Al-A'raf 7:148–206

(And the folk of Moses, after (he had left them)) to go in retreat in the mountain, (chose) made (a calf (for worship), (made) out of their ornaments, of saffron hue) of their gold, (which gave a lowing sound) a sound that the Samiri made for them. (Saw they not) did the people of Moses not know (that it spake not unto them) i.e. the calf (nor guided them to any way? They chose it) they worshipped the calf out of ignorance, (and became wrong-doers) and they harmed themselves by worshipping it.

(And when they feared the consequences thereof) and when they regretted having worshipped the calf (and saw) and knew and were certain (that they had gone astray) from the Truth and guidance, (they said: Unless our Lord have mercy on us and forgive us) and hence torment us, (we verily are of the lost) by receiving the punishment.

(And when Moses returned unto his people, angry and grieved) when he heard the voice of sedition, (he said: Evil is that (course) which ye took after I had left you) evil is what you did by worshipping the calf after I went to the mountain. (Would ye hasten on the judgement of your Lord) would you hasten by worshipping the calf the promise of your Lord? (And he cast down the tablets) from his hand and two of them were broken, (and he seized his brother by the head) i.e. by Aaron's hair, (dragging him towards him. He) Aaron (said: Son of my mother!) they were full brothers, but he mentioned their mother so that Moses might be gentle with him (Lo! the folk did judge me weak) humiliated me (and almost killed me) due to my opposition. (Oh, make not mine enemies to triumph over me) make not the enemy, the folk of the calf, spite me (and place me not among the evil-doers!) do not harm me because of the folk of the calf.

(He) Moses (said: My Lord! Have mercy on me) because of what I did to Aaron (and on my brother) Aaron because he did not fight them; (bring us into Thy mercy) in Your Garden, (Thou the Most Merciful of all who show mercy) towards us.

(Lo! those who chose) worshipped (the calf) and whoever emulates them, (terror) wrath (from their Lord and humiliation) through the imposition of the capitation tax (will come upon them in the life of the world. Thus do We requite those who invent a lie) against Allah.

(But those who do ill deeds) while ascribing partners to Allah (and afterward repent) after their idolatry; it is also said that this means: after committing transgressions (and believe) profess Allah's divine Oneness and believe in Allah (lo! for them, afterward) after repentance and accepting faith, (your Lord) O Moses; and it is also said: O Muhammad (is Forgiving) He overlooks sins, (Merciful).

(Then, when the anger of Moses abated, he took up the tablets, and in their inscription) in what remained in them; it is also said: in what was returned to him of the two tablets (there was guidance) from error (and mercy) preventing from torment (for all those who fear their Lord).

(And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them) and killed them, (he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before) before this day, (and me with them) when I killed the Copt. (Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did) when they worshipped the calf-here Moses thought they were destroyed because of their worship of the calf? (It is but Thy trial (of us)) Your affliction upon us. (Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt) to avoid the sedition. (Thou art our Protecting Friend) You have better right to have mercy on us, (therefore forgive us and have mercy on us) and do not punish us, (Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness) overlook sins.

(And ordain for us in this world that which is good) knowledge, worship and protection from sins, (and in the Hereafter (that which is good)) the good of Paradise and its bliss, (Lo! We have turned unto Thee) we have repented to You; it is also said this means: we are betaking ourselves to You. (He) Allah (said: I smite with) I single out with (My punishment whom I will, and My mercy embraceth all things) whether the person is righteous or sinner. Iblis seized this opportunity and said: " I am of the things " , but Allah excluded him from this by saying: (therefore I shall ordain it for those who ward off (evil)) disbelief, idolatry and indecencies (and pay the poor-due) and give from their wealth what is due to the poor, (and those who believe Our revelations) believe in Our Scripture and Messenger. The people of the Book seized this opportunity and said: " we are the people of God-fearingness and Scripture " , but Allah excluded them from this and explained to whom this mercy is ordained, saying:

(Those who follow the messenger) the religion of the Messenger, (the Prophet who can neither read nor write) i.e. Muhammad (pbuh) (whom they will find) with his traits and description (described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right) Allah's divine Oneness and moral excellence (and forbid them that which is wrong) disbelief and hurting others. (He will make lawful for them all good things) he explains to them the lawfulness of that which is in the Scripture such as the meat and milk of camels, sheep and others (and prohibit for them only the foul) he explains to them the unlawfulness of what is in the Scripture such as carrion, the meat of swine and other things; (and he will relieve them of their burden) their pledges the breaking of which made good things unlawful for them (and the fetters) the hardships (that they used to wear) such as tearing up their clothes and other things. (Then those who believe in him) in Muhammad (pbuh) i.e. 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his followers, (and honour him) and assist him (and help him) with the sword, (and follow the light) the Qur'an (which is sent down with him) which was sent with Gabriel: that which is lawful, they declared lawful, and that which unlawful, they declared unlawful: (they are the successful) who are saved from Allah's wrath and torment.

(Say) O Muhammad: (O mankind! Lo! I am the Messenger of Allah to you all (the Messenger of) Him unto whom belongeth the Sovereignty) the stores (of the heavens and the earth. There is no God save Him) there is no Provider save Him. (He quickeneth) for the resurrection (and He giveth death) in the life of this world. (So believe in Allah and His messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believeth in Allah and in His words) in the Qur'an; or, according to another Qur'anic variant: in Jesus, who became a created being with a word, Be, and he was (and follow him) follow the religion of Muhammad (pbuh) (that haply ye may be led aright) in order that you be guided from error to faith.

(And of Moses' folk there is a community) a group (who lead with) enjoin (truth and establish justice therewith) they act upon the Truth. These are those beyond the river al-Raml.

(We divided them into twelve tribes, nations) tribe by tribe: nine tribes and a half towards the East, where the sun rises, beyond China, on the river al-Raml (also called Jordan), and two tribes and a half all over the world; (and We inspired Moses) We commanded Moses, (when his people asked him for water) in the wilderness, (saying: Smite with thy staff) which is with you (the rock! And there gushed forth therefrom) from the rock (twelve springs) rivers, (so that each tribe knew their drinking place) from the river. (And we caused the white cloud to overshadow them) in the wilderness: in the day it protected them from the sun and in the night, it lit for them like a lamp (and sent down for them the manna and the quails) in the wilderness ((saying): Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you): the manna and the quails. (They wronged Us not) they did not hurt or harm Us because of what they committed, (but they were wont to wrong themselves) to harm and hurt themselves.

(And when it was said unto them: Dwell in this township) the town of Jericho (and eat therefrom whence ye will) and whenever you will, (and say �Repentance�) and say: there is no deity except Allah; it is also said that this means: forgive our sins, (and enter the gate) the gate of Jericho (prostrate; We shall forgive you your sins; We shall increase (reward) for the right doers) in their good works.

(But those of them who did wrong) the sinning people (changed the word which had been told them for another saying) they were commanded to say " hittah [there is no deity except Allah; or as in the other meaning: forgive our sins " ] but instead said " hintah [wheat] " , (and We sent down upon them wrath from heaven) We sent upon them the plague from heaven (for their wrong-doing) for changing what they were commanded to say.

(Ask them) the Jews, O Muhammad (of the township) about the story of the township called Aylah (that was by the sea, how they did break the Sabbath) they used to transgress on the Sabbath by taking the fish, (how their big fish came unto them visibly) scores and scores of them, from deep inside up to the shore (upon their Sabbath day and on a day when they did not keep Sabbath came they not unto them. Thus did We try them) test them (for that they were evil-livers) transgressors.

(And when a community) a group (among them said: Why preach ye to a folk whom Allah is about to destroy) by turning them into animals (and punish with an awful doom) with the Fire, (they said: In order to be free from guilt before your Lord) in order to have an argument before your Lord, (and that haply they may ward off (evil)) ward off taking the fish on the Sabbath. These were three people who used to catch fish on the Sabbath and encouraged others to do so too. There was another group of people who did not catch fish on the Sabbath but did not warn others against doing so. And lastly there was another group of people who did not catch the fish on the Sabbath and warned others against doing so. Allah turned those who caught fish on the Sabbath and enjoined others to do so into animals and spared the others.

(And when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded) and when they left what they were commanded to do, (We rescued those who forbade wrong) i.e. catching fish on the Sabbath, (and visited those who did wrong) by catching fish on the Sabbath (with dreadful) a severe (punishment because they were evil-livers) because they were transgressors.

(So when they took pride in) when they refused to refrain from (that which they had been forbidden, We said unto them: Be ye apes despised and loathed!) humiliated and abominated!

(And (remember) when thy Lord proclaimed that He would raise against them till the Day of Resurrection those who would lay on them a cruel torment) those who would severely torment them by the imposition of the capitation tax and other things, the reference here is to Muhammad (pbuh) and his Community. (Lo! verily your Lord is swift in prosecution) He has a severe punishment for those who do not believe in Him (and lo! verily He is Forgiving, Merciful) vis-�-vis those who believe in Him.

(And We have sundered them) We have divided them (in the earth as (separate) nations) tribes, distinctly from each other. (Some of them are righteous) nine tribes and a half, beyond the River al-Raml, (and some far from that) the rest of the believers from among the Children of Israel; it is also said that this means: and far from that are the disbelievers of the Children of Israel. (And We have tried them with good things) and We have tested them with land fertility, abundance and comfort (and evil things) drought, lack of harvest and hardship (that haply they might return) they might repent of their transgression and disbelief.

(And a generation hath succeeded them) a generation of people succeeded the righteous ones, but their successors, among the Jews, were evil (who inherited the Scriptures) they took the Scripture and concealed the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) that is in it. (They grasp the goods of this low life (as the price of evil doing)) they take bribes and other unlawful stuff of this world in exchange for concealing the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (and say: It will be forgiven us) the sins we commit at night shall be forgiven during the day, and the sins we commit in the day shall be forgiven at night. (And if there came to them (again)) today (the offer of the like) similar to the unlawful that had come to them before, (they would accept it) and declaring to be lawful. (Hath not the covenant of the Scripture been taken on their behalf that they should not speak aught concerning Allah save the Truth? And they have studied that which is therein) of the traits and attributes of Muhammad (pbuh); it is also said that this means: they studied what is in it of the lawful and the unlawful but did not act upon it. (And the abode of the Hereafter) i.e. Paradise (is better, for those who ward off (evil)) ward off disbelief, idolatry, indecencies, bribery and changing the traits and description of the Prophet (pbuh) in the Torah. Warding off these is better than the abode of the life of this world. (Have ye then no sense?) do you not realise that the life of this world is vanishing and the Hereafter is everlasting?

(And as for those who make (men) keep the Scripture) those who act upon the Scripture, declaring its lawful to be lawful and its unlawful to be unlawful, and further manifest the traits and description of Muhammad (pbuh) (and establish worship) and perform the five daily prayers (lo! We squander not) We thwart not (the wages of reformers) the reward of those who do good in their works and speech, referring here to 'Abdullah Ibn Salam and his companions.

(And when We shook the Mount) when We extracted, raised and fixed the Mount (above them) above their heads (as it were a covering) for comfort, (and they supposed) they knew and were certain (that it was going to fall upon them) if they did not accept the Scripture ((and We said): Hold fast that which We have given you) act according to it seriously and diligently, (and remember that which is therein) of reward and punishment; it is also said that this means: recall what is therein of commands and prohibitions; and it is also said that this means: act upon that which is therein of the lawful and the unlawful, (that ye may ward off (evil)) that you may ward off Allah's wrath and torment and that you may believe in Allah.

(And (remember) when thy Lord) O Muhammad (brought forth) on the Day of the Covenant (from the Children of Adam, from their reins, their seed) He brought forth the seeds from their reins, (and made them testify of themselves, (saying): Am I not your Lord? They said: Yea, verily We testify) we know and acknowledge that You are our Lord. Allah then said to the angels: be witnesses over them; and let you be witnesses over one another. ((That was) lest ye should say) so that you do not say (at the Day of Resurrection: Lo! of this) covenant (we were unaware) we were not made to make pledge;

(Or lest ye should say) and so that you do not say: ((It is) only (that) our fathers ascribed partners to Allah of old) before us, and it is them who broke the covenant and pledge before us (and we were (their) seed) small and weak (after them) and we just emulated them. (Wilt Thou destroy us) will you punish us (on account of that which those who follow falsehood did?) on account of what the idolaters did before us in terms of breaking the covenant?

(Thus We detail Our revelations) We explain in the Qur'an the story of the Covenant, (that haply they may return) from disbelief and idolatry to the initial Covenant.

(Recite unto them) O Muhammad (the tale of him to whom We gave Our revelations) the greatest divine name, (but he sloughed them off) the reference here is to Bal'am Ibn Ba'ura' whom Allah honoured with His greatest name but he used to pray against Moses and so Allah took it away from him. It is also said that the reference here is to Umayyah Ibn al-Salt whom Allah honoured with knowledge and good speech but when he did not believe, Allah took this away from him, (so Satan overtook him) Satan deluded him (and he became of those who lead astray) he became of the erring disbelievers.

(And had We willed We could have raised him by their means) We could have raised him by means of the greatest name to heaven and made him sovereign over the people of this world, (but he clung to the earth) he inclined to the wealth of this world (and followed his own lust) the lust of leadership; it is also said that this means: the lust of his ego by engaging in evil things. (Therefore his likeness) the likeness of Bal'am; and it is said: the likeness of Umayyah Ibn al-Salt (is as the likeness of a dog; if thou attackest him) and drive him away from you (he panteth with his tongue out, and if thou leavest him) and do not drive him away (he panteth with his tongue out) such is the case with Bal'am and Umayyah, when they were admonished they did not take any heed and when they were left alone, they did not understand anything. (Such is the likeness of the people who deny Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an. These people are the Jews. (Narrate unto them the history (of the men of old)) recite to them the Qur'an, (that haply they may take thought) that haply they may reflect on the similes of the Qur'an.

(Evil as an example are the folk who denied Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an, if their example is as that of a dog, (and were wont to wrong themselves) to harm themselves by being tortured.

(He who Allah leadeth) guides to His religion, (he indeed is led aright) to His religion, (while he whom Allah sendeth astray) from His religion (they indeed are losers) because of being punished.

(Already have We urged unto) We created for (hell many of the jinn and humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not) the Truth, (and having eyes wherewith they see not) the Truth, (and having ears wherewith they hear not) the Truth. (These are as the cattle) in relation to understanding the Truth (nay, but they are worse!) because they are disbelievers (These are the neglectful) those who are oblivious to the matter of the Hereafter, deniers of it.

(Allah's are the fairest names) the loftiest attributes: knowledge, power, hearing, sight, and the like. (Invoke Him by them) recite by them. (And leave the company of those who blaspheme His names) those who deny His names and attributes; and according to a different reading this means: those who are disinclined to acknowledge His names; and it is also said that this means: those who liken His names to al-Lat, al-'Uzza, and Manat. (They will be requited) in the Hereafter for (what they do) and say in the life of this world.

(And of those whom We created there is a nation) a group (who guide with the Truth) bid to the Truth (and establish justice therewith) and act upon the Truth. This group is the Community of Muhammad (pbuh).

(And those who deny Our revelations) Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an. These are Abu Jahl and his followers as well as all those who make a mockery of any punishment inflicted on them (step by step We lead them on) We will punish them (from whence they know not) that the punishment is being sent to them. And indeed Allah destroyed them in one day, each of which with a different type of destruction.

(I give them rein) I give them respite ((for) lo! My scheme is strong) My punishment and seizure is mighty.

(Have they not bethought them) among themselves that Muhammad (pbuh) was not a sorcerer, soothsayer or a madman. Then Allah, Exalted is He, said: ((that) there is no madness) there is no touch of madness whatsoever (in their comrade) in their Prophet? (He is but a plain warner) and Messenger who explains to them in a language they understand.

(Have they not considered) i.e. the people of Mecca (the dominion of the heavens) the sun, moon, stars and clouds (and the earth) and the dominion of the earth: the trees, mountains, oceans and beasts, (and what things Allah hath created) and all the things that Allah created, (and that it may be) 'may be' ['asa] when used in relation to Allah denotes a requisite (that their own term draweth nigh) their destruction draws near? (In what fact after this) in what Scripture after Allah's Scripture (will they believe) if they do not believe in this Scripture?

(Those whom Allah sendeth astray) from His religion, (there is no guide for them) to His religion. (He leaveth them to wander blindly on in their contumacy) in their disbelief and error.

(They) the people of Mecca (ask thee) O Muhammad (of the (destined) Hour) about the timing and occurrence of the Last Hour, (when will it come to port. Say: Knowledge thereof) the knowledge of its timing and occurrence (is with my Lord only) is from my Lord. (He alone will manifest it at its proper time) none but He manifests its occurrence and timing. (It is heavy in the heavens and the earth) the knowledge of its occurrence and timing is heavy on the dwellers of the heavens and earth. (It cometh not to you save unawares) except all of a sudden. (They question thee) O Muhammad about the Hour (as if thou couldst be well informed thereof) as if you have knowledge of its timing; it is also said that this means: as if you are ignorant of it; as it is said that this means: as if you are oblivious to it. (Say) O Muhammad: (Knowledge thereof) knowledge of its occurrence and timing (is with Allah only) from Allah only, (but most of mankind) the people of Mecca (know not) nor believe in it.

(Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (For myself I have no power to benefit) to bring benefit, (nor power to hurt) to drive away harm, (save that which Allah willeth) to do with me of benefit or harm. (Had I knowledge of the Unseen) benefit and harm, (I should have abundance of wealth) of benefit, (and adversity) harm (would not touch me) it is also said that this means: if I knew when punishment would descend upon you, I would do good in abundance out of gratitude and no grief or sadness for you would touch me because of it; it is also said that this means: If I knew when I was to die, I would do good and perform righteous works in abundance and hardship would not touch me; it is also said that this means: If I knew the timing of droughts, lack of harvest and of rises in prices, I would amass good in abundance and hardship would not touch me. (I am but a warner) of the Fire, (and a bearer of good tidings) of Paradise (unto folk who believe) in Paradise and hell.

(He it is who did create you from a single soul) the soul of Adam alone, (and therefrom did make his mate) and from the soul of Adam he created his wife Eve (that he might take rest in her) with her. (And when he covered her) and when he made love to her (she bore a light burden, and she passed (unnoticed) with it) she stood up and sat down because of pain, (but when it became heavy) when the child became heavy in her womb, they thought, because of Satan's whispering, that it was a beast (they cried unto Allah, their Lord, saying: If thou givest unto us aright) if you give us a sound human being (we shall be of the thankful) for it.

(But when He gave unto them aright) a sound human being, (they ascribed unto Him partners) they made Iblis a partner (about that which He had given them) in naming that which he had given them of offspring: they called him 'Abdullah and 'Abd al-Harth. (High is He exalted above) Allah absolves Himself from (all that they associate (with Him)) of idols.

(Attribute they as partners to Allah those who created naught) or give life, (but are themselves) i.e. these gods (created) carved; created in that they are carved,

(And cannot give them help) victory or prevent them from defeat, (nor can they) these gods (help themselves) stop what is wanted with them?

(And if ye call them) O Muhammad, i.e. the disbelievers (to the Guidance) to Allah's divine Oneness, (they follow you not) they will not answer you. (Whether you call them) to Allah's divine Oneness (or are silent is all one to them) the disbelievers will not follow you regarding Allah's divine Oneness; it is also said: O group of disbelievers, if you call the idols to the Truth, they will not answer: it is the same whether you call them or not, because they are not living but dead.

(Lo! those on whom ye call) worship (beside Allah) of idols (are slaves like unto you) are created like you. (Call on them) i.e. the idols (now, and let them answer you) let them hear your call and answer, (if ye are truthful!) that they can benefit you.

(Have they feet wherewith they walk) to goodness, (or have they hands wherewith they hold) with which they can give and take, (or have they eyes wherewith they see) your worship, (or have they ears wherewith they hear) your call? (Say) O Muhammad to the idolaters of Mecca: (Call upon your (so- called) partners (of Allah)) seek the help of your gods, (and then contrive against me) scheme you all together to destroy me, (spare me not!) do not give me any respite.

(Lo! my Protecting Friend is Allah) my Protector and Helper is Allah (who revealeth the Scripture) Who sent Gabriel to me with the Scripture. (He befriendeth the righteous) He protects the righteous.

(They on whom ye call) worship (beside Him) of idols (have no power to help you) to benefit or harm you, (nor can they help themselves) nor prevent what is wanted with them.

(And if ye (Muslims) call them to the Guidance) to the Truth (they hear not) nor answer because they are not living but dead; (and thou seest them) O Muhammad (looking towards you) with their eyes open as if they are looking at you, (but they see not) because they are not living but dead.

(Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad)) take the surplus of your family and dependents. But this was abrogated. It is also said that this means: forgive the one who transgresses against you, and give to him who withholds from you and keep ties with him who severs his ties with you, (and enjoin kindness) and benevolence, (and turn away from the ignorant) Abu Jahl and his folk who mock you.

This turning away from the ignorant was then abrogated, (And if a slander) whispering or doubt (from the devil wound thee) befalls you, (then seek refuge in Allah) seek Allah's protection from his whispering. (Lo! He is Hearer) of your seeking refuge in Him, (Knower) of his whispering.

(Lo! those who ward off (evil)) those who ward off the whispering of the devil, (when a glamour) doubt and insinuation (from the devil troubles them) befalls them, (they do but remember) know ((Allah's guidance) and behold them seers) refraining from transgression!

(Their brethren) the brethren of the idolaters, i.e. the devils (plunge them further) drag them further by means of their insinuations (into error) into disbelief, error and sin (and cease not) and they refrain not from it.

(And when thou bringest not a verse for them) i.e. the people of Mecca, as they request (they say: Why hast thou not chosen it?) why not take it upon yourself to bring it from Allah?; It is also said that this means: why do you not invent it yourself? (Say) to them, O Muhammad: (I follow only that which is inspired in me from my Lord) I do and say only that which is revealed to me from my Lord. (This) Qur'an (is insight) an exposition (from your Lord) detailing commands and prohibitions, (and a guidance) and a guidance from error (and a mercy) preventing from punishment (for a people that believe) in the Qur'an.

(And when the Qur'an is recited) during the prescribed prayers, (give ear to it) to its recitation (and pay heed) to it being recited, (that you may obtain mercy) and not be punished.

(And do thou (O Muhammad) remember thy Lord within thyself) recite alone by yourself, O Muhammad, if you are leading the prayer (humbly and with awe, below your breath) avoiding to raise your voice too loudly or lowering it too much, (at morn and evening) during the morning prayer and in evening prayer: Maghrib and 'Isha'. (And be you not of the neglectful) of reciting the Qur'an in prayers whether you are praying alone or leading the prayer.

(Lo! those who are with your Lord) i.e. the angels (are not too proud to do Him service) to obey Him and acknowledge their servitude to Him, (but they praise Him) they obey Him (and adore Him) and pray to Him, and Allah knows best'.