21. Al-Anbiya (The Prophets) |
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Maududi's Introduction |
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The name of this Surah has not been taken from any verse but it has
been called Al-Anbiyaa because it contains a continuous account of
many Anbiyaa (Prophets). Nevertheless, it is a symbolic name and not a
title.
Both the subject matter and the style of the Surah indicate that it was
sent down in the third stage of the life of the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon
him) at
Makkah.(Sea Introduction to Chapter VI).
This Surah discusses the conflict between the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon
him) and the
chiefs of Makkah, which was rampant at the time of its Revelation and
answers those objections and doubts which were being put forward
concerning his Prophethood and the Doctrines of Tauhid and the
Hereafter. The chiefs of Makkah have also been rebuked for their
machinations against the Prophet (Allah's peace be upon him) and warned of the evil
consequences of their wicked activities. They have been admonished to
give up their indifference and heedlessness that they were showing
about the Message. At the end of the Surah, they have been told that
the person whom they considered to be a "distress and affliction" had
in reality come to them as a blessing.
In vv. 1-47, the following themes have been discussed in particular :
In vv. 48-91, instances have been cited from the important events of the life stories of the Prophets to show that all the Prophets, who were sent by God, were human beings and had all the characteristics of a man except those which were exclusive to Prophethood. They had no share in Godhead and they had to implore Allah to fulfill each and every necessity of theirs. Along with these two other things have also been mentioned:
In vv. 92-106, it has been declared that only those who follow the Right Way, will come out successful in the final judgment of God and those who discard it shall meet with the worst consequences. In vv. 107-112, the people have been told that it is a great favour of Allah that He has sent His Messenger to inform them beforehand of this Reality and that those, who consider his coming to be an affliction instead of a blessing, are foolish people. |
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