Subject Matter and Theme
The dishelievers of Makkah have been severely warned for their attitude of mockery
and derision with which they were responding to the Holy Prophet's message of
Tauhidand the Hereafter and for their utter refusal to accept and acknowledge his claim
to Prophethood. In the end
they have been plainly warned that the Prophet whom they are mocking and ridiculing
will overwhelm them in spite of their power and pelf and they will find the army of Allah
encamping in the very courtyards of their houses (vv. 171-179. This notice was given at
a time when there appeared no chance whatever of the Holy Prophet's success and
triumph. The Muslims (who have been called Allah's army in these verses) were being
made the target of severe persecution. Three- fourth of their population had already
emigrated and hardly 40 to 50 of the Companions were left with the Holy Prophet in
Makkah who were experiencing all sorts of the excesses with utter helplessness. Under
such circumstances
in view of the apparent conditions
no one could believe that the Holy Prophet and the handful of his ill equipped
Companions would ultimately attain dominance. The people rather thought that the new
movement would end and be buried in the ravines of Makkah. But hardly 15 to 16 years
had passed when on the conquest of Makkah precisely the same thing happened of
which the disbelievers had been forewarned. Along with administering warnings
Allah in this Sura has done full justice also to the theme of inducement and instruction
in a balanced way. Brief but impressive arguments have been given about the validity
of the doctrines of Tauhidand the Hereafter. Criticism has been made of the creed of
the mushrikinto show the absurdity of their beliefs; they have been informed of the evil
consequences of their deviations
which have been contrasted with the splendid results of the faith and righteous acts.
Then
in continuation of the same
Precedents from past history have been cited to show how Allah had been treating His
Prophets and their followers : how He has been favouring His faithful servants and
punishing their deniers and rejectors. The most instructive of the historical narratives
presented in this Sura is the important event of the pious life of the Prophet Abraham
who became ready to sacrifice his only son as soon as he received an inspiration from
Allah. In this there was a lesson not only for the disbelieving Quraish
who waxed proud of their blood relationship with him
but also for the Muslims who had believed in Allah and His Messenger. By narrating this
event they were told what is the essence and the real spirit of Islam
and how a true believer should be ready to sacrifice his all for the pleasure and
approval of Allah after he has adopted it as his Faith and Creed. The last verses of the
Sura were not only a warning for the disbelievers but also a good news for the believers
who were passing through highly unfavourable and discouraging conditions on account
of their supporting and following the Holy Prophet. In these verses they were given the
good news that they should not be disheartened at the hardships and difficulties they
had to encounter in the beginning
for in the end they alone would attain dominance
and the standard bearers of falsehood
who appeared to be dominant at the time would be overwhelmed and vanquished at
their hands. A few years later the turn the events took
proved that it was not an empty consolation but an inevitable reality of which they had
been foretold in order to strengthen their hearts.
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