Jonah
Yûnus
یُونس
LEARNING POINTS
The Makkans are criticized for rejecting the Quran and challenging the Prophet.
The idol-worshippers are asked to learn a lesson from the destruction of the people of Pharaoh and the people of Nuh.
Allah accepted the repentance of the people of Yunus when they repented before the punishment came.
This life is very short.
The mighty Creator of the heavens and the earth can easily bring people back to life for judgment.
People cry to Allah for help when they go through a disaster, but they quickly forget about Him when things get better for them.
The Prophet is asked to have patience and to put his trust in Allah.
SIDE STORY
Joha lost his keys and was looking for them under a street lamp. People saw him looking for his keys and came to help. After searching for a long time, they got tired and asked him, "Do you remember the last time you saw those keys?" Joha replied, "In my bedroom." People got very angry and said to him, "Then why are you looking for them here?" He argued, "I prefer this spot because it has much more light!"
BACKGROUND STORY
Joha's argument reminds me of the idol-worshippers' attitude towards the Prophet . Even though Allah did what was best for them by sending them one of their own as their messenger, they argued that Allah should have sent them an angel instead. So Ailah revealed verse 2 in response to this claim. {Imam Al-Qurțubi}
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Why didn't Allah just send them an angel to be their messenger?" This is a good question. Consider the following points:
1. It would be impossible for people to see and interact with an angel in his real form, so he would have to come in the form of a human being. If this happened, the deniers wouldn't believe he was an angel, as Allah says in 6:8-9.
2. If Allah had sent a prophet-angel, the idol-worshippers would have argued, "This prophet can fast the whole month of Ramadan, pray 5 times a day, and travel long distances for hajj simply because he is an angel. Human beings can't do any of that." So Allah sent them a human being like themselves to show them that these things can actually be done.
3. Also, a prophet has to lead by example. So he has to live among people, marry like them, eat and drink like them. He should be able to teach them what it means to be a good husband, father, and son. The angels, however, cannot do any of these things.
WORDS OF WISDOM
As we mentioned in Surah 29, the Arabic alphabet has 29 letters; 14 of them appear as individual letters or in groups at the beginning of 29 surahs, like Alif-Lam-Ra, Ta-Ha, and Ha-Mim. Imam Ibn Kathir says in his explanation of 2:1, these 14 letters can be arranged into an Arabic sentence that reads 'صِرَاطٌ عَلَى حَقٍّ نَمْسِكُهُ' which translates to: 'A wise text with authority, full of wonders.' Although Muslim scholars have tried to explain these 14 letters, no one knows their true meaning except Allah.
UNIVERSAL MESSENGER
1Alif-Lam-Ra. These are the verses of the Book, full of wisdom. 2Is it shocking to people that We have sent revelation to a man from among themselves, 'ordering him,' "Warn humanity and give good news to the believers that they will have a great status with their Lord"? Yet the disbelievers say, "This 'man' is clearly a magician!"
الٓرۚ تِلۡكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ 1أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنۡ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ رَجُلٖ مِّنۡهُمۡ أَنۡ أَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَنَّ لَهُمۡ قَدَمَ صِدۡقٍ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡۗ قَالَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرُونَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٞ مُّبِينٌ2
THE MASTER CREATOR
3Surely your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then established Himself on the Throne, managing everything. None can speak to defend others except by His permission. That is Allah-your Lord, so worship Him 'alone'. Will you not keep this in mind? 4To Him is your return all together. Allah's promise is true. He certainly starts the creation then brings it back to life 'after death' so that He may fairly reward those who believe and do good. But those who disbelieve will have a boiling drink and a painful punishment for their disbelief.
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٖ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَۖ مَا مِن شَفِيعٍ إِلَّا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ إِذۡنِهِۦۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُوهُۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ 3إِلَيۡهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ جَمِيعٗاۖ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقًّاۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ لِيَجۡزِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَهُمۡ شَرَابٞ مِّنۡ حَمِيمٖ وَعَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ4
SIGNS IN ALLAH'S CREATION
5He is the One Who made the sun a shining source and the moon a reflected light, with perfectly set phases, so that you may know the number of years and the calculation 'of time'. Allah did not create all this except for a purpose. He makes the signs clear for people who know. 6Surely in the rotation of the day and the night, and in everything Allah has created the heavens and the earth, there are truly signs for those who keep Him in mind.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ ضِيَآءٗ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ نُورٗا وَقَدَّرَهُۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ 5إِنَّ فِي ٱخۡتِلَٰفِ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَتَّقُونَ6
THOSE WHO DENY LIFE AFTER DEATH
7Surely those who do not expect to meet Us, being pleased and satisfied with this life and who are careless about Our signs, 8they will have the Fire as a home because of what they have done.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُواْ بِٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱطۡمَأَنُّواْ بِهَا وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ عَنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا غَٰفِلُونَ 7أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ مَأۡوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ8
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Are we going to pray and fast in Jannah?" The short answer is no. The believers only pray salah, pay zakah, and fast in this world. But in the Next Life, they will spend their time enjoying the pleasures of Paradise, saying good things, and praising Allah, as mentioned in verse 10. When the people of Jannah want some food or drink, they just say, "Sub-hana-Allah" and it will be served immediately. Then they say, "Alhamdu-lillah" when they are done eating or drinking. (Imam Ibn Kathir)
THOSE GUIDED BY FAITH
9Surely those who believe and do good, their Lord will guide them to Jannah through their faith. Rivers will flow under their feet in the Gardens of Enjoyment, 10Where their prayer will be, "Glory be to You, O Allah!" and their greeting will be, "Peace!" and their closing prayer will be, "All praise is for Allah--Lord of the universe!"
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ يَهۡدِيهِمۡ رَبُّهُم بِإِيمَٰنِهِمۡۖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهِمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ فِي جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ 9دَعۡوَىٰهُمۡ فِيهَا سُبۡحَٰنَكَ ٱللَّهُمَّ وَتَحِيَّتُهُمۡ فِيهَا سَلَٰمٞۚ وَءَاخِرُ دَعۡوَىٰهُمۡ أَنِ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ10
ALLAH'S KINDNESS
11If Allah decided to speed up evil for people "when they ask for it" the same way they want to speed up the good, they would have certainly been doomed. But We leave those who do not expect to meet Us to wander blindly in their wickedness.
۞ وَلَوۡ يُعَجِّلُ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ ٱلشَّرَّ ٱسۡتِعۡجَالَهُم بِٱلۡخَيۡرِ لَقُضِيَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ أَجَلُهُمۡۖ فَنَذَرُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا فِي طُغۡيَٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ11
Verse 11: Meaning the idol-worshippers who challenged the Prophet to pray for their own destruction.
THE UNGRATEFUL
12When something bad happens to someone, they cry out to Us, while lying on their side, sitting, or standing. But when We remove their difficulty, they return to their old ways as if they had never cried to Us to remove any difficulty! In the same way, the deeds of those who went too far in evil looked good to them.
وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ ٱلضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنۢبِهِۦٓ أَوۡ قَاعِدًا أَوۡ قَآئِمٗا فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُ ضُرَّهُۥ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمۡ يَدۡعُنَآ إِلَىٰ ضُرّٖ مَّسَّهُۥۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ12
WARNING TO THE IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
13We already destroyed 'other' peoples before you when they kept doing wrong, and their messengers came to them with clear proofs but they would not believe! This is how We pay back the wicked people. 14Then We put you in charge of the land after them to see what you would do.
وَلَقَدۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَا ٱلۡقُرُونَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَمَّا ظَلَمُواْ وَجَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ وَمَا كَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ 13ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَٰكُمۡ خَلَٰٓئِفَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ لِنَنظُرَ كَيۡفَ تَعۡمَلُونَ14
THE MAKKANS DEMAND A NEW QURAN
15When Our clear revelations are recited to them, those who do not expect to meet Us say 'to the Prophet', "Bring us a different Quran or at least' make some changes in it."² Say "to them', "It is not for me to change it on my own; I only follow what is revealed to me. I truly fear the punishment of a horrible Day if I ever disobey my Lord." 16Say, "If Allah wanted, I would not have recited it to you, and He would not have made it known to you. I have lived my whole life among you before this revelation'. Do you not understand?" 17Who does more wrong than those who make up lies against Allah or deny His revelations? Indeed, the wicked will never succeed.
وَإِذَا تُتۡلَىٰ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَاتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٖ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَرۡجُونَ لِقَآءَنَا ٱئۡتِ بِقُرۡءَانٍ غَيۡرِ هَٰذَآ أَوۡ بَدِّلۡهُۚ قُلۡ مَا يَكُونُ لِيٓ أَنۡ أُبَدِّلَهُۥ مِن تِلۡقَآيِٕ نَفۡسِيٓۖ إِنۡ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ إِنۡ عَصَيۡتُ رَبِّي عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيم 15قُل لَّوۡ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَلَوۡتُهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَلَآ أَدۡرَىٰكُم بِهِۦۖ فَقَدۡ لَبِثۡتُ فِيكُمۡ عُمُرٗا مِّن قَبۡلِهِۦٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ 16فَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوۡ كَذَّبَ بَِٔايَٰتِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ17
Verse 15: They wanted to change the parts that criticized idol-worshippers.
THOSE WHO WORSHIP IDOLS
18They worship besides Allah things that cannot harm or benefit them, then argue, "These idols' will speak to defend us in front of Allah." Ask "them, O Prophet', "Are you informing Allah of something He does not know about in the heavens or the earth?" He is praised and honoured high above whatever 'false gods' they make equal to Him.
وَيَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَضُرُّهُمۡ وَلَا يَنفَعُهُمۡ وَيَقُولُونَ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَٰٓؤُنَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ قُلۡ أَتُنَبُِّٔونَ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا لَا يَعۡلَمُ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَلَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ18
BELIEVERS AND DISBELIEVERS
19Humanity used to be just one community 'of believers', but later they differed.! If it was not for an earlier decision from your Lord, their differences would have been settled 'immediately'.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ إِلَّآ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ فَٱخۡتَلَفُواْۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةٞ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ فِيمَا فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ19
Verse 19: Meaning they split into believers and disbelievers.
DEMANDING A NEW MIRACLE
20Those Makkans' ask, "Why has no 'other' sign been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "O Prophet, «That knowledge of the unseen is only with Allah. So wait and see! I too am waiting with you."
وَيَقُولُونَ لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡهِ ءَايَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦۖ فَقُلۡ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡغَيۡبُ لِلَّهِ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓاْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُنتَظِرِينَ20
Verse 20: The idol-worshippers were not satisfied with the Quran, so they demanded a miracle similar to the staff of Musa .
UNGRATEFUL MAKKANS
21When We give people a taste of mercy after going through a difficulty, they quickly make evil plans against Our revelations! Say, "O Prophet," "Allah is quicker in planning 'punishment'. Surely Our messenger-angels are recording your evil plans."
وَإِذَآ أَذَقۡنَا ٱلنَّاسَ رَحۡمَةٗ مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتۡهُمۡ إِذَا لَهُم مَّكۡرٞ فِيٓ ءَايَاتِنَاۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ أَسۡرَعُ مَكۡرًاۚ إِنَّ رُسُلَنَا يَكۡتُبُونَ مَا تَمۡكُرُونَ21
Verse 21: That He will delay their judgment until the Next Life.
UNGRATEFUL HUMANS
22He is the One Who makes it easy for you to travel on land and sea. And it so happens that you are on ships, sailing with a good wind, which makes the passengers happy. Suddenly, the ships are hit by a wild storm and those on board are slammed by waves from every side, and they assume they are doomed. They cry out to Allah 'alone' in sincere faith, "If You save us from this, we will certainly be grateful" 23But as soon as He rescues them, they spread evil throughout the land with no right. O humanity! Your evil is only against your own souls. 'You just have' a brief enjoyment in this life, then to Us is your return, and then We will make you realize what you did.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُسَيِّرُكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡبَرِّ وَٱلۡبَحۡرِۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا كُنتُمۡ فِي ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَجَرَيۡنَ بِهِم بِرِيحٖ طَيِّبَةٖ وَفَرِحُواْ بِهَا جَآءَتۡهَا رِيحٌ عَاصِفٞ وَجَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡجُ مِن كُلِّ مَكَانٖ وَظَنُّوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ أُحِيطَ بِهِمۡ دَعَوُاْ ٱللَّهَ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ لَئِنۡ أَنجَيۡتَنَا مِنۡ هَٰذِهِۦ لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ 22فَلَمَّآ أَنجَىٰهُمۡ إِذَا هُمۡ يَبۡغُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّۗ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّمَا بَغۡيُكُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۖ مَّتَٰعَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۖ ثُمَّ إِلَيۡنَا مَرۡجِعُكُمۡ فَنُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ23
WORDS OF WISDOM
There is something special about this surah—the number of times water is mentioned.
1. The disbelievers will drink boiling water in Hell (verse 4). 2. Rivers will run through Jannah for the believers (verse 9). 3. Ships sail through the sea and are sometimes hit by powerful waves (verse 22). 4. This life is like rain (verse 24).
5. Even the 3 prophets mentioned in this surah, their stories have something to do with water: - The people of Nuh ended up drowning. - Musa was placed in a basket in the river, and later on Pharaoh was drowned. - Yunus was in the belly of the whale before returning to his people.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Like 18:45, verse 10:24 compares the life of this world (dunya) to water. According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, maybe this is because:
1. Water keeps changing from one condition to another—gas, liquid, and solid. The same is true for dunya—a person may be healthy today but sick tomorrow, rich today but poor tomorrow, and so on.
2. Over time, water goes away either by evaporating or sinking into the ground. The same is true for our health and good looks, which fade away over the years.
3. Just like those who jump into water get wet, those who jump into dunya cannot be safe from its tests.
4. A person survives if they drink the right amount of water. Too much water may cause people to drown. In the same way, if someone takes only what they need from this dunya, they will survive. But those who drown in its pleasures and forget about the Next Life will be doomed.
SIDE STORY
Life is very short and full of tests. Bad things happen without even expecting them.
For example, Hamzah was a healthy, wealthy man who was married with 2 kids. One day, he came back from work, had dinner, then went to bed. SubhanAllah, when his family tried to wake him up in the morning, he woke up just fine, had breakfast, got dressed, and went to work.
Then in the evening he came back, had dinner, then went to bed. SubhanAllah, when they tried to wake him up in the morning, he woke up refreshed, had breakfast, got dressed, and went to work. Everything went well until one day 30 years later, Hamzah came back from work, had dinner, then went to bed and, subhanAllah, when they tried to wake him up in the morning, he woke up feeling great, had breakfast, got dressed, and went to work. He is still very healthy and lives a comfortable life.
Now, some of you will ask, "Wait a minute! Where is the problem? Hamzah seems to live a normal life and everything is going very well."
The problem is that Hamzah does only three things his whole life: work, eat, and sleep. He doesn't pray salah, pay zakah, or fast. He doesn't realize that life is very short. Every day brings him closer to the end, but he is not ready to die. When he moves on to the Next Life, he will only take his good deeds with him and leave the rest behind.
THIS SHORT LIFE
24This life is just like rain We send down from the sky. producing a mix of plants from which humans and animals eat. Then just as the earth is blooming and looking its best, and its people think they have full control Over it, Our command comes upon it by night or by day, so We mow it down as if it never existed yesterday! This is how We make the signs clear for people who reflect.
إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا كَمَآءٍ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَٱخۡتَلَطَ بِهِۦ نَبَاتُ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِمَّا يَأۡكُلُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمُ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ زُخۡرُفَهَا وَٱزَّيَّنَتۡ وَظَنَّ أَهۡلُهَآ أَنَّهُمۡ قَٰدِرُونَ عَلَيۡهَآ أَتَىٰهَآ أَمۡرُنَا لَيۡلًا أَوۡ نَهَارٗا فَجَعَلۡنَٰهَا حَصِيدٗا كَأَن لَّمۡ تَغۡنَ بِٱلۡأَمۡسِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ24
INVITATION TO PARADISE
25Allah invites all' to the Home of Peace and guides whoever He wants to the Straight Path. 26Those who do good will have the best reward and 'even' more? Their faces will never be covered with misery or shame. Those will be the people of Jannah. They will be there forever.
وَٱللَّهُ يَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ دَارِ ٱلسَّلَٰمِ وَيَهۡدِي مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ 25لِّلَّذِينَ أَحۡسَنُواْ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٞۖ وَلَا يَرۡهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمۡ قَتَرٞوَلَا ذِلَّةٌۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ26
Verse 25: Jannah.
Verse 26: Seeing Allah in the Next Life.
WARNING AGAINST HELL
27As for those who do evil, every misdeed will be paid back as one. Shame will be all over them, with no one to protect them from Allah, as if their faces were covered with layers of the night's deep darkness. Those will be the people of the Fire. They will be there forever.
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَسَبُواْ ٱلسَّئَِّاتِ جَزَآءُ سَيِّئَةِۢ بِمِثۡلِهَا وَتَرۡهَقُهُمۡ ذِلَّةٞۖ مَّا لَهُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ مِنۡ عَاصِمٖۖ كَأَنَّمَآ أُغۡشِيَتۡ وُجُوهُهُمۡ قِطَعٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ مُظۡلِمًاۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ27
IDOLS AND THEIR WORSHIPPERS
28Watch for' the Day We will gather them all together, then say to those who made idols equal to Allah, "Stay in your placesyou and your false gods." We will separate them from each other, and their false gods will say, "We had nothing to do with your worship!" 29Allah is enough as a Witness between both of us that we were not even aware of your worship. 30Then and there every soul will face the consequences of what it had done, as they are returned to Allah-their True Master. And whatever 'gods' they made up will fail them.
وَيَوۡمَ نَحۡشُرُهُمۡ جَمِيعٗا ثُمَّ نَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُواْ مَكَانَكُمۡ أَنتُمۡ وَشُرَكَآؤُكُمۡۚ فَزَيَّلۡنَا بَيۡنَهُمۡۖ وَقَالَ شُرَكَآؤُهُم مَّا كُنتُمۡ إِيَّانَا تَعۡبُدُونَ 28فَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ شَهِيدَۢا بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ إِن كُنَّا عَنۡ عِبَادَتِكُمۡ لَغَٰفِلِينَ 29هُنَالِكَ تَبۡلُواْ كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ مَّآ أَسۡلَفَتۡۚ وَرُدُّوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَوۡلَىٰهُمُ ٱلۡحَقِّۖ وَضَلَّ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ30
QUESTIONS TO IDOL-WORSHIPPERS: 1) WHO PROVIDES?
31Ask 'them, O Prophet', 'Who provides for you from heaven and earth? Who owns 'your' hearing and sight? Who brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living? And who manages everything?' They will say, 'Allah.' Say, 'Will you not then keep Him in mind?' 32That is Allahyour True Lord. So what is beyond the truth except falsehood? How can you then be turned away 'from the truth?' 33And so your Lord's decision has come true against the wicked-that they will never believe.
قُلۡ مَن يَرۡزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمَّن يَمۡلِكُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَٰرَ وَمَن يُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡحَيَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمَيِّتِ وَيُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلۡحَيِّ وَمَن يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَۚ فَسَيَقُولُونَ ٱللَّهُۚ فَقُلۡ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ 31فَذَٰلِكُمُ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّكُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّۖ فَمَاذَا بَعۡدَ ٱلۡحَقِّ إِلَّا ٱلضَّلَٰلُۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُصۡرَفُونَ 32كَذَٰلِكَ حَقَّتۡ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوٓاْ أَنَّهُمۡ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ33
2) WHO CREATES?
34Ask them, O Prophet', 'Can any of your false gods start the creation and then bring it back to life after death?' Say, 'Only Allah starts the creation and then brings it back to life. How can you then be distracted 'from the truth?'
قُلۡ هَلۡ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يَبۡدَؤُاْ ٱلۡخَلۡقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥۖ فَأَنَّىٰ تُؤۡفَكُونَ34
3) WHO GUIDES?
35Ask'them, O Prophet', "Can any of your false gods guide to the truth?" Say, "Only' Allah guides to the truth. Who then deserves to be followed: the One Who guides to the truth or those who cannot find the way but are carried along? So what is wrong with you? How can you be so unfair?" 36Most of them follow nothing but 'old' assumptions. Surely assumptions can in no way replace the truth. Indeed, Allah fully knows what they do.
قُلۡ هَلۡ مِن شُرَكَآئِكُم مَّن يَهۡدِيٓ إِلَى ٱلۡحَقِّۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يَهۡدِي لِلۡحَقِّۗ أَفَمَن يَهۡدِيٓ إِلَى ٱلۡحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَن يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّن لَّا يَهِدِّيٓ إِلَّآ أَن يُهۡدَىٰۖ فَمَا لَكُمۡ كَيۡفَ تَحۡكُمُونَ 35وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ أَكۡثَرُهُمۡ إِلَّا ظَنًّاۚ إِنَّ ٱلظَّنَّ لَا يُغۡنِي مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ شَيًۡٔاۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا يَفۡعَلُونَ36
THE CHALLENGE OF THE QURAN
37It is not possible' for this Quran to have been produced by anyone other than Allah. In fact, it is a confirmation of what came before, and an explanation of the message. It is, without a doubt, from the Lord of the universe. 38Or do they claim, "He made it up!"? Tell them "O Prophet', "Make one surah like it then, and get help from whoever you can, other than Allah, if what you say is true!" 39In fact, they quickly' rejected the Book even without understanding it and before its warnings came true. Those before them also kept denying 'the truth'. See then what was the end of those doing wrong!
وَمَا كَانَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ أَن يُفۡتَرَىٰ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِن تَصۡدِيقَ ٱلَّذِي بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡهِ وَتَفۡصِيلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيۡبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 37أَمۡ يَقُولُونَ ٱفۡتَرَىٰهُۖ قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِسُورَةٖ مِّثۡلِهِۦ وَٱدۡعُواْ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 38بَلۡ كَذَّبُواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يُحِيطُواْ بِعِلۡمِهِۦ وَلَمَّا يَأۡتِهِمۡ تَأۡوِيلُهُۥۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ39
Verse 38: The Prophet .
ALLAH IS THE GUIDE
40Some of them will 'eventually' be-lieve in it; others will not. And your Lord knows the corruptors best. 41If they deny you 'O Prophet', then say, "My deeds are mine, and your deeds are yours. You are free of what I do, and I am free of what you do!" 42Some of them listen to what you say, but can you make the deaf hear even though they refuse to understand? 43And some of them look at you, but can you guide the blind even though they refuse to see? 44Surely, Allah does not wrong people in any way, but it is people who wrong themselves.
وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يُؤۡمِنُ بِهِۦ وَمِنۡهُم مَّن لَّا يُؤۡمِنُ بِهِۦۚ وَرَبُّكَ أَعۡلَمُ بِٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 40وَإِن كَذَّبُوكَ فَقُل لِّي عَمَلِي وَلَكُمۡ عَمَلُكُمۡۖ أَنتُم بَرِيُٓٔونَ مِمَّآ أَعۡمَلُ وَأَنَا۠ بَرِيٓءٞ مِّمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ 41وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَسۡتَمِعُونَ إِلَيۡكَۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُسۡمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ وَلَوۡ كَانُواْ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ 42وَمِنۡهُم مَّن يَنظُرُ إِلَيۡكَۚ أَفَأَنتَ تَهۡدِي ٱلۡعُمۡيَ وَلَوۡ كَانُواْ لَا يُبۡصِرُونَ 43إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَظۡلِمُ ٱلنَّاسَ شَيۡٔٗا وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ44
Verse 42: This refers to those who fail to see and hear the truth.
SIDE STORY
Many years ago, 3 friends came to New York City. They decided to stay in a hotel during their visit. They ended up in a room on the 60th floor. The policy of the hotel was that every night after 12:00 a.m. the elevators shut down for security reasons. On the next day, the 3 friends rented a car and went out to explore the city. They enjoyed movies, restaurants, and other things throughout the whole day. At one point, they remembered that they had to get back to the hotel before 12:00 a.m. However, by the time they arrived, it was already after midnight. Sure enough, the elevators were shut down. There was no other way to get back to their room but to take the stairs all the way to the 60th floor.
Suddenly, one of them got an idea. He said, "For the first 20 floors, I will tell a funny story to keep us entertained. Then another one of us could tell us a serious story for the next 20 floors. Then, we will cover the other 20 floors with a sad story, just for a change."
So the first friend started with the funny joke. With laughs and joy, they reached the 20th floor. The second friend told them a serious story. Then it was the turn of the third friend to tell them a sad story. He put his hands in his pocket and started by saying, "My sad story is that I forgot the room key in the car."
This story sounds like our life cycle. We spend the first 20 years of our life joking and having fun. Then, in the next 20 years, we get busy with work and our own lives. Then, in the next 20 years, we start to see some grey hair and realize that life is short and that we have missed out on a lot of important things, especially when it comes to our relationship with Allah.
It is important to understand early on that life is very short and we should do as much as we can in the little time we have. Otherwise, we will regret it in the Next Life.
LIFE IS VERY SHORT
45On the Day He will gather them, it will be as if they had not stayed 'in the world' except for an hour of a day, only getting to know each other. Those who denied the meeting with Allah were certainly lost, and were not 'rightly' guided!
وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ كَأَن لَّمۡ يَلۡبَثُوٓاْ إِلَّا سَاعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلنَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ قَدۡ خَسِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِلِقَآءِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهۡتَدِينَ45
Verse 45: Meaning a very short time.
WARNING BEFORE JUDGMENT
46Whether We show you 'O Prophet' some of what We threaten them with or cause you to die 'before that', to Us is their return, and Allah is a Witness over what they do. 47Every community had a messenger. When their messenger comes 'as a witness in the Next Life', judgment will be passed on them in all fairness. None will be treated unfairly.
وَإِمَّا نُرِيَنَّكَ بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِي نَعِدُهُمۡ أَوۡ نَتَوَفَّيَنَّكَ فَإِلَيۡنَا مَرۡجِعُهُمۡ ثُمَّ ٱللَّهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفۡعَلُونَ 46وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٖ رَّسُولٞۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ رَسُولُهُمۡ قُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُم بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ47
WHEN THE TIME COMES
48They ask 'the believers', 'When will this threat happen if what you say is true?' 49Say, 'O Prophet,' 'I have no power to protect or benefit myself, except by Allah's permission.' Every community has a set time. Once their time is over, they cannot delay it for a moment or speed it up.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلۡوَعۡدُ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 48قُل لَّآ أَمۡلِكُ لِنَفۡسِي ضَرّٗا وَلَا نَفۡعًا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُۗ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌۚ إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمۡ فَلَا يَسۡتَٔۡخِرُونَ سَاعَةٗ وَلَا يَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ49
ALLAH'S PUNISHMENT
50Tell them 'O Prophet', 'Imagine if His punishment came upon you by night or day--do the wicked realize what they are really asking Him to speed up?' 51Will you believe in it only after it hits you? Now 'you believe'? But you always wanted to speed it up!' 52Then those doing wrong will be told, 'Taste the punishment of eternity! Is this not what you deserve for your deeds?'
قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِنۡ أَتَىٰكُمۡ عَذَابُهُۥ بَيَٰتًا أَوۡ نَهَارٗا مَّاذَا يَسۡتَعۡجِلُ مِنۡهُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ 50أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦٓۚ ءَآلۡـَٰٔنَ وَقَدۡ كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَسۡتَعۡجِلُونَ 51ثُمَّ قِيلَ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ذُوقُواْ عَذَابَ ٱلۡخُلۡدِ هَلۡ تُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡسِبُونَ52
ALLAH'S PROMISE
53They ask you 'O Prophet', 'Is this true?' Say, 'Yes, by my Lord! It is definitely true! And you will have no escape' 54If every evil person had everything in the world, they would surely offer it to save themselves. They will hide 'their' regret when they see the punishment. And they will be judged in all fairness. None will be treated unfairly. 55In fact. everything in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. Surely Allah's promise is 'always' true, but most of them do not know. 56He 'is the One Who' gives life and causes death, and you will all be returned to Him.
وَيَسۡتَنۢبُِٔونَكَ أَحَقٌّ هُوَۖ قُلۡ إِي وَرَبِّيٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَحَقّٞۖ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ 53٥٣ وَلَوۡ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ نَفۡسٖ ظَلَمَتۡ مَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ لَٱفۡتَدَتۡ بِهِۦۗ وَأَسَرُّواْ ٱلنَّدَامَةَ لَمَّا رَأَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَۖ وَقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُم بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ 54أَلَآ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقّٞ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 55هُوَ يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ56
EXCELLENCE OF THE QURAN
57O humanity! Certainly, there has come to you a warning from your Lord, a cure for what is in the hearts-a guide and a mercy for the believers. 58Say, "O Prophet," "It is Allah's blessings and mercy that they should celebrate. That is far better than whatever 'wealth' they collect"
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم مَّوۡعِظَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَشِفَآءٞ لِّمَا فِي ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 57قُلۡ بِفَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلۡيَفۡرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيۡرٞ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ58
ALLAH'S RESOURCES
59Ask 'the idol-worshippers, O Prophet', 'Have you seen the resources that Allah has sent down for you, yet you allowed some and banned others?' Say, 'Did Allah give you permission to do that', or are you just making up lies about Allah?' 60What do those who make up lies about Allah expect on Judgment Day? Surely Allah is always generous to humanity, but most of them are ungrateful.
قُلۡ أَرَءَيۡتُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُم مِّن رِّزۡقٖ فَجَعَلۡتُم مِّنۡهُ حَرَامٗا وَحَلَٰلٗا قُلۡ ءَآللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمۡۖ أَمۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَفۡتَرُونَ 59وَمَا ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡكُرُونَ60
ALLAH'S KNOWLEDGE
61There is no activity you may be involved in 'O Prophet' or part of the Quran you may be reciting, or anything you 'all' may be doing without Us seeing you as you do it. Not 'even' an atom's weight is hidden from your Lord on earth or in heaven-or anything smaller or bigger than that without being written' in a perfect Book.
وَمَا تَكُونُ فِي شَأۡنٖ وَمَا تَتۡلُواْ مِنۡهُ مِن قُرۡءَانٖ وَلَا تَعۡمَلُونَ مِنۡ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيۡكُمۡ شُهُودًا إِذۡ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِۚ وَمَا يَعۡزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثۡقَالِ ذَرَّةٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَا فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَآ أَصۡغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكۡبَرَ إِلَّا فِي كِتَٰبٖ مُّبِينٍ61
Verse 61: The Book refers to the Preserved Tablet (A-Lawh A-Mahfuz) in which Allah has written everything that happened or will ever happen.
ALLAH'S FAITHFUL SERVANTS
62There will certainly be no fear for the faithful servants of Allah, and they will never be sad. 63They are' those who have faith and keep Him in mind. 64There is good news for them in this life and the Next Life. There is no change in the promise of Allah. That is 'truly' the biggest success.
أَلَآ إِنَّ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ 62ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَكَانُواْ يَتَّقُونَ 63لَهُمُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِكَلِمَٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ64
ADVICE ABOUT THE DENIERS
65Do not let their words bother you 'O Prophet'. Surely all honour and power belongs to Allah. He hears and knows 'everything'. 66In fact, everyone in the heavens and everyone on earth belong to Allah. And what do those who make others equal to Allah really follow? They follow nothing but 'old' assumptions and do nothing but lie. 67He is the One Who has made the night for you to rest in and the day bright. Surely in this are signs for people who listen.
وَلَا يَحۡزُنكَ قَوۡلُهُمۡۘ إِنَّ ٱلۡعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًاۚ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ 65أَلَآ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَن فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ وَمَا يَتَّبِعُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ شُرَكَآءَۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَإِنۡ هُمۡ إِلَّا يَخۡرُصُونَ 66هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ لِتَسۡكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبۡصِرًاۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّقَوۡمٖ يَسۡمَعُونَ67
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Quran always warns those who claim that Allah has children. As Muslims, we believe that Allah doesn't have any sons or daughters. Many people believe it's important for them to have children so they would support or take care of them in their old age or carry their names after they die. Does Allah need any of that? Of course not. He is the Powerful and Eternal Lord, Who has authority over everything in the universe. We are all in need of Him, but He does not need any of us. Whether we existed or not, this would not affect Him in any way.
ALLAH HAS NO CHILDREN
68They say, "Allah has children." Glory be to Him! He is the One not in need. Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth belongs to Him. You have no proof of this! Do you say about Allah what you do not know? 69Say, 'O Prophet, "Indeed, those who make up lies against Allah will never succeed." 70'They only have' a brief enjoyment in this world, then to Us is their return and then We will make them taste the severe punishment for their disbelief.
قَالُواْ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ وَلَدٗاۗ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥۖ هُوَ ٱلۡغَنِيُّۖ لَهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ إِنۡ عِندَكُم مِّن سُلۡطَٰنِۢ بِهَٰذَآۚ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 68٦٨ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفۡتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡكَذِبَ لَا يُفۡلِحُونَ 69مَتَٰعٞ فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا ثُمَّ إِلَيۡنَا مَرۡجِعُهُمۡ ثُمَّ نُذِيقُهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ٱلشَّدِيدَ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡفُرُونَ70
Verse 68: The Christians who claim that Jesus ('Isa ) is the son of God, some Arab idol-worshippers who claimed that the angels were the daughters of Allah, etc.
NUH AND HIS PEOPLE
71Tell them 'O Prophet' the story of Nuh when he said to his people, "O my people! If my presence and my reminders of Allah's signs are too much for you, then 'know that' I have put my trust in Allah. So make an evil plan with your false gods, and you do not have to plan in secret. Then take action against me without delay!" 72And if you turn away, 'remember' I have never asked you for any fees 'for delivering the message'. My reward is only from Allah. And I have been commanded to be one of those who submit to Him. 73But they still rejected him, so We saved him and those with him in the Ark, putting them in charge of the land, and drowned those who rejected Our signs. See then what was the end of those who had been warned!
۞ وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ نُوحٍ إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّقَامِي وَتَذۡكِيرِي بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ فَأَجۡمِعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَكُمۡ وَشُرَكَآءَكُمۡ ثُمَّ لَا يَكُنۡ أَمۡرُكُمۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ غُمَّةٗ ثُمَّ ٱقۡضُوٓاْ إِلَيَّ وَلَا تُنظِرُونِ 71فَإِن تَوَلَّيۡتُمۡ فَمَا سَأَلۡتُكُم مِّنۡ أَجۡرٍۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ 72فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَنَجَّيۡنَٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَجَعَلۡنَٰهُمۡ خَلَٰٓئِفَ وَأَغۡرَقۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَاۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُنذَرِينَ73
MESSENGERS AFTER NUH
74Then after him We sent other messengers to their own people and they came to them with clear proofs. But they would not believe in what others had rejected in the past. This is how We seal the hearts of the troublemakers.
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِمۡ فَجَآءُوهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ فَمَا كَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا كَذَّبُواْ بِهِۦ مِن قَبۡلُۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ74
MUSA & HARUN VS. PHARAOH
75Then after these messengers' We sent Musa and Harun to Pharaoh and his chiefs with Our signs. But they acted arrogantly and were a wicked people. 76When the truth came to them from Us, they said, "This is certainly pure magic!" 77Musa replied, "Is this what you say about the truth when it has come to you? Is this magic? Magicians never succeed." 78They argued, "Have you come to turn us away from the faith of our fathers so that both of you will become supreme in the land? We will never believe in you!" 79Pharaoh demanded, "Bring me every skilled magician." 80When the magician: came, Musa said to them, "Throw whatever you want to throw!" 81When they did, Musa warned, "What you have done is just magic, Allah will definitely make it useless. Surely Allah does not bless the work of corruptors. 82And Allah confirms the truth by His Words-no matter how much the wicked are against it:
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا فَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمٗا مُّجۡرِمِينَ 75فَلَمَّا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِنۡ عِندِنَا قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسِحۡرٞ مُّبِينٞ 76قَالَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَتَقُولُونَ لِلۡحَقِّ لَمَّا جَآءَكُمۡۖ أَسِحۡرٌ هَٰذَا وَلَا يُفۡلِحُ ٱلسَّٰحِرُونَ 77قَالُوٓاْ أَجِئۡتَنَا لِتَلۡفِتَنَا عَمَّا وَجَدۡنَا عَلَيۡهِ ءَابَآءَنَا وَتَكُونَ لَكُمَا ٱلۡكِبۡرِيَآءُ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا نَحۡنُ لَكُمَا بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ 78وَقَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ٱئۡتُونِي بِكُلِّ سَٰحِرٍ عَلِيم 79فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰٓ أَلۡقُواْ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلۡقُونَ 80فَلَمَّآ أَلۡقَوۡاْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ مَا جِئۡتُم بِهِ ٱلسِّحۡرُۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَيُبۡطِلُهُۥٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُصۡلِحُ عَمَلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 81وَيُحِقُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحَقَّ بِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَرِهَ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمُونَ82
A FEW BELIEVERS
83But no one believed in Musa except a few youths of his people, while fearing that Pharaoh and their own chiefs might abuse them. Pharaoh was really an abuser in the land, and he truly went too far in evil. 84Musa said, "O my people! If you believe in Allah and submit to Him, then put your trust in Him." 85They replied, "In Allah we trust. Our Lord! Do not let the evil people abuse us, 86and save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people."
فَمَآ ءَامَنَ لِمُوسَىٰٓ إِلَّا ذُرِّيَّةٞ مِّن قَوۡمِهِۦ عَلَىٰ خَوۡفٖ مِّن فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِمۡ أَن يَفۡتِنَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّ فِرۡعَوۡنَ لَعَالٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ 83وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِن كُنتُمۡ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ فَعَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلُوٓاْ إِن كُنتُم مُّسۡلِمِينَ 84فَقَالُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا فِتۡنَةٗ لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 85وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحۡمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ86
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verses 87-89 talk about the power of salah. When Pharaoh gave Musa and his people a hard time, they were asked to turn their homes into places of worship and pray. Other prophets were told to seek Allah's help through prayers. For example, the Prophet is told in 15:97-99 that Allah knows how much the lies of the idol-worshippers bother him, and so he should continue to pray and worship his Lord. We are also told in 37:143-144 that Yunus was saved from the belly of the whale because of his prayers.
POWER OF PRAYER
87We revealed to Musa and his brother, "Let your people have houses in Egypt. Turn these houses into places of worship, pray salah, and give good news to the believers!" 88Musa prayed, "Our Lord! You have given Pharaoh and his chiefs luxury and wealth in this life. And here they are, our Lord, distracting others from Your Way! Our Lord, destroy their wealth and make their hearts hard so they do not believe until they see the painful punishment." 89Allah responded 'to Musa and Harun'13 "Your prayer is answered! So stay upright in faith, and do not follow the way of those who do not know the truth"
وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَأَخِيهِ أَن تَبَوَّءَا لِقَوۡمِكُمَا بِمِصۡرَ بُيُوتٗا وَٱجۡعَلُواْ بُيُوتَكُمۡ قِبۡلَةٗ وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 87وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ رَبَّنَآ إِنَّكَ ءَاتَيۡتَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَأَهُۥ زِينَةٗ وَأَمۡوَٰلٗا فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا رَبَّنَا لِيُضِلُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِكَۖ رَبَّنَا ٱطۡمِسۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَٱشۡدُدۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَلَا يُؤۡمِنُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ٱلۡأَلِيمَ 88قَالَ قَدۡ أُجِيبَت دَّعۡوَتُكُمَا فَٱسۡتَقِيمَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعَآنِّ سَبِيلَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ89
Verse 89: Musa prayed while Harun said, 'Ameen.' So it is as if both of them prayed.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "According to verses 90-92, Pharaoh declared his faith in Allah, so why was he punished?" Technically, if someone accepts Islam before their death, they will go to Paradise, as long as they are sincere. This is why the Prophet (ﷺ) tried to convince people to become Muslim on their deathbed.
However, in verses 90-92, Pharaoh declared that he believed in Allah while drowning. His sudden faith was not accepted, because he was just afraid of dying, not because he really had faith in Allah. The verses say that his dead body was going to be found and preserved as an example to all future generations.
Some scholars say that Ramses II or his son Merneptah (whose mummies are displayed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo) could be the Pharaoh who drowned in the story of Musa (عليه السلام). And Allah knows best.
In the same way, in 5:27-31, when one of the 2 sons of Adam killed the other, he regretted it later. But his regret was not accepted, simply because he was mad that the crow was smarter than him, not because he killed his own brother.
SIDE STORY
This reminds me of the story of some thieves who robbed a bank then escaped with the money to a cave outside the city. In the cave, one of the thieves looked at the massive piles of cash and started to cry. Another thief asked him, "What's wrong with you? Do you regret stealing?" He replied, "Of course not! I'm just crying because it will take us forever to count all this money, and I can't wait to take my share." The other thief responded, "You fool! We don't have to count anything. If we watch the news tonight, they will tell us exactly how much was stolen from the bank!"
END OF PHARAOH
90We to ok the Children of Isra'il across the sea. Then Pharaoh and his soldiers chased them unjustly and violently. But as Pharaoh was drowning, he cried out, "I 'now' believe that there is no god except the One the Children of Isra'il believe in. and I am one of those who submit." 91"He was told,' "What! Now? But you always disobeyed and were one of the corrup- tors." 92Today We will save your dead body so you will become an example to those who come after you. And surely most people are careless about Our examples!"
۞ وَجَٰوَزۡنَا بِبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُمۡ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ بَغۡيٗا وَعَدۡوًاۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَدۡرَكَهُ ٱلۡغَرَقُ قَالَ ءَامَنتُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِيٓ ءَامَنَتۡ بِهِۦ بَنُوٓاْ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ 90ءَآلۡـَٰٔنَ وَقَدۡ عَصَيۡتَ قَبۡلُ وَكُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 91فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ نُنَجِّيكَ بِبَدَنِكَ لِتَكُونَ لِمَنۡ خَلۡفَكَ ءَايَةٗۚ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ عَنۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا لَغَٰفِلُونَ92
ALLAH'S KINDNESS
93Surely, We settled the Children of Isra'il in a blessed land, and gave them good, pure resources. They did not differ until knowledge came to them. Your Lord will certainly judge between them on Judgment Day about their differences.
وَلَقَدۡ بَوَّأۡنَا بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ مُبَوَّأَ صِدۡقٖ وَرَزَقۡنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ فَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ حَتَّىٰ جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡعِلۡمُۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقۡضِي بَيۡنَهُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُواْ فِيهِ يَخۡتَلِفُونَ93
Verse 93: When the revelations came to them, they split into believers and disbelievers.
CONFIRMING THE TRUTH
94If you 'O Prophet' are in doubt about 'these stories' that We have revealed to you, then ask those who read the Book before you. The truth has certainly come to you from your Lord, so do not be one of those who doubt, 95And do not be of those who deny Allah's signs or you will be among the losers.
فَإِن كُنتَ فِي شَكّٖ مِّمَّآ أَنزَلۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ فَسَۡٔلِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقۡرَءُونَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ مِن قَبۡلِكَۚ لَقَدۡ جَآءَكَ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُمۡتَرِينَ 94وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ95
BACKGROUND STORY
As we mentioned in Surah 37, Prophet Yunus invited his people to Islam for many years, but they rejected his message. When he became very frustrated, he warned them of the coming punishment. Then he rushed to leave the city without Allah's permission.
When his people realized their mistake before the punishment came, they cried to Allah for forgiveness, and He accepted their repentance. Yunus ended up in the belly of the whale for his impatience. He was so stressed inside the whale that he kept praying for days.
Allah accepted his prayers, and the whale left him on an open shore. Then Allah caused a pumpkin plant to grow to give him shelter from the sun and from insects.
Eventually, he went back to his people and they believed in his message. It's important to note that the people of Yunus are the only ones mentioned in the Quran who were saved from the punishment after rejecting their prophet. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
THE PEOPLE OF YUNUS
96Surely, those who deserve your Lord's punishment will not believe- 97even if every sign came to them-until they see the painful punishment. 98If only there had been another society which believed 'before seeing the punishment' and therefore benefited from its belief, like the people of Yunus. When they believed, We lifted their punishment of disgrace in this world and let them enjoy life till their set time.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ 96وَلَوۡ جَآءَتۡهُمۡ كُلُّ ءَايَةٍ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُاْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ ٱلۡأَلِيمَ 97فَلَوۡلَا كَانَتۡ قَرۡيَةٌ ءَامَنَتۡ فَنَفَعَهَآ إِيمَٰنُهَآ إِلَّا قَوۡمَ يُونُسَ لَمَّآ ءَامَنُواْ كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡخِزۡيِ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَمَتَّعۡنَٰهُمۡ إِلَىٰ حِين98
FREE CHOICE
99If your Lord wanted 'O Prophet', all people' on earth would have been turned into believers-every single one of them! Would you then force people to believe? 100It is not possible for any soul to believe without Allah's permission. And He will make those who do not come back to their senses suffer the horrible consequences.
وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَأٓمَنَ مَن فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كُلُّهُمۡ جَمِيعًاۚ أَفَأَنتَ تُكۡرِهُ ٱلنَّاسَ حَتَّىٰ يَكُونُواْ مُؤۡمِنِينَ 99وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ أَن تُؤۡمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَيَجۡعَلُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعۡقِلُونَ100
INVITATION TO THINK
101Say, 'O Prophet,' 'Think about all 'those wonders' in the heavens and the earth!' Yet signs and warners do not benefit those who refuse to believe. 102Are they waiting for 'anything' except the same punishments that hit those before them? Say, 'Keep waiting then! I too am waiting with you.' 103Then We saved Our messengers and those who believed. It is Our duty to save the believers.
قُلِ ٱنظُرُواْ مَاذَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ وَمَا تُغۡنِي ٱلۡأٓيَٰتُ وَٱلنُّذُرُ عَن قَوۡمٖ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُونَ 101فَهَلۡ يَنتَظِرُونَ إِلَّا مِثۡلَ أَيَّامِ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡۚ قُلۡ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓاْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُنتَظِرِينَ 102ثُمَّ نُنَجِّي رُسُلَنَا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْۚ كَذَٰلِكَ حَقًّا عَلَيۡنَا نُنجِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ103
TRUE FAITH
104Say, 'O Prophet,' 'O humanity! If you are in doubt of my faith, then know that I do not worship those 'powerless idols' you worship instead of Allah. But I worship Allah, Who has the power to take your life away. And I have been commanded, 'Be one of the believers;' 105and, 'Always keep up your faith, being totally upright, and do not be one of the idol-worshippers,' 106and 'Do not call, instead of Allah, things that cannot benefit or harm you--because if you do, you will definitely be among those doing wrong' 107and 'If Allah puts you through a difficulty, none can remove it except Him. And if He wants to bless you with something good, none can hold back His blessing, He gives it to whoever He wants of His servants. And He is the Forgiving and Merciful.'
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمۡ فِي شَكّٖ مِّن دِينِي فَلَآ أَعۡبُدُ ٱلَّذِينَ تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنۡ أَعۡبُدُ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِي يَتَوَفَّىٰكُمۡۖ وَأُمِرۡتُ أَنۡ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 104وَأَنۡ أَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفٗا وَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ 105وَلَا تَدۡعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَۖ فَإِن فَعَلۡتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذٗا مِّنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 106وَإِن يَمۡسَسۡكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرّٖ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَۖ وَإِن يُرِدۡكَ بِخَيۡرٖ فَلَا رَآدَّ لِفَضۡلِهِۦۚ يُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ107
CALL TO HUMANITY
108Say, 'O Prophet,' 'O humanity! The truth has surely come to you from your Lord. So whoever chooses to be guided, it is only for their own good. And whoever chooses to stray, it is only their own loss. And I am not a keeper over you.'
قُلۡ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدۡ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَمَنِ ٱهۡتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهۡتَدِي لِنَفۡسِهِۦۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيۡهَاۖ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيۡكُم بِوَكِيل108
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
109And follow what is revealed to you, and be patient until Allah passes His judgment. He is the Best of Judges.
وَٱتَّبِعۡ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ وَٱصۡبِرۡ حَتَّىٰ يَحۡكُمَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ109