Surah 61. As-Saf

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Verses [Section]: 1-9[1], 10-14 [2]

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Quran Text of Verse 1-961. As-Safبِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِسَبَّحَGlorifiesلِلّٰهِAllahمَاwhateverفِی(is) inالسَّمٰوٰتِthe heavensوَ مَاand whateverفِی(is) inالْاَرْضِ ۚthe earthوَ هُوَAnd Heالْعَزِیْزُ(is) the All-Mightyالْحَكِیْمُ the All-Wise یٰۤاَیُّهَاOالَّذِیْنَ(you) whoاٰمَنُوْاbelieveلِمَWhyتَقُوْلُوْنَ(do) you sayمَاwhatلَاnotتَفْعَلُوْنَ you do كَبُرَGreat isمَقْتًاhatredعِنْدَwithاللّٰهِAllahاَنْthatتَقُوْلُوْاyou sayمَاwhatلَاnotتَفْعَلُوْنَ you do اِنَّIndeedاللّٰهَAllahیُحِبُّlovesالَّذِیْنَthose whoیُقَاتِلُوْنَfightفِیْinسَبِیْلِهٖHis Wayصَفًّا(in) a rowكَاَنَّهُمْas if theyبُنْیَانٌ(were) a structureمَّرْصُوْصٌ joined firmly وَ اِذْAnd whenقَالَsaidمُوْسٰیMusaلِقَوْمِهٖto his peopleیٰقَوْمِO my peopleلِمَWhyتُؤْذُوْنَنِیْdo you hurt meوَ قَدْwhile certainlyتَّعْلَمُوْنَyou knowاَنِّیْthat I amرَسُوْلُ(the) Messengerاللّٰهِ(of) Allahاِلَیْكُمْ ؕto youفَلَمَّاThen whenزَاغُوْۤاthey deviatedاَزَاغَ(was caused to) deviateاللّٰهُ(by) Allahقُلُوْبَهُمْ ؕtheir heartsوَ اللّٰهُAnd Allahلَا(does) notیَهْدِیguideالْقَوْمَthe peopleالْفٰسِقِیْنَ the defiantly disobedient 61. As-Saf Page 552وَ اِذْAnd whenقَالَsaidعِیْسَیIsaابْنُsonمَرْیَمَ(of) MaryamیٰبَنِیْۤO Childrenاِسْرَآءِیْلَ(of) IsraelاِنِّیْIndeed, I amرَسُوْلُ(the) Messengerاللّٰهِ(of) Allahاِلَیْكُمْto youمُّصَدِّقًاconfirmingلِّمَاthat whichبَیْنَ(was) betweenیَدَیَّmy handsمِنَofالتَّوْرٰىةِthe Tauratوَ مُبَشِّرًۢاand bringing glad tidingsبِرَسُوْلٍ(of) a Messengerیَّاْتِیْto comeمِنْۢfromبَعْدِیafter meاسْمُهٗۤwhose name (will be)اَحْمَدُ ؕAhmadفَلَمَّاBut whenجَآءَهُمْhe came to themبِالْبَیِّنٰتِwith clear proofsقَالُوْاthey saidهٰذَاThisسِحْرٌ(is) a magicمُّبِیْنٌ clear وَ مَنْAnd whoاَظْلَمُ(is) more wrongمِمَّنِthan (one) whoافْتَرٰیinventsعَلَیuponاللّٰهِAllahالْكَذِبَthe lieوَ هُوَwhile heیُدْعٰۤیis invitedاِلَیtoالْاِسْلَامِ ؕIslamوَ اللّٰهُAnd Allahلَا(does) notیَهْدِیguideالْقَوْمَthe peopleالظّٰلِمِیْنَ [the] wrongdoers یُرِیْدُوْنَThey intendلِیُطْفِـُٔوْاto put outنُوْرَ(the) lightاللّٰهِ(of) Allahبِاَفْوَاهِهِمْwith their mouthsوَ اللّٰهُbut Allahمُتِمُّwill perfectنُوْرِهٖHis Lightوَ لَوْalthoughكَرِهَdislikeالْكٰفِرُوْنَ the disbelievers هُوَHeالَّذِیْۤ(is) the One WhoاَرْسَلَsentرَسُوْلَهٗHis Messengerبِالْهُدٰیwith guidanceوَ دِیْنِand (the) religionالْحَقِّ(of) the truthلِیُظْهِرَهٗto make it prevailعَلَیoverالدِّیْنِthe religionكُلِّهٖall of themوَ لَوْalthoughكَرِهَdislike (it)الْمُشْرِكُوْنَ۠the polytheists

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Translation of Verse 1-9In the name of Allah, most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. All that is in the heavens and the earth recite Tasbeeh of (hallow) Allah¹ and HE is the Mighty, the Wise.

2. O you who believe ! ² Why do you say a thing which you do not do!³

3. It is most odious to Allah that you say which you do not.⁴

4. Allah loves those who battle in His way in rank as if they were a compact wall. ⁵

5. And remember when Moosa said to his people: O my people why do you harass me when you know well that I am Allah’s messenger to you.⁶ So when they went astray, Allah made their hearts go astray.⁷ Allah does not guide the transgressors.⁸

6. And when Isa son of Mariyam said: O children of Israel ! I am Allah’s messenger to you.⁹ confirming that which is from Taurat before me¹⁰ And giving good tidings of a messenger who is to come after me. His name will be Ahmad.¹¹ Then when he came to them with clear signs they said; this is clear magic.¹²

7. And who is greater wrong doer than he who fabricates lie against Allah even as he is invited to Islam? ¹³ Allah does not guide the unjust people.¹⁴

8. They want to extingush the light of Allah with the blows of their mouth. But Allah is to perfect His light even though it may be disgusting to the disbeleivers.¹⁵

9. It is HE Who sent His messenger with Guidance and True Religion so that HE may make it supreme over all religions even though polytheists may dislike it. ¹⁶

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Commentary

1. This has been explained in note-1 of Surah Hadeed.

2. Though the address is to common Muslims, it is meant for persons having a weak character.

3. Here the aim is to make man realise that he should act exactly upon what he says. Why should he announce a thing which he is, not going to do? Though this is a general exhortation, which includes breaking promise, in view are particularly, those people who used to say that if they got a chance to fight with the disbelievers they would fight courageously against them, But when they began to get such chances they hesitated and tried to the avoid a real fight.

4. Allah extremely dislikes and frowns upon those people who do not do what they say and who are mere orators and only warriors of words. They are valueless in the sight of Allah. It is absolutely essential that one must act upon what he says, Islam gives importance to “performing”not“proclaiming or pronouncing”. It is very detestable to make big claims and then become cold-feet.

5. Allah loves men of character who unite, line up and fight in the way of Allah in a well organized way. Lining up in ranks in the battlefield is an effective show of force and an expression of command decision. It also prevents infiltration of enemies.

War in the way of Allah can be waged only by those who battle only for the attainment of Allah’s pleasure and for making His religion supreme. Those wars of Muslims which are for worldly gains cannot be called “Jihad Fee Sabeelillaah” (Battles for Allah’s cause).

6. Despite knowing that prophet Moosa is Allah’s messengers, the Bani Israel were harassing him. Quran has quoted several instances of such misbehavior of Bani Israel. Surah Maidah mentions the trouble given by them to Moosa in the matter of “jihad fee sabeelillah.” When prophet Moosa (peace be upon him) ordered them to enter the holy land they replied that the people living there are very strong so we will not go there until they vacate. Not only that, they also said;

“Go you and your Lord; and fight you two, we shall remain here sitting.” (Maaidah : 24)

By pointing to this misbehavior of Israel toward prophet Moosa, it is intended that followers of the holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should never adopt such attitude toward their prophet. They must have full confidence in the leadership and guidance of their prophet and fight faithfully and make extreme sacrifice for the noble cause.

7. The one who does not like the straight religion (path) and talks in a deviated manner, Allah deviates his heart too. Thereafter the entire mode of his thinking becomes crooked and he proceeds only on the wrong path. Therefore, the believers have been advised to recite this prayer from the bottom of their hearts:

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate after you have guided us, and bestow on us mercy from your blessings”, (Aal-e- Imran: 8)

8. The path of guidance is not disclosed for those who want to remain disobedient, Only he gets guidance who desires and appreciates it.

When the Bani Israel (Children of Israel) disobeyed the command for jihad, they were branded “Fasiq” (transgresssors). (Please see ayah 25-26 of Surah Maidah).

9. For explanation please see Surah Aal-e- IMRAN, note: 72.

10. This has been explained in Surah Aal-e- Imran, note: 74.

It becomes clear from the words” that which is from Taurat before me” that Taurat was not extant in full and in its original form even in the time of prophet Isa (peace be upon him). Only parts there from were extant. The holy prophet testified them.

11. This is a very clear prediction of foretelling about the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).Which was given by Prophet Isa. Since Isa was the last prophet from Bani Israel, after whom Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was to rise from Bani Ismail, the task of giving good tidings about it was entrusted by Allah especially to prophet Isa (Peace be upon him). He very explicitly, told the world about the grandeur of the coming prophet.

Prophecies, of whatever kind they may be have been, generally, given in hints. Whenever it is about a prophet then it has described his attribute instead of his original name. The only exception is prophet Yahya. The reason of it is that the attribute may be an evidence of his Prophethood.

“Ahmad” was the second (alias) name of the holy prophet. A hadith says:

“Jubair bin Mutam has narrated that the holy prophet said:I am Muhammad and I am Ahmad.” (Muslim, Kitab-ul- Fazaail)

The word “Ahmad” is derived from “Hamd” Imam Raghib has explained it thus:

“The hint of Ahmad is toward the name and the character of the holy prophet. What is meant to convey is that he will be “Isme -ba- musammaa” that is: he will be praiseworthy in his character and moral.” (Mafradat,P.130)

Another meaning of this word is “Who recites Allah’s praise very much (Ahmad magnifies hamd). The great extent to which the holy prophet has raised Allah, the expansion with which he has presented Allah’s praiseworthy attributes, the way he made salat to begin with the Surah Hamd, the grand treasure of Hamd and Tasbeeh which he gave to the Muslim community and the manner in which he filled the entire atmosphere with Allah’s praise is his distinction and a clear proof of his being Ahmed.

This name of the holy prophet is very well known. The poet companion Hassan bin Thabit has said in his poem:

“Allah and the angels around the Throne and the pious people send Darood on the holy prophet Muhammad”.

So far as the currently available injeels of Matthew, Marks, Lukes and John are concerned, they present the life and the teaching of prophet Isa in a defective way because those authors had compiled these books several years after prophet Isa had left this world. These compilers, except Matthew, were not the disciples of Isa, who might have heard Isa personally. Therefore the present one is not the original Injeel which held descended on prophet Isa. Of course some parts are certainly found in it. However it is not the original one. The religious language of Bani Israel was Hebrew and Taurat and other booklets (scriptures)are in Hebrew language, though in an altered condition. But the Injeel (Bible) is not extant in Hebrew.

The presently available Gospels are translated from Greek language. However, translation of translation has altered the original matter very much. Then these books themselves also do not claim to be the word by word Divine Revelation. The style of making up stories is clearly visible in them The commentator of Bible himself admits it. It has been mentioned in the Bible of Lukes that description of events is its aim. Nowhere it is claimed that it is Revelation:

“The motive and method of the writing of a Gospel are described in the prologue of the Gospel of Luke, without any claim to inspiration, the writer set out to get the best information that he could and to use the previous attempts which had been made. The narrative was not designed to be sacred scripture. It was a record of events wherein the sacred scriptures were fulfilled.” (Peak’s commentary on the Bible London 1962, P.4)

Yet we find clear signs of the coming prophet Muhammad (Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) alone. For example:

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me”.(John; 14:30)

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Councilor will not come to you.” (John,16:7)

“I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth: for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come”. (John, 16: 12-13)

The word “madadgar” (helper) is used in the Urdu translation of the Gospel. But Ibne Hishaam has clarified that the word used in Suryani language version of the Injeel is “Munhamanna” which means Muhammad. (See Ibne Hishaam, 1:251)

And there is this foretelling about the last Prophet in Matthew :-

“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

“The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.

“And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on anyone it will crush him. (Methews 21:42 to 45)

Now regarding the Bible of Barnabbas, the prophesy is explicit with name:

“Jesus replied: Be assured Barnabbas!....God desired that people may mock me on the death of Yehudah and all may know that I died on the cross. And this mockery will continue until God’s Prophet Muhammad comes. For when he comes he will unveil this fraud to those who believe in God’s commandments.” (Chapter 220) But this is not as authentic as the Injeel. The prophethood of the Holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is as bright as the sun. There is no need of resorting to weak pillars to prove it. The prophesies of the Gospel of Barnabbas cannot convince Christians as they do not regard it as authentic. A study of this bible indicates that it has been prepared by a Muslim and then attributed to Barnabbas. A detailed discussion is required about the non reliability of it but it is not possible here. So some points are given bellow:

1) It is not proved that Barnabbas was a Hawari of Isa(peace be upon him). “Acts” has mentioned that he had accompanied Paul in his journey of propagation to Antakiya. (Acts,15-22). But further details are missing.

2) Barnabbas has, in the beginning of his book, mentioned that the aim of writing it was to contradict the corrupt beliefs being spread by Paul and to bring forth the truth. But, at the end of his book, he writes that Jesus told him: “Listen Barnabbas! You do write my Bible.” (Chapter: 221) If Isa (peace up upon him) had ordered him earlier to write the Bible he should have done” this job from the very first day and he should also have stated the same, as the reason of its writing. But he remained silent until Paul spread his corrupt beliefs.

3) It is said about the Gospel of Barnabbas that taken its only one copy which was in the Italian language was in the library of Pope Sixtus(1585-1590) and it appeared in public in the beginning of the eighteenth century of the Christian era. If this Bible is really written by Barnabbas, in which language was it written and why it did not come to the knowledge of the whole world?

4) In this bible it is written regarding Mariam (peace be upon her) that when she became pregnant, she selected a companion from her clan for fear of being stoned to death, due to allegation of adultery and that the name of that fellow was Yusuf. (Chapter 2) This statement is totally against the Quran. It also tarnishes the noble character of Maryam Dawatul Quran 709 S. 61 (Alaihas Salam). She was a statue (model) of chastity. She had an unwavering Faith in Allah. How then could she connect (attribute her marriage) herself with a man who was not her husband?

5) It is mentioned in this bible that during a feast Isa (Alaihis Salaam) had turned water into wine miraculously. What an humbug thing has been attributed to the holy prophet Isa!!! (Chapter 15)

6) In this bible it is mentioned that Jesus said that the number of prophets was 1,44,000. (Chapter 17)

This mention is found in a weak tradition. It seems it is taken from that Daeef Hadith. In the same chapter it is also mentioned that in the time of Eliyah, Izbil had killed 10,000 prophets. This is sheer exaggeration. There is no ground for the existence of such a big number of messengers at one time. This is neither supported by Quran nor by Hadith.

7) It is mentioned in this Bible that Isa (A.S.) had said :”Satan was a Kahin and leader of angels”. (Chapter 25). This statement is also totally opposed to Quran.

8) According to a story of Adam mentioned in this bible:

“ When Adam got up he saw a writing in the air which was as bright as the sun that God is One and Muhammad is His Messenger. There upon Adam opened his mouth to say that: O God! My God! You have ordained my creation and I thankful to you for It. But I pray you to explain me the meaning of these words. “Muhammad is the Messenger of God”. Were there men even before me? Then God said: Well done my slave Adam! I inform you that you are the first man created by me and that the fellow whom you saw (mentioned) is your son, who will come in the world many years after you. He will be my Messenger. All things are created for his sake Adam prayed to God; My Lord, inscribe this writing on the nails of the fingers of my hands. Then God put it on the thumbs of the first man. On the right thumb was written “God is One” and on the left “Muhammad is God’s Messenger”. Then the first man, due to fatherly affection, kissed these words and rubbed his eyes and said: Blessed is the day when you will come. (Chapter 29) and it is mentioned in Chapter 41 that Adam saw on the gate of paradise the writing “God is only one and Muhammad is His Messenger”.

Such things are found in concocted traditions.(Mauzoo Ahadith)

It is really strange that Maulana Maududi has mentioned such a Gospel as authentic in which such baseless things are written and whose writer is an unknown person. Relying on them he has quoted the prophesies found in it. He writes:

“This discussion proves that the Gospel of Barnabbas is indeed more authentic than the four Gospels. It presents the true teaching and character of Isa (Alaihis Salaam)”. (Tafheemul Quran, Vol:V,P.471)

But it is not correct to be impressed by the pleasing things mentioned in a book which claims to be revelation. It affects our position (stand) and also creates other problems.

12. That is, Bani Israil termed the miracles of Isa (Alaihis Salam) magic. This subject has been mentioned in Surah Maidah also:

“And When I restrained (the hands of) Bani Israil from (harming) you, when you went to them with clear signs, and those of them, who disbelieved said: “This is nothing but clear magic.” Maidah : 110)

O you believe! Be Allah’s helpers. Just as Isa son of Maryam, said to his Hawaries (disciples): Who are my helpers in the way of Allah? The Havaries (disciples) responded: We are Allah’s helpers. So one group of the children of Israel believed and the other disbelieved.So WE helped the believers against their enemies and the became victorious.

13. That is, the call of the prophet of the Quran is directly toward Islam but these Jews etc, on the grounds of their false religious beliefs, are opposing it. Any belief which does not have Divine authority is tantamount to attribution of falsehood to God. For example the claim of the Jews that a prophet can come only in the Bani Israil, the Christian claim that Isa is the son of God, and the claim of the polytheists that there are several gods (deities) and that this man (Muhammad Sallal Lahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is not a messenger of Allah. These and other un- Islamic beliefs which are being considered as religious matters by the followers of other faiths due to which they do not accept Islam are attributing clear falsehood to Allah, even if they may or may not mention the name of Allah while saying such things because belief or religion is necessarily related to God. Hence to tell untruth about God is not an ordinary crime. It is a very serious sin.

14. So long as they do not give up this wrongdoing (deviation) they cannot get guidance.

15. The explanation has been given in Surah Taubah, note 64.

16. For clarification please see Surah Taubah, note 64 and Surah Fath, note 58.