The believers who will succeed
- Certainly, there has succeeded the believers (23:1). Those who — they are humble ones in their salat prayers. (23:2). And those who – they are averse ones from vain talk (23:3). And those who — they are payers of zakat (23:4). And those who — they are protectors of their chastity (23:5).
Note: The successful are the believers who have met 4 criteria given by God are: (1) humbles in their salat prayer, (2) averse from the vain talk, (3) payers of the zakat and (4) protectors of their chastity.
The believers who are obedient deserve the Paradise
- Except for their spouses or what their right hands have possessed, then indeed, they are not blameworthy (23:6). So, whoever has sought beyond that, then those — they are the transgressors. (23:7). And those — they are keepers of their trusts and their promise (23:8). And those who—they are constant over their salat prayers (23:9). Those – they are the inheritors (23:10). Those who will inherit the Paradise; they will be dwellers in it forever (23:11).
Note: The true believers being obedient, not being transgressors will inherit the Paradise wherein they will be dwellers forever.
Origin and reproduction of humans
- And certainly, We have created the human being from an extract of clay (23:12). Then We have placed him as a semen-drop in a protected repository (23:13). Then We have created the semen-drop into an embryo, then We have created the embryo into a fetus, then We have created the fetus into bones, then We have covered the bones with flesh; then We have produced it another creation. So blessed is God, the best of creators (23:14).
Note: God being best Creator has given us a precise description of our multiplication in the earth referring to the origin of human being shaped from clay that we can reflect on it and make us the true believers in Him.
God has decreed both death and resurrection
- Then indeed, after that, you surely are to die (23:15). Then indeed, you on the Day of Resurrection will surely be resurrected (23:16).
Note: Even though the resurrection is unseen but it is as true as our death that none would be able to avoid it what has been confirmed from our Creator, who has decreed both death and resurrection for us.
God has created us and has provided us support in the earth
- And certainly, We have created above you seven heavenly tracts, and We have not been unaware of the creation (23:17). And We have sent down water from the sky with measure, then We have settled it in the earth. And indeed, We surely are Able to make it disappear (23:18). Then We have produced for you with it gardens of date palms and grapevines; in them for you are abundant fruits, and from them you eat (23:19). And a tree that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that produces oil and a relish for the eaters (23:20). And indeed, for you in the livestock surely is a lesson. We give you drink from what is in their bellies; and for you in them are many benefits, and from them you eat (23:21). And on them and on the ships you are carried (23:22).
Note: God has created and has provided us to support us in the earth that we can appreciate Him.
Consequence of Noah’s disbelieving people is a lesson for us
- And certainly, We had sent Noah to his people, then he said, ‘O my people, worship God; there is no god for you other than Him. Will you not then fear? (23:23). Then the leaders of those who had disbelieved among his people said, “This is not but a human being like you; he wants to assert superiority over you. And if God had willed, surely, He would have sent down angels. We have not heard of this from our earliest forefathers (23:24). He is not but a man in whom is madness. So wait regarding him until a time.” (23:25). He had said, “My Lord, help me for what they have denied me.” (23:26). Then We have inspired to him, “Build the Ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then when there comes Our command and the oven gushes forth, then put in it a pair of two from every kind, and your family — except whoever against whom the decree had preceded from among them. And do not address Me concerning those who have wronged; indeed, they will be drowned.” (23:27). Then when you have boarded, you and whoever is with you, on the Ark, then say, “Praise be to God Who has saved us from the people of the wrongdoers.” (23:28). And say, “My Lord, cause me to land on a blessed landing place, and You are the best of those who bring to land.” (23:29). Indeed, in that surely are signs; and indeed, We have been surely, testers.(23:30).
Note: When God has sent His messenger, then we must believe in him and must follow the message sent down to him to avoid a miserable consequence in the Hereafter.
God has sent messengers in succession after Noah
- Then We have produced another generation after them (23:31). Then We have sent among them a messenger from them: “Worship God; there is no god for yourselves other than Him. Do you not then fear?” (23:32). And the leaders among his people, those who had disbelieved and had denied the meeting of the Hereafter, and We had given them luxury in the life of the world, said, “This is not but a human being like yourselves. He eats of what you eat from, and drinks of what you drink.” (23:33). And surely, if you have obeyed a human being like yourselves, indeed you then surely are losers (23:34). Does he promise you that you, when you have died and have become dust and bones, that you will be brought forth? (23:35). Far-fetched, far-fetched is what you are promised! (23:36).It is not but our life of the world — we die and we live, and we are not raised ones (23:37). He is not but a man who has fabricated a lie about God, and we are not believers in him. (23:38). He had said, “My Lord, help me for what they have denied me.” (23:39). He had said, “After a little while, they surely will become regretful.” (23:40). So the scream had seized them with the truth, then We made them [as] dead leaves. So away with the people of the wrongdoers! (23:41).
Note: Messenger has been sent to a community with a commandment of worshiping one god but its leaders had denied him just considering him a human like themselves, who had fabricated lie about God, while they had disbelieved in the resurrection, and their consequence was like dead leaves when the wrongdoers have been destroyed.
- Then We had raised a generation from others after them (23:42). A community does not precede its term, nor do they seek delay (23:43). Then We had sent our messengers in succession. Every time there had come to a community its messenger, they denied him. So We had made follow each of them to other, and We had made them precedents, so away to a people who do not believe (23:44).
Note: Messenger came to a community one after another but they denied him and the consequence has been the same, the scream that had seized them, is made precedents for the next generation.
- Then We had sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs and a clear authority (23:45). To Pharaoh and his advisers, so they had claimed greatness, and they were an exalted people (23:46). So they had said, “Shall we believe for two humans like ourselves, and a people of them both are slaves for us?” (23:47). So they had denied them both, then they were among the destroyed ones (23:48). And certainly, We had given Moses the scripture so that they may be guided (23:49).
Note: Moses and his brother, Aaron were sent to Pharaoh and his people with signs and authority but they were arrogant, have been destroyed. Moses had been given the scripture to guide his people.
- And We had made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and We had sheltered them both to a high land, possessor of a resting place and flowing water (23:50).
Note: Birth of Jesus has been a very significant event and he was born in a shelter of high land, a resting place with tranquility and water springs.
Messengers are sent to maintain one community of believers
- O you the messengers, eat from the good things and do as righteous ones. Indeed, I am Knower of what you do (23:51). And indeed, this is a community of you, one community, and I am Lord of you, so fear Me (23:52). So they had split their affair between themselves into sects, each faction is in what is with them rejoicing (23:53). So leave them in their confusion until a time (23:54). Do they think that what We provide them with it of wealth and children?(23:55). We hasten for them in the good things? Nay, they do not perceive (23:56).
Note: God has sent messengers at times to maintain one community of believers but their followers have divided themselves into sects and sub-sects, each faction being rejoices without perceiving.
Those who fear God are foremost in good deeds
- Indeed, those who – they are fearful ones from fear of their Lord (23:57). And those who – they believe in the revelations of their Lord (23:58). And those who – they do not associate partners with their Lord (23:59). And those who give what they had given while their hearts are fearful ones that they are returning ones to their Lord (23:60). Those – they hasten in the good things, and they are foremost ones for them (23:61).
Note: Those who are fearful of their Lord and their returning to Him hasten to do the righteous deeds.
Listening to and studying scripture is prerequisite for God’s help
- And We do not burden a soul except its capacity, and with Us is a record speaking with the truth, and they are not wronged (23:62). Nay, their hearts are in confusion from this, and for them are deeds other than that, they are doers for it (23:63). Until, when We had seized their wealthy ones with the punishment, then when they cry for help (23:64). Do not cry for help today; indeed, you not helped from Us (23:65). Certainly, My revelations had been recited to you, then you were turning back on your heels (23:66). As arrogant ones with it, you speak evil by night (23:67). Have they not then studied the Word, or came to them what had not come to their fathers, the ancestors? (23:68). Or have they not recognized their messenger, so they are rejectors of him? (23:69). Or do they say, “In him is madness”? Nay, he had come to them with the truth, while most of them are averse ones to the truth (23:70). And if the truth had followed their desires, surely, the heavens and the earth would have corrupted, and whoever is in them. Nay, We had brought them with their reminder, so they are averse ones from their reminder (23:71). Or do you ask them for a payment? So the payment of your Lord is better, and He is the best of the providers (23:72). And indeed, you surely invite them to a straight path (23:73). And indeed, those who do not believe in the Hereafter are surely deviators from the path (23:74). And if We had given them mercy and had removed what is with them of hardship, surely, they would have persisted in their transgression, wandering (23:75). And certainly, We had seized them with the punishment, so they did not submit to their Lord, and they do not supplicate (23:76). Until, when We had opened for them a gate, possessor of a severe punishment, then when they are therein despairing ones (23:77).
Note: God does not help those who turned back from His revelations and did not study the scripture to be the averse from the reminder, disbelievers in the Hereafter and deviators from a straight path.
God has given wisdom to believe in resurrection
- And He is the One who had created for you the hearing, and the visions, and the hearts. Little is what you appreciate (23:78). And He is the One who had multiplied you in the earth, and to Him you are gathered (23:79). And He is the One who gives life and causes death, and for Him is alternation of the night and the day. Do you not then understand? (23:80). Nay, they said like what had said the forefathers.” (23:81). They said, “Is it when we had died and we were dust and bones, are we surely resurrected ones?” (23:82). Certainly, We had been promised, we and our forefathers, this from before; this is not except tales of the forefathers (23:83). Say, “For whom is the earth, and whoever is in it, if you had been knowing?” (23:84). They will say, “For God.” Say, “Do you not then take heed?” (23:85). Say, “Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the great Throne?” (23:86). They will say, “For God.” Say, “Do you not then fear?” (23:87). Say, “Who is – in His hand is dominion of everything, and He protects, and it is not protected against Him, if you had been knowing?” (23:88). They will say, “For God.” Say, “Then how are you deluded?”
(23:89). Nay, We had brought them with the truth, and indeed, they are surely liars.(23:90).
Note: God has given us wisdom that we can appreciate Him reflecting to our life and death, and alternation of the night and the day, and resurrection, which is not a tale from the past.
It is evil to say God has taken a son
- God has not taken any son, and there has not been with Him any god. Then, each god would have departed with what he has created, and one of them would have risen over the other. Glory be to God above what they attribute (23:91). Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, so He has exalted Himself high above what they associate what they associate (23:92). Say, “My Lord, if You should show me what they are promised. (23:93). My Lord, so do not place me among the people of wrongdoers.”(23:94). And indeed, We, upon that We show you what We promise them, surely are possessing power (23:95). Repel the evil with that which is best; We are best Knower of what they attribute (23:96). And say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from whispers of the devils (23:97). And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.”(23:98).
Note: It is not befitting for God to have a son, and should seek in Him of those who say this to repel as it is evil while He has exalted Himself too high above to associate partners with Him.
Deniers in God’s revelations wish to come back at the moment of death
- Until, when the death has come to one of them, he has said, “My Lord, send me back.(23:99). That I may work as a righteous one in what I had left behind.” No! Indeed, it is a word he is its speaker, and from behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected (23:100). Then when it has been blown in the trumpet, then there are no kinships between them that Day, and they do not ask one another (23:101). So whoever his scales have been heavy, then those – they are the successful ones (23:102). And whoever his scales have been light, then those – are those who have lost their souls, dwellers forever in Hell (23:103). The Fire scorches their faces, and they in it are grimacing ones (23:104). Were not My revelations being recited upon you, then you had been denying in them? (23:105). They have said, “Our Lord, our wretchedness had overcome upon us, and we had been a people of straying ones.” (23:106). Our Lord, bring us out from it, then if we have returned, then indeed we are wrongdoers.” (23:107). He has said, “Be despised in it, and do not speak to Me.” (23:108). ndeed, it has been a group from My servants they say, ”Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive for us and have mercy on us, and You are best of the merciful ones.” (23:109). So you have taken them as mockery until they have made you forget My remembrance, and you had been laughing from them (23:110).
Note: At the moment of death the disbelievers wish to come back to do the righteous deeds what they had missed but they cannot come back until a day of the resurrection when they will be judged based on their records and are placed them in Hell because of light weight for denying God’s revelations came to them, there is no escape for them from it, even they would wish to return to be tested again.
The believers who are steadfast will be rewarded
- Indeed, I have recompensed them today for that they had been steadfast, indeed, they are the successful ones (23:111). He has said, “How many number of years have you remained in the earth?” (23:112). They have said, “We have remained a day or a part of a day. So ask the counting ones.” (23:113). He has said, “You have not stayed except a little, if that indeed you had been knowing.(23:114). Did you then think that We had created you purposelessly, and that indeed you to Us are not being returned?” (23:115).
Note: God will reward the steadfast believers letting them know that they have been in the earth for a short time and He has not created them except having purpose.
Those who have failed to worship one god will not succeed
- So, has exalted Himself God – the King, the Truth. There is no god except He – Lord of the Throne, the Honorable (23:116). And whoever calls with God another god, without proof for him in it, then only his reckoning is with his Lord; indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed (23:117). And say, “My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are best of the merciful ones.” (23:118).
Note: Those who have called another god (deity) with God associating partners with Him are the disbelievers will not succeed on a day of the Judgment and their prayer for forgiveness and mercy will not help them to escape the punishment given to them based on their reckoning.
Surah al-Mu’minuun (The believers) has described the criteria of the true believers: (1) humbles in their salat prayer, (2) averse ones from the vain talk, (3) payers of the zakat and (4) protectors of their chastity, and has addressed the crucial matters that the believers can ascertain in which most people may have difficulty to believe – for example, at the moment of death we know our recompense while our final destination will be determined based on our records through resurrection at our meeting to our Lord, while the declaration of monotheism with a precise logical argument for existing of one God that the believers may reflect on it to be successful in the Hereafter.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (01/01/2021).