Transliteration:( Wa izaa maaa unzilat Sooratun faminhum mai yaqoolu aiyukum zaadat hu haazihee eemaanaa; fa ammal lazeena aamanoo fazaadat hum eemaananw wa hum yastabshiroon )
“Whenever a Surah is revealed, then some of them say: ‘Which of you has it increased [354] in faith?’ As for those who believe, it has increased [355] them in faith, and they are rejoicing [356].”
The phrase refers to hypocrites who, upon the revelation of a Surah, would sarcastically ask others, “Who among you has increased in faith?” This question was posed not out of sincerity, but as mockery, intending to ridicule the verses and those who believed in them. It contrasts with the verse: “And when His revelations are recited to them, their faith increases” (Surah Al-Anfal: 2), which describes the genuine response of the believers.
The increase in faith mentioned here is either an enhancement in spiritual condition or a growth in detailed belief. While core beliefs (ijmaali) are common to all believers, the revelation of new verses or Surahs enhances the understanding and conviction of believers in specific details, thus deepening their connection and certainty.
Believers rejoice upon the revelation of Qur'anic verses, for within them lie prophecies, glad tidings, divine guidance, and spiritual light. This joy is seen in various forms—such as the celebration at a child’s first recitation of Surah Al-‘Alaq, which brings visible happiness and generous donations. Such acts reflect the natural joy of the heart at receiving divine speech, which is one of the signs of true faith.
124. And whenever there comes down a Surah, some of them (hypocrites) say: “Which of you has had his faith increased by it” As for those who believe, it has increased their faith, and they rejoice. 125. But as for those in whose hearts is a disease, it will add Rijs (doubt) to their Rijs (doubt); and they die while they are disbelievers.
Allah said,
(And whenever there comes down a Surah), then among the hypocrites are,
(some who say: “Which of you has had his faith increased by it”) They say to each other, who among you had his faith increased by this Surah ﴿from the Qur’an﴾ Allah the Exalted said,
(As for those who believe, it has increased their faith, and they rejoice.) This Ayah is one of the mightiest evidences that faith increases and decreases, as is the belief of most of the Salaf and later generations of scholars and Imams. Many scholars said that there is a consensus on this ruling. We explained this subject in detail in the beginning of the explanation of Sahih Al-Bukhari, may Allah grant him His mercy. rAllah said next,
(But as for those in whose hearts is a disease, it will add Rijs to their Rijs.) the Surah increases them in doubt, and brings more suspicion on top of the doubts and suspicion that they had before. Allah said in another Ayah,
(And We send down in the Qur’an that which is a healing) ﴿17:82﴾, and,
(Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Qur’an) is blindness for them. They are those who are called from a place far away (so they neither listen nor understand)”.)﴿41:44﴾ This indicates the misery of the hypocrites and disbelievers, since, what should bring guidance to their hearts is instead a cause of misguidance and destruction for them. Similarly, those who get upset by a type of food, for instance, will be upset and anxious even more if they are fed that food!
(9:124) And whenever a new surah is revealed some of the hypocrites ask the believers (in jest): “Whose faith has increased because of this?” As for those who believe, it will certainly increase their faith, and they are joyful over that.
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.
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