This Surah consists of 128 verses, 2840 sentences, 7707 letters and 16 Ruku's.
It takes its name from v. 68. This is merely to distinguish it from other Surahs.
The following internal evidence shows that this Surah was revealed during the last Makkan stage of Prophethood:
1. v. 41 clearly shows that persecution had forced some Muslims to emigrate to Habash before the revelation of this Surah.
2. It is evident from v. 106 that at that time the persecution of the Muslims was at its height. Therefore a problem had arisen in regard to the utterance of a blasphemous word, without actual disbelief, under unbearable conditions. The problem was that if one did so how he should be treated.
3. vv. 112-114 clearly refer to the end of the seven-year famine that had struck Makkah some years after the appointment of the Holy Prophet as Allah's Messenger.
4. There is a reference to v. 116 of this Surah in v. 145, and v. 118 of this Surah contains a reference to 6:146. This is a proof that both these Surahs (6 and 16) were sent down in the same period. The general style of the Surah also supports the view that this was revealed during the last stage at Makkah.
All the topics of the Surah revolve round different aspects of the Message, i.e., refutation of shirk, proof of Tauhid, and warning of the consequences of the rejection of and opposition and antagonism to the Message.
The very first verse gives direct and strict warning to those who were rejecting the Message outright, as if to say, "Allah's decision has already been made concerning your rejection of the Message. Why are you then clamouring for hastening it? Why don't you make use of the respite that is being given to you!" And this was exactly what the disbelievers of Makkah needed at the time of the revelation of this Surah. For they challenged the Holy Prophet over and over again: "Why don't you bring that scourge with which you have been threatening us! For we have not only rejected your Message but have been openly opposing it for a long time." Such a challenge had become a by-word with them, which they frequently repeated as a clear proof that Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him) was not a true Prophet.
Immediately after this warning they have been admonished to give up shirk, for this false creed was the main obstacle in the way of the Message. Then the following topics come over and over again, one after the other:
1. Very convincing proofs of Tauhid and refutation of shirk have been based on the plain signs in the universe and in man's own self.
2. The objections of the disbelievers have been answered, their arguments refuted, their doubts removed and their false pretexts exposed.
3. Warnings have given of the consequences of persistence in false ways and antagonism to the Message.
4. The moral changes which the Message of the Holy Prophet aims to bring practically in human life have been presented briefly in an appealing manner. The mushriks have been told that belief in Allah, which they also professed, demanded that it should not be confined merely to lip service, but this creed should take a definite shape in moral and practical life.
The Holy Prophet and his companions have been comforted and told about the attitude they should adopt in the face of antagonism and persecution by the disbelievers.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the Digest is based upon these outstanding translations and they have been reproduced here for the benefit of serious readers of the Qur’aan; the copyrights of these works are held by their respective authors/publishers from whom they can be purchased by anyone interested in acquiring them and we ardently hope that no offence will be taken by their inclusion.
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Section 1
16 : 1
1. Ata amru Allahi fala tastaAAjiloohu subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona
Allah's commandment will surely come to pass, so do not seek to hasten it! May He be glorified and may He transcend above the partners they assign to Him!
(The above verse gives a guarantee to those who doubt the culmination of the Hour, who make fun of it, repudiate it and taunt the believers with all sorts of derisive remarks that, it being an unchangeable and non-negotiable command of Allah, there is no question of its failing to transpire; transpire it will, and a lot sooner than they think, so let them not be in a hurry for its arrival. When it does come, it will come with a bang, laying an unimaginable devastation in its wake, pounding the mountains into powder, shaking the earth with cataclysmic tremors, uprooting trees, churning the sea up and down with tidal waves, evicting the bowels of volcanoes and raising such havoc that man, powerless as he is to cope even with the day to day occurrences like floods, tornadoes and earthquakes, would have no way of averting them, nowhere to run from them and no place to hide!)
16 : 2
2. Yunazzilu almala-ikata bialrroohi min amrihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi an anthiroo annahu la ilaha illa ana faittaqooni
He sends down His angels with the Spirit of His command upon whom He will of His creatures saying : 'Warn mankind that there is no God other than Me so fear Me!'
16 : 3
3. Khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi taAAala AAamma yushrikoona
He has created the heavens and the earth with a purpose and He is beyond parity of the cohorts whom they assign to Him as His partners!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verse was revealed when a staunch opponent of the Prophet fetched the remnants of a human bone and asked him who could possibly change it back into a living human being! The subtle answer to it is : 'He who created man from a drop of insensate fluid!
16 : 4
4. Khalaqa al-insana min nutfatin fa-itha huwa khaseemun mubeenun
He has created man from a drop of fluid and yet behold! How he pretends to be an open opponent to Him!
(The verse implies that the fossils of bones at least possessed a shape of some sort from which an idea could be formed about the person or animal to whom they belonged. But Allah created man from a drop of liquid from which no guess could be made about the identity of the end product that would emerge from it. Is it then such an impossibility for Him to turn the bone fossils back into the shape in which they were when they were committed to earth?
It should be borne in mind that, many anthropologists have re-constructed the shape and features of the Ape man by piecing together fragments of bones excavated from earth by their fellow scientists from places where they may have flourished and perished millions of years ago, - even of the mammoth Dinosaurs of the Jurassic Age, now on display in reputable Museums across the world for all of us to see and learn from, together with ample published material for carrying out research. In fact, some of the most accomplished scholars with world-wide reputation are, even as we speak, burning midnight oil to get to grips with so many of these miraculous finds. Is it then such an impossible task for the Creator to put back together the skeletal remains of the creatures whom He had Himself brought into being in the first place?)
* * *
16 : 5
5. Waal-anAAama khalaqaha lakum feeha dif-on wamanafiAAu waminha ta-kuloona
And cattle has He created for you who provide you with warm clothing and most of your other needs, as well as your food.
16 : 6
6. Walakum feeha jamalun heena tureehoona waheena tasrahoona
And a pleasing sight it is for you to watch your herds come home from the pastures at dusk and then being driven out for grazing at dawn!
16 : 7
7. Watahmilu athqalakum ila baladin lam takoonoo baligheehi illa bishiqqi al-anfusi inna rabbakum laraoofun raheemun
They carry your load for you to far off lands which you could not have reached save with a great deal of hardship to yourselves. Verily your Lord is full of kindness and generosity towards you!
16 : 8
8. Waalkhayla waalbighala waalhameera litarkabooha wazeenatan wayakhluqu ma la taAAlamoona
And horses and mules and donkeys has He created for you so that you ride on them or maintain them as symbols of status; and He creates other things too about which you are not even aware!
(The list of Allah's benefactions to man is so exhaustive that it is not possible for them to be confined in the brevity of words. The few that have been mentioned in the above verses appertain to animals domesticated by man and being put to use in satisfying many of his needs at the time of its revelation, especially in terms of transportation But there are many other forms of transportation not known to him as yet, but are hinted at as those about which he is not even aware, whereas He already is aware, such as ships, trains, cars, buses, trams, aeroplanes, helicopters and so on, man-made in form but dependent on God made energy, such as fuel and electricity without which no innovation can be put to use, not to mention the human brain and its ingenuity, - by itself a matchless creation of Allah!).
16 : 9
9. WaAAala Allahi qasdu alssabeeli waminha ja-irun walaw shaa lahadakum ajmaAAeena
And Allah's chosen path is straight while all other paths are crooked. Had He willed, He would have led you all aright! (R)
(As we know, all living beings are constantly engaged in travelling from one place to another in Allah's copious world. The birds in the sky emigrate from one area of land to another, in pursuit of food or of appropriate climate, or of suitable conditions for breeding; shoals of fish in the ocean scatter around the vast sea to spawn in safety and feed their young; beasts of the wild also do the same, the grazing animals in search of grass and leaves and the predators in search of animals they feed upon. Human beings are also constantly undertaking journeys for a variety of reasons, some for trade and commerce; some to flee from persecution; some in search of opportunities to enhance livelihood; some in pursuit of knowledge and some to find matrimonial matches, - all either by our own choice or out of sheer necessity.
There is, however, another journey on which we all embark from the moment of our conception in the wombs of our mothers until the moment our souls leave our bodies, - a journey which is neither of our choosing nor of our making. When a male and a female mate, its outcome triggers off a journey for their offspring, - whoever they be, - humans, beasts, fish, birds, insects and even the invisible organisms who have to mate and multiply.
This journey, in the case of human beings, has many strings attached because we have to conduct it in a way no other living being is required to conduct. Whereas the journey for the rest of the creatures comes to end when they die, ours does not. If anything, it marks the beginning of yet another journey that would take us to our ultimate destination, - heaven or hell. It is, therefore, important that we choose what destination it is going to be for us and strive to reach there by following the guidelines given to us by those who are qualified to give that guidance. If we do not find the right guide and do not follow the directions, we would stray away into unknown regions or forbidden pastures and never manage to emerge from that maze.
After dwelling at length on modes of transport, - past, present and future, - the focus shifts on the path which would take us one day to where it is in our best interest to go, or to aim for. The verse makes no bones about which is that path: the middle path; the straight path; the sure path; the path without any by-paths; the path that guarantees the chosen goal at its end; the path with no sharp bends nor any U turns; the path upon which Allah's chosen few walked and showed us where it led them; the path that was shown to us by our first parent Adam and then redrawn by our precursor Abraham, then by Moses and Jesus and Mohammed (may Allah's peace be on them); and above and beyond everything else, the path which is clearly described in the Qur'aan as the path of righteousness!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
1. The Event (the Hour or the punishment of disbelievers and polytheists or the Islâmic laws or commandments), ordained by Allâh will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it. Glorified and Exalted be He above all that they associate as partners with Him.
2. He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): "Warn mankind that Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds).
3. He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. High be He Exalted above all they associate as partners with Him.
4. He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same (man) becomes an open opponent.
5. And the cattle, He has created them for you; in them there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them you eat.
6. And wherein is beauty for you, when you bring them home in the evening, and as you lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
7. And they carry your loads to a land that you could not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Truly, your Lord is full of Kindness, Most Merciful.
8. And (He has created) horses, mules and donkeys, for you to ride and as an adornment. And He creates (other) things of which you have no knowledge.
9. And upon Allâh is the responsibility to explain the Straight Path (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism for mankind i.e. to show them legal and illegal, good and evil things, etc. so, whosoever accepts the guidance, it will be for his own benefit and whosoever goes astray, it will be for his own destruction), but there are ways that turn aside (such as Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, etc.). And had He willed, He would have guided you all (mankind).
016.001
YUSUFALI: (Inevitable)
cometh (to pass) the Command of Allah: seek ye not then to hasten it: Glory to
Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto Him!
PICKTHAL: The
commandment of Allah will come to pass, so seek not ye to hasten it. Glorified
and Exalted be He above all that they associate (with Him).
SHAKIR: Allah's
commandment has come, therefore do not desire to hasten it; glory be to Him, and
highly exalted be He above what they associate (with Him).
016.002
YUSUFALI: He doth send
down His angels with inspiration of His Command, to such of His servants as He
pleaseth, (saying): "Warn (Man) that there is no god but I: so do your duty unto
Me."
PICKTHAL: He sendeth
down the angels with the Spirit of His command unto whom He will of His bondmen,
(saying): Warn mankind that there is no Allah save Me, so keep your duty unto
Me.
SHAKIR: He sends down
the angels with the inspiration by His commandment on whom He pleases of His
servants, saying: Give the warning that there is no god but Me, therefore be
careful (of your duty) to Me.
016.003
YUSUFALI: He has
created the heavens and the earth for just ends: Far is He above having the
partners they ascribe to Him!
PICKTHAL: He hath
created the heavens and the earth with truth. High be He Exalted above all that
they associate (with Him).
SHAKIR: He created the
heavens and the earth with the truth, highly exalted be He above what they
associate (with Him).
016.004
YUSUFALI: He has
created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an open
disputer!
PICKTHAL: He hath
created man from a drop of fluid, yet behold! he is an open opponent.
SHAKIR: He created man
from a small seed and lo! he is an open contender.
016.005
YUSUFALI: And cattle
He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits,
and of their (meat) ye eat.
PICKTHAL: And the
cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye
eat;
SHAKIR: And He created
the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of
them do you eat.
016.006
YUSUFALI: And ye have
a sense of pride and beauty in them as ye drive them home in the evening, and as
ye lead them forth to pasture in the morning.
PICKTHAL: And wherein
is beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to
pasture.
SHAKIR: And there is
beauty in them for you when you drive them back (to home), and when you send
them forth (to pasture).
016.007
YUSUFALI: And they
carry your heavy loads to lands that ye could not (otherwise) reach except with
souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful,
PICKTHAL: And they
bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great trouble
to yourselves. Lo! your Lord is Full of Pity, Merciful.
SHAKIR: And they carry
your heavy loads to regions which you could not reach but with distress of the
souls; most surely your Lord is Compassionate, Merciful.
016.008
YUSUFALI: And (He has
created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He
has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge.
PICKTHAL: And horses
and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them, and for ornament.
And He createth that which ye know not.
SHAKIR: And (He made)
horses and mules and asses that you might ride upon them and as an ornament; and
He creates what you do not know.
016.009
YUSUFALI: And unto
Allah leads straight the Way, but there are ways that turn aside: if Allah had
willed, He could have guided all of you.
PICKTHAL: And Allah's
is the direction of the way, and some (roads) go not straight. And had He willed
He would have led you all aright.
SHAKIR: And upon Allah
it rests to show the right way, and there are some deviating (ways); and if He
please He would certainly guide you all aright.
16 : 10
10. Huwa allathee anzala mina alssama-i maan lakum minhu sharabun waminhu shajarun feehi tuseemoona
He it is who sends down water from the sky, some of which you drink and some of which you utilize for growing plants for yourselves and for your animals.
16 : 11
11. Yunbitu lakum bihi alzzarAAa waalzzaytoona waalnnakheela waal-aAAnaba wamin kulli alththamarati inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yatafakkaroona
With it He causes your crops to grow : the olive, the date palm and the grapes and a myriad other fruits. Verily there are signs in this for those who introspect!
16 : 12
12. Wasakhkhara lakumu allayla waalnnahara waalshshamsa waalqamara waalnnujoomu musakhkharatun bi-amrihi inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yaAAqiloona
And He has constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of use to you; and the stars remain confined to their trajectories by His command! Verily in all these there are clear portents for those who have intelligence.
16 : 13
13. Wama tharaa lakum fee al-ardi mukhtalifan alwanuhu inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaththakkaroona
And in all that which He has arrayed on the earth for you in an exuberance of hues! Verily there are many a sing for those who pay heed!
16 : 14
14. Wahuwa allathee sakhkhara albahra lita/kuloo minhu lahman tariyyan watastakhrijoo minhu hilyatan talbasoonaha watara alfulka mawakhira feehi walitabtaghoo min fadlihi walaAAallakum tashkuroona
He it is who has constrained the ocean to be of service to you from which you obtain fresh meat to eat and ornaments to wear! And you can see how the ships sail slicing through the water so that you may set out in pursuit of His bounties and so that you may give Him thanks!
16 : 15
15. Waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum waanharan wasubulan laAAallakum tahtadoona
And He has placed firm hills on the earth so that they cushion you from its tremors and has provided you with rivers and tracks so that you may find your way around!
16 : 16
16. WaAAalamatin wabialnnajmi hum yahtadoona
And many other landmarks and circumpolar stars for finding your directions!
16 : 17
17. Afaman yakhluqu kaman la yakhluqu afala tathakkaroona
Is He who has created all these marvels similar to him who has created nothing? Will you not respond to admonition, regardless?
(After having enumerated in a crisp and clear tone the countless benefactions of Allah bestowed upon mankind, - the rain which oozes out of the clouds and pours down on earth, bringing the dead earth back to life; replenishing rivers and oases; causing plants to grow, the crops to yield, the flowers to bloom, the fruits to ripen; for men to quench their thirst and cleanse their bodies; for animals to find their food; for the dust to settle; for the seasons to change and the cycle of time to revolve, - the question asked of the idolaters of Mecca, - indeed, of idolaters all over the world who, in their utter ignorance, replace the real with the unreal, the genuine with the fake, the true with the false and the potent with the impotent, is that, how could they even begin to consider an idol carved in stone by their own hands and placed on a pedestal raised by their mistaken loyalties to be equal to an Omnipotent and Omnipresent Lord, Who is capable of creating and running a show laid out on such a huge canvass? How could man, whose knowledge, whose domain and whose faculties are so utterly limited ever venture to limit the Infinite?)
16 : 18
18. Wa-in taAAuddoo niAAmata Allahi la tuhsooha inna Allaha laghafoorun raheemun
And if you were to count the blessings of Allah upon you, you would never be able to count them! Verily Allah is Magnanimous and Merciful!
16 : 19
19. WaAllahu yaAAlamu ma tusirroona wama tuAAlinoona
And Allah knows that which you conceal and He knows that which you reveal!
16 : 20
20. Waallatheena yadAAoona min dooni Allahi la yakhluqoona shay-an wahum yukhlaqoona
Those whom they worship instead of Allah have created nothing but are themselves a creation of others!
16 : 21
21. Amwatun ghayru ahya-in wama yashAAuroona ayyana yubAAathoona
They are dead and not living, - and they do not even know when they would be raised again! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
10. He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture;
11. With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought.
12. And He has subjected to you the night and the day, the sun and the moon; and the stars are subjected by His Command. Surely, in this are proofs for people who understand.
13. And whatsoever He has created for you on this earth of varying colours [and qualities from vegetation and fruits, etc. (botanical life) and from animal (zoological life)]. Verily! In this is a sign for people who remember.
14. And He it is Who has subjected the sea (to you), that you eat thereof fresh tender meat (i.e. fish), and that you bring forth out of it ornaments to wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it, that you may seek (thus) of His Bounty (by transporting the goods from place to place) and that you may be grateful.
15. And He has affixed into the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you, and rivers and roads, that you may guide yourselves.
16. And landmarks (signposts, etc. during the day) and by the stars (during the night), they (mankind) guide themselves.
17. Is then He, Who creates as one who creates not? Will you not then remember?
18. And if you would count the graces of Allâh, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
19. And Allâh knows what you conceal and what you reveal.
20. Those whom they (Al-Mushrikûn[]) invoke besides Allâh have not created anything, but are themselves created.
21. (They are) dead, lifeless, and they know not when they will be raised up.
016.010
YUSUFALI: It is He who
sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the
vegetation on which ye feed your cattle.
PICKTHAL: He it is Who
sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on
which ye send your beasts to pasture.
SHAKIR: He it is Who
sends down water from the cloud for you; it gives drink, and by it (grow) the
trees upon which you pasture.
016.011
YUSUFALI: With it He
produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit:
verily in this is a sign for those who give thought.
PICKTHAL: Therewith He
causeth crops to grow for you, and the olive and the date-palm and grapes and
all kinds of fruit. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.
SHAKIR: He causes to
grow for you thereby herbage, and the olives, and the palm trees, and the
grapes, and of all the fruits; most surely there is a sign in this for a people
who reflect.
016.012
YUSUFALI: He has made
subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in
subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise.
PICKTHAL: And He hath
constrained the night and the day and the sun and the moon to be of service unto
you, and the stars are made subservient by His command. Lo! herein indeed are
portents for people who have sense.
SHAKIR: And He has
made subservient for you the night and the day and the sun and the moon, and the
stars are made subservient by His commandment; most surely there are signs in
this for a people who ponder;
016.013
YUSUFALI: And the
things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities):
verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in
gratitude).
PICKTHAL: And
whatsoever He hath created for you in the earth of divers hues, lo! therein is
indeed a portent for people who take heed.
SHAKIR: And what He
has created in the earth of varied hues most surely there is a sign in this for
a people who are mindful.
016.014
YUSUFALI: It is He Who
has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and
tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the
ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of
Allah and that ye may be grateful.
PICKTHAL: And He it is
Who hath constrained the sea to be of service that ye eat fresh meat from
thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the
ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty and that haply ye
may give thanks.
SHAKIR: And He it is
Who has made the sea subservient that you may eat fresh flesh from it and bring
forth from it ornaments which you wear, and you see the ships cleaving through
it, and that you might seek of His bounty and that you may give thanks.
016.015
YUSUFALI: And He has
set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and
rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;
PICKTHAL: And He hath
cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and streams and roads
that ye may find a way.
SHAKIR: And He has
cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and
rivers and roads that you may go aright,
016.016
YUSUFALI: And marks
and sign-posts; and by the stars (men) guide themselves.
PICKTHAL: And
landmarks (too), and by the star they find a way.
SHAKIR: And landmarks;
and by the stars they find the right way.
016.017
YUSUFALI: Is then He
Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition?
PICKTHAL: Is He then
Who createth as him who createth not? Will ye not then remember?
SHAKIR: Is He then Who
creates like him who does not create? Do you not then mind?
016.018
YUSUFALI: If ye would
count up the favours of Allah, never would ye be able to number them: for Allah
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: And if ye
would count the favour of Allah ye cannot reckon it. Lo! Allah is indeed
Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: And if you
would count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them; most surely
Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
016.019
YUSUFALI: And Allah
doth know what ye conceal, and what ye reveal.
PICKTHAL: And Allah
knoweth that which ye keep hidden and that which ye proclaim.
SHAKIR: And Allah
knows what you conceal and what you do openly.
016.020
YUSUFALI: Those whom
they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created.
PICKTHAL: Those unto
whom they cry beside Allah created naught, but are themselves created.
SHAKIR: And those whom
they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves
created;
016.021
YUSUFALI: (They are
things) dead, lifeless: nor do they know when they will be raised up.
PICKTHAL: (They are)
dead, not living. And they know not when they will be raised.
SHAKIR: Dead (are
they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised.
16 : 22
22. Ilahukum ilahun wahidun faallatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati quloobuhum munkiratun wahum mustakbiroona
Your God is One God! As for those who do not accept the veracity of the Hereafter, their hearts are sealed and they are vainglorious!
16 : 23
23. La jarama anna Allaha yaAAlamu ma yusirroona wama yuAAlinoona innahu la yuhibbu almustakbireena
Verily Allah knows that which they conceal and that which they reveal! And verily He does not cherish the vainglorious!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when a disbeliever who had memorized tales from Arab folklore claimed that parables mentioned in the Qur'aan are no different from those which he too could narrate.
16 : 24
24. Wa-itha qeela lahum matha anzala rabbukum qaloo asateeru al-awwaleena
Those who, when it is asked of them : 'What has your Lord revealed?' say : 'Nothing but fables from the past!' -
16 : 25
25. Liyahmiloo awzarahum kamilatan yawma alqiyamati wamin awzari allatheena yudilloonahum bighayri AAilmin ala saa ma yaziroona
On the Day of Resurrection, not only would they carry their own burden of guilt but also of some of those whom they misguided with their ignorance, - and what a sordid burden it is to carry! (R)
(The verse warns men like Nazr bin Harith with regards to whom it was revealed that by knowingly and deliberately misguiding other people with his own ill-conceived ideas about the content and ethos of Allah's revelations, comparing them with legends and folklore which he had memorized in order to make a living by peddling them in return for cheap financial rewards, he was encumbering himself with a double load of guilt - one for his own ignorance and greed, and the other for misleading people with his deliberate lies and bogus claims).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
22. Your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God Allâh, none has the right to be worshipped but He). But for those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts deny (the faith in the Oneness of Allâh), and they are proud.
23. Certainly, Allâh knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Truly, He likes not the proud.
24. And when it is said to them: "What is it that your Lord has sent down (unto Muhammad SAW)?" They say: "Tales of the men of old!"
25. They will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!
016.022
YUSUFALI: Your Allah
is one Allah: as to those who believe not in the Hereafter, their hearts refuse
to know, and they are arrogant.
PICKTHAL: Your Allah
is One Allah. But as for those who believe not in the Hereafter their hearts
refuse to know, for they are proud.
SHAKIR: Your Allah is
one Allah; so (as for) those who do not believe m the hereafter, their hearts
are ignorant and they are proud.
016.023
YUSUFALI: Undoubtedly
Allah doth know what they conceal, and what they reveal: verily He loveth not
the arrogant.
PICKTHAL: Assuredly
Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden and that which they proclaim. Lo! He
loveth not the proud.
SHAKIR: Truly Allah
knows what they hide and what they manifest; surely He does not love the proud.
016.024
YUSUFALI: When it is
said to them, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" they say, "Tales of the
ancients!"
PICKTHAL: And when it
is said unto them: What hath your Lord revealed? they say: (Mere) fables of the
men of old,
SHAKIR: And when it is
said to them, what is it that your Lord has revealed? They say: Stories of the
ancients;
016.025
YUSUFALI: Let them
bear, on the Day of Judgment, their own burdens in full, and also (something) of
the burdens of those without knowledge, whom they misled. Alas, how grievous the
burdens they will bear!
PICKTHAL: That they
may bear their burdens undiminished on the Day of Resurrection, with somewhat of
the burdens of those whom they mislead without knowledge. Ah! evil is that which
they bear!
SHAKIR: That they may
bear their burdens entirely on the day of resurrection and also of the burdens
of those whom they lead astray without knowledge; now surely evil is what they
bear.
16 : 26
26. Qad makara allatheena min qablihim faata Allahu bunyanahum mina alqawaAAidi fakharra AAalayhimu alssaqfu min fawqihim waatahumu alAAathabu min haythu la yashAAuroona
Others before them also plotted, so Allah struck at the very foundations of what they built and its roof fell upon their heads and doom smote them from the least expected direction!
(In general, the verse contains a reminder that, when past generations hatched evil plots to strike at their messengers, Allah caused them to fall a prey to their own plots; and the more wicked their schemes, the more inescapably they fell to them! Whenever people build tall structures to show off their might and begin to revel in them, Allah invariably topples them on their own heads so that the taller they build, the harder they get crushed underneath their debris.
Some commentators think that the verse makes an indirect reference to Nimrod, the most powerful and ruthless king on the face of the earth during the times of Abraham who is said to have constructed a tower in Babel which went piercing through the sky, with the nefarious intention of reaching the heavens and conquering their dwellers, but Allah sent down on it a raging wind which brought down the tower on the very heads of those who built it).
16 : 27
27. Thumma yawma alqiyamati yukhzeehim wayaqoolu ayna shuraka-iya allatheena kuntum tushaqqoona feehim qala allatheena ootoo alAAilma inna alkhizya alyawma waalssoo-a AAala alkafireena
Then on the Day of Resurrection He will put them to shame saying : 'Where are My partners for the sake of whom you rejected My guidance? Those among them who have been given knowledge will say : 'On this Day only humiliation and malfeasance is upon the disbelievers!
16 : 28
28. Allatheena tatawaffahumu almala-ikatu thalimee anfusihim faalqawoo alssalama ma kunna naAAmalu min soo-in bala inna Allaha AAaleemun bima kuntum taAAmaloona
Those whom the angels cause to die while they are still in the state of heresy will make their submissions saying : 'We did no wrong!' Nay, but Allah is aware of that which you used to do!
16 : 29
29. Faodkhuloo abwaba jahannama khalideena feeha falabi/sa mathwa almutakabbireena
So enter the gates of hell in which to abide forever! How awful a destination there is for the arrogant!
(When angels arrive to gather the souls of those who repudiated Allah and rejected His messages, they will protest their innocence and deny that they had done anything wrong, but the angels would reiterate that Allah is best aware of what they used to do and that the gates of hell were thrown wide open for them wherein they would abide forever!)
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when couriers were sent from Mecca during the pilgrimage season by certain well-wishers of the Prophet to enquire after his well-being. Though the disbelievers did their utmost to obstruct them, they carried out their duties as couriers with honesty and gathered and delivered the right messages at both ends. (also See S15 : V91).
16 : 30
30. Waqeela lillatheena ittaqaw matha anzala rabbukum qaloo khayran lillatheena ahsanoo fee hathihi alddunya hasanatun waladaru al-akhirati khayrun walaniAAma daru almuttaqeena
When those who are righteous are asked : 'What has your Lord revealed?' They say : 'Righteousness!' Good is the reward for those who perform righteous deeds in this world, but better is their reward in the other world, and best is the Abode for the righteous -
16 : 31
31. Jannatu AAadnin yadkhuloonaha tajree min tahtiha al-anharu lahum feeha ma yashaoona kathalika yajzee Allahu almuttaqeena
Gardens of Eden are where they shall be entered; underneath them shall flow rivers and there they shall be given whatever they desire! Such is the reward from Allah to those who battle against the forces of evil -
16 : 32
32. Allatheena tatawaffahumu almala-ikatu tayyibeena yaqooloona salamun AAalaykumu odkhuloo aljannata bima kuntum taAAmaloona
(And) To those whom the angels cause to die while they are in a state of cleanliness saying : 'Peace be on you! Enter the Garden in return for what you used to do!'
(Those who are pure in heart, humble in speech, noble in character, honest in deeds, truthful in attitude, peaceful in mien, trucial in disputes, fair in judgement, resolute in faith, consistent in worship, profuse in caring and generous in sharing are the ones to whom the angels convey the message contained in the verse when they arrive for gathering their souls)
* * *
16 : 33
33. Hal yanthuroona illa an ta/tiyahumu almala-ikatu aw ya/tiya amru rabbika kathalika faAAala allatheena min qablihim wama thalamahumu Allahu walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
Await they for what except the arrival of His angels for the fulfilment of your Lord's retribution? Those before them had done the same! - Allah did not wrong them but they wronged themselves -
16 : 34
34. Faasabahum sayyi-atu ma AAamiloo wahaqa bihim ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
And the toll of their misdeeds landed on them and they were surrounded by whatever they used to scoff at! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
26. Those before them indeed plotted, but Allâh struck at the foundation of their building, and then the roof fell down upon them, from above them, and the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive.
27. Then, on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: "Where are My (so called) 'partners' concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute (with the believers, by defying and disobeying Allâh)?" Those who have been given the knowledge (about the Torment of Allâh for the disbelievers) will say: "Verily! Disgrace this Day and misery are upon the disbelievers.
28. "Those whose lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to themselves (by disbelief and by associating partners in worship with Allâh and by committing all kinds of crimes and evil deeds)." Then, they will make (false) submission (saying): "We used not to do any evil." (The angels will reply): "Yes! Truly, Allâh is All-Knower of what you used to do.
29. "So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein[], and indeed, what an evil abode will be for the arrogant."
30. And (when) it is said to those who are the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2) "What is it that your Lord has sent down?" They say: "That which is good." For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise) of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2).
31. 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity) which they will enter, under which rivers flow, they will have therein all that they wish. Thus Allâh rewards the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2).
32. Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state (i.e. pure from all evil, and worshipping none but Allâh Alone) saying (to them): Salâmun 'Alaikum (peace be on you) enter you Paradise, because of (the good) which you used to do (in the world)."
33. Do they (the disbelievers and polytheists) await but that the angels should come to them [to take away their souls (at death)], or there should come the command (i.e. the torment or the Day of Resurrection) of your Lord? Thus did those before them. And Allâh wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.
34. Then, the evil results of their deeds overtook them, and that at which they used to mock surrounded them.
016.026
YUSUFALI: Those before
them did also plot (against Allah's Way): but Allah took their structures from
their foundations, and the roof fell down on them from above; and the Wrath
seized them from directions they did not perceive.
PICKTHAL: Those before
them plotted, so Allah struck at the foundations of their building, and then the
roof fell down upon them from above them, and the doom came on them whence they
knew not;
SHAKIR: Those before
them did indeed devise plans, but Allah demolished their building from the
foundations, so the roof fell down on them from above them, and the punishment
came to them from whence they did not perceive.
016.027
YUSUFALI: Then, on the
Day of Judgment, He will cover them with shame, and say: "Where are My
'partners' concerning whom ye used to dispute (with the godly)?" Those endued
with knowledge will say: "This Day, indeed, are the Unbelievers covered with
shame and misery,-
PICKTHAL: Then on the
Day of Resurrection He will disgrace them and will say: Where are My partners,
for whose sake ye opposed (My guidance)? Those who have been given knowledge
will say: Disgrace this day and evil are upon the disbelievers,
SHAKIR: Then on the
resurrection day He will bring them to disgrace and say: Where are the
associates you gave Me, for whose sake you became hostile? Those who are given
the knowledge will say: Surely the disgrace and the evil are this day upon the
unbelievers:
016.028
YUSUFALI: "(Namely)
those whose lives the angels take in a state of wrong-doing to their own souls."
Then would they offer submission (with the pretence), "We did no evil
(knowingly)." (The angels will reply), "Nay, but verily Allah knoweth all that
ye did;
PICKTHAL: Whom the
angels cause to die while they are wronging themselves. Then will they make full
submission (saying): We used not to do any wrong. Nay! Surely Allah is Knower of
what ye used to do.
SHAKIR: Those whom the
angels cause to die while they are unjust to themselves. Then would they offer
submission: We used not to do any evil. Aye! surely Allah knows what you did.
016.029
YUSUFALI: "So enter
the gates of Hell, to dwell therein. Thus evil indeed is the abode of the
arrogant."
PICKTHAL: So enter the
gates of hell, to dwell therein for ever. Woeful indeed will be the lodging of
the arrogant.
SHAKIR: Therefore
enter the gates of hell, to abide therein; so certainly evil is the dwelling
place of the proud.
016.030
YUSUFALI: To the
righteous (when) it is said, "What is it that your Lord has revealed?" they say,
"All that is good." To those who do good, there is good in this world, and the
Home of the Hereafter is even better and excellent indeed is the Home of the
righteous,-
PICKTHAL: And it is
said unto those who ward off (evil): What hath your Lord revealed? They say:
Good. For those who do good in this world there is a good (reward) and the home
of the Hereafter will be better. Pleasant indeed will be the home of those who
ward off (evil) -
SHAKIR: And it is said
to those who guard (against evil): What is it that your Lord has revealed? They
say, Good. For those who do good in this world is good, and certainly the abode
of the hereafter is better; and certainly most excellent is the abode of those
who guard (against evil);
016.031
YUSUFALI: Gardens of
Eternity which they will enter: beneath them flow (pleasant) rivers: they will
have therein all that they wish: thus doth Allah reward the righteous,-
PICKTHAL: Gardens of
Eden which they enter, underneath which rivers flow, wherein they have what they
will. Thus Allah repayeth those who ward off (evil),
SHAKIR: The gardens of
perpetuity, they shall enter them, rivers flowing beneath them; they shall have
in them what they please. Thus does Allah reward those who guard (against evil),
016.032
YUSUFALI: (Namely)
those whose lives the angels take in a state of purity, saying (to them), "Peace
be on you; enter ye the Garden, because of (the good) which ye did (in the
world)."
PICKTHAL: Those whom
the angels cause to die (when they are) good. They say: Peace be unto you! Enter
the Garden because of what ye used to do.
SHAKIR: Those whom the
angels cause to die in a good state, saying: Peace be on you: enter the garden
for what you did.
016.033
YUSUFALI: Do the
(ungodly) wait until the angels come to them, or there comes the Command of thy
Lord (for their doom)? So did those who went before them. But Allah wronged them
not: nay, they wronged their own souls.
PICKTHAL: Await they
aught say that the angels should come unto them or thy Lord's command should
come to pass? Even so did those before them. Allah wronged them not, but they
did wrong themselves,
SHAKIR: They do not
wait aught but that the angels should come to them or that the commandment of
your Lord should come to pass. Thus did those before them; and Allah was not
unjust to them, but they were unjust to themselves.
016.034
YUSUFALI: But the evil
results of their deeds overtook them, and that very (Wrath) at which they had
scoffed hemmed them in.
PICKTHAL: So that the
evils of what they did smote them, and that which they used to mock surrounded
them.
SHAKIR: So the evil
(consequences) of what they did shall afflict them and that which they mocked
shall encompass them.
16 : 35
35. Waqala allatheena ashrakoo law shaa Allahu ma AAabadna min doonihi min shay-in nahnu wala abaona wala harramna min doonihi min shay-in kathalika faAAala allatheena min qablihim fahal AAala alrrusuli illa albalaghu almubeenu
The idolaters say : 'If Allah had willed, we would never have worshipped anyone other than Him, - neither we nor our forefathers - nor forbidden anything other than what He has Himself forbidden! Thus did the others who came before them also say! Our messengers are charged with no responsibility other than the unambiguous delivery of Our message!
16 : 36
36. Walaqad baAAathna fee kulli ommatin rasoolan ani oAAbudoo Allaha waijtaniboo alttaghoota faminhum man hada Allahu waminhum man haqqat AAalayhi alddalalatu faseeroo fee al-ardi faonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena
And verily to every nation We have sent a messenger with the same message : 'Serve Allah and renounce false gods' Out of them there were some whom Allah showed the way and there were some who were left to stray away. Travel in the land and see for yourselves what became of those who repudiated!
16 : 37
37. In tahris AAala hudahum fa-inna Allaha la yahdee man yudillu wama lahum min nasireena
Even if you (O Mohammed) desire guidance for them, Allah will never guide those whom He has sent adrift, nor will they find anyone else who can!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when an altercation broke out between a believer and an idolater who owed him money and he demanded it to be paid back at once. In course of the argument, the believer swore upon Allah that if he was asking for money which was not owed to him, he would be answerable to Allah on the Day of Judgement when he faced Him, but the idolater also swore saying that he did not believe men would ever be raised again to face their Maker.
16 : 38
38. Waaqsamoo biAllahi jahda aymanihim la yabAAathu Allahu man yamootu bala waAAdan AAalayhi haqqan walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona
They swear in Allah's name their most solemn oaths that Allah would not raise the dead. Nay, but it is a solemn promise which is binding upon Allah - although most of mankind know this not -
16 : 39
39. Liyubayyina lahumu allathee yakhtalifoona feehi waliyaAAlama allatheena kafaroo annahum kanoo kathibeena
So that He may settle the argument between them and so that those who disbelieved may know that they were the liars.
16 : 40
40. Innama qawluna lishay-in itha aradnahu an naqoola lahu kun fayakoonu
And Our command to a thing when We wish it to happen is, We say to it : 'Be!' and it happens! (R)
(The oft repeated content in verse 40 is the everlasting testament to the Omnipotence of Allah Whose mere word is an embodiment of His command, Whose will is binding on His creation with no room for debate nor questioning; nothing can obstruct His will from taking affect; there are no stipulations, no time lags, no contingencies nor hesitation. If He could bring the entire creation into being, - the heavens, the earth, the stars, the planets, the galaxies, the oceans, the flora, the fauna, the known facts about the worlds and the unknown mysteries of the universe, - just by pronouncing the word : 'Be!' is it really that far-fetched for Him to resurrect mankind on the Last Day by pronouncing that very same word one more time?)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
35. And those who join others in worship with Allâh say: "If Allâh had so willed, neither we nor our fathers would have worshipped aught but Him, nor would we have forbidden anything without (Command from) Him." So did those before them. Then! Are the Messengers charged with anything but to convey clearly the Message?
36. And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût[] (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)." Then of them were some whom Allâh guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth).
37. If you (O Muhammad SAW) covet for their guidance[], then verily Allâh guides not those whom He makes to go astray (or none can guide him whom Allâh sends astray). And they will have no helpers.
38. And they swear by Allâh their strongest oaths, that Allâh will not raise up him who dies. Yes, (He will raise them up), a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind know not.
39. In order that He may make manifest to them the truth of that wherein they differ, and that those who disbelieved (in Resurrection, and in the Oneness of Allâh) may know that they were liars.
016.035
YUSUFALI: The
worshippers of false gods say: "If Allah had so willed, we should not have
worshipped aught but Him - neither we nor our fathers,- nor should we have
prescribed prohibitions other than His." So did those who went before them. But
what is the mission of messengers but to preach the Clear Message?
PICKTHAL: And the
idolaters say: Had Allah willed, we had not worshipped aught beside Him, we and
our fathers, nor had we forbidden aught without (command from) Him. Even so did
those before them. Are the messengers charged with aught save plain conveyance
(of the message)?
SHAKIR: And they who
give associates (to Allah) say: If Allah had pleased, we would not have served
anything besides Allah, (neither) we nor our fathers, nor would we have
prohibited anything without (order from) Him. Thus did those before them; is
then aught incumbent upon the messengers except a plain delivery (of the
message)?
016.036
YUSUFALI: For We
assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), "Serve
Allah, and eschew Evil": of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on
whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see
what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
PICKTHAL: And verily
We have raised in every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): Serve Allah and shun
false gods. Then some of them (there were) whom Allah guided, and some of them
(there were) upon whom error had just hold. Do but travel in the land and see
the nature of the consequence for the deniers!
SHAKIR: And certainly
We raised in every nation a messenger saying: Serve Allah and shun the Shaitan.
So there were some of them whom Allah guided and there were others against whom
error was due; therefore travel in the land, then see what was the end of the
rejecters.
016.037
YUSUFALI: If thou art
anxious for their guidance, yet Allah guideth not such as He leaves to stray,
and there is none to help them.
PICKTHAL: Even if thou
(O Muhammad) desirest their right guidance, still Allah assuredly will not guide
him who misleadeth. Such have no helpers.
SHAKIR: If you desire
for their guidance, yet surely Allah does not guide him who leads astray, nor
shall they have any helpers.
016.038
YUSUFALI: They swear
their strongest oaths by Allah, that Allah will not raise up those who die: Nay,
but it is a promise (binding) on Him in truth: but most among mankind realise it
not.
PICKTHAL: And they
swear by Allah their most binding oaths (that) Allah will not raise up him who
dieth. Nay, but it is a promise (binding) upon Him in truth, but most of mankind
know not,
SHAKIR: And they swear
by Allah with the most energetic of their oaths: Allah will not raise up him who
dies. Yea! it is a promise binding on Him, quite true, but most people do not
know;
016.039
YUSUFALI: (They must
be raised up), in order that He may manifest to them the truth of that wherein
they differ, and that the rejecters of Truth may realise that they had indeed
(surrendered to) Falsehood.
PICKTHAL: That He may
explain unto them that wherein they differ, and that those who disbelieved may
know that they were liars.
SHAKIR: So that He
might make manifest to them that about which they differ, and that those who
disbelieve might know that they were liars.
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed to eulogize the Muslims of Mecca who gave up their homes and emigrated to various parts of the world in order to escape persecution at the hands of the disbelievers.
16 : 41
41. Waallatheena hajaroo fee Allahi min baAAdi ma thulimoo lanubawwi-annahum fee alddunya hasanatan walaajru al-akhirati akbaru law kanoo yaAAlamoona
And those who gave up their homes and belongings for Allah's Cause as a result of persecution, We shall surely give them a better home in this world! And the reward in the Hereafter for them is an even better, if they but knew, -
16 : 42
42. Allatheena sabaroo waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona
And for them who forbear and put their trust in their Lord alone!
(The better home on earth Allah promised and gave to the migrants was the township of the Radiant Madina which opened its arms to welcome the desperate and dispossessed Muslims of Mecca and gave them a safe haven until the crisis in which they were trapped blew over and peace returned to their lives. They also found a warmer place in the hearts of its inhabitants who extended to them the hospitality of their humble homes and took them in the protective folds of their wings. Small wonder that Madina occupies to this day a very special place in the hearts and minds of every Muslim across the world who goes there as part of the pilgrimage to kiss the soil on which the feet of their beloved Prophet and his closest associates had once tread).
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when idolaters said that if God needed a messenger to deliver His message, He would not have chosen a mortal for the job.
16 : 43
43. Wama arsalna min qablika illa rijalan noohee ilayhim fais-aloo ahla alththikri in kuntum la taAAlamoona
And We never sent before you (O Mohammed) anyone as Our messenger save men whom We inspired! So ask those who have knowledge if you do not have knowledge!
16 : 44
44. Bialbayyinati waalzzuburi waanzalna ilayka alththikra litubayyina lilnnasi ma nuzzila ilayhim walaAAallahum yatafakkaroona
We sent them all with clear Signs and Scriptures; and in you We have inspired this Qur'aan so that you may explain to mankind what has been revealed for them and so that perchance they may pay attention to it!
* * *
16 : 45
45. Afaamina allatheena makaroo alssayyi-ati an yakhsifa Allahu bihimu al-arda aw ya/tiyahumu alAAathabu min haythu la yashAAuroona
Do those who plot their nefarious plots feel safe that Allah would not cause the earth to swallow them or that doom would not land on them from whence they least expect it to land?
16 : 46
46. Aw ya/khuthahum fee taqallubihim fama hum bimuAAjizeena
Or that He would not seize them abruptly whilst they are going about their business, without giving them the chance to avert it?
16 : 47
47. Aw ya/khuthahum AAala takhawwufin fa-inna rabbakum laraoofun raheemun
Or that He would not seize them gradually? Verily your Lord is Magnanimous and Merciful!
(Verses 45, 46 and 47 contain a series of implacable warnings to the disbelievers and the idolaters of Mecca who were constantly colluding with one another to device all sorts of asinine plots intended to harming the Prophet and his close circle of associates who served him with loyalty and dedication not to forget that, if Allah chose to cause the earth to swallow them, as He did in the case of Kora in the past, no one could stop Him from doing so; if He decided to send down on them His chastisement without any warning and from whence they least expected it, He could; if it was His decision that they should be struck down in the midst of their preoccupations, He could do that; if it was His pleasure that they be subjected to a longer a lasting torment such as droughts and afflictions, there was no power on earth strong enough to oppose Him or to avoid Him).
16 : 48
48. Awa lam yaraw ila ma khalaqa Allahu min shay-in yatafayyao thilaluhu AAani alyameeni waalshshama-ili sujjadan lillahi wahum dakhiroona
Have they not observed how everything Allah created casts its shadows either to its right or to its left in prostration to Allah with humility
(Casting shadows either to its right or to its left implies around the clock, at dawn and at dusk, during the morning and during the evening, in sunlight and in moonlight, in summer and in winter).
16 : 49
49. Walillahi yasjudu ma fee alssamawati wama fee al-ardi min dabbatin waalmala-ikatu wahum la yastakbiroona
And to Allah do they prostrate whatever is in the heavens and whatever crawls upon the earth! And so do the angels, who are not conceited because of their status -
16 : 50
50. Yakhafoona rabbahum min fawqihim wayafAAaloona ma yu/maroona
But fear their Lord Who dwells high above them and do only His bidding! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
40. Verily! Our Word unto a thing when We intend it, is only that We say unto it: "Be!" and it is.
41. And as for those who emigrated for the Cause of Allâh, after suffering oppression, We will certainly give them goodly residence in this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be greater, if they but knew!
42. (They are) those who remained patient (in this world for Allâh's sake), and put their trust in their Lord (Allâh Alone).
43. And We sent not (as Our Messengers) before you (O Muhammad SAW) any but men, whom We inspired, (to preach and invite mankind to believe in the Oneness of Allâh). So ask of those who know the Scripture [learned men of the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], if you know not.
44. With clear signs and Books (We sent the Messengers). And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad SAW) the reminder and the advice (the Qur'ân), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.
45. Do then those who devise evil plots feel secure that Allâh will not sink them into the earth, or that the torment will not seize them from directions they perceive not?
46. Or that He may catch them in the midst of their going to and fro (in their jobs), so that there be no escape for them (from Allâh's Punishment)?
47. Or that He may catch them with gradual wasting (of their wealth and health). Truly! Your Lord is indeed full of Kindness, Most Merciful?
48. Have they not observed things that Allâh has created, (how) their shadows incline to the right and to the left, making prostration unto Allâh, and they are lowly?
49. And to Allâh prostate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the live moving creatures and the angels, and they are not proud [i.e. they worship their Lord (Allâh) with humility].
50. They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.
016.041
YUSUFALI: To those who
leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression,- We will
assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward of the
Hereafter will be greater. If they only realised (this)!
PICKTHAL: And those
who became fugitives for the cause of Allah after they had been oppressed, We
verily shall give them goodly lodging in the world, and surely the reward of the
Hereafter is greater, if they but knew;
SHAKIR: And those who
fly for Allah's sake after they are oppressed, We will most certainly give them
a good abode in the world, and the reward of the hereafter is certainly much
greater, did they but know;
016.042
YUSUFALI: (They are)
those who persevere in patience, and put their trust on their Lord.
PICKTHAL: Such as are
steadfast and put their trust in Allah.
SHAKIR: Those who are
patient and on their Lord do they rely.
016.043
YUSUFALI: And before
thee also the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration:
if ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
PICKTHAL: And We sent
not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men whom We inspired - Ask the
followers of the Remembrance if ye know not! -
SHAKIR: And We did not
send before you any but men to whom We sent revelation-- so ask the followers of
the Reminder if you do not know--
016.044
YUSUFALI: (We sent
them) with Clear Signs and Books of dark prophecies; and We have sent down unto
thee (also) the Message; that thou mayest explain clearly to men what is sent
for them, and that they may give thought.
PICKTHAL: With clear
proofs and writings; and We have revealed unto thee the Remembrance that thou
mayst explain to mankind that which hath been revealed for them, and that haply
they may reflect.
SHAKIR: With clear
arguments and scriptures; and We have revealed to you the Reminder that you may
make clear to men what has been revealed to them, and that haply they may
reflect.
016.045
YUSUFALI: Do then
those who devise evil (plots) feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to
swallow them up, or that the Wrath will not seize them from directions they
little perceive?-
PICKTHAL: Are they who
plan ill-deeds then secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them,
or that the doom will not come on them whence they know not?
SHAKIR: Do they then
who plan evil (deeds) feel secure (of this) that Allah will not cause the earth
to swallow them or that punishment may not overtake them from whence they do not
perceive?
016.046
YUSUFALI: Or that He
may not call them to account in the midst of their goings to and fro, without a
chance of their frustrating Him?-
PICKTHAL: Or that He
will not seize them in their going to and fro so that there be no escape for
them?
SHAKIR: Or that He may
not seize them in the course of their journeys, then shall they not escape;
016.047
YUSUFALI: Or that He
may not call them to account by a process of slow wastage - for thy Lord is
indeed full of kindness and mercy.
PICKTHAL: Or that He
will not seize them with a gradual wasting? Lo! thy Lord is indeed Full of Pity,
Merciful.
SHAKIR: Or that He may
not seize them by causing them to suffer gradual loss, for your Lord is most
surely Compassionate, Merciful.
016.048
YUSUFALI: Do they not
look at Allah's creation, (even) among (inanimate) things,- How their (very)
shadows turn round, from the right and the left, prostrating themselves to
Allah, and that in the humblest manner?
PICKTHAL: Have they
not observed all things that Allah hath created, how their shadows incline to
the right and to the left, making prostration unto Allah, and they are lowly?
SHAKIR: Do they not
consider every thing that Allah has created? Its (very) shadows return from
right and left, making obeisance to Allah while they are in utter abasement.
016.049
YUSUFALI: And to Allah
doth obeisance all that is in the heavens and on earth, whether moving (living)
creatures or the angels: for none are arrogant (before their Lord).
PICKTHAL: And unto
Allah maketh prostration whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the
earth of living creatures, and the angels (also) and they are not proud.
SHAKIR: And whatever
creature that is in the heavens and that is in the earth makes obeisance to
Allah (only), and the angels (too) and they do not show pride.
016.050
YUSUFALI: They all
revere their Lord, high above them, and they do all that they are commanded.
PICKTHAL: They fear
their Lord above them, and do what they are bidden.
SHAKIR: They fear
their Lord above them and do what they are commanded.
16 : 51
51. Waqala Allahu la tattakhithoo ilahayni ithnayni innama huwa ilahun wahidun fa-iyyaya fairhabooni
Allah has proclaimed : 'Do not ever worship two Gods, for He is only One God, and hence worship no one else but Me!'
16 : 52
52. Walahu ma fee alssamawati waal-ardi walahu alddeenu wasiban afaghayra Allahi tattaqoona
To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and upon the earth and religion belongs forever to Him! Would you then submit to anyone other than Allah?
16 : 53
53. Wama bikum min niAAmatin famina Allahi thumma itha massakumu alddurru fa-ilayhi taj-aroona
And whatever affluence you possess, it has come to you from Allah; and then, when you are afflicted by adversity, it is to Him that you turn for help!
16 : 54
54. Thumma itha kashafa alddurra AAankum itha fareequn minkum birabbihim yushrikoona
Yet, as soon as He eases your adversity, a group among you begin to assign partners to their Lord -
16 : 55
55. Liyakfuroo bima ataynahum fatamattaAAoo fasawfa taAAlamoona
And refuse to acknowledge your gratitude for that which We have bestowed on you! Then enjoy what you can when you can, for you will soon come to know.
16 : 56
56. WayajAAaloona lima la yaAAlamoona naseeban mimma razaqnahum taAllahi latus-alunna AAamma kuntum taftaroona
And they assign a portion of what We have given them to those of whom they have no knowledge! So by Allah, you shall surely be questioned about the lies which you used to invent!
(Before the advent of Islam, the pagan Arabs used to divide their harvests and cattle in portions, setting them aside for various groups, - a portion for their relatives who are in need; a portion for the soldiers who protect them against conquests and raids; a portion for their idols; a portion for the priests who looked after them and conducted religious rituals; not to mention a small portion for Allah too, which they either spent in charity, or on hospitality towards their guests, or as extra 'bonuses' to the priests in return for special benedictions)
16 : 57
57. WayajAAaloona lillahi albanati subhanahu walahum ma yashtahoona
And to Allah they assign daughters - hallowed be He! - and for themselves whatever they desire!
16 : 58
58. Wa-itha bushshira ahaduhum bialontha thalla wajhuhu muswaddan wahuwa katheemun
If one of them is given the tidings of the birth of a daughter, his face turns dark for the rest of the day and he writhes with anger from within!
16 : 59
59. Yatawara mina alqawmi min soo-i ma bushshira bihi ayumsikuhu AAala hoonin am yadussuhu fee altturabi ala saa ma yahkumoona
And he avoids showing his face to his brethren from shame which the tidings brought to him, unable to determine whether to let her live in disgrace or bury her in the dust! Verily evil is what they choose!
(During the period referred in the Qur'aan as the period of Ignorance, the pagans used to claim that angels belonged to the feminine sex and that they were daughters of Allah.
They also considered the birth of daughters a disgrace, - a subject which has already been covered in earlier Surahs, - because girls presented them with problems, such as a strict upbringing, extra expenses for clothing and jewellery, their marriages, their inheritance, the evils of incest or fornication and many others, besides. When a pagan was given the news about the birth of a daughter in his household, his head bent from shame and he could not look in the eye of his brethren for days together. In fact, the feeling of apathy against the girl child was so strong that they used to take the baby into burial grounds and bury her alive to save themselves the trouble of raising her, until Islam arrived and put an end to this nefarious practice.
Although daughters were unwelcome to them when it came to their own choice, they had no hesitation in treating angels as 'women' and assigning them to Allah as His daughters, - an inferior progeny for a God whom they did not hold in esteem!)
16 : 60
60. Lillatheena la yu/minoona bial-akhirati mathalu alssaw-i walillahi almathalu al-aAAla wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu
For those who believe not in the Hereafter applies the similitude of evil, whereas for Allah the similitude is the Apex of Glory ! He is the Exalted and the Wise! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
51. And Allâh said (O mankind!): "Take not ilâhaîn (two gods in worship, etc.). Verily, He (Allâh) is (the) only One Ilâh (God). Then, fear Me (Allâh Ìá ÌáÇáå) much [and Me (Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allâh has forbidden and do all that Allâh has ordained and worship none but Allâh][].
52. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and (all that is in) the earth and Ad-Din Wasiba is His [(i.e. perpetual sincere obedience to Allâh is obligatory). None has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. Will you then fear any other than Allâh?
53. And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allâh. Then, when harm touches you, unto Him you cry aloud for help.
54. Then, when He has removed the harm from you, behold! Some of you associate others in worship with their Lord (Allâh).
55. So (as a result of that ) they deny (with ungratefulness) that (Allâh's Favours) which We have bestowed on them! Then enjoy yourselves (your short stay), but you will come to know (with regrets).
56. And they assign a portion of that which We have provided them unto what they know not (false deities). By Allâh, you shall certainly be questioned about (all) that you used to fabricate.
57. And they assign daughters unto Allâh! Glorified (and Exalted) be He above all that they associate with Him! . And unto themselves what they desire;
58. And when the news of (the birth of) a female (child) is brought to any of them, his face becomes dark, and he is filled with inward grief!
59. He hides himself from the people because of the evil of that whereof he has been informed. Shall he keep her with dishonour or bury her in the earth[]? Certainly, evil is their decision.
60. For those who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil description, and for Allâh is the highest description. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
016.051
YUSUFALI: Allah has
said: "Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is just One Allah: then fear Me
(and Me alone)."
PICKTHAL: Allah hath
said: Choose not two gods. There is only One Allah. So of Me, Me only, be in
awe.
SHAKIR: And Allah has
said: Take not two gods, He is only one Allah; so of Me alone should you be
afraid.
016.052
YUSUFALI: To Him
belongs whatever is in the heavens and on earth, and to Him is duty due always:
then will ye fear other than Allah?
PICKTHAL: Unto Him
belongeth whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth, and religion is His for
ever. Will ye then fear any other than Allah?
SHAKIR: And whatever
is in the heavens and the earth is His, and to Him should obedience be
(rendered) constantly; will you then guard against other than (the punishment
of) Allah?
016.053
YUSUFALI: And ye have
no good thing but is from Allah: and moreover, when ye are touched by distress,
unto Him ye cry with groans;
PICKTHAL: And whatever
of comfort ye enjoy, it is from Allah. Then, when misfortune reacheth you, unto
Him ye cry for help.
SHAKIR: And whatever
favor is (bestowed) on you it is from Allah; then when evil afflicts you, to Him
do you cry for aid.
016.054
YUSUFALI: Yet, when He
removes the distress from you, behold! some of you turn to other gods to join
with their Lord-
PICKTHAL: And
afterward, when He hath rid you of the misfortune, behold! a set of you
attribute partners to their Lord,
SHAKIR: Yet when He
removes the evil from you, lo ! a party of you associate others with their Lord;
016.055
YUSUFALI: (As if) to
show their ingratitude for the favours we have bestowed on them! then enjoy
(your brief day): but soon will ye know (your folly)!
PICKTHAL: So as to
deny that which We have given them. Then enjoy life (while ye may), for ye will
come to know.
SHAKIR: So that they
be ungrateful for what We have given them; then enjoy yourselves; for soon will
you know
016.056
YUSUFALI: And they
(even) assign, to things they do not know, a portion out of that which We have
bestowed for their sustenance! By Allah, ye shall certainly be called to account
for your false inventions.
PICKTHAL: And they
assign a portion of that which We have given them unto what they know not. By
Allah! but ye will indeed be asked concerning (all) that ye used to invent.
SHAKIR: And they set
apart for what they do not know a portion of what We have given them. By Allah,
you shall most certainly be questioned about that which you forged.
016.057
YUSUFALI: And they
assign daughters for Allah! - Glory be to Him! - and for themselves (sons,- the
issue) they desire!
PICKTHAL: And they
assign unto Allah daughters - Be He Glorified! - and unto themselves what they
desire;
SHAKIR: And they
ascribe daughters to Allah, glory be to Him; and for themselves (they would
have) what they desire.
016.058
YUSUFALI: When news is
brought to one of them, of (the birth of) a female (child), his face darkens,
and he is filled with inward grief!
PICKTHAL: When if one
of them receiveth tidings of the birth of a female, his face remaineth darkened,
and he is wroth inwardly.
SHAKIR: And when a
daughter is announced to one of them his face becomes black and he is full of
wrath.
016.059
YUSUFALI: With shame
does he hide himself from his people, because of the bad news he has had! Shall
he retain it on (sufferance and) contempt, or bury it in the dust? Ah! what an
evil (choice) they decide on?
PICKTHAL: He hideth
himself from the folk because of the evil of that whereof he hath had tidings,
(asking himself): Shall he keep it in contempt, or bury it beneath the dust.
Verily evil is their judgment.
SHAKIR: He hides
himself from the people because of the evil of that which is announced to him.
Shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it (alive) in the dust? Now surely evil
is what they judge.
016.060
YUSUFALI: To those who
believe not in the Hereafter, applies the similitude of evil: to Allah applies
the highest similitude: for He is the Exalted in Power, full of Wisdom.
PICKTHAL: For those
who believe not in the Hereafter is an evil similitude, and Allah's is the
Sublime Similitude. He is the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR: For those who
do not believe in the hereafter is an evil attribute, and Allah's is the
loftiest attribute; and He is the Mighty,
16 : 61
61. Walaw yu-akhithu Allahu alnnasa bithulmihim ma taraka AAalayha min dabbatin walakin yu-akhkhiruhum ila ajalin musamman fa-itha jaa ajaluhum la yasta/khiroona saAAatan wala yastaqdimoona
If Allah were to grab mankind for every evil they perpetrate, there would be none left to walk on earth! So He reprieves them for a certain term; but once their term runs out, they would not be able to either shorten it or extend it by even a single moment!
(None left to walk on earth is reminiscent of what happened to mankind in the deluge which occurred during Noah's time; so complete was the annihilation of the repudiators and the idolaters that no one left upon the land survived the floods, the only survivors being those on board the Ark.
Some commentators contend that it means the complete annihilation of all those who defy Allah so that there are no more new generations of repudiators and disbelievers emerging from their seed).
16 : 62
62. WayajAAaloona lillahi ma yakrahoona watasifu alsinatuhumu alkathiba anna lahumu alhusna la jarama anna lahumu alnnara waannahum mufratoona
And to Allah they apportion that which they spurn for themselves and their tongues utter the lie that every good thing belongs to them alone! Assuredly, in their share is nothing but the Fire, for they are a folk who have gone too far!
16 : 63
63. TaAllahi laqad arsalna ila omamin min qablika fazayyana lahumu alshshaytanu aAAmalahum fahuwa waliyyuhumu alyawma walahum AAathabun aleemun
By Allah! We sent Our messengers to many a nation before you; but in each case the devil invariably made their evil deeds seem fair to them! He is their best friend this day and theirs will be an opprobrious doom!
16 : 64
64. Wama anzalna AAalayka alkitaba illa litubayyina lahumu allathee ikhtalafoo feehi wahudan warahmatan liqawmin yu/minoona
We revealed this Scripture to you for no other reason than to explain to mankind the issues over which they are divided and as a Guidance and as a Mercy for those who believe!
16 : 65
65. WaAllahu anzala mina alssama-i maan faahya bihi al-arda baAAda mawtiha inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yasmaAAoona
Allah sends down water from the sky with which He brings the earth back to life again after her demise. Verily there is a clear sign in this for those who hear! (R)
(An oft repeated example throughout the Qur'aan, bringing it home to the disbelievers that, in the same way as Allah turns barren land into fertile land, - or brings the earth back to life after her demise, - by directing the rain towards it, Allah is able to bring mankind back to life on the Day of Resurrection by His command, no matter for how long they remained buried in their graves and whatever be the state of their remains).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
61. And if Allâh were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature, but He postpones them for an appointed term and when their term comes, neither can they delay nor can they advance it an hour (or a moment).
62. They assign to Allâh that which they dislike (for themselves), and their tongues assert the falsehood that the better things will be theirs. No doubt for them is the Fire, and they will be the first to be hastened on into it, and left there neglected. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubî, Vol.10, Page 121)
63. By Allâh, We indeed sent (Messengers) to the nations before you (O Muhammad SAW), but Shaitân (Satan) made their deeds fair-seeming to them. So he (Satan) is their Wali (helper) today (i.e. in this world), and theirs will be a painful torment.
64. And We have not sent down the Book (the Qur'an) to you (O Muhammad SAW), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe.
65. And Allâh sends down water (rain) from the sky, then He revives the earth therewith after its death. Verily, in this is a sign (clear proof) for people who listen (obey Allâh).
016.061
YUSUFALI: If Allah
were to punish men for their wrong-doing, He would not leave, on the (earth), a
single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: When their
Term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single
hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour).
PICKTHAL: If Allah
were to take mankind to task for their wrong-doing, he would not leave hereon a
living creature, but He reprieveth them to an appointed term, and when their
term cometh they cannot put (it) off an hour nor (yet) advance (it).
SHAKIR: And if Allah
had destroyed men for their iniquity, He would not leave on the earth a single
creature, but He respites them till an appointed time; so when their doom will
come they shall not be able to delay (it) an hour nor can they bring (it) on
(before its time).
016.062
YUSUFALI: They
attribute to Allah what they hate (for themselves), and their tongues assert the
falsehood that all good things are for themselves: without doubt for them is the
Fire, and they will be the first to be hastened on into it!
PICKTHAL: And they
assign unto Allah that which they (themselves) dislike, and their tongues
expound the lie that the better portion will be theirs. Assuredly theirs will be
the Fire, and they will be abandoned.
SHAKIR: And they
ascribe to Allah what they (themselves) hate and their tongues relate the lie
that they shall have the good; there is no avoiding it that for them is the fire
and that they shall be sent before.
016.063
YUSUFALI: By Allah, We
(also) sent (Our messengers) to Peoples before thee; but Satan made, (to the
wicked), their own acts seem alluring: He is also their patron today, but they
shall have a most grievous penalty.
PICKTHAL: By Allah, We
verily sent messengers unto the nations before thee, but the devil made their
deeds fairseeming unto them. So he is their patron this day, and theirs will be
a painful doom.
SHAKIR: By Allah, most
certainly We sent (messengers) to nations before you, but the Shaitan made their
deeds fair-seeming to them, so he is their guardian today, and they shall have a
painful punishment.
016.064
YUSUFALI: And We sent
down the Book to thee for the express purpose, that thou shouldst make clear to
them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a
mercy to those who believe.
PICKTHAL: And We have
revealed the Scripture unto thee only that thou mayst explain unto them that
wherein they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
SHAKIR: And We have
not revealed to you the Book except that you may make clear to them that about
which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.
016.065
YUSUFALI: And Allah
sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its
death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.
PICKTHAL: Allah
sendeth down water from the sky and therewith reviveth the earth after her
death. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a folk who hear.
SHAKIR: And Allah has
sent down water from the cloud and therewith given life to the earth after its
death; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who would listen.
16 : 66
66. Wa-inna lakum fee al-anAAami laAAibratan nusqeekum mimma fee butoonihi min bayni farthin wadamin labanan khalisan sa-ighan lilshsharibeena
And for you there is a lesson to learn from the cattle as well; We give you to drink of that which comes from inside their bellies, passing through their bowels and through their blood, - a beverage of pure milk immensely relishing to those who drink it!
(Revealed at a time when veterinary science was not even on the cards, the verse draws our attention to a day to day miracle we witness without observing, how a drink as pure in quality as it is in colour comes from the belly of the cow, travelling through her blood and bowels without picking up any of the impurities contained in either, so incredibly wholesome, refreshing and invigorating! Is not a Lord who has created so many marvels and made the earth a cradle of his miracles for man's comfort, capable of raising man out of the mangled remains of his flesh and bones, hale and healthy as he once was in the prime of his life, without picking up the impurities of his fossils? Is not the milk we drink and burp away with relish something for us to reflect upon and glean from in our assessment of our Lord's Omnipotence?)
16 : 67
67. Wamin thamarati alnnakheeli waal-aAAnabi tattakhithoona minhu sakaran warizqan hasanan inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yaAAqiloona
And (there is a lesson for you) in the fruit of the date palm; and grapes from which you extract a calmative drink as well as energetic nourishment! And verily there are clear signs in these for those who reflect!
(Since the Qur'aan has already forbidden the consumption of intoxicants, it stands to reason that the verse refers strictly to non intoxicating beverages extracted from dates and grapes which are delicious to drink and introduce a soothing - and not inebriating - effect in the system).
16 : 68
68. Waawha rabbuka ila alnnahli ani ittakhithee mina aljibali buyootan wamina alshshajari wamimma yaAArishoona
And your Lord inspired the bee, saying : 'Build your hive in mountains and on trees and underneath the thatched roofs;
16 : 69
69. Thumma kulee min kulli alththamarati faoslukee subula rabbiki thululan yakhruju min butooniha sharabun mukhtalifun alwanuhu feehi shifaon lilnnasi inna fee thalika laayatan liqawmin yatafakkaroona
'Then feed upon all kinds of fruits and follow the paths of your Lord made smooth for you to follow! There oozes from their bellies honey of many different colours which is an invigorating beverage for all mankind! Verily herein is a portent for people who introspect!
(Yet another miracle of Allah we come across in our day to day life without observing is the honey-bee, so fragile and weak in structure and yet covers incredible distances in its search for nectar, across the dense forests and distant mountains, without ever losing her way, from plant to plant, from fruit to fruit, from flower to flower, sucking their juice and storing it in her tiny belly to provide nourishment for her progeny. Though of various hues, depending on the colour of the blossoms from which the nectar was sucked, the honey which comes out of her small belly is so rich in taste, in essence, in quality and in nourishment that it is extensively used by people as an incomparable source of energy, and is capable of lasting for a long time without deteriorating in any way or loosing its inherent values nor its taste.
Is not the Lord who created the bee, taught her how to cover endless distances without going astray, gather as much nectar as it needs, preserve it in her belly, return only to the honeycomb to which it belongs, eject it in the combs she had built for the preservation of her species and share it with the others, - Is not the Lord who masterminds so many miracles, visible and invisible, known and unknown, in the heavens and on the earth, accessible and inaccessible, capable of bringing the dead back to life?
Is not the Lord who created this hand that holds the pen; these fingers that effortlessly fly away on the keyboard of the computer; this brain that conceives so many wonderful thoughts, boards them on the gentle vessels of words and then sets them afloat on the heaving ocean of self-expression, capable of restoring this hand once again, reviving the movement of these fingers and resuscitating and rejuvenating this mind?)
16 : 70
70. WaAllahu khalaqakum thumma yatawaffakum waminkum man yuraddu ila arthali alAAumuri likay la yaAAlama baAAda AAilmin shay-an inna Allaha AAaleemun qadeerun
Allah creates you and then causes you to die; but among you is he who is kept alive until he reaches a most unavailing stage of senility when even after having known all things he knows nothing! Verily Allah is Erudite and Omnipotent! (R)
(Death comes to people at different ages in accordance with the span of life ordained for them by Allah in the Book of Decrees. Some pregnancies are deliberately aborted before the foetus has taken shape; some end in miscarriage; some babies are still-born; some arrive hale and healthy until struck down by sickness or natural disasters; some reach the prime of their lives and go beyond it while some reach the unavailing age of senility and drag on until death relieves them of life.
When we reach our ripe years, the ravages of time begin to take their toll; we loose our good looks which were once our pride and joy; our system becomes prone to all sorts of infirmities; we loose our faculties; we gradually revert to the stage of infancy when we had no teeth, no balance in limbs, no recollection, no judgement, no control and no sense of right and wrong.
However, many interpreters state that when a believer reaches such a senior state of senility, he gradually dissociates himself from the rest of the world and concentrates on his Maker and on the life yet to begin, devoting much of his time solely in giving Him thanks, offering Him praises, seeking His lenity.
It is also said by Islamic clerics that a brain which absorbed the contents of the Qur'aan and preserved it in its memory cells is immune from falling prey to old age and never at risk of disintegrating. Even if it does not function in any other way, it carries on keeping alight the embers of his faith glowing under the ashes of time and keeps intact the link between himself and his Lord until the moment he breaths his last).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
66. And verily! In the cattle, there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between excretions and blood, pure milk; palatable to the drinkers.
67. And from the fruits of date-palms and grapes, you derive strong drink (this was before the order of the prohibition of the alcoholic drinks) and a goodly provision. Verily, therein is indeed a sign for people who have wisdom.
68. And your Lord inspired the bee, saying: "Take you habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect.
69. "Then, eat of all fruits, and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you)." There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour wherein is healing for men. Verily, in this is indeed a sign for people who think.
70. And Allâh has created you and then He will cause you to die, and of you there are some who are sent back to senility, so that they know nothing after having known (much). Truly! Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.
016.066
YUSUFALI: And verily
in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive sign. From what is within their
bodies between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and
agreeable to those who drink it.
PICKTHAL: And lo! in
the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in
their bellies, from betwixt the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the
drinkers.
SHAKIR: And most
surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle; We give you to drink of what is
in their bellies-- from betwixt the feces and the blood-- pure milk, easy and
agreeable to swallow for those who drink.
016.067
YUSUFALI: And from the
fruit of the date-palm and the vine, ye get out wholesome drink and food:
behold, in this also is a sign for those who are wise.
PICKTHAL: And of the
fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, whence ye derive strong drink and (also)
good nourishment. Lo! therein is indeed a portent for people who have sense.
SHAKIR: And of the
fruits of the palms and the grapes-- you obtain from them intoxication and
goodly provision; most surely there is a sign in this for a people who ponder.
016.068
YUSUFALI: And thy Lord
taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's)
habitations;
PICKTHAL: And thy Lord
inspired the bee, saying: Choose thou habitations in the hills and in the trees
and in that which they thatch;
SHAKIR: And your Lord
revealed to the bee saying: Make hives in the mountains and in the trees and in
what they build:
016.069
YUSUFALI: Then to eat
of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its
Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein
is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.
PICKTHAL: Then eat of
all fruits, and follow the ways of thy Lord, made smooth (for thee). There
cometh forth from their bellies a drink divers of hues, wherein is healing for
mankind. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for people who reflect.
SHAKIR: Then eat of
all the fruits and walk in the ways of your Lord submissively. There comes forth
from within it a beverage of many colours, in which there is healing for men;
most surely there is a sign in this for a people who reflect.
016.070
YUSUFALI: It is Allah
who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you there are some who are
sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much):
for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.
PICKTHAL: And Allah
createth you, then causeth you to die, and among you is he who is brought back
to the most abject stage of life, so that he knoweth nothing after (having had)
knowledge. Lo! Allah is Knower, Powerful.
SHAKIR: And Allah has
created you, then He causes you to die, and of you is he who is brought back to
the worst part of life, so that after having knowledge he does not know
anything; surely Allah is Knowing, Powerful.
16 : 71
71. WaAllahu faddala baAAdakum AAala baAAdin fee alrrizqi fama allatheena fuddiloo biraddee rizqihim AAala ma malakat aymanuhum fahum feehi sawaon afabiniAAmati Allahi yajhadoona
And Allah has favoured some of you over the others in provisions! But those who are favoured never share their provision with those whom their right hands posses, lest they become their equals in terms of wealth! Are they reluctant to share with them Allah's Grace?
(An extremely subtle way of pointing out the audacity of man in assigning partners to Allah! As we know, Allah did not create all men and women as equals; some are rich, some are poor; some are pretty, some are ugly; some rule and others are ruled; some make decisions while others only follow them; some are served and others merely serve them! Thus has Allah distributed His Grace between mankind in different measures by His own free will. Yet, those who have been given wealth never agree to share it with those whom their right hands possess lest they became their equals because the idea of their maids and bondsmen standing shoulder to shoulder with them is unacceptable to them; even though the wealth they possess was never theirs, to begin with, until it was given to them by Allah out of His Grace, they consider it a transgression Yet, they have no qualms about making His bondsmen His equals by granting them the status of His partners. The question asked is, if they are so reluctant to share Allah's Grace with their inferiors, how could they expect Allah to share His Glory and His Divinity with those who are unfit even to raise their heads before Him, let alone share His Power?)
16 : 72
72. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum min anfusikum azwajan wajaAAala lakum min azwajikum baneena wahafadatan warazaqakum mina alttayyibati afabialbatili yu/minoona wabiniAAmati Allahi hum yakfuroona
Allah has given you spouses from your own species and through them has given you sons and grandsons and has made provision of clean things for you! Is it then in falsehood that they believe and is it Allah's Grace that they refute?
(The falsehood in they believe being the bogus gods whom they worship, and the Grace of Allah which they refute being either the Blessed Prophet himself, or Allah's message he was trying to convey or the Qur'aan).
16 : 73
73. WayaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi ma la yamliku lahum rizqan mina alssamawati waal-ardi shay-an wala yastateeAAoona
And they worship instead of Allah those who cannot make provision for them either from the heavens or from earth, nor have they the power to do anything else besides!
16 : 74
74. Fala tadriboo lillahi al-amthala inna Allaha yaAAlamu waantum la taAAlamoona
So never venture to invent similitudes for Allah! Verily Allah knows whereas you do not!
16 : 75
75. Daraba Allahu mathalan AAabdan mamlookan la yaqdiru AAala shay-in waman razaqnahu minna rizqan hasanan fahuwa yunfiqu minhu sirran wajahran hal yastawoona alhamdu lillahi bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona
Allah (however) quotes a similitude for you : A slave who is owned by the others and has no control over anything, (as opposed to) a man on whom We have bestowed a goodly provision from Us, out of which he spends what he likes, openly and secretly, - could they ever be equal? Praise be to Allah! But most of them know this not!
16 : 76
76. Wadaraba Allahu mathalan rajulayni ahaduhuma abkamu la yaqdiru AAala shay-in wahuwa kallun AAala mawlahu aynama yuwajjihhu la ya/ti bikhayrin hal yastawee huwa waman ya/muru bialAAadli wahuwa AAala siratin mustaqeemin
And Allah quotes another similitude for you : two men; one of them a dunce, without the resourcefulness to do anything and is a burden on his owner; wherever he is sent by his master, he brings nothing good for him! Is he equal to him who enjoins justice and walks the path of righteousness? (R)
(The two similitudes quoted above are self-explanatory in the sense that they say milk is milk and water is water and hence the two can never be treated as same! In the first similitude, the comparison is between a slave whose status is next to none, whose options are limited, whose liberties are curtailed and whose will is non-existent, and a free man who is master of his choices, whose will is effective, whose decisions are binding and whose scope is unlimited. While the former is an embodiment of the impotent deities made of stone whom unenlightened people worship, the latter reflects the true God to Whom belongs the universe, Who is the Lord of the Worlds, the Owner of Praise and the Scribe of Destinies and is hence revered and worshipped by the enlightened.
In the second similitude, the comparison is between an imbecile who has no authority over anything, no control over anyone, no resourcefulness to fulfil his tasks, no ingenuity to please those whom he serves, nothing he does is right and therefore is a burden on his master; and on the other end of the spectrum is a resourceful man who is upright, just and righteous. Whereas the former implies a disbeliever who has proved himself unworthy of status in the eyes of his Creator, the latter reflects the qualities of a true believer who enjoins justice, performs righteous deeds, forbids wrong-doing and stands firm on the right path).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
71. And Allâh has preferred some of you above others in wealth and
properties. Then, those who are preferred will by no means hand over their
wealth and properties to those (slaves) whom their right hands possess, so that
they may be equal with them in respect thereof[]. Do they then
deny the Favour of Allâh?
72. And Allâh has made for you wives of your own kind, and has made for you, from your wives, sons and grandsons, and has bestowed on you good provision. Do they then believe in false deities and deny the Favour of Allâh (by not worshipping Allâh Alone).
73. And they worship others besides Allâh, such as do not and cannot own any provision for them from the heavens or the earth.
74. So put not forward similitudes for Allâh (as there is nothing similar to Him, nor He resembles anything). Truly! Allâh knows and you know not.
75. Allâh puts forward the example (of two men a believer and a disbeliever); a slave (disbeliever) under the possession of another, he has no power of any sort, and (the other), a man (believer) on whom We have bestowed a good provision from Us, and He spends thereof secretly and openly. Can they be equal? (By no means, not). All the praises and thanks be to Allâh. Nay! (But) most of them know not.
76. And Allâh puts forward (another) example of two men, one of them dumb, who has no power over anything (disbeliever), and he is a burden to his master, whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a man equal to one (believer in the Islâmic Monotheism) who commands justice, and is himself on a Straight Path?
016.071
YUSUFALI: Allah has
bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others:
those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their
right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the
favours of Allah?
PICKTHAL: And Allah
hath favoured some of you above others in provision. Now those who are more
favoured will by no means hand over their provision to those (slaves) whom their
right hands possess, so that they may be equal with them in respect thereof. Is
it then the grace of Allah that they deny?
SHAKIR: And Allah has
made some of you excel others in the means of subsistence, so those who are made
to excel do not give away their sustenance to those whom their right hands
possess so that they should be equal therein; is it then the favor of Allah
which they deny?
016.072
YUSUFALI: And Allah
has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you,
out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you
sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things, and be ungrateful
for Allah's favours?-
PICKTHAL: And Allah
hath given you wives of your own kind, and hath given you, from your wives, sons
and grandsons, and hath made provision of good things for you. Is it then in
vanity that they believe and in the grace of Allah that they disbelieve?
SHAKIR: And Allah has
made wives for you from among yourselves, and has given you sons and
grandchildren from your wives, and has given you of the good things; is it then
in the falsehood that they believe while it is in the favor of Allah that they
disbelieve?
016.073
YUSUFALI: And worship
others than Allah,- such as have no power of providing them, for sustenance,
with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such power?
PICKTHAL: And they
worship beside Allah that which owneth no provision whatsoever for them from the
heavens or the earth, nor have they (whom they worship) any power.
SHAKIR: And they serve
besides Allah that which does not control for them any sustenance at all from
the heavens and the earth, nor have they any power.
016.074
YUSUFALI: Invent not
similitudes for Allah: for Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
PICKTHAL: So coin not
similitudes for Allah. Lo! Allah knoweth; ye know not.
SHAKIR: Therefore do
not give likenesses to Allah; surely Allah knows and you do not know.
016.075
YUSUFALI: Allah sets
forth the Parable (of two men: one) a slave under the dominion of another; He
has no power of any sort; and (the other) a man on whom We have bestowed goodly
favours from Ourselves, and he spends thereof (freely), privately and publicly:
are the two equal? (By no means;) praise be to Allah. But most of them
understand not.
PICKTHAL: Allah
coineth a similitude: (on the one hand) a (mere) chattel slave, who hath control
of nothing, and (on the other hand) one on whom we have bestowed a fair
provision from Us, and he spendeth thereof secretly and openly. Are they equal?
Praise be to Allah! But most of them know not.
SHAKIR: Allah sets
forth a parable: (consider) a slave, the property of another, (who) has no power
over anything, and one whom We have granted from Ourselves a goodly sustenance
so he spends from it secretly and openly; are the two alike? (All) praise is due
to Allah! Nay, most of them do not know.
016.076
YUSUFALI: Allah sets
forth (another) Parable of two men: one of them dumb, with no power of any sort;
a wearisome burden is he to his master; whichever way be directs him, he brings
no good: is such a man equal with one who commands Justice, and is on a Straight
Way?
PICKTHAL: And Allah
coineth a similitude: Two men, one of them dumb, having control of nothing, and
he is a burden on his owner; whithersoever he directeth him to go, he bringeth
no good. Is he equal with one who enjoineth justice and followeth a straight
path (of conduct)?
SHAKIR: And Allah sets
forth a parable of two men; one of them is dumb, not able to do anything, and he
is a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings no good; can he be
held equal with him who enjoins what is just, and he (himself) is on the right
path?
16 : 77
77. Walillahi ghaybu alssamawati waal-ardi wama amru alssaAAati illa kalamhi albasari aw huwa aqrabu inna Allaha AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
And to Allah belong the mysteries of the heavens and the earth; and the issue of the Hour is but a flapping of an eyelid, - or even quicker, for verily Allah is able to do all things!
16 : 78
78. WaAllahu akhrajakum min butooni ommahatikum la taAAlamoona shay-an wajaAAala lakumu alssamAAa waal-absara waal-af-idata laAAallakum tashkuroona
And it is He Who has brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers whilst you were in a state of unawareness and then blessed you with ears and eyes and hearts so that you acknowledge gratitude to Him!
16 : 79
79. Alam yaraw ila alttayri musakhkharatin fee jawwi alssama-i ma yumsikuhunna illa Allahu inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yu/minoona
See they not the acquiescence of the birds under the sky? No one holds them up save Allah's command! Verily there are clear portents in this for those who believe!
16 : 80
80. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum min buyootikum sakanan wajaAAala lakum min juloodi al-anAAami buyootan tastakhiffoonaha yawma thaAAnikum wayawma iqamatikum wamin aswafiha waawbariha waashAAariha athathan wamataAAan ila heenin
And it is Allah Who has made your homes a place to repose in; and from the hides of cattle He has given you the tents that are lighter to carry in course of transit and are easier to pitch when you camp; and out of their wool and fur many household goods and other utilities appropriate for short-term use.
16 : 81
81. WaAllahu jaAAala lakum mimma khalaqa thilalan wajaAAala lakum mina aljibali aknanan wajaAAala lakum sarabeela taqeekumu alharra wasarabeela taqeekum ba/sakum kathalika yutimmu niAAmatahu AAalaykum laAAallakum tuslimoona
And it is Allah Who has given you, of the things which He created, shades to protect you from the sun; and has given you places of refuge on the mountains and has given you clothing to protect you from the heat; and has given you armour to protect you in battlefields! Thus He has bestowed upon you so many of His benefactions so that you revere His commandment.
(The portents of Allah's hegemony, His countless benefactions to mankind and the diversity of His marvels continue :
The marvel of birth, from conception to delivery : after remaining a prisoner inside the womb of the mother for nine months, cut off from the world outside and cuddled up in the imbroglios of the placenta, helplessly dependent upon devices provided by Allah for our very survival during this crucial period, we emerge into an unfamiliar world which has so many challenges to throw at us and then cope with them one by one by using the faculties bestowed on us by the Lord Who brought us into being; we roll our eyes to look around and soak in our strange surroundings; we use our nostrils to breath in the fresh air without which we cannot survive; we use our mouths and vocal chords to express ourselves, - the pain, the pleasure and the needs which a new life has given rise to, - and to consume nourishment for appeasing the pangs of hanger already raging inside us and quench the thirst which has built up in our throats; but above all, we put into full gear the amazing dynamism and unlimited prowess with which our brains come equipped, without waiting to be taught; without needing to be shown, without asking to be guided!
The sight of birds flying around in mid-air is another of the marvels of Allah we watch everyday without observing, how they glide on the span of their wings; how they soar into infinite heights defying the pressure of wind and laws of gravity; how they propel and navigate themselves using their God-given capabilities, how they use their wing power to cover the vast distances, to hunt for food and to grab their nourishment when they find it. It is a fascinating experience to watch the kingfisher glide on the span of his wings across the stream, spot the shoal of fish swimming in the water below, position himself first and then dive for the catch at the appropriate moment, hardly ever missing his target! Equally fascinating is to watch the eagle spread its wings, effortlessly travel from place to place, seemingly indifferent but the roving eye scanning vast stretches of grassland underneath it, in search of some sign that could give away the movements of a baby rabbit or the chic of a distracted finch!
How is this real life drama staged day in and day out? Who teaches the birds how to fly without dropping down; how far and how fast they can go; how to soar, how to glide, how to pounce; how to keep danger at bay; how to challenge and how to succeed? Who pulls the strings and makes their decisions for them? Who takes them from one end of the earth to another, for feeding and for breeding; who makes sure that each gets the morsel which is its due and from where? Are there not portents in all these miracles of the presence of a Supreme Power behind their perpetration? Are they not sufficient for those who shrug their shoulders and move on, to stop, to look around, concentrate, introspect, reflect, glean, think and to marvel at them, and at Him Whose hand can be seen behind every movement that goes on in the World?
Many other things besides these from which we enormously benefit and yet take them for granted are listed in verses 80 and 81, - simple amenities such as houses to rest in, be they mansions made of marble, or tents, igloos or wigwams, providing a roof above our heads because without them we fall easy prey to the hostile elements and succumb to them. Besides, the significance of a home in the lives of us humans is different from the nest of a bird, the den of a lion, the hive of the bee, the burrow of the rabbit, the lair of the fox, the mound of the ant and the hole of a mouse because, while in the animal world, the dwellings are simply the means to accomplish an end, mostly aimed at providing shelter, protection and breeding; in the human world, an additional dimension is appended to them, such as devotion, sanctity and pride. Many a life is known to have been lost in protecting and defending them because homes epitomize family life and bonds of human love with which we are bound, which is not at all the same as the nest of a sparrow or the burrow of a rabbit. Once its purpose is served, the sparrow and the rabbit move on from point 'a' to point 'b', whereas man treats his home as an invaluable asset with a much longer tenure and thinks in terms of passing it on to the next generation.
Besides these longer lasting homes in the midst of human habitations, there are other temporary shelters provided by Allah free for the traveller, such as naturally formed caves and tunnels in the perilous hills over which no one fights or falls, but are nonetheless crucial for our protection, as shelter or as refuge, against beasts or against elements, so that we are able to traverse the Lord's copious earth in pursuit of His multifarious benefactions, or to see with our own eyes that which He wants us to see and learn from.
No doubt, in the physical world, Allah has also provided man with other comforts such as warm clothing made from wool which comes from sheep to protect him against extremities of climate, and armour made of metal to protect him against ravages of battle-fields; in the metaphysical world, He has equipped him with raiment of virtue to guard his modesty from being ruptured, and an unpenetrable armour of his own conscience to protect him from the ravages of sinfulness and the lures laid out for him by the devil. He has given him the potential to examine and anticipate the consequences of his deeds; He has bestowed on him the judgement to differentiate right from wrong, to recognize truth from falsehood and choose between good and evil. He has taught him through His messages and His messengers how best to conduct himself; how to make his life an example for those who are following in his footsteps; how to avoid evil and endorse virtue and how to adhere to the righteous path which would lead him unharmed out of this world and place him on the threshold of the other!)
16 : 82
82. Fa-in tawallaw fa-innama AAalayka albalaghu almubeenu
Yet, if they turn away, then your duty (O Mohammed) is only to convey the message with clarity.
16 : 83
83. YaAArifoona niAAmata Allahi thumma yunkiroonaha waaktharuhumu alkafiroona
They recognize Allah's benefactions and yet they repudiate Him! Most of them are utterly ungrateful! (R)
(After receiving so much in return for so little that we can give back to our generous Lord, if man elects to repudiate Him and turn his face away from His generosity, then all that the Prophet needs do is to convey the message entrusted to him and let them take responsibility for their choices and face the consequences!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
77. And to Allâh belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. And the matter of the Hour is not but as a twinkling of the eye, or even nearer. Truly! Allâh is Able to do all things.
78. And Allâh has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might give thanks (to Allâh).
79. Do they not see the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them but Allâh [none gave them the ability to fly but Allâh]. Verily, in this are clear proofs and signs for people who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh).
80. And Allâh has made for you in your homes an abode, and made for you out of the hides of the cattle (tents for) dwelling, which you find so light (and handy) when you travel and when you stay (in your travels), and of their wool, fur, and hair (sheep wool, camel fur, and goat hair), a furnishing and articles of convenience (e.g. carpets, blankets, etc.), a comfort for a while.
81. And Allâh has made for you out of that which He has created shades, and has made for you places of refuge in the mountains, and has made for you garments to protect you from the heat (and cold), and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He perfect His Grace unto you, that you may submit yourselves to His Will (in Islâm).
82. Then, if they turn away, your duty (O Muhammad SAW) is only to convey (the Message) in a clear way.
83. They recognise the Grace of Allâh, yet they deny it (by worshipping others besides Allâh) and most of them are disbelievers (deny the Prophethood of Muhammad SAW).
016.077
YUSUFALI: To Allah
belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth. And the Decision of the Hour
(of Judgment) is as the twingkling of an eye, or even quicker: for Allah hath
power over all things.
PICKTHAL: And unto
Allah belongeth the Unseen of the heavens and the earth, and the matter of the
Hour (of Doom) is but as a twinkling of the eye, or it is nearer still. Lo!
Allah is Able to do all things.
SHAKIR: And Allah's is
the unseen of the heavens and the earth; and the matter of the hour is but as
the twinkling of an eye or it is higher still; surely Allah has power over all
things.
016.078
YUSUFALI: It is He Who
brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers when ye knew nothing; and He
gave you hearing and sight and intelligence and affections: that ye may give
thanks (to Allah).
PICKTHAL: And Allah
brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing, and gave you
hearing and sight and hearts that haply ye might give thanks.
SHAKIR: And Allah has
brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers-- you did not know anything--
and He gave you hearing and sight and hearts that you may give thanks.
016.079
YUSUFALI: Do they not
look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing
holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are signs for those who
believe.
PICKTHAL: Have they
not seen the birds obedient in mid-air? None holdeth them save Allah. Lo!
herein, verily, are portents for a people who believe.
SHAKIR: Do they not
see the birds, constrained in the middle of the sky? None withholds them but
Allah; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.
016.080
YUSUFALI: It is Allah
Who made your habitations homes of rest and quiet for you; and made for you, out
of the skins of animals, (tents for) dwellings, which ye find so light (and
handy) when ye travel and when ye stop (in your travels); and out of their wool,
and their soft fibres (between wool and hair), and their hair, rich stuff and
articles of convenience (to serve you) for a time.
PICKTHAL: And Allah
hath given you in your houses an abode, and hath given you (also), of the hides
of cattle, houses which ye find light (to carry) on the day of migration and on
the day of pitching camp; and of their wool and their fur and their hair,
caparison and comfort for a while.
SHAKIR: And Allah has
given you a place to abide in your houses, and He has given you tents of the
skins of cattle which you find light to carry on the day of your march and on
the day of your halting, and of their wool and their fur and their hair (He has
given you) household stuff and a provision for a time.
016.081
YUSUFALI: It is Allah
Who made out of the things He created, some things to give you shade; of the
hills He made some for your shelter; He made you garments to protect you from
heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He
complete His favours on you, that ye may bow to His Will (in Islam).
PICKTHAL: And Allah
hath given you, of that which He hath created, shelter from the sun; and hath
given you places of refuge in the mountains, and hath given you coats to ward
off the heat from you, and coats (of armour) to save you from your own
foolhardiness. Thus doth He perfect His favour unto you, in order that ye may
surrender (unto Him).
SHAKIR: And Allah has
made for you of what He has created shelters, and He has given you in the
mountains places of retreat, and He has given you garments to preserve you from
the heat and coats of mail to preserve you in your fighting; even thus does He
complete His favor upon you, that haply you may submit.
016.082
YUSUFALI: But if they
turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message.
PICKTHAL: Then, if
they turn away, thy duty (O Muhammad) is but plain conveyance (of the message).
SHAKIR: But if they
turn back, then on you devolves only the clear deliverance (of the message).
016.083
YUSUFALI: They
recognise the favours of Allah; then they deny them; and most of them are
(creatures) ungrateful.
PICKTHAL: They know
the favour of Allah and then deny it. Most of them are ingrates.
SHAKIR: They recognize
the favor of Allah, yet they deny it, and most of them are ungrateful.
16 : 84
84. Wayawma nabAAathu min kulli ommatin shaheedan thumma la yu/thanu lillatheena kafaroo wala hum yustaAAtaboona
On the Day when We raise a witness from every nation, the disbelievers will not be spared nor will they be appeased.
16 : 85
85. Wa-itha raa allatheena thalamoo alAAathaba fala yukhaffafu AAanhum wala hum yuntharoona
And when those who perpetrated evil deeds cast their eyes on their doom, it will neither be reduced nor will they be reprieved.
16 : 86
86. Wa-itha raa allatheena ashrakoo shurakaahum qaloo rabbana haola-i shurakaona allatheena kunna nadAAoo min doonika faalqaw ilayhimu alqawla innakum lakathiboona
And when those who ascribed partners to Allah cast their eyes upon those partners, they will say : 'Our Lord! These are the partners whom we used to worship instead of You!' but they will shout back at them saying : 'Verily you are but liars!'
16 : 87
87. Waalqaw ila Allahi yawma-ithin alssalama wadalla AAanhum ma kanoo yaftaroona
That Day would they turn to Allah with humility when the pretences to which they resorted flounder!
16 : 88
88. Allatheena kafaroo wasaddoo AAan sabeeli Allahi zidnahum AAathaban fawqa alAAathabi bima kanoo yufsidoona
For those who themselves disbelieve and then deflect others from the path of Allah, We shall add torment to torment in retaliation for the corruption they perpetrated!
16 : 89
89. Wayawma nabAAathu fee kulli ommatin shaheedan AAalayhim min anfusihim waji/na bika shaheedan AAala haola-i wanazzalna AAalayka alkitaba tibyanan likulli shay-in wahudan warahmatan wabushra lilmuslimeena
And on the Day when We raise a witness in every nation to testify against their own people, We shall bring you (O Mohammed) to bear witness against them! We reveal this Scripture to you with an explanation of all things combined and a Guidance and a blessing and glad tidings for those who believe! (R)
(Turning away from his Lord and disregarding his multifarious benefactions may well be a matter of man's choice, but there is a price to pay which is neither determined by him nor negotiated by him and is spelled out in verses 84 to 89 :
'And on the Day' - which is Judgement Day, - 'when We raise up a witness from every nation' - who are messengers sent to them with portents and guidelines, - those who repudiated them and ignored their warnings will not be spared, will not be allowed to 'plea bargain'; will not be reprieved, will not be conceded even an iota of clemency. Their hands will be tied; their mouths will be gagged; their eyes will be sunk in oblivion and their hearts covered in wraps! When they turn to the false deities whom they worshipped instead of Allah, they will deny them, discredit them, ignore them and refuse to accept that there was any sort of a contact or understanding between them! Only then will they turn to Allah with humility, having realized that their pretences failed. But for those who went astray as well as sent others astray by their utter ignorance, their castigation will be doubled, one for straying away and one for causing others to stray away!
On the Day of Resurrection, not only will Allah raise a witness from every nation, He will also bring the Last of His Prophets as a 'witness for the witnesses' and for the nations against whom they bear witness.
This very special accolade will be bestowed on our Prophet because, having been the last to be sent, he is the only Prophet who knows about those who were sent before him; and the Scripture revealed to him is the only Scripture which confirms both the Scriptures revealed before it.
Apart from felicitations conferred on the Prophet, the verse also eulogizes the Qur'aan with special commendations that it draws the bottom line on all spiritual and moral knowledge; that beyond the knowledge offered by the Qur'aan, there is no more knowledge outstanding because the Qur'aan is not only about the past and the present but also about the future; it deals not only with rewards and punishments in the life of this world but also of the other world; it is not only about the Torah and the Gospel but also about the outcome for those who received and abused them; it is not only about the proscription of idols and condemnation of their worshippers but also about the Glorification of Allah and the emancipation of those who worship Him; it is not only about the journey of the human soul in the terrestrial domain but also beyond the spiritual perimeters; it is not only about surrendering to the Will of their Lord by human beings but also about the tacit subjugation to His hegemony of beasts in the wild, of galaxies in space, of elements, of the sun, the moon, the clouds, the thunderbolts, the rain, the plants, the mountains and of every aspect of Creation!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
84. And (remember) the Day when We shall raise up from each nation a witness (their Messenger), then, those who have disbelieved will not be given leave (to put forward excuses), nor will they be allowed (to return to the world) to repent and ask for Allâh's Forgiveness (of their sins, etc.).
85. And when those who did wrong (the disbelievers) will see the torment, then it will not be lightened unto them, nor will they be given respite.
86. And when those who associated partners with Allâh see their (Allâh's so-called) partners, they will say: "Our Lord! These are our partners whom we used to invoke besides you." But they will throw back their word at them (and say): "Surely! You indeed are liars!"
87. And they will offer (their full) submission to Allâh (Alone) on that Day, and their invented false deities [all that they used to invoke besides Allâh, e.g. idols, saints, priests, monks, angels, jinns, Jibrael (Gabriel), Messengers, etc.] will vanish from them.
88. Those who disbelieved and hinder (men) from the Path of Allâh, for them We will add torment over the torment; because they used to spread corruption [by disobeying Allâh themselves, as well as ordering others (mankind) to do so].
89. And (remember) the Day when We shall raise up from every nation a witness against them from amongst themselves. And We shall bring you (O Muhammad SAW) as a witness against these. And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur'an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allâh as Muslims).
016.084
YUSUFALI: One Day We
shall raise from all Peoples a Witness: then will no excuse be accepted from
Unbelievers, nor will they receive any favours.
PICKTHAL: And (bethink
you of) the day when we raise up of every nation a witness, then there is no
leave for disbelievers, nor are they allowed to make amends.
SHAKIR: And on the day
when We will raise up a witness out of every nation, then shall no permission be
given to those who disbelieve, nor shall they be made to solicit favor.
016.085
YUSUFALI: When the
wrong-doers (actually) see the Penalty, then will it in no way be mitigated, nor
will they then receive respite.
PICKTHAL: And when
those who did wrong behold the doom, it will not be made light for them, nor
will they be reprieved.
SHAKIR: And when those
who are unjust shall see the chastisement, it shall not be lightened for them,
nor shall they be respited. .
016.086
YUSUFALI: When those
who gave partners to Allah will see their "partners", they will say: "Our Lord!
these are our 'partners,' those whom we used to invoke besides Thee." But they
will throw back their word at them (and say): "Indeed ye are liars!"
PICKTHAL: And when
those who ascribed partners to Allah behold those partners of theirs, they will
say: Our Lord! these are our partners unto whom we used to cry instead of Thee.
But they will fling to them the saying: Lo! ye verily are liars!
SHAKIR: And when those
who associate (others with Allah) shall see their associate-gods, they shall
say: Our Lord, these are our associate-gods on whom we called besides Thee. But
they will give them back the reply: Most surely you are liars.
016.087
YUSUFALI: That Day
shall they (openly) show (their) submission to Allah; and all their inventions
shall leave them in the lurch.
PICKTHAL: And they
proffer unto Allah submission on that day, and all that they used to invent hath
failed them.
SHAKIR: And they shall
tender submission to Allah on that day; and what they used to forge shall depart
from them.
016.088
YUSUFALI: Those who
reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah - for them will We add
Penalty to Penalty; for that they used to spread mischief.
PICKTHAL: For those
who disbelieve and debar (men) from the way of Allah, We add doom to doom
because they wrought corruption,
SHAKIR: (As for) those
who disbelieve and turn away from Allah's way, We will add chastisement to their
chastisement because they made mischief.
016.089
YUSUFALI: One day We
shall raise from all Peoples a witness against them, from amongst themselves:
and We shall bring thee as a witness against these (thy people): and We have
sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad
Tidings to Muslims.
PICKTHAL: And (bethink
you of) the day when We raise in every nation a witness against them of their
own folk, and We bring thee (Muhammad) as a witness against these. And We reveal
the Scripture unto thee as an exposition of all things, and a guidance and a
mercy and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah).
SHAKIR: And on the day
when We will raise up in every people a witness against them from among
themselves, and bring you as a witness against these-- and We have revealed the
Book to you explaining clearly everything, and a guidance and mercy and good
news for those who submit.
16 : 90
90. Inna Allaha ya/muru bialAAadli waal-ihsani wa-eeta-i thee alqurba wayanha AAani alfahsha-i waalmunkari waalbaghyi yaAAithukum laAAallakum tathakkaroona
Allah enjoins justice and kindness and generosity towards your consanguines and forbids indecency and wickedness and oppression. He admonishes you so that you may pay heed!
(The above verse reasserts the Code of Conduct prescribed by the Qur'aan for those who read it with concentration and follow it with dedication. Its significance cannot be stressed enough on account of which Islamic sermons are required to include it as an epilogue.
When it was revealed, it had such a profound impact on people that it resulted in the conversion to Islam of many prominent names.
Because of its propitious content, the verse has received close attention from several Islamic scholars and clerics and a variety of interpretations have emerged.
According to some, justice is an acknowledgement that there is no God except Allah and kindness is discharging in full our moral and spiritual obligations; or, justice is proscription of idolatry and kindness is worship of Allah; or, justice is Oneness of Allah and kindness is universal affection towards all Muslim brethren who worship Him; kindness is also defined by some as seeking for the others what we seek for ourselves, - for the believer the benedictions of his faith and for the disbeliever an inclination to pursue faith.
There are other scholars who contend in their interpretation of this verse that justice requires striking an accurate balance between the outward and the inward whereas kindness is making the inward far better than the outward.
There is also another body of opinion which states that, in this verse, Allah has enjoined three virtues and forbidden three corresponding evils : He enjoined justice which implies the execution of fairness and equality, and forbade debauchery which implies execution of salacious behaviour; He enjoined kindness which implies forgiving even those who harmed us and repaying evil with good, and forbade wickedness which is repudiation of favours after having received them; He enjoined 'generosity towards consanguines which implies sharing with them our affection, our attention and our wealth, and He forbade oppression which is being vainglorious and trifling with the rights of others.
Some commentators say, and rightly so, that this verse embodies everything evil and everything virtuous in its fold because of which even the sworn enemies of Islam like Abu Jehl were impressed by its magnitude and applauded it).
16 : 91
91. Waawfoo biAAahdi Allahi itha AAahadtum wala tanqudoo al-aymana baAAda tawkeediha waqad jaAAaltumu Allaha AAalaykum kafeelan inna Allaha yaAAlamu ma tafAAaloona
Fulfil your covenant with Allah when you have made one and break not your oaths after their ratification and after having nominated Allah to be your guarantor! Verily Allah is aware of all your deeds!
(The above verse was revealed with reference to the oath of allegiance to the Prophet taken at al-Aqaba fourteen months prior to his emigration to Madina and subsequently reasserted, but it also contains a much wider implication underpinning the importance of keeping our covenants after having ratified them, whether those we made with Allah or those we made with one another, with a special emphasis on oaths over which we have spoken the name of Allah and called upon Him to bear witness to them.
Man being born with a gregarious instinct built into his ethos by nature, he is unable to survive on his own and hence resorts to living in groups, often brought together by common links, such as linguistic, religious, ancestral or racial. In doing so, he agrees to abide by certain rules of co-existence, which form the basis of our Social Contracts and have found their way into the political philosophies of many early thinkers such as Aristotle and Socrates. When we marry, we enter into a covenant with our partners, enshrined in our conjugal vows; when we bring forth children, we commit ourselves to their care and their upbringing; when we move into any neighbourhood, we agree to live alongside our neighbours without interfering with their lives; when we seek employment, we agree to serve our employer with loyalty and honesty; in fact, whatever it is that we do to thrive in a society, in a country, and in the international community which has evolved in the modern era, we agree to abide by certain stipulations which are crucial to our unhampered growth and development.
The Qur'aan, therefore, lays a strong emphasis on honouring our pledges, keeping our pacts and standing firm by our commitments, without which social depredation takes over and drowns our lives in the chaos of anarchy. As Muslims and as readers of the Qur'aan, it is incumbent on us to render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, and unto God that which belongs to God , without bias and discrimination!)
16 : 92
92. Wala takoonoo kaallatee naqadat ghazlaha min baAAdi quwwatin ankathan tattakhithoona aymanakum dakhalan baynakum an takoona ommatun hiya arba min ommatin innama yablookumu Allahu bihi walayubayyinanna lakum yawma alqiyamati ma kuntum feehi takhtalifoona
And be not like the woman who breaks her thread into shreds after she has made it strong, by treating your oaths as an excuse to shift your loyalties from one nation to another because of their numbers. Allah tests you with your oaths and He will surely enlighten you on the Day of Resurrection about that over which you used to differ!
(The woman mentioned here was a demented resident of Mecca with a reputation for spending half her day, - aided by her maids - in spinning her yarn, and then spending the other half of her day shredding it into pieces!
The tribe of Quraish used to trifle with their pledges by withdrawing their affiliations from any community which lost its puissance, in favour of others who emerged as stronger, in order to exploit their strength for their own advantage. The verse positively reviles such a nefarious practice and admonishes the believers to respect the sanctity of their pacts of honour, regardless of the strength or the weakness of the parties involved).
16 : 93
93. Walaw shaa Allahu lajaAAalakum ommatan wahidatan walakin yudillu man yashao wayahdee man yashao walatus-alunna AAamma kuntum taAAmaloona
Had Allah so willed, He would have made you one nation, but He sends astray whom He will and gives guidance to whom He will, and you will surely be asked to answer for your actions!
16 : 94
94. Wala tattakhithoo aymanakum dakhalan baynakum fatazilla qadamun baAAda thubootiha watathooqoo alssoo-a bima sadadtum AAan sabeeli Allahi walakum AAathabun AAatheemun
Render not your oaths perfidious between yourselves lest a foot that has taken a firm hold should falter and you are made to taste the evil outcome of hindering men from the path of Allah and are subjected to an awesome castigation!
(Having established the importance of adhering to the pacts we make and of standing by the promises we give, the consequences of not doing so are spelled out in the above verse that, if those with whom we enter into a pact and then break it are forced into relinquishment of their faith, not only do we have to pay the penalty of betrayal, but we will also be held to account for the capitulation of those whom we betrayed).
16 : 95
95. Wala tashtaroo biAAahdi Allahi thamanan qaleelan innama AAinda Allahi huwa khayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoona
And trade not the covenant of Allah in return for a paltry gain! Whatever Allah has for you is better, if you but knew!
16 : 96
96. Ma AAindakum yanfadu wama AAinda Allahi baqin walanajziyanna allatheena sabaroo ajrahum bi-ahsani ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Whilst that which you have with you is short-lived, that which Allah has for you will last forever! And We will surely repay the steadfast for every righteous deed they perform with a reward that is commensurate with the best of their deeds!
16 : 97
97. Man AAamila salihan min thakarin aw ontha wahuwa mu/minun falanuhyiyannahu hayatan tayyibatan walanajziyannahum ajrahum bi-ahsani ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
Those who perform righteous deeds, men or women, and are believers, We will bless them with a pious life and repay them for every seemly deed they performed with a reward that is commensurate with the best of their deeds.
(The above two verses reflect the extent of Allah's generosity to man that He has bound Himself with a solemn promise to reward him for the least of his virtuous deeds in par with the best of his performance, provided he believes in Him and resigns himself to His will.
An interesting observation has been made in this context by learned men that believers are always blessed with a pious life because even if they are encountering penury and financial hardship they lead a life of contentment and gratitude which gives them a sense of satisfaction not found by those pampered with luxuries. This is because the believer knows his livelihood comes from Allah alone and must therefore be salubrious; he knows that whatever he receives from his Lord is no less than what he deserves, so his heart is always free of greed, unlike the affluent disbeliever who is never satisfied with what he has and craves for more, making himself miserable either from greed or out of envy).
16 : 98
98. Fa-itha qara/ta alqur-ana faistaAAith biAllahi mina alshshaytani alrrajeemi
When you recite the Qur'aan, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the renegade!
16 : 99
99. Innahu laysa lahu sultanun AAala allatheena amanoo waAAala rabbihim yatawakkaloona
He has no hegemony over those who believe and who put their trust in their Lord!
16 : 100
100. Innama sultanuhu AAala allatheena yatawallawnahu waallatheena hum bihi mushrikoona
His hegemony is only over those who consort with him and over those who ascribe partners to (Allah)! (R)
(Whenever we sit down to recite the Qur'aan, or prepare to offer Salaat, or submit a plea of clemency before our Lord, or address Him or invoke His help, it is important that we begin it by seeking refuge in Allah against the ruse of the devil who is always lying in wait to pounce upon his prey without batting an eyelid. This is yet another promise with which Allah has bound Himself that He will protect those who seek His protection against the fallen angel and keep them out of harm's way, - a topic covered at length in Surah 1, - Al-FATIHA).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
90. Verily, Allâh enjoins Al-Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet SAW in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin[] (i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahshâ' (i.e all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e all that is prohibited by Islâmic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed.
91. And fulfill the Covenant of Allâh (Bai'a: pledge for Islâm) when you have covenanted, and break not the oaths after you have confirmed them, and indeed you have appointed Allâh your surety. Verily! Allâh knows what you do.
92. And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun after it has become strong, by taking your oaths a means of deception among yourselves, lest a nation may be more numerous than another nation. Allâh only tests you by this [i.e who obeys Allâh and fulfills Allâh's Covenant and who disobeys Allâh and breaks Allâh's Covenant]. And on the Day of Resurrection, He will certainly make clear to you that wherein you used to differ [i.e. a believer confesses and believes in the Oneness of Allâh and in the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad SAW which the disbeliever denies it and that was their difference amongst them in the life of this world][].
93. And had Allâh willed, He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sends astray whom He wills and guides whom He wills. But you shall certainly be called to account for what you used to do.
94. And make not your oaths, a means of deception among yourselves, lest a foot may slip after being firmly planted, and you may have to taste the evil (punishment in this world) of having hindered (men) from the Path of Allâh (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger, Muhammad SAW), and yours will be a great torment (i.e. the Fire of Hell in the Hereafter).
95. And purchase not a small gain at the cost of Allâh's Covenant. Verily! What is with Allâh is better for you if you did but know.
96. Whatever is with you, will be exhausted, and whatever with Allâh (of good deeds) will remain. And those who are patient, We will certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do[].
97. Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).
98. So when you want to recite the Qur'ân, seek refuge with Allâh from Shaitân (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).
99. Verily! He has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allâh).
100. His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allâh) [i.e. those who are Mushrikûn - polytheists - see Verse 6:121].
016.090
YUSUFALI: Allah
commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He
forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that
ye may receive admonition.
PICKTHAL: Lo! Allah
enjoineth justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddeth lewdness
and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.
SHAKIR: Surely Allah
enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good (to others) and the giving to
the kindred, and He forbids indecency and evil and rebellion; He admonishes you
that you may be mindful.
016.091
YUSUFALI: Fulfil the
Covenant of Allah when ye have entered into it, and break not your oaths after
ye have confirmed them; indeed ye have made Allah your surety; for Allah knoweth
all that ye do.
PICKTHAL: Fulfil the
covenant of Allah when ye have covenanted, and break not your oaths after the
asseveration of them, and after ye have made Allah surety over you. Lo! Allah
knoweth what ye do.
SHAKIR: And fulfill
the covenant of Allah when you have made a covenant, and do not break the oaths
after making them fast, and you have indeed made Allah a surety for you; surely
Allah I . knows what you do.
016.092
YUSUFALI: And be not
like a woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which she has spun,
after it has become strong. Nor take your oaths to practise deception between
yourselves, lest one party should be more numerous than another: for Allah will
test you by this; and on the Day of Judgment He will certainly make clear to you
(the truth of) that wherein ye disagree.
PICKTHAL: And be not
like unto her who unravelleth the thread, after she hath made it strong, to thin
filaments, making your oaths a deceit between you because of a nation being more
numerous than (another) nation. Allah only trieth you thereby, and He verily
will explain to you on the Day of Resurrection that wherein ye differed.
SHAKIR: And be not
like her who unravels her yarn, disintegrating it into pieces after she has spun
it strongly. You make your oaths to be means of deceit between you because (one)
nation is more numerous than (another) nation. Allah only tries you by this; and
He will most certainly make clear to you on the resurrection day that about
which you differed.
016.093
YUSUFALI: If Allah so
willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He
pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to
account for all your actions.
PICKTHAL: Had Allah
willed He could have made you (all) one nation, but He sendeth whom He will
astray and guideth whom He will, and ye will indeed be asked of what ye used to
do.
SHAKIR: And if Allah
please He would certainly make you a single nation, but He causes to err whom He
pleases and guides whom He pleases; and most certainly you will be questioned as
to what you did.
016.094
YUSUFALI: And take not
your oaths, to practise deception between yourselves, with the result that
someone's foot may slip after it was firmly planted, and ye may have to taste
the evil (consequences) of having hindered (men) from the Path of Allah, and a
Mighty Wrath descend on you.
PICKTHAL: Make not
your oaths a deceit between you, lest a foot should slip after being firmly
planted and ye should taste evil forasmuch as ye debarred (men) from the way of
Allah, and yours should be an awful doom.
SHAKIR: And do not
make your oaths a means of deceit between you, lest a foot should slip after its
stability and you should taste evil because you turned away from Allah's way and
grievous punishment be your (lot).
016.095
YUSUFALI: Nor sell the
covenant of Allah for a miserable price: for with Allah is (a prize) far better
for you, if ye only knew.
PICKTHAL: And purchase
not a small gain at the price of Allah's covenant. Lo! that which Allah hath is
better for you, if ye did but know.
SHAKIR: And do not
take a small price in exchange for Allah's covenant; surely what is with Allah
is better for you, did you but know.
016.096
YUSUFALI: What is with
you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure. And We will certainly bestow,
on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their
actions.
PICKTHAL: That which
ye have wasteth away, and that which Allah hath remaineth. And verily We shall
pay those who are steadfast a recompense in proportion to the best of what they
used to do.
SHAKIR: What is with
you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring; and We will most certainly
give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what they did.
016.097
YUSUFALI: Whoever
works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a
new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward
according to the best of their actions.
PICKTHAL: Whosoever
doeth right, whether male or female, and is a believer, him verily we shall
quicken with good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the
best of what they used to do.
SHAKIR: Whoever does
good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make
him live a happy life, and We will most certainly give them their reward for the
best of what they did.
016.098
YUSUFALI: When thou
dost read the Qur'an, seek Allah's protection from Satan the rejected one.
PICKTHAL: And when
thou recitest the Qur'an, seek refuge in Allah from Satan the outcast.
SHAKIR: So when you
recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaitan,
016.099
YUSUFALI: No authority
has he over those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
PICKTHAL: Lo! he hath
no power over those who believe and put trust in their Lord.
SHAKIR: Surely he has
no authority over those who believe and rely on their Lord.
016.100
YUSUFALI: His
authority is over those only, who take him as patron and who join partners with
Allah.
PICKTHAL: His power is
only over those who make a friend of him, and those who ascribe partners unto
Him (Allah).
SHAKIR: His authority
is only over those who befriend him and those who associate others with Him.
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed in response to allegations of inconsistencies and improvisation levelled against the Prophet by the idolaters when an existing edict was either revised or altered or superseded (by Allah's command).
16 : 101
101. Wa-itha baddalna ayatan makana ayatin waAllahu aAAlamu bima yunazzilu qaloo innama anta muftarin bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona
Whenever We replace one revelation by another revelation - and Allah knows best what He reveals - the disbelievers say : 'You are making this all up by yourself!' - though most of them know not!
16 : 102
102. Qul nazzalahu roohu alqudusi min rabbika bialhaqqi liyuthabbita allatheena amanoo wahudan wabushra lilmuslimeena
Say : 'The Holy Spirit has revealed this by the command of your Lord with absolute veracity so that the faith of those who believe is consolidated, and as a guidance and good tidings for those who surrendered to Allah!
16 : 103
103. Walaqad naAAlamu annahum yaqooloona innama yuAAallimuhu basharun lisanu allathee yulhidoona ilayhi aAAjamiyyun wahatha lisanun AAarabiyyun mubeenun
We know it very well that they say : 'There is a man who teaches him!' The man to whom they allude has a foreign diction while this is in unmistakable Arabic!
16 : 104
104. Inna allatheena la yu/minoona bi-ayati Allahi la yahdeehimu Allahu walahum AAathabun aleemun
Allah will not guide those who disbelieve in Allah's revelations: and for them awaits an opprobrious retribution!
16 : 105
105. Innama yaftaree alkathiba allatheena la yu/minoona bi-ayati Allahi waola-ika humu alkathiboona
Only those who do not believe in the revelations of Allah venture to assign lies! They are blatant liars.
(In their persistent efforts to discredit the Qur'aan and to denigrate the Prophet, the idolaters and the disbelievers of Mecca used to come up with all sorts of false accusations and groundless imputations against him, sometimes saying that he was fickle minded because he keeps changing the verses too often; or that he is merely wrapping up old legends in new garbs and cheating his followers; or that he is repeating the content of existing Scriptures and claiming that they are Divine revelations inspired in him by Allah; or that he was possessed by their idols angered by his desecration; or, in the final analysis, he was being dictated the verses by a man in league with him, both of them aiming to exploit the ignorant few who were falling a prey to their chicanery.
But their opposition and tactics failed to stop the tide of devotion stirred up by the word of Allah conveyed through the medium of the unique, effective, stimulating and overwhelming content of a Book the like of which no one who read it had come across ever before. It carried on winning the hearts and minds of its readers, influencing the judgement of the best of pedagogues and scholars, imparting the same knowledge to the meekest as well as the mightiest, making its mark upon the masses as well as the elite to the same extent. The imputations levelled against the Prophet gradually muffled as the forward march of Islam reached its peak and the very enemies who had once sworn to halt its progress picked up its pennon and marched alongside the rest.
The man from a neighbouring land at whom the disbelievers pointed his fingers as the 'brain' behind the 'hoax' was a slave who himself became so intensely affected by the content of the Qur'aan and the quality of its presentation that he embraced Islam in the presence of those who spread the rumours and put them to an end at once.
The verse makes clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Qur'aan, revealed in pure Arabic language and admired by all Arabic linguists and Scholars regardless of their religious persuasions, could not possibly have come from the mouth of a man whose diction and accent were both foreign to Arabia as a whole).
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when a devout believer was forced into apostasy by the agnostics who slew his entire family in front of his own eyes and threatened him with decapitation. Being old and infirm, he gave in to pressure and renounced Islam, but re-embraced it after the danger passed away.
16 : 106
106. Man kafara biAllahi min baAAdi eemanihi illa man okriha waqalbuhu mutma-innun bial-eemani walakin man sharaha bialkufri sadran faAAalayhim ghadabun mina Allahi walahum AAathabun AAatheemun
Those who disbelieve in Allah after becoming believers, - save he who is forced into apostasy even though his heart is firmly committed to his faith, - as well as those who willingly court agnosticism, on them is Allah's wrath and a severe retribution awaits them.
16 : 107
107. Thalika bi-annahumu istahabboo alhayata alddunya AAala al-akhirati waanna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alkafireena
This is because they cherish the life of this world more than the Hereafter and also because Allah does not guide the disbelievers.
16 : 108
108. Ola-ika allatheena tabaAAa Allahu AAala quloobihim wasamAAihim waabsarihim waola-ika humu alghafiloona
These are the people on whose hearts and ears and eyes Allah has put a seal and they shall thus remain plunged forever in oblivion!
16 : 109
109. La jarama annahum fee al-akhirati humu alkhasiroona
Assuredly they will be empty-handed in the Hereafter!
16 : 110
110. Thumma inna rabbaka lillatheena hajaroo min baAAdi ma futinoo thumma jahadoo wasabaroo inna rabbaka min baAAdiha laghafoorun raheemun
Verily your Lord, - for those who emigrated because of persecution and then strove and yet remained steadfast, - towards them your Lord will always be Magnanimous and Merciful! (R)
(The person referred to in verse 106 was Ammaar ibn Yasir, whose father Yasir and mother Sumayya were tortured to death by a savage bunch of idolaters and he too was subjected to the same treatment until his resistance broke down and he succumbed.
It should, however, be noted that the special dispensation granted to him through this verse does not have a universal application. Persecution against religious beliefs is an ongoing issue which has been inflicted on many generations in the past and still goes on in some part of the world or the other, - notably the atrocities committed against Muslims in Kosovo under the vulgar caption of 'ethnic cleansing' by the brutal regime in Yugoslavia headed by Milosovic.
May Allah help those who fall a prey to religious fanatics and are either persecuted or tortured; may His angels rush to their assistance; may their faith turn into an unpenetrable shield and protect them; may their courage stand them in good stead; may their bodies and mind muster enough strength to withstand their ordeals and may their belief in the benevolence of Allah stop them from taking the last step first. Amin!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
101. And when We change a Verse [of the Qur'ân, i.e. cancel (abrogate) its order] in place of another, and Allâh knows the best of what He sends down, they (the disbelievers) say: "You (O Muhammad SAW) are but a Muftari! (forger, liar)." Nay, but most of them know not.
102. Say (O Muhammad SAW) Ruh-ul-Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] has brought it (the Qur'an) down from your Lord with truth, that it may make firm and strengthen (the Faith of) those who believe and as a guidance and glad tidings to those who have submitted (to Allâh as Muslims).
103. And indeed We know that they (polytheists and pagans) say: "It is only a human being who teaches him (Muhammad SAW)." The tongue of the man they refer to is foreign, while this (the Qur'ân) is a clear Arabic tongue.
104. Verily! Those who believe not in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, Allâh will not guide them and theirs will be a painful torment.
105. It is only those who believe not in the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars.
106. Whoever disbelieved in Allâh after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allâh, and theirs will be a great torment.
107. That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter. And Allâh guides not the people who disbelieve.
108. They are those upon whose hearts, hearing (ears) and sight (eyes) Allâh has set a seal. And they are the heedless!
109. No doubt, in the Hereafter, they will be the losers.
110. Then, verily! Your Lord for those who emigrated after they had been put to trials and thereafter strove hard and fought (for the Cause of Allâh) and were patient, verily, your Lord afterward is, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
016.101
YUSUFALI: When We
substitute one revelation for another,- and Allah knows best what He reveals (in
stages),- they say, "Thou art but a forger": but most of them understand not.
PICKTHAL: And when We
put a revelation in place of (another) revelation, - and Allah knoweth best what
He revealeth - they say: Lo! thou art but inventing. Most of them know not.
SHAKIR: And when We
change (one) communication for (another) communication, and Allah knows best
what He reveals, they say: You are only a forger. Nay, most of them do not know.
016.102
YUSUFALI: Say, the
Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to
strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
PICKTHAL: Say: The
holy Spirit hath delivered it from thy Lord with truth, that it may confirm (the
faith of) those who believe, and as guidance and good tidings for those who have
surrendered (to Allah).
SHAKIR: Say: The Holy
spirit has revealed it from your Lord with the truth, that it may establish
those who believe and as a guidance and good news for those who submit.
016.103
YUSUFALI: We know
indeed that they say, "It is a man that teaches him." The tongue of him they
wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear.
PICKTHAL: And We know
well that they say: Only a man teacheth him. The speech of him at whom they
falsely hint is outlandish, and this is clear Arabic speech.
SHAKIR: And certainly
We know that they say: Only a mortal teaches him. The tongue of him whom they
reproach is barbarous, and this is clear Arabic tongue.
016.104
YUSUFALI: Those who
believe not in the Signs of Allah,- Allah will not guide them, and theirs will
be a grievous Penalty.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those
who disbelieve the revelations of Allah, Allah guideth them not and theirs will
be a painful doom.
SHAKIR: (As for) those
who do not believe in Allah's communications, surely Allah will not guide them,
and they shall have a painful punishment.
016.105
YUSUFALI: It is those
who believe not in the Signs of Allah, that forge falsehood: it is they who lie!
PICKTHAL: Only they
invent falsehood who believe not Allah's revelations, and (only) they are the
liars.
SHAKIR: Only they
forge the lie who do not believe in Allah's communications, and these are the
liars.
016.106
YUSUFALI: Any one who,
after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his
heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on
them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.
PICKTHAL: Whoso
disbelieveth in Allah after his belief - save him who is forced thereto and
whose heart is still content with the Faith - but whoso findeth ease in
disbelief: On them is wrath from Allah. Theirs will be an awful doom.
SHAKIR: He who
disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while
his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens (his) breast to
disbelief-- on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous
chastisement.
016.107
YUSUFALI: This because
they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter: and Allah will not
guide those who reject Faith.
PICKTHAL: That is
because they have chosen the life of the world rather than the Hereafter, and
because Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.
SHAKIR: This is
because they love this world's life more than the hereafter, and because Allah
does not guide the unbelieving people.
016.108
YUSUFALI: Those are
they whose hearts, ears, and eyes Allah has sealed up, and they take no heed.
PICKTHAL: Such are
they whose hearts and ears and eyes Allah hath sealed. And such are the
heedless.
SHAKIR: These are they
on whose hearts and their hearing and their eyes Allah has set a seal, and these
are the heedless ones.
016.109
YUSUFALI: Without
doubt, in the Hereafter they will perish.
PICKTHAL: Assuredly in
the Hereafter they are the losers.
SHAKIR: No doubt that
in the hereafter they will be the losers.
016.110
YUSUFALI: But verily
thy Lord,- to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions,- and
who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere,- Thy
Lord, after all this is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Then lo! thy
Lord - for those who became fugitives after they had been persecuted, and then
fought and were steadfast - lo! thy Lord afterward is (for them) indeed
Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: Yet surely
your Lord, with respect to those who fly after they are persecuted, then they
struggle hard and are patient, most surely your Lord after that is Forgiving,
Merciful.
16 : 111
111. Yawma ta/tee kullu nafsin tujadilu AAan nafsiha watuwaffa kullu nafsin ma AAamilat wahum la yuthlamoona
On the Day when every soul will come pleading for itself, every soul will be requited in full for its deeds and no one will be wronged!
(In a famous interpretation of this verse, it is said that on the Day of Resurrection a tussle would break out between the body and the soul; the soul would plead : 'O Lord! I neither had eyes to see with, nor hands to hold with nor feet to walk with'; the body would plead : 'O Lord! I was like a log with no hands to hold with nor eyes to see with nor feet to walk with until this soul entered into me like a flame after which my hands found the strength to grab and my feet found the strength to run and my eyes found the ability to see! So it is the soul which is to be blamed and not me!').
16 : 112
112. Wadaraba Allahu mathalan qaryatan kanat aminatan mutma-innatan ya/teeha rizquha raghadan min kulli makanin fakafarat bi-anAAumi Allahi faathaqaha Allahu libasa aljooAAi waalkhawfi bima kanoo yasnaAAoona
Allah quotes the example of a township that was enjoying peace and contentment, its affluence coming to it from every direction in plenitude until its residents began to demonstrate ingratitude when Allah gave them the taste of punishment by putting on them the garb of starvation and consternation in retaliation for their misdeeds.
16 : 113
113. Walaqad jaahum rasoolun minhum fakaththaboohu faakhathahumu alAAathabu wahum thalimoona
And there came to them a messenger from their own midst whom they rejected and hence they were seized by punishment, for they were an unjust folk!
(The example underpins what happens when a nation receives benefactions from Allah in abundance, but instead of giving Him thanks for His kindness and generosity, turns its face away with conceit, and refers to the city of Mecca which revelled in peace and plenitude until the arrival of the Prophet whom its people reviled and rejected, resulting in seven consecutive years of severe drought, followed by years and years of armed struggle against the rapidly growing forces of Islam which kept them on tender hooks, until its capitulation and eventual surrender to the Muslims whom its people had once treated as enemies).
16 : 114
114. Fakuloo mimma razaqakumu Allahu halalan tayyiban waoshkuroo niAAmata Allahi in kuntum iyyahu taAAbudoona
So eat of the lawful and clean things Allah has provided for you and be thankful for the benefactions of your Lord - if it is He whom you worship!
(The lawful and clean things Allah provided for the people of Mecca in response to the prayer of Abraham referred to in previous chapters, every one of which dried up during the drought, reducing them to penury and starvation shortly after they forced the Prophet to flee to Madina).
16 : 115
115. Innama harrama AAalaykumu almaytata waalddama walahma alkhinzeeri wama ohilla lighayri Allahi bihi famani idturra ghayra baghin wala AAadin fa-inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun
He has forbidden for you only carrion and blood and flesh of swine, and flesh of that which is immolated in the name of a deity other than Allah; but in the case of he who is driven by need, - neither relishing it nor gorging himself with it, - of course, Allah is Magnanimous and Merciful to him!
16 : 116
116. Wala taqooloo lima tasifu alsinatukumu alkathiba hatha halalun wahatha haramun litaftaroo AAala Allahi alkathiba inna allatheena yaftaroona AAala Allahi alkathiba la yuflihoona
Never declare that which your tongues falsely assert saying : 'This is lawful and this is forbidden!' which amounts to inventing lies against Allah. Verily those who invent lies against Allah would never succeed!
16 : 117
117. MataAAun qaleelun walahum AAathabun aleemun
Small is the gain which they will derive from it and grievous the punishment which they incur for it!
16 : 118
118. WaAAala allatheena hadoo harramna ma qasasna AAalayka min qablu wama thalamnahum walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona
To the Jews We forbade that which We have already mentioned to you. In so doing, We wronged them not but they wronged their own souls!
16 : 119
119. Thumma inna rabbaka lillatheena AAamiloo alssoo-a bijahalatin thumma taboo min baAAdi thalika waaslahoo inna rabbaka min baAAdiha laghafoorun raheemun
Then verily your Lord is - for those who sin in ignorance but afterwards repent and make amends, - for them, your Lord is Magnanimous and Merciful thereafter! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
111. (Remember) the Day when every person will come up pleading for himself, and every one will be paid in full for what he did (good or evil, belief or disbelief in the life of this world) and they will not be dealt with unjustly.
112. And Allâh puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allâh (with ungratefulness). So Allâh made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad SAW) which they (its people) used to do[].
113. And verily, there had come unto them a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment overtook them while they were Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).
114. So eat of the lawful and good food[] which Allâh has provided for you. And be grateful for the Graces of Allâh, if it is He Whom you worship.
115. He has forbidden you only Al-Maytatah (meat of a dead animal), blood, the flesh of swine, and any animal which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allâh (or has been slaughtered for idols etc. or on which Allâh's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, and not transgressing, then, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
116. And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: "This is lawful and this is forbidden," so as to invent lies against Allâh. Verily, those who invent lies against Allâh will never prosper.
117. A passing brief enjoyment (will be theirs), but they will have a painful torment.
118. And unto those who are Jews, We have forbidden such things as We have mentioned to you (O Muhammad SAW) before [in Sûrat-Al-An'am, (The Cattle), see Verse 6:146]. And We wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.
119. Then, verily! Your Lord for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allâh) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
016.111
YUSUFALI: One Day
every soul will come up struggling for itself, and every soul will be
recompensed (fully) for all its actions, and none will be unjustly dealt with.
PICKTHAL: On the Day
when every soul will come pleading for itself, and every soul will be repaid
what it did, and they will not be wronged.
SHAKIR: (Remember) the
day when every soul shall come, pleading for itself and every soul shall be paid
in full what it has done, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
016.112
YUSUFALI: Allah sets
forth a Parable: a city enjoying security and quiet, abundantly supplied with
sustenance from every place: Yet was it ungrateful for the favours of Allah: so
Allah made it taste of hunger and terror (in extremes) (closing in on it) like a
garment (from every side), because of the (evil) which (its people) wrought.
PICKTHAL: Allah
coineth a similitude: a township that dwelt secure and well content, its
provision coming to it in abundance from every side, but it disbelieved in
Allah's favours, so Allah made it experience the garb of dearth and fear because
of what they used to do.
SHAKIR: And Allah sets
forth a parable: (Consider) a town safe and secure to which its means of
subsistence come in abundance from every quarter; but it became ungrateful to
Allah's favors, therefore Allah made it to taste the utmost degree of hunger and
fear because of what they wrought.
016.113
YUSUFALI: And there
came to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they falsely rejected him;
so the Wrath seized them even in the midst of their iniquities.
PICKTHAL: And verily
there had come unto them a messenger from among them, but they had denied him,
and so the torment seized them while they were wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: And certainly
there came to them a Messenger from among them, but they rejected him, so the
punishment overtook them while they were unjust.
016.114
YUSUFALI: So eat of
the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be
grateful for the favours of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.
PICKTHAL: So eat of
the lawful and good food which Allah hath provided for you, and thank the bounty
of your Lord if it is Him ye serve.
SHAKIR: Therefore eat
of what Allah has given you, lawful and good (things), and give thanks for
Allah's favor if Him do you serve.
016.115
YUSUFALI: He has only
forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and any (food) over
which the name of other than Allah has been invoked. But if one is forced by
necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: He hath
forbidden for you only carrion and blood and swineflesh and that which hath been
immolated in the name of any other than Allah; but he who is driven thereto,
neither craving nor transgressing, lo! then Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: He has only
forbidden you what dies of itself and blood and flesh of swine and that over
which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, but whoever is driven
to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely Allah is
Forgiving, Merciful.
016.116
YUSUFALI: But say not
- for any false thing that your tongues may put forth,- "This is lawful, and
this is forbidden," so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who
ascribe false things to Allah, will never prosper.
PICKTHAL: And speak
not, concerning that which your own tongues qualify (as clean or unclean), the
falsehood: "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so that ye invent a lie
against Allah. Lo! those who invent a lie against Allah will not succeed.
SHAKIR: And, for what
your tongues describe, do not utter the lie, (saying) This is lawful and this is
unlawful, in order to forge a lie against Allah; surely those who forge the lie
against Allah shall not prosper.
016.117
YUSUFALI: (In such
falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Penalty.
PICKTHAL: A brief
enjoyment (will be theirs); and theirs a painful doom.
SHAKIR: A little
enjoyment and they shall have a painful punishment.
016.118
YUSUFALI: To the Jews
We prohibited such things as We have mentioned to thee before: We did them no
wrong, but they were used to doing wrong to themselves.
PICKTHAL: And unto
those who are Jews We have forbidden that which We have already related unto
thee. And We wronged them not, but they were wont to wrong themselves.
SHAKIR: And for those
who were Jews We prohibited what We have related to you already, and We did them
no injustice, but they were unjust to themselves.
016.119
YUSUFALI: But verily
thy Lord,- to those who do wrong in ignorance, but who thereafter repent and
make amends,- thy Lord, after all this, is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
PICKTHAL: Then lo! thy
Lord - for those who do evil in ignorance and afterward repent and amend - lo!
(for them) thy Lord is afterward indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: Yet surely
your Lord, with respect to those who do an evil in ignorance, then turn after
that and make amends, most surely your Lord after that is Forgiving, Merciful.
16 : 120
120. Inna ibraheema kana ommatan qanitan lillahi haneefan walam yaku mina almushrikeena
Verily Abraham was the precursor of his descendants, obedient to Allah and a man of pure faith but never an idolater, -
16 : 121
121. Shakiran li-anAAumihi ijtabahu wahadahu ila siratin mustaqeemin
Grateful for His bounties! He chose him and guided him on to the righteous path.
16 : 122
122. Waataynahu fee alddunya hasanatan wa-innahu fee al-akhirati lamina alssaliheena
And We rewarded him with virtue in the life of this world; and in the Hereafter he is of the righteous!
16 : 123
123. Thumma awhayna ilayka ani ittabiAA millata ibraheema haneefan wama kana mina almushrikeena
Then We inspired you (O Mohammed) saying : 'Follow the religion of Abraham who was by nature upright and never of the idolaters!
(The above verses emphatically clarify for the benefit of the idolaters of Mecca who used to claim that they were his real descendants and followers of his religion, that Abraham was never an idolater, nor did he ever enjoin idolatry for his descendants. In fact, he was a man of virtue, demolisher of idols, an enemy of idolatry, torch bearer of Islam and a precursor of Muslims whose religion the Blessed Prophet was enjoined to preach and to follow).
16 : 124
124. Innama juAAila alssabtu AAala allatheena ikhtalafoo feehi wa-inna rabbaka layahkumu baynahum yawma alqiyamati feema kanoo feehi yakhtalifoona
The Sabbath was made a requisite only for those who disagreed over it. And verily your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about the things over which they used to differ.
(It should be noted that Sabbath had nothing whatsoever to do with Abraham and not binding upon the Muslims at all who were required to follow the creed of Abraham.
It was imposed upon the Jews by Moses who had asked them to set aside one day of the week for spiritual matters as opposed to the other six days in which they were free to do what they liked. But disputes broke out between the Jews who adhered to the dictums promulgated by Moses and observed it on Fridays, as it was originally recommended by him, and others who claimed it to be a Saturday, and the Christians who decided that it was a Sunday! Though not quite the Sabbath day, the Muslims treated Fridays with great reverence and have been traditionally holding a major mass on that day and still do)
16 : 125
125. OdAAu ila sabeeli rabbika bialhikmati waalmawAAithati alhasanati wajadilhum biallatee hiya ahsanu inna rabbaka huwa aAAlamu biman dalla AAan sabeelihi wahuwa aAAlamu bialmuhtadeena
Beckon mankind on to the path of your Lord with wisdom and courteous exhortation and reason with them in a way that is the best way for all, for your Lord is aware of those who digress from His path and equally well aware of those who stay on course.
16 : 126
126. Wa-in AAaqabtum faAAaqiboo bimithli ma AAooqibtum bihi wala-in sabartum lahuwa khayrun lilssabireena
If you want to punish, then inflict a punishment equal to the suffering you endured; but if you choose to tolerate, then verily toleration is best for those who are tolerant!
16 : 127
127. Waisbir wama sabruka illa biAllahi wala tahzan AAalayhim wala taku fee dayqin mimma yamkuroona
Be patient (O Mohammed), for your strength of endurance is a proclivity imbibed in you by Allah; and do not distress yourself over them nor let your heart constrict on account of their cabals!
16 : 128
128. Inna Allaha maAAa allatheena ittaqaw waallatheena hum muhsinoona
Allah is always with those who ward off evil and perform righteous deeds! (R)
(Verses 126 to 128 contain a series of admonitions, for the Prophet in particular but for the rest of Muslims in general, advising them to invite mankind to the path of Allah with wisdom, with courtesy and with reason so that those who respond to them respond out of conviction and not under duress.
The exhortation that punishment should not exceed the extent of suffering endured as clarified in verse 126 came in response to the sordid events that took place during the Battle of Uhud in which many Muslim warriors were mercilessly slain and their dead bodies were desecrated by severing their limbs and chopping off their noses and ears - and in some cases removing their internal organs - notably in the case of the Prophet's uncle Hamza whose liver was removed by the wife of Abu Jehl because she had sworn to eat it, and did so, which caused so much distress to the Prophet that he too swore to inflict a similar plight on 70 idolaters in retaliation for the desecration of his uncle's corpse. But he was admonished to exercise restraint and ensure that punishment did not exceed the amount of injury suffered. In the light of this revelation, the Prophet sought Allah's forgiveness for his emotional turbulence, broke his oath and offered expiation towards it).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
120. Verily, Ibrâhim (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allâh, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allâh), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh, and those who joined partners with Allâh).
121. (He was) thankful for His (Allâh's) Graces. He (Allâh) chose him (as an intimate friend) and guided him to a Straight Path (Islâmic Monotheism, neither Judaism nor Christianity[]).
122. And We gave him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he shall be of the righteous.
123. Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad SAW saying): "Follow the religion of Ibrâhim (Abraham) Hanifa (Islâmic Monotheism[] - to worship none but Allâh) and he was not of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers, etc.).
124. The Sabbath was only prescribed for those who differed concerning it, and verily, your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection about that wherein they used to differ.
125. Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.
126. And if you punish (your enemy, O you believers in the Oneness of Allâh), then punish them with the like of that with which you were afflicted. But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)[].
127. And endure you patiently (O Muhammad SAW), your patience is not but from Allâh. And grieve not over them (polytheists and pagans, etc.), and be not distressed because of what they plot.
128. Truly, Allâh is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him)[], and those who are Muhsinûn (good-doers, - see the footnote of V.9:120).
016.120
YUSUFALI: Abraham was
indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined
not gods with Allah:
PICKTHAL: Lo! Abraham
was a nation obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the
idolaters;
SHAKIR: Surely Ibrahim
was an exemplar, obedient to Allah, upright, and he was not of the polytheists.
016.121
YUSUFALI: He showed
his gratitude for the favours of Allah, who chose him, and guided him to a
Straight Way.
PICKTHAL: Thankful for
His bounties; He chose him and He guided him unto a straight path.
SHAKIR: Grateful for
His favors; He chose him and guided him on the right path.
016.122
YUSUFALI: And We gave
him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the
Righteous.
PICKTHAL: And We gave
him good in the world, and in the Hereafter he is among the righteous.
SHAKIR: And We gave
him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the good.
016.123
YUSUFALI: So We have
taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in
Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah."
PICKTHAL: And
afterward We inspired thee (Muhammad, saying): Follow the religion of Abraham,
as one by nature upright. He was not of the idolaters.
SHAKIR: Then We
revealed to you: Follow the faith of Ibrahim, the upright one, and he was not of
the polytheists.
016.124
YUSUFALI: The Sabbath
was only made (strict) for those who disagreed (as to its observance); But Allah
will judge between them on the Day of Judgment, as to their differences.
PICKTHAL: The Sabbath
was appointed only for those who differed concerning it, and lo! thy Lord will
judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used
to differ.
SHAKIR: The Sabbath
was ordained only for those who differed about it, and most surely your Lord
will judge between them on the resurrection day concerning that about which they
differed.
016.125
YUSUFALI: Invite (all)
to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them
in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have
strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
PICKTHAL: Call unto
the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in
the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and
He is Best Aware of those who go aright.
SHAKIR: Call to the
way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with
them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from
His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way.
016.126
YUSUFALI: And if ye do
catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show
patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.
PICKTHAL: If ye
punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye
endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient.
SHAKIR: And if you
take your turn, then retaliate with the like of that with which you were
afflicted; but if you are patient, it will certainly be best for those who are
patient.
016.127
YUSUFALI: And do thou
be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah; nor grieve over them: and
distress not thyself because of their plots.
PICKTHAL: Endure thou
patiently (O Muhammad). Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve
not for them, and be not in distress because of that which they devise.
SHAKIR: And be patient
and your patience is not but by (the assistance of) Allah, and grieve not for
them, and do not distress yourself at what they plan.
016.128
YUSUFALI: For Allah is
with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
PICKTHAL: Lo! Allah is
with those who keep their duty unto Him and those who are doers of good.
SHAKIR: Surely Allah
is with those who guard (against evil) and those who do good (to others).