486 Page Notes

42 Surah Ash-Shuraa (continued)

Page 486 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 486 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 486 of the Quran encompasses Surah Ash-Shura (42), Verses 23 through 31. This passage centers on the nature of divine guidance, the Prophet's relationship with his community, Allah's mercy in accepting repentance, and the wisdom behind the distribution of worldly provision.

The Sunnah and Hadith provide significant context for these verses, particularly regarding the status of the Prophet's kin and the mechanics of divine response.

1. Verse 23: The "Love of Kinship" (Al-Mawaddah fil-Qurba)

"Say, 'I do not ask of you for this message any reward [but] only affection among kinsfolk...'" (Quran 42:23)

This verse is a focal point of scholarly discussion regarding the status of the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt).

• Interpretations: While there are various scholarly views, many narrations link "kinship" (al-qurba) to the Prophet’s close relatives. Several traditions record that when this verse was revealed, the Companions asked the Prophet who his relatives were whose love was made mandatory. He replied, "Ali, Fatima, and their two sons" (often cited in both Sunni and Shia collections, such as Musnad Ahmad).

• The Broader Sunnah: Regardless of specific interpretive schools, the consensus among the Ummah is that love and respect for the Prophet’s household are essential parts of faith, reflecting the Prophet's own status and the honor due to those closest to him.

2. Verse 25: The Door of Repentance (Tawbah)

"And it is He who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds, and He knows what you do." (Quran 42:25)

The Prophet Muhammad consistently emphasized that Allah’s mercy is far greater than human capacity to sin.

• The Hadith on Allah's Joy: The Prophet illustrated the depth of Allah's acceptance of repentance with a vivid parable: "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than anyone of you who loses his riding beast in a barren land, and it was carrying his food and drink; he despairs of ever finding it, so he comes to a tree and lies down in its shade... then whilst he is in that state, he sees it standing before him." (Sahih Muslim 2744).

• Practical Application: The Sunnah teaches that sincere repentance (Tawbah) requires three conditions: stopping the sin, feeling genuine remorse, and firm intention never to return to it.

3. Verse 26: The Response to Supplication (Dua)

"And He answers [the supplication of] those who have believed and done righteous deeds and increases [for] them from His bounty..." (Quran 42:26)

• The Nature of the Response: The Prophet explained that Allah’s response to Dua is guaranteed, though it manifests in ways that are ultimately best for the believer. He stated: "There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah with a supplication that contains no sin or severing of kinship, but Allah will give him one of three things: either He will answer his prayer quickly, or He will store it up for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an equivalent amount of evil from him." (Musnad Ahmad 11133).

4. Verse 27: The Wisdom of Provision

"And if Allah were to enlarge the provision for His servants, they would surely rebel in the earth..." (Quran 42:27)

This verse explains why some are granted abundance while others are given less—it is a measured test.

• Divine Sovereignty: The Prophet emphasized that worldly status or wealth does not dictate a person’s worth before Allah. He said: "O My slaves, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and jinn of you to be as pious as the most pious heart of any man of you, that would not increase My domain a thing." (Sahih Muslim 2577).

• Trusting the Decree: The Sunnah teaches that when one feels restricted in provision, they should look to the Hereafter rather than harbor discontent, as Allah knows the hidden dangers that excess wealth might bring to an individual’s faith.

References

• Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Tawbah (The Book of Repentance).

• Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Commentary on Surah Ash-Shura).