[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 42

৪২. অতএব আজকের দিনে তোমরা একে অপরের কোন উপকার ও অপকার করার অধিকারী হবে না আর আমি জালেমদেরকে বলব, তোমরা আগুনের যে শাস্তিকে মিথ্যা বলতে তা আস্বাদন কর।  

Ayat 42. So Today (i.e. the Day of Resurrection), none of you can profit or harm one another. And Allah shall say to those who did wrong [i.e. worshipped others (like angels, jinns, prophets, saints, righteous persons, etc.) along with Allah]: "Taste the torment of the Fire which you used to belie.

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat.42. So on that Day no power shall they have over each other, for profit or harm: and We shall say to the wrong-doers, "Taste ye the Penalty of the Fire,-which ye were wont to deny!"The supposed "rivals" of Allah—the false things whereon men set their hopes and fears-will have no power whatever when true values are restored; and the Fire the Penalty-which they doubted or derided, will become the dominating thing in their experience (Cf. 35:13-14).

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Follow the Right Path of Faith strictly, and be steadfast; and keep in mind that none of you can achieve salvation through his (good) actions.'' Someone asked, "Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?'' He [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Not even me, unless Allah grants me His Mercy and Grace". [Muslim Book 39, Chapter 15, Hadith # 6762]. 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 42. “none of you can profit or harm one another” This Hadith tells us that although the importance of Faith and its practice is beyond any shadow of doubt, because this is the only way to attain His Favors and Blessings, but one should not entirely depend upon practice only because any shortcoming (which one does not even know) can ruin a good deed. It is, therefore, essential that we also pray that our good deeds are accepted by Allah and that He grants us His Infinite Mercy and sincerity because even the greatest noble deed is invalid without it.  

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 41

৪১. ফেরেশতারা বলবে, আপনি পবিত্র, আমরা আপনার পক্ষে, তাদের পক্ষে নই, বরং তারা জিনদের পূজা করত। তাদের অধিকাংশই শয়তানে বিশ্বাসী।

Ayat 41. They (angels) will say: "Glorified be You! You are our Wali (Lord) instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the jinns; most of them were believers in them."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 41. They will say, "Glory to Thee! our (tie) is with Thee -as Protector - not with them. Nay, but they worshipped the Jinns: most of them believed in them." Wali in Arabic may mean Friend either in the sense of Protector and Benefactor or in the sense of the Beloved. The tie of benevolence, confidence, and friendship is implied, either active or passive. The angels first proclaim their dependence on Allah and their need of His protection, and then disclaim any idea of their having protected or encouraged the false worshippers to worship beings other than Allah. They go further, and suggest that when men pretended to worship angels, they worshipped, not angels, but Jinns. See next note. Jinns: see Surah 6: Ayat 100 The false worshippers pretended to worship the bright and radiant angels of good, but in reality worshipped the dark and hidden forces of evil-the devils hidden within themselves or in the life around them. They trusted and believed in such forces of evil, although such forces of evil had really no power.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) used to say: "Allahumma inni as'alukal-huda wat-tuqa wal-`afafa wal-ghina (O Allah! I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity and self-sufficiency)". [Muslim Book 37, Chapter 17, Hadith # 6566]. 

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 41. “You are our Wali (Lord) instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the jinns; most of them were believers in them." This Hadith contains four words, the meanings and implications of which constitute its essence. These words are guidance, piety (fear of Allah), chastity and sufficiency. Guidance here means guidance at every turn of life and steadfastness on the path of truth. Fear of Allah is the greatest means of piety and strongest defense against sins. Chastity is the state of being free from what is unlawful. Self-sufficiency is the antonym of poverty and here it means the self-contentment. What it implies is that one should not care for what people possess. In view of all these qualities, the prayer of the Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) mentioned in this Hadith is very comprehensive and valuable.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 40

৪০. যেদিন তিনি তাদের সবাইকে একত্রিত করবেন এবং ফেরেশতাদেরকে বলবেন, এরা কি তোমাদেরই পূজা করত?

Ayat 40. And (remember) the Day of Resurrection when Allah will gather them all together, and then will say to the angels: "Was it you that these people used to worship?"

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 40. One Day He will gather them all together, and say to the angels, "Was it you that these men used to worship?" Here we have the case of the worship of angels or supposed Powers of Allah, or supposed beneficent spirits that men turn to instead of worshipping the true God. In fact these are mere names to the false worshippers. It is not the Good that they worship but the Evil, which leads them astray.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said,  Hazrat Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: e Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "He who bears witness that there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad  [SAWW] is His slave and His Messenger, that `Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting whatever deeds he accomplished". [Muslim Book 01, Chapter 11, Hadith # 043].

Another narration in Muslim is: e Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Whosoever testifies that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah , Allah (SWT) saves him from the Fire (of Hell)".

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 40. “the Day of Resurrection when Allah will gather them all together, and then will say to the angels: "Was it you that these people used to worship?" This Hadith confirms that all Prophets of Allah were men and thus refutes those who attribute divinity to them and exclude them from the category of men or regard them a part of Allah, as Christians believes Prophet `Isa (Jesus to be Christ) by regarding him Allah or His son, or the Jews do Prophet `Uzair by venerating him as son of Allah. The misconception has also taken hold of a sect of the Muslims. They have invented the belief that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is "Light from the Light of Allah". Thus further considering being of him with Divine qualities. They exclude him from the category of men. This Hadith tells us that the belief that Prophets were men constitutes part of Faith and denial of it is the denial of a part of Faith and amounts to evasion from Tauhid - Oneness of Allah. Prophet `Isa (Jesus) has been referred in the Qur'an as "Kalimatullah" (the Word of Allah) (4:171). What these words really mean is that he was born in an unusual manner, without being fathered by anyone, only on the express firm belief in Allah. This Hadith shows that a major sin does not cast a Muslim out of the fold of Islam, as is believed by certain deviant sects who have gone astray. Such a person does remain a Muslim and his eligibility for admission into Jannah also remains intact but his admission entirely depends on the pleasure of Allah. He may forgive a sinful Muslim and send him to Jannah even in the initial stage or keep him in Hell for some time and then send him to Jannah. Thus, when it is said that Muslims are protected against Hell, it means that they will not abide in Hell for ever. It will be a temporary phase varying with his sins. When that punishment comes to an end, or even before it, when Almighty, Allah, wills, he will be removed from Hell to Jannah.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 39

৩৯. বলুন, আমার পালনকর্তা তাঁর বান্দাদের মধ্যে যাকে ইচ্ছা রিযিক বাড়িয়ে দেন এবং সীমিত পরিমাণে দেন। তোমরা যা কিছু ব্যয় কর, তিনি তার বিনিময় দেন। তিনি উত্তম রিযিক দাতা।

Ayat 39. Say: "Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His obedient servants, and (also) restricts (it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 39. Say: "Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to such of his servants as He pleases: and nothing do ye spend in the least (in His cause) but He replaces it: for He is the Best of those who grant Sustenance. Cf. 34:36, above, Even in the seeming inequality of distribution of the good things of life, Allah has a wise and merciful purpose: for nothing arises by chance. He is the best to give us, now and evermore, just those things which sub serve our real needs and advance our inner development.

Hazrat Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "When a non-believer does good deed he is made to taste its reward in this world. And for believer is concerned, Allah (SWT) stores (the reward) of his virtues for the hereafter and provides him sustenance in accordance with his obedience to him (in this world)".

[Muslim Book 39, Chapter 11, Hadith # 6740].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His obedient servants” this Hadith shows the value of the Hereafter and its blessings compared to the worldly life. This Hadith also induces one to work for the life of the Hereafter, as the amenities of this world which one strives hard to attain.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 38

৩৮. আর যারা আমার আয়াতসমূহকে ব্যর্থ করার অপপ্রয়াসে লিপ্ত হয়, তাদেরকে আযাবে উপস্থিত করা হবে।

Ayat 38. And those who strive against Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), to frustrate them, will be brought to the torment.

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 38. Those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them, will be given over into Punishment. Cf. 34:5, where the argument was urged that human efforts to defeat Allah's Plan will only bring humiliation to those who indulge in them. Here the argument is rounded off by the statement that such efforts, besides their failures, will land them in an abyss of punishment contrasted with the "dwellings on high" of the blessed ones.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said,  "Do not ask me unnecessarily about the details of the things which I do not mention to you. Verily, the people before you were doomed because they were used to putting many questions to their Prophets and had differences about their Prophets. Refrain from what I forbid you and do what I command you to the best of your ability and capacity". [Al-Bukhari Chapter # 92 Hadith # 391].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 38. “Those who strive against Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)” To be unnecessarily inquisitive and create differences and confusion in the Injunctions of Allah and His Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) leads to destruction. The safest course lies only in following the Orders of Allah and His Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) without `ifs' and `buts.' Hairsplitting in religious issues falls in this category. It opens the door for chaos and conflict and paves the way for disunity and separation. May Allah give sense to the Muslim Ummah to abandon this road and take the Right Path which ensures peace and security. Let it be absolutely clear that the Right Path is one and one alone. There cannot be multiple right paths, it is one and singular. Once a community leaves the Straight Path, it is sure to go astray.

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 37

৩৭. তোমাদের ধন-সম্পদ ও সন্তান-সন্ততি তোমাদেরকে আমার নিকটবর্তী করবে না। তবে যারা বিশ্বাস স্থাপন করে ও সৎকর্ম করে, তারা তাদের কর্মের বহুগুণ প্রতিদান পাবে এবং তারা সুউচ্চ প্রাসাদে নিরাপদে থাকবে।

Ayat 37. And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Allah (i.e. pleases Allah), but only he (will please Us) who believes (in the Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds; as for such, there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security.

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 37. It is neither your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to Allah in degree: but only those who believe and work righteousness - these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds, while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high! The true test of progress in spiritual life is to be measured by other things than material wealth and influence. What we have to ask ourselves is: are we the least bit nearer to Allah? Cf. 30:39. All worldly goods are but a shadow that will pass away. Its intrinsic and eternal value is small. But those who work righteousness in Faith are on the true path of self-development. The rewards they will get will be intimately more than their merits entitle them to. For they will partake of the boundless Bounties of Allah. Their happiness will not only be great in quantity ("multiplied"), but it will be of a specially sublime quality ("dwellings on high"), and it will endure without any chance of its loss or diminution ("secure they reside").

Hazrat Sahl bin Saad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "Were this world worth a wing of mosquito, He would not have given a drink of water to an (Kafir) infidel.'' [At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2320].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 37. “It is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Allah” This Hadith makes it clear that the world and its wealth and riches have no significance to Allah. Thus, it should not have much significance to the believers. It should be considered a means to reform the Afterlife, or a place of trial.   

[34].Surah Saba [Sheba]: Ayat 36

৩৬. বলুন, আমার পালনকর্তা যাকে ইচ্ছা রিযিক বাড়িয়ে দেন এবং পরিমিত দেন। কিন্তু অধিকাংশ মানুষ তা বোঝে না।

Ayat 36. Say (O Muhammad [SAWW](PBUH): "Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not."

Tafseer of Surah Saba' (Sheba) Ayat 36. Say: "Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the Provision to whom He pleases, but most men understand not." Provision (or Sustenance): good things of all kinds in this life, material goods as well as power, opportunities, influence, mental gifts, etc. These do not necessarily all go to the good, nor is their denial to be interpreted to mean that it is a withdrawal of Allah's favor. Very often the contrary is the case. Their distribution is in accordance with the Universal Plan and Purpose, which is All- Wise and All-Good, but ignorant people cannot understand this.

Hazrat Musaab bin Saad bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Hazrat Saad (bin Abi Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) considered himself better than his inferiors, so The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) said to him, "You are given help & gain no victory or livelihood, provision except through (the blessings and invocations of) the poor (your weak ones) amongst you. [Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 145].

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Saba Ayat 36. “Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases” This Hadith exhorts the resourceful people not to look down upon the poor and resource less people of the society and not to consider themselves superior to others. They should learn to respect the weak and co-operate with them because may be Almighty, Allah, is providing them because of the poor.