Ya-Sin

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said upon the interpretation of the saying of the Creator, glorified is His mention, (Ya Sin.): '(Ya Sin.) He says: Ya Sin, O human being, in the Syriac language.

(By the wise Qur'an,

Lo! thou art) O Muhammad (of those sent) it is also said that this is an oath by which Allah swore: He swore by the Ya', the Sin and the wise Qur'an and He did also swear by the Qur'an which exposits the lawful and the unlawful, the commands and prohibitions.

(On a straight path) you are holding firm to an established religion with which Allah is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(A revelation of the Mighty) He says: the Qur'an is the Word of the Mighty in His retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Merciful) towards those who believe in Him,

(That thou mayst warn) by means of the Qur'an (a folk) i.e. the Quraysh (whose fathers were not warned) by any messenger; it is also said that this means: that you may warn your folk as their fathers were warned, (so they are heedless) of the matter of the Hereafter, i.e. they are in denial of it.

(Already hath the word proved true of) it has been decreed that wrath and chastisement will visit (most of them) most of the people of Mecca: Abu Jahl and his host, (for they believe not) as it is in Allah's knowledge nor do they wish to believe. And so they never accepted faith and were killed on the Day of Badr in their state of disbelief.

(Lo! we have put on their necks) and hands (carcans) of iron (reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff necked) it is also said that this means: We pulled their hands to their chins when they were about to stone the Prophet (pbuh) while he was praying. Therefore, they are chained and prevented from all good.

(And We have set a bar) a veil (before them) of the matter of the Hereafter (and a bar) a veil (behind them) of the matter of this worldly life, (and (thus) have covered them) covered the insight of their hearts (so that they see not) the Truth and guidance; it is also said that this means: We have set a veil before them when they were about to stone the Prophet (pbuh) while he was praying, such that they did not see him; and We set behind them a veil so that they do not see the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh); and because of this veil they were not able to see the Prophet (pbuh) or consequently harm him.

(Whether thou warn them) whether you warn the Banu Makhzum: Abu Jahl and his host, by means of the Qur'an (or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not) they do not want to believe; and they were later killed on the Day of Badr in their state of disbelief. The verses from (Lo! we have put on their necks) to (�so that they are made stiff necked) were revealed about Abu Jahl, al-Walid and their hosts.

(Thou warnest only) your warning by means of the Qur'an benefits only (him who followeth the Reminder) i.e. the Qur'an and acts upon its teachings, like Abu Bakr and his fellow believers (and feareth the Beneficent in secret) and works for the Beneficent even though he does not see him. (To him bear tidings of forgiveness) of his sins in the life of this world (and a rich reward) and a fair reward in Paradise.

(Lo! We it is Who bring the dead to life) for the resurrection. (We record that which they send before (them)) We record what they did before of good and evil, (and their footprints) and what they left behind of praiseworthy or blameworthy wont which were acted upon after their death. (And all things) relating to their works (We have kept in a clear register) We have written down in the Guarded Tablet.

(Coin for them a similitude) explain to the people of Mecca: (The people of the city) of Antioch, how We destroyed them (when those sent (from Allah) came unto them) i.e. when the emissary of Jesus, Simon the Pure, came to them and they disbelieved in and denied him;

(When We sent unto them twain) two apostles: Simon the Canaanite and Thomas, (and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third) We strengthened them with Simon Peter who confirmed the message conveyed by the other two apostles, (and they said; Lo! we have been sent unto you.

They said) i.e. the apostles said: (Ye are but mortals) human beings (like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed) He has not revealed any Scripture or sent any messenger. (Ye do but lie) about Allah!

(They answered) the apostles answered: (Our Lord knoweth) testifies (that we are indeed sent unto you,

And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message)) from Allah with a language that you all understand.

((The people of the city) said) to the apostles: (We augur ill of you) you are of ill omen. (If ye desist not) from what you say, (we shall surely stone you) we shall kill you, (and grievous torture will befall you) you will be slain (at our hands.

They said) the apostles said: (Your evil augury) your toughness and ill omen (be with you) from Allah due to your own deeds! (Is it because ye are reminded (of the Truth)) do you find us of ill omen just because we reminded you of Allah and warned you by Him? (Nay, but you are froward folk) you are folk who associate partners with Allah?

(And there came from the uttermost part of the city) there came from the centre of the city (a man) his name was Habib the carpenter (running) when he heard about the emissaries. (He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent) by accepting faith in Allah!

(Follow those who ask of you no fee) or reward for believing in Allah, (and who are rightly guided) and who guide to belief in Allah's divine Oneness. They said to him: you have absolved yourself from us and from the religion of our forefathers and embraced the religion of our enemy.

And he said to them in reply: (For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back) after you die?

(Shall I take) shall I worship ((other) gods in place of Him) idols because of your command (when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm) any severe punishment, (their intercession will avail me naught) they have no intercession when it comes to Allah's chastisement, (nor can they save) nor can the idols save me from Allah's chastisement?

(Then truly I should be in error manifest) if I worship anything besides Allah.

(Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me) so obey me regarding faith; it is also said that he said this to the apostles: 'I believe in your Lord, so be witnesses that I am the slave of Allah'. He was then taken away and killed, crucified and trodden upon until his entrails burst forth from his rectum.

(It was said (unto him): Enter Paradise) Paradise was decreed for him; it is also said: it was said to his spirit: enter Paradise. (He said) his spirit said after entering Paradise: (Would that my people knew) and believed

(With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me) through believing in Allah's divine Oneness (and made me of the honoured ones) in Paradise, through the reward He bestowed upon me because of the testification of �there is no deity except Allah!�

(We sent not down) as destruction (against his people after him) after they killed him (a host from heaven) angels from heaven, (nor do We ever send) down to them angels; it is also said that this means: We did not send to them messengers after they killed him.

(It was but one Shout) from Gabriel; Gabriel took hold of the sides of the door and cried one single cry, (and lo! they were extinct) they were dead without any motion in them.

(Ah, the anguish) regret and remorse (for the bondmen) on the Day of Judgement because they did not believe! (Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him!) they used to mock the messengers, kill them and throw them in a well.

(Have they not seen) have the disbelievers of Mecca not been informed (how many generations) past nations (We destroyed before them, which indeed return not unto them) that is until the Day of Judgement;

(But all, without exception) He says: all these nations, (will be brought before Us) for reckoning.

(A token) a sign and admonition (unto them) unto the people of Mecca (is the dead earth) the earth which has no vegetation. (We revive it) by means of the rain, (and We bring forth from it grain) all types of grain (so that they eat thereof;

And We have placed therein) in the earth (gardens of the date-palm and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein) i.e. rivers therein.

(That they may eat of the fruit thereof) of the fruit of the palm-tree, (and their hand made it not) their hands did not make it grow; it is also said that this means: their hands did not plant it. (Will they not, then, give thanks) to the One Who did it and hence believe in Him?

(Glory be to Him) Allah exonerates Himself (Who created all the sexual pairs) of all kinds, (of that which the earth groweth) the sweet, the sour and other things, (and of themselves) the male and female, (and of that which they know not) of other different kinds in the land and sea!

(A token) a lesson and sign (unto them) to the people of Mecca (is night) the dark night. (We strip it) We clear it (of the day, and lo! they are in darkness) at night.

(And the sun runneth on unto a resting place for him) to the sun's mansion; it is also said that this means: it runs in the day and at night without any resting place. (That is the measuring of the Mighty) that is the providence of the Mighty in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Wise) He knows His creation and their providence.

(And for the moon We have appointed mansions) like the mansions of the sun: it increases and decreases (till she return like an old shrivelled palm leaf.

It is not for the sun to overtake the moon) it is not proper for the sun to rise where the moon appears such that it takes away its light, (nor doth the night outstrip the day) nor does the night come at the time of the day such that it eclipses its brightness. (They) the sun, the moon and the planets (float each in an orbit) revolve and turn round an orbit.

(And a token unto them) and a lesson and sign to the people of Mecca (is that We bear their offspring) in the loins of their fathers when the fathers bore their offspring (in the laden ship) the ship of Noah,

(And have created for them of the like thereof) the like of the ship of Noah (whereon they ride) of boats and camels.

(And if We will, We drown them) in the sea, (and there is no help for them) from drowning, (neither can they be saved) from drowning;

Unless by mercy from Us) unless by a blessing from Us that will save them from drowning (and as comfort for a while) until the time of their death and destruction.

(When it is said unto them) when the Prophet (pbuh) said to the people of Mecca: (Beware of that which is before you) of the matter of the Hereafter; you should believe in and strive for it (and that which is behind you) of the matter of this worldly life, such that you do not become deluded by it and by its splendour, (that haply ye may find mercy) in the Hereafter and do not get tormented.

(Never came a token) a sign (of the tokens) of the signs (of their Lord to them) to the disbelievers of Mecca, such as the splitting of the moon, the eclipse of the sun, Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (but they did turn away from it) except that they disbelieved in it!

(And when it is said unto them) to the people of Mecca; the poor among the believers said to them: (Spend) on the poor (of that wherewith Allah hath provided you. Those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (say unto those who believe) the poor believers: (Shall we feed) shall we spend on (those whom Allah, if He willed, would feed) would provide for? (Ye are) O group of believers; it is also said that the believers said to them: you are (in naught else than error manifest) it is also said that this verse was revealed about the atheists of Quraysh.

(And they say) and the disbelievers of Mecca say: (When will this promise) which you promise us, O Muhammad, (be fulfilled, if ye are truthful) that we will be resurrected after death?

(They await) if they disbelieve in you, your folk await as punishment nothing (but one Shout) which is the first blow of the Trumpet, (which will surprise them while they are disputing) in the marketplace.

(Then they cannot make bequest) it is also said that this means: they cannot speak, (nor can they return to their own folk) from the marketplace; it is also said that this means: nor can they answer back their families.

(And the trumpet is blown) this is the blowing of the resurrection (and lo! from the graves they hie unto their Lord) they emerge from their graves and proceed towards their Lord,

(Crying) i.e. the disbelievers after they come out of their graves: (Woe upon us! Who hath raised us) who has awakened us (from our place of sleep?) And then some will say to others: (This is that which the Beneficent did promise) in the life of the world; it is also said that it is the angels, the guardian angels, who say: this is that which the Beneficent did promise on the tongue of the messengers in the life of the world, (and the messengers spoke truth) concerning resurrection after death,

(It is but one Shout) it is but one blow which is the blowing of the Resurrection, (and behold them brought together before Us) for reckoning!

(This day) which is the Day of Judgement (no soul is wronged in aught) none will have his good deeds decreased or evil works increased; (nor are you requited) in the Hereafter (aught save what ye used to do) and say in the life of this world.

(Lo! those who merit Paradise) the inhabitants of Paradise (this day) which is the Day of Judgement (are happily employed) are in comfort, preoccupied from the plight of the inhabitants of the Fire,

(They and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining;

Theirs the fruit) different kinds of fruit (and theirs (all) that they ask) and desire;

(The word from a Merciful Lord (for them) is: Peace) they are greeted with the greeting of peace!

(But avaunt ye) Allah will say to them: disperse today, (O ye guilty, this day) O you who ascribed partners to Me! Thus He distinguished them from the believers.

He will also say to them: (Did I not charge you) did I not present to you, in the Scripture brought by the Messenger, (O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil) that you should not obey the devil. (Lo! he is your open foe) whose enmity is quite manifest!

(But that ye worship Me) but that you should believe in My divine Oneness? (That) the profession of Allah's divine Oneness (was the right path) a straight, true religion.

(Yet he) the devil (hath led astray of you) O children of Adam (a great multitude) of people before you. (Had ye then no sense) did you not know what he did to them, and hence avoid following their path?

(This is hell which you were promised) in the life of the world.

(Burn therein this day for that you disbelieved) in it and also because of your denial of the Scriptures and the messengers.

(This day) which is the Day of Judgement (We seal up mouths) We prevent them from talking because of their denial, (and hands speak out) revealing what they had struck (and feet bear witness) testify about where they went and their limbs testify (as to what they used to earn) of evil.

(And had We willed, We verily could have quenched their eyesight) verily, We would have quenched the eyes of their error (so that they should struggle for the way) so that they would see the way. (Then how could they have seen) how could they see the way when their error has not been removed?

(And had We willed, We verily could have fixed them in their place) We could have turned them into apes and swine in their own homes, (making them powerless to go forward) making them unable to come and go (or turn back) to their initial state.

(He whom We bring unto old age, We reverse him in creation (making him go back to weakness after strength)) until he becomes like a little child, possessing no teeth or power, he urinates and defecates on himself like a young child. (Have ye then no sense) do you then not believe in this?

(And we have not taught him) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (poetry, nor is it meet for him) poetry is not appropriate for him. (This is) i.e. the Qur'an (naught else than a Reminder) an admonition (and a Lecture making plain) the lawful and unlawful, the commands and prohibitions,

(To warn) so that Muhammad (pbuh) warns by means of the Qur'an (whosoever liveth) whoever has an intellect, (and that the word) enjoining wrath and punishment (may be fulfilled against the disbelievers) of Mecca such that they do not believe in Muhammad (pbuh) or in the Qur'an.

(Have they not seen) have they not been informed (how We have created for them) for the people of Mecca (of Our handiwork) by means of Our power (the cattle, so that they are their owners) and controllers,

(And have subdued them unto them) and made the cattle subservient to them, (so that some of them they have for riding, some for food) their meat is food for them?

(Benefits) carrying their loads and trading through them (and (divers) drinks) from their milk (have they) i.e. the people of Mecca (from them) from the cattle. (Will they not then give thanks) to He Who did this for them and, thus, believe in Him?

(And they have) and the disbelievers of Mecca worshipped ((other) gods) idols (beside Allah, in order that they may be helped) so that they may save them from Allah's punishment.

(It is not in their power to help them) the idols are unable to save them from Allah's chastisement; (but they) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (are unto them) in falsehood (a host in arms) like slaves standing before the idols.

(So let not their speech) their denial (grieve thee) O Muhammad. (Lo! We know what they conceal) of plotting and treachery (and proclaim) of enmity.

(Hath not man seen) does not Ubayy Ibn Khalaf know (that We have created him from a drop of seed) of a weak and stinking sperm drop? (Yet lo! he is an open opponent) he openly argues in falsehood.

(And he hath coined for Us a similitude) he gave Us a similitude regarding bones, (and hath forgotten the fact of his creation) he left out the mention of his initial creation, (saying: Who will revive these bones when they have rotted away) who will revive these bones when they become dust?

(Say) to him, O Muhammad: (He will revive them Who produced them) Who created them (at the first) from a sperm drop, (for He is Knower of every creation) He is Knower of the creation of everything,

(Who hath appointed for you fire) other than the Fire of punishment (from the green tree, and behold! Ye) O people of Mecca (kindle from it) you derive from the green tree fire.

(Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create) to revive (the like of them? Aye that He is!) He is Able to do so, (for He is the All-Wise Creator) Who will resurrect the dead,

(But His command) regarding the resurrection, (when He intends a thing) when He wishes the resurrection to take place, (is only that he says unto it: Be! and it is) and the coming of the Hour happens.

(Therefore glory be to Him) Allah glorified Himself (in Whose hand is the dominion over all things) the stores of all things and the creating of all things! (Unto Him you will be brought back) after death and He will requite you each according to his works'.