Yunus

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said concerning Allah's saying (Alif. Lam. Ra): '(Alif. Lam. Ra.) Allah says: I am Allah: I see; it is also said that it is an oath by which Allah swore. (These are verses of the wise Scripture) this surah consists of the verses of the clear Qur'an, expositing the lawful and the prohibited.

(Is it a wonder for mankind) for the people of Mecca (that We have inspired a man among them) a human being like them, (saying: Warn mankind) warn the people of Mecca by means of the Qur'an (and bring unto those who believe the good tidings that they have a sure footing) a good reward; it is also said that their faith in the life of this world is their sure footing with their Lord in the Hereafter; it is also said that this means: they have a true prophet; as it is said that this means: they have a true intercessor (with their Lord? The disbelievers) the disbelievers of Mecca (say: Lo! This) Qur'an (is a mere wizard) a mere lie.

(Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days) of the days of the life of this world at its beginning. The first day is Sunday and the last is Friday, and each day the equivalent of one thousand years, (then He established Himself upon the Throne) it is also said that this means: the Throne was filled by Him, (directing all things) directing the matters of His servants; it is also said that this means: He looks into the affairs of the servants; and it is also said that this means: He sends the angels with revelations and misfortunes. (There is no intercessor (with Him)) no close angel and no sent prophet will intercede for anyone (save after His permission) save after Allah's leave. (That is Allah, your Lord) it is your Lord Who does thus, (so worship Him) profess His divine Oneness. (Oh, will ye not remind?) will you not take heed?

(Unto Him is the return of all of you) after death; (it is a promise of Allah in truth) this is the Truth which will surely take place. (Lo! He produceth creation) from a sperm drop, (then reproduces it) after death, (that He may reward those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) between themselves and their Lord (with equity) with justice: [i.e. they will earn as a reward] Paradise; (while, as for those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, (theirs will be a boiling drink and painful doom) whose pain will reach to their hearts (because they disbelieved) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an.

(He it is who appointed the sun a splendour) for mankind during the daytime (and the moon a light) for them at night, (and measured for her stages) He made it consist of phases, (that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning) that you might know the counting of months and days. (Allah created not (all) that save in truth) in order to expound the Truth and the error. (He detaileth the revelations) He details the verses of the Qur'an with signs of divine Oneness (for people who have knowledge) for people who believe.

(Lo! in the difference of day and night) in the changing of the day and night, their increase and decrease, their advent and elapsing (and all that Allah hath created in the heavens) and in that which Allah has created: the sun, the moon, the stars, etc., (and the earth) the trees, beasts, mountains, oceans, etc., (are portents) are signs for the divine Oneness of the Lord, (verily, for folk who ward off (evil)) for people who obey.

(Lo! those who expect not) those who fear not (the meeting with Us) through resurrection after death; it is also said that this means: those who do not believe in resurrection after death (but desire the life of the world) but choose instead what is in the life of this world over the Hereafter (and feel secure therein) and are pleased with this life, (and those who are neglectful) deniers (of Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an,

(Their home) their destiny (will be the Fire because of what they used to earn) because of what they used to say and do of idolatry.

(Lo! those who believe) in Muhammad, Allah, bless him and give him peace, and in the Qur'an (and do good works) they do works of obedience, in that which is between them and their Lord, (their Lord guideth them) makes them enter Paradise (by their faith. Rivers) of wine, water, honey and milk (will flow beneath them) beneath their trees and habitations (in the Gardens of Delight),

(Their prayer) their words (therein) in Paradise when they desire anything (will be: Glory be to Thee, O Allah!) following which servants will bring them whatever they desire (and their greeting therein will be: Peace) they greet one another by saying: Peace. (And the conclusion of their prayer) their words after eating and drinking (will be: Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!)

(If Allah were to hasten on for men the ill) they pray for (as they would hasten on the good) they ask for, (their respite would already have expired) they would already be destroyed. (But We suffer those who look not for the meeting with Us) We leave those who do not fear resurrection after death (to wander blindly on in their contumacy) in their disbelief and error.

(And if misfortune touch a man) when hardship or sickness befalls the disbeliever, the reference here is to Hisham Ibn al-Mughirah and al-Makhzumi (he cries unto Us, (while reclining) on his side, or sitting or standing, but when We have relieved him of the misfortune) when We relieved him of the hardship and misfortune which befell him (he goeth his way) he carries on his abstention from making supplication to Us (as though he had not cried unto Us because of a misfortune) a hardship (that afflicted him. Thus is what they do) in their state of idolatry of making supplications in times of hardship and abstaining from so making supplication to Allah in times of ease (made (seeming) fair unto the prodigal) unto the idolaters.

(We destroyed the generations before you when they did wrong) when they disbelieved; (and their messengers (from Allah) came unto them with clear proofs) with commands, prohibitions and signs (but they would not believe) He says: they did not believe in that which they disbelieved in on the day of the covenant. (Thus do We reward the guilty folk) We reward the idolaters with destruction:

(Then We appointed you) O Community of Muhammad (pbuh) (vicegerents) successors (in the earth after them) after their destruction, (that We might see how ye behave) what you will do of goodness.

(And when Our clear revelations) detailing commands and prohibitions (are recited unto them) are recited by you unto the scoffers: al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah and his host (they who look not for the meeting with Us) those who do not fear resurrection after death while at the same time scoff (say: Bring) O Muhammad (a Lecture other than this, or change it) putting the verses of mercy in the place of the verses of chastisement and the verses of chastisement in place of the verses of mercy. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (It is not for me) it is not permissible for me (to change it of my own accord. I only follow that which is inspired in me) I do not say or do except that which is revealed to me in the Qur'an. (Lo! If I disobey my Lord) by changing the revelation (I fear) I know (the retribution of an awful Day) a severe Day.

(Say) O Muhammad: (If Allah had so willed) i.e. for me not to be a Messenger (I should not have recited it to you) I should not have recited the Qur'an to you (nor would He have made it known to you) and He would not have made the Qur'an known to you. (I dwelt among you a whole lifetime) 40 years (before it) before the revelation of the Qur'an, and before that I never said anything. (Have ye then no sense?) do you not have the sense to understand that it is not of my accord?

(Who doeth greater wrong) who is more insolent and daring vis-�-vis Allah (than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah and denieth His revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an? (Lo! the guilty) the idolaters (never are successful) they will never be saved or safe from Allah's chastisement.

(They worship) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (beside Allah that which neither hurteth them) in this life or in the Hereafter, if they did not worship it, (nor profiteth them) in this life or in the Hereafter if they worshipped it, (and they say: These) i.e. these idols (are our intercessors) which will intercede for us (with Allah. Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth) i.e. He knows there does not exist a god who hurts and benefits except Him? (Praised be He) He exalted Himself far above having a son or partner (and high exalted above) and absolves Himself from (all that ye associate (with Him)) of idols!

(Mankind) in the time of Abraham, and it is said in the time of Noah (were but one community) following one religion: the religion of disbelief, and so Allah sent prophets as warners and bringers of glad tidings; (then they differed) two parties emerged: believers and disbelievers; (and had it not been for a word) to delay the punishment of this nation (that had already gone forth from thy Lord) that had already been enjoined by your Lord (it had been judged between them) they would have been destroyed (about that) about religion (wherein they differ) they opposed.

(And they will say) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca: (If only a portent) a sign (were sent down upon him) i.e. to Muhammad (pbuh) (from his Lord!) to vouchsafe his claim. (Then say) O Muhammad: (The Unseen) regarding the sending of such a sign (belongeth to Allah. So wait) for my destruction! (Lo, I am waiting with you) for your destruction.

(And when We cause mankind) when We enable the idolaters (to taste of mercy) blessings (after some adversity) hardship (which had afflicted them, behold! they have some plot against) they give the lie to (Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an. (Say: Allah is more swift in plotting) Allah's punishment is more severe. Allah destroyed them on the Day of Badr. (Lo! Our messengers) who record the deeds of mankind (write down that which you plot) the lies you utter and the transgressions you commit.

(He it is Who maketh you to go) it is He Who protects you when you travel (on the land) on mounting beasts (and the sea) on ships (till, when ye are in the ships and they sail with them) with people aboard (with a fair breeze) gentle and calm (and they are glad therein) the sailors are happy with the gentle breeze, (a storm wind reaches them) i.e. the ships (and the wave cometh unto them from every side and they deem) they know (that they are overwhelmed) destroyed (therein; (then) they cry unto Allah, making their faith pure for Him only) singling Him out alone in their supplication; (If Thou deliver us from this) storm and hardship, (we truly will be of the thankful) among the obedient believers.

(Yet when He hath delivered them) from the storm and drowning, (behold! they rebel) they become insolent (in the earth wrongfully) without any right. (O mankind!) O people of Mecca! (Your rebellion) your transgression and insolence with one another (is only against yourselves) i.e. its onus is only against you. ((Ye have) enjoyment of the life of the world) the benefits of the life of this world perish and are not lasting; (then unto Us is your return) after death (and We shall proclaim unto you) inform you about (what ye used to do) and say of good and evil.

(The similitude of the life of the world) in terms of its permanence and evanescence (is only as water) rain (which We send down from the sky, then the earth's growth of that which men and cattle eat) grains and fruits for men and plants and abundant grass for cattle (mingles with it till, when the earth hath taken on her ornaments and is embellished) with the colours red, yellow and green, (and her people) the plowmen (deem that they are masters of her) of her yielding, (Our commandment) Our punishment (cometh by night or by day) just as if sheep have trampled on its enclosure destroying all the plowmen's plantations (and we make it as reaped corn) in the summer (as if it had not flourished yesterday) as if they had not existed yesterday. (Thus do We expound the revelation) We explain in the Qur'an the evanescence of the life of this world (for people who reflect) upon the matter of this world and the Hereafter.

(And Allah summoneth) all created beings by means of the profession of divine Oneness (to the abode of peace) the Peace (al-Salam) is Allah and His abode is Paradise, (and leadeth whom He will to a straight path) an established religion with which He is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(For those who do good) for those who profess Allah's divine Oneness (is the best (reward)) i.e. Paradise (and more (thereto)) i.e. beholding Allah's Countenance; it is also said that 'more' means: greater reward. (Neither dust) darkness and gloominess (nor ignominy) grief (comes near their faces) are seen on their faces. (Such are rightful owners of the Garden) the folk of Paradise; (they will abide therein).

(And those who earn ill deeds) those who associate partners with Allah, ((for them) requital of each ill deed by the like thereof) Allah says: the retaliation for associating partners with Allah is hell; (and ignominy overtaketh them) grief and gloominess will appear on their faces. (They have no protector) no one to save them (from Allah) from the punishment of Allah. (As if their faces had been covered with a cloak of darkest night) i.e. of darkness. (Such are rightful owners of the Fire) the folk of hell; (they will abide therein) for ever.

(On the day when We gather them) the disbelievers and their gods (all together, then We say unto those who ascribed partners) to Allah: idols: (Stand back) stop, (ye and your (pretended) partners (of Allah)) you and your idols! (And We separate them, the one from the other) We separated them from their idols; and the disbelievers said: �these have commanded us to worship them instead of worshipping You�; (and their (pretended) partners say) and their idols respond: (It was not us ye worshipped) we did not command you to worship us.

The disbelievers answer back and say: �you have indeed commanded us to worship�, at which point the idols respond: (Allah sufficeth as a witness between us and you, that we were unaware of your worship) we were ignorant of your worship of us.

(There) at this juncture (doth every soul experience) know; and according to another variant: read (that which it did aforetime) of good or evil, (and they are returned unto Allah, their rightful Lord) their true God, (and that which they used to invent) to wrongfully worship (hath failed them) being too preoccupied to pay any attention to them.

(Say) to the disbelievers of Mecca, O Muhammad: (Who provideth for you from the sky) through rain (and the earth) by means of vegetation and fruit, (or Who owneth hearing and sight) He says: who is able to create hearing and sight; (and Who bringeth forth the living from the dead) who is able to bring forth the living from the dead, i.e. living creatures and beasts from sperm drops; it is also said that this means: who can bring a bird from an egg or a spike from a grain (and bringeth forth the dead from the living) sperm drops from living creatures and beasts; it is also said that this means: an egg from a bird or a grain from a spike; (and Who directeth the course) and who can direct and look into the affairs of His servants and sends the angels with revelation, Scriptures and misfortunes? (They will say: Allah. Then say) O Muhammad: (Will ye not then keep your duty (unto Him)) will you not then obey Allah?

(Such then is Allah, your rightful Lord) the one who is able to do so is your Lord, Who is the Truth and whose worship is the Truth. (After the Truth what is there saving error) after worship of Allah what is your worship if not worship of the devil? (How then are ye turned away) from whence do you invent lies about Allah!

(Thus is the Word of your Lord) to impose His chastisement (justified) enjoined (concerning those who do wrong) concerning the disbelievers: (that they believe not) as it is in Allah's foreknowledge.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Is there of your partners) your idols ((whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that produceth Creation) from a sperm drop and imbues it with the spirit (and then reproduceth it) after death, on the Day of Judgement? If they answer you, fine, if not (Say: Allah produceth creation) from a sperm drop, (then reproduceth it) then brings back to life on the Day of Judgement. (How then, are ye misled) from whence do you invent lies; it is also said that this means: See, O Muhammad, how they are misled by lies!

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Is there of your partners) is there of your idols ((whom ye ascribe unto Allah) one that leadeth to the Truth) and guidance? If they answer, fine, if not, (Say: Allah leadeth to the Truth) and guidance. (Is He Who leadeth to the Truth) and guidance (more deserving that He should be followed) worshipped and obeyed, (or he who findeth not the way) he who does not guide to the Truth or guidance (unless he (himself) be guided) carried and taken wherever one wants. (What aileth you? How judge ye) evil is that which you judge for yourselves?

(Most of them follow) worship (naught but conjecture) i.e. except through conjecture. (Assuredly conjecture) their worship through conjecture (can by no means take the place of truth) can by no means dispense them from Allah's chastisement. (Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do) in their state of idolatry, in terms of worshipping idols, and other things.

(And this Qur'an) which is recited to you by Muhammad (pbuh) (is not such as could ever be invented in despite of Allah; but it is a confirmation of that which was before it) it is a confirmation of the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms and all other Scriptures in that they all call to the profession of divine Oneness and contain the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (and an exposition of that which is decreed for mankind) the Qur'an exposits the lawful and the prohibited, the commands and prohibitions. (Therein is no doubt from the Lord of the Worlds) from the Master of all worlds.

(Or say they) rather, the disbelievers of Mecca say: (He hath invented it) Muhammad (pbuh) invented the Qur'an himself? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Then bring a surah like unto it) like the surahs of the Qur'an, (and call (for help) on all ye can) seek help for this purpose from those idols you worship (besides Allah, if ye are truthful) that Muhammad (pbuh) has invented the Qur'an.

(Nay, but they denied that, the knowledge whereof they could not compass) they denied that which their knowledge could not embrace, (and whereof the interpretation) the consequence of what the Qur'an promised them (hath not yet come unto them. Even so) just as your people deny the Scriptures and messengers (did those before them deny) the Scriptures and messengers. (Then see) O Muhammad (what was the consequence for the wrong-doers!) what was the end result of the idolaters who denied the Scriptures and messengers and never worshipped Allah. It is also said that this was a consolation from Allah, glorified and Mighty is He, to His Prophet (pbuh) so that he endures their harm.

(And of them) of the Jews (is he who believeth therein) he who believes in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, i.e. before his death, (and of them) of the Jews (is he who believeth not therein) does not believe in Muhammad (pbuh) or in the Qur'an and dies in a state of disbelief, (and your Lord is best aware of the corrupters) of the Jews, and of those who believe and those who do not believe; it is also said that this verse was revealed about the idolaters.

(And if they deny thee) and if your people deny, O Muhammad, what you say, (say: Unto me my work) my religion, (and unto you your work) your religion. (You are innocent of what I do) and follow as religion, (and I am innocent of what ye do) and follow as religion.

(And of them) of the Jews (are some who listen unto thee) listen to your words and speech; it is also said that this means: of the Arab idolaters who listen to your words and speech. (But canst thou) O Muhammad (make the deaf to hear even though they apprehend not) even though they have no desire to apprehend?

(And of them) of the Jews; and it is said: of the idolaters (is he who looketh towards you. But canst thou guide) lead to guidance (the blind even though they see not) even though they do not desire to see the Truth and guidance?

(Lo! Allah wrongeth not mankind in aught) He neither decreases their good works nor increases their evil deeds; (but mankind wrong themselves) through disbelief, idolatry and transgressions.

(And on the day when He shall gather them) i.e. the Jews, the Christians and the idolaters (together, (when it will seem) as though they had tarried) in their graves (but an hour of the day, recognizing one another) recognising one another in some places and not recognising one another in others, (those will verily have perished) have lost (who denied the meeting with Allah) who denied resurrection after death, because they have lost both this world and the Next (and were not guided) from disbelief and error.

(Whether We let thee) O Muhammad (behold something of that which We promise them) of chastisement (or (whether We) cause thee to die) before We show you, O Muhammad, that which We promise them of chastisement, (still unto Us is their return) after they die, (and Allah, moreover, is Witness over what they do) of good and evil.

(And for every nation) for the adherents of each religion (there is a messenger) who calls them to Allah and to His religion. (And when their messenger cometh) to them and they deny (it will be judged between them) and the Messenger (fairly) with justice: those people will perish and the Messenger will be saved, (and they will not be wronged) their good works will not be decreased nor will their evil deeds be increased.

(And they say) and the adherents of each religion say to their messenger: (When will this promise) that you have promised us (be fulfilled, if ye are truthful?)

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (I have no power to) avoid (hurt or) bring (benefit) to (myself, save that which Allah willeth) of hurt or benefit. (For every nation there is an appointed time) a respite and determined time. (When their time cometh) when the time of their destruction comes, (then they cannot put it off an hour) after the appointed time, (nor hasten (it)) before the appointed time.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Have ye thought: When His doom) Allah's chastisement (cometh unto you as a raid by night, or in the (busy) day) what you will do? (what is there of it) of Allah's chastisement (that the guilty ones) the idolaters (desire to hasten?) and then say: we believe.

Say to them, O Muhammad: (Is it (only) then, when it hath befallen you) when the punishment has befallen you, (that you will believe?) They said: �Yes!� Say to them, O Muhammad, that it is said to them: (What! (Believe) now) in the punishment, (when (until now) ye have been hastening it) the punishment (on (through disbelief)) out of mockery?

(Then will it be said unto those who dealt unjustly) the idolaters: (Taste the torment of eternity. Are ye requited) in the Hereafter (aught save what ye used to earn) do and say in the life of this world?

(And they ask thee) O Muhammad (to inform them) i.e. about the punishment and the Qur'an ((saying): Is it true) i.e. the punishment and the Qur'an? (Say: Yea, by my Lord) say: yes, by my Lord, (verily it is true) the punishment will truly happen, (and ye cannot escape) Allah's punishment.

(And if each soul that doeth wrong) that ascribes partners to Allah (had all that is in the earth it would seek to ransom itself therewith) it would ransom itself from Allah's punishment; (and they will feel remorse within them) the leaders will conceal their remorse from the lowly among people, (when they see the doom) when they see the chastisement. (But it hath been judged between them) and the lowly among people (fairly) with justice (and they are not wronged) none of their good works will be diminished and none of their evil deeds will be increased.

(Lo! verily all that is in the heavens and the earth) of created beings and marvels (is Allah's. Lo! verily Allah's promise is true) resurrection after death will truly take place. (But most of them know not) most of them do not believe.

(He quickeneth) upon the Resurrection (and giveth death) in the life of this world, (and unto Him ye will be returned) after death.

(O mankind!) O people of Mecca! (There hath come unto you an exhortation) a warning (from your Lord) regarding that which you are now in, (a balm) an exposition (for that which is in the breasts) of blindness, (a guidance) from error (and a mercy) which brings relief from punishment (for believers).

(Say) O Muhammad, to your Companions: (In the bounty of Allah) in the Qur'an with which Allah has honoured you (and in His mercy) the religion of Islam, which Allah has given you success to follow: (therein) i.e. in the Qur'an and Islam (let them rejoice. It is better) i.e. the Qur'an and Islam (than what they hoard) is better than what the Jews and idolaters amass of wealth.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Have ye considered what provision) what crops and cattle (Allah hath sent down for you) Allah has created for you, (how ye have made of it lawful) for men (and unlawful) for women: i.e. the benefit of al-Bahirah, al-Sa'ibah and al-Ham? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Hath Allah permitted you) has Allah commanded this, (or do ye invent a lie concerning Allah) indeed you are inventing lies?

(And what think those who invent a lie concerning Allah) He will do with them (upon the Day of Resurrection? Lo! Allah truly is Bountiful) favourable (towards mankind) by delaying His punishment, (but most of them give not thanks) for it nor do they believe.

(And thou art not) O Muhammad (occupied with any business) any matter (and thou recitest not) on them (a lecture from this (Scripture)) a surah or a verse, (and ye (mankind) perform no act) whether good or evil, (but We are Witness) but We have knowledge (of you) and of your matter, recitation and works (when ye are engaged therein) i.e. in the Qur'an and its denial. (And not an atom's weight) of the servants' works (in the earth or in the sky escapeth) is hidden from (your Lord, nor what is less) nor what is lighter (than that or greater than that) or heavier, (but it is (written) in a clear Book) but it is written in the Guarded Tablet.

(Lo! verily the) believing (friends of Allah are (those) on whom fear (cometh) not) regarding any future punishment, (nor do they grieve) about that which they have left behind.

Allah then showed who these are, saying: (Those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and keep their duty (to Allah)) and ward off disbelief, idolatry, and indecencies.

(Theirs are good tidings in the life of the world) through good dream visions which they see or are seen in their favour (and in the Hereafter) by entering Paradise. (There is no changing the Words of Allah) that they will enter Paradise (that) good tiding (is the Supreme Triumph) the abounding salvation: they earn Paradise and all that is in it and are saved from hell and all that is in it.

(And let not their speech) their denial of you (grieve thee) O Muhammad. (Lo! Power) might and invincibility (belongeth wholly to Allah) Who is able to destroy them. (He is the Hearer) of what they say, (the Knower) of what they do as well as of their punishment.