Al-Muttaqun and Al-Abrar

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبُ لَا رَيۡبَۛ فِيهِۛ هُدٗى لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٢ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱلۡغَيۡبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ ٣ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ وَبِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ يُوقِنُونَ ٤ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدٗى مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ ٥

This is the book whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun. Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat, and spend out of what We have provided for them. And who believe in that which has been sent down to you (O Muhammad, pbuh) and in that which was sent down before you, and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter. They are on guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verses 2-5

• Al-Muttaqun are the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism:

• Who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden)
• And love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)

• Ghaib: Al-Ghaib literally means a thing not seen. But this word includes vast meanings as in: belief in Allah, His Angels, the Holy Books, Allah’s Messengers, Day of Resurrection and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainment). It also includes what Allah and His Messenger informed about the knowledge of the matters of the past, present and future.
• As-Salat: the male in the mosques in congregation and as for female it is better to offer them at home. The Prophet (pbuh) has said: ‘Order your children to perform Salat (prayers) at the age of seven and beat them (about it) at the age of ten’
• Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security.
• Hidayah (Arabic Huda: correct guidance) is only granted to those who have Taqwa (fear of Allah). There are two types of Hidayah:

• Huda here means the faith that resides in the heart and only Allah is able to create it in the heart of the servant.
• Huda also means to explain the truth, give direction and lead to it.

• The root meaning of Taqwa is to avoid what one dislikes. It was reported that Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Ubayy bin Ka’b about Taqwa. Ubayy said “Have you ever walked on a path that has thorns in it?” Umar said, “Yes”. Ubayy said, “What do you do then?” He said “I rolled up my sleeves and struggled”. Ubayy said “That is Taqwa”. The possessors of taqwa are called Al-Muttaqun.
• Iman: linguistically, in the absolute sense, Iman merely means trust. However, when Iman is used in an unrestricted sense, it includes beliefs, deeds, and statements of the tongue. Iman increases and decreases. Fear is the core of Iman and Knowledge.
• Spending: give Zakat (obligatory charity), spend on oneself, one’s parents, one’s children, one’s wives, and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah’s Cause. In many instances in the Quran, Allah mentioned Prayer and Spending together.
• Successful: in this world and the Hereafter. They shall have what they seek and be saved from the evil that they tried to avoid.
• Hereafter: Belief in the AfterLife (Al-Akhirah) embraces a whole set of ideas, as in:

• That man is answerable to Allah for all his conduct in this world;
• That the present order of the world is not timeless, but will come to an end at an appointed hour known only to Allah;
• That those who are accounted good in Allah’s judgement will be sent to Heaven and those judged by Him as evil-doers will be consigned to Hell;
• That the real measure of success and failure is not one’s prosperity in the present life, but one’s success or failure according to Allah’s judgement in the Next.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ ٢١

O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 21

۞أَتَأۡمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلۡبِرِّ وَتَنسَوۡنَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٤٤

Enjoin you Al-Birr on the people and you forget (to practice it) yourselves, while you recite the Scripture (Torah)! Have you then no sense?

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 44

• The verse is about the people of the Book and the hypocrites. They used to command people to pray and fast. However, they did not practice what they commanded others. Allah reminded them of this behaviour. So, whoever commands people to do righteousness, let him be among the first of them to implement that command.

• Al-Birr: Piety, Righteousness.

• Enjoining righteousness and performing righteousness are both required. Neither category is rendered not necessary by the practice of the other.

• Narrated Abu Wa’il that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) say: ‘A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the Fire. His intestines will fall out and he will continue circling pulling them behind him, just as the donkey goes around the pole. The people of the Fire will go to that man and ask him, “What happened to you? Did you not used to command us to do righteous act and forbid us from committing evil?” He will say, “Yes. I used to enjoin righteousness, but refrained from performing righteousness, and I used to forbid you to perform evil while I myself did it”’

• Ibrahim An-Nakki said “I hesitate in advising people because of three Ayat:

۞أَتَأۡمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلۡبِرِّ وَتَنسَوۡنَ أَنفُسَكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ تَتۡلُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٤٤

“Enjoin you Al-Birr in the people and you forget yourselves”

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ ٢ كَبُرَ مَقۡتًا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُواْ مَا لَا تَفۡعَلُونَ ٣

“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is to Allah that you say that which you do not do” (V 61:2-3)

And Allah informed us that Prophet Shuayb said:

قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّي وَرَزَقَنِي مِنۡهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنٗاۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أُخَالِفَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنۡهَىٰكُمۡ عَنۡهُۚ إِنۡ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلۡإِصۡلَٰحَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُۚ وَمَا تَوۡفِيقِيٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ وَإِلَيۡهِ أُنِيبُ ٨٨

“I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. I only desire reform to the best of my power. And my guidance cannot come except from Allah, in Him I trust and unto Him I repent” (V 11:88)”

۞لَّيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأٓخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّ‍ۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِي ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَٰكِينَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِي ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَٰهَدُواْۖ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ فِي ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْۖ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ ١٧٧

It is not Al-Birr that you turn your faces towards the east and (or) the west; but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets; and give wealth in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masakin, and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; perform As-Salat, and gives the Zakat; and who fulfil their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment and at the time of fighting (during battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqun. Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verses 177

• Al-Birr: Piety, Righteousness.
• Turning your face towards the east or west is mentioned here only by way of illustration. The actual purpose of the verse is to emphasise that the observance of certain outward religious rites, the performance of certain formal religious acts out of conformism, and the manifestation of certain familiar forms of piety do not constitute that essential righteousness which alone carries weight with Allah and earns His recognition and approval.
• The Books are the divinely revealed Books from Allah to the Prophets, which were finalized by the most honourable ‘Book’ (the Quran). The Quran:

• Supersedes all previous Books
• Abrogates all previous Books

• Narrated Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The best charity is when you give it away while still healthy and thrifty, hoping to get rich and fearing poverty’
• Man’s relatives have more rights than anyone else to one’s charity as the Hadith supports: ‘Sadaqah (ie charity) given to the poor is a charity, while the sadaqah given to the relatives is both Sadaqah and Silah (nurturing relations), for they are most deserving of you and your kindness and charity’
• Narrated Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The Miskin is not the person who roams around, and whose need is met by one or two dates or one or two bites. Rather the Miskin is he who does not have what is sufficient, and to whom the people do not pay attention and, thus, do not give him from the charity’
• The opposite of the characteristic (fulfilling of covenant) is hypocrisy. As is found in the Hadith: ‘the signs of a hypocrite are three: if he speaks, he lies; if he promises, he breaks his promise; and if he is entrusted he breaches the trust.’ In another version: ‘If he speaks, he lies; if he vows, he breaks his vow; and if he disputes, he is lewd’

وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡقِصَاصِ حَيَوٰةٞ يَٰٓأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ ١٧٩

And there is (a saving of) life for you in Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment), O men of understanding, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 179

• …life for you in Al-Qisas… - Before the advent of Islam, and until this verse was revealed, the Arabs believed in requiting a murder with killing. But the retaliation had no defined limit. It all depended on the strength or weakness of the aggrieved party. Sometimes they killed a man for a man, and a woman for a woman - thus keeping a balance between the crime and its punishment. At other times they killed ten persons for one, a free man for a slave, a chief for and ordinary man. Many times, a tribe destroyed another just in retaliation of one man.

Islam opted for a middle course between confirmation of retaliation and its negation. It prescribed retaliation but did not make it obligatory - it allowed remission and payment of blood-money. Then it laid the foundation of justice by prescribing equality between the murderer and the murdered, telling us that: the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. Abu Al-Aliyah said, “Allah made the Law of equality a ‘life’. Hence, how many a man who thought about killing, but this Law prevented him from killing for fear that he will be killed in turn.”

• The reason behind this statement is that (the Jewish tribe of) Banu An-Nadir invaded Qurayzah (another Jewish tribe) during the time of Jahiliyyah (before Islam) and defeated them. Hence, (they made it a law that) when a person from Nadir kills a person from Quraizah, he is not killed in retaliation, but only pays a hundred Wasq of dates. However, when a person from Quraizah kills a Nadir man, he would be killed for him. If Nadir wanted to forfeit the execution of the murderer and instead require him to pay a ransom, the Quraizah man pays two hundred Wasq of dates, double the amount Nadir pays in Diyah (blood money). So, Allah commanded that justice be observed regarding the penal code, and that the path of the misguided and mischievous persons be avoided, who in disbelief and transgression, defy and alter what Allah has commanded them.

كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيۡرًا ٱلۡوَصِيَّةُ لِلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٨٠

It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he makes a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners. (This is) a duty upon Al-Muttaqun.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 180

• It is recorded in the Sahihayn that Ibn Umar said that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him’
• When the Ayah of inheritance was revealed, this Ayah was abrogated to the extent that fixed shares of the inheritance for deserving recipients were legislated by Allah.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ ١٨٣

O you who believe! Observing As-Saum is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become Al-Muttaqun.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 183

• As-Saum means fasting i.e., not to eat or drink or have sexual relations from the Adhan of the Fajr (early morning) prayer till the sunset.

۞يَسۡ‍َٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡأَهِلَّةِۖ قُلۡ هِيَ مَوَٰقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلۡحَجِّۗ وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰۗ وَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِنۡ أَبۡوَٰبِهَاۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ ١٨٩

They ask you (O Muhammad, pbuh) about the new moons. Say: “These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage”. It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness) that you enter the houses from the back but Al-Birr (is the quality of the one) who fears Allah. So, enter houses through their proper doors, and fear Allah that you may be successful.

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 189

• One superstitious custom of the Arabs was that once they entered the state of consecration for Pilgrimage, they did not enter their houses by the door. Instead, they either leapt over the walls from the rear or climbed through windows which they had specially erected for that purpose. On returning from journeys, too, they entered their houses from the rear. In this verse this superstitious custom is denounced, as are all superstitious customs; it is pointed out that the essence of moral excellence consists of fearing Allah and abstaining from disobeying His commands. Those meaningless customs by which people felt bound, out of blind adherence to the traditions of their forefathers, and which had no effect at all on man's ultimate destiny, had nothing to do with moral excellence.

وَلِلۡمُطَلَّقَٰتِ مَتَٰعُۢ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٢٤١

And for divorced women, maintenance (should be provided) on reasonable (scale). This is a duty on Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

Surah 2 Al-Baqarah Verse 241

لَن تَنَالُواْ ٱلۡبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُواْ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيۡءٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٞ ٩٢

By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness; it means here Allah’s Reward, i.e., Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verse 92

• Imam Ahmad reported that Anas bin Malik said: Abu Talhah had more property than any other among the Ansar in Al-Madinah, and the most beloved of his property to him was Bayruha garden, which was in front of the Messenger’s Masjid. Sometimes, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to go to the garden and drink its fresh water. When these verses were revealed, Abu Talha said: “O Allah’s Messenger! Allah says: ‘By no means shall you attain Al-Birr, unless you spend of that which you love’. No doubt, Bayruha garden is the most beloved of all my property to me. So, I want to give it in charity in Allah’s cause, and I expect its reward and compensation from Allah. O Allah’s Messenger! Spend it where Allah makes you think is feasible.” On that, Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: “Well-done! It is profitable property; it is profitable property. I have heard what you have said, and I think it would be proper if you gave it to your kith and kin.” Abu Talhah said: “I will do so, O Allah’s Messenger.” Then Abu Talhah distributed that garden among his relatives and cousins. This Hadith was recorded in the Two Sahihs.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِۦ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ ١٠٢

O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verse 102

• ‘Fear Allah’ – that He is obeyed and not defied, remembered and not forgotten and appreciated and not unappreciated (Abdullah bin Masud)
• Narrated Jabir that three nights before the Prophet (pbuh) died he heard him say: ‘None of you should die except while having sincere trust in Allah, the Exalted and Most Honourable’

هَٰذَا بَيَانٞ لِّلنَّاسِ وَهُدٗى وَمَوۡعِظَةٞ لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٣٨

This (the Quran) is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance and instruction to those who are Al-Muttaqun.

Surah 3 A-Imran Verse 138

۞لَتُبۡلَوُنَّ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡ وَلَتَسۡمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُوٓاْ أَذٗى كَثِيرٗاۚ وَإِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ عَزۡمِ ٱلۡأُمُورِ ١٨٦

You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you and from those who ascribe partners to Allah; but if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verse 186

• Muslims should not lose their self control in the face of disbelievers’ invidious taunts and slander. Their accusations, debased talks and false propaganda should not provoke the Muslims into adopting a posture either inconsistent with truth and justice or with the dignity, decorum or high standards of moral conduct that become men of faith.

لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِي ٱلۡبِلَٰدِ ١٩٦ مَتَٰعٞ قَلِيلٞ ثُمَّ مَأۡوَىٰهُمۡ جَهَنَّمُۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡمِهَادُ ١٩٧ لَٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ رَبَّهُمۡ لَهُمۡ جَنَّٰتٞ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا نُزُلٗا مِّنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَمَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لِّلۡأَبۡرَارِ ١٩٨

Let not the free disposal (and affluence) of the disbelievers throughout the land deceive you. A brief enjoyment; then their ultimate abode is Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest. But, for those who fear their Lord are Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise); therein are they to dwell forever, an entertainment from Allah; and that which is with Allah is best for Al-Abrar.

Surah 3 Al-Imran Verses 196-198

• Al-Abrar – the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تُحِلُّواْ شَعَٰٓئِرَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا ٱلشَّهۡرَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ وَلَا ٱلۡهَدۡيَ وَلَا ٱلۡقَلَٰٓئِدَ وَلَآ ءَآمِّينَ ٱلۡبَيۡتَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ يَبۡتَغُونَ فَضۡلٗا مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَرِضۡوَٰنٗاۚ وَإِذَا حَلَلۡتُمۡ فَٱصۡطَادُواْۚ وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شَنَ‍َٔانُ قَوۡمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ أَن تَعۡتَدُواْۘ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِۚ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ ٢

…Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa; but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah, verily, Allah is severe in punishment.

Surah 5 Al-Ma’idah Verse 2

• Allah commands His believing servants to help one another perform righteous, good deeds, which is the meaning of Al-Birr, and to avoid sins, which is the meaning of ‘At-Taqwa’
• Allah forbids His servants from helping one another in sin ‘Ithm’ and committing the prohibitions. Ibn Jarir said that ‘Ithm’ means abandoning what Allah has ordained, while transgression means overstepping the limits that Allah has set in your religion, along with overstepping what Allah has ordered concerning yourselves and others.
• Narrated Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Support your brother whether he was unjust or the victim of unjustice’ He was asked “O Messenger of Allah! We know about helping him when he suffers injustice, so what about helping him when he commits injustice” He said: ‘Prevent and stop him from committing injustice, and this represents giving support to him’
• In another Hadith: ‘The believer who mingles with people and is patient with their annoyance, earns more reward than the believer who does not mingle with people and does not observe patience with their annoyance’
• Another Hadith states: ‘He who calls to guidance, will earn a reward similar to the rewards of those who accept his call, until the Day of Resurrection, without decreasing their rewards. Whoever calls to a hearsay, will carry a burden similar to the burden of those who accept his call, until the Day of Resurrection, without decreasing their own burdens’

وَمَا ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَعِبٞ وَلَهۡوٞۖ وَلَلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ ٣٢

And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are Al-Muttaqun. Will you not then understand?

Surah 6 Al-An’am Verse 32

• This does not mean that earthly life has nothing serious about it and that it has been brought into being merely as a sport and pastime. Since ultimate reality is hidden this world people indulge in a variety of actions which are so blatantly opposed to reality that their life seems to consist merely of play and amusement. One who assumes the position of king in this world, for instance, is no different from the person who plays the part of a king on the stage of a theatre. His head is bedecked with a crown and he goes about commanding people as if he were a king, even though he has no royal authority. He may later, if the director of the theatre wishes, be dismissed from his royal office, put into prison or even be sentenced to death. Plays of this kind go on all over the world. Saints and man-made deities, people who try to unravel the unseen, those who claim to provide sustenance to others, others who think they have the power to bestow honour and dignity – such go about trumpeting their own glory while their own foreheads bear the stamp of their humble bondage to their Creator. By just one twist of fortune such people may fall off their pedestal and be trampled under the feet of those upon whom they have been imposing their God-like authority. All these plays come to an end with death. As soon as man crosses the boundaries of this world and steps into the Next, the reality will fully manifest, all the misconceptions that he has entertained will be peeled away, and he will be shown the true worth of his beliefs and actions.
• Earthly life has been compared to play and amusement for another reason. Compared to the true and abiding life of the Hereafter, earthly life seems, as it were, a sport, a transient pastime with which to amuse oneself before turning to serious business.

۞وَٱكۡتُبۡ لَنَا فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٗ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَۚ قَالَ عَذَابِيٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنۡ أَشَآءُۖ وَرَحۡمَتِي وَسِعَتۡ كُلَّ شَيۡءٖۚ فَسَأَكۡتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِ‍َٔايَٰتِنَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ١٥٦

…He said: (As to) My punishment I afflict therewith whom I will and My Mercy embraces all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the Muttaqun, and give Zakat, and those who believe in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs).

Surah 7 Al-A’raf Verse 156

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ نَزۡغٞ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ٢٠٠ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمۡ طَٰٓئِفٞ مِّنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبۡصِرُونَ ٢٠١

And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allah. Verily He is All-Hearer, All-Knower. Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqun, when an evil thought come to them from Shaitan, they remember (Allah) and (indeed) they then see (aright).

Surah 7 Al-A’raf Verses 200-201

• ‘remember’ – Allah’s punishment, as well as, His tremendous reward. They remember Allah’s promises and threats, then repent, go back to Him, seek refuge with Him and ask for forgiveness before death.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِن تَتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ يَجۡعَل لَّكُمۡ فُرۡقَانٗا وَيُكَفِّرۡ عَنكُمۡ سَيِّ‍َٔاتِكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلۡفَضۡلِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ ٢٩

O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan, and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you; and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty.

Surah 8 Al-Anfal Verse 29

• Furqan means:

• A way out, in this life and the Hereafter
• Salvation
• Aid
• Criterion between truth and falsehood

• Certainly, those who have taqwa of Allah by obeying what He ordained and abstaining from what He forbade, will be guided to differentiate between the truth and the falsehood. This will be a triumph, safety and a way out for them from the affairs of this life, all the while acquiring happiness in the Hereafter. They will also gain forgiveness, thus having their sins erased, and pardon, thus having their sins covered from other people, as well as, being directed to a way to gain Allah’s tremendous rewards

أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ ٦٢ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ ٦٣لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ٦٤

Behold! The Auliya of Allah, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve. Those who believed, and have taqwa. For them is good news, in the life of the present world, and in the Hereafter. No change can there be in the Words of Allah. This is indeed the supreme success.

Surah 10 Yunus Verses 62-64

• Auliya of Allah (friends and allies) are those who believe and have taqwa of Allah as He defined them. Every pious, god-fearing person is a friend of Allah
• Narrated Abu Hurayrah that the prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Among the servants of Allah there will be those whom the Prophets and the martyrs will consider fortunate’. It was said, “Who are these, O Messenger of Allah, so we may love them”, He said: ‘These are people who loved one another for the sake of Allah without any other interest like money or kinship. Their faces will be light, upon platforms of light. They shall have no fear (on that Day) when fear shall come upon people. Nor shall they grieve when others grieve’
• Ubadah bin As-Samit asked the prophet (pbuh) “We know of the good news of the Hereafter, it is Paradise. But what is the good news in this world?” He said: ‘It is the good dream that a servant may see or it is seen about him. This dream is one part from forty-four or seventy parts of Prophet Hood’. In a similar Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘The good dream that comes as a good news for the believer is a part of forty-nine parts of Prophet Hood. So if anyone of you has a good dream, he should narrate it to others. But if he has a dream that he dislikes, then it is from shaytan to make him sad. He should blow to his left three times, and say: “Allah-u-Akbar”, and should not mention it to anyone’
• And it was also said that the good news here is the glad tidings the angels bring to the believer at the time of death. They bring him good news of Paradise and forgiveness. In the Hadith narrated by Al-Bara, the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘When death approaches the believer, angels with white faces and white clothes come to him and say: “O good soul! Come out to comfort and provision and a Lord who is not angry”. The soul then comes out of his mouth like a drop of water pouring out of a water skin’

قَالُوٓاْ أَءِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ يُوسُفُۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ يُوسُفُ وَهَٰذَآ أَخِيۖ قَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡنَآۖ إِنَّهُۥ مَن يَتَّقِ وَيَصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ ٩٠

…Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinun to be lost.

Surah 12 Yusuf Verse 90

۞وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ مَاذَآ أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمۡۚ قَالُواْ خَيۡرٗاۗ لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٞۚ وَلَدَارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ خَيۡرٞۚ وَلَنِعۡمَ دَارُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٣٠

And (when) it is said to those who are Muttaqun ‘What is it that your lord has sent down?’ They say: ‘That which is good’ For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home of the Muttaqun.

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 30

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَواْ وَّٱلَّذِينَ هُم مُّحۡسِنُونَ ١٢٨

Truly Allah is with those who fear Him and those who are Muhsinun.

Surah 16 An-Nahl Verse 128

• Narrated Abu Hurayrah that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: ‘The deeds of anyone of you will not save you (from Hell)’. They said “Even you, O Allah’s Messenger?” He said ‘No. even I (will not be saved) unless and until Allah bestows His Mercy on me and protects me with His Grace. Therefore, do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and worship Allah in the forenoon and in the afternoon and during a part of the night, and always adopt a middle, moderate, regular course whereby you will reach your target (Paradise)’

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوۡمٗا لُّدّٗا ٩٧

So, We have made this (the Quran) easy in your tongue (O Muhammad, pbuh), only that you may give glad tidings to the Muttaqun, and warn with it the Ludd people.

Surah 19 Maryam Verse 97

• Ludd: The evildoer wicked quarrelsome people who don’t believe in Allah’s Oneness and His Prophet’s message and argue about everything that Allah has ordained. It also means people who have deviated away from the truth and are inclined towards falsehood.

وَلَقَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتٖ مُّبَيِّنَٰتٖ وَمَثَلٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ وَمَوۡعِظَةٗ لِّلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٣٤

And indeed, We have sent down for you Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs) that make things plain, and the example of those who passed away before you, and an admonition for those who are Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

Surah 24 An-Nur Verse 34

تِلۡكَ ٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ نَجۡعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوّٗا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فَسَادٗاۚ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ ٨٣

That home of the Hereafter (i.e., Paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqoon (pious).

Surah 28 Al-Qasas Verse 83

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَقُولُواْ قَوۡلٗا سَدِيدٗا ٧٠ يُصۡلِحۡ لَكُمۡ أَعۡمَٰلَكُمۡ وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدۡ فَازَ فَوۡزًا عَظِيمًا ٧١

O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (pbuh), he has indeed achieved a great achievement.

Surah 33 Al-Ahzab Verse 70-71

• ‘speak the truth’ – meaning, to speak in a straight forward manner, with no crookedness or distortion
• Allah promises in this verse that if believers have taqwa of Him and they speak the truth, He will reward them by:

• Making their deeds righteous i.e. enabling them to do righteous deeds; and
• Forgiving them their past sins

وَٱلَّذِي جَآءَ بِٱلصِّدۡقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِۦٓ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ ٣٣

And he (Muhammad, pbuh) who has brought the truth and (those who) believed therein, those are the Al-Muttaqun.

Surah 39 Az-Zumar Verse 33

• ‘truth’ – refers to the Quran and The Islamic Monotheism
• ‘(those who) believed’ – refers to Muslims

إِنَّهُمۡ لَن يُغۡنُواْ عَنكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيۡ‍ٔٗاۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ أَوۡلِيَآءُ بَعۡضٖۖ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ ١٩

Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah (if He wants to punish you). Verily, the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers) are Auliya (protectors, helpers) to one another, but Allah is the Wali (Helper, Protector) of the Muttaqun (pious).

Surah 45 Al-Jathiyah Verse 19

وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱهۡتَدَوۡاْ زَادَهُمۡ هُدٗى وَءَاتَىٰهُمۡ تَقۡوَىٰهُمۡ ١٧

And for those who accept guidance, He increases them in guidance and bestows on them their taqwa.

Surah 47 Muhammad Verse 17

• Those who seek guidance, Allah facilitate it for them; He guides them to it, makes them firm on it, and gives them more of it. Allah also inspires them to their righteous guidance (taqwa)

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٖ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ شُعُوبٗا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ أَكۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَىٰكُمۡۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٞ ١٣

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another, verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-taqwa. Verily Allah is All-Knowing Well-Acquainted.

Surah 49 Al-Hujurat Verse 13

• Narrated Abu Hurayrah, that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Verily Allah does not look at your shapes or wealth, but He looks at your hearts and actions’

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّٰتٖ وَعُيُونٍ ١٥ ءَاخِذِينَ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَبۡلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحۡسِنِينَ ١٦ كَانُواْ قَلِيلٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ مَا يَهۡجَعُونَ ١٧ وَبِٱلۡأَسۡحَارِ هُمۡ يَسۡتَغۡفِرُونَ ١٨ وَفِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ حَقّٞ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلۡمَحۡرُومِ ١٩

Verily, the Muttaqun will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in the Paradise), taking joy in the things which their lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinun. They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord and praying, with fear and hope). And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness. And in their properties, there was the right of the Sa’il (the beggar who asked) and the Mahrum.

Surah 51 Al-Dhariyat Verses 15-19

• ‘they used to sleep but little at night’ – The scholars of tafseer have two opinions about this:

1. They used to spend a little part of every night awake.

• Every night, they would worship Allah even during a little part of the night (Ibn Abbas)
• Hardly a night would pass by them that they did not pray to Allah either in the beginning or the middle of it (Mutarrif bin Abdullah)
• Only a few nights, if any, would they sleep through the night until the morning without praying Tahajjud (Mujahid)
• They used to pray between Al-Maghrib and Al-Isha (Anas bin Malik and Abu Al Aliyah)

2. They used to spend a little part of the night in sleep.

• They performed voluntary night prayer and would not sleep during the night except a little. They were active and would continue until they were seeking forgiveness right before dawn (Al Hasan Al Basri)

• Narrated Abdullah bin Salam that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘O People! Feed with food, keep relations to kith and kin, spread the Salam, pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace’
• Narrated Abdullah bin Umar that the Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Verily, there are lofty rooms in Paradise in which their outside can be seen from the inside and their inside can be seen from the outside’ Abu Musa Al Ashari said “Who are they for, O Allah’s Messenger?” He said: ‘For those who use soft speech, feed food and spend the night in voluntary prayer while people are asleep’
• ‘and in the hours before dawn’ – they would stand in prayer during the night and delayed asking Allah for forgiveness until latter hours before dawn. The Prophet (pbuh) said: ‘Allah, the Most High, descends each night to the lowest heavens when the last third of the night remains. He says “Is there anyone who is repenting so that I may accept his repentance? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness, so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking of Me, so that I may grant him request?” until Fajr begins’
• Mahrum refers to:

• The poor, who does not receive stipend from the Muslim treasury, nor does he have a means of income, nor a profession (Ibn Abbas and Mujahid)
• The displaced, who does not have a profession to easily earn an income (Aishah)
• The one who does not ask the people for anything (Qatadah and Az Zuhri)

ٱلَّذِينَ يَجۡتَنِبُونَ كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ وَٰسِعُ ٱلۡمَغۡفِرَةِۚ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِكُمۡ إِذۡ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِذۡ أَنتُمۡ أَجِنَّةٞ فِي بُطُونِ أُمَّهَٰتِكُمۡۖ فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡۖ هُوَ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰٓ ٣٢

Those who avoid great sins and Al Fawahish, except the small faults, verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness. He knows you well when He created you from the earth and when you were foetuses in your mother’s womb. So, ascribe not purity to yourselves. He knows best him who fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him (i.e., At-Taqwa).

Surah 53 An-Najm Verse 32

• ‘ascribe not purity to yourself’ – praising oneself and thinking highly of his actions.
• Small faults (Al-Lamam) refer to minor errors. Said Abu Hurayrah: Al-Lamam pertains to kissing, winking one’s eye, looking and embracing
• Narrated Muhammad bin Amr, “I called my daughter, Barrah (the pious one), and Zaynab bint Abu Salamah said to me: ‘the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) forbade using this name. I was originally called Barrah and he said: ‘Do not ascribe purity to yourselves; Allah knows best who the pious among you are’”
• Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Abi Bakrah (on the authority of his father), that the Prophet (pbuh) said (when a man praised another man before the Prophet, pbuh): ‘Woe to you, you have cut off the neck of your friend! If one of you must praise a friend of his, let him say, “I think that so-and-so is this and that; Allah knows best about him and I will never purify anyone before Allah”, if he knows his friend to be as he is describing him’
• Hammam bin Al-Harith said “A man came before Uthman bin Affan and praised him. Al Miqdad bin Al-Aswad started throwing sand in the face of that man, saying “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) ordered us to throw sand in the faces when we see those who praise”

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا تَنَٰجَيۡتُمۡ فَلَا تَتَنَٰجَوۡاْ بِٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِ وَمَعۡصِيَتِ ٱلرَّسُولِ وَتَنَٰجَوۡاْ بِٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِيٓ إِلَيۡهِ تُحۡشَرُونَ ٩ إِنَّمَا ٱلنَّجۡوَىٰ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ لِيَحۡزُنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَيۡسَ بِضَآرِّهِمۡ شَيۡ‍ًٔا إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلۡيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ١٠

O you who believe! When you hold secret counsel, do it not for sin and wrong-doing, and disobedience towards the Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh) but do it for Al-Birr (righteousness) and Taqwa (virtues and piety); and fear Allah unto Whom you shall be gathered. Secret counsels (conspiracies) are only from Shaitan (Satan), in order that he may cause grief to the believers. But he cannot harm them in the least, except as Allah permits, and in Allah let the believers put their trust.

Surah 58 Al-Mujadilah Verses 9-10

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلۡتَنظُرۡ نَفۡسٞ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ لِغَدٖۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ ١٨ وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ نَسُواْ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَىٰهُمۡ أَنفُسَهُمۡۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَٰسِقُونَ ١٩

O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well Acquainted with what you do. And be not like those who forgot Allah and He caused them to forget their own selves. Those are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient).

Surah 59 Al-Hashr Verses 18-19

• ‘forget their own selves’ – meaning, do not forget the remembrance of Allah, otherwise He will make you forget to perform the good deeds that benefit you in return

يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذۡرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوۡمٗا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسۡتَطِيرٗا ٧ وَيُطۡعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسۡكِينٗا وَيَتِيمٗا وَأَسِيرًا ٨ إِنَّمَا نُطۡعِمُكُمۡ لِوَجۡهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمۡ جَزَآءٗ وَلَا شُكُورًا ٩ إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوۡمًا عَبُوسٗا قَمۡطَرِيرٗا ١٠

They (Al-Abrar) (are those who) fulfil their vows, and they fear a Day whose evil will be wide-spreading. And they give food, in spite of their love for it, to the Miskin (the needy), the orphan and the captive (saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you. Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible’.

Surah 76 Al-Insan Verses 7-10

• ‘in spite of their love for it’ – It has been said that this means the love of Allah, the Most High. However, the most apparent meaning is they would give food while they themselves love it, and desire it. In Sahih, there is a Hadith which states: ‘The best charity is that which you give while you are healthy, covetous, hoping for wealth and fearing poverty’
• ‘captive’ – is made to understood:

• Captive among the people of the Qiblah (ie Muslims) (Ad- Dahhak)
• Captive idolators (Ibn Abbas)
• Captive slaves (Ikrimah)

Ayah is generally held to refer to both the Muslims and the idolators. Treating servants well held such importance with the Prophet (pbuh) that the last statement of advice that he gave (before dying) was his saying: ‘The Prayer (As-Salah) and what your right hand possesses (slaves)’

وَنُيَسِّرُكَ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ ٨ فَذَكِّرۡ إِن نَّفَعَتِ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ ٩ سَيَذَّكَّرُ مَن يَخۡشَىٰ ١٠ وَيَتَجَنَّبُهَا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ١١

And We shall make easy for you (O Muhammad, pbuh) the easy way. Therefore, remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them). The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah). But it will be avoided by the wretched.

Surah 87 Al-Ala’ Verses 8-11

• ‘easy for you the easy way’ – meaning, ‘We will make good deeds and statements easy for you, and We will legislate such laws for you that are easy, tolerant, straight and just, with no crookedness, difficulty or hardship in it’
• ‘Therefore, remind in case the reminder profits’ – From here we get the etiquette of spreading knowledge, that it should not be wasted upon those who are not suitable or worthy of it. Hazrat Ali said “You do not tell people any statement that their intellects do not grasp except that it will be a Fitnah (trial) for some of them”

إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ ٤ فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ ٥ وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ ٦ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ ٧ وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰ ٨ وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ ٩ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡعُسۡرَىٰ ١٠ وَمَا يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُ مَالُهُۥٓ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ ١١ إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا لَلۡهُدَىٰ ١٢

Certainly, your efforts and deeds are diverse (different in aims and purposes); As for him who gives and has Taqwa, and believes in Al-Husna, We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, and denies Al-Husna, We will make smooth for him the path for hardship (evil). And what will his wealth avail him when he goes down (in destruction)? Truly on Us is to give guidance.

Surah 92 Al-Lail Verses 4-12

• ‘diverse’ – means there are those who do good and there are those who do evil
• ‘Al-Husna’ – literally means The Best. Allusion is to the Reward from Allah (as a compensation for what he will spend in Allah’s way; or as blessings of Paradise)
• The path of belief and goodness is called the ‘Path of Ease’, because of the following:

• It is the natural way corresponding to human nature
• It is in accordance with Allah’s Will
• While following this way one does not have to act against his conscience; or abuse one’s mental and physical faculties and abilities
• Peace and tranquillity is on its every step
• Forthright transactions lead to winning public confidence and respect
• Righteousness is held in high esteem

• The path of disbelief and wrongdoing is called the ‘Path of Hardship’, because of the following:

• In following it, all along one battles with one’s own nature and his conscience
• Disgrace and reproach occurs due to harming of others
• No earning of anyone’s respect or good wishes
• Low opinion even among close associates

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ شَرُّ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ ٦ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمۡ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡبَرِيَّةِ ٧ جَزَآؤُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ جَنَّٰتُ عَدۡنٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدٗاۖ رَّضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَنۡ خَشِيَ رَبَّهُۥ ٨

Verily, those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture and Al-Mushrikin will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures. Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity) underneath which rivers flow. They will abide therein forever, Allah will be pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord.

Surah 98 Al-Baiyyinah Verses 6-8

• The reference here is to the believer who leads life while fearing Allah at every step. He shuns all that might incur His displeasure. Accordingly, he will be amply rewarded and Allah will be pleased with him.
• Imam Ahmad recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘Shall I not inform you of the best of creation?’ They said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: ‘A man who takes the reins of his horse in the way of Allah, and whenever there is a fearful cry from the enemy, he climbs upon it. Shall I not inform you of the best of creation?’ They said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah (pbuh)!” He said: ‘A man who has a flock of sheep and he establishes the prayer and gives the obligatory charity. Shall I not inform you of the worst of creation?’, They said, “Of course”, He said: ‘The person who is asked by Allah and he does not give by Him’

END OF CHAPTER