About the Surah

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

       Taa-Seen-Meem (Allah Alone knows their meanings).

       These are the Verses of very clear Book.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Perhaps you are going to kill yourself (with grief) if they don’t believe.

       If We will, We could send down to them a sign from the heaven, (then they will have no choice), they would bend their necks with submission to this sign.

       And whenever a new reminder comes to them from the Most Gracious (Allah), they turn away from it.

       So they have, indeed, denied (the Quran). Hence, they would come to know the result of what they used to mock at.

       Do they not observe the earth  and what beneficial vegetation We have grown in the land (which are very close to them)?

       There is an (intellectual proof of Oneness of Allah) in this, yet most of them don’t believe.

       And, indeed, your Creator is All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       And, indeed, your Creator is All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       “The people of Firaun.” Will they not fear (Allah) to become righteous?

       Musa ( )  said: “My Creator! Indeed, I fear that they will deny me (even before completing my speech).

       “And I feel stress in my heart and my tongue does not express clearly. So send Harun ( )  with me (because he is eloquent and his speech is clear).

       “And they have a charge of crime against me. Hence, I fear that they will kill me.”

       (Allah) said: “No way. Both of you go with Our Signs. Indeed, We shall be with you listening.

       “So both of you go to Firaun and say: ‘We are the messengers of the Creator of the universe,

       “So let the Children of Israel go with us.’”

       Firaun said [to Musa ( ) ]: “Did we not bring you up as a child among us? And did you not reside with us for many years of your life?

       “And you did commit your crime, that which you did (i.e. the crime of killing a man). And you are a very ungrateful person.”

       (Musa ( ) ] said: “I did it then, while I was ignorant (i.e. I did not intend to kill him and it was before I received this guidance).

       “Hence, I fled from you when I feared you. But my Creator bestowed upon me wisdom (and judgement) and made me one of the messengers. 

       (Regarding your favour of bringing me up) “And that favours about which you are reminding me. (Contrary to this) you have enslaved the Children of Israel. (You kill their males. You should be ashamed of it rather than reminding me of your favour. Allah saved me from you and brought me up).”

       (Firaun) said: “And what are (the characteristics and virtues of) the Creator of the universe?”

       [Musa ( ) ] said: “He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, if you are willing to believe.” (i.e. Allah can be described by His Virtues only).

       Firaun said to those around him: “Do you hear what he says [i.e. Musa ( )  is giving a very irrelevant answer]?

       [Musa ( ) ] said: “He is your Creator and Creator of your forefathers!”

       (Firaun) said: “Indeed. Your messenger who has been sent to you is a madman!”

       (Musa ( ) ] said: “He is the Creator of the east and the west and all that is between them, if you have sense (then believe by this statement).”

       (Firaun) said: “If you choose a god other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners.”

       (Musa ( ) ] said: “Even if I bring you something obviously clear (and convincing)?”

       (Firaun) said: “Show your proof. If you are from the truthful people.”

       So Musa ( )  threw his stick, and it suddenly became a serpent.

       And he brought out his hand (from under the armpit), and it was white shinning for the on-lookers !

       Firaun said to the chiefs around him: “Indeed, this is a well-versed magician.

       “He wants to turn you out from your land by his magic. What is then your advice?”

       They said: “Delay any action against him and his brother (for a while) and send the peons (i.e. your employees) to all the cities.

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

       Hence, the magicians were gathered at a promised time on an appointed day.

       And it was announced to the people: “Are you also going to show up in this assembly?

       “So that we may follow the magicians (of Firaun), if they are the winners.”

       So when the magicians arrived, they said to Firaun: “Will there be a reward for us if we were the winners?”

       Firaun said: “Yes (you will get a big financial reward), and you will be my near (advisors).”

       Musa ( )  said to them: “Throw what you are going to throw!”

       So they threw their ropes and their sticks and said: “By the might of Firaun, we are definitely going to dominate.”

       Then Musa ( )  threw his stick. So it suddenly swallowed up all that they falsely displayed.

       So the magicians fell down prostrate.

       They said (openly): “We believe in the Creator of mankind, jinn and all that exists.

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

       Firaun said: “You have be-lieved in him before I give you permission. Indeed, he is your chief instructor who has taught you the magic. So you shall soon see the result of this. I will cut off your hands and your feet on the opposite sides, and I will crucify you all.”

       They said: “It does not matter. We are, indeed, going to return to our Creator.

       “Indeed, we do hope that our Creator will forgive our sins since we are the first to believe (in Allah, among this audience).”

       (Firaun did not believe even after this competition and did not free the Children of Israel). And We commanded Musa ( ) : “Leave (the place) by night with my slaves. You will, indeed, be followed,”

       (Musa ( )  left that place with the Children of Israel. The news spread around) so Firaun sent his peons to all the cities.

       (Saying): “They (i.e. Children of Israel) are only a small group (as compared to us).

       “And, indeed, they have enraged us.

       “And we are a well organized army and cautious about them.”

       (Firaun and his army followed Musa ( )  and his people, without knowing that they will never return to their home). (Allah said): “So, We drove them out from their gardens and springs.

       “And treasures and respected places.”

       Exactly this happened. And We made the Children of Israel to inherit all those things.

       So Firaun and his army followed them at sunrise.

       And when the two groups saw each other, the followers of Musa ( )  said: “We will definitely be overtaken.”

       Musa ( )  said: “By no means. Indeed, my Creator is with me. He will soon guide me.”

       So We revealed to Musa ( ) : “Strike the sea with your stick.” Then it (the sea water) split (into two parts) and each part (of that sea water) became like a big mountain.

       And We brought others (Firaun’s group) near to that site.

       And We saved Musa ( )  and all those with him.

       Then We drowned the others.

       Indeed, in this is an (intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       And recite to them the story of Ibrahim ( ) .

       When he said to his father and his people: “What (useless things) do you worship?”

       They said: “We worship idols, and we are (sincerely) devoted to them.”

       Ibrahim ( )  said: “Do they hear you when you call them?

       “Or do they benefit you (if you worship them) or do they harm you (if you stop worshipping them)?”

       They said: “We, in fact, found our forefathers doing this.”

       Ibrahim ( )  said: “Did you ever ponder over that which you have been worshipping,

       “You and your forefathers?”

       “Indeed, they are enemies to me, (or I am fed up with those whom you worship) except (the worship of) the Creator of the universe. 

       “Who has created me (and all others), so He guides me (to my benefits). 

       “And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink.

       “And when I get ill, it is He Who cures me.

       “And it is He Who will cause me to die (at the appointed time), and then will bring me to life (again).

       “And I hope, He will forgive me my faults on the Day of Resurrection.”

       My Creator! Bestow upon me wisdom (i.e. Prophethood) and join me with the righteous people.

       And make an honourable men-tion of me in the later gene-rations (so that my reward is increased).

       And make me among inheritors of the Paradise of Delight.

       And (by making my father a believer) forgive him since he is from those who have gone astray.

       And don’t disgrace me on the Day of resurrection.

       (Then the details of that Day is given, so that Ibrahim ( ) ’s people listen to it and fear Allah). That Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit.

       Except him who comes to Allah with a clean heart.(i.e. clean from disbelief and hypocrisy).

       And Paradise will be brought very near to the pious people (so that they look at it and be happy since they will enter it).

       And the disbelievers will view of the Hell-Fire (so that they look at it and be sad since they will be thrown into it).

       And it will be said to them: “Where are those that you used to worship

       “Instead of Allah? Can they help (or save) you or (even) help (or save) themselves?”

       Then they and all those who had gone astray will be thrown into the Fire headlong.

       And the total army of Satan.

       They will say while mutually quarrelling in it.

       By Allah, we had truly gone astray.

       When we held you (false gods) equal (in worship) with the Creator of the universe.

       And none led us astray except the criminals.

       Now we have no intercessors (who can save us).

       Nor a close friend (to at least console or sympathise with us). 

       (How nice it would be) if we have a chance to go back (to the world), then we shall truly be among the believers! (So far is Ibrahim’s speech).

       Indeed, in this is (an intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       The people of Nuh ( )  denied the messengers (since denying one messenger is the same as denying all the messengers).

       When their brother Nuh ( )  said to them: “Why don’t you fear Allah?”

       “I am a trustworthy messenger to you (to convey to you the message of Allah without any changes).

       “So fear Allah (i.e. follow His message) and obey me (i.e. follow the message according to my instructions. Thus the Sunnah of every Prophet is important).

       “And I don’t ask you for any reward (for my services). My reward is only from the Creator of the universe.

       “Hence, fear Allah and obey me.”

       They said: “Shall we believe in you, when the lowest class of people follow you?”

       Nuh ( )  said: “I have no knowledge of what they (profes-sionally) used to do?

       “Their accountability is only with my Creator, if you can under-stand this.

       “And I am not going to drive away the believers.

       “Indeed, I am only a clear warner.”

       They said: “O Nuh ( ) ! If you don’t stop this (conversation), you will surely be among those stoned (to death).”

       Nuh ( )  said: “My Creator! In-deed, my people have denied me.”

       Therefore make a (practical) judgement between me and them (i.e. destroy them) and rescue me and the believers who are with me.”

       And We rescued him and those with him in a laden ship.

       Then We drowned the rest of the people.

       Indeed, in this is (an intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       A’d (people) denied the messengers.

       When their brother Hud ( )  said to them: “Why don’t you fear (Allah)?

       “Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

       “So fear Allah and obey me.”

       “And I don’t ask you for any reward, my reward is only from the Creator of the universe.

       “Are you building monuments on every high place while it has no (practical) benefit?

       “And are you building castles as if you will live there forever?

       “And when you seize (some-body), you seize him as tyrants.

       “So fear Allah, and obey me.

       “And fear Allah who helped you with (good) things which you did not know.

       “(That is) He has provided you cattle and children.

       “And gardens and springs.

       “Indeed, I fear for you the tor-ment of a Great Day.”

       They said: “It doesn’t matter if you preach us or not. (We are going to stick to our way of life).

       “These are only false stories and customs of the ancient people (Tabari).

       (You warn us about the punish-ment) “And we are not going to be punished.”

       So they denied Hud ( ) , and We destroyed them. Indeed, in this is (an intellectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       Thamud (people) denied the messengers.

       When their brother Salih ( )  said to them: “Why don’t you fear (Allah)?

       “Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

       “So fear Allah and obey me.

       “And I don’t ask you for any reward (for my services). My reward is only from the Creator of the universe.

       “Will you be left secure in these things which are here (in this world)?

       “In gardens and springs.

       “And green crops and palm trees with tender buds.

       “And you hew out grand houses in the mountains (arrogantly).

       “So fear Allah and obey me.

       “And don’t follow the com-mands of those who transgress the limits.

       “Who spread mischief in the land and don’t care to reform there.”

       They said: “You are one of those who are bewitched!

       “You are only a human being like us. Bring us a miracle if you are from the truthful.”

       Salih ( )  said: “Here is a she-camel (its creation from the big rock is a proof of my Prophethood). The she-camel will have her turn to drink water and you will have your turn to drink water on a fixed day.

       And don’t touch her to harm, lest the torment of a great Day should seize you.”

       So, they killed her and, became regretful (but regretting does not do any good after the signs of torment appear).

       So the torment siezed them. Indeed, in this there is (an intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       The people of Lut ( )  denied the messengers.

       When their brother Lut ( )  said to them: “Why don’t you fear (Allah)?

       “Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

       “So fear Allah, and obey me.

       “And I don’t ask you for reward, my reward is only from the Creator of the universe.

       “Do you go to the males of the universe (to satisfy your sexual lust).

       “And ignore those whom Allah has created for you as your wives. In fact, you are people who have transgressed (human limits)!”

       They said: “O Lut ( ) ! If you don’t stop (by our verbal warning), you will be expelled (from this community).”

       Lut ( )  said: “I strongly hate your (evil) act (of sodomy). (How can I stop it?)

       “O my Creator! Save me and my family from what they do (and from the punishment going to be inflicted on these people).”

       So We saved him and all his family,

       Except an old woman (his wife), she was among those who remained behind.

       Then We destroyed the rest of them.

       And We rained on them a (special) kind of rain (of stones). So it was an evil rain for those who had been warned!

       Indeed, in this is (an intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       The residents of Al-Aikah (near Madyan) denied the messengers.

       When Shuaib ( )  said to them: “Why don’t you fear  (Allah)?”

       “I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

       “So fear Allah and obey me.

       “And I don’t ask you for any reward, my reward is only from the Creator of the universe.

       “Give full measure, and don’t be one of those who give less (in weight and measure).

       “And weigh with the true and straight balance.

       “Don’t reduce the credit of the people and don’t go around spreading mischief in the land.

       “And fear Him Who created you and the earlier generations.”

       They said: “Indeed, you are one of those bewitched.

       “And you are only a human being like us and we consider you a liar.

       “So make some pieces of the heaven to fall on us, if you are of the truthful. 

       Shuaib ( )  said: “(I don’t bring the torment). My Creator is fully aware of what you do. (He will bring the torment as and when necessary).”

       So they denied him. Hence, the torment of the day of shadow seized them. Indeed, that was the torment of a Great (i.e. difficult) Day. 

       Indeed, in this is (an intel-lectual) proof (of the Oneness of Allah), yet most of them are not believers.

       And, indeed, your Creator is All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

       And, indeed, this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Creator of the universe.

       Which the trustworthy angel [Jibrael ( ) ] has brought down 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Upon your heart so that you may be (one) of the warners,

       In clear  Arabic language.

       And, indeed, it (i.e. the Quran) is mentioned in the earlier Scriptures.

       Is it not enough as a proof for them that the learned scholars (like Abdullah bin Salam) of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)?

       And if We had revealed this Quran to any of the non-Arabs.

       Then had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.

       Thus We caused this (denial of the Quran) to enter the hearts of the criminals.

       They will not believe in it until they see the painful torment.

       It shall come to them all of a sud-den while they are not aware of it.

       So they will say: “Can our punishment be put off?”

Are they demanding to hasten Our torment?

       Don’t you see that even if We let them enjoy worldly life for years,

       Then the promised (torment) will strike them.

       The comforts of life which they enjoyed will not do them any good. (Also Surah Al-Lail:11)

       And We never destroyed a com--munity without sending a warner there,

       As a reminder, and We have never been unjust.

       And the devils did not bring down this (the Quran).

       It is not suitable (for the state of mind) of the devils (since the Quran provides guidance while the devils hinder the guidance to the Right Path), and they are not capable (of bringing the Quran).

       Since they have been banished from hearing it.

       So don’t call other gods along with Allah, lest you be one of those who receive the punishment.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And warn your near relatives.

       And be gracious and humble to the believers who follow you.

       So if they disobey you, say: “I am fed up with your (evil) activities”

       And put your trust in the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful,

       Who see you when you stand up (alone for Tahajjud prayers).

       And your movements among those who fall prostrate (i.e. Allah does see you when you pray alone or with others).

       Indeed, He is the All-Hearer, the All-knower.

       Shall I tell you upon whom the devils descend?

       They descend on every liar and sinful person.

       They spread the hearsay, and most of them are liars.

       And as for the poets, only the misguided people follow them.

       Don’t you see that the poets wander in every subject (right or wrong)?

       And that they say what they don’t do.

       Except those who believe and do good deeds, and engage themselves a lot in the remembrance of Allah, and take revenge after they have been wronged. And the wrong-doers will soon come to know to what direction they are turned to (i.e. they will be turned to Hell).