Tafsir Surah Al-A'raf ayah 203 | Learn Quran Tafsir

Ayah

Word by Word

وَإِذَا لَمۡ تَأۡتِهِم بِـَٔايَةٍ قَالُواْ لَوۡلَا ٱجۡتَبَيۡتَهَا ۚ قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ مِن رَّبِّى ۚ هَٰذَا بَصَآئِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَهُدًى وَرَحۡمَةٌ لِّقَوۡمٍ يُؤۡمِنُونَ

وَإِذَا

And when

لَمۡ

not

تَأۡتِهِم

you bring them

بِـَٔايَةٖ

a Sign

قَالُواْ

they say

لَوۡلَا

Why (have) not

ٱجۡتَبَيۡتَهَاۚ

you devised it

قُلۡ

Say

إِنَّمَآ

Only

أَتَّبِعُ

I follow

مَا

what

يُوحَىٰٓ

is revealed

إِلَيَّ

to me

مِن

from

رَّبِّيۚ

my Lord

هَٰذَا

This (is)

بَصَآئِرُ

enlightenment

مِن

from

رَّبِّكُمۡ

your Lord

وَهُدٗى

and guidance

وَرَحۡمَةٞ

and mercy

لِّقَوۡمٖ

for a people

يُؤۡمِنُونَ

who believe

وَإِذَا

And when

لَمۡ

not

تَأۡتِهِم

you bring them

بِـَٔايَةٖ

a Sign

قَالُواْ

they say

لَوۡلَا

Why (have) not

ٱجۡتَبَيۡتَهَاۚ

you devised it

قُلۡ

Say

إِنَّمَآ

Only

أَتَّبِعُ

I follow

مَا

what

يُوحَىٰٓ

is revealed

إِلَيَّ

to me

مِن

from

رَّبِّيۚ

my Lord

هَٰذَا

This (is)

بَصَآئِرُ

enlightenment

مِن

from

رَّبِّكُمۡ

your Lord

وَهُدٗى

and guidance

وَرَحۡمَةٞ

and mercy

لِّقَوۡمٖ

for a people

يُؤۡمِنُونَ

who believe

Translation

If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith."

Tafsir

And when you do not bring them, that is, the people of Mecca, a sign, from among those which they request, they say, 'Why have you not chosen one?', [why have you not] produced one [all by] yourself? Say, to them: 'I follow only that which is revealed to me from my Lord, and it is not for me to bring anything from myself; this, Qur'aan, is insight, proofs, from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe'.

"Showing Forgiveness

Allah says;

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِالۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡجَاهِلِينَ

Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-'Urf (the good), and turn away from the foolish (don't punish them).

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam commented on Allah's statement,

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ

(Show forgiveness),

""Allah commanded (Prophet Muhammad) to show forgiveness and turn away from the idolators for ten years. Afterwards Allah ordered him to be harsh with them.""

And more than one narration from Mujahid says,

""From the (bad) behavior and actions of the people, of those who have not committed espionage.""

And Hashim bin Urwah said that his father said,

""Allah ordered Allah's Messenger to pardon the people for their behavior.""

And in one narration,

""pardon what I have allowed you of their behavior.""

In Sahih Al-Bukhari it is recorded that Hisham reported from his father Urwah from his brother Abdullah bin Az-Zubayr who said;

""(The Ayah);

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ

(Show forgiveness) was only revealed about the peoples (bad) character.""

There is a narration from Mughirah from Hisham from his father from Ibn Umar; and another from Hisham from his father from A'ishah, both of whom said similarly. And Allah knows best.

Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Yunus said that Sufyan bin Uyaynah narrated that Umay said,

""When Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this Ayah,

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِالۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-`Urf (what is good), and turn away from the foolish), to His Prophet, the Messenger of Allah asked,

مَا هَذَا يَا جِبۡرِيل

`What does it mean, O Jibril!

Jibril said, `Allah commands you to forgive those who wronged you, give to those who deprived you, and keep relations with those who cut theirs with you.""'

Al-Bukhari said, ""Allah said,

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِالۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-`Urf and turn away from the ignorant).

`Al-`Urf', means, righteousness.""

Al-Bukhari next recorded from Ibn Abbas that he said,

""Uyaynah bin Hisn bin Hudhayfah stayed with his nephew Al-Hur bin Qays, who was among the people whom Umar used to have near him, for Umar used to like to have the reciters of the Qur'an (who memorized it) near him and would listen to their opinion, regardless of whether they were old or young men.

Uyaynah said to his nephew, `O my nephew! You are close to this chief (Umar), so ask for permission for me to see him.'

Al-Hur said `I will ask him for you,' and he asked Umar for permission for Uyaynah to meet him, and Umar gave him permission. When Uyaynah entered on Umar, he said, `O Ibn Al-Khattab! You neither give to us sufficiently nor rule with justice between us.'

Umar became so angry that he almost punished Uyaynah. However, Al-Hur said, `O Chief of he Faithful! Allah, the Exalted, said to His Prophet,

خُذِ الۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِالۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡجَاهِلِينَ

(Show forgiveness, enjoin Al-`Urf, and turn away from the foolish), Verily this man (Uyaynah) is one of the fools!' By Allah, Umar did not do anything after he heard that Ayah being recited, and indeed, he was one who adhered to the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored.""

Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith.

Some scholars said that people are of two kinds,

a good-doer, so accept his good doing and neither ask him more than he can bear nor what causes him hardship.

The other kind is the one who falls in shortcomings, so enjoin righteousness on him. If he still insists on evil, becomes difficult and continues in his ignorance, then turn away from him, so that your ignoring him might avert his evilness.

Allah said in other instances,

ادۡفَعۡ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ السَّيِّيَةَ نَحۡنُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ

وَقُلۡ رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنۡ هَمَزَاتِ الشَّيـطِينِ

وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحۡضُرُونِ

Repel evil with that which is better. We are best-acquainted with the things they utter. And say:""My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayatin (devils). And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they should come near me."" (23:96-98)

and,

وَلَا تَسۡتَوِى الۡحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّيَةُ ادۡفَعۡ بِالَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِى بَيۡنَكَ وَبَيۡنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ

وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلاَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُواۡ وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَأ إِلاَّ ذُو حَظِّ عَظِيمٍ

The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient -- and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion in this world. (41:34-35)

in reference to the advice contained in these Ayat,

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيۡطَانِ نَزۡغٌ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللَّهِ

إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الۡعَلِيمُ

And if an evil whisper from Shaytan tries to turn you away (from doing good), then seek refuge in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower) (41:36)

Allah said in this honorable Surah,

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيۡطَانِ نَزۡغٌ فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّهِ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan, then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

These three instances in the Qur'an, in Surahs Al-A`raf, Al-Mu'minun and As-Sajdah, are unique in the Qur'an. Allah encourages lenient treatment of evil doers, for this might deter them from persistence in their evil, Allah willing,

فَإِذَا الَّذِى بَيۡنَكَ وَبَيۡنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ

(then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend). (41:34)

Allah also encourages seeking refuge with Him from the devils of the Jinns. The devil will not be deterred if one is lenient with him, because he seeks your destruction and total demise. The devil to you, O mankind, is an open enemy, just as he was for your father before you.

Ibn Jarir said, while explaining Allah's statement,

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيۡطَانِ نَزۡغٌ

(And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytan),

""If the devil lures you to get angry, thus directing you away from forgiving the ignorant and towards punishing him

فَاسۡتَعِذۡ بِاللّهِ

(then seek refuge with Allah.) Allah commands here to seek refuge with Him from the devil's whispers,

إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

(Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.) Allah hears the ignorance that the fools subject you to, your seeking refuge with Him from the devil's whispers, and the rest of the speech of His creation; none of it escapes His knowledge. He knows what drives the lures of the devil away from you, as well as, the rest of what His creatures do.""

We mentioned the Hadiths concerning Isti`adhah (seeking refuge with Allah) in the beginning of this Tafsir, so we do not need to repeat them here

The Whispering of Shaytan and the People of Taqwa

Allah says;

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَواۡ إِذَا مَسَّهُمۡ طَايِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيۡطَانِ تَذَكَّرُواۡ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبۡصِرُونَ

and (indeed) they then see (aright).

they become aright and aware of the error of their ways.

A Brethren of Devils among Mankind lure to Falsehood

Allah said next,

وَإِخۡوَانُهُمۡ يَمُدُّونَهُمۡ إِنَّ الۡمُبَذرِينَ كَانُواۡ إِخۡوَنَ الشَّيَـطِينِ يَمُدُّونَهُمۡ فِي الۡغَيِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقۡصِرُونَ

and they never stop short.

for the devils never cease inciting mankind to commit errors.

Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas commented on Allah's statement,

وَإِخۡوَانُهُمۡ يَمُدُّونَهُمۡ فِي الۡغَيِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقۡصِرُونَ

(But (as for) their brothers they plunge them deeper into error, and they never stop short),

""Neither mankind stop short of the evil that they are doing nor the devils stop short of luring them.""

Therefore,

لَا يُقۡصِرُونَ

(they never stop short),

refers to the devils getting tired or stopping their whispering.

Allah said in another Ayah,

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّأ أَرۡسَلۡنَا الشَّيَـطِينَ عَلَى الۡكَـفِرِينَ تَوُزُّهُمۡ أَزّاً

See you not that We have sent Shayatin against the disbelievers to push them to do evil! (19:83)

persistently luring the disbelievers to commit evil, according to Ibn Abbas and others

Idolators ask to witness Miracles

Allah says;

وَإِذَا لَمۡ تَأۡتِهِم بِأيَةٍ قَالُواۡ لَوۡلَا اجۡتَبَيۡتَهَا قَالُواۡ لَوۡلَا اجۡتَبَيۡتَهَا وَإِذَا لَمۡ تَأۡتِهِم بِأيَةٍ قَالُواۡ لَوۡلَا اجۡتَبَيۡتَهَا وَإِذَا لَمۡ تَأۡتِهِم بِأيَةٍ إِن نَّشَأۡ نُنَزِّلۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ مِّنَ السَّمَأءِ ءَايَةً فَظَلَّتۡ أَعۡنَـقُهُمۡ لَهَا خَـضِعِينَ قُلۡ إِنَّمَا أَتَّبِعُ مَا يِوحَى إِلَيَّ مِن رَّبِّي هَـذَا بَصَأيِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَهُدًى وَرَحۡمَةٌ لِّقَوۡمٍ يُوۡمِنُونَ

This (the Qur'an) is nothing but evidences from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe

The Order to listen to the Qur'an

Allah says;

وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الۡقُرۡانُ فَاسۡتَمِعُواۡ لَهُ وَأَنصِتُواۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ

So, when the Qur'an is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.

After Allah mentioned that this Qur'an is a clear evidence, guidance and mercy for mankind, He commanded that one listen to the Qur'an when it is recited, in respect and honor of the Qur'an.

This is to the contrary of the practice of the pagans of Quraysh, who said,

لَا تَسۡمَعُواۡ لِهَـذَا الۡقُرۡءَانِ وَالۡغَوۡاۡ فِيهِ

""Listen not to this Qur'an, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation)."" (41:26)

Ibn Jarir reported that Ibn Mas`ud said;

""We would give Salams to each other during Salah. So the Ayah of Qur'an was revealed;

وَإِذَا قُرِىءَ الۡقُرۡانُ فَاسۡتَمِعُواۡ لَهُ

When the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it

Remembering Allah in the Mornings and Afternoons

Allah says;

وَاذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفۡسِكَ وَسَبِّحۡ بِحَمۡدِ رَبِّكَ قَبۡلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمۡسِ وَقَبۡلَ الۡغُرُوبِ تَضَرُّعاً وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الۡجَهۡرِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعۡوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ ارۡبَعُوا عَلَى أَنۡفُسِكُمۡ فَإِنَّكُمۡ لَاا تَدۡعُونَ أَصَمَّ وَلَاا غَايِبًا إِنَّ الَّذِي تَدۡعُونَهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَى أَحَدِكُمۡ مِنۡ عُنُقِ رَاحِلِته بِالۡغُدُوِّ وَالاصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الۡغَافِلِينَ

in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful.

These texts encourage the servants to invoke Allah in Dhikr often, especially in the mornings and afternoons, so that they are not among those who neglect remembering Him.

This is why Allah praised the angels who praise Him night and day without tiring,

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسۡجُدُونَ

but they glorify His praise and prostrate themselves before Him.

Prostration, here, upon the mention that the angels prostrate to Allah is legitimate.

A Hadith reads;

أَلَا تَصُفُّونَ كَمَا تَصُفُّ الۡمَلَيِكَةُ عِنۡدَ رَبِّهَا يُتِمُّونَ الصُّفُوفَ الاُۡوَلَ فَالاُۡوَلَ وَيَتَرَاصُّونَ فِي الصَّف

Why not you stand in line (for the prayer) like the angels stand in line before their Lord! They continue the first then the next lines and they stand close to each other in line.

This is the first place in the Qur'an where it has been legitimized -- according to the agreement of the scholars -- for the readers of the Qur'an, and those listening to its recitation, to perform prostration.

This is the end of the Tafsir of Surah A'raf. All praise and gratitude is due to Allah, and Allah may He be glorified and exalted, knows best."

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