“Whose fathers were not warned...

“Whose fathers were not warned,” has two aspects: First, the Arabic word ‘Maa’ (not) is negative and not conjunctive. That whose forefathers did not fear may now fear. It hints towards the time of interval (fitrat). The period between the prophethood of Isa (‘a) and Muhammad (‘s) is called the age of Interval. God sent no messenger during this period.

Of course, there existed the deputies and legatees of Isa (‘a) and the earth was not void of the Proof (Hujjat) of God, but no Messenger Prophet who brings message from God and His revelation had come for nearly six hundred years.

In this verse Allah says, “We have sent you, as their fathers were not warned in the intervening period.” The second aspect is that if the Arabic word “Maa” is a conjunction it would hint towards their forefathers before the time of Isa (‘a), so that you may warn them by which their ancestors were frightened, that is their ancestors whom the past prophets had warned.

Warning and admonishment—main activity of the prophets The focus here is on the phrase “That you may warn a people…” In the Holy Quran, the aim of sending prophets and messengers is described, especially of the last Prophet. as: …as bearers of good news and as warners…(2:213) *** *** The messengers were harbingers of good tidings and also warners from Almighty God. They give good tidings to the faithful who fear God and perform good deeds.

Every human being who obeyed God benefits from the everlasting welfare and divine bounties. Muhammad (‘s) arrived and gave good tidings to the faithful that if they perform good deeds, a great reward awaits them.

Rightly directing, that he might give warning of severe punishment from Him and give good news to the believers who do good that they shall have a goodly reward, (18:2) *** *** The Quran also says: (As for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden, which you were promised.

(41:30) *** *** According to traditions, for such people the angel of death, would be kinder than their mothers. It indeed deserves congratulations that those of us who fast would be pardoned by God and it is a matter of great happiness for us. Traditions say that there are two joys for the one who fasts: One at the time of breaking of fast (Iftar), which indeed is a spiritual pleasure if man breaks the fast with proper attention to God.