12. Yusuf

That is of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not (present) with them when they arranged their plan together, and (while) they were plotting (102)And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly (103)And no reward you ask of them for it; it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)(104)

This Story is a Revelation from Allah

Allah narrated to Muhammad, peace be upon him, the story of Yusuf and his brothers and how Allah raised him over them, giving him the better end, triumph, the sovereignty and wisdom (i.e., prophethood), even though they tried to harm and kill him. Allah said, 'This and similar stories are part of the unseen incidents of the past, O Muhammad,

نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ

(which We reveal to you.) and inform you of, O Muhammad, because it carries a lesson, for you to draw from and a reminder to those who defy you.' Allah said next,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ

(You were not (present) with them), you did not witness their conference nor saw them,

إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ

(when they arranged their plan together,) to throw Yusuf into the well,

وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ

(and (while) they were plotting) against him. We taught you all this through Our Revelation which We sent down to you.' Allah said in other Ayat,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ

(You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens..)[3:44] and,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ إِذْ قَضَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَى الْأَمْرَ

(And you were not on the western side, when We made clear to Musa the commandment...)[28:44] until,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الطُّورِ إِذْ نَادَيْنَا

(And you were not at the side of the Tur when We did call.)[28:46] Allah also said,

وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيًا فِي أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ تَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا

(And you were not a dweller among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them.)[28:45] Allah states that Muhammad is His Messenger and that He has taught him the news of what occurred in the past, which carry lessons for people to draw from, so that they acquire their safety in their religious affairs as well as their worldly affairs. Yet, most people did not and will not believe, so Allah said,

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.) Allah said in similar Ayat,

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path)[6:116], and,

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

(Verily, in this is an Ayah, yet most of them are not believers.)[26:8] Allah said next,

وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ

(And no reward you ask of them for it;) Allah says, 'You, O Muhammad, do not ask them in return for this advice and your call to all that is good and righteous, for any price or compensation for delivering it. Rather, you do so seeking Allah's Face and to deliver good and sincere advice to His creatures,

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

(it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)) with which …

That is of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not (present) with them when they arranged their plan together, and (while) they were plotting (102)And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly (103)And no reward you ask of them for it; it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)(104)

This Story is a Revelation from Allah

Allah narrated to Muhammad, peace be upon him, the story of Yusuf and his brothers and how Allah raised him over them, giving him the better end, triumph, the sovereignty and wisdom (i.e., prophethood), even though they tried to harm and kill him. Allah said, 'This and similar stories are part of the unseen incidents of the past, O Muhammad,

نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ

(which We reveal to you.) and inform you of, O Muhammad, because it carries a lesson, for you to draw from and a reminder to those who defy you.' Allah said next,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ

(You were not (present) with them), you did not witness their conference nor saw them,

إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ

(when they arranged their plan together,) to throw Yusuf into the well,

وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ

(and (while) they were plotting) against him. We taught you all this through Our Revelation which We sent down to you.' Allah said in other Ayat,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ

(You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens..)[3:44] and,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ إِذْ قَضَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَى الْأَمْرَ

(And you were not on the western side, when We made clear to Musa the commandment...)[28:44] until,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الطُّورِ إِذْ نَادَيْنَا

(And you were not at the side of the Tur when We did call.)[28:46] Allah also said,

وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيًا فِي أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ تَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا

(And you were not a dweller among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them.)[28:45] Allah states that Muhammad is His Messenger and that He has taught him the news of what occurred in the past, which carry lessons for people to draw from, so that they acquire their safety in their religious affairs as well as their worldly affairs. Yet, most people did not and will not believe, so Allah said,

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.) Allah said in similar Ayat,

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path)[6:116], and,

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

(Verily, in this is an Ayah, yet most of them are not believers.)[26:8] Allah said next,

وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ

(And no reward you ask of them for it;) Allah says, 'You, O Muhammad, do not ask them in return for this advice and your call to all that is good and righteous, for any price or compensation for delivering it. Rather, you do so seeking Allah's Face and to deliver good and sincere advice to His creatures,

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

(it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)) with which …

That is of the news of the Ghayb (Unseen) which We reveal to you. You were not (present) with them when they arranged their plan together, and (while) they were plotting (102)And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly (103)And no reward you ask of them for it; it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)(104)

This Story is a Revelation from Allah

Allah narrated to Muhammad, peace be upon him, the story of Yusuf and his brothers and how Allah raised him over them, giving him the better end, triumph, the sovereignty and wisdom (i.e., prophethood), even though they tried to harm and kill him. Allah said, 'This and similar stories are part of the unseen incidents of the past, O Muhammad,

نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ

(which We reveal to you.) and inform you of, O Muhammad, because it carries a lesson, for you to draw from and a reminder to those who defy you.' Allah said next,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ

(You were not (present) with them), you did not witness their conference nor saw them,

إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ

(when they arranged their plan together,) to throw Yusuf into the well,

وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ

(and (while) they were plotting) against him. We taught you all this through Our Revelation which We sent down to you.' Allah said in other Ayat,

وَمَا كُنتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ يُلْقُونَ أَقْلَامَهُمْ

(You were not with them, when they cast lots with their pens..)[3:44] and,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الْغَرْبِيِّ إِذْ قَضَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَى الْأَمْرَ

(And you were not on the western side, when We made clear to Musa the commandment...)[28:44] until,

وَمَا كُنتَ بِجَانِبِ الطُّورِ إِذْ نَادَيْنَا

(And you were not at the side of the Tur when We did call.)[28:46] Allah also said,

وَمَا كُنتَ ثَاوِيًا فِي أَهْلِ مَدْيَنَ تَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا

(And you were not a dweller among the people of Madyan, reciting Our verses to them.)[28:45] Allah states that Muhammad is His Messenger and that He has taught him the news of what occurred in the past, which carry lessons for people to draw from, so that they acquire their safety in their religious affairs as well as their worldly affairs. Yet, most people did not and will not believe, so Allah said,

وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

(And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly.) Allah said in similar Ayat,

وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(And if you obey most of those on the earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah's path)[6:116], and,

إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

(Verily, in this is an Ayah, yet most of them are not believers.)[26:8] Allah said next,

وَمَا تَسْأَلُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ

(And no reward you ask of them for it;) Allah says, 'You, O Muhammad, do not ask them in return for this advice and your call to all that is good and righteous, for any price or compensation for delivering it. Rather, you do so seeking Allah's Face and to deliver good and sincere advice to His creatures,

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

(it (the Qur'an) is no less than a Reminder unto the 'Alamin (men and Jinn)) with which …

And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom (105)And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him (106)Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the torment of Allah, or of the coming against them of the (Final) Hour, all of a sudden while they perceive not (107)

People neglect to ponder the Signs before Them

Allah states that most people do not think about His signs and proofs of His Oneness that He created in the heavens and earth. Allah created brilliant stars and rotating heavenly objects and planets, all made subservient. There are many plots of fertile land next to each other on earth, and gardens, solid mountains, lively oceans, with their waves smashing against each other, and spacious deserts. There are many live creatures and others that have died; and animals, plants and fruits that are similar in shape, but different in taste, scent, color and attributes. All praise is due to Allah the One and Only, Who created all types of creations, Who Alone will remain and last forever. It is He Who is unique in His Names and Attributes. Allah said next,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) Ibn 'Abbas commented, "They have a part of faith, for when they are asked, 'Who created the heavens? Who created the earth? Who created the mountains?' They say, 'Allah did.' Yet, they associate others with Him in worship." Similar is said by Mujahid, 'Ata, 'Ikrimah, Ash-Sha'bi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. In the Sahih, it is recorded that during the Hajj season, the idolators used to say in their Talbiyah: "Here we rush to Your service. You have no partners with You, except a partner with You whom You own but he owns not!" Allah said in another Ayah,

إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

(Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.)[31:13] This indeed is the greatest type of Shirk, associating others with Allah in worship. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! What is the greatest sin?' He said,

أَنْ تَجْعَلَ للهِ نِدًّا وَهُوَ خَلَقَكَ

(That you call a rival to Allah while He alone created you.)" Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented on Allah's statement,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) "This is the hypocrite; if he performs good deeds, he does so to show off with the people, and he is an idolator while doing this." Al-Hasan was referring to Allah's statement,

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

(Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salah, they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.)[4:142] There is another type of hidden Shirk that most people …

And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom (105)And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him (106)Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the torment of Allah, or of the coming against them of the (Final) Hour, all of a sudden while they perceive not (107)

People neglect to ponder the Signs before Them

Allah states that most people do not think about His signs and proofs of His Oneness that He created in the heavens and earth. Allah created brilliant stars and rotating heavenly objects and planets, all made subservient. There are many plots of fertile land next to each other on earth, and gardens, solid mountains, lively oceans, with their waves smashing against each other, and spacious deserts. There are many live creatures and others that have died; and animals, plants and fruits that are similar in shape, but different in taste, scent, color and attributes. All praise is due to Allah the One and Only, Who created all types of creations, Who Alone will remain and last forever. It is He Who is unique in His Names and Attributes. Allah said next,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) Ibn 'Abbas commented, "They have a part of faith, for when they are asked, 'Who created the heavens? Who created the earth? Who created the mountains?' They say, 'Allah did.' Yet, they associate others with Him in worship." Similar is said by Mujahid, 'Ata, 'Ikrimah, Ash-Sha'bi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. In the Sahih, it is recorded that during the Hajj season, the idolators used to say in their Talbiyah: "Here we rush to Your service. You have no partners with You, except a partner with You whom You own but he owns not!" Allah said in another Ayah,

إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

(Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.)[31:13] This indeed is the greatest type of Shirk, associating others with Allah in worship. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! What is the greatest sin?' He said,

أَنْ تَجْعَلَ للهِ نِدًّا وَهُوَ خَلَقَكَ

(That you call a rival to Allah while He alone created you.)" Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented on Allah's statement,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) "This is the hypocrite; if he performs good deeds, he does so to show off with the people, and he is an idolator while doing this." Al-Hasan was referring to Allah's statement,

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

(Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salah, they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.)[4:142] There is another type of hidden Shirk that most people …

And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom (105)And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him (106)Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the torment of Allah, or of the coming against them of the (Final) Hour, all of a sudden while they perceive not (107)

People neglect to ponder the Signs before Them

Allah states that most people do not think about His signs and proofs of His Oneness that He created in the heavens and earth. Allah created brilliant stars and rotating heavenly objects and planets, all made subservient. There are many plots of fertile land next to each other on earth, and gardens, solid mountains, lively oceans, with their waves smashing against each other, and spacious deserts. There are many live creatures and others that have died; and animals, plants and fruits that are similar in shape, but different in taste, scent, color and attributes. All praise is due to Allah the One and Only, Who created all types of creations, Who Alone will remain and last forever. It is He Who is unique in His Names and Attributes. Allah said next,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) Ibn 'Abbas commented, "They have a part of faith, for when they are asked, 'Who created the heavens? Who created the earth? Who created the mountains?' They say, 'Allah did.' Yet, they associate others with Him in worship." Similar is said by Mujahid, 'Ata, 'Ikrimah, Ash-Sha'bi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam. In the Sahih, it is recorded that during the Hajj season, the idolators used to say in their Talbiyah: "Here we rush to Your service. You have no partners with You, except a partner with You whom You own but he owns not!" Allah said in another Ayah,

إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ

(Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.)[31:13] This indeed is the greatest type of Shirk, associating others with Allah in worship. It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "I said, 'O Allah's Messenger! What is the greatest sin?' He said,

أَنْ تَجْعَلَ للهِ نِدًّا وَهُوَ خَلَقَكَ

(That you call a rival to Allah while He alone created you.)" Al-Hasan Al-Basri commented on Allah's statement,

وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُم بِاللَّهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ

(And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.) "This is the hypocrite; if he performs good deeds, he does so to show off with the people, and he is an idolator while doing this." Al-Hasan was referring to Allah's statement,

إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَىٰ يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

(Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salah, they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.)[4:142] There is another type of hidden Shirk that most people …

Say "This is my way; I invite unto Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah. And I am not of the idolators. (108)

The Messenger's Way

Allah orders His Messenger ﷺ to say to mankind and the Jinns that this is his way, meaning, his method, path and Sunnah, concentrating on calling to the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone without partners. The Messenger ﷺ calls to this testimonial with sure knowledge, certainty and firm evidence. He calls to this way, and those who followed him call to what Allah's Messenger ﷺ called to with sure knowledge, certainty and evidence, whether logical or religious evidence,

وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ

(And Glorified and Exalted be Allah.) This part of the Ayah means, I glorify, honor, revere and praise Allah from having a partner, equal, rival, parent, son, wife, minister or advisor. All praise and honor be to Allah, glorified He is from all that they attribute to Him,

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا

(The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him, and there is not a thing but glorifies His praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.)[17:44]

And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men unto whom We revealed, from among the people of townships. Have they not traveled in the land and seen what was the end of those who were before them? And verily, the home of the Hereafter is the best for those who have Taqwa. Do you not then understand (109)

All of the Prophets are Humans and Men

Allah states that He only sent Prophets and Messengers from among men and not from among women, as this Ayah clearly states. Allah did not reveal religious and legislative laws to any woman from among the daughters of Adam. This is the belief of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. Shaykh Abu Al-Hasan, 'Ali bin Isma'il Al-Ash'ari mentioned that it is the view of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, that there were no female Prophets, but there were truthful believers from among women. Allah mentions the most honorable of the truthful female believers, Maryam, the daughter of 'Imran, when He said,

مَّا الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ وَأُمُّهُ صِدِّيقَةٌ ۖ كَانَا يَأْكُلَانِ الطَّعَامَ

(The Messiah ['Isa], son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a Siddiqah [truthful believer]. They both used to eat food.)[5:75]

Therefore, the best description Allah gave her is Siddiqah. Had she been a Prophet, Allah would have mentioned this fact when He was praising her qualities and honor. Therefore, Mary was a truthful believer according to the words of the Qur'an.

All Prophets were Humans not Angels

Ad-Dahhak reported that Ibn 'Abbas commented on Allah's statement,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا

(And We sent not before you (as Messengers) any but men) "They were not from among the residents of the heaven (angels), as you claimed." This statement of Ibn 'Abbas is supported by Allah's statements,

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ

(And We never sent before you any of the Messengers, but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets), [25:20]

وَمَا جَعَلْنَاهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا خَالِدِينَ - ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَاهُمُ الْوَعْدَ فَأَنجَيْنَاهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَاءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا الْمُسْرِفِينَ

(And We did not create them with bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals. Then We fulfilled to them the promise. So We saved them and those whom We willed, but We destroyed extravagants), [21:8-9] and,

قُلْ مَا كُنتُ بِدْعًا مِّنَ الرُّسُلِ

(Say: "I am not a new thing among the Messengers.")[46:9] Allah said next,

مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ

(from among the people of townships), meaning, from among the people of cities, not that they were sent among the bedouins who are some of the harshest and roughest of all people.

Drawing Lessons from the Incidents of the Past

Allah said next,

أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ

(Have they not traveled in the land), meaning, 'Have not these people who rejected you, O Muhammad, traveled in the land,'

فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

(and seen what was the end of those who were before them?) that is, the earlier …

(They were reprieved) until, when the Messengers gave up hope and thought that they were denied, then came to them Our help, and whomsoever We willed were rescued. And Our punishment cannot be warded off from the people who are criminals (110)

Allah's Prophets are aided by Victory in Times of Distress

Allah states that He sends His aid and support to His Messengers, peace be upon them, when distress and hardship surround them and they eagerly await Allah's aid. Allah said in another Ayah,

وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ

(...and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah?")[2:214] As for saying of Allah,

كُذِبُوا

(they were denied) There are two recitations for it. One of them is with a Shadda (meaning: they were betrayed by their people). And this is the way 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, recited it.

Al-Bukhari said that 'Urwah bin Az-Zubayr narrated that he asked 'Aishah about the meaning of the following verse,

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ

('Until when the Messengers give up hope...), Respite will be granted, is it denied or betrayed? 'A'ishah replied, "betrayed." 'Urwah said, "I said, 'They were sure that their people betrayed them, so why use the word 'thought'?' She said, 'Yes, they were sure that they betrayed them.' I said,

وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا

(and they thought that they were denied (by Allah))?

A'ishah said, 'Allah forbid! The Messengers did not suspect their Lord of such a thing.' I asked, 'So what does this Ayah mean' She said, 'This Verse is concerned with the Messengers' followers who had faith in their Lord and believed in their Messengers. The period of trials for those followers was long and Allah's help was delayed until the Messengers gave up hope for the conversion of the disbelievers amongst their nation and suspected that even their followers were shaken in their belief, Allah's help then came to them.'"

Ibn Jurayj narrated that Ibn Abi Mulaikah said that Ibn 'Abbas read this Ayah this way,

وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا

(and they thought they were denied.) 'Abdullah bin Abi Mulaikah said, "Then Ibn 'Abbas said to me that they were humans. He then recited this Ayah,

حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ

(...even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near!)[2:214]" Ibn Jurayj also narrated that Ibn Abi Mulaykah said that 'Urwah narrated to him that 'Aishah did not agree to this and rejected it. She said, "Nothing that Allah has promised Muhammad, peace be upon him, but Muhammad knew for certainty that it shall come, until he died. However, the Messengers were tried with trials until they thought that those believers, who were with them, did not fully support them." Ibn Abi Mulaykah said that 'Urwah narrated that 'Aishah recited this Ayah this way,

(وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَد كُذِّبُوا)

"and they thought that they were betrayed."

Therefore, there is another way of reciting …