An-Nahl

And from his chain of transmitters on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said: 'When the words of Allah (The reckoning draws near for mankind�) [21:1] and (The hour drew near�) [54:1], people waited whatever time Allah willed them to wait, but nothing happened. So they said: �O Muhammad! When will the torment which you promised us happen?� As a response, Allah revealed: (The commandment of Allah will come to pass) the chastisement of Allah has come. The Prophet (pbuh) was sitting at that point and he suddenly stood, having no doubt in his mind that the chastisement had come. But immediately after that, Allah said: (so seek not ye to hasten it) i.e. the chastisement, at which the Prophet (pbuh) sat down. (Glorified) Allah exonerated Himself from having a son or partner (and Exalted be He) He is too elevated and absolves Himself (above all that they associate (with Him)) of idols.

(He sendeth down the angels) i.e. Gabriel and the angels with him (with the Spirit of His command) with prophethood and scripture by His command (unto whom He will of His bondmen) He means Muhammad and other prophets, ((saying): Warn mankind) warn mankind by means of the Qur'an and recite it until they say (that there is no god save Me, so keep your duty unto Me) so obey me and profess my divine Oneness.

(He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth) for the Truth; it is also said that this means: for evanescence and extinction. (High be He exalted) He exonerates Himself (above all that they associate (with Him)) of idols.

(He hath created man) the reference here is to Ubayy Ibn Khalaf al-Jumahi (from a drop of) stinking (fluid, yet behold! he is an open opponent) openly arguing in favour of falsehood, saying: Who will revive these bones when they rot away?

(And the cattle) i.e. the camels (hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing) made of their skin (and uses) you drink their milk and use them as a means of transport, (and whereof ye eat) and you eat their meat.

(And wherein is beauty for you) a beautiful scene, (when ye bring them home) back from pasture, (and when ye take them out to pasture).

(And they bear your loads) your luggage and provision (for you unto a land) i.e. Mecca (ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves) except with great toil. (Lo! your Lord is Full of Pity) towards him who believes, (Merciful) by deferring your chastisement.

(And horses and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them) in the way of Allah, (and for ornament) they are good to look at. (And He createth that which ye know not) He says: He created things that you do not know, since He has not named them to you.

(And Allah's is the direction of the way) He is the guide whether it is in the sea or on the land, (and some (roads) go not straight) they are crooked and one cannot find one's way through them. (And had He willed He would have led you all aright) in your way whether you are in the sea or on the land; it is also said that (And Allah's is the direction of the way) means: it is Allah Who guides to monotheism, and some of the religions are crooked and unjust such as Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. And if Allah had willed, He would have guided you all to His religion.

(He it is Who sendeth down water) rain (from the sky, whence ye have drink) from the rain which remains in springs and rivers, (and whence are trees) and by means of which tress and vegetation grow (on which ye send your beasts to pasture) on which your cattle are sent to pasture.

(Therewith) by means of water (He causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and all kinds of fruit. Lo! Herein) in all the different kinds of fruit and of their tastes (is indeed a portent) a sign and a lesson (for people who reflect) upon that which Allah has created for them.

(And He hath constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto you) to be subservient to you, (and the stars are made subservient by His command) by His leave. (Lo! Herein) in the subservience of that which I have mentioned (indeed are portents) signs (for people who have sense) for people who act and believe that it is Allah Who made all these things subservient.

(And whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of diverse hues) of different species of plants and fruits and other things, (lo! Therein) in the different things that Allah has created (is indeed a portent) a sign and lesson (for people who take heed) for people who take admonition from that which is in the Qur'an.

(And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service) to be subservient (that ye eat fresh meat) i.e. fish (from thence, and bring forth from thence) from the sea (ornaments) embellishments: pearls and other things (which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it) you see the ships coming and going in the sea by means of the same wind (that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty) of His deeds; it is also said that this means: of His provision, (and that haply ye may give thanks) to His bounty.

(And He hath cast into the earth firm hills) firm mountains (that it) the earth (quake not with you, and streams) and He made rivers flow therein for your own benefit (and roads) and He made therein roads (that ye may find a way) in order that you find your way therein.

(And landmarks (too)) mountains and other things for travellers, (and by the star) and by the sun, the moon and the North Star (they) the travellers (find a way) by means of them when travelling on land and in the sea.

(Is He then Who createth) Allah (as him who createth not?) as him who cannot create: i.e. idols. (Will ye not then remember?) will you not take heed in that which Allah has created for you?

(And if ye would count the favour of Allah ye cannot reckon it) it is also said that this means: you will not be able to give thanks to it. (Lo! Allah is indeed Forgiving) He pardons, (Merciful) towards whoever repents.

(And Allah knoweth that which ye keep hidden) of good or evil (and that which ye proclaim) of good or evil.

(Those unto whom they cry) they worship (beside Allah created naught) they cannot create anything like Our creation, (but are themselves created) they are themselves carved.

((They are) dead) they are lifeless idols, (not living. And they know not when they) i.e. the idols (will be raised) from the graves and give account; it is also said that this means: the disbelievers do not know when they will give account for their deeds; and it is also said: the angels do not know when they will give account.

(Your God is One God) He knows this, not your idols. (But as for those who believe not in the Hereafter) those who do not believe in resurrection after death (their hearts refuse to know) acknowledge Allah's divine Oneness, (for they are proud) too proud to believe.

(Assuredly Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden) of hatred, resentful envy, plotting and treachery (and that which they proclaim) of vilification, slander and violent confrontation. (Lo! He loveth not the proud) those who are too proud to believe.

(And when it is said unto them) to those who were later killed in the valley of Badr: (What hath your Lord revealed?) What does Muhammad (pbuh) say to you on behalf of your Lord? (they say: (Mere) fables of the men of old) the mere lies and tales of the people of old.

(That they may bear their burdens) their sins (undiminished on the Day of Resurrection, with somewhat of the burdens) as well as the sins (of those whom they mislead) those whom they drove away from Muhammad (pbuh) and from the Qur'an and faith (without knowledge) or proof. (Ah! evil is that which they bear!) evil are the sins which they bear, i.e. those who were slain at the valley of Badr among the leaders of Quraysh.

(Those before them plotted) against their prophets, just as the leaders of Quraysh who were slain in the valley of Badr plotted against Muhammad (pbuh); the reference here is to the tyrant Nimrod who built the tower, (so Allah struck at the foundations of their building) Allah extracted their tower from its foundation, (and then the roof fell down upon them) the tower fell upon him (from above them, and the doom came on them) through this destruction (whence they knew not);

(Then on the Day of Resurrection He will disgrace them) chastise and humiliate them (and will say) Allah will say on the Day of Judgement: (Where are My partners) where are the idols which you claimed are My partners, (for whose sake ye opposed (My Guidance)) for whose sake you opposed My guidance and declared enmity towards My prophets? (Those who have been given knowledge) i.e. the angels (will say: Disgrace this day) the chastisement on this Day of Judgement (and evil) the Fire and hardship (are upon the disbelievers),

(Whom the angels cause to die) on the Day of Badr (while they are wronging themselves) through disbelief. (Then will they make full submission (saying)) they will answer; it is also said that this means: they resign to Allah, saying: (We used not to do any wrong) we did not worship anything beside Allah nor did we associate partners with Him. (Nay!) Allah will say: nay! (Surely Allah is Knower of what ye used to do) and say and worship beside Allah.

(So enter the gates of hell, to dwell therein for ever) neither to die nor leave it. (Woeful indeed will be the lodging of the arrogant) the abode of the disbelievers is Gehenna.

(And it is said unto those who ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry and indecencies; the reference here is to 'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud and his fellow believers: (What hath your Lord revealed?) what does Muhammad (pbuh) say to you from your Lord? (They say Good) the profession of Allah's divine Oneness and keeping ties of kinship: (For those who do good) for those who profess monotheism (in this world there is a good (reward)) Paradise on the Day of Judgement (and the home of the Hereafter) i.e. Paradise (will be better) than this worldly life and all there is in it. (Pleasant indeed will be the home of those who ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry, and indecencies.

(Gardens of Eden) this is the chamber of the All-Merciful (which they enter) on the Day of Judgement, (underneath which) beneath its trees and dwellings (rivers) of wine, water, honey and milk (flow, wherein) in Paradise (they have what they will) whatever they desire and like. (Thus Allah repayeth those who ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry, and indecencies.

(Those whom the angels cause to die (when they are) good) they are pure from associating any partners with Allah (they say: Peace be unto you!) from Allah. (Enter the Garden) because of your faith and share it (because of what ye used to do) and say of good things in your worldly life.

(Await they) what are the people of Mecca waiting for after their disbelief (aught save that the angels should come unto them) to take away their souls (or your Lord's command should come to pass?) or that the chastisement of your Lord should come to destroy them. (Even so) just as your people denied you and vilified you so (did those before them) they denied their prophets and vilified them. (Allah wronged them not) when He destroyed them, (but they did wrong themselves) through their idolatry and denial of the prophets,

(So that the evil of what they did) so the punishment for what they did and said of transgressions (smote them, and that which they used to mock surrounded them) the punishment for mocking the prophets was decreed and inflicted upon them; it is also said that this means: the punishment which they were mocking descended upon them.

(And the idolaters) the people of Mecca (say: Had Allah willed, we had not worshipped aught beside Him) of idols, (we and our fathers) before us, (nor had we forbidden aught) of al-Bahirah, al-Sa'ibah, al-Wasilah and al-Ham (without (command from) Him) for it is indeed Allah who commanded us to do so. (Even so) just as did your people lie about Allah by forbidding some crops and cattle, so (did those before them) lie about Allah. (Are the messengers charged) the messengers are entrusted (with aught save plain) in a plain language (conveyance (of the message)) from Allah?

(And verily We have raised in every nation) We have sent to every people (a messenger) just as We have sent you to your people, ((proclaiming): Serve Allah) believe in Allah's divine Oneness (and shun false gods) and leave the worship of idols; it is also said that this means: leave the worship of Satan; and it is also said that this means: leave the worship of soothsayers. (Then some of them) We sent messengers ((there were) whom Allah guided) to His religion, and so they accepted faith from the messengers, (and some of them (there were) upon whom error had just hold) it was decreed that they would not accept faith from the messengers. (Do but travel in the land and sea) reflect upon (the nature of the consequence for the deniers!) the end result of those who denied the messengers.

(Even if thou (O Muhammad) desirest their right guidance) their profession of Allah's divine Oneness, (still Allah assuredly will not guide) to His religion (him who misleadeth) His created beings from His religion, because this makes him undeserving of His religion. (Such) the disbelievers of Mecca (have no helpers) no one to save them from Allah's chastisement.

(And they swear by Allah their most binding oaths) when a man swears by Allah, he swears by his most binding oaths ((that) Allah will not raise up him who dieth) that is after he dies. (Nay, but it is a promise (binding) upon Him) upon Allah (in truth) that He will raise again him who dies is incumbent and it will surely happen, (but most of mankind) the people of Mecca (know not) this nor believe in it,

(That he may explain unto them) to the people of Mecca (that wherein they differ) that which they oppose in the matter of Religion, (and that those who disbelieved) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an and the Day of Judgement (may know that they were liars) in this worldly life when they claimed that there is no Paradise, hell, resurrection or reckoning.

(And Our word unto a thing) Our command for the advent of the Hour, (when We intend it, is only that We say unto it: Be! and it is).

(And those who became fugitives for the cause of Allah) in obedience of Allah from Mecca to Medina (after they had been oppressed) after being tortured by the people of Mecca; the reference here is to 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, Bilal [Ibn Rabah], Suhayb [al-Rumi] and their fellow believers, (We verily shall give them goodly) an honoured and safe land with lawful gains (lodging in the world) in Medina, (and surely the reward of the Hereafter is greater) than that of this worldly life, (if they but knew) and they did know;

(Such as are steadfast) towards the harm of the disbelievers (and put their trust in Allah) and not in any one beside Him; this refers to 'Ammar and his fellow believers.

(And We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee) O Muhammad (other than men) human beings like you (whom We inspired) with commands and prohibitions and signs. (Ask the followers of the Remembrance) the followers of the Torah and the Gospel (if ye know not!) that Allah always sent human messengers.

(With clear proofs) with commands, prohibitions and signs (and writings) the events of the scriptures of the people of old; (and We have revealed unto thee the Remembrance) We have sent Gabriel with the Qur'an (that thou mayst explain to mankind that which hath been revealed for them) that with which they were commanded in the Qur'an, (and that haply they may reflect) upon what they were commanded in the Qur'an.

(Are they who plan ill deeds) associating partners with Allah (then secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the doom will not come on them whence they know not) it will come?

(Or that He will not seize them in their going to and fro) in their trade (that there be no escape for them) from Allah's chastisement?

(Or that He will not seize them with a gradual wasting) of their leaders and companions? (Lo! thy Lord is indeed Full of Pity, Merciful!) towards him who repents; it is also said that this means: He is full of pity in that He defers His punishment.

(Have they) the people of Mecca (not observed all things that Allah hath created) of trees and beasts, (how their shadows incline to the right) in the morning (and to the left) in the afternoon, (making prostration unto Allah) and their shadows also making prostration to Allah in the morning and in the afternoon, (and they are lowly?) and they are obedient.

(And unto Allah maketh prostration whatsoever is in the heavens) of the sun, moon and stars (and whatsoever is in the earth of living creatures) of beasts and birds, (and the angels (also)) do prostrate in heaven, (and they are not proud) to prostrate to Allah.

(They fear their Lord above them) Who is above them on the throne, (and do) i.e. they say (what they are bidden) meaning the angels.

(Allah hath said: Choose not) worship not (two gods) i.e. Himself as well as the idols. (There is only One God) without a son or partner. (So of Me, Me only, be in awe) fear Me in relation to worshipping idols.

(Unto Him belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth) of created beings and marvels, (and religion is His for ever) it is also said that this means: sincerely unto Him. (Will ye then fear) worshipping (any other than Allah?)

(And whatever of comfort ye enjoy, it is from Allah) not from the idols. (Then, when misfortune) when hardship (reacheth you, unto Him) unto Allah (ye cry for help) and beseech.

(And afterward, when He hath rid you of the misfortune) when He removes hardship from you, (behold! a set of you) a group of you (attribute partners to their Lord) i.e. idols,

(So as to deny that which We have given them) of bounty and thus say it was given to us through the intercession of our gods. (Then enjoy life (while you may)) live in disbelief and the forbidden, (for ye will come to know) what will be done to you.

(And they assign a portion) a share for men to the exclusion of women (of that which We have given them) of cattle and crops (unto what they know not) and say: Allah commanded us to do so. (By Allah! but ye will indeed be asked) on the Day of Judgement (concerning (all) that ye used to invent) to lie about Allah.

(And they assign unto Allah daughters) they say: the angels are Allah's daughters. (Be He glorified!) Allah exonerates Himself from having children or partners (and unto themselves what they desire) of sons;

(When if one of them receiveth tidings of the birth of a female, his face remaineth darkened) with grief, (and he is wroth inwardly) grief stricken and is inwardly devastated.

(He hideth himself from the folk) he stays away from his folk (because of the evil) because of the dislike (of that whereof he hath bad tidings) because of the baby girl who was born to him, and hates to divulge it, ((asking himself): Shall he keep it) alive (in contempt) despite humiliation and hardship, (or bury it beneath the dust) alive. (Verily evil is their judgement) evil is their choice: they prefer sons for themselves and ascribe daughters to Allah.

(For those who believe not in the Hereafter) in resurrection after death (is an evil similitude) i.e. the Fire, (and Allah's is the Sublime Similitude) the most sublime attribute: Godhood and Lordship without offspring or partners. (He is the Mighty) in His retribution against those who do not believe in Him, (the Wise) He ordered that none should be worshipped beside Him.

(If Allah were to take mankind to task for their wrong-doing) their idolatry, (he would not leave hereon) on the face of the earth (a living creature) a jinn or human being, (but He reprieveth them to an appointed term) He reprieves them to the time of their destruction, (and when their term cometh) when the time of their destruction comes (they cannot put (it) off an hour nor (yet) advance (it)) nor can they be destroyed before their appointed term.

(And they assign unto Allah that which they (themselves) dislike) they say that Allah has daughters when they themselves do not like to have daughters, (and their tongues expound the lie) they speak lies (that the better portion will be theirs) i.e. sons will be theirs; it is also said that this means: Paradise will be theirs; and it is also said that this means: how could Paradise be theirs? (Assuredly theirs will be the Fire, and they will be abandoned) it is also said that this means: they are excessive people both in their words and deeds.

(By Allah, We verily sent messengers unto the nations before thee, but the devil made their deeds fair-seeming unto them) he made their religion fair-seeming to them. (So he is their patron this day) in this worldly life and their companion in hell, (and theirs will be a painful doom) in the Hereafter.

(And we have revealed the Scripture unto thee) We did send Gabriel to you with the Qur'an (only that thou mayst explain unto them that wherein) in Religion (they differ) they opposed, (and (as) a guidance) from error (and a mercy) from chastisement (for a people who believe) in it.

(Allah sendeth down water) rain (from the sky and therewith reviveth the earth after her death!) after being dry and affected by drought (Lo! Herein) in the revival of that which I have mentioned (is indeed a portent) a sign (for a folk who hear) who obey and believe.

(And lo! in the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood), We extract (pure milk palatable to the drinkers) savoury to the drinkers.

(And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, whence ye derive strong drink) intoxicants. But this is abrogated; it is also said that this means: you derive food from it (and (also) good nourishment) a lawful nourishment such as vinegar, treacle, raisin and other things. (Lo! Therein) in that which I have mentioned to you, (is indeed a portent) a sign (for people who have sense) for people who believe.

(And thy Lord inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they thatch) and in that which they build;

(Then eat of all fruits) from all types of fruits, (and follow the ways of your Lord, made smooth (for thee)) made tractable for you. (There cometh forth from their bellies) from the bellies of bees (a drink diverse of hues) red, yellow and white, (wherein) in honey there (is healing for mankind) from illness; it is also said that this means: there is in the Qur'an healing for mankind. (Lo! Herein) in that which I have mentioned there (is indeed a portent) a sign and lesson (for people who reflect) on what I have created.

(And Allah createth you, then causeth you to die) He takes away your souls when your lifespan expires, (and among you is he who is brought back to the most abject stage of life, so that he knoweth) he understands (nothing after (having had) knowledge) before this state. (Lo! Allah is Knower) of the transformation of his creation, (Powerful) to turn them from one state to another.

(And Allah hath favoured some of you above others in provision) this verse was revealed about the delegation of Najran who claimed that Jesus was the son of Allah. So Allah revealed this verse to tell people that He has favoured some people to the exclusion of others in relation to the possession of wealth and servants. (Now those who are more favoured) with wealth and servants (will by no means hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that they) i.e. the master and the slave (may be equal with them in respect thereof) about wealth. They said: �We will not do so nor are we happy about this�, and so Allah said: (Is it then the grace of Allah that they deny?) Do you like for Me what you do not like for yourselves, and thus deny the Oneness of Allah?

(And Allah hath given you wives of your own kind) a human being like yourselves, (and hath given you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and hath made provision of good things for you) he made your provision softer and more wholesome that the provision of beasts. (Is it then in vanity that they believe) is it in Satan and idols that they believe (and in the grace of Allah) and in the Oneness of Allah and His religion (that they disbelieve?)

(And they worship beside Allah that which owneth) that which is capable of (no provision whatsoever for them) i.e. idols (from the heavens) by means of rain (or the earth) by means of vegetation, (nor have they (whom they worship) any power) to do so.

(So coin not similitudes for Allah) do not ascribe sons and partners and co-equals to Allah. (Lo! Allah knoweth) that He has no son or partner; (ye know not) this, O congregation of disbelievers.