Al-Ahqaf: 31

Ayah

Word by Word

يَٰقَوۡمَنَآ

O our people!

أَجِيبُواْ

Respond

دَاعِيَ

(to the) caller

ٱللَّهِ

(of) Allah

وَءَامِنُواْ

and believe

بِهِۦ

in him

يَغۡفِرۡ

He will forgive

لَكُم

for you

مِّن

ذُنُوبِكُمۡ

your sins

وَيُجِرۡكُم

and will protect you

مِّنۡ

from

عَذَابٍ

a punishment

أَلِيمٖ

painful

Translation

"O our people, hearken to the one who invites (you) to Allah, and believe in him: He will forgive you your faults, and deliver you from a Penalty Grievous.

Tafsir

The Story of the Jinns listening to the Qur'an

Imam Ahmad recorded from Az-Zubayr that he commented on the Ayah;

وَإِذۡ صَرَفۡنَا إِلَيۡكَ نَفَرًا مِّنَ الۡجِنِّ يَسۡتَمِعُونَ الۡقُرۡانَ

And (remember) when We sent towards you a group of the Jinn, to listen to the Qur'an.

They were at a place called Nakhlah while Allah's Messenger was performing the `Isha' prayer,

and

كَادُواۡ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡهِ لِبَداً

they crowded on top of each other to hear him. (72:19)

Sufyan said, They stood on top of each other like piled wool.

Ahmad was alone in recording this.

Imam Ahmad and the famous Imam, Al-Hafiz Abu Bakr Al-Bayhaqi in his book Dala'il An-Nubuwwah, both recorded that Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said,

Allah's Messenger never recited Qur'an to the Jinns, nor did he see them. Allah's Messenger was heading with a group of his Companions towards the `Ukaz market. At that time, the devils had been prevented from eavesdropping on the news of the heavens, and they were being attacked by burning flames (whenever they tried to listen). When the devils went back to their people, they asked them what happened to them, and they answered,

`We have been prevented from eavesdropping on the news of the heavens, and burning flames now attack us.'

Their people told them, `You have only been prevented from eavesdropping on the information of the heavens because of something (major) that has happened. So go all over the earth, east and west, and see what is it that has obstructed you from eavesdropping on the news of the heavens.'

Thus they traveled all over the earth, east and west, seeking that which had obstructed them from eavesdropping on the news of the heavens. A group of them went towards Tihamah, and found Allah's Messenger while he was at a place called Nakhlah along the way to the `Ukaz market. He was leading his Companions in the Fajr prayer. When the Jinns heard the recitation of the Qur'an, they stopped to listen to it, and then they said:

`By Allah! This is what has prevented you from eavesdropping on the news of the heavens.'

Then they returned to their people and told them:

`Our people! We certainly have heard an amazing recitation (the Qur'an), it guides to the right path. So we have believed in it, and we will join none in worship with our Lord.'

So Allah revealed to His Prophet,

قُلۡ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ اسۡتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الۡجِنِّ

Say:It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinns have listened (to the Qur'an). (72:19)

Thus, what was revealed to him was only the saying of the Jinns.

Al-Bukhari recorded a similar narration, and Muslim recorded it (as it is here).

At-Tirmidhi also recorded it, as did An-Nasa'i in his Tafsir.

Abdullah bin Mas`ud reported that;

the Jinns came down upon the Prophet while he was reciting the Qur'an at a place called Nakhlah. When they heard him,

قَالُوا أَنصِتُوا

(They said:Listen quietly.) meaning, hush!

They were nine in number, and one of them was called Zawba`ah. So Allah revealed,

وَإِذۡ صَرَفۡنَا إِلَيۡكَ نَفَرًا مِّنَ الۡجِنِّ يَسۡتَمِعُونَ الۡقُرۡانَ

فَلَمَّا حَضَرُوهُ قَالُوا أَنصِتُوا فَلَمَّا قُضِيَ وَلَّوۡا إِلَى قَوۡمِهِم مُّنذِرِينَ

And when We sent toward you a group of Jinns, to listen to the Qur'an. When they attended it, they said:Listen quietly! And when it was concluded, they returned to their people as warners. until His saying:

ضَلَلٍ مُّبِينٍ

manifest error. (Ayah 29-32)

Thus, this report along with the above one by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, indicate that Allah's Messenger was not aware of the presence of the Jinns at that time. They only listened to his recitation and went back to their people. Later on, they came to him in groups, one party after another, and one group after another.

As for Allah's saying,

وَلَّوۡا إِلَى قَوۡمِهِم مُّنذِرِينَ

they returned to their people as warners.

It means that they went back to their people and warned them about what they heard from Allah's Messenger.

This is similar to Allah's saying,

لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواۡ فِى الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواۡ قَوۡمَهُمۡ إِذَا رَجَعُواۡ إِلَيۡهِمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَحۡذَرُونَ

that they may obtain understanding in religion and warn their people when they return to them, so that they might be cautious (of evil). (9:122)

This Ayah has been used as evidence that the Jinns have warners from among themselves, but no Messengers. There is no doubt that Allah did not send Messengers from among the Jinns, because He says,

وَمَأ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلاَّ رِجَالاً نُّوحِى إِلَيۡهِمۡ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ الۡقُرَى

And We did not send before you as Messengers any but men, to whom We revealed from among the people of cities. (12:109)

And Allah says,

وَمَأ أَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَكَ مِنَ الۡمُرۡسَلِينَ إِلاَّ إِنَّهُمۡ لَيَأۡكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمۡشُونَ فِى الاٌّسۡوَاقِ

And We never sent before you any of the Messengers but verily they ate food and walked in the markets. (25:20)

And He says about Ibrahim Al-Khalil, upon him be peace,

وَجَعَلۡنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِ النُّبُوَّةَ وَالۡكِتَـبَ

And We placed in his descendants Prophethood and Scripture. (29:27)

Thus, every Prophet whom Allah sent after Ibrahim was from his offspring and progeny.

As for Allah's saying in Surah Al-An`am,

يَـمَعۡشَرَ الۡجِنِّ وَالاِنۡسِ أَلَمۡ يَأۡتِكُمۡ رُسُلٌ مِّنۡكُمۡ

O company of Jinns and human beings! Did there not come to you Messengers from among you? (6:130)

It only applies to the two kinds collectively, but specifically pertains to just one of them, which is the human.

This is like Allah's saying,

يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡهُمَا الُّلوۡلُوُ وَالمَرۡجَانُ

From both of them (salty and fresh waters) emerge pearl and Marjan. (55:22)

Although He said both of them this applies to only one of the two types of water (the salty water).

Allah then explains how the Jinns warned their people. He says

قَالُوا يَا قَوۡمَنَا إِنَّا سَمِعۡنَا كِتَابًا أُنزِلَ مِن بَعۡدِ مُوسَى

They said:O our people! Verily, we have heard a Book sent down after Musa...

They did not mention `Isa, peace be upon him, because the Injil that was revealed to him contained admonitions and exhortations, but very few permissions or prohibitions. Thus, it was in reality like a complement to the legislation of the Tawrah, the Tawrah being the reference. That is why they said, Sent down after Musa.

This is also the way that Waraqah bin Nawfal spoke when the Prophet told him about his first meeting with Jibril, An-Namus, peace be upon him. He said:Very good, very good! This is (the angel) that used to come to Musa. I wish that I was still a young man (to support you).

مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ

confirming what came before it,

meaning, the Scriptures that were revealed before it to the previous Prophets.

They then said,

يَهۡدِي إِلَى الۡحَقِّ

it guides to the truth, (means in belief and information).

وَإِلَى طَرِيقٍ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ

and to the straight path. (which means, in deeds).

For verily, the Qur'an contains two things:

- information and

- commandments.

Its information is true, and its commandments are all just, as Allah says,

وَتَمَّتۡ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدۡقاً وَعَدۡلاً

And the Word of Your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. (6:115)

Allah says,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَرۡسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالۡهُدَى وَدِينِ الۡحَقِّ

It is He Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth. (9:122)

The guidance is the beneficent knowledge, and the religion of truth means the righteous good deeds.

Thus, the Jinns said,

يَهۡدِي إِلَى الۡحَقِّ

(it guides to the truth) in matters of belief,

وَإِلَى طَرِيقٍ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ

(and to the straight path.) meaning, in regard to actions

يَا قَوۡمَنَا أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ

O our people! Respond to Allah's Caller,

This is proof that Muhammad has been sent to both the human beings and the Jinns.

Thus, Allah says,

أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَامِنُوا بِهِ

Respond to Allah's Caller and believe in him.

Then Allah says,

يَغۡفِرۡ لَكُم مِّن ذُنُوبِكُمۡ

He will then forgive you some of your sins,

Some scholars say that some here is auxiliary, but this is questionable since it is rarely used to strengthen an affirmative meaning.

Others say that it means partial forgiveness.

وَيُجِرۡكُم مِّنۡ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

and protect you from a painful torment.

meaning, He will protect you from His painful punishment.

Then Allah informs that they said

وَمَن لاَّ يُجِبۡ دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ فَلَيۡسَ بِمُعۡجِزٍ فِي الاَۡرۡضِ

And whosoever does not respond to Allah's Caller, he cannot escape on earth,

meaning, Allah's power encompasses him and surrounds him.

وَلَيۡسَ لَهُ مِن دُونِهِ أَولِيَاء

and he will not have besides Allah any protectors.

meaning, no one can protect him against Allah.

أُوۡلَيِكَ فِي ضَلَلٍ مُّبِينٍ

Those are in manifest error.

This is a threat and warning.

Thus, those Jinns called their people with encouragement and warning. Because of this, many of the Jinns took heed and came to Allah's Messenger in successive delegations; and verily, Allah is worthy of all praise and gratitude, and Allah knows best.

Evidence for Life after Death

Allah says,

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَوۡا

Do they not see

Allah says, those who deny resurrection on Judgement Day, and doubt that the bodies will be raised on that Last Day -- Do they not see,

أَنَّ اللَّهَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالاَۡرۡضَ وَلَمۡ يَعۡيَ بِخَلۡقِهِنَّ

that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and was not wearied by their creation,

meaning, the creation of the heavens and earth did not exhaust Him.' Rather, He commanded them:Be, and they were, without any refusal or delay. They obeyed and responded to Him with submission and fear.

This is similar to what Allah said elsewhere,

لَخَلۡقُ السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرۡضِ أَكۡـبَرُ مِنۡ خَلۡقِ النَّاسِ وَلَـكِنَّ أَكۡـثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ

Verily, the creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of the people. But most people do not know. (40:57)

بِقَادِرٍ عَلَى أَنۡ يُحۡيِيَ الۡمَوۡتَى

is Able to give life to the dead?

i.e. Is He not then able to revive the dead?

Allah responds to the above question by saying,

بَلَى إِنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ قَدِيرٌ

Yes, He surely is Able to do all things.

Then Allah says, as a threat and a warning to whoever disbelieves in Him

وَيَوۡمَ يُعۡرَضُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَلَى النَّارِ أَلَيۡسَ هَذَا بِالۡحَقِّ

And on the Day when those who disbelieve will be exposed to the Fire (it will be said to them):Is this not the truth?

meaning, it will be said to them, Isn't this the truth? Is this magic?, or do you not see?

قَالُوا بَلَى وَرَبِّنَا

They will say:Yes, by our Lord!

meaning, they will have no choice but to confess.

قَالَ فَذُوقُوا الۡعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ

He will say:

Then taste the torment, because you used to disbelieve!

Commanding the Prophet to persevere

Allah then commands His Messenger to observe patience with those who rejected him among his people. He says

فَاصۡبِرۡ كَمَا صَبَرَ أُوۡلُوا الۡعَزۡمِ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ

Therefore be patient as did those of determination among the Messengers.

meaning, as they were patient with their people's rejection of them.

Those of determination among the Messengers are Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, `Isa and the last of all of the Prophets, Muhammad.

Allah has specifically mentioned their names in two Ayat:Surah Al-Ahzab (33:7) and Surah Ash-Shura (42:13).

وَلَا تَسۡتَعۡجِل لَّهُمۡ

and be in no hurry for them.

which means, `do not rush the punishment for them.'

This is similar to Allah's saying:

وَذَرۡنِى وَالۡمُكَذِّبِينَ أُوۡلِى النَّعۡمَةِ وَمَهِّلۡهُمۡ قَلِيلً

And leave Me alone to deal with the rejecters, those who are in possession of good things of life. And give them respite for a little while. (73:11)

فَمَهِّلِ الۡكَـفِرِينَ أَمۡهِلۡهُمۡ رُوَيۡداً

So allow time for the disbelievers, and leave them for a while. (86:17)

Then Allah says:

كَأَنَّهُمۡ يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمۡ يَلۡبَثُوا إِلاَّ سَاعَةً مِّن نَّهَارٍ

On the Day when they will see that which they are promised, it will be as though they had not remained (in the world) except an hour in a day.

Which is similar to Allah's saying,

كَأَنَّهُمۡ يَوۡمَ يَرَوۡنَهَا لَمۡ يَلۡبَثُواۡ إِلاَّ عَشِيَّةً أَوۡ ضُحَـهَا

On the Day they see it (the Hour), it will be as though they had not remained (in the world) except for a day's afternoon or its morning. (79:46)

and as He says,

وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ كَأَن لَّمۡ يَلۡبَثُواۡ إِلاَّ سَاعَةً مِّنَ النَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ

And on the Day when He shall gather them together, (it will be) as if they had not stayed but an hour of a day. They will recognize each other. (10:45)

Then Allah says,

بَلَغٌ

A clear message.

meaning, this Qur'an provides a clear concept.

فَهَلۡ يُهۡلَكُ إِلاَّ الۡقَوۡمُ الۡفَاسِقُونَ

But will any be destroyed except the defiantly rebellious people.

Which means that Allah does not destroy anyone except those who choose the way of destruction. It is part of Allah's justice that He does not punish anyone except those who deserve the punishment -- and Allah knows best.

This concludes the explanation of Surah Al-Ahqaf. And all praise and blessings are due to Allah. Both success and protection from faults are by His help.