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In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. 1. The commandment of Allah will come to pass so do not desire to hasten it. Glory be to Him and He is high above that which they associate (with Him as partners). 2. He sends down the angels with the spirit by His command on whom he wills of His servants (with the message) that, Warn that there is no god but Me, so fear Me. 3. He created the skies and the earth in reality, He is high above that which they associate (with Him as partners). 4. He created man from a sperm, even then he is an open disputant { 1 }. 5. And He created the cattle for you, (you have) in their (skins) warm clothing and (other) uses, and (some) of them you eat. 6. And there is a beautiful (sight) for you in them, when you bring them home (in the evening) and when you take them out (for pasture, in the morning). 7. And they carry your heavy (things) to a land which you could not have reached but with hardship to yourselves, your Fosterer is certainly full of pity, Merciful. 8. And (He created) horses and mules and asses that you may ride upon them and as an ornament and He creates that which you do not know. 9. And on Allah (rests) the direction (towards the right) way and (some) of the (ways) turn aside and had He willed He would have guided all (of you). (R 1)

10. He it is Who sends down water from the sky for you, from it you drink and through it (grow) trees on which you feed your cattle, 11. through it He causes vegetation to grow for you and (also) the olives and the date palms and the grapes and all (kinds) of fruits. There is certainly a sign in that for a people who reflect.

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12. And He compelled the night and the day and the sun and the moon (to follow His laws) for your (service), and the stars (too) are compelled (to follow His laws) by His command. There are certainly signs in that for a people who understand. 13. And He has produced for you in the earth (things) differing in their colours. There is certainly a sign in that for a people who are mindful. 14. And He it is Who compelled the ocean (to follow His laws) that you may eat fresh flesh (of fish) from it and bring out form it ornaments (pearls) which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving (the water and sailing) in it, that you may seek of His grace and that you may be grateful (to Him). 15. And He has put in the earth mountains lest it should shake with you { 2 } and (He has made) rivers and roads that you may find guidance (to their desired destination). 16. And (through) landmarks and through the stars they find guidance (to your desired destination). 17. Then, is He Who creates, like one who does not create? Will you not then be mindful? 18. And if you count the favours of Allah you will not be able to compute them. Allah is certainly Protectively Forgiving, Merciful. 19. And Allah knows that which you keep secret and that which you make public. 20. And those whom they pray to, besides Allah, they do not create anything, while they are themselves created. 21.(They are) dead, not alive and they do not perceive when they will be raised. (R2) 22. Your God is one God, so those who do not believe in the hereafter, their hearts do not recognize( this) and they consider themselves great.

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23. Allah assuredly knows that which they keep as secret and that which they make public. He certainly does not like those who consider themselves great. 24. And when it is said to them, What has your Fosterer sent down? They say, Stories of the ancient, [Link] they may bear their own burdens in full on the day of resurrection, along with the burdens of these whom they mislead without knowledge. Beware! Evil is that which they will bear. ( R3 ) 26. Those before them had (also) planned, so Allah brought (down) their building from the (very) foundations so that the roof fell down on them from above them and the punishment came to them from directions they did not perceive. 27. Then on the day of resurrection He will disgrace them and say, Where are those whom you associated with Me as partners, due to whom you were in opposition? Those who are given knowledge will say, This day disgrace and evil are upon the infidels, 28. whom the angels take back (cause to die) while they are unjust to themselves. They would then put (forward) submission (saying), We did not do any evil. Why not! Allah is certainly the Knower of what you used to do, 29. so enter the gates of hell. They will stay therein. So evil is the home of those who consider themselves great. 30. And (when) it is said to those who guard (against evil), What has your Fosterer sent down? They say, Good. For those who do good in this world is good, and the home of the hereafter will be better, and the home of those who guard (against evil) is excellent, 31. everlasting gardens, they will enter therein, rivers flowing from beneath them, for them therein, there will be whatever they will (for).Thus does Allah reward those who guard (against evil),

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32. those whom the angels take back(cause to die while they are good),saying, Peace be on you, enter the garden because of that which you used to do. 33. Do they wait for anything else, except that the angels should come to them or the command of your Fosterer should come to pass? Thus, those before them (also) did, and Allah was not unjust to them but they were unjust to themselves. [Link] the evil (consequences) of what they did afflicted them and that which they used to mock at, surrounded them.(R 4) 35. And those who associate partners (with Allah) say, Had Allah willed we would not have served (worshipped) anything besides Him, we and our fathers; and we would not have made anything unlawful, besides Him*. Those before them (also) did like that, so what (else is incumbent) on the messengers except clear conveyance (of the message)? 36. And We had raised a messenger in every community (saying) that, Serve Allah and keep away from false deities. So among them were (some people) whom Allah guided and among them were (others) on whom error became due. So travel in the earth and see, how the end of those who denied was (brought about). 37. (Even) if you excessively desire for their guidance, (even) then Allah certainly does not guide him whom He leaves to stray and for them there are no helpers. 38. And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths, Allah will not raise him who dies. Why not? It is a promise binding on Him but the majority of mankind does not know. 39. (He will raise them) that He might make clear to them that in which they disagreed and that those who did not believe might know that they were liars. 40. Our saying for anything when We intend it is that We say to it only, Be, so it is. (R5)

* In addition to His making certain things unlawful. 353

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41. And those who migrated in (the cause of) Allah after the injustice that was done to them, We will definitely settle them well in this world and the reward of the hereafter will be greater, if (only) they knew, 42. those who were patient and had put their trust in their Fosterer. 43. And We did not send before you, (messengers) other than men, to whom We had communicated. So ask the people who remember, if you do not know, 44. (they came) with clear proofs and books. And We sent down the reminder to you, that you may make clear to mankind that which is sent down to them and that they may reflect. ( P 13 ) 45. Then, do those who plan evil (things consider themselves) secure that Allah will (not) sink the earth with them, or that the punishment will (not) come to them from directions they do not perceive, 46. or that He will (not) seize them in their going to and fro, when they will not be in (a position to) frustrate (Him), 47. or that He will (not) seize them by causing them to suffer a gradual loss? But your Fosterer is certainly full of pity, Merciful. 48. Or did they not see towards all the things which Allah has created, (how) their shadows return from right and left bowing down to Allah while they are humbly (following His laws)? 49. And to Allah bows down whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth of moving creatures and the angels and they do not consider themselves great. 50. They fear their Fosterer above them and do what they are commanded. (R6) 51. And Allah has said, Do not take two gods, He is only One God, so fear Me alone.

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52. And whatever is in the skies and the earth is His and His is the law (that prevails) forever. Will you then fear (someone) other than Allah? 53. And whatever (items of) comfort are with you they are from (no one) but Allah. Then when harm afflicts you, to Him (alone) do you cry for help. 54. But when He removes the harm from you, then (there is) a party from among you, which associates partners with their Fosterer, 55. so as to be ungrateful for that which We have given them. So enjoy yourselves, but you will come to know. 56. And they assign a portion from that which We have provided them, to that which they do not (even) know. By Allah, you will definitely be asked about that which you forged. 57. And they assign daughters to Allah, far it is from His Glory, and for themselves what they will. 58. And when one of them is given the news of (the birth of a) girl, his face is shadowed black and he becomes a restless restrainer (of grief). 59. He hides himself from the people because of the (presumed) bad news which is given to him, shall he retain her in shame or bury her in the soil? Beware! Evil is that which they decide. [Link] those who do not believe in the hereafter, there is an evil similitude and for Allah is the highest similitude, and He is the Mighty, the Wise. (R7)

[Link] had Allah caught mankind for their injustice, He would not have left on the (earth) any moving creature, but He gives them time till an appointed term, so when their term comes (to an end), they will neither be able to postpone the hour of doom nor advance (it).

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[Link] they assign to Allah what they (themselves) dislike, and their tongues utter the lie, that the good is for them. Assuredly, for them is the fire and they will be the first to be sent (into it). [Link] Allah, We had sent (messengers) to the communities before you but the devil made their deeds fair-seeming to them, so he is their friend this day and for them there is a painful punishment.

[Link] We sent down the book to you so that you should make clear to them that about which they disagree and (that it should serve as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.

65. And Allah sends down water from the sky and gives life through it to the earth after its death, there is certainly a sign in that for a people who listen. (R8) 66. And there is certainly a lesson for you in the cattle. We give you to drink from that which is in their stomachs, (formed) from (the conjunction) between the particles of food in the intestine and blood, pure milk, agreeable for those who drink (it).

67. And from the fruits of the date palms and the grapes, you take (out) intoxicants therefrom and (also) good provision (in the form of food). There is certainly a sign in that for a people who understand. 68. And your Fosterer communicated to the bee that it should take residence (by making hives) in the mountains and in the trees and on (buildings) which the men rise high, 69. then eat from all fruits and move in the ways of your Fosterer in humility*. There comes forth from their stomachs a drink, the varieties (colours) of which are different, there is healing in it for mankind. There is certainly a sign in that for a people who reflect. *This movement may be the bees dance which is a means of communication to
other bees.

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70. And Allah creates you then He takes you back (causes you to die) and among you is he who (on account of old age) is brought back to the worst part of life, so that he does not know anything (even) after (having had) knowledge. Allah is certainly Knowing, Powerful. (R9) 71. And Allah has made some of you to excel others in provision. So those who are made to excel do not give away their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they all become equal in it. Then is it the favour of Allah (which) they deny?

72. And Allah has made for you, from among yourselves, mates and made for you through your mates sons (and daughters) and grandsons (and grand-daughters) and has provided you of the good things. Then is it falsehood in which they believe and are ungrateful for the favour of Allah?

73. And they serve besides Allah, that which does not control for them anything of the provision from the skies and the earth, nor do they have any power.

74. So do not set forth similitudes for Allah, Allah certainly knows and you do not know. 75. Allah sets forth a similitude: a slave under someones control, having no power on anything; and (another person) whom We have provided from Ourselves a good provision so that he spends from it secretly and openly; are they equal? Praise is due only for Allah. No! The majority of them does not know. 76. And Allah sets forth (another) similitude (of) two men, one of them dumb having no power on anything and he is a burden on his guardian, in whichever direction he sends him he brings no good; is he equal to (one) who enjoins justice and is on the straight path? ( R 10 )

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77. And Allahs is the unseen of the skies and the earth and the affair of the hour of doom will be like the twinkling of the eye or it may be quicker, Allah certainly has power over everything. 78. And Allah brought you out form the wombs of your mothers (when) you did not know anything and gave you the (senses of) hearing and seeing, and the hearts that you may be grateful. 79. Did you not see towards the birds compelled (to follow His laws) in the space of the sky, no one holds them but Allah, there are certainly signs in that for a people who believe. 80. And (it is) Allah (Who) has made your houses as places of rest for you and He has made for you houses (tents) from the skins of cattle which you find light to carry on the day you travel and on the day you halt (camp), and of their wool and their fur and their hair( you make) things of necessity and (it is) a provision till a time. 81. And (it is) Allah (Who) has made shelters for you from (things) which He created and He has made (places of) refuge for you in the mountains and made for you garments to protect you from the heat and garments to protect you in your fighting. Thus He completes His favour on you that you may submit (to Him).

82. But if they turn away, then (the only duty incumbent) on you is clear conveyance (of the message). 83. They recognize the favor of Allah (even) then (they behave as if) they have not recognized it, and the majority of them is ungrateful. ( R 11 ) 84. And on the day when We will raise a witness from every community, then (on that day), those who did not believe will not be excused, nor will they be able to seek good will. 85. And when those who did injustice will see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them nor will they be given time.

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86. And when those who associate partners (with Allah) will see their (presumed) partners, they will say, Our Fosterer! These are our (presumed) partners to whom we used to pray besides You. But they will throw back (the reply) to them by saying, You are certainly liars. (P 13 ) 87. And on that day they will offer submission before Allah, and that which they used to forge will go away from them. 88. Those who do not believe and turn away (people) from the way of Allah, We will increase for them the punishment over (their) punishment because they used to cause corruption. 89. And on the day when We will raise from every community a witness against them from among themselves, then (on that day) We will bring you (as) a witness against these. And We have sent down on you the book (which gives) an explanation for everything, and (it is) a guide and a mercy and good news for those who submit (as Muslims). ( R 12 )

90. Allah certainly enjoins doing of justice and good (to others) and giving to relatives, and He forbids indecency and (things) not recognized (as good) and rebellion, He admonishes you that you may be mindful.

91. And fulfill the agreement of Allah when you have made an agreement (with Him) and do not break the oaths after you have confirmed them when you have made Allah surety over you. Allah certainly knows that which you do. 92. And do not be like her who breaks her thread, disintegrating it into pieces after it has been (spun) strong, (by) taking your oaths (as means of) deceit between you that you may become a community more elevated (or numerous) than (another) community. Allah only tests you through it, and He will definitely make clear to you on the day of resurrection, that in which you disagreed.

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93. And had Allah willed He would have made you a single community, but He leaves astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills and you will definitely be asked about that which you used to do. 94. And do not take your oaths (as a means of) deceit between you, so that your foot should slip after its establishment, and you should taste evil because you turned away (people) from the way of Allah and there should be a great punishment for you. 95. And do not sell the agreement of Allah for a small price. Only that which is with Allah is better for you if you were to know. [Link] which is with you passes away and that which is with Allah remains. And We will definitely reward, those who are patient, with their reward (which will be) better than that which they used to do. 97. Whoever does righteous work, whether male or female and he/she is a believer, We will definitely cause him/ her to live a good life and We will definitely reward them with their reward (which will be) better than that which they used to do. 98. So when you recite the Quran, seek the protection of Allah from the accursed devil, 99. he certainly has no authority over those who believe and put their trust in their Fosterer, 100. he has authority only on those who turn to him (for friendship) and those who are polytheists because of him. ( R 13 ) 101. And when We change (one) sign in the place of (another) sign, and Allah knows best that which He sends down, they say, You are only a forger. No! The majority of them does not know.

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102. Say, The holy spirit has brought it down from your Fosterer in truth, that those who believe may be established, and (it is) a guidance and good news for those who submit (as Muslims). 103. And We indeed know that they say, Only a man teaches him. The language of the person towards whom they incline (doubting that he teaches the messenger of Allah) is foreign and this is clear Arabic language.

104. Those who do not believe in the signs of Allah, Allah will certainly not guide them for them and there is a painful punishment. 105. Only they who do not believe in the signs of Allah, forge falsehood and those are the persons who are liars.

106. He who does not believe in Allah after his having believed (in Him), except he who is compelled while his heart is peaceful with belief, but he who opens (his) bosom for infidelity, then on them is anger from Allah and for them there is a great punishment. 107. That is because they love the life of this world more than the hereafter and because Allah does not guide a people who are infidels.

108. Those are the persons on whose hearts and their hearing and their eyes Allah has set a seal and those are the persons who are heedless. 109. Assuredly, they will be the persons who will be at loss in the hereafter. 110. Then certainly your Fosterer, for those who migrated after they were persecuted then struggled and were patient, your Fosterer, after that, is certainly Protectively Forgiving, Merciful. ( R 14 )

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111. (One) day every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be paid back in full (for) that which it did and they will not be dealt with unjustly.

112. And Allah sets forth a similitude of a town (which was) secure, peaceful, its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, then it became ungrateful to Allahs favors, so Allah made it taste the confusion of hunger and fear because of the (evil) they used to do.

113. And there had come to them a messenger from among them but they denied him so the punishment seized them while they were unjust.

114. So eat the lawful and good (things) from that which Allah has provided for you and be grateful for Allahs favour, if it is Him alone you serve (worship).

115. He has forbidden for you only: the dead and blood and flesh of swine and that over which (a name) other than that of Allah has been invoked, but one who is driven to necessity (being helplessly forced to eat) neither desiring it nor revolting, then Allah is certainly Protectively Forgiving, Merciful.

116. And do not say regarding (anything) which is (based just on) the false utterances of your tongues, This is lawful and this is unlawful, so as to forge (a lie) against Allah, those who forge a lie against Allah will certainly not be successful.

117. A little enjoyment and (then) there will be a painful punishment for them. 118. And on those who are Jews, We had made unlawful that which We narrated to you earlier and We did not do injustice to them but they were unjust to themselves.

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119. Then your Fosterer, for those who do evil in ignorance then repent after that and amend (themselves), your Fosterer, after that, is certainly Protectively Forgiving, Merciful. (R15) 120. Ibrahim was certainly a leader obedient to Allah, upright, and he was not of the polytheists, 121. grateful for His favors, He chose him and guided him to the straight path. 122. And We gave him good in this world and in the hereafter he will certainly be among the righteous. 123. Then We communicated to you that you should follow the religious dictates of Ibrahim the upright and he was not of the polytheists. 124. The Sabbath was appointed only for those who disagreed about it and your Fosterer will certainly judge between them, on the day of resurrection, regarding that in which they used to disagree.

125. Invite to the way of your Fosterer with wisdom and good admonition and dispute with them in (a manner) which is the best. Your Fosterer certainly knows best about him who goes astray from His path and He knows best those who are guided.

126. And if you retaliate then retaliate in a manner similar to that in which you are afflicted, but if you are patient, (then) that is certainly the best for those who are patient. 127. And be patient, and your patience is not (due to anything) but by (the help of) Allah and do not grieve over them nor be in a state of distress because of that which they plan. 128. Allah is certainly with those who guard (against evil) and those who are doers of good. ( R16, P 14 )

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Summarized Commentary
Chapter 16 (Revealed at Makkah)

Vs 125 When Allah (SWT) commands, it has to be implemented. He it is Who chooses messengers to warn human beings that there is no god except Him so that they should fear Him alone. He is high above that which people wrongly associate with Him as His partners. Man did not create himself but was created by Allah (SWT) from an ordinary sperm. He also created the cattle and horses for the utility of mankind. The credit of being guided to the right path also goes to Allah (SWT). He produces the rain and grows vegetation through it. He alternates the night and the day by rotating the heavy earth. The colours too are produced by Him. The hydrostatic and hydrodynamic laws were layed down by Him, He makes the ships to sail in water and has created in it fish as food and pearls as ornaments. In the Theory of Isostacy it is suggested that there are a set conditions of the floating blocks of light mountains and heavy ocean basins, which give equilibrium to our rotating globe, but which, if disturbed, will lead to earth movements. This implies that in the absence of mountains, the earth could have been in a continuous state of disturbance. Allah (SWT) has made the rivers, roads, landmarks, stars as means of reaching destinations, in addition to other purposes they serve. We cannot count the favours of Allah (SWT) Who alone knows everything. Allah (SWT) is One, the only Creator, rest is His creation. Some of the things which people worship are dead (idols). Allah (SWT) does not love the proud who do not recognize Him and consider the Divine message (the Quran) as a collection of the stories of the ancient people for which they will be punished. Vs 2627 Earlier too the polytheists were punished in this world and they will be punished

in the hereafter. Vs 2829 The angels cause the infidels to die while they are in a state of injustice i.e. infidelity and they will be sent to hell. Vs 3032 For the pious there is good here and in the hereafter. When the angels cause them to die, they say, Peace be on you, and they will be sent to paradise because of their good deeds. Vs 3334 The infidels, polytheists etc. are just waiting for being punished here, for their death and finally the punishment in the hereafter. Vs 3537 This statement of the polytheists (Vs 35) is out of mischief and not out of faith because its a fact that Allah (SWT) guides whom He wills to 16:93. Vs 3840 Allah (SWT) will raise the dead and settle the differences, by just saying, Be. Vs 4142 The immigrants from Makkah to Madina had patiently suffered the injustices of the polytheists and infidels in Makkah just because they had believed in Allah (SWT) and put their trust in Him. They will therefore be rewarded here as well as in the hereafter. Vs 4344 Men were sent to mankind as messengers of Allah (SWT) with miracles and Divine books. The Quran has been sent down to make things clear, so that human beings may reflect on its truth and follow it. Vs 4547 Different ways in which the sinners can be punished are mentioned. Vs 4850 Everything in the universe bows down to Allah (SWT) i.e. obey His laws fearing Him.

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Vs 5152 Allah (SWT) is the only God, everything in the universe belongs to Him and His laws i.e. Laws of nature prevail, therefore He alone should be feared. Vs 5355 All comforts are gifts of Allah (SWT), in adversity people pray to Him but when He removes the adverse conditions some people give the credit to some one else and thus exhibit ingratitude to Him for which they are liable to be punished. Vs 56-59 The polytheists kept aside and presented a part of the wealth which Allah (SWT) had provided them, to false deities (idols), without realizing their worthlessness. They wrongly considered angels as daughters of Allah (SWT) when they themselves regarded daughter very inferior to sons. Vs 60 The example of the infidels is worst whereas Allahs example is the best, no one is like Him 112:4. Vs 61 If Allah (SWT) punishes human beings for their sins, it will be so severe that no living creature would be left alive but He gives them chance till a fixed period of time. Vs 62 The polytheists dislike daughters but assign them to Allah (SWT), they will be the first to enter fire. Vs 63 Messengers were sent to all communities but the devil made their sinful deeds appear good to them and misled them, therefore they will experience a painful punishment. Vs 64 Matters in which people disagree should be solved through the Quran which is a guide and a mercy for the believers. Vs 65 Rain water is an agent of putting life into the dead seeds, the remains of the dead bodies of human beings may be brought to life in a similar manner. 30:19, 43:11, 50:11,35:9.

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Vs 66 The constituents of milk are secreted by the mammary glands. These are nourished by the product of food digestion brought to them via the blood stream. Blood therefore plays the role of collector and conductor of what has been extracted from food, and it brings nutrition to the mammary glands, the producers of milk, as it does to any other organ. (The Bible, the Quran and Science, Maurice Bucaille, American Trust publication U.S.A. Another point to be noted is that many man made products are contaminated with the raw materials used. In the case of milk, we do not have even traces of grass which the animal eats or blood which carries the extracted food. Is there any man made process which converts grass to milk as is done in the body of mammals? Vs 67 Grapes and dates are directly used as food but when fermented, they produce intoxicants. Vs 6869 Extracts of many plants have medicinal values, consequently honey too has many medicinal values. Manazir Hasan Gilani, former Head, Islamic studies, Osmania University, Hyderabad India had pointed out that in these verses there is a hint that medicines can be produced from extracts of plants after processing them as is done in the stomachs of the bees. Such medicines are common in practically all systems of medicines: Alophathic, homeopathic, Ayurvedic, Unani etc. The movement of the bees may be the well known Bees dance which is a means of communication to other bees. Vs 70 Birth growth decay death is the known sequence of life brought about by Allah (SWT). In old age there is physical as well as mental decay when the acquired knowledge appears to depart gradually giving rise to forgetfulness, memory lapses etc., in all human beings. Allah (SWT) is the Oldest still His Knowledge and power do not diminish, He is always knowing and Powerful.

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Vs 71 Whatever wealth we have is due to the favour of Allah (SWT) on us, even then we do not give off this wealth to our slaves so as to make them equal to us. When we cannot make our slaves equal to us then how do the polytheists expect Allah (SWT) to make someone or something from His creation equal to Him ? Vs 7273 It is Allah (SWT) and not His presumed partners Who has given us mates, children and grand children. The presumed partners do not have control on anything. Vs 74 Some polytheists try to justify the existence and powers of the presumed partners of Allah (SWT). For instance, some of them argue that anyone cannot meet a very high authority like the prime minister of a country therefore he has to approach his secretaries. These people should know that Allah (SWT) states: And when my servants ask you about Me, then I am certainly near, I respond to the prayer of one who prays, when he prays to me, so let them also respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be led a right. 2:186. Vs 7576 In reply to the similitudes set forth by the polytheists, Allah (SWT) argues through two examples: can a slave (presumed partner) be equal to his master (Allah SWT)? Can a bad slave (polytheist) be equal to a good slave (Muslim) ? Vs 77 It is said that the end or the final crunch will-be unimaginably fast, it will take place in 1040 of a second i.e. one divided by 10 followed by 43 zeros of a second. Vs 78 We acquire knowledge through our senses bestowed on us by Allah (SWT). Vs 79 Through this verse, man is invited to reflect on the shape of and the forces acting on birds which keep them in flight probably to inspire him to invent an aero plane.

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Vs 8083 Man is invited to recognize the favours of Allah (SWT) on him in the form of facilities provided for his residence and material for his clothing and be grateful. The duty of the messenger is to convey the message. Vs 8489 The scene on the day of resurrection is described. Vs 90100 Instructions are given regarding justice, behavior with relatives, social conduct, agreements, recitation of the Quran etc. Vs 101 This may refer to the earlier books replaced by the Quran, the final Devine book or to certain verses of the Quran, the orders contained in which were modified. In the case of intoxicants, for instance, it was pointed out that sin in consuming them was greater than the benefit in them 2:219, then people were ordered not to offer Salat when intoxicated 4:43 then it was finally banned 5:90. Vs 102 Nothing in the Quran was forged by prophet Muhammed (PBH), the whole Quran was revealed to him by Allah (SWT) through the holy spirit Jibreel (PBH). Vs 103 The infidels had raised all sorts of doubts about the Divine origin of the Quran, one of these doubts was that some person teaches him the Quran. It is clarified that the language of the person they suspect is not Arabic then how can he teach in Arabic that too so clear. Vs 104105 Allah (SWT) does not guide the infidels He punishes them because they forge falsehood and are liars. Vs 106109 There are some people whose hearts are at peace because of their being Momins and Muslims but who might sometimes be forced by their enemies to say something against Islam. Allah (SWT) is not angry with such people, He is angry with those people who were earlier believers but later became infidels to the extent that their hearts too were at peace with infidelity and their conversion was due to

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their love of the life of this world more than the hereafter. Allah (SWT) seals the receptive faculties of such infidels, therefore they are not guided, they are heedless and will be punished. Vs 110 Allah (SWT) was Protectively Forgiving and Merciful to those who migrated and struggled in His way, showing patience. Vs 111 In the hereafter everyone will be paid back exactly according to the good or bad he / she did in this world. Vs 112113 A prosperous town was punished because of its ingratitude to Allah (SWT) and denial of His messenger. Vs 114 We are ordered to be grateful to Allah (SWT) for His favours. Vs 115 Forbidden food is mentioned see Ch 5 Vs 3 Vs 116119 Only Allah (SWT) through His messenger makes things lawful and prohibited. No one else has the right to do this, basing his decision on his desire. They may enjoy the unlawful things temporarily but will be punished later. For those who do evil in ignorance but repent and correct themselves, Allah (SWT) is Protectively Forgiving and Merciful. Vs 120123 Some details of Ibrahim (PBH) are given. 1. Leaves home in the name of Allah: Ibrahim (PBH) as the messenger of Allah appears to have first preached his father against idol worship. He argued with him that he (i.e. his father) was worshipping idols which neither hear nor see nor are capable of helping him in anyway. He told him that worshipping idols and thereby serving the devil who was disobedient to Allah, was a punishable act. In reply to this his father threatened him that he would stone him if he did not stop his mission against idol worship and finally ordered him to go away from him. Even then Ibrahim (PBH) consoled him that he would

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pray to his Fosterer for forgiving him and withdrew from that which they worshipped besides Allah (6:74, 19:41-48). The lesson we learn from this is that guidance to the right path does not depend on relationship, even the father of Ibrahim (PBH) was an idol worshipper, a polytheist. It is Allah Who guides whom He wills towards the right path (2:213). 2. He reflects on the creation in search of the Creator: Ibrahim (PBH) wanted to know, Who his Sustainer, Cherisher, Fosterer was, therefore Allah (SWT) diverted his attention towards the heavenly bodies and made him reflect on the creation and then come to some conclusion. In this process he first saw a planet (probably venus which appears at the very start of night and is next in brightness only to the moon), but when the planet disappeared he remarked, I do not love those who set. He next reflected on the moon then on the sun, the biggest heavenly body seen with the naked eye but these two heavenly bodies also disappeared. These heavenly bodies too must have been objects of worship therefore he remarked, O my people! I am free from that which you associate as partners (with Allah). I turn my attention towards Him Who initiated the creation of the skies and the earth, being upright, and I am not of the polytheists, (6:75-82). Here there is a hint that Allah (SWT) existence and powers could be recognized through his creation. 3. He breaks Idols: To teach a lesson to idol worshippers and to make them realize how helpless the idols were, he broke all the idols except the biggest one, in their absence. When they returned and asked as to who had done this to their idols, he said that the biggest of them had done it and requested them to ask the idols themselves. They accepted that idols could not speak. He thus tried to convince them that besides Allah they were worshipping things which could not even protect themselves, leave alone their benefiting or harming others. Inspite of getting convinced they were adamant and tried to burn him in the fire but Allah (SWT) saved him. (21:51-70). Following wrong practices and

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traditions of fore fathers sometimes makes people blind to reason and logic and leads them to hell. 4. He argues with the king: Ibrahim (PBH) defeated the king of his time in argument which was another daring act. The king, considering himself to be the ultimate authority had said that he could let a person live or cause him to die. Ibrahim (PBH) in reply challenged that Allah (SWT) causes the sun to rise in the east let him cause it to rise in the west. (2:258). This shows that one should dare to argue in the cause of Allah (SWT), basing his argument on reason and logic, even with people in power, if they are wrong. 5. He performs an experiment: Belief in anything becomes strong if one is satisfied. Ibrahim (PBH) therefore asked Allah (SWT) to show him how He would raise the dead to life. Allah (SWT) too satisfied him by ordering him to perform an experiment: Take four birds, tame them to come to you when you call them, then place on every mountain a portion from them and call them, they will come to you...... (2:260). As birds are tamed, every particle in the whole creation is tamed to obey the orders of Allah (SWT). On the day of resurrection at the command of Allah (SWT), all the particles of which a person was composed in the life of this world, would assemble to resurrect the same person. This was probably what Allah (SWT) wanted to impress on the mind of Ibrahim (PBH). 6. He leaves wife and child at Kaaba: For the establishment of worship (salat) he left his wife Hajira and child Ismael (PBH) in the premises of Kaaba where there was no food, in the absence of any cultivation. He just depended on Allah (SWT) for providing them with fruits, for which he prayed to Him. 14:37. Another sacrifice of leaving his wife and small child alone just for the service of Allah (SWT). 7. Construction of Kaaba: Ibrahim and Ismael (PBT) were ordered to clean the Kaaba for worshippers of Allah (SWT). This indicates that Ibrahim and Ismael (PBT) first had to remove some unclean or unwanted things from the

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premises of the Kaaba and then raise the foundations of the building. The place where Ibrahim (PBH) stood was appointed as a place for offering salat. While raising the walls of Kaaba Ibrahim and Ismael (PBT) were praying to Allah (SWT) for accepting this service of theirs inspite of the fact that they were ordered by Allah (SWT) to construct the building of Kaaba. This shows that while obeying the orders of Allah (SWT) we too should pray to Him for acceptance of our good deeds, because if our effort is not accepted as good by Allah (SWT) then it is fruitless and a waste. Ibrahim (PBH) also prayed to Allah (SWT) for raising a messenger from the local people i.e. the progeny of Ismael (PBH), his prayer was accepted and Muhammed (PBH) was raised as His last messenger with the final message i.e. the Quran (2:125-129). 8. Sacrifice of Ismael: When Ibrahhim (PBH) was instructed in his dream by Allah (SWT) to sacrifice his son Ismael (PBH) both obeyed the order. But when Ismael was laid down for sacrifice Allah (SWT) saved him from being slaughtered and in his place a sheep was sacrificed. This occasion is remembered every year when we celebrate Idd uz Zuha (37:102-109) If Ismael (PBH) had been sacrificed, it was possible that sacrificing a son instead of a sheep would have become incumbent on all Muslims. We celebrate Idd uz Zuha because instead of a son a sheep is sacrificed and its really an occasion to be celebrated. What a trial it must have been for Ibrahim and Ismael (PBT), but both were declared successful. We should really be grateful to Allah for saving us from such a severe test. 9. Birth of Ishaq (PBH): Ibrahim (PBH) was given the good news of the birth of Ishaq (PBH) as a son along with the birth of Yaqoob (PBH) as a grandson (11:71-72). This clearly indicated that the son whose sacrifice was ordered was Ismael (PBH) and not Ishaq (PBH), because Ishaq (PBH) was to live get married and give birth to Yaqoob (PBH) his

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son. How could Ishaq (PBH) do all this if he had been sacrificed because Ibrahim (PBH) did not know before the sacrifice that his son would be saved, he was prepared to sacrifice his son in all good faith. If the son to be sacrificed was Ishaq (PBH) and not Ismael (PBH) then Ibrahim (PBH) would have got confused that on one hand Ishaq (PBH) was to give birth to Yaqoob (PBH) and on the other hand Allah (SWT) is asking him to sacrifice him in childhood itself. This clearly proves that Ismael (PBH) was involved in the sacrifice and this event took place around Kaaba. Sacrifice of animals and stoning the devils during the Hajj add further support to this fact. 10. Allah (SWT) acknowledgment of Ibrahims (PBH) acts: Ibrahim (PBH) is honoured by being called upright and a friend of Allah (SWT) (4:125). Allah (SWT) Himself certifies that he was not a polytheist (16:120), he had a defectless heart (37:84), he was a man of strength and insight, chosen for reminding people of the life after death (38:45-47) he was good to such an extent that he was a model for the righteous to copy (60:4).

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Vs 124 AS SABT During the period of prophet Dawuud (PBH) some Israelites dwelt at Elath on the Red Sea. They were ordered not to fish on Sabbath i.e. Saturday as a mark of respect but the fish used to come in great numbers on Sabbath to tempt them. Some inhabitants dug ditches and cut canals from the sea for the fish to enter on Sabbath, then they prevented them from going back into the sea by disconnecting the ditches and canals and removed the fish on Sunday. They claimed that the fish came on Friday and were caught on Sunday, not Sabbath. Therefore they were transformed into apes as a mark of punishment. Vs 125 The Quran is full of wisdom 36:2 and it is also called an admonition 3:138. Therefore people should be invited towards Allah (SWT) through the Quran and in this process, argument should be based on it. Vs 126127 Patience is recommended where one can retaliate. Vs 128 The help of Allah (SWT) is with the pious and the good.

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