Truly, successful shall be the believers, Who humble themselves in their prayer, Who turn away from all that is frivolous, Who are active in deeds of charity. (The Believers, Al-Muminoon: 23: 1-4)
This surah, The Believers, or Al-Muminoon, is defined by its name which makes its subject matter very clear. It begins with an outline of the qualities of believers, and presents an exposition of the indications of faith in the human soul and in the universe at large. It then moves on to present the essence of faith as expostulated by God’s messengers since the time of Noah up to Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last of all prophets and messengers. It also discusses the fallacies of those who deny faith, their objections and determined opposition that compel God’s messengers to appeal to Him for help. At this point, God punishes the rejecters and saves the believers.
The surah then refers to the fact that, after God’s messengers have passed away, people fall into contention about this truth that admits no variation. This provides an opportunity to discuss and denounce the unjustified attitude the Arab idolaters took to God’s last messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The surah closes with a scene of the Day of Judgment in which we see the fate suffered by those who reject the truth of faith. They are strongly reproached for their attitude. This scene is concluded with a statement re-emphasizing the truth of God’s absolute oneness and a prayer for His mercy and forgiveness. As such, the surah is what its titles say, The Believers, or the surah of faith with all its issues, aspects and truth. Faith provides its central theme.
The surah may be divided into four parts. The first begins with a statement that success is assured for the believers: “Truly, successful shall be the believers.” It provides a detailed account of the qualities of those believers who are certain to be successful.
Referring to signs that encourage and endorse faith, which are found both in human beings and in the universe at large, this part mentions the different stages of human life from its early beginnings to its final end. It elaborates much when it mentions the different stages an embryo goes through while providing only a brief outline of other stages.
It then follows human life up to the Day of Resurrection before moving on to signs of faith in the wide universe, referring to the creation of the heavens, pouring down rain from the sky, bringing forth vegetation, plants and fruits. It also mentions animals that are placed at the disposal of human beings and to ships going through the sea and man’s ability to use such ships and animals for transport.
The second part takes us from the indicators pointing out the reality of faith to the discussion of the truth of faith as advocated by all God’s messengers, without exception: “My people, worship God alone: You have no deity other than Him.” This is a statement made by Noah, and by every messenger that followed him, up to Muhammad (peace be upon him), God’s final messenger. The unbelievers made always the same objections: “This man is but a mortal like yourselves,” and “had God willed, He would have surely sent down angels.” Another objection of theirs refers to the promise made by God’s messengers: “Does he promise you that, after you have died and become dust and bones, you shall be brought forth again?” The result was always that messengers appealed to God for support. He was certain to answer their appeal and destroy the unbelievers. This part concludes with an address to all messengers: “Partake of the good things of life, and do righteous deeds. I certainly have full knowledge of all that you do. Indeed, this community of yours is one single community, and I am the Lord of you all. Remain, then, God-fearing.”
The third part speaks about the fact that after God’s messengers had gone, people were divided and fell into contention over this essential truth: “They have torn their unity wide asunder, piece by piece, each group delighting in what they themselves possess.”
It further speaks about people being oblivious of the fact that God tests them with the blessings He bestows on them. They are deluded by the riches they have.
The believers, on the other hand, remain God-fearing, worship Him alone and associate no partners with Him. At the same time they remain fully alert, with awe in their hearts: “Their hearts tremble at the thought that to their Lord they must return.” At this point, an image is portrayed showing those who were oblivious of the truth of faith being overwhelmed by God’s punishment.
They cry out for help, but they are strongly reproached: “My revelations were conveyed to you, but you turned about on your heels and, impelled by your arrogance, you would talk senselessly far into the night.” The surah denounces their attitude toward God’s messenger whom they knew well to be honest and truthful. Now that he has come to them with the message of the truth, asking for no wages, how can they reject him and the truth he advocates? Although they acknowledge that to God belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth, which are all under His control as He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, they reject the very concept of resurrection. They go further in their falsehood, claiming that God has a son and associating partners with Him. “Exalted is God above all that they associate with Him.”
The final part turns away from them and their claims in order to address the Prophet, telling him to repel evil with what is better, seek refuge with God from the evil of satans. He must not be angered or grieved by what they say.
In addition, we have here a scene of the Day of Judgment describing the punishment, suffering and humiliation that await them there. The surah concludes by stating that God always remains exalted above all that they say about Him: “God is sublimely exalted, the Sovereign, the Ultimate Truth. There is no deity other than Him, the Lord of the Throne, the Benevolent.”
It also asserts that the unbelievers will never be successful, in contrast with the believers whose success is confirmed at the beginning of the surah: “Whoever invokes, side by side with God, any other deity for whose existence he has no evidence, shall have his reckoning with his Lord. Indeed, such unbelievers will never be successful.” Again, an instruction is given to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness: “Say: my Lord, grant me forgiveness and bestow Your mercy on me. You are certainly the best to show mercy.”
