223 Page Notes

11 Surah Hud (continued)

Page 223 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

11:13

11:14

11:15

11:16

11:17

11:18

11:19

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 223 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 223 of the Qur'an contains verses 13 through 19 of Surah Hud (Chapter 11). This section layout tackles foundational issues of revelation, the human desire for worldly recognition, the ultimate consequences of actions in the afterlife, and a very specific, famous legal testimony that will take place on the Day of Judgment.

The Hadith and Sunnah provide critical explanations, scriptural context, and deep warnings tied directly to these passages.

1. The Ten Surahs Challenge (Verses 13–14)

"Or do they say, 'He invented it?' Say, 'Then bring ten surahs like it that have been invented and call upon [for assistance] whomever you can besides Allah, if you should be truthful.'" (Qur'an 11:13)

The Concept of I'jaz (Inimitability of the Qur'an)

This verse outlines the middle stage of the divine challenge issued to the master Arab linguists of Mecca. The challenge progressed chronologically across the Qur'an: first demanding a book like it entirely, then ten chapters here in Surah Hud, and finally down to just a single chapter (Surah) elsewhere.

The Prophet Muhammad emphasized that while previous prophets were given physical miracles tailored to their eras (like Moses parting the sea or Jesus healing the sick), his primary, everlasting miracle is the absolute literary and spiritual perfection of the Qur'an:

The Prophet said: "There was no prophet among the prophets but was given miracles because of which people believed in him. But what I have been given is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other prophets on the Day of Resurrection."

— Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 66, Hadith 4981

2. Seeking Only the World & Destructive Intentions (Verses 15–16)

"Whoever desires the worldly life and its adornment—We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter except the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do." (Qur'an 11:15-16)

The Three Groups First Judged by the Fire

Verses 15 and 16 lay down a terrifying spiritual principle: if someone performs outwardly righteous deeds (like charity, religious scholarship, or courage) but their internal motive is solely to gain worldly prestige, praise, or material wealth, Allah will give them their reward entirely in this life. In the Hereafter, they will receive nothing because their intention was not for God.

The Prophet Muhammad gave a famous, chilling breakdown of this exact verse in a lengthy narration describing the first three people to be thrown into Hellfire on the Day of Judgment: a scholar, a wealthy philanthropist, and a martyr.

The Prophet explained that the scholar will be brought forward, and Allah will ask what he did with his knowledge. He will say, "I learned knowledge and taught it for Your sake." Allah will say, "You have lied. You only learned so that it would be said, 'He is a scholar,' and it was said." Then he will be ordered to be dragged on his face into the Fire. The same judgment is passed on the philanthropist who gave money only to be called "generous" and the soldier who fought only to be called "brave."

— Sahih Muslim, Book 33, Hadith 1905

Upon hearing this specific Hadith, the Caliph Mu'awiyah wept intensely and stated: "Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth," and he immediately recited verses 15 and 16 of Surah Hud as the direct divine proof of the Hadith (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2382).

3. The Witness on the Day of Judgment (Verse 18)

"And who is more unjust than he who invents a lie about Allah? Those will be presented before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, 'These are the ones who lied against their Lord.' Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers." (Qur'an 10:18)

The Hadith of Najwa (The Private Confession)

Verse 18 mentions that those who lied against Allah will be exposed publicly in front of all creation by "the witnesses" (Al-Ash'had). The Hadith literature beautifully contrasts this terrifying public exposure of the wrongdoers with how Allah will gently handle the sins of the true believer.

Safwan ibn Muhriz reported that a man asked Abdullah ibn Umar how he heard the Prophet describe the private conversation (Najwa) between Allah and His servant:

The Prophet said: "Allah will bring the believer near Him and shelter him with His screen on the Day of Resurrection so that he is hidden from the public. Allah will make him confess his sins, saying, 'Do you remember such-and-such a sin?' The believer will reply, 'Yes, my Lord.' This will continue until he thinks he is ruined. Then Allah will say, 'I concealed these sins for you in the worldly life, and I forgive them for you today.' Then he will be given the book of his good deeds."

The Prophet continued: "But as for the disbelievers and the hypocrites, the witnesses will cry out openly before the public: 'These are the ones who lied against their Lord! Unquestionably, the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers!'"

— Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 46, Hadith 2441 & Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2768

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Al-Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Isa. (n.d.). Sunan al-Tirmidhi.

• Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim.

(Note: "n.d." denotes classical texts where modern standardized publication years vary across publishers, cited instead by their universally recognized book and Hadith numbers).