13:1الٓمٓر تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ وَالَّذِي أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Alif, Lam, Mim, Ra. These are the signs of the Book. That which has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe [in it].
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:1
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:1]
See commentary of al Baqarah: 1 for Alif, Lam, Mim-huruf muqatta-at.
For the "verses of the book" see commentary of al Baqarah: 2 and Aqa Mahdi Puya's essay "the genuineness of the holy Quran".
13:2اللَّهُ الَّذِي رَفَعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ
It is Allah who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see, and then presided over the Throne. He disposed the sun and the moon, each moving for a specified term. He directs the command, [and] elaborates the signs that you may be certain of encountering your Lord.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:2
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:2]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Allah has created the universe. He is the sole sovereign. All laws pertaining to creation, legislation and administration are governed by His omnipotent, just and merciful will. There is no one, equal to Him, who shares in His absolute authority.
Please refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 29 and al Araf: 54.
Allah is the creator, the constant ruler and the continuous governor.
The whole universe exists and operates in accordance with the laws made, governed and regulated by the will of Allah.
13:3وَهُوَ الَّذِي مَدَّ الْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَأَنْهَارًا وَمِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ جَعَلَ فِيهَا زَوْجَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
It is He who has spread out the earth and set in it firm mountains and streams, and of every fruit in it He has made two kinds. He draws the night’s cover over the day. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:3
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:3]
In Ya Sin: 36; Zariyat: 49, and Rahman: 52 also it has been said that all created beings, including animals and plants have been created with reproductive apparatus-male stamens and female pistils, owing their existence to each other; and in the end they all fly (turn to or hasten to 3 Allah, because there is no refuge save in His mercy and there is no escape from His justice.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
The followers of the school of Ahl ul Bayt believe that whatever the Holy Prophet said or did was in the light of revelations, for verse 15 of Yunus says that he followed nothing but what is revealed to him-there are several types of revelations, such as the verses of the Quran, or wahi not disclosed in spoken words, hadith qudsi; and all these governed his whole life. So the fabricated tradition that he was unaware of the necessity of fertilisation of the female date- palm, implying that he used to make mistakes whenever he used his own discretion, should be rejected outright.
13:4وَفِي الْأَرْضِ قِطَعٌ مُّتَجَاوِرَاتٌ وَجَنَّاتٌ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوَانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوَانٍ يُسْقَى بِمَاءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْأُكُلِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
In the earth are neighbouring terrains [of diverse kinds] and vineyards, farms, and date palms growing from the same root and from diverse roots, [all] irrigated by the same water, and We give some of them an advantage over others in flavour. There are indeed signs in that for people who exercise their reason.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:4
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:4]
There is uniformity in diversity, and variety in unity in the sense that all diversity is subject to certain uniform laws, and therefore every variety points out to uniformity which means unity-a proof of the absolute unity of the creator of the universe.
13:5وَإِن تَعْجَبْ فَعَجَبٌ قَوْلُهُمْ أَإِذَا كُنَّا تُرَابًا أَإِنَّا لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ الْأَغْلَالُ فِي أَعْنَاقِهِمْ وَأُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
If you are to wonder [at anything], then wonderful is their remark, ‘When we have become dust, shall we be [ushered] into a new creation?’ They are the ones who defy their Lord; they shall have iron collars around their necks, they shall be the inhabitants of the Fire, and they shall remain in it [forever].
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:5
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:5]
After seeing the signs in nature and in revelation, only an obstinate disbeliever denies the creator, and refuses to appreciate the process of raising the dead up again after being reduced to dust-he must know that He who has once created him has the power to create him again. Refer to Ya Sin: 78 and 79 wherein the reply to the disbelievers contains this argument.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
After knowing the process of creation and development, man is expected to marvel at the grandeur of the eternal and beyond the human comprehension powers of the creator, but no reasonable human being will deny the possibility of a new state of life in the process of development or evolution.
13:6وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ الْحَسَنَةِ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِمُ الْمَثُلَاتُ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ لِّلنَّاسِ عَلَى ظُلْمِهِمْ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَشَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
They would press you for evil sooner than for good, though there have already gone by before them exemplary punishments. Indeed your Lord is forgiving to mankind despite their wrongdoing, and indeed your Lord is severe in retribution.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:6
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:6]
Unable to contest the positive arguments based upon reason and observation, the infidels resort to negative approach, and like the people of Nuh, Hud, Lut, Salih, Shu-ayb, and the followers of Firawn (in the times of Musa), mentioned in al Araf and Hud, ask for destructive signs-the divine punishment before the term of respite allowed by Allah in this life.
As a rule Allah allows time to follow guidance, but is severe in requital at the proper occasion.
13:7وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ
The faithless say, ‘Why has not some sign been sent down to him from his Lord?’ You are only a warner, and there is a guide for every people.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:7
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:7]
The Quran treats the miracles as subordinate to the moral and spiritual evidences and signs demonstrated by the Holy Prophet, who was sent as a warner.
Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 118. "And for every people there is a guide."
Thalabi in his Tafsir relates on the authority of Ibn Abbas that when this verse was revealed the Holy Prophet said: "I am the warner and Ali is the guide. O Ali, through you those who are guided will receive true guidance."
This tradition has also been reported and confirmed by Ibn Marduwayh, Ibn Hatim, Tabarani, Ibn Asakir, Suyuti, Ahmad bin Hambal, Fakhruddin Razi and Abu Nu-aym.
Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir also said that "the warner" means the Holy Prophet and "the guide" means Ali and added "the authority to guide continues among us". This verse also points to the continued existence of a "guide", namely al Mahdi al Qa-im (refer to the commentary of al Bara-at: 32 and 33); and for "the true guides" refer to the commentary of Yunus: 35. The Holy Prophet is a warner for all people in all times, so the Imam (guide) in his progeny is also for all people in every age.
The enemies of the Ahl ul Bayt try to conceal their merits, and deny their divine rights, but Allah's plan is always executed and His will invariably takes effect:
They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah wills to perfect His light, however the unbelievers may dislike it. (Saff: 8)
Allah had willed and thoroughly purified the Ahl ul Bayt (Ahzab: 33) and established them as the only truthfuls at the time of mubahilah (Ali Imran: 61).
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
There are three interpretations of the last passage of this verse:
(i) The Holy Prophet is a warner and a guide for every nation.
(ii) The Holy Prophet is a warner and every nation had a guide.
(iii) The Holy Prophet is a warner and every nation has a guide.
In view of the above-noted tradition reported by a large number of Muslim scholars the last interpretation must be accepted.
13:8اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَحْمِلُ كُلُّ أُنثَى وَمَا تَغِيضُ الْأَرْحَامُ وَمَا تَزْدَادُ وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِندَهُ بِمِقْدَارٍ
Allah knows what every female carries [in her womb], and what the wombs reduce and what they increase, and everything is by [precise] measure with Him,
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:8
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:8]
The female womb is just an example, a type, of extreme secrecy-whether the womb is bearing a male or female, one or more, whether it is to be born short of the standard time or to exceed the standard time. The most hidden things are clear to the creator's knowledge. All things are regulated by Him in just measure and proportion.
Allah's knowledge of the seen and the unseen is complete and perfect. His knowledge is the basis of the justice that will be done on the day of judgement. His knowledge encompasses all that which every individual does openly and secretly, and that which is taking place in the whole universe, and also the laws which govern the creation and its consequences, because he is the creator of all creation, all laws and all operations.
Imam Jafar bin Muhammad al Sadiq said:
Ghayz is that pregnancy whose duration is less than 9 months; and ma tazdad is that which exceeds 9 months.
13:9عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْكَبِيرُ الْمُتَعَالِ
the Knower of the sensible and the Unseen, the All-great, the All-sublime.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 13:9
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:9] (see commentary for verse 8)
13:10سَوَاءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ الْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌ بِالنَّهَارِ
It is the same [to Him] whether any of you speaks secretly, or does so loudly, or whether he lurks in the night, or is open to view in daytime.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:10]
Our most hidden thoughts and motives are known to Him at all times. Every person, whether he conceals or reveals his thoughts, whether he skulls in darkness or goes about by day, all are under Allah's watch. His grace encompasses, and again and again protects, those who take the precaution from harm and evil.
Ma-aqqibat are the angels who descend, succeeding one another by turns, to keep safe every individual from misfortunes when that individual, in Allah's will, is not to suffer death (Anam: 61).
Refer to Nisa: 79 and Anfal: 53 for "Allah never changes the condition of a people until they change it themselves." Allah has given man intelligence and knowledge; He surrounds him with his grace and mercy. If, inspite of all this, man distorts his own will and goes against Allah's will, Allah's wrath will descend on him and the favourable position in which Allah has placed him will be changed. None of the things which he relies upon, other than Allah, can protect him. When once the punishment comes, there is no turning it back.
Imam Ali bin Husayn al Zayn al Abidin has said that the bounties, Allah bestows on any person, are never taken away, but in consequence of certain sins:
(i) Disobedience to the virtuous,
pride, ridiculing others,
(these result in withdrawal of bounties and turn the sinner into a hardened transgressor.)
(ii) Going to bed before praying Isha salat,
sleeping at the time of Fajr salat,
thinking lightly of the bounties of Allah,
complaining to others against Allah. (these reduce the means of sustenance to the minimum.)
(iii) Swearing false oaths,
uttering lies,
adultery,
obstructing the way of the Muslims,
false claims,
misappropriation of a trust,
not helping the aggressed and oppressed,
not preaching pursuance of good and abstinence from evil.
(these bring down calamities.)
(iv) Practising iniquity and wickedness,
legalising that which is forbidden,
obedience to the wicked and revolting against the virtuous,
drunkenness and gambling,
using jests and jokes to stimulate ridicule of others.
(these give an upper hand to the enemies.)
13:11لَهُ مُعَقِّبَاتٌ مِّن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ يَحْفَظُونَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَالٍ
He has guardian angels, to his front and his rear, who guard him by Allah’s command. Indeed Allah does not change a people’s lot, unless they change what is in their souls. And when Allah wishes to visit ill on a people, there is nothing that can avert it, and they have no protector besides Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:11] (see commentary for verse 10)
13:12هُوَ الَّذِي يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَيُنشِئُ السَّحَابَ الثِّقَالَ
It is He who shows you the lightning, inspiring fear and hope, and He produces the clouds heavy [with rain].
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:12]
Thunder is a beneficent force, created by Allah, and like the rest of creation praises and glorifies the creator. Man is advised to look to good, not to evil; to mercy, not to punishment; to the hope of abundant crops in the rain which comes behind the lightning clouds; and not to fear the fire in the thunder. "Thunder", the name of this surah, is really a submissive instrument of good in Allah's hand.
It was not beneficence but wrath that the polytheists attributed to their false gods. If man worships anything other than Allah (rulers, stars, powers of nature, spirits, self, power, wealth, talent, intellect-all created by Allah to serve man) his worship is both foolish and futile.
Without belief in Allah worship or prayer has no meaning at all. To call any created being directly for fulfilment of needs and desires has been prohibited, but to seek the medium of the approved intercessors is not forbidden.
"Seek the means of approach unto Him." (Ma-idah: 35)
Also refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 48.
13:13وَيُسَبِّحُ الرَّعْدُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ مِنْ خِيفَتِهِ وَيُرْسِلُ الصَّوَاعِقَ فَيُصِيبُ بِهَا مَن يَشَاءُ وَهُمْ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي اللَّهِ وَهُوَ شَدِيدُ الْمِحَالِ
The Thunder celebrates His praise, and the angels [too], in awe of Him, and He releases the thunderbolts and strikes with them whomever He wishes. Yet they dispute concerning Allah, though He is great in might.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:13] (see commentary for verse 12)
13:14لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَيْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهِ وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ
[Only] to Him belongs the true invocation; and those whom they invoke besides Him do not answer them in any wise—like someone who stretches his hands towards water [desiring] that it should reach his mouth, but it does not reach it—and the invocations of the faithless only go awry.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:14] (see commentary for verse 12)
13:15وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَالُهُم بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ
To Allah prostrates whoever there is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and their shadows at sunrise and sunset.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:15]
Everyone, high or low, is a created being, and submits to the laws of the creator, whether willingly, as in the case of believers and all other beings in the universe, or unwillingly, as in the case of devils and rebels. Even the shadows, projections from other things and dependent on them for their existence are also subject to Allah's laws and will.
Like verse 206 of al Araf, it is implied here also that action is influenced by thoughts and the feelings.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
The absolute infinite reality is the real light- light of lights, by which every being comes into light and in evidence, refer to An Nur: 35. The finite beings differ from each other to the extent of their limitations in the order of existence. He who has the least limitations is nearer to the absolute; and the one, who has more limitations than he, is his shadow, but, in the order of existence, he also has his own shadow- the being who has more limitations than he has. Thus every lower being is the shadow of Us immediate higher being, following in its movement unto the perfect light.
13:16قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ قُلِ اللَّهُ قُلْ أَفَاتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الْأَعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِي الظُّلُمَاتُ وَالنُّورُ أَمْ جَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ خَلَقُوا كَخَلْقِهِ فَتَشَابَهَ الْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ قُلِ اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ الْوَاحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ
Say, ‘Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?’ Say, ‘Allah!’ Say, ‘Have you then taken others besides Him for guardians, who have no control over their own benefit or harm?’ Say, ‘Are the blind one and the seer equal? Are darkness and light equal?’ Have they set up for Allah partners who have created like His creation, so that the creations seemed confusable to them? Say, ‘Allah is the creator of all things, and He is the One and the All-paramount.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:16]
For "the Lord of the heavens and the earth" see commentary of al Fatihah: 2.
See commentary of Ma-idah: 100; Anam: 50 for the good and the bad; the blind and the seeing.
13:17أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا فَاحْتَمَلَ السَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِي النَّارِ ابْتِغَاءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُ كَذَلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ وَالْبَاطِلَ فَأَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَاءً وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَذَلِكَ يَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ
He sends down water from the sky whereat the valleys are flooded to [the extent of] their capacity, and the flood carries along a swelling scum. And from what they smelt in the fire for the purpose of [making] ornaments or wares, [there arises] a similar scum. That is how Allah compares truth and falsehood. As for the scum, it leaves as dross, and that which profits the people stays in the earth. That is how Allah draws comparisons.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:17]
Allah sends rain and He sends it to all, to each according to its measure. There are degrees and degrees among brooks, streams, lakes and rivers. So the rain of His mercy and knowledge and guidance which He sends is received by all but each responds according to one's own capacity (see Aqa Mahdi Puya's note in the preceding verse).
Water is pure, but froth and scum will gather according to local conditions. As the floods carry off the scum, so Allah's mercy (guidance and knowledge) carries away man's spiritual scum and purifies his soul. Like scum the frothy knowledge disappears but Allah's truth endures. The ore is full of baser admixture, but the fire separates the gold (or useful metals) from the trash for ornaments or household utensils. So the fire of test and trial searches out the true metal in man and rejects the trash.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
The parables in this verse refer to the process of creation of the finite beings from the infinite absolute; and to the momentary and transitory bearing and implication of ineffective, incompetent and parasitic things; and to the real and purposeful utility and durability of useful things. They also point out the course of divine revelations, and throw light on the reaction of man to it-they corrupt and misrepresent that which they have received, but whatever is divine and real remains and endures, and that which is unreal and corrupted disappears, as al Nahl: 96 says that what man has will pass, but what is with Allah will abide for ever.
13:18لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِرَبِّهِمُ الْحُسْنَى وَالَّذِينَ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَهُ لَوْ أَنَّ لَهُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا وَمِثْلَهُ مَعَهُ لَافْتَدَوْا بِهِ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ الْحِسَابِ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ
For those who answer [the summons of] their Lord there shall be the best [of rewards]. But those who do not answer Him, even if they possessed all that is on the earth and as much of it besides, they would surely offer it to redeem themselves with it. For such there shall be an adverse reckoning, and their refuge shall be hell, and it is an evil resting place.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:18]
Refer to the commentary of Ali Imran: 91 and Yunus: 54.
13:19أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَى إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Is someone who knows that what has been sent down to you from your Lord is the truth, like someone who is blind? Only those who possess intellect take admonition
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:19]
Ibn Marduwayh says that "He who knows" refers to Ali ibn abi Talib.
13:20الَّذِينَ يُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَلَا يَنقُضُونَ الْمِيثَاقَ
—those who fulfill Allah’s covenant and do not break the pledge solemnly made,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:20]
13:21وَالَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَيَخَافُونَ سُوءَ الْحِسَابِ
and those who join what Allah has commanded to be joined, and fear their Lord, and are afraid of an adverse reckoning
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:21]
The Holy Prophet said:
(i) To worship Allah, pray the prescribed salat regularly.
(ii) Safeguard yourself against evil with full awareness of Allah's laws and commands.
(iii) Do not associate any with Allah.
(iv) Love and take care of your family.
(Reported by Abu Ayyub Ansari)
13:22وَالَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً وَيَدْرَءُونَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
—those who are patient for the sake of their Lord’s pleasure, maintain the prayer, and spend secretly and openly out of what We have provided them, and repel evil [conduct] with good. For such will be the reward of the [ultimate] abode:
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:22]
Refer to the commentary of al Baqarah: 3, 45 and 112.
"Repel evil with good" implies doing good to him who has done evil to you, or forgiving .he evil-doer and the aggressor, or giving the rightful share to him who has once deprived you of your legitimate rights, or accommodating him who has refused to co-operate with you, or to be polite with him who has been haughty to you, or to greet him who has abused you, or to seek forgiveness of Allah as soon as a sin is committed.
13:23جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَدْخُلُونَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ
the Gardens of Eden, which they will enter along with whoever is righteous from among their forebears, their spouses, and their descendants, and the angels will call on them from every door:
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:23]
In the eternal garden of bliss the righteous will be reunited with all those near and dear ones whom they loved, provided that they were righteous also, because in eternity nothing else counts. Refer to Yusuf: 101. The angels shall enter through many gates to convey glad tidings and "peace" from Allah.
13:24سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
‘Peace be to you, for your patience.’ How excellent is the reward of the [ultimate] abode!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:24] (see commentary for verse 23)
13:25وَالَّذِينَ يَنقُضُونَ عَهْدَ اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مِيثَاقِهِ وَيَقْطَعُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَن يُوصَلَ وَيُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمُ اللَّعْنَةُ وَلَهُمْ سُوءُ الدَّارِ
But as for those who break Allah’s compact after having pledged it solemnly, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption in the earth—it is such on whom the curse will lie, and for them will be the ills of the [ultimate] abode.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:25]
This is the opposite of that which has been stated in verses 21 to 24 of this surah.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
It is applicable to the covenant taken at Ghadir Khum (refer to the commentary of Ma-idah: 67) and the "love of Ahl ul Bayt" mentioned in Shura: 23.
13:26اللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَفَرِحُوا بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَاعٌ
Allah expands the provision for whomever He wishes, and tightens it. They boast of the life of this world, but compared with the Hereafter the life of this world is but a [trifling] enjoyment.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:26]
Refer to al Bara-at: 38.
13:27وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُضِلُّ مَن يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ أَنَابَ
The faithless say, ‘Why has not some sign been sent down to him from his Lord?’ Say, ‘Indeed Allah leads astray whomever He wishes, and guides to Himself those who turn penitently [to Him]
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:27]
Refer to the commentary of verse 7 of this surah.
13:28الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
—those who have faith and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah.’ Behold! The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:28]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Refer to Anfal: 2. Tranquillity and fear are apparently opposite to each other. A true believer seeks tranquillity in the midst of conflicting desires of the worldly life and fears when he feels that there are many shortcomings in his submission to Allah. The remembrance of Allah produces these effects simultaneously in him and sets him free from all worldly worries.
Ali ibn abi Talib said:
"A true believer has no worry except about his failure to fulfil his duties to the Lord."
13:29الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ طُوبَى لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآبٍ
Those who have faith and do righteous deeds—happy are they and good is their [ultimate] destination.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:29]
13:30كَذَلِكَ أَرْسَلْنَاكَ فِي أُمَّةٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهَا أُمَمٌ لِّتَتْلُوَ عَلَيْهِمُ الَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ بِالرَّحْمَنِ قُلْ هُوَ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ مَتَابِ
Thus have We sent you to a nation before which many nations have passed away, that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you. Yet they defy the All-beneficent. Say, ‘He is my Lord; there is no god except Him; in Him I have put my trust, and to Him will be my return.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:30]
Abu Jahl and Abdullah bin Umayya asked the Holy Prophet to level the mountains and make rivers flow in their places so that they might cultivate corn. Then these verses were revealed.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Ya-asi actually means despair, but it is sometimes used figuratively in the sense of knowing, because he who gives up hope knows that what he had hoped will not take place. Despair is here synonymous with knowledge.
13:31وَلَوْ أَنَّ قُرْآنًا سُيِّرَتْ بِهِ الْجِبَالُ أَوْ قُطِّعَتْ بِهِ الْأَرْضُ أَوْ كُلِّمَ بِهِ الْمَوْتَى بَل لِّلَّهِ الْأَمْرُ جَمِيعًا أَفَلَمْ يَيْأَسِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن لَّوْ يَشَاءُ اللَّهُ لَهَدَى النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَلَا يَزَالُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا تُصِيبُهُم بِمَا صَنَعُوا قَارِعَةٌ أَوْ تَحُلُّ قَرِيبًا مِّن دَارِهِمْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ وَعْدُ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ
If only it were a Quran whereby the mountains could be moved, or the earth could be toured, or the dead could be spoken to.... Indeed, all dispensation belongs to Allah. Have not the faithful yet realised that had Allah wished He would have guided mankind all together? The faithless will continue to be visited by catastrophes because of their doings—or they will land near their habitations—until Allah’s promise comes to pass. Indeed Allah does not break His promise.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:31] (see commentary for verse 30)
13:32وَلَقَدِ اسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَمْلَيْتُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثُمَّ أَخَذْتُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عِقَابِ
Apostles were certainly derided before you. But then I gave respite to those who were faithless, then I seized them; so how was My retribution?
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:32]
Refer to Anam: 10 and the punishment inflicted upon the people of Nuh, Hud, Lut, Salih, and Shu-ayb and also Firawn in the times of Prophet Musa, mentioned in Araf and Hud.
13:33أَفَمَنْ هُوَ قَائِمٌ عَلَى كُلِّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ وَجَعَلُوا لِلَّهِ شُرَكَاءَ قُلْ سَمُّوهُمْ أَمْ تُنَبِّئُونَهُ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَم بِظَاهِرٍ مِّنَ الْقَوْلِ بَلْ زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مَكْرُهُمْ وَصُدُّوا عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ
Is He who sustains every soul in spite of what it earns [comparable to the idols]? Yet they ascribe partners to Allah! Say, ‘Name them!’ Will you inform Him concerning something He does not know about on the earth, or concerning [what are] mere words? Indeed, to the faithless, their scheming is presented as decorous, and they have been barred from the [right] way; and whomever Allah leads astray, has no guide.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:33]
Refer to Yusuf: 40.
13:34لَّهُمْ عَذَابٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَشَقُّ وَمَا لَهُم مِّنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَاقٍ
There is a punishment for them in the life of this world, and the punishment of the Hereafter will surely be harder, and they have no defender against Allah.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:34]
13:35مَّثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ أُكُلُهَا دَائِمٌ وَظِلُّهَا تِلْكَ عُقْبَى الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّعُقْبَى الْكَافِرِينَ النَّارُ
A description of the paradise promised to the Godwary: streams run in it, its fruits and shade are everlasting. Such is the requital of those who are Godwary; and the requital of the faithless is the Fire.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:35]
Refer to Nisa: 57.
13:36وَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَفْرَحُونَ بِمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنَ الْأَحْزَابِ مَن يُنكِرُ بَعْضَهُ قُلْ إِنَّمَا أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَلَا أُشْرِكَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُو وَإِلَيْهِ مَآبِ
Those whom We have given the Book rejoice in what has been sent down to you. Some of the factions deny a part of it. Say, ‘Indeed I have been commanded to worship Allah and not to ascribe any partner to Him. To Him do I summon [all mankind] and to Him will be my return.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:36]
13:37وَكَذَلِكَ أَنزَلْنَاهُ حُكْمًا عَرَبِيًّا وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم بَعْدَمَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا وَاقٍ
Thus We have sent it down as a dispensation in Arabic; and should you follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, you shall have against Allah neither any guardian nor defender.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:37]
The followers of the Holy Prophet are addressed through him.
Refer to the commentary of Ali Imran: 144.
13:38وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِّن قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً وَمَا كَانَ لِرَسُولٍ أَن يَأْتِيَ بِآيَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ لِكُلِّ أَجَلٍ كِتَابٌ
Certainly We have sent apostles before you, and We appointed for them wives and descendants; and an apostle may not bring a sign except by Allah’s leave. There is a written [ordinance] for every term:
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:38]
The messengers of Allah were human beings but they acted exactly as they were directed by the divine commands.
13:39يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِندَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ
Allah effaces and confirms whatever He wishes and with Him is the Mother Book.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:39]
See commentary of al Baqarah: 2 and Ali Imran : 7.
Ummul kitab is the preserved tablet, the original of all divine decrees.
Ali ibn abi Talib said:
"If the forces of evil had exterminated the Quran, not leaving a single verse, I would have even then related every event that would happen till the day of judgement."
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Our view of the universe is similar to the two records of the creation-partial and complete. The partial view is the subject of empirical investigation, liable to change. The complete view is the subject of spiritual investigation, unimpeachable and final.
13:40وَإِن مَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعْضَ الَّذِي نَعِدُهُمْ أَوْ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ وَعَلَيْنَا الْحِسَابُ
Whether We show you a part of what We promise them, or take you away [before that], your duty is only to communicate, and it is for Us to do the reckoning.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:40]
13:41أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَأْتِي الْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَا وَاللَّهُ يَحْكُمُ لَا مُعَقِّبَ لِحُكْمِهِ وَهُوَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ
Have they not seen how We visit the land diminishing it at its edges? Allah judges, and there is none who may repeal His judgement, and He is swift at reckoning.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:41]
13:42وَقَدْ مَكَرَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلِلَّهِ الْمَكْرُ جَمِيعًا يَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ وَسَيَعْلَمُ الْكُفَّارُ لِمَنْ عُقْبَى الدَّارِ
Those who were before them [also] schemed; yet all devising belongs to Allah. He knows what every soul earns. Soon the faithless will know in whose favour the outcome of that abode will be.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:42]
13:43وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَسْتَ مُرْسَلًا قُلْ كَفَى بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ وَمَنْ عِندَهُ عِلْمُ الْكِتَابِ
The faithless say, ‘You have not been sent [by Allah].’ Say, ‘Allah suffices as a witness between me and you, and he who possesses the knowledge of the Book.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 13:43]
See commentary of al Baqarah: 2 for "the book", and Hud: 17 for "he who has the knowledge of the book."
SUMMING UP
Surah ar Rad deals with the sovereignty, power, authority and wisdom of Allah. He is the creator of the universe and all that which is in it, the laws which govern and operate it, and the laws which (must) govern and operate the human life, individually as well as collectively. The disbelievers, instead of deriving advantage from the respite, are hastening unto the ultimate and eternal loss and deprivation (punishment) by refusing to believe in the day of judgement.
To every nation one or more messengers of Allah came as warners, and after the last messenger of Allah, there is a divinely appointed guide in every age to administer the affairs of the human society, as a true successor of the prophet .
Allah knows the seen and the unseen. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Angles are deputed to take care of and keep watch over every human being.
Bounties and favours, bestowed on any individual, are not withdrawn unless there are valid reasons.
Everything obeys Allah's commands, praises Him and glorifies Him.
The blind disbelievers and the knowing believers are not equal.
Those who establish salat, spend in the way of Allah and exercise self-control earn Allah's pleasure.
Those who do not fulfil the covenants made with Allah through His prophet are hypocrites, condemned for ever.
Allah is the rabbul alamin - the sustainer and cherisher of all that which has been created by Him.
Instead of receiving guidance from the (events of) history which has recorded the fact that people of yore witnessed the signs or miracles of Allah yet did not believe and were destroyed, the people in the times of the Holy Prophet, like their ancestors, again want to repeat history, but miracles are not demonstrated to provide enjoyment to the disbelievers.
Allah's plan is His will which takes immediate effect. The preserved tablet or the mother book contains the will of Allah-His decrees.
The messengers of Allah lived among the people as human beings, subject to the laws made by Allah.
Imam Ali ibn abi Talib is "he who has the knowledge of the book", and is therefore, along with Allah, a witness of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet.
