485 Page Notes

42 Surah Ash-Shuraa (continued)

Page 485 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 485 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 485 of the Quran covers Surah Ash-Shura (42), Verses 16 through 22. This section addresses the futility of disputing Allah’s message, the reality of the Hour, and the fundamental contrast between those who labor for the Hereafter and those who seek only the fleeting harvests of this world.

The Sunnah and authentic Hadith literature provide critical guidance on how to internalize these verses, particularly regarding preparation for the inevitable meeting with Allah.

1. Verses 16–18: The Futility of Arguing Against the Truth

"And those who argue concerning Allah after He has been responded to – their argument is invalid with their Lord..." (Quran 42:16)

These verses warn against the intellectual arrogance of disputing the truth once it has been made clear. The Prophet Muhammad frequently guided his followers away from useless debates that distract from spiritual preparation.

• Preparing for the "Near" Hour: Verse 17 mentions that the Hour may be near. When a man asked the Prophet about the time of the Hour, the Prophet shifted the focus from speculation to personal preparation:

  • The Hadith: A man asked the Prophet, "When will the Hour be?" The Prophet replied, "Woe to you! It will most certainly come. What have you done to prepare for it?" The man said, "Love for Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet said: "You will be with those whom you love." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3688, Sahih Muslim 2639).

2. Verse 19: Allah’s Subtlety (Al-Latif)

"Allah is Ever Kind to His servants. He provides [abundantly] to whoever He wills. And He is the All-Powerful, Almighty." (Quran 42:19)

The name Al-Latif (The Subtle/Kind) implies that Allah provides in ways that humans may not perceive, managing the minutest details of their needs.

• Reflective Context: Scholars explain this verse alongside the Prophet's teachings on contentment. The Prophet emphasized that Allah’s provision is according to His wise plan, not human demands. He taught that the wise person is the one who monitors his own soul and works for what comes after death, rather than obsessing over the mechanics of worldly sustenance, which Allah has already guaranteed (Musnad Ahmad).

3. Verse 20: The Harvest of the Hereafter

"Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We will increase their harvest. And whoever desires [only] the harvest of this world, We will give them some of it, but they will have no share in the Hereafter." (Quran 42:20)

This is a foundational verse regarding the niyyah (intention) behind every action. The Prophet framed this as a primary criterion for success or failure.

• The Hadith on Intention: The Prophet famously stated: "Actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have but that which he intended. So he whose migration was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was for a worldly gain or to marry a woman, his migration was for that for which he migrated." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907).

• Practical Application: Commentaries on this verse note that "harvesting for the Hereafter" does not mean abandoning the world, but rather using worldly life as a field (harth) to plant seeds of righteousness. The increase promised in the verse is seen in the spiritual facilitation Allah grants to those who seek His pleasure—blessing their time, efforts, and outcomes.

References

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman and Kitab al-Riqaq.

• Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Birr was-Silah wal-Adab.

• Musnad Ahmad, Hadith of Shaddad bin Aus regarding self-accountability.