About the Surah

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

       Kaf-Ha-Ya-Ain-Sad (Allah, Alone, knows their meanings).

       (This) describes the mercy of your Creator to His (beloved) slave Zakariyya ( ) .

       When he made a supplication to his Creator in low voice.

       He said: “My Creator! Indeed, my bones have weakened and the hair on my head has grown grey due to my old age. (Under these circumstances I should not ask for children.) And O my Creator! None of my supplication to You is ever unsuccessful, 

       “(Another specific reason for this supplication is that) I am worried about my relatives after me (i.e. they may not serve Islamic cause sincerely) and (I do realize) my wife is barren. (Inspite of all this) grant me an heir (i.e. son) (in some extraordinary way).

       “Who shall inherit (my religious knowledge and Prophethood) and also inherit (religious knowledge) of the family of Yaqub ( ) , and O my Creator, make him one with whom You are Fully-Pleased.”

       (Allah said through angels): “O Zakariyya ( ) ! Indeed, We give you glad tidings of a son, whose name will be Yahya ( ) . We have not made anyone with the same name before.”

       Zakariyya ( )  said: “My Creator! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age?”

       Allah said (through the angels): “Your (physical) condition will remain so (still you will have a son). Your Creator says: ‘It is easy for Me. (Note that I have done a more extraordinary thing before this, which is) I have created you before, when you were not a thing (worth mentioning)!’”

       Zakariyya ( )  said: “My Creator! (Please) appoint a sign for me (when my wife becomes pregnant so that I become more thankful to you for this favour). (Allah) said: “Your sign is that you shall not be able to speak to mankind for three nights (and days) though you will be physically a healthy person.”

       (When his wife became pregnant) then he came out of a private room and instructed his people (by signs) to praise Allah in the morning and in the evening.

       [When Yahya ( )  was born and reached his mature age, he was commanded]: “O Yahya ( ) ! Hold fast the Scripture (i.e. follow its commands fully).” And We bestowed upon him wisdom even in his childhood.

       And We also made him very sympathetic (to mankind) as a mercy from Us, and pure (from sins). And he was very God-fearing,

       And very kind to his parents, (i.e. he fulfilled the rights of Allah and the rights of the people) and was neither arrogant nor disobedient (to Allah or to his parents).

       (Since Allah was fully pleased with him, Allah said): “And the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life again.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And describe in (this part of) the Quran the story of Maryam [since it is very appropriate after the story of Zakariyya ( ) ], when Maryam went aside in seclusion from her family to (take a bath) in a house which faced east (i.e. was east of Masjid al-Aqsa).

       Then she drew a curtain between her and the people of the house. We sent Our angel [i.e. Jibrael ( ) ] to her. So the angel appeared before her as a man in all respects.

       Maryam said: “Indeed, I seek refuge with the Most Gracious (Allah) from you (i.e. go away from here) if you do fear Allah.”

       (The angel) said: “(I am not a human being. So don’t fear). I am only a messenger from your Creator to give you a pious son.” (i.e. by breathing towards you, will make you pregnant, with the Permission of Allah).

       Maryam said: “How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I an unchaste woman?”

       (The angel) said: “Your son will be born like this (without any man touching you). Your Creator said: ‘That it is easy for Me to bestow upon you a son (in this unusual way), and We shall make him a sign and a mercy from Us for mankind. And (this birth of a child in an extraordinary way) is already decreed (by Allah)’”.

       [After this conversation Jibrael ( )  breathed towards her] So she conceived a son. (When she felt it is time for child birth) she went away to a far place with this pregnancy. (i.e. Bethlehem valley about five kilometers from Jerusalem).

       Then the pangs of the childbirth brought her close to a trunk of a palm tree. (She felt very upset with the pain and also for the fear of blame of an illegitimate child). (In this condition) she said: “I wish I had died before this situation and had been totally forgotten.”

       Then [Jibrael ( ) ] said loudly to her from a site below her [and Jibrael ( )  did not come near her out of respect]: “Don’t be sad. Your Creator has made a water stream under you.

       “And shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, it will make fresh ripe-dates fall around you.

       “So eat (fruit), drink (water) and be happy [to (i) see the child (ii) eat (iii) drink (iv) being a chosen person of Allah]. (Regarding the blame) if you happen to see any human being, say: ‘Indeed, I have vowed a fast to the Most Gracious (Allah), so I shall not speak to any human being this day.’”

       [She was pacified by these remarks and she gave birth to Isa ( ) ]. Then she went to her people carrying the baby. They said: “O Maryam! Indeed, you have done a strange thing.

       “O sister of Harun! Your father was not a bad man, nor was your mother an unchaste woman.”

       Then she pointed to the baby (he will answer your questions. People thought she is making fun of them). They said: “How can we talk to a child in the cradle?”

       [Isa ( ) , as a child] spoke out: “Indeed, I am a (special) servant of Allah (neither I am Allah as Chris-tian think nor I am a rejected person as Jews think). Allah has given me the Scripture (i.e. although He will give it in future, but it is so certain as if He has already given it to me) and He made me a Prophet (i.e. al-though He will make me in the fu-ture, but it is very certain).

       “And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be. And He has commanded me to perform Salat and pay Zakat (the poor-due); as long as I live [this is a proof that Isa ( )  is an obedient servant of Allah].

       “And to be kind to my mother (since he is born without father). And He did not make me an arrogant or unblessed person (who ignores the rights of others).

       “And peace be upon me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I shall be resurrected (on the Day of Judgement).”

       This is (the true story) of Isa ( ) , son of Maryam, about which they doubt (or dispute).

       It is not befitting for (the Majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. He is Glorified (and Exalted). When He decrees a thing, He says to it: “Be!” – And it is.

       (Isa ( )  added:) “And, indeed, Allah is my Creator and your Creator. Hence, worship Him (Alone).That is the Straight Path.”

       Then the various (religions) sects differed among themselves. So woe to the disbelievers from the Meeting of a great Day. 

       How clearly the disbelievers will see and hear that Day when they will appear before Us. But the wrong-doers are in obvious error today (i.e. in this worldly life).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And warn them about the Day of regrets (the disbelievers will regret for their bad deeds and the believers will regret why did they not perform more good deeds), when the (final) judgement will be made. And they are careless about it now, and they do not believe.

       Indeed, We will inherit the earth and everything on it. And they shall be returned to Us. 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Describe (the story of) Ibrahim ( )  in (this part of) the Quran. He was very truthful (in his speech and actions) and was a Prophet.

       When he said to his father: “O my father! Why do you worship the thing which can neither hear, nor see, nor benefit you in any way?

       “O my father! Indeed, I have received some knowledge (i.e. revelations) which you don’t have. Hence, follow me; I shall guide you to a Straight Path.

       “O my father! Don’t worship Satan. Indeed, Satan has been disobedient to the Most Gracious (Allah).

       “O my father! Indeed, I fear lest a torment from the Most Gracious (Allah) should strike you and you become a companion of Satan (in the Hell-Fire).”

       The father said: “Are you rejecting my gods, O Ibrahim ( ) ? If you don’t stop this, I will, indeed, stone you (to death). You better get away from me safely for a long time (before I punish you).”

       Ibrahim ( )  said: “I bid farewell to you. I shall pray to my Creator for your forgiveness. Indeed, He is very Generous to me. (Also Surah Al-Furqan:63)

       “And I shall withdraw from you (physically) and those whom you worship besides Allah, and I shall worship my Creator (with more concentration), and I am hopeful that my Creator will not reject my supplication.”

       So when he had left them and those whom they worshipped besides Allah, We gave him Ishaq ( )  (his son) and Yaqub ( )  (his grandson) and made each of them a Prophet. [Ismail ( )  was already there before Ishaq ( ) ].

       And We bestowed upon all of them Our Mercy (by granting them various virtues). Everybody praised them and held them in high esteem.

       And describe (the story of) Musa ( )  in (this part of) the Quran. Indeed, he was chosen (for Prophethood) and was a messenger and a Prophet.

       And We called him from the right side of mountain Tur. We drew him near to Us (or chose him to talk to him secretly).

       We, through Our Mercy granted him, his brother Harun ( )  with the Prophethood.

       And mention in (this part of) the Quran, (the story of) Ismail ( ) . He always kept his promise and he was a messenger and a Prophet.

       And he used to command his family and his people to perform Salat and pay the poor-due and he was the beloved (slave) of his Creator.

       And mention in (this part of) the Quran, (the story of) Idris ( ) , he was a truthful person and a Prophet.

       We raised him to a high place (by bestowing many virtues upon him).

       These are those Prophets on whom Allah bestowed His Grace. They were the Children of Adam ( ) . And they are from the children of those whom We carried (in a boat) with Nuh ( ) , and from the Children of Ibrahim ( )  and Yaqub ( ) . We guided them and made them Our chosen persons. When the Verses of the Most Gracious (Allah) were recited to them, they fell down prostrate while weeping (to show humbleness and thankfulness).

       Then they were succeeded by the people who did not pay much attention to Salat and were carried away by their lusts. So they would soon see their destruction (in the Hereafter).

       Except those who repent and are believers and  do good deeds. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged even a little bit.

       They will enter the Paradise of everlasting Gardens which the Most Gracious (Allah) has made as an Unseen promise to His slaves. And indeed, His promise will definitely be fulfilled.

       They will not hear any vain talk there except peace (from angels and among themselves). And there will be provision for them in the morning and evening.

       This is the Paradise which We give as an inheritance to Our ser-vants who have been pious persons.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And we (the angels) cannot descend without the Command of your Creator. To Allah belongs what is before us (i.e. angels) and what is behind us and what is between those two and your Creator is never forgetful.

       The Creator of the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them. Hence, worship Him (Alone) and be patient and consistent in worshipping Him. Do you know of anybody who has the same name (and is equal to Him)?

       And man (the disbeliever) says: “When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?”

       Does not man recall that We created him before while he was nothing?

       So, by your Creator, We shall gather them together and Satans too, on their knees (due to extreme fear) around Hell.

       Then, indeed, We shall separate from every group all those who were the most rebellious against the Most Gracious (Allah) (so that We throw them in Hell before others).

       (We don’t have to make any investigations for it) since We do know best those who are the most deserving candidate to be thrown (in the Hell-Fire).

       And every one of you will pass over it (Hell). This is absolutely decided by your Creator.

       Then We shall save those who used to fear Allah. And We shall leave the wrong-doers there on their knees.

       And when Our Clear Verses are recited to them, the disbelievers say to those who believe: “Which of the two groups has higher status and more grand assembly?”

       And (they forget that) how many communities We have destroyed before them which had more goods and were more impressive in outer appearance.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “The Most Gracious (Allah) delays a lot the punishment of those who are in error until they see the promised things, either the torment (in worldly life) or the Day of Judgement. Then they will realize who has the worst status and whose supporters are weaker.”

       And Allah goes on increasing the guidance of the believers (which is the real asset). And good deeds that last are better with your Creator for reward and for the final result. (This Verse pacified the poor believers).

       Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our revelations and he said: “I shall definitely be given wealth and children (if I will be alive again).”

       Has he knowledge of the Unseen or has he taken a promise from the Most Gracious (Allah)?

       Not at all. We shall record what he says, and (due to this) We shall go on increasing his torment (in the Hell).

       And We shall inherit all those things he is talking about (i.e. wealth and children), and he shall come to Us all alone.

       And they worship other gods besides Allah to acquire for them-selves honour and glory.

       Not at all! Those false deities will even deny being worshipped and they will become enemies of their worshippers.

       Did you not see that We have sent Satan to the disbelievers to incite them a lot (to do evil)?

       So don’t haste about them. Indeed, We are keeping count of their time (when appointed time comes, they will be punished).

       (This punishment will occur) on the Day when We will gather the pious persons as guests of the Most Gracious (Allah).

       And We shall drive the extremely thirsty criminals to Hell. 

       None shall have the power of intercession except those who have taken a promise from the Most Gracious (Allah).

       And they say: “The Most Gracious has begotten a son.”

       Indeed, you have come up with a very terrible and extremely evil thing.

       The heavens are almost torn and the earth may split apart and the mountains may fall in ruin due to this wording.

       That they are trying to prove that the Most Gracious (Allah) has a son.              

It is not befitting for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son.

       Everybody in the heavens and the earth will come to the Most Gracious (Allah) as His obedient servant.

       Indeed, He knows them all and is keeping (a good) count of them (in this world).

       And every one of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. (Also Surah Ash-Shuara:88)

       Indeed, those who believe and do good deeds, Allah will create love for them (in the hearts of those who are in the heavens and the earth, as in a Hadith in Bukhari). (Give this glad tiding to them).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] So, indeed, We have made this (the Quran) easy in your own language so that you may convey with it glad tidings to the pious persons and warn with it to the most quarrelsome people.

       (One of those warnings is as follows) And how many of the communities We have destroyed (with torment) before them! [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Can you see even a slight movement of them or hear even a whisper of them?