Welcome to our weekly programme "Path towards Enlightenment" in which we present you a fluent and easy-to-understand explanation of the ayahs of the holy Quran. We start with ayah 38 of Surah Zumar:

 “ If you ask them, ‘Who created the heavens and the earth?’ they will surely say, ‘Allah.’ Say, ‘Have you considered what you invoke besides Allah? Should Allah desire some distress for me, can they remove the distress visited by Him? Or should He desire some mercy for me, can they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me. In Him let all the trusting put their trust.’"

In continuation of the preceding ayahs of this surah which we explained last Friday regarding those who are guided and those drift away into misguidance because of their refusal to accept the manifest truth, this ayah points out that the idolaters though acknowledging the power of creativity of God Almighty, also worshipped the idols they moulded from stone, clay and wood themselves, wrongly believing that these imaginary objects would be their intercessors. This ayah is intended to jolt the conscience of such persons regarding their grave sin in invoking deities besides the One and Only God, and means to say that the deities which they worship have no power to avert or remove any distress decreed by Allah; likewise they cannot stop the showers of mercy that descend on the deserving on Allah’s commandment.

This ayah though revealed almost a millennium-and-a-half ago to Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), is addressed to all polytheists, including those of the modern era, such as the Hindus of India and others, who worship idols in temples as gods. It says in clear words that it is unwise to believe that the vast universe required partners in creation, let alone by inanimate idols devoid of understanding.

Thus, the Holy Qur’an asks the polytheists to make use of their intellect, conscience, and primordial disposition in order to reinforce in their hearts the first pivot of monotheism which is the creation of the heavens and the earth. Now that these idols and imaginary gods are neither creators nor are they able to render assistance or harm, their worship is meaningless. So, why do you turn away from the Originator of the creation within Whose control lie all benefits and harm and resort to things that are devoid of capability and understanding? Even if objects of worship happen to possess understanding, e.g. jinn and angels worshipped by some idolaters, they are neither creators nor have they any control over assistance and harm.

In this vein, the blessed ayah towards its end presents a general and final conclusion saying: Allah is sufficient and in Him should we place all our trust.

From these ayahs we learn that:

1. Many idolaters, though accept the power of God in the creation of the universe, still worship idols mistakenly regarding them as intercessors, when these deities are nothing but the imagination of minds or inanimate objects of stone, clay and wood.
2. The benefits and loss for any person are not decreed by idols or spirits like the genies, but by Allah the All-Wise Creator, in Whom we should put all our trust and rely upon Him in all matters.

Now we listen to or read ayahs 39 and 40 of Surah Zumar:

"Say, ‘O my people! Act according to your ability. I too am acting. Soon you will know;"

“Who will be overtaken by a punishment that will disgrace him, and on whom a lasting punishment will descend."

These ayahs stress firmness against false beliefs and behaviours of the society. The Prophet of Islam was commanded by God to declare to the people of his days that ‘I do not accept the worship of the idols, and I only worship the One and Only Allah. Moreover, if you think your way is right, continue your way, I continue to work on the basis of my faith in God, and soon the end result will be obvious for all.’

Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) thus expresses disgust towards the ways of the idolaters, ruling out any type of compromise with them.

As is clear by the next ayah, the Prophet warns the polytheists of the consequences of their actions, because the unbelievers will be subjected to Divine Wrath, both in this world and afterlife. Of course, if you are punished, it is the result of your work and choice, and God does not punish anyone by injustice.

In short, believing in Allah and putting trust in Him leads one to adopt a stance against enemies; therefore, the righteous leader is supposed to act decisively and kindheartedly. These ayahs reveal a Divine and effective warning to those failing to submit to intellect and conscience

From these ayahs we learn that:

1. A believer is determined and strong, and resists all sorts of corruption and deviations. Such a person does not accept the false thoughts and beliefs of the society.
2. Divine leaders declared their positions with certainty. They did not compromise on religious beliefs, and did not retreat.

Now we listen to or read ayah 41 of Surah Zumar:

"Indeed We have sent down the Book to you for [the deliverance of] mankind with the truth. So whoever is guided is guided for his own sake, and whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment, and it is not your duty to watch over them."

Following an enumeration of the arguments in defence of monotheism and an exposition of the differing fates of the disbelievers as well as the believers, this ayah explicates the fact that they shall be rewarded or chastised for their acknowledgement or denial of Truth and if the Prophet of Islam insists on their guidance, it is not for his own benefit, rather he fulfils his obligation toward God.

The truth is embodied in the Heavenly Scripture, called the Holy Qur’an, and the Prophet merely conveys what God has commanded him, rather being a watchman over the actions of those who do not want to believe, since it is not his duty to force them to believe, because belief should be from the depth of heart and not mere lip service.

From this ayah we learn that:

1. The Holy Qur’an is the embodiment of all truth and the explanation of the facts, and hence the Book of Guidance.
2. People are free to choose their own way, of course, they must take responsibility for the way they choose and its effects and consequences.
3. The duty of the Prophets is to convey the divine revelation, not to force people to accept it.

AS/ME