ٱلْحَدِيد ٢٥
- لَقَدۡ Certainly
- أَرۡسَلۡنَا We sent
- رُسُلَنَا Our Messengers
- بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ with clear proofs
- وَأَنزَلۡنَا and We sent down
- مَعَهُمُ with them
- ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ the Scripture
- وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ and the Balance
- لِيَقُومَ that may establish
- ٱلنَّاسُ the people
- بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ justice
- وَأَنزَلۡنَا And We sent down
- ٱلۡحَدِيدَ [the] iron
- فِيهِ wherein
- بَأۡسٞ (is) power
- شَدِيدٞ mighty
- وَمَنَٰفِعُ and benefits
- لِلنَّاسِ for the people
- وَلِيَعۡلَمَ and so that make evident
- ٱللَّهُ Allah
- مَن (he) who
- يَنصُرُهُۥ helps Him
- وَرُسُلَهُۥ and His Messengers
- بِٱلۡغَيۡبِۚ unseen
- إِنَّ Indeed
- ٱللَّهَ Allah
- قَوِيٌّ (is) All-Strong
- عَزِيزٞ All-Mighty
We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allāh may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allāh is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
We have verily sent Our messengers, the angels, to prophets, with clear signs, with the definitive proofs, and We revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, justice, so that mankind may uphold justice. And We sent down iron, We caused it to be extracted from mineral ores, wherein is great might, with which one may wage battle, and [many] uses for mankind, and so that God may know, a knowledge of direct vision (liya'lama'Llaahu is a supplement to li-yaqooma'l-naasu, 'so that mankind may uphold') those who help Him, by helping [to uphold] His religion through [the use of] instruments of war made of metal and otherwise, and His messengers through the Unseen (bi'l-ghaybi: a circumstantial qualifier referring to the [suffixed pronoun] haa', 'Him', of yansuruhu, '[who] aid Him'), that is to say, while He [God] is not seen by them in this world. Ibn 'Abbaas said: 'They help Him even though they do not see Him' (yansuroonahu wa-laa yubsiroonahu). Assuredly God is Strong, Mighty, without any need of being helped, but such [help] benefits those who proffer it.
The Prophets were given Miracles and Sent with truth and Justice
Allah the Exalted said next,
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ
Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs.
in reference to the miracles, the unequivocal evidences and the plain proofs,
وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ
and revealed with them the Scripture,
which contains the true text,
وَالْمِيزَانَ
and the Mizan,
that is, justice, according to Mujahid, Qatadah and others.
This Ayah refers to the truth that is attested to by the sound, straight minds that oppose misguided opinions and ideas, just as Allah said in other Ayat,
أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ
Can they (Muslims) who rely on a clear proof from their Lord, and whom a witness from Him follows it (be equal with the disbelievers), (11:17)
فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِى فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا
Allah's Fitra (religion) with which He has created mankind. (30:30)
and,
وَالسَّمَأءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ
And the heaven:He has raised it high, and He has set up the Mizan. (55:7)
This is why Allah said here,
لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ
that mankind may keep up justice,
truth and fairness that is found in the obedience of the Messengers, in all that they conveyed from their Lord, and following all they commanded. Surely, what the Prophets brought forth is the truth, beyond which there is no truth, just as Allah said,
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقاً وَعَدْلاً
And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. (6:115),
His Word is true in what it conveys, and just in all its orders and prohibitions. This is why the believers say, when they take up their rooms in Paradise and assume their high grades and lined thrones,
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِى هَدَانَا لِهَـذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِىَ لَوْلا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَقَدْ جَأءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ
All praise is due to Allah, Who has guided us to this, and never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah had guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth. (7:43)
The Benefits of Iron
Allah said,
وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power, as well as many benefits for mankind,
meaning, `We made iron a deterrent for those who refuse the truth and oppose it after the proof has been established against them.'
Allah's Messenger remained in Makkah for thirteen years. During that time, the revelation continued being sent to him, containing arguments against the idolators and explaining Tawhid with detail and proofs. When the evidence was established against those who defied the Messenger, Allah decreed the Hijrah. Then He ordered the believers to fight the disbelievers using swords, using them to strike the necks and foreheads of those who opposed, rejected and denied the Qur'an.
Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud recorded that Abdullah bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said,
بُعِثْتُ بِالسَّيْفِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ حَتْى يُعْبَدَ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَجُعِلَ رِزْقِي تَحْتَ ظِلِّ رُمْحِي وَجُعِلَ الذِّلَّةُ والصَّغَارُ عَلَى مَنْ خَالَفَ أَمْرِي وَمَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُم
I was sent with the sword just before the Hour so that Allah be worshipped alone without partners. My provision was placed under the shadow of my spear, and those who defy my order were disgraced and humiliated, and he who imitates a people is one of them.
This is why Allah the Exalted said,
فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ
(wherein is mighty power), in reference to weapons, such as swords, spears, daggers, arrows, shields, and so forth,
وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
(as well as many benefits for mankind), meaning, in their livelihood, such as using it to make coins, hammers, axes, ﷺs chisels, shovels and various tools that people use for tilting the land, sowing, cooking, making dough and manufacturing other objects necessary for their livelihood.
Allah's statement,
وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ
that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen.
meaning, whose intention by carrying weapons is the defense of Allah (His religion) and His Messenger,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
Verily, Allah is Powerful, Almighty.
meaning, surely, Allah is Powerful, Almighty, and He gives victory to those who give victory and aid to Him. However, Allah does not need mankind's help, but He ordered Jihad to test people with each other.
Many of the Nations of the Prophets were Rebellious
Allah says,
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ
فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
And indeed, We sent Nuh and Ibrahim, and placed in their offspring Prophethood and Scripture. And among them there are some who are guided; but many of them are rebellious.
Allah the Exalted states that since He sent Nuh, peace be upon him, all the Prophets and Messengers He sent after that were from his offspring. All the revealed Divine Books and all the Messengers that received revelation after Ibrahim, Allah's Khalil, peace be upon him, were from Ibrahim's offspring.
Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah:
وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِ النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَـبَ
and placed in their offspring Prophethood and Scripture. (29:27)
The last among the Prophets of the Children of Israel was `Isa, son of Mary, who prophesied the good news of the coming of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them both.
Allah the Exalted said
ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَى اثَارِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَاتَيْنَاهُ الاِْنجِيلَ
Then, We sent after them Our Messengers, and We sent 'Isa the son of Maryam, and gave him the Injil.
referring to the Injil that Allah revealed to him,
وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ
And We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him, i.e., the disciples,
رَأْفَةً
compassion (and tenderness),
وَرَحْمَةً
and mercy. (toward the creatures).
Allah's statement,
وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا
But the monasticism which they invented for themselves,
refers to the monasticism that the Christian nation invented,
مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ
We did not prescribe for them,
`We -- Allah -- did not ordain it for them, but they chose it on their own.'
There are two opinions about the meaning of,
إِلاَّ ابْتِغَاء رِضْوَانِ اللَّهِ
only to please Allah therewith,
- The first is that they wanted to please Allah by inventing monasticism.
Sa`id bin Jubayr and Qatadah said this.
- The second meaning is:We did not ordain them to practice that but, rather, We ordained them only to seek what pleases Allah.
Allah's statement,
فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا
but that they did not observe it with the right observance.
meaning, they did not abide by what they ordered themselves to do.
This Ayah criticizes them in two ways:
- first, they invented in things in their religion, things which Allah did not legislate for them.
- The second is that they did not fulfill the requirements of what they themselves invented and which they claimed was a means of drawing near to Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored.
An-Nasa'i -- and this is his wording - recorded that Ibn Abbas said,
There were kings after `Isa who changed the Tawrah and the Injil when there were still believers who recited Tawrah and the Injil. Their kings were told,
`We were never confronted by more severe criticism and abuse than of these people.' --
they recite the Ayah,
وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَأ أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَـيِكَ هُمُ الْكَـفِرُونَ
And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the disbelievers. (5:44),
as well as, they accuse us of short comings in our actions, while still they recite. Therefore, summon them and let them recite these Ayat our way and believe in them our way.'
The king summoned them and gathered them and threatened them with death if they did not revert from reciting the original Tawrah and Injil to using the corrupted version only.
They said,
`Why do you want us to do that, let us be.'
Some of them said,
`Build a narrow elevated tower for us and let us ascend it, and then give us the means to elevate food and drink to us. This way, you will save yourselves from hearing us.'
Another group among them said,
`Let us go about in the land and eat and drink like beasts do, and if you find us in your own land, then kill us.'
Another group among them said,
`Build homes (monasteries) for us in the deserts and secluded areas, where we can dig wells and plant vegetables. Then, we will not refute you and will not even pass by you.'
These groups said this, even though they all had supporters among their tribes. It is about this that Allah the Exalted and Most Honored sent down this Ayah,
وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلاَّ ابْتِغَاء رِضْوَانِ اللَّهِ
فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا
(But the monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them, but (they sought it) only to please Allah therewith, but that they did not observe it with the right observance.) '
Then Allah says,
فَأتَيْنَا الَّذِينَ امَنُوا مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
So, We gave those among them who believed, their (due) reward; but many of them are rebellious.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas bin Malik said that the Prophet said,
لِكُلِّ نَبِيَ رَهْبَانِيَّةٌ وَرَهْبَانِيَّةُ هذِهِ الاُْمَّةِ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَل
Every Prophet has Rahbaniyyah (monasticism); Jihad in the cause of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, is the Rahbaniyyah of this Ummah.
Al-Hafiz Abu Ya`la collected this Hadith and in this narration, the Prophet said,
لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَهْبَانِيَّةٌ وَرَهْبَانِيَّةُ هذِهِ الاُْمَّةِ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ الله
Every Ummah has Rahbaniyyah; Jihad in the cause of Allah is the Rahbaniyyah of this Ummah.
Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri said that a man came to him and asked him for advice, and Abu Sa`id said that he asked the same of Allah's Messenger. Abu Sa`id said,
So, I advise you to
- adhere by the Taqwa of Allah, because it is the chief of all matters.
- Fulfill the obligation of Jihad, because it is the Rahbaniyyah of Islam.
- Take care of remembering Allah and reciting the Qur'an, because it is your closeness (or status) in the heavens and your good fame on earth.
Only Imam Ahmad collected this Hadith
The Believers of the People of the Scriptures will earn Double their Rewards
Allah says,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ امَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَامِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ
Earlier we mentioned a Hadith that An-Nasa'i collected from Ibn Abbas that this Ayah is about the People of the Scriptures who believe in Islam, and that they will earn double their reward if they do so. There is an Ayah in Surat Al-Qasas to support this meaning. Also, there is a Hadith from Ash-Sha`bi from Abu Burdah from his father from Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari that the Messenger of Allah said,
ثَلَثَةٌ يُوْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ
-
رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ امَنَ بِنَبِيِّهِ وَامَنَ بِي فَلَهُ أَجْرَانِ
-
وَعَبْدٌ مَمْلُوكٌ أَدَّى حَقَّ اللهِ وَحَقَّ مَوَالِيهِ فَلَهُ أَجْرَانِ
-
وَرَجُلٌ أَدَّبَ أَمَتَهُ فَأَحْسَنَ تَأْدِيبَهَا ثُمَّ أَعْتَقَهَا وَتَزَوَّجَهَا فَلَهُ أَجْرَان
Three will get their reward twice.
- A believer from the People of the Scriptures who has been a true believer in his Prophet and then believes in me, will get a double reward.
- A slave who fulfills Allah's rights and obligations as well as the duties of his master, will get a double reward.
- A person who has a slave-girl and he educates her properly and teaches her good manners properly (without violence) and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward.
This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs.
Ad-Dahhak, Utbah bin Abi Hakim and others agreed with Ibn Abbas in this, and Ibn Jarir preferred it.
Allah the Exalted said in another Ayah,
يِـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إَن تَتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا وَيُكَفِّرْ عَنكُمْ سَيِّيَاتِكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
O you who believe! If you have Taqwa of Allah, He will grant you a criterion, and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you; and Allah is Owner of the great bounty. (8:29)
Sa`id bin Abdul-`Aziz said,
Umar bin Al-Khattab asked a Jewish rabbi, `What is the maximum a reward would be increased for you'
He replied, `A Kifl (portion) which is about three hundred and fifty good merits.'
So `Umar said, `Praise be to Allah who gave us two Kifls.'
Then Sa`id mentioned Allah's saying:
يُوْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِ
He will give you a double portion of His mercy,
Sa`id said, And the two Kifls on Friday are similar to that.
This was recorded by Ibn Jarir.
This view has support from the Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded from Abdullah bin Umar that the Messenger of Allah said,
مَثَلُكُمْ وَمَثَلُ الْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَعْمَلَ عُمَّالاً فَقَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ صَلَةِ الصُّبْحِ إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ
أَلَا فَعَمِلَتِ الْيَهُودُ ثُمَّ قَالَ
مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ صَلَةِ الظُّهْرِ إِلَى صَلَةِ الْعَصْرِ عَلَى قِيرَاطٍ قِيرَاطٍ
أَلَا فَعَمِلَتِ النَّصَارَى
ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ لِي مِنْ صَلَةِ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى غُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ عَلَى قِيرَاطَيْنِ قِيرَاطَيْنِ
أَلَا فَأَنْتُمُ الَّذِينَ عَمِلْتُمْ
فَغَضِبَ النَّصَارَى وَالْيَهُودُ
وَقَالُوا نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ عَمَلً وَأَقَلُّ عَطَاءً
قَالَ هَلْ ظَلَمْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرِكُمْ شَيْيًا
قَالُوا لَاا
قَالَ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ فَضْلِي أُوتِيهِ مَنْ أَشَاء
The parable of you and the Jews and Christians is that of a person who employed some laborers and asked them, Who will work for me from the Dawn prayer until midday for one Qirat (a special weight of gold) each.
So, the Jews worked.
The person asked, Who will do the work for me from the Zuhr prayer to the time of the `Asr prayer for one Qirat each'.'
So, the Christians worked.
Then the person asked, Who will do the work for me from `Asr prayer until sunset for two Qirat each.
You are those who did this work.
The Jews and the Christians got angry and said, We did more work, but got less wages.
Allah said, Have I been unjust to you with your reward
They said, No.
So, Allah said, Then it is My grace which I bestow on whomever I will.
Al-Bukhari collected this Hadith.
Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Musa said that the Prophet said,
مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْيَهُودِ وَالنَّصَارَى كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتَعْمَلَ قَوْمًا يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ عَمَلً يَوْمًا إِلَى اللَّيْلِ عَلَى أَجْرٍ مَعْلُومٍ
فَعَمِلُوا إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ فَقَالُوا لَا حَاجَةَ لَنَا فِي أَجْرِكَ الَّذِي شَرَطْتَ لَنَا وَمَا عَمِلْنَا بَاطِلٌ
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ لَا تَفْعَلُوا أَكْمِلُوا بَقِيَّةَ عَمَلِكُمْ وَخُذُوا أَجْرَكُمْ كَامِلً
فَأَبَوا وَتَرَكُوا وَاسْتَأْجَرَ اخَرِينَ بَعْدَهُمْ فَقَالَ أَكْمِلُوا بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِكُمْ وَلَكُمُ الَّذِي شَرَطْتُ لَهُمْ مِنَ الاْأَجْرِ
فَعَمِلُوا حَتْى إِذَا كَانَ حِينَ صَلَّوُا الْعَصْرَ قَالُوا مَا عَمِلْنَا بَاطِلٌ وَلَكَ الاَْجْرُ الَّذِي جَعَلْتَ لَنَا فِيهِ
فَقَالَ أَكْمِلُوا بَقِيَّةَ عَمَلِكُمْ فَإِنَّمَا بَقِيَ مِنَ النَّهَارِ شَيْءٌ يَسِيرٌ
فَأَبَوا فَاسْتَأْجَرَ قَوْمًا أَنْ يَعْمَلُوا لَهُ بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِهِمْ فَعَمِلُوا لَهُ بَقِيَّةَ يَوْمِهِمْ حَتْى غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَاسْتَكْمَلُوا أُجْرَةَ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ كِلَيْهِمَا
فَذلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ وَمَثَلُ مَا قَبِلُوا مِنْ هذَا النُّور
The parable of the Muslims, Jews and Christians is that of a man who employed laborers to work for him from morning until night for a known wage.
So, they worked until midday and said, `We are not in need of the wages that you promised and our work was in vain.'
So, the man said, `Do not quit now, complete the rest of the work and yours will be the full wage I have fixed for it.'
However, they refused and quit, and he had to hire another batch of workers. He said (to the second batch), `Complete the work for the rest of the day and I will give you the same wage I promised the first batch.'
So, they worked until the time of the `Asr prayer and said, `Whatever we have done is in vain and we forfeit the wages you promised us.'
He said to them, `Complete your day's work, for only a small part of the day remains.'
However, they refused, and he employed another batch to work for the rest of the day, and they worked until sunset and received the wages of the two former batches.
This is an example of them (i.e., the Jews and Christians) and of those who accepted this light (i.e., Islam).
Al-Bukhari was alone in recording it.
Allah the Exalted said;
وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ
وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight). And He will forgive you. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Allah the Exalted said
لِيَلَّ يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَلاَّ يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ مِّن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ
So that the People of the Scriptures may know that they have no power whatsoever over the grace of Allah,
meaning, so that they become sure that they cannot prevent what Allah gives, or give what Allah prevents,
وَأَنَّ الْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ اللَّهِ يُوْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاء
وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيم
and that (His) grace is (entirely) in His Hand to bestow it on whomsoever He wills. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.
This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah Al-Hadid, all praise is due to Allah, and all favors come from Him.
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Establishing Justice: The Real Purpose of sending Prophets and Divine Books
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ
We have indeed sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that people may uphold justice. And We sent down iron in which there is strong power, and benefits for the people; and [ We did it ] so that Allah knows the one who helps Him and His messengers without seeing [ Him ]. Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty (57:25)
The word bayyinat means 'clear' or 'evident' things. It could also mean 'clear injunctions'. It may refer to 'miracles, clear proofs and evidences of Prophet-hood and Messenger-ship. [ Ibn Kathir and Ibn Hayyan ]. After bayyinat, the mention sending down the Book supports the last interpretation, that is, bayyinat refers to 'miracles and proofs' and that 'the Book' sets out details of injunctions. In addition to the Book, another thing has been mentioned, which is mizan [ Balance or Scale ]. Originally, this word refers to an instrument of weighing. Besides the customary balance, there are other kinds of instruments that are invented from time to time to weigh and measure other things. For example, nowadays we have instruments with which to weigh and measure 'light', 'wind' and other things. All these instruments will fall under the category of 'mizan [ Balance ].
This verse speaks of sending down 'the Balance' like 'the Book'. The notion of the Book coming down from the heaven and reaching the prophets through the agency of the angels is quite understandable. But it is not clear what it means for the Balance to come down. Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani, Mazhari and others have explained that 'the coming down of Balance' refers to the Divine laws that were revealed pertaining to the use of the Balance and administration of justice. Qurtubi explains that it was the Book that was sent down, the Balance has been merely appended to the same verb but connoting the sense of inventing and placing. This is quite common in Arabic language and literature. Thus this sentence in full will read as follows: انزَلنَا الکِتاب وَ وَضَعنَا المِیزَان (We sent down the Book and placed the Scale.) The readers may compare this verse with verse [ 7] of Surah Ar-Rahman وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ (And He raised the sky high, and placed the scale...55:7) where Scale is said to have been set up or placed.
Some Traditions narrate that a balance was actually sent down from the heavens to Sayyidna Nuh (علیہ السلام) and he was enjoined to weigh with it and fulfill the rights of people. Allah knows best!
Alongside 'the Book ' and 'the Balance', a third thing was sent down, that is, 'the iron'. The verb 'sent down' in relation to the iron stands for 'created' because it was not sent down from the heaven. There are other occasions where the verb anzala [ He sent down ] is used in the sense of khalaqa [ He created ], as for instance in this وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْأَنْعَامِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَزْوَاجٍ (He sent down to you of the cattle eight couples...39:6) In this verse, the verb anzala [ He sent down ] is unanimously used in the sense of khalaqa [ He created ]. This expression is adopted to indicate that everything in this world is 'sent down from the heaven' in the sense that everything that exists in the world was recorded in the Preserved Tablet long before it came into existence. [ Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani ]
According to the verse, 'iron' serves two purposes: [ 1] it represents power and holds the hostile opponents in great awe, and may compel the rebellious people to abide by Divine laws and system of justice. [ 2] it also holds great benefits for man. In other words, iron is a thing of common utility as it is used on a large scale in various industries. It is indispensable for the invention of every device, machine, mechanical apparatus, contrivance, and there is some iron in almost everything man innovates. No contrivance is possible without iron.
Special Note [ 1]
The fundamental purpose of sending the Prophets, revealing the divine books and erecting the Balance is mentioned as follows: لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ (so that people may uphold justice...57:25) After that a third element is introduced: the creation of 'iron'. This, in fact, complements the same basic purpose of 'administration of justice' because the Prophets and the Divine Books set forth clear and sound arguments to establish justice. If the defiant group fails to establish it, it is warned about punishment in the Hereafter. The 'Balance' sets up the parameters within which justice should operate. If the defiant group obdurately refuses to accept the parameters of justice and is left free to go about violating them, he will not allow justice to be established. In this case, the higher authority of the state will have no choice but to take up arms against them.
Special Note [ 2]
Another point of consideration here is that the Holy Qur'an has set forth two factors as fundamental to the establishment of justice: [ 1] the Book; and [ 2] the Balance. The Book sets forth the Divine rights and the human rights, and the need to fulfill them; it prohibits their violation. The Balance lays down the system which maintains just equilibrium in human social relations. The purpose of revealing these two factors is لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ (so that people may uphold justice...57:25). The factor of 'iron' has been mentioned last. This indicates that in the establishment of justice iron may be used only as a last resort, not as the first step. The real purpose of improving human society and establishing justice among them is to improve them in intellectual development and growth. The government may not exert its might and power to achieve the purpose of developing them intellectually. It may use it, only as the ultimate option, if they stand in the way of justice. The main thing is to cultivate the minds of the people by educating them.
وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّـهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ (...and [ We did it ] so that Allah knows the one who helps Him and His messengers without seeing ....57:25) Here the conjunction 'and', according to Ruh-ul-Ma’ ani, explains that this subjunctive phrase is conjoined to another subjunctive phrase that is understood in the context: لِيَعْلَمَ (so that it may benefit them) in their trade and industry; so that Allah may legally and outwardly know who will assist Him and His Messenger ﷺ by carrying weapons of war made of iron and fight jihad in defence of His religion'. The restrictive adverbs 'legally and outwardly' have been added because Allah knows everything pre-eternally as He pre-recorded them in the Book of Decrees, and when man performs the action, it is recorded in his Account Book by the angels. In this way, its legal manifestation becomes plainly apparent.
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Sesungguhnya Kami telah mengutus rasul-rasul Kami dengan membawa bukti-bukti yang nyata dan telah Kami turunkan bersama mereka Al-Kitab dan neraca (keadilan) supaya manusia dapat melaksanakan keadilan. Dan Kami ciptakan besi yang padanya terdapat kekuatan yang hebat dan berbagai manfaat bagi manusia (supaya mereka mempergunakan besi itu) dan supaya Allah mengetahui siapa yang menolong (agama)-Nya dan rasul-rasul-Nya, walaupun (Allah) tidak dilihatnya. Sesungguhnya Allah Mahakuat lagi Mahaperkasa. Firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: Sesungguhnya Kami telah mengutus rasul-rasul Kami dengan membawa bukti-bukti yang nyata. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yakni mukjizat-mukjizat, alasan-alasan yang memukau, dan dalil-dalil yang pasti.
dan telah Kami turunkan bersama mereka Al-Kitab. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yaitu penukilan yang benar. dan neraca. (Al-Hadid: 25) Maksudnya, keadilan. Mujahid dan Qatadah serta selain keduanya mengatakan bahwa keadilan itu ialah perkara hak yang diakui oleh rasio yang sehat lagi lurus dan bertentangan dengan pendapat-pendapat yang sakit lagi tidak benar. Seperti pengertian yang disebutkan di dalam firman-Nya: Apakah (orang-orang kafir itu sama dengan) orang-orang yang ada mempunyai bukti yang nyata (Al-Qur'an) dari Tuhannya, dan diikuti pula oleh seorang saksi (Muhammad) dari Allah. (Hud: 17) (tetaplah atas) fitrah Allah yang telah menciptakan manusia menurut fitrah itu. (Ar-Rum: 30) Dan firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: Dan Allah telah meninggikan langit dan Dia meletakkan neraca (keadilan). (Ar-Rahman: 7) Karena itulah maka dalam surat ini disebutkan: supaya manusia dapat melaksanakan keadilan. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yakni kebenaran dan keadilan, yaitu mengikuti para rasul sesuai dengan berita yang disampaikan oleh mereka dan menaati mereka dalam semua perintah yang mereka tegaskan.
Karena sesungguhnya apa yang disampaikan oleh para rasul itu adalah kebenaran yang mutlak yang tiada kebenaran lagi di baliknya, sebagaimana yang disebutkan di dalam firman-Nya: Telah sempurnalah kalimat Tuhanmu (Al-Qur'an) sebagai kalimat yang benar dan adil. (Al-An'am: 115) Yaitu benar dalam semua beritanya dan adil dalam semua perintah dan larangannya. Karena itulah orang-orang mukmin mengatakan manakala mereka telah menempati kedudukannya di dalam surga, yaitu dalam gedung-gedung yang tinggi-tinggi dan dipan-dipan yang bersusun-susun.
Sebagaimana yang disitir oleh firman-Nya: Segala puji bagi Allah yang telah menunjuki kami kepada (surga) ini. Dan Kami sekali-kali tidak akan mendapat petunjuk kalau Allah tidak memberi kami petunjuk. Sesungguhnya telah datang rasul-rasul Tuhan kami, membawa kebenaran. (Al-A'raf: 43) Adapun firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: Dan Kami ciptakan besi yang padanya terdapat kekuatan yang hebat. (Al-Hadid: 25) Maksudnya, Kami jadikan besi itu sebagai sarana untuk menekan orang yang membangkang terhadap perkara yang hak dan mengingkarinya padahal hujah-hujah telah ditegakkan di hadapannya.
Karena itulah maka Rasulullah ﷺ bermukim di Mekah sesudah kenabian selama tiga belas tahun, yang selama itu diwahyukan kepada beliau semua surat Makkiyyah, yang isinya mengandung bantahan terhadap orang-orang musyrik, dan penjelasan, serta keterangan mengenai ketauhidan dan dalil-dalil lainnya. Dan manakala hujah (alasan) telah ditegakkan terhadap orang-orang yang menentang syariat Allah, maka Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala memerintahkan kepada NabiNya dan kaum muslim untuk berhijrah, dan memerintahkan pula kepada mereka untuk memerangi kaum musyrik dengan memakai senjata dan menghukum mati serta memenggal kepala orang yang menentang Al-Qur'an, mendustakannya dan mengingkari kebenarannya. Imam Ahmad telah meriwayatkan juga Abu Dawud melalui hadits Abdur Rahman ibnu Sabit ibnu Sauban, dari Hasan ibnu Atiyyah, dari Abul Munib Al-Jarasyi Asy-Syami, dari Ibnu Umar yang mengatakan bahwa Rasulullah ﷺ pernah bersabda: Aku diutus dengan membawa pedang sebelum hari kiamat, hingga hanya Allah semata sajalah yang disembah tiada sekutu bagi-Nya.
Dan Allah menjadikan rezekiku berada di bawah bayangan tombakku, dan menjadikan kehinaan dan kerendahan bagi orang yang menentang perintahku; dan barang siapa yang menyerupai suatu kaum, maka dia termasuk dari mereka. Untuk itulah maka disebutkan oleh firman-Nya: yang padanya terdapat kekuatan yang hebat. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yakni dapat dijadikan senjata seperti pedang, tombak, anak panah, dan tameng serta senjata lainnya. dan berbagai manfaat bagi manusia. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yaitu dalam kehidupan mereka, karena besi itu dapat dijadikan sebagai sarana untuk pekerjaan mereka seperti cangkul, kapak, gergaji, pahat, alat untuk membajak tanah, dan peralatan lainnya yang digunakan untuk keperluan pertanian, pertukangan serta alat-alat lainnya yang diperlukan oleh manusia.
Alba ibnu Ahmad telah meriwayatkan dari Ikrimah, dari Ibnu Abbas yang mengatakan bahwa ada tiga hal yang diturunkan bersama-sama dengan Adam, yaitu landasan palu, penjepit (tang), dan palu. Demikianlah menurut riwayat Ibnu Jarir dan Ibnu Abu Hatim. Firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: dan supaya Allah mengetahui siapa yang menolong (agama)-Nya dan rasul-rasul-Nya, walaupun (Allah) tidak dilihatnya. (Al-Hadid: 25) Yakni dari niatnya saat memanggul senjata untuk membela agama Allah dan menolong Rasul-Nya. Sesungguhnya Allah Mahakuat lagi Mahaperkasa. (Al-Hadid: 25) Allah Mahakuat lagi Mahaperkasa, menolong orang yang ditolong-Nya, sedangkan Dia tidak memerlukan bantuan siapa pun, dan sesungguhnya Dia mensyariatkan (memerintahkan) untuk berjihad hanyalah semata-mata untuk menguji sebagian dari kamu dengan sebagian yang lain.
Sungguh, Kami telah mengutus rasul-rasul Kami kepada umat manusia dengan bukti-bukti yang nyata, dan Kami turunkan bersama mereka kitab sebagai pedoman hidup, dan Kami turunkan pula neraca sebagai ukuran keadilan agar manusia dapat berlaku adil. Dan Kami menciptakan besi sebagai kelengkapan hidup yang mempunyai kekuatan, hebat, dan banyak manfaat bagi manusia, dan Kami ciptakan semua itu agar Allah mengetahui siapa yang menolong agama-Nya dan rasul-rasul-Nya dalam berdakwah, walaupun Allah tidak dilihatnya. Sesungguhnya Allah Mahakuat terhadap segala sesuatu, Mahaperkasa menghadapi semua yang mengingkari-Nya. 26. Kehidupan kependetaan bukan ajaran Allah. Dan sungguh, Kami telah mengutus Nabi Nuh dan Ibrahim kepada umat masing-masing untuk mengajak mereka bertauhid, dan Kami berikan pula kenabian dan kitab petunjuk kepada keturunan keduanya; di antara mereka ada yang menerima petunjuk itu sehingga beriman dan berbuat kebajikan sesuai perintah-Nya, dan banyak di antara mereka yang fasik akibat mengingkari petunjuk itu dan memilih kekafiran.
Allah menerangkan bahwa Dia telah mengutus para rasul kepada umat-umat-Nya dengan membawa bukti-bukti yang kuat untuk membuktikan kebenaran risalah-Nya. Di antara bukti-bukti itu, ialah mukjizat-mukjizat yang diberikan kepada para rasul. Di antara mukjizat tersebut seperti tidak terbakar oleh api sebagai mukjizat Nabi Ibrahim, mimpi yang benar sebagai mukjizat Nabi Yusuf, tongkat sebagai mukjizat Nabi Musa, Al-Qur'an sebagai mukjizat Nabi Muhammad ﷺ dan sebagainya. Setiap rasul yang diutus itu bertugas menyampaikan agama Allah kepada umatnya. Ajaran agama itu adakalanya tertulis dalam sahifah-sahifah dan adakalanya termuat dalam suatu kitab, seperti Taurat, Zabur, Injil dan Al-Qur'an. Ajaran agama itu merupakan petunjuk bagi manusia untuk mencapai kebahagiaan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat. Sebagai dasar untuk mengatur dan membina masyarakat, maka setiap agama yang dibawa oleh para rasul itu mempunyai asas "keadilan". Keadilan itu wajib ditegakkan oleh para rasul dan pengikut-pengikutnya dalam masyarakat, yaitu keadilan penguasa terhadap rakyatnya, keadilan suami sebagai kepala rumah tangga, keadilan pemimpin atas yang dipimpinnya dan sebagainya, sehingga seluruh anggota masyarakat sama kedudukannya dalam hukum, sikap dan perlakuan. Di samping itu Allah ﷻ menganugerahkan kepada manusia "besi" suatu karunia yang tidak terhingga nilai dan manfaatnya. Dengan besi dapat dibuat berbagai macam keperluan manusia, sejak dari yang besar sampai kepada yang kecil, seperti berbagai macam kendaraan di darat, di laut dan di udara, keperluan rumah tangga dan sebagainya. Dengan besi pula manusia dapat membina kekuatan bangsa dan negaranya, karena dari besi dibuat segala macam alat perlengkapan pertahanan dan keamanan negeri, seperti senapan, kendaraaan perang dan sebagainya. Tentu saja semuanya itu hanya diizinkan Allah menggunakannya untuk menegakkan agama-Nya, menegakkan keadilan dan menjaga keamanan negeri. Sebuah ensiklopedia sains modern menggambarkan unsur-unsur kimia yang ada di bumi kita ini mempunyai variasi yang menakjubkan, beberapa di antaranya susah ditemukan tapi ada juga yang berlimpah. Ada yang dapat dilihat oleh mata telanjang karena berbentuk cairan dan padatan, tetapi ada juga yang tak tampak karena berupa gas. Sekitar 300 tahun yang lalu hanya 12 unsur yang diketahui di antaranya adalah unsur Ferrum (Fe) yang bernomor atom 26 pada Tabel Susunan Berkala Unsur-Unsur. Fe ini lebih dikenal dengan sebutan besi. Besi merupakan salah satu unsur paling mudah ditemukan di Bumi. Diperkirakan 5% daripada kerak Bumi adalah besi. Kebanyakan besi ditemukan dalam bentuk oksida besi, seperti bahan galian hematit, magnetit dan takonit. Juga diduga keras permukaaan bumi banyak mengandung aloi logam besi-nikel. Konon unsur besi bukan unsur asli "kepunyaan" bumi tapi ia berasal dari luar bumi. Para pakar sependapat bahwa meteorit turut andil dalam pembentukan aloi besi-nikel yang ada di bumi. Barangkali, inilah "cara" Allah mendatangkan" unsur besi ke permukaan bumi jauh sebelum manusia ada. Pada umumnya besi adalah logam yang diperoleh dari bijih besi, dan dijumpai bukan dalam keadaan bebas tetapi selalu dalam bentuk senyawa atau campuran dengan unsur-unsur yang lain. Karenanya untuk mendapatkan unsur besi, unsur lain harus dipisahkan yang biasanya dilakukan melalui proses kimia. Seperti dalam industri besi baja, besi banyak digunakan yakni dalam bentuk logam campuran (aloi). Jenis campuran ada yang terdiri dari logam-logam yang berlainan tetapi ada juga bahan campuran yang digunakan berasal dari nonlogam, misalnya karbon. Semuanya dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mendapatkan kualitas yang diinginkan sesuai dengan kebutuhan dan dengan pertimbangan untuk menekan biaya produksi. Sifat fisis unsur Fe jika dipanaskan terus menerus maka sebelum mencair ia akan mengalami fasa pelelehan. Fasa dimana besi dalam keadaan padat tapi ia memiliki sifat lunak. Karenanya pada fasa atau keadaan ini besi mudah dibentuk walaupun hanya dengan menggunakan teknologi tradisional yang sederhana seperti teknologi pandai besi (black-smith). Dengan teknologi yang sederhana tadi maka dalam sejarah perkembangan manusia pemanfaatan besi telah digunakan banyak dalam aspek kehidupan manusia sehari-hari, termasuk juga untuk perang. Sayyid Quthub dalam tulisannya menguraikan, "Allah menurunkan besi ' ?yang padanya terdapat kekuatan yang hebat?, yaitu kekuatan dalam perang dan damai. Kemudian '?Dan supaya Allah mengetahui siapa yang menolong (agama)-Nya dan rasulrasul-Nya padahal Allah tidak dilihatnya? Penggalan ini mengisyaratkan jihad dengan senjata. Sebuah penyajian yang selaras dengan konteks surah yang tengah membicarakan pengorbanan dengan jiwa dan harta." Dalam pengetahuan biologi maka unsur besi (Fe) dalam bentuk zat besi juga amat dibutuhkan oleh semua makhluk organik, kecuali bagi sebagian kecil bakteria. Seperti dalam tubuh kita zat besi sangat diperlukan. Dalam tubuh manusia besi kebanyakan ditemukan dalam bentuk logamprotein (metalloprotein) yang stabil, jika tidak maka ia dapat menyebabkan timbulnya radikal bebas yang cenderung menjadi racun bagi sel. Dalam tubuh manusia zat besi terlibat dalam pembentukan sel? sel darah merah. Sementara sel-sel darah merah sangat penting keberadaannya karena dialah yang membawa zat asam (oksigen) dari paru-paru ke seluruh jaringan-jaringan yang ada dalam tubuh kita. Jaringan hidup memerlukan persediaan zat asam. Lebih giat suatu jaringan maka semakin banyak ia membutuhkan zat asam. Kekurangan zat besi dalam darah dapat menyebabkan anemia, mungkin jumlah sel darah merahnya atau karena hemoglogin (bahan yang berisi zat besi berwarna merah yang dapat mengangkut zat asam) dalam sel darah merah berkurang dari biasanya. Allah ﷻ menerangkan bahwa Dia berbuat yang demikian itu agar Dia mengetahui siapa di antara hamba-hamba-Nya yang mengikuti dan menolong agama yang disampaikan para rasul yang diutus-Nya dan siapa yang mengingkarinya. Dengan anugerah itu Allah ingin menguji manusia dan mengetahui sikap manusia terhadap nikmat-Nya. Manusia yang taat dan tunduk kepada Allah akan melakukan semua yang disampaikan para rasul itu, karena ia yakin bahwa semua perbuatan, sikap dan isi hatinya diketahui Allah, walaupun ia tidak melihat Allah mengawasi dirinya. Pada akhir ayat ini Allah ﷻ menegaskan kepada manusia bahwa Dia Mahakuat, tidak ada sesuatu pun yang mengalahkan-Nya, bahwa Dia Mahaperkasa dan tidak seorang pun yang dapat mengelakkan diri dari hukuman yang telah ditetapkan-Nya.
(Sesungguhnya Kami telah mengutus rasul-rasul Kami) yaitu malaikat-malaikat-Nya kepada nabi-nabi (dengan membawa bukti-bukti yang nyata) hujah-hujah yang jelas dan akurat (dan telah Kami turunkan bersama mereka Alkitab) lafal Alkitab ini sekalipun bentuknya mufrad tetapi makna yang dimaksud adalah jamak, yakni al-kutub (dan neraca) yakni keadilan (supaya manusia dapat melaksanakan keadilan. Dan Kami ciptakan besi) maksudnya Kami keluarkan besi dari tempat-tempat penambangannya (yang padanya terdapat kekuatan yang hebat) yakni dapat dipakai sebagai alat untuk berperang (dan berbagai manfaat bagi manusia, dan supaya Allah mengetahui) supaya Allah menampilkan; lafal waliya'lamallaahu diathafkan pada lafal liyaquman-naaasu (siapa yang menolong-Nya) maksudnya siapakah yang menolong agama-Nya dengan memakai alat-alat perang yang terbuat dari besi dan lain-lainnya itu (dan rasul-rasul-Nya padahal Allah tidak dilihatnya) lafal bil-ghaibi menjadi hal atau kata keterangan keadaan dari dhamir ha yang terdapat pada lafal yanshuruhu. Yakni sekalipun Allah tidak terlihat oleh mereka di dunia ini. Ibnu Abbas r.a. memberikan penakwilannya, mereka menolong agama-Nya padahal mereka tidak melihat-Nya. (Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Kuat lagi Maha Perkasa) artinya Dia tidak memerlukan pertolongan siapa pun, akan tetapi perbuatan itu manfaatnya akan dirasakan sendiri oleh orang yang mengerjakannya.
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