Ali 'Imran 1–15
Godhood is only fitting for Allah who revealed the Qur'an, then two opposing lifestyles are presented: relying on wealth like the disbelievers, or being conscious of Allah and making the world merely a means.
Verse 1 consists of 3 Arabic letters (huruf Hijaiyyah), namely, alif, lam and mim. In the Qur'an there are 29 chapters that begin with combinations of several letters like this. No one knows their meaning except Allah alone. The Messenger ﷺ never explained their meaning. Likewise the Companions of the Messenger ﷺ to whom the Qur'an was first revealed never explained what it means. Because of this, most scholars do not dare to interpret it. They only say: Allah alone knows its meaning.
Verses 2-9 of Surah Ali Imran explain that godhood and worship are only fitting for Allah, because He is the Ever-Living and Self-Subsisting. He revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad ﷺ with truth, confirming the books before it, namely the Torah and Gospel as a guide to life for humanity. Those who disbelieve in the verses of Allah, including the Qur'an, will receive the punishment of Hell.
Allah is Mighty and has retribution, and nothing is hidden from Him in the heavens and on earth.
He is the One who shapes them in their mothers' wombs as He wills. Because of this, the god (ilah) worthy of worship is only Allah who is Mighty and Wise.
In the Qur'an there are verses that are clear (muhkamat) and verses that are ambiguous (mutasyābihat). Those who believe affirm both with full certainty. As for those whose hearts are sick will seek interpretations of the ambiguous verses with the aim of causing corruption. So pray that you are not led astray in this world, receive His mercy and are not punished by Allah in the Hereafter.
Verses 10-15 explain two ideologies that oppose each other. First, the ideology of the disbelievers. They believe that wealth is everything and will be able to save them in this world and in the Hereafter. Yet Pharaoh is clear proof of how power, wealth and a strong army are completely useless when Allah drowned them in the Red Sea.
The disbelievers fought and carried out all their activities for the sake of the world. Allah has decided, they will be defeated in this world and will be gathered in the Hereafter into Hell. The fact is the Battle of Badr. The Muslims fought in the way of Allah, while the disbelievers of Mecca were motivated by disbelief. Allah changed their sight so they saw the Muslims as twice their number. Yet the Muslims were actually a third of their number. Allah has many ways of helping His faithful servants. The Battle of Badr is a very valuable lesson for those who can see Allah's power with the eyes of their hearts.
Second, are those who believe in Allah and the Hereafter and are conscious of Him. They are not controlled by desires for women, wealth and power. They treat this world only as a means to seek Allah's pleasure and the Paradise He has promised. Because of this, they are not dazzled and deceived by the glitter of the world, no matter how much comes to them. Because they understand and are certain that Paradise with rivers flowing beneath it and eternal houris purified from menstruation and Allah's pleasure is far more attractive. While the life of this world lasts only a few years. That is the character of those who are conscious of Allah.
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