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Section 14Every Apostle Had an EnemyOpposition to the Truth from the polytheists in all ages - Every apostle had an enemy - Polytheism totally opposed to Islam. (111) وَ لَوْ أَنَّنا نَزَّلْنا إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةَ وَ كَلَّمَهُمُ الْمَوْتى وَ حَشَرْنا عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ قُبُلاً ما كانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَشاءَ اللَّهُ وَ لكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ 111. " And even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We mustered all things before them, (even then) they would not believe, unless Allah pleases; but most of them (deliberately) ignore." Commentary : The purpose of these holy verses is to make clear that some of the seekers of surprising miracles are not true in their demands and their aim is not to embrace the Truth. That is why some of their wishes (like that Allah comes in front of them) are basically impossible. In this verse, the Qur'an explicitly says that had their demands been fulfilled in the same form that they wanted, and the angels had been sent down upon them, and the dead had come to speak with them, and in short whatever they had wished were provided for them, even then, they would not believe. Here is the verse : " And even if We sent down the angels to them, and the dead spoke to them, and We mustered all things before them, (even then) they would not believe, ..." Then, to emphasize on the matter, it implies that it is in one case possible that they believe and that is in the case that Allah forces them to accept the Faith by His Sovereign Will : "... Unless Allah pleases; ..." And, it is evident that this sort of Faith will contain no training income and no effect of perfection. So, at the end of the verse, it adds :"... but most of them (deliberately) ignore." * * * (112) وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْنا لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ عَدُوًّا شَياطِينَ الْإِنْسِ وَ الْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلى بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُوراً وَ لَوْ شاءَ رَبُّكَ ما فَعَلُوهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَ ما يَفْتَرُونَ 112. " And thus did We assign for every prophet an enemy, the satans from humans and jinn, who (secretly) inspire each other with flashy words to deceive (them). And had your Lord pleased they would not have done it. (Allah's way of treatment is freedom of men) therefore, leave them with what they forge." Commentary : It was said in the former verses that the hostility of the stubborn enemies against the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was not confined to him alone, but other prophets had such enemies, too. In this verse, it says : " And thus did We assign for every prophet an enemy, the satans from humans and jinn, ..." And their manner was that they spoke some charming words secretly and occasionally, by whispering to each other, in order to deceive them. The verse says : "... who (secretly) inspire each other with flashy words to deceive (them). ..." Yet, it should not be made mistake, and if Allah pleased, He could forcefully stop them doing that. The verse says : "... And had your Lord pleased they would not have done it. ..." But Allah did not do that because He wished to let people act freely in a scene where they can be tested, improved and trained. Therefore, at the end of the verse, He commands His Messenger that he never pays attention to these followers of Satans and that he leaves both them and their accusations with themselves. "... (Allah's way of treatment is freedom of men) therefore, leave them with what they forge." * * * (113) وَ لِتَصْغى إِلَيْهِ أَفْئِدَةُ الَّذِينَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ وَ لِيَرْضَوْهُ وَ لِيَقْتَرِفُوا ما هُمْ مُقْتَرِفُونَ 113. " And (the result of those Satanic inspirations is) so that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, may incline to it, and that they may be well-pleased with it (the flashy words) , and that they may commit (the evil) they were committing." Commentary : The consequence of the charming suggestions and deceitful preaches of the satans is recited in this verse, as follows : " And (the result of those Satanic inspirations is) so that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter, may incline to it, ..." Then, it adds that the end of this inclination will be a complete consent to the Satanic deeds. Here is the verse : "... and that they may be well-pleased with it (the flashy words), ..." Therefore, the end of them all, in this world, will be committing kinds of sins, indecencies, and vices, and, consequently, they will be involved with the result of the same corruptous people who had been before them in the history of the world. "... and that they may commit (the evil) they were committing." * * * (114) أَ فَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْتَغِي حَكَماً وَ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكِتابَ مُفَصَّلاً وَ الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ مُنَزَّلٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِينَ 114. " (Say:) ' Shall I seek a judge other than Allah, while it is He Who has sent down to you the Book, (fully) explained ? And those whom We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord with the truth, so be not you of the doubters." Commentary : In fact, this verse is the conclusion of the previous verses. It indicates that, with all these clear verses which were recited, whom should be accepted as an arbitrator ? The verse says : " (Say:) ' Shall I seek a judge other than Allah, ..." This heavenly Book explains all the necessary training facts of man and has separated between right and wrong, light and darkness, and disbelief and Faith; and it is Allah Who has sent it down to you. Concerning this meaning, the Qur'an continues saying : "... while it is He Who has sent down to you the Book, (fully) explained ?..." Then, addressing the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), the verse implies that not only he and the Muslims know that this Book is from Allah, but also the people of the Book (The Jews and the Christians), who have seen the Signs of this heavenly Book in their own Books, know that this Book has been sent down from the Lord with the Truth. The verse says : "... And those whom We have given the Book know that it has been sent down from your Lord with the truth, ..." Therefore, there is no place of any doubt and hesitation in it, and you, O' Our Messenger, never doubt in it. "...so be not you of the doubters." * * * (115) وَ تَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَ عَدْلاً لا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِماتِهِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ 115. " And perfected is the Word of your Lord in truth and justice; there is naught that can change His Words, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." Commentary : In this verse, The Qur'an addressing the Prophet (p.b.u.h.), indicates that his Lord's Word was completed in truth and justice, so that no one can change its containing words, and the Lord is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. The verse says : " And perfected is the Word of your Lord in truth and justice; there is naught that can change His Words, and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." The objective meaning of the term 'word', mentioned in the above verse, is 'The Qur'an', since in the former verses the subject matter was also recited upon 'The Qur'an'. Indeed, the verse refers to the fact that there is no doubt about the Qur'an, because it is perfect and faultless in any respects. Its facts upon history and its information about events are all true, and its ordinances and laws are utterly just. Some of the commentators, attaching this verse, have reasoned to the impossibility of influencing in perverting the Qur'an. They say that the phrase : "... There is naught that can change His Words ..." points to this fact that nobody is able to cast any change in the Qur'an, neither from the point of the Arabic spelling of the words, nor from the point of the information of the events, nor from the point of ordinances and laws. Therefore, this heavenly Book, which must be the guide of humankind until the end of the world, will be secured and protected from the larceny of treacherous persons and distorters. * * * (116) وَ إِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ وَ إِنْ هُمْ إِلاَّ يَخْرُصُونَ 116. " And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from the way of Allah. They follow nothing but conjecture; and they do nothing but surmise. " Commentary : It was said before that the current Sura was sent down in Mecca. At that time Muslims were intensively in minority. Concerning this minority and the conclusive majority of idol worshippers and the opponents of Islam, sometimes it might happen that some persons suspected that why there were so many followers of idolatry while that creed was futile and false, and if Muslems were right, why they were so few. To remove this sort of imagination, the verse addresses the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) and says :" And if you obey most of these in the earth, they will lead you astray from the way of Allah. ..." In the next sentence of the verse, the Qur'an states the reason of this subject. It points out that the reason of it is that they do not behave upon logic and a correct thought. Their guide is conjecture based on delusion, and some imaginations polluted with low desires, lusts and lies. The verse says : "... They follow nothing but conjecture; and they do nothing but surmise." * * * (117) إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ مَنْ يَضِلُّ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ وَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ 117. " Verily your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He (also) knows best those who are guided." Commentary : In view of the fact that the concept of the previous verse is that mere majority can not show the way of truth and it is not the reason of right, the result of it is that the way of truth should be taken only from the source of Allah, although the followers of truth are in minority. The Qur'anmakes the reason of this matter clear in this verse. It points out that your Lord, Who is aware of all things and there is not the least mistake in His endless knowledge, knows best which way is the way of astray and which way is the way of guidance, and, then, He knows best the misguided and the guided. The verse says :" Verily your Lord knows best those who stray from His way, and He (also) knows best those who are guided." * * * (118) فَكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ بِآياتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ 118. " Therefore, eat (the meat) of that over which Allah's name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His Signs." Commentary : The Effects of Paganism Should be Removed Totally:Through previous verses, the reality of Unity was proved, and the falsehood of paganism and idolatry was made manifest. One of the results of this question is that Muslims should avoid consuming the meat of the animals slaughtered by the name of idols. They should use only the meat of those animals which are slaughtered by the name of Allah. Concerning this meaning, the Qur'an says :" Therefore, eat (the meat) of that over which Allah's name has been mentioned, if you are believers in His Signs." That is, the Faith is not only a bare claim, a lonely statement, and a simple belief. But it should be proved through practice, too. The person who believes in Allah, will consume only these kinds of meat. * * * (119) وَ ما لَكُمْ أَلاَّ تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُمْ ما حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلاَّ مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنَّ كَثِيراً لَيُضِلُّونَ بِأَهْوائِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُعْتَدِينَ 119. " And what has happened to you that you do not eat (the meat) of that over which Allah's name has been mentioned, while He has (already) explained for you what He has forbidden unto you, except what you are compelled to (eat) ? And indeed many (people) mislead (others) by their desires, without any knowledge. Verily, your Lord knows best the transgressors." Commentary : In this verse, the Qur'ansays why you do not eat from the meat of those animals over which the name of Allah has been mentioned, while He has detailed for you what has been made unlawful for you. The verse says : " And what has happened to you that you do not eat (the meat) of that over which Allah's name has been mentioned, while He has (already) explained for you what He has forbidden unto you, ..." Then, one case has been exceptioned from this general law. It says :"... except what you are compelled to (eat) ? ..." This condition may come forth for a person in the desert or in a deserted place because of an intensive hunger or being captured in the grips of some pagans who force the one against this matter. After that statement, it adds : "... And indeed many (people) mislead (others) by their desires, without any knowledge. ..." Then, at the end of the verse, it says that Allah is fully aware and knows best those who are transgressors. These are those who not only go astray from the straight and true path, but also, attaching false proofs, try to mislead others. The verse says : "... Verily, your Lord knows best the transgressors." * * * (120) وَ ذَرُوا ظاهِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ باطِنَهُ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْسِبُونَ الْإِثْمَ سَيُجْزَوْنَ بِما كانُوا يَقْتَرِفُونَ 120. " And abandon outward sin and the inward one; verily those who commit sin soon shall be recompensed with what they used to commit." Commentary : Since some people usually commit this unlawful action (fornication) hiddenly, following that meaning, in this verse, as a general law, the Qur'an says: " And abandon outward sin and the inward one; ..." It is said that at the Age of Ignorance some people believed that fornication was not a vice when it was done secretly, and it was considered a sin when it was committed manifestly. Even now, in the present century, there are some persons who have practically accepted this logic of the Age of Ignorance, and they fear committing only the outward sins. Such people, having no feeling of incommodity, easily commit some hidden sins. The above-mentioned verse seriously condemns this logic. Then, as a remembrance, the verse warns the sinners to the evil fate which waits for them, and says : "... verily those who commit sin soon shall be recompensed with what they used to commit." * * * (121) وَ لا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ وَ إِنَّ الشَّياطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلى أَوْلِيائِهِمْ لِيُجادِلُوكُمْ وَ إِنْ أَطَعْتُمُوهُمْ إِنَّكُمْ لَمُشْرِكُونَ 121. " And do not eat (anything) of that over which Allah's name has not been mentioned (at the time of slaughter) and that is indeed transgression, and verily the Satans inspire unto their friends to dispute with you, and if you obey them, you will indeed be polytheists, (too)." Commentary : This verse emphasizes on the negative aspect of the matter and its concept of prohibition. It says :" And do not eat (anything) of that over which Allah's name has not been mentioned (at the time of slaughter) ..." Then, through a short sentence, it negates this action again, and implies that this work is a mischief, a sin, and going out from the path and manner of servitude of Allah and obeying His commandment. It says : "... and that is indeed transgression, ..." And, in order that some simple hearted Muslims would not be affected by their satanic temptations, it adds :"... and verily the Satans inspire unto their friends to dispute with you, ..." But, beware that if you submit to their temptations, you will be counted among pagans, too. The verse says : "... and if you obey them, you will indeed be polytheists, (too)." This dispute and temptation may refer to that very logic that pagans inspired unto each other. They said that they ate the meat of the dead animals because the Lord had slaughtered them. That is, if they do not eat the meat of carrions, it is a kind of heedlessness to the deed of Allah. Some commentators have said that pagans of Arab had learnt it from Zoroastrians. Pagans were inattentive of the fact that the head of whatever dies naturally, besides that it often dies because of a disease, has not been cut, and, therefore, the dirty blood of its body has remained among the levels of its meat. This blood decays thereafter, and surely pollutes the meat, too. * * * Section 15The Arch EnemiesThe enemies' plots - Enemies shall not succeed - They shall meet disgraceful end. (122) أَ وَ مَنْ كانَ مَيْتاً فَأَحْيَيْناهُ وَ جَعَلْنا لَهُ نُوراً يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَنْ مَثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُماتِ لَيْسَ بِخارِجٍ مِنْها كَذلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكافِرِينَ ما كانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ 122. " Is he who was dead (with ignorance and polytheism) and we gave him life (by Our guidance) and provided him with a light by which he walks among the people, as one whose likeness is in the shadows (of ignorance and polytheism) and he cannot come forth from them ? Thus has been made fair seeming for the disbelievers what they were doing." Commentary : In this verse, a person who has been misguided and Allah has guided him thereafter, is resembled to a person who has been dead and He has given him life. For such a person, Allah has appointed a light by which he can diffuse light among people. And He has resembled the person who has remained in his misguidance to a person who walks in darkness without having a guide, and he does not go out from that darkness. The Qur'an says :" Is he who was dead (with ignorance and polytheism) and we gave him life (by Our guidance) and provided him with a light by which he walks among the people, as one whose likeness is in the shadows (of ignorance and polytheism) and he cannot come forth from them ? ..." However, the purpose of this light, mentioned in the above verse, is not only 'the Qur'an' and 'the trainings of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.)', but, in addition to these, belief in Allah gives man a new insight, and a fresh concept, which broads the scope of his vision from the material life, and from the inside of the material world, high up towards an extraordinary open vast world. Under the ray of this light, the one can find his way of life among people and can be saved from a lot of mistakes which others may be entangled with because of greed and avarice. Without that light, the one may fall in such mistakes as a result of materialistic thought, and domination of selfishness and low desires. There is a holy phrase, recorded in Islamic narrations, which says : " A believer looks by means of Allah's light." This phrase is a hint to this very fact. * * * (123) وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْنا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكابِرَ مُجْرِمِيها لِيَمْكُرُوا فِيها وَ ما يَمْكُرُونَ إِلاَّ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ ما يَشْعُرُونَ 123. " And thus We have appointed in every town its leading criminals that they may plot therein. Yet they do not plot except against their own selves but they are not aware." Commentary : The content of this verse points to the situation of the misguided chiefs and the leaders of infidelity and mischief. It implies that Allah has appointed some leading persons in every town who take the way of committing sin, and by means of plot and deceit, they pervert people from the straight path. The Qur'anic text is recited : " And thus We have appointed in every town its leading criminals that they may plot therein. ..." That is, the final end of disobedience and committing abundant sins was that they became the robbers of the way of truth, and misled the servants of Allah from the straight path. So, at the end of the verse, the Qur'an continues saying :"... Yet they do not plot except against their own selves but they are not aware." It is clearly understood from this verse that the source of corruptions and calamities, which encompass some societies, is the mischievous men of authority and outstanding men inside these societies. These are those who, by kinds of plot and deceit, change the way of Allah and conceal the feature of truth from people. * * * (124) وَ إِذا جاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ قالُوا لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ حَتَّى نُؤْتى مِثْلَ ما أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسالَتَهُ سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا صَغارٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَ عَذابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِما كانُوا يَمْكُرُونَ 124. " And when a Sign (from Allah) comes to them, they say: ' Never will we believe until we are given the like of what was given to Allah's apostles. Allah knows best where to place His apostleship. Soon there shall befall those who are guilty humiliation from Allah and a severe punishment because of the plots they used to devise." Occasion of Revelation :It has been narrated that this verse was revealed about a pagan by the name of Walid-ibn-Muqayrah. He was one of the well-known chiefs of the idol worshippers. He was considered as their reflective faculty. He told the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) that if prophecy were true, he was deserved to take that rank more than him because of both his age, that was elder than the Prophet, (p.b.u.h.), and his wealth, which was more abundant than that of his (p.b.u.h.). Commentary : Allah Appoints Prophets.In this verse, the Qur'an shortly, but expressively, points to the kind of thoughts and rediculous claims of these false leaders, or as the Qur'an says : "... its leading criminals ...",.(1) when it says : " And when a sign (from Allah) comes to them, they say: ' Never will we believe until we are given the like of what was given to Allah's apostles. ..." The Qur'an gives them a clear answer, and implies that it is not necessary for them to teach Allah how He appoints His prophets and messengers, and among whom He might choose them, because : (9)
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