Surah Hadid: Iron

Surah Hadid is the 57^th surah of the Quran located in juz 27. It is the last surah in juz 27. Allah revealed this surah to Prophet Muhammad (s) in Medina. In this article on Islam4u, we will discuss the topics of this surah.

Facts About Surah Hadid

Surah Hadid is the 94^th surah that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s) in Medina. In the current arrangement of surahs, it is the 57^th surah of the Quran. It has 39 verses, 576 words, and 2545 letters. Hadid means iron. This surah takes its name from the 25^th verse of the Quran, which is about the creation of iron. Surah Hadid is one of the Musabbihat that we talked about in the articles on surahs such as Jum‘a and Taghabun. Mussabihat are surahs that begin with tasbih, or glorification of Allah. Surah Hadid also begins with the glorification of Allah.

Arabic Text, Translation, and Recitation of Surah Hadid

Introducing Allah

Verses one to three of Surah Hadid read:

سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ‎﴿١﴾‏ لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ هُوَ ٱلْأَوَّلُ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرُ وَٱلظَّٰهِرُ وَٱلْبَاطِنُ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ‎﴿٣﴾‏

Whatever there is in the heavens and [whatever there is on] the earth glorifies Allah and He is the All-mighty, the All-wise. (1) To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth: He gives life and brings death, and He has power over all things. (2) He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden, and He has knowledge of all things. (3)

In these three verses, Allah introduces Himself to readers by mentioning certain things that relate to Him. Everything that exists glorifies Allah. He is the sovereign of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes death and has power over all things. These are things that only Allah is capable of. In verse three, Allah mentions five other attributes of His. His being the first and last means He is a primordial being who is also eternal. By primordial, we mean He has always existed from the beginning, and by eternal, we mean He will continue to exist forever. This also means that Allah is not confined to the limits of time. He is the creator of time, therefore, He is not bound by it.

Allah being the Manifest and Hidden means He encompasses everything. He is the Manifest because His signs are everywhere. He is the Hidden because no one knows about His essence. One of the outcomes of these four attributes is that He has knowledge of all things because a being that has always existed and continues to exist and is the Manifest and the Hidden certainly knows everything.

Allah Knows Everything

Verse four of Surah Hadid reads:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا ۖ وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ ‎﴿٤﴾

It is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days; then settled on the Throne. He knows whatever enters the earth and whatever emerges from it and whatever descends from the sky and whatever ascends to it, and He is with you wherever you may be, and Allah sees best what you do.

Not only is Allah the creator of everything that exists but also knows everything that goes on in the heavens and the earth. This verse emphasizes the point that Allah is present everywhere and is with us wherever we are and watches and sees us all the time. Two things can be understood from this verse. First, we are always in the presence of Allah, therefore, we should not worry and be anxious about anything because Allah is always with us and helps us in times of difficulty. Second, because Allah constantly watches us, we must be mindful of our actions and be careful lest we commit sins. At the same time, we should know that He also sees the good things we do and our good deeds will not go to waste.

The Sovereign of the Heavens and the Earth

Verse five of Surah Hadid reads:

لَّهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَإِلَى ٱللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ ٱلْأُمُورُ ‎﴿٥﴾

To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah all matters are returned.

It is obvious that the one who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them before there was anything but Himself deserves to be the sovereign and ruler of the heavens and the earth. Who else is worthy of exercising His will than the one who has created everything and has power over everything? It would be nonsensical to think that Allah created everything and then left it for us to manage. Do we even have the capacity to manage everything that goes on in the heavens and the earth? Only Allah who has infinite knowledge and power is capable of such an act. The verse ends by saying that all matters are returned to Allah. When we die, we all return to our creator and sustainer. Allah settles every matter.

The Night and the Day

Verse six of Surah Hadid reads:

يُولِجُ ٱلَّيْلَ فِى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فِى ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ ‎﴿٦﴾

He makes the night pass into the day and makes the day pass into the night, and He knows best what is in the breasts.

The alternation of night and day is truly fascinating. Allah mentions in this verse that He is the one who causes the alternation of night and day. He is the only one who has such a capability. No human being can cause the night to change to the day and vice versa. At the end of the verse, Allah once again mentions how He knows everything, even the faintest ideas we entertain in the back of our minds. He knows what goes on in our hearts, what hidden thoughts we keep secret that we have told no one and perhaps will never tell anyone. Then does not Allah deserve to be worshipped? Is He not the best helper and the best one to trust? Then should we not be careful of what we even think of doing?

Have Faith and Spend in Allah’s Way

Verse seven of Surah Hadid reads:

ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا جَعَلَكُم مُّسْتَخْلَفِينَ فِيهِ ۖ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ لَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ ‎﴿٧﴾

Have faith in Allah and His Apostle, and spend out of that of which He has made you heirs. There is a great reward for those of you who have faith and spend [in Allah’s way].

After mentioning the attributes and signs of Allah’s grandeur in the previous verses, this verse invites everyone to have faith in Allah and the Prophet (s) and to spend out of that which Allah has given them. Having faith in Allah is not only for those who have not believed. Rather, it also includes those who have already believed, in the sense that they must try to strengthen their faith in Allah. Then Allah invites believers to spend out of that which He has made them His successors and representatives. It is important to note that doing infaq or spending in Allah’s way is a broad term that is not confined to spending one’s money in the way of Allah. In fact, it is also inclusive of spreading knowledge, providing others with guidance, and other spiritual and material assets.

Then, to encourage people to have faith in Allah and do infaq, Allah says how a great reward awaits those who have faith and do infaq in His way. By a great reward, Allah means to say that this reward is everlasting, and not only will it be given to believers in the hereafter, but they will also have a share of it in this world.

Why Should You Not Believe and Not Spend Out of What Allah Has Given You?

Allah says in verses 8-10 of Surah Hadid:

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ ۙ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِرَبِّكُمْ وَقَدْ أَخَذَ مِيثَٰقَكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ‎﴿٨﴾‏ هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦٓ ءَايَٰتِۭ بَيِّنَٰتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎﴿٩﴾‏ وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تُنفِقُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِلَّهِ مِيرَٰثُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا يَسْتَوِى مِنكُم مَّنْ أَنفَقَ مِن قَبْلِ ٱلْفَتْحِ وَقَٰتَلَ ۚ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنفَقُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَقَٰتَلُوا۟ ۚ وَكُلًّا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ‎﴿١٠﴾‏

Why should you not have faith in Allah when the Apostle invites you to have faith in your Lord, and He has certainly made a covenant with you, if you are [genuinely] faithful? (8) It is He who sends down manifest signs to His servant that He may bring you out of darkness into light, and indeed Allah is most kind and merciful to you. (9) Why should you not spend in the way of Allah, when to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth? Those of you who spent [their means] and fought before the victory are not equal [to others]. They are greater in rank than those who have spent and fought afterwards. Yet Allah has promised the best reward to each and Allah is well aware of what you do. (10)

These verses are a continuation of the previous verse. In the previous verse, Allah asked us to believe in Him and His Messenger and to spend out of what He has given us so that we would receive a great reward. Verse eight starts by saying what excuse do we have not to believe and have faith in Allah? When the Apostle, Prophet Muhammad (s) has come with so many signs of Allah, the Quran being the foremost, why should we not accept his invitation? He has made a covenant with us that we will be safe and secure if we believe in Allah and will become prosperous in both worlds. Then Allah says in verse nine that it is Allah who has given the Prophet (s) manifest signs so that He may guide you. Why does Allah want us to be guided? It is because He wants the best for us and is kind and merciful to us.

Verse ten is also the continuation of verse seven. Why should we not spend out of what Allah has given us in His way when to Allah belongs everything that exists in the heavens and the earth? That is, we will eventually return to Allah empty-handed (financially). Then why should we not obtain rewards by spending out of our wealth now that we can? To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. He is not in need of our wealth. Rather, by doing infaq, we are gaining the benefits of doing something in the way of Allah.

Then Allah continues by saying that those who do infaq at times of hardship and before the victory of Islam have a greater reward than those who do infaq at times of ease and after victory. Finally, to emphasize the importance of sincerity and pure intention, Allah says that He is well aware of what we do.

That Which is Greater Than Infaq

Verse 11 of Surah Hadid reads:

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥ وَلَهُۥٓ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ ‎﴿١١﴾

Who is it that will lend Allah a good loan, that He may multiply it for him and [that] there may be a noble reward for him?

The verse speaks of an act that is greater than infaq, which is granting a loan to one’s brother or sister in faith. Allah says that granting a loan to another is like giving a good loan to Allah. When one does infaq, one gives an amount of money or provisions to someone without asking it to be returned. On the other hand, when one gives a loan to someone, usually the amount of money is higher than the alms given to a poor person, and despite the fact that the money will be returned to the owner, the reward is much more than infaq. Allah uses the word karim meaning noble to highlight the fact that lending a good loan to Allah brings greater reward than almsgiving.

The Great Success

Verse 12 of Surah Hadid reads:

يَوْمَ تَرَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَسْعَىٰ نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَٰنِهِم بُشْرَىٰكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ‎﴿١٢﴾

The day you will see the faithful, men and women, with their light moving swiftly in front of them and on their right, [and they are greeted with the words:] ‘There is good news for you today! Gardens with streams running in them, to remain in them [forever]. That is the great success.’

Verse 12 speaks of the time when the believers will receive the great reward mentioned in the previous verses. They will be rewarded on the day when they will have a light moving swiftly in front of them and on their right. This light is the embodiment of their faith. It is the light of guidance. On the other hand, disbelief is absolute darkness. At this point, the believers are given the good news of paradise. Indeed, what reward is greater than paradise to remain in it for all eternity? It truly is the great success.

The Hypocrites Plead With the Believers

Verse 13 of Surah Hadid reads:

يَوْمَ يَقُولُ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلْمُنَٰفِقَٰتُ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱنظُرُونَا نَقْتَبِسْ مِن نُّورِكُمْ قِيلَ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ وَرَآءَكُمْ فَٱلْتَمِسُوا۟ نُورًا فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ لَّهُۥ بَابُۢ بَاطِنُهُۥ فِيهِ ٱلرَّحْمَةُ وَظَٰهِرُهُۥ مِن قِبَلِهِ ٱلْعَذَابُ ‎﴿١٣﴾

The day the hypocrites, men and women, will say to the faithful, ‘Please wait, that we may glean something from your light!’ They will be told: ‘Go back and grope for light!’ Then there will be set up between them a wall with a gate, with mercy within and punishment without.

The hypocrites will have an extremely hard time on that day. They will be doomed for not believing in Allah and His Apostle and plotting against the believers. They plead with the believers, saying if they can acquire some of their light. The believers will mockingly say to them, “Go back to the world if you can and seek light there!” Then, a wall will be set up between them with a gate. Inside that gate is Allah’s mercy and blessings, and outside of it is Allah’s torment and punishment. This is so that the hypocrites can see Allah’s blessings and mercy and deeply regret their past deeds.

The Deception of the Deceiver

Verse 14 of Surah Hadid reads:

يُنَادُونَهُمْ أَلَمْ نَكُن مَّعَكُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ وَلَٰكِنَّكُمْ فَتَنتُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَتَرَبَّصْتُمْ وَٱرْتَبْتُمْ وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْأَمَانِىُّ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَ أَمْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَغَرَّكُم بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْغَرُورُ ‎﴿١٤﴾

They will call out to them, ‘Did we not use to be with you?’ They will say, ‘Yes! But you cast yourselves into perdition. You awaited and were skeptical, and [false] hopes deceived you until the edict of Allah came, and the Deceiver deceived you concerning Allah.

Apparently, the wall is not such that it prevents voices from being heard on either side of it. The hypocrites lived among the believers. However, something happened that caused them to be separated from the believers. Indeed, they were together. What set them apart was their beliefs and way of thinking. The hypocrites were very distant from the believers in terms of belief. The believers say to the hypocrites, “You cast yourselves into perdition by moving along the path of disbelief. You anticipated the death of the Prophet (s). You were always skeptical of the Resurrection and the truthfulness of the Prophet’s invitation. Additionally, far-flung wishes deceived you until your death came.” Such wishes did not allow you to think correctly for a split second. Finally, the Deceiver (Satan) deceived you concerning Allah’s command.

No Ransom Shall Be Taken on That Day

Verse 15 of Surah Hadid reads:

فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ مِنكُمْ فِدْيَةٌ وَلَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ مَأْوَىٰكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ هِىَ مَوْلَىٰكُمْ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ‎﴿١٥﴾

So today no ransom shall be taken from you or the faithless. The Fire will be your abode: it is your [ultimate] refuge and an evil destination.’

This verse shows that the hypocrites and the disbelievers will have the same fate. Both will go to hell. Usually, people seek to escape the clutches of punishment and retribution in this world by resorting to financial compensation or seeking the help of influential individuals. However, on the Day of Judgment, all the material means and resources that are commonly used in this world to achieve goals will become ineffective, and the connections will be severed.

Thus, the Quran makes it clear that the only means of salvation on that day are faith and righteous deeds. Even the circle of intercession is limited to those who have a share of these two, not those who have severed their connections entirely from Allah and the friends of Allah.

Be Like Muslims and Not Christians and Jews

Verse 16 of Surah Hadid reads:

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا۟ كَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ ‎﴿١٦﴾

Is it not time yet for those who have faith that their hearts should be humbled for Allah’s remembrance and toward the truth which has come down [to them], and to be not like those who were given the Book before? Time took its toll on them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are transgressors.

This verse was revealed about the hypocrites. They wanted to undermine and marginalize the Quran. Therefore, they went to one of the companions of the Prophet named Salman who had knowledge of the Holy Scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel and asked him to read some parts of the Torah for them because they had heard it was an impressive book. The first few verses of Surah Yusuf were revealed, saying how the Quran has the best of stories. A while later, they went to Salman again and repeated their request. At this point, the 23^rd verse of Surah Zumar was revealed, where Allah says that He has sent down the best of discourses. “Allah has sent down the best of discourses, a scripture [composed] of similar motifs, whereat shiver the skins of those who fear their Lord…”

They went to Salman a third time and made the same request. This time, verse 16 of Surah Hadid was revealed. The verse rebukes them and says “Is it not time for you to be humble before Allah and let go of these words? You should not be like Christians and Jews who were given Holy Scriptures, yet a long time passed and they forgot their Lord, and their hearts hardened, and many of them are sinners.”

It is clear that if remembering Allah takes place in the depths of one’s heart, and the verses that are revealed to the Prophet (s) are pondered upon rightly, they will make one humble. However, the Quran reprimands those believers who do not humble themselves before these matters. Why are they like many past nations negligent and clueless? It is these verses of the Quran that have caused a change of heart in the most sinful of people through the ages, inasmuch as they abandoned all their sins and even joined the ranks of the devoted worshippers of Allah.

Allah Revives the Dead Earth

Verse 17 of Surah Hadid reads:

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْـَٔايَٰتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ ‎﴿١٧﴾

Know that Allah revives the earth after its death. We have certainly made the signs clear for you, so that you may exercise your reason.

During winter, almost all plants, trees, and flowers die. Trees no longer have fruits or even leaves. They are essentially dead. However, during spring, several factors go hand-in-hand to revive the dead earth. Allah sends winds that pollinate plants; rain falls from the sky causing plants to be nourished; and the weather gets warmer to facilitate the healthy growth of plants. Allah says in this verse that He is the one who revives the dead earth. This is one of the greatest signs of Allah. By looking at these signs, we must think, contemplate, exercise our reason, and know that Allah is not only the creator of everything but also the sustainer of everything.

The Noble Reward

Verse 18 of Surah Hadid reads:

إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ ‎﴿١٨﴾

Indeed the charitable men and women and those who lend Allah a good loan—it shall be multiplied for them, and there will be a noble reward for them.

This verse essentially recaps what was said in the previous verses about almsgiving and giving a loan to someone in need. Both bring great rewards. Not only that but also Allah will increase the wealth of those who give alms or grant a loan to someone. For example, if you give someone ten dollars, Allah will multiply that amount, such as ten times, and give you a hundred dollars.

The Truthful and Witnesses With Their Lord

Verse 19 of Surah Hadid reads:

وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصِّدِّيقُونَ ۖ وَٱلشُّهَدَآءُ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ وَنُورُهُمْ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ‎﴿١٩﴾

Those who have faith in Allah and His apostles—it is they who are the truthful and witnesses with their Lord; they shall have their reward and their light. But as for those who are faithless and deny Our signs, they shall be the inmates of hell.

This verse once again highlights the importance of having faith in Allah and His apostles. Those who believe in Allah and His apostles will be truthful people and witnesses with their Lord. Allah will handsomely reward them. In Arabic, the word “siddiq” means someone who is extremely truthful, such that their words verify their actions. Some have said that the word “shuhada’ ” refers to martyrs and that Allah gives the reward of martyrs to those who believe in Him and His apostles. In the latter part of the verse, Allah emphasizes the fact that the disbelievers and those who deny Allah’s signs will go to hell.

The Life of the World

Verse 20 of Surah Hadid reads:

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَزِينَةٌ وَتَفَاخُرُۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَٰمًا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ ‎﴿٢٠﴾‏

Know that the life of this world is mere diversion and play, glamour and mutual vainglory among you and rivalry for wealth and children—like rain, whose growth impresses the farmer. Then it withers and you see it turn yellow, then it becomes chaff. Whereas in the Hereafter there is forgiveness from Allah and His approval and a severe punishment. The life of this world is nothing but the wares of delusion.

Allah is making a comparison between the life of this world and the hereafter. The point Allah is making is that one should not only care about worldly affairs in one’s life. Rather, one must have a Godly intention and do everything one can to flourish their life in the hereafter. Allah does not mean to say that life in this world is useless, as life in this world has been said to be a farm for the hereafter. What Allah is saying is that life in this world is transitory, short-lived, and play compared to the hereafter. Therefore, we must reform our intentions in this world and seek Allah’s pleasure and proximity if we wish to have a good life in the hereafter.

A Paradise as Vast as the Heavens and the Earth

Verse 21 of Surah Hadid reads:

سَابِقُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أُعِدَّتْ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ‎﴿٢١﴾

Take the lead towards forgiveness from your Lord and a paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who have faith in Allah and His apostles. That is Allah’s grace, which He grants to whomever He wishes, and Allah is dispenser of a great grace.

As a continuation of the previous verse where Allah talked about how we should not content ourselves with worldly life, Allah tells us in this verse to strive toward forgiveness instead and a paradise that is as vast as the heavens and the earth. For who is this paradise? It is for those who have faith in Allah and His apostles. The verse ends by mentioning the grace and mercy of Allah, the fact that He gives His grace to whomever He wishes. If we truly seek Allah’s grace, Allah will give it to us.

Everything Is in a Book With Allah

Verse 22 of Surah Hadid reads:

مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَآ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ ‎﴿٢٢﴾

No affliction visits the land or yourselves but it is in a Book before We bring it about—that is indeed easy for Allah.

By affliction, Allah means things such as natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and so forth. It also means things such as the deaths of humans and other devastating events that can happen to human beings. All of these things have been determined by Allah in a special book that we know as the “Protected Tablet,” or “al-Lawh al-Mahfuz.” However, it must be noted that the afflictions mentioned in this verse are those that can never be changed, or else there are also other afflictions that one can avoid through one’s actions. Such afflictions are caused by one’s sins and transgressions. By carefully planning one’s life and avoiding sins, one can also prevent such afflictions.

Do Not Grieve for What You Lose nor Boast for What You Gain

Verse 23 of Surah Hadid reads:

لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا۟ بِمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ‎﴿٢٣﴾‏

So that you may not grieve for what escapes you, nor boast for what comes your way, and Allah does not like any swaggering braggart.

Why should we suffer so many afflictions in this world? Is Allah not the All-beneficent and the All-merciful? Allah says this is so that you do not grieve over what you lose, nor exult in that which you gain. In this way, you will not become attached to this transient worldly life. It is these afflictions that shatter one’s pride and remind one of Allah. At the end of the verse, Allah says that we must not become proud of ourselves and brag about what comes our way.

Who Are the Swaggering Braggarts?

Verse 24 of Surah Hadid reads:

ٱلَّذِينَ يَبْخَلُونَ وَيَأْمُرُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ بِٱلْبُخْلِ ۗ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ٱلْحَمِيدُ ‎﴿٢٤﴾‏

Such as are [themselves] stingy and bid [other] people to be stingy. And whoever refuses to comply [should know that] indeed Allah is the All-sufficient, the All-laudable.

This verse introduces those who are attached to the world, the swaggering braggarts who are also stingy and invite others to stinginess. Yes! The necessary condition for intense attachment to the world is arrogance and pride, and the necessary condition for arrogance and pride is stinginess and inviting others to stinginess. However, stinginess is motivated by the belief that one’s capital is their pride and arrogance, and one never wants to lose it. But inviting others to stinginess is because if others are generous, they will be disgraced, and also because, since they love stinginess, they advocate for something they are passionate about!

And to avoid the perception of Allah’s insistence and emphasis on the issue of spending and abandoning stinginess, or even interpreting Allah’s asking His servants to lend Him a loan in past verses – all of which are intended to encourage them to spend – the verse focuses on His pure essence’s needlessness and self-sufficiency. At the end of the verse, it adds:

“And whoever refuses to comply [should know that] indeed Allah is the All-sufficient, the All-laudable.”

Everyone is in need of Him, and He is independent of all because all treasures and main resources belong to Him, and since He encompasses all qualities of perfection, He is deserving of all praise.

Manifest Proofs, the Book, the Balance, and Iron

Verse 25 of Surah Hadid reads:

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ ٱلنَّاسُ بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۖ وَأَنزَلْنَا ٱلْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُۥ وَرُسُلَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَوِىٌّ عَزِيزٌ ‎﴿٢٥﴾‏

Certainly We sent Our apostles with manifest proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that mankind may maintain justice; and We sent down iron, in which there is great might and uses for mankind, and so that Allah may know those who help Him and His apostles [with faith] in the Unseen. Indeed Allah is all-strong, all-mighty.

This verse talks about the mission of the prophets and how they came to administer justice in society. Allah sent the prophets with manifest proofs so that people would believe in them and trust them. Allah also gave them the Book, meaning Holy Scriptures. Balance here means a set of rules through which they could maintain equity and justice. Every society needs a leader to guide them toward the right path. Therefore, Allah sent the prophets to fulfill this duty.

The verse then talks about iron. Allah created iron for us so that we may make the best use of it. What Allah means by saying that there is great might in it could refer to the fact that one can make weapons with iron such as swords, spears, arrows, and nowadays guns and armored vehicles. However, we must make good use of these weapons and only use them for furthering the interests of Islam and Muslims. The verse ends by saying how it is Allah who is all-strong, all-mighty, and invincible to say that no one can ever defeat Him and how He and His true servants will always prevail over others.

The Prophethood of Noah, Abraham, and Their Descendants

Verse 26 of Surah Hadid reads:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا ٱلنُّبُوَّةَ وَٱلْكِتَٰبَ ۖ فَمِنْهُم مُّهْتَدٍ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ ‎﴿٢٦﴾

Certainly We sent Noah and Abraham and We ordained among their descendants prophethood and the Book. Some of them are [rightly] guided, and many of them are transgressors.

Allah talks about two of His greatest prophets, Noah (Nuh) and Abraham (Ibrahim). All the prophets after them were among their descendants. Abraham himself was a descendant of Noah. Noah is known as Shaykh al-Anbiya, the elder of prophets because of his long life, and Abraham is known as Ab al-Anbiya, the father of prophets because all the other prophets descended from him. The verse emphasizes the fact that only Allah makes someone a prophet and not people. Then the verse says that among the descendants of Noah and Abraham, there were some who were rightly guided, but most of them were wrongdoers. This can be seen in peoples such as the Children of Israel and the pagan Arabs before the advent of Islam.

Many of them were transgressors and only some were rightly guided. This further shows that Allah selects His prophets and Imams only from among His pure servants and not due to their family ties.

Did Jesus Instruct People to Practice Monasticism?

Verse 27 of Surah Hadid reads:

ثُمَّ قَفَّيْنَا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِم بِرُسُلِنَا وَقَفَّيْنَا بِعِيسَى ٱبْنِ مَرْيَمَ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْإِنجِيلَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ رَأْفَةً وَرَحْمَةً وَرَهْبَانِيَّةً ٱبْتَدَعُوهَا مَا كَتَبْنَٰهَا عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ رِضْوَٰنِ ٱللَّهِ فَمَا رَعَوْهَا حَقَّ رِعَايَتِهَا ۖ فَـَٔاتَيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ ‎﴿٢٧﴾

Then We followed them up with Our apostles and We followed [them] with Jesus son of Mary, and We gave him the Evangel, and We put kindness and mercy into the hearts of those who followed him. But as for monasticism, they innovated it—We had not prescribed it for them—only seeking Allah’s pleasure. Yet they did not observe it with due observance. So We gave to the faithful among them their [due] reward, but many of them are transgressors.

Jesus was one of the descendants of Abraham from his son Isaac through his mother Mary. Allah appointed him as the prophet of the Israelites and gave him the Gospel. Those who followed him were kind-hearted and full of mercy. There were some of his followers who later invented monasticism. Jesus never had instructed them to practice it. They would forgo all sexual pleasures and dedicate themselves to serving God in churches as priests and nuns seeking His pleasure. Yet, they did not fully observe what they had innovated, and they could not forgo sensual pleasures. Islam strongly rejects monasticism because it isolates and distances one from social activities and bans marriage, the most loved foundation in the eyes of Allah. The Prophet (s) said, “Allah did not legislate monasticism for my nation. Instead, my nation must strive (do jihad) in the way of Allah.”

The Double Share of Allah’s Mercy and a Light

Verse 28 of Surah Hadid reads:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَءَامِنُوا۟ بِرَسُولِهِۦ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَيَجْعَل لَّكُمْ نُورًا تَمْشُونَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ‎﴿٢٨﴾

O you who have faith! Be wary of Allah and have faith in His Apostle. He will grant you a double share of His mercy and a light to walk by, and He will forgive you, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.

Allah in this verse asks Muslims to deepen their faith in Allah and His Apostle. What is meant by double the share of Allah’s mercy could be an inward light and divine forgiveness, which is mentioned in the continuation of the verse. Those who are Godwary and have faith in Allah will be forgiven for their sins and rewarded.

Allah’s Great Grace

Verse 29, the last verse of Surah Hadid, reads:

لِّئَلَّا يَعْلَمَ أَهْلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَلَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ مِّن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ ۙ وَأَنَّ ٱلْفَضْلَ بِيَدِ ٱللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو ٱلْفَضْلِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ‎﴿٢٩﴾

So that the People of the Book may know that they have no power over anything of Allah’s grace, and that all grace is in Allah’s hand, which He grants to whomever He wishes, and Allah is dispenser of a great grace.

This verse is an answer to a group of the People of the Book who used to say, “Allah gives two rewards for those among the People of the Book who believe in Muhammad. Therefore, the likes of us who have not believed in him will have one reward just like other Muslims.” The Quran says that all Muslims have two rewards because they believe in the Apostle of Allah and all the prophets before him. However, those among the People of the Book who have not believed in Muhammad have no share of the reward. This is so that they know that Allah’s grace is not in their hands to give it to whomever they wish and deprive it of whomever they wish.

Conclusion

Surah Hadid is the 57^th chapter in the Noble Quran that covers a rich variety of topics. The surah begins by glorifying Allah and mentioning some of His attributes and how He has power and knowledge over all things. Then it gives certain instructions to the readers, such as believing in Allah and His Apostle and giving zakat. Allah says a great reward awaits those who do this. Allah emphasizes the importance of almsgiving and lending a good loan to Allah, which is giving a loan to one’s fellow brothers and sisters in faith. Then the surah talks about some events that occur on the Day of Judgment and how the righteous will enter paradise while the hypocrites and disbelievers go to hell. Verse 25 speaks of the creation of iron and its benefits, that which the surah is named after.

Finally, the surah talks about the delegation of prophets from Noah, Abraham, to Jesus. It talks about monasticism and how it was an innovation and not something that Allah had legislated for the Christians. The verse ends with saying that the People of the Book do not have the authority to say who receives Allah’s grace and who does not. Rather, it is Allah who grants His grace to whomever He wishes.