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Some commentators have said the objective meaning of 'indecencies' is 'hidden fornication' and 'to be naked in circumambulation'. The former is called 'concealed', and the latter is counted 'apparent'. "... and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down any authority, ..." One of the other prohibited indecencies is attributing partners to Allah. There is no proof or reason to justify the sin of polytheism. "... and that you say against Allah what you do not know." Another forbidden indecencies is saying something against Allah without having any knowledge about it. Now, in the next verse, the Qur'an pays to soothing the holy Prophet. (34) وَ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ فَإِذا جاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ ساعَةً وَ لا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ 34. " And for every people there is (an appointed) term, so when their term comes they cannot put it back the least while nor can they advance it." Commentary : The 'appointed term' is not assigned only for individuals. There have been some communities, nations, and government that not only they themselves but also their civilizations, cultures, works and social customs have been destroyed. It is not peculiar to only life and death to have 'an appointed time'. All glories, governments, properties, and the like of them, have also appointed terms. When the appointed term reaches, all supports, endeavours, and rivals are worthless to do anything in order to change its time, sooner of later. " And for every people there is (an appointed) term, so when their term comes they cannot put it back the least while nor can they advance it." However, this holy verse threatens the pagans of Quraysh to the chastisement which is with Allah. Their punishment will be sent down upon them in an appointed time, the same as it was sent down upon the former unjust nations. Explanations :1. In the world of existence, there happens nothing, nor a changing, casually and outside of the control of Allah (s.w.t.). The laws governing over communities, similar to the laws governing over idividuals, also practically exist. " And for every people there is (an appointed) term, ..." 2. The possibilities and powers that you have are perishable. Therefore utilize them in the best form as far as you can. 3. Be not proud of the world and its titles. 4. The transgressors should not count the respite of Allah as a sign of His grace upon them. Their term will come, too. 5. Always there comes a group in the scene of power to be tested and to pass away. "... their term comes ..." 6. The strugglers of the path of Allah will not despair when the tyrannical persons overcome. They continue their effort, since tyrants are perishable. "... for every people there is (an appointed) term, ... " * * * * (35) يا بَنِي
آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِنْكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آياتِي
فَمَنِ اتَّقى وَ أَصْلَحَ فَلا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ 35. " O children of Adam ! When there come to you Messengers from among you relating to you My signs, (follow them). Then whoever guards (against evil) and amends (himself) - no fear shall be upon them nor shall they grieve." 36. " And those who belie Our Signs and turn away from them with arrogance - these are the inhabitants of the Fire, wherein shall they abide forever." Commentary : Addressing the children of Adam wholly, the verse describes that if some prophets come to you, who are of the same creation as you, in order to recite Allah's revelations to you and to aware you of His commandments, whoever keeps from evil and does not belie them, and improves his deeds and characteristics, there will be no fear upon him in this world nor any grief in the Hereafter. The verse says : " O children of Adam ! When there come to you Messengers from among you relating to you My signs, (follow them). Then whoever guards (against evil) and amends (himself) - no fear shall be upon them nor shall they grieve." * * * * Then, immediately after that, the Qur'an adds that the persons who belie Allah's revelations and arrogantly do not accept them, will abide in Hell Fire for ever. The verse says : " And those who belie Our Signs and turn away from them with arrogance - These are the inhabitants of the Fire, wherein shall they abide forever." Explanations : 1. Coming prophets one after another, is Allah's way of treatment, which had been planned before. The secret of the effect and influence of their speech is that they are from among people themselves. 2. The real believers in the prophets' invitations are those who are virtuous and amend themselves. 3. Peacefulness comes forth under the light of Faith and piety. 4. The consequence of belying prophets arrogantly, and rejecting their invitations, is the everlasting punishment and Hell. * * * * (37) فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرى عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِباً أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآياتِهِ أُولئِكَ يَنالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُمْ مِنَ الْكِتابِ حَتَّى إِذا جاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قالُوا أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ قالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا وَ شَهِدُوا عَلى أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كانُوا كافِرِينَ 37. " Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or belies His Signs ? Those shall receive their share (of destiny) from the Book (in the world) until when Our messengers come to them to take them away, they would say: ' Where are those which you used to call upon besides Allah ? ' They would say: ' They have departed from us;' and they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers." Commentary : Now, in this verse, the Qur'an pays to threatening the rejectors, where it says :" Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or belies His Signs ? ..." This question is to emphasize the mentioned matter, as well as the reality of the information. It implies that none is more unjust than the one who forges a lie against Allah, or the one who belies His revelations. These signs are some clear evidences unto Unity and prophecy. The verse continues saying :"...Those shall receive their share (of destiny) from the Book (in the world) ..." Such persons will receive and taste their share from the divine chastisement. In this statement, the word 'Book' has been used instead of the sense of the term 'chastisement', since it is the Book which informs them of their punishment. Some commentators have said that the objective meaning of it is that they will enjoy the share of lifetime, sustenance, and whatever has been recorded and decreed by Allah for them. These things will not be ceased from them until death reaches them. "... until when Our messengers come to them to take them away, they would say: " Where are those which you used to call upon besides Allah ? ' ..." Then, after passing their lifetime, and that their days are numbered, when the messengers of Allah, i.e. the angels, refer to them in order to take their souls, they tell them where their idols, which they used to worship, are. The purpose of this question is to reprimand them. It addresses them and asks them why those idols do not come and help them to save them from the punishment. Some commentators have said that the purpose of it is not their death, but the purpose is the Day of Resurrection when the angels come to take them into Hell. "... They would say: ' They have departed from us;' and they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers." In answer to the question of the angels, they say that the idols have departed from them and can not defend them. They acknowledge that their worshippings, that they performed for them, are totally nullified and dissipated. They confess that they have been disbelievers. * * * * (38) قالَ ادْخُلُوا فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ فِي النَّارِ كُلَّما دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَعَنَتْ أُخْتَها حَتَّى إِذَا ادَّارَكُوا فِيها جَمِيعاً قالَتْ أُخْراهُمْ لِأُولاهُمْ رَبَّنا هؤُلاءِ أَضَلُّونا فَآتِهِمْ عَذاباً ضِعْفاً مِنَ النَّارِ قالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَ لكِنْ لا تَعْلَمُونَ 38. " He will say: ' Enter you into the (Hell) Fire among the groups of people and jinn that have passed away before you. Whenever a group enters (the Fire), it curses its sister-group; until when they follow each other, all into the Fire, the last of them shall say with regard to the foremost of them: ' Our Lord ! These are they who led us astray. Therefore give them a double chastisement of the Fire.' He will say:'For each one there is double (chastisement), but you do not know'." Commentary : One of the shaking scenes on the Day of Retribution is the gathering of the people of Hell and their dispute with each other there. This dispute occurs particularly between the sinners and their chiefs and those leading ones who caused these sinners to be sent into Hell. For this very reason, these evil doers, who had been friends with each other before, here, become enemies to each other. On That Day all friends become enemies except the virtuous ones whose friendship is fixed with each other, both in this world and the coming world. Sura Az-Zukhruf, No. 43, verse 67 says : " The friends shall on That Day be enemies one to another, except the pious ones." The verse begins as follows :" He will say: ' Enter you into the (Hell) Fire among the groups of people and jinn that have passed away before you. ..." On the Resurrection Day, Allah will tell the disbelievers to enter into the Hell Fire amongst those groups of people and jinn who had paved the path of infidelity and were destroyed before them. "... Whenever a group enters (the Fire), it curses its sister-group; ..." Every nation who enter the Hell Fire will curse the nation that have entered the fire before them and who have the same form of thought. The purpose of the Arabic term 'ukht' (sister), mentioned in this verse, is not the sense of the word 'sister', but its objective meaning is 'of the same ideology'. Therefore, the communities who have followed their leaders in the world very sincerely and affectionately will curse them and will tell them that they have misled them and have brought them into Fire. Thus, they demand that the curse of Allah may be upon them ! "... until when they follow each other, all into the Fire, the last of them shall say with regard to the foremost of them. ' Our Lord ! These are they who led us astray. Therefore give them a double chastisement of the Fire.' He will say: ' For each one there is double (chastisement), but you do not know '." At the time when all of them enter the Hell Fire and gather with together therein, those who have entered later, compared with the leaders of them who have entered formerly, will address their Lord, and say that it was those leaders who caused them to be deprived from worshipping Him. They ask Him to increase double their punishment. That is, such leaders invited them to go astray and prevented them to follow the truth. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) in this regard says : " The purpose is the Imams (leaders) of transgression," Some commentators have said that the purpose of this phrase is that they deserve two kinds of punishment. The first is the punishment of infidelity, and the second is the punishment of misleading others. * * * * (39) وَ قالَتْ أُولاهُمْ لِأُخْراهُمْ فَما كانَ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنا مِنْ فَضْلٍ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذابَ بِما كُنْتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ 39. " And the foremost of them will say to the last of them: ' So there is no preference for you over us. Therefore, taste the chastisement for what you used to earn." Commentary : The verse begins as follows:" And the foremost of them will say to the last of them: ' So there is no preference for you over us. ..." Some commentators have said that the verse means that, in Hell, a former community will say to the latter community that they are not superior to them from the point of attitude and intellect. "... Therefore, taste the chastisement for what you used to earn." They tell them that they themselve chose infidelity, and they have no interference in that choice. Consequently, they should themselves tolerate the punishment of Allah. * * * * Section 5Disbelievers shall not Enter ParadiseNo soul is charged with any responsibility but to the limits of its ability - The fate of disbelievers and the reward the believers will receive. (40) إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآياتِنا وَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْها لا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوابُ السَّماءِ وَ لا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِياطِ وَ كَذلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُجْرِمِينَ 40. " Verily those who belie Our Signs and, turn away from them with arrogance, the gates of the heaven shall not be opened to them, nor shall they enter Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of the needle and thus do We recompense the guilty. Commentary : It can be understood from this verse that the purpose of the Arabic term / sama' / (sky), mentioned in this verse, is the place where Heaven is located in. So, in order to enter Heaven, the people of Heaven must pass through its gates. The verse says: " Verily those who belie Our Signs and, turn away from them with arrogance, the gates of the heaven shall not be opened to them, nor shall they enter Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of the needle and thus do We recompense the guilty. The Arabic term /jamal/ means 'camel' or 'the thick rope by which ships are kept fastened beside the shore'. This meaning is more fitting than the meaning of 'needle and camel'. But, since the purpose is the statement of impossibility of the arrival of the disbelievers into Paradise, the meaning of 'camel' and passing a camel through the eye of a needle is nearer to the concept of impossibility. Besides, the Bible, Luke, Chapter 18, No 25 says : " For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Thus, despite Allah's gates of the grace of the sky and the earth are open to the virtuous believers, the gates of heaven are shut for the hostile beliers, the infidels. "... the gates of the heaven shall not be opened to them, ..." Explanations :1. It is probable that this meaning is understood from the apparent context of the verse that Paradise is in heavens.(1) Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s.) has said : "The gates of the heaven are open at five times : when the struggle of strivers of Islam begins; when it is raining; when the Qur'an is being recited; at dawn; and at the time of calling to prayer."(2) * * * * (1) Tafsir-i-Fakhr-i-Razi, and Al-Mizan (2) Tafsir-Nuruth-Thaqalayn (41) لَهُمْ مِنْ جَهَنَّمَ مِهادٌ وَ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ غَواشٍ وَ كَذلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ 41. " For them shall be a bed of Hell-Fire and from above them coverings (of it); and thus do We recompense the unjust." Commentary :The Qur'anc term /mihad/ is derived from /mahd/ which means 'bed';and the term /qawash/ is the plural form of /qashiyah/ in the sense of 'cover'. It is also used with the meaning of 'a camp'. This hostile group, who turn away from the Truth, are referred to in verse 37 of this Sura as 'infidels'. In verse No. 40, they are discussed as 'beliers and sinners.' In this current verse, they are pointed to as 'the unjust.' The reason why they are called differently is that the one who belies the signs of Allah, is deserving to be entitled with all these words. In Sura Al-Bagarah, No. 2, verse 254, we recite : "... and the infidels ِ they are the unjust." Thus, Hell Fire will encompass the whole entity of the disbelievers : from above and beneath of them. The evidence is also Sura Al'Ankabut, No. 29, verse 55, where it says : " On the day when the chastisement shall cover them from above them, and from beneath their feet, ..." However, applying the term /mihad/ (bed) for the people of Hell, mentioned in this verse, is a kind of mocking them. It means that their resting place is Hell.(1) The verse says : " For them shall be a bed of Hell-Fire and from above them coverings (of it); and thus do We recompense the unjust." * * * * (1) Tafsir Fi-Zalal (the explanation under the verse). (42) وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ لا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْساً إِلاَّ وُسْعَها أُولئِكَ أَصْحابُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيها خالِدُونَ 42. " And those who believe and do righteous deeds - We do not impose upon anyone a duty but to the extent of his ability - these are the inhabitants of Paradise wherein shall they abide forever." Commentary : The Qur'an usually brings the concepts of 'glad tidings' and 'warning' beside each other. In the previous verse, the end of the arrogant evildoers was stated. Here, in this verse, the good end of the eligible believers is referred to. " And those who believe and do righteous deeds ِ We do not impose upon anyone a duty but to the extent of his ability ِ these are the inhabitants of Paradise wherein shall they abide forever." Some apparently similar bounties of Heaven, such as : a stream of milk, a stream of honey, a beautiful spouse, and gardens and castles, can be supplied in this world, with a great number of difference, of course, for a small number of people. But it is impossible to provide eternity of life here for anyone, which is possible in Heaven, and the dwellers of Paradise are eternally provided with the Divine bounties. Paradise is the reward of faith and good action which needs effort and endeavour, not any pretext. Of course, the fulfilment of all good deeds is the best, yet, in action, every body is responsible as much as he is able to do. There is no exhausting duty upon the believers in Islam. The verse says : "... but to the extent of his ability ِ ..." Again, Sura Al-Hajj, No. 22, verse 77 says : "... He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in religion; ..." Then if there is any duty decreed upon us, surely we have been able to do it, although we have not applied our entire abilities. (43) وَ نَزَعْنا ما فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهارُ وَ قالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدانا لِهذا وَ ما كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْ لا أَنْ هَدانَا اللَّهُ لَقَدْ جاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنا بِالْحَقِّ وَ نُودُوا أَنْ تِلْكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوها بِما كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ 43. " And we will remove whatever rancour be in their breasts; the rivers shall flow beneath their abodes and they will say: ' All praise be to Allah who guided us to this; and had Allah not guided us, we would not have been guided. Indeed, our Lord's messengers came with the truth.' And it will be cried out to them that: ' This is the Garden which you inherit for what you used to do.'" Commentary : The Arabic term /qill/ means 'a secretly penetration'. Regarding this, the secret grudge and envy are also called /qill/. In the former verses, we recited that the dwellers of Hell curse each other. Now, in this verse, the Qur'an says that the dwellers of Heaven have no rancour in their breasts unto each other. Whatever they have is peace and affection. None may envy another's rank. All of them are thankful of the bounties of Allah in Heaven. Explanations :1. Prophets are some means of guidance, and their guidance is accompanied with truth. They themselves, their speeches, their actions, their styles, and their promises are entirely truth. "... Indeed, our Lord's messengers came with the truth. ..." 2. According to the Islamic literature, every one of the believers and the disbelievers, has a place both in Heaven and in Hell. But, believers inherit the places of disbelievers in Heaven and disbelievers inherit the Hellish places of the believers. "... ' This is the Garden which you inherit ..." 3. It is understood from the Islamic traditions that the gates of happiness and wretchedness are open to everybody. No one was created for Heaven nor for Hell from the beginning. It is the person's choice and action which leads the one toward the final abode. 4. Heaven stands instead of good action, not because of bare wishes and imaginations. "... for what you used to do." * * * * (44) وَ نادى أَصْحابُ الْجَنَّةِ أَصْحابَ النَّارِ أَنْ قَدْ وَجَدْنا ما وَعَدَنا رَبُّنا حَقًّا فَهَلْ وَجَدْتُمْ ما وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمْ حَقًّا قالُوا نَعَمْ فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ 44. " And the inhabitants of Paradise will call to the inhabitants of the (Hell) Fire: ' We have found what our Lord promised us true; have you, too, found what your Lord promised true ? They will say: ' Yes.' Then a crier will proclaim between them that: ' Allah's curse is on the unjust." Commentary : It is recorded in the books of Shi'ite narrations and in some books of traditions of Sunnite school (like the book by Hakim Huskani) that the above-mentioned 'crier' will be Hadrat Ali (a.s.). Similarly, he (a.s.) recited the Sura Al-Bara'ah in Mecca which announced the acquittance of Muslims from the whole pagans of the world. Therefore, the recitation of resolutions of acquittance and curse of Allah unto pagans are from the tongue of Ali (a.s.), both in the world and Hereafter. " And the inhabitants of Paradise will call to the inhabitants of the (Hell) Fire: ' We have found what our Lord promised us true; have you, too, found what your Lord promised true ? They will say: ' Yes.' Then a crier will proclaim between them that: ' Allah's curse is on the unjust." Explanations : 1. In Hereafter, the dwellers of Heaven and the dwellers of Hell will speak with each other. " And the inhabitants of paradise will call to the inhabitants of the (Hell) Fire: ..." 2. The believers and the disbelievers will find the promises of Allah in truth and practical. "... ' We have found what our Lord promised us true; ..." 3. By means of the inhabitants of Heaven, Allah will make the inhabitants of Hell confession, so that they incur some more shame and pressure.(1) 4. All of the belies, accusations and sarcasms of the disbelievers will have some day a painful and sharp response. "... Then a crier will proclaim between them that: ' Allah's curse is on the unjust." The court of Hereafter upon disbelievers will end with the motto saying :"... Allah's curse is on the unjust." * * * * (1) Tafsir-i-Al-Mizan (45) الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ يَبْغُونَها عِوَجاً وَ هُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ كافِرُونَ 45. " The unjust are those who hinder (people) from Allah's way and seek to make it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter." Commentary : The way of Allah is the way of Unity, submission, Faith, emigration, and Holy Struggle. Transgressors hinder people from the way of Allah (s.w.t.) by means of creating doubts, temptations, propaganda, weakening them, and also by producing innovations and superstitions. They also oppose the leaders of truth and create despair through their hindering the affairs. Or, they cause some changes and deviations in the way of Allah (s.w.t.). The holy verse says as follows: " The unjust are those who hinder (people) from Allah's way and seek to make it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter." Yes, any hindrance from Allah's way, or creating any deviation in it, is transgression, and cultural transgression is the greatest one. The enemy may also fight manifestly and, if he can, he hinders the way of Allah absolutely. But, if he cannot, by applying different designs, he deviates the way and creates some changes alongside the path. "... and seek to make it crooked, ..." * * * * (46) وَ بَيْنَهُما حِجابٌ وَ عَلَى الْأَعْرافِ رِجالٌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلاًّ بِسِيماهُمْ وَ نادَوْا أَصْحابَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ سَلامٌ عَلَيْكُمْ لَمْ يَدْخُلُوها وَ هُمْ يَطْمَعُونَ 46. " And between the two (groups in Paradise and Hell) there shall be a veil. And on 'A'raf (the heights) there shall be men, recognizing all by their marks,who shall call to the inhabitants of Paradise: ' Peace be upon you ! ' They shall not have entered it; though they hope." Commentary : (3)
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