English Translation of Al-Quran
[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]
Ayat 51. (O Muhammad ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH).): And if you could but see, when they will be terrified with no escape (for them), and they will be seized from a near place.
Ayat 52. And they will say (in the Hereafter): “We do believe (now);” but how could they receive (Faith and the acceptance of their repentance by Allah) from a place so far off (i.e. to return to worldly life again).
Tafseer of Surah Saba’ (Sheba) Ayat. 51 and 52. If thou could but see when they will quake with terror; but then there will be no escape (for them), and they will be seized from a position (quite) near. After the arguments for the reality and triumph of Truth, we are asked to contemplate the position of the opposers of Truth when Truth is established. They will be struck with terror: For Truth is all-compelling. They will wish they could get away from that position, but that would be impossible. They will not be able to move far; they will be held fast to the consequences of their own earlier conduct. They will be caught quite close to the point of their departure from Truth. Ayat 52. And they will say, “We do believe (now) in the (Truth)”; but how could they receive (Faith) from a position (so far off, they will now profess their faith in Truth, but of what value will such a profession be? Faith is a belief in things unseen; now everything is plain and open before them. The position in which they could have received Faith is left far off behind them, when Truth was struggling and asked for help or asylum, and they cruelly, arrogantly, insultingly repudiated Truth.
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When this Verse was revealed: “And warn your tribe (O Muhammad ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) of near kindred”. (26:214) Messenger of Allah ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH) called the Quraysh; when they gathered, he said to them: “O sons of `Abd Shams; O sons of Kaab bin Lu’ai rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of Murrah bin Kaab, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abd Manaf, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O sons of `Abdul-Muttalib, rescue yourselves from the Fire! O Fatimah, rescue yourself from the Fire, for I have no power (to protect you) from Allah in anything except that I would sustain a relationship with you”.
[Muslim Book 01, Chapter 87, Hadith # 399].
Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 51. (O Muhammad ﷺ [SAWW](PBUH).): And if you could but see, when they will be terrified with no escape”
- This Hadith tells us that lineage in the Hereafter will not help anybody. So much so that even one’s relationship with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) shall not carry any weight on that day. The only thing that will then help in salvation will be one’s good deeds. People for whom the Prophet (PBUH) and pious men will intercede will be believers with some sins in their account and not the disbelievers devoid of Faith and good actions. Neither will anybody intercede for the infidels, nor will the infidels find salvation. 2. In preaching religion, priority must be given to one’s own close relatives. They deserve it more than anyone else and for these reasons Divine injunctions should be first of all conveyed to them. 3. Even if a Muslim’s relatives are pagans and polytheists, their rights of kinsmen and the demands of “maintaining the ties of kinship” enjoined by Islam must be fulfilled. The first and foremost demand of their rights is that they should be invited to the right path so that they will be saved from Hell-fire.
