Chapter 61 - 94
Close Formation (Surah Al-Saff)
(14 verses in total, Revealed in Madinah – possibly 2nd year of Hijrah)
In the name of ALLAH, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
All that is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Allah – The Mighty, the Wise! (v.1)
O Believers! Why do you say things that you do not do? It is most distasteful to Allah that you claim things that you do not do, while Allah loves those who fight in God’s cause in close formation, like a solid wall! (v. 2-4)
(Recall) when Moses said to his people, “Why do you malign me1 when you know that I am Allah’s Messenger to you?” But when they strayed, Allah also made their hearts deviate. Allah does not guide corrupt people! (v. 5)
(Recall) when Jesus, son of Mary, said, “O Children of Israel! I am indeed a Messenger from Allah for you, affirming the Torah that came before me and giving the good news of a Messenger who will come after me, who will be called Ahmed.” But when he came with clear reasonings, they said, “This is nothing but sorcery.” Who is more wrong than he who forges lies against Allah while he is invited to Islam. Allah does not guide unjust people! These people desire to put out the Light of Allah, while Allah will perfect the Light, though the deniers may dislike it. (v. 6-8)
It is God Who sent His Messenger with guidance and the True Religion so that God may make it prevail over all other religions – even if the polytheists dislike it! (v. 9)
O Believers! Shall I show you a trade that will deliver you from painful chastisement? It is that you believe in Allah and the Messenger, strive hard in Allah’s directives with your wealth and your lives – this is better for you, if you knew! God will forgive your sins, let you enter the Garden with flowing streams, and give you wholesome living in the Garden of Perpetuity – this is the grandest of achievement! (v. 10-12)
Yet more blessings that you love – help from Allah and a victory close at hand – such are the good news for the believers! (v. 13)
O Believers! Be helpers to Allah, just as Jesus, the son of May when he addressed his disciples, “Who will help me regarding Allah?” The disciples said, “We are the helpers of Allah.” Thereafter a party of the Children of Israel believed while another party disbelieved. God aided the party that believed against its enemy, and they prevailed.2 (v. 14)
1See 33:69 and Num. 12 in the Bible
2 The rise of Christianity over Judaism
