391 Page Notes

28 Surah Al-Qasas (continued)

Page 391 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 391 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 391 of the Qur'an contains verses 44 through 50 of Surah Al-Qasas (The Stories). This section focuses on a primary theme: establishing the truth of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood.

The text highlights that because Muhammad ﷺ was not physically present during historic events—such as Allah speaking to Moses on the Mount or the passing of ancient generations—his accurate rendering of these accounts is proof of divine revelation rather than human fabrication.

Classical prophetic traditions (Hadith), prophetic biography (Seerah), and foundational Quranic exegesis (Tafsir) highlight several connections, narrations, and contextual causes for the revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul) regarding these verses.

1. Contextual Background: The Challenge of the Quraysh

Verses 48 and 49 address the critics who rejected the Qur'an, demanding miracles similar to those given to Moses:

"But when the truth came to them from Us, they said, 'Why was he not given the like of what was given to Moses?'..." (Qur'an 28:48)

Historically, the polytheists of Makkah routinely consulted Jewish rabbis in Madinah to find difficult historical questions to test Muhammad's ﷺ authenticity (Philips, 2020).

A prominent tradition recorded by Ibn Jarir At-Tabari and Ibn Kathir points out that when the Makkans challenged the Prophet, Allah revealed verse 49, dared them to produce a superior text:

"Say [O Muhammad], 'Then bring a scripture from Allah which is more guiding than either of them that I may follow it, if you should be truthful.'" (Qur'an 28:49)

Relevant Hadith Parallel: The Textual Challenge

While this structural challenge is embedded directly in the verse's wording, it aligns closely with foundational Hadiths regarding the peerless nature of the Quranic miracle:

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "There was no prophet among the prophets but was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is divine inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will be more numerous than those of any other, on the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 66, Hadith 374).

2. The Narrative of Two Sorceries (Sihran)

In verse 48, the critics of Makkah are quoted as dismissing both the Torah (given to Moses) and the Qur'an (given to Muhammad) by saying:

"They say, '[Two] sorceries supporting one another,' and they say, 'Indeed we are, in both, disbelievers.'" (Qur'an 28:48)

According to the Companion Ibn 'Abbas (Guezzou, 2015), the term "two sorceries" (sihraan) refers specifically to the Qur'an and the Torah. In an alternate classical linguistic reading (saahiraan), it refers to Moses and Muhammad ﷺ supporting one another.

Sunnah Concept: The Unity of Prophethood

The underlying Sunnah concept validated by this verse is that the messages of Moses and Muhammad ﷺ are cut from the same cloth. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ continually emphasized his close fraternal bond with Moses, mirroring the Quranic stance that rejecting one is equivalent to rejecting both.

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 60, Hadith 109).

• Application: When the pagans attacked the Torah and the Qur'an simultaneously, they were attacking a singular, unbroken chain of divine prophecy—a dynamic the Prophet ﷺ defended throughout his life.

3. Following Whims and Desires (Ahwaa')

Verse 50 concludes this specific page with a stern psychological assessment of those who refuse to yield to clear evidence:

"But if they do not respond to you—then know that they only follow their desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah?" (Qur'an 28:50)

Sunnah Warnings Against Following Whims

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ consistently warned his community against allowing personal bias, arrogance, or cultural desire (hawa) to override clear truth—explicitly connecting this human flaw to spiritual ruin.

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "Three things lead to destruction, and three things lead to salvation. As for the three destructive things, they are: avarice obeyed, passion followed (hawa muttaba'), and a person's conceit with himself..." (Sunan al-Bayhaqi, authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami', No. 3039).

• The Hadith on Truth: In another well-known tradition, the Prophet ﷺ outlined the standard of true belief: "None of you [truly] believes until his desires are subservient to that which I have brought." (Sharh al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi).

References

• Guezzou, M. (2015). Tanwīr al-Miqbās min Tafsīr Ibn 'Abbās. Traditional Hikma. 

• ibn Kathir, A. I. (n.d.). Stories Of The Prophets By Ibn Kathir. Kalamullah. 

  • Cited by: 75

• Philips, A. A. B. (2020). Tafseer Soorah al-Kahf. International Open University. 

(Note: Canonical Hadith citations from Sahih al-Bukhari use standard global indexing systems).