Ali 'Imran

And on his authority he related from Ibn 'Abbas regarding the saying of Allah, Exalted is He: (Alif. Lam. Mim.) that he said: 'Allah informed us about the story of the delegation of Najran; it is also said that this is an oath by which Allah swore that He is One and that He has neither progeny nor partner.

(Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive) Who dies not and is not evanescent, (the Eternal) the Self-subsistent Who has no beginning.

(He hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture) He sent you Gabriel with the Scripture (with truth) in order to show truth from falsehood, (confirming) corroborating Allah's divine Oneness (that which was (revealed) before it) of scriptures, (even as He revealed the Torah) in one go to Moses the son of Amran (and the Gospel) in one go to the Jesus the son of Mary.

(Aforetime) before Muhammad and the Qur'an, (for a guidance to mankind) as a guidance from error to the Children of Israel; (and hath revealed the Criterion (of right and wrong)) He revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad in instalments to differentiate the lawful from the unlawful. (Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah) Muhammad and the Qur'an, referring in this context to the delegation of Najran, (theirs will be a heavy doom) in this world and in the next. (Allah is Mighty) powerful in His vengeance, (Able to Requite (the wrong)) able to carry His vengeance out on them.

(Lo! nothing in the earth) of the story of the delegation of Najran (or in the heavens) concerning the angels (is hidden from Allah).

(He it is Who fashioneth you) creates you (in the wombs as pleaseth Him) short or tall, pretty or ugly, male or female, felicitous or damned. (There is no God) there is no fashioner or creator (save Him, the Almighty) Who is vengeful against whoever does not believe in Him, (the Wise) in creating what is in wombs.

(He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture) who sent you Gabriel with the Scripture (wherein are clear revelations) expositing the lawful and unlawful which are not abrogated and which are acted upon. (They are the substance of the Book) they are the foundation of the Book as they are the leading theme in each book. They are all acted upon. An example of this is the saying of Allah: (Say: Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord hath made a sacred duty for you�) [6:151]. (And others (which are) allegorical) vague in their meanings to the Jews, like the use of the letters of the alphabet according to their numerical value (hisab al-Jumal) in such instances as Alif. Lam. Mim, Alif. Lam. Mim. Sad, Alif. Lam Mim. Ra; and Alif. Lam. Ra; it is also said that (others (which are) allegorical) means: other verses that are abrogated and no longer acted upon. (But those) the Jews Ka'b Ibn al-Ashraf, Huyayy Ibn Akhtab and Judayy Ibn Akhtab (in whose hearts is doubt) scepticism, opposition and deviance from guidance (pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking) in the Qur'an ((to cause) dissension) pursuing disbelief, ascribing partners to Allah, and holding fast to the error they are in (by seeking to explain it) to determine the future of this nation so that dominion reverts back to them. (None knoweth its explanation) the future of this nation (save Allah). Here Allah interrupts His speech and then resumes it by saying: (And those who are of sound instruction) those who have a sound grasp of the knowledge of the Torah: 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his fellow companions (say: We believe therein) in the Qur'an; (the whole is from our Lord) Allah has revealed both those verses which are clear and those which are ambiguous; (but only men of understanding) who have sound minds such as 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his fellow companions (really heed) take admonition from the simile of the Qur'an.

(Our Lord!) these also say: O our Lord! (Cause not our hearts to stray) do not make our hearts deviate from Your Religion (after Thou hast guided us) to Your Religion, (and bestow upon us mercy from Thy Presence) make us firm in holding to Your religion. (Lo! Thou, only Thou art the Bestower) to the believers before us; it is also said that this means: You are the Bestower of prophethood and Islam to Muhammad.

(Our Lord!) they say: O our Lord! (it is Thou Who gatherest mankind together) after they die (to a Day) on a day (of which there is no doubt. Lo! Allah faileth not to keep the tryst) resurrection after death, the reckoning, the Bridge over hell, the Scale, Paradise and hell.

((On that day) neither the riches) the abundance of riches (nor the progeny) nor the abundance of progeny (of those who disbelieve) i.e. Ka'b Ibn al-Ashraf and his fellow companions; and it is also said that this refers to Abu Jahl and his companions (will aught avail them with Allah) will not avail them anything from Allah's torment. (They will be fuel for fire) they are the firewood of hell.

(Like Pharaoh's folk) like the work of the folk of Pharaoh. Allah says here: your people have done with you-by giving you the lie and abusing you-as the people of Moses did with him: they gave him the lie and abused him. And We (Allah) shall do with them on the Day of Badr as We did with the people of Moses on the day of drowning, (and those who were before them) before the people of Moses, (they disbelieved Our revelations) they disbelieved in the Scripture and Messenger We sent to them (and so Allah seized them) destroyed them (for their sins) because of their denial. (And Allah is severe in punishment) when He does punish.

(Say) O Muhammad! (unto those who disbelieve) the unbelievers of Mecca: (Ye shall be overcome) You shall be killed on the Day of Badr (and gathered unto hell) on the Day of Judgement, (an evil resting place) an evil place and outcome.

(There was a token) a sign confirming the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) (for you) O people of Mecca (in two hosts) in two groups: that of Muhammad and that of Abu Sufyan (which met) on the Day of Badr: (one army fighting in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah: Muhammad and his Companions who were 313 men, (and another disbelieving) and another group of disbelievers in Allah and the Messenger: Abu Sufyan and his army which consisted of 950 men, (whom they saw) they saw themselves (as twice their number) as twice the number as that of the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) (clearly, with their very eyes). It is also said that this can be understood in this way: Say, O Muhammad, to the unbelievers-the Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir-you shall be overcome and killed and expelled, and after you die, you will be mustered in Gehenna, an evil abode and end. Allah informed them of this two years before the Battle of Badr took place. Then He revealed: O Jews! You had a sign for the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) in the form of two groups-that of Muhammad and that of Abu Sufyan-who met on the Day of Badr. One group (Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions) fought in obedience of Allah, and the other group consisted of unbelievers in Allah and His Messenger (Abu Sufyan and his group). You saw with your very eyes, O Jews, that the unbelievers were twice the number of the Companions of Muhammad. (Thus Allah strengtheneth with His succour whom He will) i.e. Muhammad. (Lo! Herein) in Allah enabling Muhammad to triumph on the Day of Badr (verily is a lesson for those who have eyes) concerning Religion, i.e. the believers; it is also said that this means: it was a lesson for those who saw it with their own eyes.

Allah then mentions the bounties of the life of this world that He has made attractive for the unbelievers, saying: (Beautified for mankind is) what people's hearts find desirable is (love of the joys (that come) from women) meaning slave women and wives (and offspring) slaves and children, (and stored up heaps) amassed wealth (of gold and silver) it is also said that this means: minted or engraved gold and silver, (and horses branded (with their mark)) beautiful branded horses and grazing in pastures, (and cattle) i.e. sheep, cows and camels (and land) cultivation and cultivated lands. (That) which is mentioned above (is comfort of the life of the world) is of benefit to people in the life of this world and then it vanishes; it is also said that this means: the joys of this world last only for as long as the stuff of any home, a bowl, a plate and the like. (Allah! With Him is a more excellent abode) in the Hereafter, i.e. Paradise, to whoever shun such joys.

Then Allah elucidated the bliss of the Hereafter, its permanence and favour, just as He exposited the joys of the life of this world, by saying: (Say) O Muhammad, to the unbelievers: (Shall I inform you of something better than that?) better than the embellishments of this world. (For those who keep from evil) keep from disbelief, ascribing partners to Allah and indecencies, in reference to Abu Bakr and his fellow believers, (with their Lord, are Gardens beneath which) beneath its trees and habitations (rivers) of wine, honey, milk and water (flow, wherein they will abide for ever) they will dwell in Paradise: they shall neither die nor leave it (and pure companions) they have therein spouses who are spared menses and filth, (and contentment from Allah) and the contentment of Allah is far greater than the bliss they enjoy. (Allah is Seer of His bondmen) He is Seer of the believers, their places in Paradise, as well as their works in the life of this world.

Allah then proceeds to describe them, saying: (Those who say) in the life of this world: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Lo! we believe) in You and in Your Messenger. (So forgive us our sins) that we committed in the pre-Islamic period as well as after the advent of Islam (and guard us from the punishment of Fire) drive away from us the punishment of hell;

(The steadfast) in performing the obligations enjoined by Allah and in shunning contraventions against Him; it is also said that this means: the steadfast when misfortunes befall them, (and the Truthful) in their faith, (and the obedient) vis-�-vis Allah and His Messenger, (those who spend) their wealth in the way of Allah, (those who pray for pardon in the watches of the night) supererogatory prayers.

Allah declared then His divine Oneness, saying: (Allah (Himself) is witness) even if no one else bears witness (that there is no God save Him. And the angels) do also bear witness to that (and the men of learning) and the prophets and the believers bear witness to that. (Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no God save Him, the Almighty) in His vengeance against those who do not believe in Him, (the Wise) and He has commanded that none shall be worshipped except Him.

(Lo! Religion) that is accepted (with Allah (is) the Surrender (to His will and guidance)). It is also said that this should be understood as: Allah bears witness that Religion with Him is Islam (the Surrender), and the angels, the prophets and the believers also bear witness to this. This verse was revealed about two men from Historic Syria who asked the Prophet (pbuh) which is the greatest witness in the Book of Allah. When he informed them about it, they embraced Islam. (Those who (formerly) received the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (differed) about Islam and Muhammad (only after knowledge) the exposition of what is in their Scripture (came unto them, through transgression among themselves) out of resentful envy. (Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of Allah) Muhammad and the Qur'an ((will find that) Lo! Allah is swift at reckoning) severe in His punishment.

Allah then mentions their argument with the Prophet (pbuh) about the Religion of Islam, saying: (And if they) i.e. the Jews and Christians (argue with thee, O Muhammad, say: I have surrendered my purpose) I make my Religion and works sincere (to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those who have received the Scripture) the Jews and Christians (and those who read not) i.e. the Arabs: (Have ye (too) surrendered?) do you surrender as we have surrendered? Allah then said: (If they surrender) as you have surrendered, (then truly they are rightly guided) from error, (and if they turn away) from surrender, (then it is your duty only to convey the message (unto them)) on behalf of Allah. (Allah is Seer of (His) bondmen) those who believe and those who do not.

(Lo! those who disbelieve the revelations of Allah) in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (and slay the Prophets) i.e. ally themselves with those who slay the prophets (wrongfully) without them having committed any crime, (and slay those of mankind) who believed in the prophets (who enjoin equity) Allah's divine Oneness: (promise them a painful doom) which will spread out to their hearts.

(Those are they whose works) good deeds (have failed) made void (in the world and the Hereafter) that is, they will not be given reward for them in the Hereafter; (and they have no helpers) who will save them from Allah's punishment.

Allah mentions after this the rejection of stoning by the Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir from among the people of Khaybar, saying: (Hast thou not seen) O Muhammad! (how those who have received the Scripture) were given knowledge about what is in the Torah regarding stoning and other things (invoke the Scripture of Allah) the Qur'an ((in their disputes) that it may judge between them) about stoning the married man and married woman who committed adultery in Khaybar, as is in their Scripture; (then a faction of them) from Banu Qurayzah and the people of Khaybar (turn away) from the judgement, (being opposed (to it)) denying that judgement.

(That) opposition, denial and punishment (is because they say: The Fire will not touch us) in the Hereafter (save for a certain number of days) about 40 days. A group from among the Jews said: the Fire will not touch us except for a limited number of days: seven days of days of the Hereafter-each day equalling a thousand years-as punishment for the days in which our forefathers worshipped the calf. (That which they used to invent has deceived them) their lie about not being punished; it is also said this refers to their claim that punishment shall be postponed (regarding their religion) i.e. their firm adherence to their religion: Judaism.

(How (will it be with them)) how shall they act, O Muhammad, (when We have brought them all together) after they die (to a Day) on a day (of which there is no doubt, when every soul) righteous or sinner (will be paid in full what it has earned) of good or evil, (and they will not be wronged) their good works will not be decreased and their sins will not be increased.

(Say: O Allah!) say O Allah! Lead us to goodness (Owner of Sovereignty!) O Master of kings and Owner of sovereignty (Thou givest sovereignty unto whom Thou wilt) i.e. unto Muhammad and his followers, (and Thou withdrawest sovereignty from whom Thou wilt) i.e. from the people of Persia and Byzantium. (Thou exaltest whom Thou wilt) i.e. Muhammad (and Thou abasest whom Thou wilt) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Salul, the people of Persia and the people of Byzantium. (In Thy hand is the good) exaltation, abasement, sovereignty, spoils, triumph and power. (Lo! Thou art Able to do all things) whether it is exaltation, abasement, sovereignty, spoils, triumph or power. This verse was revealed about 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy Ibn Salul, the hypocrite, who said after the Conquest of Mecca: �How on earth can they have sovereignty over Persia and Byzantium?� It is also said that it was revealed about the Quraysh who said: �the king of Persia sleeps on couches made of silk brocade, if you are truly a prophet, show us your dominion?�

Then he showed Allah's might by saying: (Thou causest the night to pass into the day) You increase the length of the day over the length of the night, such that the day is longer than the night, (and Thou causest the day to pass into the night) You increase the length of the night over the length of the day, such that the night is longer than the day. (And Thou bringest forth the living from the dead) He says: You bring forth a living creature from a sperm drop, (and Thou bringest forth the dead from the living) and You bring forth a sperm drop from man; it is also said that this verse means: You bring forth the living (a chicken) from the dead (an egg), and You bring forth the dead (a grain) from the living (a spike of grain). (And Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou choosest, without stint) without measure, exerting power or showing off Your blessings; it is also said that this means: You give wealth in abundance to whomever You choose without straitness or inconvenience.

(Let not the believers take) the believers ought not to take [the hypocrites:] 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy and his companions [and] (disbelievers) the Jews (for their friends) so as to become mighty and honourable (in preference to believers) who are sincere. (Whoso doeth that) seeking might and honour [by taking the hypocrites and disbelievers as friends] (hath no connection with Allah) has no honour, mercy or protection from Allah (unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them) save yourselves from them, (taking (as it were) security) saving yourselves from them by speaking in a friendly way towards them with, while your hearts dislikes this. (Allah bideth you beware (only) of Himself) regarding the shunning of unlawful killing, unlawful sex, unlawful property, consuming intoxicants, false testimony and associating partners with Allah. (Unto Allah is the journeying) the return after death.

(Say) O Muhammad!: (Whether ye hide that which is in your breasts) what is in your hearts of hatred and enmity towards Muhammad (pbuh) (or reveal it) by showing abuse, defamation and waging war, (Allah knoweth it) Allah will record it and requite for it. (He knoweth that which is in the heavens and that which is in the earth) of good and evil, what is secret and what is revealed, (and Allah is Able to do all things) regarding the dwellers of the heavens and the dwellers of earth. This verse was revealed about the hypocrites and the Jews.

(On the day) the Day of Judgement (when every soul will find itself confronted with all that it hath done) written in its register (of good and all that it hath done of evil) it will also find it written in its register ((every soul) will long that there might be a mighty apace of distance) a long period of time separating them: from sunrise to sunset (between it and that (evil). Allah bideth you beware of Him) upon committing an act of disobedience. (And Allah is full of pity for (His) bondmen) He is full of pity for the believers.

(Say) O Muhammad!: (If ye love Allah) and His religion, (follow me) follow my Religion; (Allah will love you) He will increase your love (and forgive you your sins) which were committed when you followed Judaism. (Allah is Forgiving) of whoever repents, (Merciful) towards whoever dies in a state of repentance. This verse was revealed about the Jews who claimed they were the children of Allah and His beloved ones. When this verse was revealed 'Abdullah Ibn Ubayy said: �Muhammad is commanding us to love him as the Christians loved Jesus�, and the Jews said: �Muhammad wants us to take him as a compassionate Lord, just as the Christians took Jesus as a compassionate Lord�.

Consequently, Allah revealed about their comments: (Say: Obey Allah) regarding what He has obligated (and the Messenger) in his practices. (But if they turn away) from obeying them, (Lo! Allah loveth not the disbelievers) the Jews and the hypocrites.

When the Jews heard this, they said: �we follow the religion of Adam: we are Muslims�, and so Allah revealed the following: (Lo! Allah preferred Adam) with Islam (and Noah) with Islam (and the Family of Abraham) the children of Abraham with Islam (and the Family of 'Imran) Moses and Aaron with Islam (above (all His) creatures) above all the people of their times. It is also said that Amran is not the father of Moses and Aaron.

(They were descendants one of another) some follow the religion of others and the offspring of some are the descendents of others. (Allah is Hearer) of what the Jews say: that they are Allah's children and beloved ones and that they follow His religion, (Knower) of their punishment and of whom is following His religion.

Remember, O Muhammad (When the wife of Imran) Hannah, the mother of Mary (said: My Lord I have vowed unto Thee that which is in my belly as a consecrated (offering)) a servant at the Sanctuary of Jerusalem. (Accept it from me. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer) of prayers, (the Knower!) of the answer and of that which is in my womb.

(And when she was delivered) what was in her womb and it was a baby girl (she said: My Lord! Lo! I am delivered of a female) a baby girl. (Allah knew best of what she was delivered. The male is not as the female) in service and weakness; (and Lo! I have named her Mary, and Lo! I crave Thy protection for her) I seek for her Your protection and safety (and for her offspring from Satan the outcast) the accursed.

(And her Lord accepted her with full acceptance) He was good to her and accepted her instead of accepting a boy (and vouchsafed to her a goodly growth) He nurtured her well in worship throughout the years, months, days and hours; (and made Zachariah her guardian) he joined her to him for training. (Whenever Zachariah went into the sanctuary where she was) the room where she worshipped, (he found that she had food) the fruit of winter in the summer, such as culms of corn, and the fruits of summer in the winter such as grapes. (He said: O Mary! Whence cometh unto thee this (food)?) how did you get this food out of its season? (She answered: It is from Allah) Gabriel brought it to me. (Allah giveth without stint) without pause or measure (to whom He will) in its season or out of it.

(Then) at that point (Zachariah prayed unto) and wished from (his Lord and said: My Lord! Bestow upon me of Thy bounty) from You (goodly offspring) a righteous child. (Lo! Thou art the Hearer of Prayer) You are the One Who answers prayers.

(And the angels) i.e. the Angel Gabriel (called to him as he stood praying in the sanctuary) in the mosque: (Allah giveth thee glad tidings of John) a son whose name is John, ((who cometh) to confirm a Word from Allah) Jesus son of Mary that he will be a word from Allah, created without a father, (lordly) who is clement when wronged, (chaste) has no desire for women, (a Prophet of the righteous) among the messengers.

(He said: My Lord) Zachariah said to Gabriel: O master! (How can I have a son when age hath overtaken me already) when I am very old (and my wife is barren) and cannot conceive children? ((The angel) answered: So (it will be)) as I have told you. (Allah doeth what He will).

(He) Zachariah (said: My Lord) O my Lord! (Appoint a token for me) regarding my wife's pregnancy. ((The angel) said: The token unto thee) about your wife's pregnancy ((shall be) that thou shalt not speak) will not be able to speak (unto mankind three days) without being dumb (except by signs) by moving your lips, eyebrows, eyes and hands; it is also said: except by writing on the ground. (Remember your Lord) with your tongue and heart (much) in all circumstances, (and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning) pray in the morning and at night as you used to do.

(And when the angels) i.e. Gabriel (said: O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee) with Islam and worship (and made thee pure) from disbelief, the association of partners with Allah and blemishes; it is also said this means: He has saved you from being killed, (and hath preferred you above (all) the women of creation) of your time by the birth of Jesus.

(O Mary! Be obedient to thy Lord) as a token of gratitude to Him; it is also said this means: prolong your prayer as a token of gratitude to your Lord, (prostrate thyself and bow) meaning: and do also prostrate and bow (with those who bow (in worship)) with the people of worship.

(This) which I mentioned of the story of Mary and Zachariah (is of the tidings of things hidden) of the things that were unknown to you, O Muhammad. (We reveal it unto thee (Muhammad)) He says: We send Gabriel with it to you. (Thou wast not present with them) with the Rabbis (when they threw their pens) in the flow of water ((to know) which of them should be the guardian of Mary) to train her, (nor wast thou present with them when they quarrelled (thereupon)) each giving argument for his better claim to be Mary's guardian.

((And remember) when the angels) i.e. Gabriel (said: O Mary! Allah giveth you glad tidings of a Word from Him) of a son who shall come into being by means of a Word from Allah, (whose name is the Messiah) because he travels from one country to another; it is also said: the Messiah means the king, (Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in the world) he has standing and position amidst people in the life of this world (and the Hereafter) he has standing and position with Allah, (and one of those brought near) unto Allah in the Garden of Eden.

(He will speak unto mankind in his cradle) in the lap of his mother, saying: I am the servant of Allah and His Messiah (and in his manhood) after he reaches 30 years old, saying that he is a prophet, (and he is of the righteous) of the messengers.

(She said: My Lord!) Mary said to Gabriel: O master!: (How can I have a child) how is it possible for me to have a child (when no mortal hath touched me?) lawfully or unlawfully? (He) Gabriel (said: So (it will be)) as I have told you. (Allah createth what He will. If He decreeth a thing) if He wills to create a son from you without a father, (He saith unto it only: Be! and it is) a son without a father.

(And He will teach him the Scripture) the Scriptures of [past] prophets; as it is said: writing (and wisdom) the lawful and the prohibited; as it said this means: the wisdom of the prophets who preceded him, (and the Torah) in the womb of his mother (and the Gospel) after he came out of his mother's womb.

(And will make him a messenger) after the age of thirty (unto the Children of Israel), and when he went to them he said: (Lo! I come unto you with a sign) a token (from your Lord) for my prophethood. They said: what is this sign? He replied: (Lo! I fashion for you out of clay the likeness of a bird, and I breathe into it) like the breathing of a sleeping person (and it is a bird) flying in the air, (by Allah's leave) by Allah's command. Then he fashioned for them a bat and when it became alive, they said: this is sorcery; do you have another sign? He said: yes, (I heal him who was born blind, and the leper) also, (and I raise the dead, by Allah's leave) by Allah's greatest Name: O Alive, the Eternal. And when he did this, they said: this is sorcery, do you have any other sign? He said: yes, (And I announce unto you what you eat) in the morning and at night (and what you store up in your houses) what you save from your lunch to dinner and from your dinner to the next day's lunch. (Lo! Herein) in that which I have told you (verily is a portent) a sign (for you, if ye are believers) who have faith.

(And (I come) confirming) and I have come confirming Allah's divine Oneness in the Religion (that which was before me of the Torah) and all other Scriptures, (and to make lawful) to give you legal dispensation regarding (some of that which was forbidden unto you) such as the meat of camels, the fat of bovines and sheep, the Sabbath, and other things. (I come unto you with a sign) with a token (from your Lord, so keep your duty to Allah) so fear Allah in that which He has commanded you with and repent to Him (and obey me) and follow my command and Religion;

(Lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him) declare his divine Oneness. (That) divine Oneness (is a straight path) an established religion, Islam, which He is pleased with.

(But when Jesus became conscious) when he knew (of their disbelief) and saw that they wanted to kill him; it is also said: when he repeatedly heard their disbelief, (he) Jesus (cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah?) against His enemies. (The disciples) his closest disciples who were 12 in number (said: We will be Allah's helpers) against his enemies. (We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness) Know, O Jesus (that we have surrendered (unto Him)) we acknowledge Allah by worshipping Him and declaring His divine Oneness.

(Our Lord) O our Lord! (We believe in that which Thou hast revealed) of the Scripture, i.e. the Gospel (and we follow him whom Thou hast sent) the religion of the Messenger Jesus. (Enrol us among those who witness) make us among the first forerunners who were witnesses before us; it is also said this means: make us of the community of Muhammad (pbuh).

(And they schemed) they, i.e. the Jews, planned to kill Jesus, (and Allah schemed (against them)) Allah wished to kill their man Tatianos: (and Allah is the best of schemers) the strongest of those who have a will; it is also said this means: the best of Makers.

((And remember) when Allah said: O Jesus! Lo! I am gathering thee and causing thee to ascend unto Me, and am cleansing) saving (thee of those who disbelieve) in you (and am setting those who follow you) follow your Religion (above those who disbelieve) with strong argument and triumph (until the Day of Resurrection) then I shall make you to die after descent; it is also said this means: I shall make your heart die to the love of the life of this world. (Then unto Me ye will (all) return) after death, (and I shall judge between you as to that wherein) in religion (ye used to differ) to argue.

(As for those who disbelieve) in Allah and in His messengers Muhammad and Jesus (I shall chastise them with a heavy chastisement in the world) by exposing them to the sword and the capitation tax (jizyah) (and the Hereafter) by throwing them into the Fire; (and they will have no helpers) to save them from Allah's punishment in this world or in the Hereafter.

(And as for those who believe) in Allah, the Scripture and His messengers Muhammad and Jesus (and do good works) sincerely between them and their Lord, (He will pay them their wages in full) He will pay them their reward on the Day of Judgement. (Allah loveth not wrong-doers) the idolaters, with their transgressions and association of partners with Allah.