Commentary on the Koran: Surah 57 (No. Q057)

Pickthall Translation; Bible Quotes are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Introduction

Al-Hadid “Iron” derives its name from a word in verse 25. The reference in verse 10 to the “Victory” is held by Pickthall to refer to the conquest of Mecca. Noldeke holds it to refer to the Battle of Badr, (G. Des Qorans, 2^nd ed. Pt. 1, Lepzig 1909, p. 195); which Pickhtall holds to be impossible as the text says that the Muslims had spent and fought and none had done so prior to Badr. Although there had been many persecuted before the First Hijrah in 613 which seems to be ignored (cf. Introduction to Surah 19 “Maryam.”)

Either time frame is thus possible. Pickthall holds it to have been written in the eighth or ninth year of the Hijrah (629/30), whereas Noldeke would place it in the fourth or fifth year of the Hijra (hence 626/7). It is at any rate a post-Beccan Surah.

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57.1. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifieth Allah; and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

In Psalm 148 all the creation is urged to praise the Almighty the One True God.

Psalm 113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens!

Isaiah 6:3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

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!”

Refer to Psalm 147:5 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 33 (No. Q033) at ayat 2.

57.2. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; He quickeneth and He giveth death; and He is Able to do all things.

Refer to Job 42:2 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 59; 1Chronicles 29:11 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 28, and Deuteronomy 32:39 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 50 (No. Q050) at ayat 45.

In this text the Koran introduces the concept of the Arche of the Creation of God as Alpha and Omega (No. 229) of Revelation.

57.3. He is the First and the Last, and the Outward and the Inward; and He is Knower of all things.

Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

Refer to Hebrews 4:13 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 1, and Daniel 2:22 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 6.

57.4. He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days; then He mounted the Throne. He knoweth all that entereth the earth and all that emergeth therefrom and all that cometh down from the sky and all that ascendeth therein; and He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah is Seer of what ye do.

(Cf. also Surahs 22:47; 32:5; 70:4)

The Six Days has a duality of six days and six thousand years in the duality of the prophecy and the creation of God. The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of God as the millennial rest of the Creation. That is why the Sabbath cannot be divorced from the Covenant of God (S 4:154).

Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1John 3:20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Psalm 90:8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Refer to Daniel 2:22 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 6.

57.5. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and unto Allah (all) things are brought back.

Refer to Ecclesiastes 12:7 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 19 (No. Q019) at ayat 40, and 1Chronicles 29:11 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 28.

Ecclesiastes 3:20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

57.6. He causeth the night to pass into the day, and He causeth the day to pass into the night, and He is knower of all that is in the breasts.

Psalm 74:16 Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Jeremiah 16:17 For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.

57.7. Believe in Allah and His messenger, and spend of that whereof He hath made you trustees; and such of you as believe and spend (aright), theirs will be a great reward.

57.8. What aileth you that ye believe not in Allah, when the messenger calleth you to believe in your Lord, and He hath already made a covenant with you, if ye are believers?

57.9. He it is Who sendeth down clear revelations unto His slave, that He may bring you forth from darkness unto light; and lo! for you, Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful.

57.10. And what aileth you that ye spend not in the way of Allah when unto Allah belongeth the inheritance of the heavens and the earth? Those who spent and fought before the victory are not upon a level (with the rest of you). Such are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterwards. Unto each hath Allah promised good. And Allah is Informed of what ye do.

See 2Corinthians 9:6 at ayat 57.18 below.

John 14:1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Psalm 145:8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalm 89:11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.

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.

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.

1Peter 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Refer to 1Chronicles 29:11 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 28, and Exodus 19:5-6 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 33.

57.11. Who is he that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, that He may double it for him and his may be a rich reward?

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

See Hebrews 6:10 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 47 (No.Q047) at ayat 4.

57.12. On the day when thou (Muhammad) wilt see the believers, men and women, their light shining forth before them and on their right hands, (and wilt hear it said unto them): Glad news for you this day: Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein ye are immortal. That is the supreme triumph.

Refer to Revelation 20:4-6 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 57.

The elect are thus co-heirs with Christ and the Patriarchs and prophets and the councils of the Churches of God.

57.13. On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say unto those who believe: Look on us that we may borrow from your light! it will be said: Go back and seek for light! Then there will separate them a wall wherein is a gate, the inner side whereof containeth mercy, while the outer side thereof is toward the doom.

57.14. They will cry unto them (saying): Were we not with you? They will say: Yea, verily; but ye tempted one another, and hesitated, and doubted, and vain desires beguiled you till the ordinance of Allah came to pass; and the deceiver deceived you concerning Allah;

57.15. So this day no ransom can be taken from you nor from those who disbelieved. Your home is the Fire; that is your patron, and a hapless journey's end.

Matthew 25:8-13 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. ¹¹Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ ¹²But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ¹³Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

1Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

Psalm 49:7-8 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, ⁸for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,

Refer to Revelation 20:11-15 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15.

57.16. Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder and to the truth which is revealed, that they become not as those who received the scripture of old but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are evil-livers.

Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.

2Corinthians 6:2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Hebrews 3:15-17 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” ¹⁶For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? ¹⁷And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?

Hebrews 4:2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Each person is called according to God’s timing as is stated in Romans 8:28-30. The veil on their hearts and minds will be lifted in due time and they will be brought to right understanding at that time. Each is called and judged according to the Scriptures of Old and they are constant and immortal.

57.17. Know that Allah quickeneth the earth after its death. We have made clear Our revelations for you, that haply ye may understand.

Refer to Isaiah 55:10 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 41 (No. Q041) at ayat 39.

John 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

He quickens the earth after a drought with rain and brings it back to life. The seed has to die and water brings about new life. In a similar way He raises us to spiritual life. By using a physical analogy He makes clear his revelations to help us to understand.

57.18. Lo! those who give alms, both men and women, and lend unto Allah a goodly loan, it will be doubled for them, and theirs will be a rich reward.

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

2Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And 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.

57.19. And those who believe in Allah and His messengers, they are the loyal, and the martyrs are with their Lord; they have their reward and their light; while as for those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are owners of hell-fire.

Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 31:23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

The righteous attain eternal life in the First Resurrection and the wicked are consigned to the Second Resurrection to undergo intensive corrective training to help them come to repentance. Those who do not repent will face the Second Death, and the Lake of Fire to consume them completely.

57.20. Know that the life of the world is only play, and idle talk, and pageantry, and boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children; as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the husbandman, but afterward it drieth up and thou seest it turning yellow, then it becometh straw. And in the Hereafter there is grievous punishment, and (also) forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure, whereas the life of the world is but matter of illusion.

Refer to 1John 2:16 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 18 (No. Q018) at ayat 8, and Isaiah 13:11 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 42 (No. Q042) at ayat 26.

Ephesians 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Psalm 90:6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

Psalm 92:7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;

Psalm 102:26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Psalm 130:4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.

Revelation 22:12 Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

57.21. Race one with another for forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whereof the breadth is as the breadth of the heavens and the earth, which is in store for those who believe in Allah and His messengers. Such is the bounty of Allah, which He bestoweth upon whom He will, and Allah is of Infinite Bounty.

See Galatians 6:9 at ayat 10 above.

1Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Daniel 7:14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Jeremiah 31:14 I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the LORD.”

Refer to Revelation 20:6 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 18 (No. Q018) at ayat 31, and Daniel 7:27 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 44 (No. Q044) at ayat 57.

57.22. Naught of disaster befalleth in the earth or in yourselves but it is in a Book before we bring it into being - Lo! that is easy for Allah –

57.23. That ye grieve not for the sake of that which hath escaped you, nor yet exult because of that which hath been given. Allah loveth not all prideful boasters,

57.24. Who hoard and who enjoin upon the people avarice. And whosoever turneth away, still Allah is the Absolute, the Owner of Praise.

See 2Corinthians 9:6 at ayat 18 above.

The Omniscience of Allah retains all knowledge of things past, present and future.

Refer to Revelation 20:12 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017) at ayat 15; Hebrews 4:13 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 1, and 2Peter 3:9 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030) at ayat 60.

Jeremiah 16:17 For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes.

1Timothy 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Proverbs 16:5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

Deuteronomy 10:13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

Psalm 97:9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

Psalm 96:4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

57.25. We verily sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance, that mankind may observe right measure; and He revealed iron, wherein is mighty power and (many) uses for mankind, and that Allah may know him who helpeth Him and His messengers, though unseen. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty.

Refer to 2Timothy 3:16 and 2Peter 1:21 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 20 (No. Q020) at ayat 6.

For uses of iron refer to Acts 12:6, Deuteronomy

19:5, Deuteronomy 4:20, Psalm 2:9, Jeremiah 1:18, Joshua 6:24, 1Chronicles 29:2, Genesis 4:22. There would be many more uses.

See also Hebrews 6:10 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 47(No. Q047) at ayat 4.

1Thessalonians 1:3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Jeremiah 10:6 There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.

Refer to Jude 1:25 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 40 (No. Q040) at ayat 12.

57.26. And We verily sent Noah and Abraham and placed the prophethood and the scripture among their seed, and among them there is he who goeth right, but many of them are evil-livers.

57.27. Then We caused Our messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow, and gave him the Gospel, and placed compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him. But monasticism they invented - We ordained it not for them - only seeking Allah's pleasure, and they observed it not with right observance. So We give those of them who believe their reward, but many of them are evil-livers.

Hebrews chapter 11 shortlists some of the prophets beginning with Abel down to the time of the apostles. God spoke through the prophets and gave His laws and His commandments and revealed His master plan to them. During the New Testament times the Church was given the Holy Spirit to guide the elders of the Church and the people. The Scriptures were given to the people of God through the prophets and those prophets were of Israel.

Only those called and chosen by God followed God’s instructions and His way of life. Most went astray as God tells us.

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

Christ followed in the footsteps of the prophets to expound the Scriptures and fulfill the law and the prophets.

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

The apostles recorded the gospel accounts as the Holy Spirit guided them. God did not ordain monasticism for his people. The pagans of old invented that nonsense and it entered mainstream religion before Messiah and then into the faith of those who claimed the surrender and caused them to stumble.

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Psalm 18:20 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.

57.28. O ye who believe! Be mindful of your duty to Allah and put faith in His messenger. He will give you twofold of His mercy and will appoint for you a light wherein ye shall walk, and will forgive you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful;

57.29. That the People of the Scripture may know that they control naught of the bounty of Allah, but that the bounty is in Allah's hand to give to whom He will. And Allah is of Infinite Bounty.

The people of the Scripture are those of the Churches of God and those who are of Al Islam and who are Muhamudan (cf. Q001).

See Psalm 89:11 at ayat 10 above.

Refer to Daniel 4:17 Commentary on the Koran: Surah 40 (No. Q040) at ayat 29.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, ¹⁹and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Revelation 14:12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Psalm 103:19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

1Samuel 2:8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.

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

Remember that the people of the Scripture are those of the Church of God.

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