About the Surah

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

       Ha-Meem (Only Allah knows their meanings).

       A revelation from (Allah), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

       It is a Book and its Verses are explained in detail. This Quran is in the Arabic language (since Arabs are addressed directly) for the people who know (this language thoroughly).

       It gives glad tidings (to the believers) and also warns (the dis-believers). (Hence, everyone should believe in it). Yet most of the people turn away from it. So they don’t (care to even) listen to it.

       And they say: “Our hearts have a covering (to safeguard us) from that to which you invite us, and there is deafness in our ears, and also there is a screen between us and you. Hence, you do things your way and we will do it our way.” 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “(I cannot force you to believe, since) I am a human being like you but it is revealed to me that, indeed, your God is one God. Therefore follow the Straight Path to Him and ask for His forgiveness (for your previous sins). And woe to the idolaters.”

       “Those who don’t give the poor-due and they  disbelieve in the Hereafter.”

       “Indeed, those who believe and do good deeds, there is a reward for them (which is) without ending (i.e. Paradise).” (Also see Surah Hud: 108).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Do you really disbelieve in Allah and make rivals (in worship) with Him Who created the earth in two days? (In fact) He is the Creator of the universe.”

       He placed firm mountains on the earth from above it, and blessed it (by creating animals, vegetations etc. in it) and set suitable (kinds and quantity of) provisions (for the residents of every part of the land). All this took place in four days, to answer those who ask (about its creation.)

       Then He paid attention to the sky which was in the form of smoke (at that time) and said to it and to the earth: “Come both of you willingly or unwilling (to obey Our Commands).” They both said: “We come willingly (to obey Your Commands).”

       Then He paid attention to the sky which was in the form of smoke (at that time) and said to it and to the earth: “Come both of you willingly or unwilling (to obey Our Commands).” They both said: “We come willingly (to obey Your Commands).”

       (After hearing these proofs of the Oneness of Allah) so if they turn away, then [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] say: “I warn you of an awful cry like the one which struck A’d and Thamud (people).”

       When the messengers came to them from before them and behind them saying: “Worship none but Allah.” They said: “If our Creator had so willed, He would have sent down angels (as messengers to us). So, indeed, we deny the message with which you have been sent.”

       As for (the people of) A’d, they were arrogant in the land without justifi-cation and they said: “Who is more powerful than Us?” Did they not see that Allah who has created them is far more powerful than them? And they used to deny Our revelations.

       Hence, We sent upon them a voilent wind in the days of evil omen to make them taste the disgracing torment in this worldly life. And the torment of the Hereafter will be even more disgraceful. And nobody will be there to help them out.

       And as for (the people of) Thamud, We showed them the Right Path (through the messenger) but they preferred blindness to guidance. Hence, a disgracing torment, in the form of an awful cry, seized them because of what they used to do.

       And We saved (from this torment) those who believed and used to fear (Allah).

       (Next is the description of the torment of the Hereafter). And (remember) the Day when the enemies of Allah will be gathered towards the Hell-Fire and they will be stopped (in their groups till all groups of disbelievers reach there).

       When they reach very close to Hell (i.e. it becomes visible), their hearing (i.e. ears), eyes and skins will testify against them regarding what they used to do.

       And they will say to their skins: “Why do you testify against us?” They will say: “Allah Who enables all things to speak, has enabled us to speak, and He created you the first time, and you will be made to return to Him. (How can we hide the truth from such a Great and Powerful Creator? Hence, we testified).

       And you have not been hiding (your bad deeds in the world since you did not expect that) your ears, your eyes and your skins would testify against you. In fact, you thought Allah did not know much of what you used to do.

       And this thinking about your Creator caused you the destruction and you have become of those who are in utter loss!

       So if they show patience, still Fire is their abode (i.e. there will be no mercy for their patience), and if they seek pardon (from Allah), they will not be pardoned.

       And We have appointed some devils as their intimate friends (in the worldly life) so they have made what is before them (i.e. their evil deeds) and what is behind them (i.e. denial of accountablility, resurrec-tion etc) appear attractive to them. And Allah’s Promise of torment was justified for them as was done for the groups of (disbelieving) jinn and mankind before them. Indeed, they were the losers.

       And the disbelievers say (to each other): “Don’t listen to this Quran, and [if the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) tries to recite it] make noise so that you may overcome in this way. [i.e. the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) may stop reciting it].”

       Hence, We shall definitely make the disbelievers taste a severe torment (for their evil plan) and We shall certainly punish them for their evil deeds that they used to do.

       That Hell-Fire is the reward for the enemies of Allah. They will reside there forever. This punishment is because they used to deny Our revelations.

       And the disbelievers will say (in Hell): “Our Creator, show us those from jinn and men who led us astray so that we may crush them under our feet so that they reach the lowest part of Hell.”

       Indeed, those who say (sincerely): “Our Creator is Allah (Alone),” and they stay firm, the angels will descend on them [(i) at the time of death (ii) in the grave (iii) in the Here-after – Dur Manthur ] (saying): “Don’t fear (horrors of the Here-after), nor grieve (to leave the worldly life). Rather receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!”

       “We (angels) were your friends in the worldly life (i.e. used to inspire you for good deeds, and asked you to be patient in hardship), and we are your friends in the Hereafter too (i.e. we shall physically keep you company. There is everything for you in this Paradise which you desire and you shall have all that which you ask for (Also see Surah Ar-Rad:23).

       “This is the (initial) hospitality for you from (Allah), Very-For-giving, Most Merciful.”

       And who is better in speech than he who invites people to Allah and does good deeds and says (humbly): “Indeed, I am one of the Muslims.”

       And good deeds and evil deeds cannot be equal. (Each has its different effect). Return the evil (deeds) with good (deeds). (As a result of this) you  and your enemy would become bosom (or close) friends.

       Only those people will achieve this goal who are patient and only those people will achieve it who are very fortunate (i.e. who are people of Paradise).

       And if there is an evil whisper from Satan, then seek refuge in Allah. Indeed, Allah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

       And among His signs are the day and the night, and the sun and the moon. Don’t prostrate yourselves neither to the sun nor to the moon but prostrate yourselves to Allah Who created them, if you are sincere in worshiping Him.

       So if they are arrogant (to do so), then there are (angels) which are near Allah, who glorify Him night and day, and they are never weary (or feel tired by it).

       And among His signs is that you see the earth barren (or dead), but when We send rain water on it, then it becomes alive and slightly rises (to grow vegetation).  Indeed, He Who made the earth alive, is surely Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed, Allah is Able to do all things.

       Indeed, those who turn away from Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Is he who is thrust into Fire better or he who comes with peace and security (to Paradise) on the Day of Resurrection? (It is followed by a severe threat for the disbelievers). Do whatever you like. Indeed, Allah is All-Seer of what you do. (He will punish you).

       Those people who deny the Quran when it has reached them (are not hidden from Us). Indeed, the Quran is an esteemed Book.

       Falsehood cannot even come close to it from the front or behind it (i.e. falsehood cannot make any change in it). It is sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah).

       Falsehood cannot even come close to it from the front or behind it (i.e. falsehood cannot make any change in it). It is sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise (Allah).

       (Quraish of Makkah said: “If the Quran was in a foreign language, it would be a miracle of the Quran,” as mentioned in Dur-al- Manthur). And if We had sent this Quran in a foreign language (other than Arabic), they would have said: “Why are not its Verses explained in detail (in Arabic)? Why a non-Arabic (Book) for an Arab (messenger)?” Say: “The Quran is guidance and has a healing effect for the believers. And the disbelievers have deafness in their ears regarding the Quran and (for this reason), the Quran has blindness towards the disbelievers. They are like those who are called from a distant place (so they somewhat hear it but don’t understand it).”

       And, indeed, We gave Musa ( )the Scripture, but they disputed in it too. And if Allah’s decision had not been there in advance (that they shall receive total punishment in the Hereafter), the matter would have been settled between them (in this worldly life). And (in spite of the proofs) they are still in grave doubt (about the Quran)-Qurtubi

       Whosoever does good deeds, it is for his own benefit, and whosoever does evil, he will suffer for it. And your Creator is not unjust to (His) slaves.

       The knowledge of the Day of Resurrection is referred to Allah Alone. (In fact, Allah’s knowledge encompasses everything). No fruit comes out of its cover (sheath), nor does a female conceive, nor does she give birth to a child except with the knowledge of Allah. And the Day when Allah will call the idolaters (saying): “Where are My partners?” They will say: “We confess to You that none of us bears witness to it (that they are Your partners).” (But their confession in the Hereafter will not benefit them) (Also see Surah Al-Araf:187) 

       And those whom they used to worship (in the worldly life) shall disappear from them and they will realize that they have no refuge (from the torment). (Also see Surah Al-Kahf:53)

       (The bad effects of disbelief are described here.) Man (the disbeliever) does not get tired of asking (worldly) good things (from Allah), but if some adversity comes to him he gives up hope and despairs (which is a sign of ungratefulness to Allah). 

       And if We shower Our mercy on him after some adversity has touched him, he shall surely say: “It is due to my (skills and ability). And I don’t think that the Day of Resurrection will take place. In case, I am somehow brought back to my Creator (as the Prophets say), there shall surely be excellent things for me from Him.” We shall, indeed, inform the disbelievers what they used to do and We shall, indeed, make them taste a severe torment.

       (The effect of disbelief is also as follows). And when We do  man a favour, he turns away and withdraws (from Our Commands). And if an adversity touches him, he makes very long supplications (which is due to impatience and love for the worldly life).

       Say: “Tell me, if the Quran is from Allah and even then, you disbelieve in it? Who is more astray than one who in his opposition goes far away (from the truth)?” 

       Soon We shall show them the signs (of Our Power), in the universe (e.g. the whole of Arabia will be conquered) and in their ownselves (e.g. conquests of Badr and Makkah) until it will become clear to them that it (i.e. the Quran) is the Truth. (If they still deny the Quran and your Prophethood, don’t be sad). Is it not sufficient that your Creator is Witness over all things?

       Bear in mind, they are in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Creator. Bear in mind, He encompasses all things. (Allah knows the doubts of the disbelievers. He will punish them for it).