In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful


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Study the Qur'aan in Qur'aanic light to understand Islam in its pristine simplicity, clarity, beauty and purity

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Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XIII




by
Mohammad Shafi


PREFACE

Below the Arabic text of every Verse of the Qur'aan, is its transliteration, followed by translation and Chapter Notes, if any, essentially based on the Qur'aan itself. Please remember that the Arabic text is divine and, therefore, sacrosanct, but the transliteration, translation and the Notes are human and, therefore, subject to correction. Please also remember that the human-made Notes cannot, and do not, explain the divine Verses. They seek to explain the human translation only and/or to relate the Verse to present circumstances or to divine explanations given in other Verses of the Qur'aan.

I have adopted the transliteration method employed by the Muslim Students' Association (MSA) of the University of Southern California. And, in this regard, I may usefully quote from their site:

"MSA-USC would like to thank muslimnet.net for making their transliteration of the Qur'an publicly available.

'We would like to emphasize that this [transliteration] text is not a substitute for the original Arabic Qur'an. It is only an attempt to help those who are trying to learn to read the Arabic text, since it is as close to the written text as possible.

It is important to practice pronouncing the letters as directed in the transliteration table, especially the underlined letters, before starting to read. It will be helpful if an Arabic speaker can help you.

This work is free for use to everyone as long as no changes that might distort it are done to it. We request from those who benefit from it to pray for us. We pray to Almighty Allah to help you learn to read the Holy Qur'an, and to do every good thing.'"

I present this humble work in the earnest hope that it will prompt my Readers to try and understand the divine Message in its original Arabic text. They should remember that no translation however meticulously done can ever equal the original Arabic text in its divine grandeur and pristine clarity.

One may wonder why this yet another addition to the existing plethora of Translations and Commentaries! The answer to this question lies in the beauty of the fact that the divine Message of the Qur'aan remains valid for all times and ages since its revelation until the Last Day. The Message therefore needs to be studied from time to time in the changing perspectives of the changing times. It would be absolutely wrong to confine this universal Message for mankind to the circumstances and situations of a particular period in the past. Unfortunately, however, most of the commentators so far have based their understanding of the Qur'aan in the strict perspective of the circumstances and situations prevailing at the time of its revelation way back in 7th century A.D. The Muslim mindset generally has thus got stagnated and therefore unable to cope with the changing situations of the changing times. This humble attempt of mine is to help Muslims generally to come out, Allah willing, of that crippling stagnation.

This Volume of my Qur'aanic Studies is on Al-Maidah Verses 83 to 120 and Al-An'am Verses 1 to 35.

Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
9th February, 2008


CONTENTS


Chapter 5. Al-Maidah

Verses 83 to 90

Verses 91 to 100

Verses 101 to 110

Verses 111 to 120


Chapter 6. Al-An'am

Verses 1 to 10

Verses 11 to 20

Verses 21 to 35




title5


Chapter 5: Al-Maidah (The Table Spread With Food)

5.83
83. Wa-itha samiAAoo ma onzila ila alrrasooli tara aAAyunahum tafeedu mina alddamAAi mimma AAarafoo mina alhaqqi yaqooloona rabbana amanna faoktubna maAAa alshshahideena

83. And when they34 listen to what has been sent down upon the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they recognise. They say, "Our Lord! We believe, so enlist us among those who give witness."

34. 'they' here were the Christian priests and monks living at the time the Qur'aan was revealed, referred to in the preceding Verse 5.82 and who did not behave proudly. What these good people then said is recorded at the end of this Verse as well as in the next Verse.

5.84
84. Wama lana la nu/minu biAllahi wama jaana mina alhaqqi wanatmaAAu an yudkhilana rabbuna maAAa alqawmi alssaliheena

84. "And why should we not believe in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth? And we earnestly desire that our Lord will admit us to be with the righteous people."

5.85
85. Faathabahumu Allahu bima qaloo jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha wathalika jazao almuhsineena

85. Allah then would reward them, on account of what they say, gardens, with rivers flowing underneath, to abide therein. And this is the reward of those who do good.

5.86
86. Waallatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo bi-ayatina ola-ika as-habu aljaheemi

86. And those, who suppress the Truth and treat Our Verses/signs as lies, are the dwellers of the Fire.

5.87
87. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tuharrimoo tayyibati ma ahalla Allahu lakum wala taAAtadoo inna Allaha la yuhibbu almuAAtadeena

87. O you who believe! Forbid not the good, wholesome things which Allah has made lawful for you, and transgress not! Indeed, Allah loves not those who transgress.

5.88
88. Wakuloo mimma razaqakumu Allahu halalan tayyiban waittaqoo Allaha allathee antum bihi mu/minoona

88. And eat of the lawful and good, wholesome things that Allah has provided for you, and fear Allah, Whom you believe.

5.89
89. La yu-akhithukumu Allahu biallaghwi fee aymanikum walakin yu-akhithukum bima AAaqqadtumu al-aymana fakaffaratuhu itAAamu AAasharati masakeena min awsati ma tutAAimoona ahleekum aw kiswatuhum aw tahreeru raqabatin faman lam yajid fasiyamu thalathati ayyamin thalika kaffaratu aymanikum itha halaftum waihfathoo aymanakum kathalika yubayyinu Allahu lakum ayatihi laAAallakum tashkuroona

89. Allah does not call you to account for anything trivial in your oaths, but He calls you to account for the binding terms of your oaths. The expiation of it, then, is the feeding of ten poor persons with the average food you feed your families with, or their clothing, or the freeing of a neck35. And for the one, who cannot afford, three days of fasting. This is the expiation of your oaths when you take them. And guard your oaths! Thus does Allah make clear to you His Verses, so that you may be grateful.

35. I.e. freeing a human being from bondage. In modern times too, we have bonded labour. The have-nots' poor financial condition becomes a breeding ground for their exploitation by the rich. The poor get immersed in their debts and thus become bonded labour for the rich. To help such poor people free themselves of their debts would be equivalent to freeing their necks.

5.90
90. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo innama alkhamru waalmaysiru waal-ansabu waal-azlamu rijsun min AAamali alshshaytani faijtaniboohu laAAallakum tuflihoona

90. O you who believe! Intoxicants, games of chance, animals sacrificed at the altars of idols and divining by arrows36 are just aspects of an abomination from among Satan's doings. Shun it then, to attain salvation.

36. Please refer footnote 5.5 for the meaning of the corresponding Arabic term al-azlamu

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5.91
91. Innama yureedu alshshaytanu an yooqiAAa baynakumu alAAadawata waalbaghdaa fee alkhamri waalmaysiri wayasuddakum AAan thikri Allahi waAAani alssalati fahal antum muntahoona

91. The Satan only desires to cause enmity and hatred in your midst by means of intoxicants and games of chance, and to keep you off remembrance of Allah, and off prayer. Won't you then desist?

5.92
92. WaateeAAoo Allaha waateeAAoo alrrasoola waihtharoo fa-in tawallaytum faiAAlamoo annama AAala rasoolina albalaghu almubeenu

92. And obey Allah and obey the Messenger37 and have fear. If you then turn back, know that the responsibility on Our Messenger is but a clear deliverance.

37. As regards the directive to obey the Messenger, please see footnotes 3.144 to 3.146 on Verse 3.132, of these Studies.

5.93
93. Laysa AAala allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati junahun feema taAAimoo itha ma ittaqaw waamanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati thumma ittaqaw waamanoo thumma ittaqaw waahsanoo waAllahu yuhibbu almuhsineena

93. Upon those who believed and did good deeds, there is no sin in what they had eaten earlier, so long as they feared Allah. And they believed and did good deeds, then they feared Allah and believed, then they feared Allah and did good work38. And Allah loves those who do good work.

38. Good work includes not only performing religious duties like praying and fasting as ordained, but also doing one's worldly work like, say, carpentry, to the best of one's abilities.

5.94
94. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo layabluwannakumu Allahu bishay-in mina alssaydi tanaluhu aydeekum warimahukum liyaAAlama Allahu man yakhafuhu bialghaybi famani iAAtada baAAda thalika falahu AAathabun aleemun

94. O you who believe! Allah will certainly test you in respect of game within reach of your hands and your lances, that Allah might know who fears Him unseen. A painful punishment then for the one, who transgresses after this.39

39. This Verse was revealed obviously with reference to the next Verse prohibiting hunting while in the state of Ihram.

5.95
95. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la taqtuloo alssayda waantum hurumun waman qatalahu minkum mutaAAammidan fajazaon mithlu ma qatala mina alnnaAAami yahkumu bihi thawa AAadlin minkum hadyan baligha alkaAAbati aw kaffaratun taAAamu masakeena aw AAadlu thalika siyaman liyathooqa wabala amrihi AAafa Allahu AAamma salafa waman AAada fayantaqimu Allahu minhu waAllahu AAazeezun thoo intiqamin

95. O you who believe! Kill not the game while you are in the state of Ihram. And whoever among you kills it intentionally, the penalty is the like of what he killed, from the cattle, as adjudged by two just persons among you, as an offering to be brought to the Kaabah - Or the expiation therefor is the feeding of the poor or commensurate fasting - so that whoever killed the game, may taste the burden of his deed. Allah has forgiven what is past. And whoever does it again, Allah will take retribution from him. And Allah is Almighty, Capable to take retribution.

5.96
96. Ohilla lakum saydu albahri wataAAamuhu mataAAan lakum walilssayyarati wahurrima AAalaykum saydu albarri ma dumtum huruman waittaqoo Allaha allathee ilayhi tuhsharoona

96. Lawful to you is the sea game and its food - a provision for you and for the travellers - and the land game is forbidden to you so long as you are in the state of Ihram. And fear Allah, to Whom you shall be gathered.

5.97
97. JaAAala Allahu alkaAAbata albayta alharama qiyaman lilnnasi waalshshahra alharama waalhadya waalqala-ida thalika litaAAlamoo anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi waanna Allaha bikulli shay-in AAaleemun

97. Allah has made the sacred house of the Kaabah a base for the people, the sacred month, the offerings and the animals with garlands. This is to make you take heed that Allah has knowledge of all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and that Allah is aware of all things.

5.98
98. IAAlamoo anna Allaha shadeedu alAAiqabi waanna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun

98. Know that Allah is severe in punishment, and that Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

5.99
99. Ma AAala alrrasooli illa albalaghu waAllahu yaAAlamu ma tubdoona wama taktumoona

99. The Messenger's responsibility is mothing but to deliver. And Allah knows what you reveal, and what you conceal.

5.100
100. Qul la yastawee alkhabeethu waalttayyibu walaw aAAjabaka kathratu alkhabeethi faittaqoo Allaha ya olee al-albabi laAAallakum tuflihoona

100. Say, "The impure and the pure are not the same, although many of the the impure things may please you." So, O people who understand! Fear Allah, so that you become successful.

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5.101
101. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo la tas-aloo AAan ashyaa in tubda lakum tasu/kum wa-in tas-aloo AAanha heena yunazzalu alqur-anu tubda lakum AAafa Allahu AAanha waAllahu ghafoorun haleemun

101. O you who believe! Do not put questions about things, which, if declared to you, may cause difficulties for you. And if you put questions about them when the Quran is being revealed, they may be declared to you. Allah has spared mankind from those things.40 And Allah is Forgiving, Considerate.

40. This Verse makes it clear that in matters in which the Qur'aan is silent, mankind have freedom of action, provided they take care to see that no laid down provision is contravened.

5.102
102. Qad saalaha qawmun min qablikum thumma asbahoo biha kafireena

102. A people before you did ask such questions, and then became suppressors of Truth, on that account.41

41. People referred to here are the Children of Israel. (See Verses 2.67 to 2.71)

5.103
103. Ma jaAAala Allahu min baheeratin wala sa-ibatin wala waseelatin wala hamin walakinna allatheena kafaroo yaftaroona AAala Allahi alkathiba waaktharuhum la yaAAqiloona

103. Allah has not made any bahirah, saibah, wasilah or ham42, but those who suppress the Truth fabricate the lie against Allah. And most of them understand not.

42. Obviously, these are names of some superstitious things the Arabs did during their earlier days of ignorance. As the next Verse indicates, those Arabs were just following what they found their fathers doing.

5.104
104. Wa-itha qeela lahum taAAalaw ila ma anzala Allahu wa-ila alrrasooli qaloo hasbuna ma wajadna AAalayhi abaana awa law kana abaohum la yaAAlamoona shay-an wala yahtadoona

104. And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger", they say, "What we found our fathers with, is sufficient for us". What! Even though their fathers knew nothing and followed not the right guidance?

5.105
105. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo AAalaykum anfusakum la yadurrukum man dalla itha ihtadaytum ila Allahi marjiAAukum jameeAAan fayunabbi-okum bima kuntum taAAmaloona

105. O you who believe! You are responsible for your own selves. He who errs cannot hurt you when you are on the right path.43 To Allah you all are to return, when He will inform you of what you did.

43. Muslims wouldn't be in the doldrums, they are in today, had they unshakeable faith in the divine statement of this Verse.

5.106
106. Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo shahadatu baynikum itha hadara ahadakumu almawtu heena alwasiyyati ithnani thawa AAadlin minkum aw akharani min ghayrikum in antum darabtum fee al-ardi faasabatkum museebatu almawti tahbisoonahuma min baAAdi alssalati fayuqsimani biAllahi ini irtabtum la nashtaree bihi thamanan walaw kana tha qurba wala naktumu shahadata Allahi inna ithan lamina al-athimeena

106. O you who believe! When death approaches any of you, call to witness among you, at the time of making the will, two just persons from among you, or two from among others than you if you are travelling in the land and death befalls you. Detain the two after the prayer, then, if you are in doubt, they shall both swear by Allah, "We will not sell it for a price - and even though it be for a relative - and we will not hide the testimony. By Allah, then, certainly, we should be among the sinners."

5.107
107. Fa-in AAuthira AAala annahuma istahaqqa ithman faakharani yaqoomani maqamahuma mina allatheena istahaqqa AAalayhimu al-awlayani fayuqsimani biAllahi lashahadatuna ahaqqu min shahadatihima wama iAAtadayna inna ithan lamina alththalimeena

107. Then if it becomes known that they both have been guilty of a sin, two others shall stand up in their place from among those, nearest in kin, who have a rightful claim. Then the two should swear by Allah, "Certainly our testimony is truer than the testimony of those two, and we have not committed any trespass. We should then indeed be of those who oppress."

5.108
108. Thalika adna an ya/too bialshshahadati AAala wajhiha aw yakhafoo an turadda aymanun baAAda aymanihim waittaqoo Allaha waismaAAoo waAllahu la yahdee alqawma alfasiqeena

108. That should make the testimony more transparent. Or else, they may fear rejection of other testimonies after theirs. And fear Allah and listen. And Allah does not guide the transgressing people.

5.109
109. Yawma yajmaAAu Allahu alrrusula fayaqoolu matha ojibtum qaloo la AAilma lana innaka anta AAallamu alghuyoobi

109. The day when Allah will assemble the Messengers, then ask them, "What response did you get?", they will say, "We have no knowledge. Indeed! You are the Knower of the unseen things."

5.110
110. Ith qala Allahu ya AAeesa ibna maryama othkur niAAmatee AAalayka waAAala walidatika ith ayyadtuka biroohi alqudusi tukallimu alnnasa fee almahdi wakahlan wa-ith AAallamtuka alkitaba waalhikmata waalttawrata waal-injeela wa-ith takhluqu mina altteeni kahay-ati alttayri bi-ithnee fatanfukhu feeha fatakoonu tayran bi-ithnee watubri-o al-akmaha waal-abrasa bi-ithnee wa-ith tukhriju almawta bi-ithnee wa-ith kafaftu banee isra-eela AAanka ith ji/tahum bialbayyinati faqala allatheena kafaroo minhum in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun

110. When Allah will say,"O Jesus, son of Mary! Remember My Favour on you and on your mother, when I supported you with the holy Spirit, you spoke to the people in the cradle and as an adult, and when I taught you the Book and the wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel, and when you made out of clay a bird-like figure by My permission, then you breathed into it and it became a bird by My permission, and you healed the blind and the leprous by My permission, and when you brought out the dead by My permission, and when I restrained the children of Israel from you as you came to them with clear signs, but those who suppressed the Truth from among them said, 'This is nothing but pure magic'."

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5.111
111. Wa-ith awhaytu ila alhawariyyeena an aminoo bee wabirasoolee qaloo amanna waishhad bi-annana muslimoona

111. And when I inspired the disciples44 to believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, "We do believe and bear witness that we do submit."

44. As the next Verse indicates, these were Jesus' disciples.

5.112
112. Ith qala alhawariyyoona ya AAeesa ibna maryama hal yastateeAAu rabbuka an yunazzila AAalayna ma-idatan mina alssama-i qala ittaqoo Allaha in kuntum mu/mineena

112. When the disciples asked, "O Jesus, son of Mary! Can your Lord send down to us a table spread with food from heaven?" He said, "Fear Allah, if you are believers."

5.113
113. Qaloo nureedu an na/kula minha watatma-inna quloobuna wanaAAlama an qad sadaqtana wanakoona AAalayha mina alshshahideena

113. They said, "We wish to eat therefrom, satisfy our minds, know that you have indeed told us the truth and be of the witnesses to it."

5.114
114. Qala AAeesa ibnu maryama allahumma rabbana anzil AAalayna ma-idatan mina alssama-i takoonu lana AAeedan li-awwalina waakhirina waayatan minka waorzuqna waanta khayru alrraziqeena

114. Jesus, son of Mary, said, "O Allah, our Lord! Send down to us from the heaven a table spread with food which should be to us - to the first of us and to the last of us - a festival, and a sign from You. And give us food, and You are the Best of the givers of food."

5.115
115. Qala Allahu innee munazziluha AAalaykum faman yakfur baAAdu minkum fa-innee oAAaththibuhu AAathaban la oAAaththibuhu ahadan mina alAAalameena

115. Allah said, "I am indeed going to send it down to you, but then if anyone thereafter suppresses the Truth from amongst you, I will indeed give him such punishment as I have not given to anyone in the worlds."

5.116
116. Wa-ith qala Allahu ya AAeesa ibna maryama aanta qulta lilnnasi ittakhithoonee waommiya ilahayni min dooni Allahi qala subhanaka ma yakoonu lee an aqoola ma laysa lee bihaqqin in kuntu qultuhu faqad AAalimtahu taAAlamu ma fee nafsee wala aAAlamu ma fee nafsika innaka anta AAallamu alghuyoobi

116. And when Allah will say, "O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you tell mankind to take you and your mother for two gods besides Allah?" He (Jesus) will say, "Glory be to You, I couldn't say anything that I had no right to. If I had said it, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my mind, and I do not know what is in Your mind. You are indeed the Knower of the things unseen."

5.117
117. Ma qultu lahum illa ma amartanee bihi ani oAAbudoo Allaha rabbee warabbakum wakuntu AAalayhim shaheedan ma dumtu feehim falamma tawaffaytanee kunta anta alrraqeeba AAalayhim waanta AAala kulli shay-in shaheedun

117. "I did not tell them anything except what You enjoined me with: 'Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them so long as I remained among them, but when You caused me to die, You were the Guard over them.45 And You are Witness over all things."

45. The scenario here is Allah's Court on Judgement Day in the Hereafter. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is in the witness box. The Almighty, All-knowing Judge is questioning him. Verses 5.116 above to 5.119 below is a transcript of that interrogation. And this particular part of the transcript - recorded in this Verse 5.117 - gives the lie to the popular belief among Muslims about a 2nd coming of Jesus to this earth.

5.118
118. In tuAAaththibhum fa-innahum AAibaduka wa-in taghfir lahum fa-innaka anta alAAazeezu alhakeemu

118. "If You punish them, then indeed they are Your worshippers; and if You forgive them, then indeed You are the Mighty, the Wise."

5.119
119. Qala Allahu hatha yawmu yanfaAAu alssadiqeena sidquhum lahum jannatun tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha abadan radiya Allahu AAanhum waradoo AAanhu thalika alfawzu alAAatheemu

119. Allah will say, "This day, their truthfulness shall benefit the truthful ones. For them are gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them for ever." Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Allah. That is the great achievement.

5.120
120. Lillahi mulku alssamawati waal-ardi wama feehinna wahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

120. To Allah belongs the sovereignty over the heavens and the earth and over what is in them; and He has power over all things.




title6

Chapter 6: Al-An'am (The Cattle)


Bismillah  

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful


6.1
1. Alhamdu lillahi allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda wajaAAala alththulumati waalnnoora thumma allatheena kafaroo birabbihim yaAAdiloona

1. The praise is for Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the darknesses and the light. Yet, those who suppress the Truth sit in judgement over the attributes of their Lord!

6.2
2. Huwa allathee khalaqakum min teenin thumma qada ajalan waajalun musamman AAindahu thumma antum tamtaroona

2. He it is Who created you from clay, and then decreed a term. And a term denominated1, with Him, of which, then, you are in doubt.

1. Al-Aakhirah (The Hereafter).

6.3
3. Wahuwa Allahu fee alssamawati wafee al-ardi yaAAlamu sirrakum wajahrakum wayaAAlamu ma taksiboona

3. And it is Allah Who pervades the heavens and the earth. He knows what you conceal and what you reveal, and He knows what you earn.

6.4
4. Wama ta/teehim min ayatin min ayati rabbihim illa kanoo AAanha muAArideena

4. And no sign/Verse has ever come to them, of the signs/Verses of their Lord, from which they have not turned aside.

6.5
5. Faqad kaththaboo bialhaqqi lamma jaahum fasawfa ya/teehim anbao ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona

5. They did reject the truth when it came to them. And the news of what they mocked at, will come to them.

6.6
6. Alam yaraw kam ahlakna min qablihim min qarnin makkannahum fee al-ardi ma lam numakkin lakum waarsalna alssamaa AAalayhim midraran wajaAAalna al-anhara tajree min tahtihim faahlaknahum bithunoobihim waansha/na min baAAdihim qarnan akhareena

6. Do they not see how many a generation We destroyed before them? We have not established you as firmly as We had established them on the earth. And We made the skies pour rain on them in abundance, and We made the rivers flow beneath them. Then We destroyed them on account of their sins and raised up, after them, other generations.

6.7
7. Walaw nazzalna AAalayka kitaban fee qirtasin falamasoohu bi-aydeehim laqala allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun

7. And even if We had sent to you a book on paper so that they could touch it with their hands, those who suppress the Truth would certainly have said, "This is nothing but pure magic."

6.8
8. Waqaloo lawla onzila AAalayhi malakun walaw anzalna malakan laqudiya al-amru thumma la yuntharoona

8. And they say, "Why has not an angel been sent down to him?" And had We sent down an angel, the matter would have certainly been decided then and there, and they would have been given no respite.

6.9
9. Walaw jaAAalnahu malakan lajaAAalnahu rajulan walalabasna AAalayhim ma yalbisoona

9. And if We had made him an angel, We would certainly have made him a man, and We would certainly have made their confusion worse confounded.

6.10
10. Walaqadi istuhzi-a birusulin min qablika fahaqa biallatheena sakhiroo minhum ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona

10. And, certainly, Messengers before you were mocked at, but the very thing they mocked at surrounded those who, among them, scoffed.

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6.11
11. Qul seeroo fee al-ardi thumma onthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena

11. Say, "Travel on earth, and then see what end the rejecters met with."

6.12
12. Qul liman ma fee alssamawati waal-ardi qul lillahi kataba AAala nafsihi alrrahmata layajmaAAannakum ila yawmi alqiyamati la rayba feehi allatheena khasiroo anfusahum fahum la yu/minoona

12. Ask, "To whom does all that is in the heavens and the earth belong?" Say, "To Allah. He has made mercy an obligatory attribute of Him Himself. He will certainly gather you on the Resurrection Day, wherein there is no doubt. Those, who have lost their souls, believe not."

6.13
13. Walahu ma sakana fee allayli waalnnahari wahuwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu

13. "And to Him belongs what lives by the night and the day. And He is the One Who hears, the One Who knows."

6.14
14. Qul aghayra Allahi attakhithu waliyyan fatiri alssamawati waal-ardi wahuwa yutAAimu wala yutAAamu qul innee omirtu an akoona awwala man aslama wala takoonanna mina almushrikeena

14. Say, "Shall I take for a wali2 anyone instead of Allah, Creator of the heavens and the earth, and Who feeds and is not fed?" Say, "I am indeed commanded to be the first of those who submit." And be not you, of the polytheists!

2. For the comprehensive meaning of this Arabic word, please see footnotes 2.154 and 2.155 of these Studies.

6.15
15. Qul innee akhafu in AAasaytu rabbee AAathaba yawmin AAatheemin

15. Say, "I do indeed fear punishment on a Mighty Day, if I disobey my Lord."

6.16
16. Man yusraf AAanhu yawma-ithin faqad rahimahu wathalika alfawzu almubeenu

16. He/she from whom it3 is averted on that day, Allah surely has shown mercy to him/her. And this is a manifest achievement.

3. The punishment mentioned in the preceding Verse.

6.17
17. Wa-in yamsaska Allahu bidurrin fala kashifa lahu illa huwa wa-in yamsaska bikhayrin fahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

17. And if Allah afflicts you with some harm, there is none to take it off but He. And if He gives you something good, then He it is Who is able to do anything.

6.18
18. Wahuwa alqahiru fawqa AAibadihi wahuwa alhakeemu alkhabeeru

18. And He it is Who has Supreme Power over His creatures. And He is the Most Wise, the One Who knows about all things.

6.19
19. Qul ayyu shay-in akbaru shahadatan quli Allahu shaheedun baynee wabaynakum waoohiya ilayya hatha alqur-anu li-onthirakum bihi waman balagha a-innakum latashhadoona anna maAAa Allahi alihatan okhra qul la ashhadu qul innama huwa ilahun wahidun wa-innanee baree-on mimma tushrikoona

19. Ask them what thing is the weightiest in testimony? Say, "Allah! HE is witness between you and me. And this Quran has been revealed to me so that I may, therewith, warn you and whomsoever it reaches. Do you really bear witness that there are other gods with Allah?" Say, "I do not bear witness." Say, "HE is the One and Only Being worthy of worship, and, indeed, I am free of the belief in those whom you set up as partners to Allah."

6.20
20. Allatheena ataynahumu alkitaba yaAArifoonahu kama yaAArifoona abnaahum allatheena khasiroo anfusahum fahum la yu/minoona

20. Those whom We have given the Book recognize it4 as they recognize their sons. Those who have lost their souls - they will not believe.

4. I.e. Allah being the One and Only Entity worthy of worship.

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6.21
21. Waman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban aw kaththaba bi-ayatihi innahu la yuflihu alththalimoona

21. And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie about Allah or rejects His Verses/signs? Indeed, the unjust will not be successful.

6.22
22. Wayawma nahshuruhum jameeAAan thumma naqoolu lillatheena ashrakoo ayna shurakaokumu allatheena kuntum tazAAumoona

22. And one day, We shall gather them all together, then ask those who associated others with Allah, "Where are your associates you surmised?

6.23
23. Thumma lam takun fitnatuhum illa an qaloo waAllahi rabbina ma kunna mushrikeena

23. They will then be left with no excuse but to say, "By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists."

6.24
24. Onthur kayfa kathaboo AAala anfusihim wadalla AAanhum ma kanoo yaftaroona

24. See how they would lie against their own selves, and how that which they forged would desert them.

6.25
25. Waminhum man yastamiAAu ilayka wajaAAalna AAala quloobihim akinnatan an yafqahoohu wafee athanihim waqran wa-in yaraw kulla ayatin la yu/minoo biha hatta itha jaooka yujadiloonaka yaqoolu allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa asateeru al-awwaleena

25. And of them there are some who come to hear you, and We have put veils over their minds and deafness in their ears, so they do not understand what you tell them. And even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it. So much so, that when they come to you to argue with you, those, who suppress the Truth, say, "These are nothing but tales of the ealier people."

6.26
26. Wahum yanhawna AAanhu wayan-awna AAanhu wa-in yuhlikoona illa anfusahum wama yashAAuroona

26. And they prevent others from it5 and they keep themselves away from it5, and they destroy not but their own selves and they perceive not.

5. I.e. the divine Message the Prophet was conveying to the people.

6.27
27. Walaw tara ith wuqifoo AAala alnnari faqaloo ya laytana nuraddu wala nukaththiba bi-ayati rabbina wanakoona mina almu/mineena

27. And if you could but see the scene when they would be held over the fire! They would then say, "Would that we were sent back! We would not then reject the Verses/signs of our Lord and we would be of the believers."

6.28
28. Bal bada lahum ma kanoo yukhfoona min qablu walaw ruddoo laAAadoo lima nuhoo AAanhu wa-innahum lakathiboona

28. Nay! What they concealed before would just become manifest to them. And were they to be sent back, they would certainly commit that which they are forbidden, and certainly indeed they are liars.

6.29
29. Waqaloo in hiya illa hayatuna alddunya wama nahnu bimabAAootheena

29. And they say, "There is nothing but our life of this world, and we shall not be resurrected."

6.30
30. Walaw tara ith wuqifoo AAala rabbihim qala alaysa hatha bialhaqqi qaloo bala warabbina qala fathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum takfuroona

30. And if you could but see the scene when they would be standing before their Lord! HE will ask, "Is not this the truth?" They will say, "Yes, and by our Lord!" HE will say, "Taste then the punishment for being suppresors of the Truth."

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6.31
31. Qad khasira allatheena kaththaboo biliqa-i Allahi hatta itha jaat-humu alssaAAatu baghtatan qaloo ya hasratana AAala ma farratna feeha wahum yahmiloona awzarahum AAala thuhoorihim ala saa ma yaziroona

31. They surely are doomed, who deny their appointment with Allah. Until, when, all of a sudden, the hour is on them, they say, "Alas for us that we gave no thought to it!" And they bear their burdens on their backs. It's evil, what they bear; isn't it?

6.32
32. Wama alhayatu alddunya illa laAAibun walahwun walalddaru al-akhirati khayrun lillatheena yattaqoona afala taAAqiloona

32. And the life of this world is nothing but play and pastime. And, certainly, the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who fear Allah. Don't you then understand?

6.33
33. Qad naAAlamu innahu layahzunuka allathee yaqooloona fa-innahum la yukaththiboonaka walakinna alththalimeena bi-ayati Allahi yajhadoona

33. We do know indeed that what they say certainly grieves you. Still, surely, it is not you that they reject, but it is Allah's Verses/signs that the wicked people deny.

6.34
34. Walaqad kuththibat rusulun min qablika fasabaroo AAala ma kuththiboo waoothoo hatta atahum nasruna wala mubaddila likalimati Allahi walaqad jaaka min naba-i almursaleena

34. And surely Messengers before you were rejected, but they bore their rejection and persecution with patience, until Our help reached them. And none can change Allah's Words. And, surely, some of the tales of the Messengers have come to you.

6.35
35. Wa-in kana kabura AAalayka iAAraduhum fa-ini istataAAta an tabtaghiya nafaqan fee al-ardi aw sullaman fee alssama-i fata/tiyahum bi-ayatin walaw shaa Allahu lajamaAAahum AAala alhuda fala takoonanna mina aljahileena

35. And if their aversion is hard on you, then, if you can, seek an opening deep into the earth or a ladder up into the heavens, and then bring them a sign. And if Allah had so willed, He would certainly have gathered them all on guidance. Be not then of those who are ignorant.6

6. This is an obvious reprimand from Allah to His Messenger. HE has put this on record here to let mankind know that His Messengers too are His creatures, and not His partners in Creation. The Messengers too, being human, were prone to errors. What this Verse reveals to us is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) ardently desired Allah to give him a sign to show to his people to convince them of his being His accredited Messenger. But Allah had other plans. HE did not want His last Messenger to mankind to be recognised on the basis of any obvious sign like those given to his predecessors, Jesus and Moses. Those signs, in any case, had yielded little results. HE, in His Wisdom, knew that His last Messenger was being sent at the threshold of an era of proliferation of knowledge. Allah now wanted His last Messenger to be recognised on the basis of the intellect He had granted mankind. HE wanted the people to use this intellect, and the knowledge they are now getting, to scrutinise the character of the person sent as the last Messenger and to scrutinise the Message he was conveying to them. Allah here reminds His Messenger that He knows what to do to guide His creatures. Nothing - not even the ardent personal desire of His Messenger - can come in the way of His plans.

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