Al-An'am 6:122–165

(Is he who was dead) i.e. the disbeliever; this verse was revealed about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, Abu Jahl Ibn Hisham (and We have raised him unto life) and We honoured him with faith, referring to 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, (and set for him a light) knowledge (wherein he walketh) wherein he is guided (among men) it is also said that (and set for him a light) means: We set for him a light on the Bridge over hell in the midst of people, (as him whose similitude is in utter darkness) the error of disbelief in this world and the darkness of Gehenna on the Day of Judgement, the reference here is to Abu Jahl (whence he cannot emerge) he cannot free himself from disbelief and error in this world nor from the darkness in the Hereafter? (Thus is their conduct made fair-seeming for the disbelievers) thus We made his works seem fair to Abu Jahl.

(And thus have We made in every city great ones of its wicked ones) their leaders, tyrants and wealthy citizens, as We made in the city of Mecca those who sneer and their friend, Abu Jahl and his folk, (that they should plot therein) that they should engage in transgression and corruption; it is also said that this means: so that they deny therein the prophets. (They do but plot against themselves) He says: the punishment and ruination of the transgressions and corruption they commit will be to their detriment, (though they perceive not) this.

(And when a token cometh unto them) when a verse comes down from heaven informing of what al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah, 'Abd Yalayl and Abu Mas'ud al-Thaqafi were doing, (they say: We will not believe) in this verse (till we are given) the Scripture like (that which Allah's messengers are given) meaning Muhammad (pbuh). (Allah knoweth best with whom to place His message) He knows best to whom He sends Gabriel with His message. (Humiliation) degradation and abasement (from Allah and heavy punishment will smite the guilty) the idolaters, i.e. al-Walid and his friends (for their scheming) for their denial of the messengers.

(And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide) to His religion, (He expandeth his bosom) His heart (unto the Surrender) unto accepting Islam, (and whomsoever it is His will to send astray) to leave in error and disbelief, (He maketh his bosom) He leaves his heart (close) like the ferrule of a spear (and narrow) in doubt; this could also mean: the light cannot find a way, or a passage to his heart (as if he were engaged in sheer ascent) like a person who is told to rise in heaven: the heart of such a person is not guided to Islam. (Thus Allah layeth ignominy) Allah leaves denial (upon those) in the heart of those (who believe not) in Muhammad (pbuh), or in the Qur'an, and then He punishes them for their disbelief.

(This is the path of thy Lord) this is the doing of your Lord, (a straight path) a just path; it is also said this means: This Islam is the religion of your Lord which He is pleased with; it is straight and well established. (We have detailed Our revelations) i.e. the Qur'an, by explaining the commands and prohibitions, the causes of humiliation and the reasons for honour (for a people who take heed) for a people who understand and therefore believe. It is also said that (And whomsoever it is Allah's will to guide) was revealed about the Prophet (pbuh) and Abu Jahl; it is also said to have been revealed about 'Ammar Ibn Yasir and Abu Jahl.

(For them) for the believers (is the abode of peace with their Lord) Peace (al-Salam) is Allah and His abode is Paradise. (He be their Protecting Friend) who bestows upon them honour and reward (because of what they used to do) and say of goodness in the life of this world.

(In the day when He will gather them together) the jinn and human beings ((He will say): O ye assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did ye seduce) how many human beings have erred by seeking help in you. (And their adherents) the adherents of the jinn (among humankind) who sought help in the leaders of the jinn upon camping at a valley or hunting a beast of theirs, used to say: 'we seek refuge in the master of this valley from the foolish among his people', and used to feel safe after saying this, (will say: Our Lord!) O our Lord! (We enjoyed one another) we benefited from one another; the benefit of the human beings was safety from the jinn, and that of the jinn, their status and position among their people (but now we have arrived at the appointed term which Thou appointedst for us) i.e. death. (He) Allah (will say) to them: (Fire is your home) is your dwelling, O group of jinn. (Abide therein for ever) abiding in the Fire, (save him whom Allah willeth (to deliver)) but Allah wills that they abide therein for eternity. (Lo! thy Lord is Wise) He decreed that they will abide in hell for ever, (Aware) of them and of their punishment.

(Thus We let some of the wrong-doers) the idolaters (have power over others) in the life of this world and in the Hereafter; it is also said that this means: We let some of the idolaters have authority over others (because of what they are wont to earn) and say of evil.

(O ye assembly of the jinn and, humankind! Came there not unto you messengers of your own) i.e. human messengers: Muhammad (pbuh) and all other messengers, and among the jinn, the nine who came to the Prophet (pbuh) and then went back to their people to deliver the message; it is also said that the jinn had a prophet of their own called Joseph, (who recounted) recited (unto you My tokens) detailing commands and prohibitions (and warned you of the meeting) the punishment (of this your Day? They) the humans and jinn (will say: We testify against ourselves) that they delivered the message and that we disbelieved them. Allah said: (And the life of the world) that which is in the life of this world of comfort and enjoyment (beguiled them. And they testify against themselves) in the Hereafter (that they were disbelievers) in the life of this world.

(This) i.e. sending messengers (is because your Lord destroyeth not the townships) the people of the townships (arbitrarily) because of their idolatry or transgression; it is also said that this means: out of injustice (while their people are unconscious) of the commands and prohibitions and the conveyance of the messengers.

(For all) among the jinn and human beings (there will be ranks) for the believers among the jinn and humans in Paradise, and dungeons in hell for the unbelievers (from what they did) of good or evil (Thy Lord is not unaware) oblivious (of what they do) of good or evil; it is also said that this means: He is not going to suspend the punishment due for their transgressions.

(Thy Lord is the Absolute) free of the need for their faith, (the Lord of Mercy) in that He defers punishment for him who believes in Him. (If He will, He can remove you) destroy you, O people of Mecca (and can cause what He will to follow after you, even as He raised you from the seed of other folk) generation after generation.

(Lo! that which ye are promised) of torment (will surely come to pass, and ye cannot escape) such a torment, for it will reach wherever you are.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the unbelievers of Mecca: (O my people! Work according to your power) according to your religion in your own homes to destroy me. (Lo! I too am working) to destroy you. (Thus ye will come to know for which of us will be the happy sequel) i.e. Paradise. (Lo! the wrong-doers) the idolaters (will not be successful) safe nor will they escape from Allah's torment.

(They assign unto Allah) they ascribe to Allah, (of the crops and cattle) camels, oxen and the camels which graze freely (which He created, a portion, and they say: �This is Allah's� in their make believe �and this is for (His) partners) their gods (in regard to us�. Thus that which (they assign) unto His partners) their gods (in them reacheth not Allah) does not go to that which they have assigned to Allah (and that which (they assign) unto Allah goeth to your (so called) partners) so called gods. (Evil is their ordinance) evil is that which they decree for themselves.

(Thus) just as We have made their words and works seem fair to them (have their (so called) partners) among the devil (made the killing of their children) their daughters (to seem fair unto many of the idolaters, that they may ruin them) destroy them (and make their faith) the religion of Abraham and Ishmael (obscure for them. Had Allah willed (it otherwise), they had not done so) i.e. killing their daughters and making it seem fair to them. (So leave them alone with their devices) with their lies when they claim that Allah commanded them to bury their daughters alive.

(And they say: Such cattle) i.e. the Bahirah, al-Sa'ibah, al-Wasilah and al-Ham (and crops are forbidden. No one is to eat of them save whom We will in their make believe) they means men to the exclusion of women (cattle whose backs are forbidden) i.e. what is known as al-Ham, (cattle over which they mention not the name of Allah) when they get pregnant or deliver, this is what is called al-Bahirah. ((All that is) a lie against Him) i.e. that He commanded them to do so. (He will repay them for that which they invent) for lying against Him.

(And they say: That which is in the bellies of such cattle) i.e. al-Bahirah and al-Wasilah (is reserved) lawful (for our males) men (and is forbidden to our wives; but if it be born dead) or dies consequently, (then they (all)) males and females (may be partakers thereof) in eating its meat. (He will reward them) this is a threat to them (for their attribution (ordinances unto Him)) it is also said that this means: He will reward them with what will happen to them. This is because the Prophet (pbuh) saw 'Amr ibn Luhayy, who taught them the unlawfulness of the cattle described above, dragging his guts from his behind. (Lo, He is Wise) He made that which is lawful permitted, (Aware) of their ascription of unlawfulness to things that are lawful.

(They are losers who besottedly) out of ignorance (have slain their children) have buried their daughters alive (without knowledge) this was revealed about Rabi'ah and Mudar, two leaders of Arab clans buried their daughters alive in the pre-Islamic period, except for the the Banu Kinanah who did not engage in such a practice, (and have forbidden) for women (that which Allah bestowed upon them) that which Allah has made lawful for them of cattle and crops, (inventing a lie against Allah. They indeed have gone astray) they are in error about what they say (and are not guided) to the guidance and right in that which they ascribe unlawfulness.

(He it is Who produceth) creates (gardens trellised) spread out: i.e. not resting on trunks such as vines and other vegetations (and untrellised) that which rests on trunks such as walnuts and almonds, (and the date-palm, and crops of diverse flavour) sweetness and sourness, (and the olive) and He created the olive tree (and the pomegranate) of pomegranate trees, (like) in colour and appearance (and unlike) in taste. (Eat you of the fruit thereof) of the fruit of the palm-tree (when it fruits) when it ripens, (and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day) it could also mean upon measuring it, (and be not prodigal) do not spend in disobedience of Allah nor prevent the obedience of Allah; it is also said that this means: do not forbid the Bahirah, the Sa'ibah, the Wasilah and the Ham. (Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals) those who spend in disobedience of Allah; or it could mean: the idolaters. It is said that this verse was revealed about Thabit Ibn Qays who collected with his own hands the harvest of 500 palm-trees and gave it away, not leaving a thing for his own family.

(And of the cattle) He creates of the cattle (some for burdens) like camels and oxen, (some for food) and some not for burdens such as sheep and young camels. (Eat of that which Allah hath bestowed upon you) of crops and cattle, (and follow not the footsteps of the devil) what the devil has made seem fair by forbidding some crops and cattle, (for lo! he is an open foe to you) whose enmity is quite manifest, for he commands you to forbid some crops and cattle.

(Eight pairs) He created eight pairs: (Of the sheep twain) male and female, (and of the goats twain) male and female. (Say) to Malik, O Muhammad: (Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females) is the prohibition of the Bahirah and Wasilah because of the fluids of the two males or those of the two females, (or that which the wombs of the two females contain) before copulation? (Expound to me (the case) with knowledge, if ye are truthful) that Allah has made unlawful that which you claim.

(And of the camels) and He created of the camels (twain) male and female (and of the oxen twain) male and female. (Say) O Muhammad, to Malik: (Hath He forbidden the two males or the two females) is the prohibition of the Bahirah and Wasilah because of the fluids of the two males or those of the two females, (or that which the wombs of the two females contain) before copulation? Another way of understanding this is as follows: is this prohibited because what is delivered is male or because it is female? (or were ye by to witness when Allah commanded you (all) this) all that you claim? (Then who doth greater wrong) who is more insolent and bolder vis-�-vis Allah (than he who deviseth) invents (a lie concerning Allah, that he may lead mankind astray) from Allah's religion and obedience (without knowledge) from Allah. (Lo! Allah guideth not) does not direct to His religion and proof (wrong-doing folk) the idolaters, meaning: Malik Ibn 'Awf.

Malik Ibn 'Awf understood what was required of him and kept silent. Instead, he said: �Let me hear from you, O Muhammad, why our forefathers forbade them�. So Allah said: (Say) O Muhammad: (I find not in that which is revealed unto me) i.e. the Qur'an (aught prohibited to an eater that he eat thereof, except it be carrion, or blood poured forth, or swine flesh for that verily is foul) unlawful (or the abomination) an immolated animal (which was immolated to the name of other than Allah) intentionally. (But whoso is compelled (thereto)) whoever is forced to eat the meat of carrion, (neither craving) i.e. without infringement on Muslims nor deeming the meat of carrion lawful in other than necessity (nor transgressing) nor committing highway robbery or intentionally eating of the meat of carrion without being compelled to do so, ((for him) lo! your Lord is Forgiving) if he eats to satiety, (Merciful) in that which He made dispensation for him. However, he ought not to eat to satiety, and if he does, Allah will pardon him.

(Unto those who are Jews We forbade every animal with claws) every bird with claws and every predatory animal with teeth, as well as every beast that has claws such as camels, ducks, geese, egrets and rabbits. All these were forbidden for them. (And of the oxen and the sheep forbade We unto them the fat thereof) i.e. the fat spread between the bowels and intestines and the fat spread over the kidneys (save that upon the backs or the entrails, or that which is mixed with the bone) such as the tail; all these were lawful for them. (That) which We made unlawful for them (We awarded them) We punished them (for their rebellion) because of their transgression We made all these forbidden for them. (And lo! We verily are Truthful) in what We have said.

(So if they give the lie to thee) O Muhammad regarding the prohibitions that We described to you, (say: Your Lord is a Lord of all-embracing mercy) towards the pious and sinner alike, in that He defers torment to the next life, (and His wrath) His torment (will never be withdrawn from guilty folk) the idolaters.

(They who are idolaters will say: Had Allah willed, we had not ascribed (unto Him) partners neither had our fathers nor had we forbidden aught) of crops and cattle, but this has been commanded and forbidden for us. (Thus) just as did your people give the lie (did those who were before them give the lie) to their messengers (till they tasted of the fear of Us) Our torment. (Say) O Muhammad: (Have ye any knowledge) any clarification regarding what you describe as unlawful (that ye can adduce for us? Lo! ye follow naught but an opinion) your prohibition of crops and cattle is nothing but surmise. (Lo! Ye do but guess) you just lie.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad, if you do not have an argument for your claim, then (For Allah's is the final argument) the most firm argument. (Had He willed He could indeed have guided all of you) to His religion.

(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Come, bring your witnesses who can bear witness that Allah forbade (all) this) that you claim of crops and cattle. (And if they) falsely (bear witness) that they are forbidden, (do not you bear witness with them. Follow thou not the whims of those who deny Our revelations) i.e. the Qur'an, (those who believe not in the Hereafter) in resurrection after death (and deem (others) equal with their Lord) take idols as His partners.

(Say) O Muhammad to Malik Ibn 'Awf and his fellows: (Come, I will recite unto you that which your Lord hath made a sacred duty for you) in the Scripture that was revealed to me: (that ye ascribe no thing as partner unto Him) the first thing is that you do not associate with Him any of the idols (and that you do good to parents) you be dutiful to parents, (and that ye slay not your children) your daughters (because of penury) out of fear of humiliation and poverty. (We provide for you and for them) i.e. for your children (and that ye draw not nigh to lewd things) fornication (whether open) i.e. open fornication (or concealed) taking lovers in secret. (And that ye slay not the life which Allah hath made sacred, save in the course of justice) as a result of cases such as retaliation, stoning, apostasy. (This He hath commanded you) in the Qur'an, (in order that you may discern) His command and divine Oneness.

(And approach not the wealth of the orphan save with that which is better) through protecting it and making it grow; (till he reach maturity) legal age and shows righteousness in his character. (Give full measure and full weight, in justice. We task not any soul) upon measuring and weighing (beyond its scope) beyond its effort to establish justice. (And if you give your word, do justice thereunto) be truthful, (even though it be (against) a kinsman) you should be truthful and say what is true; (and fulfil the covenant of Allah. This He commandeth you that haply ye may remember) haply you may heed the admonition.

(And (He commandeth you, saying): This) Islam (is My straight path) it is well established and I am pleased with it, (so follow it. Follow not other ways) i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism, (lest ye be parted from His way) from His religion: (This hath He ordained for you) He commanded for you in the Book, (that ye may ward off (evil)) that you may ward off these different ways.

(Again, We gave the Scripture) the Torah (unto Moses, complete) with commands and prohibitions, promises and threats, reward and punishment (for him who would do good) for him who is in a good state; it is also said that this means: for him who follows the excellence of Moses and the conveyance of the message of his Lord, (an explanation of all things) He says: it is an exposition of all things regarding the lawful and the unlawful, (a guidance) from error (and a mercy) that absolves the one who believes in Allah from His torment, (that they might believe in the meeting with their Lord) that they might believe in resurrection after death.

(And this is a blessed) comprises mercy and forgiveness for the person who believes (Scripture) i.e. the Qur'an (which We have revealed) which We have sent Gabriel with. (So follow it) follow its lawful and unlawful, commands and prohibitions (and ward off (evil)) ward off other than it, (that ye may find mercy) and not be tormented.

(Lest ye should say) so that you will not say, O people of Mecca, on the Day of Judgement: (The Scripture was revealed only to two sects) the people of two religions (before us) i.e. the Jews and Christians, (and we in sooth were unaware) ignorant (of what they read) their reading of the Torah and the Gospel;

(Or lest you should say) and so that you will not say on the Day of Judgement: (If the Scripture had been revealed unto us) as it was revealed to the Jews and Christians, (we surely had been better guided than are they) we would be swifter in answering the Messenger and we would also have a sounder religion. (Now hath there come unto you a clear proof) a clarification (from your Lord) i.e. the Qur'an and the Messenger, (a guidance) from error (and a mercy) for the one who believes in him; (and who doeth greater wrong) who is more insolent and more daring vis-�-vis Allah (than he who denieth the revelations of Allah) who denies Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, (and turneth away from them? We award unto those who turn away from Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (an evil doom) a severe torment (because of their aversion) vis-�-vis Muhammad and the Qur'an.

(Wait they) i.e. the people of Mecca, (indeed, for nothing less than that the angels should come unto them) to take their souls away at the moment of death, (or thy Lord should come) on the Day of Judgement, and His coming is without modality, (or there should come one of the portents from thy Lord) i.e. the rising of the sun from the West? (In the day when one of the portents from they Lord cometh) before the rising of the sun from the West, (its belief availeth naught a soul which theretofore) before the rising of the sun from the West (believed not, nor in its belief earned good) nor was it sincere in its belief, nor doing any good works before the rising of the sun from the West. This is because no faith, works or repentance are accepted from an unbeliever who embraces Islam upon seeing the sun rise from the West, unless that person is young at that time or is born after. In such a case, if he leaves Islam after the sun rises from the West and then returns to Islam, his repentance is accepted. Likewise, the repentance of a sinning believer who repents of his sins after the sun rises from the West is accepted. (Say) O Muhammad to the people of Mecca: (Wait you) the Day of Judgement! (Lo! We (too) are waiting) for your punishment on the Day of Judgement or before the Day of Judgement; it is also said that this means: Say, O Muhammad, wait for my destruction, I am also waiting for yours.

(Lo! As for those who sunder their religion) those who have left the religion of their forefathers; it is also said that this means: those turned back on their pledge on the Day of the primordial Covenant; it can also be understood to mean: those who differed in their religion (and become schismatics) they became different groups: Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism, (no concern at all hast thou with them) you are not required to fight them. However, he was later commanded to fight them. It is also said that this means: their repentance or punishment are not in your hands. (Their case will go to Allah, who then will tell them what they used to do) of good and evil.

(Whoso bringeth a good deed) while confessing Allah's divine Oneness (will receive tenfold the like thereof, while whoso bringeth an ill deed) while ascribing partners to Allah (will be awarded but the like thereof) i.e. the Fire; (and they will not be wronged) their good deeds will not be diminished nor will their bad deeds be increased.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca, the Jews and to the Christians: (Lo! As for me, my Lord hath guided me unto a straight path) my Lord has honoured me with His religion and has commanded me to call people to His religion; it is also said that this means: my Lord has shown how to call people to His to (a right religion, the community of Abraham) the religion of Abraham, (the upright) who surrendered to Allah and (who was no idolater) he did not follow the idolaters in their religion.

(Say) O Muhammad: (Lo! my worship) the five daily prayers (and, my sacrifice) my religion, proof, sacrifice and worship (and my living and my dying are for Allah) in this world are for the sake of Allah's obedience and pleasure, (Lord of the Worlds) the Master of the jinn and human beings.

(He hath no partner. This am I commanded, and I am first of those who surrender (unto Him)) I am the first of those who sincerely worship Him and confess His divine Oneness.

(Say) O Muhammad: (Shall I seek another than Allah for Lord) shall I worship other than Allah, (when He is Lord of all things) when everything is from Him? (Each soul earneth) of sins (only on its own account) as a punishment, (nor doth any laden bear another's load) of sins; it is also said that this means: no soul shall be taken to task for the sins of another soul; and it is also said that this means: no soul will be tormented for committing no sin; as it is said that this means: no soul bears the burden of another soul with pleasure; it does so only when it is forced. (Then unto your Lord is your return) after you die (and He will tell you that wherein) in Religion (you differed) you contravened.

(He it is who hath placed you as vicegerents of the earth) in the place of past nations (and hath exalted some of you in rank above others) in merit in terms of wealth and servants, (that He may try you) that He may test you (by (the test of) that which He hath given you) of wealth and servants. (Lo! Thy Lord is swift in prosecution) towards the one who disbelieves in Him or who does not give thanks to Him, (and lo! He is Forgiving) He pardons, (Merciful) towards the person who believes in Him'.