by Umme Adil Nawaz

Created on: January 10, 2011

Surah At-Teen

There are 114 surahs or chapters in the Quran and Surah At-Teen is the 95th  surah. The ending chapters of the Quran speak to us like someone giving the last minute instructions before saying goodbye… the journey through the Quran is going to end soon but when you reach the end you will find that it is just the beginning of another journey. And so we need to have very clear concepts before we embark upon the next voyage of life.

The surah begins with some oaths and they are like key words reminding us of very important people and incidents…

“By the fig and by the olive, by the mount of Sinai and by this city of peace.” (95:1, 2, 3)

What does the fig and olive bring to mind? Palestine… which was the blessed land where Allah sent Prophet Esa (a.s) and Mount Tur reminds us of Prophet Musa (a.s). And the city of peace is none other than Makkah, where Allah sent the last Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). These places became sacred to us because Allah sent His revelations to His Messengers. And they were all human beings… not angels. So it means that Allah gave the most honor to Mankind because He assigned them the most honorable job of being His representatives:

“We have indeed created man in the best stature (95: 4)

But if human beings do not fulfill the role which Allah assigned to them, and give more importance to other things besides Allah; then in other words they are choosing a lower status than whatever object they choose to worship…and so they become lowest than the low:

“Then We abase him to the lowest of the low.” (95: 5)

The choices which human beings make in their lives, determines their true status. If they worship only Allah, then they rise above all other things and attain the highest status in Allah’s eyes:

“Except those who believe and do good deeds – for they shall have a never ending reward.”(95: 6)

What could be simpler or clearer than this message? But still there are people who don’t want to submit in front of Allah and accept their mistakes; even though they don’t really have any solid proof…

“So, what causes them to disbelieve you concerning the Day of Judgment?” (95: 7)

These people are living in deep self deception. They think that just like they win the arguments over here with loud criticism and baseless accusations against Islam and its followers; they will win the best place in paradise as well? Well the fact is that ONLY Allah will have the power of decision on the day of recompense…

“Is not Allah the best of all Judges?” (95: 8)

May Allah help us to remember that any power or ability that we have in this world is from Allah and it is only a temporary phase to test our obedience to Him. If we accept His greatness and power, then He will make us more powerful and honorable. But if we think that our own logics and arguments are superior to His commands then this is going to lead us nowhere but everlasting humiliation and torment… May Allah save us from His anger and punishment… Ameen.

Learn more about this author, Umme Adil Nawaz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.