Surah “Al-Mu'minûn - The Believers”
Name:
This Sûrah takes its
name from the very first verse “Certainly those have attained success who
brought Faith (Al-Mu’minûn)”.
Period of Revelation:
The subject matter and
style indicate that its period of revelation is during the middle period of the
Makkah. Therefore, it is very clear from
its contents that though a bitter conflict is going on between the Prophet
Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the disbelievers of Makkah,
yet the persecution by the infidels of Makkah has not
reached to the limit. The verses 75-76
give clear evidence that the Sûrah was revealed during the climax of the
"Famine" in Makkah, according to authentic traditions which had
occurred during the same middle period.
According to one of the statements of Urwah bin Zubair – by that time,
Hadrat Omar had embraced Islam. He
narrates the statement of Hadrat Omer with reference to Abdul Rahmân bin
Abdul-Qari, that "This Sûrah has been revealed in my presence. He himself witnessed the state of the Prophet
Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam during its revelation. After the revelation the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam said, 'at this time ten such verses have been revealed to
me -- if anyone who could measure up with its criteria, will surely go to
Paradise'. Then Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam recited the initial verses of the Sûrah.” (Ahmad, Tirmizi, Nasai, Hakîm).
Theme and Discussion:
The invitation towards
the imitation of the practice of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam is the central theme of this Sûrah and the whole speech revolves
around this focal point.
The speech starts with
the address that the people who have accepted the invitation of the Prophet
Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam -- such and such noble qualities
have been creating in them and certainly such people deserve the benefits of
this world as well as of the hereafter.
After this the
attention has been drawn towards the creation of human beings, the creation of
universe and earth, the creation of plants and animals, and the other signs of
the universe, the purpose of it is to inculcate in minds that the reality of
the Tauhid and life in the Hereafter towards which Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam invites you – its truth is being witnessed by whole
universe including yourselves.
Then the history of the Prophets and their nations have been
narrated, which merely looks like stories, but in fact a few very important things
have been taught to the audience:
1.
The objections and the doubts that are
being raised against the Message of Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam are not new at all.
These objections and doubts had already been raised against the former
Prophets by their nations whom they themselves acknowledged as Messengers of
Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala. Now
look what lesson had been taught by the history -- whether the Prophets were in
the right or their objectors?
- The teaching of Tauhid and the
Hereafter that Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is imparting
the same education was given by the former Prophets. A new thing has not been presented that
is not known to the world.
- Those nations who did not pay attention to the
message of the Prophets and opposed them – finally they were destroyed.
- Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala has always
revealed the same Deen (Way of life) in each period and all the Prophets
were the people of the same nation.
Except this Deen (Islam) all other religions were invented by the
people themselves and none of them is from Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala.
After this, the people
have been told that the worldly success and prosperity, wealth and property,
families and children, power and government, are not surely the only signs of
being anyone on the straight path and these should not be considered that Allâh
subhaana wa ta’aala is pleased with such people and his/her behavior is
acceptable to Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala.
Likewise, the poverty and adversity of other people is not a proof that
Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala is displeased with them. The real thing on which the pleasure or
displeasure of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala depends is the Faith of a
person his/her humbleness and being on the straight path. These things were narrated because the
opponent of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam were the
great chiefs and scholars of Makkah.
They and their followers were misled by the pride of their prosperity
that God and their deities were very pleased with them. As about these poverty-stricken people who
are the followers of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam -- their
condition is a clear proof that Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala is not on
their side, and they are under the curse of their deities.
Then the people of
Makkah are being convinced by different arguments that Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam is a true Prophet of Allâh subhaana wa ta’aala. Then they have been told that the Famine is a
warning. It is better for you to mend
your ways in view of it and come to the straight path. Otherwise, a severe punishment will come and
you will cry out.
Then again, they have
been diverted towards the signs in the universe and in their own selves. The purpose is to make them see these signs with an open eyes, about which the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam is forewarning you -- are there not proofs spread all
around to witness it? Do you not witness
the truth of it?
The Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu
‘alayhi wa sallam has been advised not to adopt any wrong way in
retaliation to counteract the evil ways of the enemies. The Satan should never succeed to incite you
for the retaliation in a wrong way.
At the end of the
speech, the opponents of Truth have been warned about the accountability in the
Hereafter and they have been admonish that their
persecution of the Believers will be held accountable in the Hereafter.
|
Your opinion counts