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In the name of
Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful |
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SECTION: 1
Kãf Hã' Yã' ‘Ayn Suãd.[1] This is a reminder of blessings that
your Rabb bestowed on His servant Zakariya,[2] when he invoked
his Rabb in secret,[3] saying: “O Rabb! Surely my bones have
weakened and the hair of my head glistens with grey, while I
have never been disappointed in my prayer to You, O Rabb![4]
Surely, I fear about my relatives after me, for my wife is
barren, grant me an heir by Your grace[5] who should inherit me
and inherit the posterity of Ya'qoob, and make him, O my Rabb, a
desirable person!”[6] We answered his prayer saying: “O
Zakariya! Surely We give you the good news of a son, his name
shall be Yahya (John): a name that no one has had before
him.”[7] He asked: “O Rabb! How shall I have a son when my wife
is barren and I have become impotent from old age?”[8] The
answer came: “So shall it be. Your Rabb says: ‘It shall not be a
difficult task for Me, just as I created you before, when you
were nothing at all!"[9] Zakariya said “O my Rabb! Give
me a Sign”. He said: “Your sign is that for three nights you
shall not be able to speak to the people even being sound in
health.”[10] After this Zakariya came out of the shrine
and asked his people, through sign language, to glorify
Allah in the morning and in the evening.[11] To Yahya, when
he became old enough, We said: “ Hold firmly to the Book."
We granted him wisdom, while he was yet a boy,[12] and also
granted him kindness and purity by Our grace, and he grew up a
pious man;[13] dutiful to his parents - he was neither arrogant
nor disobedient.[14] Peace be on him the day he was born, the
day of his death and the Day he will be raised to life
again![15]
19:[1-15] |
The story of Zakariya and the birth and youth of Yahya (John)
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SECTION: 2
O Muhammad, relate to them the story of Maryam in the
Book (The Qur'an) when she withdrew from her family to a
place in the East.[16] She chose to be secluded from them. We
sent to her Our angel and he appeared before her as a grown
man.[17] She said: “I seek Rahmãn’s (Allah’s) protection
against you, leave me alone if you are Godfearing.”[18] He said:
“Don’t be afraid, I am merely a messenger from your Rabb to tell
you about the gift of a holy son.”[19] She said: “How shall I
bear a son, no man has ever touched me nor am I unchaste?”[20]
The angel replied: “So shall it be - Your Rabb says: `It is easy
for Me. We wish to make him a Sign for mankind and a blessing
from Us’ - and this matter has already been decreed.”[21] So she
conceived the child and she retired with him to a remote
place.[22] The pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a
palm-tree. She cried in her anguish: “Ah! Would that I
had died before this, and been long forgotten!”[23] An angel
from beneath the palm-tree consoled her, saying: “Do not
grieve! Your Rabb has provided a brook at your feet.[24] If you
shake the trunk of this palm-tree, it will drop fresh ripe dates
in your lap.[25] So eat, drink and refresh yourself. If you see
anyone, tell him: `I have vowed a fast to Rahmãn (Allah),
so I will not speak to anyone today’.”[26]
19:[16-26] |
The story of Maryam and the miraculous birth of Isa (Jesus)
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Carrying the baby, she came back to her
people. They said: “O Maryam! You have brought something hard to
believe![27] O sister (a woman from the noble family) of
Haroon! Your father was not a bad man nor your mother an
unchaste woman.”[28] In response she merely pointed towards the
baby. They said: “How can we talk to a babe in the cradle?”[29]
Whereupon the baby spoke out: “I am indeed a servant of
Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet.[30] His
blessing is with me wherever I go. He has commanded me to
establish Salah and give Zakah as long as I shall live.[31]
He has exhorted me to honor my mother and has not made me
domineering, hard to deal with.[32] Peace be upon me the day I
was born, the day I shall die and the Day I shall be raised to
life again.”[33] Such was Isa (Jesus) the son of Maryam,
and this is the True statement about him concerning which they
are in doubt.[34]
19:[27-34] |
Maryam brought her baby (Jesus) to her people and the baby spoke
to his people in the cradle to defend his mother and proclaim
his assignment to be their Prophet |
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It is not befitting to the majesty of
Allah that He Himself should beget a son! He is far above this;
for when He decrees a matter He need only say: “Be” and it
is.[35] Isa declared, Verily Allah is my Rabb and your
Rabb: therefore serve Him. This is the Right Way.[36] Inspite of
this, the sects from among them are divided concerning Jesus.
So woe to the disbelievers who shall be punished after
witnessing this Truth on the Great Day of Judgement.[37]
They will be able to see and hear very clearly on that Day when
they will appear before Us! But today these wrong doers,
neither want to hear nor see the Truth and, are in manifest
error.[38] O Muhammad, forewarn them about the Day of
intense regret when this matter will be decided, even though
at present they are paying no heed and do not believe.[39]
Ultimately, all things will perish and it is We, Who will
inherit the earth and all that is on it, and to Us shall they
return.[40]
19:[35-40] |
Isa
(Jesus) is not the son of God, it is not befitting to the
Majesty of God that He needs to beget a son |
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SECTION: 3
Relate to them the story of Ibrãhïm from the Book (The Qur'an),
he was a truthful Prophet.[41] Remember when he said to his
father: “O my father! Why do you worship something that can
neither hear nor see, nor yet profit you in any way?[42] O my
father! I have been given some knowledge which has not come to
you, so follow me: I’ll guide you to the Right Way.[43] O my
father! Do not worship Shaitãn: for Shaitãn is disobedient to
the Compassionate (Allah).[44] O my father! I fear that a
punishment of the Beneficent may afflict you, and you may become
a friend of the Shaitãn.”[45] His father replied: “How
dare you renounce my gods O Ibrãhïm? If you do not stop this
folly, I will indeed stone you to death: so begone from
my house this very moment!”[46] Ibrãhïm said: “Peace be
upon you: I will pray to my Rabb for your forgiveness, surely He
is ever Kind to me.[47] I am leaving you and those whom you
invoke besides Allah: I will call upon my Rabb and I am sure my
prayers to my Rabb will not be ignored.”[48] So when he left
them and the deities whom they worshipped besides Allah, We
granted him descendants like Ishãq and Ya'qoob, and We made each
of them a Prophet.[49] We bestowed on them Our Mercy and We
granted them the honor of being mentioned with true high
respect.[50]
19:[41-50] |
The
story of Ibrãhïm and his idol worshipping father |
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SECTION: 4
Relate to them the story of Musa in the Book; surely he was a
chosen man and was a Rasool, a Prophet.[51] We called him from
the right side of Mount Tür and honored him to come closer for
exclusive conversation.[52] We made his brother Haroon a Prophet
with Our blessing and assigned him as his assistant.[53]
Also relate to them the story of Isma`il in the Book; he was a
man of his word and was a Rasool, a Prophet.[54] He commanded
his people to establish Salah and give Zakah, and
was the one with whom his Rabb was well pleased.[55] Also relate
to them the story of Idrïs in the Book; he was a Truthful man, a
Prophet,[56] whom We raised to a lofty place.[57]
19:[51-57]
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The
Prophethood of Musa, Isma`il and Idrïs |
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These are some of the Prophets on whom Allah
bestowed His favors from among the descendants of Adam and of
those whom We carried in the Ark with Nüh, and of the
descendants of Ibrãhïm and Israel, and of those whom We guided
and chose. Whenever the Revelations of the Compassionate (Allah)
were recited to them, they fell to prostrate and weep.[58] But
the generations who succeeded them abandoned the Salah and
started following their lusts; so they will soon face the
consequences of their deviation.[59] However, those who repent,
become believers and do good deeds, will be admitted to Paradise
and will not be wronged in the least.[60] They will be granted
the Gardens of Eden which the Merciful has promised to His
servants, even though they have not seen them, and His
promise shall be fulfilled.[61] There they will hear no
nonsense, but only the words of peace; and they will be provided
their sustenance day and night.[62] Such is the Paradise which
We shall give as an inheritance to those of Our Servants who
lead a pious life.[63] The angel Gabriel who brought this
revelation after a long interval said: “We do not descend
from heaven except by the command of your Rabb; to Him belongs
whatever is before us and whatever is behind us and all that
lies in between. Your Rabb is never forgetful.[64] He is the
Rabb of the heavens and the earth, and of all that lies in
between, so worship Him, be steadfast in His worship. Do you
know any other being with the qualities like Him?”[65]
19:[58-65] |
All
prophets of Allah were Divinely Guided and chosen |
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SECTION: 5
Man says: “What! Once I am dead, shall I be raised to life
again?”[66] Does not man remember that We created him before out
of nothing?[67] By your Rabb, We will call them to account in
the company of all their shaitãns and set them on their knees
around the Fire of Hell;[68] then from every sect We will
certainly drag out its stoutest rebels against the Compassionate
(Allah).[69] Certainly We know best who deserves most to
be burned therein.[70] There is not a single one of you, who
shall not pass over it, this absolute decree of your Rabb is
unavoidable;[71] then We will deliver those who were pious
during their life on earth and leave the wrongdoers therein
humbled on their knees.[72] When Our Clear Revelations are
recited to them the unbelievers say to the believer: “Which one,
of the two of us, have fine dwelling and better companions?”[73]
Don’t they see, how many generations have We destroyed
before them, who were far greater in riches and in splendor?[74]
Tell them: “Anyone who has gone astray, the Compassionate (Allah)
prolongs his respite and extends an opportunity until they see
about which they were warned; - be it a worldly scourge or the
Hour of Doom - then they will realize whose is the worst
dwelling and whose are the weak companions?[75] In fact,
Allah increases in guidance those who seek guidance; everlasting
are only the good deeds, which are the best in the sight of your
Rabb to earn you a better reward and yield you the best
fruit?”[76] Have you noticed the words of that person who
rejects Our Revelations yet boasts: “I shall always be given
wealth and children.”[77] Has he gained knowledge of the Unseen
or has he been awarded a contract by the Compassionate (Allah)?[78]
By no means! We write down what he says and We will make his
punishment long and terrible.[79] We will inherit all that he
boasts of, and he will come back to Us all alone leaving all
these things behind.[80] They have taken other deities for
worship besides Allah, so that they should be a source of
strength to them.[81] By no means! Those very deities will
renounce their worship and turn against them on the Day of
Judgement.[82]
19:[66-82] |
Believers and unbelievers' life in this world and their life in
the Hereafter |
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SECTION: 6
Don’t you see that We have sent down to the unbelievers shaitãns
who incite them against the Truth?[83] Therefore be not in haste
against them, their days are numbered.[84] The Day will surely
come when We will gather the righteous like honored guests
before the Compassionate (Allah),[85] and drive the
criminals to Hell like thirsty cattle are driven to water.[86]
None shall have the power to intercede except the one who may
receive the sanction of the Compassionate (Allah).[87]
Those who say: “The Compassionate (God) has begotten a
son,”[88] certainly preach such a monstrous falsehood,[89] that
the very Heavens might crack, the earth might cleave asunder and
the mountains might crumble to pieces[90] - at their ascribing a
son to the Compassionate (God),[91] It is not befitting
to the Compassionate (God) that He should beget a
son.[92] There is none in the heavens and in the earth but must
come to the Compassionate (Allah) in full submission.[93]
He has a comprehensive knowledge and has kept strict count of
all His creatures,[94] and every one of them will come to Him
individually on the Day of Resurrection.[95] Surely the
Beneficent will bring about love for those who believe and do
good deeds.[96] We have made this Qur’an easy in your own
language so that you may give good news to the righteous and
warn the headstrong contentious folk.[97] How many generations
have We destroyed before them! Can you see any of them, or hear
even a sound of them?[98]
19:[83-98] |
No god other than Allah will be able to save you on the Day of
Judgement
Those who say Allah has begotten a son, preach such a monstrous
lie that even the Heavens may crack, earth split and mountains
crumble to pieces
Allah has made the Qur'an easy for mankind |
Major Issues, Divine
Law and Guidance:
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* Story of Zakariya (Zachariah) and the
birth of Prophet Yahya (John) pbuh.
* Story of Maryam (Mary) and the miraculous birth of Prophet Isa
(Jesus) pbuh.
* Prophet Isa’s address to his people from his cradle.
* The fact that Isa (Jesus), pbuh, is not the son of Allah
(God), and that it is not befitting to the Majesty of Allah that
He needs a son (i.e. for name, fame, help or continuity of
race).
* Story of Prophet Ibrãhïm (pbuh) and his mushrik father.
* The fact that all Prophets of Allah were divinely guided and
chosen people.
* Life of the believers and the nonbelievers in this world and
in the Hereafter.
* Those who say, "Allah has begotten a son," preach such a
monstrous lie that if they could hear it, the heavens would
crack, the earth would split and the mountains would crumble to
pieces.
* Allah has made the Qur'an easy for mankind.
The Muslims' First Migration and its
Historical Background
The chiefs of the Qureysh had failed to suppress the Islamic
movement through ridicule, sarcasm, and threats, so they
resorted to persecution and economic pressure. They persecuted,
starved, inflicted physical torture, and coerced the Muslims to
give up Islam. The most pitiful victims of their persecution
were the poor people and the slaves. Not only were they not paid
by the Qureysh for labor and professional work but they were
beaten, imprisoned, kept thirsty and hungry and were even
dragged on the burning sands.
The condition of the Muslims had become so unbearable that in
the fifth year of the Prophet’s mission, he advised his
followers in the following words: “You may migrate to Habash,
for there is a king who does not allow injustice to anyone. You
should remain there till Allah provides a remedy for your
affliction."
Taking advantage of this permission, eleven men and four women
immediately left for Habash. The Qureysh pursued them to the
coast but fortunately they escaped by getting on a boat leaving
for Habash at the seaport of Shu‘aibah. After a few months,
other people followed suit and their number rose to eighty-three
men and eleven women from the Qureysh and seven from other
clans. Only forty Muslims were left with the Prophet at Makkah.
This migration caused a great hue and cry in Makkah, for there
was hardly any family of the Qureysh which did not lose a son, a
son-in-law, a daughter, a brother or a sister. These included
the near relatives of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyãn and other chiefs of
the Qureysh who were notorious for their persecution of the
Muslims. As a result, some of them became more bitter in their
enmity toward Islam, while others were so moved by this that
they embraced Islam.
The Qureysh held a meeting and decided to send Abdullah bin Abi
Rabiy‘ah, the half brother of Abu Jahl, and Amr bin A’s with
some precious gifts to the king of Habash to persuade him to
send the migrants back to Makkah. Sayyidah Umme Salmah, who
became a wife of the Prophet later on and was among the
migrants, related their story in detail. She says: “When these
two clever statesmen of the Qureysh reached Habash, they
distributed the gifts among the courtiers of the king and
persuaded them to support their request to send the migrants
back. Then they approached Negus, the king of Habash, presented
the expensive gifts, and said: “Some headstrong brats of our
city have come to your land so our chiefs have sent us to you
with the request that you kindly send them back. These brats
have forsaken our faith, have not embraced yours, and have
invented a new faith." As soon as they made their request, all
the courtiers supported their case, saying: “We should send such
people back. It is not proper for us to keep them here." At this
the king, who got annoyed, said: 'I am not going to send them
back without proper enquiry. Since those people have put their
trust in us through coming and taking shelter in my country
rather than going to some other country, I will not betray them.
I will send for them and investigate the allegations these
people have made against them. Then I will make my own
decision.'" So the king sent for the immigrants to come to his
court.
When the immigrants received the summons from the king, they
held a meeting and after lengthy discussions decided: 'We shall
present the teachings of the Prophet to the king without adding
anything to or withholding anything from it regardless of
whether he lets us remain here or turns us out of his country.'
When they came to the court, the king put this question
abruptly: 'I understand that you have given up the faith of your
own people and have neither embraced my faith nor any other
existing faith but have invented a new faith. I would like to
know what your new faith is.' At this, J'afar bin Abi Tãlib
responded on behalf of the immigrants, in these words: 'O king!
We were sunk deep in ignorance and had become very corrupt; then
Muhammad (pbuh) came to us as a Messenger of Allah and reformed
us, but these Qureysh began to persecute us, so we have come to
your country in the hope that here we will be free from
persecution.' Hearing this statement, the king asked: 'Please
recite a piece of the Revelation which your Prophet has received
from Allah.' (In response, Sayyidunã J'afar recited a portion of
this Sürah which relates to the story of Prophets Yahya (John)
and Isa (Jesus) may peace be upon them.) When the king listened,
he started weeping and wept so much that his beard became wet
with tears. When Sayyidunã J'afar finished the recital, he said:
'Most surely this Revelation and the Message brought by Jesus
have come from the same source. By God, I will not put you in
the hands of these people.'
Next day Amr bin A’s made another attempt. He went to the king
and said: 'Please send for them again and ask them concerning
the belief they hold about Jesus, for they say a horrible thing
about him.' The king again sent for the immigrants, who had
already learned about the scheme of Amr. They again held a
meeting to discuss the answer they should give to the king if he
should ask about the belief that they hold about Prophet Jesus.
It was a very critical situation and all of them were uneasy
about it; however, they decided that they would just say what
Allah and His Rasool had said about Jesus. The next day, when
they went to the king’s court, he asked them the question that
had been suggested by Amr bin A’s. Sayyidunã J'afar bin Abi
Tãlib stood up and answered without any hesitation: 'Jesus was a
Servant of Allah and His Messenger. He was a Spirit and a Word
of Allah which had been sent to virgin Mary.' At this the king
picked up a straw from the ground and said, ‘By God, Jesus was
no different (even as much as this straw) than what you have
said about him.' After this the king returned the gifts of the
Qureysh, saying: 'I do not accept bribes.' Then he addressed the
immigrants: 'You are welcome in my country and you can stay here
in peace.'
These incidents indicate that Allah sent this Sürah as a
“provision” to the immigrants for their journey to Habash.
Following the story of Prophets Yahya and Isa, the story of the
Prophet Ibrãhïm is also related for the benefit of the
immigrants as he was also forced to leave his country by the
persecution of his father, his family and his countrymen like
them. On the one hand, it was intended to console the immigrants
that by migrating they would be following the tradition of
Prophet Ibrãhïm, so they could expect a good end similar as was
his. On the other hand, it was intended to warn the disbelievers
of Makkah that they were similar to those cruel people who
persecuted their forefather and leader, Ibrãhïm, while the
Muslims were in a position similar to that of Prophet Ibrãhïm.
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