Introduction of Shirk, Kufr and Nifaq
“And yet they worship besides Allah, those objects, which possesses no authority and ability to provide sustenance for them from the heavens, nor from the earth. So do not fix anything similitude for Allah. Certainly, Allah knows, and you do not know.” (16:73 – 74)
There are three major categories of disbelief which are known as ‘Shirk’ (associating partners with Allah, i.e., Polytheism/Idol Worshipping), ‘Kufr’ (Concealing Truth) and ‘Nifaq’ (Hypocrisy). A short introduction of these elements of major transgressions is given below:
Shirk (polytheism) is completely opposite to the Islamic concept of ‘Tawheed’ – Oneness of Allah, i.e., monotheism. Ascribing partners to Allah or ascribing divine attributes to others besides Allah, and adopting idolatry, i.e., worshipping idols as God instead of Allah, are acts of great Shirk. Also, such beliefs that Rizq (livelihood) and fortune or misfortune come from other sources besides Allah (SWT) are regarded as Shirk. There are three types of Shirk such as ‘Shirk-al-Akbar’ (Major Shirk), ‘Shirk-al-Asgar’ (Minor Shirk), and ‘Shirk-al-Khafi’ (Discreet Shirk). The major Shirk includes worshipping, invoking, supplicating, or praying to other gods and seeking their help besides Allah (SWT). Worshiping Allah for the sake of showing off, performing any religious act with the intention of serving worldly purposes such as personal name, fame, and admiration rather than pleasing Allah (SWT), showing negligence and laziness to adhere to Allah’s command, and giving priority to self-desire—all these are considered as minor shirk. The discreet shirk is frequently performed out of inward dissatisfaction with Allah’s (SWT) decreed fate, that is, to blame fate or something else for any misfortune inflicted or betterment that could have been gained. A person who commits shirk is referred to as a ‘Mushrik’.
Kufr means to hide or conceal something knowingly or unknowingly or intentionally. Kufr is the disbelief in the six articles of Faith (Imaan) partially or fully, as well as the denial of five basic pillars of Islam partially or fully. Kufr also makes people deny or disregard those things which Allah has made ‘Halal’ (legitimate) and indulge in those things which He made ‘Haram’ (forbidden). Arrogance to submit before Allah, rejection to obey the commandments of Allah, and turning away from the truth that Allah (SWT) has revealed are the elements of Kufr. Those who belong such characteristics are known as ‘Kafiroon’. They do not believe in Allah (SWT), in His revelations and Prophets. Thus, they disbelieve the basic articles of faith and deny the core practices of Islam. Such disbelief and denial are the worst of all evils.
Nifaq means lacking in Imaan (faith), cherishing doubt and hypocritical disbelief of mind, and pretention. Outwardly they show off their Imaan in mere words and actions, though their hearts disbelieve it. Their Imaan is fictitious, deceitful and fragile. The person who commits Nifaq is called Munafiq (fake/Hypocrite). Such double-standard people play a dual role in society. It is easy to identify Mushrik, but it is difficult to know Munafiqs because of their hypocritical character. The characteristics of Munafiqs are stated below:
- They feel no shame or repentance for harming people’s trust and breaching their pledges.
- They sell out people’s bigger interests for narrow personal gain. They play dual games to deceive people and create friction in society.
- They habitually betray trust, tell lies, and breach their own promises.
- They believe it is wasteful to spend money on Allah’s cause and regard Zakat and Sadaqah as penalty.
- They obey only those instructions that are convenient for them and disobey those that they dislike.
- They like to remain unmindful of halal and haram.
- They are greedy, opportunists, egotistical, and ungrateful, and they run after acquiring wealth by means of dishonesty.
- Their words and actions are inconsistent, and they always trade in lies.
About the characteristics of Munafiq there is a famous Hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar () wherein Prophet (ﷺ) said, “If anyone has four characteristics, he is a pure hypocrite, and if anyone has one of them, he has an aspect of hypocrisy until he gives it up: whenever he is trusted, he betrays his trust; whenever he speaks, he lies; when he makes an agreement, he breaks it; and when he quarrels, he deviates from the truth by speaking falsely.” (Bukhari:34 and Muslim: 58).
Though Munafiqs claim themselves as believers and live within Muslim society, but in reality, they are not actual believers. By heart and soul, they are Hypocrites as they just pretend to be Muslims deceitfully. They are treacherous enemies in disguise.
The evil consequences of Shirk, Kufr and Nifaq are described below:
Shirk: The Greatest Sin
“Do not associate anything with Allah, for idolatry is a terrible wrong.” (31:13)
Shirk is the most contemptible offense – the greatest sin that demoralizes humanity. Worshipping false gods is an act of Satan, and all that goes against the oneness of Allah (SWT). It was Satan and his followers who introduced this type of transgression into human society to tarnish human dignity as the best creation. It is the symbol of servitude to innumerable gods instead of the One Allah, the Creator of the earth, the heavens, and everything that exists in between them. Humans should not bow their heads to those false gods as they have no power to create anything or do any good or bad to their worshippers. Moreover, they are created by others.
Almighty Allah has created human beings as His best creation and placed them in this world as His deputy. This signifies great dignity for human beings. But polytheists (Mushrik) have lost their humanistic character and dignity by adopting innumerable false gods. They are following their own desires and lusts, ignoring the existence of the one true God. Servitude to many false gods is surely disgraceful and offensive. The logic behind Shirk is flimsy and ridiculous. So, Allah (SWT) repeatedly warned against Shirk, terming it the greatest sin.
The Qur’anic verses denouncing Shirk are quoted below:
ذٰلِکُمُ اللّٰهُ رَبُّکُمْ خَالِقُ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ ۘ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ ۫ۚ فَاَنّٰی تُؤْفَکُوْنَ كَذٰلِكَ یُؤْفَکُ الَّذِیْنَ كَانُوْا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰهِ یَجْحَدُوْنَ
“Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things. None besides Him is worthy of worship, so to where you are wandering away from the Truth! Thus, who reject the Signs of Allah are wandered away.” (40:62 – 63)
هُوَ الْحَیُّ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ فَادْعُوْهُ مُخْلِصِیْنَ لَهُ الدِّیْنَ ؕ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ قُلْ اِنِّیْ نُهِیْتُ اَنْ اَعْبُدَ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ لَمَّا جَآءَنِیَ الْبَیِّنٰتُ مِنْ رَّبِّیْ ۫ وَاُمِرْتُ اَنْ اُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ
“He is the Living (One): There is no god but He: Call upon Him, giving Him sincere devotion. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds! Say: ‘I have been forbidden to invoke those whom you invoke besides Allah, – seeing that the Clear Sings have come to me from my Lord; and I have been commanded to bow to the Lord of the Worlds’.” (40:65 – 66)
ثُمَّ قِیْلَ لَهُمْ اَیْنَ مَا کُنْتُمْ تُشْرِکُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ قَالُوْا ضَلُّوْا عَنَّا بَلْ لَّمْ نَکُنْ نَّدْعُوْا مِنْ قَبْلُ شَیْئًا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ یُضِلُّ اللّٰهُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ ذٰلِکُمْ بِمَا کُنْتُمْ تَفْرَحُوْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ بِغَیْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا کُنْتُمْ تَمْرَحُوْنَ اُدْخُلُوْۤا اَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ۚ فَبِئْسَ مَثْوَی الْمُتَكَبِّرِیْنَ
“Then it will be said to them: ‘Where are the (deities) to which you used to deify? – instead of Allah.’ They will reply: ‘They have left us in the lurch: In fact, we invoked nothing (that had real existence) before.’ Thus, does Allah leave the Unbelievers to stray. ‘That was because you were used to rejoice on the earth in things other than the Truth, and that you were used to arrogance. Enter the gate of Hell, to stay therein forever. What a terrible abode for the arrogant.” (40:73 – 76)
وَ یَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَمْ یُنَزِّلْ بِہٖ سُلْطٰنًا وَمَا لَیْسَ لَهُمْ بِہٖ عِلْمٌ ؕ وَمَا لِلظّٰلِمِیْنَ مِنْ نَّصِیْرٍ
“Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which He revealed no authority, and about which they have no knowledge. There is no helper for the transgressors.” (22:71)
ضَرَبَ اللهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَاء مُتَشَاكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“Allah puts forth a Parable a man is belonged to several masters at discord with each other, and a man belonging entirely to one master: are those two equals in comparison? Praise be to Allah. but most of them have no knowledge.” (39:29)
اِتَّبِعْ مَاۤ اُوْحِیَ اِلَیْكَ مِنْ رَّبِّكَ ۚ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَ ۚ وَاَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْمُشْرِكِیْنَ وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مَاۤ اَشْرَکُوْا ؕ وَمَا جَعَلْنٰكَ عَلَیْهِمْ حَفِیْظًا ۚ وَمَاۤ اَنْتَ عَلَیْهِمْ بِوَكِیْلٍ وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِیْنَ یَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ فَیَسُبُّوا اللّٰهَ عَدْوًۢا بِغَیْرِ عِلْمٍ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ زَیَّنَّا لِکُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ۪ ثُمَّ اِلٰی رَبِّهِمْ مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَیُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ
“Follow what was revealed to you from your Lord. There is no god but He. And turn away from the polytheists. Had Allah willed, they would not have practiced idolatry. We did not appoint you as a guardian over them, and you are not a manager over them. Do not insult those they call upon besides Allah, lest they insult Allah out of hostility and ignorance. We made attractive to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord is their return, and He will inform them of what they used to do.” (6:106 – 108)
سَیَقُوْلُ الَّذِیْنَ اَشْرَکُوْا لَوْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ مَاۤ اَشْرَکْنَا وَلَاۤ اٰبَآؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ حَتّٰی ذَاقُوْا بَاْسَنَا ؕ قُلْ هَلْ عِنْدَکُمْ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ فَتُخْرِجُوْهُ لَنَا ؕ اِنْ تَتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَ اِنْ اَنْتُمْ اِلَّا تَخْرُصُوْنَ قُلْ فَلِلّٰهِ الْحُجَّۃُ الْبَالِغَۃُ ۚ فَلَوْ شَآءَ لَهَدٰىکُمْ اَجْمَعِیْنَ
“The polytheists will say, ‘Had Allah willed, we would not have practiced idolatry, nor would have our forefathers, nor would we have prohibited anything.’ Likewise, those before them lied, until they tasted Our might. Say, ‘Do you have any knowledge that you can produce for us? You follow nothing but conjecture, and you only guess.’ Say, ‘To Allah belongs the conclusive argument. Had He willed, He would have guided you all’.” (6:148 – 149)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ ضُرِبَ مَثَلٌ فَاسْتَمِعُوْا لَہٗ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ لَنْ یَّخْلُقُوْا ذُبَابًا وَلَوِ اجْتَمَعُوْا لَہٗ ؕ وَاِنْ یَّسْلُبْهُمُ الذُّبَابُ شَیْئًا لَّا یَسْتَنْقِذُوْهُ مِنْهُ ؕ ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوْبُ مَا قَدَرُوا اللّٰهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِہٖ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَقَوِیٌّ عَزِیْزٌ
“O people! A parable is presented, so listen to it: Those you invoke besides Allah will never create a fly, even if they meet together for that purpose. And if the fly steals anything from them, they cannot recover that thing from it. Those who supplicate and those to whom they make their supplication – both are weak. They do not appraise Allah as He should be appraised. Allah is Strong and Powerful.” (22:73 – 74)
اَلَاۤ اِنَّ لِلّٰهِ مَنْ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَنْ فِی الْاَرْضِ ؕ وَمَا یَتَّبِعُ الَّذِیْنَ یَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ شُرَكَآءَ ؕ اِنْ یَّـتَّبِعُوْنَ اِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَ اِنْ هُمْ اِلَّا یَخْرُصُوْنَ
“Certainly, to Allah belongs everyone in the heavens and everyone on earth. Those who invoke other than Allah do not follow partners; they follow only assumptions, and they only guess.” (10:66)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ عِبَادٌ اَمْثَالُکُمْ فَادْعُوْهُمْ فَلْیَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَکُمْ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِیْنَ اَلَهُمْ اَرْجُلٌ یَّمْشُوْنَ بِهَاۤ اَمْ لَهُمْ اَیْدٍ یَّبْطِشُوْنَ بِهَاۤ اَمْ لَهُمْ اَعْیُنٌ یُّبْصِرُوْنَ بِهَاۤ اَمْ لَهُمْ اٰذَانٌ یَّسْمَعُوْنَ بِهَا ؕ قُلِ ادْعُوْا شُرَكَآءَکُمْ ثُمَّ كِیْدُوْنِ فَلَا تُنْظِرُوْنِ اِنَّ وَلِیَِّۧ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْ نَزَّلَ الْكِتٰبَ ۫ۖ وَهُوَ یَتَوَلَّی الصّٰلِحِیْنَ وَالَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِہٖ لَا یَسْتَطِیْعُوْنَ نَصْرَکُمْ وَلَاۤ اَنْفُسَهُمْ یَنْصُرُوْنَ وَاِنْ تَدْعُوْهُمْ اِلَی الْهُدٰی لَا یَسْمَعُوْا ؕ وَتَرٰىهُمْ یَنْظُرُوْنَ اِلَیْكَ وَهُمْ لَا یُبْصِرُوْنَ
“Verily those whom you call upon (worship) besides Allah are servants like you: So, call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if you are (indeed) truthful! Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say: ‘Call your gods, plot (as much as) against me, and give me no respite! For my Protector is Allah, Who revealed the Book (from time to time), and He will choose and befriend the righteous one. But those you call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves. If you call them to guidance, they do not hear. You will see them looking at you, but they do not see (realize).” (7:194 – 198)
قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ مَّا تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ اَرُوْنِیْ مَاذَا خَلَقُوْا مِنَ الْاَرْضِ اَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْکٌ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ ؕ اِیْتُوْنِیْ بِكِتٰبٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِ هٰذَاۤ اَوْ اَثٰرَۃٍ مِّنْ عِلْمٍ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِیْنَ وَمَنْ اَضَلُّ مِمَّنْ یَّدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَنْ لَّا یَسْتَجِیْبُ لَہٗۤ اِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیٰمَۃِ وَ هُمْ عَنْ دُعَآئِهِمْ غٰفِلُوْنَ وَ اِذَا حُشِرَ النَّاسُ كَانُوْا لَهُمْ اَعْدَآءً وَ كَانُوْا بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ کٰفِرِیْنَ
“Say, ‘Have you considered those you worship instead of Allah? Show me which portion of the earth they have created. Or do they own a share of the heavens? Bring me a scripture prior to this one, or some trace of knowledge, if you are truthful.’ Who is more wrong than him who invokes, besides Allah, those who will not answer him until the Day of Resurrection, and are unaware of their prayers? And when humanity is to be gathered (on the Day of Judgement), they (idols) will be enemies to them, and will renounce their worship of them.” (46:4 – 6)
قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ شُرَكَآءَکُمُ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَرُوْنِیْ مَاذَا خَلَقُوْا مِنَ الْاَرْضِ اَمْ لَهُمْ شِرْکٌ فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ ۚ اَمْ اٰتَیْنٰهُمْ كِتٰبًا فَهُمْ عَلٰی بَیِّنَتٍ مِّنْهُ ۚ بَلْ اِنْ یَّعِدُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا اِلَّا غُرُوْرًا
“Say: ‘Have you seen (these) ‘Partners’ (gods) of yours whom you call upon besides Allah. Show Me what they have created in the earth. Or have they a share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book from which they (can derive) clear (evidence)? – Nay, the wrongdoers only make only deceptive promise to each other.” (35:40)
مَثَلُ الَّذِیْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ اَوْلِیَآءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ ۖۚ اِتَّخَذَتْ بَیْتًا ؕ وَاِنَّ اَوْهَنَ الْبُیُوْتِ لَبَیْتُ الْعَنْكَبُوْتِ ۘ لَوْ كَانُوْا یَعْلَمُوْنَ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَعْلَمُ مَا یَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِہٖ مِنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ وَهُوَ الْعَزِیْزُ الْحَكِیْمُ وَتِلْكَ الْاَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَا یَعْقِلُهَاۤ اِلَّا الْعٰلِمُوْنَ خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیَۃً لِّلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ
“The example of those who take others as their protectors besides Allah is that of the spider. It builds a house. But among the houses the most fragile one is spider’s house, if they only knew. Allah knows what they invoke besides Him. He is the Almighty, the Wise. We give these examples to the people; but none grasps them except the learned ones. Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth. Surely in that is a sign for the believers.” (29:41 – 44)
لَہٗ دَعْوَۃُ الْحَقِّ ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ یَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِہٖ لَا یَسْتَجِیْبُوْنَ لَهُمْ بِشَیْءٍ اِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّیْهِ اِلَی الْمَآءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبٰلِغِه وَمَا دُعَآءُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ اِلَّا فِیْ ضَلٰلٍ
“The call towards truth (Oneness of Allah) is only for Him. Those they call upon besides Him do not respond to them with anything – except as someone who stretches his hands towards water, so that it may reach his mouth, but it does not reach it. The invocations of the unbelievers are only in vain.” (13:14)
قُلْ مَنْ يَّرْزُقُكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ اَمَّنْ يَّمْلِكُ السَّمْعَ وَالْاَبْصٰرَ وَمَنْ يُّخْرِجُ الْحَىَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَىِّ وَمَنْ يُّدَبِّرُ الْاَمْرَ فَسَيَقُوْلُوْنَ اللهُ فَقُلْ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ فَذٰلِكُمُ اللهُ رَبُّكُمُ الْحَقُّ ط فَمَاذَا بَعْدَ الْحَقِّ اِلَّا الضَّلٰلُ ط فَاَنّٰى تُصْرَفُوْنَ كَذٰلِكَ حَقَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ فَسَقُوْٓا اَنَّهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ قُلْ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّنْ يَّبْدَؤُا الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُه قُلِ اللهُ يَبْدَؤُا الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيْدُه فَاَنّٰى تُؤْفَكُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? And who controls your hearing and the sight? And who brings out the living from the dead, and the dead from the living? And who governs the Order?’ They will say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not fear?’ Such is Allah, your Lord—the True One. What is there, beyond the truth, except falsehood? How are you turned away? Thus, your Lord’s Word proved true against those who disobeyed, for they do not believe. Say, ‘Can any of your partners initiate creation, and then repeat it?’ Say, ‘Allah initiates creation, and then repeats it. How are you so deluded’?” (10:31 – 34)
قُلْ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِكُمْ مَّنْ يَّهْدِىْۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ قُلِ اللهُ يَهْدِىْ لِلْحَقِّ اَفَمَنْ يَّهْدِىۤ اِلَى الْحَقِّ اَحَقُّ اَنْ يُتَّبَعَ اَمَّنْ لَّا يَهِدِّىۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ يُّهْدٰى فَمَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُوْنَ وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ اَكْثَرُهُمْ اِلَّا ظَنًّا ط اِنَّ الظَّنَّ لَا يُغْنِىْ مِنَ الْحَقِّ شَيْـًٔا ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَلِيْمٌۢ بِمَا يَفْعَلُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Can any of your partners guide to the truth?’ Say, ‘Allah guides to the truth. Is He who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or he who does not guide, unless he himself is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?’ Indeed, most of them follow nothing but assumptions; and assumptions avail nothing against the truth. Allah is fully aware of what they do.” (10:35 – 36)
وَ اتْلُ عَلَیْهِمْ نَبَاَ اِبْرٰهِیْمَ اِذْ قَالَ لِاَبِیْهِ وَقَوْمِہٖ مَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ قَالُوْا نَعْبُدُ اَصْنَامًا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عٰكِفِیْنَ قَالَ هَلْ یَسْمَعُوْنَکُمْ اِذْ تَدْعُوْنَ َوْ یَنْفَعُوْنَکُمْ اَوْ یَضُرُّوْنَ قَالُوْا بَلْ وَجَدْنَاۤ اٰبَآءَنَا كَذٰلِكَ یَفْعَلُوْنَ قَالَ اَفَرَءَیْتُمْ مَّا کُنْتُمْ تَعْبُدُوْنَ اَنْتُمْ وَ اٰبَآؤُکُمُ الْاَقْدَمُوْنَ فَاِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّ لِّیْۤ اِلَّا رَبَّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَنِیْ فَهُوَ یَہْدِیْنِ وَالَّذِیْ هُوَ یُطْعِمُنِیْ وَ یَسْقِیْنِ وَ اِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ یَشْفِیْنِ وَالَّذِیْ یُمِیْتُنِیْ ثُمَّ یُحْیِیْنِ وَالَّذِیْۤ اَطْمَعُ اَنْ یَّغْفِرَ لِیْ خَطِیْٓئَتِیْ یَوْمَ الدِّیْنِ
“And relate to them the story of Ibrahim. When he said to his father and his people, ‘What do you worship?’ They said, ‘We worship idols, and we remain devoted to them.’ He said, ‘Do they hear you when you pray? Or do they benefit you, or harm you?’ They said, ‘But we found our ancestors doing so.’ He said, ‘Have you considered what you worship. You and your ancient ancestors? They are all enemies to me, except the Lord of the Worlds. (I only Worship) He who has created me, and Who guides me; Who feeds me, and gives me drink. And when I get sick, and Who heals me when I am sick. He Who makes me die, and then gives me life again (on the Day of Resurrection). I hope, it is He Who will forgive my sins on the Day of the Reckoning.” (26:69 – 82)
وَ اِذْ قَالَ اِبْرٰهِیْمُ لِاَبِیْهِ وَقَوْمِہٖۤ اِنَّنِیْ بَرَآءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُوْنَ اِلَّا الَّذِیْ فَطَرَنِیْ فَاِنَّہٗ سَیَہْدِیْنِ وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَۃًۢ بَاقِیَۃً فِیْ عَقِبِہٖ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَرْجِعُوْنَ
“When Ibrahim said to his father and his people, ‘I am innocent of what you worship. Except for He who created me, for He will guide me.’ And he made it an everlasting word in his progeny, so that they may return.” (43:26 – 28)
قُلْ اِنِّیْ نُهِیْتُ اَنْ اَعْبُدَ الَّذِیْنَ تَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ؕ قُلْ لَّاۤ اَتَّبِعُ اَهْوَآءَکُمْ ۙ قَدْ ضَلَلْتُ اِذًا وَمَاۤ اَنَا مِنَ الْمُہْتَدِیْنَ
“Say, ‘I have been forbidden from worshiping those you call upon besides Allah.’ Say, ‘I will not follow your desires; else I would be lost and not be of those rightly guided.” (6:56)
اَللّٰهُ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَکُمْ ثُمَّ رَزَقَکُمْ ثُمَّ یُمِیْتُکُمْ ثُمَّ یُحْیِیْکُمْ ؕ هَلْ مِنْ شُرَكَآئِکُمْ مَّنْ یَّفْعَلُ مِنْ ذٰلِکُمْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ سُبْحٰنَہٗ وَتَعٰلٰی عَمَّا یُشْرِکُوْنَ ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِی الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ اَیْدِی النَّاسِ لِیُذِیْقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِیْ عَمِلُوْا لَعَلَّهُمْ یَرْجِعُوْنَ قُلْ سِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوْا كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلُ ؕ كَانَ اَکْثَرُهُمْ مُّشْرِكِیْنَ
“Allah is He who created you, then provides sustenance for you, then makes you die, then brings you back to life. Can any of your idols do any of that? Glorified is He (Allah), and exalted above what they associate. Corruption has appeared on land and sea, because of what people’s hands have earned, Allah wants them to taste the punishment of some of what they have done, so that they might return. Say, ‘Roam the earth, and observe the fate of those who came before you. Most of them were idolaters.” (40:40 – 42)
وَیَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا یَمْلِکُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِّنَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ شَیْئًا وَلَا یَسْتَطِیْعُوْنَ فَلَا تَضْرِبُوْا لِلّٰهِ الْاَمْثَالَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ یَعْلَمُ وَ اَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ
“And yet they worship besides Allah, those objects, which possesses no authority and ability to provide sustenance for them from the heavens, nor from the earth. So do not fix anything similitude for Allah. Certainly, Allah knows, and you do not know.” (16:73- 74)
قُلْ یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ فِیْ شَکٍّ مِّنْ دِیْنِیْ فَلَاۤ اَعْبُدُ الَّذِیْنَ تَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ وَلٰكِنْ اَعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ الَّذِیْ یَتَوَفّٰىکُمْ ۚۖ وَاُمِرْتُ اَنْ اَکُوْنَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاَنْ اَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّیْنِ حَنِیْفًا ۚ وَلَا تَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِیْنَ وَلَا تَدْعُ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا یَنْفَعُكَ وَلَا یَضُرُّكَ ۚ فَاِنْ فَعَلْتَ فَاِنَّكَ اِذًا مِّنَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ
“Say, ‘O people, if you are in doubt about my religion – I do not worship those you worship apart from Allah. But I worship Allah, the one who will cause your death. And I was commanded to be of the believers.’ And dedicate yourself to the true religion (monotheism) – and never be of the Mushriks (polytheists). And apart from Allah, do not call on anything, which neither benefits you nor harms you. If you do so, you are then one of the wrongdoers.” (10:104 – 106)
اَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَکٰٓؤُا شَرَعُوْا لَهُمْ مِّنَ الدِّیْنِ مَا لَمْ یَاْذَنْۢ بِهِ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَلَوْ لَا كَلِمَۃُ الْفَصْلِ لَقُضِیَ بَیْنَهُمْ ؕ وَ اِنَّ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ
“Or is it that they have partners who ordained for them religious laws never authorized by Allah? if it were not for the conclusive decision, it would have been settled between them. The wicked will have a painful punishment.” (42:21)
قُلْ لِّمَنِ الْاَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِیْهَاۤ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ سَیَقُوْلُوْنَ لِلّٰهِ ؕ قُلْ اَفَلَا تَذَكَرُوْنَ قُلْ مَنْ رَّبُّ السَّمٰوٰتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِیْمِ سَیَقُوْلُوْنَ لِلّٰهِ ؕ قُلْ اَفَلَا تَتَّقُوْنَ قُلْ مَنْۢ بِیَدِہٖ مَلَکُوْتُ کُلِّ شَیْءٍ وَهُوَ یُجِیْرُ وَلَا یُجَارُ عَلَیْهِ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ سَیَقُوْلُوْنَ لِلّٰهِ ؕ قُلْ فَاَنّٰی تُسْحَرُوْنَ
“Say, ‘To whom does the earth and everyone in it belong, if you happen to know?’ They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not reflect?’ Say, ‘Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Splendid Throne?’ They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘Will you not become righteous?’ Say, ‘In whose hand is the dominion of all things, and He protects and cannot be protected from, if you happen to know?’ They will say, ‘To Allah.’ Say, ‘How then are you bewitched’?” (23:84 – 89)
وَ یَوْمَ یَحْشُرُهُمْ وَمَا یَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ فَیَقُوْلُ ءَاَنْتُمْ اَضْلَلْتُمْ عِبَادِیْ هٰۤؤُلَآءِ اَمْ هُمْ ضَلُّوا السَّبِیْلَ قَالُوْا سُبْحٰنَكَ مَا كَانَ یَنْۢبَغِیْ لَنَاۤ اَنْ نَّتَّخِذَ مِنْ دُوْنِكَ مِنْ اَوْلِیَآءَ وَلٰكِنْ مَّتَّعْتَهُمْ وَاٰبَآءَهُمْ حَتّٰی نَسُوا الذِّکْرَ ۚ وَكَانُوْا قَوْمًۢا بُوْرًا فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوْکُمْ بِمَا تَقُوْلُوْنَ ۙ فَمَا تَسْتَطِیْعُوْنَ صَرْفًا وَلَا نَصْرًا ۚ وَمَنْ یَّظْلِمْ مِّنْکُمْ نُذِقْهُ عَذَابًا كَبِیْرًا
“On the Day (Qiyamah) when He would gather them, and those things which they worshiped besides Allah, He will say to their gods, ‘Was it you who misled these servants of Mine, or did they themselves lost the path?’ They will say, ‘Glory be to You. It was not befitting for us to take any lords besides You. But you gave them enjoyments, and their ancestors, until they forgot the Message, and became ruined people.’ They have denied what you said; so, you can neither avert (punishment), nor any help. Whoever among you commits injustice, We will make him taste a grievous punishment.” (25:17 – 19)
فَلَمَّا رَاَوْا بَاْسَنَا قَالُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَحْدَہٗ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا کُنَّا بِہٖ مُشْرِكِیْنَ فَلَمْ یَکُ یَنْفَعُهُمْ اِیْمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَاَوْا بَاْسَنَا ؕ سُنَّتَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِیْ قَدْ خَلَتْ فِیْ عِبَادِہٖ ۚ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْکٰفِرُوْنَ
“But when they saw Our Punishment, they said: ‘We believe in Allah, – the one Allah – and we reject the partners we used to associate with Him.’ But their admitting the Faith when they (actually) saw Our Punishment was not going to profit them. (Such has been) Allah’s Practice of dealing with His Servants (from the most ancient times). And even thus did the Rejecters of Allah perish (utterly)!” (40:84 – 85)
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّتَّخِذُ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ اَنْدَادًا یُّحِبُّوْنَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّٰهِ ؕ وَلَوْ یَرَی الَّذِیْنَ ظَلَمُوْۤا اِذْ یَرَوْنَ الْعَذَابَ ۙ اَنَّ الْقُوَّۃَ لِلّٰهِ جَمِیْعًا ۙ وَاَنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِیْدُ الْعَذَابِ اِذْ تَبَرَّاَ الَّذِیْنَ اتُّبِعُوْا مِنَ الَّذِیْنَ اتَّبَعُوْا وَرَاَوُا الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الْاَسْبَابُ وَقَالَ الَّذِیْنَ اتَّبَعُوْا لَوْ اَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّۃً فَنَتَبَرَّاَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّءُوْا مِنَّا ؕ كَذٰلِكَ یُرِیْهِمُ اللّٰهُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ حَسَرٰتٍ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ وَمَا هُمْ بِخٰرِجِیْنَ مِنَ النَّارِ
“Yet among the people are those who take others as equal to Allah. They love them as the love of Allah. But those who believe have manifold love for Allah. If only the wrongdoers would realize, when they see the torment; that all power belongs to Allah, and that Allah is severe in punishment. Those who were followed will then disown those who followed them, and they will see the retribution, and ties between them will be severed. Those who followed will say, ‘If only we can have another chance, we will disown them, as they disowned us.’ Thus, Allah will show them their deeds, as regrets to them, and they will not come out of the Hell Fire.” (2:165 – 167)
اَفَمَنْ وَّعَدْنٰهُ وَعْدًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ لَاقِیْهِ كَمَنْ مَّتَّعْنٰهُ مَتَاعَ الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا ثُمَّ هُوَ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِیْنَ وَیَوْمَ یُنَادِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُ اَیْنَ شُرَكَآءِیَ الَّذِیْنَ کُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُوْنَ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ حَقَّ عَلَیْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ رَبَّنَا هٰۤؤُلَآءِ الَّذِیْنَ اَغْوَیْنَا ۚ اَغْوَیْنٰهُمْ كَمَا غَوَیْنَا ۚ تَبَرَّاْنَاۤ اِلَیْكَ ۫ مَا كَانُوْۤا اِیَّانَا یَعْبُدُوْنَ وَقِیْلَ ادْعُوْا شُرَكَآءَکُمْ فَدَعَوْهُمْ فَلَمْ یَسْتَجِیْبُوْا لَهُمْ وَرَاَوُا الْعَذَابَ ۚ لَوْ اَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا یَہْتَدُوْنَ
“On the Day (Day of Judgement) when He will call to them, and say, ‘Where are My associates whom you used to claim?’ Those against whom the sentence is justified will say, ‘Our Lord, these are they whom we misled. We misled them, as we were misled. We beg Your forgiveness; it was not us they used to worship.’ And it will be said, ‘Call on your partners.’ And they will call on them, but they will not respond to them. And they will see the suffering. If only they were rightly guided!” (28:62 – 64)
قُلْ اَتَعْبُدُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا یَمْلِکُ لَکُم2ْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ هُوَ السَّمِیْعُ الْعَلِیْمُ
“Say, ‘Do you worship, besides Allah, what has no power to harm or benefit you?’ But Allah: He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (5:76)
قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ اِنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْکُمُ الَّیْلَ سَرْمَدًا اِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیٰمَۃِ مَنْ اِلٰہٌ غَیْرُ اللّٰهِ یَاْتِیْکُمْ بِضِیَآءٍ ؕ اَفَلَا تَسْمَعُوْنَ قُلْ اَرَءَیْتُمْ اِنْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْکُمُ النَّهَارَ سَرْمَدًا اِلٰی یَوْمِ الْقِیٰمَۃِ مَنْ اِلٰہٌ غَیْرُ اللّٰهِ یَاْتِیْکُمْ بِلَیْلٍ تَسْکُنُوْنَ فِیْهِ ؕ اَفَلَا تُبْصِرُوْنَ وَمِنْ رَّحْمَتِہٖ جَعَلَ لَکُمُ الَّیْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لِتَسْکُنُوْا فِیْهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوْا مِنْ فَضْلِہٖ وَ لَعَلَّکُمْ تَشْکُرُوْنَ وَیَوْمَ یُنَادِیْهِمْ فَیَقُوْلُ اَیْنَ شُرَكَآءِیَ الَّذِیْنَ کُنْتُمْ تَزْعُمُوْنَ وَنَزَعْنَا مِنْ کُلِّ اُمَّۃٍ شَهِیْدًا فَقُلْنَا هَاتُوْا بُرْهَانَکُمْ فَعَلِمُوْۤا اَنَّ الْحَقَّ لِلّٰهِ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا یَفْتَرُوْنَ
“Say, ‘Have you considered? Had Allah made the night perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah will bring you illumination? Do you not hear?’ Say, ‘Have you considered? Had Allah made the day perpetual over you until the Day of Resurrection, which god other than Allah will bring you night to rest in? Do you not see?’ It is out of His mercy that He made for you the night and the day, that you may rest in it, and seek some of His bounty; and that you may give thanks. On the Day when He will call to them, and say, ‘Where are My associates whom you used to claim?’ And We will draw out from every community a witness, and say, ‘Produce your evidence.’ Then they will realize that the truth is Allah’s, and those they used to invent have forsaken them.” (28:71 – 75)
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِکُوْنَ نَجَسٌ فَلَا یَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هٰذَا ۚ وَاِنْ خِفْتُمْ عَیْلَۃً فَسَوْفَ یُغْنِیْکُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنْ فَضْلِہٖۤ اِنْ شَآءَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌ حَكِیْمٌ
“O Believers! Truly the Mushriks (Polytheists) are unclean (in the context of faith); so, after this year, let them not come to the Masjidul Haram (the sacred Mosque of Ka’aba). And if you fear poverty, soon will Allah enrich you, if He wills, out of His bounty, for Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.” (9:28)
وَ اِذْ قَالَ لُقْمٰنُ لِابْنِہٖ وَهُوَ یَعِظُہٗ یٰبُنَیَّ لَا تُشْرِکْ بِاللّٰهِ ؕؔ اِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِیْمٌ
“When Luqman said to his son, as he advised him, ‘O my son, do not associate anything with Allah, for idolatry is a terrible wrong.” (31:13)
Kufr and its Futility
“Surely the worst of creatures in Allah’s view are those who rejected faith and then they remained unbelievers.” (8:55)
Kufr – the constant denial of the truth and the nourishing of falsehood hardens the hearts of disbelievers and makes them belligerent. It is a great offence and, as such, a great sin. Satan, as the archenemy of mankind from the very beginning, exerted all his efforts to degrade humans’ status to the lowest level by inspiring them to rebellious activities against Allah (SWT). The Qur’anic verses condemning Kufr (Disbelief) are quoted below:
هُوَ الَّذِیْ جَعَلَکُمْ خَلٰٓئِفَ فِی الْاَرْضِ ؕ فَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَعَلَیْهِ کُفْرُہٗ ؕ وَلَا یَزِیْدُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ کُفْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ اِلَّا مَقْتًا ۚ وَلَا یَزِیْدُ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ کُفْرُهُمْ اِلَّا خَسَارًا
“It is He Who has made you inheritors in the earth: then if any do reject (Allah), their rejection (works) against themselves: the rejection only adds the wrath of their Lord for the Kafiroon (rejecters): their rejection only increases (their own) loss.” (35:39)
وَ اِذَا تُتْلٰی عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتُنَا بَیِّنٰتٍ تَعْرِفُ فِیْ وُجُوْهِ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوا الْمُنْكَرَ ؕ یَكَادُوْنَ یَسْطُوْنَ بِالَّذِیْنَ یَتْلُوْنَ عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتِنَا ؕ قُلْ اَفَاُنَبِّئُکُمْ بِشَرٍّ مِّنْ ذٰلِکُمْ ؕ اَلنَّارُ ؕ وَعَدَهَا اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا ؕ وَ بِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ
And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, you will see disgust on the faces of those who disbelieve. They almost aggressive to those who recite to them Our Verses. Say, ‘Shall I inform you of something worse than that? The Fire! Allah has promised it to those who commit Kufr. And what a wretched outcome!” (22:72)
اَلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ اَضَلَّ اَعْمَالَهُمْ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَاٰمَنُوْا بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَهُوَ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ۙ كَفَّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَیِّاٰتِهِمْ وَاَصْلَحَ بَالَهُمْ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوا اتَّبَعُوا الْبَاطِلَ وَاَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّبَعُوا الْحَقَّ مِنْ رَّبِّهِمْ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ یَضْرِبُ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ اَمْثَالَهُمْ
“Those who commit Kufr and repel from the path of Allah – He nullifies their works. While those who believe, and work righteousness, and believe in what was revealed to Muhammad – which is the truth from their Lord – He remits their sins and relieves their concerns. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehoods, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Allah thus cites for the people their examples.” (47:1 – 3)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا سَوَآءٌ عَلَیْهِمْ ءَاَنْذَرْتَهُمْ اَمْ لَمْ تُنْذِرْهُمْ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ خَتَمَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰی قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَعَلٰی سَمْعِهِمْ ؕ وَعَلٰۤی اَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَۃٌ ۫ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِیْمٌ
“Indeed, as for those who disbelieve – it is all the same for them, whether you warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe. Allah has placed a seal upon their hearts and on their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. They will have a severe torment.” (2:6 – 7)
یَوْمَ لَا یَنْفَعُ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَهُمُ اللَّعْنَۃُ وَلَهُمْ سُوْٓءُ الدَّارِ
“The Day (Day of Judgement) when their excuses will not profit the wrongdoers, and the curse will be upon them, and they will have the Home of Misery.” (40:52)
وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَعْمَالُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِیْعَۃٍ یَّحْسَبُهُ الظَّمْاٰنُ مَآءً ؕ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا جَآءَہٗ لَمْ یَجِدْهُ شَیْئًا وَوَجَدَ اللّٰهَ عِنْدَہٗ فَوَفّٰىهُ حِسَابَہٗ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ سَرِیْعُ الْحِسَابِ اَوْ كَظُلُمٰتٍ فِیْ بَحْرٍ لُّجِّیٍّ یَّغْشٰهُ مَوْجٌ مِّنْ فَوْقِہٖ مَوْجٌ مِّنْ فَوْقِہٖ سَحَابٌ ؕ ظُلُمٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍؕ اِذَاۤ اَخْرَجَ یَدَہٗ لَمْ یَكَدْ یَرٰىهَا ؕ وَمَنْ لَّمْ یَجْعَلِ اللّٰهُ لَہٗ نُوْرًا فَمَا لَہٗ مِنْ نُّوْرٍ
“As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty assumes it is to be water. Until, when he has reached it, he finds it to be nothing, but there he finds Allah, Who settles his account in full. Allah is swift in reckoning. Or like utter darkness in a vast ocean, engulfed by waves, above which are waves, above which is dark cloud. Darkness upon darkness. If he brings out his hand, he will hardly see it. There is no light for the one to whom Allah has not granted a light.” (24:39 – 40)
وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَوْلِیٰٓـُٔهُمُ الطَّاغُوْتُ ۙ یُخْرِجُوْنَهُمْ مِّنَ النُّوْرِ اِلَی الظُّلُمٰتِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ
“…….As for those who disbelieve, their guardians are the evil ones; they bring them out of light and into darkness – these are the inmates of the Fire, in which they will abide forever.” (2:257)
صُمٌّۢ بُكْمٌ عُمْىٌ فَهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُوْنَ اَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ فِيْهِ ظُلُمٰتٌ وَّرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ يَجْعَلُوْنَ اَصٰبِعَهُمْ فِىْۤ اٰذَانِهِمْ مِّنَ الصَّوٰعِقِ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ ط وَاللهُ مُحِيْطٌۢ بِالْكٰفِرِيْنَ يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ اَبْصٰرَهُمْ كُلَّمَاۤ اَضَآءَ لَهُمْ مَّشَوْا فِيْهِ وَاِذَا اَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوْا وَلَوْ شَآءَ اللهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَاَبْصٰرِهِمْ ط اِنَّ اللهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
“They are deaf, dumb, blind. They will not return. Or like a cloudburst from the sky, in which is darkness, and thunder, and lightning. They press their fingers into their ears from the thunderbolts, in fear of death. But Allah surrounds the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches their sight away. Whenever it illuminates for them, they walk in it; but when it grows dark over them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Allah is capable of everything.” (2:18 – 20)
اِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَآبِّ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا فَهُمْ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Surely the worst of creatures in Allah’s view are those who rejected faith and then they remained unbelievers.” (8:55)
اِنْ تَکْفُرُوْا فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ غَنِیٌّ عَنْکُمْ وَلَا یَرْضٰی لِعِبَادِهِ الْکُفْرَ ۚ وَاِنْ تَشْکُرُوْا یَرْضَهُ لَکُمْ ؕ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَۃٌ وِّزْرَ اُخْرٰی ؕ ثُمَّ اِلٰی رَبِّکُمْ مَّرْجِعُکُمْ فَیُنَبِّئُکُمْ بِمَا کُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُوْنَ ؕ اِنَّہٗ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ
“If you commit Kufr, Allah is certainly Independent of you, yet He does not approve ingratitude on the part of His servants. And if you are thankful, He will approve that in you. No bearer of burden can bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return; and He will inform you of what you used to do. He is aware of what the hearts contain.” (39:7)
قُلْ یٰۤاَیُّهَا الْکٰفِرُوْنَ لَاۤ اَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ وَلَاۤ اَنْتُمْ عٰبِدُوْنَ مَاۤ اَعْبُدُ وَلَاۤ اَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدْتُّمْ وَلَاۤ اَنْتُمْ عٰبِدُوْنَ مَاۤ اَعْبُدُ لَکُمْ دِیْنُکُمْ وَلِیَ دِیْنِ
“Say, ‘O Kafiroon (The Disbelievers)! I do not worship what you worship. Nor you are worshippers of Whom I worship. Nor I am worshipper of what you worship. Nor do you worship what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is mine’.” (109:1 – 6)
كَمَثَلِ الشَّیْطٰنِ اِذْ قَالَ لِلْاِنْسَانِ اکْفُرْ ۚ فَلَمَّا كَفَرَ قَالَ اِنِّیْ بَرِیْٓءٌ مِّنْكَ اِنِّیْۤ اَخَافُ اللّٰهَ رَبَّ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ فَكَانَ عَاقِبَتَهُمَاۤ اَنَّهُمَا فِی النَّارِ خَالِدَیْنِ فِیْهَا ؕ وَذٰلِكَ جَزٰٓؤُا الظّٰلِمِیْنَ
“They are like the devil, when say to human being, ‘Commit Kufr (Disbelief).’ Then when he commits Kufr, Satan says, ‘I am innocent of you; I fear Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.’ The ultimate end for both of them is the Fire, where they will dwell forever. Such is the requital for the wrongdoers.” (59:16 – 17)
وَالَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا فَتَعْسًا لَّهُمْ وَاَضَلَّ اَعْمَالَهُمْ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوْا مَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ فَاَحْبَطَ اَعْمَالَهُمْ اَفَلَمْ یَسِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَیَنْظُرُوْا كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ؕ دَمَّرَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ ۫ وَلِلْکٰفِرِیْنَ اَمْثَالُهَا ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّ اللّٰهَ مَوْلَی الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَاَنَّ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ لَا مَوْلٰی لَهُمْ
“But as for those who commit Kufr, for them is perdition, and He will make their deeds fruitless. That is because they hated what Allah revealed, so He nullified their deeds. Have they not journeyed through the earth and seen the consequences for those before them? Allah has destroyed them, and for the unbelievers will be the same. That is because Allah is the Patron of those who believe, while the disbelievers have no patron.” (47:8 – 11)
اَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَنْ یَّتَّخِذُوْا عِبَادِیْ مِنْ دُوْنِیْۤ اَوْلِیَآءَ ؕ اِنَّـاۤ اَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْکٰفِرِیْنَ نُزُلًا
“Do those who commit Kufr think that they can take My servants for masters instead of Me? We have prepared Hell for the hospitality of the faithless.” (18:102)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ قَدْ ضَلُّوْا ضَلٰلًۢا بَعِیْدًا اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَظَلَمُوْا لَمْ یَکُنِ اللّٰهُ لِیَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِیَہْدِیَهُمْ طَرِیْقًا اِلَّا طَرِیْقَ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَاۤ اَبَدًا ؕ وَكَانَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَی اللّٰهِ یَسِیْرًا
“Those who committed Kufr and repel from Allah’s path have gone far astray. Those who disbelieve and transgress; Allah is not about to forgive them, nor will He guide them to any path. Except to the path of Hell, where they will dwell forever. And that is easy for Allah.” (4:167 – 169)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَنْ تُغْنِیَ عَنْهُمْ اَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَاۤ اَوْلَادُهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ شَیْـًٔا ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ النَّارِ ۚ هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ
“As for those who commit Kufr, neither their possessions nor their children will avail them anything against Allah. These are the inhabitants of the Fire, abiding therein forever.” (3:116)
وَ مَنْ كَفَرَ فَلَا یَحْزُنْكَ کُفْرُہٗ ؕ اِلَیْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُوْا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُوْرِ نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِیْلًا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ اِلٰی عَذَابٍ غَلِیْظٍ
“Whoever commits Kufr – let not their Kufr sadden you. To Us is their return. Then We will inform them of what they did. Allah knows what lies within the hearts. We give them a little comfort for the time being; then We compel them to a harsh torment.” (31:23 – 24)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بَعْدَ اِیْمَانِهِمْ ثُمَّ ازْدَادُوْا کُفْرًا لَّنْ تُقْبَلَ تَوْبَتُهُمْ ۚ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الضَّآلُّوْنَ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَمَاتُوْا وَهُمْ کُفَّارٌ فَلَنْ یُّقْبَلَ مِنْ اَحَدِهِمْ مِّلْءُ الْاَرْضِ ذَهَبًا وَّلَوِ افْتَدٰی بِہٖ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِّنْ نّٰصِرِیْنَ
“Verily as for those who committed Kufr after accepting Imaan, and then prospered in their disbelief, their repentance shall never be accepted; these are the lost. As for those who disbelieve and die disbelievers, even the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them, were he to offer it as ransom. These will have a painful torment, and will have no helpers.” (3:90 – 91)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَمَاتُوْا وَهُمْ کُفَّارٌ اُولٰٓئِكَ عَلَیْهِمْ لَعْنَۃُ اللّٰهِ وَالْمَلٰٓئِكَۃِ وَالنَّاسِ اَجْمَعِیْنَ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ۚ لَا یُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ یُنْظَرُوْنَ
“Certainly, those who commit Kufr (reject faith), and die in the condition of Kufr, on them is Allah’s curse, and the curse of angels, and of all mankind; They will abide therein: Their penalty will not be lightened, nor they will get any respite. (2:161 – 162)
اَوَ لَمْ یَنْظُرُوْا فِیْ مَلَکُوْتِ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ مِنْ شَیْءٍ ۙ وَاَنْ عَسٰۤی اَنْ یَّکُوْنَ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ اَجَلُهُمْ ۚ فَبِاَیِّ حَدِیْثٍۭ بَعْدَہٗ یُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Have they not observed the governing of the heavens and the earth, and all the things that Allah created, and that the appointed time promised to them may have drawn near? Which message, besides this, will they believe in? (7:185)
سَاَصْرِفُ عَنْ اٰیٰتِیَ الَّذِیْنَ یَتَكَبَّرُوْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ بِغَیْرِ الْحَقِّ ؕ وَ اِنْ یَّرَوْا کُلَّ اٰیَۃٍ لَّا یُؤْمِنُوْا بِهَا ۚ وَاِنْ یَّرَوْا سَبِیْلَ الرُّشْدِ لَا یَتَّخِذُوْهُ سَبِیْلًا ۚ وَاِنْ یَّرَوْا سَبِیْلَ الْغَیِّ یَتَّخِذُوْهُ سَبِیْلًا ؕ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَكَانُوْا عَنْهَا غٰفِلِیْنَ وَالَّذِیْنَ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَ لِقَآءِ الْاٰخِرَۃِ حَبِطَتْ اَعْمَالُهُمْ ؕ هَلْ یُجْزَوْنَ اِلَّا مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ
“I will soon turn those away from My revelations, who behave proudly on earth without justification. Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it; and if they see the path of rectitude, they will not adopt it for a path; and if they see the path of error, they will adopt it for a path. That is because they denied Our revelations and paid no attention to them. Those who deny Our revelations and the meeting of the Hereafter—their deeds will come to nothing. Will they be repaid except according to what they used to do?” (7:146 – 147)
وَ لَا یَحْزُنْكَ الَّذِیْنَ یُسَارِعُوْنَ فِی الْکُفْرِ ۚ اِنَّهُمْ لَنْ یَّضُرُّوا اللّٰهَ شَیْئًا ؕ یُرِیْدُ اللّٰهُ اَلَّا یَجْعَلَ لَهُمْ حَظًّا فِی الْاٰخِرَۃِ ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِیْمٌ اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اشْتَرَوُا الْکُفْرَ بِالْاِیْمَانِ لَنْ یَّضُرُّوا اللّٰهَ شَیْئًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ وَلَا یَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَنَّمَا نُمْلِیْ لَهُمْ خَیْرٌ لِّاَنْفُسِهِمْ ؕ اِنَّمَا نُمْلِیْ لَهُمْ لِیَزْدَادُوْۤا اِثْمًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِیْنٌ
“Let not those grieve you who rush headlong into Kufr (unbelief). They can never harm Allah in the least. Allah wishes that He will give them no portion in the Hereafter, but a severe punishment. Verily those who purchase Kufr for Imaan (faith), not the least harm they will do to Allah, but they will have a grievous punishment. Let not the unbelievers think that our respite to them is good for themselves: We grant them respite that they may grow in their sins and they will have a disgraceful punishment.” (3:176 – 178)
وَ اِذْ یَمْکُرُ بِكَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لِیُثْبِتُوْكَ اَوْ یَقْتُلُوْكَ اَوْ یُخْرِجُوْكَ ؕ وَیَمْکُرُوْنَ وَیَمْکُرُ اللّٰهُ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ خَیْرُ الْمٰكِرِیْنَ وَاِذَا تُتْلٰی عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتُنَا قَالُوْا قَدْ سَمِعْنَا لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَقُلْنَا مِثْلَ هٰذَاۤ ۙ اِنْ هٰذَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اَسَاطِیْرُ الْاَوَّلِیْنَ
“When the faithless plotted against you to take you captive, or to kill or expel you. They plotted and Allah devised, and Allah is the best of devisers. When Our signs are recited to them, they say, ‘We have heard already. If we want, we (too) can say like this. These are nothing but myths of the ancient people’.” (8:30 – 31)
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّشْتَرِیْ لَہْوَ الْحَدِیْثِ لِیُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ بِغَیْرِ عِلْمٍ ٭ۖ وَیَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِیْنٌ وَاِذَا تُتْلٰی عَلَیْهِ اٰیٰتُنَا وَلّٰی مُسْتَکْبِرًا كَاَنْ لَّمْ یَسْمَعْهَا كَاَنَّ فِیْۤ اُذُنَیْهِ وَقْرًا ۚ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِیْمٍ
“Among the people is he who trades in distracting tales; intending, without knowledge, to lead away from Allah’s way, and to make a mockery of it. These will have a humiliating punishment. And when Our Verses are recited to him, he turns away in pride, as though he did not hear them, as though there is deafness in his ears. So, inform him of a painful punishment.” (31:6 – 7)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوْا ثُمَّ اٰمَنُوْا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوْا ثُمَّ ازْدَادُوْا کُفْرًا لَّمْ یَکُنِ اللّٰهُ لِیَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِیَہْدِیَهُمْ سَبِیْلًا بَشِّرِ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ بِاَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا اَلِیْمَۨا الَّذِیْنَ یَتَّخِذُوْنَ الْکٰفِرِیْنَ اَوْلِیَآءَ مِنْ دُوْنِ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ ؕ اَیَبْتَغُوْنَ عِنْدَهُمُ الْعِزَّۃَ فَاِنَّ الْعِزَّۃَ لِلّٰهِ جَمِیْعًا وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَیْکُمْ فِی الْكِتٰبِ اَنْ اِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ اٰیٰتِ اللّٰهِ یُکْفَرُ بِهَا وَیُسْتَہْزَاُ بِهَا فَلَا تَقْعُدُوْا مَعَهُمْ حَتّٰی یَخُوْضُوْا فِیْ حَدِیْثٍ غَیْرِہٖۤ ۖ اِنَّکُمْ اِذًا مِّثْلُهُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ وَالْکٰفِرِیْنَ فِیْ جَهَنَّمَ جَمِیْعَا
“Those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then disbelieve, thereafter increase in disbelief, Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path. Inform the hypocrites that they will have a painful punishment. Those who make friendship with the disbelievers instead of the believers, do they seek honor from them? Indeed, all honor belongs to Allah only. He has revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being rejected, or ridiculed, do not sit with them until they engage in some other talks. Otherwise, you would be like them. Allah will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers, into Hell, altogether.” (4:137 – 140)
قُلْ مَنْ كَانَ فِی الضَّلٰلَۃِ فَلْیَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمٰنُ مَدًّا ۬ۚ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا رَاَوْا مَا یُوْعَدُوْنَ اِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَاِمَّا السَّاعَۃَ ؕ فَسَیَعْلَمُوْنَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَ اَضْعَفُ جُنْدًا
“Say, ‘Whoever is in error, the Most Merciful will grant respite for him, until when they see what they were promised – that either may be the punishment, or the Hour (Qiyamah). Then they will know who was in worse position and weaker in forces.” (19:75)
ذٰلِكَ جَزَآؤُهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ بِمَا كَفَرُوْا وَاتَّخَذُوْۤا اٰیٰتِیْ وَ رُسُلِیْ هُزُوًا
“That is their requital – the Hell on account of their disbelief, and their taking My revelations and My messengers in mockery.” (18:106)
اَلَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِیْدٌ ۬ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَ اَجْرٌ كَبِیْرٌ اَفَمَنْ زُیِّنَ لَہٗ سُوْٓءُ عَمَلِہٖ فَرَاٰهُ حَسَنًا ؕ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ یُضِلُّ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ وَیَہْدِیْ مَنْ یَّشَآءُ ۫ۖ فَلَا تَذْهَبْ نَفْسُكَ عَلَیْهِمْ حَسَرٰتٍ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلِیْمٌۢ بِمَا یَصْنَعُوْنَ
“Those who disbelieve will suffer a harsh punishment, but those who believe and do righteous deeds will have forgiveness and a great reward. What of him whose evil deed was made attractive to him, and so he regards it as good? Allah leads astray whomever He wills, and He guides whomever He wills. Therefore, do not waste yourself sorrowing over them. Allah knows exactly what they do.” (35:7 – 8)
اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِیْهِمْ نَارًا ؕ کُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُوْدُهُمْ بَدَّلْنٰهُمْ جُلُوْدًا غَیْرَهَا لِیَذُوْقُوا الْعَذَابَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَزِیْزًا حَكِیْمًا
“Those who reject our signs, We shall cast into the fire; as often as their skins are roasted through. We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the punishment; for Allah is Exalted in power; Wise.” (4:56)
وَ اِذَا مَسَّ النَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا رَبَّهُمْ مُّنِیْبِیْنَ اِلَیْهِ ثُمَّ اِذَاۤ اَذَاقَهُمْ مِّنْهُ رَحْمَۃً اِذَا فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ بِرَبِّهِمْ یُشْرِکُوْنَ لِیَکْفُرُوْا بِمَاۤ اٰتَیْنٰهُمْ ؕ فَتَمَتَّعُوْا فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُوْنَ اَمْ اَنْزَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ سُلْطٰنًا فَهُوَ یَتَكَلَّمُ بِمَا كَانُوْا بِہٖ یُشْرِکُوْنَ
“When affliction touches the people, they call on their Lord, turning to Him in repentance. But then, when He gives them a taste of His mercy, some of them attribute partners to their Lord. To show ingratitude for what We have given them. Indulge yourselves—you will surely know. Have We sent down to them any authority, which speaks in support of their idols?” (30:33 – 35)
وَ كَذٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا لِکُلِّ نَبِیٍّ عَدُوًّا شَیٰطِیْنَ الْاِنْسِ وَ الْجِنِّ یُوْحِیْ بَعْضُهُمْ اِلٰی بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُوْرًا ؕ وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ مَا فَعَلُوْهُ فَذَرْهُمْ وَمَا یَفْتَرُوْنَ وَلِتَصْغٰۤی اِلَیْهِ اَفْـِٕدَۃُ الَّذِیْنَ لَا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ وَلِیَرْضَوْهُ وَلِیَقْتَرِفُوْا مَا هُمْ مُّقْتَرِفُوْنَ
“Likewise, We have assigned for every prophet an enemy – from devils among human and jinn – inspiring one another with fancy words in order to deceive. But had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. So, leave them to their fabrications. So that the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter may incline to it, and be content with it, and that they may perpetrate whatever they perpetrate.” (6:112 – 113)
اَفَلَمْ یَسِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَیَنْظُرُوْا كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ؕ كَانُوْۤا اَکْثَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَاَشَدَّ قُوَّۃً وَاٰثَارًا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَمَاۤ اَغْنٰی عَنْهُمْ مَّا كَانُوْا یَکْسِبُوْنَ فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَیِّنٰتِ فَرِحُوْا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَّا كَانُوْا بِہٖ یَسْتَہْزِءُوْنَ
“Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the end result of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them. For when their apostles came to them with Clear Signs, they exulted in such knowledge (and skill) as they had; but that very (punishment of Allah) at which they were used to scoff encircled them.” (40:82 – 83)
لَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا مُعْجِزِیْنَ فِی الْاَرْضِ ۚ وَمَاْوٰىهُمُ النَّارُ ؕ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ
“Never think you that the Unbelievers are going to frustrate (Allah’s Plan) on earth: their abode is the Fire, – and it is indeed an evil place of return!” (24:57)
Nifaq (Hypocrisy) and its Evil Consequences
Munafiqs who commit Nifaq are impure in their thoughts and practices. Treachery and betrayal are the two major features of their character. Though they claim that they are Muslims, they show utter negligence in performing religious duties and remain inactive during the emergency needs of the Muslim Ummah. In Madinah, there was a group of Munafiqs (fake Muslims) who were hostile to the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Muslim community, led by Abdullah Ibn Ubai. There are many verses in the Qur’an about their evil activities. Allah (SWT) has revealed ‘Surah Munafiqoon’ to clearly describe their character and offenses and also to caution about their evil plots. Besides, there are other verses of the Qur’an about Munafiqs as cited below:
مُّذَبْذَبِیْنَ بَیْنَ ذٰلِكَ لَاۤ اِلٰی هٰۤؤُلَآءِ وَلَاۤ اِلٰی هٰۤؤُلَآءِ ؕ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلاً
“They (Munafiqs) are wavering in between (Imaan and Kufr), neither with this side nor with that, whom Allah leaves straying, – you will never find for him the way (of guidance)” (4:143)
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّقُوْلُ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَبِالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِیْنَ یُخٰدِعُوْنَ اللّٰهَ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا ۚ وَمَا یَخْدَعُوْنَ اِلَّاۤ اَنْفُسَهُمْ وَمَا یَشْعُرُوْنَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ ۙ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّٰهُ مَرَضًا ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌۢ ۙ بِمَا كَانُوْا یَکْذِبُوْنَ
“Among the people are those who say, ‘We believe in Allah and in the Last Day,’ but they are not at all believers. They seek to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive none but themselves, though they are not aware. In their hearts is sickness, and Allah has increased their sickness. Indeed, they will have a painful punishment because of their denial.” (2:8 – 10)
اَفَغَیْرَ اللّٰهِ اَبْتَغِیْ حَكَمًا وَهُوَ الَّذِیْۤ اَنْزَلَ اِلَیْکُمُ الْكِتٰبَ مُفَصَّلًا ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰتَیْنٰهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ یَعْلَمُوْنَ اَنَّہٗ مُنَزَّلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ فَلَا تَکُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْمُمْتَرِیْنَ
“Shall I seek a judge other than Allah, when He is the One who revealed to you the Book, explained in detail?” Those to whom We gave the Book know that it is the truth revealed from your Lord. So, do not be of those who doubt.” (6:114)
وَ اَقْسَمُوْا بِاللّٰهِ جَہْدَ اَیْمَانِهِمْ لَئِنْ اَمَرْتَهُمْ لَیَخْرُجُنَّ ؕ قُلْ لَّا تُقْسِمُوْا ۚ طَاعَۃٌ مَّعْرُوْفَۃٌ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِیْرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ
“And they (Munafiqs) swear by Allah with their solemn oaths, that if you command them, they would mobilize (leaving their homes). Say, ‘Do not swear. Obedience will be recognized (as usual). Allah is experienced with what you do’.” (24:53)
وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ لَا تُفْسِدُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ ۙ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُوْنَ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمْ هُمُ الْمُفْسِدُوْنَ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا یَشْعُرُوْنَ وَاِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ اٰمِنُوْا كَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُوْۤا اَنُؤْمِنُ كَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ السُّفَهَآءُ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمْ هُمُ السُّفَهَآءُ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا یَعْلَمُوْنَ وَاِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا قَالُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا ۚۖ وَاِذَا خَلَوْا اِلٰی شَیٰطِیْنِهِمْ ۙ قَالُوْۤا اِنَّا مَعَکُمْ ۙ اِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَہْزِءُوْنَ اَللّٰهُ یَسْتَہْزِئُ بِهِمْ وَیَمُدُّهُمْ فِیْ طُغْیَانِهِمْ یَعْمَهُوْنَ
“And when it is said to them, ‘Do not create anarchy on earth,’ they say, ‘We are only reformers.’ In fact, they are the troublemakers, but they are not aware. And when it is said to them, ‘Believe as the people have believed,’ they say, ‘Should we believe as the fools have believed?’ In fact, it is they who are the fools, but they do not realize. And when they come across those who believe, they say, ‘We believe’; but when they are alone with their devils, they say, ‘We are with you; we were just mocking.’ It is Allah who mocks them, and leaves them bewildered in their transgression.” (2:11 – 15)
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّعْبُدُ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی حَرْفٍ ۚ فَاِنْ اَصَابَہٗ خَیْرُۨ اطْمَاَنَّ بِہٖ ۚ وَاِنْ اَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَۃُ انْقَلَبَ عَلٰی وَجْهِہٖ ۟ۚ خَسِرَ الدُّنْیَا وَالْاٰخِرَۃَ ؕ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِیْنُ یَدْعُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا یَضُرُّہٗ وَمَا لَا یَنْفَعُہٗ ؕ ذٰلِكَ هُوَ الضَّلٰلُ الْبَعِیْدُ یَدْعُوْا لَمَنْ ضَرُّہٗۤ اَقْرَبُ مِنْ نَّفْعِہٖ ؕ لَبِئْسَ الْمَوْلٰی وَلَبِئْسَ الْعَشِیْرُ
“There are among people some who worship Allah with hesitation (doubt): if goodness occurs to them, they feel content; but if a trial comes to them, they turn away heir faces: they lose both this world and the Hereafter: that is loss for all to see! They call on such deities, besides Allah, as can neither hurt nor profit them: that is straying far indeed (from the Path of Allah)! (Perhaps) they call on such things (false gods) whose menace comes faster to him than its benefit: Indeed, how evil is this patron, and an evil companion!” (22:11 – 13)
اَلَمْ تَرَ اِلَی الَّذِیْنَ یَزْعُمُوْنَ اَنَّهُمْ اٰمَنُوْا بِمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ اِلَیْكَ وَمَاۤ اُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ یُرِیْدُوْنَ اَنْ یَّتَحَاكَمُوْۤا اِلَی الطَّاغُوْتِ وَقَدْ اُمِرُوْۤا اَنْ یَّکْفُرُوْا بِہٖ ؕ وَیُرِیْدُ الشَّیْطٰنُ اَنْ یُّضِلَّهُمْ ضَلٰلًۢا بَعِیْدًا
“Have you not turned your vision to those who declare that they believe in that which was revealed to you and to those before you, yet they seek Judgement (in their disputes) to ‘Tagoot’ (Evil Forces), though they were ordered to reject Satan? But Satan’s wish is to lead them astray far away (from the right).” (4:60)
وَاِذَا رَاَیْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ اَجْسَامُهُمْ ؕ وَاِنْ یَّقُوْلُوْا تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ ؕ كَاَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَۃٌ ؕ یَحْسَبُوْنَ کُلَّ صَیْحَۃٍ عَلَیْهِمْ ؕ هُمُ الْعَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُمْ ؕ قٰتَلَهُمُ اللّٰهُ ۫ اَنّٰی یُؤْفَکُوْنَ وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا یَسْتَغْفِرْ لَکُمْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ لَوَّوْا رُءُوْسَهُمْ وَرَاَیْتَهُمْ یَصُدُّوْنَ وَهُمْ مُّسْتَکْبِرُوْنَ سَوَآءٌ عَلَیْهِمْ اَسْتَغْفَرْتَ لَهُمْ اَمْ لَمْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ ؕ لَنْ یَّغْفِرَ اللّٰهُ لَهُمْ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یَہْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ
“When you see them, their appearance impresses you. And when they speak, you listen to what they say. They are like propped-up stick (needs a support because of weak faith). They think every shout is aimed at them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. Allah condemns them; how deluded they are! And when it is said to them, ‘Come, the Messenger of Allah will ask forgiveness for you,’ they turn their heads, and you see them turning away arrogantly. It is the same for them, whether you ask forgiveness for them, or do not ask forgiveness for them; Allah will not forgive them. Allah does not guide the sinful people.” (63:4 – 6)
اِذَا جَآءَكَ الْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ قَالُوْا نَشْهَدُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ ۘ وَاللّٰهُ یَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ لَرَسُوْلُہٗ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یَشْهَدُ اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ لَکٰذِبُوْنَ اِتَّخَذُوْۤا اَیْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّۃً فَصَدُّوْا عَنْ سَبِیْلِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اِنَّهُمْ سَآءَ مَا كَانُوْا یَعْمَلُوْنَ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ
“When the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We bear witness that you are Allah’s Messenger.’ Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars. They treat their oaths as a cover, and so they repel others from Allah’s path. Evil is what they do. That is because they believed, and then disbelieved; so, their hearts were sealed, and they cannot understand.” (63:1 – 3)
هُمُ الَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ لَا تُنْفِقُوْا عَلٰی مَنْ عِنْدَ رَسُوْلِ اللّٰهِ حَتّٰی یَنْفَضُّوْا ؕ وَلِلّٰهِ خَزَآئِنُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ وَلٰكِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ لَا یَفْقَهُوْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ لَئِنْ رَّجَعْنَاۤ اِلَی الْمَدِیْنَۃِ لَیُخْرِجَنَّ الْاَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْاَذَلَّ ؕ وَلِلّٰهِ الْعِزَّۃُ وَلِرَسُوْلِہٖ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَلٰكِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ
“They are the ones who say, ‘Spend nothing for those (Emigrants from Makkah)) who are with the Messenger of Allah, at the end they may disperse (and quit Madinah).’ But to Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth; but the Hypocrites do not understand. They say, ‘If we return to Madinah (from an expedition), surely the more honorable among us (people of Madinah) will expel the mean ones (Emigrants) therefrom.” But honor belongs to Allah and His Messenger, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites do not know.” (63:7 – 8)
اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ فِی الدَّرْكِ الْاَسْفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ ۚ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَهُمْ نَصِیْرًا
“Verily the hypocrites will be at the lowest level of the Hell Fire, and you will find no helper for them.” (4:145)
الَّذِیْنَ یَتَرَبَّصُوْنَ بِکُمْ ۚ فَاِنْ كَانَ لَکُمْ فَتْحٌ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ قَالُوْۤا اَلَمْ نَکُنْ مَّعَکُمْ ۫ ۖ وَاِنْ كَانَ لِلْکٰفِرِیْنَ نَصِیْبٌ ۙ قَالُوْۤا اَلَمْ نَسْتَحْوِذْ عَلَیْکُمْ وَنَمْنَعْکُمْ مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ ؕ فَاللّٰهُ یَحْکُمُ بَیْنَکُمْ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ وَلَنْ یَّجْعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِلْکٰفِرِیْنَ عَلَی الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ سَبِیْلًا اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ یُخٰدِعُوْنَ اللّٰهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ ۚ وَاِذَا قَامُوْۤا اِلَی الصَّلٰوۃِ قَامُوْا کُسَالٰی ۙ یُرَآءُوْنَ النَّاسَ وَلَا یَذْکُرُوْنَ اللّٰهَ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا
“Those (Munafiqs) who lurk for your well and woe: if you attain victory from Allah, they say, ‘Were we not with you?’ But if the Kafirs (Disbelievers) get a good turn, they (Munafiqs) say to them, ‘Did we not side with you, and defend you from the believers?’ Allah will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection; and Allah will give the disbelievers no means of overcoming the believers. The hypocrites try to deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing off in front of people, and remembering Allah only a little.” (4:141 – 142)
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یُّعْجِبُكَ قَوْلُہٗ فِی الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا وَیُشْهِدُ اللّٰهَ عَلٰی مَا فِیْ قَلْبِہٖ ۙ وَهُوَ اَلَدُّ الْخِصَامِ وَاِذَا تَوَلّٰی سَعٰی فِی الْاَرْضِ لِیُفْسِدَ فِیْهَا وَیُہْلِكَ الْحَرْثَ وَالنَّسْلَ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا یُحِبُّ الْفَسَادَ وَاِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُ اتَّقِ اللّٰهَ اَخَذَتْهُ الْعِزَّۃُ بِالْاِثْمِ فَحَسْبُہٗ جَهَنَّمُ ؕ وَلَبِئْسَ الْمِهَادُ
“And among the people there is one (Munafiq) whose words about the worldly life impress you, and he calls Allah to witness what is in his heart, while he is the toughest of adversaries. When he gains power, strives to spread corruption on earth, destroying properties and lives. Allah does not like corruption and anarchy. And when he is told, ‘Beware of Allah,’ his pride leads them to more sin. Hell is enough for him – a dreadful abode.” (2:204 – 206)
وَ اِذَا قِیْلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا اِلٰی مَاۤ اَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ وَاِلَی الرَّسُوْلِ رَاَیْتَ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ یَصُدُّوْنَ عَنْكَ صُدُوْدًا فَكَیْفَ اِذَاۤ اَصَابَتْهُمْ مُّصِیْبَۃٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ اَیْدِیْهِمْ ثُمَّ جَآءُوْكَ یَحْلِفُوْنَ ٭ۖ بِاللّٰهِ اِنْ اَرَدْنَاۤ اِلَّاۤ اِحْسَانًا وَتَوْفِیْقًا اُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِیْنَ یَعْلَمُ اللّٰهُ مَا فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ ٭ فَاَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَعِظْهُمْ وَقُلْ لَّهُمْ فِیْۤ اَنْفُسِهِمْ قَوْلًۢا بَلِیْغًا
“And when it is said to them, ‘Come to what Allah has revealed, and to the Messenger,’ – you see the hypocrites turning away from you completely. How about when a disaster strikes them because what their hands have put forward, and then they come to you swearing by Allah: ‘We intended (about you) nothing else but goodwill and reconciliation.’ They are those whom Allah knows what is in their hearts. So, ignore them, and advise them with such words that is beneficial to them.” (4:61 – 63)
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّقُوْلُ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ فَاِذَاۤ اُوْذِیَ فِی اللّٰهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَۃَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللّٰهِ ؕ وَلَئِنْ جَآءَ نَصْرٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّكَ لَیَقُوْلُنَّ اِنَّا کُنَّا مَعَکُمْ ؕ اَوَ لَیْسَ اللّٰهُ بِاَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِیْ صُدُوْرِ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ وَلَیَعْلَمَنَّ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَلَیَعْلَمَنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ وَقَالَ الَّذِیْنَ كَفَرُوْا لِلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّبِعُوْا سَبِیْلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطٰیٰکُمْ ؕ وَمَا هُمْ بِحٰمِلِیْنَ مِنْ خَطٰیٰهُمْ مِّنْ شَیْءٍ ؕ اِنَّهُمْ لَکٰذِبُوْنَ وَلَیَحْمِلُنَّ اَثْقَالَهُمْ وَاَثْقَالًا مَّعَ اَثْقَالِهِمْ ۫ وَلَیُسْـَٔلُنَّ یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ عَمَّا كَانُوْا یَفْتَرُوْنَ
“Among the people is some who say, ‘We have believed in Allah.” Yet when they are oppressed on Allah’s account, they equate the people’s persecution with Allah’s retribution. And if help comes from your Lord, they say, ‘We were actually with you.’ Is not Allah aware of what is inside the hearts of the people? Allah certainly knows those who believe, and He certainly knows the hypocrites. Those who disbelieve say to believers, ‘Follow our way, and we will bear the burden of your sins.’ In no way can they carry any of their sins. They are liars. They will carry their own loads, and in addition to those of others. And they will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning what they used to fabricate.” (29:10 – 13)
وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ یَّسْتَمِعُ اِلَیْكَ ۚ حَتّٰۤی اِذَا خَرَجُوْا مِنْ عِنْدِكَ قَالُوْا لِلَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ مَاذَا قَالَ اٰنِفًا ۟ اُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِیْنَ طَبَعَ اللّٰهُ عَلٰی قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَاتَّبَعُوْۤا اَهْوَآءَهُمْ
“Among them are those who listen to you, but when they leave your presence, they say to those who are knowledgeable, ‘What did he say just now?’ Those are they whose hearts Allah has sealed, and they follow their own desires.” (47:16)
فَمَا لَكُمْ فِى الْمُنفِقِيْنَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَاللهُ ارْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوْا اَتُرِيْدُوْنَ اَن تَهْدُوْا مَنْ اَضَلَّ اللهُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللهُ فَلَنْ تَجِدَ لَه سَبِيْلًا وَدُّوْا لَوْ تَكْفُرُوْنَ كَمَا كَفَرُوْا فَتَكُوْنُوْنَ سَوَاءً فَلَا تَتَّخِذُوْا مِنْهُمْ اَوْلِيَاءَ حَتّى يُهَاجِرُوْا فِىْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ فَاِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَخُذُوْهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوْهُمْ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُّمُوْهُمْ وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوْا مِنْهُمْ وَلِيًّا وَّلَا نَصِيْرًا اِلَّا الَّذِيْنَ يَصِلُوْنَ اِلى قَوْمٍۭ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِّيْثقٌ اَوْ جَاءُوْكُمْ حَصِرَتْ صُدُوْرُهُمْ اَنْ يُّقتِلُوْكُمْ اَوْ يُقتِلُوْا قَوْمَهُمْ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللهُ لَسَلَّطَهُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ فَلَقتَلُوْكُمْ فَاِنِ اعْتَزَلُوْكُمْ فَلَمْ يُقتِلُوْكُمْ وَاَلْقَوْا اِلَيْكُمُ السَّلَمَ فَمَا جَعَلَ اللهُ لَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ سَبِيْلًا
“Then what happened with you that divided you into two factions regarding the hypocrites, when Allah Himself has stunned them on account of their deeds? Do you want to guide those whom Allah has led astray? Whomever Allah leads astray – you will never find a way for him. They would love to see you disbelieve, just as they disbelieve, so you would become equal. So do not befriend any of them, unless they emigrate in the way of Allah. If they turn away, seize them and execute them wherever you may find them; and do not take from among them allies or supporters. Except those who join people with whom you have a treaty, or those who come to you reluctant to fight you or fight their own people. Had Allah willed, He would have given them power over you, and they would have fought you. If they withdraw from you, and do not fight you, and offer you peace, then Allah assigns no excuse for you (to fight) against them.” (4:88 – 90)
وَّیُعَذِّبَ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ وَالْمُنٰفِقٰتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِیْنَ وَالْمُشْرِکٰتِ الظَّآنِّیْنَ بِاللّٰهِ ظَنَّ السَّوْءِ ؕ عَلَیْهِمْ دَآئِرَۃُ السَّوْءِ ۚ وَغَضِبَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ وَ لَعَنَهُمْ وَاَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَهَنَّمَ ؕ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِیْرًا
“And He will punish the hypocrites, male and female, and the idolaters, male and female, those who harbor evil thoughts about Allah. They are surrounded by evil; and Allah is angry with them, and has cursed them, and has prepared for them Hell – a miserable destination.” (48:6)
یَحْذَرُ الْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ اَنْ تُنَزَّلَ عَلَیْهِمْ سُوْرَۃٌ تُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ ؕ قُلِ اسْتَہْزِءُوْا ۚ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مُخْرِجٌ مَّا تَحْذَرُوْنَ وَلَئِنْ سَاَلْتَهُمْ لَیَقُوْلُنَّ اِنَّمَا کُنَّا نَخُوْضُ وَنَلْعَبُ ؕ قُلْ اَ بِاللّٰهِ وَاٰیٰتِہٖ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ کُنْتُمْ تَسْتَہْزِءُوْنَ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوْا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ اِیْمَانِکُمْ ؕ اِنْ نَّعْفُ عَنْ طَآئِفَۃٍ مِّنْکُمْ نُعَذِّبْ طَآئِفَۃًۢ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانُوْا مُجْرِمِیْنَ اَلْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ وَالْمُنٰفِقٰتُ بَعْضُهُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْضٍ ۘ یَاْمُرُوْنَ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَیَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوْفِ وَیَقْبِضُوْنَ اَیْدِیَهُمْ ؕ نَسُوا اللّٰهَ فَنَسِیَهُمْ ؕ اِنَّ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ هُمُ الْفٰسِقُوْنَ وَعَدَ اللّٰهُ الْمُنٰفِقِیْنَ وَالْمُنٰفِقٰتِ وَالْکُفَّارَ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِیْنَ فِیْهَا ؕ هِیَ حَسْبُهُمْ ۚ وَلَعَنَهُمُ اللّٰهُ ۚ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّقِیْمٌ
“The hypocrites worry lest a Surah (chapter) may be revealed about them, informing them of what is in their (Munafiqs) hearts. Say, ‘Go on mocking; Allah will reveal what you fear.’ If you ask them, they will say, ‘We were just joking and playing.’ Say, ‘Were you making jokes about Allah, His revelations, and His Messenger?’ Do not make excuses. You have surely committed Kufr after your belief. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others, because they are guilty. The hypocrite men and hypocrite women are from each other (alike). They advocate evil, and prohibit righteousness, and withhold their hands (from spending charity). They forgot Allah, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are the sinners. Allah has promised the hypocrite men and hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It (punishment) is sufficient for them. And Allah has cursed them. They will have a lasting punishment.” (9:64 – 68)
سَتَجِدُوْنَ اٰخَرِیْنَ یُرِیْدُوْنَ اَنْ یَّاْمَنُوْکُمْ وَیَاْمَنُوْا قَوْمَهُمْ ؕ کُلَّمَا رُدُّوْۤا اِلَی الْفِتْنَۃِ اُرْكِسُوْا فِیْهَا ۚ فَاِنْ لَّمْ یَعْتَزِلُوْکُمْ وَیُلْقُوْۤا اِلَیْکُمُ السَّلَمَ وَیَکُفُّوْۤا اَیْدِیَهُمْ فَخُذُوْهُمْ وَاقْتُلُوْهُمْ حَیْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوْهُمْ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِکُمْ جَعَلْنَا لَکُمْ عَلَیْهِمْ سُلْطٰنًا مُّبِیْنًا
“You will soon find others (Munafiqs) who want security from you as well as security from their own people. But whenever they are tempted into civil discord, they plunge into it. So, if they do not keep away from you, nor offer you peace, nor restrain their hands from (harming) you, seize them and execute them wherever you find them. Against these, We have given you clear authorization.” (4:91)
وَ اِذْ یَقُوْلُ الْمُنٰفِقُوْنَ وَالَّذِیْنَ فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ مَّا وَعَدَنَا اللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُہٗۤ اِلَّا غُرُوْرًا
“When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is sickness (of doubt) said, ‘Allah and His Messenger promised us nothing but illusion’.” (33:12)
رَحْمَۃٌ لِّلَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْکُمْ ؕ وَالَّذِیْنَ یُؤْذُوْنَ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِیْمٌ یَحْلِفُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ لَکُمْ لِیُرْضُوْکُمْ ۚ وَاللّٰهُ وَرَسُوْلُہٗۤ اَحَقُّ اَنْ یُّرْضُوْهُ اِنْ كَانُوْا مُؤْمِنِیْنَ اَلَمْ یَعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّہٗ مَنْ یُّحَادِدِ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَہٗ فَاَنَّ لَہٗ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدًا فِیْهَا ؕ ذٰلِكَ الْخِزْیُ الْعَظِیْمُ
“Among them are men who molest the Prophet and say, ‘He is (all) ear.’ Say, ‘He listens to what is best for you: he believes in Allah, has faith in the Believers, and is a Mercy to those of you who believe.’ But those who molest the Messenger will have a grievous penalty. To you they swear by Allah. In order to please you: But it is more befitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger, if they are Believers. Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger, shall have the Fire of Hell? – wherein they shall dwell forever. That is the extreme disgrace.” (9:61 – 63)
اَشِحَّۃً عَلَیْکُمْ ۚۖ فَاِذَا جَآءَ الْخَوْفُ رَاَیْتَهُمْ یَنْظُرُوْنَ اِلَیْكَ تَدُوْرُ اَعْیُنُهُمْ كَالَّذِیْ یُغْشٰی عَلَیْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ ۚ فَاِذَا ذَهَبَ الْخَوْفُ سَلَقُوْکُمْ بِاَلْسِنَۃٍ حِدَادٍ اَشِحَّۃً عَلَی الْخَیْرِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَمْ یُؤْمِنُوْا فَاَحْبَطَ اللّٰهُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ ؕ وَكَانَ ذٰلِكَ عَلَی اللّٰهِ یَسِیْرًا
“They are miserly towards you. And when fear approaches, you see them staring at you—their eyes rolling – like someone fainting at death. Then, when panic is over, they hurt you with sharp tongues hoping to get wealth (spoils of war). They have never believed, so Allah has nullified their works; this is so easy for Allah.” (33:19)
وَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَبِالرَّسُوْلِ وَاَطَعْنَا ثُمَّ یَتَوَلّٰی فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِ ذٰلِكَ ؕ وَمَاۤ اُولٰٓئِكَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاِذَا دُعُوْۤا اِلَی اللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ لِیَحْکُمَ بَیْنَهُمْ اِذَا فَرِیْقٌ مِّنْهُمْ مُّعْرِضُوْنَ وَاِنْ یَّکُنْ لَّهُمُ الْحَقُّ یَاْتُوْۤا اِلَیْهِ مُذْعِنِیْنَ اَفِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ مَّرَضٌ اَمِ ارْتَابُوْۤا اَمْ یَخَافُوْنَ اَنْ یَّحِیْفَ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْهِمْ وَرَسُوْلُہٗ ؕ بَلْ اُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوْنَ
“And they say, ‘We have believed in Allah and the Messenger, and we obey,’ but some of them turn away afterwards. These are not believers. And when they are called to Allah and His Messenger, in order to judge between them, some of them refuse. But if justice is on their side, they accept it willingly. Is there sickness in their hearts? Or are they suspicious? Or do they fear that Allah or His Messenger may do them injustice? In fact, they themselves are the unjust.” (24:47 – 50)
وَ لَا تُصَلِّ عَلٰۤی اَحَدٍ مِّنْهُمْ مَّاتَ اَبَدًا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلٰی قَبْرِہٖ ؕ اِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوْا بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُوْلِہٖ وَمَا تُوْا وَهُمْ فٰسِقُوْنَ وَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ اَمْوَالُهُمْ وَاَوْلَادُهُمْ ؕ اِنَّمَا یُرِیْدُ اللّٰهُ اَنْ یُّعَذِّبَهُمْ بِهَا فِی الدُّنْیَا وَتَزْهَقَ اَنْفُسُهُمْ وَهُمْ کٰفِرُوْنَ
“You never pray over anyone of them who dies, nor you ever stand at his graveside. Indeed, they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died as sinners. Do not let their possessions and their children impress you. Allah wants to punish them with these in this world till their souls expire while they are in disbelief.” (9:84 – 85)
Masjid-e-Jerar: A House of Conspiracy
The hypocrites of the village of Qooba near Madinah built a separate mosque for themselves, known as Masjid-e-Jerar. Although a mosque was already there, they built it as a sanctuary to run their conspiracy against the Muslims of Madinah. They conspired to provide the necessary support to the Roman Christians to attack Madinah. They invited the Prophet (ﷺ) to join them in prayer in order to deceive Muslims. However, Allah (SWT) revealed the following verses to caution His prophet (ﷺ) about it:
وَالَّذِیْنَ اتَّخَذُوْا مَسْجِدًا ضِرَارًا وَکُفْرًا وَتَفْرِیْقًۢا بَیْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَاِرْصَادًا لِّمَنْ حَارَبَ اللّٰهَ وَرَسُوْلَہٗ مِنْ قَبْلُ ؕ وَلَیَحْلِفُنَّ اِنْ اَرَدْنَاۤ اِلَّا الْحُسْنٰی ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یَشْهَدُ اِنَّهُمْ لَکٰذِبُوْنَ لَا تَقُمْ فِیْهِ اَبَدًا ؕ لَمَسْجِدٌ اُسِّسَ عَلَی التَّقْوٰی مِنْ اَوَّلِ یَوْمٍ اَحَقُّ اَنْ تَقُوْمَ فِیْهِ ؕ فِیْهِ رِجَالٌ یُّحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ یَّتَطَهَرُوْا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ یُحِبُّ الْمُطَّهِرِیْنَ اَفَمَنْ اَسَّسَ بُنْیَانَہٗ عَلٰی تَقْوٰی مِنَ اللّٰهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَیْرٌ اَمْ مَّنْ اَسَّسَ بُنْیَانَہٗ عَلٰی شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِہٖ فِیْ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا یَہْدِی الْقَوْمَ الظّٰلِمِیْنَ لَا یَزَالُ بُنْیَانُهُمُ الَّذِیْ بَنَوْا رِیْبَۃً فِیْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ تَقَطَّعَ قُلُوْبُهُمْ ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَلِیْمٌ حَكِیْمٌ
“Then there are those who establish a mosque to cause harm, and disbelief, and disunity among the believers, and as an outpost for those who fight Allah and His Messenger. They will swear: ‘Our intentions are nothing but good.’ But Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars. Never ever stand in it (so-called mosque). Surely the mosque that was founded upon piety from the first day is worthier for you to stand in it. In it are men who love to be purified. Allah loves those who purify themselves. Is he who founds his structure upon piety and acceptance from Allah better, or he who establishes his foundation on the collapsing edge of a cliff that is about to tumble, so it tumbles with him into the Fire of Hell? Allah does not guide the unjust people. The structure (of the so-called mosque) which they built will remain dubious in their hearts, until their hearts are split into pieces (they die). Allah is Knowing and Wise.” (9:107 – 110)
Verses on Condemned Nations
In the past Allah (SWT) condemned many misguided nations who were involved in grievous sinful activities prohibited by Him. Their Prophets and Messengers warned them repeatedly, but they were heedless and arrogant. They boastfully denied them and showed their utter disregard to their advice, ridiculed them, and accused them as liars, magicians, insane and possessed. Most of the Prophets and Messengers were not only defied and rejected by their nations, but also fell victims of oppression and repression, and some of them were killed too. So, Allah’s severe punishment fell upon these strayed nations. The ruins of them still exist as clear signs and lessons for the next generations. By giving punishment Allah didn’t do wrong to these nations but it was they who wronged their own selves. Surah Qamar (no. 54) of the Qur’an summarizes the evil consequences of the condemned nations for their transgressions. Besides that, the following verses also give an account of these ill-fated nations:
فَكَاَیِّنْ مِّنْ قَرْیَۃٍ اَهْلَکْنٰهَا وَهِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ فَهِیَ خَاوِیَۃٌ عَلٰی عُرُوْشِهَا وَبِئْرٍ مُّعَطَّلَۃٍ وَ قَصْرٍ مَّشِیْدٍ اَفَلَمْ یَسِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَتَکُوْنَ لَهُمْ قُلُوْبٌ یَّعْقِلُوْنَ بِهَاۤ اَوْ اٰذَانٌ یَّسْمَعُوْنَ بِهَا ۚ فَاِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَی الْاَبْصَارُ وَلٰكِنْ تَعْمَی الْقُلُوْبُ الَّتِیْ فِی الصُّدُوْرِ
“How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong- doing? They fell down on their roofs. And how many wells were deserted, and lofty and well-built castles were ruined? Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but the hearts which are in their bosom are blinded.” (22:45 – 46)
وَ یَسْتَعْجِلُوْنَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ وَلَنْ یُّخْلِفَ اللّٰهُ وَعْدَہٗ ؕ وَاِنَّ یَوْمًا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ كَاَلْفِ سَنَۃٍ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّوْنَ وَكَاَیِّنْ مِّنْ قَرْیَۃٍ اَمْلَیْتُ لَهَا وَهِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ ثُمَّ اَخَذْتُهَا ۚ وَاِلَیَّ الْمَصِیْرُ قُلْ یٰۤاَیُّهَا النَّاسُ اِنَّمَاۤ اَنَا لَکُمْ نَذِیْرٌ مُّبِیْنٌ فَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَۃٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِیْمٌ وَالَّذِیْنَ سَعَوْا فِیْۤ اٰیٰتِنَا مُعٰجِزِیْنَ اُولٰٓئِكَ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَحِیْمِ
“And they ask you to hasten the punishment. But Allah never breaks His promise. A day with your Lord is like a thousand years of your count. How many a town have I reprieved, although they were oppressive? Then I seized (punished) them. To Me is the destination. Say, ‘O people, I am only a plain warner to you.’ Those who believe and work righteousness – for them is forgiveness and a generous provision. But those who strive against Our revelations – these are the inmates of Hell.” (22:47 – 51)
وَلَنُذِيْقَنَّهُْم مِّنَ الْعَذَابِ الْاَدْنى دُوْنَ الْعَذَابِ الْاَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُوْنَ
“We will make them taste the lesser torment, prior to the greater torment, so that they may return.” (32:21)
اَلَمْ یَرَوْا كَمْ اَهْلَکْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ مِّنْ قَرْنٍ مَّكَنّٰهُمْ فِی الْاَرْضِ مَا لَمْ نُمَكِنْ لَّکُمْ وَاَرْسَلْنَا السَّمَآءَ عَلَیْهِمْ مِّدْرَارًا ۪ وَجَعَلْنَا الْاَنْهٰرَ تَجْرِیْ مِنْ تَحْتِهِمْ فَاَهْلَکْنٰهُمْ بِذُنُوْبِهِمْ وَاَنْشَاْنَا مِنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا اٰخَرِیْنَ
“Have they not considered how many generations We destroyed before them? We had established them on earth more firmly than We established you, and We sent the clouds pouring down abundant rain on them, and We made rivers flow beneath them. But We destroyed them for their sins and established other civilizations after them.” (6:6)
قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ سُنَنٌ ۙ فَسِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوْا كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃ ُ الْمُكَذِّبِیْنَ
“Many societies have passed away before you. So, travel the earth and notice the fate of the deniers.” (3:137)
فَکُلًّا اَخَذْنَا بِذَنْۢبِہٖ ۚ فَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِ حَاصِبًا ۚ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَخَذَتْهُ الصَّیْحَۃُ ۚ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْاَرْضَ ۚ وَمِنْهُمْ مَّنْ اَغْرَقْنَا ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِیَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلٰكِنْ كَانُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ یَظْلِمُوْنَ
“Each We seized for sin. Against some We sent a sandstorm. Some were struck by the Thunder Blast. Some We caused the ground to cave in beneath them. And some We drowned. It was not Allah who wronged them, but it was they who wronged their own selves.” (29:40)
قُلْ هُوَ الْقَادِرُ عَلٰۤی اَنْ یَّبْعَثَ عَلَیْکُمْ عَذَابًا مِّنْ فَوْقِکُمْ اَوْ مِنْ تَحْتِ اَرْجُلِکُمْ اَوْ یَلْبِسَکُمْ شِیَعًا وَیُذِیْقَ بَعْضَکُمْ بَاْسَ بَعْضٍ ؕ اُنْظُرْ كَیْفَ نُصَرِّفُ الْاٰیٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَفْقَهُوْنَ
“Say, ‘He (Allah) is Able to send upon you an affliction, from above you, or from under your feet. Or He can divide you into factions, and make you taste the violence of one another. Note how We explain the revelations, so that they may understand.” (6:65)
وَ كَمْ اَهْلَکْنَا مِنْ قَرْیَۃٍۭ بَطِرَتْ مَعِیْشَتَهَا ۚ فَتِلْكَ مَسٰكِنُهُمْ لَمْ تُسْكَنْ مِّنْۢ بَعْدِهِمْ اِلَّا قَلِیْلًا ؕ وَکُنَّا نَحْنُ الْوٰرِثِیْنَ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُہْلِكَ الْقُرٰی حَتّٰی یَبْعَثَ فِیْۤ اُمِّهَا رَسُوْلًا یَّتْلُوْا عَلَیْهِمْ اٰیٰتِنَا ۚ وَمَا کُنَّا مُہْلِكِی الْقُرٰۤی اِلَّا وَاَهْلُهَا ظٰلِمُوْنَ
“And how many a city We destroyed for boasting about their prosperity? Here are their homes, remained uninhabited after them, except for a few. And We became the Inheritors. Your Lord never destroys cities without first sending a messenger in their midst, reciting to them Our revelations. And We never destroy the cities, unless their people are wrongdoers.” (28:58 – 59)
اَوَ لَمْ یَسِیْرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَیَنْظُرُوْا كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الَّذِیْنَ كَانُوْا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ ؕ كَانُوْا هُمْ اَشَدَّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّۃً وَاٰثَارًا فِی الْاَرْضِ فَاَخَذَهُمُ اللّٰهُ بِذُنُوْبِهِمْ ؕ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُمْ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ مِنْ وَّاقٍ ذٰلِكَ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَانَتْ تَّاْتِیْهِمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَیِّنٰتِ فَكَفَرُوْا فَاَخَذَهُمُ اللّٰهُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ قَوِیٌّ شَدِیْدُ الْعِقَابِ
“Have they not traveled in the earth and seen the final fate of those before them? They were greater than them in strength and left far deeper traces on the earth, yet Allah seized them for their wrongdoings and they had no one to protect them from Allah. This (punishment) came because our messengers used to come to them with clear signs, but they rejected. So, Allah seized them. Indeed, He is Powerful, Severe in punishment.” (40:21 – 22)
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَیِّنٰتِ فَرِحُوْا بِمَا عِنْدَهُمْ مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ وَ حَاقَ بِهِمْ مَّا كَانُوْا بِہٖ یَسْتَہْزِءُوْنَ فَلَمَّا رَاَوْا بَاْسَنَا قَالُوْۤا اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَحْدَہٗ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا کُنَّا بِہٖ مُشْرِكِیْنَ فَلَمْ یَکُ یَنْفَعُهُمْ اِیْمَانُهُمْ لَمَّا رَاَوْا بَاْسَنَا ؕ سُنَّتَ اللّٰهِ الَّتِیْ قَدْ خَلَتْ فِیْ عِبَادِہٖ ۚ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ الْکٰفِرُوْنَ
“When their messengers came to them with clear proofs, they boasted of the knowledge they had, and the very things they used to ridicule besieged them. Then, when they witnessed Our punishment, they said, ‘We believe in Allah alone, and we reject what we used to associate with Him.’ But their faith could not help them once they witnessed Our punishment. This has been Allah’s way of dealing with His servants since before. And there and then the disbelievers become losers.” (40:83 – 85)
وَكَمْ اَهْلَکْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِّنْ قَرْنٍ هُمْ اَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ بَطْشًا فَنَقَّبُوْا فِی الْبِلَادِ ؕ هَلْ مِنْ مَّحِیْصٍ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَذِکْرٰی لِمَنْ كَانَ لَہٗ قَلْبٌ اَوْ اَلْقَی السَّمْعَ وَ هُوَ شَهِیْدٌ
“How many generations before them did We destroy, who were more powerful than they? They explored the lands – was there any escape? In that is a reminder for whoever possesses a heart, or cares to listen and witness.” (50:36 – 37)
وَعَادًا وَ ثَمُوْدَا۠ وَاَصْحٰبَ الرَّسِّ وَقُرُوْنًۢا بَیْنَ ذٰلِكَ كَثِیْرًا وَکُلًّا ضَرَبْنَا لَهُ الْاَمْثَالَ ۫ وَکُلًّا تَبَّرْنَا تَتْبِیْرًا وَلَقَدْ اَتَوْا عَلَی الْقَرْیَۃِ الَّتِیْۤ اُمْطِرَتْ مَطَرَ السَّوْءِ ؕ اَفَلَمْ یَکُوْنُوْا یَرَوْنَهَا ۚ بَلْ كَانُوْا لَا یَرْجُوْنَ نُشُوْرًا
“And A’ad, and Samood, and the inhabitants of Rass (Arras), and many generations in between – To each We presented the examples (of the past); and each We devastated utterly. And they came upon the city that was drenched by the terrible rain. Did they not see it? But they do not fear resurrection.” (25:38 – 40)
وَ عَادًا وَثَمُوْدَا۠ وَقَدْ تَّبَیَّنَ لَکُمْ مِّنْ مَّسٰكِنِهِمْ ۟ وَزَیَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّیْطٰنُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِیْلِ وَكَانُوْا مُسْتَبْصِرِیْنَ وَقَارُوْنَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامٰنَ ۟ وَلَقَدْ جَآءَهُمْ مُّوْسٰی بِالْبَیِّنٰتِ فَاسْتَکْبَرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوْا سٰبِقِیْنَ
“And of A’ad and Samood whose (ruined) condition has become clear to you from their dwellings. Satan embellished for them their deeds, barring them from the path, even though they had deep insight. And Qaroon, and Fera’wn, and Haman – to them indeed Musa (Musa) came with clear signs, but they acted arrogantly in the land. And they could not succeed.” (29:38 – 39)
اَلَمْ تَرَ كَیْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ اِرَمَ ذَاتِ الْعِمَادِ الَّتِیْ لَمْ یُخْلَقْ مِثْلُهَا فِی الْبِلَادِ وَثَمُوْدَ الَّذِیْنَ جَابُوا الصَّخْرَ بِالْوَادِ وَفِرْعَوْنَ ذِی الْاَوْتَادِ الَّذِیْنَ طَغَوْا فِی الْبِلَادِ فَاَکْثَرُوْا فِیْهَا الْفَسَادَ فَصَبَّ عَلَیْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ اِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ
“Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with Errum clan of A’ad tribes? – Their physical structure was tall like the pillars. The likes of which were never created in the lands. And Samood – who carved the rocks in the valley (to build their house). And Fera’wn of the lord of the Stakes – (All) Those who committed excesses in the lands. And spread much corruption therein. So, your Lord poured down upon them a scourge of punishment. Your Lord is Ever Vigilant.” (89:6 – 14)
ثُمَّ اَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا ؕ کُلَّمَا جَآءَ اُمَّۃً رَّسُوْلُهَا كَذَّبُوْهُ فَاَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ بَعْضًا وَّجَعَلْنٰهُمْ اَحَادِیْثَ ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا یُؤْمِنُوْنَ
“Afterwards We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time a messenger came to his community, they called him a liar. So, We ruined them one after another, and made them tales of history. So, keep away with a people who do not believe.” (23:44)
Fate of Some Condemned Nations
Allah (SWT) gave descriptions of some condemned nations in many verses of the Holy Qur’an, as given below:
ذٰلِكَ مِنْ اَنْۢبَآءِ الْقُرٰی نَقُصُّہٗ عَلَیْكَ مِنْهَا قَآئِمٌ وَّحَصِیْدٌ وَمَا ظَلَمْنٰهُمْ وَلٰكِنْ ظَلَمُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ فَمَاۤ اَغْنَتْ عَنْهُمْ اٰلِهَتُهُمُ الَّتِیْ یَدْعُوْنَ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مِنْ شَیْءٍ لَّمَّا جَآءَ اَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ؕ وَمَا زَادُوْهُمْ غَیْرَ تَتْبِیْبٍ وَكَذٰلِكَ اَخْذُ رَبِّكَ اِذَاۤ اَخَذَ الْقُرٰی وَهِیَ ظَالِمَۃٌ ؕ اِنَّ اَخْذَہٗۤ اَلِیْمٌ شَدِیْدٌ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیَۃً لِّمَنْ خَافَ عَذَابَ الْاٰخِرَۃِ ؕ ذٰلِكَ یَوْمٌ مَّجْمُوْعٌ ۙ لَّهُ النَّاسُ وَذٰلِكَ یَوْمٌ مَّشْهُوْدٌ
“These are some of the stories of communities which We narrate to you (O Muhammad ﷺ) – of them some are standing (still persisting), and some have been cut down (from their root). It was not We that wronged them: They wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked, profited them nothing when the decree of your Lord (punishment) came: Nor did they add aught (to their lot) but perdition! Such is the chastisement of your Lord when He punishes communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe is His grasp. In that is a Sign for those who fear the penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered together: that will be a Day of Testimony.” (11:100 – 103)
كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوْحٍ وَعَادٌ وَّفِرْعَوْنُ ذُوْالْاَوْتَادِ وَثَمُوْدُ وَقَوْمُ لُوْطٍ وَّاَصْحٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ فَاُوْلٰٓئِكَ الْاَحْزَابُ اِنْ كُلٌّ اِلَّا كَذَّبَ الرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِ
“Before them the people of Nooh denied the truth; as did A’ad, and Fer’awn, the lord of the stakes. And Samood, and the people of Loot, and the dwellers of Aykah – these were the confederates. None of them but denied the Messengers, so My retribution was deserved.” (38:12 – 14)
People of Nooh ()
Prophet Nooh () lived with his people for a long time of 950 years. For many generations, his people were engaged in worshipping statues as their gods. He warned them against these false gods and advised them to worship Allah, the one and only God. But they all denied Nooh (() except a few. Despite his repeated calls, they remained heedless and ridiculed him. Finally, The Almighty Allah destroyed this disbelieving nation with a devastating deluge and rescued Nooh (() and his followers, who boarded an Ark that was built by him at Allah’s instruction before the deluge.
لَقَدْ اَرْسَلْنَا نُوْحًا اِلٰی قَوْمِہٖ فَقَالَ یٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہٗ ؕ اِنِّیْۤ اَخَافُ عَلَیْکُمْ عَذَابَ یَوْمٍ عَظِیْمٍ
“Indeed, We sent Nooh (Noah) to his people and he said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day’!” (7:59)
قَالُوْا یٰنُوْحُ قَدْ جٰدَلْتَنَا فَاَکْثَرْتَ جِدَالَنَا فَاْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَاۤ اِنْ کُنْتَ مِنَ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ
“They (People of Nooh) said, ‘O Nooh, you have argued with us, and argued a great deal. Now bring down upon us what you threaten us with, if you are truthful’.” (11:32).
وَقَوْمَ نُوْحٍ لَّمَّا كَذَّبُوا الرُّسُلَ اَغْرَقْنٰهُمْ وَجَعَلْنٰهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ اٰیَۃً ؕ وَاَعْتَدْنَا لِلظّٰلِمِیْنَ عَذَابًا اَلِیْمًا
“And the people of Noah: when they rejected the messengers, We drowned them, and made them a lesson for mankind. We have prepared for the wrongdoers a painful retribution.” (25:37)
….. فَكَذَّبُوْا عَبْدَنَا وَ قَالُوْا مَجْنُوْنٌ وَازْدُجِرَ فَدَعَا رَبَّہٗۤ اَنِّیْ مَغْلُوْبٌ فَانْتَصِرْ فَفَتَحْنَاۤ اَبْوَابَ السَّمَآءِ بِمَآءٍ مُّنْهَمِرٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا الْاَرْضَ عُیُوْنًا فَالْتَقَی الْمَآءُ عَلٰۤی اَمْرٍ قَدْ قُدِرَ وَ حَمَلْنٰهُ عَلٰی ذَاتِ اَلْوَاحٍ وَدُسُرٍ تَجْرِیْ بِاَعْیُنِنَا ۚ جَزَآءً لِّمَنْ كَانَ کُفِرَ وَلَقَدْ تَّرَکْنٰهَاۤ اٰیَۃً فَهَلْ مِنْ مُّدَّكِرٍ فَكَیْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِیْ وَ نُذُرِ
“……. They rejected Our servant (Nooh), and said, ‘crazy’, and he was rebuked. So, he appealed to his Lord, ‘I am overwhelmed, so help me.’ So, We opened the floodgates of heaven with water pouring down. And We made the earth burst with springs, and the waters met for a purpose already destined. And We carried him on a craft of planks and nails. Sailing before Our eyes; a reward for him who was rejected (by his people). And We left it as a sign. Is there anyone who would take heed? So how were My punishment and My warnings?” (54:9 – 16)
A’ad Community
The people of the A’ad community were very arrogant and boastful of their physical strength, power, and wealth, and they denied Allah (SWT) and His Prophet Hud (). They turned arrogant on earth, and opposed justice, and said, ‘Who is more powerful than us?’ They were skilled in erecting lofty buildings and towers. He went out of his way to correct their behavior, establish justice, and advise them to worship only Allah as their Lord. But they called him a liar and refused to obey him. Thus, they earned Allah’s wrath and became doomed.
وَ اِلٰی عَادٍ اَخَاهُمْ هُوْدًا ؕ قَالَ یٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہٗ ؕ اِنْ اَنْتُمْ اِلَّا مُفْتَرُوْنَ یٰقَوْمِ لَاۤ اَسْـَٔلُکُمْ عَلَیْهِ اَجْرًا ؕ اِنْ اَجْرِیَ اِلَّا عَلَی الَّذِیْ فَطَرَنِیْ ؕ اَفَلَا تَعْقِلُوْنَ
“And to A’ad, their brother Hood (was sent). He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah, you have no other god besides Him. You do nothing but invent lies. O my people, I ask you no wage for it; my wage lies with Him who originated me. Do you not understand?” (11:50)
وَ تِلْكَ عَادٌ ۟ۙ جَحَدُوْا بِاٰیٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَعَصَوْا رُسُلَہٗ وَاتَّبَعُوْۤا اَمْرَ کُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِیْدٍ وَاُتْبِعُوْا فِیْ هٰذِهِ الدُّنْیَا لَعْنَۃً وَیَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّ عَادًا كَفَرُوْا رَبَّهُمْ ؕ اَلَا بُعْدًا لِّعَادٍ قَوْمِ هُوْدٍ
“Such were the A’ad People: they rejected the Signs of their Lord; disobeyed His apostles; And followed the command of every headstrong enemy of truth. And they were pursued by a Curse in this life, – and on the Day of Judgement. Ah! Behold! for the A’ad rejected their Lord! Ah! Behold! – Removed (from sight) were A’ad the people of Hud!” (11:59 – 60)
فَاَمَّا عَادٌ فَاسْتَکْبَرُوْا فِی الْاَرْضِ بِغَیْرِ الْحَقِّ وَقَالُوْا مَنْ اَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّۃً ؕ اَوَ لَمْ یَرَوْا اَنَّ اللّٰهَ الَّذِیْ خَلَقَهُمْ هُوَ اَشَدُّ مِنْهُمْ قُوَّۃً ؕ وَكَانُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا یَجْحَدُوْنَ فَاَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ رِیْحًا صَرْصَرًا فِیْۤ اَیَّامٍ نَّحِسَاتٍ لِّنُذِیْقَهُمْ عَذَابَ الْخِزْیِ فِی الْحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنْیَا ؕ وَلَعَذَابُ الْاٰخِرَۃِ اَخْزٰی وَهُمْ لَا یُنْصَرُوْنَ
“As for A’ad, they turned arrogant on earth, and opposed justice, and said, ‘Who is more powerful than us?’ Have they not considered that Allah, who created them, is more powerful than they? And they went on denying Our revelations. So, We unleashed upon them a screaming wind, for a few miserable days, to make them taste the punishment of shame in this life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more shameful; and they will not be saved.” (41:15 – 16)
كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ فَكَیْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِیْ وَنُذُرِ اِنَّاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ رِیْحًا صَرْصَرًا فِیْ یَوْمِ نَحْسٍ مُّسْتَمِرٍّ تَنْزِعُ النَّاسَ ۙ كَاَنَّهُمْ اَعْجَازُ نَخْلٍ مُّنْقَعِرٍ
“A’ad denied the truth. So how were My punishment and My warnings? We unleashed upon them a screaming wind, on a day of unrelenting misery – Plucking the people away, as if they were trunks of uprooted palm-trees.” (54:18 – 20)
Samood Community
Allah (SWT) sent his prophet Salah () to the Samood community of Al-Hijr in the Arabian Peninsula, which was a prosperous nation and built huge buildings made of stones. They became boastful and used to practice idolatry, committing the greatest sins. Saleh () called them towards Allah’s Deen and worshipping Allah alone. In response to his call, they asked him to produce the evidence of his prophethood. Then Allah (SWT) sent a she-camel as His sign to test them. But the arrogant Samood people hamstrung the camel and killed it. Thus, they earned Allah’s wrath. As punishment, he totally ruined that nation, causing an earthquake.
وَ اِلٰی ثَمُوْدَ اَخَاهُمْ صٰلِحًا ۘ قَالَ یٰقَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَکُمْ مِّنْ اِلٰہٍ غَیْرُہٗ ؕ هُوَ اَنْشَاَکُمْ مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَکُمْ فِیْهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوْهُ ثُمَّ تُوْبُوْۤا اِلَیْهِ ؕ اِنَّ رَبِّیْ قَرِیْبٌ مُّجِیْبٌ قَالُوْا یٰصٰلِحُ قَدْ کُنْتَ فِیْنَا مَرْجُوًّا قَبْلَ هٰذَاۤ اَتَنْهٰنَاۤ اَنْ نَّعْبُدَ مَا یَعْبُدُ اٰبَآؤُنَا وَاِنَّنَا لَفِیْ شَکٍّ مِّمَّا تَدْعُوْنَاۤ اِلَیْهِ مُرِیْبٍ
“And to Samood (Thamud), their brother Saleh (was sent). He said, ‘O my people, worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. He initiated you from the earth and settled you in it. So, seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Near and Responsive.’ They said, ‘O Saleh, we had hopes in you before this. Are you trying to prevent us from worshiping what our parents worshiped? We are in serious doubt regarding what you are calling us to’.” (11:61 – 62)
وَ یٰقَوْمِ هٰذِہٖ نَاقَۃُ اللّٰهِ لَکُمْ اٰیَۃً فَذَرُوْهَا تَاْکُلْ فِیْۤ اَرْضِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تَمَسُّوْهَا بِسُوْٓءٍ فَیَاْخُذَکُمْ عَذَابٌ قَرِیْبٌ
“(Saleh said) O my people, this is the she-camel of Allah, a sign for you. Let her graze on Allah’s land, and do not harm her, lest an imminent punishment overtakes you’.” (11:64)
كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُوْدُ بِطَغْوٰىهَاۤ اِذِ انْۢبَعَثَ اَشْقٰهَا فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ نَاقَۃَ اللّٰهِ وَسُقْیٰهَا فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَعَقَرُوْهَا ۪۬ۙ فَدَمْدَمَ عَلَیْهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ بِذَنْۢبِهِمْ فَسَوّٰىهَا
“Samood lied arrogantly. When the most wicked of them became eager (to kill the she-camel – a sign of Allah). The messenger of Allah said to them, ‘This is the she-camel of Allah, so let her drink.’ But they called him a liar, and hamstrung her (camel). So, their Lord crushed them for their sin, and leveled them with destruction.” (91:11 – 14)
فَعَقَرُوا النَّاقَۃَ وَعَتَوْا عَنْ اَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوْا یٰصٰلِحُ ائْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَاۤ اِنْ کُنْتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِیْنَ فَاَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَۃُ فَاَصْبَحُوْا فِیْ دَارِهِمْ جٰثِمِیْنَ
“So, they (Samood people) hamstrung the she-camel (which was sent as sign of Allah), and defied the command of their Lord, and said, ‘O Saleh, bring upon us what (punishment) you threaten us with, if you are one of the messengers.’ Whereupon the quake overtook them, – and their dead bodies lay face down in their (rock-hewn strong) homes.” (7:77 – 78)
كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُوْدُ بِالنُّذُرِ فَقَالُوْۤا اَبَشَرًا مِّنَّا وَاحِدًا نَّتَّبِعُہٗۤ ۙ اِنَّاۤ اِذًا لَّفِیْ ضَلٰلٍ وَ سُعُرٍ ءَاُلْقِیَ الذِّکْرُ عَلَیْهِ مِنْۢ بَیْنِنَا بَلْ هُوَ كَذَّابٌ اَشِرٌ
“Samood rejected the warnings. They said, ‘Are we to follow a single solitary human being from among us? We would surely be in error and insane. Was the message given to him, out of all of us? In fact, he is a wicked liar.’ (54:23 – 25)
فَكَیْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِیْ وَنُذُرِ اِنَّاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ صَیْحَۃً وَّاحِدَۃً فَكَانُوْا كَهَشِیْمِ الْمُحْتَظِرِ
“Ah! how (terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning! For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast, and they became like the dry trodden stubble used for pinfold.” (54:30 – 31)
People of Loot ()
The Prophet Loot () was sent to the people of Sodom (in Syria) who were involved in a number of sinful activities like waylaying the roads (for robbing) and committing homosexuality and lewdness in public gatherings—a very shameful sexual obscenity never perpetrated by any people on earth before them. He advised them to discard such immoral acts and to rectify their conduct, and also warned of severe consequences that might befall them. But they did not pay heed and continued their evil deeds as usual. Moreover, they threatened Loot () to oust him from the city if he had not refrained from opposing them. Also, they asked him to bring upon them Allah’s punishment if he was truthful. Finally, Allah’s punishment fell upon them, turning their city upside down and raining stones on it.
وَلُوْطًا اِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِہٖۤ اَتَاْتُوْنَ الْفَاحِشَۃَ مَا سَبَقَکُمْ بِهَا مِنْ اَحَدٍ مِّنَ الْعٰلَمِیْنَ اِنَّکُمْ لَتَاْتُوْنَ الرِّجَالَ شَہْوَۃً مِّنْ دُوْنِ النِّسَآءِ ؕ بَلْ اَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُوْنَ وَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِہٖۤ اِلَّاۤ اَنْ قَالُوْۤا اَخْرِجُوْهُمْ مِّنْ قَرْیَتِکُمْ ۚ اِنَّهُمْ اُنَاسٌ یَّتَطَهَرُوْنَ فَاَنْجَیْنٰهُ وَاَهْلَہٗۤ اِلَّا امْرَاَتَہٗ ۫ۖ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغٰبِرِیْنَ وَاَمْطَرْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ مَّطَرًا ؕ فَانْظُرْ كَیْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَۃُ الْمُجْرِمِیْنَ
“And Loot, when he said to his people, ‘Do you commit lewdness no people anywhere have ever committed before you? You lust after men rather than women. You are a transgressing people.’ And his people’s only answer was to say, ‘Expel them from your town; they are purist people.’ But We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who lagged behind. And We rained down stones on them; so, note the consequences for the sinners.” (7:80 – 84)
People of Madyan & Ayka
The traders of Madyan and Ayka, the two prosperous neighborhoods, were involved in dishonest business practices to cheat people by making discrepancies in the weight and quality of goods. Prophet Shua’ib () warned these people against such malpractices and advised them to be just in transactions. But his community termed him a liar and asked him to bring punishment on them from the sky, if he was truthful. So, Allah’s punishment gripped them severely and ruined them totally.
وَ یٰقَوْمِ لَا یَجْرِمَنَّکُمْ شِقَاقِیْۤ اَنْ یُّصِیْبَکُمْ مِّثْلُ مَاۤ اَصَابَ قَوْمَ نُوْحٍ اَوْ قَوْمَ هُوْدٍ اَوْ قَوْمَ صٰلِحٍ ؕ وَمَا قَوْمُ لُوْطٍ مِّنْکُمْ بِبَعِیْدٍ
“O my people, let not your hostility towards me cause you to suffer what was suffered by the people of Noah, or the people of Hood, or the people of Saleh. The people of Loot are not far away from you.” (11:89)
فَاَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَۃُ فَاَصْبَحُوْا فِیْ دَارِهِمْ جٰثِمِیْنَ الَّذِیْنَ كَذَّبُوْا شُعَیْبًا كَاَنْ لَّمْ یَغْنَوْا فِیْهَا ۚۛ اَلَّذِیْنَ كَذَّبُوْا شُعَیْبًا كَانُوْا هُمُ الْخٰسِرِیْنَ
“But an earthquake took them by surprise, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning! The men who reject Shu’aib became as if they had never been in the homes where they had flourished: the men who rejected Shu’aib – it was they who were ruined!” (7:91 – 92)
قَالُوْۤا اِنَّمَاۤ اَنْتَ مِنَ الْمُسَحَّرِیْنَ وَمَاۤ اَنْتَ اِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُنَا وَاِنْ نَّظُنُّكَ لَمِنَ الْکٰذِبِیْنَ فَاَسْقِطْ عَلَیْنَا كِسَفًا مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ اِنْ کُنْتَ مِنَ الصّٰدِقِیْنَ قَالَ رَبِّیْۤ اَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ فَكَذَّبُوْهُ فَاَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ یَوْمِ الظُّلَّۃِ ؕ اِنَّہٗ كَانَ عَذَابَ یَوْمٍ عَظِیْمٍ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیَۃً ؕ وَمَا كَانَ اَکْثَرُهُمْ مُّؤْمِنِیْنَ
“They (people of Madyan) said, ‘You (Shua’ib ) are one of those bewitched. And you are nothing but a man like us; and we think that you are a liar. So, bring down on us pieces (of punishment) from the sky, if you are truthful.’ He said, ‘My Lord is Well Aware of what you do.’ But they rejected him labeling as liar. So, the punishment of the day of gloom gripped them. It was the punishment of a great day. Surely in it there is a sign, but most of them are not believers.” (26:185 – 190)
Fer’awn and his people
Fer’awn, the tyrant ruler of Egypt, declared himself God and compelled all his people to obey him and worship him. He kept Bani Israel, the descendants of Prophet Yaqoob (), in slavery and forced them to work for him with nominal or no wages. He came to know that a male child from Bani Israel would be the cause of his doom. So, he ordered his army to kill all the male children of the village to keep his authority secure. Though Musa () was from Bani Israel, he was brought up at the palace of Fer’awn before his eyes, according to Allah’s will and secret plan. In his youth, he murdered a man of Fer’awn’s community unwillingly and fled to Madyan for fear of punishment. In the course of time, Allah (SWT) nominated him as His messenger and prophet and asked him to rescue Bani Israel from the servitude of Fer’awn. At first, Musa () first invited Fer’awn towards Allah’s Deen (path) and then asked him to let Bani Israel go with him. But Fer’awn defied him by rejecting his request harshly. So, Allah (SWT) drowned Fer’awn and his army in the sea.
وَ لَقَدْ اَخَذْنَاۤ اٰلَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِالسِّنِیْنَ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الثَّمَرٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَذَّكَرُوْنَ فَاِذَا جَآءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَۃُ قَالُوْا لَنَا هٰذِہٖ ۚ وَاِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَیِّئَۃٌ یَّطَّیَّرُوْا بِمُوْسٰی وَمَنْ مَّعَہٗ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّمَا طٰٓئِرُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَلٰكِنَّ اَکْثَرَهُمْ لَا یَعْلَمُوْنَ وَقَالُوْا مَہْمَا تَاْتِنَا بِہٖ مِنْ اٰیَۃٍ لِّتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا ۙ فَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِیْنَ فَاَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمُ الطُّوْفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ وَالدَّمَ اٰیٰتٍ مُّفَصَّلٰتٍ ۟ فَاسْتَکْبَرُوْا وَكَانُوْا قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِیْنَ
“We punished the people of Fer’awn with years (of droughts) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition. But when good (times) came, they said, ‘This is due to us;’ When gripped by calamity, they ascribed it to evil omens connected with Musa and those with him! Behold! in truth the omens of evil are theirs in Allah’s sight, but most of them do not understand! They said (to Musa): ‘Whatever be the Signs you bring, to work therewith your sorcery on us, we shall never believe in you. So, We afflicted them with: floods, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood: Signs openly self-explained: but they were steeped in arrogance, – and a sinful nation.” (7:130 – 133)
وَ لَقَدْ جَآءَ اٰلَ فِرْعَوْنَ النُّذُرُ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا کُلِّهَا فَاَخَذْنٰهُمْ اَخْذَ عَزِیْزٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ
“The warnings also came to the people of Fer’awn. They rejected Our signs, all of them, so We seized them – like the seizure of an Almighty Omnipotent.” (54:41 – 42)
وَ لَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَیْهِمُ الرِّجْزُ قَالُوْا یٰمُوْسَی ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِنْدَكَ ۚ لَئِنْ كَشَفْتَ عَنَّا الرِّجْزَ لَنُؤْمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرْسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِیْۤ اِسْرَآءِیْلَ فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْزَ اِلٰۤی اَجَلٍ هُمْ بٰلِغُوْهُ اِذَا هُمْ یَنْکُثُوْنَ فَانْتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَاَغْرَقْنٰهُمْ فِی الْیَمِّ بِاَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوْا بِاٰیٰتِنَا وَكَانُوْا عَنْهَا غٰفِلِیْنَ
“Every time the penalty fell on them, they said: ‘O Musa! on your behalf call on your Lord in virtue of his promise to you: If you remove the penalty from us, we shall truly believe in you, and we shall send away the Children of Israel with you.’ But every time We removed the penalty from them according to a fixed term which they had to fulfill, – Behold! They broke their word! So, We took revenge on them: We drowned them in the sea, because they rejected Our Signs and failed to take heed from them.” (7:134 – 136)
فَدَعَا رَبَّہٗۤ اَنَّ هٰۤؤُلَآءِ قَوْمٌ مُّجْرِمُوْنَ فَاَسْرِ بِعِبَادِیْ لَیْلًا اِنَّکُمْ مُّتَّبَعُوْنَ وَاتْرُكِ الْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا ؕ اِنَّهُمْ جُنْدٌ مُّغْرَقُوْنَ كَمْ تَرَکُوْا مِنْ جَنّٰتٍ وَعُیُوْنٍ وَنَعْمَۃٍ كَانُوْا فِیْهَا فٰكِهِیْنَ كَذٰلِكَ ۟ وَاَوْرَثْنٰهَا قَوْمًا اٰخَرِیْنَ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَیْهِمُ السَّمَآءُ وَالْاَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوْا مُنْظَرِیْنَ
“He (Musa ) then prayed to his Lord saying, ‘These people are certainly a sinful nation.’ (Allah said) ‘March forth with my slaves by night, you will surely be pursued (by Fer’awn). ‘And leave (through the mid-path of the divided) sea: for they are a host (destined) to be drowned.’ How many were the gardens and springs they left behind, and corn-fields and pleasant buildings, and wealth (and conveniences of life), wherein they had taken such delight! Thus (was their end)! And We made other people inherit (those things)! And neither heaven nor earth shed a tear over them: nor were they given a respite (again).” (44:22 – 29)
وَقَالَ مُوْسٰى رَبَّنَاۤ اِنَّكَ اٰتَيْتَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَاَه زِيْنَةً وَّاَمْوٰلًا فِى الْحَيَوٰةِ الدُّنْيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّوْا عَنْ سَبِيْلِكَ رَبَّنَا اطْمِسْ عَلٰىۤ اَمْوٰلِهِمْ وَاشْدُدْ عَلٰى قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَلَا يُؤْمِنُوْا حَتّٰى يَرَوُا الْعَذَابَ الْاَلِيْمَ قَالَ قَدْ اُجِيْبَتْ دَّعْوَتُكُمَا فَاسْتَقِيْمَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعَآنِّ سَبِيْلَ الَّذِيْنَ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ
“Musa said, ‘Our Lord, you have given Fer’awn and his chiefs’ splendor and wealth in the worldly life. Our Lord, this would misguide (people) from Your path. Our Lord, destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts, they will not believe until they see the painful torment.’ (Allah) said, ‘Your prayer has been accepted, so go straight, and do not follow the path of those who do not know’.” (10:88 – 89)
People of Saba
وَ ظَلَمُوْۤا اَنْفُسَهُمْ فَجَعَلْنٰهُمْ اَحَادِیْثَ وَمَزَّقْنٰهُمْ کُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ ؕ اِنَّ فِیْ ذٰلِكَ لَاٰیٰتٍ لِّکُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَکُوْرٍ
“……They (people Saba) wronged themselves; so, We made them fables of history, and We scattered them in every direction. In this are lessons for every steadfast and appreciative person.” (34:19)
لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَاٍ فِیْ مَسْكَنِهِمْ اٰیَۃٌ ۚ جَنَّتٰنِ عَنْ یَّمِیْنٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۬ؕ کُلُوْا مِنْ رِّزْقِ رَبِّکُمْ وَاشْکُرُوْا لَہٗ ؕ بَلْدَۃٌ طَیِّبَۃٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُوْرٌ فَاَعْرَضُوْا فَاَرْسَلْنَا عَلَیْهِمْ سَیْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنٰهُمْ بِجَنَّتَیْهِمْ جَنَّتَیْنِ ذَوَاتَیْ اُکُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَاَثْلٍ وَشَیْءٍ مِّنْ سِدْرٍ قَلِیْلٍ ذٰلِكَ جَزَیْنٰهُمْ بِمَا كَفَرُوْا ؕ وَهَلْ نُجٰزِیْۤ اِلَّا الْكَفُوْرَ
“In the homeland of people of Saba there was certainly a sign: two gardens, on the right, and on the left. ‘Eat of your Lord’s provision, and give thanks to Him – A good land, and a forgiving Lord.’ But they turned away, so We unleashed against them the flood of the dam; and We substituted their two gardens with two gardens of bitter fruits, thorny shrubs, and meager harvest. We thus penalized them for their ingratitude. Would We penalize any but the ungrateful?” (34:15 – 17)
Fate of Arrogant Qaroon
اِنَّ قَارُوْنَ كَانَ مِنْ قَوْمِ مُوْسٰی فَبَغٰی عَلَیْهِمْ ۪ وَاٰتَیْنٰهُ مِنَ الْکُنُوْزِ مَاۤ اِنَّ مَفَاتِحَہٗ لَتَنُوْٓاُ بِالْعُصْبَۃِ اُولِی الْقُوَّۃِ ٭ اِذْ قَالَ لَہٗ قَوْمُہٗ لَا تَفْرَحْ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْفَرِحِیْنَ وَ ابْتَغِ فِیْمَاۤ اٰتٰىكَ اللّٰهُ الدَّارَ الْاٰخِرَۃَ وَلَا تَنْسَ نَصِیْبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْیَا وَاَحْسِنْ كَمَاۤ اَحْسَنَ اللّٰهُ اِلَیْكَ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِی الْاَرْضِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا یُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِیْنَ قَالَ اِنَّمَاۤ اُوْتِیْتُہٗ عَلٰی عِلْمٍ عِنْدِیْ ؕ اَوَ لَمْ یَعْلَمْ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ قَدْ اَهْلَكَ مِنْ قَبْلِہٖ مِنَ الْقُرُوْنِ مَنْ هُوَ اَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّۃً وَاَکْثَرُ جَمْعًا ؕ وَلَا یُسْـَٔلُ عَنْ ذُنُوْبِهِمُ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ فَخَرَجَ عَلٰی قَوْمِہٖ فِیْ زِیْنَتِہٖ ؕ قَالَ الَّذِیْنَ یُرِیْدُوْنَ الْحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنْیَا یٰلَیْتَ لَنَا مِثْلَ مَاۤ اُوْتِیَ قَارُوْنُ ۙ اِنَّہٗ لَذُوْ حَظٍّ عَظِیْمٍ
“Qaroon belonged to the clan of Musa, but he oppressed them. We had given him treasures, the keys of which would have been weighty for a group of mighty men. His people said to him, ‘Do not be boastful; Allah does not love the boastful ones. But seek the Home of the Hereafter using the means what Allah has given you, and do not neglect your share of this world (as reward for Hereafter). And be charitable, as Allah has been charitable to you. And do not seek corruption in the land. Allah does not like those who make corruption.’ He replied, ‘I was given all this on account of knowledge I possess.’ Did he not know that Allah destroyed many generations before him, who were stronger than he, and possessed greater riches? But the sinners will not be asked about their sins (as they will be directly sent to the Hell). And he went out before his people in his splendor. Those who desired the worldly life said, ‘If only we possessed the likes of what Qaroon was given. He is indeed very fortunate.’ (28:76 – 79)
فَخَسَفْنَا بِہٖ وَبِدَارِهِ الْاَرْضَ فَمَا كَانَ لَہٗ مِنْ فِئَۃٍ یَّنْصُرُوْنَہٗ مِنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ ٭ وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُنْتَصِرِیْنَ وَاَصْبَحَ الَّذِیْنَ تَمَنَّوْا مَكَانَہٗ بِالْاَمْسِ یَقُوْلُوْنَ وَیْكَاَنَّ اللّٰهَ یَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ یَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِہٖ وَیَقْدِرُ ۚ لَوْ لَاۤ اَنْ مَّنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَیْنَا لَخَسَفَ بِنَا ؕ وَیْكَاَنَّہٗ لَا یُفْلِحُ الْکٰفِرُوْنَ
“So, We caused the earth to swallow him (Qaroon) and his mansion. He had no accomplice to save him from Allah, and he could not defend himself. Those who had wished to be like him the day before said, ‘Indeed, it is Allah who extends the bounty to whomever He wills of His servants and restricts it. Had Allah not been gracious to us, we would also have been swallowed. No wonder, the disbelievers never succeed’.” (28:81 – 83)
Ashabil Fil (People of the Elephant)
Surah Al-Fil (105:1-5) illustrates how Allah (SWT) protected His House, the Holy Ka’ba, and dealt with Abraha Al-Ashram, the Governor of Yemen who came to Makkah with his elephant-forces to demolish the Sacred House.
اَلَمْ تَرَ كَیْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِاَصْحٰبِ الْفِیْلِ اَلَمْ یَجْعَلْ كَیْدَهُمْ فِیْ تَضْلِیْلٍ وَ اَرْسَلَ عَلَیْهِمْ طَیْرًا اَبَابِیْلَ تَرْمِیْهِمْ بِحِجَارَۃٍ مِّنْ سِجِّیْلٍ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّاْکُوْلٍ
“Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the People of the Elephant? Did He not make their plan go vain? He sent against them swarms of ‘Ababil’ birds – Throwing at them rocks of baked clay. Leaving them like chewed-up leaves.” (105:1 – 5)
Fate of Abu Lahab & his wife
Surah Lahab/Masad of the Qur’an was revealed, condemning Abu Lahab and his wife for their enmity with the Prophet of Islam. But during their lifetime, they never tried to rectify themselves by seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT). So, their fates were sealed in Hell.
تَبَّتْ يَدَۤا اَبِى لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ مَاۤ اَغْنٰى عَنْهُ مَالُه وَمَا كَسَبَ سَيَصْلٰى نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ وَامْرَاَتُه حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ فِى جِيْدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِنْ مَّسَدٍ
“May the hands of Abee Lahab be destroyed, and he is condemned. Neither his wealth nor that he acquired shall benefit him. He soon will enter in the Flaming Fire – And his wife too, the firewood loader. Around her neck shall be a twisted rope (of thorns).” (111:1 – 5)