The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 374
CH. 24 AN-NŪR PT. 18 اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors لَهُمْ دِيْنَهُمُ الَّذِى ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ from among those who were وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ آمَنَّا before them; and that He will surely establish for them their يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ religion which He has chosen كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذلِكَ فَأُولَبِكَ هُمُ الْفَسِقُونَ surely give them in exchange for them; and that He will, security and peace after their fear; They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious. 2630 2630. Commentary: This verse deals with one of the most vital Islamic principles. The Surah under comment enjoys this distinction that in no other Surah has so much light been shed from the point of view of Islam on so many important moral, social and political problems as in this Surah. While the preceding few Surahs dealt with the great and triumphant future of Islam, this Surah tells us how the promised bright future of Islam will take a material shape. Whereas in verse 36 above an implied reference was made to Khilafat which was to be the main instrument for establishment of the spiritual and political hegemony of Islam, the present verse deals with the subject of Khilafat in clear and unmistakable terms. The preceding few verses, i. e. vv. 52-55, however, serve as a prelude to its introduction. In these verses emphasis is repeatedly 2288 laid on obedience to Allah and His Messenger. This emphasis implies a hint to the status and position of the Islam. Being the Khalifah in Successor of a Prophet he must be given unconditional obedience. The present verse promise that vouchsafed a embodies Muslims will be both spiritual and temporal leadership. The promise is made to the whole Muslim nation but the institution of Khilafat will take a palpable form in the person of certain individuals who will be the Prophet's Successors and the representatives of the whole nation. They will be, as it were, Khilafat personified. The verse further says that the fulfilment of this promise will depend on the Muslims' observing the Prayer and giving the Zakāh and on their obeying the Messenger of God in all religious and temporal matters concerning the nation. When they will have fulfilled