Commentary on the Koran: Surah 30 (No. Q030)

Pickthall Translation; English Standard Version used unless otherwise noted.

Introduction
Surah 30 Ar-Rum “The Romans” takes its name from a word in the first verse.

The Roman-Persian wars were in essence the longest running series of wars in human history. The conflicts began in essence after the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians and the Persian invasion of Greece as the Torso of Silver of Daniel Chapter 2. The Greeks under Alexander symbolised by the “He goat” ran at the “Ram” of Persia and took over from Persia as the Babylonian kings of the North. The Seleucid Empire was the successor to the Greek system and after its fall the Seleucid system ruled the east. The Romans ruled the west from Rome succeeding the Greeks as the legs of Iron in Daniel Chapter 2 and then developed the empire in the east from Byzantium ruled from Constantinople from the rule of Constantine.

The Parthians ruled from Persia and Arabia and came into conflict with Rome from 54 BCE and this section of the conflict was to last through the late Republic and until the fall of the Parthian Empire (and the move of a number of their tribes into NW Europe in the Second century); and through the rule of the Sasanian Persian Empire.

There were several vassal kingdoms in the form of buffer states as well as several allied nomadic nations who also played a role.

After the fall of the Parthians the border between the empires shifted from north of the Euphrates to the east to the Tigris River and north into Armenia and the Caucus.

The wars were ended by the Arab Muslim invasions, which led to the Fall of the Sasanian Empire and huge territorial losses for the Byzantine Eastern Roman Empire, shortly after the end of the last war between them.

The war lasted for seven centuries up until the rise of Islam and the border remained relatively stable between them but towns near the border and often provinces were sacked. The Paulicians in the area were persecuted. While the Unitarian churches there and in Arabia were persecuted, they could not be subdued. With the rise of Islam

the face of the Middle East changed.

By the Sixth century the armies there had adopted each other’s tactics and were more or less evenly matched. This was the scene for Surah 30. It was delivered in the Middle Beccan period ca 615-616 some seven years before the Hijrah in 622. In 613 the persecutions saw the poor of the church flee from Becca to Abyssinia and seek refuge under the Negus and the Sabbatarian church in Abyssinia. We see the details from the Introduction to the Surah 19 “Maryam.”

The Persians had defeated the armies of the Eastern Roman Empire in all the territories near Arabia. In 613 CE, at the time of the first Hijrah, Jerusalem and Damascus fell and in 614 Egypt fell. At the time of this Surah a Persian Army had invaded Anatolia and was threatening Constantinople itself.

The pagan Arabs rejoiced in Persian victories over the Muslims as they, like the Romans, were believers in one God, even as a triune system, whereas the Persians were not. Thus the claims of the Supremacy of Allah were being refuted by the victories of the Persians. That view however was destroyed after the subsequent battles, from Badr onwards, and the fall of Becca as we saw in the previous Surahs 8 and 9 following.

The Roman-Persian wars proved catastrophic for both empires. Exhausted and vulnerable they were faced with the Caliphate which invaded both empires a few years after the last Roman-Persian war.

With the rise of Islam, the Caliphate then took over the Persian conquests and the former Roman possessions of the Levant and the Caucasus, Egypt and the rest of North Africa.

Surah 30 opens with two prophecies. The first being that the Romans would overcome and have victory over the Persians. The second was that within ten years the Muslims would have reason to rejoice also. In 624 the Muslims had their first victory at the Battle of Badr and then subsequently they were to overcome the Beccans, then build the Armies of Islam.

By 624 the Romans had defeated the Persians and entered Persian territory. This conflict was in fact to extend to the Last Days under the prophecies of Daniel to which the Prophet referred; although Islam does not understand these prophecies because they do not study not being baptised with the Holy Spirit.

The connection to the Book of Daniel is clear. Even Pickthall understands that the prophecies were only the prelude to the universal Kingdom of God which was to be established by Messiah as we see from the “Stone uncut by human hands” that strikes the empire of the last days on the feet of the Ten Toes of “iron and miry clay” (cf. Daniel chapter 2:41-45). The text also shows a knowledge of the Roman aspects of the Feet of iron and miry clay of the Holy Roman Empire (590-1850 CE) and the impact of the last empire of the Ten Toes of Daniel chapter 11 also.

The text then deals with the Laws of God as laws of nature in the Physical sphere and subject to the Laws which proceed from His very Nature. They are subject to His Mercy but are equal and just and not subject to respect of persons. None can escape them by wisdom or cunning. His Law surrounds all and the same standard of judgment applies to all. Those doing good earn His favour and those doing evil earn His wrath no matter what their creed or tribe. All judgment is according to the Laws of God in which there is no respect of persons.

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30.1. Alif. Lam. Mim.

Isaiah 46:9-10 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'

Job 21:22 Will any teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those who are on high?

Psalm 33:13-15 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man; ¹⁴from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, ¹⁵he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.

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.

30.2. The Romans have been defeated

30.3. In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious

30.4. Within ten years - Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter - and in that day believers will rejoice

30.5. In Allah's help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful.

Note also Daniel Chapter 2:41-45.

1Samuel 17:47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Jude 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

30.6. It is a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise, but most of mankind know not.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Daniel 9:4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

1Corinthians 2:14 A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the things of God's Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can't understand them because they are spiritually evaluated. (ISV)

30.7. They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the Hereafter.

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.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

1Thessalonians 4:13-14 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

30.8. Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of mankind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord.

Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Psalm 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Jeremiah 32:17 'Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

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

Read also Revelation 20:11-15 as quoted at ayat 17.15 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

30.9. Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? They were stronger than these in power, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built. Messengers of their own came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty). Surely Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.

30.10. Then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Allah and made a mock of them.

God states that the earlier generations excelled far more and were stronger than the current generation. They perished as they did not heed the warnings of the messengers sent to them. They refused to repent and submit to the ways of the One True God and as a result ruined themselves.

2Chronicles 36:16 But 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.

Job 9:4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?

Job 8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?

Job 34:12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

30.11. Allah produceth creation, then He reproduceth it, then unto Him ye will be returned.

Psalm 104:30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The original creation became tohu and bohu and God recreated the planet for the human species and in the near future will do it again as Isaiah 65:17 states above.

30.12. And in the day when the Hour riseth the unrighteous will despair.

Isaiah 2:19-20 And men shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the glory of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. ²⁰In that day men will cast forth their idols of silver and their idols of gold, which they made for themselves to worship, to the moles and to the bats,

Luke 21:25-26 And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, ²⁶people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

30.13. There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Allah. And they will reject their partners (whom they ascribed unto Him).

Isaiah 41:24 Behold, you are nothing, and your work is nought; an abomination is he who chooses you.

Isaiah 41:29 Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their molten images are empty wind.

Psalm 89:6-8 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD, ⁷a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible above all that are round about him? ⁸O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as thou art, O LORD, with thy faithfulness round about thee?

1Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:30 since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of their faith and the uncircumcised through their faith.

30.14. In the day when the Hour cometh, in that day they will be sundered.

Matthew 25:32-33 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

30.15. As for those who believed and did good works, they will be made happy in a Garden.

The text again refers to the Gardens of Paradise of the First or Second Resurrection.

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 5:10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

30.16. But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, such will be brought to doom.

Matthew 25:41Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Read also Revelation 20:11-15 as quoted at ayat 17.15 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

30.17. So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning –

30.18. Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth! - and at the sun's decline and in the noonday.

Psalm 119:164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

Psalm 34:1 Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 55:17 Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

30.19. He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and He bringeth forth the dead from the living, and He reviveth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth.

See Psalm 104:30 at ayat 30.11 above.

Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

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.

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.

1Samuel 2:6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

30.20. And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!

30.21. And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect.

30.22. And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge.

Genesis 2:7 then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Genesis 11:1 There was a time when the entire earth spoke a common language with an identical vocabulary. (ISV)

Genesis 11:7-8 Come on! Let's go down there and confuse their language, so that they won't understand each other's speech." ⁸So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the surface of the whole earth, so that they had to stop building the city. (ISV)

Acts 17:26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Ephesians 5:33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

1Peter 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Hebrews 2:4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Psalm 66:5-6 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. ⁶He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,

Psalm 107:31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

See Jeremiah 32:17 at ayat 30.8 above.

30.23. And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who heed.

Psalm 104:23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Hosea 14:9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

30.24. And of His signs is this: He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and sendeth down water from the sky, and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who understand.

1Samuel 12:18 So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

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

Psalm 135:7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Zechariah 10:1 Ask rain from the LORD in the season of the spring rain, from the LORD who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.

Psalm 104:13-14 He waters the mountains from his heavenly rooms; the earth is satisfied from the fruit of your work. ¹⁴He causes grass to sprout for the cattle and plants for people to cultivate, to produce food from the land, (ISV)

Psalm 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

30.25. And of His signs is this: The heavens and the earth stand fast by His command, and afterward, when He calleth you, lo! from the earth ye will emerge.

Psalm 102:25-27 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. ²⁶They 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, ²⁷but you are the same, and your years have no end.

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

John 5:25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

30.26. Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient unto Him.

Psalm 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Psalm 103:2, 21 ²Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

²¹Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!

Job 37:12 They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world.

30.27. He it is Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and it is easier for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude in the heavens and the earth. He is the Mighty, the Wise.

So also the two creations: from Job 38:4-7 and Genesis 1:1ff.

See Psalm 104:30 and Isaiah 65:17 at ayat 30.11 above.

Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

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

1Timothy 1:17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Proverbs 21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

See Jeremiah 32:17 at ayat 30.8 above.

30.28. He coineth for you a similitude of yourselves. Have ye, from among those whom your right hands possess, partners in the wealth We have bestowed upon you, equal with you in respect thereof, so that ye fear them as ye fear each other (that ye ascribe unto Us partners out of that which We created)? Thus We display the revelations for people who have sense.

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.

2Kings 19:18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.

1Corinthians 8:5-6 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ⁶yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

30.29. Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? For such there are no helpers.

Psalm 81:11-12 But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. ¹²So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.

Jude 1:18-19 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." ¹⁹It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Isaiah 44:18 They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.

Proverbs 24:20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

30.30. So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not

2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Matthew 5:17-18 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. ¹⁸For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

30.31. Turning unto Him (only); and be careful of your duty unto Him and establish worship, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him);

Joel 2:12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

Hosea 12:6 "So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God." (RSV)

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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.

30.32. Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets.

Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. ¹⁸For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. ¹⁰As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, ¹¹knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

1Corinthians 11:18-19 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, ¹⁹for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

30.33. And when harm toucheth men they cry unto their Lord, turning to Him in repentance; then, when they have tasted of His mercy, behold! some of them attribute partners to their Lord.

This reminds us of Psalm 107. When misfortune and adversity come their way they cry out to God and when they have been delivered from their troubles they go the way of the nations around them.

Psalm 78:10-17 They did not keep God’s covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. ¹¹They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them. ¹²In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. ¹³He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. ¹⁴ In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. ¹⁵He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. ¹⁶He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers. ¹⁷Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

30.34. So as to disbelieve in that which We have given them. (Unto such it is said): Enjoy yourselves awhile, but ye will come to know.

Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

2Corinthians 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

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.

See 1 John 2:16 at ayat 30.7 above.

30.35. Or have We revealed unto them any warrant which speaketh of that which they associate with Him?

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before

me.

Romans 3:31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Refer Matthew 5:17-18 at ayat 30.30 above.

30.36. And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein; but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo! they are in despair!

Psalm 107:8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

See Psalm 107:31 at ayat 30.22 above.

Man thinks he deserves good things but when things do not work out in his favour he is downcast.

30.37. See they not that Allah enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will). Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who believe.

Romans 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:9-10 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! ¹⁰The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 104:28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.

The wise ponder and reflect on all that transpires around them, the rest just get washed away like dead fish in a stream.

30.38. So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah's Countenance. And such are they who are successful.

1Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

1John 3:17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. ¹⁰And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.

Matthew 6:3-4 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; ²⁶the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

30.39. That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold.

(cf. Law and the Eight Commandment (No. 261)).

Leviticus 25:36 Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.

Deuteronomy 23:19 You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.

Psalm 15:5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Ezekiel 18:8 does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man,

2Corinthians 9:6-7 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ⁷Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

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

Proverbs 22:9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

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.

30.40. Allah is He Who created you and then sustained you, then causeth you to die, then giveth life to you again. Is there any of your (so-called) partners (of Allah) that doeth aught of that? Praised and Exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)!

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

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.

1Samuel 2:6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Psalm 96:4-5 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.⁵For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

30.41. Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men's hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return.

Psalm 53:2-3 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. ³They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Daniel 9:5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.

Romans 8:19-21 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

30.42. Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for those who were before you! Most of them were idolaters.

Most of mankind have been idolaters and have been lawless humans who did what was right in their own eyes and followed in the traditions of their ancestors who knew no better. They refuse to repent when warned by messengers of God to do so and they faced destruction and ruin to their lives. As the quotes from Revelation below state, most of mankind will not repent even when confronted with all the plagues that will be inflicted upon the inhabitants of this planet.

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

Revelation 9:20-21 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, ²¹nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 16:9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.

30.43. So set thy purpose resolutely for the right religion, before the inevitable day cometh from Allah. On that day mankind will be sundered-

30.44. Whoso disbelieveth must (then) bear the consequences of his disbelief, while those who do right make provision for themselves –

30.45. That He may reward out of His bounty those who believe and do good works. Lo! He loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance).

See James 1:27 at ayat 30.30 above.

Isaiah 1:17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

Refer also to Matthew 25:32-41 for the parable of the sheep and the goats.

See Revelation 20:6 at ayat 30.15 above.

Read also Revelation 20:11-15 as quoted at ayat 17.15 in Commentary on the Koran: Surah 17 (No. Q017).

30.46. And of His signs is this: He sendeth herald winds to make you taste His mercy, and that the ships may sail at His command, and that ye may seek his favour, and that haply ye may be thankful.

Psalm 104:4 who makest the winds thy messengers, fire and flame thy ministers. (RSV)

Psalm 107:23-24, 31 ²³Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; ²⁴they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.

³¹Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

Mark 4:37-38 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. ³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" (RSV)

Acts 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

God controls the weather just as He controls everything of the creation. God would like them to be thankful for all the good that He does to man.

Ephesians 1:11-12 In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do, ¹²so that we who had already fixed our hope on the Messiah might live for his praise and glory. (ISV)

Psalm 5:12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Hosea 14:2 Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.

30.47. Verily We sent before thee (Muhammad) messengers to their own folk. Then we took vengeance upon those who were guilty (in regard to them). To help believers is ever incumbent upon Us.

2Chronicles 36:15-17 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. ¹⁷Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand.

Proverbs 12:21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

Psalm 91:10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

30.48. Allah is He Who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth Him, and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them. And when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, lo! they rejoice;

30.49. Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair.

Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.

Psalm 104:13-15 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. ¹⁴You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth ¹⁵and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Psalm 135:7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 148:8 fire, hail, snow, fog, and wind storm that carry out his command, (ISV)

Matthew 5:44-45 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Jeremiah 14:4 The ground is cracked, because there has been no rain in the land. The farmers are disappointed, and they cover their heads in shame. (ISV)

30.50. Look, therefore, at the prints of Allah's mercy (in creation): how He quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! He verily is the Quickener of the Dead, and He is Able to do all things.

Psalm 65:9-12 You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. ¹⁰You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. ¹¹You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. ¹²The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,

John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

30.51. And if We sent a wind and they beheld it yellow, they verily would still continue in their disbelief.

Isaiah 40:24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

The way we respond to a trial can make us stronger or it may lead to bitterness and lead us to throw away the Faith.

30.52. For verily thou (Muhammad) canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee.

30.53. Nor canst thou guide the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear save those who believe in Our revelations so that they surrender (unto Him).

John 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them."

Jeremiah 3:14 Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."

Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

30.54. Allah is He Who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then, after strength, appointed weakness and grey hair. He createth what He will. He is the Knower, the Mighty.

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,

The cycle that begins when the child is conceived, grows into an adult and gains strength, then goes on downhill and decays until he dies is also applicable to the rise, growth and decay of empires.

Job 12:23 He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.

Acts 17:26-27 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Job 37:23 The Almighty—we cannot find him; he is great in power; justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

30.55. And on the day when the Hour riseth the guilty will vow that they did tarry but an hour - thus were they ever deceived.

30.56. But those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say: The truth is, ye have tarried, by Allah's decree, until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but ye used not to know.

30.57. In that day their excuses will not profit those who did injustice, nor will they be allowed to make amends.

Matthew 24:36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

See John 5:25 at ayat 30.25 above.

Read also Revelation 20:11-15 as quoted in many previous Surahs.

30.58. Verily We have coined for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes; and indeed if thou camest unto them with a miracle, those who disbelieve would verily exclaim: Ye are but tricksters!

Mark 4:11 And he said to them, "To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables,

Luke 16:31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'

30.59. Thus doth Allah seal the hearts of those who know not.

Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.

Refer John 12:40 at ayat 30.53 above.

30.60. So have patience (O Muhammad)! Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make thee impatient.

See Psalm 119:160 at ayat 30.8 above.

2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Compare the paper Truth (No. 168) as the basis of the faith. Note also that the prophecies of Daniel and the time frames are explained in the prophecies of Ezekiel. The Prophet was aware of the time frames of these two works and where the faith was at that time (cf. The Fall of Egypt Part I The Prophecy of Pharaoh’s Broken Arms (No. 036) and the Fall of Egypt Part II: The Wars of the End (No. 036_2)).

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