| SURAH 33 : AlAhzâb |
1. O Our Nabi! You should remain fully conscious of the Divine Laws and and guard them. (Just for the sake of compromise) Do not give in to those who openly deny this Law; or to those who accept it outwardly and not from the depth of their hearts. Most certainly Our Law of Mukafat knows everything, and all Our plans are based on wisdom.
2. And continue following the Wahi which is revealed to you from your Rabb. (Also keep reminding your followers about it and tell them that) Allah knows fully well all that you do.
3. You should have complete trust on the firmness of Our Laws. These Laws will never let you down and they are enough to guard you in every way.
4. (The Munafqeen continue spreading various rumours in order to create chaos and disorder in the society, but you should not become disturbed by these. Always keep in mind that in social dealings only that act which is committed with full intention is cognizable. However, if an action takes place inadvertently; or under emotional stress; or if you say something in anger; then in all such cases these would not be taken as decisive words from you, even though they would be improper. This is because) Man is provided only with one heart (mind) and not two. (As such it is therefore not possible that he takes two decisions at the same time from his heart; one from one heart which he conceals and the other from the second one, the latter being the decision that comes out on his lips. Therefore, if by mistake or by chance there is non-uniformity between the heart and the pronouncement, the judgement will be based on to that which was said with full intention. For instance) If someone, out of sheer anger calls his wife his ‘mother’; she does not actually become his mother (2:226; 58:2-4). Likewise if someone, out of love, calls any child his ‘son’, it does not mean that the child actually becomes his son. These are just your casual statements which cannot be taken as final (decisive) words. Allah’s Law speaks the firm truth and is not subject to your social or customary proverbs. Therefore only His Law guides you to the right path.
5. It would still be better if those whom out of affection, you refer to as your sons, are called with reference to their fathers. This is the better way according to Allah’s Laws. However, if you do not know the names of their fathers (like when you find a lost child and do not know whose it is) then such children are your brothers in Deen and your friends. (As mentioned afore) anything that is said inadvertently, like if you have earlier pronounced someone as a son, no cognizance would be taken of that. Cognizance is, however, taken of all actions which are undertaken intentionally and with full consciousness. Remember! Adequate provisions have been made in the Divine Laws for not taking action on inadvertent matters, so that such things would not hinder your process of development.
6. In your society, the strongest ties amongst you are those based on your common association with Deen. Yet inspite of this, blood relations too have their place. Take for instance the position of Allah’s Nabi. He has a higher claim on Momineen than they have on their own selves (because they have handed over their lives and property to him for the sake of Allah ~ 9:111; 48:10). And the wives of Rasool are like mothers for the members of this Ummah (and their marriage to any one of them is not permissible ~ 33:53). However in respect of all the rights of your close relatives, as described in the Divine Law (such as inheritance), your own relatives have a higher claims than that of other Momineen and Muhajreen. Nonetheless, if you want to make any special provisions for your other close friends; such special provisions have been included in the Quran, the Book of Allah. (For example there is the provision for a ‘will’, whereby it is permitted to give anything to anyone one desires ~ 2:180; 4:11.)
7. (This special relationship of the Nabi with the members of his Ummah, is absolutely necessary in order to achieve the supreme objective for which he has been sent and for which a covenant has been taken.)
Such a special pledge was taken from all the previous Ambia including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus son of Mary. A similar pledge is being taken from you and the same obligations have been prescribed for you. These obligations are extremely important and this is a very solemn pledge (3:80).
8. (The details of such obligations are lengthy, but in brief the objective is that) People who want to spend their lives to uphold truth and justice should utilize this true spirit of theirs in a positive manner. And for the misdeeds of those who deny the truth and take on a rebellious course, a very grievous suffering should be inflicted on them. (In other words, the duty of those Ambia was to establish an order, wherein the results of right or wrong ways of life should appear forthwith.)
9. O Jamaat-ul-Momineen, to achieve this purpose you have to go to war at times. As in your case, you had to go to war several times. One such war was the battle of Ahzab, in respect of which you should keep in mind the blessings of Allah. When the enemy forces came down upon you, We let loose stormy winds against them. These winds in fact were the heavenly forces which could not be seen; and Allah was fully watchful of everything you were doing.
10. When enemy forces stormed upon you from all directions, it was such a difficult time that your eyes were stupefied with horror and your hearts thumped with fear, as if they would jump on to your throats. And those (amongst you) who were weak started developing doubts about Allah’s promise. (2:214; 3:141; 9:16; 29:2.)
11. At that hour of staggering calamity, the true inner courage of the Momineen was revealed. Everyone witnessed the courage and fortitude with which they stood and fought under such adverse circumstances.
12. On the contrary, the Munafiqeen and those who were deceptive, started spreading rumors that all the promises which Allah and His Rasool had made them, were nothing but delusions.
13. One of the groups went to the extent of saying, ‘O people of Madina, as you cannot hold the ground and withstand the attack of the enemy, it would be better to go back immediately. One of the groups even asked the Nabi to excuse them, on the plea that their houses were not secure, even though they really were quite safe. Actually, using this excuse they wanted to run away from the battlefield.
14. Such was the condition of these people that if the enemy had entered the city from all sides and asked them to rise in revolt against the Muslims, they would have readily done so, without any hesitation. (Therefore their claim that their homes were not secure and that is why they wanted to go, was just an excuse.)
15. This was the state of mind of the people who had earlier vowed before Allah that they would never turn their backs. As such, it was incumbent upon them to fulfill that vow.
16. We told Our Rasool to explain to them, “Running away from the battlefield like this, to avoid death or being killed, will be of no use to you. You may be able to enjoy the good things in life only for a short while.” (You are not going to live forever. Furthermore, after breaking your promise and showing disloyalty to your party, your remaining life cannot be spent with ease and grace.)
17. We also asked Our Rasool to tell them, “Those of you who are treacherous with the Divine System should keep in mind that if and when the system wants to punish you for your action, no one can protect you. Similarly rest assured that no one can snatch away from you the pleasant things in life which you will get by remaining loyal to this system. Remember! If you are cut off from it, you will not find anyone who could help you or even be your friend.”
18. We also asked him to tell them, “Allah fully well knows all those who are trying to stop others from going to the battlefield; and persuading their brethren to stay back in peace so as not to put themselves in ‘unnecessary’ trouble.” These are the people who seldom come to the battlefield (and they stop others and themselves from doing so).
19. In other words, they are covetous in dealing with you. You must have witnessed that whenever they come to the battlefield and any danger threatens them, they look at you with their eyes rolling in terror, like those of a man in the swoon of death. However, as soon as the danger passes away and you are victorious, they try to highlight their own deeds and speak volumes about themselves (as if while others were about to flee the battlefield they were the only people who crushed the enemy). The motive behind all this is that when the booty is being distributed, they expect to be given preference over others. Such people can never be trustworthy and their hypocritical deeds have no weight in the Divine Scale. All their effort goes to waste; and all this is very easy for (Allah’s Law).
20. They talk a lot with false pride, whereas in actual fact they are in a miserable state of fear. So much so that although the enemy forces have been defeated, they remain fearful that the enemy are still around them and are rearranging themselves for another attack. If the forces return, these hypocrites contend that they would have preferred to be in the desert, somewhere far away among the Bedouins. They only wait to hear the news (whether you have attained victory or have been defeated). Even if they had stayed with you, very few of them would have taken part in the battle.
21. (This was the scenario at the battle of Ahzab, at which time the afflictions and hardships were at their peak. The enemies were a source of external threat and the hypocrites were creating a problem on the internal front. Under such circumstances even the strongest would be destabilized. However, the Rasool stood firm and steadfast like a beacon of light; and he never wavered.) This firmness was a noble example par excellence and a great source of strength and peace of mind (and remains so even today) for all those who have unwavering faith in the universality of the Divine Laws; look forward with hope to a bright and prosperous future; and always keep in view the Divine Laws (60:4).
22. Consequently when the Momineen saw the mighty forces of the enemy they (did not panic, but instead) exclaimed, “The time for the fulfillment of the promise that Allah and His Rasool (the Divine System) have made to us, has come. Now everyone will see how it comes true in reality.” These forces (unlike the panic it had created amongst the munafiqeen) strengthened their Eiman and added to their sense of loyalty.
23. These are the brave Momineen, who have always been true to what they had vowed before their Allah (9:111). Some of them had already fulfilled their vow by laying down their lives; and others are eagerly waiting for their turn and opportunity to fulfill it by personal sacrifice. These are the sincerest people who never change their resolve.
24. Similarly (as has been mentioned above in 33:8), the truthfulness of the honest becomes helpful in the establishment and strengthening of the Divine Order. Allah’s Law of Mukafat will bring to them the fullest results of their constructive and righteous deeds; and punish the munafiqeen (for their misdeeds). However if they regret their past deeds, and sincerely promise to reform themselves, then they can be forgiven. This is so because the Divine Laws have the provision therein for extending protection from punishment and giving the means of nourishment.
25. In this manner Allah Almighty (at the hands of Momineen) defeated the mighty enemy forces, which turned back with fury and anger suppressed in their hearts. They did not gain anything from this attack. In fact the outcome of the battle proved the helpfulness of Allah’s Law for the Momineen; and they witnessed with their own eyes how all-mighty and all-powerful His Law is.
26. And the Ahl-ul-Kitab the Jews of Madina (who were followers of earlier revelations), who (contrary to their pact) had helped the enemy, were thrown out of their strongholds. Furthermore, so much awe and fear of your strength was cast into their hearts that they stood before you like a herd of sheep. You killed some of them (in the battlefield) and you made the others captives.
27. Like this He made you the heirs of their lands, houses and wealth. Similarly He will give you possession of lands over which you have not yet set your feet. Everything occurs in accordance with Divine Laws and in line with the measures and scales set by Him. (All promises made by the Almighty do come true ~ 24:55.)
28. (Waging wars or conquering territories are the means to remove obstacles on the way to establishing the Divine Order, which is not an end in itself. The objective of the Divine Order is to reform and improve society by proper training and education, to enable the people to establish a system based on equity and justice. In this regard the duties and responsibilities of womenfolk are not less than those of men. Therefore O Rasool, whereas you have conveyed so many directions to men, the details of which have been mentioned afore, you will also have to appropriately train and educate the women. The beginning should be right from your house, where they have to set an example for other females.)
O Rasool! Make it clear to your wives, “(If you desire my companionship, then the one and only aim of your life should be to help me accomplish the mission which I have undertaken. But) If you desire to live a life of worldly comfort and glamour, then our mutual companionship cannot last.” (Actually, real companionship means the complete understanding for the sake of a common objective. If the very objective is not shared, then how can the companionship last. These women had come to your household during the emergent circumstances created by the wars. At that time the primary objective was to provide them safety and shelter. Now that the circumstances have changed, they should have the choice to rethink their earlier decision. So you should tell them: You are not compelled to stay with me. On the contrary you have the choice to leave. In case you decide to leave) “I will provide you all the necessary things and bid you farewell most gracefully.” (33:51.) (Don’t ever think that since a state has been acquired your lifestyle will become luxurious. In fact the reality is different. The responsibilities which have come along with my companionship demand that the standard of this house to be kept to a minimum. Accordingly my housemates and I have to live like ordinary people.)
29. But if you want to devote your lives to the Divine System and prefer the comfort and joy of the life that is to come, instead of present luxuries, then for those amongst you who adopt this style of life voluntarily and gracefully, Allah’s Law of Mukafat will bestow a mighty reward on them.
30. O, wives of the Nabi! Keep in mind one more thing. Since you have to become models for others you have to be extremely careful. (For example) If any one of you is found guilty of manifestly immoral conduct, you will be given double the punishment (than that given to others) and under the Divine Laws the enforcement of this law is not at all difficult.
31. (Likewise) Whoever shows complete obedience to Allah and His Rasool (the Divine System) and does righteous deeds, shall be rewarded twice over and shall be nobly provided, with full dignity and honour.
32. O wives of the Nabi, because you are not like any other women (whose conduct influences only their own persons; unlike the influence of your character which effects the whole society), you have to be very careful and cautious. (For example) While speaking (to the non-Mehram) do not be soft in speech, lest he whose heart is evil develops wrong desires. Speak in an honourable manner.
33. And stay in your houses with dignity and grace. You should not misbehave. (And when you go out) Do not display yourself with ornaments like the women used to do in their ignorance (before the revelation of Quran); and never do anything which could (directly or otherwise) stir emotional feelings (of the males ~ 24:31-60). You should remain steadfast with the Nizam-us-Salat and make provisions for the development of human potentialities through education and training. For this purpose you should observe complete obedience to Allah and His Rasool (the Divine Order). Allah Almighty wishes that the Nabi’s household becomes a model for society. Thus He wants to cleanse you of all that might be loathsome and hinder the development of your persons. Therefore, O members of the household (of the Rasool), be excellent models of purity and grace for others.
34. This will only be possible if you always bear Allah’s directives and the wisdom behind them in mind (as mentioned in the Quran which is recited in your houses). (You should do nothing, however, which goes against these directives or negates the very purpose thereof.) Allah is All-Perceiving and is well aware (about everything), even to the minutest details.
35. (O Rasool! The education and upbringing of your household is all the more important, because they have to serve as models for other women. Remember that society consists of both men and women, who have to go through life hand in hand. If one of them lags behind, it is bound to hamper the progress of the other. It should be well understood that there is no difference in the potentialities of men and women; except certain biological differences which have been retained for the posterity of the human race.) Therefore, in an Islamic Society, both men and women should have the following qualities:
1 ) They should totally submit to the Divine Laws;
2 ) This obedience should not be mechanical, but must arise from the very depth
of their hearts. They should thus exhibit complete conviction in them;
3 ) They should utilize their developed potentialities according to the Divine Laws;
4 ) They are true to the covenant (9:111) which they have made with Allah ;
5 ) They remain steadfast when facing adversities, troubles or difficulties ;
6 ) They are always prompt in rendering service to others (like the fruit-laden branch of an easily accessible tree) ;
7 ) They are ever ready to sacrifice all their assets for the sake of the Divine Order ;
8 ) They abstain themselves from all that the Divine Laws prohibit them to do and they bear in mind the restrictions imposed by these Laws;
9 ) They guard their chastity fully ;
10) In short, throughout their lives, at each and every step, they act upon the Divine Laws.
These are the people to whom Allah’s Law of Mukafat shall provide full protection against all types of doom. They will get great reward for all their efforts and deeds. (In this regard there is no difference between men and women ~ 3:194; 4:124.)
36. (O Rasool, also tell them that) Whenever Allah and His Rasool (the Divine System) have decreed a matter, then none of the Momineen men or women has any option (4:65) but to obey willingly. Whoever disobeys has indeed completely strayed in a plain error.
37 (It should be well understood that, although the decisions are pronounced by the Rasool, in reality the obedience is that of the Divine System. However this does not mean disobedience to the Rasool ~ 3:78 ~ as you have the right to differ or disagree with the personal suggestions of the Rasool or his advice. This in no way would mean the disobedience to Allah and His Rasool. In this connection the episode of Zaid sets forth an explicit example.)
He (Zaid) was a person upon whom Allah had conferred grace; and (O Rasool) you too had extended personal favours. It was to him that you were advising, “Keep your wife in wedlock and in this way maintain a relationship which has been established according to the Divine Law. (Tolerate any petty differences you may have; and if there is something serious, then speak about it openly as hiding it will be of no use.) If you hide it in your heart, it will have to be explained later (at the time of divorce) as per the requirements of Divine Law. Do not have fears about people (as to what they would say) for you have to only fear Allah (ensuring that His Laws are not violated).”
Zaid did not accept your advice and after he divorced his wife, you married her according to the Divine Law (so that she could be consoled of the shock she received). Earlier we had revealed clear verses that an adopted son does not become a real one (33:4). Marrying the wife of a real son is not permitted (4:23). However there is no blame in marrying the divorced wife of an adopted son; and therefore this action of the Rasool was in accordance with the Divine Laws.
(This episode clearly brings out two issues. Firstly, only the decisions of the Rasool which are binding are those which he makes in his capacity as Allah’s Rasool. As such, one can differ with his personal advice. Secondly, adopted sons do not become real sons.)
38. There is no blame if Allah’s Nabi does something which is permitted according to the Divine Law. This however has not been promulgated specially for the Rasool. The Divine Law has always been like this. Allah’s commands are always made according to the measures determined by His Mashiyyat. (They are not made for particular emergent situations and are therefore unchangeable.)
39. Similar Laws were revealed to other Rusul before you. They were only fearful of the outcome of disobeying the Divine Laws; and not those of anyone else. They knew full well that they were answerable to Allah Almighty; and to no one else.
40. (It should be clearly known to all who are whispering about Rasool’s wedding with the divorced wife of Zaid, that) Muhammad is not the father of any man amongst you. (If out of affection he refers to someone as his “son”, that person does not become his son in reality. Furthermore the Rasool does not devise his own self-made laws.) He only conveys to you the laws revealed to him (and he himself obeys those laws. The nature of these laws is such that they cannot be changed, neither in his life nor after him, because) The institution of Nubuwwah (receiving directives through Wahi) will be coming to an end with him. All this will happen on the basis of Allah’s infinite knowledge. (He knows fully well how long the institution of Nubuwwah should continue and when it should end. Whatever was necessary and important for mankind and for their guidance, was finally conveyed in the Quran. And then the Quran was preserved for ever in its complete form.)
41. (The institution of Nubuwwah has come to an end, but as far as the obligations of Rasool are concerned, that is to convey the Divine Laws to the people and establish the Divine Order, these were entrusted to the Ummah ~ 3:109; 35:32 ~ of Muhammad. Therefore) O Jamaat-ul-Momineen! It is obligatory on you to always keep in view the Divine Laws and to extensively disseminate them further;
42. And to keep on working day and night to practically implement them (48:9).
43. If you continue doing this then all the blessings of the Divine Laws, along with the help and assistance of all the heavenly forces, will remain with you (33:56). You will continue being showered by their blessings and greetings. The practical result of this will be that He will take you out of all kinds of darkness into the bright light (14:1; 14:5) and continue developing your potentialities (2:155 –157; 9:103).
44. (The present life of these Momineen will be glorious and dignified and thereafter) When they are rewarded for their deeds, they will be given salutations of ‘peace’ from all around as well as a highly honoured and dignified status.
45. O Nabi! (As far as you are concerned) We have sent you to establish a Divine System which will also supervise the performance of all nations (2:43). You will be the bearer of glad tidings to the people who follow this System; and warn them about the destructive results of disobeying it.
46. The Rasool invites mankind to the Divine System according to Our code, thereby providing brilliant light, like a shining sun, in the dark aspects of human life.
47. O Rasool! Convey glad tidings to the Momineen, about how they will be honoured with abundant bounties from Allah.
48. Continue spreading this message and do not give in to the ‘kafireen’ and ‘munafiqeen’. (There is no need to compromise with them and) Ignore the afflictions you suffer at their hands and put your trust in the stability and firmness of the Divine Order. You will see how extremely satisfying and sufficient it is to have trust in the Divine Order.
49. (In this system men and women have to work together and as such it is mandatory that explicit regulatory laws be given about family life. Various laws and directions have been given earlier in detail ~ 2:228-241; and now some more laws are being given in continuation of the above.)
O Jamaat-ul-Momineen! If you marry Momin women and then divorce them (according to laws) before you have touched them, it is not obligatory on you to count the ‘Iddah‘ (the period during which you are responsible for their provision because they cannot enter into another marriage). So give them suitable provisions and set them free in a handsome manner. (Marriage is a contract. When this contract cannot be fulfilled, it should be cancelled as per laws. It should not be made into a dispute ~ 2:228-236; 65:1-4).
50. O Nabi, verily we have made lawful to you, your wives to whom you have paid their dowers; those who have returned to you from the unbelievers (60:10); the daughters of your parental uncles and aunts, who have migrated with you; and those Momin females who offer themselves to marry you without dower (Mehar) and you also wish to marry them. Both these privileges (regarding cousins and marriage without dower) are specifically for you and not for the rest of the Momineen. For other Momineen detailed directions about their wives and slave girls (who were already present in the Society) have already been given. These special laws are being made for you. So that you would have no difficulty in solving problems. Such provisions are made in the Divine Code so as to protect society in general and ensure that people face no set backs in the process of their development. This is purely Allah’s grace.
51. (At the same time, some special restrictions are being imposed particularly on you, and not on other Momineen.)
As has been mentioned afore, since the emergent conditions are now over, you may allow freedom of choice to your wives. Those who still want to live with you, even in somewhat constrained circumstances, can stay on. Those who want to go away, let them go gracefully (33:28). Just as they have been given this choice, you too have the choice to keep the one whom you think can live with you as a compatible companion. Those who cannot livewith you compatibly may be asked to depart. (They had come to your household during the emergency conditions, arising out of wars. At that time the primary objective was to give them protection. Now that the emergency is over, one should reconsider the situation according to prevalent circumstances.) If after you have separated from someone you notice that she is disheartened and would be happy to come back, you have the permission to marry her again. However, she should be agreeable and happy over whatever you can give her (and should not crib about having to live a life of austerity in the house of the Nabi). These matters have been made absolutely clear as Allah knows fully well what is in your heart. Allah is always all-knowing and all of His decisions are based on wisdom.
52. Thereafter, it shall neither be lawful for you to marry other women; nor will it be permissible for you to marry other women by divorcing any one of the present wives, even though their virtues may appeal to you. Now onwards your wives will only be those who have married legally. (This restriction is only for you and not for other Muslims.) Remember that the Divine Law is fully watchful of everything.
53. O Jamaat-ul-Momineen! (There are certain important matters regarding the social behaviour in society. To begin with) Do not enter the house of the Nabi without a proper invitation and permission as this unnecessarily interferes with his privacy. If he invites you for a meal do go there; but not so early that the meal is still being prepared and you have to wait for it. It is better that whenever you are invited, enter (at the proper time), but when you have finished the meal leave without lingering on for the sake of mere conversation. If you do this, it will annoy the Rasool, but he may be embarrassed about telling you (to leave). However, Allah is not shy of (teaching you) the truth.
And if you have to take anything from Nabi’s house, do not enter casually; but ask for it from behind the screen: that is purer for both your heart as well as for the residents of Rasool’s household. It is not right that you should annoy the Rasool in any way.
(As has been mentioned earlier, the wives of Rasool are like mothers to you ~ 33:6.) This has not been mentioned just for the sake of respect. It is not lawful for you to marry any of his widows after he has passed away; just like you cannot marry your real mothers.
In the society these matters may appear to be ordinary, but according to the Divine Law, they have far reaching effects and are extremely important.
54. (Keep in mind the real objective behind observing the social code. It is to inculcate a sense of discipline in your personality. Accordingly, do not observe it mechanically, but do so from the depth of your heart and with self discipline. Also remember) Whatever you reveal or conceal in your heart is very well known to Allah; and nothing is hidden from Him.
55. At the same time it is expected of the wives of the Rasool to pay due attention to whatever they and other Momin females have been directed, that is they should not display their adornment. However there is no harm (to appear freely) before their fathers; or their sons; or their brothers; or their brother’s sons; or their sister’s sons and their women (believers); or their attendants, whether males or females. It is however necessary that they should consciously guard the Divine Laws and keep in mind that its eyes are ever watchful of everything, whether big or small. (The philosophy of this has already been mentioned in ~ 24:31.)
56. (These laws are framed to make your society a model for the humanity. As has been said before, by virtue of obeying these laws you will receive all the help from the Divine System and the heavenly forces ~ 33:43.) This very help and support is also available to the central authority of your system, the Nabi.
However, this does not mean that you need not do anything because Allah the Almighty and His heavenly forces are out to help and support him. No! It is of prime importance that you become a continuous source of strength for him and his mission; by providing your support and taking his mission to its accomplishment. There is only one way to achieve this; and that is to show, from the core of your heart, complete obedience to him. (4:65; 7:157; 33:43)
57. On the contrary, those who hurt or weaken Allah and His Rasool (that is the Divine System), will be deprived of all pleasant things in this life as well as in the hereafter. And they will face a humiliating torment.
58. (This action is not confined only to the affrontation of the central authority of the Divine system.) Those who unreservedly annoy Momineen men or women and commit the crime of slander, shall also be punished for this.
59. O Nabi, tell your wives and daughters and other Momineen women that when they go out, they should wear their cloaks over their clothes so as not to display their adornment (24:31). This will help them to be recognized (as decent women) so that they may not be annoyed by any one with ill intent. This style will protect them and go a long way in their upbringing.
60. (You should take this precaution but) If the munafiqeen and those among the people whose hearts are diseased with indecent things do not desist from spreading wicked rumours in the society, then certainly power will have to be used against them. Then after a little while, they will go away.
61. They will be deprived of all civic rights (which they enjoy as citizens of an Islamic state). If even then they do not desist, they will be arrested from wherever they are and verily they will be killed.
62. Such treatment for people of this kind is not something new. The Divine Law has always been extending such treatment (for severe punishment should be given to those who do not desist from teasing decent people and disturbing the society). And you will not find any change in the way of the Divine Law.
63. Furthermore, these Munafaqueen and mischief mongers ask you about when that era would come (when such serious punishments would be inflicted). Tell them that when this would happen is only known to Allah. (I cannot tell you.)
(O ye, who are so anxious to find out, that hour may well be very close to you.)
64. These ‘kuffar‘ have gradually reached a stage, whereupon the Divine System will deprive them of all civic rights and amenities. Their deeds have prepared a grievous chastisement for them.
65. This will be such a lasting chastisement that they will be unable to come out of it (in this world or in the hereafter). They will neither find any protector nor would any one give them help.
66. On that Day they will be thrown into the fire and with their faces turned down, they will say, “Alas! We wish we had obeyed Allah and His Rasool (the Divine System).” (Then we would not have met this situation!)
67. At that time they will also say, “O our Rabb! Verily we obeyed our leaders who had assumed a higher role for themselves; and they misled us from the right path.”
68. O our Rabb! Give them double punishment and deprive them of all the pleasantries of life, in such a manner that none of these ever reach them. (14:28; 16:25; 34:31-33)
69. O Jamaat-ul-Momineen! (This type of social revolution can only be brought about if you establish your system along correct lines. It is thus necessary that you totally obey your Rasool and) Do not cause him any harassment (33:57), like the Bani-Israel who used to annoy their Rasool (Moses; the details have already been described in Soorah Al-Baqra) The result was that no harm came to Moses, as he enjoyed a very high status with Allah. (However, the promise given to Bani Israel, for establishing their authority in the land was delayed and during this period they continued wandering around facing great adversities ~ 5:26.)
70. (Therefore as far as you are concerned) O Jamat-ul-Momineen, you should always consciously guard the Divine Laws and speak that which is straight and firm.
71. If you adopt this attitude, He will rightly direct all your efforts and protect you from the ill effects of your minor slips, omissions or mistakes (4:37; 42:31; 53:32). Remember! The nations which obey Allah and His Rasool (the Divine System), will indeed get great achievements. (As long as you continue doing this, successes and achievements will always be at your feet; but if you become dishonest in this regard, you will be deprived of all the bounties. (This is being said so because human beings are quite different from everything else in this world.)
72. If you have a look at the universe, its huge heavenly bodies, your planet earth, and the big mountains, you will notice one thing most clearly. That is throughout the day and night and as per their capabilities, they remain fully responsive to it whatever duty and function which was assigned to them. They dare not commit even an iota of dishonesty and, in fact, they tremble at the very idea of doing so. However, the plight of man is such that he indulges in dishonesty while performing whatever duties are entrusted to him, although by doing so he brings harm to none except himself. How very foolish it is of him to commit so much zulm on himself. (If he had followed the guidance of Wahi, as do other things in the universe, he would not have suffered any loss whatsoever.)
73. (Now the question arises, as to why man was not made like other creations in the universe, so that he too would have automatically followed the direction of Wahi. The answer is clear. As has been said at various places, if man was also bound that way, there would have been no difference between man and animal. The main differentiation is that a human being is given choice and discretion, so that of his own free will he can decide on whatever course he likes. A good deed performed under compulsion is not a good deed; nor is a bad deed under compulsion bad. The secret of greatness of man lies in his freedom of choice. This is how he becomes responsible for his actions, and that is why munafiq and mushrik men and women get punishment for their misdeeds; whereas Momineen and Mominat are showered with Allah’s bounty. Furthermore, Allah would revert them to His protection if they make a mistake; and keep them safe from its ill effects. Thus their potentialities continue to develop. This could only be possible if human beings have the freedom to choose.)
Surah 33 AL- AHZAAB ahzab- The parties/departments/adminitrations
In the name of Allah the Gracious, the Merciful.
[1] O you the prophet, be consistent with program of Allah for the good of
humanity and do not be ally to those who make wars against Our program
openly or secretly, for Allah indeed makes evident the results of their actions
proving clearly that He is all knowing ruler of the universe.
[2] So you too follow faithfully that which is revealed to you from your Lord, for
Allah will make evident the result of your actions as well showing He is aware
of all that you do.
[3] Therefore trust the laws set up by Allah for operating the universe, for Allah
is sufficient as disposers of all affairs by means of those laws.
[4] Allah never puts a leading person of a nation who is consistent with His
laws in two minds or confusion to weaken his body of administration or force
or community therefore He does not advise you to rely on your recently
admitted communities in your circle for your support till they go through
necessary tests and trainings, nor has He advised you about those whom you
call your allies who have recently joined you to take them as your supporters
just because you presume them fit for the task. These are mere assumptions
on your part till they are put through proper training and tested, thus Allah tells
you real situation and guides you to do things in a way that is proper to save
you from regretting later.
[5] So organise them under their own units under their own heads of groups,
for that is better in sight of Allah, and if some do not have groups of their own
to organise under then organise them under the heads of your groups for they
are your brothers in cause of Islam and your supporters. There is no blame on
you for any unintentional mistake, for blame is only for things that you do
wrong with the intention of your minds because Allah is Graceful and
Merciful.
[6] The prophet is foremost in commitment to working for peace from among
the people who claim to be committed to working for peace and his original
supporting communities are the foundational communities for the newer ones
to follow. It is because people have committed to the mission at different
stages relatively to each other, some originally committed to working for
peace are from the settled communities and some from the immigrant
communities so they have carried out the main work for the mission therefore
they have greater say in deciding community matters according to book of
Allah, but all of you are duty bound to do as much good for each other as
much is within your capacity. This has been written in the constitution of Allah
since the beginning of Our revelation.
[7] You can call to mind the covenant which We took from all the prophets one
after the other as they were appointed, likewise we are doing with you as we
did with Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus son of Mary – We took that solemn
covenant from all of them that they must do their best for each other,
[8] We did this so that they fulfil Our demand to prove that they were true in
their commitment for peace because those who oppose Allah’s program, He
has warned them of dire consequences in form of painful suffering.
[9] O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, remember the
favour Allah bestowed on you when there gathered against you enemy forces
to attack you and We unleashed against them forces they did not expect and
Allah saw all that you were doing.
[10] When the enemy attacked you from above and from below and when
your eyes were petrified due to fear and your hearts leaped up to your throats
and you began to entertain all sorts of doubts about Allah,
[11] there and then those who claimed to be committed to working for peace
were put to test and were shaken with tremendous shaking.
[12] Remember when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts there was still
some doubt
were openly saying, Allah and His messenger promised us nothing but
delusion
[13] and a party of them said, O people of Yathrib, you cannot stand the
attack much longer so run back to your city and another party of them sought
leave of the prophet saying, our houses are insecure but in actual fact they
were not insecure. They intended nothing but to run away from the battlefront
by way of excuses.
[14] Had the city been entered from all sides and had they been incited to
sedition, they
would have little hesitation to become partners in it
[15] even though they had made covenant with Allah not to show their backs
and the covenant with Allah must surely be answered for.
[16] Tell them, running away will not do you any good and if you are running
away from
death or being killed still you would enjoy this life only for a little while more.
[17] Ask them, who can protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you or
who can prevent Him if He intends to show you mercy? They will find none
besides Allah to protect or help them.
[18] Allah is well aware of those among you who hold others back and those
who say to their brethren, join us and seldom take part in the actual fighting
themselves.
[19] They are ever reluctant to assist you. Whenever they are in danger they
look towards you with their eyes rolling as though they were at the point of
death but when they are out of danger they come to greet you with their sharp
tongues in greed for gain. Such people have no commitment to working for
peace. Allah has exposed all their deeds as of no real benefit for others and to
do that was not at all difficult for Allah.
[20] They thought that the enemy ally forces would never withdraw. Indeed if
the confederates should come again they would wish to be among the
Bedouins and seek news about you from a safe distance and even if they
happened to be with you they would take but a little part in the actual
fighting.
[21] Indeed in the person of messenger of Allah there is model for doing good
for others for any of you who hopes to establish the rule of law of Allah one
day for the good end result therefore he strives very much to manifest
sovereignty of Allah thereby.
[22] Therefore when the ones truly committed to working for peace saw the
enemy allied forces they said, this is what Allah and His messenger had
promised us and Allah and his messenger were absolutely true in their
promise. This increased them all the more in their commitment to the success
of the mission due to their even more acceptance of the mission.
[23] Among those who claimed to be committed to working for peace there
were men who have been true to their covenant with Allah, of them some
have completed their vow through sacrificing their lives and some others are
waiting for it and have not changed their determination even in the least.
[24] All this happens so that Allah may reward those who prove true to their
commitment to peace and so that He lets hypocrites land thereby in painful
suffering so that they may repent and reform and He may accept their
repentance and reformation if so He plans because Allah is full of grace and
full of Mercy for mankind.
[25] Likewise Allah brought about turning back of those who fought against
His mission, they retreated in their rage without gaining any advantage and
sufficient for them in their fight is Allah who commit to working for peace, for
Allah is All Powerful and Almighty.
[26] Similarly He exposed by bringing down from their fortresses those people
of the book who supported the invaders thereby casting fear into their hearts. As a result of their partaking in the war some of them you slew and some you
took as prisoners.
[27] Thus He made you heirs of their lands and their houses as well as their
goods and also the land on which you had never set your foot before. Surely
Allah has set laws for al things to operate as per His program.
[28] O you the prophet, say to your ally parties, if you support me only
because you desire only worldly things for life without any commitment to the
mission then come, I will give you of these and let you go in an appropriate
way
[29] but if you seek success of mission of Allah through supporting His
messenger for the better end result then you are assured that Allah has
prepared a great plan to reward those of you who do good for others.
[30] O communities of the Prophet, if any of you are found guilty of clearly
going against the program of Allah, her punishment will be double and this is
easy for Allah.
[31] Those of you who are consistent with guidance of Allah as delivered by
His messenger and do things that prepare way for peace will be granted
double the reward because for them We have prepared a generous
provision.
[32] O ally parties of the Prophet, you are not like any other communities, for
you are bedrock of humanity, so if you want to remain consistent with program
of Allah for the good of humanity then you should never be careless in
carrying out your set tasks in case any in whose heart is disease of hypocrisy
is thereby encouraged for spreading harmful propaganda against mission of
Allah, therefore manifest what you say by way of appropriate actions.
[33] Stay well within your jurisdictions and do not display your arrogance
against each other as you used to do in the days of ignorance before
committing to this program instead establish the divine order by working hard
for it and attain freedom from doing any harm to others, thus be consistent
with constitution of Allah as delivered by His messenger. Allah only intends to
remove all that is harmful for you and to free you completely from inflicting any
harm to each others, O followers of the divine constitution.
[34] Therefore strive to manifest by your actions that which is proclaimed in
your jurisdictions of the instructions of Allah through implementation, surely
Allah is aware of even the finest of things.
[35] Surely the chief administrators of the departments for law and order and
the administrations working with them, the chief administrators of the
department for security departments and the administrations working with
them, the chief administrators of the departments for crime prevention and the
administrations working with them, the chief administrators of the departments
for crime scene investigators and the administrations working with them, the
chief administrators of the departments for defence and the administrations
working with them, the chief administrators of the departments for
accountability and the administrations working with them, the chief
administrators of the departments for collections of revenue and the
administrations working with them, the chief administrators of the departments
for training and recruitments and the administrations working with them, the
chief administrators of the departments for border control and the
administrations working with them, and the chief administrators of the
departments for missionary work of Allah and the administrations working with
them- for all such people as work in any office in any capacity and carry out
their work faithfully Allah will grant them dignity and reward them greatly.
[36] It is not fitting for any chief administrator or any administration working
with him to have right of discretion concerning affairs under their responsibility
when a matter has been already instructed by Allah through His messenger
and whoever disobeys Allah by disregarding His Messenger has obviously
strayed far off the right way of doing things.
[37] Moreover call to mind the time when you advised the one who was
blessed by Allah with abilities and whom you blessed with official
responsibility to head an administrative department saying, stick to your
department of administration faithfully by being consistent with program of
Allah. And have confidence in yourself regarding program of Allah which He
wants you to turn into a manifest reality by attending to the concerns of the
people, for it is requirement of Allah that you pay attention to His program. But
when the said person concluded that his department of administration had to
be concluded after it had served its useful purpose because it became extra
then We brought the department of administration under your authority for
restructuring so that henceforth there is no problem for those who commit to
working for peace that when they have fulfilled their responsibilities assigned
to them that then they may be moved to carry out other tasks wherever they
may be needed, for task of Allah must be carried out for the good of
mankind.
[38] It is not fitting for the prophet that he should find difficulty in what Allah
has imposed for him as a duty. Such has been the way of Allah with all the
prophets who have gone before, for goal of Allah is already set for the
mankind.
[39] Henceforth those who are charged with duty of delivering the messages
of Allah should pay attention to it yet more and they should pay attention to
the task set by Allah in such way that none else deserves their attention save
the goal of Allah, for constitution of Allah ought to be put to work in such a
way that it solves the problems of all the people.
[40] It is not fitting for Muhammad that he should act as a father figure for any
of you men rather he is a final messenger of Allah who concludes the divine
prophet-hood, for Allah has made clear all that he needed to, for He has
knowledge of all things.
[41] So O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, from now on it
is your duty entirely to proclaim the message of Allah to nations of the world
as much as is possible for you and bring about the set divine world order,
[42] therefore strive hard day and night to achieve and maintain it.
[43] It is He Who supports you and your administrators with His guidance so
that He brings you out of darkness of ignorance into the light of knowledge, for
He is Merciful to those who are committed to working for peace.
[44] By the time they fulfil their task their life will be peaceful, for He has
prepared this plan for them as a generous reward.
[45] O prophet, surely We have sent you as a witness to let people know this
good news from Us as well as to deliver Our warning to them as to what will
happen if they failed in following Our this program,
[46] therefore invite people to program of Allah like a brilliant lamp spreading
the light of knowledge.
[47] Moreover give good news to those who commit to working for peace that
plan of Allah is great for their prosperity.
[48] Therefore do not ally with those who make wars against Our program
openly or secretly and face their animosity steadfastly putting your trust in
laws of Allah, for laws of Allah are sufficient as disposers of all affairs.
[49] O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, if you enter in a
contract with other parties that also claims to works for peace but decide by
mutual consent to end the contract before the commencement of the actual
work then you are not required to observe any period of notice or period of
grace but do show appreciation to each other by exchanging appropriate gifts
relieving each other of the contract gracefully with dignity.
[50] O Prophet, We have made lawful for you to work with all your
communities provided you reward them appropriately and those parties that
are under your administration whom Allah has assigned with you; and your
basic remote independent communities under your administration and your
basic remote dependent communities, and your nearby independent
communities and your nearby dependent communities that migrated with you;
and the host communities that committed themselves to working for peace
that volunteered themselves to the prophet for the divine service – it is entirely
up to you the prophet alone to decide to use their offer of free service as
appropriate and not for other communities who claim to be committed to
working for peace; We have made known what restrictions We have imposed
on the others who claim to be committed to working for peace regarding their
dealings with their independent communities as well as their dependent
communities. We granted you this privilege so that there is no problem for you
when you need help of other people in order to fulfil Our mission, for Allah is
gracious and merciful for mankind.
[51] You may get help of any of your communities you deem suitable for any
task that you may plan and you may not use any of them that you may
consider not fit for the set task at the time and there is nothing wrong with you
if you call any of them back after you had temporarily set them aside. This is
so, so that they all feel part of the greater community by way of their
contributions so that they do not feel left out and that they learn how to satisfy
whatever responsibilities you give them to fulfil. Rest assured Allah makes
evident all that is in your hearts through you actions, for Allah is All-Knowing, All Encompassing.
[52] It should not be difficult for you to get more communities after these to
join you but you should not change the present arrangement of your
communities even though their setup may appear better and more pleasing to
you save that your communities already supporting you are exceptionally
unique and Allah is unique in awareness of all things.
[53] O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, do not try to enter
the setup and planning of the prophet just because you want to rather let the
prophet decide about it, nor try to stay waiting for participation when the
prophet decides that you are not required, but if you are invited to participate, enter, and when you have done your part leave and do not seek entry by long
justifications for participation. Such behaviour actually annoys the prophet but
he feels hesitant in asking you again and again to leave, however Allah is not
hesitant in clearly stating what the appropriate behaviour is for you to adopt. So when you have to ask for participations in any of participant parties for any
of his expeditions stay within sensible limits about them. This is more
appropriate for satisfaction of your own minds as well as of participating
parties. It is not a right thing to do for you to annoy the messenger of Allah by
tempering with his setup and planning of his activities for his communities
after he has set them up, this would prove seriously damaging for you in sight
of Allah.
[54] Moreover it matters not you reveal something or conceal it from the
prophet, Allah is surely able to make obvious everything to him.
[55] There should be no difficulty for any of you the parties in carrying out the
mission of Allah be they their predecessor parties or their successor parties, not for their nearby dependent groups or their nearby independent groups, not
for their remote dependent parties or their remote independent parties, there
should be no difficulty for any party regardless they are their independent
parties or their dependent parties for carrying out the task of Allah. All of them
should be consistent with program of Allah for the good of humanity, for Allah
is a witness over everything.
[56] Indeed Allah and the administrators of His kingdom lend their full support
to the prophet. So O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, give your full support to him by fully submitting to his mission as you ought to
submit.
[57] Surely those who inflict harm on mission of Allah by inflicting harm on His
messenger are bound to land in their self created disgrace in sight of Allah in
this world and in the hereafter, for He finds ready for them humiliation and
suffering if they do not repent and reform.
[58] And those who try to cause troubles among communities that have
committed themselves to working for peace by spreading misinformation and
disinformation for creating suspicions and animosities among them who
actually do them no harm will bear the consequences for their rumours and
slanders, for it is a grave crime against their dignity and respect and very
damaging for the community.
[59] O Prophet, tell the chiefs of your main administrations and the chiefs of
your subordinate administrations and the communities of those who claim to
be committed to working for peace under their jurisdiction that they should
take overall visible appropriate measures to protect themselves. That is more
suitable for the situation under the circumstances so that they are recognized
as well guarded communities and not bothered, that is how Allah shows grace
and mercy for mankind.
[60] If the hypocrites and those in whose minds is destructive ambition as well
as those who want to stir up sedition desist not then We will let you rise up
against them and their days in the city as your neighbours will be numbered.
[61] They will then be disgraced wherever they are found and they will be
stopped from carrying out their activities need be by fighting.
[62] This has been the way of Allah for dealing with such people even from
among people who lived before you and you will never find any change in the
way of Allah in dealing with such people now.
[63] People ask you about the time for dealing with these people decisively. Tell them, it is up to Allah to make this warning a reality? It may be that if
these people increase their activities instead of stopping after the warning
then the time to deal with them has already come.
[64] Surely Allah lets them disgrace themselves such as oppose His mission
by letting them prepare for themselves the raging fire of hatred
[65] to live therein forever unless they repent and reform because if they do
not then they can never find any protection or help other than in following
faithfully the program of Allah.
[66] The day when their faces will be cast down raging with fire of hatred they
will say, bad news for us, would that we had listened to Allah’s advice and
heeded the messenger.
[67] They will further admit, our Lord, we obeyed our chiefs and our priests
and they misled us from the way that was right for leading to peaceful
existence.
[68] Our Lord, let them suffer double the suffering and let descend upon them
a great sorrow.
[69] O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, be not like those
who tried to hurt Moses repeatedly though Allah saved him from all that they
did against him, for he was such a messenger who honoured the mission in
sight of Allah.
[70] O you who claim to be committed to working for peace, be consistent with
program of Allah and manifest only that behaviour which is beneficial for
others.
[71] So that thereby He improves your mutual conduct and removes your
weaknesses, for he who is consistent with Allah’s advice according to His
messenger will indeed have achieved goodness in great amount for
mankind.
[72] We surely extended the offer of Our program for peaceful existence to the
people in the high places as well as to those down to earth lowly people but
people of great influence thereafter refused to shoulder the responsibility and
moved away from it save the insightful man. Surely the one refused to follow
the program is the one who transgresses the set limits of human decency due
to being arrogantly ignorant
[73] due to this Allah leaves the hypocrite chiefs and their hypocrite
communities and the polytheist chiefs and their polytheist communities suffer
the painful consequences, but Allah turns by means of His revelation to those
chief administrators and their communities who commit to working for peace,
for Allah is Full of grace and full of Mercy for mankind who follow His
program.