Surah Faatir (35) — Ayah 28

(Ayah 28) ➊ { وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ الدَّوَآبِّ وَ الْاَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ اَلْوَانُهٗ كَذٰلِكَ:} That is, not only in plants and inanimate objects, but in all other creatures as well, there is the same diversity of colors. Humans, animals, and cattle are all different from each other, and within every species there are various kinds, and every individual of each kind is different from the other.

➋ { اِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللّٰهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمٰٓؤُا :} Here, knowledge does not mean worldly sciences, but the knowledge of Allah’s greatness and His attributes. The more a person knows about Allah’s greatness and attributes, the more he will fear disobeying Him. Moreover, in this verse, “scholars” does not refer to those technical scholars who are called religious scholars because of their knowledge of the Qur’an, Hadith, and jurisprudence. They will only be included in the meaning of this verse if they also possess the fear of Allah. Similarly, those Muslim scientists are also included who, upon witnessing the wonders of the universe, increase in certainty of Allah’s greatness and in awe and fear of Him. Tabari has narrated with an authentic chain from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that scholars are those who know: « اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ » “Indeed, Allah is fully capable of everything.”

➌ It is stated in Tafsir Qasimi: “Previously it was said: « اِنَّمَا تُنْذِرُ الَّذِيْنَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَيْبِ » [ فاطر : ۱۸ ] ‘So you only warn those who fear their Lord unseen.’ This sentence completes that, and after mentioning the different classes and ranks of people, it is explained who fears their Lord without seeing Him. That is, only those fear Allah without seeing Him who have knowledge of Him and His majestic attributes and beautiful actions, because a servant only fears that which he knows and whose power, greatness, and perfect attributes he is aware of. Then, the more knowledge he has of Him, the more he will fear Him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: [ وَاللّٰهِ! لَأَنَا أَعْلَمُكُمْ بِاللّٰهِ وَ أَخْشَاكُمْ لَهُ ] [ منتخب مسند عبد بن حمید، ح : ۱۵۰۲ ] ‘By Allah! I am the one among you who knows Allah the most and fears Him the most.’ The words in Sahih Bukhari are: [ إِنَّ أَتْقَاكُمْ وَ أَعْلَمَكُمْ بِاللّٰهِ أَنَا ] [ بخاري، الإیمان، باب قول النبي صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم أنا أعلمکم باللہ : ۲۰ ] ‘Indeed, I am the most fearful of Allah among you and the one who knows Him the most.’ Therefore, after mentioning the works that indicate His power, Allah said that only those among His servants who have knowledge fear Him. Since the disbelievers are completely unaware of this recognition of Allah, warning them is entirely useless.” (Benefit from Abu al-Saud)

Qasimi has also quoted from Qashani: “That is, only those people fear Allah who are knowledgeable and aware of Him (those who know and recognize Him), because here, awe and fear do not mean fear of punishment, but awe refers to that state of humility and submission in the heart that arises from the thought of His greatness and from bringing Him to mind. For whoever does not imagine His greatness, it is impossible for him to fear Him, and when Allah, with His greatness, is present before the eyes of someone’s heart, he will fear Him as He deserves to be feared. There is a great difference between the one who has complete knowledge and recognition of Allah and the one who has incomplete knowledge and recognition, in their perception of His presence, and there are countless ranks between them according to the degree of their knowledge and recognition.”

➍ { اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَزِيْزٌ غَفُوْرٌ :} That is, Allah is dominant over all; if He wills, He can seize the disobedient and rebellious people immediately, but He is extremely forgiving, so He grants them respite so that they may turn back at any time.

28. 1. That is, humans and animals also come in white, red, black, and yellow colors.

28. 2. That is, only those who possess knowledge can truly know and understand these powers of Allah and His perfect craftsmanship. By this knowledge is meant the knowledge of the Book and Sunnah and the divine mysteries. The more they attain recognition of their Lord, the more they fear their Lord. In other words, those who do not possess the fear of Allah, understand that they are also deprived of authentic knowledge.

28. 3. This is the reason for fearing the Lord: that He is capable of punishing the disobedient and forgiving the sins of those who repent.

28. And likewise, among people, animals, and livestock, their colors are different as well. Indeed, only those of His servants who have knowledge fear Allah. Surely, Allah is Mighty [33] and Forgiving.

[33] That is, if He wills, He can immediately seize His rebels, the misguided, and the disobedient. But it is the demand of His attribute of forgiveness that He continues to grant people respite.