The Qur’an Abandoned and the End of the Guilty
The Messenger complains his people deserted the Qur’an; God reassures him, and the guilty are driven to Hell on their faces for rejecting the signs.
Juz 19
25. Al-Furqān
The CriterionLessons from Past Nations
Moses was aided against Pharaoh, then former peoples were destroyed for denial; yet the present rejecters ignore warnings and follow desires like cattle—more astray.
Signs in Nature and a Renewed Warning
God points to the shadow, sun, night, sleep, winds, and rain as mercy and proof, yet many persist in disbelief; the Prophet is told to strive with the Qur’an.
The Creator’s Signs and the Call to Worship
God merges sweet and salty seas with a barrier, creates humans and kinship, and controls the heavens and time; people still worship besides Him, while the Prophet is commanded to trust the Merciful.
Qualities of the Servants of the Merciful
They are humble, avoid ignorant dispute, pray by night, fear Hell, are moderate, shun shirk, murder, and adultery, and repent sincerely with transformed deeds.
Context · al-Wahidi
Verses 25:68-70 came down about some polytheists who had killed and fornicated a great deal. Al-Wahidi reports from Ibn Abbas that they told the Prophet his message was good, if only he would tell them their deeds could be expiated (recorded by Muslim). Ibn Masud says that the Prophet named the worst sins as setting up a rival to Allah, killing one's child and adultery with a neighbour's wife, and the verse came to confirm this (Bukhari and Muslim). Another report from Ibn Abbas says Wahshi, who had committed all three sins, asked whether he could repent; this verse came, then 4:48 and 39:53, and he accepted Islam. Al-Fahl grades that chain strong but finds no other source for it from Ibn Abbas.
Source text (1 entry)
The words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: "And those who do not call upon another god alongside Allah ..." [25:68] to the end of the verses.(329) Abu Ishaq al-Tha'alibi informed us, saying: al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Makhladi informed us, saying: al-Mu'ammal ibn al-Hasan (3) ibn Isa informed us, saying: al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-Sabbah al-Za'farani related to us, saying: Hajjaj related to us, from Ibn Jurayj, who said: Ya'la ibn Muslim informed me, from Sa'id ibn Jubayr, whom he heard relating from Ibn Abbas: that some people among the polytheists had killed, and killed much, and had committed adultery, and committed it much. Then they came to Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said: What you say and call to is indeed good, if only you would tell us that there is an expiation for what we have done. So there was revealed: "And those who do not call upon another god alongside Allah ..." [25:68], the verses up to His words "Forgiving, Merciful." Muslim recorded it (4) from Ibrahim ibn Dinar, from Hajjaj.
(330) Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Yahya al-Muzakki (1) informed us, saying: my father related to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Thaqafi informed us, saying: Ishaq ibn (2) Ibrahim al-Hanzali and Muhammad ibn al-Sabbah related to us, both saying: Jarir related to us, from Mansur and al-A'mash, from Abu Wa'il, from Amr ibn Shurahbil, from Abu Maysarah (3), from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, who said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): Which sin is the greatest? He said: "That you set up a rival to Allah when He created you." He said: I said: Then which? He said:
"That you kill your child for fear that he will eat with you." He said: I said: Then which? He said: "That you commit adultery with the wife (4) of your neighbor." Then Allah, Exalted is He, sent down in confirmation of that (5): "And those who do not call upon another god alongside Allah, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, and do not commit adultery" [25:68]. Al-Bukhari recorded it (6) [from Musaddad, from Yahya] (7), and Muslim (8)
from Uthman ibn Abi Shaybah, from Jarir.
(331) Abu Bakr ibn al-Harith informed us, saying: Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ja'far informed us, saying: Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim related to us, saying: Isma'il ibn Ishaq related to us, saying: al-Harith ibn al-Zubayr related to us, saying: Abu Rashid, the freedman of the Lahabis (1), related to us, from Sa'id ibn Salim
al-Qaddah, from Ibn Jurayj, from Ata, from Ibn Abbas, who said: Wahshi came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: O Muhammad, I have come to you seeking protection, so grant me protection until I hear the word of Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "I would have liked to see you under other than protection, but since you have come to me (2) seeking protection, you are under my protection until you hear the word of Allah." He said: I have associated partners with Allah, I have killed the soul which Allah, Exalted is He, has forbidden, and I have committed adultery; so will (3) Allah accept (4) repentance from me? The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) remained silent until this verse was sent down (5): "And those who do not call upon another god alongside Allah, and do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right, and do not commit adultery" [25:68] to the end of the verse. He recited it to him, and he said: I see a condition; perhaps I will not do righteous deeds. I am under your protection until I hear the word of Allah, Exalted is He. So there was revealed: "Indeed Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills" [4:48]. He summoned him and recited it to him, and he said: Perhaps I (6) am among those He does not will. I am under your protection until I hear the word of Allah. So there was revealed: "Say: O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of
Allah ..." [to the end of the verse] [39:53]. He said: Yes, now I see no condition. So he embraced Islam (1).
Surat al-Qasas
(4) Muslim recorded it 1/79 (122)(193).
Al-Bukhari recorded it 5/57 (3855) and 6/139 (4766) and 6/157 (4810), and Muslim 1/79
(5) In (B): "Then Allah, Exalted be His mention, sent down in confirmation of it."
(6) Sahih al-Bukhari 6/137 (4761), and in Khalq Af'al al-Ibad: 100.
(8) Sahih Muslim 1/63 (141)
(1) Its chain is strong, even though Ibn Jurayj did not state explicitly that he heard it; for Ibn Abi Khaythamah recorded with a sound chain from Ibn Jurayj that he said: "When I say 'Ata said,' I heard it from him, even if I do not say 'I heard.'" See: Irwa' al-Ghalil 4/244.
We did not find it in anyone's work as a hadith of Ibn Abbas; al-Tabari recorded it with the same meaning in his Tafsir 19/46 as a statement of Sa'id ibn Jubayr. And see: al-Durr al-Manthur 6/278.
Truthful Conduct and God’s Care
They avoid false testimony, heed God’s reminders, and pray for righteous families and leadership in piety; they are rewarded for patience, and God’s regard is tied to people’s supplication.
26. Ash-Shuʿarāʾ
The PoetsClear Revelation and Signs
The Qur’an is affirmed as clear guidance; most still turn away despite evident signs, while God is Mighty and Merciful.
Moses Commissioned
God calls Moses to confront Pharaoh and deliver His message to the wrongdoing people.
Pharaoh’s Accusation, Moses’ Reply
Pharaoh reminds Moses of his upbringing and past act; Moses responds and rejects Pharaoh’s claimed “favor.”
Debate and the Challenge to Moses
Moses proclaims the Lord of the worlds; Pharaoh threatens him and gathers magicians to counter the signs.
Magicians Believe
The magicians are defeated by Moses’ sign, submit in faith, and endure Pharaoh’s threats with steadfast conviction.
The Exodus and the Sea
Moses leads Israel out; the sea is parted, Pharaoh’s forces are drowned, and a lesson is drawn from God’s mercy and power.
Abraham’s Call and Prayer
Abraham rejects idol worship, reasons about the true Lord, and prays for forgiveness, righteous legacy, and salvation on the Day of Judgment.
The Day of Reckoning
Paradise is brought near to the righteous, Hell is exposed to the astray, and the idolaters confess their ruin with no helpers.
Noah and the Flood
Noah calls his people to fear God; they reject him, so God saves Noah and the believers and destroys the deniers.
Hud and ‘Ad
Hud warns ‘Ad against arrogance and corruption; they deny him, and God punishes them after the clear call.
Salih and Thamud’s She-Camel
Salih presents the she-camel as a sign and urges justice; they kill it and are seized by punishment for their defiance.
Lot and Moral Corruption
Lot condemns his people’s indecency; they threaten him, so God rescues Lot and destroys the guilty.
Shu‘ayb and the People of the Thicket
Shu‘ayb calls to honest measure and righteousness; they deny him and are overtaken by a devastating punishment.
The Qur’an’s Divine Source
The revelation is from the Lord, brought by the trustworthy Spirit to a clear Arabic tongue, foretold in earlier scriptures, and serves as a warning.
Not Poetry; The Exception
The Qur’an is not inspired by devils nor mere poetry; poets often mislead, except those who believe, do good, and stand for truth.
27. An-Naml
The AntGuidance of the Clear Book
The surah opens by presenting the Qur’an as clear guidance and good news for believers who establish prayer, give charity, and are certain of the Hereafter, while warning that those who deny the next life are left to wander in delusion.
Moses Called at the Blessed Fire
Moses seeks fire for warmth and direction, then is called by God and assured of safety; he is given two signs—his staff turning into a serpent and his hand becoming radiant—as proofs for Pharaoh and his people.
Denial of Signs out of Arrogance
Despite the clear miracles, Pharaoh’s people dismiss them as sorcery, rejecting truth knowingly due to ظلم (wrongdoing) and pride, sealing their ruin.
Solomon’s Gratitude and the Ant’s Warning
David and Solomon are granted knowledge, and Solomon commands a vast army including jinn, humans, and birds; hearing an ant warn its colony, Solomon smiles and prays for gratitude and righteous deeds.
The Hoopoe Reports Sheba
Solomon notices the hoopoe’s absence, then hears its news of a powerful queen and a people worshiping the sun; Solomon sends a letter inviting them to submit to God, testing the report and calling them to true worship.
The Queen Consults and Sends Gifts
The Queen of Sheba reads Solomon’s message and consults her leaders, choosing diplomacy over war; she decides to send gifts to gauge Solomon’s intentions and avoid conflict if possible.
A Throne Brought in an Instant
Solomon refuses worldly gifts and warns of overwhelming forces; preparing for her arrival, he asks who can bring her throne, and it is transported swiftly by one endowed with knowledge—demonstrating God’s favor and testing gratitude.
Recognition, Truth, and Submission
Solomon has the throne altered to test the queen’s discernment; she recognizes it and witnesses further signs, including the glass-floored palace, leading her to abandon false worship and submit to God with Solomon.
Thamud’s Plot and Salih’s Deliverance
Salih calls Thamud to worship God alone, but they split into factions and demand a sign while a group plots to kill him; God foils their scheme, destroys the wrongdoers, and saves Salih and the believers.
Lot and the Crime of Indecency
Lot condemns his people’s public immorality and rejection of purity; they respond by seeking his expulsion, so God rescues Lot and his family except his wife, and a destructive rain falls upon the criminals.