INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 112 verses, 1,186 sentences, 4,890 letters and 7 Ruku's.
The name of this Surah has not been taken from any verse but it has been called Al-Anbiyaa because it contains a continuous account of many Anbiyaa (Prophets). Nevertheless, it is a symbolic name and not a title.
Both the subject matter and the style of the Surah indicate that it was sent down in the third stage of the life of the Holy Prophet at Makkah.(See Introduction to Chapter 6).
This Surah discusses the conflict between the Holy Prophet and the chiefs of Makkah, which was rampant at the time of its Revelation and answers those objections and doubts which were being put forward concerning his Prophethood and the Doctrines of Tauhid and the Hereafter. The chiefs of Makkah have also been rebuked for their machinations against the Holy Prophet and warned of the evil consequences of their wicked activities. They have been admonished to give up their indifference and heedlessness that they were showing about the Message. At the end of the Surah, they have been told that the person whom they considered to be a "distress and affliction" had in reality come to them as a blessing.
In vv. 1-47, the following themes have been discussed in particular:
1. The objection of the disbelievers that a human being could not be a Messenger and therefore they could not accept Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a Prophet, has been refuted.
2. They have been taken to task for raising multifarious and contradictory objections against the Holy Prophet and the Qur'an.
3. Their wrong conception of life has been proved to be false because it was responsible for their indifferent and heedless attitude towards the Message of the Holy Prophet. They believed that life was merely a sport and pastime and had no purpose behind or before it and there was no accountability or reward or punishment.
4. The main cause of the conflict between the disbelievers and the Holy Prophet was their insistence on the doctrine of shirk and antagonism to the Doctrine of Tauhid So the doctrine of skirk has been refuted and the Doctrine of Tauhid reinforced by weighty and impressive though brief arguments.
5. Arguments and admonitions have been used to remove another misunderstanding of theirs. They presumed that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a false prophet and his warnings of a scourge from God were empty threats, just because no scourge was visiting them in spite of their persistent rejection of the Prophet.
In vv. 48-91, instances have been cited from the important events of the life stories of the Prophets to show that all the Prophets, who were sent by God, were human beings and had all the characteristics of a man except those which were exclusive to Prophethood. They had no share in Godhead and they had to implore Allah to fulfil each and every necessity of theirs.
Along with these two other things have also been mentioned:
1. All the Prophets had to pass through distress and affliction; their opponents did their worst to thwart their mission, but in spite of it they came out successful by the extraordinary succour from Allah.
2. All the Prophets had one and the same "way of life', the same as was being presented by Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him), and that was the only Right Way of Life and all other ways invented and introduced by mischievous people were utterly wrong.
In vv. 92-106, it has been declared that only those who follow the Right Way, will come out successful in the final judgment of God and those who discard it shall meet with the worst consequences.
In vv. 107-112, the people have been told that it is a great favour of Allah that He has sent His Messenger to inform them beforehand of this Reality and that those, who consider his coming to be an affliction instead of a blessing, are foolish people.
Maududi
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 Quraan; 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.
21 : 1
1. Iqtaraba lilnnasi hisabuhum wahum fee ghaflatin muAAridoona
The Reckoning draws near for mankind but their faces are turned away from it in apathy!
21 : 2
2. Ma ya/teehim min thikrin min rabbihim muhdathin illa istamaAAoohu wahum yalAAaboona
Whenever there comes to them a new admonition from their Lord, they do not listen to it, except in a casual vein, -
21 : 3
3. Lahiyatan quloobuhum waasarroo alnnajwa allatheena thalamoo hal hatha illa basharun mithlukum afata/toona alssihra waantum tubsiroona
Their hearts engrossed otherwise! The recusants secretly confer with each other saying : 'Is he anything but a mortal like you? Are you then willing to be knowingly deluded by sorcery?
21 : 4
4. Qala rabbee yaAAlamu alqawla fee alssama-i waal-ardi wahuwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
He says : My Lord is aware of that which is spoken in the heavens as well as upon the earth, for He hears everything and He knows everything!'
21 : 5
5. Bal qaloo adghathu ahlamin bali iftarahu bal huwa shaAAirun falya/tina bi-ayatin kama orsila al-awwaloona
They say : 'Nay! These are his confused dreams! Nay! These are his own inventions! Nay! He is only a poet! Let him bring for us a portent similar to that which the other messengers before him have brought!
21 : 6
6. Ma amanat qablahum min qaryatin ahlaknaha afahum yu/minoona
Never did a community believe about those whom We destroyed before them in spite of all the portents! Would they believe, even if portents were sent?
21 : 7
7. Wama arsalna qablaka illa rijalan noohee ilayhim fais-aloo ahla alththikri in kuntum la taAAlamoona
We sent as Our messengers in the past men whom We inspired! Ask the followers of the Scripture if you do not know this.
21 : 8
8. Wama jaAAalnahum jasadan la ya/kuloona alttaAAama wama kanoo khalideena
We did not make their bodies such that they had no need for nourishment nor made them immortal!
21 : 9
9. Thumma sadaqnahumu alwaAAda faanjaynahum waman nashao waahlakna almusrifeena
But We did make good Our promise to them by delivering them along with those whom We willed and destroying those who transgressed!
21 : 10
10. Laqad anzalna ilaykum kitaban feehi thikrukum afala taAAqiloona
And now We have revealed to you a Scripture in which there is a Reminder for you! Have you then no perspicacity? (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
1. Draws near for mankind their reckoning, while they turn away in heedlessness.
2. Comes not unto them an admonition (a chapter of the Qur'ān) from their Lord as a recent revelation but they listen to it while they play,
3. With their hearts occupied (with evil things) those who do wrong, conceal their private counsels, (saying): "Is this (Muhammad SAW) more than a human being like you? Will you submit to magic while you see it?"
4. He (Muhammad SAW) said: "My Lord knows (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower."
5. Nay, they say:"These (revelations of the Qur'ān which are inspired to Muhammad SAW) are mixed up false dreams! Nay, he has invented it! Nay, he is a poet! Let him then bring us an Ayāh (sign as a proof) like the ones (Prophets) that were sent before (with signs)!"
6. Not one of the towns (populations), of those which We destroyed, believed before them (though We sent them signs), will they then believe?
7. And We sent not before you (O Muhammad SAW) but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder [Scriptures - the Taurāt (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know.
8. And We did not create them (the Messengers, with) bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals,
9. Then We fulfilled to them the promise, and We saved them and those whom We willed, but We destroyed Al-Musrifūn (i.e. extravagants in oppression, polytheism and in sin).
10. Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book, (the Qur'ān) in which there is Dhikrukum, (your Reminder or an honour for you i.e. honour for the one who follows the teaching of the Qur'ān and acts on its orders). Will you not then understand?
021.001
YUSUFALI: Closer and
closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.
PICKTHAL: Their
reckoning draweth nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness.
SHAKIR: Their
reckoning has drawn near to men, and in heedlessness are they turning aside.
021.002
YUSUFALI: Never comes
(aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as
in jest,-
PICKTHAL: Never cometh
there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they
play,
SHAKIR: There comes
not to them a new reminder from their Lord but they hear it while they sport,
021.003
YUSUFALI: Their hearts
toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels,
(saying), "Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to
witchcraft with your eyes open?"
PICKTHAL: With hearts
preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong-doers say: Is this other than
a mortal like you? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it)?
SHAKIR: Their hearts
trifling; and those who are unjust counsel together in secret: He is nothing but
a mortal like yourselves; what! will you then yield to enchantment while you
see?
021.004
YUSUFALI: Say: "My
Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One
that heareth and knoweth (all things)."
PICKTHAL: He saith: My
Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the
Knower.
SHAKIR: He said: My
Lord knows what is spoken in the heaven and the earth, and He is the Hearing,
the Knowing.
021.005
YUSUFALI: "Nay," they
say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a
poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of
old!"
PICKTHAL: Nay, say
they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is
but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were Allah's
messengers) were sent (with portents).
SHAKIR: Nay! say they:
Medleys of dreams; nay! he has forged it; nay! he is a poet; so let him bring to
us a sign as the former (prophets) were sent (with).
021.006
YUSUFALI: (As to
those) before them, not one of the populations which We destroyed believed: will
these believe?
PICKTHAL: Not a
township believed of those which We destroyed before them (though We sent them
portents): would they then believe?
SHAKIR: There did not
believe before them any town which We destroyed, will they then believe?
021.007
YUSUFALI: 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 Reminder 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
021.008
YUSUFALI: Nor did We
give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death.
PICKTHAL: We gave them
not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals.
SHAKIR: And We did not
make them bodies not eating the food, and they were not to abide (forever).
021.009
YUSUFALI: In the end
We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them and those whom We pleased,
but We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds.
PICKTHAL: Then we
fulfilled the promise unto them. So we delivered them and whom We would, and We
destroyed the prodigals.
SHAKIR: Then We made
Our promise good to them, so We delivered them and those whom We pleased, and We
destroyed the ex
021.010
YUSUFALI: We have
revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then
understand?
PICKTHAL: Now We have
revealed unto you a Scripture wherein is your Reminder. Have ye then no sense?
SHAKIR: Certainly We
have revealed to you a Book in which is your good remembrance; what! do you not
then understand?
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed concerning a township in Yemen where the people were committing the most despicable crimes without restraint or remorse until a commandment went forth from Allah as a result of which they were completely annihilated and their dwellings razed to the ground by the angels, leaving behind them no more than just tell-tale signs of their past existence in order for others to learn lessons from
21 : 11
11. Wakam qasamna min qaryatin kanat thalimatan waansha/na baAAdaha qawman akhareena
And how many communities that committed atrocities have We destroyed and then brought others to replace them!
21 : 12
12. Falamma ahassoo ba/sana itha hum minha yarkudoona
When they came face to face with Our retribution they at once began to flee!
21 : 13
13. La tarkudoo wairjiAAoo ila ma otriftum feehi wamasakinikum laAAallakum tus-aloona
(But it was said to them by the angels) : 'Do not flee but return to the pleasures which spayed you and to your dwellings so that you may be questioned!
21 : 14
14. Qaloo ya waylana inna kunna thalimeena
They cried : 'Woe to us! Verily we did transgress!'
21 : 15
15. Fama zalat tilka daAAwahum hatta jaAAalnahum haseedan khamideena
And they kept crying until We reduced then into scythed fields, smothered!
* * *
21 : 16
16. Wama khalaqna alssamaa waal-arda wama baynahuma laAAibeena
And We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them in vain!
21 : 17
17. Law aradna an nattakhitha lahwan laittakhathnahu min ladunna in kunna faAAileena
If We wished to choose an amusement, We would have chosen it from Our own immediate vicinity, - assuming that We fancied one!
21 : 18
18. Bal naqthifu bialhaqqi AAala albatili fayadmaghuhu fa-itha huwa zahiqun walakumu alwaylu mimma tasifoona
Nay, but We do hurl the truth against falsehood so hard that it crushes its head and obliterates it. And for you there would be damnation for what you ascribe to Him!
21 : 19
19. Walahu man fee alssamawati waal-ardi waman AAindahu la yastakbiroona AAan AAibadatihi wala yastahsiroona
And to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and upon the earth. And those who have attained His propinquity do not disdain His worship nor do they get tired of it!
21 : 20
20. Yusabbihoona allayla waalnnahara la yafturoona
They hymn His glory night and day and never neglect.
21 : 21
21. Ami ittakhathoo alihatan mina al-ardi hum yunshiroona
Have they chosen Gods from the earth who are capable of raising the dead?
21 : 22
22. Law kana feehima alihatun illa Allahu lafasadata fasubhana Allahi rabbi alAAarshi AAamma yasifoona
If there were other Gods in them besides Allah, both the heavens and the earth would have plunged into chaos! Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, and may He transcend above the blasphemy, which they associate with Him!
21 : 23
23. La yus-alu AAamma yafAAalu wahum yus-aloona
He would not be questioned as to what He does, but they would be questioned!
21 : 24
24. Ami ittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan qul hatoo burhanakum hatha thikru man maAAiya wathikru man qablee bal aktharuhum la yaAAlamoona alhaqqa fahum muAAridoona
Have they chosen other Gods besides Him? Say to them : 'Bring forth your proof! This is the message for my contemporaries and this was the message for my predecessors!' But most of them do not know the Truth and are sunk in ignorance.
21 : 25
25. Wama arsalna min qablika min rasoolin illa noohee ilayhi annahu la ilaha illa ana faoAAbudooni
And We sent no messenger before you whom We did not inspire (saying) : 'There is no other God besides Me so worship Me alone!'
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed with reference to an Arab tribe who claimed and also firmly believed that the angels were females and Allah's daughters.
21 : 26
26. Waqaloo ittakhatha alrrahmanu waladan subhanahu bal AAibadun mukramoona
They claim : 'The Beneficent has taken for Himself offspring! May He be glorified! Nay! But those whom they refer to as His offspring are, as a matter of fact, also His honoured slaves!
21 : 27
27. La yasbiqoonahu bialqawli wahum bi-amrihi yaAAmaloona
They never speak until He has spoken to them and they act only by His command!
21 : 28
28. YaAAlamu ma bayna aydeehim wama khalfahum wala yashfaAAoona illa limani irtada wahum min khashyatihi mushfiqoona
He knows what is before them and what is behind them. They never intervene save for him whom He has favoured and they are constantly in awe of Him!
21 : 29
29. Waman yaqul minhum innee ilahun min doonihi fathalika najzeehi jahannama kathalika najzee alththalimeena
If one among them were to say : 'Verily I am a God besides Him!' We shall requite him with hell! Thus do We requite those who offend! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
11. How many a town (community), that were wrong-doers, have We destroyed, and raised up after them another people!
12. Then, when they perceived (saw) Our Torment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it.
13. Flee not, but return to that wherein you lived a luxurious life, and to your homes, in order that you may be questioned.
14. They cried: "Woe to us! Certainly! We have been Zālimūn (polytheists, wrong-doers and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh, etc.)."
15. And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is reaped, extinct (dead).
16. We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play[] .
17. Had We intended to take a pastime (i.e. a wife or a son, etc.), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).
18. Nay, We fling (send down) the truth (this Qur'ān) against the falsehood (disbelief), so it destroys it, and behold, it (falsehood) is vanished. And woe to you for that (lie) which you ascribe (to Us) (against Allāh by uttering that Allāh has a wife and a son).
19. To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him (i.e. the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship).
20. They (i.e. the angels) glorify His Praises night and day, (and) they never slacken (to do so).
21. Or have they taken (for worship) āliha (gods) from the earth who raise the dead?
22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allāh, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allāh, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
23. He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.
24. Or have they taken for worship (other) āliha (gods) besides Him? Say: "Bring your proof:" This (the Qur'ān) is the Reminder for those with me and the Reminder for those before me. But most of them know not the Truth, so they are averse.
25. And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad SAW) but We inspired him (saying): Lā ilāha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allāh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)."
26. And they say: "The Most Beneficent (Allāh) has begotten a son (or children)." Glory to Him! They [those whom they call children of Allāh i.e. the angels, 'Iesa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), 'Uzair (Ezra), etc.], are but honoured slaves.
27. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.
28. He knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him.
29. And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilāh (a god) besides Him (Allāh)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).
021.011
YUSUFALI: How many
were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting
up in their places other peoples?
PICKTHAL: How many a
community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them
another folk!
SHAKIR: And how many a
town which was iniquitous did We demolish, and We raised up after it another
people!
021.012
YUSUFALI: Yet, when
they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it.
PICKTHAL: And, when
they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it!
SHAKIR: So when they
felt Our punishment, lo! they began to fly
021.013
YUSUFALI: Flee not,
but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your
homes in order that ye may be called to account.
PICKTHAL: (But it was
said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you
and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned.
SHAKIR: Do not fly
(now) and come back to what you were made to lead easy lives in and to your
dwellings, haply you will be questioned.
021.014
YUSUFALI: They said:
"Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!"
PICKTHAL: They cried:
Alas for us! we were wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: They said: O
woe to us! surely we were unjust.
021.015
YUSUFALI: And that cry
of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent
and quenched.
PICKTHAL: And this
their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct.
SHAKIR: And this
ceased not to be their cry till We made them cut
021.016
YUSUFALI: Not for
(idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between!
PICKTHAL: We created
not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.
SHAKIR: And We did not
create the heaven and the earth and what is between them for sport.
021.017
YUSUFALI: If it had
been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the
things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)!
PICKTHAL: If We had
wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever
did.
SHAKIR: Had We wished
to make a diversion, We would have made it from before Ourselves: by no means
would We do (it).
021.018
YUSUFALI: Nay, We hurl
the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood
doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us).
PICKTHAL: Nay, but We
hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth.
And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him).
SHAKIR: Nay! We cast
the truth against the falsehood, so that it breaks its head, and lo! it
vanishes; and woe to you for what you describe;
021.019
YUSUFALI: To Him
belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His
(very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of
His service):
PICKTHAL: Unto Him
belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His
presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary;
SHAKIR: And whoever is
in the heavens and the earth is His; and those who are with Him are not proud to
serve Him, nor do they grow weary.
021.020
YUSUFALI: They
celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.
PICKTHAL: They glorify
(Him) night and day; they flag not.
SHAKIR: They glorify
(Him) by night and day; they are never languid.
021.021
YUSUFALI: Or have they
taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)?
PICKTHAL: Or have they
chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead?
SHAKIR: Or have they
taken gods from the earth who raise (the dead).
021.022
YUSUFALI: If there
were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have
been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He)
above what they attribute to Him!
PICKTHAL: If there
were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had
been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they
ascribe (unto Him).
SHAKIR: If there had
been in them any gods except Allah, they would both have certainly been in a
state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, the Lord of the dominion, above
what they attribute (to Him).
021.023
YUSUFALI: He cannot be
questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs).
PICKTHAL: He will not
be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned.
SHAKIR: He cannot be
questioned concerning what He does and they shall be questioned.
021.024
YUSUFALI: Or have they
taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof:
this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But
most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away.
PICKTHAL: Or have they
chosen other gods beside Him? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is
the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the
Truth and so they are averse.
SHAKIR: Or, have they
taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those
with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! most of them do not know the
truth, so they turn aside.
021.025
YUSUFALI: Not a
messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him:
that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.
PICKTHAL: And We sent
no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no Allah save
Me (Allah), so worship Me.
SHAKIR: And We did not
send before you any messenger but We revealed to him that there is no god but
Me, therefore serve Me.
021.026
YUSUFALI: And they
say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are
(but) servants raised to honour.
PICKTHAL: And they
say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He Glorified! Nay, but
(those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves;
SHAKIR: And they say:
The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a ! son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they
are honored servants
021.027
YUSUFALI: They speak
not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command.
PICKTHAL: They speak
not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command.
SHAKIR: They do not
precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act.
021.028
YUSUFALI: He knows
what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession
except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His
(Glory).
PICKTHAL: He knoweth
what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except
for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him.
SHAKIR: He knows what
is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him
whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble.
021.029
YUSUFALI: If any of
them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with
Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong.
PICKTHAL: And one of
them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with
hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: And whoever of
them should say: Surely I am a god besides Him, such a one do We recompense with
hell; thus do, We recompense the unjust.
21 : 30
30. Awa lam yara allatheena kafaroo anna alssamawati waal-arda kanata ratqan fafataqnahuma wajaAAalna mina alma-i kulla shay-in hayyin afala yu/minoona
Has it not occurred to the disbelievers that the heavens and the earth were one piece until We parted them and that We created all the living organisms from water? Will they not believe?
(Most commentators have elaborated upon one piece to mean that the sky was a single unit with no connection with the earth and the earth was a single unit with no connection with the sky until Allah established a cycle of contact between the two by causing the sky to send rain on the earth; the earth to grow vegetation from it and then return the water to the sky in the form of moisture which turned into rain once again and came back to earth, thus making the sky and the earth work together towards supporting and sustaining life, - a cycle made to last forever, or at least for as long as there is life on earth.
Though
it now is a scientifically proven and acknowledged fact that life emerged from
water, some commentators take the view that it is because the spermatozoa which
hatch the ovum resulting in conception thrive in sperm which is liquid; and
inside the womb of the mother, the foetus also gestates in liquid until its
birth).
21 : 31
31. WajaAAalna fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bihim wajaAAalna feeha fijajan subulan laAAallahum yahtadoona
And We have steadied the earth with firm hills so that it does not quake from seismic cataclysms and have placed upon it deep ravines as landmarks so that they may find their way around!
21 : 32
32. WajaAAalna alssamaa saqfan mahfoothan wahum AAan ayatiha muAAridoona
And We have made the heavens a guarded canopy and yet they are oblivious to His portents!
21 : 33
33. Wahuwa allathee khalaqa allayla waalnnahara waalshshamsa waalqamara kullun fee falakin yasbahoona
He it is who created the nights and the days and the sun and the moon. They orbit the earth, both in set trajectories.
(In these series of verses, Allah recounts to the doubters who demand of the Prophet that he produced portents of Allah's hegemony that everything around them is a portent; their versatile bodies are a portent; the miracle of birth is a portent; the gathering of clouds in the sky, the pelting of rain, the sprouting of seeds, the flowering of plants, the rising and sinking of the sun, the darkness of night, the brightness of day, the changing of seasons, the raging of winds, the twinkling of stars, everything is a portent of Allah! We thrive in them, we are surrounded by them, we witness them and we marvel at them!)
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when the idolaters taunted that the Prophet too, like all the others, would soon be overtaken by death and that the storm which he has stirred would also subside along with him!
21 : 34
34. Wama jaAAalna libasharin min qablika alkhulda afa-in mitta fahumu alkhalidoona
We have never given immortality to any mortal before! So after you die, do they think that they would go on living forever?
21 : 35
35. Kullu nafsin tha-iqatu almawti wanablookum bialshsharri waalkhayri fitnatan wa-ilayna turjaAAoona
Every soul must taste the flavour of death. And We try you with the good as well as with the bad to test your mettle. And to Us is your returning!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verse was revealed with reference to the enemies of the Prophet and of Islam who used to openly deride him when their paths crossed, notably Abu Jehl, his archenemy in the land.
21 : 36
36. Wa-itha raaka allatheena kafaroo in yattakhithoonaka illa huzuwan ahatha allathee yathkuru alihatakum wahum bithikri alrrahmani hum kafiroona
And when the disbelievers confront you, they single you out for raillery (saying) : 'Is he the one who scorns your Gods?' Then they deny all knowledge of the Beneficent!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when the idolaters openly challenged the Prophet to bring about the Day of Reckoning, if there was any truth to the threats being made.
21 : 37
37. Khuliqa al-insanu min AAajalin saoreekum ayatee fala tastaAAjiloona
Man is a creature of haste. I will surely demonstrate to you My portents but hasten Me not!
21 : 38
38. Wayaqooloona mata hatha alwaAAdu in kuntum sadiqeena
And they say : 'When will this promise come to pass, if you speak the truth?'
21 : 39
39. Law yaAAlamu allatheena kafaroo heena la yakuffoona AAan wujoohihimu alnnara wala AAan thuhoorihim wala hum yunsaroona
If only the disbelievers could visualize the moment when they would be powerless to prevent the fire from scorching their faces and backs! And they would not be helped!
21 : 40
40. Bal ta/teehim baghtatan fatabhatuhum fala yastateeAAoona raddaha wala hum yuntharoona
Nay, but it will land upon them unawares and render them insensate! And then they would neither be able to ward it off nor would they be reprieved!
21 : 41
41. Walaqadi istuhzi-a birusulin min qablika fahaqa biallatheena sakhiroo minhum ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
Verily messengers before you were also mocked at, but those who mocked them were eventually assailed by their own mockery! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
30. Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
31. And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them, and We placed therein broad highways for them to pass through, that they may be guided.
32. And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs (i.e. sun, moon, winds, clouds, etc.).
33. And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.
34. And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad SAW), then if you die, would they live forever?
35. Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.
36. And when those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allāh) see you (O Muhammad SAW), they take you not except for mockery (saying): "Is this the one who talks (badly) about your gods?" While they disbelieve at the mention of the Most Beneficent (Allāh). [Tafsir. Al-Qurtubī].
37. Man is created of haste, I will show you My Ayāt (torments, proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.).So ask Me not to hasten (them).
38. And they say: "When will this promise (come to pass), if you are truthful."
39. If only those who disbelieved knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the Fire from their faces, nor from their backs; and they will not be helped.
40. Nay, it (the Fire or the Day of Resurrection) will come upon them all of a sudden and will perplex them, and they will have no power to avert it, nor will they get respite.
41. Indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you (O Muhammad SAW), but the scoffers were surrounded by that, whereat they used to mock.
021.030
YUSUFALI: Do not the
Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit
of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living
thing. Will they not then believe?
PICKTHAL: Have not
those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece,
then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then
believe?
SHAKIR: Do not those
who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were closed up, but We have
opened them; and We have made of water everything living, will they not then
believe?
021.031
YUSUFALI: And We have
set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We
have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through:
that they may receive Guidance.
PICKTHAL: And We have
placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed
therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.
SHAKIR: And We have
made great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with them, and We
have made in it wide ways that they may follow a right direction.
021.032
YUSUFALI: And We have
made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs
which these things (point to)!
PICKTHAL: And we have
made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.
SHAKIR: And We have
made the heaven a guarded canopy and (yet) they turn aside from its signs.
021.033
YUSUFALI: It is He Who
created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial
bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.
PICKTHAL: And He it is
Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in
an orbit.
SHAKIR: And He it is
Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all (orbs) travel
along swiftly in their celestial spheres.
021.034
YUSUFALI: We granted
not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if then thou shouldst die,
would they live permanently?
PICKTHAL: We appointed
immortality for no mortal before thee. What! if thou diest, can they be
immortal!
SHAKIR: And We did not
ordain abiding for any mortal before you. What! Then if you die, will they
abide?
021.035
YUSUFALI: Every soul
shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of
trial. to Us must ye return.
PICKTHAL: Every soul
must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And
unto Us ye will be returned.
SHAKIR: Every soul
must taste of death and We try you by evil and good by way of probation; and to
Us you shall be brought back.
021.036
YUSUFALI: When the
Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule. "Is this," (they
say), "the one who talks of your gods?" and they blaspheme at the mention of
(Allah) Most Gracious!
PICKTHAL: And when
those who disbelieve behold thee, they but choose thee out for mockery,
(saying): Is this he who maketh mention of your gods? And they would deny all
mention of the Beneficent.
SHAKIR: And when those
who disbelieve see you, they do not take you but for one to be scoffed at: Is
this he who speaks of your gods? And they are deniers at the mention of the
Beneficent Allah.
021.037
YUSUFALI: Man is a
creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My Signs; then ye will not ask
Me to hasten them!
PICKTHAL: Man is made
of haste. I shall show you My portents, but ask Me not to hasten.
SHAKIR: Man is created
of haste; now will I show to you My signs, therefore do not ask Me to hasten
(them) on.
021.038
YUSUFALI: They say:
"When will this promise come to pass, if ye are telling the truth?"
PICKTHAL: And they
say: When will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?
SHAKIR: And they say:
When will this threat come to pass if you are truthful?
021.039
YUSUFALI: If only the
Unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from
their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them!
PICKTHAL: If those who
disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire
from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!
SHAKIR: Had those who
disbelieve but known (of the time) when they shall not be able to ward off the
fire from their faces nor from their backs, nor shall they be helped.
021.040
YUSUFALI: Nay, it may
come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to
avert it, nor will they (then) get respite.
PICKTHAL: Nay, but it
will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be
unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.
SHAKIR: Nay, it shall
come on them all of a sudden and cause them to become confounded, so they shall
not have the power to avert it, nor shall they be respited.
021.041
YUSUFALI: Mocked were
(many) messenger before thee; But their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing
that they mocked.
PICKTHAL: Messengers
before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those
who scoffed at them.
SHAKIR: And certainly
messengers before you were scoffed at, then there befell those of them who
scoffed that at which they had scoffed.
21 : 42
42. Qul man yaklaokum biallayli waalnnahari mina alrrahmani bal hum AAan thikri rabbihim muAAridoona
Say : 'Who protects you in the night and in the day from the Beneficent?' None, and yet they turn away from the recollection of their Lord!
21 : 43
43. Am lahum alihatun tamnaAAuhum min doonina la yastateeAAoona nasra anfusihim wala hum minna yushaboona
Or, have they gods of their own who can give them protection from Us? They have no power even to help themselves nor can they be protected from Us!
21 : 44
44. Bal mattaAAna haola-i waabaahum hatta tala AAalayhimu alAAumuru afala yarawna anna na/tee al-arda nanqusuha min atrafiha afahumu alghaliboona
Nay, but We gave them and their fathers comforts in life until life became too long for them! Do they not see how We are reducing the perimeters of their land from all around them? Could they ever be the victors?
(The land refers to the land which belonged to pagan Arabs, and their attention is being drawn to the fact that its boundaries were gradually being shrunk from all sides as town after town and tribe after tribe were falling to the Muslims.
When their forefathers were blessed with comforts of the life of this world, they revelled in them and thought that they were going to live forever and their comforts were going to last forever. But when their term ended, they had to leave everything behind and proceed to meet their Maker with empty hands! The verse contains a reminder to the enemies of Islam that their time was also running out and that its process has already commenced in earnest, whether or not they took note of it, whether or not they acknowledge it, whether or not they prepared themselves to face it).
21 : 45
45. Qul innama onthirukum bialwahyi wala yasmaAAu alssummu aldduAAaa itha ma yuntharoona
Say to them (O Mohammed) : 'I warn you on the strength of what is inspired in me. But the deaf do not hear the cry when they are warned!'
21 : 46
46. Wala-in massat-hum nafhatun min AAathabi rabbika layaqoolunna ya waylana inna kunna thalimeena
If even a whiff of your Lord's retribution brushed them, they would assuredly say : 'Woe to us! Verily we were miscreants!'
21 : 47
47. WanadaAAu almawazeena alqista liyawmi alqiyamati fala tuthlamu nafsun shay-an wa-in kana mithqala habbatin min khardalin atayna biha wakafa bina hasibeena
And We shall set up the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged even to the slightest extent! If anything worth even a mustard seed is short, We shall level it! And We suffice for the Reckoning!
21 : 48
48. Walaqad atayna moosa waharoona alfurqana wadiyaan wathikran lilmuttaqeena
And verily We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (of right and wrong), and a light and a Reminder for those who ward off evil -
21 : 49
49. Allatheena yakhshawna rabbahum bialghaybi wahum mina alssaAAati mushfiqoona
And for those who fear their Lord within their inner seclusion and are constantly in awe of the Moment of Reckoning!
21 : 50
50. Wahatha thikrun mubarakun anzalnahu afaantum lahu munkiroona
This is the blessed Reminder which We have revealed! Will you then refute it? (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
42. Say: "Who can guard and protect you in the night or in the day from the (punishment of the) Most Beneficent (Allāh)?" Nay, but they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord.
43. Or have they āliha (gods) who can guard them from Us? They have no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us (i.e. from Our Torment).
44. Nay, We gave the luxuries of this life to these men and their fathers until the period grew long for them. See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will overcome.[]
45. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I warn you only by the revelation (from Allāh and not by the opinion of the religious scholars and others). But the deaf (who follow the religious scholars and others blindly) will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned [(i.e. one should follow only the Qur'ān and the Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements of Prophet Muhammad SAW , as the Companions of the Prophet SAW did)].[]
46. And if a breath (minor calamity) of the Torment of your Lord touches them, they will surely cry: "Woe unto us! Indeed we have been Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).
47. And We shall set up balances of justice on the Day of Resurrection, then none will be dealt with unjustly in anything. And if there be the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it. And Sufficient are We as Reckoners.
48. And indeed We granted to Mūsa (Moses) and Hārūn (Aaron) the criterion (of right and wrong), and a shining light [i.e. the Taurāt (Torah)] and a Reminder for Al-Muttaqūn (the pious - see V.2:2).
49. Those who fear their Lord without seeing Him, while they are afraid of the Hour.
50. And this is a blessed Reminder (the Qur'ān) which We have sent down, will you then (dare to) deny it?[]
021.042
YUSUFALI: Say: "Who
can keep you safe by night and by day from (the Wrath of) (Allah) Most
Gracious?" Yet they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
PICKTHAL: Say: Who
guardeth you in the night or in the day from the Beneficent? Nay, but they turn
away from mention of their Lord!
SHAKIR: Say: Who
guards you by night and by day from the Beneficent Allah? Nay, they turn aside
at the mention of their Lord.
021.043
YUSUFALI: Or have they
gods that can guard them from Us? They have no power to aid themselves, nor can
they be defended from Us.
PICKTHAL: Or have they
gods who can shield them from Us? They cannot help themselves nor can they be
defended from Us.
SHAKIR: Or, have they
gods who can defend them against Us? They shall not be able to assist
themselves, nor shall they be defended from Us.
021.044
YUSUFALI: Nay, We gave
the good things of this life to these men and their fathers until the period
grew long for them; See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their
control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?
PICKTHAL: Nay, but We
gave these and their fathers ease until life grew long for them. See they not
how we aim to the land, reducing it of its outlying parts? Can they then be the
victors?
SHAKIR: Nay, We gave
provision to these and their fathers until life was prolonged to them. Do they
not then see that We are visiting the land, curtailing it of its sides? Shall
they then prevail?
021.045
YUSUFALI: Say, "I do
but warn you according to revelation": But the deaf will not hear the call,
(even) when they are warned!
PICKTHAL: Say (O
Muhammad, unto mankind): I warn you only by the Inspiration. But the deaf hear
not the call when they are warned.
SHAKIR: Say: I warn
you only by revelation; and the deaf do not hear the call whenever they are
warned.
021.046
YUSUFALI: If but a
breath of the Wrath of thy Lord do touch them, they will then say, "Woe to us!
we did wrong indeed!"
PICKTHAL: And if a
breath of thy Lord's punishment were to touch them, they assuredly would say:
Alas for us! Lo! we were wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: And if a blast
of the chastisement of your Lord were to touch them, they will certainly say: O
woe to us! surely we were unjust.
021.047
YUSUFALI: We shall set
up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt
with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a
mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.
PICKTHAL: And We set a
just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught.
Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. And We
suffice for reckoners.
SHAKIR: And We will
set up a just balance on the day of resurrection, so no soul shall be dealt with
unjustly in the least; and though there be the weight of a grain of mustard
seed, (yet) will We bring it, and sufficient are We to take account.
021.048
YUSUFALI: In the past
We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for judgment), and a Light and a
Message for those who would do right,-
PICKTHAL: And We
verily gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (of right and wrong) and a light and a
Reminder for those who keep from evil,
SHAKIR: And certainly
We gave to Musa and Haroun the Furqan and a light and a reminder for those who
would guard (against evil).
021.049
YUSUFALI: Those who
fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and who hold the Hour (of
Judgment) in awe.
PICKTHAL: Those who
fear their Lord in secret and who dread the Hour (of doom).
SHAKIR: (For) those
who fear their Lord in secret and they are fearful of the hour.
021.050
YUSUFALI: And this is
a blessed Message which We have sent down: will ye then reject it?
PICKTHAL: This is a
blessed Reminder that we have revealed: Will ye then reject it?
SHAKIR: And this is a
blessed Reminder which We have revealed; will you then deny it?
21 : 51
51. Walaqad atayna ibraheema rushdahu min qablu wakunna bihi AAalimeena
And verily We guided Abraham on to the righteous path in the past and We knew him well -
21 : 52
52. Ith qala li-abeehi waqawmihi ma hathihi alttamatheelu allatee antum laha AAakifoona
When he said to his father and his people : 'What are these statues before whom you prostrate?
21 : 53
53. Qaloo wajadna abaana laha AAabideena
They said : 'We found our forefathers to be prostrating before them.'
21 : 54
54. Qala laqad kuntum antum waabaokum fee dalalin mubeenin
He said : 'Then verily you and your forefathers were in blatant error!'
21 : 55
55. Qaloo aji/tana bialhaqqi am anta mina allaAAibeena
They said : 'Is this the truth which you have brought to us, or are you merely jesting?'
21 : 56
56. Qala bal rabbukum rabbu alssamawati waal-ardi allathee fatarahunna waana AAala thalikum mina alshshahideena
He said : 'Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth! He created them from nothing and I am of those who testify to it.'
21 : 57
57. WataAllahi laakeedanna asnamakum baAAda an tuwalloo mudbireena
'And, by Allah, I shall deal appropriately with your idols after you have gone away and your backs have turned on them!'
21 : 58
58. FajaAAalahum juthathan illa kabeeran lahum laAAallahum ilayhi yarjiAAoona
Then he reduced them into a rubble, all except the one who was the biggest amongst them, in case they wanted to ask him what happened.
21 : 59
59. Qaloo man faAAala hatha bi-alihatina innahu lamina alththalimeena
They said : 'Who has done this to our gods? Verily he must be a most wicked person!'
21 : 60
60. Qaloo samiAAna fatan yathkuruhum yuqalu lahu ibraheemu
Some said : 'We did hear a youth called Abraham saying foul things about them.'
(The folks of Abraham used to visit an annual fair on the outlying area, spend the whole day in festivities, return to the town at night, offer worship to their idols and then go home to rest.
After the argument between them and him over the stupidity of idol worship was brought to an end for the time being, they invited him to join them, but he said he would prefer to stay in town and deal with their gods whilst they were away.
Some people in the tribe did catch the asinine threat he made, but nipped the matter in the bud and went away, excited as they were to join in the festivities. As soon as they were all gone, Abraham went straight into the temple, armed with a hatchet, pounded the idols into powder and then hung it on the shoulder of the biggest of them in a way that it suggested he was the one who reeked that havoc on them.
However, upon returning from the fair and then looking at the carnage scattered around in the temple, those who had heard the threat made by Abraham realized at once whose hand must be behind it and informed their elders).
21 : 61
61. Qaloo fa/too bihi AAala aAAyuni alnnasi laAAallahum yashhadoona
They said : 'Then bring him before the people so that they may testify to it.
21 : 62
62. Qaloo aanta faAAalta hatha bi-alihatina ya ibraheemu
They said : 'Is it you who has done this to our idols, O Abraham?'
21 : 63
63. Qala bal faAAalahu kabeeruhum hatha fais-aloohum in kanoo yantiqoona
He said : 'Perhaps it is their chief who has done this to them! Why not ask them, if they can answer you back?'
(There were two reasons why Abraham hung that hatchet on the shoulders of the biggest of the idols; one was to suggest to them that their chief god was incensed by the thought of his devotees worshipping smaller gods in his presence and destroyed them out of anger, and the other to make them realize that if they worshipped gods who had no power to defend themselves or to testify as to who destroyed them, then they were hardly worth worshipping
When questioned about it, he did make that point clear to them and left them speechless as to who between them was right, - he or they).
21 : 64
64. FarajaAAoo ila anfusihim faqaloo innakum antumu alththalimoona
So they searched their souls and said to each other : 'Verily the fault does seem to lie with you!'
21 : 65
65. Thumma nukisoo AAala ruoosihim laqad AAalimta ma haola-i yantiqoona
Then they became somewhat confused and addressed Abraham saying : 'You know quite well that they cannot speak!'
21 : 66
66. Qala afataAAbudoona min dooni Allahi ma la yanfaAAukum shay-an wala yadurrukum
He said : 'Then worship you in the place of Allah those who can neither help you nor harm you?
(Abraham's answer had the desired effect on them and made them concede how impotent and inadequate were the gods they had set up and worshipped, which he at once followed up by asking them why surrender to idols whom they had themselves carved whilst Allah, the Almighty, was right there beside them, waiting to be sought and willing to respond?)
21 : 67
67. Offin lakum walima taAAbudoona min dooni Allahi afala taAAqiloona
'Shame on you and on the idols whom you worship in the place of Allah! Have you then no sense?'
21 : 68
68. Qaloo harriqoohu waonsuroo alihatakum in kuntum faAAileena
They said : 'Then burn him alive and uphold your deities, if it is the right recourse that you choose!'
21 : 69
69. Qulna ya naru koonee bardan wasalaman AAala ibraheema
We said : 'O flames! Cool off and peace be upon Abraham!'
21 : 70
70. Waaradoo bihi kaydan fajaAAalnahumu al-akhsareena
And since
they plotted ill against him, We reduced them to the worst of losers.
(But then, it is in the nature of the disbeliever never to confront the truth, nor to concede defeat, nor to give up the argument, nor to change his stance nor to mend his ways. Better than accepting defeat, they chose to punish the man who had taken off their blindfold, if only because he was only one while they were many, - and ordered him to be burnt alive in retaliation.
It is said that, after the verdict was delivered against him by the elders, Abraham was tied up and thrown away in prison whilst those obeying their orders set out to carry them out by building a brick wall around a piece of land outside the town. Then they filled up the enclosure with wood brought from far and near and lit a fire which burnt for several days, emanating a heat wave that scorched the birds in flight above it.
But Allah was not going to sit back and watch His messenger burnt to death by the sinful hands of those he was sent to rescue from damnation. So a Command came forth for the flames to cool down and desist from burning him, which it did. The flames subsided, the heat diminished, and instead of burning him, the fire set him free by reducing the ropes with which he was tied into ashes..
The
lesson for the idolaters of Mecca was to make note of the irrefutable fact that
Allah's promise always comes to pass; that He is forever present to deliver His
messengers from the clutches of their tormentors and thereafter subject them to
a punishment dire enough to obliterate them from the face of the earth!).
21 : 71
71. Wanajjaynahu walootan ila al-ardi allatee barakna feeha lilAAalameena
And We rescued him and Lot and then brought them to a land which We hallowed for all mankind!
21 : 72
72. Wawahabna lahu ishaqa wayaAAqooba nafilatan wakullan jaAAalna saliheena
And We blessed him with his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob and We made each of them righteous.
(The land mentioned is Syria to which Abraham and his nephew Lot went at the behest of Allah, the former settling down in Palestine and the latter in Damascus, from where they continued to preach the word of Allah to the masses.
Syria is referred to here as land hallowed for all mankind because of the vast number of Prophets who were either born there or lived there and preached their messages, besides being exceptionally fertile with infinite sources of water and ideal climatic conditions for crops and fruits).
21 : 73
73. WajaAAalnahum a-immatan yahdoona bi-amrina waawhayna ilayhim fiAAla alkhayrati wa-iqama alssalati wa-eetaa alzzakati wakanoo lana AAabideena
And We raised them to ranks of leadership so that they may guide the others by Our command and We inspired them to perform righteous deeds and to establish regular worship and to give alms, - and they worshipped no one else but Us!
21 : 74
74. Walootan ataynahu hukman waAAilman wanajjaynahu mina alqaryati allatee kanat taAAmalu alkhaba-itha innahum kanoo qawma saw-in fasiqeena
And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge and delivered him from the clutches of a community which committed abominations. Verily they were evil and indecent folk!
21 : 75
75. Waadkhalnahu fee rahmatina innahu mina alssaliheena
And We brought him into the sphere of Our mercy, for he was a righteous man! (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
51. And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrāhim (Abraham) his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allāh, etc.).
52. When he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which you are devoted?"
53. They said:"We found our fathers worshipping them."
54. He said: "Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error."
55. They said: "Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?"
56. He said: "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am one of the witnesses.
57. "And by Allāh, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs."
58. So he broke them to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it.
59. They said: "Who has done this to our āliha (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrong-doers."
60. They said: "We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrāhim (Abraham)."
61. They said: "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify."
62. They said: "Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrāhim (Abraham)?"
63. [Ibrāhim (Abraham)] said: "Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them, if they can speak!"[]
64. So they turned to themselves and said: "Verily, you are the Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
65. Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): "Indeed you [Ibrāhim (Abraham)] know well that these (idols) speak not!"
66. [Ibrāhim (Abraham)] said: "Do you then worship besides Allāh, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you?
67. "Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allāh! Have you then no sense?"
68. They said: "Burn him and help your āliha (gods), if you will be doing."
69. We (Allāh) said: "O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrāhim (Abraham)!"
70. And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers.
71. And We rescued him and Lout (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the 'Alamīn (mankind and jinns).
72. And We bestowed upon him Ishāque (Isaac), and (a grandson) Ya'qūb (Jacob). Each one We made righteous.
73. And We made them leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds, performing Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt), and the giving of Zakāt and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers.
74. And (remember) Lout (Lot), We gave him Hukman (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) and (religious) knowledge, and We saved him from the town (folk) who practised Al-Khabā'ith (evil, wicked and filthy deeds, etc.). Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were Fāsiqūn (rebellious, disobedient, to Allāh).
75. And We admitted him to Our Mercy, truly, he was of the righteous.
021.051
YUSUFALI: We bestowed
aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with
him.
PICKTHAL: And We
verily gave Abraham of old his proper course, and We were Aware of him,
SHAKIR: And certainly
We gave to Ibrahim his rectitude before, and We knew him fully well.
021.052
YUSUFALI: Behold! he
said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so
assiduously) devoted?"
PICKTHAL: When he said
unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion?
SHAKIR: When he said
to his father and his people: What are these images to whose worship you cleave?
021.053
YUSUFALI: They said,
"We found our fathers worshipping them."
PICKTHAL: They said:
We found our fathers worshippers of them.
SHAKIR: They said: We
found our fathers worshipping them.
021.054
YUSUFALI: He said,
"Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."
PICKTHAL: He said:
Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error.
SHAKIR: He said:
Certainly you have been, (both) you and your fathers, in manifest error.
021.055
YUSUFALI: They said,
"Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"
PICKTHAL: They said:
Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester?
SHAKIR: They said:
Have you brought to us the truth, or are you one of the triflers?
021.056
YUSUFALI: He said,
"Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them
(from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth).
PICKTHAL: He said:
Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them;
and I am of those who testify unto that.
SHAKIR: He said: Nay!
your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who brought them into
existence, and I am of those who bear witness to this:
021.057
YUSUFALI: "And by
Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs"..
PICKTHAL: And, by
Allah, I shall circumvent your idols after ye have gone away and turned your
backs.
SHAKIR: And, by Allah!
I will certainly do something against your idols after you go away, turning
back.
021.058
YUSUFALI: So he broke
them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address
themselves) to it.
PICKTHAL: Then he
reduced them to fragments, all save the chief of them, that haply they might
have recourse to it.
SHAKIR: So he broke
them into pieces, except the chief of them, that haply they may return to it.
021.059
YUSUFALI: They said,
"Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"
PICKTHAL: They said:
Who hath done this to our gods? Surely it must be some evil-doer.
SHAKIR: They said: Who
has done this to our gods? Most surely he is one of the unjust.
021.060
YUSUFALI: They said,
"We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham."
PICKTHAL: They said:
We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham.
SHAKIR: They said: We
heard a youth called Ibrahim speak of them.
021.061
YUSUFALI: They said,
"Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."
PICKTHAL: They said:
Then bring him (hither) before the people's eyes that they may testify.
SHAKIR: Said they:
Then bring him before the eyes of the people, perhaps they may bear witness.
021.062
YUSUFALI: They said,
"Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?"
PICKTHAL: They said:
Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham?
SHAKIR: They said:
Have you done this to our gods, O Ibrahim?
021.063
YUSUFALI: He said:
"Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak
intelligently!"
PICKTHAL: He said: But
this, their chief hath done it. So question them, if they can speak.
SHAKIR: He said:
Surely (some doer) has done it; the chief of them is this, therefore ask them,
if they can speak.
021.064
YUSUFALI: So they
turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"
PICKTHAL: Then
gathered they apart and said: Lo! ye yourselves are the wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: Then they
turned to themselves and said: Surely you yourselves are the unjust;
021.065
YUSUFALI: Then were
they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these
(idols) do not speak!"
PICKTHAL: And they
were utterly confounded, and they said: Well thou knowest that these speak not.
SHAKIR: Then they were
made to hang down their heads: Certainly you know that they do not speak.
021.066
YUSUFALI: (Abraham)
said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good
to you nor do you harm?
PICKTHAL: He said:
Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm
you?
SHAKIR: He said: What!
do you then serve besides Allah what brings you not any benefit at all, nor does
it harm you?
021.067
YUSUFALI: "Fie upon
you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?"..
PICKTHAL: Fie on you
and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense?
SHAKIR: Fie on you and
on what you serve besides Allah; what! do you not then understand?
021.068
YUSUFALI: They said,
"Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!"
PICKTHAL: They cried:
Burn him and stand by your gods, if ye will be doing.
SHAKIR: They said:
Burn him and help your gods, if you are going to do (anything).
021.069
YUSUFALI: We said, "O
Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"
PICKTHAL: We said: O
fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,
SHAKIR: We said: O
fire! be a comfort and peace to Ibrahim;
021.070
YUSUFALI: Then they
sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!
PICKTHAL: And they
wished to set a snare for him, but We made them the greater losers.
SHAKIR: And they
desired a war on him, but We made them the greatest losers.
021.071
YUSUFALI: But We
delivered him and (his nephew) Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have
blessed for the nations.
PICKTHAL: And We
rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for
(all) peoples.
SHAKIR: And We
delivered him as well as Lut (removing them) to the land which We had blessed
for all people.
021.072
YUSUFALI: And We
bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We
made righteous men of every one (of them).
PICKTHAL: And We
bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made
righteous.
SHAKIR: And We gave
him Ishaq and Yaqoub, a son's son, and We made (them) all good.
021.073
YUSUFALI: And We made
them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do
good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and
they constantly served Us (and Us only).
PICKTHAL: And We made
them chiefs who guide by Our command, and We inspired in them the doing of good
deeds and the right establishment of worship and the giving of alms, and they
were worshippers of Us (alone).
SHAKIR: And We made
them Imams who guided (people) by Our command, and We revealed to them the doing
of good and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of the alms, and Us (alone)
did they serve;
021.074
YUSUFALI: And to Lut,
too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which
practised abominations: truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious
people.
PICKTHAL: And unto Lot
we gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did
abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd.
SHAKIR: And (as for)
Lut, We gave him wisdom and knowledge, and We delivered him from the town which
wrought abominations; surely they were an evil people, transgressors;
021.075
YUSUFALI: And We
admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous.
PICKTHAL: And We
brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous.
SHAKIR: And We took
him into Our mercy; surely he was of the good.
21 : 76
76. Wanoohan ith nada min qablu faistajabna lahu fanajjaynahu waahlahu mina alkarbi alAAatheemi
And (remember) Noah how, when he cried to Us for help in the past, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from a wretched plight -
21 : 77
77. Wanasarnahu mina alqawmi allatheena kaththaboo bi-ayatina innahum kanoo qawma saw-in faaghraqnahum ajmaAAeena
And delivered him from the people who had refuted Our revelations. Verily they too were a wicked lot so We drowned them all!
21 : 78
78. Wadawooda wasulaymana ith yahkumani fee alharthi ith nafashat feehi ghanamu alqawmi wakunna lihukmihim shahideena
And (remember) when David and Solomon gave judgement in a dispute concerning a field into which some sheep belonging to other people had strayed away and were stranded in it overnight. And We were a witness to their judgement!
21 : 79
79. Fafahhamnaha sulaymana wakullan atayna hukman waAAilman wasakhkharna maAAa dawooda aljibala yusabbihna waalttayra wakunna faAAileena
And We explicated the issue to Solomon; and to each of them We gave judgement and knowledge. And We caused the hills and the birds to hymn along with David praises to His Lord! And all this was Our doing!
(The dispute mentioned here, which was adjudicated both by David and his son Solomon pertains to a cornfield into which an unattended herd of cattle strayed away and ruined the entire crop by grazing on it. Since the market value of the herd equalled the estimated value of the produce, David decided that the owner of the herd should give it away to the owner of the cornfield in lieu of the damage which he had sustained.
On the contrary his son Solomon, though barely eleven years of age at the time, reached a different conclusion. When pressed by his father to declare it, he opined that the shepherd should be forced to raise a crop of corn in the same field equal in yield to what the farmer had lost, and the farmer should be allowed to keep the cattle until then and benefit from their milk and wool, so that the wrong done was redressed with fairness.
Although David did appreciate the judgement of his son, it should be noted that his ruling was based upon the letter of the law while his son's upon the spirit of the Law, more like an amicable compromise rather than a rigid directive).
21 : 80
80. WaAAallamnahu sanAAata laboosin lakum lituhsinakum min ba/sikum fahal antum shakiroona
And We taught him the craft of making armour which you wear as protection against the perils of warfare. Are you then grateful?
(The first of the two special gifts bestowed on David by Allah mentioned in these verses was that, He caused the hills and the birds to join him when he sang the Psalms, hymning the glory of his Lord.
According to many commentators, all the constituents that lay between the heavens and the earth, animate and inanimate; visible and invisible, tangible and intangible, do glorify their Lord with constancy, although we do not hear them because of our limited faculties.
The gift given to David was that he made them audible to the rest of mankind at the same time, as he and they were fully engrossed in paying Him tributes.
The second gift bestowed upon him was the craft of making armour with a metal which became resilient and pliable in his hands, yielding itself to be turned into small loops and linked together like fabric).
21 : 81
81. Walisulaymana alrreeha AAasifatan tajree bi-amrihi ila al-ardi allatee barakna feeha wakunna bikulli shay-in AAalimeena
And for Solomon We subdued the harshest of wind so that it blew at his command towards the land which We had blessed. And We are aware of everything!
21 : 82
82. Wamina alshshayateeni man yaghoosoona lahu wayaAAmaloona AAamalan doona thalika wakunna lahum hafitheena
And We subdued for him those of the devils who dived for pearls at his behest and carried out other tasks, besides; and We were their warders.
(Allah bestowed upon Solomon the power to control the elements by His command. He could set the course of the wind and cause it to go in whichever direction he wanted, carrying with it clouds impregnated with moisture. Besides this, he was also sanctioned subservience of Jinn who dived for pearls in oceans at his behest and performed other special tasks for him, such as building mammoth monuments and luxurious mansions, making crockery and soap. But as they were strong and arrogant, they were restrained by Allah Himself, to make sure that they did no more than what they were bidden to do and never crossed the line)
21 : 83
83. Waayyooba ith nada rabbahu annee massaniya alddurru waanta arhamu alrrahimeena
And (remember) Job when he cried to his Lord for help saying : 'Verily I am smitten by misfortune and You are kindlier than the kindliest!'
(Job, or Eyyub, was a descendant of Isaac whom Allah had blessed with every kind of benefaction; he was handsome, he was affluent, he had many sons and headed a large family who were devoted to him. But his ordeals began when Allah decided to test his mettle and put him through a series of misfortunes. All the members of his family suddenly perished one day when the roof of their dwelling collapsed on them, his entire possessions were destroyed, his herds of cattle and camel were wiped out. Nevertheless, as and when news reached him about disasters which smote his family, he never felt bitter towards his Lord, never complained to Him nor prayed for his loss to be subsidized in other ways, his gratitude towards Him resolute and his faith in Him unassailable. He remained thankful to Allah for the blessings he had received and the joy which they had brought him, without ever dwelling upon the misfortunes and adversities that befell him, firmly believing in the principle that The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away!
Yet, his ordeals showed no signs of abating until he himself was smitten by an affliction that caused blisters to grow all over his body and plunged him in immense distress. His family gone and forsaken by friends, all he was left with was a loyal wife who served him with dedication and tended to his physical lacerations. Only then did he break down and pray to his Lord to come to his rescue).
21 : 84
84. Faistajabna lahu fakashafna ma bihi min durrin waataynahu ahlahu wamithlahum maAAahum rahmatan min AAindina wathikra lilAAabideena
So We responded to his cry by removing the misfortune that had smitten him and by restoring the entire household which he had lost plus twice as many along with them from the repository of our Grace and as a Reminder to the devout.
(Allah answered his prayers. It is said that he was asked to kick the ground with his heel, which he did, from whence a spring of salubrious and refreshing water gushed forth. Then he was asked to bathe in it, which cleansed his body of all its afflictions and made him a new man, healed and re-invigorated. It is also said that his faithful wife was rewarded with youth, his dead family was brought back to life, his dwelling was rebuilt, his crops and cattle revived and his fortunes restored, giving him back twice more than what he had lost, out of Allah's Grace and, in appreciation of his strength of endurance and blind faith in His benevolence!
Obviously, as is made clear in the verse, the ordeals which he faced;, the
stringent manner in which his faith was tested; the shocks he was made to
sustain;, the courage with which he sustained them; the consistency of his
gratitude in the wake of overwhelming odds and the manner and extent to which
every wrong done to him was restituted by the Lord in whom he truly believed,
are refreshed in the minds of the believers suffering only a fraction of what
others in the past had suffered, in order to reassure them that they too would
be restituted in the end, their wrongs would be redressed and their ordeals
would be rewarded).
21 : 85
85. Wa-ismaAAeela wa-idreesa watha alkifli kullun mina alssabireena
And (remember) Ishmael and Idris and Dhul-Kifl, all of whom were resolute men, -
21 : 86
86. Waadkhalnahum fee rahmatina innahum mina alssaliheena
And We brought them into the sphere of Our mercy, for they were of the righteous!
21 : 87
87. Watha alnnooni ith thahaba mughadiban fathanna an lan naqdira AAalayhi fanada fee alththulumati an la ilaha illa anta subhanaka innee kuntu mina alththalimeena
And Dhu'n-Nun when he abandoned his mission in a huff thinking that We would not take him to task over it; then he cried to Us from the darkness saying : 'There is no God save You and hallowed be Your name! Verily I have erred!'
(Dhun-Nun, or the owner of the fish, is another name for Jonas, mentioned in Surah 10. When his people rejected his invitation, turned away from him and declined to renounce their sinful ways, he became so exasperated by their inflexible attitude that he forsook his mission and went away, believing that, under the circumstances, emigration was the right course for him, without bothering to seek or waiting to be told of his Lord's permission.
His hasty departure from the scene where he was intended to stay and play the role that was set out for him did not get him too far. When the ship in which he travelled got caught up in storms, and it was decided by the crew that some of the passengers would have to be thrown overboard in order to lighten the load, choosing them by drawing lots, his name came up and he was thrown overboard. But, such was the will of the Lord that a whale swallowed him and he remained trapped inside its belly until he turned penitent to Allah and sought forgiveness. His penance was accepted and the fish threw him up on a deserted island where he spent many years of isolation, suffering from contagion he had developed as a result of remaining in the belly of the fish for such a long time.
The darkness referred to in the verse was of three kinds : the darkness of the whale's belly; the darkness of the night and the darkness that prevails in the bowels of the ocean.
Our blessed Prophet has recommended that, if ever we get caught up in a tight corner of any sort and are desperately seeking a way out of it, the prayer of Jonas contained in this verse is the most appropriate one to offer).
21 : 88
88. Faistajabna lahu wanajjaynahu mina alghammi wakathalika nunjee almu/mineena
So We heard his invocation and delivered him from his torment! Thus do We deliver those who believe!
21 : 89
89. Wazakariyya ith nada rabbahu rabbi la tatharnee fardan waanta khayru alwaritheena
And (remember) Zachariah when he cried to his Lord saying : 'O Lord! Abandon me not without an heir, though You are the best of inheritors!
21 : 90
90. Faistajabna lahu wawahabna lahu yahya waaslahna lahu zawjahu innahum kanoo yusariAAoona fee alkhayrati wayadAAoonana raghaban warahaban wakanoo lana khashiAAeena
So We heard his invocation and bestowed on him John by enabling his sterile wife to bear for him a child. They used to compete with one another in performing good deeds and they sought Us with expectation and caution and were filial to us.
21 : 91
91. Waallatee ahsanat farjaha fanafakhna feeha min roohina wajaAAalnaha waibnaha ayatan lilAAalameena
And (remember) her who was chaste, so We breathed into her Our own Spirit and made her and her son a token for all mankind!
21 : 92
92. Inna hathihi ommatukum ommatan wahidatan waana rabbukum faoAAbudooni
Verily your religion is an eclectic religion and I am your Lord, so worship Me alone!
21 : 93
93. WataqattaAAoo amrahum baynahum kullun ilayna rajiAAoona
And they have cleaved their religion into segments amongst themselves, even though they all must return to Us one Day (R)
(Thus the topic about the Prophets is brought to a conclusion on an optimistic note for the beleaguered believers of Mecca that theirs is the religion preached by all of them and therefore the only true religion taught to man by his Lord, cautioning them not to break it up into segments as the others had done, nor dilute its content nor alter it in any way).
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
76. And (remember) Nūh (Noah), when he cried (to Us) aforetime. We listened to his invocation and saved him and his family from great distress.
77. We helped him against people who denied Our Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). Verily, they were a people given to evil. So We drowned them all.
78. And (remember) Dawūd (David) and Sulaimān (Solomon), when they gave judgement in the case of the field in which the sheep of certain people had pastured at night and We were witness to their judgement.
79. And We made Sulaimān (Solomon) to understand (the case), and to each of them We gave Hukman (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our Praises along with Dawūd (David), And it was We Who were the doers (of all these things).
80. And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect you in your fighting. Are you then grateful?
81. And to Sulaimān (Solomon) (We subjected) the wind strongly raging, running by his command towards the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are the All-Knower.
82. And of the Shayātin (devils) (from the jinns) were some who dived for him, and did other work besides that; and it was We Who guarded them.
83. And (remember) Ayūb (Job), when he cried to his Lord: "Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy."
84. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship Us.
85. And (remember) Isma'īl (Ishmael), and Idris (Enoch) and Dhul-Kifl (Isaiah), all were from among As-Sābirin (the patient ones, etc.).
86. And We admitted them to Our Mercy. Verily, they were of the righteous.
87. And (remember) Dhan-Nūn (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamites which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): Lā ilāha illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allāh)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers."
88. So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allāh, abstain from evil and work righteousness).
89. And (remember) Zakariya (Zachariah), when he cried to his Lord: "O My Lord! Leave me not single (childless), though You are the Best of the inheritors."
90. So We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahya (John), and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.
91. And (remember) she who guarded her chastity [Virgin Maryam (Mary)], We breathed into (the sleeves of) her (shirt or garment) [through Our Rūh Jibrael (Gabriel)][], and We made her and her son ['Iesa (Jesus)] a sign for Al-'Alamin (the mankind and jinns).
92. Truly! This, your Ummah [Sharia or religion (Islāmic Monotheism)] is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone). [Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr]
93. But they have broken up and differed as regards their religion among themselves. (And) they all shall return to Us.
021.076
YUSUFALI: (Remember)
Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime: We listened to his (prayer) and delivered
him and his family from great distress.
PICKTHAL: And Noah,
when he cried of old, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from
the great affliction.
SHAKIR: And Nuh, when
he cried aforetime, so We answered him, and delivered him and his followers from
the great calamity.
021.077
YUSUFALI: We helped
him against people who rejected Our Signs: truly they were a people given to
Evil: so We drowned them (in the Flood) all together.
PICKTHAL: And
delivered him from the people who denied Our revelations. Lo! they were folk of
evil, therefor did We drown them all.
SHAKIR: And We helped
him against the people who rejected Our communications; surely they were an evil
people, so We drowned them all.
021.078
YUSUFALI: And remember
David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which
the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment.
PICKTHAL: And David
and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field, when people's sheep
had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their
judgment.
SHAKIR: And Dawood and
Sulaiman when they gave judgment concerning the field when the people's sheep
pastured therein by night, and We were bearers of witness to their judgment.
021.079
YUSUFALI: To Solomon
We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave
Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds
celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things).
PICKTHAL: And We made
Solomon to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgment and
knowledge. And we subdued the hills and the birds to hymn (His) praise along
with David. We were the doers (thereof).
SHAKIR: So We made
Sulaiman to understand it; and to each one We gave wisdom and knowledge; and We
made the mountains, and the birds to celebrate Our praise with Dawood; and We
were the doers.
021.080
YUSUFALI: It was We
Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from
each other's violence: will ye then be grateful?
PICKTHAL: And We
taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring.
Are ye then thankful?
SHAKIR: And We taught
him the making of coats of mail for you, that they might protect you in your
wars; will you then be grateful?
021.081
YUSUFALI: (It was Our
power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his
order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things.
PICKTHAL: And unto
Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the
land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware.
SHAKIR: And (We made
subservient) to Sulaiman the wind blowing violent, pursuing its course by his
command to the land which We had blessed, and We are knower of ail things.
021.082
YUSUFALI: And of the
evil ones, were some who dived for him, and did other work besides; and it was
We Who guarded them.
PICKTHAL: And of the
evil ones (subdued We unto him) some who dived (for pearls) for him and did
other work, and We were warders unto them.
SHAKIR: And of the
rebellious people there were those who dived for him and did other work besides
that, and We kept guard over them;
021.083
YUSUFALI: And
(remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but
Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful."
PICKTHAL: And Job,
when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art
Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
SHAKIR: And Ayub, when
he cried to his Lord, (saying): Harm has afflicted me, and Thou art the most
Merciful of the merciful.
021.084
YUSUFALI: So We
listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his
people to him, and doubled their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing
for commemoration, for all who serve Us.
PICKTHAL: Then We
heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave
him his household (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, a
mercy from Our store, and a remembrance for the worshippers;
SHAKIR: Therefore We
responded to him and took off what harm he had, and We gave him his family and
the like of them with them: a mercy from Us and a reminder to the worshippers.
021.085
YUSUFALI: And
(remember) Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience;
PICKTHAL: And
(mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.
SHAKIR: And Ismail and
Idris and Zulkifl; all were of the patient ones;
021.086
YUSUFALI: We admitted
them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.
PICKTHAL: And We
brought them in unto Our mercy. Lo! they are among the righteous.
SHAKIR: And We caused
them to enter into Our mercy, surely they were of the good ones.
021.087
YUSUFALI: And remember
Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him!
But he cried through the deptHs of darkness, "There is no god but thou: glory to
thee: I was indeed wrong!"
PICKTHAL: And
(mention) Dhu'n-Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power
over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no Allah save Thee.
Be Thou Glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer.
SHAKIR: And Yunus,
when he went away in wrath, so he thought that We would not straiten him, so he
called out among afflictions: There is no god but Thou, glory be to Thee; surely
I am of those who make themselves to suffer loss.
021.088
YUSUFALI: So We
listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those
who have faith.
PICKTHAL: Then we
heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus we save believers.
SHAKIR: So We
responded to him and delivered him from the grief and thus do We deliver the
believers.
021.089
YUSUFALI: And
(remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! leave me not without
offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors."
PICKTHAL: And
Zachariah, when he cried unto his Lord: My Lord! Leave me not childless, though
Thou art the Best of inheritors.
SHAKIR: And Zakariya,
when he cried to his Lord: O my Lord leave me not alone; and Thou art the best
of inheritors.
021.090
YUSUFALI: So We
listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for
him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call
on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.
PICKTHAL: Then We
heard his prayer, and bestowed upon him John, and adjusted his wife (to bear a
child) for him. Lo! they used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they
cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive unto Us.
SHAKIR: So We
responded to him and gave him Yahya and made his wife fit for him; surely they
used to hasten, one with another In deeds of goodness and to call upon Us,
hoping and fearing and they were humble before Us.
021.091
YUSUFALI: And
(remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and
We made her and her son a sign for all peoples.
PICKTHAL: And she who
was chaste, therefor We breathed into her (something) of Our Spirit and made her
and her son a token for (all) peoples.
SHAKIR: And she who
guarded her chastity, so We breathed into her of Our inspiration and made her
and her son a sign for the nations.
021.092
YUSUFALI: Verily, this
brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher:
therefore serve Me (and no other).
PICKTHAL: Lo! this,
your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
SHAKIR: Surely this
Islam is your religion, one religion (only), and I am your Lord, therefore serve
Me.
021.093
YUSUFALI: But (later
generations) cut off their affair (of unity), one from another: (yet) will they
all return to Us.
PICKTHAL: And they
have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning
unto Us.
SHAKIR: And they broke
their religion (into sects) between them: to Us shall all come back.
21 : 94
94. Faman yaAAmal mina alssalihati wahuwa mu/minun fala kufrana lisaAAyihi wa-inna lahu katiboona
Then whoever performs seemly deeds and is also a believer, his toils will never be overlooked, for We keep a record of them.
21 : 95
95. Waharamun AAala qaryatin ahlaknaha annahum la yarjiAAoona
And forbidden are the dwellers of a township which We destroyed from returning to it -
21 : 96
96. Hatta itha futihat ya/jooju wama/jooju wahum min kulli hadabin yansiloona
Until when Gog and Magog are let loose and they hasten out of every mound!
(Opinions of commentators are divided regarding the explanation of verse 95. According to some, any township which has been destroyed by Allah on account of evil perpetrated by its denizens is banned for them forever from returning to it and rebuilding it; but there are those who opine that returning in this context means reverting to the life of solecism and depredation on account of which they were driven out of there, and there others who say it means returning to this world in which they wasted away their term perpetrating evil so that they could undo the wrong which they had done and ameliorate themselves, as this is a phenomenal impossibility
The ferocious tribes of Gog and Magog, ostracized by Dhul-Qarnayn on the other side of the Iron Gate which he built at the behest of people whom they were victimizing, mentioned in Surah XVIII, would overcome the barrier and come pouring into the world in huge numbers, reeking havoc upon every community that got in their way, and signalling the culmination of the Hour of Doom, are mentioned here clearly indicating to all mankind that the re-emergence of these two monstrous tribes is to be taken as one of the ominous signs of the impending Apocalypse).
21 : 97
97. Waiqtaraba alwaAAdu alhaqqu fa-itha hiya shakhisatun absaru allatheena kafaroo ya waylana qad kunna fee ghaflatin min hatha bal kunna thalimeena
And as the True Promise draws close, watch how the eyes of the disbelievers will tear open from dismay and they say : 'Damnation upon us! Verily we remained oblivious to this moment! Nay, we were utterly impetuous!'
21 : 98
98. Innakum wama taAAbudoona min dooni Allahi hasabu jahannama antum laha waridoona
Verily you and those whom you worshipped in the place of Allah are but fuel for the fire of hell and you too are destined to go into it!
21 : 99
99. Law kana haola-i alihatan ma waradooha wakullun feeha khalidoona
Had they been real gods, they would not be in hell; but in hell will they abide forever -
21 : 100
100. Lahum feeha zafeerun wahum feeha la yasmaAAoona
In which their lot is to scream and never to be heard!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when the idolaters asked the Prophet that, if the gods they worshipped were also cast in hell along with those who worshipped them, what would happen to the Oracles and Angels worshipped by several local tribes, including Jesus whom the Christians had apotheosised as their God?
21 : 101
101. Inna allatheena sabaqat lahum minna alhusna ola-ika AAanha mubAAadoona
Verily those to whom Our promise of kindness has already gone forth, they shall be kept away from it.
21 : 102
102. La yasmaAAoona haseesaha wahum fee ma ishtahat anfusuhum khalidoona
They would not hear the slightest sound of its roar but abide in that which their souls desire!
21 : 103
103. La yahzunuhumu alfazaAAu al-akbaru watatalaqqahumu almala-ikatu hatha yawmukumu allathee kuntum tooAAadoona
The worst moment of Terror would not plunge them into distress and the angels would welcome them saying : 'This is the Day which you were promised!
21 : 104
104. Yawma natwee alssamaa katayyi alssijlli lilkutubi kama bada/na awwala khalqin nuAAeeduhu waAAdan AAalayna inna kunna faAAileena
'On that
Day We will roll up the heavens like the recording angel rolls up the scroll! As
We inducted the first Creation, We shall repeat it once again! It is a promise
with which We have bound Ourselves and it will surely come to pass!
(After the revelation of verses 99 and 100, the Prophet made an impromptu visit to the Ka'ba which was at that time thronged by idolaters gone there to pay their tributes to the 360 idols which surrounded it. Somewhat repulsed by the sickening spectacle of the holiest sanctuary of Allah thus defiled, he deliberately repeated the contents of these verses loud enough for them to hear.
It produced such an adverse reaction from them that they demanded to know from him if Uzair, Jesus and the angels worshipped by the Jews, the Christians and certain tribes respectively, would also be thrown in hell along with those who worshipped them. Their question was answered in the above verses that those whom Allah had already assured a lasting place in the Abode of the Hereafter and His propinquity would be received by the angels midst greetings and felicitations and taken to the place which they cherished all their lives and strove for, where the ferocious roar of the blaze would not reach, nor would the fear of the great torment throw them in panic.
As for the idols and their worshippers, they would be turned into fuel for the fire of hell and tossed in it without a second thought).
* * *
21 : 105
105. Walaqad katabna fee alzzaboori min baAAdi alththikri anna al-arda yarithuha AAibadiya alssalihoona
And verily
We have written in the Psalms that, after the arrival of the Reminder, only the
most righteous of my slaves shall inherit the earth!
(The
earth is taken to mean by some commentators as Paradise; and by some as the
land that once belonged to the disbelievers but taken away from them by Allah
and passed on to the believers as their birth-right; and by some the
fertile land of Syria).
21 : 106
106. Inna fee hatha labalaghan liqawmin AAabideena
Verily this asseveration (Qur'aan) suffices those who are devout in their
worship!
(The
devout in worship are taken to mean by some commentators as believers,
regardless of which messenger they were affiliated to; and by others the
adherents of this Prophet, which is another way of saying Muslims, because they
offer worship five times a Day, observe the fast during Ramadan and perform
pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, which happen to be the prime
qualifications of a Muslim).
21 : 107
107. Wama arsalnaka illa rahmatan lilAAalameena
We have
sent you (O Mohammed)) only as a mercy for all mankind!
(An all
exclusive accolade bestowed on Prophet Mohammed, making him a mercy for all
mankind whether they are believers or not, they are Muslims or not, they are
followers of Scriptures or not. He is a mercy for the believers in this life as
well as in the other, and a mercy even for those who do not believe, at least in
this world, if not in the other).
21 : 108
108. Qul innama yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun fahal antum muslimoona
Say to them : 'What has come to me as an inspiration is that your God is One God!' Will you then surrender to Him?
21 : 109
109. Fa-in tawallaw faqul athantukum AAala sawa-in wa-in adree aqareebun am baAAeedun ma tooAAadoona
But if they turn away, say to them : 'I have conveyed the warning to all alike, though I know not whether that which has been promised to you is near or still far away!'
21 : 110
110. Innahu yaAAlamu aljahra mina alqawli wayaAAlamu ma taktumoona
'Verily He knows that which is spoken aloud and He knows that which is hushed up!
21 : 111
111. Wa-in adree laAAallahu fitnatun lakum wamataAAun ila heenin
'And I know not whether the comforts which you enjoy for a short term are but a test for your mettle!'
21 : 112
112. Qala rabbi ohkum bialhaqqi warabbuna alrrahmanu almustaAAanu AAala ma tasifoona
The messenger says : 'My Lord! Judge the truth! Our Lord is the Beneficent whose help is all we need against that which you fabricate!' (R)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
94. So whoever does righteous good deeds while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allāh Islāmic Monotheism), his efforts will not be rejected. Verily! We record it in his Book of deeds.[]
95. And a ban is laid on every town (population) which We have destroyed that they shall not return (to this world again, nor repent to Us).
96. Until, when Ya'jūj and Ma'jūj (Gog and Magog)[] are let loose (from their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from every mound.
97. And the true promise (Day of Resurrection) shall draw near (of fulfillment). Then (when mankind is resurrected from their graves), you shall see the eyes of the disbelievers fixedly stare in horror. (They will say): "Woe to us! We were indeed heedless of this; nay, but we were Zālimūn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.)."
98. Certainly! You (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allāh, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely), you will enter it.[]
99. Had these (idols, etc.) been āliha (gods), they would not have entered there (Hell), and all of them will abide therein.
100. Therein breathing out with deep sighs and roaring will be their portion, and therein they will hear not.[]
101. Verily those for whom the good has preceded from Us, they will be removed far therefrom (Hell) [e.g. 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary); 'Uzair (Ezra), etc.].
102. They shall not hear the slightest sound of it (Hell), while they abide in that which their ownselves desire.
103. The greatest terror (on the Day of Resurrection) will not grieve them, and the angels will meet them, (with the greeting): "This is your Day which you were promised."
104. And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books, as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.
105. And indeed We have written in Zabūr (Psalms) [i.e. all the revealed Holy Books the Taurāt (Torah), the Injeel (Gospel), the Qur'ān] after (We have already written in) Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz (the Book, that is in the heaven with Allāh), that My righteous slaves shall inherit the land (i.e. the land of Paradise).
106. Verily, in this (the Qur'ān) there is a plain Message for people who worship Allāh (i.e. the true, real believers of Islāmic Monotheism who act practically on the Qur'ān and the Sunnah legal ways of the Prophet SAW).
107. And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
108. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "It is revealed to me that your Ilāh (God) is only one Ilāh (God - Allāh). Will you then submit to His Will (become Muslims and stop worshipping others besides Allāh)?"
109. But if they (disbelievers, idolaters, Jews, Christians, polytheists, etc.) turn away (from Islāmic Monotheism) say (to them O Muhammad SAW): "I give you a notice (of war as) to be known to us all alike. And I know not whether that which you are promised (i.e. the torment or the Day of Resurrection) is near or far.[]"
110. (Say O Muhammad SAW) Verily, He (Allāh) knows that which is spoken aloud (openly) and that which you conceal.
111. And I know not, perhaps it may be a trial for you, and an enjoyment for a while.
112. He (Muhammad SAW) said:"My Lord! Judge You in truth! Our Lord is the Most Beneficent, Whose Help is to be sought against that which you attribute (unto Allāh that He has offspring, and unto Muhammad SAW that he is a sorcerer, and unto the Qur'ān that it is poetry, etc.)!"
021.094
YUSUFALI: Whoever
works any act of righteousness and has faith,- His endeavour will not be
rejected: We shall record it in his favour.
PICKTHAL: Then whoso
doeth some good works and is a believer, there will be no rejection of his
effort. Lo! We record (it) for him.
SHAKIR: Therefore
whoever shall do of good deeds and he is a believer, there shall be no denying
of his exertion, and surely We will write (It) down for him.
021.095
YUSUFALI: But there is
a ban on any population which We have destroyed: that they shall not return,
PICKTHAL: And there is
a ban upon any community which We have destroyed: that they shall not return.
SHAKIR: And it is
binding on a town which We destroy that they shall not return.
021.096
YUSUFALI: Until the
Gog and Magog (people) are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly swarm
from every hill.
PICKTHAL: Until, when
Gog and Magog are let loose, and they hasten out of every mound,
SHAKIR: Even when Gog
and Magog are let loose and they shall break forth from every elevated place.
021.097
YUSUFALI: Then will
the true promise draw nigh (of fulfilment): then behold! the eyes of the
Unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror: "Ah! Woe to us! we were indeed
heedless of this; nay, we truly did wrong!"
PICKTHAL: And the True
Promise draweth nigh; then behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of
those who disbelieve! (They say): Alas for us! We (lived) in forgetfulness of
this. Ah, but we were wrong-doers!
SHAKIR: And the true
promise shall draw nigh, then lo! the eyes of those who disbelieved shall be
fixedly open: O woe to us! surely we were m a state of heedlessness as to this;
nay, we were unjust.
021.098
YUSUFALI: Verily ye,
(unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah, are (but)
fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!
PICKTHAL: Lo! ye
(idolaters) and that which ye worship beside Allah are fuel of hell. Thereunto
ye will come.
SHAKIR: Surely you and
what you worship besides Allah are the firewood of hell; to it you shall come.
021.099
YUSUFALI: If these had
been gods, they would not have got there! but each one will abide therein.
PICKTHAL: If these had
been gods they would not have come thither, but all will abide therein.
SHAKIR: Had these been
gods, they would not have come to it and all shall abide therein.
021.100
YUSUFALI: There,
sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (aught else).
PICKTHAL: Therein
wailing is their portion, and therein they hear not.
SHAKIR: For them
therein shall be groaning and therein they shall not hear.
021.101
YUSUFALI: Those for
whom the good (record) from Us has gone before, will be removed far therefrom.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those
unto whom kindness hath gone forth before from Us, they will be far removed from
thence.
SHAKIR: Surely (as
for) those for whom the good has already gone forth from Us, they shall be kept
far off from it;
021.102
YUSUFALI: Not the
slightest sound will they hear of Hell: what their souls desired, in that will
they dwell.
PICKTHAL: They will
not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they abide in that which their souls
desire.
SHAKIR: They will not
hear its faintest sound, and they shall abide in that which their souls long
for.
021.103
YUSUFALI: The Great
Terror will bring them no grief: but the angels will meet them (with mutual
greetings): "This is your Day,- (the Day) that ye were promised."
PICKTHAL: The Supreme
Horror will not grieve them, and the angels will welcome them, (saying): This is
your Day which ye were promised;
SHAKIR: The great
fearful event shall not grieve them, and the angels shall meet them: This is
your day which you were promised.
021.104
YUSUFALI: The Day that
We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as
We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have
undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it.
PICKTHAL: The Day when
We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We
began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon
Us. Lo! We are to perform it.
SHAKIR: On the day
when We will roll up heaven like the rolling up of the scroll for writings, as
We originated the first creation, (so) We shall reproduce it; a promise (binding
on Us); surely We will bring it about.
021.105
YUSUFALI: Before this
We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Moses): My servants the
righteous, shall inherit the earth."
PICKTHAL: And verily
we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: My righteous slaves will
inherit the earth:
SHAKIR: And certainly
We wrote in the Book after the reminder that (as for) the land, My righteous
servants shall inherit it.
021.106
YUSUFALI: Verily in
this (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah.
PICKTHAL: Lo! there is
a plain statement for folk who are devout.
SHAKIR: Most surely in
this is a message to a people who serve
021.107
YUSUFALI: We sent thee
not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.
PICKTHAL: We sent thee
not save as a mercy for the peoples.
SHAKIR: And We have
not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds.
021.108
YUSUFALI: Say: "What
has come to me by inspiration is that your Allah is One Allah: will ye therefore
bow to His Will (in Islam)?"
PICKTHAL: Say: It is
only inspired in me that your Allah is One Allah. Will ye then surrender (unto
Him)?
SHAKIR: Say: It is
only revealed to me that your Allah is one Allah; will you then submit?
021.109
YUSUFALI: But if they
turn back, Say: "I have proclaimed the Message to you all alike and in truth;
but I know not whether that which ye are promised is near or far.
PICKTHAL: But if they
are averse, then say: I have warned you all alike, although I know not whether
nigh or far is that which ye are promised.
SHAKIR: But if they
turn back, say: I have given you warning in fairness and I do not know whether
what you are threatened with is near or far;
021.110
YUSUFALI: "It is He
Who knows what is open in speech and what ye hide (in your hearts).
PICKTHAL: Lo! He
knoweth that which is said openly, and that which ye conceal.
SHAKIR: Surely He
knows what is spoken openly and He knows what you hide;
021.111
YUSUFALI: "I know not
but that it may be a trial for you, and a grant of (worldly) livelihood (to you)
for a time."
PICKTHAL: And I know
not but that this may be a trial for you, and enjoyment for a while.
SHAKIR: And I do not
know if this may be a trial for you and a provision till a time.
021.112
YUSUFALI: Say: "O my
Lord! judge Thou in truth!" "Our Lord Most Gracious is the One Whose assistance
should be sought against the blasphemies ye utter!"
PICKTHAL: He saith: My
Lord! Judge Thou with truth. Our Lord is the Beneficent, Whose help is to be
implored against that which ye ascribe (unto Him).
SHAKIR: He said: O my
Lord! judge Thou with truth; and our Lord is the Beneficent Allah, Whose help is
sought against what you ascribe (to Him).