Act(s) of Reform (عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ and عَمِلَ صَالِحًا)

Minor & Major Acts of Reform 

اَ لۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِىۡۤ اَنۡزَلَ عَلٰى عَبۡدِهِ الۡكِتٰبَ وَلَمۡ يَجۡعَلْ لَّهٗ عِوَجًا  ؕ‏ ١

قَيِّمًا لِّيُنۡذِرَ بَاۡسًا شَدِيۡدًا مِّنۡ لَّدُنۡهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ الَّذِيۡنَ يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ الصّٰلِحٰتِ اَنَّ لَهُمۡ اَجۡرًا حَسَنًا ۙ‏ ٢

[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, who has sent down upon His Servant [Muḥammad (ﷺ)] the Book and has not made therein any deviance.

[He has made it] straight, to warn of severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward [i.e., Paradise].

[Al-Quran 18:1-2, Translation: Saheeh International]

حَتّٰٓى اِذَا بَلَغَ مَغۡرِبَ الشَّمۡسِ وَجَدَهَا تَغۡرُبُ فِىۡ عَيۡنٍ حَمِئَةٍ وَّوَجَدَ عِنۡدَهَا قَوۡمًا ؕ ​قُلۡنَا يٰذَا الۡقَرۡنَيۡنِ اِمَّاۤ اَنۡ تُعَذِّبَ وَاِمَّاۤ اَنۡ تَتَّخِذَ فِيۡهِمۡ حُسۡنًا‏ ٨٦ قَالَ اَمَّا مَنۡ ظَلَمَ فَسَوۡفَ نُعَذِّبُهٗ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ اِلٰى رَبِّهٖ فَيُعَذِّبُهٗ عَذَابًا نُّكۡرًا‏ ٨٧ وَاَمَّا مَنۡ اٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًـا فَلَهٗ جَزَآءَ  ۨ الۡحُسۡنٰى​ ۚ وَسَنَقُوۡلُ لَهٗ مِنۡ اَمۡرِنَا يُسۡرًا ؕ‏ ٨٨

Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness. He said: As for him who doeth wrong, we shall punish him, and then he will be brought back unto his Lord, Who will punish him with awful punishment! But as for him who believeth and doeth right, good will be his reward, and We shall speak unto him a mild command.

[Al-Quran 18:86-88, Translation: Pickthall]

قُلۡ اِنَّمَاۤ اَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثۡلُكُمۡ يُوۡحٰٓى اِلَىَّ اَنَّمَاۤ اِلٰهُكُمۡ اِلٰـهٌ وَّاحِدٌ​  ۚ فَمَنۡ كَانَ يَرۡجُوۡا لِقَآءَ رَبِّهٖ فَلۡيَـعۡمَلۡ عَمَلًا صَالِحًـا وَّلَا يُشۡرِكۡ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهٖۤ اَحَدًا‏ ١١٠

Say, "I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."

[Al-Quran 18:110, Translation: Saheeh International]

وَقَالَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا لَا تَاۡتِيۡنَا السَّاعَةُ ؕ قُلۡ بَلٰى وَرَبِّىۡ لَـتَاۡتِيَنَّكُمۡۙ عٰلِمِ الۡغَيۡبِ ۚ لَا يَعۡزُبُ عَنۡهُ مِثۡقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَلَا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ وَلَاۤ اَصۡغَرُ مِنۡ ذٰ لِكَ وَلَاۤ اَكۡبَرُ اِلَّا فِىۡ كِتٰبٍ مُّبِيۡنٍۙ‏ ٣

لِّيَجۡزِىَ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوۡا الصّٰلِحٰتِؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَةٌ وَّرِزۡقٌ كَرِيۡمٌ‏ ٤

But those who disbelieve say, "The Hour will not come to us." Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allāh is] the Knower of the unseen." Not absent from Him is an atom's weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register -

That He may reward those who believe and do righteous deeds. Those will have forgiveness and noble provision.

[Al-Quran 34:3-4, Translation: Saheeh International]

۞ وَلَقَدۡ اٰتَيۡنَا دَاوٗدَ مِنَّا فَضۡلًا ؕ يٰجِبَالُ اَوِّبِىۡ مَعَهٗ وَالطَّيۡرَ ۚ وَاَلَــنَّا لَـهُ الۡحَدِيۡدَ ۙ‏ ١٠

اَنِ اعۡمَلۡ سٰبِغٰتٍ وَّقَدِّرۡ فِى السَّرۡدِ وَاعۡمَلُوۡا صَالِحًـا ؕ اِنِّىۡ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ بَصِيۡرٌ‏ ١١

And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], "O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well]." And We made pliable for him iron,

[Commanding him], "Make full coats of mail and calculate [precisely] the links, and work [all of you] righteousness. Indeed I, of what you do, am Seeing."

[Al-Quran 34:10-11, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Kahf and Surah Saba both present a clear contrast between the minor and major acts of reform.  The difference between them is lost in translation. 

Regardless of what the situation is, every person can individually chose to reform themselves, do what's right, and hope for its reward in the Hereafter from Allah ﷻ . 

Depending on the authority and power bestowed on a person, a person can undertake major reforms, for the public good, which benefit many people. 

For example, Surah al-Kahf begins with the story of the youth who believed in their Lord, Allah ﷻ , and refused to indulge in polytheism. They took a stand for their faith, and hid in al-Kahf (pit cave) to avoid being persecuted (stoned to death or being caused to revert to polytheism) for their faith. 

Surah al-Kahf concludes with the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn who used the power and ability bestowed upon him by Allah ﷻ to contain the Earth-corrupting Yajooj Majooj. He sealed their point of emergence with the technological prowess bestowed upon him, such that they could no longer surface, thus restoring peace. Earlier, in his first travel, quoted above (Q18:86-88) to the North Pole, and the people near it, he states that he will punish the wrongdoers, and give good reward those who believe and do acts of reform (اٰمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًـا). 

Another example is presented in Surah Saba. Prophet-King David (Daud عليه السلام) was appointed Khalifa of the Earth (Q38:26 ... يٰدَاوٗدُ اِنَّا جَعَلۡنٰكَ خَلِيۡفَةً فِى الۡاَرۡضِ). The purpose of khilafat is to judge between people according to Allah ﷻ 's Laws (Deen and Shariah). Iron was made pliable for him so that he could prepare coats of mail for war. He fought many wars to establish Allah ﷻ 's Deen, and consequently bring peace to the conquered lands. 

وَوَرِثَ سُلَيۡمٰنُ دَاوٗدَ​ وَقَالَ يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ عُلِّمۡنَا مَنۡطِقَ الطَّيۡرِ وَاُوۡتِيۡنَا مِنۡ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍؕ​ اِنَّ هٰذَا لَهُوَ الۡفَضۡلُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏  ١٦

وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيۡمٰنَ جُنُوۡدُهٗ مِنَ الۡجِنِّ وَالۡاِنۡسِ وَالطَّيۡرِ فَهُمۡ يُوۡزَعُوۡنَ‏ ١٧

حَتّٰٓى اِذَاۤ اَتَوۡا عَلٰى وَادِ النَّمۡلِۙ قَالَتۡ نَمۡلَةٌ يّٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّمۡلُ ادۡخُلُوۡا مَسٰكِنَكُمۡ​ۚ لَا يَحۡطِمَنَّكُمۡ سُلَيۡمٰنُ وَجُنُوۡدُهٗۙ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَ‏ ١٨

فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّنۡ قَوۡلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ اَوۡزِعۡنِىۡۤ اَنۡ اَشۡكُرَ نِعۡمَتَكَ الَّتِىۡۤ اَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلٰى وَالِدَىَّ وَاَنۡ اَعۡمَلَ صَالِحًـا تَرۡضٰٮهُ وَاَدۡخِلۡنِىۡ بِرَحۡمَتِكَ فِىۡ عِبَادِكَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏ ١٩

And Solomon inherited David. He said, "O people, we have been taught the language of birds, and we have been given from all things. Indeed, this is evident bounty."

And gathered for Solomon were his soldiers of the jinn and men and birds, and they were [marching] in rows

Until, when they came upon the valley of the ants, an ant said, "O ants, enter your dwellings that you not be crushed by Solomon and his soldiers while they perceive not."

So [Solomon] smiled, amused at her speech, and said, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to do righteousness of which You approve. And admit me by Your mercy into [the ranks of] Your righteous servants."

[Al-Quran 27:16-19, Translation: Saheeh International]

Similarly, his son Solomon (Sulaiman عليه السلام), who inherited from Prophet-King David (Daud عليه السلام),  prayed for, and used his army to establish Allah  ﷻ 's worship in the countries. He commanded the Sun-worshipping Queen of Saba to come in submission (become Muslim, accept Allah ﷻ 's Deen) or face war.  The Queen of Saba submitted and became a Muslim:

قِيۡلَ لَهَا ادۡخُلِى الصَّرۡحَ​ ۚ فَلَمَّا رَاَتۡهُ حَسِبَـتۡهُ لُـجَّةً وَّكَشَفَتۡ عَنۡ سَاقَيۡهَا ​ؕ قَالَ اِنَّهٗ صَرۡحٌ مُّمَرَّدٌ مِّنۡ قَوَارِيۡرَ ۙ​ قَالَتۡ رَبِّ اِنِّىۡ ظَلَمۡتُ نَـفۡسِىۡ وَ اَسۡلَمۡتُ مَعَ سُلَيۡمٰنَ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏  ٤٤     

She was told, "Enter the palace." But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water and uncovered her shins [to wade through]. He said, "Indeed, it is a palace [whose floor is] made smooth with glass." She said, "My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allāh, Lord of the worlds."

[Al-Quran 27:44, Translation: Saheeh International]

Countries are ruled according to the Law decided upon by its Ruler(s). When a sovereign submits to Allah ﷻ , then the official religion is Islam, and the official law is that which has been revealed by Allah ﷻ 

Purpose of Submission 

وَلَا تَرۡكَنُوۡۤا اِلَى الَّذِيۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُۙ وَمَا لَـكُمۡ مِّنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰهِ مِنۡ اَوۡلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنۡصَرُوۡنَ‏ ١١٣

وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ طَرَفَىِ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَـفًا مِّنَ الَّيۡلِ​ ؕ اِنَّ الۡحَسَنٰتِ يُذۡهِبۡنَ السَّيِّاٰتِ ​ؕ ذٰ لِكَ ذِكۡرٰى لِلذّٰكِرِيۡنَ ​ۚ‏ ١١٤

وَاصۡبِرۡ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُضِيۡعُ اَجۡرَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ ١١٥

فَلَوۡ لَا كَانَ مِنَ الۡقُرُوۡنِ مِنۡ قَبۡلِكُمۡ اُولُوۡا بَقِيَّةٍ يَّـنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡفَسَادِ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ اِلَّا قَلِيۡلًا مِّمَّنۡ اَنۡجَيۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ​ ۚ وَاتَّبَعَ الَّذِيۡنَ ظَلَمُوۡا مَاۤ اُتۡرِفُوۡا فِيۡهِ وَكَانُوۡا مُجۡرِمِيۡنَ‏  ١١٦

وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهۡلِكَ الۡقُرٰى بِظُلۡمٍ وَّاَهۡلُهَا مُصۡلِحُوۡنَ‏  ١١٧

And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allāh any protectors; then you would not be helped.

And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.

And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.

So why were there not among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.

And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.

[Al-Quran 11:113-117, Translation: Saheeh International]

Q11:117 informs us that when people are willing to reform, their towns are not destroyed. Q11:116 questions why weren't there people forbidding corruption in the former generations, except very few who were saved. There are stories of several mighty civilisations of the ancient world in The Quran, who have been obliterated from the Earth due to their corruption of the Earth. Allah ﷻ 's Messengers warned them, and only a few people believed.  

Surah Yasin presents the example of a man who believed the Messengers (Q36:13-32), and Surah Ghafir/Momin presents another example of a man who believed (Q40:21-46). In both examples, we see the Believer trying to persuade his people to believe the Messenger(s) and reform.  

Prophet Jonah (Yunus  عليه السلام) didn't want to go warn the sin-city, and headed off in another direction. Long story short, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى‎ chose him again after his repentance, and sent him on the mission he was meant to undertake: 

فَاجۡتَبٰهُ رَبُّهٗ فَجَعَلَهٗ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ‏ ٥٠

And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

[Al-Quran 68:50, Translation: Saheeh International]

Major Reforms: Task of All Messengers  

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوۡا مِنَ الطَّيِّبٰتِ وَاعۡمَلُوْا صَالِحًـا​ ؕ اِنِّىۡ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ عَلِيۡمٌ ؕ‏ ٥١ 

وَاِنَّ هٰذِهٖۤ اُمَّتُكُمۡ اُمَّةً وَّاحِدَةً وَّاَنَا رَبُّكُمۡ فَاتَّقُوۡنِ‏  ٥٢

"O you the Messengers, eat of the good things, and do righteousness; surely I am Ever-Knowing of whatever you do.

And surely this nation of yours is one nation, and I am your Lord; so have piety towards Me."

[Al-Quran 23:51-52, Translation: Dr. Ghali]

All Messengers were tasked with undertaking major reforms, and they have all been described as belonging to the same Ummat (اُمَّةً). 

As Much as Able 

۞ وَاِلٰى مَدۡيَنَ اَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبًا​ ؕ قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَـكُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰهٍ غَيۡرُهٗ ​ؕ وَلَا تَـنۡقُصُوا الۡمِكۡيَالَ وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ​ اِنِّىۡۤ اَرٰٮكُمۡ بِخَيۡرٍ وَّاِنِّىۡۤ اَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ مُّحِيۡطٍ‏  ٨٤

وَيٰقَوۡمِ اَوۡفُوا الۡمِكۡيَالَ وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ​ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُوا النَّاسَ اَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏ ٨٥

بَقِيَّتُ اللّٰهِ خَيۡرٌ لَّـكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ  ۚ  وَمَاۤ اَنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ بِحَفِيۡظٍ‏ ٨٦

قَالُوۡا يٰشُعَيۡبُ اَصَلٰوتُكَ تَاۡمُرُكَ اَنۡ نَّتۡرُكَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ اٰبَآؤُنَاۤ اَوۡ اَنۡ نَّـفۡعَلَ فِىۡۤ اَمۡوَالِنَا مَا نَشٰٓؤُا​ ؕ اِنَّكَ لَاَنۡتَ الۡحَـلِيۡمُ الرَّشِيۡدُ‏ ٨٧

قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اَرَءَيۡتُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُ عَلٰى بَيِّنَةٍ مِّنۡ رَّبِّىۡ وَرَزَقَنِىۡ مِنۡهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنًا​ ؕ وَمَاۤ اُرِيۡدُ اَنۡ اُخَالِفَكُمۡ اِلٰى مَاۤ اَنۡهٰٮكُمۡ عَنۡهُ​ ؕ اِنۡ اُرِيۡدُ اِلَّا الۡاِصۡلَاحَ مَا اسۡتَطَعۡتُ​ ؕ وَمَا تَوۡفِيۡقِىۡۤ اِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ​ ؕ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ وَاِلَيۡهِ اُنِيۡبُ‏ ٨٨

وَيٰقَوۡمِ لَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شِقَاقِىۡۤ اَنۡ يُّصِيۡبَكُمۡ مِّثۡلُ مَاۤ اَصَابَ قَوۡمَ نُوۡحٍ اَوۡ قَوۡمَ هُوۡدٍ اَوۡ قَوۡمَ صٰلِحٍ​ؕ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوۡطٍ مِّنۡكُمۡ بِبَعِيۡدٍ‏ ٨٩

وَاسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡا رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوۡبُوۡۤا اِلَيۡهِ​ؕ اِنَّ رَبِّىۡ رَحِيۡمٌ وَّدُوۡدٌ‏ ٩٠

 ٩٥... ٩١ 

And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shuʿayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.

And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.

What remains [lawful] from Allāh is best for you, if you would be believers. But I am not a guardian over you."

They said, "O Shuʿayb, does your prayer [i.e., religion] command you that we should leave what our fathers worship or not do with our wealth what we please? Indeed, you are the forbearing, the discerning!"

He said, "O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him...? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allāh. Upon Him I have relied, and to Him I return.

And O my people, let not [your] dissension from me cause you to be struck by that similar to what struck the people of Noah or the people of Hūd or the people of Ṣāliḥ. And the people of Lot are not from you far away.

And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate."

91 ... 95

[Al-Quran 11:84-95, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah Hud, ayaat 84 through 95 relate the story of Prophet Shoaib عليه السلام . He tries his best to reform his people. His focus is on economic issues. He is trying to reform the society. He forbids them from cheating, and taking others' things unlawfully. In ayat 88, he is quoted as stating that he is doing as much as he is able, and he knows that this is Allah ﷻ 's Grace upon him that he is trying to reform his society. In the next ayat, he asks them to seek forgiveness and repent. Allah ﷻ is continuously merciful (رَحِيۡمٌ) and loving (وَّدُوۡدٌ). 

Those who repent and seek forgiveness are promised salvation. Alas, they did not repent and reform, thus they also met a terrible punishment. Only Shoaib عليه السلام and those who believed with him were saved.   

Do NOT Corrupt the Earth 

وَنَادٰٓى اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ اَصۡحٰبَ الۡجَـنَّةِ اَنۡ اَفِيۡضُوۡا عَلَيۡنَا مِنَ الۡمَآءِ اَوۡ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّٰهُ ​ؕ قَالُـوۡۤا اِنَّ اللّٰهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الۡـكٰفِرِيۡنَ ۙ‏ ٥٠

الَّذِيۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا دِيۡنَهُمۡ لَهۡوًا وَّلَعِبًا وَّغَرَّتۡهُمُ الۡحَيٰوةُ الدُّنۡيَا​​ ۚ فَالۡيَوۡمَ نَنۡسٰٮهُمۡ كَمَا نَسُوۡا لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِهِمۡ هٰذَا ۙ وَمَا كَانُوۡا بِاٰيٰتِنَا يَجۡحَدُوۡنَ‏ ٥١

وَلَقَدۡ جِئۡنٰهُمۡ بِكِتٰبٍ فَصَّلۡنٰهُ عَلٰى عِلۡمٍ هُدًى وَّرَحۡمَةً لِّـقَوۡمٍ يُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ ٥٢

هَلۡ يَنۡظُرُوۡنَ اِلَّا تَاۡوِيۡلَهٗ​ؕ يَوۡمَ يَاۡتِىۡ تَاۡوِيۡلُهٗ يَقُوۡلُ الَّذِيۡنَ نَسُوۡهُ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالۡحَـقِّ​ۚ فَهَلْ لَّـنَا مِنۡ شُفَعَآءَ فَيَشۡفَعُوۡا لَـنَاۤ اَوۡ نُرَدُّ فَنَعۡمَلَ غَيۡرَ الَّذِىۡ كُنَّا نَـعۡمَلُ​ؕ قَدۡ خَسِرُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ وَضَلَّ عَنۡهُمۡ مَّا كَانُوۡا يَفۡتَرُوۡنَ‏  ٥٣

اِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللّٰهُ الَّذِىۡ خَلَقَ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضَ فِىۡ سِتَّةِ اَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسۡتَوٰى عَلَى الۡعَرۡشِ يُغۡشِى الَّيۡلَ النَّهَارَ يَطۡلُبُهٗ حَثِيۡثًا ۙ وَّالشَّمۡسَ وَالۡقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُوۡمَ مُسَخَّرٰتٍۢ بِاَمۡرِهٖ ؕ اَلَا لَـهُ الۡخَـلۡقُ وَالۡاَمۡرُ​ ؕ تَبٰرَكَ اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ‏ ٥٤

اُدۡعُوۡا رَبَّكُمۡ تَضَرُّعًا وَّخُفۡيَةً​ ؕ اِنَّهٗ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡمُعۡتَدِيۡنَ​ ۚ‏ ٥٥

وَلَا تُفۡسِدُوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ اِصۡلَاحِهَا وَادۡعُوۡهُ خَوۡفًا وَّطَمَعًا​ ؕ اِنَّ رَحۡمَتَ اللّٰهِ قَرِيۡبٌ مِّنَ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ‏ ٥٦

وَهُوَ الَّذِىۡ يُرۡسِلُ الرِّيٰحَ بُشۡرًۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهٖ ​ؕ حَتّٰۤى اِذَاۤ اَقَلَّتۡ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقۡنٰهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَاَنۡزَلۡنَا بِهِ الۡمَآءَ فَاَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهٖ مِنۡ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِ​ؕ كَذٰلِكَ نُخۡرِجُ الۡمَوۡتٰى لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ‏ ٥٧

وَالۡبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخۡرُجُ نَبَاتُهٗ بِاِذۡنِ رَبِّهٖ ​ۚ وَالَّذِىۡ خَبُثَ لَا يَخۡرُجُ اِلَّا نَكِدًا ​ؕ كَذٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الۡاٰيٰتِ لِقَوۡمٍ يَّشۡكُرُوۡنَ‏  ٥٨

And the companions of the Fire will call to the companions of Paradise, "Pour upon us some water or from whatever Allāh has provided you." They will say, "Indeed, Allāh has forbidden them both to the disbelievers

Who took their religion as distraction and amusement and whom the worldly life deluded." So today We will forget them just as they forgot the meeting of this Day of theirs and for having rejected Our verses.

And We had certainly brought them a Book which We detailed by knowledge - as guidance and mercy to a people who believe.

Do they await except its result? The Day its result comes, those who had ignored it before will say, "The messengers of our Lord had come with the truth, so are there [now] any intercessors to intercede for us or could we be sent back to do other than what we used to do?" They will have lost themselves, and lost from them is what they used to invent.

Indeed, your Lord is Allāh, who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, [another night] chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

Call upon your Lord in humility and privately; indeed, He does not like transgressors.

And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allāh is near to the doers of good.

And it is He who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy [i.e., rainfall] until, when they have carried heavy rainclouds, We drive them to a dead land and We send down rain therein and bring forth thereby [some] of all the fruits. Thus will We bring forth the dead; perhaps you may be reminded.

And the good land - its vegetation emerges by permission of its Lord; but that which is bad - nothing emerges except sparsely, with difficulty. Thus do We diversify the signs for a people who are grateful.

[Al-Quran 7:50-58, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah al-Araf traces human civilisation from the very beginning. It also presents some insights into the future. So, we read in the above excerpt that the people who will become Companions of The Fire in the Hereafter are the ones who did not take their DEEN seriously. 

The DEEN is about the LAW of Returns, or Recompense, that we will receive in the Hereafter.  

The Book sent by Allah ﷻ details with knowledge the DEEN. 

Q7:56, quoted above, warns us to not to corrupt the Earth after its reformation, and Q7:85, quoted below, present the example from a past civilisation:  

وَاِلٰى مَدۡيَنَ اَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبًا​ ؕ قَالَ يٰقَوۡمِ اعۡبُدُوا اللّٰهَ مَا لَـكُمۡ مِّنۡ اِلٰهٍ غَيۡرُهٗ​ ؕ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُمۡ بَيِّنَةٌ مِّنۡ رَّبِّكُمۡ​ فَاَوۡفُوا الۡكَيۡلَ وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُوا النَّاسَ اَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تُفۡسِدُوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ اِصۡلَاحِهَا​ ؕ ذٰ لِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ لَّـكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ مُّؤۡمِنِيۡنَ​ ۚ‏ ٨٥

And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shuʿayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allāh; you have no deity other than Him. There has come to you clear evidence from your Lord. So fulfill the measure and weight and do not deprive people of their due and cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. That is better for you, if you should be believers.

[Al-Quran 7:85, Translation: Saheeh International]

Shoaib عليه السلام is quoted as also warning his people to NOT corrupt the Earth after its reformation.  

وَيٰقَوۡمِ اَوۡفُوا الۡمِكۡيَالَ وَالۡمِيۡزَانَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ​ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُوا النَّاسَ اَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡا فِى الۡاَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِيۡنَ‏ 

And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.

[Al-Quran 11:85, Translation: Saheeh International]

Surah Hud also records Shoaib عليه السلام warning against corruption. 

Many corrupt towns had been destroyed before Madyan. Alas, they did not heed to the warnings.    

Difference of Opinion 

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ يَّقُوۡلُ اٰمَنَّا بِاللّٰهِ وَبِالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَمَا هُمۡ بِمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ​ۘ‏ ٨

يُخٰدِعُوۡنَ اللّٰهَ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا ​ۚ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُوۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَؕ‏ ٩

فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمۡ مَّرَضٌۙ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّٰهُ مَرَضًا ​ۚ وَّلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ اَلِيۡمٌۢۙ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَكۡذِبُوۡنَ‏ ١٠

وَاِذَا قِيۡلَ لَهُمۡ لَا تُفۡسِدُوۡا فِىۡ الۡاَرۡضِۙ قَالُوۡاۤ اِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُصۡلِحُوۡنَ‏ ١١

اَلَا ۤ اِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ الۡمُفۡسِدُوۡنَ وَلٰـكِنۡ لَّا يَشۡعُرُوۡنَ‏ ١٢

وَاِذَا قِيۡلَ لَهُمۡ اٰمِنُوۡا كَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ النَّاسُ قَالُوۡاۤ اَنُؤۡمِنُ كَمَاۤ اٰمَنَ السُّفَهَآءُ​ ؕ اَلَاۤ اِنَّهُمۡ هُمُ السُّفَهَآءُ وَلٰـكِنۡ لَّا يَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ ١٣

And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh and the Last Day," but they are not believers.

They [think to] deceive Allāh and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.

In their hearts is disease, so Allāh has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.

And when it is said to them, "Do not cause corruption on the earth," they say, "We are but reformers."

Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.

And when it is said to them, "Believe as the people have believed," they say, "Should we believe as the foolish have believed?" Unquestionably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.

[Al-Quran 2:8-13, Translation: Saheeh International]

The Quran's opening remarks contain the subject of corruption of the Earth. They also introduce the reader to the delusionary mindset of the corrupters who consider themselves reformers. The trouble is that they do not really believe in Allah ﷻ and the Day when they will be recompensed for what they are doing now.  

 

Q2:220 states that Allah  ﷻ knows which person is a reformer, and which person is a corrupter, and Q28:19 presents the example of the criminal man from the Bani Israel who accuses Moses (Musa عليه السلام) of not being a reformer when Moses (Musa عليه السلام) catches him out. 

 

Those who will be made Incharge 

وَعَدَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مِنۡكُمۡ وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَـيَسۡتَخۡلِفَـنَّهُمۡ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ كَمَا اسۡتَخۡلَفَ الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ دِيۡنَهُمُ الَّذِى ارۡتَضٰى لَهُمۡ وَلَـيُبَدِّلَــنَّهُمۡ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ خَوۡفِهِمۡ اَمۡنًا​ ؕ يَعۡبُدُوۡنَنِىۡ لَا يُشۡرِكُوۡنَ بِىۡ شَيۡــًٔــا​ ؕ وَمَنۡ كَفَرَ بَعۡدَ ذٰ لِكَ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ‏ ٥٥

Allāh has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient.

[Al-Quran 24:55, Translation: Saheeh International]

Allah ﷻ granted Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions (رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ) victory over Makkah and the surrounding areas. Moreover, the Companions (رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ) of our dear Prophet Muhammad ﷺ conquered many lands after him, establishing Allah ﷻ 's Deen in all those countries whose sovereigns were sent letter by Allah ﷻ 's Messenger Muhammad ﷺ inviting them to Allah ﷻ 's DEEN.   

Empire of the Rāshidūn Caliphate at its peak under the third rāshidūn caliph ʿUthmān (654 CE)

Web page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Islam

Map Attribution: By Mohammad adil at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5031572

... 

Presently, the world has many Muslim countries with millions of Muslims living in them. The sovereigns and the citizens of each Muslim country should strive to make Allah ﷻ 's Deen and Shariah as the Law of the Land. 

Search Results for root word for  الصَّالِحَاتِ and صَالِحًا: 

https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=SlH#(34:4:5) 

Last updated on: May 9, 2023

Q3 33-34, 59-60 || Q12

Adam & Joseph 

Exploring the mention about Adam in Surah Aal-e-Imran (Q3:33-34, Q3:59-60) in the light of Surah Yusuf 

Ascendants, Descendants & The Chosen Ones 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَىٰ آدَمَ وَنُوحًا وَآلَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَآلَ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى الْعَالَمِين

ذُرِّيَّةً بَعْضُهَا مِن بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيم

 Indeed, Allah chose Adam and Nuh, and (the) family (of) Ibrahim and (the) family (of) Imran over the worlds.
Descendents, some of them from others. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
[Al-Quran 3:33-34]

 وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَجْتَبِيكَ رَبُّكَ وَيُعَلِّمُكَ مِن تَأْوِيلِ الْأَحَادِيثِ وَيُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ كَمَا أَتَمَّهَا عَلَىٰ أَبَوَيْكَ مِن قَبْلُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْحَاقَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيم

And thus will choose you your Lord and will teach you of (the) interpretation (of) the narratives and complete His Favor on you and on (the) family (of) Yaqub as He completed it on your two forefathers from before - Ibrahim and Ishaq. Indeed, your Lord (is) All-Knower, All-Wise."
[Al-Quran 12:6]

All the prophets who came after Adam are descendants of Adam. Abraham was a descendant of Adam, and an ascendant of Joseph.  

The Khalifa, The Messiah & The Promised Hour    

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُون

الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْمُمْتَرِين

 فَمَنْ حَاجَّكَ فِيهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَكُمْ وَأَنفُسَنَا وَأَنفُسَكُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَل لَّعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْكَاذِبِين

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْقَصَصُ الْحَقُّ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيم

فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِالْمُفْسِدِين

Indeed, (the) likeness (of) Isa near Allah (is) like (the) likeness (of) Adam. He created him from dust then He said to him, "Be," and he was.
The truth (is) from your Lord, so (do) not be among the doubters.Then whoever argues (with) you concerning it from after what came to you of the knowledge then say, "Come, let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then let us pray humbly, and [we] invoke the curse (of) Allah on the liars.
Indeed this, surely it (is) the narration - [the] true. And (there is) no (of) god except Allah. And indeed, Allah, surely He (is) the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
And if they turn back, then indeed, Allah (is) All-Knowing, of the corrupters.
[Al-Quran 3:59-63]

أَفَأَمِنُوا أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ غَاشِيَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ أَوْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ السَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُون

قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِين

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِي إِلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَىٰ أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ لِّلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُون

حَتَّىٰ إِذَا اسْتَيْأَسَ الرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُوا جَاءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّيَ مَن نَّشَاءُ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْمُجْرِمِين

لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ مَا كَانَ حَدِيثًا يُفْتَرَىٰ وَلَٰكِن تَصْدِيقَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَتَفْصِيلَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُون

 Do they then feel secure (against) that comes to them an overwhelming [of] punishment (of) Allah, or comes to them the Hour suddenly while they (do) not perceive?
Say, "This (is) my way; I invite to Allah, with insight, I and whoever follows me. And Glory be (to) Allah and not I am of the polytheists."
And not We sent from before you, but men We revealed to them from (among) (the) people (of) the townships. So have not they traveled in the earth and seen how was (the) end (of) those who (were) from before them? And surely the home (of) the Hereafter (is) best for those who fear Allah. Then will not you use reason?
Until when gave up hope the Messengers, and thought that they certainly were denied, then came to them Our help, and was saved whom We willed. And not (can) be repelled Our punishment from the people (who are) criminals.
Verily, (there) is in their stories a lesson for men (of) understanding. Not (it) is a narration invented, but a confirmation (of that) which (from) between his hands and a detailed explanation (of) all things, and a guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
[Al-Quran 12:107-111]

Both Adam and Jesus did not have a father. Joseph spent many years without his father. 

Other humans probably existed when Adam was especially created by Allah for the purpose of Khilafat. Joseph had many brothers, but Allah chose him to complete His favours upon the Family of Jacob. Many humans existed when Jesus was especially created by Allah to be The Messiah. Muhammad ﷺ  was also from the family of Abraham. As Joseph was a brother from another mother, so are the descendants of Ishmael brothers of the descendants of Isaac.   

Adam عليه السلام , Joseph عليه السلام , Jesus عليه السلام and Muhammad ﷺ grew up without the protecting presence of a human father. All were especially protected.  

Allah chose Adam after his fall. Allah completed his favours upon Joseph in spite of the troubles and distances Satan had created between him and his family. Muhammad ﷺ prevailed over the polytheistic state of Makkah and surrounding regions. Allah will re-send Jesus, the Messiah.  

Joseph and his brothers, and their descendants, are the Bani Israel. Jesus عليه السلام was a Messenger of Allah to the Bani Israel. To Iblis, Adam's khilafat was not acceptable. To Joseph's brothers, the vision of sun, moon and planets prostrating to Joseph was not acceptable. 

To the Bani Israel, Jesus عليه السلام was not acceptable as the awaited Messiah and the Messenger of Allah. 

To the Bani Israel, Muhammad ﷺ was not acceptable as the awaited Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.  

The Deen & The Recompense 

إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِندَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُون

الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْمُمْتَرِين

 Indeed, (the) likeness (of) Isa near Allah (is) like (the) likeness (of) Adam. He created him from dust then He said to him, "Be," and he was.
The truth (is) from your Lord, so (do) not be among the doubters.
[Al-Quran 3:59-60]

 قَالُوا فَمَا جَزَاؤُهُ إِن كُنتُمْ كَاذِبِين

قَالُوا جَزَاؤُهُ مَن وُجِدَ فِي رَحْلِهِ فَهُوَ جَزَاؤُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِين

فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ اسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِن وِعَاءِ أَخِيهِ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَ مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِ الْمَلِكِ إِلَّا أَن يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتٍ مَّن نَّشَاءُ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِي عِلْمٍ عَلِيم

  They said, "Then what (will be the) recompense (of) if you are liars."
They said, "Its recompense (is that one) who, it is found in his bag, then he (will be) his recompense. Thus (do) we recompense the wrongdoers."
So he began with their bags before (the) bag (of) his brother; then he brought it out from (the) bag (of) his brother. Thus (did) We plan for Yusuf. Not he could take his brother by the law (of) the king, except that willed Allah We raise (in) degrees whom We will, but over every possessor (of) knowledge (is) the All-Knower.
[Al-Quran 12:74-76]

Jesus is the knowledge of The Hour (السَّاعَةُ). All other deens will be defeated, and Allah's Deen will prevail over the whole world. 

Main post with introduction & links to all posts comparing Adam & Joseph 

Last updated on: March 26, 2021

... if you slip

… Legislation is not but for Allah. He has commanded that you worship not except Him. That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know. [12:40]
Mission of the Messengers-XXXV 


Abstract 

Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty. Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It also lists powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers. In between the two extremes, it relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah.
We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing. 

Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?

[Al-Quran 38:28; typos & translation edited]

Full Text 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَتْكُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَن يَأْتِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِي ظُلَلٍ مِّنَ الْغَمَامِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَقُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ ۚ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ تُرْجَعُ الْأُمُورُ

O you who believe[d]! Enter in submission/Islam completely, and (do) not follow footsteps (of) the Shaitaan. Indeed, he (is) for you an enemy open.

Then if you slip from after [what] came to you (from) the clear proofs, then know that Allah (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Are they waiting [except] that comes to them Allah in (the) shadows of [the] clouds, and the Angels, and is decreed the matter? And to Allah return (all) the matters.

[Al-Quran 2:208-210]

Surah al-Baqarah begins with the fact that the Book is a guidance for the pious: those who fear Allah and try to keep their duty (هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ). The surah narrates to us some of Adam's story which include him being taught all the names by Allah Himself, all angels except Iblis, the Shatiaan, prostrating to Adam, the Khalifah of the Earth, and then:  

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

فَأَزَلَّهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ عَنْهَا فَأَخْرَجَهُمَا مِمَّا كَانَا فِيهِ ۖ وَقُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ ۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

And We said, "O Adam! Dwell you and your spouse (in) Paradise, and [you both] eat from it freely (from) wherever you [both] wish. But do not [you two] approach this [the] tree, lest you [both] be of the wrongdoers."

Then made [both of] them slip the Shaitaan from it, and he got [both of] them out from what they [both] were in [it]. And We said, "Go down (all of you), some of you to others (as) enemy; and for you in the earth (is) a dwelling place and a provision for a period."

Then received Adam from his Lord words, So (his Lord) turned towards him. Indeed He! He (is) the Oft-returning, the Most Merciful.

[Al-Quran 2:35-37; typos edited from translation]

The Deen & Universal Peace 
Surah al-Ara`f and Surah Taha inform us that Adam had disobeyed Allah in pursuit of a desire. The Shaitaan had tempted him with the desire:

• to become angels or immortals (Surah al-Ara`f)
• for immortality and a kingdom that never decays (Surah Taha) 

Surah ar-Rum warns us that there should be no change in the creation of Allah:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

[Al-Quran 30:30]

Allah creates and governs perfectly. To retain the perfection, it is essential to maintain everything as is, free of corruption. There are so many aspects of our life: biological, financial, familial, social, political, legal, etc. where we face choices between what Allah has commanded and other ways of doing things. Submitting to Allah's legislation and commands is essential for any hope to return to The Gardens of Eternity. Our temporal life now is but a test and an opportunity to repent and reform, turning back to Allah in submission. Those who repent and submit can look forward to Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays, while those who insist upon their crimes and evil ways will eventually be contained forever in Hell.  The Quran defines the three laws (الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ):

Universal Peace can only be achieved when all criminals are contained, and all acquitted are reformed, and the Deen is entirely Allah's, the True King.



Turning Back to Allah  

ص ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ

بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ

كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍ

Saad. By the Quran full (of) reminder.

Nay, those who disbelieve (are) in self-glory and opposition.

How many We destroyed before them of a generation, then they called out when there (was) no longer time (for) escape.

[Al-Quran 38:1-3]

...

قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ

إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ

وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُ بَعْدَ حِينٍ

Say, "Not I ask you for it any payment, and not I am of the ones who pretend.

Not it (is) except a Reminder to the worlds.

And surely you will know its information after a time."

[Al-Quran 38:86-88]

Surah Saad begins with the mention of powerful people who reject the reminder. It reminds the reader of powerful leaders of magnificent nations who rejected their messengers and were destroyed. It also cites a list of powerful men who were outstandingly excellent, pious believers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl. The former strove only for this dunya, while the latter group's focus was on the remembrance of the permanent home in the Hereafter!

In between the two extremes, it also relates some details about three powerful men who repeatedly turned back to Allah: David, Solomon and Job. The surah concludes with the story of Adam and Iblis, and his being granted permission to mislead for a limited time:

قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ

إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ

قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

قَالَ فَالْحَقُّ وَالْحَقَّ أَقُولُ

لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

He said, "My Lord! Then give me until (the) Day they are resurrected."

He said, "Then indeed, you (are) of those given respite,

Until (the) Day (of) the time well-known."

He said, 'Then by Thy might I will surely mislead them all.

Except Your slaves among them the chosen ones."

He said, "Then (it is) the truth and the truth I say,

Surely I will fill Hell with you and those who follow you among them all."

[Al-Quran 38:79-85]

The wonderful news is that the chosen ones are those who are able to overcome the tricks of Satan and are able to repent and reform while there is still time! The focus of the narratives is on their earnest repentance and Allah's acceptance of it.


The Responsibility of Khilafat 
The Quran (38:20) mentions David's Kingdom, wisdom and decisive speech (وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ). He was asked to judge (Q38:22) between two brothers, one of whom was outwitting the other with his speech (وَعَزَّنِي فِي الْخِطَابِ). David realised that actually it was he who was being tried. Other sources narrate some details, but The Quran is silent on the background of this. However, very eloquently, The Quran informs us that David realised the lesson there was in it for him and he repented:

قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْخُلَطَاءِ لَيَبْغِي بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُودُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّاهُ فَاسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩

فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ

He said, "Certainly, he has wronged you by demanding your ewe to his ewes. And indeed, many of the partners certainly oppress some of them [on] another except those who believe and do righteous deeds and few (are) they." And became certain Dawood that We (had) tried him, and he asked forgiveness (of) his Lord and fell down bowing and turned in repentance.

So We forgave for him that. And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.

"O Dawood! Indeed, We [We] have made you a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between [the] men in truth and (do) not follow the desire, for it will lead you astray from (the) way (of) Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from (the) way (of) Allah, for them (is) a punishment severe because they forgot (the) Day (of) Account."

[Al-Quran 38:24-26]

Priority of Allah over Everything Else 

وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُودَ سُلَيْمَانَ ۚ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِالْعَشِيِّ الصَّافِنَاتُ الْجِيَادُ

فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ الْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّي حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِالْحِجَابِ

رُدُّوهَا عَلَيَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًا بِالسُّوقِ وَالْأَعْنَاقِ

وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَانَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَ

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكًا لَّا يَنبَغِي لِأَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِي ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ الرِّيحَ تَجْرِي بِأَمْرِهِ رُخَاءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَ

وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ

وَآخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِي الْأَصْفَادِ

هَـٰذَا عَطَاؤُنَا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

وَإِنَّ لَهُ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَآبٍ

And We gave to Dawood Sulaiman, an excellent slave. Indeed, he (was) one who repeatedly turned
When were displayed to him in the afternoon excellent bred steeds.

And he said, "Indeed, I [I] preferred (the) love (of) the good over (the) remembrance (of) my Lord." Until they were hidden in the veil;

"Return them to me." Then he began (to) pass (his hand) over the legs and the necks.

And certainly We tried Sulaiman, and We placed on his throne a body; then he turned.

He said, "O my Lord! Forgive me and grant me a kingdom, not (will) belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You [You] (are) the Bestower."

Then We subjected to him the wind to flow by his command, gently, wherever he directed,

And the devils, every builder and diver,

And others bound in chains.

"This (is) Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."

And indeed, for him with Us surely is a near access and a good place of return.

[Al-Quran 38:30-40; typos edited]

Even though an excellent slave of Allah, Solomon was negligent in performing his contact prayers on time, and the love of the good that Allah had bestowed upon him was dearer to him than the timely remembrance of Allah. In spite of realising his negligence, he continued doing what he was doing, till he almost lost his kingdom! It was then that he realised the seriousness and repented, and his Lord bestowed upon him much more than what he was going to lose.


Enduring Suffering with Patience
In the story of Prophet Job, we read his prayer that:

وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍ

ارْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِب بِّهِ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ

And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."

[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."

And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah ].

[Al-Quran 38:41-44, Translation: Sahih International]

The Bible relates to us that Shaitaan had taken express permission from God to inflict immense suffering upon Job, with permission for everything except to kill him. The Bible informs us that Job was very upright and grateful, and this suffering was not a consequence of any sin committed by Job, but rather to see if he would continue to remain grateful and upright even when experiencing extreme suffering and loss. The Quran informs us that Job endured patiently and he repeatedly turned back to Allah. He was eventually granted a cure and given more than the loss that he had suffered during this trial.  


In David, Solomon, and Job, we have inspirational examples of hope in the Mercy of Allah! We may keep faltering and failing, but if we hold on to the rope of Allah, taking guidance from The Quran and prior scriptures, repenting and reforming, we have hope of a beautiful return, Allah willing.

 وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ۚ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ

أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ كَالْمُفْسِدِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ الْمُتَّقِينَ كَالْفُجَّارِ

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

And not We created the heaven and the earth and whatever (is) between them without purpose. That (is the) assumption (of) those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve, from the Fire.

Or should We treat those who believe and do reformative deeds like those who spread corruption in the earth? Or should We treat the pious like the wicked?

(This is) a Book We have revealed it to you, blessed (flourishing with knowledge and guidance), that they may ponder (over) its ayaat and may be reminded those of understanding.

[Al-Quran 38:27-29; typos & translation edited]

Credits: 

Arabic text copied from: https://www.searchtruth.com/

Translation copied from: https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/ 

Last updated on:  January 23, 2020