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Qur'aanic Studies - Volume XXVII
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-Hijr Verses 2 to 99, and An-Nahl Verses 1 to 44.
Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, INDIA,
24th December, 2009
سورة الحجر
Chapter 15: Al-Hijr (The Rock)
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2. Rubama yawaddu allatheena kafaroo law kanoo muslimeena
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2. It2 makes things so clear that those who suppress the Truth may wish that they had been Muslims.
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2. The Qur’aan. Refer preceding Verse 1 ====================================================
3. Tharhum ya/kuloo wayatamattaAAoo wayulhihimu al-amalu fasawfa yaAAlamoona
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3. Leave them free to eat and enjoy, and let desire distract them. They will soon know. ===================================
4. Wama ahlakna min qaryatin illa walaha kitabun maAAloomun
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4. And never did We destroy any population, but only when it had reached its known destiny. ===================================
5. Ma tasbiqu min ommatin ajalaha wama yasta/khiroona
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5. No people can prepone their end nor can they postpone it. ===================================
6. Waqaloo ya ayyuha allathee nuzzila AAalayhi alththikru innaka lamajnoonun
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6. And they say, “O you to whom the Reminder (Qur’aan) has been revealed! You are indeed mad.” ===================================
7. Law ma ta/teena bialmala-ikati in kunta mina alssadiqeena
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7. “Why do you not bring to us the angels if what you claim is true?” ===================================
8. Ma nunazzilu almala-ikata illa bialhaqqi wama kanoo ithan munthareena
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8. We do not send the angels but only when necessary (to destroy wicked persons, for instance), and then they would not be given any respite. ===================================
9. Inna nahnu nazzalna alththikra wa-inna lahu lahafithoona
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9. Indeed, We have revealed the Reminder (Qur’aan) and We will most certainly guard it. ===================================
10. Walaqad arsalna min qablika fee shiyaAAi al-awwaleena
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10. And We did certainly send Messengers, before you, among the earlier generations. ===================================
11. Wama ya/teehim min rasoolin illa kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
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11. And never did a Messenger come to them but they mocked him. ===================================
12. Kathalika naslukuhu fee quloobi almujrimeena
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12. Thus do We make it (making a mockery of a Messenger) enter the hearts of the sinners. ===================================
13. La yu/minoona bihi waqad khalat sunnatu al-awwaleena
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13. They believe not in it (the divine Message brought by the Messenger), just as the earlier peoples, that passed away, did not believe (in the divine Messages brought to them by Messengers sent to them). ===================================
14. Walaw fatahna AAalayhim baban mina alssama-i fathalloo feehi yaAArujoona
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14. And they won’t believe, even if We open to them a gateway into the skies above, and they keep on ascending thereinto. ===================================
15. Laqaloo innama sukkirat absaruna bal nahnu qawmun mashooroona
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15. They would still only say, “Our sights.have been intoxicated. Rather, we are an enchanted people.” ===================================
16. Walaqad jaAAalna fee alssama-i buroojan wazayyannaha lilnnathireena
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16. And certainly We have made constellations in the skies above and We have made it look beautiful for the beholders. ===================================
17. Wahafithnaha min kulli shaytanin rajeemin
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17. And We guard it against every accursed Satan. ===================================
18. Illa mani istaraqa alssamAAa faatbaAAahu shihabun mubeenun
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18. Except that a visible flame follows the one that manages to steal a celestial secret.3
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3. Verses 14 to 18 herein above seem to foretell modern man’s forays into outer space and powerful telescopes like the Hubble space telescope, which is taking breathtaking pictures of star constellations and other innumerable wonders of the Universe. These Verses point out to the sad fact that despite Allah facilitating mankind to have this knowledge about the mind-boggling workmanship of His, most men still have no belief in the Creator as He is depicted in the Qur’aan. As regards a visible flame following a satanic person stealing a secret, we are aware of some ventures into space meeting fiery ends. Maybe, those were examples of astronauts persisting in their atheistic ways despite being witnesses to divine wornders. ====================================================
 19. Waal-arda madadnaha waalqayna feeha rawasiya waanbatna feeha min kulli shay-in mawzoonin
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19. And We have spread out the earth and cast4 mountains into it. And We have caused every appropriate thing to grow in it.
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4. Science does not yet seem to have come to definite conclusions about the formation of mountains. And this word used here appears to suggest that mountains were thrown or bombarded on to the surface of the earth from outer space. Maybe, eons ago, during the formation of the earth, parts from an exploding star impounded the earth and the mountains were formed. Remember that mountains have deep roots inside the earth. Otherwise they should be flattened out because of the tremendous speed at which the earth rotates. ====================================================
20. WajaAAalna lakum feeha maAAayisha waman lastum lahu biraziqeena
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20. And We have created in it means of subsistence for you, and for him whom you do not provide for. ===================================
21. Wa-in min shay-in illa AAindana khaza-inuhu wama nunazziluhu illa biqadarin maAAloomin
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21. And there is nothing of which We do not have treasures with us. And We do not send it down but in a measured quantity. ===================================
22. Waarsalna alrriyaha lawaqiha faanzalna mina alssama-i maan faasqaynakumoohu wama antum lahu bikhazineena
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22. And We send the winds that facilitate pollination5, and then send down water from the sky for you to drink. And is it not you who store it up.
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5. The light pollen grains from a flower get carried by the wind and then get deposited on the stigma, resulting in fertilization. ====================================================
23. Wa-inna lanahnu nuhyee wanumeetu wanahnu alwarithoona
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23. And indeed it is We Who give life and cause death. And We are the heirs6.
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6. Mankind is given just temporary (and only apparent) sway and material possessions on earth. Everything then gets returned to divine Dominion. ====================================================
24. Walaqad AAalimna almustaqdimeena minkum walaqad AAalimna almusta/khireena
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24. And We do certainly know those of you who have preceded and We do certainly know those who would follow. ===================================
25. Wa-inna rabbaka huwa yahshuruhum innahu hakeemun AAaleemun
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25. And your Lord will indeed gather them together. He is indeed Wise, Knowledgeable. ===================================
26. Walaqad khalaqna al-insana min salsalin min hama-in masnoonin
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26. And certainly We created man of clay, of moulded mud. ===================================
27. Waaljanna khalaqnahu min qablu min nari alssamoomi
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27. And the jinn We created before, of radiating fire.7
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7. From Verses 26 and 27 above, we learn, in the light of modern-day knowledge:
· Human beings are made of matter.
· Jinn are made of energy radiating from fire. They cannot therefore normally be seen by human beings.
· Jinn were created before humans. ====================================================
28. Wa-ith qala rabbuka lilmala-ikati innee khaliqun basharan min salsalin min hama-in masnoonin
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28. And your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a man of clay, of moulded mud.” ===================================
29. Fa-itha sawwaytuhu wanafakhtu feehi min roohee faqaAAoo lahu sajideena
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29. So when I give him a proper form and breathe into him of My Rooh8, get down to your knees prostrating9.
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8. Verse 17.85 informs us that the Rooh is a command of the Lord. The Verse also informs that Man has been given but little knowledge.
9. Refer study notes 2.27 and 2.28 in this context. ====================================================
30. Fasajada almala-ikatu kulluhum ajmaAAoona
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30. So the angels prostrated - all of them together. ===================================
31. Illa ibleesa aba an yakoona maAAa alssajideena
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31. Except Iblees10 - he refused to be with those who prostrated.
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10. In verse 18.50, Iblees has been described as a Jinni. ====================================================
32. Qala ya ibleesu ma laka alla takoona maAAa alssajideena
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32. Allah asked, “O Iblis! What excuse have you that you are not with those who prostrated?” ===================================
33. Qala lam akun li-asjuda libasharin khalaqtahu min salsalin min hama-in masnoonin
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33. Iblees said, “I am not the one to prostrate to a man whom You have created of clay, of moulded mud.” ===================================
34. Qala faokhruj minha fa-innaka rajeemun
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34. Allah said, “Then get out of here! You are indeed damned.” ===================================
35. Wa-inna AAalayka allaAAnata ila yawmi alddeeni
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35. “And indeed the curse is on you till the Judgment Day.” ===================================
36. Qala rabbi faanthirnee ila yawmi yubAAathoona
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36. He said, “My Lord! Then give me respite till the time when they are raised.” ===================================
37. Qala fa-innaka mina almunthareena
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37. Allah said, “You are granted the respite” ===================================
38. Ila yawmi alwaqti almaAAloomi
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38. “For the appointed period.” ===================================
39. Qala rabbi bima aghwaytanee laozayyinanna lahum fee al-ardi walaoghwiyannahum ajmaAAeena
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39. He said, “My Lord! As You have made me deviate from the right way, I will certainly keep them enthralled in the earth, and I will certainly cause them all to deviate” ===================================
40. Illa AAibadaka minhumu almukhlaseena
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40. “Except for those among them who worship you devotedly and exclusively.” ===================================
41. Qala hatha siratun AAalayya mustaqeemun
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41. Allah said, “This is the Path that leads straight to Me.” ===================================
42. Inna AAibadee laysa laka AAalayhim sultanun illa mani ittabaAAaka mina alghaweena
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42. “Indeed, you shall have no power over My worshippers, except those who follow you in deviating from the right way.” ===================================
43. Wa-inna jahannama lamawAAiduhum ajmaAAeena
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43. And indeed Hell is the place promised to them all. ===================================
44. Laha sabAAatu abwabin likulli babin minhum juz-on maqsoomun
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44. It has seven gates assigned separately to separate sections of them. ===================================
45. Inna almuttaqeena fee jannatin waAAuyoonin
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45. And those who fear Allah shall indeed be in gardens and fountains. ===================================
46. Odkhulooha bisalamin amineena
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46. They shall enter there in peace and security. ===================================
47. WanazaAAna ma fee sudoorihim min ghillin ikhwanan AAala sururin mutaqabileena
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47. And We will clean their hearts of any rancour. They shall be on couches face to face as brethren. ===================================
48. La yamassuhum feeha nasabun wama hum minha bimukhrajeena
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48 They shall not have to toil therein, nor shall they be ever ejected from it. ===================================
49. Nabbi/ AAibadee annee ana alghafooru alrraheemu
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49. Inform those who worship Me that I am the Forgiver, the Merciful. ===================================
50. Waanna AAathabee huwa alAAathabu al-aleemu
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50 And that My punishment is the painful one. ===================================
51. Wanabbi/hum AAan dayfi ibraheema
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51. And tell them about Abraham’s guests. ===================================
52. Ith dakhaloo AAalayhi faqaloo salaman qala inna minkum wajiloona
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52. When they came to him and greeted, “Peace!” He said, “We are indeed apprehensive of you.” ===================================
53. Qaloo la tawjal inna nubashshiruka bighulamin AAaleemin
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53. They said, “Be not afraid! We do indeed give you the good news of a knowledgeable son.” ===================================
54. Qala abashshartumoonee AAala an massaniya alkibaru fabima tubashshirooni
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54. He said, “Do you give me the good news when old age has come upon me? What kind of good news is this that you give me?” ===================================
55. Qaloo bashsharnaka bialhaqqi fala takun mina alqaniteena
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55. They said, “There is truth in the good news We give you! So be not of those who despair. ===================================
56. Qala waman yaqnatu min rahmati rabbihi illa alddalloona
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56. He said, “And who would despair of the Mercy of his Lord but the wicked ones?” ===================================
57. Qala fama khatbukum ayyuha almursaloona
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57. He said, “What is your object then, O Messengers?” ===================================
58. Qaloo inna orsilna ila qawmin mujrimeena
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58. They said, “We have indeed been sent towards a sinning people.” ===================================
59. Illa ala lootin inna lamunajjoohum ajmaAAeena
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59. “Excepting Lot's family, all of whom We certainly will save.” ===================================
60. Illa imraatahu qaddarna innaha lamina alghabireena
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60. “But not his wife. We ordained that she shall surely be of those who remain behind.” ===================================
61. Falamma jaa ala lootin almursaloona
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61. So when the Messengers came to Lot's family, ===================================
62. Qala innakum qawmun munkaroona
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62. He said, “You indeed are strangers.” ===================================
63. Qaloo bal ji/naka bima kanoo feehi yamtaroona
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63. They said, “But we have come to you with that about which they had doubts.” ===================================
64. Waataynaka bialhaqqi wa-inna lasadiqoona
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64 “And we have come to you with the authority, and what we say is most certainly the truth.” ===================================
65. Faasri bi-ahlika biqitAAin mina allayli waittabiAA adbarahum wala yaltafit minkum ahadun waimdoo haythu tu/maroona
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65. “So leave this place with members of your family in a part of the night and you yourself follow their rear. And let not any one of you turn around, and proceed whither you are commanded.” ===================================
66. Waqadayna ilayhi thalika al-amra anna dabira haola-i maqtooAAun musbiheena
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66. And We declared to him this decree, that the roots of these (people left behind) shall be cut off by the morning. ===================================
67. Wajaa ahlu almadeenati yastabshiroona
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67. And the people of the town came to him rejoicing. ===================================
68. Qala inna haola-i dayfee fala tafdahooni
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68. He said, “These are my guests! Disgrace me not.” ===================================
69. Waittaqoo Allaha wala tukhzooni
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69. And fear Allah and do not put me to shame. ===================================
70. Qaloo awa lam nanhaka AAani alAAalameena
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70 They said, “Have we not prohibited you from meddling with other people’s matters?” ===================================
71. Qala haola-i banatee in kuntum faAAileena
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71. He said, “Here are my daughters, if you have to do it.11”
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11. What Lot tried to tell his people is that Allah Almighty has designed mankind to be heterosexual in nature. Their homosexuality was a wicked perversity that Satan induced in them as a futile attempt to defeat the divine plan. Lot’s offer of his daughters here has to be read in that context. His people were so steeped in the vice of homosexuality that Lot’s offer served the purpose only of highlighting the perverse behaviour of his people. They were not inclined even to look at the daughters. This perverse tendency in some people is sought to be accepted and legalized by modern societies now! Such modern people may not get totally annihilated now as Lot’s people were for their sin as they live in mixed societies, but they may not escape the intensely more painful punishment in the Hereafter. ====================================================
 72. LaAAamruka innahum lafee sakratihim yaAAmahoona
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72. By your life! They were wandering blindly in their intoxication. ===================================
73. Faakhathat-humu alssayhatu mushriqeena
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73. Then, at sunrise, the terribly rumbling sound struck them. ===================================
74. FajaAAalna AAaliyaha safilaha waamtarna AAalayhim hijaratan min sijjeelin
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74. We turned the place upside down, and rained stones of baked clay upon the people. ===================================
75. Inna fee thalika laayatin lilmutawassimeena
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75. In this indeed are signs for those with insight. ===================================
76. Wa-innaha labisabeelin muqeemin
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76. And indeed it is located on an established road.12
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12. I surfed the Net for any Muslim attempt at finding archeological remains of the site; but found none. Some Christian attempts have been made, but those are unsatisfactory. It is generally believed that the sites are located somewhere in the Dead Sea area. The Verse here informs us that it is on a road that is still in use. I appeal to Muslim archeologists to conduct their attempts on the basis of this Verse. The next Verse, 77, does indeed invite the believers to conduct the search for the site. This episode of Lot and his people is also narrated in Verses 11.77 to 11.83. ====================================================
77. Inna fee thalika laayatan lilmu/mineena
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77. Indeed there is a sign in this for the believers. ===================================
78. Wa-in kana as-habu al-aykati lathalimeena
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78. And the dwellers of the wood13 too were most wicked.
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13. One of the pre-historic peoples about whom some more details are given in Verses 26.176 to 26.191. Shoeb was the Prophet sent to them. ====================================================
79. Faintaqamna minhum wa-innahuma labi-imamin mubeenin
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79. So We avenged them, and they are both14, indeed, on an open road.
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14. I.e., the remains of the dwellings of the people of Lot and of the people of the wood. Refer note 12 above. ====================================================
80. Walaqad kaththaba as-habu alhijri almursaleena
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80. And the dwellers of the Rock15 did certainly reject the Messengers.
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15. From Verse 82 below we learn that these people built their houses in the mountains. Verse 7.74 informs us that the people of Aad had built their houses in the mountains. It’s likely therefore that the Aad and the dwellers of the Rock were the same pople. ====================================================
81. Waataynahum ayatina fakanoo AAanha muAArideena
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81. And We gave them Our Verses/signs, but they turned away from them.16
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16. Just as the modern-day Muslims have turned away from the Qur’aan. ====================================================
82. Wakanoo yanhitoona mina aljibali buyootan amineena
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82. And they were wont to hew houses in the mountains for security. ===================================
83. Faakhathat-humu alssayhatu musbiheena
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83. So the terribly rumbling sound17 seized them in the morning.
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17. Refer study note 15 under Verse 11.67 ====================================================
84. Fama aghna AAanhum ma kanoo yaksiboona
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84. And what they earned availed them not. ===================================
85. Wama khalaqna alssamawati waal-arda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi wa-inna alssaAAata laatiyatun faisfahi alssafha aljameela
85. Wama khalaqna alssamawati waal-arda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi wa-inna alssaAAata laatiyatun faisfahi alssafha aljameela
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85. And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them, but by due authority. And the Hour is most surely going to come. So fogive things those are forgivable.18
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18. Human beings are Allah’s representatives on earth. And Allah is Gracious and Merciful. They should therefoe reflect those divine attributes in their deeds here. A human being is not entitled to punish another, just because the latter would not believe in Islam. Allah will deal with such people on the Judgment Day, which is bound to come. Those who are given authority over other people on this earth ought to exercise their authority only in such cases where any inaction on their part could raise law and order problems here. ====================================================
 86. Inna rabbaka huwa alkhallaqu alAAaleemu
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86. Your Lord is indeed the Knowledgeable Creator of all things. ===================================
87. Walaqad ataynaka sabAAan mina almathanee waalqur-ana alAAatheema
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87. And certainly We have given you seven of the repeated Verses19 and the Glorious Qur’aan.
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19. The word ‘Verses’ is not specifically mentioned in the Arabic text. It is the general interpretation of what ‘seven of the repeated’ means. And the seven Verses that are often recited are obviously those of the opening chapter Al-Fatiha of the Qur’aan. The Shia sect interprets the ‘seven’ to be seven of their Imams. But their claim has no merit (refer chapter 22 of In Qur’aanic Light). ====================================================
88. La tamuddanna AAaynayka ila ma mattaAAna bihi azwajan minhum wala tahzan AAalayhim waikhfid janahaka lilmu/mineena
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88. Pine not for that which We have given some of them to enjoy, nor grieve for them. And be kind to the believers. ===================================
89. Waqul innee ana alnnatheeru almubeenu
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89. And say, “I am indeed the plain warner.” ===================================
90. Kama anzalna AAala almuqtasimeena
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90. It is as though what We have sent down is on those who make divisions therein. ===================================
91. Allatheena jaAAaloo alqur-ana AAideena
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 91. Those that tear the Quran into shreds.20
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20. The Qur’aan speaks here about most of mankind in today’s world. The majority of the world population today is non-Muslim. They have little regard for the Qur’aan. But the tragic fact is that most of the Muslims too treat the Qur’aan as a thing of no consequence in their lives. They have fallen into the habit of reading it just ritualistically, without trying to understand what they read. And even those who read it with some understanding allow themselves to be led astray by extraneous human-influenced sources and deviate from the plain meanings of the Qur’aanic words. These ‘learned’ people are wont to give the words meanings that suit them, and thus divisions have occurred within those who ‘understand’ the Qur’aan. Then there are those who abide by what a part of the Qur’aan says, but do not abide by another part of it. Some may offer the ritual prayers, but may consider fasting for a month too difficult for them. ====================================================
 92. Fawarabbika lanas-alannahum ajmaAAeena
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92. And, by your Lord, We shall certainly question them all ===================================
93. AAamma kanoo yaAAmaloona
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93. As to what they did. ===================================
94. FaisdaAA bima tu/maru waaAArid AAani almushrikeena
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94. Declare then openly what you are commanded with, and turn away from the polytheists. ===================================
95. Inna kafaynaka almustahzi-eena
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95. We shall certainly provide you sufficient protection against those who scoff. ===================================
96. Allatheena yajAAaloona maAAa Allahi ilahan akhara fasawfa yaAAlamoona
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96. Those who worship others besides Allah. They shall soon know their folly! ===================================
97. Walaqad naAAlamu annaka yadeequ sadruka bima yaqooloona
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97. And We do know that you are saddened and grieved at what they say. ===================================
98. Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika wakun mina alssajideena
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98. Sing then the praise of your Lord, and be of those who prostrate to Him. ===================================
99. WaoAAbud rabbaka hatta ya/tiyaka alyaqeenu
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99. And worship your Lord until there comes to you that which is certain. ===================================
سورة النحل
Chapter 16: An-Nahl (The Bee)
In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1. Ata amru Allahi fala tastaAAjiloohu subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona
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1. Allah's command is already issued! So, hasten it not.1 Glory to Him, and highly exalted is He above what they worship bessides Him.
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1. Relating this Verse to our present-day circumstances, we do often apparently see that an oppressor gets away with his oppression. He does not get immediate punishment. Allah tells us here, in this circumstance, that He is very much aware of the oppression done. And, in His scheme of things, He knows that appropriate action in respect of the oppression is already taken at a fixed point of time in the future. Man viz-a-viz the Creator, time is a relative term. A future event for man is an accomplished thing for the Creator. Allah gives enough opportunities to man for reform before He strikes. ====================================================
 2. Yunazzilu almala-ikata bialrroohi min amrihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi an anthiroo annahu la ilaha illa ana faittaqooni
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2. He sends down the angels, on whom He pleases of His worshippers, with the inspiration of His command: “Give the warning that there is no god but Me, and so fear Me.” ===================================
3. Khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi taAAala AAamma yushrikoona
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3. He has created the heavens and the earth with the Truth and due Authority. He is far too high and exalted above what they worship besides Him. ===================================
4. Khalaqa al-insana min nutfatin fa-itha huwa khaseemun mubeenun
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4. He (Allah) created man from a little drop of human sperm. And, lo, he has become an open adversary! ===================================
5. Waal-anAAama khalaqaha lakum feeha dif-on wamanafiAAu waminha ta-kuloona
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5. And He created the cattle. You get from them warm clothing and other benefits. And you eat them too. ===================================
6. Walakum feeha jamalun heena tureehoona waheena tasrahoona
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6. And you feel good when you drive them back home, and when you send them out to pasture. ===================================
7. Watahmilu athqalakum ila baladin lam takoonoo baligheehi illa bishiqqi al-anfusi inna rabbakum laraoofun raheemun
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7. And they carry your heavy loads to lands you could not reach but with much difficulty. Your Lord is indeed Very Compassionate, Merciful. ===================================
8. Waalkhayla waalbighala waalhameera litarkabooha wazeenatan wayakhluqu ma la taAAlamoona
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8. And horses, mules and asses for you to ride upon and as assets, and He creates what you do not know. ===================================
9. WaAAala Allahi qasdu alssabeeli waminha ja-irun walaw shaa lahadakum ajmaAAeena
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9. And upon Allah is the determination of the Path and the deviations therefrom. And if He willed He would certainly guide you all.2
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2. Allah has given man the freedom to choose. It is in exercise of this freedom, that he chooses the right or the wrong path, despite His telling him plainly the consequences of following either path. ====================================================
10. Huwa allathee anzala mina alssama-i maan lakum minhu sharabun waminhu shajarun feehi tuseemoona
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10. He it is Who sends down water from the sky. You drink thereof, and therefrom you get the shrubbery upon which you let your cattle graze. ===================================
11. Yunbitu lakum bihi alzzarAAa waalzzaytoona waalnnakheela waal-aAAnaba wamin kulli alththamarati inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yatafakkaroona
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11. He causes the green cultivated fields, the olives, the palm trees, the grapes and all kinds of fruits to grow for you thereby. There is indeed a sign in this for a people who think. ===================================
12. Wasakhkhara lakumu allayla waalnnahara waalshshamsa waalqamara waalnnujoomu musakhkharatun bi-amrihi inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yaAAqiloona
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12. And He has made the night, the day, the sun and the moon to work for you. And the stars are subject to His command. There are indeed signs in this for a people who ponder. ===================================
13. Wama tharaa lakum fee al-ardi mukhtalifan alwanuhu inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaththakkaroona
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13. And what He has created on the earth are of different hues and colours. There is a sign in this for a people who reflect.3
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3. Allah Almighty did thus inculcate the urge to think deeply over His creations mentioned in Verses 11 to 13 here. Those Muslim thinkers laid the foundation for the scientific renaissance that brought about the proliferation of modern-day knowledge. But now the Muslims have long since ceased to be the torch-bearers. They have relegated the Qur’aan to just ritual reading, and have thus become the back-benchers in modern-day societies. ====================================================
14. Wahuwa allathee sakhkhara albahra lita/kuloo minhu lahman tariyyan watastakhrijoo minhu hilyatan talbasoonaha watara alfulka mawakhira feehi walitabtaghoo min fadlihi walaAAallakum tashkuroona
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14. And He it is Who has enabled the sea so that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring out of it ornaments which you wear. And you see the ships cut through it so that you might seek His bounty and be thankful. ===================================
15. Waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum waanharan wasubulan laAAallakum tahtadoona
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15. And He has cast mountains in the earth lest it should shake with you.4 And rivers and roads, that you may find your way.
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4. The use of the word alqa (has cast/thrown) here is significant. It is as if the mountains were thrown into the earth from outside. Maybe, in the distant past during the formation of the earth, large meteoroids generated from a destroyed star hit the earth. The mountains have their bases dug deep down into the earth. ====================================================
16. WaAAalamatin wabialnnajmi hum yahtadoona
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16. And they find their way by landmarks and the stars. ===================================
17. Afaman yakhluqu kaman la yakhluqu afala tathakkaroona
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17. Is He then Who creates like the one who does not? Do you not then reflect? ===================================
18. Wa-in taAAuddoo niAAmata Allahi la tuhsooha inna Allaha laghafoorun raheemun
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18. And if you would count Allah's favours, you won’t be able to do it. Allah is certainly indeed Forgiving, Merciful. ===================================
19. WaAllahu yaAAlamu ma tusirroona wama tuAAlinoona
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19. And Allah knows what you conceal and what you do openly. ===================================
20. Waallatheena yadAAoona min dooni Allahi la yakhluqoona shay-an wahum yukhlaqoona
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20. And those, whom they pray to besides Allah, have not created anything and they are themselves created. ===================================
21. Amwatun ghayru ahya-in wama yashAAuroona ayyana yubAAathoona
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21. They are dead - not living - and they know not when they shall be raised.
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22. Ilahukum ilahun wahidun faallatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati quloobuhum munkiratun wahum mustakbiroona
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22. You should worship Allah, the One and Only. And those, who do not believe in the Hereafter, are defiant in their hearts and arrogant. ===================================
23. La jarama anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma yusirroona wama yuAAlinoona innahu la yuhibbu almustakbireena
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23. Allah does indeed, without doubt, know what they hide and what they openly do. He does not, indeed, love those who are arrogant. ===================================
24. Wa-itha qeela lahum matha anzala rabbukum qaloo asateeru al-awwaleena
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24. And when they are asked, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They say, “Stories of the ancients.” ===================================
25. Liyahmiloo awzarahum kamilatan yawma alqiyamati wamin awzari allatheena yudilloonahum bighayri AAilmin ala saa ma yaziroona
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25. By saying so they are going to bear not only their own entire burdens on the day of Resurrection, but also of the burdens of those whom they had unknowingly led astray. Is it not utterly bad what they bear? ===================================
26. Qad makara allatheena min qablihim faata Allahu bunyanahum mina alqawaAAidi fakharra AAalayhimu alssaqfu min fawqihim waatahumu alAAathabu min haythu la yashAAuroona
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26. Those before them did concoct a plot. But Allah so took their building at the foundations, that the roof fell down on them from above them. And the punishment came to them from whence they did not perceive. ===================================
27. Thumma yawma alqiyamati yukhzeehim wayaqoolu ayna shuraka-iya allatheena kuntum tushaqqoona feehim qala allatheena ootoo alAAilma inna alkhizya alyawma waalssoo-a AAala alkafireena
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27. Then on the Resurrection Day He will disgrace them and ask, “Where are they whom you worshipped besides Me, and for whose sake you caused discord?” Those who are endowed with knowledge will say, “Indeed, the disgrace and the evil, this day, shall be upon those who had suppressed the Truth.” ===================================
28. Allatheena tatawaffahumu almala-ikatu thalimee anfusihim faalqawoo alssalama ma kunna naAAmalu min soo-in bala inna Allaha AAaleemun bima kuntum taAAmaloona
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28. Those that the angels caused to die while they indulged in deeds, which were ultimately injurious to their own selves. Then they would submit, “We didn’t do anything bad.” Aye! Allah does indeed know what you did. ===================================
29. Faodkhuloo abwaba jahannama khalideena feeha falabi/sa mathwa almutakabbireena
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29. Enter then the gates of Hell, to be there forever! And the dwelling place of the arrogant people is certainly bad. ===================================
30. Waqeela lillatheena ittaqaw matha anzala rabbukum qaloo khayran lillatheena ahsanoo fee hathihi alddunya hasanatun waladaru al-akhirati khayrun walaniAAma daru almuttaqeena
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30. And those who fear Allah are asked, “What is it that your Lord has revealed?” They say, “That which is good.” There is goodness for those who do good deeds in this world. And certainly the abode of the Hereafter is better. And the abode of those who fear Allah is certainly most excellent. ===================================
31. Jannatu AAadnin yadkhuloonaha tajree min tahtiha al-anharu lahum feeha ma yashaoona kathalika yajzee Allahu almuttaqeena
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31. They shall enter gardens of perpetuity, having rivers flowing beneath them. They shall have in them what they please. Thus does Allah reward those who fear Him. ===================================
32. Allatheena tatawaffahumu almala-ikatu tayyibeena yaqooloona salamun AAalaykumu odkhuloo aljannata bima kuntum taAAmaloona
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32. Those that the angels caused to die while they did good deeds, the angels saying to them, “Peace upon you! Enter the garden as a reward for what you did. ===================================
33. Hal yanthuroona illa an ta/tiyahumu almala-ikatu aw ya/tiya amru rabbika kathalika faAAala allatheena min qablihim wama thalamahumu Allahu walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
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33. They do not wait for anything but that the angels should come to them or that the Commandment of your Lord should come to pass. This is what those before them did. And Allah oppressed them not, but they oppressed themselves. ===================================
34. Faasabahum sayyi-atu ma AAamiloo wahaqa bihim ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
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34. So the bad things they did shall afflict them and the things they mocked at surround them. ===================================
35. Waqala allatheena ashrakoo law shaa Allahu ma AAabadna min doonihi min shay-in nahnu wala abaona wala harramna min doonihi min shay-in kathalika faAAala allatheena min qablihim fahal AAala alrrusuli illa albalaghu almubeenu
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35. And they who worship others besides Allah say, “Had Allah so willed, we would not have worshipped anything besides Him. Nor would our fathers do it. And we have not prohibited anything without His Command.” This is what those before them did. Are the Messengers then responsible for anything but the plain and clear conveyance of the divine Message? 5
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5. It is the responsibility of the Messengers to convey the divine Message honestly and faithfully to the people. The Messengers were not given the responsibility of punishing those who do not then come to believe in Allah, His Messenger and the Message. It is for Allah to punish them for their intransigence in this regard. HE has made it clear that there is no compulsion in religion (Verse 2.256). Some people may then wonder as to why Prophet Muhammad (peace on him) did have all those armed conflicts with non-believers. It should be clearly borne in mind that the conflicts were not just because some people did not believe. The conflicts had occurred because the kuffar would not allow the believers to practice Islam in peace. ====================================================
 36. Walaqad baAAathna fee kulli ommatin rasoolan ani oAAbudoo Allaha waijtaniboo alttaghoota faminhum man hada Allahu waminhum man haqqat AAalayhi alddalalatu faseeroo fee al-ardi faonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena
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36. And certainly We raised in every community a Messenger saying, “Worship Allah and shun whatever is worshipped other than Allah.” So there were some, among them, whom Allah guided and there were others who were destined to be misguided. Travel in the land then, and see what the end of those who rejected the divine Message was. ===================================
37. In tahris AAala hudahum fa-inna Allaha la yahdee man yudillu wama lahum min nasireena
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37. Even if you are anxious for their guidance, Allah does not indeed guide him who willfully goes astray. And there shall be none to help them. ===================================
38. Waaqsamoo biAllahi jahda aymanihim la yabAAathu Allahu man yamootu bala waAAdan AAalayhi haqqan walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
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38. And they swear by Allah most solemnly that Allah will not raise anyone who dies. Yea! It is a promise binding on Him, but most people know it not. ===================================
39. Liyubayyina lahumu allathee yakhtalifoona feehi waliyaAAlama allatheena kafaroo annahum kanoo kathibeena
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39. Allah will raise the dead so that He might make matters, in which they differ, clear to them, and that those who suppress the Truth might know that they were liars. ===================================
40. Innama qawluna lishay-in itha aradnahu an naqoola lahu kun fayakoonu
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40. When We intend a thing, We just say “Be” and it is. ===================================
41. Waallatheena hajaroo fee Allahi min baAAdi ma thulimoo lanubawwi-annahum fee alddunya hasanatan walaajru al-akhirati akbaru law kanoo yaAAlamoona
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41. And those who migrate for Allah's sake after they are oppressed, We will certainly resettle them in a good position in this world. And the reward of the Hereafter is certainly much greater, if they but know. ===================================
42. Allatheena sabaroo waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona
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42. Those that are patient and have trust in their Lord. ===================================
43. Wama arsalna min qablika illa rijalan noohee ilayhim fais-aloo ahla alththikri in kuntum la taAAlamoona
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43. And We did not send before you any but men to whom We revealed our Verses/signs. Ask the people of the divine Reminder/Book if you do not know.6
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6. This was the divine response to the kuffar wondering why a man – and not an angel – had been sent as Allah’s Messenger. They were asked to get confirmation from people – like the Jews – on whom the earlier divine Books had been revealed, that Allah had sent men only as His Messengers also to them. ====================================================
44. Bialbayyinati waalzzuburi waanzalna ilayka alththikra litubayyina lilnnasi ma nuzzila ilayhim walaAAallahum yatafakkaroona
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44. We had sent only men, to the earlier people, with clear signs/evidences and scriptures. And We have sent down to you the Reminder (the Qur’aan) that you may make clear to mankind what has been sent down for them, and that they may think about it.
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Mohammad Shafi
Mumbai, India,
24th December, 2009
|
QSV-XXVII
