Surah Al-Qaf: Difference between revisions

[[Category:Quran]]

[[Category:Surahs]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Surah Qaf}}

==Introduction==

===Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name===

This chapter is called Surah Qaf and begins with the verse: ‘Qaf, By the glorious Quran,’ which is how the chapter received its name. <ref name=":0">Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Volume 18, Page 337</ref> Some have reported from Ibn Abbas, that Qaaf is one of the Divine Names of Allah. Others report from Dhahik and Ikrimah that it is a mountain or castle made from emeralds, while some others suggest that Qaaf is a reference to the Divine decree of Allah. <ref name=":1">Fadhl ibn Hasan Tabrisi, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Volume 9, Page 211</ref>

These verses speak about the rejection of the disbelievers and their oblivious attitude towards the signs of Allah, even though the Knowledge and Wisdom of Allah are observable throughout His creations, such as in the skies and on the earth, in the giving of life and death, and in providing sustenance. <ref name=":9">Ibid., Page 337</ref> <ref name=":10">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Volume 7, Pages 366-370</ref>

====Verses 15-38====

Verse 16 which says: ‘Certainly We have created man’ means that human beings are constantly in need of Allah, just like the rest of creation is, because the sentence and the verb used implies continuity. The part of this verse which says; ‘And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein’ also signifies continuity. <ref name=":11">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Volume 18, Page 346</ref> Some scholars suggest that the word ‘nearer’ is metaphorical, and is an allusion to Allah’s knowledge. <ref name=":12">Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil, Volume 4, Page 383</ref>

Verse 21 states: ‘Then every soul will come accompanied by a driver and a witness,’ a driver is someone who pushes man towards Allah, and a witness is in reference to one’s actions. <ref name=":13">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Volume 7, Page 375</ref> Some commentators consider the driver and witness to be two angels, with the aforementioned traits, and are similar to Raqeeb and Ateed – the angels who overlook the actions of mankind. <ref name=":14">Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil, Volume 4, Page 386</ref>

Furthermore, verses 26 and 27 which say: ‘Who has set up another Allah along with Allah! So the two of you cast him into the severe punishment. His companion will say, ‘Our Lord! I did not make him a rebel, but he [himself] was in extreme error,’’ the companion is someone who encourages one to commit polytheism and this will lead a person to severe punishment. This companion is in fact Satan who will claim that he was not the one who caused people to commit polytheism, rather they themselves were like that to begin with. <ref name=":13" />

For verse 38: ‘Certainly We created the heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them, in six days, and any fatigue did not touch Us’ fatigue here means that tiredness and exhaustion does not affect Allah in any way whatsoever, and in fact it refutes the belief of the Jews who think that Allah created the earth and sky in six days and then on the seventh day – which was a Saturday – He had to rest. <ref name=":15">Ibid., Page 382</ref>

In these verses Allah is asking the Prophet to have patience and celebrate His praise, in response to the verbal attacks of the polytheists towards the Prophet, such as labelling him as a magician, insane and a poet. Allah reminds the Prophet that the return of all creation is towards Him; and he has been asked to be alert when the cry will be heard by everyone, which will also be a sign of the Day of Judgement. <ref name=":16">Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Volume 18, Page 360</ref>

<span lang="ar" dir="rtl" class="block">يَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ مِنْ هَلْ مَزِيدٍ٣٠</span>

Imam Ahmad quotes from Abd al-Wahhab, from Saeed, from Qatadah, from Anas who said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘The people will be thrown into Hell and it will say, ‘Are there any more?’ Until the Mighty Lord puts His foot over it and its corners will be collected together and it will say, ‘Enough, enough by Your grace and compassion!’ There will be sufficient empty space in Paradise until Allah creates another creation, and He, the Exalted, makes them dwell in the empty parts of Paradise.’” <ref name=":21">Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Volume 7, Page 377</ref>

==References==

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