Surah 29: The Spider - Overview

Introduction

This Surah is the last of the series begun with Surah 17, in which the growth of the spiritual man as an individual is considered, especially illustrated by the way in which the great Prophets were prepared for their work and received their mission, and the nature of Revelation in relation to the environments in which it was promulgated. (See Introduction to Surah 17). It also closes the sub-series beginning with Surah 26, which is concerned with the spiritual Light, and the reactions to it at certain periods of spiritual history. (See Introduction to Surah 26).

The last Surah closed with a reference to the doctrine of the Ma'ad, or final Return of Man to God. This theme is further developed here, and as it is continued in the subsequent three Surahs all bearing the Abbreviated Letters, "Alif Lam Mim", it forms a connecting link between the present series and those three Surahs.

In particular, emphasis is laid here on the necessity of lining actual conduct with the reception of God's revelation, and reference is again made to the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Lot among the Prophets, and the stories of Madyan, 'Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh among the rejecters of God's Message. This world's life is contrasted with the real Life of the Hereafter.

Chronologically the main Surah belongs to the late Middle Makkan period, but the chronology has no significance except as showing how clearly the vision of the Future was revealed long before the Hijrah, to the struggling Brotherhood of Islam.

Summary

1- Belief is tested by trial in life and practical conduct: though Noah lived 950 years, his people refused Faith, and Abraham's generation threatened to burn Abraham. (29:1-27)

Diseased Hearts [29:1-27] Faith must be tested in the conflicts of practical life, but Good can never be submerged. On the contrary, God will wash off all stains from those who strive, and admit them to the Fellowship of the Righteous. Not so are the hypocrites and those who reject Faith. Their hearts are diseased, and they will not accept the right though a Noah preached it to them for a thousand years, or  an Abraham reasoned with them on God's most wonderful Providence. But the true will ever search out the Truth, and Truth will always prevail.

2- Lot's people not only rejected God's Message but publicly defied him in sin: the 'Ad and the Thamud had intelligence but misused it, and Qarun, Pharaoh, and Haman perished for their overweening arrogance: they found their worldly power as frail as a spider's web. (29:28-44)

Spider's Web [29:28-44] Worldly power cannot through sin defy the right, as was proved in the ministry of Lut; nor can Intelligence misused stand in place of God's Light; nor can boastful insolence do aught but dig its own grave. The strength and skill, the beauty and power, of this world's life are no more than a Spider's Web, flimsy before the force of the eternal verities that flow from God Supreme!

3- The Qur'an as a revelation stands on its own merits and is a Sign: it teaches the distinction between Right and Wrong, and shows the importance and excellence of the Hereafter. (29:45-69)

Proof in Revelation [29:45-69] Proclaim the Message of God, and pray to Him for purity and guidance. God's Revelation carries its own proofs and is recognized by men of wisdom. Its rejecters but lose their own chances of profiting by the Truth, and attaining the Paths that lead to God's own gracious Presence!