Maryam: (96-98) Indeed, those who believe...

Know that when the Almighty rebuked the various categories of disbelievers and elaborated on their states in this world and the Hereafter, He concluded the Surah by mentioning the state of the believers, saying: {Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will grant them love} (19:96).

The commentators have two opinions regarding the meaning of {love} (wudd):

1. The First Opinion (The Majority View): That the Almighty will create affection for them in hearts and plant it there without them having sought it out, nor by resorting to the means by which people acquire the love of hearts—such as kinship, friendship, doing favors, or other means. Rather, it is an original creation and initiation from the Almighty, singling out His allies with this honor, just as He casts terror and awe into the hearts of their enemies, to honor and glorify their station.
   • The letter Sīn (in sayaj'alu - will make) is either because the Surah is Meccan, and the believers at that time were despised among the disbelievers, so God promised them this when Islam arrived.
   • Or, it refers to the Day of Resurrection, where God will make them beloved to His creation by displaying their good deeds and publicizing the record of their actions.
   • It is narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding this verse: "When God loves a servant, He calls Gabriel, saying, 'I love so-and-so, so love him.' Gabriel then calls out this in the heavens and the earth. And when He hates a servant, the like happens."
   • Ka'b said: It is written in the Torah and the Gospel: "There is no love for anyone on earth until it originates from God, descending upon the people of heaven, then upon the people of earth." The confirmation of this in the Qur'an is His saying: {Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will grant them love}.

2. The Second Opinion (Chosen by Abu Muslim): The meaning of {Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will grant them love} is that He will bestow upon them what they love. Wudd (love) and Mahabbah (being loved) are synonymous. It is said: Ātaytu fulānan maḥabbatahu (I gave so-and-so my love), and Ja'ala lahum mā yuḥibbūn (He made for them what they love), and Ja'altu lahu wuddahu (I made for him his love). Among their sayings is: Yawaddu law kāna kadhā (He wishes it were so), and Wadadtu an law kāna kadhā (I wished it were so), meaning "I loved." Thus, the meaning is: The Most Merciful will give them their wudd, meaning their beloved things in Paradise.

The First Opinion is stronger because interpreting love (wudd) as the beloved thing is metaphorical. Furthermore, we mentioned that the Messenger (PBUH) recited this verse and interpreted it in that manner, making that interpretation preferable.

Abu Muslim argued that the Second Opinion is stronger for several reasons:

1. How can the first opinion be sound when we know that a pious Muslim may be hated by disbelievers, and even by many Muslims?
2. Such love (being loved by all) often occurs for disbelievers and the wicked; how can it be considered a grace specifically for the believers?
3. Their love (for others) is a result of their own actions, not something God created in others; therefore, interpreting the verse as granting them otherworldly benefits is more appropriate.

The Response to the First Point: What is meant is that the Most Merciful will make them beloved among the Angels and the Prophets. It is narrated from the Prophet (PBUH) that he recounted from his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, who said: "When My believing servant remembers Me in his self, I remember him in My Self. And when he remembers Me in an assembly, I remember him in an assembly better and superior to them." This is also the Response to the Second Point, because the disbeliever and the wicked person are not like that.

The Response to the Third Point: It is interpreted as the creation of subtle favors (alṭāf) and the creation of the inclination to honor them in people's hearts.

As for His saying: {For We have only made it easy upon your tongue that you may give good tidings thereby to the righteous} (19:97), this is a new statement clarifying the great status of this Surah due to its content concerning Monotheism, Prophethood, Resurrection, the Afterlife, and refuting the misguided and false sects. The Almighty clarified that He made it easy in the Arabic tongue so that the Prophet (PBUH) could give good tidings and warnings. If God had not conveyed their stories into the Arabic language, it would not have been easy for the Messenger (PBUH).

However, since the Qur'an contains good tidings for the righteous, He mentioned in contrast those who are most extreme in opposing righteousness—the most obstinate who cling to falsehood, argue about it, and are severe in their stance, which is the meaning of {obstinate} (aladd).

Then, the Almighty concluded the Surah with eloquent admonition, saying: {And how many a generation have We destroyed before them!} (19:98). If they reflect and realize that the world must pass away and end in death, they will fear that, and they will also fear the evil consequence in the Hereafter, thus being closer to guarding against sins.

The Almighty then emphasized this by saying: {Do you sense any one of them?} (19:98). Because if the Messenger (PBUH) does not sense any one of them by sight, perception, or finding: {nor do you hear from them any sound?} (rakzan) (19:98). Rakz refers to a faint sound. From this is rakz al-rumḥ (planting the spear) when its tip is buried in the earth, and rikāz refers to buried treasure. This indicates their complete extinction and annihilation.

The most likely interpretation of {destroyed} (ahlaknā) is extinction by death, although some commentators have interpreted it as hastened punishment in this world. God knows best what is correct, and to Him is the return and final destination.

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds. And may God bless our Master Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet, and his family and companions, and grant them peace.