Al-Furqan: (55–58) And they worship besides Allah...

And know that after the Almighty explained the proofs of Monotheism (Tawhid), He returned to criticizing their conduct in worshipping idols. There are several issues in this verse:

Issue 1: Regarding the meaning of "the disbeliever" (الكافر)

It has been said that the intended meaning refers specifically to Abu Jahl, as the verse was revealed concerning him. However, the preferred view is to take it in a general sense, because the specificity of the occasion does not invalidate the generality of the wording. Furthermore, this general interpretation is more consistent with the apparent meaning of the phrase: {And they worship besides Allah...}.

Issue 2: Regarding the meaning of "an ally/supporter" (الظهير)

They mentioned several interpretations for al-Zahir:

1. It means "the one who supports" (المظاهر), similar to how al-'awin means the helper. The form fa'il meaning mufa'il is not unusual. The meaning is that the disbeliever supports Satan against his Lord through enmity. If it is asked: How can the disbeliever be a supporter of Satan against his Lord through enmity? We reply that Allah mentioned Himself, intending His Messenger, as in His saying: {Indeed, those who abuse Allah} (Al-Ahzab: 57).
2. It is possible that al-Zahir refers to the group/collective, as in the verse: {And the angels, after that, are supporters} (At-Tahrim: 4), just as al-Siddiq (the truthful one) and al-Khalit (the close friend) are used. Under this interpretation, the disbeliever refers to the species (mankind), and some of them support others in extinguishing the light of Allah's religion, as Allah says: {And their brethren extend them in error} (Al-A'raf: 202).
3. Abu Muslim al-Isfahani said that al-Zahir comes from the saying, "So-and-so dhahara (cast behind his back) my need," meaning he discarded it. This relates to His saying: {And you have taken it behind your back as something cast away} (Hud: 92). It is also said of one who belittles something that he casts it behind his back. The Arabic standard would suggest mazhur (one who is belittled/cast behind the back), so Zahir is used in the meaning of mazhur. The meaning then is that it is easy/trivial for Allah that the disbeliever disbelieves, while Allah is heedless of his disbelief.

As for His saying: {And We have not sent you except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner}, this is connected to what preceded it. It means that the disbelievers seek aid against Allah and His Messenger, while Allah sent His Messenger for their benefit. He sent him to give them good news for obedience and to warn them against disobedience, so they deserve reward and avoid punishment. Thus, there is no greater ignorance than the ignorance of one who exerts all his effort to harm a person who exerts all his effort to reform his affairs, both religiously and worldly, and asks nothing in return for this!

As for His saying: {Except for whom He wills}, they mentioned several closely related interpretations:

1. He does not ask them for a reward for delivering the message and calling them, except if they wish to draw near through spending (in charity or Jihad, etc.), thereby taking a path to their Lord's mercy and attaining His reward.
2. Al-Qadi said: It means, "I do not ask you for a reward for myself, but I ask you to seek the reward for yourselves by taking the path to your Lord."
3. The author of Al-Kashshaf said: The example of {Except for whom He wills} is like saying, "Except for the action of whom He wills." His exception from the reward means that someone who sought to obtain wealth for you says, "I do not ask you for a reward for my effort, except that you preserve this wealth and do not waste it." Preserving the wealth is not itself a reward, but it is framed as a reward and named as such. This yields two benefits:
   • First, it removes the suspicion of greed for reward from its root, as if He is saying, "If preserving your wealth is a reward, then I am asking for a reward."
   • Second, it shows extreme compassion, implying that your preservation of your wealth is equivalent to a great reward that reaches you.

The meaning of them "taking a path to Allah" is their drawing near to Him and seeking closeness with Him through faith and obedience. It is also said that it refers to drawing near through charity and spending in the way of Allah.

As for His saying: {And rely upon the Ever-Living, Who does not die}, the meaning is that since the Almighty clarified that the disbelievers support (Satan) in harming him (the Prophet), He commanded him not to ask them for any reward whatsoever. He commanded him to rely upon Him for the removal of all harm and the attainment of all benefit.

He only said: {the Ever-Living, Who does not die} because if one relies upon a living being who dies, when the one relied upon dies, the reliant one becomes lost. As for Him, the Exalted, He is Ever-Living and does not die, so the one who relies upon Him will never be lost.

As for His saying: {And exalt [Him] with praise}, some interpreted this as the mere verbal act of glorification. Others interpreted it as prayer. Still others interpreted it as exalting Allah above what is unfitting for Him in His Oneness and Justice, which is the apparent meaning.

Then He said: {And sufficient is He as Acquainted with the sins of His servants}. This phrase is used for emphasis, like saying, "Knowledge is sufficient as beauty," or "Good manners are sufficient as wealth." It means, "He is enough for you," implying you need nothing else, because He is fully aware of their conditions and capable of requiting them. This is a severe warning, as if He is saying: If you persist in disobeying His command, His knowledge of you is sufficient for Him to punish you as you deserve.

< { He Who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days, then established Himself above the Throne. The Most Merciful. So ask about Him an expert. * And when it is said to them, "Prostrate to the Most Merciful," they say, "And what is the Most Merciful? Shall we prostrate to whatever you command?" And it increases them in aversion. } >