Hûd
Hûd
ہُود
LEARNING POINTS
Allah takes care of His creation by providing for them and guiding them to what is right.
Allah is Almighty; the idols are powerless.
The Quran was revealed by Allah, not made up by the Prophet, as the idol-worshippers claimed.
The purpose of the stories mentioned in this surah is to warn the Makkans and comfort the Prophet.
The faithful win in the end and the wicked are doomed.
The wicked like to argue, challenge, and mock the truth instead of trying to understand it.
People are tested with good and bad things in this life.
On Judgment Day, the believers will be happy while the disbelievers will be miserable.
MESSAGE OF THE QURAN
1AlifLam-Ra. 'This is' a Book whose verses have been perfected and then fully explained. It is' from the One Who is' Wise and fully Aware. 2'Tell them, O Prophet,' 'Worship none except Allah. Surely I am a warner and a giver of good news to you from Him. 3Ask your Lord for forgiveness and repent to Him. He will give you good resources for 'your' set time and reward those who do good for their deeds. But if you turn away, then I really fear for you the punishment of a mighty Day. 4To Allah is your return. And He has power over all things.
الٓرۚ كِتَٰبٌ أُحۡكِمَتۡ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتۡ مِن لَّدُنۡ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ 1أَلَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّنِي لَكُم مِّنۡهُ نَذِيرٞ وَبَشِيرٞ 2وَأَنِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُمَتِّعۡكُم مَّتَٰعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٖ مُّسَمّٗى وَيُؤۡتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضۡلٖ فَضۡلَهُۥۖ وَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٖ كَبِيرٍ 3إِلَى ٱللَّهِ مَرۡجِعُكُمۡۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ4
Verse 1: Meaning its rulings and stories have been detailed.
DENIERS CAN RUN, BUT CAN'T HIDE
5Surely they turn their faces away, trying to hide from Him! In fact, even when they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows what they hide and what they show. Certainly, He knows best whatever 'secrets are hidden' in the hearts.
أَلَآ إِنَّهُمۡ يَثۡنُونَ صُدُورَهُمۡ لِيَسۡتَخۡفُواْ مِنۡهُۚ أَلَا حِينَ يَسۡتَغۡشُونَ ثِيَابَهُمۡ يَعۡلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعۡلِنُونَۚ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ5
ALLAH'S POWER
6There is no moving creature on earth whose resources are not guaranteed by Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it is put to rest. All is 'written' in a perfect Book. 7He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth in six days--and His Throne was upon the waters-in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And if you 'O Prophet' say, 'Surely you will all be raised up after death' the disbelievers will certainly say, 'This is just pure magic!' 8And if We delay their punishment until the set time, they will definitely say, 'What is holding it back?' Surely, on the Day it hits them, it will not be turned away, and they will be shocked by what they used to mock.
وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٖ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رِزۡقُهَا وَيَعۡلَمُ مُسۡتَقَرَّهَا وَمُسۡتَوۡدَعَهَاۚ كُلّٞ فِي كِتَٰبٖ مُّبِين 6وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٖ وَكَانَ عَرۡشُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۗ وَلَئِن قُلۡتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبۡعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٞ مُّبِينٞ 7وَلَئِنۡ أَخَّرۡنَا عَنۡهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٖ مَّعۡدُودَةٖ لَّيَقُولُنَّ مَا يَحۡبِسُهُۥٓۗ أَلَا يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِيهِمۡ لَيۡسَ مَصۡرُوفًا عَنۡهُمۡ وَحَاقَ بِهِم مَّا كَانُواْ بِهِۦ يَسۡتَهۡزِءُونَ8
SIDE STORY
According to verses 9-10, people are tested with good and bad things such as health and sickness, wealth and poverty, strength and weakness, and so on. The problem is that many people quickly lose hope in difficult times and become arrogant in good times. The Quran teaches us to be grateful when we are blessed with good things and to be patient when bad things happen. We should trust that Allah is doing what is best for us.
One lovely day, a group of people were travelling across the sea on a ship. Suddenly, there was a big storm that smashed the ship into the rocks. Only one man survived this horrible accident. Later, he found himself on a distant island with no one living there. He prayed to Allah for days, hoping that some ship would come and rescue him.
After losing all hope, he collected some wood and built a small shelter for himself and for the items he had collected from the shipwreck. The following night, he started a fire in front of the shelter to keep himself warm. At some point, he went to explore the island and look for help.
By the time he came back, the shelter was on fire and the smoke was rolling up to the sky. He cried in frustration, "Oh Allah! Why did you let my shelter burn down?"
In the morning, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that came to the island to save him. He asked, "How did you guys know I was here?" They replied, "We saw your smoke signal, so we knew that someone needed help!"
The point of the story is that even when things get difficult and life burns your only shelter, don't give up because help may be on the way.
TESTED WITH GOOD & BAD
9If We give people a taste of Our mercy then take it away from them, they become totally hopeless and ungrateful. 10But if We give them a taste of blessings after going through a difficult time, they brag, 'My bad days are over' acting arrogantly and showing off. 11But this is not the case with those who have patience and do good. They will have forgiveness and a huge reward.
وَلَئِنۡ أَذَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنَّا رَحۡمَةٗ ثُمَّ نَزَعۡنَٰهَا مِنۡهُ إِنَّهُۥ لَئَُوسٞ كَفُورٞ 9وَلَئِنۡ أَذَقۡنَٰهُ نَعۡمَآءَ بَعۡدَ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتۡهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ ٱلسَّئَِّاتُ عَنِّيٓۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَفَرِحٞ فَخُورٌ 10إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغۡفِرَةٞ وَأَجۡرٞ كَبِيرٞ11
DEMANDS BY IDOL-WORSHIPPERS
12Perhaps you 'O Prophet' may wish to give up some of what is revealed to you and may be stressed by it because they say, 'If only a treasure had been sent down to him, or an angel had come with him!' You are only a warner, and Allah takes care of everything.
فَلَعَلَّكَ تَارِكُۢ بَعۡضَ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيۡكَ وَضَآئِقُۢ بِهِۦ صَدۡرُكَ أَن يَقُولُواْ لَوۡلَآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيۡهِ كَنزٌ أَوۡ جَآءَ مَعَهُۥ مَلَكٌۚ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ نَذِيرٞۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ وَكِيلٌ12
WORDS OF WISDOM
As we mentioned in the Introduction, every prophet came with a miracle to prove that he was sent by Allah. The miracle was usually relevant to his people and what they were good at.
For example, the people of Pharaoh were skilled in magic, so Prophet Musa (A.S.) turned his staff into a snake and defeated the magicians.
Advanced medicine was popular at the time of Prophet 'Isa (A.S.), so his miracle was to bring the dead back to life and to heal the blind—something that nobody else was able to do.
During the time of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the Arabs took so much pride in their ability to make poems and give speeches in perfect Arabic. They even had famous poetry competitions and winning poems were written in gold. Although the Prophet (ﷺ) performed many miracles (such as splitting the moon, multiplying food and water, and healing the sick), the Quran stands out as his greatest miracle.
The idol-worshippers were challenged to produce a book like the Quran but they failed to do it. Even when the challenge was reduced to 10 surahs or even 1 surah, they still couldn't do it. The challenge is still open to this day, but no one has been able to do it.
Every prophet came only to his own people, and his miracle was witnessed only by some of those living at his time. But the Quran is different, simply because Muhammad (ﷺ) is a universal prophet and his miracle has to stay till the end of time as a proof of his message.
CHALLENGE TO QURAN DENIERS
13Or do they say, 'He² has made it up!'? Say, ´O Prophet," 'Make up ten surahs like it and get help from whoever you can--other than Allah if what you say is true!' 14But if your helpers fail you, then know that it has been revealed with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him! Will you then submit 'to Him'?
أَمۡ يَقُولُونَ ٱفۡتَرَىٰهُۖ قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِعَشۡرِ سُوَرٖ مِّثۡلِهِۦ مُفۡتَرَيَٰتٖ وَٱدۡعُواْ مَنِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 13فَإِلَّمۡ يَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ بِعِلۡمِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَن لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَۖ فَهَلۡ أَنتُم مُّسۡلِمُونَ14
Verse 13: The Prophet.
TEMPORARY &ETERNAL GAINS
15Whoever desires 'only' this life and its luxury, We will fully pay them back for their deeds in this life; nothing will be left out. 16They will have nothing in the Next Life except the Fire. Their efforts in this life will be fruitless and their deeds will be useless. 17'Can these people be compared to' those 'believers' who stand on clear proof from their Lord, supported by 'the Quran as' an evidence from Him, and before it the Book of Musa 'was revealed' as a guide and mercy? Those 'believers' have faith in it. But whoever among the other groups rejects it will end up in the Fire. So do not be in doubt about it. It is certainly the truth from your Lord, but most people do not believe.
مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَزِينَتَهَا نُوَفِّ إِلَيۡهِمۡ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ فِيهَا وَهُمۡ فِيهَا لَا يُبۡخَسُونَ 15أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَيۡسَ لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِلَّا ٱلنَّارُۖ وَحَبِطَ مَا صَنَعُواْ فِيهَا وَبَٰطِلٞ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 16أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتۡلُوهُ شَاهِدٞ مِّنۡهُ وَمِن قَبۡلِهِۦ كِتَٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامٗا وَرَحۡمَةًۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِهِۦۚ وَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلۡأَحۡزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوۡعِدُهُۥۚ فَلَا تَكُ فِي مِرۡيَةٖ مِّنۡهُۚ إِنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ17
THE WINNERS & THE LOSERS
18Who does more wrong than those who make up lies against Allah? They will be brought in front of their Lord, and the witnesses will say, 'These are the ones who lied about their Lord.' Surely Allah will doom those doing wrong, 19who prevent 'others' from Allah's Path, trying to make it 'appear' crooked, and disbelieve in the Next Life. 20They can never escape on earth, and they will have no one to protect them against Allah. Their punishment will be multiplied, because they failed to hear and see 'the truth'. 21They have ruined themselves, and whatever 'gods' they made up will fail them. 22Without a doubt, they will be the worst losers in the Next Life. 23Surely those who , do good, and humble themselves to their Lord will be the people of Jannah. They will live there forever. 24The difference between these two groups is like the difference between the one who turns a blind eye and a deaf ear and the one who 'actually' sees and hears 'the truth'. Can the two be equal? Will you not then learn the lesson?
وَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًاۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يُعۡرَضُونَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ وَيَقُولُ ٱلۡأَشۡهَٰدُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَبُواْ عَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡۚ أَلَا لَعۡنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 18ٱلَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَبۡغُونَهَا عِوَجٗا وَهُم بِٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمۡ كَٰفِرُونَ 19أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَمۡ يَكُونُواْ مُعۡجِزِينَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا كَانَ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَۘ يُضَٰعَفُ لَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُۚ مَا كَانُواْ يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَمَا كَانُواْ يُبۡصِرُونَ 20أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَضَلَّ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ 21لَا جَرَمَ أَنَّهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلۡأَخۡسَرُونَ 22إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَأَخۡبَتُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمۡ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ 23مَثَلُ ٱلۡفَرِيقَيۡنِ كَٱلۡأَعۡمَىٰ وَٱلۡأَصَمِّ وَٱلۡبَصِيرِ وَٱلسَّمِيعِۚ هَلۡ يَسۡتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًاۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ24
Verse 18: The angels and prophets.
PROPHET NUH
25Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people. 'He said, "I am truly sent to you with a Clear warning: 26do not worship anyone except Allah. I really fear for you the punishment of a painful Day:' 27The disbelieving chiefs of his people argued, 'It is clear to us that you are just a human being like us. And we see no one following you except the lowest of the low among us, who don't think for themselves. We don't see anything that makes you 'all' better than us. In fact, we think you are liars.' 28He said, 'O my people! What if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has blessed me with a mercy from Himself⁴ which you fail to see! Should we force it on you against your will? 29O my people! I am not asking you for money for this 'message'. My reward is only from Allah. And I will never expel the believers; they will surely meet their Lord. But it is clear to me that you are a people acting ignorantly. 30O my people! Who would protect me from Allah if I expelled them? Are you not going to learn the lesson? 31I am not telling you that I own Allah's treasures or know the unseen. I do not claim to be an angel. And I cannot say that Allah will not bless those 'poor believers' you look down upon. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. 'If I say any of that,' I would truly be one of those doing wrong. 32They protested, 'O Nuh! You have argued with us far too much, so bring us whatever you threaten us with, if what you say is true.' 33He replied, 'Allah is the One Who can bring it upon you if He wants, and then you will have no escape!' 34My advice will not benefit you--no matter how hard I try--if Allah wants to leave you to stray. He is your Lord, and you will be returned to Him.' 35Now, do those Makkans⁵ claim, 'He has made all this up!'? Say, 'O Prophet,' 'If I have done that, then I carry the burden of that sin! But I am free from your wicked accusation.'
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنِّي لَكُمۡ نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٌ 25أَن لَّا تَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ أَلِيمٖ 26فَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ مَا نَرَىٰكَ إِلَّا بَشَرٗا مِّثۡلَنَا وَمَا نَرَىٰكَ ٱتَّبَعَكَ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ هُمۡ أَرَاذِلُنَا بَادِيَ ٱلرَّأۡيِ وَمَا نَرَىٰ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡنَا مِن فَضۡلِۢ بَلۡ نَظُنُّكُمۡ كَٰذِبِينَ 27قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّي وَءَاتَىٰنِي رَحۡمَةٗ مِّنۡ عِندِهِۦ فَعُمِّيَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَنُلۡزِمُكُمُوهَا وَأَنتُمۡ لَهَا كَٰرِهُونَ 28وَيَٰقَوۡمِ لَآ أَسَۡٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مَالًاۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْۚ إِنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَٰكِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰكُمۡ قَوۡمٗا تَجۡهَلُونَ 29وَيَٰقَوۡمِ مَن يَنصُرُنِي مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِن طَرَدتُّهُمۡۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ 30وَلَآ أَقُولُ لَكُمۡ عِندِي خَزَآئِنُ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ وَلَآ أَقُولُ إِنِّي مَلَكٞ وَلَآ أَقُولُ لِلَّذِينَ تَزۡدَرِيٓ أَعۡيُنُكُمۡ لَن يُؤۡتِيَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ خَيۡرًاۖ ٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ إِنِّيٓ إِذٗا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 31قَالُواْ يَٰنُوحُ قَدۡ جَٰدَلۡتَنَا فَأَكۡثَرۡتَ جِدَٰلَنَا فَأۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ 32قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَأۡتِيكُم بِهِ ٱللَّهُ إِن شَآءَ وَمَآ أَنتُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ 33وَلَا يَنفَعُكُمۡ نُصۡحِيٓ إِنۡ أَرَدتُّ أَنۡ أَنصَحَ لَكُمۡ إِن كَانَ ٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يُغۡوِيَكُمۡۚ هُوَ رَبُّكُمۡ وَإِلَيۡهِ تُرۡجَعُونَ 34أَمۡ يَقُولُونَ ٱفۡتَرَىٰهُۖ قُلۡ إِنِ ٱفۡتَرَيۡتُهُۥ فَعَلَيَّ إِجۡرَامِي وَأَنَا۠ بَرِيٓءٞ مِّمَّا تُجۡرِمُونَ35
Verse 28: Mercy here means prophethood.
Verse 35: Prophet Muhammad .
THE ARK
36And it was revealed to Nuh, 'None of your people will believe except those who already have. So do not be stressed by what they have been doing.' 37Build the Ark under Our 'caring' Eyes and instructions, and do not argue with Me for those who have done wrong; they are going to be drowned.' 38So he began to build the Ark, and whenever some of the chiefs of his people passed by, they made fun of him. He said, 'If you laugh at us, we too will soon laugh at you in the same way.' 39You will see who will receive a humiliating punishment 'in this life' and suffer an endless punishment 'in the Next'!”
وَأُوحِيَ إِلَىٰ نُوحٍ أَنَّهُۥ لَن يُؤۡمِنَ مِن قَوۡمِكَ إِلَّا مَن قَدۡ ءَامَنَ فَلَا تَبۡتَئِسۡ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡعَلُونَ 36وَٱصۡنَعِ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ بِأَعۡيُنِنَا وَوَحۡيِنَا وَلَا تُخَٰطِبۡنِي فِي ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓاْ إِنَّهُم مُّغۡرَقُونَ 37وَيَصۡنَعُ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ وَكُلَّمَا مَرَّ عَلَيۡهِ مَلَأٞ مِّن قَوۡمِهِۦ سَخِرُواْ مِنۡهُۚ قَالَ إِن تَسۡخَرُواْ مِنَّا فَإِنَّا نَسۡخَرُ مِنكُمۡ كَمَا تَسۡخَرُونَ 38فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ مَن يَأۡتِيهِ عَذَابٞ يُخۡزِيهِ وَيَحِلُّ عَلَيۡهِ عَذَابٞ مُّقِيمٌ39
WORDS OF WISDOM
As we mentioned at the end of Surah 33, all creatures submit to Allah by default, including trees on the earth, birds in the sky, fish in the ocean, and everything—from the biggest blue whale to the smallest germ. However, human beings have free choice. Some of them choose to obey Allah, while others choose not to. This explains why animals and birds obeyed Nuh (A.S.) when he told them to board the Ark, whereas his own son and many of his people refused to do the same thing.
THE FLOOD
40And when Our command came and the oven burst with water⁶ We said 'to Nuh, 'Take into the Ark a pair from every species, along with your family-except those who deserve to be drowned-and those who believe.' But none believed with him except for a few. 41And he said, 'Go on board! In the Name of Allah it will sail and come to a stop. Surely my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful.' 42And so the Ark sailed with them through waves like mountains. Nuh called out to his son, who stood away, 'O my dear son! Come aboard with us, and do not be with the disbelievers.' 43He argued, 'I will take shelter on a mountain to protect me from the water.' Nuh cried, 'Today no one is protected from Allah's decision except those shown mercy by Him!' Then the waves came between them, and his son was among the drowned. 44And it was said, 'O earth! Swallow your water. And O sky! Stop 'your rain'.' The water was drained. It was all over. The Ark rested on Mount Judi. And it was said, 'Away with those who did wrong!' 45Nuh called out to his Lord, saying, 'My Lord! Surely my son is 'also' part of my family; Your promise is certainly true, and You are the most just of all judges!' 46Allah replied, 'O Nuh! He is no longer part of your family-his: actions were unfaithful. So do not ask Me about things that you do not know! I warn you so you do not fall into ignorance.' 47Nuh prayed, 'My Lord! I beg You to protect me from ever asking You about things I do not know. If You do not forgive me and have mercy on me, I will be among the losers' 48It was said, 'O Nuh! Land with Our peace and blessings upon you and upon some of the children of those with you.⁷ As for the others, We will let them enjoy themselves 'a bit', then they will suffer a painful punishment from Us' 49This is one of the stories of the unseen, which we reveal to you 'O Prophet'. You and your people never knew it before. So be patient! Surely, the faithful will win in the End.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ قُلۡنَا ٱحۡمِلۡ فِيهَا مِن كُلّٖ زَوۡجَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ وَأَهۡلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ وَمَنۡ ءَامَنَۚ وَمَآ ءَامَنَ مَعَهُۥٓ إِلَّا قَلِيلٞ 40وَقَالَ ٱرۡكَبُواْ فِيهَا بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ مَجۡرٜىٰهَا وَمُرۡسَىٰهَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 41وَهِيَ تَجۡرِي بِهِمۡ فِي مَوۡجٖ كَٱلۡجِبَالِ وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ ٱبۡنَهُۥ وَكَانَ فِي مَعۡزِلٖ يَٰبُنَيَّ ٱرۡكَب مَّعَنَا وَلَا تَكُن مَّعَ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 42قَالَ سََٔاوِيٓ إِلَىٰ جَبَلٖ يَعۡصِمُنِي مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِۚ قَالَ لَا عَاصِمَ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَۚ وَحَالَ بَيۡنَهُمَا ٱلۡمَوۡجُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُغۡرَقِينَ 43وَقِيلَ يَٰٓأَرۡضُ ٱبۡلَعِي مَآءَكِ وَيَٰسَمَآءُ أَقۡلِعِي وَغِيضَ ٱلۡمَآءُ وَقُضِيَ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ وَٱسۡتَوَتۡ عَلَى ٱلۡجُودِيِّۖ وَقِيلَ بُعۡدٗا لِّلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 44وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٞ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبۡنِي مِنۡ أَهۡلِي وَإِنَّ وَعۡدَكَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَأَنتَ أَحۡكَمُ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ 45قَالَ يَٰنُوحُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيۡسَ مِنۡ أَهۡلِكَۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَمَلٌ غَيۡرُ صَٰلِحٖۖ فَلَا تَسَۡٔلۡنِ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌۖ إِنِّيٓ أَعِظُكَ أَن تَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ 46قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّيٓ أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنۡ أَسَۡٔلَكَ مَا لَيۡسَ لِي بِهِۦ عِلۡمٞۖ وَإِلَّا تَغۡفِرۡ لِي وَتَرۡحَمۡنِيٓ أَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ 47قِيلَ يَٰنُوحُ ٱهۡبِطۡ بِسَلَٰمٖ مِّنَّا وَبَرَكَٰتٍ عَلَيۡكَ وَعَلَىٰٓ أُمَمٖ مِّمَّن مَّعَكَۚ وَأُمَمٞ سَنُمَتِّعُهُمۡ ثُمَّ يَمَسُّهُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ 48تِلۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيۡكَۖ مَا كُنتَ تَعۡلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوۡمُكَ مِن قَبۡلِ هَٰذَاۖ فَٱصۡبِرۡۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَٰقِبَةَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ49
Verse 40: Nuh was given a signal that once the water gushed out of a particular oven then the Flood was about to begin.
Verse 48: Meaning the believers among future generations.
PROPHET HUD
50And to the people of Ad We sent' their brother Hud. He said, 'O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. You are just 'making up' lies 'about those idols.' 51O my people! I am not asking you for any fee for this 'message'. My reward is only from the One Who created me. Will you not then understand? 52And O my people! Ask your Lord for forgiveness and repent to Him. He w will shower you with lots of rain, and add strength to your strength. So do not turn away, acting wickedly:' 53They argued, 'O Hud! You have not given us any clear proof. We will never abandon our gods just because you tell us to, and we will never believe in you.' 54All we can say is that some of our gods have possessed you with evil.' He replied, 'I call Allah to be a witness, and you to be witnesses as well, that I 'totally' reject whatever 'false gods' you make equal' 55to Him. So plan against me all you want without delay! 56I have put my trust in Allah-my Lord and your Lord. There is no living creature that is not completely under His control. Surely my Lord's Way is perfect justice. 57But if you turn away, I have already delivered to you what I have been sent with. My Lord will replace you with others. You are not harming Him in any way. Surely, my Lord is watching over all things. 58When Our command came, We rescued Hud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, saving them from a harsh punishment. 59That was 'Ad. They denied the signs of their Lord, disobeyed His messengers,⁸ and followed the command of every stubborn abuser. 60They are followed by a curse in this world as well as on Judgment Day. Surely 'Ad denied their Lord, So away with 'Ad, the people of Hud.
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمۡ هُودٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥٓۖ إِنۡ أَنتُمۡ إِلَّا مُفۡتَرُونَ 50يَٰقَوۡمِ لَآ أَسَۡٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ أَجۡرًاۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلَّذِي فَطَرَنِيٓۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ 51وَيَٰقَوۡمِ ٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ يُرۡسِلِ ٱلسَّمَآءَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّدۡرَارٗا وَيَزِدۡكُمۡ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمۡ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوۡاْ مُجۡرِمِينَ 52قَالُواْ يَٰهُودُ مَا جِئۡتَنَا بِبَيِّنَةٖ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِتَارِكِيٓ ءَالِهَتِنَا عَن قَوۡلِكَ وَمَا نَحۡنُ لَكَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ 53إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا ٱعۡتَرَىٰكَ بَعۡضُ ءَالِهَتِنَا بِسُوٓءٖۗ قَالَ إِنِّيٓ أُشۡهِدُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱشۡهَدُوٓاْ أَنِّي بَرِيٓءٞ مِّمَّا تُشۡرِكُونَ 54مِن دُونِهِۦۖ فَكِيدُونِي جَمِيعٗا ثُمَّ لَا تُنظِرُونِ 55إِنِّي تَوَكَّلۡتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذُۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٖ 56فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقَدۡ أَبۡلَغۡتُكُم مَّآ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦٓ إِلَيۡكُمۡۚ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفُ رَبِّي قَوۡمًا غَيۡرَكُمۡ وَلَا تَضُرُّونَهُۥ شَيًۡٔاۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ حَفِيظٞ 57وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا نَجَّيۡنَا هُودٗا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَّا وَنَجَّيۡنَٰهُم مِّنۡ عَذَابٍ غَلِيظ 58وَتِلۡكَ عَادٞۖ جَحَدُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَعَصَوۡاْ رُسُلَهُۥ وَٱتَّبَعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيد 59وَأُتۡبِعُواْ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا لَعۡنَةٗ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ عَادٗا كَفَرُواْ رَبَّهُمۡۗ أَلَا بُعۡدٗا لِّعَادٖ قَوۡمِ هُودٖ60
Verse 59: Rejecting Hud was equal to rejecting all messengers.
PROPHET ŞĀLIḤ
61And to the people of Thamud We sent' their brother Şāliḥ. He said, 'O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. He made you from the earth and settled you on it. So ask for His forgiveness and repent to Him. Surely my Lord is very near and responds to prayers' 62They argued, 'O Şāliḥ! We really had high hopes in you before what you just said.⁹ How dare you forbid us from worshipping what our fathers worshipped? We really have serious doubts about what you are inviting us to.' 63He replied, 'O my people! What if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has blessed me with a mercy fron Him! Who could help me against Allah if I disobeyed Him? You would only contribute to my doom.' 64And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is a sign for you.¹⁰ So leave her to feed 'freely' on Allah's land and do her no harm, or a quick punishment will hit you!' 65But they killed the camel, so he warned 'them, 'You have only three more days to enjoy life in your homes-this is a promise that cannot be broken!' 66When Our command came, We saved Şāliḥ and those who believed with him by Our mercy and 'protected them' against the disgrace of that Day. Your Lord alone is truly Powerful and Almighty. 67And the 'mighty' blast hit those doing wrong, so they fell lifeless in their homes, 68as if they had never existed there. Surely Thamud denied their Lord, so away with Thamud!
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَٰلِحٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱسۡتَعۡمَرَكُمۡ فِيهَا فَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٞ مُّجِيبٞ 61قَالُواْ يَٰصَٰلِحُ قَدۡ كُنتَ فِينَا مَرۡجُوّٗا قَبۡلَ هَٰذَآۖ أَتَنۡهَىٰنَآ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا وَإِنَّنَا لَفِي شَكّٖ مِّمَّا تَدۡعُونَآ إِلَيۡهِ مُرِيب 62قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّي وَءَاتَىٰنِي مِنۡهُ رَحۡمَةٗ فَمَن يَنصُرُنِي مِنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنۡ عَصَيۡتُهُۥۖ فَمَا تَزِيدُونَنِي غَيۡرَ تَخۡسِير 63وَيَٰقَوۡمِ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ ءَايَةٗۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأۡكُلۡ فِيٓ أَرۡضِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٖ فَيَأۡخُذَكُمۡ عَذَابٞ قَرِيبٞ 64فَعَقَرُوهَا فَقَالَ تَمَتَّعُواْ فِي دَارِكُمۡ ثَلَٰثَةَ أَيَّامٖۖ ذَٰلِكَ وَعۡدٌ غَيۡرُ مَكۡذُوب 65فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا نَجَّيۡنَا صَٰلِحٗا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَّا وَمِنۡ خِزۡيِ يَوۡمِئِذٍۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلۡقَوِيُّ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ 66وَأَخَذَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ فِي دِيَٰرِهِمۡ جَٰثِمِينَ 67كَأَن لَّمۡ يَغۡنَوۡاْ فِيهَآۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ ثَمُودَاْ كَفَرُواْ رَبَّهُمۡۗ أَلَا بُعۡدٗا لِّثَمُودَ68
Verse 62: They believed that Şāliḥ had the potential to be their future leader.
Verse 64: The she-camel came out of a mountain as a sign for them.
PROPHET IBRAHIM VISITED BY ANGELS
69And surely Our messenger-angels came to Ibrahim with good news 'of a son'. They greeted 'him with', 'Peace!' And he replied, 'Peace 'be upon you'!' Then shortly after, he brought 'them' a 'fat,' roasted calf. 70And when he saw that their hands did not reach for the food, he became suspicious and afraid of them.¹¹ They said, 'Do not be afraid! We are 'angels' sent 'only' against the people of Luț' 71And his wife 'Sarah' was standing by, so she laughed,¹² then We gave her good news of the birth of Ishaq, and, after him, Ya'qub. 72She wondered, 'Oh, my! How can I have a child in this old age, and my husband here is an old man? This is very shocking!' 73They responded, 'Are you shocked by Allah's decision? May Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you, O people of this house. Indeed, He deserves all praise and is full of Glory.' 74Then when Ibrahim was no longer afraid and the good news had reached him, he began to argue with Us for the people of Luț. 75Ibrahim was truly patient, good-hearted, and always turned 'to Allah'. 76'The angels said,' 'O Ibrahim! There is no point in arguing! Your Lord's decision has already come, and they will certainly be hit with a punishment that cannot be stopped!'
وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُنَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ بِٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ قَالُواْ سَلَٰمٗاۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٞۖ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَن جَآءَ بِعِجۡلٍ حَنِيذ 69فَلَمَّا رَءَآ أَيۡدِيَهُمۡ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيۡهِ نَكِرَهُمۡ وَأَوۡجَسَ مِنۡهُمۡ خِيفَةٗۚ قَالُواْ لَا تَخَفۡ إِنَّآ أُرۡسِلۡنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِ لُوطٖ 70وَٱمۡرَأَتُهُۥ قَآئِمَةٞ فَضَحِكَتۡ فَبَشَّرۡنَٰهَا بِإِسۡحَٰقَ وَمِن وَرَآءِ إِسۡحَٰقَ يَعۡقُوبَ 71قَالَتۡ يَٰوَيۡلَتَىٰٓ ءَأَلِدُ وَأَنَا۠ عَجُوزٞ وَهَٰذَا بَعۡلِي شَيۡخًاۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَشَيۡءٌ عَجِيبٞ 72قَالُوٓاْ أَتَعۡجَبِينَ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ ٱللَّهِۖ رَحۡمَتُ ٱللَّهِ وَبَرَكَٰتُهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَمِيدٞ مَّجِيدٞ 73فَلَمَّا ذَهَبَ عَنۡ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ ٱلرَّوۡعُ وَجَآءَتۡهُ ٱلۡبُشۡرَىٰ يُجَٰدِلُنَا فِي قَوۡمِ لُوطٍ 74إِنَّ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ لَحَلِيمٌ أَوَّٰهٞ مُّنِيبٞ 75يَٰٓإِبۡرَٰهِيمُ أَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡ هَٰذَآۖ إِنَّهُۥ قَدۡ جَآءَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَۖ وَإِنَّهُمۡ ءَاتِيهِمۡ عَذَابٌ غَيۡرُ مَرۡدُود76
Verse 70: According to ancient Middle Eastern culture, if the guest refused to eat, that was a sign that he probably wanted to harm the host.
Verse 71: She smiled when her husband was told that the guests intended no harm or when she heard the news that the wicked people of Lut were going to be punished.
PROPHET LUṬ
77When Our messenger-angels came to Luț, he was stressed and worried by their arrival.¹³ He said, 'This is a terrible day.' 78And 'the men of his people-who were used to shameful practices-came to him rushing. He said, 'O my people! Here are my daughters¹⁴ 'for marriage'; they are suitable for you. So fear Allah, and do not humiliate me by disrespecting my guests. Is there not 'even' a single reasonable man among you?' 79They argued, 'You definitely know that we have no interest in your daughters. You already know what we want!' 80He responded, 'I wish I had the power to stop you or find some mighty support.' 81The angels said, 'O Luț! We are the messengers of your Lord. They will never reach you. So travel with your family in the dark of night, and do not let any of you look back, except your wife. She will certainly suffer the fate of the others.¹⁵ Their set time is the morning. Is the morning not near?' 82When Our command came, We turned those cities upside down and rained upon them layers of baked stones, 83marked by your Lord. And these stones are not far from those Makkans' doing wrong!
وَلَمَّا جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُنَا لُوطٗا سِيٓءَ بِهِمۡ وَضَاقَ بِهِمۡ ذَرۡعٗا وَقَالَ هَٰذَا يَوۡمٌ عَصِيب 77وَجَآءَهُۥ قَوۡمُهُۥ يُهۡرَعُونَ إِلَيۡهِ وَمِن قَبۡلُ كَانُواْيَعۡمَلُونَ ٱلسَّئَِّاتِۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِي هُنَّ أَطۡهَرُ لَكُمۡۖ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخۡزُونِ فِي ضَيۡفِيٓۖ أَلَيۡسَ مِنكُمۡ رَجُلٞ رَّشِيدٞ 78قَالُواْ لَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَ مَا لَنَا فِي بَنَاتِكَ مِنۡ حَقّٖ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَعۡلَمُ مَا نُرِيدُ 79قَالَ لَوۡ أَنَّ لِي بِكُمۡ قُوَّةً أَوۡ ءَاوِيٓ إِلَىٰ رُكۡنٖ شَدِيد 80قَالُواْ يَٰلُوطُ إِنَّا رُسُلُ رَبِّكَ لَن يَصِلُوٓاْ إِلَيۡكَۖ فَأَسۡرِ بِأَهۡلِكَ بِقِطۡعٖ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَلَا يَلۡتَفِتۡ مِنكُمۡ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَكَۖ إِنَّهُۥ مُصِيبُهَا مَآ أَصَابَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ مَوۡعِدَهُمُ ٱلصُّبۡحُۚ أَلَيۡسَ ٱلصُّبۡحُ بِقَرِيب 81فَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا جَعَلۡنَا عَٰلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهَا حِجَارَةٗ مِّن سِجِّيلٖ مَّنضُود 82مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَۖ وَمَا هِيَ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ بِبَعِيدٖ83
Verse 77: Since the angels came in the form of handsome men, Luț was worried that his guests would be harassed, not knowing that they were angels.
Verse 78: The single women of his community.
Verse 81: Luț's wife rejected his message and revealed his secrets to his enemies.
PROPHET SHUAIB
84And to the people of Madian 'We sent' their brother Shu'aib. He said, 'O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god other than Him. And do not give short measure or weight. I see things going well for you now, but I really fear for you the punishment of an overwhelming Day. 85O my people! Give full measure and weigh with justice. Do not cheat people out of their things, and do not go about spreading corruption in the land. 86What is left by Allah as a profit is far better for you, if only you believed. And I am not a keeper over you. 87They asked 'sarcastically', 'O Shu'aib! Does your salah tell you that we should abandon what our fathers worshipped or give up managing our wealth as we want? You are really such an open-minded, sensible man!' 88He said, 'O my people! What if I have a clear proof from my Lord and He has blessed me with good resources from Him! The reason I am correcting you is not to bother you-I only want to improve your condition to the best of my ability. My success comes only through Allah. In Him I trust, and to Him I turn. 89O my people! Do not let your opposition to me lead you to suffer the same fate of the people of Nuh, Hud, or Şalih. And the people of Lut are not too far from you,¹⁶ 90So ask your Lord for forgiveness and repent to Him. Surely my Lord is Most Merciful and Loving. 91They threatened, 'O Shu'aib! We do not understand much of what you say, and we really see you powerless among us. If it was not for your relatives, we would have certainly stoned you 'to death'. You are nothing to us.' 92He replied, 'O my people! Do you have more respect for my relatives than for Allah, turning your back on Him? Surely my Lord is fully Aware of what you do.' 93'O my people! Continue what you are doing; I will do the same. You will soon see who will receive a humiliating punishment and is a liar! And watch! I too am watching with you!' 94When Our command came, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us. And the 'mighty' blast hit those doing wrong, so they fell lifeless in their homes, 95as if they had never existed there. So away with Madian as it was with Thamud!
وَإِلَىٰ مَدۡيَنَ أَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ وَلَا تَنقُصُواْ ٱلۡمِكۡيَالَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَۖ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰكُم بِخَيۡرٖ وَإِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٖ مُّحِيط 84وَيَٰقَوۡمِ أَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡمِكۡيَالَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُواْ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡاْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِينَ 85بَقِيَّتُ ٱللَّهِ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَۚ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ عَلَيۡكُم بِحَفِيظٖ 86قَالُواْ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ أَصَلَوٰتُكَ تَأۡمُرُكَ أَن نَّتۡرُكَ مَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَآ أَوۡ أَن نَّفۡعَلَ فِيٓ أَمۡوَٰلِنَا مَا نَشَٰٓؤُاْۖ إِنَّكَ لَأَنتَ ٱلۡحَلِيمُ ٱلرَّشِيدُ 87قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَءَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّي وَرَزَقَنِي مِنۡهُ رِزۡقًا حَسَنٗاۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنۡ أُخَالِفَكُمۡ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنۡهَىٰكُمۡ عَنۡهُۚ إِنۡ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلۡإِصۡلَٰحَ مَا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُۚ وَمَا تَوۡفِيقِيٓ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَكَّلۡتُ وَإِلَيۡهِ أُنِيبُ 88وَيَٰقَوۡمِ لَا يَجۡرِمَنَّكُمۡ شِقَاقِيٓ أَن يُصِيبَكُم مِّثۡلُ مَآ أَصَابَ قَوۡمَ نُوحٍ أَوۡ قَوۡمَ هُودٍ أَوۡ قَوۡمَ صَٰلِحٖۚ وَمَا قَوۡمُ لُوطٖ مِّنكُم بِبَعِيدٖ 89وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ ثُمَّ تُوبُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٞ وَدُودٞ 90قَالُواْ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ مَا نَفۡقَهُ كَثِيرٗا مِّمَّا تَقُولُ وَإِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِينَا ضَعِيفٗاۖ وَلَوۡلَا رَهۡطُكَ لَرَجَمۡنَٰكَۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ عَلَيۡنَا بِعَزِيز 91قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ أَرَهۡطِيٓ أَعَزُّ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱتَّخَذۡتُمُوهُ وَرَآءَكُمۡ ظِهۡرِيًّاۖ إِنَّ رَبِّي بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيط 92وَيَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡمَلُواْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمۡ إِنِّي عَٰمِلٞۖ سَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ مَن يَأۡتِيهِ عَذَابٞ يُخۡزِيهِ وَمَنۡ هُوَ كَٰذِبٞۖ وَٱرۡتَقِبُوٓاْ إِنِّي مَعَكُمۡ رَقِيبٞ 93وَلَمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُنَا نَجَّيۡنَا شُعَيۡبٗا وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَّا وَأَخَذَتِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ ٱلصَّيۡحَةُ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ فِي دِيَٰرِهِمۡ جَٰثِمِينَ 94كَأَن لَّمۡ يَغۡنَوۡاْ فِيهَآۗ أَلَا بُعۡدٗا لِّمَدۡيَنَ كَمَا بَعِدَتۡ ثَمُودُ95
Verse 89: Meaning their time and their land.
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Prophet (ﷺ) was blessed with great leadership skills, including his ability to make shura—holding a discussion with his companions to reach a decision. Technically, he didn't have to do that because he was already receiving revelations from Allah. But he wanted to teach his followers to discuss among themselves so that they could make the right decisions after his death. This is why the Prophet (ﷺ) was always successful.
In the Battle of Badr, he took the advice of Al-Hubab ibn Al-Munzir to take over the wells of Badr, which cut off the enemy's water supply and led Muslims to victory.
In the Battle of the Trench, he took the advice of Salman Al-Farisi to dig a trench to protect Madinah from the Enemy Forces (as we mentioned in Surah 33).
He also took the advice of his wife Umm Salamah after the peace agreement of Hudaibiyah (as we mentioned in Surah 48).
This is a lesson for all of us to ask Allah for guidance and to ask people for advice. As the saying goes, "Four eyes see better than two."
SIDE STORY
Verses 96-99 tell us how Pharaoh was followed blindly by his people, even though he was wrong. This reminds me of a fictional story that took place in a town called Dumbville. The people of Dumbville woke up one day to find a big hole in the middle of the road. Many people fell in the hole and died before they could reach the hospital, which was far away.
The supreme leader of Dumbville called for an urgent meeting with his top advisors to see what could be done. One advisor suggested, "How about we put up a big warning sign that says, 'If you get hurt, Dumbville can't help you?'" The supreme leader responded, "What a dumb idea." The second advisor said, "How about we build a hospital next to the hole?" Again, the supreme leader said it was a dumb idea because it would take a long time and cost a lot of money. Other advisors suggested different things but the supreme leader called them all dumb.
When they gave up, they asked, "O mighty leader! What should we do then?" He said, "It's very simple. We just cover this hole and dig another one next to the hospital." Everyone was impressed by his brilliant idea. Then there was a long standing ovation.
PROPHET MUSA
96Surely, We sent Musa with Our signs and clear proof 97to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they followed the command of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's command was misguided. 98He will be in front of his people on Judgment Day, leading them into the Fire. What an evil place to be led into! 99They are followed by a curse in this 'world' as well as on Judgment Day. What an evil gift to receive!
وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَسُلۡطَٰنٖ مُّبِينٍ 96إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَٱتَّبَعُوٓاْ أَمۡرَ فِرۡعَوۡنَۖ وَمَآ أَمۡرُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ بِرَشِيد 97يَقۡدُمُ قَوۡمَهُۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ فَأَوۡرَدَهُمُ ٱلنَّارَۖ وَبِئۡسَ ٱلۡوِرۡدُ ٱلۡمَوۡرُودُ 98وَأُتۡبِعُواْ فِي هَٰذِهِۦ لَعۡنَةٗ وَيَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۚ بِئۡسَ ٱلرِّفۡدُ ٱلۡمَرۡفُودُ99
PUNISHMENT OF THE WICKED
100These are some of the stories We are telling you 'O Prophet' about 'destroyed' societies. Some are still standing 'in ruins', while others have been wiped out. 101We did not wrong them; they wronged themselves. All those gods they called besides Allah did not help them at all when the command of your Lord came, and only contributed to their destruction. 102This is the 'crushing' grip of your Lord when He hits the societies doing wrong. Indeed, His grip is 'terribly' painful and severe.
ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّهُۥ عَلَيۡكَۖ مِنۡهَا قَآئِمٞ وَحَصِيدٞ 100وَمَا ظَلَمۡنَٰهُمۡ وَلَٰكِن ظَلَمُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡۖ فَمَآ أَغۡنَتۡ عَنۡهُمۡ ءَالِهَتُهُمُ ٱلَّتِي يَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِن شَيۡءٖ لَّمَّا جَآءَ أَمۡرُ رَبِّكَۖ وَمَا زَادُوهُمۡ غَيۡرَ تَتۡبِيب 101وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَخۡذُ رَبِّكَ إِذَآ أَخَذَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ وَهِيَ ظَٰلِمَةٌۚ إِنَّ أَخۡذَهُۥٓ أَلِيمٞ شَدِيدٌ102
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "What is the journey that one takes from the moment they die till they reach their final destination?" This is a very good question. Here are a few things to keep in mind: • The difference between the quality of life in this world and the Next is like the difference between our life inside our mothers and our life in this world. • Everyone wants to go to Jannah, but no one wants to die because they don't know what to expect after they leave this world. • The only way to know about the journey from the grave to the final destination is through the Quran and Sunnah. If something is not mentioned in the Quran or hadith, how do we know if it's true or not? Based on the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, the following is a summary of the steps that a person takes from the time they die until they reach Paradise or Hell:
1. When the person starts dying, they either see the angels of reward or the angels of punishment. The angels of reward give good news to the faithful, while the angels of punishment warn the wicked of a horrible fate. Then the angels of reward gently take the soul of the faithful, whereas the angels of punishment tear out the soul of the wicked.
2. In the grave, everyone will be asked these 3 questions: 1) Who is your Lord? 2) What is your faith? 3) Who is your prophet? The faithful will be able to say, "My Lord is Allah. My faith is Islam. My prophet is Muhammad (ﷺ)." But the unfaithful will say they don't know.
3. Technically, a person will be in their grave much longer than their stay in this world. Only Allah knows how long they will be in the grave—it could be hundreds, thousands, or millions of years. During this stay, the faithful will get a taste of what to expect in Paradise, and the wicked will get a taste of what to expect in Hell. This is like when an important person arrives at the airport and they get a VIP treatment at the airport and in the limousine, long before they arrive at their private suite at the hotel. Or, on the other hand, it is like when a criminal is arrested, they are handcuffed and shoved into the police car, long before they land in jail.
4. When the time of judgment arrives, the Horn will be blown by an angel, then everyone who is alive will die. The Horn will be blown again and everyone will immediately come back to life.
5. Everyone will be gathered for Judgment Day, which will be 50,000 years long for the wicked. As for the faithful, the Prophet (ﷺ) said that this Day will be like the time they spent in one salah in the world.
6. People will beg prophets to pray to Allah for judgment to begin. No one will dare to ask Allah on that Day except the Prophet (ﷺ). His request will be accepted and judgment will start.
7. The faithful will receive their books in their right hands, while the wicked will try to avoid taking their books with their left hands. When they hide their left hands behind their backs, their books will be stuck to their left hands.
8. The Scales of justice will be set up and the books of deeds will be weighed. As for the wicked, their scales of evil deeds will be heavy, so they will be taken straight from there to cross a bridge (known as the Sirat) which stretches over Hell. They will either fall straight into Hell or get dragged down. As for the believers, they will proceed to the pond of the Prophet (ﷺ), where everyone wants to drink. The faithful will be able to take a sip from that pond, but the hypocrites will be chased away. From there, the hypocrites will be taken to the Sirat, where they will end up in the depths of Hell.
9. The Prophet (ﷺ) will make shafa'ah for some sinful Muslims by asking Allah to enter them into Jannah without punishing them or to remove them from the Fire and send them to Jannah after they receive their punishment. No Muslim will stay in Hell forever.
10. As for the believers, they will cross the Sirat at different speeds—some will be passing very fast, others will be walking, and some will be crawling. Once they cross safely to the other side, Allah will settle issues between some of the believers before everyone enters Jannah with nothing in their hearts against each other.
THE HAPPY & MISERABLE ON JUDGMENT DAY
103Surely in this is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Next Life. That is a Day for which humanity will be gathered and a Day to be witnessed 'by all'. 104We only delay it for a fixed time. 105When that Day arrives, no one will dare to speak except with His permission. Some of them will be miserable, others will be happy. 106As for the miserable, they will be in the Fire, where they will be wheezing and gasping. 107Staying there forever, as long as the heavens and the earth will exist, except what your Lord wants.¹⁷ Surely your Lord does what He intends. 108And as for the happy, they will be in Jannah, staying there forever, as long as the heavens and the earth will exist, except what your Lord wants¹⁸-a generous gift, with no end.
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لِّمَنۡ خَافَ عَذَابَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ ذَٰلِكَ يَوۡمٞ مَّجۡمُوعٞ لَّهُ ٱلنَّاسُ وَذَٰلِكَ يَوۡمٞ مَّشۡهُودٞ 103وَمَا نُؤَخِّرُهُۥٓ إِلَّا لِأَجَلٖ مَّعۡدُود 104يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِ لَا تَكَلَّمُ نَفۡسٌ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ فَمِنۡهُمۡ شَقِيّٞ وَسَعِيدٞ 105فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُواْ فَفِي ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمۡ فِيهَا زَفِيرٞ وَشَهِيقٌ 106خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَۚ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٞ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ 107وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ سُعِدُواْ فَفِي ٱلۡجَنَّةِ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ رَبُّكَۖ عَطَآءً غَيۡرَ مَجۡذُوذٖ108
Verse 107: Sinful believers will eventually be removed from Hell after receiving their punishment.
Verse 108: Except the time they spend on earth and in the grave, or except the time the sinful believers spend in Hell before being moved to Paradise.
BLIND FOLLOWING
109So do not be in doubt about whatever 'idols' those Makkans' worship. They worship nothinge except what their fathers worshipped in the past. And We will certainly give them their full share 'of punishment', with nothing reduced.
فَلَا تَكُ فِي مِرۡيَةٖ مِّمَّا يَعۡبُدُ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِۚ مَا يَعۡبُدُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُهُم مِّن قَبۡلُۚ وَإِنَّا لَمُوَفُّوهُمۡ نَصِيبَهُمۡ غَيۡرَ مَنقُوصٖ109
THE TAWRAH
110Surely We had given Musa the Book. but it was disagreed about 'by his people'¹⁹ If it was not for a decision already made by your Lord, their differences would have been settled 'immediately'. They really have serious doubts about it. 111And surely your Lord will pay everyone back in full for their deeds. Indeed, He is fully Aware of what they do.
وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَا مُوسَى ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ فَٱخۡتُلِفَ فِيهِۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةٞ سَبَقَتۡ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُمۡۚ وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَفِي شَكّٖ مِّنۡهُ مُرِيبٖ 110وَإِنَّ كُلّٗا لَّمَّا لَيُوَفِّيَنَّهُمۡ رَبُّكَ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٞ111
Verse 110: Some accepted it and others rejected it
ADVICE TO THE BELIEVERS
112So be patient as you are commanded 'O Prophet', along with those who turn 'to Allah' with you. And do not cross the limits. He certainly sees what you 'all' do. 113Do not rely on those doing wrong or you will be touched by the Fire, and then you will have no one to protect you against Allah, and you will not be helped. 114Pray şalah 'O Prophet' at both ends of the day and in the early part of the night. Surely good deeds wipe out evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who keep things in mind. 115And be patient! Indeed, Allah does not waste the reward of those doing good.
فَٱسۡتَقِمۡ كَمَآ أُمِرۡتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلَا تَطۡغَوۡاْۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِير 112وَلَا تَرۡكَنُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنۡ أَوۡلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ 113وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَيِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفٗا مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِۚ إِنَّ ٱلۡحَسَنَٰتِ يُذۡهِبۡنَ ٱلسَّئَِّاتِۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكۡرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ 114وَٱصۡبِرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ115
SPEAKING OUT AGAINST EVIL
116If only there had been some other good people among those 'destroyed' before your time, who spoke against corruption in the land-like the few We saved from among them. But those doing wrong 'only' followed their desires, becoming wicked. 117Your Lord 'O Prophet' would never destroy a society unjustly while its people were acting rightly.
فَلَوۡلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرُونِ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ أُوْلُواْ بَقِيَّةٖ يَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡفَسَادِ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّمَّنۡ أَنجَيۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مَآ أُتۡرِفُواْ فِيهِ وَكَانُواْ مُجۡرِمِينَ 116وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهۡلِكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ بِظُلۡمٖ وَأَهۡلُهَا مُصۡلِحُونَ117
FREE CHOICE
118If your Lord wanted, He could have easily made humanity one single community 'of believers', but they will 'always choose to' differ- 119except those shown mercy by your Lord. This is why He created them 'to choose freely'. And so the Word of your Lord will come true: 'I will surely fill up Hell with jinn and humans all together:'
وَلَوۡ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗۖ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخۡتَلِفِينَ 118إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَۚ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمۡۗ وَتَمَّتۡ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمۡلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجۡمَعِينَ119
WISDOM BEHIND THE STORIES
120We tell you 'O Prophet' the stories of these messengers to strengthen your heart. And in this 'surah' you have received the truth-a warning to the disbelievers' and a reminder to the believers. 121Say to those who disbelieve, 'Continue what you are doing; we too will do the same. 122And keep waiting! We too are certainly waiting.'
وَكُلّٗا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَۚ وَجَآءَكَ فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَمَوۡعِظَةٞ وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 120وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ ٱعۡمَلُواْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمۡ إِنَّا عَٰمِلُونَ 121وَٱنتَظِرُوٓاْ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ122
ALLAH ALMIGHTY
123The knowledge of what is hidden in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. And to Him all matters are returned 'for judgment'. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. Your Lord is never unaware of what you 'all' do.
وَلِلَّهِ غَيۡبُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَإِلَيۡهِ يُرۡجَعُ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعۡبُدۡهُ وَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَيۡهِۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعۡمَلُونَ123