Saba

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said in the interpretation of Allah's saying (Praise be to Allah): '(Praise be to Allah) He says: Gratitude belongs to Allah; this is because He is kind to His creation and the latter thanks Him for it, (unto Whom belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens) of creation (and whatsoever is in the earth) of created beings. (His is the praise) the favour (in the Hereafter) upon the dwellers of Paradise in Paradise, (and He is the Wise) in His command and decree; He commanded that none should be worshipped save Him, (the Aware) He knows His created beings as well as their works.

(He knoweth that which goeth down into the earth) of rain, water, dead people and treasures (and that which cometh forth from it) and He knows what comes forth from it of plants, water, treasures and dead people, (and that which descendeth from the heaven) of rain, sustenance and other things (and that which ascendeth into it) of angels and guardian angels who carry the scrolls of the servants. (He is the Merciful) towards the believers, (the Forgiving) He forgives whoever repents.

(Those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca: Abu Jahl and his host (say: The Hour will never come unto us. Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Nay, by my Lord) Allah swore by Himself, (but it is coming) the Hour is coming (unto you surely. (He is) the Knower of the Unseen) He knows what is hidden from people. (Not an atom's weight) not even a small red ant, (or less than that or greater, escapes Him) is hidden from Allah (in the heavens or in the earth) as regard the works of the servants, (but it is in a clear Record) in the Guarded Tablet well preserved,

(That He may reward those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) between them and their Lord. (For them is pardon) their sins are pardoned in the life of this world (and a rich provision) and a fair reward in the Hereafter.

(But those who strive against) those who deny (Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (challenging (Us)) those will not escape Our punishment, (theirs will be a painful doom of wrath) they will have a severe chastisement.

(Those who have been given knowledge) the knowledge of the Torah, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers (see that what is revealed unto thee from thy Lord) i.e. the Qur'an (is the Truth and leadeth unto the path of the Mighty) guides to the religion of He Who is Mighty in retribution against those who do not believe in Him, (the Owner of Praise) as regards those who declare His divine Oneness.

(Those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca: Abu Sufyan and his host (say) to the lowly among people: (Shall we show you a man who will tell you (that) when ye have become dispersed in dust with most complete dispersal) such that the skin and bones are separated from each other, (still, even then), Muhammad claims (ye will be created anew) the spirit will be given back to us after death?

(Hath he) Muhammad (invented a lie concerning Allah, or is there in him a madness?) Allah said: (Nay, but those who disbelieve in the Hereafter) those who disbelieve in resurrection after death (are in torment) in the Hereafter (and far error) from the Truth and guidance in the life of this world.

(Have they not observed) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (what is before them) what is above and below them of the sky and the earth (and what is behind them) and what is above and below them (of the sky and the earth? If We will, We can make the earth swallow them, or cause obliteration from the sky to fall on them) and thus destroy them. (Lo! herein) in what I have mentioned concerning the sky and the earth (surely is a portent) a lesson (for every slave who turneth (to Allah) repentant) who hastens to Allah and to His obedience.

(And assuredly We gave David grace) kingship and prophethood (from Us, (saying): O you hills and birds, echo his psalms of praise) hymn Allah's praise with David! (And We made the iron supple unto him) doing with it as he pleased, as he did with clay,

(Saying: Make thou long coats of mail and measure the links (thereof)) the measure of a nail such that it is neither bigger nor smaller than it. (And do ye right) sincerely to Him. (Lo! I am Seer) Aware (of what ye do) of good or evil.

(And unto Solomon (We gave) the wind) and We made the wind subservient to Solomon, (whereof the morning course was a month's journey) He would go in the morning from Jerusalem to Istakhr, which was a month's journey (and the evening course a month's journey) and come back in the evening from Istakhr to Jerusalem which was another month's journey, (and We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him) to make of it what whatever he pleased, (and (We gave him) certain of the jinn) and made the jinn subservient to him (who worked before him) by means of magic buildings and other things (by permission of his Lord) by command of his Lord. (And such of them as deviated from) as disobey or rebel against (Our command) with which We commanded them; it is also said that this means: the command of Solomon, (them We caused to taste the punishment of flaming fire) it is also said that an angel hit with a pillar of fire whoever disobeyed among the jinn.

(They made for him what he willed: synagogues and statues) of angels, prophets and other righteous servants so that people look at them and follow their example of worshipping Allah, (basins like wells) stable basins (and boilers built into the ground) from which up to 1,000 can eat. (Give thanks, O House of David) i.e. Solomon! He says: do works of goodness in order that you give thanks for the blessings I gave you. (Few of My bondmen are thankful) to Allah.

(And when We decreed death for him) for Solomon, Solomon died and remained standing in his retreat for a year (nothing showed his death) the death of Solomon (to them save a creeping creature of the earth) a woodworm (which gnawed away his staff) and it is said: his short spear. (And when he fell) when Solomon fell to the ground (the jinn saw clearly how) the jinn and human beings saw clearly that they do not know the unseen, (if they had known the unseen, they would not have continued in despised toil) they would not have continued in their subservience. People thought before this that the jinn knew the unseen but when they saw this they realised that they did not.

(There was indeed a sign for Sheba) for the inhabitants of Sheba, which is a township in Yemen (in their dwelling-place: Two gardens on the right hand) of the road (and the left) of the road. There were about 13 townships in the direction of Yemen. Allah sent them 13 prophets, who said to them: (Eat of the provision of your Lord) eat from the bounty and blessing of your Lord (and render thanks to Him) by declaring your belief in His divine Oneness. (A fair land) this is a good township which is not swampy (and an indulgent Lord) for he who believes in Him and repents!

(But they were froward) they turned away from faith and acceptance of the messengers and failed to give thanks, (so We sent on them the flood of 'Iram) the flood of a river which destroyed their gardens, houses and all their bounties. 'Iram was the name of a river in Yemen within which they built a dam. This dam had three superimposed openings, Allah destroyed the dam and destroyed them by means of its water, (and in exchange for their two gardens) which were destroyed (gave them two gardens bearing bitter fruit, the tamarisk and here and there a lote tree.

This We awarded them) What befell them was a punishment (because of their ingratitude) for the blessings of Allah. (Punish We ever any save the ingrates) those who are ungrateful towards Allah and towards His blessings?

(And We set, between them) between the people of Sheba (and the towns which We had blessed) with water and trees, i.e. Jordan and Palestine, (towns easy to be seen) and close to each other, (and We made the stage between them) between these towns (easy) the march to them is a few hours or one night march, ((saying): Travel in them safely both by night and day) safe from hunger, thirst and thieves.

After this their prophets said to them: �Give thanks for the blessings of your Lord lest He takes them away as He took away the blessings he gave you before�. (But they said: Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Make the stage between our journeys longer. And they wronged themselves) by means of disbelief and idolatry and failed to give thanks for those bounties, (therefore We made them bywords (in the land)) for people who came after them (and scattered them abroad) in different lands, (a total scattering) and We destroyed them completely. (Lo! Herein) in what We have done to them (verily are portents) signs and lessons (for each steadfast) in obedience, (grateful (heart)) for the bounties of Allah.

(And Satan indeed found his calculation true concerning them, for they follow him) in their disbelief, (all save a group of true believers) it is also said that this means: they followed him by engaging in transgressions except for a group of believers who will enter Paradise without reckoning or punishment.

(And he) Satan (had no warrant) no power or the ability to impose his will (whatsoever against them) against the Children of Israel, (save) except to the measure (that We would know him who believeth in the Hereafter) that We know he who, in preeternity, believed in resurrection after death (from him who is in doubt thereof) from him who is in doubt about the coming of the Hour; (and thy Lord) O Muhammad (taketh note of all things) relating to their works.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the disbelievers of Mecca, the Banu Malih: (Call upon those whom ye set up) you worship (beside Allah) so that they answer you! This is because the Banu Malih worshipped the jinn, thinking they were angels. Allah said to them: (They possess not) they cannot benefit you (an atom's weight either in the heavens or the earth, nor have they) the angels (any share) partnership with Allah (either, nor hath He an auxiliary among them) nor has He a helper among the angels who helped Him to create the heavens and the earth.

(No intercession availeth) the angels will not intercede (with Him) on the Day of Judgement (save for him whom He permitteth) to intercede. Allah then mentions the weakness of the angels, for when the angels heard Allah uttering the revelation to Gabriel in order to take it to Muhammad (pbuh) they passed out due to the awe they sensed from Allah's speech. And they remained in this state. (Yet, when fear is banished from their hearts) and Gabriel came down to them, and they lifted their heads, (they say) the angels said to Gabriel and the angels who were with him: (What was it that your Lord said) O Gabriel? (They say) Gabriel and the angels with him say: (The Truth) the Qur'an. (And He is the Sublime) more sublime than anyone and anything, (the Great) greater than everyone and everything.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the disbelievers of Mecca: (Who giveth you provision from the sky) through rain (and the earth) through vegetation? If they answer you that it is Allah, then it is fine; if not, (Say: Allah) gives you provision. (Lo! we or you) O people of Mecca (assuredly are rightly guided or in error manifest) regarding Allah's provision; it is also said that this means: we are, group of believers, following the guidance, while you, O people of Mecca, in manifest disbelief and error.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Ye will not be asked of what we committed) of sins, (nor shall we be asked of what ye do) in your state of disbelief. But this was later abrogated by the verse of the sword.

(Say: Our Lord will bring us all together) on the Day of Judgement, (then He will judge between us with truth) with justice. (He is the All-Knowing Judge) He is the Judge and He knows the judgement.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Show me those whom ye have joined) ascribe (unto Him as partners) from among the idols; what have they created? Allah then said to them: (Nay (ye dare not)) because, they truly have not created anything! (For He is Allah) He created all that, (the Mighty) in retribution against the disbelievers, (the Wise) in His command and judgement; He commanded that none should be worshipped save Him.

(And We have not sent thee) O Muhammad (save as a bringer of good tidings) Paradise for those who believe in Allah (and a warner) from the Fire for those who disbelieve in Him (unto all mankind) to the jinn and human beings; (but most of mankind) the people of Mecca (know not) this nor believe in it.

(And they) the disbelievers of Mecca (say: When is this promise) O Muhammad ((to be fulfilled) if ye are truthful) if you are truthful that we will be raised after we die?

(Say) O Muhammad: (Yours is the promise of a Day which) the tryst of the Day of Judgement (ye cannot postpone nor hasten by an hour) the appointed time.

(And those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca: Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham and his host (say: We believe not in this Qur'an) which Muhammad (pbuh) recite unto us (nor in that which was before it) nor do we believe in the Scriptures revealed before him: the Torah and the Gospel and all the other Scriptures; (but oh, if thou couldst see) O Muhammad, (when the wrong-doers) the idolaters: Abu Jahl and his host (are brought up before their Lord) restrained on the Day of Judgement, (how they cast the blame one to another) they argue with each other and curse one another; (how those who were despised (in the earth)) how those who were oppressed in the earth, these are the lowly among people (say unto those who were proud) too proud to accept faith: i.e. the leaders: (But for you, we should have been believers) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an.

(And those who were proud) too proud to accept faith, i.e. the leader, (say unto those who were despised) those who were oppressed, i.e. the lowly people: (Did we drive you away) did we bar you (from the guidance) from faith (after it had come unto you) after it came to you from Muhammad (pbuh)? (Nay, but ye were guilty) you were idolaters before the coming of Muhammad to you.

(Those who were despised) those who were oppressed, who are the lowly among people (say unto those who were proud) their leaders: (Nay but (it was your) scheming night and day) it is what you said to us by day and night, (when ye commanded us to disbelieve in Allah) when you told us to disbelieve in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and set up rivals) equals and forms (unto Him. And they are filled with remorse) both the leaders and those who obeyed them (when they behold the doom; and We place carcans on the necks of those who disbelieved) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an. He says: their hands were tied to their necks. (Are they requited) on the Day of Judgement (aught save what they did) and said in their state of disbelief?

(And We sent not unto any township) to the inhabitants of any township (a warner) a warning Messenger, (but its pampered ones) its tyrants and despots (declared: Lo! we are disbelievers in that which ye bring unto us) we deny what you brought us.

(And they say) to the messengers: (We are more (than you) in wealth and children. We are not the punished) because of our religion in spite of all the wealth and children that we have! And this is exactly what the disbelievers of Mecca said to Muhammad (pbuh).

(Say) O Muhammad: (Lo! my Lord enlargeth the provision for whom He will) as a lure to perdition (and narroweth it (for whom He will) out of care for him. (But most of mankind) the people of Mecca (know not) this nor believe it.

(And it is not your wealth) the abundance of your wealth, O people of Mecca, (nor your children) nor the abundance of your children (that will bring you near unto Us) that will make your rank closer to Allah, (but he who believeth) in Allah, but it is the faith of he who believes in Allah (and doeth good) between him and his Lord that bring one close to Allah. (As for such, theirs will be twofold reward for what they did) as believers, (and they will dwell secure in lofty halls) secure from death and evanescence.

(And as for those who strive against) as for those who deny (Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (challenging) they will not escape Our chastisement, (they will be brought to the doom) to the Fire.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Lo! my Lord enlargeth the provision for whom He will of His bondmen) as a lure to perdition, (and narroweth (it) for him) out of care for him. (And whatsoever ye spend (for good)) in the way of Allah (He replaceth it) in the life of this world with wealth and in the Hereafter with rewards. (And He is the Best of Providers) He is the Best Giver and the Best Replacer.

(And on the day when He will gather them) i.e. Banu Malih and the angels (all together, He will say Unto the angels: Did these worship you) by your command?

(They) i.e. the angels (will say: Be Thou glorified) they will exonerate Allah. (Thou art our Protector) O our Lord (from them! Nay, but they worshipped the jinn; most of them were believers in them) thinking they were angels.

(That day) which is the Day of Judgement (ye will possess no use) no intercession (nor hurt) by driving away the torment (one for another) i.e. the angels and the jinn for Banu Malih. (And We shall say unto those who did wrong) those who ascribed partners to Allah: (Taste the doom of the Fire which ye used to deny) in the life of the world.

(And if Our revelations) the verses of the Qur'an (are recited unto them) unto the disbelievers of Mecca (in plain terms) expositing the lawful and the unlawful, (they say: This) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (is naught else than a man who would turn you away) bar you (from what your fathers used to worship) of idols; (and they say: This) what Muhammad (pbuh) say (is naught else than an invented lie. Those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (say of the Truth) the Qur'an (when it reacheth them) when Muhammad (pbuh) brings it to them: (This is naught else than mere magic) this is nothing but a manifest lie.

(And We have given them) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (no Scriptures which they study) in which they recite that which they claim, (nor sent We unto them, before thee) O Muhammad, (any warner) any warning Messenger.

(Those before them denied) before your people, the Quraysh, denied the messengers, (and these have not attained a tithe of that which We bestowed on them (of old)) i.e. on the disbelievers of old; it is also said that this means: their wealth and children have not reached even a tithe of the wealth and children that which We bestowed upon the disbelievers of old; (yet they denied My messengers. How intense then was My abhorrence (of them)) how intense was My chastisement when they disbelieved!

(Say) to the disbelievers of Mecca, O Muhammad: (I exhort you unto one thing only) with �there is no deity save Allah�: (that ye awake, for Allah's sake, by twos and singly, and then reflect) upon whether Muhammad (pbuh) is a magician, fortune teller, a liar or madman: (There is no madness in your comrade) in your Prophet. (He) Muhammad (pbuh) (is naught else than a warner) a warning Messenger (unto you in face of a terrific doom) on the Day of Judgement if you reject faith.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Whatever reward) or exchange (I might have asked of you is yours. My reward is the affair of Allah only. He is Witness over all things) regarding your works.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Lo! my Lord hurleth the Truth) He explains the Truth and commands the Truth. ((He is) the Knower of Things Hidden) He knows whatever is hidden from the servants.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (The Truth hath come) Islam has become manifest and the Muslims numerous, (and falsehood showeth not its face) Satan and the idols do not create (and will not return) and will not revive the dead.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (If I err) from the Truth and guidance, (I err only to my own loss) he says: the punishment of that is against my soul, (and if I am rightly guided) to the Truth and guidance (it is because of that which my Lord hath revealed unto me) that I am guided. (Lo! He is Hearer) of he who calls Him, (Nigh) in responding to whoever calls Him.

(Couldst thou but see) O Muhammad (when they are terrified) when the earth swallows them (with no escape) for anyone among them, (and are seized from near at hand) from beneath their feet the earth swallows them.

(And say) when the earth swallows them: (We (now) believe therein) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an. Allah says: (But how can they reach (faith)) and repent (from afar off) after death,

(When they disbelieved in it) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (of yore) before they were swallowed by the earth. (They aim at the unseen) they did but surmise in the life of the world when they said there is no Paradise or hell (from afar off) after death; it is also said that this means: after death, they ask to be returned to the life of this world by surmise.

(And a gulf is set between them and that which they desire) of returning to the life of this world, (as was done for people of their kind of old) and the adherents of their religion from among the disbelievers. (Lo! they were in hopeless doubt) they were in manifest doubt about the Creator of the heavens and the earth. And Allah knows best the secrets of His Book'.