Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad, the Faithful and the Honest. O Allah, we know nothing but what You teach us, You are the All-Knower, the Wise. O Allah our Lord, teach us what is useful for us, let us make use of what You have taught us and advance us in knowledge. O Allah, show us the righteous things as righteous and help us do them, and show us the bad things as bad and help us keep away from them. O Allah our Lord, make us amongst those who listen to the Word and follow the best meaning of It, and admit us, by Your Grace, to the ranks of Your righteous servants.
Hadiths about Surat Ya-Sin:
Dear brothers, this is the 1st lesson of Surat Ya-Sin.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]* By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs)* Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers,* On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism).*(This is) a Revelation sent down by the Almighty, the Most Merciful,* In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless.* Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
Dear brothers, before we start interpreting this Noble Surah, I would like to share with you some Noble Hadiths about the virtue of this Surah. It was narrated (in a weak Hadith) that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Recite Surat Ya-Sin over those who are dying. ))
Meaning, those who are close to death. Also, it was narrated that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( No person dies and Surat Ya-Sin is recited for him before his death except that Allah the Almighty will make it (death) easy for him. ))
Some Hadiths about the benefits of reciting Surah Ya-Sin for the living:
Consider the following Noble Hadiths about the benefits of reciting Surat Ya-Sin for the living, rather than for those who are dying, It was narrated (in weak Hadiths) that the Prophet, may Allah' Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Whoever recites Surah Ya-Sin on a night seeking Allah's Pleasure will be forgiven that night ))
(( Everything has a heart, and the heart of the Qurān is Surat Yasin ))
(( There is a Surah in the Quran that intercedes for the one who recites it, and the one who listens to it will be forgiven, and that Surah is Surat Ya-Sin.))
(( Whoever recites Surat Ya-Sin in the morning will be given ease for the rest of the day until the evening, and whoever recites it at the beginning of the night will be given ease for the rest of the night until the morning ))
Meaning, if you recite Surat Ya-Sin in the morning, you will find ease all day, and if you recite it at night, you will find ease all night. So, you should memorize this Surah and recite it in the morning or in the evening, or at least once a day. Also, it was reported in a Maqtu' Hadith (i.e. a narration attributed to Tabi'; a successor of one of the noble companions), that one of the companions of the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( I was informed that whoever recites Surat Ya-Sin at night will remain in joy until morning, and whoever recites it in the morning will remain in joy until evening.) ))
Thus, these are some Noble Hadiths about the virtue of reciting this Noble Surah.
Imam Ali (may Allah honor his face), reported that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Allah has named me in the Quran: Muhammad, Ahmad, Taha, Yasin, Al-Muzzammil, Al-Muddathir, and Abdullah. ))
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ It has been revealed to me that) When the slave of Allah (Muhammad PBUH) stood up invoking (his Lord Allah) in prayer to Him they (the jinns) just made round him a dense crowd as if sticking one over the other (in order to listen to the Prophet's recitation). ﴿
Thus, the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said that Yasin is one of his names, and it is narrated in some interpretations of the Noble Quran that Allah addresses the Prophet by this name.
Also, some scholars on the interpretation of the Noble Quran said, "Ya-Sin means, 'O you who are free from defects' to indicate that the Prophet is infallible and free from error; he is pure in his heart, speech, and actions." Not to mention, the most popular interpretation of the letters that come at the beginning of some Noble Ayaat is that these letters indicate the Inimitability of the Quran as a means of challenging the disbelievers to come up with an Ayah like its Ayaat formed from the same letters.
Other scholars said, "Allah Alone knows the meaning of these letters." Additionally, some scholars said that 'Yasin' is one of the Names of Allah the Almighty.
In conclusion, the most widely accepted interpretation of the word 'Yasin' among scholars is that it is one of the names of the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, by which he is addressed, "O you who are free from defects", because Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) ﴿
Allah is addressing the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
The several interpretations of "full of wisdom":
1- Perfect in its structure and meanings:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
Allah the Almighty swears by the Noble Quran and describes it as a Book full of wisdom. The meaning of "full of wisdom" is that it is perfect in its structure, meanings, content, form, and essence, because it was revealed by Allah the Wise. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Alif-Lam-Ra. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allah), Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things). ﴿
This means that there is coherence, an amazing structure, a sequence of meanings, an extraordinary precision, and deep wisdom in the Noble Quran. This is the first meaning of the Noble Ayah:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
This indicates that the Noble Quran is perfect in its structure and meaning; it has neither flaws in its structure, nor contradiction in its meanings, and it does not contain any weaknesses, any lack of fluency, any contradiction, any inconsistency, any errors, or any deviation.
2- A Book that is Rich in Wisdom:
The second meaning of "full of wisdom" is that it manifests wisdom. Let me give you the following example to illustrate the meaning of wisdom: If someone has a device and he faces some problems with it, then he reads the instruction manual, he may say to himself "I wish I had read this manual earlier. If I had read it, I would have known how to use it and would have avoided all these problems". Similarly, wisdom is reality; if you follow it, you will be successful in both this worldly life and the Hereafter. Sometimes people discover truths through experiences, which can be costly. Most people suffer from the consequences of their evil deeds and realize the truth too late; at the end of their lives. One of them might say to himself: "If only I had known the truth earlier in my life."
The wise person derives truths from the All-Knowing to succeed in both worlds:
Human beings either derive truths from an expert and thus find guidance and avoid misery in both this worldly life and the Hereafter, or they discover these truths by themselves through personal trials and errors, which can be risky. For example, if you notice a suspicious object on the ground, and you are unsure whether it is a bomb or not, but you decide to test it yourself, then it explodes, you will have paid a heavy price for that knowledge, for it will cost you your life. However, if you consult an expert who can determine whether the bomb is real or fake, and whether it is disabled or not, you can avoid danger. Thus, when you follow the instructions of the expert, you will be safe, whereas if you choose to discover the truths by yourself, you may pay a heavy price. Similarly, the Noble Quran is the instructions of our Creator; Allah the Almighty
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
This indicates that the Quran is rich in wisdom. In other words, wisdom is the truths that if a person adheres to, he will find happiness in both this worldly life and the Hereafter. Actually, at young age, a person may think that wealth is everything, but as he grows older, he will realize that wealth is not so importance, but when death comes to him, he will realize that wealth is nothing at all, whereas obeying Allah is what truly matters.
Whoever realizes the truths will prefer obeying Allah over everything else:
When one realizes early in life that obeying Allah is the most important thing in life, he will achieve success in this worldly life and the Hereafter. Thus, the problem is a matter of time (to realize truths before it is too late), because at the time of death, the truths will be revealed. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ (It will be said to the sinners): "Indeed you were heedless of this, now We have removed your covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!" ﴿
Thus, the challenge is to know the truths at the right time; early in life before you get married, choose your profession, and choose your path in life, because when you realize the truths, you will give priority to obeying Allah over everything else.
Happiness cannot be achieved except through a connection with Allah:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
Ya-Sin, 2
As I have mentioned above, the first meaning of this Ayah is that the Noble Quran is perfect in its structure and meaning. The second meaning is that the Noble Quran is rich in wisdom. For example, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. ﴿
This is a fact. If you think, even for a moment, that you can be happy while you turn away from Allah the Almighty, this is a great illusion and a grave mistake. On the other hand, when you believe with certainty, early in life, that there is no happiness except through connecting with Allah the Almighty, and that there is no happiness except in turning to Him and obeying Him, you will achieve true happiness. So, you either discover this truth when it is too late or early in life when you derive this truth from the following Noble Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship. ﴿
Every person has a special treatment from Allah based on his faith and steadfastness:
Thus, "By the Quran, full of wisdom" means by the Quran which is rich in wisdom and facts. For example, you may mistakenly think that achieving success in life depends on intelligence, cunning, accumulating wealth, seizing opportunities, and taking advantage of situations, while you forget that true success is based on steadfastness. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, in their present life and after their death? Worst is the judgement that they make. ﴿
If you ponder deeply over this Ayah early in your life and believe in it with certainty, you will realize that Allah the Almighty will never treat the steadfast believer the same as the heedless disbeliever. Also, you will realize that every person receives special treatment from Allah based on their faith and steadfastness.
The Quran contains truths related to one's happiness:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
Which means this Quran is rich in wisdom and truths related to your happiness and well-being. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying and going round (the Tawaf of ) the Ka'bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance). ﴿
Accordingly, do not be extravagant in anything; for example, extravagance in eating can lead to many health problems. So, this is a truth related to physical well-being. Also, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). ﴿
Mocking others can lead to serious problems. Of course, it is impossible to cover all the pieces of wisdom contained in the Quran, because the Noble Quran is overflowing with wisdom. Thus, if you recite the Noble Quran mindfully and try to understand its wisdom, principles, laws, and facts that are revealed from Allah, the Creator of the universe, and if you understand them early in life, and follow them in your life, you will achieve true happiness and success in both this worldly life and the Hereafter. On the other hand, if you embrace beliefs that are contrary to what is true, you will discover, when it is too late, that you were in a grave mistake and illusion.
This is the second interpretation of the following Noble Ayah:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) ﴿
[Ya-Sin, 2]
This Quran is rich in wisdom
3- The Quran addresses man wisely:
The third interpretation of, "By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs)" is that the Noble Quran addresses man in a wise way. In other words, it addresses one's mind sometimes, his heart sometimes, and both his mind and heart at other times. Also, it mentions the stories of previous nations, so that we can draw lessons and truths from them. Furthermore, it mentions what was before one's life and what will be after his death. It describes the Hereafter with wonderful and beloved scenes of the people of Paradise, and frightening scenes of the people of Hell. Moreover, it mentions some of Allah's Signs in His Creation. Thus, the Noble Quran is perfect in its structure and meanings, it is rich in wisdom that benefits you in your life and brings you happiness, and it wisely varies in addressing man; it sometimes addresses him gently, sometimes briefly, and other times elaborately. It mentions sometimes stories of past nations, and other times speaks about what will happen after death. All of that is based on deep wisdom.
The Wise Quran indicates that the Prophet is the Messenger of Allah:
Allah the Almighty swears by this wise and perfect Quran that is full of wisdom that Prophet Muhammad, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, is among the Messengers, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be them.
﴾ Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, ﴿
We can deduce that this Noble Quran is the undeniable proof that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, is indeed the Messenger of Allah the Almighty. When Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, threw his staff, and it turned into a snake, was this not evidence that he was a Messenger of Allah? He came with a miracle that no human being could come with. Similarly, our Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, was given the Noble Quran. Thus, this perfect Quran that is rich in wisdom and that is free from falsehood (falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it), and that remains miraculous until the Day of Judgment, provides clear evidence that the Prophet is the Messenger of Allah. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest (to them that this (the Quran) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things? ﴿
[ Fussilat, 53
]
Thus, this wise Quran indicates that Prophet Muhammad, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, is indeed a Messenger. The point here is not to make distinction between one Messenger from another; rather, it is to recognize that this person, whose lineage, trustworthiness, truthfulness, chastity, flawless past, and purity is well-known to people, is the Messenger of Allah. In other words, the Quran that was revealed to the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, confirms that he is the Messenger of Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
The Prophet's main mission is to convince people through his actions and words:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 2-3
]
"You are one of the Messengers" means there are many Messengers, because out of Allah's Mercy, He never leaves people astray or without guidance, nor does He leave them without knowing His Commands, Prohibitions, and Instructions. Thus, Allah the Almighty is our Merciful Creator, and He is the Light of the Heavens and the earth; He created the earth and illuminated it with the Divine Books He revealed to His Prophets and Messengers. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, ﴿
The Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, is the Messenger of Allah the Almighty, bringing truth from Him. He has informed us about the reality of the universe, this world, human nature, the purpose of one's life, and where his soul was before his birth and his final destination. However, the Prophet's mission was not merely to convey information and was not merely related to his words, but also to set a good example for others, and to convince people through both his words and actions (i.e. when demonstrating the teachings of Islam through his actions.)
Calling others to Allah without applying what one preaches is meaningless:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
This is a very important truth (i.e. that the Prophet is on a Straight Path), because what value does calling others to Allah have if one does not apply what he preaches?" Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
Also, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims. ﴿
Thus, the Prophet's mission in setting a good example for people, being role model, and being an excellent pattern for others to follow, is not less significant than his mission as a Messenger.
The true believer is the one who adheres to Allah's Commands:
Actually, the following Noble Ayaat mentioned both missions (i.e. the Prophet's mission as a Messenger, and His mission to adhere to Allah's Command and to set a good example for others to follow). Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
Also, the following Noble Ayah is a sufficient proof for us of the importance of remaining steadfast on the Straight Path:
﴾ So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad PBUH) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you, and transgress not (Allah's legal limits). Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do. ﴿
Allah the Almighty has commanded the believers to remain steadfast on the Straight Path, just as He has commanded the Messengers to do so.
Actually, when you advise someone to adhere to Allah's Orders, he may say to you, "I am not a Prophet to do so!" Who said that one needs to be a Prophet in order to remain steadfast on the Straight Path? As a believer, you are commanded to adhere to Allah's Orders just as Prophets are ordered. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad PBUH) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you ﴿
When it comes to righteous deeds, do as much as you can, but when it comes to steadfastness and adherence, you must be fully committed and you must adhere strictly, so that you deserve to be considered a true believer who is addressed in the following Noble Ayah, just as the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, was addressed:
﴾ So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad PBUH) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are
[ commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you ﴿
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
The Prophet is the best example for mankind:
Dear brothers, we are ordered in the Noble Quran to follow the example of the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him; Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ What Allah gave as booty (Fai') to His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) from the people of the townships, - it is for Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad PBUH), the kindred (of Messenger Muhammad PBUH), the orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), and the wayfarer, in order that it may not become a fortune used by the rich among you. And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. ﴿
The Noble Quran presents the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, as an excellent example for us to follow; Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad PBUH) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. ﴿
Therefore, you are commanded to follow his words and actions. Furthermore, you should get to know this great Prophet (i.e. through studying his biography, his Hadith, etc.):
﴾ Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) so they deny him? ﴿
So, you should get to know this great Prophet through pondering over his sayings and his actions, so that you can adhere to his teachings as guidelines for what is permitted and what is forbidden, and take his actions as an ideal example in your life. Every person has a role model in his life. As for the believer, his highest example is the Noble Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him.
Reflecting on the Prophet's deeds helps in following his example:
Usually, people admire certain figures and look to them as a role model in their life. So, if this ideal figure is a person whose main concern is seeking worldly pleasures, they will imitate him in becoming fully immersed in those pleasures. Whereas if this ideal figure is the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, they will follow his deeds and words. In other words, when you deeply reflect on the Prophet's biography, you will see what the Prophet used to do when entering his home, how humble, patient, and good-natured he was, how kind he used to be with children, how smiling and cheerful he used to be at home, how he used to treat his wife, children, friends, and companions, how punctual he was, how concise, eloquent, and expressive his speech was, and how brave he was, etc.
You should reflect on the Prophet's words to use them as guidelines for what is permissible and what is forbidden, and you should consider his actions as a model to follow in your life
The Noble Qur'an was revealed by Allah, the Creator of the Universe:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). ﴿
Where does the Noble Quran come from? The answer is:
﴾ (This is) a Revelation sent down by the Almighty, the Most Merciful ﴿
So, it was revealed by Allah the Al-Mighty, the Creator of the universe.
The meaning of Allah's Name Al-Aziz (the Mighty One):
Allah's Name Al-Aziz (the Mighty One) has several meanings; according to Arabic language, the word Aziz refers to someone who is beyond reach, or someone whom everyone needs in everything, but who can never be reached.
Thus, Allah's Name Al-Aziz (the Mighty One) refers to the One Who cannot be reached, the Unique with no equivalent, and the Merciful. He is the Only One Who deserves the attributes of Might and Mercy, and the Noble Quran was revealed by Him.
Actually, the word 'Mighty' refers to Allah's Greatness, and the word 'Merciful' refers to His Perfection. To summarize all the Beautiful Names of Allah in three words, you could say: Allah is Mawjood (the Only Existing and Absolute Truth), He is Al-Aziz (the Mighty One) and He is Ar-Rahim (the Merciful). So, if you believe deeply that Allah exists, you will wonder about the Attributes that suit Him, such as Aziz (Mighty One) which indicates that He is Qawi (All-Powerful) and has no partner, Rahim (Merciful) which indicates that He is Kamil (Perfect) and Matchless, and Mawjood, which indicates that He is the Only Existing and Absolute Truth.
Allah, the Most Merciful, does not leave his servants without warning and guidance:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs) * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). *(This is) a Revelation sent down by the Almighty, the Most Merciful,* In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless. ﴿
In some interpretations scholars said, "The part of the Ayah, 'In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were warned before you" detonates that Allah the Almighty is Merciful, so He always warns and instructs His servants:
﴾ In order that you may warn a people ﴿
This is a reference to the people of Makkah, according to the above-mentioned interpretation:
﴾ whose forefathers were not warned ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 6
]
It means that those people were warned before you just like their forefathers, but they did not listen (as if they were not warned):
﴾ so they are heedless. ﴿
They did not listen, because they are forgetful of the severe torment in the Hell-fire and of the permanent bliss in Paradise which would have awaited them had they listened and followed the Prophet's steps and apply the great Shari'ah rulings (mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah).
Those who deny Allah's Messages will suffer in this worldly life and in the Hereafter:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
Dear brothers, I hope we understand this Noble Ayah accurately:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them. ﴿
What does "the Word" refer to? It refers to the fundamental laws, principles and rules, set by Allah the Almighty, that govern life and the universe. For example, if one of the school rules states that a student will be expelled after missing two weeks of classes, then the supervisor informs the school boss that one of the students has missed 17 days, the school principal with definitely expel that student according to the school rules.
Thus, "Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them" means the laws, regulations, rules, and principles set by Allah the Almighty indicate that those who deny Allah's Messages will suffer in both this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
Destruction is the negative outcome of following illicit desires and whims:
"Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them" means this principle (that whoever denies Allah's Messages will suffer in both worlds) is applied to them. This is the sound interpretation of this Ayah, Contrary to the claim by some that a disbeliever is created as such and lacks the freedom of choice, and the word has proved true against him to be a disbeliever.
If that were true, then, what would be the purpose of revealing Divine Books? In other words, if a disbeliever is created as a disbeliever and he is predestined to be so, then what is the point of sending Messengers to convey Allah's Messages to disbelievers? So, "Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them" means the laws, regulations, and principles set by Allah are applied to them. The essence of these laws is that whoever denies and rejects Allah's Messages, and follows his illicit whims and desires instead, will face misery in both this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
Those Who Deviate from Allah's Guidance will Face His Punishment:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them ﴿
The decree has been fulfilled for most of them as follows:
﴾ Whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. ﴿
And that:
﴾ Thus is the Word of your Lord justified against those who rebel (disobey Allah) that they will not believe (in the Oneness of Allah and in Muhammad PBUH as the Messenger of Allah). ﴿
If you deduce the Laws set by Allah in the Noble Quran, you will see that they apply to these people. Let me tell you the following example to clarify this point: if a person commits a crime deliberately and intentionally, the judge would say to him during his trial: Article 10 of the Penal Code applies to your case, so the death penalty would be definitely executed on you. Similarly, when Allah the Almighty says, "Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe", it means the Word of Allah has come into effect upon them that if they choose to follow their illicit desires, they will not believe, and if they deviate from Allah's Path, they will not believe. Besides, if they follow their illicit desires, turn away from the truth, and become used to following these desires, they will find it difficult to follow Allah's Guidance and will consequently disbelieve in it. Thus, following their illicit whims and lusts makes them fall into grave error.
Whoever believes Allah's Messages will find happiness in this life and in the Hereafter:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
Let me give you another example to make this point clear: if a student misses an exam, the school administration will tell him that the school rules apply to him, and he will not pass this year. The meaning of the Ayah is similar to this; either a person believes in Allah's Messages and consequently finds happiness in both this worldly life and the Hereafter, or he rejects them and accordingly pays a heavy price (upon being thrown into Hell-fire). Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe ﴿
How could they believe since they have not reflected on the creation of the universe, have not sought Allah's Guidance, and have not applied Allah's Method in their lives? How could they believe since they have followed their desires instead, making their personal interests the main motivation to determine their future goals and to guide their lifestyle?
Whoever rejects the truth accepts falsehood:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
It is as if Allah the Almighty is telling us in this Surah that one either believes in Allah's Messages or faces the consequences of rejecting them. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs),* Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers,* On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism).* (This is) a Revelation sent down by the All Mighty, the Most Merciful ﴿
Thus, one either believes in Allah's Messages or the word comes into effect against him that he does not believe since he disbelieves in Allah's Messages, turns away from Allah's Path, and lives according to his own desires. In other words, when the disbeliever turns away from Allah's Remembrance, rejects Allah's Messages, refuses to follow Allah's Path, and lives according to his desires, whims, and personal interests, what happens to him? His desires take complete control over him.
A person is either guided by the truth or driven by his desires; his heart is either filled with love for Allah or with love for worldly pleasures. Furthermore, he is a servant of Allah, a slave of his desires and whims, or a slave of a mean person, and there is no way in-between. Thus, when one rejects the truth, he will inevitably accept falsehood, and when he ignores his reason, he will definitely be driven by his desires.
Describing the disbeliever who lets his desires control him:
The following Noble Ayaat describe the state of the disbeliever who turns away from Allah the Almighty, makes his own desires his god, and lets his desires dictate his actions. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to chins, so that their heads are forced up. ﴿
This means that chains are placed on their hands pulling them towards their necks, which causes their heads to be lifted up, and they lower their eyes in humiliation. This describes a person who is disabled from seeing what is in front of him and is restrained from acting. Similarly, desires act as chains (that prevent a person from performing righteous deeds). Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ He releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allah's Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. ﴿
[ Al-'Araf, 157
]
So, desires are just like restraints or bindings that limit one's movement. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Wretched is the slave of the Dinar, the slave of the Dirham and the slave of the Khamisah (luxurious garment). He is wretched and will be thrown (into Hell) on his face, and if he is pricked with a thorn may find no relief. Blessed is the one who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's Cause, with his hair unkempt and feet covered with dust: if he is appointed in the leading or forefront position, he is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in the back position, he accepts his post with satisfaction; (he is so simple and unambiguous that) if he asks for permission he is not permitted, and if he intercedes, his intercession is not accepted. ))
(( Reported by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih (authentic) collections of Hadith
))
This means that blessed is the one who worships Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He. Thus, desires act like chains; those who are deeply immersed in committing sins, such as adultery, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs, or they are obsessed with wealth and women, are enslaved by these illicit desires and lusts and are entirely dominated by them.
﴾ Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars ﴿
This can be understood, according to scholars of interpretation, as a reflection of human nature; without the light of Allah's Guidance, one's desires will lead him astray. If one's heart is not filled with love for Allah, it will be filled with malevolent desires. This is one of Allah's Laws:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
Scholars on interpretation of the Noble Quran say that "We have put" is a confirmation of what already exists, meaning based on human nature, if he does not follow Allah's Guidance, he will follow his illicit desires, and if his heart is not filled with the love of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, it will be overwhelmed by unlawful lusts. This is one of Allah's Laws. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them ﴿
Whoever allows his desires to dominate him will lose this world and the Hereafter
Actually, a vessel must be filled with something; if you empty it of air, it can be filled with anything else. Similarly, a person's soul is like an empty vessel. It can either be filled with truth or falsehood; noble values or illicit desires. So, when a person rejects the truth, rejects Allah's Guidance, and rejects the eternal blessings awaiting him in Paradise (if he abides by Allah's Orders), his soul will be filled with raging illicit desires, and he will be like the one whose hands are tied to his neck, making him unable to see in front of him or to act. So, he can neither see nor take any action.
Actually, man is characterized by his awareness and his ability to act, so when he follows his illegal desires, these desires act as constraints or chains, because they hinder his awareness and movement. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to chins, so that their heads are forced up ﴿
Which means that they raise their heads and close their eyes; their heads are raised, because their hands are tied to their necks. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And let not your hand be tied (like a miser) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach (like a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and in severe poverty. ﴿
This precise description is a metaphor for the situation of the disbeliever who rejects the truth and follows falsehood, who denies reason and follows unlawful lusts, who turns away from the love of Allah and loves worldly pleasures, and who refuses to be guided by his reason and chooses to be led and driven by his lusts and whims.
The miserable one is the one who misses both this worldly life and the Hereafter:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to chins, so that their heads are forced up.* And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see. ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 8-9 ]
It means that there is a barrier in front of them preventing them from attaining the happiness of this worldly life, and a barrier behind them preventing them from achieving the happiness of the Hereafter. Furthermore, they are bound, unable to move or see, because their illicit desires have blinded their sight and have restricted their actions. Moreover, "We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them", because they seek this worldly life at the expense of the Hereafter. Therefore, they miss them both. There is a barrier between them and attaining happiness in both this worldly life and the Hereafter, so they live in misery. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection. ﴿
When they will return to Allah, their true Lord, on the Day of Resurrection, they will see their inevitable fate in Hell, and that destination is indeed the worst. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And We have put a barrier before them ﴿
This is an obvious truth. If you ask the wealthiest people and the prominent individuals who have whatever they want whether they are truly happy, they will definitely tell you that they are among the most miserable people, because Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter. ﴿
They are unaware of the true nature of this worldly life, and they only have a superficial understanding of things; they mistakenly think that wealth, pleasure, power, or fame are the most important things in life.
Whoever turns away from Allah will experience misery in this world before the Hereafter:
Why do people who have reached the highest level of success sometimes commit suicide? Why do they do that? I heard about a queen who tried to commit suicide six times. Why did she do that? When a person turns away from Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, he will live in misery in this worldly life.
﴾ And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see. ﴿
Verily, this is a precise description; it describes the state of those whose hearts are filled with desires, their hands are tied to their necks, preventing them from moving, and their heads are raised, preventing them from seeing things in front of them. So, they neither understand nor act. Their desires blind them, as the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Your love of something can blind and deafen you. ))
It means that desires blind one's sight and restrict his actions, so he will be miserable in both this worldly life and the Hereafter, because there is a barrier blocking his way to achieve happiness in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. This is the situation of the one who disbelieves in Allah's Messages. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Ya-Sin. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] * By the Quran, full of wisdom (i.e. full of laws, evidences, and proofs), * Truly, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are one of the Messengers, * On a Straight Path (i.e. on Allah's religion of Islamic Monotheism). * (This is) a Revelation sent down by the AllMighty, the Most Merciful, * In order that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, so they are heedless. * Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe.” ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 1-7
]
The condition of those who prefer this worldly life over the Hereafter:
The word (i.e. the decree) of punishment has come into effect upon them, because they reject Allah's Guidance, turn away from it, ignore His Way, and give preference to their desires and the pleasures of this worldly life over the Hereafter. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Indeed the Word (of punishment) has proved true against most of them, so they will not believe. ﴿
Furthermore, their situation is similar to those described in the following Noble Ayah:
﴾ Verily! We have put on their necks iron collars reaching to chins, so that their heads are forced up.* And We have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up, so that they cannot see. ﴿
[ Ya-Sin, 8-9
]
Their hearts become spiritually lifeless; Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ (They are) dead, lifeless, and they know not when they will be raised up. ﴿
[ An-Nahl, 21
]
﴾ Nor are (alike) the living (believers) and the dead (disbelievers). Verily, Allah makes whom He will hear, but you cannot make hear those who are in graves. ﴿
Whoever closes his mind to the truth and rejects it does not believe:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ It is the same to them whether you warn them or you warn them not, they will not believe. ﴿
The poet Amr Ibn Ma'di Karb Ibn Rabi'ah Az-Zubaidi described such people, saying:
Had you called living people, they would have heard you
But there is no life in those whom you call
Had you blown into a fire, it would have ignited
But you are blowing into ashes.
This illustrates the meaning of the following Ayah in which Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ It is the same to them whether you warn them or you warn them not, they will not believe. ﴿
[Ya-Sin, 10]
So, who can the Noble Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, warn?
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder (the Quran), ﴿
The reminder is the Noble Quran.
Whoever follows the Quran's Guidance will be led to Paradise:
"Who follows the Reminder (the Quran)" means the one who recites the Noble Quran with full attention, follows its commands and abstains from its prohibitions, ponders over its Noble Ayaat, draws lessons from its stories, recites it during the day and night, and recites it attentively as it should be recited and as Allah the Almighty wants us to. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Those (who embraced Islam from Bani Israel) to whom We gave the Book [the Taurat (Torah)] [or those (Muhammad's Peace be upon him companions) to whom We have given the Book (the Quran)] recite it (i.e. obey its orders and follow its teachings) as it should be recited (i.e. followed), they are the ones that believe therein. And whoso disbelieves in it (the Quran), those are they who are the losers. ﴿
The person who recites the Noble Quran attentively, reflects upon its meaning, and applies its teachings in his life, is the one who truly follows the reminder (the Noble Quran). In other words, whoever follows the Quran's Guidance will be led to Paradise, whereas whoever ignores it will be led to Hellfire. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders). ﴿
Whoever follows the Quran will find happiness in life and after death:
Unfortunately, when you tell someone the Shari'ah ruling that is derived from the Noble Quran on a matter, he may reply, "These Noble Ayaat are not compatible with our recent modern era", and he may choose to turn a blind eye to them. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ And do not marry Al-Mushrikat (idolatresses, etc.) till they believe (worship Allah Alone). And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) Mushrikah (idolatress, etc.), even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to Al-Mushrikun till they believe (in Allah Alone) and verily, a believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater, etc.), even though he pleases you. Those (Al-Mushrikun) invite you to the Fire, but Allah invites (you) to Paradise and Forgiveness by His Leave, and makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) clear to mankind that they may remember. ﴿
I heard about a young man who went to ask for a girl's hand in marriage from her family. Her father paid close attention to minor details; he asked him whether he had a house, a car and a factory, etc. and asked for the legal documents that prove his ownership of them. Upon seeing these documents, he found that the young man was suitable for his daughter, and he agreed to give her to him in marriage. Then, once he introduced him to one of his friends and told him that he was his son-in-law, but that friend said astonishingly, "How did you give your daughter to him in marriage? He is from a different religion!" His son-in-law said, "You did not ask me about my religion, you only asked me about my financial situation; my work, my income, and my car." So, whoever does follow the teachings of the Qur'an will pay a heavy price. Allah says:
(( A believing slave is better than a (free) Mushrik (idolater, etc.), even though he pleases you. ))
When one does not follow the Guidance of the Quran, he will not be guided to the Right Path. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messe
[ nger, Muhammad PBUH, etc.). who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise). ﴿
]
[Al-Isra', 9]
This is what Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, says in the Noble Quran.
Following the teachings of the Quran marks the true believer:
I would like to draw your attention to a certain point. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder ﴿
A true believer always abides by Allah's Commands and Prohibitions and never transgresses them. In other words, in every situation, he asks himself, "What is Allah's Command and what is the Shari'ah ruling regarding this situation?" Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder ﴿
Thus, before traveling, engaging in trade, or accepting a job, etc. ask yourself the following questions: Does this job please Allah the Almighty (i.e. is this job lawful)? Does it benefit others or cause them harm? Is this trade lawful or not? Does this trade align with the correct values or deviate from them? Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder ﴿
The sign of a true believer is following the Quran's Guidance in every aspect of his life; when you warn such a person (against Allah's Punishment for a sin he has committed), he may tremble out of fear of Allah, hasten to repent, accept your advice and act on it.
Getting to know Allah's Greatness through reflecting on the creation of the universe:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder (the Quran), and fears the Most Beneficent (Allah) unseen ﴿
This Noble Ayah is related to having faith in Allah; Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, is beyond our sight and our senses, but the creation of the universe indicates His Existence. Thus, when one reflects on the creation of the universe, he will get to know Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, and will fear Him in the unseen, despite not being able to see Him. As the common saying goes, "Allah's Existence cannot be perceived by the senses but is understood through the mind."
When a person ponders over the creation of the universe, he will get to know Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He. So, when one gets to know Allah's Greatness, Majesty, Power, Mercy and Wisdom, and when he realizes that no one has power over everything except Him, that He is the One and the Most High, and that everything is under His Control, he will fear Him, and will obey His Words (i.e. the Noble Quran). Thus, when one gets to know Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, through reflecting on the universe, and when he adheres to His Orders and Prohibitions, he will listen attentively when others warn him against Allah's Punishment, will remember Allah, fear Him, hope for His Mercy, fear His Punishment, and adhere to His Commands, and he will never violate them. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder (the Quran), and fears the Most Beneficent (Allah) unseen. Bear you to such one the glad tidings ﴿
Reflecting on Allah's Creation results in believing in Him:
Allah the Almighty says:
Is he whom We have promised an excellent promise (Paradise), which he will find true, like him whom We have made to enjoy the luxuries of the life of (this) world, then on the Day of Resurrection, he will be among those brought up (to be punished in the Hell-fire)?)
[Al-Qasas, 61]
It seems that Allah says to us implicitly: "O My servants, reflect on the creation of the universe, so you believe in Me and fear Me. Recite the Noble Quran and follow its Teachings and Guidance, so that when I remind you, you remember; when I warn you of My Punishment, you fear It; when I bring you glad tidings, you rejoice; and when I warn you against Myself, you adhere to My Commands and never transgress them." Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ You can only warn him who follows the Reminder (the Quran), and fears the Most Beneficent (Allah) unseen. Bear you to such one the glad tidings of forgiveness, and a generous reward (i.e. Paradise). ﴿
Whether a person responds to the Quran or not, he will inevitably face death:
Let us talk again about the virtues of this Surah. It was said:
(Every matter has a heart (a core and fundamental element), and the heart of the Quran is Surah Ya-Sin.)
I hope that all of us recite this Surah with the attention it deserves. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead ﴿
It means that whether a person responds to the Quran or not, he will surely die, because every creature will eventually die, and only Allah, The Possessor of Honor and Might, will remain.
As a poet named Salih Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abdullah said:
No matter how long the night lasts, the dawn will eventually break.
And no matter how long life lasts, death will inevitably come.
Also, Ka'ab bin Zuhair said:
Every human being, no matter how long he lives
and how good his health is, will one day be carried to his grave.
So, when you carry a deceased to his grave in his funeral,
remember that one day people will carry you to your own grave.
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead ﴿
It means man either responds to Allah or does not respond to Him, either follows Allah's Guidance or follows his own illicit desires, and either follows the Orders of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, or follows the orders of idols, whether they are mankind or jinn. Anyway, every living being will die, and after death the disbelievers will pay a heavy price for their disbelief.
When one gets to know Allah, Allah will revive his heart after its death:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead ﴿
Some scholars on the interpretation of the Noble Quran said that if one's heart is spiritually dead, and if his soul is spiritually lifeless, then he gets to know Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, Allah will revive his heart and will bring it to life after its death. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? Thus it is made fair-seeming to the disbelievers that which they used to do. ﴿
This is the other meaning of the following Noble Ayah:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead ﴿
Also, Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you. ﴿
﴾ Verily, your Lord is Ever Watchful (over them). ﴿
All one's words and actions are recorded against him, and he will be held accountable for them. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ (It will be said to him): "Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day. ﴿
All your words, actions are recorded against you. Furthermore, all your intentions are known to Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, all your secrets are revealed in front of Him, all your inner thoughts are exposed to Him, and all your actions are recorded. This is the meaning of "A Register inscribed" [Al-Mutaffifin, 9]; no single page escapes without being recorded. Also, it means every violation comes with its visual record or proof.
It is as if on the Day of Judgment, a person's deeds will be displayed before him in a way that is similar to watching a film strip: you did this, you took this stance, you went to this place, you told this lie, you committed this deceit, you took unlawful money, or you violated people's honor, etc. Thus, everything is recorded. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ (It will be said to him): "Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you (this Day.") ﴿
The situation of a person whose deeds are displayed before him on the Day of Resurrection can be likened to that of a criminal who was caught on camera without realizing he was being observed, but when he entered the court for interrogation, a video of all his suspicious movements will be displayed before him. So, what can he do in that case? He will certainly utter no single word. So, you either believe or disbelieve, you either follow guidance or follow misguidance, and you are either driven by your desires or led by the truth.
The virtue of establishing a good practice that is followed by others:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them) ﴿
"Which they send before (them)" means the deeds they performed before their death. As for you, what righteous deeds have you performed? What have you prepared for your Hereafter? What good deeds have you performed in preparation for meeting Allah? What would you answer Allah when He asks you, 'O My servant, what have you done in the worldly life? I granted you wealth, what did you do with it? I granted you high status, did you use it to help others? I gave you knowledge, did you share or spread it among people? How did you spend your youth? How did you spend your life? Did you apply what you had learned? How did you earn your money (i.e. was it through Halal or Haram means) and how did you spend it (i.e. was it in Halal or Haram ways)?'
The Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Man's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out. ))
[ At-Tirmidhi, Hasan Sahih ]
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces ﴿
"Their traces" means the consequences and the results of their deeds. Let me give you the following example to clarify this point: if someone engages in an illicit affair with a young girl, he will bear the burden of his sin as well as the burden of her sin (without lessening her burden in any way), because if he had not have led her astray, she might have grown up to be a righteous wife, an ideal housewife, and a beloved and respected grandmother in her old age. However, she will have been misled by him and become a morally corrupt woman, and as a result, her children might also become morally corrupt individuals. Furthermore, she might have hundreds of thousands of morally corrupt descendants from her lineage until the Day of Judgment. So, he will bear the burden of their sins (without lessening their burden in any way) since he has committed fornication with that young woman. This is the meaning of "Their traces" or the outcomes of one's good or bad deeds. The Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Whoever introduces a good practice that is followed, he will receive its reward and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in their slightest. And whoever introduces a bad practice that is followed, he will receive its sin and a burden of sin equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest. ))
This Noble Hadith is indeed frightening; when one introduces any corrupt action, he will not only bear the burden of his own sin but also the burden of the sins of those who follow him, emulate his example, or imitate him until the Day of Judgment.
Let me give you another example. If a mechanic repairs the car of a traveler improperly, so the car stops while the man is driving it in a very hot day, he will check it. If this man gets a heatstroke while checking his car and dies eventually, the mechanic will be called to account for the death of that man based on the above-mentioned Ayah, because he caused the man's death due to his negligence and carelessness.
So, keep this fact in your mind: You will not only be held accountable for your actions but also for their consequences and outcomes, whether positive or negative. Sometimes a person, without realizing it, does something that others then imitate. So, if they follow him in this invalid action, he will bear the burden of the sins of all people who imitate him. This is the meaning of "Their traces" or the consequences of one's deeds.
Every person will be held accountable for his actions and their outcomes:
Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces ﴿
The most critical point in this Noble Ayah is that one will not only be held accountable for the sin he had committed, but also for its consequences, and for the deviant act and its results. This Noble Ayah is very evident, so before you establish a bad practice or commit a deviant act, no matter how small it might seem, think of those who may follow you. In other words, when you, as a parent, a teacher, a shop owner, a factory owner, a high-ranking employee, or anyone else, fall short in performing an act of worship in front of your children, remember that they may imitate you. Also, if you, as a prominent distinguished tradesman, engage in corrupt practices in trade, other traders may imitate you in deceit, fraud, or ill-gotten money. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces) ﴿
So, if you obey Allah, it will be for your own benefit, but if you disobey Him, it will result in your own harm. Death is inevitable, and after death, everyone will be held for a precise account; one will not only be held accountable for his deeds, but also for their consequences, and not only for his deviant acts but also for their serious outcomes. Whoever corrupts people's beliefs and morals will bear the burden of their sins. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allah by committing the major sins) in the land! ﴿
If a person leads someone astray, that misguided person may also leads others astray. For example, if a teacher corrupts his students' creed, and if he has been teaching for 30 years for example, with 5 classes each year and 50 students in each class, he will have corrupted the creed of 250 students each year, and will have corrupted the creed of 20.000 students over 30 years by spreading doubts about creed. So, if you corrupt the creed of only one person, and he becomes a teacher, he may spread this corrupt creed among a large number of students. The first person, who has taught that teacher, will bear the burden of the sins of all those students.
This can also be applied to moral corruption; if one spreads moral corruption among young men and women, and if he leads only one young person into drug addiction, the sins of that young person as well as those who follow him will be recorded in his Record of Deeds.
A person should think carefully before carrying out any action:
Dear brothers, this Noble Ayah carries a very serious meaning. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces ﴿
An action may seem insignificant, but it can have serious consequences, as the saying goes: Most large fires are caused by small sparks. You, as a father, might be tempted to indulge in some illicit pleasures (such as watching movies with immoral content) in front of your children. As a result, you corrupt their morals without even realizing it. Therefore, before neglecting one of Allah's Commands or acting against the teachings of the Noble Quran, you should take a considerable amount of time to carefully think about the consequences of your actions, because you will be held accountable for them. Allah the Almighty says:
﴾ Verily, We give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before (them), and their traces [their footsteps and walking on the earth with their legs to the mosques for the five compulsory congregational prayers, Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) and all other good and evil they did, and that which they leave behind], and all things We have recorded with numbers (as a record) in a Clear Book. ﴿
Some Noble Hadiths about the virtue of this Noble Surah:
Dear brothers, at the end of this lesson, I would like to share with you some of the Noble Hadiths about the virtue of this Noble Surah. It was narrated (in weak Hadiths) that the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him, said:
(( Whoever recites Surat Ya-Sin at night seeking the pleasure of Allah will have his sins forgiven. ))
(( Whoever recites Surat Ya-Sin, Allah will record for him the reward of reading the entire Quran ))
(( There is a Surah in the Quran that intercedes for the one who recites it, and the one who listens to it will be forgiven, it is Surat Ya-Sin ))
(( Whoever recites Surat Ya-Sin at the beginning of the day, then he will be in ease and goodness until the evening. And whoever recites it in the evening, then he will be in ease and goodness until the next morning. ))
(( Whoever recites Surah Ya-Sin during the day will find relief from his worries, and whoever recites it at night will have his sins forgiven. ))
(( Whoever recites Surah Ya-Sin at night will experience inner peace and spiritual contentment that lasts until morning, and whoever recites it in the morning will experience inner peace and spiritual contentment that lasts until evening. ))
(( No person dies and Surat Ya-Sin is recited for him except that Allah the Almighty will make it easy for him ))
(( Recite Surat Ya-Sin over those who are dying. ))
Thus, these are some Noble Hadiths found in the books of Tafsir about the virtue of this Noble Surah.
In conclusion, you should memorize this Noble Surah, and recite it every day, either in the morning or in the evening. What is really amazing about it is that it covers various topics: it includes some Noble Ayaat about Allah's Signs in His Creation, some Noble Ayaat about the Hereafter and what happens after death, and some Noble Ayaat about the essence of the Prophet's Message. Also, it includes some Noble Ayaat that bring good tidings for the believers, and warnings for disbelievers. That is why the Prophet, may Allah's Peace and Blessings be about him, called it the heart (the core) of the Noble Quran.
May Allah help us understand this Surah in our next lessons, and may He help us grasp the wisdom and implications it contains. Allah is the One Who grants success.
