Verses 10 and 11 - Surah Ar'Rad - on different people

[Ruhi_Rose]

 


Salaams again and hi my dear folks   A question again.   Verses 10 and 11 of Surah Ar-Ra'd.

"Alike of you is he who hideth the saying and he who noiseth it abroad, he who lurketh in the night and he who goeth freely in the daytime.  For him are angels ranged before him and behind him, who guard him by Allah's command. Lo! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts; and if Allah willeth misfortune for a folk there is none that can repel it, nor have they a defender beside Him."  (13:10-11).

I understand the underlined portion.  Love that line.  It explains much that Allah has consented to give the freedom to humans to choose their path of conduct and consequently He decides the outcome accordingly.  I would only like someone to explain how the preceding lines are connected with this.  Whom is Allah referring to in those lines?

[N. Truth Seeker]

Walaiykum As-Salam sister Ruhi.  Thanks for your perceptive questions.  These two verses are actually very simple but the direct translation from original Arabic to English brings about the Arabic style in English which readers of English are sometimes not acquainted with.

Allah Almighty is the All-Knower.  He is completely aware of everyone's actions and state of mind.  Those who whisper, those who talk aloud, those who carry out acts by hiding under the cover of the dark night or those who walk about in broad daylight - Allah is aware of everyone.  No one is hidden from Allah. Allah has also appointed guardians (that is, angels) who are constantly around every person recording their deeds .. each and every deed.  Hence when Allah brings about changes in peoples' circumstances and situations, those changes are brought as an outcome of the deeds of those people (as you already stated correctly).  Thus, Allah states that He decides to change the condition of people only after they change their own hearts.  Verses 13:10-11 are also a warning to those heedless folks who are deceiving themselves by thinking that they are free to do what they please, that no one is watching them nor does any one command authority over them nor will they be accountable for their misdeeds and immoralities.  Furthermore, when Allah Almighty asserts that "nor have they a defender beside HIM." - is a warning to those who blindly trust their spiritual leaders or so-called saints.  These persons to whom their disciples pay homages have no power to help them on the Day of Judgment.  Nor do the angels have any power to intercede and help any person of the Last Day. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Ohh!  I see .....   so the reference is to the people of the world, right?  Thanks my brother.  Indeed it's simple.  You're right it's the direct translation that sometimes brings about the Arabic style that English readers are not able to make the right connections for interpretation. 

With my daily readings of the Glorious Quran in the blessed month of the Quran, questions on certain verses will keep coming along too, InshAllah.
 

[N. Truth Seeker]

You're very welcomed sister.   Yes, reference is to people of the world.  And yeah .... in the blessed month of Ramadan when we read the Quran more extensively, it's a great opportunity to clarify points we're not sure of through queries and discussions.

[Zainab_M]

That was informative for me too.  Many thanks brother TS.