Surah 29 (Al-‘Ankabüt), Verses 45-69 (Y6)

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Summary

Today’s selection concludes Surah 29, Al-‘Ankabüt or the Spider, verses 45-69. These verses talk of Prayer as a way to keep away from shameful deeds. Furthermore, do no argue with the People of the Book except in good taste. As proof, we are asked to consider how many creatures do not carry their provisions with them. Allah provides for them as he provides for us. The life of this world is nothing but a past time; real life is the life of the hereafter. Lastly, those who strive in the cause of Allah, will be guided to the right way.

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Verses

Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.

Recite from this Book (Al-Qur’an) which has been revealed to you and establish Salah (Islamic prayers). Surely Salah keeps one away from shameful and evil deeds; and surely the remembrance of Allah (and Allah’s mention of your name in front of the angels) is the greatest indeed, Allah knows what you do.[45] Do not argue with the People of the Book except in good taste – except with those who are wicked among them – and say: “We believe in that which is sent down to us and that which is sent down to you; Our God and your God is the same One God to Whom we submit as Muslims.”[46] O Prophet, We have sent down this Book to you (similar to that of Moses and Jesus). So the People of the Book believe in it, and so do some of these (people of Arabia): and none but unbelievers deny Our revelations.[47] O Muhammad, you have never read a book before this nor have you ever transcribed one with your right hand. Had you done either of these, the quibblers could suspect it.[48] Rather, these are clear signs in the breast of those who are endowed with knowledge: and none deny Our signs except the wrongdoers.[49] They ask: “Why have the signs not been sent down to him from his Lord?” Tell them: “The signs are in the hands of Allah. I am only a plain Warner.”[50] Is it not enough for them that We have sent down to you this Book (Al-Qur’an) which is recited to them, surely in it is a blessing and a reminder for those who believe.[51] 29:[45-51]

Tell them: “Allah is sufficient as a witness between me and you – for He knows all that is in the heavens and the earth – those who believe in falsehood and disbelieve Allah, it is they who shall be the losers.”[52] They challenge you to hasten the scourge on them. Had a time not been fixed for it, the scourge would already have overtaken them. It is going to come suddenly and catch them unaware.[53] They challenge you to hasten the scourge, whereas hell has already encircled the unbelievers.[54] On that Day the punishment shall cover them from above and from beneath their feet, and Allah will say: “Now taste the reward of your deeds.”[55] O My servants who have believed! Surely My earth is spacious to migrate if needed, therefore worship Me and Me Alone.[56] Every soul shall taste death, then to Us you shall all return.[57] Those who embrace true faith and do good deeds shall be lodged in the mansions of paradise beneath which rivers flow, to live therein forever. What an excellent reward for the doers of good deeds;[58] the ones who have shown patience and put their trust in their Lord.[59] How many creatures are there that do not carry their provisions with them? Allah provides for them as He provides for you. It is He Who is All-hearing, All-knowing.[60] If you ask the disbelievers as to who has created the heavens and the earth, and subjected the sun and the moon to His laws? They will certainly say: “Allah!” How are they then being deluded away from the truth?[61] Allah gives abundantly to whom He pleases and sparingly to whom He wills; surely Allah has knowledge of all things.[62] And if you ask them who sends down rainwater from the sky and thereby raises the dead land back to life?” They will certainly say: “Allah!” Say, “Praise be to Allah!” Yet most of them do not use their common sense.[63] 29:[52-63]

The life of this world is nothing but a pastime and play! It is the life of the hereafter that is the true life, if they but knew it.[64] If they embark on a ship, and the ship gets into trouble, they call upon Allah, being sincerely obedient to Him; but when He brings them safely to land, they start committing shirk (giving credit for their safe arrival to others);[65] so that they may become ungrateful for the blessing that We have bestowed on them and enjoy the life of this world! They will soon come to know the result of this behavior.[66] Do they not see that We have made for them a secure sanctuary in the Ka’bah, while the people are being snatched away from all around them? Do they still believe in falsehood and deny the blessings of Allah?[67] And who is more wicked than the one who forges a lie against Allah or rejects the Truth when it reaches him? Is not the hell a fitting abode for such disbelievers?[68] As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways; rest assured that Allah is with the righteous.[69] 29:[64-69]

Ameen.

This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.

Thank you and be well.