Al-Muʼminun
Quran |
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Al-Muʼminun (
This surah deals with the fundamentals of faith (
The theme of Risalah is emphasized with reference to the accounts of some
Summary
- 1-9 True believers described
- 10-11 Their reward hereafter
- 12-14 God the creator of mankind
- 15, 16 The dead shall be raised by him
- 17 God created the seven heavens
- 18-23 God the author of all our blessings
- 24 idolatry
- 25-27 The people reject Noah as a madman
- 28-32 Noah is commanded to make the ark, to save himself and true followers from the Flood
- 33-46 Hud is sent to the Aad tribe after Noah, they reject him and are destroyed.
- 47-50 Moses and Aaron are rejected as impostors
- 50-51 The unbelievers are destroyed, but God gives a book to Moses for the direction of believers
- 52 Jesus and Mary created a sign
- 53-54 Apostles exhorted to be steadfast in the true faith
- 55-58 The sectarians to be left in their confusion
- 59-62 True believers sure of their reward
- 63 God judges men according to their ability
- 64-65 The idolatrous Quraysh will not believe the Quran
- 66-68 Idolaters will cry unto God in vain when in distress
- 69-72 The Quraish reject their Prophet as a madman
- 73-75 A gracious invitation rejected by them
- 76 God continues the calamity of the Makkans in mercy to them
- 77-78 The chastisements of the Lord rejected
- 79-81 God, the author of life and intellect, can raise the dead
- 82-84 The Quraish persist in denying the resurrection
- 85-91 They are judged out of their own mouths
- 92-93 Angels not the offspring of God
- 94-99 The Prophet takes refuge in God against every evil spirit
- 100-101 Repentance after death will be in vain
- 102-109 The awful doom of unbelievers
- 110-112 They are punished for persecuting believers
- 113-115 Time will pass slowly in hell
- 116-118 Triumph of the faithful over the unbelieving idolaters [2]
The Surah begins with an assertion, "Most certainly the Believers have attained true success", intending to put across a point that the criterion of success and failure which people who disbelieve in Islam, hold in mind is in fact erred because it is based on misconceptions and is transitory and limited in nature, in turn leading to eventual failure and not true success.
On the contrary, those who follow the teachings of Islam taught by Muhammad, regarded by the disbelievers as failures are actually the ones who are truly successful. Because by their acceptance of the invitation to Islam, they are guaranteed of true success and everlasting bliss in this world as well as in the Hereafter. By rejecting the message of Islam, the non-believers have incurred a profound loss and would meet with the evil consequences both in this world and the next.
This is the main theme of the Surah and the whole discourse, from the beginning to the end, is meant to impress the same.[3]
Q23:1-11 Qualities of the believers
The first eleven verses mention the desired qualities of the believers, they are blessed and will attain victory:
A brief translation of the first 11 verses is as follows:[4]
- (1) The believers have indeed attained true success!
- (2) Those who pray humbly,
- (3) who shun idle talk,
- (4) who pay the prescribed alms,
- (5) who guard their chastity
- (6) except with their spouses or their slaves ––with these they are not to blame,
- (7) but anyone who seeks more than this is exceeding the limits––
- (8) who are faithful to their trusts and pledges
- (9) and who keep up their prayers,
- (10) will rightly be given
- (11) Paradise as their own, there to remain.
2 Possess Al-Khushoo
The first quality as described in verse 2 of this Surah is, "Those who are humble in their prayers";[5] the Arabic word used to describe the people is 'Khashi'oon' meaning those of who possess 'Al-Khushoo'.
According to
To attain al-Khushoo one must forget everything about the world and concentrate in the prayer acts, reciting the Qur'an and thinking of the verses one reads and bearing death, grave and the torment in mind so that he never loses concentration. In his Tafseer, Ibn Kathir writes, "Khushoo is gained by the fear of Allah and the sense that He is always watching."[6] In another section he says, "The site of al-Khushoo is in the heart and heart is the king of the limbs, so if one intends to pray wholeheartedly the limbs will follow the heart as Allah says (in the Qur'an): 'And seek help in patience and Salaat and truly it is extremely heavy and hard, except for Khashi'oon.'[9] The meaning is that the burden of prayer is heavy indeed; except for those who have Khushoo."[6]
Regarding the same verse, i.e. 'And seek help in patience and Salaat and truly it is extremely heavy and hard, except for Khashi'oon.',
In his book titled
Maududi then continues, "Though al-Khushoo is actually a condition of the heart, as stated by the above tradition, it is manifested by the body as a matter of course. The Shariah has enjoined certain etiquette which, on the one hand, helps produce al-Khushoo in the heart, and on the other, helps sustain the physical act of the Prayer in spite of the fluctuating condition of the heart. According to this etiquette, one should neither turn to the right or left, nor raise one's head to look up: one may, however, look around from the corner of the eye, but as far as possible, one must fix the gaze on the place where the forehead would rest in prostration; one is also forbidden to shift about, incline side ways, fold the garments or shake off dust from them. It is also forbidden that while going down for prostration, one should clean the place where one would sit or perform prostration. Similarly it is disrespectful that one should stand stuffy erect, recite the verses of the Qur'an in a loud resounding voice, or sing them, or belch or yawn repeatedly and noisily. It has also not been approved that one should offer the Prayer in a hurry. The injunction is that each article of the Prayer should be performed in perfect peace and tranquility, and unless one article has been completely performed, the next should not be begun. If one feels hurt by something during the Prayer, one may cast it aside by one hand, but moving the hand repeatedly or using both the hands for the purpose is prohibited. with this etiquette of the body, it is also important that one should irrelevant things during the Prayer. If thoughts come to the mind intention, it is a natural human weakness, but one should try one's best and try to ensure with one's utmost that the mind and heart are wholly turned towards Allah, and the mind is in full harmony and tune with the tongue, and as soon as one becomes conscious of irrelevant thoughts one should immediately turn the attention to the Prayer".[3]
3 Turn away from Al-Lagw
The next quality gathered from verse 3 is that the believers turn away from Al-Lagw. The Arabic word Al-Lagw, as explained by Ibn Kathir.
In his Musnad Ahmed,
In another place, Surah 2:83
4 Pay the Zakat
Verse 4 says that the believers pay Zakat, i.e. poor-due that is paid on one's wealth. Commentators on the Qur'an, like Ibn Kathir[11] are of the opinion that this verse could also be referring to the poor-due mentioned in Sura 6:141[16] which states "pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest.", as well as that it could be that what is meant here by Zakaat is purification of the soul from Shirk and filth, as in Sura 91:9-10[17] which says "Indeed he succeeds who purifies himself (Zakkaha). And indeed he fails who corrupts himself." The commentators are hence of the opinion that probably both meanings are intended, purification of the soul as well as purification of one's wealth, because that is also part of the purification of the soul, and the true believer is one who pays attention to both matters.
Surah 9:60[18] lists those who are eligible to receive Zakaat by saying "Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom", while Sura 17:26[19] commands the believers to "Render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. "
The believers are also advised to "listen and obey and spend in charity" for "the benefit of your own soul" and be from the ones who "achieve prosperity", as mentioned in Sura 64:16.[20]
5-7 Avoid Zina, i.e. guard their chastity
Verses 5 through to 7 of this Surah says "And who guard their
Surah 27:54-58[23] refers to the punishment that befell the people of Lut: "And (remember) Lut when he said to his people, 'Do you commit al-Fahishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen) Do you practice your lusts on men instead of women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly.' There was no other answer given by his people except that they said: 'Drive out the family of Loot from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be clean and pure!' So We saved him and his family, except his wife. We destined her to be of those who remained behind. And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). So evil was the rain of those who were warned." Muhammad has also thus said: "Whoever of you finds (someone) doing the deed of the people of Lot, kill the one who does it and the one to whom it is done."[24]
8 Are faithful to their covenants
The next verse, i.e. Sura 23:8[26] stresses on the quality trust that the believers' are to possess describing them as "Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants". A similar message is found in Sura 4:58[27] where the Qur'an ordains God's command as, "Verily, Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due…"
The believers in Islam are thus ordered fulfill the terms and conditions of the trusts which are placed in their charge. The Arabic word al-Amanah (or al-Amanat) includes all kinds of trusts which are placed in their charge including those placed by God as well as those placed by the society or individuals. Similarly, the Arabic term '`ahd' encompasses all compacts, pledges, and promises made between God and man, and amongst men themselves.[3] Muhammad would always impress the importance of the fulfillment of pledges in his addresses to the people. On one occasion he is reported to have said "The one, who does not fulfill the terms of his trust, has no Faith, and the one, who does not keep promises and pledges has no Islam."".[3]
Muhammad, in Sahih Muslim is also reported to have said "The rights will be rendered back to those to whom they are due, and even the sheep that does not have horns will take revenge from the horned sheep."[28] And on another occasion he is reported to have said "Certainly, al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibilities, etc. and all the duties which Allah has ordained) descended from the Heaven and settled in the roots of the hearts of the faithful believers, and then the Qur'an was revealed, and the people read the Qur'an (and learnt al-Amanah from it) and also learnt it from the Sunnah. (i.e. Both the Qur'an and As-Sunnah strengthen the faithful believers' 'Amanah')."[29]
Regarding the verse 8 from Surah Al-Mu’minoon, Tafsir ibn Kathir says "When they (the Believers) are entrusted with something, they do not betray that trust, but they fulfill it, and when they make a promise or make a pledge, they are true to their word."
Four characteristics of a hypocrite
According to a tradition reported both by Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Muhammad is reported to have said: "Four characteristics are such that if a person has all the four in him, he is beyond any doubt a hypocrite, and the one who has one of these, is a hypocrite to that extent till he gives it up:
- (a) When something is placed in his trust, he commits breach of the trust,
- (b) when he speaks, he tells a lie,
- (c) when he makes a promise, he breaks it, and,
- (d) when he has a quarrel with somebody, he exceeds all limits (of decency and morality)"[3]
9 Strictly guard their Salaat
In the next verse, i.e. verse 9, Allah mentions preserving of
Prophet Muhammed is reported to have said "The first duty that Allah, the Supreme, has ordained upon my nation is that of offering Prayer, and indeed Prayer is the first thing that will be taken account of on the Day of Resurrection." as well as "Whoever keeps the Prayer established, has kept his religion established - and whoever leaves Prayer has demolished religion (i.e. left the fold of Islam)".
In a Hadith reference, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrates "I asked Allah's Messenger, Prophet Muhammed: "O Messenger of Allah, which deed is most beloved to Allah?" He said: "Prayer at the appointed time." I said: "Then what?" He said: "Kindness to parents." I said: "Then what?" He said: "
The Qur'an has also pointed out that believers perform Salaah only to earn the pleasure of Allah and not to impress anyone else, calling anyone who does so a
Good news of paradise for the believers
After mentioning the characteristics of the successful believer, God gives them the good news of
See also
- Zina
- Salah
- Zakaat
- Jannah
- Islamic eschatology
References
- M. Asad, 1982, Introduction Surah al-Muminūn.
Most of the classical commentators agree in that this surah was revealed towards the end of the Mecca period; some authorities (quoted by Suyuti) are even of the opinion that it is the very last Meccan revelation, but we have no conclusive evidence to that effect
- Sale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Islamic Foundation UK, Towards Understanding the Quran, Surah 23
- M. A. S. Abdel Haleem(2008)
- ^ Quran 23:2
- ^ Tafsir ibn Kathir, Dar al-Sha'ab Edition, (6/414)
- ^ At-Tabaree (19:9)
- ^ Saheeh at-Targheeb, hadith No: 543
- ^ a b c Quran 2:45
- Fatwā), 22/553-558
- ^ a b The Success is for the Believers, Surah 23, Tafsir ibn Kathir
- ^ About Islam - The Muslim's Creed Archived 2008-12-22 at the Wayback Machine, Fatwa-Online.com
- ^ Musnad Ahmed
- ^ Quran 2:83
- ^ Quran 104:1–9
- ^ Quran 6:141
- ^ Quran 91:9–10
- ^ Quran 9:60
- ^ Quran 17:26
- ^ Quran 64:16
- ^ Quran 17:32
- ^ Al-Tirmidhi: hadith no. 1457 Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee (1552)
- ^ Quran 27:54–58
- ^ Al-Tirmidhi, hadith: 1456, Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee :6589
- ^ al-Jawaab al-Kafi, p.115
- ^ Quran 23:8
- ^ Quran 4:58
- ^ Sahih Muslim, 4:1097
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari (vol. 9, no. 381)
- ^ Kitaab-us-Salaat Archived 2009-03-11 at the Wayback Machine by Allama Maulana Syed Shah Turabul Haque Qadri
- ^ [Narrated by Hazarath Jabir and reported by Muslim]
- ^ Quran 51:56
- ^ Quran 1:4
- ^ Quran 13:14
- ^ Quran 2:238
- ^ Sahih Muslim, (vol.1, no.89)
- ^ Sahih Bukhari, Book 4, Volume 52, Hadith 41
- ^ Sahih Bukhari, Book 10, Volume 1, Hadith 506
- ^ Quran 4:142
- ^ Quran 19:59
- ^ a b Quran 70:19
- ^ Quran 29:45
- al-Asqalani (d.1449) Fath al-Bari(13: 415)
- Ibn Maja(2): 1453
External links
- Works related to The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/23. The Believers at Wikisource
- Quran 23 Clear Quran translation
- Q23:2, 50+ translations, islamawakened.com