Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 93

(Ayah 94,93) ➊ { قُلْ رَّبِّ اِمَّا تُرِيَنِّيْ مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ: ’’ اِمَّا ‘‘ ’’إِنْ‘‘} is emphasized with {’’مَا‘‘}, therefore it is translated as "if ever," and in {’’تُرِيَنَّ‘‘} the heavy noon is for emphasis. The commentator Baqa'i has written: {’’أَيْ إِنْ كَانَ وَلَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ تُرِيَنِّيْ قَبْلَ مَوْتِيْ ‘‘} therefore it is translated as: "If You ever surely show me that (punishment)."
➋ That is, when severe insolence is committed in the presence of Allah by ascribing offspring or partners to Him, then surely some severe calamity will befall, therefore every believer is commanded to fear Allah's punishment and make this supplication.
➌ The primary addressee of the verse is the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and along with him, every individual of the Ummah is also addressed. Allah Almighty promised not to send punishment while the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is present, as He said: «وَ مَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَ اَنْتَ فِيْهِمْ وَ مَا كَانَ اللّٰهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوْنَ» [ الأنفال : ۳۳ ] "And Allah would not punish them while you are among them, and Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness." Despite this, in this verse, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was commanded to supplicate for protection from punishment, so the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to be extremely fearful of Allah's punishment and would supplicate for protection from it. Just as Allah Almighty forgave all his past and future sins, yet He commanded him to seek forgiveness, as He said: « فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَ اسْتَغْفِرْهُ» [ النصر : ۳ ] "So glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness." And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to seek forgiveness abundantly. This shows the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) awe of Allah Almighty, and it is also a lesson for the Ummah. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saw clouds or wind, the effects would be recognized on his face." Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "O Messenger of Allah! When people see clouds, they rejoice, hoping that it will bring rain, but I see that when you see it, signs of dislike appear on your face?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ يَا عَائِشَةُ! مَا يُؤْمِنِّيْ أَنْ يَّكُوْنَ فِيْهِ عَذَابٌ؟ عُذِّبَ قَوْمٌ بِالرِّيْحِ وَقَدْ رَأَی قَوْمٌ الْعَذَابَ فَقَالُوْا هٰذَا عَارِضٌ مُّمْطِرُنَا ] [ بخاري، التفسیر، باب قولہ : « فلما رأوہ عارضا…» : ۴۸۲۹ ] "O Aisha! What guarantee is there that there is no punishment in it? A people (the 'Ad) were punished with wind, and a people saw the punishment and said, 'This is a cloud bringing us rain.'"
➍ From this verse, it is understood that a person should always keep supplicating: O Lord! Grant me pardon and well-being, and if You have decided to punish some people, then do not include me among the wrongdoers. Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated this supplication from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): [ اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْأَلُكَ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَ تَرْكَ الْمُنْكَرَاتِ وَ حُبَّ الْمَسَاكِيْنِ وَ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِيْ وَ تَرْحَمَنِيْ وَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ فِتْنَةً فِيْ قَوْمٍ فَتَوَفَّنِيْ غَيْرَ مَفْتُوْنٍ، وَ أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَ حُبَّ مَنْ يُّحِبُّكَ وَ حُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلٰی حُبِّكَ ] "O Allah! I ask You for the ability to do good deeds, to avoid evil deeds, and for the love of the poor, and also that You forgive me and have mercy on me, and when You intend a trial for a people, then seize me without putting me in that trial. I ask You for Your love, and the love of those who love You, and the love of such deeds that bring me closer to Your love." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ إِنَّهَا حَقٌّ فَادْرُسُوْهَا ثُمَّ تَعَلَّمُوْهَا ] [ ترمذي، تفسیر القرآن، باب و من سورۃ صٓ : ۳۲۳۵، قال الترمذي حسن صحیح و قال الألباني صحیح ] "These are words of truth, study them, then learn them well."
➎ Allah Almighty taught the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) this supplication so that when punishment comes upon the polytheists, he would not be with them at that time, but rather separate from them. Then Allah granted him the ability to migrate and separated him from the disbelievers, and in the form of famine and wars, whatever punishment came upon them, He kept him safe from them.