English Translation of Al-Quran
[33].Surah Al-Ahzab [The Confederates]
Ayat 62. That was the Way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old, and you will not find any change in the Way of Allah.
Ayat 63. People ask you (Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH).” concerning the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection), say: “The knowledge of it is with Allah only. What do you know? It may be that the Hour is near!”
Tafseer of Surah Al Ahzab (The Confederates) Ayat 62 and 63. (Such was) the practice (approved) of Allah among those who lived aforetime: No change wilt thou find in the practice (approved) of Allah. The Jewish Law was much more severe: see 33:26. That severity is mitigated in Islam. But it is a universal principle that any element which deliberately refuses to obey law and aggressively tries to subvert all order in society, secretly and openly, must be effectively suppressed, for the preservation of the life and health of the general community.
Ayat 63. Men ask thee concerning the Hour: Say, “The knowledge thereof is with Allah (alone)”: and what will make thee understand?- perchance the Hour is nigh! Cf. 7:187, where the idea is further explained. The knowledge of the Final Hour is with Allah alone. The fact of its coming is certain: the exact time when it will come has not been revealed. If it were, it would disturb our thoughts and life. “Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth.” But at any given moment it cannot be far distant. In theological language, each individual’s death is a Final Hour, a Qiyamah Sughra (Lesser Day of Judgement). In that sense it is not the same for all individuals, and is certainly always near, “In the midst of life we are in death”, as the Anglican Prayer-Book says in its Burial Service.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Once we were sitting in the company of Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) when there appeared a man dressed in very white clothes and having extraordinary black hair. No signs of fatigue of journey appeared on him and he was known to none of us. He sat down facing the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) leaning his knees against the knees of the Prophet (PBUH) and placing both of his palms over his two thighs and said, “O Muhammad (PBUH)! Tell me about Islam”. He (PBUH)replied, “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah; that you observe Salat (prayers), pay Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) of Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) of the House, provided you have resources of making journey to it.” He replied: “You have spoken the truth”. We were surprised to see that he had asked him and confirmed the correctness of the answers. He then enquired: “Tell me about Iman”. He [SAWW](PBUH) said, “It is to believe in Allah, and His Books, and His Messengers and the Last Day and that you believe in fore ordainment, it’s bad and good consequences.” He said, “You have spoken the truth.” He then enquired: “Tell me about Ihsan.” He [SAWW](PBUH) said, “It is to worship Allah as if you are seeing Him; and although you do not see Him, He sees you”. He enquired: “Inform me about the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)”. He [SAWW](PBUH) replied, “I have no more knowledge thereof than you”. He said, “Inform me about some of its signs”. He [SAWW](PBUH) said, “They are – that a bondswoman gives birth to her own master, and that you will find the barefooted, naked, poor shepherds competing one another in the construction of higher buildings”. Then he departed. The Messenger of Allah kept silent for a while then he said to me, “O `Umar! Do you know who the questioner was?” I replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better”. The Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) said, “He was Jibril (Gabriel); he came to you to teach you your religion”.
[Muslim Book 001, Chapter 001, Hadith # 001]
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahzab Ayat 63. “People ask you (Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH).” concerning the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection), This Hadith is known as ‘Hadith Jibril’. It mentions the basics of Islam the details of which are known to every Muslim. Al-Qadr (Divine preordainment) means that Allah already knows and had recorded everything that will happen until the Day of Resurrection. Now whatever happens is in accordance with that knowledge and writing. What is meant by its good and bad consequences can be illustrated by saying that tranquility; prosperity and abundance of crops come in the category of good consequences. Famine, calamities and troubles, etc., fall in the list as evil consequences. But we regard them good or bad according to our own understanding; otherwise, every action of Allah has some wisdom and expedience which are known to Him Alone.
