Fuṣṣilat (Surah 41)
Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained)
Makki SurahIntroduction
This Meccan sûrah, which takes its name from the description of the Quran in verse 3, rebukes the pagans for turning away from the truth; abusing the Quran; and for denying Allah, the sole Creator of the heavens and the earth. The deniers are warned that their own bodily organs will testify against them on Judgment Day, landing them in Hell forever. Reference to the destruction of the arrogant, ungrateful peoples of ’Ȃd and Thamûd is made because the pagan Arabs used to pass by their ruins on their journeys to Syria and Yemen, respectively. A profound description of the righteous is given in verses 30-36. The truth of the Quran is emphasized at the end of this sûrah and the beginning of the next. In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.
The Deniers of the Truth
1. Ḥâ-Mĩm. 2. (This is) a revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. 3. (It is) a Book whose verses are perfectly explained—a Quran in Arabic for people who know, 4. delivering good news and warning. Yet most of them turn away, so they do not hear. 5. They say, “Our hearts are veiled against what you are calling us to, there is deafness in our ears, and there is a barrier between us and you. So do (whatever you want) and so shall we!”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 1-5
A Message to the Deniers
6. Say, (O Prophet,) “I am only a man like you, (but) it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. So take the Straight Way towards Him, and seek His forgiveness. And woe to the polytheists 7. those who do not pay alms-tax and are in denial of the Hereafter. 8. (But) those who believe and do good will certainly have a never-ending reward.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 6-8
A Question to the Deniers
9. Ask (them, O Prophet), “How can you disbelieve in the One Who created the earth in two Days? And how can you set up equals with Him? That is the Lord of all worlds. 10. He placed on the earth firm mountains, standing high, showered His blessings upon it, and ordained (all) its means of sustenance—totaling four Days exactly —for all who ask. 11. Then He turned towards the heaven when it was (still like) smoke, saying to it and to the earth, ‘Submit, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both responded, ‘We submit willingly.’ 12. So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate. And We adorned the lowest heaven with (stars like) lamps (for beauty) and for protection. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 9-12
The Fate of ’Ȃd and Thamûd
13. If they turn away, then say, (O Prophet,) “I warn you of a (mighty) blast, like the one that befell ’Ȃd and Thamûd.” 14. The messengers had come to them from all angles, (proclaiming,) “Worship none but Allah.” They responded, “Had our Lord willed, He could have easily sent down angels (instead). So we totally reject what you have been sent with.” 15. As for ’Ȃd, they acted arrogantly throughout the land with no right, boasting, “Who is superior to us in might?” Did they not see that Allah (Himself), Who created them, was far superior to them in might? Still they persisted in denying Our signs. 16. So We sent against them a furious wind, for (several) miserable days, to make them taste a humiliating punishment in this worldly life. But far more humiliating will be the punishment of the Hereafter. And they will not be helped. 17. As for Thamûd, We showed them guidance, but they preferred blindness over guidance. So the blast of a disgracing punishment overtook them for what they used to commit. 18. And We delivered those who were faithful and were mindful (of Allah).
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 13-18
Testimony of Organs
19. (Consider) the Day (when) the enemies of Allah will be gathered for the Fire, all driven in ranks. 20. When they reach it, their ears, eyes, and skin will testify against what they used to do. 21. They will ask their skin (furiously), “Why have you testified against us?” It will say, “We have been made to speak by Allah, Who causes all things to speak. He (is the One Who) created you the first time, and to Him you were bound to return. 22. You did not (bother to) hide yourselves from your ears, eyes, and skin to prevent them from testifying against you. Rather, you assumed that Allah did not know much of what you used to do. 23. It was that (false) assumption you entertained about your Lord that has brought about your doom, so you have become losers.” 24. Even if they endure patiently, the Fire will (always) be their home. And if they (beg to) appease (their Lord), they will never be allowed to.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 19-24
What Caused That Fate
25. We placed at their disposal (evil) associates who made their past and future (misdeeds) appealing to them. (So) the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified against them (as well), (for) they were truly losers. 26. The disbelievers advised (one another), “Do not listen to this Quran but drown it out so that you may prevail.” 27. So We will certainly make the disbelievers taste a severe punishment, and We will surely repay them according to the worst of their deeds. 28. That is the reward of Allah’s enemies: the Fire, which will be their eternal home—a (fitting) reward for their denial of Our revelations. 29. The disbelievers will (then) cry, “Our Lord! Show us those jinn and humans who led us astray: we will put them under our feet so that they will be among the lowest (in Hell).”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 25-29
Reward of the Devout
30. Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, (saying,) “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised. 31. We are your supporters in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. There you will have whatever your souls desire, and there you will have whatever you ask for: 32. an accommodation from the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful (Lord).”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 30-32
Qualities of True Believers
33. And whose words are better than someone who calls (others) to Allah, does good, and says, “I am truly one of those who submit.”? 34. Good and evil cannot be equal. Respond (to evil) with what is best, then the one you are in a feud with will be like a close friend. 35. But this cannot be attained except by those who are patient and who are truly fortunate. 36. And if you are tempted by Satan, then seek refuge with Allah. Indeed, He (alone) is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 33-36
Worship the Creator, Marvel at Creation
37. Among His signs are the day and the night, the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate to the sun or the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them (all), if you (truly) worship Him (alone). 38. But if the pagans are too proud, then (let them know that) those (angels) nearest to your Lord glorify Him day and night, and never grow weary. 39. And among His signs is that you see the earth devoid of life, but as soon as We send down rain upon it, it begins to stir (to life) and swell. Indeed, the One Who revives it can easily revive the dead. He is certainly Most Capable of everything.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 37-39
Warning to the Quran Deniers
40. Indeed, those who abuse Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is better: the one who will be cast into the Fire or the one who will be secure on Judgment Day? Do whatever you want. He is certainly All-Seeing of what you do. 41. Indeed, those who deny the Reminder after it has come to them (are doomed), for it is truly a mighty Book. 42. It cannot be proven false from any angle. (It is) a revelation from the (One Who is) All-Wise, Praiseworthy. 43. (O Prophet!) Nothing is said to you (by the deniers) except what was already said to the messengers before you. Surely your Lord is (the Lord) of forgiveness and painful punishment.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 40-43
Response to Demanding Non-Arabic Quran
44. Had We revealed it as a non-Arabic Quran, they would have certainly argued, “If only its verses were made clear (in our language). What! A non-Arabic revelation for an Arab audience!” Say, (O Prophet,) “It is a guide and a healing to the believers. As for those who disbelieve, there is deafness in their ears and blindness to it (in their hearts). It is as if they are being called from a faraway place.”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 44-44
Moses Was Denied Too
45. Indeed, We had given Moses the Scripture, but differences arose regarding it. Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord, their differences would have been settled (at once). They are truly in alarming doubt about it.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 45-45
The Good and the Wicked
46. Whoever does good, it is to their own benefit. And whoever does evil, it is to their own loss. Your Lord is never unjust to (His) creation.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 46-46
Allah’s Infinite Knowledge
47. With Him (alone) is the knowledge of the Hour. No fruit comes out of its husk, nor does a female conceive or deliver without His knowledge. And (consider) the Day He will call to those (pagans), “Where are My (so-called) associate-gods?” They will cry, “We declare before you that none of us testifies to that (any longer).” 48. Whatever (idols) they used to invoke besides Allah will fail them. And they will realize that they will have no escape.
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 47-48
Ingratitude of the Deniers
49. One never tires of praying for good. And if touched with evil, they become desperate and hopeless. 50. And if We let them taste a mercy from Us after being touched with adversity, they will certainly say, “This is what I deserve. I do not think the Hour will (ever) come. And if in fact I am returned to my Lord, the finest reward with Him will definitely be mine.” But We will surely inform the disbelievers of what they used to do. And We will certainly make them taste a harsh torment. 51. When We show favour to someone, they turn away, acting arrogantly. And when touched with evil, they make endless prayers (for good).
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 49-51
Denying Allah’s Revelation
52. Ask (them, O Prophet), “Imagine if this (Quran) is (truly) from Allah and you deny it: who can be more astray than those who have gone too far in opposition (to the truth)?”
Surah 41 - Fuṣṣilat (Verses Perfectly Explained) - Verses 52-52
Creation Testifies to the Truth
53. We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this (Quran) is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things? 54. They are truly in doubt of the meeting with their Lord! (But) He is indeed Fully Aware of everything.