Chapters on Tafsir

Narrated Anas bin Malik: that Ar-Rubai' bint An-Nadr came to the Prophet (ﷺ) - and her son Harithah bin Suraqah had been killed on the Day of Badr, having been struck by an arrow, shot by an unknown person - so she came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: "Inform me about Harithah. If he has reached goodness, I shall be forbearing and patient. If he has not reached goodness, I will struggle supplicating for him." So Allah's Prophet (ﷺ) said: "O Umm Harithah! There are gardens in Paradise, and verily your son Harithah has reached the highest part of Paradise, and Al-Firdaws is the highest part of Paradise, its most center and best."

Narrated 'Abdur-Rahman bin [Sa'eed bin] Wahb - that is Al-Hamdani: that 'Aishah the wife of the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "I asked about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about this Ayah: And those who give that which they give with their hearts full of fear... (23:60)" 'Aishah said: "Are they those who drink Khamr and steal?" He said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddiq. They are those who fast, perform Salat, give charity while they fear that their Lord will not accept it from them: It is these who hasten to do good deeds, and they are the foremost of them (23:61)."

Narrated Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri: that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Therein they will grin, with displaced lips... (23:103) - he said - "He will be broiled by the Fire, such that his upper lip will shrink until it reaches the middle of his head, and his lower lip will droop until it is near his navel."

Narrated 'Amr bin Shu'aib: from his father, from his grandfather, who said "There was a man named Marthad bin Abi Marthad, and he was a man who would carry captives from Makkah to Al-Madinah." He said: "And there was a prostitute woman in Makkah called 'Anaq, who was a friend of his. He had promised a man from the captives of Makkah that he would transport him, and he said: 'So I came until I reached one of the walls of Makkah on a moon-lit night.' He said "'Anaq came along and she saw the darkness of my shadow next to the wall. When she reached me she recognized me and said: "Marthad?" So I replied: "(Yes it is) Marthad." She said: "Welcome, come and spend the night with us." I said: "O 'Anaq! Allah has made illicit sexual relations unlawful." So she said: "O people of the tents! That is the man who takes your captives away!" He said: "Eight people followed me, and I went through the passes of Al-Khandamah. I stopped at a cave and entered it. They came until they stood over my head, and they began urinating, their urine falling on my head. Yet Allah made them unable to see me. He said: 'Then I went back. I returned to my companion to transport him - and he was a heavy man - until I reached Al-Idhkir. There I removed his shackles to make him easier to carry, since he was exhausting me, until I arrived at Al-Madinah. I went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I said "O Messenger of Allah! May I marry 'Anaq? [I said this, two times] but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was silent, and he did not reply to me at all until (the following) was revealed: The Zani marries not but a Zaniyah or a Mushrikah; and the Zaniyah, none marries her except a Zani or a Mushrik (24:3). So do not marry her.'"

Narrated Sa'eed bin Jubair: "I was asked about those who were involved in the case of Li'an and if they are to be separated, during the leadership of Mus'ab bin Az-Zubair. I did not know what to say. So I went to the house of 'Abdullah bin 'Umar and I sought permission to enter. I was told he was taking a nap, but he heard me taking and he said: 'Is it Ibn Jubair? Enter. You would not have come except for a need.'" He said: "So I entered and found him laying on a saddlecloth from his mount. I said: 'O Abu 'Abdur-Rahman! Are those involved in Li'an separated?' He said: 'Glorious is Allah! Yes. The first who asked about hat was so-and-so the son of so-and-so. He came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said "O Messenger of Allah! If one of us saw his wife committing adultery, what should he do? If he were to say anything, his statement would be a horrible matter, and if he were to remain silent, his silence about the matter would be horrible." He said: 'So the Prophet (ﷺ) remained silent and did not answer him. Afterwards he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: "The one who asked you about it has been tried by it." So Allah revealed these Ayat from Surat An-Nur: 'And those who accuse their wives and have no witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies by Allah (24:6-10)' - until the end of those Ayat. He said: 'So he called for the man and recited the Ayat to him and admonished him, reminded him, and he told him: "Indeed the punishment of the world is less than the punishment of the Hereafter." So he said: "Nay! By the One Who sent you with the Truth! I did not lie about her." Then he (ﷺ) did the same with the woman, admonishing her and reminding her and he told her: "Indeed the punishment of the world is less than the punishment of the Hereafter." She said: "Nay! By the One Who sent you with the Truth! He is not telling the truth.'" "He said: 'So he started with the man: He testified four times, by Allah that he is one of the truthful, and the fifth time that the curse of Allah be upon him if he was one of the liars. Then the same with the woman: She testified four times by Allah, that he was one of the liars, and the fifth time that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he was one of the truthful. Then he separated the two of them.'"

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "Hilal bin Umayyah went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and accused his wife of committing illegal sexual intercourse with Sharik bin Sahma. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Either you produce proof, or you will receive the legal punishment on your back.'" He said: "Hilal said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! If one of us saw a man over his wife, should he go and search for witnesses?' The Prophet (ﷺ) kept on saying: 'Either you produce proof, or you will receive the legal punishment on your back.'" He said: "Hilal then said, 'By Him Who sent you with the Truth and Allah will reveal to you what will save my back from the legal punishment.' Then (the following) was revealed: And for those who accuse their wives, but have not witnesses except themselves, let the testimony of one of them be four testimonies by Allah that he is one of those who speak the truth (24:6-9). He recited it until he reached: 'And the fifth; should be that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaks the truth.' Then the Prophet (ﷺ) was saying: 'Allah knows that one of you is a liar, so, will either of you repent?' Then the woman got up and took the oaths, and when she was about to take the fifth one; That the wrath of Allah be upon her if he speaks the truth', the people stopped her and said to her: 'It will definitely bring about Allah's curse upon you (if you are guilty).'" Ibn 'Abbas said 'So she hesitated, and recoiled so much so, that we thought that she would withdraw her denial. But she said: 'I will not dishonor my family for the rest of their days.' The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: 'Watch her, if she delivers a child with eyes that appear to have Kuhl on them, big hips, and fat shins then it is Sharik bin Sahma's child.' (Later) she gave birth to a child fitting that description. So the Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'If it had not been settled in the Book of Allah [the Mighty and Sublime], I would punish her severely.'"

Narrated 'Aishah: "What was said about me had been said, and I myself was unaware of it, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) got up and addressed the people. He recited the Tashahhud and after praising and expressing gratitude to Allah, as He deserved, he said: 'To proceed: O people! Give me your opinion regarding those people who made a forged story against my wife. By Allah, I do not know anything bad about her at all. By Allah, they accused her of being with a man about whom I have never known anything bad, and he never entered my house unless I was present there, and whenever I went on a journey, he went with me.' Sa'd bin Mu'adh [may Allah be pleased with him] got up and said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! Allow me to chop their heads off!' Then a man from Al-Khazraj, to whom the mother of Hassan bin Thabit was a relative, got up and said (to Sa'd): 'You have told a lie! By Allah, if those persons were from Al-Aws, you would not like to chop their heads.' It was probable that some evil would take place between Aws and Khazraj in the Masjid while I was unaware of that. In the evening of that day, I went out for some of my needs, and Umm Mistah was accompanying me. On our return, Umm Mistah stumbled and said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her, 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' On that Umm Mistah became silent for a while, and stumbling again, she said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her: 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' She stumbled for the third time and said: 'Let Mistah be ruined!' I said to her: 'O mother! Why do you abuse your son?' Upon that she said: 'By Allah! I do not abuse him except because of you.' I asked her: 'Concerning what of my affairs?' So she disclosed the whole story to me. I said: 'Has this really happened?' She replied: 'Yes, by Allah!' I returned to my house, so astonished, that I did not know for what purpose I had gone out. Then I became sick and said to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) 'Send me to my father's house.' So he sent a servant with me, and when I entered the house, I found Umm Ruman downstairs, while Abu Bakr was reciting something upstairs. My mother asked: 'What has brought you, O daughter?' She said: "I informed her and mentioned the whole story to her, but she did not feel as I did about it. She said: 'O my daughter! Do not worry much about this matter, for there is never a charming lady loved by her husband who has other wives, but that they feel jealous of her and speak badly of her.' But she did not feel the same about it as I did. I asked her: 'Does my father know about it?' She said 'Yes.' I asked: 'Does the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) know about it too?' She said 'Yes, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also knows about it.' Tears filled my eyes and I wept. Abu Bakr, who was reading upstairs, heard my voice, and came down asking my mother: 'What is the matter with her?' She said: 'She has heard what has been said about her.' On that Abu Bakr wept and said: 'I beseech you, by Allah, O my daughter, to go back to your home.' I went back to my home, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had come to my house asking my maid-servant about me. The maid-servant said: 'By Allah! I do not know of any fault or defect in her character except that she sleeps and lets the sheep enter and eat her dough.' On that, some of the Prophet's Companions spoke harshly to her and said: 'Tell the truth to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).' Finally, they told her of the slander and she said: 'Subhan Allah! By Allah, I know nothing against her except what a goldsmith knows about a piece of pure gold.' Then this news reached the man who was accused, and he said: 'Subhan Allah! By Allah, I have never uncovered the private parts of any woman.' Later, that man was martyred in Allah's Cause. Then the next morning, my parents came to pay me a visit and they stayed with me until the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to me, after he performed the 'Asr prayer. He came to me and while my parents were sitting around me on my right and my left. The Prophet (ﷺ) said the Tashahhud, praised and glorified Allah and said: 'Now then, O 'Aishah! If you have committed a bad deed, or you have wronged (yourself), then repent to Allah, as Allah accepts the repentance from His worshipers.' An Ansari woman had come and was sitting near the gate. I said to the Prophet (ﷺ): 'Isn't it improper that you speak in such a way in the presence of this lady?' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then gave a piece of advice and I turned to my father and requested him to reply to him. My father said: 'What should I say?' Then I turned to my mother and asked her to answer him. She said: 'What should I say?' When my parents did not reply to the Prophet (ﷺ), I said the Tashahhud, praised and glorified Allah as His due, and I said: 'Then, by Allah! If I were to tell you that I have not done (this) and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, is witness that I am telling the truth, that would not be of any use to me on your part, because you (people) have spoken about it and your hearts have absorbed it (as truth); and if I were to tell you that I have done this sin, and Allah knows that I have not done it, then you will say: 'She has confessed her guilt.' By Allah! I do not see a suitable example for me and you except the example of - and I could not remember Ya'qbus name - Yusuf's father when he said: So patience is most fitting. And it is Allah Whose help can be sought against that which you describe (12:18). She said: "It was at that time that Revelation came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and we remained silent. Then the Revelation was over, and I noticed the signs of happiness on his face while he was wiping (the sweat) from his forehead, and saying: 'Have the good tidings O 'Aishah! Allah has revealed your innocence.' At that time I was extremely angry. My parents said to me: 'Get up and go to him.' I said: 'By Allah, I will not do it,and will not thank him nor either of you, but I will thank Allah, Who has revealed my innocence. You have heard (this story) but neither of you have denied it, nor have you changed it (to defend me).'" 'Aishah used to say: "But as regards to Zainab bint Jahsh, Allah protected her because of her piety. She did not say anything except good (about me). But her sister, Hamnah was ruined among those who were ruined. Those who used to speak evil about me were Mistah, Hassan bin Thabit, and the hypocrite 'Abdullah bin Ubayy [bin Salul] and [it is he who] used to spread that news and tempt others to speak of it, and it was he and Hamnah who had the greater share therein. Abu Bakr took an oath that he would never do any favor for Mistah at all. Then Allah, Most High, revealed this Ayah: 'Let not those among you who are blessed with graces and wealth' [until the end of the Ayah] referring to Abu Bakr: 'to give their kinsmen, the poor, and those who left their homes for Allah's Cause.' - meaning Mistah - up to His saying: Do you not love that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (24:22).' On that, Abu Bakr said: 'Yes, by Allah! O our Lord! We wish that You forgive us.' So he returned to what he had been doing."

Narrated 'Aishah: "When my innocence was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood on the Minbar and mentioned that. He recited the Qur'an, and when he descended, he ordered that two men, and the woman, be beaten as their Hadd."

Narrated 'Abdullah: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! What is the worst sin?' He said: 'That you make and equal to Allah, while it is He who created you.'" He said: "I said: 'Then what?' He said: 'That you kill your child fearing that he will eat with you.'" He said: "I said: 'Then what?' He said: 'That you commit adultery with your neighbors wife.'"

Narrated 'Abdullah: "I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) which sin is the worst.' He said: 'That you make an equal to Allah while it is He who created you, that you kill your child so that he not eat with you - or because of your food, that you commit adultery with your neighbor's wife.'" He said: "And he recited this Ayah: 'And those who invoke not any other god along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for what is required, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does that shall receive punishment. The torment will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace (25:68 & 69).'"

Narrated 'Aishah: "When this Ayah was revealed: 'And warn your tribe of near kindred (26:214).' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'O Safiyyah bint 'Abdul-Muttalib! O Fatimah bint Muhammad! O Banu 'Abdul-Muttalib! I have no power to help you at all before Allah! Ask of me whatever you want from my wealth.'"

Narrated Abu Hurairah: "When (the following) was revealed: 'And warn your tribe of near kindred (26:214)' the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gathered the (families) of the Quraish (calling them) one and all, he said: 'O people of the Quraish! Ransom yourselves from the Fire! I have no power to prevent harm or bring benefit to you before Allah! O people of Banu 'Abd Manaf! Ransom yourselves from the Fire! I have no power to prevent harm or bring benefit to you before Allah! O people of Banu Qusayy! Ransom yourselves from the Fire! I have no power to prevent harm or bring benefit to you! O people of Banu 'Abdul-Muttalib! Ransom yourselves from the Fire! I have no power to prevent harm or bring benefit to you! O Fatimah bint Muhammad! Ransom yourself from the Fire! I have no power to prevent harm or bring benefit to you before Allah! All you have is the womb, and the kind relations that shall come of it."

Narrated Qasamah bin Zuhair: "Al-Ash'ari said: 'When (the following) was revealed: 'And warn your tribe of near kindred (26:214)' the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) placed his fingers in his ears, raised his voice and said: 'O Banu 'Abd Manaf! Hearken!'"

Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "A beast will emerge from the earth. With it shall be the ring of Sulaiman and the staff of Musa. It will brighten the face of the believer, and stamp the nose of the disbeliever with the ring, such that when the people gather to eat, it will be said to this one: 'O believer! and to that one: 'O disbeliever!'"

Narrated Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to his uncle: 'Say La Ilaha Illallah and I may bear witness with that, on your behalf, on the Day of Judgement.' So he said: 'If it weren't that the Quraish would insult me (saying): "He only said it out of fright" then I would delight your eyes.' Then Allah the Mighty and Sublime revealed: Verily, you guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills (28:56)."

Narrated Mus'ab bin Sa'd: that his father, Sa'd, said: "Four Ayat were revealed about me" and he mentioned the story. Umm Sa'd had said: "Did not Allah command you to honor (your parents). By Allah! I will not eat or drink anything until I die or you renounce (Islam)." He said: "So when they wanted to make her eat, they would force her mouth open. So this Ayah was revealed: And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you associate (partners) with Me, of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not (29:8)."

Narrated Umm Hani: that regarding Allah's saying: '...And you practice evil in your meetings... (29:29) that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "They would throw pebbles at people of the land and make a mockery of them."

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: that regarding "Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated" (In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious. Within Bid' years...) (30 1 & 2)" The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Abu Bakr about the wager: "Why were you not more cautious Abu Bakr? For indeed Al-Bid' refers to what is from three to nine."

Narrated 'Atiyyah: Abu Sa'eed narrated: "On the Day of Badr, the Romans had a victory over the Persians. So the believers were pleased with that, then the following was revealed: 'Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated, up to His saying: 'the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allah... (30:1-5)'" He said: "So the believers were happy with the victory of the Romans over the Persians."

Narrated Sa'eed bin Jubair: from Ibn 'Abbas, regarding the saying of Allah, Most High: Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land (30:1-3)" he said: "Ghulibat wa Ghalabat (defeated and then victorious)." He said: "The idolaters wanted the Persians to be victorious over the Romans because they too were people who worshiped idols, while the Muslims wanted the Romans to be victorious over the Persians because they were people of the Book. This was mentioned to Abu Bakr, so Abu Bakr mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: 'They will certainly prevail.' Abu Bakr mentioned that to them, and they said: 'Make a wager between us and you; if we win, we shall get this and that, and if you win, you shall get this or that.' He made the term five years, but they (the Romans) were not victorious. They mentioned that to the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said: "Why did you not make it less (than)" - He (one of the narrators said): I think he said: "ten?" He said: Sa'eed said: "Al-Bid' is what is less than then" - he said: "Afterwards the Romans have been victorious." He said: "That is what Allah Most High said: 'Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated' up to His saying: 'And on the day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allah. He helps whom He wills (30:1-5).' Sufyan said: "I heard that they were victorious over them on the Day of Badr."

Narrated Niyar bin Mukram Al-Aslami: "When (the following) was revealed: 'Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious in Bid' years (30:1-4).' - on the day that these Ayat were revealed, the Persians had defeated the Romans, and the Muslims had wanted the Romans to be victorious over them, because they were the people of the Book. So Allah said about that: 'And on that day, the believers will rejoice - with the help of Allah. He helps whom He wills, and He is the Almighty, the Most Merciful (30:4 & 5). The Quraish wanted the Persians to be victorious since they were not people of the Book, nor did they believe in the Resurrection. So when Allah revealed these Ayat, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, went out, proclaiming throughout Makkah: 'Alif Lam Mim. The Romans have been defeated. In the nearest land, and they, after their defeat, will be victorious, in Bid' years (30:1-4).' Some of the Quraish said: 'Then this is (a bet) between us and you. Your companion claims that the Romans will defeat the Persians in Bid' years, so why have have a bet on that between us and you?' Abu Bakr said: 'Yes.' This was before betting has been forbidden. So Abu Bakr and the idolaters made a bet, and they said to Abu Bakr: 'What do you think - Bid' means something between three and nine years, so let us agree on the middle.' So they agreed on six years; Then six years passed without the Romans being victorious. The idolaters took what they won in the bet from Abu Bakr. When the seventh year came and the Romans were finally victorious over the Persians, the Muslims rebuked Abu Bakr for agreeing to six years. He said: 'Because Allah said: 'In Bid' years.' At that time, many people became Muslims."

Narrated Abu Umamah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Do not sell the female singers, nor purchase them, nor teach them (to sing). And there is no good in trade in them, and their prices are unlawful. It was about the likes of this that this Ayah was revealed: 'And among mankind is he who purchases idle talk to divert from the way of Allah (31:6).'"

Anas bin Malik said about this Ayah: Their sides forsake their beds (32:16) - "It was revealed about waiting for [this] Salat which you call Al-'Atamah."

Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Allah Most High said: 'I have prepared for My righteous worshipers what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived.'" And that is testified to in Allah's [the Mighty and Sublime] Book: No person knows what is kept hidden for them of delights of the eyes (32:17).

Narrated Ash-Sha'bi: "While he was on the Minbar, I heard Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah saying - and he attributed it to the Prophet (ﷺ) - 'Indeed Musa [peace be upon him] asked his Lord: "O Lord! Who is the lowest in rank among the people of Paradise?" He said: "A man who comes after the people of Paradise have been admitted to Paradise, and he is told to enter. He says: 'How can I enter when they have gotten all of their abodes, and all that is to be had?'" He said: "So it is said to him: 'Would you accept if you were to have what a king in the world?' He says: 'Yes, O Lord! I accept.' So it is said to him: 'Then for you is this and its like, and its like again, and its like again.' So he says: 'I accept, O Lord!' So it is said to him: 'Then for you is this and ten the like thereof.' So he says: 'I accept, O Lord!' So it is said: 'Indeed you shall have this, and whatever your soul desires, and whatever delights your eyes.'"

Narrated Zuhair: "Qabus bin Abi Zabyan narrated to us, that his father narrated to him, he said: 'We said to Ibn 'Abbas: "What is the meaning of the saying of Allah the Mighty and Sublime: Allah has not made for any man two hears inside his body.? (33:4)" He said: "The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) stood one day for Salat, then he was unsure (regarding how much he had prayed). The hypocrites who prayed with him said: 'Don't you see that he has two hearts, a heart with you and another with them?' So Allah revealed: 'Allah has not made for any man two hearts inside his body.'"