Al-Hadid: (27) "Then We sent in their footsteps..."
"Al-Injīl" (The Gospel): Al-Ḥasan read it with a fatḥah on the hamzah. Its case is easier than that of al-barṭīl (bribe) and al-sakīnah (tranquility) for those who narrated them with a fatḥah on the fā’, because the word is non-Arabic and is not bound by the morphological structures of the Arabs.
"Ra’fah" (Compassion): It was read as fa‘ālah, meaning: We granted them success in showing mercy and affection toward one another. Similar to this is the description of the companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): "Merciful among themselves" (Al-Fatḥ: 29).
"Al-Rahbāniyyah" (Monasticism): It refers to their withdrawal into the mountains, fleeing from religious persecution, dedicating themselves to worship. This occurred because tyrants overcame the believers after the death of ‘Īsā (Jesus), fighting them three times until only a few remained. Fearing for their faith, they chose monasticism.
- Etymology: It is an action attributed to the ruhbān (monks), derived from rahiba (to fear), like khashyān from khashiya. It was also read as ruhbāniyyah (with a damma), as if attributed to ruhbān, which is the plural of rāhib (monk), like rākib and rukbān.
- Grammar: Its accusative case is governed by an implied verb explained by the explicit one: "And they innovated monasticism" (wa-ibtada‘ū rahbāniyyah).
"We did not prescribe it for them": We did not make it obligatory upon them.
"Except seeking the pleasure of Allah": This is an istithnā’ munqaṭi‘ (disjunctive exception), meaning: But they innovated it seeking the pleasure of Allah.
"But they did not observe it with due observance": As is required of one who makes a vow, for it is a covenant with Allah that may not be broken.
"So We gave those who believed among them their reward": Meaning the people of mercy and compassion who followed ‘Īsā.
"But many of them are defiantly disobedient": Those who did not uphold their vow.
Alternative Interpretation: It is possible that "monasticism" is conjoined to what preceded it, and "they innovated it" is an adjective in the accusative case. This would mean: We placed in their hearts compassion and mercy, and a monasticism innovated by them. In this sense, We granted them success in showing mercy, and through the innovation of monasticism, We did not prescribe it for them except that they might seek the pleasure of Allah and deserve reward. Thus, We prescribed it for them and bound them to it so they might escape persecution and seek Allah’s pleasure, yet they did not all observe it with due observance. We gave those believers who did observe it their reward, while many of them—those who did not observe it—are defiantly disobedient.
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."
