In the Shade of the Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

The surah opens with the two separate letters, Ha. Mim. We have explained elsewhere the reason why many surahs start with separate letters of the Arabic alphabet. That this is often stated fits in with the Qur’anic method of repeating references to the facts it wants our hearts to internalize. By nature, the human heart needs such repetition because it tends to forget with the passage of time. In order to instil a fact in ones conscience one needs to have it repeated in a variety of ways. The Qur’an addresses the human heart with all the qualities instilled in its nature in accordance with its Creator’s knowledge.

It is as if the two letters with which the surah starts, Ha, Mlm, are a name given to the surah or to the Qur’an. The two letters constitute the subject of the first sentence while the predicate forms the next verse: “Ha, Mim. A revelation from the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful” (Verses 1-2) Choosing to identify the Divine attributes of grace and mercy in connection with the revelation of the Qur’an highlights the quality that is most characteristic of this revelation, namely Divine mercy. There is no doubt that the revelation of the Qur’an is an act of mercy for all mankind. It is a mercy for those who believe in it and implement it as also for other creatures, not merely humans. The Qur’an defines a code of living that brings good results for all. It has had a profound impact on the life of humanity, its concepts, values and course of action. Its impact is universal and consistent, ever since it was revealed. Those who study human history with true objectivity, following its course in its wider perspective, which includes all facets of human activity, are able to recognize this truth. Many of them have also recorded this in clear terms.

“A book, the verses of which have been clearly spelled out as a discourse in Arabic for people of knowledge.” (Verse 3) Spelling out the verses, clearly and distinctly, according to purpose, people’s nature and mentality, generations, communities, psychologies and needs is a major characteristic of the Qur’an. Its verses are indeed clearly expounded for people who are ready to learn and receive knowledge. In this way the Qur’an gives good news to believers who put their faith in practice, and delivers warnings to those who reject its message and entertain evil. It also explains why such good news and warnings have been given in a fine Arabic style to Arabic-speaking people. Most of them, however, refused its message, receiving it cooly: “K’A most of them turn away, so that they do not hear” (Verse 4)

This is indeed what they did, turning away so as not to hear or be exposed to the powerful logic of the Qur’an. As the surah later informs us, they tried hard to persuade others not to listen to the Qur’an. Of those that did listen their attitude was the same as those who did not:

they all resisted the influence of the Qur’an on their hearts. Thus they were like the deaf, deprived of their hearing faculty.

“ They say: Our hearts are veiled from whatever you call us to, and in our ears is deafness, and there is a barrier between us and you. So do you what you will, and so shall we” (Verse 5) Such was their stubbornness.

They hoped that the Prophet would despair of them ever responding to him and that he would, therefore, stop calling on them to believe.

They did so because of the powerful effect of what he said when they deliberately wanted not to believe. Thus, they said to the Prophet: our hearts are covered over so as not to allow your words any penetration, and the deafness in our ears prevents us from hearing you, and the barrier between you and us allows you no interaction with us.

Therefore, leave us alone and do what you will. We will go our own separate way. Equally, they might carelessly have said: we will neither listen to what you say nor heed your warnings. You may do what you please. We will continue to follow our own ways, caring nothing for what you do or say.

This is just one example of what the first advocate of the message of Islam had to face. Yet, still he continued to call on people to accept his message, allowing no element of despair to creep into or disrupt his work. He never hastened the fulfilment of God’s promise to him or the infliction of punishment on those who denied him. He acted instead upon instruction, declaring to people that putting the warnings into action was not up to him. He was no more than a human being receiving revelations and delivering a message. His task was to call on people to believe in God’s oneness and to adhere to His message. He was also mandated to warn the idolaters. Once he had done this, matters were left to God while he himself had no say in what was bound to happen: I am but a human being like yourselves. It has been revealed to me that your God is the One and only God. Therefore, take the straight path to Him and seek His forgiveness. Woe to those who associate partners with Him” (Verse 6)

What perseverance! What endurance and what dedication! Only a person who has experienced at first hand something of this condition can appreciate the power and resilience required to persevere against such odds. Yet this perseverance is coupled with the realization that one has no say in what turn developments take. Yet the Prophet faced such unrelenting opposition, arrogance and carelessness, without ever requesting a miracle to silence his opponents.

In order to be able to face such situations, God’s prophets and messengers were often directed to remain patient in adversity. Advocacy of the Divine message can only take the road of long patience and perseverance. The first thing that requires such patience is the advocate s keen desire to see the Divine message triumph, but then realize that such triumph is slow coming. Indeed, no sign of it may appear for a long time, yet those who undertake such advocacy must accept this willingly and without hesitation.

The maximum the Prophet could do in the face of such arrogant rejection and ridicule of his message was to say: “ Woe to those who associate partners with Him, and who do not pay the obligatory charity, and who refuse to believe in the life to come.” (Verses 6-7) The fact that zakat, or the obligatory charity, is specified here must have been in response to a certain situation, which we cannot now determine. This verse was revealed in Makkah, while zakat was only imposed as a duty in the second year after the Prophet s migration to Madinah. The overall requirement of zakat was known about during the Makkan period, but only as a general requirement whereby people paid as they wished.

Later, in Madinah, this was modified to make it a specific duty with defined rates on different types of property. To disbelieve in the life to come is the essence of rejection of the Divine message, and it should be met with stern warnings. Some scholars argue that in this particular instance, zakat means purity of faith. The general tone of the surah and the circumstances prevailing at the time admit this possibility.

Continuing to advocate the Divine message, the Prophet puts before them the enormity of the offence they commit by associating partners with God and rejecting His message. He points first to the universe, in relation to which they are tiny and flimsy creatures. He shows them Gods power as reflected in the nature of this universe of which they constitute only a small part. He wants to draw them out of the narrow angle through which they look at the Divine message. From that angle, they see themselves as large, occupying important positions.

Preoccupied with their own selves, positions and interests, and the fact that Muhammad was chosen by God in preference to them, they overlook the great truth expounded in the Qur’an and set before them by Muhammad. This great truth relates to the universe, to all generations of humanity, and carries absolutism that transcends time, place and people:

Say: Do you indeed disbelieve in Him who has created the earth in two days? And do you claim others to be His equals? It is He who is the Lord of all the worlds. He it is who placed on the earth firm mountains towering above it, and bestowed His blessings on it, and measured out its varied provisions in four days, ensuring equity for all who seek [such provisions]. Then, He applied His design to the sky, which was but smoke; and said to it and to the earth: 'Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly. ’ They both said: 'We do come willingly. ’ So He decreed that they become seven heavens in two days, and assigned to each heaven its task. We adorned the sky nearest to the earth with lights, and made them secure. Such is the design of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. (Verses 9-12)

When you declare disbelief, you are being nothing other than careless, gross and vulgar. You are denying the One who created the earth and placed firm structures over it, blessing it and assigning its varied provisions. He has indeed operated the systems of the universe, adorned the nearest sky with secure lights. Everything in the heavens and the earth willingly submit themselves to Him, while you, a mere single inhabitant on earth, arrogantly refuses to accept the truth. The presentation of these facts in the surah typically shakes every heart:

“Say: Do you indeed disbelieve in Him who has created the earth in two days? And do you claim others to be His equals? It is He who is the Lord of all the worlds. He it is who placed on the earth firm mountains towering above it, and bestowed His blessings on it, and measured out its varied provisions in four days, ensuring equity for all who seek [such provisions]” (Verses 9-10)

The surah begins here by mentioning the fact of creating the earth in two days and comments on this first stage of creation before telling us the rest of the story. The comment says: “It is He who is the Lord of all the worlds,” and yet you claim others to be His equals when it is He who created the earth you live on. How absurd and ghastly! Then, what are these days: the two in which God created the earth and the two in which He placed the mountains above it, measured its provisions and showered His blessings? These are days of God, the length of which is known to Him alone. They are not the earthly days we know, because earth days are a time-measuring unit that came into existence after the creation of the earth. Just like the earth has its day, which is the length of time it takes to complete one full rotation of the sun, other planets have their days, some of which are longer and some shorter than an earth day. This means that those four days of the earths creation and its provisions are measured by some other unit unknown to us. The closest we can surmise given our limited knowledge, is that they refer to the different stages the earth went through, divided into several eras, until its crust solidified and it settled into its present shape able to support the type of life we know.

According to scientific theory, such stages took around two billion earth years.

These are only scientific estimates based on geological studies and soil and rock analyses. When we study the Qur’an, we do not take such estimates as proven facts, for they are not. They are simply postulations open to amendment and change. Therefore, we do not interpret the Qur’an on their basis. We conclude that they may be true if they are in agreement with the Qur’anic text and serve to explain it without coercion. We say that a theory or a set of assumptions is closer to the truth because it is closer to the meaning of the Qur’anic text.

Scientists now say that most probably the earth was originally a gas- like mass of flame just like the sun, and most probably it was once part of the sun before splitting away from it for some reason. It took long periods until its crust cooled down and solidified. Its centre remains in melting form because of the intense heat that melts even the hardest of rocks. In the early period when the crust solidified, it was composed of many layers of rock strata. Then at some other early stage, the oceans came into existence with water forming by the combination of two molecules of hydrogen with one molecule of oxygen.

The air and the water on this planet of ours worked together to break the rocky surface, carry it and deposit it in different places so as to make a soil that allows plants to grow. The two of them thus managed to carve out portions of hills and mountains, and to fill valleys. Wherever you turn your eyes on earth, you will see the effects of a continuous process of construction and destruction.1

The earths crust is in a process of constant change. The sea shakes its waves to bring its effect on the land. Sea water evaporates by the heat of the sun and it goes up into the sky where it forms clouds which produce rain of fresh water, falling down in torrents to form rivers. As the rivers run, they affect the surface of the earth, carrying some of its rocks, changing them and depositing them elsewhere. Over centuries counted in hundreds and thousands, the surface of the earth changes completely. Snow that has solidified into ice brings another effect on the surface of the earth. Likewise, its surface is affected by the wind as also by the sun, with the heat and the light it sends to the earth. The creatures living on earth cause further changes, as do the volcanoes that bring lava to the surface.

Should you ask a geologist about the rocks forming the earth’s crust, he will give you a long list, but he will highlight three major types. He will tell you first about the igneous rocks which came out from the lower reaches of the earth to its surface in melted form, and then cooled down and solidified. He may cite as examples granite and basalt. He may show you a sample, indicating its crystalline composition, with white, red and black crystals, saying that each one of these contains a different chemical compound. Thus, he points out that these rocks are in fact a solid mix. The geologist may further draw your attention to the fact that it was out of such igneous rocks that the surface of the earth was originally made in the early stages of its formation. Then different factors came into play: water falling from the sky or running in rivers or lying in the form of ice, air, wind and sun.

They all worked hard changing the nature and the chemistry of the earths surface, bringing into existence totally different rocks that have no similarity to the original ones.

The geologist will then speak to you about depository rocks, which make the second and largest type of rock. These are the ones which have been carved by natural factors or by man out of rocks that are firmer and more solid. They are called depository because they are no longer in their original places. They have been lifted and carried by water or wind and then settled somewhere else on earth. The geologist will cite limestone as an example of such depository rocks. Limestone forms mountains, such as al- Muqattam which provides the building material for all buildings in Cairo. He will tell you that limestone is made of a chemical compound known as calcium carbonates, produced by biological or chemical factors. Sand, clay and argillaceous earth are other examples of depository rocks and they are all formed from different origins.

When you enquire about these origins you are told that all depository rocks come from igneous ones. When the crust of the earth formed in the distant past, there was nothing on its solidified surface except igneous rocks. Then rain and sea water interacted with it. The air then came into play in the form of chemical gases, winds and gales, heat and light from the sun and all these elements began to interact according to their different natures. They thus changed the useless, hard igneous rock into rocks that can be used to build houses and rocks from which minerals can be extracted.

More importantly, it changed the hard solid rock to make depository soil that can support life.

Granite does not make the sort of earth surface fit for plants or irrigation. Such surface is provided by soil which ultimately came out of granite and similar rocks. When such soil was in place, plants grew allowing animals to exist. Then the earth became a fit abode for the head of all these creatures on earth, man.2

This journey long as it may be thought of by modern scientists, can help us to understand the meaning of the days in which the earth was created, firm mountains placed on it, then its blessing and the measuring of its different provisions in four days. We do not know the length of these four days, but we know that they are undoubtedly different from earth days.

We need to dwell for a moment on every phrase of this Qur’anic text before we turn our attention to the mention of the heavens in the next verse.

“He it is who placed on the earth firm mountains towering above it” (Verse 10) Mountains are often described in the Qur'an as ‘firm’, and in some instances the purpose of their positioning is that they prevent’ the earth from shaking or swaying. This means that the mountains are firm in themselves and stabilize the earth, ensuring that it remains well balanced. In times gone by, people used to think that the earth was based on firm foundations. They are told today that the earth is nothing more than a small ball that floats in a great expanse, without support.

They may be scared when they listen to such words for the first time, and some of them may begin to look warily askance, worried that the earth might shake or fall in deep space. Let such people be reassured.

God’s hand holds the heavens and the earth, preventing their disappearance. Should they vanish, no one else would hold them in place. Such people should banish worrying thoughts, because the laws that govern the universe are set in operation by the Almighty who holds sway over all things.

The same scientist says:

Every event that takes place on earth, whether on its surface or below it, causing one substance to be transferred from one place to another, has a bearing on the speed of the earth as it moves in its orbit. This is not affected only by the cycle of the tide. Even when rivers carry water from one place of the earth to another, this affects the speed of its movement. The blowing wind and whatever falls into the sea or protrudes on the surface has an effect on the earths speed as it moves in orbit. Another thing that affects such speed is any expansion or retraction of its size, even though it increases or decreases by no more than a few feet.3

With the earth being so sensitive, it is no wonder that firm mountains are positioned over it to ensure its stability and that it does not sway with you, as expressed in verse 15 of Surah 16.

And He “bestowed His blessings on it, and measured out its varied provisions.” (Verse 10) When our predecessors read this statement, they used to think of the vegetation that grows on earth and the useful minerals God has placed in it, such as gold, silver, iron and the like.

Now that we have learnt more of the great blessings God has bestowed on this planet and of the provisions He has placed in it over long periods of time, this statement gives us a much broader meaning.

We have mentioned how some elements in the air combine to produce water, while the combination of others produce the soil that supports vegetation, and another process gives us rain, the source of all fresh water in rivers, wells and springs. All this reflects the blessing God bestowed on the earth and its measured provisions.

Then, there is also the air we breathe:

The earth is a circle covered with a rocky crust, and the greater part of this crust is covered by a layer of water, while above both the crust and water there is air, a thick gas layer similar to the sea, with different depths. All living creatures, man, animal and plant, live in this layer enjoying what it gives us.

As we breathe we obtain the oxygen necessary for us, while plants grow their structure using carbon, or rather carbon dioxide.

We eat plants, and also eat animals which in turn eat plants, and in doing so ensure our physical growth. The nitrogen in the air is needed to reduce its content of oxygen. If we were to inhale oxygen on its own, we would be burnt by breathing. There remains in the air the evaporated water which gives it its freshness, and the hydrogen, as well as small quantities of other gases, such as helium and neon. Most probably these were part of the original composition of the earth and remained in the air.4

The provisions we need for survival are wider in scope than the food we eat. Yet all our food is composed of the basic elements that are present in the earth or in the air. Sugar, for example, is a compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, while water is made of oxygen and hydrogen. The same applies to everything we eat, drink, wear or use as a tool. They are all made of the earths elements.

All this refers in some way to the blessing bestowed on the earth and the measured provisions placed in it, over a period of four of Gods days, the length of which is known only to Him.

Then, He applied His design to the sky, which was but smoke; and said to it and to the earth: ‘Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both said: ‘We do come willingly.9 So He decreed that they become seven heavens in two days, and assigned to each heaven its task. We adorned the sky nearest to the earth with lights, and made them secure. Such is the design of the Almighty, the All Knowing. (Verses 11-12)

What is meant here by the application of Gods design is that it was His will to do so. The word, ‘then, may not signify a chronological order; rather, it may mean turning to something higher. In our sense, the sky is higher. “ Then, He applied His design to the sky, which was but smoke.n (Verse 11) Scientists believe that before the existence of stars there was what they call the nebula, a cloud of gas, or rather, smoke.

The nebulas, bright or dark, contain gas and dust, which is nothing other than what is left after the creation of the stars. The theory says that the galaxy was first formed of gas and dust, from which all stars were formed by a process of deposition and sedimentation.

Yet some of the gas and dust remained, and from the remainder, the nebulas formed. Yet in this great galaxy remains a large quantity, equal to that which went into the formation of the stars. The stars continue to pull some of it by gravity, which means that the stars are dusting the sky to remove what is left, yet these dusters are too few in relation to the amount that needs to be dusted away and the space that needs to be cleaned.5

This may be true because it is close to the meaning of the Qur’anic statement: “ Then, He applied His design to the sky, which was but smoke” (Verse 11) It is also closer to the fact that the creation of the skies was completed over a very long period of time, taking two of Gods days.

The verse then adds a statement expressing an awesome truth: “and said to it and to the earth: Come, both of you, willingly or unwillingly.

They both said: We do come willingly.” (Verse 11) This is a remarkable reference to the fact of the universe being under Gods control. It submits to its Creator and willingly does His bidding. This leaves only man who, in most cases, submits to God’s law unwillingly. The law inevitably applies to him and he cannot take himself out of its domain.

Man is no more than a little gear in the great machinery of the universe.

All universal laws apply to him, whether he likes them or not. Yet he is the only creature who does not make the same submission as the earth and the sky. He always tries to deviate from an easy and smooth path, and, thus, he collides with the laws of nature, which will inevitably overpower him. He will then submit, albeit unwillingly. Exceptions to this are God’s servants who, in their hearts, concepts, desires and actions, are not in conflict with the overall Divine law. These people submit willingly and find their way easy and smooth. They move in line with the movement of the universe, turning to God and living in harmony with all that exists. They are able to achieve wonders and produce miracles. They have no conflict with any force in the universe; on the contrary, they derive from its powers.

We, humans, submit to God’s law unwillingly. How much better it would be for us to submit willingly, as do the earth and the skies. We would then enjoy the happiness that results from being consistent with the rest of the universe. At times, we also come up with what is absurd! The wheel of God’s will turns in the way, direction and speed set for it, turning the universe with it according to well defined laws of nature.

Yet we, out of all creation in the universe, try to force the wheel to run faster or slower, responding to what may motivate us of worry, selfishness, greed, fear or desire. We may move to this side or that, while the rest of creation moves along a well defined way. This inevitably means that we run into a collision here or there, endure pain or suffer a fatal crash. Thus, all our efforts and power go to waste. We should know, however, that when we truly believe, submit to God and relate to the rest of the universe, we will clearly understand our role, coordinate our movements with those of the universe, and move at the right time and speed, within the right space. Thus our movements will benefit by the power God has placed in the universe to produce truly great results. We will experience no arrogance or conceit because we know the source of the power that enabled us to accomplish our great deeds.

We will be certain that we do not achieve such results by our own efforts working in isolation. Instead, we achieve them when only we derive all that we do from the greatest power.

When we do this on our short journey spent on planet earth that submits willingly to God, we feel happy, comfortable and reassured.

Indeed, the whole planet joins us on its own journey to its Lord.

Moreover, we will enjoy the great peace that pours into our spirits as we live in a friendly universe submitting to its Lord. We will join the universe in willing submission to Him and, as a result, we will have no conflict with the universe, because we are part of it and we move with it in the same direction.

“ They both said: We do come willingly. So He decreed that they become seven heavens in two days, and assigned to each heaven its task” (Verses 11-12) These two days may be the same as those in which the stars were formed from the nebulas, or during which the creation was completed as God only knows how. The assignment of tasks to each heaven refers to the operation of the natural laws in them, in accordance with Gods directives. What, then, does the term ‘heaven mean? We have no definite answer. The word may refer to a measure of distance.

On the other hand, each galaxy may be called a heaven, or several galaxies with varying distances may be called heavens. The word also admits several other possibilities.

“ We adorned the sky nearest to the earth with lights, and made them secure” (Verse 12) Again the sky nearest to the earth can have several meanings. It could be the nearest galaxy to us, known as the Milky Way, which has a diameter of about 150,000 light years. It could mean something else that comprises stars and planets that shine for us like lights. These skies are ‘made secure’ from devilment, as can be understood from other references in the Qur’an. Quite what this entails is beyond our grasp and hence our knowledge is limited to what the Qur’an tells us.

“Such is the design of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” (Verse 12)

Can anyone other than Him design all this? Can anyone other than the Almighty who knows all control the whole universe and conduct its affairs?

Given this is the state of the entire universe, what position should be assigned to those who reject God’s oneness and attribute partners to Him? How should their reckless arrogance be requited?

If they turn away, say: T warn you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt that struck the Ad and Thamud. * There came to them, from all directions, messengers saying: ‘Worship none but God. ’ They answered: Ifour Lord had wished, He would have sent down angels.

We will never believe in your message. 'As for the Ad, they behaved arrogantly through the land, against all right, and said: ‘Who is mightier than us?' Did they not realize that God, who created them, was mightier than them? They continued to reject Our revelations.

Therefore, We let loose upon them a howling gale raging through several days of misfortune, so as to give them, in the life of this world, a foretaste of humiliating suffering. Yet the suffering in the life to come will be even more humiliating, and they will have none to help them. As for the Thamud, We offered them guidance, but they chose blindness in preference to guidance. Therefore, the thunderbolt ofhumiliating suffering struck them in consequence of what they had wrought. And We saved those who believed and were Godfearing. (Verses 13-18)

A warning against the type of thunderbolts that struck the peoples of ‘Ad and Thamud strikes fear in their hearts. It suits the terrible offence they commit. It answers the idolaters’ arrogance referred to at the beginning of the surah showing them to be the only ones in the universe who reject the truth.

What sort of effect did this warning have on the unbelievers in Makkah? Ibn Ishaq, an early biographer of the Prophet, gives us the following story:

One day, as ‘Utbah ibn Rabi‘ah, one of the Quraysh chiefs, was sitting with a group of Quraysh notables, he noticed the Prophet sitting alone close to the Ka‘bah. ‘Utbah suggested to his friends:

“Shall we go to Muhammad and make him some offers? He may have been spared the trouble. If he wins, whatever glory he achieves will be yours.” They retorted: “He has certainly bewitched you.” He said: “I have stated my opinion, and you can do as you wish.” Another report by Jabir suggests that when the Prophet recited these verses, 'Utbah listened. When the Prophet read verse 13 which says:

“If they turn away, say: I warn you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt that struck the (Ad and Thamud” 'Utbah put his hand on the Prophet’s mouth and appealed to him by the ties of kinship to his people to do nothing of the sort. Then 'Utbah left him, went home and stayed in doors. His people talked to him later about this and he explained his position: “When Muhammad spoke this warning, I appealed to him not to do so. You know that when Muhammad says something, he does not lie. I feared that such punishment be inflicted on you.

This is, then, one image of the effect of the warning as stated by God’s messenger to a person who did not believe in his message. Before we move on, we need to reflect a little on the image of the Prophet as he listened to 'Utbah making his petty proposals, his refined manners and his focus on the great issue in question. Although the proposals 'Utbah made sounded worthless, the Prophet listened attentively, without interrupting his interlocutor. He remained calm and friendly.

When 'Utbah stopped speaking, the Prophet then graciously asked him: “Have you, Abu al-Walid, finished what you have to say?” Then when 'Utbah confirmed that he had finished, the Prophet said: “Then listen to me.” He waited until 'Utbah said, “I will do,” before he read to him God’s own words. Throughout he was friendly, calm, confident and reassured. This is typical of how the Prophet always captured his audiences attention, even though they might at the beginning jeer him and take a hostile stand. His was always a most admirable attitude.

It is certainly as God says: “God knows best whom to entrust with His message.” (6: 124)

What does this warning signify: “If they turn away, say: I warn you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt that struck the Ad and Thamud” (Verse 13) Essentially, it begins a fresh round showing us images of the fates met by earlier communities who rejected Gods message. The reckless arrogance of the present unbelievers is thus made all the more apparent through this reminder of what happened to similarly reckless and arrogant peoples: “ There came to them, from all directions, messengers saying: Worship none but God." (Verse 14) This is the single issue as presented by all Gods messengers; it states the central point in every Divine religion.

“ They answered: If our Lord had wished, He would have sent down angels. We will never believe in your message." (Verse 14) Similarly, this represents the same point of doubt faced by every messenger. Yet a messenger addressing human beings could not be other than human.

This so that he would know the people he addressed and they would know him. In essence, a messenger should provide a practical example and share his peoples problems. Yet the ‘Ad and Thamud declared themselves unbelievers simply because the messengers sent to them were human like themselves. They were not angels as they wanted them to be.

Up to this point, the surah speaks of the fates of both peoples as if they are one: both were struck by thunderbolts. Now, the surah gives us some specific details about both peoples: “As for the lAd, they behaved arrogantly through the land, against all right, and said: Who is mightier than us?' (Verse 15) The right attitude is that all creatures should submit to God and that people should not behave arrogantly.

Who, then, are the ‘Ad in comparison to Gods great creation? All arrogant behaviour, by whatever creature, is against all right. Yet these people thought themselves powerful. They asked: “Who is mightier than us?' This is the false sense exhibited by all tyrants when they feel that they have silenced all opposition and that none can stand against their power. They forget the truth: “Did they not realize that God, who created them, was mightier than them?' This is a basic truth: the One who originated them is more powerful than they. He was the One who enabled them to exercise their power in the first place, albeit in the limited measure He allowed them. Yet tyrants always overlook facts: “They continued to reject Our revelations." (verse 15)

We see them here boasting of their power, thinking themselves mighty. The image portrayed in the next verse shows us the fate their despicable arrogance deserved: “ Therefore, We let loose upon them a howling gale raging through several days of misfortune, so as to give them, in the life of this world, a foretaste of humiliating suffering” (Verse 16)

It was a freezing gale lasting several days that brought them great misfortune. What was more was their humiliation in this life: a fitting response to their arrogance towards Gods servants. Yet all this was a first instalment, a punishment in the life of this world. They will not escape further punishment in the life to come: “ Yet the suffering in the life to come will be even more humiliating, and they will have none to help them” (Verse 16)

“As for the Thamud, We offered them guidance, but they chose blindness in preference to guidance” (Verse 17) This appears to be a reference to their initial acceptance of Gods message after they had seen the miracle of the she-camel which drank as much as all their other camels and cattle. However, they reverted to disbelief shortly after this, preferring to remain blind, straying from the path of truth. This is the worst type of blindness. “ Therefore, the thunderbolt of humiliating suffering struck them in consequence of what they had wrought.” (Verse 17)

Humiliation is the most fitting outcome for such an attitude. It is not merely a punishment of destruction; it adds the suffering of humiliation.

“And We saved those who believed and were God-fearing.” (Verse 18)

The round is thus concluded. They should realize by now that nothing can withstand Gods power. No one can give or seek protection against Him.

They have been told of Gods power over the universe and mankind.

Now the surah tells them of His power over their own selves. They have no authority over themselves, and no part of them is beyond the reach of His power. Even their ears, eyes and skins obey Him. They too disobey them so as to be witnesses against them on the Day of Judgement.

On the day when God's enemies will be gathered together before the fire, they will be driven onwards until, when they reach it, their ears, their eyes and their very skins will bear witness against them, speaking of what they used to do [on earth]. They will ask their skins: 'Why did you bear witness against us?' To which they will reply: 'God, who gave speech to all things, has made us speak. It is He who created you in the first instance, and to Him you now return. You did not try to hide yourselves so that your ears, eyes and skins could not be made to testify against you. Yet you thought that God did not know much of what you were doing. And it is this thought of yours which you entertained about your Lord that brought you to perdition, so that you are now among the lost.' If they resign themselves to patience, the fire will be their home; and if they pray to be allowed to make amends, they will not be allowed to do so. (Verses 19-24)

There is a great surprise in this very difficult situation in which they see their own senses and faculties obeying God and doing as they are bid. In this situation they are branded as enemies of God’! What fate will God’s enemies suffer? They are herded together, from all generations, like a flock of sheep, and driven to the fire. When they stand close to it and the reckoning begins, they find themselves facing witnesses whom they did not reckon with. Their tongues, long used to lie, fabricate falsehood and engage in ridicule are now tied, while their ears, eyes and skins rebel against them obeying their Lord. They report on what they used to consider secret. They used to hide themselves, thinking that God would not see them conceal their intentions and crimes. But they did not try to hide themselves from their own ears, eyes or skins. How could they, when these faculties are part of them? Now, these publicize what the unbelievers thought to be concealed from all creatures and from God Almighty as well.

As God so commands their own organs, they are overwhelmed and respond in complete obedience: " They will ask their skins: Why did you bear witness against us?' (Verse 21) They will put the facts clearly before them, attempting to hide nothing: "To which they will reply: God, who gave speech to all things, has made us speak." (Verse 21) It is He who made tongues the organs of speech. He can easily give speech to other organs. He gave speech to all things, making them speak and explain things as they are. “It is He who created you in the first instance, and to Him you now return." (Verse 21) From Him all originate, and to Him all shall return. There is no escape from His authority, neither at the beginning, nor at the end. Their minds used to deny this; now their skins state it to them in an undeniable way.

The remainder of the comments may be a continuation of what their own organs say to them, or equally it may be a comment on this amazing situation: “You did not try to hide yourselves so that your ears, eyes and skins could not be made to testify against you" (Verse 22) It never occurred to you that these, your organs, could rebel against you.

In fact, you could not have hidden yourselves from your organs even if you had tried. “Yet you thought that God did not know much of what you were doing." (Verse 22) Your foolish and ignorant thoughts deceived you, leading you to hell: “And it is this thought of yours which you entertained about your Lord that brought you to perdition, so that you are now among the lost." (Verse 23)

We then have the final comment: “If they resign themselves to patience, the fire will be their home" (Verse 24) What an absurd situation.

Patience now entails enduring the fire. It is no longer the patience that withstands adversity in order to achieve a cherished goal and earn reward from God. It is a sort of patience that incurs the penalty of hell where they abide: “And if they pray to be allowed to make amends, they will not be allowed to do so." (Verse 24)

There is no way back, no remonstration or acknowledgement of error will suffice. It is customary for admissions of error to be coupled with a request for forgiveness, after removing the causes of strained relations. Now, no admission of error is allowed, let alone forgiveness and improved relations.

The surah also shows them how God’s power extends over their hearts and minds, even when they are still on earth refusing to believe in Him. Since He is fully aware that their hearts have become corrupt, He lets some evil entities, from among both humans and jinn, befriend them and make what is evil seem fair and goodly. Thus, they lead them astray until they join those who ruin themselves and become liable to punishment:

We have assigned to the unbelievers companions who made their past and present seem goodly to them, but the sentence has fallen due upon them together with bygone generations of} \nn and humans.

They will indeed be lost. (Verse 25)

They are too proud to worship God when they are subject to His power. Their own hearts lead them to ruin and ultimately to Gods punishment. God allocates them wicked companions who whisper in their ears, assuring them that all the evil they see around them is good, and who present their own bad deeds to them in a fair appearance so that they do not see how foul these are. Perhaps the worst thing that can happen to man is that he loses his balanced judgement and can no longer see how foul or deviant his actions are. In this way, he perceives everything he does as good and fair. Inevitably, though, this leads him to ruin. When the unbelievers reach this stage, they find themselves among the lost herd of past communities that suffered Gods punishment: “They will indeed be lost.” (Verse 25)

One aspect of what such wicked companions persuaded them to do was to fight the Qur’an when they realized how powerful was its argument: “ The unbelievers say: Do not listen to this Quran, but drown it in frivolous talk, so that you may gain the upper hand.” (Verse 26)

The elders of the Quraysh in Makkah used to counsel each other to do just this, and they also persuaded the masses to do the same. They realized that they were no match for the Qur’an, its beauty, power and eloquence: “Do not listen to this Quran.” (Verse 26) They claimed that it cast a magical spell over their minds and ruined their lives, causing division between a man and his children or a man and his wife. It is true that the Qur’an causes such division, but only through God’s criterion that separates faith from unfaith, and guidance from going astray. The Qur’an wins people’s hearts so that they no longer value any other bond as they do their bond of faith. Thus, it was known as al-Furqdn, meaning ‘The Criterion’.

“Do not listen to this Quran, but drown it in frivolous talk, so that you may gain the upper hand.” (Verse 26) Such frivolity is totally unbecoming, yet it was the result of their knowing that they could not combat the Qur’an with logic or consistent argument. Those who persist in such disbelief can basically do nothing other than drown out the voice of the Qur’an with their own frivolities. They used to do this in a variety of ways: Malik ibn al-Nadr, for example, used to sit and relate accounts of Rustum and other Persian kings in order to impress people so that they would not listen to the Qur’an, while others used to shout and make noises or recited poetry and rhymes.

All this, however, came to nothing while the Qur’an retained its power because it is the word of the truth, and the truth is overpowering.

In response to their singular remark they are given a stern warning:

“ We shall most certainly give the unbelievers a taste of severe suffering; and We shall most certainly requite them according to the worst of their deeds. Such is the requital of the enemies of God: the fire will be their lasting home: a fit requital for their having knowingly rejected Our revelations.” (Verses 27-28) We soon see them suffering in hell and see how the deluded are so angry with the ones who led them astray. They realize now that it was they who led them to their fate when they persuaded them that their foul deeds were fair and goodly. “The unbelievers say: Our Lord! Show us those jinn and men who have led us astray. We shall trample them under our feet so that they shall be among the lowest of the low” Wetse 29) They are not merely angry with them; they want to exact revenge: “We shall trample them under our feet.” What a contrast with their close friendly ties in this present world.

A different type of bond is that which the believers have. These are the ones who take the right path of endeavour to do only what is good. God assigns to them angels to give them reassurance, bring them the good news of their prospects in heaven and to be their guardians, both in the life of this world and the world to come:

As for those who say: Dur Lord is God, * and then steadfastly pursue the right way, the angels will descend on them, saying: Have no fear, and do not grieve, but rejoice in the good news of Paradise which you have been promised. We are your guardians in the life of this world and in the life to come. There you shall have all that your souls desire, and all that you ask for, as a ready welcome from Him who is Much-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful. (Verses 30-32)

To remain steadfast in pursuing what is entailed by the declaration, 'Our Lord is God,' means to keep it alive in ones conscience, to give proof to it in one’s life and to discharge the responsibilities it imposes.

This is serious, important and hard work. Therefore, it deserves the abundant grace God grants them: a friendly relation with angels who, as God tells us, reassure the believers with sweet words: "Have no fear, and do not grieve, but rejoice in the good news of Paradise which you have been promised. We are your guardians in the life of this world and in the life to come." (Verses 30-31) They also describe heaven to them, knowing that they will have there all that they desire and is pleasing to them. They make it even more inviting and pleasing by saying that it is "a ready welcome from Him who is Much-Forgiving, Ever-Merciful." (Verse 32) It is a gift from God and a place assigned to them through His forgiveness and endless mercy.

This part of the surah concludes by painting an image of the advocate of the Divine faith, describing his personality, discourse and fine manners. God’s messenger, and indeed every advocate of God’s way, are called on to adopt such ways. The surah began by describing the hostile attitude of those called upon to accept the faith and how they met this call with arrogance. Now, the advocates of Divine faith are being told what course to follow, regardless of how their advocacy is met and how their efforts are received:

Who speaks better than he who calls people to God, does what is right, and says, 7 am one of those who have surrendered themselves to God'? Good and evil cannot be equal. Repel evil with what is better, and he who is your enemy will become as close to you as a true friend.

Yet none will attain this except those who are patient in adversity; none will attain it except those endowed with truly great fortune. If a prompting from Satan should stir you up, seek refuge with God. He alone is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Verses 33-36)

An advocate of the Divine faith must put his addressees face to face with reality. He has to confront people’s deviation, ignorance, inflated appreciation of their own deeds, as also their instinctive abhorrence of being told that they are wrong. He is opposed by peoples determination to serve their own interests and maintain positions that might be threatened by the principle of equality of all people, which is basic to Divine faith. To face all this as part of the task of advocating Divine faith is indeed very hard. Yet it is something truly great: “Who speaks better than he who calls people to God, does what is right, and says, 7

am one of those who have surrendered themselves to God?" (Verse 33)

Taking all this into account, a word of advocacy, calling on people to believe in God’s oneness, is the best word that may be said on earth. It is at the forefront of good words that are raised to God in heaven, provided it is endorsed by good action and confirmed with self surrender to Him. Thus, such advocacy becomes pure and sincere, free of self interest. The advocate’s aim is merely to discharge his duty by presenting the Divine message. Once he has discharged his duty, he should not care whether his words are rejected or whether people are rude or boastful in their denials. He is merely presenting what is good, which puts him in the higher position. Anyone who opposes him entertains evil, and, as such, is far below an advocate of God: “Good and evil cannot be equal." (Verse 34) Advocates of the Divine message cannot return evil with its like. A good deed cannot be equal in its impact or value to a bad one. Patient perseverance, forbearance and rising above the desire to return evil with its like eventually brings people back to their senses. Their earlier hardness softens and they become friendly: “Repel evil with what is better, and he who is your enemy will become as close to you as a true friend." (Verse 34)

This rule proves true in the overwhelming majority of cases: a stormy attitude will be replaced by calmness, fury by cordiality and arrogance by humility. All this may result from a good word, a soft tone and a smile to meet the fury of one whose anger gets the better of him. Had such a person been met with a similarly furious approach, he would only be more quarrelsome and completely lose his self control.

Such a forbearing attitude requires a great heart, one that can forgive when it might otherwise return evil with its like. Such ability is necessary for forbearance to be effective. Otherwise, forbearance may be thought a mark of weakness. If the party resorting to evil feels that a kindly attitude results from weakness, he will not respect it. Indeed, kindness will not have any effect on the matter. Moreover, such kindness and forbearance are limited to personal insults and injuries. When the attack is levelled at believers’ faith, trying to turn them away from it, then every form of resistance should be employed, or else, we remain patient in adversity until God makes His judgement in the matter.

Such forbearance, which requires us to repel an evil deed with a good one, rising above feelings of anger, is a sublime grade which cannot be attained by everyone. It does not merely require patience in the face of adversity; it is also a blessing which God bestows on His servants who try hard to achieve it: “ Yet none will attain this except those who are patient in adversity; none will attain it except those endowed with truly great fortune” (Verse 35) We say that it is a sublime grade; in fact it is so sublime that Muhammad, God’s messenger, who never showed anger for anything personal, yet nothing could stand to his anger when it was for God’s sake, is told, as indeed every advocate of the Divine message is told: “If a prompting from Satan should stir you up, seek refuge with God. He alone is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Verse 36)

Anger may open the way to Satan’s prompting who will then try to persuade us to be impatient and unforgiving when others resort to evil. In such a situation, we will do well to seek refuge with God against Satan. This is the best shelter against Satan’s efforts to exploit our anger.

God, man’s Creator, knows the keys to each and every heart, as well as its abilities and qualities. He knows where and how Satan can penetrate his machinations. Therefore, He protects the advocates of His message from stirred up anger as we face what excites the fury of even the most forbearing of us. Yet this too is a difficult road to follow, requiring that we submit here, as in every situation, to Divine directives, to the exclusion of all else.