As-Saf | The Ranks
[61:1] All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth proclaim Allah‘s purity, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
[61:2] O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?
[61:3] It is severely hateful in Allah‘s sight that you say what you do not do.
[61:4] Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in firm rows, as if they were solid edifice.
[61:5] And (remember) when Musa said to his people, ‘O my people, why do you hurt me, while you know that I am a messenger of Allah sent towards you’. So, when they adopted deviation, Allah let their hearts become deviate. And Allah does not guide the sinful people.
[61:6] (Remember) when Isa, son of Maryam, said, ‘O children of Isra‘il, I am a messenger of Allah sent towards you, confirming the Torah that is (sent down) before me, and giving you the good news of a messenger who will come after me, whose name will be Ahmad’. But when he came to them with manifest signs, they said, ‘This is a clear magic’.
[61:7] And who is more unjust than the one who forges a lie against Allah, while he is invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[61:8] They wish to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah is to perfect His light, even though the disbelievers dislike (it).
[61:9] He is the One who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He makes it prevail over all religions, even though the mushriks (those who ascribe partners to Allah) dislike (it).
[61:10] O you who believe, shall I tell you about a trade that saves you from a painful punishment?
[61:11] That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and carry out Jihad in His way with your riches and your lives. That is much better for you, if you but know.
[61:12] (If you do this,) He will forgive your sins, and will admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to pleasant dwellings in gardens of eternity. That is the great achievement.
[61:13] And (He will give you) another thing, which you love: Help from Allah, and victory, near at hand.
[61:14] O you who believe, be supporters of (the religion of) Allah, just as Isa, son of Maryam, said to the Disciples, ‘Who are my supporters towards Allah?’. The Disciples said, ‘We are the supporters of (the religion of) Allah’. So a group from the children of Isra‘il believed, and another group disbelieved. Then We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became victors.
[61:1] All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth proclaim Allah‘s purity, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
[61:2] O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do?
[61:3] It is severely hateful in Allah‘s sight that you say what you do not do.
[61:4] Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in firm rows, as if they were solid edifice.
[61:5] And (remember) when Musa said to his people, ‘O my people, why do you hurt me, while you know that I am a messenger of Allah sent towards you’. So, when they adopted deviation, Allah let their hearts become deviate. And Allah does not guide the sinful people.
[61:6] (Remember) when Isa, son of Maryam, said, ‘O children of Isra‘il, I am a messenger of Allah sent towards you, confirming the Torah that is (sent down) before me, and giving you the good news of a messenger who will come after me, whose name will be Ahmad’. But when he came to them with manifest signs, they said, ‘This is a clear magic’.
[61:7] And who is more unjust than the one who forges a lie against Allah, while he is invited to Islam? And Allah does not guide the unjust people.
[61:8] They wish to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah is to perfect His light, even though the disbelievers dislike (it).
[61:9] He is the One who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He makes it prevail over all religions, even though the mushriks (those who ascribe partners to Allah) dislike (it).
[61:10] O you who believe, shall I tell you about a trade that saves you from a painful punishment?
[61:11] That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and carry out Jihad in His way with your riches and your lives. That is much better for you, if you but know.
[61:12] (If you do this,) He will forgive your sins, and will admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to pleasant dwellings in gardens of eternity. That is the great achievement.
[61:13] And (He will give you) another thing, which you love: Help from Allah, and victory, near at hand.
[61:14] O you who believe, be supporters of (the religion of) Allah, just as Isa, son of Maryam, said to the Disciples, ‘Who are my supporters towards Allah?’. The Disciples said, ‘We are the supporters of (the religion of) Allah’. So a group from the children of Isra‘il believed, and another group disbelieved. Then We supported those who believed against their enemy, and they became victors.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah As-Saff
- Title and Position: Surah As-Saff is the 61st chapter of the Quran. The title “As-Saff” translates to “The Ranks,” referring to the ranks of believers standing firm in the cause of God.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 14 verses. It is known for its emphasis on unity, steadfastness in the path of God, and the importance of supporting the cause of God with speech and action.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the call to unity among Muslims, the condemnation of hypocrisy, the exhortation to strive in the cause of God, and references to Jesus and Moses to highlight the continuity of God’s message.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah As-Saff is significant for its motivational call to action and unity in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of being steadfast and sincere in one’s faith and deeds.
Detailed Explanation
- Unity and Steadfastness: The surah urges believers to be united and steadfast in their faith, likening them to a well-organized rank in battle, symbolizing strength and solidarity.
- Condemnation of Hypocrisy: It addresses the issue of hypocrisy among those who profess faith with their mouths but do not support it with their actions, highlighting the importance of consistency between belief and action.
- Call to Action: Surah As-Saff emphasizes the importance of striving in the cause of God, not just with words but with concrete actions, encouraging believers to actively work towards the propagation of faith and justice.
- References to Jesus and Moses: The surah mentions Jesus and Moses to draw parallels between the struggles faced by earlier prophets and the challenges faced by the Prophet Muhammad’s community, reinforcing the unity of the prophetic message.
- Blessings for the Believers: It promises rewards for those who believe and act righteously, emphasizing the benefits of perseverance and sincere commitment to God’s cause.
FAQs
- Why is Surah As-Saff named “The Ranks”?
- The surah is named “As-Saff” due to its emphasis on the importance of unity and organization among believers, encouraging them to stand firm like a well-disciplined rank in the face of adversity.
- How does Surah As-Saff address the issue of hypocrisy?
- It criticizes those who claim to believe in God and His messenger but fail to act upon their declarations, stressing the need for actions to reflect proclaimed beliefs.
- What does the surah say about the importance of action in faith?
- It asserts that true faith is demonstrated through action, urging believers to support their verbal commitments with tangible efforts in the cause of God.
- How does Surah As-Saff relate to the messages of Jesus and Moses?
- By referencing Jesus and Moses, the surah underscores the continuity and consistency of God’s message across different prophets, emphasizing the universal call to faith and righteousness.
- The surah is named “As-Saff” due to its emphasis on the importance of unity and organization among believers, encouraging them to stand firm like a well-disciplined rank in the face of adversity.
- It criticizes those who claim to believe in God and His messenger but fail to act upon their declarations, stressing the need for actions to reflect proclaimed beliefs.
- It asserts that true faith is demonstrated through action, urging believers to support their verbal commitments with tangible efforts in the cause of God.
- By referencing Jesus and Moses, the surah underscores the continuity and consistency of God’s message across different prophets, emphasizing the universal call to faith and righteousness.
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