About the Surah

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

       Alif-Lam-Ra. (Allah Alone knows their meanings.) These are the Verses of the wise Book.

       Are the people surprised that We have sent Our revelations to a man from them (i.e. he is a human being like them), (saying:) “Warn the people (from disobedience of Allah) and those who believe, give them glad tidings of good reward and dignity from their Creator?” The disbelievers said: “This is, indeed, an obvious magician.” (Since they had no other logic to refute it).

       Indeed, your Creator is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then rose over the Throne (in a manner appropriate for His Majesty). He makes (suitable) plans for every affair. (Hence, He is Wise). No intercession to Him is possible without His permission. (Hence, He is Great). That is Allah, your Creator, hence worship Him Alone. Will you not take this advice? (Also Surah An-Najm:26)

       All of you have to return to Him. Allah has made a true promise to you. Indeed, He created the first time. Then He will create the second time too so that He may reward with justice those who believed and did good deeds, and for the disbelievers there is boiling water for drinking and painful torment because they used to disbelieve.

       He made the sun  shining with its own light and the moon with borrowed or reflected light and fixed stages for the moon so that you might know the number of years and to make other calculations in time. Allah did not create these things except with wisdom (and benefits for us). Allah explains Verses in detail for the people who have (beneficial) knowledge (and thinking).

       Indeed, in the alternation of the night and the day and in what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth are signs for those people who fear Allah.

       Indeed, those who don’t hope (hence, don’t believe) to meet with Us, and are pleased and content with the worldly life and those who are ignoring Our revelations,

       Their abode will be Fire because of what they used to do.

       Those who believe and do good deeds, their Creator will guide them with their Faith (to Paradise) under which rivers flow in the Gardens of Delight.

       Their prayer will be: ‘Glory to you, O Allah!’ Their (mutual) greetings will be ‘Salam’ (i.e. peace be upon you), and their last statement would be: “All praise and thanks are for Allah who is the Creator of all universe.”

       If Allah hastened the adversity for the people just as they hasten to receive prosperity, then Allah’s promise (for torment) would have been fulfilled long time ago. So (due to Our Wisdom) We let those, who don’t expect to meet Us, wander blindly in their transgression (so that they may deserve the torment even more). 

       And when a person is distres-sed, he prays to Allah while lying on his side, or sitting or standing. But when We have removed the distress from him, he walks around (showing total indifference to Us) as if he had never prayed to Us for his distress. In this way, the deeds of the transgressors are made attractive to them.

       And, indeed, We destroyed many groups before you when they did wrong although their messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they were not such who will ever believe! Thus We punish the criminals.

       Then We made you successors in the land after them in order to see how you behave.

       And when Our clear Verses are recited to them, those who don’t hope to meet Us, say: “Bring us a Quran other than this or (at least) change it.” [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “It is not possible for me to change it on my own, I only follow that which is revealed to me. Indeed, I am afraid of the torment of the Great Day, if I were to disobey my Creator.”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “If Allah willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor Allah would have made it known to you. Indeed, I have lived with you (a large part of) my life before this. Have you then no sense?”

       So who would be more cruel than a person who coins a lie against Allah or denies His revelations? Surely such criminals will never be successful.

       And they worship things besides Allah which can neither harm them nor profit them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “Do you inform Allah of that which He does not know in the heavens and in the earth?” Glorified and Exalted is Allah. And Allah is above all that which they associate as partners (with Him).

       And all mankind had one religion (i.e. followed monotheism). Then they differed. And if it was not decided by Allah in advance (that the major torment will not be inflicted on idolaters now, rather it will be in the Hereafter), the matter in which they are differing would have been settled (here in this world).

       And they say: “How is it that no miracle (of their choice) is sent down to Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) from his Creator?” (Many miracles have taken place to prove the truth. If they are waiting for the miracle of their choice, then it has to do with the unseen). [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “The unseen belongs to Allah Alone. Hence, you wait; I am waiting along with you too.” 

       And when We shower Our Mercy on the people after some misfortune has struck them, then at once they start hatching evil plots against Our revelations. Say: “Allah is Swifter in planning!” Indeed, Our angels record all of that which you plot.

       It is He Who enables you to travel through land and sea, and when you are in a boat which sails smoothly with favourable winds, you rejoice in it. (Then all of a sudden), some stormy wind blows and waves rise from all directions, and they think that they are indeed entrapped in them. Then they pray to Allah with sincere Faith in Allah Alone: “If You save us from this (misfortune), we shall truly be grateful to You.”

       So when Allah saves them, they rebel (i.e. disobey Allah) in the land unjustly. O mankind! Your disobedience to Allah is nothing but to harm yourselves. Enjoy worldly life (for a short time). Then you will return to Us and We will inform you of that which you used to do.

       Indeed, the example of the worldly life is like the rain which We send down from the sky. Then the vegetation grows in abundance in the land, which people and cattle eat. When the land is beautified with this vegetation and it decorates the earth, the owners think that they have full control over this vegetation. Then some calamity from Us struck it during the day or night, so it was totally destroyed as if it never existed there at all. In this way We explain Our revelations clearly for the people who ponder over them.

       And Allah invites you to the peaceful residence (i.e. Paradise) and guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.

       Those who have done good deeds; there is excellent reward (Paradise) for them and much more (i.e. having Bliss of Good Pleasure of Allah). No darkness (i.e. sadness) or disgrace will touch their faces. They will reside in Paradise and will stay there forever.

       And those who have committed evil deeds, the evil will be repaid equal to the evil done (not more than that) and disgrace will cover their faces. No one will be able to save them from Allah. It would look as if the patches (pieces) of dark night are pasted on their faces (due to sadness). They are the residents of Fire, they will reside there forever. (Also Surah Ale-Imran:106)

       And the Day when We shall gather them all, then We will say to those who made partners (with Us): “You and your partners stop at this location (away from the believers).” Then We will create separation between them, and their partners shall say to them: “You never worshipped us. (Also Surah Ya-sin:59)

       “So Allah is sufficient witness between us and we knew nothing about your worshipping us.”

       At this occasion, every person will be able to assess or evaluate his deeds which he has done in the past and they will be brought back to Allah, their true Creator, and whatever lies they used to fabricate will disappear from them.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Who grants you provisions from the sky and the earth? Or who has full control over your hearing and eyesight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead (thing) from a living thing? (e.g. egg from a living thing and then bird from an egg). And who plans and disposes all the affairs? Then they will readily say: “Allah.” [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Then say: “Why don’t you fear (Allah’s punishment)?”

       Such is Allah, your true Creator. What else can be there after truth except disbelief? So then where are you turning away?

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)! Don’t be sad because of their disbelief]. Thus the Word of your Creator, that the rebellious people will not believe, is justified against them. (Also Surah Az-Zumar:71)

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say to them: “Can any of your (assumed) partners originate the creation and then recreate it (on the Day of Judgement)?” Say: “Allah origi-nally created things and He is going to create them again.” (After this fact) how then you are turning away (from the truth)?

       Say: “Does any of your (assumed) partners guide to the truth?” Say: “It is Allah Who guides to the truth. Is then He who guides to the truth more deserving to be followed or he who has no guidance (himself) unless he is guided? Then, what is the matter with you, how do you judge?”

       And most of them follow conjectures or guesswork, and the thinking based on guess has no standing against the (proven) truth. Allah is All-Knower of what they do.

       And this Quran is not such that it can be coined by others without (the revelations from) Allah. In fact it confirms the Books revealed before the Quran and it gives full explanation of the Book (i.e. important Islamic laws). There is no doubt that it is from the Creator of the universe.

       Or do they say: “He [Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] has forged it?” Say “Bring one chapter like it, and call upon whomsoever you can besides Allah, if you are truthful.”

       In fact, they are denying it without pondering over the meanings of it, and they have not yet received the end result of it. Similarly the people before them denied. Then see what the end of the wrong-doers was.

       And some of them believe in the Quran and others don’t. Allah is the Best Knower of the evil-doers.

       And if they deny you, say: “My deeds are for me and your deeds are for you. You are not responsible for what I do and I am not responsible for what you do.”

       And among them are some who (pretend to) listen to you, but can you make the deaf to hear even though they have no sense? (i.e. even a deaf can somewhat understand by hints, but a deaf without any brain is a total hopeless case).

       And among them are some who (pretend to) look at you, but can you guide the blind even though they see not? (i.e. blind without any comprehension).

       Indeed, Allah does not do any wrong to mankind (i.e. punish them without giving them guidance and skills), but people wrong themselves.(i.e. don’t use the God gifted skills).

       And (remind them) about the Day when He shall gather them. (It will appear to them) as if they had not stayed (in this world and graves) except for an hour of the day to recognize each other (but will not be able to help each other. This will increase their misery since there are always expectations from the people you recognize). Those people will definitely be in loss who denied the Meeting with Allah and they were not guided.(Also Surah An-Naziat:46)

       (Regarding the punishment in this world). And even if We show you the part of this punishment which We have promised them, or We cause you to die, still they have to return to Us. Then Allah is Witness over what they used to do.

       And for every community there is a messenger. After the coming of their messenger (i.e. after he has conveyed the message), their matter is judged with justice and they are not wronged. (Also Surah Al-Isra:15)

       And they say: “When will this promise (of punishment or the Day of Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you speak the truth? (Why don’t you make it occur now?) 

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “I have no power to harm or benefit myself except what Allah may will. (Hence, I have no power to bring about the punishment. As for the timing of this punishment) For every nation there is an appointed time. When this time comes, they can neither delay it, nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).”

       Say: “Tell me, if Allah’s torment comes to you during the night or during the day, then what is in it (i.e. what is good in the torment) that the criminals are hastening for?” 

       Is it when it has actually occurred, you will believe in it? Now (you believe)? And before this you used to hasten for it.

       Then it will be said to them who wronged themselves: “Taste the everlasting punishment! Are you not repaid according to what you used to do?”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]  And they ask you (jokingly): “Is it true (i.e. will this torment really occur?)” Say: “Yes! By my Creator! It is the very truth, and you will not be able to escape it.”

       And if every person who disbelieved had all that is in the earth to free him from the torment (it will not be accepted). They will try to hide the shame on their faces when they see the torment, and they will be judged with justice, and no wrong will be done to them.

       Bear in mind, all that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. Bear in mind, Allah’s promise is true, but most of them do not know.

       It is He Who gives life, and causes death. And all of you will be brought back to Him.

       O Mankind! A (fantastic) ad-vice (i.e. the Quran) has come to you from your Creator (to guard you against evil deeds. And if you follow it) then (all) the ailments of the hearts will be healed with it. It (i.e. the Quran) guides you (to perform good deeds) and (through these good deeds) it will be a mercy (i.e. means of achieving reward from Allah). All these blessings are for the believers (since only they ponder over its Verses and practice the guidance sincerely). (Also Surah Al-Isra:82)

       Say: (After listening to these blessings of the Quran) “People should rejoice for this Allah’s Bounty (i.e. the Quran) and Mercy of Allah [i.e. Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)].” This is better than what (wealth) they collect.

       Say; “Tell me, what about the provision that Allah has given you and you made some of it unlawful and other lawful.” Say [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!]: “Has Allah permitted you, or do you fabricate a lie against Allah?”

       What is the thinking of those people regarding the Day of Judgement who coin lies against Allah (i.e. how will Allah treat them that Day)? Indeed, Allah is full of Bounty to mankind (He does not punish instantly. He grants them time to reform themselves). But most of the people are ungrateful to Him (otherwise they would have repented).

       Whatever condition you are in, and whatever part of the Quran you recite and whatever you do, We are witness over it. And nothing is hidden from (the knowledge) of your Creator even equal to the weight of an atom in the earth or in the heaven and even anything smaller or bigger than that is (written) in a Clear Record (Here Allah informed us that particles like electrons and protons exist. We discovered it recently).

       Bear in mind, there is no fear for the friends of Allah, nor do they grieve.

       They are (true) believers and are always conscious of Allah.

       There is a glad tiding for them in the worldly life and in the Here-after. Allah’s Words never change. That (glad tiding) is, indeed, the supreme success.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And let not their comments grieve you since all power (and honour) belongs to Allah. He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

       Bear in mind, whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, they all belong to Allah. And those who call and worship others besides Allah, they follow only inauthentic thinking and they are only guessing.

       Allah has made night for you so that you may rest in it and He made day to make things visible (and work in it). Verily, there are signs in it for the people who listen (to reflect).

       They say: “Allah has taken (for Him) a son.” Glory is to Him. He is All-Rich. (Free of all needs). Whatever is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. (Hence, We have given you the proof that Allah does not have any children). Do you have any proof (for your stupid claim) or are you making statements against Allah without any knowledge (and proof)? (Also Surah Maryam:90-91)

       Say: “Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never be successful.”

       There are brief benefits (and fun) in this world. Then they will return to Us, and then We shall make them taste a severe torment because they used to disbelieve (in Allah and His messenger).

       And recite the news of Nuh ( )when he said to his people: “O my people, if my staying among you (staying with preaching), and advising you about the commands of Allah is hard on you (I don’t care) since I put my trust in Allah. So you and your so called partners may make your firm plans (to harm me) and let your plans be open and bold. Then put your plans in practice against me without any delay (in its execution, inspite of all this I am not afraid of you).

       “So if you turn away, I am not asking for any reward, since my reward is with Allah. (Hence, I am neither afraid of you, nor I am greedy). And I am commanded (by Allah) to be from the Muslims.”

       (Even after this inspiring speech) then they denied him. Hence, We saved him and those with him in the boat and established them in the land. And drowned those who denied Our revelations. Then see what the end of those who were warned was.

       After Nuh (), We sent messengers to their people. So they came with clear proofs to them, but they would not believe what they had rejected first time (since their hearts were very hard). In this way We seal the hearts of transgressors.

       Then We sent Musa ( )and Harun ( )to Firaun and his chiefs with Our revelations. But they behaved arrogantly and they were (seasoned) criminal people.

       So when the truth came to them from Us, they said: “This is, indeed, an obvious magic.”

       Musa ( )said to them: “Do you call this truth, which has come to you, is it a magic? Although the magicians are never successful.”

       They said: “Have you come to us to turn us away from the path on which we saw our forefathers and that both of you may achieve greatness in the land? We are not going to believe both of you.”

       And Firaun said: “Bring to me every skillful magician.”

       So when the magicians came, Musa ( )said to them: “Throw what you are going to throw (on the ground).”

       Then when they threw, Musa ( )said to them: “What you have brought is magic. Indeed, Allah is going to destroy it. Indeed, Allah does not let the affairs of the evil-doers be accomplished”.

       “And Allah proves the truth by His Command, however much the criminals may hate it.”

       [After the miracle of Musa ()] so none believed in Musa ( )except a few young men due to fear of Firaun and his chiefs lest he torture them. And, indeed, Firaun was a tyrant on the earth, and he is, indeed, one of the transgressors.

       And [when Musa ( )noticed their fear] he said: “O my people! If you have believed in Allah, then put your trust in Him, if you are Muslims.”

       So they said: “We put our trust in Allah, our Creator.” (And added:) “O our Creator! Don’t make us a trial for the people who are wrong-doers.

       “And save us by Your Mercy from the disbelieving people.”

       (Allah accepted this supplica-tion and provided help for these young Muslims). And We revealed to Musa ( )and his brother (saying:) “Establish dwellings for your people in Egypt, and make your dwellings as places of your worship (visitation to Masjid for Salat is ex-cused). And perform Salat (with the blessings of Salat Allah will remove the hardships). [O Musa ()!] And give glad tidings to the believers. (The hardships will be removed soon).”

       And Musa ( )said: “Our Creator! You have, indeed, given Firaun and his chiefs the splendour and wealth in this worldly life, Our Creator, that they may lead men astray from Your Path. Our Creator! Destroy their wealth, and harden their hearts so that they may not believe until they see the painful torment.” (Also Surah Nuh:29)

       Allah said: “Your prayer is granted. So both of you stay on the Straight Path (i.e. even though they turn a deaf ear to the guidance, still preaching is beneficial for you). And don’t follow the Path of those who don’t know (that our promise is true).”

       And We made the Children of Israel cross the sea, and Firaun and his army followed them to torture them with his enmity. When Firaun was drowning (and saw the angels of death), he said: “I believe that none has the right to be worshipped except in Whom the Children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims. (Hence, save me from drowning and punishment of the Hereafter).”

       (He was answered) do you believe now while you refused to believe before and you were one of the evil-doers?

       So today We will save your (dead) body (from going down to the bottom of the sea) so that it may become a reminder for those who come after you. And, indeed, most of the people are careless about Our signs.

       And, indeed, We gave the Children of Israel a respectable place to live and provided them good things. Then they differed among themselves after knowledge had come to them. Indeed, your Creator will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection in which they used to differ.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] So if you are in doubt concerning what We have sent down to you then ask those who read the Book (sent) before you. Indeed, the truth has come to you from Your Creator. Hence, don’t be from those who doubt it.

       And don’t be from those who deny the revelations of Allah, for then you shall be one of the losers.

       Indeed, those against whom the Word (Wrath) of your Creator has been justified, will not believe,

       Even if they see every sign (of Allah), until they see the painful torment. (Also Surah Al-Mumin/Ghafir:85)

       Hence, no town (community) believed (after seeing the torment) and its Faith (at that moment) proved beneficial for them except the people of Yunus (). When they believed, We removed the disgraceful punishment from them in the worldly life and let them enjoy (the worldly life) for a while.

       [It is not only for the people of Yunus ()] And if your Creator willed, all the people on the earth would have believed. (Due to some wisdom Allah did not will so. Hence, all the people did not believe). So, will you [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] compel mankind, until they become believers?

       And no person can believe except with Allah’s Permission. And Allah throws filth (of disbelief) on those who have no sense (to appreciate guidance of Allah and they always remain disbelievers).

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “Ponder over things which are in the heavens and the earth.” The signs of Allah and threats do no good to those who don’t believe (due to their stubbornness).

       So are they waiting for the days (or events of destruction) of the people who passed away before them? Say: “Hence, you wait, I am waiting too along with you.”

       (We did punish communities mentioned above). Then We did save Our messengers and the believers too. It is incumbent upon Us to save the believers.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “O you Mankind! If you are in doubt about my religion, then (note that) I will never worship those whom you worship besides Allah. But I worship Allah who causes you to die, and I am commanded to be one of the believers.

       (And I am also commanded that): “Direct your face totally towards the straight (upright) religion (i.e. Islam). And never be one of the idolaters.

       “And don’t worship anybody besides Allah since those will neither benefit you nor harm you. So if you did this, then you shall certainly be one of the wrong-doers.”

       And if Allah inflicts some adversity upon you, nobody can remove it except Him. And if He intends to do you some good, nobody can stop His Bounty. He bestows (His Bounty) upon whoever of His slaves He wills, and He is the Very-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Say: “O you mankind! Now truth [i.e. the Quran and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)] has come to you from your Creator. So whosoever follows guidance, he does so for his own good, and whosoever goes astray, he does so for his own loss. And I am not sent over you as a supervisor (to make you accept Islam forcefully).”

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] And follow what is revealed to you, and be patient till Allah gives judgement. And He is the Best of the judges.