Atheists in Quran (49) they came to eradicate Islam

The Atheists announced that they came from Makkah to Al-Madinah to kill the Prophet Muhammad and eradicate Islam and Muslims from the face of the Earth.

See what happened to them and what the Angels have done to them!

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Background of the verses 8:50-51

Date: more than 1400 years ago

Place: nearby Al-Madinah in the Arabia

Event: the first battle between the Atheists among the Arabs and the believers

The name of the battle: the Day of “Badr”

Situation: The Atheists were about 1000 well-armed men

                The believers were 300 weakly armed men

Media: the Atheists announced that they came from Makkah to Al-Madinah to kill the Prophet Muhammad and eradicate Islam and Muslims from the face of the Earth

Result: Muslims won and the Atheists severely lost the battle. About 100 Atheists killed, another 100 captivated and the rest flee from the shock of such result.

Was this the only fate of the Atheists?

No

The meanings of the verses 8:50-51

If you could see O Muhammad and believers how the angels, on the Day of Badr, take away the Atheists’ souls, smiting their faces and their backs and saying unto them:

Taste the severe punishment of burning.

This chastisement is for what your hands have done while you were unbelieving know that Allah is just to His servants, such that he would not punish them for no sin.

Know that Allah is not a tyrant to His servants such that He would take them to task without them having committed a crime.

Allah’s Justice is for all

We see the angels acting on Allah’s instructions and by His permission, reproaching the unbelievers and meting out punishment to them. They gather their souls in a very harsh manner and dole out to them the sort of treatment that befits their arrogance and conceit. Even in the most difficult of times, they remind them of their evil deeds and tell them of their inevitable destiny. There is no injustice in what they are about to suffer. It is only what they deserve.

The verse makes it clear that punishing the unbelievers for their misdeeds is a constant law that Allah has set into operation:

The two verses, however, may also be taken as a reference to a continuing situation that applies whenever the angels gather the souls of unbelievers.

In this case the opening phrase, “if you could but see”, may be understood as an address to anyone with eyes to see. This type of address is used frequently to direct attention to certain matters that need to be contemplated.

The verses portray a fearful picture of the unbelievers as the angels gather their souls, adding humiliation to their misery and combining physical suffering with death:

“If you could but see how the angels gather up the souls of the unbelievers. They strike them on their faces and their backs.”

The mode of expression then changes from that of reporting to an address:

“Taste the punishment of burning.”

This serves to bring the sight blooming as though it is happening now in front of our eyes. We almost see the fire of hell and how it burns them fiercely.

The unbelievers are severely reproached as they are pushed into it:

“[this is] in return for what your own hands have committed.”

It is all a fitting recompense. You deserve it all on account of what you have done:

“Never does Allah do any injustice to His servants.”

The infliction of suffering and humiliation on the unbelievers is a permanent law that does not change.

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The verses 8:50-51 in different translations:

QARIB:

50-If you could see the angels when they carry off the souls of the unbelievers, beating their faces and their backs, saying: ‘taste the punishment of burning!

51-That is for what your hands have forwarded, Allah is not unjust to his worshipers. ‘

SHAKIR:

50-And had you seen when the angels will cause to die those who disbelieve, smiting their faces and their backs, and (saying): taste the punishment of burning

51-This is for what your own hands have sent on before, and because Allah is not in the least unjust to the servants;

PICKTHAL:

50-If thou couldst see how the angels receive those who disbelieve, smiting faces and their backs and (saying): taste the punishment of burning!

51-This is for that which your own hands have sent before (to the judgment), and (know) that Allah is not a tyrant to his slaves.

YUSUFALI:

50-If thou couldst see, when the angels take the souls of the unbelievers (at death), (how) they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): “taste the penalty of the blazing fire-

51-“Because of (the deeds) which your (own) hands sent forth; for Allah is never unjust to his servants:

Atheists in Quran (17) their power = naught

Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers; they flee from fear to more fear. Allah’s Law is “Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe in Allah, the Almighty”. Adopting this law, Muslims won and the unbelievers defeated

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The background of the verse 24:57

Muslims flee from fear to more fear

At the beginning of Islam, Muslims were scared of the might of the unbelievers.

The unbelievers were very violent striking the Muslims with all kinds oftorment

Then, the Muslims left their houses, possessions, money etc. and migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah in an attempt to flee from the mighty unbelievers.

I will let Abu al-Aliyah (one of Muhammad’s fellows) to describe the Muslims’ situation, he said:

“The Prophet Muhammad and his Companions remained in Makkah for around ten years calling on people to believe in Allah and to worship Him alone, associating no partners with Him.

However, they did so in secret, as they were in a state of fear of the unbelievers who were very violent with the little Muslims community. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad has prevented us from fighting. When the Muslims later migrated to Al- Madinah, Allah bid them to fight back for their cause. This meant that they were again in a state of more fear, wearing their body armor day and night. They persevered for as long as Allah willed.

One of his Companions asked the Prophet: Are we to remain in such fear for the rest of time? Will there comes a time when we can put our armaments aside?’

The Prophet said: ‘It will not be long before any one of you can sit among a huge crowd without anyone carrying arms.’

Soon afterwards, Allah revealed this verse. The Prophet was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia and his followers were in a state of security. They put down their arms”.

The verse 24:57 says:

Do not Think O Muhammad that the unbelievers can escape from Allah’s punishment both in the life of this world and in the Hereafter

For their abode will be the Eternal Fire; it is surely an evil destination, the worst abode for anyone. A hapless journey’s end

The verse confirms that the unbelievers cannot defy Allah. They will receive their fair punishment in this life and in the Afterlife.

Allah says to the believers: if you remain steadfast, following My path, then you need not worry about the might of the unbelievers. The power they apparently wield will not stand in your way. You are far stronger when equipped with your faith.

In material power, you may not be a match for them, but believers who strive for the truth can work miracles.

Back to 1400 years ago,

The unbelievers were more than 30 times the believers in respect to their:

  • Populations
  • Equipment
  • Army force
  • Wealth
  • Etc.

However, Allah as He promised defeated them in this life and you will see the fulfilment of his promise in the Afterlife.

Allah’s Law is:

Do not fear the might of the Atheists if you believe that the Almighty exists.

No wonder then that “the Prophet Muhammad was able to establish his authority over the whole of Arabia”

(Quoted from Abu al-Aliyah)

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The verse 24:57 in different translations:

QARIB:

Never think that the unbelievers will be able to frustrate (us) in the earth. their refuge is the fire, an evil arrival.

SHAKIR:

Think not that those who disbelieve shall escape in the earth, and their abode is the fire; and certainly evil is the resort!

PICKTHAL:

Think not that the disbelievers can escape in the land. fire will be their home – a hapless journey’s end!

YUSUFALI:

Never think thou that the unbelievers are going to frustrate (Allah’s plan) on earth: their abode is the fire,- and it is indeed an evil refuge!