360 Page Notes

25 Surah Al-Furqan (continued)

Page 360 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 360 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 360 of the standard Uthmani codex continues the opening theological defense of Surah Al-Furqan (Chapter 25), covering verses 3 through 11.

This page presents a sharp, confrontational dialogue between the Prophet ﷺ and the pagans of Makkah. It documents their irrational rejection of God (Verse 3), their accusation that the Quran is merely a collection of ancient myths (Verses 4–6), and their demand for physical "proofs" like miracles or earthly treasures (Verses 7–9). The page concludes with Allah warning the skeptics about their inevitable future encounter with the roaring fire of Hell (Verses 10–11).

The Sunnah provides vital historical context for the arrogance mentioned here, showing how the Prophet ﷺ handled these specific rhetorical challenges.

1. Hadiths Related to Verse 5: The Accusation of "Ancient Fables"

The pagans attempted to discredit the divine origins of the Quran by claiming it was merely a recycled archive of history:

"And they say, 'Legends of the former peoples which he has written down, so they are dictated to him morning and afternoon.'" (Quran 25:5).

The Intellectual Integrity of the Prophet ﷺ

The Sunnah emphasizes that the Prophet ﷺ was famously unlettered (Ummi) and lived in a society where he had no secret access to ancient libraries or scribes. His defense against these charges was both his character and the undeniable, inimitable quality of the Quranic speech itself.

• The Divine Testimony: The Sunnah records that the Prophet ﷺ never hesitated to respond to these claims. He relied on the Quran’s own self-evident superiority. As narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet ﷺ challenged the skeptics directly: "There was no Prophet but he was given miracles due to which people believed in him; but I have been given a Revelation that Allah has revealed to me, so I hope that I will have the greatest number of followers among them on the Day of Resurrection."

• The Logic of the Slander: Historical narrations identify that this slander was famously championed by An-Nadr ibn al-Harith, who used to travel to Persia and buy books of ancient folklore to distract people from the Prophet's message. Verse 5 dismantled his strategy by exposing the emptiness of his accusations.

Source Citations:

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 66, Hadith 4981 (Book of Virtues of the Quran).

• Tafsir Al-Baghawi / Tafsir Ibn Kathir: Detailed documentation of the historical interaction between An-Nadr ibn al-Harith and the revelation of Verse 5.

2. Hadiths Related to Verses 7–8: The Demand for Earthly Signs

The skeptics felt that if a man were truly sent by God, he should manifest in a different social category:

"And they say, 'What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the marketplaces? Why was there not sent down to him an angel so he would be a warner with him? Or why is there not offered to him a treasure...?'" (Quran 25:7-8).

The Prophet’s "Marketplace" Humility

The Prophet ﷺ completely rejected the idea that divinity requires detachment from human life. The Sunnah shows him leaning into his role as a human being who walked the streets, ate, and traded, as this was the very essence of his mission to be a relatable guide.

• The Choice of Status: Aisha narrated that the Prophet ﷺ was once given a choice between being a "Prophet-King" (like Solomon) or a "Prophet-Servant" (like himself). He chose the latter.

• The Sunnah of the Market: The Prophet ﷺ went to the markets regularly. He taught laws of commerce, resolved disputes, and bought his own supplies. He corrected those who thought nobility meant isolation. As narrated in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, the Prophet ﷺ said: "The honest, trustworthy merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection." By walking the markets, he validated the very life he was accused of being "too human" for.

Source Citations:

• Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Hadith 1209 (Book of Business). Graded Hasan (Good).

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 61, Hadith 3550 (Book of Virtues / Manaqib).

3. Hadiths Related to Verses 10–11: The Roaring of the Fire

Allah ends this page with a terrifying description of the consequence for those who prioritize their arrogance over the truth:

"Blessed is He who, if He willed, could have made for you better than that... But they deny the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blaze. When it sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring." (Quran 25:10-11).

Hearing the Roar of the Future

The Sunnah brings the metaphysical threat of Verse 11 into the present, encouraging believers to develop Taqwa (God-consciousness) by contemplating this "roaring" fire described in the text.

• The Visibility of the Fire: The Prophet ﷺ taught that the reality of the afterlife is already fixed and visible to the spiritual eye. During the Eclipse Prayer (Salat al-Kusuf), the Prophet ﷺ saw a vision of the afterlife. He turned to his companions and said: "I saw the Hellfire today, and I have never seen a more horrific sight than it today."

• The Fury of the Fire: The roaring mentioned in Verse 11 is not metaphorical; it is an active, living fury. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Hell complained to its Lord, saying: 'O my Lord! My parts are consuming each other!' So Allah allowed it two breaths: one breath in the winter and one breath in the summer. That is why you find the most extreme heat (in summer) and the most extreme cold (in winter)."

Source Citations:

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 10, Hadith 537 (Book of Prayer / Salat).

• Sahih Muslim: Book 5, Hadith 202 (Book of Mosques).

• Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 8, Hadith 536 (The narration regarding the "breaths" of Hell).