of Isaac and Jacob upon him, and how He granted him an exalted reputation, meaning honorable praise. He tells of John, Jesus, and Abraham honoring their parents while worshipping Allah alone. He mentions Moses and His bestowal upon him of his brother Aaron as a prophet, just as He bestowed John upon Zechariah, Jesus upon Mary, and Isaac upon Abraham.

Thus, this surah is “the Surah of Gifts”: the righteous offspring, righteous deeds, and beneficial knowledge that Allah bestowed upon His prophets. He then mentions the descendants of Adam on account of Idrīs, “and of those We carried with Noah”—referring to Abraham—and the descendants of Abraham and Israel, continuing to the end of the account.

Then He says:

“But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires,”

and the rest of the verse.

Such is the condition of those who fall short in worshipping Allah. He then makes an exception for those who repent, explaining that Paradise is for those who repent, and that the Gardens of perpetual residence are what the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. They are those who truly fulfill their servitude to Him. Then He says:

“That is Paradise, which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who are mindful of Allah.”

Then He says:

“So worship Him and persevere in His worship.”

He then mentions the condition of those who deny the resurrection and of those who attribute offspring to Him. He links the two in the hadith narrated by al-Bukhārī from Abū Hurayrah:

“The son of Adam has denied Me, though he has no right to do so, and the son of Adam has reviled Me, though he has no right to do so,”

and the rest of the hadith.

“And man says, ‘When I am dead, will I really be brought forth alive?’”

Then He mentions His oath concerning