ٱلْحَدِيد : ٢٧

ثُمَّ kemudian
قَفَّيۡنَا Kami ikutkan/iringi
عَلَىٰٓ atas
ءَاثَٰرِهِم jejak/belakang mereka
بِرُسُلِنَا dengan rasul-rasul Kami
وَقَفَّيۡنَا dan Kami ikutkan/iringkan
بِعِيسَى dengan Isa
ٱبۡنِ anak
مَرۡيَمَ Maryam
وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ dan Kami berikannya
ٱلۡإِنجِيلَۖ Injil
وَجَعَلۡنَا dan Kami jadikan
فِي dalam
قُلُوبِ hati
ٱلَّذِينَ orang-orang yang
ٱتَّبَعُوهُ mengikutinya
رَأۡفَةٗ rasa satun
وَرَحۡمَةٗۚ dan kasih sayang
وَرَهۡبَانِيَّةً dan rahbaniyah/kependetaan
ٱبۡتَدَعُوهَا mereka adakan
مَا apa-apa
كَتَبۡنَٰهَا Kami mewajibkannya
عَلَيۡهِمۡ atas mereka
إِلَّا kecuali
ٱبۡتِغَآءَ mencari
رِضۡوَٰنِ keridaan
ٱللَّهِ Allah
فَمَا maka tidak
رَعَوۡهَا memeliharanya
حَقَّ sebenar-benarnya
رِعَايَتِهَاۖ pemeliharaan
فَـَٔاتَيۡنَا maka Kami berikan
ٱلَّذِينَ orang-orang yang
ءَامَنُواْ beriman
مِنۡهُمۡ diantara mereka
أَجۡرَهُمۡۖ pahala mereka
وَكَثِيرٞ dan kebanyakan
مِّنۡهُمۡ dari mereka
فَٰسِقُونَ orang-orang fasik

Kemudian Kami susulkan rasul-rasul Kami mengikuti jejak mereka dan Kami susulkan (pula) Isa putra Maryam; Dan Kami berikan Injil kepadanya dan Kami jadikan rasa santun dan kasih sayang dalam hati orang-orang yang mengikutinya. Mereka mengada-adakan raḥbāniyyah,¹ padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka, (yang Kami wajibkan hanyalah) mencari keridaan Allah, tetapi tidak mereka pelihara dengan semestinya. Maka kepada orang-orang yang beriman di antara mereka Kami berikan pahalanya, dan banyak di antara mereka yang fasik.

Catatan kaki

¹ *832) Tidak beristri atau tidak bersuami dan mengurung diri dalam biara.

(Kemudian Kami iringi di belakang mereka dengan rasul-rasul Kami dan Kami iringi pula dengan Isa putra Maryam; dan Kami berikan kepadanya Injil dan Kami jadikan dalam hati orang-orang yang mengikutinya rasa santun dan kasih sayang. Dan kerahbaniyahan) yakni tidak mau kawin dan hidup membaktikan diri di dalam gereja-gereja (yang mereka ada-adakan) oleh diri mereka sendiri (padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka) Kami tidak memerintahkan hal itu kepada mereka (tetapi) melainkan mereka mengerjakannya (untuk mencari keridaan) demi mencari kerelaan (Allah, lalu mereka tidak memeliharanya dengan pemeliharaan yang semestinya) karena kebanyakan di antara mereka meninggalkannya dan kafir kepada agama Nabi Isa, lalu mereka memasuki agama raja mereka. Akan tetapi masih banyak pula di antara mereka yang berpegang teguh kepada ajaran Nabi Isa, lalu mereka beriman kepada Nabi Muhammad. (Maka Kami berikan kepada orang-orang yang beriman) kepada Nabi Isa (di antara mereka pahalanya dan banyak di antara mereka orang-orang fasik).

Tafsir Surat Al-Hadid: 26-27 Dan sesungguhnya Kami telah mengutus Nuh dan Ibrahim dan Kami jadikan kepada keturunan keduanya kenabian dan Al-Kitab, maka di antara mereka ada yang menerima petunjuk dan banyak di antara mereka fasik. Kemudian Kami iringkan di belakang mereka rasul-rasul Kami dan Kami iringkan (pula) Isa putra Maryam; dan Kami berikan kepadanya Injil dan Kami jadikan dalam hati orang-orang yang mengikutinya rasa santun dan kasih sayang. Dan mereka mengada-adakan rahbaniyah, padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka, tetapi (mereka sendirilah yang mengada-adakannya) untuk mencari keridaan Allah, lalu mereka tidak memeliharanya dengan pemeliharaan yang semestinya. Maka Kami berikan kepada orang-orang yang beriman di antara mereka pahalanya dan banyak di antara mereka orang-orang fasik. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala menceritakan bahwa sejak Dia mengutus Nuh a.s. tidaklah Dia mengutus seorang rasul dan tidak pula seorang nabi sesudahnya melainkan dari keturunannya. Demikian pula Ibrahim a.s. kekasih Tuhan Yang Maha Pemurah, tiada suatu kitab pun yang diturunkan dari langit dan tiada pula seorang rasul diutus serta tiada pula diwahyukan kepada seseorang manusia sesudahnya melainkan dia berasal dari keturunannya. Seperti yang disebutkan dalam ayat lain melalui firman-Nya: dan Kami jadikan kenabian dan Al-Kitab pada keturunannya. (Al' Ankabut: 27) hingga akhir nabi dari kalangan kaum Bani Israil, yaitu Isa putra Maryam, yang menyampaikan berita gembira akan kelahiran Nabi Muhammad ﷺ sesudahnya. Karena itulah maka disebutkan oleh firman-Nya: Kemudian Kami iringkan di belakang mereka rasul-rasul Kami dan Kami iringkan (pula) Isa putra Maryam; dan Kami berikan kepadanya Injil. (Al-Hadid: 27) Injil adalah kitab yang diwahyukan oleh Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala kepada Isa a.s. dan Kami jadikan dalam hati orang-orang yang mengikutinya. (Al-Hadid: 27) Mereka dikenal dengan sebutan kaum Hawariyyin. rasa santun. (Al-Hadid: 27) Yakni kelembutan hati, alias rasa takut kepada Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala dan kasih sayang. (Al-Hadid: 27) kepada sesama makhluk. Dan firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: Dan mereka mengada-adakan rahbaniyyah. (Al-Hadid: 27) Maksudnya, umat Nasrani mengada-adakan peraturan rahbaniyyah ini. padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka. (Al-Hadid: 27) Yaitu padahal Kami tidak memerintahkan hal itu, sesungguhnya hanya mereka sendirilah yang mewajibkannya atas diri mereka. Firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: untuk mencari keridaan Allah. (Al-Hadid: 27) Ada dua pendapat sehubungan dengan makna ayat ini. Pendapat pertama mengatakan bahwa mereka bermaksud dengan hal itu untuk mendapat rida Allah; ini menurut apa yang dikatakan oleh Sa'id ibnu Jubair dan Qatadah. Pendapat yang lainnya mengatakan bahwa padahal Kami tidak mewajibkan hal itu kepada mereka, sesungguhnya yang Kami wajibkan kepada mereka hanyalah mencari rida Allah. Firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: lalu mereka tidak memeliharanya dengan pemeliharaan yang semestinya. (Al-Hadid: 27) Yakni mereka tidak memelihara apa yang mereka wajibkan atas diri mereka dengan pemeliharaan yang semestinya. Ini mengandung celaan terhadap mereka dipandang dari dua segi. Pertama, karena mereka telah mengada-adakan sesuatu peraturan di dalam agama Allah, padahal Allah tidak memerintahkannya. Kedua, karena mereka tidak mengerjakan apa yang mereka wajibkan atas diri mereka sendiri, yang mereka anggap sebagai amal taqarrub yang dapat mendekatkan diri mereka kepada Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Ibnu Abu Hatim mengatakan, telah menceritakan kepada kami Ishaq ibnu Abu Hamzah alias Abu Ya'qub Ar-Razi, telah menceritakan kepada kami As-Sirri ibnu Abdi Rabbihi, telah menceritakan kepada kami Bukair ibnu Ma'ruf, dari Muqatil ibnu Hayyan, dari Al-Qasim ibnu Abdur Rahman ibnu Abdullah ibnu Mas'ud, dari ayahnya, dari kakeknya (yaitu Ibnu Mas'ud) yang telah mengatakan bahwa Rasulullah ﷺ pernah bersabda kepadanya, "Wahai Ibnu Mas'ud!" Aku menjawab, "Labbaika, ya Rasulullah. Rasulullah ﷺ bersabda: Tahukah kamu bahwa orang-orang Bani Israil telah berpecah belah menjadi tujuh puluh dua golongan? Tiada suatu golongan pun yang selamat kecuali tiga golongan, yang hidup di antara para raja dan orang-orang yang melampaui batas sesudah Isa putra Maryam a.s. Mereka menyeru kepada agama Allah dan agama Isa putra Maryam, lalu mereka memerangi orang-orang yang melampaui batas, tetapi akhirnya mereka terbunuh dan tetap bersabar dan akhirnya mereka selamat. Kemudian bangkit lagi golongan lainnya yang tidak mempunyai kekuatan untuk berperang, mereka bangkit di antara para raja dan orang-orang yang lalim dan menyeru mereka kepada agama Allah dan agama Isa putra Maryam. Tetapi akhirnya mereka sendirilah yang dibunuh dan dipotong dengan memakai gergaji serta dibakar, mereka sabar dan akhirnya mereka selamat. Kemudian bangkit lagi golongan lainnya yang juga tidak mempunyai kekuatan untuk berperang. Dan mereka tidak mampu untuk menegakkan keadilan, akhirnya mereka mengasingkan diri ke gunung-gunung (daerah pedalaman), lalu mereka menyembah Allah dan mengadakan rahbaniyah. Mereka adalah orang-orang yang disebutkan oleh Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala di dalam firman-Nya, "Dan mereka mengada-adakan rahbaniyyah, padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka. (Al-Hadid: 27) Ibnu Jarir meriwayatkan hadits ini dengan lafal yang lain melalui jalur lain. Untuk itu ia mengatakan: telah menceritakan kepada kami Yahya ibnu Abu Thalib, telah menceritakan kepada kami Daud ibnul Muhabbar, telah menceritakan kepada kami As-Sa'q ibnu Jarir, telah menceritakan kepada kami Uqail Al-Ja'di, dari Abu Ishaq Al-Hamdani, dari Suwaid ibnu Gaflah, dari Abdullah ibnu Mas'ud yang mengatakan bahwa Rasulullah ﷺ telah bersabda: Orang-orang sebelum kita telah bercerai-berai menjadi tujuh puluh tiga golongan, hanya ada tiga golongan dari mereka yang selamat, sedangkan yang lainnya binasa. Lalu disebutkan hal yang semisal dengan hadits di atas, yang antara lain disebutkan di dalamnya firman Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala: Maka Kami berikan kepada orang-orang yang beriman di antara mereka pahalanya. (Al-Hadid: 27) Mereka adalah orang-orang dari kalangan mereka yang beriman kepadaku dan membenarkanku. dan banyak di antara mereka orang-orang fasik. (Al-Hadid: 27) Mereka adalah orang-orang dari kalangan mereka yang mendustakan aku dan menentangku. Dengan adanya tambahan ini perlu diteliti ulang mengenai keadaan Daud ibnul Muhabbar, karena sesungguhnya dia adalah salah seorang pemalsu hadits. Akan tetapi, Abu Ya'la telah mengisnadkannya dari Syaiban ibnu Farukh, dari As-Sa'q ibnu Hazn dengan sanad yang sama dan lafal yang semisal sehingga kedudukan hadits ini kuat bila ditinjau dari jalur ini. Ibnu Jarir dan Abu Abdur Rahman An-An-Nasai yang lafal hadits berikut menurut apa yang ada padanya mengatakan, telah menceritakan kepada kami Al-Husain ibnu Hurayyis, telah menceritakan kepada kami Al-Fadl ibnu Musa, dari Sufyan ibnu Sa'id, dari ‘Atha’ ibnus Sa-ib, dari Sa'id ibnu Jubair, dari Ibnu Abbas yang mengatakan bahwa dahulu para raja sesudah masa Isa a.s. telah mengubah Taurat dan Injil, sedangkan di kalangan mereka masih ada sejumlah orang-orang yang beriman dan membaca kitab Taurat dan kitab Injil yang asli. Lalu dikatakan kepada raja-raja mereka, "Kami belum pernah menemukan sesuatu yang lebih memberatkan kami selain dari cacian yang dilancarkan oleh mereka (yang beriman), karena sesungguhnya mereka selalu membaca: 'Barang siapa tidak memutuskan perkara menurut apa yang diturunkan Allah, maka mereka itu adalah orang-orang yang kafir' (Al-Maidah: 44) Yakni ayat-ayat yang semakna dengannya. Selain itu mereka pun mencaci maki sebagian dari amal perbuatan kita dalam bacaan mereka. Maka panggillah mereka dan suruhlah mereka membaca sebagaimana kita membaca, dan suruhlah mereka beriman sebagaimana kita beriman." Lalu raja mereka memanggil orang-orang yang beriman itu dan menawarkan kepada mereka dua alternatif dibunuh atau membaca kitab seperti bacaan yang dilakukan olehnya (yang telah diubah). Mereka menjawab, "Apakah yang kamu maksud dengan semua ini, biarkanlah kami." Segolongan dari mereka (yang beriman) mengatakan, "Bangunkanlah untuk kami bangunan yang tinggi, kemudian naikkanlah kami ke atasnya, tetapi berikanlah sesuatu kepada kami agar kami dapat mengangkat makanan dan minuman kami, setelah itu kami tidak akan lagi datang kepada kamu." Golongan lainnya mengatakan, "Biarkanlah kami mengembara di muka bumi, kami akan makan dan minum sebagaimana hewan-hewan liar minum dan makan. Maka jika kamu dapat menangkap kami di negerimu, silakan bunuh kami." Golongan lainnya mengatakan, "Bangunkanlah untuk kami biara-biara di padang pasir, maka kami akan menggali sumur sendiri dan kami akan bercocok tanam sayur-mayur, lalu kami tidak akan lagi datang kepada kamu dan tidak pula lewat kepadamu." Dan tiada suatu kabilah pun melainkan mempunyai hubungan yang erat dengan mereka, dan hal tersebut diberlakukan terhadap mereka. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala menurunkan firman-Nya: Dan mereka mengada-adakan rahbaniyyah, padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka, tetapi (mereka sendirilah yang mengada-adakannya) untuk mencari keridaan Allah, lalu mereka tidak memeliharanya dengan pemeliharaan yang semestinya. (Al-Hadid: 27) Dan orang-orang yang selain mereka mengatakan, "Kami beribadah sebagaimana si Fulan beribadah, dan kami mengembara sebagaimana si Fulan mengembara, dan kami membangun biara sebagaimana si Fulan membangun biara." Mereka dalam kemusyrikannya tidak mempunyai pengetahuan apa pun tentang keimanan orang-orang yang dijadikan panutan oleh mereka. Ketika Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala mengutus Nabi ﷺ, tiada yang tersisa dari kalangan mereka yang beriman itu kecuali hanya sejumlah kecil saja. Lalu turunlah seseorang dari mereka dari biaranya dan datanglah seorang pengembara dari mereka, dan keluarlah seseorang dari mereka dari gerejanya, lalu mereka beriman kepada Nabi ﷺ dan membenarkannya. Maka Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala berfirman: Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, bertakwalah kepada Allah dan berimanlah kepada Rasul-Nya, niscaya Allah memberikan rahmatNya kepadamu dua bagian. (Al-Hadid: 28) Dua pahala, yang satu karena keimanan mereka kepada Isa putra Maryam dan jerih payah mereka dalam memelihara kitab Taurat dan Injil. Sedangkan yang kedua karena berkat keimanan mereka kepada Nabi ﷺ dan kepercayaan mereka kepadanya. Firman Allah ﷻ: dan menjadikan untukmu cahaya yang dengan cahaya itu kamu dapat berjalan. (Al-Hadid: 28) Yakni Al-Qur'an dan disebabkan mereka mengikuti Nabi ﷺ supaya Ahli Kitab mengetahui. (Al-Hadid: 29) Yaitu orang-orang yang menyerupai kamu. bahwa mereka tiada mendapat sedikit pun akan karunia Allah (j ika mereka tidak beriman kepada Muhammad), dan bahwasanya karunia itu adalah di tangan kekuasaan Allah. Dia berikan karunia itu kepada siapa yang dikehendaki-Nya. Dan Allah mempunyai karunia yang besar. (Al-Hadid: 29) Tetapi konteks riwayat ini mengandung hal-hal yang gharib, dan nanti akan diterangkan tafsir kedua ayat ini di tempat yang lain, insya Allah. Al-Hafidzh Abu Ya'la Al-Mausuli mengatakan, telah menceritakan kepada kami Ahmad ibnu Isa, telah menceritakan kepada kami Abdullah ibnu Wahb, telah menceritakan kepadaku Sa'id ibnu Abdur Rahman ibnu Abul Amya. Sahl ibnu Abu Umamah pernah menceritakan kepadanya bahwa dia dan ayahnya pernah mengunjungi Anas ibnu Malik di Madinah di masa pemerintahan Khalifah Umar ibnu Abdul Aziz, yang saat itu Anas menjabat sebagai Amir Madinah. Anas saat itu sedang mengerjakan suatu shalat yang ringan yang seakan-akan salatnya itu seperti shalat orang yang sedang musafir atau mendekati itu. Setelah Anas bersalam, Abu Umamah berkata, "Semoga Allah merahmatimu. Bagaimanakah menurutmu, apakah shalat ini adalah shalat fardu ataukah shalat sunat?" Anas menjawab, bahwa sesungguhnya shalat yang baru saja ia kerjakan adalah shalat fardu, dan sesungguhnya shalat tersebut pernah dilakukan oleh Rasulullah ﷺ Ia tidak akan keliru kecuali bila ia lupa sesuatu yang ia terima dari Rasulullah ﷺ, bahwa Rasulullah ﷺ telah bersabda: Janganlah kamu memperberat dirimu sendiri, maka akibatnya kamu akan diperberat. Karena sesungguhnya pernah ada suatu kaum yang memperberat terhadap dirinya sendiri, maka akibatnya mereka diperberat. Dan itulah sisa-sisa mereka berada di biara-biara dan gereja-gereja; mereka telah mengada-adakan rahbaniyyah, padahal Kami tidak mewajibkannya kepada mereka. Kemudian pada keesokan harinya mereka berkata, "Marilah kita berkendara (berangkat) untuk melihat dan mengambil pelajaran." Anas ibnu Malik menjawab, "Baiklah." Lalu mereka semua pergi dengan berkendaraan. Ternyata mereka menjumpai perkampungan yang tak berpenghuni, semua penghuninya telah binasa dan punah, temboknya telah runtuh menimpa atap rumah-rumah mereka. Lalu mereka berkata, "Tahukah kamu perkampungan ini?" Anas ibnu Malik menjawab, "Sepanjang pengetahuanku perkampungan ini dan para penghuninya telah dibinasakan oleh perbuatan keji dan dengki. Sesungguhnya dengki itu memadamkan cahaya kebaikan, dan kekejianlah yang membenarkan atau mendustakannya; mata bisa saja berzina, telapak tangan, kaki, jasad dan lisan bisa saja berzina, dan yang membenarkan atau mendustakannya adalah kemaluan yang bersangkutan." Imam Ahmad mengatakan, telah menceritakan kepada kami Ma'mar telah menceritakan kepada kami Abdullah, telah menceritakan kepada kami Sufyan, dari Zaid yang tuna netra, dari Abu Iyas, dari Iyas ibnu Malik, bahwa Nabi ﷺ pernah Bagi tiap-tiap nabi ada rahbaniyyahnya sendiri dan rahbaniyyah umat ini adalah berjihad di jalan Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Al-Hafidzh Abu Ya'la telah meriwayatkan hadits ini dari Abdullah ibnu Muhammad ibnu Asma, dari Abdullah ibnul Mubarak, yang lafaznya berbunyi seperti berikut: Bagi tiap-tiap umat ada rahbaniyyahnya sendiri, dan rahbaniyyah umat ini adalah berjihad di jalan Allah. Imam Ahmad mengatakan, telah menceritakan kepada kami Husain ibnu Muhammad, telah menceritakan kepada kami Iyasy (yakni ibnu Ismail), dari Al-Hajjaj ibnu Harun Al-Kala'i dan Uqail ibnu Mudrik As-Sulami, dari Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri , bahwa pernah ada seorang lelaki datang kepadanya, lalu berkata, "Berwasiatlah kepadaku." Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri menjawab, "Engkau telah bertanya mengenai hal yang pernah kutanyakan kepada Rasulullah ﷺ sebelummu, (maka beliau menjawab), 'Aku berwasiat kepadamu agar bertakwa kepada Allah, karena sesungguhnya takwa itu adalah penghulu segala sesuatu. Berjihadlah kamu, karena sesungguhnya jihad itu adalah rahbaniyyah Islam. Dan berzikirlah kamu kepada Allah dan bacalah Al-Qur'an, karena sesungguhnya hal tersebut adalah rohmu di langit dan sebutanmu di bumi'." Imam Ahmad meriwayatkan hadits ini secara munfarid(tunggal), hanya Allah-lah Yang Maha Mengetahui.".

Demikianlah Allah mengutus para rasul, kemudian diiringi pula oleh rasul-rasul yang sesudahnya, untuk menyampaikan agamaNya kepada manusia, sehingga tidak ada alasan bagi manusia di akhirat untuk mengatakan, mengapa mereka diazab padahal kepada mereka tidak diutus seorang rasul pun. Dalam ayat ini Allah mengkhususkan keterangan tentang Isa karena banyak pengikut-pengikutnya yang fasik, yaitu mengubahubah, menambah dan mengurangi ajaran-ajaran yang disampaikan Isa. Diterangkan bahwa Isa adalah putra Maryam, diberikan kepadanya Kitab Injil, berisi pokok ajaran yang agar dijadikan petunjuk oleh kaumnya dalam mencapai kebahagiaan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat dan sebagai penyempurnaan ajaran Allah yang terdapat dalam kitab Taurat yang telah diturunkan kepada Nabi Musa sebelumnya. Kemudian diterangkan sifat-sifat pengikut Nabi Isa: 1. Allah ﷻ menjadikan dalam hati mereka rasa saling menyantuni sesama mereka, mereka berusaha menghindarkan kebinasaan yang datang kepada mereka dan saudara-saudara mereka serta berusaha memperbaiki kebinasaan yang terjadi pada mereka. 2. Antara sesama mereka terdapat hubungan kasih sayang dan menginginkan kebaikan pada diri mereka. Sekalipun mereka telah mempunyai sifat-sifat terpuji dan baik seperti yang diajarkan Nabi Isa, tetapi mereka melakukan kefasikan, yaitu mengada-adakan rahbaniyyah, dengan menetapkan ketentuan larangan kawin bagi pendeta-pendeta mereka, padahal perkawinan termasuk sunah Allah yang ditetapkan bagi makhluk-Nya. Mereka menetapkan rabbaniyah itu dengan maksud mendekatkan diri kepada Allah, tetapi Allah tidak pernah menetapkannya. Karena itu mereka adalah orang yang suka mengada-adakan sesuatu yang bertentangan dengan sunatullah, yaitu tidak mensyariatkan perkawinan bagi pendeta-pendeta mereka yang tujuannya untuk melanjutkan keturunan dan menjaga kelangsungan hidup manusia. Perbuatan fasik lain yang mereka lakukan, ialah mereka telah mengubah, menambah dan mengurangi agama yang dibawa Nabi Isa, yang terdapat dalam Injil, karena memperturutkan hawa nafsu mereka. Pada akhir ayat ini Allah menegaskan bahwa Dia akan memberikan pahala yang berlipat-ganda kepada orang-orang yang beriman, mengikuti syariat yang dibawa para rasul, tidak mengadaadakan yang bukan-bukan dan tidak pula menambah dan mengubah kitab-kitab-Nya. Sedang kepada orang-orang fasik itu akan ditimpakan azab yang sangat berat.

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.

. After specific mention of these two Prophets, the whole chain of prophets is referred to by the words, ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰ آثَارِ‌هِم بِرُ‌سُلِنَا "Then We made Our messengers follow them one after the other". Lastly ` Isa (علیہ السلام) has been specifically mentioned, as he was the last among the Israelite prophets. Then the Last of all prophets Sayyidna Muhammad ﷺ and his Shari'ah has a pointed reference in the next verse. The special characteristics of the disciples of Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) are given in part of verse 27 as follows: وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَ‌أْفَةً وَرَ‌حْمَةً (...and placed tenderness and mercy in the hearts of his followers) In other words, Allah inculcated two qualities in the hearts of the followers of Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) and his Divine Book Injil [ Gospel ]: [ 1] tenderness and [ 2] mercy. As a result, they showed tenderness and compassion to one another. Or it could mean that they showed tenderness and kindness to the entire creation of Allah. Generally, the two words ra'fah (tenderness) and rahmah (mercy) are treated as synonyms or near-synonyms, but since they are employed here in opposition to each other, some lexicologists explained that the word ra'fah is stronger in degree than the word rahmah. Others have explained that there are two requirements of tenderness and mercy. The word ra'fah means to alleviate the calamity of someone, while the word rahmah means to give to someone what he needs. In short, ra'fah is concerned with repelling harm and rahmah is concerned with deriving benefit. As 'repelling harm' is normally prior to 'deriving benefit', ra'fah takes precedence over rahmah when the two words are expressed simultaneously. On this occasion, 'tenderness' and 'mercy' are mentioned as the special characteristics of the disciples [ Howariyyun ] of the Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . Similarly, some characteristics of the blessed Companions ؓ of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are given in Surah Al-Fath, one of which is رُ‌حَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ (...compassionate among themselves....48:29). But another characteristic of them is given before this as: أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ‌ (...hard against the disbelievers ....48:29). The reason for this difference seems to be that there were no laws pertaining to jihad against the non-believers in the Shari'ah of the Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) . Therefore, there was no occasion for them to be hard against the disbelievers. Allah knows best! Monasticism: An Analysis وَرَ‌هْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا (...As for monasticism, it was invented by them; ). The word rahbaniyyah (monasticism) is attributed to ruhban. The words rahib (singular) and ruhban (plural) mean 'the one who fears'. After Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) ، transgression became common. In particular, the kings and the leaders publicly defied the laws of the Gospel. When the scholars and the righteous people among them attempted to stop them from doing evil deeds, they were put to death. Those that remained, felt that they would not be able to stop them, nor did they have the power of resistance. If they lived in society, there was every likelihood that their religion too would be destroyed. Therefore, they took upon themselves in earnest that they would give up all pleasures and comforts of this life including the legitimate ones. Thus they avoided marriage, abandoned any activity to earn livelihood and any effort to build homes, and took to jungles, mountains and caves, or took to nomadic life in order to protect their religion and follow their religious duties freely and completely. They did all this out of fear of God. Therefore, they were referred to as rahib or ruhban. Their practice is referred to as rahbaniyyah. As the Christians introduced monasticism under forced circumstances in order to protect their faith, it was not reproachable in its origin. But once anyone has imposed anything on himself, it becomes binding on him, and its violation is a sin. For example, making a vow for an act of worship is not obligatory. But if a person were to vow to do an act of worship or abstain from a lawful thing, it becomes binding on him in Shari'ah to maintain the vow; its violation becomes a sin. Some of the Christian monks invented monasticism with the best of intentions, but there were others who could not endure the hardships of monastic life and soon succumbed to the pursuit of material gains and physical pleasures when the general body of people believed in them, offered them gifts and oblations. History bears ample testimony to the fact that the monks who detested the system of marriage indulged in indecent acts and fornication. (The free intermingling of men and women in monasteries turned those places into centers of evil). The current verse denounces the practice of the monks who imposed monasticism upon themselves, and once they had imposed it, they should have observed its requirements which they did not. That there was nothing wrong originally in what they had introduced as rahbaniyyah is proved by a Hadith narrated by Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud ؓ and recorded by Ibn Kathir with reference to Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir رحمۃ اللہ علیہما who have cited a lengthy narration in which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is reported to have said: "Allah has split the Children of Israel into seventy-two sects. Only three of them were saved from punishment. These are groups who, after Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) ، stopped the oppressive kings and affluent and powerful transgressors from violating the Divine laws. Among those who raised the voice of Truth against them and invited them to the religion of Prophet ` Isa (علیہ السلام) ، the first group faced the oppressors with whatever power they had at their command, but they were defeated and killed. Then after them a second group stood against the tyrants and aggressors who did not have even that much fighting strength as the first group had. However they conveyed the Truth without caring for their lives. This group too was killed. Some of them were ripped apart with ﷺs and others were burnt alive. But they, for the sake of Allah's pleasure, bore all pains and attained salvation. Then a third group stood against them. But this group was weak: They had no resources to fight the tyrants nor could they live in that corrupt society and follow their religion. Therefore, they took to the jungles and mountains, and became monks. It is to this third group that Allah refers in the current verse وَرَ‌هْبَانِيَّةً ابْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَاهَا عَلَيْهِمْ ; 'As for monasticism, it was invented by them; We did not ordain it for them, ...'." This narration indicates that the people who originally adopted monasticism from among the Israelites and took care of its essentials and endured its hardships were among those who attained salvation. According to this interpretation, the present verse shows that the monasticism initially adopted by such people was not bad or evil in itself, though it was not a religious obligation either. They had made it obligatory on themselves at their own will and wish. The element of evil starts from the fact that after making it binding on themselves, most of them were not able to keep to its essentials. As a result, in keeping with the adage لِلاَکثرِ حُکمُ الکُلّ (Majority takes the status of all), the Qur'an attributed this evil aspect to the entire Israelites in that they invented it and could not practice it and did not take care of its requirements: حَقَّ رِ‌عَايَتِهَا (...but [ they adopted it ] to seek Allah's pleasure, then could not observe it as was due 57:27). It is also learnt from the above discussion that the word ibtida', derived from bid'ah, used in ابْتَدَعُوهَا (...it was invented by them ...) is used in its literal sense of invention, and not in its technical or religious sense of heresy. The religious concept of bid'ah (which refers to a baseless faith or practice that is made part of the religion) has been denounced in the following narration of the Holy Prophet ﷺ (Every religious innovation is deviation). The context of the verse is very clear about it. Let us first study the following sentence: وَجَعَلْنَا فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ رَ‌أْفَةً وَرَ‌حْمَةً وَرَ‌هْبَانِيَّةً (And We placed in the hearts of his followers tenderness and mercy and the monasticism they had invented; We did not prescribe it for them, except to seek Allah's pleasure. Then they did not observe it as was due...57:27) (l) The context indicates that just as 'tenderness and mercy' are not evil qualities, likewise 'monasticism' which they adopted is not an evil quality in itself. Otherwise Allah would not have listed it alongside the favorable qualities of 'tenderness and mercy'. Scholars, like Qurtubi, who held monasticism as absolutely prohibited, had to face grammatical difficulties. They had to go out of their way to show that rahbaniyyah is not a part of the conjunctive expression joined together by the conjunction 'waw' [ and ] They treated the sentence starting with "...and monasticism..." as a separate sentence, and understood the verb ibtada' as omittted. The interpretation adopted above renders this construction unnecessary. That is why the Holy Qur'an does not reject their adoption of monasticism in principle, but their failure to keep it up, and take care of its rights and obligations. This interpretation is possible only if the word ibtida' (invention) is taken in its literal sense. Had it been employed in its religious or technical sense, the Qur'an would have denounced adoption of monasticism in itself, because bid'ah (innovation in religion) in its technical sense is deviation. (1) It should be noted that according to the grammatical construction of this verse, it can be translated in two ways. One translation is given above in the text. The second possible translation is that which is given here. Since the following discussion is based on this second translation, we have adpted it here instead of the translation given in the text. Mu hammadTaqi Usmani Sayyidna ` Abdullan Ibn Mas` ud's ؓ foregoing narration makes it clear that the groups that adopted monastic life attained salvation. If they were guilty of committing religious innovation, they would never have been counted among the saved ones, but rather among the deviant ones. Is rahbaniyyah (Monasticism) absolutely Prohibited or is it a relative Concept? The fact is that rahbaniyyah (translated as monasticism) generally means to give up some lawful things and pleasures. It has several stages, one of which is to treat a permissible thing as impermissible doctrinally or practically. This is distortion of religion. From this point of view, monasticism is absolutely prohibited as declared by the Holy Qur'an at several places, like verse [ 87] of Surah Al-Ma'idah that lays down the principle يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُحَرِّ‌مُوا طَيِّبَاتِ مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ. (0 believers, do not prohibit the good things which Allah has made lawful to you...) The prohibitive verb ('do not prohibit' ) in this verse indicates that it relates to a situation where a person holds unlawful what Allah has made lawful, either in his belief or in practice, and as such it will amount to distortion or perversion of the Divine laws. The second stage is when a person does not, dogmatically or practically, turn a lawful thing into unlawful, but gives it up for some mundane or religious reason. In mundane affairs, a person might give up eating a lawful thing on account of some disease. In religious matters, a person might give up the company of people and mixing with them, lest he should commit moral sins like lying and backbiting, or he might abandon some permissible things temporarily in order to suppress his base desires. This restriction is no more than a treatment of a spiritual disease. When the treatment is over, the restriction is no longer observed. Some Sufi adepts require a novice in the initial stages of his spiritual journey to exercise ascetic discipline, such as eating little, sleeping little and mixing little with people. This brings him to a state of greater harmony and balance [ I` tidal ]. This ascetic discipline is a 'means' and not an 'end' in itself. When the perfect balance is attained and the nafs (inner-self) is brought under control, and there is no longer the danger of committing sins, they are asked to give up the exercise. This in fact is not monasticism but taqwa or righteousness which the religion requires and was practiced by our predecessors, the blessed Companions, their followers and the leaders in religion. The third stage is when a person does not turn a permissible thing into unlawful. However, he abstains from its use under the belief that its giving up has more virtue and carries more reward, while such use is proved through Sunnah (the practice of the Holy Prophet ﷺ) This is in fact ghuluww (over-indulgence). Many of the Prophetic Traditions prohibit ghuluww. The Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said: لَا رَھبَانِیُّۃَ فَہ الاِسلَامِ (There is no monasticism in Islam.) This relates to a situation where someone abandons permissible things with the mistaken notion that it will bring him reward. If the Children of Israel initiated monasticism for the protection of their religion, it will fall under the second category of righteousness. But the people of the book were given to ghuluww or practicing religious fanaticism. If they turned lawful into unlawful, they fell under the first category and are guilty of committing haram. If they fall under the third category, then too they are guilty of committing something that is condemned. Allah, the Pure and Exalted, knows best!

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