Verse [ 4] وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (And equal to Him has never been any one.) The word kufuwan, as used in the original, means an ‘example’, a ‘similar thing’, ‘one equal in rank and position’. Thus this verse means that there is no one in the entire universe, nor ever was, nor ever […]
Preliminary Remarks This and the next Surah were revealed on the same occasion, and in the same event, as will be explained in the ’cause of revelation’. Hafiz Ibn-ul-Qayyim has, therefore, written their commentary together. He writes that their blessings and benefits are abundant. All of the people require them and no one can dispense […]
The word Sharr: ` Allamah Ibn Qayyim’s Exposition Verse [ 113:2] مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (From the evil of everything He has created.) ` Allamah Ibn Qayyim expounds that the word sharr (evil) is employed in two different senses: [ 1] pain, loss, injury, trouble, grief, distress and affliction which affect man directly, and they […]
The word Sharr: ` Allamah Ibn Qayyim’s Exposition Verse [ 113:2] مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ (From the evil of everything He has created.) ` Allamah Ibn Qayyim expounds that the word sharr (evil) is employed in two different senses: [ 1] pain, loss, injury, trouble, grief, distress and affliction which affect man directly, and they […]
Verse [ 111:5] فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ (In her neck there is a rope of twisted palm-fibre.) The masd with the letter-s-bearing sukun [ quiescence or rest ] is an infinitive which means ‘to twist rope or cord, or to twist it strongly and tightly’. If the word is read as masad with the […]
Cause of Revelation Tirmidhi, Hakim and others have recorded that the pagans of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ : “0 Muhammad! Tell us about the ancestry of your Lord.” So Allah revealed this Surah. Some narratives ascribe this inquiry to the Jews of Madinah. In view of these conflicting reports, there is a […]
Name of the Surah and place of its revelation According to the consensus of scholars, this Surah was revealed in Madinah. Its other name is Surah At-Tawdi`. The word Tawdi` means ‘to bid farewell’. As this Surah indicates the approach of the demise of the Holy Prophet ﷺ ، it bids farewell to him and […]
Verse [ 110:2] وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّـهِ أَفْوَاجًا (And you see people entering Allah’s [ approved ] religion in multitudes,) Before the conquest of Makkah there were many people who were almost convinced of the verity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Islam, but there were several factors that were obstructing them […]
When the approach of death is sensed, one needs to exert oneself immensely in Tasbih and Istighfar Verse [ 110:3] فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ (then pronounce the purity and praise of your Lord, and seek forgiveness from Him…) Sayyidah ` A’ishah Siddiqah ؓ says that after the revelation of this Surah, whenever the Messenger of […]
Name and Nickname of Abu Lahab Abu Lahab [ Father of Flame ] was the Nickname of ` Abd-ul-` Uzza, one of the sons of ` Abdul-Muttalib. As he was ruddy in complexion, he was nicknamed Abu Lahab [ Father of Flame ]. The Qur’an did not mention his real name, because it smacked of […]