Al-Hadid

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying's (All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Allah): 'He says: (All that is in the heavens) of creation (and the earth) of created beings (glorifieth Allah) pray to Allah; and it is said this means: makes remembrance of Allah, (and He is the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Wise) in His command and decree: He commanded that none should be worshipped save Him.

(His is the Sovereignty) His are the stores (of the heavens) i.e. rain (and the earth) i.e. vegetation; (He quickeneth) for the resurrection (and He giveth death) in the life of the world; (and He is Able to do things) of giving life and death.

(He is the First) before the appearance of all things, (and the Last) after the disappearance of all things, (and the Outward) above all things (and the Inward) in all things; (and He is Knower of all things) that is to say, He is the First means: He is the Living, the preeternal; He was before all that which Allah gave life to; the Last means: He is the Living and Eternally subsistent and will remains after He takes life from all that which Allah has given life to; the Outward means: He is the Conqueror and there is none that can conquer Him; while the Inward means: He is the One Who has knowledge of the inward and outward without there being anyone to inform Him; and it is also said that this means: He is the One Who puts ahead any that is first and the One Who puts last any that is last, before He created any creation; and He will subsist after the annihilation of everything He created, and He is the Living, the Subsistent Who will never die or be annihilated, and He is Aware of all things from first to last, inward or outward.

(He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days) of the days of the beginning of the life of the world whereby one day is 1,000 years of the days we know, the first day being Sunday and the last Friday; (then He mounted the Throne) He established Himself on the Throne and it is said He filled it. Before He created the heavens and the earth, Allah was established on the Throne without any modality (bila-kayf). (He knoweth all that entereth the earth) of rain, treasures and dead created beings, (and all that emergeth therefrom) from the earth of dead created beings, vegetation, water and treasures (and all that cometh down from the sky) of provision, rain, angels and misfortunes (and all that ascendeth therein) of angels, the angels who record people's actions and works; (and He is with you) and He is Aware of you (wheresoever ye may be) on land or at sea. (And Allah is Seer of what ye do) of good or evil.

(His is the Sovereignty) the stores (of the heavens) rain (and the earth) vegetation (and, unto Allah (all) things are brought back) and the consequences of all things are brought back to Allah in the Hereafter.

(He causeth the night to pass into) and increase in duration over (the day, and He causeth the day to pass into) and increase in duration over (the night, and He is Knower of all that is in the breasts) He knows what is in the hearts of good and evil.

(Believe in Allah) O people of Mecca (and His messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (and spend of that whereof He hath made you trustees) and spend in the way of Allah of that which He has made you owners; (and such of you as believe) O people of Mecca (and spend (aright)) and spend their wealth in the way of Allah, (theirs will be a great reward) in the Garden because of their faith and spending of their wealth.

(What aileth you) O people of Mecca (that ye believe not in Allah) that you deny Allah's divine Oneness, (when the messenger) Muhammad (pbuh) (calls you to believe in your Lord) to profess your Lord's divine Oneness, (and He hath already made a covenant with you) and He has already taken your declaration of Allah's divine Oneness, (if ye are believers) on the Day of Covenant?

(He it is Who sendeth down clear revelations) he sends down Gabriel with clear revelations, expositing commands and prohibitions, the lawful and unlawful (unto His slave) Muhammad (pbuh) (that He may bring you forth) through the Qur'an and the call of Muhammad (pbuh) (from darkness unto light) from disbelief into faith; and it is also said that this means: He has indeed brought you forth from disbelief into faith; (and lo! for you) O believers, (Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful) for bringing you forth from disbelief into faith.

(And what aileth you) O believers (that ye spend not in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah, (when Unto Allah belongeth the inheritance of the heavens and the earth) the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth will all perish, and only Him will remain, and the results of all things will go back to Him? (Those) of you, O believers (who spent and fought) the enemy along with the Prophet (pbuh) (before the victory) before the conquest of Mecca (are not upon a level (with the rest of you)) are not equal in the sight of Allah in terms of merit and obedience. (Such) the people who have this trait (are greater in rank) in merit and standing in the sight of Allah through their obedience and reward-this refers to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq-(than those who spent and fought afterwards) than those who spend after the conquest of Mecca and fight the enemies along with the Prophet (pbuh) thereafter. (Unto each hath Allah promised good) i.e. the Garden through faith. (And Allah is Informed of what ye do) of what you spend.

(Who is he that will lend unto Allah) by giving alms (a goodly loan) sincerely from his heart, intending no one but Allah, (that He may double it for him) that Allah may accept it from Him and increase his reward from seven to 70 up to 700 and one million folds, and up to whatever folds Allah wills, (and his may be a rich reward) an abundant reward in the Garden? This verse was revealed about Abu'l-Dahdah.

(On the day) which is the Day of Judgement (when thou) O Muhammad (will see the believers) the true believers, (men and women, their light shining forth before them and on their right hands) on the Bridge over hell, the angels will say to them on the Bridge over hell: (Glad news for you this day: Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers flow) rivers of wine, water, honey and milk flow, (wherein ye are immortal) they will abide in Paradise, never to die or leave. (That is the Supreme Triumph) they earned Paradise and that which is therein and are saved from hell and that which it contains.

(On the day) i.e. the Day of Judgement (when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say) while on the Bridge over hell (unto those who believe) the true believers: (Look on us) and wait for us, O group of believers, (that we may borrow from your light) that we use your light to see and cross the Bridge over hell! (it will be said) the believers will say to them; and it is said: the angels will say to them; and it is said Allah will say to them: (Go back) to the life of the world; and it is said this means: go back to the stopping-place where we were given light (and seek for light!) This is said to the hypocrites out of mockery by Allah; and it is also said that this is said by the believers; and so the hypocrites will go back seeking light. (Then there will separate them) i.e. the believers and the hypocrites (a wall wherein is a gate, the inner side whereof containeth mercy) Paradise, (while the outer side thereof is towards the doom) towards hell.

(They will cry unto them) behind the gate ((saying): Were we not with you) following your religion, O group of believers? (They will say: Yea, verily; but ye tempted one another) you ruined yourselves through your secret disbelief and hypocrisy, (and hesitated) and you shunned repenting from disbelief and hypocrisy; and it is said that this means: you waited for the death of Muhammad (pbuh) so that you would then reveal your disbelief, (and doubted) in Allah, His Scripture and His Messenger, (and vain desires) falsehoods and false hope (beguiled you till the ordinance of Allah came to pass) until the promise of Allah was fulfilled that you die without repentance from disbelief and hypocrisy; (and the deceiver) i.e. Satan; and it is said that this means: the falsehoods of the life of the world (deceived you concerning Allah) concerning the obedience of Allah;

(So this day) which is the Day of Judgement (no ransom can be taken from you) O group of hypocrites (nor from those who disbelieved) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an. (Your home is the Fire) your destination is the Fire; (that is your patron) it has better right over you, (and a hapless journey's end) they will come to: their companions being the satans, their neighbours the disbelievers, their food the Zaqqum, their drink boiling water, their clothes pieces of fire and their visitors snakes and scorpions.

Then Allah mentioned the state of their hearts when they were in the life of the world, saying: (Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe) outwardly (to submit) to soften, abase itself and be sincere (to Allah's reminder) to Allah's promises and threats; it is also said this means: to Allah's divine Oneness (and to the Truth which is revealed) to the commands and prohibitions, the lawful and unlawful contained in the Qur'an, (that they become not as those who received the Scripture) that they became like those who were given the knowledge of the Torah (of old) before the advent of Muhammad (pbuh) and so they are the folk of the Torah (but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened) regarding faith; these are the ones who went against the religion of Moses, (and many of them) of the folk of the Torah (are evil-livers) disbelievers who do not believe in Allah as it is in Allah's foreknowledge.

(Know that Allah quickeneth the earth) through rain (after its death) after being exposed to dryness and drought; and similarly Allah will bring the dead back to life through rain. (We have made clear Our revelations) bringing the dead back to life (for you, that haply ye may understand) that haply you may believe in resurrection after death.

(Lo! those who give alms, both men and women) because of their faith, (and lend unto Allah) through giving alms (a goodly loan) sincerely from their heart in seeking only Allah's pleasure, (it will be doubled for them) it will be accepted from them and increased from seven folds to 70 and up to 700 folds and two million folds, and even more as Allah wills, (and theirs will be a rich reward) a goodly reward in Paradise.

(And those who believe in Allah and His messengers) from among all nations, (they are the loyal) in their faith; (and the martyrs are with their Lord; they have their reward and their light) at the Bridge over hell; and it is also said this means that the martyrs mentioned above refer to the witnesses who will testify in favour of the prophets against their respective peoples; and it is said that they refer to those who were killed while fighting for the sake of Allah: all these have the reward of the prophets in the course of conveying their message and will also have their light at the Bridge over hell to see their way while crossing it; (while as for those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations) i.e. the Scripture and Messenger, (they are owners of hellfire) they are the dwellers of the Fire.

(Know that the life of this world) that which is in the life of this world (is only play) exultation, (and idle talk) falsehood, (and pageantry) an appearance, (and boasting among you) regarding status and lineage, (and rivalry about wealth and children) which will vanish and not last; (as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow) after having been green (then it becometh straw) in the same vein, the life of the world will not last just as this vegetation did not. (And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment) for he who abstains from obeying Allah and withholds the right of Allah, (and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure) in the Hereafter, for he who obeys Allah and fulfils Allah's right over his wealth, (whereas the life of the world) i.e. concerning its lastingness and evanescence (is but matter of illusion) like the illusion surrounding the utilities of the house such as plates and bowls.

Allah then said to all created beings: (Race) in relation to repentance of your sins (one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden) and for a Garden by means of righteous works (whereof the breadth is as the breadth of the heavens and the earth) where they to be joined with each other, (which is in store) which is created and prepared (for those who believe in Allah and His messengers) from among all nations. (Such) forgiveness, Allah's good pleasure and the Garden (is the bounty of Allah) are all bounties from Allah, (which He bestoweth upon whom He will) upon whoever deserves it, (and Allah is of Infinite Bounty) in bestowing Paradise.

(Naught of disaster befalleth in the earth) such as drought, dryness of land, rise in prices and continuous hunger (or in yourselves) such as sicknesses, pains, misfortunes, the death of one's family members and children and loss of wealth (but it is in a Book) He says: all this is decreed upon you and recorded in the Guarded Tablet (before We bring it into being) before they befall the earth or your own selves. (Lo! That) the recording of that (is easy for Allah) even without a record, but everything is recorded.

(That ye grieve not for the sake of that which hath escaped you) of provision and well-being and say it has not been decreed for us, (nor yet exult because of that which hath been given) and say: He has given this to us. (Allah loveth not all prideful) in their walk (boasters) regarding the bounties of Allah; it is also said that this means: Allah loves not all prideful people about their disbelief and boasters about their idolatry; this is in reference to the Jews,

(Who hoard) who conceal the traits and description of the Prophet (pbuh) in the Torah (and who enjoin upon the people avarice) in the Torah by concealing the traits and description of the Prophet (pbuh). (And whosoever turneth away) from faith, (still Allah is the Absolute) He is free of the need for his faith, (the Owner of Praise) for he who declares His divine Oneness; and it is said the Owner of Praise with regard to His acts, for He gives thanks for very little and rewards it abundantly.

(We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs) with commands, prohibitions and signs, (and revealed with them the Scripture) and sent to them Gabriel with the Scripture (and the Balance) expositing there in justice, (that mankind may observe right measure) justice; (and He revealed iron) We created iron, (wherein is mighty power) such that only fire makes it pliable; it is also said that this means: there is in it mighty strength for fighting and war (and (many) uses for mankind) they use it to make things like knives, axes, files and other things, (and that Allah may know) in order that Allah may see (him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen) by means of these weapons. (Lo! Allah is Strong) by helping His friends, (Almighty) in retribution against His enemies.

(And We verily sent Noah) to his folk, 800 years after Adam, and he remained with them for 950 years, but they refused to believe and Allah destroyed them with the flood (and Abraham) and We have sent Abraham to his folk, 1240 years after Noah (and placed the prophethood and the Scripture) they had among them prophets and scriptures (among their seed) the seed of Noah and Abraham, (and among them there is he who goeth right) a believer in the Scripture and Messenger, (but many of them are evil-livers) disbelievers in the Scripture and Messenger.

(Then We caused Our messengers) one after the other (to follow in their footsteps) to follow Noah and Abraham from their respective offspring; (and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow) these Messenger, i.e. messengers other than the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy) towards each other (in the hearts of those who followed him) i.e. who followed the religion of Jesus. (But monasticism they invented) they built monasteries and cloisters to escape the sedition of Paul, the Jew. (We ordained it not for them) We did not enjoin monasticism upon them. (Only seeking Allah's pleasure) they did not invent it except to seek Allah's good pleasure, (and) had We enjoined it upon them (they observed it not with right observance) they would not have given it its right due. (So We give those of them who believe) among the monks (their reward) double for their faith and worship; these are the ones who did not contravene against the religion of Jesus. 24 among these were in the Yemen and when they heard of the Prophet (pbuh) they believed in him and joined his religion, (but many of them) of the monks (are evil-livers) disbelievers, these are the ones who went against the religion of Jesus.

(O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah) fear Allah (and put faith in His messenger) be firm in your belief in Allah and His Messenger. (He will give you twofold of His mercy) of His reward and beneficence (and will appoint for you a light wherein ye shall walk) among people on the Bridge over hell, (and will forgive you) the sins you committed in the pre-Islamic era. (Allah is Forgiving) He forgives he who repents, (Merciful) towards he who dies in a state of repentance;

(That the People of the Scripture) 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers (may know that they control naught of the bounty of Allah) of the reward of Allah, (but that the bounty) reward and honour (is in Allah's hand to give to whom He will) whoever deserves it. (And Allah is of Infinite Bounty) in relation to the believers in that He bestows upon them reward and honours them. The last two verses were revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Salam when he boasted to Ubayy Ibn Ka'b and his friends that they had two rewards while others had only one'.