401 Page Notes

29 Surah Al-Ankabut (continued)

Page 401 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 401 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 401 of the Quran contains Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider), verses 39 through 45. This segment moves from the specific historical downfalls of Qarun (Korah), Pharaoh, and Haman into a broader, universal commentary on the fragility of polytheism.

It features one of the most famous parables (amthal) in the Quran—comparing false gods to a spider's web—before concluding with a direct command to the Prophet Muhammad to recite the Book and establish prayer (Salah), noting its power to restrain immorality (Ibn Kathir, 2003).

The Hadith and Sunnah literature connect profoundly with this page, detailing the cosmic fate of historical tyrants, the spiritual weight of Quranic parables, and the psychological mechanics of prayer.

1. The Divine Swallowing of Qarun (Verse 39–40)

Verses 39 and 40 mention the arrogance of Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman: "...but they were arrogant in the land, and they could not outrun [Our punishment]. So each We seized for his sin... and among them were those whom We caused the earth to swallow..."

The Sunnah provides extensive context on Qarun, whom the Quran elsewhere notes was from the people of Musa but rebelled due to his immense wealth. The Prophet Muhammad warned his followers against the twin sins that destroyed Qarun—arrogance and dragging one's garments out of pride—and revealed that Qarun's physical punishment is actively continuing in the earth.

Abdullah ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:

"While a man was walking, dragging his garment behind him out of pride and arrogance, he was suddenly swallowed up by the earth, and he will continue sinking into it until the Day of Resurrection."

— Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 5790)

Classical commentators explicitly link this Hadith to verse 40, noting that it defines the continuous spiritual and physical reality of the punishment meted out to Qarun (Al-Asqalani, 2018).

2. Understanding the Quranic Parables (Verses 41–43)

Verse 41 delivers the core namesake imagery of the chapter: "The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew." Verse 43 follows up by stating: "And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge (al-'alimun)."

The Sunnah deeply praises those who possess the intellectual depth to understand these parables. Amr ibn al-Aas used to weep when reading these exact verses, relying on a promise from the Prophet regarding comprehension.

Amr ibn al-Aas narrated:

"I memorized one thousand parables from the Messenger of Allah." When he would read verses like those on page 401 ("but none will understand them except those of knowledge"), he would weep and say: "I search my heart, and if I do not fully comprehend the depths of the parable, I weep over myself because Allah has stated that only the people of true knowledge understand them."

— Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Passage commentary tracking early Sahabah narrations); recorded in historical chains by Imam Ahmad.

3. How Prayer restrains Immorality (Verse 45)

The page concludes with verse 45, a cornerstone verse in Islamic theology and daily practice: "Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing (inna as-salata tanha 'ani al-fahsha'i wal-munkar)..."

The Sunnah interprets this verse dynamically. The Prophet was once asked about a specific young man who performed his prayers regularly but would simultaneously commit thefts and transgressions at night. The Prophet’s response directly mirrors the absolute certainty of verse 45.

Abu Hurayrah narrated:

A man came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, such and such a person prays at night, but when the morning comes, he steals!"

The Prophet replied: "What you say [of his prayer] will soon prevent him from doing that." (i.e., if he is sincere in his prayer, the intrinsic nature of the prayer will eventually overpower his vice).

— Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 9778, Authenticated by Al-Arna'ut); also recorded by Al-Bazzar.

This Sunnah provides immense psychological comfort to believers, proving that prayer is a progressive shield; it cleanses an individual gradually over time rather than requiring absolute perfection before one can begin praying.

References

Al-Asqalani, I. H. (2018). Fath al-Bari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari. Dar al-Salam.

Ibn Kathir, I. (2003). Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Azim (Abridged) (Vol. 7). Darussalam Publishers.

Al-Arna'ut, S. (2001). Takhrij Musnad al-Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Mu'assasat al-Risalah.