And the verse: (And they said to their skins, “Why did you testify against us?” They said, “It is Allah who made us speak, who makes everything speak”)?
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The questioner : The second verse, I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan: [Fussilat 41:21]?
The Shaykh : This verse was revealed concerning the disbelievers, the enemies of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), about whom Allah said:[Fussilat 41:19-20] So they are the enemies of Allah, and they are the disbelievers, and they are also enemies to the Muslims, as Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Mumtahanah 60:1] And He the Exalted said: [Al-Anfal 8:73] And He the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah 5:51] So the enemies of Allah the Exalted are enemies to all His believing servants in every time and place. Thus, Allah the Exalted reminds His servants of this great state so that they may be among the awliya (close friends of Allah) and distance themselves from enmity toward Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and from His enemies as well.
He the Exalted said:[Fussilat 41:19] Meaning they are driven into it, and the first of them is held back by the last of them. They are driven into Hell in groups, and refuge is sought in Allah. When they arrive there, their hearing, their sight, and their skins testify against them, saying: The word "ma" here is extra for emphasis. Whenever "ma" comes after "idha," it is extra, as it is said: "O seeker, take the benefit: 'ma' after 'idha' is extra".
[Fussilat 41:20] the hearing testifies against its owner regarding the forbidden and reprehensible words that the owner of this hearing listened to, relied upon, and acted upon. Their sight testifies regarding the reprehensible matters they witnessed, approved, and were pleased with. And their skins testify regarding what they touched, encompassing everything their hands, feet, and private parts touched of the reprehensible and forbidden matters. They testify against them with everything they touched, and this is more comprehensive than hearing and sight. For this reason, they objected to their skins rather than their hearing and sight, and they said to their skins: [Fussilat 41:21-24] On the Day of Resurrection, the tongues are sealed, and the limbs speak. Allah the Exalted said: [Ya-Sin 36:65] So the skins testify with everything they touched of forbidden matters, as well as the hearing and sight. At that time, no excuse remains for the person; rather, he will be forced to admit, against his will, what occurred from him of disbelief and sins. We ask Allah for safety.
And they will say to their skins, "Why have you testified against us?" They will say, "We were made to speak by Allah, who has made everything speak
وقالوا لجلودهم لم شهدتهم علينا قالوا أنطقنا الله الذي أنطق كل شيءThe Shaykh : This verse was revealed concerning the disbelievers, the enemies of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), about whom Allah said:
(19) And [mention, O Muhammad], the Day when the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire while they are [driven] assembled in rows, (20) Until, when they reach it, their hearing and their eyes and their skins will testify against them of what they used to do.
ويوم يحشر أعداء الله إلى النار فهم يوزعون حتى إذا ما جاؤوها شهد عليهم سمعهم وأبصارهم وجلودهم بما كانوا يعملونO you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth
يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تتخذوا عدوي وعدوكم أولياء تلقون إليهم بالمودة وقد كفروا بما جاءكم من الحقAnd those who disbelieved are allies of one another
والذين كفروا بعضهم أولياء بعضO you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تتخذوا اليهود والنصارى أولياء بعضهم أولياء بعض ومن يتولهم منكم فإنه منهم إن الله لا يهدي القوم الظالمينHe the Exalted said: