Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of the Prophet said, "I said to the Prophet, 'Why is it that we are not mentioned in the Qur'an as men are?' Then one day without my realizing it, he was calling from the Minbar and I was combing my hair, so I tied my hair back then I went out to my chamber in my house, and I started listening out, and he was saying from the Minbar.
"O people! Verily Allah says: }Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers: men and women...}
to the end of the Ayah.' [1] This was also recorded by An-Nasa'i and Ibn Jarir. [2]
}Verily, the Muslims: men and women, the believers: men and women... }
indicates that Iman is something other than Islam, and that it is more specific, because Allah says:
}The bedouins say: "We believe." Say: "You believe not but you only say, 'We have surrendered (in Islam),' for faith has not yet entered your hearts."} (49:14).
In the Two Sahihs, it says:
"The adulterer does not commit adultery at the time when he is a believer.» [1]
For it snatches away his Iman, although that does not mean he is a disbeliever, according to the consensus of the Muslims. This indicates that Iman is more specific than Islam, as we have stated at the beginning of our commentary on Al-Bukhari.
}the Qanit: men and the women,}
Al-Qunut means obedience during quite time.
}Is one who is (Qanit,) prostrating himself or standing in the middle of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord...} (39:9)
}To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are Uqanitu (Qanitun) to Him.} (30:26)
}O Maryam! "Uqnuti to your Lord and prostrate, and bow with Ar-Raki'in (those who bow)."} (3:43)
}And stand before Allah Qanitin} (2:238).
So, beyond Islam there is a higher level to be reached, which is Iman, and Qunut stems from them both.
}the men and women who are truthful,} This refers to their speech, for truthfulness is a praiseworthy attribute. Some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, were never known to have lied even once, neither during Jahiliyyah nor in Islam. Truthfulness is a sign of faith, just as lying is a sign of hypocrisy. Whoever is truthful will be saved:
«You have to be truthful, for truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. And beware of lying, for lying leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hell. A man will keep telling the truth and striving to do so until he will be recorded with Allah as a truthful. And a man will keep telling lies and will persist in doing so until he will be recorded with Allah as a liar.» [1]
And there are many Hadiths on this topic.
}the men and the women who are patient,}
This is the attribute of those who are steadfast, which is patience in the face of adversity and knowing that what is decreed will inevitably come to pass. So, they face it with patience and steadfastness. Patience is the most difficult when disaster first strikes, then after that it becomes easier, and
}the men and the women who fast,} According to a Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah:
«Fasting is the Zakah of the body.» [1]
In other words, it purifies it and cleanses it of things that are bad in both physical and Shar'i terms. Sa'id bin Jubayr said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and three days of each month, is included in the Ayah,
}the men and the women who fast,}" [2]
Fasting is also one of the greatest means of overcoming one's desires, as the Messenger of Allah said:
«O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is most effective in lowering the gaze and protecting the chastity. And whoever cannot get married, then let him fast, for it will be a protection for him.» [3]
It is quite apt that next should be mentioned:
}the men and the women who guard their chastity}
i.e., they protect their private parts from forbidden and sinful things, except for that which is permitted. Allah says:
}And those who guard their chastity. Except from their wives
«O Allah, forgive those who shaved their hair.»
They said, 'And those who shortened.'
«And those who shortened.»
This was recorded by Imam Ahmad with this chain of narration. [1] It was also recorded by Muslim, except for the last part of it. [2]
}Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.}
Here Allah tells us that for all of those mentioned in this Ayah, He has prepared for them forgiveness of their sins and a great reward, meaning, Paradise.
[1] Ahmad 6:305.
[2] An-Nasa'i in Al-Kubra 6:431, At-Tabari 20:270.
[1] Fath Al-Bari 10:33, Muslim 1:77.
[1] Muslim 4:2013.
[1] Ibn Majah 1:555.
[2] Something similar was recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim. Ad-Durr Al-Manthur 5:380.
[3] Fath Al-Bari 9:14
[1] Ahmad 2:411.
[2] Muslim 2:946.