As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection concludes Surah 34, Sabã’ or Sheba, verses 37-54. These verses assert that belief is what bring us close to God, not wealth or children. Whatever the believers spend in charity will be returned to them by God. Meanwhile, the unbelievers are asked to reflect on their wrong statements or else on the Day of Judgment, they will want to believe but it will be too late.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.It is neither your wealth nor your children which bring you closer to Us even one jot, but those who believe and do good deeds; for them, there will be a double reward for their deeds and in high mansions shall they live in peace.[37] As for those who strive in opposing Our revelations, they shall be brought for punishment.[38] O Prophet tell them: “Surely my Lord gives abundantly to whom He pleases and sparingly to whom He wills. Whatever you spend in charity, He will pay you back. He is the best of those who provide sustenance.[39] One Day He will gather them all together and ask the angels: “Was it you that these people used to worship?”[40] They will respond: “Glory be to You! Our tie is with You – as a protector – not with them; but they used to worship the Jinns and it was them in whom most of these people believed.”[41] On that Day you will be helpless to profit or harm one another. To the wrongdoers We shall say: “Taste the punishment of the fire which you persistently denied.”[42] Today when Our clear revelations are recited to them, they say: “This man only wants to turn you away from those gods whom your forefathers have been worshiping.” Others say: “This Qur’an is nothing but an invented falsehood.” While yet others, who deny the truth when it comes to them, say: “This is nothing but plain magic.”[43] In fact, neither had We given them books to study, nor had We sent to them any Warner before you.[44] Those who have gone before them also denied – these Arabs have not received one tenth of what We had granted them – yet when they denied My Messengers, see how terrible was My scourge.[45] 34:[37-45]
O Prophet say: “I would ask you one thing. For Allah’s sake! Think individually or consult one another and ponder whether your companion Muhammad is really mad? You yourself will come to the conclusion that he is nothing but a Warner to you to forewarn you of a severe punishment.”[46] Tell them: “I do not ask you for any recompense, even though what I preach is all in your interest. My reward is only due from Allah and He is a witness over everything.”[47] Say: “In fact my Lord reveals to me the truth, and He is the Knower of all hidden realities.”[48] Say: “The truth has arrived and falsehood neither originates nor restores anything.”[49] Say: “If I am in error, the loss is surely mine and if I am right, it is because of what my Lord has revealed to me. Surely He hears all and is very close.”[50] 34:[46-50]
If you could only see the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement when they will be in a state of confusion! On that Day there will be no escape; and they will be seized from a nearby place.[51] Then they will say: “We believe in it (the Truth brought by the Prophet”: but how could they attain the Faith from such a far distant place.[52] They had disbelieved in it before – and they had sneered at the unseen when they were far away during their life on earth?[53] A barrier will be placed between them and what they desired to have as was done with the similar people before them; for they were indeed involved in a misleading suspicion.[54] 34:[51-54]
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.