[1]. See footnote to Qur’an chapter2: Verse1.
[2]. Both the Book and the verses of the Qur’an mentioned here refer to one and the same thing, the Qur’an itself; the Book that was to be and then present recited Verses. Its double mention, as given here, is meant to draw special attention to the evidences it provides to the Truthfulness of the Message.
[3]. I.e., his wife, during his journey from Midian back to Egypt.
[4]. Learn to smile. See the humor in life and laugh with joy. The Prophet Muhammad helped the needy, the poor and went to the houses of the sick to enquire after their health and whenever he met or passed by anyone he said “Assalamu Alaikum - peace be with you” with a smile upon his face. He said: "Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you."
[6]. And rightfully direct their worship to Him alone.
[9]. i.e., believers and unbelievers
[10]. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said: "Taking omens is polytheism; taking omens is polytheism. He said it three times. Every one of us has some, but Allāh removes it by trust (in Him)."
When taking omens was mentioned in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, he said: The best type is the good omen, and it does not turn back a Muslim. If one of you sees anything he dislikes, he should say: O Allāh, no one brings good things except You, and no one averts evil things except You, and there is no might and power but in Allāh.
[11]. I.e., ignoring what is required from you of faith and purity, and staying away from the sins.
[13]. We are all called to be in submission to Allāh 'God' for when we submit to Allāh only will the devil flee from us as we are then committed to Allāh and will be able to withstand the temptations of the devil.
[14]. At the approach of the Hour of doom.
[15]. The beast is a great creature which Allāh will cause to emerge when the people become corrupt. It will speak to mankind and exhort them, having the ability to reason and speak. It will make marks on the people’s noses which will distinguish the believers from the disbelievers.
The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said: The last hour will not come or happen until there appear ten signs before it: The rising of the sun in its place of setting, the coming forth of the beast, the coming forth of Gog and Magog, the Dajjal (antichrist), (the descent of) Jesus son of Mary, the smoke, and three landslides of the earth: one in the west, one in the east, and one in the Arabian Peninsula. The last of that will be the emergence of a fire from Yemen, from the lowest part of Aden, and drive mankind to their place of assembly."
[16]. Allāh designed his people to be inventors: He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer, or by a weaver - by any sort of workman or skilled designer. Painting, carpentry, planting trees, landscaping, decoration, architecture drawing, cooking, writing, and other jobs involve artistry too. In fact, any time a person is building, he is inventing, although this work only feels like creativity when it is accomplished in a spirit of joy.
Whatever profession a believer is engaged in, to the best of his or her ability, with integrity, and in a spirit of thankfulness, he or she works for the King of the universe and is doing something good. Allāh is the first and the best of the creators, but since we are made in his image, we also produce. The Qur'an and Sunnah focuses our attention on those who not only produce something beautiful but also redirect attention to the Glory of Allāh and teach others.
[17]. I.e., belief in the Oneness of Allāh along with every deed of righteousness they did.
[18]. I.e., polytheism, disbelief, and every evil sinful deed they committed.
[19]. Makkah and its surroundings.
[20]. I.e., submitter to the Will of God.
[21]. The Qur’an gives guidance about how anyone can live his life in the way Allāh would want them to. There is guidance in the Qur’an in every aspect of life wherein the person will turn to its advice when he is faced with a dilemma. Acting in accordance with the Qur’an leads us to Salvation through following the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur’an and the Sunnah will give you guidance. It will keep you away from sin. Allah's word will protect you. You will have wisdom. You will grow in your faith in Allāh. It heals your body. It is your weapon. The Qur’an contains the way of salvation, the misery of sinners, and the happiness of the believers. Its rules are obligatory, its precepts are binding, its histories are true. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be righteous.