252 Page Notes

13 Surah Ar-Rad (continued)

Page 252 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

13:20

13:21

13:22

13:23

13:24

13:25

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 252 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 252 of the standard Uthmani Mushaf comprises Surah Ar-Ra'd (13), verses 19 through 28. This powerful section contrasts the characteristics of true believers—those who possess deep intellect (Ulul-Albab)—with the traits of the misguided, concluding with the famous declaration that hearts find tranquility exclusively in the remembrance of Allah.

Classical books of Tafsir (exegesis) link these specific verses to multiple core Hadiths and foundational principles of the Prophetic Sunnah.

1. Verses 19–22: The Traits of the People of Intellect (Ulul-Albab)

In these verses, Allah defines those who recognize the truth by a distinct set of behaviors:

"...Those who fulfill the covenant of Allah and do not break the contract, and those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined and fear their Lord... and prevent evil with good..."

The Sunnah of Maintaining Family Ties (Silat ar-Rahim)

The phrase "those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined" is universally defined by commentators as maintaining family bonds. The Prophet ﷺ placed immense emphasis on this as a requirement of functional faith.

• The Hadith:
  Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah created the creation, and when He finished, Al-Rahim (the womb/family ties) stood up and caught hold of the skirt of Al-Rahman (the Merciful). Allah said, 'What is the matter?' It said, 'At this place, I seek refuge with You from being severed.' Allah said, 'Will you not be satisfied if I keep good relations with the one who keeps good relations with you, and sever relations with the one who severs relations with you?' It said, 'Yes, O my Lord.' Allah said, 'Then that is for you.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4830; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2554).

The Sunnah of Repelling Evil with Good

Verse 22 highlights those who "prevent evil with good." The Prophet ﷺ modeled this throughout his life and explicitly commanded his companions to adopt it as a daily standard of character.

• The Hadith:
  Mu'adh ibn Jabal narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him: "Fear Allah wherever you are, follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out, and behave well towards the people." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1987).

2. Verse 25: The Traits of the Losers (Breaking Covenants & Severing Ties)

"And those who break the covenant of Allah after its contracting and sever that which Allah has commanded to be joined and cause corruption on earth - for them is the curse, and for them is the unhappy home."

This verse directly contrasts verse 21. Breaking promises and cutting off family are categorized here as major sins causing cosmic corruption. The Sunnah directly contextualizes this by warning that such behaviors lock the doors of Paradise.

• The Hadith on Severing Ties:
  Jubayr ibn Mut'im reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The one who severs ties of kinship will not enter Paradise." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5984; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2556).

• The Hadith on Breaking Covenants:
  Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; whenever he promises, he always breaks it; and if you trust him, he proves to be dishonest." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 33).

3. Verses 27–28: The Remembrance of Allah (Dhikrullah)

"...Say, [O Muhammad], 'Indeed, Allah leaves astray whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]' — Those who have believed and whose hearts find assurance in the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts find rest."

This final portion of page 252 is one of the most cited passages regarding the psychological and spiritual power of Dhikr (remembrance) (Amiruddin et al., 2021; Moulaei et al., 2023).

The Hadith on the Living vs. The Dead

The Prophetic Sunnah interprets "rest" and "assurance" not merely as a temporary feeling, but as the literal life-force of the human soul. Without it, a heart experiences a state of spiritual death.

• The Hadith:
  Abu Musa al-Ash'ari narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The example of the one who remembers his Lord in comparison to the one who does not remember his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6407).

The Hadith on Gathering for Dhikr

The peace (Sakinah) promised in verse 28 is explicitly mentioned in the Sunnah as a tangible blessing that descends upon people when they engage in communal or private remembrance of Allah.

• The Hadith:
  Abu Hurayrah and Abu Sa'id al-Khudri both bore witness that the Prophet ﷺ said: "No people sit remembering Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, except that the angels surround them, mercy covers them, peace (Sakinah) descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him." (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2700).

References

Amiruddin, Qorib, M., & Zailani. (2021). A study of the role of Islamic spirituality in happiness of Muslim citizens. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 77(4).

Moulaei, K., Haghdoost, A.-A., Bahaadinbeigy, K., & Dinari, F. (2023). The effect of the holy Quran recitation and listening on anxiety, stress, and depression: A scoping review on outcomes. Health Science Reports, 6(6).

Note: Canonical Hadith citations are cataloged according to the standard global numbering systems of Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Jami' at-Tirmidhi.