ََُحم ْ 1220 الأحقاف
حم ﴿۱﴾ تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ ﴿۲﴾ مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَمَّا أُنْذِرُوا مُعْرِضُونَ ﴿۳﴾
﴾1﴿ Haa-Meeeem
﴾2﴿ Tanzeelul Kitaabi minal laahil-'Azeezil Hakeem
﴾3﴿ Maa khalaqnas samaawaati wal arda wa maa bainahumaaa illaa bilhaqqi wa ajalim musammaa; wallazeena kafaroo 'ammaaa unziroo mu'ridoon
﴾1﴿ Haa-Meeeem
﴾2﴿ The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise
﴾3﴿ We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with purpose and for an appointed term. Yet the disbelievers turn away from what they are warned about
Relevancy:
This Surah and the previous Surah share several connections:
The first aspect: The previous Surah commanded adherence to the Shari’ah, while this Surah affirms the truth of the Shari’ah by proving the truthfulness of the Prophet and the Quran.
The second aspect: The previous Surah presented both rational and revealed arguments for the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid), while this Surah builds upon that by refuting polytheism, specifically in terms of Allah’s exclusive power and knowledge.
Claim of this surah:
This Surah refutes the doubts of the polytheists, who consider deities besides Allah as intermediaries and means of salvation. In verse 28, their argument is countered by affirming the truthfulness of the Prophet and the Quran while categorically rejecting all forms of polytheism, including:
Shirk in authority (تصرف) – Denying any power of independent control to false deities.
Shirk in knowledge (علم) – Rejecting the idea that anyone besides Allah possesses ultimate knowledge.
Shirk in supplication (دعاء) – Asserting that only Allah can respond to prayers and grant assistance.
Shirk in worship (عبادة) – Confirming that worship is due to Allah alone.
Additionally, the truth of the Prophet and the Quran is established by the testimony of the jinn, who acknowledged its authenticity.
Summary of the surah:
This Surah is divided into two main sections:
First Section (Verses 1-15):
Encouragement towards the Quran – Urging people to accept and follow divine guidance.
Rebukes (زجرها):
First rebuke: Criticizing those who turn away from both revealed (وَحْییه) and rational (عَقْلیه) signs.
Second rebuke: Refuting Shirk in authority (شرک فی التصرف) by challenging the polytheists to bring evidence from their elders.
Third rebuke: Rejecting Shirk in knowledge and supplication (شرک فی العلم و فی الدعاء) by emphasizing that only Allah possesses true knowledge and can answer prayers.
Fourth rebuke: Addressing the denial of the Quran itself.
After these rebukes, the Surah affirms the truthfulness of the Quran and the Prophet by presenting textual proof (دلیل نقلی) from the Book of Musa (Torah), demonstrating the continuity of divine revelation.
Finally, the section concludes with glad tidings (بشارت) for those who accept the truth.
[1] In this verse, there is encouragement towards the Quran and an indication of the central theme of the Surah—that the Quran is divine revelation from Allah. It emphasizes that no true report (خبر) is without evidence, meaning that the Quran is not baseless; rather, it is supported by clear proofs, divine wisdom, and past scriptures. This introduction prepares the reader for the arguments and refutations that follow regarding Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), prophethood, and the rejection of shirk (polytheism).
[2] This verse hints that the upcoming content is not only based on revealed knowledge (وَحْی) but also aligns with rational arguments (دلایل عقلی). It suggests that the entire system of creation—whether celestial (علوی), terrestrial (سفلی), or intermediate (وسطی)—all point towards two fundamental truths:
first Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) – The harmony and precision in the universe serve as clear evidence of a singular, all-powerful Creator.
second Ba‘th ba‘dal-mawt (Resurrection after death) – The cycle of life, death, and renewal observed in nature logically supports the reality of resurrection and accountability in the Hereafter.
Thus, the Surah integrates both divine revelation and rational contemplation to establish its core message.
[3] We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with purpose and for an appointed term. Yet the disbelievers turn away from what they are warned about.