Oath of God
- [I swear by] Ha. Meem (40:1).
Note: Ha.Meem is a set of Quranic initials, which is an oath of God while this set of Quranic Initials occurs at certain frequencies in 7 Ha.Meem initialed surahs in the Quran as shown in the table below:
Source: H.M. count obtained from https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/vp/fact31.pdf
A revelation from God, the Almighty, the Knower
- A revelation of the scripture is from God – the Almighty, the Knower (40:2). Forgiver of the sin, Acceptor of the repentance, Severe in the punishment, Possessor of the abundance. There is no god except He. To Him is the final return (40:3).
Note: By taking oath referring to Ha.Meem, God has affirmed that this scripture is from God, the Almighty, the Wise, confirming that there is no other god except Him to Whom is our final return.
God’s promise about the disbelievers to be dwellers of the Fire
- None disputes in the revelations of God except those who have disbelieved. So let not deceive you their activity in the cities (40:4). There had denied before them the people of Noah and the parties from after them, and there had plotted every community against their messenger to seize him, and they had disputed with the falsehood to refute the truth with it. So I had seized them; then how had been My punishment? (40:5)? And thus has been justified the word of your Lord upon those who had disbelieved, that they are dwellers of the Fire (40:6).
Note: None but the disbelievers dispute in God’s revelations with the falsehood to defeat the truth. Thus, God has cited examples with the disbelieving people of Noah and the people after them who have been destroyed are destined to be the dwellers of the Fire.
Prayer of the angels for the believers on a day of Judgment
- Those who bear the Throne and whoever is around it glorify with the praise of their Lord and believe in Him, and they ask forgiveness for those who had believed: ‘Our Lord, You have encompassed everything in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who had repented and had followed Your way, and protect them from the punishment of the Hellfire (40:7). Our Lord, and admit them into the gardens of Eden, which You have promised them, and whoever was righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their offspring. Indeed You—You are the Almighty, the Wise (40:8). And protect them from the evils; and whoever You protect from the evils on that Day, then certainly You had mercy on him. And that — it is the great success (40:9).
Note: The angels ask God’s forgiveness for the believers as well as to protect them from the evils to have His mercy on that day, which is the greatest success for them.
God has greater hatred for the disbelievers
- Indeed, those who had disbelieved will be called, “Surely the hatred of God is greater than your hatred of yourselves when you were being called to the faith, and you disbelieved.” (40:10). They said, “Our Lord, You have given us death twice and You have given us life twice, so we have confessed to our sins; so is there to a way out any path?” (40:11). That is because when God alone had been called upon, you disbelieved; and if partners were associated with Him, you believed. So the judgment belongs to God — the High, the Great(40:12).
Note: On a day of the Judgment it will be announced that God has greater hatred for the disbelievers who have been given two deaths as they had associated with Him.
God’s signs to warn His servants about a day of the Meeting
- He is the One Who shows you His signs and sends down for you from the sky provision. And none takes heed except whoever turns back (40:13). So call God, being ones making sincere to Him the religion, even though has hated [it] the disbelievers (40:14). Exalter of the ranks, Possessor of the Throne; He places the inspiration by His command upon whomever He wills among His servants to warn of the Day of the Mutual Meeting (40:15).
Note: God is the One who shows us His signs and sends down provision for all of us that we turn to Him and call Him being sincere to Him in the religion as He is Owner of the Throne raised of the highest ranks, Who inspires His command upon whomever He wills to warn about a day of the Meeting. Thus, none can reflect to a day of the Meeting except God’s inspiration.
God will judge with the truth on a day of the Meeting
- A Day they are coming forth; not can hide anything of them from God. “To Whom belongs the dominion today?” “To God—the One, the Supreme.” (40:16). Today will be recompensed every soul for what it earned. No injustice today. Indeed, God is swift in the reckoning (40:17). And warn them of the Day of the Approaching, when the hearts are at the throats, choking. Not for the wrongdoers any close friend, and no intercessor is obeyed (40:18). He knows the betrayal of the eyes and what conceal the breasts (40:19). And God judges with the truth, while those whom they call upon other than Him, they do not judge with anything. Indeed, God—He is the Hearer, the Seer (40:20).
Note: On a day of the Meeting all sovereignty belongs to God and He will recompense every soul for whatever it has earned without injustice, and there is no intercession on that day while He knows the deceitful vision and what is concealed in the breasts.
A warning for those who disbelieved in the Quran given to Muhammad
- Do they not travel in the earth so that they see how had been the end of those who had been from before them? They had been stronger than them in strength and traces in the earth, so seized them God for their sins, and there had been no protector for them against God (40:21).That was because there had been coming to them their messengers with the clear proofs, but they disbelieved; so seized them God. Indeed He is Strong, Severe in the punishment (40:22).
Note: God has punished the stronger communities in the past as they disbelieved their messengers came to them with the clear proofs.
Moses vs Pharaoh and his advisers
- And certainly, We had sent Moses with Our signs and a clear authority (40:23). To Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun; so they said, “A magician, a liar.” (40:24). Then when he had come to them with the truth from Us, they said, “Kill the sons of those who had believed with him and keep alive their women.” And the plot of the disbelievers is not except in straying (40:25). And Pharaoh said, “Leave me, I will kill Moses, and let him call his Lord. Indeed I, I fear that he will change your religion, or that he will cause to appear corruption in the land.” (40:26). And Moses said, “Indeed I, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every arrogant one who does not believe in the Day of the Reckoning.” (40:27).
Note: Moses had been sent with signs and authority to Pharaoh, Haman and Qarun and they said him magician and liar, and Pharaoh declared that he would kill Moses as he will spread the corruption in the earth while Moses had sought refuge in God from every arrogant who did not believe in a day of the Reckoning.
A believing man from Pharaoh’s people
- And a believing man from the family of Pharaoh, concealing his faith, said: “Would you kill a man [merely] because he says, ‘My Lord is God,’ while he has indeed come to you with clear proofs from your Lord? And if he is a liar, then upon him is his lie; but if he is truthful, there will strike you any of that which he threatens you with. Indeed, God does not guide one who is a transgressor, a liar.” (40:28). “O my people, yours is the kingdom today, dominant in the land. But who will help us against the punishment of God if it comes to us?” Pharaoh said, “I do not show you except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the path of right guidance.” (40:29). And the one who believed said: “O my people, indeed I fear for you the like of the day of the parties. (40:30). Like the plight of the people of Noah, and ‘Aad, and Thamud, and those after them. And God does not intend injustice for the servants.” (40:31). And O my people, indeed I fear for you the Day of Calling.” (40:32). The Day you will turn back fleeing—you will have no protector from God. And whomever God lets go astray, then for him there is no guide.” (40:33). And certainly Joseph had come to you before with clear proofs, but you did not cease to be in doubt of what he came to you with, until when he perished, you said, ‘God will never raise a messenger after him.’ Thus does God let go astray one who is a transgressor, a doubter.” (40:34).
Note: A believer from Pharaoh’s people said to his people that you would kill someone who said my Lord is God and has come with the clear proofs when Pharaoh declared to kill Moses while he also said to them that I fear for you a day of the Calling as there is no protector for those who have been sent astray by God. The disbelievers before them also said that God would not raise any messenger after Joseph, thus God sends astray those who are transgressors and doubters.
Pharaoh and his people see them on the Fire day and night until a day of the Hour
- Those who dispute concerning the revelations of God without any authority having come to them—it is greatly hateful in the sight of God and in the sight of those who have believed. Thus does God place a seal over every heart of an arrogant tyrant (40:35). Pharaoh said, “O Haman, build for me a tower that I may reach the pathways— (40:36). The pathways of the heavens, that I may look upon the god of Moses; and indeed, I surely think him a liar.” Thus was made fair-seeming to Pharaoh the evil of his deed, and he had been averted from the path. And the plot of Pharaoh was nothing but ruin (40:37).
- And the one who believed said, “O my people, follow me; I will guide you to the path of right guidance.”(40:38). O my people, this – the life of the world is only a temporary enjoyment, while indeed, the Hereafter—it is the home of permanent settlement.” (40:39).Whoever has done an evil deed, then he will not be recompensed except the like of it; and whoever has done a righteous deed, whether male or female, while he is a believer—then those will enter Paradise, they will be given provision in it without reckoning (40:40). “O my people, what is for me that I invite you to the salvation, while you invite me to the Fire (40:41). “You invite me to disbelieve in God and to associate with Him that of which I have no knowledge, while I invite you to the Almighty, the Forgiving. (40:42). “No doubt that what you invite me to has no claim to be invoked in this world nor in the Hereafter, and that our return is to God, and that the transgressors—they are the companions of the Fire (40:43). So you will remember what I say to you, and I entrust my affair to God. Indeed, God is Seer of the servants (40:44). So God protected him from the evils of what they plotted, and there enveloped the family of Pharaoh the worst of the punishment (40:45). The Fire — they expose themselves to it morning and evening; and the Day the Hour arrives [it will be said], “Admit the family of Pharaoh into the severest punishment.” (40:46).
Note: God protected a believer from the people of Pharaoh, who invited the people to the salvation, and to the Almighty, the Forgiving while his people invited him to disbelieve in God and associate with Him. While those who have died as disbelievers will see on the Fire day and night until a day of the Hour when they will enter the worst retribution.
Suffering in Hell for disregarding call of messengers to come with clear proofs
- And when they will dispute in the Fire, the weak will say to those who had been arrogant, “Indeed, we had been followers of you, then can you avert from us a portion of the Fire?” (40:47). Those who had been arrogant said, “Indeed, we are all in it; indeed, God certainly has judged between the servants.”(40:48). And those who are in the Fire said to the keepers of Hell, “Call upon your Lord to lighten for us a day of the punishment.” (40:49). They said, “Did there not come to you your messengers with clear proofs?” They said, “Yes.” They said, “Then call!” And the call of the disbelievers is not except in straying (40:50). Indeed, We surely support Our messengers and those who have believed in the life of the world and the Day the witnesses will stand (40:51). The Day their excuse will not benefit the wrongdoers, and for them is the curse, and for them is the worst abode (40:52).
Note: In the Hell, the followers will ask their leaders to bear a portion of the Fire from them when the leaders will say we all are in it being judged by God. The dwellers of Hell will ask guardians of Hell to call upon their Lord to lighten their punishment even for a day while they will say your messengers came to you with the clear proofs but you had disregarded their call – there is no excuse for the wrongdoers.
Scripture is only source of clarifying any disputes between people
- And certainly, We had given Moses the guidance, and We had made to inherit the Children of Israel the scripture (40:53). As guidance and a reminder for possessors of understanding (40:54). So be patient; indeed, the promise of God is true. And ask forgiveness for your sin and glorify with the praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning (40:55). Indeed, those who dispute concerning the revelations of God without any authority having come to them—there is nothing in their breasts except pride which they will never reach. So seek refuge in God. Indeed, He is the Hearer, the Seer (40:56).
Note: God has given guidance and reminder for the people and those who dispute in His guidance do it not to have them in their breasts, even they may express greatness of it.
God is our Lord and there is no god except He
- Surely the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know (40:57). And the blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are those who believe and do good deeds equal to the evildoer. Little do you remember(40:58). Indeed, the Hour is surely coming; there is no doubt about it, but most people do not believe (40:59). And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you. Indeed, those who are too proud to worship Me will enter Hell disgraced.” (40:60). God is the One who made the night for you so you can rest in it, and the day clear to see. Indeed, God is surely full of bounty for mankind, but most people do not appreciate it (40:61). That is God, your Lord, Creator of all things. There is no god except He. Then how are you turned away? (40:62). Thus are deluded those who have been rejecting God’s revelations (40:63).
Note: God has created all things and has sent down His revelations for people to believe and to do the righteous deeds but those who are proud to call upon Him will enter the Hell in humiliation as there no god except Him while He has warned them that the Hour is surely coming.
God is worthy of all our praise being our Creator and Lord
- God is the One who made the earth a settlement for you, and the sky a canopy. He formed you and perfected your forms, and provided you with good things. That is God, your Lord. So blessed is God, Lord of the worlds (40:64). He is the Living; there is no god except He. So call upon Him, being sincere to Him in religion. All praise is to God, Lord of the worlds (40:65).
- Say, “Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those whom you call upon other than God, when the clear proofs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.” (40:66).
- He is the One who created you from dust, then from a drop of fluid, then from an embryo, then He brings you out as a child, then He lets you reach your maturity, then you become old — though some of you are taken in death before—and that you may reach a specified term, and that you may understand.” (40:67). He is the One who gives life and causes death. So when He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is (40:68).
Note: God has made the human being with best shape and has given provision in the earth that they may call Him being sincere to Him in the religion given by Him, and Muhammad has been commanded to avoid the idol worshiping and to submit to Lord of the worlds, Who gives life and causes death, and decrees a matter with His command.
Consequences of those who turn away from God’s revelations
- Do you not see those who dispute concerning God’s revelations? How are they turned away? (40:69). Those who have denied the scripture, and that which We have sent Our messengers with—so they will soon know (40:70). When the shackles are around their necks and the chains—they will be dragged (40:71). In the boiling water; then in the Fire they will be burned (40:72). Then it has been said to them, ‘Where is that which you had been associating? (40:73). Other than God?” They said, “They have gone astray from us. Nay! We had not been calling upon anything before.” Thus God lets go astray the disbelievers.” (40:74). That is because of what you had been rejoicing in the earth without the truth, and because of what you had been being insolent (40:75). Enter the gates of Hell as dwellers in it; so wretched has been the abode of the arrogant (40:76).
Note: Those who dispute in God’s revelations and turn away from them will be in the Fire to burn in it entering through the gates of Hell for abiding therein forever as they rejoice in the earth without truth.
God’s judgment with the truth
- So be patient, indeed, God’s promise is truth. So whether We show you any of that which We promise them, or We cause you to die—then to Us they will be returned (40:77). And certainly, We have sent messengers before you. Among them are those whom We have narrated to you, and among them are those whom We have not narrated to you. And it has not been for any messenger that he brings a sign except by permission of God. So when God’s command has come, it has been decided with the truth, and the falsifiers have lost thereupon (40:78)
Note: God has sent down many messengers before Muhammad, which has been confirmed through the Quran given to him while His judgment will be done with the truth and the falsifiers will be losers.
There are signs around us to reflect to benefit us
- God is the One who has made the livestock for you that you may ride of them, and from them you eat (40:79). And for you there are benefits in them, and that you may attain a desire in your breasts upon them; and on them and on the ships you are carried (40:80). And He shows you His signs, then which of God’s signs will you deny? (40:81). Have they not traveled in the earth and seen how has been the end of those who were before them? They have been greater in number than them and mightier in strength and traces in the earth, so has not availed from them what they had been earning (40:82).
Note: There are signs of God around us that we can benefit us reflecting to them while the mightier communities before us could not escape the punishment of God.
Believing will not benefit the disbelievers when they see the punishment
- Then when there had come to them their messengers with the clear proofs, they rejoiced in what is with them of the knowledge, and enveloped them what they had been mocking at (40:83). Then when they had seen Our punishment, they said, “We have believed in God Alone, and we have disbelieved in what we have been idolaters with Him.” (40:84). Then their faith did not benefit them when they have seen Our punishment. The system of God which has certainly preceded with His servants; and the disbelievers have lost there (40:85).
Note: It is God’s system that believing in Him alone will not benefit the disbelievers when they see His punishment, while they have mocked the messengers when they had come to them with the clear proofs.
In brief upon review of the surah: the messengers are sent with the clear proofs, the scripture clarifies the disputes between people, consequences of denying God’s revelations is Hell, the idol worshipers are given opportunity to be forgiven, those who die as disbelievers see them on the Fire day and night until the Hour to enter the worst retribution, believing in God alone will not benefit when they see the punishment, and His judgment with the truth without intercession.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (10/30/2020).