Tafsir al-Tustari

Sahl al-Tustari — b. 203 AH / 818 CE · d. 283 AH / 896 CE Sunni (Sufi) Early Sufi Master

Tafsir al-Tustari al-Balad البَلَد (The City, This Countryside) 20 verses · Meccan

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
90:1 ›
لَا أُقْسِمُ بِهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ
Abdel Haleem
I swear by this city––
Sahl al-Tustari

I swear by this city,He said:That is, Mecca.

Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:2 ›
وَأَنتَ حِلٌّ بِهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ
Abdel Haleem
and you [Prophet] are an inhabitant of this city––
Sahl al-Tustari

and you have free disposal of this city;This means: �On the day of the conquest of Mecca, We made it legitimate for you, so that you could kill whomever you wished among the disbelievers�, just as the Prophet said: �It was never made legitimate for anyone before, nor will it be made legitimate to anyone after me. However, it was made legitimate for me just for one hour in a day.� God, Exalted is He, swore by Mecca due to the fact that His Prophet resided there, as a way of honouring him and humiliating his enemies.

Connections 3 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:3 ›
وَوَالِدٍ وَمَا وَلَدَ
Abdel Haleem
[I swear] by parent and offspring
Sahl al-Tustari

and [by] the parent and offspring,He said:Parent refers to Adam and offspring refers to Muḥammad .

Connections 3 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:4 ›
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي كَبَدٍ
Abdel Haleem
that We have created man for toil and trial
Sahl al-Tustari

We certainly created man in travail (kabad).That is, in [a state of] difficulty (mashaqqa) and hardship (shidda).He [also] said:Kabad also means erectness (intiṣāb) � that is, �We have created him in the belly [of his mother] keeping him erect�. This resembles Mujāhid�s saying: �The child sits in the belly of its mother in a upright position corresponding to the uprightness of the mother, and an angel is delegated, when the mother lies on her side, to raise up the child�s head and if it was not for that it would drown in blood.�His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 3 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:5 ›
أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّن يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ
Abdel Haleem
Does he think that no one will have power over him
Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:6 ›
يَقُولُ أَهْلَكْتُ مَالًا لُّبَدًا
Abdel Haleem
‘I have squandered great wealth,’ he says
Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:7 ›
أَيَحْسَبُ أَن لَّمْ يَرَهُ أَحَدٌ
Abdel Haleem
Does he think no one observes him
Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:8 ›
أَلَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُ عَيْنَيْنِ
Abdel Haleem
Did We not give him eyes
Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:9 ›
وَلِسَانًا وَشَفَتَيْنِ
Abdel Haleem
a tongue, lips
Connections 4 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (4) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:10 ›
وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ
Abdel Haleem
and point out to him the two clear ways [of good and evil]
Sahl al-Tustari

and given him guidance [concerning] the two paths? He said:�We have clearly shown him the path of goodness that he may follow it, and the path of evil that he may avoid it�, just as He said, Verily We have guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful [76:3]. It has also been said [that it refers to] management and devising (tadbīr). His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 1 multi-source 3 single-source 3 commentators

Multi-source connections cited by 2+ commentators

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
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Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:11 ›
فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ
Abdel Haleem
Yet he has not attempted the steep path
Sahl al-Tustari

Yet why does he not attempt the obstacle?He said:That is, �Will he not cross the Traverse (ṣirāṭ) and the obstacle (ʿaqaba) which is before it?� In its inner meaning there are two obstacles. One of them is the sins that he has committed, which stand before him like a mountain and which he can only traverse by setting a slave free, or feeding someone who is either destitute (miskīn), or totally abject from exertion (jahd) and deprivation (fāqa), or an orphan who is related to him, on a day of hunger (majāʿa) and hardship (shidda). The other obstacle is gnosis (maʿrifa), which the mystic is incapable of attaining, unless it be that, with [the assistance of] the power (ḥawl) and strength (quwwa) of God, he emancipates the slave of his soul from desire.

Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:12 ›
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْعَقَبَةُ
Abdel Haleem
What will explain to you what the steep path is
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:13 ›
فَكُّ رَقَبَةٍ
Abdel Haleem
It is to free a slave
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:14 ›
أَوْ إِطْعَامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ
Abdel Haleem
to feed at a time of hunge
Sahl al-Tustari

or to give food on a day of hunger,in order to uphold what is demanded by your faith, not by way of any oppression (ẓulm) or transgression (ṭughyān) that is for the pleasure of your natural self (nafs al-ṭabʿ).

Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:15 ›
يَتِيمًا ذَا مَقْرَبَةٍ
Abdel Haleem
an orphaned relativ
Sahl al-Tustari

or [give food] to an orphan of kin (dhā maqraba)The orphan here refers to the heart (qalb), and its food is fidelity (wafāʾ). The destitute person (miskīn) refers to the mystic who is bewildered (mutaḥayyir) ⸢and grieving (ḥazīn)⸣. His food consists of [divine] graces (alṭāf). [Such a one] is in a state of proximity in �the eyes of� God (dhā maqraba ʿinda�Llāh), but in a state of need and misery (dhā �l-matraba) in the eyes of people [90:16]. His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 3 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:16 ›
أَوْ مِسْكِينًا ذَا مَتْرَبَةٍ
Abdel Haleem
or a poor person in distress
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:17 ›
ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ
Abdel Haleem
and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion
Sahl al-Tustari

(while being one of those who believe and who) enjoin one another to steadfastness and enjoin one another to compassion.He said:That is, steadfastness (ṣabr) in keeping God�s commandments, and in being compassionate with people.The Messenger of God was once asked, �What is Islam?� He replied, �It is patience (ṣabr) and magnanimity (samāḥ).� Then he was asked, �What is faith?� He replied, �Goodness in speech (ṭayyib al-kalām), and offering [others] food.�Sahl said:The best speech (aṭyab al-kalām) is the remembrance (dhikr) of God, Exalted is He.

Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:18 ›
أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ
Abdel Haleem
Those who do this will be on the right-hand side
Sahl al-Tustari

Those are the people of the Right Hand. That is, those who have kept themselves safe from the horrors (ahwāl) of that Day. They have no [sensory] perception other than of Him (lā yuḥissūna dūnahu), just as they were in this world; [thus they attain] life with Life itself (ḥayāt bi-ḥayāt), eternity with Eternity itself (azaliyya bi-azaliyya), and a mystery with Mystery itself (sirr bi-sirr). But God, Glorified and Exalted is He, knows best.His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:19 ›
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا هُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْمَشْأَمَةِ
Abdel Haleem
but those who disbelieve in Our revelations will be on the left-hand side
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

90:20 ›
عَلَيْهِمْ نَارٌ مُّؤْصَدَةٌ
Abdel Haleem
and the Fire will close in on them
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

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