325 Page Notes

21 Surah Al-Anbya (continued)

Page 325 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 325 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 323 and 324 built a framework around cosmic symmetry and the absolute certainty of mortality. Moving to page 325 (Surah Al-Anbya, verses 36 through 44), the text zeroes in on the immediate psychology of disbelief—specifically how the pagan leaders mocked the Prophet ﷺ, their demands for instant divine punishment, and the severe spiritual blind spot caused by a long life of unearned luxury.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadiths provide rich context for these specific human behaviors and theological concepts.

1. Sunnah and Hadith Context for Verses 36–37

The Mockery of the Polytheists

“And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muhammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], 'Is this the one who insults your gods?'” (Quran 21:36)

The historical reality behind this verse is heavily documented across prophetic traditions. The Quraysh leaders could not logically combat the Quran, so they resorted to personal insults and mockery whenever the Prophet ﷺ walked past them in the courtyard of the Kaaba.

• The Prophet's Response to Public Mockery:
  Abdullah ibn Mas'ud narrated a long historical account where the Prophet ﷺ was praying near the Kaaba while Abu Jahl and his companions sat nearby. Abu Jahl mocked him openly and sent someone to dump the filthy intestines of a slaughtered camel on the Prophet's back while he was prostrating. The Sunnah captures that the Prophet remained patient until he finished, at which point he raised his voice and invoked a public prayer against the specific leaders who orchestrated the humiliation.
  Source: Authentic (Sahih), Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Wudu, Hadith 240) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1794).

The Inherent Hastiness of Humanity

“Man was created of haste [i.e., impatience]. I will show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten them.” (Quran 21:37)

The pagan Meccans would mockingly say: "If this punishment you promise is real, bring it upon us right now!" God responds by highlighting Ajal (haste) as a structural flaw in human nature. The Sunnah directly warns against this trait in everyday spiritual life.

• Haste as a Tool of Deception:
  Fudalah ibn Ubayd reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
  "Deliberation (taking one's time) is from Allah, and haste (impatience) is from Shaytan."
  Source: Sound (Hasan), Sunan at-Tirmidhi (Book of Righteousness and Maintaining Ties, Hadith 2012).

• Haste in Supplication (Dua):
  The Prophet ﷺ explained that this exact hasty nature causes people to lose out on divine blessings. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
  "The supplication of every one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say: 'I supplicated to my Lord but it was not granted to me [so I gave up].'"
  Source: Authentic (Sahih), Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6340) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2735).

2. Sunnah and Hadith Context for Verses 38–41

“And they say, 'When is this promise [to be fulfilled], if you should be truthful?'” (Quran 21:38)

“Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them...” (Quran 21:40)

The core motif here is that the ultimate punishment—and the Final Hour itself—will strike instantly, catching the mockers completely off guard while they are immersed in mundane worldly activities.

• The Suddenness of the Final Strike:
  Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet ﷺ gave a vivid, literal description of how suddenly the modern world will end, capturing the precise "unexpected" nature described in verse 40:
  "The Hour will be established while two men are spreading a piece of cloth between them, yet they will neither be able to complete their transaction nor fold it up. And the Hour will be established while a man is carrying the milk of his she-camel, yet he will not be able to drink it. And the Hour will be established while a man is repairing his water tank, yet he will not be able to water his animals..."
  Source: Authentic (Sahih), Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Riqaq, Hadith 6506).

3. Sunnah and Hadith Context for Verses 42–44

The Deception of a Long, Luxurious Life

“Nay, We gave luxuries to these [pagan Meccans] and their forefathers until life grew long for them...” (Quran 21:44)

Verse 44 explains why the tyrants felt so secure in their mockery: God allowed them to enjoy decades of uninhibited wealth, physical health, and comfort. Because nothing "bad" was happening to them, they mistook God's patience (Imla') for approval. The Sunnah calls this dangerous spiritual illusion Istidraj (gradual entrapment).

• The Concept of Istidraj:
  Uqbah ibn Amir reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ explicitly warned:
  "When you see Allah giving a servant from the worldly life whatever they desire despite their continuous sins, know that it is only a gradual entrapment (Istidraj) [leading them to ruin]." The Prophet then recited a parallel verse on divine delusion.
  Source: Authentic (Sahih), Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 17311; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami', 561).

References

• Al-Bukhari, M. I. (d. 870). Sahih al-Bukhari.

• Al-Tirmidhi, M. I. (d. 892). Sunan al-Tirmidhi.

• Ahmad ibn Hanbal. (d. 855). Musnad Ahmad.

• Al-Albani, N. (d. 1999). Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir.

• Muslim, I. H. (d. 875). Sahih Muslim.