Surah An-Nahl, Chapter 16
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
Verses 1 – 9
أَتَىٰ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُوهُۚ
سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ {1}
1. Reckoning Day has approached; do not hurry up about its punishment. Glorious and Exalted is He above all, with whom they associate.
يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنْذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ {2}
2. Angels with “Ruh” come, under His sanction, to whomever of His devotees, He likes to warn, verily there is no other God but I, and fear Me.
خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّۚ
تَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ {3}
3. He created the heavens and the earth with true purpose. Exalted is He above all, with Whom they associate.
خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌ مُبِينٌ {4}
4. He created man from dirty drop of sperm when he started litigating openly.
وَالْأَنْعَامَ خَلَقَهَاۗ
لَكُمْ فِيهَا دِفْءٌ وَمَنَافِعُ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ {5}
5. And animals He created for you, wherein there is covering from their skin (against cold and heat) and many other advantages, and some of which you eat.
وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا جَمَالٌ حِينَ تُرِيحُونَ وَحِينَ تَسْرَحُونَ {6}
6. And for you, in them, is exhilaration, when you take them out morning and evening.
وَتَحْمِلُ أَثْقَالَكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَلَدٍ لَمْ تَكُونُوا بَالِغِيهِ إِلَّا بِشِقِّ الْأَنْفُسِۚ
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ {7}
7. And they carry your goods from one place to another, which you could not have done otherwise, except under pain. Verily your Providence is very considerate and merciful.
وَالْخَيْلَ وَالْبِغَالَ وَالْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةًۚ
وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {8}
8. And the horse, the mule, and the ass, whom you ride, are your worldly decorations and He will create for you what you do not know.
وَعَلَى اللَّهِ قَصْدُ السَّبِيلِ وَمِنْهَا جَائِرٌۚ
وَلَوْ شَاءَ لَهَدَاكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ {9}
9. And it is for God to show you the right path from which emanates a crooked cut. If God had desired, He would have forced guidance on all.
Moral
1. Gabriel carries the message from God to the Prophet. “Ruh” remains with the existing Divine Light to keep him aware of events of the age.
2. As the right path is limited under Divine control, verily one who seeks leaving it goes astray, i.e. anyone who accepts any religious leader, leaving the genuine Imam nominated by God, is misguided.
3. There is no compulsion in following it but human discretion has to decide whether to be in the light or in darkness, as creation is a test, for each individual of sane and matured age.
4. The body of all true religions consists in obedience to the Will of God, in a confidence in His declaration in imitation of His perfection.
5. Religion is nothing but fear and love of God, and faith is the root of both, without which we cannot please God, nor can we fear and love what we do not believe.
Verses 10 – 21
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءًۖ
لَكُمْ مِنْهُ شَرَابٌ وَمِنْهُ شَجَرٌ فِيهِ تُسِيمُونَ {10}
10. It is He Who sends from the clouds in the sky rain fro you which is used for drinking and growing tress and fodder for animals to graze
يُنْبِتُ لَكُمْ بِهِ الزَّرْعَ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالنَّخِيلَ وَالْأَعْنَابَ وَمِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ {11}
11. with which fields grow crop: olive dates, grapes and all kinds of other fruits. Verily in this are signs for the refelective.
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَۖ
وَالنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّرَاتٌ بِأَمْرِهِۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ {12}
12. And it is He Who sends for you night after day and sets the sun and the moon and the stars in motion under His control. Verily in this are signs for the sensible.
وَمَا ذَرَأَ لَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ مُخْتَلِفًا أَلْوَانُهُۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَذَّكَّرُونَ {13}
13. And He created on Earth men of various colours. Verily in this are signs for those who take advice.
وَهُوَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ الْبَحْرَ لِتَأْكُلُوا مِنْهُ لَحْمًا طَرِيًّا وَتَسْتَخْرِجُوا مِنْهُ حِلْيَةً تَلْبَسُونَهَا وَتَرَى الْفُلْكَ مَوَاخِرَ فِيهِ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ {14}
14. It is He who set the sea under His control, wherefrom you take out flesh (of fish) for food, pearls for adoration, and you see the ship sailing therein, getting on board of which you seek your livelihood, under His Grace, so as to be grateful to Him.
وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَنْ تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَأَنْهَارًا وَسُبُلًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ {15}
15. And He made mountains over earth so as to stabilize it, and let rivers out of them, and roads for your guidance.
عَلَامَاتٍۚ
وَبِالنَّجْمِ هُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ {16}
16. His signposts and stars, for your protection.
أَفَمَنْ يَخْلُقُ كَمَنْ لَا يَخْلُقُۗ
أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ {17}
17. How can creation be like the Creator, do you not understand?
وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَاۗ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {18}
18. And if you go on counting His bounties you shall never do so. Verily He is forgiving and merciful.
وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُسِرُّونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ {19}
19. And God knows what you hide and expose.
وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ {20}
20. And those who worship beside Him have not created anything but are His creatures.
أَمْوَاتٌ غَيْرُ أَحْيَاءٍۖ
وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ {21}
21. They are like the dead, having no sense of understanding as to when they will be raised alive.
Moral
Bodily given to be thoroughly eschewed.
Verses 22 – 25
إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌۚ
فَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ مُنْكِرَةٌ وَهُمْ مُسْتَكْبِرُونَ {22}
22. Your God is God alone. Those who do not believe in eternity have to their hearts this fact disagreeable and they are proud.
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَۚ
إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ {23}
23. Verily your God knows what they hide and expose. Certainly He does not like the proud
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ مَاذَا أَنْزَلَ رَبُّكُمْۙ
قَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ {24}
24. when they are told what did your Providence reveal, they say, “Old stories.”
لِيَحْمِلُوا أَوْزَارَهُمْ كَامِلَةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِۙ
وَمِنْ أَوْزَارِ الَّذِينَ يُضِلُّونَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍۗ
أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَزِرُونَ {25}
25. They are carrying the burden for the Reckoning Day, with the burden of those whom they are misguiding. Beware! Bad is the burden they are carrying.
Moral
The proud do not like to supplicate God in all affairs as their position due to property and power forces them to follow their own impulse and plans with which they have accumulated vain power and position, on account of which Divine orders are discarded as old stories not practicable anymore to their interests to attain their goal.
Verses 26 – 34
قَدْ مَكَرَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَأَتَى اللَّهُ بُنْيَانَهُمْ مِنَ الْقَوَاعِدِ فَخَرَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّقْفُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَأَتَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ {26}
26. Verily, previous generations intrigued (against their Prophets) God rooted out their foundations throwing the roofs over them and sending punishment from where they never dreamt.
ثُمَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُخْزِيهِمْ وَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ شُرَكَائِيَ الَّذِينَ كُنْتُمْ تُشَاقُّونَ فِيهِمْۚ
قَالَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ إِنَّ الْخِزْيَ الْيَوْمَ وَالسُّوءَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ {27}
27. They, shall He disgrace them on the Day of Judgment and demand their associates, on account of whom, they were inimical to the faithful. Those who are gifted with Divine Knowledge will say, “Disgrace is for them today and punishment to the infidels.”
الَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ ظَالِمِي أَنْفُسِهِمْۖ
فَأَلْقَوُا السَّلَمَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْمَلُ مِنْ سُوءٍۚ
بَلَىٰ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {28}
28. Whose death shall the angels of death cruelly cause, when they will supplicate and on seeing the death angel, would say, “We were not acting viciously.” They will be retorted, “Rather! Verily God knows what you were doing.
فَادْخُلُوا أَبْوَابَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَاۖ
فَلَبِئْسَ مَثْوَى الْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ {29}
29. “Better enter the gates of hell for permanent residence therein,” and awful is the place for the proud.
وَقِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا مَاذَا أَنْزَلَ رَبُّكُمْۚ
قَالُوا خَيْرًاۗ
لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌۚ
وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌۚ
وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ {30}
30. And the pious will be accosted, “What has God sent you.” They will say, “His Grace.” Those who are graciously treated in this world shall have a gracious reward for their righteousness in Eternity and the home of Eternity is much better than that. What a happy home for the virtuous.
جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ يَدْخُلُونَهَا تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُۖ
لَهُمْ فِيهَا مَا يَشَاءُونَۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ يَجْزِي اللَّهُ الْمُتَّقِينَ {31}
31. Paradise of the highest grade wherein shall they enter and below which run streams and wherein they will have their choice of food. Such is the way. God rewards the virtuous.
الَّذِينَ تَتَوَفَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ طَيِّبِينَۙ
يَقُولُونَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكُمُ ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {32}
32. Those whose death angels cause purely, wishing them peace on entering paradise for their virtuous deeds.
هَلْ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَوْ يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْۚ
وَمَا ظَلَمَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ {33}
33. What! Are they awaiting angels or Divine Wrath from their Providence? Previous generations acted likewise and God does not tyrannize anybody, but they tyrannize themselves.
فَأَصَابَهُمْ سَيِّئَاتُ مَا عَمِلُوا وَحَاقَ بِهِمْ مَا كَانُوا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُونَ {34}
34. And calamity befell for their evil deeds and surrounded them for their ridicule.
Moral
Neither a faithful nor an infidel dies but before his death sees his destination or paradise or perdition opened out to him, when he feels certain about eternity.
Verses 35 – 40
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا لَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ مَا عَبَدْنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ نَحْنُ وَلَا آبَاؤُنَا وَلَا حَرَّمْنَا مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ فَعَلَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْۚ
فَهَلْ عَلَى الرُّسُلِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ {35}
35. And the associators said, “If God had willed, we would not have worshipped any except God (we and our forefathers), and would not have illegalized anything except what He has decided similarly uttered previous generations.” Has the Prophet got anything else to transmit the message clearly?
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَۖ
فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ هَدَى اللَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلَالَةُۚ
فَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ {36}
36. Verily, We sent every generation a prophet to say, “Worship God alone, and avoid passion.” Some remained on Guidance of God and others proved true to misguidance. Move about the earth and see what has been the fate of all falsifiers.
إِنْ تَحْرِصْ عَلَىٰ هُدَاهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ يُضِلُّۖ
وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ نَاصِرِينَ {37}
37. If you (Prophet) are avaricious to see them guided, verily God does not guide whom He has rejected as unfit, when there is none to assist them.
وَأَقْسَمُوا بِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْۙ
لَا يَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَمُوتُۚ
بَلَىٰ وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {38}
38. And they (enemies of Ahl al-Bayt) swore by God, “God shall never raise them alive after death (before Reckoning Day). Rather, the promise of resurrection shall come true, although most do not know.
لِيُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ الَّذِي يَخْتَلِفُونَ فِيهِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا كَاذِبِينَ {39}
39. To expose to them who differ in it and prove the enemies of the Immaculates were liars.
إِنَّمَا قَوْلُنَا لِشَيْءٍ إِذَا أَرَدْنَاهُ أَنْ نَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ {40}
40. It is nothing but a word when We decide “to be,” and no sooner is it said than it is done.
Moral
The essence of mission transmitted by all Prophets is to obey the Glorious God and deny passion, which is unholy, so it is not so much a pursuit as a temper leading to a pursuit, foundation of which is faith, and its action is virtuous deeds and his temper is holiness in which is freedom from passion and love for the pure. For love and fear make religion. All humble, meek, merciful, just, pious, and devout souls are everywhere of one religion which is Islam – resignation to Divine will.
Verses 41 – 50
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۖ
وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُۚ
لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ {41}
41. And those who fled to Abyssinia and Medina for the sake of God, after they had been tyrannized in their native land, We could inhabit them in a safer place in this world, whereas the reward of Eternity is much better, would they had known it.
الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ {42}
42. Those who bore patiently and trusted in their Providence.
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْۚ
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {43}
43. And before you We sent messengers as men only revealing unto them. Ask those who are (Divinely) initiated into if you do not know.
بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِۗ
وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ {44}
44. With miracles and proofs, and to you also We revealed this Text to clearly declare to them what is revealed so they may think over it.
أَفَأَمِنَ الَّذِينَ مَكَرُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ أَنْ يَخْسِفَ اللَّهُ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضَ أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ {45}
45. Those who are sinning, do they consider safe against God (threatening) and His trusting them into the earth or sending them punishment, whence they do not know?
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ فِي تَقَلُّبِهِمْ فَمَا هُمْ بِمُعْجِزِينَ {46}
46. Or seizing them while they are moving about when they cannot overpower Us?
أَوْ يَأْخُذَهُمْ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ {47}
47. Or seizing them in terror. Verily, your God is Forbearing and Merciful.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ مِنْ شَيْءٍ يَتَفَيَّأُ ظِلَالُهُ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ سُجَّدًا لِلَّهِ وَهُمْ دَاخِرُونَ {48}
48. Have they not seen, at the creation, of God who spread their shadows right and left in due prostration to God, when they are praying?
وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ {49}
49. And for God is prostration from those in Heaven and Earth and pedestrians and angels and they are not proud to bow down (unto Him).
يَخَافُونَ رَبَّهُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ {50}
50. They are afraid of their Providence, over their heads and comply with His Commands.
Moral
The public are commanded to refer to Divine Lights on the subject, they do not know as the Prophet has been nominated by God as Zikr and Ahl al-Zikr is his Immaculate Family, Divinely initiated.
Verses 51 – 60
وَقَالَ اللَّهُ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا إِلَٰهَيْنِ اثْنَيْنِۖ
إِنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌۖ
فَإِيَّايَ فَارْهَبُونِ {51}
51. And said God, “Do not take to worshipping two gods. Verily God of you all is only one and you fear Him alone.
وَلَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ الدِّينُ وَاصِبًاۚ
أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ تَتَّقُونَ {52}
52. His is the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth and absolute supplication is due to Him alone. What! Are you afraid of any other being except God?
وَمَا بِكُمْ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِۖ
ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْأَرُونَ {53}
53. And whatever bounties are with you, you seek its relieve in Him alone.
ثُمَّ إِذَا كَشَفَ الضُّرَّ عَنْكُمْ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِنْكُمْ بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ {54}
54. And when He removes them from you, a party of you associates others with Him.
لِيَكْفُرُوا بِمَا آتَيْنَاهُمْۚ
فَتَمَتَّعُواۖ
فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ {55}
55. So as to be ungrateful for what He has bestowed on you, so you tell them, enjoy shortly, you will come to know.
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ نَصِيبًا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْۗ
تَاللَّهِ لَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنْتُمْ تَفْتَرُونَ {56}
56. And they made a share for them whom they do not know from our of Our gifts.
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ الْبَنَاتِ سُبْحَانَهُۙ
وَلَهُمْ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ {57}
57. And they attributed angels as daughters to God. Pure is He from it (i.e. charge) and for them sons of what they chose.
وَإِذَا بُشِّرَ أَحَدُهُمْ بِالْأُنْثَىٰ ظَلَّ وَجْهُهُ مُسْوَدًّا وَهُوَ كَظِيمٌ {58}
58. If anybody gives him tidings of a daughter born to him out of anger his face becomes black.
يَتَوَارَىٰ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ مِنْ سُوءِ مَا بُشِّرَ بِهِۚ
أَيُمْسِكُهُ عَلَىٰ هُونٍ أَمْ يَدُسُّهُ فِي التُّرَابِۗ
أَلَا سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ {59}
59. And he hides himself from public ridicule and thinks of leaving the child or burying it under ground, just imagine, what an awful decision he is arriving at.
لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ مَثَلُ السَّوْءِۖ
وَلِلَّهِ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَىٰۚ
وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {60}
60. Those who do not believe in eternity, miserable is their condition, being in need of son and supporters, are helpless in every way, for God are the Glorious examples and He is Mighty and wise.
Moral
Divine attributes unlike those of creation are glorious, e.g. Eternal, Omnipotent, and Omniscient.
Verses 61 – 65
وَلَوْ يُؤَاخِذُ اللَّهُ النَّاسَ بِظُلْمِهِمْ مَا تَرَكَ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ دَابَّةٍ وَلَٰكِنْ يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّىۖ
فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۖ
وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ {61}
61. Had God seized everybody for their sins, He would not have left any creeper on Earth but he has given time for a fixed period and when that matures, not an hour can be relaxed under postponement nor retrenched by being preceded.
وَيَجْعَلُونَ لِلَّهِ مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَتَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُهُمُ الْكَذِبَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ الْحُسْنَىٰۖ
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّ لَهُمُ النَّارَ وَأَنَّهُمْ مُفْرَطُونَ {62}
62. And they suggested for God what was derogatory to self and with all this, lied their tongues, when they claimed Paradise. Verily for them is Hell and they are transgressors.
تَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُمُ الْيَوْمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {63}
63. By God, We sent prophets to previous generations but the devil eulogized their actions in their eyes, and he would be their leader on Reckoning Day, whenthey shall have intense punishment.
وَمَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِۙ
وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {64}
64. We did not reveal unto you the Text but you would clarify before them on their division, and guidance and mercy are for the faithful.
وَاللَّهُ أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَاۚ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ {65}
65. And it is God Who sends rain from clouds with which the dead earth enlivens. Verily in this are signs for those who listen to it carefully.
Moral
There are but two religions: Islam and Paganism. A third between is not possible. Where Islam ends, paganism begins.
Verses 66 – 70
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِي الْأَنْعَامِ لَعِبْرَةًۖ
نُسْقِيكُمْ مِمَّا فِي بُطُونِهِ مِنْ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ وَدَمٍ لَبَنًا خَالِصًا سَائِغًا لِلشَّارِبِينَ {66}
66. And verily, for you in animals there is a lesson as We feed you out of their stomachs, from between dung and blood, pure milk, which passes through the throat without choking, with a pleasant taste.
وَمِنْ ثَمَرَاتِ النَّخِيلِ وَالْأَعْنَابِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِنْهُ سَكَرًا وَرِزْقًا حَسَنًاۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ {67}
67. And from fruits of grapes and dates, of which you extract intoxicating liquids and other which are pure for you. Verily in these are signs for the wise.
وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى النَّحْلِ أَنِ اتَّخِذِي مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ الشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ {68}
68. And your Providence has initiated the bee to take an abode on the hills (lofty places) and roofs and trees.
ثُمَّ كُلِي مِنْ كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًاۚ
يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِلنَّاسِۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ {69}
69. Then eat from fruits and fly in the way of your Providence meekly. Come out from their inside, in various colours, honey which is a remedy for people.
And verily in these, are signs for the reflective.
وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْۚ
وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ لِكَيْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍ شَيْئًاۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ {70}
70. And God created you and then will give you death and takes some of you to old age when they forget what they have learned. Verily God is knowing and powerful.
Moral
Ali is known as Yasub-bud-din for this reason, with relation to his adherents.
Verses 71 – 83
وَاللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فِي الرِّزْقِۚ
فَمَا الَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا بِرَادِّي رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَاءٌۚ
أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ {71}
71. And God has given precedence in provision to some over others and those with superior provision will not part with them to their subordinates, although as creatures they are on the same level. What! Are you disputing with the Divine bounties?
وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَزْوَاجِكُمْ بَنِينَ وَحَفَدَةً وَرَزَقَكُمْ مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِۚ
أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ هُمْ يَكْفُرُونَ {72}
72. God, out of your body, created your partner in wife, and out of latter, children and grandchildren and gave you pure provision. What! Are you believing in false gods thus denying the real bounties of God (refers to Ling worship, etc.)
وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَهُمْ رِزْقًا مِنَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ {73}
73. Besides God, they began to worship multiple gods who have no power to provide them either from the heaves or the earth as they have no capacity.
فَلَا تَضْرِبُوا لِلَّهِ الْأَمْثَالَۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ {74}
74. Do you not personate God in creatural attributes (physically or mentally because it would be a creature of your mind). he knows and you do not know.
ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا عَبْدًا مَمْلُوكًا لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَمَنْ رَزَقْنَاهُ مِنَّا رِزْقًا حَسَنًا فَهُوَ يُنْفِقُ مِنْهُ سِرًّا وَجَهْرًاۖ
هَلْ يَسْتَوُونَۚ
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِۚ
بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {75}
75. God has exemplified in His creatures one who has no power over anything and another whom He has excellently provided, which he spends secretly and openly in His name. Are these two on the same level?
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَاهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّهْهُ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍۖ
هَلْ يَسْتَوِي هُوَ وَمَنْ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِۙ
وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ {76}
76. And God has further exemplified in two persons one of them is dumb and has no control over anything and he is a burden to his master. Wherever he is sent he returns a failure. Can he be equal to the other, who orders everything on justice, and is on the right path?
وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ
وَمَا أَمْرُ السَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ {77}
77. And with God are secrets of Heaven and Earth, and the case of affairs of the Day of Judgment is a matter of twinkling of an eye and even quicker that that, for verily God is Omnipotent.
وَاللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُمْ مِنْ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَۙ
لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ {78}
78. And it is God who brings you out from your mother’s womb when you nothing. Then He endows upon you ears, eyes, and reason so you may be grateful to Him.
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ فِي جَوِّ السَّمَاءِ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا اللَّهُۗ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {79}
79. Have they not seen birds flying in the air space, where nothing but Divine Awe, forces them to clasp down their wings. Verily in these are signs for the faithful.
وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ بُيُوتِكُمْ سَكَنًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنْ جُلُودِ الْأَنْعَامِ بُيُوتًا تَسْتَخِفُّونَهَا يَوْمَ ظَعْنِكُمْ وَيَوْمَ إِقَامَتِكُمْۙ
وَمِنْ أَصْوَافِهَا وَأَوْبَارِهَا وَأَشْعَارِهَا أَثَاثًا وَمَتَاعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍ {80}
80. And it is God Who provides (materials for ) houses, for your permanent residence, and from the skin of animals portable tents (dwellings), for journey so you make take shelter in summer and (on the say get food for you, too) and provided wool from sheep, camel, and hair of the goat, making blankets for covering the body and mattress for sitting and merchandise for a fixed period.
وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلَالًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الْجِبَالِ أَكْنَانًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ الْحَرَّ وَسَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُمْ بَأْسَكُمْۚ
كَذَٰلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ {81}
81. And it is God Who creates hills to afford you shade and caves therein, for your refuge, and created such clothes as to afford you protection against summer and such materials of iron, etc., which serve you as armour. Thus He has completed His bounties on you, so you may be obedient to Him.
فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْكَ الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ {82}
82. If you become disobedient, verily for Us, is to transmit to you the open message.
يَعْرِفُونَ نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنْكِرُونَهَا وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ {83}
83. They realize God’s bounties and yet deny them by mouth and most of them are infidels.
Moral
As God has enumerated His bounties for our physical protection, complaining people are not faithful. He insinuates by providing Divine Lights for protection of their souls, people deny them, as spiritual leaders by not following them prove ungrateful to God.
Verses 84 – 89
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ {84}
84. And on the Day, We shall raise among each generation the witnesses in our Divine Lights of their acts, and then no permission will be granted to infidels, nor any extension (by reversion to the world).
وَإِذَا رَأَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا الْعَذَابَ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنْظَرُونَ {85}
85. And when the disobedient will see the punishment, it would not mitigated nor given an opportunity (to defend).
وَإِذَا رَأَى الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا شُرَكَاءَهُمْ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا هَٰؤُلَاءِ شُرَكَاؤُنَا الَّذِينَ كُنَّا نَدْعُو مِنْ دُونِكَۖ
فَأَلْقَوْا إِلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلَ إِنَّكُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ {86}
86. And when they shall see whom they have associated, they will cry, “Oh our Providence! These are our (chosen) associates whom we followed leaving You.”
When they will set the arguments against them and verily they are liars.
وَأَلْقَوْا إِلَى اللَّهِ يَوْمَئِذٍ السَّلَمَۖ
وَضَلَّ عَنْهُمْ مَا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ {87}
87. And when they will submit to God on that Day and all what they had fabricated will disappear.
الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ زِدْنَاهُمْ عَذَابًا فَوْقَ الْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا يُفْسِدُونَ {88}
88. And for those who were infidels and barred men from the Divine path. We shall increase (double the) punishment for their misguiding others, under seditious activities.
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْۖ
وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِۚ
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ {89}
89. And on that Day, We shall raise a witness (Imam) for every generation against them and shall raise you, oh Prophet against the Immaculates (Divine Lights), and everything on guidance and mercy and tidings to the obedient.
Moral
1. Witness of each generation will be the Imam (Divine Light) of his time who will certify as to his being faithful or otherwise.
2. Who can claim this knowledge except the Immaculate, and rightful successor of the Prophet? Compare St. John 7:15 – 17. “And Jews marvelled saying, ‘How knoweth this man letters having never learnt?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not mine but His which sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak for myself.’” And further says in 7:38, “He that believeth in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (Divine Knowledge).”
Verses 90 – 100
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِۚ
يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ {90}
90. Verily God commands you to do justice (Ariston Metron) to oblige and pay relations their rights
and prevents you from lying or fornication, abomination being persistent disrobing of Divine Commands and tyranny (overbearing nature) thus advising you so you may take advice.
وَأَوْفُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ إِذَا عَاهَدْتُمْ وَلَا تَنْقُضُوا الْأَيْمَانَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًاۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ {91}
91. Fulfil a trust you have covenanted and those who breach it after having firmly sealed it (in earnestness) should know verily God is enough for your support and verily He knows what you do.
وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّتِي نَقَضَتْ غَزْلَهَا مِنْ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ أَنْكَاثًا تَتَّخِذُونَ أَيْمَانَكُمْ دَخَلًا بَيْنَكُمْ أَنْ تَكُونَ أُمَّةٌ هِيَ أَرْبَىٰ مِنْ أُمَّةٍۚ
إِنَّمَا يَبْلُوكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِۚ
وَلَيُبَيِّنَنَّ لَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ {92}
92. And do not be like a woman, who after spinning the cord rends it to pieces, and do not make your promise a source of intrigue with a view to excelling one another. Verily, God has only tried you with them and God shall explicitly expose it on the Day of Judgment.
وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَلَٰكِنْ يُضِلُّ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُۚ
وَلَتُسْأَلُنَّ عَمَّا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {93}
93. And if God wished He would have made you all of one group, but He leaves whomever He likes to their fate and guides whoever He chooses, and certainly shall you be questioned about our deeds.
وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ دَخَلًا بَيْنَكُمْ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمٌ بَعْدَ ثُبُوتِهَا وَتَذُوقُوا السُّوءَ بِمَا صَدَدْتُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِۖ
وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ {94}
94. And do not make your oath a source of intrigue, that once having made steady your feet, they may not be rooted out, and for the fact you have been influencing people against approaching God
you be punished, and it will be a severe punishment for you.
وَلَا تَشْتَرُوا بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًاۚ
إِنَّمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ {95}
95. And do not sell your promise for a petty profit, for verily, before God, there is a great reward if you understand it (and stick to it).
مَا عِنْدَكُمْ يَنْفَدُۖ
وَمَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍۗ
وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {96}
96. What is up with you? Worldly enjoyment is frail and what is with God is eternal, and We shall reward the patient for their doings with a very high reward.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةًۖ
وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {97}
97. And he who acts righteously, be he man or woman, but faithful, We shall make his life in this world contented and pure ands hall reward him with a very fine reward after his death.
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ {98}
98. When you read the Qur’an pray for protection of God from the cursed devil.
إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطَانٌ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ {99}
99. Verily he has no control over the faithful, who trust in their Providence.
إِنَّمَا سُلْطَانُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَهُ وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ بِهِ مُشْرِكُونَ {100}
100. He has control only over them who befriend him and associate him with God.
Moral
Justice,
if personified will refer to God and the Prophet. Obligation refers to Ali and relation refers to the Ahl al-Bayt in Couplet 90 above. And the three evils therein are personified in the Prophet’s companions who derived Ali of his rightful succession under lie, self-conceitedness, and transgression.
The woman spoken of in 92 above refers the lady who led an army against Ali in the battle of “The Camel” (against the legally elected Khalifa of the time).
Although the devil worries the faithful physically he has no control over the souls, as referred to in Couplet 99 above. Cf. Job’s case of trials.
Verses 101 – 110
وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَا آيَةً مَكَانَ آيَةٍۙ
وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ قَالُوا إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُفْتَرٍۚ
بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {101}
101. When We replace Our Commands with others, God knows what He has revealed unto you, upon which they (infidels) say, you are simply fabricating. Rather most of them do not know.
قُلْ نَزَّلَهُ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ مِنْ رَبِّكَ بِالْحَقِّ لِيُثَبِّتَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ {102}
102. Say, “This has been revealed through Gabriel from your Providence with Truth to confirm the faithful and be guidance and tidings for the obedient.”
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُ بَشَرٌۗ
لِسَانُ الَّذِي يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِيٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِيٌّ مُبِينٌ {103}
103. And verily We know they say, “He is being taught by one whose mother tongue is Persian and this Text is in Arabic.”
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَا يَهْدِيهِمُ اللَّهُ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {104}
104. God certainly does not guide him who does not believe in this Text and for them is intense punishment.
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِي الْكَذِبَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِۖ
وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَاذِبُونَ {105}
105. And those who do not believe in Divine Text are falsifiers and liars.
مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَٰكِنْ مَنْ شَرَحَ بِالْكُفْرِ صَدْرًا فَعَلَيْهِمْ غَضَبٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ {106}
106. He who apostates after having put faith in God, except under constraint, but his heart is certain of his faith, need not be afraid, and he who exposes infidelity openly shall be under the wrath of God and for him is intense punishment.
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ اسْتَحَبُّوا الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى الْآخِرَةِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ {107}
107. It is for this reason in which the (apostate) preferred worldly life to Eternity and verily God does not guide the infidel race.
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْۖ
وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ {108}
108. They are the people whose hearts, ears, and eyes are sealed by God, and they are negligent.
لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {109}
109. Certainly, they shall suffer in Eternity.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا ثُمَّ جَاهَدُوا وَصَبَرُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {110}
110. And verily, for those refugees, who after being tormented, enter into the crusade and bore patient. God shall grant them forgiveness and shower mercy.
Moral
Ammar’s parents, Yasir and Samy, having refused to apostate, were killed by the infidel Quraish and these are the first martyrs in Islam. Ammar was by heart a faithful and to save his own life, he apparently assumed what he was constraining to and the Prophet permitted him on the above bases. Under such circumstances, man can so behave without affecting faith.
Verses 111 – 119
يَوْمَ تَأْتِي كُلُّ نَفْسٍ تُجَادِلُ عَنْ نَفْسِهَا وَتُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَا عَمِلَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ {111}
111. On Reckoning Day, every soul will come disputing about self, and each shall be rewarded, as per his deed, without the least injustice.
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِنْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللَّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللَّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَصْنَعُونَ {112}
112. And God has exemplified in the case of a town, which had been flourishing peacefully, getting its provisions from every side and became ungrateful to God as a result of which it was involved in a famine, danger (of foreign invasion) due to its ungratefulness. (Police Action of Hyderabad-Deccan may be cited).
وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَهُمْ ظَالِمُونَ {113}
113. A prophet came to them, of course, when they falsified and were seized in punishment for disobedience.
فَكُلُوا مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ {114}
114. Eat of Divine provision, earning lawfully, pure of it. Thank God if you are to obey Him.
إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةَ وَالدَّمَ وَلَحْمَ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِۖ
فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلَا عَادٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {115}
115. Verily He has made illegal for you to eat a dead body, to drink blood and eat bacon, and animals sacrificed not in His name, except under constraint, and not under transgression, and disobedience, for verily, God is forgiving and merciful.
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ الْكَذِبَ هَٰذَا حَلَالٌ وَهَٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِتَفْتَرُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَۚ
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ الْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ {116}
116. And do not say what your tongue falsifies under passionate action by calling one thing lawful and the other unlawful, thus libelling God. Those who libel God shall not attain salvation.
مَتَاعٌ قَلِيلٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {117}
117. Worldly life is short for which Eternal punishment is intense.
وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ هَادُوا حَرَّمْنَا مَا قَصَصْنَا عَلَيْكَ مِنْ قَبْلُۖ
وَمَا ظَلَمْنَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ {118}
118. And We have made it unlawful to Jews what We related to you before, We did not ill-treat them but they tyrannized themselves.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ عَمِلُوا السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ تَابُوا مِنْ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ وَأَصْلَحُوا إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنْ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ {119}
119. Then he who commits sin ignorantly and does penance thereafter and rectifying himself, should know, verily your Providence, after this, is Forgiving and Merciful.
Moral
Unintentional mistakes and minor sins committed in ignorance, under impulsive influence, due to want of knowledge, or otherwise, are subject to Divine grace, provided sins, are undone under penance, with due compliance of Divine Commands.
Verses 120 – 128
إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {120}
120. Verily Abraham was one in obedience to God, without being influenced anyway and was not among the associators.
شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِۚ
اجْتَبَاهُ وَهَدَاهُ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ {121}
121. Grateful to God for His endowments, for He had selected him and guided him to the right path.
وَآتَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۖ
وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ {122}
122. And gave him pure provision, in the world and he would be among the righteous in Eternity.
ثُمَّ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ أَنِ اتَّبِعْ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًاۖ
وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ {123}
123. Then We revealed unto you to follow his faith and be not among the associators.
إِنَّمَا جُعِلَ السَّبْتُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِۚ
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ {124}
124. Verily, was Saturday was fixed holy for the Jews, but there was a division among them (similarly division exists regarding Friday in Islam). Verily your Providence, on Judgment Day, shall decide on this division.
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِۖ
وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُۚ
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ ضَلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِۖ
وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ {125}
125. You call them to the path of your Providence, with tact and advice, and with virtuous behaviour, discussing with them politely. Verily your Providence knows who is misguided from His path and who is guided.
وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُمْ بِهِۖ
وَلَئِنْ صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِلصَّابِرِينَ {126}
126. And if you avenge, do it to the degree (of injustice), and if you overlook it, under patience, it is better for the patient.
وَاصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِۚ
وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِي ضَيْقٍ مِمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ {127}
127. Be patient, and you cannot hold patience without God’s assistance, and do not be sorry for them and do not be grievous for their intrigue.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ مُحْسِنُونَ {128}
128. Verily God is with pious and the obliging.
Moral
He who avoids major sins and fulfills the obligatory functions sincerely, has requisites to obtain Divine proximity.
Notes
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Author: Ali Muhammad Fazil Chinoy
