Page 2 of 8

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 17

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 56: O My believing servants! My earth is truly spacious, so worship ‘Me’ alone.
This verse means that if you are not allowed to practice your religion in the place where you are staying, then you must migrate. Migration (Hijrah) is something we see from the time of the Holy Prophet (s). When the believers were being persecuted, they migrated from
Makkah to Abyssinia and then did Hijrah again from Abyssinia to Madina. There is a lot of barakah for believers who migrate for the betterment of their faith. It has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, When the angels seize the souls of those who have wronged themselves- scolding them, “What is wrong with you?” they will reply, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will respond, “Was Allah’s earth not spacious for you to migrate?” It is they who will have hell as their home—What an evil destination! (Q4:97)

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 16

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 53: They challenge you ‘O Prophet’ to hasten the punishment. Had it not been for a time already set, the punishment would have certainly come to them ‘at once.’ But it will definitely take them by surprise when they least expect it.
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Prophet Yunus (a) left
his people because the people were really disturbing him. These people actually saw the punishment coming to them. Just before the punishment striked them, they changed. They realized that ‘Indeed Prophet Yuus (a) was telling us the truth. We must repent.’ As a result of their repentance, they were saved.
Verse 54: The urge you to hasten the punishment. And hell will
certainly encompass the disbelievers. The disbelievers are asking for the adhaab because they think it will come from the heavens. But the reality is that they are already in the adhaab. They may not realize it because externally they cannot see what is surrounding them. In reality, they are already in the fire of hell. In the Aakhirat, they will actually be surrounded by the fire.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 15

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 51: Is it not enough for them that We have sent down to you the Book, ‘which is’ recited to them. Surely in this ‘Qur’an’ is a mercy and reminder for people who believe.
Even though the greatest miracle the Holy Prophet (saww)
received was the Holy Qur’an, the people asked for different things. Here the scholars have mentioned a very important point. If the people at that time were not satisfied with one
miracle of the Holy Prophet, a thousand miracles would not change their mind.
The Holy Qur’an is a living miracle. The miracles given to
Prophet Musa (a) and ‘Isa (a) were only for a fixed period of time. When ‘Isa (a) raised a person back to life, that person eventually died, so that miracle ended. When Musa (a) turned his stick into a snake, that snake turned back into a stick and that miracle ended. But as followers of the Holy Prophet (saww), we have access to the living miracle, the Holy Qur’an.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 14

March 17, 2025 / editor

In order to gauge the effectiveness of Salah, we have to see, does it take us away from sins or not. If we pray salaah and still commit sins, then there is definitely a problem with that salaah. Ulema have mentioned that there is a difference between our salaah being sahih or being accepted. If we follow all the correct rules that are written in the Taudhi-ul-Masa’il, then our salaah might be sahih, but if it does not take us away from sins, then it is not accepted.
Imam al-Sadiq (a) is reported to have said, “The first thing that will be reckoned from a servant is the prayer. Then if the prayer is accepted, his other (good) deeds will be accepted, but if it is
rejected his other (good) deeds will not be accepted either.”
Prayer validates all our good deeds and your beliefs. The Holy Prophet (saww) is reported to have said, “Whoever takes his prayers lightly will not be with me in the pond (of Kauthar) on the Day of Resurrection.”
The remembrance of Allah is the source of peace and comfort for the hearts, and nothing is comparable to it.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 13

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 45: Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and maintain the prayer. Indeed the prayer prevents indecencies and wrongs, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever [deeds] you do. This is one of the very well-known verses of the Holy Qur’an. This verse talks about 2 things. Allah’s communication with us and our communication with Allah.
Whenever we want to hear the words of Allah, we recite the Holy Qur’an. This is how Allah (swt) communicates with us. When the
Holy Qur’an is being recited, there are some etiquettes that we need to follow with regards to the recitation as well as listening to the Holy Qur’an.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 12

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 41: All human beings need a wali (guide, leader). Those who take Allah (swt) as their wali are safe. A mulhid takes his own desires (hawaa) as his wali. The one who takes the idols as his wali is a
mushrik. You can either be a Muslim who submits to Allah (swt) or you are a mulhid or a mushrik. There is no other option. Those who take a wali other than Allah (swt), their example is of a flimsy spider web, what about those who take Allah (swt) as their wali? Imam ‘Ali
al-Ridha (a) is reported to have said, “Believing in Laa ilaha illal laa is like a fortress.”
Verse 43: We have given you so many examples but only those who think and contemplate understand the meanings of these examples.
Verse 44: Everything has been created for a purpose. Everything
that has come in creation has a reason. When we see different kinds of human beings, each one of them has a purpose in life. We do not have any right to undermine any human being. When we see another human being, we must know that Allah (swt) has created him for a purpose. He has a role to play. Every person has his/her own abilities.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 11

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 40: Allah (swt) then gives us a summary of the punishment
that He sent. On some of them, we sent a violent storm, some were swallowed by the earth and some we drowned. This was a result of them doing dhulm on themselves.
Verse 41. It is from this verse that we derive the name of this Surah, Surah al-Ankabut. Examples of those people who take protectors
besides Allah (swt), are like the house of the spider. What can be more weaker and more flimsy than the house of a spider. 2 interesting points need to be discussed here, does this verse refer to the event
of the Hijrah, when the Holy Prophet (saww) was travelling from Makkah to Madinah and the spider appeared at the door and shooed away the mushrikeen? No, this is a Makki Surah and does not relate to this event
There are many other insects whose homes are more weaker
and flimsier than a spider. Why is the spider mentioned? The Muffassireen have mentioned that since the Holy Qur’an is a guide for all the people, (regardless of where they are from), and they
all know the flimsiness of the spider’s web, it is easier for them to
understand the frailty of the home of the spider. — Tafsir Surat al-Ankabut 4

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 10

March 17, 2025 / editor

The Muffasireen have mentioned that the reply of Prophet Ibrahim (a) was in itself a du’a. There are different stages of itminaan (reliance on Allah). This type of tawkkul is the highest form of itminaan, where a person leaves everything to Allah knowing that whatever is best for him will happen. When Prophet Ibrahim (a)
landed in the fire, it became a garden, a place of coolness for him.
Verse 26: When Ibrahim (a) was preaching to his people, Lut (a)
accepted his message, and believed in him. He was the nephew of Prophet Ibrahim (a).
Verse 27: There is a difference between Jazaa’ and ‘Ajr. Jazaa’ can be used to refer to both punishment and reward but ‘Ajr only refers to reward. When Prophet Ibrahim (a) was blessed with children, it was a special and divine blessing from Allah (swt). Ishaq was the son of Prophet Ibrahim (a) while Yaqub (a) was his grandson. All the divine books that were revealed to the Prophets were from the lineage of Prophet Ibrahim (a). Perfecting your deeds can only be done in this world but perfecting your knowedge can be done both in this world and in the hereafter. By learning something new, you perfect your knowledge. However, in the Akhirat, there will be things you have never seen and you will witness it. This is how you will learn in the Akhirat-by seeing.
We pray to Allah (swt) to grant us a better understanding of the Holy Qur’an so that we can implement its teachings in our daily lives. Ameen.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 9

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 18: If you persist in denial, so did ‘many’ communities
before you. They were punished severely with a painful
chastisement.
Verse 21: He punishes whoever He wills and shows mercy to
whoever He wills. And you will ‘all’ be turned back to Him. As
Allah (swt) is ‘sattarul uyub’ and ‘ghaffaarudh dhunub’ he hides all our flaws, but on the Day of Judgement, it will all be different. The phrase ’You will all be turned back to Him’, means that when we will return to Allah, our secrets will no longer be ours

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 8

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 13: But surely they will carry their own burdens and other burdens along with their own burdens, and they will surely be questioned on the Day of Resurrection concerning that which they used to fabricate. No act can be attributed to anyone else because: (a) actions are living (b) they are inseparably linked to their doers! [These people are astray and they are making others also go astray. This means they will be punished twice. Once for doing what is wrong and secondly for misguiding others. The fact is that if you followed them in doing wrong you will also be punished.
Verse 14: Certainly We sent Nuh to his people, and he remained with them for a thousand-less-fifty years. Then the flood overtook them while they were wrongdoers. Allah (swt) eloquently highlights the length of his tabligh. But 1000 is a rounded off number and is more appealing. Removing 50 does not really reduce the magnitude of 1000. The use of ‘sanah’ and ‘aam’ both mean ‘years’ is used to avoid unnecessary repetition and is a sign of the eloquence of the Holy Qur’an.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 7

March 17, 2025 / editor

Verse 9: Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, We will surely admit them among the righteous.
Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli says that there is a difference between a person who is a Salih (righteous) and a person who is included with the Saaliheen. You can be Salih when you do an action that makes you a Salih but when you are amongst the Saaliheen, then it means you are a person for whom it hasbecome a malaka - you only do good deeds. The only thing that comes from you is righteous actions.
Verse 10: Among the people there are those who say, ‘We have faith in Allah,’ but if such a one is tormented in Allah's cause, he takes persecution by the people for Allah's punishment. Yet if there comes any help from your Lord, they will say for sure," We were
indeed with you." Does not Allah know best what is in the hearts of the creatures?
Some people believe in Allah only by their tongue. When the
difficulties come, they change. When they have to suffer for the sake of Allah, then it becomes very difficult for them. Note that these people ‘say’ that they believe. They deem the [threat of] hardships of this life as hindrance to their faith – just as the threat of chastisement is a hindrance to sin. These people believe in the benefit and the profit, not in Allah!

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 6

March 16, 2025 / editor

Verse 6: Whoever strives, strives only for his own sake. Indeed Allah has no need of the creatures. Allah (swt) does not need
anything from us. He neither needs our struggles, nor our hard work. This means that whoever struggles, he does it for himself. The ulama and muffassireen have mentioned that this verse talks about Jihad al-Asghar (the Smaller Jihad) where the people take their weapons and fight the enemy.
When we believe and then do good deeds, 3 things happen: The first thing is that Allah (swt) wipes away our bad deeds. The
second thing is that we will be rewarded based on the best of what we did. Like sometimes when we go to the grocery store to buy fruits, we choose the best of what is available. Similarly we will all be rewarded based on the best of what we have done.
The third thing is that Allah (swt) will include us among the
swaliheen (to be explained in verse 9). We pray to Allah (swt) to grant us the correct understanding of the Holy Qur’an and help us to be amongst those who are good and also do good deeds. Ameen.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 5

March 16, 2025 / editor

Verse 3: When Allah (swt) addresses His believers, He gives them examples of those who came before them. Do you think that only you are suffering and that the people who came before you had an easy time? Some of the muffasireen (commentators) have mentioned that this verse is referring to the tribulations of Ammar ibn Yasir. The believers were suffering and some of them considered leaving Islam. They were told to look at those who came before, like Ammar. He lost his parents - they were both martyred; the first martyrs of Islam, Sumayya and Yasir. May Allah be pleased with them.
Verse 4: Do they think that if they do something evil, they can
outmaneuver (run away from) Us? Evil is the judgement that they make. Imam ‘Ali (a) is reported to have said, “The parts of your body are the army of Allah.” Your body is working for Allah, Your eyes and ears are His witnesses, they will bear testimony. Human beings
cannot escape if they sin.
Verse 5: Whoever hopes to meet Allah, the term appointed by Allah will then most surely come, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 4

March 16, 2025 / editor

This surah has 69 Ayaat which we InshaAllah intend to complete, we may not be able to go into the depth of every single verse. Our intention is that we provide a basic understanding of this surah so that when we recite this Surah on the night of Qadr, we understand what we are reciting.
The first thing that Allah (swt) does in this surah after the Huruf al-Muqatta’at, He asks a question. Do the people think that if they say ‘We have faith’, they will not be tested? This is
a rhetorical question meaning that Allah (swt) does not want you to answer. He is telling you that even though you say, “We have faith!” you will still be tested. Human beings face different types of fitnah (tribulations) in their lives

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 3

March 16, 2025 / editor

This verse was revealed to encourage the Muslims to be
patient in troubles, and put their trust in God and wait for His help.
The believers were of the opinion that, through their mere faith, they could obtain salvation and enter Paradise. The verse denied them that, saying that even the believing people and the Prophets, all together said, “… When will Allah’s help come? ….”
It is evident that the purpose, here, is not a protest against the Providence, but this manner of statement is itself a kind of
invocation and a plea for help. This verse points at one of the everlasting Divine rules and customs; that in all ages the
believers have to work hard for salvation, and encounter sufferings and hardship, if they are willing to enter Paradise.

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 2

March 16, 2025 / editor

Verse no. 1 The first verse of Surah al-Ankabut starts with
the Muqatta'aat letters, These are unique letter combinations that
appear in the beginning of 29 surahs of the Qur'an. Muqatta'at
literally means abbreviated or shortened. Their meanings remain unclear and are considered by most scholars to be divine secrets.
After all 29 surahs that start with these letters something is spoken about the Qur’an except in surahs: Maryam, ‘Ankabut, Rum and
Qalam.
Verse no. 2 Do the people suppose that they will be let off because they say, ‘We have faith,’ and they will not be tested? Testing is part of ‘Iman.’ If you are a true mu’min, then expect all sorts of difficulties and tests.
When we call ourself ‘Mu’mineen,’ we need to know that this title ‘Mu’mineen’ comes with strings attached eg trials and tribulations. Just like gold is burned and then purified, human beings are also tested with various kinds of tests.
We will have to sacrifice everything for the pleasure of Allah and bear every difficulty with patience.

Tafsir Surat al-Ankabut 1

March 16, 2025 / editor

Our preparation for the Blessed month of Ramadhan starts from the Holy month of Rajab.
When Surah al-Fatiha was revealed it was known as Fatihatul Kitab and that is why we call this Surah, Surah al-Fatiha. Some surahs were not named by the Holy Prophet (saww) but got their name later on. According to Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli, Surah al-Ankabut was previously known as ‘Surat al-Lati Yudhkaru Fiha al-Ankabut’-The Surah in which the spider is mentioned, and only later was the name shortened to Surah al-Ankabut (The Spider).

Ayatullah Syed Muhammad Ridha Husayni Jalali

March 16, 2025 / editor

The Exalted Character of Imam al-Hasan (a)

March 16, 2025 / editor

The greatest merit of Imam al-Hasan (a) was the title granted to him and his brother Imam al-Husayn (a): 'The Leaders of the Youth of Paradise'. This title was designated to them by the Holy Prophet (saww).

The Great Status of Janabe Khadija (sa)

March 16, 2025 / editor

Because of her respect, obedience, kindness, and patience, she was very precious to the Holy Prophet (saww). He said, “Khadijah (sa) believed in me when everyone else disbelieved, she held me truthful when others called me a liar, she sheltered me when others abandoned me, and comforted me when others shunned me.”
When Janabe Khadijah (sa) passed away, Angel Jibra’il (a) asked the Holy Prophet (saww) to describe her in a few words. He (s) said, “She was the most truthful.”
She passed away 25 years after her marriage with the Holy Prophet (saww) and is buried in Jannat al Mu’alla on the outskirts of Makkah.

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑

Enlightening Inspirations

Page 2 of 8

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 17

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 16

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 15

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 14

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 13

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 12

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 11

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 10

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 9

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 8

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 7

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 6

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 5

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 4

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 3

Tafsir of Surah al-Ankabut – 2

Tafsir Surat al-Ankabut 1

Ayatullah Syed Muhammad Ridha Husayni Jalali

The Exalted Character of Imam al-Hasan (a)

The Great Status of Janabe Khadija (sa)

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Archives

Categories