- [I swear by] Saad and the Quran possessing the warning (38:1).
Note: The statement in 38:1 is an oath of God – by Saad and the Quran possessing the warning. This kind of oath is also found in 50:1 – by Qaf and the glorious Quran. Since the quranic initials are also the lower level fact based proofs of the mathematical coding of Quran, the initial ‘Saad’ occurs in 3 surahs: 7, 19 and 38, and its total of all instances as found in each surah, which are 97, 26 and 29 respectively is a multiple of 19 => 97 + 26 + 29 = 152(19x8) as shown in the table below:
- Nay, those who have disbelieved are in arrogance and opposition (38:2).
Note: By taking oath referring to Saad and the Quran possessing the warning God affirms that the disbelievers are arrogant being opponent to His message.
- How many a generation have We destroyed from before of them? Then they had called when there had been no time for escape (38:3). And they wondered that a bearer of warning had come to them from them, and said the disbelievers, “This is a magician, a liar (38:4). Has he made the gods into one god? Indeed, this is surely a strange thing (38:5). The leaders from them have departed, saying: ‘Go on and be steadfast to your gods. Indeed, this is surely a thing intended (38:6). We have not heard of this in the previous religion. This is nothing but a fabrication (38:7). Has the reminder been sent down to him from our midst? Nay, they are in doubt of My reminder. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment (38:8). Or do they possess the treasures of the mercy of your Lord—the Almighty, the Grantor? (38:9)? Or do they possess the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between both of them? If so, let them ascend by any means (38:10). They are but a small army of the factions, defeated right there (38:11).
Note: The warning for the polytheists and their leaders that a warner has come to them from among themselves with a reminder (Quran) and if they are doubtful about it, their consequences will be as same as the disbelievers of the previous generations of the people who were not able to escape from His retribution, and whatever may be the size of their troops to win will be defeated.
- There denied in their before the people of Noah, and Aad, and Pharaoh, the possessor of the stakes (38:12). And Thamud, the people of Lot, and the dwellers of the woods—those were the opposing parties (38:13). Not one but all had denied the messengers, so My retribution was justified.(38:14). And these people are waiting for nothing but a single blast, from which there is no recovery (38:15). And they said, ‘Our Lord, hasten for us our retribution before the Day of Reckoning (38:16).
Note: The people of the previous generations who disbelieved their messengers and became opponents to God faced the consequences of their disbelief and opposition. The fate of these disbelieving people will be the same while the hour is not too far from them but they wanted to see it earlier as they do not believe the Day of Reckoning and its retribution.
- Be patient over what they say, and recall Our servant David, the possessor of strength. Indeed, he was ever turning in repentance (38:17). Indeed, We had subjected the mountains to glorify with him at dusk and dawn (38:18). And the birds were gathered; all were to him ever turning in obedience (38:19). And We had strengthened his kingship, and had given him wisdom and decisive judgment (38:20). And had the news of the litigants reached you, when they had scaled the wall of the sanctuary?” (38:21). When they had entered upon David, then he became afraid of them. They said, “Do not fear. Two litigants—one of us has transgressed against the other—so judge in between of us with the truth, and do not be unjust, and guide us to the evenness of the path.” (38:22). Indeed, this is my brother. To him are ninety-nine ewes, and to me is one ewe. So he said, “Entrust it to me, and he had overcome me in the speech.” (38:23). He said, “He has certainly wronged you by the demand of your ewe to his ewes. And indeed, many of the partners surely wrong, one of them over another, except those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds—and few are they.” And David had become certain that We had tested him, so he had asked forgiveness of his Lord, and he had fallen down in bowing, and he had turned in repentance. (38:24). So We had forgiven him that, and indeed, for him with Us is surely a position of proximity and a beautiful place of return (38:25).O David, indeed, We have made you a successor in the earth. So judge in between of the people with the truth, and do not follow the desire, lest it leads you astray from the path of God. Indeed, those who go astray from the path of God—for them is a severe punishment because they had forgotten the Day of the Reckoning (38:26).
Note: The dispute was ninety nine vs. one. Judgment was given in favor of one by David based on his personal opinion, then he realized immediately to be unfair and repented to God for his unfair judgment. God forgave him and granted him an honorable position with Him along with placing mountains and birds at his disposal. Thus, judgment should never be driven by emotion or personal opinion rather it should be done based on facts and evidences to ensure fair judgment and David has been mentioned as an example for us to avoid unfair judgment.
- And We have not created the heaven and the earth and what is in between of them in falsehood. That is the assumption of those who have disbelieved. So woe to those who have disbelieved from the Fire (38:27). Or should We make those who have believed and have done the righteous deeds like the corruptors in the earth? Or should We make the righteous like the wicked? (38:28).A scripture We have sent down it to you, a blessed one, that they ponder its verses and that possessors of the understanding take heed (38:29).
Note: God is the Lord of the universe and He controls all matters. Both righteous and unrighteous will be judged according to criteria given in the scripture. Thus, anyone who wishes to save him from the fire will reflect on the verses of the Quran.
- And We had granted to David Solomon, an excellent servant; indeed, he was turning in repentance (38:30). When there had been displayed to him in the afternoon the poise-standing, swift horses (38:31). So he said, “Indeed, I have loved the love of the good over the remembering of my Lord,’ until it had hidden behind the veil (38:32). Return them to me,” so he had begun a stroking of the legs and the necks (38:33). And certainly, We had tested Solomon and We had cast a body upon his throne; then he had turned in repentance (38:34). He said, “My Lord, forgive for me and grant to me a kingdom that does not suit anyone after me. Indeed You, You are the Bestower.” (38:35). So We had subjected the wind to him, flowing by his command as a gentle breeze wherever he had reached (38:36). And the devils—every builder and diver (38:37). And others bound in the shackles (38:38). This is Our gift, so bestow or withhold without reckoning (38:39). And indeed, for him with Us is surely a position of proximity and a beautiful place of return (38:40).
Note: Solomon was regular in his praise and prayers but one day he missed one prayer (sunset prayer) because of the horse and he repented to God for it. He was also tested with taking away of his kingship. But he repented and implored God for a greater kingship. He was granted a greater kingship even placing the wind and the Jinns including others at his disposal.
- And remember Our servant Job, when he had called his Lord, “Indeed, the devil has touched me with distress and punishment.” (38:41). Strike with your foot: this is a cold washing place, and a drink (38:42). And We had granted to him his family, and the like of them with them, as a mercy from Us and a reminder for possessors of the understanding (38:43). And take a bundle in your hand, then strike with it, and do not break your oath.’ Indeed, We had found him steadfast, an excellent servant; indeed, he was turning in repentance (38:44).
Note: Job was restored with better health and family after a test upon imploring God to remove his affliction, which may serve as a reminder for us to implore God if we fall in any such adversity being a test for us as well.
- And remember Our servants—Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, possessors of the hands and the eyes (38:45). Indeed, We had chosen them for an exclusive quality—the remembrance of the Abode (38:46). And indeed, they, with Us, are surely from the best chosen ones (38:47). And remember Ishmael, and Elisha, and Dhul-Kifl; and each from the best chosen ones (38:48).
Note: Possessing awareness of the Hereafter is a great blessing from God, and all prophets, messengers and the righteous are blessed with it. Thus, those of us who have difficulty to be certain about the Hereafter should implore God for this blessing so that they can navigate their final destination using God given positioning system (GPS) in our brain.
- This is a reminder; and indeed, for the righteous is surely a beautiful place of return (38:49). Gardens of Eternity; the gates are opened for them (38:50). Reclining therein, they call therein for many fruits and a drink (38:51). And with them are companions of modest gaze, peers (38:52). This is what you are promised for the Day of the Reckoning (38:53). Indeed, this is certainly Our provision; no depletion for it (38:54).
Note: Heaven is allegorically presented to us but to be the best place for resting, which will be granted to the righteous on a day of the Reckoning.
- This is so. And indeed, for the transgressors is the worst place of return
(38:55). Hell, they burn in it; and it has been miserable, the resting place (38:56). This is so; so let them taste it—a boiling drink and a purulent fluid (38:57). And another of its kind, in varieties (38:58). This is a group plunging headlong with you. No welcome for them; indeed, they are burners of the Fire (38:59). They said, “Rather, you—there is no welcome for you. You had brought it forward for us; so miserable has been the settling place.” (38:60). They said, “Our Lord, whoever had brought it forward for us—then increase him in punishment twofold in the Fire!” (38:61). And they said, “What is the matter with us, we do not see men whom we had been counting them among the wicked? (38:62). Have we taken them in ridicule, or have the eyes turned away from them?” (38:63). Indeed, that is surely truth—the disputing of the people of the Fire (38:64).
Note: Hell is also allegorically presented to us but to be the worst place of resting, and it will be granted to the disbelievers. The people of Hell will dispute each other for their miserable consequences. They will remorse on wrongly ridiculing them who were really the righteous ones.
- Say, “I am only a bearer of warning; and there is no god except God—the One, the Supreme (38:65). Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between both of them—the Almighty, the Forgiving.” (38:66).
Note: All prophets and messengers are bearers of good news as well as bearers of warning, while for them the first commandment is to warn: “There is no god except God.” and He is the One, the Supreme, Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between of them – the Almighty, the Forgiving.
- Say, “It is great news (38:67). You are averting ones from it (38:68). It has not been for me any knowledge of the high society when they were disputing (38:69). It is not revealed to me except that I am only a clear warner.”(38:70). When your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I am creating a human being from clay (38:71). So, when I have designed him and have blown into him from My spirit, then fall down to him as prostrating ones.” (38:72). So the angels had prostrated, all of them together (38:73). Except Iblis—he had been arrogant and had been of the disbelieving ones (38:74).He said, “O Iblis, what has prevented you that you prostrate to whom I have created with My hands? Have you been arrogant or have you been of the exalted ones?” (38:75). He said, “I am better than him; You have created me from fire, and You have created him from clay.” (38:76). He said, “So get out from it, for indeed you are accursed (38:77). And indeed, upon you is My curse until the Day of Judgment.” (38:78). He said, “My Lord, so give me respite until the Day they are resurrected.” (38:79). He said, “Then indeed, you are among the respited ones.” (38:80). Until the Day of the appointed time.”(38:81). He said, “Then by Your majesty, surely I mislead them all together.” (38:83). He said, “Then it is the truth, and the truth I say (38:84). Surely, I fill Hell with you and whoever have followed you from them, all together.” (38:85).
Note: The great feud is an awesome news for us as it informs us that Satan was the great enemy of us in the first life (Heavenly life), and he and his allies are the same in the second life (final chance on earthly life) as well. We also learn from this event that just warning was not enough to protect us from the Satan and has been given practices along with detailed instructions to become successful at the final chance. Thus, we must make our utmost efforts to save us from the Fire. Even we are blessed to have mathematical confirmation of this event to strengthen our hearts to make our appropriate reflection. The history of the Great Feud is detailed out in 83 verses across 8 surahs in the Quran and the sum of the relevant surah and verse # of all these references is a multiple of 19 => 4560 = 19x240.
- Say, “I do not ask you any reward for it, nor am I among the pretenders.”(38:86). This is not but a reminder for all the people (38:87). And surely, you know its news after a while (38:88).
Note: Quran is a reminder for the world, which has been revealed through Prophet Muhammad to preach it to the people to give them good news as well as to warn them so that they can prepare them for the day which is promised to come.
Conclusion
Surah Saad is one of the initialed surahs and the most significant aspects that are covered in it are: (1) the behavior of disbelievers, (2) warning for the contemporary polytheists and history of the disbelievers of the past generations, (3) the judgment of David, (4) treatment with righteous and unrighteous, (5) Solomon is tested by wealth while Job is tested by health and family, (6) awareness of Hereafter is a great blessing, (7) wonderful abode for righteous while miserable abode for unrighteous, (8) the commandment to worship God being the only deity, (9) the history of great feud and (10) Quran is a reminder for the people of the world.
The surah begins with God’s oath consisting of Saad and the Quran possessing the warning, and the true believers can only realize how awesome the God’s oath is! The oath affirms that the disbelievers are arrogant and defiant. The warning for the polytheists and their leaders that a warner has come to them among themselves with a reminder (Quran) and if they are doubtful about it, their consequences will be as same as the disbelievers of the previous generations who were not able to escape from His retribution, and whatever may be the size of their troops to win will be defeated. While the hour is not too far from them but these people wanted to see it earlier as they do not believe a Day of Reckoning nor do they realize its retribution.
The dispute was ninety nine vs. one, while judgment was given in favor of one by David based on his personal opinion that he realized immediately to be unfair and repented to God for his unfair judgment. God forgave him and granted him an honorable position with Him along with placing mountains and birds at his disposal. Thus, judgment should never be driven by emotion or personal opinion rather it should be done based on facts and evidences to ensure fair judgment and David has been mentioned as an example for us to avoid unfair judgment.
God is the Lord of the universe and He controls all matters. Both righteous and unrighteous will be judged according to criteria given in the scripture. Thus, anyone who wishes to save him from the fire will reflect on the verses of the Quran.
Solomon was regular in his praise and prayers but one day he missed one prayer because of the horse and he repented to God for it rather to make it up. He was also tested with taking away of his kingship. But he repented and implored God for a greater kingship. He was granted a greater kingship even placing the wind and the Jinns including others at his disposal.
Job was restored with better health and family after a test upon imploring God to remove his affliction, which may serve as a reminder for us to implore God if we fall in any such adversity being a test for us as well.
Awareness of the Hereafter is a great blessing, and all prophets, messengers and the righteous are blessed with it. Thus, those of us who have difficulty to be certain about the Hereafter should implore God for this blessing so that they can navigate their final destination using God- given positioning system (GPS) in our brain.
Heaven and Hell are allegorically presented to us. Heaven is to be the best place for resting while Hell is to be the worst place of resting. Heaven will be granted to the righteous while Hell will be granted to the disbelievers. The people of Hell will dispute each other for their miserable consequences. They will remorse on wrongly ridiculing them who were really the righteous ones.
All prophets and messengers are warners and they all preach the first commandment of the ten commandments given to Moses, which is: “There is no god except God.”
The great feud is an awesome news for us as it informs us that Satan was the great enemy of us in the first life (Heavenly life), and he and his allies are the same in the second life (final chance on earthly life) as well. We also learn from this event that just warning was not enough to protect us from Satan and we have been given practices along with detailed instructions to become successful at the final chance. Thus, we must make our utmost efforts to save us from the Fire. Even we are blessed to have mathematical confirmation of this event to strengthen our hearts to make our appropriate reflection.
What we see in the God’s oath at beginning of the surah has been confirmed at the end that Quran is a reminder for the people of the world and there is no hint of the Quran’s mathematical code in the surah as pointed by some of us. However, the reminder being the last of God’s scripture has been revealed through this prophet to preach it to the people to give them good news as well as warnings so that they can prepare them for the day which has been promised to come.
The key thing that we learn from this review is God, the most merciful has given us a powerful tool – repentance and imploring to Him to save us from the worst place of resting when we make any mistakes on our way as well as to remove any of our befallen affliction.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (6/3/2016).