About the Surah

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

       Sad (Only Allah knows its meanings). By the Quran which is full of advices and reminders.

       In fact, disbelievers are carried away by false pride and opposition.

       (This attitude will only harm them, since) We have destroyed many communities before them. And they cried out but that was not the time for escape (from the torment).

       And the disbelievers were surprised that a warner has come to them from among themselves, and they said: “He [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] is a magician, a liar.”

       “Has he merged all the gods into One God? Indeed, it is a very strange thing!”

       And their leaders walked away (saying): “Go ahead. Remain devoted to your gods. There seems to be a (hidden) objective in it. (He is trying to become our leader).”

       “We never heard of this (One-ness of Allah) in earlier religions. This is nothing but a false invention! (Qurtabi)

       “Have the revelations (of Allah) been sent to him (alone) from among us?” In fact, they are in doubt about Our revelations (the Quran). In fact, they have not yet tasted (Our) torment.

       Or, do they have the treasures of the Mercy of your Creator, the Almighty, the Benevolent (to distribute it according to their wishes)?

       Or, are they the sovereign of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then they should ascend to the heavens with (their) means (to achieve their goal of stopping the revelations).

       This is a (small) defeated group from among the big armies (defeat-ed in the past). (This was the prediction and promise of Allah about the defeat of these disbelievers in Badr and in Makkah).

       The people of Nuh ( ), A’d and Firaun, and the man of nails, denied before them. [Man of nails means (i) powerful man, or (ii) who punished others by putting nails through their hands, feet and head].

       And the Thamud (people) and the people of Lut ( ), and the Residents of Wood [i.e. the people of Shuaib ( )]. These were the big armies.

       Every one of them denied their messengers; hence My punishment was justified for them.

       And they are waiting for only a single shout (i.e. blowing of the second Trumpet) and there will be no pause (or delay) in it. (The Day of Resurrection will occur instantly at this single shout.)

       (On hearing this warning of the Day of Resurrection, they mock it) And they say: “Our Creator! Give us our portion (i.e. record of deeds with the accompanying punish-ment) right now (in this worldly life) before the Day of Resurrection.” 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Be patient about what they say, and remember Our slave, Dawud ( ) who was very powerful. Indeed, he was always returning to his Creator in repentance.

       We did put the mountains under his control to glorify Our Praises with him in the evening and in the morning.

       And (similarly) the birds assembled and all of them obeyed him too (in Glorifying Allah with him).

       And We made his kingdom strong (by material and spiritual means) and gave him Prophethood and decisive speech.

       And did you receive the news of the persons who had a dispute, when they climbed over the wall to reach a praying place (or private chamber).

       When they reached Dawud ( ), he was somewhat terrified of them. They said: “Don’t fear. We have a dispute between us. One of us has wronged the other. So judge between us with justice and don’t be unjust to us, and guide us to the Right Way.”

       (Please listen). Indeed, this is my brother (in religion). He has ninety-nine ewes (female sheep), while I have only one ewe, so he says: “Hand over yours to me, and he is very hard on me in his conversation.”

       Dawud ( ) said: “He has, indeed, wronged you by demanding your ewe to be added to his ewes, and, indeed, most partners do wrong each other, except those who believe and do good deeds, and there are very few people like that. And Dawud ( ) thought that it was a trial for him. So he sought forgiveness of his Creator, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance.

       So We forgave him his fault. And, indeed he has nearness to Us and has an excellent place of (final) return (i.e. Paradise).

       O Dawud ( )! We have made you a caliph (successor) on the earth, so you should judge between people with truth (and justice) and don’t follow your vain desires, since it will make you go astray from the Path of Allah. Indeed, those who go astray from the Path of Allah shall have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Judgement.

       And We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them (e.g. plasma) without purpose (and wisdom). That is the thinking of the disbelievers. Hence woe to the disbelievers in the Hell-Fire. (Also see 15:85, 19:65, 20:6, 21:16, 25:59, 29:8, 30:8 and 32:4.)

       Shall We treat those who believe and do good deeds like those who (always) spread mischief in the land? Or shall We treat the pious persons like the impious persons?

       (This is) a Book (i.e. the Quran) which We have sent down to you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!], full of blessing, so that they may reflect on its Verses and the people of understanding may seek reminders from it.

       And to Dawud ( ), We granted Sulaiman ( ) (as a son). What a wonderful slave! Indeed, he always returned to Us in repentance.

       When fast horses of the highest breed were brought before him in the evening,

       Sulaiman ( ) said: “I preferred the good (these horses) to the remembrance of my Creator (i.e. my Asr prayer)” till the time (of prayer) was over and (the sun) had hidden behind the veil (i.e. night came).

       (He said:) “Bring the horses back to me.” Then he began to pass his hand over their shanks (i.e. lower part of leg) and their necks (i.e. slaughtered the horses to make up for his mistake of missing the remembrance of Allah – Tafsir Ibn Kathir).

       And, indeed, We tested Sulaiman ( ) and We placed on his throne a body and he then turned (to Allah in repentance). (What was this trial? What body was placed on his throne? There are no details in the Quran and Hadith about it).

       Sulaiman ( ) said: “My Creator, forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom like which none shall have after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”

       So, We put wind under his control, it blew gently by his order to take him wherever he willed,

       And We also put under his control (powerful) jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver.

       And also others bound in chains.

       (Allah said to Sulaiman ( )]: “This is Our gift (to you). So you may grant others from it or withhold it. There shall be no accountability for you about it.”

       And, indeed he has nearness to Us and has an excellent place of (final) return (i.e. Paradise).

       And remember Our slave Ayyub ( ), when he prayed to his Creator (saying): “Indeed, Satan has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)!”

       (Allah said to him): “Strike your foot on the ground. (He struck it and a fountain of water gushed out, narrated by Ahmad). (Allah said): “This is water for bath (to remove apparent ailments) and cool (and refreshing) to drink (to get rid of inner diseases).”

       And We gave him back his whole family and granted him same number (of children, worldly assets etc.) additionally as a (special) Mercy from Us and a reminder for the sensible people.

       (Allah also said to Ayyub ( )]: “And hold in your hand a bundle of the branches of grass and strike (your wife gently) with it and don’t break the oath.” Indeed, We found him very patient. What a wonderful slave! Indeed, he always returned (to Us) in repentance!

       And remind people about Our slaves, Ibrahim ( ), Ishaq ( ) and Yaqub ( ) who were very powerful (working for the Cause of Allah) and very distinguished in religious understanding.

       Indeed, We did choose them for a specific thing, that is, the remembrance of the Home of the Hereafter (all the time).

       And, indeed, they are with Us very chosen and the best! 

       And remind people about Ismail ( ), and (Elisha) and Dhul-Kifl ( ) Isaiah), all are among the best.

       This is a reminder. And for the pious people there is definitely an excellent place of (final) return (i.e. Paradise)

       The Paradise of everlasting gardens and its doors are open for them.

       They will call for plenty of fruits and (all kinds of) drinks while reclining there.

       And they will have chaste females (wives) with restraining glances and of equal ages.

       This is what you (the pious people) are promised for the Day of Judgement.

       (It will be said to them) Indeed, these are Our provisions which will never finish.

       That is (for the pious person). And, indeed, for the transgressors will be an evil final return (Hell-Fire). 

       Hell! In which they will be thrown. So it is an evil place to reside. 

       That is (for the disbelievers). So, let them taste the boiling water and pus of the wounds.

       And other similar kind of several torments altogether!

       (The angels will say to the leader of the disbelievers at the door step of Hell): “This is a group which will enter Fire with you. There is no welcome for them. They will, indeed, burn in Hell-Fire.”

       (The followers of the dis-believers will say to their leaders): “In fact, there is no welcome for you since you brought us to Hell. So it is a very bad place to reside.’’

       (The followers of the dis-believers will also say:) “Our Cre-ator! He who initiated (the activities of disbelief) for us, make double punishment in Hell for him.”

       And (the residents of Hell) will say: “What is the matter with us that we don’t see those men whom we used to count among the wicked ones?”

       “Did we make fun of them (in the world, by mistake), or have our eyes failed to spot them (in Hell)?”

       Indeed, it is true that the people of Hell will (mutually) quarrel.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “I am only a warner and there is no God except Allah, the One, the Supreme.”

       “The Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Very-Forgiving.”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “That (this Quran) is a great news.”

       “From which you turn away!”

       “I have no knowledge (of the dis-cussion) of the esteemed angels high up there [regarding the creation of Adam ( )] when they were disputing.”

       “The only thing revealed to me is that I am a plain warner.”

       (Remember) when your Cre-ator said to the angels: “Indeed, I am going to create a man from clay.”

       “So when I have completed all the parts of his body, and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.”

       So all the angels prostrated themselves,

       Except Satan, he was arrogant and was one of the disbelievers.

       Allah said: “O Satan! What stopped you from prostrating your-self to one whom I have created with My hands (although Allah has created everything, but it was to indicate the esteemed level for man)? Were you too proud of yourself or did you consider yourself one of the highly exalted?”

       Satan said: “I am better than him. You created me from the fire and You created him from clay.”

       Allah said: “Get out from here (the heavens) for, indeed, you are outcast.”

       Allah said: “Get out from here (the heavens) for, indeed, you are outcast.”

       Satan said: “[Since I have become an outcast due to Adam ( )]. My Creator! So delay (my death) until the Day of Judgement (so that I can take revenge from Adam ( ) and his children).”

       (Allah) said: “So you are, indeed, from those who are granted delay,

       Till the Day of the appointed time.”

       (Satan) said: “(Since I am granted this delay). So by Your Might, I shall mislead them all,

       Except your chosen slaves among them (whom You have saved from my influence).”

       (Allah) said: “The Truth is that I always speak the Truth.”

       “I will fill Hell with you (i.e. Satan) and with all those who follow you from them.”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “I don’t ask you any reward (regarding the message of the Quran), nor am I from one of those who fabricate things on behalf of Allah and then convey those to others.”

       “Indeed, it (the Quran) is only a reminder for mankind and jinn.”

       “And you shall certainly come to know the truth (of the message of the Quran) after a short while (i.e. in Badr, or on your death).”