Surah As-Saf 61:13

The Trade that saves One from the Painful Torment

We mentioned a Hadith from `Abdullah bin Salam in that the Companions wanted to ask the Prophet of Allah about the best actions with Allah the Exalted and Most Honored, so they could practice them. Allah the Exalted sent down this Surah, including this Ayah,

(O you who believe! Shall I guide you to a trade that will save you from a painful torment) Allah then explained this great trade that will never fail, the trade that will earn one what he wishes and saves him from what he dislikes. Allah the Exalted said,

(That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know!) this is better than the trade of this life and striving hard for it and amassing it. Allah the Exalted said,

(He will forgive you your sins,) meaning, `if you fulfill what I commanded you and guided you to, then I will forgive your sins and admit you into the Gardens of Paradise. In them, you will have exalted residences and high postitions.' This is why Allah the Exalted said,

(and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in `Adn (Eternal) Paradise; that is indeed the great success.) Allah said,

(And also another (blessing) which you love,) meaning, `I will grant you more favors that you like,'

(help from Allah and a near victory.) meaning, if you fight in Allah's cause and support His religion, He will grant you victory. Allah the Exalted said,

(O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.) (47:7), and,

(Verily, Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly, Allah is All Strong, All-Wise.) (22:40) Allah's statement,

(and a near victory.) means, it will come sooner, and this is the increased favor that is earned in this life and continues, becoming the delight of the Hereafter. It is for those who obey Allah and His Messenger and support Allah and His religion. Allah said;

(And give glad tidings to the believers.)

Dalam ayat ini diterangkan kemenangan dan keuntungan yang akan diperoleh oleh Rasulullah dan kaum Muslimin di dunia, yaitu mereka akan dapat mengalahkan musuh-musuh mereka, menaklukkan beberapa negeri dalam waktu yang dekat, memberikan kedudukan yang baik bagi kaum Muslimin, serta kekuatan iman dan fisik. Dengan demikian, mereka berkuasa di Timur dan Barat, dan agama Islam tersebar di seluruh dunia.

Ayat ini termasuk ayat yang menerangkan kemukjizatan, yaitu menerangkan sesuatu yang akan terjadi pada masa yang akan datang. Hal ini dipercayai betul oleh Rasulullah dan sahabat-sahabatnya, sehingga menumbuhkan kekuatan dan semangat yang hebat di kalangan kaum Muslimin. Dalam sejarah terlihat dan terbukti bahwa dalam waktu yang sangat singkat agama Islam telah dianut oleh sebagian penduduk dunia, sejak dari ujung barat Afrika sampai ujung timur Indonesia, dari Maroko ke Merauke, dan dari Asia Tengah di utara sampai ke Afrika di selatan.

Kemudian Allah memerintahkan kepada Nabi Muhammad saw untuk menyampaikan kepada kaum Muslimin mengenai keuntungan yang akan mereka peroleh dari perdagangan itu di dunia dengan keuntungan-keuntungan dan di akhirat berupa surga. Penggunaan kata perniagaan dalam ayat ini sebagai perumpamaan karena masyarakat Arab pada saat itu hidup dari perniagaan dan perdagangan.