Hud

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said in explanation of the word of Allah (Alif. Lam. Ra.): '(Alif. Lam. Ra.) Allah says: I am Allah, I see; as it is said that this is an oath by which Allah swore. ((This is) a Scripture) i.e. the Qur'an (the revelations whereof are perfected) expositing the lawful and the prohibited, the commands and prohibitions (and then exposited) and then elucidated. ((It cometh) from One Wise) Who has ruled that none should be worshiped but He, (Informed) of he who worships and him who worships not,

((Saying): Serve) declare the divine Oneness of (none but Allah. Lo! I am Unto you from Him) from Allah (a warner) from the Fire (and a bringer of good tidings) to enter Paradise.

(And (bidding you): Ask pardon of your Lord) declare the divine Oneness of your Lord (and turn to Him repentant) betake yourselves to Him sincerely and repentant. (He will cause you to enjoy) He will make you live (a fair estate) free of chastisement (until a time appointed) i.e. death. (He giveth His bounty) in Islam (unto every bountiful one) his reward in the Hereafter. (But if ye turn away) from faith and repentance, (Lo! (then) I fear for you) I know that you shall incur (the retribution of an awful) a tremendous (Day).

(Unto Allah is your return) after death, (and He is able to do all things) whether it is reward or punishment.

(Lo! now they) i.e. Akhnas Ibn Shurayq and his followers (fold up their breasts) conceal in their hearts their hatred and enmity for Muhammad (pbuh) (that they may hide from him) that they may hide from Muhammad (pbuh) their hatred and enmity by keeping his company and pretending to him that they love him. (At the very moment when they cover themselves with their clothing) at the moment they cover their heads with their clothes, (Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden) among themselves as well as that which they conceal in their hearts (and that which they proclaim) of fighting and antipathy; it is also said that this refers to that which they proclaim of love and keeping company. (Lo! He is Aware of what is in the breasts (of men)) whether it is good or evil.

(And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah) Allah takes charge of its sustenance. (He knoweth its habitation) when it retires at night (and its repository) when it dies and is buried. (All) i.e. the sustenance of each beast, its lifespan and course (is in a clear record) is recorded in the Guarded Tablet; all this is clear, well known and decreed.

(And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days) six days of the beginning of this world: each day the equivalent of one thousand years, the first day being Sunday and the last Friday (and His Throne) before the creation of the heavens and earth (was upon the water) and Allah was before the Throne and before water (that He might try you) that He may test you in the interval between life and death, (which of you is best in conduct) which of you is more sincere in his works. (Yet if thou (O Muhammad) sayst) to the people of Mecca: (Lo! ye will be raised again) you will be brought back to life again (after death! those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (will surely say: This) which Muhammad (pbuh) is saying (is naught but mere magic) manifest lies which will never happen.

(And if We delay for them the doom until a reckoned time) until an appointed time: the Day of Badr, (they will surely say) i.e. the people of Mecca: (What withholdeth it) from us tomorrow, out of mockery? (Verily on the day when it) the chastisement (cometh unto them, it cannot be averted from them) the chastisement will not be averted from them, (and that which they derided) the chastisement for their derision of Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (will surround them) it will descend upon them and it is enjoined on them.

(And if We cause man) the disbeliever (to taste some mercy) a blessing (from Us and afterward withdraw it from him, lo! he is despairing) he becomes the most despairing and despondent thing from Allah's mercy, (thankless) he denies Allah's blessing and is not grateful.

(And if We cause him) i.e. the disbeliever (to taste grace after some misfortune) after some hardship (that had befallen him, he saith) i.e. the disbeliever: (The ills) hardships (have gone from me. Lo! he is exultant) arrogant, (boastful) about Allah's blessings and does not give thanks;

(Save those) save Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions (who persevere) in their faith (and do good works) acts of obedience between them and their Lord, for they are patient in times of hardship and give thanks when they receive a blessing. (Theirs will be forgiveness) of their sins in this world (and a great reward) in Paradise.

(A likely thing, that thou) O Muhammad (wouldst forsake aught of that which hath been revealed unto thee) that which you were commanded in the Qur'an of conveying the message and of reviling and denigrating their idols, (and that thy breast should be straitened for it) and that you are annoyed with what you were commanded, (because they say) because the disbelievers of Mecca say: (Why hath not a treasure) wealth from heaven (been sent down for him) for Muhammad to support himself with, (or an angel come with him) to testify in his favour? (Thou art) O Muhammad (but a warner) a warning Messenger, (and Allah is in charge) Allah is Custodian; it is also said this means: witness (of all things) of their saying and chastisement.

(Or they say) Nay, the disbelievers of Mecca say: (He hath invented it) Muhammad has invented the Qur'an and presented it to us. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Then bring ten surahs, the like thereof) the like of a surah of the Qur'an, such as surah al-Baqarah, Al 'Imran, al-Nisa', al-Ma'idah, al-An'am, al-A'raf, al-Anfal, al-Tawbah, Yunus, or Hud, (invented) by you, (and call on everyone you can) seek the help of what you worship (beside Allah, if ye are truthful!) that Muhammad (pbuh) has invented it.

When they could not respond, Allah said: (And if they answer not your prayer) and if the wrong-doers do not answer you, (then know) O disbelievers (that it is revealed) that Gabriel brought down the Qur'an (only in the knowledge of Allah) and with his command; (and that there is no God save Him. Will ye then be (of) those who surrender?) and believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an.

(Whoso desireth the life of the world) with his knowledge which Allah has made incumbent upon him (and its pomp) and its embellishment, (We shall repay them their deeds) We shall repay them the reward of their works (herein) in this world, (and therein) in the life of this world (they will not be wronged) the reward of their works will not be diminished.

(Those are they) who worked for other than Allah (for whom is naught in the Hereafter save the Fire. (All) that they contrive here is vain) all the good works they did in the life of this world shall be given back to them (and (all) that they are wont to do is fruitless) and they will not be rewarded in the Hereafter for the good works they did in the life of this world, for they acted for the sake of other than Allah.

(Is he (to be counted equal with them) who relieth on a clear proof from his Lord) is he who relies on a clear exposition, i.e. the Qur'an, from his Lord, (and a witness from Him) a witness from Allah, i.e. the angel Gabriel (reciteth it) recites to him the Qur'an, (and before it) before the Qur'an (was the Book of Moses) the Torah of Moses which Gabriel recited to him, (an example) to be emulated (and a mercy) to anyone who believes in it? (such) those who believe in the Book of Moses (believe therein) believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an; the reference here is to 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers, (and Whoso disbelieveth therein) whoever disbelieves in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (of the clans) of all the disbelievers, (the Fire is his appointed place) the Fire is his destination. (So be not thou) O Muhammad (in doubt concerning it) concerning the end result of the disbelievers. (Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord) the destination of whosoever disbelieves in the Qur'an is hell; it is also said that this means: do not be in doubt about the Qur'an, it is Gabriel who brought it down; (but most of mankind) the people of Mecca (believe not).

(Who doeth greater wrong) who is more insolent and daring (than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah? Such will be brought before their Lord) they will be dragged to their Lord, (and the witnesses) the angels and the prophets (will say: These) the disbelievers (are they who lied concerning their Lord. Now the curse of Allah) the chastisement of Allah (is upon wrong-doers) upon the idolaters,

(Who debar (men)) who prevent people (from the way of Allah) from Allah's religion and obedience (and would have it crooked) they would have it deviated from the Truth; it is also said that this means: they would have it other than what it is, (and who are disbelievers in) deniers of (the Hereafter) resurrection after death.

(Such will not escape in the earth) they will not escape Allah's chastisement, (nor have they any protecting friends beside Allah) to protect them. (For them) i.e. for the leaders (the torment will be double. They could not bear to hear) the words of Muhammad (pbuh) out of hatred for him; it is also said that this means: theirs is a double torment because they could not hear the words of Muhammad, Allah bless him and give peace, (and they used not to see) they did not look at Muhammad (pbuh) out of hatred; it is also said that this means: they used not to see Muhammad (pbuh) out of their hatred for him.

(Such) the leaders (are they who have lost their souls) and their families and servants in Paradise and the other believers have inherited all, (and that which they used to invent) that which they used to worship falsely beside Allah (hath failed them) are void and preoccupied with themselves.

(Assuredly in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers) of Paradise and that which is in it.

(Lo! those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) and do acts of obedience between themselves and their Lord (and humble themselves before their Lord) and are sincere and surrendered to their Lord and are humbled before their Lord: (such are rightful owners of the Garden; they will abide therein) dwelling therein.

(The similitude of the two parties) the believer and the disbeliever (is as the blind and the deaf) He says: the disbeliever is like the blind person: he does not see the Truth or guidance, and he is also like the deaf person: he does not hear the Truth or guidance (and the seer and the hearer) Allah says: and the believer is like the seer, for he sees the Truth and guidance, just as he is like the hearer, for he hears the Truth and guidance. (Are they equal in similitude?) He says: are the believer and disbeliever equal in obedience and reward (Will ye not then be admonished?) will you not be admonished by the similes of the Qur'an such that you believe?

(And We sent Noah unto his folk) and when he went to them he said: (I am a plain warner) a warning Messenger who speaks a language you understand (unto you) from Allah.

(That ye serve none) you confess the divine Oneness of none, (save Allah. Lo! I fear for you) I know that there shall come upon you if you do not believe (the retribution of a painful Day) which is drowning.

(The chieftains of his folk) of Noah's folk, (who disbelieved, said: We see thee) O Noah (but a mortal like us, and we see not that any follow you) believe in you (save the most abject among us) the lowly and weak among us, (without reflection) who have manifest weak judgement; it is said that this means: their bad judgement lead them to believe in you. (We behold in you no merit above us) in what you say: you eat and drink just as we do eat and drink (nay, we deem you liars) in what you say.

(He said) Noah said: (O my people! Bethink you, if I rely) if I am (on a clear proof from my Lord) on a clear exposition which has come down from my Lord (and there hath come unto me a mercy from His presence) He favoured me with prophethood and Islam, (and it hath been made obscure to you) and my prophethood and Islam have been made obscure to you, (can we compel you to accept it) can we inspire it or teach it to you (when ye are averse thereto) when you are deniers of it?

(And O my people! I ask of you no wealth) price (therefore) in exchange for believing in Allah's divine Oneness. (My reward is the concern only of Allah, and I am not going to thrust away those who believe) because of what you say. (Lo! they have to meet their Lord) and report me to Him, (but I see you a folk that are ignorant) of the command of Allah.

(And, O my people! who would deliver me) who would save me (from Allah) from Allah's chastisement (if I thrust them away) due to what you say? (Will ye not then reflect) will you not be admonished by what I say and hence believe?

(I say not unto you: �I have the treasures of Allah�) I have the keys to Allah's stores of provision (nor �I have knowledge of the Unseen�,) when the chastisement shall descend or that which is hidden from me (nor say I: �Lo! I am an angel!�) from heaven. (Nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn) those whom you belittle (that Allah will not give them good) that Allah will not favour them with genuine faith. (Allah knoweth best what is their hearts) of belief. (Lo! then indeed) if drive them away (I should be of the wrong-doers) I should be of those who harm themselves.

(They said: O Noah! Thou hast disputed with us) you have argued with us and called us to follow a religion other than that of our forefathers (and multiplied disputation with us) and dwelt at length in arguing with us and inviting us to your religion; (now bring upon Us that where with thou threatenest us) of chastisement, (if thou art of the Truthful) that it will befall us.

(He said) Noah said: (Only Allah will bring it Upon you) he said: the One who will bring chastisement on you is Allah (if He will) to punish you, (and ye can by no means escape) His chastisement.

(My counsel will not profit you) my invitation and warning to you from Allah's chastisement will not benefit you (if I were minded to advise you) if I were to warn you and call you to profess Allah's divine Oneness, (if Allah's will is to keep you astray) from guidance. (He is your lord) and has better right over you than me (and unto Him ye will be brought back) after death and He will reward you according to your works.

(Or say they (again)) indeed the people of Noah say: (He hath invented it) Noah has invented that which he has brought us? (Say) to them, O Noah: (If I have invented it, upon me be my crimes) my sins, (but I am innocent of (all) that ye commit) of crimes. It is said that this verse was revealed about Muhammad (pbuh).

(And it was inspired in Noah, (saying): No one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not distressed) do not be saddened for their destruction (because of what they do) in their state of disbelief.

(Build the ship) start the construction of the ship (under Our Eyes) under Our care (and by Our inspiration) and by Our command, (and speak not unto Me) plead not with Me (on behalf of those who do wrong) about saving those disbelieved. (Lo! they will be drowned) by the flood.

(And he was building the ship) and he started to construct the ship, (and every time that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him) they derided him for so doing. (He said: Though ye make mock of us) today, (yet we mock at you) after today (even as ye mock) us now;

(And ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound) humiliate and destroy (him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom) in the Hereafter (will fall) will be enjoined upon.

((Thus it was) till, when Our commandment) the appointed time for Our chastisement (came to pass and the oven gushed forth water) it is also said this means: and the dawn broke, (We said: Load therein) aboard the ship (two of every kind, a pair) a male and a female, (and thy household, save him against whom the word hath gone forth already) except the one upon him the word has already been enjoined, (and those who believe) and carry with you also those who believed. (And but a few were they who believed with him) 80 people in all.

(And he said) to them: (Embark therein) in the ship! (In the name of Allah be its course) wherever it sails to (and its mooring) wherever it stops. He says: Allah makes it sail wherever He wills and makes it stop wherever He wills. (Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful) towards the one who repents.

(And it sailed with them) with the people aboard (amid waves) in the water (like mountains) the size of huge mountains, (and Noah cried unto) and Noah called (his son) Canaan (and he was standing aloof) aloof from the ship and it is said: on the side of the mountain: (O my son! Come ride with us) be saved with us by means of �there is no god except Allah�, (and be not with the disbelievers) following their religion lest you drown.

(He said: I shall betake me) I will go (to some mountain that will save me) prevent me (from the water) from drowning. (Said) Noah: (This day there is none that saveth) there is none that prevents (from the commandment of Allah) from Allah's chastisement: drowning (save him on whom He hath had mercy) except those upon whom Allah has mercy from among the believers. (And the wave came in between them) between Canaan and Noah; it is also said: between Canaan and the mountain, (so he was among the drowned) by the flood.

(And it was said: O earth! Swallow your water) dry your water (and, O sky! be cleared of clouds!) stop your rain! (And the water was made to subside. And the commandment was fulfilled) the destruction of those people was accomplished, i.e. those who were supposed to be destroyed were destroyed and those who were supposed to be saved were saved. (And it) the ship (came to rest upon (the mount) Al-Judi) a mountain in Nisibin in the land of Mosul (and it was said: A far removal) from Allah's mercy (for wrong-doing folk!) for the idolaters, the people of Noah.

(And Noah cried unto) and Noah prayed to (his Lord and said: My Lord!) O my Lord! (Lo! my son) Canaan (is of my household) whom you promised to save! (Surely Thy promise is the Truth) for certain (and Thou art the Most Just of Judges) you promised to save me and my family.

(He said) Allah said: (O Noah! Lo! he is not of your household) whom I promised to save; (lo! he is of evil conduct) engaged in idolatry; and according to a different reading this means: your prayer to Me to save him is not acceptable, (so ask not of Me) to save (that whereof thou hast no knowledge) that he is deserving of being saved. (I admonish thee) I warn you (lest thou be among the ignorant) by asking Me that which you know not.

(He said) Noah said: (My Lord!) O my Lord! (Lo! in Thee do I seek refuge (from the sin) that I should ask of Thee) to save (that whereof I have no knowledge) that he deserves to be saved. (Unless Thou forgive me) Noah says: unless you overlook my error (and have mercy on me) such that You do not punish me (I shall be among the lost) through being punished.

(It was said (unto him): O Noah! Go thou down) get out of the ship (with peace from Us) with safety from Us (and blessings) good fortunes (upon you and some nations) some groups (from those with thee) in the ship among the felicitous. ((There will be other) nations) hosts of people from their offspring (unto whom We shall give enjoyment a long while) We will give them enjoyment after coming out of the loins of their parents (and then a painful doom from Us will overtake them) after they disbelieve, these are the damned among them. Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be well pleased with him, said: �Allah sent His revelation to Noah (pbuh) when the latter was 480 years old; he preached to his people for 120 years; he boarded the ship when he was 600 years old; he lived after the flood 350 years, and stayed on the ship for five months. The ship was 300 cubits (the measure of his arm) long, 50 cubits wide, and its height 30 cubits. It had three decks, some of which were lower than others. In the lower deck, he put beasts of prey and reptiles; in the intermediate deck wild animals and beasts; and in the higher deck people who were 80 in number: 40 men and 40 women. The men and the women were separated by the body of Adam (pbuh). Noah had three of his sons with him: Shem, Ham and Yapheth�.

(This is of the tidings of the Unseen) this is of the news of what has been hidden from you (which We inspire in thee) with which We sent Gabriel to you, O Muhammad, about the news of past nations. (Thou thyself knewest it not) i.e. you knew not the news of these past nations, (nor did thy folk (know it) before this) before the revelation of the Qur'an. (Then have patience) O Muhammad in the face of their denial and harm. (Lo! the sequel) the end result: victory and Paradise (is for those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecencies.

(And unto (the tribe of) 'Aad) and We sent to 'Aad (their brother) their Prophet, (Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah!) confess Allah's divine Oneness (ye have no other God save Him) save the One I am commanding you to believe in. (Lo! ye do) in your worship of idols (but invent!) lies about Allah for He never commanded you to worship them.

(O my people! I ask of you no reward) no price (for it) for believing in Allah's divine Oneness. (Lo! my reward is the concern only of Him who made me) Who created me. (Have ye then no sense?) do you not believe? Are you not possessed of the same mind that human beings possess?

(And, O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord) believe in Allah's divine Oneness, (then turn unto Him repentant) then betake yourself to Him through repentance and sincerity; (He will cause the sky to rain abundance on you) whenever you need it (and will add unto you strength to your strength) by giving you wealth and offspring. (Turn not away) from faith and repentance, (guilty!) associating others with Allah.

(They said: O Hud! Thou hast brought us no clear proof) for what you claim (and we are not going to forsake our gods) the worship of our gods (on thy (mere) saying, and we are not believers in thee) we are not believers in your message.

(We say naught) we do not say anything about that which we warn you about (save that one of our gods hath possessed thee) has touched you (in an evil way) with madness because you vilified them. (He said: I call Allah to witness, and do ye (too) bear witness, that I am innocent of (all) that ye ascribe as partners (to Allah)) of idols.

And I am innocent of your worship of these idols (Beside Him. So (try to) circumvent me) work to destroy me, you and your idols, (all of you, give me no respite) neither delay nor pity on me.

(Lo! I have put my trust in Allah) I consign my matter to Allah, (my Lord) my Creator and Provider (and your Lord) your Creator and Provider. (Not an animal but He doth grasp it by the forelock!) He makes die and brings back to life; it is also said that this means: they are all in His grip, He does what He will (Lo! my Lord is on a straight path) upon which people must tread; it is also said that means: He calls on to a straight path: an established religion with which He is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(And if ye turn away) from faith and repentance, (still I have conveyed unto you that wherewith I was sent unto you) of the message and about your destruction, (and my Lord will set in place of you a folk other than you) who are better and more obedient than you. (Ye cannot injure Him at all) your destruction will not harm Allah in any way. (Lo! my Lord is Guardian) and Witness (over all things) related to your works.

(And when Our commandment) Our chastisement (came to pass We saved Hud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us) by a grace from Us; (We saved them from a harsh doom) a severe chastisement.

(And such were 'Aad. They denied the revelations of their Lord) which were brought to them by Hud (and flouted His messengers) concerning the declaration of Allah's divine Oneness (and followed the command of every froward) and they followed the words of every tyrant who kills upon being angry (potentate) and who turns away from Allah.

(And a curse was made to follow them in the world) they were destroyed in the life of this world by the wind (and on the Day of Resurrection) they will receive another curse, which is the Fire. (Lo! 'Aad disbelieved in their Lord) they denied their Lord. (A far removal for 'Aad, the folk of Hud) from Allah's mercy!

(And unto (the tribe of) Thamud) and We sent to Thamud (their brother) their Prophet (Salih. He said: O my people! Serve Allah) declare the divine Oneness of Allah, (You have no other God save Him) you have no god except the One in Whom I command you to believe. (He brought you forth from the earth) He created you from Adam and Adam is from the earth (and hath made you husband it) He made you thrive in the earth and made its inhabitants thrive on it too. (So ask forgiveness of Him) confess His divine Oneness (and turn unto Him repentant) turn to Him by believing in His divine Oneness, repenting and being sincere to Him. (Lo, my Lord is Nigh) in His answer, (Responsive) to the one who declares His divine Oneness.

(They said: O Salih! Thou hast been among us hitherto) i.e. before you called us to follow other than the religion of our forefathers (as that wherein our hope was placed) we had hope in you. (Dost thou ask us not to worship what our fathers worshipped) of idols? (Lo! we verily are in grave doubt concerning that to which thou callest us) i.e. your religion.

(He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am (acting) on clear proof from my Lord) a clear exposition that has come down from my Lord (and there hath come unto me a mercy from Him) and He has favoured me with prophethood and Islam, (who will save me) who will defend me (from Allah) from Allah's chastisement (if I disobey Him) and shun His command? (Ye would add to me naught save perdition) I only increase in insight about your loss.

(O my people! This is the camel of Allah, a token unto you) a sign unto you, (so suffer her) leave her (to feed in Allah's earth) in the wilderness: you do not have to feed her, (and touch her not with harm) do not kill her (lest a near torment seize you) after three days.

(But they hamstrung her) they killed her. She was killed by Qudar Ibn Salif and Musda' Ibn Zahr who divided its meat on 1500 homes, (and then he said) Salih said to them after they killed the camel: (Enjoy life in your dwelling-place) in your township (three days!) for Allah's chastisement will come upon you on the fourth day. They asked him: �What is the sign of this chastisement?� He said: �You will wake up the first day with pale faces; on the second day your faces will be red and on the third your faces will become dark. Chastisement will come upon you on the fourth day�. (This) chastisement (is a threat that will not be belied) will not be repelled.

(So, when Our commandment) Our chastisement (came to pass, We saved Salih, and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us) by Our grace, (from the ignominy of that day) from the chastisement of that day. (Lo, thy Lord! He is the Strong) He saves His allies, (the Mighty) in His retribution against His enemies.

(And the (Awful) Cry) the Chastisement (overtook those who did wrong) the idolaters, (so that morning found them prostrate) lifeless, i.e. they became dust (in their dwellings) in their houses,