Tanwir al-Miqbas min Tafsir Ibn Abbas

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah): '(All that is in the heavens) of created beings (and all that is in the earth) of creatures and living beings (glorifieth Allah) prays to Allah; and it is also said this means: remembers Allah, (and He is the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Wise) in His command and decree, and He has decreed that none should be worshipped beside Him.

(O ye who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an! (why say ye that which ye do not?) why do you speak about that which you do not act upon? This is because they said: �O Messenger of Allah! If we knew the most beloved deed to Allah, we would certainly do it�. But when he informed them about the works which are dear to Him in His saying (O ye who believe! Shall I show you a commerce that will save you from a painful doom?) whose pain extends to the hearts, they waited for as long as Allah willed, but Allah did not explain further. They then said: �if only we knew what it is so that we give for it our wealth, persons and families�. Allah answered by saying (Ye should believe in Allah and His messenger, and should strive for the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives�), and so Allah explained to them what to do, saying: you should be firm in your belief in Allah and His Messenger and you should also strive to obey Allah using your wealth and own persons. But when they were tried in the Battle of Uhud and ran away from the battlefield, leaving the Prophet (pbuh) behind, Allah reproached them saying: why do you promise that which you cannot fulfil and why talk about that which you cannot perform?

(It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not) that you promise that which you cannot fulfil or speak of doing that which you cannot do.

Then He encouraged them to strive in His way, saying: (Lo! Allah loveth those who battle for His cause) in His obedience (in ranks, as if they were a solid structure) like a cemented block.

(And (remember)) O Muhammad (when Moses said unto his people) to his hypocritical people: (O my people! Why persecute ye me) why do you hurt me with the things you say about me. They used to accuse him of having swollen testicles, and his story has already been explained in Surah of the Clans, (when ye well know that I am Allah's messenger unto you? So when they went astray) when they deviated from the Truth and guidance (Allah sent their hearts astray) from the Truth and guidance; it is also said that this means: when they lied about Moses, Allah turned away their hearts from the declaration of Allah's divine Oneness; and it is also said that this means: when they deviated from the Truth and guidance, Allah increased the deviance of their hearts. (And Allah guideth not) to His religion (the evil-living folk) the disbelievers, those whom Allah knows in His preeternal knowledge that they will not believe.

(And when Jesus son of Mary said: O Children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, confirming) the profession of Allah divine Oneness and some of the laws (that which was (revealed) before me in the Torah, and bringing good tidings) and I have come to you with the good tidings (of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One. Yet when he) i.e. Jesus and it is also said: Muhammad (pbuh) (hath come unto them with clear proofs) with commands, prohibitions and the marvels which he displayed to them, (they say: This is mere magic) this is evident magic and lies.

(And who doth greater wrong) in his state of disbelief (than he who inventeth a lie against Allah) by ascribing to Him sons and partners (when he is summoned unto al-Islam) when he is summoned to believe in Allah's divine Oneness. The reference here is to the Jews whom the Prophet (pbuh) invited to embrace the profession of Allah's divine Oneness. (And Allah guideth not wrong-doing folk) He guides not to His religion those Jews whom He knew in His preeternal knowledge that they will die as Jews.

(Fain would they) i.e. the Jews and Christians (put out the light of Allah) to abort the religion of Allah; and it is said this means: to abort the Book of Allah: the Qur'an, (with their mouths) with their tongues and lies, (but Allah will perfect His light) but Allah will manifest His religion and Book (however much the disbelievers are averse) even though the Jews, Christians and pagan Arabs dislike its happening.

(He it is Who hath sent His messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (with the guidance) with the message of Allah's divine Oneness; and it is also said this means: with the Qur'an (and the religion of truth) the testification that there is no deity except Allah, (that He may make it conqueror of all religion) such that the Hour will not come except that people are either among the Muslims or among those who pay the capitation tax to the Muslims (however much idolaters may be averse) even though the Jews, Christians and Pagan Arabs dislike its happening.

(O ye who believe!) And He explained who they are at the beginning of the surah (Shall I show you a commerce that will save you from a painful doom) in the Hereafter?

(Ye should believe in Allah and His messenger) you should be true in your faith in Allah and His Messenger, if this is understood to be a call to be the opposite of the hypocrites, (and should strive for the cause of Allah) in obedience of Allah (with your wealth and your lives) by spending your wealth and sacrificing your own persons. (That) striving (is better for you) wealth, (if ye did but know) if you believe in the reward of Allah.

(He will forgive you your sins) through striving and spending in the way of Allah (and bring you into Gardens underneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers flow) rivers of wine, water, honey and milk, (and pleasant dwellings) all lawful for you; and it is also said this means: pure dwellings; and it is also said this means: beautiful and seemly dwellings; and it is also said this means: pleasant dwellings which Allah has perfumed with Musk and sweet basil (in Gardens of Eden) in the abode of the Beneficent. (That) which I have mentioned (is the Supreme Triumph) the tremendous triumph: they have gained the Garden and were saved from the Fire.

(And (He will give you) another blessing which you love) which you long for and desire to have: (help from Allah) through Muhammad (pbuh) against the disbelievers of Mecca (and present victory) and the conquest of Mecca soon. (Give good tidings (O Muhammad) to believers) to the true believers that they will enter the Garden.

(O ye who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an! (Be Allah's helpers) be helpers to Muhammad (pbuh) against his enemies; it is also said this means: be Allah's helpers against His enemies, (even as Jesus son of Mary said unto the disciples: Who are my helpers for Allah) who are my helpers, along with Allah, against His enemies? (They said) his disciples said: (We are Allah's helpers) we are your helpers, along with Allah, against His enemies. They were 12 male disciples, the first to believe in him and help him against his enemies. All of these men were believers. (And a party of the Children of Israel believed) in Jesus the son of Mary, (while a party disbelieved) in Jesus son of Mary. This is the party that was led astray by Paul and did not believe in him. (Then We strengthened) We helped and fortified (those who believed) in Jesus the son of Mary and did not oppose his religion (against their foe) those who opposed the religion of Jesus, (and they became the uppermost) in argument against their foes because of their prayer to Allah, and it is also said because they were among those who glorified Allah'.