Overview - Surah 46: al-Ahqaf (Sand Dunes)
The Surah gives warnings to those who deny the truth. When Allah's punishment comes then neither the sea, nor the dry land can protect. There is a reference in this Surah to the people of 'Ad and Allah's punishment for their sins.
Sections:
- Allah sent down the Qur'an and He has created the heaven and earth. The gods of Shirk have created nothing. Is there any proof for Shirk? The truth of this revelation is manifest.
- The Qur'an verifies the previous revelations.
- The fate of 'Ad.
- Warnings to those who deny the truth. A group of Jinn accept the message. Be patient in giving the message of Allah.
The Surah takes its name from the Ayat, وَاذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُ بِالْأَحْقَافِ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ النُّذُرُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا اللَّـهَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ "And mention, [O Muhammad], the brother of 'Aad, when he warned his people in the [region of] al-Ahqaf - and warners had already passed on before him and after him - [saying], "Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day." (46:21).
The following Surahs all have the letters, Ha-Meem as their opening Ayaat and interestingly what is common to all of them is their mentioning of the Prophet Musa. These Surahs are;
Surah 40: al-Ghafir
Surah 41: Fussilat
Surah 42: Shurah
Surah 43: Zukhruf
Surah 44: Dukhan
Surah 45: Jathiyah
Surah 46: al-Ahqaaf
There are 35 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 35 |
| Total Words * | 643 |
| Root Words * | 185 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 66th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 10th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Musa
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Adversity (patience during) , Apostasy (do not ask for speedy doom for apostates) , Astronomy (motion of objects in the Universe) , Behaviour (towards parents) , Children, Children (of Israel) , Hell, Hud, Jinn, Moses, Qur’an, Resurrection, Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of humans) , Revelation, Weather (rain) , Weather (wind)
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The subject matter of the Surah is to warn the disbelievers of the errors in which they were involved, and also persisted arrogantly, and were condemning the man who was trying to redeem them. They regarded the world as a useless and purposeless place where they were not answerable to anyone. They thought that invitation to Monotheism (Tawhid) was false and stuck to the belief that their own deities were actually the associates of God. They were not inclined to believe that the Qur’an was the Word of the Lord of the worlds. They had a strange erroneous concept of apostleship on the basis of which they were proposing strange criteria of judging the Prophet’s claim to it. In their estimation one great proof of Islam’s not being based on the truth was that their elders and important chiefs of the tribes and so called leaders of their nation were not accepting it and only a few young men, and some poor folks and some slaves had affirmed faith in it. They thought that Resurrection and life after death and the rewards and punishments of the Hereafter were fabrications whose occurrence was absolutely out of the question.
In this Surah each of these misconceptions has been refuted in a brief but rational way, and the disbelievers have been warned that, if they would reject the invitation of the Qur’an and the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad, by prejudice and stubbornness instead of trying to understand its truth rationally, they would only be preparing for their own doom.
Ahqaf is the place of dwellings of the nation of Aad in southern Arabia.
The Surah begins and ends by drawing the attention of the reader/listener to the the creation of the heavens and earth. By observing the creation we find that nothing exists except it has a specificed and pre-defined purpose. That was determined by the Creator and His creation reflects His grand abilities.
مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَمَّا أُنذِرُوا مُعْرِضُونَ "We did not create the heavens and earth and what is between them except in truth and [for] a specified term. But those who disbelieve, from that of which they are warned, are turning away." (46:3)
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْيَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَادِرٍ عَلَىٰ أَن يُحْيِيَ الْمَوْتَىٰ ۚ بَلَىٰ إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ "Do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent. " (46:33)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = * | ||
- The prayers of a 40 year old monotheistic father for his parents and his children. (46:15)
Tafsir Zone
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Overview (Verses 34 - 35) As Resurrection Takes Place Having referred to bringing the dead back to life, the surah paints a picture of reckoning and accountability as though we see all this before our eyes: On the Day when the unbelievers will be brought before the fire, [they will be asked]: 'Is this not the truth?' They will answer: 'Yes, by our Lord.' He will say: 'Taste, then, this suffering, for you were unbelievers.' (Verse 34) The scene here begins with a narrative, or an introduction to a narrative: "On the Day when the unbelievers will be brought before the fire..." The audience are waiting for the narrative describing what will happen, but instead of a description, the scene is present before our eyes, with a dialogue taking place: "Is this not the truth?" What a question! It falls like a hammer on the heads of those who used to reject the truth, ridicule the message and hasten the punishment they were warned against. Now they are face to face with the truth they used to deny. They arrive at an answer, in fear and humility: "Yes, by our Lord." Now they swear 'by our Lord, the very Lord whose messenger they rejected and whose Lordship they denied. Now they swear by Him affirming the truth they once denied. At this point, the matter reaches maximum rebuke. The dialogue is over and the issue is settled: "He will say: 'Taste, then, this suffering, for you were unbelievers." (Verse 34) It is just an answer to a simple question: the crime is seen in full clarity and the criminal admits his guilt. The outcome is settled. This scene is portrayed very speedily. This is deliberate because the confrontation is decisive. There is no room for argument. They used to deny the truth; now they acknowledge it and are made to suffer the consequences. Following this scene that decisively spells out the fate of the unbelievers, and the one that touches the hearts of a group from a different world, the surah makes its final statement. It instructs the Prophet to remain patient with them and not to hasten their punishment. He has seen what awaits them, which is close at hand: Remain, then, patient in adversity, just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment. On the Day when they see what they were promised it will seem to them as though they had dwelt [on earth] no more than an hour in a single day. This has been made clear. Will, then, any be destroyed except the evildoers? (Verse 35) Every word in this verse is charged with meaning; every phrase draws a whole world of images and impressions and refers to great issues and values. "Remain, then, patient in adversity just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment." (Verse 35) This is a directive given to Muhammad (peace be upon him) who had shown more patience than anyone can tolerate while suffering persecution at the hands of his people. He grew up an orphan in their midst, then lost his guardian as well as every human support, one by one, losing his father, mother, grandfather, uncle as well as the wife who was the symbol of loving care. Thus he was free of all preoccupations, dedicating himself totally to his message. Yet he received at the hands of his unbelieving relatives more trouble than at the hands of others unrelated to him. He had to approach tribe after tribe, as well as individuals, seeking support in delivering his message but only meeting with rejection time after time. Some even set their henchmen against him and he was stoned and injured. His response was nothing more than a passionate appeal to his Lord, as quoted earlier. Yet after all this, the Prophet is given this directive by his Lord: "Remain, then, patient in adversity, just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment." (Verse 35) This shows just how hard and difficult the call to Islam is. A man like Muhammad, the symbol of dedication, unshakeable belief and purity of heart, still needs this Divine directive to remain patient and not to hasten God's punishment of the adversaries of his message. The hardships he met along this road required that he be comforted and counselled to remain patient. He also needed a sweet dose of Divine compassion, followed by reassurance: "On the Day when they see what they were promises; it will seem to them as though they had dwelt [on earth] no more than an hour in a single day." (Verse 35) It is all a short duration, an hour of a day. This whole life is so short and trivial that all the effects it has on hearts and souls is no more than the effect of an hour in a day. Then they will meet their inevitable fate and abide endlessly. This hour of a life serves only to make things clear before the fate is sealed: "This has been made clear. Will, then, any be destroyed except the evildoers?' (Verse 35) Certainly not. God wishes no injustice for anyone. Every advocate of the Divine message must remain patient in adversity. Last as much as it may, the adversity will be no longer than an hour of a day, and then everything is settled. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 34 - 35) As Resurrection Takes Place Having referred to bringing the dead back to life, the surah paints a picture of reckoning and accountability as though we see all this before our eyes: On the Day when the unbelievers will be brought before the fire, [they will be asked]: 'Is this not the truth?' They will answer: 'Yes, by our Lord.' He will say: 'Taste, then, this suffering, for you were unbelievers.' (Verse 34) The scene here begins with a narrative, or an introduction to a narrative: "On the Day when the unbelievers will be brought before the fire..." The audience are waiting for the narrative describing what will happen, but instead of a description, the scene is present before our eyes, with a dialogue taking place: "Is this not the truth?" What a question! It falls like a hammer on the heads of those who used to reject the truth, ridicule the message and hasten the punishment they were warned against. Now they are face to face with the truth they used to deny. They arrive at an answer, in fear and humility: "Yes, by our Lord." Now they swear 'by our Lord, the very Lord whose messenger they rejected and whose Lordship they denied. Now they swear by Him affirming the truth they once denied. At this point, the matter reaches maximum rebuke. The dialogue is over and the issue is settled: "He will say: 'Taste, then, this suffering, for you were unbelievers." (Verse 34) It is just an answer to a simple question: the crime is seen in full clarity and the criminal admits his guilt. The outcome is settled. This scene is portrayed very speedily. This is deliberate because the confrontation is decisive. There is no room for argument. They used to deny the truth; now they acknowledge it and are made to suffer the consequences. Following this scene that decisively spells out the fate of the unbelievers, and the one that touches the hearts of a group from a different world, the surah makes its final statement. It instructs the Prophet to remain patient with them and not to hasten their punishment. He has seen what awaits them, which is close at hand: Remain, then, patient in adversity, just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment. On the Day when they see what they were promised it will seem to them as though they had dwelt [on earth] no more than an hour in a single day. This has been made clear. Will, then, any be destroyed except the evildoers? (Verse 35) Every word in this verse is charged with meaning; every phrase draws a whole world of images and impressions and refers to great issues and values. "Remain, then, patient in adversity just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment." (Verse 35) This is a directive given to Muhammad (peace be upon him) who had shown more patience than anyone can tolerate while suffering persecution at the hands of his people. He grew up an orphan in their midst, then lost his guardian as well as every human support, one by one, losing his father, mother, grandfather, uncle as well as the wife who was the symbol of loving care. Thus he was free of all preoccupations, dedicating himself totally to his message. Yet he received at the hands of his unbelieving relatives more trouble than at the hands of others unrelated to him. He had to approach tribe after tribe, as well as individuals, seeking support in delivering his message but only meeting with rejection time after time. Some even set their henchmen against him and he was stoned and injured. His response was nothing more than a passionate appeal to his Lord, as quoted earlier. Yet after all this, the Prophet is given this directive by his Lord: "Remain, then, patient in adversity, just as all messengers endowed with firm resolve bore themselves with patience. Do not seek to hasten their punishment." (Verse 35) This shows just how hard and difficult the call to Islam is. A man like Muhammad, the symbol of dedication, unshakeable belief and purity of heart, still needs this Divine directive to remain patient and not to hasten God's punishment of the adversaries of his message. The hardships he met along this road required that he be comforted and counselled to remain patient. He also needed a sweet dose of Divine compassion, followed by reassurance: "On the Day when they see what they were promises; it will seem to them as though they had dwelt [on earth] no more than an hour in a single day." (Verse 35) It is all a short duration, an hour of a day. This whole life is so short and trivial that all the effects it has on hearts and souls is no more than the effect of an hour in a day. Then they will meet their inevitable fate and abide endlessly. This hour of a life serves only to make things clear before the fate is sealed: "This has been made clear. Will, then, any be destroyed except the evildoers?' (Verse 35) Certainly not. God wishes no injustice for anyone. Every advocate of the Divine message must remain patient in adversity. Last as much as it may, the adversity will be no longer than an hour of a day, and then everything is settled. |
- Surah 46. Al-Ahqaf - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGiamNr5bgs&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=46
- Surah 46. Al-Ahqaf Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUd_th3-dys&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=46
- Surah 46. Al-Ahqaf Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5I5b3Rz8us&index=46&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- Surah 46. Al-Ahqaf muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXj2TJq1HDQ&index=46&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
