Al-Ahqaf

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

(The revelation of the Scripture) this Scripture is a speech from (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 beside Him.

(We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them) of creation and marvels (save with truth) save for the Truth, (and for a term appointed) to which everything proceeds. (But those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (turn away from that whereof they are warned) disbelieve in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an.

(Say) O Muhammad to the people of Mecca: (Have ye thought on) inform me about (all that ye invoke) worship (beside Allah) of idols? (Show me what they have created of the earth) what have they created of that which is in the earth. (Or have they any portion in the heavens) or had they any help in the creation of heavens? (Bring me a Scripture before this (Scripture)) before this Qur'an to substantiate your claim, (or some vestige of knowledge) or a report from the men of knowledge; and it is said: a vestige of knowledge from past prophets ((in support of what you say), if ye are truthful) in what you say.

(And who is further astray) from the Truth and guidance (than those who, instead of Allah) i.e. the disbeliever, (pray unto) worship (such as hear not their prayer) such as respond not to his supplication (until the Day of Resurrection) i.e. the idols, (and are unconscious of their prayer) and are unaware of the prayers of those who worship them,

(And when mankind are gathered (to the Judgement) will become) i.e. the idols (enemies for them) i.e. for the people who worshipped them, (and will become) the idols (deniers of having been worshipped) by those who had worshipped them.

(And when Our clear revelations) when the clear revelations of the Qur'an which explain the commands and prohibitions (are recited unto them) unto the disbelievers of Mecca, (those who disbelieve) the disbelievers of Mecca (say of the Truth) of the Qur'an (when it reacheth them) when the Prophet (pbuh) came to them: (This is mere magic) this is a manifest lie.

(Or say they) indeed they say: (He hath invented it) Muhammad has invented the Qur'an? (Say) to them O Muhammad (If I have invented it) if I have invented the Qur'an as you claim, (still ye have no power to support me against Allah) against Allah's torment. (He is best aware of what ye say among yourselves concerning it) He is best aware of the lies in which you engage concerning the Qur'an. (He sufficeth) Allah suffices (for a witness between me and you) that I am Allah's Messenger and this Qur'an is His speech. (And He is the Forgiving) He forgives whoever repents amongst you, (the Merciful) towards anyone who dies repentant.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah)) I am not the first human being to be sent as Messenger, there were many messengers before me, (nor know I what will be done with me or with you) in relation to hardship, comfort and well-being; it is also said that this verse was revealed about some of the Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) who asked him about when to leave Mecca in order to escape from the persecution of the disbelievers. So the Prophet (pbuh) said: �I do not know what will be done with me or with you; nor whether we should migrate from Mecca or not�. (I do but follow) act upon (that which is inspired in me) that which I am commanded in the Qur'an, (and I am but a plain warner) a warning messenger who addresses you in a language that you understand.

Say, O Muhammad, to the Jews: (Bethink you) O Jews: (If it is from Allah) if this Qur'an is from Allah (and ye disbelieve therein) and you disbelieve in the Qur'an, (and a witness of the Children of Israel) Benjamin (hath already testified to the like thereof) to the same testimony of 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers regarding Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (and hath believed) 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers believed in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (and ye) O group of Jews (are too proud) to believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an ((what plight is yours)? Lo! Allah, guides not) to his religion (wrong-doing folk) a folk that does not deserve it.

(And those who disbelieve) Asad, Ghatafan and Hanzalah (say of those who believe) Juhaynah, Muzaynah and Aslam: (If it had been (any) good) if what Muhammad (pbuh) says had any good or truth in it, (they would not have been before us in attaining it) Juhaynah, Muzaynah and Aslam would not have been first to accept it. (And since they will not be guided by it) and since Asad and Ghatafan do not believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (they say: This is an ancient lie) this Qur'an is an ancient lie;

(When before it) before the Qur'an (there was the Scripture of Moses) the Torah, (an example) to be emulated (and a mercy) shielding from chastisement for those who believe in it. But they did not believe in it nor took it as an example to be emulated; (and this) Qur'an (is a confirming Scripture) it confirms the Torah in the call to belief in Allah's divine Oneness and in the attributes and description of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (in the Arabic language) in the Arabic usage, (that it may warn those who do wrong) the idolaters (and bring good tidings for the righteous) bring the good tidings of Paradise for the believers.

(Lo! those who say: our Lord is Allah) those who declare Allah's divine Oneness, (and thereafter walk aright) and thereafter hold fast to performing the obligations of Allah and to avoiding transgressing against Him and, further, do not play about in matters of religion, (there shall no fear come upon them) in relation to future torment (neither shall they grieve) for what they have left behind; it is also said that this means: there shall be no fear upon them when the people of the Fire are in fear, and they shall not grieve when others do.

(Such are rightful owners of the Garden, immortal thereafter) they will dwell therein forever, never to die nor leave it (as a reward for what they used to do) and say in the life of the world.

(And We have commended unto man) We have commanded 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abi Bakr in the Qur'an (kindness towards parents) Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafah and his wife. (His mother beareth him) in her womb (with reluctance) with hardship, (and bringeth him forth with reluctance) and delivers him in hardship, (and the bearing of him) in the womb of his mother (and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he attaineth full strength) between the age of 18 to the age of 30 (and reacheth forty years, he saith) Abu Bakr says: (My Lord! Arouse me) inspire in me (that I may give thanks for the favour) of believing in Your divine Oneness (wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents) who by then had both accepted Islam, (and that I may do right) sincere righteous works which are (acceptable unto Thee. And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed) and honour my offspring with repentance and Islam, for 'Abd al-Rahman was not a Muslim by then; he became Muslim later. (Lo! I have turned unto Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee)) following their religion.

(Those are they from whom We accept the best of what they do) because of their good deeds, (and overlook their evil deeds) such that We do not punish them for these evil deeds. ((They are) among the owners of the Garden) they are with the inhabitants of the Garden in the Garden. (This is the true promise which they were promised) in the life of the world.

(And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both!) the one who said this is 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn Abi Bakr; he said this to his parents before he became Muslim. (Do ye threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again)) from the grave for the resurrection (when generations before me have passed away) and I have not seen them resurrected? He was referring to two of his forefathers who died during the pagan era: Jad'an and 'Uthman the sons of 'Amr. (And they twain) his parents (cry unto Allah for help (and say): Woe unto thee) may Allah straiten your livelihood! (Believe) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an! (Lo! the promise of Allah) about the resurrection (is true) will happen after death. (But he saith) 'Abd al-Rahman says: (This) which Muhammad (s)ays (is naught save fables of the men of old) nothing but the lies of the men of old:

(Such) the forefathers of 'Abd al-Rahman: Jad'an and 'Uthman (are those on whom the Word concerning nations) along with nations (of the jinn and mankind which have passed away before them hath effect) the word has been already decreed that these, along with the disbelievers of the jinn and human beings before them, will dwell in the Fire. (Lo! they are the losers) and they will not be resurrected in the life of the world until the Day of Judgement. 'Abd al-Rahman later accepted Islam and became a good Muslim.

(And for all) for each person among the believers and disbelievers (there will be ranks) the believers will have ascending ranks in the Garden while the disbelievers will have descending ranks in the Fire (from what they do) due to their works in the life of the world, (that He may pay them for their deeds) that He may pay them the reward of their deeds, (and they will not be wronged) their good deeds will not be diminished nor will their evil deeds be increased.

(And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire) before they actually enter it, ((it will be said)) to them: (Ye squandered your good things) you have used up the reward of your deeds (in the life of the world and sought comfort therein) and obtained benefit from the reward of your deeds in the life of the world. (Now this day ye are rewarded with the) severe (doom of ignominy because ye were disdainful) because you were too proud to accept faith (in the land without a right and because ye used to transgress) and because you used to disbelieve and transgress on the earth in the life of the world.

(And make mention) O Muhammad to the disbelievers of Mecca (of the brother of 'Aad) the Prophet of the Banu 'Aad, i.e. Hud (when he warned his folk among the wind-curved sandhills) He says: he warned his folk of the mountains of fire; it is also said: he warned his people from a mountain near Yemen; and it is said: near Historic Syria; and it is said: from the mountain of al-Raml; and it is said in a place near Yemen, (and verily warners came and went before) before Hud (and after him) and after Hud (saying: Serve none but Allah) Hud said to them: declare the divine Oneness of none other than Allah. (Lo! I fear for you) I know that (the doom of a tremendous Day) a severe torment will befall you if you reject faith.

(They said: Hast thou come) O Hud (to turn us away from our gods) to turn us away from the worship of our gods? (Then bring upon us that) torment (wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the Truthful) that torment will befall us if we reject faith.

(He said) Hud said to them: (The knowledge) of when the torment shall come (is with Allah only. I convey unto you that wherewith I have been sent) of the message of Allah's divine Oneness, (but I see you are a folk that know not) Allah's command and His torment.

(Then when they beheld it a dense cloud coming towards their valleys, they said; Here is a cloud bringing us rain) bringing rain to our fields. Hud said to them: (Nay, but it is that which ye did seek to hasten) of punishment, (a wind wherein is painful torment,

Destroying all things by commandment of its Lord) by leave of its Lord. (And morning found them so that) after their destruction (naught could be seen save their dwellings) their houses. (Thus do We reward the guilty folk) the idolatrous folk.

(And verily We had empowered them with) We gave them of wealth, power and works (that where with We have not empowered you) that which We did not give you, O People of Mecca, (and had assigned them ears) with which to hear (and eyes) with which to see (and hearts) with which to perceive; (but their ears and eyes and hearts availed them naught) from Allah's chastisement (since they denied the revelations of Allah) since they denied Hud and Allah's Scripture; (and what they used to mock befell them) the chastisement which they used to mock befell them.

(And verily We have destroyed townships round about you) O people of Mecca, (and displayed (for them) Our revelation) and explained the revelations detailing the commands, prohibitions and the destruction of those whom We had destroyed, (that haply they might return) from their disbelief and repent.

(Then why did those whom they had chosen for) worshipped as (gods as a way of approach (unto Allah)) as a means to bring them closer to Allah (not help them? (Nay, but they did fail them utterly) that which they worshipped is made void. (And (all) that was their lie, and what they used to invent) and what they used to lie about Allah.

(And when We inclined towards thee (Muhammad)) and when we directed towards you (certain) a group (of the jinn) nine in all, (who wished to hear the Qur'an) recited (and, when they were in its presence) and when they were in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Batn Nakhl, they (said) to one another: (Give ear!) so that you can hear the words of the Prophet (pbuh) (and, when it was finished) when the Prophet (pbuh) finished his recitation and prayer, they declared their belief in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, and (turned back to their people, warning) they went back to their own folk as believers in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an and also as warners.

(They said: O our people! Lo! we have heard a Scripture) we have heard the recitation of a Scripture, meaning the Qur'an (which hath been revealed) to Muhammad (pbuh) (after Moses, confirming that which was before it) confirming the message of Allah's divine Oneness and the attribute and description of Muhammad (pbuh) found in the Torah, because they believers in Moses, (guiding unto the Truth and a right road) guiding to a true, established religion with which Allah is pleased, i.e. Islam.

(O our people! respond to Allah's summoner) Muhammad (pbuh) in his call for belief in Allah's divine Oneness (and believe in Him. He will forgive you some of your sins) Allah will forgive you the sins you committed in the time of ignorance (and guard you from a painful doom) and save you from a painful torment.

(And whoso respondeth not to Allah's summoner) Muhammad (pbuh) (he can nowise escape) Allah's punishment (in the earth, and he hath no protecting friends) relatives to benefit him (instead of Him) beside Allah. (Such are in error manifest) such are in manifest disbelief.

(Have they not seen) do the disbelievers of Mecca not know (that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the dead) for the resurrection? (Aye, He verily is Able to do all things) of giving life and inflicting death.

(And on the day when those who disbelieve) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (are exposed to the Fire) before they eventually enter it, ((they will be asked): Is not this) chastisement (real) just? (They will say: Yea, by our Lord) it is just. (He will say: Then taste the doom for that you disbelieved) in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an.

(Then have patience) O Muhammad in the face of the disbelievers' harm (even as the stout of heart) as those possessed of certainty and resolve (among the messengers (of old)) such as Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus; it is also said that this means: such as those possessed of toughness and patience like Noah, Job, Zachariah and John (had patience, and seek not to hasten on the doom for them. On the day when they see that which they are promised) of doom ((it will seem to them) as though they had tarried) in the life of the world (but an hour of daylight. A clear message). And when the time of chastisement and destruction comes, (Shall any be destroyed) through such a chastisement (save evil-living folk) save the disbelievers, those who had denied and barred people from the way of Allah?'