392 Page Notes

28 Surah Al-Qasas (continued)

Page 392 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 392 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 392 of the Qur'an contains verses 51 through 59 of Surah Al-Qasas. This section shifts focus from the stubborn denial of the Makkan elite to the contrasting, beautiful reception of the Qur'an by certain People of the Book (Jews and Christians). It also addresses the underlying social and economic anxieties that prevented the Quraysh from accepting Islam.

Prophetic traditions (Hadith), causes of revelation (Asbab al-Nuzul), and classical commentaries (Tafsir) provide deep context for these specific verses.

1. The Double Reward for Faithful People of the Book

Verses 52 through 54 describe those who received previous scriptures and recognized the truth of the Qur'an immediately:

"Those to whom We gave the Scripture before it—they are believers in it... They will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured..." (Qur'an 28:52-54)

Historical Context & Cause of Revelation

According to classical commentators like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, these verses were revealed concerning a specific delegation of Christians.

• The Incident: When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in Makkah, a group of about twenty Christian men from Abyssinia (Ethiopia)—or Najran, according to alternative chains—came to meet him after hearing rumors of his prophethood. They listened to him recite the Qur'an, wept out of recognition of the truth, and immediately embraced Islam.

• The Confrontation: Abu Jahl and other leaders of the Quraysh mocked them, saying, "We have never seen a more foolish group than you! Your people sent you to bring back news, and you abandoned your religion the moment you sat with him!" The Christians peacefully responded with what is mirrored in verse 55: "For us is our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace upon you; we seek not the ignorant."

Direct Hadith Parallel

The concept of the "double reward" mentioned in verse 54 is explicitly codified in canonical Hadith literature:

• The Hadith: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Three types of people will receive a double reward: A man from the People of the Book who believed in his prophet and then lived to meet the Prophet [Muhammad], believed in him, followed him, and attested to his truth—he will have two rewards..." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 3, Hadith 39; Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 302).

2. Divine Guidance vs. Human Desire (The Passing of Abu Talib)

Verse 56 is one of the most famous theological pivot points in the Qur'an regarding the nature of guidance (Hidayah):

"Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided." (Qur'an 28:56)

The Specific Cause of Revelation

The absolute consensus of Hadith scholars and historians is that this verse was revealed directly regarding the Prophet’s beloved uncle and protector, Abu Talib, who defended the Prophet ﷺ for decades but refused to formally renounce the religion of his ancestors on his deathbed.

• The Hadith: Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to his uncle at the time of his death: "Say: 'There is no god but Allah,' so that I may bear witness for you on the Day of Resurrection." Abu Talib replied: "Were it not that the Quraysh would disgrace me, saying 'He was only prompted by fear,' I would delight your eyes with it." Then Allah revealed the verse: "Indeed, you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills..." (Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 41; Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 65, Hadith 4772).

3. Economic Fear vs. Divine Security

In verse 57, the Makkans offer their primary socio-economic excuse for rejecting Islam:

"And they say, 'If we were to follow the guidance with you, we would be swept from our land.'" (Qur'an 28:57)

The Quraysh feared that if they abandoned their ancestral idols, they would lose their elite status as custodians of the Kaaba, causing surrounding Arab tribes to wage war against them and cut off their trade routes. Allah answers this by reminding them that He secured the sanctuary of Makkah (The Haram) and provided them wealth despite their previous paganism.

Sunnah Concept: Provision is Fixed by Allah

The Prophet ﷺ frequently addressed this human anxiety—the fear that choosing spiritual truth over worldly compromise will result in poverty or ruin.

• The Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The Holy Spirit [Gabriel] inspired into my heart that no soul will die until it has completed its lifespan and received its full provision. So fear Allah and be moderate in seeking wealth. Do not let the delay of provision prompt you to seek it by disobeying Allah, for what is with Allah cannot be gained except by obeying Him." (Sharh al-Sunnah by Al-Baghawi; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami', No. 2085).

• The Status of Makkah: In his sermon during the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ reinforced verse 57's reminder that Makkah's safety is a unique divine decree: "Allah made this town sacred on the day He created the heavens and the earth, so it is sacred by the sanctity of Allah until the Day of Resurrection." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 56, Hadith 49).

References

• Al-Baghawi, H. (n.d.). Sharh al-Sunnah. Al-Maktab al-Islami.

• Al-Qurtubi, M. (2003). Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Qur'an [The Compendium of Quranic Rulings]. Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah.

• Ibn Kathir, A. I. (2000). Tafsir al-Qur'an al-Azim. Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi.

(Note: Hadith references from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim follow the standard international numbering systems).