Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...
Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...
Al-W¥^idÏ's Asb¥b al-Nuz‰l - The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies ...
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Chapter 39: Surah <strong>al</strong>-Zumar<br />
In the name of <strong>Al</strong>lah, the Beneficent, the Merciful<br />
(Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night…) [39:9].<br />
‘Ata’ reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “This verse was reve<strong>al</strong>ed about Abu Bakr <strong>al</strong>-Siddiq, may <strong>Al</strong>lah be well<br />
pleased with him”. 1 Ibn ‘Umar was of the opinion that it was reve<strong>al</strong>ed about ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan while<br />
Muqatil said that it was reve<strong>al</strong>ed about ‘Ammar ibn Yasir.<br />
(And those who put away f<strong>al</strong>se gods lest they should worship them…) [39:17].<br />
Ibn Zayd said: “This verse was reve<strong>al</strong>ed about three people who confessed the oneness of <strong>Al</strong>lah in the<br />
pre-<strong>Islamic</strong> period: Zayd ibn ‘Amr, Abu Dharr <strong>al</strong>-Ghifari and S<strong>al</strong>man <strong>al</strong>-Farisi”. 2<br />
(… for them there are glad tidings. <strong>The</strong>refor give good tidings (O Muhammad) to My bondmen<br />
who hear advice and follow the best thereof…) [39:17-18].<br />
‘Ata’ reported that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “When Abu Bakr <strong>al</strong>-Siddiq believed in the Prophet, <strong>Al</strong>lah bless him<br />
and give him peace, and followed him, ‘Uthman, ‘Abd <strong>al</strong>-Rahman ibn ‘Awf, T<strong>al</strong>hah, <strong>al</strong>-Zubayr, Sa‘id<br />
ibn Zayd, Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas went to him and asked him [whether he believed in the Prophet]. He<br />
informed them about his faith and they believed [with him on the spot]. <strong>Al</strong>lah reve<strong>al</strong>ed about them<br />
(<strong>The</strong>refor give good tidings (O Muhammad) to My bondmen who hear advice) i.e. from Abu Bakr (and<br />
follow the best thereof)”. 3<br />
(Is he whose bosom <strong>Al</strong>lah hath expanded for <strong>Al</strong>-Islam, so that he followeth a light from his<br />
Lord…) [39:22].<br />
This was reve<strong>al</strong>ed about Hamzah, ‘<strong>Al</strong>i, Abu Lahab and his sons. ‘<strong>Al</strong>i and Hamzah are of those whose<br />
bosoms <strong>Al</strong>lah had expanded for the religion of Islam while Abu Lahab and his sons were of those whose<br />
hearts were hardened against the remembrance of <strong>Al</strong>lah. It is to the latter that the words of <strong>Al</strong>lah (<strong>The</strong>n<br />
woe unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of <strong>Al</strong>lah) are addressed.<br />
(<strong>Al</strong>lah hath (now) reve<strong>al</strong>ed the fairest of statements…) [39:23].<br />
‘Abd <strong>al</strong>-Qahir ibn Tahir <strong>al</strong>-Baghdadi informed us> Abu ‘Amr ibn Matar> Ja‘far ibn Muhammad <strong>al</strong>-Firyabi><br />
Ishaq ibn Rahwayh> ‘Amr ibn Muhammad <strong>al</strong>-Qurashi> Kh<strong>al</strong>lad <strong>al</strong>-Saffar> ‘Amr ibn Qays <strong>al</strong>-Mula’i><br />
‘Amr ibn Murrah> Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d [ibn Abi Waqqas] who said: “<strong>The</strong>y said: ‘O Messenger of <strong>Al</strong>lah, why<br />
do you not relate to us statements’, and so <strong>Al</strong>lah, ex<strong>al</strong>ted is He, reve<strong>al</strong>ed (<strong>Al</strong>lah hath (now) reve<strong>al</strong>ed the<br />
fairest of statements…)”.<br />
1<br />
Qurtubi, :239; Durr, :214.<br />
2<br />
Tabari, :207; Qurtubi, :244; Durr, :217.<br />
3<br />
<strong>Al</strong>-Suyuti gives another occasion for this verse. Cf. Durr, :217-218.
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