Day 136 · Surah Ar-Ra'd Verses 14-28

Ar-Ra'd 14–28

Worshipping besides Allah is likened to extending one's hand into a well whose water is unreachable, falsehood is likened to foam that disappears, and the intelligent person is recognized by the promise of tawhid, maintaining ties of kinship, prayer, charity, and repaying evil with good.

Deities besides Allah are powerless; like a person reaching into a well to obtain water far below its surface, it will forever be futile.
The entire cosmos submits to Allah, and equating idols with the Creator is like equating the blind with the seeing, or darkness with light.
Truth is likened to something beneficial and enduring, while falsehood is like foam that easily vanishes and has no value.
The intelligent person is described as fulfilling the covenant of tawhid, maintaining kinship ties, fearing the Day of Reckoning, being patient, establishing prayer, giving regular charity, and repaying evil with good.
The closing section mentions provision that is expanded or restricted according to Allah's will, the world that is insignificant compared to the Hereafter, and the believer's heart that finds peace through remembrance of Allah.

Verse 14 continues from the previous verse. Therefore, only Allah is worthy of worship and the One to be sought for help. The deities worshipped besides Allah cannot do anything. They are like one extending one's hand into a well to reach water far below its bottom. No matter how long they try, they will never grasp it. Such an action is utterly futile.

Verses 15-16 explain some of Allah's greatness and power. Among them:

The entire universe submits and prostrates to Allah willingly or unwillingly, including shadows in the morning and evening.
Allah is the Creator of the heavens and earth. Therefore, deities besides Allah can never bring benefit or harm. Equating an idol or any god with Allah is like equating the blind with the seeing and darkness with light. Or their thinking is confused between the creation and the Creator.
Allah is the Creator of all things, the One, the Almighty and the Mighty.

In verse 17, Allah makes a parable of al-Haq (truth) with al-Bāṭil (falsehood). Falsehood is like foam that easily disappears and has no value. While truth is something beneficial to mankind and will endure as long as the earth exists. That is the Qur'an or Islam.

Verse 18 explains that those who accept the teaching of tawhid and obey Allah will enter Paradise, while those who reject it will receive Hell.

Verses 19-28 explain the following four matters:

Those who understand the truth of the Qur'an are ulu al-albāb (those who reason). While those who refuse to understand its truth are blind. Ulu al-albāb are those who: Fulfill the covenant of proclaiming Allah's oneness Maintain ties of kinship Fear Allah and the Day of Reckoning Remain patient in seeking Allah's pleasure Perform prayer Give charity regularly Repay evil with good.

Ulu al-albāb will attain the reward of the Gardens of 'Aden along with their parents, spouses, and righteous descendants. The angels will enter them through every gate of the Gardens, greeting them for their patience in practicing the religion of tawhid (Islam). But those who break their covenant to proclaim Allah's oneness, sever ties of kinship, and cause corruption on earth will be cursed by Allah and will be cast into Hell.

Allah expands or restricts provision for whom He wills. Life in this world is utterly insignificant compared to the Hereafter.
Those who reject the truth of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) will be led astray by Allah, while those who accept it will be guided by Allah.
The heart of the believer is at peace through dhikr (remembrance of Allah) because dhikr is the most effective remedy for the heart when its meaning is understood and practiced.

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