Sūrah 61
Sūrah al-Ṣaff
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. In the first sūrah, those people are warned who were evading jihād to help and support religion after they had professed faith in Muḥammad (sws), while in the second sūrah warning is sounded to those who were not giving due importance to him and showing indifference in following him.
Both sūrahs are addressed to people who lay claim to faith, and it is evident from their topics that they were revealed in Madīnah in the tazkiyah and taṭhīr phase of the Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
The theme of Sūrah al-Ṣaff is to warn weak Muslims that if after professing faith in Muḥammad (sws) they evade jihād, then they will end up with the same fate as that of the Jews. In this regard, the right attitude was not that of the Jews, but that which the disciples of Jesus (sws) adopted. Hence, if anyone is to be followed, they should be followed. As for the Jews, they have been eternally deprived of God’s guidance.
The theme of Sūrah al-Jumu‘ah is to direct the attention of the weak Muslims, referred to above, to the fact that in the person of the Messenger they have a supreme favour of God. They should give him due importance rather than depriving themselves of this favour by getting influenced by the envious propaganda of the Jews. The counsel of the Messenger and respect of the sharī‘ah brought by him should be dearer to them than any other thing of this world; they should bear in mind that neglect in this regard will lead them to the same fate as the Jews met before them.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
Every object of the heavens and the earth has glorified God, and He is the Mighty, the very Wise.
Believers! Why do you say what you do not do? It is most detestable in God’s sight that you should say something which you do not do. God holds dear only those who fight for His cause as if they are one solid lead-filled wall.
[The Jews also behaved similarly.] Recall when Moses said to his people: “People of my Nation! Why do you torment me [by being continuously disobedient], even though you know very well that I have come to you as a Messenger of God?” But, [in spite of this admonition,] when they deviated, God made their hearts deviate. God never guides such defiant people.
[They continued to show deviation in this manner.] Recall when Jesus, son of Mary, said: “O Israelites! I am a Messenger sent forth to you from God in realization of the predictions which exist before me in the Torah, and a deliverer of glad tidings of a Messenger coming after me whose name will be Aḥmad. But when he came to them with clear signs, they said: “This is plain magic.”
[They are still persisting with this deviation. Speak up:] Who can be more unjust than the person who fabricates a falsehood about God even though He is being called to Islam? In reality, God does not guide such wrongdoers. They want to extinguish this light of God with the blows of their mouths, and God has decided that He will perfect His light, however much these disbelievers may dislike it. It is He who has sent forth His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that He may make it prevail over all religions [of this land], however much these Idolaters may dislike it.
Believers! Shall I tell you of a deal which will save you from a woeful scourge? [Contrary to the attitude of the Jews,] you should profess faith in God and in His Messenger the way this should be done and should wage war for the cause of God through your wealth and your persons. This is better for you, if you understand. As its reward, God will forgive your sins and admit you to gardens below which streams flow and bless you with the best house which will be in the gardens of eternity. This is supreme success. And will also give you another thing which you desire: help from God and a victory in the near future. Give glad tidings of this to the believers [O Prophet]!1
Believers! Be God’s helpers the way Jesus, son of Mary, said to
the disciples: “Who will be my helper in the cause of God?” The disciples replied: “We are God’s helpers.” Consequently, one group from among the Israelites professed faith, while another became adamant on disbelief. Then We helped the believers against their enemies; so, they triumphed over them.