Tafsir 24. Al Noor

H 9500, Ch. 31, h 1 A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from Dawud ibn Sarhan from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. ‘A prostitute man cannot marry but a prostitute woman or a pagan.’ (24:3) He (the Imam) said, ‘They were well-known prostitute females, and males. Today people who are convicted for fornication and punished (by the qualified court) are of the same status. No one must marry them unless it is known that they have repented.’”

H 10905, Ch. 73, h 3 A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from al-Muthanna’ from Zurarah who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, was asked about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who accuse their wives and do not have witnesses except themselves. . . .’ (24:4) He (the Imam) said, ‘He is one who accuses his wife. If he accuses then confesses that he has lied against her, the punishment for him is whipping and his wife is returned to him. If he refuses and goes ahead he must testify four times against her, by Allah, that he is truthful. For the fifth time he must condemn himself if he is of the lying people. If she wanted to defend herself against suffering (punishment and penalty), which is to be stoned, she must testify four times, by Allah, that he is of the lying people and for the fifth time must condemn herself by saying that she must be subjected to the anger of Allah if he has spoken the truth. If she did not do it she then is stoned but if she defended herself, penalty is diverted from her and thereafter she will never become lawful for him in marriage until the day of Day of Judgment.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if they are separated and she has a child who dies? He (the Imam) said, ‘His mother inherits him and if his mother dies his maternal uncles inherit him. Those who say that he is born out of wedlock must be punished by whipping.’ I then asked, ‘Is the child returned to him if he confesses that he has lied?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not honorable. He does not inherit the son but the son inherits him.’”

H 2468, CH 111, h 8 A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things that on being found in a person prove him to be a hypocrite, even though he may fast, pray and think that he is a Muslim: Violation of trust when he is thought of as trustworthy, lying in one’s words and disregard of one’s promises. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said in His book, ‘. . . Allah does not love the treacherous ones’, (8:58) also in His words, ‘. . . let Allah’s condemnation be upon him if he lies’ (24:7), and in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Mention in the Book (the Quran) the story of Ishmael; he was true to his promise, a Messenger and a Prophet.’” (19:54)

H 2744, CH 144, h 2 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following: “Whoever says something about a believer that has not seen with his eyes and has not heard with his ears is then considered among those about whom Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Those who like to publicize indecency among the believers will face painful torment in this world and in the life to come. . . .’” (24:19)

H 10064, Ch. 160, h 5 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Sa‘d al-Iskaf who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Once a young man from al-Ansar (people of al-Madinah) came face to face with a woman in al-Madinah. Women would wear their scarf behind their ears. He looked at her when she was coming, and when she passed by he kept looking, and she entered in an alley that he called alley of so and so people. He kept looking behind her until his face hit a piece of bone or glass in the wall which caused a deep cut on his face. When the woman went away he found blood flowing on his chest and clothes and he said, ‘By Allah, I will go and tell it to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’ He (the Imam) said that he went to him (the Messenger of Allah) and when he (the Messenger of Allah) saw him, he (the Messenger of Allah) asked, ‘What has happened to you?’ He inform him (the Messenger of Allah) and Jibril came with this verse, ‘Tell the believers to cast down their eyes and protect their genital organs (against indecent acts), it is more clean for them; Allah is well aware of what they do.’” (24:31)

H 10060, Ch. 160, h 1 A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Darraj from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the arms of women if they are of beautification about which Allah, most Blessed, most High, has said, ‘. . . they must not expose their beauty except for their husband.’ (24:31) He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, whatever must be covered with the scarf is of their beauty and whatever is above their bracelet is of their beauty.’”

H 10069, Ch. 162, h 1 Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from and Abu Ali al-Ash’ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from ibn Muskan from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . the dependents who are not of the condition of sensing carnal desires among men. . . .’ (24:31) He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to those who because of dimwittedness do not go near women.’”

H 9414, Ch. 10, h 5 It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith from al-Jamuraniy from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamzah from Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Tamimiy from Muhammad ibn Ja’far from his father from ancestors who has said the following: “He (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who neglects marriage because of his fear to feed his dependents has become cynical about Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, who has said, “If they are poor Allah makes rich through His generosity.”’” (24: 32)

H 10171, Ch. 188, h 2 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ishaq ibn Jarir who has said the following: “A woman asked me to ask abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, for permission to visit him (the Imam). Permission was given and she came with her slave-girl and asked, ‘O abu ‘Abd Allah, what is the meaning of the word of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “. . . the olive tree which is not eastern or western.”’ (24:35) He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah does not give parables of the tree. He only gives parables about the children of Adam. Ask what you want.’ She asked, ‘Tell me about women with women and what the penalty is for it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Its penalty is like that for fornication and on the Day of Judgment they will be brought with dresses of fire which cause laceration, veiled with veils of fire, and loin cloths of fire. Posts of fire will be inserted inside them up to their heads and they will be thrown in the fire. You must take notice that the first ones who engage in such act were people of Lot. Men became satisfied with men and women were left without men, so they did as their men did.’”

H 308, Ch. 16, h4 Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya‘qub ibn Yazid from al-‘Abbass ibn Hilal who said the following: “Once I asked (Imam) al-Rida, recipient of divine supreme covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, ‘Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.’ (24:35) The Imam replied, ‘Allah is the Guide for all that is in the heavens and the Guide for all that is on the earth.’” According to another Hadith that al-Barqi has narrated (the Imam said), “Allah has guided everyone in the heavens and everyone on the earth.”

H 513, Ch. 13, h5 Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Asamm from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from Salih ibn Sahl alHamadani who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, has said the following about the statement of Allah, the Most High, ‘Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. A metaphor for His light is a lantern in which there is a lamp placed in a glass. The glass is like a shining star, which is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil almost lights up even though the fire has not touched it. It is light upon light. Allah guides to His light whoever He wants. Allah uses various metaphors. He has the knowledge of all things.’ (24:35) The Imam said, “Lantern” metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatimah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, the “Lamp” stands for Imam al-Hassan, recipient of divine supreme covenant, and “the glass” stands for Imam al-Husayn, recipient of divine supreme covenant, “The shining star” stands for the Holy lady Fatimah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who shines among the ladies of the world. “The blessed olive tree” stands for Prophet Abraham. “Neither eastern nor western” means not Jewish nor Christian. The expression: “Its oil almost lights up” means that it almost bursts up with knowledge. “Light upon light” means that there will be one Imam after the other Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, “Allah guides to His light whoever He wants” means that Allah guides through the ‘A’immah (plural of Imam) whoever He wants.’ About the expression “Allah uses various metaphors” I then recited the following verse of the Holy Quran: ‘Or they (the deeds of the unbelievers) are like the darkness of a deep, stormy sea with layers of giant waves, covered by dark clouds. It is darkness upon darkness whereby even if one stretches out his hands he cannot see them. One can have no light unless Allah gives him light.’ (24:40) “The Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said, ‘The word “Darkness” refers to the first and his friend, the expression “With layers of giant waves” refers to the third, and the expression “Covered with darkness” refers to the second. The words “It is darkness upon darkness” refer to Mu‘awiya (may Allah condemn him) and the disasters caused by the Amavids. The phrase “Even if one stretches out his hands” means that even if a true believer stretches out his hands in such disastrous condition “he cannot see them.” The statement “One can have no light unless Allah gives him light” stands for the light from the children of the Holy lady, Fatimah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. The phrase “Can have no light” means an Imam on the Day of Judgment. The Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said that, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the believers with their light shining in front of them and to their right. They will be told, ‘Paradise wherein streams flow is the glad news for you today. You will live therein forever. This is the greatest triumph.’ (57:12) The phrase “The shining light in front . . . ” is a reference to the Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who will walk in front and on the right of the true believers until they all enter paradise.’” Ali ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Musa ibn al-Qasim al-Bajali and Muhammad ibn Yahya from al- ‘Amrakiy ibn Ali altogether from Ali ibn Ja‘far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, from his brother a similar Hadith.

H 8334, Ch. 4, h 8 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Asbat ibn Salim who has said the following: “I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. He (the Imam) asked us about ‘Umar ibn Muslim and about what he has done. I replied, ‘He is a virtuous man but has given up doing business works.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said three times: It is the work of Satan. Did he not know that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once bought a caravan that had come from al-Sham (Syria) in which he saved enough money to pay off his debts and distributed the extra among his relatives? Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “There are men who are not distracted by selling and buying from speaking of Allah. . . .” (24:37) Story tellers say, “These people (mentioned in this verse) did not involve themselves in trading and in business works.” These story tellers speak lies. The fact is that those people did not perform Salat (prayer) in (more virtuous) times and such people are more virtuous than those who attend Salat (prayer) and ignore trade and business work.’”

H 508, Ch. 12, h3 Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from alWashsha’ from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘Allah has promised the righteously striving believers to appoint them as His deputies on earth, as He had appointed those who lived before . . .’ (24:55) He (the Imam), recipient of divine supreme covenant, said, ‘The people referred to in this verse are ‘A’immah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,’”

H 10090, Ch. 169, h 2 A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from abu Jamilah from Muhammad al-Halabiy from Zurarah who has said the following: “This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . those whom your right hands possess’ (24:58) abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘It is just for men and not for women.’ I then asked, ‘Is it then necessary for women to ask permission in such hours?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they can come and go.’ About, ‘. . . those who have not gained feeling of carnal desire,’ (24:58) he (the Imam) said, ‘It is a reference to yourselves (free people).’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must ask for permission, like those who have become mature, during the three hours.’”

H 10014, Ch. 152, h 2 A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from al-Jamuraniy from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn abu Hamzah from ‘‘Amr ibn Jubayr al-‘Arzamiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that once a woman came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked about the rights of a husband on a woman. He (the Messenger of Allah) informed her and then she asked about her right on him and he (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘He must provide her sufficient clothes, sufficient food to protect her against hunger and if she committed a sin forgive her.’ She then asked if she had other rights besides these on her husband.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, ‘No, there is nothing else.’ She then said, ‘No, by Allah I will never marry.’ She then left and the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘Come back.’ She went back and he (the Messenger of Allah) said that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘If they maintain chastity it will be better for them.’ (24:60)”

H 10065, Ch. 161, h 1 Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, read the words of Allah, ‘. . . if they leave aside their garment,’(24:60) and said these words refer to veil and gown.’ I then asked, ‘In front of whom can they leave their garments aside?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is in front of those before whom it is not considered a show off with beauty (see (24:31)); but if she did not leave them aside is better and the beautification which is permissible to expose is mentioned in another verse (of the book of Allah).’” (24:31)

H 11263, Ch. 31, h 1 Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Muhammad al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about this verse, ‘It is not unlawful for you to eat in your houses, in the houses of your fathers. . . .’ (24:61) and I asked what is the meaning of, ‘or your friend’?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘That by Allah is the house of his friend where he can eat without his permission.’”

H 12684, Ch. 4, h 7 Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Husayn ibn ‘Umar ibn Yazid from his father who has said the following: “I once bought a camel, when I was living in al-Madinah, and I liked it very intensely. I then visited Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, and mentioned it to him. He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do with camels? Did you not know that camels have many troubles?’ Because of my happiness with it I gave it for hire with two of my slaves to al-Kufah. He (the narrator) has said that all of them fell. I then visited him (the Imam) and informed him about what had happened. He (the Imam) said, ‘. . . thus, those who oppose His commands must remain afraid of being afflicted by mischief or painful suffering.’ (24:63)”