Fussilat

And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Ha. Mim.): '(Ha. Mim.) He says: He has decreed that which will happen, i.e. it will be manifest, and it is also an oath by which He swore.

(A revelation from the Beneficent, the Merciful,

A scripture) He says: this Scripture is a revelation from the Beneficent, the Merciful unto Muhammad (pbuh) (whereof the verses) explaining the commands and prohibitions, the lawful and unlawful (are exposited, a Lecture in Arabic) Allah sent Gabriel with it to Muhammad (pbuh) in the Arabic usage (for people who have knowledge) for people who believe in Muhammad, Allah bless him and give peace, and in the Qur'an.

(Good tidings) of Paradise (and a warning) from hell; it gives good tidings of the Garden to those who believe in the Qur'an and warns from the Fire those who disbelieve in the Qur'an. (But most of them) the disbelievers of Mecca (turn away) from believing in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (so that they hear not) they do not believe in Muhammad (pbuh) or in the Qur'an nor do they obey Allah.

(And they) the disbelievers of Mecca, Abu Jahl and his host (say: Our hearts are protected) our hearts are shielded (from that unto which thou (O Muhammad) callest us) i.e. the Qur'an and the profession of Allah's divine Oneness, (and in our ears there is a deafness) we do not hear what you say to us, (and between us and thee there is a veil) they covered their heads with their clothes and then said: " O Muhammad! There is between us and you a veil and we do not hear what you say " , to mock him. (Act) according to your religion for your own god so that we are destroyed, (then. Lo! we also shall be acting) for our deities, following our religion, in order to destroy you.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (I am only a mortal) a human being (like you. It is inspired in me) Gabriel was sent to me with the Qur'an to convey to you (that your God is One God) He has no son or partner, (therefore take the straight path unto Him) therefore turn to Him with repentance from idolatry (and seek forgiveness of Him) and declare His divine Oneness. (And woe) severe punishment; it is also said this means: a river of puss and blood in Gehenna (unto the idolaters) Abu Jahl and his host,

(Who give not the poor-due) they do not testify that there is no deity except Allah, (and who are disbelievers in) deniers of (the Hereafter) resurrection after death, and Paradise and hell.

(Lo! as for those who believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an (and do good works) and do acts of obedience between them and their Lord, (for them is a reward enduring) and undiminished; it is also said that the reward of their works will be registered after they reach old age or die and will be recorded undiminished until the Day of Judgement.

(Say) O Muhammad: (Disbelieve ye) O people of Mecca (verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days) each day the equivalent of 1,000 days of the days which you count: Sunday, Monday, etc., (and ascribe ye unto Him rivals) from among the idols? (He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds) the one who created them is the Lord of all that which has a spirit.

(He placed therein) He created therein (firm hills rising above it) as pillars for it, (and blessed it) i.e. the earth with water, trees, vegetation and fruits (and measured therein its sustenance) its livelihoods, in each land there is a livelihood which is not found elsewhere (in four Days) He says: He created the spirits 4,000 years, of the years of the life of the world, before He created the bodies and He measured the sustenance of these bodies 4,000 years of the years of the life of this world before he measured the sustenance of the spirits, (alike for (all) who ask) alike for those who ask sustenance and those who do not; it is also said that this means: as an exposition to those who ask how He created them. It is thus that he created them;

(Then turned He to the heaven) then He turned to the creation of the heaven (when it was smoke) steam of water, (and said unto it) unto the heaven (and unto the earth) after He had created both: (Come both of you) give both of you the water and vegetation that you have, (willingly or loth. They said: We come) we give, (obedient) to Allah, even though we dislike people's unresponsiveness.

(Then He ordained them) He created them (seven heavens) one above the other (in two Days) each day the equivalent of 1,000 years of the years of the life of this world (and inspired in each heaven its mandate) He created for each heaven its inhabitants and commanded it its command; (and we decked the nether heaven) the first heaven (with lamps) with stars, (and rendered it inviolable) and We protected it by means of the stars from the satans, such that some stars are an adornment for the heaven and remain fix, and some of which are used for finding directions in the darkness of land and sea and some are missiles sent against the satans. (That is the measuring) the providence (of the Mighty) in retribution against those who disbelieve in Him, (the Knower) of His providence as well as of those who believe in Him and those who do not.

(But if they) the disbelievers of Mecca: 'Utbah and his host (turn away) from faith, (then say: I warn you) by means of the Qur'an (of a thunderbolt) of a punishment (like the thunderbolt) like the punishment ((which fell of old upon the tribes) of 'Aad and Thamud;

When their messengers came unto them from before them) before 'Aad and Thamud to their respective people (and behind them) and after them messenger were sent to their folks, (saying: Worship none) do not declare the divine Oneness of anyone (but Allah! They said) each folk said to their messenger: (If our Lord had willed) to send us a messenger, (He surely would have sent down angels (unto us)) from the angels He has with Him, (so lo! we are disbelievers in that wherewith ye have been sent) We reject that with which you have been sent, you are but a human being like us.

(As for 'Aad) the folk of Hud, (they were arrogant) they were too proud to accept faith (in the land without right) to do so, (and they said) to Hud: (Who is mightier than us in power) who is stronger than us in power and strength such that he might destroy us? (Could they not see) did they not know (that Allah Who created them, He was mightier than them in power) and could easily destroy them? (And they denied Our revelations) and they disbelieved in Our Scripture and Messenger Hud.

(Therefore We let loose on them) We set on them (a raging wind) an icy wind (in evil days) days of ill omen for them which brought chastisement upon them; it is also said that this means: hard days, (that We might make them taste the torment of disgrace) a severe disgrace (in the life of the world. And verily the doom of the Hereafter will be more shameful) than the disgrace they faced in the life if the world, (and they will not be helped) they will not be prevented from Allah's chastisement.

(And as for Thamud) the people of Salih, (We gave them guidance) We sent to them Salih and made clear to them what is disbelief and what is faith and the difference between the Truth and falsehood, (but they preferred blindness to the guidance) they preferred disbelief to faith, (so the bolt of the doom of humiliation) the cry of a severe chastisement (overtook them because of what they used to earn) and say and do in their state of disbelief and because they hamstrung the camel.

(And We delivered those who believed) in Salih (and used to keep their duty to Allah) and used to ward off disbelief, idolatry and hamstringing the camel.

(And (make mention of) the day) which is the Day of Judgement (when the enemies of Allah) Safwan Ibn Umayyah and Rabi'ah Ibn 'Amr, Habib Ibn 'Amr as well as all the disbelievers (are gathered unto the Fire) one after the other, (they are driven on

Till, when they reach it) i.e. the Fire, (their ears and their eyes and their skins testify against them) their ears will testify about what they heard, and their eyes will testify about what they saw and their skins and limbs will tell about what they did (as to what they used to do) with them in their state of disbelief.

(And they say unto their skins) to their limbs; and it is also said: to their sexual organs: (Why testify ye against us) when we were trying to argue in your favour? (They say: Allah hath given us speech) Allah has made us speak (Who giveth speech to all things) to all created beings today, (and Who created you) and Who made you speak (at the first) in the first instance, (and unto Whom ye are returned) after death.

(Ye did not hide yourselves) you will not be able to prevent your limbs (lest your ears and your eyes and your skins should testify against you) in the Hereafter; it is also said that this means: you were not able in the life of this world to hide from some limbs what other limbs earned, such that they do not testify against you; and it is also said that this means: you were not sure that your ears, eyes and skins would testify against you in the Hereafter, (but ye deemed) but you said (that Allah knew not much of what ye did) and said in private.

(That, your thought which ye did think about your Lord) this which you said falsely about your Lord because of surmise (hath ruined you) has destroyed you; (and ye find yourselves (this day) among the lost) by being subject to punishment.

(And though they are resigned) in the Fire or not resigned, (yet the Fire is still their home) it will be the home of Safwan Ibn Umayyah and his host; (and if they ask for favour) if they ask to return to the life of the world, (yet they are not of those unto whom favour can be shown) they are not to return to the life of the world.

(And We assigned them comrades) helpers and partners among the satans, (who made their present and their past fair-seeming unto them) about the life of the world, they enticed them not to spend, making them believe that the life of the world will never perish or end; and regarding the matter of the Hereafter, they convinced them that there is no Paradise or hell, resurrection or reckoning. (And the Word) of chastisement (concerning nations of the jinn and humankind) of the disbelievers among the jinn and human beings (who passed away before them hath effect for them) has been ordained for them. (Verily they are the losers) in that they are punished.

(Those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca, Abu Jahl and his host (say: Heed not this Qur'an) which is recited to you by Muhammad (pbuh) (and drown the hearing of it) by causing uproar; (haply ye may conquer) Muhammad (pbuh) and make him keep quiet.

(But verily We shall cause those who disbelieve) Abu Jahl and his host (to taste an awful doom) in the life of the world, at Badr, (and verily We shall requite them the worst of what they used to do) the most evil of what they used to do in the life of the world.

(That) which they will have in the life of the world (is the reward of Allah's enemies) and the reward of Allah's enemies in the Hereafter is: (the Fire. Therein) in the Fire (is their immortal home) they will abide therein for eternity; (payment forasmuch as they denied Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an.

(And those who disbelieve will say) while in the Fire: (Our Lord!) O our Lord! (Show us these who beguiled us) those who misguided us from the Truth and guidance (of the jinn and humankind) from the jinn Satan, and from humankind Cain who killed his brother Abel; and it is also said: from the jinn Iblis, and from the humans their leaders. (We will place them beneath our feet) to punish them (that they may be among the nethermost) that they may be among those who suffer the chastisement most.

(Lo! those who say: Our Lord is Allah) they professed Allah's divine Oneness, (and afterward are upright) in faith and do not revert to disbelief; it is also said this means: those who are upright in performing the five daily prayers and do not play tricks, (the angels descend upon them) when their spirits are taken away, (saying: Fear not) the chastisement which is ahead (nor grieve) about what you have left behind, (but bear good tidings of the Paradise which ye are promised) in the life of the world.

(We are your protecting friends in the life of the world) We protected you in the life of the world (and in the Hereafter) and We will protect you in the Hereafter; these are the guardian angels. (There) in Paradise (ye will have (all) that your souls desire, and there) in Paradise (ye will have (all) for which ye pray) all that which you request.

(A gift of welcome) food and drink for you (from the Forgiving) Who forgives those who repent, (the Merciful) towards those who die repentant.

(And who is better in speech) who is wiser in speech; and it is also said that this means: who is better in inviting others (than him who prayeth unto his Lord) than he who invites people to believe in Allah's divine Oneness; i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (and doeth right) and perform the obligations; it is also said that this verse was revealed about the muezzins. He says: who is better in inviting people than he who calls to Allah through the call to prayer and then does right, i.e. performs two units of prayer after the call to prayer, except for the call to prayer of Maghrib, (and saith: Lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Him)) I adhere to the religion of Islam and says: I believe truly. The reference here is to Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions.

(The good deed) the call to Allah's divine Oneness by the Prophet (pbuh) (and the evil deed are not alike) and the call to idolatry by Abu Jahl are not alike; it is also said that this means: the testimony that there is no deity save Allah and ascribing partners to Allah are not alike. (Repel) O Muhammad, lest he tries, (the evil deed) idolatry from Abu Jahl (with one which is better) with " there is no deity save Allah " ; it is also said that this means: repel evil from Abu Jahl with that which is better, i.e. with good words, greetings and kindness, if you do that (then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity) regarding religion, i.e. Abu Jahl ((will become) as though he was a bosom friend) as though he is of the same religion or a close relative.

(But none is granted it) none is granted the Garden in the Hereafter (save those who are steadfast) in the face of misfortunes and the harm of the enemies in the life of the world, (and none is granted it) and none is given success to repel the evil deed with a good deed (save the owner of great happiness) save the one who has abundant reward in the Garden, like Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions.

(And if a whisper from the devil reach thee (O Muhammad)) and if a whisper from the devil reaches you, you should reciprocate Abu Jahl's harshness with harshness like it (then seek refuge in Allah) from the accursed devil. (Lo! He is the Hearer) of what Abu Jahl says, (the Knower) of his punishment; it is also said that this means: He is the Hearer of your seeking refuge in Him, the Knower of the whispering of the devil.

(And of His portents) and of the signs of His divine Oneness and power (are the night and the day and the sun and the moon) all these are signs from Allah. (Adore not the sun) worship not the sun (nor the moon; but adore Allah) but worship Allah (Who created them) i.e. He created the sun, the moon, the day and the night, (if it is in truth Him whom ye worship) if you wish to worship Allah, then do not worship the sun and the moon, for you should worship the One Who created them; it is also said that this means: if, by worshipping the sun and the moon, you intend to worship Allah, then do not worship them, for the worship of Allah lies in not worshipping them.

(But if they are too proud) to accept faith and worship Allah alone (still those who are with thy Lord) i.e. the angels (glorify Him) i.e. pray to Allah (night and day, and tire not) be not not bored of worshipping Allah.

(And of His portents) and of the signs of His divine Oneness and power ((is this): that thou seest the earth lowly) still and dead, (but when We send down water) rain (thereon it thrilleth) because of the rain (and groweth) vegetation. (Lo! He who quickeneth it) after it was dead (is verily the Quickener of the dead) for the resurrection. (Lo! He is Able to do all things) whether it is giving death or life.

(Lo! those who distort Our revelations) those who deny Our signs-Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an-(are not hid from Us) none of their works is hidden from Us. (Is he who is hurled into the Fire) Abu Jahl and his host (better, or he who cometh secure) from the torment (on the Day of Resurrection) this refers to Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions? (Do what ye will) O people of Mecca; this is a threat made to them. (Lo! He is Seer of what ye do) He will requite your works.

(Lo! those who disbelieve in the Reminder) i.e. the Qur'an (when it cometh unto them) when Muhammad (pbuh) took it to them; the reference here is to Abu Jahl and his host, ((are guilty)) and in the Hereafter they will have the Fire of Gehenna, (for lo! It) i.e. the Qur'an (is an unassailable Scripture) a glorious and noble Scripture.

(Falsehood cannot come at it) it is not contradicted by the Torah, the Gospel or by any revealed Scriptures (from before it) before its revelation (or behind it) and after there will be no Scripture which will contradict it; it is also said that this means: the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms and all the Scriptures which were revealed before the Qur'an do not contradict it and there will be no Scripture in the future which will contradict it and, hence, it will remain uncontradicted; and it is also said that this means: Iblis did not come to Muhammad (pbuh) before the coming of Gabriel to him such that he added to the Qur'an, nor did he come to him after Gabriel such that he took away from the Qur'an; and it is also said that this means: the Qur'an does not contradict itself, but rather everything in it is in perfect agreement. ((It is) a revelation from the Wise) in His command and decree, (the Owner of Praise) the Praiseworthy in His acts.

(Naught is said unto thee) Muhammad, of vilification or denial (save what was said unto the messengers before thee) of vilification and denial; it is also said that this means: the message that you were commanded to convey is like what the messengers before you were commanded to convey. (Lo! thy Lord) O Muhammad (is owner of forgiveness) He forgives those who repent of disbelief and believe in Allah, (and owner (also) of dire punishment) for those who die in a state of disbelief.

(And if We had appointed it a Lecture in a foreign tongue) if We had sent Gabriel with a Qur'an which is not in the Arabic usage (they) the disbelievers of Mecca (would assuredly have said: If only its verses were exposited (so that we might understand)? What! A foreign tongue and an Arab) what, a Scripture in a foreign language brought by an Arab man? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (For those who believe) Abu Bakr and his fellow Muslims (it) i.e. the Qur'an (is a guidance) from error (and a healing) it removes the blindness which is in the hearts of people; (and as for those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and in the Qur'an, i.e. Abu Jahl and his host, (there is a deafness in their ears, and it) i.e. the Qur'an (is blindness for them) a proof against them. (Such) the people of Mecca: Abu Jahl and his host (are called to from afar) it is as if they are called to believe in Allah's divine Oneness from high, above the sky.

(And We verily gave Moses the Scripture) i.e. the Torah, (but there hath been dispute concerning it) concerning the Scripture of Moses; some believed in it while others rejected it; (and but for a Word) to postpone the chastisement of this nation (that had already gone forth from your Lord, it would ere now have been judged between them) the Jews, Christians and idolaters would have been destroyed; it is also said that this means: they would have already been punished for disbelieving, just as were destroyed before them the people who disbelieved their messengers; (but lo! They) the Jews, Christians and idolaters (are in hopeless doubt concerning it) are in manifest doubt concerning the Qur'an; it is also said: concerning the Scripture of Moses.

(Whoso doeth right) sincerely between him and his Lord (it is for his soul) the reward of that is for his soul, (and whoso doeth wrong it is against it) and whosoever associates partners with Allah, the punishment of this associationism will be against his own soul. (And thy Lord) O Muhammad (is not at all a tyrant to His slaves) such that He would punish them for no crime.

(Unto Him is referred (all) knowledge of the Hour) the knowledge of the time of the Hour is known only by Allah. (And no fruits burst forth from their sheaths, and no female carrieth) a child (or bringeth forth) or delivers her child (but with His knowledge) except with His leave, and no one knows this except Him. (And on the day when He calleth unto them) while they are in the Fire and say: (Where are now My partners) where are those whom you worshipped and claimed to be My partners? (they will say: We confess unto Thee) We have told you and let you know before: (not one of us is a witness (for them)) none of us will testify against himself that he had worshipped anyone other than you.

(And those to whom they used to cry) to worship (of old) in the life of the world (have failed them) become preoccupied from them, (and they perceive) they knew and became certain (they have no place of refuge) or helper or any escape from the Fire.

(Man) i.e. the disbelieving person (tireth not of praying for good) wealth, offspring and good health, (and if ill toucheth him) and if hardship and poverty touch him, (then he is disheartened, desperate) then he utterly despairs of Allah's mercy.

(And verily, if We cause him to taste mercy) through wealth and offspring (after some hurt that hath touched him) after being touched by some hardship, (he will say: This is my own) because of some goodness which Allah knows that I have in me; (and I deem not that the Hour will ever rise) as claimed by Muhammad (pbuh); thus denying the resurrection, (and if I am brought back to my Lord) as Muhammad (pbuh) says, (I surely shall be) in the Hereafter (better off with Him) I will enter Paradise; this is what 'Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah and his host said. (But We verily shall tell those who disbelieve (all) that they did) in their state of disbelief, (and We verily shall make them taste hard punishment) a severe punishment in hell: one sort of punishment after another.

(When We show favour unto man) i.e. to the disbelieving person by giving him wealth and offspring, (he withdraweth) he abstains from giving thanks for it (and turneth aside) and turns away from faith, (but when ill toucheth him) when poverty touches him (then he aboundeth in prayer) asking for wealth; and it is also said that this means: asking for many offspring; the reference here is also to 'Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah.

Say to them, O Muhammad, (Bethink you: If it is from Allah) if this Qur'an is from Allah (and ye reject it) saying that it is not from Allah, what will Allah do to you? (Who is further astray) from the Truth and guidance (than one who is at open feud) than one who is in opposition to the Truth and guidance; and it is also said that this means: than one who is in enmity with the Prophet (pbuh)? The reference here is to Abu Jahl.

(We shall show them) We shall show, O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca (Our portents) Our signs, marvels, divine Oneness and power (on the horizons) in different parts of the earth in the form of the ruined remains of the nations who came before them, such as 'Aad, Thamud and those who came after them (and within themselves) and We shall show them in themselves kinds of illnesses, pains, misfortunes and other things (until it will be manifest unto them that it is the Truth) until it is clear to them that what the Prophet says to them is true. (Doth not thy Lord suffice) is it not enough that which Allah has made clear to them of the events of past nations without showing them their own destruction, (since He is Witness over all things) of their works?

(How! Are they) i.e. the people of Mecca (still in doubt about the meeting with their Lord) about resurrection after death? (Lo! Is not He surrounding all things) does He not know all things concerning their works and punishment?'