As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is from Surah 22, Al-Hajj or Pilgrimage, verses 11-25. These verses discuss the behavior of those standing at the verge of faith, God’s help to his Messengers, a description of the disbelievers’ garments in hell, and the rights of natives and foreigners to access Al Masjid-al-Harãm, or the Kabah.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.There are some people who worship Allah standing on the verge of faith (half faith and half disbelief). When such a person is blessed with good fortune he is content; but if he encounters a trial he turns back headlong; thus losing both this world and the Hereafter, which is a clear-cut loss.[11] Then instead of Allah, he starts calling those deities who can neither harm nor help him; now that is going too far off in deviation from the Right Way.[12] He is calling upon those who are more likely to harm than help; what an evil master and what an evil friend he chooses for help![13] As for those who believe and do good deeds, Allah will admit them to gardens beneath which the rivers flow. Surely Allah does what He wants.[14] 22:[11-14]
If anyone thinks that Allah will not help His Messenger in this world and in the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the sky if he can and cut a hole to peep through and see for himself whether his device can avert that which irritates him.[15] Thus have We revealed this The Qur’an in clear verses; and verily Allah gives guidance to whom He wants.[16] Surely as for those who are true believers (the Muslims), the Jews, the Sabians, the Christians, the Magians and the ones who commit shirk (polytheists) – Allah will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection; for Allah is a witness over everything.[17] Do you not see how all who dwell in the heavens and the earth bow down in worship to Allah, including the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the animals, and a large number of people, even a large number of those deserving the punishment. He who is humbled by Allah has none who can raise him to honor; surely Allah does what He pleases. [18] 22:[15-18]
These are the two adversaries (the believers and disbelievers) who dispute with each other about their Lord: as for the disbelievers, garments of Fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured over their heads,[19] which will not only melt their skins but also the inner parts of their bellies,[20] and there will be maces of iron to lash them.[21] Whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape therefrom, they will be forced back therein, and will be told: “Taste the punishment of conflagration!”[22] 22:[19-22]
As for those who have faith and do good deeds, Allah will certainly admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall be decked with pearls and bracelets of gold, and their garments will be of silk.[23] This is because during their life on earth, they were guided to accept the pure words of Allah and they were shown the Way of the All-Praiseworthy.[24] As for those who are unbelievers and debar others from the Way of Allah and from the Masjid-al-Harãm, to which We have assigned all mankind with equal rights whether they are natives or foreigners, and whoever intends to deviate from righteousness to wrongdoing in its vicinity, We will make him taste a painful punishment.[25] 22:[23-25]
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.