490 Page Notes

43 Surah Az-Zukhruf (continued)

Page 490 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Page 490 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Page 490 of the Quran covers Surah Az-Zukhruf (43), Verses 11 through 22. This section of the Surah serves as a profound critique of human ingratitude and the tendency to follow ancestral traditions without reflection, contrasting this with the clear signs of Allah’s creation.

The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad provides a specific and deeply influential application for this passage, particularly regarding the etiquette of travel.

1. The Etiquette of Travel: Verses 13–14

"So that you may sit firmly on their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say, 'Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it. And indeed, we will [all] return to our Lord.'" (Quran 43:13–14)

These verses are arguably the most famous part of this page because they provide the specific Dua (supplication) for travel. The Prophet Muhammad made it a part of his Sunnah to recite these verses whenever he mounted his animal for a journey.

• The Hadith: Ibn Umar reported: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would mount his camel for travel, he would exalt Allah (Allahu Akbar) three times, and then say: 'Subhanalladhi sakhkhara lana hadha wa ma kunna lahu muqrineen, wa inna ila Rabbina lamunqaliboon' (Glory be to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could not have done so ourselves, and indeed to our Lord we will return)." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi).

• Significance: The Prophet used these verses to anchor the believer’s heart in two realities:

  1. Gratitude: Acknowledging that every tool, technology, or animal that assists us is a blessing provided by Allah.

  2. Mindfulness of the Hereafter: The acknowledgement that while we move from place to place in this world, our ultimate journey is the return to Allah.

2. Critique of Polytheistic Superstitions: Verses 15–19

"And they have made the angels, who are servants of the Most Merciful, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded, and they will be questioned." (Quran 43:19)

These verses address the false claims of the polytheists of Makkah, who attributed genders to angels and claimed they were the "daughters of Allah."

• Theological Context: The Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah was to uphold the absolute transcendence of Allah. By refuting the claim that angels are female—or that they are offspring of Allah—the Prophet reinforced the concept of Tawhid (the Oneness of God). The Quranic challenge, "Did they witness their creation?" is used in Tafsir literature to highlight that beliefs about the unseen (Ghayb) must be based on divine revelation, not human conjecture or inherited myths.

3. Blind Following of Ancestry: Verses 21–22

"Nay, but they say, 'Behold, we found our forefathers agreed on what to believe—and, verily, it is in their footsteps that we find our guidance!'" (Quran 43:22)

These verses criticize the practice of Taqlid (blind following) when it is used to reject the truth in favor of ancestral customs.

• Application in Sunnah: The Prophet Muhammad often challenged the Makkans by pointing out that their ancestors’ practices were not inherently true simply because they were old. He encouraged his companions to prioritize the truth of revelation over cultural inheritance. This verse is frequently cited in the context of Dawah, where the Prophet demonstrated that the "truth" is not determined by how many people believe it or how long it has been practiced, but by the command of Allah.

References

• Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Da'awat (The Book of Supplications).

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Commentary on Surah Az-Zukhruf.

• Sunan An-Nasa'i, regarding the invocations of travel.