Surah 21: The Prophets

Surah 21: The Prophets - Overview

Verses	Description
21:1-29	Soon must Judgment come; adore God; there is but One God and One Truth
21:30-50	Creation shows unity of design and benevolence of purpose; Take life seriously, and receive God's Message
21:51-93	Evil is conquered by virtues to meet all circumstances; as shown by God's Messengers: all men and women of God form one united Brotherhood
21:94-112	Every deed has its fruit; Judgment must come; repent while there is time

Introduction

This last Surah dealt with the individual story (spiritual) of Moses and Aaron, and contrasted it with the growth of evil in individuals like the Pharaoh and the Samiri, and ended with a warning against Evil, and an exhortation to the purification of the soul with prayer and praise. This Surah begins with the external obstacles placed by Evil against such purification, and gives the assurance of God's power to defend men, illustrating this with reference to Abraham's fight against idolatry.

Lot's fight against injustice and failure to proclaim God's glory by making full use of man's God-given faculties and powers, that of Job against impatience and want of self-confidence, that of Isma'il, Idris, and Dhul Kifl against want of steady perseverance, that of Dha al Nun against hasty anger, that of Zakariya against spiritual isolation, and that of Mary against the lusts of this world. In each allusion, there is a special point about the soul's purification. The common point is that the Prophets were not, as the vulgar suppose, just irresistible men. They had to win their ground inch by inch against al kinds of resistance and evil.

The chronology of this Surah has no significance. It probably dates from the middle of the Makkan period of inspiration.

Summary

1- Man treats, as he has always treated, the serious things of life with jest or contempt; but the Judgment must come, and Truth must triumph. (21:1-29)

Truth Must Triumph [21:1-29] Men may lightly treat God's Signs as jests, but the Judgment must come inevitably. His Message is true, and delivered by God's Prophet, as from man to men. Truth must triumph and all false gods and false worship must come to naught; for God is One, and His Truth has been one throughout the ages.

2- Unity of Design, and certainty of God's Promise: God's protection and mercy, and His justice. (21:30-50)

Benevolence of Purpose [21:30-50] Look at God's Creation: contemplate its unity of Design and benevolence of Purpose. Death must come to all, but life and faith are not objects of ridicule. Truth will outlast all mockery; 'tis God who calls, because He cares for you, and on His Judgment Seat will weigh each act, each thought, each motive, great or small, with perfect justice. Come, ye all, reject not His Blessed Message.

3- How Abraham triumphed over idols, as did others among God's chosen ones over various forms of evil. (21:51-93)

Virtue Conquers Evil [21:51-93] The great exemplars of virtue conquered Evil, each according to his circumstances; Abraham stood staunch in the fire of persecution, unhurt; Lut was bold in reproving abominations; Noah survived the Flood by his faith, in a world of Unbelief; David sought justice, and sang God's praises; Solomon by wisdom subdued the refractory; Job was patient in suffering; Isma'il, Idris, and Dhu al Kifl were true in constancy amid temptation; Jonah turned to God after a short misunderstanding: Zakariya and his family were exemplars of devoutness; and Mary of chastity. All men and women of God form one united Brotherhood.

4- Work righteousness while it is yet time, for the Judgment will come, and only the righteous will inherit. (21:94-112)

No Good Deed is Fruitless [21:94-112] No good deed is fruitless; work while yet there's time: for with Judgment the door will be closed to repentance. No false gods of fancy can help. The Righteous will have no fear; for them the angelic greetings will truly open a new world, which they will inherit. This was God's Message of old, and the same is God's Message renewed; for God is one, and so is His Message, proclaimed for all, freely and in loving Truth.