وَإِذَا رَأَوۡكَ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا أَهَـٰذَا ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ رَسُولاً
And when they see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], “Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger?
Allah threatens the idolaters who denied and opposed His Messenger Muhammad and He warns them of the punishment and painful torment He sent upon the previous nations who rejected their Messengers. Allah begins by mentioning Musa, upon him be peace, whom He sent along with his brother Harun as a helper -- i.e., as another Prophet who helped and supported him -- but Fir`awn and his chiefs denied them both:
(Allah destroyed them completely, and similar (awaits) the disbelievers) (47:10). And when the people of Nuh denied him, Allah destroyed them likewise, for whoever denies one Messenger denies all the Messengers, because there is no difference between one Messenger and another. If it had so happened that Allah had sent all His Messengers to them, they would have denied them all. Allah says:
(And Nuh's people, when they denied the Messengers,) although Allah sent only Nuh to them, and he stayed among them for 950 years, calling them to Allah and warning them of His punishment,
(And none believed with him, except a few) (11:40). For this reason Allah drowned them all and left no one among the sons of Adam alive on earth apart from those who boarded the boat,
(and We made them a sign for mankind.) meaning a lesson to be learned. This is like the Ayah,
(Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the boat. That We might make it a remembrance for you, and the keen ear may understand it) (69:11-12), which means: `We left for you ships that you ride upon to travel across the depths of the seas, so that you may remember the blessing of Allah towards you when He saved you from drowning, and made you the descendants of those who believed in Allah and followed His commandments.'
(And (also) `Ad and Thamud, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass,) We have already discussed their story, which is referred to in more than one Surah, such as Surat Al-A`raf, and there is no need to repeat it here. As for the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, Ibn Jurayj narrated from Ibn `Abbas about the Dwellers of Ar-Rass that they were the people of one of the villages of Thamud. Ath-Thawri narrated from Abu Bukayr from `Ikrimah that Ar-Rass was a well where they buried (Rassu) their Prophet.
(and many generations in between. ) means nations, many more than have been mentioned here, whom We destroyed. Allah said:
(And for each We put forward examples,) meaning, `We showed them the proof and gave them clear evidence,' as Qatadah said, "They had no excuse.''
(and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.) means, `We destroyed them completely.' This is like the Ayah,
(And how many generations (Qurun) have We destroyed after Nuh!) (17:17). "Generations'' (Qurun) here refers to nations among mankind. This is like the Ayah,
(Then, after them, We created other generations (Qurun).) (23:42) Some defined a generation as being 120 years, or it was said that a generation was one hundred years, or eighty, or forty, etc. The most correct view is that a generation refers to nations who are one another's contemporaries, living at the same time. When they go and others succeed them, this is another generation, as it was recorded in the Two Sahihs:
(The best of generations is my generation, then the one that follows it, then the one that follows that.)
(And indeed they have passed by the town on which was rained the evil rain.) refers to the town of the people of Lut, which was called Sodom, and the way in which Allah dealt with it, when He destroyed it by turning it upside down and by sending upon it the rain of stones of baked clay, as Allah says:
(And We rained on them a rain. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned!) (26:176),
(Verily, you pass by them in the morning. And at night; will you not then reflect) (37:137-138),
(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (15:76),
(They are both on an open highway, plain to see) (15:79). Allah says:
(Did they not then see it) meaning, so that they might learn a lesson from what happened to its inhabitants of punishment for denying the Messenger and going against the commands of Allah.
(Nay! But they used not to expect any resurrection.) means, the disbelievers who passed by it did not learn any lesson, because they did not expect any resurrection, i.e., on the Day of Judgment.
(41. And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger'') (42. "He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!'' And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) (43. Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire Would you then be a guardian over him) (44. Or do you think that most of them hear or understand They are only like cattle -- nay, they are even farther astray from the path.)
إِن ڪَادَ لَيُضِلُّنَا عَنۡ ءَالِهَتِنَا لَوۡلَآ أَن صَبَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهَاۚ وَسَوۡفَ يَعۡلَمُونَ حِينَ يَرَوۡنَ ٱلۡعَذَابَ مَنۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً
He almost would have misled us from our gods had we not been steadfast in [worship of] them.” But they are going to know, when they see the punishment, who is farthest astray in [his] way.
Allah threatens the idolaters who denied and opposed His Messenger Muhammad and He warns them of the punishment and painful torment He sent upon the previous nations who rejected their Messengers. Allah begins by mentioning Musa, upon him be peace, whom He sent along with his brother Harun as a helper -- i.e., as another Prophet who helped and supported him -- but Fir`awn and his chiefs denied them both:
(Allah destroyed them completely, and similar (awaits) the disbelievers) (47:10). And when the people of Nuh denied him, Allah destroyed them likewise, for whoever denies one Messenger denies all the Messengers, because there is no difference between one Messenger and another. If it had so happened that Allah had sent all His Messengers to them, they would have denied them all. Allah says:
(And Nuh's people, when they denied the Messengers,) although Allah sent only Nuh to them, and he stayed among them for 950 years, calling them to Allah and warning them of His punishment,
(And none believed with him, except a few) (11:40). For this reason Allah drowned them all and left no one among the sons of Adam alive on earth apart from those who boarded the boat,
(and We made them a sign for mankind.) meaning a lesson to be learned. This is like the Ayah,
(Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the boat. That We might make it a remembrance for you, and the keen ear may understand it) (69:11-12), which means: `We left for you ships that you ride upon to travel across the depths of the seas, so that you may remember the blessing of Allah towards you when He saved you from drowning, and made you the descendants of those who believed in Allah and followed His commandments.'
(And (also) `Ad and Thamud, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass,) We have already discussed their story, which is referred to in more than one Surah, such as Surat Al-A`raf, and there is no need to repeat it here. As for the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, Ibn Jurayj narrated from Ibn `Abbas about the Dwellers of Ar-Rass that they were the people of one of the villages of Thamud. Ath-Thawri narrated from Abu Bukayr from `Ikrimah that Ar-Rass was a well where they buried (Rassu) their Prophet.
(and many generations in between. ) means nations, many more than have been mentioned here, whom We destroyed. Allah said:
(And for each We put forward examples,) meaning, `We showed them the proof and gave them clear evidence,' as Qatadah said, "They had no excuse.''
(and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.) means, `We destroyed them completely.' This is like the Ayah,
(And how many generations (Qurun) have We destroyed after Nuh!) (17:17). "Generations'' (Qurun) here refers to nations among mankind. This is like the Ayah,
(Then, after them, We created other generations (Qurun).) (23:42) Some defined a generation as being 120 years, or it was said that a generation was one hundred years, or eighty, or forty, etc. The most correct view is that a generation refers to nations who are one another's contemporaries, living at the same time. When they go and others succeed them, this is another generation, as it was recorded in the Two Sahihs:
(The best of generations is my generation, then the one that follows it, then the one that follows that.)
(And indeed they have passed by the town on which was rained the evil rain.) refers to the town of the people of Lut, which was called Sodom, and the way in which Allah dealt with it, when He destroyed it by turning it upside down and by sending upon it the rain of stones of baked clay, as Allah says:
(And We rained on them a rain. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned!) (26:176),
(Verily, you pass by them in the morning. And at night; will you not then reflect) (37:137-138),
(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (15:76),
(They are both on an open highway, plain to see) (15:79). Allah says:
(Did they not then see it) meaning, so that they might learn a lesson from what happened to its inhabitants of punishment for denying the Messenger and going against the commands of Allah.
(Nay! But they used not to expect any resurrection.) means, the disbelievers who passed by it did not learn any lesson, because they did not expect any resurrection, i.e., on the Day of Judgment.
(41. And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger'') (42. "He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!'' And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) (43. Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire Would you then be a guardian over him) (44. Or do you think that most of them hear or understand They are only like cattle -- nay, they are even farther astray from the path.)
أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَـٰهَهُ ۥ هَوَٮٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَڪِيلاً
Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?
Allah threatens the idolaters who denied and opposed His Messenger Muhammad and He warns them of the punishment and painful torment He sent upon the previous nations who rejected their Messengers. Allah begins by mentioning Musa, upon him be peace, whom He sent along with his brother Harun as a helper -- i.e., as another Prophet who helped and supported him -- but Fir`awn and his chiefs denied them both:
(Allah destroyed them completely, and similar (awaits) the disbelievers) (47:10). And when the people of Nuh denied him, Allah destroyed them likewise, for whoever denies one Messenger denies all the Messengers, because there is no difference between one Messenger and another. If it had so happened that Allah had sent all His Messengers to them, they would have denied them all. Allah says:
(And Nuh's people, when they denied the Messengers,) although Allah sent only Nuh to them, and he stayed among them for 950 years, calling them to Allah and warning them of His punishment,
(And none believed with him, except a few) (11:40). For this reason Allah drowned them all and left no one among the sons of Adam alive on earth apart from those who boarded the boat,
(and We made them a sign for mankind.) meaning a lesson to be learned. This is like the Ayah,
(Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the boat. That We might make it a remembrance for you, and the keen ear may understand it) (69:11-12), which means: `We left for you ships that you ride upon to travel across the depths of the seas, so that you may remember the blessing of Allah towards you when He saved you from drowning, and made you the descendants of those who believed in Allah and followed His commandments.'
(And (also) `Ad and Thamud, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass,) We have already discussed their story, which is referred to in more than one Surah, such as Surat Al-A`raf, and there is no need to repeat it here. As for the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, Ibn Jurayj narrated from Ibn `Abbas about the Dwellers of Ar-Rass that they were the people of one of the villages of Thamud. Ath-Thawri narrated from Abu Bukayr from `Ikrimah that Ar-Rass was a well where they buried (Rassu) their Prophet.
(and many generations in between. ) means nations, many more than have been mentioned here, whom We destroyed. Allah said:
(And for each We put forward examples,) meaning, `We showed them the proof and gave them clear evidence,' as Qatadah said, "They had no excuse.''
(and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.) means, `We destroyed them completely.' This is like the Ayah,
(And how many generations (Qurun) have We destroyed after Nuh!) (17:17). "Generations'' (Qurun) here refers to nations among mankind. This is like the Ayah,
(Then, after them, We created other generations (Qurun).) (23:42) Some defined a generation as being 120 years, or it was said that a generation was one hundred years, or eighty, or forty, etc. The most correct view is that a generation refers to nations who are one another's contemporaries, living at the same time. When they go and others succeed them, this is another generation, as it was recorded in the Two Sahihs:
(The best of generations is my generation, then the one that follows it, then the one that follows that.)
(And indeed they have passed by the town on which was rained the evil rain.) refers to the town of the people of Lut, which was called Sodom, and the way in which Allah dealt with it, when He destroyed it by turning it upside down and by sending upon it the rain of stones of baked clay, as Allah says:
(And We rained on them a rain. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned!) (26:176),
(Verily, you pass by them in the morning. And at night; will you not then reflect) (37:137-138),
(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (15:76),
(They are both on an open highway, plain to see) (15:79). Allah says:
(Did they not then see it) meaning, so that they might learn a lesson from what happened to its inhabitants of punishment for denying the Messenger and going against the commands of Allah.
(Nay! But they used not to expect any resurrection.) means, the disbelievers who passed by it did not learn any lesson, because they did not expect any resurrection, i.e., on the Day of Judgment.
(41. And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger'') (42. "He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!'' And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) (43. Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire Would you then be a guardian over him) (44. Or do you think that most of them hear or understand They are only like cattle -- nay, they are even farther astray from the path.)
أَمۡ تَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ أَڪۡثَرَهُمۡ يَسۡمَعُونَ أَوۡ يَعۡقِلُونَۚ إِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا كَٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِۖ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً
Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way.
Allah threatens the idolaters who denied and opposed His Messenger Muhammad and He warns them of the punishment and painful torment He sent upon the previous nations who rejected their Messengers. Allah begins by mentioning Musa, upon him be peace, whom He sent along with his brother Harun as a helper -- i.e., as another Prophet who helped and supported him -- but Fir`awn and his chiefs denied them both:
(Allah destroyed them completely, and similar (awaits) the disbelievers) (47:10). And when the people of Nuh denied him, Allah destroyed them likewise, for whoever denies one Messenger denies all the Messengers, because there is no difference between one Messenger and another. If it had so happened that Allah had sent all His Messengers to them, they would have denied them all. Allah says:
(And Nuh's people, when they denied the Messengers,) although Allah sent only Nuh to them, and he stayed among them for 950 years, calling them to Allah and warning them of His punishment,
(And none believed with him, except a few) (11:40). For this reason Allah drowned them all and left no one among the sons of Adam alive on earth apart from those who boarded the boat,
(and We made them a sign for mankind.) meaning a lesson to be learned. This is like the Ayah,
(Verily, when the water rose beyond its limits, We carried you in the boat. That We might make it a remembrance for you, and the keen ear may understand it) (69:11-12), which means: `We left for you ships that you ride upon to travel across the depths of the seas, so that you may remember the blessing of Allah towards you when He saved you from drowning, and made you the descendants of those who believed in Allah and followed His commandments.'
(And (also) `Ad and Thamud, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass,) We have already discussed their story, which is referred to in more than one Surah, such as Surat Al-A`raf, and there is no need to repeat it here. As for the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, Ibn Jurayj narrated from Ibn `Abbas about the Dwellers of Ar-Rass that they were the people of one of the villages of Thamud. Ath-Thawri narrated from Abu Bukayr from `Ikrimah that Ar-Rass was a well where they buried (Rassu) their Prophet.
(and many generations in between. ) means nations, many more than have been mentioned here, whom We destroyed. Allah said:
(And for each We put forward examples,) meaning, `We showed them the proof and gave them clear evidence,' as Qatadah said, "They had no excuse.''
(and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.) means, `We destroyed them completely.' This is like the Ayah,
(And how many generations (Qurun) have We destroyed after Nuh!) (17:17). "Generations'' (Qurun) here refers to nations among mankind. This is like the Ayah,
(Then, after them, We created other generations (Qurun).) (23:42) Some defined a generation as being 120 years, or it was said that a generation was one hundred years, or eighty, or forty, etc. The most correct view is that a generation refers to nations who are one another's contemporaries, living at the same time. When they go and others succeed them, this is another generation, as it was recorded in the Two Sahihs:
(The best of generations is my generation, then the one that follows it, then the one that follows that.)
(And indeed they have passed by the town on which was rained the evil rain.) refers to the town of the people of Lut, which was called Sodom, and the way in which Allah dealt with it, when He destroyed it by turning it upside down and by sending upon it the rain of stones of baked clay, as Allah says:
(And We rained on them a rain. And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned!) (26:176),
(Verily, you pass by them in the morning. And at night; will you not then reflect) (37:137-138),
(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) (15:76),
(They are both on an open highway, plain to see) (15:79). Allah says:
(Did they not then see it) meaning, so that they might learn a lesson from what happened to its inhabitants of punishment for denying the Messenger and going against the commands of Allah.
(Nay! But they used not to expect any resurrection.) means, the disbelievers who passed by it did not learn any lesson, because they did not expect any resurrection, i.e., on the Day of Judgment.
(41. And when they see you, they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger'') (42. "He would have nearly misled us from our gods, had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!'' And they will know, when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the path!) (43. Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire Would you then be a guardian over him) (44. Or do you think that most of them hear or understand They are only like cattle -- nay, they are even farther astray from the path.)
أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ كَيۡفَ مَدَّ ٱلظِّلَّ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ لَجَعَلَهُ ۥ سَاكِنً۬ا ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَا ٱلشَّمۡسَ عَلَيۡهِ دَلِيلاً۬
Have you not considered your Lord – how He extends the shadow, and if He willed, He could have made it stationary? Then We made the sun for it an indication.
Then Allah tells His Prophet that if Allah decrees that someone will be misguided and wretched, then no one can guide him except Allah, glory be to Him:
(Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire) meaning, whatever he admires and sees as good in his own desires becomes his religion and his way. As Allah says:
(Is he then, to whom the evil of his deeds is made fair seeming. So that he consider it as good. Verily, Allah sends astray whom he wills.) (35:8)
(Would you then be a guardian over him) Ibn `Abbas said: "During the Jahiliyyah, a man would worship a white rock for a while, then if he saw another that looked better, he would worship that and leave the first.'' Then Allah said:
(Or do you think that most of them hear or understand) meaning, they are worse than grazing cattle. Cattle only do what they were created to do, but these people were created to worship Allah Alone without associating partners with Him, but they worship others with Him, even though evidence has been established against them and Messengers have been sent to them.
(45. Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still -- but We have made the sun its guide.) (46. Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) (47. And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you, and the sleep (as) a repose, and makes the day Nushur.)
ثُمَّ قَبَضۡنَـٰهُ إِلَيۡنَا قَبۡضً۬ا يَسِيرً۬ا
Then We hold it in hand for a brief grasp.
Then Allah tells His Prophet that if Allah decrees that someone will be misguided and wretched, then no one can guide him except Allah, glory be to Him:
(Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire) meaning, whatever he admires and sees as good in his own desires becomes his religion and his way. As Allah says:
(Is he then, to whom the evil of his deeds is made fair seeming. So that he consider it as good. Verily, Allah sends astray whom he wills.) (35:8)
(Would you then be a guardian over him) Ibn `Abbas said: "During the Jahiliyyah, a man would worship a white rock for a while, then if he saw another that looked better, he would worship that and leave the first.'' Then Allah said:
(Or do you think that most of them hear or understand) meaning, they are worse than grazing cattle. Cattle only do what they were created to do, but these people were created to worship Allah Alone without associating partners with Him, but they worship others with Him, even though evidence has been established against them and Messengers have been sent to them.
(45. Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still -- but We have made the sun its guide.) (46. Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) (47. And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you, and the sleep (as) a repose, and makes the day Nushur.)
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِبَاسً۬ا وَٱلنَّوۡمَ سُبَاتً۬ا وَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّہَارَ نُشُورً۬ا
And it is He who has made the night for you as clothing and sleep [a means for] rest and has made the day a resurrection.
Then Allah tells His Prophet that if Allah decrees that someone will be misguided and wretched, then no one can guide him except Allah, glory be to Him:
(Have you seen him who has taken as his god his own vain desire) meaning, whatever he admires and sees as good in his own desires becomes his religion and his way. As Allah says:
(Is he then, to whom the evil of his deeds is made fair seeming. So that he consider it as good. Verily, Allah sends astray whom he wills.) (35:8)
(Would you then be a guardian over him) Ibn `Abbas said: "During the Jahiliyyah, a man would worship a white rock for a while, then if he saw another that looked better, he would worship that and leave the first.'' Then Allah said:
(Or do you think that most of them hear or understand) meaning, they are worse than grazing cattle. Cattle only do what they were created to do, but these people were created to worship Allah Alone without associating partners with Him, but they worship others with Him, even though evidence has been established against them and Messengers have been sent to them.
(45. Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still -- but We have made the sun its guide.) (46. Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) (47. And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you, and the sleep (as) a repose, and makes the day Nushur.)
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَرۡسَلَ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦۚ وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ طَهُورً۬ا
And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy, and We send down from the sky pure water
Here Allah begins explaining the evidence for His existence and His perfect power to create various things and pairs of opposites. Allah says:
(Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow.) Ibn `Abbas, Ibn `Umar, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, Masruq, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, An-Nakha`i, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others said, "This refers to the period from the beginning of the dawn until the sun rises.''
(If He willed, He could have made it still) meaning, immobile, never changing. This is like the Ayat:
(Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the night continuous for you...'') (28:71)
(but We have made the sun its guide.) means, were it not for the sun rising, it would not be there, for a thing can only be known in contrast to its opposite. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "The sun is a guide which follows the shade until the shade disappears. ''
(Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) This refers to the shade.
(gradual) meaning slowly. As-Suddi said: "A gentle, concealed, withdrawal until there is no shade left on earth except under a roof or a tree, and the sun is shining on whatever is above it.''
(a gradual withdrawal.) Ayyub bin Musa said: "Little by little.
(And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you,) It covers and conceals all things. This is like the Ayah:
(By the night as it envelops) (92:1).
(and the sleep a repose,) means, a halt to movement so that bodies may rest. For the faculties and limbs get tired from their constant movement during the day when one goes out to earn a living. When night comes, and it becomes quiet, they stop moving, and rest; so sleep provides a rejuvenation for both the body and the soul.
(and makes the day Nushur) meaning, people get up and go out to earn a living and attend to their business. This is like the Ayah:
(It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and that you may seek of His bounty...) (28:73)
(48. And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy; and We send down pure water from the sky,) (49. That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We have created.) (50. And indeed We have distributed it among them in order that they may remember the grace of Allah, but most men refuse (out of) gratitude.)
لِّنُحۡـِۧىَ بِهِۦ بَلۡدَةً۬ مَّيۡتً۬ا وَنُسۡقِيَهُ ۥ مِمَّا خَلَقۡنَآ أَنۡعَـٰمً۬ا وَأَنَاسِىَّ ڪَثِيرً۬ا
That We may bring to life thereby a dead land and give it as drink to those We created of numerous livestock and men.
Here Allah begins explaining the evidence for His existence and His perfect power to create various things and pairs of opposites. Allah says:
(Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow.) Ibn `Abbas, Ibn `Umar, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, Masruq, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, An-Nakha`i, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others said, "This refers to the period from the beginning of the dawn until the sun rises.''
(If He willed, He could have made it still) meaning, immobile, never changing. This is like the Ayat:
(Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the night continuous for you...'') (28:71)
(but We have made the sun its guide.) means, were it not for the sun rising, it would not be there, for a thing can only be known in contrast to its opposite. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "The sun is a guide which follows the shade until the shade disappears. ''
(Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) This refers to the shade.
(gradual) meaning slowly. As-Suddi said: "A gentle, concealed, withdrawal until there is no shade left on earth except under a roof or a tree, and the sun is shining on whatever is above it.''
(a gradual withdrawal.) Ayyub bin Musa said: "Little by little.
(And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you,) It covers and conceals all things. This is like the Ayah:
(By the night as it envelops) (92:1).
(and the sleep a repose,) means, a halt to movement so that bodies may rest. For the faculties and limbs get tired from their constant movement during the day when one goes out to earn a living. When night comes, and it becomes quiet, they stop moving, and rest; so sleep provides a rejuvenation for both the body and the soul.
(and makes the day Nushur) meaning, people get up and go out to earn a living and attend to their business. This is like the Ayah:
(It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and that you may seek of His bounty...) (28:73)
(48. And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy; and We send down pure water from the sky,) (49. That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We have created.) (50. And indeed We have distributed it among them in order that they may remember the grace of Allah, but most men refuse (out of) gratitude.)
وَلَقَدۡ صَرَّفۡنَـٰهُ بَيۡنَہُمۡ لِيَذَّكَّرُواْ فَأَبَىٰٓ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ إِلَّا ڪُفُورً۬ا
And We have certainly distributed it among them that they might be reminded, but most of the people refuse except disbelief.
Here Allah begins explaining the evidence for His existence and His perfect power to create various things and pairs of opposites. Allah says:
(Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow.) Ibn `Abbas, Ibn `Umar, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Malik, Masruq, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, An-Nakha`i, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi and others said, "This refers to the period from the beginning of the dawn until the sun rises.''
(If He willed, He could have made it still) meaning, immobile, never changing. This is like the Ayat:
(Say: "Tell me! If Allah made the night continuous for you...'') (28:71)
(but We have made the sun its guide.) means, were it not for the sun rising, it would not be there, for a thing can only be known in contrast to its opposite. Qatadah and As-Suddi said, "The sun is a guide which follows the shade until the shade disappears. ''
(Then We withdraw it towards Ourselves -- a gradual withdrawal.) This refers to the shade.
(gradual) meaning slowly. As-Suddi said: "A gentle, concealed, withdrawal until there is no shade left on earth except under a roof or a tree, and the sun is shining on whatever is above it.''
(a gradual withdrawal.) Ayyub bin Musa said: "Little by little.
(And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you,) It covers and conceals all things. This is like the Ayah:
(By the night as it envelops) (92:1).
(and the sleep a repose,) means, a halt to movement so that bodies may rest. For the faculties and limbs get tired from their constant movement during the day when one goes out to earn a living. When night comes, and it becomes quiet, they stop moving, and rest; so sleep provides a rejuvenation for both the body and the soul.
(and makes the day Nushur) meaning, people get up and go out to earn a living and attend to their business. This is like the Ayah:
(It is out of His mercy that He has made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and that you may seek of His bounty...) (28:73)
(48. And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy; and We send down pure water from the sky,) (49. That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We have created.) (50. And indeed We have distributed it among them in order that they may remember the grace of Allah, but most men refuse (out of) gratitude.)