As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 6, Al-An‘âm or the Cattle, verses 21-41. These verses assert that prejudice has caused people to commit shirk, which is to associate other deities with Allah, and describes some scenes from life after death. Those who deny the ministry of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), deny God’s revelations whereas those who accept the word of Allah, accept truth and can use their common sense to see the God’s handiwork in nature.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.Who can be more wicked than a person who forges a lie against Allah or denies His revelations? Surely, the wrongdoers shall never get salvation.[21] On the Day of Judgment when We gather them all together, We shall ask the mushrikeen (those who associate others with Allah): “Where are those deities whom you ascribed to be My partners?”[22] They will have no argument but to say: “By Allah, our Lord, we were not at all mushrikeen.”[23] See how they will lie against their own souls, and how the deities of their own inventions will leave them in the lurch.[24] Of them there are some who pretend that they listen to you; but their prejudices have dulled their faculties and We have cast veils over their hearts and deafness in their ears so they are unable to understand. Even if they see every one of Our Signs, they will not believe. So much so, that when they come to you, they argue with you. The unbelievers say: “These are nothing but tales of the old times.”[25] They themselves have turned away from the truth and also forbid other people to believe in it. With such a behavior they harm none but their own souls but they do not perceive it.[26] 6:[21-26]
If you could witness the scene, when they are made to stand before the hell-fire, they will say: “We wish we could return to earthly life again; then we would not deny the revelations of our Lord, and we would join the believers!”[27] In fact, they will say this because they had come to know the reality which they were concealing before. As a matter of fact, even if they be sent back, they would certainly repeat the same things which they had been forbidden to do. Indeed they are liars.[28] Today they say: “There is no other life except the life of this world and we shall never be raised to life again.”[29] If you could witness the scene when they are brought before their Lord; He will ask, “Is this not the reality?” They will say: “Yes, our Lord, this is the reality.” He will order: “Well, then taste the punishment for denying this reality.”[30] 6: [27-30]
Those people are indeed lost who deny that they will ever meet Allah. When the hour of Doomsday overtakes them all of a sudden, they will exclaim: “Alas! How negligent we have been about this Hour.” They will be carrying the burden of their sins on their backs; and evil indeed are the burdens that they carry![31] The life of this world is nothing but play and amusement, but the life of the hereafter will be better for those who are pious. Will you not use your common sense?[32] O Muhammad We know it well that what they say grieves you: it is not you that they deny, these wrongdoers actually deny the revelations of Allah.[33] Many Messengers before you were denied but patiently bore with their denial and persecution until Our help came down to them; for none can change the decrees of Allah. You have already received the news of what happened to those Messengers.[34] If you find their aversion hard to bear, then see if you can make a tunnel in the ground or put a ladder to ascend in the skies by which you can bring them a sign. O Prophet, you know well that if Allah wanted, He would have given guidance to all. So do not be like the ignorant.[35] 6:[31-35]
Surely, those who listen to Our revelations with an open mind will accept the Truth. As for the dead (those with closed minds), Allah will bring them back to life, on the Day of Judgment, then to Him they will be returned for their recompense.[36] They ask: “Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?” Tell them: “Allah is surely able to send down a Sign if He wants; but most of them do not understand the wisdom behind it.”[37] If you really want to see the signs of Allah, just look at any animal that walks upon the earth and any bird that flies in the air; they too are communities like you. We have not left out anything from the Book. They all shall be gathered before their Lord.[38] Those who deny Our Revelations are deaf and dumb, living in many layers of darkness. Allah leaves astray whom He will, and guides to the Right Way whom He please.[39] Ask them to think carefully and answer: “When the punishment of Allah smites you or the last Hour approaches you, do you call for help anyone other than Allah? Answer me if you are truthful!”[40] No, on Him Alone you will call, and forget those whom you have set up as His partners; then if He pleases, He relieves you from the affliction about which you have prayed to Him.[41] 6: [36-41]
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.