|
Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XXIX
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-Isra Verses 1 to 97.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
10th March, 2010
سورة الإسراء
Chapter 17: Al-Isra (The Bee)
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful |
1. Subhana allathee asra biAAabdihi laylan mina almasjidi alharami ila almasjidi al-aqsa allathee barakna hawlahu linuriyahu min ayatina innahu huwa alssameeAAu albaseeru
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Glorified He is Who took His devotee on a night journey from the Sacred Place of Worship (at Mecca) to the Distant Place of Worship1, the precincts of which We have blessed, so that We may show to him some of Our signs. It is He indeed Who hears, sees everything.2
------------------------------------------------------------
1. This is generally believed to be at Jeruslem. This may or may not be true as it is is not corroborated by any other Verse in the Qur’aan.
2. This is all that the Qur’aan says about the much-discussed Mairaj of our Prophet (peace on him). The ahaadeeth tell us plenty about it. The Muslims are in a dilemma as to whether they should be content with the little that the Qur’aan says on it or should they refer to the lot that the ahaadeeth ‘disclose’.
One famous story about the Mairaj that the ahaadeeth ‘disclose’ is that Allah Almighty had prescribed, during its course, many more times of Salah per day than the five in vogue now. The story goes that as our Prophet was on his way back after receiving the divine directive, Prophet Moses met him and told him that his Ummah won’t be able to perform the Salah that many times. So our Prophet goes back and pleads for less number of Salah. The Prophet had to make several such to-and-fro trips till at last he got the prescription for the five-time Salah.
Now, what is the implication of that story which the ahaadeeth make us believe in? It implies that Prophet Moses understood human nature better than the Creator Himself!
The ahaadeeth are admittedly man-influenced and error-prone. It’s nothing but shirk to put them on the same pedestal as the Qur’aanic Verses.
In this particular case, Allah did not think it necessary for the Ummah to know what divine signs He showed our Prophet during Mairaj. If He did think it necessary, he would certainly have mentioned those signs in the Qur’aan. For, Allah says, everything necessary for human guidance is mentioned therein.
The signs shown during the Mairaj were necessary for the Prophet personally. He was chosen as the leader of the Ummah. In that capacity, he had to have not even an iota of doubt in his mind about the genuineness of the stupendous Mission he was given.
So let us not speculate about the signs our Prophet was shown during Mairaj. Those signs were not meant for mankind in general.
Some commentators say that the journey was not bodily effected, but that it was all a sort of vision that the Prophet saw. This Verse (17.1) indeed is one of the mutashabihaat in terms of Verse 3.7, and as per divine directions in that Verse, it is not for human beings to interpret such Verses. They have to accept whatever Allah has stated. ====================================================
 2. Waatayna moosa alkitaba wajaAAalnahu hudan libanee isra-eela alla tattakhithoo min doonee wakeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. And We gave Moses the Book and made it a guidance to the Children of Israel, “Take no trustee other than Me!” ===================================
3. Thurriyyata man hamalna maAAa noohin innahu kana AAabdan shakooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. They were offspring of those whom We bore with Noah on the Ark. He was indeed a grateful devotee. ===================================
4. Waqadayna ila banee isra-eela fee alkitabi latufsidunna fee al-ardi marratayni walataAAlunna AAuluwwan kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. And We had decreed, in the Book, to the Children of Israel, “You will surely make mischief on the earth twice, and you will surely behave highly insolent.” ===================================
5. Fa-itha jaa waAAdu oolahuma baAAathna AAalaykum AAibadan lana olee ba/sin shadeedin fajasoo khilala alddiyari wakana waAAdan mafAAoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. So when the first of the two prophecies came to pass, We let loose over you Our servants of mighty strength; and they ravaged through the houses. And it was a prophecy accomplished.2
------------------------------------------------------------
2. I.e. this prophecy about the Children of Israel had already come to pass at the time the Qur’aan was revealed. They were at the zenith of their power during the time of Prophet-king Solomon. But soon afterwards, their public and private lives got gradually corrupted heralding their downfall. The process took about a thousand years till at last in A.D. 70, the Romans destroyed the Israeli state completely and banished the Jews out of Palestine. The Jewish diaspora continued for nearly 2000 years till recently, in the 20th century, a series of political manouvres brought them back, and they started their new State of Israel in the Middle East region. ====================================================
 6. Thumma radadna lakumu alkarrata AAalayhim waamdadnakum bi-amwalin wabaneena wajaAAalnakum akthara nafeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Then We gave you back the turn to prevail against them, and aided you with wealth and children and made you a numerous predominant force.3
------------------------------------------------------------
3. The divine statement in this Verse is in the past tense. It is therefore generally believed that the position described here had also taken place before the revelation of the Qur’aan. But, for Allah, time is relative, and the Qur’aan often speaks of events in the Hereafter in the past tense. The position described here does well fit the position the Jews are now in, in the present age. ====================================================
7. In ahsantum ahsantum li-anfusikum wa-in asa/tum falaha fa-itha jaa waAAdu al-akhirati liyasoo-oo wujoohakum waliyadkhuloo almasjida kama dakhaloohu awwala marratin waliyutabbiroo ma AAalaw tatbeera
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. If you do good deeds, you do it for your own good. And if you do bad deeds, you do it to your own detriment. So when the second prophecy would come so that they (your enemies) disgrace you and enter the Place of Worship as they had entered it the first time, and that they might destroy utterly whatever they lay their hands on.4
------------------------------------------------------------
4. Unlike in Verse 5 above, this Verse does not end by saying that the prophecy is accomplished. Moreover the destruction wrought by the Romans in AD 70 was not as total or complete as this Verse would indicate. Verse 104 of this very Qur’aanic Chapter 17, gives yet another indication that the 2nd of the 2 prophecies mentioned in Verse 4 above is yet to come. ====================================================
8. AAasa rabbukum an yarhamakum wa-in AAudtum AAudna wajaAAalna jahannama lilkafireena haseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. It may be that your Lord will have mercy on you. And if you revert to disobedience, We too will revert to punishing you. And We have made Hell a prison for those who suppress the Truth. ===================================
9. Inna hatha alqur-ana yahdee lillatee hiya aqwamu wayubashshiru almu/mineena allatheena yaAAmaloona alssalihati anna lahum ajran kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. This Qur’aan does indeed guide to that which is the best and gives the good news to the believers, who do good work, that they shall have a great reward. ===================================
10. Waanna allatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati aAAtadna lahum AAathaban aleeman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. And that We have prepared a painful punishment for those who do not believe in the Hereafter. ===================================
11. WayadAAu al-insanu bialshsharri duAAaahu bialkhayri wakana al-insanu AAajoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. And man prays for evil as he ought to pray for good. And man is ever hasty. ===================================
12. WajaAAalna allayla waalnnahara ayatayni famahawna ayata allayli wajaAAalna ayata alnnahari mubsiratan litabtaghoo fadlan min rabbikum walitaAAlamoo AAadada alssineena waalhisaba wakulla shay-in fassalnahu tafseelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. And We have made the night and the day as two signs. We efface the sign of the night and make the sign of the day clear, so that you may seek favour from your Lord, know the calendar and keep accounts. And We have explained everything in details. ===================================
13. Wakulla insanin alzamnahu ta-irahu fee AAunuqihi wanukhriju lahu yawma alqiyamati kitaban yalqahu manshooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. And We have tied every man's actions to his neck. And We will bring out for him on the Resurrection Day a record thrown wide open. ===================================
14. Iqra/ kitabaka kafa binafsika alyawma AAalayka haseeban
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. “Read your record! You yourself are sufficient as an auditor against you this day.” ===================================
15. Mani ihtada fa-innama yahtadee linafsihi waman dalla fa-innama yadillu AAalayha wala taziru waziratun wizra okhra wama kunna muAAaththibeena hatta nabAAatha rasoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. One that goes on the right path does so for one’s own self. And one that goes astray does so to one’s own detriment. And no bearer of a burden bears the burden of another, nor do We punish until We send a Messenger. ===================================
16. Wa-itha aradna an nuhlika qaryatan amarna mutrafeeha fafasaqoo feeha fahaqqa AAalayha alqawlu fadammarnaha tadmeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandment to its wealthy people who lead easy lives, but they defiantly disobey! So the divine Word takes effect against that town, and We deal with it destructively. ===================================
17. Wakam ahlakna mina alqurooni min baAAdi noohin wakafa birabbika bithunoobi AAibadihi khabeeran baseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. And many a generation, after Noah, did We destroy! And your Lord has a sufficient knowledge of and is a sufficient Witness to His servants' faults/mistakes/sins. ===================================
18. Man kana yureedu alAAajilata AAajjalna lahu feeha ma nashao liman nureedu thumma jaAAalna lahu jahannama yaslaha mathmooman madhooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. As for one who desires instant gains in this present life, We do hasten therein, to whom We will, what We please. Then We make the Hell burn, to disgrace and reject that one. ===================================
19. Waman arada al-akhirata wasaAAa laha saAAyaha wahuwa mu/minun faola-ika kana saAAyuhum mashkooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. And as for one who desires the Hereafter and strives for it as one ought to strive and is a believer, the strivings of such people are duly accepted. ===================================
20. Kullan numiddu haola-i wahaola-i min AAata-i rabbika wama kana AAatao rabbika mahthooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. We do aid all - these (mentioned in Verse 19 above) as well as those (mentioned in Verse 18 above) - out of things gifted by your Lord. And the gits (like air and water) of your Lord are not restricted. ===================================
21. Onthur kayfa faddalna baAAdahum AAala baAAdin walal-akhiratu akbaru darajatin waakbaru tafdeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. See how We have favoured some of them over others. And, of course, the Hereafter is much superior in ranks and favours. ===================================
22. La tajAAal maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara fataqAAuda mathmooman makhthoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 Worship none but Allah lest you remain disgraced, forsaken. ===================================
23. Waqada rabbuka alla taAAbudoo illa iyyahu wabialwalidayni ihsanan imma yablughanna AAindaka alkibara ahaduhuma aw kilahuma fala taqul lahuma offin wala tanharhuma waqul lahuma qawlan kareeman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23. And your Lord has commanded that you shall worship none but Him, and that you shall be good to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age while with you, you shall not utter even a word of the slightest annoyance or reproach to them. And speak to them kindly. ===================================
24. Waikhfid lahuma janaha alththulli mina alrrahmati waqul rabbi irhamhuma kama rabbayanee sagheeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24. And be submissively and compassionately protective of them, and pray, “O my Lord! Have mercy on them just as they brought me up during my childhood.” ===================================
25. Rabbukum aAAlamu bima fee nufoosikum in takoonoo saliheena fa-innahu kana lil-awwabeena ghafooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25. Your Lord knows what is in your minds. If you are good, then He does indeed forgive those who often turn to Him in penitence. ===================================
26. Waati tha alqurba haqqahu waalmiskeena waibna alssabeeli wala tubaththir tabtheeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26. And give to the near of kin his due, and to the needy and the wayfarer their dues. And be not a spendthrift. ===================================
27. Inna almubaththireena kanoo ikhwana alshshayateeni wakana alshshaytanu lirabbihi kafooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27. Indeed, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Satans and the Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord. ===================================
28. Wa-imma tuAAridanna AAanhumu ibtighaa rahmatin min rabbika tarjooha faqul lahum qawlan maysooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28. And if you are not at all in a position to help them5 out and seek mercy, you expect, from your Lord, speak to them a kind word.
------------------------------------------------------------
5. I. e., those mentioned in Verse 26 above. ====================================================
29. Wala tajAAal yadaka maghloolatan ila AAunuqika wala tabsutha kulla albasti fataqAAuda malooman mahsooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29. And do not make your hand tied to your neck nor extend it to its utmost limit, lest you should be left blamed and impoverished. ===================================
30. Inna rabbaka yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru innahu kana biAAibadihi khabeeran baseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. Your Lord does indeed expand the means of subsistence for whom He wills and restricts them for whom He wills. He does indeed have full knowledge of and does constantly observe His creatures that always ought to obey Him. ===================================
31. Wala taqtuloo awladakum khashyata imlaqin nahnu narzuquhum wa-iyyakum inna qatlahum kana khit-an kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31. And kill not your children for fear of poverty. We give them sustenance as We give it to you. Killing them is indeed a great wrong.6
------------------------------------------------------------
6. Killing the children in the mothers’ wombs (abortions), without even a medical necessity for it, is a modern day reprehensible rage. ====================================================
32. Wala taqraboo alzzina innahu kana fahishatan wasaa sabeelan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32. And go not near fornication! It is indeed an abomination and an evil path.
=================================== 
33. Wala taqtuloo alnnafsa allatee harrama Allahu illa bialhaqqi waman qutila mathlooman faqad jaAAalna liwaliyyihi sultanan fala yusrif fee alqatli innahu kana mansooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33. And do not kill any one, whose killing Allah has forbidden, unless duly authorized to do so. And whoever is slain unjustly, We have of course given to his heir power to retaliate. But let him not then exceed just limits in killing. He does indeed deserve help.7
------------------------------------------------------------
7. Please see Verse 2.178 and the notes thereunder of theses Studies. Akhihi in that Verse could be construed to mean the same as waliyyihi in this Verse. ====================================================
34. Wala taqraboo mala alyateemi illa biallatee hiya ahsanu hatta yablugha ashuddahu waawfoo bialAAahdi inna alAAahda kana mas-oolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34. And come not near the property of the orphan except as propriety demands till he attains his maturity.8. And keep the promise you make. The promise shall indeed be questioned about.
------------------------------------------------------------
8. Please see study note 2.407 under Verse 2.220 in this context. ====================================================
35. Waawfoo alkayla itha kiltum wazinoo bialqistasi almustaqeemi thalika khayrun waahsanu ta/weelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35. And give full measure when you give anything by measure, and weigh with a true balance. This is fair and yields a better result in the end. ===================================
36. Wala taqfu ma laysa laka bihi AAilmun inna alssamAAa waalbasara waalfu-ada kullu ola-ika kana AAanhu mas-oolan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. And follow not that of which you have no knowledge! The hearing, the sight and the mind shall all be questioned thereon. ===================================
37. Wala tamshi fee al-ardi marahan innaka lan takhriqa al-arda walan tablugha aljibala toolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37. And walk not on earth exultantly, for you cannot tear the earth nor reach the mountains in height. ===================================
38. Kullu thalika kana sayyi-ohu AAinda rabbika makroohan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38. All that - the evil thereof - is hateful in the sight of your Lord. ===================================
39. Thalika mimma awha ilayka rabbuka mina alhikmati wala tajAAal maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara fatulqa fee jahannama malooman madhooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39. This is of what your Lord has revealed to you of wisdom. And worship not any god other than Allah lest you should be thrown into Hell, blamed, rejected. ===================================
40. Afaasfakum rabbukum bialbaneena waittakhatha mina almala-ikati inathan innakum lataqooloona qawlan AAatheeman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40. Has then your Lord chosen sons for you, and taken daughters for Himself from among the angels!? What you say is indeed very grave! ===================================
41. Walaqad sarrafna fee hatha alqur-ani liyaththakkaroo wama yazeeduhum illa nufooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41. And We certainly have explained things variously in this Quran that they may take heed. But it adds nothing but aversion to their credit! ===================================
42. Qul law kana maAAahu alihatun kama yaqooloona ithan laibtaghaw ila thee alAAarshi sabeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42. Say, “If, as they say, there were other gods along with Him, then certainly they would have sought a way to the Lord of the Throne.”8
------------------------------------------------------------
8. The concept of divinity, in Islam, is absolutely unitary. Not a leaf falls, but He knows it. The absolute divine Power (Allah) knows, hears, sees and controls everything in the entire universe He has created. HE is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Everything in the universe is His creation, and no creature of His can have the same powers as He has. So there can be none worthy of worship but He.
Even so, most of mankind indulges in the belief that there are entities, other than Allah, that enjoy divine powers. The Verse here dispels this erroneous belief in no uncertain terms. Had there been such entities with divine powers, every one of them would have tried to usurp the supreme power for himself. And there would be nothing but chaos in the universe. ====================================================
 43. Subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yaqooloona AAuluwwan kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43. Glorified He is and exalted extremely high above what they say. ===================================
44. Tusabbihu lahu alssamawatu alssabAAu waal-ardu waman feehinna wa-in min shay-in illa yusabbihu bihamdihi walakin la tafqahoona tasbeehahum innahu kana haleeman ghafooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44. The seven heavens, the earth and whoever or whatever is in them declare His glory. And there is not a thing but glorifies Him with His praise, but their glorification you understand not.9 He is indeed Considerate, Forgiving.
------------------------------------------------------------
9. Take a particle of sand on a seashore, for example. Along with millions like it, it helps mankind in the constructions of their buildings. There are many other uses - like making glass – that it can be put to. Every other thing, likewise, has its own uses and/or purposes, known or unknown to man. By being mutely so helpful and faithfully doing its given part in the divine scheme of things, every thing is, so to say, singing the Creator’s praise for His meticulouis attention to details in the creation and sustenance of the entire universe. But man, alas, for whom apparently all things are made subservient, understands this not and arrogantly assumes that he is the lord of what he surveys around him. He fails to recognize his own Creator! ====================================================
 45. Wa-itha qara/ta alqur-ana jaAAalna baynaka wabayna allatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati hijaban mastooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45. And when you recite the Qur’aan, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a hidden barrier. ===================================
46. WajaAAalna AAala quloobihim akinnatan an yafqahoohu wafee athanihim waqran wa-itha thakarta rabbaka fee alqur-ani wahdahu wallaw AAala adbarihim nufooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46. And We have placed a veil on their hearts and deafness in their ears lest they understand it. And when you mention only your Lord (and not their deities other than Allah) in the Qur’aan, they turn their backs in aversion. ===================================
47. Nahnu aAAlamu bima yastamiAAoona bihi ith yastamiAAoona ilayka wa-ith hum najwa ith yaqoolu alththalimoona in tattabiAAoona illa rajulan mashooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47. We know best what they listen to when they listen to you, and when they talk secretly among themselves. Then the wicked people say, “You follow none but one who is under a magic spell.” ===================================
48. Onthur kayfa daraboo laka al-amthala fadalloo fala yastateeAAoona sabeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48. See what they liken you to! That is because they have gone astray and cannot find the way. ===================================
49. Waqaloo a-itha kunna AAithaman warufatan a-inna lamabAAoothoona khalqan jadeedan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49. And they ask, “When we shall have become bones and dust (after death), shall we even then be raised up as a new creation!?10”
------------------------------------------------------------
10. This concept of being raised to life again after being dead and turned to dust might have been a little more difficult to digest for people at the time of revelation of the Qur’aan. But, now, when man is endowed with advanced knowledge in genetics and has even been able to get a clone of an animal from a tiny cell of the original, he should be in a better position to understand that the Creator ahould be able to resurrect him after death. Man now knows that even the tiniest particle of his dead body would contain his DNA mapping his entire history. ====================================================
50. Qul koonoo hijaratan aw hadeedan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50. Say, “Even when you become stones or iron, ===================================
51. Aw khalqan mimma yakburu fee sudoorikum fasayaqooloona man yuAAeeduna quli allathee fatarakum awwala marratin fasayunghidoona ilayka ruoosahum wayaqooloona mata huwa qul AAasa an yakoona qareeban
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51. “Or some other creation that are too hard to be revived to life in your minds!” Then they will ask, “Who will revive us?” Say, “He Who created you the first time.” Then they will shake their heads at you in disbelief and say, “When will it be?” Say, “Maybe it is near.11”
------------------------------------------------------------
11. So far as man’s conscious life is concerned, the Day of Resurrection is due within a few hours of his death. For, on that day he will have the impression that he was in the grave for only a little while (see the next Verse 52), although he might have, in fact, remained there for centuries. ====================================================
52. Yawma yadAAookum fatastajeeboona (in disbeliefbihamdihi watathunnoona in labithtum illa qaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
52. On that Day of Resurrection, He will call you, and you shall respond uttering His praise. And you will think that you had remained in the grave for only a little while. ===================================
53. Waqul liAAibadee yaqooloo allatee hiya ahsanu inna alshshaytana yanzaghu baynahum inna alshshaytana kana lil-insani AAaduwwan mubeenan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53. And say to My human creatures, who all ought to obey Me, that they speak that which is most appropriate and proper. Indeed, the Satan sows discord among them. The Satan is indeed an open enemy to man. ===================================
54. Rabbukum aAAlamu bikum in yasha/ yarhamkum aw in yasha/ yuAAaththibkum wama arsalnaka AAalayhim wakeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
54. Your Lord knows you. He will have mercy on you, or He will punish you as He wills. And We have not sent you as their guardian. ===================================
55. Warabbuka aAAlamu biman fee alssamawati waal-ardi walaqad faddalna baAAda alnnabiyyeena AAala baAAdin waatayna dawooda zabooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
55. And your Lord well knows those who are in the heavens and the earth. And We have certainly favoured some of the prophets over others. And We gave Dawood the Psalms. ===================================
56. Quli odAAu allatheena zaAAamtum min doonihi fala yamlikoona kashfa alddurri AAankum wala tahweelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
56. Say, “Call on whom you want to, besides Him! They cannot remove the distress from you nor can they change it.” ===================================
57. Ola-ika allatheena yadAAoona yabtaghoona ila rabbihimu alwaseelata ayyuhum aqrabu wayarjoona rahmatahu wayakhafoona AAathabahu inna AAathaba rabbika kana mahthooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57. They themselves - whom they call upon - seek the means of getting closest, among themselves, to their Lord. And they hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, the punishment of your Lord is a thing to be afraid of. ===================================
58. Wa-in min qaryatin illa nahnu muhlikooha qabla yawmi alqiyamati aw muAAaththibooha AAathaban shadeedan kana thalika fee alkitabi mastooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58. And not a village/town/city but We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment. This stands recorded in the Divine Ordinance. ===================================
59. Wama manaAAana an nursila bial-ayati illa an kaththaba biha al-awwaloona waatayna thamooda alnnaqata mubsiratan fathalamoo biha wama nursilu bial-ayati illa takhweefan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
59. And nothing prevented Us from sending miracles except that the ancients rejected them. And We gave Samood the she-camel - a manifest miracle - but they wronged her.12 And We do not send miracles but to warn.13
------------------------------------------------------------
12. See Verse 7.73.
13. Earlier peoples like those to whom Prophets Salih (Samood/Thamood), Moses (Pharaoh’s) and Jesus (Jews) were given some extraordinary signs (miracles). The miracles were not sent, but as warnings. Upon their disregarding the warnings, the Thamood and Pharaoh’s people were destroyed. The Jews too were substantially destroyed in A.D. 70, and the remnants were banished from their homeland to live as insignificant minorities in different parts of the world. The remnants were given another chance to redeem themselves. Would they? ====================================================
 60. Wa-ith qulna laka inna rabbaka ahata bialnnasi wama jaAAalna alrru/ya allatee araynaka illa fitnatan lilnnasi waalshshajarata almalAAoonata fee alqur-ani wanukhawwifuhum fama yazeeduhum illa tughyanan kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60. And We did say to you, “Your Lord has indeed kept mankind under His control.14 And We did not make the vision15 which We showed you – as also the tree16 cursed in the Qur’aan - but a trial for mankind.17 And We warn them. But it only adds to their utter transgression.”
------------------------------------------------------------
14. Mankind should not misconstrue the apparent latitude given to wicked persons in this worldly life. Allah has full control over them. HE will deal with them as and when He deems it appropriate. Remember what happened to Hitler. The latitude given is one of several ways in which Allah tests the believers’ belief in Him.
15. See Verse 17.1 above and study notes thereunder.
16. See Verses 37.62 to 37.66.
17. Verses 17.1 and 37.62 to 37.66 are mutashabihaat in terms of Verse 3.7. Allah has warned us in that Verse (3.7) that we should not interpret such Verses with our own error-prone opinions and that we should unquestioningly accept whatever Allah has told us in such Verses. It is indeed sad that we nevertheless persist in our own interpretations thereof. The mutashabihaat are yet another divine way to test the believers’ belief in Allah ====================================================
 61. Wa-ith qulna lilmala-ikati osjudoo li-adama fasajadoo illa ibleesa qala aasjudu liman khalaqta teenan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
61. And when We asked the angels to prostrate to Adam, they prostrated. But Iblis did not. He said, “Shall I prostrate to him whom You have created of dust?” ===================================
62. Qala araaytaka hatha allathee karramta AAalayya la-in akhkhartani ila yawmi alqiyamati laahtanikanna thurriyyatahu illa qaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62. He said, “Do you see whom You have honored above me? If You should give me parole till the Day of Resurrection, I will most certainly cause his progeny to perish but for a few of them.” ===================================
63. Qala ithhab faman tabiAAaka minhum fa-inna jahannama jazaokum jazaan mawfooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63. Allah said, “Get out of here! And Hell is the due recompense to you and to all those who, among them, will follow you.” ===================================
64. Waistafziz mani istataAAta minhum bisawtika waajlib AAalayhim bikhaylika warajlika washarik-hum fee al-amwali waal-awladi waAAidhum wama yaAAiduhumu alshshaytanu illa ghurooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
64. “And beguile whom you can of them with your voice, and cover them with your thinking and your behaviour,18 and be their partner in wealth and children,19 and feed them with promises.” And the Satan promises them not but to deceive.
------------------------------------------------------------
18. The Satan, in the voices of his pals among mankind, has indeed succeeded in weaning most other human beings away from the Qur’aanic Straight Path. He has done so in various subtle ways. He has incited some of his human pals to tell others of their kind that Islam is an ‘evil’ religion. They cite terrorist activities that take place in different parts of the world and say that most of these are perpetrated by Muslims. They conveniently slide over many atrocities done by non-Muslims. Satan’s human pals have infiltrated the Muslim ranks too! These pals tell other Muslims that reading the Qur’aan in Arabic, even without understanding it at all, gives the reader ample rewards. So the reader does not bother to take the trouble of understanding what he reads. He is content with the false Satan-inspired thought that the mere parrot-like reading of the Qur’aan can take him to Jannah and save him from Hell-fire, whatever bad deeds he might have done in this worldly life. And that is enough for him. He does not aspire for higher ranks in Jannah, which he could attain to, as per his thinking, only after understanding what he reads in the Qur’aan. Other ‘Muslim’ pals of the Satan seduce other Muslims by telling them that they could get salvation and/or worldly benefits only through the intervention of AwliyaAllah and the Prophet (peace on him). So they visit their graves to plead for their intervention, thus leading them to the unpardonable sin of shirk. There could be hundreds of such ways in which the Satan seduces man. I doubt whether even one voluminous book could be enough to contain all his ways and means.
19. Satan partners man in accumulating ill-begotten wealth and convinces him that such wealth is necessary for the well-being of his children. ====================================================
 65. Inna AAibadee laysa laka AAalayhim sultanun wakafa birabbika wakeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65. “Indeed, you have no authority over all whom I have created and who all obey Me. And your Lord is sufficient as a Guardian of their interests.” ===================================
66. Rabbukumu allathee yuzjee lakumu alfulka fee albahri litabtaghoo min fadlihi innahu kana bikum raheeman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
66. Your Lord is He Who navigates the ships for you in the sea that you may seek things out of His grace. He is indeed ever Merciful to you. ===================================
67. Wa-itha massakumu alddurru fee albahri dalla man tadAAoona illa iyyahu falamma najjakum ila albarri aAAradtum wakana al-insanu kafooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
67. And when, while in the sea, distress strikes you, all, but He, whom you pray to, desert you. Then when He brings you back safe to the land, you turn away from Him. And man is ever ungrateful. ===================================
68. Afaamintum an yakhsifa bikum janiba albarri aw yursila AAalaykum hasiban thumma la tajidoo lakum wakeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68. Do you then feel secure that He will not crush you under a landslide or send upon you a violent storm? Then you may not find anyone to save you. ===================================
69. Am amintum an yuAAeedakum feehi taratan okhra fayursila AAalaykum qasifan mina alrreehi fayughriqakum bima kafartum thumma la tajidoo lakum AAalayna bihi tabeeAAan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
69. Or, do you feel secure that He will not take you back into it (sea) another time, then send on you a stormy wind and thus drown you on account of your ungratefulness? Then you may not find anyone to help you against Us in the matter. ===================================
70. Walaqad karramna banee adama wahamalnahum fee albarri waalbahri warazaqnahum mina alttayyibati wafaddalnahum AAala katheerin mimman khalaqna tafdeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70. And verily We have been liberal to the children of Adam, and We have carried them in the land and the sea, and We have provided them with wholesome good things, and We have preferred them, in granting favours, over most of our creations. ===================================
71. Yawma nadAAoo kulla onasin bi-imamihim faman ootiya kitabahu biyameenihi faola-ika yaqraoona kitabahum wala yuthlamoona fateelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
71. On the Day of Resurrection, We will call every people with their Imam. Then those, every one of whom will be given his book in his right hand, shall read their books. And they shall not be wronged a bit. ===================================
72. Waman kana fee hathihi aAAma fahuwa fee al-akhirati aAAma waadallu sabeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72. And he, who is blind in this world and has strayed away from the Path, shall also be blind in the Hereafter. ===================================
73. Wa-in kadoo layaftinoonaka AAani allathee awhayna ilayka litaftariya AAalayna ghayrahu wa-ithan laittakhathooka khaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73. And, indeed, they wanted to turn you away from that which We have revealed to you, so that you concoct against Us something else. And then they would certainly have taken you as a friend.20
------------------------------------------------------------
20. History is witness to the fact that those non-believers, at the time of revelation of the Qur’aan, could not succeed in their nefarious intentions. But, now, we are witness to the nefarious activities of driving Muslims away from the Qur’aanic teachings by misinterpreting Qur’aanic Verses on the basis of man-influenced, error-prone ahaadeeth. These activities now have apparently succeeded to a large extent. ====================================================
74. Walawla an thabbatnaka laqad kidta tarkanu ilayhim shay-an qaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74. And had We not made you firm, you would certainly have nearly inclined to them a little. ===================================
75. Ithan laathaqnaka diAAfa alhayati wadiAAfa almamati thumma la tajidu laka AAalayna naseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
75. In that case We would certainly have doubled for you the suffering in life and in death. Then you would not have found any one to help you against Us. ===================================
76. Wa-in kadoo layastafizzoonaka mina al-ardi liyukhrijooka minha wa-ithan la yalbathoona khilafaka illa qaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76. And, indeed, they wanted to make you unsettled in the land in order to drive you therefrom. And in that case they would not have lived there after you but a little.21
------------------------------------------------------------
21. I.e., Allah would have destroyed them. ====================================================
77. Sunnata man qad arsalna qablaka min rusulina wala tajidu lisunnatina tahweelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
77. This was Our custom with regard to those of Our Messengers whom We had sent before you, and you shall find no change in Our custom. ===================================
78. Aqimi alssalata lidulooki alshshamsi ila ghasaqi allayli waqur-ana alfajri inna qur-ana alfajri kana mashhoodan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
78. Establish ritual prayer during the interval from the time the sun sets till the darkness of the night spreads completely. And recite the Qur’aan at dawn. The recitation at dawn is indeed to be in the presence of a congregation.22
------------------------------------------------------------
22. This is the first Verse in the chronological order of revelation prescribing a fixed time for a ritual prayer (salah). The time fixed here is dusk. Along with the ritual prayer at dusk, the believers were asked to read the Qur’aan in a congregation at dawn. Refer study notes 451 to 455 on Verse 2.238 in this regard. ====================================================
79. Wamina allayli fatahajjad bihi nafilatan laka AAasa an yabAAathaka rabbuka maqaman mahmoodan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
79. And keep awake part of the night reciting it (Qur’aan). This is an additional thing for you (the Messenger) to do. Maybe your Lord will raise you to a praiseworthy position.23
------------------------------------------------------------
23. It appears that this Verse is taken as the Qur’aanic basis for the tahajjud and nafl prayers observed by the Muslims today. However, this Verse asked only the Prophet (peace on him), personally, to recite and study the Qur’aan, in addition to the public dawn recitation prescribed in the preceding Verse. As the chosen man to lead the Muslim Ummah, the Prophet had to perform this additional duty of getting himself well-acquainted with the Qur’aanic portion he would be going to recite in public at dawn. It was like a college professor preparing for his lecture next day. And history is witness to the fact that the divine promise to the Prophet made in this Verse, has indeed been fulfilled even so far as this world is concerned. ====================================================
 80. Waqul rabbi adkhilnee mudkhala sidqin waakhrijnee mukhraja sidqin waijAAal lee min ladunka sultanan naseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80. And say, “My Lord! Grant me a truly sound entry into and a truly sound exit from any course of action I undertake in this world. And My Lord! Grant me Your powerful support in whatever good I do.” ===================================
81. Waqul jaa alhaqqu wazahaqa albatilu inna albatila kana zahooqan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81. And say, “The Truth has come and the falsehood has perished. The falsehood is bound to perish.” ===================================
82. Wanunazzilu mina alqur-ani ma huwa shifaon warahmatun lilmu/mineena wala yazeedu alththalimeena illa khasaran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
82. And We reveal of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers. And it adds to nothing but doom of the wicked people. ===================================
83. Wa-itha anAAamna AAala al-insani aAArada wanaa bijanibihi wa-itha massahu alshsharru kana yaoosan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83. And when We bestow some favour on man, he keeps himself arrogantly aloof. And when anything bad happens to him, he is in despair. ===================================
84. Qul kullun yaAAmalu AAala shakilatihi farabbukum aAAlamu biman huwa ahda sabeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
84. Say, “Every one goes his own way. And your Lord knows who it is that is guided to the right path.” ===================================
85. Wayas-aloonaka AAani alrroohi quli alrroohu min amri rabbee wama ooteetum mina alAAilmi illa qaleelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
85. And they ask you about the soul. Say, “The soul is one of the commands of my Lord. And you are not given knowledge but a little thereof.”24
------------------------------------------------------------
24. In this context I am reminded of what a famous scientist (I think, he was Faraday) once said that they (the scientists) were picking up just some pebbles on the vast sea-shore of knowledge. ====================================================
86. Wala-in shi/na lanathhabanna biallathee awhayna ilayka thumma la tajidu laka bihi AAalayna wakeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
86. And if We so will, We should certainly take away that which We have revealed to you. Then you would not find anyone to guard it for you against Our doing so. ===================================
87. Illa rahmatan min rabbika inna fadlahu kana AAalayka kabeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
87. Except for mercy from your Lord. His favour is indeed abundant upon you. ===================================
88. Qul la-ini ijtamaAAati al-insu waaljinnu AAala an ya/too bimithli hatha alqur-ani la ya/toona bimithlihi walaw kana baAAduhum libaAAdin thaheeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
88. Say, “Even if men and jinn should join together and help each other to bring about the like of this Quran, they would not be able to bring the like of it.” ===================================
89. Walaqad sarrafna lilnnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin faaba aktharu alnnasi illa kufooran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
89. And certainly, in this Quran, We have variously explained, for men, every aspect of life. But most men do not but reject it.25
------------------------------------------------------------
25. And in Verse 12.111, the Qur’aan tells us that it contains detailed explanation of everything. These two Verses, and many others in the Qur’aan, unmistakably tell mankind that it is a self-sufficient Book of Guidance on all aspects of Islamic way of life. Please refer article Qur’aan – the Self-sufficient Source for Islam, an in this context. ====================================================
90. Waqaloo lan nu/mina laka hatta tafjura lana mina al-ardi yanbooAAan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
90. And they say, “We will not believe in you until you cause a fountain to gush forth from the earth for us.” ===================================
91. Aw takoona laka jannatun min nakheelin waAAinabin fatufajjira al-anhara khilalaha tafjeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
91. “Or there are for you a garden of date-palms and grape-vines with rivers flowing luxuriously through them.” ===================================
92. Aw tusqita alssamaa kama zaAAamta AAalayna kisafan aw ta/tiya biAllahi waalmala-ikati qabeelan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
92. “Or you cause the heaven to come down upon us in pieces as you think, or you bring Allah and the angels before us.” ===================================
93. Aw yakoona laka baytun min zukhrufin aw tarqa fee alssama-i walan nu/mina liruqiyyika hatta tunazzila AAalayna kitaban naqraohu qul subhana rabbee hal kuntu illa basharan rasoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
93. “Or you have a house of gold, or you ascend into heaven, and we will not believe in your ascent until you bring down to us a book for us to read.” Say, “Glorified is to my Lord! Am I anything but a mortal man sent with a divine Message?” ===================================
94. Wama manaAAa alnnasa an yu/minoo ith jaahumu alhuda illa an qaloo abaAAatha Allahu basharan rasoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
94. And nothing prevented people from believing when the divine Guidance came to them except for what they said, “Has Allah raised a mortal man as His Messenger!?” ===================================
95. Qul law kana fee al-ardi mala-ikatun yamshoona mutma-inneena lanazzalna AAalayhim mina alssama-i malakan rasoolan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
95. Say, “Had angels been the normal inhabitants on earth, We would certainly have sent down to them from the heaven an angel as divine Messenger.” ===================================
96. Qul kafa biAllahi shaheedan baynee wabaynakum innahu kana biAAibadihi khabeeran baseeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
96. Say, “Allah suffices as a witness between me and you. HE is indeed well aware and minutely observant of all His human creatures.” ===================================
97. Waman yahdi Allahu fahuwa almuhtadi waman yudlil falan tajida lahum awliyaa min doonihi wanahshuruhum yawma alqiyamati AAala wujoohihim AAumyan wabukman wasumman ma/wahum jahannamu kullama khabat zidnahum saAAeeran
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
97. And the one, whom Allah guides, is the one who is guided. And the one, whom He leaves to go astry, you shall not find any awliya26 for him besides Him. And We will gather them together, on the Day of Resurrection, all lying on their faces – blind, dumb and deaf, with their abode is Hell. We will increase the intensity of the blazing Fire for them, whenever it abates.
------------------------------------------------------------
26. Refer study note 2.154.
====================================================
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, India,
10th March, 2010
|
QSV-XXIX
