Tafsir of Al-Mu'minoon 23:117-118

Al-Mu'minun (The Believers): (117 - 118)

It is known that when the Almighty established that He is the true Sovereign, with no god but Him, He followed this by stating that whoever claims another god has claimed falsehood, as they possess no proof for it.

This serves to indicate that anything lacking proof cannot be affirmed. This necessitates the validity of rational inquiry (nazar) and the invalidity of mere imitation (taqlid).

Then, He mentioned that the recompense for those who say such things is a great punishment, saying: {For His reckoning is with his Lord} (23:118). It is as if He is saying: His punishment has reached a degree that no one can reckon it except Allah, the Exalted.

It has also been recited with the hamza opened (innama), meaning: "His reckoning is the absence of success (falah)." This contrasts with the opening of the Surah, {Successful indeed are the believers} (Al-Mu'minun: 1), and its conclusion, {Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed} (Al-Mu'minun: 117). How vast is the difference between the beginning and the end!

Then, the Messenger (PBUH) was commanded to say: {My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful} (23:118). We have previously explained that He, the Exalted, is the Best of the Merciful.

If one asks: How does this conclusion connect to what preceded it? We reply: Since He explained the state of the disbelievers in their ignorance in this world and their punishment in the Hereafter, He commanded turning completely to Allah, seeking refuge in the signs of His forgiveness and mercy. For these two are the safeguards against all calamities and fears.

It is narrated that the beginning of the Surah, {Successful indeed are the believers}, and the end of it are from the treasures of the Throne. Whoever acts upon three verses from its beginning and takes heed from four verses at its end has achieved salvation and success.

And Allah knows best what is correct, and to Him is the return and final destination. Praise be to Allah alone, and peace and blessings upon the best of His creation, our Master Muhammad, his family, his companions, his wives, his progeny, and the people of his household.