About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       Alif-Lam-Mim-Sad (Only Allah knows the meanings of these letters).

       This Book (the Quran) is sent down to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!], so you should warn people with it, and do not feel heaviness in your heart (for the disobedience of the people) and it is a reminder for the believers.

       You should follow what is sent down from your Creator and don’t follow any (false) protectors besides Him. You people accept very little advice!

       And (look)! How many com-munities (of the past) We have destroyed (due to their crimes)? Our torment came to them (suddenly) at night or while they were taking rest at noon.

       So when Our torment came upon them, they could not help confessing: “Indeed, we are the wrong-doers.” (i.e. they confessed, but confession at that time is not acceptable).

       (That was punishment in this world, and in the Hereafter there will be more painful torment) so We shall certainly question those people to whom the messengers (or Books) were sent and We shall surely question the messengers also (about conveying the message and the response of their people).

       Since We have full knowledge, so We will describe their full story (in the presence of everybody) and We were not absent (at the time and place of their activities).

       And on that Day (of Judge-ment) the true weighing (of actions and beliefs) will take place. Those whose scale (of belief) will be heavy, so they will be successful.

       And those who pushed them-selves into a loss by rejecting Our revelations, their scales will be light.

       And, indeed, We gave you a place to live in the land and provided you with the means of livelihood of the life, yet little thanks you give.

       And, surely; We created you [i.e. your father Adam ( )] and then We shaped you (note that the children of Adam ( ) have same shape as of Adam ( ), what an extraordinary invention!) then We ordered the angels: “Prostrate yourselves to Adam ( ).” So they prostrated except Satan. Satan was not one of those who prostrated.

       (Allah) said: “What prevented you to prostrate when I ordered you?” Satan said: “I am better than Adam ( ). You created me from fire and You created him from clay.”

       Allah said: “(O Satan) Get down from this (the Paradise). You are not supposed to be arrogant here. Hence, get out, since you are of those who are the meanest.”

       Satan said: “Please grant me delay (in my punishment) till the Day of Resurrection.”

       Allah said: “You are granted this delay (due to some of My grand wisdom).”

       Satan said: “Since You have led me astray, I shall, surely, sit on Your Straight Path (waiting for Adam ( ) and his children).

       “Then I shall attack them (from four directions) from their front and back as well as from their right and left, and You will not find most of them thankful to You (for Your favours).” (Also Surah Saba:20)

       (Allah) said (to Satan); “Get out from the heavens, degraded and banished (i.e. expelled as punish-ment). Whoever (from man-kind) will follow you; I will definitely fill Hell with you all (this was part of the grand wisdom of Allah).” 

       (And We commanded) “O Adam! You and your wife reside in Paradise and both of you eat from there as you wish, but don’t go near this tree otherwise both of you will be of the wrong-doers.”

       Then Satan whispered to both of them, in order to uncover their private parts which were hidden, and said: “Your Creator did not forbid you this tree except that you might become angels or become of the immortals.”

       And Satan swore by Allah to both of them (stating): “Indeed, I am one of your well-wishers.”

       So Satan caused (them) to fall by deception. Hence, when both of them tasted the tree, their private parts became uncovered. They both started covering themselves with the leaves of the (trees of) Paradise. And their Creator said to them: “Did I not forbid you that tree and I also told you both that, indeed, Satan is your obvious enemy?”

       They both said: “O our Creator! We both have wronged ourselves. If You don’t forgive us and don’t shower Your Mercy on us, we shall certainly be of the losers.”

       (Allah) said: “Get down (from Paradise to earth in such a way) that some of you (i.e. your children) will be enemy to one another. Earth is residing place for you and to derive benefits from it for a while.” 

       (Allah) said: “You shall live there, and you shall die there and from it you shall be brought out (i.e. resurrected).” 

       O Children of Adam! (One of Our favours is) We have made clothing for you to cover your private parts and also as an adornment. (Apart from this apparent clothing) there is clothing in the form of God-consciousness (in your personality) which is better (than the apparent clothing). This (the clothing) is one of the signs of Allah so that, they may remember (this favour of Allah).

       O Children of Adam ( )! Let Satan not deceive you just as he got your parents out of Paradise and removed their clothing to show them their private parts. Indeed, Satan and his army see you from where you cannot see them. Indeed, We made Satans friends of those who don’t believe.

       And when they do some ob-scene activities they say: “We saw our forefathers doing it, and Allah has also ordered us to do so.” Say: “Indeed, Allah never orders inde-cent activities. Do you say about Allah what you know not?”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “My Creator has commanded justice, and face the Qiblah directly at every time of worship– (Imam Shawkani), and worship Allah Alone sincerely. You will be resurrected (on the Day of Judgement) just like you were created the first time.”

       Allah guided one group of people and the other group deserved to be in ignorance since they made the Satans their friends instead of Allah and they think they are guided.

       O children of Adam( )! Wear your (graceful) clothing at the time of visitation to a Masjid (for praying). And eat and drink (permissible food items) freely but don’t waste by extravagance. (Allah has summed up the medical knowledge in this one Verse – Ibn Kathir) Indeed, Allah does not like those who waste by extravagance.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Who has forbidden the means of adornment (i.e. clothing) which Allah has made for His slaves and who has forbidden the lawful food items?” Say: “These things are for the believers in this world (although disbelievers benefit from them too). However, these things will be exclusively for the believers on the Day of Judgement. In this way We explain Our revelations in detail for the people who have knowledge.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Indeed, my Creator has forbidden obscene activities, done openly or secretly, and (all kind of) sins, and oppression without justification, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has not sent down any authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.”

       And every community has its fixed term (to perform deeds), when their term comes, neither it can be delayed nor it can be advanced an hour (or momentarily).

       (We informed you at the time of the creation of your souls). O Children of Adam! If a messenger comes to you from amongst you, reciting to you My revelations, then whosoever fears Allah and reforms himself (by good deeds), there shall be no fear, nor grief for them.

       And those who reject Our revelations and display arrogance, they are the residents of the Hell-Fire, they will be there forever.

       (Here are more details of the residents of Hell). Who is more unjust than one who coins lies against Allah or rejects His revelations. They will receive their fixed portion (of wealth and age) written in the Book (in this world), until Our angels (of death) come to them to take their souls. The angels will say to them: “Where are those whom you used to worship besides Allah?” They will reply: “They have disappeared and have deserted us.” And they will bear witness against themselves, that they were definitely disbelievers.

       Allah will say: “Enter the Hell-Fire in the company of groups, of men and jinn who passed away before you.” Every time a new group enters, it curses its sister group until they will be gathered altogether in the Fire. The last group will say to their preceding groups: “Our Creator! These people misled us, so inflict double torment of the Fire on them.” Allah will say: “For each one of you there is double torment, but you know not.” (Also Surah Al-Ahzab:67, 68)

       Their first group will say to their last group: “So you are not su-perior to us, hence taste the punish-ment for what you used to do.”

       Indeed those who denied Our revelations and were arrogant about them, the doors of the heaven will not be opened for them and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of a needle (which is impossible). And thus We treat the criminals.

       Their bedding will be of Hell-Fire and their covering will also be of Hell-Fire. And thus We treat the wrong-doers.

       And those who believed and did good deeds, We do not burden a person beyond his capacity, they will be the residents of Paradise, they will live there forever.

       And Allah shall remove from their hearts jeolousy (if any), rivers flowing under them, and they will say (out of happiness): “All praise and thanks are due to Allah Who guided us to this place (Paradise). We would not have reached it unless Allah had guided us! Indeed, the messengers of our Creator did come with the truth.” And it will be announced to them: “This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you used to do.”

       The residents of Paradise will call out to the residents of Hell-Fire (to express their happiness and to increase the sadness of the residents of Hell-Fire).  “We have, indeed, found true what our Creator had promised us, have you also found true what your Creator promised?” They shall say: “Yes (indeed).”Then a caller (an angel) will an-nounce (standing between these two groups): “The Curse of Allah is on the wrong-doers.”

       Those who hinder others from the Path of Allah, and seek crookedness in it and disbelieve in the Hereafter.

       And between them (the residents of Paradise and residents of Hell) there will be a barrier or Al-Araf (as also mentioned in Surah Al-Hadeed: 13. Al-Araf is a wall between paradise and hell and it has in it elevated places. There will be many residents of Al-Araf. Their good deeds and bad deeds are equal in scale – Qurtubi). The residents of Al-Araf will be able to recognize both groups from their appearance (the residents of Paradise will have white faces while the residents of Hell will have dark faces). The residents of Al-Araf will say to the residents of Paradise: “Peace be upon you,” and they have not yet entered Paradise, but they hope to enter it.

       And when their eyes will be turned towards the residents of Fire, they will say: “Our Creator! Don’t put us with the people who are wrong-doers.”

       And the residents of Al-Araf will call to the men whom they recognize by their appearance, saying: “Your big group (and huge wealth) and your arrogance (towards Prophets) did not benefit you.

       “Are these the ones about whom you swore that Allah would never show them mercy?” (They would be ordered:) “Enter Paradise, no fear shall be on you nor shall you grieve.”

       And the residents of the Hell-Fire will call to the residents of Paradise, “Pour down some water or anything that Allah has provided you.” They will say: “Allah has forbidden both of them to the disbelievers”.

       “Who took their religion as a fun and pastime and the worldly life deceived them.” Hence, We shall forget them this Day as they forgot their meeting of this Day and they used to reject Our revelations.

       And certainly, We have sent down a Book (the Quran) to them which We have explained in detail with Our perfect Knowledge and it is a guidance and a mercy for the people who believe. (Also Surah Al-Isra:15)

       Are they waiting for the final result (i.e. promise of punishment as described by the Quran)? The Day this event takes place, those who neglected it before will say: “Indeed, the messengers of our Creator did come with truth. Are there any intercessors for us that they may intercede on our behalf? Or could we be sent back so that we might do other deeds than those which we used to do?” They have pushed themselves in loss and that which they used to fabricate will disappear from them.

       Indeed, your Creator is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and then He rose over the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). He covers the light of the day with the darkness of night and the night prevails on the day rapidly. And He created the sun, the moon and the stars, all of them follow His Command. No doubt, He is the Creator and Sovereign. Blessed is He, the Creator of all the universe.

       (In every situation and for every need) pray to your Creator humbly and secretly. Indeed, He does not like those who go beyond limits (who do not follow the etiquettes of supplication).

       And don’t spread mischief on the earth after it has been reformed (by messengers), and pray to Allah with fear and hope. Indeed, Allah’s Mercy is (very) near to the good-doers.

       And it is Allah Who sends the winds before rain (which convey the hope of rain) and cheer up the people. When these winds come with heavy-laden clouds, We drive them towards a dead land, and make the rainfall on this land, so We produce every kind of fruit with it. Thus We will resurrect the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), so that you may understand it.

       (The teachings of the Quran are for everybody but only a few people benefit from it. Its example is like the rainfall which gives rise to vegetation from good land only). And the vegetation of a good land grows easily by the Permission of its Creator but the bad land brings forth nothing but a little with difficulty. Thus We explain Our revelations from various angles for the people who thank (Allah).

       Indeed, We sent Nuh ( ) to his people and he said: “O my people! Worship Allah. There is no other God for you except Him. I do fear for you the severe punishment of a Great Day.”

       The leaders of his people said: “Indeed, we see you in an obvious error.”

       Nuh ( ) said: “O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a messenger from the Creator of the universe.

       “I convey to you the messages of my Creator and give you sincere advice. And I know from Allah what you don’t know. 

       “Are you surprised that there has come to you a reminder from your Creator through a man from amongst you that he may warn you so that you may fear Allah and that Allah’s Mercy be showered upon you?”

       So they denied him. Hence, We saved him and those with him in the boat (during the storm) and We drowned those who denied Our revelations. They were, in-deed, blind people (who could not distinguish between truth and falsehood or benefit and loss).

       And to A’d (people, We sent) their brother Hud ( ) (as a messen-ger). Hud ( ) said: “O my people! Worship Allah! There is no other God for you except Him. Will you not fear (Allah)?”

       The leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said: “Indeed, we consider you a foolish person and, indeed, we think you are one of the liars.”

       [Hud ( )] said: “O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but I am a messenger from the Creator of all the universe.

       “I deliver to you the message of my Creator and I am a trustworthy adviser for you.

       “Are you surprised that there has come to you an advice from your Creator through a man from amongst you to warn you? And remember that Allah made you successors after the people of Nuh ( ) and increased you a lot in stature. Hence, remember the favours of Allah so that you may be successful.”

       They said: “Have you come to us so that we should worship Allah Alone and leave those (idols) which our forefathers used to worship? So bring us that (torment) with which you threaten us, if you are truthful.” (Also Surah Al-Anfal:32)

       Hud ( ) said: “The torment and Wrath of your Creator is about to fall on you. Do you quarrel with me over the (superficial) names which you and your forefathers have coined while you have no proof or authority from Allah (to make them your gods)? (Now stop quarrelling) so wait (for the torment), and I am with you among those who wait.”

       Hence, We saved Hud ( ) and those who were with him (believers) through Our Mercy and We cut the roots of those who denied Our revelations since they were never going to believe. 

       And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih ( ) (as a messenger). Salih ( ) said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God except Him. Indeed, you have witnessed a miracle from your Creator (of the coming out of a she-camel from a rock, as you demanded). This she-camel is a clear proof (of my Prophethood). So you leave this she-camel to graze in Allah’s earth (freely), and don’t touch her with any harm lest a painful torment should seize you.

       “And remember when Allah made you successor after A’d (people) and established you on the land (according to your wishes). You build (huge) palaces in the soft land and carve out homes in the mountains. Hence, don’t forget the favours of Allah and don’t go around spreading mischief on the earth.”

       The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said to those who were believers but were weak (and poor). “Are you sure that Salih ( ) is sent as a messenger from his Creator?” The poor (and weak) people said: “We, indeed, believe in what he has been sent with.”

       Those who were arrogant said: “Indeed, we disbelieve in that which you believe in.”

       Hence, they killed the she-camel and they rebelled against the Commandment of their Creator, and said (rudely): “O Salih ( )! Bring about what you threaten us with if you are, indeed, one of the messengers of Allah.”

       Hence, the earthquake seized them and they lay dead on their faces in their homes.

       Then Salih ( ) walked away from them, saying: “O my people! I have, indeed, conveyed the message of my Creator to you and I have given you (sincere) advice but you don’t like the (sincere) advisors.”

       And (remember) Lut ( ) when he said to his people: “Do you en-gage yourselves in obscene activi-ties which none did before you in the universe.

       “You satisfy your sexual lust with men instead of women. In fact, you have transgressed beyond (human) limits (in this activity).”

       His people had no reasonable answer for him, except they said (to each other): “Turn them out from your town since they claim to be pure people (i.e. pure from sins).”

       (Finally a torment struck them) so We saved Lut ( ) and his family except his wife; she was one of those who remained behind (in the torment).

       And We rained on them (a new kind of) rain (of stones). So see what the end of the criminals was.

       And to (the people of) Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shuaib ( ). He said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him.” Indeed, a clear proof (about my Prophethood) has come to you from your Creator. So give full measure and full weight, and don’t deprive the people of their things, and don’t spread mischief in the land after it has been reformed. This will be better for you, if you are believers.

       “And don’t sit on every road, threatening and hindering from the Path of Allah those people who believe in Allah, and seeking crookedness in it. And remember when you were only a few (in number or wealth), and Allah increased (your numbers and/or wealth). And see what the end of the mischief-makers was.

       “And if one of your groups has believed in what (message) I have been sent with and the other groups don’t believe, so be patient until Allah judges between us, and He is the Best of judges.”

The leaders of those who were arrogant among his people said (rudely): “O Shuaib ( )! We will certainly expel you and those who believe with you from our town or force you to revert toour religion.” Shuaib ( ) said: “Even though we hate it?”

[Shuaib ( ) added], “We would be inventing a lie against Allah if we revert to your religion after Allah has brought us out from it. And it is not possible for us to revert to your religion unless our Creator, Allah, wills. Our Creator encompasses all things in His Knowledge. We put our trust in Allah Alone. O our Creator! Judge between us and our people in truth since You are the Best of those who give judgement.”

And the leaders of those who disbelieved among his people said (to their followers): “If you follow Shuaib ( ), then you shall certainly be (big) losers.”

So the earthquake seized them and they lay dead on their faces in their homes.

Those who denied Shuaib ( ), became as if they never lived there (in their homes). Those who denied Shuaib ( ), they became the (absolute) losers.

Then Shuaib ( ) walked away from them and said: “O my people! I have, indeed, conveyed to you the message of my Creator and I have given you a sincere advice, then how can I feel sorry for a disbelieving people’s (destruction).”

And whenever We sent a Prophet to any town. We seized its people with extreme poverty and calamities so that they may humble themselves (and repent to Allah).

Then We changed the bad time with good time until they grew and multi-plied, and they said: “Our forefathers used to have calamities and prosperity.” (When they got used to of their thinking) We seized them all of a sudden while they were unaware of it.

And if the people of these towns had believed (in the messengers) and feared (Allah), We, would, have certainly, showered Our blessings on them from the heaven and the earth, but (unfortunately) they denied (the messengers), so We punished them due to their (evil) deeds.

(After listening to these stories of the messengers) Do the residents of (present) towns feel secure against the coming of Our torment by night while they are asleep?

Or, do the residents of (present) towns feel secure against the coming of Our torment in the broad daylight while they are playing (i.e. engaged in worldly affairs)?

Do they feel secure against the strategy of Allah (to seize them all of a sud-den)? So, none feels secure against the strategy of Allah except the people who are the losers.

Have the (present) inheritors of the land of those people (whom We de-stroyed) not learnt this lesson that We, if We will, can destroy them too due to their crimes, and We put a seal on their hearts so they will not be able to hear (the truth).

(The summary of this topic is that) We are relating to you some of the stories of the residents of these communities. Their messengers came to them with mira-cles. (The residents were so stubborn), so they did not care to believe what they had denied first time. Thus Allah seals up the hearts of the disbelievers. (Also Surah Al-Anam:109, 110)

And We found that most of them do not keep their promises and We found most of them are disobedient (even after witnessing the miracles).

     Then after these messengers We sent Musa ( ) with Our miracles to Firaun and his chiefs but they disrespectfully rejected them (i.e. mir-acles). So see what the end of the mischief-makers was.

And Musa ( ) said: “O Firaun! Indeed, I am a messenger from the Creator of the universe.

“It is not proper for me to say anything concerning Allah except the truth. I have, indeed, come to you from your Creator with a miracle. (Which I can show you if you demand it). Hence, (release Children of Israel from your slavery) and send them with me (to Greater Syria which is their native country).

Firaun said: “If you have come with a miracle, so show it, if you are one of those who tell the truth.”

Hence, Musa ( ) threw his stick and it, at once, became a serpent.

Musa ( ) took his hand out and it, at once, became very shining for the beholders.

    The chiefs of the people of Firaun said (to each other): “This is, indeed, a well-versed magician.

“He wants to get you out of your land, so what is your advice?”

(After mutual consultation) they said (to Firaun): “Delay action against Musa ( ) and his brother and send callers (summoners) to the cities,

“To bring to you all the well-versed magicians.”

And the magicians came to Firaun. The magicians said (to Firaun): “Is there any (big) reward for us if we dominate.”

Firaun said: “Yes, and, more-over, you will be among my near people.”

The magicians said: “O Musa ( )! Would you like to throw first, or should we have the first throw?”

Musa ( ) said: “You throw (first).” So when they threw, they enchanted the eyes of the people, and terrified them and displayed a very powerful magic.

And We inspired Musa ( ) (saying): “Throw your stick.” It at once swallowed up all falsehood which they displayed.

Thus the truth was upheld and that which they (the magicians) did was de-feated.

Hence, those people were defeated then and there and they returned disgraced.

And the magicians fell down prostrate.

The magicians said: “We believe in the Creator of all the universe.

“The Creator of Musa ( ) and Harun ( ).”

Firaun said: “You have be-lieved in Musa ( ) before I give you permission. Surely, it is your plot which you hatched in this city in or-der to expel its residents. You will soon know (the result of this).

I will, surely, cut off your hands and your feet from opposite sides, then I shall crucify you all (to teach a lesson to others)”.

They said: “(We don’t worry) We shall, surely, return to Our Creator (where there is peace and tranquillity).

“What fault do you see in us except that we believed in the signs of our Cre-ator when they have reached us? O our Creator! Grant us steadfast and make us die as Muslims.”

And the chiefs of Firaun’s people said: “Will you let Musa ( ) and his followers spread mischief in the land while they abandon you and your gods?” Firaun said: “We will kill their sons and let their daughters survive and we have full power over them.”

Musa ( ) said to his people: “Seek help from Allah and be patient. Indeed, this land belongs to Allah and He gives the possession of it to His slaves whom He wills. The ultimate success is for those who fear Allah.”

[Musa’s ( ) people] said: “We had suffered before you came to us (Firaun killed our sons) and we are suffering even after you have come to us (Firaun intends to kill our sons).” Musa ( ) replied: “May be Allah will destroy your enemy and make you ruler on the land to see how you behave?” 

       (When Firaun and his follow-ers intensified opposition to Musa ( ) and his followers) We, indeed, seized the followers of Firaun with years of drought and shortage of fruits, so that they might learn a lesson from it.

So whenever good time came to them, they felt that they deserved it anyway. And whenever bad time came to them they felt it was an evil omen due to Musa ( ) and his followers. Indeed, their evil omens are with Allah but most of them don’t know it.

And the people of Firaun said [to Musa ( )]: “Whatever proof you bring to us to enchant with it, we shall never believe in you.”

Hence, We sent on them, the flood, the locust, the lice, the frogs and the blood (one after other) as clear miracles, yet they remained arrogant and they were criminal people.

And whenever a torment came to them they said: “O Musa ( )! Pray to your Creator for us for that which He has promised you. If you re-move this torment from us, we shall, definitely, believe in you, and we shall let the Children of Israel go with you too.”

So when the torment, which was sent for a limited period, was removed from them, they instantly broke their promise.

Hence, We took revenge from them. We drowned them in the sea since they denied Our revelations and were totally heedless to them.

And (by drowning Firaun and his followers) We made the people who were considered weak (i.e. Children of Israel) to inherit the eastern parts of the land and the western parts of the land which We had blessed (i.e. with excellent vege-tation and living and for being the burial place of many messengers), and, in this way, the promise of Allah for the Children of Israel was fulfilled because of the patience they displayed. And We totally destroyed the factories and big buildings which Firaun and his followers erected. (Also Surah Al-Qasas:5, 6)

And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea safely. They came across some people who were worshiping their idols with devotion. The Children of Israel said: “O Musa ( )! Make for us (a physical) god sim-ilar to their gods.” Musa ( ) said: “You are indeed, very igno-rant people.”

(Musa ( ) added) “Indeed, what these people are engaged in will be destroyed (by Allah) and their activity is mere falsehood.”

 “Shall I make for you a god besides Allah, while Allah has made you supe-rior (through His certain favours) over the mankind and jinn (of your time).”

And (remember) when We rescued you from Firaun’s people, who used to torture you, by killing your sons and letting your daughters survive, and it was a great trial (for you) from your Creator.

[When most of the worries of Children of Israel were finished, they re-quested Musa ( ) to have a code of conduct so that they may follow it whole heartedly. Musa ( ) requested Allah and Allah invited him to mountain Tur, for Aitikaf]. We (initially) promised thirty nights for Musa ( ) and then added ten (nights) to it. Hence, he completed the term of forty nights appointed by his Creator. And Musa ( ) said to his brother Harun ( ): “Conduct the affairs in my absence, keep them on the Right Path and don’t follow the way of mis-chief-makers.”

And when Musa ( ) came at the time and place appointed by Allah and his Creator spoke to him. (With this great joy, Musa ( ) wished to see Allah). Musa ( ) said: “O my Creator! (Kindly) show me (Yourself) so that I (have the honour to) look upon You.” Al-lah said: “You cannot see Me. However, keep looking towards the mountain. If the mountain remains still in its place, then you will be able to see Me.” So when his Creator appeared to the mountain, the mountain crumbled to dust, and Musa ( ) fell down senseless. When Musa ( ) re-gained his senses, he said: “You are Glorified, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first of the believers.”

(Allah) said: “O Musa ( )! I have distinguished you above the people (of your time) by making you My Prophet and by My speaking (to you). And take that what I have bestowed upon you (i.e. Prophethood, Taurat) and be of the grateful.”

And We wrote for Musa ( ) on the Tablets important ad-vices for everything and details of every commandment (these Tablets are Taurat) and said: “Hold this firmly and order your people to follow its fantastic com-mands. I shall soon show you the home of the mischief-makers.” (i.e. make you ruler of Greater Syria where Amalqa ruled and they were disbelievers. – Ibn-Kathir).

I shall turn away those from My revelations who display arro-gance on the earth, without any justification. And (even) if they witness all the proofs, they will not believe in them, and if they see the path to right conduct, they will not follow it, but if they see the path to wrong conduct, they will follow it (readily), that is because they have rejected Our revelations and were heedless to them. (Also Surah Yunus:96, 97)

And those who deny Our revelations and the Meeting in the Hereafter, their all deeds become null and void. Are they not punished in accordance with their (evil) activities?

And the people of Musa ( ) made a calf-like body (for worship) in his absence using their ornaments which gave a lowing sound. Did they not see that it could neither speak to them nor guide them to the way (re-garding worldly affairs or for the Hereafter)? They worshipped it and they were the wrong-doers.

And when they regretted and it became clear to them that they have truly gone astray, they said: “Unless our Creator have mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall certainly be losers.”[They regretted after the return of Musa ( )].

[Musa ( ) was informed about the evil activity of his people by revelations] And when Musa ( ) returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said: “What an evil supervision you have done in my absence! Why did you take this hasty step even before the Commands of Al-lah? (I went to bring these Commands. You should have waited for me).” Musa ( ) threw down the Tablets and seized his brother by (the hair of) his head and dragged him towards him. Harun ( ) said: “O son of my mother! Indeed, the people considered me very weak and (although I did advised them) they were about to kill me. So do not make the enemies jubi-lant about me nor count me amongst the people who are the wrong-doers.”

Musa ( ) said: “O my Creator! Forgive me and my brother and shower your mercy on us since you are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.”

Indeed, those who worshipped calf (if they don’t repent) wrath from their Creator and disgrace will soon come upon them in this worldly life. (This pun-ishment is not for them only) and  thus We treat all those who invent lies.

But those who committed evil deeds (like worshipping calf) and then re-pented and (by quitting disbelief) believed, then, indeed, your Creator will for-give them and will shower His mercy upon them.

And when the anger of Musa ( ) subsided, he got hold of the Tablets, and in their writing was guidance and mercy for those who fear their Creator.

And Musa ( ) chose a group of seventy persons from his people to meet Us at the appointed time and place of meeting. And when a vio-lent earthquake seized them, Musa ( ) said: “O my Creator, if You willed, You could have destroyed them before this and me too. Would You destroy us for the activities of the foolish ones among us? Indeed, it is a test from You by which You lead astray whom You will and keep on guidance whom You will. You are our Protector. Hence, forgive us and have Mercy on us, since You are the Best of those who forgive.

“And prescribe goodness for us in this world, and in the Hereafter too. Cer-tainly we have been guided to You.” Allah said: “I inflict punishment upon whom I will. And My Mercy embraces all things. I shall prescribe (My Mercy) for those who are pious, give poor-due and they believe in Our revelations,

“Those who obey the mes-sen-ger [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )], the Prophet who cannot read nor write, about which they find written down with them in the Taurat and the Injeel.” He commands them to do good and forbids them from evil activities, and he makes lawful for them to eat all good things and makes unlawful for them to eat forbidden things and he relieves them from the burdens and yokes (or bindings) that were upon them (e.g. if clothes become impure, Jews had to cut unclean part of it or burn it to make it pure. Now we can just wash it with water to make it pure). So those, who believe in him, and honour him, and help him and follow that light (i.e. the Quran) which has been sent down with him, they will definitely be successful.

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Say: “O man-kind! Indeed, I am sent down to you all as a messenger of Allah Who is the Sov-ereign of the heavens and the earth. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. It is He Who gives life and causes death. Hence, believe in Allah and His messenger [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )], the Prophet who cannot read nor write, who believes in Allah and His Command-ments.” [When, Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] does not hesitate to believe in Allah, His messengers and His Books in spite of his status, why should you refuse to believe in them). And follow him [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] so that you may be guided.

And (although some people opposed you) but there is a group from the people of Musa ( ) which guides others in accordance with truth (Islam) and establishes justice with it too. (e.g. Abdullah bin Salam). 

And We divided them into twelve tribes and made each of them a separate community. When Musa’s ( ) people asked him for water, We commanded Musa ( ): “Strike (that) stone with your stick.” So twelve springs gushed out of the stone, each person found his own place for water. And We covered them with shade of clouds and sent down for them Al-Manna and quails (saying): “Eat from good things which We have provided you.” And they did not harm Us but they used to harm themselves.

And (remember) when it was said to them: “Reside in this town (Jerusalem) and eat from wherever you wish and say: ‘(O Allah!) Forgive our sins’, and enter the gate bowing humbly, We shall forgive your (previous) sins. (This is for eve-rybody). But We shall increase (the reward) for the good-doers.”

So the wrong-doers among them changed the wording that had been given to them. Hence, We sent on them a torment from the sky due to their wrong-doings.

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] And ask them about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed concerning the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday), when their fish came to them very visible on Saturday and did not come to them on other days. In this way We tested them because they used to disobey (the Commands of Allah).

And when one group among them said: “Why do you advise those whom Allah is about to destroy or inflict a severe punishment on them?” They an-swered: “In order to justify being free from guilt before your Creator, and (sec-ondly) perhaps they may fear Allah.”

So when they ignored the reminders (repeatedly), We rescued those who forbade evil but We seized the wrong-doers with a grievous torment because they used to disobey (the Commands of Allah).

So when they exceeded the limits of what they were forbidden, We said to them: “Be you monkeys, low and rejected.”

And (remember) when your Creator announced (through the messengers of Children of Israel) that He would certainly keep on sending people against Jews (for their rudeness and disobedience to Allah) till the Day of Judgement, to in-flict them with an evil torment. Indeed, your Creator can take a quick revenge (if He wills) and indeed, your Creator is Very Forgiving, Most Merciful (if they sincerely repent).

And We broke them into various communities in the land. Some of them were righteous and others were not. We tested them with good time and bad time in order that they might return (to Allah’s obedience).

So they were succeeded by (sinful) successors, who inherited the Book, but they greedily took perishable (worldly) gains, saying: “All our sins will be for-given,” (as an excuse for it). And if they got another chance to have similar petty worldly gains, they would eagerly take it too (like many Muslims of our time). Did they not make the promise as stated in the Book that they would not say about Allah anything except the truth, and they have studied (and fully under-stood) what is in the Book? And the home of the Hereafter is superior for those who are conscious of their duty to Allah. Don’t you understand this?

And those who hold fast to the (teachings of the) Book [Taurat, in which they are commanded to believe in Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] and perform Salat, We shall, certainly, not waste the reward of those who reform themselves (with good deeds).

And (remember) when We raised the mountain over them like a canopy and they realized that it was about to fall on them, (We said): “Hold firmly to what We have given you (i.e. Taurat) and follow its commandments, so that you may become pious persons.”

And (remember) when your Creator brought forth the seed of the Children of Adam ( )  from their back (when they were in the form of spirits and Allah gave them intelligence) and took this testimony from them about themselves (saying:) “Am I not your Creator?” They said: “Yes, indeed, we testi-fy.” Lest you should say on the Day of Judgement: “Indeed, we have been una-ware of this.”  

Or lest you should say: “Actually our forefather ascribed partners in worship with Allah, we were only their children, and will you destroy us because of the criminal practices of the followers of falsehood?”

And in this way We describe Our revelations in detail so that they may re-turn (to the truth).

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Recite to them the story of the person whom We gave (the knowledge) of Our Verses, but he totally disobeyed Our commands, so  Satan followed him closely. Then he be-came one of those who went astray.

And, if We willed, We would have made him distinguished with Our Verses but he inclined towards earthly gains and followed his vain desires. Hence, his example is like a dog: if you attack the dog, he sticks his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he still sticks his tongue out. Such is the example of people who reject Our Verses. (It is the same for them if you preach them or not). Hence, describe these stories to them so that they may ponder over them. 

Evil is the example of the people who deny Our revelation and (by this de-nial) they pushed themselves into a loss.

Whomsoever Allah guides, he is the truly guided one, and whomsoever He leads astray, then those are the losers.

And, indeed, We have created many jinn and men for Hell. They have hearts with which they cannot understand (the truth). They have eyes with which they cannot see (the proofs). They have ears with which they cannot hear (the truth attentively). They are like cattle or rather more astray. They are (totally) heedless (even after many reminders).

And all the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so address Him by them, and don’t mix with those people who don’t honour these Names (i.e. try to give these Names to others). They will be punished soon for what they used to do.

And of those whom We have created, there is a group which guides others with truth and establish justice with it too.

And those who reject Our revelations, We shall gradually seize them (to punish) in a way that they don’t perceive it.

And I postpone (the torment) for them. Indeed, My strategy is very firm.

Did they not give a serious thought to it that their companion [Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )] has no (sign of) madness? He is truly an obvious warner.

Do they not ponder over the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and other things which Allah has created and (also) that probably the end of their lives is very near (hence, they should fear about the accountability)? (If Quran’s eloquent speech did not affect them), so in what other message after this they will believe?

Whomsoever Allah leads astray, none can guide him, and He lets them wan-der blindly in their transgression.

They ask you about the time of occurrence of the Day of Judgement. Say: “Indeed, its knowledge is with my Creator only. None can reveal its time except Him. It will be a very heavy (i.e. big disaster) in the skies and the earth. It shall come upon you all of a sudden.” They ask you as if you have researched it (and know it). Say: “Its knowledge is with Allah (Alone) but most of the people don’t know it.”

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Say: “I don’t have power to benefit or harm myself except as Allah wills. And if I had the knowledge of the Unseen, I would have amassed a lot of good for me, and no misfortune would have touched me. I am only a warner, and a conveyer of good news to the people who believe.”

It is He Who has created you from a single person [Adam ( )], and (then) He has created from him his wife (Hawwa), so that he may live lovingly with her. When he (a disbeliever from Adam’s offspring – Tafsir Ibn-Kathir) had sexual relation with his wife, she became pregnant and she car-ried around her light pregnancy. Then when it became heavy, they prayed to Al-lah Who is their Creator, (saying): “If you grant us a pious child, we shall, in-deed, be very grateful.” (Also Surah Ar-Rum:21)

When He granted them a good child (in all aspects), they started making partners with Allah in what He had bestowed upon them. High is Allah. Exalted above all that they make partners with Him.

Do they make partners with Allah while those partners did not create any-thing rather they them-selves were created?

And they cannot give them any form of help, nor can they help themselves.

And if you seek guidance from them, they don’t answer you (Fateh al-Qadeer). It is the same for you whether you call them or you remain silent.

Indeed, those whom you worship besides Allah are mere slaves like you. Hence, go ahead call them. Then they should respond to your call, if you are truthful.

(How can they respond to you when they have nothing to initiate an action). Do they have feet to walk with them? Or do they have hands to grasp (anything)? Or do they have eyes to see with them? Or do they have ears to hear with them? [O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )!] Say: “Invite (so-called) partners (of Allah) and hatch a plot (to harm me), then don’t postpone your action a bit.”

Indeed, my protector is Allah Who has sent down (this) Book (the Quran), and He is the helper of the righteous people.

And those whom you worship besides Allah cannot help you nor can they help themselves.

And if you seek guidance from them, they don’t even hear, and you will see them looking towards you but they cannot see (since their eyes are artificial). 

You pardon them and instruct them to do good, and turn away from the foolish people.

And if the whispering of Satan comes to you, to make you (somewhat an-gry), then seek refuge with Allah. Indeed, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower.

Indeed, when Satan brings an evil thought to the pious persons, they sponta-neously engage them-selves in remembrance of Allah and, they then, at once, see (things correctly).

And their brothers (i.e. Satans), push them deeper into ignorance, and they never stop doing it.

And when you don’t bring them (their demanded) miracle, they say: “Why have you not brought it?” Say: “Indeed, I follow only what is revealed to me by my Creator, and it consists of many miracles from your Creator (e.g. each Surah is a miracle) and it is a guidance and mercy for those who believe.” 

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )! And re-mind them also] when the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent during the recitation (to appreciate its miracles) and so that Allah’s mercy be showered on you (new or additional). 

[O Muhammad ( may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him )! Say to each one of them]. And engage yourself in the remembrance of Allah quietly (i.e. in your heart), humbly and with fear of Allah and with a slow voice, during the morning and in the evening (as a matter of habit) and don’t be one of those who are neglectful.

Indeed, those who are near their Creator (i.e. angels) they are never too proud to worship their Creator, and they glorify His praise and prostrate them-selves before Him.