Az-Zumar

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying: (The revelation of the Scripture): '(The revelation of the Scripture is) He says: this Scripture is an address (from Allah, the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Wise) in His command and decree; He commanded that none should be worshipped except Him.

(Lo! We have revealed the Scripture unto thee (Muhammad)) We have sent Gabriel to you with the Scripture (with truth) not with falsehood; (so worship Allah, making religion pure for Him (only)) making worship and the profession of Allah's divine Oneness sincere to Him.

(Surely Pure religion is) sincerity in religion is enjoined upon people (for Allah only. And those who choose) and those who worship (protecting friends) deities: al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat (beside Him) beside Allah, i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca ((say): We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah) near to Allah in rank and intercession. (Lo! Allah will judge between them) and the believers on the Day of Judgement (concerning that wherein) in the matter of religion (they differ) they contravene. (Lo! Allah guideth not) to his religion (him who is a liar) about Allah, (an ingrate) and disbelieves in Allah; the reference here is to the Jews, Christians, the Banu Malih, the Magians and the Arab idolaters.

(If Allah had willed to choose a son) from among the angels or human beings as claimed the Jews, Christians and the Banu Malih, (He could have chosen what he would of that which He hath created) in Paradise; and it is said: from among the angels. (Be He glorified!) Allah exonerated Himself. (He is Allah, the One) He has no son or partner, (the Absolute) the All-Conquering over His creation.

(He hath created the heavens and the earth with truth) not in vain. (He maketh night to succeed day) He reduces the night such that the day is longer than the night, (and He maketh day to succeed night) and prolongs the night such that the night is longer than the day, (and He constraineth the sun and the moon to give service) and He makes the sun and moon subservient to the Children of Adam, (each) i.e. the sun and the moon, the day and night (running on for an appointed term) for an appointed time. (Is not He the Mighty) He Who does this is the Mighty in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Forgiver) of those who believe in Him?

(He created you from one being) from the being of Adam alone, (then from that (being)) i.e. from Adam (He made its mate) Eve, He created her from one of Adam's shorter ribs; (and He hath provided for you of cattle eight kinds) of sheep: a male and a female; of goat: a male and a female; of camel: a male and a female; of bovines: a male and a female. (He created you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation) a state after another: a sperm drop then a blood clot then a piece of flesh and then bones, (in a threefold gloom) the darkness of the belly, the darkness of the womb and the darkness of the placenta. (Such is Allah, your Lord) Who does this. (His is the Sovereignty) which is perpetual and never ending. (There is no God save Him) there is no Creator or Fashioner except Him. (How then are ye turned away) How then do you lie against Him and ascribe partners to Him?

(If ye are thankless) if you disbelieve in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, O people of Mecca, (yet Allah is Independent of you) Allah is not in need of your faith, (though He is not pleased with thanklessness for His bondmen) though He is not pleased with disbelief in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, because disbelief is not His religion; (and if ye are thankful) if you believe (He is pleased therewith for you) He will accept it from you because that is His religion. (No laden soul will bear another's load) no soul will bear the sins of another; it is also said that this means: no soul will be taken to task for the sins of another soul, for each soul will be taken to task for its own sins; and it is also said that this means: no soul will be punished for no crime. (Then unto your Lord is your return) after death; (and He will tell you) on the Day of Judgement (what ye used to do) and say in the life of this world. (Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men)) of good and evil.

(And when some hurt) hardship and trial (toucheth man) the disbelieving man, i.e. Abu Jahl and his host, (he crieth unto his Lord) to lift away the hardship and trial, (turning unto Him) with prayers. (Then, when He grants him) then, when He changes into (a boon from Him he forgeteth that for which he cried unto Him before) before the blessing, (and setteth up rivals) and equals (to Allah that he may beguile (men) from His way) from His religion and obedience. (Say) to Abu Jahl: (Take pleasure in thy disbelief) dwell in your disbelief (a while) a little in the life of this world. (Lo! thou art of the owners of the Fire) you are of the inhabitants of the Fire.

(Is he who payeth adoration) is he who obeys Allah, i.e. the Prophet (pbuh) (in the watches of the night) in the hours of the night, (prostrate and standing) in prayer, (bewaring of the Hereafter) fearing the torment of the Hereafter (and hoping for the mercy of his Lord) and hoping for the Garden of his Lord, to be counted equal to Abu Jahl and his host? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Are those who know) Allah's divine Oneness and Allah's commands and prohibitions, i.e. Abu Bakr and his fellow believers (equal) in reward and acts of obedience (with those who know not) Allah's divine Oneness or Allah's commands and prohibitions, i.e. Abu Jahl and his host? (But only men of understanding) only those possessed of intellect among people (will pay heed) will take admonition from the similitudes of the Qur'an.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (O My bondmen who believe): Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, 'Umar al-Faruq, 'Uthman Dhu'l-Nurayn, 'Ali al-Murtada and their fellow believers! (Observe your duty to your Lord) obey your Lord in small and great things. (For those who do good) for those who believe in Allah's divine Oneness (in this world there is good) they will have the Garden on the Day of Judgement, (and Allah's earth) the land of Medina (is spacious) is safe from the enemy, so travel to it; this address was before the Hijrah. (Verily the steadfast) in the face of misfortunes (will be paid their wages) their rewards (without stint) without measure or delay.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca-this is when they said to him: revert to the religion of our forefathers-: (Lo! I am commanded) in the Qur'an (to worship Allah, making religion pure for Him (only)) and make my worship of Allah and faith in Allah's divine Oneness sincere to Him.

(And I am commanded) in the Qur'an (to be the first of those who surrender (unto Him)) the first of those who accept Islam.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Lo! if I should disobey my Lord) if I revert to your religion, (I fear) I know I will face (the doom of a tremendous Day) a severe and variegated chastisement.

(Say: Allah I worship, making my religion pure for Him (only)) making my worship and faith in Allah's divine Oneness sincere to Him.

(Then worship what ye will beside Him) this is a threat and rebuke to them before the Prophet (pbuh) was commanded to fight them. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (The losers will be those who lose themselves) by missing both the life of this world and the Hereafter (and their housefolk) and servants and houses in the Garden (on the Day of Resurrection. Ah, that will be the manifest loss) losing the life of this world and the Hereafter is the manifest loss!

(They have) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (an awning) canopies (of fire above them and beneath them a dais (of fire). With this doth Allah appal His bondmen) in the Qur'an. (O My bondmen) He means Abu Bakr and his fellow believers, (therefore fear Me) therefore obey Me in that which I have commanded you!

(And those who put away false gods lest they should worship them) and those who shun the worship of the devil and idols (and turn to Allah in repentance) with faith and all other kinds of acts of obedience, (for them there are glad tidings) of the Garden at the moment of their death and also they will have glad tidings of the honour that Allah will bestow upon them at the gate of Paradise. (Therefore give good tidings (O Muhammad) to my bondmen

Who hear advice) words (and follow the best thereof) and follow the wisest and clearest of these words, in that they desire it and act upon it. (Such are those whom Allah guideth) to veracity and right way; it is also said that this means: to the best of things, (and such are men of understanding) such are those possessed of intellect among people, i.e. Abu Bakr and his fellow believers and whoever follows them in the practice of the Sunnah and adherence to the community of believers.

(Is he on whom the word of doom is fulfilled) is the one upon whom the doom is decreed, i.e. Abu Jahl and his host, (and canst thou (O Muhammad) rescue him who is in the Fire) he upon whom the Fire is decreed?

(But those who keep their duty to their Lord) those who believe in Allah's divine Oneness, i.e. Abu Bakr and his believing brothers, (for them are lofty halls) they have canopies (with lofty hails above them) raised above them, (built (for them), beneath which) beneath its houses and trees (rivers) of wine, water, honey and milk (flow. (It is) a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise) to the believers.

(Hast thou not seen) have you not been informed, O Muhammad, in the Qur'an (how Allah hath sent down water) rain (from the sky and hath caused it to penetrate the earth as water springs) producing thereof rivers in the earth, (and afterward thereby produceth) through rain (crops of diverse hues; and afterward they wither) they change (and thou seest them turn yellow) after being green in colour; (then He maketh them chaff) dry chaff; such is the life of this world, it vanishes and never lasts. (Lo! Herein) in that which I mentioned concerning the vanishing of the life of this world (verily is a reminder) an admonition (for men of understanding) for those possessed of intellect among people.

(Is he whose bosom Allah hath expanded) and whose heart Allah made soft (for the Surrender (unto Him)) by means of the light of Islam, (so that he followeth a light from His Lord) so that he is honoured by his Lord and follows the exposition which came from his Lord-the reference here is to 'Ammar Ibn Yasir-as he whose heart is expanded for disbelief, i.e. Abu Jahl? (Then woe) then severe punishment; it is also said: then a valley of puss and blood in Gehenna (unto those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah) unto those whose hearts are not softened by the remembrance of Allah; the reference here is to Abu Jahl and his host. (Such) those who have such traits (are in plain error) in manifest disbelief.

(Allah hath (now) revealed the fairest of statements) the best speech, i.e. the Qur'an, (a Scripture consistent) the verses of promise, mercy, victory and forgiveness are consistent with each others, and the verses of threat, chastisement, rebuke and warning are consistent with each other, wherein the mention of mercy and chastisement, promises and threats, the abrogating and abrogated, etc., are (paired), it is also said that this means: they are repeated, (whereat) from the verses of chastisement and threats (doth creep the flesh of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh) soften through the verses of mercy (and their hearts soften) and their hearts return (to Allah's reminder) i.e. the Qur'an. (Such) i.e. the Qur'an (is Allah's guidance) is the clarification of Allah, (wherewith He guideth whom He will) to His religion. (And him whom Allah sendeth astray) from His religion, (for him there is no guide) to lead him to Allah's religion.

(Is he then, who will strike his face against the awful doom) the severe torment (upon the Day of Resurrection) the reference here is to Abu Jahl and his host; his hands will be tied to his neck with iron chains, this is why he covers his face ((as he who doeth right)? And it will be said unto the wrong-doers) the disbelievers: Abu Jahl and his host; the angels of the Fire say to them: (Taste) the doom of (what ye used to earn) of what you used to do and say of transgressions in the life of this world.

(Those before them) those before your people, O Muhammad, such as the people of Hud, Salih and Shu'ayb as well as others (denied, and so the doom came on them whence they knew not) it was coming.

(Thus Allah made them taste humiliation in the life of the world) He made them taste the chastisement of the life of this world, (and verily the doom of the Hereafter will be greater) than the chastisement they incurred in the life of this world (if they did but know) but they do not know.

(And verily We have coined for mankind) We exposited for people (in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes, that haply they may reflect) that haply they may take heed;

(A Lecture in Arabic) a Qur'an in the Arabic usage, (containing no crookedness) not contradicting the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms or any other divinely inspired Scripture in terms of the affirmation of Allah's divine Oneness, some legal rulings and punishments; it is also said that (containing no crookedness) means: it is uncreated-this is the opinion of al-Suddi-, (that haply they may ward off (evil)) by means of the Qur'an that which Allah has prohibited them.

(Allah coineth a similitude: A man in relation to whom are several part owners, quarrelling) one ordering him to do something while the other forbidding him from doing the same; such is the similitude of a man who worships several deities, (and a man belonging wholly to one man) this is like the believer who worships only Allah and surrenders his religion and works to Allah alone. (Are the two equal in similitude) are the disbeliever and believer equal? (Praise be to Allah) divine Oneness and praise belong to Allah! (But most of them know not) the similitudes of the Qur'an.

(Lo! thou) O Muhammad (wilt die, and lo! They) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (will die;

Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection, before your Lord ye will dispute) i.e. the Prophet (pbuh) and the chieftains of the disbelievers will present their proof against each other.

(And who doth greater wrong) in his state of disbelief (than he who telleth a lie against Allah) than the one who rejects the Qur'an and claims that Allah has a son or partner; the reference here is to Abu Jahl and his host, (and denieth the Truth) the Qur'an and belief in Allah's divine Oneness (when it reacheth him) when Muhammad brought it to him? (Will not the home) and abode (of disbelievers) Abu Jahl and his host (be in hell?

And whoso bringeth the Truth) the Qur'an and the profession of Allah's divine Oneness, i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (and believeth therein) and those who believe in him, i.e. Abu Bakr and his fellow believers. (Such are the dutiful) such are those who ward off disbelief, idolatry and indecent acts.

(They shall have what they will) what they desire (of their Lord's bounty) in Paradise. (That) honour (is the reward of the good) of the ones who believes in Allah's divine Oneness:

(That Allah will remit from them the worst of what they did) the vilest of their works, (and will pay them for reward the best they used to do) of good.

(Will not Allah defend His slave) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh); it is also said it is Khalid Ibn al-Walid; i.e. Allah will defend him from that which they plot against him? (Yet they would frighten thee) O Muhammad (with those beside Him) i.e. with al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat; they say to you: do not vilify them or curse them lets they bewitch you. (He whom Allah sendeth astray) from His religion, (for him there is no guide) to lead him to Allah's religion; the reference here is to Abu Jahl and his host.

(And he whom Allah guideth) to His religion, (for him there can be no misleader) from His religion; the reference here is to Abu Bakr and his fellow believers; it is also said that the reference is to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). (Is not Allah Mighty) in His sovereignty and dominion, (Able to Requite) Able to take revenge on those who disbelieve in Him?

(And verily, if thou shouldst ask them) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca: (Who created the heavens and the earth? They) the disbelievers of Mecca (will say: Allah) created them. (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Bethink you then of those ye worship beside Allah) al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat, (if Allah willed some hurt) hardship or trial (for me, could they) i.e. al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat (remove from me His hurt) His hardship and trial; (or if He willed some mercy) well-being (for me, could they) i.e. al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat (restrain His mercy) from me, such that you ask me to worship them? (Say) O Muhammad: (Allah is my all) I trust in Allah. (In Him do (all) the trusting put their trust) it is also said that this means: the believers should put their trust in Allah.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (O my people! Act in your manner) act according to your religion and plot in your home for my destruction. (I too am acting) to destroy you. (Thus ye will come to know) this is a threat to them from Allah

(Who it is unto whom cometh a doom that will abase him) that will humiliate and destroy him, (and on whom there falleth everlasting doom) and upon whom an eternal chastisement is decreed.

(Lo! We have revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture) We have sent you Gabriel with the Scripture (for mankind with truth) He says: in order to explain the Truth and falsehood to people. (Then whosoever goeth right) by means of the Qur'an and believes in it (it is for his soul) the reward of it, (and whosoever strayeth) and whoever disbelieves in the Qur'an, (strayeth only to its hurt) the punishment of his denial will be inflicted on his soul. (And thou art not a warder) a custodian (over them) over the disbelievers of Mecca such that you are taken to task for their denial.

(Allah receiveth (men's) souls) Allah takes to Himself the souls of people (at the time of their death) their sleep, (and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death and dismisseth the rest till an appointed term. Lo herein) in keeping and releasing souls (verily are portents) signs and admonitions (for people who take thought) for people who reflect on this.

(Or choose they) or do the disbelievers of Mecca worship (intercessors) deities in order that the latter intercede for them (other than Allah? Say) to them, O Muhammad: (What! Even though they have power over nothing) what! Even though they have no power of intercession (and have no intelligence) nor know what intercession is? And if they do not know what intercession is, how are they going to intercede?

(Say: Unto Allah belongeth all intercession) intercession is in the Hands of Allah on the Day of Judgement. (His is the Sovereignty) the stores (of the heavens) rain (and the earth) vegetation. (And afterward unto Him ye will be brought back) in the Hereafter and will reward each according to his works.

(And when Allah alone is mentioned) when it is said to them say: there is no deity except Allah, (the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter) in resurrection after death (are repelled, and when those (whom they worship) beside Him) i.e. al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat (are mentioned, behold! they are glad) for the mention of their deities.

(Say: O Allah) lead us to that which is good! (Creator of the heavens and the earth) O Creator of the heavens and the earth! (Knower of the invisible and the visible) O Knower of the invisible, i.e. what is hidden from the servants, and the visible, i.e. that which the servants know! (Thou wilt judge between Thy slaves) on the Day of Judgement (concerning that wherein they used to differ) concerning that which they used to contravene.

(And though those who do wrong) the idolaters (possess all that is in the earth, and therewith as much again) double of that, (they verily will seek to ransom themselves therewith on the Day of Resurrection from the awful doom) from the severe chastisement; (and there will appear unto them, from their Lord) from their Lord's chastisement, (that wherewith they never reckoned) that which they never thought.

(And the evils that they earned) their evil works (will appear unto them, and that whereat they used to scoff) the prophets and Scriptures that they used to mock; and it is said the torment that they used to scoff (will surround them) i.e. the torment will visit them.

(Now when hurt) hardship (toucheth a man) the disbelieving man (he crieth unto Us) to remove the hardship from him, (and afterward when We have granted him) then when We have substituted it for him into (a boon from Us, he saith: Only by force of knowledge I obtained it) I obtained this wealth only because Allah knows I am righteous and good. (Nay, but it is a test) it is a trial and plot against them. (But most of them) all of them (know not) this.

(Those before them) before your people, O Muhammad, such as Korah and others (said it) claimed this claim, (yet (all) that they had earned availed them not) what they used to do and say as well as what they used to worship beside Allah and amass of wealth did not benefit them in driving away Allah's punishment;

(But the evils that they earned) the chastisement for what they said, did and amassed of wealth in the life of the world (smote them; and such of these) among the disbelievers of Mecca (as do wrong) ascribe partners to Allah, (the evils that they earn will smite them) the punishment for what they did will touch them, just as it touched those before them; (they cannot escape) Allah's torment.

(Know they not) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (that Allah enlargeth providence for whom He will) that Allah expands wealth to whomever He will as a lure to perdition, (and straiteneth it (for whom He will)) out of care for them. (Lo! Herein) in expanding and straitening provision (verily are portents) signs and admonitions (for people who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an.

(Say: My slaves who have been prodigal to their own hurt) through disbelief, idolatry, adultery and murder! (Despair not of the mercy of Allah) despair not of Allah's forgiveness, (Who forgiveth all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving) He forgives those who repent of disbelief and believe in Allah, (the Merciful) towards those who die repentant.

(Turn unto Him repentant) from disbelief, (and surrender unto Him) and believe in Him and obey Him, (before there come unto you the doom, when ye cannot be helped) you will not be spared from Allah's torment. This verse was revealed about Wahshiyy and his believing brothers.

Then Allah said: (And follow the better (guidance) of that which is revealed unto you from your Lord) i.e. the Qur'an; make lawful that which it states to be lawful and unlawful that which it states to be unlawful, and act upon its clear verses and believe in its unclear verses, (before the doom cometh on you suddenly when ye know not) its coming,

(Lest any soul should say) so that no soul should say: (Alas, my grief) I am remorseful (that I was unmindful of Allah) that I have left the obedience of Allah, (and I was indeed among the scoffers) and I was indeed among those who mocked the Scripture and Messenger!

(Or should say) and that it will not say: (if Allah had but guided me) if Allah had showed me faith (I should have been among the dutiful) I would have been among those who believe in Allah's divine Oneness!

(Or should say) and so that it will not say, (when it seeth the doom: Oh, that I had but a second chance) to return to the life of this world (that I might be among the righteous) among those who believe in Allah's divine Oneness!

Allah will say to them: (Nay, for My revelations) My Scripture and Messenger (came unto thee, but thou didst deny them) you denied the Scripture and Messenger (and were scornful) you were too proud to believe (and were among the disbelievers) you were with the disbelievers, following their religion.

(And on the Day of Resurrection thou (Muhammad) seest those who lied concerning Allah) regarding 'Uzayr, Jesus and the angels, when they claimed that the angels were Allah's daughters while 'Uzayr and Jesus were his sons (with their faces blackened) and their eyes turned blue. (Is not the home of the scorners in hell) Hell is the abode of the disbelievers?

(And Allah delivereth those who ward off (evil)) those who believe and obey their Lord (because of their deserts) because of their faith and good deeds. (Evil toucheth them not) hardship and torment do not touch them, (nor do they grieve) when others grieve.

(Allah is Creator of all things) all things come from Allah, (and He is Guardian over all things) He is responsible for the provision of all creatures; it is also said that this means: He is a Witness over all things relating to their works.

(His are the keys) the stores (of the heavens) rain (and the earth) vegetation, (and they who disbelieve the revelations of Allah) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (such are they who are the losers) in the Hereafter, for they will be punished.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca when they said: revert to the religion of your forefathers: (Do ye bid me serve) do you bid me to follow (other than Allah) other than Allah's religion? (O ye fools) O you miscreants!

(And verily it hath been revealed unto thee) in the Qur'an (as unto those before you) among the messengers ((saying): If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail) in that state of idolatry (and thou indeed will be among the losers) in that you will be punished.

(Nay, but Allah must thou serve) you must believe in Allah's divine Oneness, (and be among the thankful) for what Allah has bestowed upon you of prophethood, Scripture and Islam!

(And they esteem not Allah as He hath the right to be esteemed) they do not magnify Allah as He should be magnified when they say: �Allah's Hands are tight�, �Allah is poor and is requesting a loan from us�, the latter being what the Jew Malik Ibn al-Sayf, may Allah forsake him, said, (when the whole earth is His handful) when the whole earth is in His possession (on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens are rolled in His right hand) and the heavens are rolled by His power on the Day of Resurrection. Knowing that both Hands of Allah, Exalted is He, are right. (Glorified is He) Allah exonerated Himself from the claim of the Jews (and High Exalted) He is free and far elevated (from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)) of partners.

(And the trumpet is blown) this is the blowing of death, (and all who are in the heavens and the earth swoon away) die, (save him whom Allah willeth) except those who are in Paradise or hell; it is also said this means: except Gabriel, Michael, Seraphiel and the angel of death who will not die upon the first blowing of the Trumpet but will die later. (Then it is blown a second time) which is the blowing of the Resurrection. This will happen 40 years after the first blow of the Trumpet and then the sky will rain something like men's sperm drops, (and behold them standing) from the grave (waiting) for what they will be told!