The Heights
Al-A'râf
الاعراف
LEARNING POINTS
1. Only Allah deserves our worship and gratitude.
2. The story of Adam (peace be upon him) is a warning against the tricks of Shaytan.
3. This surah provides important details about the people of Jannah (Paradise) and the people of Jahannam (Hellfire).
4. Those who do evil will regret it on Judgment Day, but it will be too late.
5. Stories of earlier prophets are mentioned to warn the Makkan idol-worshippers and comfort the Prophet (peace be upon him).
6. Allah always supports His prophets and destroys their arrogant enemies.
7. The people of Musa (peace be upon him) were tested in many different ways.
8. Only Allah can guide to the truth.
9. It's important to keep our promises to Allah and other people.
10. No one is asked to do anything beyond their ability.
11. Allah has allowed for us what is good and forbidden what is evil.
12. The wicked are punished for rejecting the truth and breaking the rules.
13. The idols are powerless and can't help their followers in any way.
14. Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final Prophet, sent as a mercy for humanity.
15. The Quran is a true revelation from Allah that should be honored and followed.
REVEALING THE TRUTH
1AlifLam-Mim-Şâd. 2'This is' a Book revealed to you 'O Prophet'—not to stress yourself about 'delivering' it—but to use it to warn the disbelievers' and to remind the believers. 3Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord 'O humanity', and do not take others as lords besides Him. Yet you hardly remember any lesson! 4Imagine' how many societies We have destroyed! Our punishment took them by surprise while they 'rested' at night or at noon. 5When Our punishment came upon them, their only cry was: "We have really done wrong." 6We will definitely question those who received messengers, and even question the messengers themselves. 7Then We will accurately tell them everything they did—We were never absent. 8On that Day, deeds will be weighed in all fairness. As for those whose scales are heavy 'with good deeds', only they will be successful. 9But as for those whose scales are light, such people have doomed themselves for rejecting Our signs.
الٓمٓصٓ 1كِتَٰبٌ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ فَلَا يَكُن فِي صَدۡرِكَ حَرَجٞ مِّنۡهُ لِتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 2ٱتَّبِعُواْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوۡلِيَآءَۗ قَلِيلٗا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ 3وَكَم مِّن قَرۡيَةٍ أَهۡلَكۡنَٰهَا فَجَآءَهَا بَأۡسُنَا بَيَٰتًا أَوۡ هُمۡ قَآئِلُونَ 4فَمَا كَانَ دَعۡوَىٰهُمۡ إِذۡ جَآءَهُم بَأۡسُنَآ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ 5فَلَنَسَۡٔلَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُرۡسِلَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَنَسَۡٔلَنَّ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ 6فَلَنَقُصَّنَّ عَلَيۡهِم بِعِلۡمٖۖ وَمَا كُنَّا غَآئِبِينَ 7وَٱلۡوَزۡنُ يَوۡمَئِذٍ ٱلۡحَقُّۚ فَمَن ثَقُلَتۡ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ 8وَمَنۡ خَفَّتۡ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا يَظۡلِمُونَ9
Verse 6: the messanger will be asked about ddelivering the massage
SATAN'S ARROGANCE
10We have surely established you on earth and provided you with all the resources you need. Yet you hardly give any thanks. 11Surely, We created you, then shaped you, then said to the angels, "Bow down to Adam," so they all did—but not Iblis, who refused to bow down with the others. 12Allah asked, "What prevented you from bowing down when I commanded you?" He replied, "I am better than him: You created me from fire and created him from clay." 13Allah ordered, "Then get down from Paradise! How dare you become arrogant here. So get out! You are truly disgraced." 14He begged, "Delay my end until the Day they are raised from the dead." 15Allah replied, "You will be delayed." 16He said, "For letting me stray, I will ambush them on Your Straight Path. 17Then I will target them from their front and their back and from their right and their left, so You will find most of them ungrateful." 18Allah ordered, "Again, get out of here! You are disgraced and rejected! As for those who follow you, I will surely fill up Hell with all of you together!"
وَلَقَدۡ مَكَّنَّٰكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَجَعَلۡنَا لَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَعَٰيِشَۗ قَلِيلٗا مَّا تَشۡكُرُونَ 10وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ ثُمَّ صَوَّرۡنَٰكُمۡ ثُمَّ قُلۡنَا لِلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ ٱسۡجُدُواْ لِأٓدَمَ فَسَجَدُوٓاْ إِلَّآ إِبۡلِيسَ لَمۡ يَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ 11قَالَ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَلَّا تَسۡجُدَ إِذۡ أَمَرۡتُكَۖ قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡهُ خَلَقۡتَنِي مِن نَّارٖ وَخَلَقۡتَهُۥ مِن طِين 12قَالَ فَٱهۡبِطۡ مِنۡهَا فَمَا يَكُونُ لَكَ أَن تَتَكَبَّرَ فِيهَا فَٱخۡرُجۡ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰغِرِينَ 13قَالَ أَنظِرۡنِيٓ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يُبۡعَثُونَ 14قَالَ إِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُنظَرِينَ 15قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِي لَأَقۡعُدَنَّ لَهُمۡ صِرَٰطَكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ 16ثُمَّ لَأٓتِيَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَيۡنِ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمِنۡ خَلۡفِهِمۡ وَعَنۡ أَيۡمَٰنِهِمۡ وَعَن شَمَآئِلِهِمۡۖ وَلَا تَجِدُ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ شَٰكِرِينَ 17قَالَ ٱخۡرُجۡ مِنۡهَا مَذۡءُومٗا مَّدۡحُورٗاۖ لَّمَن تَبِعَكَ مِنۡهُمۡ لَأَمۡلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ18
Verse 11: 3. Your father, Adam .
Verse 15: 4 Satan asked to be allowed to live until humans are raised back to life, probably because he was scared of death at the end of time. He was told he was going to live only until the time set by Allah.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "If Iblis had already been expelled out of Jannah, how did he whisper to Adam and his wife inside Jannah?" We don't know for sure, because the answer is not provided in the Quran or the Sunnah. This is the case with any issue that doesn't benefit us in this life or the Next. However, some scholars say that Iblis probably whispered to them secretly or called out to them from outside through the gate of Jannah. And Allah knows best.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "If Adam didn't eat from that tree, wouldn't we be in Jannah now?" The short answer is no. By reading the story of Adam in **2:30-39**, we realize that:
1. The decision to send Adam (peace be upon him) to earth was made before he was even created. There is also a hadith in which Musa (peace be upon him) said to Adam, "You were honored by Allah, then you caused people to come down to the earth because of what you did!" Adam (peace be upon him) replied, "How can you blame me for something that Allah had written for me long before even taking existence?" (Imam Muslim)
2. He was already warned in advance against the tricks of Shaytan.
3. Adam (peace be upon him) was instructed, "You have a huge number of trees you may eat from; just avoid this one." He was told to stay away from that tree, not because it was poisonous, but because Allah wanted to test his obedience. In the same way, our obedience is tested through the things we are ordered to do or avoid. While some of us pass the test, others fail.
ADAM AND EVE: THE TEST & THE FALL
19Allah said,' "O Adam! Live with your wife in Jannah and eat as you wish, but do not come close to this tree or you will be doing wrong" 20Then Satan whispered to them in order to expose their nakedness, which had been hidden from them. He argued, "Your Lord has forbidden you this tree only to prevent you from becoming angels or living forever:" 21And he swore to them, "I am truly giving you sincere advice" 22So he deceived them with lies. And when they tasted the fruit' of the tree, they realized they had become naked. They started to cover themselves with leaves from Jannah. Then their Lord called out to them, "Did I not forbid you from that tree and warn you that Satan is your clear enemy?" 23They cried, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will definitely be losers." 24Allah ordered, "Get down from here as enemies to one another: You will have on the earth a home and whatever you need for your stay." 25He added, "There you will live, there you will die, and from there you will be raised back to life."
وَيَٰٓـَٔادَمُ ٱسۡكُنۡ أَنتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنۡ حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 19فَوَسۡوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ لِيُبۡدِيَ لَهُمَا مَا وُۥرِيَ عَنۡهُمَا مِن سَوۡءَٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَىٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنۡ هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيۡنِ أَوۡ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰلِدِينَ 20وَقَاسَمَهُمَآ إِنِّي لَكُمَا لَمِنَ ٱلنَّٰصِحِينَ 21فَدَلَّىٰهُمَا بِغُرُورٖۚ فَلَمَّا ذَاقَا ٱلشَّجَرَةَ بَدَتۡ لَهُمَا سَوۡءَٰتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخۡصِفَانِ عَلَيۡهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ وَنَادَىٰهُمَا رَبُّهُمَآ أَلَمۡ أَنۡهَكُمَا عَن تِلۡكُمَا ٱلشَّجَرَةِ وَأَقُل لَّكُمَآ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنَ لَكُمَا عَدُوّٞ مُّبِينٞ 22قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمۡنَآ أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمۡ تَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَتَرۡحَمۡنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ 23قَالَ ٱهۡبِطُواْ بَعۡضُكُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ عَدُوّٞۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُسۡتَقَرّٞ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٖ 24قَالَ فِيهَا تَحۡيَوۡنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنۡهَا تُخۡرَجُونَ25
Verse 24: meaning human and shaytan
BACKGROUND STORY
With the exception of the Makkans, the other idol-worshippers used to circle the Ka'bah while naked during Hajj. They also forbade certain types of food for themselves. So, the following passage came down to ban these practices.
The believers were asked to dress properly when they prayed and to enjoy the good resources that Allah created for them. {Imam Muslim & Imam At-Tabari}
WARNING AGAINST EVIL
26O children of Adam! We have provided for you clothing to cover your bodies and to look good. However, the best clothing is faithfulness. This is one of Allah's blessings, so perhaps everyone will keep it in mind. 27O children of Adam! Do not let Satan deceive you as he tricked your parents out of Jannah and caused their cover to be removed, exposing their nakedness. Surely, he and his forces watch you from where you cannot see them. We have made the devils as partners of those who disbelieve. 28Whenever those idol-worshippers' do something shameful, they argue, "We found our fathers doing this," and "Allah has commanded us to do it." Say 'O Prophet', "No! Allah never commands what is shameful. How dare you say about Allah what you do not know!" 29Say, "My Lord only commands what is right. Direct your worship to Him and call upon Him 'alone', being sincere in faith to Him. Just as He brought you into existence, you will be brought back to life." 30He has guided some, while others are doomed to stray—they have taken devils as their masters instead of Allah, thinking they are rightly' guided. 31O Children of Adam! Dress properly when praying. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Indeed, He does not like the wasteful. 32Ask, "O Prophet, "Who has forbidden the beautiful things and good resources, which Allah has provided for His servants?" Say, "They are allowed for the believers to enjoy' in this life, but they will be reserved only for them on Judgment Day. This is how We make Our revelations clear for people who know." 33Say, "My Lord has only forbidden shameful things done in public or private, as well as evil, mistreating others unfairly, making anyone equal to Allah—a practice He has never approved—and saying about Allah what you do not know." 34Every community has a set time. Once their time is over, they cannot delay it for a moment or speed it up. 35O children of Adam! When messengers come to you from among yourselves, declaring My revelations—those who guard against evil and change their ways, there will be no fear for them and they will never be sad. 36But those who reject and look down upon Our revelations will be the people of the Fire. They will be there forever.
يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ قَدۡ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكُمۡ لِبَاسٗا يُوَٰرِي سَوۡءَٰتِكُمۡ وَرِيشٗاۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيۡرٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 26يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ لَا يَفۡتِنَنَّكُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ كَمَآ أَخۡرَجَ أَبَوَيۡكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ يَنزِعُ عَنۡهُمَا لِبَاسَهُمَا لِيُرِيَهُمَا سَوۡءَٰتِهِمَآۚ إِنَّهُۥ يَرَىٰكُمۡ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُۥ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا تَرَوۡنَهُمۡۗ إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَا ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ 27وَإِذَا فَعَلُواْ فَٰحِشَةٗ قَالُواْ وَجَدۡنَا عَلَيۡهَآ ءَابَآءَنَا وَٱللَّهُ أَمَرَنَا بِهَاۗ قُلۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِۖ أَتَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 28قُلۡ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۖ وَأَقِيمُواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسۡجِدٖ وَٱدۡعُوهُ مُخۡلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَۚ كَمَا بَدَأَكُمۡ تَعُودُونَ 29فَرِيقًا هَدَىٰ وَفَرِيقًا حَقَّ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلضَّلَٰلَةُۚ إِنَّهُمُ ٱتَّخَذُواْ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ أَوۡلِيَآءَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ 30يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُواْ زِينَتَكُمۡ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسۡجِدٖ وَكُلُواْ وَٱشۡرَبُواْ وَلَا تُسۡرِفُوٓاْۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ 31قُلۡ مَنۡ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِيٓ أَخۡرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزۡقِۚ قُلۡ هِيَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا خَالِصَةٗ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِۗ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ 32قُلۡ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ ٱلۡفَوَٰحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَٱلۡإِثۡمَ وَٱلۡبَغۡيَ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَن تُشۡرِكُواْ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ سُلۡطَٰنٗا وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 33وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٞۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمۡ لَا يَسۡتَأۡخِرُونَ سَاعَةٗ وَلَا يَسۡتَقۡدِمُونَ 34يَٰبَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ إِمَّا يَأۡتِيَنَّكُمۡ رُسُلٞ مِّنكُمۡ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِي فَمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَأَصۡلَحَ فَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ 35وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡهَآ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ36
Verse 28: such as circling the ka'bah while naked
Verse 31: such as decant clothes
Verse 32: the pleasure of this life are shared by beliver and disbeliver,whereas the pleasure of the next life will be enjoyed only by the believers
EVIL LEADERS & THEIR FOLLOWERS
37Who does more wrong than those who make up lies against Allah or deny His revelations? They will get whatever is written for them 'in this life', until Our messenger-angels come to take their souls, asking them, 'Where are those 'false gods' you used to call besides Allah?' They will cry, 'They have failed us.' And they will confess against themselves that they had no faith. 38Allah will order, 'Enter the Fire, along with the 'evil' groups of jinn and humans that had gone before.' Whenever a group enters Hell, it will curse the previous one until they are all gathered inside. The followers will say about their leaders, 'Our Lord! They have misled us, so multiply their punishment in the Fire.' He will answer, 'It has already been multiplied for everyone—but you have no idea!' 39Then the leaders will say to their followers, 'You were no better than us! So taste the punishment for what you used to do'
فَمَنۡ أَظۡلَمُ مِمَّنِ ٱفۡتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا أَوۡ كَذَّبَ بَِٔايَٰتِهِۦٓۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ يَنَالُهُمۡ نَصِيبُهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُنَا يَتَوَفَّوۡنَهُمۡ قَالُوٓاْ أَيۡنَ مَا كُنتُمۡ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالُواْ ضَلُّواْ عَنَّا وَشَهِدُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ أَنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ كَٰفِرِينَ 37قَالَ ٱدۡخُلُواْ فِيٓ أُمَمٖ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِن قَبۡلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ فِي ٱلنَّارِۖ كُلَّمَا دَخَلَتۡ أُمَّةٞ لَّعَنَتۡ أُخۡتَهَاۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا ٱدَّارَكُواْ فِيهَا جَمِيعٗا قَالَتۡ أُخۡرَىٰهُمۡ لِأُولَىٰهُمۡ رَبَّنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَضَلُّونَا فََٔاتِهِمۡ عَذَابٗا ضِعۡفٗا مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِۖ قَالَ لِكُلّٖ ضِعۡفٞ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَعۡلَمُونَ 38وَقَالَتۡ أُولَىٰهُمۡ لِأُخۡرَىٰهُمۡ فَمَا كَانَ لَكُمۡ عَلَيۡنَا مِن فَضۡلٖ فَذُوقُواْ ٱلۡعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَكۡسِبُونَ39
WORDS OF WISDOM
The Quran always criticizes those who claim that Allah has children. This includes the Christians who believe that Jesus ('Isa) is the son of God as well as the idol-worshippers who believed that the angels were Allah's daughters (verse 100).
As Muslims, we believe that Allah doesn't have any sons or daughters.
Many people think that 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 exist or not doesn't affect Him in any way.
WORDS OF WISDOM
According to verses **40-42**, the believers will stay in Jannah forever and enjoy incredible rewards for doing some simple tasks like praying to Allah alone, fasting, and giving charity. As for the disbelievers, they will be stuck in Hell forever for failing to do those simple things.
PEOPLE OF HELL & PEOPLE OF PARADISE
40Indeed, the gates of heaven will not be opened for those who rejected and looked down upon Our revelations. They will never enter Jannah until a camel is able to pass through the eye of a needle. This is how We pay back the wicked. 41Jahannam will be their bed, and flames will be their cover. This is how We pay back those who do wrong. 42As for those who believe and do good—We never task any soul except with what it can do—they will be the people of Jannah. They will be there forever. 43We will remove whatever bad feelings they had in their hearts. Rivers will flow under their feet. And they will say, "Praise be to Allah for guiding us to this. We would have never been guided if Allah had not guided us. The messengers of our Lord certainly came with the truth" It will be announced to them, "This is Paradise, awarded to you for what you used to do." 44The people of Jannah will call out to the people of the Fire, "We have definitely found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you too found your Lord's promise to be true?" They will cry, "Yes, we have!" Then a caller will announce to both, "May Allah doom the people who did wrong 45. those who prevented 'others' from Allah's Way, tried to make it 'appear' crooked, and disbelieved in the Second Life"
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ عَنۡهَا لَا تُفَتَّحُ لَهُمۡ أَبۡوَٰبُ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَا يَدۡخُلُونَ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلۡجَمَلُ فِي سَمِّ ٱلۡخِيَاطِۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ 40لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٞ وَمِن فَوۡقِهِمۡ غَوَاشٖۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 41وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَآ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِۖ هُمۡ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ 42وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلّٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهِمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُۖ وَقَالُواْ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِي هَدَىٰنَا لِهَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهۡتَدِيَ لَوۡلَآ أَنۡ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُۖ لَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّۖ وَنُودُوٓاْ أَن تِلۡكُمُ ٱلۡجَنَّةُ أُورِثۡتُمُوهَا بِمَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ 43وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ أَن قَدۡ وَجَدۡنَا مَا وَعَدَنَا رَبُّنَا حَقّٗا فَهَلۡ وَجَدتُّم مَّا وَعَدَ رَبُّكُمۡ حَقّٗاۖ قَالُواْ نَعَمۡۚ فَأَذَّنَ مُؤَذِّنُۢ بَيۡنَهُمۡ أَن لَّعۡنَةُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ44
Verse 43: 9. The bad feelings they had in their hearts towards other be- lievers who wronged them in this life.
BACKGROUND STORY
The following passage talks about a group of people who will be standing on the heights between Paradise and Hell on Judgment Day. According to many scholars, those people will be kept there for some time because their good deeds will equal their evil deeds. Eventually, those on the heights will enter Jannah by Allah's mercy. {Imam Ibn Kathir & Imam Al-Qurtubi}
PEOPLE ON THE HEIGHTS
46There will be a barrier between those two groups, and on its heights will be some people who will recognize both groups by their looks. They will call out to the people of Jannah, "Peace be upon you!" Those 'on the heights' will not yet have entered Paradise, but really hope to. 47When their eyes will turn towards the People of the Fire, they will pray, "Our Lord! Do not join us with those who did wrong." 48Those on the heights will call out to some evil leaders' they will recognize by their looks, saying "Your large numbers and arrogance cannot help you 'Today'! 49Are these 'poor believers not' the same people you swore would never receive Allah's blessings? "They are now being told:" 'Enter Jannah! There will be no fear for you, and you will never be sad." 50The people of the Fire will then cry out to the people of Jannah, "Please, throw down to us some water or anything Allah has provided for you." They will reply, "Allah has forbidden both to the disbelievers 51those who mocked this faith for fun and were deceived by the life of the world" So Today We will ignore them just like they ignored the coming of this Day and for rejecting Our Revelations.
وَبَيۡنَهُمَا حِجَابٞۚ وَعَلَى ٱلۡأَعۡرَافِ رِجَالٞ يَعۡرِفُونَ كُلَّۢا بِسِيمَىٰهُمۡۚ وَنَادَوۡاْ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ أَن سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡۚ لَمۡ يَدۡخُلُوهَا وَهُمۡ يَطۡمَعُونَ 46۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتۡ أَبۡصَٰرُهُمۡ تِلۡقَآءَ أَصۡحَٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجۡعَلۡنَا مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 47وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلۡأَعۡرَافِ رِجَالٗا يَعۡرِفُونَهُم بِسِيمَىٰهُمۡ قَالُواْ مَآ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنكُمۡ جَمۡعُكُمۡ وَمَا كُنتُمۡ تَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ 48أَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أَقۡسَمۡتُمۡ لَا يَنَالُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِرَحۡمَةٍۚ ٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَلَآ أَنتُمۡ تَحۡزَنُونَ 49وَنَادَىٰٓ أَصۡحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ أَصۡحَٰبَ ٱلۡجَنَّةِ أَنۡ أَفِيضُواْ عَلَيۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ أَوۡ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُۚ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 50ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ دِينَهُمۡ لَهۡوٗا وَلَعِبٗا وَغَرَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ فَٱلۡيَوۡمَ نَنسَىٰهُمۡ كَمَا نَسُواْ لِقَآءَ يَوۡمِهِمۡ هَٰذَا وَمَا كَانُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا يَجۡحَدُونَ51
WARNING TO THE DENIERS
52We have already brought them a Book which We explained with knowledge—a guide and mercy for those who believe. 53Are they just waiting for its warning to come true? The Day it comes true, those who ignored it in the past will cry, "The messengers of our Lord had certainly come with the truth. Is there anyone who can speak in our defence? Or can we be sent back so we can act differently from how we used to?" They have truly ruined themselves, and whatever 'gods' they made up will fail them.
وَلَقَدۡ جِئۡنَٰهُم بِكِتَٰبٖ فَصَّلۡنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ هُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٗ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 52هَلۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا تَأۡوِيلَهُۥۚ يَوۡمَ يَأۡتِي تَأۡوِيلُهُۥ يَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ نَسُوهُ مِن قَبۡلُ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ فَهَل لَّنَا مِن شُفَعَآءَ فَيَشۡفَعُواْ لَنَآ أَوۡ نُرَدُّ فَنَعۡمَلَ غَيۡرَ ٱلَّذِي كُنَّا نَعۡمَلُۚ قَدۡ خَسِرُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَضَلَّ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُواْ يَفۡتَرُونَ53
WORDS OF WISDOM
Like some other verses in the Quran, verse **54** says that Allah created the heavens and the earth in 6 Days. Generally, the word 'day' indicates different time periods. For example, a day on Jupiter is equal to about 10 earth hours, whereas a day on Venus is equal to 243 earth days.
According to Imam Ibn 'Ashur, the word 'day' doesn't always mean a 24-hour period in the Quran. For example, a regular heavenly Day equals 1,000 of our years, based on **22:47** and **32:5**. Judgment Day will be very special, lasting 50,000 years of our time (**70:4**). Therefore, the 6 Days of creation refer to 6 long periods of time. And Allah knows best.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "Why did Allah create the universe in 6 Days, when He could have created everything in the blink of an eye?" That's a good question. According to Imam Al-Qurtubi & Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi, Allah created the heavens and the earth in 6 Days to:
Indicate that creating things over a long period is a sign of His wisdom, whereas creating them in no time is a sign of His power.
Display His creative powers to the angels by creating something each Day.
Show the attention and care that He was giving to Adam (peace be upon him) and the human race.
Teach us to take our time and to do things properly, not in a rush. This includes our work, prayers, or any activity. When we rush, we often forget or even make mistakes.
It's important to note that Allah ordered the heavens and the earth to come into existence with the word **kun (Be!)** and this took Him no time. But everything took 6 Days to develop into the universe as we know it.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Verse **58** talks about the good land that benefits from rain and produces generously, while the bad land doesn't benefit from rain and hardly produces anything at all. The good land is like the faithful who benefit from Allah's revelation, while the bad land is like the unfaithful who hardly benefit from the revelation at all.
The Prophet said, "The guidance and knowledge that Allah sent with me is like heavy rain that fell on the earth. Some land was good, which absorbed the water and produced lots of plants and grass. Some other land was sandy, which failed to hold water or produce plants." {Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim}
In other words, the believers benefit from this guidance and wisdom and gain its blessings, while the disbelievers reject it and fail to benefit from it in any way.
ALLAH'S POWER
54Indeed, your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days, then established Himself on the Throne. He causes the night to rotate with the day, always chasing each other. He created the sun, the moon, and the stars—they are all under His control. The creation and the command belong to Him. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the universe! 55Call upon your Lord humbly and secretly. Surely He does not like troublemakers. 56Do not spread corruption in the land after it has been put in order. And call upon Him with hope and fear. Indeed, Allah's mercy is always close to those doing good. 57He is the One Who sends the winds carrying good news of His mercy. When they lift heavy clouds, We drive them to a lifeless land and then cause rain to fall, producing every type of fruit. In the same way, We will bring the dead back to life, so perhaps you will keep this in mind. 58The good land produces generously by the permission of its Lord, whereas the bad land hardly produces anything. This is how We explain the lessons in different ways to those who give thanks.
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٖ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِۖ يُغۡشِي ٱلَّيۡلَ ٱلنَّهَارَ يَطۡلُبُهُۥ حَثِيثٗا وَٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ وَٱلنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَٰتِۢ بِأَمۡرِهِۦٓۗ أَلَا لَهُ ٱلۡخَلۡقُ وَٱلۡأَمۡرُۗ تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 54ٱدۡعُواْ رَبَّكُمۡ تَضَرُّعٗا وَخُفۡيَةًۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُعۡتَدِينَ 55وَلَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ إِصۡلَٰحِهَا وَٱدۡعُوهُ خَوۡفٗا وَطَمَعًاۚ إِنَّ رَحۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٞ مِّنَ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ 56وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِي يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشۡرَۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَيۡ رَحۡمَتِهِۦۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَقَلَّتۡ سَحَابٗا ثِقَالٗا سُقۡنَٰهُ لِبَلَدٖ مَّيِّتٖ فَأَنزَلۡنَا بِهِ ٱلۡمَآءَ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦ مِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُخۡرِجُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَىٰ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ 57وَٱلۡبَلَدُ ٱلطَّيِّبُ يَخۡرُجُ نَبَاتُهُۥ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِۦۖ وَٱلَّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخۡرُجُ إِلَّا نَكِدٗاۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَشۡكُرُونَ58
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "How come the Quran repeats the same stories or topics in different Surahs?" Consider the following points:
As mentioned in the Introduction of this book, not everyone will read the entire Quran. This is why important topics are repeated in different places, so no matter where you read, you will come across lessons about Allah, the purpose of life, the truth about Judgment Day, and so on.
The focus of these topics and stories changes from one surah to another, giving us new pieces of information. For example, many surahs talk about Paradise and Hell, but one Surah focuses on the quality of life, another focuses on food and drink, a third focuses on shade and clothing, and so on. The same is true for stories, like those of Musa and Nuh. For example, this surah focuses on the suffering of Musa's people, whereas Surah **18** focuses on his experience with Al-Khidr, and Surah **28** focuses on his childhood in Egypt, escape to Midian, and his marriage. As for Nuh, this surah mentions his story briefly, whereas Surah **11** provides details about the Flood and his unfaithful son, while Surah **71** focuses on his da'wah techniques. If you read all these pieces of information mentioned in different surahs, you will be able to get the full picture of each story or topic.
This also shows the creative style of the Quran as the stories are repeated, each time with a new flavor. For example, the moment Musa saw the burning bush before Allah first spoke to him is mentioned 3 times in the Quran: in verses **20:10**, **27:7**, and **28:29**. Each verse uses a different style, but the meaning remains the same.
As we mentioned in Surah **4**, these repeated stories and topics are perfectly consistent, even though they were revealed over a period of 23 years to a prophet who couldn't read or write. This by itself is a clear proof that the Quran is truly from Allah.
PROPHET NUH & HIS PEOPLE
59Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. I really fear for you the punishment of a horrible Day:" 60But the chiefs of his people responded, "It is clear to us that you are certainly misguided." 61He replied, "O my people! I am not misguided! But I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe, 62delivering to you my Lord's messages and giving you 'sincere' advice. And I know from Allah what you do not know. 63Do you find it shocking that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man of your own, giving you warning so you may guard against evil and perhaps be shown mercy?" 64But they still rejected him, so We saved him and those with him in the Ark, and drowned those who rejected Our signs. They were truly a blind people.
لَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥٓ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٖ 59قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِين 60قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ لَيۡسَ بِي ضَلَٰلَةٞ وَلَٰكِنِّي رَسُولٞ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 61أُبَلِّغُكُمۡ رِسَٰلَٰتِ رَبِّي وَأَنصَحُ لَكُمۡ وَأَعۡلَمُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ 62أَوَعَجِبۡتُمۡ أَن جَآءَكُمۡ ذِكۡرٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ مِّنكُمۡ لِيُنذِرَكُمۡ وَلِتَتَّقُواْ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ 63فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَنجَيۡنَٰهُ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡفُلۡكِ وَأَغۡرَقۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَآۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمًا عَمِينَ64
PROPHET HUD & HIS PEOPLE
65And to the people of 'Ad 'We sent' their brother Hud. He said, 'O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. Will you not then keep Him in mind?' 66The disbelieving chiefs of his people responded, 'We definitely see you as a fool' and 'We really think you are lying.' 67He replied, 'O my people! I am no fool! But I am a messenger from the Lord of the universe,' 68delivering to you my Lord's messages and giving you sincere advice. 69Do you find it shocking that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man of your own, giving you warning? Remember that He put you in charge after the people of Nuh and blessed you with mighty bodies. Always keep Allah's favours in mind, so you may be successful.' 70They argued, 'Have you come to make us worship Allah alone and abandon what our fathers used to worship? Then bring us whatever you threaten us with, if what you say is true!' 71He replied, 'You definitely deserve your Lord's punishment and anger. How dare you argue with me about these so-called gods, which you and your fathers have made up—a practice Allah has never approved! Just wait and see! I too am waiting with you.' 72So, We saved him and those with him by Our mercy and wiped out those who rejected Our signs and refused to believe.
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمۡ هُودٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥٓۚ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ 65قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰكَ فِي سَفَاهَةٖ وَإِنَّا لَنَظُنُّكَ مِنَ ٱلۡكَٰذِبِينَ 66قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ لَيۡسَ بِي سَفَاهَةٞ وَلَٰكِنِّي رَسُولٞ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 67أُبَلِّغُكُمۡ رِسَٰلَٰتِ رَبِّي وَأَنَا۠ لَكُمۡ نَاصِحٌ أَمِينٌ 68أَوَعَجِبۡتُمۡ أَن جَآءَكُمۡ ذِكۡرٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ رَجُلٖ مِّنكُمۡ لِيُنذِرَكُمۡۚ وَٱذۡكُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَعَلَكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قَوۡمِ نُوحٖ وَزَادَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡخَلۡقِ بَصۜۡطَةٗۖ فَٱذۡكُرُوٓاْ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ 69قَالُوٓاْ أَجِئۡتَنَا لِنَعۡبُدَ ٱللَّهَ وَحۡدَهُۥ وَنَذَرَ مَا كَانَ يَعۡبُدُ ءَابَآؤُنَا فَأۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ 70قَالَ قَدۡ وَقَعَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ رِجۡسٞ وَغَضَبٌۖ أَتُجَٰدِلُونَنِي فِيٓ أَسۡمَآءٖ سَمَّيۡتُمُوهَآ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلۡطَٰنٖۚ فَٱنتَظِرُوٓاْ إِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡمُنتَظِرِينَ 71فَأَنجَيۡنَٰهُ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥ بِرَحۡمَةٖ مِّنَّا وَقَطَعۡنَا دَابِرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَاۖ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُؤۡمِنِينَ72
PROPHET ŞALIH & HIS PEOPLE
73And to the people of Thamud We sent their brother Şalih. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. A clear proof has come to you from your Lord: this is Allah's she-camel as a sign to you. So leave her to feed freely' on Allah's land and do her no harm, or a painful punishment will hit you. 74Remember when He put you in charge after 'Ad and settled you in the land, so you built palaces on its plains and carved homes into mountains. So always keep Allah's favours in mind, and do not go about spreading corruption in the land." 75The arrogant chiefs of his people asked the powerless who believed among them, "Are you sure that Şalih has been sent by his Lord?" They replied, "We truly believe in the message sent with him." 76The arrogant said, "We certainly reject 'what you believe in'" 77Then they killed the she-camel—disobeying their Lord's orders—and challenged, "O Şalih! Bring us what you threaten us with, if you are really' a messenger" 78Then a 'horrible' earthquake hit them, and they fell lifeless in their homes. 79So he turned away from them, saying, "O my people! I already delivered to you my Lord's message and gave you 'sincere' advice, but you didn't like those who gave advice."
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمۡ صَٰلِحٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم بَيِّنَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةُ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ ءَايَةٗۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأۡكُلۡ فِيٓ أَرۡضِ ٱللَّهِۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٖ فَيَأۡخُذَكُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ 73وَٱذۡكُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَعَلَكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ عَادٖ وَبَوَّأَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تَتَّخِذُونَ مِن سُهُولِهَا قُصُورٗا وَتَنۡحِتُونَ ٱلۡجِبَالَ بُيُوتٗاۖ فَٱذۡكُرُوٓاْ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡاْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِينَ 74قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لِلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتُضۡعِفُواْ لِمَنۡ ءَامَنَ مِنۡهُمۡ أَتَعۡلَمُونَ أَنَّ صَٰلِحٗا مُّرۡسَلٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦۚ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِمَآ أُرۡسِلَ بِهِۦ مُؤۡمِنُونَ 75قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُوٓاْ إِنَّا بِٱلَّذِيٓ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ كَٰفِرُونَ 76فَعَقَرُواْ ٱلنَّاقَةَ وَعَتَوۡاْ عَنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّهِمۡ وَقَالُواْ يَٰصَٰلِحُ ٱئۡتِنَا بِمَا تَعِدُنَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ 77فَأَخَذَتۡهُمُ ٱلرَّجۡفَةُ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ فِي دَارِهِمۡ جَٰثِمِينَ 78فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡهُمۡ وَقَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ لَقَدۡ أَبۡلَغۡتُكُمۡ رِسَالَةَ رَبِّي وَنَصَحۡتُ لَكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُحِبُّونَ ٱلنَّٰصِحِينَ79
PROPHET LUT & HIS PEOPLE
80And remember' when Lut criticized 'the men of his people: "How can you do such a shameful deed that no man has ever done before? 81You satisfy your desire with other men instead of your wives! In fact, you have gone too far in Evil" 82But his people's only response was to say, "Expel them from your land! They are a people who wish to stay pure!" 83So, We saved him and his family except his wife, who was one of the doomed. 84And We rained down punishment upon them. See what was the fate of the wicked!
وَلُوطًا إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦٓ أَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلۡفَٰحِشَةَ مَا سَبَقَكُم بِهَا مِنۡ أَحَدٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 80إِنَّكُمۡ لَتَأۡتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَهۡوَةٗ مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِۚ بَلۡ أَنتُمۡ قَوۡمٞ مُّسۡرِفُونَ 81وَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓاْ أَخۡرِجُوهُم مِّن قَرۡيَتِكُمۡۖ إِنَّهُمۡ أُنَاسٞ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ 82فَأَنجَيۡنَٰهُ وَأَهۡلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمۡرَأَتَهُۥ كَانَتۡ مِنَ ٱلۡغَٰبِرِينَ 83وَأَمۡطَرۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم مَّطَرٗاۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُجۡرِمِينَ84
PROPHET SHUAIB & HIS PEOPLE
85And to the people of Madian 'We sent' their brother Shu'aib. He said, "O my people! Worship Allah—you have no other god except Him. A clear proof has already come to you from your Lord. So give full measure and weight, do not cheat people out of their things, or spread corruption in the land after it has been put in order. This is better for you, if you only believed. 86And do not take over every road, threatening 'people' and preventing those who believe in Allah from 'following' His Path, trying to make it 'appear' crooked. Remember when you used to be few, then He increased you in number. And see what was the fate of the Corruptors! 87Now that some of you believe in what I have been sent with while others refuse to, wait until Allah judges between us. He is the Best of Judges." 88The arrogant chiefs of his people threatened, "O Shu'aib! We will definitely expel you and your fellow believers from our land, unless you return to our faith." He replied, "What! Even if we hate it? 89We would be making up a lie against Allah if we returned to your faith after Allah has saved us from it. There is no way we can return to it, unless Allah—our Lord—wants this to happen. Our Lord has perfect knowledge of every-thing. In Allah we trust. Our Lord! Judge between us and our people in all fairness. You are the best of those who judge." 90The disbelieving chiefs of his people warned others, "If you follow Shu'aib, you will certainly be losers!" 91Then a 'horrible' earthquake hit them and they fell lifeless in their homes. 92Those who rejected Shu'aib were wiped out' as if they had never lived there. Those who rejected Shu'aib were the true losers. 93So he turned away from them, saying, "O my people! I already delivered to you the messages of my Lord and gave you 'sincere advice. How then can I feel sorry for those who refused to believe?"
وَإِلَىٰ مَدۡيَنَ أَخَاهُمۡ شُعَيۡبٗاۚ قَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنۡ إِلَٰهٍ غَيۡرُهُۥۖ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم بَيِّنَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡۖ فَأَوۡفُواْ ٱلۡكَيۡلَ وَٱلۡمِيزَانَ وَلَا تَبۡخَسُواْ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشۡيَآءَهُمۡ وَلَا تُفۡسِدُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بَعۡدَ إِصۡلَٰحِهَاۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ 85وَلَا تَقۡعُدُواْ بِكُلِّ صِرَٰطٖ تُوعِدُونَ وَتَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِهِۦ وَتَبۡغُونَهَا عِوَجٗاۚ وَٱذۡكُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ قَلِيلٗا فَكَثَّرَكُمۡۖ وَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 86وَإِن كَانَ طَآئِفَةٞ مِّنكُمۡ ءَامَنُواْ بِٱلَّذِيٓ أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِهِۦ وَطَآئِفَةٞ لَّمۡ يُؤۡمِنُواْ فَٱصۡبِرُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَحۡكُمَ ٱللَّهُ بَيۡنَنَاۚ وَهُوَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡحَٰكِمِينَ 87قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لَنُخۡرِجَنَّكَ يَٰشُعَيۡبُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَكَ مِن قَرۡيَتِنَآ أَوۡ لَتَعُودُنَّ فِي مِلَّتِنَاۚ قَالَ أَوَلَوۡ كُنَّا كَٰرِهِينَ 88قَدِ ٱفۡتَرَيۡنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا إِنۡ عُدۡنَا فِي مِلَّتِكُم بَعۡدَ إِذۡ نَجَّىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ مِنۡهَاۚ وَمَا يَكُونُ لَنَآ أَن نَّعُودَ فِيهَآ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّنَاۚ وَسِعَ رَبُّنَا كُلَّ شَيۡءٍ عِلۡمًاۚ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوَكَّلۡنَاۚ رَبَّنَا ٱفۡتَحۡ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَ قَوۡمِنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡفَٰتِحِينَ 89وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن قَوۡمِهِۦ لَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعۡتُمۡ شُعَيۡبًا إِنَّكُمۡ إِذٗا لَّخَٰسِرُونَ 90فَأَخَذَتۡهُمُ ٱلرَّجۡفَةُ فَأَصۡبَحُواْ فِي دَارِهِمۡ جَٰثِمِينَ 91ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ شُعَيۡبٗا كَأَن لَّمۡ يَغۡنَوۡاْ فِيهَاۚ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ شُعَيۡبٗا كَانُواْ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ 92فَتَوَلَّىٰ عَنۡهُمۡ وَقَالَ يَٰقَوۡمِ لَقَدۡ أَبۡلَغۡتُكُمۡ رِسَٰلَٰتِ رَبِّي وَنَصَحۡتُ لَكُمۡۖ فَكَيۡفَ ءَاسَىٰ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٖ كَٰفِرِينَ93
Verse 89: 12. Meaning that everyone is under Allah's control and nothing can happen without His permission.
DENIERS SHOULD LEARN FROM HISTORY
94Whenever We sent a prophet to a society, We tested its people with suffering and difficult times, so perhaps they would be humbled. 95Then We changed their difficult times to good times until they started doing very well and argued 'falsely, 'Our fathers also went through good and bad times.' So We took them by surprise when they least expected it. 96If the people of those societies had believed and kept Allah in mind, We would have showered them with blessings from heaven and earth. But they kept rejecting the truth, so We destroyed them for what they used to do. 97Did the people of those societies feel safe that Our punishment would not hit them by night while they were asleep? 98Or did they feel safe that Our punishment would not hit them by day while they were playing around? 99Did they 'really' feel safe against Allah's planning? No one feels safe from Allah's planning except the losers. 100Is it not clear to those who take over the land after the destruction of its former people that—if We want—We could punish them too for their sins and seal their hearts so they would not hear 'the truth'? 101We have told you O Prophet some of the stories of those societies. Their messengers certainly came to them with clear proofs, still they would not believe in what they had rejected before. This is how Allah seals the hearts of the disbelievers. 102We did not find most of them honouring their promises. Instead, We found most of them really out of control.
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِي قَرۡيَةٖ مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّآ أَخَذۡنَآ أَهۡلَهَا بِٱلۡبَأۡسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَضَّرَّعُونَ 94ثُمَّ بَدَّلۡنَا مَكَانَ ٱلسَّيِّئَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةَ حَتَّىٰ عَفَواْ وَّقَالُواْ قَدۡ مَسَّ ءَابَآءَنَا ٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَٱلسَّرَّآءُ فَأَخَذۡنَٰهُم بَغۡتَةٗ وَهُمۡ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ 95وَلَوۡ أَنَّ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ ءَامَنُواْ وَٱتَّقَوۡاْ لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَيۡهِم بَرَكَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَلَٰكِن كَذَّبُواْ فَأَخَذۡنَٰهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ 96أَفَأَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَهُم بَأۡسُنَا بَيَٰتٗا وَهُمۡ نَآئِمُونَ 97أَوَ أَمِنَ أَهۡلُ ٱلۡقُرَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَهُم بَأۡسُنَا ضُحٗى وَهُمۡ يَلۡعَبُونَ 98أَفَأَمِنُواْ مَكۡرَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَكۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ 99أَوَ لَمۡ يَهۡدِ لِلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ أَهۡلِهَآ أَن لَّوۡ نَشَآءُ أَصَبۡنَٰهُم بِذُنُوبِهِمۡۚ وَنَطۡبَعُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُونَ 100تِلۡكَ ٱلۡقُرَىٰ نَقُصُّ عَلَيۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآئِهَاۚ وَلَقَدۡ جَآءَتۡهُمۡ رُسُلُهُم بِٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتِ فَمَا كَانُواْ لِيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِمَا كَذَّبُواْ مِن قَبۡلُۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَطۡبَعُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ 101وَمَا وَجَدۡنَا لِأَكۡثَرِهِم مِّنۡ عَهۡدٖۖ وَإِن وَجَدۡنَآ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَفَٰسِقِينَ102
Verse 95: 13. They did not See bad times as a punishment or good times as a test, arguing that life always has ups and downs.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, "If the Children of Isra'il lived a comfortable life in Egypt during the time of Yusuf, how come they were abused during the time of Musa?" The following might be the answer (and Allah knows best):
The Children of Isra'il (Ya'qub) lived in Egypt for about 400 years between the time of Yusuf and Musa. During the time of Yusuf, Egypt was ruled by the Hyksos invaders. As we will see in Surah **12**, Yusuf was appointed as Egypt's Chief Minister, and the Hyksos kings took good care of him and his family.
Long after Yusuf, the Egyptians were able to expel those invaders, and started oppressing the Children of Isra'il because they had been friends with the Hyksos.
Also, as we mentioned in Surah **28**, Pharaoh had a dream that his rule would be destroyed by a boy who was going to be born among the Children of Isra'il. That is why he treated them like slaves, killing their sons and keeping their women. {Imam Ibn Kathir}
PROPHET MUSA VS. PHARAOH'S MAGICIANS
103Then after them We sent Musa with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they did wrong by rejecting them. See what was the fate of the corruptors! 104Musa declared, "O Pharaoh! I am truly a messenger from the Lord of the universe. 105It is my duty to say nothing about Allah except the truth. I have come to you with a clear proof from your Lord, so let the children of Isra'il go with me" 106Pharaoh demanded, "If you have come with a sign, then show us if what you say is true." 107So Musa threw down his staff and—behold!—it became a real snake. 108Then he took his hand 'out of his collar and it was 'glowing' white for all to see. 109The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said, "He is really a skilled magician, 110Who wants to drive you all out of your land." 'So Pharaoh asked, "What do you suggest?" 111They replied, "Let him and his brother wait, and send agents to all cities 112to bring you every clever magician." 113Later, the magicians came to Pharaoh, saying, "Are we going to get a 'suitable' prize if we win?" 114He replied, "Yes, and you will even be very close to me." 115They asked, "O Musa! Will you throw, or shall we be the first to throw?" 116Musa said, "You first." So when they did, they deceived the eyes of the people, stunned them, and pulled off an impressive magic trick. 117Then We Inspired Musa, "Throw down your staff," and—behold!—it swallowed the objects of their illusion! 118So the truth won the day, and their illusion failed. 119And so Pharaoh and his people were defeated right there and put to shame, 120Then the magicians fell on their knees. 121They declared, "We now' believe in the Lord of the universe 122the Lord of Musa and Harun" 123Pharaoh threatened, "How dare you believe in him before I give you permission? This must be some evil plan you made in the city to drive out its people, but soon you will see. 124I will definitely cut off your hands and feet from opposite sides, then crucify you all." 125They responded, "We will be returning to our Lord. 126You are mad at us simply because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord! Shower us with patience, and let us die while submitting 'to You' "
ثُمَّ بَعَثۡنَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِم مُّوسَىٰ بَِٔايَٰتِنَآ إِلَىٰ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَمَلَإِيْهِۦ فَظَلَمُواْ بِهَاۖ فَٱنظُرۡ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 103وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ يَٰفِرۡعَوۡنُ إِنِّي رَسُولٞ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 104حَقِيقٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَن لَّآ أَقُولَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَقَّۚ قَدۡ جِئۡتُكُم بِبَيِّنَةٖ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ فَأَرۡسِلۡ مَعِيَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ 105قَالَ إِن كُنتَ جِئۡتَ بَِٔايَةٖ فَأۡتِ بِهَآ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ 106فَأَلۡقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعۡبَانٞ مُّبِينٞ 107وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيۡضَآءُ لِلنَّٰظِرِينَ 108قَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِن قَوۡمِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٞ 109يُرِيدُ أَن يُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنۡ أَرۡضِكُمۡۖ فَمَاذَا تَأۡمُرُونَ 110قَالُوٓاْ أَرۡجِهۡ وَأَخَاهُ وَأَرۡسِلۡ فِي ٱلۡمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ 111يَأۡتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَٰحِرٍ عَلِيم 112وَجَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ فِرۡعَوۡنَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجۡرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحۡنُ ٱلۡغَٰلِبِينَ 113قَالَ نَعَمۡ وَإِنَّكُمۡ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُقَرَّبِينَ 114قَالُواْ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلۡقِيَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُلۡقِينَ 115قَالَ أَلۡقُواْۖ فَلَمَّآ أَلۡقَوۡاْ سَحَرُوٓاْ أَعۡيُنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱسۡتَرۡهَبُوهُمۡ وَجَآءُو بِسِحۡرٍ عَظِيم 116وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنۡ أَلۡقِ عَصَاكَۖ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَلۡقَفُ مَا يَأۡفِكُونَ 117فَوَقَعَ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَبَطَلَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 118فَغُلِبُواْ هُنَالِكَ وَٱنقَلَبُواْ صَٰغِرِينَ 119وَأُلۡقِيَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَٰجِدِينَ 120قَالُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 121رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ 122قَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنُ ءَامَنتُم بِهِۦ قَبۡلَ أَنۡ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمۡۖ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَمَكۡرٞ مَّكَرۡتُمُوهُ فِي ٱلۡمَدِينَةِ لِتُخۡرِجُواْ مِنۡهَآ أَهۡلَهَاۖ فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُونَ 123لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيۡدِيَكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُم مِّنۡ خِلَٰفٖ ثُمَّ لَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ 124قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ 125وَمَا تَنقِمُ مِنَّآ إِلَّآ أَنۡ ءَامَنَّا بَِٔايَٰتِ رَبِّنَا لَمَّا جَآءَتۡنَاۚ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَتَوَفَّنَا مُسۡلِمِينَ126
Verse 108: 14, Musa was dark-skinned. When he put his hand under his armpit and then took it out, it started to shine white. That was one of his miracles
Verse 126: 15. As Muslims.
EGYPT PUNISHED FOR PHARAOH'S ABUSE
127The chiefs of Pharaoh's people protested, "Are you going to let Musa and his people cause trouble throughout the land and abandon you and your gods?" He responded, "We will kill their sons and keep their women. We will completely keep them under control" 128Musa said to his people, "Seek Allah's help and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah 'alone'. He awards it to whoever He chooses of His servants. The faithful will win in the end" 129They complained, "We have always been abused—before and after you came to us." He replied, "Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and put you in charge of the land to see what you will do." 130And sure enough, We punished Pharaoh's people with droughts and poor harvests so they might come back 'to their senses'. 131If something good came their way, they bragged, "This is what we deserve." But if something bad happened to them, they blamed it on Musa and those with him. It is all written by Allah, but most of them did not know. 132They argued, "We will never believe in you, no matter what 'miracle' you bring to deceive us." 133So, We unleashed on them floods, locusts, lice, frogs, and blood—one sign after the other. But they kept acting arrogantly and were a wicked people. 134Every time they suffered a disaster, they cried, "O Musa! Pray to your Lord for us, by the pledge He made with you.' If you remove this disaster from us, we will definitely believe in you and let the Children of Isra'il go with you." 135But as soon as We removed their disaster—until they met their sure fate—they broke their promise. 136So We hit them with punishment, drowning them in the sea because they rejected Our signs and did not care about them. 137And We put the abused people in charge of the eastern and western lands, which We had blessed. And so your Lord's good promise to the Children of Isra'il came true because of what they had been through. And We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people did and what they built.
وَقَالَ ٱلۡمَلَأُ مِن قَوۡمِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ أَتَذَرُ مُوسَىٰ وَقَوۡمَهُۥ لِيُفۡسِدُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَيَذَرَكَ وَءَالِهَتَكَۚ قَالَ سَنُقَتِّلُ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ وَنَسۡتَحۡيِۦ نِسَآءَهُمۡ وَإِنَّا فَوۡقَهُمۡ قَٰهِرُونَ 127قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِ ٱسۡتَعِينُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۖ وَٱلۡعَٰقِبَةُ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ 128قَالُوٓاْ أُوذِينَا مِن قَبۡلِ أَن تَأۡتِيَنَا وَمِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جِئۡتَنَاۚ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمۡ أَن يُهۡلِكَ عَدُوَّكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَخۡلِفَكُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَيَنظُرَ كَيۡفَ تَعۡمَلُونَ 129وَلَقَدۡ أَخَذۡنَآ ءَالَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ بِٱلسِّنِينَ وَنَقۡصٖ مِّنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَذَّكَّرُونَ 130فَإِذَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلۡحَسَنَةُ قَالُواْ لَنَا هَٰذِهِۦۖ وَإِن تُصِبۡهُمۡ سَيِّئَةٞ يَطَّيَّرُواْ بِمُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓۗ أَلَآ إِنَّمَا طَٰٓئِرُهُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 131وَقَالُواْ مَهۡمَا تَأۡتِنَا بِهِۦ مِنۡ ءَايَةٖ لِّتَسۡحَرَنَا بِهَا فَمَا نَحۡنُ لَكَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ 132فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلطُّوفَانَ وَٱلۡجَرَادَ وَٱلۡقُمَّلَ وَٱلضَّفَادِعَ وَٱلدَّمَ ءَايَٰتٖ مُّفَصَّلَٰتٖ فَٱسۡتَكۡبَرُواْ وَكَانُواْ قَوۡمٗا مُّجۡرِمِينَ 133وَلَمَّا وَقَعَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلرِّجۡزُ قَالُواْ يَٰمُوسَى ٱدۡعُ لَنَا رَبَّكَ بِمَا عَهِدَ عِندَكَۖ لَئِن كَشَفۡتَ عَنَّا ٱلرِّجۡزَ لَنُؤۡمِنَنَّ لَكَ وَلَنُرۡسِلَنَّ مَعَكَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ 134فَلَمَّا كَشَفۡنَا عَنۡهُمُ ٱلرِّجۡزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمۡ يَنكُثُونَ 135فَٱنتَقَمۡنَا مِنۡهُمۡ فَأَغۡرَقۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡيَمِّ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُواْ عَنۡهَا غَٰفِلِينَ 136وَأَوۡرَثۡنَا ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَانُواْ يُسۡتَضۡعَفُونَ مَشَٰرِقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَغَٰرِبَهَا ٱلَّتِي بَٰرَكۡنَا فِيهَاۖ وَتَمَّتۡ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ عَلَىٰ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ بِمَا صَبَرُواْۖ وَدَمَّرۡنَا مَا كَانَ يَصۡنَعُ فِرۡعَوۡنُ وَقَوۡمُهُۥ وَمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡرِشُونَ137
Verse 127: as they did before the birth of musa
Verse 134: 17. Meaning by Allah's pledge with you when He made you aprophet.
Verse 135: 18.Drowning in the sea.
MUSA'S PEOPLE DEMANDING AN IDOL
138We took the Children of Isra'il across the sea, and they came upon a people worshipping idols. They demanded, "O Musa! Make for us a god like their gods." He replied, "What! You are really an ignorant people! 139What they follow will fall apart, and what they do will go to waste." 140He added, "How can I seek for you a god other than Allah, when He has honoured you above all others?" 141And 'remember' when We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, who put you through a horrible punishment—killing your sons and keeping your women. That was a severe test from your Lord.
وَجَٰوَزۡنَا بِبَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ فَأَتَوۡاْ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمٖ يَعۡكُفُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَصۡنَامٖ لَّهُمۡۚ قَالُواْ يَٰمُوسَى ٱجۡعَل لَّنَآ إِلَٰهٗا كَمَا لَهُمۡ ءَالِهَةٞۚ قَالَ إِنَّكُمۡ قَوۡمٞ تَجۡهَلُونَ 138إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مُتَبَّرٞ مَّا هُمۡ فِيهِ وَبَٰطِلٞ مَّا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 139قَالَ أَغَيۡرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبۡغِيكُمۡ إِلَٰهٗا وَهُوَ فَضَّلَكُمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ 140وَإِذۡ أَنجَيۡنَٰكُم مِّنۡ ءَالِ فِرۡعَوۡنَ يَسُومُونَكُمۡ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ يُقَتِّلُونَ أَبۡنَآءَكُمۡ وَيَسۡتَحۡيُونَ نِسَآءَكُمۡۚ وَفِي ذَٰلِكُم بَلَآءٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ عَظِيمٞ141
MUSA'S APPOINTMENT WITH ALLAH
142We set for Musa thirty nights 'of worship' then 'another ten, completing his Lord's period of forty nights. Before that, Musa told his brother Harun, "Take my place among my people, do what is right, and do not follow the way of the corruptors." 143When Musa came at the 'appointed time' and his Lord spoke to him, he asked, "My Lord! Reveal Yourself to me so I can see You." Allah answered, "You cannot see Me! But look at that mountain: if it stays firm in its place, then you will be able to see Me." When his Lord appeared to the mountain, it crumbled into dust and Musa collapsed, passing out. When he recovered, he cried, "Glory be to You! I repent to You, and I am the first of the believers. 144Allah said, "O Musa! I have already honoured you above all others by giving you' the message and speaking to you. So hold on to what I have given you and be grateful" 145We wrote for him on the Tablets general guidelines—rules and explanations of all things. We ordered, 'Take this seriously, and ask your people to follow its excellent teachings. I will show 'all of you' the fate of those out of control. 146I will turn away from My signs those who act arrogantly in the land with no right. And even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe in them. If they see the Right Path, they do not take it. But if they see a crooked path, they follow it. This is because they rejected Our signs and did not care about them. 147Those who reject Our signs and 'the meeting with Allah' in the Next Life, their deeds will go to waste. Is this not what they deserve for what they did?"
۞ وَوَٰعَدۡنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَٰثِينَ لَيۡلَةٗ وَأَتۡمَمۡنَٰهَا بِعَشۡرٖ فَتَمَّ مِيقَٰتُ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَرۡبَعِينَ لَيۡلَةٗۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَٰرُونَ ٱخۡلُفۡنِي فِي قَوۡمِي وَأَصۡلِحۡ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ سَبِيلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ 142وَلَمَّا جَآءَ مُوسَىٰ لِمِيقَٰتِنَا وَكَلَّمَهُۥ رَبُّهُۥ قَالَ رَبِّ أَرِنِيٓ أَنظُرۡ إِلَيۡكَۚ قَالَ لَن تَرَىٰنِي وَلَٰكِنِ ٱنظُرۡ إِلَى ٱلۡجَبَلِ فَإِنِ ٱسۡتَقَرَّ مَكَانَهُۥ فَسَوۡفَ تَرَىٰنِيۚ فَلَمَّا تَجَلَّىٰ رَبُّهُۥ لِلۡجَبَلِ جَعَلَهُۥ دَكّٗا وَخَرَّ مُوسَىٰ صَعِقٗاۚ فَلَمَّآ أَفَاقَ قَالَ سُبۡحَٰنَكَ تُبۡتُ إِلَيۡكَ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ 143قَالَ يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنِّي ٱصۡطَفَيۡتُكَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ بِرِسَٰلَٰتِي وَبِكَلَٰمِي فَخُذۡ مَآ ءَاتَيۡتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ 144وَكَتَبۡنَا لَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأَلۡوَاحِ مِن كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ مَّوۡعِظَةٗ وَتَفۡصِيلٗا لِّكُلِّ شَيۡءٖ فَخُذۡهَا بِقُوَّةٖ وَأۡمُرۡ قَوۡمَكَ يَأۡخُذُواْ بِأَحۡسَنِهَاۚ سَأُوْرِيكُمۡ دَارَ ٱلۡفَٰسِقِينَ 145سَأَصۡرِفُ عَنۡ ءَايَٰتِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوۡاْ كُلَّ ءَايَةٖ لَّا يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوۡاْ سَبِيلَ ٱلرُّشۡدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلٗا وَإِن يَرَوۡاْ سَبِيلَ ٱلۡغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلٗاۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمۡ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَكَانُواْ عَنۡهَا غَٰفِلِينَ 146وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَلِقَآءِ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ حَبِطَتۡ أَعۡمَٰلُهُمۡۚ هَلۡ يُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ147
Verse 143: 9. After the 40 days of worship.
Verse 145: 20. The writings that Musa received from Allah, containing important laws for his people. 21 including what is right and what is wrong, one's relationship
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'Why did the people of Musa worship the golden calf?' The children of Isra'il lived in Egypt for about 4 centuries. Some of them were affected by the evil practices of Pharaoh's people, including idol-worship. Since the people of Musa were treated like slaves, some looked up to the gods of their Egyptian masters. This is why as soon as Allah saved them from Egypt, they asked Musa to make an idol for them. According to verses 138-140, they demanded an idol when they passed by some people worshipping idols shaped like cows. Later, the Samiri took advantage of Musa's absence and made for them a golden calf, which they took as an object of worship. (Imam Ibn 'Ashur) 22 The Samiri was a misguided man from among the people of Musa (20:83-97).
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'We were told in Surah 4 that the Quran is consistent. How come Harun gave a different answer in verse 7:150 than the one he gave in 20:94?' As mentioned earlier in this surah, to get the full picture of a particular topic (let's say, the life of Musa or the pleasures of Jannah), we need to read all the details related to that topic in different surahs. According to Imam Ibn Ashur, Harun gave a total of 2 reasons as to why he didn't force his people to stop worshipping the calf: 1. He was afraid that people would kill him (7:150). 2. He was afraid that people would split and fight among themselves if he was killed (20:94). So, the 2 pieces of information actually complete each other, coming down to one thing: his desire to keep the unity among his people.
THE TEST OF THE GOLDEN CALF
148In Musa's absence, his people made 'from their golden' jewellery an idol that looked and sounded like a calf. Did they not see that it could not speak to them or guide them in any way? Still, they took it as a god, doing horribly wrong. 149Later, when they were filled with regret and realized that they had strayed, they cried, 'If our Lord does not have mercy on us and forgive us, we will definitely be losers.' 150Earlier, when Musa returned to his people, extremely angry and disappointed, he said, 'What an evil thing you did in my absence! Were you so desperate for your Lord's punishment?' Then he threw down the Tablets and grabbed his brother by the hair, dragging him closer. Harun replied, 'O son of my mother! These people outnumbered me and were about to kill me. So do not give my enemies a reason to be happy, and do not count me among those who did wrong' 151Musa prayed, 'My Lord! Forgive me and my brother, and enter us into Your mercy. You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.' 152Those who worshipped the 'golden' calf are going to suffer their Lord's anger as well as disgrace in this life. This is how We pay back those who make up lies. 153As for those who do evil, then later repent and have faith, surely your Lord is Forgiving and Merciful after all.
وَٱتَّخَذَ قَوۡمُ مُوسَىٰ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِۦ مِنۡ حُلِيِّهِمۡ عِجۡلٗا جَسَدٗا لَّهُۥ خُوَارٌۚ أَلَمۡ يَرَوۡاْ أَنَّهُۥ لَا يُكَلِّمُهُمۡ وَلَا يَهۡدِيهِمۡ سَبِيلًاۘ ٱتَّخَذُوهُ وَكَانُواْ ظَٰلِمِينَ 148وَلَمَّا سُقِطَ فِيٓ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَرَأَوۡاْ أَنَّهُمۡ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ قَالُواْ لَئِن لَّمۡ يَرۡحَمۡنَا رَبُّنَا وَيَغۡفِرۡ لَنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَٰسِرِينَ 149وَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مُوسَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦ غَضۡبَٰنَ أَسِفٗا قَالَ بِئۡسَمَا خَلَفۡتُمُونِي مِنۢ بَعۡدِيٓۖ أَعَجِلۡتُمۡ أَمۡرَ رَبِّكُمۡۖ وَأَلۡقَى ٱلۡأَلۡوَاحَ وَأَخَذَ بِرَأۡسِ أَخِيهِ يَجُرُّهُۥٓ إِلَيۡهِۚ قَالَ ٱبۡنَ أُمَّ إِنَّ ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱسۡتَضۡعَفُونِي وَكَادُواْ يَقۡتُلُونَنِي فَلَا تُشۡمِتۡ بِيَ ٱلۡأَعۡدَآءَ وَلَا تَجۡعَلۡنِي مَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ 150قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغۡفِرۡ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدۡخِلۡنَا فِي رَحۡمَتِكَۖ وَأَنتَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ 151إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُواْ ٱلۡعِجۡلَ سَيَنَالُهُمۡ غَضَبٞ مِّن رَّبِّهِمۡ وَذِلَّةٞ فِي ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَاۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُفۡتَرِينَ 152وَٱلَّذِينَ عَمِلُواْ ٱلسَّئَِّاتِ ثُمَّ تَابُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهَا وَءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهَا لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ153
Verse 148: 23. The jewellery they had borrowed from their Egyptian neigh-DOurs before they left Egypt.
Verse 150: 24. Musa was extremely angry, so Harun used this style to calm him down by reminding him that they came from the same wNomb and were nursed by the same mother.
WORDS OF WISDOM
The following passage talks about the Prophet who came as a mercy to the whole world. The Jews and Christians are invited to believe in him as the final Prophet. Even though their books have been corrupted over the centuries, they still can find some references to him in those books.
Muslim scholars quote passages from the Bible as examples of these references (including Deuteronomy 18:15-18 & 33:2, Isaiah 42, and John 14:16). However, Bible scholars explain these passages differently.
According to Imam Al-Qurtubi, the Jews had many strict rules and practices. For example, they were not allowed to work on the Sabbath (Saturdays), many of their offences were punishable by death (including breaking the Sabbath and unintentional killing), some good foods were forbidden to them, and it was extremely difficult for their sinners to gain Allah's forgiveness. Based on verse 157, the Prophet came to make things easy for them and relieve them from those burdens.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'Wouldn't it have been nice if the Prophet was able to read and write?' According to verse 29:48, the Prophet couldn't read or write. If he could, the idol-worshippers would have said, 'He must have copied this Quran from other holy books.' Also, when some of today's deniers read some scientific facts mentioned by the Prophet, they would argue, 'He probably read it somewhere' even though those facts were not known back then.
For example, * The Prophet said that the human body has 360 joints (Imam Muslim), which has been confirmed by modern science. * He also said, 'The Hour will not arrive until Arabia (which is mostly desert) will be forests and rivers the way it used to be' (Imam Muslim). According to a recent BBC article, western researchers have discovered that Arabia used to be a 'paradise' with flowing rivers some 160,000 years ago. * He also said, 'if a pandemic breaks out in your land, don't go elsewhere. And if there is a pandemic in some land, don't go there' (Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim). * He also said, 'Don't you see how the lightning comes down and quickly goes back up in the blink of an eye?' (Imam Muslim) When lightning strikes, it bounces back to the sky, producing a visible flash. According to the U.S. National Severe Storms Laboratory, 'It all happens so fast-in a few thousandths of a second-so the human eye doesn't see the actual formation of the stroke.' This scientific fact has been recently confirmed by high-speed cameras. * He gave us accurate details of how the baby develops inside his or her mother (Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim).
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'If what you say is true, how come the Prophet told some people to drink camel urine?' To answer this question, let's consider the following points: The Prophet didn't tell those people to drink it like coffee. They got sick with a stomach illness, and he told them to drink the milk and urine of specific camels (fed by certain plants) for healing, and those sick people actually recovered. (Imam Al-Bukhari & Imam Muslim)
Speaking of coffee, here is a fun fact for you. The world's 2 most expensive types are: 1) Black Ivory coffee ($2,500 per kg), produced in Thailand from the beans digested by elephants and picked out of their droppings. 2) Kopi Luwak coffee ($1,300 per kg) produced in Indonesia from the beans digested by civet cats. (CEO Magazine: https://bit.ly/3WWE5S8).
Some animal urine has been used internationally for medication. For example, a medicine known as PMU is made from the urine of pregnant horses and is produced by Pfizer (New York, USA), one of the biggest medicine companies in the world.
THE TEST OF FAITH
154When Musa's anger went away, he picked up the Tablets, which contained guidance and mercy for those who honour their Lord. 155Musa chose seventy men from his people for Our appointment. Later, when they were shaken by an earthquake, he cried, "My Lord! If You wanted, You could have destroyed them long ago, and me too. Will You destroy us for what the foolish among us have done? This is only a test from You—by which You allow whoever you want to stray and guide whoever You want. You are our Guardian. So forgive us and have mercy on us. You are the best of those who forgive. 156Bless us with what is good in this life and the Next. We have truly turned back to You." Allah replied, "As for My punishment, I unleash it on whoever I want. But My mercy covers everything. I will give this 'mercy' to those who avoid evil, pay zakah, and believe in Our revelations. 157'They are' the ones who follow the Messenger—the Prophet who can't read or write—the one they find described in their Tawrah and the Injil. He encourages them to do what is right and forbids them from what is wrong, allows for them good things and prohibits for them evil things, and relieves them from their strict rules and practices. Only those who believe in him, honour and support him, and follow the light sent down to him will be successful.' 158Say, Prophet, 'O humanity! I am sent as a messenger to you all by Allah—the One Who owns the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. There is no god 'that deserves worship' except Him. He gives life and causes death.' So believe in Allah and His Messenger—the Prophet who can't read or write—the one who believes in Allah and His revelations. And follow him, so you may be 'rightly' guided.
وَلَمَّا سَكَتَ عَن مُّوسَى ٱلۡغَضَبُ أَخَذَ ٱلۡأَلۡوَاحَۖ وَفِي نُسۡخَتِهَا هُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّلَّذِينَ هُمۡ لِرَبِّهِمۡ يَرۡهَبُونَ 154وَٱخۡتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوۡمَهُۥ سَبۡعِينَ رَجُلٗا لِّمِيقَٰتِنَاۖ فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتۡهُمُ ٱلرَّجۡفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوۡ شِئۡتَ أَهۡلَكۡتَهُم مِّن قَبۡلُ وَإِيَّٰيَۖ أَتُهۡلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآۖ إِنۡ هِيَ إِلَّا فِتۡنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهۡدِي مَن تَشَآءُۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغۡفِرۡ لَنَا وَٱرۡحَمۡنَاۖ وَأَنتَ خَيۡرُ ٱلۡغَٰفِرِينَ 155وَٱكۡتُبۡ لَنَا فِي هَٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٗ وَفِي ٱلۡأٓخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَۚ قَالَ عَذَابِيٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنۡ أَشَآءُۖ وَرَحۡمَتِي وَسِعَتۡ كُلَّ شَيۡءٖۚ فَسَأَكۡتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤۡتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بَِٔايَٰتِنَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ 156ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِيَّ ٱلۡأُمِّيَّ ٱلَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكۡتُوبًا عِندَهُمۡ فِي ٱلتَّوۡرَىٰةِ وَٱلۡإِنجِيلِ يَأۡمُرُهُم بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِ وَيَنۡهَىٰهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡخَبَٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنۡهُمۡ إِصۡرَهُمۡ وَٱلۡأَغۡلَٰلَ ٱلَّتِي كَانَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمۡۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُواْ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ 157قُلۡ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ إِلَيۡكُمۡ جَمِيعًا ٱلَّذِي لَهُۥ مُلۡكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۖ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُۖ فََٔامِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ٱلنَّبِيِّ ٱلۡأُمِّيِّ ٱلَّذِي يُؤۡمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَٱتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ158
Verse 155: 25. For their demanding of Moses that he should reveal Allah to them.
Verse 158: 28. For asking Musa to make Allah visible to them.
ANOTHER TEST
159There are some among the people of Musa who guide with the truth, and with it they judge fairly. 160We divided them into twelve tribes, each as a community. And when Musa's people asked him for water, We revealed to him: 'Strike the rock with your staff.' Then twelve springs gushed out. Each tribe knew its drinking place. We shaded them with clouds and sent down to them manna and quails, saying, 'Eat from the good things We have provided for you.' It was not Us they wronged; they wronged themselves. 161And 'remember' when they were told, 'Live in this city and eat as you wish. Say, 'Clear us of our sins,' and enter this gate with humility. We will forgive your sins, 'and' multiply the reward of those who do good.' 162But those doing wrong among them changed the words they were ordered to say. So, We sent against them a punishment from the heavens for all the wrong they did.
وَمِن قَوۡمِ مُوسَىٰٓ أُمَّةٞ يَهۡدُونَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَبِهِۦ يَعۡدِلُونَ 159وَقَطَّعۡنَٰهُمُ ٱثۡنَتَيۡ عَشۡرَةَ أَسۡبَاطًا أُمَمٗاۚ وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱسۡتَسۡقَىٰهُ قَوۡمُهُۥٓ أَنِ ٱضۡرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلۡحَجَرَۖ فَٱنۢبَجَسَتۡ مِنۡهُ ٱثۡنَتَا عَشۡرَةَ عَيۡنٗاۖ قَدۡ عَلِمَ كُلُّ أُنَاسٖ مَّشۡرَبَهُمۡۚ وَظَلَّلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡغَمَٰمَ وَأَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَنَّ وَٱلسَّلۡوَىٰۖ كُلُواْ مِن طَيِّبَٰتِ مَا رَزَقۡنَٰكُمۡۚ وَمَا ظَلَمُونَا وَلَٰكِن كَانُوٓاْ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَظۡلِمُونَ 160وَإِذۡ قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱسۡكُنُواْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةَ وَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمۡ وَقُولُواْ حِطَّةٞ وَٱدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡبَابَ سُجَّدٗا نَّغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ خَطِيٓـَٰٔتِكُمۡۚ سَنَزِيدُ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ 161فَبَدَّلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ قَوۡلًا غَيۡرَ ٱلَّذِي قِيلَ لَهُمۡ فَأَرۡسَلۡنَا عَلَيۡهِمۡ رِجۡزٗا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَظۡلِمُونَ162
Verse 160: 29. Allah provided the children of Isra'il with mnanna (a liquid that tasted like honey) and quails (a bird smaller than a chick- en) in the desert after they left Egypt.
Verse 161: 30. Most likely Jerusalem, according to Imam lbn Kathir.
BACKGROUND STORY
The people of Aylah (an ancient town by the Red Sea) were forbidden to catch fish on the Sabbath (Saturday, the day of rest). However, on Saturdays fish were everywhere, whereas on weekdays no fish were seen. To get around the prohibition, some decided to lay their nets on Fridays and then on Sundays collect the fish caught in their nets. Those opposed to this practice were divided into two groups: one group tried to convince the offenders to honour the Sabbath, but soon gave up when their advice was not taken seriously. The second group continued giving advice to the Sabbath-breakers. Eventually, the offenders were punished whereas the other two groups were saved. (Imam Ibn Kathir)
THE TEST OF THE SABBATH
163Ask them 'O Prophet' about the town that was by the sea—whose people broke the Sabbath—when the fish were all over the surface on Saturdays, but nowhere to be found on other days. This is how We tested them for being out of control. 164'Remember' when some of the 'faithful among' them asked 'the other faithful', 'Why bother to warn those Sabbath-breakers 'who will be' either destroyed or severely punished by Allah?' They replied, 'Just to be free from your Lord's blame, and perhaps they will stop.' 165When they kept ignoring all warnings, We saved those who warned against evil and disciplined those doing wrong with a terrible punishment for crossing all lines. 166In the end, when they kept repeating their offence, We said to them, 'Be disgraced apes!'
وَسَۡٔلۡهُمۡ عَنِ ٱلۡقَرۡيَةِ ٱلَّتِي كَانَتۡ حَاضِرَةَ ٱلۡبَحۡرِ إِذۡ يَعۡدُونَ فِي ٱلسَّبۡتِ إِذۡ تَأۡتِيهِمۡ حِيتَانُهُمۡ يَوۡمَ سَبۡتِهِمۡ شُرَّعٗا وَيَوۡمَ لَا يَسۡبِتُونَ لَا تَأۡتِيهِمۡۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَبۡلُوهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡسُقُونَ 163وَإِذۡ قَالَتۡ أُمَّةٞ مِّنۡهُمۡ لِمَ تَعِظُونَ قَوۡمًا ٱللَّهُ مُهۡلِكُهُمۡ أَوۡ مُعَذِّبُهُمۡ عَذَابٗا شَدِيدٗاۖ قَالُواْ مَعۡذِرَةً إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَّقُونَ 164فَلَمَّا نَسُواْ مَا ذُكِّرُواْ بِهِۦٓ أَنجَيۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ يَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلسُّوٓءِ وَأَخَذۡنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ بِعَذَابِۢ بَِٔيسِۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡسُقُون 165فَلَمَّا عَتَوۡاْ عَن مَّا نُهُواْ عَنۡهُ قُلۡنَا لَهُمۡ كُونُواْ قِرَدَةً خَٰسِِٔينَ166
Verse 166: 31. They either turned into real apes or started to behave like them. See footnote for 2:65.
MORE TESTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF MUSA
167And 'remember', 'O Prophet,' when your Lord declared that He would send against them others who would make them suffer terribly until Judgment Day. Surely your Lord is quick in punishment, but He is truly Forgiving and Merciful. 168We split them up throughout the land in groups—some were faithful and others were less so. And We tested them with good and bad times, so perhaps they would return to the 'Right Path'. 169Then after them came 'evil' generations that were given the Book. They took forbidden gains, saying, 'We will be forgiven anyway.' And whenever similar gains came their way, they would grab them. Was a pledge not taken from them in the Book—that they would not say anything about Allah except the truth and they studied its teachings very well? But the 'eternal' Home of the Next Life is far better for those who keep Allah in mind. Will you not then understand? 170As for those who hold on to the Book firmly and pray salah, surely We never waste the reward of those who do what is right. 171And 'remember' when We raised the mountain over them—as if it was a cloud—and they thought it was going to fall on them. 'We said,' 'Stick to this 'Book' We have given you and follow its teachings, so perhaps you will guard against evil.'
وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكَ لَيَبۡعَثَنَّ عَلَيۡهِمۡ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ مَن يَسُومُهُمۡ سُوٓءَ ٱلۡعَذَابِۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَسَرِيعُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ وَإِنَّهُۥ لَغَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ 167وَقَطَّعۡنَٰهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أُمَمٗاۖ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنۡهُمۡ دُونَ ذَٰلِكَۖ وَبَلَوۡنَٰهُم بِٱلۡحَسَنَٰتِ وَٱلسَّئَِّاتِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ 168فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٞ وَرِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ يَأۡخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَٰذَا ٱلۡأَدۡنَىٰ وَيَقُولُونَ سَيُغۡفَرُ لَنَا وَإِن يَأۡتِهِمۡ عَرَضٞ مِّثۡلُهُۥ يَأۡخُذُوهُۚ أَلَمۡ يُؤۡخَذۡ عَلَيۡهِم مِّيثَٰقُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أَن لَّا يَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡحَقَّ وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِۗ وَٱلدَّارُ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ لِّلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ 169وَٱلَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِٱلۡكِتَٰبِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجۡرَ ٱلۡمُصۡلِحِينَ 170وَإِذۡ نَتَقۡنَا ٱلۡجَبَلَ فَوۡقَهُمۡ كَأَنَّهُۥ ظُلَّةٞ وَظَنُّوٓاْ أَنَّهُۥ وَاقِعُۢ بِهِمۡ خُذُواْ مَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰكُم بِقُوَّةٖ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ171
Verse 169: 32. Such as bribes and interest-money.
Verse 171: 33. According to lbn Kathir, the mountain was raised over their heads as a warning against rejecting the rules of the Tawrah
SIDE STORY
Once upon a time, a farmer found an egg in an abandoned eagle's nest. He took the egg back to his farm and put it in the nest of one of his chickens. Eventually, the egg hatched, and the baby eagle grew up copying the other chickens blindly. The eagle spent half of his life in the coop and the other half in the yard, behaving like a chicken and never looking up. One day, when the eagle became old, he finally lifted up his head and saw something amazing-a young eagle soaring in the sky. With tears in his eyes, the old eagle said to himself, 'I wish I had been born an eagle!' Just like the eagle in this story, many people copy others blindly. Even though Allah created them to worship Him alone, they choose to follow others who worship gods of their own making. This is something they will deeply regret on Judgment Day.
WORDS OF WISDOM
Someone may ask, 'If humans are born with belief in Allah coded in their nature, how come many people worship other gods or no god at all?' This is a very important question. Let's consider the following points: According to verse 172, Allah has created people with a pure nature, ready to believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord. The Prophet said that every child is born Muslim, already submitting to their Creator. However, parents corrupt this pure nature, so kids start copying and following the beliefs of their parents blindly. (Imam AI-Bukhari & Imam Muslim)
If you look at the map of the world, you will realize that most people follow certain faiths, mainly because of their geographical locations. So, let's say, if Mr. X was born in India, he would most likely be Hindu, like most people around him. If he was born in Thailand, he would likely be Buddhist. If he was born in Romania he would likely be Christian. The same is true for most people of other faiths.
Historically, many people made up their own objects of worship because they couldn't believe in a God they weren't able to see. This is why they put human faces on God (like Jesus), animal faces (like many of the gods in ancient Egypt), and so on. Even today, there are millions of highly-educated people who deny God's existence, arguing that they can only believe in things they can experience with their 5 senses. However, we all believe certain things actually exist even without seeing them, such as the mind, oxygen, gravity, and radio waves. We know for sure that our great-great-grandparents existed even if we didn't see them.
To prove that there is no need for a creator, some are willing to believe that life just randomly popped into existence on its own and then evolved into modern-day creatures. To say that something created itself before it even existed is like saying that a mother gave birth to herself! Things have to be created by something else. Some people claim that humans and apes share the same ancestor or that we evolved from some other creatures. However, the fact that everything in the universe is well-designed and perfectly created is a proof that there is a Master Designer and Creator. For example, the human eye is much more advanced than any camera in the world. If it's impossible to think that a camera has no designer, it's even more impossible to think that the human eye has no designer. Also, if someone believes that the incredible human body is just a bunch of random cells with no designer or creator, then the Eiffel Tower is a bunch of metal, the Great Wall of China is a bunch of rocks, and the Mona Lisa is a bunch of paint!
SIDE STORY
It's the year 2075. Two robots named DT and YZ are debating where robots came from. While YZ believes everyone was created as a robot, DT argues that robots evolved from wireless computer mice. Even though the maker left a manual explaining the design and function of robots, still DT insists that he knows himself better and that he has no maker. As to how wireless mice came into being, DT says that there is strong scientific evidence that mice evolved from pencil cases, and pencil cases evolved from chewing gum that popped into existence.
SIDE STORY
It was the day of the long-awaited debate between an imam and an atheist on the existence of God. The debate was scheduled for 11am, so the atheist arrived a few minutes earlier, along with a big audience. However, the imam was late. The atheist made a joke to the crowd, saying that the imam probably couldn't come up with a good argument for God's existence so he ran away. After 15 minutes, the imam arrived and apologized for being late. He told the audience that he had to wait for a boat to cross the river and come to the debate, but he couldn't find any boats around. Suddenly, a thunderbolt hit a big tree, causing it to split into long planks. Then the wind blew, lining the planks up. And some screws fell down and tied the planks together. Therefore, a nice boat was made out of nowhere, and then he used it to cross the river. The atheist argued, 'This doesn't make sense. There is no way that a boat could make itself.' The imam responded, 'This is exactly my point. If a little boat can't create itself, then it's impossible for this incredible universe to exist without a creator-Allah.'
HUMANS' NATURAL FAITH IN ALLAH
172And 'remember', 'O Prophet,' when your Lord produced from the seeds of the Children of Adam their little ones and inspired them to believe in Him as their only Lord and they confirmed this fact 'by their nature.' Now, they have no right to say on Judgment Day, 'We didn't know about this.' 173And they cannot say, 'It was our fathers who first worshipped other gods, and we children just copied them. Are you going to destroy us for their false practices?' 174This is how We make our lessons clear, so perhaps they will return to the 'Right Path'.
وَإِذۡ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنۢ بَنِيٓ ءَادَمَ مِن ظُهُورِهِمۡ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمۡ وَأَشۡهَدَهُمۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ أَلَسۡتُ بِرَبِّكُمۡۖ قَالُواْ بَلَىٰ شَهِدۡنَآۚ أَن تَقُولُواْ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ إِنَّا كُنَّا عَنۡ هَٰذَا غَٰفِلِينَ 172أَوۡ تَقُولُوٓاْ إِنَّمَآ أَشۡرَكَ ءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبۡلُ وَكُنَّا ذُرِّيَّةٗ مِّنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡۖ أَفَتُهۡلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلۡمُبۡطِلُونَ 173وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ وَلَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُونَ174
Verse 172: 34. This translation is based on the understanding of imam lbn Al-Qayim, Shaykh As-Sa'di, and Imam ibn 'Ashur.
THE MISGUIDED SCHOLAR
175And tell them 'O Prophet' the story of the man We blessed with Our lessons, but he abandoned them, so Satan took hold of him, and he became misguided. 176If We wanted, We could have easily honoured him with these lessons, but he got attached to this life and followed his 'evil' desires. He was just like a dog: it sticks its tongue out whether you chase it away or leave it alone. This is the example of the people who reject Our lessons. So tell 'them' such stories, so perhaps they will reflect. 177What an evil example of those who rejected Our lessons! They 'only' wronged their own souls. 178Whoever Allah guides is truly guided. And whoever He leaves to stray, they are the 'true' losers. 179We have created many jinn and humans who are bound for Hell—they have hearts that fail to understand, eyes that fail to see, and ears that fail to hear. They are like cattle. In fact, they are even less guided! Such people are totally careless.
وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱلَّذِيٓ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنۡهَا فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ 175وَلَوۡ شِئۡنَالَرَفَعۡنَٰهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُۥٓ أَخۡلَدَ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُۚ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡكَلۡبِ إِن تَحۡمِلۡ عَلَيۡهِ يَلۡهَثۡ أَوۡ تَتۡرُكۡهُ يَلۡهَثۚ ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَاۚ فَٱقۡصُصِ ٱلۡقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ 176سَآءَ مَثَلًا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا وَأَنفُسَهُمۡ كَانُواْ يَظۡلِمُونَ 177مَن يَهۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِيۖ وَمَن يُضۡلِلۡ فَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡخَٰسِرُونَ 178وَلَقَدۡ ذَرَأۡنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِۖ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٞ لَّا يَفۡقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنٞ لَّا يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمۡ ءَاذَانٞ لَّا يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَآۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ كَٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ بَلۡ هُمۡ أَضَلُّۚ أُوْلَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡغَٰفِلُونَ179
Verse 175: 35. This is the example of a person who had been blessed with knowledge but chose to be misguided
Verse 176: 36. In other words, it's their nature to reject the truth whether you warn them or not. iust like the nature of the dog to stick its tongue out either way.
WARNING TO THE MAKKANS
180Allah has the Most Beautiful Names, so use them to call upon Him. And keep away from those who abuse His Names. They will be paid back for what they do. 181And there are some people among Our creation who guide with the truth, and with it they judge fairly. 182As for those who deny Our signs, We will trap them little by little in ways they cannot imagine. 183I 'only' delay their end for a while, but My planning is perfect. 184Haven't they ever given it a thought? Their 'fellow man' is not insane. He is only sent with a clear warning. 185Have they ever reflected on the wonders of the heavens and the earth and everything Allah has created, and that perhaps their end is near? So what message 'after this Qur'an' would they believe in? 186Whoever Allah allows to stray, none can guide—leaving them to wander blindly in their wickedness. 187They ask you 'O Prophet' about the Hour 'of Judgment', 'When will it be?' Say, 'That knowledge is only with my Lord. He alone will reveal it when the time comes. It is too overwhelming for the heavens and the earth, and will only take you by surprise.' They ask you as if you had full knowledge of it. Say again, 'Only Allah knows its time, but most people do not know 'this fact.' 188Say, 'I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by Allah's permission. If I had known the unknown, I would have certainly profited a lot, and no harm would have ever touched me. I am only sent to give warnings to those who disbelieve' and good news to those who believe.'
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَٱدۡعُوهُ بِهَاۖ وَذَرُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ يُلۡحِدُونَ فِيٓ أَسۡمَٰٓئِهِۦۚ سَيُجۡزَوۡنَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ 180وَمِمَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَآ أُمَّةٞ يَهۡدُونَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَبِهِۦ يَعۡدِلُونَ 181وَٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بَِٔايَٰتِنَا سَنَسۡتَدۡرِجُهُم مِّنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 182وَأُمۡلِي لَهُمۡۚ إِنَّ كَيۡدِي مَتِينٌ 183أَوَلَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْۗ مَا بِصَاحِبِهِم مِّن جِنَّةٍۚ إِنۡ هُوَ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ مُّبِينٌ 184أَوَلَمۡ يَنظُرُواْ فِي مَلَكُوتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَيۡءٖ وَأَنۡ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ ٱقۡتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمۡۖ فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثِۢ بَعۡدَهُۥ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 185مَن يُضۡلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُۥۚ وَيَذَرُهُمۡ فِي طُغۡيَٰنِهِمۡ يَعۡمَهُونَ 186يَسَۡٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرۡسَىٰهَاۖ قُلۡ إِنَّمَا عِلۡمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّيۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقۡتِهَآ إِلَّا هُوَۚ ثَقُلَتۡ فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ لَا تَأۡتِيكُمۡ إِلَّا بَغۡتَةٗۗ يَسَۡٔلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِيٌّ عَنۡهَاۖ قُلۡ إِنَّمَا عِلۡمُهَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ 187قُل لَّآ أَمۡلِكُ لِنَفۡسِي نَفۡعٗا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُۚ وَلَوۡ كُنتُ أَعۡلَمُ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ لَٱسۡتَكۡثَرۡتُ مِنَ ٱلۡخَيۡرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ ٱلسُّوٓءُۚ إِنۡ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٞ وَبَشِيرٞ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ188
Verse 180: 37. Meaning those who twist Allah's Names then use them to call their false gods. For example, A-Uzza (the name of one of the idols) was taken fron Al-Aziz (the Almighty).
Verse 184: 38. Prophet Muhammad
ALLAH OR POWERLESS IDOLS?
189He is the One Who created you all from a single soul, then from it He made its mate so he could find comfort in her. Later, when a husband and a wife come together, she carries a light burden that develops over time. When it grows heavy, they both pray to Allah, their Lord, 'If you give us a good child, we will really be grateful.' 190But when He blesses 'those idol-worshippers' with good children, they give credit to false gods for His gift. Allah is honoured high above whatever 'gods' they make equal to Him. 191Do they make 'those idols' equal to Allah, even though they cannot create anything but are in fact created, 192and even though they cannot help them or even help themselves? 193And if you 'idol-worshippers' call upon them for guidance, they cannot respond to you. It is all the same whether you call them or keep quiet. 194Those 'idols' you call besides Allah are created like yourselves. So call upon them and see if they will answer you, if your claims are true! 195Do they have feet to walk with? Or hands to hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? 196Say, 'O Prophet, 'Call upon your false gods and make plans against me without delay! Indeed, my Protector is Allah Who has revealed this Book, and He 'alone' protects the faithful. 197But those 'false gods' you call besides Him cannot help you or even themselves.' 198Again, if you call upon them for guidance, they cannot hear. And you may see them facing towards you, but they cannot see.
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفۡسٖ وَٰحِدَةٖ وَجَعَلَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا لِيَسۡكُنَ إِلَيۡهَاۖ فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّىٰهَا حَمَلَتۡ حَمۡلًا خَفِيفٗا فَمَرَّتۡ بِهِۦۖ فَلَمَّآ أَثۡقَلَت دَّعَوَا ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنۡ ءَاتَيۡتَنَا صَٰلِحٗا لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ 189فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُمَا صَٰلِحٗا جَعَلَا لَهُۥ شُرَكَآءَ فِيمَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمَاۚ فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ 190أَيُشۡرِكُونَ مَا لَا يَخۡلُقُ شَيۡٔٗا وَهُمۡ يُخۡلَقُونَ 191وَلَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ لَهُمۡ نَصۡرٗا وَلَآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَنصُرُونَ 192وَإِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ لَا يَتَّبِعُوكُمۡۚ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيۡكُمۡ أَدَعَوۡتُمُوهُمۡ أَمۡ أَنتُمۡ صَٰمِتُونَ 193إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ عِبَادٌ أَمۡثَالُكُمۡۖ فَٱدۡعُوهُمۡ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ 194أَلَهُمۡ أَرۡجُلٞ يَمۡشُونَ بِهَآۖ أَمۡ لَهُمۡ أَيۡدٖ يَبۡطِشُونَ بِهَآۖ أَمۡ لَهُمۡ أَعۡيُنٞ يُبۡصِرُونَ بِهَآۖ أَمۡ لَهُمۡ ءَاذَانٞ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِهَاۗ قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ شُرَكَآءَكُمۡ ثُمَّ كِيدُونِ فَلَا تُنظِرُونِ 195إِنَّ وَلِـِّۧيَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِي نَزَّلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَۖ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ 196وَٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُونَ نَصۡرَكُمۡ وَلَآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ يَنصُرُونَ 197١٩٧ وَإِن تَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡهُدَىٰ لَا يَسۡمَعُواْۖ وَتَرَىٰهُمۡ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَيۡكَ وَهُمۡ لَا يُبۡصِرُونَ198
WORDS OF WISDOM
This symbol u (which we see at the end of verse 206 in Arabic) marks the first of 15 places in the Quran where the reader should bow down (or go into sajdah) and say: 'I bow my face to the One Who created and formed it and gave it the ability to hear and see with His power and strength. So. blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators' (Imam Al-Hakim)
ADVICE TO THE PROPHET
199Be kind, encourage what is right, and turn away from those who act foolishly. 200If Satan tries to whisper to you, then seek protection in Allah. Surely He hears and knows 'everything'. 201Indeed, when Satan whispers to the faithful, they remember 'their Lord', then they start to see things clearly. 202But the devils keep misguiding their 'human' partners, never taking a break. 203If you 'O Prophet' do not bring them a sign 'which they demanded', they ask, 'Why don't you make it yourself?' Say, 'I only follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This 'Qur'an' is an eye-opener from your Lord—a guide and a mercy for those who believe.' 204When the Qur'an is recited, listen to it carefully and be quiet, so you 'believers' may be shown mercy. 205Remember your Lord 'O Prophet' privately—with humility and awe, without raising your voice—both morning and evening. And do not be one of the careless. 206Indeed, those 'angels' closest to your Lord are not too proud to worship Him. They praise Him. And to Him they bow down.
خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ 199وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ نَزۡغٞ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّهُۥ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ 200إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوۡاْ إِذَا مَسَّهُمۡ طَٰٓئِفٞ مِّنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ تَذَكَّرُواْ فَإِذَا هُم مُّبۡصِرُونَ 201وَإِخۡوَٰنُهُمۡ يَمُدُّونَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡغَيِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقۡصِرُونَ 202وَإِذَا لَمۡ تَأۡتِهِم بَِٔايَةٖ قَالُواْ لَوۡلَا ٱجۡتَبَيۡتَهَاۚ قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَتَّبِعُ مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ مِن رَّبِّيۚ هَٰذَا بَصَآئِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَهُدٗى وَرَحۡمَةٞ لِّقَوۡمٖ يُؤۡمِنُونَ 203وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ فَٱسۡتَمِعُواْ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُواْ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ 204وَٱذۡكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفۡسِكَ تَضَرُّعٗا وَخِيفَةٗ وَدُونَ ٱلۡجَهۡرِ مِنَ ٱلۡقَوۡلِ بِٱلۡغُدُوِّ وَٱلۡأٓصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡغَٰفِلِينَ 205إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُۥ وَلَهُۥ يَسۡجُدُونَۤ ۩206
Verse 205: 39. Awe' is a mix of fear, love, and respect.