As believers, we must link our ‘Ilm to the Aakhirah. Tafseer must allow us to live for the Aakhirah, and in order to do so, we must strive to maintain a connection and attach ourselves to it. In doing so, it replaces our own response systems to things.
Tafseer must allow us to create a complete mindframe change with these powerful words and lessons from the Qur’an.
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ٨٠
“Indeed, this is how We reward the good-doers.” (37:80)
When we are going through difficulty, tired and convinced we cannot get through trials, verses like this are the lifeline of a believer.
We are combating laziness, busy-ness, and prioritising ‘Ibadah and good deeds. What is the actual promise of Allah if we make these efforts?
۞ وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٨٣
“And indeed, one of those who followed his way was Abraham.” (37:83)
Allah links Ibrahim (AS) to Nuh (AS). From the blessings of Nuh (AS)’s perseverance of faith was Ibrahim (AS). The time between when these two blessed Prophets (AS) were sent to earth was over 2,640 years. Yet the benefit of the sacrifice of Nuh (AS) lasted this long; leaving more than a 2000 year gap between when they were sent.
Ibrahim (AS) was a benefit of Nuh (AS)’s sacrifice. And so generation upon generation within this time benefited greatly from the deeds of Nuh (AS).
إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍ ٨٤
“Remember when he came to his Lord with a pure heart,” (37:84)
The ‘pure of heart’ is the quality of the people of Tawhid. It is one we must all develop; a pure heart from everything except Allah. And so what is it that is cluttering our hearts?
فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٨٧
“What then do you expect from the Lord of all worlds?” (37:87)
What Allah is trying to show us is the link that both these Prophets (AS) share. For them, everything but Allah was secondary.
فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةًۭ فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ ٨٨
“He later looked up to the stars in contemplation,” (37:88)
فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌۭ ٨٩
“then said, “I am really sick.”” (37:89)
Muhammad (SAW) said:
“If my companions are mentioned, be restrained. If the stars are mentioned, be restrained. If the divine decree is mentioned, be restrained.”
Here is also the danger of astrology, which leads to Haraam.
فَتَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِينَ ٩٠
“So they turned their backs on him and went away.” (37:90)
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ ٩١
“Then he stealthily advanced towards their gods, and said mockingly, “Will you not eat your offerings?” (37:91)
مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ ٩٢
“What is wrong with you that you cannot speak?”” (37:92)
فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٣
“Then he swiftly turned on them, striking them with his right hand.” (37:93)
فَأَقْبَلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّونَ ٩٤
“Later, his people came rushing towards him furiously.” (37:94)
قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ ٩٥
“He argued, “How can you worship what you carve with your own hands,” (37:95)
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ٩٦
“when it is Allah Who created you and whatever you do?”” (37:96)
قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَـٰنًۭا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ ٩٧
“They said to one another, “Build him a furnace and cast him into the blazing fire.”” (37:97)
فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًۭا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ ٩٨
“And so they sought to harm him, but We made them inferior.” (37:98)
This story links back to the beginning of the Surah; the verses wherein Allah tells us to recognise Him, His power, capability and perfection.
We too tend to place a form of power in other things. These can be governments, education systems, accomplishments and achievements, and our homes, amongst many others we may not even realise. Yet without Allah, these things have no power.
Will we be able to see the stupidity of the power we give things in our lives? Sometimes it is people, our businesses, education, and family members.
Let us consider the things taking up space in our hearts and question why they do, for Allah is the lord of everything, and should be the priority for the believer.
