165- AND OF MEN THOSE WHO TAKE EQUALS BESIDES ALLAH, THEY LOVE THEM AS THEY SHOULD LOVE ALLAH, THOSE WHO BELIEVE LOVE ALLAH MORE.  AND IF THE EVIL DOERS SEE AS THEY SEE THE PUNISHMENT THAT ALL POWER BELONGS TO ALLAH, AND THAT ALLAH IS SEVERE IN PUNISHMENT.

166- THEN THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED SHALL DISSOCIATE THEMSELVES FROM THOSE WHO FOLLOWED THEM, AS THEY WILL SEE THE PUNISHMENT, AND THEY WILL BE CUT OFF FROM ALL.

167- AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED THEM SHALL SAY: “IF WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO DISSOCIATE OURSELVES FROM THEM AS THEY DISSOCIATED THEMSELVES FROM US”.  THUS DOES ALLAH SHOW THEM THEIR DEEDS AS REGRETS FOR THEM, FOR THEY WILL NEVER EXIT FROM FIRE.

 

Allah the Highest tells us about three groups of people:

1-    Those who take equals besides Allah.  Those equals are not necessarily idles, but could be any thing the person loves to the point of putting them first and higher in their esteem.   One might live an Idle, or a person to idealize, or principle, or money, business, man or woman.  One will love them as or more than they love Allah. 

2-    Those followed by the first group.

3-    The true believers who love Allah the Highest more than any one else.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Three things, he who has them will taste the sweet taste of Faith; to love Allah and His messenger more than any one else, to love a person only for the cause of Allah, and to hate to go back to disbelieve he hates to be thrown into the fire”.  (B:Eman;10)

 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him also said: “None of you will truly believe until he loves me more that his father, child and all people”.  (B: Eman; 9)

 

Following someone or something is following their ways and their rules, doing things for them, and defending them and their stance, in preference to all else, this usually applies to:

 

1-    Satan: 

 

Although there are Satanic Worshipers these days, yet most of those who follow Satan and his clan follow their ways and creed.  We do not see Satan to flowed, but know what he wants us to do.  Satan will be unable to help himself or us on the Day of Resurrection.  Allah the Highest said: “AND SATAN SAID WHEN ALL WAS DECIDED (ON DAY OF JUDGMENT): ‘INDEED, ALLAH PROMISED YOU THE TRUE PROMISE WHILE I PROMISED YOU AND FAILED YOU.  I HAD NO POWER OVER YOU EXCEPT TO CALL UPON YOU AND YOU ANSWERED ME, DO NOT BLAME ME BUT BLAME YOURSELVES, I CAN NOT SAVE YOU, AND YOU CAN NOT SAVE ME, I REJECT YOU TAKING ME AS PARTNER WITH GOD”, THE WRONG DOERS SHALL HAVE PAINFUL PUNISHMENT”.  (S: 14 A: 22)

 

 

2-    Those claimed to be Allah’s sons or daughters:

 

Jesus peace upon him and Ozyr peace upon him were claimed to be Allah’s sons.  Allah the Highest said: “AND THEY SAID THAT THE MERCIFUL HAS BEGOTTEN A SON * YOU MADE A TERRIBLE CLAIM * THE HEAVENS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK, THE EARTH CRACK, AND THE MOUNTAINS BREAK DOWN * FOR CLAIMING THAT THE MERCIFUL HAS A SON * FOR IT IS NOT BECOMING OF THE MERCIFUL TO HAVE A SON * FOR ALL THOSE IN THE HEAVENS AND EARTH WILL COME TO THE MERCIFUL AS SLAVES” (S:19 A:88-93)

 

Others claim that the Angels are God’s daughters.

 

3-    Some worship the Angels or the Jinn. 

 

Devil worshippers worship the Jinn for the devils are Jinn.  Allah the Highest said: “ON THE DAY WHEN ALLAH SHALL GATHER THEM ALL AND SAY TO THE ANGELS: ‘ARE THEY THOSE WHO WORSHIPED YOU?’  (S: 34 A: 41)

 

4-    Others worship inanimate objects like the sun, the fire, idles etc

 

It is strange that until this day and age, there are still those who worship idles, fire, the sun etc.  Allah the Highest said about them: “WHO IS MORE MISGUIED THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT RESPOND TO THEM, UP TO THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, AND ARE TOTALLY UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE BEING CALLED”  (S:46 A:5)

 

5-    People, Wealth, Power, Ideas:

 

Some of us follow those in power, or pursue wealth, or power or even political ideology, even if this involves them in doing wrong, and regardless or what it involves or injustice and suffering to others. 

 

The Powerful, the leaders, and those people look up have particular responsibility to the society as people in general take them for an example.  They tend to be followed in what they do.  This means that they carry the burden of gaining as much sin as those who followed them if they do wrong, as much as gaining as much reward as those who follow them if they do right.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who calls for the right guidance, he shall have as much reward as those who follow him, without decreasing any of their rewards, and he who calls for misguidance, he shall have as much sin as those who follow him, without decreasing any of his sin”.  (M:Elm;16 & D:Sunah; 6 & T:Elm;15)

 

Taking Equals to worship besides Allah the Highest takes many forms and shapes.  It is however the one sin Allah the Highest never forgives.  “ALLAH DOES NOT FORGET FOR PARTNERS TO BE WORSHIPED BESIDES HIM, BUT FORGETS WHATEVER ELSE TO WHOM HE WILLS, FOR HE WHO WORSHIPS PARTNERS BESIDES ALLAH, HE HAS COMMITED A VERY GREAT SIN”  (S:4 A:48)

 

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

163- AND YOUR GOD IS BUT ONE GOD, THERE IS NO GOD OTHER THAN HIM, THE MOST MERCIFUL, MOST COMPASSIONATE.

164- INDEED, THERE ARE IN THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND OF THE EARTH, THE SEQUENCE AND ALTERATION OF THE NIGHT AND DAY, THE SHIPS SAILING IN THE SEA FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND, THE WATER ALLAH SENDS DOWN FROM THE SKY REVIVING THE LAND AFTER ITS DEATH, AND TO PUT FORTH ALL CREATURES IN IT, DIRECTING THE WIND, AND THE CLOUD ORDERED TO SERVE BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE EARTH, ARE ALL SIGNS FOR THOSE OF SOUND MINDS.

 

Ayah 163 is the statement of Faith, that there is only one God, and there is not another.  Allah the Highest then follows this with the His good names, the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.  Asserting and assuring us of these characters of His.

The disbelievers asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him of the proof that there is a God.  Here is the proof:

1-    THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND OF THE EARTH. We know more than ever before the enormity, complexity, design and beauty of the Heavens and of the Earth.  It should tell us about the Power, Ability and Creativity of the Creator.

 

Whenever we see something in order, or have a pattern, we feel that it is designed, or at least made by someone.  When we see few stones put together in order, we assume that someone did that.  It is then reasonable to think that this very meticulously ordered and designed universe was made by a Creator, Allah the Highest.

2-    THE SEQUENCE AND ALTERATION OF THE NIGHT AND DAY:

There is a purpose for making day and night which Allah the Highest explained in these Ayahs “AND WE MADE THE NIGHT AS A COVER * AND WE MADE THE DAY FOR YOUR LIVELIHOOD” (S:78  A:10,11) We are active by day and rest by night.  Our bodies are adjusted on this rhythm, and when we change this, we do not feel good and do not function well.

 

Allah the Highest mentioned the night before the day, and this is often the case in the Quran.  This is because the universe is in darkness generally.  We have day time only for the part of the Earth facing the sun.  Otherwise in space, it is dark. 

 

3-    THE SHIPS SAILING IN THE SEA FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND:

 

Allah the Highest made the seas full of water which carries the ships and they move easily on the water.  Even submarines, move easily in the water.  Ships need little power to make it sail in water, contrary to moving one land.  This makes water in oceans, seas and rivers like big roads, linking the corners of the Earth together, allowing transport of people and goods,  Allah the Highest created water with these characteristics, of things floating on top, and sail in it,

 

There are also currents in seas and rivers, which push the ships,

 

There is also the wind in seas and rivers, which also push ships.   

 

All designed for this purpose.

 

“AND OF HIS SIGNS THE SHIPS SAILING IN THE SEAS LIKE MOUNTAINS * HE STOPS THE WIND IF HE WILLS, THEN THEY WILL STAY UNMOVING ON THE SEA”.  (S:42 A:32,33)

 

Then, seas and rivers are sources of food, and now they are becoming sources of energy.  Allah the Highest said: “THE TWO SEAS ARE NOT THE SAME, THIS ONE IS FRESH AND PURE TO DRINK, AND THE OTHER IS VERY SALTY, BUT FROM BOTH YOU EAT SOFT FLESH AND EXTRACT JEWELERY TO WEAR, AND YOU SEE THE SHIPS SAILING IN THEM, AND TO SEEK OF HIS (ALLAH) BOUNTY, SO THAT YOU BE THANKFUL”. (S:35 A:12)

 

Is this not enough evidence that they were made for this purpose, and so designed?

 

4-    THE WATER ALLAH SENDS DOWN FROM THE SKY REVIVING THE LAND AFTER ITS DEATH, AND TO PUT FORTH ALL CREATURES IN IT,  DIRECTING THE WIND, AND THE CLOUD ORDERED TO SERVE BETWEEN THE SKY AND THE EARTH:

The water evaporates from the oceans and seas to form clouds.  Then rain falls and it waters the land, fills the rivers and the wells.  Water is the source of life, there is no life without water.  Allah the Highest said: “WE MADE FROM WATER EVERY LIVING THING”.  (S:21 A:30)  Then the barren land becomes green, and all the dried and dormant seeds germinate, eggs hatch, animals will come to eat the plants and drink the water, and the whole place will come to life after being dead. 

It is not that people do not see this, but they do not link it to the Creator, Allah the Highest.  It is called nature, the Laws of nature, they way things are and have developed over the years. 

No one denies the integrity, system, organization of the whole thing, and that it is all linked and interdependent.

I feel that many disbelievers do not believe because they can not understand or comprehend that One Creator can be responsible for all this creation.

However, this is what makes the real believer more humble and more submitting.  Also feel more reassured because of his knowledge about his God.

161- THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE AND DIED DISBELIEVERS, THOSE INCURE ALLAH’S CURSE, THE ANGELS, AND ALL PEOPLE.

162- ABIDING IN IT (THE FIRE) ETERNALLY, NEITHER SHALL THEIR PUNISHMENT BE EASED, NOR SHALL THEY BE GIVEN RESPITE.

 

These Ayahs are about the disbeliever’s punishment.  They might be:

1-    The disbelievers who never believed before.

2-    The disbelievers who were believers at some time.  Thanks to Allah, these are very few. 

Allah the Highest spoke many times in the Quran about not forgiving the disbelievers, or those who worship partners besides him, also about the severe punishment awaiting the disbelievers. 

The disbelievers incur Allah’s curse.  This means that they are expelled from and denied Allah’s Mercy and Compassion.  They are also denied any mercy or compassion from the angels and from people.  This will be manifest on the Day of Judgment and in the Hereafter.

The words are very clear, and decisive.  The Hell-Fire shall be their abode, their place of residence, where they shall live.  Live, as there is no death in the Hereafter, neither in the Paradise, nor the Hell-Fire.  As far as the Hell-Fire is concerned, this is very bad news for those abiding in it.

Then the punishment is continuous, eternal, not relenting, and without rest or break.  Very severe, bleak and depressing image, may Allah protect us from it all.

 

159- THOSE WHO CONCEAL WHAT WE SENT DOWN OF THE CLEAR AYAHS AND GUIDANCE, AFTER WE MADE IT CLEAR TO MANKIND IN THE BOOK, THOSE ARE CURSED BY ALLAH AND THOSE WHO CURSE.

160- EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO REPENT, MAKE AMENDS AND MAKE THE TRUTH KNOWN, THOSE I FORGIVE, FOR I AM THE MOST FORGIVING, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

What these Ayahs mean is that it is a very serious offence to hide knowledge of the faith from people.  This can be done on a small scale or large scale.  People might do this for a gain, or to avoid hurt, all is a poor and miserly price for them to take for such a serious offence. 

The Ayahs one has to reveal are any thing to do with the knowledge of Allah the Highest and the Faith.  They are in the Quran:

Allah the Highest said: “THOSE WHO CONCEAL WHAT ALLAH SENT DOWN OF THE BOOK AND SELL IT FOR A MISERLY PRICE, WHAT THEY ARE EATING IN THEIR STOMACHS IS NOTHING BUT FIRE, AND ALLAH DOES NOT SPEAK TO THEM NOR PURIFY THEM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION, AND THEY WILL HAVE SEVERE PUNISHMENT”   (S:2 A:174)

In the Sunah, Hadith, and Serah for Allah the Highest said: “TAKE WHAT THE MESSENGER BRINGS YOU, AND ABSTAIN FROM WHAT THE MESSENGER FORBIDS YOU”. (S: 59 A: 7)

It is of the believer’s honesty and integrity not to conceal any knowledge he is asked about for any reason.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Whoever is asked about any knowledge and he conceals it, he will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection”.  (T: Elm; 9 & Ma: Moqademah; 24 & A: 2; 263,305,344)

Indeed, it is worse to lie, that is to put false information in the place of the right information.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who lies about me intentionally, he will have his own place in the Fire”.  (B: Elm; 38 & A: 1; 70, 78,130,131)

Abu Huraira is one of Allah’s messenger’s companions who related may Hadith.  He said: “If it was not for an Ayah in Allah’s Book, I would not have told Hadith to any one, it is “THOSE WHO CONCEAL WHAT WE SENT DOWNOF THE AYAHS AND CLEAR GUIDANCE ………”  (B: Elm; 42 & M: Eman; 229 & Mal: Taharah; 29)

Allah the Highest curses them so do the believers, for they obstruct the way to Allah and His Path.  Indeed, they misguide people, and they do this willingly and intentionally. 

For any repentance to bee complete, one has to put to right what was made wrong.  To repent, and gain Allah’s forgiveness after such an offence, one has to make what was hidden and concealed known.  This is how to make amends.

Indeed, it is the duty of the believers to relate what they know to each other, and teach each others articles of faith.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Allah’s Grace is upon a man who hears what I say, understands it, memorizes it, and then relates it to others, for it may be that one carries knowledge to a more scholarly person”. (T: Elm; 7 & A: 5; 183)

This is how knowledge spreads, as it should.

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi  

 

155- AND WE WILL TEST YOU WITH FEAR, HUNGER, AND SHORTAGE OF WEALTH, SOULS, AND CROPS, BUT GIVE GLADE TIDINGS TO THE PIOUS.

156- THOSE WHO ARE WHENEVER AFFLICTED WITH A CALAMITY THEY SAY: “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”

157- THOSE WILL HAVE BLESSING AND MERCY FROM THEIR LORD AND THOSE ARE THE RIGHTLY GUIDED.

We are usually ok at times of prosperity and as long as things are going well for us.  This can be very different at times of calamity.  This is why calamity and afflictions are often the usual tests for our faith.  Prosperity is a test for our faith as well for Allah the Highest said: “WE TRY YOU WITH WHAT IS EVIL AND WHAT IS GOOD, AS A TEST, AND TO US YOU SHALL RETURN”.  (S:21 A:35)

And Allah the Highest said: “DID PEOPLE THING THAT THEY WILL BE LEFT FOR SAYING: ‘WE BELIEVE’, WITHOUT BEING TESTED * INDEED, WE HAVE TESTED THOSE BEFORE YOU, SO THAT ALLAH KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE TRUTHFUL, AND KNOWS THE TRUTHFUL, AND KNOWS THE LIARS”.  (S:29 A:2,3)

Every thing that happens to us on Earth is a test.  The most important thing is to remember that and :

-         All will end, for nothing will last, good or bad.

-         We shall return to Allah at the end to be judge and for our recompense.

Allah the Highest is telling us here about testing via affliction and calamities, like fear of the enemy, being short on men and food and money.  Such afflictions Allah the Highest used to test other nations before us.  Allah the Highest said: “OR DID YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL ENTER THE PARADISE WITHOUT HAVING COME TO YOU THE LIKE OF WHAT CAME TO THOSE BEFORE YOU, THEY WERE AFFECTED BY AFFLICTIONS, ADVERSITY AND WERE SHAKEN, UNTIL THE MESSENGER AND THOSE WITH HIM WOULD SAY: “WHEN SHALL ALLAH’S SUPPORT ARRIVE?  INDEED, ALLAH’S SUPPORT IS NEAR”.  (S:2 A:214)

Accepting and tolerating the trial and afflictions, knowing that they are all from Allah the Highest to whom we shall return is the mark or strong and deep rooted Faith.  This is marked by saying “WE BELONG TO ALLAH, AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”.  Then blessings and mercy of Allah will descend upon them. 

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him also told us to ask Allah the Highest to reward us for our affliction and replace it with what is better, then Allah the Highest Will.  Om Salama, Allah’s messenger’s wife reported that Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “He who is afflicted with a calamity and says what Allah commanded: “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”, my Lord reward me for my calamity and replace it with what is better, Allah will do this to him.  Then Om Salama said: When Abi Salama died I said that, then I said: But who is better than Abi Salama.  Allah replaced him with Allah’s messenger who married her”.  (Mal:Janaez;42 & D:Janaez;18 & A:4;27)

In fact a Muslim may remember his affliction at any time, and does the same.  Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “Any Muslim, man or woman afflicted by a calamity, when he remembers it, even after a long time, then says “WE BELONG TO ALLAH AND TO HIM WE SHALL RETURN”, Allah will renew his promise to him and give him the same reward he gave him when he was afflicted”. (A: 1;201 4;27 & Ma:Janaez;55)

This is the mark or deep faith.  As the saying goes “Allah gives, Allah takes, Allah will replace”.

 

B: Bukhari  M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

 Da: Daremy       Ma: Ibn Magah            N: Nesae          T: Termezi