Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Surah Maryam, Chapter 19

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verses 1 – 15

كهيعص {1}

1. Kaf, Ha,Ya, 'Ain, Sad.1

ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُ زَكَرِيَّا {2}

2. This relates to the mercification of your Providence (in accepting the prayers of) His devotee Zakaria.

إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ نِدَاءً خَفِيًّا {3}

3. When he prayed to his Providence in a low tone,

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنْ بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا {4}

4. saying, “Oh my Providence, my bones have turned feeble and head hoary due to old age, but I am not despondent in praying to Thee.

وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِنْ وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا {5}

5. “and certainly I am afraid of my relations after my death2 and my wife is sterile, so endow on me an inheritor from Thee.”

يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا {6}

6. So he inherits me and becomes an inheritor of Jacob’s family)3 .

يَا زَكَرِيَّا إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَامٍ اسْمُهُ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَلْ لَهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا {7}

7. (In Divine reply he heard), “Oh Zakaria, of course, We give you tidings of a son, whose name shall be Yehya (John) not name so far by any.

قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ الْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا {8}

8. He prayed, “How can I have a son when my wife is sterile and I have attained extreme old age?”

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْئًا {9}

9. “So shall it be” (was the reply). Your Providence says, “It is easy for Me as I createdyou when you were non-existent.”

قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَلْ لِي آيَةًۚ قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلَاثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا {10}

10. He prayed to grant him some sign. God said, “You shall not be able to talk for three days despite health.”

فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ مِنَ الْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنْ سَبِّحُوا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا {11}

11. So he came out of the chancel to his sect and talked to them, under signs to glorify God, day and night.

يَا يَحْيَىٰ خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا {12}

12. Oh Yahya (John), hold fast (the commandments of) the text and We endowed upon him in childhood jurisprudence.

وَحَنَانًا مِنْ لَدُنَّا وَزَكَاةًۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا {13}

13. And endowed upon him special grace4 and We had purified his soul and he was extremely God-fearing.

وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا {14}

14. And was virtuous to his parents and was neither tyrannical nor disobedient.

وَسَلَامٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا {15}

15. And We destined for him safety on birth, death, and on his raising alive again.

Moral

Bodily note is worth remembering as to why the Shias do not accept so-called Prophets’ traditions without scrutiny as genuine, unless tested by the text.

Verses 16 – 40

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ انْتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا {16}

16. Relate, in the text, the history of Mary, when she separated herself from her family and went to place in the East.

فَاتَّخَذَتْ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا {17}

17. And she threw across herself a curtain in her chancel when We sent our Messenger, Gabriel, who appeared before her in the habit of a perfect man.

قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِالرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنْكَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقِيًّا {18}

18. To whom she addressed, “Iseek Divine protection from you, if you are pious.

قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَنَا رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَامًا زَكِيًّا {19}

19. He said, “I am merely a messenger from your Providence, to give you tidings of an immaculate son.”

قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِي غُلَامٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِي بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا {20}

20. She said, “How can I have a son when no man touched me and I am not unchaste.”

قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَيَّ هَيِّنٌۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُ آيَةً لِلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِنَّاۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَقْضِيًّا {21}

21. He said, “Such is (Divine Wisdom). Your Providence, ‘It is easy for Me, and with this view We desired in him for everyone, a sign and Divine grace from Us, and this has been decreed.’”

فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَانْتَبَذَتْ بِهِ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا {22}

22. So she became pregnant.5 She went off to a distant place.

فَأَجَاءَهَا الْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَا لَيْتَنِي مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنْتُ نَسْيًا مَنْسِيًّا {23}

23. Travails brought her to the foot of a date tree when she said, “Woe, had I died ere this and would have been in oblivion.”

فَنَادَاهَا مِنْ تَحْتِهَا أَلَّا تَحْزَنِي قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا {24}

24. The child within cried out, “Be not grieved, verily has your Providence started a stream beneath your feet.

وَهُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا {25}

25. “And shake a branch of the tree to have fresh dates falling down to you.

فَكُلِي وَاشْرَبِي وَقَرِّي عَيْنًاۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ الْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِي إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ الْيَوْمَ إِنْسِيًّا {26}

26. “Eat of the fruits and drink of the stream and cool your eyes, then if nay one sees you, talk by signs, I have taken a vow for Divine Will to observe a fast of not to talk with any.”

فَأَتَتْ بِهِ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُۖ قَالُوا يَا مَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْئًا فَرِيًّا {27}

27. She approached her people carrying the child (when they spat at her) and she entered the chancel. The scribes said, “You have behaved disgracefully.

يَا أُخْتَ هَارُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ امْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا {28}

28. “Oh you sister of Aaron, neither was your father vicious nor your mother.”

فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِۖ قَالُوا كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَنْ كَانَ فِي الْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا {29}

29. She pointed to the child (to address) whey they said, “How can we talk to the child who is still in the cradle?”

قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا {30}

30. When Jesus said, under Divine Commands, “I am God’s creature, endowed with Divine philosophy, and graced with the Divine Message.

وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا {31}

31. “And God has made me auspicious, wherever I be, and has Commanded me to say prayers (constantly) and observe (obligatory) fast until my life.

وَبَرًّا بِوَالِدَتِي وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا {32}

32. “And do virtues to my mother and be not harsh upon her (lest I be cursed in my behaviour) to her.

وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدْتُ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا {33}

33. “And peace has been on me the day I was born, the day I shall die and the day to be raised alive.”

ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَۚ قَوْلَ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ {34}

34. This is Jesus, son of Mary, in fact, about whom they are litigating.

مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ مِنْ وَلَدٍۖ سُبْحَانَهُۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ {35}

35. It does not behove God to adopt anyone as His son, Pure is His nature. When He decides (upon creation) only word is “Be” suffices to bring it into existence.

وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُوهُۚ هَٰذَا صِرَاطٌ مُسْتَقِيمٌ {36}

36. Verily, “God is my Providence and yours. Worship Him and this is the right way.”

فَاخْتَلَفَ الْأَحْزَابُ مِنْ بَيْنِهِمْۖ فَوَيْلٌ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ مَشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ {37}

37. There was a division among them in groups. Woe be to the infidels on the great day (of reckoning).

أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَاۖ لَٰكِنِ الظَّالِمُونَ الْيَوْمَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {38}

38. How attentively hearing and vividly seeing shall they be when they shall present themselves to Us? But today those disobedient are in open misguidance.

وَأَنْذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ الْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِيَ الْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ {39}

39. Warn them of the woeful day when the affairs will be settled, although they are indifferent, and do not embrace faith.

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ الْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ {40}

40. Verily shall We be the master of the Earth and what is therein and to Us is their reversion.

Religious Moral

Note importance of prayers, fast and honouring parents, as neglect thereof, without penance is Eternal Condemnation of hell. Parental obligations succeed those of Divinity and Divine Lights, and like latter are impossible to be compensated. Often cupidity of his wife to man in power, health and wealth misleads him to liken it with a mother’s love, which is sublime and must be avoided. Note passion may be blind but to say love is likewise is a libel, a lie.

Verses 41 – 50

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِبْرَاهِيمَۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا {41}

41. Relate, in the text, the history of Abraham. Verily he was highly truthful (and corroborating (Divine) Truths, secrets, miracles, Texts, etc.)

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَا أَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِي عَنْكَ شَيْئًا {42}

42. Recall when he addressed his uncle, “Oh (dear) Uncle, why do you worship idols who neither hear nor see nor are self-sufficient in fulfilling your requirements?

يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي قَدْ جَاءَنِي مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَاتَّبِعْنِي أَهْدِكَ صِرَاطًا سَوِيًّا {43}

43. “Oh (dear) Uncle, I am endowed with Divine Knowledge, which you have not, so you follow me, to lead you to the right way.6

يَا أَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ الشَّيْطَانَۖ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا {44}

44. “Oh (dear) Uncle, do not be a slave to a devil, for verily he is disobedient to God, Compassionate.

يَا أَبَتِ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَلِيًّا {45}

45. “Oh (dear) Uncle, I fear (on this account) Divine punishment may take you up from God, the Compassionate, whereby you will be included in the devil’s friends7 .”

قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنْتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِي يَا إِبْرَاهِيمُۖ لَئِنْ لَمْ تَنْتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَۖ وَاهْجُرْنِي مَلِيًّا {46}

46. Azar (his uncle) said, “Oh you Abraham are you diverting me from my gods? If you do not desist, I shall stone you. Better be away from me for a long period.”

قَالَ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّيۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِي حَفِيًّا {47}

47. Here it is, I am away. Peace be on you, I shall shortly pray my Providence.8 Verily He is extremely merciful to me.

وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَأَدْعُو رَبِّي عَسَىٰ أَلَّا أَكُونَ بِدُعَاءِ رَبِّي شَقِيًّا {48}

48. I am parting with you and those who pray barring God and I shall pray to my Providence. I hope I shall not be disappointed from my Providence (as you are from your idols).

فَلَمَّا اعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَۖ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّا {49}

49. So when he parted with him and with those whom they were worshipping barring God, We endowed upon him Isaac, Jacob, making all of them saints.

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُمْ مِنْ رَحْمَتِنَا وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّا {50}

50. On all We endowed a share of prophetship, from Our Mercy, and made them praiseworthy in all faiths, and bestowed on these, three as per their prayers, Mohammad as Our Prophet and a Truthful tongue9 .

Moral

This was in due fulfilment of Abraham’s prayers, which never failed, as confirmed in his statement on Couplet 84, Surah Poets.

Forty-third Couplet disproves tradition concocted “following any companion (not gifted with Divine Knowledge) can lead to salvation.

Verses 51 – 65

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ مُوسَىٰۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا {51}

51. Relate in this Text the history of Moses. Verily he was a chosen Prophet and was deputed a Messenger from God.

وَنَادَيْنَاهُ مِنْ جَانِبِ الطُّورِ الْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَاهُ نَجِيًّا {52}

52. We called him, from the right side of Mount Sinai and raised him to Our proximity and made him Our confidant.

وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ مِنْ رَحْمَتِنَا أَخَاهُ هَارُونَ نَبِيًّا {53}

53. And out of Grace, granted him and his brother Aaron prophetship.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا {54}

54. Relate in text, Ismail son of Hizkiel, he was true to his promise and a prophet deputed, too.

وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا {55}

55. And he was instructing his family to say prayers and observe fast and was appreciated by his Providence.

وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِدْرِيسَۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَبِيًّا {56}

56. Relate, in the text, the history of Idris10 . Verily he was a true prophet and We exalted him to a high grade by taking him to heaven.

وَرَفَعْنَاهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا {57}

57. Thus Idris had a chance of tasting death and being enlivened.

أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّةِ آدَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَاجْتَبَيْنَاۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا۩ {58}

58. These are the very people of Adam’s descent, whom God endowed bounties of prophetship; some, like Noah, who was on board the Ark, and some of Abraham and Jacob’s descent, and some of whom We guided and selected11 Whenever God’s Commands are being read out to them, out of Divine awe, they fall in prostration, weeping.

فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا {59}

59. Then followed such successors who wasted and delayed timely prayers in following the devil12 when shortly shall they have to face misguidance (leading to hell).

إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا {60}

60. Unless he does penance, embraces faith and acts righteously he shall not be admitted in paradise where he will not be ill-treated in the least.

جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُ بِالْغَيْبِۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ وَعْدُهُ مَأْتِيًّا {61}

61. Paradise of Eden unseen by creatures and promised by God, the Compassionate, and His promise shall be fulfilled

لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَامًاۖ وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا {62}

62. wherein, shall they hear no non-sense, except wishes for peace, and wherein shall they have food morning and evening.13

تِلْكَ الْجَنَّةُ الَّتِي نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَنْ كَانَ تَقِيًّا {63}

63. These are the paradises inherited by those of Our devotees, who had been pious.

وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَۖ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا {64}

64. Oh you Prophet, Gabriel and others do not come to Earth but under Our sanction, and whatever is to come from now onward, and whatever has preceded ere this, whole is within His knowledge, and your Providence is ot anyway negligent.

رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَاعْبُدْهُ وَاصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَادَتِهِۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُ سَمِيًّا {65}

65. Providence of the Heavens and Earth and that in between, better worship Him, and bear trials of His worship14 Is there anyone else called by His name of God?

Religious Moral

Couplet (65) wither interpolation in bracket is the requisite of the paragraph.

Verses 66 – 82

وَيَقُولُ الْإِنْسَانُ أَإِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا {66}

66. And man says, “What! When I die shall I be raised alive again?”

أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَاهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْئًا {67}

67. Does he not remember that verily We created him when he was not existing anywhere, physically or otherwise? When created in such a condition, after one creation, bringing him back to life is not a sufficient affair.

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَالشَّيَاطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا {68}

68. By your Providence shall We certainly assemble them in chain with their devil companions, when they will present themselves in kneel, being overloaded with sin about hell.

ثُمَّ لَنَنْزِعَنَّ مِنْ كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى الرَّحْمَٰنِ عِتِيًّا {69}

69. Then shall We separate them from individual groups, those who were most obedient to God, the Compassionate.

ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِالَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا {70}

70. Then We are better acquainted as to who is more deserving of being condemned to hell.

وَإِنْ مِنْكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَاۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَقْضِيًّا {71}

71. And there is not one amongst you who shall escape crossing the hell and this is definitely decreed by your Providence.

ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا وَنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا {72}

72. And shall We rescue the pious and cast the disobedient into hell.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَيُّ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا {73}

73. When Our commands were distinctly being read out to them, the infidels used to tell the faithful, “Which of us has a better home and large family.”15

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِنْ قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَاثًا وَرِئْيًا {74}

74. And how many preceding generations have been destroyed who had magnificent property and enviable display?

قُلْ مَنْ كَانَ فِي الضَّلَالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَدًّاۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَكَانًا وَأَضْعَفُ جُنْدًا {75}

75. Say, “Unto them, who are roaming in misguidance shall God, the Omnipotent, let them do so until they see what they were warned about16 whose position is worse and whose group is weaker.”

وَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ اهْتَدَوْا هُدًىۗ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ مَرَدًّا {76}

76. And those who have attained guidance shall get it confirmed and eternal bliss (Divine Remembrance and Virtues) are preferable near your Providence (to sources of worldly pleasure) both from the point of view or reward and end in view.

أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا {77}

77. Do you not see the infidel denying Our Couplets and speaking (under guess) in which he will be likewise granted more wealth and children in eternity17 ?

أَطَّلَعَ الْغَيْبَ أَمِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًا {78}

78. What! Is he acquainted with the Divine secrets, or has he taken the promise from God, the Compassionate to this effect?

كَلَّاۚ سَنَكْتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ مَدًّا {79}

79. Certainly not, We are jotting down what he says and shall extend the period of punishment (for his audacity) in making ridiculously false statements.

وَنَرِثُهُ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًا {80}

80. And shall We inherit his claims for possession when on Reckoning Day, shall be present himself solitarily before Us.

وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ آلِهَةً لِيَكُونُوا لَهُمْ عِزًّا {81}

81. And barring God18 they adopted other worldly chiefs to assist them in eternity.

كَلَّاۚ سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا {82}

82. They shall never be. Rather, shall they falsify their devotion and thus oppose them.

Moral

Clear.

Verses 83 – 98

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّا أَرْسَلْنَا الشَّيَاطِينَ عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا {83}

83. Have you not seen Our sending devils to the infidels to lead them astray.

فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا {84}

84. Do not be impatient about them, We are simply counting their remaining breathes.

يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ الْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى الرَّحْمَٰنِ وَفْدًا {85}

85. Recall the Day when We shall assemble the pious as delegates to God, the Providence.

وَنَسُوقُ الْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًا {86}

86. And drive out the criminals, thirsty to hell.

لَا يَمْلِكُونَ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّخَذَ عِنْدَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًا {87}

87. They shall not have a right of intercession except those who have the promise fulfilled19 before God, the Compassionate.

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًا {88}

88. They said, “God the Compassionate has adopted a son.”

لَقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْئًا إِدًّا {89}

89. You have, thereby, committed a grave (offence).

تَكَادُ السَّمَاوَاتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنْشَقُّ الْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ الْجِبَالُ هَدًّا {90}

90. Whereby the heavens may burst and the earth crack under quake and mountains reduced to powder (but Our decree has given a fixed period).20

أَنْ دَعَوْا لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدًا {91}

91. They addressed to God, the Compassionate having a son.

وَمَا يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا {92}

92. Although it does not behove God, the Compassionate being Self-sufficient to adopt a son.

إِنْ كُلُّ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا {93}

93. All whatever is in the heavens and the earth, in due supplication, presents itself as His creation to Him on the Day of Judgment.

لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا {94}

94. Verily has He circumspected all of them, and appreciated each to his degree (of merit).

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا {95}

95. And everyone shall present alone before Him, on the Day of Judgment.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا {96}

96. Verily, for him who has embraced faith and acted righteously shall We instill (in his heart) shortly, affection21

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنْذِرَ بِهِ قَوْمًا لُدًّا {97}

97. And certainly, We have rendered the text in our tongue (Arabic) easy, wherewith to give tidings to the pious and warn the criminal tribes.22

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِنْ قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًا {98}

98. And how many generations before them have been destroyed. “Do you feel any existence thereof today or hear any secret whispering of theirs into your ears?”

Moral

God has specialized this Surah by using His attribute of Mercy for His Prophet and Compassionate for his creatures who are disobedient and providing them with His Bounties with all their tyranny to avenge on Reckoning day, Day of Dispensation of Justice, when there will be alone with His Sovereignty, the worldly test having ended.

Note Couplet (87) and compare morals to Paragraph II Surah “The Cave (18), regarding those entitle to Intercession.

Notes

1. Kaf stands for Karabla, Ha stands for martyrdom of Hussain, Ya stands of Yazid, Ain stands for thirst, and Sad for patience.

2. As inheritors to my estate will not spend as per Thy Will, being of evil nature.

3. From his mother’s side, too as Zakaria’s wife was sister to Mary Imran bin Masan. This couplet proves an apocryphal tradition fabricated by the first Khalifa, on his succession, when he deprived Fatima, the only daughter of the Prophet, of her garden, Fidak. Proprietary right of which she had enjoyed from the time of her father, who had granted it to her in due compliance with Divine Commands.

The purport of the fabricated tradition was the Prophet’s leave no landed property as inheritance to their offsprings. This is refuted by Zakaria’s prayers to God to grant him a child who shall utilize his property in accordance with Divine Will. Preposterous action of the Khalifa may also be noted in demanding a proof for its possession. Secondly, if prophetship, which is Divine prerogative and entirely limited to the Immaculates, for which Zakaria prayed and feared this prayer was out of place, not following within his domain, and fear was meaningless, as no action of an immaculate need be feared, if not of Divine Will.

This proves the calibre of the Khalifas to eschew jurisprudence, having deprived Ali of legal succession and their apostasy in offending Fatima Divine Light, meet the reward, where of is hell.

4. whereby whatever he prayed unto us was accepted.

5. by Gabriel’s blowing in the pocket of her apparel.

6. This is a proof a, who has Divine Knowledge can claim following for guidance to the salvation of the followers, without restriction of age and relationship.

7. cursed and be condemnable to hell.

8. for your forgiveness on your promise, Vide 86 (b) Surah Poets.

9. in Ali.

10. After completion of his duty as a prophet, he was taken up by an angel who was restored to Divine proximity under Idris’ intercession, when his soul was removed by the angel of death, on the fifth heaven and restored. he met our Prophet Mohammad during his ascension.

11. as Divine Lights.

12. by building palatial quarters and riding enviable conveyance.

13. These paradises referred to are those after death, and before the Day of Judgment. Where the sun rises and sets, before admission to eternal paradise.

14. That is prayers, fast, pilgrimage, crusade on fields and with inner fore, in advising virtues and barring vices and standing by Truth, against conflicting forces of the world.

15. This was a result of discourse before the infidel Quraish when they were invited to accept the Commandership of Ali. They said so to the faithful who owned fidelity to Ali

16. i.e. punishment on emergence of final Divine Light when they will realize

17. Than his existing possessions in the world.

18. i.e. His nominees to the Divine Lights.

19. regarding Commandership of Ali.

20. As trees have since grown thorns in them.

21. for the Ahl al-Bayt as Personification of Truth. This is one of the tests of the faithful.

22. of Bani Umayyah and like minded.