Surah As-Saff (Chapter 61 of the
Quran)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1. Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth
glorifies Allah. And He is the Almighty, the All-Wise.
2. O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
3. Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.
4. Verily, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in rows as if they were a
solid structure.
Chastising Those Who say what They do not do
Allah’s statement, “O you who believe! Why do you say that which
you do not do?” This refutes those who neglect to fulfil their
promises. This honorable Ayah supports the view that several scholars of the Salaf held, that it is necessary to fulfill the
promise, regardless of whether the promise includes some type of wealth for the
person receiving the promise or otherwise. They also argue from the Sunnah,
with the Hadith recorded in the Two Sahihs in which Allah’s Messenger, peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,
“There are three signs for a hypocrite: when he promises, he
breaks his promise; when speaks, he lies; and when he is entrusted, he
betrays.” (Fath Al-Bari 1:111)
Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud recorded that Abdullah bin Amir bin Rabiah said,
“Allah’s Messenger came to us while I was a young boy, and I went out to play.
My mother said, ‘O Abdullah! Come, I want to give you something.’ Allah’s
Messenger said to her,
“What did you want to give him?”
She said, ‘Dates.’ He said,
“If you had
not given them to him, it would have been written as a lie in your record.”
(Ahmad 3: 447)
Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak said that
this Ayah was sent down to admonish some people who used to say that they
killed, fought, stabbed, and did such and such during battle, even though they
did not do any of it.
Said bin Jubayr said about Allah’s statement, “Verily, Allah loves those who
fight in His cause in rows (ranks)” “Before Allah’s
Messenger began the battle against the enemy, he liked to line up his forces in
rows; in this Surah, Allah teaches the believers to do the same.” (Al-Qurtubi
18:81)
5. And when Musa said to his people: “O my people! Why do you
annoy me while you know certainly that I am the Messenger of Allah to you? So,
when they turned away (from the path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away
(from the right path). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious.
6. And (remember) when Isa, son of Maryam, said: “O Children of Israel! I am
the Messenger of Allah unto you, confirming the Tawrah (which came) before me,
and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be
Ahmad. “But when he came to them with clear proofs, they said: “This is plain
magic.”
Musa admonishes His People for annoying Him
Allah states that His servant
and Messenger Musa, son of Imran, to whom Allah spoke directly, said to his
people, “Why do you annoy me while you know certainly that I am the
Messenger of Allah to you?” meaning, ‘why do you annoy me even
though you know my truth regarding the Message that I brought you?’
This brings consolation for Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him, for what the disbelievers among his people and others did to him.
And it orders him to be patient. This is why he once said,
“May Allah have mercy with Musa: he was annoyed more than this,
yet he was patient.” (Fath Al-Bari 7:652)
“So, when they turned away, Allah turned their hearts away.” means, when the Jews turned away from following the
guidance, even though they knew it, Allah turned their hearts away from the
guidance. Instead, Allah placed doubts, suspicion and failure in their hearts,
just as He said, “And whoever contradicts and opposes the
Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other
than the believers’ way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and enter
him in Hell, what an evil destination it is!” (4:115),
and, Similarly Allah said; “And Allah guides not the
people who are rebellious.” (9:24)
The Good News of Isa about Our Prophet and that His Name is Ahmad
Allah said; “And when Isa, son of Maryam, said: “O Children of Israel! I am
the Messenger of Allah unto you, confirming the Tawrah before me, and giving
glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.”
Isa said, “The Tawrah conveyed the glad tidings of my coming, and my coming
confirms the truth of the Tawrah. I convey the glad tidings of the Prophet who
will come after me. He is the unlettered, Makkan, Arab Prophet and Messenger,
Ahmad.” Isa, peace be upon him, is the last and final Messenger from among the
Children of Israel. He remained among the Children of Israel for a while,
conveying the good news of the coming of Muhammad, whose name is also Ahmad,
the Last and Final Prophet and Messenger. After Muhammad, there will be no
prophethood or Messengers. How admirable the Hadith is that Al-Bukhari
collected in his Sahih from Jubayr bin Mutim, who said, “I heard the Messenger
of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say,
“I have names. I am Muhammad and Ahmad. I am Al-Mahi through whom
Allah will eliminate disbelief. I am Al-Hashir who will be the first to be
resurrected, with the people being resurrected Hereafter. I am also Al-Aqib
(i.e., there will be no Prophet after me).”
Muhammad bin Ishaq recorded that Khalid bin Madan said that some Companions of
Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “O Allah’s
Messenger! Tell us about yourself.” He said,
“I am the (result of the) invocation made to Allah from my father
Ibrahim and the good news Isa delivered. When my mother was pregnant with me,
she had a dream in which she saw a light emanating from her that radiated the
palaces of Busra in Ash-Sham.” (Ibn Hisham 1:175)
This Hadith has a good chain of narration that is supported by other similar
narrations. Imam Ahmad recorded that Al-Irbad bin Sariyah said, “The Messenger
of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said,
“I was written with Allah as the Last and Final of the Prophet,
even when Adam was still clay. I will tell of the first good news announcing my
advent, the (result of the) invocation to Allah made from my father Ibrahim,
the good news Isa conveyed, and the dream that my mother saw. The mothers of
all Prophets see similar dreams.” (Ahmad 4:127)
Imam Ahmad recorded that
Abdullah bin Masud said that the Messenger of Allah sent eighty men, including
Abdullah bin Masud, Jafar bin Abi Talib, Abdullah bin Urfutah, Uthman bin
Mazun, Abu Musa, and others, to An-Najashi. The Quraysh sent Amr bin Al-As and
Umarah bin Al-Walid with a gift for An-Najashi. When they, Amr and Umarah, came
to An-Najashi, they prostrated before him and stood to his right and left. Amr
and Umarah said, “Some of our cousins migrated to your land; they have
abandoned us and our religion.” An-Najashi said, “Where are they?” They said,
“They are in your land, so send for them,” so An-Najashi summoned the Muslims.
Jafar said to the Muslims, “I will be your speaker today.” So, the Muslims
followed Jafar and when he entered on the king he did not prostrate after
greeting him. They said to Jafar, “Why do you not prostrate before the king?”
Jafar said, “We only prostrate for Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored.” They
said, “Why” He said, “Allah has sent a Messenger to us from Him, who ordered us
not to prostrate to anyone except Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored. He also
ordered to perform prayer and give charity.”
Amr bin Al-As said, “They contradict your creed about Isa, son of Maryam.” The
king asked, “What do you say about Isa and his mother Maryam?” Jafar said, “We
only say what Allah said about him, that he is Allah’s Word [meaning that Allah
said, “Be” and he was], a soul created by Allah and sent down to the honourable
virgin who was not touched by a man nor bearing children before.” An-Najashi
lifted a straw of wood and said, “O Ethiopians, monks and priests! By Allah,
what they say about Isa is no more than what we say about him, not even a
difference that equals this straw. You are welcomed among us, and greetings to
him who sent you. I bear witness that he is Allah’s Messenger whom we read
about in the Injil. He is the Prophet who Isa, son of Maryam, foretold the good
news about his advent. Live wherever you wish. By Allah, had I not been
entrusted with the responsibilities of kingship, I would have gone to him, so
that I could be honored by carrying his slippers and his water for ablution.”
The king ordered that the gifts of the idolators be returned to them. Abdullah
bin Masud soon returned and later on participated in the battle of Badr. He
said that when the Prophet received the news that An-Najashi died, he invoked
Allah to forgive him. (Ahmad 1:461) Allah said, “But when he came to them with
clear proofs, they said: “This is plain magic.” this refers to
Ahmad, who was anticipated, in accordance with the early Scriptures and early
generations, according to Ibn Jurayj and Ibn Jarir. When the Prophet appeared
bringing clear signs, the disbelievers and rejecters said, “This is plain magic.”
7. And who does more wrong than the one who invents a lie against Allah, while
he is being invited to Islam And Allah guides not the people who are
wrongdoers.
8. They intend to put out the Light of Allah with their mouths. But Allah will
bring His Light to perfection even though the disbelievers hate (it).
9. He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth
to make it victorious over all religions even though idolators hate (it).
The Most Unjust among all People
Allah said, “And who does more wrong than the one who invents a lie against
Allah, while he is being invited to Islam” meaning, none is
more unjust than he who lies about Allah and calls upon rivals and associates
partners with Him, even while he is being invited to Tawhid and sincerely
worshipping Him.
This is why Allah said, “And Allah guides not the people who are wrongdoers.”
Allah said, “They intend to put out the Light of Allah
with their mouths.” indicating that the disbelievers will try to
contradict the truth with falsehood. Their attempts are similar to one’s
attempt to extinguish the sun with his mouth, which is impossible. Likewise is
the case of their attempt to extinguish truth. So Allah said, “But Allah will bring His Light to perfection even though the
disbelievers hate (it). He it is Who has sent His Messenger with guidance and
the religion of truth to make it victorious over all (other) religions even
though the idolators hate (it).”
10. O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save
you from a painful torment?
11. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and
fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be
better for you, if you but know!
12. (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens
under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that
is indeed the great success.
13. And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from
Allah and a near victory. And give glad tidings to the believers.
The Trade that saves One from the Painful
Torment
We mentioned a Hadith from
Abdullah bin Salam in that the Companions wanted to ask the Prophet of Allah
about the best actions with Allah the Exalted and Most Honored, so they could
practice them. Allah the Exalted sent down this Surah, including this Ayah, “O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save
you from a painful torment” Allah then
explained this great trade that will never fail, the trade that will earn one
what he wishes and saves him from what he dislikes. Allah the Exalted said, “That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive
hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will
be better for you, if you but know!” this is better than
the trade of this life and striving hard for it and amassing it. Allah the
Exalted said, “He will forgive you your sins,” meaning, ‘if you fulfill what I commanded you and
guided you to, then I will forgive your sins and admit you into the Gardens of
Paradise. In them, you will have exalted residences and high positions.’ This
is why Allah the Exalted said, “and admit you into Gardens
under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that
is indeed the great success.” Allah said, “And also another (blessing) which you love,” meaning, ‘I will grant you more favors that you like,’
“help from Allah and a near victory.” meaning, if you fight in Allah’s cause and support His
religion, He will grant you victory.
Allah the Exalted said, “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will
help you, and make your foothold firm.” (47:7), and, “Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly, Allah
is All Strong, All-Wise.” (22:40) Allah’s statement, “and a near victory.” means, it will come
sooner, and this is the increased favour that is earned in this life and
continues, becoming the delight of the Hereafter. It is for those who obey
Allah and His Messenger and support Allah and His religion. Allah said; “And give glad tidings to the believers.”
14. O you who believe! Be you helpers (in the
cause) of Allah as said `Isa, son of Maryam, to the Hawariyyin (the disciples):
“Who are my helpers (in the cause) of Allah?” The Hawariyyun said: “We are
Allah’s helpers” (i.e., we will strive in His cause!). Then a group of the
Children of Israel believed and a group disbelieved. So, we gave power to those
who believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).
Whereby, Isa sent the disciples
to the various areas of Ash-Sham to call the Greeks and the Israelites to
Islam. Similarly, during the days of Hajj, Allah’s Messenger, peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him, used to ask,
“Who will support me in conveying the Message of my Lord? Verily,
the Quraysh have prevented me from conveying the Message of my Lord.” (Ahmad
3:322, Al-Hakim 2:624)
A Group of the Children of Israel believed in Isa and a Group of
Them disbelieved
Allah said, “Then a group of the Children
of Israel believed and a group disbelieved.” When
Isa, peace be on him, conveyed the Message of his Lord to his people and the
disciples supported him, a group from the Children of Israel believed. They
accepted the guidance that Isa brought to them, while another group, was led
astray. This group rejected what Isa brought them, denied his prophethood and
invented terrible lies about him and his mother. They are the Jews, may Allah
curse them until the Day of Judgement. Another group exaggerated over Isa,
until they elevated him to more than the level of prophethood that Allah gave
him. They divided into sects and factions, some saying that Isa was the son of
Allah, while others said that he was one in a trinity, and this is why they
invoke the father, the son and the holy ghost! Some of them said that Isa was
Allah, as we mentioned in the Tafsir of Surat An-Nisa’.
Allah gives Victory to the Believing Group
Allah said, “So, we gave power to those who
believed against their enemies,” that is, ‘We gave
them victory over the group of Christians which defied them,’ “and they became the victorious (uppermost).”
‘over the disbelieving group, when We sent Muhammad.’
Imam Abu Jafar bin Jarir At-Tabari reported that Ibn Abbas said, “When Allah
decided to raise Isa to heaven, Isa went to his companions while drops of water
were dripping from his head. At that time, there were twelve men at the
house.Isa said to them, ‘Some of you will disbelieve in me twelve times after
having believed in me.’ He then asked, ‘Who among you volunteers that he be
made to resemble me and be killed instead of me; he will be with me in my place
(in Paradise).’ One of the youngest men present volunteered, but Isa commanded
him to sit down. Isa repeated his statement and the young man again stood up
and volunteered, and Isa again told him to sit down. Isa repeated the same
statement and the young man volunteered. This time, Isa said, ‘Then it will be
you.’ The appearance of Isa was cast upon that young man, while Isa, peace be
on him, was raised to heaven through an opening in the roof of the house. The
Jews came looking for Isa and arrested the one that appeared as him, killing
him by crucifixion. Some of them disbelieved in Isa twelve times, after they
had believed in him. They divided into three groups. One group, Al-Yaqubiyyah
(the Jacobites), said, ‘Allah remained with us as much as He willed and then
ascended to heaven.’ Another group, An-Nasturiyyah (the Nestorians), said,
‘Allah’s son remained with us as much as Allah willed and He then rasied him up
to heaven.’ A third group said, Allah’s servant and Messenger remained with us
as much as Allah willed and then Allah raised him up to Him.’ The last group
was the Muslim group. The two disbelieving groups collaborated against the
Muslim group and annihilated it. Islam remained unjustly concealed until Allah
sent Muhammad, “Then a group of the Children of Israel
believed and a group disbelieved.” This Ayah refers to
the group among the Children of Israel that disbelieved and the group that
believed, during the time of Isa, “So, We gave power to those who
believed against their enemies, and they became the victorious (uppermost).” through the victory that Muhammad gained over the
religion of the disbelievers, which brought the dominance of their religion.”
(At-Tabari 23:366)
Therefore, the Ummah of Muhammad will always be prevalent on the truth until
Allah’s command (the Final Hour) commences, while they are on this path. The
last group of them will fight against Ad-Dajjal along with Isa, peace be on
him, according to Hadiths in the authentic collections. (Fath Al-Bari 13:306)
This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah As-Saff. All praise and thanks are due
to Allah.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Vol 9 Pages 612-628
