6. Al-An'aam

And it is He Who produces gardens Ma'rushat and not Ma'rushat, and date palms, and crops of different shape and taste, and olives, and pomegranates, similar, and different. Eat of their fruit when they ripen, but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest, and waste not by extravagance. Verily, He likes not the wasteful (141)And of the cattle (are some) for burden and (some smaller) for Farsh. Eat of what Allah has provided for you, and follow not the footsteps of Shaytan. Surely, he is to you an open enemy (142)

Allah Created the Produce, Seed Grains and Cattle

Allah states that He created everything, including the produce, fruits and cattle that the idolators mishandled by their misguided ideas, dividing them into various designated parts, allowing some and prohibiting some. Allah said,

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَّعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ

(And it is He Who produces gardens Ma'rushat and not Ma'rushat,)

'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas commented, "Ma'rushat refers to what the people trellise, while 'not Ma'rushat' refers to fruits (and produce) that grow wild inland and on mountains." 'Ata' Al-Khurasani said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Ma'rushat are the grapevines that are trellised, while 'not Ma'rushat' refers to grapevines that are not trellised." As-Suddi said similarly. As for these fruits being similar, yet different, Ibn Jurayj said, "They are similar in shape, but different in taste." Muhammad bin Ka'b said that the Ayah,

كُلُوا مِن ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ

(Eat of their fruit when they ripen,) means, "(Eat) from the dates and grapes they produce." Allah said next,

وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ

(but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest,) Mujahid commented, "When the poor people are present (on the day of harvest), give them some of the produce." 'Abdur-Razzaq recorded that Mujahid commented on the Ayah,

وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ

(but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest.)

"When planting, one gives away handfuls (of seed grains) and on harvest, he gives away handfuls and allows them to pick whatever is left on the ground of the harvest." Ath-Thawri said that Hammad narrated that Ibrahim An-Nakha'i said, "One gives away some of the hay." Ibn Al-Mubarak said that Shurayk said that Salim said that Sa'id bin Jubayr commented;

وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ

(but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest,) "This ruling, giving the poor the handfuls (of seed grains) and some of the hay as food for their animals, was before Zakah became obligatory."

Allah has chastised those who harvest, without giving away a part of it as charity. Allah mentioned the story of the owners of the garden in Surat Nun,

إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّهَا مُصْبِحِينَ - وَلَا يَسْتَثْنُونَ - فَطَافَ عَلَيْهَا طَائِفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ - فَأَصْبَحَتْ كَالصَّرِيمِ - فَتَنَادَوْا مُصْبِحِينَ - أَنِ اغْدُوا عَلَىٰ حَرْثِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَارِمِينَ - فَانطَلَقُوا وَهُمْ يَتَخَافَتُونَ - أَن لَّا يَدْخُلَنَّهَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكُم مِّسْكِينٌ - وَغَدَوْا عَلَىٰ حَرْدٍ قَادِرِينَ - فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهَا قَالُوا إِنَّا لَضَالُّونَ - بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ - قَالَ أَوْسَطُهُمْ أَلَمْ …

Eight pairs: of the sheep two (male and female), and of the goats two (male and female). Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful. (143)And of the camels two, and of oxen two. Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Or were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing? Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge. Certainly Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers. (144)

These Ayat demonstrate the ignorance of the Arabs before Islam.

They used to prohibit the usage of some of their cattle and designate them as 'Baḥīrah', 'Sā'ibah', 'Waşīlah' and 'Ḥām' etc. These were some of the innovations they invented for cattle, fruits and produce. Allah stated that He has created gardens, trellised and untrellised, and cattle, as animals of burden and as Farsh. Allah next mentioned various kinds of cattle, male and female, such as sheep and goats. He also created male and female camels and the same with cows. Allah did not prohibit any of these cattle or their offspring. Rather, they all were created for the sons of Adam as a source for food, transportation, work, milk, and other benefits, which are many. Allah said,

وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَنْعَامِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ

(And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs...)[39:6] Allah said;

أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(...or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose...) This refutes the idolators' statement,

مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَٰذِهِ الْأَنْعَامِ خَالِصَةٌ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِنَا

(What is in the bellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone, and forbidden to our females.)[6:139] Allah said,

نَبِّئُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.) meaning, tell me with sure knowledge, how and when did Allah prohibit what you claimed is prohibited, such as the 'Baḥīrah', 'Sā'ibah', 'Waşīlah' and 'Ḥām' etc.?

Al-'Awfi said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah's statement,

ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ مِّنَ الضَّأْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْمَعْزِ اثْنَيْنِ

(Eight pairs: of the sheep two, and of the goats two...) these are four pairs,

قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females...") I (Allah) did not prohibit any of these.

أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?) and does the womb produce but males and females? So why do you prohibit some and allow some others?

نَبِّئُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.) Allah is saying that all of this is allowed." Allah said,

أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ وَصَّاكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا

(Or, were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing?) mocking the idolators' innovations, and their lies that Allah made sacred what they have prohibited.

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا لِّيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ …

Eight pairs: of the sheep two (male and female), and of the goats two (male and female). Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females, or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful. (143)And of the camels two, and of oxen two. Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose? Or were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing? Then who does more wrong than one who invents a lie against Allah, to lead mankind astray without knowledge. Certainly Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers. (144)

These Ayat demonstrate the ignorance of the Arabs before Islam.

They used to prohibit the usage of some of their cattle and designate them as 'Baḥīrah', 'Sā'ibah', 'Waşīlah' and 'Ḥām' etc. These were some of the innovations they invented for cattle, fruits and produce. Allah stated that He has created gardens, trellised and untrellised, and cattle, as animals of burden and as Farsh. Allah next mentioned various kinds of cattle, male and female, such as sheep and goats. He also created male and female camels and the same with cows. Allah did not prohibit any of these cattle or their offspring. Rather, they all were created for the sons of Adam as a source for food, transportation, work, milk, and other benefits, which are many. Allah said,

وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَنْعَامِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ

(And He has sent down for you of cattle eight pairs...)[39:6] Allah said;

أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(...or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose...) This refutes the idolators' statement,

مَا فِي بُطُونِ هَٰذِهِ الْأَنْعَامِ خَالِصَةٌ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَىٰ أَزْوَاجِنَا

(What is in the bellies of such and such cattle is for our males alone, and forbidden to our females.)[6:139] Allah said,

نَبِّئُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.) meaning, tell me with sure knowledge, how and when did Allah prohibit what you claimed is prohibited, such as the 'Baḥīrah', 'Sā'ibah', 'Waşīlah' and 'Ḥām' etc.?

Al-'Awfi said that Ibn 'Abbas said, "Allah's statement,

ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ مِّنَ الضَّأْنِ اثْنَيْنِ وَمِنَ الْمَعْزِ اثْنَيْنِ

(Eight pairs: of the sheep two, and of the goats two...) these are four pairs,

قُلْ آلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(Say: "Has He forbidden the two males or the two females...") I (Allah) did not prohibit any of these.

أَمَّا اشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ الْأُنثَيَيْنِ

(or (the young) which the wombs of the two females enclose?) and does the womb produce but males and females? So why do you prohibit some and allow some others?

نَبِّئُونِي بِعِلْمٍ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

(Inform me with knowledge if you are truthful.) Allah is saying that all of this is allowed." Allah said,

أَمْ كُنتُمْ شُهَدَاءَ إِذْ وَصَّاكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهَٰذَا

(Or, were you present when Allah ordered you such a thing?) mocking the idolators' innovations, and their lies that Allah made sacred what they have prohibited.

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا لِّيُضِلَّ النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ …

Say: "I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, unless it be Maytah (a dead animal) or blood poured forth, or the flesh of swine; for that surely, is unclean (Rijs), or immorally slaughtered in the name of other than Allah. But whosoever is forced by necessity without willful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits; (for him) certainly, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (145)

Forbidden Things

Allah commands His servant and Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ,

قُلْ

(Say) O Muhammad ﷺ to those who prohibited what Allah has provided them, claiming this falsehood to be from Allah,

لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ

(I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it,)

This Ayah means, I do not find any animals that are prohibited, except these mentioned here. We should mention here that the prohibited things mentioned in Surat Al-Ma'idah and the Hadiths on this subject amend the meaning of this Ayah.

أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا

(or blood poured.) Qatadah commented, "Poured blood was prohibited, but the meat that still has some blood in it is allowed."

Al-Humaydi said that Sufyan narrated to us that 'Amr bin Dinar narrated to us, "I said to Jabir bin 'Abdullah, 'They claim that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibited the meat of donkeys during (the day of) Khaybar.' He said, 'Al-Hakam bin 'Amr narrated that from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. That scholar - refering to Ibn 'Abbas - denied it, reciting the Ayah;

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ

(Say: "I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it...")'"

Al-Bukhari and Abu Dawud collected it. Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah and Al-Hakim, in his Mustadrak, recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "During the time of Jahiliyyah, the people used to eat some things and avoid some other things, because they disliked them. Later on, Allah sent His Prophet ﷺ, revealed His Book, allowed what He allowed, and prohibited what He prohibited. Therefore, whatever Allah allowed is lawful and whatever He prohibited is unlawful. Whatever He did not mention, there is no sin in it." He then recited the Ayah,

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ

(Say: "I find not in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it...")

This is the wording with Ibn Marduwyah. Abu Dawud also recorded this statement, and Al-Hakim said, "Its chain is Sahih and they did not record it."

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said, "A sheep belonging to Sawdah bint Zam'ah died and she said, 'O Allah's Messenger! So-and-so (sheep) has died.' He said,

فَلِمَ لَا أَخَذْتُمْ مَسْكَهَا؟

(Why did you not use its skin?)

She said, 'Should we use the skin of a sheep that has died?' Allah's Messenger ﷺ said,

إِنَّمَا قَالَ اللهُ:

قُل لَّا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ

وَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَطْعَمُونَهُ أَنْ …

And unto those who are Jews, We forbade every (animal) with undivided hoof, and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep except what adheres to their backs or their Hawaya, or is mixed up with a bone. Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion. And verily, We are Truthful (146)

Foods that were Prohibited for the Jews Because of their Transgression

Allah says, We forbade for the Jews every bird and animal with undivided hoof, such as the camel, ostrich, duck and goose. Allah said here,

وَمِنَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَا

(and We forbade them the fat of the ox and the sheep...)

The Jews used to forbid these types of foods saying that Isra'il, or Ya'qub, used to forbid them for himself so they too forbid them. This was mentioned by As-Suddi. 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas said that,

إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَا

(except what adheres to their backs) refers to the fat that clings to their backs. Allah said next,

أَوِ الْحَوَايَا

(or their Hawaya) that is, the entrails, according to Abu Ja'far bin Jarir. He also said, "The meaning here is, 'And from ox and sheep, We forbade their fat for the Jews, except the fat on their backs and what the entrails carry." 'Ali bin Abi Talhah said that, Ibn 'Abbas said that the, Hawaya, are the entrails. Similar was reported from Mujahid, Sa'id bin Jubayr and Ad-Dahhak. Allah's statement,

أَوْ مَا اخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍ

(....or is mixed up with a bone.) means, We allowed the Jews the fat that is mixed with bones. Ibn Jurayj commented, "The fat on the rump that is mixed with the tailbone was allowed for them, and also the fat on the legs, head, eyes and what adheres to the bones." As-Suddi said similarly. Allah said,

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ

(Thus We recompensed them for their rebellion.) meaning, We imposed this restriction on them as recompense for their rebellion and defying Our commandments. Allah said in another Ayah,

فَبِظُلْمٍ مِّنَ الَّذِينَ هَادُوا حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ طَيِّبَاتٍ أُحِلَّتْ لَهُمْ وَبِصَدِّهِمْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا

(For the wrongdoing of the Jews, We made unlawful for them certain good foods which had been lawful for them – and for their hindering many from Allah's way)[4:160]. Allah's statement,

وَإِنَّا لَصَادِقُونَ

(And verily, We are Truthful.) means, We were justified in the penalty We gave them. Ibn Jarir commented, "We are Truthful in what We informed you of, O Muhammad; Our forbidding these foods for them, not as they claimed, that Israel merely forbade these things for himself (so they imitated him, they claimed)."

The Tricks of the Jews, and Allah's Curse

Abdullah bin 'Abbas narrated, "When 'Umar bin Al-Khattab was told that Samurah sold liquor, he commented, 'May Allah fight Samurah! Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

لَعَنَ اللهُ الْيَهُودَ حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الشُّحُومُ فَجَمَلُوهَا فَبَاعُوهَا

(May Allah curse the Jews! The fats were forbidden for them, so they melted the fat and sold it.)"

This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs. Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "In the year of the victory of Makkah, I heard Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying;

إِنَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ حَرَّمَ بَيْعَ …

If they deny you say: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy, and never will His wrath be turned back from the people who are criminals. (147)

Allah says, if your opponents among the idolators, Jews and their likes reject you, O Muhammad,

فَقُل رَّبُّكُمْ ذُو رَحْمَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ

(Say: "Your Lord is the Owner of vast mercy...") encouraging them to seek Allah's vast mercy and follow His Messenger ﷺ,

وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُهُ عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِينَ

(and never will His wrath be turned back from the people who are criminals.) discouraging them from defying the Messenger, the Final Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ.

Allah often joins encouragement with threats in the Qur'an. Allah said at the end of this Surah:

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ سَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

(Surely, your Lord is swift in retribution, and certainly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.)[6:165] Allah also said,

وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَىٰ ظُلْمِهِمْ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

(But verily, your Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind in spite of their wrongdoing. And verily, your Lord is (also) severe in punishment.)[13:6], and

نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ - وَأَنَّ عَذَابِي هُوَ الْعَذَابُ الْأَلِيمُ

(Declare unto My servants, that truly, I am the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful torment.)[15:49-50], and

غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ

(The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment.)[40:3] and,

إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ - إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ - وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ

(Verily, the punishment of your Lord is severe and painful. Verily, He it is Who begins and repeats. And He is Oft-Forgiving, full of love.)[85:12-14]. There are many other Ayat on this subject.

Those who committed Shirk say: "If Allah had willed, we would not have commited Shirk, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything (against His will)." Likewise belied those who were before them, till they tasted Our wrath. Say: "Have you any knowledge (proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow the Zann and you do nothing but lie. (148)Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all. (149)Say: "Bring forward your witnesses, who can testify that Allah has forbidden this." Then if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord (150)

A False Notion and its Rebuttal

Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said,

لَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكْنَا وَلَا آبَاؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن شَيْءٍ

("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah,

وَقَالُوا لَوْ شَاءَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَاهُم

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)")[43:20]. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next,

كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

(Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment.

قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ

(Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways,

فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَا

(that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However,

إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ

(Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking,

وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَخْرُصُونَ

(and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next,

قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ

قُلْ

(Say) O Muhammad, to them,

فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ

("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument...") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills.

فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.)

All of this …

Those who committed Shirk say: "If Allah had willed, we would not have commited Shirk, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything (against His will)." Likewise belied those who were before them, till they tasted Our wrath. Say: "Have you any knowledge (proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow the Zann and you do nothing but lie. (148)Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all. (149)Say: "Bring forward your witnesses, who can testify that Allah has forbidden this." Then if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord (150)

A False Notion and its Rebuttal

Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said,

لَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكْنَا وَلَا آبَاؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن شَيْءٍ

("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah,

وَقَالُوا لَوْ شَاءَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَاهُم

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)")[43:20]. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next,

كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

(Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment.

قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ

(Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways,

فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَا

(that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However,

إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ

(Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking,

وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَخْرُصُونَ

(and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next,

قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ

قُلْ

(Say) O Muhammad, to them,

فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ

("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument...") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills.

فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.)

All of this …

Those who committed Shirk say: "If Allah had willed, we would not have commited Shirk, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything (against His will)." Likewise belied those who were before them, till they tasted Our wrath. Say: "Have you any knowledge (proof) that you can produce before us? Verily, you follow the Zann and you do nothing but lie. (148)Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all. (149)Say: "Bring forward your witnesses, who can testify that Allah has forbidden this." Then if they testify, do not testify with them. And do not follow the vain desires of those who belie Our Ayat, and such as believe not in the Hereafter, and they hold others as equal with their Lord (150)

A False Notion and its Rebuttal

Here Allah mentioned a debate with the idolators, refuting a false notion they have over their Shirk and the things that they prohibited. They said, surely, Allah has full knowledge of the Shirk we indulge in, and that we forbid some kinds of wealth. Allah is able to change this Shirk by directing us to the faith, - they claimed - and prevent us from falling into disbelief, but He did not do that. Therefore - they said Allah indicated that He willed, decided and agreed that we do all this. They said,

لَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا أَشْرَكْنَا وَلَا آبَاؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِن شَيْءٍ

("If Allah had willed, we would not have taken partners (in worship) with Him, nor would our fathers, and we would not have forbidden anything.") Allah said in another Ayah,

وَقَالُوا لَوْ شَاءَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَا عَبَدْنَاهُم

(And they said: "If it had been the will of the Most Gracious (Allah), we should not have worshipped them (false deities)")[43:20]. Similar is mentioned in Surat An-Nahl. Allah said next,

كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ

(Likewise belied those who were before them,) for by using and relying on this understanding, the misguided ones before them were led astray. This notion is false and ungrounded, for had it been true, Allah would not have harmed them, destroyed them, aided His honorable Messengers over them, and made them taste His painful punishment.

قُلْ هَلْ عِندَكُم مِّنْ عِلْمٍ

(Say: "Have you any knowledge...") that Allah is pleased with you and with your ways,

فَتُخْرِجُوهُ لَنَا

(that you can produce before us.) and make it plain, apparent and clear for us. However,

إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ

(Verily, you only follow the Zann) doubts and wishful thinking,

وَإِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَخْرُصُونَ

(and you do nothing but lie) about Allah in the false claims that you utter. Allah said next,

قُلْ فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(Say: "With Allah is the perfect proof and argument; had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.") Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ

قُلْ

(Say) O Muhammad, to them,

فَلِلَّهِ الْحُجَّةُ الْبَالِغَةُ

("With Allah is the perfect proof and argument...") the perfect wisdom and unequivocal proof to guide whom He wills and misguide whom He wills.

فَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

(had He so willed, He would indeed have guided you all.)

All of this …