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 XVI




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-A'araf Verses 1 to 87.

Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
19th May, 2008


CONTENTS


Chapter 7. Al-A'araf

Verses 1 to 10

Verses 11 to 20

Verses 21 to 30

Verses 31 to 40

Verses 41 to 50

Verses 51 to 60

Verses 61 to 70

Verses 71 to 80

Verses 81 to 87




title7


Chapter 7: Al-A'araf (The Heights)

7.1
1. Alif-lam-meem-sad

1. Alif Lam Mim Suad.1

1. These are some of those mysterious initials which we find placed at the beginning of some Qur'aanic Chapters. See study note 2.1 of these Studies.

7.2
2. Kitabun onzila ilayka fala yakun fee sadrika harajun minhu litunthira bihi wathikra lilmu/mineena

2. A Book sent down upon you - let there be no reservations in your mind on that account - that you may warn thereby. And it's a Reference Book, containing things to be remembered, for the believers.2

2. The Book referred to in this Verse is obviously the Qur'aan.

7.3
3. IttabiAAoo ma onzila ilaykum min rabbikum wala tattabiAAoo min doonihi awliyaa qaleelan ma tathakkaroona

3. Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord and follow not any awliya3 besides Him. Little do you remember!

3. Refer study notes 2.154 and 2.155. By considering the man-influenced, error-prone ahaadeeth as sacrosanct as the Qur'aanic Verses, Muslims are but following awliya besides Allah. As to why ahaadeeth could be man-influenced and error-prone, please refer study notes 3.35 to 3.37

7.4
4. Wakam min qaryatin ahlaknaha fajaaha ba/suna bayatan aw hum qa-iloona

4. And in many a human settlement that We have destroyed, Our punishment came to it by night or while its inhabitants were having their midday nap.4

4. The punishment came at a time when the inhabitants were not in a position even to attempt an escape!

7.5
5. Fama kana daAAwahum ith jaahum ba/suna illa an qaloo inna kunna thalimeena

5. No cry did they utter, when Our punishment came to them, but that they said, "We were indeed in the wrong!"

7.6
6. Falanas-alanna allatheena orsila ilayhim walanas-alanna almursaleena

6. Then, Surely, We shall question those to whom the divine Message was sent, and, surely, We shall question the Messengers.

7.7
7. Falanaqussanna AAalayhim biAAilmin wama kunna gha-ibeena

7. Then, surely, We shall narrate to them out of knowledge, and We were never absent.

7.8
8. Waalwaznu yawma-ithini alhaqqu faman thaqulat mawazeenuhu faola-ika humu almuflihoona

8. And the weight that day shall be the genuine one.5 Those then whose scale will be heavy, those shall be successful.

5. Obviously good deeds in this world shall be the weights. The better the good deed, the heavier shall its weight.

7.9
9. Waman khaffat mawazeenuhu faola-ika allatheena khasiroo anfusahum bima kanoo bi-ayatina yathlimoona

9. And those whose scale is light, those are they who have caused their own doom because they wronged Our Verses/signs.

7.10
10. Walaqad makkannakum fee al-ardi wajaAAalna lakum feeha maAAayisha qaleelan ma tashkuroona

10. And We did provide for your boarding and lodging on earth, and created in it means of livelihood for you. You give but little thanks.

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7.11
11. Walaqad khalaqnakum thumma sawwarnakum thumma qulna lilmala-ikati osjudoo li-adama fasajadoo illa ibleesa lam yakun mina alssajideena

11. And We did create you, then fashioned you, and then We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam." They then prostrated, but Iblees6 did not! He wouldn't be of those who prostrate.

6. Refer study notes 2.27 to 2.30

7.12
12. Qala ma manaAAaka alla tasjuda ith amartuka qala ana khayrun minhu khalaqtanee min narin wakhalaqtahu min teenin

12. Allah said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" Iblees said, "I am better than he. You created me of fire, and You created him of dust."

7.13
13. Qala faihbit minha fama yakoonu laka an tatakabbara feeha faokhruj innaka mina alssaghireena

13. Allah said, "Down you go then from here! You cannot behave arrogantly here. Get out! You are indeed of those who have belittled themselves."

7.14
14. Qala anthirnee ila yawmi yubAAathoona

14. Iblees said, "Grant me respite till the Day they are raised up."

7.15
15. Qala innaka mina almunthareena

15. Allah said, "You are indeed one of those to whom respite is granted."

7.16
16. Qala fabima aghwaytanee laaqAAudanna lahum sirataka almustaqeema

16. Iblees said, "Since You have led me astray I will certainly lie in wait for them7 in Your Straight Path."

7. Mankind.

7.17
17. Thumma laatiyannahum min bayni aydeehim wamin khalfihim waAAan aymanihim waAAan shama-ilihim wala tajidu aktharahum shakireena

17. "Then I will certainly come to them from the front and from behind them, and from the right and from the left of them. And You shall not find a great number of them grateful."

7.18
18. Qala okhruj minha mathooman madhooran laman tabiAAaka minhum laamlaanna jahannama minkum ajmaAAeena

18. Allah said, "Get out of here, as one rebuked and expelled. I will certainly fill Hell with you all - you and whoever of them will follow you."

7.19
19. Waya adamu oskun anta wazawjuka aljannata fakula min haythu shi/tuma wala taqraba hathihi alshshajarata fatakoona mina alththalimeena

19. "And O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Garden. Eat whatever you like, and go not near this tree! Otherwise, you will be of the wicked people."

7.20
20. Fawaswasa lahuma alshshaytanu liyubdiya lahuma ma wooriya AAanhuma min saw-atihima waqala ma nahakuma rabbukuma AAan hathihi alshshajarati illa an takoona malakayni aw takoona mina alkhalideena

20. And the Satan then tempted them both to lay bare to them what had been hidden from them of their carnal desires. And he said, "Your Lord forbade you from this tree lest you two should become angels or of the immortal beings."

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7.21
21. Waqasamahuma innee lakuma lamina alnnasiheena

21. And he swore to them both, "I am indeed one of your sincere advisers."

7.22
22. Fadallahuma bighuroorin falamma thaqa alshshajarata badat lahuma saw-atuhuma watafiqa yakhsifani AAalayhima min waraqi aljannati wanadahuma rabbuhuma alam anhakuma AAan tilkuma alshshajarati waaqul lakuma inna alshshaytana lakuma AAaduwwun mubeenun

22. So he misled them both by deceit. And when they tasted of the tree, their carnal desires became manifest to them, and they both began to cover themselves with the leaves of the garden. And their Lord called out to them, "Did I not forbid you both from that tree and tell you that the Satan is an open enemy to you both?"

7.23
23. Qala rabbana thalamna anfusana wa-in lam taghfir lana watarhamna lanakoonanna mina alkhasireena

23. They said, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. and if You forgive us not, and have mercy on us not, we shall certainly be of the losers."

7.24
24. Qala ihbitoo baAAdukum libaAAdin AAaduwwun walakum fee al-ardi mustaqarrun wamataAAun ila heenin

24. He said, "Down you go! Some of you would be inimical to some others. And there is for you in the earth provision for lodging and boarding, for a period of time."

7.25
25. Qala feeha tahyawna wafeeha tamootoona waminha tukhrajoona

25. HE said, "Therein shall you live, and therein shall you die, and therefrom shall you be raised."8

8. Verses 19 to 25, herein above, give an encapsulated history of mankind till Resurrection Day. The first couple of human beings started their lives in the utopian pleasantness of Paradise. There, the Lord had put just one restriction on them, with a due warning against disobeying the restriction order. But they were given the capability to disobey. And under the influence of their avowed enemy, the Satan, they disobeyed! Thus did the first human sin happen. And the first couple were duly punished by being banished from Paradise. They and their progeny are put on test again, on this earth, with some restrictions divinely placed on them. They may regain Paradise only if they pass the test. So here, in this encapsulated history of mankind, Allah Almighty gives us His Law of Crime and Punishment for mankind. Anyone who goes against Allah's directives, commits a crime. He is then liable to Allah's punishment here in this world itself and/or in the Hereafter.

7.26
26. Ya banee adama qad anzalna AAalaykum libasan yuwaree saw-atikum wareeshan walibasu alttaqwa thalika khayrun thalika min ayati Allahi laAAallahum yaththakkaroona

26. O children of Adam! We have certainly sent down to you clothing to hide and keep in control your carnal desires and as a means to adorn yourself with. And the clothing of piety is the one that is better. This is of Allah's Verses/signs for them to remember.

7.27
27. Ya banee adama la yaftinannakumu alshshaytanu kama akhraja abawaykum mina aljannati yanziAAu AAanhuma libasahuma liyuriyahuma saw-atihima innahu yarakum huwa waqabeeluhu min haythu la tarawnahum inna jaAAalna alshshayateena awliyaa lillatheena la yu/minoona

27. O children of Adam! Let not the Satan tempt you just as he did to your parents, causing their expulsion from the Garden and stripping them both of their clothing to expose to them their carnal desires. Indeed, he and his tribe see you from where you cannot see them. We have indeed made the devils to be the awliya9 of those who believe not.

9. Refer study notes 2.154 and 2.155.

7.28
28. Wa-itha faAAaloo fahishatan qaloo wajadna AAalayha abaana waAllahu amarana biha qul inna Allaha la ya/muru bialfahsha-i ataqooloona AAala Allahi ma la taAAlamoona

28. And when they commit an indecency they say, "We found our fathers doing this, and Allah has enjoined it on us." Say, "Allah does indeed not enjoin indecency. Do you say what you know not about Allah?

7.29
29. Qul amara rabbee bialqisti waaqeemoo wujoohakum AAinda kulli masjidin waodAAoohu mukhliseena lahu alddeena kama badaakum taAAoodoona

29. Say, "My Lord has enjoined justice. And you should pray to Him, in complete attention and devotion, at every place of worship, and keep the Religion pure for Him. Just as He brought you into being in the beginning, so shall you return."

7.30
30. Fareeqan hada wafareeqan haqqa AAalayhimu alddalalatu innahumu ittakhathoo alshshayateena awliyaa min dooni Allahi wayahsaboona annahum muhtadoona

30. Some He guided and some deserved to go astray. They indeed took the devils, instead of Allah, as their awliya, and thought that they were guided!

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7.31
31. Ya banee adama khuthoo zeenatakum AAinda kulli masjidin wakuloo waishraboo wala tusrifoo innahu la yuhibbu almusrifeena

31. O children of Adam! Be well-dressed, clean and tidy at every place of worship,10, 11 and eat and drink, but indulge not in extravagance. He does not indeed like those who indulge in extravagance.

10. I would like to mention here the insistence of some traditionalists - who consider the ahaadeeth more sacrosanct than even the Qur'aanic Verses - for Muslims to keep the lower ends of their pyjamas and trousers above the ankles. A hadeeth [Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, hadeeth No. 678] tells them that if the garment extends below the ankles, the wearer goes to Hell. And this vital information is not there in the Qur'aan! Therefore the traditionalists believe that without the ahaadeeth, Islam is incomplete. The Qur'aan, on the other hand, reiterates, "... We have neglected nothing in the Book ..." (Verse 6.38) and that "... We have certainly explained, in this Qur'aan, every kind of example ..." (Verse 17.89). How could the Qur'aan then neglect to mention a thing that would lead a man to Hell!? It cannot, and it does not, because, Allah Almighty, the Author of the Book, cannot be wrong when He asserts that the Book neglects nothing! We are then left with the only conclusion that there is something wrong with the hadeeth, which is man-influenced and therefore error-prone.

11. As this Verse and the one immediately following (7.32) clearly tells us, Allah does not want us to look shabby or uncouth in our dress. One of the purposes of our dress is to make us look better. Allah does not prohibit us this adornment. HE wouldn't wish us to wear short trousers if these make us look comical. What Allah desires, however, is that we be clean. HE certainly wouldn't like our trousers to be so long that its lower ends touch the ground and collect dirt therefrom as we walk on.

7.32
32. Qul man harrama zeenata Allahi allatee akhraja liAAibadihi waalttayyibati mina alrrizqi qul hiya lillatheena amanoo fee alhayati alddunya khalisatan yawma alqiyamati kathalika nufassilu al-ayati liqawmin yaAAlamoona

32. Say, "Who has prohibited Allah's decorations and the wholesome provisions which He has brought forth for His worshippers?" Say, "These are for the believers in the life of this world, and exclusively for them,12 on the Resurrection Day." Thus do We make the Verses/signs clear for people who know.

12. As noted in the preceding study notes, this Verse makes it abundantly clear that Allah does not want the believers to deprive themselves of the good things of this life. The good things are also available to the non-believers in this world, but will not be available for them in the Hereafter.

7.33
33. Qul innama harrama rabbiya alfawahisha ma thahara minha wama batana waal-ithma waalbaghya bighayri alhaqqi waan tushrikoo biAllahi ma lam yunazzil bihi sultanan waan taqooloo AAala Allahi ma la taAAlamoona

33. Say, "My Lord has prohibited only indecencies13, those of them that are apparent as well as those that are concealed, and sin and unjustified rebellion, and that you worship others besides Allah, for which He has not sent down any authority, and that you say about Allah that which you know not."

13. In Verses 17.32 and 27.54, sexual behaviour like adultery, sodomy and homosexuality are termed as faahishah, singular of fawaahish translated here as indecencies.

7.34
34. Walikulli ommatin ajalun fa-itha jaa ajaluhum la yasta/khiroona saAAatan wala yastaqdimoona

34. And for every community there is an end. So when their end comes, not a moment can they delay it nor advance it.

7.35
35. Ya banee adama imma ya/tiyannakum rusulun minkum yaqussoona AAalaykum ayatee famani ittaqa waaslaha fala khawfun AAalayhim wala hum yahzanoona

35. O children of Adam! As and when Messengers come to you from amongst you relating to you My Verses/signs, then on those who take heed and mend themselves, there shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

7.36
36. Waallatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina waistakbaroo AAanha ola-ika as-habu alnnari hum feeha khalidoona

36. And as for those who reject Our Verses/signs and arrogantly turn away from them, they will be the dwellers of the Fire and will abide therein forever.

7.37
37. Faman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban aw kaththaba bi-ayatihi ola-ika yanaluhum naseebuhum mina alkitabi hatta itha jaat-hum rusuluna yatawaffawnahum qaloo ayna ma kuntum tadAAoona min dooni Allahi qaloo dalloo AAanna washahidoo AAala anfusihim annahum kanoo kafireena

37. Who is then more wicked than he who concocts a lie against Allah or rejects His Verses/signs? Such persons get what is destined for them in this life, until, Our messengers come to them causing them to die and ask, "Where are those whom you used to invoke and worship besides Allah?" They would say, "They have deserted us." And they shall bear witness against themselves that they were suppressors of the Truth.

7.38
38. Qala odkhuloo fee omamin qad khalat min qablikum mina aljinni waal-insi fee alnnari kullama dakhalat ommatun laAAanat okhtaha hatta itha iddarakoo feeha jameeAAan qalat okhrahum li-oolahum rabbana haola-i adalloona faatihim AAathaban diAAfan mina alnnari qala likullin diAAfun walakin la taAAlamoona

38. He14 will say, "Enter the Fire among communities of jinn and humans that have passed away before you." Every time a community enters, it curses its sister community, until when they all will have reached it, the community that followed shall say with regard to the community that preceded it, "Our Lord! These led us astray, so give them a double punishment of the Fire." He14 will say, "It's double15 for every one, but you know not."

14. 'He' here could be Allah or one of the angels.

15. One, for themselves going astray; and two, for leading others astray.

7.39
39. Waqalat oolahum li-okhrahum fama kana lakum AAalayna min fadlin fathooqoo alAAathaba bima kuntum taksiboona

39. And the community that preceded will say to the community that followed, "So you have no preference over us. Taste then the punishment for what you used to earn."

7.40
40. Inna allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina waistakbaroo AAanha la tufattahu lahum abwabu alssama-i wala yadkhuloona aljannata hatta yalija aljamalu fee sammi alkhiyati wakathalika najzee almujrimeena

40. Indeed, the doors of heaven shall not be opened for those who reject Our Verses/signs and arrogantly turn away from them, nor shall they enter Paradise until the camel passes through the eye of the needle16. And thus do We reward the sinners.

16. The idiomatically expressed clause means 'nor shall they ever enter Paradise.'

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7.41
41. Lahum min jahannama mihadun wamin fawqihim ghawashin wakathalika najzee alththalimeena

41. For them shall there be a bed of Hell and over them coverings thereof. And thus do We reward the wicked people.

7.42
42. Waallatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati la nukallifu nafsan illa wusAAaha ola-ika as-habu aljannati hum feeha khalidoona

42. And as for those who believe and do good deeds, We burden not anyone beyond one's capacity. They will be the dwellers of Paradise and will abide therein forever.

7.43
43. WanazaAAna ma fee sudoorihim min ghillin tajree min tahtihimu al-anharu waqaloo alhamdu lillahi allathee hadana lihatha wama kunna linahtadiya lawla an hadana Allahu laqad jaat rusulu rabbina bialhaqqi wanoodoo an tilkumu aljannatu oorithtumooha bima kuntum taAAmaloona

43. And We will remove any ill-feeling they had in their minds, and beneath them the rivers shall flow. And they will say, "All praise is due to Allah Who guided us to this! And had Allah not guided us we would never have found the way. Messengers of our Lord had certainly brought the Truth. And it shall be announced to them, "This is the Paradise for you. You have inherited it on account of what you used to do."

7.44
44. Wanada as-habu aljannati as-haba alnnari an qad wajadna ma waAAadana rabbuna haqqan fahal wajadtum ma waAAada rabbukum haqqan qaloo naAAam faaththana mu-aththinun baynahum an laAAnatu Allahi AAala alththalimeena

44. And the dwellers of Paradise will call out to the dwellers of the Fire, "We have indeed found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you too found what your Lord promised to be true?" They will say, "Yes." Then an announcer in between them will announce, "Allah's curse is on the wicked people."

7.45
45. Allatheena yasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan wahum bial-akhirati kafiroona

45. 17"On those who hindered people from Allah's Path and sought to distort it. And they believed not in the Hereafter."

17. This Verse describes the wicked people (alththalimeen) mentioned at the end of the preceding Verse.

7.46
46. Wabaynahuma hijabun waAAala al-aAArafi rijalun yaAArifoona kullan biseemahum wanadaw as-haba aljannati an salamun AAalaykum lam yadkhulooha wahum yatmaAAoona

46. And between the two there shall be a veil. And on the heights there will be men who will recognise all others by their distinguishing features. And they will greet the dwellers of Paradise, "Peace be on you." They18 will not have yet entered it, but hope to.

18. The men on the heights. These appear to be those whose fate is not yet declared. They are obviouly placed on some high ground from which they can see the dwellers of both Paradise and Hell.

7.47
47. Wa-itha surifat absaruhum tilqaa as-habi alnnari qaloo rabbana la tajAAalna maAAa alqawmi alththalimeena

47. And when their eyes will be turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they will say, "Our Lord! Place us not with the wicked people."

7.48
48. Wanada as-habu al-aAArafi rijalan yaAArifoonahum biseemahum qaloo ma aghna AAankum jamAAukum wama kuntum tastakbiroona

48. And the dwellers of the heights will call out to men whom they will recognise by their distinguishing features, "Of no avail were to you your amassing and your arrogance."

7.49
49. Ahaola-i allatheena aqsamtum la yanaluhumu Allahu birahmatin odkhuloo aljannata la khawfun AAalaykum wala antum tahzanoona

49. "Are these - who were told, 'Enter Paradise! You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve' - the same about whom you swore that Allah will not bestow mercy on them?"

7.50
50. Wanada as-habu alnari as-haba aljannati an afeedoo AAalayna mina alma-i aw mimma razaqakumu Allahu qaloo inna Allaha harramahuma AAala alkafireena

50. And the dwellers of the Fire will call out to the dwellers of Paradise, "Let some water or some of the provisions, which Allah has given you, overflow to us!" They will say, "Allah has indeed prohibited them both upon those who suppressed the Truth."

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7.51
51. Allatheena ittakhathoo deenahum lahwan walaAAiban wagharrat-humu alhayatu alddunya faalyawma nansahum kama nasoo liqaa yawmihim hatha wama kanoo bi-ayatina yajhadoona

51. "Who19 took their religion as just sport and pastime and their worldly life deceived them." So today We forget them, as they forgot their appointment for this day and denied Our Verses/signs.

19. I.e., the dwellers of the Fire. Refer preceding Verse.

7.52
52. Walaqad ji/nahum bikitabin fassalnahu AAala AAilmin hudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona

52. And certainly We have brought them a Book20, which We have explained on the basis of knowledge, and which is a guidance and a mercy for people who believe.

20. The Qur'aan.

7.53
53. Hal yanthuroona illa ta/weelahu yawma ya/tee ta/weeluhu yaqoolu allatheena nasoohu min qablu qad jaat rusulu rabbina bialhaqqi fahal lana min shufaAAaa fayashfaAAoo lana aw nuraddu fanaAAmala ghayra allathee kunna naAAmalu qad khasiroo anfusahum wadalla AAanhum ma kanoo yaftaroona

53. Are they waiting for it21 to occur first? On the day it occurs, those who had forgotten about it before, will say, "Messengers of our Lord had indeed come with the Truth! Are there for us then any intercessors to intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back so that we do things other than what we used to do? Indeed they have doomed themselves and that which they concocted has deserted them!

21. The Day of Resurrection.

7.54
54. Inna rabbakumu Allahu allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAala alAAarshi yughshee allayla alnnahara yatlubuhu hatheethan waalshshamsa waalqamara waalnnujooma musakhkharatin bi-amrihi ala lahu alkhalqu waal-amru tabaraka Allahu rabbu alAAalameena

54. Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, and then rose over the Throne. He brings the night as a cover over the day, the night pursuing the day incessantly. And the sun and the moon and the stars are subservient to His command. Aren't the Creation and the Command His? Blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds!

7.55
55. OdAAoo rabbakum tadarruAAan wakhufyatan innahu la yuhibbu almuAAtadeena

55. Invoke your Lord in humility and secrecy. He does not indeed like those who transgress the limits.

7.56
56. Wala tufsidoo fee al-ardi baAAda islahiha waodAAoohu khawfan watamaAAan inna rahmata Allahi qareebun mina almuhsineena

56. And make no mischief on the earth after its reformation, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Allah's Mercy is ever near those who are good.

7.57
57. Wahuwa allathee yursilu alrriyaha bushran bayna yaday rahmatihi hatta itha aqallat sahaban thiqalan suqnahu libaladin mayyitin faanzalna bihi almaa faakhrajna bihi min kulli alththamarati kathalika nukhriju almawta laAAallakum tathakkaroona

57. And He it is Who sends the winds heralding the good news of His mercy, until, when it carries a heavily laden cloud, We make it serve as a water-carrier for a dead land. We then send water down on it, and bring out with it all kinds of fruits. Thus shall We raise the dead, may you remember!

7.58
58. Waalbaladu alttayyibu yakhruju nabatuhu bi-ithni rabbihi waallathee khabutha la yakhruju illa nakidan kathalika nusarrifu al-ayati liqawmin yashkuroona

58. And as for the good land, its vegetation springs forth by the permission of its Lord, and as for the infertile one, its vegetation comes forth but scantily. We thus variously explain the Verses/signs for people who are grateful.

7.59
59. Laqad arsalna noohan ila qawmihi faqala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin AAatheemin

59. We did send Noah to his people. He told them, "O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god other than Him! I do indeed fear for you the punishment of a Great Day."

7.60
60. Qala almalao min qawmihi inna lanaraka fee dalalin mubeenin

60. The leaders of his people said, "We do indeed see you to be in clear error."

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7.61
61. Qala ya qawmi laysa bee dalalatun walakinnee rasoolun min rabbi alAAalameena

61. He said, "O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds."

7.62
62. Oballighukum risalati rabbee waansahu lakum waaAAlamu mina Allahi ma la taAAlamoona

62. "I deliver to you Messages of my Lord, and I advise you, and I know from Allah what you know not."

7.63
63. Awa AAajibtum an jaakum thikrun min rabbikum AAala rajulin minkum liyunthirakum walitattaqoo walaAAallakum turhamoona

63. "Does it surprise you that a Reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man, from amongst you, so that he may warn you and you may fear Allah, and so that you may be treated with Mercy?"

7.64
64. Fakaththaboohu faanjaynahu waallatheena maAAahu fee alfulki waaghraqna allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina innahum kanoo qawman AAameena

64. And they refused to believe him, and We saved him and those with him in the ark, and We drowned those who refused to believe in Our Verses/signs. They were indeed a blind people.

7.65
65. Wa-ila AAadin akhahum hoodan qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu afala tattaqoona

65. And to Aad22 We sent their brother Hood. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. Will you not then guard yourselves against evil?"

22. A people who lived in ancient ages. They were very proud and arrogant (Verse 41.15). Their story is also narrated in Verses 11.50 to 11.60. One of them, Hood, was the Prophet sent to warn them.

7.66
66. Qala almalao allatheena kafaroo min qawmihi inna lanaraka fee safahatin wa-inna lanathunnuka mina alkathibeena

66. The leaders of those who suppressed the Truth from among his people said, "We do indeed see you in folly, and we do indeed consider you to be among the liars."

7.67
67. Qala ya qawmi laysa bee safahatun walakinnee rasoolun min rabbi alAAalameena

67. He said, "O my people! There is no folly in me, but I am a Messenger of the Lord of the worlds."

7.68
68. Oballighukum risalati rabbee waana lakum nasihun ameenun

68. "I deliver to you the Messages of my Lord and I am a sincere adviser to you."

7.69
69. Awa AAajibtum an jaakum thikrun min rabbikum AAala rajulin minkum liyunthirakum waothkuroo ith jaAAalakum khulafaa min baAAdi qawmi noohin wazadakum fee alkhalqi bastatan faothkuroo alaa Allahi laAAallakum tuflihoona

69. "Does it surprise you that a Reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man, from amongst you, so that he may warn you? And remember when He made you His vicegerents23 on earth after Noah's people and made you excel in construction activity24. So remember Allah's Graces, that you may succeed."

23. Refer study notes 2.22 to 2.25 regarding the meaning of the Qur'aanic term khaleefa singular of khulafa.

24. Refer Verses 26.128 and 26.129 to know more about those people's construction activity.

7.70
70. Qaloo aji/tana linaAAbuda Allaha wahdahu wanathara ma kana yaAAbudu abaona fa/tina bima taAAiduna in kunta mina alssadiqeena

70. They said, "Have you come to us to make us worship Allah alone and give up what our fathers used to worship? Then, if you are of the truthful ones, bring to us what you threaten us with."

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7.71
71. Qala qad waqaAAa AAalaykum min rabbikum rijsun waghadabun atujadiloonanee fee asma-in sammaytumooha antum waabaokum ma nazzala Allahu biha min sultanin faintathiroo innee maAAakum mina almuntathireena

71. He said, "Disgrace and wrath from your Lord have indeed befallen you. Do you argue with me about names which you and your fathers have given, and for which Allah has not sent any authority? Then wait! I am with you, among those who wait."

7.72
72. Faanjaynahu waallatheena maAAahu birahmatin minna waqataAAna dabira allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina wama kanoo mu/mineena

72. We then saved him, and those with him, by Mercy from Us. And We cut off the roots of those who treated Our Verses/signs as lies. And they believed not!

7.73
73. Wa-ila thamooda akhahum salihan qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu qad jaatkum bayyinatun min rabbikum hathihi naqatu Allahi lakum ayatan fatharooha ta/kul fee ardi Allahi wala tamassooha bisoo-in faya/khuthakum AAathabun aleemun

73. And to Samood25 We sent their brother Salih. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. Clear proof indeed has come to you from your Lord: this Allah's she-camel is a sign for you. Leave her alone then to graze on Allah's land, and harm her not, lest a painful punishment should seize you."

25. Another people of the ancient ages.

7.74
74. Waothkuroo ith jaAAalakum khulafaa min baAAdi AAadin wabawwaakum fee al-ardi tattakhithoona min suhooliha qusooran watanhitoona aljibala buyootan faothkuroo alaa Allahi wala taAAthaw fee al-ardi mufsideena

74. And remember He made you His vicegerents after Aad, and settled you in the land. You build for yourselves palaces on its plains and carve out houses in the mountains. So remember Allah's Graces, and do not go about making mischief on the earth.

7.75
75. Qala almalao allatheena istakbaroo min qawmihi lillatheena istudAAifoo liman amana minhum ataAAlamoona anna salihan mursalun min rabbihi qaloo inna bima orsila bihi mu/minoona

75. The leaders of those who behaved arrogantly among his people said to those who believed among the weak, "Do you know that Salih is sent by his Lord?" They said, "We are indeed believers in what he has been sent with."

7.76
76. Qala allatheena istakbaroo inna biallathee amantum bihi kafiroona

76. The arrogant ones said, "We do indeed reject what you believe in."

7.77
77. FaAAaqaroo alnnaqata waAAataw AAan amri rabbihim waqaloo ya salihu i/tina bima taAAiduna in kunta mina almursaleena

77. Then they hamstrung the she-camel and behaved insolently towards the Command of their Lord. And they said, "O Salih! If you are one of the Messengers, then bring us what you threatened us with."

7.78
78. Faakhathat-humu alrrajfatu faasbahoo fee darihim jathimeena

78. Then the earthquake shook them, and they lay prostrate in their houses.

7.79
79. Fatawalla AAanhum waqala ya qawmi laqad ablaghtukum risalata rabbee wanasahtu lakum walakin la tuhibboona alnnasiheena

79. Then he turned away from them and said, "O my people! I did certainly deliver to you the Message of my Lord, and I gave you advice, but you do not like those who advise.

7.80
80. Walootan ith qala liqawmihi ata/toona alfahishata ma sabaqakum biha min ahadin mina alAAalameena

80. And Lot26, when he said to his people, "You commit an obscene offence that none in the worlds committed before you!?"

26. Another Prophet, a contemporary of Prophet Abraham. And please note the economical use of words in the Qur'aan. In the preceding Verses, Prophets Noah, Hood and Salih were described as having been sent to their respective peoples. So was Lot sent to his people to warn them. That entire expression is shortened here into just two words 'And Lot'

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7.81
81. Innakum lata/toona alrrijala shahwatan min dooni alnnisa-i bal antum qawmun musrifoona

81. You do come to men for sexual pleasure, instead of to women!? Nay! You are a people who transgress.

7.82
82. Wama kana jawaba qawmihi illa an qaloo akhrijoohum min qaryatikum innahum onasun yatatahharoona

82. And the response of his people was but to say, "Drive them out of your place; they are men who want to cleanse themselves!"

7.83
83. Faanjaynahu waahlahu illa imraatahu kanat mina alghabireena

83. We then saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was of those who remained behind.

7.84
84. Waamtarna AAalayhim mataran faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almujrimeena

84. And We rained upon them a rain.27 Look! What the sinners end up with.

27. Verses 11.82 and 11.83 explain that it was a rain of stones of baked clay, hitting marked targets, one after another. And the marked targets were the sinners among Lot's people!

7.85
85. Wa-ila madyana akhahum shuAAayban qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu qad jaatkum bayyinatun min rabbikum faawfoo alkayla waalmeezana wala tabkhasoo alnnasa ashyaahum wala tufsidoo fee al-ardi baAAda islahiha thalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum mu/mineena

85. And to Midian28 We sent their brother Shu'aib. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah, you have no god other than Him. Clear sign indeed has come to you from your Lord,29 so give full measure and weight and do not cheat people in their things, and make no mischief on the earth after its reformation. It is better for you if you do believe.

28. Another people of the pre-historic times.

29. The clear sign for the people of Midian was the annihilation of their predecessors, the people of Lot (see Verse 29.35).

7.86
86. Wala taqAAudoo bikulli siratin tooAAidoona watasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi man amana bihi watabghoonaha AAiwajan waothkuroo ith kuntum qaleelan fakaththarakum waonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almufsideena

86. And do not lie in wait on every path, cajoling away and hindering one, who believes in Allah, from His way, seeking to make it crooked, complicated or difficult.30 And remember that when you were but few, He increased your number. And look! What the mischief-makers end up with.

30. The Satan, of course, has vowed to do this. And there are his human friends who openly help him do this. But, mind you, there are religious leaders of the Muslims themselves who, in their Friday sermons, seek to make the Allah-given simple tenets of Islam complicated and difficult to observe. They too, unwittingly, help the Satan in his avowed mission!

7.87
87. Wa-in kana ta-ifatun minkum amanoo biallathee orsiltu bihi wata-ifatun lam yu/minoo faisbiroo hatta yahkuma Allahu baynana wahuwa khayru alhakimeena

87. And if there is a section of you who believe in that which I am sent with, and another section who do not believe, then wait patiently until Allah judges between us. And He is the Best of judges.31

31. The principle enunciated in this Verse ought to be the guiding principle of mutual relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims even in this present age, and in all ages to come. That could help minimise the strife between the two sections.

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Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
19th May, 2008



Books by Mohammad Shafi:


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