SURAH (47) MUHAMMAD (AYA 1 to 20)

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ مَوْلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَأَنَّ الْكَافِرِينَ لَا مَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ {47:11}

[Q47:11] Zaalika bi annaL Laaha mawlal lazeena aamanoo wa annal kaafireena laa mawlaa lahum. 
[Q47:11] That is because ALLAH (SWT) is the Protector of those who believe, and because the unbelievers shall have no protector for them.

[Q47:11] Balasan yang demikian, kerana sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) menjadi Pelindung orang-orang yang beriman dan sesungguhnya orang-orang yang kafir: Tiada sesiapapun yang dapat memberikan perlindungan kepada mereka.

THE WORD MAWLA (MASTER AND GUARDIAN), USED FOR ALLAH (SWT) IN THIS VERSE, HAS BEEN USED IN THE SAME SENSE FOR THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) IN MA-IDAH 5:55 AND AHZAB 33:6; WHILE THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) DESCRIBED HIMSELF AND ALI AS MAWLA IN RELATION TO ALL THE BELIEVERS AT GHADIR KHUM (SEE COMMENTARY OF MA-IDAH 5:67) IN PRECISELY THE SIMILAR PURPORT AND PURPOSE. THUS THE POSITION OF ALI IN RELATION TO THE UMMATE-MUHAMMADI, I.E., THE MUSLIM PEOPLE, IS THAT OF THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) AS ‘KHALIFATULLAH’, A DEPUTY OF ALLAH (SWT) ON EARTH.

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(47:11) That is because Allah is the Protector of the believers whereas the unbelievers have none to protect them. *16

*16 After being wounded at Uhud when the Holy Prophet was resting in a hill pass with a few Companions, Abu Sufyan shouted: "We have 'Uzza and there is no 'Uzza for you." Thereupon the Holy Prophet told his Companions to respond, saying: "Our Protector and helper is Allah, and you have no protector and helper at alI. " This reply of the Holy Prophet was derived from this very verse.

SECTION 2

The reward to believers and punishment to the disbelievers

Those given the knowledge---The Prophet told to seek protection for himself and pardon for the sins of the believer men and believer women.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُدْخِلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يَتَمَتَّعُونَ وَيَأْكُلُونَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ الْأَنْعَامُ وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَهُمْ {47:12}

[Q47:12] Innal-laaha yudkhilul lazeena aamanoo wa 'amilus saalihaati Jannaatin tajree min tahtihal anhaaru wallazeena kafaroo yatamatta'oona wa yaakuloona kamaa taakuluian'aamu wan Naaru maswallahum. 
[Q47:12] Surely ALLAH (SWT) will make those who believe and do good enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; and those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as the beasts eat, and the fire is their abode.

[Q47:12] Sesungguhnya ALLAH (SwT) akan memasukkan orang-orang yang beriman serta mengerjakan amal-amal yang soleh ke dalam Syurga yang mengalir di bawahnya beberapa sungai; dan (sebaliknya) orang-orang yang kafir menikmati kesenangan di dunia serta mereka makan minum sebagaimana binatang-binatang ternak makan minum, sedang Nerakalah menjadi tempat tinggal mereka.

Beasts eat food like human beings BUT have no higher interest. Men who covet the world exclusively are no better because their pleasures and enjoyments rise no higher than the beasts. THEY HAVE NO DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS. As the human beings have been endowed with intellectual and spiritual faculties, if they live in this world as the beasts live, their abode will be hell in the hereafter. Refer to Anfal 8:55 and Furqan 25:44.

Had Adam continued to live in the garden where he and Hawwa were first lodged, they would have remained satisfied with the physical pleasures and enjoyments available to them there, never knowing what are the intellectual and spiritual challenges man can face, and rise to the higher realm of spiritual perfection as the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) did in the night of ascension (see commentary of Bani Israil 17:1).

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(47:12) Allah shall admit those who believe and do righteous works to the Gardens beneath which rivers flow. As for the unbelievers, they enjoy the pleasures of this transient life and eat as cattle eat. *17 The Fire shall be their resort.

*17 That is, "Just as an animal cats and does not think wherefrom the food it eats has come, who has created it, and what rights of the creator arc imposed on it for providing it with food, so are these people also eating and have no higher values or ideals beyond eating. " 

وَكَأَيِّنْ مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ هِيَ أَشَدُّ قُوَّةً مِنْ قَرْيَتِكَ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَتْكَ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ فَلَا نَاصِرَ لَهُمْ {47:13}

[Q47:13] Wa ka ayyim min qaryatin hiya ashaddu quwwatam min qaryatikal lateee akhrajatka ahlaknaahum falaa naasira lahum. 
[Q47:13] And how many a town which was far more powerful than the town of yours which has driven you out: We destroyed them so there was no helper for them.

[Q47:13] Dan bukan sedikit (penduduk) negeri-negeri yang lebih kuat dari (penduduk) negerimu (wahai Muhammad) yang telah memaksamu keluar (berhijrah) Kami binasakan mereka, maka tiadalah sesiapa pun yang dapat membela mereka. 

Makka was the city the pagan dwellers of which drove out the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) BECAUSE he preached the religion of ALLAH (SWT).

THIS VERSE WAS REVEALED WHEN THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) WAS MIGRATING FROM MAKKA TO MADINA. This conveyed to the idolatrous Makkans clear prediction of their utter rout and annihilation---a great prophecy.

µ  The Holy Prophet, while leaving Makka, said:

"O Makka, I love you dearly. Had I not been persecuted by your idol-worshippers, I would never have left you; and it is also the command of my Lord."

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(47:13) (O Prophet), how many are the cities that had greater power than your city that drove you out? We destroyed them and there was none to protect them. *18

أَفَمَنْ كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ كَمَنْ زُيِّنَ لَهُ سُوءُ عَمَلِهِ وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهْوَاءَهُمْ {47:14}

[Q47:14] Afaman kaana 'alaa baiyinatim mir Rabbihee kaman zuyyina lahoo sooo'u 'amalihee wattaba'ooo ahwaaa’ahum 
[Q47:14] What! Is he who has a clear argument from his Lord like him to whom the evil of his work is made fairseeming: and they follow their low desires?

[Q47:14] Dengan yang demikian, adakah orang-orang (yang beriman dan taat) yang keadaannya sentiasa berdasarkan bukti yang nyata dari Tuhannya: Sama seperti orang-orang (yang ingkar derhaka) yang telah diperhiaskan kepadanya (oleh Syaitan) akan kejahatan amalnya (sehingga dipandangnya baik) dan yang telah menurut hawa nafsunya? (Sudah tentu tidak sama)! 

IT HAS REPEATEDLY BEEN MENTIONED IN THE QUR’AN THAT GOOD AND EVIL CAN NEVER BE ALIKE AND EQUAL SO AS TO WARN PEOPLE TO KEEP THIS FACT IN VIEW WHEN THEY CHOOSE A LEADER TO GUIDE THEM. See Ma-idah 5:100; An-am 6:50; Rad 13:16; Zumar 39:9 and Mumin 23:58.

Not to lose the right path it is essential to keep one's eyes open to see the traps laid by the false leaders. See commentary of Hud 11:17; and Yunus 10:35 and 67:22.

Ü  According to Ankabut 29:69. ALLAH (SWT) Himself guides every sincere seeker who wants to identify and follow the true guides.

Ü  The first and the foremost leader is [1] the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) AND [2] after him Ali ibne Abi Talib AND [3] the Imams of the Ahlul Bait are the true leaders, all of whom have been appointed by ALLAH (SWT) after thoroughly purifying them. See commentary of Fatihah 1:6 and 7; Baqarah 2:2 to 5, 30 to 39, 124, 143; Ali Imran 3:7, 61, 101 to 115, Bara-at (introduction), Yunus 10:35, Rad 13:7; Maryam 19:41 to 50; Anfal 8:20 to 25; Bara-at 9:41; Bani Israil 17:71; Ta Ha 20:9 to 98; Ahzab 33:33, Fatir 35:32; Sad 38:86; Shura 42:23; Saba 34:47, 67 to 79; and Furqan 25:57 and several other verses.

Such examples, of the opposites never being equal, have been repeatedly given in the Holy Qur’an, to warn man, against committing such blunders [1]while choosing a leader for him, or [2] fixing an ideal for him to follow in his practical life in this world.

The Divine Mercy is obviously interested in providing as many guiding notes as desirable, to keep man away from falling into the traps of the false leaders and getting away from the right path. There are notes of similar guidance and warning see verses 10:35 and 67:22.

Ü  ANY SENSIBLE ONE who is seriously mindful about his spiritual welfare and his well-being in the life hereafter AND his salvation on the Day of Judgment would naturally be especially careful in selecting the guide for him after the departure of the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) from this world. Those who sincerely seek the truth, are surely guided to it by ALLAH (SWT) Himself----see verse 29:69.

Ü  The verse could in the first placed be interpreted to say that the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) who has been sent into this world with the clear and sure guidance of the Holy Qur’an, could never be compared to anyone else particularly the one who is obviously on the path of evil.

Ü  This same verse could be even a directive for the Muslims regarding the choice of their guide in the absence of the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) those are the Ahlul Bayt who have been purified by ALLAH (SWT) Himself---see verse 33:33, and to follow in the place of the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad).

THERE IS ALI with all the credentials of his matchless superiority in the spiritual as well as the physical excellence---

°         With unquestionable pure character and good conduct, who like the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), never in his life, bowed to anyone save ALLAH (SWT).

°         The height of his knowledge, godly sense of justice, inimitable piety and other qualities of internal and external excellence rangng to divinity, the whole Islamic world unanimously acknowledges.

IN CONTRAST to this godly and the heavenly personality,

»    Are those who had once been idolatrous, drunkards and evil-doers, and

»    Who even after embracing the truth, valued their personal interest and safety of their own life and their life-interest, more than Islam and the life of the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), and

»    Deserted the Muslim ranks repeatedly and ran away leaving the Apostle of ALLAH (SWT), totally unmindful of the fate of the faith Islam in the midst of the formidable forces of the enemy.

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(47:14) Then, can he, who is on a Clear Guidance from His Lord, be like him whose evil deeds have been embellished to him, and who pursued their lusts? *19

*18 The Holy Prophet was sorely distressed on leaving Makkah. When he was compelled to emigrate, he had stood facing the city outside it and said: "O Makkah, you are the most beloved city in the sight of AIIah, and I have the greatest love for you out of all the cities of Allah; if the polytheists had not driven me out I would never have left you." About this it has been said: "After driving you out of the city the people of Makkah think that they have achieved a great success, whereas, in fact, they have hastened only their own ruin by this evil act." The style of the verse clearly indicates that it must have been sent, down close after the Hijrah.
*19 That is, "How is it possible that when the Prophet and his followers have been guided by God to a clear and straight path and they have started following it in the light of full knowledge and vision, they should walk along, with those who are still persisting in their ways of ignorance, who regard their deviation as guidance and their evildoing as a praiseworthy thing, and who judge on the basis of their personal desires, and not by argument as to what is the truth and what is falsehood. Now, neither can the lives of these two groups be alike in this world nor can their end be alike in the Hereafter." 

مَثَلُ الْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ الْمُتَّقُونَ ۖ فِيهَا أَنْهَارٌ مِنْ مَاءٍ غَيْرِ آسِنٍ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ لَبَنٍ لَمْ يَتَغَيَّرْ طَعْمُهُ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ خَمْرٍ لَذَّةٍ لِلشَّارِبِينَ وَأَنْهَارٌ مِنْ عَسَلٍ مُصَفًّى ۖ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ كَمَنْ هُوَ خَالِدٌ فِي النَّارِ وَسُقُوا مَاءً حَمِيمًا فَقَطَّعَ أَمْعَاءَهُمْ {47:15}

[Q47:15] Masalul jannatil latee wu'idal muttaqoona feehaaa anhaarum mim maaa'in ghayri aasininw wa anhaarum mil labanil lam yataghaiyar ta'muhoo wa anhaarum min khamril lazzatil lishshaaribeena wa anhaarum min 'asalim musaffanw wa lahum feeha min kullis samaraati wa maghfiratum mir Rabbihim kaman huwa khaalidun fin naari wa suqoo maaa'an hameeman faqatta'a am-‘aaa-‘ahum 
[Q47:15] A parable of the garden which those guarding (against evil) are promised: Therein are rivers of water that does not alter, and rivers of milk the taste whereof does not change, and rivers of drink delicious to those who drink, and rivers of honey clarified and for them therein are all fruits and protection from their Lord. (Are these) like those who abide in the fire and who are made to drink boiling water so it rends their bowels asunder.

[Q47:15] Sifat Syurga yang telah dijanjikan kepada orang-orang yang bertakwa (ialah seperti berikut): Ada padanya beberapa sungai dari air yang tidak berubah (rasa dan baunya) dan beberapa sungai dari susu yang tidak berubah rasanya, serta beberapa sungai dari arak yang lazat bagi orang-orang yang meminumnya dan juga beberapa sungai dari madu yang suci bersih dan ada pula untuk mereka di sana segala jenis buah-buahan, serta keredaan dari Tuhan mereka. (Adakah orang-orang yang tinggal kekal di dalam Syurga yang sedemikian itu keadaannya) sama seperti orang-orang yang tinggal kekal di dalam Neraka dan diberi minum dari air yang menggelegak sehingga menjadikan isi perut mereka hancur? (Sudah tentu tidak sama)!

Ë  Refer to Zukhruf 43:73 (FOR FRUITS) and Saffat 37:67 (FOR THE BOILING WATER).

The word maghfirat used in this verse confirms our interpretation of this word in verse 23:55 of Mumin. It means protection NOT pardon, OTHERWISE it must be concluded that the dwellers of paradise will also transgress and sin in the land of eternal bliss AND will be pardoned and forgiven by ALLAH (SWT) now and again.

WHATEVER IS DESCRIBED IN THIS VERSE is a figurative presentation of the life of bliss and satisfaction in the hereafter.

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(47:15) Here is the parable of Paradise which the God-fearing have been promised: in it shall be rivers of incorruptible water, *20 rivers of milk unchanging in taste, *21 and rivers of wine, a delight to those that drink; *22 and rivers of pure honey. *23 In it they will have every kind of fruit as well as forgiveness from their Lord. *24 Can such be like those who will abide in the Fire and will be given a boiling water to drink that will tear their bowels apart?

*20 Literally, asia is the taste and colour of water which has changed, or which gives a bad smell. In the world the water of rivers and canals is generally muddy; its taste and colour change due to the mixture of sand and dust and of different kinds of vegetation in it, and it also gives off a kind of bad smell. Therefore, the quality of the water of the rivers and canals of Paradise will be that it will be pure and clear, without any adulteration.
*21 In a Hadith directly reported from the Holy Prophet, it has been explained thus: "It will not be the milk squeezed from the teats of animals." That is, it willbe the milk which Allah will bring out in the form of springs from the earth and cause it to flow into canals; it will not be squeezed from the teats of animals and then made to flow into the canals of Paradise. About this natural milk it has been said: Its flavour will not have changed at all" that is, it will not give even the slightest offensive smell that is found in every kind of milk squeezed from the animal teats.
*22 In another Hadith reported directly from the Holy Prophet, it has been explained, thus: ''This wine will not have been distilled from rotten fruit by beating and crushing it under feet," like the wine in the world, but AIIah will produce it also in the form of springs and cause it to flow into canals; then its quality will be that "it will be delightful for the drinkers"; that is, it will not be bitter and foul-smelling like the wines of the world, which cannot be drunk even by the most habitual drinker without showing some distaste. In Surah As-Saffa t, another quality of it has been described: "Neither will the drinker be harmed physically thereby nor become drunk." (v. 47) In Surah AI-Waqi'ah it has been said: "... which will neither cause them giddiness nor affect their sense." (v. 19). This shows that wine will not intoxicate, but will only give pleasure and delight. 
*23 In the Hadith it has been explained, thus: "The honey will not have been drawn from the bees' bellies," but it also will come out from springs and flow into canals; therefore, it will not have wax, and pieces of the honey-comb and legs of dead bees mixed in it, but it will be absolutely pure. 
*24 The mention of forgiveness from Allah after the blessings of Paradise can have two meanings: (1) That the greatest blessing by far will be that Allah will forgive them; and (2) that the errors and faults that they happened to commit in the world, will not even so much as be mentioned before them, but Allah will cover them up for ever so that they are not put to shame in Paradise. 

وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَسْتَمِعُ إِلَيْكَ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا خَرَجُوا مِنْ عِنْدِكَ قَالُوا لِلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ مَاذَا قَالَ آنِفًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَاتَّبَعُوا أَهْوَاءَهُمْ {47:16}

[Q47:16] Wa minhum mai yastami' ilaika hattaaa izaa kharajoo min 'indika qaaloo lillazeena ootul 'ilma maazaa qaala aanifaa; ulaaa'ikal lazeena taba'al laahu 'alaa quloobihim wattaba'ooo ahwaaa-‘ahum. 
[Q47:16] And there are those of them who seek to listen to you, until when they go forth from you, they say to those who have been given the knowledge: What was it that he said just now? These are they upon whose hearts ALLAH (SWT) has set a seal and they follow their low desires.

[Q47:16] Dan di antara mereka (yang hadir di majlismu wahai Muhammad, ialah orang-orang munafik) yang mendengar ajaranmu (dengan sambil lewa), sehingga apabila mereka keluar dari sisimu berkatalah mereka (secara mengejek-ejek) kepada orang-orang yang diberi ilmu (dari kalangan sahabat-sahabatmu yang setia): Apa yang dikatakan oleh Muhammad tadi? Mereka (yang munafik) itu ialah orang-orang yang telah dimeteraikan ALLAH (SwT) atas hati mereka dan ialah orang-orang yang menurut hawa nafsunya. 

Imam Ali said:

"Those who have been given knowledge" refers to us that is we, the Ahlul Bayt who were first informed of the Word of ALLAH (SWT) which was revealed to the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad). Those who were bestowed with knowledge could not be any other than Ali and his issues whose knowledge, like that of the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), was in-born and not that which was acquired---See verses 29:49 and (see 6:25)---See verses 3:6,3:17, 4:162 and 58:11.

¥  UP TO VERSE 15 comparisons has been made between the believers and the disbelievers. FROM THIS VERSE the hypocrites have been described and identified.

ALL THOSE WHO SAW, HEARD AND LIVED WITH THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), THOUGH THEY EMBRACED ISLAM, WERE NOT ALIKE IN THE DEGREE OF SUBMISSION TO ALLAH (SWT). THEREFORE the theory which propagates that all companions are righteous and guiding stars is contrary to the Qur’an.

According to Imam Ali there were **men of ordinary intelligence and understanding among the companions, AND AMONG THEM WERE **some who opposed the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad), AND **some had no interest at all in the message he preached. Refer to An-am 6:25, Yunus 10:43 and Ankabut 29:49.

‘Those who have been given knowledge’, THE FOREMOST AND TOPMOST WAS ALI HIMSELF---ABOUT WHO THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) HAS SAID: “I AM THE CITY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ALI IS ITS GATE.”---for details see note in Surah 69 Al-Haqqa.

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(47:16) Among them some give ear to you. But no sooner do they leave your presence than they ask those endowed with knowledge: “What is it that he said just now?” *25 Such are those whose hearts Allah has sealed and who pursue their lusts. *26

*25 This is concerning those disbelievers and hypocrites and unbelieving followers of the former Books, who sat in the assemblies of the Holy Prophet, listened to his discourses, or the verses of the Qur'an, but since in their hearts they were averse to the themes presented by him, they would understand nothing in spite of listening to him. Therefore, when they came out, they would ask the Muslims, "What was he saying just now?"
*26 This was the real cause because of which their inner ears had become deaf tothe teachings of the Holy Prophet; they were the slaves of their lusts, and the teachings that the Holy Prophet was presenting fell against their lusts. Therefore, if ever they sat in the assemblies of the Holy Prophet and listened to him, they would understand nothing. 

وَالَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا زَادَهُمْ هُدًى وَآتَاهُمْ تَقْوَاهُمْ {47:17}

[Q47:17] Wallazeenah tadaw zaadahum hudanw wa aataahum taqwaahum.
[Q47:17] And (as for) those who follow the right direction, He increases them in guidance and gives them their guarding (against evil).

[Q47:17] Dan (sebaliknya) orang-orang yang menerima petunjuk (ke jalan yang benar), ALLAH (SwT) menambahi mereka dengan hidayat petunjuk, serta memberi kepada mereka (dorongan) untuk mereka bertakwa. 

The translation is clear enough and no need for explanation.

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(47:17) As for those who were led to the Guidance, *27 Allah increases them in their guidance and causes them to grow in God-fearing. *28

*27 That is, the same revelations about which the disbelievers and hypocrites ask, "What was he (the Holy Prophet) saying just now ?" become a cause of further guidance for the rightly-guided people, and from the same assembly from which these unfortunate people rise without gaining anything, the fortunate ones return with a new treasure of knowledge and insight. 
*28 That is, Allah grants them the grace to develop in themselves the kind of piety (taqwa) that they have the capability to develop.

فَهَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا السَّاعَةَ أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمْ بَغْتَةً ۖ فَقَدْ جَاءَ أَشْرَاطُهَا ۚ فَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمْ إِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ ذِكْرَاهُمْ {47:18}

[Q47:18] Fahal yanzuroona illas Saa'ata an taatiyahum baghtatan faqad jaaa'a ashraatuhaa; fa-annnaa lahum izaa jaaa'at hum zikraahum. 
[Q47:18] Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?

[Q47:18] (Kiranya golongan yang ingkar masih tidak mahu menerima peringatan yang diberi kepadanya) maka tidak ada lagi yang mereka tunggu melainkan saat kiamat yang akan datang kepada mereka secara mengejut, kerana sesungguhnya telah lahirlah tanda-tanda kedatangannya. Kalaulah demikian, maka bagaimanakah mereka dapat menerima peringatan yang diberi kepada mereka apabila saat kiamat itu datang kepada mereka? 

v  Refer to Yunus 10:107 and Zukhruf 43:66

THE TIME is running out and when a wrong or an injustice is done AND the time for the punishment is drawing near every movement,

Ì  THEREFORE the time for repentance is right here and now, BECAUSE when punishment comes, it is too late for repentance and amendment.

According to the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHuma sali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad) when the following signs manifest in the world Imam Mahdi al Qaim will come to bring order, justice and harmony in the human society by introducing Islamic laws in letter and spirit, and after expiry of his term the world will come to an end. All will die and then they will be brought to life again to face the Day of Judgment:

1.        Regular praying of salat will be discontinued.

2.        Carnal passions will be enjoyed unabatedly.

3.        Sincere believers will have no control over the lawlessness prevailing among the people.

4.        Evil will be praised as good, and good will be condemned as evil.

5.        The unreliable will be considered dependable and the reliable will be regarded untrustworthy.

6.        The liars will be accepted as the truthful and the truthful will be rejected as the liars.

7.        Teenagers will preach religion from the pulpit.

8.        Fun and frivolity will be a popular pastime among the people.

9.        Spending in the way of ALLAH (SWT) will be avoided by the rich as an unjust punishment.

10.     Children will not obey their parents.

11.     Comets will frequently appear.

12.     Droughts will devastate the world now and again.

13.     Those who are in need of help will be looked down as burden on the society.

14.     The devil will conquer the hearts of the people, even though they may appear as human beings.

15.     Homosexuality will be legalised.

16.     Men will dress like women, and women will attire themselves in men's clothes.

17.     Masjid will be adorned with gold and silver, like the heathens adorn their temples.

18.     People will pose as friends but harbour ill will and hostility in their hearts.

19.     The Muslim men will wear silk and gold.

20.     Usury and bribe will become a mode of daily life.

21.     Musical instruments and games of chance will be the main source of enjoyment.

22.     Irreligiousness will be a sign of distinction.

23.     The rich will go to pilgrimage as a picnic or a pleasure trip, the middle class will use it for making money, and the poor to pose as pious.

24.     The Qur’an will be studied to show off, not to seek the truth.

25.     There will be a large number of bastards among the people.

26.     Women will abandon hijab (veil) and freely indulge in immorality.

27.     Unseasonal rainfalls will be in abundance.

28.     Adultery will become fashionable.

29.     Due to decline in birthrate there will be one man among fifty women.

30.     Women would ride as men do, women would carry on merchandise.

31.     Women would rule the states.

32.     The birth-rate of male issues would fall to 1 man:50 women.

THE HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) ALSO SAID THAT A FIRE WOULD RISE FROM THE EAST AND WOULD SPREAD TOWARDS THE WEST.

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(47:18) Are they waiting, then, for anything else than the Last Hour to suddenly come upon them? *29 Already some of its tokens have come. *30 But when it does actually come upon them, where will any time be left for them to take heed?

*29 That is, as far as the explanation andclarification of the truth is concerned; it has been explained fully well by argument and reasoning, the miraculous discourses of the Qur'an, the pure character of the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace) and the revolution in the lives of his Companions. Now, are these people awaiting that Resurrection itself should take place and then only they will believe? , 
*30 The portents of Resurrection imply those signs which indicate that its approach is near. One such important sign is the advent of God's Last Prophet after whom no other prophet will come till Resurrection. Traditions have been related in Bukhari, Muslim. Tirmidhi and Musnad Ahmad on the authority of Hadrat Anas, Hadrat Sahl bin Sa'd As-Sa'idi and Hadrat Buraidah, saying that the Holy Prophet raised his index finger and the middle finger and said: "My advent and Resurrection are like these two fingers." That is, 'Just as there is no other finger between these two fingers, so no other prophet will be raised between the Resurrection; after me only Resurrection now will occur." 

فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ {47:19}

[Q47:19] Fa'lam annahoo laaa ilaaha illal laahu wastaghfir lizambika wa lilmu'mineena walmu'minaat; wallaahu ya'lamu mutaqallabakum wa maswaakum. 
[Q47:19] So know that there is no god but ALLAH (SWT), and, ask protection for your fault and for the believing men and the believing women; and ALLAH (SWT) knows the place of your returning and the place of your abiding.

[Q47:19] Oleh itu, maka tetapkanlah pengetahuanmu dan keyakinanmu (wahai Muhammad) bahawa sesungguhnya tiada Tuhan yang berhak disembah melainkan ALLAH (SwT) dan mintalah ampun kepadaNya bagi salah silap yang engkau lakukan dan bagi dosa-dosa orang-orang yang beriman lelaki dan perempuan dan (ingatlah), ALLAH (SwT) mengetahui akan keadaan gerak-geri kamu (di dunia) dan keadaan penetapan kamu (di akhirat). 

Refer to the commentary of Mumin 23:55 and verse 15 of this surah for ‘wastaghfir lidhambika.’

The HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) is commanded to seek ALLAH (SWT)'s protection "from falling into errors in future" FOR the believing men and women so that they may follow his pattern of life.

†  Forgiveness is sought for the sins already committed in the past AND

†  Protection is sought against the errors (one has not committed) as a precaution that may keep the seekers of protection from falling into the trap prepared by Shaytan and his comrades.

Every THOUGHT or DEED influences character formation which will be the main asset at the time of reckoning before the Lord who knows the ‘seen as well as the unseen’, THEREFORE every sincere believer must always pray to seek ALLAH (SWT)'s protection against falling into the trap of sin and evil.

µ  Imam Jafar bin Muhammad as Sadiq said:

"Just as a flutter of wind or a strong shaking brings the dried leaves of a tree on the ground, istighfar helps man to get rid of sins."

ISTIGHFAR IS A REQUEST MADE TO ALLAH (SWT) TO KEEP THE SUPPLICANT FREE FROM SINNING BY HIS GRACE AND MERCY. IT IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF WORSHIP. Every true servant of ALLAH (SWT) uses this means to stay away from falling unintentionally into the pit of sin and evil, BUT A DIVINELY COMMISSIONED LEADER (IMAM) NOT ONLY PRAYS FOR HIMSELF BUT ALSO FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM, BECAUSE THEIR WELFARE IS HIS RESPONSIBILITY.

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(47:19) Know, therefore, (O Prophet), that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for your shortcomings and also for (the shortcomings of) believing men and believing women. *31 Allah knows the places where you move about and where you dwell.

*31 One of the morals taught to man by Islam is also this: However hard and sincerely may man be trying to serve and worship Iris Lord and fighting and struggling in the cause of His Religion, he should never be involved in the misunderstandingthat he has done and accomplished whatever he was required to do. Rather, on the contrary, he should have the feeling that he has not heen able to do full justice to what was expected of him by his Lord and Master. Therefore, he shouldconfess hIS errors COnStantly and pray tO AIIah. SayIng' 'Lord, forgive me for whatever fault and error I may have committed in Your service." 'This is indeed the essence of Allah's Command: 'O Prophet ask forgiveness for your fault.'' 'This does lint mean that God forbid. the Holy Prophet had actually committed an error wilfully, but its correct meaning is that it did not even behove the servant who was the greatest worshipper of his Lord that Ire should harbour even a tinge of the pride of accomplishment in his heart, but Iris true position also was that in spite of aII his great end glorious services he should continue confessing his shortcomings before Iris Lord. It was under this state of the mind that the Holy Prophet often implored his Lord for forgiveness. According to Abu Da'ud and Nasa'i, the Holy Prophet is reported to have said: "I implore AIIah for forgiveness one hundred rimes every day.

SECTION 3

War (in self defence) Precribed

When war (in Self Defence) is enjoined, the disbelievers dislike it---Reflection on the Qur’an a necessity---ALLAH (SWT) knoweth every secret.

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَتْ سُورَةٌ ۖ فَإِذَا أُنْزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مُحْكَمَةٌ وَذُكِرَ فِيهَا الْقِتَالُ ۙ رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ نَظَرَ الْمَغْشِيِّ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ ۖ فَأَوْلَىٰ لَهُمْ {47:20}

[Q47:20] Wa yaqoolul lazeena aamanoo law laa nuzzilat Sooratun fa izaaa unzilat Sooratum Muhkamatunw wa zukira feehal qitaalu ra aytal lazeena fee quloobihim maraduny yanzuroona ilaika nazaral maghshiyyi 'alaihi minal mawti fa'awlaa lahum. 
[Q47:20] And those who believe say: Why has not a chapter been revealed? But when a decisive chapter is revealed, and fighting is mentioned therein you see those in whose hearts is a disease look to you with the look of one fainting because of death. Woe to them then!

[Q47:20] Dan (kerana gemarkan pahala berjuang menegakkan Islam) orang-orang yang beriman berkata: Alangkah baiknya sekiranya diturunkan satu surah (dari Al-Quran, yang memerintahkan kami berjuang)? Maka apabila diturunkan satu surah (dari Al-Quran) yang tegas keterangannya dan tersebut padanya hukum-hukum yang mewajibkan perang Jihad (menentang pencerobohan musuh), sudah tentu engkau akan melihat orang-orang yang ada penyakit (kufur) dalam hatinya memandang kepadamu dengan terbeliak matanya kerana gerun takut menghadapi mati; dengan yang demikian, maka kebinasaanlah lebih hampir kepada mereka. 

THE MEN OF FAITH AND LOYALTY ARE EAGER TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF ALLAH (SWT) AND WIPE OUT THE EVIL FOREVER.

Refer to the commentary of Baqarah 2:214 & 215; Ahzab 33:1 to 3, 33:9 to 27; Ali Imran 3:13, 121, 122, 128, 140 to 159; Anfal 8:5 & 16; Bara-at 9:25 to 27 for the battles of Badr, Uhad, Khandaq, Hunayn for the decisive role Ali played in the defensive wars the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) fought, and

Ë  For "those in whose hearts is a disease", the deserters, who used to abandon the HOLY PROPHET (ALLAHUMA SALI ALA MUHAMMAD WA ALA ALI MUHAMMAD) and the cause of ALLAH (SWT) at the slightest possibility of defeat BECAUSE in reality they were hypocrites.

THE DISEASE IS HYPOCRISY, [1] disloyalty to the cause, [2] want of courage and spirit of self-sacrifice, AND [3] lack of true knowledge and conviction.

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(47:20) The believers used to say: “Why is a surah (that would ordain fighting) not revealed?” But when a definitive surah was revealed wherein fighting was mentioned, you saw that those in whose hearts there was a sickness looked at you as though they were about to faint at the approach of death. *32 Pity on them!

*32 That is, "In view of the conditions through which the Muslims were passing and the attitude that the disbelievers had adopted towards Islam and the Muslims at that time the believers were generally of the opinion that they should be permitted to fight even before fighting was actually enjoined by Allah. Rather they were asking Allah's Command in this regard impatiently and were awaiting again and again: "Why are we not permitted to fight these wicked people?" But the condition of the people who had joined the ranks of the Muslims hypocritically was quite different from that of the believers. They held their lives and their properties as dearer to themselves than Allah and His Religion, and were not prepared to risk them at any cost. Therefore, as soon as fighting was enjoined they were clearly sorted out from the true believers fill the time fighting had not been enjoined, the hypocrites and the common believers could not be distinguished one from the other. The hypocrites offered the Prayer just as the true believers did: they observed the Fast just like them, and practiced every article of the Faith as made no demand of a sacrifice on them. But when time came for making the supreme sacrifice of life for the sake of Islam, their hypocrisy was exposed and their veil of false display of the Faith was rent asunder. In Surah An-Nisa',  their this state has been described thus: "Have you marked those to whom it was said: W withhold your handsa while and establish the salat and pay the zakat? Now that the fighting has been enjoined for them,some of them fear the people as they should fear AIIah, or even snore than that; they say: Our Lord, why havc You enjoined fighting for us? Why havc You not given us a brief respite?" (v. 77)