Al-An'am 6:66–121

(Your people) the Quraysh ((O Muhammad) have denied it) the Qur'an, (though it) the Qur'an (is the Truth. Say) O Muhammad: (I am not put in charge of you) I do not guarantee to take you to Allah as believers.

(For every announcement there is a term) for every saying from Allah, and for every command, prohibition, promise, threat, glad tiding of victory or punishment that you receive from Me, there is a term-it is an act and fact from Him, some of which will happen in this world and some in the Hereafter, (and ye will come to know) of all of it in this world or in the Hereafter; it is also said that (For every announcement there is a term) means: every action and speech reflects a true meaning that is in your hearts, and you shall see what will be done with you.

(And when thou seest those who meddle with Our revelations) those who mock you and mock the Qur'an, (withdraw from them) leave their assembly (until they meddle with another topic) such that they talk about something other than the Qur'an and such that they cease mocking you. (And if the devil cause thee to forget) after being warned against it, (sit not, after the remembrance) after being reminded, (with the congregation of wrong-doers) the idolaters. Allah commanded His Prophet with this in Mecca, but the prophetic Companions found it hard to implement. They were later given dispensation to sit with the idolaters so as to admonish and warn them.

(Those who ward off (evil)) those who ward off disbelief, idolatry, indecencies and mockery (are not accountable for them) for their sins, disbelief and mockery towards the believers (in aught, but the Reminder) by means of the Qur'an ((must be given them) that haply they (too) may ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry, indecencies and mocking the Qur'an and Muhammad (pbuh).

(And forsake those who take their religion) the Jews, Christians, and the Arab polytheists who took the religion of their forefathers (for a pastime) a joke (and a jest) a mockery; it is also said that this means: religion for them is a merriness and fiction (and whom the life of the world beguileth) the comfort and bounties of the world beguiled them. (Remind (mankind) hereby) admonish through the Qur'an; it is also said this means: admonish by Allah (lest a soul be destroyed) be weakened and punished (by what it earneth) of sins. (It) the soul (hath beside Allah) against Allah's punishment (no friend) no close friend to defend it (nor intercessor) to intercede for it, (and though it offer every compensation) even if it brings all that which is on the face of the earth to compensate for it (it will not be accepted from it. Those) who mock (are they who perish) to be humiliated and punished; these are 'Uyaynah, al-Nadr and their folk, (by their own deserts) because of their own sins. (For them is drink of boiling water and a painful doom, because they disbelieved) in Muhammad and the Qur'an.

(Say) O Muhammad, to 'Uyaynah and his folk: (Shall we cry) do you ask us to worship (instead of unto Allah, unto that which neither profiteth us) if we worshipped it, neither in this world nor in the Hereafter (nor hurteth us) if we did not worship it, neither in this world nor in the Next, (and shall we turn back) to idolatry (after Allah hath guided us) has honoured us with His religion, (like) if we were to do so, we would be like (one bewildered) erred from guidance (whom the devils have infatuated) lured down (in the earth, who hath companions) 'Uyaynah has friends, the prophetic Companions (who invite him to the guidance) to Islam ((saying): Come unto us) obey us? While 'Uyaynah was inviting them to idolatry. It is also said that this verse was revealed about Abu Bakr and his son 'Abd al-Rahman. Prior to embracing Islam, 'Abd al-Rahman used to invite his parents to his religion. Allah said to his Prophet: tell Abu Bakr to say to his son 'Abd al-Rahman: are you asking us O 'Abd al-Rahman, to worship, instead of Allah, that which does not benefit us in this world in our provision or livelihood or in the Hereafter if we were to worship it, nor hurt us, if we did not worship it? Are you really asking us to return to our old religion after Allah has guided us to the religion of Muhammad (pbuh). If we were to do as you ask us, we would be like 'Abd al-Rahman who erred and whom the devils lured away from Allah's religion. The parents of 'Abd al-Rahman-Abu Bakr and his wife-invited him to Islam and repentance, while he invited them to idolatry. His parents say to him: obey us and embrace Islam. (Say) O Muhammad: (Lo! the guidance of Allah is Guidance) the religion of Allah is Islam and our Qiblah is the Ka'bah, (and we are ordered to surrender) to make our worship and confession of Allah's divine Oneness sincere (to the Lord of the Worlds) to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

(And to establish worship) the five daily prayers (and ward off (evil)) obey Allah, (and He it is unto Whom ye will be gathered) after you die and will reward you for your works.

(He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in truth) to expound the Truth and expose falsehood; it is also said that this means: to show that they are ephemeral and evanescent. (In that day when He saith) to the wall: (Be! it is) i.e. the heavens will become a wall which will be blown into, like one blows into a horn. Then the heaven will be changed into a different heaven; it is also said that (Be! it is) means: when He says to the Day of Judgement: �Be�, and it will be. (His word) regarding the resurrection (is the Truth, and His will be the Sovereignty) the judgement between the servants (on the Day when the trumpet is blown. Knower of the invisible) that which will happen in the future (and the visible) that which has already happened; it is also said that the 'invisible' refers to that which is unseen by people while 'the visible' refers to that which Allah's servants see, (He is the Wise) in His command and decree, (the Aware) of His created beings and of their works.

((Remember) when Abraham said unto his father Azar) who was Terah the son of Nahur: (Takest thou idols) do you worship idols (for gods) so many gods: small and large, male and female? (Lo! I see thee) O my father (and thy folk in error manifest) in manifest disbelief and wrong in so worshipping idols.

(Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth) that which is between the heavens and the earth: the sun, the moon and the stars when he came out of the hole into which he was thrown (that he might be of those possessing certainty) that he might be of those who acknowledge that Allah is One, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that which is in them; it is also said that Allah showed him this on the night He made him ascend to heaven. He saw up to the seventh heaven and the seventh earth, so that he may have the certitude of inspiration:

(When the night grew dark upon him) in the hole (he beheld a star) the planet Venus. (He said: This is my Lord) could this be my Lord? (But when it set) when its colour changed to red and it disappeared, (he said: I love not things that set) I do not love a lord that is not lasting.

(And when he saw the moon uprising, he exclaimed: This my Lord) could this be my Lord? This is bigger than the first one. (But when it set, he said: Unless my Lord guide me) unless my Lord makes me firm on guidance, (I surely shall become one of the folk who are astray) from guidance.

(And when he saw the sun uprising) filling everything [with its light], (he cried: This is my Lord!) Could this be my Lord? (This is greater!) This is bigger than the first and the second. (And when it set) when it disappeared, Abraham said: I do not love a lord who is not lasting. If Allah does not guide me, I shall be of those who err. It is also said that Abraham said 'this is my Lord' mocking his people, for his people worshipped the sun, the moon and the stars. He therefore objected to such worship by mocking them, saying to them: could the like of these be a Lord? When he emerged from the hole and went to his people-he was then 17 years old-he looked at the sky and the earth and then said: my Lord is Him Who has created this. He then proceeded until he found a group of his people attending with devotion to their idols, (he exclaimed: O my people! Lo! I am free from all that ye associate (with Him)) of idols.

When they asked him: who do you worship? He said: (Lo! I have turned my face towards) I have made my religion and works sincere to (him Who created the heavens and the earth, as one by nature upright) Muslim, (and I am not of the idolaters) who follows their religion.

(His people argued with him) regarding their gods and threatened him by them so that he would leave the religion of Allah. (He) Abraham (said: Dispute ye with me concerning Allah) do you argue with me in favour of your gods and threaten me so that I might leave the religion of my Lord (when He hath guided me) to His religion? (I fear not at all that which ye set beside Him) i.e. idols (unless my Lord willeth aught) to take away the knowledge from my heart such that I fear what you do. (My Lord includeth all things in His knowledge) my Lord knows that you do not follow the Truth: (Will ye not then remember) take admonition from the warning I am telling you about?

(How should I fear that which ye set up beside Him) of idols, (when ye fear not) Allah (to set up beside Allah that for which He hath revealed unto you no warrant) no Scripture or proof? They threatened him with their gods, saying: we fear that if you vilify our gods, they will take away your sanity. (Which of the two factions) which of the adherents of the two religions: you or I (hath more right to safety) from the God Whom he worships? ((Answer me that) if ye have knowledge) of this.

When they did not answer what Abraham asked them, He said: (Those who believe and obscure not their belief by wrong-doing) have not mixed their belief with idolatry, and are not hypocrites, (theirs is safety) from their Lord; (and they are rightly guided) to that which is right; it is also said that this means: those they are who have safety from punishment and are guided to the proof [of faith].

(That is Our argument. We gave it) We inspired it (unto Abraham against his folk. We raise unto degrees) merits, by bestowing upon him power, status, argument and the knowledge of Allah's divine Oneness (of wisdom whom We will) whoever is fit for it. (Lo! thy Lord is Wise) in inspiring His friend with clear arguments, (Aware) of the argument of His friends and of the punishment of His enemies.

(And We bestowed upon him) upon Abraham (Isaac) as a son (and Jacob) as a grandson; (each of them) i.e. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (We guided) We honoured by bestowing upon them prophethood and Islam (surrender to Allah); (and Noah did We guide) We honoured him by bestowing upon him prophethood and Islam (aforetime) i.e. before Abraham; (and of his seed) of the seed of Noah; it is also said that this means: of the seed of Abraham ((We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron) We guided all of them by bestowing upon them prophethood and Islam. (Thus do We reward the good) in their works and speech; it is also said that this means: those who confess Allah's divine Oneness.

(And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elias. Each one (of them)) We guided by bestowing upon them prophethood and Islam; and all of them were of the seed of Abraham (was of the righteous) i.e. they were messengers.

(And Ishmael and Elisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one of them) all these prophets (did We prefer) by means of prophethood and Islam (above (Our) creatures) above the people of their own time, both believers and unbelievers.

(With some of their forefathers) Adam, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Hud, and Salih: We guided all of them by bestowing prophethood and Islam upon them, (and their offspring) i.e. the offspring of Jacob (and their brethren) i.e. the brothers of Joseph: We guided them all to prophethood and Islam; (and We chose them and guided them unto a straight path) i.e. We made them firm on a straight path:

(Such) the straight path (is the guidance of Allah) the religion of Allah (wherewith He guideth whom He will) whoever is fit for it (of His bondmen. But if they had set up (for worship) aught beside Him) had these prophets associated anyone or anything with Allah, ((all) that they did) of works (would have been vain).

(Those are they) We told you about of the prophets (unto whom We gave the Scripture) which Gabriel brought down from heaven (and command) knowledge and understanding (and prophethood. But if these) the people of Mecca (disbelieve therein) in their way and religion, (then indeed We shall entrust it to) We have given success to follow the way and religion of the prophets to (a people) in Medina (who will not be disbelievers therein) in the way and religion of the prophets.

(Those) prophets whom We have told you about (are they whom Allah guideth) to the most noble of character traits, (so follow their guidance) follow their most noble character, such as patience, endurance, good will, contentment, and other similar traits. (Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (I ask of you no fee) no wage (for it) for Allah's divine Oneness or for the Qur'an. (Lo! It) the Qur'an (is naught but a Reminder) an admonition (to (His) creatures) the jinn and human beings.

(And they measure not the power of Allah its true measure) they do not glorify Allah as He should be glorified (when they say: Allah hath naught) no Scripture (revealed unto a human being) among the prophets. This verse was revealed about Malik Ibn al-Sayf, the Jew, who claimed that Allah did not reveal any Scripture to human beings. (Say) O Muhammad, to Malik: (Who revealed the Book which Moses brought, a light) an exposition and enlightenment (and guidance for mankind) from error, (which ye have put) written (on parchments which ye show) many things which do not contain the traits and description of the Prophet (pbuh) (but ye hide much (thereof)) you hide many portions of it which contain the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (and by which ye were taught) of legal rulings, punishment, the lawful and the unlawful as well as the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) in the Scripture (that which ye knew not yourselves nor (did) your fathers (know it)) before the revelation of legal rulings and punishments? If they answer and say it was Allah, then fine, if they do not, (Say: Allah) revealed it. (Then leave them to their play of cavilling) let them indulge in their falsehood: quibbling and lying.

(And this) i.e. the Qur'an (is a blessed Scripture) contains mercy and forgiveness for him who believes in it (which We have revealed) which Gabriel brought down, (confirming that which (was revealed) before it) agreeing with the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms and with all earlier Scriptures as regard Allah's divine Oneness and the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (that thou mayst warn) by means of the Qur'an (the Mother of Villages) i.e. the people of Mecca; it is also said that (the Mother of Villages) means: the largest of villages; it is also said that it was called (the Mother of Villages) because the earth was levelled from beneath it (and those around her) of the rest of lands. (Those who believe in the Hereafter) those who believe in resurrection after death and in the bliss of Paradise (believe herein) believe in Muhammad and the Qur'an, (and they are careful of their worship) and they observe the appointed time for the five daily prayers.

(Who is guilty) who is more tyrannical and more daring (of more wrong than he who forgeth a lie against Allah, or saith) Allah did not reveal anything, this is Malik Ibn al-Sayf, or him who says: (I am inspired) with a Scripture, (when he is not inspired in aught) with any Scripture, this is Musaylimah, the liar; (and who saith: I will reveal the like of that which Allah hath revealed) I will say the like of what Muhammad (pbuh) is saying: this is 'Abdullah Ibn Sa'd Ibn Abi Sarh. (If thou couldst see) O Muhammad, (when the wrong-doers) the idolaters and the hypocrites, on the Day of Badr (reach the pangs of death and the angels stretch their hands out) to take out their souls, (saying: Deliver up your souls) your spirits. (This day) the Day of Badr, as it is said it is the Day of Judgement (ye are awarded doom of degradation) a severe doom (for that ye spake concerning Allah other than the Truth, and scorned) you thought yourselves too great to believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (His portents) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an.

(Now have ye come unto Us solitary) with nothing: no wealth and no offspring (as We did create you at the first) in the world, without wealth or offspring, (and ye have left behind you) in the worldly life (all that We bestowed upon you, and We behold not with you those your intercessors) your gods, (of whom ye claimed that they possessed a share in you) they were your intercessors. (Now is the bond) the connection and love (between you severed, and that which ye presumed) you worshipped and say that they are your intercessors, i.e. idols (hath failed you) for they are occupied with their own selves.

(Lo! Allah (it is) who spliteth the grain) i.e. He creates all kinds of grains; it is also said that this means: He creates that which is in the grains (of corn and the date-stone (for sprouting)) just as He creates all that which contains stones. (He bringeth forth the living from the dead) He brings forth living creatures and beasts from sperm drops; it is also said that this means: He creates birds from eggs; and it is said that this means: He creates a spike of grain and fruits from grains and stones, (and is the bringer forth of the dead from the living) He brings forth sperms from living creatures and beasts; it is also said that this means: He creates eggs from birds; and it is said that this means: He creates grains from corn and fruits. (Such) who does this (is Allah) and not any other god. (How then are you perverted) why then do you lie?

(He is the Cleaver of the Daybreak) He is the Creator of the morning of the day, (and He hath appointed the night for stillness) for created beings, (and the sun and the moon) and He has created the sun and the moon (for reckoning) i.e. their phases change according to precise measures; it is also said that this means: the sun and the moon are suspended between the sky and the earth, rotating. (That is the measuring of the Mighty) i.e. through the providence of the Mighty in retribution vis-�-vis whoever does not believe in him, (the Wise) in His providence and who knows those who believe in Him and those who do not.

(And He it is Who hath set for you the stars that ye may guide) that you may know (your course by them amid the darkness of the land and the sea) and their terror when you travel by land or sea. (We have detailed Our revelations) We have exposited the Qur'an and the signs of divine Oneness (for a people who have knowledge) that it is from Allah, i.e. the genuine believers.

(And He it is Who hath produced) created (you from a single being) from Adam, (and (hath given you) a habitation) in the wombs (and a repository) in the loins; it is also said this means: He has given you a habitation in the loins and repository in the wombs. (We have detailed Our revelations for a people who have understanding) of Allah's command and His divine Oneness.

(He it is Who sendeth down water) rain (from the sky, and therewith We bring forth) by means of the rain (buds of every kind) of grains and other things; (We bring forth) from the earth by means of the rain (the green blade) green vegetation (from, which) from this green vegetation (we bring forth the thick clustered grain) clustered in spikes of grain and in other vegetations; (and from the date-palm, from the pollen thereof, spring pendant) close by, accessible to anyone standing or sitting (bunches; and (We bring forth) Gardens of grapes, and the) trees of (olive and the pomegranate) trees, (alike) in colour, referring here to pomegranates (and unlike) in taste. (Look upon the fruit thereof, when they bear fruit, and upon its ripening. Lo! Herein) in the difference of their colour (verily are portents) signs (for a people who believe) that they are from Allah.

(Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn) they said: Allah, Exalted is He, and Satan are brothers and partners: Allah is the Creator of human beings, beasts and cattle while Satan is the Creator of snakes, scorpions and predatory beasts. This is the claim of the Magians, (although He did create them) and command them to declare His divine Oneness, (and impute falsely, without knowledge) without knowledge, argument or proof, (sons) as claimed by the Jews and Christians (and daughters unto Him) among the angels and idols, as claimed by the Arab idolaters. (Glorified be He) He has exonerated Himself from having children or partners (and high exalted) and He absolves Himself (above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him)) of sons and daughters.

(The Originator) the Creator (of the heavens and the earth!) He created them when they were nothing before such creation. (How can He have a child, when there is for Him no consort) no wife, (when He created all things and is Aware of all things) of all created beings?

(Such is Allah, your Lord) He Who does so is your Lord. (There is no God save Him) alone without any partner, (the Creator of all things, so worship Him) declare His divine Oneness and do not ascribe partners to Him. (And He taketh care) He is witness; as it is said that this means: He is the guarantor of the provision (of all things) of all created beings.

(Vision comprehendeth Him not) in this world, nor do created beings see what He sees. Sights will not comprehend the modality of seeing Him in the Hereafter nor will created beings be able to see Him in this world, (but He comprehendeth (all) vision) in this world and in the Hereafter: He sees that which human beings do not see and nothing escapes or is hidden from Him. (He is the Subtile) in His actions whose knowledge surrounds His created beings, (the Aware) of His created beings and their actions.

(Proofs) an exposition (have come unto you from your Lord) i.e. the Qur'an, (so whoso seeth) believes in the Qur'an, (it is for his own good) reward, (and whoso is blind) disbelieves (is blind to his own hurt) punishment. (And I am not a keeper over you) to protect you.

(Thus do We display Our revelations) We expound the Qur'an regarding their matter (that they may say (unto thee, Muhammad): �Thou hast studied,�) you have learnt and acquired these traits from another person; it is also said that this means: in order that they do not say you acquired these traits from another person; and it is also said that it could mean: so that they do not say you have learnt it from Abu Fukayhah, a client from the Quraysh, or from Jabr and Yasar, two other clients from the Quraysh; and it could also mean: these are old stories (and that We may make (it) clear for people who have knowledge) who believe it is from Allah.

(Follow that which is inspired in you from thy Lord) act upon that which is revealed to you from your Lord, i.e. the Qur'an: what is lawful and unlawful; (there is no God save Him) there is no creator or provider save Him; (and turn away from the idolaters) those who mock, among whom are al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi, al-'As Ibn Wa'il al-Sahmi, al-Aswad Ibn 'Abd Yaghuth al-Zuhri, al-Aswad Ibn al-Harith Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, and al-Harith Ibn Qays Ibn Hanzalah.

(Had Allah willed) that they did not ascribe partners to Allah, (they had not been idolatrous). We have not set you as a keeper over them) to protect them, (nor art thou responsible for them) nor are you their custodian.

(Revile not those unto whom they pray) worship (beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance) because they have no knowledge, argument; this after He told them: (Lo! you (idolaters) and that which you worship beside Allah are fuel of hell) but then this was abrogated by the verse of fighting. (Thus) as We made their religion and works seem fair to them (unto every nation) to every adherents of a religion (have We made their deed) and their religion (seem fair. Then unto their Lord is their return) after they die, (and He will tell them what they used to do) in relation to their religion.

(And they swear a solemn oath) an utmost oath, for when one swears by Allah, one swears a solemn oath (by Allah that if there come unto them a portent) as they have asked (they will believe therein) they will believe in that sign. (Say) O Muhammad, to those who sneer and their folk: (Portents are with Allah) the signs come from Allah (and (so is) that which telleth you) and how do you know, O believers (that if such) the signs (came unto them they would not believe) by Allah they will not believe in the sign.

(We confound their hearts and their eyes) upon the revelation of the sign such that they do not believe in it. (As they believed not therein) just as they did not believe in that which the Prophet (pbuh) informed them about the sign (at the first) before this, (We let them wander) We leave them (blindly on in their contumacy) in their disbelief and error.

(And though We should send down the angels) as they have asked and testified in favour of that which they denied (unto them) unto those who sneer, (and the dead should speak unto them) from their graves, as they asked, telling them that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger and that the Qur'an is Allah's speech, (and We should gather against them all things) of birds and beasts (in array) face to face, testifying that what We say is the Truth and affirming that which they have denied, (they would not believe) in Muhammad and the Qur'an (unless Allah so willed) that they believe. (Howbeit, most of them are ignorant) that it is the Truth from Allah.

(Thus) just as We have appointed Abu Jahl and those who sneer as your enemies, so (have We appointed unto every Prophet an adversary) a tyrant (devils of humankind and jinn) He says: We appointed human and jinn devils (who inspire in) dictate to (one another plausible discourse through guile) in order to deceive the son of Adam. (If thy Lord willed they would not do so) i.e. dictate plausible discourse and beguiling; (so leave them alone) leave, O Muhammad, those who sneer and their folk (with their devising) their embellishment of words and deception;

(That the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter) who do not believe in resurrection after death (may incline thereto) to such embellishment of words and deception, (and that they may take pleasure therein) and so that they may accept from the satans such embellishment and deception, (and that they may earn what they are earning) of sin.

Then, say to them, O Muhammad: (Shall I seek other than Allah for judge) shall I worship as Lord other than Allah, (when He it is who has revealed unto you) you are your prophet ((this) Scripture) this Qur'an through the intermediary of Gabriel, (fully explained?) explaining fully the lawful and the unlawful; it is also said: it is revealed in instalments, a few verses on each occasion. (Those unto whom We gave the Scripture) those to whom We have given knowledge of the Torah, i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers (know) are certain on the basis of their Scripture (that it) i.e. the Qur'an (is revealed from thy Lord in truth) with commands and prohibitions; it is also said that this means: Gabriel is sent by your Lord with the Truth, i.e. with the Qur'an. (So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers) of those who doubt that they might not know this.

(Perfected is the Word of thy Lord) the Qur'an, detailing the commands and prohibitions (in truth) in His speech (and justice) from Him. (There is naught that can change His words) the Qur'an; it is also said that this means: the Word of your Lord has prescribed that His friends shall triumph. He is truthful in His speech and just in that which shall come. Nothing can change His words about His giving help to His friend. It is also said that this means: the religion of your Lord is now manifest, people truthfully believe that it is Allah's religion. Allah's command is just and nothing will ever change His religion. (He is the Hearer) of their speech, (the Knower) of them and their works.

(If thou obeyedst) O Muhammad (most of those on earth) i.e. the Meccan leaders who were Abu'l-Ahwas Malik Ibn 'Awf al-Jushami, Budayl Ibn Warqa' al-Khuza'i and Julays Ibn Warqa' al-Khuza'i (they would mislead thee far from Allah's way) in the Sacred Precinct. (They follow naught but an opinion) they pronounce nothing but surmise, (and they do but guess) they lie to the believers when they say to them: that which Allah immolates is better than that which you slaughter with your own knives.

(Lo! thy Lord, He knoweth best who erreth from His way) from His religion and obedience; (and He knoweth best (who are) the rightly guided) to His religion, i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions.

(Eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned) of immolated animals, (if ye are believers in His revelations) in the Qur'an.

(How should ye not eat of that over which the name of Allah hath been mentioned) of immolated animals, (when He hath explained unto you that which is forbidden unto you) such as the meat of carrion, blood and pork, (unless you are compelled thereto) except if you are forced to eat the meat of carrion. (But lo! Many) Abu'l-Ahwas and his folk (are led astray by their own lusts) call on you to eat the meat of carrion (through ignorance) or proof. (Lo! your Lord, He is best aware of the transgressors) who move from the lawful to that which is unlawful.

(Forsake the outwardness of sin) the adultery of the outward (and the inwardness thereof) secret adultery, i.e. taking lovers in secret. (Lo! those who garner sin) those who commit adultery (will be awarded) a lashing in this world and punishment in the Hereafter because of (that which they have earned) i.e. committing adultery.

(And eat not of that whereon Allah's name hath not been mentioned) of immolated animals intentionally, (for lo! it is abomination) i.e. eating it without a necessity is a sin and declaring it lawful, in denial of the revelation, is an act of disbelief. (Lo! the devils do inspire) whisper to (their minions) Abu'l-Ahwas and his folk (to dispute with you) regarding the consumption of the meat of carrion, idolatry and about the angels being the daughters of Allah. (But if you obey them) in their idolatry and the consumption of the meat of carrion, declaring it lawful without being in dire need of it, (ye will be in truth idolaters) like them.