Sura 8 The Spoils of War (Al-Anfal)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[8:1] They ask you about the spoils of war, say, "The spoils of war belong to God and the messenger." So reverence God, patch up any differences among yourselves, and obey God and His messenger if you are believers.
[8:2] The believers are those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned and when His revelations are recited to them, it increases their faith, and in their Lord they trust.
[8:3] It is those who observe the Salat, and from what We have provided them, they give.
[8:4] Truly, those are the believers. They shall attain ranks at their Lord, forgiveness, and a generous provision.
[8:5] Just like when your Lord brought you out of your home with the truth, even though a group among the believers hated it.
[8:6] They argue with you about the truth after it had been made clear as if they were being driven towards death while they were looking on.
[8:7] And when God promised you that one of the two groups would be yours to capture, you wanted the unarmed one to be yours, but God willed for the truth to be validated through His Words and to cut off the last remnant of the disbelievers,
[8:8] so that the truth shall be validated and falsehood shall be nullified, however much the criminals hate it.
[8:9] When you implored your Lord to rescue you, He responded to you: "I am supplying you with one thousand angels arriving in succession."
[8:10] God has done so but to give you good news so that your hearts would be assured thereby. Victory comes only from God. Indeed, God is Dignified, Wise.
[8:11] He made sleepiness overcome you; a tranquillity from Him, and He brings down water from the sky to purify you therewith, and to remove the devil's contamination from you, and to strengthen your hearts, and to secure the foothold therewith.
[8:12] Your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you, so make resolute those who believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved. So strike them above the necks, and strike off all their fingertips."
[8:13] That is because they opposed God and His messenger, and for those who oppose God and His messenger, indeed, God is severe in punishment.
[8:14] That is so, so taste it. And indeed, for the disbelievers is the punishment of the Fire.
[8:15] O you who believe, if you encounter the disbelievers advancing, do not turn your backs on them.
[8:16] Anyone who turns his back on them that day, except to carry out a battle plan, or to join some group, has incurred wrath from God, and his refuge is Hell; what a miserable destination!
[8:17] You did not kill them, but it was God who killed them. And you did not throw when you threw, but it was God who threw so that He may test the believers with a good test from Him. Indeed, God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
[8:18] That is so, for God undermines the schemes of the disbelievers.
[8:19] If you were seeking a victory, the victory has come to you. If you cease, it is better for you. And if you return, We will return. Your troops will avail you nothing, however many they may be, for God is certainly with the believers.
[8:20] O you who believe, obey God and His messenger and do not turn away from him when you can hear.
[8:21] Do not be like those who said, "We have heard," when they do not hear.
[8:22] The worst creatures in the sight of God are the deaf and dumb who do not reason.
[8:23] Had God known of any good in them, He would have made them hear. But even if He had made them hear, they would still turn away in aversion.
[8:24] O you who believe, respond to God and to the messenger when he invites you to that for which you are given life, and know that God comes between a man and his heart, and that unto Him you shall be gathered.
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Footnote 8:24 – In 51:56, we read the words, 'I have not created the jinn and the humans except to worship Me'. These words define the sole purpose for which we are created and given life on earth. The reason we are 'given life' is, therefore, the worship of God wholeheartedly and without associating any partners with Him.
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[8:25] And beware of a test that does not strike solely those who have transgressed among you, and know that God is severe in punishment.
[8:26] Remember when you used to be few and oppressed in the land, fearing that the people might snatch you away, then He sheltered you and supported you with His victory, and provided you with good provisions so that you may be thankful.
[8:27] O you who believe, do not betray God and the messenger, nor betray your trusts knowingly.
[8:28] And know that your wealth and your children are but a test and that with God lies a great reward.
[8:29] O you who believe, if you reverence God, He will grant you a criterion, wipe out your bad deeds, and forgive you. And God is the Possessor of Great Favour.
[8:30] When the disbelievers schemed against you to restrain you, or kill you, or banish you; they scheme and God schemes, and God is the best of schemers.
[8:31] When Our revelations are recited to them, they say, "We have heard. If we wanted to, we could have said the like of this. This is nothing but the tales of the previous ones."
[8:32] And they said, "O God, if this is the truth from You, then rain down upon us stones from the sky, or bring upon us a painful punishment."
[8:33] But God would not punish them while you are among them, nor was God to punish them had they been asking for forgiveness.
[8:34] But what have they got to their credit for God not to punish them when they are repelling from the Masjid Al-Haram? They are not its protectors! Its protectors are but the reverent, but most of them do not know.
[8:35] Their Salat at the House was no more than whistling and clapping. So taste the punishment for what you disbelieved in.
[8:36] Those who disbelieve spend their money to repel from the path of God. So they will spend it, then it will become a source of remorse for them; then they will be defeated. Those who disbelieved will be gathered unto Hell.
[8:37] God will sort out the bad from the good and pile the bad on top of one another, heaping them all together, then drop them into Hell. Those are the losers.
[8:38] Say to those who disbelieved that if they cease, they will be forgiven what has happened in the past. But if they should return, then the precedent of the previous ones has already passed.
[8:39] And fight them until there is no more discord, and until the religion is dedicated entirely to God. If they do cease, then indeed, God is Seer of what they do.
[8:40] And if they turn away, then know that God is your Master; the best Master and the best Supporter.
[8:41] And know that one-fifth of whatever spoils you gain shall go to God and the messenger, the relatives, the orphans, the needy and the homeless. This is if you believe in God and in what We brought down upon Our servant on the Day of the Criterion, the day the two groups met. God is Capable of all things.
[8:42] When you were at the near side of the valley, and they were at the far side of the valley, and the caravan was below you; if you made an appointment to meet, you would have differed in the timing. However, it was so that God would carry out a predetermined matter: to annihilate those who were annihilated upon clear evidence, and to keep alive those who were kept alive upon clear evidence. Indeed, God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
[8:43] God made you see them as only a few during your sleep. Had He made you see them as many, you would have failed and disputed in the matter. But God saved that from happening. He is Knowledgeable of what the chests hold.
[8:44] And when you met one another, He made them appear fewer in your eyes, and made you appear fewer in their eyes, so that God would carry out a predetermined matter. All matters are returned to God.
[8:45] O you who believe, when you encounter an enemy force, stand firm and remember God frequently so that you may succeed.
[8:46] And obey God and His messenger, and do not dispute among yourselves lest you fail and lose your driving force. And be patient; indeed, God is with those who are patient.
[8:47] Do not be like those who left their homes boastfully and showing off in front of the people, and they repel others from the path of God. God is encompassing of what they do.
[8:48] When the devil adorned their work for them and said, "No people can defeat you today, and I will be right next to you," but when the two troops came in sight of one another, he turned on his heels and said, "I am innocent of you. I see what you do not see. I fear God, and God is severe in punishment."
[8:48] When the devil adorned their work for them and said, "No people can defeat you today, and I will be right next to you," but when the two troops came in sight of one another, he turned on his heels and said, "I am innocent of you. I see what you do not see. I fear God, and God is severe in punishment."
[8:49] The hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, "These people have been deluded by their religion."Whoever puts his trust in God, then indeed, God is Dignified, Wise.
[8:50] If you could see when the angels take back those who disbelieved, beating their faces and their hinds: "Taste the punishment of the Fire.
[8:51] That is for what your hands have put forth for God is not unjust towards the servants."
[8:52] Just like the constant behaviour of Pharaoh's people and those before them, they disbelieved in the signs of God, so God seized them for their sins. Indeed, God is Powerful, severe in punishment.
[8:53] That is because God was not to alter a blessing that He bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
[8:54] Just like the constant behaviour of Pharaoh's people and those before them, they denied the signs of their Lord, so We annihilated them for their sins, and We drowned Pharaoh's people. All of them were transgressors.
[8:55] The worst creatures in the sight of God are those who disbelieved and will never believe.
[8:56] As for the ones whom you have made a treaty with, but then they break their treaty every time, and they are not reverent:
[8:57] should you encounter them in war, make a stern example of them for those who come after them so that they may take heed.
[8:58] And if you fear betrayal by some people, you shall likewise act against them. Indeed, God does not like the betrayers.
[8:59] Those who disbelieved are not to think that they have forged ahead; they do not thwart anything.
[8:60] Prepare for them all the power and cavalry that you can muster, and with which you may terrify the enemies of God, and your enemies, and others besides them whom you do not know, but God knows them. Whatever you spend in the cause of God will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.
[8:61] If they should incline to peace, so shall you be inclined, and put your trust in God. Indeed, He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.
[8:62] If they intend to deceive you, then indeed, God is sufficient for you. He is the One who aided you with His support and with the believers.
[8:63] And He instilled harmony between their hearts. Had you spent all that is in the earth, you would not have instilled harmony between their hearts, but God instilled harmony between them. He is Dignified, Wise.
[8:64] O you prophet, God is sufficient for you and for those who followed you of the believers.
[8:65] O you prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieved. This is because they are a people who do not understand.
[8:66] Now God has made matters lighter for you, for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred, and if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand with God's permission. God is with the patient ones.
[8:65] O you prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you, they will defeat a thousand of those who disbelieved. This is because they are a people who do not understand.
[8:66] Now God has made matters lighter for you, for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are a hundred steadfast among you, they will defeat two hundred, and if there are a thousand of you, they will defeat two thousand with God's permission. God is with the patient ones.
[8:67] It is not for a prophet to take captives until he has subdued and gained the upper hand in the land. You care for the material gains of this world, while God cares for the Hereafter. God is Dignified, Wise.
[8:68] If it were not for a predetermined decree from God, a great punishment would have touched you for what you took.
[8:69] Therefore, consume what you have gained of the spoils. It is lawful and good, and reverence God. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[8:70] O you prophet, say to those in your hands of the captives, "If God knows of any good in your hearts, He will grant you better than what was taken away from you and will forgive you. God is Forgiver, Merciful."
[8:71] And if they wish to betray you, they have already betrayed God previously, and so He overpowered them. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[8:72] Those who believed, emigrated, and strove with their money and themselves in the cause of God, as well as those who sheltered and supported; they are allies of one another. Those who believed but did not emigrate, you are not responsible for their protection until they do emigrate. However, if they ask for your support regarding religion, you must offer support unless it is against a people with whom you share a treaty. God is Seer of what you do.
[8:73] And those who disbelieved are allies of one another. If you do not do this, there will be oppression in the earth and great corruption.
[8:74] Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in the cause of God, as well as those who sheltered and supported; they are the true believers. They shall have forgiveness and a generous provision.
[8:75] And those who believed afterwards, emigrated and strove with you, they are of you. And the blood-relatives are more worthy of one another in God's Book. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable of all things.
Sura 9 The Repentance (Al-Tawbah)
[9:1] This is a declaration of disassociation from God and His messenger to the mushrikeen with whom you have entered into a treaty.
[9:2] So roam the land for four months, and know that you cannot thwart God and that God disgraces the disbelievers.
[9:3] A proclamation from God and His messenger to the people on the great day of Hajj, that God is disassociated from the mushrikeen and so is His messenger. So if you repent, it would be better for you, but if you turn away, then know that you cannot thwart God. Give news of a painful punishment to those who have disbelieved.
[9:4] However, with regards to the mushrikeen with whom you have entered into a treaty, then they did not fall short on any of its terms, nor banded with anyone against you; you shall fulfil your treaty with them to its full term. Indeed, God loves the reverent.
[9:5] Then, when the Hurum Months have peeled off, you may kill the mushrikeen wherever you find them. Seize them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every lookout position. But if they repent, observe the Salat, and give the Zakat, let them go their way. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
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Footnote 9:5 – The Arabic word 'insalakha', which is used in 9:5, is of great significance. The literal meaning of this word is 'to peel off' or 'to skin' (as in skinning a snake). The peeling/skinning process is done by removing the skin from one end to the other end in a consecutive motion. The allegorical use of this word in relation to the four 'hurum' months (9:36) tells us that the four months are consecutive months, passing one after the other, with no break in the middle. The verb 'salakha' is also used in 36:37 to the same effect. The daylight is extracted from the night gradually and with no break in the middle.
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[9:6] If any of the mushrikeen seeks your protection, you shall protect him so that he would hear the Words of God, then escort him to his place of safety. This is because they are a people who do not know.
[9:7] How can the mushrikeen have an oath with God and with His messenger, except for those with whom you have entered into a treaty at the Masjid Al-Haram? If they are straight with you, be straight with them. Indeed, God loves the reverent.
[9:8] How indeed! If they get the upper hand over you, they would not observe the rights of kinship nor have regard for any pledges! They please you with their mouths while their hearts are in a state of rejection! Most of them are wicked.
[9:9] They traded away God's revelations for a cheap price, and so they repelled from His path. Miserable indeed is what they used to do.
[9:10] They do not observe the rights of kinship towards any believer nor have regard for any pledges. They are indeed the transgressors.
[9:11] But if they repent and observe the Salat, and give the Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion. We detail the revelations for a people who know.
[9:12] And if they break their pledge after having taken their oath and they defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for their pledges are worthless, perhaps they may then cease.
[9:13] Would you not fight a people who broke their pledge and intended to banish the messenger and were the ones who attacked you in the first place? Are you afraid of them? God is more worthy to be the One whom you should fear if you are believers.
[9:14] Fight them, and God will punish them at your hands, disgrace them and grant you victory over them. He will heal the chests of believing people
[9:15] and remove the rage from their hearts. God redeems whom He wills. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:16] Did you think that you would be left alone without God distinguishing those among you who strove and did not take other than God, His messenger and the believers as intimate allies? God is All-Aware of what you do.
[9:17] The mushrikeen are not to frequent the masjids of God when they are witnesses against their own selves for disbelief. The work of those is nullified, and in the Fire they shall permanently remain.
[9:18] Rather, the ones to frequent God's masjids are those who believe in God and the Last Day, observe the Salat, give the Zakat, and do not fear except God, so that perhaps they will be among the guided ones.
[9:19] Have you considered the offering of drinks to the pilgrims and the maintenance of the Masjid Al-Haram to be the same as believing in God and the Last Day and striving in the cause of God? They are not the same in the sight of God. God does not guide the transgressing people.
[9:20] Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in the cause of God with their money and themselves hold the greatest rank with God, and those are the triumphant.
[9:21] Their Lord gives them good news of mercy and consent from Him and Gardens wherein they are granted everlasting bliss.
[9:22] Therein, they shall forever remain. With God lies a great reward.
[9:23] O you who believe, do not take your parents and your siblings as allies if they prefer disbelief over belief. Those among you who ally themselves with them, they are indeed the transgressors.
[9:24] Say, "If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your relatives, the wealth you have acquired, a business you fear may decline, and the homes you cherish are dearer to you than God and His messenger, and striving in His cause, then just wait until God brings about His command. God does not guide the wicked people."
[9:25] God has granted you victory at many locations, including the day of Hunayn when you delighted in your great numbers, but it did not avail you in any way. You felt as though the earth narrowed around you, spacious as it is, then you turned your backs and fled.
[9:26] Then God brought down His tranquillity upon His messenger and upon the believers, and He brought down soldiers you did not see, and He punished those who disbelieved. Such is the penalty of the disbelievers.
[9:27] After that, God redeems whom He wills. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[9:28] O you who believe, the mushrikeen are nothing but pollution, so they shall not go near the Masjid Al-Haram after this year of theirs. If you fear loss of income, God will enrich you from His favour if He wills. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:29] Fight the ones, from among those who were given the Scripture, who do not believe in God, nor in the Last Day, nor prohibit what God and His messenger have prohibited, nor abide by the religion of truth, until the penalty is enforced on them and they are humbled.
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Footnote 9:29 – This verse has often been misinterpreted so as to justify war against all non-Muslims for no reason other than being non-Muslims! Besides the fact that the Quran allows war only in the case of self-defence (see 4:90, 8:61 and 2:190), this verse does not speak of war at all. The word used in this verse 'qatilu' (fight), is different from 'iqtulu' (kill). The word 'qatilu'means to oppose and to fight by lawful means. We read in the very next verse the words "qatalahum Allah", which mean: God opposes them (those who gave God a son) and not that God holds a weapon and wages war on them!
The words in 9:29 instruct the believers to fight, by peaceful means, the disbelievers who corrupt in the land until the 'jizyah' is enforced on them and they are humbled. The word 'jizyah' comes from the word 'jazaa', which means penalty or punishment.
The 'jizyah' is not a tax but a penalty set by the law of the land that is enforced on all who corrupt or break the law.
The keywords in 9:29 that confirm the correct meaning are the words 'yutu al-jizyah', which mean: they are given the 'jizyah'. If the meaning were: until they give the 'jizyah', the word to use would have been 'yaatu' (they give) and not the word 'yutu'(they are given).
Confirmation of the correct meaning of the word"yutu"is found in 9:58, where the exact same word is used, and it means "they are given".
And since the 'jizyah' is to be given to the disbelievers and not something that they should give, it cannot be a tax that is given to them. The'jizyah' is the penalty that is to be "given" to the disbelievers.
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[9:30] The Jews said, "Ezra is the son of God," and the Christians said, "The Messiah is the son of God." Such are utterances from their own mouths. They emulate the utterances of those who have disbelieved before. God fights them; how are they deluded?
[9:31] They took their scholars, their monks and the Messiah, the son of Mary, as lords besides God when they were only commanded to worship One God. There is no god except Him. Glory to Him, far above what they associate with Him.
[9:32] They wish to extinguish God's Light with their mouths, but God refuses all but to perfect His Light, however much the disbelievers hate it.
[9:33] He is the One who sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth to make it manifest over all other religions, however much the mushrikeen hate it.
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Footnote 9:33 – The message of this verse is repeated in 48:28 and 61:9. The reference to 'all other religions' speaks of all man-made religions as well as all corrupt versions of God's authorised religion. The words of the verse give us the guidelines to determine the identity of the messenger spoken of. The messenger spoken of is one who is sent with 'the guidance and the religion of truth'. When we apply these guidelines we find that they apply to all messengers of God; they are all sent with 'the guidance and the religion of truth'. The religion of truth is Islam (submission to God). This is because Islam is the only religion authorised by God (3:19). The Quran tells us for example that Abraham was a Muslim (3:67), so was Noah (10:72), so were Ishmael, Isaac and Jacob (2:133).
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[9:34] O you who believe, many of the scholars and monks consume people's money illicitly and repel from the path of God. For those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend them in the cause of God, give them news of a painful punishment.
[9:35] The Day when it will be heated up in the fire of Hell, then their foreheads, their sides and their backs will be branded with it: "This is what you hoarded for yourselves, so taste what you used to hoard."
[9:36] The count of the months with God is twelve. This has been God's decree on the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are Hurum. This is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. Carry out an all-out fight against the mushrikeen just as they carry out an all-out fight against you, and know that God is with the reverent.
[9:37] Altering the Hurum Months is but an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are misguided. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year so as to tally with the count of what God has made Hurum. They thus make lawful what God has prohibited. Their evil work has been adorned for them. God does not guide the disbelieving people.
[9:38] O you who believe, what is the matter with you that when you are told, "March forth in the cause of God," you become heavily anchored to the ground? Are you satisfied with the worldly life over the Hereafter? The enjoyment of the worldly life will mean little in the Hereafter.
[9:39] If you do not march forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and replace you with other people. You will not harm Him in any way. God is Capable of all things.
[9:40] If you do not support him, God has already supported him when those who disbelieved drove him out, and when he was one of two in the cave, he said to his friend, "Do not grieve; indeed, God is with us." So God brought down His tranquillity upon him and reinforced him with soldiers you did not see. And He made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest while the Word of God is the Highest. God is Dignified, Wise.
[9:41] March forth, light or heavy, and strive with your money and yourselves in the cause of God. This is better for you if you only knew.
[9:42] If it were a nearby material gain and a purposeful journey, they would have followed you, but the distance seemed too far for them! They will swear by God: "Had we been able to, we would have set out with you." They are destroying themselves, and God knows that they are liars.
[9:43] God has pardoned you! Why did you grant them permission before it became clear to you who were the truthful ones and until you knew the liars?
[9:44] Those who believe in God and the Last Day would not ask your permission to evade striving with their money and themselves. God is Knowledgeable of the reverent.
[9:45] Rather, the ones who ask your permission are those who do not believe in God and the Last Day. Their hearts are in doubt, and so they waver in their doubts.
[9:46] Had they really intended to set out, they would have prepared for it thoroughly, but God disliked their setting out, so He held them back, and they were told, "Stay behind with those who are staying behind."
[9:47] Had they set out with you, they would have added nothing to you but confusion. They would have hastened to cause discord among you, and some of you are inclined to listen to them. God is Knowledgeable of the transgressors.
[9:48] They sought to cause discord before, and they turned matters upside down for you until the truth prevailed and God's command was manifest, despite their resentment.
[9:49] Some of them would say, "Grant me leave and do not test me." But in fact, they have already failed the test. Hell will encompass the disbelievers.
[9:50] If something good happens to you, it grieves them, and if a disaster strikes you, they say, "We have taken our precaution beforehand," and they turn away well pleased.
[9:51] Say, "Nothing will befall us except what God has decreed for us. He is our Master. In God, the believers should trust."
[9:52] Say, "What you await to happen to us, is it other than one of two good things? However, what we await for you is for God to strike you with a punishment, either from Him or at our hands? Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with you."
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Footnote 9:52 – The two good outcomes that can happen to the believers in a war they fight in the cause of God are: Victory or dying in the cause of God which guarantees Paradise (3:169).
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[9:53] Say, "Spend willingly or unwillingly; it will not be accepted from you. You are a wicked people."
[9:54] What prevents their spending from being accepted is nothing but the fact that they disbelieved in God and His messenger, and they do not approach the Salat except lazily, and they do not give except begrudgingly.
[9:55] So do not be impressed by their wealth or their children. God only wants to punish them with it in the worldly life, then for them to perish as disbelievers.
[9:56] They swear by God that they are of you, but they are not of you. Rather, they are a people in fear.
[9:57] Were they to find a refuge or some caves or a place to enter, they would turn and dash towards it.
[9:58] Some of them criticise you regarding the charities. If they are given part of it, they are content, and if they are not given part of it, they become resentful.
[9:59] If only they were content with what God and His messenger had given them and had said, "God suffices us. God will provide for us from His favour, as will His messenger. It is God whom we seek."
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Footnote 9:59 – All bounties and blessings are God-given (4:79, 16:53). The meaning here is that God will provide from His favour, and the messenger will distribute God's bounties to the rightful recipients.
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[9:60] The charities are to go to the poor, the needy, those who work on their collection, those whose hearts have reconciled, to free the slaves, to those in debt, also in the cause of God and to the homeless. This is an obligation decreed by God. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:61] Among them are those who offend the prophet and say, "He is all ears!" Say, "It is better for you that he listens to you; He believes in God and has faith in the believers, and so it is a mercy for those among you who believe." Those who offend the messenger of God will have a painful punishment.
[9:62] They swear by God to you to please you, but it is more fitting for God, and His messenger, that they should please Him, if they are believers.
[9:63] Do they not know that whoever opposes God and His messenger, that for him is the fire of Hell wherein he shall permanently remain? That is the great disgrace.
[9:64] The hypocrites worry that a Sura may be brought down upon them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, "Go ahead and mock; God will expose that which you worry about."
[9:65] And if you ask them, they would say, "We were engaging in vain discourse and playing." Say, "Was it God, His revelations and His messenger that you were mocking?"
[9:66] Make no excuses, for you have disbelieved after having believed. If We pardon a group among you, We will punish another group, for they were criminals.
[9:67] The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women are of one another. They advocate evil, forbid righteousness, and are tight-fisted. They forgot God, so He forgot them. The hypocrites are indeed the wicked ones.
[9:68] God has promised the hypocrite men, the hypocrite women, and the disbelievers, the fire of Hell, wherein they shall permanently remain; it suffices them. God has cursed them, and they shall have an everlasting punishment.
[9:69] Like those before you, they were stronger than you and had greater wealth and offspring, but then they became preoccupied with their prosperity. Similarly, you became preoccupied with your prosperity, just like those before you were preoccupied with their prosperity. You engaged in vain discourse like that in which they engaged. The work of those is nullified in this world and in the Hereafter, and those are the losers.
[9:70] Has the news of those before them not reached them: the people of Noah, Aad, Thamoud, the people of Abraham, the companions of Madyan and the overturned towns? Their messengers came to them with the clear proofs. God was not to wrong them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
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Footnote 9:70 – To the people of Aad, the messenger Hud was sent. To the people of Thamoud, the messenger Saleh was sent. To the people of Madyan, the messenger Shu'aib was sent. The overturned towns are the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, to which was sent the prophet Lot.
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[9:71] The believing men and women are allies of one another. They advocate righteousness and forbid evil. They observe the Salat, give the Zakat, and they obey God and His messenger. God will have mercy upon those. Indeed, God is Dignified, Wise.
[9:72] God promised the believing men and the believing women Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they shall permanently remain, as well as fine dwellings in the Gardens of Eden, and above all, God's consent, which is even greater. That is the great triumph.
[9:73] O you prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them. Their refuge is Hell; what a miserable destination!
[9:74] They swear by God that they have said nothing, while they did utter the word of disbelief. They disbelieved after their acceptance of Submission, and they desired that which they could not have. They were nothing but resentful when God and His messenger had enriched them from His favour. So if they repent, it would be better for them, and if they should turn away, God will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. They will have no ally or supporter in the earth.
[9:75] Some of them made an oath to God: "If He would grant us from His favour, we would give to charity, and we would be among the righteous."
[9:76] But when He granted them from His favour, they became stingy with it and turned away in aversion.
[9:77] Consequently, He placed hypocrisy in their hearts until the Day they meet Him because they broke their promises to God and because they used to lie.
[9:78] Did they not know that God knows their secrets and their private conferring and that God is the Knower of all the unseen?
[9:79] Those who criticise the believers who volunteer for charity work, and they mock those who find nothing to give other than their effort; God has indeed mocked them, and they shall have a painful punishment.
[9:80] Whether you ask forgiveness for them or do not ask forgiveness for them, even if you ask forgiveness for them seventy times, God will not forgive them. That is because they disbelieved in God and His messenger. God does not guide the wicked people.
[9:81] Those who were left behind were happy with their staying behind the messenger of God and hated to strive with their money and themselves in the cause of God. They said, "Do not march forth in the heat." Say, "The fire of Hell is much hotter," if they could only understand.
[9:82] So let them laugh a little and weep much in repayment for what they used to earn.
[9:83] If God returns you to a group of them, and they ask your permission to come out, say, "You will not go out with me, ever, nor will you fight any enemy alongside me. You were content to stay behind the first time, so stay with those who stay behind."
[9:84] And do not support any of them who died, ever. Nor shall you stand at his grave. They have disbelieved in God and His messenger and died in a state of wickedness.
[9:85] And do not be impressed by their wealth or their children. God only wants to punish them with it in this world, then for their selves to depart while they are disbelievers.
[9:86] When a Sura is brought down, stating: "Believe in God and strive with His messenger," those with wealth among them seek your permission, saying, "Leave us to be with those who stay behind."
[9:87] They were content to be with those who stayed behind. Their hearts were sealed, so they do not understand.
[9:88] But the messenger and those who believed with him strove with their money and themselves. Those will have good things, and those are the successful ones.
[9:89] God has prepared for them Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they shall permanently remain. That is the great triumph.
[9:90] The excuse-makers among the Arabs came seeking to be excused, and those who lied to God and His messenger stayed behind. A painful punishment will strike those who disbelieved among them.
[9:91] There is no blame on the weak, nor the sick, nor on those who do not find anything to give if they are sincere to God and His messenger. In no way are the good-doers to be blamed. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[9:92] Nor upon those who, when they came to you so that you would provide mounts for them, you said, "I cannot find what I can mount you on." They turned away with their eyes flooding with tears, grieving for having nothing to give.
[9:93] But the blame falls on those who ask your permission, even though they are rich. They were content to be with those who stayed behind. God has sealed their hearts and thus they know not.
[9:94] They make excuses to you when you return to them. Say, "Make no excuses; we will not believe you. God has already informed us of your news."God will see your work, and so will His messenger. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you of what you used to do.
[9:95] They will swear by God to you when you return to them so that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone. They are impure, and their refuge is Hell as a penalty for what they used to earn.
[9:96] They swear to you so that you would approve of them. But even if you approve of them, God does not approve of the wicked people.
[9:97] The Arabs are the worst in disbelief and hypocrisy and more likely not to know the limits of what God has brought down upon His messenger. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:98] Some among the Arabs consider what they spend to be a costly fine, and they await a change of fortune to befall you. Upon them will fall a dreadful turn of fortune. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
[9:99] And some among the Arabs believe in God and the Last Day and consider what they give as a means to attain nearness to God and to gain the support of the messenger. Indeed, it will grant them nearness. God will admit them into His mercy. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[9:100] With regards to the early vanguards of immigrants and supporters, and those who followed them in doing good: God is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they shall forever remain. That is the great triumph.
[9:101] Some of the Arabs around you and also some of the city people are hypocrites. They persist in hypocrisy. You do not know them, but We know them. We will punish them twice, and then they will be returned to a great punishment.
[9:102] And there are others who have confessed their sins. They mixed a good deed with a bad deed in the hope that God would redeem them. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[9:103] Take a charity from their money to cleanse and purify them with it, and support them. Your support provides them with tranquillity. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
[9:104] Do they not know that it is God who accepts the repentance from His servants, and that He receives the charities, and that God is the Redeemer, the Merciful?
[9:105] Say, "Do your work, for God will see your work, and so will His messenger and the believers. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you of what you used to do."
[9:106] Others are being deferred until God's command; either He punishes them, or He redeems them. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:107] There are those who use a masjid to cause harm, disbelief and division among the believers, as well as an outpost for those who fought God and His messenger before. They will swear: "We only meant to do good." And God bears witness that they are liars.
[9:108] Do not stand therein, ever. A masjid that is established on reverence from the first day is more worthy of you standing therein. In it are men who love to be purified. God loves those who purify themselves.
[9:109] Is one who established his building upon reverence and God's consent better or one who established his building on the edge of a cliff which is about to crumble, so it crumbled along with him into the fire of Hell? God does not guide the transgressing people.
[9:110] The building they have built remains a source of doubt in their hearts until their hearts are cut to pieces. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[9:111] God has purchased from the believers their selves and their money, for which they shall have Paradise. They fight in the cause of God, and so they kill or get killed. It is a promise that is binding on Him in the Torah, the Injeel and the Quran. And who better fulfils his oath than God? So rejoice in your deal that you have entered into. That is the great triumph.
[9:112] The repenters, the worshippers, the praising ones, the ones who fast, the ones who bow, the ones who prostrate, the advocators of righteousness and forbidders of evil, and the observers of God's limits; give good news to the believers.
[9:113] It is not for the prophet and those who believed to ask forgiveness for the mushrikeen, even if they were their relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the companions of Hellfire.
[9:114] Abraham's plea for the forgiveness of his father was only because he had promised him to do so. But when it became clear to him that he was God's enemy, he disowned him. Abraham was kind-hearted, forbearing.
[9:115] God would not misguide a people after He had guided them until He makes clear to them what they should revere. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable of all things.
[9:116] To God belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. He brings to life and puts to death. You have none besides God as an ally or supporter.
[9:117] God has redeemed the prophet and the immigrants and supporters who followed him in the hour of hardship after the hearts of a group of them almost faltered. He then redeemed them, for He was Compassionate and Merciful towards them,
[9:118] as well as towards the three who were left behind until the land seemed to narrow around them, spacious though it may be, and they felt constricted within themselves. They realised that there is no refuge from God except to Him. He then redeemed them that they may repent. Indeed, God is the Redeemer, the Merciful.
[9:119] O you who believe, reverence God and be with the truthful.
[9:120] It is not for the people of the city, nor the Arabs around them, to lag behind the messenger of God. Nor shall they prefer themselves ahead of him. That is because they do not suffer any thirst or any weariness or hunger in the cause of God, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they totally overcome any enemy without it being written as a good deed for them. God does not let the reward of the good-doers go to waste.
[9:121] Nor do they spend any expenditure, small or large, nor do they cross any valley without it being written for them that God will reward them for the best of what they used to do.
[9:122] It is not for all the believers to march forth. A group from every division should remain behind to attain the understanding of the religion and to warn their people when they return to them so that they may beware.
[9:123] O you who believe, fight the disbelievers who are around you and let them find toughness in you and know that God is with the reverent.
[9:124] And when a Sura is brought down, some of them would say, "Which of you has this increased in faith?" For those who believed, it has indeed increased them in faith, and they rejoice.
[9:125] As for those with sickness in their hearts, it only added impurity to their impurity, and they died as disbelievers.
[9:126] Or do they not see that they are tested every year once or twice? Still, they do not repent, nor do they take heed.
[9:127] And when a Sura is brought down, some of them would look at one another and say, "Is anyone watching you?" Then they would leave. God has averted their hearts, for they are a people who do not understand.
Sura 10 Jonah (Younus)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[10:1] A.L.R. These are the signs of the Wise Book.
[10:2] Has it been an astonishment to the people that We inspired a man from among them: "You shall warn the people and give good news to those who believe that they have a sure footing at their Lord"? The disbelievers said, "This is an obvious magician!"
[10:3] Indeed, your Lord is God: the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He settled on the Throne, handling the affair. There is no intercessor except after His permission. Such is God your Lord, so worship Him. Will you not take heed?
[10:4] To Him is your return, all of you. God's promise is truthful. He initiates the creation, and then He repeats it so that He may reward those who believed and did good deeds equitably. As for those who disbelieve, they will have boiling drinks and a painful punishment for what they used to deny.
[10:5] He is the One who rendered the sun to emit light and the moon a light, and He determined its phases that you may know the count of years, and for calculation. God did not create this but truthfully. He details the revelations for a people who know.
[10:6] In the alternation of night and day, and in what God has created in the heavens and the earth, are signs for a people who are reverent.
[10:7] Those who do not seek the meeting with Us, and are content with the worldly life and feel secure in it, and who are oblivious of Our signs;
[10:8] the refuge of those is the Fire because of what they used to earn.
[10:9] As for those who believe and do good deeds, their Lord guides them by virtue of their faith. Rivers will flow beneath them in the Gardens of Bliss.
[10:10] Their prayer therein is: "Glory to You, O God," and their greeting therein is: "Peace," and the ending of their prayer is: "Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds."
[10:11] If God was to hasten the bad that is due to the people, just as they wish to hasten the good, their term would have already been fulfilled. However, We leave those who do not seek the meeting with Us blundering blindly in their transgression.
[10:12] If any harm touches the human being, he implores Us on his side, sitting down or standing up. Then when We remove the harm from him, he carries on as if he had never implored Us about a hardship that had touched him! What the excessive ones used to do was thus adorned for them.
[10:13] We have annihilated the generations before you when they transgressed. And their messengers came to them with the clear proofs, but they were not to believe. We thus repay the criminal people.
[10:14] Then We made you successors in the earth after them to see how you would act.
[10:15] When Our clear revelations are recited to them, those who do not seek the meeting with Us say, "Bring a Quran other than this or replace it." Say, "It is not for me to replace it of my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. I fear if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a great Day."
[10:16] Say, "Had God willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you. I have remained among you for a lifetime before it, so will you not reason?"
[10:17] So who is more transgressing than one who fabricates lies about God, or denies His revelations? For certain, the criminals will not succeed.
[10:18] They worship besides God what does not harm them nor benefit them, and they say, "These are our intercessors at God." Say, "Are you informing God of something in the heavens or in the earth that He does not know?" Glory to Him and exalted is He, far above what they associate with Him.
[10:19] The people were but one nation, and then they differed. Had it not been for a previous Word from your Lord, judgment would have already been passed over them regarding that over which they differ.
[10:20] They say, "If only a miracle was brought down upon him from his Lord!" Say, "The unseen belongs to God. So wait; I am with you among those who wait."
[10:21] If We let the people taste mercy after some hardship had touched them, they go on scheming against Our revelations! Say, "God is far swifter in scheming." Our messengers are writing down what you scheme.
[10:22] He is the One who enables you to travel in the land and the sea. Then, when some among you were on board ships that sailed with them by means of a good wind, and they rejoiced in it, a stormy wind came upon them, and waves came at them from everywhere, and they reckoned they were totally surrounded; they implored God, devoting the religion purely to Him: "If You save us from this, we will be among the thankful."
[10:23] But once He saves them, they transgress in the land unjustly. O people, your transgression is but against yourselves. An enjoyment of the worldly life, then to Us is your return. We will then inform you of what you used to do.
[10:24] The example of the worldly life is that of water that We brought down from the sky whereupon the plants of the earth, from which people and livestock eat, are mixed with it. Then, as the earth displayed its decoration and became adorned, and its people thought they were in control of it, Our command came upon it by night or day, reducing it to stubble, as if it had not flourished the day before. We thus detail the revelations for a people who reflect.
[10:25] God invites to the Abode of Peace, and He guides whom He wills to a straight path.
[10:26] For those who do good, there shall be goodness and more. Their faces will not be overwhelmed by gloom or humiliation. They are the companions of Paradise. Therein, they shall permanently remain.
[10:27] And for those who earned bad deeds, the penalty of each bad deed will be its like, and humiliation will overwhelm them. They will have no protector from God. It will be as if their faces were covered with dark strips of the night. They are the companions of the Fire. Therein, they shall permanently remain.
[10:28] On the Day We gather them all, We will say to those who committed shirk, "Remain in your place, you and your partners." We will then separate them, and their partners will say, "It was not us whom you used to worship.
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Footnote 10:28 - On Judgment Day, all who set up partners with God will realise that the figures they worshipped were only disguised traps while the one they worshipped all along was the devil. Consequently, when this truth is known on that Day, those whom they worshipped will tell them, 'It was not us whom you used to worship'. In other words, it was the devil whom they worshipped, for the devil is the instigator of false gods and idol worship.
The one who is worshipped is always the one who issues the command/instruction. We have two Quranic confirmations of this matter:
1- When God commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam (2:34), they obeyed God and prostrated to Adam. In doing so, they were not worshipping Adam; they were worshipping God because God issued the command.
2- We also find a demonstration in the story of Abraham. In 21:52 and 21:54, Abraham tells his father and his people that they are greatly misguided to devote their worship to statues. Abraham, whom God endowed with wisdom, knew that even though it appeared that his father and his people were worshipping statues, in actual fact, they were worshipping the devil. And thus, Abraham tells his father in 19:44, 'O my father, do not worship the devil'.
Consequently, on Judgment Day, God will not ask the idolatrous why they worshipped this false god or that, but God will ask them why they worshipped the devil: 'Did I not take an oath from you, O Children of Adam, that you shall not worship the devil?' 36:60.
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[10:29] God suffices as a Witness between us and you that we were oblivious of your worshipping us."
[10:30] That is when every self will be put to trial for what it had previously done. They were returned to God, their Master, the Truth, and that which they used to fabricate has deserted them.
[10:31] Say, "Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Or who possesses the hearing and the sight? Or who extracts the living from the dead and extracts the dead from the living, and who handles the affair?" They will say, "God." Say, "So will you not revere?"
[10:32] Such is God, your Lord, the Truth. What is there after the truth except for misguidance? How then are you averted?
[10:33] Thus, your Lord's Word was justly decreed upon those who were wicked, for they do not believe.
[10:34] Say, "Does any of your partners initiate creation, then repeat it?" Say, "God initiates the creation, then repeats it. How then are you deluded?"
[10:35] Say, "Does any of your partners guide to the truth?" Say, "God guides to the truth. So is One who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or one who does not guide unless he is guided? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?"
[10:36] Most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Conjecture is of no avail whatsoever against the truth. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable of what they do.
[10:37] This Quran could not have been fabricated by those besides God. Rather, it is a confirmation of what came before it, and it provides a detailed explanation of the Scripture. There is no doubt about it; it is from the Lord of the Worlds.
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Footnote 10:37 - The deniers of the Quran accused the prophet that he fabricated the Quran. In reply, God states that the Quran could not be the fabrication of any human being, but that it is the truth from God:
Footnote 10:37 - The deniers of the Quran accused the prophet that he fabricated the Quran. In reply, God states that the Quran could not be the fabrication of any human being, but that it is the truth from God:
'Or do they say, "He fabricated it"? Rather, it is the truth from your Lord so that you would warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, so that they may be guided.' 32:3
A challenge is also addressed to the deniers to 'produce one Sura of its like' (2:23).
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[10:38] Or do they say, "He fabricated it"? Say, "Then come up with a Sura of its like, and call upon whomever you can besides God if you are truthful."
[10:39] Rather, they have denied that which they had not encompassed its knowledge and whose interpretation had not yet come to them. Likewise, those before them denied, so look what the outcome of the transgressors was.
[10:40] Among them are those who believe in it and those who do not believe in it. Your Lord knows best the corruptors.
[10:41] If they deny you, then say, "For me are my deeds, and for you are your deeds. You are innocent of what I do, and I am innocent of what you do."
[10:42] Among them are those who listen to you, but can you make the deaf hear, even though they cannot reason?
[10:43] And among them are those who look at you, but can you guide the blind, even though they cannot see?
[10:44] God does not wrong the people in any way, but it is the people who wrong themselves.
[10:45] On the Day He gathers them, it will seem as if they had remained but a single hour of the day. They will recognise one another. Those who denied the meeting with God and were not guided have indeed lost.
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Footnote 10:45 - On the Day of Judgment, it will appear to the human being that he remained on earth a mere hour of a day. For the 'Illusion of Time', see footnotes 6:128 and 17:52.
Footnote 10:45 - On the Day of Judgment, it will appear to the human being that he remained on earth a mere hour of a day. For the 'Illusion of Time', see footnotes 6:128 and 17:52.
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[10:46] Whether We show you some of what We promise them, or We take you back, to Us is their return, then God is Witness over what they do.
[10:47] For every nation is a messenger. After their messenger comes, they will be judged equitably, and they will not be wronged.
[10:48] And they say, "When will this promise come true if you are truthful?"
[10:49] Say, "I possess no power to harm or benefit myself; it is only what God wills." For every nation is an appointed time. Once their appointed time comes, they cannot delay it by one hour nor advance it.
[10:50] Say, "Have you considered: If His punishment was to come to you, by night or by day, which part of it would the criminals wish to hasten?
[10:51] And if it does occur, you then believe it? What! Now? When you used to wish to hasten it before?"
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Footnote 10:51 – One of the habits of the disbelievers mentioned in the Quran is to challenge the messengers sent to them to bring upon them the punishments they warned them against if they are truthful (see 22:47, 29:29-53-54).
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[10:52] Then it was said to those who transgressed, "Taste the eternal punishment. Are you being repaid except for what you used to earn?"
[10:53] They seek news from you: "Is it true?" Say, "Yes, by my Lord, it is true, and you cannot thwart it."
[10:54] And if every self that has transgressed were to have all that is in the earth, it would offer it as ransom. They concealed the remorse when they saw the punishment. They were judged equitably, and they were not wronged.
[10:55] Absolutely, to God belongs what is in the heavens and the earth. Indeed, God's promise is truthful, but most of them do not know.
[10:56] He brings to life and puts to death, and to Him you shall be returned.
[10:57] O people, advice has come to you from your Lord and healing for what is in the chests, as well as guidance and mercy for the believers.
[10:58] Say, "It is by God's favour and His mercy." So in that, they shall rejoice; it is better than anything they can accumulate.
[10:59] Say, "Have you seen what God has brought down to you of provisions, of which you have made some unlawful and some lawful?" Say, "Did God give you permission, or are you fabricating lies about God?"
[10:60] What will the thoughts of those who fabricate lies about God be on the Day of Resurrection? Indeed, God is Possessor of Favour for the people, but most of them do not give thanks.
[10:61] There is no affair that you may be engaged in, nor do you recite any of the Quran, nor do you do any work, without Us being Witness over you while you indulge in it. There is not an atom's weight in the earth or in the heaven that escapes your Lord, nor is there anything smaller or larger than this that is not recorded in a clear Book.
[10:62] Absolutely, there is no fear concerning the allies of God, nor will they grieve.
[10:63] Those who believed and have been reverent,
[10:64] they shall have good news in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. There is no alteration to the Words of God. Such is the great triumph.
[10:65] Do not let what they say grieve you. Indeed, all honour belongs to God. He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.
[10:66] Absolutely, to God belongs everyone in the heavens and everyone in the earth. Those who call upon other than God do not really follow partners. They follow nothing but conjecture; they are only guessing.
[10:67] He is the One who rendered the night for you to rest in and rendered the day for seeing. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who listen.
[10:68] They said, "God has taken a son." Glory to Him! He is the Rich One. To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. Do you have any authorisation for this? Are you saying about God what you do not know?
[10:69] Say, "Those who fabricate lies about God will not succeed."
[10:70] Enjoyment in the world, then to Us is their return. We then let them taste the severe punishment for what they used to deny.
[10:71] Recite to them the news of Noah when he said to his people, "O my people, if my presence and my reminding you of God's revelations are unbearable to you, then I put my trust in God. So come to a joint decision together with your partners, and let not your decision cause you any doubt. Then carry it out on me and do not give me respite.
[10:72] If you turn away, then I have not asked you for any reward. My reward comes only from God. I have been commanded to be one of the Submitters."
[10:73] But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him on the ship, and We made them successors, and We drowned those who denied Our revelations. So look what the outcome was of those who have been warned.
[10:74] Then We sent messengers after him to their people, and they brought them the clear proofs, but they were not to believe in what they had previously denied. Thus do We seal the hearts of the transgressors.
[10:75] Then after them, We sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh and his leaders with Our signs, but they acted arrogantly and were a criminal people.
[10:76] When the truth came to them from Us, they said, "This is clear magic!"
[10:77] Moses said, "Do you say about the truth when it comes to you: 'Is this magic?' Magicians will not succeed?"
[10:78] They said, "Did you come to divert us from that which we found our fathers upon so that the two of you may attain a position of superiority in the land? We will never believe the two of you."
[10:79] Pharaoh said, "Bring me every knowledgeable magician."
[10:80] When the magicians came, Moses said to them, "Cast what you are going to cast."
[10:81] When they cast, Moses said, "What you have come up with is magic, and God will nullify it. God does not allow the work of the corruptors to prosper,
[10:82] and God validates the truth with His Words, however much the criminals hate it."
[10:83] Out of fear that Pharaoh and his leaders would persecute them, no one believed in Moses except some offspring from among his people. Pharaoh was haughty in the land and among the excessive ones.
[10:84] Moses said, "O my people, if you have believed in God, then in Him you shall trust if you are indeed Submitters."
[10:85] So they said, "In God we trust. Our Lord, do not make of us a means for testing the transgressing people,
[10:86] and save us, by Your mercy, from the disbelieving people."
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Footnote 10:85-86 - The prayer 'do not make of us a means for testing the transgressing people' was uttered by the believers with Moses (10:85), as well as Abraham and the believers with him (60:5). In 25:20, God says that He makes some people a means for testing other people. The disbelievers are tested by means of the authority God gives them over the common people. The transgressors (10:85) and the disbelievers (60:5) are also used by God as means to test the believers. Those who submit to God's will and are patient in the face of the persecution are those who pass such demanding tests (25:20).
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[10:87] We inspired Moses and his brother: "Settle your people in homes in Egypt and make of your homes a Qiblah, and observe the Salat, and give good news to the believers."
[10:88] Moses said, "Our Lord, you have given Pharaoh and his leaders zinat and wealth in the worldly life, our Lord, so that they would stray away from Your path. Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they do not believe until they see the painful punishment."
[10:89] He said, "The prayer of the two of you has been answered, so go straight and do not follow the path of those who do not know."
[10:90] We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh and his soldiers pursued them with much animosity and aggression. Then, when he was on the verge of drowning, he said, "I believe that there is no god except the One in whom the Children of Israel have believed, and I am one of the Submitters."
[10:91] "What! Now? When you had previously rebelled and you were one of the corruptors?
[10:92] Today, We will preserve your body so that you serve as a sign for those to come after you." Indeed, many people are oblivious of Our signs.
[10:93] We settled the Children of Israel in an honourable place, and We provided them with good things. They did not differ until the knowledge came to them. Indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding that over which they used to differ.
[10:94] If you are in doubt regarding what We brought down to you, then ask those who have been reading the Scripture before you. The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.
[10:95] Nor shall you be of those who denied God's revelations, for then you would be among the losers.
[10:96] Those upon whom your Lord's Word has been justly decreed will not believe,
[10:97] even if every sign was to come to them until they see the painful punishment.
[10:98] If only there had been a village that believed and benefited from its faith, except the people of Jonah! When they believed, We removed from them the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life, and We let them have enjoyment for a certain time.
[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people in the earth, in their entirety, would have believed. Are you to force the people into becoming believers?
[10:100] It is not for any self to believe, except with God's permission, and He lets impurity befall those who will not reason.
[10:101] Say, "Look at what is in the heavens and the earth." Still, the signs and the warnings will not avail a people who do not believe.
[10:102] Do they expect anything other than the days of those who passed away before them? Say, "Then wait, I am waiting along with you."
[10:103] Then, We will save Our messengers and those who believed. It is binding on Us to save the believers.
[10:104] Say, "O people, if you are in doubt about my religion, I do not worship those whom you worship besides God. Rather, I worship God, the One who takes you back, and I am commanded to be among the believers."
[10:105] Also, "Direct your face towards the religion as a monotheist and do not be one of the mushrikeen."
[10:106] Do not call upon other than God what does not benefit you nor harm you. If you do, you will be of the transgressors.
[10:107] If God touches you with some harm, none can remove it except Him, and if He wills that some good should come to you, none can repel His favour. He bestows it upon whom He wills of His servants. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful.
[10:108] Say, "O people, the truth has come to you from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for himself, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. I am not a trustee over you."
[10:109] Follow what is inspired to you, and be patient until God issues His judgment. He is the best of judges.
Sura 11 Hud (Hud)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[11:1] A.L.R. A Book whose verses have been perfected, then detailed from One who is Wise, All-Aware.
[11:2] "Do not worship except God. I am a warner and bearer of good news from Him to you.
[11:3] And ask your Lord for forgiveness, then repent to Him. He will then let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and will grant every doer of favour His favour. But if you turn away, then I fear for you the punishment of a great Day.
[11:4] To God is your return, and He is Capable of all things."
[11:5] Indeed, they keep the contents of their chests under wraps so as to hide from Him. But even when they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. He is Knowledgeable of what the chests hold.
[11:6] There is not a single creature in the earth whose provision is not due from God. He knows its place of settlement and its depository. All are in a clear Book.
[11:7] He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water so that He may test you as to whose work is better. If you were to say, "You will be resurrected after death," those who disbelieve would say, "This is nothing but clear magic."
[11:8] And if We delay the punishment due to them for a calculated period of time, they would say, "What withholds it?" In fact, on the Day it comes to them, it will not be averted from them, and that which they used to mock will engulf them.
[11:9] And if We let the human being taste some mercy from Us, then snatch it away, he becomes despondent, ungrateful.
[11:10] And if We let him taste a blessing after hardship had touched him, he would say, "Evil has left me." He then turns happy and boastful.
[11:11] But not so those who are patient and do good deeds. They shall have forgiveness and a great reward.
[11:12] Perhaps you wish to abandon some of what is being revealed to you, and your chest is getting distressed by it because they say, "If only a treasure was brought down upon him, or an angel had come with him!" You are but a warner, and God is Trustee over all things.
[11:13] Or do they say, "He fabricated it"? Say, "Then produce ten fabricated Suras of its like, and call upon whomever you can besides God if you are truthful."
[11:14] If they do not respond to you, then know that it has been brought down with God's knowledge and that there is no god except Him. Are you then Submitters?
[11:15] Those who seek the worldly life and its zinat, We will pay them in full for their work therein, and they will not be underpaid.
[11:16] Those are the ones who shall have nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire. Their work therein was nullified, and what they used to do was worthless.
[11:17] As for the one who is upon a clear proof from his Lord, and is followed by a witness from Him, and before it the Book of Moses as a guide and a mercy; they believe in it. The one who disbelieves in it from amongst the various factions, the Fire will be his appointed place. So be in no doubt about it. It is the truth from your Lord, yet most people do not believe.
[11:18] Who is more transgressing than one who fabricates lies about God? Those will be displayed before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied about their Lord." Indeed, God's curse is on the transgressors
[11:19] who repel from the path of God and seek to have it crooked, and regarding the Hereafter, they are in denial.
[11:20] Those cannot thwart anything in the land, and they have no allies besides God. The punishment will be doubled for them; they were not able to hear, nor did they see.
[11:21] Those are the ones who have lost themselves, and that which they used to fabricate has deserted them.
[11:22] Without a doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the greatest losers.
[11:23] As for those who believe, do good deeds and humble themselves before their Lord, they are the companions of Paradise. Therein, they shall permanently remain.
[11:24] The example of the two groups is like the blind and the deaf, as opposed to the seer and the hearer. Are they the same in comparison? Will you not take heed?
[11:25] We sent Noah to his people: "I am a clear warner to you,
[11:26] that you shall not worship except God. I fear for you the punishment of a painful Day."
[11:27] So the leaders among his people who disbelieved said, "We do not see you as anything other than a human being like us, and we do not see that anyone has followed you other than those who are the lowliest of us, the simple-minded. We do not see that you are better than us. Rather, we think you are liars."
[11:28] He said, "O my people, have you considered: If I should be upon a clear proof from my Lord, and He granted me mercy from Himself, but you have been blind to it, should we force it on you when you are averse to it?
[11:29] O my people, I do not ask you for any money for it; my reward comes only from God. And I will not drive out those who believe, for they shall meet their Lord, but I see that you are an ignorant people.
[11:30] O my people, who can support me against God if I drove them out? Will you not take heed?
[11:31] I do not say to you that the treasuries of God are in my possession, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel, nor do I say to those whom you eye with contempt that God will not grant them anything good. God knows best what is in their hearts. If I did, I would then be of the transgressors."
[11:32] They said, "O Noah, you argued with us and argued excessively with us, so bring us what you are promising us if you are of the truthful."
[11:33] He said, "Rather, God brings it to you, if He so wills, and you cannot thwart it.
[11:34] If I wanted to advise you, my advice would not benefit you if God wills that you go astray. He is your Lord, and to Him you shall be returned."
[11:35] Or do they say, "He fabricated it"? Say, "If I fabricated it, then I am responsible for my crime, and I am innocent of any crime you commit."
[11:36] It was inspired to Noah: "None of your people will believe except those who have already believed. So do not be distressed by what they have been doing.
[11:37] Build the ship under Our watchful eyes and Our inspiration, and do not speak to Me about those who have transgressed; they are to be drowned."
[11:38] He proceeded to build the ship, and whenever some leaders from among his people passed by him, they ridiculed him. He said, "If you are ridiculing us, we are also ridiculing you just as you ridicule.
[11:39] You will surely know to whom a punishment will come to disgrace him, as well as have an everlasting punishment befall him."
[11:40] So when Our command was issued, and the fountain overflowed, We said, "Carry in it a pair, two of every kind, along with your family and those who have believed, except for those against whom the Word was preordained." But none had believed with him except for a few.
[11:41] He said, "Embark on it. In the name of God is its sailing and its anchorage. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiver, Merciful."
[11:42] It sailed with them through waves like mountains, and Noah called his son who was isolated: "O my son, come on board with us and do not be with the disbelievers."
[11:43] He said, "I will take refuge on a mountain which will protect me from the water." He said, "There is no protector today from God's command except those whom He has granted mercy." The waves surged between them, and he became one of the drowned.
[11:44] It was said, "O earth, swallow your water," and, "O sky, desist." The water subsided, and the matter was settled, and it came to rest on the Judi, and it was said, "Away with the transgressing people."
[11:45] Noah called out to his Lord saying, "My Lord, my son is of my family, and Your promise is the truth, and You are the Most Just of all judges."
[11:46] He said, "O Noah, he is not of your family. He is an unrighteous work. So do not ask what you have no knowledge of. I advise you lest you be among the ignorant ones."
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Footnote 11:46 – The words 'unrighteous work' describe the son of Noah and not the plea from Noah to God to save his son. The words 'he is not of your family' confirm that the one whom Noah thought was his own son was, in fact, not his son but a product of an 'unrighteous work'.
Not wishing to cause Noah additional grief, God tells him, 'do not ask what you have no knowledge of'. Unknown to Noah was the fact that his wife had betrayed him by committing adultery.
The confirmation is given in 66:10 with the words 'the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were committed to two of Our righteous servants, but they betrayed them.'
The betrayal of the two wives mentioned in 66:10 was not in them being disbelievers, for disbelief is a betrayal of one's own 'nafs' (self) and not a betrayal of others; the words in 66:10 clearly state that they betrayed their husbands.
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[11:47] He said, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You, lest I should ask You about what I have no knowledge of. Unless You forgive me and have mercy upon me, I will be among the losers."
[11:48] It was said, "O Noah, disembark with peace from Us, and blessings upon you and upon nations to come from those with you, and other nations whom We will allow enjoyment for a while, then they will be touched by a painful punishment from Us."
[11:49] This is news from the unseen that We inspire to you. Neither you nor your people knew it before this. So be patient, for indeed, the outcome belongs to the reverent.
[11:50] And to Aad was their brother Hud. He said, "O my people, worship God; you have no god other than Him. You are nothing but fabricators.
[11:51] O my people, I do not ask you for any reward for it. My reward comes only from the One who initiated me, so will you not reason?
[11:52] O my people, ask your Lord for forgiveness, then repent to Him. He will then send the sky upon you abundantly and add strength to your strength. And do not turn away as criminals."
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Footnote 11:52 – The words 'send the sky upon you abundantly' are used as a figure of speech, meaning that God would shower them with provisions. In 40:13 we read, 'He brings down to you provisions from the sky.'
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[11:53] They said, "O Hud, you have not brought us any clear proof, and we will not abandon our gods on account of what you say. We do not believe in you.
[11:54] We can only say that some of our gods have afflicted you with some evil." He said, "I call on God to be my witness, and you also bear witness that I am innocent of the partners you are setting up
[11:55] besides Him. So, scheme against me, all of you, then do not give me respite.
[11:56] I have put my trust in God, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature that He does not grasp by its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path.
[11:57] If you turn away, then I have delivered to you what I have been sent to you with. My Lord will bring successors in your place, and you cannot harm Him in any way. Indeed, my Lord is Guardian over all things."
[11:58] When Our command was issued, We saved Hud and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. We saved them from a harsh punishment.
[11:59] Such was Aad: they rejected the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers, and followed the commands of every stubborn tyrant.
[11:60] They were pursued by a curse in this world and on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, Aad rejected their Lord. So away with Aad, the people of Hud.
[11:61] And to Thamoud was their brother Saleh. He said, "O my people, worship God; you have no god other than Him. He produced you from the earth and settled you in it, so ask Him for forgiveness, then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Near, Responder."
[11:62] They said, "O Saleh, you used to be well-liked among us before this. Are you forbidding us from worshipping what our fathers worship? We are in grave doubt concerning what you are inviting us to."
[11:63] He said, "O my people, have you considered: If I should be on a clear proof from my Lord, and He granted me mercy from Him, who would then support me against God if I were to disobey Him? You would not increase me in anything but loss.
[11:64] O my people, this is God's she-camel to serve as a sign for you, so leave her to eat in the land of God and do not touch her with any harm, lest you are seized by an imminent punishment."
[11:65] But they hamstrung her. So he said, "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days! This is a promise not to be denied."
[11:66] So when Our command was issued, We saved Saleh and those who believed with him by mercy from Us and spared them the disgrace of that day. Indeed, your Lord is the Powerful, the Dignified.
[11:67] And the blast seized those who transgressed, leaving them motionless in their homes.
[11:68] It was as if they never prospered therein. Indeed, Thamoud rejected their Lord.So away with Thamoud.
[11:69] Our messengers came to Abraham with good news. They said, "Peace." He said, "Peace." Soon after, he brought a roasted calf.
[11:70] But when he saw that their hands did not reach for it, he became suspicious and fearful of them. They said, "Do not fear. We have been sent to the people of Lot."
[11:71] His wife was standing by, and she laughed, so We gave her the good news of Isaac, and to follow Isaac, Jacob.
[11:72] She said, "Woe to me, would I give birth when I am old aged and this husband of mine an old man? This is an astonishing thing indeed!"
[11:73] They said, "Are you astonished at God's command? God's mercy and blessings be upon you, O people of the house. He is Praiseworthy, Glorious."
[11:74] When the fear had gone away from Abraham and the good news had reached him, he proceeded to argue with Us regarding the people of Lot.
[11:75] Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, extremely kind, and always turning to God.
[11:76] "O Abraham, refrain from this. Your Lord's command has been issued, and a punishment is coming to them that is irreversible."
[11:77] When Our messengers came to Lot, they were mistreated, and he was distressed concerning them. He said, "This is a dreadful day."
[11:78] His people, who had been committing bad deeds previously, came rushing towards him. He said, "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So reverence God and do not disgrace me regarding my guests. Is there not one guided man among you?"
[11:79] They said, "You already know that we have no interest in your daughters, and you know well what we want."
[11:80] He said, "If only I had power over you, or could take refuge in some powerful support."
[11:81] They said, "O Lot, we are the messengers of your Lord. They will not reach you, so travel with your family sometime during the night and let none of you look back. But your wife will be struck by what will strike them. Their appointed time is the morning. Is not the morning near?"
[11:82] When Our command was issued, We turned it upside down, and We rained down on it clustered stones made of baked clay,
[11:83] marked from your Lord and never far from the transgressors.
[11:84] And to Madyan was their brother Shu'aib. He said, "O my people, worship God; you have no god other than Him. Do not give short measure and weight. I see that you are well-off, and I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.
[11:85] O my people, give the full measure and weight equitably and do not deprive the people of what is due to them, and do not act wickedly in the earth spreading corruption.
[11:86] The remainder after that, which is God-given, is better for you if you are believers, and I am not a guardian over you."
[11:87] They said, "O Shu'aib, do your prayers dictate to you that we should abandon what our fathers worship, or that we should stop doing what we please with our money? Surely you are the forbearing, the guided one."
[11:88] He said, "O my people, have you considered: What if I am on a clear proof from my Lord, and He provided me with a good provision from Him? I do not wish to be at odds with you because of what I am forbidding you from. I wish for nothing other than to reform so far as I am able. My success lies only with God. In Him, I put my trust, and to Him I turn.
[11:89] O my people, do not let your rift with me cause you to be struck by the same as that which struck the people of Noah, or the people of Hud, or the people of Saleh. Surely, the people of Lot were not too distant in the past from you.
[11:90] Ask your Lord for forgiveness, then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful, Loving."
[11:91] They said, "O Shu'aib, we do not understand much of what you say, and we see that you are weak among us. If it were not for your clan, we would have stoned you. We do not hold you in high esteem."
[11:92] He said, "O my people, is my clan dearer to you than God that you turned your back on Him? Indeed, my Lord is encompassing of what you do.
[11:93] O my people, act according to your position, and so will I. You will come to know who will receive a punishment that will disgrace him and who is the liar. So watch out, and I will be watching out along with you."
[11:94] When our command was issued, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him by mercy from Us. Those who transgressed were struck by the blast, leaving them motionless in their homes.
[11:95] It was as if they never prospered therein. So away with Madyan, just as Thamoud was done away with.
[11:96] We sent Moses with Our signs and clear authority
[11:97] to Pharaoh and his leaders. But they followed the command of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's command was not rightly guided.
[11:98] He will precede his people on the Day of Resurrection and lead them to the Fire; what a miserable place to be led to!
[11:99] They have been followed by a curse in this, as well as on the Day of Resurrection; what a miserable gift to be given!
[11:100] This is from the news of the villages that We narrate to you. Some are still standing, and some have been mowed down.
[11:101] We did not wrong them. Rather, they wronged themselves. Their gods, whom they called upon besides God, did not avail them in any way when the command of your Lord was issued. They only added to their doom.
[11:102] Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the villages while they are transgressing. Indeed, His seizure is painful, severe.
[11:103] Indeed, in that is a sign for the one who fears the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day unto which the people will be gathered, and that is a witnessed Day.
[11:104] We do not delay it except to an already counted term.
[11:105] The Day it comes, no self will speak except with His permission. Some of them will be miserable and others happy.
[11:106] As for the miserable ones, they will be in the Fire. For them, there will be exhaling and inhaling therein.
[11:107] Therein, they shall permanently remain, for as long as the heavens and the earth endure, save for what your Lord wills. Indeed, your Lord is Doer of what He wills.
[11:108] As for those who were granted happiness, they are in Paradise. Therein, they shall permanently remain, for as long as the heavens and the earth endure, save for what your Lord wills; an uninterrupted donation.
[11:109] So be in no doubt regarding what these worship. They do not worship except as their fathers worshipped before. And indeed, We will give them their share without any reduction.
[11:110] And We gave Moses the Book, but differences arose therein. Had it not been for a previous Word from your Lord, judgment would have already been passed over them. And indeed, they are in grave doubt about it.
[11:111] Your Lord will pay everyone in full for their work. He is All-Aware of what they do.
[11:112] Therefore, go straight as you have been commanded, together with those who repented with you, and do not transgress. He is Seer of what you do.
[11:113] Do not lean towards those who have transgressed, lest the Fire should touch you. You have no allies besides God, and so you will not be supported.
[11:114] Observe the Salat at the two ends of the day, and during the near parts of the night. The good deeds wipe out the bad deeds. This is a reminder for those who remember.
[11:115] And exercise patience, for God does not let the reward of the good-doers go to waste.
[11:116] If only there were, among the generations before you, ones who possessed the good sense to forbid corruption in the earth, apart from the few among them whom We saved! Those who transgressed followed the luxuries in which they were immersed, and they were criminals.
[11:117] Your Lord would not annihilate the villages unjustly while its people are reformers.
[11:118] Had your Lord willed, He would have deemed all people to be a single nation, but they would still continue to differ,
[11:119] except for those whom your Lord has granted mercy; and for that He created them. The Word of your Lord shall be fulfilled: "I will fill Hell with the jinn and the humans, all together."
[11:120] Whatever We narrate to you of the news of the messengers is that with which We make firm your heart. The truth has come to you in this, and advice, and a reminder for the believers.
[11:121] Say to those who do not believe, "Act according to your position, and we will act,
[11:122] and then wait, for we are also waiting."
[11:123] To God belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and to Him, all matters are returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.
Sura 12 Joseph (Yousuf)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[12:1] A.L.R. These are the signs of the clear Book.
[12:2] We have brought it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may reason.
[12:3] We narrate to you the best stories through this Quran which We have revealed to you. And before it, you were indeed among the oblivious.
[12:4] When Joseph said to his father, "O my father, I saw eleven planets, and the sun, and the moon; I saw them prostrating to me,"
[12:5] he said, "My son, do not narrate your vision to your brothers, lest they scheme some scheme against you. The devil is indeed a clear enemy to the human being."
[12:6] And thus will your Lord choose you and teach you the interpretation of narratives, and perfect His blessings upon you and upon the family of Jacob as He completed it previously upon your fathers Abraham and Isaac. Indeed, your Lord is Knowledgeable, Wise.
[12:7] In Joseph and his brothers are lessons indeed for the inquisitive.
[12:8] When they said, "Surely Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than us, even though there is a whole group of us! Indeed, our father is in clear misguidance.
[12:9] Kill Joseph, or cast him out to some land, then your father's attention will be all yours. After that, you can always be a righteous people."
[12:10] A speaker among them said, "Do not kill Joseph. Rather, throw him into the bottom of the well, if you will. Some travellers would then pick him up."
[12:11] They said, "Our father, what is the matter with you that you do not trust us with Joseph when we are good advisers to him?
[12:12] Send him with us tomorrow so that he may enjoy himself and play, and we shall take good care of him."
[12:13] He said, "It would sadden me if you were to take him with you, for I fear that the wolf would eat him while you are not watching him."
[12:14] They said, "If the wolf should eat him when there is a whole group of us, we would be losers indeed."
[12:15] So when they went away with him, and they all agreed to condemn him to the bottom of the well, We inspired him: "You will inform them of this matter of theirs when they will be totally unaware."
[12:16] They came to their father in the evening weeping.
[12:17] They said, "Our father, we went racing one another and left Joseph by our belongings, so the wolf ate him. But you will not believe us, even if we were truthful."
[12:18] And they brought his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, "Rather, your own selves have enticed you to some matter. So patience will do me good, and God is the One sought for help against what you portray."
[12:19] A travelling caravan came by, whereupon they sent their water-drawer, and he lowered his bucket. He said, "Good news! There is a boy!" They concealed him as merchandise. God was Knowledgeable of what they were doing.
[12:20] They traded him for a meagre price, a few dirhams, for they had no need for him.
[12:21] The one from Egypt who bought him said to his wife, "Make for him a kind home. Perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may take him for a son." We thus established Joseph in the land, and so We would teach him the interpretation of narratives. God will always prevail, but most people do not know.
[12:22] When he reached maturity, We granted him sound judgment and knowledge. We thus reward the good-doers.
[12:23] The woman in whose house he lived tried to seduce him. She closed the doors and said, "I am all yours." He said, "God forbid! Indeed, he is my master, and he has made good my home. The transgressors will surely not succeed."
[12:24] She was about to go for him, and he was about to go for her, had he not seen his Lord's proof. It happened thus so that We would avert from him sin and immorality, for he was one of Our pure servants.
[12:25] They both raced for the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband at the door. She said, "What is the penalty for one who wanted harm to your family, other than to be imprisoned or receive a painful punishment?"
[12:26] He said, "She is the one who tried to seduce me." A witness from her family testified, "If his shirt has been torn from the front, then she has told the truth, and he is of the liars.
[12:27] And if his shirt has been torn from the back, then she lied, and he is of the truthful."
[12:28] So when he saw that his shirt was torn from the back, he said, "This is one of your women's schemes! Indeed, your scheming is formidable.
[12:29] Joseph, disregard this. As for you, ask forgiveness for your sin. Indeed, you have been of the wrong-doers."
[12:30] Some women in the city said, "The governor's wife is trying to seduce her young man. He has deeply infatuated her with love. We see that she is in clear misguidance."
[12:31] When she heard of their scheming, she sent for them and prepared for them a banquet. She then gave each of them a knife and said, "Come out before them." When they saw him, they praised him highly, and they cut their hands. They said, "God forbid! This is no human; this is but a noble angel."
[12:32] She said, "This is the one whom you blamed me for. I did indeed try to seduce him, but he chose to be pious. If he does not do what I command him to do, he will be imprisoned and will surely be belittled."
[12:33] He said, "My Lord, prison is preferable to me than what they are inviting me to. Unless You avert from me their scheming, I will succumb to them and be among the ignorant ones."
[12:34] His Lord responded to him and averted from him their scheming. Indeed, He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable.
[12:35] Then it occurred to them after they had seen the signs to imprison him until a certain time.
[12:36] Two young men entered the prison with him. One of them said, "I saw myself pressing wine," and the other said, "I saw myself carrying bread on my head from which the birds were eating. Inform us of the interpretation of these. We see that you are a good-doer."
[12:37] He said, "There is not any food that comes to you as provision that I cannot inform you of before you receive it. This is some of what my Lord has taught me. I have abandoned the creed of a people who do not believe in God, and with regard to the Hereafter, they are disbelievers.
[12:38] And I have followed the creed of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is not for us to associate anything with God. That is from God's favour upon us and upon the people, but most people do not give thanks.
[12:39] O my two prison companions, are separate lords better, or God the One, the All-Conquering?
[12:40] What you worship besides Him are nothing but names that you have made up, you and your fathers, for which God has not brought down authorisation. Judgment belongs to God alone. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the correct religion, but most people do not know.
[12:41] O my two prison companions, one of you will serve wine to his lord. As for the other one, he will be crucified, and the birds will eat from his head. The matter about which you inquire has been settled."
[12:42] And he said to the one he knew would be saved of the two, "Mention me when you are with your lord." Thus, the devil caused him to forget the remembrance of his Lord, so he remained in prison for a few years.
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Footnote 12:42 – The word 'him' in 'the devil caused him to forget the remembrance of his Lord' refers to Joseph and not the prison mate. God deemed that Joseph would remain in prison for a few extra years because he forgot to depend solely on God and asked his prison mate to intercede with his master on his behalf. Joseph did not remain in prison because the devil caused the prison mate to forget to mention him to his master. If it were the latter, it would have meant that the fate of Joseph (to remain a few extra years in prison) was decided by the devil by causing the prison mate to forget to mention Joseph to his master. Needless to say, the fate of all humans is decided by God alone.
Believers depend on God alone and know that only God can relieve their adversity (1:5, 6:17, 27:62).
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[12:43] The king said, "I saw seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes and others dried up. O my leaders, advise me regarding my vision if you are able to interpret visions."
[12:44] "Muddled dreams," they said, "and we are not knowledgeable regarding the interpretation of dreams."
[12:45] The one who was saved said, having remembered after a time, "I can inform you of its interpretation, so send me out."
[12:46] "Joseph, O truthful one, explain to us regarding seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean ones, and seven green spikes and others dried up so that I may return to the people so that they may know."
[12:47] He said, "You shall cultivate continuously for seven years and leave what you harvest in their spikes, except for the little from which you eat.
[12:48] After that, there will come seven severe ones that will consume what you saved for them, except for the little that you have safely guarded.
[12:49] After that, a year will come in which the people will receive abundant rain, and in which they will press juice."
[12:50] The king said, "Bring him to me." When the envoy came to him, he said, "Go back to your master and ask him what happened regarding the women who cut their hands. Indeed, my Lord is Knowledgeable of their schemes."
[12:51] He said, "What do you have to say about the time when you tried to seduce Joseph?" They said, "God forbid! We have not known anything evil to come from him." The governor's wife said, "Now that the truth has emerged, it was I who tried to seduce him, and he is of the truthful."
[12:52] "This is so he knows that I have not betrayed him in his absence and that God does not guide the schemes of the betrayers.
[12:53] I do not claim innocence for myself. The self is indeed an enjoiner of sin, except for what my Lord has mercy upon. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiver, Merciful."
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Footnote 12:52-53 – The speaker at the end of verse 51 was the wife of the master. However, the speaker in verses 52 and 53 was Joseph, saying that now the wife of his master has confessed the truth, his master would now know that he (Joseph) did not betray him in his absence. Joseph continues to say that he does not claim to be free of guilt. Joseph knew that had God not intervened (12:24), he would have committed sin.
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[12:54] The king said, "Bring him to me so I can have him work exclusively for me." Then when he spoke to him, he said, "Today, you are with us firmly established and trusted."
[12:55] He said, "Put me in charge of the treasuries of the land, for indeed, I am a knowledgeable guardian."
[12:56] And thus We established Joseph in the land, settling therein where he pleased. We bestow Our mercy upon whom We will, and We do not let the reward of the good-doers go to waste.
[12:57] And certainly, the reward of the Hereafter is better for those who believed and were reverent.
[12:58] Joseph's brothers came and they entered upon him. He knew them, but they did not recognise him.
[12:59] And when he equipped them with their baggage, he said, "Bring to me a brother from your father. Do you not see that I give the full measure and that I am the best of hosts?
[12:60] If you do not bring him to me, you shall receive no measure from me, and you are not to come near me."
[12:61] They said, "We will try to persuade his father to let him go. We will surely do."
[12:62] He then told his lads: "Put their goods back into their saddlebags so that they may recognise them upon their return to their family and so that they may come back."
[12:63] When they returned to their father, they said, "Our father, the measure has been denied to us, so send our brother with us so that we may receive our measure. We will take good care of him."
[12:64] He said, "Should I entrust him to you as I have entrusted you with his brother before? God is the best Guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful."
[12:65] Then, when they opened their baggage, they found their goods returned to them. They said, "Our father, what more can we ask for? Here are our goods returned to us. And so, we shall get provisionsfor our family, take good care of our brother and increase our measure by an extra camel-load. This is an easy measure."
[12:66] He said, "I will not send him with you unless you give me a solemn pledge before God that you will bring him back to me unless you are totally surrounded." When they gave him their solemn pledge, he said, "God is Trustee over what we say."
[12:67] And he said, "O my sons, do not enter from one door, but enter from separate doors. I cannot avail you in any way against God, for judgment belongs to God alone. I put my trust in Him, and in Him should those who trust put their trust."
[12:68] When they entered from where their father had instructed them, it was not to avail them in any way against God, other than it being for a need which Jacob kept in himself and which he fulfilled, for he possessed certain knowledge that We taught him, but most people do not know.
[12:69] When they entered upon Joseph, he drew his brother closer to him and said, "I am your brother, so do not be distressed by what they used to do."
[12:70] So when he equipped them with their baggage, he placed the drinking cup in his brother's saddlebag, then an announcer called out: "O you caravan people, you are thieves!"
[12:71] They said, as they approached them, "What is it that you are missing?"
[12:72] They said, "We are missing the king's goblet. The one who comes up with it shall receive a camel-load; I guarantee this."
[12:73] They said, "By God, you know that we did not come to corrupt in the land, and we are not thieves."
[12:74] They said, "So what shall its penalty be if you are liars?"
[12:75] They said, "Its penalty is that he in whose saddlebag it is found will himself be held as a penalty. We thus repay the transgressors."
[12:76] So he began with their bags before his brother's bag, then he pulled it out of his brother's bag. That was what We planned for Joseph. He could not have held his brother under the king's law unless God had willed it to be. We raise in ranks whom We will, and above every possessor of knowledge, there is One who is Most Knowledgeable.
[12:77] They said, "If he steals, so did a brother of his before." So Joseph kept this to himself and did not disclose it to them. He said, "You are in a worse position, and God knows best regarding what you portray."
[12:78] They said, "O dignified one, he has a father who is an old man, so take one of us in his place. We see you are one of the good-doers."
[12:79] He said, "God forbid that we should take other than the one with whom we found our goods, for then we would be transgressors."
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Footnote 12:67-79 - In these verses, we learn of two separate inspirations. The first was when God inspired Jacob to instruct his sons to enter from separate doors (12:67-68). When they did so, Joseph was able to speak to his young brother separately to assure him without arousing the suspicion of his other brothers. This instruction was inspired by God to Jacob: 'he possessed certain knowledge that We taught him' (12:68).
The second inspiration was when God inspired Joseph to carry out the plan that started with placing the King's goblet in the saddlebag of his young brother. This gave Joseph the justification to keep his brother with him. The plan was God's plan and was inspired to Joseph, 'That was what We planned for Joseph. He could not have held his brother under the king's law unless God had willed it to be' (12:76).
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[12:80] When they despaired of him, they conferred privately. Their eldest said, "Do you not know that your father had taken from you a solemn pledge before God, as well as before when you failed with regards to Joseph? I am not leaving this land until my father permits me or until God decides for me, for He is the best of judges.
[12:81] Go back to your father and tell him, 'Our father, your son has stolen. We have not testified except to what we knew, and we are not guardians of the unseen.
[12:82] And ask around the village where we have been and the caravan in which we came back, for indeed, we are truthful.' "
[12:83] He said, "Rather, your own selves have enticed you to some matter. Therefore, patience is good. May God bring them all to me. He is the Knowledgeable, the Wise."
[12:84] He turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph." His eyes turned white from the grief he suppressed.
[12:85] They said, "By God, you will keep on remembering Joseph until you become critically ill, or become of those who perish."
[12:86] He said, "I am only complaining to God about my grief and sorrow, and I know from God what you do not know.
[12:87] O my sons, go seek news of Joseph and his brother, and do not despair of God's grace, for none despairs of God's grace other than the disbelieving people."
[12:88] When they entered upon him, they said, "O dignified one, hardship has touched us and our families, and so we have come with inferior merchandise, so give us full measure and be charitable to us. Indeed, God rewards the charitable."
[12:89] He said, "Have you realised what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?"
[12:90] They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has bestowed favour upon us. Indeed, for the one who reverences God and is patient, God does not let the reward of the good-doers go to waste."
[12:91] They said, "By God, God has favoured you over us. We were surely wrong-doers."
[12:92] He said, "There is no blame upon you today; God will forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.
[12:93] Go with this shirt of mine and cast it over my father's face. His sight will be restored. Then come back to me with all your family."
[12:94] When the caravan set out, their father said, "I surely sense the scent of Joseph, if only you would not think that I lost my mind."
[12:95] They said, "By God, you are still in your old delusion."
[12:96] When the bearer of good news arrived, he cast it over his face, whereupon his sight was restored. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from God what you do not know?"
[12:97] They said, "Our father, ask forgiveness for our sins. Indeed, we have been wrong-doers."
[12:98] He said, "I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is the Forgiver, the Merciful."
[12:99] When they entered upon Joseph, he drew his parents closer to him and said, "Enter Egypt, God willing, safely."
[12:100] He raised his parents upon the throne. They fell prostrate before him. He said, "O my father, this is the interpretation of my vision of old. My Lord has made it come true. He has been good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you out of the desert after the devil had driven a wedge between me and my brothers. Indeed, my Lord is Gentle in what He wills. Indeed, He is the Knowledgeable, the Wise.
[12:101] My Lord, You have granted me of the sovereignty and taught me the interpretation of narratives. Initiator of the heavens and the earth; You are my Ally in this world and in the Hereafter. Take me back as a Submitter and join me to the righteous ones."
[12:102] That is news from the unseen that We inspire to you. You were not present among them when they all agreed their plan while they were scheming.
[12:103] The majority of people, no matter how eager you may be, are not believers.
[12:104] And you do not ask them for a reward for it; it is but a Reminder for all the people.
[12:105] How many a sign in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, yet they turn away from them!
[12:106] The majority of those who believe in God do not do so without committing shirk.
[12:107] Do they feel assured that an overwhelming punishment of God will not come upon them, or that the Hour will not come upon them suddenly while they are unaware?
[12:108] Say, "This is my path: I invite to God with clear insight, I and those who follow me. Glory to God. I am not one of the mushrikeen."
[12:109] We did not send before you except men whom We inspired from among the people of the villages. Have they not travelled in the land and seen what the outcome of those before them was? The Abode of the Hereafter is better for those who were reverent, so will you not reason?
[12:110] Then, when the messengers despaired and thought that they had been rejected, Our victory came to them. We save whom We will, and Our might cannot be averted from the criminal people.
[12:111] In their stories there are lessons for those who possess intelligence. This is not a fabricated hadith but a confirmation of what came before it, a detailed account of all things, and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.
Sura 13 The Thunder (Al-Ra'ad)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[13:1] A. L. M. R. These are the signs of the Book. What has been brought down to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.
[13:2] God is the One who raised the heavens without pillars that you can see, then He settled on the Throne. And He subjected the sun and the moon, each running for a specified term. He handles the affair and He details the revelations so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.
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Footnote 13:2 - The word 'pillars' in 13:2 (also 31:10) is allegorical. A pillar is something that keeps a structure from falling down. Falling down is caused by gravity which was to be discovered by Newton over a thousand years after the revelation of the Quran.
The reason that heavenly bodies do not fall onto one another is that they all travel in orbits (mentioned in 21:33), where gravity is equated with the centrifugal force.
The words in 13:2 contain another piece of scientific information that was not known at the time of the revelation of the Quran (610 AD). At that time, the prevailing cosmological theory, originating from the Aristotle model (4th century BCE), stated that the cosmos (universe) was finite but infinite in time, and thus all heavenly bodies have always existed and will exist forever. Current astronomical knowledge has confirmed that the words 'run for a specified term' accurately describe the fate of stars and other heavenly bodies. All have finite life spans, after which they die.
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[13:3] And He is the One who extended the earth and placed in it stabilisers and rivers. From every fruit, He made therein two pairs. He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reflect.
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Footnote 13:3 – For 'stabilisers', see footnote 21:31.
Footnote 13:3 – For 'stabilisers', see footnote 21:31.
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[13:4] In the earth, there are adjacent plots and gardens of grapevines, crops and palm trees, some sharing the same root and others with individual roots. All are irrigated by the same water, yet We made some more preferable to eat than others. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reason.
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Footnote 13:4 – For the words 'in the earth', see footnote 2:11.
Footnote 13:4 – For the words 'in the earth', see footnote 2:11.
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[13:5] If you are astonished, then even more astonishing is their saying: "When we become dust, will we be created anew?" They are the ones who disbelieved in their Lord, and they will have chains around their necks, and they are the companions of the Fire. Therein, they shall permanently remain.
[13:6] They hasten you for the bad before the good, even though the precedents have passed away before them. And indeed, your Lord has forgiveness for the people despite their transgressions. And indeed, your Lord is severe in punishment.
[13:7] Those who disbelieved say, "If only a miracle was brought down upon him from his Lord!" You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide.
[13:8] God knows what every female carries, as well as what the wombs lose and what they gain. Everything with Him is by due measure.
[13:9] He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Great, the Exalted.
[13:10] It is all the same, whether any of you keeps his words secret or declares them, or whether one hides during the night or goes openly during the day;
[13:11] followers are there for him, before him and behind him, to guard him by God's command. God does not change the affairs of a people until they change what is within themselves. If God wills any harm to come to a people, there is no turning it back, nor do they have an ally against Him.
[13:12] He is the One who shows you the lightning, striking fear as well as inspiring hope, and He initiates the heavy clouds.
[13:13] The thunder glorifies Him with praise, and so do the angels, all in awe of Him. He sends the thunderbolts with which He strikes whom He wills. Yet they argue about God when His power is awesome.
[13:14] The truthful call is due to Him. Those whom they call upon besides Him cannot respond to them in any way, except as one who stretches out the palms of his hands towards the water to reach his mouth, but it does not reach it. The call of the disbelievers only goes astray.
[13:15] To God prostrates all who are in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows, in the mornings and the evenings.
[13:16] Say, "Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?" Say, "God." Say, "Have you then taken up allies besides Him who do not possess for themselves any benefit nor harm?" Say, "Is the blind the same as the seer? Or is darkness the same as the light?" Or have they assigned to God partners who created the like of His creation, causing all creations to appear the same to them? Say, "God is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the All-Conquering."
[13:17] He brought water down from the sky, so the valleys overflowed up to their capacity, then the torrent produced a swelling foam. And from that on which they heat in the fire, seeking to make jewellery or equipment, is a foam like it. God thus cites the truth and the falsehood. As for the foam, it is swept away, while that which benefits the people remains in the land. God thus cites the examples.
[13:18] Those who have responded to their Lord shall be granted good things. As for those who have not responded to Him, if they possessed everything in the earth, plus the same on top, they would surely offer it as ransom. Those shall have a terrible reckoning, and their refuge is Hell; what a miserable resting place!
[13:19] Is the one who knows that what was brought down to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
[13:20] The ones who fulfil their oath to God and do not break the covenant,
[13:21] and those who join what God has commanded to be joined, and are in awe of their Lord and fear a terrible reckoning,
[13:22] and those who were patient, seeking the Face of their Lord, and observed the Salat, and gave from what We have provided them, secretly and openly, and who avert a bad deed with a good deed; those will have the Abode for a homecoming.
[13:23] They enter the Gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their parents, their spouses and their offspring. The angels will enter upon them from every door:
[13:24] "Peace be upon you in return for how you were patient." Excellent indeed is the Abode for a homecoming.
[13:25] As for those who break the oath of God after making its covenant, and sever what God has commanded to be joined, and corrupt in the land, they shall be cursed, and they shall have a terrible abode.
[13:26] God extends the provision for whom He wills and restricts it. They are overjoyed with the worldly life, yet the worldly life, compared to the Hereafter, is but a brief enjoyment.
[13:27] Those who disbelieved say, "If only a miracle was brought down upon him from his Lord!" Say, "God misguides whom He wills, and guides to Himself those who turn to Him."
[13:28] They are the ones who believe and whose hearts are assured through the remembrance of God. Absolutely, through the remembrance of God do the hearts feel assured.
[13:29] Those who believe and do good deeds shall have happiness and a wonderful homecoming.
[13:30] We have thus sent you among a nation before which other nations have passed away so that you would recite to them what We revealed to you, for they have disbelieved in the Almighty. Say, "He is my Lord. There is no god except Him. In Him I put my trust, and it is Him whom I turn to."
[13:31] If there were a Quran with which the mountains were moved, or with which the earth was cut up, or with which the dead were spoken to; but no, it is to God that all matters belong. Have those who believed not yet accepted that God could have guided all people if He so willed? The disbelievers continue to be stricken by some disaster for what they have done or for it to strike close to their homes until God's promise is fulfilled. God never breaks a promise.
[13:32] Messengers before you were ridiculed, but then I allowed respite for the disbelievers, then I seized them, then what was My punishment like!
[13:33] Who is the One who watches over every self and what it has earned? Yet, they set up partners with God. Say, "Then name them! Or are you informing Him of something in the earth that He does not know? Or is it just a display of words?" Rather, the schemes of those who disbelieved have been adorned in their eyes, and they were repelled off the path. Whomever God misguides, he will have no guide.
[13:34] They shall have a punishment in the worldly life, and the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe. They will have no protector against God.
[13:35] The allegory of Paradise which is promised to the reverent is that beneath which rivers flow, and its food supply is everlasting, so is its shade. Such is the outcome of those who were reverent, while the outcome of the disbelievers is the Fire.
[13:36] Those whom We have given the Scripture rejoice in what was brought down to you, but some of the parties deny some of it. Say, "I have only been commanded to worship God and not to associate anything with Him. I invite to Him, and to Him is my homecoming."
[13:37] We thus brought it down as a law in Arabic. If you follow their personal desires, after the knowledge which has come to you, you will have no ally nor protector against God.
[13:38] We have sent messengers before you, and We granted them wives and offspring. It is not for a messenger to produce a miracle except with God's permission; for every period in time, there is a decree.
[13:39] God blots out and He affirms what He wishes, and with Him is the Mother Book.
[13:40] Whether We show you some of what We have promised them, or We take you back, your sole duty is the delivery, and to Us is the reckoning.
[13:41] Have they not seen how We take hold of the land and reduce it at its edges? God issues the judgment, and none can reverse His Judgment. He is swift in reckoning.
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Footnote 13:41 – The words in 13:41 give an accurate scientific description of coastal erosion. This is a natural process that causes the receding of land at coastlines. Coastal erosion occurs through wave action and other natural elements.
Footnote 13:41 – The words in 13:41 give an accurate scientific description of coastal erosion. This is a natural process that causes the receding of land at coastlines. Coastal erosion occurs through wave action and other natural elements.
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[13:42] Those before them have schemed, but to God belongs the entire scheme. He knows what every self earns. The disbelievers will know who will have the Abode for a homecoming.
[13:43] Those who disbelieved say, "You are not a messenger." Say, "God suffices as a Witness between me and you, and whoever has knowledge of the Scripture."
Sura 14 Abraham (Ibrahim)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[14:1] A.L.R. A Book which We brought down to you, so you would take the people out of the darkness and into the light, with the permission of their Lord, to the path of the Dignified, the Praiseworthy.
[14:2] God is the One to whom belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth. Woe to the disbelievers from a severe punishment.
[14:3] The ones who prefer the worldly life over the Hereafter repel from the path of God and seek to have it crooked; they are in extreme misguidance indeed.
[14:4] We have not sent any messenger except in the tongue of his people so that he would make things clear for them. Then God misguides whom He wills and guides whom He wills. He is the Dignified, the Wise.
[14:5] We sent Moses with Our signs: "Take your people out of the darkness and into the light, and remind them of the days of God." Indeed, in that are signs for every patient and thankful person.
[14:6] Moses said to his people, "Remember God's blessings upon you when He saved you from Pharaoh's people who were inflicting the worst punishment upon you and were slaughtering your children and shaming your women. In these were great tests from your Lord.
[14:7] And when your Lord proclaimed: 'If you give thanks, I shall increase for you, but if you disbelieve, then My punishment is severe.' "
[14:8] Moses said, "If you disbelieve, you and all who are in the earth, indeed, God is Rich, Praiseworthy."
[14:9] Has the news of those before you not come to you; the people of Noah and Aad and Thamoud, and those after them? No one knows them except God. Their messengers came to them with the clear proofs, but they placed their hands in their mouths and said, "Indeed, we have disbelieved in what you have been sent with, and we are in great doubt about what you are inviting us to."
[14:10] Their messengers said, "Is there any doubt about God, the Initiator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you so that He may forgive some of your sins and grant you respite until a specified term." They said, "You are nothing other than humans like us! You want to repel us from what our fathers used to worship, so bring us some clear authority."
[14:11] Their messengers said to them, "Indeed, we are no more than humans like you. However, God showers His blessings on whom He wills of His servants. It is not for us to bring you an authority except with God's permission. The believers should trust in God.
[14:12] Why should we not place our trust in God when He has guided us to our ways? We shall be patient in the face of the harm you caused us. The trusting ones should trust in God."
[14:13] Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, "We will drive you out of our land unless you return to our creed." So their Lord inspired them: "We will annihilate the transgressors,
[14:14] and We will let you dwell in the land after them. This is for whoever fears My position and fears My warnings."
[14:15] They sought victory, yet every stubborn tyrant failed.
[14:16] Before him lies Hell, wherein he will drink pus-like water.
[14:17] He will gulp at it but can hardly swallow it. Death comes to him from every direction, yet he will not die, and before him lies a harsh punishment.
[14:18] The example of those who disbelieved in their Lord: their work is like ashes in a strong wind on a stormy day. They have no control over what they earn; such is the farthest straying.
[14:19] Have you not seen that God created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He wills, He can remove you and bring forth a new creation.
[14:20] This is not difficult for God.
[14:21] They were all brought forward before God, so the weak ones said to those who were arrogant, "We were your followers, so can you help us in any way against God's punishment?" They said, "Had God guided us, we would have guided you. Whether we show intolerance or be patient, there is no escape for us."
[14:22] And the devil said when the matter was settled, "God has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised you, but I failed you. I had no authority over you other than that I invited you, and you responded to me. Therefore, do not blame me but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I have rejected that you have set me up as a partner before." The transgressors shall have a painful punishment.
[14:23] Those who believe and do good deeds will be admitted into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they shall permanently remain by the permission of their Lord. Their greeting therein is "Peace."
[14:24] Have you not seen how God cites an example? A good word is like a fine tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky.
[14:25] It produces its fruit periodically with its Lord's permission. God cites the examples for the people so that they may remember.
[14:26] And the likeness of a bad word is the like of a bad tree that was uprooted from the surface of the earth; it has no resting place.
[14:27] God arms those who believe with the assured word in the worldly life and in the Hereafter, and God misguides the transgressors. God does what He wills.
[14:28] Have you not seen those who replaced God's blessings with disbelief and settled their people in the abode of ruin?
[14:29] Hell is where they will roast; what a miserable resting place!
[14:30] They set up equals to God to misguide others from His path. Say, "Enjoy yourselves, for indeed, your destination is the Fire."
[14:31] Say to My servants who believe to observe the Salat and to give from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes where there is neither trade nor friendships.
[14:32] God is the One who created the heavens and the earth, and He brought water down from the sky with which He brought out various fruits as provision for you. He also subjected the ships for you to sail in the sea by His command, and He subjected the rivers for you.
[14:33] And He subjected the sun and the moon, ceaselessly in your service, and He subjected for you the night and the day.
[14:34] And He granted you of all that you asked Him for. If you were to count God's blessings, you could not encompass them all. The human being is indeed transgressing, ungrateful.
[14:35] Abraham said, "My Lord, make this town a safe place, and keep me and my sons away from worshipping stone idols.
[14:36] My Lord, they have misled many among the people, so whoever follows me belongs with me, and whoever disobeys me, then You are Forgiver, Merciful.
[14:37] Our Lord, I have resided some of my offspring in a valley void of plantation at Your Muhharram House, our Lord, so that they may observe the Salat. So let the hearts of some of the people incline towards them, and provide them with various fruits so that they may give thanks.
[14:38] Our Lord, You know what we conceal and what we declare. Nothing is hidden from God, in the earth or in heaven.
[14:39] Praise be to God for granting me, despite my old age, Ishmael and Isaac. Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of prayers.
[14:40] My Lord, make me and of my offspring observers of the Salat. Our Lord, accept my prayer.
[14:41] My Lord, forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning takes place."
[14:42] Do not think that God is unaware of what the transgressors are doing. Rather, He grants them respite until a Day when the sight will be horrified.
[14:43] They rush headlong with their heads upraised, their eyes will not blink, and their hearts will be hollow.
[14:44] Warn the people of the Day when the punishment will come to them, then those who transgressed will say, "Our Lord, grant us respite for a short while. We would then respond to Your call and follow the messengers." Did you not swear previously that there would be no removal for you?
[14:45] And you resided in the homes of those who wronged themselves, and it became clear to you how We had dealt with them, and We cited for you the examples.
[14:46] They schemed their schemes, but God had the measure of their schemes even though their schemes were such as to move mountains.
[14:47] So do not think that God would break His promise to His messengers. Indeed, God is Dignified, Possessor of retribution.
[14:48] The Day when the earth will be replaced with another earth, as well as the heavens, and they are brought forward before God; the One, the All-Conquering.
[14:49] You will see the criminals on that Day bound together in chains.
[14:50] Their garments will be made of tar, and fire will cover their faces.
[14:51] God will surely repay every self for what it has earned. Indeed, God is swift in reckoning.
[14:52] This is a proclamation for the people so that they may be warned with it, and that they may know that He is but One God, and for those who possess intelligence to take heed.
Sura 15 The Hijr (Al-Hijr)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[15:1] A.L.R. These are the signs of the Book and a clear Quran.
[15:2] Perhaps those who disbelieved would wish they were Submitters.
[15:3] Leave them to eat and enjoy themselves and be preoccupied with hope, for they will surely come to know.
[15:4] We never annihilated any village without it having a known decree.
[15:5] No nation can advance its appointed term, nor can they delay it.
[15:6] They said, "O you upon whom the Reminder was brought down, you are crazy.
[15:7] Why do you not bring us the angels if you are of the truthful ones?"
[15:8] We do not bring down the angels except with the truth, and then they would not be granted respite.
[15:9] Indeed, it is We who brought down the Reminder, and We will surely preserve it.
[15:10] We have sent others before you to the sects of the previous ones.
[15:11] Never did a messenger come to them without them ridiculing him.
[15:12] Thus do We insert it into the hearts of the criminals.
[15:13] They do not believe in it, even though the precedent of the previous ones has passed away.
[15:14] And if We were to open for them a gate unto the sky, through which they would continue to ascend,
[15:15] they would say, "Our sight has been dazzled. In fact, we are a bewitched people."
[15:16] We have placed constellations in the sky, and We adorned it for the beholders.
[15:17] And We guarded it against every outcast devil,
[15:18] except for one who tries to eavesdrop and is pursued by a clear meteor.
[15:19] As for the earth, We extended it and placed therein stabilisers, and We grew in it a balance of everything.
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Footnote 15:19 - The words 'a balance of everything' in this verse, together with the words 'We created all things in precise measure' in 54:49, speak of what is known as Ecological Equilibrium. God created the earth and designed in it a very fine balance between all living things (animals, plants, fungi, bacteria). The current estimated number of species on earth (land and sea) is 8.7 million, with more being discovered every day. The fine balance, whereby the survival of every living species is dependent on the existence of one or more other species, is so complex that it cannot be random.
The earth has existed for 4.5 billion years, and the oldest physical traces of life dates back 3.7 billion years. God's fine design ensures the continuation of life and that the Ecological Equilibrium will always be maintained.
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[15:20] We have made for you livelihoods in it and also for those whom you do not provide for.
[15:21] There is not a thing that We do not possess its treasuries. And We do not bring it down except in a known measure.
[15:22] And We sent the pollinating winds, and We brought down water from the sky which We provided for you to drink. You are not the ones who store it.
[15:23] It is We who bring to life and put to death, and We are the Inheritors.
[15:24] And We have already known those of you who progress, and We have already known those who regress.
[15:25] And indeed, it is your Lord who will gather them. He is Wise, Knowledgeable.
[15:26] And We created the human being from clay, formed from altered dark mud.
[15:27] And the jinn, We created previously from scorching fire.
[15:28] Your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being from clay, formed from altered dark mud.
[15:29] Once I have fashioned him and blown into him from My Ruh, you shall fall prostrate to him."
[15:30] So all the angels fell prostrate, every one of them,
[15:31] except Satan. He refused to be with the prostrators.
[15:32] He said, "O Satan, what is the matter with you that you are not among the prostrators?"
[15:33] He said, "I am not to prostrate to a human being whom You created from clay, formed from altered dark mud."
[15:34] He said, "Then get out of it, for you are an outcast.
[15:35] And indeed, the curse is upon you until the Day of the Religion."
[15:36] He said, "My Lord, then grant me respite until the Day they are resurrected."
[15:37] He said, "You are among those granted respite
[15:38] until the Day whose time is known."
[15:39] He said, "My Lord, since You have led me astray, I will adorn things for them in the earth, and I will lead them all astray,
[15:40] except those among them who are Your pure servants."
[15:41] He said, "This is a straight path that I make binding:
[15:42] You have no authority over My servants but only over those who follow you of the strayers.
[15:43] Hell is the appointed place for all of them.
[15:44] It has seven gates, and for each gate among them is an allocated share of them."
[15:45] Indeed, the reverent will be in gardens and springs.
[15:46] "Enter it peacefully and securely."
[15:47] We stripped away the animosity that was in their chests. Like brothers, they will be resting on couches facing one another.
[15:48] No fatigue shall touch them therein, nor will they be evicted therefrom.
[15:49] Inform My servants that it is indeed I who is the Forgiver, the Merciful.
[15:50] And that My punishment is indeed the painful punishment.
[15:51] Inform them of Abraham's guests.
[15:52] When they entered upon him, they said, "Peace." He said, "We feel wary of you."
[15:53] They said, "Do not be afraid. We give you good news of a knowledgeable son."
[15:54] He said, "Do you give me good news when old age is now upon me? What then is the good news that you bring me?"
[15:55] They said, "The good news that we have given you is the truth, so do not be of those who despair."
[15:56] He said, "Who despairs of his Lord's mercy except for the misguided ones?"
[15:57] He said, "So what is your mission, O messengers?"
[15:58] They said, "We have been sent to a criminal people,
[15:59] except for Lot's family; we will save them all
[15:60] except his wife. We decreed her to be one of those who stayed behind."
[15:61] So when the messengers came to Lot's family,
[15:62] he said, "You are an unknown people."
[15:63] They said, "We bring you that which they have been doubting.
[15:64] We bring you the truth, and we are truthful.
[15:65] So travel with your family sometime during the night. Follow behind them and let none of you look back, then proceed to where you are commanded."
[15:66] We made this decree be known to him: the last remnant of these people will be cut off in the morning.
[15:67] The people of the town came seeking the news.
[15:68] He said, "These are my guests, so do not shame me.
[15:69] Reverence God, and do not disgrace me."
[15:70] They said, "Did we not command you to stay away from all people?"
[15:71] He said, "Here are my daughters if you must."
[15:72] By your life! They were blundering blindly in their drunkenness.
[15:73] Consequently, the blast struck them at sunrise.
[15:74] We turned it upside down and rained down upon them stones made of baked clay.
[15:75] Indeed, in that are signs for the discerning.
[15:76] And it lies on an established path.
[15:77] Indeed, in that is a sign for the believers.
[15:78] The Companions of the Woods were transgressors.
[15:79] So We inflicted retribution upon them. They are both documented in a clear Record.
[15:80] The people of Al-Hijr denied the messengers.
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Footnote 15:80 - It is believed that the people of 'Al-Hijr' are the people of Thamoud who carved their homes on rocky cliffs. The word 'Al-Hijr' could refer to the rocky tract they lived at. Equally, 'Al-Hijr' is thought to be the name of the town where they lived.
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[15:81] We gave them Our signs, but they turned away from them.
[15:82] They used to carve from the mountains homes, providing them with security.
[15:83] Then, the blast struck them in the morning.
[15:84] What they used to earn never did avail them.
[15:85] We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except with truth. The Hour is surely coming, so overlook gracefully.
[15:86] Indeed, your Lord is the Knowledgeable Creator.
[15:87] We have given you seven of the pairs and the Great Quran.
[15:88] Do not stare with envy at the enjoyments We granted some couples among them. Do not grieve over them, and lower your wing to the believers.
[15:89] And say, "I am indeed the clear warner."
[15:90] Just as We struck down on the dividers
[15:91] who reduced the Quran to fragments;
[15:92] by your Lord, We will call all of them to account
[15:93] for what they used to do.
[15:94] Therefore, proclaim what you have been commanded and turn away from the mushrikeen.
[15:95] We are sufficient for you against the mockers
[15:96] who set up another god besides God. They will surely come to know.
[15:97] We know that your chest is distressed by what they say.
[15:98] So glorify your Lord with praise, and be among the prostrators,
[15:99] and worship your Lord until certainty comes to you.
Sura 16 The Bees (Al-Nahl)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[16:1] God's command has been issued, so do not rush it. Glory to Him and exalted is He, far above what they associate with Him.
[16:2] He brings down the angels with the Ruh by His command upon whom He wills of His servants: "You shall warn that there is no god except Me, so reverence Me."
[16:3] He created the heavens and the earth with truth. Exalted is He, far above what they associate with Him.
[16:4] He created the human being from a tiny drop, then behold, he becomes a clear adversary!
[16:5] And He created the livestock for you. They provide you with warmth and other benefits, and from them you eat.
[16:6] There is also beauty in them when you bring them in to rest and when you send them out to pasture.
[16:7] And they carry your loads to lands you could not have reached except with great difficulty. Indeed, your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
[16:8] And the horses, the mules and the donkeys are for you to ride and as a zinat. He also creates what you do not know.
[16:9] It is God who points out the paths, including the crooked ones. If He willed, He could have guided you all.
[16:10] He is the One who brought water down from the sky. From it, there is a drink for you, and from it grows vegetation in which you graze your herds.
[16:11] With it, He grows for you crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines and all kinds of fruits. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who reflect.
[16:12] And He subjected the night and the day for you, the sun, the moon and the stars; all subjected by His command. Indeed, in that are signs for people who reason.
[16:13] And that which He has multiplied for you in the earth of various colours. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who take heed.
[16:14] And it is Him who subjected the sea so that you would eat tender meat from it and extract from it jewellery that you wear. You see the ships ploughing through it so that you can seek His bounty and so that you may give thanks.
[16:15] And He placed stabilisers in the earth so that it does not drift along with you, as well as rivers and roads so that you may be guided,
[16:16] as well as landmarks. And by means of the stars, they are guided.
[16:17] Is One who creates like one who does not create? Will you not take heed?
[16:18] If you were to count God's blessings, you could not encompass them all. Indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[16:19] And God knows what you conceal and what you declare.
[16:20] The ones they call upon besides God do not create anything but are themselves created.
[16:21] They are dead, not alive, and they are unaware of when they will be resurrected.
[16:22] Your god is One God. As for those who do not believe in the Hereafter, their hearts are in denial, and they are arrogant.
[16:23] Without a doubt, God knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He does not like the arrogant ones.
[16:24] And when they are asked, "What has your Lord brought down?" They would say, "Tales of the previous ones."
[16:25] And so they will carry their full burdens on the Day of Resurrection, as well as some of the burdens of those whom they misguided without knowledge. What a dreadful burden that they will carry!
[16:26] Those before them have schemed, so God seized their buildings from the foundations, causing the roof to fall down on top of them. The punishment came upon them from where they did not expect it.
[16:27] Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and say, "Where then are My partners for whose sake you used to cause opposition?" Those who were given the knowledge will say, "Today, disgrace and evil are upon the disbelievers."
[16:28] Those whom the angels take back in a state of wronging themselves will submit and say, "We did not do anything wrong!" Yes, you did! Indeed, God is Knowledgeable of what you used to do.
[16:29] So enter the gates of Hell wherein you shall permanently remain. What a miserable home for the arrogant!
[16:30] And it was said to those who were reverent, "What has your Lord brought down?" they said, "Good things." For those who have done good in this world, there is good, and the Abode of the Hereafter is better. Excellent indeed is the Abode of the reverent.
[16:31] They shall enter the Gardens of Eden beneath which rivers flow. They shall have whatever they wish for therein. Thus does God reward the reverent.
[16:32] They are the ones whom the angels take back in a state of righteousness, saying, "Peace be upon you. Enter Paradise in return for what you used to do."
[16:33] Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or until your Lord's command is issued? That was what those before them did. God did not wrong them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
[16:34] So they were struck by the ill effects of what they had done, and they were engulfed by what they used to mock.
[16:35] And those who committed shirk said, "Had God willed, we would not have worshipped anything besides Him, neither we nor our fathers, nor would we have prohibited anything which He did not." Those before them did likewise! Ultimately, are the messengers commissioned with other than the clear delivery?
[16:36] We have sent a messenger to every nation, "You shall worship God, and stay away from false gods." Some of them were guided by God, while others justly incurred the misguidance. So travel in the land and look what the outcome of the deniers was.
[16:37] However eager you may be to see them guided, God does not guide those who misguide and they have no supporters.
[16:38] They swore solemnly by God: "God will not resurrect those who die." Yes, He will! It is a truthful promise that is binding on Him, but most people do not know.
[16:39] It is to clarify to them that over which they differ and so that those who disbelieved would know that they were liars.
[16:40] Our word to anything We desire is merely to say to it, "Be," and it is.
[16:41] Those who emigrated for the sake of God after they were oppressed, We will surely settle them in a good place in this world, and the reward of the Hereafter is greater if they only knew.
[16:42] They are the ones who are patient, and in their Lord they trust.
[16:43] We did not send before you except men whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know
[16:44] about the clear proofs and the Scriptures. And We brought down to you the Reminder so that you would clarify to the people what has been sent down to them, and so that they may reflect.
[16:45] Did those who schemed evil schemes feel secure that God would not cause the earth to swallow them or that the punishment would not come to them from where they do not expect?
[16:46] Or that He would not seize them during their goings to and fro, something they are powerless to thwart?
[16:47] Or that He would not seize them in a state of fear? Indeed, your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
[16:48] Have they not seen that every single thing that God has created casts its shadow to the right and to the left, prostrating to God in humility?
[16:49] And to God prostrates what is in the heavens and what is in the earth of creatures as well as the angels, and they do not act arrogantly.
[16:50] They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.
[16:51] God said, "Do not have two gods; He is but One God, so Me alone you should fear."
[16:52] To Him belongs what is in the heavens and the earth, and to Him does the religion constantly belong. Is it other than God that you reverence?
[16:53] Whatever blessing you have, it is from God. Then if any harm afflicts you, to Him you cry for help.
[16:54] Then, if He removes the harm from you, a group of you associate partners with their Lord,
[16:55] and thus they disbelieve in what We have given them. Enjoy yourselves, for you will surely come to know.
[16:56] And they assign to that which they have no knowledge of a share in what We have provided them with. By God, you will be called to account for what you used to fabricate.
[16:57] And they assign daughters to God, Glory to Him! While for them is whatever they desire.
[16:58] And if one of them is given the news that it is a female, his face darkens as he suppresses his grief.
[16:59] He hides from the people because of the bad news he has received. Should he keep her in humiliation, or should he bury her in the dust? Miserable indeed is their judgment.
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Footnote 16:59 - The words 'bury her in the dust'refer to the barbaric tradition of 'waad' (burying baby girls alive), which was practised in pre-Islamic Arabia and which is condemned in the Quran (see 81:8-9).
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[16:60] To those who do not believe in the Hereafter belong the worst example, while to God belongs the highest example. He is the Dignified, the Wise.
[16:61] If God were to hold people accountable for their transgressions, He would not have left a single creature on it, but He grants them respite for a specified term. Once their term is fulfilled, they cannot delay it by one hour nor advance it.
[16:62] They ascribe to God matters that they hate, and their tongues portray the lie that, for them, are the good things. Without a doubt, theirs will be the Fire, and they will be abandoned.
[16:63] By God, We have sent others to nations before you, then the devil adorned their work for them. Thus, he is their ally today, and they shall have a painful punishment.
[16:64] We did not bring down upon you the Book except for you to clarify to them that over which they differed, and as a guidance and mercy for people who believe.
[16:65] God has brought water down from the sky with which He brought the land to life after it had died. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who hear.
[16:66] Indeed, there is a lesson for you in the livestock: We provide you with a drink from their bellies; from the midst of digested food and blood comes pure milk, pleasant for the drinkers.
[16:67] And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines, you produce intoxicants as well as a good provision. Indeed, inthat is a sign for people who reason.
[16:68] Your Lord inspired the bee: "Build homes on the mountains and the trees and in what they construct.
[16:69] Then eat from all the fruits and follow the paths of your Lord which have been made easy for you to follow." From their bellies comes a drink of different colours wherein there is healing for the people. Indeed, in that is a sign for people who reflect.
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Footnote 16:68-69 - The Arabic words 'kuli' (eat), 'isluki' (follow) and 'butooniha' (their bellies) are all worded in the feminine gender. This is in line with the fact that it is the worker bees, who are all female, who collect nectar and make honey. This knowledge was first discovered by Jan Swammerdam in the 17th century, more than a thousand years after the revelation of the Quran.
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[16:70] And God created you, then He takes you back. Some of you will continue to reach the weakest age, whereupon he would know nothing after having had knowledge. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable, Capable.
[16:71] God has favoured some of you over others in the provision, but those who have been favoured would not give their provision to those whom their right hand possesses in order to share it equally. So are they rejecting God's blessings?
[16:72] God made for you spouses from among yourselves, and from your spouses, He produced for you children and grandchildren, and provided you with good things, so do they believe in falsehood and deny God's blessings?
[16:73] And they worship besides God what does not possess the power to grant them any provisions from the heavens or the earth, nor are they able to.
[16:74] So do not set up equals to God; God knows while you do not know.
[16:75] God cites an example: a slave who is owned and cannot do a thing, and one whom We have granted good provisions from which he gives secretly and publicly. Are they the same? Praise be to God! In fact, most of them do not know.
[16:76] And God cites an example: two men, one of them is mute and cannot do a thing and is a burden upon his master. Wherever he sends him, he brings back nothing good. Is he the same as one who advocates justice and is on a straight path?
[16:77] To God belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. The command for the Hour comes just as the blink of an eye or nearer still. Indeed, God is Capable of all things.
[16:78] God brought you out of your mothers' wombs knowing nothing, and He made for you the hearing, the sight, and the heart, so hopefully, you may give thanks.
[16:79] Do they not see how the birds are controlled in their mid-air flight across the sky? None holds them aloft except God. Indeed, in that are signs for people who believe.
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Footnote 16:79 – To the casual observer, it may seem that birds fly randomly across the sky. However, the Quranic words tell us that their flights are 'controlled' and navigated for them by God, not unlike what we call GPS navigation. Their flights are navigated over the very short as well as the extremely long distances. Within short distances, this can be witnessed in birds that fly in large flocks, often comprising thousands of birds, such as starlings. Somehow they all seem to change direction at a split second and at very sharp angles. No matter how large the flock is or how close they are bound together, they never crash into one another (see 67:19). As for long distances, migrating birds fly across thousands of miles to arrive precisely at the same spot they visited the year before. These birds do not have brains developed enough to work out such calculations or directions with such precision.
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[16:80] God has made of your homes a resting place for you. He made of the hides of the livestock light homes for you, which you can use on the day you travel and the day you camp. And from their wools, furs and hair, you make furnishings, and you have enjoyment for a certain time.
[16:81] God has made for you from what He created shade, and made for you shelters in the mountains, and made for you garments that protect you from the heat, as well as garments that protect you from your own might. He thus perfects His blessings upon you so that you may submit.
[16:82] So if they turn away, your sole duty is the clear delivery.
[16:83] They recognise God's blessings, then deny them. The majority of them are disbelievers.
[16:84] On the Day We raise from every nation a witness, no permission will be given to those who disbelieved, nor will their repentance be accepted.
[16:85] When those who transgressed see the punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be granted respite.
[16:86] And when those who committed shirk see the partners they have set up with God, they will say, "Our Lord, these are the partners whom we had called upon besides You." However, they will fling the word back, saying, "You are liars."
[16:87] They totally submitted to God on that Day, and that which they used to fabricate has deserted them.
[16:88] As for those who disbelieved and repelled from the path of God, We will add more punishment to their punishment for the corruptions they used to cause.
[16:89] That will be on the Day We raise from every nation a witness over them from among themselves, and We brought you as a witness over these. And We brought down upon you the Book providing explanations for all things, guidance, mercy, and good news for the Submitters.
[16:90] Indeed, God commands justice, doing good and giving to the relatives, and He forbids immorality, evil and transgression. He advises you, may you take heed.
[16:91] Fulfil your oath to God when you have made such an oath, and do not break your pledges after affirming them and having made God your Guarantor. Indeed, God knows what you do.
[16:92] Do not be like the one who unravelled her yarn, breaking it into pieces after it had been strong, by making your pledges a means of deception between you because one nation is more prosperous than another nation. In reality, God puts you to the test through that. He will surely clarify to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.
[16:93] Had God willed, He could have made you a single nation, but He misguides whom He wills, and He guides whom He wills. You will surely be questioned about what you used to do.
[16:94] Do not use your pledges as a means of deception between you, lest a foot slips after it had been secure. You would then taste the ill effects of repelling from the path of God, and you would have a great punishment.
[16:95] And do not trade your oath to God for a cheap price, for indeed, what is with God is better for you if you only knew.
[16:96] What is with you runs out, but what is with God is everlasting. We will grant those who were patient their reward, to be equated to the best of what they used to do.
[16:97] The one who does good deeds, male or female, and is a believer, We will grant them a good life. We will grant those their reward, to be equated to the best of what they used to do.
[16:98] When you read the Quran, seek refuge in God from the outcast devil.
[16:99] He has no authority over those who believe and in their Lord they trust.
[16:100] His authority is only over those who take him as an ally and who set him up as a partner.
[16:101] When We replace one sign with another, and God knows best about what He brings down, they say, "You are but a fabricator." Rather, most of them do not know.
[16:102] Say, "The Holy Ruh has brought it down from your Lord truthfully to make firm those who believe, and to provide guidance and good news for the Submitters."
[16:103] We certainly know that they say, "It is only a human being who is teaching him." The language of the one they refer to is foreign, while this is a clear Arabic language.
[16:104] Those who do not believe in God's revelations, God does not guide them, and they shall have a painful punishment.
[16:105] It is but those who do not believe in God's revelations who fabricate lies. Indeed, they are the liars.
[16:106] The one who disbelieves in God after having believed, not the one who is forced when his heart is content with faith, but the one who opened his chest fully to disbelief; upon those is wrath from God, and they shall have a great punishment.
[16:107] That is because they preferred the worldly life over the Hereafter, and God does not guide the disbelieving people.
[16:108] Those are the ones whom God has sealed their hearts, their hearing and their sight; they are the oblivious ones.
[16:109] Without a doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the losers.
[16:110] For those who emigrated after they were persecuted, then they strove and were patient, then indeed, your Lord thereafter is Forgiver, Merciful.
[16:111] That will be the Day when every self will come arguing for itself, and every self will be paid in full for what it had done, and they will not be wronged.
[16:112] God cites the example of a village that used to be safe and secure, with its provisions coming to it plentifully from everywhere. But then it turned unappreciative of God's blessings, and so God made it taste the garments of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.
[16:113] A messenger had come to them from amongst themselves, but they denied him, so the punishment struck them while they were transgressing.
[16:114] So eat from the lawful and good things that God has provided for you, and give thanks for God's blessings if it is Him whom you worship.
[16:115] He only prohibited for you the carrion, blood, the flesh of the pig and what was dedicated to other than God, but if one is compelled out of necessity rather than desire or greed, then indeed, God is Forgiver, Merciful.
[16:116] Do not utter lies that are portrayed by your tongues: "This is lawful, and that is unlawful," to fabricate lies and attribute them to God. Those who fabricate lies and attribute them to God will not succeed.
[16:117] A little enjoyment, then they shall have a painful punishment.
[16:118] For the Jews, We prohibited what We narrated to you previously. We did not wrong them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
[16:119] To those who commit sins out of ignorance, then repent after that and reform, then indeed, your Lord thereafter isForgiver, Merciful.
[16:120] Abraham was a nation, devoutly obedient to God. He was a monotheist and was not one of the mushrikeen.
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Footnote 16:120 – The words 'Abraham was a nation' have been interpreted in a number of ways. One understanding is that Abraham was a lone believer among his people. Nevertheless, he was immense in his faith so as to be called a nation on his own. Another understanding is that the word 'nation' denotes being an exemplary vanguard and a fine model. A third understanding, which seems to be the most plausible, is that Abraham was to be the head of a great nation that produced many prophets.
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[16:121] He was thankful for His blessings. He chose him and guided him to a straight path.
[16:122] We granted him good things in this world, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the righteous.
[16:123] Then We inspired you to follow the creed of Abraham. He was a monotheist and was not one of the mushrikeen.
[16:124] The Sabbath was decreed only for those who differed over it. And indeed, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding that over which they used to differ.
[16:125] Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and advice, and debate with them in the best possible manner. Indeed, your Lord knows best who has strayed off His path, and He knows best who are the guided ones.
[16:126] And if you punish, you should give a punishment equivalent to the punishment you received. But if you exercise patience, it would be better for the patient ones.
[16:127] And be patient, and your patience is attainable only with God's help. Do not grieve over them, and do not be distressed by what they scheme.
[16:128] Indeed, God is with the reverent and those who are good-doers.
Sura 17 The Children of Israel (Bani Israel)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[17:1] Glory to the One who summoned His servant by night from the Masjid Al-Haram to the Masjid Al-Aqssa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. He is the Hearer, the Seer.
[17:2] And We gave Moses the Book, and We rendered it a guidance for the Children of Israel that: "You are not to take other than Me as a Trustee."
[17:3] They are the descendants of those whom We carried with Noah; he was a thankful servant.
[17:4] We conveyed to the Children of Israel in the Book, "You will corrupt in the land twice, and you will rise to a great height.
[17:5] When the first of the two promises came true, We sent against you servants of Ours who possess great might, and they rampaged through the homes. It was a promise which was fulfilled.
[17:6] Then We returned to you the upper hand over them, and supplied you with wealth and children and made you greater in number.
[17:7] If you do good deeds, you do so for your own good, and if you commit sins, it is to your own detriment. Then, when the final promise comes true, they will sadden your faces, and they will enter the masjid as they entered it the first time, and they will completely destroy what they had conquered.
[17:8] Perhaps your Lord shall have mercy upon you. But if you revert, We will also revert. We have designated Hell as a prison for the disbelievers."
[17:9] This Quran guides to what is most upright and gives good news to the believers who do good deeds that they shall have a great reward.
[17:10] As for those who disbelieve in the Hereafter, We have prepared for them a painful punishment.
[17:11] The human being prays for evil just as he prays for good. The human being is hasty.
[17:12] We rendered the night and the day two signs. We blotted out the sign of the night, and We rendered the sign of the day a time for seeing so that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and for you to know the count of the years and for calculation. We have fully detailed everything.
[17:13] We have bound every human being's omen to his own neck. On the Day of Resurrection, We will produce for him a book which he will find laid open.
[17:14] Read your own book. Today you suffice as a reckoner against yourself.
[17:15] Whoever is guided is guided for himself, and whoever goes astray does so to his own detriment. No burden-bearer bears the burden of another, and We are not to punish without having first sent a messenger.
[17:16] If We wish to annihilate a village, We command those in it who live a life of luxury, but they behave wickedly therein. And so the Word becomes justified upon it, and We annihilate it completely.
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Footnote 17:16 - To attain the correct meaning of 17:16, it is necessary to read it in conjunction with the previous verse (17:15).
God issues His commands through His messengers to all people (17:15), including the wicked, commanding them to reform and follow the straight path. However, the wicked affluent people in the village defiantly disobey God's commands and behave wickedly in their village after they have received God's commands.
As a result, God's condition of sending a messenger first (17:15) is met, and consequently, the punishment upon them is justified.
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[17:17] How many a generation We have annihilated after Noah! Your Lord suffices as an All-Aware and Seer of the sins of His servants.
[17:18] Whoever seeks the fleeting life, We will hasten therein for him what We please, and to whom We please. Then We assign him to Hell wherein he will roast, disgraced and rejected.
[17:19] And whoever seeks the Hereafter and strives for it with the striving it deserves, and is a believer, the striving of those is gratefully received.
[17:20] For each one of them We provide, for these and for those; a donation from your Lord. The donation of your Lord is never restricted.
[17:21] Look how We favoured some over others; the disparity in ranks and favour in the Hereafter is much greater.
[17:22] Do not set up another god with God, lest you end up disgraced and forsaken.
[17:23] Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and to treat your parents kindly. If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them, "Uff," nor shall you scold them, but say generous words to them.
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Footnote 17:23 – The Arabic word 'uff' is a word that expresses irritation and annoyance.
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[17:24] And lower the wings of humility for them through mercy, and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them, just as they raised me when I was small."
[17:25] Your Lord is Most Knowledgeable of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous, then indeed, He is Forgiver towards the repentant ones.
[17:26] Give the relative his decreed right, as well as the needy and the homeless, and do not squander wastefully.
[17:27] The squanderers are brothers to the devils, and the devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.
[17:28] If you must turn away from them because you yourself are seeking mercy from your Lord and hoping for it, then say to them words that comfort them.
[17:29] Do not keep your hand tied to your neck, nor shall you fully extend it, lest you end up blaming yourself and feeling remorseful.
[17:30] Indeed, your Lord extends the provision to whom He wills and restricts it. Indeed, He is All-Aware and Seer of His servants.
[17:31] Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross mistake.
[17:32] Do not go near adultery; it is an immorality and an evil path.
[17:33] Do not kill any person; God has prohibited that, except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, We give his heir authority. In turn, he is not to kill indiscriminately merely because he is supported.
[17:34] And do not go near the orphans' money except for what is best until he has reached his maturity. And fulfil your oath, for the oath carries responsibility.
[17:35] And give the full measure when you measure and weigh with equitable scales. This is better and is the correct way to act.
[17:36] And do not follow what you have no knowledge of. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart, all these will be questioned for it.
[17:37] And do not walk arrogantly in the earth, for you cannot bore through the earth, nor can you be as tall as the mountains.
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Footnote 17:37 - For the words 'in the earth', see footnote 2:11.
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[17:38] The sinfulness in all these is detestable in the sight of your Lord.
[17:39] That is some of the wisdom inspired to you by your Lord. Do not set up another god besides God, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and rejected.
[17:40] Has your Lord favoured you with sons while He has taken from the angels females? Indeed, you are uttering a grave saying.
[17:41] We have diversified in this Quran so that they may take heed, but it does not increase them except in aversion!
[17:42] Say, "Had there been other gods along with Him, as they say, they would have sought a way to get at the Possessor of the Throne."
[17:43] Glory to Him and exalted is He, far above what they say, in true sublime highness.
[17:44] Glorifying Him are the seven universes and the earth and all who are in them. There is nothing that does not glorify Him with praise, but you do not understand their glorification. He is Forbearing, Forgiver.
[17:45] When you read the Quran, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter an invisible barrier.
[17:46] And We have placed veils over their hearts so that they would not understand it, and deafness in their ears. And when you commemorate your Lord, in the Quran alone, they turn their backs in aversion.
[17:47] We know best what they hear when they listen to you, and when they confer secretly, and when the transgressors say, "You are only following a bewitched man."
[17:48] Look what descriptions they ascribe to you! They have gone astray, and so they cannot find the way.
[17:49] They said, "When we become bones and crumbled particles, will we then be resurrected as a new creation?"
[17:50] Say, "You can be stones or iron,
[17:51] or any creation that seems greater in your minds." They will then say, "Who will bring us back?" Say, "The One who initiated you the first time." They will shake their heads at you and say, "When will that be?" Say, "Perhaps it will be soon."
[17:52] On the Day He calls you, you will respond by praising Him, and you will think that you had remained but a short while.
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Footnote 17:52 - This is one of the numerous Quranic verses with accurate scientific knowledge unknown at the time of the revelation of the Quran in the 7th century. In the early 20th century, the theory of relativity proved that there is no such thing as 'absolute time', which was a feature of Newton's classical mechanics. Recent discoveries at the quantum level took this a step further by introducing the idea of the 'Illusion of Time'. Time as we know it, past, present and future, may not exist at all but is only a product of our consciousness. Other verses that allude to the illusion of time are: 2:259, 10:45, 16:77, 18:19, 20:104, 22:47, 30:55, 32:5, 39:68-75, 46:35, 70:4. Also, see footnote 6:128.
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[17:53] Tell My servants to speak in the best manner, for the devil incites evil suggestions between them. The devil is indeed a clear enemy to the human being.
[17:54] Your Lord knows you best. If He wills, He may have mercy upon you, or if He wills, He may punish you. We did not send you as a trustee over them.
[17:55] Your Lord knows best about those in the heavens and the earth. We have favoured some prophets over others. And We gave David the Psalms.
[17:56] Say, "Call upon those whom you have made claims for besides Him." They do not possess the power to remove the harm from you or to divert it.
[17:57] Those whom they call upon are themselves seeking the means to their Lord with regards to which of them can be nearer. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. The punishment of your Lord is certainly to be feared.
[17:58] There is not a village that We will not annihilate before the Day of Resurrection or inflict upon it a severe punishment. That has been inscribed in the Book.
[17:59] Nothing has prevented Us from sending the signs except that the earlier people denied them. We gave Thamoud the she-camel, a visible sign, but they transgressed against it.We do not send the signs except to provide a deterrent to be feared.
[17:60] We told you that your Lord fully encompasses the people, and We did not make the vision that We showed you except as a test for the people as well as the tree that is cursed in the Quran. We frighten them, but it only increases their transgression immensely.
[17:61] And when We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan. He said, "Am I to prostrate to one You created from clay?"
[17:62] He said, "Shall I expose for You that thing whom You have honoured over me? If You respite me until the Day of Resurrection, I will claim all his descendants, except for a few."
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Footnote 17:62 - The word 'hazha' (that thing), which Satan used to refer to the human being, is of great significance. It denotes the level of contempt and hatred that Satan has towards the human being.
In his blind arrogance, Satan probably thought that if God had not created Adam and commanded him to prostrate to him, he would have still been honoured and abiding in God's Higher Society. This hatred explains why Satan made it his mission to lead all human beings astray (38:82).
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[17:63] He said, "Go! As for the ones among them who follow you, Hell will surely be the penalty for you all, an ample penalty.
[17:64] Entice whom you are able to of them with your voice, and mobilise all your horses and your men against them, and share with them their wealth and children, and make them promises." The devil promises them nothing but delusion.
[17:65] "As for My servants, you have no authority over them." Your Lord suffices as a Trustee.
[17:66] Your Lord is the One who propels the ships for you in the sea so that you may seek of His favour. Indeed, He is Merciful towards you.
[17:67] If you are touched by some harm in the sea, those whom you call upon vanish except for Him. But when He delivers you safely to the shore, you turn away. The human being is ever ungrateful.
[17:68] Do you feel secure that He will not cause the shoreline to swallow you up? Or that He will not send upon you a shower of stones, then you find for yourselves no protector?
[17:69] Or do you feel secure that He will not return you in it another time, then send upon you a violent wind and drown you as a result of your disbelief? Once this happens, you shall have no subsequent chance from Us.
[17:70] We have honoured the Children of Adam and carried them in the land and the sea, and We provided them with good things, and We favoured them considerably over many of those We created.
[17:71] On the Day We call every people by their imam, whoever is given his book in his right hand, they will read their book and they will not suffer a thread's breadth of injustice.
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Footnote 17:71 - The word 'imam' in the context of this verse refers to the book of deeds that every human being will receive on Judgment Day. The book of deeds leaves nothing out, even the smallest of deeds (see 18:49). Nothing will count for the human being on that Day except his own deeds that are contained in his book of deeds, 'the human being has nothing to count for him except his own work' (53:39).
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[17:72] And for those who are blind in this, they will be blind in the Hereafter and even further off the path.
[17:73] They almost tempted you away from what We revealed to you so that you would fabricate something else and attribute it to Us, and then they would have considered you a friend.
[17:74] And had We not made you stand firm, you almost leaned towards them a little.
[17:75] Then We would have made you taste double in life and double in death, and you would have found no one to support you against Us.
[17:76] And they almost provoked you off the land, in order to exile you from it, but had they done so, they would not have lasted after you except briefly.
[17:77] That was the Sunna given to the messengers We sent before you, and you will not find for Our Sunna any diversion.
[17:78] Observe the Salat at the duluk of the sun until the darkness of the night, as well as the Quran at dawn; the Quran at dawn is witnessed.
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Footnote 17:78 – The 'duluk' of the sun is the decline of the sun from its zenith (highest point in the sky). This occurs at midday. The 'Quran at dawn' speaks of the reading or recitation of the Quran at dawn, an act that the believers are advised to do.
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[17:79] And during the night meditate with it, an additional benefit for you, then perhaps your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy position.
[17:80] And say, "My Lord, admit me an entrance of truth and let me depart an exit of truth, and grant me from You a supporting authority."
[17:81] And say, "The truth has arrived, and the falsehood has perished; falsehood is indeed perishable."
[17:82] We bring down of the Quran that which is a healing and mercy for the believers, yet it does not increase the transgressors except in loss.
[17:83] If We bless the human being, he turns away and distances himself, and if adversity touches him, he becomes despondent.
[17:84] Say, "Each acts according to his disposition, and your Lord is fully aware of who is best guided on the right path."
[17:85] They ask you about the Ruh, say, "The Ruh is my Lord's concern, and the knowledge you have been given is but little."
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Footnote 17:85 – For the word 'Ruh', see the glossary of un-translated words.
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[17:86] If We willed, We could take away what We revealed to you, then you would not find for yourself a guardian against Us,
[17:87] except that it is a mercy from your Lord. Indeed, His favour upon you has been great.
[17:88] Say, "If the humans and the jinn were to get together to produce a Quran like this, they could not come up with its like, even if they backed each other up."
[17:89] We have diversified for the people in this Quran all kinds of examples, yet most people refuse everything except disbelief.
[17:90] And they said, "We will not believe you until you make a spring gush out of the ground for us.
[17:91] Or that you would have a garden of palm trees and grapes, then you would make rivers burst out plentifully through it.
[17:92] Or that you would make the sky fall upon us in fragments as you claimed, or that you would bring God and the angels before us.
[17:93] Or that you would have a house of gold, or, that you would ascend in the sky. Still, we would not believe your ascension unless you bring down for us a book that we can read." Say, "Glory to my Lord. Am I anything other than a human messenger?"
[17:94] Nothing prevented the people from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said, "Has God sent a human messenger?"
[17:95] Say, "If there were angels in the earth, walking around securely, We would have brought down for them from the sky an angel messenger."
[17:96] Say, "God suffices as a Witness between me and you. Indeed, He is All-Aware and Seer of His servants."
[17:97] Whomever God guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He misguides, you will not find for them any allies besides Him. We will gather them on the Day of Resurrection on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf. Their refuge is Hell; whenever it subsides, We will re-boost its blaze for them.
[17:98] That is their penalty because they disbelieved in Our revelations and said, "After we become bones and crumbled particles, do we get resurrected as a new creation?"
[17:99] Have they not seen that God who created the heavens and the earth is Capable of creating their like? He has set for them a specified term about which there is no doubt. But the transgressors refuse everything except disbelief.
[17:100] Say, "If you possessed my Lord's treasuries of mercy, you would have held back for fear of spending." Indeed, the human being is stingy.
[17:101] We gave Moses nine clear signs, so ask the Children of Israel when he came to them, and Pharaoh said to him, "I think that you, Moses, are bewitched."
[17:102] He said, "You have already known that none other than the Lord of the heavens and the earth has brought these down as insights. I think that you Pharaoh are doomed."
[17:103] So he wanted to provoke them out of the land, and so We drowned him and all who were with him.
[17:104] After him, We said to the Children of Israel, "Inhabit the land, then when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We will bring you in as a mixed crowd."
[17:105] Truthfully, We brought it down, and with the truth, it came down. We did not send you except as a bearer of good news and a warner.
[17:106] A Quran that We have divided into sections so that you would read it to the people over a period of time, and We brought it down gradually.
[17:107] Say, "Believe in it, or do not believe in it." Certainly, when it is recited to those who were given the knowledge before it, they fall down to their chins, prostrating,
[17:108] and they say, "Glory to our Lord. Our Lord's promise has been fulfilled."
[17:109] And they fall down on their chins weeping, and it increases their humbleness.
[17:110] Say, "Call upon God, or call upon the Almighty. Whichever you call upon, to Him belong the Beautiful Names." Do not shout your Salat nor whisper it, but seek a path in between.
[17:111] And say, "Praise be to God who has not taken a son, nor does He have a partner in the sovereignty, nor does He have an ally out of weakness," and magnify Him constantly.
Sura 18 The Cave (Al-Kahf)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[18:1] Praise be to God who brought down the Book upon His servant and placed no crookedness in it.
[18:2] It is straightforward so that He would warn of great might from Him, and to give good news to the believers who do good deeds that they shall have a fine reward,
[18:3] in which they shall forever remain.
[18:4] And to warn those who said, "God has taken a son."
[18:5] They have no knowledge of it, nor did their fathers. Grave indeed is the word coming out of their mouths! They say nothing but lies.
[18:6] Perhaps you may torment yourself with grief over them if they do not believe in this Hadith.
[18:7] Indeed, We rendered that which is on the earth a zinat for it in order to test them as to whose work is better.
[18:8] And We will surely turn what is on it into a barren wasteland.
[18:9] Do you realise that the companions of the cave and the numbers connected with them are among Our wondrous signs?
[18:10] When the young men took refuge in the cave, they said, "Our Lord, grant us a mercy from You and provide for us correctness in our affairs."
[18:11] So We sealed their ears in the cave for a number of years.
[18:12] Then, We resurrected them to see which of the two parties could count the duration of their stay.
[18:13] We narrate to you their news truthfully. They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.
[18:14] We reassured their hearts when they got up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will not call upon another god besides Him. Otherwise, we would have uttered an outrageous falsehood.
[18:15] These people of ours have taken up gods besides Him. Why then do they not produce clear authority for them?" So who is more transgressing than one who fabricates lies about God?
[18:16] When you have withdrawn from them and what they worship besides God, take refuge in the cave. Your Lord would then extend for you His mercy and provide for you ease for you in your affairs.
[18:17] You could see the sun; when it rises, it passes by their cave from the right, and when it sets, it retreats away from them from the left while they are in the hollow thereof. That is from among God's signs. Whomever God guides is the truly guided one, and whomever He misguides, you will not find for him a guiding ally.
[18:18] You would think them awake as they laid down. We turned them to the right side and the left side while their dog stretched out his forepaws at the entrance. Had you looked at them, you would have turned away from them and fled, and you would have been filled with fear of them.
[18:19] As such did We resurrect them so they would ask one another. A speaker among them said, "How long have you remained?" They said, "We remained one day or part of a day," they said, "Your Lord knows best how long you remained, so send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city. Let him search for the purest food, then fetch for you a provision of it. Let him act amicably and not make anyone aware of you.
[18:20] If they find out about you, they will stone you or return you to their creed, then you would never succeed."
[18:21] Thus, We decreed that they would be found so that they would know that God's promise is truthful and that there is no doubt about the Hour. When they disputed among themselves regarding their affair, they said, "Build a mausoleum over them." Their Lord knows best about them. Those who had the upper hand said, "We will build a masjid over them."
[18:22] They will say, "They were three; the fourth being their dog," and they will say, "Five; the sixth being their dog," while merely taking a stab at the unknown, and they will say, "Seven and the eighth being their dog." Say, "My Lord knows best their number." None knows them but a few, so do not argue about them except with a clear argument, and do not seek information about them from anyone.
[18:23] And do not say concerning any matter, "I will do this tomorrow,"
[18:24] without saying, "If God wills." And remember your Lord should you forget and say, "May my Lord guide me to be closer to correctness than this."
[18:25] They remained in their cave for three hundred years and increased by nine.
[18:26] Say, "God knows best how long they remained." To Him belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How well does He see and hear! They have none besides Him as an ally, and He allows none to share in His Judgment.
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Footnote 18:9-26 - The subject of these verses is the 'Companions of the Cave'. They are more commonly known today as the 'Seven Sleepers of Ephesus', 250 A.D. Historical accounts describe these as Christian believers who worshipped the One God and were escaping the persecution of the idol worshipping Emperor Decius. These verses contain a number of scientific references. In verse 18, we read how God veiled sound from the sleepers and not light so as not to interrupt their prolonged sleep. A person in a deep sleep would not be awoken if a nearby light is turned on but would awake if a sound is made. In verse 11, we read how God turned them to the right and to the left. Turning during sleep, which we do unconsciously, is essential to aid blood circulation and relieve pressure on the lungs, thereby ensuring good respiration. Finally, in verse 25, we note the odd phrasing of 300 years increased by 9, which corresponds to the fact that 300 solar years equals 309 lunar years.
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[18:27] Recite what has been revealed to you of your Lord's Book. There is none to alter His Words, and you will not find any refuge besides Him.
[18:28] And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face. Do not let your eyes wander away from them, desiring the zinat of the worldly life. Do not obey one whose heart We rendered oblivious to Our remembrance, and who pursued his personal desire, and whose case has exceeded all limits.
[18:29] Say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills shall believe and whoever wills shall disbelieve." We have prepared for the transgressors a Fire whose walls will surround them. If they call for help, they will be helped with a liquid-like molten brass that scalds the faces. What a miserable drink and a terrible resting place!
[18:30] As for those who believe and do good deeds, We certainly do not let the reward of those who do good work go to waste.
[18:31] Those shall have the Gardens of Eden beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned with bracelets of gold therein and will wear green clothes of silk and brocade. They will be reclining on comfortable couches therein. Excellent is the reward and beautiful is the resting place.
[18:32] Cite for them an example of two men: We gave one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We surrounded them with palm trees and placed various crops between them.
[18:33] Both gardens produced their fruit without suffering any losses therein, and We made a river gush out through them.
[18:34] He had abundant fruit, so he said to his friend as he conversed with him, "I have more wealth than you, and I am greater in manpower."
[18:35] He entered his garden in a state of wronging himself. He said, "I do not think this will ever perish.
[18:36] Nor do I think that the Hour will take place. But even if I should be returned to my Lord, I will surely find better than it in return."
[18:37] His friend said to him as he conversed with him, "Have you disbelieved in the One who created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then fashioned you into a man?
[18:38] As for me, He is God, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.
[18:39] If only upon entering your garden you would have said, 'This is what God willed, and there can be no power except through God.' Though you see me less than you in wealth and children,
[18:40] it may be that my Lord will grant me better than your garden, and He may send upon it a calamity from the sky, rendering it a barren wasteland.
[18:41] Or its water may sink into the ground, and so you would be unable to draw it."
[18:42] His fruits were totally ruined, so he started wringing the palms of his hands over what he had spent on it, as now it had fallen in on its trellises, and said, "I wish I had not associated anyone with my Lord."
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Footnote 18:42 – The parable in verses 18:32-44 portrays the tale of the man who was so obsessed with his garden to the extent of arrogantly boasting that it will never cease to yield its crop. Too much obsession with material possessions can become a distraction from worshipping God. In return, God wiped out his garden as a lesson. The true believers do not allow such distractions (see 24:37), nor do they claim knowledge of the future but always say, 'If God wills' (18:23-24).
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[18:43] He did not have a group to support him besides God, and he was not victorious.
[18:44] Ultimately, protection comes only from God, the Truth. He provides the best reward, and with Him lies the best outcome.
[18:45] Cite for them the example of the worldly life being like water that We brought down from the sky. The plants of the earth mixed with it, and it became dry stubble scattered by the wind. God is Omnipotent over all things.
[18:46] Wealth and children are the zinat of the worldly life, but the enduring good deeds yield a better reward from your Lord and better hope.
[18:47] On the Day We set the mountains in motion and you see the earth prominent, We will gather them, leaving none of them out.
[18:48] They will be presented before your Lord in a row. "You have come to Us as We created you the first time, even though you claimed that We would not assign an appointment for you."
[18:49] The book was displayed, and so you see the criminals dreading what is in it. They will say, "Woe to us! How come this book leaves nothing out, small or large, without having it accounted for?" They found present all that they had done. Your Lord does not wrong anyone.
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Footnote 18:49 - The 'book' here refers to the book of deeds that each human being will receive on Judgment Day.
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[18:50] When We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan. He became of the jinn, and so he rebelled against the command of His Lord. Will you then take him and his descendants as allies besides Me when they are your enemies? What a miserable alternative for the transgressors!
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Footnote 18:50 - The words 'kana min al-jinn' translate to 'he became of the jinn' and not "he was one of the jinn".
1- If Iblis (Satan) was never an angel, the command from God to the angels to prostrate to Adam would not have applied to him. In reply, the supporters of the second translation say that the command to prostrate to Adam applied to Iblis because, at the time, Iblis was in the company of the angels. This is totally unacceptable because the words of God state that the command was given specifically to the angels and not to the angels and whoever was in their company! God's Words are always very precise and should be treated with the respect they deserve.
2- The word 'kana' has been used in the Quran to mean any one of the following:
'Is' as in 4:129: God 'kana' (is) Forgiver, Merciful.
'Was' as in 6:161: (Abraham) 'ma kana' (was not) one of the mushrikeen.
'Became' as in 7:175: The devil pursued him, and he 'kana' (became) one of the strayers.
Also, in 25:18: They forgot the Reminder and 'kanu' (they became) a wasted people.
Also, in 78:19: The heaven was opened and 'kanat' (it became) gateways.
3- The use of the word 'rebelled', which comes after 'He became of the jinn'', is also of great significance. God deliberately used the word 'rebelled' and not the word 'refused'. Compare this to the use of the word 'refused' in:
When We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused. 20:116 (also in 2:34 and 15:31)
In all three verses, the word 'refused' is specifically related to refusing to prostrate to Adam. In contrast, the deliberate choice of the word 'rebelled' in 18:50 speaks of a much larger rebellion by Satan against God.
The refusal of Satan to prostrate to Adam happened before he became a jinn. However, Satan 'rebelled' against God in response to God's command to demote him to be a jinn. His rebellion made him vow to misguide all human beings (38:82), whom he blamed for his misfortune.
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[18:51] I did not make them witness the creation of the heavens and the earth, nor the creation of themselves, nor was I to take the misleading ones as assistants.
[18:52] A Day will come when He will say, "Call upon those whom you claimed to be My partners." So they will call on them, but they will not respond to them, and We will place an insurmountable barrier between them.
[18:53] The criminals will see the Fire and will realise that they will fall into it. They will find no way to avert it.
[18:54] We have diversified in this Quran all kinds of examples for the people, yet the human being is, more than anything, argumentative.
[18:55] What prevented the people from believing when the guidance came to them and from asking their Lord for forgiveness? Are they only waiting for the precedent of the previous ones to befall them or for the punishment to come to them face to face?
[18:56] We do not send the messengers except as bearers of good news and warners. Those who disbelieve argue with falsehood in order to refute the truth with it, and they made a mockery of My signs and what they have been warned with.
[18:57] Who is more transgressing than one who was reminded of his Lord's revelations, but he turned away from them and forgot what his hands have put forth? We have placed veils over their hearts so that they would not understand it, and deafness in their ears. If you invite them to the guidance, they will not then be guided, ever.
[18:58] Your Lord is the Forgiver, Possessor of Mercy. If He was to hold them to account for what they earned, He would have hastened for them the punishment. Rather, they have an appointed time from which they will find no escape.
[18:59] We have annihilated such villages when they transgressed, and We set for their annihilation an appointed time.
[18:60] Moses said to his lad, "I will not rest until I reach the junction of the two seas or when I have travelled a very long time."
[18:61] Then, when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it found its way back into the sea, slipping away.
[18:62] When they had gone further, he said to his lad, "Bring us our lunch. We have suffered much fatigue from our travelling."
[18:63] He said, "Did you see when we rested by the rock, then I forgot about the fish? None has made me forget to mention it other than the devil. Then, it amazingly found its way back to the sea."
[18:64] He said, "That is what we were seeking." So they went back, retracing their footsteps.
[18:65] They found one of Our servants whom We granted mercy from Us, and whom We taught some knowledge from Us.
[18:66] Moses said to him, "May I follow you, provided that you teach me some of the sound judgment you have been taught?"
[18:67] He said, "You will not be able to have patience with me,
[18:68] for how can you have patience with that which you do not encompass its knowledge?"
[18:69] He said, "You will find me, God willing, patient, and I will not disobey any command of yours."
[18:70] He said, "If you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make mention of it to you."
[18:71] So they set out, then when they boarded a ship, he made a hole in it. He said, "Did you make a hole in it to drown its people? You have done a terrible thing."
[18:72] He said, "Did I not say that you will not be able to have patience with me?"
[18:73] He said, "Do not hold me accountable for what I have forgotten, and do not overburden me, making my affair difficult for me."
[18:74] Then they proceeded on until they came upon a young boy, so he killed him. He said, "Have you killed a pure self that has killed no one? You have certainly come up with a deplorable thing."
[18:75] He said, "Did I not tell you that you will not be able to have patience with me?"
[18:76] He said, "If I ask you about anything else after this, do not keep me company, for then you would have indeed been given an excuse from me."
[18:77] So they proceeded on. Then when they came to the people of a village, they asked them for food, but they refused them hospitality. Then they found in it a wall that was about to collapse, so he erected it. He said, "If you wished, you could have received a payment for it."
[18:78] He said, "This shall be the parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of what you had no patience for.
[18:79] As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people working at sea, and I wanted to make it defective, as there was a king in their pursuit who was forcibly seizing every ship.
[18:80] As for the young boy, his parents were believers, so we feared that he would burden them with transgression and disbelief,
[18:81] and so we willed that their Lord would replace him for them with one who is better than him in purity and compassion.
[18:82] As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and underneath it was a treasure that belonged to them, and their father was righteous. So your Lord wanted them to reach their maturity and extract their treasure; a mercy from your Lord. I did not do it of my own volition.This is the interpretation of what you had no patience for."
[18:83] They ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, "I will narrate to you something of his story."
[18:84] We established him in the land, and We gave him the means to all things.
[18:84] We established him in the land, and We gave him the means to all things.
[18:85] He pursued a certain path
[18:86] until he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found by it some people. We said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish them, or you instil some goodness in them."
[18:87] He said, "As for the one who transgresses, we will punish him, then he will be returned to his Lord who will commit him to a horrendous punishment.
[18:88] As for the one who believes and does good deeds, he will receive a fine reward, and we will issue for him a command, making things easy for him."
[18:89] Then he followed a path
[18:90] until he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising over a people for whom We have provided no shield against it.
[18:91] And indeed, We were fully aware of the knowledge available to him.
[18:92] Then he followed a path
[18:93] until he reached a point between two barriers, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand a word.
[18:94] They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are corruptors in the land. Can we draw out a payment for you so that you would construct a barrier between us and them?"
[18:95] He said, "What my Lord has empowered me with is better, but just give me strong assistance, and I will build a dam between you and them.
[18:96] Bring me blocks of iron." Once he levelled between the two cliffs, he said, "Blow." Once he set it ablaze, he said, "Bring me molten copper to pour over it."
[18:97] Thus, they were unable to pass over it, nor were they able to tunnel through it.
[18:98] He said, "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will reduce it to rubble. The promise of my Lord is certainly true."
[18:99] We left them on that Day to surge like waves over one another, then the horn was blown whereupon We gathered them all together.
[18:100] We presented Hell on that Day, in clear display, to the disbelievers
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Footnote 18:99-100 - For the use of the past tense in such verses that speak of a future event (Day of Judgment), see footnotes 6:128 and 17:52.
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[18:101] whose eyes were veiled from My remembrance, and they were unable to hear.
[18:102] Do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants as allies besides Me? We have prepared Hell as hospitality for the disbelievers.
[18:103] Say, "Shall we inform you of the worst losers with regards to their work?
[18:104] They are those whose work in the worldly life is misguided, yet they think that they are doing good."
[18:105] They are the ones who disbelieved in the revelations of their Lord, and in His meeting, thus their work was nullified. And so, We assign no weight to them on the Day of Resurrection.
[18:106] That is their penalty, Hell, for what they disbelieved in and for making a mockery of My revelations and My messengers.
[18:107] Indeed, those who believe and do good deeds shall have the Gardens of Paradise as hospitality.
[18:108] Permanently remaining therein, they will not want to be moved away from it.
[18:109] Say, "If the sea were ink for the Words of my Lord, the sea would run out before the Words of my Lord run out, even if We were to supply the same amount of ink as a supplement."
[18:110] Say, "I am only a human being like you, being inspired that your god is but One God. So whoever seeks the meeting with his Lord shall do good work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
[18:110] Say, "I am only a human being like you, being inspired that your god is but One God. So whoever seeks the meeting with his Lord shall do good work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone."
Sura 19 Mary (Maryam)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[19:1] K. H. Y. Aa. Ss.
[19:2] This is a narration of your Lord's mercy upon His servant Zechariah.
[19:3] When he called on his Lord secretly,
[19:4] he said, "My Lord, my bones have become frail, and my head is aflame with grey, and never have I been discontented in calling upon You, my Lord.
[19:5] I fear the relatives when I am gone, and my wife is barren, so grant me from You an heir
[19:6] who would inherit me and inherit from Jacob's family, and make him, my Lord, acceptable."
[19:7] "O Zechariah, We give you good news of a boy whose name is John. We have not given such a name to anyone before."
[19:8] He said, "My Lord, how can I have a boy when my wife is barren, and I have reached a very old age?"
[19:9] He said, "Thus said your Lord, 'It is easy for Me. I created you before when you were nothing.' "
[19:10] He said, "My Lord, appoint for me a sign." He said, "Your sign is that you will not speak to the people for three nights, though you are able to."
[19:11] He came out to his people from the sanctuary and signalled to them that they are to observe glorification in the morning and the evening.
[19:12] "O John, uphold the Scripture strongly." We endowed him with sound judgment as a young boy,
[19:13] as well as kindness from Us and purity. He was reverent
[19:14] and kind to his parents. He was not a disobedient tyrant.
[19:15] Peace be upon him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he is resurrected back to life.
[19:16] And mention in the Book Mary, when she withdrew from her family to an eastern place.
[19:17] She screened herself away from them. Then We sent to her Our Ruh who appeared to her in the form of a perfect man.
[19:18] She said, "I seek refuge in the Almighty from you, that you may be reverent."
[19:19] He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to grant you a pure boy."
[19:20] She said, "How can I have a boy when no man has touched me nor have I been unchaste?"
[19:21] He said, "Thus said your Lord, 'It is easy for Me. We will render him a sign for the people and mercy from Us. This is a matter preordained.' "
[19:22] So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place.
[19:23] The pains of labour drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said, "I wish I had died before this and was a thing utterly forgotten."
[19:24] So he called out to her from beneath her, saying, "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed beneath you a stream.
[19:25] Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, and it will drop over you ripe dates.
[19:26] So eat and drink and be happy, then if you see any human being, say, 'I have vowed a fast for the Almighty, and so I will not speak today to any human being.' "
[19:27] Then she came to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Mary, you have come up with something quite odd.
[19:28] O sister of Aaron, your father was not a bad man, and your mother was not unchaste."
[19:29] She pointed to him. They said, "How can we speak to one who is an infant in the cradle?"
[19:30] He said, "I am God's servant. He has given me the Scripture and has made me a prophet.
[19:31] He made me blessed wherever I may be and instructed me to observe the Salat and the Zakat as long as I am alive,
[19:32] and to treat my mother kindly. He did not make me a miserable tyrant.
[19:33] Peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am resurrected back to life."
[19:34] That is Jesus, the son of Mary; the word of truth in which they doubt.
[19:35] It is not for God to take a son. Glory to Him! If He decrees a matter, He merely says to it, "Be," and it is.
[19:36] "And indeed, God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path."
[19:37] Then the various parties differed among themselves. Therefore, woe to those who disbelieved from the scene of a great Day.
[19:38] How well will they hear and see on the Day they come to Us, but as for today, the transgressors are in clear misguidance.
[19:39] Warn them of the Day of Remorse, when the matter will be settled while they are in obliviousness and while they do not believe.
[19:40] It is We who inherit the earth and all who are on it, and to Us they will be returned.
[19:41] And mention in the Book Abraham; he was a truthful prophet.
[19:42] He said to his father, "O my father, why do you worship what does not hear nor see, nor can avail you in any way?
[19:43] O my father, I have received knowledge that you did not receive, so follow me, and I will guide you to an even path.
[19:44] O my father, do not worship the devil. The devil is disobedient to the Almighty.
[19:45] O my father, I fear that you will be touched by a punishment from the Almighty and that you would be an ally of the devil."
[19:46] He said, "Are you rejecting my gods, O Abraham? If you do not stop, I will stone you, so better go away from me for a long time."
[19:47] He said, "Peace be upon you. I will ask my Lord to forgive you; He has been most kind to me.
[19:48] I will abandon you and what you call upon besides God, and I shall call upon my Lord. Perhaps by calling upon my Lord, I will no longer be miserable."
[19:49] So when he abandoned them and what they worshipped besides God, We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and each of them We made a prophet.
[19:50] We bestowed on them of Our mercy, and We granted them a truthful repute of high praise.
[19:51] And mention in the Book Moses. He was totally devoted, and he was a prophet messenger.
[19:52] We called him from the right side of the mount. We brought him close in communion.
[19:53] And We bestowed on him, out of Our mercy, his brother Aaron as a prophet.
[19:54] And mention in the Book Ishmael. He was true to his promise, and he was a prophet messenger.
[19:55] He used to instruct his family to observe the Salat and the Zakat, and he was pleasing to his Lord.
[19:56] And mention in the Book Enoch. He was a truthful prophet,
[19:57] and We raised him to a high position.
[19:58] Those are the prophets whom God has blessed from the descendants of Adam, and from those We carried with Noah, and from the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and from those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Almighty were recited to them, they fell prostrating and weeping.
[19:59] Then after them, there came successors who lost the Salat and pursued the lusts, and so perdition awaits them,
[19:60] except for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds. Those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged in any way.
[19:61] They will enter the Gardens of Eden that the Almighty has promised His servants in the unseen. Indeed, His promise will come to pass.
[19:62] They will not hear any idle talk therein, only peace, and therein, they shall have their provisions in the morning and the evening.
[19:63] Such is Paradise that We let those among Our servants who were reverent inherit.
[19:64] "We do not come down except by the command of your Lord. To Him belongs what is before us, what is behind us, and what is in between. Your Lord is never forgetful."
[19:65] The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what lies between them, so worship Him and persevere in His worship. Do you know of any other who bears any likeness to Him?
[19:66] The human being says, "Once I die, will I then be brought out alive?"
[19:67] Does the human being not remember that We created him previously and he was nothing?
[19:68] By your Lord, We will gather them and the devils, then We will bring them round Hell on their knees.
[19:69] Then We will pluck out from every sect the one who was most defiant against the Almighty.
[19:70] Then it is We who know best those most deserving to roast in it.
[19:71] Indeed, there is none among you who will not pass by it. This is a preordained certainty by your Lord.
[19:72] Then We save the reverent and leave the transgressors in it on their knees.
[19:73] When Our clear revelations are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe, "Which of the two parties is in a better position and is higher in authority?"
[19:74] How many a generation have We annihilated before them who were greater in possessions and better in appearance!
[19:75] Say, "For those who are entrenched in the misguidance, the Almighty will extend for them the respite until, when they see what they have been promised, either the punishment or the Hour, they will then know who is in a worse position and weaker in power."
[19:76] And God will increase the guidance of those who were guided. The lasting good deeds are better with your Lord in reward, and they yield a better return.
[19:77] Have you seen the one who rejected Our revelations and said, "I will surely be given wealth and children"?
[19:78] Did he look into the unseen? Or has he taken an oath from the Almighty?
[19:79] Not so! We will record what he says, then extend the punishment for him immensely.
[19:80] What he says will be returned to Us, and he will come to Us all on his own.
[19:81] They have taken up gods besides God to be for them a source of dignity.
[19:82] But no, they will reject their worship of them and will turn against them.
[19:83] Have you not seen that We have sent the devils upon the disbelievers, inciting them continuously?
[19:84] So do not hasten what is to come to them; We are counting for them a countdown.
[19:85] On the Day We gather the reverent to the Almighty as a delegation,
[19:86] and We drive the criminals to Hell like a thirsty herd;
[19:87] they will possess no power of intercession except those who have taken an oath with the Almighty.
[19:88] They said, "The Almighty has taken unto Himself a son."
[19:89] You have come up with something hideous.
[19:90] The heavens almost shatter from it, the earth to split open, and the mountains to crash down in ruins,
[19:91] for they claimed that the Almighty has a son
[19:92] when it is not befitting for the Almighty to take a son.
[19:93] Indeed, there is none in the heavens and the earth who comes to the Almighty as other than a servant.
[19:94] He has enumerated them and counted them precisely.
[19:95] And all of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection, each on his own.
[19:96] Those who believe and do good deeds, the Almighty will appoint for them love.
[19:97] We have made it easy and in your tongue so that you would give good news with it to the reverent, and that you would warn with it a hostile people.
[19:98] How many a generation before them We have annihilated! Can you sense any trace of them or hear from them any whisper?
Sura 20 T.H. (Taa Haa)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[20:1] T. H.
[20:2] We did not bring the Quran down upon you to cause you misery.
[20:3] It is but a Reminder for those who fear.
[20:4] A revelation from the One who created the earth and the high heavens.
[20:5] The Almighty: He settled on the Throne.
[20:6] To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth and what is in between them, and what is beneath the soil.
[20:7] Regardless of you speaking out loudly, He knows the secrets as well as what is most hidden.
[20:8] God, there is no god except Him. To Him belong the Beautiful Names.
[20:9] Has the story of Moses reached you?
[20:10] When he saw a fire, he said to his family, "Wait here, I have come across a fire. Perhaps I could bring you a burning ember or find at the fire some guidance."
[20:11] Then when he reached it, he was called, "O, Moses,
[20:12] I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. You are in the holy valley Tuwa.
[20:13] I have chosen you, so listen to what is being inspired.
[20:14] I am God. There is no god except Me. So worship Me, and observe the Salat to commemorate Me.
[20:15] The Hour is surely coming. I will keep it almost hidden so that every self is repaid for what it strives.
[20:16] So let not the one who does not believe in it and who followed his personal desire make you disregard it, for then you would fall.
[20:17] What is that in your right hand, O Moses?"
[20:18] He said, "It is my staff. I lean on it, herd my sheep with it, and I have other uses for it."
[20:19] He said, "Throw it down, Moses."
[20:20] He threw it down, whereupon it became a moving serpent.
[20:21] He said, "Take it and do not fear. We will return it to its original state.
[20:22] And draw your hand to your wing, it will come out white without blemish; another sign.
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Footnote 20:22 – The word 'wing' in 20:22, as well as in 28:32, is used allegorically for 'arm'.
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[20:23] This is to show you another of Our great signs.
[20:24] Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed."
[20:25] He said, "My Lord, relieve my chest for me,
[20:26] and make my task easy for me,
[20:27] and untie the knot in my tongue,
[20:28] so they would understand my words,
[20:29] and appoint an assistant for me from my family,
[20:30] Aaron, my brother,
[20:31] strengthen me through him.
[20:32] Let him share in my task,
[20:33] so that we may glorify You frequently,
[20:34] and commemorate You frequently.
[20:35] You have been Seer of us."
[20:36] He said, "You are granted your request, O Moses.
[20:37] We have indeed bestowed favour upon you one more time
[20:38] when We inspired to your mother what was to be inspired:
[20:39] 'Cast him into the basket, then throw it into the river. The river will toss him onto the shore, to be picked up by an enemy of Mine and an enemy of his.' I showered you with love from Me, and I had you grow up before My eyes.
[20:40] Your sister walked over and said, 'Shall I guide you to one who could nurse him?' We thus returned you to your mother so that she would be happy and does not grieve. And when you killed a person, We saved you from the grief, and We tested you severely. You then remained with the people of Madyan for a number of years. Then you came here as ordained, O Moses.
[20:41] I have fashioned you for Myself.
[20:42] Go, you and your brother, with My signs, and do not slacken in My remembrance.
[20:43] Go, both of you, to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed.
[20:44] Say gentle words to him so that perhaps he will be reminded or show some fear."
[20:45] They said, "Our Lord, we fear that he may be too excessive against us, or transgress."
[20:46] He said, "Do not fear, I am with the two of you. I hear, and I see.
[20:47] So go to him and say, `We are messengers of your Lord, so let the Children of Israel go with us and do not punish them. We come to you with a sign from your Lord, and peace be upon the one who follows the guidance.
[20:48] It has been inspired to us that the punishment shall fall upon the one who denies and turns away.' "
[20:49] He said, "So who is the Lord of the two of you, O Moses?"
[20:50] He said, "Our Lord is the One who gave everything its created form, then He guided."
[20:51] He said, "What about the former generations?"
[20:52] He said, "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord in a Record. My Lord does not err, nor does He forget."
[20:53] He is the One who rendered the earth a cradle for you and threaded pathways in it for you, and He brought water down from the sky with which We produced pairs of various plants.
[20:54] Eat and pasture your livestock. Indeed, in that are signs for those who possess intelligence.
[20:55] From it, We created you. Into it, We will return you, and from it, We will bring you out another time.
[20:56] We showed him all of Our signs, but he denied and refused.
[20:57] He said, "Did you come to us to take us out of our land with your magic, O Moses?
[20:58] We will surely bring you magic like it. So set between us and you an appointment which we do not break, neither do you, in a mutually agreeable place."
[20:59] He said, "Your appointment is on the day of the zinat, and the people shall gather in the morning."
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Footnote 20:59 – For the word 'zinat', please see the glossary of Arabic words. The 'day of the zinat', celebrated by Ancient Egyptians, is still celebrated in Egypt today in what is called 'Sham Al-Naseem' (Easter). The original celebration was to honour the river Nile in the early spring when all the colours of spring would be emerging. This is not to be confused with the Christian Easter, established many centuries later, which celebrates the Christian doctrine of 'Resurrection'.
Footnote 20:59 – For the word 'zinat', please see the glossary of Arabic words. The 'day of the zinat', celebrated by Ancient Egyptians, is still celebrated in Egypt today in what is called 'Sham Al-Naseem' (Easter). The original celebration was to honour the river Nile in the early spring when all the colours of spring would be emerging. This is not to be confused with the Christian Easter, established many centuries later, which celebrates the Christian doctrine of 'Resurrection'.
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[20:60] Then Pharaoh turned away and put together his scheme, then he came.
[20:61] Moses said to them, "Woe to you! Do not fabricate lies against God, or He will strike you with a punishment that will wipe you out. Those who fabricate will surely fail."
[20:62] They disputed their affair amongst themselves, and they conferred secretly.
[20:63] They said, "These two are magicians who wish to drive you out of your land with their magic and to do away with your exemplary system.
[20:64] So put together your plan, then come in a row. The one who gains the upper hand will indeed succeed today."
[20:65] They said, "O Moses, either you cast or we will be the first to cast."
[20:66] He said, "No, you cast." So then their ropes and their sticks appeared to him, because of their magic, as if they were moving.
[20:67] So Moses harboured fear within himself.
[20:68] We said, "Do not fear, you will have the upper hand.
[20:69] Cast what is in your right hand. It will swallow up what they conjured up. What they conjured up is no more than the scheming of a magician. The magician will not succeed, whatever he comes up with."
[20:70] And so the magicians fell in prostration. They said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses."
[20:71] He said, "Did you believe in him before I give you the permission? He must be your chief, the one who taught you magic. I will cut your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees. Then you will surely know which of us is more severe in punishment and is longer lasting."
[20:72] They said, "We will not prefer you over the clear proofs that have come to us and the One who initiated us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree in this worldly life.
[20:73] We have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and the magic that you forced us to perform. Indeed, God is better and everlasting."
[20:74] The one who comes to his Lord as a criminal, for him is Hell, wherein he neither dies nor lives.
[20:75] And the one who comes to Him as a believer and has done good deeds, those shall have the high ranks;
[20:76] the Gardens of Eden beneath which rivers flow. Therein, they shall permanently remain. Such is the reward of those who purify themselves.
[20:77] We inspired to Moses: "Travel with My servants, then strike for them a dry path through the sea. Do not fear being caught, and do not be scared."
[20:78] So Pharaoh pursued them with his soldiers, then there covered them of the sea that which covered them.
[20:79] Pharaoh led his people astray and did not guide.
[20:80] O Children of Israel, We saved you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you at the right side of the mount, and We brought down upon you the manna and the quails.
[20:81] Eat from the good things We provided you with, and do not transgress therein, or my wrath will fall upon you. Whoever incurs My wrath has surely plunged to his ruin.
[20:82] But indeed, I am Forgiving towards the one who repents, believes, does good deeds and is then guided.
[20:83] "What has made you rush ahead of your people, O Moses?"
[20:84] He said, "They are following close behind me, but I have hurried on to You, my Lord, so You would be pleased."
[20:85] He said, "We have tested your people after you left, and the Samarian has misguided them."
[20:86] So Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed. He said, "O my people, did your Lord not promise you a good promise? Has the oath been a long time coming for you? Or did you wish for your Lord's wrath to descend upon you, and thus you broke your promise to me?"
[20:87] They said, "We did not break our promise to you out of our own will, but we were made to carry heavy loads of the people's zinat, so we threw them in just as the Samarian did throw."
[20:88] He then produced for them a calf with a body that emitted a mooing sound, and they said, "This is your god and the god of Moses, but he forgot."
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Footnote 20:87-88 - While Moses was away, the Samarian persuaded the people of Moses to throw their 'zinat' (jewellery) into the fire, and from that, he produced for them a golden calf. In their flagrant mood of blaspheming against God and His messenger, the wicked who joined the Samarian claimed that the calf was indeed the god of Moses but that Moses had forgotten who his true god was!
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[20:89] Did they not see that it could not return a word to them nor possessed the power to harm them or benefit them?
[20:90] Aaron had earlier told them, "O my people, you are being tested by it. Indeed, your Lord is the Almighty, so follow me and obey my command."
[20:91] They said, "We will not stop being devoted to it until Moses returns to us."
[20:92] He said, "O Aaron, what prevented you when you saw that they had strayed
[20:93] from following me? Have you disobeyed my command?"
[20:94] He said, "O son of my mother; do not grab me by my beard or my head. I feared that you might say, 'You have caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not pay attention to my words.' "
[20:95] He said, "So what do you have to say, O Samarian?"
[20:96] He said, "I saw what they did not see, and so I grabbed a handful from the tracks of the messenger and threw it. That is what my inner self prompted me to do."
[20:97] He said, "Then go! You are granted in this life to say that you are not to be touched. And indeed, there is for you an appointment that you will not be allowed to evade. And look at your god to which you remained devoted; we will burn it, then we will scatter its entire remains in the sea."
[20:98] Indeed, God is your only god: the One besides whom there is no other god. He has encompassed all things in knowledge.
[20:99] We thus narrate to you news from what has preceded, and We have given you a Reminder from Us.
[20:100] The one who turns away from it shall bear a burden on the Day of Resurrection
[20:101] in which they shall permanently remain; what a miserable load on the Day of Resurrection!
[20:102] That is the Day when the horn is blown, and We gather the criminals on that Day looking blue,
[20:103] whispering among themselves, "You remained but ten."
[20:104] We know best what they say when the most exemplary among them in conduct will say, "You remained no more than one day."
[20:105] They ask you about the mountains, say, "My Lord will blast them off completely.
[20:106] He will leave it like a barren level plain.
[20:107] You will not see in it any crookedness nor unevenness."
[20:108] On that Day, they will follow the caller. He has no crookedness in him. All voices will be subdued before the Almighty, so you will hear nothing but whispers.
[20:109] On that Day, intercession will benefit no one except the one who has been permitted by the Almighty and whose utterance is accepted by Him.
[20:110] He knows what is before them and what is after them, while they encompass no knowledge about Him.
[20:111] And the faces were humbled before the Living, the Eternal. And those loaded with transgressions have failed.
[20:112] And he who does good deeds, and is a believer, should fear no injustice nor deprivation.
[20:113] And thus We brought it down as an Arabic Quran, and We diversified therein the warnings so that they may be reverent or that it may provide them with a reminder.
[20:114] Exalted is God, the King, the Truth. Do not rush the Quran before its revelation to you is concluded, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."
[20:115] We have taken an oath from Adam previously, but he forgot, and We found in him no resolve.
[20:116] When We said to the angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam," they fell prostrate, except Satan; he refused.
[20:117] So We said, "O Adam, this is an enemy of you and your wife, so do not let him evict the two of you from Paradise and thus become miserable.
[20:118] You are granted never to hunger therein, nor go naked.
[20:119] And you will neither thirst therein nor suffer excessive heat."
[20:120] Then the devil whispered to him. He said, "O Adam, shall I show you the tree of immortality and sovereignty that never perishes?"
[20:121] So they ate from it whereupon their bodies became apparent to them, and they started covering themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Adam disobeyed his Lord, and so he strayed.
[20:122] Then his Lord chose him, and so He redeemed him and guided him.
[20:123] He said, "Go down therefrom, all of you. Some of you will be enemies of one another. When guidance comes to you from Me, the one who follows My guidance will not go astray nor suffer any misery.
[20:124] As for the one who turns away from My remembrance, he will have a miserable life, and We will summon him on the Day of Resurrection blind."
[20:125] He will say, "My Lord, why did you summon me blind when before I was able to see?"
[20:126] He said, "Thus did Our revelations come to you and you forgot them, and thus today you will be forgotten."
[20:127] And thus do We repay the one who was excessive and did not believe in the revelations of his Lord. The punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and longer lasting.
[20:128] Has it not been of any guidance to them how many generations We have annihilated before them, and in whose dwelling places they now walk? Indeed, in that are signs for those who possess intelligence.
[20:129] Had it not been for a previous Word from your Lord and a specified time, it would have been an inevitability.
[20:130] So be patient in the face of what they say, and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting, and during the night glorify, as well as at the ends of the day, so that you may be content.
[20:131] Do not stare with envy at the enjoyments We granted some couples among them. The flowering of the worldly life is that in which We test them, while the provisions of your Lord are better and longer lasting.
[20:132] Instruct your family to observe the Salat and be diligent in observing it. We do not ask you for provisions; it is We who provide for you. The best outcome is attained through reverence.
[20:133] They said, "If only he could bring us a miracle from his Lord!" Has there not come to them the clear proof of what is in the previous Scrolls?
[20:134] Had We annihilated them through a punishment before him, they would have said, "Our Lord, if only You had sent us a messenger! We would have followed Your revelations before we were humiliated and disgraced."
[20:135] Say, "Everyone is waiting, so wait. You will find out who are the companions of the even path and who is guided."
Sura 21 The Prophets (Al-Anbiya)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[21:1] The people's reckoning has drawn near while they are in obliviousness turning away.
[21:2] No new Reminder comes to them from their Lord without them listening to it playfully,
[21:3] and with their hearts distracted. The transgressors confer secretly: "Is this anything other than a human being like you? Would you approach magic while you can see?"
[21:4] He said, "My Lord knows what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knowledgeable."
[21:5] But they said, "Muddled dreams! Rather, he fabricated it! Rather, he is a poet! So let him bring us a miracle like what was sent to the earlier ones."
[21:6] None of the villages We annihilated before them believed, so will they believe?
[21:7] We did not send before you except men whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.
[21:8] We did not make them with bodies that did not eat food, nor were they immortal.
[21:9] Then We fulfilled the promise to them whereby We saved them together with whom We willed and annihilated the excessive ones.
[21:10] We have brought down to you a Book in which is your Reminder. So will you not reason?
[21:11] How many a village did We destroy that was transgressing and We brought about other people after it?
[21:12] Then, when they felt Our might, they started running away from it.
[21:13] "Do not run! Come back to the luxuries you were immersed in and to your homes so that you may be questioned."
[21:14] They said, "Woe to us! We have been transgressors."
[21:15] This continued to be their cry until We made them like a burnt down harvest.
[21:16] We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them for mere play.
[21:17] Had We desired to have some amusement, We would have derived it from that which is Our own, if We were so to do.
[21:18] Rather, We cast the truth upon the falsehood, which shatters it, and so it perishes. Woe to you for what you portray!
[21:19] And to Him belongs all who are in the heavens and the earth. Those in His presence are not too arrogant to worship Him, nor do they tire.
[21:20] They glorify night and day. They do not slacken.
[21:21] Or have they taken gods from the earth who can resurrect?
[21:22] If there were other gods in them besides God, they would have been ruined. Glory to God, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they portray.
[21:23] He is not to be questioned about what He does while they are to be questioned.
[21:24] Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, "Produce your proof. This is a reminder for those with me and was a reminder for those before me." But most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away.
[21:25] We did not send before you any messenger without inspiring him, "There is no god except Me, so worship Me."
[21:26] They said, "The Almighty has taken a son." Glory to Him! Rather, they are but honoured servants.
[21:27] They do not speak ahead of Him, and they act on His command.
[21:28] He knows what is before them and what is after them. They do not intercede except for those whom He is pleased with, and they are apprehensive out of fear of Him.
[21:29] The one among them who says, "I am a god besides Him," We will condemn such one to Hell; We thus repay the transgressors.
[21:30] Have the disbelievers not seen that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We ripped them apart, and that We made from water all living things? Will they not believe?
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Footnote 21:30 - In this verse, we find an accurate description of the Big Bang theory; the event that brought about the creation of the universe. The Big Bang theory suggests an explosive origin to the universe, one that brought space and matter which were joined as one unit (singularity) into existence.
The Big Bang theory was formulated in the 20th century, 14 centuries after the revelation of the Quran.
If we regard the word 'heavens' to be symbolic of 'space', and the word 'earth' to symbolise 'matter', we find that the words 'a joined entity' confirm the Big Bang's concept of a 'singularity'. In addition, the words 'We ripped them apart' coincide with the explosive nature of the Big Bang.
As for the words 'We made from water all living things', they are in line with the fact that all living organisms/creatures originated from water.
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[21:31] And We placed in the earth stabilisers so that it does not drift along with them, and We placed wide paths therein so that they may be guided.
[21:32] And We rendered the sky a protected ceiling, yet they turn away from its signs.
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Footnote 21:31-32 – Another two verses containing accurate scientific information which was to be discovered many centuries after the revelation of the Quran. Verse 31 speaks of mountains as 'stabilisers', indicating their role in limiting continental drift. Verse 32 speaks of the role of the earth's atmosphere as a protective ceiling shielding the earth from dangerous objects such as meteoroids which burn up and disintegrate as they enter the earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere also blocks harmful rays, such as cosmic rays, gamma rays and x-rays. The atmosphere also blocks the harmful ultraviolet rays which are absorbed by the ozone layer.
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[21:33] And He is the One who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each swimming in an orbit.
[21:34] We did not grant any human being before you immortality. So if you die, will they be the immortal ones?
[21:35] Every self tastes death. We test you with bad things as well as good things as a trial, and then to Us you will be returned.
[21:36] When those who disbelieve see you, they treat you with nothing but mockery: "Is this the one who speaks about your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Almighty, disbelievers.
[21:37] The human being is created impatient. I will show you My signs, so do not be impatient.
[21:38] And they say, "When will this promise come true if you are truthful?"
[21:39] If those who disbelieve would only know about the time when they will not be able to ward the fire off their faces, nor off their backs, nor will they be helped.
[21:40] Rather, it will come to them suddenly and utterly confound them. They will not be able to repel it, nor will they be granted respite.
[21:41] Messengers before you have been ridiculed. Consequently, those who ridiculed them were engulfed by what they used to ridicule.
[21:42] Say, "Who can protect you by night and by day from the Almighty?" Yet they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.
[21:43] Or do they have other gods besides Us who will protect them? They cannot help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.
[21:44] Rather, We have provided enjoyments for these and their fathers until their age was well extended. Do they not see that We come to the land and reduce it at its ends? Is it they who will then prevail?
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Footnote 21:44 - For the words 'We come to the land and reduce it at its ends', see footnote 13:41.
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[21:45] Say, "I am only warning you in accordance with the revelation." But the deaf cannot hear the call when they are warned.
[21:46] And if a whiff of your Lord's punishment were to touch them, they would say, "Woe to us! We have been transgressors."
[21:47] We will place the just scales for the Day of Resurrection, and so no self shall be wronged in any way. Even if it were the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. We are sufficient as Reckoners.
[21:48] We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion, and Illumination, and a Reminder for the reverent
[21:49] who fear their Lord though unseen, and they are apprehensive of the Hour.
[21:50] This is a blessed Reminder that We brought down. Are you going to deny it?
[21:51] And We granted Abraham his sound judgment previously, and We were aware of him.
[21:52] When he said to his father and his people, "What are these statues to which you are devoted?"
[21:53] they said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."
[21:54] He said, "You and your fathers have been in clear misguidance."
[21:55] They said, "Have you come to us with the truth, or are you among the playful?"
[21:56] He said, "No, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the One who initiated them, and to that, I am one of the witnesses.
[21:57] And by God, I will devise some scheme against your stone idols after you have turned your backs."
[21:58] So he reduced them to fragments, except for a large one among them so that they may turn to it.
[21:59] They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He is surely of the transgressors."
[21:60] They said, "We heard a young man mention them. He is called Abraham."
[21:61] They said, "Then bring him before the people's eyes so that they may witness."
[21:62] They said, "Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?"
[21:63] He said, "No, it was this biggest one of them who did it. So ask them, if they can speak."
[21:64] They turned to one another and said, "You yourselves are the transgressors."
[21:65] Then they reverted back to their original mindset: "You have already known that these do not speak."
[21:66] He said, "Then do you worship besides God what does not benefit you in any way nor harm you?
[21:67] Uff to you and to what you worship besides God! Will you not reason?"
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Footnote 21:67 – For the word 'uff', see footnote 17:23.
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[21:68] They said, "Burn him and support your gods if you will."
[21:69] We said, "O fire, be coolness and peace upon Abraham."
[21:70] They intended to scheme against him, but We made them the greatest losers.
[21:71] We saved him and Lot to the land that We blessed for all the people.
[21:72] And We granted him Isaac and Jacob as additional blessings, and We made both of them righteous.
[21:73] We made them leaders, guiding by Our command, and We inspired them to do good deeds, the observance of the Salat and the giving of the Zakat. They were worshippers of Us.
[21:74] And to Lot, We gave sound judgment and knowledge, and We saved him from the village that practised depraved acts. They were an evil, wicked people.
[21:75] We admitted him into Our mercy. Indeed, he was one of the righteous.
[21:76] And Noah, when he called out previously, We responded to him, and We saved him and his family from the great affliction.
[21:77] And We supported him against the people who denied Our revelations. They were an evil people, and so We drowned them all.
[21:78] And David and Solomon, when they passed judgment regarding the field which was overrun by some people's sheep by night; We were Witness to their judgment,
[21:79] and We gave Solomon the understanding of it. We granted both of them sound judgment and knowledge, and We subjected the mountains to glorify with David, as well as the birds. Indeed We did.
[21:80] And We taught him the art of making coats of armour to protect you from your own aggression. Are you then thankful?
[21:81] And to Solomon, the gusting wind blows at his command towards the land that We had blessed. We are Knowledgeable of all things.
[21:82] And of the devils were those who dived for him and performed other work besides that. We kept guard over them.
[21:83] And Job, when he called upon his Lord: "I have been touched by great harm, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful,"
[21:84] So We responded to him. And so We removed the harm which befell him and restored his family unto him and doubled their number; a mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers.
[21:85] Also, Ishmael, Enoch and Ezekiel; each one was among the steadfast.
[21:86] We admitted them into Our mercy. They were among the righteous.
[21:87] And Dha Al-Nun, when he stormed off fuming, thinking We could not control him. Then he called out in the darkness: "There is no god except You. Glory to You! Indeed, I have been of the transgressors."
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Footnote 21:87 – 'Dha Al-Nun' is another Quranic name for the prophet Jonah.
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[21:88] So We responded to him and delivered him from the distress, and thus do We save the believers.
[21:89] And Zechariah, when he called upon his Lord: "My Lord, do not leave me all on my own when You are the best of inheritors."
[21:90] We responded to him and granted him John, and We cured for him his wife. They used to hasten to do good work, and they implored Us in yearning and in fear. They were humble before Us.
[21:91] And the one who guarded her private parts, then We blew into her from Our Ruh, and We made her and her son a sign for all the people.
[21:92] This is your nation, one nation, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
[21:93] However, they divided their affair among themselves. To Us, they will all return.
[21:94] So for the one who does good deeds and is a believer, his striving shall not be rejected, and We are recording it for him.
[21:95] There is a ban on any village that We have annihilated; they shall not return.
[21:96] Not until the way is opened for Gog and Magog, and from every elevation, they swarm down.
[21:97] The true promise has drawn near whereby the sight of those who disbelieved will be transfixed: "Woe to us! We have been in obliviousness regarding this. Rather, we have been transgressors."
[21:98] You and what you worship besides God are fuel for Hell; you will surely come to it.
[21:99] If those were gods, they would not have come to it. Indeed, all shall permanently remain therein.
[21:100] For them shall be sighing therein, and therein, they will not be able to hear.
[21:101] As for those who were already granted goodness from Us, they shall be kept far away from it.
[21:102] They will not hear its slightest sound, and in what their hearts desire, they shall permanently remain.
[21:103] The greatest horror will not grieve them, and the angels will receive them: "This is your Day which you have been promised."
[21:104] It will be on the Day We fold the heaven, like the folding of a page in a book. Just as We initiated the first creation, We shall repeat it. This is a promise binding on Us; We will surely do it.
[21:105] We have written in the Psalms, after the Reminder, that the earth shall be inherited by My righteous servants.
[21:106] Indeed, there is a notification in this for a worshipping people,
[21:107] and We have not sent you except as a mercy to all the worlds.
[21:108] Say, "It is only inspired to me that your god is indeed but One God. Are you then Submitters?"
[21:109] If they turn away, then say, "I have announced to all of you equally, and I do not know whether what you are promised is near or far.
[21:110] He knows what is spoken aloud, and He knows what you conceal.
[21:111] I do not really know. Perhaps it is a test for you and an enjoyment for a certain time."
[21:112] He said, "My Lord, judge with the truth," and, "Our Lord, the Almighty, is the One sought for help against what you portray."
Sura 22 The Hajj (Al-Hajj)
In the name of God, the Almighty, the Merciful.
[22:1] O people, reverence your Lord. The quaking of the Hour is an awesome thing.
[22:2] On the Day you will see it, every suckling woman will discard what she suckled, and every pregnant woman will miscarry what she carried. You will see people looking intoxicated when they are not intoxicated, but God's punishment is severe.
[22:3] Among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge and follows every rebellious devil.
[22:4] It has been decreed for him that he will misguide the one who allies himself with him and will lead him to the punishment of the Blaze.
[22:5] O people, if you are in doubt about the resurrection, We created you from dust, then from a tiny drop, then from an aalaqah, then from a mudghah, formed and unformed, and so We may clarify things for you. We settle in the wombs what We will for a specified term. Then We bring you out as infants, after which you reach your maturity. Among you is one who is taken back while another among you will be consigned to the least dignified age, whereupon he will know nothing after having had knowledge. You see the earth lifeless, but when We bring the water down on it, it quivers, thrives and grows of every lovely pair.
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Footnote 22:5 – The words 'aalaqah' and 'mudghah' carry great scientific content. The word 'aalaqah' literally means something that clings, like a leech or a bloodsucker. This is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin.
The word 'mudghah' literally means a chewed substance or chewed lump. Towards the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks like a chewed lump of flesh, not different from the marks on chewing gum. The chewed appearance results from the somites that resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings (primordial) of the vertebrae.
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[22:6] That is because God is the Truth, and because He brings the dead to life, and because He is Capable of all things,
[22:7] and because the Hour is coming, there is no doubt about it, and because God will resurrect those who are in the graves.
[22:8] Among the people is he who argues about God without knowledge, without guidance, and without an enlightening Book,
[22:9] turning away arrogantly to misguide from the path of God. He will have disgrace in the world, and on the Day of Resurrection, We will make him taste the punishment of the Fire.
[22:10] "That is for what your hands have put forth for God is not unjust towards the servants."
[22:11] Among the people, there is the one who worships God on an edge. If some good comes to him, he is content with it, but if some test befalls him, he makes a detour. He thus loses the world and the Hereafter; such is the clear loss.
[22:12] He calls upon, besides God, what cannot harm him nor benefit him. Such is the extreme misguidance.
[22:13] He calls upon one whose harm is closer to hand than his benefit. What a miserable master! What a miserable associate!
[22:14] God will admit those who believe and do good deeds into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. God does whatever He wills.
[22:15] Whoever thinks that God will not support him in this world and in the Hereafter, let him extend a path to the sky, then sever all else. Then let him see if his action removes what aggravates him.
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Footnote 22:15 –The Arabic word 'sababan' has been used in the Quran to mean a path (see 18:85 and 40:36) or a connection (see 2:166). The glorious words in 22:15 provide a great test for all people with regards to how much they trust and depend on God. God invites anyone who doubts God's support in this life or the Hereafter to turn to the sky (in prayer to God), establishing a path/connection with God, then sever his dependence on anything and anyone else. He can then see if this action removes what has been aggravating him or not.
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[22:16] And thus, We have brought it down in the form of clear revelations, and God guides whomever He wills.
[22:17] Indeed, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Sabians, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, as well as those who committed shirk; God will distinguish between them on the Day of Resurrection. Indeed, God is Witness over all things.
[22:18] Do you not see that to God prostrate all who are in the heavens and who are in the earth, as well as the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the creatures and many among the people? Many others have rightly deserved the punishment. Whomever God humiliates will have none to honour him. God does whatever He wills.
[22:19] Here are two disputants who disputed concerning their Lord. For those who disbelieved, they shall have clothes of fire cut out for them. A boiling liquid will be poured over their heads
[22:20] which will melt what is in their bellies, as well as the skins.
[22:21] They shall have iron restraints.
[22:22] Every time they want to come out of it, because of the suffering, they are returned to it: "Taste the punishment of the Fire."
[22:23] God will admit those who believe and do good deeds into Gardens beneath which rivers flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk.
[22:24] They were guided to speak righteously, and they were guided to the path of the Praiseworthy.
[22:25] Those who have disbelieved and repel from the path of God and the Masjid Al-Haram which We designated for the people, whether it be the dweller or the visitor. And whoever seeks blasphemy and transgression therein, We will make him taste a painful punishment.
[22:26] We assigned for Abraham the location of the House: "Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My House for those who visit and those who live near it, and for those who bow and prostrate.
[22:27] And proclaim the Hajj to the people. They will come to you on foot and on every lean animal; they will come from every deep ravine
[22:28] to witness benefits for them and to commemorate God's name during the known days for providing them with the livestock animals. So eat from it and feed the miserable, the poor.
[22:29] Then they shall end their state of unkemptness, fulfil their vows and visit the Ancient House."
[22:30] That and whoever honours the prohibitions set by God, it is indeed better for him in the sight of his Lord. The livestock has been made lawful for you, except for what is recited to you. So stay away from the abomination of idols, and stay away from uttering lies.
[22:31] Be monotheist for God, associating none with Him. Whoever associates others with God will be as though he has fallen down from the sky, then to be snatched up by the birds or to be blown away by the wind to a remote place.
[22:32] That and whoever honours the rites decreed by God then that is truly due to the reverence of the hearts.
[22:33] In them are benefits for you for a specified time, then their destination is the Ancient House.
[22:34] For every nation, We have appointed a worship ritual whereby they commemorate the name of God over what He has provided for them of the livestock animals. Your god is One God, so to Him you shall submit. Give good news to the humble,
[22:35] who, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and those who are patient in the face of what has afflicted them, and those who observe the Salat, and from what We have provided for them, they give.
[22:36] We have decreed the animal offerings for you among the rites of God. In them are benefits for you. So mention God's name on them while they are lined up, then once they collapse on their sides, eat from it and feed the poor and the needy. Thus did We subject them to you, so hopefully you may give thanks.
[22:37] Neither their meat nor their blood reaches God, but it is your reverence that reaches Him. Thus did He subject them to you so that you may magnify God for guiding you. And give good news to the good-doers.
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Footnote 22:37 – The concept of sacrificing an animal for God, which has its roots in the Old Testament, is totally rejected by God in the Quran.
When an animal is killed for charity, neither its meat nor its blood reaches God. What reaches God is our righteousness and reverence.
The concept of donating anything to God is meaningless since everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to God in the first place:
'To God belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and what is in them. He is Capable of all things.' 5:120.
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[22:38] God defends those who believe. Indeed, God dislikes every ungrateful betrayer.
[22:39] Permission has been granted to those who are being attacked since they have been treated unjustly. Indeed, God is Capable of granting them victory.
[22:40] They are the ones who have been evicted from their homes unjustly and for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is God." If it were not that God repels people by means of one another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and masjids, where the name of God is frequently mentioned, would have been destroyed. Absolutely, God will support those who support Him. Indeed, God is Powerful, Dignified.
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Footnote 22:39-40 – The keyword 'yuqataloon' speaks of those who are being attacked. They are given permission to fight back. Throughout the Quran, fighting is allowed only in self-defence. The words 'the ones who have been evicted from their homes unjustly' in verse 40 further confirm that the permission to fight is given only to those who fight in self-defence.
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[22:41] They are the ones who, if We establish in the land, would observe the Salat and give the Zakat, as well as advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and to God belongs the outcome of all matters.
[22:42] If they deny you, the people of Noah, Aad and Thamoud have also denied before them,
[22:43] so did the people of Abraham and the people of Lot,
[22:44] and the companions of Madyan, and Moses was also denied. So I granted the disbelievers some respite, then I seized them; how then was My disapproval!
[22:45] How many a village We have annihilated while it was transgressing! And so it lay in ruins, with an abandoned well and a lofty palace!
[22:46] Have they not travelled in the land and had hearts to reason with and ears to hear with? Indeed, it is not the sight that becomes blind, but it is the hearts in the chests.
[22:47] They ask you to hasten the punishment! God will not break His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of your count.
[22:48] How many a village I have granted respite while it was transgressing, then I seized it! To Me is the ultimate destination.
[22:49] Say, "O people, I am but a clear warner to you."
[22:50] Those who believe and do good deeds shall have forgiveness and a generous provision.
[22:51] And those who strove to thwart Our revelations, they are the companions of Hellfire.
[22:52] We did not send before you any messenger nor a prophet without the devil attempting to tamper with his wishes. God then records the tampering of the devil, and He asserts His revelations. God is Knowledgeable, Wise.
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Footnote 22:52 – The word 'yansakh' in this verse means to record or write down (see footnote 2:106).
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[22:53] This is in order for Him to set up the tampering of the devil as a test for those who have sickness in their hearts and those whose hearts are hardened. The transgressors are in vast opposition.
[22:54] And so that those who were given the knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and thus believe in it, and their hearts will be humbled to Him. God guides those who believe to a straight path.
[22:55] Those who disbelieve continue to be in doubt about it until the Hour comes upon them suddenly, or there comes to them the punishment of a barren day.
[22:56] The sovereignty on that Day belongs to God. He will judge between them. Those who believe and do good deeds will be in the Gardens of Bliss.
[22:57] As for those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, they shall have a humiliating punishment.
[22:58] Those who emigrated in the cause of God then got killed or died, God will provide them with good provisions. Indeed, God is the best of providers.
[22:59] He will admit them by an entrance which they will be pleased with. Indeed, God is Knowledgeable, Forbearing.
[22:60] That and if one retaliates with the equivalent of what was inflicted on him, but was then persecuted, God will surely support him. Indeed, God is Pardoner, Forgiving.
[22:61] That is because God merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night, and because God is Hearer, Seer.
[22:62] That is because God is the Truth, and what they call upon besides Him is the falsehood, and that God is the Most High, the Great.
[22:63] Do you not see that God brings water down from the sky whereby the land becomes green? Indeed, God is Gentle, All-Aware.
[22:64] To Him belongs what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and indeed, God is the Rich One, the Praiseworthy.
[22:65] Have you not seen that God has subjected for you what is in the earth, and the ships sail in the sea by His command, and He holds the sky lest it falls on the earth, except by His permission? Indeed, God is Compassionate and Merciful towards the people.
[22:66] He is the One who brought you to life, then He puts you to death, then He brings you to life. Indeed, the human being is ungrateful.
[22:67] For every nation, We have appointed a worship ritual they are to observe. So let them not dispute with you in the matter. And invite to your Lord; you are upon straight guidance.
[22:68] And if they argue with you, then say, "God knows best what you are doing.
[22:69] God will judge between you on the Day of Resurrection regarding that over which you used to differ."
[22:70] Do you not know that God knows what is in the heaven and the earth? That is in a Book. Indeed, that is easy for God.
[22:71] They worship besides God that which He did not bring down authorisation for, and of which they have no knowledge! The transgressors will have no supporter.
[22:72] When Our clear revelations are recited to them, you detect evil in the faces of those who disbelieve. They almost assault those who recite Our revelations to them! Say, "Shall I inform you of what is worse than that? The Fire! God has promised it for those who disbelieved; what a miserable destination!"
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Footnote 22:72 - A notable word in the phrase 'in the faces' is the word 'in'. The normal phrasing is usually (on the faces). The use of the word 'in' is deliberate, and it indicates that the evil that is detected emanates from within the disbelievers and is not a physical mark on their faces. This evil and sickness originate from their hearts (see 2:10).
Footnote 22:72 - A notable word in the phrase 'in the faces' is the word 'in'. The normal phrasing is usually (on the faces). The use of the word 'in' is deliberate, and it indicates that the evil that is detected emanates from within the disbelievers and is not a physical mark on their faces. This evil and sickness originate from their hearts (see 2:10).
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[22:73] O people, an example has been cited, so listen to it: those whom you call upon besides God will not create a fly, even if they all banded together to do it. In addition, if the fly should strip them of anything, they would not be able to retrieve that from it. Weak is the seeker and the sought.
[22:74] They did not value God according to His true worth. Indeed, God is Powerful, Dignified.
[22:75] God chooses messengers from among the angels, as well as from among the people. Indeed, God is Hearer, Seer.
[22:76] He knows what is before them and what is after them, and to God all matters are returned.
[22:77] O you who believe, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord, and do good so that you may succeed.
[22:78] And strive in the cause of God with the striving that is due to Him. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in the religion - the creed of your father, Abraham. He has named you Submitters from before, and in this, so that the messenger may serve as a witness over you, and you to serve as witnesses over the people. So observe the Salat and give the Zakat, and hold fast to God. He is your Master, the best Master and the best Supporter.
[22:78] And strive in the cause of God with the striving that is due to Him. He has chosen you and has placed no hardship on you in the religion - the creed of your father, Abraham. He has named you Submitters from before, and in this, so that the messenger may serve as a witness over you, and you to serve as witnesses over the people. So observe the Salat and give the Zakat, and hold fast to God. He is your Master, the best Master and the best Supporter.
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