The Lights (An-Nûr)

In the name of Allah, Gracious, Merciful.

¹A surah which We have sent down and which We have ordained: in it have We sent down clear signs in order that you may receive admonition.¹

²The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication flog each of them with a hundred stripes: let not compassion move you in their case in a matter prescribed by Allah, if you believe in Allah and the last day: and let a party of the believers witness their punishment.

³Let no man guilty of adultery or fornication marry any but a woman similarly guilty or an unbeliever, nor let any but such a man or an unbeliever marry such a woman: to the believers such a thing is forbidden.²

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

¹Suratun anzalunaha wa faraddunaha wa anuzaluna fiha ayatin bainatin laal lakum tazakaruna.

²Azaniyatu wazani fajuliduu kulla wahidin minhuma miata jaldatin wa la takhuzukum bihima rafatun fi dinilahi in kuntum tuminuna billahi wal yaumi lakhiri wal yashuhadu azabahuma tuaifatun minal muminina.

³Azani la yanukihu illa zaniyatan au mushurikatan wa zaniyatu la yanukihuha illa zanin au mushurikun wa hurima zalika allal muminina.

1. The verse is in contradiction with the Sunnah which reveals that the Prophet Muhammad used to stone fornicators and adulterers to death. When one was to be flogged, the Sunnah advocates fifty (50) stripes not one hundred as we read in this verse. Sahih Al‑Bukhari’s Hadith 8.805 narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah Al Ansari:

A man from the tribe of Bani Aslam came to Allah’s Apostle and informed him that he had committed illegal sexual intercourse and bore witness four times against himself. Allah’s Apostle ordered him to be stoned to death as he was a married person.”

Another of Bukhari’s Hadith 8. 823 shows the flogging with fifty stripes. This was narrated by Abu Hurairah:

“The Prophet said, “If a lady slave commits illegal sexual intercourse and she is proved guilty of illegal sexual intercourse, then she should be flogged (fifty stripes) but she should not be admonished; and if she commits illegal sexual inter-

course again, then she should be flogged again but should not be admonished; and if she commits illegal sexual intercourse for the third time, then she should be sold even for a hair rope.”

Flogging is contrary to the practice of the Jews which advocates stoning to death, Leviticus 20:10, John 8:5, this is where Muhammad took his cue from according to the following Hadith of Sahih Muslim Hadith 4214 narrated by Al‑Bara’ ibn Azib;

“There happened to pass by Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) a Jew blackened and lashed. Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) called them (the Jews) and said: Is this the punishment that you find in your Book (Torah) as a prescribed punishment for adultery? They said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet) called one of the scholars amongst them and said: I ask you in the name of Allah Who sent down the Torah to Moses if that is the prescribed punishment for adultery, which you find in your Book. He said: No. Had you not asked me in the name of Allah, I should not have given you this information. We find stoning to death (as the punishment prescribed in the Torah). However, this (crime) became quite common amongst our aristocratic class. So when we caught hold of any rich person (indulging in this offence) we spared him, but when we caught hold of a helpless person we imposed the prescribed punishment upon him. We then said: Let us agree (on a punishment) which we can inflict upon both the rich and the poor. So we decided to blacken the face with coal and flog as a substitute punishment for stoning.

Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: O Allah, I am the first to revive Thy command when they had cancelled it. He then gave the order and he (the offender) was stoned to death.”

This act which requires flogging and stoning to death does not prevent one from going to heaven, Sahih Al‑Bukhari’s Hadith 2.329 narrated by Abu Dhar:

Allah’s Apostle said, “Someone came to me from my Lord and gave me the news (or good tidings) that if any of my followers dies worshipping none (in any way) along with Allah, he will enter Paradise.” I asked, “Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft?” He replied, “Even if he committed illegal sexual intercourse (adultery) and theft.”

If this is indeed so, then it means that man’s standard of morality is higher than Allah’s. An Allah who will tolerate and condone immorality, is himself a loose Allah. A narration by Ibn Abbas in Bukhari’s Hadith 8.609 further implicates Allah for being unfair, in the sense that he (Allah) has assigned for each man the number of adultery to be committed and yet he tells Muhammad to stone to death those whom he has ordained to commit adultery:

“I did not see anything so resembling minor sins as what Abu Huraira said from the Prophet, who said, “Allah has written for the son of Adam his inevitable share of adultery whether he is aware of it or not:...”

2. The situation warrants a serious investigation into the mind of God, every sin is forgivable by Allah, now if Allah forgives and accepts anyone who repents, why should he further forbid the Muslims from marrying a repentant and forgiven sinner? If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17). God winked at the things we did in our ignorance, (Acts 17: 30) but now calls on men everywhere to repentance. Once a person repents from his sins, no matter how severe they might have been, God is willing and able to forgive such a one, because He does not delight in the death of the sinner.

⁴And those who launch a charge against chaste women and produce not four witnesses flog them with eighty stripes: and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.³

⁵Unless they repent thereafter and mend: for Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.

⁶And for those who launch a charge against their spouses and have no evidence but their own, their solitary evidence if they bear witness four times by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth.

⁷And the fifth oath that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie.

⁴Wa lazina yarumunal muhusuanati summa lam yatu bi arubaati shuhada afaja liduhum samaniuna jaludatan wa la taqubalu lahum shahadatan abadan wa ulaika humu lufasiquna.

⁵Illal lazina tabu min badi zalika wa assulahu fa innallaha gafurun rahimun.

⁶Wa lazina yarumuna azuwajahum wa lam yaku lahum suhadau illa anfusuhum fashahadatu ahadihim arubau shahadatin billahi innahu lamina suadiqina.

⁷Walkhamisatu anna lanata lahi alaihi inkana minal kazibina.

3. This verse may have been revealed in connection with the (false) allegations leveled at Aisha regarding her unchastity which almost cost Aisha her marriage. Having been vindicated, Muhammad sought a way to punish the slanderers. This incident is contained in Sahih Al‑Bukhari’s Hadith 6.274 narrated by Aisha herself.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁸But it would avert the punishment from the wife if she bears witness four times by Allah that he is telling a lie.

⁹And the fifth should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if he is telling the truth.⁴

¹⁰If it were not for Allah’s grace and mercy on you and that Allah is often returning, full of wisdom you would be ruined indeed.

¹¹Those who brought forward the lie are a body among yourselves: think it not to be an evil to you: on the contrary it is good for you: to every man among them will come the punishment of the sin that he earned and to him who took on himself the lead among them will be a penalty grievous.

⁸Wa yadura u anuha luazaba antashuhada arubaa shahadatin billahi innahu laminal kazibina.

⁹Walkhamisata anna gaduaba lahi alaiha inkana mina suadiqin.

¹⁰Wa lau la fadulul lahi alaikum wa rahumatuhu wa annallaha tawabun hakimun.

¹¹Inna lazina jau bilifuki ussubatun minkum la tahusabuhu saran lakum bal huwa khairul lakum likulli amuriminhum makutasaba minal isumi wal lazi tawala kiburahu minhum lahu azabun attimun.

4. Please refer to verse 9. Jesus forbade swearing when He said in Matthew 5:33‑37:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, 'You must not swear an oath falsely,' but 'You must fulfill your oaths to the Lord.' But I tell you not to swear at all, neither by heaven, because it is God's throne, nor by the earth, because it is his footstool, nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King. Nor should you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. Instead, let your word be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."

[Commentary continues below.]

¹²Why did not believers men and women, when you heard of the affair, put the best construction on it in their own minds and say “This is an obvious lie”?⁵

¹³Why did they not bring four witnesses to prove it? When they have not brought the witnesses, such men in the sight of Allah are liars themselves!

¹⁴Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you in this world and the hereafter, a grievous penalty would have seized you in that you rushed glibly into this affair.

¹⁵Behold you received it on your tongues and said out of your mouths things of which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.

¹²Lau la izu samiutumuhu tuanal muminuna wal muminatu bi anufusihim khairan wa qalu haza ifkun mubinun.

¹³Lau la ja u alaihi bi arubaati shuhada ifa izu lam yatu bishuhadai fa ulaika indal lahi humul kazibuna.

¹⁴Wa lau la faddulu lahi alaikum wa rahumatuhu fi dunuya walahirati lamasakumu fi ma afaduatum fihi azabun attimun.

¹⁵Izu talaqaunahu bialusinatikum wa taquluna bi afuwahikum ma laisa lakum bihi ilumun wa tahusabunahu hainan wa huwa indalahi attimun.

5. According to Sahih Al‑Bukhari’s Hadith 6.274 narrated by Aisha, even Muhammad believed the slander against her and changed his attitude towards her. Aisha said “... But what aroused my doubt while I was sick, was that I was no longer receiving from Allah’s Apostle the same kindness as I used to receive when I fell sick. Allah’s Apostle would enter upon me, say a greeting and add, “How is that (lady)?” and then depart... .” Muhammad is also guilty of the offence.

[Commentary continues below.]

¹⁶And why did you not when you heard it say “It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah! this is a most serious slander!”

¹⁷Allah does admonish you that you may never repeat such if you are believers.

¹⁸And Allah makes the signs plain to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

¹⁹Those who love scandal published, broadcast among the believers will have a grievous penalty in this life and in the hereafter: Allah knows and you know not.

²⁰Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you and that Allah is full of kindness and mercy you would be ruined indeed.

¹⁶Wa lau la izu samitumuhu qulutum ma yakunu lana an natakalama bihaza subuhanaka haza buhutanun attimun.

¹⁷Yaittukumu lahu an taudu limisulihi abadan inkuntum muminina.

¹⁸Wa yubainu lahu lakumul ayati wallahu alimun hakimun.

¹⁹Inna lazina yuhibuna an tashial fahishatu fi lazina amanu lahum azabun alimun fi dunuya wal akhirati wallahu yaulamu waantum la talamuna.

²⁰Wa lau la faddulu lahi alaikum wa rahumatuhu wa anna laha raufun rahimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

²¹O you who believe! follow not Satan’s footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan he will command what is shameful and wrong: and were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you not one of you would ever have been pure: but Allah does purify whom He pleases: and Allah is One who hears and knows.

²²And let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want and those who have left their homes in Allah’s cause: let them forgive and overlook: do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.

²¹Ya ayyuha lazina amanu la tatabiu khuttuwati shaituan wa man yatabi khuttuwati shaituani fa innahu yamuru bilufahusai wal munukari wa lau la faddulu lahi alaikum wa rahumatuhu mazaka minkum min ahadin abadan wa lakina laha yuzaki ma yashau wa lahu samiun alimun.

²²Wa la yatali ulul fadduli minkum was saati an yu tu ulul quruba wal masakina wal muhajirina fi sabili lahi walu yaufu waluyassufahu alla tuhibuna an yagufira lahu lakum wallahu gafurun rahimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

²³Those who slander chaste women indiscreet but believing are cursed in this life and in the hereafter: for them is a grievous penalty.

²⁴On the day when their tongues, their hands, and their feet, will bear witness against them as to their actions.

²⁵On that day Allah will pay them back their just dues and they will realize that Allah is the truth that makes all things manifest.

²⁶Women impure are for men impure and men impure are for women impure; and women of purity are for men of purity and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness and a provision honorable.

²³Inna lazina yarumunal muhusuanatil gafilatil muminati luinu fi dunuya wal akhirati wa lahum azabun attimun.

²⁴Yauma tashuhadu alaihim alusinatuhum wa aidihim wa arjuluhum bima kanu yamaluna.

²⁵Yauma izin yuwafihimu lahu dinahumul haqqa wa yalamuna annallaha huwal haqqul mubinu.

²⁶Alkhabisatu lilukhabisina wal khabisuna lil khabisatu watuaibatu lituaibina watuaibuna li tuaibat ulaika mubarauna mimma yaquluna lahum magufiratun wa rizuqun karimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

²⁷O you who believe! enter not houses other than your own until you have asked permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you in order that you may heed what is seemly.⁶

²⁸If you find no one in the house enter not, until permission is given to you: if you are asked to go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves: and Allah knows well all that you do.

²⁹It is no fault on your part to enter houses not used for living in which serve some use for you: and Allah has knowledge of what you reveal and what you conceal.

²⁷Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu la tadukhulu buyutan gaira buyutikum hata tasutanisu wa tusalimu alla ahuliha zalikum khairul lakum laal lakum tazakaruna.

²⁸Fa illam tajidu fiha ahadan fala tadukhuluha hata yuzana lakum wa in qila lakumu rujiu farujiu huwa azuka lakum wallahu bima tamaluna alimun.

²⁹Laisa alaikum junahun an tadukhulu buyutan gaira masukunatin fiha mataul lakum wallahu yalamu ma tubuduna wa ma takutumuna.

6. The believers were in the habit of entering even the prophet’s house without an invitation or permission, at such he had had some “surprised visits” and been embarrassed by them. This verse was to make sure that such practice was halted. A typical example is the story found in the Hadith about a young man’s question to the prophet on whether or not permission is needed from his mother before entering her house, Al‑Muwatta’s Hadith 54.1:

Malik related to me from Safwan ibn Sulaym, from Ata ibn Yasar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was questioned by a man who said, “Messenger of Allah, shall I ask permission of my mother to enter?” He said, “Yes “ The man said, “I live with her in the house”. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said “Ask her permission.” The man said, “I am her servant.”

The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Ask her permission. Do you

want to see her naked?” He said, “No.” He said, “Then ask her permission.”

Once you come to a house which you wish to enter, you have to pronounce “As‑Salamu ‘Alaikum” (Peace be unto you) three times and if there is no response, you then go away. It is as the greetings Jesus greeted His disciples after His resurrection.

³⁰Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

³⁰Qulu lilmuminina yaguddu min abusuarihim wa yahufattu furujahum zalika azuka lahum innallaha habirun bima yasunauna.

[Commentary continues below.]

³¹And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you believers! turn all together towards Allah that you may attain bliss.

³²And marry those among you who are single or the virtuous ones among your slaves, male or female: if they are in poverty Allah will give them means out of His grace: for Allah encompasses all and He knows all things.

³¹Wa qulu lilmuminati yaguddudduna min abusuarihina wa yahufattuna furujahuna wa la yubudina zinatahuna illa ma tuahara minuha wal yadduribuna bikhumurihina fala juyubihina wa la yubudina zinatahuna illa libuulatihina au aba ihina au abai buulatihina au abuna ihina au abunai buulatihina au ikhwanihina au bani ikhwanihina au bani akhwatihina au nisa ihina au ma malakatu imanuhuna awita biina gairil ulil irubati minar ijali awitifulil lazina lamuyattuharu alla aurati nisai wala yadduribuna biarujulihina liyulama ma yukhufina min zinatihina wa tubu illal lahi jamian ayyuhal muminuna laal lakum tufulihuna.

³²Wa anukihul ayama minkum wa sualihina min ibadikum wa imaikum inyakunu fuqara a yugunihimu lahu min faddulihi wallahu wasiun alimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

³³And let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste until Allah gives them means out of His grace. And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing, give them such a deed if you know any good in them; yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you. But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity in order that you may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them yet after such compulsion is Allah often forgiving, most merciful.

³³Waluyasutafifi lazina la yajiduna nikahan hata yuguniyahumul lahu min faddulihi wa lazina yabutagunal kitaba mimma malakatu aimanukum fakatibuhum inalimutum fihim khairan wa atuhum min mali lahi lazi atakum wa la tukurihu fatayatikum allal bigaiin araduna tahasunal litabutagu aradual khayat dunuya wa man yukurihuna fa innallaha min baudi ikurahinna gafurun rahimun.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁴And We have already sent down to you verses making things clear an illustration from people who passed away before you and an admonition for those who fear Allah.

³⁵Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is as if there were a niche and within it a lamp: the lamp enclosed in glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil is well nigh luminous though fire scarce touched it: Light upon light! Allah does guide whom He will to His light. Allah does set forth parables for men: and Allah does know all things.⁷

³⁴Wa laqadu anuzaluna ilaikum ayatin mubainatin wa mashalan mina lazina khalau min qabulikum wa mauituatan lilmutaqina.

³⁵Allahu nuru samawati walarddi mashalu nurihi kamishukatin fiha missubahun alumissubahu fi zujajan azujajatu kaannaha kaukabun duriyun yuqadu min shajaratin mubarakatin zaitunatin la sharuqiyatin wa la garubiyatin yaka_du zaituha yudi u wa lau lam tamsasunar rurun ala nur yahdil lahulinurihi may yasa wa yadibul lahul amsala linnas wallahu bikul li sai in alim.

7. This chapter probably got its name from this verse. An‑Nur, its Arabic name is translated Lights, it describes the nature of God which is likened to the Light and the Lamp. The Bible in John’s Gospel chapter one talks about the Light of the World which is Jesus Christ who came to subdue the darkness as the Word of God. David’s has sang about the Word of God which is a Lamp unto his feet and a Light on his path; John 1:1‑14, Psalm 119:105. The True Light of this world is the Word of God which helps us to distinguish between right and wrong, life and death.

³⁶In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised to honor; for the celebration in them of His name: in them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings.

³⁷By men whom neither traffic nor merchandise can divert from the remembrance of Allah, nor from regular prayer, nor from the practice of regular charity: their fear is for the day when hearts and eyes will be transformed.

³⁸That Allah may reward them according to the best of their deeds and add even more for them out of His grace, for Allah does provide for those whom He will without measure.

³⁶Fi buyutin azinal lahu an turfaa wa yuzkara fihas muhu yusab bihu lahu fiha bil guduw wi wal asal.

³⁷Rijalul la tulhihim tijaratuw wa la baiun an zikril lahi wa iqamis salati wa ita izzakati yahafuna yauman tataqallabu fihil qulubu wal absar.

³⁸Liyajziyahumul lahu absana ma amilu wa yazidahum min fadlih wallahu yarzuqu mayyasya u bigairi hisab.

[Commentary continues below.]

³⁹And the unbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it he finds it to be nothing: but he finds Allah with him and Allah will pay him his account: and Allah is swift in taking account..

⁴⁰Or is like the depths of darkness in a vast deep ocean overwhelmed with billow topped by billow, topped by clouds: depths of darkness, one above another: if a man stretches out his hand he can hardly see it! for any to whom Allah gives not light, there is no light!

⁴¹Do you see that it is Allah whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate and the birds with wings outspread? Each one knows its own prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.

³⁹Wal lazina kafaru amaluhum kasarabin biqiatiy yahsabuhuz zamanu ma hatta iza ja ahu lam yajid hu sai awwa wajadal laha indahu fawaf fahu hisabah wallahu sariul hisab.

⁴⁰Au kazulumatin fi bahril luj jiyyiy yagsahu maujum min fauqihi maujum min faiqihi sahab zulumatun baduha fauqa bad iza ahraja yadahu lam yakad yaraha wa mallam yajalil lahu lahu nurar fama lahu minnur.

⁴¹Alam tara annallaha yusab bihu lahu man fis samawati wal ardi wat tairu saffat kullun qad alima salatahu wa tasbihah wallahu alimun bima yafalun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴²And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and to Allah is the final goal.

⁴³Do you not see that Allah makes the clouds move gently then joins them together then makes them into a heap? Then you will see rain issue forth from their midst. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases. The vivid flash of His lightning well nigh blinds the sight.

⁴⁴It is Allah who alternates the night and the day: verily, in these things is an instructive example for those who have vision!.

⁴²Wa lillahi mulkus samawati wal ard wa ilallahil masir.

⁴³Alam tara an nal laha yuzji sahaban summa yu al lifu bainahu summa yajaluhu rukaman fataral wadqa yahruju min hilalih wa yunaz zilu minas samai min jibalin fiha mim baradin fayusibu bihi man yasha u wa yasrifuhu am manyasha yakadu sana barqihi yadzabu bil absar.

⁴⁴Yuqallibul lahul laila wan nahar inna fi zalika laibratal li ulil absar.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁴⁵Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills: for verily, Allah has power over all things.⁸

⁴⁶We have indeed sent down signs that make things manifest: and Allah guides whom He wills to a way that is straight

⁴⁷And they say “We believe in Allah and in the apostle and we obey”: but even after that some of them turn away: they are not believers.

⁴⁸And when they are summoned to Allah and His apostle in order that He may judge between them, behold, some of them decline.

⁴⁹And if the right is on their side they come to him with all submission.

⁴⁵Allahu halaqa kul la dabbatim mim ma fa minhum ayyamsi ala batnih wa minhum mayyamsi ala rijlaini wa minhum mayyamsi ala arbain yahluqul lahu ma yasya innallaha ala kulli saiin qadir.

⁴⁶Laqad anzalna ayatim mubayyinat wallahu yahdi manyashau ila siratim mustaqim.

⁴⁷Wa yaquluna aman na bil lahi wa bir rasuli wa atana sum ma yatawal la fariqum minhum mim badi zalika wa ma ula ika bil muminin.

⁴⁸Wa iza duu ilallahi wa rasulihi liyahkuma bainahum iza fariqum minhum muridun.

⁴⁹Wa iyyakul lahumul haqqu yatu ilaihi muzinin.

8. Continuing this false claim, Yusuf Ali, claims that “Protoplasm is the basis of all living matter, and “the vital power of protoplasm seems to depend on the constant presence of water”. Therefore perhaps without checking other inspired manuscripts on the subject matter, he made a blind conclusion. Greek philosophers attributed the creation of all things to “Logos Supermaticos” as the main agency of all creation. This is in agreement with the Apostle John who said that all things were created by the Word, which is the “kun fayakun” (Be, and it is).

That aside, we know that certain animals were created from the ground. In Genesis 2:19 we read:

So out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.

And so to say that every animal was created by Allah from water is false. It is just as believing that mankind are a result of evolution. To accept that in spite of all the  revelations in the Qur’an is just as saying there is no God.

⁵⁰Is it that there is a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt, or are they in fear that Allah and His apostle will deal unjustly with them? No, it is they themselves who do wrong.

⁵¹The answer of the believers when summoned to Allah and His apostle in order that He may judge between them is no other than this: they say “We hear and we obey”: it is such as these that will attain felicity.

⁵²And it is such as obey Allah and His apostle and fear Allah and do right that will win.

⁵³And they swear their strongest oaths by Allah that if only you would command them they would leave. Say: “Swear not; obedience is reasonable: verily, Allah is well acquainted with all that you do.”

⁵⁰Afi qulubihim maradun amir tabu am yakhafuna ayyahifal lahu alaihim wa rasuluh bal ulaika humuz zalimun.

⁵¹Innama kana qaulal muminina iza duu ilallahi wa rasulihi liyahkuma bainahum ayyaqulu samina wa atana wa ulaika humul muflihun.

⁵²Wa ma yutiil laha wa rasulahu wa yahsal laha wa yat taqi fa ula ika humul fa izun.

⁵³Wa aqsamu bil lahi jahda aimanihim la in amartahum layahrujun qul la tuqsimu taatum marufah in nal laha habirun bima tamalun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁴Say: “Obey Allah and obey the apostle: but if you turn away he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you. If you obey him you shall be on right guidance. The apostle’s duty is only to preach the clear message.”

⁵⁵And Allah has promised to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds that He will of a surety grant them in the land inheritance as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion, the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change their state after the fear in which they lived to one of security and peace: `They will worship Me and not associate anything with Me.’ If any do reject faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked.

⁵⁴Qul atiul laha wa atiur rasul fa in tawal lau fa innama alaihi ma hummila wa alaikum ma hum miltum wa in tutiuhu tahtadu wa ma alar rasuli illal balagul mubin.

⁵⁵Wa adal lahul lazina amanu minkum wa amilus salihati layastahlifan nahum fil ardi kamas tahlafal lazina min qablihim wa layumak kinanna lahum dinahumul lazir tada lahum wa layubad dilan nahum min badi haufihim am na yabudunani la yusrikuna bi sai a wa man kafara bada zalika fa ulaika humul fasiqun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁶And so establish regular prayer and give regular charity: and obey the apostle; that you may receive mercy.

⁵⁷Never think that the unbelievers are going to frustrate Allah’s Plan on earth: their abode is the fire and it is indeed an evil refuge!.

⁵⁶Wa aqimu salata wa atu zakata wa atiur rasula laal lakum turhamun.

⁵⁷La tahsaban nallazina kafaru mujizina fil ardi wa mawahumunar wa labisal masir.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁵⁸O you who believe! let those whom your right hands possess and those among you who have not come of age ask your permission before they come to your presence, on three occasions before morning prayer; while you discard your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late night prayer: these are your three times of undress: outside those times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other: thus does Allah make clear the signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

⁵⁹And when the children among you come of age let them ask for permission as do those senior to them: thus does Allah make clear His signs to you: for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

⁶⁰And such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage, there is no blame on them if they lay aside their garments provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is one who sees and knows all things.

⁵⁸Ya ayyuhal lazina amanu liyasta zinkumul lazina malakat aimanukum wallazina lam yablugul huluma minkum salasa marratin min qabli salatil fajri wa hina tadauna siyabakum minazzahirati wa mim badi salatil isai salasu auratil lakum laisa alaikum wa la alaihim junahun badahun na tawafuna alaikum badukum ala badin kazalika yubayyinul lahu lakumul ayat wal lahu alimuhakim.

⁵⁹Wa iza balagal atfalu minkumul huluma falyastazinu kamastazanal lazina min qablihim kazalika yubay yinul lahu lakum ayatihi wal lahu alimun hakim.

⁶⁰Wal qawaidu minan nisa illati la yarjuna nikahan falaisa alaihin na junahun ayyadana siyabahun na gaira mutabarrijatin bizinatin wa ayyastafifna hairul lahunna wallahu samiun alim.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶¹It is no fault in the blind, nor in one born lame, nor in one afflicted with illness, nor in yourselves, that you should eat in your own houses, or those of your fathers, or your mothers, or your brothers, or your sisters, or your father’s brothers, or your father’s sisters, or your mother’s brothers, or your mother’s sisters, or in houses of which the keys are in your possession, or in the house of a sincere friend of yours: there is no blame on you whether you eat in company or separately. But if you enter houses, salute each other a greeting or blessing and purity as from Allah. Thus does Allah make clear the signs to you, that you may understand.

⁶¹Laisa alal ama harajuw wa la alal araji harajuw wa la alal maridi harajuw wa la ala anfusikum an takulu min buyutikum au buyuti aba ikum au buyuti um mahatikum au buyuti ihwanikum au buyuti ahwatikum au buyuti amamikum au buyuti am matikum au buyuti ahwalikum au buyuti halatikum au ma malaktum mafatihahu au sadiqikum laisa alaikum junahun an takulu jamian au astata fa iza dahaltum buyutan fasal limu ala anfusikum tahiy yatam min indil lahi mubarakatan tay yibah kazalika yubay yinul lahu lakumul ayati laal lakum taqilun.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶²Only those are believers who believe in Allah and His apostle: when they are with him on a matter requiring collective action they do not depart until they have asked for his leave: those who ask for your leave are those who believe in Allah and His apostle; so when they ask for your leave for some business of theirs, give leave to those of them whom you will, and ask Allah for their forgiveness: for Allah is often forgiving, most merciful.

⁶²Innamal muminunal lazina amanu bil lahi wa rasulihi wa iza kanu maahu ala amrin jamiil lam yazhabu hatta yastazinuh innal lazina yastazinunaka ulaikal lazina yuminuna billahi wa rasulih fa izas tazanuka libadi sanihim fazal liman sita minhum was tagfir lahumul laha innallaha gafurur rahim.

[Commentary continues below.]

⁶³Deem not the summons of the apostle among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another: Allah does know those of you who slip away under shelter of some excuse: then let those beware who withstand the apostle’s order, lest some trial befall them or a grievous penalty be inflicted on them.⁹

⁶⁴Be quite sure that to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth. He knows very well what you are intent upon: and one day they will be brought back to Him and He will tell them the truth of what they did: for Allah know all things.

⁶³La tajalu dua arrasuli bainakum kadua ibadikum bada qad yalamul lahul lazina yatasal laluna minkum liwaza falyahzaril lazina yuhalifuna an amrihi an tusibahum fitnatun au yusibahum azabun alim.

⁶⁴Ala inna lillahi ma fis samawati wal ard qad yalamu ma antum alaih wa yauma yurjauna ilaihi fayunab bi uhum bimaamilu wal lahu bikul li sai in alim.

9. In Islam there is no distinction between Allah and Muhammad. Since Muhammad is the spokesman for Allah, an act of disobedience to Muhammad constitutes disobedience to Allah. In his capacity as a plain warner, he also doubles as the custodian of Allah. In this capacity therefore, he operated to the maximum, not showing mercy on those who disobeyed him or acted contrary to his teachings. Sunan of Abu‑Dawood 4396 narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah:

A thief was brought to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said: Kill him. The people said: He has committed theft, Apostle of Allah! Then he said: Cut off his hand. So his (right) hand was cut off. He was brought a second time and he said: Kill him. The people said: He has committed theft, Apostle of Allah! Then he said: Cut off his foot. So his (left) foot was cut off.

He was brought a third time and he said: Kill him. The people said: He has committed theft, Apostle of Allah! So he said: Cut off his hand. (So his (left) hand was cut off.) He was brought a fourth time and he said: Kill him. The people said: He has committed theft, Apostle of Allah! So he said: Cut off his foot. So his (right) foot was cut off. He was brought a fifth time and he said: Kill him. So we took him away and killed him. We then dragged him and cast him into a well and threw stones over him.

Fiqh‑us‑Sunnah 1.77b:

Ibn ‘Umar related that the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, said, “I have been ordered to kill the people until they testify that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and pay the zakah. If they do that, their blood and wealth are protected from me save by the rights of Islam. Their reckoning will be with Allah.” (Related by al‑Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahih Al‑Bukhari Hadith 5.371 narrated by Al Bara bin Azib:

“Allah’s Apostle sent some men from the Ansar to (kill) Abu Rafi, the Jew, and appointed ‘Abdullah bin Atik as their leader. Abu Rafi used to hurt Allah’s Apostle and help his enemies against him. ... So I reached him and found him sleeping in a dark house amidst his family, I could not recognize his location in the house. So I shouted, ‘O Abu Rafi!’ Abu Rafi said, ‘Who is it?’ I proceeded towards the source of the voice and hit him with the sword, and because of my perplexity, I could not kill him. He cried loudly, and I came out of the house and waited for a while, and then went to him again and said, ‘What is this voice, O Abu Rafi?’ He said, ‘Woe to your mother! A man in my house has hit me with a sword!’ I again hit him severely but I did not kill him. Then I drove the point of the sword into his belly (and pressed it through) till it touched his back, and I realized that I have killed him....”

Sahih Al‑Bukhari Hadith 4.270 narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah:

The Prophet said, “Who is ready to kill Ka’b bin Al‑Ashraf who has really hurt Allah and His Apostle?” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Do you like me to kill him?” He replied in the affirmative. So, Muhammad bin Maslama went to him (i.e. Ka’b) and said, “This person (i.e. the Prophet) has put us to task and asked us for charity.” Ka’b replied, “By Allah, you will get tired of him.” Muhammad said to him, “We have followed him, so we dislike to leave him till we see the end of his affair.” Muhammad bin Maslama went on talking to him in this way till he got the chance to kill him.

The list is endless, the point is clear, anyone who acted contrary to Muhammad’s teachings received no mercy, neither from him nor from his followers. Compare this to Jesus who rebuked John for wanting violence on those who rejected their company (John 9:52‑57). And also for mending of the ear of the guard whom Peter assaulted to prevent him from taking Jesus after He was betrayed by Judas (Luke 22:47‑51). A servant of God exhibits the love of God and not the opposite.