Overview - Surah 7: al-A`raf (The Elevated Places)
The basic theme of this Surah is Risalah, i.e. Allah's message as it was sent through many messengers. Several Prophets and parts of their stories are mentioned to emphasize Prophets’ mission and their struggle with their people. The Surah tells us that Allah's Prophets suffered for the cause of truth. Their enemies tried to harm them, but then Allah helped his prophets and defeated their enemies. The Surah emphasizes that the true message must be presented under all circumstances. After the Prophets it is the duty of the Believers to convey the message of Allah to all people.
Sections:
- The Qur’an is revealed to remind the believers and to warn humankind about the consequences of their actions. The judgment will indeed take place.
- The story of Man's creation and Satan's opposition to Man.
- Warning to the Children of Adam to be aware of Satan's plots.
- Allah's messengers came to guide people.
- The end of those who denied the message and those who accepted the message.
- Cries of the wicked in the hellfire.
- The righteous will prosper.
- Some lessons from the story of Prophet Noah - peace be upon him.
- Some lessons from the story of Prophet Hud- peace be upon him.
- Some lessons from the story of Prophets Salih and Lot - peace be upon them.
- Some lessons from the story of Prophet Shu'aib - peace be upon him.
- Warnings against those who deny the Prophets and Messengers of Allah.
- Prophet Moses -peace be upon him- and his encounter with Pharaoh of Egypt.
- Pharaoh and his magicians were defeated.
- Pharaoh continued in his persecution of the Israelites.
- Some more signs were shown to Pharaoh and his people.
- The Torah was given to Prophet Moses- peace be upon him.
- Some Israelites started Calf worship.
- The Torah and Injil speak about the coming of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Allah's promise for those who will follow the last Prophet.
- Prophet Muhammad is the Universal Prophet. Some among the people of Prophet Moses were guided by the truth and lived with justice.
- Some Israelites transgressed Allah's laws and they suffered the consequences.
- The eternal covenant of Allah was taken from all human beings.
- The coming of the Last Hour
- Shirk has no logic. Ignore the wrongdoers, but invite to Allah with kindness. Listen to the Qur'an and always remember Allah.
The Surah is named after the story of the men awaiting on the “Elevations” between Paradise and Hell.
It comprises of 206 Ayat.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 206 |
| Total Words * | 3320 |
| Root Words * | 489 |
| Unique Root Words * | 14 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 39th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 13th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
, 2nd Pledge of Aqabah, 1st Pledge of Aqabah, 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*
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
Adam, Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shuaib, Musa, Harun
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Aaron, Adam, Adam (angels to prostrate before) , Adam (tree of knowledge) , Adam (banishment from Garden (no blame to Eve)) , Adversity (not burdened beyond capability to withstand) , Adversity (patience during) , God (made no laws regarding that of which He didn’t speak) , Apes (despicable) , Astronomy (celestial mechanics) , Children (of Israel) , Clothing, Commandments (general religious) , Disbelievers, Dogs, Earth, Earth (creation of) (in six days), Earth (rotation of) , Earthquake, Golden Calf, Gospel, Hell, Hud, Humankind (creation of) , Humankind (creation of) (from clay), Iblis, Jinn, Judgement (Day) , Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Life (good things made lawful) , Lot, Madyan, Manna, Moses, Moses (bringing forth water from the rock) , Moses (duel by sorcery with Pharaoh’s magicians) , Moses (forty nights upon Mt. Sinai) , Moses (plagues) , Muhammad (not a madman) , Muhammad (only a prophet) , Muhammad (unlettered prophet) , Noah, Noah (ark) , Noah (flood) , Pharaoh, Prayer (beautify (adorn) yourselves for) , Prayer (prostration) , Pregnancy, Prophet (people who are false prophets are wicked) , Quail, Qur’an, Religion, Religion (is not play and transient delight) , Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Revelation, Sabbath (breakers) , Salih, Sea, Shu’ayb, Sin, Ten Commandments, Thamud, Thamud (rock dwellings) , Thamud (she camel) , Thamud (she camel) (killing of), Thamud (she camel) (punishment for), Torah, Twelve tribes, Twelve tribes (scattering of) , Weather (clouds) , Weather (rain) , Weather (wind)
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The central theme of both Surah al-An’am and al-A’raf deal with the core issues of Faith but from different perspectives. Surah al-An’am presents the topic of Aqeedah and its realities by primarily focusing on the Jahilliyah [ignorance] of the Arabs whilst Surah al-A’raf deals with the Jahilliyah [ignorance] from a wider historical perspective, hence we find mention of Adam, Nuh People of Thamud, Lut, Madyan and Pharoah and his people.
Al-A'raf - The Elevations. Allah mentions Paradise and Hellfire and then speaks of the 'elevations' between them reserved for some amongst humanity. These people not knowing what will happen to them. The people of Hell-fire will be refused water as it will be prohibited for the disbelievers in the after-life.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
14th Century
14th Century
8th century
8th century
7th century
7th century
14th Century
14th Century
18th Century
18th Century
1130 AH (1717 CE)
1130 AH (1717 CE)
1130 AH (1717 CE)
1130 AH (1717 CE)
1271 AH (1855 CE)
1271 AH (1855 CE)
1271 AH (1855 CE)
1271 AH (1855 CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
Late 1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
Late 1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
1st century / 2nd century of Hijrah
1st century / 2nd century of Hijra.
1st century / 2nd century of Hijra.
The central theme of both Surah al-An’am and al-A’raf deal with the core issues of Faith but from different perspectives. Surah al-An’am presents the topic of Aqeedah and its realities by primarily focusing on the Jahilliyah [ignorance] of the Arabs whilst Surah al-A’raf deals with the Jahilliyah [ignorance] from a wider historical perspective, hence we find mention of Adam, Nuh People of Thamud, Lut, Madyan and Pharoah and his people.
Surah al-A’raf adopts a totally different approach as it discusses the same question of Faith. It provides for it with the panoramic setting of human history. It starts with mankind’s journey as it begins in heaven and where it aims to return. Along this great expanse, we see the procession of faith starting with the Prophet Adam to the last of all prophets and messengers, Muhammad (peace be upon him). The procession holds the banner of faith and advocates, throughout human history, that the only way to human happiness is for people to adopt the faith based on God’s oneness. The surah outlines what reception this call received in different periods of history; how the leaders of this procession put the message across to mankind, and the responses they received; how the people in power went about conducting their campaigns of opposition and how the procession of believers brushed them aside and went along its way. This surah also portrays the fate that befell opponents of faith in this life and the different destinies in the hereafter of both believers and unbelievers.
It is a very long journey, but the surah takes us along, stage by stage, making a stop at every landmark to indicate that the road is clearly demarcated with well known starting and finishing lines. All mankind travels along, aiming to return to the point where it started, in heaven, with the Supreme society. [REF: Qutb, Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an]
- The previous surahs contain the new Mithaq [covenant] between Allah and the Muslim Ummah. This surah chronicles just how the previous nation, Bani Israel behaved with this Mithaq and how a person from amongst them [7:175] detached himself from the Revelation and the consequences of such actions.
It has been reported that the Prophet reciting this surah during Salatul Maghrib. [Sunan an-Nisai al-Kubra no.1061, Tafsir al-Maudhui, Dr. Mustafah Muslim.]
- Interesting note in connection to the central theme: we find this surah has used the word قرية (Qaryah) [and its various grammitical forms – meaning city, town] 10 times – the most frequent compared to any other surah.
- We also find the word أمة (nation) used 8 times in its various forms – also more than any other surah. This is revealed in the last year of the Makkan period and on the eve of the creation of the Islamic state and birth of the Muslim Ummah – hence the most important lessons.
- This Surah has mentioned 'Adam' seven times - more than any other Surah.
- There are more mentions of Musa in this Surah than any other Surah of the Qur'an.
- Words derived from R-B-B- (Lord, owner, master) appear 65 times in this Surah. The highest frequency compared to any other Surah.
- The word M-L-A' - Cheifs/leaders appears 9 times in this Surah. The highest frequency compared to any other Surah.
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وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ "And to the 'Aad [We sent] their brother Hud. He said, "O my people, worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Then will you not fear Him?" (7:65)
This is the first mention of the Prophet Hud in the Qur'an (the Prophet Hud is mentioned most in Surah Hud, a total of five times).
- Interesting note in connection to the central theme: we find this surah has used the word قرية (Qaryah) [and its various grammitical forms – meaning city, town] 10 times – the most frequent compared to any other surah.
- We also find the word أمة (nation) used 8 times in its various forms – also more than any other surah. This is revealed in the last year of the Makkan period and on the eve of the creation of the Islamic state and birth of the Muslim Ummah – hence the most important lessons.
- This Surah has mentioned 'Adam' seven times - more than any other Surah.
- There are more mentions of Musa in this Surah than any other Surah of the Qur'an.
- Words derived from R-B-B- (Lord, owner, master) appear 65 times in this Surah. The highest frequency compared to any other Surah.
- The word M-L-A'- (Cheifs/leaders) appears 9 times in this Surah. The highest frequency compared to any other Surah.
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 14* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ق و ل | 110 | 1722 |
| 2. | ك و ن | 74 | 1390 |
| 3. | أ ل ه | 70 | 2851 |
| 4. | ٱلَّذِى | 67 | 1464 |
| 5. | ر ب ب | 65 | 980 |
| 6. | ق و م | 55 | 660 |
| 7. | أ م ن | 36 | 879 |
| 8. | ر س ل | 30 | 513 |
| 9. | إِلَىٰ | 29 | 742 |
| 10. | أ ي ي | 29 | 382 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ق و ل | 110 | 1722 |
| ك و ن | 74 | 1390 |
| أ ل ه | 70 | 2851 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 67 | 1464 |
| ر ب ب | 65 | 980 |
| ق و م | 55 | 660 |
| أ م ن | 36 | 879 |
| ر س ل | 30 | 513 |
| إِلَىٰ | 29 | 742 |
| أ ي ي | 29 | 382 |
A study of its contents clearly shows that the period of its revelation is about the same as that of Surah 6: al-An’am (The Grazing Livestock), i.e. the last year of the Prophet's life at Makkah, but it cannot be asserted with certainty which of these two were sent down earlier. The manner of its admonition clearly indicates that it belongs to the same period. [Ref: Mawdudi]
It is considered the longest surah revealed during the Makkan period. Some consider this surah to have been revealed after Surah 38: Sad. [Ref: Tafsir al-Maudheei, Dr. Mustafah Muslim, vol. 3, p. 2]
- An invitation is given to the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) to become Muslims.
- A warning is given to the unbelievers about the consequences of their denial through citing the example of punishments which were inflicted upon former people for their wrong attitude towards their Rasools.
- The Jews are warned about the consequences of their hypocritical conduct towards the Prophets.
- Commandment to propagate the message of Islam with wisdom.
- The fact that the Rasools as well as the people to whom they are sent will be questioned on the Day of Judgement.
- Commandment to the Believers that they should wear decent and proper dress and eat pure and good food.
- Dialogue between the residents of paradise, the inmates of hell and the people of A'raf (a place between the Paradise and hell).
- The fact that affluence and adversity are the reminders from Allah.
- The fact that Muhammad (pbuh) is the Rasool for the all of mankind.
- The fact that the advent of Muhammad (pbuh) was described in Torah and the Gospel (Bible).
- The fact that the Jews have fabricated a wrong belief about Allah's forgiveness.
- Mankind's testimony about Allah at the time of Adam's creation.
- The fact that Allah created all of mankind from a single soul.
- Allah's commandment to show forgiveness, speak for justice and avoid the ignorant.
- Allah's commandment about listening to the recitation of The Qur'an with complete silence.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 59 - 64) Noah Rejected by Blind People We sent Noah to his people, and he said: “My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” The great ones among his people replied: “We certainly see that you are in obvious error. “Said he: “My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know. Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people. (Verses 59-64) This first historical account gives us a brief history of Noah. It does not include the details given elsewhere in the Qur’ān where these are required by the main theme under discussion in Sūrahs, Had and Noah. The main purpose of giving it here is to describe the main features which we have already discussed, the nature of faith, how to deliver God’s message, how people receive it and the messenger’s reaction to the response he gets, and finally the infliction of the punishment against which they were warned. Hence, only those aspects of the story which outline these points are mentioned here, following the general method of Qur’ānic historical accounts. This passage opens with the statement, “We sent Noah to his people.” (Verse 59) This follows the pattern adopted by God, which meant that a messenger was chosen from among his own people, speaking their own language in order to win over those whose nature remained undistorted and to facilitate discussion and communication. Those whose nature is already distorted wonder at this pattern and feel it beneath them to respond to human beings, demanding that the message be delivered to them by angels. This is no more than an excuse, because they would not have responded positively to divine guidance, whatever its means of delivery. As Noah was sent to his people, he stressed the central point of all divine messages: “He said: ‘My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him.’” (Verse 59) This is the solid unchangeable basis of divine faith, the mainstay of human life that guarantees the unity of direction and goal. It ensures that human beings are free from enslavement by their desires or by other human beings. It helps those who accept it to rise above all that they desire and to resist all temptation and threats. The divine faith is a code for living based on the fundamental principle that all authority in human life belongs to God alone. This is the essential meaning of worshipping God alone and that God is the only deity acknowledged by human beings. When we speak of authority we include the belief that He is the Lord of both the universe and mankind who has originated them and conducts their affairs by His will and power. At the same level, we include belief in God’s Lordship over man’s day-to-day practical life and that man should conform to God’s will and abide by His law, in the same way as worship is offered to Him alone. All this is one integral whole. Otherwise, we come very close to associating partners with God, worshipping others alongside Him, or instead of Him. Noah conveyed this single message to his people, and warned them against rejecting it, speaking to them as a brother deeply concerned for their well-being and as a herald giving them honest counsel: “I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” (Verse 59) Here we note that the faith preached by Noah, which is the most ancient faith, included belief in the hereafter and the reckoning and reward on an awesome day, with Noah fearing for his people what punishment and suffering may await them. Here we realize the clear divergence between God’s system and what it tells us about the origin of faith on the one hand, and, on the other, the system of the `religious specialists’ who grope in the dark and ignore what the Qur’ān says. How was this clear, straightforward address received by Noah’s deviant people? “The great ones among his people replied: ‘We certainly see that you are in obvious error.’” (Verse 60) This is also how the idolatrous Arabs responded to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when they accused him of being an apostate who had renounced the faith of Abraham. Deviation can extend as far as making a person believe that the one who advocates a return to divine guidance is in error! When human nature is corrupted, and standards are perverted and personal desire reigns supreme, then people can be so insolent and describe divine guidance as erroneous. Consider, if you will, what ignorant societies of today say about those who follow God’s guidance. They are often described as having gone astray, and they are always offered some temptation to bring them back to the fold. That is, the fold of the filth in which jāhiliyyah finds its pleasure. Besides, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say to a young woman who covers her body, and to a young man who looks with contempt at cheap flesh? Their purity is described as reactionaryism, backwardness and primitiveness. Indeed, jāhiliyyah employs all means of influence and all media outlets at its command to drag them from their clean standard down into the filth by which it surrounds itself. Again, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say about a person who chooses for himself serious preoccupations and refuses to be football crazy or television and video crazy, or refuses to waste his time in parties and discotheques? He is described as reserved, introvert, inflexible, uncultured, etc. He is offered a variety of temptations to toe the line. All jāhiliyyah is essentially the same, although appearances and circumstances may differ. Noah denies that he is in error, and explains to his people the true nature of his call and its origin. He has not invented it, but he is simply a messenger bearing a message from the Lord of mankind, and delivering it with honest advice, based on the fact that he knows of God what they do not know. He feels that knowledge within himself, because he has his link with God: “Said he: ‘My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know.’” (Verses 61-62) Here we note a gap in the story. It seems that they have wondered that God should choose a human being, one of their number, to bear a message from Him to them, and that this human messenger should find within himself knowledge about his Lord which is not available to those who are not similarly chosen. This gap is indicated by what comes next: “Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” (Verse 63) There is nothing strange about this choice. Indeed, everything about human beings is amazing. Man deals with all the worlds and can have a direct link with his Lord because of what God has imparted to him and settled in his nature as a result of breathing into him of His soul. God certainly knows best whom to choose as His messenger. If God chooses a human being to bear His message, then this honoured person can receive the message through his latent ability to be in contact with God who gives him his special status as a human being receiving honours no other creature receives. Noah reveals to them the goal of his message: “That he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy.” (Verse 63) There is first the warning so that their hearts respond and steer away from evil, as a prelude to eventually receiving God’s grace. Noah himself has no personal interest or purpose other than this noble one. But when human nature reaches a certain limit of corruption, it ceases to reflect and use its reason. At this stage, no warning or reminder is of any use: “But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people.” (Verse 64) We have already seen how blind they are, that they cannot recognize right guidance, honest warning or sincere advice. Indeed, it is their blindness which caused them to reject the truth and let them suffer their inevitable destiny. Overview (Verses 59 - 64) Noah Rejected by Blind People We sent Noah to his people, and he said: “My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” The great ones among his people replied: “We certainly see that you are in obvious error. “Said he: “My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know. Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people. (Verses 59-64) This first historical account gives us a brief history of Noah. It does not include the details given elsewhere in the Qur’ān where these are required by the main theme under discussion in Sūrahs, Had and Noah. The main purpose of giving it here is to describe the main features which we have already discussed, the nature of faith, how to deliver God’s message, how people receive it and the messenger’s reaction to the response he gets, and finally the infliction of the punishment against which they were warned. Hence, only those aspects of the story which outline these points are mentioned here, following the general method of Qur’ānic historical accounts. This passage opens with the statement, “We sent Noah to his people.” (Verse 59) This follows the pattern adopted by God, which meant that a messenger was chosen from among his own people, speaking their own language in order to win over those whose nature remained undistorted and to facilitate discussion and communication. Those whose nature is already distorted wonder at this pattern and feel it beneath them to respond to human beings, demanding that the message be delivered to them by angels. This is no more than an excuse, because they would not have responded positively to divine guidance, whatever its means of delivery. As Noah was sent to his people, he stressed the central point of all divine messages: “He said: ‘My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him.’” (Verse 59) This is the solid unchangeable basis of divine faith, the mainstay of human life that guarantees the unity of direction and goal. It ensures that human beings are free from enslavement by their desires or by other human beings. It helps those who accept it to rise above all that they desire and to resist all temptation and threats. The divine faith is a code for living based on the fundamental principle that all authority in human life belongs to God alone. This is the essential meaning of worshipping God alone and that God is the only deity acknowledged by human beings. When we speak of authority we include the belief that He is the Lord of both the universe and mankind who has originated them and conducts their affairs by His will and power. At the same level, we include belief in God’s Lordship over man’s day-to-day practical life and that man should conform to God’s will and abide by His law, in the same way as worship is offered to Him alone. All this is one integral whole. Otherwise, we come very close to associating partners with God, worshipping others alongside Him, or instead of Him. Noah conveyed this single message to his people, and warned them against rejecting it, speaking to them as a brother deeply concerned for their well-being and as a herald giving them honest counsel: “I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” (Verse 59) Here we note that the faith preached by Noah, which is the most ancient faith, included belief in the hereafter and the reckoning and reward on an awesome day, with Noah fearing for his people what punishment and suffering may await them. Here we realize the clear divergence between God’s system and what it tells us about the origin of faith on the one hand, and, on the other, the system of the `religious specialists’ who grope in the dark and ignore what the Qur’ān says. How was this clear, straightforward address received by Noah’s deviant people? “The great ones among his people replied: ‘We certainly see that you are in obvious error.’” (Verse 60) This is also how the idolatrous Arabs responded to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when they accused him of being an apostate who had renounced the faith of Abraham. Deviation can extend as far as making a person believe that the one who advocates a return to divine guidance is in error! When human nature is corrupted, and standards are perverted and personal desire reigns supreme, then people can be so insolent and describe divine guidance as erroneous. Consider, if you will, what ignorant societies of today say about those who follow God’s guidance. They are often described as having gone astray, and they are always offered some temptation to bring them back to the fold. That is, the fold of the filth in which jāhiliyyah finds its pleasure. Besides, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say to a young woman who covers her body, and to a young man who looks with contempt at cheap flesh? Their purity is described as reactionaryism, backwardness and primitiveness. Indeed, jāhiliyyah employs all means of influence and all media outlets at its command to drag them from their clean standard down into the filth by which it surrounds itself. Again, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say about a person who chooses for himself serious preoccupations and refuses to be football crazy or television and video crazy, or refuses to waste his time in parties and discotheques? He is described as reserved, introvert, inflexible, uncultured, etc. He is offered a variety of temptations to toe the line. All jāhiliyyah is essentially the same, although appearances and circumstances may differ. Noah denies that he is in error, and explains to his people the true nature of his call and its origin. He has not invented it, but he is simply a messenger bearing a message from the Lord of mankind, and delivering it with honest advice, based on the fact that he knows of God what they do not know. He feels that knowledge within himself, because he has his link with God: “Said he: ‘My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know.’” (Verses 61-62) Here we note a gap in the story. It seems that they have wondered that God should choose a human being, one of their number, to bear a message from Him to them, and that this human messenger should find within himself knowledge about his Lord which is not available to those who are not similarly chosen. This gap is indicated by what comes next: “Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” (Verse 63) There is nothing strange about this choice. Indeed, everything about human beings is amazing. Man deals with all the worlds and can have a direct link with his Lord because of what God has imparted to him and settled in his nature as a result of breathing into him of His soul. God certainly knows best whom to choose as His messenger. If God chooses a human being to bear His message, then this honoured person can receive the message through his latent ability to be in contact with God who gives him his special status as a human being receiving honours no other creature receives. Noah reveals to them the goal of his message: “That he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy.” (Verse 63) There is first the warning so that their hearts respond and steer away from evil, as a prelude to eventually receiving God’s grace. Noah himself has no personal interest or purpose other than this noble one. But when human nature reaches a certain limit of corruption, it ceases to reflect and use its reason. At this stage, no warning or reminder is of any use: “But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people.” (Verse 64) We have already seen how blind they are, that they cannot recognize right guidance, honest warning or sincere advice. Indeed, it is their blindness which caused them to reject the truth and let them suffer their inevitable destiny. |
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 59 - 64) Noah Rejected by Blind People We sent Noah to his people, and he said: “My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him. I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” The great ones among his people replied: “We certainly see that you are in obvious error. “Said he: “My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know. Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people. (Verses 59-64) This first historical account gives us a brief history of Noah. It does not include the details given elsewhere in the Qur’ān where these are required by the main theme under discussion in Sūrahs, Had and Noah. The main purpose of giving it here is to describe the main features which we have already discussed, the nature of faith, how to deliver God’s message, how people receive it and the messenger’s reaction to the response he gets, and finally the infliction of the punishment against which they were warned. Hence, only those aspects of the story which outline these points are mentioned here, following the general method of Qur’ānic historical accounts. This passage opens with the statement, “We sent Noah to his people.” (Verse 59) This follows the pattern adopted by God, which meant that a messenger was chosen from among his own people, speaking their own language in order to win over those whose nature remained undistorted and to facilitate discussion and communication. Those whose nature is already distorted wonder at this pattern and feel it beneath them to respond to human beings, demanding that the message be delivered to them by angels. This is no more than an excuse, because they would not have responded positively to divine guidance, whatever its means of delivery. As Noah was sent to his people, he stressed the central point of all divine messages: “He said: ‘My people, worship God alone: you have no deity other than Him.’” (Verse 59) This is the solid unchangeable basis of divine faith, the mainstay of human life that guarantees the unity of direction and goal. It ensures that human beings are free from enslavement by their desires or by other human beings. It helps those who accept it to rise above all that they desire and to resist all temptation and threats. The divine faith is a code for living based on the fundamental principle that all authority in human life belongs to God alone. This is the essential meaning of worshipping God alone and that God is the only deity acknowledged by human beings. When we speak of authority we include the belief that He is the Lord of both the universe and mankind who has originated them and conducts their affairs by His will and power. At the same level, we include belief in God’s Lordship over man’s day-to-day practical life and that man should conform to God’s will and abide by His law, in the same way as worship is offered to Him alone. All this is one integral whole. Otherwise, we come very close to associating partners with God, worshipping others alongside Him, or instead of Him. Noah conveyed this single message to his people, and warned them against rejecting it, speaking to them as a brother deeply concerned for their well-being and as a herald giving them honest counsel: “I fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” (Verse 59) Here we note that the faith preached by Noah, which is the most ancient faith, included belief in the hereafter and the reckoning and reward on an awesome day, with Noah fearing for his people what punishment and suffering may await them. Here we realize the clear divergence between God’s system and what it tells us about the origin of faith on the one hand, and, on the other, the system of the `religious specialists’ who grope in the dark and ignore what the Qur’ān says. How was this clear, straightforward address received by Noah’s deviant people? “The great ones among his people replied: ‘We certainly see that you are in obvious error.’” (Verse 60) This is also how the idolatrous Arabs responded to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when they accused him of being an apostate who had renounced the faith of Abraham. Deviation can extend as far as making a person believe that the one who advocates a return to divine guidance is in error! When human nature is corrupted, and standards are perverted and personal desire reigns supreme, then people can be so insolent and describe divine guidance as erroneous. Consider, if you will, what ignorant societies of today say about those who follow God’s guidance. They are often described as having gone astray, and they are always offered some temptation to bring them back to the fold. That is, the fold of the filth in which jāhiliyyah finds its pleasure. Besides, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say to a young woman who covers her body, and to a young man who looks with contempt at cheap flesh? Their purity is described as reactionaryism, backwardness and primitiveness. Indeed, jāhiliyyah employs all means of influence and all media outlets at its command to drag them from their clean standard down into the filth by which it surrounds itself. Again, what does contemporary jāhiliyyah say about a person who chooses for himself serious preoccupations and refuses to be football crazy or television and video crazy, or refuses to waste his time in parties and discotheques? He is described as reserved, introvert, inflexible, uncultured, etc. He is offered a variety of temptations to toe the line. All jāhiliyyah is essentially the same, although appearances and circumstances may differ. Noah denies that he is in error, and explains to his people the true nature of his call and its origin. He has not invented it, but he is simply a messenger bearing a message from the Lord of mankind, and delivering it with honest advice, based on the fact that he knows of God what they do not know. He feels that knowledge within himself, because he has his link with God: “Said he: ‘My people, I am not in error, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of all the worlds. I am delivering to you my Lord’s messages and giving you sincere counsel, for I know [through revelation] from God what you do not know.’” (Verses 61-62) Here we note a gap in the story. It seems that they have wondered that God should choose a human being, one of their number, to bear a message from Him to them, and that this human messenger should find within himself knowledge about his Lord which is not available to those who are not similarly chosen. This gap is indicated by what comes next: “Do you think it strange that a reminder from your Lord should come to you through a man from among yourselves, so that he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy?” (Verse 63) There is nothing strange about this choice. Indeed, everything about human beings is amazing. Man deals with all the worlds and can have a direct link with his Lord because of what God has imparted to him and settled in his nature as a result of breathing into him of His soul. God certainly knows best whom to choose as His messenger. If God chooses a human being to bear His message, then this honoured person can receive the message through his latent ability to be in contact with God who gives him his special status as a human being receiving honours no other creature receives. Noah reveals to them the goal of his message: “That he might warn you, and that you may keep away from evil and be graced with His mercy.” (Verse 63) There is first the warning so that their hearts respond and steer away from evil, as a prelude to eventually receiving God’s grace. Noah himself has no personal interest or purpose other than this noble one. But when human nature reaches a certain limit of corruption, it ceases to reflect and use its reason. At this stage, no warning or reminder is of any use: “But they accused him of lying, so We saved him together with all those who stood by him, in the ark, and caused those who rejected Our revelations to drown. Surely they were blind people.” (Verse 64) We have already seen how blind they are, that they cannot recognize right guidance, honest warning or sincere advice. Indeed, it is their blindness which caused them to reject the truth and let them suffer their inevitable destiny. |
- Surah Al-Araf (The Heights) Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvJmEeRYGag&index=7&list=PLFBCB5C33480F350C
- Surah Al-Araf Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAIqY4YG5v4&index=7&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah Al-Araf Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PH63X7q_Wk&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=7
- Surah Araf Idris Akba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP1DvywAaoI
- Surah Al-Araf muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdAOUom0mP4&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=7
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-An'am (130) to Surah Al-A'raf (1-37)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMuuDJXS-0A&index=38&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-A'raf (38-131)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT223pGb-4k&index=39&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-A'raf (38-131)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMsXRQtXN8w&index=40&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-A'raf (132-end)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s2AOg0EbWM&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=41
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-A'raf (132-end)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lcwRd9aqOw&index=42&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
