As-Saff (The Row)

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Whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the earth glorifies Allah. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.wise! -

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O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?

) Most hateful it is with Allah that you say but you do not do.

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Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as though they are a [single] structure joined firmly.

Shaan e Nuzul
All about its descent:
They interpretation for the ayat below

Described the numerous shan e nuzul, they are such that:
1- A group of momineen who were stating: After this any time when we face the enemy we will not turn back and we will not run away but they did not remained loyal to their words as far as on the Battle of Ohod the prophet’s tooth broke down and his forehead injured.
2- When the Merciful God defined the virtues of the martyrs of battle of Badr, a group of companions said: If it is like that in the future wars we will put forth our entire force but at the battle of Ohod they escaped the battle field. The above ayat descended and accused them.
3- A group of believers before the descent of command of jihad â€کthe holy war’, they were telling: We wish the benevolent God soon show us the best deed to act upon it. Soon the Guardian God informed them: the best deeds are the true believe and fighting in the way of Allah svt. But they did not like that declaration. They delayed it. This ayat descended and reproached them.

Definition:
The respected battle like the iron dam
This sura too is started by the praise of the supreme God. For this reason it is counted among the chapters of
أ£أ“أˆأچأ‡أٹ
The sura which is started by the praise of Allah
It is said: whatever is in the skies and the earth praise the Allah

Why do not they praise him and count how much he is clean from every defect and fault when he is such powerful who cannot be defeated and wise who is well aware of everything.
Therefore we expressed before that this sura is the sura of belief, unity of Allah and his recognition, carried the attention towards the entire admiration of every creature that silently performs and praise the Allah Almighty.
And an amazing system is ruling upon them that is a best evidence of the existence of powerful and wise creator who strengthens the foundation of belief in the hearts and confirms the way of jihad to obey the command of the jihad.
Then to scold those do not practice what they say and said: O people who believe! Why do you say which you do not practice?
Though according to shan e nuzul â€کall about its descend’ these aayaat are regarding the Jihad,the holy war and descended at the occasion of battle of Ohod. But we know quite well that the shan e nuzul never limits the vast meaning of the ayat. Therefore every kind of saying which is not practiced, it has in itself accusation and blameworthiness whether it is connected to the bravery in the battle field or any other positive and constructive act.
Some of the interpreters believed that the Muslims those call themselves Muslim for name sake and they are complete hypocrites whereas the ayat below express that they are genuine Muslims but still they are not reached to the perfection in their believe. Their words still did not coordinate with their acts.
Then in the continuation of these words it is added: This act creates great anger near Allah svt that what they say they do no act upon it.

They sit in the social gathering and give emotional speech but when the stage of deed reaches everybody runs away to a corner.
The main sign of true believer is that their words and acts are similar the believer is away from the immoral act.
أںأ³أˆأµأ‘أ³ أ£أ³أ‍أ؛أٹأ°أ‡
The above term means great anger
Allama Tabatabaee in his book Almeezan said: There is a difference between the person who tells but not acts upon it and the one who does not do what he said. The first one proves hypocrisy and the second one is weak in his determination.
Apparently it means that sometimes a man says something but he has no intention to act upon it. It is a kind of hypocrisy. But often right from beginning the person’s intention is not to act but later he feels regretful about that deed.
Any way the above ayat includes every type of oath, agreement and promise. According to certain people the vow before the God too includes in it. Hence in the command of Malik Ashtar we read that Ali alaihis salam told him: strictly avoid the promise in which there is a fear that you may violate it, as it causes the extreme anger towards Allah svt and the common man. As the Noble Quran says:

In another hadis from imam Sadiq alaihis salam we read: the promise of momin (believer) to his brother is a kind of nazr ( the vow before Allah svt) though it does not have compensation and brought forth oneself under the rage of Allah svt. This is same as defined in the noble Quran:

In the next ayat presented the issue of Jihad and said: the supreme God love those people who fight in a row in the divine cause like an iron building and a steel dam.

Therefore to fight with the real self is not proposed, what is important is to fight in the way of Allah “fi sabil lillahâ€‌ that too with total unity and solidarity just like a steel wall.
أ•أ‌
The above term gives the meaning of row and it is in the infinite form which means to place something in the well-ordered row. But here it gives the meaning of subject.
أ£أ‘أ•أ¦أ•
It gives the meaning of lead (a heavy toxic bluish-white metallic element) as for the firmness and integration (assimilation) of the building they were diluting the lead and pouring it in between its blocks such that it was getting extremely strong and unified. Every tough building is given the name of “marsusâ€‌.
Here it means the warriors in the way of truth before enemy they stand unanimous, undivided, strong and firm as if they are a single body connected to each other with no break in it. Hence in the definition of this ayat of Ali bin Ibrahim we read: they construct a row in the way of truth which is like a building that never breakdowns.
In a hadis it is mentioned that amiral mominin Ali alahis salam in the battle field of Siffin while he wanted to organize his companions for war, he announced:
The Mighty God guided you towards this duty and said: Verily Allah svt loves those who fought in the way of supreme God like a strong building therefore tighten your rows and those wearing the armors proceed in the beginning of the rows and those who are without the armor march behind them. Ground the teeth. Demonstrate swift twist and turn to defend before the spears of enemy, it is very much effective. Stare to the crowd of enemy to strengthen your heart and for the peace of your soul. Speak less which wards away the laziness and suits your dignity. Never tilt your flags and do not move them from their place and do not entrust the flag except the brave hearted people.

The points

1- The need of unity in the rows
The most important basis of the victory over enemy is the unity and connection of the rows in the battlefield before the enemy; not only in the military fight but in the political and economic fight too there is no method other then following this method of unity in action.
In fact the noble Quran compared the enemies to the destructive floods which could bring to halt only by a steel barrier. The term below
أˆأµأ¤أ­أ³أ‡أ¤أ± أ£أ¸أ³أ‘أ؛أ•أµأ¦أ•أ±
presents an attractive term for this situation related to an edifice or a massive dam, this is effective when there is no crack or gap between them. They should unite in such a way that they look like a single body. All must transform just like a strong ironic fist which crushes and scatters the head of enemy.
Regretfully this great teaching had been forgotten in today’s life and now a days the great Muslim society is not a Bunyan Marsus now but they had transformed into the scattered rows and confronted one another. Each and every person of them had their own intention in head and a personal desire in their heart.
We must be careful that the unity of rows cannot be achieved just by the words and slogans. It needs unity of purpose and faith. It is possible only by being sincere, the true vision of Allah, the right Islamic training and the revival of Islamic culture.
Allah admires only the holy struggle which is similar to â€کbunyan marsus’ a massive dam or organization and he dislike the dispersed masses of people and now we are observing the traces of divine wrath upon this society of hundreds and millions of people and one of its example is the domination of a small group of Zionist over a vast land of Muslims. O Allah! Bless us awareness and knowledge of noble Quran and its life giving education. Ameen.

2- The sayings that are lacking any deed
The tongue translates the heart and if both of them divert their ways then it becomes the sign of hypocrisy. We are aware that a hypocrite individual does not possess a healthy mind and soul.
The worst calamity that may dominate the society is the disaster of dissatisfaction and the main cause of it is the separation of the said words and the deeds. The people who preach and practice them too never trust each other and they cannot be harmonious at the difficult periods. Certainly the brotherhood and the sincerity will not rule over them and it has no value and importance for them and not a single enemy get alarmed of them.
When the plunderers of Syrian army invaded the boundaries of Iraq the report reached hazrat Ali alaihis salam. He got extremely upset and addressed the people.
In his speech which expresses the pain of his holy heart, he talked to the people of Iraq and said: O people whose bodies are intact and hearts and thoughts are dispersed. Your hot words break apart the hard stones but your weak deeds bring your enemies to the greed. In your parties and gatherings you say so and so but at the time of war you scream and say: O war get apart from us.
In a hadees by Imam Sadiq alaihis salam we read: The learned man is the one whose deeds confirm his words. Anybody whose deeds do not empower his words he is not a learned person.
One of the present poets depicted the nations in a beautiful story who are arrested in the claws of the enemies; he defined in the dialogues of nightingale and the hunting falcon.
The nightingale says: I am such an orator and the sweet singer with a delicate and beautiful body.
This cage is my house and my days are like the night. My gains are sadness, sorrows and depression.
In respond, the hunter falcon said: you are quite right, although his brain was pretty bright.
Your custom is to preach and tell the people but not practicing upon it and my habit is to practice but not telling and expressing anything to anybody.

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And [mention, O Muhammad], when Moses said to his people, "O my people, why do you harm me while you certainly know that I am the messenger of Allah to you?" And when they deviated, Allah caused their hearts to deviate. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.

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And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad." But when he came to them with clear evidences, they said, "This is obvious magic."

Definition:
I brought the glad tiding of Ahmad!
In the continuation of two commands of previous ayaat about the harmony of the words and deeds and unity of the rows in this ayat it is mentioned for the completion of its meaning and focused on the life of two prophets Musa alaihis salam â€کMoses â€کand Isa alaihis salam â€کChrist’ which is regretfully a perfect example of difference of words and the deeds and lack of solidarity which is observed in the acts of the followers of both the prophets and the ill fate they created behind it.
First it said: And remember when Musa alaihis salam told the people of his tribe: O my people, why are you hurting me I am send towards you from Mighty God.

This hurting possibly indicating the obstructions and excuses expressed to prophet Musa alaihis salam. Bani Israil in the entire life of Musa A S told to this great prophet or pointed towards the event such as incident of Baitul Muqaddas where they told to Musa alaihis salam: We are not ready to enter this city and fight with â€کAmaliqa’ who were a very strong and tyrant group. You along with your Provider God go and conquer that place so that we can enter there (Sura e Maida- ayat 24)
This same matter caused them to remain in the valley of Tia for many years and taste the bitter flavor of their unrealistic claims and idleness in the cause of Jihad â€کthe holy war’.
But according to the ayat 29 of sura e Ahzab it seems this harassment and maltreatments showing the unjust accusations they imposed upon Musa alaihiss salam and the benevolent God made the prophet Musa alaihis salam free of all that blames. And in this ayat we read: Al-Ahzab (The Confederates)

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O you, who have believed, be not like those who abused Moses; then Allah cleared the prophet of what they said. And he was honorable in the sight of Allah.
This kind of blames where many, sometimes they accused him of killing his brother Harun a s and at times they blamed him the relations with a woman of loose character, a plot which was planned by the deceitful Qarun “korahâ€‌ who was not accepting the command of giving the zakat (charity). Often his people were criticizing Musa alaihis salam of being a sorcerer and insane person and blamed him of possessing some physical defects, it is described at the bottom of the sura e Ahzab.
How is it possible the one who is the claimant of being a prophet, these blames are imposed upon him? Is not it a clear example of the difference between the words and the deed? Hence Musa alaihis salam said: In spite of your believe that I am the messenger of Mighty God then what are these unjust words you express about me?
But this act was not left without the punishment such as in the end of the ayat under discussion we read: when they deviated the truth the supreme God deviated their hearts and the benevolent God never guides the vulgar and lustful people.

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Which calamity is greater than this? That the man gets deprived of the divine guidance and his heart deviates from the right path?
By this term we come to the conclusion that the guidance and the deviation though from the merciful God but the backgrounds, its arrangements and the causes are created from the zone of man himself. As from one side he said: when they deviated from the truth the Holy God diverted their hearts that means the first step was initiated by them and from the other side it said: The Majestic God never guides the lustful and vulgar people the first sin and vicious act takes place when the deserved person is deprived of divine guidance and success.
In the next ayat pointed towards the issue of the prophecy of Isa alaihis salam and the obstructions and denial of Bani Israil before him and added: Remember when Isa alaihis salam son of Maryam â€کMaryâ€کsaid: O Bani Israil! I am sent from Compassionate God towards you and confirming the book which is sent before me (Taurat).

And giving the glad tiding of a messenger, arriving after me whose name is Ahmad,

Therefore I am linking the nation of Musa alaihis salam and his book to the future prophet (the prophet of Islam) and his book.
Like this manner hazrat Isa alaihis salam was not claimed except the divine prophecy that too at the specific period of time. Whatever is expressed about his being God or son of God is entirely incorrect and false.
Though a group of Bani Israil brought faith upon this promised prophet but a large group stood against him adamantly and even rejected his apparent miracles hence in the end of the ayat it added: when He (Ahmad) rose up with the miracles and the evident proved, they said: This is a perfect magic.

Strangely: the tribe of Jews prior to the polytheists recognized this prophet and even in the enthusiasm to meet him, they left their mother land. A tribe of them went and settled at the city of Medina but in spite of all that the idolaters finally recognized the prophet peace be upon him and brought faith upon him. But most of the Jews stood adamantly upon their enmity and negation.

The points:

1- The connection of glad tiding and the completion of religion
The term glad tiding of Christ regarding the advent of Islam indicating delicately towards the completion of this religion compared to other religions. The study of the Quranic ayat and comparison of the education and the teachings of Islam revealed clearly whatever was in both the periods {the period of Bible and the Old Testament (Taurat) though in the above ayat it is not present the discussion of this glad tiding. Whether in the content of divine books Christ was there or not but the other aayaat are the witness of its definition in the Injil (Bible). In the ayat 157 of Sura e Araf we read:

Those who follow the Messenger who can neither read nor write (i.e.Muhammad SAW) whom they find written with them in the Taurat (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16) and many other ayaat of noble Quran.

2 The glad tiding of both the eras and the term “Farqaleeta"
Truly whatever is in the hands of the Jews and the Christians by the name of taurat and injil (Torah and Bible) they are not the books which are descended upon the great prophets like Musa and Isa alaihumus salam (Moses and Jesus) but they are collections of books which were compiled by the hands of their companions or the individuals who arrived into this world after them. A brief analysis in these books is a live eyewitness of these claims. The Christians and Jews too have no other claim than this.
But without any doubt a part of the teachings of Musa and Isa alaihumus salam (Moses and Jesus) according to the followers transferred to these books. For this reason, whatever is in the old period (the bible and Torah linked to that period) and the new period, they have to be accepted. It neither can be denied totally. But it consists of the mixer of the teachings of these two prodigious prophets with the feelings and beliefs of others.
Any way in the present books they are many contents regarding the glad tidings of the great advent which confirms the signs of Islam and its messenger.
It is noticeable that except the predictions which is seen in this book and it relates to the prophet of Islam, in the three occasions of the bible of Yuhanna relied upon the term Farqaleeta which in the farsi translated as the consoler and comforter. Now we pay attention towards the context of the Bible of Yuhanna: And I want by my father and he will send another consoler and comforter who will live with you forever.
In the next chapter it is mentioned: when that consoler arrives whom I will send on the behalf of my father, which is a right spirit from my father who will give witness on behalf of me.
In the next chapter we read: But I am telling you the truth which is good for you and that it is better for me to go and if I do not go then that consoler will not come between you. And if I go I will send him among you.
Important is that in the Syrian text of the bibles which is taken from the basic Greek it is mentioned instead of consoler “Parqaleetaâ€‌.
In the Greek text the term “Peerkiltusâ€‌ is mentioned according to the Greek vocabulary it means “ admiredâ€‌ man equivalent to the term Muhammad, Ahmad.
When the chiefs of church felt that to propagate such name there may give a hard blow to their own establishment so instead of Peerkiltus they wrote Parakeltus which means consoler. By this apparent distortion they changed the authentic evidence though in spite of this distortion too it gives the accurate proof of a great arrival in the future.
In the first volume of “Tafseer E Namunehâ€‌ in the clear evidence from the Christian priests who after a period of time accepted Islam.
Here I bring your attention towards the translation which is mentioned in the great French Encyclopaedias about that subject: Muhammad (sava) is the founder of the religion Islam and he is sent by God and he is the last prophet. The term Muhammad means the one who is admired extremely and its base is hamd that means glorification and exaltation and it is derived from that term. And by a strange incident the other name as well was based upon the word hamd it is synonymous to Muhammad (sava) that is mentioned as Ahmad and it is a strong probability. And the Christians of Arab were using that word at the place of parkaleet, Ahmad the one who is admired excessively and tremendously glorious’ it is the translation of the “Peerkiltusâ€‌ and wrongly positioned at its place the name Parakeltus. For that reason the Muslim writers repeatedly reminded that by this term it means the glad tiding of the arrival of prophet of Islam. The noble Quran as well apparently indicated towards this matter in the amazing ayat of sura e Saff.
Any how the meaning of Farqaleeta is not the consoler or Holy Spirit but its meaning is equivalent to Ahmad (point to be noted).

3- Does the name of the Messenger of Islam is Ahmad?
It is the important question that is discussed here the most famous name of the prophet of Islam is Muhammad (sallalaho alaihim va ala alehi) whereas in the ayat under discussion is mentioned as Ahmad then how is it well-suited?
In the reply of this question it is necessary to pay the attention to the points mentioned below.
A. In the history it is mentioned that the prophet of Islam since childhood was called by two names even the people were calling him by both the names. One Muhammad another Ahmad and the first name his grandfather selected for him and another name was nominated by his noble mother.
This subject was discussed in detail in the Seerah Halbi.
B- The one who called him by this name repetitively was his paternal uncle Abu Talib. Even today in the book by the name Deevan E Abu Talib that is circulating in our hands, verses were seen in which the prophet was called as Ahmad.
There are so many verses in the poetry of Abu Talib where he called him Ahmad instead of Muhammad (sava) that is not enough space to quote them here.
C- Regarding the occurrence of “Merajâ€‌ we read frequently that the Benevolent Allah addressed the prophet of Islam by the title of “Ahmadâ€‌ may be from here it became famous that the name of the prophet of Islam in the heaven is Ahmad and on the earth it is Muhammad (sava).
In a hadis from imam Baqir alaihis salam it is narrated that the prophet of Islam was called by ten names and five were mentioned in the noble Quran and they are Muhammad sava, Ahmad, Abdullah, Yaseen and Noon.
D. When the prophet of Islam recited the above ayaat (the ayaat of sura e Saff) for the people of Mecca and Medina, surely it reached to the people of book .No body from the unbelievers too criticized the prophet. Injeel (Bible) gave the glad tiding regarding the advent of the prophet Ahmad his name is Muhammad (sawa). It proves that the Ahmad was popular among them and if there was any condemnation, there would quote it for us too. The history declared for us whatever the criticizers among enemies expressed even the nasty statements were recorded by the historians.

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And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah untruth while he is being invited to Islam. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

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They intend to put out the Light of Allah (i.e. the religion of Islam, this Quran, and Prophet Muhammad SAW) with their mouths. But Allah will complete His Light even though the disbelievers hate (it).

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He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad SAW) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islamic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammed SAW) hate (it).

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