“120–123” “Every account We relate to you from the news of the messengers is one by which We strengthen your heart. In this surah the truth has come to you, together with admonition and a reminder for the believers. Say to those who do not believe, ‘Carry on as you are; we too are carrying on. And wait; we too are waiting.’ To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and earth, and to Him every matter will be returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.”
Having related in this surah what He related of the accounts of the prophets, Allah explained the wisdom behind mentioning them. He said, “Every account We relate to you from the news of the messengers is one by which We strengthen your heart”—that is, your heart is thereby reassured and fortified, enabling you to remain steadfast just as the messengers of firm resolve remained steadfast. Souls find comfort in following the example of others, become energized to act, and seek to compete with them. Moreover, the truth is reinforced when its supporting testimonies are mentioned and those who upheld it are shown to be numerous.
“In this surah the truth has come to you”—that is, certainty in which there is no doubt whatsoever. Knowing this is therefore knowledge of the truth, which is among the greatest virtues of the soul.
“Together with admonition and a reminder for the believers”—that is, they heed its admonition and thereby refrain from objectionable things, while being reminded of the things beloved to Allah and therefore doing them.
As for those who are not people of faith, neither admonitions nor the various forms of reminder benefit them. Hence He said, “Say to those who do not believe,” after the signs had established the proof against them, “Carry on as you are”—that is, in your present state—“we too are carrying on” as we have been.
“And wait” to see what befalls us; “we too are waiting” to see what befalls you.
Allah has already decided between the two groups and shown His servants how He grants victory to His believing servants and crushes the enemies of Allah who deny the truth.
“To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and earth”—that is, all the secrets and unseen matters hidden within them.
“To Him every matter will be returned,” including deeds and those who perform them, and He will distinguish the evil from the good. “So worship Him and put your trust in Him”—that is, uphold His worship, which encompasses everything Allah has commanded that lies within your ability, and rely upon Allah in doing so.
“Your Lord is not unaware of what you do,” whether good or evil. Rather, His knowledge encompasses it all, His Pen has recorded it, and His judgment and recompense will be carried out accordingly.
The commentary on Surah Hūd is complete. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless Muhammad and grant him peace.
[The copying of it was completed on Saturday, 21 Rabī al-Ākhir 1347 AH] (1).
Volume Four of The Facilitation of the Most Gracious in the Exegesis of the Words of the Beneficent Lord, compiled by the one in need of Allah, Abd al-Rahmān ibn Nāsir al-Sadī. May Allah forgive him, his parents, and all Muslims. Āmīn.