Al-Anbiya

The Tafsir of Surat Al-Anbiya


(Chapter - 21)


Which was revealed in Makkah


The Virtues of Surat Al-Anbiya`
Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdur-Rahman bin Yazid said that `Abdullah said, "Banu Isra`il, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta Ha and Al-Anbiya` - they are among the earliest and most beautiful Surahs and they are my treasure.``In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.(1. Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.) (2. Comes not unto them an admonition from their Lord as a recent revelation but they listen to it while they play.) (3. With their hearts occupied. Those who do wrong, conceal their private counsels, (saying): "Is this more than a human being like you Will you submit to magic while you see it``) (4. He said: "My Lord knows what is said in the heavens and on earth. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.``) (5. Nay, they say: "These are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it! -- Nay, he is a poet! Let him then bring us an Ayah like the ones that were sent before!``) (6. Not one of the towns of those which We destroyed, believed before them; will they then believe.)

The Hour is at hand but People are heedless
This is a warning from Allah of the approach of the Hour, and that people are heedless of it, i.e., they are not working for it or preparing for it. An-Nasa`i recorded that Abu Sa`id reported from the Prophet :(while they turn away in heedlessness), he said,(in this world.) Allah says:(The Event ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it)(The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder. And if they see a sign, they turn away.) ﴿54:1,2﴾. Then Allah states that they do not listen to the revelation (Wahy) that He sends down to His Messenger , which is addressed to the Quraysh and all disbelievers like them.(Comes not unto them an admonition from their Lord as a recent revelation) meaning, newly-revealed,(but they listen to it while they play. ) This is like what Ibn `Abbas said, "Why do you ask the People of the Book about what they have, which has been altered and distorted, and they have added things and taken things away, when your Book is the most recently revealed from Allah, and you read it pure and unadulterated`` Al-Bukhari recorded something similar to this.(Those who do wrong, conceal their private counsels) meaning, what they say to one another in secret.(Is this more than a human being like you) meaning, the Messenger of Allah . They did not believe that he could be a Prophet because he was a human being like them, so how could he have been singled out to receive revelation, and not them They said:(Will you submit to magic while you see it) meaning, will you follow him and be like one who submits to magic when he knows that it is magic Allah said in response to their fabrications and lies:(He said: "My Lord knows what is said in the heavens and on earth...``) Nothing at all is hidden from the One Who knows that, and He is the One Who reveals this Qur`an which contains news of the earliest and last generations. No one can produce the like of this except the One Who knows all the secrets of the heavens and the earth.(And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.) means, He hears all that they say and He knows all their circumstances. This is a warning and a threat to them.

The Disbelievers` Ideas about the Qur`an and the Messenger ; their demand for a Sign and the Refutation of that
(Nay, they say: "These are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it!...``) Here Allah tells us of the stubbornness and heresy of the disblievers, and the various things they said about the Qur`an, and how they were confused and misguided about it. Sometimes they described it as magic, and sometimes they described it as poetry, or mixed up false dreams, or a fabrication. As Allah says:(See what examples they have put forward for you. So they have gone astray, and never can they find a way) ﴿17:48﴾(Let him then bring us an Ayah like the ones that were sent before!) They were referring to the she-camel of Salih, and the signs of Musa and `Isa. And Allah says,(And nothing stops Us from sending the Ayat but that the people of old denied them.) ﴿17:59﴾. So Allah said here:(Not one of the towns of those which We destroyed, believed before them; will they then believe) None of the peoples to whom Messengers were sent were given a sign at the hands of their Prophet and believed. On the contrary, they disbelieved and We destroyed them as a result. Would these people believe in a sign if they saw it Not at all! In fact,(Truly, those, against whom the Word of your Lord has been justified, will not believe. Even if every sign should come to them, until they see the painful torment.) ﴿10:96-97﴾. Indeed, they witnes- sed clear signs and definitive proof at the hands of the Messen- ger of Allah , signs which were far clearer and more overwhel- ming than any that had been witnessed in the case of any other Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon them all.(7. And We sent not before you but men to whom We revealed. So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.) (8. And We did not place them in bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortals.) (9. Then We fulfilled to them the promise. So We saved them and those whom We willed, but We destroyed Al-Musrifin.)

The Messengers are no more than Human Beings
Here Allah refutes those who denied that human Messengers could be sent:(And We sent not before you but men to whom We revealed.) meaning, all the Messengers who came before you were men, human beings. There were no angels among them. This is like the Ayat:(And We sent not before you any but men unto whom We revealed, from among the people of townships) ﴿12:109﴾(Say: "I am not a new thing among the Messengers...) ﴿46:9﴾ Allah tells us that the previous nations denied that and said:("Shall mere men guide us``) ﴿64:6﴾. So Allah says here:(So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.) meaning, ask the people of knowledge among the nations such as the Jews and Christians and other groups: `were the Messengers who came to you human beings or angels` Indeed they were human beings. This is a part of the perfect blessing of Allah towards His creation: He sent to them Messengers from among themselves so that they could receive the Message from them and learn from them.(And We did not place them in bodies that did not eat food...) meaning, rather they had bodies that ate food, as Allah says:(And We never sent before you any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets) ﴿25:20﴾ meaning, they were human beings who ate and drank like all other people, and they went to the marketplaces to earn a living and engage in business; that did not affect them adversely or reduce their status in any way, as the idolators imagined.(And they say: "Why does this Messenger eat food, and walk about in the markets. Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat``) ﴿25:7-8﴾(nor were they immortals) meaning, in this world; on the contrary, they lived, then they died.(And We granted not to any human being immortality before you) ﴿21:34﴾ But what distinguished them from others was that they received revelation from Allah, and the angels brought down to them from Allah His rulings concerning His creation, what He commanded and what He prohibited.Then We fulfilled to them the promise. the promise that their Lord made to destroy the evildoers. Alla0h fulfilled His promise and did that. He says:(So We saved them and those whom We willed,) meaning, their followers among the believers,(but We destroyed Al-Musrifin.) meaning, those who disbelieved the Message brought by the Messengers.(10. Indeed, We have sent down for you a Book in which there is Dhikrukum. Will you not then understand) (11. How many a town given to wrongdoing, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people!) (12. Then, when they sensed Our torment, behold, they (tried to) flee from it.) (13. Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned.) (14. They cried: "Woe to us! Certainly we have been wrongdoers.``) (15. And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct.)

The Virtue of the Qur`an Here
Allah points out the noble status of the Qur`an and urges them to recognize its worth:(Indeed, We have sent down for you a Book in which there is Dhikrukum). Ibn `Abbas said: "Honor for you.``(Will you not then understand) means, will you not understand this blessing, and accept it This is like the Ayah:(And verily, this is indeed a Reminder for you and your people, and you will be questioned.) ﴿43:44﴾

How the Evildoers were destroyed
(How many a town given to wrongdoing, have We destroyed,) meaning, they were very many. This is like the Ayah:(And how many generations have We destroyed after Nuh!) ﴿17:17﴾(And many a township did We destroy while they were given to wrongdoing, so that it lie in ruins) ﴿22:45﴾.(and raised up after them another people!) means, another nation which came after them.(Then, when they sensed Our torment,) when they realized that the torment would undoubtedly come upon them, just as their Prophet had warned them,(behold, they (tried to) flee from it.) they tried to run away.(Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes,) This is a way of ridiculing them. It will be said to them by way of ridicule: "Do not run away from the coming torment; go back to the delights and luxuries and fine homes in which you were living.`` Qatadah said, "Mocking them.``(in order that you may be questioned) about whether you gave thanks for what you had.(They cried: "Woe to us! Certainly we have been wrong- doers.``) They will confess their sins when it will be of no benefit to them.(And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct.) meaning, "they will keep on saying that, admitting their wrong- doing, until We harvest them as it were, and their movements and voices come to a stop.``(16. We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for play.) (17. Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).) (18. Nay, We fling the truth against the falsehood, so it destroys it, and behold, it disappears. And woe to you for that which you ascribe.) (19. To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary.) (20. They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.)

Creation was made with Justice and Wisdom
Allah tells us that He created the heavens and the earth in truth, i.e. with justice.(that He may requite those who do evil with that which they have done, and reward those who do good, with what is best.) ﴿53:31﴾. He did not create all that in vain or for (mere) play:(And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire!) ﴿38:27﴾(Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).) Ibn Abi Najih said, narrating from Mujahid:(Had We intended to take a pastime, We could surely have taken it from Us,) "Meaning, `From Ourself,` He is saying, `We would not have created Paradise or Hell or death or the resurrection or the Reckoning.```(if We were going to do (that). ) Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i and Mughirah bin Miqsam said: "This means, `We will not do that.``` Mujahid said, every time the word(if) is used in the Qur`an, it is a negation.(Nay, We fling the truth against the falsehood,) means, `We explain the truth and thus defeat falsehood.` Allah says:(so it destroys it, and behold, it disappears.) it is fading and vanishing.(And woe to you) O you who say that Allah has offspring.(for that which you ascribe.) that which you say and fabricate. Then Allah informs of the servitude of the angels, and how they persevere in worship night and day:

Everything belongs to Allah and serves Him
(To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him) i.e., the angels,(are not too proud to worship Him,) they do not feel proud and do not refuse to worship Him. This is like the Ayah:(Al-Masih will never be proud to reject being a servant of Allah, nor the angels who are the near. And whosoever rejects His worship and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself.) ﴿4:172﴾(nor are they weary.) means, they do not get tired or feel bored.(They glorify His praises night and day, they never slacken.) They persist in their worship night and day, obeying Allah to the utmost, and they are able to do this, as Allah says:(who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, but do what they are commanded) ﴿66:6﴾(21. Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who raise the dead) (22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!) (23. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.)

Refutation of false gods
Allah denounces those who take other gods instead of Him:(Or have they taken gods from the earth who raise the dead) meaning, can they bring the dead back to life and bring them forth from the earth They cannot do any of that, so how can they make them rivals to Allah and worship them alongside Him Then Allah tells us that if there were another god besides Him, the heavens and the earth would be ruined:(Had there been therein gods) means, in the heavens and the earth,(then verily, both would have been ruined.) This is like the Ayah:(No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him. Then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!) ﴿23:91﴾. And Allah says here:(Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above all that they associate with Him!) meaning, glorified be He above what they say about Him having offspring or partners; glorified and exalted and sanctified be He far above all the lies that they fabricate.(He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.) He is the Ruler Whose rule cannot be overturned and none can object to it, because of His might, majesty, pride, knowledge, wisdom, justice and subtlety.(while they will be questioned.) means, He is the One Who will ask His creation about what they did. This is like the Ayah:(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) ﴿15:92-93﴾(And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector) ﴿23:88﴾(24. Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say: "Bring your proof. This is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me.`` But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.) (25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no God but I, so worship Me.``)(Or have they taken for worship gods besides Him Say:) -- O Muhammad --(Bring your proof.) your evidence for what you are saying.(This is the Reminder for those with me) means, the Qur`an.(and the Reminder for those before me) means, the previous Books, unlike what you claim. Each Book was revealed to each Prophet who was sent with the message that there is no god except Allah, but you idolators do not recognize the truth, so you turn away from it. Allah says:(And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): "There is no god but I. ..``) This is like the Ayat:(And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you: "Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped besides the Most Gracious``) ﴿43:45﴾(And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allah, and avoid Taghut (all false deities).``) ﴿16:36﴾ Every Prophet who was sent by Allah called people to worship Allah Alone, with no partner or associate. The natural inclination of man (Al-Fitrah) also bears witness to that. The idolators have no proof and their dispute is of no use before their Lord; on them is wrath, and for them will be a severe torment.(26. And they say: "The Most Gracious has begotten children.`` Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) (27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) (28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.) (29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,`` such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.)

The Refutation of Those Who claim that the Angels are the Daughters of Allah; description of their Deeds and Status
Here Allah refutes those who claim that He has offspring among the angels -- exalted and sanctified be He. Some of the Arabs believed that the angels were the daughters of Allah, but Allah says:(Glory to Him! They are but honored servants.) meaning, the angels are servants of Allah who are honored by Him and who hold high positions of noble status. They obey Him to the utmost in all their words and deeds.(They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His command.) meaning, they do not initiate any matter before Him or go against His commands; on the contrary, they hasten to do as He commands, and He encompasses them with His knowledge so that nothing whatsoever is hidden from Him.(He knows what is before them, and what is behind them,)(and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased.) This is like the Ayat:(Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission) ﴿2:255﴾(Intercession with Him profits not except for him whom He permits) ﴿34:23﴾. There are many Ayat which say similar things.(And they for fear of Him) means, because they fear Him.(And they stand in awe. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am a god besides Him,``) meaning, whoever claims to be a god instead of Allah, i.e., alongside Allah,(such We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the wrongdoers.) meaning, everyone who says this. This is a conditional sentence, and the condition stated does not necessarily have to take place. This is like the Ayat:(Say: "If the Most Gracious had a son, then I am the first of worshippers.``) ﴿43:81﴾(If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely, (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.) ﴿39:65﴾(30. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe) (31. And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided.) (32. And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well-guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs). (33. And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.)

The Signs of Allah in the Heavens and the Earth and in the Night and the Day
Here Allah tells of His perfect might and power in His creation and subjugation of all things.(Have not those who disbelieve known) means, those who deny His Divine nature and worship others instead of Him, do they not realize that Allah is the One Who is Independent in His powers of creation and is running the affairs of all things with absolute power So how can it be appropriate to worship anything else beside Him or to associate others in worship with Him Do they not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, i.e. in the beginning they were all one piece, attached to one another and piled up on top of one another, then He separated them from one another, and made the heavens seven and the earth seven, placing the air between the earth and the lowest heaven. Then He caused rain to fall from the sky and vegetation to grow from the earth. He says:(And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe) meaning, they see with their own eyes how creation develops step by step. All of that is proof of the existence of the Creator Who is in control of all things and is able to do whatever He wills.

In everything there is a Sign of Him, showing that He is One.
Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from `Ikrimah that Ibn `Abbas was asked; "Did the night come first or the day`` He said, "Do you think that when the heavens and the earth were joined together, there was anything between them except darkness Thus you may know that the night came before the day. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Umar said that a man came to him and questioned him about when the heavens and earth were joined together then they were parted. He said, "Go to that old man (Shaykh) and ask him, then come and tell me what he says to you.`` So he went to Ibn `Abbas and asked him. Ibn `Abbas said: "Yes, the heavens were joined together and it did not rain, and the earth was joined together and nothing grew. When living beings were created to populate the earth, rain came forth from the heavens and vegetation came forth from the earth.`` The man went back to Ibn `Umar and told him what had been said. Ibn `Umar said, "Now I know that Ibn `Abbas has been given knowledge of the Qur`an. He has spoken the truth, and this is how it was.`` Ibn `Umar said: "I did not like the daring attitude of Ibn `Abbas in his Tafsir of the Qur`an, but now I know that he has been given knowledge of the Qur`an.`` Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "The heavens and the earth were attached to one another, then when the heavens were raised up, the earth became separate from them, and this is their parting which was mentioned by Allah in His Book.`` Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, "They were joined together, then they were separated by this air.``(And We have made from water every living thing. ) meaning, the origin of every living thing is in water. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said, "I said: O Messenger of Allah, when I see you I feel happy and content, tell me about everything.`` He said,(Everything was created from water.) "I said, tell me about something which, if I do it, I will enter Paradise.`` He said:(Spread (the greeting of) Salam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and stand in prayer at night when people are sleeping. Then you will enter Paradise in peace.) This chain of narration fulfills the conditions of the Two Sahihs, apart from Abu Maymunah, who is one of the men of the Sunans, his first name was Salim; and At-Tirmidhi classed him as Sahih.(And We have placed on the earth firm mountains,) means, mountains which stabilize the earth and keep it steady and lend it weight, lest it should shake with the people, i.e., move and tremble so that they would not be able to stand firm on it -- because it is covered with water, apart from one-quarter of its surface. So the land is exposed to the air and sun, so that its people may see the sky with its dazzling signs and evidence. So Allah says,(lest it should shake with them, ) meaning, so that it will not shake with them.(and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through,) means, mountain passes through which they may travel from region to region, country to country. As we can see, the mountains form barriers between one land and another, so Allah created gaps -- passes -- in the mountains so that people may travel from here to there. So He says:(that they may be guided.)(And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well-guarded.) means, covering the earth like a dome above it. This is like the Ayah,(With Hands We constructed the heaven. Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof.) ﴿51:47﴾(By the heaven and Him Who built it.) ﴿91:5﴾(Have they not looked at the heaven above them, how We have made it and adorned it, and there are no rifts in it) ﴿50:6﴾. The building and making described here refers to the raising of the dome, as when the Messenger of Allah said,(Islam is built on five.) i.e., five pillars, which can only refer to a tent as familiar among the Arabs.(safe and well-guarded.) means, high and protected from anything reaching it. Mujahid said, "Raised up.``(Yet they turn away from its signs.) This is like the Ayah:(And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom) ﴿12:105﴾. They do not think about how Allah has created it, so vast and high, and adorned it with heavenly bodies both stationary and moving by night and day, such as the sun which completes its circuit in one day and night, until it completes its allotted time, which no one knows except Allah, Who created it and subjugated it and directed its course. Then Allah says, drawing attention to some of His signs,(And He it is Who has created the night and the day,) meaning, the one with its darkness and stillness, and the other with its light and human interaction; sometimes the one is longer while the other is shorter, then they switch.(and the sun and the moon,) the sun with its own light and its own path and orbit and allotted time, and the moon which shines with a different light and travels on a different path and has its own allotted time.(each in an orbit floating.) means, revolving. Ibn `Abbas said, "They revolve like a spinning wheel, in a circle.`` This is like the Ayah:((He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. Such is the measuring of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.) ﴿6:96﴾(34. And We granted not to any human being immortality before you; then if you die, would they live forever) (35. Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall test you with evil and with good by way of trial. And to Us you will be returned.)

No One has been granted Immortality in this World
(And We granted not to any human being immortality before you;) means, O Muhammad.(immortality) means, in this world. On the contrary,(Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever.) ﴿55:26-27﴾.(then if you die) means, O Muhammad,(would they live forever) means, they hope that they will live forever after you, but that will not happen; everything will pass away. So Allah says:(Everyone is going to taste death,)(and We shall test you with evil and with good by way of trial. ) Meaning, "We shall test you, sometimes with difficulties and sometimes with ease, to see who will give thanks and who will be ungrateful, who will have patience and who will despair.`` `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas:(and We shall test you) means, We will test you,(with evil and with good by way of trial.) means, with difficulties and with times of prosperity, with health and sickness, with richness and poverty, with lawful and unlawful, obedience and sin, with guidance and misguidance.(And to Us you will be returned.) means, and We will requite you according to your deeds.(36. And when those who disbelieved see you, they take you not except for mockery (saying): "Is this the one who talks about your gods`` While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most Gracious.) (37. Man is created of haste. I will show you My Ayat. So ask Me not to hasten (them).)

How the Idolators mocked the Prophet Allah tells His Prophet :
(And when those who disbelieved see you,) meaning, the disbelievers of the Quraysh, such as Abu Jahl and his like.(they take you not except for mockery) means, they make fun of you and insult you, saying,("Is this the one who talks about your gods``) meaning, is this the one who insults your gods and ridicules your intelligence Allah says:(While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most Gracious.) meaning, they disbelieve in Allah and yet they mock the Messenger of Allah . As Allah says:(And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!`` And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) ﴿25:41-42﴾(Man is created of haste.) This is like the Ayah:(and man is ever hasty) ﴿17:11﴾, in all matters. The reason why the haste of man is mentioned here is that when mention is made of those who mock the Messenger , (the believers) will want to avenge them swiftly, and that so should happen sooner. Allah says,(Man is created of haste.) because He delays (the punishment) until a time when, once He seizes him, He will never let him go. He delays it, then He hastens it; He waits, then He does not delay any longer. So He says:(I will show you My Ayat) meaning, My vengeance, ruling and power over those who disobey Me.(So ask Me not to hasten (them).)(38. And they say: "When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful.``) (39. If only those who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs, and they will not be helped.) (40. Nay, it will come upon them all of a sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert it nor will they get respite.)

The Idolators seek to hasten on the Punishment
Allah also tells us how the idolators seek to hasten punishment upon themselves, out of denial, rejection, disbelief, stubbornness and a belief that it will never happen. He says:(And they say: "When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful``.) And Allah says:(If only those who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs,) meaning, if only they knew for certain that it will inevitably come to pass, they would not seek to hasten it. If only they knew how the torment will overwhelm them from above them and from beneath their feet.(They shall have coverings of Fire, above them and coverings (of Fire) beneath them) ﴿39:16﴾(Theirs will be a bed of Hell (Fire), and over them coverings (of Hellfire)) ﴿7:41﴾. And in this Ayah Allah says:(when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs,) And Allah says:(Their garments will be of tar, and fire will cover their faces) ﴿14:50﴾. The torment will surround them on all sides,(and they will not be helped.) means, and they will have no helper. This is like the Ayah:(And they have no guardian against Allah) ﴿13:34﴾.(Nay, it will come upon them all of a sudden) means, the Fire will come upon them suddenly, i.e., it will take them by surprise.(and will perplex them,) means, it will scare them, and they will succumb to it in confusion, not knowing what they are doing.(and they will have no power to avert it) means, they will have no means of doing so.(nor will they get respite. ) means, it will not be delayed for them even for an instant.(41. Indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you, but the scoffers were surrounded by what they used to mock.) (42. Say: "Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the Most Gracious`` Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.) (43. Or have they gods who can guard them from Us They have no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.)

The Lessons to be learned from Those Who mocked the Messengers in the Past
Allah says consoling His Messenger for the pain and insult caused by the mockery and disbelief of the idolators,(Indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you, but the scoffers were surrounded by what they used to mock.) meaning, the punishment which they thought would never come to pass. This is like the Ayah:(Verily, Messengers were denied before you, but with patience they bore the denial, and they were hurt; till Our help reached them, and none can alter the Words of Allah. Surely, there has reached you the information (news) about the Messengers (before you)) ﴿6:34﴾. Then Allah menitons His favor for His creatures; He protects them by night and by day, taking care of them and watching over them with His Eye that never sleeps.(Say: "Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the Most Gracious``) means, other than the Most Gracious Himself(Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.) means, they do not recognize the blessings and favor of Allah towards them; they turn away from His signs and blessings.(Or have they gods who can guard them from Us) This is a rhetorical question aimed at denouncing and rebuking. The meaning is, do they have any gods who can protect them and take care of them other than Us It is not as they imagine or as they claim. Allah says:(They have no power to help themselves,) these gods on whom they rely instead of Allah cannot even help themselves.(nor can they be protected from Us.) Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas,"Nor can they be guarded from Us.``(44. Nay, We gave the luxuries of this life to these men and their fathers until the period grew long for them. See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders Is it then they who will overcome) (45. Say: "I warn you only by the revelation. "But the deaf will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned.) (46. And if a breath of the torment of your Lord touches them, they will surely cry: "Woe unto us! Indeed we have been wrongdoers.``) (47. And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.)

How the Idolators are deceived by their long and luxurious Lives in this World, and the Explanation of the Truth
Allah explains that they have been deceived and misled by the luxuries that they enjoy in this world and the long life that they have been given, so they believe that they are following something good. Then Allah warns them:(See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders) This is like the Ayah:(And indeed We have destroyed towns round about you, and We have shown the Ayat in various ways that they might return.) ﴿46:27﴾ Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: "This means the victory of Islam over disbelief.`` The meaning is: Do they not learn a lesson from the fact that Allah supported those (believers) against their enemies, He destroyed the disbelieving nations and the evil-doing townships, and He saved His believing servants So Allah says:(Is it then they who will overcome) meaning, on the contrary, they are the ones who will be overcomed, who will be defeated, humiliated and brought low.(Say: "I warn you only by the revelation.``) meaning, `I only convey to you the warning of Allah`s punishment and vengeance, and this is no more than that which Allah reveals to me.` But this is of no benefit to the one whom Allah has made blind and has put a seal over his hearing and his heart. He says:(But the deaf will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned.)(And if a breath of the torment of your Lord touches them, they will surely, cry: "Woe unto us! Indeed we have been wrongdoers!``) If these disbelievers were affected by the slightest touch of Allah`s punishment, they would confess their sins and admit that they had wronged themselves in this world.(And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything.) meaning, "We shall set up the Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection.`` The majority of scholars state that it is one Balance, and the plural form is used here to reflect the large number of deeds which will be weighed therein.(then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.) This is like the Ayat:(and your Lord treats no one with injustice) ﴿18:49﴾(Surely, Allah wrongs not even of the weight of speck of dust, but if there is any good, He doubles it, and gives from Him a great reward.) ﴿4:40﴾("O my son! If it be equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle, Well-Aware.``) ﴿31:16﴾ In the Two Sahihs it was recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said:(Two words which are light on the tongue, heavy in the Balance and beloved to Ar-Rahman: "Subhan Allahi wa bi hamdihi, Subhan Allahil `Azim (Glory and praise be to Allah, Glory be to Allah the Almighty).``) Imam Ahmad also recorded that `A`ishah said that one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah sat down before him and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I have two slaves who lie to me, betray me and disobey me, and I hit them and insult them. How do I stand with regard to them`` The Messenger of Allah said:(The extent to which they betrayed you, disobeyed you and lied to you will be measured against the punishment you meted out to them. If your punishment was commensurate with their misconduct, then you will be equal and you will not have anything counted for you or against you. If your punishment of them was less than that what they deserved for their misconduct, then this will count in your favor. If your punishment of them was more than what they deserved for their misconduct, then Allah will take what is due to them from you.) Then the man started to weep before the Messenger of Allah , and the Messenger of Allah asked,(What is the matter with him Has he not read the words of Allah, (And We shall set up Balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And sufficient are We to take account.)) The man said, "O Messenger of Allah, I think there is nothing better than keeping away from these people -- meaning his slaves -- I call upon you to bear witness that they are all free.``(48. And indeed We granted to Musa and Harun the criterion, and a shining light and a Reminder for those who have Taqwa.) (49. Those who fear their Lord in the unseen, and they are afraid of the Hour.) (50. And this is a blessed Reminder which We have sent down; will you then deny it)

The Revelation of the Tawrah and the Qur`an
We have already noted that Allah often mentions Musa and Muhammad together -- may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both -- and He often mentions their Books together as well. He says:(And indeed We granted to Musa and Harun the criterion) Mujahid said, "This means the Scripture.`` Abu Salih said: "The Tawrah.`` Qatadah said: "The Tawrah, what it permits and it forbids, and how Allah differentiated between truth and falsehood.`` In conclusion, we may say that the heavenly Books included the distinction between truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, transgression and the right way, lawful and unlawful, and that which will fill the heart with light, guidance, fear of Allah and repentance. So Allah says:(the criterion, and a shining light and a Reminder for those who have Taqwa.) meaning, a reminder and exhortation for them. Then He describes them as:(Those who fear their Lord in the unseen.) This is like the Ayah:(Who feared the Most Gracious in the unseen and came with a repenting heart. ) ﴿50:33﴾(Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.) ﴿67:12﴾ t(and they are afraid of the Hour.) means, they fear it. Then Allah says:(And this is a blessed Reminder which We have sent down;) means, the Magnificent Qur`an, which falsehood cannot approach, from before it or behind it, revealed by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise.(will you then deny it) means, will you deny it when it is the utmost in clarity and truth(51. And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim his guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him.) (52. When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images to which you are devoted``) (53. They said: "We found our fathers worshipping them.``) (54. He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.``) (55. They said: "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who play about``) (56. He said: "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and to that I am one of the witnesses.``)

The Story of Ibrahim and his People
Allah tells us about His close Friend Ibrahim, peace be upon him, and how He bestowed upon him guidance aforetime, i.e., from an early age He inspired him with truth and evidence against his people, as Allah says elsewhere:(And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people) ﴿6:83﴾. The point here is that Allah is telling us that He gave guidance to Ibrahim aforetime, i.e., He had already guided him at an early age.(and We were Well-Acquainted with him.) means, and he was worthy of that. Then Allah says:(When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted``) This is the guidance which he had been given during his youth: his denunciation of his people`s worship of idols instead of Allah. Ibrahim said:("What are these images, to which you are devoted``) meaning, which you worship with such devotion.(They said: "We found our fathers worshipping them.``) means, they had no other evidence apart from the misguided actions of their forefathers. Ibrahim said:(Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.) meaning, Speaking to your fathers whose actions you cite as evidence would be the same as speaking to you. Both you and they are misguided and are not following any straight path.` When he called their intelligence into question, and said that their fathers were misguided and belittled their gods,(They said: "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who play about``) They said: `These words that you are saying, are you speaking in jest or are you telling the truth For we have never heard such a thing before.`(He said: "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them...``) meaning, your Lord, beside Whom there is no other god, is the One Who created the heavens and the earth and all that they contain; He is the One Who initiated their creation; He is the Creator of all things.(and to that I am one of the witnesses. ) means, and I bear witness that there is no God other than Him and no Lord except Him.(57. "And by Allah, I shall plot a plan for your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.``) (58. So he broke them to pieces, except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it.) (59. They said: "Who has done this to our gods He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers.``) (60. They said: "We heard a young man talking against them, who is called Ibrahim.``) (61. They said: "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.``) (62. They said: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim``) (63. He said: "Nay, this one, the biggest of them did it. Ask them, if they can speak!``)

How Ibrahim broke the Idols
Then Ibrahim swore an oath, which some of his people heard, to plot against their idols, i.e., to break them and destroy them after they had gone away and turned their backs, when they went out to their festival. They had a festival which they would go out to celebrate. Abu Ishaq reported from Abu Al-Ahwas from `Abdullah ﴿Ibn Mas`ud﴾, "When the people of Ibrahim went out to celebrate their festival, they passed by him and said, `O Ibrahim, are you not coming out with us` He said, `I am sick.` `` It was only the day before that he had said,(And by Allah, I shall plot a plan for your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.) and some of the people had heard him.(So he broke them to pieces,) means, he smashed them all, except for the biggest idol. This is like the Ayah,(Then he turned upon them, striking (them) with (his) right hand) ﴿37:93﴾.(that they might turn to it. ) It was said that he put a hammer in the hands of the biggest idol so that the people would think that it had become jealous on its own account and objected to these smaller idols being worshipped alongside it, so it had broken them.(They said: "Who has done this to our gods He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers.``) When they came back and saw what Ibrahim had done to their idols, humiliating them and lowering their status, proving that they were not divine and that those who worshipped them were fools,(They said: "Who has done this to our gods He must indeed be one of the wrongdoers.``) because of this action of his.(They said: "We heard a young man talking against them, who is called Ibrahim.``) Those who had heard him swearing to plot against them said, we heard a young man talking about them, and they said that he was called Ibrahim.(They said: "Then bring him before the eyes of the people...``) meaning, in front of a large audience so that all the people could be present. This was Ibrahim`s ultimate purpose, so that he could tell this great gathering about the extent of their ignorance and how foolish they were to worship idols which could not defend themselves from harm or help themselves, so how could they ask them for help(They said: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim`` He said: "Nay, this one, the biggest of them did it...``) referring to the one he had left alone and had not broken.(Ask them, if they can speak!) He was hoping that they would admit of their own volition that these idols could not speak and that this idol would not say anything because it was inanimate. In the Two Sahihs it was recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah said:(Ibrahim, upon him be peace, did not tell lies except on three occasions, two for the sake of Allah -- when he said:(Nay, this one, the biggest of them did it. ) and when he said:(Verily, I am sick) ﴿37:89﴾.. (and when he was traveling in the land of one of the tyrants, and Sarah was with him; when he made camp, a man came to the tyrant and said, "A man has made camp in your land and with him is a woman who is the most beautiful of people.`` The tyrant sent for Ibrahim, and asked him, "What is the relationship of this woman to you`` He said, "She is my sister.`` The tyrant said, "Go and send her to me.`` So Ibrahim went to Sarah and said, "This tyrant asked me about you, and I told him that you are my sister, so do not let him think that I am lying. For you are indeed my sister according to the Book of Allah, and there are no Muslims on the earth apart from you and I.`` So Ibrahim brought her to him, then he stood and prayed. When she entered upon the tyrant, he reached for her desirously once he saw her. But he suffered a severe seizure. So he said, "Pray to Allah for me and I will not harm you.`` So she prayed for him and it released him. Then he reached for her desirously, but he was stricken similarly before or worse. This continued three times, and each time he said the same as he had said the first time. Then he called the closest of his guards and said, "You have not brought me a human being, you have brought me a devil! Take her out and give her Hajar. So she was taken out and given Hajar, and she went back. When Ibrahim realized that she had come back, he finished his prayer and turned around. He said, "What happened`` She said, "Allah took care of the evil disbeliever`s plot, and he gave me Hajar as a servant.``) Muhammad bin Sirin said, "When Abu Hurayrah narrated this Hadith, he said, `This is your mother, O sons of the water of the heaven.` ``(64. So they turned to themselves and said: "Verily, you are the wrongdoers.``) (65. Then they turned to themselves: "Indeed you know well that these speak not!``) (66. He said: "Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you``) (67. "Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense``)

The People`s admission of their gods` incapability, and Ibrahim`s preaching
Allah tells us that when Ibrahim said what he said, his people(turned to themselves) meaning, they blamed themselves for not taking precautions and protecting their gods. They said:(Verily, you are the wrongdoers) i.e., because you neglected them and did not guard them.(Then they turned to themselves) means, they looked at the ground, and said:(Indeed you (Ibrahim) know well that these speak not!) Qatadah said: "The people admitted their guilt and confusion, and said,("Indeed you know well that these speak not!``) `So how can you tell us to ask them, if they cannot speak and you know that they cannot speak` At this point, when they admitted that, Ibrahim said to them:(Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you nor harm you) meaning, if they can- not speak and they can neither benefit you nor harm you, then why do you worship them instead of Allah(Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense) `Do you not realize the extent of the mis- guidance and extreme disbelief which you are following, which no one could accept but one who is an igno- rant and evil wrong- doer` He defeated them in argument and left them with no way out. Allah said:e(And that was Our proof which We gave Ibrahim against his people) ﴿6:83﴾(68. They said: "Burn him and help your gods, if you will be doing.``) (69. We said: "O fire! Be you cool and safety for Ibrahim!``) (70. And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.)

How Ibrahim was thrown into the Fire and how Allah controlled it
When their arguments were refuted and their incapability became clear, when truth was made manifest and falsehood was defeated, they resorted to using their power and strength, and said:("Burn him and help your gods, if you will be doing.``) So they gathered together a huge amount of wood. As-Suddi said, "I if a woman was sick, she would make a vow that if she recovered she would bring wood to burn Ibrahim. Then they made a hole in the ground and set it aflame, and it burned with huge sparks and immense flames. There had never been a fire like it. They put Ibrahim, peace be upon him, into a catapult, at the suggestion of a nomadic Kurdish man from Persia.`` Shu`ayb Al-Jaba`i said, "His name was Hayzan, and Allah caused the earth to swallow him up, and he will remain sinking into it until the Day of Resurrection. When they threw him he said, `Sufficient for me is Allah, and He is the best disposer of affairs.` `` This is similar to what Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn `Abbas that Ibrahim said, "`Sufficient for me is Allah, and He is the best disposer of affairs,`` when he was thrown into the fire, and Muhammad said it when they said:(Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them. But it increased them in faith, and they said: "Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.``) ﴿3:173﴾. Sa`id bin Jubayr reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "When Ibrahim was thrown into the fire, the keeper (angel) of the rain said: `When will I be commanded to send rain` But the command of Allah was more swift. Allah said:(O fire! Be you cool and safety for Ibrahim!), and there was no fire left on earth that was not extinguished.`` Ibn `Abbas and Abu Al-`Aliyah said: "Were it not for the fact that Allah said,(and safety), Ibrahim would have been harmed by its coldness.`` Qatadah said: "On that day there was no creature that did not try to extinguish the fire for Ibrahim, except for the gecko.`` Az-Zuhri said: "The Prophet commanded that it should be killed, and called it a harmful vermin.``(And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.) they were defeated and humiliated, because they wanted to plot against the Prophet of Allah, but Allah planned against them and saved him from the fire, and thus they were defeated.(71. And We rescued him and Lut to the land which We have blessed for the nations.) (72. And We bestowed upon him Ishaq, and Ya`qub Nafilatan. Each one We made righteous.) (73. And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salah, and the giving of Zakah, and of Us (Alone) they were the worshippers.) (74. And (remember) Lut, We gave him wisdom and knowledge, and We saved him from the town who practised Al-Khaba`ith. Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were rebellious.) (75. And We admitted him to Our mercy; truly, he was of the righteous.)

The Migration of Ibrahim to Ash-Sham (Greater Syria), accompanied by Lut
Allah tells us that He saved Ibrahim from the fire lit by his people, and brought him out from among them, migrating to the land of Ash-Sham, to the sacred regions thereof.(And We bestowed upon him Ishaq, and Ya`qub Nafilatan.) `Ata` and Mujahid said, "Nafilatan means as a gift.`` Ibn `Abbas, Qatadah and Al-Hakam bin `Uyaynah said, "The gift of a son who has a son,`` meaning that Ya`qub was the son of Ishaq, as Allah says:(But We gave her glad tidings of Ishaq, and after Ishaq, of Ya`qub) ﴿11:71﴾. `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said, "He asked for one ﴿son﴾, and said,("My Lord! Grant me from the righteous.``) So Allah gave him Ishaq, and gave him Ya`qub in addition.(Each one We made righteous. ) means, both of them were good and righteous people.(And We made them leaders,) means, examples to be followed.(guiding by Our command,) inviting to Him by His leave. Allah says:(and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salah, and the giving of Zakah,) Here the general is followed by the specific.(and of Us (Alone) they were the worshippers.) means, they did what they enjoined others to do.

The Prophet Lut
Then Allah mentions Lut, whose full name was Lut bin Haran bin Azar. He believed in Ibrahim and followed him, and migrated with him, as Allah says:(So Lut believed in him. He (Ibrahim) said: "I will emigrate for the sake of my Lord``) ﴿29:26﴾. Allah gave him wisdom and knowledge; He sent Revelation to him, made him a Prophet and appointed him to Sadum (Sodom) and its vicinity, but they rejected him and resisted him, so Allah utterly destroyed them, as He tells us in several places in His Book. Allah says;(and We saved him from the town who practised Al-Khaba`ith. Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were rebellious. And We admitted him to Our mercy; truly, he was of the righteous.)(76. And (remember) Nuh, when he cried (to Us) aforetime. We answered to his invocation and saved him and his family from the great distress.) (77. We helped him against the people who denied Our Ayat. Verily, they were a people given to evil. So We drowned them all.)

Nuh and His People
Allah tells us how He responded to His servant and Messenger Nuh, peace be upon him, when he prayed to Him against his people for their disbelief in him:(Then he invoked his Lord (saying): "I have been overcome, so help (me)!``) ﴿54:10﴾(And Nuh said: "My Lord! Leave not any inhabitant of the disbelievers on the earth! If You leave them, they will mislead Your servants, and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers) ﴿71:26-27﴾. So Allah says here,(And (remember) Nuh, when he cried (to Us) aforetime. We answered to his invocation and saved him and his family) meaning, those who believed with him, as Allah says elsewhere:(...and your family -- except him against whom the Word has already gone forth -- and those who believe. And none believed with him, except a few) ﴿11: 40﴾.(from the great dis- tress.) meaning, from difficulty, rejection and harm. For he remained among them for one thousand years less fifty, calling them to Allah, and no one had believed in him except for a few. His people were plotting against him and advising one another century after century, generation after generation, to oppose him.(We helped him against the people) means, `We saved him and helped him against the people,`(who denied Our Ayat. Verily, they were a people given to evil. So We drowned them all.) meaning, Allah drowned them all, and not one of them was left on the face of the earth, as their Prophet had prayed would happen to them.(78. And (remember) Dawud and Sulayman, when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had Nafashat; and We were witness to their judgement.) (79. And We made Sulayman to understand (the case); and to each of them We gave wisdom (Hukm) and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our praises along with Dawud. And it was We Who were the doer (of all these things).) (80. And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect you in your fighting. Are you then grateful) (81. And to Sulayman (We subjected) the wind strongly raging, running by his command towards the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are the All-Knower.) (82. And of the Shayatin were some who dived for him, and did other work besides that; and it was We Who guarded them.)

Dawud and Sulayman and the Signs which They were given; the Story of the People whose Sheep pastured at Night in the Field
﴿Abu﴾ Ishaq narrated from Murrah from Ibn Mas`ud: "That crop was grapes, bunches of which were dangling.`` This was also the view of Shurayh. Ibn `Abbas said: "Nafash means grazing.`` Shurayh, Az-Zuhri and Qatadah said: "Nafash only happens at night.`` Qatadah added, "﴿and﴾ Al-Haml is grazing during the day.``(And (remember) Dawud and Sulayman, when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night;) Ibn Jarir recorded that Ibn Mas`ud said: "Grapes which had grown and their bunches were spoiled by the sheep. Dawud (David) ruled that the owner of the grapes should keep the sheep. Sulayman (Solomon) said, `Not like this, O Prophet of Allah!` ﴿Dawud﴾ said, `How then` ﴿Sulayman﴾ said: `Give the grapes to the owner of the sheep and let him tend them until they grow back as they were, and give the sheep to the owner of the grapes and let him benefit from them until the grapes have grown back as they were. Then the grapes should be given back to their owner, and the sheep should be given back to their owner.` This is what Allah said:(And We made Sulayman to understand (the case).)`` This was also reported by Al-`Awfi from Ibn `Abbas.(And We made Sulayman to understand (the case); and to each of them We gave wisdom and knowledge.) Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that when Iyas bin Mu`awiyah was appointed as a judge, Al-Hasan came to him and found Iyas weeping. ﴿Al-Hasan﴾ said, "Why are you weeping`` ﴿Iyas﴾ said, "O Abu Sa`id, What I heard about judges among them a judge is he, who studies a case and his judgment is wrong, so he will go to Hell; another judge is he who is biased because of his own whims and desires, so he will go to Hell; and the other judge he who studies a case and gives the right judgement, so he will go to Paradise.`` Al-Hasan Al-Basari said: "But what Allah tells us about Dawud and Sulayman (peace be upon them both) and the Prophets and whatever judgements they made proves that what these people said is wrong. Allah says:(And (remember) Dawud and Sulayman, when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night; and We were witness to their judgement.) Allah praised Sulayman but He did not condemn Dawud.`` Then he -- Al-Hasan -- said, "Allah enjoins three things upon the judges: not to sell thereby for some miserable price; not to follow their own whims and desires; and not to fear anyone concerning their judgements. `` Then he recited:(O Dawud! Verily, We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth and follow not your desire -- for it will mislead you from the path of Allah.) ﴿38:26﴾(Therefore fear not men but fear Me) ﴿5:44﴾(and sell not My Ayat for a miserable price.) ﴿5:44﴾ I say: with regard to the Prophets (peace be upon them all), all of them were infallible and supported by Allah. With regard to others, it is recorded in Sahih Al-Bukhari from `Amir bin Al-`As that the Messenger of Allah said:(If the judge does his best, studies the case and reaches the right conclusion, he will have two rewards. If he does his best, studies the case and reaches the wrong conclusion, he will have one reward.) This Hadith refutes the idea of Iyas, who thought that if he did his best, studied the case and reached the wrong conclusion, he would go to Hell. And Allah knows best. Similar to story in the Qur`an is the report recorded by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Abu Hurayrah, who said that the Messenger of Allah said:(There were two women who each had a son. The wolf came and took one of the children, and they referred their dispute to Dawud. He ruled that the (remaining) child belonged to the older woman. They left, then Sulayman called them and said, "Give me a sword and I will divide him between the two of you.`` The younger woman said, "May Allah have mercy on you! He is her child, do not cut him up!`` So he ruled that the child belonged to the younger woman). This was also recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in their Sahihs. An-Nasa`i also devoted a chapter to this in the Book of Judgements.(And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our praises along with Dawud.) This refers to the beauty of his voice when he recited his Book, Az-Zabur. When he recited it in a beautiful manner, the birds would stop and hover in the air, and would repeat after him, and the mountains would respond and echo his words. The Prophet passed by Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari while he was reciting Qur`an at night, and he had a very beautiful voice, he stopped and listened to his recitation, and said:(This man has been given one of the wind instruments (nice voices) of the family of Dawud.) He said: "O Messenger of Allah, if I had known that you were listening, I would have done my best for you.``(And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail, to protect you in your fighting.) meaning, the manufacture of chain-armor. Qatadah said that before that, they used to wear plated armor; he was the first one to make rings of chain-armor. This is like the Ayah:(And We made the iron soft for him. Saying: "Make you perfect coats of mail, and balance well the rings of chain armor.``) ﴿34:10-11﴾, meaning, do not make the pegs so loose that the rings (of chain mail) will shake, or make it so tight that they will not be able to move at all. Allah says:(to protect you in your fighting.) meaning, in your battles.(Are you then grateful) means, `Allah blessed you when He inspired His servant Dawud and taught him that for your sake.`

The Power of Sulayman is unparalleled
(And to Sulayman (We subjected) the wind strongly raging,) means, `We subjugated the strong wind to Sulayman.`(running by his command towards the land which We had blessed.) meaning, the land of Ash-Sham (Greater Syria).(And of everything We are the All-Knower.) He had a mat made of wood on which he would place all the equipment of his kingship; horses, camels, tents and troops, then he would command the wind to carry it, and he would go underneath it and it would carry him aloft, shading him and protecting him from the heat, until it reached wherever he wanted to go in the land. Then it would come down and deposit his equipment and entourage. Allah says:(So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his or