72:1قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
Say, ‘It has been revealed to me that a team of the jinn listened [to the Quran] and they said, “Indeed we heard a wonderful Quran,
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:1
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:1]
Refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 30 on page 63; Sad: 76 and particularly Ahqaf: 29 to 32 for giving guidance to the jinn by the Holy Prophet.
The jinn were aware of previous revelations to Musa and Isa, but when they heard the Holy Prophet they came to know the corruptions crept into the religious beliefs of the followers of Musa and Isa, and embraced Islam.
72:2يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا
which guides to rectitude. Hence, we have believed in it and we will never ascribe any partner to our Lord.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:2
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:2]
The jinn after listening to the right guidance preached by the Holy Prophet (there is no god save Allah), accepted the unity of Allah (tawhid) and rejected the corrupted creeds of the Jews and the Christians. See commentary of Anam: 101.
72:3وَأَنَّهُ تَعَالَى جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا اتَّخَذَ صَاحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
Exalted be the majesty of our Lord; He has taken neither any spouse nor son.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:3
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:3] (see commentary for verse 2)
72:4وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا
The foolish ones among us used to speak atrocious lies concerning Allah.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:4
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:4] (see commentary for verse 2)
72:5وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن تَقُولَ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
We thought that humans and jinn would never utter any falsehood concerning Allah.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:5
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:5] (see commentary for verse 2)
72:6وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
Indeed some persons from the humans would seek the protection of some persons from the jinn, thus only adding to their rebellion.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:6
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:6]
The inability of the human beings, particularly in the earlier ages of ignorance, to understand the nature of created beings other than themselves, led them to believe in false notions about the jinn. They thought that the jinn had mysterious powers and could harm them in supernatural ways, so they began to give undue importance to the jinn, and many people used to invoke them for protection and safety. This attitude of man made the jinn proud and they foolishly and falsely assumed the responsibility of guarding and protecting mankind. Like the disbelievers some among the jinn also thought that there is no resurrection and judgement, so they became daring and tried to pry higher realms but their dark plots were defeated by vigilant guards described as the shafts of meteoric light in the heavens. See commentary of Hijr: 16 to 18; Saffat: 7 and Mulk: 5.
72:7وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا
They thought, just as you think, that Allah will not raise anyone from the dead.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:7
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:7] (see commentary for verse 6)
72:8وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
Indeed we made for the heaven and found it full of mighty sentries and flames.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:8
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:8] (see commentary for verse 6)
72:9وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا
We used to sit in its positions to eavesdrop, but anyone listening now finds a flame waiting for him.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 72:9
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:9] (see commentary for verse 6)
72:10وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
We do not know whether ill is intended for those who are on the earth, or whether their Lord intends good for them.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:10] (see commentary for verse 6)
72:11وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
Among us some are righteous and some are otherwise: we are various sects.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:11]
There are among the jinn some who are righteous and some otherwise, but all of them know that Allah's truth and Allah's plan must prevail, and no one can frustrate His purpose or escape from it. Those who do not follow the right path and deviate shall be the fuel of the fire.
72:12وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
We know that we cannot frustrate Allah on the earth, nor can we frustrate Him by fleeing.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:12] (see commentary for verse 11)
72:13وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَى آمَنَّا بِهِ فَمَن يُؤْمِن بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
When we heard the [message of] guidance, we believed in it. Whoever that has faith in his Lord will fear neither privation nor oppression.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:13] (see commentary for verse 11)
72:14وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
Among us some are Muslims and some of us are perverse.” ’ Those who submit [to Allah]—it is they who pursue rectitude.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:14] (see commentary for verse 11)
72:15وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
As for the perverse, they will be firewood for hell.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:15] (see commentary for verse 11)
72:16وَأَلَّوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُم مَّاءً غَدَقًا
If they are steadfast on the path [of Allah], We shall provide them with abundant water,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:16]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Imam Muhammad bin Ali al Baqir told Abu Bathir that the right path mentioned in verse 30 of Ahqaf is referred to in this verse.
According to Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq the water in this verse stands for the knowledge and insight into higher things which is available to those who follow the teachings of the Imams of the Ahl ul Bayt.
72:17لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا
so that We may test them therein, and whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will let him into an escalating punishment.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:17]
72:18وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا
The places of worship belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:18]
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
Masjid means a place where one lays or bends with face on the ground in humble reverence-prostration. Figuratively it is used to refer to a place of worship. According to the Ahl ul Bayt, in this verse, masajid (plural of masjid) also refer to the parts of the body which are used in prostration-palms, knees, feet (toes) and forehead.
Imam Muhammad bin Ali at Taqi advised the Abbasi caliph not to cut the portion of the hands of a thief above the four fingers, because the palms are used in the act of prostration.
72:19وَأَنَّهُ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا
When the servant of Allah rose to pray to Him, they almost crowded around him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:19]
Abdullah, the servant of Allah, is one of the titles of the Holy Prophet.
The reference may be to the rough treatment which the Holy Prophet received at the hands of the unruly mob at Taif. The pagan Quraysh used to put all sorts of obstacles in his way to prevent him from preaching the religion of Islam (worship of Allah only) and denouncing idol worship. They used to ridicule him, persecute him and make the physical conditions of his life as difficult for him as possible.
The Holy Prophet was sent to deliver the message the final word of Allah, to mankind. He did not force them to follow the right guidance. It is left to the free will of every individual to do as he chooses. If any man decides not to follow the right guidance, he shall be a loser in the hereafter where he will see clearly that the promise of Allah is true, and that those who were considered weak on this earth will be the strong ones.
As the Holy Prophet always carried out the commands of Allah in letter and spirit, no matter how much the odds were against him, he is addressed as the servant of Allah-Abdullah.
72:20قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَدْعُو رَبِّي وَلَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ أَحَدًا
Say, ‘I pray only to my Lord, and I do not ascribe any partner to Him.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:20] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:21قُلْ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا رَشَدًا
Say, ‘I have no power to bring you any harm or good [of my own accord].’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:21] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:22قُلْ إِنِّي لَن يُجِيرَنِي مِنَ اللَّهِ أَحَدٌ وَلَنْ أَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا
Say, ‘Neither can anyone shelter me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge besides Him.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:22] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:23إِلَّا بَلَاغًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِسَالَاتِهِ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا
[I have no duty] except to transmit from Allah, and [to communicate] His messages; and whoever disobeys Allah and His apostle, there will indeed be for him the fire of hell, to remain in it forever.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:23] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:24حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ أَضْعَفُ نَاصِرًا وَأَقَلُّ عَدَدًا
When they see what they are promised, they will know who is weaker in supporters and fewer in numbers.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:24] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:25قُلْ إِنْ أَدْرِي أَقَرِيبٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ أَمْ يَجْعَلُ لَهُ رَبِّي أَمَدًا
Say, ‘I do not know if what you are promised is near, or if my Lord has set a [long] term for it.’
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:25] (see commentary for verse 19)
72:26عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَى غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا
Knower of the Unseen, He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] Unseen to anyone,
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:26]
Allah alone knows the unseen. It was not made known to any save the Holy Prophet.
Imam Ali bin Musa ar Rida said:
"Allah revealed all the secrets of the unknown to the Holy Prophet who entrusted this knowledge of the unseen to the Imams of his Ahl ul Bayt."
Refer to the commentary of Baqarah: 3 and Rad: 39.
Aqa Mahdi Puya says:
The knowledge of Allah is infinite. In the light of these verses the knowledge of the infinite had been transferred to the Holy Prophet, so that his finite wisdom should manifest the wisdom of the infinite. In this way the infinite is the real knower and the finite is the depository of acquired knowledge. Therefore whatever the Holy Prophet said to inform people about the unseen is from Allah and therefore true.
These verses also assert that the actions of the Holy Prophet were so in accord with Allah's will and command that his reliability and his sinlessness are guaranteed. There was no question of any error or mistake being committed by him.
72:27إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِن رَّسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَدًا
except to an apostle He approves of. Then He dispatches a sentinel before and behind him
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:27] (see commentary for verse 26)
72:28لِّيَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ أَبْلَغُوا رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ وَأَحْصَى كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عَدَدًا
so that He may ascertain that they have communicated the messages of their Lord, and He encompasses all that is with them, and He keeps an count of all things.
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 72:28]
The universal will of Allah exercises absolute authority. The will of Allah takes effect as soon as it is willed. There is no gap of time or space between them.
There is nothing which we do, nothing which takes place that is not known to Him, nothing is outside His account, so reckoning and judgement are in His exclusive jurisdiction.
