Excerpts from the Holy Qur’an, an Eternal Guidance to Mankind

The Non-Believers, the Hypocrites

Shaitan (Iblees) given respite and he in turn vowing to mislead all, but a few human beings

Surah Al – Hijr, 15:36-44

قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

Qaala rab-bi fa-’anzirniii ilaa yawmi yub-‘athuun.

36. Said (Iblees): “Then, O my Sustainer, grant me a respite till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead!”

Qaala fa-in-naka minal munzariin.

37. Answered He: “Verily, so be it: thou shalt be among those who are granted respite

Ilaa yawmil waqtil ma‘luum

38. till the Day the time whereof is known (to Me alone).”

Qaala rab-bi bimaaa aghwaytanii la-uzai-yinan-na lahum fil-arzi wala-ughwi-yan-nahum ajma-‘iin.

39. (Whereupon Iblees) said: “O my Sustainer ! Since Thou hast thwarted me, I shall indeed make (all that is evil) on earth seem goodly to them, and shall most certainly beguile them into grievous error -

Il-laa ‘ibaadaka minhumul mukhlasiin.

40. (all) save such of them as are truly Thy servants!”

Qaala haazaa siraatun ‘alay-ya mustaqiin.

41. Said He: “This is, with Me, a straight way:

In-na ‘ibaadii laisa laka ‘alaihim sultaanun illaa manit-taba-‘aka minal ghaawiin.

42. verily, thou shalt have no power over My creatures - unless it be such as are (already) lost in grievous error and follow thee ( of their own will):

Wa in-na jahan-nama lamaw‘iduhum ajma-‘iin.

43. and for all such, behold, hell is the promised goal,

Lahaa sab‘atu abwaab. Likul-li baabim-minhum juz-um-maqsuum.

44. with seven gates[^1] leading into it, each gate receiving its allotted share of sinners.”

It is said that Iblees has been granted respite until the blowing of the Trumpet which will be given for the total annihilation of all living beings before the Final Judgment. He will meet death between the first and the second blow of the Trumpet.

The Shia concept of ‘Masoom’ is proved in this verse, where even the Arch-deceiver Iblees himself puts an exception in his challenge to beguile the issues of Adam on earth. These are none but the ‘purified ones’ as mentioned in Surah Ahzaab, 33:33 by God Almighty. The purified ones or the Mukhlaseen were the holy apostles and the holy Imams (a) who were free from any kind of sin, pollution or shortcoming from the beginning of their life to its end in this world.

The Seven Doors or the stages of Hell are:

1. Jahannum i.e. the hell
2. Sa’yur i.e. the burning fire
3. Saqar i.e. the scorching fire
4. Jahim i.e. the fierce fire
5. Luza i.e. the flaming fire (Surah al-Ma’aarij, 70:15)
6. Hatamah i.e. the crushing disaster (Surah al-Humaza, 104:4)
7. Huwiyah[^2] i.e. the abyss (Surah al-Qaari’a, 101:9)

Allah’s (swt) respite to the evil doers

Surah Ibrahim, 14:42-43

Wa laa tahsaban-nal-laaha ghaafilan ‘am-maa ya‘-maluz-zaali - muun. ’In-namaa yu-’akh-khiruhum li-Yawmin-tash-khasu fiihil-’absaar,-

42. And do not think that God is unaware of what the evildoers are doing: He but grants them respite until the Day when their eyes will stare in horror.

Muhti-‘iina muqni-‘ii ru-’uusihim laa yartad-du ’ilay-him tar-fuhum, wa ’af-’ida-tuhum hawaaa’!

43. the while they will be running confusedly to and fro, with their heads upraised (in supplication), unable to look away from what they shall behold, and their hearts an abysmal void.

Non-Believers are Unclean (Najis)

Surah At – Tawbah, 9:28

Yaaa-’ay-yu-hal-laziina ’aa-manuuu ’in-namal-Mushri-kuuna najasun falaa yaq-rabul-Masji-dal-Haraama ba‘-da ‘aamihim haazaa. Wa ’in khiftum ‘aylatan fa-saufa yughnii-kumul-laahu min-fazliihii ’in-shaaa’. In-nal-laaha ‘Aliimun Hakiim.

28. O you who believe! the idolaters are nothing but unclean, so they shall not approach the Sacred Mosque after this year; and if you fear poverty then Allah (swt) will enrich you out of His grace if He wills; surely Allah (swt) is knowing, wise.

This clearly establishes the doctrine that the heathens are unclean people and thus water at their hands and food prepared by them is also unclean and should not be touched or consumed by Muslims.

Worshipping of deities along with God by the non-believers

Surah Az – Zumar, 39:3

’Alaa lil-laahid-diinul-khaa-lis? Wal-laziinat-takhazuu min duunihii ’awliyaaa’. Maa na‘-buduhum ’il-laa liyuqar-ribuu-naaa ’ilal-laahi zulfaa. ’In-nal-laaha yah-kumu baynahum fii maa hum fiihi yakhtalifuun. ’In-nal-laaha laa yahdii man huwa kaazibun Kaf-faar.

3. Is it not to God alone that all sincere faith is due? And yet, they who take for their protectors aught beside Him (are wont to say), “We worship them for no other reason than that they bring us nearer to God”

Behold, God will judge between (on Resurrection Day) with regard to all wherein they differ (from the truth): for, verily, God does not grace with His guidance anyone who is bent on lying (to himself and is) stubbornly ingrate!

Good deeds of a non-believer will be of no avail on Day of Judgement

Surah Muhammad, 47:1 and 8-9

’Al-laziina kafaruu wa sad-duu ‘an-Sabiilil-laahi ’azal-la ’a‘-maalahum.

1. As for those who are bent on denying the truth and on barring (others) from the path of God - all their (good) deeds will He let go waste;

Wal-laziina kafa-ruu fata‘-sal-lahum wa ’azal-la ’a‘-maalahum.

8. But as for those who are bent on denying the truth, ill fortune awaits them, since He will let all their (good) deeds go to waste:

Zaalika bi-’an-nahum kari-huu maaa ’anzalal-laahu fa-’ah-bata ’a‘-maalahum.

9. this, because they hate (the very thought of) what God has bestowed from on high - and thus He causes all their deeds to come to nought.

Whatever good deeds they may do will be so completely outweighed by the sin of being an unbeliever that they will amount to nothing on the Day of Judgement.

Surah Az – Zumar, 39:65

Wa laqad ’uuhiya ’ilayka wa ’ilal-laziina min-qablik: la’in ’ashrak-ta la-yah-batan-na ‘amaluka wa latakuu-nan-na minal-khaa-siriin.

65. And yet, it has already been revealed to thee (O man) as well as to those who lived before thee, that if thou ever ascribe divine powers to aught but God, all thy works shall most certainly have been in vain: for (in the life to come) thou shalt most certainly be among the lost.

In Hadith al Qudsi, Allah (swt) says:

“O son of Adam! A king will be thrown into Hell because of his oppression, an Arab because of his pride of being an Arab, a scholar because of his jealousy, the poor because of his lies, businessmen because of their treachery, farmer because of their ignorance, worshippers because of their showing off, wealthy because of their pride, indigents because of their carelessness, dyers because of their fraud, preventors of Zakat because of their prevention.Then where are the seekers of Paradise (Jannah)?”

Fate of those who do not believe in God’s Revelation

Surah Al - A’raf, 7:40

In-nal lazina kaz-zabu bi-aa-yaa-tinaa was-tak-baruu ‘an-haalaa tufat-tahu lahum abwaabus-samaaa-i wa laa yad-khu-luunal Jan-nata hat-ta ya-lijal ja-malu fi sam-mil khiyaat. Wa kazalika naj-zil muj-rimin.

40. Surely (as for) those who reject Our communications and scorn them in their pride, the doors of heaven shall not be opened for them, and they shall not enter paradise any more than the camel can pass through the eye of the needle; and thus do We requite such as are lost in sin.

The example of the passing of a camel through the eye of the needle stands for the impossibility of the action.

State of the non-believers on the Day of Judgement

Surah Ar – Rahman, 55:37-45

Fa-’izan shaq-qatis-samaaa-’u fakaanat wardatan-kad-dihaan:

37. And when the sky is rent asunder and becomes red like (burning) oil -

Fabi-’ay-yi ’aalaaa-’i Rab-bikumaa tukaz-zibaan?

38. Which, then, of your Sustainer’s powers can you disavow?

Fa-yawma-’izil-la yus-’alu ‘an-zam-bihiii ’insunw-wa laa jaaan –

39. For on that Day neither man nor invisible being will be asked about his sins.

Fabi-’ay-yi ’aalaaa-’i Rab-bikumaa tukaz-zibaan?

40. Which, then, of your Sustainer’s powers can you disavow?

Yu‘raful-muj-rimuuna bi-siimaa-hum fa-yuu-khazu bin-nawaasii wal-’aqdaam

41. all who were lost in sin shall by their marks be known, and shall by their forelocks and their feet be seized!

Fabi-’ay-yi ’aalaaa-’i Rab-bikumaa tukaz-zibaan?

42. Which, then, of your Sustainer’s powers can you disavow?

Haazihii Jahan-namul-latii yukaz-zibu bihal-mujrimuun.

43. This will be the hell which those who are lost in sin (now) call a lie:

Yatu-fuuna baynahaa wa bayna hamiimin ’aan!

44. between it and (their own) burning-hot despair will they wander to and fro!

Fabi-’ay-yi ’aalaaa-’i Rab-bikumaa tukaz-zibaan?

45. Which, then, of your Sustainer’s powers can you disavow?

Fate of the non-believers on the Day of Judgement

Surah Al – Ahzab, 33:63-68

Yas-’alukan-naasu ‘anis-Saa-‘ah: qul ’in-namaa ‘ilmuhaa ‘indal-laah: wa maa yud-riika la-‘al-las-Saa-’ata takuunu qariiba!

63. People will ask thee about the Last Hour. Say: “Knowledge thereof rests with God alone; yet for all thou knowest, the Last Hour may well be near!”

’In-nal-laaha la-‘anal - Kaafiriina wa ’a-‘ad-da lahum Sa-‘iiraa,-

64. Verily, God has rejected the deniers of the truth, and has readied for them a blazing fire.

Khaa-lidiina fiihaa abadaa: laa yajiduuna waliy-yanw -wa laa nasiiraa.

65. therein to abide beyond the count of time: no protection will they find, and none to bring them succour.

Yawma tuqal-labu wujuu-huhum fin - Naari yaquuluuna yaa-laytanaaa ’ata‘nal-laaha wa ’ata‘-nar-Rasuulaa!

66. On the Day when their faces shall be tossed about in the fire, they will exclaim, “Oh, would that we had paid heed unto God, and paid heed unto the Apostle!”

Wa qaaluu Rab-banaaa ’in-naaa ’ata‘-naa saadatana wa kubaraaa-ana fa-azal-luunas-sabiilaa.

67. And they will say: “O our Sustainer! Behold, we paid heed unto our leaders and our great men, and it is they who have led us astray from the right path!

Rab-banaaa ’aatihim zi‘-fayni minal - ’Azaabi wal-‘anhum La’-nan-kabiiraa!

68. O our Sustainer! Give them double suffering, and banish them utterly from Thy grace!”

Fate of the hypocrites on the Day of Judgement

Surah Al – Mujadalah, 58:14-21

’Alam tara ’ilal-laziina tawal-lau qawman ghazibal-laahu ‘alay-him? Maa hum-minkum wa laa minhum wa yah-lifuuna ‘alal-kazibi wa hum ya‘-la-muun.

14. Art thou not aware of those who would be friends with people whom God has condemned? They are neither of you (O believers) nor of those (who utterly reject the truth): and so they swear to a falsehood the while they know (it to be false).

’A-‘ad-dal-laahu lahum ‘azaaban-shadiidaa: ’in-nahum saaa-’a maa kaanuu ya‘-maluun.

15. God has readied for them suffering severe (in the life to come). Behold, evil indeed is what they are wont to do:

’It-takha-zuuu ’aymaa-nahum jan-natan-fasad-duu ‘an-Sabiilil-laahi falahum ‘Azaabum-muhiin.

16. they have made their oaths a cover (for their falseness), and thus they turn others away from the path of God: hence, shameful suffering awaits them.

Lan-tughniya ‘anhum ’amwaaluhum wa laaa ’awlaaduhum-minal-laahi shay-’aa: ’ulaaa-’ika ’As-haabun-Naar; hum fiihaa khaa-liduun.

17. Neither their worldly possessions nor their offspring will be of the least avail to them against God: it is they who are destined for the fire, therein to abide!

Yawma yab-‘athuhumul-laahu jamii-‘an fayah-lifuuna lahuu kamaa yah-lifuuna lakum wa yah-sabuuna ’an-nahum ‘alaa shay. alaaa ’in-nahum humul-kaazibuun!

18. On the Day when God will raise them all from the dead, they will swear before Him as they (now) swear before you, thinking that they are on firm ground (in their assumptions).

Oh, verily, it is they, they who are the (greatest) liars!

’Is-tahwaza ‘alay-himush-Shay-taanu fa-’ansaahum zik-ral-laah. ’Ulaaa-’ika Hizbush-Shay-taan. ’Alaaa ’in-na Hiz-bash-Shay-taani humul-khaasiruun!

19. Satan has gained mastery over them, and has caused them to remain oblivious of the remembrance of God,

Such as these are Satan’s partisans: oh, verily, it is they, the partisans of Satan, who will truly be the loser!

’In-nal-laziina yuhaaad-duu-nal-laaha wa Ra suu-lahuuu ’ulaaa-’ika fil-’azal-liin.

20. Verily, those who contend against God and His Apostle - it is they who (on Judgment Day) shall find themselves among the abject.

Katabal-laahu la-’aghliban-na ’anaa wa rusulii: ’In-nal-laaha Qawiy-yun ‘Aziiz.

21. (For) God has thus ordained: “I shall most certainly prevail, I and My apostles!”

All the references above are to the hypocrites among the companions of the Holy Prophet (S) who posed as true believers but their activities used to betray and expose them. On the day of Judgement the hypocrites would swear upon their being the sincere believers as they did to deceive the Holy Prophet (S) and the believers in their life, but it will be in vain.

Arguments to the non-believers convincing them to believe in the One God

Surah Al - Waqi’ah, 56:57-74 and 83-87

Nahnu khalaq-naakum falau laa tusad-diquun?

57. It is We who have created you, (O men:) why, then, do you not accept the truth?

’Afara-’ay-tum-maa tum-nuun?

58. Have you ever considered that (seed) which you emit?

’A - ’antum takh-luquuna-huuu ’am Nahnul-Khaa-liquun?

59. Is it you who create it - or are We the source of its creation?

Nahnu qad-damaa bay-na-kumul-Mawta wa maa Nahnu bimas-buuqiin

60. We have (indeed) decreed that death shall be (ever-present) among you: but there is nothing to prevent Us

‘Alaaa ’an-nubad-dila ’Am-thaalakum wa nun-shi-’akum fii maa laa ta‘-lamuun.

61. from changing the nature of your existence and bringing you into being (anew) in a manner (as yet) unknown to you.

Wa laqad ‘alim-tumun-nash-’atal-’uulaa falau laa tazak-karuun?

62. And (since) you are indeed aware of the (miracle of your) coming into being in the first instance - why, then, do you not bethink yourselves (of Us)?

‘Afara-’aytum-maa tahru-thuun?

63. Have you ever considered the seed which you cast upon the soil?

’A-antum tazra-‘uunahuuu am Nahnuz-zaari-‘uun?

64. Is it you who cause it to grow - or are We the cause of its growth?

Lau nashaaa-’u laja-‘al-naahu hutaa-man fa-zal-tum tafak-kahuun:

65. (For) were it our will, We could indeed turn it into chaff, and you would be left to wonder (and to lament)

’In-naa lamugh-ramuun:

66. “Verily, we are ruined!

Bal nahnu mahruu-muun.

67. Nay, but we have been deprived (of our livelihood)!”

’Afara-’ay-tumul-maaa-’al-lazii tash-rabuun?

68. Have you ever considered the water which you drink?

’A-’antum ’anzal-tumuuhu minal-muzni ’am Nahnul-mun-ziluun?

69. Is it you who cause of its coming down from the clouds - or are We the cause of its coming down?

Lau nashaa-’u ja-‘alnaahu ’ujaajan falau laa tash-kuruun?

70. (It comes down sweet - but) were it our will, We could make it burning salty and bitter: why, then, do you not give thanks (unto Us)?

’Afara-’aytumun-naaral-latii tuuruun?

71. Have you ever considered the fire which you kindle?

’A-’antum ’ansha’tum shajara-tahaa ’am Nahnul-munshi-’uun?

72. Is it you who have brought into being the tree that serves as its fuel - or are We the cause of its coming into being?

Nahnu ja-‘alnaahaa tazkiratanw-wa mataa-‘al-lil-muqwiin.

73. It is We who have made it a means to remind (you of Us), and a comfort for all who are lost and hungry in the wilderness(of their lives).

**
** فَسَبِّحْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الْعَظِيمِ

Fasab-bih bismi-Rab-bikal-‘Aziim!

74. Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy Sustainer’s mighty name!

Falau laaa ’izaa balaghatil-hulquum,-

83. Why, then, when (the last breath) comes up to the throat (of a dying man),

Wa ’antum hiina-’izin-tanzuruun –

84. the while you are (helplessly) looking on -

Wa Nahnu ’aqrabu ’ilayhi minkum wa laakil-laa tubsiruun,-

85. and while We are closer to him than you, although you see (Us) not -

Falau laaa ’in-kuntum ghayra madiiniin,-

86. why, then, if (you think that) you are not truly dependent (on Us),

Tarji-’uunahaaa ’in-kuntum saadiqiin?

87. can you not cause that (ebbing life) to return - if what you claim is true?

Must live in harmony with the non-believers unless they transgress and oppress

Surah Al – Mumtahanah, 60:8-9

Laa yanhaa-kumul-laahu ‘anil-laziina lam yuqaa-tiluukum fid-Diini wa lam yukhrijuukum-min diyaarikum ’an-tabar-ruuhum wa tuqsituu ’ilay-him: ’In-nal-laaha yuhibbul-Muqsitiin.

8. As for such (of the non-believers) as do not fight against you on account of (your) faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity: for, verily, God loves those who act equitably.

’In-namaa yanhaa-kumul-laahu ‘anil-laziina qaataluu-kum fid-Diini wa ’akhrajuu-kum-min-diyaa-rikum wa zaaharuu ‘alaaa-’ikhraa-jikum ’an-tawal-law-hum. Wa man-yatawal-lahum fa-’ulaa-’ika humuz-zaalimuun.

9. God only forbids you to turn in friendship towards such as fight against you because of (your) faith, and drive you forth from your homelands, or aid (others) in driving you forth: and as for those (from among you) who turn towards them in friendship, it is they, they who are truly wrongdoers!

These two verses lay stress on the clear and unmistakable language the rule about the kindness and equity, Muslims have been ordained by Islam, towards the non-Muslims, excluding the rampantly aggressive and actively hostile ones, who should naturally be dealt with duly. It is a pity that in spite of such a clear ordinance of Islam, not only to avoid any hostility with their peaceful neighbours of the other faith, i.e. the non-believers in God, but also to be kind and equitable to them enjoining equity. Islam is therefore not against Muslims extending their generosity and kindness to non-Muslims who are not violent.

[^1]: The Seven Doors have been mentioned with seven different names of the Seven Stages of Hell, which stages according to the statement of the First Holy Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a), are one over the other.

[^2]: The last stage containing the most intense suffering would be of the hypocrites for it is said in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Verily the hypocrites shall be in the lowest of the low ones of Hell’. Surah an-Nisaa, 4:145