Juz 28: Al-Mujādilah to At-Taḥrīm
Section 8 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
8. Taqwa and the Beautiful Names of Allah
The concluding verses of Surah Al-Hashr (18-24) transition from discussing the hypocrites and their allies to addressing the believers directly with powerful exhortations to taqwa (God-consciousness). These verses contain some of the most profound guidance on self-accountability and conclude with a magnificent exposition of Allah's Beautiful Names.
Allah (swt) begins this section with a fundamental principle of spiritual preparation:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
“O you who believe, fear Allah, and every soul should consider what it has sent ahead for tomorrow. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is fully aware of what you do." (59:18)”
This verse establishes a powerful framework for self-examination. The believer is instructed to practice taqwa and engage in muhasabah (self-accounting)—examining what deeds they have prepared for the Hereafter. The repetition of "fear Allah" emphasizes the critical nature of this consciousness, reinforced by the reminder that Allah (swt) is fully aware of all actions.
The next verse contrasts the believers with those who forget Allah (swt):
وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَأَنْسَاهُمْ أَنْفُسَهُمْ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
“And be not like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. Those are the sinful people." (59:19)”