19 – Chapter: On the one who sets a good precedent or an evil precedent

Allah the Exalted says: “And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us in our spouses and our offspring comfort for our eyes, and make us leaders for the God-fearing.’” (al-Furqan 25:74). And He says: “We made them leaders, guiding by Our command.” (al-Anbiyaʾ 21:73).

[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—opens this chapter, “On the one who sets a good precedent or an evil precedent,” to show that when an act has a legitimate basis, the person who performs it first is regarded as the one who initiated it. He therefore earns its reward and the reward of everyone who follows him in it until the Day of Resurrection.

We have already noted that the religion of Islam, praise be to Allah, is complete and needs neither additions nor innovations, for Allah the Exalted has said: “Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and chosen for you Islam as a religion.” (al-Maʾidah 5:3).

The author then cites two verses from the Book of Allah. The first is His saying: “And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us in our spouses and our offspring comfort for our eyes, and make us leaders for the God-fearing.’” (al-Furqan 25:74). This is among the supplications of the servants of the All-Merciful whose qualities Allah lists at the close of Surah al-Furqan: “And the servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly…” up to His words, “And those who say, ‘Our Lord…’” (25:63, 74).

hab lanā (grant us) means “give us,” and al-azwāj (spouses) is the plural of zawj, a term that may refer to either male or female.