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3666 The fifth year A.H. was a critical year in the external history of early Islam, and this Sura must be read in the light of
the events that then took place. As explained in the Introduction, the Grand Confederacy against Islam came and
invested Madinah and failed utterly. It consisted of the Makkan Unbelievers, the desert Arabs of Central Arabia, the
Jews previously expelled for treachery from Madinah, the Jews remaining in Madinah and the Hypocrites led by
Abdullah ibn Ubi, who have already been described in ix. 43-110. Their bond of union was the common hatred of
Islam, and it snapped under the reverses they met with. It is important to note three points. (1) The Jews as a body
now lost their last chance of bearing the standard of Islam: the best of them had already accepted the renewal of
Allah's Message. (2) A definite status was given to Prophet's household, after the slanders on Hadhrat Aisha had
been stilled (xxiv. 11-26), and the true position of the Mothers of the Believers had been cleared. (3) A further
exposition of the purity of sex relation was given, based on the story of Hadhrat Zainab, the "Mother of the Poor".
These points will be referred to in later notes. (33.1)
42:38 - Those who hearken to their Lord and establish regular prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by
mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; 45784579
4578 Continuing the enumeration of the characteristics described in n. 4576 above, we have the following further qualities
in those who wish to serve Allah. (5) They are ready at all times to hearken to Allah's Signs, or to listen to the
admonitions of prophets of Allah, and to follow the true Path, as they understand it; (6) they keep personal contact
with Allah, by habits of Prayer and Praise; (7) their conduct in life is open and determined by mutual Consultation
between those who are entitled to voice, e.g., in private domestic affairs, as between husband and wife, or other
responsible members of the household; in affairs of business, as between partners or parties interested; and in State
affairs, as between rulers and ruled, or as between different departments of administration, to preserve the unity of
administration; (8) they do not forget Charity, or the help due to their weaker brethren, out of the wealth or gifts or
talents or opportunities, which Allah has provided for themselves; and (9) when other people use them despitefully,
they are not cowed down or terrorised into submission and acceptance of evil, but stand up for their rights within the
limits mentioned in verse 40. (42.38)
4579 "Consultation." This is the key-word of the Sura, and suggests the ideal way in which a good man should conduct his
affairs, so that, on the one hand, he may not become too egotistical, and, on the other, he may not lightly abandon the
responsibilities which devolve on him as a Personality whose development counts in the sight of Allah. See the points
in head (7) under n. 4578 above. This principle was applied to its fullest extent by the holy Prophet in his private and
public life, and was fully acted upon by the early rulers of Islam. Modern representative government is an attempt-by
no means perfect-to apply this principle in State affairs. See my Religious Polity of Islam. (42.38)
42:47 - Hearken ye to your Lord before there come a Day which there will be no putting back
because of (the ordainment of) Allah! That Day there will be for you no place of refuge nor will
there be for you any room for denial (of your sins)! 45914592
dained it, and it cannot in any way be put back. (42.47)
4591 At Judgment no one can escape the consequences of his crimes or deeds. And no one can disavow them or deny them,
or by any chance pretend that they do not apply to him. (42.47)
46:31 - "O our people hearken to the one who invites (you) to Allah and believe in him: He will
forgive you your faults and deliver you from a Penalty Grievous. 4810
4810 The one who invites all to Allah is the holy Prophet. He invites us to Allah: if we believe in Allah and His Prophet, Allah
will forgive us our sins on our repentance and amendment of our lives, and save us the Penalty of the future life.
(46.31)
46:32 - "If any does not hearken to the one who invites (Us) to Allah he cannot frustrate (Allah's
Plan) on earth and no protectors can he have besides Allah such men (wander) in manifest
error." 4811
4811 If a person refuses to believe the Truth, or opposes it, it has not the least effect on Allah's holy Plan, which will go on
to its completion; but it will deprive him of Grace and of any protection whatever; he will wander about as an outlaw in
manifest helplessness. (46.32)
33: 1 O Prophet! Fear Allah and hearken not to the Unbelievers and the Hypocrites: verily Allah is
full of knowledge and wisdom. 3666
3666 The fifth year A.H. was a critical year in the external history of early Islam, and this Sura must be read in the light of
the events that then took place. As explained in the Introduction, the Grand Confederacy against Islam came and
invested Madinah and failed utterly. It consisted of the Makkan Unbelievers, the desert Arabs of Central Arabia, the
Jews previously expelled for treachery from Madinah, the Jews remaining in Madinah and the Hypocrites led by
Abdullah ibn Ubi, who have already been described in ix. 43-110. Their bond of union was the common hatred of
Islam, and it snapped under the reverses they met with. It is important to note three points. (1) The Jews as a body
now lost their last chance of bearing the standard of Islam: the best of them had already accepted the renewal of
Allah's Message. (2) A definite status was given to Prophet's household, after the slanders on Hadhrat Aisha had
been stilled (xxiv. 11-26), and the true position of the Mothers of the Believers had been cleared. (3) A further
exposition of the purity of sex relation was given, based on the story of Hadhrat Zainab, the "Mother of the Poor".
These points will be referred to in later notes. (33.1)
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