In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
A brief commentary
on the book *Identification Cards*
*for the Surahs of the Noble Qur'an*,
by Dr. Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz Ibn 'Umar Nasif,
may Allah preserve him.
Surah Saba'.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings
be upon the Messenger of Allah,
and upon his family, his Companions, and all who follow him perpetually.
A brief commentary
on the identification cards,
focusing on Surah Saba'.
Here we observe that Saba' is the name of a tribe,
and this tribe
was ungrateful for Allah's favors, as depicted in this surah.
Although the surah mentions Dawud
and Sulayman,
it was not named after either of them;
rather, it was named Saba'.
This indicates the primary objective of the surah,
as it addresses the disbelievers
first and foremost,
rather than the righteous servants of Allah, even though it mentions them.
Therefore, regarding the surah's central theme,
the author wrote that it is recognized by pondering its distinct sections.
However, it is more accurate to say
that it is recognized by reflecting upon its name
and the opening verses of its sections.
For its name
signifies its theme;
as soon as you hear "Saba',"
you recall that it addresses the disbelievers,
while also speaking of others,
because the Qur'an pairs intimidation with encouraging hope.
The second point
concerns the opening verses of its sections,
which I suggested adding the word "openings" to describe,
as they also help
in discerning the surah's central theme:
namely, refuting the disbelievers.
Thus, these openings begin
with mentioning the disbelievers:
"And those who disbelieve say..."
There are multiple verses containing the phrase:
"And those who disbelieve say."
The first is:
"And those who disbelieve say,
'The Hour will not come to us,'"
in the third verse;
and in the seventh verse,
which marks the second section of the first part:
"And those who disbelieve say,
'Shall we direct you to a man...?'"
Whenever such an assertion is repeated,
you will find between one assertion and the next
a refutation or guidance.
Then comes
the second part, which also begins:
"And those who disbelieve say..."
“And those who disbelieve say: We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it; but oh, if thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another; how those who were despised (in the earth) say unto those who were proud: But for you, we should have been believers.” (34:31)
“And those who disbelieve say: We believe not in this Qur'an nor in that which was before it; but oh, if thou couldst see, when the wrong-doers are brought up before their Lord, how they cast the blame one to another; how those who were despised (in the earth) say unto those who were proud: But for you, we should have been believers.” (34:31)
These verses
demonstrate that the surah
primarily addresses the disbelievers.
At its conclusion, there is a dreadful warning
directed at the disbelievers,
right at the end of the surah.
Hence, the author wrote: "Concluding with a threat
depicting their state amidst terror
in a manner..."
He wrote here: "wondrous and terrifying" (badi'an mari'an),
but this is an error;
it should be "appalling or terrifying."
It is wondrous in terms of language and rhetoric,
yet profoundly terrifying.
“Couldst thou but see when they are terrified with no escape, and are seized from near at hand,” (34:51)
“Couldst thou but see when they are terrified with no escape, and are seized from near at hand,” (34:51)
Returning briefly to the third point:
within this surah,
alongside these statements
of the disbelievers—and you will find
this in the sections of the surah
on the second line
from the bottom—the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
is directly instructed
on how to refute them:
"Say," "Say," "Say."
This recurs across many surahs,
but I wished to emphasize here
that a Muslim must base
his refutations of the disbelievers,
his answers to
their misconceptions,
and his dealings with them
in general, upon
divine revelation.
If one desires to follow
the way of the Prophet, peace be upon him—
adhering to his Sunnah and his methodology—
“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)
“Say: This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge. I and whosoever followeth me - Glory be to Allah! - and I am not of the idolaters.” (12:108)
there is no need to search
for alternative solutions.
The Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Chosen Prophet
from 'Adnan—which is the practical implementation of that Qur'an—
are the sole means
by which our da'wah,
our answers, our rebuttals,
and our interactions with the disbelievers
can be sound and upright.
This will serve as a path to their guidance,
should Allah decree guidance for them,
and ensure that we have fulfilled
our duty toward them.
This is what I wished to note regarding this surah,
and I ask Allah to grant success to all.
May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad,
and upon his family and all his Companions. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.