Commentary on the Koran: Surah 23 (No. Q023)

Pickthall Translation; ESV used unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Surah 23 Al- Mu’minun “The Believers” is held to be named from a word occurring in the first verse. Certainly its subject is the triumph of the believers and would thus be appropriately named. It is understood to be the last Surah revealed at Becca before the Prophet’s flight to Al-Madinah in 622 CE and is thus a late Beccan Surah.

The text of “The Believers” refers to the church and its structure. The texts from the previous Surahs follow on to the prophets and their tasks and prophecies. They continue on to the Believers of the Saints of the Elect in the Churches of God.

The comments also deal with the structure of the church in the heavens and the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem. These seven paths are the seven steps or the seven weeks to Pentecost and the receiving of the Holy Spirit in the believers baptised into the Body of Christ.

"This structure represented the Temple, which became the living Temple of the Church. It had seven stages to the entire edifice. Six of these were one on top of the other in the nave and the seventh was the main hall proper, which led into the Holy of Holies. We could not enter this last stage until Christ died and split the Temple veil and made it possible for us to enter. This is the significance of the seven weeks to Pentecost. On this last phase the Holy Spirit entered the Church, enabling God to become all in all. "

(cf. the paper The Old and the New Leaven (No. 106A)).

The terms Third Heaven (NT), and Seventh Heaven (Qur'an) are generic. The New Testament term refers to the classifications of the basic Atmosphere, Solar and Galactic structure of the Earth and the heavenly structure of the Throne of God in the “sides of the North.” The seven classifications of the Koran are developments of these making distinction between the Atmospheres, inner and outer space, the Solar system, the Galaxy and so on (see FAQs in Islam at (No. 055)).

These are very important keys in understanding the Koran. Because the Church and its function are avoided by the Hadithic commentators, the meaning of the Koran (Qur’an) is trivialised and misconstrued so that the followers of Islam can make no real sense out of it.

Indeed this is the real sense of withholding the Truth of God in unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18, 25).

*****

23.1. Successful indeed are the believers

23.2. Who are humble in their prayers,

23.3. And who shun vain conversation,

23.4. And who are payers of the poor-due;

23.5. And who guard their modesty –

23.6. Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,

23.7. But whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors –

23.8. And who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant,

23.9. And who pay heed to their prayers.

23.10. These are the heirs

23.11. Who will inherit paradise. There they will abide.

See the Introduction and also Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 for the Saints who keep the Commandments of God and the Faith and Testimony of the Messiah.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (ERV)

2Timothy 2:16 But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, (ERV)

Mark 10:29-30 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

1Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Ephesians 6:6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Romans 8:4-7 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; (RSV)

1John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. ¹⁷And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

23.12. Verily We created man from a product of wet earth;

23.13. Then placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging;

23.14. Then fashioned We the drop a clot, then fashioned We the clot a little lump, then fashioned We the little lump bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators!

23.15. Then lo! after that ye surely die.

23.16. Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again).

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Ezekiel 37:5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

Psalm 139:13-15 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. ¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Job 10:11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.

23.17. And We have created above you seven paths, and We are never unmindful of creation.

Shakir translated the seven paths as seven heavens. These are also represented by the structure of the Temple at Jerusalem and also represent the Seven Spirits of God and the structure of the Seven weeks to Pentecost and the receipt of the Holy Spirit in the Church of God.

23.18. And we send down from the sky water in measure, and We give it lodging in the earth, and lo! We are Able to withdraw it.

23.19. Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat;

23.20. And a tree that springeth forth from Mount Sinai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters.

23.21. And lo! in the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat;

23.22. And on them and on the ship ye are carried.

Psalm 104:10-28 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; ¹¹they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. ¹²Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. ¹³From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. ¹⁴You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth ¹⁵and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart. ¹⁶The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. ¹⁷them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. ¹⁸The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. ¹⁹He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. ²⁰You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. ²¹The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. ²²When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. ²³Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening. ²⁴O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. ²⁵Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. ²⁶There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. ²⁷These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. ²⁸When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

Psalm 107:33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,

Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Psalm 147:8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.

Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. (ERV)

From the olive tree comes oil for anointing and physical nourishment, a pointer to the Holy Spirit leading to spiritual nourishment.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

23.23. And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?

23.24. But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old.

23.25. He is only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while.

23.26. He said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.

23.27. Then We inspired in him, saying: Make the ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then, when Our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every (kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the Word hath already gone forth. And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have done wrong. Lo! they will be drowned.

23.28. And when thou art on board the ship, thou and whoso is with thee, then say: Praise be to Allah Who hath saved us from the wrongdoing folk!

23.29. And say: My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for Thou art Best of all who bring to land.

23.30. Lo! herein verily are portents, for lo! We are ever putting (mankind) to the test.

Isaiah 45:18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Deuteronomy 6:13 It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

2Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Luke 10:16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Genesis 6:13-14 And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. ¹⁴Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.

Genesis 7:1 Then the LORD said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:2 Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate,

Genesis 7:8-9 Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground, ⁹two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah.

2Thessalonians 3:2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

The flood came as Noah had warned his people. He and his family were saved the rest were drowned.

23.31. Then, after them, We brought forth another generation;

23.32. And we sent among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?

23.33. And the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, and whom We had made soft in the life of the world, said: This is only a mortal like you, who eateth of that whereof ye eat and drinketh of that ye drink.

23.34. If ye were to obey a mortal like yourselves, then, lo! ye surely would be losers.

23.35. Doth he promise you that you, when ye are dead and have become dust and bones, will (again) be brought forth?

23.36. Begone, begone, with that which ye are promised!

23.37. There is naught but our life of the world; we die and we live, and we shall not be raised (again).

23.38. He is only a man who hath invented a lie about Allah. We are not going to put faith in him.

23.39. He said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.

23.40. He said: In a little while they surely will become repentant.

23.41. So the (Awful) Cry overtook them rightfully, and We made them like as wreckage (that a torrent hurleth). A far removal for wrongdoing folk!

Another generation, another messenger delivers the warning to his people. The messenger is mocked and the message ridiculed. Those who heed the warning are saved and the rest faced destruction. As always the people of no faith claim heaven and hell and an immortal soul. These are the predators of the Hadith and the church councils and the traditions of the Talmud.

See the Scriptures at ayat 22.30 above.

23.42. Then after them We brought forth other generations.

23.43. No nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it.

23.44. Then We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords. A far removal for folk who believe not!

It is not fitting that a prophet is killed away from Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 3:17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.

2Chronicles 36:15-16 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. ¹⁶But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

23.45. Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our tokens and a clear warrant

23.46. Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they scorned (them) and they were despotic folk.

23.47. And they said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves, and whose folk are servile unto us?

23.48. So they denied them, and became of those who were destroyed.

Moses and Aaron were sent to Pharaoh and his people with clear signs and miracles. They were scoffed at and the warnings were ignored. Pharaoh and his people paid the price and they were ruined. Exodus chapters 7 to 11 have the detailed account of the story. It is repeated again and again in the Surahs to drive it into the Arabs and yet they still do not understand, because they disobey God and the prophets.

Exodus 15:4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.

23.49. And We verily gave Moses the Scripture, that haply they might go aright.

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

23.50. And We made the son of Mary [Maryam] and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a place of flocks and watersprings.

Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ²²All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, ³³and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Luke 1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,

23.51. O ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do.

23.52. And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Luke 10:27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

There is only one Faith, one God and one Baptism for the redemption of mankind.

23.53. But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its tenets.

23.54. So leave them in their error till a time.

And they kill each other because they will not adopt the errors of one another. The Scriptures and the Koran are one faith and they all must be followed for understanding.

Mark 7:8-9 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men." ⁹And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

They will continue in their traditions until they drop dead and will all be corrected and re-educated during the Second Resurrection. Only a few are called to the First Resurrection

23.55. Think they that in the wealth and sons wherewith We provide them

23.56. We hasten unto them with good things? Nay, but they perceive not.

See 1John 2:15-17 at ayat 23.11 above.

23.57. Lo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord.

23.58. And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord,

23.59. And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,

23.60. And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord,

23.61. These race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Romans 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

The believers will attain eternal life in the First Resurrection. They win the race and get their reward. And this is eternal life that you know the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (Jn. 17:3). On this understanding hangs the faith of all the elect and the prophets.

23.62. And we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged.

1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

See Revelation 20:12 at ayat 23.54 above.

23.63. Nay, but their hearts are in ignorance of this (Qur'an), and they have other works, besides, which they are doing;

23.64. Till when We grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate.

23.65. Supplicate not this day! Assuredly ye will not be helped by Us.

23.66. My revelations were recited unto you, but ye used to turn back on your heels,

23.67. In scorn thereof. Nightly did ye rave together.

23.68. Have they not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their fathers of old?

23.69. Or know they not their messenger, and so reject him?

23.70. Or say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth.

23.71. And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away.

The faith had been given to them again and again but rejected by them to this very day.

See 2Chronicles 36:15-16 at ayat 23.44 above.

Jeremiah 25:4 You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets,

2Timothy 4:4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

See Mark 7:8-9 at ayat 23.54 and 2Peter 1:21 at ayat 23.30 above.

23.72. Or dost thou ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for He is Best of all who make provision.

2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

23.73. And lo! thou summonest them indeed unto a straight path.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

23.74. And lo! those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path.

23.75. Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy.

23.76. Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray,

23.77. Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat.

See John 5:28-29 at ayat 23.11 above.

Job 19:26-27 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall see God, ²⁷whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! (RSV)

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁵and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Romans 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

See Matthew 7:13 at ayat 23.73 above.

23.78. He it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!

Psalm 94:8-9 Pay attention, you dull ones among the crowds! You fools! Will you ever become wise? ⁹The one who formed the ear can hear, can he not? The one who made the eyes can see, can he not? (ISV)

Proverbs 20:12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.

Jeremiah 20:12 O LORD of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

23.79. And He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered.

23.80. And He it is Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day. Have ye then no sense?

23.81. Nay, but they say the like of that which said the men of old;

23.82. They say: When we are dead and have become (mere) dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again?

23.83. We were already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but fables of the men of old.

Thus the Scriptures carry the texts of the records of old and the warnings of the prophets, and the same records are ignored by the disbelievers and the disobedient.

Genesis 11:9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Ezekiel 37:5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.

Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.

See John 5:28-29 at ayat 23.11 above.

23.84. Say: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge?

23.85. They will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember?

23.86. Say: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne?

23.87. They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him)?

23.88. Say: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge?

23.89. They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched?

23.90. Nay, but We have brought them the Truth, and lo! they are liars.

1Chronicles 29:11-12 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. ¹²Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Psalm 135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

Psalm 97:2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne

Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

See the notes in the Introduction regarding the Seven Heavens.

23.91. Allah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any god along with Him; else would each god have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege.

Allah’ created the sons of God by Divine Fiat and they are all sons of God as determined by Scripture (cf. Deut. 32:8ff; RSV and LXX; DSS; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7; and the Psalms, 86:6 and elsewhere).

Isaiah 46:9-10 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'

Daniel 4:35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

Job 38:7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,

God has many sons all generated by Him when He spoke the command and they came into existence. His decision was not the selection of one distinct from the others.

23.92. Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners (unto Him)!

Hebrews 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Psalm 113:4 The LORD is exalted high above all the nations; his glory beyond the heavens. (ISV)

Psalm 97:9 For you, LORD, are the Most High above all the earth; you are exalted high above all divine beings. (ISV)

23.93. Say: My Lord! If Thou shouldst show me that which they are promised.

23.94. My Lord! then set me not among the wrongdoing folk.

23.95. And verily We are Able to show thee that which We have promised them.

23.96. Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best Aware of that which they allege.

23.97. And say: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from suggestions of the evil ones,

23.98. And I seek refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they be present with me,

Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Philippians 2:15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

1Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Ephesians 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

1Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

See 2 Thessalonians 3:2 at ayat 23.30 above.

23.99. Until, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back,

23.100. That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised.

23.101. And when the trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another.

23.102. Then those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful.

23.103. And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.

Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

1Corinthians 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1Corinthians 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

See John 5:28-29 at ayat 23.11 above.

The elect will be resurrected to eternal life in the First Resurrection. The rest of humanity will be raised in the Second Resurrection to be retrained and re-educated to bring them to repentance. Those who refuse to repent will be burnt in the lake of fire – the second death – and be remembered no more.

23.104. The fire burneth their faces, and they are glum therein.

23.105. (It will be said): Were not My Revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them?

23.106. They will say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk.

23.107. Our Lord! Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be wrong-doers.

23.108. He saith: Begone therein, and speak not unto Me.

Jeremiah 7:25-26 From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. ²⁶Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers.

Jeremiah 35:15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.

See Revelation 20:15 at ayat 23.77 above.

They will have their second chance as physical human beings during the Second Resurrection when they face corrective judgement to lead them to repentance.

23.109. Lo! there was a party of My slaves who said: Our Lord! We believe, therefore forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy;

23.110. But ye chose them for a laughing-stock until they caused you to forget remembrance of Me, while ye laughed at them.

23.111. Lo! I have rewarded them this day forasmuch as they were steadfast in that they, even they, are the triumphant.

Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

See Revelation 20:6 at ayat 23.11 above.

23.112. He will say: How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years?

23.113. They will say: We tarried by a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count!

23.114. He will say: Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew.

23.115. Deemed ye then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto Us?

James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Job 34:14-15 If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, ¹⁵all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust.

23.116. Now Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace.

See Psalm 97:9 at ayat 23.92 above.

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

23.117. He who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful.

Isaiah 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

23.118. And (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy.

Psalm 123:3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; ²³they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

These are the believers, the elect who keep the commandments of God and the testimony and faith of Jesus Christ and await him in the First Resurrection and who will reign with him for a thousand years in the Millennial Sabbath Rest of Jesus Christ.

All the patriarchs and prophets and the Muhammads, which are the councils of the Churches of God, with the faithful of the Believers of the elect will be in the First Resurrection.

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA