Tafsir of Hud 11:23

Surah Hud (11:23)

Translation and Exegesis (Tafsir) based on Mafatih al-Ghayb (Al-Razi)

After mentioning the punishment and loss of the disbelievers, the Almighty follows it by mentioning the state of the believers.

The term الإخبات (Al-Ikhbāt) means humility and submission. It is derived from الخبت (Al-Khabt), which refers to level, settled ground.

• If one's mention (or status) is khabata (خبت ذكره), it means it was concealed or hidden.
• Therefore, the phrase أخبت (Akhbata) means "he entered the khabt (level ground)," similar to how one who goes to a high place is called anjada (أنجد) or one who goes to the lowlands of Tihamah is called ataham (أتهم).
• Similarly, المخبت (Al-Mukhbit) among people is one whose heart is settled and tranquil toward his Lord.

The verb Ikhbāt can be used transitively with the preposition إلى (ila) or لـ (li):

1. If we say: Akhbata fulan ila kadha (أخبت فلان إلى كذا), it means he became tranquil and settled toward it.
2. If we say: Akhbata lahu (أخبت له), it means he humbled himself before it (showed reverence).

Having established the meaning of Ikhbāt, we say:

1. {Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds}: This refers to all righteous actions.
2. {and humbled themselves (Akhbatu)}: This indicates that these deeds are not beneficial in the Hereafter unless accompanied by the proper states of the heart.

Two interpretations arise based on the meaning of Ikhbāt:

• If Ikhbāt is interpreted as Tranquility (الطـمأنينة): It means they worship God, and their hearts are tranquil in the remembrance of God while performing acts of worship, empty of turning attention to anything other than the Almighty. Alternatively, it means their hearts became tranquil because they believed in the truthfulness of God regarding all the reward and punishment He promised.
• If Ikhbāt is interpreted as Humility/Reverence (الخشوع): It means they perform righteous deeds while being fearful and apprehensive that they might have performed them with some deficiency or shortcoming.

The verse then clarifies that whoever possesses these three qualities (belief, righteous deeds, and Ikhbāt) are the Companions of Paradise, and they will have eternal residence therein.

{The likeness of these two groups is as the likeness of the blind and the deaf, and the seeing and the hearing. Are they equal as a comparison? Will you not then remember?}

This verse presents an analogy:

• The state of the two groups (believers and disbelievers) is like the difference between the blind and the deaf (representing the disbelievers, who cannot perceive truth through sight or hearing) and the seeing and the hearing (representing the believers, who perceive truth through both).
• The question posed is: Are they equal as a comparison? (i.e., Can the two states be considered equal?)
• The concluding admonition is: Will you not then remember (or reflect)? (Encouraging reflection on this clear disparity).