The last 6 Ayahs (signs/verses) of Surah Hajj (Surah 22, chapter 17)
(from the 9th line of the first image).
[Translation with detailed explanation (tafsir)]
O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gathered together for that purpose. And if the fly should steal away from them a [tiny] thing, they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued. (Surah Hajj, Verse 73)
["An example has been presented" as opposed to "Allah gave an example" - Allah gave a lot of examples in this Surah, describing Him and His attributes, He is knowledgeable and wise, Allah has given many examples like that over and over in this Surah... but it seems that 'those people' just don't wanna listen. It seems they have reached a point where - because the revelation is coming from Allah, they don't wanna listen. Appearance matters, they have an effect on judgment. They (the disbelievers) have enough of those examples and now, they are like, 'Oh, another one, that's it, not listening!'
So, here Allah doesn't even mentions himself, uses the passive form. He wants them to focus on the arguments rather than the speaker. But it's opposite for the believers, if the believers know that it's from Allah, then they will pay extra attention. In Madani Surahs, Allah mentions Himself rather than using the passive form so that the muslims over there can pay extra attention.
- to strike.
To bring close to the modern English it can be said that the examples given here are 'striking'. They are 'startling'.
(This word used to grab attention.)
Allah says here to listen to 'it', not 'Me.' Listen to the speech, not the speaker.
Who do you think they call on besides Allah?
Idols, for sure. Also, those people who demand to be called God. There are people who give authority to other people or to ideas, the same authority that should be given to Allah Himself.
New idols are philosophies.
~ No matter what these "Gods" do, they cannot even create a fly. If they all got together, living or non-living, even then they wouldn't be able to create a fly.
And this fly will very bravely would snatch away from them things they wouldn't be able to recover again. A fly would do that!
Now, why is this fly mentioned?
People who worship idols built huge temples for their idols for worship. And they keep out food for their "Gods", like honey, milk and other sweets. Now, if you keep food out in the open what shows up? Flies!
Those flies snatch the food right from under those idols nose, making "eye-contact" and they can't do anything.
This should prove to those disbelievers that their religion is false. Their "Gods" can't even defend their own sacred temples from ... flies!
On top of it there is Pharaoh, sitting in his pyramid eating "double-cheese burger with extra mayo and then a fly comes up, sits on his lap and takes away a piece of lettuce from the plate and flies away...and Pharaoh says, "Hey! Nobody steals from me, capture that fly and bring my lettuce back!" Pharaoh can have hundreds of armies, but can he get that lettuce back?
When flies sit on food, they actually release a form of saliva, acidic saliva that wraps around the food and sucks it into the fly..and because it is acidic it permanently alters the food upon contact. So, if you did capture the fly, Pharaoh, and invent a microscope (quickly) and a Petri dish and went underneath to do a surgery to surgery to get your lettuce back, it aint there! It's gone forever!
Lesson -
(the seeker, the one who wants something, who demands something) and the one that is wanted - they are both in and itself weak.
they have been made weak, which seems to suggest that somebody else has made them weak. Naturally, they were strong but then they have been made weak. But they word used here is 'Daifa', which means that they are already weak, the person who wants something and whatever he or she wants is also weak. So, the idols and the food kept for them and the flies are all weak.
But this phenomenon is not only for the disbelievers, all human beings want something or the other always (that car, promotion, nice education, that woman in marriage etc.). Allah says you are weak because of your want, and what you want is also weak. You can literally 'lose your mind' if you don't get/or lose the things that you want (or are very dear to your heart). The more you depend on things, the more weaker you become.
They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might. (Verse 74)
Allah chooses from the angels messengers and from the people. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing. (Verse 75)
He knows what is [presently] before them (Quran, message of Islam, Muhammed (saw)) and what will be after them (Allah knows their history, their deeds, makes their destiny). And to Allah will be returned [all] matters. (Verse 76)
O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may reap the harvest (be successful). (Verse 77)
And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty. [It is] the religion of your father, Abraham. Allah named you "Muslims" before [in former scriptures] and in this [revelation] that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over the people. So establish prayer and give Zakah and hold fast to Allah . He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper. (Verse 78)
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P.S - I haven't added the detailed explanation of the last 5 Ayahs because the post will be too long and none of you would actually read them. Incase, you are looking for the detailed explanations - PM me.
JazakAllah khair.
