Part 18
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Whatever program we initiate in our life, will be as per the Pre-directed Guidelines of Allah, the Most Benevolent and the Most Merciful. (6:162)
If a society or a nation wants to achieve success in its goal, it should know the moral values and practices that must be present among the followers who act according to the guidance of Allah.
قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ١
23:1. Who are the successful achievers among the activists who wholeheartedly accept the guidance of Allah?
ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ فِي صَلَاتِهِمۡ خَٰشِعُونَ٢
23:2. Those who pay full attention to the “Salath” which is established to uphold the moral values of the society, uphold the laws of the Rabbu and make them the ideal of their life.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنِ ٱللَّغۡوِ مُعۡرِضُونَ٣
23:3. And those who use their energies for creative social welfare projects will not focus on the unproductive rituals that affect social welfare.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَٰعِلُونَ٤
23:4. And those who chalk out welfare schemes for the betterment of people from all walks of life and pay full attention to them. That is how they will use their wealth.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِفُرُوجِهِمۡ حَٰفِظُونَ٥
23:5. And those who do not waste their reproductive energies, which is a treasure of human energy.
إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزۡوَٰجِهِمۡ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَٰنُهُمۡ فَإِنَّهُمۡ غَيۡرُ مَلُومِينَ٦
23:6. But the relationship with their wives is exempt. Apart from that, exposing private parts during medical treatment, etc. is also not sinful (see 4:25)
In this verse, it is normally translated as “there is nothing wrong in showing off the shameful parts to working women.” From this, they think they get permission from Allah to have sex with their working women. This is a wrong translation and is against the qur’anic principles.
فَمَنِ ٱبۡتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡعَادُونَ٧
23:7. Apart from this, any such activity that arouses lust is an act outside the purview of Allah’s law.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِأَمَٰنَٰتِهِمۡ وَعَهۡدِهِمۡ رَٰعُونَ٨
23:8. And those who take due care in disposing of their responsibility of their duties of the “Regime” entrusted to them.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٰتِهِمۡ يُحَافِظُونَ٩
23:9. In short, they will be fully committed to enacting and maintaining the rule of law. (See 24:41)
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡوَٰرِثُونَ١٠
23:10. Only such persons or communities are the real heirs of Heaven.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡفِرۡدَوۡسَ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ١١
23:11. And that heavenly life will be one with all happiness and bliss. As long as they act as mentioned above, paradise life will last. And they will continue to live in paradise after death also.
These are the followers who are qualified to inherit Paradise. (See 70:23-35 for further explanation) And that is the purpose of His guidance. Because the pursuit of the Rabbu is that man should live happily. For this, all the projects of the Rabbu are being carried out properly. In it, human growth, cultivation, and the energies that develop within him are all taking place gradually. Human life can be divided into two parts. One is his physical life and the other is his "self" governing morals. First, notice how the beginning of his physical life occurs.
وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٖ مِّن طِينٖ١٢
23:12. According to Allah's plan, the beginning of human creation originated from the nutrients of the soil and passed through many stages. (See explanation 22:5, 32: 7)
ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ نُطۡفَةٗ فِي قَرَارٖ مَّكِينٖ١٣
23:13. As such, human creation direct from soil continued for many ages. Later on, the process of procreation began. That is through the conjugation of the male and female. (See 32:5-9) The drop of the cell was arranged to grow into a safe place inside the woman's womb.
ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةٗ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَٰمٗا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَٰمَ لَحۡمٗا ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَٰهُ خَلۡقًا ءَاخَرَۚ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقِينَ١٤
23:14. The semen drop turns into a card insect called ‘alak’ in a few days. The ‘unit’ then grows into a muscular mass in which the bones grow. Following that, the flesh is wrapped around those bones. (See 32:9) He finally enters this world as a newborn baby. When one looks at the series of human creations, one can have no doubt that Allah is the Best Creators.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعۡدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ١٥
23:15. Then according to the same physical law of the Rabbu, you live and die after a certain period.
Now the question arises whether human life ends with his death? Since the energetic powers called “Rooh” has been blessed by Allah to man, (32:9) it is the unique ‘soul’ in man that helps for his independent functional capabilities. It is Allah’s plan that this ‘unique soul’ in man should continue to develop and move forward even after death. This section of human life is based on human values, qualities of humanity, etc. Only these qualities will help him to develop.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ تُبۡعَثُونَ١٦
23:16. Then, as per “The established Laws” of Allah with regards to human life, he is destined to continue his life and is answerable for all his deeds. This is referred to as Youmul Quiyama in this Scripture i.e. the permanent law prescribed by Him to yield results as per human actions.
As stated at the beginning of this chapter (23:1-9), the Individual Self called, the ‘Soul’ of the best performers goes beyond the stages of death, it progresses and reaches Paradise. The ‘Soul’ of those involved in evil deeds is cast into hell. You may be wondering how this is possible. For that explore the functional system of earth where you live.
وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا فَوۡقَكُمۡ سَبۡعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلۡخَلۡقِ غَٰفِلِينَ١٧
23:17. According to His plans, He has not only created this earth but also the zonal skies, the planets, countless stars. Each of them moves on its given orbit. Thus, Allah is never indifferent to the functioning of every creation in the Universe.
If this is true, then it is also true that the ‘Soul’ of man moves towards its destination after death. This movement will occur in accordance with his activities in this world. The wicked will rush to the side of hell. The good ones will rush to the side of Paradise.
وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءَۢ بِقَدَرٖ فَأَسۡكَنَّٰهُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابِۢ بِهِۦ لَقَٰدِرُونَ١٨
23:18. Not only that, but according to the plan of Allah, it rains down from the sky in abundance, and that rainwater remains on the earth for a while. That rainwater could have been made to drain away immediately. But that rainwater is left to stay on earth for some time so that you can use it.
فَأَنشَأۡنَا لَكُم بِهِۦ جَنَّٰتٖ مِّن نَّخِيلٖ وَأَعۡنَٰبٖ لَّكُمۡ فِيهَا فَوَٰكِهُ كَثِيرَةٞ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ١٩
23:19. Gardens full of palms and vines are grown with more rainwater. They produce many fruits for you. They are also delicious fruits for you.
وَشَجَرَةٗ تَخۡرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيۡنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهۡنِ وَصِبۡغٖ لِّلۡأٓكِلِينَ٢٠
23:20. Similarly, there are many oilseed trees in the mountain’s ranges. From it, the oil of Zaithoon is extracted. It helps a lot to prepare delicious food for you.
وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةٗۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِي بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٞ وَمِنۡهَا تَأۡكُلُونَ٢١
23:21. Not only that, the livestock you raise are very helpful in your life. You get a variety of benefits like milk secreted from their stomachs. Finally, you make their meat to prepare delicious food items.
If all of the above works are true, then concept that human life after death is also true. Thus, not only the livelihoods available in the land but also many benefits at sea have been arranged for you. (See 16:14) For that
وَعَلَيۡهَا وَعَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ تُحۡمَلُونَ٢٢
23:22. There are also ships that carry you on voyages at sea.
It is only because of such arrangements of Allah, that man is able to survive efficiently in this world. These are the essentials of human physical life. But on the other side of human life of human morals, humanity, and the development of abilities and characters. These are essential for the collective life of man. Allah's guidance is needed for these to grow in man. They are bestowed by Allah through His Messengers. Reformist Nooh Nabi also comes first in that order.
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥٓۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٢٣
23:23. Reformist Nooh Nabi used to instruct his people to obey only the guidance of Allah. There is no controller in this world other than Allah. So, he advised his community to fear the adverse consequences of acting against the advice of Allah.
فَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَؤُاْ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٞ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ
23:24. But the leaders of the community, who lived in affluence, did not come forward to accept his advice. They looked at the people gathered there and said, “What is this! As a normal human being, he wants to get higher than you!
وَلَوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَٰٓئِكَةٗ مَّا سَمِعۡنَا بِهَٰذَا فِيٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ٢٤
And if Allah had wished to guide you, should He not have sent angels as messengers? We have never heard such teachings from our ancestors!”
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلُۢ بِهِۦ جِنَّةٞ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰ حِينٖ٢٥
23:25. And they said, “His speech is new. We think this man is crazy. Do not listen to him. You wait and see. You will find out for yourself what is going to happen.”
Thus, he gave advices to his community but in vain. He spoke to them privately and openly (see 71:8-9) but the enmity against him only intensified. Finally, they started to threaten to kill him. (See 26:116) He realized that if he remained there, he and his followers would be in danger.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرۡنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ٢٦
23:26. So he prayed, “O My Rabbu! They refuse to accept Your guidance and mislead many of us by claiming them as lies. (See 71:27) So help me to save myself from them!”
فَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِ أَنِ ٱصۡنَعِ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ بِأَعۡيُنِنَا وَوَحۡيِنَا
23:27. To that, came the advice to build a ship under the direct supervision of the Rabbu.
After that, according to His Law, there will be continuous rains in the area and the entire region will be flooded.
فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ فَٱسۡلُكۡ فِيهَا مِن كُلّٖ زَوۡجَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ وَأَهۡلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ مِنۡهُمۡۖ
Later on, when it started to rain continuously and floods raged there, He said, “Get on board, you and those who follow you. Also, load it with birds and livestock in pairs. Those who do not accept your advice will not enter into it. Such people deserve punishments.
وَلَا تُخَٰطِبۡنِي فِي ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ إِنَّهُم مُّغۡرَقُونَ٢٧
And do not feel sorry for those who are involved in unrighteous deeds and intercede with Me. Of course, they will be drowned.”
Those who lived in those mountainous regions at that time were unlikely to have any knowledge about the ship. So, Nooh Nabi was informed to build a ship under the direct supervision of the Rabbu. It would have been an unusual one for the people when they saw the ship. So, they made fun of him.
Consider one more thing. Fearing that his life would be endangered by the opponent party, he prays to the Rabbu for protection. Had Allah willed He could have taken him to a safe place. But that is not the plan of Allah. The responsibility of security is also left to man. So, He addresses the Reformist and orders him to build a ship. This shows that Rabbu has never had the plan to help man directly.
فَإِذَا ٱسۡتَوَيۡتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ فَقُلِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي نَجَّىٰنَا مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ٢٨
23:28. Get onboard the ship with you and your followers. As when it begins to float in the water, you will realize that the plan of Allah, Who saved us from the unjust mob, is worthy of all praise.
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلۡنِي مُنزَلٗا مُّبَارَكٗا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡمُنزِلِينَ٢٩
23:29. And say, “O, Rabbu! May you lead us down to the most blessed place of livelihood. You are superior in unloading us in such a fertile region.”
That is, your thoughts and actions must be in harmony with Rabbu's counsel. If they do not do so, they will suffer the same fate. (See 11:48)
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبۡتَلِينَ٣٠
23:30. So, the plight of Nooh Nabi's community is to inform the people of the world that the law of “the ultimate result according to human deeds” is certain to happen.
ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ قَرۡنًا ءَاخَرِينَ٣١
23:31. And the survivors of that flood formed a society over time. This is also the great program of Allah.
That is, Allah's plan is to remove from the world those who engage in unrighteous deeds and to create societies that live with moral values. So, when there was chaos again in the society that emerged after the time of Reformist Noah Nabi, many Reformists were sent one after another to rectify them.
فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا فِيهِمۡ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥٓۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٣٢
23:32. The reformists who came there were also born and raised from among them. They advised the people to obey only the command of Allah. They said, “There is no Controller of this world other than Allah. So, act with the fear that your actions will have a detrimental effect on your life?”
وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِن قَوۡمِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِلِقَآءِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ وَأَتۡرَفۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا
23:33. Just like the leaders of Nooh Nabi’s community, the ruling authorities, religious leaders, and wealthy people who lived there refused to accept the guidance of Allah and said that he is falsely warning them that they would face the ultimate result of their actions.
مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٞ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يَأۡكُلُ مِمَّا تَأۡكُلُونَ مِنۡهُ وَيَشۡرَبُ مِمَّا تَشۡرَبُونَ٣٣
This was because the Reformist was ordinary man just like others. He was just like everyone else in terms of eating and drinking water. How can we listen to him? This was the reason they gave for refusing to accept His guidance.
وَلَئِنۡ أَطَعۡتُم بَشَرٗا مِّثۡلَكُمۡ إِنَّكُمۡ إِذٗا لَّخَٰسِرُونَ٣٤
23:34. So they used to say to the community people, “If you obey a common man like you, you will surely be the losers.”
That is, the Reformist must possess some unique features. Only then, they will recognize him as Nabi. They also say that they need not spend their wealth and want to live in luxury according to their will (see 11:87).
أَيَعِدُكُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ إِذَا مِتُّمۡ وَكُنتُمۡ تُرَابٗا وَعِظَٰمًا أَنَّكُم مُّخۡرَجُونَ٣٥
23:35. They ridiculously say, “Even after death, when our body is reduced to dust and bones, he threatens that there will surely be a day of resurrection and retribution.”
۞هَيۡهَاتَ هَيۡهَاتَ لِمَا تُوعَدُونَ٣٦
23:36. “What a strange talk! Is it possible for anything to happen like this? This is beyond our comprehension.”
إِنۡ هِيَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنۡيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحۡيَا وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَبۡعُوثِينَ٣٧
23:37. “For us, human life is something that ends with this worldly life. We live. After that, we die. That's it. So, we will not be resurrected, as he says.”
إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبٗا وَمَا نَحۡنُ لَهُۥ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ٣٨
23:38. “But look at this man. He is pretending as if Allah has said something. So how can we trust him?”
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرۡنِي بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ٣٩
23:39. So, the Reformist said, “O, my Rabbu! They are blindly refusing to accept Your advice. May you help us against them!”
قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيلٖ لَّيُصۡبِحُنَّ نَٰدِمِينَ٤٠
23:40. To which Rabbu replied, “The term given to them is nearing completion. So, very soon they will meet the consequences of their actions.”
فَأَخَذَتۡهُمُ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ غُثَآءٗۚ فَبُعۡدٗا لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ٤١
23:41. Likewise, the precaution given to them came true. A terrible thunderclap engulfed them and they turned into rubbish. How can the blessings of Allah be upon those who have been engaged in unrighteous deeds?
ثُمَّ أَنشَأۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ قُرُونًا ءَاخَرِينَ٤٢
23:42. After their destruction, the remnant of them, over time, formed another community according to the law of the Rabbu.
مَا تَسۡبِقُ مِنۡ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسۡتَٔۡخِرُونَ٤٣
23:43. Thus, it is the framed law of Rabbu that any community should meet the ultimate result of its actions after a certain period. This period does not precede or defer. (See explanation 7:34)
ثُمَّ أَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتۡرَاۖ كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةٗ رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُۖ فَأَتۡبَعۡنَا بَعۡضَهُم بَعۡضٗا وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ أَحَادِيثَۚ فَبُعۡدٗا لِّقَوۡمٖ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ٤٤
23:44. This is how We sent reformists one after the other to make social reforms according to Our established Laws from time to time. And whenever the Reformers came to any community, they never kept quiet without lying to him and opposing him. So, they met the evil impacts. But later on, all of these facts turned out to be mere stories to the communities. So how can such people get the guidance of Allah?
ثُمَّ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ وَأَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَسُلۡطَٰنٖ مُّبِينٍ٤٥
23:45. Thus, came Moosa Nabi and his brother Haroon Nabi, among the reformists. We sent them both to convey Our guide to the people and to Fir’aun, the king of that country with strong evidence.
إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمًا عَالِينَ٤٦
23:46. The two conveyed Our guidance to Fir’aun and his counsels. But they arrogantly refused to accept them.
فَقَالُوٓاْ أَنُؤۡمِنُ لِبَشَرَيۡنِ مِثۡلِنَا وَقَوۡمُهُمَا لَنَا عَٰبِدُونَ٤٧
23:47. They boasted, “They, like the others, are ordinary people! Can we listen to their advice? In fact, people in their community are still slaves to us!”
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُواْ مِنَ ٱلۡمُهۡلَكِينَ٤٨
23:48. Thus they refused the guidance of the two, claiming that it was a lie. So, they too have been included in the list of extinct.
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَهۡتَدُونَ٤٩
23:49. The purpose of sending them with Our guidance through Reformist Moosa was to change their attitude, act according to Our guidance and save them from imminent destruction.
Similarly, Reformist Easa Nabi and his mother Maryam came to guide the people. They explained His guidance to the people with all evidence. Maryam opposed the abuse of women at the Jewish Ashram. So, she suffered greatly. Similarly, Reformist Easa Nabi sought to create a better society by removing the abuses that had existed among the Jews. But the Jews, instead of accepting Allah's guidance, sought to conspire against him
وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥٓ ءَايَةٗ وَءَاوَيۡنَٰهُمَآ إِلَىٰ رَبۡوَةٖ ذَاتِ قَرَارٖ وَمَعِينٖ٥٠
23:50. Thus, Reformist Easa and his mother Maryam conveyed to the people Our authentic guidance. And the two emigrated to a safe place without falling into the plot of the Jews. The place they went to was a greenish-hilly region full of waterfalls. Thus, they got a safe life.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُواْ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَٱعۡمَلُواْ صَٰلِحًاۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ عَلِيمٞ٥١
23:51. So We gave permission to all the Reformists to make use of all the hygienic food material. We also advised them to take the lead in the work of social reforms. And We informed them that the law of Allah, “the consequences of human deeds” is watching over every action.
وَإِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمۡ فَٱتَّقُونِ٥٢
23:52. All the teachings of the Reformists are the advice based on the same principle (see 36:3). People from all walks of life who followed them must have belonged to the same community. Because Allah who created all people is one and the only one. The teachings of all the Reformists were to live in obedience to His guidance only.
فَتَقَطَّعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَهُم بَيۡنَهُمۡ زُبُرٗاۖ كُلُّ حِزۡبِۢ بِمَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ فَرِحُونَ٥٣
23:53. But those who followed the Reformists, after their demise, brought in changes in their law over time and were divided into different sects. Thus, each faction considered the means at their hand to be the best and followed them with full enthusiasm. (See also 30:32)
Dear Intellectuals! Do not think that this is something that happened during the time of the revelation of the Qur’an. The text captures the divisions that still exist among Muslims today. Establishing sects such as Hanafi, Shafi, Maliki, Hambali, Ahle Hadhees is an act against the guidance of Allah. There are countless divisions like this and every faction that follows them mistakenly thinks that their method is the best way. These too can last for some time. But over time, that is likely to change. Even now those who belong to such sects are blindly opposing the guidance without wanting to know what the truth is. Therefore,
فَذَرۡهُمۡ فِي غَمۡرَتِهِمۡ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ٥٤
23:54. Let them be immersed in their course of indifference until the consequences of their actions appear. (See 22:17)
أَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٖ وَبَنِينَ٥٥
23:55. Do they think that the wealth and offspring that Allah has given to them will grow and protect them in this way?
نُسَارِعُ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِۚ بَل لَّا يَشۡعُرُونَ٥٦
23:56. Do you think that the benefits from Allah will continue to be available in this way? That is not true. They do not know the purpose for which Allah has given them.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشۡفِقُونَ٥٧
23:57. On the contrary, those who act in fear of the evil consequences of acting against His guidance will continue to enjoy true happiness and His help.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بَِٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ يُؤۡمِنُونَ٥٨
23:58. For this, they will gladly accept the guidance of Allah and act accordingly.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّهِمۡ لَا يُشۡرِكُونَ٥٩
23:59. And they do not follow any other way than the guidance of Allah.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَواْ وَّقُلُوبُهُمۡ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمۡ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ رَٰجِعُونَ٦٠
23:60. Because they fear that they will be held accountable to Allah for everything they do, they will use the wealth that Allah has given them for the betterment of society in the way He has shown to them.
أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِي ٱلۡخَيۡرَٰتِ وَهُمۡ لَهَا سَٰبِقُونَ٦١
23:61. In such people, the speed and motivation for creative good deeds will come together. And there will be competition among them in doing good deeds.
وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ وَلَدَيۡنَا كِتَٰبٞ يَنطِقُ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ٦٢
23:62. They will learn that such good deeds greatly help human energies to grow faster. They will never think that Allah is causing them to trouble unnecessarily. These are the most established laws in the world. Allah never does any harm to anyone.
بَلۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ فِي غَمۡرَةٖ مِّنۡ هَٰذَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡمَٰلٞ مِّن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ هُمۡ لَهَا عَٰمِلُونَ٦٣
23:63. But most people do not know all of these facts. They live in ignorance. And they are immersed in selfishness. So, everything they are doing is deviating from the right path.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذۡنَا مُتۡرَفِيهِم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ إِذَا هُمۡ يَجَۡٔرُونَ٦٤
23:64. Those who enjoy such temporary comforts will continue to do so until they are caught in agony. When those torments touch them, they will be crying uncontrollably. But at that time there will be no one to help them.
لَا تَجَۡٔرُواْ ٱلۡيَوۡمَۖ إِنَّكُم مِّنَّا لَا تُنصَرُونَ٦٥
23:65. They will undergo such a situation that it is merely a waste to cry for escape from such sufferings. Because there will be no one to help to free them from these torments of the Rabbu.
قَدۡ كَانَتۡ ءَايَٰتِي تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡقَٰبِكُمۡ تَنكِصُونَ٦٦
23:66. Reason. When you were advised to follow Rabbu's guidelines, you did not come forward to listen to them. And so, we ignore them regardless.
مُسۡتَكۡبِرِينَ بِهِۦ سَٰمِرٗا تَهۡجُرُونَ٦٧
23:67. Apart from the above, there was full of vain arrogance in their assembly counsels. And your speeches were immoral. Thus, they have to suffer now.
أَفَلَمۡ يَدَّبَّرُواْ ٱلۡقَوۡلَ أَمۡ جَآءَهُم مَّا لَمۡ يَأۡتِ ءَابَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ٦٨
23:68. Do they not consider what this Qur’an says? This is the same guidance that came to their ancestors. Is there anything new in this?
أَمۡ لَمۡ يَعۡرِفُواْ رَسُولَهُمۡ فَهُمۡ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ٦٩
23:69. Or do they not know about the life history of the reformist who is with them? Did he ever lie to them before? (See 10:16) Now that he is giving His guidance, why do they refuse to listen to him without thinking about it?
أَمۡ يَقُولُونَ بِهِۦ جِنَّةُۢۚ بَلۡ جَآءَهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَكۡثَرُهُمۡ لِلۡحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَ٧٠
23:70. Or do they think that the reformist was crazy? No. Does he not tell them the true status of the laws of Allah? They hate this guidance because it goes against their selfish attitudes.
وَلَوِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلۡحَقُّ أَهۡوَآءَهُمۡ لَفَسَدَتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّۚ بَلۡ أَتَيۡنَٰهُم بِذِكۡرِهِمۡ فَهُمۡ عَن ذِكۡرِهِم مُّعۡرِضُونَ٧١
23:71. If the creations of Allah had acted according to their will, the galaxies and the earth and all that is in them would have perished! And all sorts of chaos would have occurred and gone extinct. This advice is given so that all people can live in a better way. But they do not seem to like a life with such high qualities and morals.
أَمۡ تَسَۡٔلُهُمۡ خَرۡجٗا فَخَرَاجُ رَبِّكَ خَيۡرٞۖ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ٧٢
23:72. O, Reformist! Did you expect anything in return from them? Not at all. Is not the sustenance of your Rabbu great? And can there be anyone other than Allah who can provide sustenance for all?
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ٧٣
23:73. Do you not show them the straight path that leads to peaceful and secure life?
وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ عَنِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ لَنَٰكِبُونَ٧٤
23:74. The fact is that only those who refuse to accept the law of the “Ultimate result of human deeds,” are going astray.
So, they do not explore the cause of the minor problems and tortures that occur in their life. They live blindly thinking that everything is going according to plan.
۞وَلَوۡ رَحِمۡنَٰهُمۡ وَكَشَفۡنَا مَا بِهِم مِّن ضُرّٖ لَّلَجُّواْ فِي طُغۡيَٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ٧٥
23:75. Even if there is mercy on them, and remove their misery as per the prescribed law of Allah, they would go astray in ignorance.
وَلَقَدۡ أَخَذۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡعَذَابِ فَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْ لِرَبِّهِمۡ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ٧٦
23:76. Even if they are afflicted, they would neither try to know the reason behind such afflictions nor do they want to correct themselves accordingly. There is no interest in asking and knowing the way to get rid of those tragedies.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم بَابٗا ذَا عَذَابٖ شَدِيدٍ إِذَا هُمۡ فِيهِ مُبۡلِسُونَ٧٧
23:77. In this way, they remain carefree until the severe torment comes according to the prescribed law of the Rabbu. Will it be useful to realize at the time when severe pain comes? Instead, they will lose hope and become powerless.
These are the things that happen among people in a society that refuses to accept or live without the guidance of Allah. All of these tragedies come as a result of their wrongdoing.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفِۡٔدَةَۚ قَلِيلٗا مَّا تَشۡكُرُونَ٧٨
23:78. O Mankind! You have been given the power of hearing and the vision by Allah. Intelligence is also given to you to think and act using them. There are very few who live better by using these blessings of the Rabbu in a straight path.
That is to say, you are suffering a lot because you are living in blind superstition instead of living a better life using these powers given to you by Allah. If you say something against Aalims, they would immediately harp on you not to apply your mind!
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي ذَرَأَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ٧٩
23:79. Think of the fact that human creation has multiplied in all parts of the world and that arrangements have been made for all to live. Also, know that no society in the world can go beyond the legal rules of “Consequences for human actions” set by Allah.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَلَهُ ٱخۡتِلَٰفُ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ٨٠
23:80. The growth and decline of communities are taking place according to the same framed norms of Allah. The life and death of society take place in the same way as the changes of night and day take place. If you have created a society that thinks and follows Allah's guidance, there will be no darkness in your life.
But people do not think about the true state of human history because they live blindly. Therefore
بَلۡ قَالُواْ مِثۡلَ مَا قَالَ ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ٨١
23:81. They keep on telling the same thing about the purpose of the creation of Man as their ancestors did.
قَالُوٓاْ أَءِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابٗا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ٨٢
23:82. Their ancestors asked, “When we die, even though if we are reduced to dust and become nothing but bones, shall we be raised again?” They ask the same thing today.
لَقَدۡ وُعِدۡنَا نَحۡنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا هَٰذَا مِن قَبۡلُ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ٨٣
23:83. The say, “Hence, the vow that they will be raised again after death is nothing but the myths of the ancestors.
It is not possible to describe life after death with the present knowledge. That is the plan that Allah has made about human life. It is mentioned in this Scripture. The word of Allah would never be false. So, life after death is the most important aspect of beliefs.
Further, man-made social structures do not end with the death of an individual. It is also the one that continues. The next generation will follow the social setup created by the present generation. Can anyone deny this fact? It is Allah who created these rules too.
قُل لِّمَنِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَن فِيهَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ٨٤
23:84. Inquire them about the creation of the earth and the functional setup therein. Ask them to answer if they know the truth about this,
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِۚ قُلۡ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ٨٥
23:85. They will say, “It belongs to Allah.” Ask them, why don’t you follow the advice of Allah?
قُلۡ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ ٱلسَّبۡعِ وَرَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ٨٦
23:86. Next, ask them, “Who created the galaxies? Who looks after them and nourishes them?” (See also 16:49, 42:29)
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِۚ قُلۡ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ٨٧
23:87. They will accept that they all operate under the control of Allah. Ask them, “Then, should the man have not lived in obedience to the guidance of Allah alone? Would you not fear the consequences of following other means equating with His guidance?”
قُلۡ مَنۢ بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيۡهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ٨٨
23:88. And ask them, “Tell me under whose absolute control the entire world functions? Such a control that no one can harm if anyone comes under His protection. If anyone acts against Him no one to protect him?”
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِۚ قُلۡ فَأَنَّىٰ تُسۡحَرُونَ٨٩
23:89. And they will acknowledge that all such powers belong to Allah. “If that is true, then why are you reluctant to obey the guidance of Allah?”
بَلۡ أَتَيۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَكَٰذِبُونَ٩٠
23:90. Even after the advent of the guidelines which show the straight path to the better life of man, the reason for not accepting them is the attachment of age-old worship (See 29:25). Thus, they reject saying that there is no truth in the guidance of Allah.
مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٖ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُۥ مِنۡ إِلَٰهٍۚ إِذٗا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَٰهِۢ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضٖۚ سُبۡحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ٩١
23:91. Whose help is needed to accomplish Allah's projects in the universe? Who is working with him? If there were so many gods ruling the universe, each of them would be in control of what he created. Some of these may outweigh the others. (See also: 21-22) There will be many conflicts. No such thing takes place is the proof that no authority other than Allah operates anywhere in the universe. So, His infinite powers are far greater than what they imagine about Allah.
عَٰلِمِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ٩٢
23:92. And Allah knows everything in and around you. So, does Allah not know if they follow other means equating Allah? The rules of consequences will follow them.
قُل رَّبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّي مَا يُوعَدُونَ٩٣
23:93. If you happen to see the sufferings of them as was promised by Him,
رَبِّ فَلَا تَجۡعَلۡنِي فِي ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ٩٤
23:94. Then You will only pray to Him, “O Rabbu! Do not allow us to live along with such people.”
Because you cannot tolerate seeing the torments they face. To that extent, those pains will be severe.
وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّرِيَكَ مَا نَعِدُهُمۡ لَقَٰدِرُونَ٩٥
23:95. A Day will come in your life when you will realize that Allah has the power to bring about the promised torments.
ٱدۡفَعۡ بِٱلَّتِي هِيَ أَحۡسَنُ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَۚ نَحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ٩٦
23:96. O, Reformist! You have to prevent evil by doing good deeds. Do not give importance to what they describe Allah.
For example, instead of punishing prostitutes, you can make arrangements to rehabilitate them. By preventing pornography, prostitution can be curbed. It can also prevent other social ills with good deeds.
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنۡ هَمَزَٰتِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ٩٧
23:97. Say, “O Rabbu! I seek your guidance to be safe from anti-social forces.”
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحۡضُرُونِ٩٨
23:98. And say, I seek to do what is right as per the law of the Rabbu so that no evil impact befalls on me.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱرۡجِعُونِ٩٩
23:99. All of them will continue to engage in such evil deeds until death. Once they die, they will face the reality of torments and will ask the Rabbu to send them back to the world.
لَعَلِّيٓ أَعۡمَلُ صَٰلِحٗا فِيمَا تَرَكۡتُۚ كَلَّآۚ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَاۖ وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرۡزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ١٠٠
23:100. He would promise, “If I am released from this torment, I will do creative good deeds according to Your guidance.” But these are all his vain ambition. There is no plan for the Rabbu to send anyone back. And there will be a screen bar before him until he is raised again.
This text refers to “Alam-e-Burzaq”. When a person dies, his soul called the 'Rooh' or 'Nafs', reaches a place called “Barzaq” beyond the earth. He cannot know what is happening in the world after his death. So also no one could know what is happening to the dead. Further, he can never come back to life in this world. There is no truth in the claim that the soul of the dead revolves around the earth.
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِي ٱلصُّورِ فَلَآ أَنسَابَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَئِذٖ وَلَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ١٠١
23:101. So, the siren will be raised for questioning about the deeds done by man. Then there will be no affection between them. They would not even inquire about each other.
That is, everybody will be worried about answering for what he has done. What is the use of worrying about others at that juncture? Their counter-period is determined by the deeds they have done.
فَمَن ثَقُلَتۡ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ١٠٢
23:102. Whose scale of good deeds overweigh, they will be the winners.
وَمَنۡ خَفَّتۡ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ فِي جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَ١٠٣
23:103. Rather, those whose scale of good deeds is lesser will be the losers. And they will surely experience the torments of Hell constantly. (See also 7: 8-9, 101: 6-10).
تَلۡفَحُ وُجُوهَهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَهُمۡ فِيهَا كَٰلِحُونَ١٠٤
23:104. Those torments of Hell will burn their faces, their lips curled up in a very bad condition.
أَلَمۡ تَكُنۡ ءَايَٰتِي تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فَكُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ١٠٥
23:105. Then the situation will be asking, “Have you not received His guidance?” Then you belied them!”
قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتۡ عَلَيۡنَا شِقۡوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوۡمٗا ضَآلِّينَ١٠٦
23:106. They would say, “O, Our Rabbu! What is there to say now? We can only say that our ignorance had overwhelmed us. So, we were a lopsided crowd.”
رَبَّنَآ أَخۡرِجۡنَا مِنۡهَا فَإِنۡ عُدۡنَا فَإِنَّا ظَٰلِمُونَ١٠٧
23:107. And their cry, “O, Our Rabbu! Now it is clear to us what the truth is. So, you release us out of this hell! We will never engage in sinful activity. In that case, we would never do anything unjust.”
قَالَ ٱخۡسَُٔواْ فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ١٠٨
23:108. To which the reply would be, “There is no room for talk of releasing. Their only condition is to continue to experience the torments of hell in return for the harm you did in the past.”
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡ عِبَادِي يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَا وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ١٠٩
23:109. A section of you has gladly accepted the guidance of Allah. They were determined to live in obedience to the Rabbu’s guidance. They sought the Rabbu's means to protect them from the effects of the evil deeds of the wicked. They firmly believed that there was no one more gracious than the Rabbu.
فَٱتَّخَذۡتُمُوهُمۡ سِخۡرِيًّا حَتَّىٰٓ أَنسَوۡكُمۡ ذِكۡرِي وَكُنتُم مِّنۡهُمۡ تَضۡحَكُونَ١١٠
23:110. But you used them as an opportunity to make fun of them. You have no consideration of My rules. That much you were so immersed in it. Not even thinking about the consequences of doing so. You just laughed at them.
إِنِّي جَزَيۡتُهُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ هُمُ ٱلۡفَآئِزُونَ١١١
23:111. Yet they persevered in the plan of the Rabbu and continued to work. The benefits are available to them today. What doubt is there that such people are winners?
قَٰلَ كَمۡ لَبِثۡتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ١١٢
23:112. They will be asked, “Can you recall how long you lived in the world?”
قَالُواْ لَبِثۡنَا يَوۡمًا أَوۡ بَعۡضَ يَوۡمٖ فَسَۡٔلِ ٱلۡعَآدِّينَ١١٣
23:113. It is impossible to even predict how long they would have lived as their thinking power had faded. So, they would only talk about it for a day or so. If it is seriously investigated beyond that, they will answer to ask the account holders about it.
قَٰلَ إِن لَّبِثۡتُمۡ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗاۖ لَّوۡ أَنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ١١٤
23:114. It will be said, “So, know that your life span in the world was very short.”
That is, life after death is eternal. When compared to life after death, worldly life is very short. They refuse to accept these facts after stating these things.
أَفَحَسِبۡتُمۡ أَنَّمَا خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ عَبَثٗا وَأَنَّكُمۡ إِلَيۡنَا لَا تُرۡجَعُونَ١١٥
23:115. “Do you think that all that Allah has created you in vain? Do you think that your life would end with the present life and death? No. Every action you take leads to the goal set by Allah. So, the time has come for you to respond to what you have done.”
فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمَلِكُ ٱلۡحَقُّۖ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡكَرِيمِ١١٦
23:116. The guidance of Allah, the Almighty, Who created and subdues all the universes, shows the most perfect way to a better life for man. Everything operates under the control of Allah, the Exalted. So, if the man lives only in obedience to the instructions of Allah, he too will have a dignified life.
وَمَن يَدۡعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرۡهَٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ١١٧
23:117. So, if they abandon the guidance of Allah and engage in idolatry without any evidence, the account of such is with Allah. Such people will never succeed in having a secure life with lasting happiness.
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ وَٱرۡحَمۡ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ١١٨
23:118. Your thoughts and prayers should be like this whether they accept this fact or not. “O, My Rabbu! Help us find a way to a safer life through your administrative system. There is no one in this world better than You in protecting and showing mercy.”