366 Page Notes

25 Surah Al-Furqan (continued)

Page 366 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 366 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Surah Al-Furqan, verses 68 through 77, concludes the description of the ‘Ibad al-Rahman (the Servants of the Most Merciful). These verses emphasize the high ethical and spiritual standards required of a believer, while also providing a path for those who have previously transgressed to return to Allah.

Overview of Verses 68–77

• Verses 68–69: The ‘Ibad al-Rahman are defined by their strict avoidance of the three gravest sins: Shirk (associating partners with Allah), unlawful killing, and Zina (adultery).

• Verses 70–71: These verses offer a powerful message of hope. Allah promises that for those who sincerely repent, believe, and perform righteous deeds, He will not only forgive them but will replace their past evil deeds with good deeds.

• Verses 72–74: These verses detail further attributes: avoiding false testimony, passing by vain/harmful speech with dignity, reflecting upon the signs of Allah, and praying for righteous spouses and offspring to be a "coolness to the eyes."

• Verses 75–77: The reward for those who demonstrate this steadfastness is the Ghurfah (an elevated high station in Paradise). The surah concludes by noting that Allah’s care for humanity is manifested through His call to them, and warns that those who persist in denial will face consequences that will be "ever-adherent."

Scholarly Commentary

Classical scholars, particularly Ibn Kathir, provide essential insights into these verses:

• The Transformation of Sins (Verse 70): Scholars highlight this as a manifestation of Allah’s extreme mercy. Beyond mere forgiveness, Allah may transform the record of a person's bad deeds into a record of good deeds if their repentance is sincere. This is viewed as an incentive for even the greatest sinners to turn back to Him.

• The "Valley of Atham" (Verse 68): Regarding the penalty mentioned for the major sins, some commentators interpret the word Athama as a specific valley or place of intense punishment in Hell, underscoring the severity of these sins.

• Refinement of Character (Verses 72–73): Scholars explain that "passing by with dignity" (kiraman) means that when believers encounter vain talk or immorality, they do not participate or lower themselves; they maintain their moral integrity and move on. This characterizes the believer as someone who is socially active but spiritually uncorrupted by their surroundings.

Hadith and Sunnah Context

• The Gravity of the Three Sins: A profound Hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim links directly to verse 68. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Which sin is the most serious?" The Prophet ﷺ replied:
  "That you set up a rival to Allah though He created you."
  He asked: "Then what?" The Prophet said: "That you kill your child for fear that he may eat with you."
  He asked: "Then what?" The Prophet said: "That you commit adultery with your neighbor’s wife."

  • Source: Sahih al-Bukhari (4477) and Sahih Muslim (86).

• The Virtue of Repentance: The Sunnah frequently reinforces the teaching in verses 70–71 that repentance is a gateway to complete redemption. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin" (Sunan Ibn Majah 4250).