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- Verses 51 - 60: Translation and Commentary -

- The Reality of Du'a' (Supplication) and its Merits, Levels and Conditions of Acceptance
- Merits of Du'a'
- Ruling
- Du'a' and the Promise of Acceptance
- Conditions of the Acceptance of Du'a'

Verses 51 - 60

Surely, We do help Our messengers and those who believe in the worldly life, as well as on the day in which witnesses will stand (to give their testimony)- [51] a day when the apology of the unjust will bring them no benefit, and on them shall be the curse, and for them will be the evil abode. [52] And We gave Guidance to Musa, while We made the children of Isra'il inherit the Book - [53] as a guide and advice for people of understanding. [54] So, be patient -- surely the promise of Allah is true - and seek forgiveness for your sins, and proclaim the purity and praise of your Lord in the afternoon and at dawn. [55] Surely, those who quarrel in the matter of the verses of Allah without any authority having reached them, there is nothing in their hearts but pride of greatness that they are not (able) to reach. So, seek refuge with Allah. Surely, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. [56] Certainly, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of human beings, but most human beings do not know. [57] And the blind one and the sighted one are not equal, and those who believed and did good deeds and the evil ones are not (equal) either. Little you learn! [58] Certainly, the Hour is bound to come. There is no doubt in it, but most of the people do not believe. [59] And your Lord has said, "Call Me, I will respond to you. Definitely those who show arrogance against worshipping Me shall enter Jahannam, disgraced. [60]

Commentary

In the opening statement of verse 51, it was said: (Surely, We do help Our messengers and those who believe in the worldly life, 40:51). This verse carries the promise of Allah Ta'ala that He would keep helping His messengers and believers, both in the present world and in the Hereafter. It is obvious that this help is intended to be against adversaries and enemies. That it so happened in the case of most prophets (A.S), peace be on them all, is clear enough. But, there were prophets (A.S), such as, Sayyidna Yahya, Zakariyya and Shu'aib (A.S), who were either martyred by enemies or had to abandon their home country and migrate to some other place - as was the case with Sayyidna Ibrahim (A.S) and the last of the prophets, Sayyidna Muhammad al-Mustafa . There may be some doubt about that.

Ibn Kathir has, with reference to Ibn Jarir, answered this possible doubt by saying that, in this verse, (nusrah: help) means: (intisar: victory) or subduing of the enemy in retaliation - whether it happens at their hands while they are alive, or after their death. This meaning applies to all prophets and believers without any exception. History bears witness as to how those who killed their prophets (A.S) were later on subjected to terrible punishments and the disgrace that followed. Upon those who killed Sayyidna Yahya, Zakariyya and Shu'aib (A.S), their enemies were set who showed no mercy while disgracing and killing them. As for Namrud (Nimrod), terrible was the punishment that overtook him. And Allah Ta'ala set the power of Byzantine against the enemies of Sayyidna 'Isa (A.S) that defeated and disgraced them. And to him Allah Ta'ala will give ascendancy over his enemies close to the last day of al-Qiyamah. As for the enemies of the Holy Prophet , Allah Ta'ala had them stand subdued at the hands of Muslims themselves. Their arrogant chiefs were killed. Some were taken prisoners. The rest were rounded up at the time of the conquest of Makkah, but the Holy Prophet let them have their freedom. His message spread all over. The faith prevailed. The state of Islam stood established on the entire Arabian Peninsula within the lifetime of the Holy Prophet .

In the later part of verse 51, it was said: (as well as on the day in which witnesses will stand [to give their testimony]. It means the day of Qiyamah (Doomsday). Once they are there, Divine help for prophets and believers will show itself specially.

In verse 56, it was said: (there is nothing in their hearts but pride of greatness that they are not [able] to reach). It means that people who quarrel in the matter of the verses of Allah without having any valid argument really look forward to rejecting this faith simply because their hearts are filled with pride and arrogance. They would like to stay ahead in the game and are so dim-witted that they have taken for granted that they have this position of strength as a result of their staunch adherence to their faith, and if they were to surrender this stance by becoming Muslims, they will be left without any power and territory of their own. The Qur'an said: (they are not [able] to reach), that is, these people will never reach the goals of their assumed pride, greatness and state power without embracing Islam. However, had they embraced Islam, honor and greatness would have followed in their footsteps. (Qurtubi)