THE HOLY QUR'AAN

SURAH 30
Ar-Ruum  (The Romans, The Byzantines)

INTRODUCTION:

This Surah consists of 60 verses, 819 sentences, 3,534 letters and 6 Ruku's.

Name

It takes its name Ar-Rum from the second verse in which the words ghulibat-ir-Rum have occurred.

Period of Revelation

The period of the revelation of this Surah is determined absolutely by the historical event that has been mentioned at the outset. It says: "The Romans have been vanquished in the neighbouring land." In those days the Byzantine occupied territories adjacent to Arabia were Jordan, Syria and Palestine, and in these territories the Romans were completely overpowered by the Iranians in 615 A.D. Therefore, it can be said with absolute certainty that this Surah was sent down in the same year, and this was the year in which the migration to Habash took place.

Historical Background

The prediction made in the initial verses of this Surah is one of the most outstanding evidences of the Quran's being the Word of Allah and the Holy Prophet Muhammad's being a true Messenger of Allah. Let us have a look at the historical background relevant to the verses.

 

Eight years before the Holy Prophet's advent as a Prophet the Byzantine Emperor Maurice was overthrown by Phocus, who captured the throne and became king. Phocus first got the Emperor's five sons executed in front of him, and then got the Emperor also killed and hung their heads in a thoroughfare in Constantinople. A few days after this he had the empress and her three danghters also put to death. The event provided Khusrau Parvez, the Sassanid king of Iran; a good moral excuse to attack Byzantium. For Emperor Maurice had been his benefactor; with his help he had got the throne of Iran. Therefore, he declared that he would avenge his godfather's and his children's murder upon Phocus, the usurper. So, he started war against Byzantium in 603 A. D. and within a few years, putting the Phocus armies to rout in succession, he reached Edessa (modern, Urfa) in Asia Minor, on the one hand, and Aleppo and Antioch in Syria, on the other. When the Byzantine ministers saw that Phocus could not save the country, they sought the African governor's help, who sent his son, Heraclius, to Constantinople with a strong fleet. Phocus was immediately deposed and Heraclius made emperor. He treated Phocus as he had treated Maurice. This happened in 610 A.D., the year the Holy Prophet was appointed to Prophethood.

 

The moral excuse for which Khusrau Parvez had started the war was no more valid after the deposition and death of Phocus. Had the object of his war really been to avenge the murder of his ally on Phocus for his cruelty, he would have come to terms with the new Emperor after the death of Phocus. But he continued the war, and gave it the colour of a crusade between Zoroastrianism and Christianity. The sympathies of the Christian sects (i.e. Nestorians and Jacobians, etc.) which had been excommunicated by the Roman ecclesiastical authority and tyrannized for years also went with the Magian (Zoroastrian) invaders, and the Jews also joined hands with them; so much so that the number of the Jews who enlisted in Khusrau's army rose up to 26,000.

 

Heraclius could not stop this storm. The very first news that he received from the East after asccnding the throne was that of the Iranian occupation of Antioch. After this Damascus fell in 613 A.D. Then in 614 A.D. the Iranians occupying Jerusalem played havoc with the Christian world. Ninety thousand Christians were massacred and the Holy Sepulchre was desecrated. The Original Cross on which, according to the Christian belief, Jesus had died was seized and carried to Mada'in. The chief priest Zacharia was taken prisoner and all the important churches of the city were destroyed. How puffed up was Khusrau Parvez at this victory can be judged from the letter that he wrote to Heraclius from Jerusalem. He wrote: "From Khusrau, the greatest of all gods, the master of the whole world : To Heraclius, his most wretched and most stupid servant: 'You say that you have trust in your Lord. why didn't then your Lord save Jerusalem from me?'"

 

Within a year after this victory the Iranian armies over-ran Jordan, Palestine and the whole of the Sinai Peninsula, and reached the frontiers of Egypt. In those very days another conflict of a far greater historical consequence was going on in Makkah. The believers in One God, under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace be upon him), were fighting for their existence against the followers of shirk under the command of the chiefs of the Quraish, and the conflict had reached such a stage that in 615 A.D., a substantial number of the Muslims had to leave their homes and take refuge with the Christian kingdom of Habash, which was an ally of the Byzantine Empire. In those days the Sassanid victories against Byzantium were the talk of the town, and the pagans of Makkah were delighted and were taunting the Muslims to the effect: "Look the fire worshippers of Iran are winning victories and the Christian believers in Revelation and Prophethood are being routed everywhere. Likewise, we, the idol worshippers of Arabia, will exterminate you and your religion."

 

These were the conditions when this Surah of the Quran was sent down, and in it a prediction was made, saying:"The Romans have been vanquished in the neighbouring land and within a few years after their defeat, they shall be victorious. And it will be the day when the believers will rejoice in the victory granted by Allah." It contained not one but two predictions: First, the Romans shall be Victorious; and second, the Muslims also shall win a victory at the same time. Apparently, there was not a remote chance of the fulfilment of the either prediction in the next few years. On the one hand, there were a handful of the Muslims, who were being beaten and tortured in Makkah, and even till eight years after this prediction there appeared no chance of their victory and domination. On the other, the Romans were losing more and more ground every next day. By 619 A.D. the whole of Egypt had passed into Sassanid hands and the Magian armies had reached as far as Tripoli. In Asia Minor they beat and pushed back the Romans to Bosporus, and in 617 A.D. they captured Chalcedon (modern, Kadikoy) just opposite Constantinople. The Emperor sent an envoy to Khusrau, praying that he was ready to have peace on any terms, but he replied, "I shall not give protection to the emperor until he is brought in chains before me and gives up obedience to his crucified god and adopts submission to the fire god." At last, the Emperor became so depressed by defeat that he decided to leave Constantinople and shift to Carthage (modern, Tunis). In short, as the British historian Gibbon says, even seven to eight years after this prediction of the Quran, the conditions were such that no one could even imagine that the Byzantine Empire would ever gain an upper hand over Iran. Not to speak of gaining domination, no one could hope that the Empire, under the circumstances, would even survive.

 

When these verses of the Quran were sent down, the disbelievers of Makkah made great fun of them, and Ubayy bin Khalaf bet Hadrat Abu Bakr ten camels if the Romans became victorious within three years. When the Holy Prophet came to know of the bet, he said, "The Quran has used the words bid i sinin, and the word bid in Arabic applies to a number upto ten. Therefore, make the bet for ten years and increase the number of camels to a hundred." So, Hadrat Abu Bakr spoke to Ubayy again and bet a hundred camels for ten years.

 

In 622 A.D. as the Holy Prophet migrated to Madinah, thc Emperor Heraclius set off quietly for Trabzon from Constantinople via the Black Sea and started preparations to attack Iran from rear. For this he asked the Church for money, and Pope Sergius lent him the Church collections on interest, in a bid to save Christianity from Zoroastrianism. Heraclius started his counter attack in 623 A.D. from Armenia. Next year, in 624 A.D., he entered Azerbaijan and destroyed Clorumia, the birthplace of Zoroaster, and ravaged the principal fire temple of Iran. Great are the powers of Allah, this was the very year when the Muslims achieved a decisive victory at Badr for the first time against the mushriks. Thus both the predictions made in Surah Rum were fulfilled simultaneously within the stipulated period of ten years.

 

The Byzantine forces continued to press the Iranians hard and in the decisive battle at Nineveh (627 A.D.) they dealt them the hardest blow. They captured the royal residence of Dastagerd, and then pressing forward reached right opposite to Ctesiphon, capital of Iran in those days. In 628 A. D. in an internal revolt, Khusrau Parvez was imprisoned and 18 of his sons were executed in front of him and a few days later he himself died in the prison. This was the year when the peace treaty of Hudaibiya was concluded, which the Quran has termed as "the supreme victory", and in this very year Khusrau's son, Qubad II, gave up all the occupied Roman territories, restored the True Cross and made peace with Byzantium. In 628 A.D., the Emperor himself went to Jerusalem to instal the "Holy Cross" in its place, and in the same year the Holy Prophet entered Makkah for the first time after the Hijrah to perform the Umra-tul-Qada.

 

After this no one could have any doubt about the truth of the prophecy of the Quran, with the result that most of the Arab polytheists accepted Islam. The heirs of Ubayy bin Khalaf lost their bet and had to give a hundred camels to Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq. He took them before the Holy Prophet, who ordered that they be given away in charity, because the bet had been made at a time when gambling had not yet been forbidden by the Shariah; now it was forbidden. Therefore, the bet was allowed to be accepted from the belligerent disbelievers, but instruction given that it should be given away in charity and should not be brought in personal use.

Theme and Subject matter

The discourse begins with the theme that the Romans have been overcome and the people the world over think that the empire is about to collapse, but the fact is that within a few years the tables will be turned and the vanquished will again become victorious.

This introductory theme contains the great truth that man is accustomed to seeing only what is apparent and superficial. That which is behind the apparent and superficial he does not know. When in the petty matters of life, this habit to see only the apparent and superficial can lead man to misunderstandings and miscalculations, and when he is liable to make wrong estimates only due to lack of knowledge about "what will happen tomorrow", how stupendous will be his error if he risks his whole life-activity by placing reliance only upon what is visible and apparent with respect to his worldly life as a whole. Then, from the question of the conflict between Byzantium and Iran the direction of the discourse turns to the theme of the Hereafter, and as far as verse 27, man has been made to understand in different ways that the Hereafter is possible as well as rational and necessary; then for the sake of keeping the system of his life also stable and balanced it is absolutely necessary that he should plan and order his present life on the faith in the Hereafter; otherwise he will commit the same error as has always been the result of placing one's reliance only upon the apparent and the visible.

In this connection, the Signs of the universe which have been presented as evidence to prove the doctrine of the Hereafter are precisely the same which support the doctrine of Tauhid. Therefore from verse 28 onward, the discourse turns to the affirmation of Tauhid and the refutation of shirk, and it is stressed that the natural way of life for man is none else but to serve One God exclusively. Shirk is opposed to the nature of the universe as to the nature of man. Therefore, whenever man has adopted this deviation, chaos has resulted. Again here, an allusion has been made to the great chaos that had gripped the world on account of the war between the two major powers of the time, and it has been indicated that this chaos too, is the result of shirk, and all the nations who were ever involved in mischief and chaos in the history of mankind were also mushriks.

In conclusion, a parable has been presented to make the people understand that just as dead earth comes to life, all of a sudden, by a shower of rain sent by God and swells with vegetation and plant life, so is the case with the dead humanity. When God sends a shower of His mercy in the form of Revelation and Prophethood, it also gives a new life to mankind and causes it to grow and develop and flourish. Therefore: "If you take full advantage of this opportunity, the barren land of Arabia will bloom by Allah's mercy and the whole advantage will be your. But if you do not take advantage of it, you will harm only your selves. Then no regret will avail and no opportunity will be provided to make amends."

 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 Qur’aan; the copyrights of these works are held by their respective authors/publishers from whom they can be purchased by anyone interested in acquiring them and we ardently hope that no offence will be taken by their inclusion.

 

  

THE HOLY QUR'AAN


SURAH 30
AR-RUUM (THE ROMANS)

 

Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.


Section 1. 

30 : 1

1. Alif-lam-meem

Alif­Lâm­Mîm.

30 : 2

2. Ghulibati alrroomu

The Romans have been overwhelmed -

30 : 3

3. Fee adna al-ardi wahum min baAAdi ghalabihim sayaghliboona

In the neighbouring land. But they, even after being thus overwhelmed, would soon prevail once again -

30 : 4

4. Fee bidAAi sineena lillahi al-amru min qablu wamin baAAdu wayawma-ithin yafrahu almu/minoona

Within ten years! Allah's is the discretion, about the past as well as about the future! And on that day, the believers would rejoice -

30 : 5

5. Binasri Allahi yansuru man yashao wahuwa alAAazeezu alrraheemu

With the help of Allah. He helps whom He will to victory! He is the Meritorious and the Munificent!

30 : 6

6. WaAAda Allahi la yukhlifu Allahu waAAdahu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona

It is a promise of Allah! And Allah does not fail in His promises though most of mankind acknowledge it not.

30 : 7

7. YaAAlamoona thahiran mina alhayati alddunya wahum AAani al-akhirati hum ghafiloona

They acknowledge only the life of this world as it is seen by their eyes and are oblivious to the Hereafter!

30 : 8

8. Awa lam yatafakkaroo fee anfusihim ma khalaqa Allahu alssamawati waal-arda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi waajalin musamman wa-inna katheeran mina alnnasi biliqa-i rabbihim lakafiroona

Have they reflected not within their own hearts? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and all that which lies between them save in truth and only to last over a fixed term! Yet verily most of mankind do not believe in a meeting with their Lord!

30 : 9

9. Awa lam yaseeroo fee al-ardi fayanthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu allatheena min qablihim kanoo ashadda minhum quwwatan waatharoo al-arda waAAamarooha akthara mimma AAamarooha wajaat-hum rusuluhum bialbayyinati fama kana Allahu liyathlimahum walakin kanoo anfusahum yathlimoona

Have they not travelled in the land and seen for themselves what happened to others before them? They were mightier than these in strength and they tilled the land and built on it more than these have built. And their messengers came to them with clear portents as warnings. Allah wronged them not but they wronged themselves!

30 : 10

10. Thumma kana AAaqibata allatheena asaoo alssoo-a an kaththaboo bi-ayati Allahi wakanoo biha yastahzi-oona

Opprobrium befell the iniquitous when they vituperated the revelations of Allah and made a mockery out of them! (R)  

(This by way of a terse reminder to the jubilant idolaters that, if they travelled in the land with their eyes open, they could see for themselves the end result of repudiation; how the heads that refused to bow before their Lord were crushed; how their towns and dwellings were annihilated; how their possessions were razed to the ground and mingled into dust without a trace or clue of their once-upon-a-time glory!)


OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

1. Alif­Lâm­Mîm.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. The Romans have been defeated.

3. In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious.

4. Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allâh, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after, i.e. the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allâh to the Romans against the Persians),

5. With the help of Allâh, He helps whom He wills, and He is the All­Mighty, the Most Merciful.

6. (It is) a Promise of Allâh (i.e. Allâh will give victory to the Romans against the Persians), and Allâh fails not in His Promise, but most of men know not.

7. They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter.

8. Do they not think deeply (in their ownselves) about themselves (how Allâh created them from nothing, and similarly He will resurrect them)? Allâh has created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, except with truth and for an appointed term. And indeed many of mankind deny the Meeting with their Lord. [See Tafsir At­Tabarî, Part 21, Page 24].

9. Do they not travel in the land, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength, and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these (pagans) have done, and there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs. Surely, Allâh wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.

10. Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they belied the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, Messengers, etc.) of Allâh and made mock of them.


030.001
YUSUFALI: A. L. M.
PICKTHAL: Alif. Lam. Mim.
SHAKIR: Alif Lam Mim.

030.002
YUSUFALI: The Roman Empire has been defeated-
PICKTHAL: The Romans have been defeated
SHAKIR: The Romans are vanquished,

030.003
YUSUFALI: In a land close by; but they, (even) after (this) defeat of theirs, will soon be victorious-
PICKTHAL: In the nearer land, and they, after their defeat will be victorious
SHAKIR: In a near land, and they, after being vanquished, shall overcome,

030.004
YUSUFALI: Within a few years. With Allah is the Decision, in the past and in the Future: on that Day shall the Believers rejoice-
PICKTHAL: Within ten years - Allah's is the command in the former case and in the latter - and in that day believers will rejoice
SHAKIR: Within a few years. Allah's is the command before and after; and on that day the believers shall rejoice,

030.005
YUSUFALI: With the help of Allah. He helps whom He will, and He is exalted in might, most merciful.
PICKTHAL: In Allah's help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom He will. He is the Mighty, the Merciful.
SHAKIR: With the help of Allah; He helps whom He pleases; and He is the Mighty, the Merciful;

030.006
YUSUFALI: (It is) the promise of Allah. Never does Allah depart from His promise: but most men understand not.
PICKTHAL: It is a promise of Allah. Allah faileth not His promise, but most of mankind know not.
SHAKIR: (This is) Allah's promise! Allah will not fail His promise, but most people do not know.

030.007
YUSUFALI: They know but the outer (things) in the life of this world: but of the End of things they are heedless.
PICKTHAL: They know only some appearance of the life of the world, and are heedless of the Hereafter.
SHAKIR: They know the outward of this world's life, but of the hereafter they are absolutely heedless.

030.008
YUSUFALI: Do they not reflect in their own minds? Not but for just ends and for a term appointed, did Allah create the heavens and the earth, and all between them: yet are there truly many among men who deny the meeting with their Lord (at the Resurrection)!
PICKTHAL: Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end. But truly many of mankind are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord.
SHAKIR: Do they not reflect within themselves: Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two but with truth, and (for) an appointed term? And most surely most of the people are deniers of the meeting of their Lord.

030.009
YUSUFALI: Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength: they tilled the soil and populated it in greater numbers than these have done: there came to them their messengers with Clear (Signs). (Which they rejected, to their own destruction): It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged their own souls.
PICKTHAL: Have they not travelled in the land and seen the nature of the consequence for those who were before them? They were stronger than these in power, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built. Messengers of their own came unto them with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty). Surely Allah wronged them not, but they did wrong themselves.
SHAKIR: Have they not travelled in the earth and seen how was the end of those before them? They were stronger than these in prowess, and dug up the earth, and built on it in greater abundance than these have built on it, and there came to them their messengers with clear arguments; so it was not beseeming for Allah that He should deal with them unjustly, but they dealt unjustly with their own souls.

030.010
YUSUFALI: In the long run evil in the extreme will be the End of those who do evil; for that they rejected the Signs of Allah, and held them up to ridicule.
PICKTHAL: Then evil was the consequence to those who dealt in evil, because they denied the revelations of Allah and made a mock of them.
SHAKIR: Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they | rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them.

 

Section 2

30 : 11

11. Allahu yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu thumma ilayhi turjaAAoona

Allah produces creation first, then He reproduces it and then to Him will you be returned!

30 : 12

12. Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yublisu almujrimoona

On the Day when the Hour culminates, the expectations of the flagitious would turn into despair!

30 : 13

13. Walam yakun lahum min shuraka-ihim shufaAAao wakanoo bishuraka-ihim kafireena

And the partners whom they ascribed to Allah will not be able to intercede for them; but they will, instead, renounce their adherents!

30 : 14

14. Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yawma-ithin yatafarraqoona

On the Day when the Hour culminates, they would distance themselves from them!

30 : 15

15. Faamma allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati fahum fee rawdatin yuhbaroona

As for those who believed and performed righteous deeds, they will be hosted in the Garden of delight!

30 : 16

16. Waamma allatheena kafaroo wakaththaboo bi-ayatina waliqa-i al-akhirati faola-ika fee alAAathabi muhdaroona

But as for those who disbelieved and refuted Our ordinances as well as rebutted a meeting with Us in the Hereafter, they will be trapped in the circle of doom!

30 : 17

17. Fasubhana Allahi heena tumsoona waheena tusbihoona

So pay your tribute to Allah when you begin the night and when you begin the day!

(This is the Surah which prepared the ground for the timings of the Salaat based upon which the five canonical times of worship were subsequently finalized: before sunrise is Fajr; when the sun begins to decline is Zuhr; when the sun is half way between noon and dusk is Asr; when the sun sets and dusk is beginning to take over is Magrib and finally when dusk has given way to darkness of the night is Isha’

It should be noted here that Islam recognizes the importance of Muslims organizing their portfolio of priorities in a sensible manner, accommodating the need for spiritual enhancement alongside their obligations to attend to their terrestrial requirements, and not be absorbed in one to the exclusion of the other. It is not the intention of Allah to impose religion as a toll and demand that His slaves should spend their entire time in slavery, without setting aside an appropriate amount of time for making a living in order to sustain themselves and their families in an increasingly competitive way of life.

However, it should also be noted that when the time for Salaat arrives, they are asked to dissociate themselves from all their terrestrial preoccupations and become one with their Lord)’

30 : 18

18. Walahu alhamdu fee alssamawati waal-ardi waAAashiyyan waheena tuthhiroona

And to Him do all those who are in the heavens and on the earth, when the sun begins to decline and when it reaches its peak, pay the tributes!

30 : 19

19. Yukhriju alhayya mina almayyiti wayukhriju almayyita mina alhayyi wayuhyee al-arda baAAda mawtiha wakathalika tukhrajoona

He brings forth the living from the dead; He brings forth the dead from the living; and in the same way in which He revives the earth after her demise, you too shall be brought back to life after your death! (R)


OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

 
11. Allâh (Alone) originates the creation, then He will repeat it, then to Him you will be returned.

12. And on the Day when the Hour will be established, the Mujrimûn (disbelievers, sinners, criminals, polytheists, etc.) will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows, and despair.

13. No intercessor will they have from those whom they made equal with Allâh (partners i.e. their so­called associate gods), and they will (themselves) reject and deny their partners.

14. And on the Day when the Hour will be established, that Day shall (all men) be separated (i.e the believers will be separated from the disbelievers).

15. Then as for those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) and did righteous good deeds, such shall be honoured and made to enjoy luxurious life (forever) in a Garden of delight (Paradise).

16. And as for those who disbelieved and belied Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, Allâh's Messengers, Resurrection, etc.), and the Meeting of the Hereafter, such shall be brought forth to the torment (in the Hell-fire).

17. So glorify Allâh [above all that (evil) they associate with Him (O believers)], when you come up to the evening [i.e. offer the (Maghrib) sunset and ('Ishâ') night prayers], and when you enter the morning [i.e offer the (Fajr) morning prayer].

18. And His is all the praises and thanks in the heavens and the earth, and (glorify Him) in the afternoon (i.e. offer 'Asr prayer) and when you come up to the time, when the day begins to decline (i.e offer Zuhr prayer). (Ibn 'Abbâs said: "These are the five compulsory congregational prayers mentioned in the Qur'ân)."

19. He brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out (resurrected).


030.011
YUSUFALI: It is Allah Who begins (the process of) creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him.
PICKTHAL: Allah produceth creation, then He reproduceth it, then unto Him ye will be returned.
SHAKIR: Allah originates the creation, then reproduces it, then to Him you shall be brought back.

030.012
YUSUFALI: On the Day that the Hour will be established, the guilty will be struck dumb with despair.
PICKTHAL: And in the day when the Hour riseth the unrighteous will despair.
SHAKIR: And at the time when the hour shall come the guilty shall be in despair.

030.013
YUSUFALI: No intercessor will they have among their "Partners" and they will (themselves) reject their "Partners".
PICKTHAL: There will be none to intercede for them of those whom they made equal with Allah. And they will reject their partners (whom they ascribed unto Him).
SHAKIR: And they shall not have any intercessors from among their gods they have joined with Allah, and they shall be deniers of their associate-gods.

030.014
YUSUFALI: On the Day that the Hour will be established,- that Day shall (all men) be sorted out.
PICKTHAL: In the day when the Hour cometh, in that day they will be sundered.
SHAKIR: And at the time when the hour shall come, at that time they shall become separated one from the other.

030.015
YUSUFALI: Then those who have believed and worked righteous deeds, shall be made happy in a Mead of Delight.
PICKTHAL: As for those who believed and did good works, they will be made happy in a Garden.
SHAKIR: Then as to those who believed and did good, they shall be made happy in a garden.

030.016
YUSUFALI: And those who have rejected Faith and falsely denied our Signs and the meeting of the Hereafter,- such shall be brought forth to Punishment.
PICKTHAL: But as for those who disbelieved and denied Our revelations, and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, such will be brought to doom.
SHAKIR: And as to those who disbelieved and rejected Our communications and the meeting of the hereafter, these shall be brought over to the chastisement.

030.017
YUSUFALI: So (give) glory to Allah, when ye reach eventide and when ye rise in the morning;
PICKTHAL: So glory be to Allah when ye enter the night and when ye enter the morning -
SHAKIR: Therefore glory be to Allah when you enter upon the time of the evening and when you enter upon the time of the morning.

030.018
YUSUFALI: Yea, to Him be praise, in the heavens and on earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline.
PICKTHAL: Unto Him be praise in the heavens and the earth! - and at the sun's decline and in the noonday.
SHAKIR: And to Him belongs praise in the heavens and the earth, and at nightfall and when you are at midday.

030.019
YUSUFALI: It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living, and Who gives life to the earth after it is dead: and thus shall ye be brought out (from the dead).
PICKTHAL: He bringeth forth the living from the dead, and He bringeth forth the dead from the living, and He reviveth the earth after her death. And even so will ye be brought forth.
SHAKIR: He brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living, and gives life to the earth after its death, and thus shall you be brought forth.

 

 

Section 3

30 : 20

20. Wamin ayatihi an khalaqakum min turabin thumma itha antum basharun tantashiroona

And of His signs is that He created you out of dust and when you became human beings, behold how well you have proliferated across the earth!
 

(From here onwards, the series of verses list the signs of Allah's Divinity as manifest in everything that surrounds us, taking us back to Adam and Eve whom He created out of dust. But subsequently, they multiplied and proliferated so well that they took over the lands, the seas and the skies and established His kingdom on earth as they were meant to do. But how did they do this?)
 

30 : 21

21. Wamin ayatihi an khalaqa lakum min anfusikum azwajan litaskunoo ilayha wajaAAala baynakum mawaddatan warahmatan inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yatafakkaroona

And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own species so that you may find peace in their company and He established between you love and mercy! Verily there indeed are portents in this for people who introspect.
 

(He created them in pairs of male and female; He tied them together with bonds of love and respect; He gave them organs by the use of which they could copulate and reproduce their species; He imbibed in their ethos the concepts of loyalty and dedication; He taught them how to live as families and bring up their children; He showed them how to live in harmony and lead a happy and fulfilling life).
 

30 : 22

22. Wamin ayatihi khalqu alssamawati waal-ardi waikhtilafu alsinatikum waalwanikum inna fee thalika laayatin lilAAalimeena

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the differences in your languages and in complexions! Verily there indeed are portents in this for people ho have knowledge!
 

(He created the heavens and the earth; He made the inhabitants of the earth so alike each other and yet so different from one another; He gave them a variety of complexions; He made some black, some white and some brown; unlike the birds and the beasts who speak the same language, He taught mankind to communicate in a variety of languages).
 

30 : 23

23. Wamin ayatihi manamukum biallayli waalnnahari waibtighaokum min fadlihi inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yasmaAAoona

And of His signs is your sleeping by night and your pursuit of His bounties by day! Verily there indeed are portents in this for people who heed!
 

(He made the night dark and serene for people to relax and recuperate and He made the day bright and active for them to seek their livelihood from His benefactions)
 

30 : 24

24. Wamin ayatihi yureekumu albarqa khawfan watamaAAan wayunazzilu mina alssama-i maan fayuhyee bihi al-arda baAAda mawtiha inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yaAAqiloona

And of His signs is that He shows you flares of lightning as a symbol of fear and of hope; and sends down water from the sky with which He revives the earth after her demise! Verily there indeed are portents in this for people who comprehend!
 

(At the end of hot summer days which take their toll on the land and strip her of all her greeneries, He gathers up the clouds in the skies and causes lightning to flash, both as a symbol of fear as well as of hope, heralding the arrival of rainfall to soak up the parched land so that it revives again and resumes her functions all over again).
 

30: 25

25. Wamin ayatihi an taqooma alssamao waal-ardu bi-amrihi thumma itha daAAakum daAAwatan mina al-ardi itha antum takhrujoona

And of His signs is that the heavens and the earth subsist at His command! Later on, when He summons you, you will emerge from the earth at once!
 

(The heavens and the earth follow the cycle of physical laws He envisaged for them, as do the humans who also follow the cycle of life He envisaged for them; they take their birth, live for an appointed term, and then they die only to be brought back to life once again in order to meet their maker!)
 

30 : 26

26. Walahu man fee alssamawati waal-ardi kullun lahu qanitoona

And to Him belong whoever are there in the heavens and upon the earth; and they all are subservient to Him!

30 : 27

27. Wahuwa allathee yabdao alkhalqa thumma yuAAeeduhu wahuwa ahwanu AAalayhi walahu almathalu al-aAAla fee alssamawati waal-ardi wahuwa alAAazeezu alhakeemu

He it is who produces creation and then reproduces it, which is easier for Him to do! He is the Apex in the heavens and upon the earth and He is the Meritorious and the Sagacious! (R)


 OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

20. And among His Signs is this, that He created you (Adam) from dust, and then [Hawwa' (Eve) from Adam's rib, and then his offspring from the semen, and], - behold you are human beings scattered!

21. And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.

22. And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.

23. And among His Signs is the sleep[] that you take by night and by day, and your seeking of His Bounty. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who listen.

24. And among His Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand.

25. And among His Signs is that the heaven and the earth stand by His Command, then afterwards when He will call you by single call, behold, you will come out from the earth (i.e from your graves for reckoning and recompense).

26. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient to Him.

27. And He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after it has been perished), and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All­Mighty, the All­Wise.


030.020
YUSUFALI: Among His Signs in this, that He created you from dust; and then,- behold, ye are men scattered (far and wide)!
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is this: He created you of dust, and behold you human beings, ranging widely!
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is that He created you from dust, then lo! you are mortals (who) scatter.

030.021
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is this: He created for you helpmeets from yourselves that ye might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who reflect.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.

030.022
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Lo! herein indeed are portents for men of knowledge.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned.

030.023
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is your slumber by night and by day, and your seeking of His bounty. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who heed.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is your sleeping and your seeking of His grace by night and (by) day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who would hear.

030.024
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs, He shows you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: verily in that are Signs for those who are wise.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is this: He showeth you the lightning for a fear and for a hope, and sendeth down water from the sky, and thereby quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who understand.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is that He shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand

030.025
YUSUFALI: And among His Signs is this, that heaven and earth stand by His Command: then when He calls you, by a single call, from the earth, behold, ye (straightway) come forth.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is this: The heavens and the earth stand fast by His command, and afterward, when He calleth you, lo! from the earth ye will emerge.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is that the heaven and the earth subsist by His command, then when He calls you with a (single) call from out of the earth, lo! you come forth.

030.026
YUSUFALI: To Him belongs every being that is in the heavens and on earth: all are devoutly obedient to Him.
PICKTHAL: Unto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. All are obedient unto Him.
SHAKIR: And His is whosoever is in the heavens and the earth; all are obedient to Him.

030.027
YUSUFALI: It is He Who begins (the process of) creation; then repeats it; and for Him it is most easy. To Him belongs the loftiest similitude (we can think of) in the heavens and the earth: for He is Exalted in Might, full of wisdom.
PICKTHAL: He it is Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and it is easier for Him. His is the Sublime Similitude in the heavens and the earth. He is the Mighty, the Wise.
SHAKIR: And He it is Who originates the creation, then reproduces it, and it is easy to Him; and His are the most exalted attributes in the heavens and the earth, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.

 

Section 4

30 : 28

28. Daraba lakum mathalan min anfusikum hal lakum mimma malakat aymanukum min shurakaa fee ma razaqnakum faantum feehi sawaon takhafoonahum kakheefatikum anfusakum kathalika nufassilu al-ayati liqawmin yaAAqiloona

He quotes for you an example of your own : Have you ever chosen as your partners those whom your right hands possess to share the provision We have bestowed on you, deeming them as your equals and fearing them as you fear one another? Thus We expound Our revelations with clarity for people who have sense!

30 : 29

29. Bali ittabaAAa allatheena thalamoo ahwaahum bighayri AAilmin faman yahdee man adalla Allahu wama lahum min nasireena

Nay! Those who err, they follow their own lusts from lack of knowledge! Who can guide him whom Allah Himself has sent astray? Such of them have none that can help.

30 : 30

30. Faaqim wajhaka lilddeeni haneefan fitrata Allahi allatee fatara alnnasa AAalayha la tabdeela likhalqi Allahi thalika alddeenu alqayyimu walakinna akthara alnnasi la yaAAlamoona

So prepare yourself (O Mohammed) to follow the religion of Allah which is at the core of His creation and endeavour not to change that which Allah has established. This is the only enduring religion, though most of mankind know it not -

30 : 31

31. Muneebeena ilayhi waittaqoohu waaqeemoo alssalata wala takoonoo mina almushrikeena

Turn to none but Him and be mindful of your duty to Him and establish worship and be not of those who ascribe partners to Him;

30 : 32

32. Mina allatheena farraqoo deenahum wakanoo shiyaAAan kullu hizbin bima ladayhim farihoona

Nor of those who have split up their religion into segments and broken into opposing factions, each faction content with the dictums which it upholds!

30 : 33

33. Wa-itha massa alnnasa durrun daAAaw rabbahum muneebeena ilayhi thumma itha athaqahum minhu rahmatan itha fareequn minhum birabbihim yushrikoona

When men come to grief, they cry to their Lord for help, turning to Him alone! Then, as soon as He gives them a taste of His mercy, a group out of them attribute partners to their Lord -

30 : 34

34. Liyakfuroo bima ataynahum fatamattaAAoo fasawfa taAAlamoona

And repudiate that which We bestowed upon them! To them We say : 'Enjoy it for as long as it lasts, for soon you shall come to know!'

30 : 35

35. Am anzalna AAalayhim sultanan fahuwa yatakallamu bima kanoo bihi yushrikoona

Or have We revealed to them an edict which refers to that which they associate with Him?

30 : 36

36. Waitha athaqna alnnasa rahmatan farihoo biha wa-in tusibhum sayyi-atun bima qaddamat aydeehim itha hum yaqnatoona

And when We give mankind a taste of Our mercy, they rejoice in it; but should an adversity smite them, even if it be in retaliation for what their own hands had sent, they despair at once!

30 : 37

37. Awa lam yaraw anna Allaha yabsutu alrrizqa liman yashao wayaqdiru inna fee thalika laayatin liqawmin yu/minoona

See they not that Allah increases the provision for whom He will and He decreases it for whom He will? Verily there indeed are portents in this for people who believe!

30 : 38

38. Faati tha alqurba haqqahu waalmiskeena waibna alssabeeli thalika khayrun lillatheena yureedoona wajha Allahi waola-ika humu almuflihoona

So hand over to your kinsman his due, and to the destitute and to the wayfarer! This is the best recourse for those who seek Allah's accord and it will earn them salvation.

30 : 39

39. Wama ataytum min riban liyarbuwa fee amwali alnnasi fala yarboo AAinda Allahi wama ataytum min zakatin tureedoona wajha Allahi faola-ika humu almudAAifoona

That which you give in order to get back more than what you have given so that you make a gain, it will gain you nothing from Allah; but that which you give away in charity in order to gain Allah's accord, you will get it back in many multiples.

30 : 40

40. Allahu allathee khalaqakum thumma razaqakum thumma yumeetukum thumma yuhyeekum hal min shuraka-ikum man yafAAalu min thalikum min shay-in subhanahu wataAAala AAamma yushrikoona

Allah is He who created you and then He sustained you and then He will cause you to die and then will bring you back to life again! Is there anyone among the partners whom you ascribe to Us that can perform some of these tasks? Hallowed and exalted is He above the anathema with which they associate Him! (R)


OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

28. He sets forth for you a parable from your ownselves, - Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess (i.e your slaves) to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you? Whom you fear as you fear each other? Thus do We explain the signs in detail to a people who have sense[] .

29. Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge, Then who will guide him whom Allâh has sent astray? And for such there will be no helpers.

30. So set you (O Muhammad SAW) your face towards the religion of pure Islâmic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allâh Alone) Allâh's Fitrah (i.e. Allâh's Islâmic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq­illâh (i.e. the Religion of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not[]. [Tafsir At­Tabarî, Vol 21, Page 41]

31. (Always) Turning in repentance to Him (only), and be afraid and dutiful to Him; and perform As­Salât (Iqâmat­as­Salât) and be not of Al­Mushrikûn (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.).

32. Of those who split up their religion (i.e. who left the true Islâmic Monotheism), and became sects, [i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid'ah), and followed their vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.[]

33. And when harm touches men, they cry sincerely only to their Lord (Allâh), turning to Him in repentance, but when He gives them a taste of His Mercy, behold! a party of them associate partners in worship with their Lord.

34. So as to be ungrateful for the graces which We have bestowed on them. Then enjoy (your short life); but you will come to know.

35. Or have We revealed to them a Scripture, which speaks of that which they have been associating with Him?

36. And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy, they rejoice therein, but when some evil afflicts them because of (evil deeds and sins) that their (own) hands have sent forth, lo! They are in despair!

37. Do they not see that Allâh enlarges the provision for whom He wills and straitens (it for whom He wills). Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who believe.

38. So give to the kindred his due, and to Al­Miskîn (the poor) and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allâh's Countenance, and it is they who will be successful.

39. And that which you give in gift[] (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return) from other people's property, has no increase with Allâh, but that which you give in Zakât seeking Allâh's Countenance then those, they shall have manifold increase.

40. Allâh is He Who created you, then provided food for you, then will cause you to die, then (again) He will give you life (on the Day of Resurrection). Is there any of your (so­called) partners (of Allâh) that do anything of that ? Glory be to Him! And Exalted be He above all that (evil) they associate (with Him).


030.028
YUSUFALI: He does propound to you a similitude from your own (experience): do ye have partners among those whom your right hands possess, to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you? Do ye fear them as ye fear each other? Thus do we explain the Signs in detail to a people that understand.
PICKTHAL: He coineth for you a similitude of yourselves. Have ye, from among those whom your right hands possess, partners in the wealth We have bestowed upon you, equal with you in respect thereof, so that ye fear them as ye fear each other (that ye ascribe unto Us partners out of that which We created)? Thus We display the revelations for people who have sense.
SHAKIR: He sets forth to you a parable relating to yourselves: Have you among those whom your right hands possess partners in what We have given you for sustenance, so that with respect to it you are alike; you fear them as you fear each other? Thus do We make the communications distinct for a people who understand.

030.029
YUSUFALI: Nay, the wrong-doers (merely) follow their own lusts, being devoid of knowledge. But who will guide those whom Allah leaves astray? To them there will be no helpers.
PICKTHAL: Nay, but those who do wrong follow their own lusts without knowledge. Who is able to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? For such there are no helpers.
SHAKIR: Nay! those who are unjust follow their low desires without any knowledge; so who can guide him whom Allah makes err? And they shall have no helpers.

030.030
YUSUFALI: So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.
PICKTHAL: So set thy purpose (O Muhammad) for religion as a man by nature upright - the nature (framed) of Allah, in which He hath created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah's creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not -
SHAKIR: Then set your face upright for religion in the right state-- the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering of Allah's creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know--

030.031
YUSUFALI: Turn ye back in repentance to Him, and fear Him: establish regular prayers, and be not ye among those who join gods with Allah,-
PICKTHAL: Turning unto Him (only); and be careful of your duty unto Him and establish worship, and be not of those who ascribe partners (unto Him);
SHAKIR: Turning to Him, and be careful of (your duty to) Him and keep up prayer and be not of the polytheists

030.032
YUSUFALI: Those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,- each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!
PICKTHAL: Of those who split up their religion and became schismatics, each sect exulting in its tenets.
SHAKIR: Of those who divided their religion and became seas every sect rejoicing in what they had with them

030.033
YUSUFALI: When trouble touches men, they cry to their Lord, turning back to Him in repentance: but when He gives them a taste of Mercy as from Himself, behold, some of them pay part-worship to other god's besides their Lord,-
PICKTHAL: And when harm toucheth men they cry unto their Lord, turning to Him in repentance; then, when they have tasted of His mercy, behold! some of them attribute partners to their Lord
SHAKIR: And when harm afflicts men, they call upon their Lord, turning to Him, then when He makes them taste of mercy from Him, lo! some of them begin to associate (others) with their Lord,

030.034
YUSUFALI: (As if) to show their ingratitude for the (favours) We have bestowed on them! Then enjoy (your brief day); but soon will ye know (your folly).
PICKTHAL: So as to disbelieve in that which We have given them. (Unto such it is said): Enjoy yourselves awhile, but ye will come to know.
SHAKIR: So as to be ungrateful for what We have given them; but enjoy yourselves (for a while), for you shall soon come to know.

030.035
YUSUFALI: Or have We sent down authority to them, which points out to them the things to which they pay part-worship?
PICKTHAL: Or have We revealed unto them any warrant which speaketh of that which they associate with Him?
SHAKIR: Or, have We sent down upon them an authority so that it speaks of that which they associate with Him?

030.036
YUSUFALI: When We give men a taste of Mercy, they exult thereat: and when some evil afflicts them because of what their (own) hands have sent forth, behold, they are in despair!
PICKTHAL: And when We cause mankind to taste of mercy they rejoice therein; but if an evil thing befall them as the consequence of their own deeds, lo! they are in despair!
SHAKIR: And when We make people taste of mercy they rejoice in it, and if an evil befall them for what their hands have already wrought, lo! they are in despair.

030.037
YUSUFALI: See they not that Allah enlarges the provision and restricts it, to whomsoever He pleases? Verily in that are Signs for those who believe.
PICKTHAL: See they not that Allah enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will). Lo! herein indeed are portents for folk who believe.
SHAKIR: Do they not see that Allah makes ample provision for whom He pleases, or straitens? Most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe.

030.038
YUSUFALI: So give what is due to kindred, the needy, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek the Countenance, of Allah, and it is they who will prosper.
PICKTHAL: So give to the kinsman his due, and to the needy, and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah's Countenance. And such are they who are successful.
SHAKIR: Then give to the near of kin his due, and to the needy and the wayfarer; this is best for those who desire Allah's pleasure, and these it is who are successful.

030.039
YUSUFALI: That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: but that which ye lay out for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied.
PICKTHAL: That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold.
SHAKIR: And whatever you lay out as usury, so that it may increase in the property of men, it shall not increase with Allah; and whatever you give in charity, desiring Allah's pleasure-- it is these (persons) that shall get manifold.

030.040
YUSUFALI: It is Allah Who has created you: further, He has provided for your sustenance; then He will cause you to die; and again He will give you life. Are there any of your (false) "Partners" who can do any single one of these things? Glory to Him! and high is He above the partners they attribute (to him)!
PICKTHAL: Allah is He Who created you and then sustained you, then causeth you to die, then giveth life to you again. Is there any of your (so-called) partners (of Allah) that doeth aught of that? Praised and Exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)!
SHAKIR: Allah is He Who created you, then gave you sustenance, then He causes you to die, then brings you to life. Is there any of your associate-gods who does aught of it? Glory be to Him, and exalted be He above what they associate (with Him)

 
 

Section 5

30 : 41

41. Thahara alfasadu fee albarri waalbahri bima kasabat aydee alnnasi liyutheeqahum baAAda allathee AAamiloo laAAallahum yarjiAAoona

Disasters occur on land and on water because of the evil which men have earned with their own hands so that they are made to taste the outcome of their sins and reform themselves!

30 : 42

42. Qul seeroo fee al-ardi faonthuroo kayfa kana AAaqibatu allatheena min qablu kana aktharuhum mushrikeena

 

Say to the disbelievers (O Mohammed) : 'Explore the land and see for yourselves what became of those who were here before you! Most of them were idolaters.

30 : 43

43. Faaqim wajhaka lilddeeni alqayyimi min qabli an ya/tiya yawmun la maradda lahu mina Allahi yawma-ithin yassaddaAAoona

So stand resolutely by your religion before the culmination of the Day which will not be aborted by Allah! And on that Day, mankind would bifurcate and go its separate ways :

30 : 44

44. Man kafara faAAalayhi kufruhu waman AAamila salihan fali-anfusihim yamhadoona

 

Those who repudiate will bear the toll of their repudiation while those who do right make provision for themselves -

30 : 45

45. Liyajziya allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati min fadlihi innahu la yuhibbu alkafireena

So that He may reward out of His bounty those who believed and performed righteous deeds! Verily He cherishes not the disbelievers!

30 : 46

46. Wamin ayatihi an yursila alrriyaha mubashshiratin waliyutheeqakum min rahmatihi walitajriya alfulku bi-amrihi walitabtaghoo min fadlihi walaAAallakum tashkuroona

And of His signs is that He ushers in heralding winds as harbingers of good tidings which give you a taste of His mercy by enabling the ships to sail at His command so that you may seek His benefactions and so that perchance you may even tender to Him your thanks!

30 : 47

47. Walaqad arsalna min qablika rusulan ila qawmihim fajaoohum bialbayyinati faintaqamna mina allatheena ajramoo wakana haqqan AAalayna nasru almu/mineena

We sent many messengers before you (Mohammed) to their own folks. They brought with them definitive portents of their prophethood! Then We took revenge upon those who harmed them, for it is incumbent on Us to protect the believers!

30 : 48

48. Allahu allathee yursilu alrriyaha fatutheeru sahaban fayabsutuhu fee alssama-i kayfa yashao wayajAAaluhu kisafan fatara alwadqa yakhruju min khilalihi fa-itha asaba bihi man yashao min AAibadihi itha hum yastabshiroona

Allah is He who sends the winds so that they gather the clouds and then He scatters them around in the sky as it pleases Him and breaks them into puffs and you see the rain pour down from their midst! And when He makes it fall on whom He will of His bondsmen, they rejoice -

30 : 49

49. Wa-in kanoo min qabli an yunazzala AAalayhim min qablihi lamubliseena

Even though before it was sent down upon them, they had abandoned all their hopes of rainfall!

30 : 50

50. Faonthur ila athari rahmati Allahi kayfa yuhyee al-arda baAAda mawtiha inna thalika lamuhyee almawta wahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun

Behold the reflections of Allah's mercy manifest all around you; how He revives the earth after her demise! Verily He will give life to the dead and He is able to do all things!

30 : 51

51. Wala-in arsalna reehan faraawhu musfarran lathalloo min baAAdihi yakfuroona

But if We send on them a wind which turns the lush of their crops sallow, then they would instantly begin to disbelieve!

30 : 52

52. Fa-innaka la tusmiAAu almawta wala tusmiAAu alssumma aldduAAaa itha wallaw mudbireena

For verily you (O Mohammed) cannot make the dead hear you, nor can you make the deaf respond to your call after they have turned their backs, -

30 : 53

53. Wama anta bihadi alAAumyi AAan dalalatihim in tusmiAAu illa man yu/minu bi-ayatina fahum muslimoona

Nor can you guide the blind from their path of error! You can make no impact upon anyone except those who believe in Our revelations and have already bowed down their heads in surrender! (R)


 OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

41. Evil (sins and disobedience of Allâh, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allâh may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allâh, and begging His Pardon).

42. Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Travel in the land and see what was the end of those before (you)! Most of them were Mushrikûn (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.)."

43. So set you (O Muhammad SAW) your face to (the obedience of Allâh, your Lord) the straight and right religion (Islâmic Monotheism), before there comes from Allâh a Day which none can avert it. On that Day men shall be divided [(in two groups), a group in Paradise and a group in Hell].

44. Whosoever disbelieves will suffer from his disbelief, and whosoever does righteous good deeds (by practising Islâmic Monotheism), then such will prepare a good place (in Paradise) for themselves (and will be saved by Allâh from His Torment).

45. That He may reward those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), and do righteous good deeds, out of His Bounty. Verily, He likes not the disbelievers.

46. And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful.

47. And indeed We did send Messengers before you (O Muhammad SAW) to their own peoples. They came to them with clear proofs, then, We took vengeance on those who committed crimes (disbelief, setting partners in worship with Allâh, sins, etc.), and (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).

48. Allâh is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! Then when He has made them fall on whom of His slaves as He will, lo! they rejoice!

49. And verily before that (rain), just before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair!

50. Look then at the effects (results) of Allâh's Mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Verily! That (Allâh) Who revived the earth after its death shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things.

51. And if We send a wind [which would spoil the green growth (tilth) brought up by the previous rain], and they see (their tilth) turn yellow, behold, they then after their being glad, would become unthankful (to their Lord Allâh as) disbelievers.

52. So verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) cannot make the dead to hear (i.e. the disbelievers, etc.), nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs, turning away.

53. And you (O Muhammad SAW) cannot guide the blind from their straying; you can make to hear only those who believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and have submitted to Allâh in Islâm (as Muslims).


030.041
YUSUFALI: Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of (the meed) that the hands of men have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from Evil).
PICKTHAL: Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men's hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return.
SHAKIR: Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have wrought, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return.

030.042
YUSUFALI: Say: "Travel through the earth and see what was the end of those before (you): Most of them worshipped others besides Allah."
PICKTHAL: Say (O Muhammad, to the disbelievers): Travel in the land, and see the nature of the consequence for those who were before you! Most of them were idolaters.
SHAKIR: Say: Travel in the land, then see how was the end of those before; most of them were polytheists.

030.043
YUSUFALI: But set thou thy face to the right Religion before there come from Allah the Day which there is no chance of averting: on that Day shall men be divided (in two).
PICKTHAL: So set thy purpose resolutely for the right religion, before the inevitable day cometh from Allah. On that day mankind will be sundered-
SHAKIR: Then turn thy face straight to the right religion before there come from Allah the day which cannot be averted; on that day they shall become separated.

030.044
YUSUFALI: Those who reject Faith will suffer from that rejection: and those who work righteousness will spread their couch (of repose) for themselves (in heaven):
PICKTHAL: Whoso disbelieveth must (then) bear the consequences of his disbelief, while those who do right make provision for themselves -
SHAKIR: Whoever disbelieves, he shall be responsible for his disbelief, and whoever does good, they prepare (good) for their own souls,

030.045
YUSUFALI: That He may reward those who believe and work righteous deeds, out of his Bounty. For He loves not those who reject Faith.
PICKTHAL: That He may reward out of His bounty those who believe and do good works. Lo! He loveth not the disbelievers (in His guidance).
SHAKIR: That He may reward those who believe and do good out of His grace; surely He does not love the unbelievers.

030.046
YUSUFALI: Among His Signs is this, that He sends the Winds, as heralds of Glad Tidings, giving you a taste of His (Grace and) Mercy,- that the ships may sail (majestically) by His Command and that ye may seek of His Bounty: in order that ye may be grateful.
PICKTHAL: And of His signs is this: He sendeth herald winds to make you taste His mercy, and that the ships may sail at His command, and that ye may seek his favour, and that haply ye may be thankful.
SHAKIR: And one of His signs is that He sends forth the winds bearing good news, and that He may make your taste of His mercy, and that the ships may run by His command, and that you may seek of His grace, and that you may be grateful.

030.047
YUSUFALI: We did indeed send, before thee, messengers to their (respective) peoples, and they came to them with Clear Signs: then, to those who transgressed, We meted out Retribution: and it was due from Us to aid those who believed.
PICKTHAL: Verily We sent before thee (Muhammad) messengers to their own folk. Then we took vengeance upon those who were guilty (in regard to them). To help believers is ever incumbent upon Us.
SHAKIR: And certainly We sent before you messengers to their people, so they came to them with clear arguments, then We gave the punishment to those who were guilty; and helping the believers is ever incumbent on Us.

030.048
YUSUFALI: It is Allah Who sends the Winds, and they raise the Clouds: then does He spread them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments, until thou seest rain-drops issue from the midst thereof: then when He has made them reach such of his servants as He wills behold, they do rejoice!-
PICKTHAL: Allah is He Who sendeth the winds so that they raise clouds, and spreadeth them along the sky as pleaseth Him, and causeth them to break and thou seest the rain downpouring from within them. And when He maketh it to fall on whom He will of His bondmen, lo! they rejoice;
SHAKIR: Allah is he Who sends forth the winds so they raise a cloud, then He spreads it forth in the sky as He pleases, and He breaks it up so that you see the rain coming forth from inside it; then when He causes it to fall upon whom He pleases of His servants, lo! they are joyful

030.049
YUSUFALI: Even though, before they received (the rain) - just before this - they were dumb with despair!
PICKTHAL: Though before that, even before it was sent down upon them, they were in despair.
SHAKIR: Though they were before this, before it was sent down upon them, confounded in sure despair.

030.050
YUSUFALI: Then contemplate (O man!) the memorials of Allah's Mercy!- how He gives life to the earth after its death: verily the same will give life to the men who are dead: for He has power over all things.
PICKTHAL: Look, therefore, at the prints of Allah's mercy (in creation): how He quickeneth the earth after her death. Lo! He verily is the Quickener of the Dead, and He is Able to do all things.
SHAKIR: Look then at the signs of Allah's mercy, how He gives life to the earth after its death, most surely He will raise the dead to life; and He has power over all things.

030.051
YUSUFALI: And if We (but) send a Wind from which they see (their tilth) turn yellow,- behold, they become, thereafter, Ungrateful (Unbelievers)!
PICKTHAL: And if We sent a wind and they beheld it yellow, they verily would still continue in their disbelief.
SHAKIR: And if We send a wind and they see it to be yellow, they would after that certainly continue to disbelieve

030.052
YUSUFALI: So verily thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call, when they show their backs and turn away.
PICKTHAL: For verily thou (Muhammad) canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee.
SHAKIR: For surely you cannot, make the dead to hear and you cannot make the deaf to hear the call, when they turn back and

030.053
YUSUFALI: Nor canst thou lead back the blind from their straying: only those wilt thou make to hear, who believe in Our signs and submit (their wills in Islam).
PICKTHAL: Nor canst thou guide the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear save those who believe in Our revelations so that they surrender (unto Him).
SHAKIR: Nor can you lead away the blind out of their error. You cannot make to hear any but those who believe in Our communications so they shall submit.

 

Section 6. 

30 : 54

54. Allahu allathee khalaqakum min daAAfin thumma jaAAala min baAAdi daAAfin quwwatan thumma jaAAala min baAAdi quwwatin daAAfan washaybatan yakhluqu ma yashao wahuwa alAAaleemu alqadeeru

Allah is He who made you physically frail to begin with; then after the frailty He gave you strength; and then after the strength He gave you frailty again in your old age. He creates what He will, for He is the Erudite and the Omnipotent!

30 : 55

55. Wayawma taqoomu alssaAAatu yuqsimu almujrimoona ma labithoo ghayra saAAatin kathalika kanoo yu/fakoona

And on the Day when the Hour culminates, the guilty would swear that they did not linger upon the earth except for a flash! Thus do they deceive themselves?

30 : 56

56. Waqala allatheena ootoo alAAilma waal-eemana laqad labithtum fee kitabi Allahi ila yawmi albaAAthi fahatha yawmu albaAAthi walakinnakum kuntum la taAAlamoona

But those to whom knowledge and faith were given will say : 'Indeed, you lingered, as per Allah's Decree, until the Day of Resurrection! This is the Day of Resurrection though you always kept yourself in the dark about it!'

30 : 57

57. Fayawma-ithin la yanfaAAu allatheena thalamoo maAAthiratuhum wala hum yustaAAtaboona

On that Day excuses would not avail the iniquitous, nor will they be allowed to make amends!

30 : 58

58. Walaqad darabna lilnnasi fee hatha alqur-ani min kulli mathalin wala-in ji/tahum bi-ayatin layaqoolanna allatheena kafaroo in antum illa mubtiloona

Verily We have cited in this Qur'aan all kinds of parities for the benefit of mankind! Beyond that, even if you produced a miracle for them, those who disbelieve will say : 'You are but a sham!'

30 : 59

59. Kathalika yatbaAAu Allahu AAala quloobi allatheena la yaAAlamoona

Thus does Allah put a seal of indifference upon the hearts of the ignorant!

30 : 60

60. Faisbir inna waAAda Allahi haqqun wala yastakhiffannaka allatheena la yooqinoona

So, have patience (O Mohammed) for verily the promise of Allah will come to pass; until which time, let not those who disbelieve drain you out of patience! (R)


 OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:

MUHSIN:

54. Allâh is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and grey hair. He creates what He wills. And it is He Who is the All­Knowing, the All­Powerful (i.e. Able to do all things).

55. And on the Day that the Hour will be established, the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, etc.) will swear that they stayed not but an hour, thus were they ever deluded [away from the truth (i.e they used to tell lies and take false oaths, and turn away from the truth) in this life of the world)].

56. And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and faith will say: "Indeed you have stayed according to the Decree of Allâh, until the Day of Resurrection, so this is the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not."

57. So on that Day no excuse of theirs will avail those who did wrong (by associating partners in worship with Allâh, and by denying the Day of Resurrection), nor will they be allowed (then) to return to seek Allâh's Pleasure (by having Islâmic Faith with righteous deeds and by giving up polytheism, sins and crimes with repentance).

58. And indeed We have set forth for mankind, in this Qur'ân every kind of parable. But if you (O Muhammad SAW) bring to them any sign or proof, (as an evidence for the truth of your Prophethood), the disbelievers are sure to say (to the believers): "You follow nothing but falsehood, and magic."

59.  Thus does Allâh seal up the hearts of those who know not [the proofs and evidence of the Oneness of Allâh i.e. those who try not to understand true facts that which you (Muhammad SAW) have brought to them].

60. So be patient (O Muhammad SAW). Verily, the Promise of Allâh is true, and let not those who have no certainty of faith, discourage you from conveying Allâh's Message (which you are obliged to convey).


030.054
YUSUFALI: It is Allah Who created you in a state of (helpless) weakness, then gave (you) strength after weakness, then, after strength, gave (you weakness and a hoary head: He creates as He wills, and it is He Who has all knowledge and power.
PICKTHAL: Allah is He Who shaped you out of weakness, then appointed after weakness strength, then, after strength, appointed weakness and grey hair. He createth what He will. He is the Knower, the Mighty.
SHAKIR: Allah is He Who created you from a state of weakness then He gave strength after weakness, then ordained weakness and hoary hair after strength; He creates what He pleases, and He is the Knowing, the Powerful.

030.055
YUSUFALI: On the Day that the Hour (of Reckoning) will be established, the transgressors will swear that they tarried not but an hour: thus were they used to being deluded!
PICKTHAL: And on the day when the Hour riseth the guilty will vow that they did tarry but an hour - thus were they ever deceived.
SHAKIR: And at the time when the hour shall come, the guilty shall swear (that) they did not tarry but an hour; thus are they ever turned away.

030.056
YUSUFALI: But those endued with knowledge and faith will say: "Indeed ye did tarry, within Allah's Decree, to the Day of Resurrection, and this is the Day of Resurrection: but ye - ye were not aware!"
PICKTHAL: But those to whom knowledge and faith are given will say: The truth is, ye have tarried, by Allah's decree, until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but ye used not to know.
SHAKIR: And those who are given knowledge and faith will say: Certainly you tarried according to the ordinance of Allah till the day of resurrection, so this is the day of resurrection, but you did not know.

030.057
YUSUFALI: So on that Day no excuse of theirs will avail the transgressors, nor will they be invited (then) to seek grace (by repentance).
PICKTHAL: In that day their excuses will not profit those who did injustice, nor will they be allowed to make amends.
SHAKIR: But on that day their excuse shall not profit those who were unjust, nor shall they be regarded with goodwill.

030.058
YUSUFALI: verily We have propounded for men, in this Qur'an every kind of Parable: But if thou bring to them any Sign, the Unbelievers are sure to say, "Ye do nothing but talk vanities."
PICKTHAL: Verily We have coined for mankind in this Qur'an all kinds of similitudes; and indeed if thou camest unto them with a miracle, those who disbelieve would verily exclaim: Ye are but tricksters!
SHAKIR: And certainly We have set forth for men every kind of example in this Quran; and if you should bring them a communication, those who disbelieve would certainly say: You are naught but false claimants.

030.059
YUSUFALI: Thus does Allah seal up the hearts of those who understand not.
PICKTHAL: Thus doth Allah seal the hearts of those who know not.
SHAKIR: Thus does Allah set a seal on the hearts of those who do not know.

030.060
YUSUFALI: So patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true: nor let those shake thy firmness, who have (themselves) no certainty of faith.
PICKTHAL: So have patience (O Muhammad)! Allah's promise is the very truth, and let not those who have no certainty make thee impatient.
SHAKIR: Therefore be patient; surely the promise of Allah is true and let not those who have no certainty hold you in light estimation.

 Index

 SURAH 31