Juz 18: Al-Muʾminūn to Al-Furqān 20
Section 6 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
6. Characteristics of Truth-Seekers vs. Deniers
Following the discussion of how humanity divided into factions after receiving divine guidance, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala contrasts the characteristics of sincere truth-seekers with those of obstinate deniers.
The true believers are described with several distinctive qualities:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ
“Indeed, those who, from fear of their Lord, are cautious," [23:57]”
The first quality is khashyah - a reverent, conscious fear of Allah that stems from knowledge and awareness of His majesty. This is not mere terror but a refined spiritual state that combines awe, reverence, and profound respect for the Divine.
وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
“And those who believe in the signs of their Lord," [23:58]”
The second quality is genuine faith in Allah's signs - both the revealed verses and the natural signs in creation. This faith isn't blind acceptance but recognition of divine truth through reflection and contemplation.
وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّهِمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ
“And those who do not associate partners with their Lord," [23:59]”
The third quality is pure monotheism - worshipping Allah alone without ascribing partners to Him in any form, whether through rituals, devotion, or obedience.
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ
“And those who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord," [23:60]”
The fourth quality combines action with humility - they give charity and perform good deeds while maintaining a state of concern about whether their deeds will be accepted. Unlike the arrogant, they never assume their actions are sufficient or perfect.
أُولَٰئِكَ يُسَارِعُونَ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَابِقُونَ
“It is these who hasten to good deeds, and it is these who outrace (others) to them." [23:61]”
The culmination of these qualities is an eagerness to perform righteous deeds - they don't delay or procrastinate in acts of virtue but compete in goodness.
These believers possess what might be called ihsan - the sincere desire to excel in worship and virtue, not out of ostentation but from genuine devotion to Allah. They combine action with proper intention, outward observance with inward sincerity.
In contrast, Allah describes those who reject truth:
بَلْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فِي غَمْرَةٍ مِّنْ هَٰذَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْمَالٌ مِّن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ هُمْ لَهَا عَامِلُونَ
“But their hearts are in ignorance of this [Quran], and they have deeds besides that which they are doing." [23:63]”
The deniers exist in a state of ghamrah (intoxication or confusion) regarding the Quran and divine guidance. Their hearts are veiled from understanding, not primarily through intellectual failure but through moral and spiritual obstruction. They remain preoccupied with worldly pursuits that distract them from the ultimate reality.
Allah further describes the response of worldly elites when divine punishment approaches:
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا