Commentary on the Koran: Surah 21 (No. Q021)

Pickthall Translation with biblical quotes from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Surah 21 Al-Anbiya “The Prophets” is named from its subject matter which is the history of the former prophets. The speaker in verses 4 and 112 is the Holy Spirit giving voice to every prophet. There is no historical reference or tradition to enable the scholars to fix a date. It is considered to be of Beccan origin and Pickthall and others think that it lacks the characteristics of the latest and earliest Beccan Surahs. Thus they place it in the Middle Group of Beccan Surahs. It’s dealing with the prophets and their subjects incline to the earlier groups laying out the basis of the faith from Scripture. Its position in the Quran following 19 and 20 indicates it is an earlier Surah around the time of the flight to Abyssinia.

The subject of the coming judgment on mankind (and especially those of Becca/Mecca) supports such a view.

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21.1.Their reckoning draweth nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness.

See Luke 21:34 in ayat 14.3 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014).

1Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

Romans 13:11-12 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. ¹²The 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.

21.2. Never cometh there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they play,

21.3. With hearts preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong-doers say: Is this other than a mortal like you? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it)?

Job 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two,

though man does not perceive it.

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,

Mark 4:19 but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

21.4. He saith: My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower.

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.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;

21.5. Nay, say they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were God's messengers) were sent (with portents).
21.6. Not a township believed of those which We destroyed before them (though We sent them portents): would they then believe?

21.7. And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men, whom We inspired. Ask the followers of the Reminder if ye know not?

21.8. We gave them not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals.

21.9. Then we fulfilled the promise unto them. So we delivered them and whom We would, and We destroyed the prodigals.

21.10. Now We have revealed unto you a Scripture wherein is your Reminder. Have ye then no sense?

21.11. How many a community that dealt unjustly

have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk!

21.12. And, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it!

21.13. (But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned.

21.14. They cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers.

21.15. And this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct.

This is a warning to the Arabs of the coming destruction over their failure to obey the prophets and the Commandments of the One True God.

Amos 3:7 For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

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.

Numbers 14:11 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?

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,

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.

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.

Ezekiel 18:21 "But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. ²²"All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced, he will live. (NASB)

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

The messengers of God guided by the Holy Spirit warned the communities to whom they were sent. Those who heeded the warnings were saved while those who did not ruined their lives and suffered destruction. This was a direct warning to the Arabs and the idolatry at Becca and also later at Mecca.

21.16. We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.

21.17. If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did.

21.18. Nay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him).

Nehemiah 9:6 You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.

Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.

Psalm 52:4-5 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. ⁵But God will break you down for ever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. (RSV)

Jeremiah 25:6 Do not go after other gods to serve and worship them, or provoke me to anger with the work of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.

Psalm 97:7 All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!

21.19. Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary;

21.20. They glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not.

Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, ²for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Psalm 148:1-2 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! ²Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!

Revelation 4:8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"

Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

Refer to Nehemiah 9:6 at ayat 21.18 above.

21.21. Or have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead?

21.22. If there were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they ascribe (unto Him).

21.23. He will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned.

21.24. Or have they chosen other gods beside Him? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse.

21.25. And We sent no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no God save Me (Allah), so worship Me.

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 115:3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.

Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

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.

Matthew 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."

If their so-called gods are idols crafted by human hands then these are not gods at all. If they are sons of the Most High God then they were generated by Him and are subordinate to Him. Only the Most High God can make alive, i.e. raise the dead back to life. All of humanity will be raised back to physical life in the Second Resurrection to face corrective judgement to lead them to repentance.

21.26. And they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He Glorified! Nay, but (those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves;

These are the sons of God as part of the Host. All are subordinate.

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

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Psalm 103:20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

Psalm 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

God has many sons. He gave the command and they were created. They serve God and minister to the needs of the elect.

21.27. They speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command.

John 5:30 I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 12:49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.

Revelation 19:5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

Refer to Psalm 103:20 at ayat 21.26 above.

21.28. He knoweth what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him.

Psalm 139:5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

1Samuel 2:25 If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.

Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. That's fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear. (ISV)

21.29. And one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers.

Psalm 28:4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.

Deuteronomy 4:35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

21.30. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

2Peter 3:5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

John 4:10, 13-14 ¹⁰Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

¹³Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Physical life is sustained by water and the elect need the living water of the Holy Spirit to attain eternal life.

21.31. And We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.

21.32. And we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.

Romans 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Jeremiah 51:15 It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Romans 3:11-12 no one understands; no one seeks for God. ¹²All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

21.33. And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.

Psalm 104:19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.

Psalm 19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Jeremiah 31:35 Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD of hosts is his name:

We can determine God’s calendar by the movement of the planets and also the festival seasons when we appear before Him.

God is not the author of confusion. His calendar has been kept from the Beginning and by the sons of the prophets and the church.

21.34. We appointed immortality for no mortal before thee. What! if thou diest, can they be immortal!

21.35. Every soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us ye will be returned.

Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.

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

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.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. ¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

At the First Resurrection the elect are raised to eternal life; the rest of the dead are raised to physical life in the Second Resurrection 1,000 years later.

21.36. And when those who disbelieve behold thee, they but choose thee out for mockery, (saying): Is this he who maketh mention of your gods? And they would deny all mention of the Beneficent.

Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

See 2 Chronicles 36:16 at ayat 21.15 above.

See Isaiah 37:18-19 at ayat 14.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014).

21.37. Man is made of haste. I shall show you My portents, but ask Me not to hasten.

21.38. And they say: When will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?

See 2Peter 3:9 at ayat 14.42 and Habakkuk 2:3 at ayat 14.44. Also see Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014) as above.

Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

21.39. If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!

21.40. Nay, but it will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.

Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

Isaiah 66:4 Therefore I, too, will choose harsh treatment for them, and will bring upon them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn't listen; but they did what I consider to be evil, and chose what doesn't please me." (ISV)

Disaster may come upon the wicked like a thief in the night and they will be ruined. After death comes judgment during the Second Resurrection when they will face intensive corrective training to bring them to repentance and if they choose not to repent they will face the Second Death.

21.41. Messengers before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those who scoffed at them.

See 2Chronicles 36:16 at ayat 21.15 above.

Messengers warned their people of the coming calamity if they did not mend their ways and repent of their sins. Those who heeded the warnings were saved the rest were ruined by the calamity as they mocked their messengers.

21.42. Say: Who guardeth you in the night or in the day from the Beneficent? Nay, but they turn away from mention of their Lord!

21.43. Or have they gods who can shield them from Us? They cannot help themselves nor can they be defended from Us.

2Samuel 22:3 He is my God, my strong stone—in him I will find my refuge—my shield, the strength of my salvation, my high tower, my way of escape, and the one who is saving me. You will save me from violence. (ISV)

Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Jeremiah 2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.

See Isaiah 37:18-19 at ayat 14.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014).

21.44. Nay, but We gave these and their fathers ease until life grew long for them. See they not how we aim to the land, reducing it of its outlying parts? Can they then be the victors?

Deuteronomy 6:10-15 "Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, ¹¹and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, ¹²then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ¹³"You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. ¹⁴“You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, ¹⁵for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. (NASB)

1Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Isaiah 47:11 But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away; disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone; and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.

Ezekiel 39:23 And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.

21.45. Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I warn you only by the Inspiration. But the deaf hear not the call when they are warned.

Refer to 2Peter 1:21 at ayat 21.15 above.

Ezekiel 33:9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Isaiah 43:8 Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!

The prophets have no choice but to give the warning.

Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.

The rebellious must then be destroyed.

21.46. And if a breath of thy Lord's punishment were to touch them, they assuredly would say: Alas for us! Lo! we were wrong-doers.

21.47. And We set a just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. And We suffice for reckoners.

Job 34:11 For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him.

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.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

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.

Psalm 98:9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

21.48. And We verily gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (of right and wrong) and a light and a Reminder for those who keep from evil,

21.49. Those who fear their Lord in secret and who dread the Hour (of doom).

21.50. This is a blessed Reminder that we have revealed: Will ye then reject it?

Refer to Deuteronomy 29:29 at ayat 21.15 above.

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

Job 28:28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

John 8:47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

21.51. And We verily gave Abraham of old his proper course, and We were Aware of him,

21.52. When he said unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion?

21.53. They said: We found our fathers worshippers of them.

21.54. He said: Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error.

21.55. They said: Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester?

21.56. He said: Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them; and I am of those who testify unto that.

21.57. And, by Allah, I shall circumvent your idols after ye have gone away and turned your backs.

21.58. Then he reduced them to fragments, all save the chief of them, that haply they might have recourse to it.

21.59. They said: Who hath done this to our gods? Surely it must be some evil-doer.

21.60. They said: We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham.

21.61. They said: Then bring him (hither) before the people's eyes that they may testify.

21.62. They said: Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham?

21.63. He said: But this, their chief hath done it. So question them, if they can speak.

21.64. Then gathered they apart and said: Lo! ye yourselves are the wrong-doers.

21.65. And they were utterly confounded, and they said: Well thou knowest that these speak not.

21.66. He said: Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you?

21.67. Fie on you and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense?

21.68. They cried: Burn him and stand by your gods, if ye will be doing.

21.69. We said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,

21.70. And they wished to set a snare for him, but We made them the greater losers.

Genesis 12:1-2 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. ²And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

In Genesis chapter 12 God tells Abraham to make a move out of his country to the land that God will show him. Verses 51 to 70 of Surah 21 tells us what transpired before Abraham was instructed to move out from his country. The above is derived from the story told in Judges 6.

Judges 6:28-32 When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. ²⁹And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” ³⁰Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.” ³¹But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” ³²Therefore on that day Gideon^c was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.

Gideon acted as Abraham and as the subsequent prophets such as Samson, Samuel and Elijah.

Acts 14:15 Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Jeremiah 10:5 Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

21.71. And We rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for (all) peoples.

Joshua 24:2-3 and Joshua told all of the people, "This is what the LORD God of Israel has to say: 'Long ago your ancestors lived beyond the Euphrates River, including Terah, father of both Abraham and Nahor, where they served other gods. ³Then I took your ancestor Abraham from the other side of the Euphrates River and led him through the entire land of Canaan. I multiplied his descendants, and gave him his son Isaac.

21.72. And We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous.

21.73. And We made them chiefs who guide by Our command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds and the right establishment of worship and the giving of alms, and they were worshippers of Us (alone).

Genesis 20:7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”

Hebrews 11:9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise,

Hebrews 11:20-21 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. ²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons "and worshiped while leaning on the top of his staff."

21.74. And unto Lot we gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd.

21.75. And We brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous.

2Peter 2:7-8 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man who was greatly distressed by the immoral conduct of lawless people— ⁸for as long as that righteous man lived among them, day after day he was being tortured in his righteous soul by what he saw and heard in their lawless actions.

Read Genesis 19 for the details of the rescue of Lot and his daughters from the community that was destroyed.

21.76. And Noah, when he cried of old, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from the great affliction.

21.77. And delivered him from the people who denied Our Revelations. Lo! they were folk of evil, therefore did We drown them all.

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith.

Genesis 7:23 All existing creatures that had lived on the surface of the ground were annihilated, from humans to livestock, from crawling creatures to birds of the sky. They were wiped off the earth. Only Noah remained, along with those who were with him in the ark.

The detailed story of Noah and his community is found in Genesis chapters 6 to 8.

21.78. And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field, when people's sheep had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgment.

21.79. And We made Solomon to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgment and knowledge. And we subdued the hills and the birds to hymn (His) praise along with David. We were the doers (thereof).

This story of someone’s sheep straying into another person’s field and ruining his crop is considered to be a reference to the fact that David protected the flocks of the people with his soldiers at night, when even he was outlawed, but always they dealt in justice.

Acts 13:22 Then God removed Saul and made David their king, about whom he testified, 'I have found that David, the son of Jesse, is a man after my own heart, who will carry out all my wishes.' (ISV)

2Chronicles 1:11-12 God told Solomon, "Since you had this in mind, to ask neither to focus on riches, wealth, honor, or the lives of those who hate you, nor have you requested a long life, but instead you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you may rule my people over whom I have established you as king, ¹²wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. Furthermore, I will give you riches, wealth, and honor—such as none of the kings owned who lived before you and none after you are to ever attain their equal." (ISV)

Psalm 8:6-8 You gave him dominion over the work of your hands, you put all things under his feet: ⁷Sheep and cattle—all of them, wild creatures of the field, ⁸birds in the sky, fish in the sea—whatever moves through the currents of the oceans. (ISV)

21.80. And We taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring. Are ye then thankful?

Psalm 18:34 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

2Samuel 18:14-15 Joab said, "I will not waste time like this with you." And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. ¹⁵And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded Absalom and struck him and killed him.

21.81. And unto Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware.

1Kings 10:22 For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet of ships of Tarshish used to come bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

1Kings 9:26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.

Psalm 11:4-5 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. ⁵The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. (NASB)

21.82. And of the evil ones (subdued We unto him) some who dived (for pearls) for him and did other work, and We were warders unto them.

1Kings 9:20-21 As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, who were not of the sons of Israel, ²¹their descendants who were left after them in the land whom the sons of Israel were unable to destroy utterly, from them Solomon levied forced laborers, even to this day. (NASB)

Song of Songs 1:10 Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

21.83. And Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy.

21.84. Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store, and a remembrance for the worshippers;

Job 42:10-13 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. ¹¹Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold. ¹²And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. ¹³He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Job 37:13 Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen.

Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful.

21.85. And (mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.

21.86. And We brought them in unto Our mercy. Lo! they are among the righteous.

Some prophets are here mentioned by name on whom God chose to have mercy and they remained firm in the faith unto the end. They will be in the First Resurrection. Ishmael, Enoch and in the case of Dhu’l-kifl it means “the one with the fold”. Jonah was the one with the fish Dhu’l Nun (or Dhu’n Nun below). Most associate him with the Hebrew prophets, usually Ezekiel; but tradition also places him in Iraq. He is also associated as Zul-Kifl in S38:48.

And commemorate Isma'il, Elisha and Zul-Kifl: Each of them was of the Company of the Good.

— Qur'an, sura 38 (Sad), ayah 48^[5]

21.87. And (mention) Dhu'n-Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no God save Thee. Be Thou Glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer.

21.88. Then we heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus we save believers.

Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Jonah 2:1-10 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, ²saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. ³For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. ⁴Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.' ⁵The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head ⁶at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. ⁷When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. ⁸Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. ⁹But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!" ¹⁰And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

21.89. And Zachariah, when he cried unto his Lord: My Lord! Leave me not childless, though Thou art the Best of inheritors.

21.90. Then We heard his prayer, and bestowed upon him John, and adjusted his wife (to bear a child) for him. Lo! they used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive unto Us.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

21.91. And she who was chaste, therefore We breathed into her (something) of Our Spirit and made her and her son a token for (all) peoples.

Luke 1:30-33 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ³²He 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."

Matthew 1:20-21 But 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."

21.92. Lo! this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Deuteronomy 6:13-15, 24-25 ¹³“You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. ¹⁴“You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, ¹⁵for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

²⁴“So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. ²⁵“It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the LORD our God, just as He commanded us. (NASB)

21.93. And they have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning unto Us.

21.94. Then whoso doeth some good works and is a believer, there will be no rejection of his effort. Lo! We record (it) for him.

21.95. And there is a ban upon any community which We have destroyed: that they shall not return.

Isaiah 29:13 And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. (KJV)

Jude 1:19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God's Spirit in them. (NLT)

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

Refer to Ecclesiastes 12:7 and Hebrews 9:27 at ayat 21.35 above.

21.96. Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they hasten out of every mound,

Ezekiel 37:12-14 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. ¹³And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. ¹⁴And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."

Isaiah 26:14 The dead will not live, the departed spirits will not rise; Therefore You have punished and destroyed them, And You have wiped out all remembrance of them.

All those of the Adamic creation will be raised in the resurrections. The Nephilim are not in the memory of God as part of the Plan of Salvation and they will not have a part in the resurrection. See the papers The Resurrection of the Dead (No. 143), The First Resurrection of the Dead (No. 143A) and The Second Resurrection of the Dead and the Great White Throne Judgment (No. 143B)

21.97. And the True Promise draweth nigh; then behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve! (They say): Alas for us! We (lived) in forgetfulness of this. Ah, but we were wrong-doers!
21.98. Lo! ye (idolaters) and that which ye worship beside Allah are fuel of hell. Thereunto ye will come.

21.99. If these had been gods they would not have come thither, but all will abide therein.

21.100. Therein wailing is their portion, and therein they hear not.

This refers to the placement of the demons in the sides of the pit in death and their resurrection and judgment (see Commentary on the Koran: Surah 11 (Q011) and also The Judgment of the Demons (No. 080)).

Refer also to Revelation 20:11-15 at ayat 11.107 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 11 (Q011).

Matthew 13:42 and they will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The disbelievers will be raised in the Second Resurrection to face retraining and corrective education to lead them to repentance and those who do not repent will be burnt in the Lake of Fire which is the Second Death.

21.101. Lo! those unto whom kindness hath gone forth before from Us, they will be far removed from thence.

21.102. They will not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they abide in that which their souls desire.

21.103. The Supreme Horror will not grieve them, and the angels will welcome them, (saying): This is your Day which ye were promised;

21.104. The Day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon Us. Lo! We are to perform it.

21.105. And verily we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: My righteous slaves will inherit the earth:

21.106. Lo! there is a plain statement for folk who are devout.

During the Millennial system we also will see that the meek shall inherit the earth. Once we are all spirit beings then we shall go on into the universe and run it from the earth in the City of God (No. 180). (Refer also to Revelation 20:4-6 at ayat 11.108 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 11 (Q011).)

Revelation 6:14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

21.107. We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.

See Amos 3:7 and 2 Chronicles 36:15 at ayat 21.15 above.

This is the final warning to the sons of Shem as they will be destroyed if they do not repent.

21.108. Say: It is only inspired in me that your God is One God. Will ye then surrender (unto Him)?

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. ⁵You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

See Isaiah 45:5-6 at ayat 14.52 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014).

21.109. But if they are averse, then say: I have warned you all alike, although I know not whether nigh or far is that which ye are promised.

See 2Peter 3:10 at ayat 21.106 above.

Mark 13:32 But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

21.110. Lo! He knoweth that which is said openly, and that which ye conceal.

1John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (KJV)

Job 28:24 For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

21.111. And I know not but that this may be a trial for you, and enjoyment for a while.

John 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

1John 2:16 For 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.

21.112. He saith: My Lord! Judge Thou with truth. Our Lord is the Beneficent, Whose help is to be implored against that which ye ascribe (unto Him).

See Isaiah 37:18-19 and Jeremiah 2:28 at ayat 14.15 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 14 (No. Q014).

Psalm 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. (KJV)

Psalm 98:9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Thus ends the Surah on the prophets and the Biblical texts and prophecies.Top of Form

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