273 Page Notes

16 Surah An-Nahl (continued)

Page 273 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 273 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 273 of the Quran encompasses Surah An-Nahl (The Bees, 16), verses 55 through 64. This text covers three major topics: the severe condemnation of the pre-Islamic custom of female infanticide (Verses 57–59), the reality of human mortality and the precise timing of death (Verse 61), and the structural purpose of the Prophet’s mission to resolve human theological disputes (Verse 64).

Classical commentary (Tafsir) connects these passages directly to the Sunnah and canonical Hadiths to outline Islamic social ethics and theology.

1. Condemning Misogyny and Female Infanticide (Verses 57–59)

"And they attribute to Allah daughters - exalted is He - and for them is what they desire [i.e., sons]. And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed. Should he keep her in humiliation or bury her in the earth? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide." (Quran 16:57-59)

Redefining the Value of Daughters

The pagan Arabs viewed daughters as financial burdens and potential sources of tribal disgrace, a mindset that drove some to bury infant girls alive (Wa'd). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ systematically uprooted this custom, using his Sunnah to elevate the status of daughters into a primary path to salvation.

• The Prophetic Tradition: Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
  "Whoever is put through a trial by having daughters, and he treats them kindly and raises them well, they will act as a shield for him from the Hellfire." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5995; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2629).

• The Reward of Companionship in Paradise: Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet ﷺ stated:
  "Whoever raises two daughters until they reach maturity—I and he will come on the Day of Resurrection like this," and he intertwined his fingers to show how close they would be in Paradise. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2631).

2. Divine Forbearance and the Appointed Term of Death (Verse 61)

"And if Allah were to impose punishment on the people for their wrongdoing, He would not have left upon the earth any creature, but He defers them for an appointed term. And when their term comes, they will not remain behind an hour, nor will they precede [it]." (Quran 16:61)

Allah's Forbearance (Al-Halim)

This verse highlights Allah’s patience, allowing wrongdoers time to live and repent despite their transgressions. The Sunnah underscores this attribute of divine restraint.

• The Prophetic Tradition: Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
  "None is more patient than Allah against the harmful words He hears from people. They ascribe a son to Him, yet He grants them good health and continues to provide for them." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 7378; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2804).

The Inevitable and Precise Appointment with Death

Verse 61 states that when a person’s appointed term (Ajal) arrives, it cannot be delayed or advanced by a single second. The Sunnah illustrates this reality through an explicit visual analogy drawn by the Prophet ﷺ to show how death cuts off human planning.

• The Prophetic Tradition: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated:
  "The Prophet ﷺ drew a square diagram, and in the middle of it he drew a line extending outside it. Then he drew several small lines attached to that central line. He said, 'This central line is man, and the surrounding square is his lifetime (Ajal) which encompasses him. The line extending outside represents his hopes and desires. These small lines are the sudden afflictions of life; if one misses him, another strikes him, and if that misses him, death overtakes him.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6417).

3. The Prophet as the Final Clarifier of Truth (Verse 64)

"And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muhammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe." (Quran 16:64)

This verse outlines the core purpose of revelation and the prophetic office: to resolve human theological disputes and provide a clear, definitive standard of truth.

The Ultimate Standard for Resolving Disputes

The Prophet ﷺ applied this verse by establishing the principle that whenever Muslims differ on foundational matters of faith or practice, they must look to the Quran and his established Sunnah to find clarity.

• The Prophetic Tradition: Irbad ibn Sariyah reported that during his final days, the Prophet ﷺ gave a profound sermon, saying:
  "...He among you who lives long after me will see great differing and controversy. So you must hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided caliphs. Cling to it firmly and bite onto it with your molar teeth..." (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 4607; Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2676).