Allah tells us that after the people of Nuh Alaihissalaam, He created another nation. It was said that this was `Ad, because they were the successors of the people of Nuh Alaihissalaam or it was said that they were Thamud.
Allah sent to them a Messenger from among themselves, and he called them to worship Allah Alone with no partner or associate, but they belied him, opposed him and refused to follow him because he was a human being like them, and they refused to follow a human Messenger. They did not believe in the meeting with Allah on the Day of Resurrection and they denied the idea of physical resurrection.
They said:
(Does he promise you that when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall come out alive (resurrected) Far, very far is that which you are promised!) meaning, very unlikely.
(He is only a man who has invented a lie against Allah,and we are not going to believe in him.
He said: “O my Lord! Help me because they deny me.” meaning, the Messenger prayed against his people and asked his Lord to help him against them. His Lord answered his prayer:
(Allah) said: “In a little while, they are sure to be regretful.”) meaning, `for their opposition towards you and their stubborn rejection of the Message you brought to them.’
(So, The Sayhah overtook them in truth,) meaning, they deserved that from Allah because of their disbelief and wrongdoing. The apparent meaning is that the Sayhah was combined with the furious cold wind,
(Destroying everything by the command of its Lord! So they became such that nothing could be seen except their dwellings!) ﴿46:25﴾
(and We made them as rubbish of dead plants.) means, they are dead and destroyed, like the scum and rubbish left by a flood, i.e., something insignificant and useless that is of no benefit to anyone.
(33. `Adn (Gardens) will they enter, therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk.) (34. And they will say: “All praise and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate.”) (35. “Who, out of His grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever, where toil will touch us not nor weariness will touch us.”)
Allah tells us that those whom He chose among His servants, those who inherited the Book which was revealed from the Lord of the worlds, will, on the Day of Resurrection, have an abode in Everlasting Gardens which they will enter on the Day when they are raised anew and meet Allah.
(And they will say this which means fear of everything that is feared; it has been lifted from us and we have been relieved of all that we used to fear of the anxieties of the world and the Hereafter.
Ibn `Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and others said, “He forgives them for their major sins, and appreciates even the smallest of their good deeds.”
(Who, out of His grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever,) means, `Who has given us this position and status out of His grace and blessing and mercy, for our good deeds are not equivalent to this.’
It was reported in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah said: –
(None of you will enter Paradise by virtue of his good deeds.) They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah” He said,
(Not even me, unless Allah encompasses me with His mercy and grace.)
(where toil will touch us not nor weariness will touch us.) means, neither hardship nor exhaustion will touch us. The words translated here as “toil” and “weariness” both mean exhaustion, as if what is meant by the negation of both is that neither their bodies nor their souls will become exhausted; and Allah knows best. They used to exhaust themselves in worshiping this world, but their obligations will come to an end when they enter Paradise, where they will enjoy eternal rest and repose.
(190. Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.) (191. Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): “Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose for You never break (Your) Promise.”) (190-194)
Here Allah mntions the proofs of Tawhid for people of understanding, their characteristics, speech, and supplications.
Allah said,
(Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the Earth,) ﴿3:190﴾, referring to the sky in its height and spaciousness, the earth in its expanse and density, the tremendous features they have of rotating planets, seas, mountains, deserts, trees, plants, fruits, animals, metals and various beneficial colors, scents, tastes and elements.
(And in the alternation of night and day), as one follows and takes from the length of the other. For instance, at times one of them becomes longer than the other, shorter than the other at times and equal to the other at other times, and the same is repeated again and again, and all this occurs by the decision of the Almighty, Most Wise.
This is why Allah said,
(there are indeed signs for men of understanding), referring to the intelligent and sound minds that contemplate about the true reality of things, unlike the deaf and mute who do not have sound comprehension.
Allah then describes and praises His believing servants,
(Those who remember Allah standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth), supplicating;
(“Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose,”)
You did not create all this in jest and play. Rather, You created it in truth, so that You recompense those who do evil in kind, and reward those who do righteous deeds with what is better.
The faithful believers praise Allah and deny that He does anything in jest and without purpose, saying,
(“glory to You,”), for You would never create anything without purpose,
(“Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire.”), meaning, “O You Who created the creation in truth and justice, Who is far from any shortcomings, or doing things without purpose or with jest, save us from the torment of the Fire with Your power and strength. Direct us to perform the deeds that make You pleased with us. Guide us to righteous work from which You admit us into the delightful Paradise, and save us from Your painful torment.”
(128. Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is eager for you; for the believers ﴿he is﴾ full of pity, kind, and merciful.) (129. But if they turn away, say: “Allah is sufficient for me. There is no God but He, in Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”)
Allah the Exalted commanded His Messenger in this honorable Ayah that if they turn away, from the glorious, pure, perfect and encompassing Law that you — O Muhammad — brought them,
(then say: “Allah is sufficient for me. There is no God but He,)
Similarly, Allah said,
((He alone is) the Lord of the east and the west; there is no God but He. So take Him alone as a guardian.) ﴿73:9
(and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne) ﴿9:129﴾. He is the King and Creator of all things, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne (`Arsh), which is above all creation; all that is in and between the heavens and earths is under the Throne (`Arsh) and subservient to Allah’s power. His knowledge encompasses all things, and His decision will certainly come to pass over all matters. He is the guardian of all things. Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that Ubayy bin Ka`b said, “The last Ayah revealed from the Qur’an was this Ayah.
(23. And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor reprimand them but address them in terms of honor.) (24. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.”)
Allah commands us to worship Him alone, with no partner or associate.The idea of worshipping Allah is connected to the idea of honoring one’s parents.
Here He commands good treatment of parents, as He says elsewhere:
(give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination) ﴿31:14﴾
Do not let them hear anything offensive from you, not even say “Uff!” which is the mildest word of disrespect,
`Ata’ bin Rabah said that it meant, “Do not raise your hand against them.” When Allah forbids speaking and behaving in an obnoxious manner, He commands speaking and behaving in a good manner, so He tells to speak gently, kindly, politely, and with respect and appreciation.
(and say: “My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young.”) means, say this when they grow old and when they die. Ibn `Abbas said: ”
But then Allah revealed:
(It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the idolators. ..)” ﴿9:13﴾ There are many Hadiths which speak about honoring one’s parents, such as the Hadith narrated through a number of chains of narration from Anas and others, which states that the Prophet climbed up on the Minbar, and then said, ((Amin, Amin, Amin.)) It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you say Amin” He said:
(Jibril came to me and said, “O Muhammad, he is doomed who hears you mentioned and does not say Salaam upon you.” He said, “Say Amin,” so I said Amin. Then he said, “He is doomed who sees the month of Ramadan come and go, and he has not been forgiven.” He said, “Say Amin,” so I said Amin. Then he said, “He is doomed who grows up and both his parents or one of them are still alive, and they do not cause him to enter Paradise.” He said, “Say Amin,” so I said Amin.)
Another Hadith Imam Ahmad reported from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
(He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed, the man whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age while he is alive and he does not enter Paradise.) This version is Sahih although no one recorded it other than Muslim.
Another Hadith
Imam Ahmad recorded Mu`awiyah bin Jahimah As-Salami saying that Jahimah came to the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I want to go out to fight and I have come to seek your advice.” He said,
(Do you have a mother) He said, “Yes.” The Prophet said,
(Then stay with her, for Paradise is at her feet.) Similar incidents were also recorded by others. This was recorded by An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah.
Another Hadith
Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Miqdam bin Ma`dikarib said that the Prophet said:
(Allah enjoins you concerning your fathers, Allah enjoins you concerning your mothers, Allah enjoins you concerning your mothers, Allah enjoins you concerning your mothers, Allah enjoins you concerning your close relatives then the next in closeness.) This was recorded by Ibn Majah from the Hadith of `Abdullah bin `Ayyash.
Another Hadith
Ahmad recorded that a man from Banu Yarbu` said: “I came to the Prophet while he was talking to the people, and I heard him saying,
(The hand of the one who gives is superior. (Give to) your mother and your father, your sister and your brother, then the closest and next closest.)”
“O Allah , our Lord, send down to us a table spread (with food) from the heaven to be for us a festival for the first of us and the last of us and a sign from You; and provide for us sustenance,and You are the Best of providers.”
(112. (Remember) when Al-Hawariyun said: “O `Isa, son of Maryam! Can your Lord send down to us a Ma’idah from heaven” `Isa said: “Have Taqwa of Allah, if you are indeed believers.”) (113. They said: “We wish to eat thereof and to be stronger in faith, and to know that you have indeed told us the truth and that we ourselves be its witnesses. ”)
This is the story of the Ma’idah, the name of which this Surah bears, Surat Al-Ma’idah. This is also among the favors that Allah granted His servant and Messenger, `Isa, accepting his request to send the Ma’idah down, and doing so as clear proof and unequivocal evidence.
The Ma’idah is the table that has food on it. Some scholars said that the disciples requested this table because they were poor and deprived. So they asked `Isa Alaihissalaam to supplicate to Allah to send a table of food down to them that they could eat from every day and thus be more able to perform the acts of worship.
(`Isa Alaihissalaam, son of Maryam Alaihissalaam, said: “O Allah, our Lord! Send us from heaven a table spread (with food) that there may be for us — for the first and the last of us — a festival…”)
As-Suddi commented that the Ayah means, “We will take that day on which the table was sent down as a day of celebration, that we and those who come after us would consider sacred.” Sufyan Ath-Thawri said that it means, “A day of prayer.”
(and a sign from You. ) proving that You are able to do all things and to accept my supplication, so that they accept what I convey to them from You,
(and provide us sustenance,) a delicious food from You that does not require any effort or hardship,
“For You are the Best of sustainers.”
(115. Allah said: “I am going to send it down unto you, but if any of you after that disbelieves, then I will punish him with a torment such as I have not inflicted on anyone among the `Alamin.”)
So the angels brought the table down containing seven fish and seven pieces of bread and placed it before them. So the last group of people ate as the first group did.” Ibn Jarir recorded that Ishaq bin `Abdullah said that the table was sent down to `Isa Alaihissalaam ,son of Maryam Alaihissalaam, having seven pieces of bread and seven fish, and they ate from it as much as they wished. But when some of them stole food from it, saying, “It might not come down tomorrow,” the table ascended. These statements testify that the table was sent down to the Children of Israel during the time of `Isa Alaihissalaam, son of Maryam Alaihissalaam, as a result of Allah’s accepting his supplication to Him.
“Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded; for those of them who did good deeds and feared Allah, there is a great reward. Those to whom the people said, “Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.” But it (only) increased them in faith, and they said: “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.”. So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty. It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends; so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.” (3:172-175)
The Battle of Hamra’ Al-Asad
Allah said,
“Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger after being wounded” (3:172)
This occurred on the day of Hamra’ Al-Asad. After the idolators defeated the Muslims (at Uhud), they started on their way back home, but soon they were concerned because they did not finish off the Muslims in Al-Madinah, so they set out to make that battle the final one. When the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam got news of this, he commanded the Muslims to march to meet the disbelievers, to bring fear to their hearts and to demonstrate that the Muslims still had the strength to fight. The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam only allowed those who were present during Uhud to accompany him, except for Jabir bin `Abdullah Al-Ansar.
The Muslims mobilized, even though they were still suffering from their injuries, in obedience to Allah and His Messenger Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam .
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that `Ikrimah said, “When the idolators returned (towards Makkah) after Uhud, they said, `You neither killed Muhammad Peace be upon him) nor collected female captives. Woe to you for what you did. Let us go back.’ When the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam heard this news, he mobilized the Muslim forces, and they marched until they reached Hamra Al-Asad. The idolators said, `Rather, we will meet next year’, and the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam went back (to Al-Madinah), and this was considered a Ghazwah (battle).
Allah sent down,
Those who answered (the Call of) Allah and the Messenger said: “Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.”
Some people threatened the Muslims, saying that the disbelievers had amassed against them, in order to instill fear in them, but this did not worry the Muslims, rather, they trusted in Allah and sought His help,
Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas Radi Allahu anhu said,
“Allah Alone is Sufficient for us and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us.”
Ibrahim Alaihissalaam said it when he was thrown in fire.
Muhammad Sallal laahoo alahi wassallam said it when the people said, `Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore, fear them.’ But it only increased them in faith, and they said this.
So they returned with grace and bounty from Allah. No harm touched them, for when they relied on Allah, Allah took care of their worries. He confounded the plots of their enemies, and the Muslims returned to their land, with grace and bounty from Allah, safe from the wicked plots of their enemies.
Allah then said,
“It is only Shaytan that suggests to you the fear of his friends” )3:175(
This means, Shaytan threatens you with his friends and tries to pretend they are powerful and fearsome.
Allah said next,
“So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are indeed believers.” meaning, if Shaytan brings these thoughts to you, then depend on Me and seek refuge with Me. Indeed, I shall suffice you and make you prevail over them.
Similarly, Allah said,
“Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant, yet they try to frighten you with those besides Him” (39: 36) until [Say: “Sufficient for me is Allah; in Him those who trust must put their trust.” (39:38)
O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, “Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent.”
Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and Al-Hasan Al-Basri and other said, “This is the statement that the believers will say on the Day of Resurrection, when they witness the light of the hypocrites being extinguished.” Imam Ahmad recorded that a man from the tribe of Banu Kinanah said, “I prayed behind the Messenger of Allah during the year of the Conquest (of Makkah), and heard him say,
(O Allah! Please, do not disgrace me on the Day of Resurrection.)”
” (9. Do you think that the people of Al-Kahf and Ar-Raqim were a wonder among Our signs) (10. When the young men fled for refuge to Al-Kahf. They said: “Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Yourself, and facilitate for us our affair in the right way!”) (11. Therefore, We covered up their hearing in Al-Kahf for a number of years.) (12. Then We raised them up, that We might test which of the two parties was best at calculating the time period they tarried.)
Al-Kahf refers to a cave in a mountain, which is where the young men sought refuge. With regard to the word Ar-Raqim, Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas that it is a valley near Aylah.
Ad-Dahhak said: “As for Al-Kahf, it is a cave in the valley, and Ar-Raqim is the name of the valley.”
Here Allah tells us about those young men who fled from their people for the sake of their religion, fearing persecution. So they fled taking refuge in the cave of a mountain, where they hid from their people.
Allah states that they were boys or young men, and that they were more accepting of the truth and more guided than the elders who had become stubbornly set in their ways and clung to the religion of falsehood. For the same reason, most of those who responded to Allah and His Messenger were young people. As for the elders of Quraysh, most of them kept to their religion and only a few of them became Muslims. So Allah tells us that the people of the cave were young men.
It has been mentioned that they were followers of the religion of Al-Masih `Isa, `Isa bin Maryam, but Allah knows best. It seems that they lived before the time of Christianity altogether, because if they had been Christians, the Jewish rabbis would not have cared about perserving because of their differences. We have mentioned above the report from Ibn `Abbas that the Quraysh sent a message to the Jewish rabbis in Al-Madinah to ask them for things with which they could test the Messenger of Allah , and they told them to ask him about these young men, and about Dhul-Qarnayn (the man who traveled much) and about the Ruh. This indicates that this story was something recorded in the books of the People of the Book, and that it came before Christianity. And Allah knows best.
Allah says: `We gave them the patience to go against their people and their city, and to leave behind the life of luxury and ease that they had been living.’ Several of the earlier and later Tafsir scholars have mentioned that they were sons of the kings and leaders of Byzantium, and that they went out one day to one of the festivals of their people. They used to gather once a year outside the city, and they would worship idols and offer sacrifices to them. They had an arrogant, tyrannical king who was called Decianus, who commanded and encouraged the people to do that. When the people went out to attend this gathering, these young men went out with their fathers and their people, and when they saw their people’s actions with clear insight, they realized that the prostrations and sacrifices the people were offering to their idols should only be dedicated to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth. Each of them started to withdraw from his people and keep aloof from them. The first one of them to move away on his own went and sat in the shade of a tree, then another came and sat with him, then another came and sat with them, then four more followed suit one by one. None of them knew the others, but they were brought together by the One Who instilled faith in their hearts.
As it says in the Hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari with an incomplete chain of narrators from `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said:
(Souls are like recruited soldiers. Those that recognize one another will come together, and those that do not recognize one another will turn away from each another). Muslim also recorded this in his Sahih from the Hadith of Suhayl from his father from Abu Hurayrah from the Messenger of Allah Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam . People say that similar qualities or characteristics are what bring people together. So each of the young men was trying to conceal what he really believed from the others, out of fear of them, not knowing that they were like him. Then one of them said, “O people, you know by Allah that only one thing is making you leave your people and isolate yourselves from them, so let each one of you say what it is in his case.” Another said, “As for me, by Allah I saw what my people are doing and I realized that it was false, and that the only One Who deserves to be worshipped Alone with out partner or associate is Allah Who created everything, the heavens, the earth and everything in between.” Another said, “By Allah, the same thing happened to me.” The others said the same, and they all agreed and became brothers in faith. They adopted a particular location as a place of worship and began worshipping Allah there, but their people found out about them and told their king about them. The king ordered them to appear before him, and asked them about their beliefs. They told him the truth and called him to Allah
It was said that when they called their king to believe in Allah, he refused, and warned and threatened them. He commanded them to be stripped of their clothing bearing the adornments of their people, then he gave them some time to think about the situation, hoping that they would return to their former religion. This was a way that Allah showed kindness for them, because during that time they managed to escape from him and flee from persecution for the sake of their religion. This is what is prescribed in the Shari`ah during times of trial and persecution — a person who fears for his religion should flee from his persecutors
These young men were determined to flee from their people, and Allah decreed that for them.
So they left and fled to the cave where they sought refuge. Then their people noticed they were missing, and the king looked for them, and it was said when he could not find them that Allah concealed them from him so that he could not find any trace of them or any information about them, as Allah concealed His Prophet Muhammad and his Companion ﴿Abu Bakr﴾ As-Siddiq, when they sought refuge in the cave of Thawr.
When they entered the cave, they asked Allah to show mercy and kindness towards them,
(Our Lord! Bestow on us mercy from Yourself,) meaning, `give us Your mercy and conceal us from our people.’
(and facilitate for us our affair in the right way.) means, direct our matter well, i.e., grant us a good end.
As was reported in the Hadith:
(Whatever You have decreed for us, make its consequences good).
Allah says in the Holy Quran:-
(Therefore, We covered up their hearing in the cave for a number of years.) meaning, `We caused them to sleep when they entered the cave, and they slept for many years.’
That is from the Ayat of Allah. He whom Allah guides, he is the rightly-guided; but he whom He sends astray, for him you will find no guardian to lead him.)
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Allaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta’khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-‘ardh, man thal-lathee yashfa’u ‘indahu ‘illaa bi’ithnih, ya’lamu maa bayna ‘aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay’im-min ‘ilmihi ‘illaa bimaa shaa’a, wasi’a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal’ardh, wa laa ya’ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa Huwal- ‘Aliyyul- ‘Adheem.
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 255
Whoever says this when he rises in the morning will be protected from jinns until he retires in the evening, and whoever says it when retiring in the evening will be protected from them until he rises in the morning.
It was reported by Al-Hakim 1 / 562, Al-Albani graded it as authentic in Sahihut-Targhib wat-Tarhib 1/273, and traces it to An-Nasa’i and At-Tabarani. He says that At-Tabarani’s chain of transmission is reliable (Jayyid).
This is Ayat Al-Kursi and tremendous virtues have been associated with it, for the authentic Hadith describes it as `the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah.’ Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ubayy bin Ka`b said that the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam
asked him about the greatest Ayah in the Book of Allah, and `Ubayy answered, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” When the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam
repeated his question several times, `Ubayy said, “Ayat Al-Kursi.”
The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam commented,
“Congratulations for having knowledge, O Abu Al-Mundhir! By He in Whose Hand is my soul! This Ayah has a tongue and two lips with which she praises the King (Allah) next to the leg of the Throne.”
This Hadith was also collected by Muslim, but he did not include the part that starts with, “By He in Whose Hand…”
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Ayyub said that he had some dates and a Ghoul used to take some, and he complained to the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam. The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said to him, “When you see her, say, `In the Name of Allah, answer to the Messenger of Allah’.”
Abu Ayyub said that when she came again, he said these words and he was able to grab her. She begged, “I will not come again,” so Abu Ayyub released her. Abu Ayyub went to the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam and the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam asked him, “What did your prisoner do” Abu Ayyub said, “I grabbed her and she said twice, `I will not come again,’ and I released her.” The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said, “She will come back.” Abu Ayyub said, “So I grabbed her twice or three times, yet each time I would release her when she vowed not to come back. I would go to the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam who would ask me, `What is the news of your prisoner’ I would say, `I grabbed her, then released her when she said that she would not return.’ The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam would say that she would return.
Once, I grabbed her and she said, `Release me and I will teach you something to recite so that no harm touches you, that is, Ayat Al-Kursi.’ Abu Ayyub went to the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam and told him, and the Prophet said, “She is a liar, but she told the truth.” At-Tirmidhi recorded this Hadith in the chapter of the virtues of the Qur’an and said, “Hasan Gharib.” In Arabic, `Ghoul’ refers to the Jinn when they appear at night.
Al-Bukhari recorded a similar story in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah, in the chapters on the virtues of the Qur’an and the description of Shaytan. In this narration, Abu Hurayrah said,
“Allah’s Messenger assigned me to keep watch over the Sadaqah (charity) of Ramadan. A person snuck in and started taking handfuls of foodstuff. I caught him and said, `By Allah, I will take you to Allah’s Messenger.’ He said, `Release me, for I am meek and have many dependents and am in great need.’ I released him, and in the morning Allah’s Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do yesterday, O Abu Hurayrah’ I said, `O Allah’s Messenger! He complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so I pitied him and let him go.’ Allah’s Messenger said, `Indeed, he told you a lie and will be coming again.’ I believed that he would show up again, for Allah’s Messenger had told me that he would return. So, I watched for him.
When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, `I will definitely take you to Allah’s Messenger.’ He said, `Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again.’ I pitied him and let him go. In the morning Allah’s Messenger asked me, `What did your prisoner do last night, O Abu Hurayrah!’ I replied, `O Allah’s Messenger! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free.’ Allah’s Messenger said, `Verily, he told you a lie; he will return.’ I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, `I will surely take you to Allah’s Messenger as it is the third time you promised not to return, yet you returned.’
He said, `Let me teach you some words which Allah will give you benefit from.’ I asked, `What are they’ He replied, `Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi- Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum, till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.’ So, I released him. In the morning, Allah’s Messenger Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam asked, `What did your prisoner do yesterday’ I replied, `O Allah’s Messenger! He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will grant me some benefit, so I let him go.’ Allah’s Messenger Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam asked, `What are they’ I replied, `He said to me: Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat Al-Kursi from the beginning to the end, Allahu la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum. He further said to me: (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no Shaytan will come near you until morning.’
(One of the narrators) then commented that they (the Companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said, `He spoke the truth, although he is a liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Hurayrah’ Abu Hurayrah said, `No.’ He said, `It was Shaytan.”’ An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith in Al-Yawm wa Al-Laylah.
Allah’s Greatest Name is in Ayat Al-Kursi
Imam Ahmad recorded that Asma’ bint Yazid bin As-Sakan said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah say about these two Ayahs,
“Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” (2:255( and
“Alif-Lam-Mim. Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” )3:1-2)
They contain Allah’s Greatest Name.
This is also the narration collected by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmidhi said, “Hasan Sahih”.
Further, Ibn Marduwyah recorded that Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said,
“Allah’s Greatest Name, if He was supplicated with it, He answers the supplication, is in three Surahs – Al-Baqarah, Al `Imran and Ta-Ha.”
Hisham bin `Ammar, the Khatib (orator) of Damascus (one of the narrators in the above narration), said, “As for Al-Baqarah, it is in,
“Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” (2:255(
in Al `Imran, it is in,
“Alif-Lam-Mim. Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists”
while in Ta-Ha, it is in,
“And (all) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists” (20:111)
Ayat Al-Kursi has Ten Complete Arabic Sentences
Allah’s statement,
“Allah! None has the right to be worshipped but He” mentions that Allah is the One and Only Lord of all creation.
Allah’s statement,
“Al-Hayyul-Qayyum” testifies that Allah is the Ever Living, Who never dies, Who sustains everyone and everything. All creation stands in need of Allah and totally relies on Him, while He is the Most Rich, Who stands in need of nothing created.
Allah’s statement,
“Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him” means, no shortcoming, unawareness or ignorance ever touches Allah. Rather, He is aware of, and controls what every soul earns, has perfect watch over everything, nothing escapes His knowledge, and no secret matter is secret to Him. Among His perfect attributes, is the fact that He is never effected by slumber or sleep.
Therefore, Allah’s statement,
“Neither slumber overtakes Him” indicates that no unawareness due to slumber ever overtakes Allah.
Allah said afterwards,
“nor sleep” which is stronger than slumber. It is recorded in the Sahih that Abu Musa said, ”
The Messenger of Allah delivered a speech regarding four words:
“Allah does not sleep, and it does not befit His majesty that He sleeps. He lowers the scales and raises them. The deeds of the day are resurrected in front of Him before the deeds of the night, and the deeds of the night before the deeds of the day. His Veil is light, or fire, and if He removes it, the rays from His Face would burn whatever His sight reaches of His creation.”
Allah’s statement,
“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth” indicates that everyone is a servant for Allah, a part of His kingdom and under His power and authority.
Similarly, Allah said,
“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a servant. Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting. And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)” (19:93-95(
Allah’s statement,
“Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His permission” is similar to His statements,
“And there are many angels in the heavens, whose intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He wills and is pleased with” (53:26( and
“They cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased” )21:28(
These Ayahs assert Allah’s greatness, pride, and grace, and that no one dares to intercede with Him on behalf of anyone else, except by His permission.
Indeed, the Hadith about the intercession, states that the Prophet Sallal laahoo alaihi wassallam said,
“I will stand under the Throne and fall in prostration, and Allah will allow me to remain in that position as much as He wills. I will thereafter be told, “Raise your head, speak and you will be heard, intercede and your intercession will be accepted”. The Prophet then said, “He will allow me a proportion whom I will enter into Paradise.”
Allah’s statement,
“He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter” this refers to His perfect knowledge of all creation; its past, present and future.
Similarly, Allah said that the angels proclaimed;
“And we (angels) descend not except by the command of your Lord (O Muhammad ). To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between those two; and your Lord is never forgetful” (19:64(.
Allah’s statement,
“And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills” asserts the fact that no one attains any part of Allah’s knowledge except what Allah conveys and allows. This part of the Ayah indicates that no one ever acquires knowledge of Allah and in His Attributes, except what He conveys to them.
Allah said,
“His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth.”
Waki` narrated in his Tafsir that Ibn `Abbas said, “Kursi is the footstool, and no one is able to give due consideration to Allah’s Throne.” Al-Hakim recorded this Hadith in his Mustadrak from Ibn `Abbas, who did not relate it to the Prophet . Al-Hakim said, “It is Sahih according to the criteria of the Two Sahihs, and they (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.” In addition, Ad-Dahhak said that Ibn `Abbas said, “If the seven heavens and the seven earths were flattened and laid side by side, they would add up to the size of a ring in a desert, compared to the Kursi.”
Allah said,
“And He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them” meaning, it does not burden or cause Him fatigue to protect the heavens and earth and all that is in between them. Rather, this is an easy matter for Him. Further, Allah sustains everything, has perfect watch over everything, nothing ever escapes His knowledge and no matter is ever a secret to Him. All matters are insignificant, modest and humble before Him. He is the Most Rich, worthy of all praise. He does what He wills, and no one can ask Him about what He does, while they will be asked. He has supreme power over all things and perfect alertness concerning everything. He is the Most High, the Greatest, there is no deity worthy of worship except Him, and no Lord other than Him.
Allah’s statement,
“And He is the Most High, the Most Great” is similar to His statement,
“the Most Great, the Most High” (13:9)
These and similar Ayahs and authentic Hadiths about Allah’s Attributes must be treated the way the Salaf (righteous ancestors) treated them by accepting their apparent meanings without equating them with the attributes of the creation or altering their apparent meanings.
