Sad

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said upon the interpretation of Allah's saying (Sad.): '(Sad.) He says: Sad by the Qur'an, i.e. repeat the Qur'an until you distinguish between faith and disbelief, the prophetic wont and blameworthy innovation, truthfulness and lying, the lawful and the unlawful, good and evil; it is also said that Sad stands for barring (sadd) from the guidance, i.e. the barring of the people of Mecca from the Truth and guidance; it is also said that it stands for Abu Jahl; and it is also said that it stands for truthful (sadiq) in his speech; and it is also said that Sad is one of Allah's names; and it is also said that it is an oath by which Allah swore (By the renowned Qur'an) by the Qur'an which possesses honour and clarity of exposition; it is an honour to those who believe in it and it is a clear exposition of the people of old as well as of future generations of people. Allah swore by the Qur'an,

(Nay, but those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (are in false pride and schism) dispute and enmity, and it is for this that Allah swore.

(How many a generation) past generation (We destroyed before them) before the Quraysh, (and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!) the angels cried out to them upon their destruction: this is no context for attacking or fleeing; stop! And they stopped until Allah destroyed all of them. This is because before this, upon fighting an enemy, they used to say: attack all together! (Manas! Manas!). Some would therefore survive and others die. But when they were defeated by the enemy they used to cry: flee! Flee! (Manasa! Manasa!), and so they used to flee all together from the battlefield. These were two different signs whenever they engaged in fighting either to attack or to flee from the enemy. When Allah wished to destroy them, the angels cried out to them: this is no context for attacking or fleeing.

(And they) i.e. the Quraysh (marvel that a warner) a warning messenger (from among themselves) from their own lineage (hath come unto them, and the disbelievers) the disbelievers of Mecca (say: This) meaning Muhammad (pbuh) (is a wizard) who sows dispute between people, (a charlatan) who lies about Allah.

(Maketh he the gods One God) could one God be sufficient to fulfil all our needs, as Muhammad claims? (Lo! That) which Muhammad (s)ays (is an astounding thing) is a bizarre thing.

(The chiefs among them) among the Quraysh: 'Utbah and Shaybah the sons of Rabi'ah, Ubayy Ibn Khalaf al-Jumahi and Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham (go about, exhorting) Abu Jahl said to them: (Go) to your deities (and be staunch to your gods) and persevere in the worship of your deities! (Lo! This) meaning Muhammad (pbuh) (is a thing designed) to perish; it is also said that this means: that which Muhammad is saying is designed to spread to all people of the earth.

(We have not heard of this) which Muhammad (s)ays (in later religion) in Judaism and Christianity; they mean to say: we did not hear from the Jews or Christian that God is One. (This) which Muhammad (s)ays (is naught but an invention) which Muhammad has invented.

(Hath the reminder been revealed unto him (alone) among us) has he been selected from among us to have prophethood and the Scripture? (Nay, but they) the disbelievers of Mecca (are in doubt concerning My reminder) concerning My Scripture and the prophethood of My Prophet; (nay but they have not yet tasted My doom) they have not tasted My chastisement, this is why they lie about Me.

(Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower) He says: or do they have in their hands prophethood and the Scriptures such that they bestow them upon whomever they wish, when He is the Mighty in retribution against whoever does not believe in Him, the Bestower Who has bestowed prophethood and the Scripture upon Muhammad (pbuh)?

(Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs?) Or do they have power over the heavens and the earth and over all created beings and marvels that are between the heavens and the earth? (Then let them ascend by ropes) to the gates of heavens! And if they have that power, then let them see whether or not He bestowed upon him prophethood and the Scripture.

(A defeated) and slain (host are (all) the factions) of disbelievers: the disbelievers of Mecca (that are there) they were defeated and killed on the Day of Badr when they intended to kill the Prophet (pbuh).

(The folk of Noah before them) before your folk, O Muhammad (denied) Noah (and (so did the tribe of) 'Aad) the folk of Hud deny Hud, (and Pharaoh) denied Moses (firmly planted) who had an established kingdom; and it is said that this means: the one who tortured using posts; this is because whenever he got angry against someone he tortured him using four posts,

(And (the tribe of) Thamud) the folk of Salih denied Salih; (and the folk of Lot) denied Lot, (and the dwellers in the wood) the folk of Shu'ayb also denied Shu'ayb: (these were the factions) these were the disbelievers.

(Not one of them but did deny the messengers) He says: all these folks denied the messengers just as the Quraysh deny you, (therefore My doom was justified) therefore My chastisement is enjoined upon them,

(These) i.e. your folk, in case they deny you (wait for but one Shout) which is not followed by a second: this is the blow of the Resurrection, (there will be no second thereto) there will be no respite or return.

(They say) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca said upon hearing Allah's saying (Then, as for him who is given his record in his right hand, he will say: Take, read my book! � But as for him who is given his record in his left hand) [al-Haqqah: 69:19-25], they said: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Hasten on for us our fate) our records, they mean the registers of their deeds (before the Day of Reckoning) so that we know what is in them.

(Bear) O Muhammad (with what they say) in your rejection, (and remember Our bondman David) He says: mention to them the event of Our slave David, (lord of might) who had strength for our worship. (Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (towards Allah)) he was obedient, always engaged in the worship of Allah.

(Lo! We subdued) We made subservient (the hills to hymn) with him (the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise) in the morning and evening,

(And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him) obedient to Him.

(We made his kingdom strong) with guardsmen; his royal chamber was guarded every night by 30,000 men (and gave him wisdom) prophethood (and decisive speech) and judgement; he never stumbled in his speech when he judged between people. In his judgement proof was required from the claimant while an oath was required from the defendant.

(And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee?) Then came to you the story of the opponents of David. (How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;

How they burst in upon David, and he) David (was afraid of them. They) i.e. the two angels who entered in on David (said: Be not afraid (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefore judge aright) justly (between us; be not unjust) do not be partial and transgress not; (and show us the fair way) show us what is right.

(Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes) meaning 99 wives (while I had one ewe) i.e. one wife; (and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech) this is a similitude which they struck for David in order for him to understand what he did to Uriah.

((David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe) in taking your ewe (in addition to his ewes) even though he has many ewes, (and lo! many partners) and brothers (oppress one another) transgress against one another, (save such as believe) in Allah (and do good works) between them and their Lord, (and they are few) those who do not transgress. And the two went out from whence they came. (And David guessed) he knew and was certain (that We had tried him) because of the sin he committed, (and he sought forgiveness of his Lord) from his sin, (and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented) feeling remorse for what he did.

(So We forgave him that) sin; (and lo! he had access to Our presence) he is close in rank (and a happy journey's end) in the Hereafter.

((And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a vicegerent in the earth) We appointed you a prophet king for the Children of Israel; (therefore judge aright between mankind) judge justly between people, (and follow not desire) that as you did regarding Bathseba, the wife of Uriah, who was also David's cousin (that it beguile thee from the way of Allah) from the obedience of Allah. (Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah) from the obedience of Allah (have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning) because they forsake working for the Day of Reckoning.

(And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them) of created beings and marvels (in vain) for nothing, without ordaining commands and prohibitions. (That is the opinion of those who disbelieve) that is the denial of those who disbelieve in resurrection after death. (And woe) severe chastisement is (unto those who disbelieve) in resurrection after death, (from the Fire) in the Fire!

(Shall We treat those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) and perform acts of obedience between themselves and their Lord; the reference here is to 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Hamzah Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib and 'Ubaydah Ibn al-Harth (as those who spread corruption) as the idolaters (in the earth) i.e. 'Utbah and Shaybah the sons of Rabi'ah, and al-Walid Ibn 'Utbah; (or shall We treat the Pious) who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecent acts, i.e. 'Ali and his two fellow believers (as the wicked) as the disbelievers: 'Utbah and Shaybah the sons of Rabi'ah, and al-Walid Ibn 'Utbah? Each one of these three had, on the Day of Badr, a dual with 'Ali, Hamzah and 'Ubaydah, respectively; 'Ali killed al-Walid Ibn 'Utbah, Hamzah killed 'Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah and 'Ubaydah killed Shaybah.

((This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto you) We have sent with Gabriel to you, (full of blessing) wherein there is forgiveness and mercy for those who believe in it, (that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding) and that those possessed of intellects among people (may reflect) take heed.

(And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (towards Allah)) he is ever betaking himself to Allah and engaged in His obedience.

(When there were shown to him at eventide) after the Zuhr (light footed coursers) pure, Arab horses.

(And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world)) I have preferred the wealth of this world (to the remembrance of my Lord) to the obedience of my Lord; (till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain) until the sun disappeared behind the mountain of Qaf.

((Then he said): Bring them back to me) bring back whatever was shown to me, (and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks) it is also said that he began slashing their necks and legs until the sun disappeared and he missed the 'Asr prayer; this is why he did what he did.

(And verily We tried Solomon) by the loss of his kingdom for 40 days, the number of days in which the idols were worshipped in his house, (and set upon his throne a (mere) body) a devil. (Then did he repent) then did he return to his kingdom and to the obedience of his Lord and repented from his sin.

(He said: My Lord! Forgive me) my sin (and bestow on me sovereignty such shall not belong to any after me) it is also said that this means: that will not be taken from me as the first time. (Lo! Thou art the Bestower) of sovereignty and prophethood to whomever you will.

(So We made the wind subservient unto him) after that, (setting fair) setting gently (by his command) and it is said: by Allah's command (whithersoever he intended) wherever he wished.

(And) also made subservient (the unruly) the devils, (every builder and diver) into the bottom of the sea,

(And others) and other than these (linked together in chains) in iron chains; these are the rebellious devils who were never entrusted with any work except that they rebelled,

((Saying): This is Our gift) this is Our sovereignty, O Solomon. We made you a sovereign over the devils, (so bestow thou) favour whom you will among the rebellious and relieve them from their chains, (or withhold) or keep them chained, (without reckoning) without taking anyone to task or incur a sin as a result.

(And lo! he hath favour) close rank (with Us, and a happy journey's end) and a happy return in the Hereafter.

(And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman) mention to the disbelievers of Mecca the event of Our bondman (Job, when he cried) when he prayed (unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me) I am afflicted because You set Satan on me (with distress) toil and tiredness (and torment) trial and sickness.

Then Gabriel said to him: O Job! (Strike the ground with thy foot) when he did so, a spring gushed out. Gabriel said to him: (This (spring) is a cool bath), take a bath in it. When he took a bath his wounds healed. Gabriel asked him to strike the ground with his foot again and another spring gushed out. Gabriel said: (and a refreshing drink) this is cool, sweet water, drink from it! When he drank, his inside ailment was cured.

(And We bestowed on him (again) his household) which We made to perish (and therewith the like thereof) in the life of this world and it is said in the Hereafter, (a mercy from Us) a blessing from Us to him, (and a memorial) an admonition (for men of understanding) for those possessed of intellect among people.

(And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand) O Job (a branch) of 100 spikes of grain (and smite therewith) and smite with it your wife, Rahmah the daughter of the Prophet Joseph, (and break not thine oath) this is because he vowed before that if Allah were to cure him, he would flog his wife 100 lashes because she said something which did not please Allah. (Lo! We found him steadfast) in trial, (how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord)) he is ever obedient to Allah and betaking himself to Allah's obedience.

(And make mention of our bondmen, Abraham) the friend of the Beneficent, (Isaac and Jacob, men of parts) men of strength in the worship of Allah (and vision) regarding Religion.

(Lo! We purified them with a pure thought) We selected them, (remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter) for the remembrance of Allah and the remembrance of the Hereafter.

(Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent) they are selected in the life of the world for prophethood and Islam and they are excellent in Allah's sight on the Day of Judgement.

(And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha) the cousin of Ilyas (and Dhu'l-Kifl) who appointed himself as a guarantor of a few things which belonged to some people and kept his word; it is also said that he took charge of 100 prophets and he fed them until Allah saved them from death. However, he was a righteous man and not a prophet. (All are of the chosen) in Allah's sight.

(This is a reminder) this is a remembrance of the righteous; it is also said that this means: this Qur'an contains the events of the people of old as well as of future generations. (And lo! for those who ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry and indecent acts (is a happy journey's end) a happy return in the Hereafter,

Allah explained where they will dwell in the Hereafter, saying: (Gardens of Eden) the source of prophets and righteous, (whereof the gates are opened for them) on the Day of Judgement.

(Wherein, reclining) sitting on couches in curtained canopies, enjoying comfort in Paradise, (they call) they ask in Paradise (for plenteous fruit) for different kinds of fruit (and cool drink) and different kinds of drink ((that is) therein) in Paradise.

(And with them are those of modest gaze) wives who are content with their husbands, (companions) who are of the same age.

Allah will say to them: (This it is that ye are promised) you were promised in the life of the world (for the Day of Reckoning) on the Day of Judgement.

(Lo! this in truth is Our provision) this is the food and bliss We have for them, (which will never waste away) which will never cease or be interrupted.

(This) is for the believers. (And lo! for the transgressors) for the disbelievers: Abu Jahl and his host (there will be an evil journey's end) an evil return in the Hereafter,

(Hell, where they will burn) on the Day of Judgement, (an evil resting place) the Fire is an evil abode for them.

(Here is) for the disbelievers (a boiling and an ice cold draught) which burns them just as fire does, (so let them taste it) let them taste the torment of Gehenna,

(And other (torment) of the kind) of burning heat and ice cold draught (in pairs (the two extremes)!) different kinds of torment. Allah will cast them in the Fire one after another, in order of merit, whenever a generation of people enters it, they curse those who entered the Fire before them.

Allah will say to the first generation of people who entered the Fire: (Here is an army) a group of people (rushing blindly with you) into the Fire. Those who entered hell first will say to those who entered it after them: (No word of welcome for them) may Allah not make it spacious for them. (Lo! they will roast at the Fire) they will abide in the Fire.

(They say) those who entered the Fire afterward will say: (Nay, but ye (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome) may Allah not make it spacious for you. (You prepared) you prescribed (this for us) i.e. the religion which we followed you on. (Now hapless is the plight) evil is the abode for both of us.

(They say) the first to enter the Fire and the last say: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Whoever did prepare) whoever prescribed (this) religion; meaning here Satan and all the leaders of error (for us), oh, give him double portion of the Fire) double than what we have!

(And they say: What aileth us that we behold not) in the Fire (men) meaning the poor among the believers (whom we were wont to count among the wicked) whom we counted among the lowly and paupers?

(Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing stock) we made them subservient to us in the life of the world, (or have our eyes missed them) and we did not see them?

(Lo! That) which I have mentioned of the event of the inhabitants of the Fire (is the very truth) is true: (the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire) this is how the dwellers of the Fire argue with each other.

(Say) to the people of Mecca, O Muhammad: (I am only a warner) a warning messenger, (and there is no God save Allah) He has no son or partner, (the One, the Absolute) Superior over His creation,

(Lord of the heavens and the earth) the Creator of the heavens and the earth (and all that is between them) of created beings and marvels, (the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Pardoning) He pardons those who repent and believe in Him.

(Say) O Muhammad: (It) i.e. the Qur'an (is tremendous tidings) it is blessed and exalted and contains the events of the people of old as well as the events of future generations of people.

(Whence you turn away) whence you disbelieve and abandon!

(I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs) i.e. of the angels, if it was not Allah Who sent me (when they disputed) when they spoke and said: (Wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood;

It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner) a warning messenger addressing you in a language that you understand.

Then Allah explained the argument of the angels, saying: mention to them, O Muhammad (When thy Lord said unto the angels: lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire) i.e. Adam,

(And when I have fashioned him) and when I have gathered his creation (and breathed into him of My spirit) and placed in him My spirit, (then fall down before him prostrate) then prostrate before him,

(The angels fell down prostrate, every one) before Adam.

(Saving Iblis, he was scornful) he was too proud to prostrate before Adam (and became one of the disbelievers) because of disobeying Allah's command.

(He said) Allah said to him: (O Iblis!) O wicked one! (What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands) what prevented you from prostrating before that which I have shaped with My hands? (Art thou too proud) to prostrate before Adam (or art thou of the high) or are you of those who disobey My command?

(He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay) and the Fire consumes clay; this is why I did not prostrate before him.

(He said) Allah said to him: (Go forth from hence) leave the angelic form; and it is also said this means: leave the earth, (for lo! thou art outcast) you are accursed and banished from My mercy and beneficence,

(And lo! My curse) My wrath and chastisement; it is also said that Allah banished him to the isles of the sea and, hence, he goes to the land only in the form of a thief, wearing tattered clothes, and scaring people (is on you till the Day of Judgement) until the Day of Reckoning.

(He said) Iblis said: (My Lord!) O my Lord! (Reprieve me) give me a respite (till the day when they are raised) from the graves. The wicked one wanted to escape the taste of death.

(He said) Allah said: (Lo! thou art of those reprieved) you are given a respite

(Until the day of the time appointed) until the first blow of the Trumpet.

(He said: Then, by Thy might) and favour, (I surely will beguile them every one) I will mislead all of them from Your religion and obedience,

(Save Thy single minded slaves) save those slaves who are protected from me (among them) among the children of Adam.

(He said) Allah said to him: (The Truth is) I am the Truth, (and the Truth I speak,