What is Islam

SAD.

1 Sad: by the Quran, full of Admonition: (this is the Truth).
2 But the Unbelievers (are steeped) in Self glory and separatism.
3 How many generations before them did We destroy? in the end they cried (for mercy) when there was no longer time for being saved.
4 So they wonder that a Warner has come to them from among themselves and the Unbelievers say, this is a sorcerer telling lies.
5 Has he made the gods (all) into one Allah? truly this is a wonderful thing.
6 And the leaders among them go away (impatiently), (saying), walk ye away, and remain constant to your gods for this is truly a thing designed (against you).
7 We never heard (the like) of this among the people of these latter days: this is nothing but a made up tale.
8 What Has the message been sent to him (of all persons) among us? But they are in doubt concerning My (own) Message nay, they have not yet tasted My Punishment.
9 Or have they the Treasures of the Mercy of thy Lord, the Exalted in power, the Grantor of Bounties without measure?
10 Or have they the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all between? If so, let them mount up with the ropes and means (to reach that end).
11 But there will be put to flight even a host of confederates.
12 Before them (were many who) rejected messengers the People of Noah, and `Ad, and Pharaoh the Lord of Stakes,
13 And Thamud, and the People of Lut, and the Companions of the Wood; such were the Confederates.
14 Not one (of them) but rejected the messengers, but My Punishment came justly and inevitably (on them).
15 These (to day) only wait for a single mighty Blast, which (when it comes) will brook no delay.
16 They say: Our Lord hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account
17 Have patience at what they say, and remember Our Servant David, the men of strength for he ever turned (to Allah).
18 It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, our Praises, at eventide and a break of day,
19 And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to Allah).
20 We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision.
21 Has the Story of the Disputants reached thee? behold, they climbed over the wall of the private chamber;
22 When they entered the presence of David, and he was terrified of them, they said: fear not: we are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: decide now between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, but guide us to the Even Path.
23 This man is my brother: he has nine and ninety ewes, and I have (but) one: yet he says, Commit her to my care, and is (moreover) harsh to me in speech.
24 (David) said: He has undoubtedly wronged thee in demanding thy (single) ewe to be added to his (flock of) ewes: truly many are the Partners (in business) who wrong each other: not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, And how few are they? And David gathered that we had tried him: he asked forgiveness of his Lord, fell down, bowing (in prostration), and turned (to Allah in repentance).
25 So We forgave him this (lapse): he enjoyed, indeed, a Near Approach to Us, and a beautiful Place of (final) Return.
26 O David We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth: so judge thou between men in truth (and justice): nor follow thou the lusts (of thy heart), for they will mislead thee from the Path of Allah: for those who wander astray from the Path of Allah, is a Penalty Grievous, for that they forget the Day of Account.
27 Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between. That were the thought of Unbelievers but woe to the Unbelievers because of the Fire (of Hell).
28 Shall We treat those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, the same as those who do mischief on earth? Shall We treat those who guard against evil, the same as those who turn aside from the right?
29 (Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.
30 To David We gave Solomon (for a son), how excellent in Our service ever did he turn (to Us).
31 Behold, there were brought before him, at eventide, coursers of the highest breeding, and swift of foot;
32 And he said, Truly do I love the love of Good, with a view to the glory of my Lord, until (the sun) was hidden in the veil (of Night):
33 Bring them back to me then began he to pass his hand over (their) legs and their necks.
34 And We did try Solomon: We placed on his throne a body (without life) but he did turn (to Us in true devotion):
35 He said, O my Lord forgive me, and grant me a Kingdom which, (it may be), suits not another after me: for Thou art the Grantor of Bounties (without measure).
36 Then We subjected the Wind to his power, to flow gently to his order, whithersoever he willed,
37 As also the evil ones, (including) every kind of builder and diver,
38 As also the others bound together in fetters.
39 Such are Our Bounties: whether thou bestow them (on others) or withhold them, no account will be asked.
40 And he enjoyed, indeed, a near Approach to Us, and a beautiful Place of (final) Return.
41 Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord: The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering
42 (The command was given:) Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink.
43 And We gave him (back) his people, and doubled their number, as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have Understanding.
44 And take in thy hand a little grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath). Truly We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in Our service Ever did he turn (to Us)
45 And commemorate Our Servants Abraham, Isaac, And Jacob, possessors of Power and Vision.
46 Verily We did choose them for a special (purpose) proclaiming the Message of the Hereafter.
47 They were, in Our sight truly, of the company of the Elect and the Good.
48 And commemorate Isma`il Elisha, and Zul Kifl: each of them was of the company of the Good.
49 This is a Message (of admonition): and verily, for the Righteous, is a beautiful place of (final) Return,
50 Gardens of Eternity, whose doors will (ever) be open to them;
51 Therein will they Recline (at ease); therein can they call (at pleasure) for fruit in abundance, and (delicious) drink;
52 And beside them will be chaste women restraining their glances, (companions) of equal age.
53 Such is the Promise made to you for the Day of Account.
54 Truly such will be our Bounty (to you) it will never fail;
55 Yea, such. But for the wrongdoers will be an evil place of (final) Return.
56 Hell they will burn therein, an evil bed (indeed, to lie on)
57 Yea, such. Then shall they taste it, a boiling fluid, and a fluid dark, murky, intensely cold.
58 And other Penalties of a similar kind to match them.
59 Here is a troop rushing headlong with you no welcome for them truly, they shall burn in the Fire.
60 (The followers shall cry to the misleaders:) nay, ye (too) No welcome for you. It is ye who have brought this upon us now evil is (this) place to stay in
61 They will say: Our Lord whoever brought this upon us add him a double Penalty in the Fire
62 And they will say: What has happened to us that we see not men whom we used to number among the bad ones?
63 Did we treat them (as such) in ridicule, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?
64 Truly that is just and fitting, the mutual recriminations of the People of the Fire.
65 Say: Truly am I a Warner: no god is there but the One Allah, Supreme and Irresistible,
66 The Lord of the heavens and the earth, Exalted in Might, able to enforce His Will, Forgiving again and again.
67 Say: That is a Message supreme (above all),
68 From which ye do turn away.
69 No knowledge have I of the Chiefs on high, when they discuss (matters) among themselves.
70 Only this has been revealed to me: that I am to give warning plainly and publicly
71 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: I am about to create man from clay:
72 When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.
73 So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:
74 Not so Iblis: he was haughty, and became one of those who reject Faith.
75 (Allah) said: O Iblis. What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with My hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?
76 (Iblis) said: I am better than he: Thou createdst me from fire, and him thou createdst from clay.
77 (Allah) said: Then get thee our from here: for thou art rejected, accursed.
78 And My Curse shall be on thee till the Day of Judgment.
79 (Iblis) said: O my Lord give me them respite till the Day the (dead) are raised.
80 (Allah) said: Respite then is granted thee
81 Till the Day of the Time Appointed.
82 (Iblis) said: Then, by Thy Power, I will put them all in the wrong,
83 Except Thy Servants amongst them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).
84 (Allah) said: Then it is just and fitting and I say what is just and fitting
85 That I will certainly fill Hell with thee and those that follow thee every one.
86 Say: No reward do I ask of you for this (Quran), nor am I a pretender.
87 This is no less than a Message to (all) the Worlds.
88 And ye shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while.

**************************************************

Explination of the Surah

Name The Surah takes its name from the alphabetic letter Suad with which it begins. Period of Revelation As will be explained below, according to some traditions this Surah was sent down in the period when the Holy Prophet had started calling the people openly to Islam in Makkah, and this had caused great alarm among the chiefs of the Quraish. If this be true, its period of revelation would be about the 4th year of the Prophet-hood. According to some other traditions, it was sent down after Hadrat Umar's embracing Islam, and this happened, as is well known, after the migration to Habash. Another chain of the traditions shows that the event which occasioned the revelation of this Surah took place during the last illness of Abu Talib. If this be correct, the period of its revelation would be the 10th or 11th year of the Prophet-hood. Historical Background Here is a resume of the traditions related by Imam Ahmad, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Shaibah, Ibn Aba Hatim, Muhammad bin Ishaq and others: When Abu Talib fell ill, and the Quraish chiefs knew that his end was near, they held consultations and decided to approach the old chief with the request that he should solve the dispute between them and his nephew. For they feared that if Abu Talib died and then they subjected Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) to a harsh treatment, after his death, the Arabs would taunt them, saying, "They were afraid of the old chief as long as he lived now that he is dead they have started maltreating his nephew. " At least 25 of the Quraish chiefs including Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan, Umayyah bin Khalaf, As bin Wa'il, Aswad bin al-Muttalib, 'Uqbah bin Abi Mu'ait, Utbah and Shaibah went to Abu Talib. First, they put before him their complaints against the Holy Prophet as usual, then said, "We have come to present before you a just request and it is this : let your nephew leave us to our religion, and we shall leave him to his. He may worship whomever he may please: we shall not stand in his way in this matter; but he should not condemn our gods, and should not try to force us to give them up. Please tell him to make terms with us on this condition". Abu Talib called the Holy Prophet and said, "Dear nephew, these people of your tribe have come to me with a request. They want you to agree with them on a just matter so as to put an end to your dispute with them. " Then he told him about the request of the chiefs of the Quraish. The Holy Prophet replied, "Dear uncle: I shall request them to agree upon a thing which, if they accept, will enable them to conquer the whole of Arabia and subject the non-Arab world to their domination. " Hearing this the people were first confounded; they did not know how they should turn down such a proposal. Then, after they had considered the matter, they replied: "You speak of one word: we are prepared to repeat ten others like it, but please tell us what it is. " The Holy Prophet said: La ilaha ill-Allah. At this they got up all together and left the place saying what Allah has narrated in the initial part of this Surah. Ibn Sa'd in his Tabaqat has related this event just as cited above, but, according to him, this did not happen during Abu Talibs last illness but at the time when the Holy Prophet had started preaching Islam openly, and the news of the conversion of one person or the other was being heard almost daily in Makkah. In those days the Quraish chiefs had led several deputations to Abu Talib and had asked him to stop Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) from preaching his message, and it was with one of those deputations that this conversation had taken place. Zamakhshari, Razi, Nisaburi and some other commentators say that this deputation went to Abu Talib at the time then the chiefs of the Quraish had been upset at Hadrat Umar's embracing Islam; but no reference to its basis is available in any book of the traditions, nor have these commentators cited the source of their this information. However, if it be true, it is understand able. For the unbelieving Quraish had already been bewildered to see that the person who had arisen from among themselves with the message of Islam had no parallel in the entire tribe as regarded nobility, purity of character, wisdom and seriousness. Moreover, his right-hand-man and chief supporter was a man like Abu Bakr, who was well known in and around Makkah as a gentle, righteous and brilliant man. Now when they might have seen that a brave and resolute man like Umar also had joined them, they must have felt that the danger was growing and becoming intolerable. Subject Matter and Topics The Surah begins with a review of the aforesaid meeting. Making the dialogue between the Holy Prophet and the disbelievers the basis, Allah says that the actual reason with those people for their denial is not any defect in the message of Islam but their own arrogance, jealousy and insistence on following the blind. They are not prepared to believe in a man from their own clan as a Prophet of God and follow him. They want to persist in the ideas of ignorance which they have found their ancestors following. And when a person exposes their this ignorance and presents the truth before them, they are alarmed and regard it as an oddity, rather as a novel and impossible thing. For them the concept of Tauhid and the Hereafter is not only an unacceptable creed but also a concept which only deserves to be ridiculed and mocked. Then, Allah, both in the initial part of the Surah and in its last sentences, has precisely warned the disbelievers, as if to say, "The man whom you are ridiculing today and whose guidance you reject will soon overpower you, and the time is not far when in this very city of Makkah, where you are persecuting him, he will overwhelm you completely. " Then describing nine of the Prophets, one after the other, with greater details of the story of the Prophets David and Solomon; Allah has emphasized the point that His Law of Justice is impartial and objective, that only the right attitude of man is acceptable to Him, that He calls to account and punishes every wrongdoer who. ever he be, and that He likes only those people who do not persist in wrongdoing but repent as soon as they are warned of it, and pass their life in the world keeping in mind their accountability in the Hereafter. After this, the final end that the obedient servants and the disobedient people will meet in the Hereafter, has been depicted, and two things have been especially impressed on the disbelievers: (1) That the leaders and guides whom the ignorant people are following blindly in the world, on the way of deviation, will have reached Hell even before their followers in the Hereafter, and the two groups will be cursing each other there; and (2) that the disbelievers will be amazed to see that there is no trace whatever in Hell of the believers whom they used to regard as contemptible in the world and will themselves be involved in its torment. In conclusion, mention has been made of the story of Adam and Iblis (Satan), which is meant to tell the disbelieving Quraish that the same arrogance and vanity which was preventing them from bowing before Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) had prevented Iblis also from bowing before Adam. Iblis felt jealous of the high rank God had given to Adam and became accursed when he disobeyed His Command. Likewise, "You, O people of Quraish, are feeling jealous of the high rank God has bestowed on Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) and are not prepared to obey him whom God has appointed His messenger. Therefore, you will be doomed ultimately to the same fate as will be met by Satan. "