Surah 57. Al-Hadeed - Iron

Know all of you that (in comparison to Eternity) the life of this world is only play and a fleeting delight, and your mutual bragging, and pursuit of riches and children. It is like abundant rain that brings forth plantation and pleases the farmers. But then the plantation may wither and you can see it turn into yellow hay. And in the end it crumbles into dust! But in the Hereafter it is either grievous suffering or forgiveness from God and His approval. And what is the life of this world, but an enjoyment of illusion.

[Therefore, invest in the life to come for lasting rewards. 3:14-15, 10:24-25, 16:92, 18:45-46, 14:18, 24:39, 83:26, 102:1. Kuffar in this verse, very uniquely, has been used in the very literal sense. Contrary to the popular translations, Kuffar here does not mean ‘disbelievers’ or ‘unbelievers’. It refers to those who conceal the Truth. This is the only verse in the Qur’an where Kuffar is indicating those who hide something - specifically, the farmers who cover the seed with soil. While that in itself is a laudable work, in the given similitude the verse is talking about a crop that quickly turns into useless chaff. However, in this instance Kuffar = Farmers. In general, the term indicates those who conceal the Truth, and actively and knowingly hide or deny it. Also those who ‘hide gratitude’ or refuse to be grateful for any blessings bestowed upon them, including the blessing of guidance]

Be foremost in seeking the protection from your Lord, and a Garden as vast as the heaven and the earth. It has been readied for those who choose to believe in God and His messengers. Such is God’s Bounty that He bestows upon him who wills it. And God is the Lord of abounding Bounty. [The Paradise encompasses the entire Universe. 3:133]

No disaster befalls the earth, nor yourselves but according to the Laws that We have already recorded in the Book of Decrees. Surely, all this is easy for God.

Thus despair not over whatever has left you, nor exult for whatever you have been given. For, God does not love those who are boastful, proud.

They are stingy and enjoin the people to be stingy. But if one turns away, then God is Rich, Praiseworthy.

Indeed, We sent Our messengers with the evident Truth and revealed with them the Law and the Standard of right and wrong that mankind may deal in justice. And We have bestowed on from high the iron in which there is awesome power and many benefits for people. For, God marks out those who help Him and His messengers although the victory may initially be obscure to them. Surely, God is Strong, Almighty. [Meezaan = Balance of measure = Standard of justice. As proven by modern science, the iron is not native to earth. It has come down from higher celestial bodies]

We sent Noah and Abraham and granted� prophethood and Scripture to their progeny. Some of them remained rightly guided, but a great many of them drifted away.

Then, in succession, We followed them up with (other of) Our messengers. We caused them to be followed by Jesus son of Mary and gave him the Gospel. And We placed kindness and compassion in the hearts of those who followed him. As for monastic asceticism - We had never ordained it to them. They invented it themselves to seek God’s approval. But then, they did not uphold the Gospel with right observance. And so those who truly believed among them, We gave them their reward. But, a great many of them have been drifting away.

O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! Be mindful of God and put faith in His Messenger. And He will bestow on you a double reward of His Grace. He will appoint for you a light by which you shall walk, and He will absolve your faults. For, God is Forgiving, Merciful.

And the People of the Scripture should know that they have no power whatsoever over the Bounty of God. All Bounty is in God’s hand and He grants it according to His Laws. And God is the Lord of a tremendous Bounty. [He is the Lord of the Worlds and the Lord of all mankind and He does not discriminate between people. 1:1, 114:1]