Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XXVI

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 Ar-Rad Verses 19 to 43, Ibrahim Verses 1 to 52 and Al-Hijr Verse 1.

Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
14th November, 2009

CONTENTS Chapter 13. Ar-Rad Verses 19 to 30 Verses 31 to 43 Chapter 14. Ibrahim Verses 1 to 10 Verses 11 to 20 Verses 21 to 30 Verses 31 to 40 Verses 41 to 52 Chapter 15. Al-Hijr Verse 1 سورة الرعد Chapter 13: Ar-Rad (The Thunder) 19. Afaman yaAAlamu annama onzila ilayka min rabbika alhaqqu kaman huwa aAAma innama yatathakkaru oloo al-albabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19. Is he who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, then, like him who is blind?12 Only those with understanding will mind this, ------------------------------------------------------------ 12. Every Muslim of today should honestly ponder whether he himself deserves to be included in the first category of people who know. Or is he liable to be included in the second category of those who are blind? The Muslim could deserve inclusion in the first category if, and only if, he believes that everything stated in the Qur’aan is the Truth and nothing but the Truth. But, does he? Let us take one example – one among many. The Qur’aan repeatedly asserts that it explains clearly everything that Allah asks man to follow or abide by. Allah has categorically prohibited Ar-Riba. This is an injunction that man has rigorously to follow. Otherwise, the Qur’aan asserts, he is at war with Allah! And, as per the earlier stated Qur’aanic assertion, the term Ar-Riba is clearly explained in the Qur’aan itself. But most Muslims, including well-known Islamic scholars, blasphemously believe that Ar-Riba is not explained in the Qur’aan!! The scholars are therefore busy giving their own definitions of the Qur’aanic term!!! ==================================================== 20. Allatheena yoofoona biAAahdi Allahi wala yanqudoona almeethaqa ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20. Those that fulfill the promise to Allah and break not the covenant,13 ------------------------------------------------------------ 13. The Muslims do, in their daily prayers, make the promise to Allah, “Thee alone we worship; and thee alone we ask for help!” But the moment most of them encounter a problem in this life, they do not hesitate in running to the mazaar of a dead saint or bend over backwards to do anything to please any influential human in a position to help them out, by hook or by crook. And, as Muslims, they have entered into a covenant with Allah that they would strictly abide by every Qur’aanic edict. But do they do that? ==================================================== 21. Waallatheena yasiloona ma amara Allahu bihi an yoosala wayakhshawna rabbahum wayakhafoona soo-a alhisabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21. And those who maintain all the proper relationships that Allah has commanded to be maintained and fear their Lord and dread a bad account of their own deeds. =================================== 22. Waallatheena sabaroo ibtighaa wajhi rabbihim waaqamoo alssalata waanfaqoo mimma razaqnahum sirran waAAalaniyatan wayadraoona bialhasanati alssayyi-ata ola-ika lahum AAuqba alddari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22. And those who exercise patience seeking the pleasure of their Lord, establish regular prayer, spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly, and repel evil with good.  For them is the ultimate/best abode. =================================== 23. Jannatu AAadnin yadkhuloonaha waman salaha min aba-ihim waazwajihim wathurriyyatihim waalmala-ikatu yadkhuloona AAalayhim min kulli babin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23. The gardens of perpetual abode which they will enter along with those who had done good deeds from among their parents and their spouses and their offspring. And the angels will enter in upon them from every gate, saying, =================================== 24. Salamun AAalaykum bima sabartum faniAAma AAuqba alddari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24. “Peace on you because you exercised patience. How excellent, then, is the ultimate/best abode!” =================================== 25. Waallatheena yanqudoona AAahda Allahi min baAAdi meethaqihi wayaqtaAAoona ma amara Allahu bihi an yoosala wayufsidoona fee al-ardi ola-ika lahumu allaAAnatu walahum soo-o alddari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25. And those that break the pledge with Allah after affirming it, sever ties that Allah has ordered to be honoured and spread corruption in the land - for them there is the curse and the wicked abode. =================================== 26. Allahu yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru wafarihoo bialhayati alddunya wama alhayatu alddunya fee al-akhirati illa mataAAun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26. Allah provides - in abundance or in short measure - for whom He wills. And they rejoice the life of this world, and the life of this world is nothing but a delusion in the Hereafter. =================================== 27. Wayaqoolu allatheena kafaroo lawla onzila AAalayhi ayatun min rabbihi qul inna Allaha yudillu man yashao wayahdee ilayhi man anaba ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27. And those who suppress the Truth say, “Why is not a sign sent down upon him from his Lord?” Say, “Allah does indeed let him go astray whom He wills. And He guides to Himself those who turn to Him.” =================================== 28. Allatheena amanoo watatma-innu quloobuhum bithikri Allahi ala bithikri Allahi tatma-innu alquloobu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 28. Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. Surely, in Allah's remembrance hearts do find satisfaction. =================================== 29. Allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati tooba lahum wahusnu maabin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29. Those that believe and do good deeds – for them, a state of happiness and a good place to return to. =================================== 30. Kathalika arsalnaka fee ommatin qad khalat min qabliha omamun litatluwa AAalayhimu allathee awhayna ilayka wahum yakfuroona bialrrahmani qul huwa rabbee la ilaha illa huwa AAalayhi tawakkaltu wa-ilayhi matabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30. Just as We had sent Messengers to their peoples before, We have sent you to these people now, so that you recite to them what We have revealed to you. And they have been suppressing their belief in the Gracious Being! Say, “He is my Lord. There is no god but Him. In Him do I trust and to Him is my return.” =================================== 31. Walaw anna qur-anan suyyirat bihi aljibalu aw quttiAAat bihi al-ardu aw kullima bihi almawta bal lillahi al-amru jameeAAan afalam yay-asi allatheena amanoo an law yashao Allahu lahada alnnasa jameeAAan wala yazalu allatheena kafaroo tuseebuhum bima sanaAAoo qariAAatun aw tahullu qareeban min darihim hatta ya/tiya waAAdu Allahi inna Allaha la yukhlifu almeeAAada ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31.  And the suppressors of the Truth like to think that they would believe if only the mountains were moved by the Qur’aan, or the earth was cut asunder thereby, or the dead were made to speak! But it is Allah Who can do anything and everything. Don’t the believers despair that the suppressors of the Truth would ever come to believe and that had Allah so willed, He could have guided all mankind? And disaster shall not cease to afflict those that suppress the Truth because of what they do, or to strike near their homes, until what Allah has promised comes to pass. And, indeed, Allah fails not to keep the appointment. =================================== 32. Walaqadi istuhzi-a birusulin min qablika faamlaytu lillatheena kafaroo thumma akhathtuhum fakayfa kana AAiqabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 32. And Messengers that came before you did get mocked at. And I gave those that suppressed the Truth a long rope, and then seized them. And what a punishment it was! =================================== 33. Afaman huwa qa-imun AAala kulli nafsin bima kasabat wajaAAaloo lillahi shurakaa qul sammoohum am tunabbi-oonahu bima la yaAAlamu fee al-ardi am bithahirin mina alqawli bal zuyyina lillatheena kafaroo makruhum wasuddoo AAani alssabeeli waman yudlili Allahu fama lahu min hadin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 33. And do they worship others besides Allah Who oversees what everybody earns? Say, “Name them!” Or, do they tell Him something on the earth of which He is not aware? Or, is it just a show that they make with the words they utter? Nay, the intrigue indulged in by the suppressors of the Truth is made to look pleasing to them and they are held back from the Right Path. And he whom Allah has led astray, no one can guide. =================================== 34. Lahum AAathabun fee alhayati alddunya walaAAathabu al-akhirati ashaqqu wama lahum mina Allahi min waqin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34. For them a punishment in the life of this world. And the punishment of the Hereafter is certainly harder. And, there is none to defend them against Allah. =================================== 35. Mathalu aljannati allatee wuAAida almuttaqoona tajree min tahtiha al-anharu okuluha da-imun wathilluha tilka AAuqba allatheena ittaqaw waAAuqba alkafireena alnnaru ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35. Some of the things provided in the Garden promised to those who fear Allah: rivers flowing underneath, its fruits and shade everlasting. This is what those who fear Allah shall get in the end. And those who suppress the Truth shall end up in the Fire. =================================== 36. Waallatheena ataynahumu alkitaba yafrahoona bima onzila ilayka wamina al-ahzabi man yunkiru baAAdahu qul innama omirtu an aAAbuda Allaha wala oshrika bihi ilayhi adAAoo wa-ilayhi maabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 36. And those to whom We have given the Book rejoice in that which has been revealed to you.14 And among groups of people there are some who deny a part of it. Say, “I am commanded that I should worship only Allah and none ekse. Him I pray to and to Him I return.” ------------------------------------------------------------ 14. The divine Book is given to those who believe in it – and not to those who do not believe it to be divine. ==================================================== 37. Wakathalika anzalnahu hukman AAarabiyyan wala-ini ittabaAAta ahwaahum baAAda ma jaaka mina alAAilmi ma laka mina Allahi min waliyyin wala waqin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37. And thus have We revealed it as the divine code of conduct for humanity in Arabic15. And if you follow their desires after what has come to you of knowledge, you shall have neither any wali16 nor anyone to defend you against Allah. ------------------------------------------------------------ 15. It has been clarified in Verses 16.103 and 41.44 that since Allah had chosen an Arab to be His last Prophet for mankind, the Book revealed to this Messenger had necessarily to be in Arabic 16. Refer study note 2.154 ==================================================== 38. Walaqad arsalna rusulan min qablika wajaAAalna lahum azwajan wathurriyyatan wama kana lirasoolin an ya/tiya bi-ayatin illa bi-ithni Allahi likulli ajalin kitabun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 38. And We had certainly send Messengers before you and gave them wives and children.17 And no Messenger could bring a sign save by Allah's leave. 18, 19 For every age there is a Book decreed. ------------------------------------------------------------ 17. This divine statement does indeed give credence to the story among some people that Prphet Jesus (peace on him) did have a wife and children, although most Christians believe that he had not married. 18. There are ahaadeeth galore attributing miraculous acts, like those exhibited by earlier Prophets Jesus, Moses etc., to Prophet Muhammad (peace on him) as well. But as Verse 27 above and many other Verses in the Qur’aan clearly indicate, no such miraculous signs were given to the last Prophet. People in the pre-historic times, who had far less knowledge as compared to people now, needed such signs. But with the proliferation of knowledge among the people now, Allah wants them to search for His signs in the natural phenomena abounding in nature all around them. 19. But in the context of what follows, in this Verse as well as in the next, the Arabic word ayah here could as well mean divine revelation. Most Prophets did not come with divine books individually revealed to them. There were many Prophets between Moses and Jesus, but they all followed the Torah revealed to Moses. ==================================================== 39. Yamhoo Allahu ma yashao wayuthbitu waAAindahu ommu alkitabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39. Allah obliterates or preserves what He wills. And with Him is the Master Copy of the (or the Original) Book. =================================== 40. Wa-in ma nuriyannaka baAAda allathee naAAiduhum aw natawaffayannaka fa-innama AAalayka albalaghu waAAalayna alhisabu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40. And whether We let you see part of what We promise them or We cause you to die before that, your responsibility is only the delivery of the divine Message, and it is for Us to call them to account. =================================== 41. Awa lam yaraw anna na/tee al-arda nanqusuha min atrafiha waAllahu yahkumu la muAAaqqiba lihukmihi wahuwa sareeAAu alhisabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41. Do they not see that We are closing in on them from all sides? And Allah judges; His judgment is irrevocable. And He is swift to keeping accounts. =================================== 42. Waqad makara allatheena min qablihim falillahi almakru jameeAAan yaAAlamu ma taksibu kullu nafsin wasayaAAlamu alkuffaru liman AAuqba alddari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42. And those before them did make plans, but all planning is Allah's.20 He knows what every one earns, and those who suppress the Truth shall come to know for whom the Ultimate Abode is. ------------------------------------------------------------ 20. A man may make a plan for a thing to be done. But that plan will succeed if, and only if, it synchronises with Allah’s. In the ultimate analysis, therefore, it is Allah’s plan that makes anything happen, and not man’s. ==================================================== 43. Wayaqoolu allatheena kafaroo lasta mursalan qul kafa biAllahi shaheedan baynee wabaynakum waman AAindahu AAilmu alkitabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43. And those who suppress the Truth say, “You are not a Messenger of Allah.” Say, “Allah - and whoever has knowledge of the Book - is a sufficient witness between me and you.” =================================== سورة إبراهيم Chapter 14: Ibrahim (Abraham)   In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful 1. Alif-lam-ra kitabun anzalnahu ilayka litukhrija alnnasa mina alththulumati ila alnnoori bi-ithni rabbihim ila sirati alAAazeezi alhameedi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Alif Lam Ra.1 A Book that We have revealed to you to bring out mankind, by their Lord's permission, from darknesses towards light - towards the way of the Al-Mighty, the Praised One, ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Refer study note 2.1 as regards such initials appearing at the start of some Qur’aanic Chapters. ==================================================== 2. Allahi allathee lahu ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi wawaylun lilkafireena min AAathabin shadeedin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Allah, to Whom belongs whatever there is in the heavens and the earth. And woe unto those who suppress the Truth; for, they shall suffer severe punishment, =================================== 3. Allatheena yastahibboona alhayata alddunya AAala al-akhirati wayasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan ola-ika fee dalalin baAAeedin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Those who love the life of this world more than the Hereafter, and turn people away from Allah's Path and seek crookedness2 in it. They have strayed far away from the Right Path. ------------------------------------------------------------ 2. One could understand non-Muslims seeking faults in the Qur’aan, the only authentic source depicting Allah’s Path. But there are many of those who call themselves Muslims, and yet find faults in the divine Book. They say, despite repeated assertions therein to the contrary, that the Book does not have all the necessary explanations. [Refer study note 12 on Verse 13.19 herein above.] So the Muslims are busy searching ‘what Allah has missed’ in books other than the Qur’aan or are busy concocting their own explanations. ==================================================== 4. Wama arsalna min rasoolin illa bilisani qawmihi liyubayyina lahum fayudillu Allahu man yashao wayahdee man yashao wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. And We did not send any Messenger but with Our Message in the language of his people, so that he might explain to them clearly. Allah then leaves whom He wills to stray away from His Path and He guides whom He wills to His Path. And He is the Almighty, the Wise. =================================== 5. Walaqad arsalna moosa bi-ayatina an akhrij qawmaka mina alththulumati ila alnnoori wathakkirhum bi-ayyami Allahi inna fee thalika laayatin likulli sabbarin shakoorin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. And We did send Moses with Our signs, “Bring out your people from the darknesses towards light and remind them of the annals of Allah. Therein indeed are signs for everyone who is patient and grateful.” =================================== 6. Wa-ith qala moosa liqawmihi othkuroo niAAmata Allahi AAalaykum ith anjakum min ali firAAawna yasoomoonakum soo-a alAAathabi wayuthabbihoona abnaakum wayastahyoona nisaakum wafee thalikum balaon min rabbikum AAatheemun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. And when Moses said to his people, “Remember Allah's favour upon you when He delivered you from Pharaoh's people who had subjected you to severe persecution, and killed your sons and spared your women. And in this there was a great test from your Lord.” =================================== 7. Wa-ith taaththana rabbukum la-in shakartum laazeedannakum wala-in kafartum inna AAathabee lashadeedun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. And when your Lord declared, “If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. And if you are ungrateful, My punishment is indeed severe.” =================================== 8. Waqala moosa in takfuroo antum waman fee al-ardi jameeAAan fa-inna Allaha laghaniyyun hameedun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8. And Moses said, “Even if you are ungrateful, - you and those on earth all together, - Allah certainly indeed can do without you being grateful to Him. HE is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy.” =================================== 9. Alam ya/tikum nabao allatheena min qablikum qawmi noohin waAAadin wathamooda waallatheena min baAAdihim la yaAAlamuhum illa Allahu jaat-hum rusuluhum bialbayyinati faraddoo aydiyahum fee afwahihim waqaloo inna kafarna bima orsiltum bihi wa-inna lafee shakkin mimma tadAAoonana ilayhi mureebun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9. Have you not heard of those before you - of the people of Noah and Aad and Samood, and those after them? None knows them but Allah. Their Messengers come to them with clear signs. And they thrust their hands into their mouths in astonishment while witnessing those signs, but said, “We do not believe in the Message that you are sent with, and we are indeed utterly in doubt about what you invite us to.”3 ------------------------------------------------------------ 3. Those ancient peoples were astonished to see the miraculous signs Allah’s Messengers had brought to them, and yet they did not believe in the divine Message they had brought! And today’s modern peoples are no better. They too refuse to believe in the divine Message given to them through Allah’s last Prophet, even when He has opened to them a vast reservoir of His infinite knowledge of innumerable miraculous happenings, day in and day out, throughout the universe. Glimpses of these miraculous happenings are shown, inter alia, in TV channels like Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet etc. They dismiss these discoveries as just wonderful nature, but refuse to believe in any Intelligent Creator behind their creation. ==================================================== 10. Qalat rusuluhum afee Allahi shakkun fatiri alssamawati waal-ardi yadAAookum liyaghfira lakum min thunoobikum wayu-akhkhirakum ila ajalin musamman qaloo in antum illa basharun mithluna tureedoona an tasuddoona AAamma kana yaAAbudu abaona fa/toona bisultanin mubeenin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Their Messengers said, “Is there any doubt about Allah, the Maker of the heavens and the earth? He invites you to Him so that He may forgive you your sins and give you time till an appointed term to redeem yourselves.” They said, “You are but mortals like us. You wish to turn us away from what our fathers worshipped. Bring to us then some clear evidence for this. =================================== 11. Qalat lahum rusuluhum in nahnu illa basharun mithlukum walakinna Allaha yamunnu AAala man yashao min AAibadihi wama kana lana an na/tiyakum bisultanin illa bi-ithni Allahi waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almu/minoona ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Their Messengers said to them, “We are but mortals like you, but Allah bestows His favours upon whom He wills, of His servants. And we cannot bring you any evidence except by Allah's permission. And the believers should have trust in Allah.” ===================================  12. Wama lana alla natawakkala AAala Allahi waqad hadana subulana walanasbiranna AAala ma athaytumoona waAAala Allahi falyatawakkali almutawakkiloona ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. “And what reason have we that we should have no trust in Allah, when, surely, He has guided us to our paths? And we shall certainly bear your persecution with patience. And those that trust, do trust in Allah.” ===================================  13. Waqala allatheena kafaroo lirusulihim lanukhrijannakum min ardina aw lataAAoodunna fee millatina faawha ilayhim rabbuhum lanuhlikanna alththalimeena ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. And those who suppressed the Truth told their Messengers, “We will drive you out of our land, or you shall come back into our lifestyle.” Their Lord then revealed to them, “We will destroy the wicked people.” ===================================  14. Walanuskinannakumu al-arda min baAAdihim thalika liman khafa maqamee wakhafa waAAeedi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. And We will certainly settle you in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing in My presence and who fears My warnings. ===================================  15. Waistaftahoo wakhaba kullu jabbarin AAaneedin ------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. And they sought victory and every obstinate tyrant was frustrated. ===================================  16. Min wara-ihi jahannamu wayusqa min ma-in sadeedin ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. Hell is waiting for him where his thirst will be quenched with fetid water. ===================================  17. YatajarraAAuhu wala yakadu yuseeghuhu waya/teehi almawtu min kulli makanin wama huwa bimayyitin wamin wara-ihi AAathabun ghaleethun --------------------------------------------------------------------------   17. He will sip at it and it will not be easy for him to swallow it. And death will come to him from every quarter, but he shall not die. And further severe punishment awaits him. =================================== 18. Mathalu allatheena kafaroo birabbihim aAAmaluhum karamadin ishtaddat bihi alrreehu fee yawmin AAasifin la yaqdiroona mimma kasaboo AAala shay-in thalika huwa alddalalu albaAAeedu ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. Deeds of those who suppress the Truth about their Lord are like ashes on which the wind blows hard on a stormy day. They shall have no power over any thing they earn. This is far too grievous a loss of way. ===================================  19. Alam tara anna Allaha khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi in yasha/ yuthhibkum waya/ti bikhalqin jadeedin ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19. Do you not see that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth? If He wills He will take you off and bring a new creation.4 ------------------------------------------------------------ 4. The creation of the heavens and the earth could, by no stretch of imagination, be considered purposeless. The purpose, as clarified in Verse 11.7, is to test the human race by making its members His vicegerents on earth. All His creation is, apparently and essentially, to serve that purpose. If any section of the human race proves itself to be incapable of holding on to that high office, it is liable to be replaced by the Almighty Creator with a new generation. ====================================================  20. Wama thalika AAala Allahi biAAazeezin ------------------------------------------------------ 20. And this is not at all difficult for Allah. ===================================  21. Wabarazoo lillahi jameeAAan faqala aldduAAafao lillatheena istakbaroo inna kunna lakum tabaAAan fahal antum mughnoona AAanna min AAathabi Allahi min shay-in qaloo law hadana Allahu lahadaynakum sawaon AAalayna ajaziAAna am sabarna ma lana min maheesin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21. And they shall all present themselves before Allah. Then the weak shall say to those who were proud, “We had indeed been your followers. Would you then withstand anything of Allah’s punishment from us?” They would say, “If Allah had guided us, we too would have guided you. It is immaterial to us now whether we bewail or be patient. There is no place for us to escape to. =================================== 22. Waqala alshshaytanu lamma qudiya al-amru inna Allaha waAAadakum waAAda alhaqqi wawaAAadtukum faakhlaftukum wama kana liya AAalaykum min sultanin illa an daAAawtukum faistajabtum lee fala taloomoonee waloomoo anfusakum ma ana bimusrikhikum wama antum bimusrikhiyya innee kafartu bima ashraktumooni min qablu inna alththalimeena lahum AAathabun aleemun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 22. And the Satan shall say after the Judgment is pronounced, “Allah did indeed give you the true promise. And I gave you promises, but failed to keep them. And I had no authority over you except to call you to me, and you obeyed me! So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot be of any help to you now, nor can you be of any help to me. I do indeed deny that you had worshipped me, besides Allah, before.” For the wicked people there shall indeed be a painful punishment. ===================================  23. Waodkhila allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati jannatin tajree min tahtiha al-anharu khalideena feeha bi-ithni rabbihim tahiyyatuhum feeha salamun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23. And those who believe and do good deeds shall be admitted to gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall stay eternally therein by their Lord's leave. Their greeting therein shall be, “Peace.” ===================================  24. Alam tara kayfa daraba Allahu mathalan kalimatan tayyibatan kashajaratin tayyibatin asluha thabitun wafarAAuha fee alssama/-i ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 24. Don’t you see how Allah exemplifies a good word as a good tree with firm roots and with its branches spread out in the sky, =================================== 25. Tu/tee okulaha kulla heenin bi-ithni rabbiha wayadribu Allahu al-amthala lilnnasi laAAallahum yatathakkaroona ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25. Yielding its fruits every season by its Lord’s leave? 5 And Allah gives examples for the benefit of mankind so that they may ponder and remember. ----------------------------------------------------- 5. Through this example, we understand that a good word is anything written or spoken that is firmly based on truth and reality. It gives solace to those who hear or read it, and benefits them repeatedly as well. A good example of a good word is the Qur’aan itself. It is firmly based on Truth. It gives solace to those who read and ponder over it. And history is witness to the fact that it has benefited nondescript communities to become the most potent forces on earth - culturally, economically and militarily. This good word has not been seen yielding fruits nowadays as most people listen to it not in order to understand and implement its teachings. They have relegated it to just ritualistic reading. ====================================================  26. Wamathalu kalimatin khabeethatin kashajaratin khabeethatin ijtuththat min fawqi al-ardi ma laha min qararin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26. And the example of a bad word is a bad tree which can easily be uprooted from the earth's surface; it has no stability. ===================================  27. Yuthabbitu Allahu allatheena amanoo bialqawli alththabiti fee alhayati alddunya wafee al-akhirati wayudillu Allahu alththalimeena wayafAAalu Allahu ma yasha/o ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27. Allah establishes, in the life of this world and in the Hereafter, those who believe in the firm Testament6. And Allah leads the wicked persons astray, and Allah does what He wills. ----------------------------------------------------- 6. The Qur’aan. ==================================================== 28. Alam tara ila allatheena baddaloo niAAmata Allahi kufran waahalloo qawmahum dara albawari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 28. Have you not seen those who have changed Allah's favour by being ungrateful, and made their people eligible for the abode of ruin – ===================================  29. Jahannama yaslawnaha wabi/sa alqararu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29. Hell? They shall burn therein. And a very bad place it is to settle in. ===================================  30. WajaAAaloo lillahi andadan liyudilloo AAan sabeelihi qul tamattaAAoo fa-inna maseerakum ila alnnari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30. And they set up rivals to Allah that they may lead people away from His path. Say, “Enjoy now! You are then destined to go to the Fire.” ===================================  31. Qul liAAibadiya allatheena amanoo yuqeemoo alssalata wayunfiqoo mimma razaqnahum sirran waAAalaniyatan min qabli an ya/tiya yawmun la bayAAun feehi wala khilalun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 31. Tell My servants who believe that they should establish regular prayer7 and spend8 out of what We have given them, secretly and openly, before the coming of the day in which there shall be no trading nor any friendly give-and-take. ------------------------------------------------------------ 7. For the Qur’aanic explanation of the corresponding Arabic term, aqeemoo alssalata, refer study notes 2.4 & 2.108. 8. Refer study note 2.5. ====================================================  32. Allahu allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda waanzala mina alssama-i maan faakhraja bihi mina alththamarati rizqan lakum wasakhkhara lakumu alfulka litajriya fee albahri bi-amrihi wasakhkhara lakumu al-anhara ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 32. Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth and sent down water from the sky. Then, with it, He brought forth fruits as sustenance for you. And He made the ship subservient to you, so that it sails on the sea by His command. And He made the rivers serve your needs. ===================================  33. Wasakhkhara lakumu alshshamsa waalqamara da-ibayni wasakhkhara lakumu allayla waalnnahara ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 33. And He made the sun and the moon - both pursuing their respective courses - serve your needs. And He made the night and the day serve you. ===================================  34. Waatakum min kulli ma saaltumoohu wa-in taAAuddoo niAAmata Allahi la tuhsooha inna al-insana lathaloomun kaffarun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34. And He gives you of all that you ask Him. And if you would like to know the number of times Allah favours you, you will not be able to count. Man is indeed very wicked, thankless. ===================================  35. Wa-ith qala ibraheemu rabbi ijAAal hatha albalada aminan waojnubnee wabaniyya an naAAbuda al-asnama ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35. And when Abraham said, “My Lord! Make this a city9 of peace. And save me and my sons from worshipping idols.” ------------------------------------------------------------ 9. Makkah. ====================================================  36. Rabbi innahunna adlalna katheeran mina alnnasi faman tabiAAanee fa-innahu minnee waman AAasanee fa-innaka ghafoorun raheemun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 36. “My Lord! They have indeed led many of mankind astray. The one, then, that follows me, is indeed of me. And as for the one that disobeys me, You indeed arc Forgiving, Merciful.” ===================================  37. Rabbana innee askantu min thurriyyatee biwadin ghayri thee zarAAin AAinda baytika almuharrami rabbana liyuqeemoo alssalata faijAAal af-idatan mina alnnasi tahwee ilayhim waorzuqhum mina alththamarati laAAallahum yashkuroona ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37. “O our Lord! I have indeed inhabited some of my offspring in an uncultivable valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish regular prayer there. Hence make some people come and settle near them, and provide them with fruits that they may be grateful.”10 ------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Allah Almighty thus informs us that some members of Abraham’s family were the first settlers of Makkah. ====================================================  38. Rabbana innaka taAAlamu ma nukhfee wama nuAAlinu wama yakhfa AAala Allahi min shay-in fee al-ardi wala fee alssama/-i ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 38. “O our Lord! You do indeed know what we hide and what we do not. And nothing in the earth nor any thing in the heaven above is hidden from Allah.” ===================================  39. Alhamdu lillahi allathee wahaba lee AAala alkibari ismaAAeela wa-ishaqa inna rabbee lasameeAAu aldduAAa/-i ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39. “Praise to Allah, Who has given me, in old age, Ishmael and Isaac. My Lord does indeed hear the prayer.” ===================================  40. Rabbi ijAAalnee muqeema alssalati wamin thurriyyatee rabbana wtaqabbal duAAa/-i ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40. “My Lord! Inspire me to establish regular prayer and inspire those from my offspring too. And, O our Lord, accept my prayer!” ===================================  41. Rabbana ighfir lee waliwalidayya walilmu/mineena yawma yaqoomu alhisabu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41. O our Lord! Pardon me, my parents and the believers on the day of accounting! ===================================  42. Wala tahsabanna Allaha ghafilan AAamma yaAAmalu alththalimoona innama yu-akhkhiruhum liyawmin tashkhasu feehi al-absaru ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 42. And do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wicked people do. He does but give them respite till the day when the eyes shall get transfixed, ===================================  43. MuhtiAAeena muqniAAee ruoosihim la yartaddu ilayhim tarfuhum waaf-idatuhum hawa/on ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 43. Hurrying on in fear, their heads upraised - not glancing at themselves - and their hearts vacant. ===================================  44. Waanthiri alnnasa yawma ya/teehimu alAAathabu fayaqoolu allatheena thalamoo rabbana akhkhirna ila ajalin qareebin nujib daAAwataka wanattabiAAi alrrusula awa lam takoonoo aqsamtum min qablu ma lakum min zawalin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 44. And warn people of the day when the punishment shall come to them. Then those who were wicked will say, “O our Lord! Give us respite for a short term to enable us to respond to Your call and follow the Messengers.” Did you not swear before that you shall have no downfall? ===================================  45. Wasakantum fee masakini allatheena thalamoo anfusahum watabayyana lakum kayfa faAAalna bihim wadarabna lakumu al-amthala ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 45. And you had lived where those, who had transgressed against themselves, lived. And it was clear to you how We had dealt with them. And We had given you examples. ===================================  46. Waqad makaroo makrahum waAAinda Allahi makruhum wa-in kana makruhum litazoola minhu aljibalu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 46. And they did plan their plan. But their plan is with Allah, though their plan was such that the mountains could come down thereby. ===================================  47. Fala tahsabanna Allaha mukhlifa waAAdihi rusulahu inna Allaha AAazeezun thoo intiqamin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 47. Think not then that Allah is one to fail in His promise to His Messengers. Allah is indeed mighty, capable of avenging any wrong, ===================================  48. Yawma tubaddalu al-ardu ghayra al-ardi waalssamawatu wabarazoo lillahi alwahidi alqahhari ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 48. On the day when the earth shall be changed into a different earth - and the heavens too! And they shall present themselves before Allah, the One, the Almighty. ===================================  49. Watara almujrimeena yawma-ithin muqarraneena fee al-asfadi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 49. And you will see the sinners on that day bound together in chains. ===================================  50. Sarabeeluhum min qatranin wataghsha wujoohahumu alnnaru ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 50. Their dresses made of tar and the fire covering their faces. ===================================  51. Liyajziya Allahu kulla nafsin ma kasabat inna Allaha sareeAAu alhisabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 51. That Allah may repay everyone for what it earned. Allah is indeed quick in keeping accounts. ===================================  52. Hatha balaghun lilnnasi waliyuntharoo bihi waliyaAAlamoo annama huwa ilahun wahidun waliyaththakkara oloo al-albabi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 52. This (Qur’aan) is a sufficient and eloquent exposition of the divine Message for the people that they may be warned thereby, that they may know that He is the One and Only Being worthy of being worshipped, and that people of understanding may remember it and remind other people about it. ===================================  سورة الحجر   Chapter 15: Al-Hijr (The Rock)   In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful 1. Alif-lam-ra tilka ayatu alkitabi waqur-anin mubeenin ---------------------------------------------------------- 1. Alif Lam Ra.1 These are Verses of the Book - a Reading that makes things clear. ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Refer study note 2.1 regarding such initial letters at the beginning of some Qur’aanic Chapters. ====================================================     Mohammad Shafi Mumbai, India, 14th November, 2009