3. Aal-i-Imraan

Verily, those who disbelieve, neither their properties nor their offspring will avail them whatsoever against Allah; and it is they who will be fuel of the Fire (10)Like the behavior of the people of Fir'awn and those before them; they belied Our Ayat. So Allah punished them for their sins. And Allah is severe in punishment (11)

On the Day of Resurrection, No Wealth or Offspring Shall Avail

Allah states that the disbelievers shall be fuel for the Fire,

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ الظَّالِمِينَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ

(The Day when their excuses will be of no profit to wrongdoers. Theirs will be the curse, and theirs will be the evil abode (i.e. painful torment in Hell-fire).)[40:52].

Further, what they were granted in this life of wealth and offspring shall not avail them with Allah, or save them from His punishment and severe torment. Similarly, Allah said,

فَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُمْ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَتَزْهَقَ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ كَافِرُونَ

(So let not their wealth nor their children amaze you; in reality Allah's plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world, and that their souls shall depart (die) while they are disbelievers.)[9:55], and,

لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ تَقَلُّبُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي الْبِلَادِ - مَتَاعٌ قَلِيلٌ ثُمَّ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ

(Let not the free disposal (and affluence) of the disbelievers throughout the land deceive you. A brief enjoyment; then, their ultimate abode is Hell; and worst indeed is that place for rest.)[3:196-197].

Allah said in this Ayah [3:10],

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا

(Verily, those who disbelieve) meaning, disbelieved in Allah's Ayat, denied His Messengers, defied His Books and did not benefit from His revelation to His Prophets,

لَن تُغْنِيَ عَنْهُمْ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمْ وَقُودُ النَّارِ

(Neither their properties nor their offspring will avail them whatsoever against Allah; and it is they who will be fuel of the Fire.) meaning, they will be the wood with which the Fire is kindled and fed. Similarly, Allah said,

إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ

(Certainly you (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell!)[21:98].

Allah said next,

كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ

(Like the Da'b of the people of Fira'wn.) Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn 'Abbas said that the Ayah means, "Like the behavior of the people of Fir'awn." This is the same Tafsir of 'Ikrimah, Mujahid, Abu Malik, Ad-Dahhak, and others. Other scholars said that the Ayah means, "Like the practice, conduct, likeness of the people of Fir'awn." These meanings are all plausible, for the Da'b means practice, behavior, tradition and habit. The Ayah indicates that the disbelievers will not benefit from their wealth or offspring. Rather, they will perish and be punished. This is the same end the people of Fir'awn and the previous nations met, those who rejected the Messengers, the Ayat, and proofs of Allah that they were sent with.

وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

(And Allah is severe in …

Say to those who disbelieve: "You will be defeated and gathered together to Hell, and worst indeed is that place of rest. (12)There has already been a sign for you in the two armies that met. One was fighting in the cause of Allah, and as for the other, in disbelief. They saw them with their own eyes twice their number. And Allah supports with His aid whom He wills. Verily, in this is a lesson for those who understand (13)

Threatening the Jews With Defeat and Encouraging Them to Learn a Lesson From the Battle of Badr

Allah commanded the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to proclaim to the disbelievers,

سَتُغْلَبُونَ

(You will be defeated) in this life,

وَتُحْشَرُونَ

(And gathered together) on the Day of Resurrection,

إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ

(to Hell, and worst indeed is that place of rest)

Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar recorded that 'Asim bin 'Umar bin Qatadah said that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gained victory in the battle of Badr and went back to Al-Madinah, he gathered the Jews in the marketplace of Bani Qaynuqa'.

Therefore, Allah said,

قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ

(There has already been a sign for you) meaning, O Jews, who said what you said! You have an Ayah, meaning proof, that Allah will make His religion prevail, award victory to His Messenger, make His Word apparent and His religion the highest.

فِي فِئَتَيْنِ

(In the two armies) meaning, two camps,

الْتَقَتَا

(that met) in combat (in Badr),

فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(One was fighting in the Cause of Allah) the Muslims,

وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ

(And as for the other, in disbelief) meaning, the idolators of Quraysh at Badr. Allah's statement,

يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ

(They saw them with their own eyes twice their number) means, the idolators thought that the Muslims were twice as many as they were, for Allah made this illusion a factor in the victory that Islam had over them.

It was said that the meaning of Allah's statement,

يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ

(They saw them with their own eyes twice their number) is that the Muslims saw twice as many idolators as they were, yet Allah gave them victory over the disbelievers. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "When we looked at the disbelievers' forces, we found that they were twice as many as we were. When we looked at them again, we thought they did not have one man more than we had. So Allah's statement,

وَإِذْ يُرِيكُمُوهُمْ إِذِ الْتَقَيْتُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِكُمْ قَلِيلًا وَيُقَلِّلُكُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِهِمْ

(And (remember) when you met, He showed them to you as few in your eyes and He made you appear as few in their eyes.)[8:44]".

When the two camps saw each other, the Muslims thought that the idolators were twice as many as they were, so that they would trust in Allah and seek His help. The idolators thought that the believers were twice as many as they were, so that they would feel fear, horror, fright and despair. When the two camps stood in lines and met in battle, Allah made each camp look smaller in the eyes of the other camp, so that they would be encouraged to fight each other,

لِيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا

(so that Allah might accomplish a matter already …

Say to those who disbelieve: "You will be defeated and gathered together to Hell, and worst indeed is that place of rest. (12)There has already been a sign for you in the two armies that met. One was fighting in the cause of Allah, and as for the other, in disbelief. They saw them with their own eyes twice their number. And Allah supports with His aid whom He wills. Verily, in this is a lesson for those who understand (13)

Threatening the Jews With Defeat and Encouraging Them to Learn a Lesson From the Battle of Badr

Allah commanded the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to proclaim to the disbelievers,

سَتُغْلَبُونَ

(You will be defeated) in this life,

وَتُحْشَرُونَ

(And gathered together) on the Day of Resurrection,

إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ

(to Hell, and worst indeed is that place of rest)

Muhammad bin Ishaq bin Yasar recorded that 'Asim bin 'Umar bin Qatadah said that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ gained victory in the battle of Badr and went back to Al-Madinah, he gathered the Jews in the marketplace of Bani Qaynuqa'.

Therefore, Allah said,

قَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ آيَةٌ

(There has already been a sign for you) meaning, O Jews, who said what you said! You have an Ayah, meaning proof, that Allah will make His religion prevail, award victory to His Messenger, make His Word apparent and His religion the highest.

فِي فِئَتَيْنِ

(In the two armies) meaning, two camps,

الْتَقَتَا

(that met) in combat (in Badr),

فِئَةٌ تُقَاتِلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

(One was fighting in the Cause of Allah) the Muslims,

وَأُخْرَىٰ كَافِرَةٌ

(And as for the other, in disbelief) meaning, the idolators of Quraysh at Badr. Allah's statement,

يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ

(They saw them with their own eyes twice their number) means, the idolators thought that the Muslims were twice as many as they were, for Allah made this illusion a factor in the victory that Islam had over them.

It was said that the meaning of Allah's statement,

يَرَوْنَهُم مِّثْلَيْهِمْ رَأْيَ الْعَيْنِ

(They saw them with their own eyes twice their number) is that the Muslims saw twice as many idolators as they were, yet Allah gave them victory over the disbelievers. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud said, "When we looked at the disbelievers' forces, we found that they were twice as many as we were. When we looked at them again, we thought they did not have one man more than we had. So Allah's statement,

وَإِذْ يُرِيكُمُوهُمْ إِذِ الْتَقَيْتُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِكُمْ قَلِيلًا وَيُقَلِّلُكُمْ فِي أَعْيُنِهِمْ

(And (remember) when you met, He showed them to you as few in your eyes and He made you appear as few in their eyes.)[8:44]".

When the two camps saw each other, the Muslims thought that the idolators were twice as many as they were, so that they would trust in Allah and seek His help. The idolators thought that the believers were twice as many as they were, so that they would feel fear, horror, fright and despair. When the two camps stood in lines and met in battle, Allah made each camp look smaller in the eyes of the other camp, so that they would be encouraged to fight each other,

لِيَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُولًا

(so that Allah might accomplish a matter already …

Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, Qanatir Al-Muqantarah of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses (Musawwamah), cattle and fertile land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return with Him (14)Say: "Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For those who have Taqwa there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives). And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the servants. (15)

The True Value of This Earthly Life

Allah mentions the delights that He put in this life for people, such as women and children, and He started with women, because the test with them is more tempting. For instance, the Sahih recorded that the Messenger ﷺ said,

مَا تَرَكْتُ بَعْدِي فِتْنَةً أَضَرَّ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ

(I did not leave behind me a test more tempting to men than women.)

When one enjoys women for the purpose of having children and preserving his chastity, then he is encouraged to do so. There are many Hadiths that encourage getting married, such as,

وَإِنَّ خَيْرَ هذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ مَنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَهَا نِسَاءً

(Verily, the best members of this Ummah are those who have the most wives) He ﷺ also said,

الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِهَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ

(This life is a delight, and the best of its delight is a righteous wife)

The Prophet ﷺ said in another Hadith,

حُبِّبَ إِلَيَّ النِّسَاءُ وَالطِّيبُ، وَجُعِلَتْ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ

(I was made to like women and perfume, and the comfort of my eye is the prayer.)

A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "Nothing was more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than women, except horses," and in another narration, "...than horses except women."

The desire to have children is sometimes for the purpose of pride and boasting, and as such, is a temptation. When the purpose for having children is to reproduce and increase the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ with those who worship Allah alone without partners, then it is encouraged and praised. A Hadith states,

تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

(Marry the Wadud (kind) and Walud (fertile) woman, for I will compare your numbers to the rest of the nations on the Day of Resurrection.)

The desire of wealth sometimes results out of arrogance, and the desire to dominate the weak and control the poor, and this conduct is prohibited. Sometimes, the want for more money is for the purpose of spending it on acts of worship, being kind to the family, the relatives, and spending on various acts of righteousness and obedience; this behavior is praised and encouraged in the religion.

Scholars of Tafsir have conflicting opinions about the amount of the Qintar, all of which indicate that the Qintar is a large amount of money, as Ad-Dahhak and other scholars said. Abu Hurayrah said "The Qintar is twelve thousand Uwqiyah, each Uwqiyah is better than what is between the heavens and earth." [This was recorded by Ibn Jarir].

The desire to have horses can be one of three …

Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, Qanatir Al-Muqantarah of gold and silver, branded beautiful horses (Musawwamah), cattle and fertile land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return with Him (14)Say: "Shall I inform you of things far better than those? For those who have Taqwa there are Gardens (Paradise) with their Lord, underneath which rivers flow. Therein (is their) eternal (home) and Azwajun Mutahharatun (purified mates or wives). And Allah will be pleased with them. And Allah is All-Seer of the servants. (15)

The True Value of This Earthly Life

Allah mentions the delights that He put in this life for people, such as women and children, and He started with women, because the test with them is more tempting. For instance, the Sahih recorded that the Messenger ﷺ said,

مَا تَرَكْتُ بَعْدِي فِتْنَةً أَضَرَّ عَلَى الرِّجَالِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ

(I did not leave behind me a test more tempting to men than women.)

When one enjoys women for the purpose of having children and preserving his chastity, then he is encouraged to do so. There are many Hadiths that encourage getting married, such as,

وَإِنَّ خَيْرَ هذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ مَنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَهَا نِسَاءً

(Verily, the best members of this Ummah are those who have the most wives) He ﷺ also said,

الدُّنْيَا مَتَاعٌ، وَخَيْرُ مَتَاعِهَا الْمَرْأَةُ الصَّالِحَةُ

(This life is a delight, and the best of its delight is a righteous wife)

The Prophet ﷺ said in another Hadith,

حُبِّبَ إِلَيَّ النِّسَاءُ وَالطِّيبُ، وَجُعِلَتْ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ

(I was made to like women and perfume, and the comfort of my eye is the prayer.)

A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "Nothing was more beloved to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ than women, except horses," and in another narration, "...than horses except women."

The desire to have children is sometimes for the purpose of pride and boasting, and as such, is a temptation. When the purpose for having children is to reproduce and increase the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ with those who worship Allah alone without partners, then it is encouraged and praised. A Hadith states,

تَزَوَّجُوا الْوَدُودَ الْوَلُودَ، فَإِنِّي مُكَاثِرٌ بِكُمُ الْأُمَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

(Marry the Wadud (kind) and Walud (fertile) woman, for I will compare your numbers to the rest of the nations on the Day of Resurrection.)

The desire of wealth sometimes results out of arrogance, and the desire to dominate the weak and control the poor, and this conduct is prohibited. Sometimes, the want for more money is for the purpose of spending it on acts of worship, being kind to the family, the relatives, and spending on various acts of righteousness and obedience; this behavior is praised and encouraged in the religion.

Scholars of Tafsir have conflicting opinions about the amount of the Qintar, all of which indicate that the Qintar is a large amount of money, as Ad-Dahhak and other scholars said. Abu Hurayrah said "The Qintar is twelve thousand Uwqiyah, each Uwqiyah is better than what is between the heavens and earth." [This was recorded by Ibn Jarir].

The desire to have horses can be one of three …

Those who say: "Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire. (16)(They are) the patient, the true believers, and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah. Those who spend [in good] and those who pray and beg Allah's pardon in the last hours of the night (17)

The Supplication and Description of Al-Muttaqin

Allah describes the Muttaqin, His pious servants, whom He promised tremendous rewards,

الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا

(Those who say: "Our Lord! We have indeed believed") in You, Your Book and Your Messenger.

فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا

(so forgive us our sins) because of our faith in You and in what You legislated for us. Therefore, forgive us our errors and shortcomings, with Your bounty and mercy,

وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

(and save us from the punishment of the Fire.)

Allah then said,

الصَّابِرِينَ

((They are) those who are patient) while performing acts of obedience and abandoning the prohibitions.

وَالصَّادِقِينَ

(those who are true) concerning their proclamation of faith, by performing the difficult deeds.

وَالْقَانِتِينَ

(and obedient) meaning, they submit and obey Allah,

وَالْمُنفِقِينَ

(those who spend) from their wealth on all the acts of obedience they were commanded, being kind to kith and kin, helping the needy, and comforting the destitute.

وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالْأَسْحَارِ

(and those who pray and beg Allah's pardon in the last hours of the night) and this testifies to the virtue of seeking Allah's forgiveness in the latter part of the night. It was reported that when Ya'qub said to his children,

سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي

(I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you)[12:98] he waited until the latter part of the night to say his supplication.

Furthermore, the Two Sahihs, the Musnad and Sunan collections recorded through several Companions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

يَنْزِلُ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالى فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ، فَيَقُولُ: هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ فَأُعْطِيَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ دَاعٍ فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟

(Every night, when the last third of it remains, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends to the lowest heaven saying, "Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?")

The Two Sahihs recorded that 'A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed Witr during the first part, the middle and latter parts of the night. Then, later (in his life), he would perform it (only) during the latter part." 'Abdullah bin 'Umar used to pray during the night and would ask, "O Nafi'! Is it the latter part of the night yet?" and if Nafi' said, "Yes," Ibn 'Umar would start supplicating to Allah and seeking His forgiveness until dawn. This Hadith was collected by Ibn Abi Hatim.

Those who say: "Our Lord! We have indeed believed, so forgive us our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire. (16)(They are) the patient, the true believers, and obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah. Those who spend [in good] and those who pray and beg Allah's pardon in the last hours of the night (17)

The Supplication and Description of Al-Muttaqin

Allah describes the Muttaqin, His pious servants, whom He promised tremendous rewards,

الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا إِنَّنَا آمَنَّا

(Those who say: "Our Lord! We have indeed believed") in You, Your Book and Your Messenger.

فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَا

(so forgive us our sins) because of our faith in You and in what You legislated for us. Therefore, forgive us our errors and shortcomings, with Your bounty and mercy,

وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

(and save us from the punishment of the Fire.)

Allah then said,

الصَّابِرِينَ

((They are) those who are patient) while performing acts of obedience and abandoning the prohibitions.

وَالصَّادِقِينَ

(those who are true) concerning their proclamation of faith, by performing the difficult deeds.

وَالْقَانِتِينَ

(and obedient) meaning, they submit and obey Allah,

وَالْمُنفِقِينَ

(those who spend) from their wealth on all the acts of obedience they were commanded, being kind to kith and kin, helping the needy, and comforting the destitute.

وَالْمُسْتَغْفِرِينَ بِالْأَسْحَارِ

(and those who pray and beg Allah's pardon in the last hours of the night) and this testifies to the virtue of seeking Allah's forgiveness in the latter part of the night. It was reported that when Ya'qub said to his children,

سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي

(I will ask my Lord for forgiveness for you)[12:98] he waited until the latter part of the night to say his supplication.

Furthermore, the Two Sahihs, the Musnad and Sunan collections recorded through several Companions that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

يَنْزِلُ اللهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالى فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرُ، فَيَقُولُ: هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ فَأُعْطِيَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ دَاعٍ فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟

(Every night, when the last third of it remains, our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, descends to the lowest heaven saying, "Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?")

The Two Sahihs recorded that 'A'ishah said, "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed Witr during the first part, the middle and latter parts of the night. Then, later (in his life), he would perform it (only) during the latter part." 'Abdullah bin 'Umar used to pray during the night and would ask, "O Nafi'! Is it the latter part of the night yet?" and if Nafi' said, "Yes," Ibn 'Umar would start supplicating to Allah and seeking His forgiveness until dawn. This Hadith was collected by Ibn Abi Hatim.

Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He always) maintains His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Almighty, the All-Wise (18)Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except out of rivalry, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in reckoning (19)So if they dispute with you say: "I have submitted myself to Allah, and (so have) those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterate (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah sees the servants (20)

The Testimony of Tawhid

Allah bears witness, and verily, Allah is sufficient as a Witness, and He is the Most Truthful and Just Witness there is; His statement is the absolute truth,

أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(that La ilaha illa Huwa) meaning, He Alone is the Lord and God of all creation; everyone and everything are His servants, creation and in need of Him. Allah is the Most Rich, Free from needing anyone or anything. Allah said in another Ayah,

لَّٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ

(But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down (the Qur'an) unto you (O Muhammad ﷺ))[4:166].

Allah then mentioned the testimony of His angels and those who have knowledge after he mentioned His own testimony,

شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ

(Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this)). This Ayah emphasizes the great virtue of those who have knowledge.

قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ

((He) maintains His creation in justice) in all that He does,

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(None has the right to be worshipped but He) thus emphasizing this fact,

الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

(the Almighty, the All-Wise.) the Mighty that does not submit to weakness due to His might and greatness, the Wise in all His statements, actions, legislation and decrees.

The Religion with Allah is Islam

Allah said,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.) Allah states that there is no religion accepted with Him from any person, except Islam. Islam includes obeying all of the Messengers until Muhammad ﷺ who finalized their commission, thus closing all paths to Allah except through Muhammad ﷺ. Therefore, after Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ, whoever meets Allah following a path other than Muhammad's, it will not be accepted of him. In another Ayah, Allah said,

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ

(And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him)[3:85].

In this Ayah [3:19], Allah said, asserting that the only religion accepted with Him is Islam,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.)

Allah …

Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He always) maintains His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Almighty, the All-Wise (18)Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except out of rivalry, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in reckoning (19)So if they dispute with you say: "I have submitted myself to Allah, and (so have) those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterate (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah sees the servants (20)

The Testimony of Tawhid

Allah bears witness, and verily, Allah is sufficient as a Witness, and He is the Most Truthful and Just Witness there is; His statement is the absolute truth,

أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(that La ilaha illa Huwa) meaning, He Alone is the Lord and God of all creation; everyone and everything are His servants, creation and in need of Him. Allah is the Most Rich, Free from needing anyone or anything. Allah said in another Ayah,

لَّٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ

(But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down (the Qur'an) unto you (O Muhammad ﷺ))[4:166].

Allah then mentioned the testimony of His angels and those who have knowledge after he mentioned His own testimony,

شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ

(Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this)). This Ayah emphasizes the great virtue of those who have knowledge.

قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ

((He) maintains His creation in justice) in all that He does,

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(None has the right to be worshipped but He) thus emphasizing this fact,

الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

(the Almighty, the All-Wise.) the Mighty that does not submit to weakness due to His might and greatness, the Wise in all His statements, actions, legislation and decrees.

The Religion with Allah is Islam

Allah said,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.) Allah states that there is no religion accepted with Him from any person, except Islam. Islam includes obeying all of the Messengers until Muhammad ﷺ who finalized their commission, thus closing all paths to Allah except through Muhammad ﷺ. Therefore, after Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ, whoever meets Allah following a path other than Muhammad's, it will not be accepted of him. In another Ayah, Allah said,

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ

(And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him)[3:85].

In this Ayah [3:19], Allah said, asserting that the only religion accepted with Him is Islam,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.)

Allah …

Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He always) maintains His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Almighty, the All-Wise (18)Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except out of rivalry, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayat of Allah, then surely, Allah is Swift in reckoning (19)So if they dispute with you say: "I have submitted myself to Allah, and (so have) those who follow me." And say to those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and to those who are illiterate (Arab pagans): "Do you (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, your duty is only to convey the Message; and Allah sees the servants (20)

The Testimony of Tawhid

Allah bears witness, and verily, Allah is sufficient as a Witness, and He is the Most Truthful and Just Witness there is; His statement is the absolute truth,

أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(that La ilaha illa Huwa) meaning, He Alone is the Lord and God of all creation; everyone and everything are His servants, creation and in need of Him. Allah is the Most Rich, Free from needing anyone or anything. Allah said in another Ayah,

لَّٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ

(But Allah bears witness to that which He has sent down (the Qur'an) unto you (O Muhammad ﷺ))[4:166].

Allah then mentioned the testimony of His angels and those who have knowledge after he mentioned His own testimony,

شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ

(Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this)). This Ayah emphasizes the great virtue of those who have knowledge.

قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ

((He) maintains His creation in justice) in all that He does,

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ

(None has the right to be worshipped but He) thus emphasizing this fact,

الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

(the Almighty, the All-Wise.) the Mighty that does not submit to weakness due to His might and greatness, the Wise in all His statements, actions, legislation and decrees.

The Religion with Allah is Islam

Allah said,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.) Allah states that there is no religion accepted with Him from any person, except Islam. Islam includes obeying all of the Messengers until Muhammad ﷺ who finalized their commission, thus closing all paths to Allah except through Muhammad ﷺ. Therefore, after Allah sent Muhammad ﷺ, whoever meets Allah following a path other than Muhammad's, it will not be accepted of him. In another Ayah, Allah said,

وَمَن يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَن يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ

(And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him)[3:85].

In this Ayah [3:19], Allah said, asserting that the only religion accepted with Him is Islam,

إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ

(Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.)

Allah …