About the Surah

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

       Glorified (and Exalted) is Allah Who took his slave [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] for a journey by night from Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to Masjid-al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem), whose neighbourhood  We have blessed (religious blessing is that there are many Prophets buried there, and worldly blessing is that it has very fertile land), to show him Our various signs. [e.g. (i) to travel long distance in very short time (ii) meeting previous Prophets (iii) talking to these Prophets (iv) travelling to various skies and observing extraordinary signs of Allah]. Indeed, Allah is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer [i.e. Allah heard Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and saw the circumstances surrounding him. Accordingly, Allah honoured him with this unique journey and bes-towed upon him nearness to Him.]

       And We gave Musa ( )  the Scripture and made it a means of guidance for the Children of Israel (saying:) “Don’t take any protector besides Me. 

       “O you children of those whom We carried or saved (in the boat) with Nuh ( )  (do not forget Our Favour). Indeed, he [Nuh ( ) ] was a very grateful slave [so you should also become grateful slaves like your forefather Nuh ( ) ].”

       And We decreed for the Children of Israel in the Scripture that you would definitely spread mischief (by committing sins) in the land (Syria) twice and you would become big tyrants [totally ignoring the rights of Allah and rights of the people, first time by their opposition to the code of  conduct of Musa ( ) , second time by opposition to the code of conduct of Isa ( )  and both times you will be punished].

       So when Our first of the two promises came, We sent Our slaves who were great warriors and they entered even the innermost parts of your homes (and they killed most of you). And (Allah’s) promise was, indeed, fulfilled.

       Then (when you repented) We dominated you on them (through some other nation). We returned your old (good) days and helped you with wealth and children and made your group (and your supporters) greater in number (and manpower).

       (It was also written in this Book that) if you do good deeds, it will benefit you (in Here and in the Hereafter) and if you do evil, it will be to your own loss (and you will be punished, that’s what exactly happened). So when the second promise came [when you opposed the code of conduct of Isa ( ) , We made others dominate you] so that they disgrace your faces and enter Masjid-al-Aqsa as they had entered first time and they totally destroyed all that they took control of.

       [It was also written that if you keep away from mischief and obey Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] then it is very likely (rather it is a promise) that Allah will show mercy to you (i.e. you will regain your respect in this world). But if you revert (to sins), We shall revert (to Our punishment). [Jews did oppose Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) tooth and nail, and were killed and disgraced in this world], and We have made Hell as a prison for the disbelievers (in the Hereafter).

       Indeed, this Quran guides to the Path which is Straight (i.e. Islam) and conveys glad tidings to the believers, who do righteous deeds, for them is a tremendous reward.

       And that to those who don’t believe in the Hereafter, there is a painful torment for them.

       And man makes supplication for evil in the similar manner as for goodness. And mankind is (naturally) hasty.

       And We have made the day and the night as two signs (of Our Power). So We have made the sign of the night dark (to rest and remove your tiredness), and We have made the sign of the day very bright, (everything is visible in it) so that you may seek the bounty of your Creator, and you may count the number of years and make other counting too. And We have explained everything (in the Quran) with (great) detail.

       And We have fastened every person’s (good and bad) deeds to his neck (Tafseer Ibn-Kathir). And We will give his account to him on the Day of Judgement and he will be able to see it as an open (Book).

       (It will be said to him) read your Book (the life-register) and you are enough to make self assessment of your account this Day.

       Whoever follows the guidance (in the world), he does it for his own benefit. And whoever goes astray, then he is responsible for it. Nobody will carry the weight of another person’s (sin). And (Our Royal rule is) We never punish until We have sent a messenger (to provide guidance and warning).

       (The above rule is stated here from another angle) and when We decide to destroy a community, We send Our Command (to believe and obey Allah) to the well-to-do members of that society. (They not only deny it) but they also cause mischief there. This justifies punishment for them. Hence, We destroy this (community) completely.

       And how many communities We have destroyed after Nuh ( ) . And your Creator is Sufficient and He is Well-Acquainted with and All-Seer of the sins of His slaves.

       Whoever intends to benefit quickly from this world, We give him in this world what We will and whom We will. Eventually, We have assigned Hell for him and he will enter Hell-Fire disgraced and rejected (from Allah’s Mercy).

       And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it as should be done (i.e. according to the Quran and Sunnah) and also he is a believer, then the effort on the part of such persons will be appreciated. [Hence, there are four pre-requisites for the acceptance of a deed. (i) Intention (ii) Action (iii) Correct action according to the Quran and Sunnah (iv) Belief]

       (In this worldly life) We grant Our Bounties to this kind of people as well as to that kind of people. And the distribution of the Bounties of your Creator is never stopped.

       Notice how We excel one over another (in this world, irrespective of belief or disbelief. Some disbelievers are more well-to-do than the believers). However the Hereafter has higher levels (of dignity) and higher honour.

       Don’t set up other gods with Allah or you will sit disgraced and forsaken (in Hell-Fire).

       And your Creator has com-manded that you worship none except Him, and treat your parents nicely and if you see one or both of them reach old age, don’t express a single word of disrespect to them, nor shout at them, and talk to them very graciously.

       And lower to them the wings of submission with humbleness and mercy and say: “O my Creator! Bestow upon them your Mercy as they were (merciful to me) while bringing me up in my childhood.”

       (Don’t restrict yourself to physical and verbal respect only. Respect them sincerely from your heart). Your Creator fully knows what is in your innerselves. If you are sincerely obedient to your parents (and you happen to make a mistake, then you repent and ask for forgiveness) Allah is Very-Forgiving to those who turn to Him for repentance.

       (Here the rights of other people are described). And give due rights (monetary and non-monetary) to your relatives and to the needy and to the travellers and don’t waste (your wealth) as a spendthrift.

       Indeed, the spendthrifts are brothers of Satan and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Creator.

       (If you have nothing to give to the needy don’t be rude to them). If you have to turn away from the needy while seeking the mercy of Allah, which you expect, even then talk to them softly and kindly.

       And don’t tie your hand with your neck (i.e. don’t be a miser) nor leave it free (i.e. don’t be a spendthrift), so that you become blameworthy and very poor.

       (You don’t have to be extremely concerned about the poverty of the needy people). Indeed, your Creator gives in abundance to whom He wills and limits to whom He wills. Verily, He is Well-Acquainted and All-Seer (of the condition and welfare) of His slaves.

       And don’t kill your children (for fear of poverty). We provide  for them and you. Surely, the killing of them is a great sin.

       And don’t come near unlawful sex. Indeed, it is an indecent activity and an evil way (since it causes enmity, mischief and affects the family-chain).

       And don’t kill anyone whose killing has been forbidden by Allah, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully, We have given his heir the authority (to demand Qisas, or to forgive, or to take blood-money). But let him not exceed limits in the matter of taking life. Indeed, he is helped (by the Islamic law).

       And don’t even go near the wealth of an orphan except the way which is (religiously) approved un-til he becomes mature (physically and mentally). And fulfil (every) promise. Indeed, you will be ques-tioned about your promise (on the Day of Judgement).

       And when you measure, give full measure and weigh with a balance that is straight. It is a good practice and its end result is good too. (There is not only reward in the Hereafter but it also promotes good personal relations which in turn promotes trading).

       And don’t pursue that of which you have no knowledge (i.e. do not try to know other’s secrets). Indeed, the hearing, the eyesight, and the heart, each of them will be questioned (by Allah on the Day of Judgement).

       And don’t walk in the earth arrogantly. Indeed, you can neither penetrate the earth, nor can you be as tall as a mountain.

       The evil of all the above mentioned things are very hateful to your Creator.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]. This is (part of) the wisdom your Creator has revealed to you. Don’t setup other gods with Allah lest you be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected (from Allah’s Mercy).

       Has your Creator chosen for you sons and kept daughters for Him from the angels? You are, in-deed, a big mouth uttering an awful thing!

       And We have indeed explained (various matters) in this Quran (from many angles) so that they may understand them. And it, however, increases hatred in them.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “If there had been other gods along with Allah, as they claim, then they would have found a way to the Owner of the Throne (to get control over Him).”

       Glorified and Exalted is He! High above (the big lie) they utter.

       The seven skies and the earth, and all that is in them, glorify Allah. Everything glorifies His Praise but you don’t understand their glorification. Indeed, He is Forbearing, Very-Forgiving. (Also Surah Sa'd:18)

       And when you [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] recite the Quran (for preaching), We put an invisible barrier between you and those who don’t believe in the Hereafter.

       And (that barrier is) We put a covering on their hearts lest they understand (the purpose of the Quran) and deafness in their ears (lest they listen to the guidance). And when you mention your Creator Alone in the Quran, they turn away from you on their backs hating (what you have presented).

       We are fully aware of their (intentions) with which they listen while listening to you and during their secret whispering among themselves and when the wrong-doers say: “You are following only a bewitched person (i.e. a mad person).”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]. Note what kind of examples or labels they put on you. So they have gone astray, and it is impossible for them to even find a way.

       And they say: “When We are bones and decayed fragments, will we really be resurrected?” 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Be you stones or iron.

       “Or any creature which is greater (or harder) in your breasts (even then you will be resurrected).” Then, they will say: “Who shall bring us back (to life)?” Say: “He who created you first time!” Then, they will shake their heads at you and say: “When will that be?” Say: “Most probably it is very near.”

       (This will take place) on that Day when Allah will call you, and you will respond with (words of) His Praise and Obedience and you will think that you have stayed (in this world) for a very short time. (Also Surah An-Naziat:46)

       And say to the believers to speak only good words since Satan creates dispute among them. Indeed, Satan is an obvious enemy of mankind.

       Your Creator knows you the best. If He wills, He will have Mercy on you, or if He wills, He will punish you. And We have not sent you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] as a guardian over them.

       And your Creator knows best those who are in the heavens and the earth. (Why should they be surprised that We made you a Prophet and excelled you over others?) And, indeed, We have excelled some Prophets over others (before this). (Similarly why should they be surprised that We gave you the Quran?) and We have given Zabur to Dawood ( )  (before this).

       And your Creator knows best those who are in the heavens and the earth. (Why should they be surprised that We made you a Prophet and excelled you over others?) And, indeed, We have excelled some Prophets over others (before this). (Similarly why should they be surprised that We gave you the Quran?) and We have given Zabur to Dawood ( )  (before this).

       Those whom they call upon [e.g. Isa ( ) ], even they them-selves are eagerly looking for a means to have nearness to Allah, that who among them is closer to Him, and that they are hopeful of His Mercy, and that they are afraid of His torment. Indeed, the torment of your Creator is (something) to be afraid of!

       And We shall destroy all the townships (of disbelievers) before the Day of Resurrection or punish them with a severe torment. This is written in the Book (of Our Decrees).

       And nothing stops Us in sending (their demanded) miracles except that the people before them denied them. (And the nature of all  the disbelievers is the same). (For example). We sent the she-camel to Thamud (people) as a clear sign, but they did her wrong (i.e. killed it). And We send Our signs to simply warn people (about their destruction). (Allah does not like that these people be destroyed; hence He does not send their demanded miracles).

       And (remember) when We told you: “Allah has encompassed mankind (i.e. they are under Allah’s control)”. And We did not make the vision which We showed you but a trial for mankind. Similarly the accursed tree mentioned in the Quran (is a trial for mankind). And although We are warning people but it further increases their big rebellion (to Allah).

       And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate youselves to Adam ( ) .” They all prostrated except Satan. Satan said: “Shall I prostrate myself to a person whom You created from clay?

       (Satan) said: “You see this one whom You have honoured above me, now if You grant me delay (i.e. keep me alive) till the Day of Judgement (according to my request), I will definitely destroy his children (i.e. send them astray) except a few (sincere believers).”

       (Allah) said: “Go ahead. So whosoever will follow you, surely Hell will be their reward which is a full and enough reward for them.

       “And misguide whoever among them you can with your voice (i.e. with sexually exciting songs etc), and attack them with your cavalry and your infantry (i.e. attack them with full force) and tempt them by partnership in wealth and children (i.e. usury and illegitimate children) and make other promises (e.g. there will be no accountability on the Day of Judgement).” And all the promises of  Satan to them are always deceiving.

       (Allah added): “Indeed, you (Satan) have no control over my slaves (i.e. sincere believers) and your Creator is enough for them as their Guardian.”

       Your Creator makes the boats sail smoothly in the river for you so that you may seek His Bounty. Indeed, He is Most Merciful towards you.

       When some misfortune strikes you in the sea, all your false deities disappear from you except Him. And when He brings you back to the land safely, you turn away from Him. And man is ever ungrateful.

       Do you feel secure that He will not cause you to sink in the land or that He will not send against you a (terrible) sand-storm? Then you will not find any guardian (to save you from the torment).

       Do you feel secure that He will not cause you to sink in the land or that He will not send against you a (terrible) sand-storm? Then you will not find any guardian (to save you from the torment).

       And, indeed, We have honoured the Children of Adam ( )  and We enabled them to travel on land and sea and provided them with lawful good things and have honoured them above most of Our creatures with a marked distinction.

       (And remember) the Day when We shall call together all human beings along with their leaders. Whoever will receive his account in the right hand (i.e. believers) he will read his record (with happiness) and he will not be wronged equal to a thread (i.e. even a tiny bit).

       And whoever is blind in this world (to see the Right Path), so he will be blind in the Hereafter and will be lost from the Path.

       The disbelievers were about to mislead you from what We have revealed to you so that you fabricate something else (in place of Our revelations). And in that case they would have made you their intimate friend.

       (Their mischief is so strong) Had We not made you steadfast, you would have inclined to them a little bit.

       In that case We would have inflicted upon you double punish-ment in this world and also double punishment after death. Then you would have found none as helper against Us. (But since We made you innocent and steadfast so there is no such punishment for you). 

       And the disbelievers were about to scare you off from the land (Makkah or Madinah) so that they expel you from it. But in that case they would not have stayed there after you, except for a little while.

       This was (Our) way regarding the messengers We sent before you, and you will not find any change in Our way.

       Perform Salat from mid-day till the darkness of the night (i.e. Zuhr, Asr, Magrib and Isha) and recite the Quran in the Fajr Salat. Indeed, the recitation of the Quran in the early dawn is witnessed (by the leaving and coming angels and the presence of the angels is a blessing).

       And during some parts of the night offer Tahajjud which is additional for you, (and recite the Quran in it too).Your Creator will appoint you at the station of praise and glory (and will bestow upon you the honour of intercession on the Day of Judgement).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “O my Creator! Let my entry (to Madinah Munawwarah) be good. And similarly my exit (from Makkah) be good. And grant me from You the victory and help.”

And say: “Truth (i.e. Islam) has come and falsehood has disap-peared. (After the conquest of Makkah, all these promises were fulfilled). Indeed, the falsehood is bound to disappear.

And this Quran which We have revealed, has a healing effect and is mercy for the believers but it adds to the loss of the disbelievers (i.e. when the disbe-lievers listen to it, it makes them more deserving candidates for the punishment of Allah).

And when We bestow Our favour on a man (disbeliever), he turns away and displays arrogance, and when evil touches him, he is in great despair. (Both con-ditions prove that he is far away from Allah’s guidance and this is the reason for his disbelief and ignorance).

[O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Eve-ry person acts according to his way. So your Creator knows best who is on the most correct Path (i.e. religion).”

          And they ask you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] concerning the spirit. Say: “The knowledge of spirit is only with Allah and mankind has been given just a little bit of it. (More detailed knowledge of spirit is not necessary since we cannot grasp it; hence Allah did not describe it in greater detail)”.

And if We willed, We would have taken away the revelations (and knowledge) We have revealed to you and then you would not find any protector for you against Us (to bring it back to you),

Except with the Mercy of Allah. (Since He has not taken it away from you), indeed, Allah’s Grace on you is great.

Say: “If mankind and jinn were to join hands to produce the Quran like this, they would not be able to produce like it even if they helped one another.”

And, indeed, We have given every kind of example in this Quran for the people to understand, but most of the people don’t stop denying (the truth).

And they say: “We shall not believe in you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] until you make a spring come out of the land (of Makkah)

“Or there should be a garden for you of palm trees and grapes, and cause several canals to flow through it..

“Or you cause the sky to fall upon us in peices, according to your thinking, or you bring Allah and the angels before us so that we can see them face to face.

“Or you have a house made out of gold or you ascend up into the sky, and even then we will not believe in your ascension until you bring a Book for us which we can read.” Say [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]: “Glorified is my Creator (i.e. Allah). Am I not just a human being sent as a messenger?”

And nothing prevented people from believing when the guidance came to them except they said: “Has Allah sent a man as (His) messenger?”

Say: “If there were angels on the earth walking and residing with peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a messenger.”

Say: “Allah is Sufficient as witness (regarding differences) between me and you. Indeed, He is Well-Acquainted, All-Seer of His slaves (and He knows your stubbornness too).”

And whosoever Allah guides, he is the truly guided, but he whom Allah sends astray, such will not find any protector besides Him. We shall gather them together on the Day of Resurrection (upside down) on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf. They will reside in Hell. Whenever (intensity of) the Fire decreases, We shall increase its burning flame.

That is their reward, since they denied Our revelations and said: “When we will become bones and tiny particles of dust, shall we really be raised up as a new creation?”

Don’t they understand that He Who created the heavens and the earth is Able to create the like of them? And He has appointed for them a time, in which there is no doubt. But the wrong-doers refuse (the truth) and (accept nothing) except disbelief.

Say (to the disbelievers): “If you were the owners of the treasures of the Mercy of my Creator, then you would surely hold back from spending for fear of drying up the treasures, and man is ever stingy (by nature).” (Also Surah An-Nisa:53)

And, indeed, We gave Musa ( )  nine clear miracles. So you can verify from the Children of Israel, when Musa came to them, then Firaun said to him: “O Musa ( ) ! I think you are, definitely bewitched.”

Musa ( )  said: “You, indeed, know that these miracles are sent by the Creator of the heavens and the earth to teach and guide. And I think, O Firaun, you are bound to destruction.”

When Firaun made up his mind to expel them out of the land (of Egypt) (lest they get control of it), We drowned him and all those with him.

After that We said to the Children of Israel: “Reside in the land (from which you were expelled)  so when the final promise (the Day of Judgement) comes, We shall gather you together (from various Nations).

[Just like how We gave Musa ( )  miracles, similarly We gave you miracles, among them the greatest miracle is the Quran]. We sent down (the Quran) with truth and with truth it descended (i.e. without any changes dur-ing the process of revelation). [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] We have sent you as a bearer of glad tidings (of Paradise) and a warner (of Hell-Fire).

(We have made guidance easy through the Quran). We have sent down the Quran part by part so that you may recite it to the people (at a slow pace) at in-tervals. And We also sent it (to you) slowly by stages (in 23 years, according to the circumstances).

[O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say (to the disbelievers): “If you believe or don’t believe, indeed, the just scholars of the Scriptures have already believed it. When this Quran is recited to them, they prostrate themselves humbly falling down on their faces.”

And they say: “Glorified is our Creator. Indeed, the promise of our Creator will definitely be fulfilled.”

And they fall on their faces (for prostration) weeping and it increases their hu-mility.

[O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Pray to Allah, or pray to the Most Gracious (Allah). With whatever name you worship Him (it is the same) since all the Best Names belong to Him. And offer your Sa-lat neither with a very loud nor with a very low voice, but follow the middle course.”

And say: “All praise and thanks are due to Allah Who does not have a son, and Who has no partner in His Kingdom, and He is not weak, needing any sup-porter. And keep reciting His Greatness all the time.