Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Surah al-A’raf, Chapter 7

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verses 1 – 10

المص {1}

1. Alif, Lam, Meem

كِتَابٌ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا يَكُنْ فِي صَدْرِكَ حَرَجٌ مِنْهُ لِتُنْذِرَ بِهِ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ {2}

2. Oh you Prophet, the Text We have revealed unto you to warn the people therewith and wherein there is advice for the faithful and be not grieved.

اتَّبِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَۗ قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ {3}

3. Follow what is revealed unto you from your Providence and do not follow anyone barring Him. You (people) admit but little advice.

وَكَمْ مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَاهَا فَجَاءَهَا بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتًا أَوْ هُمْ قَائِلُونَ {4}

4. And how many towns have We destroyed, came to them Our punishment, during night or day when they were resting.

فَمَا كَانَ دَعْوَاهُمْ إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَالِمِينَ {5}

5. When Our punishment came to them, their cry was nothing but they admitted they were disobedient.

فَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الْمُرْسَلِينَ {6}

6. So We shall question them to whom were sent Our Messengers and We shall question Our Messengers, too.

فَلَنَقُصَّنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِعِلْمٍۖ وَمَا كُنَّا غَائِبِينَ {7}

7. And We shall knowingly describe to them (about their deeds) for We were not absent.1

وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّۚ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ {8}

8. And true is the testing by measurement of acts, so whose scale pan of acts shall over-weigh they shall attain salvation.

وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَظْلِمُونَ {9}

9. And those whose scale pan shall under-weight will have suffered personal loss for having disobeyed our couplets (in writing or person).

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّاكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَايِشَۗ قَلِيلًا مَا تَشْكُرُونَ {10}

10. And certainly We gave you control on land and fixed therein for you means of livelihood, although few are grateful.

Moral

God has fixed prayers, binding, do not waste them, has fixed limits, do not transgress them, has forbidden you choice, in most permissible, so as not to omit, why undertake pains to acquire them?

Verses 11 – 25

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ {11}

11. Certainly did We create you of sperm, then clot of blood, then muscles and then gave framework of bones to the body which was covered later with skin, then endowed upon you eyes, ears, nose, hands, and feet, etc. stature, height, etc. then commanded angels to bow down to Adam to whom did all prostrate, except Satan who was not among the prostraters.

قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسْجُدَ إِذْ أَمَرْتُكَۖ قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِنْ نَارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِنْ طِينٍ {12}

12. He was asked, “What barred him from kneeling down, whom I commanded.” He replied, “I am superior to him. You created me of fire and him of earth.”

قَالَ فَاهْبِطْ مِنْهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَنْ تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَاخْرُجْ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الصَّاغِرِينَ {13}

13. God commanded,2 “Get down from here, you are not to pride here.”

قَالَ أَنْظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ {14}

14. Say, “Get out you are damned until the day the creatures will be raised alive (as a result of his reward for Divine worship).”

قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنْظَرِينَ {15}

15. God said, “You are among those given time, not for the period requested3 ”

قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ {16}

16. He (devil) said, “For the trial You did put me, leading to my destruction, I shall also sit in Your way4 .”

ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ {17}

17. Then “I shall come in the forefront of them (by belittling in their eyes eternal affairs, and led them to procrastinate) and from behind (inviting them to worldly pleasure, engaging them in collecting wealth and being after power), approach them on their right, (prevent them from virtues) and from their left (induce them to vices) and passionate action. You shall not find most of them to be grateful.”

قَالَ اخْرُجْ مِنْهَا مَذْءُومًا مَدْحُورًاۖ لَمَنْ تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنْكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ {18}

18. God said, “Get out disgraced and routed (in your designs). Who amongst them shall follow you, verily shall I fill hell with them all.

وَيَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنْتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ {19}

19. Oh you Adam, you and your wife live in Paradise and eat thereof you like, but do not go near that tree lest you will be liable to disobedience.

فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ لِيُبْدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُورِيَ عَنْهُمَا مِنْ سَوْآتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَاكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ الْخَالِدِينَ {20}

20. So the devil created misgivings in their minds, to expose their private parts, (or weakness of mind) hidden so far and said, “Your Providence has not barred you from that tree but you may be angels or permanent residents thereof.”

وَقَاسَمَهُمَا إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ النَّاصِحِينَ {21}

21. And swore before them, “Verily I am your well-wisher.”

فَدَلَّاهُمَا بِغُرُورٍۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا الشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِۖ وَنَادَاهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا أَلَمْ أَنْهَكُمَا عَنْ تِلْكُمَا الشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُلْ لَكُمَا إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ لَكُمَا عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ {22}

22. Thus, he beguiled them by creating desires by doubtful suggestions and when they tasted from like of the tree, their private parts were exposed and they started covering them with leaves of the trees, and their Providence called out to them, “Did I not warn you against that tree and inform you, the devil is your open enemy?”

قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنْفُسَنَا وَإِنْ لَمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ {23}

23. They said, “Oh our Providence, we have ruined ourselves and if You should not forgive us, and be merciful to us, we shall be among the losers.”

قَالَ اهْبِطُوا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّۖ وَلَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمَتَاعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ {24}

24. God said, “You (all) better get down, you will be inimical to one another, and Earth shall be your sojourn for a fixed period, where, for the time being, you will have (to make) life resources regarding food, dress, and habitation.

قَالَ فِيهَا تَحْيَوْنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنْهَا تُخْرَجُونَ {25}

25. And there shall you be born, die, and thence shall you be raised (alive for accounting).

Moral

Let your acts be based on certainty at first have patience under trials, touching obligations, maintain cheerful disposition with the Trust in God, while maintaining Justice, based on piety.

Verses 26 – 39

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًاۖ وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ {26}

26. “Oh sons of Adam, We sent you clothing (on Earth in cotton, wool, and silk) to cover you and be an ornament, and dress of piety (for your soul) is better than this (because the soul is your distinction). This is a sign of God for them to take an advice (by maintaining their distinction from animals).

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ لَا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ كَمَا أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَنْزِعُ عَنْهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوْآتِهِمَاۗ إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْۗ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ {27}

27. Oh sons of Adam, guard against the devil lest he may not entrap you as he got your parents (Adam and Eve) out of Paradise and stripped off their dress to expose their privacy. (Weakness of mind) verily he and his army look at you from whence you cannot see them. Verily have We made devils (amongst you) their companions who do not put faith (in Our warnings).

وَإِذَا فَعَلُوا فَاحِشَةً قَالُوا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهَا آبَاءَنَا وَاللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَاۗ قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشَاءِۖ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {28}

28. When they commit evil (usurp legal rights of Divine succession) they say “We found (similarly) our forefathers’ following the succession and God has so commanded.” Say, “Verily God does not command sinful (leaders to guide public destiny).” What! Are you libelling Him (by tampering with the text) with what you know not.”

قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِۖ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ {29}

29. Verily my Providence has ordered justice (when justice is His Inherent) attribute, how can He permit passionate people to lead public destiny5 and direct yourself to holy sanctuary, at every time of prayers, praying unto Him sincerely, attached to Him as your solitary Lord as you shall revert unto Him, as you were created by Him.

فَرِيقًا هَدَىٰ وَفَرِيقًا حَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الضَّلَالَةُۗ إِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَ {30}

30. A group of them He guided, and the other, He left out (being unfit for guidance). Misguidance was substantiated against them because verily they admitted the devil (passionate worldly leaders), leaving God (i.e. Divine Light)) as their patrons and laboured under conception of being guided6

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُواۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ {31}

31. Oh you son of Adam, put on clean clothes (on Fridays and festivals during prayers) and eat and drink but do not waste for He does not approve of the extravagant.

قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِ وَالطَّيِّبَاتِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِۚ قُلْ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِۗ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ {32}

32. Say, “Who has illegalized ornamental wearing which God has brought out for humans and pure provisions?” Say, “Those who have faith (in God) while being in this world shall especially inherit all the above, on Reckoning day, thus We describe in detail Our commands for those who have knowledge (of certainty).

قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَالْإِثْمَ وَالْبَغْيَ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَأَنْ تُشْرِكُوا بِاللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يُنَزِّلْ بِهِ سُلْطَانًا وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {33}

33. Say, “God has illegalized only all evil, (be it) open or secret, and (disobedience) by denial (rebellion) and association with God without justification, and deciding without Divine knowledge (by guesswork).

وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌۖ فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ {34}

34. For every sect there is a fixed period when it shall mature, nor an hour shall be retrograded or delayed.

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِنْكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِيۙ فَمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ{35}

35. Oh you children of Adam, when the Prophets come to you of your genus, (but inspired unlike you) reading out to you My Commands, know those who adopt piety and improves self, need not be afraid of future, nor be sorry for the past.

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْهَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ {36}

36. And those who falsified Our (written or personal) Commands and turn away from them in pride they are members of Hell wherein shall they ever remain.

فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِآيَاتِهِۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يَنَالُهُمْ نَصِيبُهُمْ مِنَ الْكِتَابِۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوْنَهُمْ قَالُوا أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِۖ قَالُوا ضَلُّوا عَنَّا وَشَهِدُوا عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا كَافِرِينَ {37}

37. Who can be greater tyrant than one alleging God falsely and falsifying His Commands? These are the people who shall receive their determined share of the Text until Our angel of death approaches them to remove their souls, when they will ask, “Where are your leaders, whom barring God, you were worshipping in the world?” They will say, “They have disappeared from us all, and will thus testify against self, they were infidels.”

الَ ادْخُلُوا فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ فِي النَّارِۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَعَنَتْ أُخْتَهَاۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا ادَّارَكُوا فِيهَا جَمِيعًا قَالَتْ أُخْرَاهُمْ لِأُولَاهُمْ رَبَّنَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ أَضَلُّونَا فَآتِهِمْ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا مِنَ النَّارِۖ قَالَ لِكُلٍّ ضِعْفٌ وَلَٰكِنْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {38}

38. God will say, “Enter into Hell with the generation which preceded you, of spirits and humans.” When any sect will enter it will curse its sister group until when all shall gather together, the succeeding group, with regard to its proceeding, will pray “Oh our Providence, these are the people who misguided us, give them double punishment in hell.” God shall say, “For everyone is double punishment, but you do not understand.”

وَقَالَتْ أُولَاهُمْ لِأُخْرَاهُمْ فَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ فَضْلٍ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْسِبُونَ {39}

39. (Leaders for being misguided and having misguided, the followers for being misguided and having following the misguided). And the preceding will taunt their successors, “How are you better off than us?”

Moral

Pious creatures of God bore worldly and eternal benefits for they participated the worldly in their worldly avocations, attending to religious duty, whereas the worldly people did not share with the religious in their religious duties. The pious lived in the world with piety and ate pure and lawful, thus deriving worldly pleasures with the worldly who were too arrogant to attend to religious duty. The pious thus got the world and eternal bliss, the latter of which was lost to the worldly.

Verses 40 – 58

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَاسْتَكْبَرُوا عَنْهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَلَا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ الْجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ الْخِيَاطِۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُجْرِمِينَ {40}

40. Verily those who falsified Our commands (in writing or in person of Divine Lights) and prided self over them neither the door of Heaven will be opened (to admit their acts) nor shall they be admitted to Paradise until the camel pass the bore of a needle7 and thus do We reward, I.e. punish the rebels.

لَهُمْ مِنْ جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ {41}

41. In Hell is a bed for them and covering over head (i.e. through and through) and thus do We reward the tyrants.

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ {42}

42. And those who embraced faith and acted righteously, “We do not exact more than their capacity.” They are of paradise wherein shall they ever abide.

وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ مِنْ غِلٍّ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهِمُ الْأَنْهَارُۖ وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلَا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُۖ لَقَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّۖ وَنُودُوا أَنْ تِلْكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ أُورِثْتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {43}

43. And We shall purificate their hearts of malice and jealously before admitting them to paradise, (they will drink of water of one stream which will purificate their hearts, and bathe in the other stream, which will restore their youthful vigour), and on entering paradise, underneath which flow streams, they will say “Thanks to God, Who guided us (to His Divine Lights)” else, we would not have been guided, “If God had not guided us.” Verily did the Prophet of our Providence come to us, with Truth, when they will get a response (to their gratefulness), you inherited this paradise due to your action which you had been performing.

وَنَادَىٰ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَابَ النَّارِ أَنْ قَدْ وَجَدْنَا مَا وَعَدَنَا رَبُّنَا حَقًّا فَهَلْ وَجَدْتُمْ مَا وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمْ حَقًّاۖ قَالُوا نَعَمْۚ فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنٌ بَيْنَهُمْ أَنْ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِينَ {44}

44. People of paradise (on rising of the curtain between paradise and hell) will call out, “People of Hell we found the promise held out to us. (True) by our Providence duly fulfilled, did you find likewise the promise held out to you by your Providence?” They would say yes, when the crier (Ali) in between them, will exclaim “Curse be on the tyrants

الَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَيَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًا وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ كَافِرُونَ {45}

45. who barred the public from Divine Lights, and were on the crooked way and they were actually denying eternity

وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌۚ وَعَلَى الْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالٌ يَعْرِفُونَ كُلًّا بِسِيمَاهُمْۚ وَنَادَوْا أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمْۚ لَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا وَهُمْ يَطْمَعُونَ {46}

46. and between the two groups (of paradise and hell), there will be a partition, and on the reef (on the bridge over Hell), shall be Divine Lights8 , and these Divine Lights will be knowing each, by signs on their forehead, (black being of hell and white of paradise). These sinful Shias who have so far not admitted into paradise, will wish peace to those having preceded them in paradise9

وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَارُهُمْ تِلْقَاءَ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ {47}

47. And when their eyes will be directed to those of hell, they would pray, “Oh our Providence, do not congregate us with members of Hell.

وَنَادَىٰ أَصْحَابُ الْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالًا يَعْرِفُونَهُمْ بِسِيمَاهُمْ قَالُوا مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ {48}

48. Divine Lights on the reef will shout at (Chief Infidels) then already case in hell and address them “neither your worldly property nor position saved you (from escaping hell).

أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ أَقْسَمْتُمْ لَا يَنَالُهُمُ اللَّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍۚ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا أَنْتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ {49}

49. “Are these the people, point to sinful Shias, standing by them, regarding whom you used to state swearingly, ‘God’s mercy shall never reach them,’” (then directing to sinful Shias will say), ‘Better get into paradise, you have neither fear nor grief anymore.’”

وَنَادَىٰ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ أَصْحَابَ الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ أَفِيضُوا عَلَيْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ أَوْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُۚ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ {50}

50. And members of hell will shout at those of paradise “Cast on us a little water and provision, what God has bestowed on you.” They, in reply, will say, “Verily, God has illegalized it on infidels.”

الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا دِينَهُمْ لَهْوًا وَلَعِبًا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَاۚ فَالْيَوْمَ نَنْسَاهُمْ كَمَا نَسُوا لِقَاءَ يَوْمِهِمْ هَٰذَا وَمَا كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَجْحَدُونَ {51}

51. Who played fast and loose with religion and whom the worldly life had deceived and Divine reply will be “Today, shall We discard them as they had neglected to face Us today and used to litigate with Our signs (in person of Divine Lights).”

وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَاهُمْ بِكِتَابٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {52}

52. Verily, We gave them a Book, dealing with tenets of Islam, advice, religions, philosophy, to Our knowledge, which was (a source of) guidance and Mercy for a faithful sect.

هَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا تَأْوِيلَهُۚ يَوْمَ يَأْتِي تَأْوِيلُهُ يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ قَدْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ فَهَلْ لَنَا مِنْ شُفَعَاءَ فَيَشْفَعُوا لَنَا أَوْ نُرَدُّ فَنَعْمَلَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي كُنَّا نَعْمَلُۚ قَدْ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ {53}

53. Are they awaiting issues of threats thereof? The day the issues will be out those who had disregarded them before would say, “Verily, did the Prophet of our Providence come with Truth. Is there anyone to intercede on your behalf? Who can do so? Can we be sent back (to the world) to act otherwise than what we acted in the past?” Verily, they put themselves to (severe) loss and those false propaganda regarding intercession of idols, they were doing, will disappear from them (those bosses themselves being cast in hell)

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِۗ أَلَا لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالْأَمْرُۗ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ {54}

54. Verily, your Providence is God, Who created Heavens and earth in six days, then passed His Commands to dispensation of knowledge regarding creation of Spiritual world (to Divine Lights gifted with His attributes), covers the night with the day which quickly follows suit, the sun and the moon and the stars are revolving under His Commands. Beware creation of physical and spiritual bodies pertain to Him. Auspicious is God the Providence of the worlds.

ادْعُوا رَبَّكُمْ تَضَرُّعًا وَخُفْيَةًۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ {55}

55. Pray unto Him with importunity and in low tone, verily He does not approve of transgressors.

وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًاۚ إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {56}

56. Do not spread sedition on Earth after restoration of peace (by the Prophet) and pray unto Him with fear and hope. Verily Divine Mercy is close to the righteous.

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ بُشْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِۖ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقْنَاهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَيِّتٍ فَأَنْزَلْنَا بِهِ الْمَاءَ فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُخْرِجُ الْمَوْتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ {57}

57. It is He who forecasts His Mercy (rain) by winds as tidings until drives rain laden clouds to the dried earth to feed the dead soil (dried up). We then send downpour of rain with which We grow every kind of fruit. Similarly shall We raise the dead so you may remember.

وَالْبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۖ وَالَّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخْرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدًاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَشْكُرُونَ {58}

58. Fertile soil grows vegetation under Divine sanction in bloom and barren soil does not grow anything but little. Thus do We alternate Our Commands for the grateful.

Moral

We have physical world and spiritual world. When both attain requisite standard, soul enters. Hence, theory of Humans from monkey fails (54). Similarly, soul after attaining maturity leaves this world and cannot enter newly born body, which will be equally matured, which is not, hence theory of transmigration fails.

Verses 59 – 84

Note: This is a paragraph on knowledge of Divine Lights, whose sound and real and useful advice is referred to the public, as against those of their enemies, yielding hardly beneficial results.

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ {59}

59. Verily, did We send Noah10 to his tribe, whom, he said, “Oh my tribe, worship God except whom there is no other than your God. Verily, I am afraid of you of the punishment of Judgment Day.”

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {60}

60. The nobles of his tribe said, “We see you in open misguidance.”

قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِي ضَلَالَةٌ وَلَٰكِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {61}

61. Noah replied, “Oh my tribe, misguidance is not in the least degree in me but I am rather a prophet of Providence of the worlds.

أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَأَنْصَحُ لَكُمْ وَأَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {62}

62. “I transmit you messages from my Providence, I wish your welfare, and I know what you do not.”

أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَنْ جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ لِيُنْذِرَكُمْ وَلِتَتَّقُوا وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ {63}

63. Are you astonished at the advice having come to you from your Providence through one amongst you so he may warn you11 and you be pious so as to be mercified.

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ فِي الْفُلْكِ وَأَغْرَقْنَا الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَاۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا قَوْمًا عَمِينَ {64}

64. They falsified him and We saved him and those with him in the ark and We drowned those who falsified Our signs (in person of Divine Lights). Verily, they were blind hearted.

وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًاۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ {65}

65. And We sent to the tribe of ‘Ad, his brother (a member of human genus) in Hud (of Noah’s Lineage) (as Our Prophet) who said, “Oh my tribe, pray unto God, except Whom, for you there is no other God. What! Do you not fear Divine wrath?”

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ إِنَّا لَنَرَاكَ فِي سَفَاهَةٍ وَإِنَّا لَنَظُنُّكَ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ {66}

66. The “infidel nobles” of his tribe said, “We certainly find you labouring in ignorance and certainly We count you among the liars.

قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَيْسَ بِي سَفَاهَةٌ وَلَٰكِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {67}

67. He said, “Oh my tribe, I have not the slightest ignorance in me. Rather, I ahm a prophet from the Providence of the world.

أُبَلِّغُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَأَنَا لَكُمْ نَاصِحٌ أَمِينٌ {68}

68. I transmit the message of my Providence, and I am your reliable well wisher.

أَوَعَجِبْتُمْ أَنْ جَاءَكُمْ ذِكْرٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ لِيُنْذِرَكُمْۚ وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِنْ بَعْدِ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَزَادَكُمْ فِي الْخَلْقِ بَسْطَةًۖ فَاذْكُرُوا آلَاءَ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ {69}

69. What! Are you astonished at the advice having come to you from your God? Through a unit from you to warn you, remember God mad you successor to Noah’s generation and enhanced your strength and structure to attain salvation (by following Divine Lights).

قَالُوا أَجِئْتَنَا لِنَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ وَنَذَرَ مَا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُنَاۖ فَأْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ {70}

70. They said, “Have you come to ask us to worship one God and give up what our forefathers used to worship? Bring the punishment of which you promised if you are true.”

قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌۖ أَتُجَادِلُونَنِي فِي أَسْمَاءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُمْ مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍۚ فَانْتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِينَ {71}

71. Hud said, “Divine punishment and wrath from your Providence have been decided to come to you. Are you disputing regarding those whom your forefathers have nominated, and for whom God has not sent any testimony? Hence, await the punishment, andI am also awaiting it with you.”

فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ مِنَّا وَقَطَعْنَا دَابِرَ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَاۖ وَمَا كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ {72}

72. So we save Hud and those who were with him with Our mercy and destroyed them who are falsifying Our signs and were not faithful.

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًاۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْۖ هَٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ آيَةًۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّهِۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {73}

73. And We sent their brother Salih as our Prophet to the tribe of Samood who said, “Oh my tribe, worship God except whom for you there is no other God. Of course, open miracle from Providence has come to you. This is a she-camel of God, a miracle, (because being born of no parentage issued from the cliff), leave her to graze on the earth of God, anddo not harm her, lest intense punishment overtake you.”

وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ جَعَلَكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ مِنْ بَعْدِ عَادٍ وَبَوَّأَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْ سُهُولِهَا قُصُورًا وَتَنْحِتُونَ الْجِبَالَ بُيُوتًاۖ فَاذْكُرُوا آلَاءَ اللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ {74}

74. Remember after the destruction of the tribe of ‘Ad, God made you its successor and inhabited you on soft soil whereupon you build palaces and cutting rocks from hills, make castles, follow Divine Light, and do not instigate sedition on earth.

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ أَتَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَالِحًا مُرْسَلٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِۚ قَالُوا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلَ بِهِ مُؤْمِنُونَ {75}

75. The proud nobles of his tribe said to the weak of them who had embraced faith, “Do you know Salih is a Divine Messenger from Him?” They replied, “We fully believe in whatever has been revealed unto him.”

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا إِنَّا بِالَّذِي آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ كَافِرُونَ {76}

76. The proud nobles said, “We disbelieved certainly in what you have believed.”

فَعَقَرُوا النَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوْا عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ وَقَالُوا يَا صَالِحُ ائْتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ {77}

77. They wounded the she-camel and transgressed the Commands of their Providence and demanded of Salih if he was a prophet to bring down the punishment he had been promising12 .

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ {78}

78. Earthquake overtook them after a shriek and they were turned into ashes in their own homes.

فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ لَا تُحِبُّونَ النَّاصِحِينَ {79}

79. Salih turned his face away from them and said to himself, “Oh my tribe, verily I transmitted the message of my Providence to you and advised you but you did not appreciate your well-wisher.”

وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُمْ بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْعَالَمِينَ {80}

80. And we sent Lot when he told his tribe, “What, are you practicing an evil, like of which none in the world has done heretofore.

نَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِنْ دُونِ النِّسَاءِۚ بَلْ أَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُسْرِفُونَ {81}

81. Leaving your wives, you approach men lustfully. Verily, you are a transgressing tribe.”

وَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا أَخْرِجُوهُمْ مِنْ قَرْيَتِكُمْۖ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ {82}

82. His tribe could not respond thereto, except saying, “Drive him out from our town, because he claims to be pure of sins.”

فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ {83}

83. So We saved him and his children except this wife who was among the lags.

وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ مَطَرًاۖ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ {84}

84. So we rained fire and brimstone on them. Look at what has been the fate of the culprits.

Moral

Put logically (79) it is:

1. If you loved me, you would have accepted my Divine Message.

2. But you denied it.

3. And, therefore, you did not love Me, hence, your destruction is certain. Thus love of Divine Light is the test of salvation.

Verses 85 – 99

وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًاۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ بَيِّنَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْۖ فَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا النَّاسَ أَشْيَاءَهُمْ وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ {85}

85. And to Midian did We send their brother Shu‘ayb (as Our Prophet) who said, “Oh my sect, worship God, except Whom for you there is no other God, verily, to you from your Providence have come clear proof.” Measure and weight equally and do not put men to loss in their dues and do not instigate sedition after restoration of peace. This is good for you, if you are faithful.

وَلَا تَقْعُدُوا بِكُلِّ صِرَاطٍ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِهِ وَتَبْغُونَهَا عِوَجًاۚ وَاذْكُرُوا إِذْ كُنْتُمْ قَلِيلًا فَكَثَّرَكُمْۖ وَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {86}

86. Do not sit down on roads to threaten wayfarers and bar people from the Divine Way who have embraced faith in God and be not in for crooked paths. Remember when you were scanty, God increased your fold and think over the consequence of seditions.

وَإِنْ كَانَ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْكُمْ آمَنُوا بِالَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ وَطَائِفَةٌ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا فَاصْبِرُوا حَتَّىٰ يَحْكُمَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَنَاۚ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الْحَاكِمِينَ {87}

87. And if a group among you has put faith in what is my message (from God) and the other has disbelieved it, wait until God decides between us, He is the best to judge.

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لَنُخْرِجَنَّكَ يَا شُعَيْبُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَكَ مِنْ قَرْيَتِنَا أَوْ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِي مِلَّتِنَاۚ قَالَ أَوَلَوْ كُنَّا كَارِهِينَ {88}

88. The proud nobles of his tribe said, “We shall certainly drive you out oh Shu‘ayb with those who have faith in you from our town unless you revert to our faith.” Shu‘ayb replied, “What! Shall we revert even if we disapprove of it?

قَدِ افْتَرَيْنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنْ عُدْنَا فِي مِلَّتِكُمْ بَعْدَ إِذْ نَجَّانَا اللَّهُ مِنْهَاۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَا أَنْ نَعُودَ فِيهَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَشَاءَ اللَّهُ رَبُّنَاۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًاۚ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَاۚ رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِينَ {89}

89. “We would be alleging against God if we reverted to your faith after having been delivered by God from it. What is up with us that we should revert to it, unless God, Our Providence, so chooses. Knowledge of our Providence is all prevailing, we have trust in God. Oh our Providence, You decide between us and our sect with justice and You are best at judging.”

وَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتُمْ شُعَيْبًا إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَخَاسِرُونَ {90}

90. The infidel nobles of his tribe said, “If you follow Shu‘ayb, you will be losers.

فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ {91}

91. So the earthquake overtook them and they were destroyed in their homes.

الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَأَنْ لَمْ يَغْنَوْا فِيهَاۚ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا شُعَيْبًا كَانُوا هُمُ الْخَاسِرِينَ {92}

92. Who falsified Shu‘ayb and they were destroyed as though they never existed, those who falsified Shu‘ayb were the people to suffer.

فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنْهُمْ وَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ لَقَدْ أَبْلَغْتُكُمْ رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّي وَنَصَحْتُ لَكُمْۖ فَكَيْفَ آسَىٰ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ كَافِرِينَ {93}

93. So Shu‘ayb turned his face from them and said, “Oh my tribe, I transmitted to you the message of my Providence and advised you too. Why should I be sorry for the disbelievers?

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا أَخَذْنَا أَهْلَهَا بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَضَّرَّعُونَ {94}

94. And We did not send in any town any Prophet but when (they disbelieved him) We involved them in poverty and diseases so their hearts may soften.

ثُمَّ بَدَّلْنَا مَكَانَ السَّيِّئَةِ الْحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَوْا وَقَالُوا قَدْ مَسَّ آبَاءَنَا الضَّرَّاءُ وَالسَّرَّاءُ فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ{95}

95. And when they importuned We replaced their adversity with amenities until they developed into horn of plenty and began to say such kind of adversities and prosperities passed over heads of our forefathers (and in spite of which they did not change their tenets of faith) why should we do so. then We seized them in such a state they were unaware.

وَلَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ الْقُرَىٰ آمَنُوا وَاتَّقَوْا لَفَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ بَرَكَاتٍ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِنْ كَذَّبُوا فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ {96}

96. Had their residents of the town embraced faith and kept on fearing We would have opened to them blessings of Heaven and Earth, but they falsified (Divine Lights) so We seized them in proportion of their evil deeds.

أَفَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتًا وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ {97}

97. Have the townspeople become so very indifferent to Our wrath befalling them during night whilst they are asleep?

أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ {98}

98. Have they become so fearless as to face Our wrath during daylight while they are taken up in worldly pursuits?

أَفَأَمِنُوا مَكْرَ اللَّهِۚ فَلَا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {99}

99. Are they prepared to face Divine wrath although none but the losing tribe of infidels can afford to do so?

Moral

Promise of (96) cannot be meaningless Infidelity and Impurity for vanished which will be done in Resurrection when Hussain overruns the world.

Verses 100 – 129

أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْأَرْضَ مِنْ بَعْدِ أَهْلِهَا أَنْ لَوْ نَشَاءُ أَصَبْنَاهُمْ بِذُنُوبِهِمْۚ وَنَطْبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ{100}

100. Did We not forewarn those who succeeded their predecessors on Earth that if We will due to their hearts thereby they could not have fathomed their cause?

تِلْكَ الْقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنْبَائِهَاۚ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَمَا كَانُوا لِيُؤْمِنُوا بِمَا كَذَّبُوا مِنْ قَبْلُۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطْبَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ الْكَافِرِينَ {101}

101. These towns which We have described to you We certainly sent prophets with miracles but they did not believe in them as they had already disbelieved in the previous spiritual life before coming on Earth13 Thus does God seal the hearts of infidels.

وَمَا وَجَدْنَا لِأَكْثَرِهِمْ مِنْ عَهْدٍۖ وَإِنْ وَجَدْنَا أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَفَاسِقِينَ {102}

102. And We did not find most of them adhering to oath of fealty14 We found most of them breaching the oath.

ثُمَّ بَعَثْنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ مُوسَىٰ بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَئِهِ فَظَلَمُوا بِهَاۖ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {103}

103. Thereafter We sent Moses to Pharaoh and his courtiers with Our miracles which they disbelieved. Think over the consequences of the seditious.

وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَا فِرْعَوْنُ إِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {104}

104. And Moses said, “Oh Pharaoh, verily I am a Prophet from the Providence of the World.”

حَقِيقٌ عَلَىٰ أَنْ لَا أَقُولَ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّۚ قَدْ جِئْتُكُمْ بِبَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ فَأَرْسِلْ مَعِيَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ {105}

105. It Behooves I should not in the name of God, say anything but the truth. Of course, I am come to you from your Providence with miracles (rod and shining arm) so better let Bani Israel go with me.

قَالَ إِنْ كُنْتَ جِئْتَ بِآيَةٍ فَأْتِ بِهَا إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ {106}

106. Pharaoh said, “If you have brought any miracle put them forth if you are true.”

فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعْبَانٌ مُبِينٌ {107}

107. Moses cast his rod on the ground when suddenly it was an evident serpent.

وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيْضَاءُ لِلنَّاظِرِينَ {108}

108. And when he took off his arm from his armpit it became shining like snow to onlookers.

قَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَاحِرٌ عَلِيمٌ {109}

109. The courtiers of Pharaoh on seeing this said, “He is a learned magician.” (Pharaoh was about to put faith in Moses but was dissuaded).

يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُخْرِجَكُمْ مِنْ أَرْضِكُمْۖ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ {110}

110. He intends thereby to expel you from your estate and populate Israel thereon, upon which Pharaoh said, “How do you advise me?”

قَالُوا أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرْسِلْ فِي الْمَدَائِنِ حَاشِرِينَ {111}

111. They said, “Detain Moses and his brother and send messengers in the villages in the state.” (They did not suggest killing Moses as none was a bastard.)

يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَاحِرٍ عَلِيمٍ {112}

112. To produce before you every learned magician.

وَجَاءَ السَّحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ قَالُوا إِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِنْ كُنَّا نَحْنُ الْغَالِبِينَ {113}

113. And these magicians came to Pharaoh and asked whether there was, in fact, a reward for them if they over-powered Moses.

قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ {114}

114. Pharaoh said, “Certainly yes. Verily, you shall be my courtiers.”

قَالُوا يَا مُوسَىٰ إِمَّا أَنْ تُلْقِيَ وَإِمَّا أَنْ نَكُونَ نَحْنُ الْمُلْقِينَ {115}

115. They said, “Oh Moses, are you going to cast or shall we do so?”

قَالَ أَلْقُواۖ فَلَمَّا أَلْقَوْا سَحَرُوا أَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ وَاسْتَرْهَبُوهُمْ وَجَاءُوا بِسِحْرٍ عَظِيمٍ {116}

116. Moses said, “Better you do.” When they cast their ropes whereby they juggled by sleight of hand and threatened the spectators producing motions in the ropes like huge snakes.

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَلْقِ عَصَاكَۖ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ {117}

117. And We revealed unto Moses to cast his rod. When it started (on being cast) swallowing all what they had put forth through jugglery.

فَوَقَعَ الْحَقُّ وَبَطَلَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {118}

118. Thus truth was confirmed and what they were practicing was falsified.

فَغُلِبُوا هُنَالِكَ وَانْقَلَبُوا صَاغِرِينَ {119}

119. The magicians then and there remained vanquished and disgraced.

وَأُلْقِيَ السَّحَرَةُ سَاجِدِينَ {120}

120. And they all fell in prostration

قَالُوا آمَنَّا بِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {121}

121. saying, “We have put faith in the Providence of the world,

رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ {122}

122. providence of Moses and Aaron.”

قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ آذَنَ لَكُمْۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَمَكْرٌ مَكَرْتُمُوهُ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لِتُخْرِجُوا مِنْهَا أَهْلَهَاۖ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ{123}

123. Then Pharaoh said, “Have you embraced faith before my permitting you. Verily, this is your intrigue which you have played in the estate to expel you from the estate” (just to stop the spectators from believing in Moses). Shortly shall you taste fruits (punishment thereof).

لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ مِنْ خِلَافٍ ثُمَّ لَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ {124}

124. Certainly shall I cut out your hands and legs crosswise and send you all to the gallows.

قَالُوا إِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنْقَلِبُونَ {125}

125. They said, “We shall certainly revert unto your Providence.

وَمَا تَنْقِمُ مِنَّا إِلَّا أَنْ آمَنَّا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَاءَتْنَاۚ رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ {126}

126. “You are enraged at us simply because we have believed in miracles of our Providence when they have come to us. Oh our Providence, grant us immense patience in our sufferings and end our lives supplicating You.”

وَقَالَ الْمَلَأُ مِنْ قَوْمِ فِرْعَوْنَ أَتَذَرُ مُوسَىٰ وَقَوْمَهُ لِيُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَيَذَرَكَ وَآلِهَتَكَۚ قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ وَنَسْتَحْيِي نِسَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّا فَوْقَهُمْ قَاهِرُونَ {127}

127. The courtiers of Pharaoh’s tribes said, “Are you leaving Moses and his sect scot-free to fan sedition on earth although they have forsaken you and your God through whose medium people used to seek your proximation?” Pharaoh said, “Shortly shall I slay their sons leaving their daughters and certainly We are over-powering.

قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ اسْتَعِينُوا بِاللَّهِ وَاصْبِرُواۖ إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۖ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ {128}

128. (As he was doing previously: Bani Israel were terrified and approached Moses) when Moses told his sect, “Pray assistance from God and be patient.” Verily, He is the land endows it on whomsoever He likes but eternity is for the virtuous.15

قَالُوا أُوذِينَا مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَأْتِيَنَا وَمِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جِئْتَنَاۚ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَنْ يُهْلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَيَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ {129}

129. They said, “We suffered before your advent and after.” Moses replied, “Shortly shall your Providence destroy your enemies and make you their successors, when it is to be seen how you behave.”

Moral

Do not judge by worldly position, guidance of any nation.

Verses 130 – 141

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَا آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ بِالسِّنِينَ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ {130}

130. Verily did We punish the followers of Pharaoh by successive famine, dearth of food so they may take lessons.

فَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمُ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالُوا لَنَا هَٰذِهِۖ وَإِنْ تُصِبْهُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَطَّيَّرُوا بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَنْ مَعَهُۗ أَلَا إِنَّمَا طَائِرُهُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {131}

131. When they would have a bloom they would say it is due to us and when they would be involved in adversity they would attribute it to the ill-omen of Moses and his followers. Beware ill-omen is only under Divine control but most do not realize it.

وَقَالُوا مَهْمَا تَأْتِنَا بِهِ مِنْ آيَةٍ لِتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا فَمَا نَحْنُ لَكَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ {132}

132. And they said, “Whenever you bring a miracle whereby you conjure us we shall not believe you.”

فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الطُّوفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ وَالدَّمَ آيَاتٍ مُفَصَّلَاتٍ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا مُجْرِمِينَ {133}

133. So We sent them floods, plague, locusts, lice, destroying fields, frogs, blood. These were open miracles, but they were indifferent to them and were a criminal tribe.

وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّجْزُ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى ادْعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِنْدَكَۖ لَئِنْ كَشَفْتَ عَنَّا الرِّجْزَ لَنُؤْمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرْسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ {134}

134. When Divine wrath fell upon them they said, “Oh Moses, pray to your Providence in accordance with which He has agreed to accept it. If you remove this disaster from us we shall believe in you and send with you Bani Israel.”

فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ الرِّجْزَ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ هُمْ بَالِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمْ يَنْكُثُونَ {135}

135. So when He removed it from them, they kept on breaching their promise until they were destined to destruction by drowning.

فَانْتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَاهُمْ فِي الْيَمِّ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ {136}

136. Finally, We avenged them by drowning them in the Red Sea as they had been continuously falsifying Our miracles and they are indifferent to Our punishment.

وَأَوْرَثْنَا الْقَوْمَ الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُسْتَضْعَفُونَ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَمَغَارِبَهَا الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَاۖ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ الْحُسْنَىٰ عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ بِمَا صَبَرُواۖ وَدَمَّرْنَا مَا كَانَ يَصْنَعُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَقَوْمُهُ وَمَا كَانُوا يَعْرِشُونَ {137}

137. And made the sect inherit which was deemed weak masters of the east and west lands which was blessed by Us due to so many prophets having lived and died there and thus was fulfilled the promise of your Providence in favour of Bani Israel for their patience (under sufferings of their male children being killed), and We destroyed all what Pharaoh and his followers were building and raising structures.

وَجَاوَزْنَا بِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ الْبَحْرَ فَأَتَوْا عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ يَعْكُفُونَ عَلَىٰ أَصْنَامٍ لَهُمْۚ قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى اجْعَلْ لَنَا إِلَٰهًا كَمَا لَهُمْ آلِهَةٌۚ قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ {138}

138. And We took Bani Israel over the Red Sea where they reached a tribe who had stuck to idol worship. They told Moses make our god an idol as they have. Then Moses said, “Verily you are ignorant.”

إِنَّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ مُتَبَّرٌ مَا هُمْ فِيهِ وَبَاطِلٌ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {139}

139. Those who are worshipping idols shall be destroyed and their acts shall be voided.

قَالَ أَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْغِيكُمْ إِلَٰهًا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمْ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ {140}

140. He further said, “Leaving God shall I seek any other whereas He has exalted you over the world?”

وَإِذْ أَنْجَيْنَاكُمْ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَسُومُونَكُمْ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِۖ يُقَتِّلُونَ أَبْنَاءَكُمْ وَيَسْتَحْيُونَ نِسَاءَكُمْۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكُمْ بَلَاءٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ {141}

141. When We redeemed you from Pharaoh’s followers who were tormenting you horribly slaying your sons and leaving alive your daughters wherein was a severe trial for you.

Moral

1. Continual disobedience is a presage to incoming disaster and destruction.

2. By (136) Ahl al-Bayt will inherit the world on Resurrection.

Verses 142 – 147

وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةًۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {142}

142. And We made a promise with Moses16 and Moses told his brother Aaron17 he should represent him in his absence among his tribe and keep on reproving them and need not follow the way of the dissenters.

وَلَمَّا جَاءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَاتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُ رَبُّهُ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِي أَنْظُرْ إِلَيْكَۚ قَالَ لَنْ تَرَانِي وَلَٰكِنِ انْظُرْ إِلَى الْجَبَلِ فَإِنِ اسْتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُ فَسَوْفَ تَرَانِيۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُ لِلْجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُ دَكًّا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقًاۚ فَلَمَّا أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ تُبْتُ إِلَيْكَ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {143}

143. And when Moses came at Our fixed time and his God talked with him. Moses requested Him (on behalf of the tribe), “Oh my God, show me Yourself so I see You.” God replied, “You shall never see Me, but look at yonder mountain. If it will be stand in the same place then you will see Me.” When his God’s Light lighted up the mountain18 , it cracked into pieces and Moses fell fainted. When he recovered his senses he said, “Your Nature is pure and I adjure You to forgive my sins with Your Grace and I am the foremost of the faithful to (believe) in admitting, You cannot be been.

قَالَ يَا مُوسَىٰ إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالَاتِي وَبِكَلَامِي فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ {144}

144. Then God said, “Moses I have selected you19 , from among men, for My Prophet for conversation on Divine Mission. Therefore, take the Gospel for guidance which I have granted you and do thanks to me20

وَكَتَبْنَا لَهُ فِي الْأَلْوَاحِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَوْعِظَةً وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَخُذْهَا بِقُوَّةٍ وَأْمُرْ قَوْمَكَ يَأْخُذُوا بِأَحْسَنِهَاۚ سَأُرِيكُمْ دَارَ الْفَاسِقِينَ {145}

145. and We had written in it every kind of guidance and details for them, in slates and ordered them to follow it carefully, and tell your sect to select good (legal) things from it for action (avoiding illegal). Soon, I shall show you the destination (hell) of the disobedient.

سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَإِنْ يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لَا يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِنْ يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الْغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًاۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ {146}

146. In a very short time I shall withhold from them aptitude of believing in My signs who are proud on the land. And if they will see every sign, they will never believe it, and if they will see the way of virtue they will never follow it. If they will see way of misguidance21 they will adopt it.22 This is why because they falsified Our signs (i.e. Divine Lights) and they were negligent of them.

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَلِقَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {147}

147. And those people who falsified our miracles and did not believe in Futurity, their acts will be voided. Will they get any reward other than for what they have done in disbelief?

Moral

1. God is invisible being unlike the creation. Never shall He be visible here or in the future.

2. God’s Nature is pure of mixture or want, being self-sufficient and self-existent.

3. Prophets are selected by God only and inspired by Him and Divine taught, therefore, infallible.

4. Follow Divine Commands very carefully.

5. Destination of the disobedient, without acceptance of penance, is hell.

6. The nature of the disobedient is to avoid virtue and follow vice intentionally, being overpowered by worldly pleasures.

7. Deeds of the disobedient will be voided in Eternity as they have been amply paid in the world.

8. As you sow, so shall you reap. World here is for sowing virtues in faith and after death, you will reap reward (i.e. Paradise) what you have sown in your lifetime.

Verses 148 – 151

وَاتَّخَذَ قَوْمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مِنْ حُلِيِّهِمْ عِجْلًا جَسَدًا لَهُ خُوَارٌۚ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّهُ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمْ وَلَا يَهْدِيهِمْ سَبِيلًاۘ اتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ {148}

148. And during the absence of Moses, his sect under Samari made a calf of their molten jewellery which was a hollow model in which there was a sound of a cow. Did they not understand it did neither talk with them nor guide them on the right Path? With all these they did injustice (to God) in worshipping it.23

وَلَمَّا سُقِطَ فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ وَرَأَوْا أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ ضَلُّوا قَالُوا لَئِنْ لَمْ يَرْحَمْنَا رَبُّنَا وَيَغْفِرْ لَنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ {149}

149. And when they were repentant excessively and understood they were misguided, then they prayed, if their God would not take pity on them and would not forgive them, then surely they would be among the sufferers.

وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوسَىٰ إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ غَضْبَانَ أَسِفًا قَالَ بِئْسَمَا خَلَفْتُمُونِي مِنْ بَعْدِيۖ أَعَجِلْتُمْ أَمْرَ رَبِّكُمْۖ وَأَلْقَى الْأَلْوَاحَ وَأَخَذَ بِرَأْسِ أَخِيهِ يَجُرُّهُ إِلَيْهِۚ قَالَ ابْنَ أُمَّ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ اسْتَضْعَفُونِي وَكَادُوا يَقْتُلُونَنِي فَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِيَ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ {150}

150. And when Moses returned to this sect indignant and grievous, he exclaimed, “How ill have you acted in my absence! How have you been in a hurry to look out for your Providence?” He threw down the Gospel from his hands in anger, and exhorted his brother, Aaron, taking a grip of his chin and dragging him towards self, when Aaron appealed, “Oh Brother, your sect rendered me helpless and they were almost about to kill me. Do not make me a laughing stock before them and do not take me among enemies.”

قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِي رَحْمَتِكَۖ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ {151}

151. Moses prayed to God, “Om my God, forgive me and my brother and admit both of us within Your Mercy and You are the Most Merciful of all.

Moral

God’s examination is for everyone. Therefore, one should not be in a hurry but wait until God’s Prophet or his true successor guides to the path, until then, they should pray for forgiveness and guidance from God. As Ali, after the Prophet’s death, was also treated similarly by the misguided hypocrites although, he was made a regular successor to the Prophet on God’s Command at Ghadir al-Khum. These hypocrites made their passion, as God and made Abu Bakr as first Khalifa and Omar second Khalifa, although the Prophet, under God’s commands, had appointed Ali as his Khalifa.

Verses 152 – 157

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ سَيَنَالُهُمْ غَضَبٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَذِلَّةٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُفْتَرِينَ {152}

152. Soon Divine wrath would befall them from their God as a punishment for worshipping the calf, and they would be degraded in this world and We give such treatment to the mischievous

وَالَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ ثُمَّ تَابُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهَا وَآمَنُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {153}

153. and who committed evil and repented after their sins and believed in God. Of course, your God, on the reaction, is certainly a great Forgiver.

وَلَمَّا سَكَتَ عَنْ مُوسَى الْغَضَبُ أَخَذَ الْأَلْوَاحَۖ وَفِي نُسْخَتِهَا هُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِرَبِّهِمْ يَرْهَبُونَ {154}

154. When Moses’ fury cooled down, he picked up the slates (leaving the broken ones which disappeared) in those slates (“We have recorded) guidance and grace for those who feared their God.”

وَاخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِمِيقَاتِنَاۖ فَلَمَّا أَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُمْ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَإِيَّايَۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَّاۖ إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُۖ أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَاۖ وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِينَ {155}

155. And Moses selected 70 men from among his sect to witness the event of Our fixed period, and when they were overtaken by an earthquake, Moses prayed to God, “Oh my God, if You had wished, You would have killed them and me. What! Are you killing us for actions of the evil amongst us?” This is nothing but a trial of You, whereby You do deny the divine guidance from some unworthy. You have guide worthy, whom do you choose. You are our Lord, therefore, pray. Forgive us and shower pity on us and You are best at forgiveness.

وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَا إِلَيْكَۚ قَالَ عَذَابِي أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَاءُۖ وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍۚ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ {156}

156. And record virtue in our favour in this world and in Eternity (grant us Paradise in its lieu). Certainly we have repented on our sins in Your presence. God said, “My wrath befalls on whomsoever I chose, My Mercy surrounds everything. Therefore, shortly shall I record My Mercy for them who fear me, and pay tithe and believe in Our Couplets.”

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْۚ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُۙ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ {157}

157. Those people who follow the Prophet of Mecca, about whom is written in their gospels, they should believe in him who orders to do good, forbids evil, and who makes pure lawful and declares impure unlawful, and who removes burden of crimes and chains of fire, which lie on their necks. Therefore, who believes him as a prophet and reinforces him and help him and follows the light of guidance (Ali) who came with him, they are those to attain salvation.

Moral

1. Worshipping as God anything besides Him without penance leads to degradation in this world and hell (permanent after death).

2. Penance is cure for all sins: like a soap washing filth.

3. Guidance, if duly followed under dictates of Divine Lights leads to Divine Mercy, i.e. admission to Paradise.

4. Evil acts of society are likely to affect others, too. Avoid evil society; virtues will bring reward of their won.

5. Divine wrath is for sinners, who do not even do timely penance.

6. Jews and Christians, if they believe in the Prophet of Islam as is stated in their gospels and follow Ali as a Divine Light (being infallible as a guide) will attain salvation, on Divine awe, payment of tithe and faith in text.

Verses 158 – 162

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُۖ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ الَّذِي يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَلِمَاتِهِ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ {158}

158. You say to the people, “You are the messenger for them all, from God (i.e. Divine Taught) whose sovereignty is in Heaven and the Earth.” There is no other God except He. He has power to kill and give life, therefore, you believe in God, and in His Prophet of Mecca, who, too believes in Him, and carries out His commands and follow him to attain salvation

وَمِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ {159}

159. and among Moses sect, there was one group, who guided people on the right path and decided on justice.

قَطَّعْنَاهُمُ اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ أَسْبَاطًا أُمَمًاۚ وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ إِذِ اسْتَسْقَاهُ قَوْمُهُ أَنِ اضْرِبْ بِعَصَاكَ الْحَجَرَۖ فَانْبَجَسَتْ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَا عَشْرَةَ عَيْنًاۖ قَدْ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٍ مَشْرَبَهُمْۚ وَظَلَّلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْغَمَامَ وَأَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَنَّ وَالسَّلْوَىٰۖ كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْۚ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ {160}

160. And We had divided them in 12 groups, and revealed unto Moses when his sect prayed to him for water, to strike his rod on the stone, when 12 springs gushed out flowing; every group knew its spring well and We had afforded a shelter of clouds upon them and bestowed upon them Manna and Quail and told them to eat pure of Our gift and not to disobey Us but they were doing harm to self.

وَإِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمُ اسْكُنُوا هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةَ وَكُلُوا مِنْهَا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمْ وَقُولُوا حِطَّةٌ وَادْخُلُوا الْبَابَ سُجَّدًا نَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ خَطِيئَاتِكُمْۚ سَنَزِيدُ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {161}

161. And remember the time when they were told to live in the village and eat there of what they liked, and further ordered on saying, “Hitta” to enter the door, bowing down their heads in obedience, then We shall forgive their sins soon, and shall bless those who shall do good acts

فَبَدَّلَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ قَوْلًا غَيْرَ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُمْ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَظْلِمُونَ {162}

162. and those who were disobedient among them, replaced Our word “Hitta” with another and upon which We cast a Divine wrath unto them for their disobedience.

Moral

1. Prophet Mohammad is a prophet for the whole universe consisting of the heavens and Earth holding all creatures, be human or otherwise, and whose obedience is bounden on them all, for salvation.

2. God creates and God alone destroys and he alone is sole sovereign of Heaven and Earth.

3. Moses had a group in his sect on the right path.

4. Disobedience on Divine gifts leads to Divine wrath.

5. The virtuous will be soon blessed.

Verses 163 – 171

وَاسْأَلْهُمْ عَنِ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ حَاضِرَةَ الْبَحْرِ إِذْ يَعْدُونَ فِي السَّبْتِ إِذْ تَأْتِيهِمْ حِيتَانُهُمْ يَوْمَ سَبْتِهِمْ شُرَّعًا وَيَوْمَ لَا يَسْبِتُونَۙ لَا تَأْتِيهِمْۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَبْلُوهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ {163}

163. And ask them about the condition of the village, which was on the seashore. Villagers of which used to disobey orders relating to Saturday24 fish used to come the shore on this day and when there was no Saturday, they would not come. Thus We tried them for their disobedience.

وَإِذْ قَالَتْ أُمَّةٌ مِنْهُمْ لِمَ تَعِظُونَ قَوْمًاۙ اللَّهُ مُهْلِكُهُمْ أَوْ مُعَذِّبُهُمْ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًاۖ قَالُوا مَعْذِرَةً إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ{164}

164. And remember the time when some among the sect asked them why they advised them whom God desired to kill or was about to punish severely. They replied, “They did so as a plea before their Creator, so they might refrain.”

فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ أَنْجَيْنَا الَّذِينَ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ السُّوءِ وَأَخَذْنَا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا بِعَذَابٍ بَئِيسٍ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ {165}

165. When they disregarded the advice given to them, We saved those from punishment who prevented them and punished others severely for disobedience.

فَلَمَّا عَتَوْا عَنْ مَا نُهُوا عَنْهُ قُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا قِرَدَةً خَاسِئِينَ {166}

166. When they exceeded limits of disobedience, We told them to be mean monkeys.

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكَ لَيَبْعَثَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ يَسُومُهُمْ سُوءَ الْعَذَابِۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ الْعِقَابِۖ وَإِنَّهُ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {167}

167. And remember the time when your God warned you He would raise a nation who would punish them until the Day of Judgment. Of course, He is equally Merciful to the penitent.

وَقَطَّعْنَاهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أُمَمًاۖ مِنْهُمُ الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنْهُمْ دُونَ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَبَلَوْنَاهُمْ بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ{168}

168. And We divided them in groups on land some of those were virtuous and others remained otherwise, and We tried them in joy and pain so they may revert to Us.

فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ وَرِثُوا الْكِتَابَ يَأْخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَٰذَا الْأَدْنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغْفَرُ لَنَا وَإِنْ يَأْتِهِمْ عَرَضٌ مِثْلُهُ يَأْخُذُوهُۚ أَلَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِيثَاقُ الْكِتَابِ أَنْ لَا يَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْحَقَّ وَدَرَسُوا مَا فِيهِۗ وَالدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ {169}

169. And after their death, followed in progeny such unfit heirs, to Gospel they would stoop to take wealth of this temporary world and go on saying soon their sins would be forgiven. And when they would have an opportunity of getting such wealth (Bribe, etc.) what! was not taken a promise from them that nothing except truth must be told, respecting God? And state what they have studied on the whole text, which was in the Book, and eternity is reserved for those who fear God. Do they not understand so much?

وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ {170}

170. And those who adhere strictly to the Book, and are constant at prayers, of course, We shall void the rewards of the rectifiers.

وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا الْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ وَاقِعٌ بِهِمْ خُذُوا مَا آتَيْنَاكُمْ بِقُوَّةٍ وَاذْكُرُوا مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ {171}

171. And remember the time when We lifted Mount Sinai and kept it over them hanging, like a cloud, while they thought it would fall at any time, and We told them to grip it tightly and remember all that was in it, so they would be virtuous.

Moral

1. God relates trials to which Moses’ sect was put to illustrate Prophet Mohammad’s sect to avoid disobedience patiently on holy days and months viz. Friday, Moharram, Rajab, Ramadan, Zilked, Zilhaj.

2. This justifies action of the virtuous, advising the disobedient, to refrain from sins, persistent disregard of which will turn them to disgraceful monkey faced, as a mark of sinners condemned to Hell.

3. This is a forecast of Jews being subject to intense punishment until the Day of Judgment for neglect of Divine Blessings, although he is equally Merciful to the penitent.

4. God tries creatures in adversity and prosperity to enable them to do penance and revert unto Him.

5. Subsequent successors were worse accepting bribes and falling prey to mean acts of collecting wealth and hoping to be forgiven soon for every kind of sin, without adherence strictly to Divine text or doing penance. This is also the condition of the present Muslim generation who has forgotten the conditions conveyed in the Divine Promise. Eternity is reserved for the God fearing who strictly adhere to the text and goes on rectifying their sins under penance.

6. God relates means he employed to enforce His obedience on Jews in the past. Now He sends famine, cyclonic storms, earthquakes, floods once or twice every year so people may awake and be virtuous.

Verses 172 – 180

وَإِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَأَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْۖ قَالُوا بَلَىٰۛ شَهِدْنَاۛ أَنْ تَقُولُوا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنْ هَٰذَا غَافِلِينَ {172}

172. And (remember the time) when God created souls of generations of Adam before sending them to this world and exacted a promise from them to bear witness against their admission and asked, “Am I not your God.” Everybody replied, “Of course You are our God.” We warn you of this testimony lest on the Day of Judgment you might not plead an excuse you were uninformed.25

أَوْ تَقُولُوا إِنَّمَا أَشْرَكَ آبَاؤُنَا مِنْ قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةً مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْۖ أَفَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ {173}

173. Or would say, “Our father, forefathers associated before our creation.” What! Are You punishing us on the acts of actual associators?

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ {174}

174. And thus explicitly do We describe Our Couplets so they may revert to us from polytheism.

وَاتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ الَّذِي آتَيْنَاهُ آيَاتِنَا فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَكَانَ مِنَ الْغَاوِينَ {175}

175. And read out to them the history of the person who granted a miracle by us, then he kept off from it, then the devil pursued him, he was among the misguided.

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَاهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُۚ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ إِنْ تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَثْۚ ذَٰلِكَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَاۚ فَاقْصُصِ الْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ {176}

176. If We wanted to force guidance, We would have given him a high grade, but he threw himself to the ground (degraded) he followed his passion. Therefore, his example is similar to that of a dog who would bark at you, whether you attack him or let him off scot free. This is a similar case of those who falsified Our couplets. Therefore, you go on telling this fact so they may think over (their actions)

سَاءَ مَثَلًا الْقَوْمُ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَأَنْفُسَهُمْ كَانُوا يَظْلِمُونَ {177}

177. their similitude is very bad, who falsified Our Couplets and wronged themselves.

مَنْ يَهْدِ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ الْمُهْتَدِيۖ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {178}

178. “That alone is guided who gets guidance of God (through His Divine Light)” and “from whom reason is withheld they are the losers.”

وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرًا مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِۖ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَاۚ أُولَٰئِكَ كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ {179}

179. And We have created many people and spirits for hell, they have hearts but cannot understand and have eyes but cannot see, have ears but cannot hear, they are like cattle, rather worse than cattle, they are negligent of duty.

وَلِلَّهِ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَىٰ فَادْعُوهُ بِهَاۖ وَذَرُوا الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي أَسْمَائِهِۚ سَيُجْزَوْنَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {180}

180. And all the glorious names26 are for God you call Him with these names and leave them up,27 who associate those of their chice they will soon get the punishment for what they have done.

وَمِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ {181}

181. There is a group among those who were created by Us who used to guide to the right path and decide accordingly.

Morals

1. God has reminded His Creation, who admitted their sole Lord and Creation in Him when he created their souls, before sending to this world, so they may not worship other gods when they came on Earth.

2. He describes how His Bounty was misused by Bal-am-Ba-oor, whom the devil seized for hell, by his following passion, like a barking dog, who does not refrain, whether he is threatened by a stick or not. Religion ennobles man and does not debase him.

3. Case of those falsifiers of God’s commands is like a barking dog, not listening to advice or otherwise, running their own cause, being slaves to their passion, unmindful of punishment of Hell.

4. He alone who acts as per Divine commands (dictated through His selected guides) is guided, and he suffers whom God forsakes to his fate for being negligent of Divine Commands and not listening to them (Divine Lights) with heart and following accordingly.

5. Pray to God by interceding glorious names fixed by Him. else you will be subject to punishment if you intercede non-Divine Lights.

Verses 182 – 188

وَالَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {182}

182. We shall gradually arrest them who falsified Our couplets in a way so they would not understand.

وَأُمْلِي لَهُمْۚ إِنَّ كَيْدِي مَتِينٌ {183}

183. I shall give them a chance (to penance) of course my actions are mighty.

أَوَلَمْ يَتَفَكَّرُواۗ مَا بِصَاحِبِهِمْ مِنْ جِنَّةٍۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ {184}

184. What! Did they not think their Prophet does not act under (evil) spirit’s influence? He is nothing but an open warner.

أَوَلَمْ يَنْظُرُوا فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ وَأَنْ عَسَىٰ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْۖ فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ {185}

185. What! Did they not give thought to kingdoms of Heaven and Earth and their creations created by God (to admit warnings of the Prophet). Perhaps as mortal, their hour of death is near and (they should look sharp). Therefore, in which other fact will they be convinced after this “Qur’an” having so vividly forewarned them?

مَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُۚ وَيَذَرُهُمْ فِي طُغْيَانِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ {186}

186. There is no other guide for him whom God leaves to his fate to wander blindly (without any authorized guide).

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَاۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ رَبِّيۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَا إِلَّا هُوَۚ ثَقُلَتْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَغْتَةًۗ يَسْأَلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنْهَاۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {187}

187. People ask you about the Day of Judgment as to when is its appointed hour? Say, “Verily its knowledge is reserved to God and on its approach shall He alone declare it.” It shall be an awful time for residents of Heaven and earth. It shall fall all of a sudden. They ask you, in such a manner, as though you were its repositor, you tell them its knowledge is limited to God alone, but most do not understand.

قُلْ لَا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُۚ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُۚ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {188}

188. And say, “You do not hold power to do good or ever to self, except what God wills it. Had I known the facts of secrecy, I would have collected many things to profit self and evil would not have touched me, and I am simply an Evangelist and warner to those who believe in God.”

Moral

1. Fear God’s special ways of arresting sinners and be always penitent, taking account of your deeds.

2. Think of world which is transitory and you as a member thereof must die one day and rise to account for your deeds leading to paradise or perdition.

3. Seek Divine guidance from Immaculates only, as authorized by Divine Lights.

4. None can foretell the hour of Judgment day but God.

5. Our Prophet, like others, is an Evangelist and Warner for the faithful.

Verses 189 – 206

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَاۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّاهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلًا خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِۖ فَلَمَّا أَثْقَلَتْ دَعَوَا اللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ آتَيْتَنَا صَالِحًا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ {189}

189. It is He who created you all from one substance and from its remaining earth. He created his comrade so as to take liking to him, and on conjugation she conceived petty embryo, which she carried, which she carried, which, when on development, became heavy, both prayed to God. If You would bestow a safe and sound child, we both shall be grateful.

فَلَمَّا آتَاهُمَا صَالِحًا جَعَلَا لَهُ شُرَكَاءَ فِيمَا آتَاهُمَاۚ فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ {190}

190. When He gave them a safe and sound child, his generation started associating with Him, although God is superior to all which they are associating.

أَيُشْرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخْلُقُ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ {191}

191. What! Do they associate them who do not create anything but rather are created by Him?

وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ لَهُمْ نَصْرًا وَلَا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَنْصُرُونَ {192}

192. Neither can they help others nor can they help themselves.

وَإِنْ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى الْهُدَىٰ لَا يَتَّبِعُوكُمْۚ سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ أَدَعَوْتُمُوهُمْ أَمْ أَنْتُمْ صَامِتُونَ {193}

193. And if they call them to the right path they will never follow you. Either way is ineffective whether you call them or you keep quite.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ عِبَادٌ أَمْثَالُكُمْۖ فَادْعُوهُمْ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ {194}

194. In fact, if you call upon them, except God, they are creators like you. Better call them and see if you are right in your view whether they reply to you.

أَلَهُمْ أَرْجُلٌ يَمْشُونَ بِهَاۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ أَيْدٍ يَبْطِشُونَ بِهَاۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَاۖ أَمْ لَهُمْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَاۗ قُلِ ادْعُوا شُرَكَاءَكُمْ ثُمَّ كِيدُونِ فَلَا تُنْظِرُونِ {195}

195. Have they real legs with which they walk or have they hands for grip? Heave they eyes for sight? Or have they ears to hear? Tell them to call upon their gods and hten intrigue against Me and do not let me have an opportunity.

إِنَّ وَلِيِّيَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِينَ {196}

196. Of course, God is your saviour who sent a holy book and He keeps friendship with the virtuous

وَالَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَكُمْ وَلَا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَنْصُرُونَ {197}

197. and those whom you are calling, can neither help you nor to self.

وَإِنْ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى الْهُدَىٰ لَا يَسْمَعُواۖ وَتَرَاهُمْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ {198}

198. If you call them to the right path they will never hear anything and you think they are looking at you.

خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجَاهِلِينَ {199}

199. Therefore, take to overlook their short comings and advise them to virtue and turn away from the mischievous,28

وَإِمَّا يَنْزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ {200}

200. and whenever you get excited under the Devil’s instigation, seek Divine Protection who is All-hearing and all-knowing.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ {201}

201. Of course, those who fear Us when the devil excites them pray to Us when they immediately become informed (of the situation).

وَإِخْوَانُهُمْ يَمُدُّونَهُمْ فِي الْغَيِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقْصِرُونَ {202}

202. Their brothers keep them in misguidance in which they do not make slightest relaxation.

وَإِذَا لَمْ تَأْتِهِمْ بِآيَةٍ قَالُوا لَوْلَا اجْتَبَيْتَهَاۚ قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ مِنْ رَبِّيۚ هَٰذَا بَصَائِرُ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {203}

203. And when you do not bring any miracle they say, “Why did you not bring any selected miracle?” You say, “I only follow from my God.” These are for those who believe in God, are proofs and guidance and Divine Mercy for them.

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ {204}

204. And when the Qur’an is being read you must keep quiet and listen to it so you would be treated graciously.

وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ {205}

205. Call upon your God importunately or silently in your hearts, without loud cries, day and night and be not among the negligent.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ۩ {206}

206. Of course, those who are near Us do not turn away from praying to Us, rather glorify Us and all along prostrate to Us.

Moral

1. God states how He created, and latergenerationstarted associating with Him, others, who bear not power to help others or self. Rather, they are His creatures.

2. He then describes state of those whose hearts are sealed against guidance and inspite of appearing to see and hear are unable to grasp facts on guidance.

3. He then suggests golden way of tackling such persons to adopt forgiveness by over-looking their shortcomings by advice to virtue and avoid the mischievous and during excitement think of God, before action, praying His protection to avoid the situation, in safety.

4. Devil ruins them, who are of sealed hearts by persistent breting into them who adopt his society creating all kinds of doubts, misgivings, making them blind hearted,while they think themselves guided.29

5. Be cool and hearing when the Glorious Gur’an is being read to obtain Divine grace. those who seek Divine Proximity, do not get tired at prahying, glorifying Him and prostrating to Him.30

Notes

1. We mean God in existence and His Divine Lights as nominee to be present in the physical world, as God cannot occupy by virtue of His attributes, space.

2. It has been pointed out elucidation of Divine Lights. Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (as) asked Abu Hanifa if he was guessing while expounding Divine Laws? He admitted. The Imam said, “The first person, who acted on guess was a devil for which he was cursed and kicked out and he was following suit.

3. but until the emergence of the 12th Divine Light, when he will be killed by the hands of Jesus.

4. attempt at misguiding followers of Ali.

5. see couplet 8, Sura The Table.

6. these are pre-destinations and expounders of self-determination of free will, these are Jews of Islam, the actual state of humans is neither pre-destined nor left to free will.

7. i.e. just as latter is impossible, so is their admission to Paradise.

8. along with sinful Shias having their sins in equal proportions with virtues.

9. due to their virtues exceeding sins and will be desirous of entering into paradise through intercession of Divine Lights.

10. From Adam to Noah ten lineage descendents followed, all of whom were (unknown) Saints and Adam had given tidings of Noah, to hearken unto him, else they would be drowned on his prayers to God.

11. So far as tenets of Islam are concerned they were the same with Noah, except limits of punishment and avenging for king and commands on inheritance were not made obligatory.

12. Note: “Kedar” was only one person who wounded the camel, but because the rest were pleased with his actions, God has charged all with the crime.

13. See couplet 172 of Animals.

14. except our Prophet and his Immaculate Family and the Shias.

15. The land of God is entrusted to the Prophet from whom Divine Lights inherit and on which tithe which is Khums is necessary. The 12th Divine Light when he has control he will expel everybody except the Shia holder thereon.

16. on his request to endow on him a text) on observing of fasts for 30 nights and fulfilled it after an extension of ten more, when God’s fixed period was completed (due to his having washed his teeth at breaking the fast.

17. He was also a Divine Messenger and Successor to Moses.

18. When Divine Grandeur shone on Mount Sinai, latter turned into pieces etc I(see Couplet 21 And onwards). Surah Hashar (crowding). It was Ali, a manifestation of Divine Attributes on various phases, both as source of guidance, Mercy, Valour, Might, Wrath, Patience etc. which are transferred epithets in favour of Divine Lights.

19. Spokesman messenger (on behalf of your sect).

20. For gift of guidance.

21. Because of being under the influence of the devil.

22. Nature of the proud and disobedience being blind-hearted.

23. God’s trial brought hypocrisy to light, and those who followed them were also misguided.

24. Holy Sabbath.

25. God, before sending souls in habit of physical Creation raised them natural and endowed on them faculty of His declaration exposing His Creational powers, and then questioned them about Self in relation to themselves. First among them who admitted His Providence was Mohammad followed by his Ahl al-Bayt, whereupon they were entrusted with Divine knowledge and faith of Islam and His Lordship and of them, over the rest of His Entire Creation was enforced and admitted by them and angels were asked to be a witness. They were granted Names of His attributes in guidance thus these Glorious attributes became Transferred Epithets and to them was only limited right of intercession of all at large. This elucidates Mohammad was first to declare God, when Adam was not Created and his certainty of faith had no share save that of Creature before God.

26. This course includes Immaculates through whose medium, transaction be followed (see Chapter 81) “Family of Imaran”, Else who prayers are admitted.

27. From this it follows, acting as per dictates of non-Immaculates is not Divine guidance.

28. Forgive him who disobeys or tyrannizes you and reconcile with him, who is disaffected with you.

29. Kinds of hearts

a. Open to realize facts at once to admit beliefe.

b. Sealed, cannot grasp.

c. Inverted, which like vessels cannot hold water like associators.

d. Dirty: sometimes realize and other wise fail. Always pray to God to keep you from submitting to passion, i.e. impulsive actions.

30. Qualities to seek Divine Proximity are purity of heart and sole. Those who are ever with Him have been purified by Him physically and spiritually, entire control over p assion with them. Thus, the Ahl al-Bayt are limits of Human proximity, none can surpass them.