An-Naml: (91–93) I have only been commanded...

Know that when the Almighty and Exalted [God] established the Beginning (Mabda') and the Return (Ma'ad), Prophethood, and the preliminaries of the Resurrection, along with the description of the people of the Resurrection—their reward and punishment—which constitutes the perfection of what relates to the principles of religion, He concluded the discourse with this subtle closing statement.

He said: Say, O Muhammad, "I have only been commanded [to do certain things]":

1. The First Command: That I should dedicate worship exclusively to God alone and not take any partner with Him. When God Almighty presented the proofs for Monotheism (Tawhid), it is as if He commanded Muhammad to say to them: "These proofs I have presented to you—if they have not convinced you of the necessity of Tawhid, then they have convinced me of it. So, whether you accept this call or turn away from it, I remain steadfast upon it, without any doubt."

Then, he described God Almighty with two attributes: * The first: That He is the Lord of this city (البلدة). The intended city is Mecca. It was singled out from all other lands by attributing His name to it because it is the most beloved of His lands to Him, the most honored, and He alluded to it with a gesture of veneration, indicating that it is the dwelling place of His Prophet and the descent point of His revelation. * As for His saying: {Who made it sacred} (الذى حرمها), it has also been read as {Which made it sacred} (التي حرمها). It was described as sacred for several reasons: 1. Because certain things are forbidden there for those performing Hajj. 2. Because anyone who seeks refuge there is safe. 3. Its sanctity must not be violated except by an oppressor; its trees may not be cut down, nor its game scared away. This was mentioned because the Arabs acknowledged the sanctity of Mecca and knew that this virtue did not come from the idols but from God Almighty. It is as if the Prophet was saying: "Since you know, and you acknowledge, that He is the One who manages these blessings, it is incumbent upon me to dedicate worship exclusively to Him." * The second attribute: He described God Almighty by saying: {And that to Him belongs all things} (وله كل شىء). This points to the proofs of Monotheism mentioned earlier in this Surah—that He is the Creator of all blessings. Here, He summarized those detailed proofs. This is like someone describing a king's power through detailed accounts, and after much elaboration, concluding by saying: "The entire world belongs to him, and all people are subject to his obedience."

2. The Second Command: That I should be among the Muslims (those who submit).

3. The Third Command: That I should recite the Qur'an to them.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) fulfilled all these commands in the most perfect manner.

Therefore, whoever is guided concerning these three preceding matters—namely, Monotheism, the Resurrection, and Prophethood—{then he is guided only for himself} (فإنما يهتدى لنفسه); meaning the benefit of his guidance returns to him. {And whoever strays} (ومن ضل), then upon him is the loss. "I am only a warner."

Then, the Almighty concluded this Surah with a conclusion of the utmost beauty: {And say, "Praise be to God"} (وقل الحمد لله) for the blessing of knowledge, wisdom, and Prophethood that He granted me, or for enabling me to fulfill the delivery of the Message and the warning. {He will show you His signs} (سيريكم ءاياته), the overwhelming ones, {so that you will know them} (فتعرفونها), but at a time when faith will no longer benefit you. {And your Lord is not heedless of what you do} (وما ربك بغافل عما تعملون), because He is beyond the recompense of the doers. And God knows best.

The Exegesis of the Surah is completed, and praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds. And may His prayers be upon our Master Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and all his companions, and upon his pure wives, the Mothers of the Believers, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment.