Tanwir al-Miqbas · Tafsir · in English
الجن
Al-Jinn
The Jinn · Meccan · 28 ayahs
72:1Page 572
قُلۡ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسۡتَمَعَ نَفَرٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ فَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا سَمِعۡنَا قُرۡءَانًا عَجَبٗا ١
Say, [O Muḥammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur’ān [i.e., recitation].
And from his narration on the authority of Ibn 'Abbas that he said regarding the interpretation of Allah's saying (Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me): '(Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me) say, O Muhammad, to the disbelievers of Mecca that Gabriel has come down and informed me (that a company of the jinn) nine of the jinn of Nusaybin which is near Yemen (gave ear, and they said) after accepting faith and returning to their folk: O our folk! (Lo! it is a marvellous Qur'an) we have listened to the recitation of a marvellous, illustrious and noble Qur'an which resembles the Scripture of Moses, this is because they were followers of the Torah,
72:2Page 572
يَهۡدِيٓ إِلَى ٱلرُّشۡدِ فَـَٔامَنَّا بِهِۦۖ وَلَن نُّشۡرِكَ بِرَبِّنَآ أَحَدٗا ٢
It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone.
(Which guideth unto righteousness) which guides to the Truth, guidance and right course, i.e. to �there is no deity except Allah�, (so we believe in it) we believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and we believe in the Qur'an (and we ascribe unto our Lord no partner) here meaning the devil.
72:3Page 572
وَأَنَّهُۥ تَعَٰلَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا ٱتَّخَذَ صَٰحِبَةٗ وَلَا وَلَدٗا ٣
And [it teaches] that exalted is the nobleness of our Lord; He has not taken a wife or a son
(And (we believe) that He-exalted be the glory of our Lord-) and that the dominion of our Lord is exalted; it is also said this means: the tremendousness, sovereignty, absoluteness and attributes of our Lord are far exalted, and He (hath taken neither wife nor son) as the disbelievers claim,
72:4Page 572
وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ شَطَطٗا ٤
And that our foolish one [i.e., Iblees]1 has been saying about Allāh an excessive transgression.
(And that the foolish one among us) i.e. the devil (used to speak concerning Allah an atrocious lie.
72:5Page 572
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّآ أَن لَّن تَقُولَ ٱلۡإِنسُ وَٱلۡجِنُّ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبٗا ٥
And we had thought that mankind and the jinn would never speak about Allāh a lie.
And lo! we had supposed that humankind and jinn would not speak a lie concerning Allah) and we thought that what humans and the jinn said about Allah was not a lie, but we know now that it is. From the beginning of the surah up to here, Allah related what the jinn said.
72:6Page 572
وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ رِجَالٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمۡ رَهَقٗا ٦
And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they [only] increased them in burden [i.e., sin].
Allah then said: (And indeed (O Muhammad) individuals of humankind used to invoke the protection of individuals of the jinn so that they increased them) because of that (in revolt (against Allah)) in pride, arrogance, sedition, and corruption. This is because they were afraid of them whenever they travelled, caught a game or camped in a valley. And to avoid their harm they used to say: �we seek refuge in the master of this valley from the foolish ones of his folk� after which they felt safe. As a result, the masters of these places increased in nothing but pride and arrogance towards the communality among their folk. There are three kinds of jinn: one kind flies in the air; another kind ascends and descends wherever they wish; and a third kind resembles dogs and snakes;
72:7Page 572
وَأَنَّهُمۡ ظَنُّواْ كَمَا ظَنَنتُمۡ أَن لَّن يَبۡعَثَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٗا ٧
And they had thought, as you thought, that Allāh would never send anyone [as a messenger].
(And indeed they) the disbelievers of the jinn before they accepted faith (supposed, even as you suppose) O people of Mecca, (that Allah would not raise anyone (from the dead)) and it is also said that this means: and they supposed just as you did that Allah will not send anyone as a messenger.
72:8Page 572
وَأَنَّا لَمَسۡنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ فَوَجَدۡنَٰهَا مُلِئَتۡ حَرَسٗا شَدِيدٗا وَشُهُبٗا ٨
And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames.
Allah then went back to the talk of the jinn, saying: (And (the jinn who had listened to the Qur'an said): We had sought the heaven) before we accepted faith (but had found it filled with strong warders) angels (and meteors) preventing them from listening.
72:9Page 572
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقۡعُدُ مِنۡهَا مَقَٰعِدَ لِلسَّمۡعِۖ فَمَن يَسۡتَمِعِ ٱلۡأٓنَ يَجِدۡ لَهُۥ شِهَابٗا رَّصَدٗا ٩
And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing,1 but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.
(And we used to sit on places (high) therein) in heaven (to listen) before the advent of Muhammad (pbuh). (But he who listened now) after the advent of Muhammad (pbuh) (findeth a flame) a shining star (in wait for him) from the angels in order to prevent them from listening;
72:10Page 572
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدۡرِيٓ أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ أَرَادَ بِهِمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ رَشَدٗا ١٠
And we do not know [therefore] whether evil is intended for those on earth or whether their Lord intends for them a right course.
(And we know not whether) in preventing us from listening (harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intendeth guidance for them) or whether their Lord intends guidance, goodness and the correct course for them; it is also said that this means: we do not know whether evil is intended for the people of the earth by the advent of Muhammad (pbuh) such that if they do not believe in him they will be destroyed or it is good, guidance and the correct course that their Lord intends for them if they believe in him.
72:11Page 572
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَۖ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدٗا ١١
And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways.1
(And among us there are righteous folk) those who believe in Allah's divine Oneness; these are those who believe in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (and among us there are far from that) and among us there are disbelievers, the disbelieving jinn. (We are sects having different rules) we followed different religions, i.e. Judaism and Christianity, before believing in Allah.
72:12Page 572
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّآ أَن لَّن نُّعۡجِزَ ٱللَّهَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَن نُّعۡجِزَهُۥ هَرَبٗا ١٢
And we have become certain that we will never cause failure to Allāh upon earth, nor can we escape Him by flight.
(And we know) and are certain (that we cannot escape from Allah in the earth) for He can reach us wherever we might be, (nor can we escape by flight) nor can we escape from Him by running away.
72:13Page 572
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعۡنَا ٱلۡهُدَىٰٓ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦۖ فَمَن يُؤۡمِنۢ بِرَبِّهِۦ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخۡسٗا وَلَا رَهَقٗا ١٣
And when we heard the guidance [i.e., the Qur’ān], we believed in it. And whoever believes in his Lord will not fear deprivation or burden.1
(And when we heard the guidance) and when we heard the recitation of the Qur'an by Muhammad (pbuh) (we believed therein) we believed in the Qur'an and Muhammad (pbuh) (and whoso believeth in his Lord, he feareth neither loss) of all his works (nor oppression) nor decrease of his works.
72:14Page 573
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلۡمُسۡلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا ٱلۡقَٰسِطُونَۖ فَمَنۡ أَسۡلَمَ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ تَحَرَّوۡاْ رَشَدٗا ١٤
And among us are Muslims [in submission to Allāh], and among us are the unjust.1 And whoever has become Muslim - those have sought out the right course.
(And there are among us some who have surrendered (to Allah)) and there are among us those who are sincere in their belief in Allah's divine Oneness; these are the ones who believed in Muhammad (pbuh) and the Qur'an (and there are among us some who are unjust) i.e. disobedient ones who have deviated from the Truth and guidance; and these are the disbelievers among the jinn. (And whoso hath surrendered to Allah) and whoever is sincere in his belief in Allah's divine Oneness, (such have taken the right path purposefully) such have intended goodness and the correct course.
72:15Page 573
وَأَمَّا ٱلۡقَٰسِطُونَ فَكَانُواْ لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبٗا ١٥
But as for the unjust, they will be, for Hell, firewood.'
(And as for those who are unjust) i.e. the disbelievers, (they are firewood for hell.
72:16Page 573
وَأَلَّوِ ٱسۡتَقَٰمُواْ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسۡقَيۡنَٰهُم مَّآءً غَدَقٗا ١٦
And [Allāh revealed] that if they had remained straight on the way, We would have given them abundant rain [i.e., provision]
If they (the idolaters) tread the right path) the path of disbelief; and it is said: the path of Islam, (We shall give them to drink of water in abundance) We shall give them abundant wealth and a comfortable life
72:17Page 573
لِّنَفۡتِنَهُمۡ فِيهِۚ وَمَن يُعۡرِضۡ عَن ذِكۡرِ رَبِّهِۦ يَسۡلُكۡهُ عَذَابٗا صَعَدٗا ١٧
So We might test them therein. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord1 He will put into arduous punishment.
(That We may test them thereby) in order that they may revert to that which I have ordained for them, (and whoso turneth away from the remembrance of his Lord) and whoever turns away from believing in the divine Oneness and Scripture of his Lord, i.e. the Qur'an-this refers to al-Walid Ibn al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi; (He will thrust him into ever growing torment) climbing a mountain of smooth stones; and it is said this means: climbing a mountain of copper in the Fire.
72:18Page 573
وَأَنَّ ٱلۡمَسَٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدۡعُواْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدٗا ١٨
And [He revealed] that the masjids1 are for Allāh, so do not invoke2 with Allāh anyone.
(And the places of worship are only for Allah) they are built for the remembrance of Allah, (so pray not unto) so worship not (anyone along with Allah) in mosques; it is also said that the places of worship refer to the different parts of a person that touch the ground upon prostrating in prayer: the forehead, the knees, the hands and the feet.
72:19Page 573
وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبۡدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدۡعُوهُ كَادُواْ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيۡهِ لِبَدٗا ١٩
And that when the Servant [i.e., Prophet] of Allāh stood up supplicating Him, they almost became about him a compacted mass."1
(And when the slave of Allah) Muhammad (pbuh) (stood up) in Batn Nakhl (in prayer to Him) to worship Allah through prayer, (they crowded on him, almost stifling) the jinn almost fell on him because of their love of the Qur'an and Muhammad (pbuh) when they heard him recite the Qur'an in Batn Nakhl.
72:20Page 573
قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَدۡعُواْ رَبِّي وَلَآ أُشۡرِكُ بِهِۦٓ أَحَدٗا ٢٠
Say, [O Muḥammad], "I only invoke my Lord and do not associate with Him anyone."
(Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I pray unto Allah only) I worship Allah only and call people to worship none but Him, (and ascribe unto Him no partner.
72:21Page 573
قُلۡ إِنِّي لَآ أَمۡلِكُ لَكُمۡ ضَرّٗا وَلَا رَشَدٗا ٢١
Say, "Indeed, I do not possess for you [the power of] harm or right direction."
Say) O Muhammad, to the people of Mecca: (Lo! I control not hurt) I cannot drive away from you harm, forsakenness or chastisement (nor benefit for you) nor can I give you benefit and guidance.
72:22Page 573
قُلۡ إِنِّي لَن يُجِيرَنِي مِنَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدٞ وَلَنۡ أَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلۡتَحَدًا ٢٢
Say, "Indeed, there will never protect me from Allāh anyone [if I should disobey], nor will I find in other than Him a refuge.
(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (Lo! none can protect me from Allah) from Allah's chastisement if I disobey Him, (nor can I find any refuge beside Him) nor can I find any escape or hiding place from Allah's chastisement if I disobey Him.
72:23Page 573
إِلَّا بَلَٰغٗا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِسَٰلَٰتِهِۦۚ وَمَن يَعۡصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا ٢٣
But [I have for you] only notification from Allāh, and His messages." And whoever disobeys Allāh and His Messenger - then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever.
((Mine is) but conveyance (of the Truth) from Allah) he says: nothing can save me except conveyance on behalf of Allah, (and His messages; and whoso disobeyeth Allah) regarding Allah's divine Oneness (and His messenger) in his conveyance of the message, (lo! His) in the Hereafter (is fire of hell, wherein such dwell forever) never to die or leave it.
72:24Page 573
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوۡاْ مَا يُوعَدُونَ فَسَيَعۡلَمُونَ مَنۡ أَضۡعَفُ نَاصِرٗا وَأَقَلُّ عَدَدٗا ٢٤
[The disbelievers continue] until, when they see that which they are promised, then they will know who is weaker in helpers and less in number.
(Till (the day)) He says: wait for them until the day (when they shall behold that which they are promised) of chastisement; (but then they will know for certain) this is a threat from Allah to them (who is weaker in allies and less in multitude) who has less helpers.
72:25Page 573
قُلۡ إِنۡ أَدۡرِيٓ أَقَرِيبٞ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ أَمۡ يَجۡعَلُ لَهُۥ رَبِّيٓ أَمَدًا ٢٥
Say, "I do not know if what you are promised is near or if my Lord will grant for it a [long] period."
(Say) to them, O Muhammad: (I know not whether that which ye are promised) of chastisement (is nigh, or if my Lord hath set a distant term for it.
72:26Page 573
عَٰلِمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ فَلَا يُظۡهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيۡبِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا ٢٦
[He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone
(He is) the knower of the Unseen) He knows when the chastisement will happen, (and He revealeth unto none His secret,
72:27Page 573
إِلَّا مَنِ ٱرۡتَضَىٰ مِن رَّسُولٖ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَسۡلُكُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ يَدَيۡهِ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِۦ رَصَدٗا ٢٧
Except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before him [i.e., each messenger] and behind him observers1
Save unto every messenger whom he hath chosen) He reveals to them some instances of the Unseen, (and then He maketh a guard) angels (to go before him) before the messenger (and a guard behind him) to protect him from the jinn, devils and human beings so that they do not hear Gabriel reciting the revelations.
72:28Page 573
لِّيَعۡلَمَ أَن قَدۡ أَبۡلَغُواْ رِسَٰلَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَأَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيۡهِمۡ وَأَحۡصَىٰ كُلَّ شَيۡءٍ عَدَدَۢا ٢٨
That he [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] may know1 that they have conveyed the messages of their Lord; and He has encompassed whatever is with them and has enumerated all things in number.
(That He) that Muhammad (pbuh) (may know that they) i.e. the messengers (have indeed conveyed the messages of their Lord) the angels protected them just as they are protecting you; it is also said that this means: so that the messengers, Muhammad and other messengers, know that the angels have conveyed the message from Allah; and it is also said that this means: so that the jinn and human beings know that the messengers have conveyed the messages of their Lord. (He surroundeth all their doings) He has full knowledge of all the angels that surround them, (and He keepeth count of all things) it is also said that He knows their number just as He knows the state of the one who is wrapped up in his raiment'.
Text: Quranic Universal Library (Tarteel), via spa5k/tafsir_api (MIT), at a fixed version. The ayahs: Quran Foundation. Sources and licences