Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Surah As-Saba, Chapter 34

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verses 1 – 9

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي الْآخِرَةِۚ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ {1}

1. All praise is due to God for Whom is ownership of whatever is in the heavens and earth and so is praise to Him in Eternity and he is Wise and Knowing.

يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَاۚ وَهُوَ الرَّحِيمُ الْغَفُورُ {2}

2. He know what enters the earth and what comes out of it and what falls from the clouds and what is rising therein and He is Merciful and Forgiving.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَأْتِينَا السَّاعَةُۖ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِۖ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا أَصْغَرُ مِنْ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ {3}

3. And infidels said, “The Day of Reckoning is not going to come.” Say, “Rather, by my Providence, it shall be brought about by the knower of secretes from Whom not the tiniest in the heavens and earth is hidden nor smaller than that nor bigger than that but is on a distinct record.1

لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ {4}

4. So He may reward the faithful who have acted righteously, for whom is forgiven and honourable provision.

وَالَّذِينَ سَعَوْا فِي آيَاتِنَا مُعَاجِزِينَ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مِنْ رِجْزٍ أَلِيمٌ {5}

5. And those who try to belittle Our Commands are those for whom is intense punishment.

وَيَرَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ هُوَ الْحَقَّ وَيَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ {6}

6. And you will see those who are gifted with knowledge, will admit of what has been revealed to you is true, and guides its followers on a mighty and admirable path.

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هَلْ نَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٍ يُنَبِّئُكُمْ إِذَا مُزِّقْتُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ إِنَّكُمْ لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ {7}

7. And the infidels said, “Shall we point out to you a person who informs of you being raised alive after being broken to pieces?

أَفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَمْ بِهِ جِنَّةٌۗ بَلِ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْآخِرَةِ فِي الْعَذَابِ وَالضَّلَالِ الْبَعِيدِ {8}

8. Has he libelled God by fabricating falsehood or is he mad? Rather, those who do not believe in eternity are doomed to punishment on the Day of Judgment, being in great misguidance in this world.

أَفَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ إِنْ نَشَأْ نَخْسِفْ بِهِمُ الْأَرْضَ أَوْ نُسْقِطْ عَلَيْهِمْ كِسَفًا مِنَ السَّمَاءِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ مُنِيبٍ {9}

9. Have they not seen in their forefront (present time) and behind (pastime) Divine disaster, a s a result of human sins from the heavens and earth? If We wanted We would have buried them into the earth or brought from the heavens meteorites (over them) verily, in this are signs for the obedient devotee.

Moral

Bodily notes will suffice.

Verses 10 – 21

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًاۖ يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ {10}

10. Verily had We endowed on David a mighty grace, We had commanded mountains to be with him and birds too, while he glorified Us. And We had made iron mild onto the hands.

أَنِ اعْمَلْ سَابِغَاتٍ وَقَدِّرْ فِي السَّرْدِۖ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًاۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ {11}

11. And We had given him commands to frame armour out of it, keeping in view proportion of every part and keep on acting righteously, for verily I am watching what you are doing.

وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌۖ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِۖ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۖ وَمَنْ يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ {12}

12. And We had commanded the winds to be at the beck and call of Solomon, when he completed with wind a month’s tour in the morning and similarly in the evening, and for his sake, We had rung molten copper into a gallery in a mine and We had commanded spirits to serve him and he who would disobey him would meet with fiery punishment from Us.

يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِنْ مَحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَاسِيَاتٍۚ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًاۚ وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ {13}

13. They are doing whatever Solomon desired construction of huge buildings, artistic in feature and huge cisterns and rock cut vats and We had ordered the family of David to be grateful to Us, although few among My creatures are grateful.

فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا دَابَّةُ الْأَرْضِ تَأْكُلُ مِنْسَأَتَهُۖ فَلَمَّا خَرَّ تَبَيَّنَتِ الْجِنُّ أَنْ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ الْغَيْبَ مَا لَبِثُوا فِي الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ {14}

14. And when We fixed the period of death of Solomon, no one knew of it except until white ants which fed on his (wooden) rod. When his corpse fell down, the spirits came to know of his death when they said, “Had we known long before we would not have been involved in a disgraceful punishment.

لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَنْ يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍۖ كُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ {15}

15. Verily in the case of the men of Sheba there are signs in their abode. There were two series of gardens on either side, right and left, and they were commanded to eat Providential fruits and thank the Providence, fine town for residence with God, as Merciful over them.

فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُمْ بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِنْ سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ {16}

16. But they disobeyed, so We inundated their lands with huge floods which resulted in exchange of fruitful gardens with two other gardens, bearing bitter fruits with tamarisk (evergreen tree) with here and there lote trees.

ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَاهُمْ بِمَا كَفَرُواۖ وَهَلْ نُجَازِي إِلَّا الْكَفُورَ {17}

17. This is Our punishment for their ungratefulness, and do we ever punish alike, except the ungrateful?2

وَجَعَلْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ الْقُرَى الَّتِي بَارَكْنَا فِيهَا قُرًى ظَاهِرَةً وَقَدَّرْنَا فِيهَا السَّيْرَۖ سِيرُوا فِيهَا لَيَالِيَ وَأَيَّامًا آمِنِينَ {18}

18. And We had settled such auspicious society between them and a group, who used to consult them.3

فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا بَاعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقْنَاهُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ {19}

19. They prayed to Us, “Oh our God, make us far apart from them”4 and thus they became ungrateful so We fulfilled their desire and distracted them thoroughly. Verily in this are signs for the patient and the grateful.

وَلَقَدْ صَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِبْلِيسُ ظَنَّهُ فَاتَّبَعُوهُ إِلَّا فَرِيقًا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ {20}

20. Verily had the devil rightly guessed about them, when he said, “All would follow him except a group of the faithful.”

وَمَا كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِلَّا لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِالْآخِرَةِ مِمَّنْ هُوَ مِنْهَا فِي شَكٍّۗ وَرَبُّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ {21}

21. Over whom he has no control, but We had to establish by distinguishing between those who believed in eternity, and those who doubted.5 and your Providence is circumspective.

Moral

This has been the practice of all secular States, bearing action on morality without religion which is another name for decency in sin. It is bound to wither and die like a seed, sown on stony ground or among thorns. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality shall prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

It will change as per convenience. We stated with democracy then jumped to the Republic and now are we devising socialistic structure of our choice. Let us see whither we en. Does religion i.e. (theocracy) change with circumstances? Islam will prevail until the Day of Reckoning and Divine Commands shall remain inviolable, when duly constituted Theocracy, under the 12th Divine Light is restored, after the failure of all human efforts in effacing it.

Verses 22 – 30

قُلِ ادْعُوا الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِۖ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِيهِمَا مِنْ شِرْكٍ وَمَا لَهُ مِنْهُمْ مِنْ ظَهِيرٍ {22}

22. Say, “Call unto them of whom you are confident, barring God,” although they have not the slightest hold on anything in the heavens and earth nor have they any share in their creation, nor are they anyway to assist the Creator.

وَلَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا لِمَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فُزِّعَ عَنْ قُلُوبِهِمْ قَالُوا مَاذَا قَالَ رَبُّكُمْۖ قَالُوا الْحَقَّۖ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ {23}

23. Their intercession before God will of no avail except that of one (i.e. Divine Light for the sinful faithful) permitted by Him, and until their distraction of their heart (subsides) or disappears (on reckoning plain)when they will ask one another, “What did your Creator say?” They will say, “Truth He said.” He is Mighty and Omnipotent.

قُلْ مَنْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۖ قُلِ اللَّهُۖ وَإِنَّا أَوْ إِيَّاكُمْ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى أَوْ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {24}

24. Say, “Who provided you from clouds and earth?” Say, “God.” Then (ask them again) who is on guidance you are they and who is an open misguidance?

قُلْ لَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا أَجْرَمْنَا وَلَا نُسْأَلُ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ {25}

25. Say, “You will not be questioned on our sins nor we on yours.

قُلْ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا رَبُّنَا ثُمَّ يَفْتَحُ بَيْنَنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَهُوَ الْفَتَّاحُ الْعَلِيمُ {26}

26. “God shall assemble us and decide on justice. Hi is best at (giving) decion.”

قُلْ أَرُونِيَ الَّذِينَ أَلْحَقْتُمْ بِهِ شُرَكَاءَۖ كَلَّاۚ بَلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {27}

27. Say, “Show me him whom you have equalized by associating with God. Never. You shall never be able to do so. Rather, He is Almighty and Wise.”

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا كَافَّةً لِلنَّاسِ بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {28}

28. We have not sent you but a messenger on all humanity and giver of tidings and a warner, although most do not know.

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْوَعْدُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ {29}

29. And they ask you when this promise is going to be fulfilled.

قُلْ لَكُمْ مِيعَادُ يَوْمٍ لَا تَسْتَأْخِرُونَ عَنْهُ سَاعَةً وَلَا تَسْتَقْدِمُونَ {30}

30. Say, “The Day of Reckoning is fixed for you and when it matures neither will it be delayed nor will it be quickened a second.”

Moral

Bodily notes are enough.

Verses 31 – 36

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ بِهَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَلَا بِالَّذِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِۗ وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذِ الظَّالِمُونَ مَوْقُوفُونَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يَرْجِعُ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ الْقَوْلَ يَقُولُ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا لَوْلَا أَنْتُمْ لَكُنَّا مُؤْمِنِينَ {31}

31. And the infidels swore they will never believe in the Qur’an and previous revelations would. You would have seen them when made to stand before their Creator, how one would accuse the other. The sub-ordinates will address their worldly bosses, “If it were not for you, we would have embraced faith.”

قَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا أَنَحْنُ صَدَدْنَاكُمْ عَنِ الْهُدَىٰ بَعْدَ إِذْ جَاءَكُمْۖ بَلْ كُنْتُمْ مُجْرِمِينَ {32}

32. When the haughty, in reply would say, “What! Did we prevent you from embracing faith when it came to you? Rather, you yourselves were culprits.”

وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا لِلَّذِينَ اسْتَكْبَرُوا بَلْ مَكْرُ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ إِذْ تَأْمُرُونَنَا أَنْ نَكْفُرَ بِاللَّهِ وَنَجْعَلَ لَهُ أَنْدَادًاۚ وَأَسَرُّوا النَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُا الْعَذَابَ وَجَعَلْنَا الْأَغْلَالَ فِي أَعْنَاقِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواۚ هَلْ يُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {33}

33. The weak will say to the haughty, “By raising false propaganda, day and night (against God) you forced us to associate you with God” and would hide penance, on seeing the punishment, and We shall chain their necks in the flaming fire. Can there be any other reward for their infidelity?

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِنْ نَذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَا إِنَّا بِمَا أُرْسِلْتُمْ بِهِ كَافِرُونَ {34}

34. We did not send any warner in any township but the wealthiest thereof started to disbelieve Our Prophets.

وَقَالُوا نَحْنُ أَكْثَرُ أَمْوَالًا وَأَوْلَادًا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ {35}

35. And said, “We are richer in property and children and shall therefore not be punished.”

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {36}

36. Say, “My Providence expands provision on whomsoever He likes and contracts likewise, although most do not understand.

Moral

(34) Cursed be that wealth (without religion) which leads one to disobey God and Divine Lights. Blessed is that (personal or national) which recognizes its real owner, God, the Almighty, and distributes as He desires, without disobedience unto Him, among His creatures individually or socially to equalize physical, mental, or spiritual inequality.

Verses 37 – 45

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِنْدَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَاءُ الضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَهُمْ فِي الْغُرُفَاتِ آمِنُونَ {37}

37. Neither your property nor your children will bring you to Our close proximity, except him, who embraced the faith and acts righteously, to such We shall doubly reward his acts (having contributed to Divine cause) and he will be safe in a lofty chamber of paradise.

وَالَّذِينَ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي آيَاتِنَا مُعَاجِزِينَ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي الْعَذَابِ مُحْضَرُونَ {38}

38. Whereas those who tried to belittle Our Commands6 shall be presented for punishment.

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۚ وَمَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ {39}

39. Say, “My Providence expands provision on whomever of His creatures He likes, and contracts otherwise. And whatever you spend you shall inherit. He is best at providing.

وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ يَقُولُ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ أَهَٰؤُلَاءِ إِيَّاكُمْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ {40}

40. And the day We assemble you al We shall demand of the angels if they were the people whom were they worshipping.

قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ أَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا مِنْ دُونِهِمْۖ بَلْ كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ الْجِنَّۖ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِهِمْ مُؤْمِنُونَ {41}

41. They will say, “Pure is Your nature, You alone are our Lord. We have nothing to do with them.” Rather, they were worshipping spirits, most believing in them.

فَالْيَوْمَ لَا يَمْلِكُ بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا وَنَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ {42}

42. On that day none will benefit nor injure anybody and We shall tell the disobedient to savour of hellish punishment for their falsification.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُنَا بَيِّنَاتٍ قَالُوا مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا رَجُلٌ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَصُدَّكُمْ عَمَّا كَانَ يَعْبُدُ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَقَالُوا مَا هَٰذَا إِلَّا إِفْكٌ مُفْتَرًىۚ وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِلْحَقِّ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ إِنْ هَٰذَا إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُبِينٌ {43}

43. And when Our open Commands were being read out to them, they said, “He is nothing but a person who intends to prevent you from worshipping what your forefathers did.” They say he is nothing but an impostor and these infidels whenever Truth7 came to them and said, “It was nothing but an open magic.”

وَمَا آتَيْنَاهُمْ مِنْ كُتُبٍ يَدْرُسُونَهَاۖ وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ قَبْلَكَ مِنْ نَذِيرٍ {44}

44. And We did not sent to these (infidels of Mecca) any revelation before this on reading of which they were falsifying you, nor did We send to them any Prophet after Jesus (and before your arrival) who commanded them to associate others with Me or falsify you.

وَكَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَمَا بَلَغُوا مِعْشَارَ مَا آتَيْنَاهُمْ فَكَذَّبُوا رُسُلِيۖ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ {45}

45. And their predecessors also had falsified the Prophet of their age, although these infidels of Mecca have not a fraction of wealth and power of what We had given them, but they falsified my Prophet. See what has been the result of My displeasure.

Moral

Clear.

Verses 46 – 54

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَعِظُكُمْ بِوَاحِدَةٍۖ أَنْ تَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ مَثْنَىٰ وَفُرَادَىٰ ثُمَّ تَتَفَكَّرُواۚ مَا بِصَاحِبِكُمْ مِنْ جِنَّةٍۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ لَكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ {46}

46. Say, “I advise you to supplicate Him alone, singly and jointly, and contemplate your companion (Prophet) is not mad. He is simply warning you against the impending intense punishment.

قُلْ مَا سَأَلْتُكُمْ مِنْ أَجْرٍ فَهُوَ لَكُمْۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى اللَّهِۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ {47}

47. Say, “What I ask of you as a reward (for the attachment to Divine Lights) is for your own good, and my reward is on God Who is witness to all.

قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَقْذِفُ بِالْحَقِّ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ {48}

48. Say, “My God, the Knower of secrets instils truth in every heart (when it has to face falsehood).

قُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَمَا يُبْدِئُ الْبَاطِلُ وَمَا يُعِيدُ {49}

49. Say, “Truth has come and falsehood cannot either make its stand or retreat.

قُلْ إِنْ ضَلَلْتُ فَإِنَّمَا أَضِلُّ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِيۖ وَإِنِ اهْتَدَيْتُ فَبِمَا يُوحِي إِلَيَّ رَبِّيۚ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ {50}

50. Say, “If I am misguided I shall suffer on that account and if I am guided, it is due to the revelation of my Providence, Who is certainly Hearing.

وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذْ فَزِعُوا فَلَا فَوْتَ وَأُخِذُوا مِنْ مَكَانٍ قَرِيبٍ {51}

51. Would you had seen them when they shall turn back distracted and they will not have any chance to escape and will be arrested.

وَقَالُوا آمَنَّا بِهِ وَأَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ التَّنَاوُشُ مِنْ مَكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ {52}

52. When they will say they have embraced faith in Divine Light, but of what avail that faith shall be then at such a distant date?

وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِهِ مِنْ قَبْلُۖ وَيَقْذِفُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ مِنْ مَكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ {53}

53. Although they have disbelieved him from the very beginning, and were guessing about him from afar.

وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشْيَاعِهِمْ مِنْ قَبْلُۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا فِي شَكٍّ مُرِيبٍ {54}

54. A bar will intercept between them and their desires, as was done in the past. Verily they all had been in destructive doubt.

Moral

From Couplets 51 onwards to 54, presages emergence of Sufiyani marching to Damascus sending forces to Baghdad and Medina where in former place, they will kill 3000, commit fornication and kill 300 of the Bani Abbas chiefs and advancing to Kufa destroying its neighbourhood, shall face their opponent. The second party going to Medina will lay it waste for three days and nights, and will march towards Mecca when under Divine commands, at Baida, they will be sunk underground by Gabriel, leaving two of the tribe of Jhenia.

Notes

1. This implicates those who entertain as (tenet) “theory of Karma” wherein the sum of a person’s actions, which is carried forward, from one existence to another, and in so doing, it determines its character, for good or bad, in Hinduism and Janism. There is a belief, a person’s individual soul inherits and passes on the load of Karma (fate) improved or transgressed, as the case may be. In Budhism, however, there is no conception of a permanent personality but the Karma is attached, in some way, to elements physical and mental, which are carried on, from birth to birth, until the power which holds them together is disposed in the attainment of Nirvana (salvation).

2. Solomon had built a dam, he constructed two canals on the right and left flank, which water the whole township of Yemen. People later on were plunged into pleasures, like dancing and similar illegal musical entertainments, which demoralized them as a result of which, under Divine Wrath, the Bund was breached by rats, created therein and many lives were lost. People should take a warning in floods of the present times, as a person, and search illicit practice and avoid the same.

3. To regularize their actions (legally) for their own safety and benefit by keeping continuous contact with them.

4. to achieve our worldly end in view of pleasures, in which they were unfit to participate.

5. We decided completion of the trial of the world.

6. by ignoring Divine Commands and thus associating.

7. Islam and Divine Light.

Surah Luqman, Chapter 31

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verses 1 – 11

الم {1}

1. Alif, lam, meem.

تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْحَكِيمِ {2}

2. These are couplets of the Text from (God) the Wise.

هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِلْمُحْسِنِينَ {3}

3. As a source of guidance and mercy to the obliging1 .

الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ {4}

4. Who are steady at prayers and payment of tithe and are certain of Eternity.

أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَىٰ هُدًى مِنْ رَبِّهِمْۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ {5}

5. They are on guidance from the Providence and they are to attain salvation.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًاۚ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ {6}

6. Ad of men are those who misguide others without having knowledge2 and hold God’s Commands under ridicule. (They are those) for them is disgraceful punishment.

وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ آيَاتُنَا وَلَّىٰ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَأَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا كَأَنَّ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَقْرًاۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ {7}

7. When Our couplets are read out to them they turn away out of pride as if their ears give them tidings of intense punishment.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ النَّعِيمِ {8}

8. Verily those who have embraced faith and acted virtuously shall be in a bountiful Paradise.

خَالِدِينَ فِيهَاۖ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقًّاۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ {9}

9. Wherein shall they remain on a true promise from God Who is Mighty and Wise.

خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَاۖ وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي الْأَرْضِ رَوَاسِيَ أَنْ تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍۚ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَنْبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ زَوْجٍ كَرِيمٍ {10}

10. He created the heavens and the earth without apparent support and fixed mountains on earth to prevent it from tilting and spread all over it all kinds of (co-ordinate) creepers and sent rain from the clouds whereby grow splendid (plentiful) vegetations of all kinds.

هَٰذَا خَلْقُ اللَّهِ فَأَرُونِي مَاذَا خَلَقَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِۚ بَلِ الظَّالِمُونَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ {11}

11. This is God’s creation. Show me what any other god has created besides Him (i.e. Me) like this. Rather, the disobedient are in open misguidance.

Moral

Self-explanatory, as deprecating musical entertainments towards causing ungratefulness by disregarding Divine bounties.

Verses 12 – 19

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِۚ وَمَنْ يَشْكُرْ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۖ وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ {12}

12. Verily We gave Luqman wisdom to be grateful to God. He who is grateful reaps its benefit for self, and he who is ungrateful suffers likewise. Verily God is Independent and Praiseworthy (for His universal bounty).

وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِۖ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ {13}

13. Recollect when Luqman told his son while advising him, “Oh my son, do not associate any with God. Verily it is the mightiest sin.”

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ {14}

14. And We commanded man regarding the parents whose (mother carried him during conception) under continual pain, nursing him for two years, to be grateful to Me and to his parents, as to Me, is your reversion.

وَإِنْ جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَنْ تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَاۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًاۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّۚ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {15}

15. And if they compel you to associate any with Me, having no knowledge do not carry out their orders, but behave virtuously with them and follow him (Divine Light) who is directed to Me, since to Me is your reversion, when I shall advise you of you action.

يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِنْ تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُنْ فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ {16}

16. “Oh my soul, if a sin be the least little bit (in its degree) like a grain of a mustard seed, hidden underneath a rock or in the heavens or earth, it shall be brought before God, Who is verily minutely acquainted with everything.”

يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا أَصَابَكَۖ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ {17}

17. “Oh my son be constant at prayers, advising virtues and barring men from vices, and be patient under misfortune (caused by advising virtues and barring vices), verily this one of the soundest resolutions.

وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًاۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ {18}

18. “Do not be puffed up and do not strut on Earth. Verily God does not like the proud miser.

وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِنْ صَوْتِكَۚ إِنَّ أَنْكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ {19}

19. “Adopt the mean course in walking, and be moderate in your voice. Verily the voice of an ass is most unpleasant.”

Moral

There is no such penalty for error and folly as to see one’s children suffer. There is no such reward for a well spent life as to see one’s children religiously trained and well started in life with fixed character and noble breeding. Study their spiritual, mental, and moral attitude: dignify labour in their eyes and propose a fitting avocation for them.

Verses 20 – 30

أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةًۗ وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يُجَادِلُ فِي اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلَا هُدًى وَلَا كِتَابٍ مُنِيرٍ {20}

20. Have you not seen, God has made serviceable to you whatever is the heavens and earth? And God has completed His bounties, open and hidden, and of men are some litigating about God without knowledge, guidance, and of an authoritative initiative (know he is on a ruinous path) those following non-Divine Lights.

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ قَالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ مَا وَجَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ آبَاءَنَاۚ أَوَلَوْ كَانَ الشَّيْطَانُ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ {21}

21. And when they are asked to comply with Divine revelation, they say, “We shall follow the way our forefathers were treading.3 Will they do so even were the devil to invite them to the punishment of hell?

وَمَنْ يُسْلِمْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰۗ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ {22}

22. Rather, he who directs himself to God and is faithful (to His true Representatives) verily has he held an inflexible rope (between him and God) and all the affairs are to end in Him.

وَمَنْ كَفَرَ فَلَا يَحْزُنْكَ كُفْرُهُۚ إِلَيْنَا مَرْجِعُهُمْ فَنُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِمَا عَمِلُواۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ {23}

23. Be not sorry for their disbelief in Us. They shall revert unto Us when We shall inform them of their actions. Verily God is acquainted with the secrets of the heart.

نُمَتِّعُهُمْ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ نَضْطَرُّهُمْ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظٍ {24}

24. We shall profit them with a little of the world4 and drag them ruthlessly to intense punishment of hell.5

وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُۚ قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ {25}

25. And if you ask them who created the heavens and earth, they shall certainly vouch “God.” Say, “Thank God,” but most do not understand.6

لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُ {26}

26. For God is the sovereignty of the heavens and earth. Verily He is Self-sufficient and Praiseworthy (for His universal bounties).

وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَامٌ وَالْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍ مَا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَاتُ اللَّهِۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ {27}

27. If all the trees on Earth were to be turned into pens and all the seas be converted into in, and be enhance seven times, they would not suffice to complete the record His attributes.7 Verily God is Mighty and Wise.

مَا خَلْقُكُمْ وَلَا بَعْثُكُمْ إِلَّا كَنَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ {28}

28. (The question of) your creation and rising alive again is a matter of twinkling of an eye. Verily God is Hearing and Seeing.

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ {29}

29. Do you not see God transforms night into day and vice versa and has set the sun and the moon into motion, all under dynamic condition, for a fixed period and verily God is acquainted with your actions.

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِهِ الْبَاطِلُ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ {30}

30. This is because of His being the real Author (and Prime mover) and certainly those, whom you are in search of, excepting Him, have no real existence in them. Verily God is Mighty and Sublime.

Moral

Only today is yours: if lost, it is lost forever lest you may say, “I wasted time and now does time waste me.” Importance of following the Divine Lights is remarkably stressed here. Any other way is merely ruinous. Also, labour on worldly pleasures shall lead to intense punishment. Powers endowed on Divine Lights are countless.

Verses 31 – 34

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ الْفُلْكَ تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُمْ مِنْ آيَاتِهِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ {31}

31. Have you not noticed the ship floating in the sea as a proof of Divine bounty for you and also as a miracle?8 Verily in this are signs for the patient9 and are grateful.10

وَإِذَا غَشِيَهُمْ مَوْجٌ كَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ فَمِنْهُمْ مُقْتَصِدٌۚ وَمَا يَجْحَدُ بِآيَاتِنَا إِلَّا كُلُّ خَتَّارٍ كَفُورٍ {32}

32. When the billows cover them up like clouds, they cry and pray unto God, as sincere devotees, and when We safely land them, then some of the are moderate and none litigates Our commands except these dishonest infidels.

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَاخْشَوْا يَوْمًا لَا يَجْزِي وَالِدٌ عَنْ وَلَدِهِ وَلَا مَوْلُودٌ هُوَ جَازٍ عَنْ وَالِدِهِ شَيْئًاۚ إِنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّۖ فَلَا تَغُرَّنَّكُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَلَا يَغُرَّنَّكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الْغَرُورُ {33}

33. Oh you people, fear your Providence of the (Death) Day when neither the son will intercede on behalf of his farther, nor vice versa, and God’s promise is, of course, certain and lent not worldly life deceive you and let not the devil keep you off your duties under procrastination.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ السَّاعَةِ وَيُنَزِّلُ الْغَيْثَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْأَرْحَامِۖ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ مَاذَا تَكْسِبُ غَدًاۖ وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ {34}

34. Verily God alone knows the exact time of the Day of Reckoning, exact time of raining, exact nature of the child, the woman has conceived, exact time of our action tomorrow, and the exact place of your death on Earth. Verily God has the knowledge of these secrets.

Moral

Knowledge of the above five facts is limited to God and these form Divine secretes solely reserved unto Him.

Notes

1. who admit sovereignty of God, Prophet, and Divine Light.

2. of illegality of music.

3. Recall the Prophet’s Command at his deathbed calling for pen and paper.

4. Their labour employed as means to worldly pleasures, in due dispense of justice

5. For wasting the life granted to gain Divine proximity.

6. When God created (i.e. sent you to Earth) He is virtually your Master, and you are His slave. You ought to know your duties to Him through the Divine Lights, for you shall revert unto Him and render your account through the very Divine Lights.

7. manifested through His Divine Lights.

8. The force of buoyancy holding the ship under Divine bounty.

9. who under storm pray to Him for safety.

10. for their successful voyage and profit in trade.

Surah As-Sajdah, Chapter 32

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verses 1 – 11

الم {1}

1. Alif, lam, meem.

تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِنْ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {2}

2. There is no doubt in which this book is revealed by the Providence of the worlds.

أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُۚ بَلْ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لِتُنْذِرَ قَوْمًا مَا أَتَاهُمْ مِنْ نَذِيرٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ {3}

3. Do they say he has fabricated it? Rather, it is a fact from your Providence to warn the tribe to whom before this no warner has come so far so they may be guided.

اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِۖ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ {4}

4. God is He Who create the heavens and the earth and in between in six days, then He turned towards the Arsh (for energizing). There is not other God except Him, your Lord and Intercessor. Do you not understand?

يُدَبِّرُ الْأَمْرَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِي يَوْمٍ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍ مِمَّا تَعُدُّونَ {5}

4. He plans all affairs touching the heavens and the earth by means of angels. On the day, when they shall be presented to Him, duration of which, according to your calculation, is 1000 years.

ذَٰلِكَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ {6}

6. Certainly such is your Lord the Almighty and Merciful, Knower of Secrets and open.

الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهُۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ الْإِنْسَانِ مِنْ طِينٍ {7}

7. Who created whatever, everything to its perfection, and started creation of humans with earth.

ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُ مِنْ سُلَالَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ مَهِينٍ {8}

8. Then made his progeny from a dirty drop of liquid.

ثُمَّ سَوَّاهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِنْ رُوحِهِۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَۚ قَلِيلًا مَا تَشْكُرُونَ {9}

9. Then he gave it a complete form and blew soul into it, creating1 although few appreciate and are grateful.

وَقَالُوا أَإِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَإِنَّا لَفِي خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍۚ بَلْ هُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَافِرُونَ {10}

10. They said, “What! Once we are lost in the earth, are we going to be enlivened?” Rather, they disown to face their Providence.

قُلْ يَتَوَفَّاكُمْ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ الَّذِي وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ {11}

11. Say, “Death will come to you through the angels especially nominated, when you shall revert unto your Providence.”

Moral

Let death be daily before your eyes and you will not entertain any abject thought, nor too eagerly covet anything: (1) On death and judgment, heaven and hell, (2) who oft do think, ust needs die well.

Verses 12 – 22

وَلَوْ تَرَىٰ إِذِ الْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُو رُءُوسِهِمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَا أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَارْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَالِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ {12}

12. If you would see the culprits, standing with downcast head before the Creator, and praying, “Oh our Providence, we saw and heard. Let us revert to the world, to act righteously, we certainly owe (fealty to Your sovereignty).”

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَآتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَاهَا وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ الْقَوْلُ مِنِّي لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ {13}

13. If We had desired, e would have bestowed guidance on every soul but My Commands shall prove true in which I shall fill hell with all spirits and men.2

فَذُوقُوا بِمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا إِنَّا نَسِينَاكُمْۖ وَذُوقُوا عَذَابَ الْخُلْدِ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ {14}

14. Savour the punishment (of hell) for your having neglected to face Me on this day. We shall disregard them ad savour them permanent punishment of hell for their deeds.

إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِآيَاتِنَا الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهَا خَرُّوا سُجَّدًا وَسَبَّحُوا بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ۩ {15}

15. Only those who obey the commands of Mine3 when reminded of Judgment Day fall into prostration and glorify their Providence and are not proud.

تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ {16}

16. They turn their sides on the bed and pray to their Providence, under fear and hope, and spend in His name of what We have endowed on them.

فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {17}

17. No one knows what blessings We have reserved to enlighten and cool their eyes for their deeds.

أَفَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَنْ كَانَ فَاسِقًاۚ لَا يَسْتَوُونَ {18}

18. What! Can a faithful and disobedient be alike? Certainly not.

أَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّاتُ الْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ {19}

19. Those who embrace faith and acted righteously have paradise for them4 as an entertainment for their deeds.

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا فَمَأْوَاهُمُ النَّارُۖ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا عَذَابَ النَّارِ الَّذِي كُنْتُمْ بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ {20}

20. And those who disobeyed have their destination in hell, when they will desire to come out of it, they shall be repulsed therein to savour punishment of hell for their falsification.

وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُمْ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ {21}

21. And besides this permanent punishment, they shall be punished in the grave or5 where they will have to resort.

وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَاۚ إِنَّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنْتَقِمُونَ {22}

22. Who can be more disobedient than one, when advised by Divine Lights, turns away from them? Verily shall We avenge the culprits.

Moral

Self-sufficient, if carefully grasped.

Verses 23 – 30

وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَلَا تَكُنْ فِي مِرْيَةٍ مِنْ لِقَائِهِۖ وَجَعَلْنَاهُ هُدًى لِبَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ {23}

23. Verily We revealed unto Moses the Torah. Do not be in doubt of meeting Moses6 and We made it a guidance for the Jews.

وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواۖ وَكَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ {24}

24. We made in them Divine Lights under Our own nomination for their virtue of bearing patiently tyranny7 and similarly shall We raise.8

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ {25}

25. Verily your Providence shall decide on Judgment day mutual difference (between followers of Truth and those of passion).

أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍۖ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ {26}

26. Has not destruction of previous generations guided them (the people of Mecca) whose house they are passing by (during travel). Do they not list to it with the heart for the sake of guidance?

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَسُوقُ الْمَاءَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ الْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِ زَرْعًا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَامُهُمْ وَأَنْفُسُهُمْۖ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ {27}

27. Have they not seen Our sending water into the part of Earth which could not be watered by gravitation, by means of rain and producing vegetation and from which their animals and they eat and drink. Have they no sense?

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْفَتْحُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ {28}

28. And they ask you to inform them when the Day of Judgment will occur if you are true.

قُلْ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ لَا يَنْفَعُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِيمَانُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنْظَرُونَ {29}

29. Say, “Judgment day will not benefit the infidels’ faith and they will not be given any opportunity (to plead an excuse).”

فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَانْتَظِرْ إِنَّهُمْ مُنْتَظِرُونَ {30}

30. You turn away your face from them and await as they are awaiting the Day of Judgment.

Moral

Bodily notes will suffice.

Notes

1. various senses, eyes, ears, reasoning, etc.

2. This is Divine decree, which shall be fulfilled. there is no other go but to supplicate the Divine Lights, in seeking Divine proximity willy nilly.

3. personified in Divine Lights.

4. on the right side of the Divine Throne.

5. during Resurrection.

6. During your ascension where your ascension where you meet other prophets.

7. Atg the hands of enemies during guidance.

8. 12 Divine Lights of Our choice for your sect.