Surah Al-‘Ankabut, Chapter 29
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful
Verses 1 – 13
الم {1}
1. Alif Lam Meem.
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ {2}
2. Do the people thing they would scot-free on simply stating they have embraced faith without being put to trial.
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْۖ
فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْكَاذِبِينَ {3}
3. Verily have We tested men before them, and shall God text them too as to wo is true and who is false in his claim.
أَمْ حَسِبَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ أَنْ يَسْبِقُونَاۚ
سَاءَ مَا يَحْكُمُونَ {4}
4. Do they, who continuously transgress think they shall supersede Us
? Evil is their sense leading to this issue.
مَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ أَجَلَ اللَّهِ لَآتٍۚ
وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ {5}
5. He who is sure to meet God, for verily the Day of Reckoning is going to come (shall prepare for it), and He is Hearing and Knowing.
وَمَنْ جَاهَدَ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَاهِدُ لِنَفْسِهِۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَغَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ {6}
6. He who strives under self-denial does it to his credit and God is independent of all (being Self-sufficient.
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَحْسَنَ الَّذِي كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {7}
7. Those who have embraced faith and acted righteously shall see We reduce his sins
and reward him for his virtuous deeds.
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًاۖ
وَإِنْ جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَاۚ
إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {8}
8. And We commanded humans to oblige their parents, and if they (parents) force you to associate any with Me without having knowledge, do not obey them as you shall revert to Me when I shall advise you of your deeds.
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ فِي الصَّالِحِينَ {9}
9. And to them who behaved and acted righteously, certainly shall We admit among the righteous.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِذَا أُوذِيَ فِي اللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَلَئِنْ جَاءَ نَصْرٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْۚ
أَوَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِي صُدُورِ الْعَالَمِينَ {10}
10. And amongst them are those who say they have believed in God and when they are tried on behalf of God they complain, as though they have received a punishment from God, and when any Divine help comes they say they are with you. Does not God know what is secret in the hearts of the people of the world.
وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ {11}
11. Verily shall God know who are faithful, and who are hypocrites.
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّبِعُوا سَبِيلَنَا وَلْنَحْمِلْ خَطَايَاكُمْ وَمَا هُمْ بِحَامِلِينَ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍۖ
إِنَّهُمْ لَكَاذِبُونَ {12}
12. And the infidels told the faithful to follow them, they would bear their sins, but they are not going to bear anymore. They are liars.
وَلَيَحْمِلُنَّ أَثْقَالَهُمْ وَأَثْقَالًا مَعَ أَثْقَالِهِمْۖ
وَلَيُسْأَلُنَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَفْتَرُونَ {13}
13. They would rather carry their own sins and sins of the misguiding others and shall be questioned on the Day of Judgment. How they were falsifying.
Moral
On revelation of this the Prophet said, “My followers shall certainly be tried after me, to distinguish the faithful from otherwise, and as revelation will cease, sword will remain behind until Judgment Day. This prophecy, we have been witnessing until today, true adherents of Divine Lights, owing to their disagreement with their enemies, have been continuously in communal affray (compare the tragedy of Karbala).
Those who do not interest themselves in either party, to preserve their worldly status, at the cost of religion shall suffer the most because when you do not appear for examination you have no qualifications for admission to Paradise. These are hypocrites, viz. Muslims in name.
Verses 14 – 22
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ فَلَبِثَ فِيهِمْ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا خَمْسِينَ عَامًا فَأَخَذَهُمُ الطُّوفَانُ وَهُمْ ظَالِمُونَ {14}
14. Verily We sent Noah to his community with whom he stayed for 950 years, and finally deluge overtook them for their disobedience.
فَأَنْجَيْنَاهُ وَأَصْحَابَ السَّفِينَةِ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا آيَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ {15}
15. And We saved Noah with his companions in the Ark, making in them an example for the world.
وَإِبْرَاهِيمَ إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاتَّقُوهُۖ
ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ {16}
16. Recall when Abraham told his tribe to worship God and fear Him alone, as it is good for them if they understand.
إِنَّمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَانًا وَتَخْلُقُونَ إِفْكًاۚ
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ تَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لَكُمْ رِزْقًا فَابْتَغُوا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّزْقَ وَاعْبُدُوهُ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُۖ
إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ {17}
17. Verily you are not doing anything but worshipping idols, barring God, and fabricating falsehood yourself, verily those whom you worship, besides God, have no power to provide you, therefore, seek provision from God, worship Him and be grateful unto Him as you have to revert unto Him.
وَإِنْ تُكَذِّبُوا فَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أُمَمٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْۖ
وَمَا عَلَى الرَّسُولِ إِلَّا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ {18}
18. And if they have falsified you (oh Prophet) prior to you previous generations have falsified their (respective) Prophets. (Then know) for the Prophet is nothing but to transmit an open message.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا كَيْفَ يُبْدِئُ اللَّهُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۚ
إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيرٌ {19}
19. Have they not noticed how God does start creation?
Verily it is easy for God to do so.
قُلْ سِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ بَدَأَ الْخَلْقَۚ
ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنْشِئُ النَّشْأَةَ الْآخِرَةَۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ {20}
20. Tell them to move about and contemplate how variably God started human creation in (form, creed, and colour) then shall God similarly bring it back to life after death. Verily God is Omnipotent.
يُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَرْحَمُ مَنْ يَشَاءُۖ
وَإِلَيْهِ تُقْلَبُونَ {21}
21. He punishes whom He likes, and merciful to whom He chooses, and to Him shall you revert.
وَمَا أَنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزِينَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِۖ
وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ {22}
22. Neither any of Earth or any of Heaven shall reduce God, and he shall not find, barring God, any to sympathize with or assist him.
Moral
God in proof of His raising the dead quotes enlivening of creation after its extinction also, he cites various coloured creation on the surface of the earth without any model, He started, so shall He similarly raise them alive to account for their deeds.
Verses 23 – 30
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَلِقَائِهِ أُولَٰئِكَ يَئِسُوا مِنْ رَحْمَتِي وَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ {23}
23. Those who denied God’s commands and deny facing Him (on the Day of Judgment) shall be despondent of His mercy and for them is intense punishment.
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا اقْتُلُوهُ أَوْ حَرِّقُوهُ فَأَنْجَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ النَّارِۚ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {24}
24. (Abraham’s) tribe had no other answer for him except to slay or burn him, so God saved him from the fire. Verily, in this there are signs for the faithful.
وَقَالَ إِنَّمَا اتَّخَذْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَانًا مَوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَاۖ
ثُمَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا وَمَأْوَاكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ نَاصِرِينَ {25}
25. He (Abraham) said, “It is nothing but you have taken a fancy to idol worship (to follow the passionate leaders) so as to serve your mutual interest in courting worldly pleasures, when on the Day of Judgment they will deny fealty to one another and curse one another.” Your destination is hell with none to help you.
فَآمَنَ لَهُ لُوطٌۘ
وَقَالَ إِنِّي مُهَاجِرٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّيۖ
إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {26}
26. Of course, Lot believed in him (Abraham) and Abraham said, “I am going to flee to my Providence,
Who is Mighty and Wise.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُ إِسْحَاقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ النُّبُوَّةَ وَالْكِتَابَ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَجْرَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَاۖ
وَإِنَّهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ {27}
27. And We endowed upon Isaac and Jacob, entrusting the prophetship in his family and endowing Text and rewarding him in the world for verily shall he be among the righteous in eternity.
وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الْفَاحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُمْ بِهَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِنَ الْعَالَمِينَ {28}
28. And call to mind when Lot told his tribe, “You are committing vice of a nature not preceded by any in the world.
أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ الرِّجَالَ وَتَقْطَعُونَ السَّبِيلَ وَتَأْتُونَ فِي نَادِيكُمُ الْمُنْكَرَۖ
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِ إِلَّا أَنْ قَالُوا ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابِ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ {29}
29. “What! Are you going to men, barring women, stopping wayfarers (with evil intentions) and practicing all evil in your company?” He had no reply from his tribe except saying, “Call on Divine wrath if you are true.”
قَالَ رَبِّ انْصُرْنِي عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْمُفْسِدِينَ {30}
30. When prayed, “Oh my Providence, help me against my seditious tribe.”
Moral
Falsifying a prophet brings about Divine Wrath.
Verses 31 – 44
وَلَمَّا جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ بِالْبُشْرَىٰ قَالُوا إِنَّا مُهْلِكُو أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِۖ
إِنَّ أَهْلَهَا كَانُوا ظَالِمِينَ {31}
31. When our messengers
came to Abraham with tidings, they said, “We are going to destroy the people of this village as they are disobedient.”
قَالَ إِنَّ فِيهَا لُوطًاۚ
قَالُوا نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ فِيهَاۖ
لَنُنَجِّيَنَّهُ وَأَهْلَهُ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ {32}
32. Abraham said, “There is Lot amongst them.” They said, “We know all who are there. We are going to save him and his family except his wife who is going to be among those who lag.”
وَلَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَتْ رُسُلُنَا لُوطًا سِيءَ بِهِمْ وَضَاقَ بِهِمْ ذَرْعًا وَقَالُوا لَا تَخَفْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْۖ
إِنَّا مُنَجُّوكَ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا امْرَأَتَكَ كَانَتْ مِنَ الْغَابِرِينَ {33}
33. When Our messengers came to Lot, he was constrained and felt himself helpless to shave them. They said, “Do not fear and be not sorry. We are going to save you and your children, except your wife, who is going to be among those who lag.”
إِنَّا مُنْزِلُونَ عَلَىٰ أَهْلِ هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ {34}
34. Verily we are going to case from heaven, on this village, Divine wrath for their disobedience.
وَلَقَدْ تَرَكْنَا مِنْهَا آيَةً بَيِّنَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ {35}
35. We, of course, left a clear sign (in them) for the sensible people.
وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا فَقَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَارْجُوا الْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ {36}
36. We sent to the people of Midian, their brother Shu‘ayb, who said, “Oh my sect, worship God, and fear the Day of Judgment (interpolating).
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الرَّجْفَةُ فَأَصْبَحُوا فِي دَارِهِمْ جَاثِمِينَ {37}
37. And do not move about (earth quaked) as a shriek in Divine wrath over-took them and they remained dead where they were.
وَعَادًا وَثَمُودَ وَقَدْ تَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ مِنْ مَسَاكِنِهِمْۖ
وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَكَانُوا مُسْتَبْصِرِينَ {38}
38. And the tribes of ‘Ad and Thamud were destroyed. We pointed out to you their homes, and the devil had barred them from the right path by eulogizing their acts in their eyes, although they were conscious of their evil deeds.
وَقَارُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَۖ
وَلَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ مُوسَىٰ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا كَانُوا سَابِقِينَ {39}
39. And so the Karoon and Pharaoh and Haman, verily came to them Moses with miracles. They were arrogant on Earth and they could not reduce Us.
فَكُلًّا أَخَذْنَا بِذَنْبِهِۖ
فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ حَاصِبًا وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَخَذَتْهُ الصَّيْحَةُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ خَسَفْنَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَغْرَقْنَاۚ
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ كَانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ {40}
40. We seized them all, some by pelting stones on them, others under quake shriek, and burying some underneath, drowning others into the sea and We have ot been tyrant but they have tyrannizing themselves.
مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ كَمَثَلِ الْعَنْكَبُوتِ اتَّخَذَتْ بَيْتًاۖ
وَإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنْكَبُوتِۖ
لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ {41}
41. Their worshipping besides God was like seeking refuge in a spider’s web (which spins one) and the spider’s web verily is the weakest thing (in the world). Would they had known it.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ شَيْءٍۚ
وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {42}
42. Verily God knows whom they worship besides Him. He is Mighty and Wise.
وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِۖ
وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَا إِلَّا الْعَالِمُونَ {43}
43. And these instances which We put for man, but none except the learned know.
خَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّۚ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ {44}
44. God created Heaven and Earth with a true motive. Verily in this there are signs for the faithful.
Moral
1. The last paragraph distinctly points out love for worldly pleasures, in any form is destructive, ultimately to individual interest, whether the scientist claims comfort to life in peace, carrying out his researches, or a politician desires welfare state with folk dances alluring the public to propagating peace through length and breadth of the earth or an industrialist claims property by universal employment, thus eulogizing his mentally misguided own actions, under the devil’s deception, renders himself culpable before Divinity on Reckoning Day, for not having submitted to His religious discipline indicated and followed by Divine Lights.
2. Co-ordinate co-operation is nothing but seeking a refuge in a spider’s web of socialist democracy, against theocracy. They are unaware of life beyond death, where collective security disappears against individual responsibility to Divinity on reversion. Nor any attempt at crushing by hydrogen bombs to each other, such as democracy versus communism, is anything but the devil’s intrigue, against man and God. How can such acts be conceived under Divine approval when the very Creator, Who is indispensable to man, is discarded?
When God, to establish His theocracy, has enforced on man to present himself five times a day, praying forgiveness for his sins and praying for provision for self, through His Divine Light. Any constitution, irrespective of these two is unacceptable under any circumstances, to be a true Muslim, whose faith in the Glorious Qur’an assures him, Islam revealed unto universal Prophet prevails over all religions to displeasure of associators who by tampering with previous (their won) revelations have placed themselves so awkwardly.
Even present peace movements, by the Republic or the Socialist or in between are not going to relive any of his individual responsibility to God. He distinctly maintains everything in Heaven and Earth and in between is His. So is administration thereof. He has no partner to share His administration, except His legal Divine Lights, who simply comply with His Commands and do nothing of their own free will.
Verses 45 – 51
اتْلُ مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَۖ
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِۗ
وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُۗ
وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ {45}
45. Read out (to them) what We revealed to you of the text and be steady at prayers. Verily prayers, if discharged (with conditions) prevent moral sins, e.g. fornication and religious vices such as association and sins of like nature, whereas Divine remembrance is the greatest (desideration), and God knows what you do.
وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْۖ
وَقُولُوا آمَنَّا بِالَّذِي أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَٰهُنَا وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ {46}
46. Do not litigate with men or revealed religions, except most politely but forsake those who are tyrants among them and are not amenable to polite reasoning, and tell them, we have believed in what is revealed to us and to what is revealed to you (the Bible, etc.) and your God is One, and we supplicate to Him.
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَۚ
فَالَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۖ
وَمِنْ هَٰؤُلَاءِ مَنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۚ
وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَّا الْكَافِرُونَ {47}
47. And thus We revealed to you the Text. Those who are given the knowledge thereof, believe in it, and some among them believe too, and none litigates Our Commands, except infidels.
وَمَا كُنْتَ تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَۖ
إِذًا لَارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ {48}
48. Although you had not been reading my text before this, nor recording anything with your right hand, in which case, these obstinate natured would suspect you (to be an imposter, and libel too.)
بَلْ هُوَ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَۚ
وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَّا الظَّالِمُونَ {49}
49. Rather, these are open Couplets recorded in the hearts of those who are granted knowledge
, and none disputes Our Couplets except the disobedient.
وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِۖ
قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْآيَاتُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا نَذِيرٌ مُبِينٌ {50}
50. And they say, “Why are not miracles sent to him from his Providence? Say, “Their exposition is only under Divine control and I am only an open warner.
أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِهِمْ أَنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ يُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْۚ
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَرَحْمَةً وَذِكْرَىٰ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ {51}
51. Is it not sufficient for them that I have verily revealed unto you the Text which you read out to them, and verily in it, is mercy, forgiveness and advice (to do penance for sins) the faithful.
Moral
Prayers, if performed with conditions, prevent moral and religious vices, as no contract is valid without fulfilment of its obligations, so are prayers, liable to rejection in acceptance.
These are: Purity of intentions to discharge duty to God, self, and others. Object of prayers being to attain proximity of Divinity, Who is “All Pure.” Purity of intentions to proximate Divinity requires first knowledge of His Unity, sole sovereignty as sole Providence of creation, His Attributes, His likes and dislikes, His object of creation, etc., and this knowledge can only be obtained through His authorized Divine Lights, who shall warn on maintenance of purity of body and soul, by rendering self-pious, dutiful, polite and maintaining justice, before prayers.
Divine remembrance outside prayer time will keep you alert of the devil’s deceptions, thus maintaining you just and dutiful. Avoid fruitless discussion on religious matters unless with one who is serious on seeking religious truth with whom, with politeness, discuss on points you find him weak therein, suggesting means to rectify and rise in piety.
Verses 52 – 63
قُلْ كَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكُمْ شَهِيدًاۖ
يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۗ
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْبَاطِلِ وَكَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {52}
52. Say, “God is sufficient to testify between me and you. He knows what is in heaven and earth. Those who believe in false leaders, denying God, shall be the sufferers.
وَيَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِۚ
وَلَوْلَا أَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى لَجَاءَهُمُ الْعَذَابُ وَلَيَأْتِيَنَّهُمْ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ {53}
53. They are hurrying you up with punishment. Had not the Day of Reckoning been fixed up, punishment would have come suddenly, they being unaware.
يَسْتَعْجِلُونَكَ بِالْعَذَابِ وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحِيطَةٌ بِالْكَافِرِينَ {54}
54. They are hurrying you (to bring) up punishment. Verily hell has got round the infidels.
يَوْمَ يَغْشَاهُمُ الْعَذَابُ مِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ وَمِنْ تَحْتِ أَرْجُلِهِمْ وَيَقُولُ ذُوقُوا مَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {55}
55. On the day it will envelop them from the top to the bottom and they will be addressed by God, “Savour the result of your deeds.”
يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ أَرْضِي وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّايَ فَاعْبُدُونِ {56}
56. Oh my faithful creatures, my land is vast, keep on praying to Me alone.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِۖ
ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ {57}
57. Everybody shall savour death when they shall revert unto Us.
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ غُرَفًا تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَاۚ
نِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ {58}
58. Those who have embraced faith and acted righteously, We shall land in lofty paradises below which flow streams wherein shall they permanently reside, a fine reward for doers
الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ {59}
59. who have patience and trusted their Providence.
وَكَأَيِّنْ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ لَا تَحْمِلُ رِزْقَهَا اللَّهُ يَرْزُقُهَا وَإِيَّاكُمْۚ
وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ {60}
60. And how many creepers you see not carrying their provision, but God provides them as he does you (let not anxiety thereof bar you from worshipping Him). He is Hearing and Knowing.
وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُۖ
فَأَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ {61}
61. If you ask them, “Who created the Heavens and Earth, and set the sun and the moon revolving?” They will certainly say, “God.” Then where are they (in vain) wandering about?
اللَّهُ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۚ
إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ {62}
62. God expands the provision on His creatures on whom He likes and contracts otherwise. Verily He is Omniscient.
وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ نَزَّلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهَا لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُۚ
قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِۚ
بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ {63}
63. If you ask them who sends from the clouds rain by which the earth enlivens after decay they will certainly say God. Say, “Thank God,” although most do not understand.
Moral
Followers of non-Divine Lights are condemned. They are being remunerated for their immediate labour, having no share in the future state, except hell. Do not be vexed about livelihood. Depend on Providence of the universe, seek where you are at liberty to pray to Him, as desired by Him.
Verses 64 – 69
وَمَا هَٰذِهِ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لَهْوٌ وَلَعِبٌۚ
وَإِنَّ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ لَهِيَ الْحَيَوَانُۚ
لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ {64}
64. And this world is nothing but play and gossip leading to hell whereas home of eternity is ever-lasting. Would they have known?
فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ {65}
65. When they get on board the ship, they cry unto Him sincerely, and when We land safely, they begin to associate.
لِيَكْفُرُوا بِمَا آتَيْنَاهُمْ وَلِيَتَمَتَّعُواۖ
فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ {66}
66. By denying My bounties, so let them enjoy. they will shortly find out.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا حَرَمًا آمِنًا وَيُتَخَطَّفُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِمْۚ
أَفَبِالْبَاطِلِ يُؤْمِنُونَ وَبِنِعْمَةِ اللَّهِ يَكْفُرُونَ {67}
67. Have they not noticed, We have made the Holy Sanctuary (at Mecca) impregnable, and its surroundings are subject to plunder. Are they going to believe in falsity denying Divine bounties?
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوْ كَذَّبَ بِالْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُۚ
أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِلْكَافِرِينَ {68}
68. And who can be a greater disobedient than one who libels God, and falsifies truth when it comes to Him? Is not hell a suitable abode for the infidels?
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَاۚ
وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ {69}
69. And those who shall strive (sincerely and diligently as needed) in seeking Me. Verily shall We guide on Our Right Path, and verily God is with the righteous.
Moral
1. World: The world is made up, for the most, of fools and knaves, both irreconcilable to Truth. First being slaves to a blind credulity (bigotry), the last, too jealous of that power. They have usurped over folly and ignorance of others which the establishment of the empire of reason would destroy (in resurrection).
2. Contact with the world either breaks or hardens the heart (hence be disinterested in worldly affairs).
3. The life of the mere votary of the world is, of all others, the most uncomfortable for which is his god, does not always favour him, and which should be never.
4. To understand the world is wiser than condemn it. To study the world is better than to shun it. To use the world (to eternal end) is nobler than to abuse it.
5. Buying, possessing, accumulating (for the future state) merely with a view to secure Divine Will is not worldliness but to do it for the love of the world is bad.
6. Never forget to thank God for His countless bounties by acting on Godly ways in all walks of life. Get attached to Divine refuge in preference to be far away from Him.
7. Of all duties, love for truth with faith and constancy in its ranks first and highest. To serve God and love truth are one and the same, i.e. why it is said, “Peace if possible, but Truth, at any rate, c.f. “Lives of Ali and Hussain.”
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Author: Ali Muhammad Fazil Chinoy
