In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

Thus the stories telling us about God’s messengers and the messages they were required to deliver, the denial of the truth by different communities, the challenges they made and the punishments meted out to them come to an end. They had begun after a short introduction at the beginning of the sūrah directly addressing the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his people, the Quraysh: “Would you, perhaps, torment yourself to death [with grief] because they would not believe? If We will, We can send down to them from the skies a sign before which their necks will remain bent in submission. Yet whenever any fresh reminder comes to them from the Most Merciful, they always turn their backs on it. They have indeed denied [the truth of revelation]; and they will in time come to understand what it was they were wont to deride.” (Verses 3-6) Then the sūrah embarked on telling those stories, each of which gives an example of a community coming to understand the reality of what they used to deride and ridicule.

When the sūrah has concluded the stories, it picks up its main theme outlined in the introduction. Hence, its final comments talk about the Qur’ān, confirming its revelation by God, the Lord of all the worlds. While time has wiped away the history of those ancient communities, the Qur’ān, which was revealed by God, brings it all back, telling it in accurate detail. It also mentions that the learned ones among the Children of Israel were well aware of the Qur’ān and the Messenger to whom it was revealed because he is mentioned in earlier revelations. But the Arab idolaters stubbornly rejected it, despite the clear evidence of its truth, alleging that it is nothing but sorcery or poetry. Had a non-Arabic speaking person been its recipient and had he recited it to them in their own language, they still would not have believed in it. It was not the lack of clear evidence that caused them to deny it; rather, it was their stubborn refusal to see it for what it was. Indeed, it was not something given to the Prophet Muhammad by devils, as was information given to fortune tellers. Nor was it anything akin to poetry. Rather, the Qur’ān followed a clear line which it pursued without deviation, while poets move in every direction in accordance with their feelings, caprices and reactions.

The Qur’ān was and is a reminder to all unbelievers, given by God who warned them that they must believe if they were to avert punishment. Unless they changed their ways, they would be made to see the reality which they now deride: “Those who are bent on wrongdoing will in time know what an evil turn their destiny will surely take.” (Verse 227)

Most certainly, this [Qur’ān] has been bestowed from on high by the Lord of all the worlds. The trustworthy Spirit has brought it down into your heart — so that you may give warning, in the clear Arabic tongue. (Verses 192-195)

The trustworthy Spirit was the angel Gabriel, or Jibrīl, who brought the Qur’ān from God and imprinted it in the Prophet’s heart. He was certainly trustworthy, keeping intact what was given into his trust. Thus, he gave it directly to the Prophet Muhammad, who understood it fully. Thus, the Prophet became a warner giving people admonition in the clear Arabic tongue, which was the language his people spoke. As they were well aware of the utmost that human beings could say, they recognized as the Prophet recited the Qur’ān to them that it was unlike what humans say despite its being in their own tongue. By its very construction, meanings, method and consistency, it clearly demonstrated that it definitely came from no human source.

This evidence came from within the Qur’ān itself. The sūrah, however, also provides further evidence, but this time it is external: “It was surely foretold in the revealed books of former peoples. Is it not sufficient proof for them that the learned ones among the Children of Israel have recognized it [as true]?” (Verses 196-197) The description of the Messenger who would receive the Qur’ān from on high, and the fundamentals of the faith he would preach were clearly indicated in the scriptures of ancient peoples. Hence, the learned ones among the Children of Israel were expecting this last message and Messenger. They felt that the time for his appearance was fast approaching and they talked about it among themselves, as reported by Salmān and `Abdullāh ibn Sallām.2 Reports concerning this are absolutely authentic.

Those idolaters were knowingly stubborn in their opposition. They did not lack the evidence or the proof. Had a non-Arab come to them and recited the Qur’ān in its superb Arabic style, they would still have refused to believe: “Had We revealed it to any non-Arab, and had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.” (Verses 198-199) This was meant to comfort the Prophet, presenting to him their stubborn refusal despite the clearest form of evidence. The sūrah then states that such denial of the truth, despite its clarity and certainty, was second nature to them. They would not depart from this stance until they suffered God’s punishment, which would take them by surprise: “Thus have We caused it to pass through the hearts of the guilty: they shall not believe in it until they see the grievous suffering. It will come to them suddenly, without their being aware of it.” (Verses 200-202)

Thus the sūrah provides a physical image of their unbudging denial of the revelation of the Qur’ān, saying that it has been made to pass through their constitution in denial form. Thus it does not reach their minds and hearts except in the form of something that is denied and rejected. It remains so in their hearts “until they see the grievous suffering.” But such suffering “will come to them suddenly, without their being aware of it.” Indeed, some maintained such a stubborn denial until they departed from the face of the earth. This, then, heralded their grievous suffering. For it is at the very moment of facing such suffering that realization is achieved: “And then they will say: Could we have a respite?” (Verse 203) Can we have another chance to rectify what has passed? That, however, will never be given.

They hastened God’s punishment with their careless ridicule, believing that the comforts they enjoyed would last. Hence, they considered it improbable that they could ever move from a position of favour to one of suffering and punishment. This is a common attitude among those who enjoy a life of comfort and blessing. They rarely, if ever, think that it can all be removed. Hence, the sūrah wakens them to this reality, raising before them what their position will be when they suffer the punishment they now hasten: “Do they, then, wish that Our punishment be hurried on?

But consider this: If We allow them to enjoy themselves for several years, and then the promised [punishment] befalls them — of what avail to them will be all their past enjoyment?” (Verses 204-207) The sūrah puts the image of hastening punishment to one side, and raises the prospect of the fulfilment of the warnings. We see the years of pleasure dwindling, as though they had never been. They benefit them in no way.

An authentic ĥadīth, according to Ibn Kathīr, quotes the Prophet as saying: “An unbeliever is brought forward on the Day of Judgement and he is given a quick dip into the fire. He is then asked: ‘Did you ever experience anything good or any luxury in your life?’ He will answer: ‘By Your greatness, my Lord, I never did.’ And the person who endured the most miserable life on earth is brought forward and he is given a quick taste of heaven. He is then asked: ‘Did you ever experience any misfortune or misery?’ He will answer: ‘By Your greatness, my Lord, I never did.”‘ 3

The unbelievers are then put on notice that the warning is a prelude to destruction. It is after all an aspect of God’s grace that He does not destroy a community without first sending them a messenger pointing to the signs that should encourage them to accept the faith: “Never have We destroyed any community unless it had received warnings, and reminders. Never do We wrong anyone.” (Verses 208-209)

God took a pledge from all mankind that they would worship Him alone. This is the pledge of nature which makes human nature feel the presence of the One God, unless it grows corrupt and deviates.4 He placed countless indications in the world around us pointing to the right faith. All these confirm the presence of the One Creator. When people forget the pledge of their own nature, and overlook the pointers to faith, God sends them a warner to remind them of what they have forgotten and puts before their eyes what they have overlooked. Thus, the divine message is meant as a reminder and an act of perfect justice and total mercy: “Never do We wrong anyone.” (Verse 209) This is true even with the destruction of unbelieving communities. Such destruction is fair requital for deviating from proper guidance.

The sūrah has more to say about the Qur’ān making the method of its revelation very clear: “No evil spirits have brought down [this Qur’ān]. It is not for them [to do so], nor can they. Indeed they are debarred even from hearing it.” (Verses 210-212)

The sūrah had already given a clear statement of the source of the Qur’ān: “Most certainly, this [Qur’ān] has been bestowed from on high by the Lord of all the worlds. The trustworthy Spirit has brought it down into your heart — so that you may give warning, in the clear Arabic tongue.” (Verses 192-195) The sūrah then goes on to speak about the unbelievers’ denial of the revelation of the Qur’ān from on high and their hastening of their punishment by way of challenging the Prophet. Now the sūrah refutes their claims that it is no more than the talk of evil spirits, of the sort fortune-tellers display, claiming that some spirits bring them news of the world beyond as they listen to the angels.

This Qur’ān, which calls people to lead a virtuous life and to have faith, providing them with guidance, could not be given by evil spirits which lead people astray and advocate corruption and disbelief. They cannot initiate it even if they try, because they have been debarred from listening to it as it is revealed by God. The one who brings it down to the Prophet, by God’s permission, is the trustworthy Spirit. Hence, the evil ones cannot even touch it.

At this juncture, the sūrah addresses the Prophet, warning him against associating partners with God, even though he was always far from so doing. Yet the warning is given to him so that he could be more careful. The Prophet is assigned the task of warning his closest kinsmen, and ordered to place his trust in God who takes care of him in all situations:

Hence, do not invoke any other deity side by side with God, lest you find yourself among those suffering punishment. And warn your nearest kindred, and spread the wing of your tenderness over all of the believers who follow you. But if they disobey you, say: ‘I’ am not accountable for what you do.’ Place your trust in the Almighty, the Compassionate who sees you when you stand, and [sees] your movement among those who prostrate themselves [before Him]. It is He alone who hears all and knows all. (Verses 213-220)

It is impossible that God’s Messenger should ever invoke anyone other than God, but this situation is assumed here to clarify the point. Therefore, when the Prophet is threatened with punishment should he do so, what chance has anyone else? How could anyone be spared such grievous punishment when there is no special treatment granted to anyone?

Having been given this personal warning, the Prophet is instructed to warn his own relatives so that they may become an example for others. The Prophet’s relatives are indeed warned that they will endure grievous suffering should they persist in associating partners with God: “And warn your nearest kindred.” Both al-Bukhārī and Muslim relate that when this verse was revealed, the Prophet went up the hill of al-Şafā [which is close to the Sacred Mosque] and called out to his people to gather for he wanted to tell them something important. “People responded to his call, with some coming themselves and others sending someone to find out what was afoot. The Prophet said to them: ‘You clans of `Abd al-Muţţalib, Fihr and Lu’ayy! Should I tell you that a host of armed riders are close by the mountain aiming to launch a raid on you, would you believe me?’ They answered in the affirmative. He said: ‘I am sent to you as a warner of impending grievous suffering.’ Abū Lahab said to him: ‘Confound you all day long! Have you called us only to tell us this?’ God then revealed the sūrah that says: ‘Doomed are the hands of Abū Lahab; doomed is he.’“ (111: 1)

Muslim relates on `Ā’ishah’s authority: “When the verse that says, ‘Warn your nearest kindred,’ was revealed, the Prophet stood up and called his relatives, saying:

‘Fāţimah bint Muhammad! [i.e. his own daughter], Şafiyyah bint `Abd al-Muţţalib! [i.e. his aunt], you the clan of `Abd al-Muţţalib! [i.e. his own clan], I can benefit you nothing against God. You can ask me whatever you wish from my own money.

Muslim and al-Tirmidhī relate on Abū Hurayrah’s authority that “when this verse was revealed the Prophet called the Quraysh, speaking to them in general and to some by name. He said: ‘You people of the Quraysh! Save yourselves from the fire.

You people of the Ka (b! Save yourselves from the fire. Fāţimah bint Muhammad! Save yourself from the fire. By God, I can avail you nothing against God. But you are my kinsfolk and I will be all kindness to you.” These aĥādīth and many others show how the Prophet received this order and how he carried it out, giving warning to his kinsfolk, making it clear that he had no power to benefit them. He left them to God to determine their fate in the hereafter. He put them on notice that their relation to him would be of no benefit unless their own actions benefitted them. Such is the clear approach of Islam which allows no intermediation between God and His servants, not even by His last Messenger.

The sūrah then tells the Prophet how to treat the believers who respond to God’s message as a result of his efforts: “And spread the wing of your tenderness over all of the believers who follow you.” (Verse 215) Thus the Prophet is instructed to treat the believers gently, and to show his humility and kindness. This instruction is given in a physical, tangible image like a bird lowering its wings in flight but seeking to descend. The Prophet adopted this attitude with believers throughout his life.

Indeed, his manners were a practical translation of the Qur’ān.

The sūrah also tells him how he should treat those who are disobedient, dissociating himself completely from them: “But if they disobey you, say: I am not accountable for what you do.” (Verse 216) This order was given in Makkah, before the Prophet was given permission to fight unbelievers.

The sūrah then tells the Prophet to turn to his Lord with whom he has a permanent relationship of care: “Place your trust in the Almighty, the Compassionate who sees you when you stand, and [sees] your movement among those who prostrate themselves [before Him]. It is He alone who hears all and knows all.” (Verses 217-220) Leave them to their disobedience of God’s orders, dissociate yourself from their actions and turn to your Lord with full trust, seeking His help in all your affairs. The sūrah mentions the two divine attributes frequently mentioned earlier: might and compassion. The Prophet is made to feel his closeness to God as his Lord sees him when he stands up for prayer on his own, and also sees him when he prays with a congregation as they prostrate themselves to God. He sees him in his solitude and when he is attending to the congregation, organizing them and leading them in prayer. He sees all his movements and is fully aware of his thoughts, listening to his supplications: “It is He alone who hears all and knows all.” (Verse 220) This sort of address comforted the Prophet, reassured him that God was watching over and looking after him.

Once more in this final passage of the sūrah, the Qur’ān is brought into focus. The first comment emphasized that it was a revelation from the Lord of all the worlds, brought to Muhammad through the trusted Spirit, Gabriel. Secondly, it made clear that no evil spirit could deliver it. Now the sūrah asserts that such evil ones do not come to a person like Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is honest, truthful and advocates a sound system. They go only to a liar, such as a wicked fortune-teller.

Such people receive whatever evil spirits give them and circulate their disinformation widely after they themselves have further exaggerated it: “Shall I tell you upon whom it is that the satans descend? They descend upon every lying sinner. They eagerly listen, but most of them are liars.” (Verses 221-223)

There were among the Arabs some fortune-tellers who claimed that the jinn brought them news and information. People used to go to these fortune-tellers seeking advice, and trusting their prophecies, but most were liars. To believe them was to pursue myth and wishful thinking. No such fortune-teller advocated any proper code of living, or urged people to fear God, or counselled them to believe.

When the Prophet called on people to accept his message, he actually advocated a complete code of virtuous living.

At times, the Arab unbelievers described the Qur’ān as poetry, claiming that the Prophet was a poet. This was due to their utter helplessness in facing up to the Qur’ān; its powerful discourse was incomparable to anything they knew. They realized that it touched people’s hearts, affected their feelings and overcame their resistance. Yet they could not stop it.

In this sūrah, the Qur’ān itself explains to them that the way of life Muhammad advocated and the Qur’ān outlined was totally and fundamentally different from that of poets and poetry. This Qur’ān sets a clear method and aims towards a definite objective. The Prophet did not say something one day which he contradicted the next. Nor did he pursue fleeting desires and momentary feelings. Instead, he pursued the establishment of his faith, following a straight system that admits no crookedness. Poets are totally unlike this. They are often hostage to their reactions and momentary feelings, which press for expression as they occur. They describe something as black today and white tomorrow. When they are happy, they say one thing, which they contradict when they are angry. Their moods are never consistent.

Besides, they create their own imaginary world. They conjure up actions and results, then imagine these to be hard facts which influence their behaviour. Hence, their concern for realities is diminished because they create a different, imaginery world in which they live.

A person with a well-defined message who wants to see it implemented in people’s lives has a totally different perspective. He has an objective, method of action and a line to follow. He goes along his line, pursuing his method to achieve his end, keeping his heart and mind open and alert. He will not accept myth, or be satisfied with visions and dreams. He is only satisfied when his message becomes a practised reality in human life.

Thus the methods of God’s Messenger and poets are poles apart. The two can never be confused: “As for the poets, only those who are lost in error follow them. Are you not aware that they roam confusedly through all valleys, and that they say what they do not do?” (Verses 224-226) Poets follow their own moods, whims and desires, which means that they are followed only by those who similarly roam about confusedly with whims and passions, having no defined objective or clear line. Moreover, poets pursue every feeling, idea or statement according to that which takes hold of them at any particular moment.

Furthermore, poets say what they do not do, because they live in a world made of their own imagination and sentiment. They prefer such an imaginary world to real life which does not particularly impress them. Hence, they exaggerate and claim things that they themselves do not fulfil. Thus, what they say has no reality in practical human life.

Since Islam is a complete life system, devised for implementation in real life, and since it has a strong bearing on people’s consciences and on all aspects of life, it is by nature incompatible with the overwhelming majority of poets. A poet creates a dream in his own world and feels content with it. Islam, on the other hand, wants the dream to become a reality and works for its implementation. It transforms all feelings so that they work together to produce in the real world a perfect model of humanity.

Islam wants people to face up to the facts of life, and not to escape to an imaginary dream. If the facts of life are unsatisfactory or inconsistent with the way of life Islam wants people to implement, it urges them to change these aspects so that they can pursue its way of life. Thus, human energy is used for the fulfilment of noble objectives according to Islam’s magnificent way of life.

Nevertheless, Islam does not suppress poetry and art altogether, as some people may take the statement to mean. It simply disapproves of the line followed by poetry and art, giving full rein to uncontrolled whims and reactions, as well as fanciful dreams that absorb the energy of the dreamers so that they cannot fulfil them. When the human soul adopts the Islamic system, and interacts with Islamic values, it produces poetry and art while working at the same time to see its noble feelings realized in practice.

It is perfectly possible for the human soul to achieve an Islamic objective, looking at life from an Islamic viewpoint, and at the same time express all this in poetry and art. In such a situation, Islam approves of poetry and art, indeed encourages poets and artists.

The Qur’ān directs people’s minds and hearts to the great wonders in the universe and within the human soul, both of which are the material of poetry and art. Indeed, the Qur’ān includes passages on the wonders of creation that can never be matched by any poetry in respect of penetration, fascination and presentation.

Therefore, the Qur’ān makes an exception of the above general description of poets: “Excepted are those who believe, and do righteous deeds, and remember God often, and strive to be triumphant after they have been wronged.” (Verse 227) These are not included in the general description, because they have believed and their hearts are, as a result, full of a faith while their lives follow a clear system. They do righteous deeds and their energy is directed towards what is good, beneficial and beautiful. They are not satisfied with dreams and visions. They work hard, putting all their energies into their striving, so that they can support the truth in which they believe, and achieve the victory to which they aspire.

Among the poets who fought with their poetry defending the Islamic faith and its Messenger, at the height of the battle against idolatry and idolaters during the Prophet’s lifetime were Ĥassān ibn Thābit, Ka`b ibn Mālik and `Abdullāh ibn Rawāĥah, all of whom were from among the Anşār. Also among them were `Abdullāh ibn al-Ziba`rā and Abū Sufyān ibn al-Ĥārith ibn `Abd al-Muţţalib, both of whom used to abuse the Prophet in their poetry in their pre-Islamic days. When they adopted Islam, they did well and composed fine poetry in praise of the Prophet and in support of Islam.

It is authentically reported that the Prophet said to Ĥassān: “Attack them and Gabriel [the angel] will support you.” `Abd al-Raĥmān ibn Kai) reports that his father, Ka`b ibn Mālik, said to God’s Messenger: “God has revealed what you know about poets.” The Prophet said to him: “A believer defends Islam with his sword as also with his tongue. By Him who holds my soul in His hand, your words that you throw at them are just like arrows.” [Related by Aĥmad.] This type of Islamic poetry was what was needed at the time. There are other modes, however, by which poetry and art become Islamic. It is sufficient that poetry or art in general issues from an Islamic concept of life, in any field, to gain Islamic acceptance. Poetry can be perfectly Islamic without having to attack the opponents of Islam, defend Islam, glorify its values or history, or contribute directly to its advocacy. A glance at the passage of night, feeling the first breath of dawn, coupled with an expression of a Muslim’s sense that relates such phenomena to the Creator, is of the very essence of Islamic poetry. A moment of inner enlightenment, feeling God’s presence or action, or relating what one sees in the world around one to its Creator, is bound to produce poetry that is perfectly acceptable to Islam.

The point that distinguishes what Islam rejects from what it approves is that Islam has its own concept of life as a whole, its relations and bonds. Whatever poetry issues from such a concept is fine and acceptable from the Islamic point of view.

The sūrah then concludes with a general implicit warning: “Those who are bent on wrongdoing will in time know what an evil turn their destiny will surely take.” (Verse 227)

The sūrah has spoken about the unbelievers and their stubborn rejection of Islam, their heedless approach to warnings, the hastening of their punishment, as well as scenes of the destruction of past communities of unbelievers. It now concludes with this strong warning that sums up its theme. The warning serves as a final strong note, one which is felt to violently shake the very foundations of wrongdoing and wrongdoers.