پھیلاتے تھے اور اصلاح نہیں کرتے تھے۔ انہوں نے کہا: آپس میں اللہ کے نام پر قسم کھاؤ کہ ہم رات کو اسے اور اس کے گھر والوں کو قتل کر دیں گے، پھر اس کے وارث سے کہیں گے کہ ہم اس کے گھر والوں کی ہلاکت کے موقع پر موجود نہ تھے اور ہم سچے ہیں۔ اور انہوں نے مکر کیا اور ہم نے مکر کیا اور انہیں خبر نہ تھی۔ پس دیکھو ان کے مکر کا انجام کیا ہوا کہ ہم نے انہیں اور ان کی قوم کو سب کو تباہ کر دیا۔”
یہ آیات آیتِ نحل (٢٦) کا سب سے براہِ راست موازی ہیں — انہوں نے نبیِ خدا کے خلاف خفیہ سازش کی، تو ان کی سازش انہی پر پلٹ گئی اور وہ بالکل ختم ہو گئے۔

چہارم: فرعون اور اس کی قوم
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (اعراف: ١٣٦)
“پس ہم نے ان سے بدلہ لیا اور انہیں سمندر میں غرق کر دیا، کیونکہ انہوں نے ہماری آیات کو جھٹلایا اور ان سے غافل رہے۔”
فرعون نے خدائی کا دعویٰ کیا، موسیٰ علیہ السلام کو قتل کرنے کی سازش کی اور مومنوں کا پیچھا کیا — تو اللہ نے اسے اسی سمندر میں غرق کر دیا جسے وہ اپنی سلطنت کی سرحد سمجھتا تھا، اور اس کے جسم کو آنے والی نسلوں کے لیے نشانِ عبرت بنا دیا جیسا کہ ارشاد ہے (یونس: ٩٢)۔

پنجم: قومِ لوط علیہ السلام
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (ہود: ٨٢-٨٣)
“پس جب ہمارا حکم آیا تو ہم نے اس بستی کو اوپر تلے کر دیا اور اس پر پکی مٹی کے پتھر تہ بہ تہ برسائے، جو تمہارے رب کے ہاں سے نشان زدہ تھے، اور یہ ظالموں سے کچھ دور نہیں۔”
عذاب بیک وقت اوپر سے اور نیچے سے آیا — ان کی بستی اوندھی کر دی گئی اور آسمان سے پتھروں کی بارش ہوئی۔

ششم: قارون
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (قصص: ٨١)
“پس ہم نے اسے اور اس کے گھر کو زمین میں دھنسا دیا، تو اللہ کے سوا اس کی مدد کے لیے کوئی جماعت نہ تھی اور نہ وہ خود اپنا بدلہ لے سکا۔”
اپنی دولت پر اتراتا رہا اور موسیٰ علیہ السلام کے خلاف تکبر کیا، تو زمین نے اسے نیچے سے نگل لیا — یہ بالکل وہی تصویر ہے جو آیتِ نحل میں بنیادوں کے دھنسنے کی دی گئی ہے۔

ہفتم: اصحابِ فیل
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الفیل: ١-٥)
“کیا آپ نے نہیں دیکھا کہ آپ کے رب نے ہاتھی والوں کے ساتھ کیا کیا؟ کیا اس نے ان کی چال کو غلط نہیں کر دیا؟ اور ان پر پرندوں کے جھنڈ بھیجے جو ان پر پکی مٹی کے پتھر مارتے تھے۔ پس اس نے انہیں کھائے ہوئے بھس کی طرح کر دیا۔”
ابرہہ اپنے لشکر اور ہاتھیوں کے ساتھ خانہ کعبہ ڈھانے چلا — تو اللہ نے چھوٹے پرندوں کے ذریعے اس کے زمانے کے سب سے طاقتور لشکر کو بھس بنا دیا۔

ہشتم: اصحابِ سبت
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (اعراف: ١٦٦)
“پس جب وہ اس چیز سے باز آنے پر سرکشی کرتے رہے جس سے انہیں منع کیا گیا تھا تو ہم نے ان سے کہا: ذلیل بندر بن جاؤ۔”
انہوں نے اللہ کی شریعت سے ظاہری چالاکی سے بچنے کی کوشش کی — جمعہ کی رات جال بچھاتے اور اتوار کو مچھلی سمیٹتے — تو اللہ نے انہیں مسخ کر کے بندر بنا دیا کیونکہ انہوں نے شریعت کی روح سے کھلواڑ کیا۔

عصرِ حاضر — قرآن کریم کا جلانا اور نبیِ کریم ﷺ کا مذاق
اللہ تعالیٰ نے مذاق اڑانے والوں کے بارے میں کیا فرمایا
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الکوثر: ٣)
“بیشک تمہارا دشمن ہی بے نسل ہے۔”
یہ آیت ان لوگوں کے جواب میں نازل ہوئی جو نبیِ کریم ﷺ کو ابتر کہتے تھے — تاریخ نے ثابت کر دیا کہ وہ مذاق اڑانے والے خود ابتر ہوئے، جبکہ نبیِ کریم ﷺ کا نام ایک ارب اسّی کروڑ انسانوں کی زبانوں پر ہر روز ہے۔
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الحجر: ٩٥)
“بیشک ہم مذاق اڑانے والوں کے مقابلے میں آپ کے لیے کافی ہیں۔”
اللہ تعالیٰ نے خود اپنے رسول ﷺ کے مذاق اڑانے والوں کا جواب دینے کی ذمہ داری لی ہے۔
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (التوبہ: ٣٢)
“وہ چاہتے ہیں کہ اللہ کے نور کو اپنے منہ سے بجھا دیں، لیکن اللہ اپنے نور کو مکمل کرنے سے انکار نہیں کرتا خواہ کافروں کو ناگوار ہو۔”
یہ تصویر بڑی بلیغ ہے — جیسے کوئی منہ کی پھونک سے سورج بجھانے کی کوشش کرے، اس سے اندازہ ہوتا ہے کہ اللہ کے نور کو بجھانے کی کوشش کتنی احمقانہ ہے۔

تاریخ نے کیا ثابت کیا
ہر وہ قوم یا طاقت جو قرآن کریم یا نبیِ کریم ﷺ کے خلاف اٹھی اس نے دو میں سے ایک انجام پایا:
اوّل: براہِ راست تاریخی انہدام
قریش نے ابتدائی مسلمانوں کو تشدد کا نشانہ بنایا اور نبیِ کریم ﷺ کے قتل کی سازش کی — بیس سال کے اندر وہی لوگ جوق در جوق اسلام میں داخل ہو رہے تھے۔ فارسی اور بازنطینی سلطنتوں نے نبیِ کریم ﷺ کے خطوط کو حقارت سے رد کیا — آپ ﷺ کی وفات کے چند دہائیوں میں دونوں منہدم ہو گئیں۔ مغلوں نے بغداد تباہ کیا اور اسلامی کتب خانے جلائے — دو نسلوں میں ان کے حکمران خود مسلمان ہو گئے۔
دوم: وقت کے ساتھ زوال اور انحطاط
استعماری طاقتوں نے اسلامی تعلیم کو دبایا، حجاب پر پابندی لگائی اور ایشیا، افریقہ اور مشرقِ وسطیٰ میں اسلامی شناخت مٹانے کی کوشش کی — ان کی استعماری حکومتیں ختم ہو گئیں اور اسلام جسے وہ بجھانا چاہتے تھے آج بھی روشن ہے۔
اور قرآن کریم صدیوں کی کوششوں کے باوجود — جلانے، پابندی لگانے، مسخ کرنے اور مذاق اڑانے کے باوجود — آج بھی انسانی تاریخ کی سب سے زیادہ حفظ کی جانے والی، پڑھی جانے والی اور محفوظ کتاب ہے، جو اس ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ کی زندہ تکمیل ہے (الحجر: ٩):
“بیشک یہ ذکر ہم نے ہی نازل کیا ہے اور یقیناً ہم ہی اس کی حفاظت کرنے والے ہیں۔”

سیکھنے کے اسباق — مسلمانوں کے لیے
اوّل: گھبراہٹ نہیں — یہ پہلے سے بتا دیا گیا تھا
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (آل عمران: ١٨٦)
“تمہیں ضرور تمہارے مالوں اور تمہاری جانوں میں آزمایا جائے گا، اور تم ان لوگوں سے جنہیں تم سے پہلے کتاب دی گئی اور مشرکوں سے بہت سی تکلیف دہ باتیں سنو گے۔ اور اگر تم صبر کرو اور تقویٰ اختیار کرو تو یہ بڑے عزم کے کاموں میں سے ہے۔”
دشمنی کوئی اچانک بات نہیں — بلکہ پہلے سے بتا دی گئی تھی۔ اس لیے گھبراہٹ اور مایوسی دراصل اللہ کے علم پر اعتماد کی کمی کو ظاہر کرتی ہے۔

دوم: جواب اخلاق سے ہو، جذبات سے نہیں
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (فصلت: ٣٤)
“اور نیکی اور بدی برابر نہیں ہوتی۔ برائی کو بہترین طریقے سے دور کرو، پھر وہ شخص جس کے اور تمہارے درمیان دشمنی ہے وہ ایسا ہو جائے گا جیسے وہ گرم جوش دوست ہو۔”
کینے کا قرآنی جواب مثلِ کینہ نہیں — بلکہ اعلیٰ اخلاقی کردار ہے، اور یہی تاریخ میں دشمنوں کو دوست بناتا رہا ہے۔

سوم: اندرونی اصلاح بیرونی فتح سے پہلے ہے
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الرعد: ١١)
“بیشک اللہ کسی قوم کی حالت نہیں بدلتا جب تک وہ خود اپنی حالت نہ بدلیں۔”
یہ شاید مسلمانوں کے لیے آج کا سب سے اہم سبق ہے۔ قرآن جلانا بے حد تکلیف دہ ہے — لیکن مسلمانوں کے گھروں میں طاقوں پر پڑا ان پڑھا قرآن ایک خاموش اور زیادہ سنگین بحران ہے۔ بیرونی حملے تاریخی طور پر اسلام کو مضبوط کرتے ہیں — اندرونی غفلت اسے کھوکھلا کر دیتی ہے۔

چہارم: ظالم کے طریقوں کی نقل نہ کرو
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (المائدہ: ٨)
“اور کسی قوم کی دشمنی تمہیں انصاف نہ کرنے پر نہ اکسائے۔ انصاف کرو، یہ تقویٰ کے زیادہ قریب ہے۔”
انصاف مسلمان پر فرض ہے چاہے دوسرا کچھ بھی کرے — کیونکہ عدل اللہ کے ساتھ وعدہ ہے، دوسروں پر احسان نہیں۔

پنجم: الٰہی وقت پر بھروسہ رکھو
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الطارق: ١٥-١٧)
“بیشک وہ ایک چال چل رہے ہیں، اور میں بھی ایک چال چل رہا ہوں۔ پس کافروں کو مہلت دو، انہیں تھوڑی سی مہلت دو۔”
اِملاء — الٰہی مہلت — غفلت نہیں ہے۔ اللہ تعالیٰ حکمت اور درستگی سے مہلت دیتا ہے، اور معاملے کا انجام اس کی مرضی کے مطابق ہوتا ہے، انسانی توقعات کے مطابق نہیں۔

اسباق — دنیا کے لیے
جو مذاق اڑاتے، جلاتے اور سخرہ کرتے ہیں ان کے لیے:
آیتِ نحل (٢٦) جس سے یہ گفتگو شروع ہوئی وہی جواب ہے — حق کے خلاف بنائی گئی سازش اور ظلم کی ہر عمارت تاریخ کے ہر درج شدہ واقعے میں اپنے بنانے والوں پر ہی گری ہے۔
سبق انتقام کا نہیں — الٰہی کشش ثقل کا ہے۔ جیسے طبیعیات کے قوانین یقین رکھے بغیر بھی کام کرتے ہیں، ویسے ہی احتساب کے الٰہی قوانین بھی اعتراف کے بغیر کام کرتے ہیں۔
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (آل عمران: ١٧٨)
“اور جن لوگوں نے کفر کیا وہ ہرگز یہ نہ سمجھیں کہ ہم جو انہیں مہلت دے رہے ہیں یہ ان کے لیے بہتر ہے۔ ہم انہیں صرف اس لیے مہلت دیتے ہیں تاکہ وہ گناہ میں اور بڑھ جائیں، اور ان کے لیے ذلّت آمیز عذاب ہے۔”

خاتمہ
قرآن کریم کو دفاع کی نہیں — اسے جینے اور عملی تجسیم کی ضرورت ہے۔ ہر وہ قوم جو اس کے خلاف اٹھی تاریخ کا حاشیہ بن گئی، اور قرآن باقی ہے۔ اسلام کے بارے میں تاریخ کا سب سے طاقتور سبق اس کے دشمنوں کی کہانیوں میں نہیں — بلکہ اس ثابت نمونے میں ہے:
پیغام ہمیشہ اپنے مخالفوں سے زیادہ باقی رہتا ہے۔
ارشادِ باری تعالیٰ (الصف: ٨)
“وہ چاہتے ہیں کہ اللہ کے نور کو اپنے منہ سے بجھا دیں، لیکن اللہ اپنے نور کو پورا کرنے والا ہے خواہ کافروں کو ناگوار ہو۔”
آج کی وہ آندھیاں جو پیغام کے خلاف اٹھ رہی ہیں اپنی فطرت میں ان آندھیوں سے مختلف نہیں جو مکہ میں، فارس میں، منگول کے میدانوں میں اور استعماری دفتروں میں اٹھی تھیں — اور الٰہی جواب قیامت تک اسی ابدی نمونے کے مطابق چلتا رہے گا۔

وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد للہ رب العالمین
اور ہماری آخری دعا یہ ہے کہ تمام تعریفیں اللہ رب العالمین کے لیے ہیں۔

Al NAHL 16:98-100

فَاِذَا قَرَاۡتَ الۡقُرۡاٰنَ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیۡطٰنِ الرَّجِیۡمِ ﴿۹۸﴾ اِنَّہٗ لَیۡسَ لَہٗ سُلۡطٰنٌ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَلٰی رَبِّہِمۡ یَتَوَکَّلُوۡنَ ﴿۹۹﴾ اِنَّمَا سُلۡطٰنُہٗ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ یَتَوَلَّوۡنَہٗ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ ہُمۡ بِہٖ مُشۡرِکُوۡنَ ﴿۱۰۰﴾٪

Surah An-Nahl — Verses 98–100 (Arabic Text)
Verse 98:
“So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the expelled one.”
Verse 99:
“Indeed, he has no authority over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord.”
Verse 100:
“His authority is only over those who take him as a patron and those who, through him, associate partners with Allah.”

Urdu Text (Translation)
“So whenever you begin to recite the Quran, seek Allah’s refuge from Satan the accursed. He has no dominion over those who believe and place their trust in their Lord. His power operates only over those who make him their guardian and who, through his incitement, commit shirk.”

Footnote 101
The meaning of this is not merely that one should recite A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytanir rajim with the tongue alone. Rather, alongside this, there must genuinely exist in the heart both the desire and the practical effort to remain protected from Satan’s misleading whispers while reciting the Quran — so that one does not fall into false and unwarranted doubts, so that one sees every statement of the Quran in its true and correct light, and so that one does not — through the admixture of self-constructed theories or externally acquired notions — begin imposing upon the words of the Quran meanings that are contrary to Allah’s intent.
Along with this, the awareness must also be present in one’s heart that the thing Satan is most relentlessly pursuing is precisely this: that the son of Adam should not be able to obtain guidance from the Quran. This is why, whenever a person turns toward this Book, Satan exerts his utmost effort to mislead him, to prevent him from deriving guidance, and to lead his thought and understanding down wrong paths.
Therefore, a person must remain extremely vigilant while studying this Book and must continually ask Allah that Satan’s intrusions do not deprive him of the blessings of this fountain of guidance. For whoever does not receive guidance from here will find guidance nowhere else — and whoever draws misguidance from this Book, nothing in the world will be able to extract him from the spiral of error.
The purpose for which this verse appears at this point in the discourse is that ahead, answers are being given to the objections that the polytheists of Makkah used to raise against the Quran. As a preamble, it is therefore first stated that only that person can see the Quran in its true light who remains alert to Satan’s misleading whisperings and seeks Allah’s refuge to stay protected from them. Otherwise, Satan never leaves a person capable of understanding the Quran and its teachings in a straightforward manner.

SubhanAllah — this is one of the most profound and practically important passages in Surah An-Nahl. Mawdudi’s footnote beautifully expands what isti’adhah (seeking refuge) truly means — it is not a ritual utterance but a complete orientation of the heart and mind before engaging with the divine word.
The warning that “whoever draws misguidance from this Book, nothing in the world will be able to extract him from the spiral of error” is particularly sobering — a reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with interpreting and engaging with the Quran.
Shall we continue with the next verses, or would you like the comparative scholar analysis for these three verses as well?

پھر جب تم قرآن پڑھنے لگو تو شیطان رجیم سے خدا کی پناہ مانگ لیا کرو۔101 اُسے اُن لوگوں پر تسلّط حاصل نہیں ہوتا جو ایمان لاتے اور اپنے ربّ پر بھروسہ کرتے ہیں ۔ اُس کا زور تو اُنہی لوگوں پر چلتا ہے جو اُس کو اپنا سرپرست بناتے اور اُس کے بہکانے سے شرک کرتے ہیں۔ ؏ ١۳

101

اس کا مطلب صرف اتنا ہی نہیں ہے کہ بس زبان سے اَعُوْ ذُ بِا للہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ کہہ دیا جائے، بلکہ اس کے ساتھ فی الواقع دل میں یہ خواہش اور عملًا یہ کوشش بھی ہونی چاہیے کہ آدمی قرآن پڑھتے وقت شیطان کے گمراہ کُن وسوسوں سے محفوظ رہے، غلط اور بے جا شکوک و شبہات میں مبتلا نہ ہو ، قرآن کی ہر بات کو اس کی صحیح روشنی میں دیکھے، اور اپنے خودساختہ نظریات یا باہر سے حاصل کیے ہوئے تخیلات کی آمیزش سے قرآن کے الفاظ کو وہ معنی نہ پہنانے لگے جو اللہ تعالیٰ کے منشا کے خلاف ہوں۔ ا س کے ساتھ آدمی کے دل میں یہ احساس بھی موجود ہو نا چاہیے کہ شیطان سب سے بڑھ کر جس چیز کے درپے ہے وہ یہی ہے کہ ابنِ آدم قرآن سے ہدایت نہ حاصل کر نے پائے۔ یہی وجہ ہے کہ آدمی جب اس کتاب کی طرف رجوع کرتاہے تو شیطان اُسے بہکانے اور اخذِ ہدایت سے روکنے اور فکر و فہم کی غلط راہوں پر ڈالنے کے لیے ایڑی چوٹی کا زور لگادیتا ہے۔ اس لیے آدمی کو اس کتاب کا مطالعہ کرتے وقت انتہائی چوکنّا رہنا چاہیے اور ہر وقت خدا سے مانگتے رہنا چاہیے کہ کہیں شیطان کی در اندازیاں اُسے اِس سر چشمۂ ہدایت کے فیض سے محروم نہ کردیں۔ کیونکہ جس نے یہاں سے ہدایت نہ پائی وہ پھر کہیں ہدایت نہ پا سکے گا، اور جو اس کتاب سے گمراہی اخذ کر بیٹھا اسے پھر دنیا کی کوئی چیز گمراہیوں کے چکر سے نہ نکال سکے گی۔

اس سلسلۂ کلام میں یہ آیت جس غرض کے لیے آئی ہے وہ یہ ہے کہ آگے چل کر اُن اعتراضات کا جواب دیا جارہا ہے کہ جو مشرکین مکہ قرآن مجید پر کیا کرتے تھے ۔ اس لیے پہلے تمہید کے طور پر یہ فرمایا گیا کہ قرآن کو اس کی اصلی روشنی میں صرف وہی شخص دیکھ سکتا ہے جو شیطان کی گمراہ کُن وسوسہ اندازیوں سے چوکنّا ہو اور ان سے محفوظ رہنے کے لیے اللہ سے پناہ مانگے۔ ورنہ شیطان کبھی آدمی کو اس قابل نہیں رہنے دیتا کہ وہ سیدھی طرح قرآن کو اور اس کی باتوں کو سمجھ سکے