About the Surah

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

       Ha-Mim (Only Allah knows their meanings).

       Ain-Sin-Qaf (Only Allah knows their meanings).

       Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise, has been sending revelations like this to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] and to those before you.

       All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth belongs to Allah, and He is the Most High, the Most Great.

       The skies may split apart above them (due to the Majesty and Greatness of Allah), and the angels glorify the praise of their Creator, and ask for forgiveness for those on the earth. Bear in mind that Allah is Very Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

       And those who make others their protectors besides Allah, Allah is watching over them (i.e. their evil activities, and shall punish them at the proper time). And you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] are not their guardian (i.e. you will not be held responsible for it).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And thus We have revealed the Quran in Arabic to you so that you may warn (initially) the people of Makkah and those around it, and warn them about the Day of Assembly (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) about which there is no doubt. (Practical judgement will be made that Day.) One group will go to Paradise and the other group will go to Hell.

       And if Allah had willed, He could have made them one nation, but Allah admits whom He wills to His Mercy. And for the wrong-doers, there will neither be a protector nor a helper (on the Day of Resurrection).

       Or have they made others protectors besides Allah? (In fact), Allah Alone is the Protector, He gives life to the dead, and He is Able to do all things.

       And whatsoever you differ in, Allah is the judge for all those matters. (Say: Allah’s Majesty is such, that) He is my Creator and I put my trust in Him and I also turn in repentance to Him. 

       And whatsoever you differ in, Allah is the judge for all those matters. (Say: Allah’s Majesty is such, that) He is my Creator and I put my trust in Him and I also turn in repentance to Him. 

       The keys of the heavens and the earth belong to Allah (i.e. He, Alone, has the authority to make decisions. For example) Whomever He wills, He gives provisions in abundance and (whomever He wills) limits it. Indeed, He is the All-Knower of everything.

       Allah has ordained the same re-ligion for you which He com-manded Nuh ( )to establish, and which We have revealed to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] and We com-manded Ibrahim (pbuh), Musa ( )and Isa (pbuh), to establish it, and not to make divisions in it. (Hence, the idolaters should have accepted this religion willingly; but) it is very hard on the idolaters what you are inviting them to (i.e. Oneness of Allah). Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Him-self who turns to Him in repentance.

       And they did not differ (in religion), till after the (correct) knowledge had reached them, and it was due to their mutual jealousy and stubbornness. If Allah’s Decision had not been there (in advance) for an appointed term (that they shall receive the total punishment in the Hereafter) the matter would have been settled between them. And, indeed, those who inherit the Book (Scriptures) after them, they are in grave doubt about it (i.e. about the Scriptures and the Quran).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Hence, keep on inviting people to this (religion), and stand firm on what you have been commanded, and don’t follow their desires. And say: “I believe in all the Books (including the Quran) sent down by Allah, and I am commanded to do justice among you. Allah is our Creator and your Creator. For us are our deeds and for you are your deeds. There is no dispute between us and you (since truth has become apparent and clear). Allah will gather us together and finally we have to return to Him. 

       And those who dispute concerning religion (of Allah) after it has been accepted (by many sensible people), their dispute has no weight with Allah. And Allah’s wrath is on them and they will have a severe torment.

       And those who dispute concerning religion (of Allah) after it has been accepted (by many sensible people), their dispute has no weight with Allah. And Allah’s wrath is on them and they will have a severe torment.

       Those who disbelieve keep asking (rudely) to hasten (the occurrence of) it (the Day of Resurrection) while the believers are fearful of it and they clearly know that it is, indeed, the  truth. Indeed, those who are disputing about the Hour are in a great error. (Also see Surah Al-Muminun:60).

       Allah is very Gracious and Kind to His slaves and gives provi-sions to whom He wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.

       Whosoever desires the reward (of his deeds) in the Hereafter, We increase his reward (of the Hereafter), and whosoever desires the reward of this world, We somewhat fulfil his desire but he has no portion in the Hereafter (since prerequisite for the rewards in the Hereafter is Faith, which he does not have).

       Or have their false gods established a religion for them which Allah had not ordained? If Allah had not decided in advance (that they shall be punished in the Hereafter), then the matter between them would have been settled (in this world). And, indeed, for the wrong-doers there is a painful torment.

       You will see (on the Day of Resurrection), the wrong-doers will be very fearful (of Allah’s torment) due to their (evil) deeds and (the torment) will definitely fall on them. And those who believe and do good deeds will be in the Gardens of Paradise (i.e. at various levels of Paradise according to their deeds since Paradise is plural in this Verse). They shall have whatsoever they desire from their Creator. That is a supreme Bounty (i.e. Paradise).

       That is (the Paradise) about which Allah gives glad tidings to those who believe and do good deeds. [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “I don’t ask you for any reward except affection due to my kinship with you.” And whoever will do good deeds, We will increase his good deeds and their reward. Indeed, Allah is Very Forgiving, Highly appreciative (of good deeds).

       Or do they say: “Has he fabricated a lie against Allah?” If Allah willed, He could have sealed up your heart (so that you forget the Quran). And Allah wipes out falsehood and establish the truth by His Word (the Quran). Indeed, He knows the secrets in the breasts (of people).

       It is He Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives their (previous) sins and He knows (all) that you do.

       And He accepts the prayers of those (provided that there is no showoff in it) who believe and do good deeds and further increases their reward from His Bounty. And the disbelievers will have a severe torment.

       (Here is a sign of the Wisdom of Allah). And if Allah had given provision in abundance to His (all) slaves, they would definitely have created mischief in the world. But He sends down in due measure what He wills. Indeed, He is Well-Acquainted, All-Seer (of the benefits) of His slaves.

       And (occasionally) He sends down the rain after people lose hope for it and spreads His mercy in the land (i.e. grows vegetations, fruits, flowers etc). And He is the Protector and worthy of all Praise (for His unique protection).

       And among the signs (of Allah’s Power) is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the living creatures which He has spread in both of them. And He has the Power to gather them together whenever He wills.

       And whatever adversity comes to you it is due to the deeds per-formed by your hands, although He pardons many (of your sins). (Also see Surah Fatir:45)

       (If He chooses to punish you) You cannot escape His punishment in the land and you don’t have any protector nor any helper besides Allah.

       And among the signs (of Allah’s Power) are the ships in the sea (so high that they look) like mountains.

       If Allah wills, He stops the blowing of winds, then they (the ships) would stand still on the surface (of the sea). Indeed, in this are signs for every patient and grateful person (i.e. believer).

       Or He (Allah) may cause to perish them (the passengers of the ship) because of their (evil) deeds. (In fact) He pardons many (of their sins).

       And (at the time of destruction of the ship) those who dispute in Our revelations would come to know that there is no refuge for them (from the punishment of Allah).

       So whatever you are given is a temporary enjoyment of this worldly life, but that which is with Allah (i.e. Paradise) is far superior and is forever lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Creator.

       And those who avoid the major sins and obscene activities, and (even) when they are angry, they forgive.

       And those who obey the commands of their Creator, and perform Salat, and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation and who spend (in the Cause of Allah) from what We have given them.

       And those who, when they are wronged and oppressed, take only equal revenge (or even forgive).

       And it is allowed to take revenge equal to the (inflicted) evil, but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his  reward is Allah’s responsibility. Indeed, He (Allah) does not like the wrong-doers.

       And, whosoever takes (equal) revenge after he has been wronged (by others), there is no way (to blame) on such people.

       Indeed, the way (of blame) is only on those who wrong other people and spread mischief in the land unjustly. Such people will have a painful torment.

       And whoever is patient (after he has been wronged) and forgives, that would, indeed, be one of the matters of great courage.

       And whomsoever Allah sends astray, for him there is no protector after Him. And you will see the wrong-doers, when they view the torment, they will say: “Is there any way of return (to the worldly life)?”

       And you will see them brought close to it (i.e. Hell), humbled by disgrace, and looking with a stealthy glance (or tired and ex-hausted glance). And the believers will say: “Indeed, the true losers are those who put themselves and their families in loss on the Day of Resurrection.” Bear in mind, the wrong-doers will be in a permanent torment.

       And they will have no protector to help them besides Allah. And he whom Allah sends astray, there is no way (for his safety).

       Do obey the commands of your Creator before there comes from Allah a Day which cannot be averted. You will have no refuge on that Day, nor will you be able to deny (your sins).(Also see Surah Al-Qiyamah:10-12)

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] So if they turn away from you (don’t be grieved), We have not sent you as supervisor over them. Your duty is to convey the message only. And, indeed, when We shower Our Mercy on a person, he is delighted with it, but when an adversity comes due to his deeds, then, indeed, the man becomes highly ungrateful. (Also  see Surah Al-Ghashiyah:21 and 22)

       The Sovereignty of the heaven and the earth belongs to Allah. He creates what He wills. He gives female (children) to whom He wills and male (children) to whom He wills.

       Or He gives both males and females, and He keeps barren whom He wills. Indeed, He is All-Knower, and is Able to do all things.

       It is not possible for any human being (in present condition) to speak to Allah except by revelation or behind a screen [as was done by Musa (PBUH)] or He sends an angel who conveys Allah’s desired message with the Permission of Allah. Indeed, He is Most High, Most Wise.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And thus We have sent to you a Revelation (and a Mercy) by Our Command. You had no idea what is a Book nor what is Faith. But We have made it (this Quran) a light with which We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And, Indeed, you are guiding (mankind) to a Straight Path. (Also see Surah As-Sajdah:44)

       The Path of Allah to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Bear in mind, and all matters eventually turn towards Allah (for decision).