As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection concludes Surah 72, Al-Jinn or the Spirits, verses 16-28. In these verses, it is asserted that mosques are built for the worship of Allah, so no one else should be invoked in them. Prophets do not have the power to harm or benefit anyone; they only convey God’s message. Only God knows the unseen and reveals it to those Prophets.
Tafseer for this selection concerns the deeper meaning behind the analogy of “rain” in verse 16.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.O Prophet, say: “If they (the Makkans) had steadfastly followed the Right Way, We would have certainly bestowed on them abundant rain, [16] and thereby put them to test. He that gives no heed to the warnings of his Lord, shall be made to undergo severe punishment.[17] Mosques are built for Allah’s worship; therefore, invoke not anyone along with Allah.[18] Yet, when Allah’s servant Muhammad stood up to invoke Him, they (unbelievers) were ready to attack him.”[19] 72:[16-19]
O Prophet, say: “I pray only to my Lord and worship none besides Him.”[20] Say: “I have no control to cause harm or bring you to the Right Way.”[21] Say: “If I were to disobey Him, no one can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge besides Him.[22] My mission is only to deliver what I receive from Allah and make His messages known. As for those who disobey Allah and His Messenger, they shall be put in the fire of hell to live therein forever.”[23] When they shall see the punishment that they are being threatened with, then they shall find out whose helpers are weak and whose supporters are fewer in number.[24] Say: “I do not know whether the punishment that you are threatened with is near or whether my Lord has set for it a distant term.[25] He Alone knows the unseen. He does not reveal His secrets to anyone[26] except to the Messenger whom He may choose for that purpose, and then He appoints guards, who march before him and behind him,[27] that He may know that they (the Messengers) have indeed delivered the messages of their Lord. He also encompasses all their surroundings and keeps a count of each and every thing.”[28] 72:[20-28]
Ameen.
Tafseer
Concerning the use of the word, “rain”, in verse 16:
Rain: literally, water, stands for all kinds of blessings – material, moral, and spiritual. Among the spiritual blessings is the insight into higher things, which results from our will and endeavour to stand firm on the right Way; the material, moral and spiritual Law established by Allah. All blessings come by way of trial: the more we have, the more is expected of us. A man of gifts, talents, or insight is expected to show a higher standard of love and unselfishness than one less gifted, just as a rich man is expected to give more in charity than a poor man.
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.