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The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle
People disregard divine admonitions, remaining in frivolity
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The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle
People disregard divine admonitions, remaining in frivolity
No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
Multi-Source Confirmation
sahih
No mention comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play
arberry
no Remembrance from their Lord comes to them lately renewed, but they listen to it yet playing,
maududi
Whenever any fresh admonition comes to them from their Lord they barely heed it and remain immersed in play,
yusufali
Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest,-
pickthall
Never cometh there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they play,
highest
When Doubt Demands Miracles
And they said, “A jumble of dreams,” and, “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet,” “let him bring us a sign, like those...
Surah 21, Ayah 5
highest
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith
None of the towns We destroyed before them had believed. Will they, then, believe?
Surah 21, Ayah 6
highest
Seeking the Light of the Scholars
We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.
Surah 21, Ayah 7
Imam al-Tabari
Imam al-Tabari | Senior Correspondent & Bureau Historian
Breaking News
Divine Address
11 communiques
Breaking the Chain: From Inherited Idol Worship to Divine Faith
"They said, “We found our parents worshiping them.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 53
The verse 21:53 confronts the danger of inheriting false worship. It reminds us that the family of Prophet Ibrahim was distinguished precisely because they abandoned the idolatrous practices of their
When the Prophet Is Accused of Jest: A Call for Authenticity
"They said, “Are you telling us the truth, or are you just playing?”"
Surah 21, Ayah 55
The Qur’an’s narrative that the disbelievers thought the Prophet was joking (21:55) is not merely a historical anecdote but a theological reminder of the gravity of sincerity (ikhlas). Scholars such a
The Resolute Covenant: A Call to Stand Against Idolatry
"“By God, I will have a plan for your statues after you have gone away.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 57
This verse, recited by the Prophet (peace be upon him) after the people of Makkah turned away, underscores the prophetic duty to confront idolatry—both literal and metaphorical. Scholars such as Ibn K
The Challenge of the Greatest: Responding to Demands for Evidence
"He said, “But it was this biggest of them that did it. Ask them, if they can speak.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 63
This verse confronts the arrogance of those who demand a sign while refusing to provide any evidence themselves. The Prophet’s reply—"ask them if they can speak"—is a rhetorical reminder that the grea
The Mirror of Self‑Accusation
"Then they turned to one another, and said, “You yourselves are the wrongdoers.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 64
The verse from Surah Al‑Anbiya (21:64) records a community that, upon being warned of the consequences of their deeds, turned inward and accused themselves of being the wrongdoers. This self‑blame is
The Call of Reason: Rejecting the Idol's Whisper
"Fie on you, and on what you worship instead of God. Do you not understand?”"
Surah 21, Ayah 67
The verse, situated in Surah Al‑Anbiya, confronts the disbelievers who worship what is not Allah, warning that they are not truly using their intellect. In Islamic thought, ‘aql’ (reason) is a divine
Defiance of the Idolaters: A Call to Faithful Resilience
"They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you are going to act.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 68
Verse 21:68 captures the Pharaoh’s audacious challenge to Moses: ‘Burn him and support your gods.’ It exposes the arrogance of a ruler who equates power with idol worship, and the mockery of those who
When Fire Becomes a Cool Shield: Abraham's Divine Safeguard
"We said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 69
The verse that commands fire to become coolness is a profound illustration of Allah’s absolute dominion over all creation. In the Qur’an, God’s power is described as *Al‑Mu'azzam* (the one who subdues
Unveiling the One: A Call to True Submission
"Say, “It is revealed to me that your God is One God. Are you going to submit?”"
Surah 21, Ayah 108
The verse of Sur‑Al‑Haqq (21:108) is a clear reminder that the essence of Islam is the belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah (tawhid) and the consequent submission that defines a Muslim. The Prophet
Guarding the Unspoken: The Divine Awareness of Speech and Concealment
"He knows what is said openly, and He knows what you conceal."
Surah 21, Ayah 110
The verse 21:110 underscores Allah’s complete knowledge—both of our outward words and the private thoughts that lie beneath them. Islamic scholarship, from al‑Ghazali’s *Ihya’ al‑Ummah* to Ibn Taymiyy
The Uncertain Blessing of Trials
"“And I do not know whether it is perhaps a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while.”"
Surah 21, Ayah 111
The verse reminds us that even the Prophet Moses, with divine guidance, did not know whether the people would repent or persist in disbelief. This uncertainty is not a sign of weakness but genuine rel
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi | Unseen Bureau Correspondent
The Opposition Desk
4 opposition statements recorded
Disbelievers
Surah 21, Ayah 36
"When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you only with ridicule: “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” And they reject the mention of the Merciful."
Ridicule of the Unbelievers: A Call to Patient Resilience
2:220
3:52
3:99
Disbelievers
Surah 21, Ayah 38
"And they say, “When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?”"
Answering the Skeptic: Strengthening Faith in Allah’s Promise
1, Ayah 6
2:6
2:7
Disbelievers
Surah 21, Ayah 42
"Say, “Who guards you against the Merciful by night and by day?” But they turn away from the mention of their Lord."
Guarding Our Hearts: The Call to Constant Remembrance
2:38
2:84
2:126
Disbelievers
Surah 21, Ayah 97
"The promise of truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: “Woe to us. We were oblivious to this. In fact, we were wrongdoers.”"
The Moment of Reckoning: Eyes That See the Truth
1:1
1:2
1:3
Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir | Senior News Correspondent
Character Dossier
29 characters in this edition
Allah
spiritual entity
82 mentions this sura
4187 total mentions
Dominant: Transcendence
Allah Angels
divine_command
Allah Ibrahim
supplication
Allah Isa
sender-messenger
Allah Nuh
comprehensive_supplication
Allah Dawud
divine_appointment
Allah Musa
command_mission
Allah Polytheists
conditional_provision
Allah People of Nuh
rejected_and_punished
Allah Harun
divine_honor
Allah People of Lut
punisher-punished
Allah Lut
savior-saved
Allah Jinn
faith
Allah Yaqub
divine_mission
Allah Ishaq
divine_mission
Allah Sulayman
divine_favor
Allah Ayyub
divine_mercy_and_praise
Allah Ismail
divine_ransom
Allah Idris
guidance
Allah Dhul-Kifl
guidance
Allah Yunus
divine_election
Allah Zakariya
guidance
Allah Yahya
creation
Allah Maryam
devotion_and_testimony
Disbelievers
group
31 mentions this sura
1145 total mentions
Dominant: Transcendence
When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you only with ridicule: “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” And they reject the mention of the Merciful.
Surah 21, Ayah 36
And they say, “When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?”
Surah 21, Ayah 38
Say, “Who guards you against the Merciful by night and by day?” But they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
Surah 21, Ayah 42
Ibrahim
prophet · named
22 mentions this sura
175 total mentions
Dominant: Transcendence
When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?”
Surah 21, Ayah 52
He said, “You and your parents are in evident error.”
Surah 21, Ayah 54
He said, “Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the One who created them, and I bear witness to that.
Surah 21, Ayah 56
They said, “We heard a youth mentioning them. He is called Abraham.”
Surah 21, Ayah 60
They said, “Bring him before the eyes of the people, so that they may witness.”
Surah 21, Ayah 61
Ibrahim Yaqub
grandfather_grandson
Ibrahim Ishaq
father-son
Ibrahim Allah
supplication
Ibrahim Lut
intercessor_for
Ibrahim Polytheists
dissociation
Sayyid Qutb
Sayyid Qutb | Literary & Scene Correspondent
Witness Testimony
Us
Ibrahim
the wrong - doers
Disbelievers
Allah
those who are in His ( very ) Presence
the deaf
Zakariya
Angels
one Allah
The Consequence Column
Disbelievers
When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you only with ridicule: “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” And...
When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you only with ridicule: “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” And...
Ridicule of the Unbelievers: A Call to Patient Resilience
Surah 21, Ayah 36
Disbelievers
And they say, “When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?”
And they say, “When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?”
Answering the Skeptic: Strengthening Faith in Allah’s Promise
Surah 21, Ayah 38
Disbelievers
Say, “Who guards you against the Merciful by night and by day?” But they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
Say, “Who guards you against the Merciful by night and by day?” But they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
Guarding Our Hearts: The Call to Constant Remembrance
Surah 21, Ayah 42
Disbelievers
The promise of truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: “Woe to us. We were...
The promise of truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: “Woe to us. We were...
The Moment of Reckoning: Eyes That See the Truth
Surah 21, Ayah 97
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun | War Correspondent & Political Analyst
War Correspondent
Alliances
Combatants
Allah
Disbelievers
Ibrahim
Polytheists
Muhammad
Battle Verses
Mood:
tense
Scale:
intimate
Title:
The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:3
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:12
Environment:
battlefield
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
Ridicule of the Unbelievers: A Call to Patient Resilience
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:36
Environment:
city
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
Answering the Skeptic: Strengthening Faith in Allah’s Promise
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:38
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Sudden Storm of Judgment
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:40
Environment:
generic
Mood:
warning
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Unseen Cost of Temporary Comfort
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:44
Environment:
desert
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Whisper of Repentance
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:46
Environment:
battlefield
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
When the Prophet Is Accused of Jest: A Call for Authenticity
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:55
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
intimate
Title:
The Resolute Covenant: A Call to Stand Against Idolatry
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:57
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Fragmented Whole: Remembering Our Return
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:58
Environment:
battlefield
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
When the Faithful Turn to False Gods: A Call to Authentic Witness
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:59
Environment:
city
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Witness of Truth: Seeking Testimony Beyond the Crowd
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:61
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
Faith Under Fire: Responding to the Accusation of the Idol Worshippers
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:62
Environment:
palace
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Mirror of Self‑Accusation
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:64
Environment:
generic
Mood:
tense
Scale:
communal
Title:
The Echo of Falsehood: When the Unbelievers Deny the Prophet
Weather:
none
Reference:
21:65
Environment:
generic
Total Battle Verses
20
Ibn Taymiyyah
Ibn Taymiyyah | Opposition Desk Editor
Science & Cosmos
Articles
Text:
And they said, “A jumble of dreams,” and, “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet,” “let him bring us a sign, like those sent to the ancients.”
Title:
When Doubt Demands Miracles
Speaker:
the wrong - doers
Is Quote:
True
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:5
Reflection:
The verse confronts the disbelievers’ demand for miracles, highlighting the Qur’an’s own status as a divine sign (ayat) and the Prophet’s role as a transmitter, not a miracle‑maker. Islamic scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah distinguish between signs—subtle, logical proofs embedded in the Qur’an—and muʿjiz
Text:
None of the towns We destroyed before them had believed. Will they, then, believe?
Title:
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:6
Reflection:
The verse points to the prophets sent to various cities—Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu'ayb, Musa, and others—whose people, despite repeated warnings, refused to believe and were ultimately destroyed. Ibn Kathir explains that the destruction was a test of faith and a reminder that belief alone, without ri
Text:
We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.
Title:
Seeking the Light of the Scholars
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:7
Reflection:
The verse 21:7 reminds us that Allah’s message has been entrusted to men before us—scholars, teachers, and those who received revelation. In Islamic thought, the chain of knowledge (ilm) is sacrosanct; scholars are the *mu’allim* who transmit the Qur’an’s meanings, as seen in the works of Al‑Tabari,
Text:
We did not create the sky and the earth and what is between them for amusement.
Title:
Purposeful Cosmos: Turning Cosmic Wonder into Intentional Living
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:16
Reflection:
In verse 21:16, Allah reminds us that the heavens, earth, and everything between them were not fashioned for idle amusement but for a deliberate purpose. The Arabic term ‘lud’ (play) carries connotations of frivolity and lack of intent. By contrasting creation with ‘play’, the verse underscores that
Text:
If We wanted amusement, We could have found it within Us, were We to do so.
Title:
The Unshakable Sovereignty: Recognizing Divine Intent
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:17
Reflection:
The verse of 21:17 reminds us that Allah’s decree is absolute; nothing can divert it. Classical scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Al‑Ghazali emphasize that human free will operates within the bounds of divine knowledge—our choices are real, yet they are encompassed by Allah’s pre‑established plan.
Text:
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. Those near Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they waver.
Title:
Unshackled Devotion: Worship Free from Arrogance
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:19
Reflection:
The verse reminds us that all creation is Allah’s, and those who are close to Him are not impeded by arrogance in their worship. Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah warn that kibr (arrogance) is a barrier to sincerity, while Al‑Ghazali notes that true worship is a continual, unwearied act of humility. Ib
Text:
If there were in them gods other than God, they would have gone to ruin. So glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, beyond what they allege.
Title:
Renouncing the Idols of the Heart
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:22
Reflection:
This verse reminds us that the existence of any deity besides Allah would lead to their ruin, underscoring the absolute uniqueness (tawhid) of God. Classical scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyyah, explain that the phrase 'ruined' (khalafa) indicates that any other gods would be destroyed by Allah’s decree
Text:
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them; and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves; and they tremble in awe of Him.
Title:
The All-Knowing Guardian: Living in the Shadow of Divine Omniscience
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:28
Reflection:
This verse reminds us that Allah’s knowledge is absolute—present and future alike—while our intercession is limited to those He has approved. Theologians such as Ibn Qayyim and Al‑Ghazali emphasize that true reliance (tawakkul) stems from this awareness: we submit to Allah’s plan, knowing that our e
Text:
Messengers before you were also ridiculed, but those who jeered were surrounded by what they had ridiculed.
Title:
Echoes of Mockery: The Consequence of Ridicule
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:41
Reflection:
The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that mocking the messengers is not merely a social faux‑pas but a divine test. In 21:41, Allah warns that those who ridicule prophets are ultimately "enveloped by what they used to ridicule." This can be understood on two levels. First, the literal sense: the ridicul
Text:
We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, and illumination, and a reminder for the righteous.
Title:
Guiding the Righteous: Lessons from Moses and Aaron
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:48
Reflection:
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that Allah bestows guidance upon prophets—criterion (hujjah), light (nur), and reminder (tadbir)—as a model for all believers. In 21:48, Moses and Aaron receive a clear standard for righteousness, a spiritual illumination that guides their actions, and a constant rem
Text:
We gave Abraham his integrity formerly, and We knew him well.
Title:
The Gift of Sound Judgment: Lessons from Abraham
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:51
Reflection:
Abraham (Ibrahim) exemplifies *hikmah*—a judgment that balances human intellect with divine insight. The Qur’an reminds us that Allah’s knowledge precedes and surpasses our own, a concept echoed by scholars such as Al‑Ghazali, who noted that true wisdom is a divine gift, not merely accumulated exper
Text:
When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?”
Title:
The Call to Question the Idols of the Heart
Speaker:
Ibrahim
Is Quote:
True
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:52
Reflection:
In 21:52 Prophet Ibrahim confronts the idolatry of his people, not merely the physical statues but the entire worldview that places anything above Allah. His question—"What are these statues to which you are devoted?"—is a call to scrutinize what we elevate to divine status. The Qur’an repeatedly co
Desk Name
Science & Cosmos
Total Relevant Verses
71
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi
Bediuzzaman Said Nursi | Unseen Bureau Correspondent
The Unseen Bureau
Articles
Text:
No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully.
Title:
The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:2
Reflection:
The verse from Surah Al‑Anbiya (21:2) highlights a critical human tendency: to heed divine words only when circumstances allow leisure, ignoring them during moments of responsibility. Classical scholars, such as Ibn Kathir, interpret this as a warning that those who 'listen while they are at play' a
Text:
And they said, “A jumble of dreams,” and, “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet,” “let him bring us a sign, like those sent to the ancients.”
Title:
When Doubt Demands Miracles
Speaker:
the wrong - doers
Is Quote:
True
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:5
Reflection:
The verse confronts the disbelievers’ demand for miracles, highlighting the Qur’an’s own status as a divine sign (ayat) and the Prophet’s role as a transmitter, not a miracle‑maker. Islamic scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah distinguish between signs—subtle, logical proofs embedded in the Qur’an—and muʿjiz
Text:
None of the towns We destroyed before them had believed. Will they, then, believe?
Title:
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:6
Reflection:
The verse points to the prophets sent to various cities—Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Shu'ayb, Musa, and others—whose people, despite repeated warnings, refused to believe and were ultimately destroyed. Ibn Kathir explains that the destruction was a test of faith and a reminder that belief alone, without ri
Text:
We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.
Title:
Seeking the Light of the Scholars
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:7
Reflection:
The verse 21:7 reminds us that Allah’s message has been entrusted to men before us—scholars, teachers, and those who received revelation. In Islamic thought, the chain of knowledge (ilm) is sacrosanct; scholars are the *mu’allim* who transmit the Qur’an’s meanings, as seen in the works of Al‑Tabari,
Text:
Then We fulfilled Our promise to them, and We saved them together with whomever We willed, and We destroyed the extravagant.
Title:
Promise Fulfilled: The Reality of Divine Assurance
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:9
Reflection:
Allah’s covenant with the Children of Israel, narrated in Surah Al‑Anbiya, serves as a paradigm of divine promise and accountability. Ibn Kathir explains that the promise—‘We shall save you and those whom We willed’—was fulfilled by the miraculous escape from Pharaoh, a tangible proof that God’s wor
Text:
Then, when they sensed Our might, they started running away from it.
Title:
The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:12
Reflection:
The verse of 21:12 paints a vivid picture: the inhabitants of the Fire, upon perceiving the severity of their punishment, fled in panic. Scholars such as Ibn Kathir explain that their flight reflects a deliberate avoidance of repentance—an act of willful denial. The Qur’an repeatedly exhorts believe
Text:
This continued to be their cry, until We made them silent ashes.
Title:
When Falsehood Meets the Divine Verdict
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:15
Reflection:
This verse, referring to the people of Pharaoh, warns that any false declaration of power will not endure until Allah destroys it, mowed down like a harvest and extinguished like a fire. The imagery underscores the futility of human pride and the certainty of divine decree. Classical scholars, such
Text:
We did not create the sky and the earth and what is between them for amusement.
Title:
Purposeful Cosmos: Turning Cosmic Wonder into Intentional Living
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:16
Reflection:
In verse 21:16, Allah reminds us that the heavens, earth, and everything between them were not fashioned for idle amusement but for a deliberate purpose. The Arabic term ‘lud’ (play) carries connotations of frivolity and lack of intent. By contrasting creation with ‘play’, the verse underscores that
Text:
If We wanted amusement, We could have found it within Us, were We to do so.
Title:
The Unshakable Sovereignty: Recognizing Divine Intent
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:17
Reflection:
The verse of 21:17 reminds us that Allah’s decree is absolute; nothing can divert it. Classical scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Al‑Ghazali emphasize that human free will operates within the bounds of divine knowledge—our choices are real, yet they are encompassed by Allah’s pre‑established plan.
Text:
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. Those near Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they waver.
Title:
Unshackled Devotion: Worship Free from Arrogance
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:19
Reflection:
The verse reminds us that all creation is Allah’s, and those who are close to Him are not impeded by arrogance in their worship. Scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah warn that kibr (arrogance) is a barrier to sincerity, while Al‑Ghazali notes that true worship is a continual, unwearied act of humility. Ib
Text:
If there were in them gods other than God, they would have gone to ruin. So glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, beyond what they allege.
Title:
Renouncing the Idols of the Heart
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:22
Reflection:
This verse reminds us that the existence of any deity besides Allah would lead to their ruin, underscoring the absolute uniqueness (tawhid) of God. Classical scholars, such as Ibn Taymiyyah, explain that the phrase 'ruined' (khalafa) indicates that any other gods would be destroyed by Allah’s decree
Text:
We never sent a messenger before you without inspiring him that: “There is no god but I, so worship Me.”
Title:
The Unifying Call of Prophetic Revelation
Is Quote:
False
Priority:
5
Reference:
21:25
Reflection:
This verse underscores the core of Islamic creed—Tawhid—and the continuity of divine revelation. Every prophet, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all), was sent with the same command: ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.’ The Qur’an, the final preserved word, reiterates this decree,
Desk Name
The Unseen Bureau
Total Relevant Verses
103
Imam al-Ghazali
Imam al-Ghazali | Editor-in-Chief
Diplomatic Wire
Total Events
41
Diplomatic Events
Relationship Type:
son_of
Relationship Type:
grandfather_grandson
Relationship Type:
father-son
Relationship Type:
father_son
Relationship Type:
familial
Relationship Type:
divine_command
Imam al-Tabari
Imam al-Tabari | Senior Correspondent & Bureau Historian
Faction Map
15 characters · 41 relationships
Allah
(82)
Disbelievers
(31)
Ibrahim
(22)
Polytheists
(20)
Muhammad
(16)
Believers
(10)
Mankind
(9)
Angels
(7)
Sulayman
(4)
Dawud
(4)
Lut
(3)
Musa
(2)
Ismail
(2)
Yaqub
(2)
Ishaq
(2)
Isa
Maryam
son_of
Ibrahim
Yaqub
grandfather_grandson
Ibrahim
Ishaq
father-son
Ishaq
Yaqub
father_son
Yahya
Zakariya
familial
Allah
Angels
divine_command
Angels
Believers
protection
Allah
Ibrahim
supplication
Allah
Isa
sender-messenger
Allah
Nuh
comprehensive_supplication
Allah
Dawud
divine_appointment
Allah
Musa
command_mission
Allah
Polytheists
conditional_provision
Nuh
People of Nuh
disobedience
Allah
People of Nuh
rejected_and_punished
Harun
Musa
brother_prophets
Allah
Harun
divine_honor
Mankind
Muhammad
teacher
Ibrahim
Lut
intercessor_for
Allah
People of Lut
punisher-punished
Allah
Lut
savior-saved
Lut
People of Lut
warner-disputants
Allah
Jinn
faith
Allah
Yaqub
divine_mission
Muhammad
Polytheists
warner-warned
Ibrahim
Polytheists
dissociation
Allah
Ishaq
divine_mission
Dawud
Sulayman
father_son
Allah
Sulayman
divine_favor
Jinn
Sulayman
dominion_and_punishment
Allah
Ayyub
divine_mercy_and_praise
Idris
Ismail
prophetic_lineage
Dhul-Kifl
Ismail
prophetic_lineage
Dhul-Kifl
Idris
prophetic_lineage
Allah
Ismail
divine_ransom
Allah
Idris
guidance
Allah
Dhul-Kifl
guidance
Allah
Yunus
divine_election
Allah
Zakariya
guidance
Allah
Yahya
creation
Allah
Maryam
devotion_and_testimony
Ibn Taymiyyah
Ibn Taymiyyah | Opposition Desk Editor
Audio Edition
Full Chapter Audio
112 verse segments
Speaker Distribution
Us 7
Allah 4
Angels 1
Ibrahim 6
Narrator 79
Zakariya 1
the deaf 2
one Allah 1
Disbelievers 4
the wrong - doers 4
those who are in His ( very ) Presence 3
Verse Segments
Surah 21, Ayah 1
Narrator
Mankind’s reckoning has drawn near, but they turn away heedlessly.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
Narrator
No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully.
Surah 21, Ayah 3
the wrong - doers
Their hearts distracted, the wrongdoers confer secretly, “Is this anything but a mortal like you? Wi
Surah 21, Ayah 4
the wrong - doers
He said, “My Lord knows what is said in the heaven and the earth; and He is the Hearer, the Knower.”
Surah 21, Ayah 5
the wrong - doers
And they said, “A jumble of dreams,” and, “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet,” “let him bring us a
Surah 21, Ayah 6
Narrator
None of the towns We destroyed before them had believed. Will they, then, believe?
Surah 21, Ayah 7
Narrator
We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not
Surah 21, Ayah 8
Narrator
We did not make them mere bodies that ate no food, nor were they immortal.
Surah 21, Ayah 9
Narrator
Then We fulfilled Our promise to them, and We saved them together with whomever We willed, and We de
Surah 21, Ayah 10
Narrator
We have sent down to you a Book, containing your message. Do you not understand?
Sayyid Qutb
Sayyid Qutb | Literary & Scene Correspondent
Editorial
Word of the Edition
Faith
Appears 97 times
· 16.4% of themes
Faith
97
Guidance
50
Prophets
48
Creation
45
Knowledge
43
Worship
39
Accountability
37
Community
34
Surah 21, Ayah 1
The Countdown to Judgment:...
Surah 21, Ayah 2
The Playful Distraction: Hearing...
Surah 21, Ayah 3
The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi | Science & Cosmos Correspondent
Cross-Edition References
1, Ayah 6
-- The Countdown to Judgment: Recognizing the Moment of Accountability
42x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 6
-- The Countdown to Judgment: Recognizing the Moment of Accountability
42x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 7
-- The Countdown to Judgment: Recognizing the Moment of Accountability
42x cited
2, Ayah 8
-- The Countdown to Judgment: Recognizing the Moment of Accountability
42x cited
Edition 1
Surah 1, Ayah 1
-- Seeking the Light of the Scholars
32x cited
Edition 1
Surah 1, Ayah 2
-- Seeking the Light of the Scholars
32x cited
Edition 1
Surah 1, Ayah 3
-- Seeking the Light of the Scholars
32x cited
Edition 1
Surah 1, Ayah 4
-- Seeking the Light of the Scholars
32x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 38
-- The Unavoidable Reckoning: A Call to Authentic Faith
6x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 84
-- The Unavoidable Reckoning: A Call to Authentic Faith
6x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 126
-- The Unavoidable Reckoning: A Call to Authentic Faith
6x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 190
-- The Unavoidable Reckoning: A Call to Authentic Faith
6x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 23
-- The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
5x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 191
-- The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
5x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 216
-- The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
5x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 243
-- The Swift Flight of the Unrepentant
5x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 65
-- The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
3x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 76
-- The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
3x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 87
-- The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
3x cited
Edition 2
Surah 2, Ayah 104
-- The Quiet Defiance of the Skeptics
3x cited
Imam al-Qurtubi
Imam al-Qurtubi | Senior Legal Analyst
Reader Action
Supplications
The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle
O Allah, You are the One who speaks; grant me a heart that listens in every circumstance, not only when I am at leisure. Help me to act upon Your words immediately, so that my life may reflect Your guidance at all times.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
When Doubt Demands Miracles
O Allah, remove from my heart the longing for signs that only confirm my doubts. Grant me the faith to trust in Your revelation, to recognize Your signs in the world, and to embrace the miracle of Your guidance without seeking extra proof.
Surah 21, Ayah 5
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith
O Allah, keep my faith firm like the steadfast believers, shield me from the complacency that led to the destruction of past cities, and guide my actions to reflect Your signs. Grant me the humility to learn from the past and the courage to act on Your guidance.
Surah 21, Ayah 6
Daily Actions
The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle
Whenever a new message from Allah reaches you—whether through the Qur’an, a sermon, or a personal intuition—pause your current activity and listen with full attention, regardless of whether you’re busy or free.
Whenever a new message from Allah reaches you—whether through the Qur’an, a sermon, or a personal intuition—pause your current activity and listen with full attention, regardless of whether you’re busy or free.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
When Doubt Demands Miracles
Today, challenge yourself to seek the Qur'an's inherent signs rather than external miracles, and remind yourself that true faith requires no extra proof.
Today, challenge yourself to seek the Qur'an's inherent signs rather than external miracles, and remind yourself that true faith requires no extra proof.
Surah 21, Ayah 5
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith
When doubt or complacency visits, pause, recite the verse aloud, then write a one‑sentence pledge affirming your commitment to steadfast faith and righteous action.
When doubt or complacency visits, pause, recite the verse aloud, then write a one‑sentence pledge affirming your commitment to steadfast faith and righteous action.
Surah 21, Ayah 6
Reflect
The Playful Distraction: Hearing Only When Idle --
In what moments of my day have I only taken in divine guidance when I was free or idle, and how has that limited my growth and decision‑making?
When Doubt Demands Miracles --
Do I still expect miracles to confirm my faith, or have I begun to see the Qur'an itself as the ultimate sign? How does this shift affect my trust in the Prophet’s message?
Cities of Destruction: A Call to Unshakable Faith --
In what moments have I allowed complacency to replace vigilance, and how would the destruction of past cities serve as a mirror for my own life?
Weekly Challenge
Guidance Listening Log: For seven days, whenever you encounter a new divine message—through Qur’an, Hadith, or an inner prompting—pause your current task, note the time, your activity, and your immediate reaction. At day's end, review the log to identify patterns of distraction vs. attentive listening. Aim to reduce the delay between hearing and acting by at least 50% by week’s end.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
Stop what you’re doing, sit comfortably, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and recite the verse aloud: 'No mention comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play.' Notice any tension or distraction. Then write down one way you can bring this attentive listening into your next task.
Surah 21, Ayah 2
Take 3 minutes: read the verse, then write down one verse from the Qur'an that you consider a sign of God's truth. Reflect on how this sign strengthens your belief without needing a miracle.
Surah 21, Ayah 5
Imam al-Ghazali
Imam al-Ghazali | Editor-in-Chief
The Revelation Transcript
112 verses
1
Mankind’s reckoning has drawn near, but they turn away heedlessly.
2
No fresh reminder comes to them from their Lord, but they listen to it playfully.
3
the wrong - doers
Their hearts distracted, the wrongdoers confer secretly, “Is this anything but a mortal like you? Will you take to sorcery, with open-eyes?”
4
the wrong - doers
He said, “My Lord knows what is said in the heaven and the earth; and He is the Hearer, the Knower.”
5
the wrong - doers
And they said, “A jumble of dreams,” and, “He made it up,” and, “He is a poet,” “let him bring us a sign, like those sent to the ancients.”
6
None of the towns We destroyed before them had believed. Will they, then, believe?
7
We did not send before you except men, whom We inspired. Ask the people of knowledge, if you do not know.
8
We did not make them mere bodies that ate no food, nor were they immortal.
9
Then We fulfilled Our promise to them, and We saved them together with whomever We willed, and We destroyed the extravagant.
10
We have sent down to you a Book, containing your message. Do you not understand?
11
How many a guilty town have We crushed, and established thereafter another people?
12
Then, when they sensed Our might, they started running away from it.
13
Do not run, but come back to your luxuries, and to your homes, that you may be questioned.
14
the wrong - doers
They said, “Woe to us; we were unfair.”
15
This continued to be their cry, until We made them silent ashes.
16
We did not create the sky and the earth and what is between them for amusement.
17
If We wanted amusement, We could have found it within Us, were We to do so.
18
In fact, We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes it, so it vanishes. Woe unto you, for what you describe.
19
To Him belongs everyone in the heavens and the earth. Those near Him are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they waver.
20
They praise night and day, without ever tiring.
21
Or have they taken to themselves gods from the earth who resurrect?
22
If there were in them gods other than God, they would have gone to ruin. So glory be to God, Lord of the Throne, beyond what they allege.
23
He will not be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.
24
those who are in His ( very ) Presence
Or have they taken, besides Him, other gods? Say, “Bring your proof. This is a message for those with me, and a message of those before me.” But most of them do not know the truth, so they turn away.
25
We never sent a messenger before you without inspiring him that: “There is no god but I, so worship Me.”
26
those who are in His ( very ) Presence
And they say, “The Most Merciful has taken to himself a son.” Be He glorified; they are but honored servants.
27
They never speak before He has spoken, and they only act on His command.
28
He knows what is before them, and what is behind them; and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves; and they tremble in awe of Him.
29
those who are in His ( very ) Presence
And whoever of them says, “I am a god besides Him,” We will reward him with Hell. Thus We reward the wrongdoers.
30
Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, and We tore them apart? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not believe?
31
And We placed on earth stabilizers, lest it sways with them, and We placed therein signposts and passages, that they may be guided.
32
And We made the sky a protected ceiling; yet they turn away from its wonders.
33
It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each floating in an orbit.
34
We did not grant immortality to any human being before you. Should you die, are they then the immortal?
35
Every soul will taste death. We burden you with adversity and prosperity—a test. And to Us you will be returned.
36
Disbelievers
When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you only with ridicule: “Is this the one who mentions your gods?” And they reject the mention of the Merciful.
37
The human being was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not seek to rush Me.
38
Disbelievers
And they say, “When will this promise come true, if you are truthful?”
39
If those who disbelieve only knew, when they cannot keep the fire off their faces and off their backs, and they will not be helped.
40
In fact, it will come upon them suddenly, and bewilder them. They will not be able to repel it, and they will not be reprieved.
41
Messengers before you were also ridiculed, but those who jeered were surrounded by what they had ridiculed.
42
Disbelievers
Say, “Who guards you against the Merciful by night and by day?” But they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
43
Or do they have gods who can defend them against Us? They cannot help themselves, nor will they be protected from Us.
44
We have given these enjoyments, and their ancestors, until time grew long upon them. Do they not see how We gradually reduce the land from its extremities? Are they then the victors?
45
the deaf
Say, “I am warning you through inspiration.” But the deaf cannot hear the call when they are being warned.
46
the deaf
And when a breath of your Lord’s punishment touches them, they say, “Woe to us, we were truly wicked.”
47
We will set up the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul will suffer the least injustice. And even if it be the weight of a mustard-seed, We will bring it up. Sufficient are We as Reckoners.
48
We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, and illumination, and a reminder for the righteous.
49
Those who fear their Lord in private, and are apprehensive of the Hour.
50
This too is a blessed message that We revealed. Are you going to deny it?
51
We gave Abraham his integrity formerly, and We knew him well.
52
Ibrahim
When he said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoted?”
53
Us
They said, “We found our parents worshiping them.”
54
Ibrahim
He said, “You and your parents are in evident error.”
55
Us
They said, “Are you telling us the truth, or are you just playing?”
56
Ibrahim
He said, “Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the One who created them, and I bear witness to that.
57
Allah
“By God, I will have a plan for your statues after you have gone away.”
58
So he reduced them into pieces, except for their biggest, that they may return to it.
59
Narrator
They said, “Who did this to our gods? He is certainly one of the wrongdoers.”
60
Ibrahim
They said, “We heard a youth mentioning them. He is called Abraham.”
61
Ibrahim
They said, “Bring him before the eyes of the people, so that they may witness.”
62
Ibrahim
They said, “Are you the one who did this to our gods, O Abraham?”
63
Us
He said, “But it was this biggest of them that did it. Ask them, if they can speak.”
64
Us
Then they turned to one another, and said, “You yourselves are the wrongdoers.”
65
Narrator
But they reverted to their old ideas: “You certainly know that these do not speak.”
66
He said, “Do you worship, instead of God, what can neither benefit you in anything, nor harm you?
67
Us
Fie on you, and on what you worship instead of God. Do you not understand?”
68
Us
They said, “Burn him and support your gods, if you are going to act.”
69
Us
We said, “O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham.”
70
They planned to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.
71
And We delivered him, and Lot, to the land that We blessed for all people.
72
And We granted him Isaac and Jacob as a gift; and each We made righteous.
73
And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command; and We inspired them to do good works, and to observe the prayer, and to give out charity. They were devoted servants to Us.
74
And Lot—We gave him judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the town that practiced the abominations. They were wicked and perverted people.
75
And We admitted him into Our mercy; for He was one of the righteous.
76
And Noah, when he called before. So We answered him, and delivered him and his family from the great disaster.
77
And We supported him against the people who rejected Our signs. They were an evil people, so We drowned them all.
78
And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the case of the field, when some people’s sheep wandered therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgment.
79
And so We made Solomon understand it, and to each We gave wisdom and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains along with David to sing Our praises, and the birds as well—surely We did.
80
And We taught him the making of shields for you, to protect you from your violence. Are you, then, appreciative?
81
And to Solomon the stormy wind, blowing at His command towards the land that We have blessed. We are aware of everything.
82
And of the devils were some that dived for him, and performed other, lesser tasks. But We kept them restrained.
83
Narrator
And Job, when he cried out to his Lord: “Great harm has afflicted me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”
84
So We answered him, lifted his suffering, and restored his family to him, and their like with them—a mercy from Us, and a reminder for the worshipers.
85
And Ishmael, and Enoch, and Ezekiel; each was one of the steadfast.
86
And We admitted them into Our mercy. They were among the righteous.
87
Narrator
And Jonah, when he stormed out in fury, thinking We had no power over him. But then He cried out in the darkness, “There is no god but You! Glory to You! I was one of the wrongdoers!”
88
So We answered him, and saved him from the affliction. Thus We save the faithful.
89
Zakariya
And Zechariah, when he called out to his Lord, “My Lord, do not leave me alone, even though you are the Best of heirs.”
90
So We answered him, and gave him John. And We cured his wife for him. They used to vie in doing righteous deeds, and used to call on Us in love and awe, and they used to humble themselves to Us.
91
And she who guarded her virginity. We breathed into her of Our spirit, and made her and her son a sign to the world.
92
This community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
93
But they splintered themselves into factions. They will all return to Us.
94
Whoever does righteous deeds, and is a believer, his effort will not be denied. We are writing it down for him.
95
There is a ban on the town that We had destroyed—that they will not return.
96
Until, when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they swarm down from every mound.
97
Disbelievers
The promise of truth has drawn near. The eyes of those who disbelieved will stare in horror: “Woe to us. We were oblivious to this. In fact, we were wrongdoers.”
98
You and what you worship besides God are fuel for Hell. You will descend into it.
99
Had these been gods, they would not have descended into it. All will abide in it.
100
In it they will wail. In it they will not hear.
101
As for those who deserved goodness from Us—these will be kept away from it.
102
They will not hear its hissing, and they will forever abide in what their hearts desire.
103
Angels
The Supreme Fear will not worry them, and the angels will receive them: “This is your Day which you were promised.”
104
On the Day when We fold the heaven, like the folding of a book. Just as We began the first creation, We will repeat it—a promise binding on Us. We will act.
105
one Allah
We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that the earth will be inherited by My righteous servants.
106
Indeed, in this is a message for people who worship.
107
We did not send you except as mercy to mankind.
108
Allah
Say, “It is revealed to me that your God is One God. Are you going to submit?”
109
But if they turn away, say, “I have informed you sufficiently. Although I do not know whether what you are promised is near or far.”
110
Allah
He knows what is said openly, and He knows what you conceal.
111
Allah
“And I do not know whether it is perhaps a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while.”
112
He said, “My Lord, judge with justice.” And, “Our Lord is the Gracious, Whose help is sought against what you allege.”
Imam al-Tabari
Imam al-Tabari | Senior Correspondent & Bureau Historian