Category: Daily Quran & Hadith

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 54. And (remember) Lout AS (Lot)! When he said to his people . Do you commit Al­Fahishah (evil, great sin, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, sodomy, etc.) while you see (one another doing evil without any screen, etc.)?”

Ayat 55. “Do you approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly.”

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 54 & 55. (We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, “Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)? The story of Lut is referred to elsewhere. The passages to which reference may be made here are: 26:160-175, and 7:80-84. But the point emphasized here is that the crime of the Cities of the Plain was against their own nature, and they saw its enormity, and yet they indulged in it. Can degradation go further? His wife was not apparently a Believer. Her previous sympathy with the sinful people “destined her” (verse 57) to a miserable end, as she lagged behind and shared in the destruction of her kinsfolk. Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! The ignorance referred to here is the spiritual ignorance, the ignorance of how grossness and sins that bring shame on their own physical and moral nature are doomed to destroy them: it is their own loss. That they knew the iniquity of their sins has already been stated in the last verse. That knowledge makes their spiritual ignorance all the more culpable, just as a man consciously deceiving people by half-truths is a greater liar than a man who tells lies inadvertently.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, “O people! Allah is Pure and, therefore, accepts only that which is pure. Allah has commanded the believers as He has commanded His Messengers by saying: `O Messengers! Eat of the good things, and do good deeds.’ (23:51) And He said: `O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you…”’ (2:172). Then he [SAWW](PBUH) made a mention of the person who travels for a long period of time, his hair are disheveled and covered with dust. He lifts his hand towards the sky and thus makes the supplication: `My Rubb! My Rubb!’ But his food is unlawful, his drink is unlawful, his clothes are unlawful and his nourishment is unlawful, how can, then his supplication be accepted?”

[Muslim Hadith # 2214].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 55. “Nay, but you are a people who behave senselessly” This Hadith shows the value of the honest earning, for the grant of prayer, honest earning is essential. Allah accepts charity only if it has been earned in an honest way. Moreover, before any pious action, honest earning for living is essential; otherwise good actions will also go waste.

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 50. So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not.

Ayat 51. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together.

Ayat 52. These are their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know.

Ayat 53. And We saved those who believed, and used to fear Allah, and keep their duty to Him.

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 50 to 53. They plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not. Their secret plotting is all known to Allah, but of Allah’s just and beneficent plans they know nothing. And the wicked must come to an evil end. Then see what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them). Now such were their houses, – in utter ruin, because they practiced wrong- doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge. And We saved those who believed and practiced righteousness.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) and his Companions reached Al-Hijr, the dwellings of the Thamud people, he admonished his Companions (saying), “Do not pass by these people who are being tormented, without weeping, lest the punishment should befall you as it had befallen them.” [Al-Bukhari Hadith # 433].

Another narration is: Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) passed near Al-Hijr, he said, “Do not enter without weeping, the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, lest the same chastisement should fall upon you as it had fallen upon them.” Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 52. “their houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayah (a lesson or a sign) for people who know” The Thamud were the people to whose guidance Allah sent Prophet Salih (PBUH). They lived between Al-Madinah and Syria. In 10 A.H. when the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) went to the Syrian border for the Tabuk expedition, he also passed through this ruined territory. This Hadith is related to the address which he gave to his Companions on the occasion. Here is an instruction that when we happen to pass through the territory of a nation destroyed in the past as a result of Divine wrath, we are advised to quicken one’s pace. That is why we have been commanded to avoid the company of the corrupt and the wrongdoers, lest we meet their bad end, too. As the Quran says: “And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you.” (11:113) May Allah save us from it!

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 47. They said: “We augur ill omen from you and those with you.” He said: “Your ill omen is with Allah; nay, but you are a people that are being tested.”

Ayat 48. And there were in the city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.

Ayat 49. They said: “Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: ‘We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth”.

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 47 to 49. They said: “ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee”. He said: “Your ill omen is with Allah. yea, ye are a people under trial.” All evil unpunished is not evil condoned, but evil given a chance for reform. They are on trial, by the mercy of Allah. What they call “ill omen” is really the just punishment for their ill-deeds, and that punishment rests with Allah. (Cf. 36:18-19). There were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform. They had made up their minds to wage a relentless war against justice. They did not destroy justice, but justice destroyed them. They said: “Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): ´We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.´” A most dastardly plot, because (1) it was to be secret, (2) by night, (3) taking their victims unawares, and (4) because careful provision was made that they should all tell lies together, saying that they knew nothing about it, in order to evade the vengeance which Salih’s heirs (if any were left) or his tribe might want to exact! And yet such were exactly the plots laid against the Holy Prophet PBUH himself.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Muawiya bin Al-Hakam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said: “O Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH), I have recently emerged from ignorance and Allah has favoured me with Islam. There are still some men among us who visit the soothsayers to consult them (on matters relating to the future).” He [SAWW](PBUH) replied, “Do not visit them.” I said: “There are some men who are guided by omens.” He replied, “These are the ideas which come up in their minds but you should not be influenced by them (i.e., these things) should not prevent them from pursuing their works.” I said: “There are some men who practice divination by drawing lines on the ground.” The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) replied, “There was a Prophet who drew lines, the line which agrees with the line drawn by that Prophet would be correct.”

[Muslim Book 04,Chapter 51, Hadith # 1094]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 47 “They said: “We augur ill omen from you and those with you”. “These are the ideas which come up in their minds” means that sometimes something appears and one’s mind at once takes it as a bad omen. This is something instinctive and natural and one is not accountable for it. But if one acts in accordance with that omen then what he does is wrong and is, therefore, forbidden. For this reason, the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) said, “(i.e., these things) should not prevent them from pursuing their works.”

2. The drawing of a line mentioned in this Hadith is different from the drawing of lines in Iyafah mentioned earlier. Moreover, that was an act of a Prophet which was done by him in the light of Wahy sent to him by Allah and, therefore, was certainly correct. But now, nobody possesses that knowledge and cannot, therefore, be adopted. The statement of the Prophet (PBUH) that: “The line which agrees with the line drawn by that Prophet would be correct” was by way of elucidation. It does not mean that that act can also be done by anyone today, for how can it be done without knowing its principles. How did that Prophet of Allah draw that line? What were its principles? Since that knowledge has passed away with that Prophet, it is now no longer valid, nor would it be fruitful. Who was the Prophet who did it? Some people say it was Prophet Daniyal (PBUH)(Daniel), while others think it was Prophet Idris (PBUH). Allah Alone knows the truth.

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 45. And indeed, We sent to Thamud their brother Saleh AS (Saleh), saying: “Worship Allah (Alone and no one else). Then look! They became two parties (believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other.”

Ayat 46. He said: “O my people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah’s Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?”

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 45 & 46. We sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Saleh AS , saying, “Serve Allah.: But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other. The main story of Thamud, who were broken into two factions, the rich oppressing the poor and keeping them out of the good things of life and the test case of the She-camel, will be found in 26:141-159 and the notes thereon. The point here is the secret plot of the nine men against the Prophet of Allah, whose teaching, they thought, brought them ill-luck; but what they called ill-luck was the just punishment from Allah for their own ill-deeds. Their plot was foiled, and the whole community, which was involved in evil, was destroyed. He said: “O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy. The evildoers were really hastening on their own punishment by their feuds against the poor. The advocates of justice were not bringing ill-luck to them. They were showing the way toward it off. Their own injustice was bringing on them disaster.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) used to say when he was in distress: “La ilaha illallahul-Azimul-Halim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbul-`Arshil-`Azim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbus-samawati, wa Rabbul-ardi, wa Rabbul-`Arshil-Karim. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Incomparably Great, the Compassionate. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Rubb of the Mighty Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Rubb of the heavens, the Rubb of the earth, and the Rubb of the Honorable Throne).”

[Al-Bukhari Book 08, Chapter 75, Hadith # 357]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 46 “Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allah’s Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allah, that you may receive mercy?” The only medicine in a time of distress is the remembrance of Allah Whose Help alone should be sought. This Dua contains words which glorify Allah and exalt Him far above all else. It is desirable to recite these words when one is in distress as this is exactly what the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite in such situations.

 

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 44. It was said to Queen of Saba: “Enter As-Sarh” [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her clothes) uncovering her legs, Suleiman AS (Solomon) said: “Verily, it is Sarh [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace] paved smooth with slab of glass.” She said: “My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam, together with Suleiman AS (Solomon), to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).”

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 44. She was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: “This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass.” She said: “O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds.” Queen of Saba, having been received with honour on her arrival, and having accepted the transformation of her throne, placed presumably in an outer building of the Palace, is asked to enter the great Palace itself. Its floor was made of slabs of smooth polished glass that glistened like water. She thought it was water, and tucked up her clothes to pass through it, showing her bare feet and ankles. This was a very undignified position for a woman, especially one of the positions of a Queen. Solomon immediately undeceived her, and told her the real facts, when she felt grateful, and joined herself with Solomon in praising Allah. In symbolic language, a new entrant into the Palace of divine knowledge, may yet carry in his mind many of the illusions of the lower world, the transparent crystal of Truth he may yet mistake for the unstable water of worldly vanity, which soils the vestments of those who paddle in it. This leads to many undignified positions and mistakes. But a gentle leader points out the truth. Instead of resenting it, the new entrant is grateful, acknowledges her own mistake freely and frankly, and heartily joins with the Teacher in the worship of Allah, the Source of all truth and knowledge.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Adi bin Hatim At-Tai (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) say: “He who has taken an oath (to do something) but found something else better than that (which brings him closer to Allah), then he should do that which is better in piety (and he should expiate for the breaking of oath)”.

[Muslim Book 015 Hadith # 4057].

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 44 “She said: “My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islam” This Hadith emphasizes the importance of having the fear of Allah. So much so that if somebody has made a vow to commit some sin he should break it, arrange for its expiation and keep himself away from that sin or any other act that contravenes the fear of Allah.

 

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 40. One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: “I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!” Then when [Suleiman AS (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss of his own self). Certainly! My Lord is Rich (Free of all wants), Bountiful.”

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 40. Said one who had knowledge of the Book: “I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!” Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: “This is by the Grace of my Lord!-to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour !” The symbolic meaning still continues. The big ‘Ifrit had boasted of his brute strength, and his reliability. But this is not enough to transform a power (throne) based on materialism into one based on inward knowledge, knowledge of the heart and spirit, the sort of knowledge that comes from the Book of the Grace of Allah, the spirit of truth and benevolence which is the invisible magic of Prophet of Allah. Even if worldly power and common honesty may be able to effect some good, it will take a comparatively long time, while the magic of spiritual love acts instantaneously. Solomon was thankful to Allah for he had men endowed with such power, and he had the throne of Bilqis transported to his Court and transformed as he desired, without Bilqis even knowing it. If Solomon had been ungrateful to Allah, i.e., if he had worked for his own selfish or worldly ends, he could have used the brute strength of the “Ifrit to add to his worldly strength and glory. Instead, he uses the higher magic of the Book-or the Spirit-to transform the throne of Bilqis for her highest good, which means also the highest good for her subjects, by the divine Light. He had the two alternatives, and he chose the better, and he thus shows his gratitude to Allah for the Grace He had given him. Man’s gratitude to Allah is not a thing that benefits Allah, for Allah is high above all needs; it benefits a man’s soul and gives him higher rank in the spiritual world. Per contra, man’s ingratitude will not detract from Allah’s Glory and Honour or the value of Allah’s generous gifts to man: for Allah as supreme in honour, glory and generosity. Karim in Arabic involved all three significations.

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Iyad bin Himar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, “Allah has revealed to me that you should humble yourselves to one another. One should neither hold himself above another nor transgress against another.”

[Muslim Book 40, Chapter 17, Hadith # 6856]

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Al-Naml Ayat 40 “Grace of my Lord to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self”. To treat each other humbly, leniently and lovingly is understood as humility. One, under this principle, is also required not to despise anybody on the basis of wealth, social distinction and lineage. Moreover, one should also not adopt an unkind attitude towards others. Besides, if Allah has bestowed honour on somebody, he is supposed to be grateful to Him, instead of behaving disrespectfully towards people and subjecting them to unkindness and tyranny.

English Translation of Al-Quran

[27].Surah Al-Naml [The Ants]

Ayat 38. Suleiman AS (Solomon) said: “O chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in obedience?”

Ayat 39. An Ifrit (strong) from the jinns said: “I will bring it to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work.”

Tafseer of Surah Al Naml (The Ants) Ayat 38 & 39. He said (to his own men): “Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?” The throne is symbolic of power and dignity. So far her throne was based on material wealth: Solomon is going to alter it to a basis of Faith and the Religion of Unity. Said an ´Ifrit, of the Jinns: “I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted.” ‘Ifrit: a large, powerful jinn, reputed to be crafty: hence he is anxious to be recognized as one that “could be trusted”

English Translation of Hadith

Hazrat Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We swore allegiance to Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) to hear and obey; in time of difficulty and in prosperity, in hardship and in ease, to endure being discriminated against and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding which there is a proof from Allah. We swore allegiance to the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) to say what was right wherever we were, and not to fear anyone’s reproach. [Muslim Volume 020, Book 08, Hadith # 4541].

Lesson : It has been emphasized in this Hadith that even if a Muslim ruler is sinful and cruel, one should not disobey him unless he orders to go against the Divine injunctions. In that case, such rulers should not be obeyed. Similarly, it is not permissible to revolt against them until they commit clear-cut infidelity because there is a greater danger of loss in revolt and rebellion. It should be noted once and for all that the expression of truth and compliance with religious injunctions have top priority on all occasions. This should be done regardless of what people say on this account