Most People Disobey What They Are Ordered

Allah states that even if the people were commanded to commit what they were prohibited from doing, most of them would not submit to this command, for their wicked nature is such that they dispute orders. Allah has complete knowledge of what has not occured, and how it would be if and when it did occur. This is why Allah said,

until the end of the Ayah. This is why Allah said,

meaning, if they do what they were commanded and refrain from what they were prohibited,

than disobeying the command and committing the prohibition,

stronger Tasdiq (conviction of faith), according to As-Suddi.

meaning, Paradise.

in this life and the Hereafter.

Whoever Obeys Allah and His Messenger Will Be Honored by Allah

Allah then said,

Consequently, whosoever implements what Allah and His Messenger have commanded him and avoids what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, then Allah will grant him a dwelling in the Residence of Honor. There, Allah will place him in the company of the Prophets, and those who are lesser in degree, the true believers (Siddiqin), then the martyrs and then the righteous, who are the general group of the faithful whose inward and outward actions are just and righteous. Allah then praised this company,

Al-Bukhari recorded that ‘A’ishah said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah saying,

«Every Prophet who falls ill is given the choice between this life and the Hereafter.»

During the illness that preceded his death, his voice became weak and I heard him saying,

I knew then that he was being given the choice.” Muslim recorded this Hadith.

This Hadith explains the meaning of another Hadith; the Prophet said before his death;

«O Allah! In the Most High Company» three times, and he then died, may Allah’s best blessings be upon him.

The Reason Behind Revealing this Honorable Ayah

Ibn Jarir recorded that Said bin Jubayr said, “An Ansari man came to the Messenger of Allah while feeling sad. The Prophet said to him, Why do I see you sad?’ He said, ‘O Allah’s Prophet! I was contemplating about something.’ The Prophet said, What is it?’ The Ansari said, We come to you day and night, looking at your face and sitting by you. Tomorrow, you will be raised with the Prophets, and we will not be able to see you.’ The Prophet did not say anything, but later Jibril came down to him with this Ayah,

and the Prophet sent the good news to the Ansari man.”
This Hadith was narrated in Mursal form from Masruq, Ikrimah, ‘Amir Ash-Sha'bi, Qatadah and Ar-Rabi' bin Anas. This is the version with the best chain of narrators. Abu Bakr bin Marduwyah recorded it with a different chain from ‘A’ishah,

«Whoever dies in this state will be with the Prophets, the truthful and martyrs on the Day of Resurrection, as long as - and he raised his finger - he is not disobedient to his parents.»” Only Ahmad recorded this Hadith.

Greater news than this is in the authentic Hadith collected in the Sahih and Musnad compilations, in Mutawatir form, narrated by several Companions that the Messenger of Allah was asked about the person who loves a people, but his status is not close to theirs. The Messenger said,

«One is with those whom he loves.»

Anas commented, “Muslims were never happier than with this Hadith.” In another narration, Anas said, “I love the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr and 'Umar, and I hope that Allah will resurrect me with them, even though I did not perform actions similar to theirs.” Allah said,

{Such is the bounty from Allah} meaning, from Allah by His mercy, for it is He who made them suitable for this, not their good deeds.

{and Allah is sufficient as All-Knower}, He knows those who deserve guidance and success.