Proofs of God’s Oneness
People are challenged to compare God with false gods by reflecting on creation, provision, and control—earth, seas, winds, rain, life and death—affirming that only Allah answers the desperate and deserves worship.
Juz 20
27. An-Naml
The AntThe Unseen, the Hour, and Human Blindness
God alone knows the unseen and the timing of the Hour; many remain doubtful, deny resurrection, and fail to learn from past nations, while God’s knowledge encompasses what they conceal and what they reveal.
Qur’anic Clarification and the Coming Signs
The Qur’an clarifies disputed matters and guides believers, while those who reject are warned of the emergence of a sign (the Beast) and the Day when people are gathered and confronted with their denial and wrongdoing.
Call to Worship and Final Accountability
God’s signs in night, day, and the stability of the earth call to faith; on the Day of terror and recompense, deeds are weighed with justice, and the Prophet is commanded to worship the Lord of the Sacred City and recite the Qur’an—guidance benefiting the receptive, while God remains aware of all actions.
28. Al-Qaṣaṣ
The StoriesPharaoh’s Oppression and God’s Plan
Pharaoh tyrannizes Israel’s sons, while Allah wills to favor the oppressed and make them leaders.
Moses Placed in the River
Moses’ mother is inspired to cast him into the river; he is taken into Pharaoh’s household and returned to his mother.
Moses’ Accidental Killing
Moses strikes a man and kills him, then repents and resolves not to support wrongdoers.
Warning and Flight from Egypt
Moses is alerted to a plot against him and leaves the city seeking Allah’s protection.
Madyan and the Righteous Family
Moses helps two women at a well, is hosted, and agrees to work for their father in marriage to one daughter.
The Call at the Burning Bush
Allah speaks to Moses, grants signs and support through Aaron, and commissions him to confront Pharaoh.
Pharaoh Rejects the Signs
Pharaoh and his chiefs deny Moses as a sorcerer and claim superiority, ordering a tower to challenge his message.
The Drowning of Pharaoh
Pharaoh arrogantly rebels, so Allah seizes him and his army; Moses is then given the Scripture as guidance.
The Qur’an Confirmed Despite Denial
The Prophet was not present at Moses’ events, yet receives revelation; deniers demand signs while following desires.
People of the Book Who Believe
Some who were given scripture accept the Qur’an, respond with patience and good deeds, and avoid vain talk.
Guidance Is in Allah’s Hand
The Prophet cannot guide whom he loves; Allah provides security and sustenance, while worldly gains are fleeting.
Context · al-Wahidi
Verse 28:56 came down about Abu Talib. Al-Wahidi reports from al-Musayyab that the Prophet urged his dying uncle to say "There is no god but Allah." Abu Jahl and Abdullah ibn Abi Umayyah pressed him to keep the religion of Abd al-Muttalib, and he refused. Al-Wahidi also reports from Abu Hurairah that Abu Talib said he would have said it, except that the women of Quraysh would shame him for saying it out of fear of death. Al-Zajjaj says the commentators agree the verse concerns Abu Talib. Verse 28:57 came down about al-Harith ibn Uthman ibn Nawfal. He told the Prophet that the message was true but the Arabs would snatch them from their land if they followed him.
Source text (2 entries)
His words, Mighty and Majestic: "You do not guide whom you love..." [to the end of the verse] [28:56](332) Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Shirazi informed us, saying: Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad (1) ibn Khamirawayh (2) related to us, saying: Ali ibn Muhammad al-Khuza'i informed us, saying: Abu al-Yaman [al-Hakam ibn Nafi] (3) related to us, saying: Shu'ayb informed me, from al-Zuhri, who said: Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib informed me, from his father, that he said: When death came to Abu Talib, the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to him and found Abu Jahl and Abdullah ibn Abi Umayyah with him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Uncle, say: There is no god but Allah, a word by which I may plead for you before Allah." Abu Jahl and Abdullah ibn Abi Umayyah said: (4) "Do you turn away
from the religion of Abd al-Muttalib?" The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) kept on (5) offering it to him, and the two of them kept repeating (6) that saying to him, until Abu Talib said, as the last thing he spoke to them: "I am on the religion of Abd al-Muttalib," and he refused to say:
"There is no god but Allah." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "By Allah, I will ask forgiveness for you as long as I am not forbidden to do so for you." So Allah, Mighty and Majestic, sent down: "It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the idolaters, even if they are near relatives..." [to the end of the verse] [9:113]. And He sent down concerning Abu Talib (1): "You do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills" [28:56]. Al-Bukhari recorded it (2) from Abu al-Yaman, from Shu'ayb (3). And Muslim recorded it (4) from Harmalah, from Ibn Wahb, from Yunus; both of them (5) from al-Zuhri.
(333) The teacher Abu Ishaq Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim related to us, saying: al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Shaybani related to us, saying: Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Hafiz related to us, saying: Abu Abd al-Rahman ibn Bishr related to us, saying: Yahya ibn Sa'id related to us, from Yazid ibn Kaysan, who said: Abu Hazim related to me, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to his uncle: "Say: There is no god but Allah, and I will bear witness for you by it on the Day of Resurrection." He said (1): "Were it not that the women (2) of Quraysh would taunt me, saying that fear drove him to it, I would have given you the comfort of it." So Allah, Exalted is He, sent down: "You do not guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills" [28:56]. Muslim recorded it (3) from Muhammad ibn Hatim, from Yahya ibn Sa'id.
He said (4): I heard Abu Uthman al-Hiri say: I heard Abu al-Hasan ibn Miqsam say: I heard Abu Ishaq al-Zajjaj say about this verse: The commentators agree that it was sent down concerning Abu Talib (5).
(4) The editor of (S) added after this the words "O Abu Talib" from Sahih Muslim, but they are not found in any of the manuscripts of Asbab al-Nuzul, so we chose not to include them.
(2) Sahih al-Bukhari 6/141 (4772) and 8/173 (6681).
(4) Sahih Muslim 1/40 (24) (39).
The hadith was recorded by Abd al-Razzaq in his Tafsir (1132), Ibn Sa'd in al-Tabaqat 1/122, Ahmad 5/433, al-Bukhari 2/119 (1360), 5/65 (3884) and 6/87 (4675), and Muslim 1/40.
(3) Sahih Muslim 1/41
The words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: "And they say: If we follow the guidance with you, we will be snatched away from our land" [28:57].It was revealed about al-Harith ibn Uthman [ibn Nawfal](1) ibn Abd Manaf. He said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): We know that what you say is true, but what keeps us from following you is that the Arabs would snatch us away from our land, since they are united against us, and we have no strength against them. So Allah, Exalted is He, sent down this verse.(2)
(2) Recorded by al-Nasa'i in al-Kubra (11385) and in his separate Tafsir.
Partners Disowned on Judgment Day
False gods and leaders disavow their followers; Allah alone controls reward, punishment, and all praise.
Context · al-Wahidi
Al-Wahidi gives differing reports for verse 28:61. From Mujahid, he reports that it came down about Ali, Hamzah and Abu Jahl. Al-Suddi says it came down about Ammar and al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah. Others say it was about the Prophet and Abu Jahl. For verse 28:68, the commentators say it came down as an answer to al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah. He had said, "Why was this Quran not sent down to a great man from one of the two towns?" Through it Allah told them that He does not choose His messengers by their choice.
Source text (2 entries)
His words, Mighty and Majestic: "Is one to whom We have made a good promise, which he will meet ... [to the end of the verse]" [28:61].(334) Abu Bakr al-Harithi informed us, saying: Abu al-Shaykh al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Muhammad ibn Sulayman informed us, saying: Abdullah ibn Hazim al-Ubulli narrated to us, saying: Badal ibn al-Muhabbar narrated to us, saying: Shu'bah narrated to us, from Aban, from Mujahid(3), concerning this verse, who said: It was revealed about Ali, Hamzah and Abu Jahl.
Al-Suddi said(4): It was revealed about Ammar and al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah.
It is said(1): It was revealed about the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Jahl.
(3) Recorded by al-Tabari in al-Tafsir 20/97, and by the author in al-Wasit 3/405; al-Suyuti cited it in al-Durr al-Manthur 6/431. Al-Tabari 20/97 recorded it as the statement of Mujahid, who said: "It was revealed about Hamzah and Abu Jahl."
(4) Al-Baghawi cited it in his Tafsir 3/541, and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded in his Tafsir 9/2998 (17029) from al-Suddi, who said: "'Is one to whom We have made a good promise, which he will meet' - he said: Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib." And in 9/2999 (17029) he said: "'Like one whom We have given the enjoyment of the life of this world' - he said: Abu Jahl ibn Hisham."
(1) This is the view of Mujahid; al-Tabari recorded it in his Tafsir 20/97. See also al-Durr al-Manthur 6/431.
The words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: "And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses..." [to the end of the verse] [28:68].The scholars of tafsir said(2): It was revealed in reply to al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah when he said what Allah, Exalted is He, reported of him: "And they said: Why was this Quran not sent down to a great man from one of the two towns?" [43:31](3). Allah, Exalted is He, told them that He does not send the messengers by their choosing.
Surat al-Ankabut
(2) Al-Baghawi mentioned it in his Tafsir 3/541.
Night and Day as Signs
Allah’s alternation of night and day shows His mercy; on the Day of Judgment, witnesses are brought against the deniers.
Qarun’s Pride and Downfall
Qarun boasts of wealth, rejects sincere counsel, and is swallowed by the earth, teaching that Allah grants and withholds.
Seek the Hereafter and Worship Allah Alone
The Hereafter is for the humble; do good without spreading corruption, and call upon none besides Allah.
29. Al-ʿAnkabūt
The SpiderFaith Tested by Trials
Believers are tried so the truthful are distinguished; those who strive and believe are forgiven and rewarded.
Context · al-Wahidi
Al-Wahidi reports from al-Sha'bi that verse 29:2 came down about Muslims in Makkah. The Prophet's Companions in Madinah wrote that their Islam would not be accepted until they emigrated, and when they set out the idolaters pursued and harmed them. Muqatil instead links the verse to Mihja', Umar's freed slave and the first Muslim killed at Badr, whose parents and wife grieved for him. Verse 29:8 came down about Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, whose mother refused to eat or drink until he renounced Islam. He would not give up his faith. Sa'd's own account is recorded by Muslim. A fuller version, in which she finally ate, has a chain al-Fahl grades weak.
Source text (3 entries)
The words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: "Alif Lam Mim. Do people think that they will be left..." [29:1-2] [the two verses].Al-Sha'bi said (4): It was revealed about some people in Makkah who had professed Islam. The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) wrote to them from Madinah that no profession of faith and no Islam would be accepted from them until they emigrated. So they set out, heading for Madinah. The polytheists followed them and harmed them, and this verse was revealed about them. The Companions wrote to them that such-and-such a verse had been revealed about them. They said: We will go out, and if anyone follows us we will fight him. So they set out, and the polytheists followed them and fought them. Some of them were killed and some escaped. Then Allah, Mighty and Majestic, revealed about them: "Then indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been persecuted... [to the end of the verse]" [16:110].
Muqatil said (1): It was revealed about Mihja', the freed slave of Umar ibn al-Khattab. He was the first of the Muslims to be killed on the day of Badr. Amir ibn al-Hadrami shot him with an arrow and killed him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said on that day (2): "The master of the martyrs is Mihja', and he is the first of this community to be called to the gate of Paradise." His parents
and his wife grieved over him, so Allah, Exalted is He, revealed this verse about them and informed them that trial and hardship for the sake of
Allah, Exalted is He, were unavoidable for them (3).
(4) Al-Sha'bi's statement was recorded by Abd al-Razzaq in his Tafsir (2239), al-Tabari in his Tafsir 20/129, and Ibn Abi Hatim in his Tafsir 9/3031 (17131). The author cited it in al-Wasit 3/412, as did al-Baghawi in his Tafsir 3/549, al-Qurtubi in his Tafsir 6/5040, and al-Suyuti in al-Durr al-Manthur 6/449, who also attributed it to Abd ibn Humayd and Ibn al-Mundhir.
(1) Cited by al-Baghawi in his Tafsir 3/549 and al-Qurtubi 6/5040.
(3) Ubayd ibn Umayr and Ibn Jurayj said: It was revealed about Ammar ibn Yasir, who was being tortured for the sake of Allah. See: Tafsir al-Tabari 20/129, Tafsir al-Baghawi 3/549, and al-Durr al-Manthur 6/450.
The words of Allah, Exalted and Majestic: "And We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents" ... [to the end of the verse] [29:8].The commentators said (4): It was revealed about Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas. When he accepted Islam, his mother Hamnah (6) said to him (5): "O Sa'd, I have heard that you have changed your religion. By Allah, no roof of a house will shade me from the sun (7) and the wind, and I will neither eat nor drink, until you disbelieve in Muhammad and return to what you were upon." He was the dearest of her children to her. But Sa'd refused, and she held out for three days without eating, drinking, or taking shelter in any shade, until he feared for her (8). So Sa'd came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and complained of this to him, and Allah, Exalted is He, sent down this verse, and the one in Luqman (9) and al-Ahqaf (10).
(335) Abu Sa'id (1) ibn Abi Bakr al-Ghazi informed us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Hamdan informed us, saying: Abu Ya'la (2) related to us, saying: Abu Khaythamah related to us, saying: al-Hasan ibn Musa related to us, saying: Zuhayr related to us, saying: Simak ibn Harb related to us, saying: Mus'ab ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas related to me, from his father, who said: This verse was revealed about me. He said: The mother of Sa'd swore that she would never speak to him (3) until he disbelieved in his religion, and that she would neither eat nor drink. She stayed like that for three (4) days until she fainted from exhaustion. So Allah, Exalted is He, sent down: "And We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents" [29:8]. Muslim recorded it (5) from Abu Khaythamah.
(4) Tafsir al-Tabari 20/131, Bahr al-Ulum 2/531, Tafsir al-Baghawi 3/551 (1620), and Tafsir al-Qurtubi 6/5044.
(5) Sahih Muslim 7/125 (1748) (43).
Also recorded by al-Tayalisi (208), Ahmad 1/178, 181, 185, Abd ibn Humayd (132), Ibn Zanjawayh in al-Amwal (1125), al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad (24), Abu Dawud (2740), al-Tirmidhi (3079) and (3189), al-Bazzar (11499), al-Nasa'i in al-Kubra (11196) and in his Tafsir (216), Abu Ya'la (7299) and
His words, Mighty and Majestic: "And if they strive to make you associate with Me..." [to the end of the verse] [29:8].(336) Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ja'far informed us, saying: Abu Ya'la(1) informed us, saying: Ahmad ibn Ayyub ibn Rashid al-Dabbi related to us, saying: Maslamah ibn Alqamah related to us, saying: Dawud ibn Abi Hind related to us, from Abu Uthman al-Nahdi, that Sa'd ibn Malik(2) said: This verse was revealed about me: "And if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them" [29:8]. He said: I was a man dutiful to my mother. When I accepted Islam, she said: O Sa'd, what is this religion you have invented? You will either give up this religion of yours, or I will neither eat nor drink until I die, and you will be shamed on my account, and it will be said: O killer of his mother! I said: Do not do it, O mother(3), for I will not give up this religion of mine for anything. He said: She went a day(4) and a night without eating(5), and by morning she was worn out(6). He said: She went another day and a night without eating, and by morning her exhaustion had become severe. He said: When I saw that, I said: Know, by Allah, O mother(7), that if you had a hundred souls and they left you one soul after another, I would not give up this religion of mine for anything. If you wish, eat, and if you wish, do not eat. When she saw that, she ate. Then Allah sent down this verse: "And if they strive to make you..." [to the end of the verse](8)
[29:8].
(1) Al-Dhahabi mentioned it in Siyar A'lam al-Nubala 1/109 and said: "Abu Ya'la recorded it in his Musnad." We did not find it in the printed Musnad of Abu Ya'la. Al-Suyuti 6/521 also attributed it to Abu Ya'la.
(2) He is Sa'd ibn Malik ibn Uhayb, also called Wuhayb, ibn Abd Manaf ibn Zuhrah ibn Kilab al-Qurashi al-Zuhri, Abu Ishaq ibn Abi Waqqas, one of the Ten and the last of them to die. See: al-Isabah 2/33.
(8) Its chain is weak, because of the weakness of Ahmad ibn Ayyub and Salamah ibn Alqamah.
Recorded by Ibn Asakir in Tarikh Dimashq 20/331 by way of Abu Ya'la with this chain. Al-Suyuti mentioned it in al-Durr al-Manthur 6/521 and also attributed it to Abu Ya'la, al-Tabarani and Ibn Mardawayh. Ibn Kathir mentioned it in his Tafsir 3/590 with al-Tabarani's chain and said: "Al-Tabarani said in Kitab al-Asharah: Abu Abd al-Rahman Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal related to us, saying: Ahmad ibn Ayyub ibn Rashid related to us, saying: Maslamah ibn Alqamah related to us, from Dawud ibn Abi Hind, that Sa'd ibn Malik..." and he did not mention Abu Uthman al-Nahdi.
weak chain
Hypocrisy and False Promises
Some claim faith but falter under persecution; misleaders invite others to follow them yet cannot carry their sins.
Context · al-Wahidi
Al-Wahidi gives three reports for verse 29:10. Mujahid says it came down about people who believed with their tongues, but turned away when Allah tested them with trial and hardship. Al-Dahhak says it was about hypocrites in Mecca who believed, but went back to idolatry when they were harmed. Ikrimah reports from Ibn Abbas that it was about believers whom the idolaters took out with them to Badr and who then renounced their faith. He says they were the same people about whom 4:97 was revealed.
Source text (1 entry)
The words of Allah, Mighty and Majestic: "And among the people is he who says, 'We believe in Allah' ... [to the end of the verse]" [29:10].Mujahid said (1): It was revealed about people who used to believe with their tongues, but when a trial from Allah and a misfortune in their persons befell them, they fell into temptation.
Al-Dahhak said (2): It was revealed about people among the hypocrites in Makkah who used to believe, but when they were harmed they returned to polytheism.
Ikrimah said, from Ibn Abbas (3): It was revealed about the believers whom the polytheists took out to
Badr, and they apostatized. They (1) are the ones about whom was revealed: "Indeed, those whom the angels take in death while they are wronging themselves ... [to the end of the verse]" [4:97].
(1) Recorded by al-Tabari in al-Tafsir 20/132 and Ibn Abi Hatim in al-Tafsir 9/3037 (17171). Al-Suyuti in al-Durr al-Manthur 6/452 additionally attributed it to al-Firyabi, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abd ibn Humayd and Ibn al-Mundhir.
(2) Recorded by al-Tabari 20/132.
(3) Recorded by al-Tabari 20/133 and Ibn Abi Hatim in his Tafsir 9/3037 (17170) from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas, who said: "There were some people of Makkah who had accepted Islam and were concealing their Islam. The polytheists took them out with them on the day of Badr, and some of them were struck down before others. The Muslims said: These companions of ours were Muslims and were compelled, so seek forgiveness for them. Then was revealed: 'Indeed, those whom the angels take in death while they are wronging themselves, they say: In what condition were you?' to the end of the verse. He said: So this verse was written to those Muslims who remained in Makkah, that there was no excuse for them. They set out, and the polytheists caught up with them and put them to trial, so this verse was revealed about them: 'And among the people is he who says, We believe in Allah, but when he is harmed for the sake of Allah, he treats the trial of the people like the punishment of Allah' to the end of the verse. The Muslims wrote to them with this, so they set out and despaired of every [...]
Noah’s Long Call and Deliverance
Noah preached for centuries; the flood seized the wrongdoers while Allah saved him and the Ark’s people as a sign.
Abraham’s Call to Worship Allah Alone
Abraham urges pure monotheism and gratitude, warning that the messenger’s duty is clear conveyance.
Proofs of Resurrection and Warning to Deniers
Creation and re-creation show Allah’s power; those who deny His signs and the Hereafter face punishment.
Abraham Saved from the Fire
His people sought to burn him, but Allah saved him; idolatry is exposed, and Isaac and Jacob are granted with prophethood.
Lot’s People and Their Punishment
Lot condemns their indecency and corruption; angels deliver him, and a lasting sign remains after the town’s destruction.
Past Nations Warned and Parables of False Reliance
Shuʿayb’s people and others are punished for injustice; reliance on idols is likened to a spider’s fragile home, while Allah’s signs are true.
Recitation, Prayer, and Wise Debate
The Prophet is commanded to recite revelation and establish prayer; Muslims are told to debate People of the Book graciously and affirm one God.