INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 133 verses, 1600 sentences, 9567 letters and 10 Ruku's,
Name
This Surah has been named after Prophet Hud whose story has been related in vv. 50-60.
Period of Revelation
If we consider its theme deeply, we come to the conclusion that it was revealed during the same period as Surah Yunus and most probably followed it immediately.
The Surah deals with the same subject as Surah Yunus, that is, invitation to the Message, admonition and warning, with this difference that the warning is sterner. This is also supported by a Tradition: It is related that after its revelation, once Hadrat Abu Bakr said to the Holy Prophet, "Of late I have been noticing that you are growing older and older. What is the cause of it?" The Holy Prophet replied, "Surah Hud and the like Surahs have made me old." This shows that it was a very hard time for the Holy Prophet and these stern warnings added greatly to his anxieties that were caused by the persecution from the Quraish, who were doing their worst to crush down the Message of Islam. For it was obvious to the Holy Prophet that the last limit of the respite given by Allah was approaching nearer and nearer and he was afraid lest the term of the respite should expire and his people be seized by the torment. The invitation is this:Obey the Messenger of Allah; discard shirk, and worship Allah and Allah alone: establish the entire system of your life on the belief that you shall be called to account in the Hereafter.
The admonition is this : Remember that those people who put their faith in the outward appearance of this worldly life and rejected the Message of the Prophets met with dire consequences. Therefore you should consider it seriously whether you should follow the same way that history has proved to be the path to ruin.
The warning is this : You should not be deluded by the delay in the coming of the punishment: it is because of the respite that Allah has granted you by His grace so that you might mend your ways: if you do not make use of this opportunity, you shall be inflicted with an inevitable punishment that will destroy you all except the Believers.
Instead of addressing the people directly, the Quran has used the stories of the people of Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot, Shu'aib and Moses to achieve the above mentioned objects. What is most prominent in their stories is that when Allah passes His judgement on the people, He does not spare anyone whatsoever, even if he be the nearest relative of the Prophet of the time.
Only that one is rescued who had believed in the Prophet, and none else, not even his own son or wife. More than that: the Faith demands from each and every Believer that he should totally forget his relationships when that judgement comes and remember only the relationship of the Faith. For it is against the spirit of Islam to show any regard whatsoever for the relationships of blood and race. And the Muslims demonstrated these teachings practically in the Battle of Badr, four years after the revelation of this Surah.
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.
11 : 1
1. Alif-lam-ra kitabun ohkimat ayatuhu thumma fussilat min ladun hakeemin khabeerin
Alif-Lām-Rā: This is a Scripture the verses of which are perfected and elucidated! They come to you from Him who is the Wise, the Cognizant -
11 : 2
2. Alla taAAbudoo illa Allaha innanee lakum minhu natheerun wabasheerun
Saying : 'Obey none except Allah! I come to you from Him as a warner and a bearer of good tidings -
11 : 3
3. Waani istaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi yumattiAAkum mataAAan hasanan ila ajalin musamman wayu/ti kulla thee fadlin fadlahu wa-in tawallaw fa-inee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin kabeerin
And saying : 'Seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him repentant. He will give you comfort for an appointed term and bestow upon every deserving man his due deserts. But if you turn your faces away, I fear for you the doom of an awful Day!'
11 : 4
4. Ila Allahi marjiAAukum wahuwa AAala kulli shay-in qadeerun
To Allah shall you return and He has dominion over all things!'
(According to commentators, the reason why the verses of the Qur'aan are said to have been perfected is because no other past revelations can supersede them, nor are there any future revelations to come which may supersede them; and elucidated because its Surahs and verses have their own specific connotations and they were all revealed with reference to specific contexts.
It is worthwhile mentioning that many Western translators have criticized the Qur'aan as convoluted and repetitious. Their confusion is understandable because, unless the verses are read in conjunction with the contexts in which they were revealed, it is very easy to get confused. For example, even though the events surrounding Prophets of the past have been mentioned in previous Surahs, they are included again in this Surah, either to comfort the Prophet that the messengers who preached before him were similarly ill-treated by their people, or to warn his enemies of consequences of intransigence by reiterating what happened to others who tormented their Prophets, or merely to make memorizing the Qur'aan easy.
In the light of the above verses it can be deduced that, if we repent over our failings and shortcomings with sincerity and honesty, not only will He forgive us our errors but will also bless us with a long life, prosperity and comfort for 'an appointed term', which means our lifetime).
* * *
Context of Revelation: The following verse was revealed with reference to the Hypocrites who used to hide their dislike of the Prophet deep in their hearts, sometimes greeting him with a false show of cordiality and sometimes turning their faces away in order to avoid him.
11 : 5
5. Ala innahum yathnoona sudoorahum liyastakhfoo minhu ala heena yastaghshoona thiyabahum yaAAlamu ma yusirroona wama yuAAlinoona innahu AAaleemun bithati alssudoori
They cover up their breasts so that they may hide their feelings from Him! At the very moment when they cover the whole of their bodies with raiment, Allah already knows that which they conceal as well as that which they reveal Verily He is cognizant of all the secrets of their hearts.
(The verse also has a broader implication and includes those believers who used to be shy of taking off their garments even when religious protocol required them to, by hinting that no part of a man's body is truly concealed from Allah, whether it is wrapped in clothes or is bared)
* * *
11 : 6
6. Wama min dabbatin fee al-ardi illa AAala Allahi rizquha wayaAAlamu mustaqarraha wamustawdaAAaha kullun fee kitabin mubeenin
There is not a beast that walks the earth whose sustenance does not depend upon Allah! He knows where it survives and where it succumbs, all of which is already recorded in the Book of Decrees!
11 : 7
7. Wahuwa allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda fee sittati ayyamin wakana AAarshuhu AAala alma-i liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu AAamalan wala-in qulta innakum mabAAoothoona min baAAdi almawti layaqoolanna allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun
He it is who created the heavens and the earth in six days, - and His throne was on water - so that He might test you and see who amongst you are righteous! Yet if you (O Mohammed) say : 'Verily you will be raised again after you die!' those who disbelieve will surely retort : 'This is nothing but just a cabal!'
(Before Allah created the earth and then placed flora and fauna on it and introduced life into it, nothing else existed on our planet except the sky above and water below. It is common knowledge now that all life emerged from water and that ninety percent of living organisms consist of liquid and only ten per cent of mass).
11 : 8
8. Wala-in akhkharna AAanhumu alAAathaba ila ommatin maAAdoodatin layaqoolunna ma yahbisuhu ala yawma ya/teehim laysa masroofan AAanhum wahaqa bihim ma kanoo bihi yastahzi-oona
If We deferred their doom for a certain term, they will surely say : 'What is holding it up?' Verily on the day when it culminates, none will be able to avert it! And the very doom at which they scoff now will engulf them from all sides! (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
1. Alif-Lām-Rā. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ān and none but Allāh (Alone) knows their meanings].
(This is) a Book, the Verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge, etc.), and then explained in detail from One (Allāh), Who is All-Wise and Well-Acquainted (with all things).
2. (Saying) worship none but Allāh. Verily, I (Muhammad SAW) am unto you from Him a warner and a bringer of glad tidings.
3. And (commanding you): "Seek the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance, that He may grant you good enjoyment, for a term appointed, and bestow His abounding Grace to every owner of grace (i.e. the one who helps and serves needy and deserving, physically and with his wealth, and even with good words). But if you turn away, then I fear for you the torment of a Great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
4. To Allāh is your return, and He is Able to do all things."
5. No doubt! They did fold up their breasts, that they may hide from Him. Surely, even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knows what they conceal and what they reveal. Verily, He is the All-Knower of the (innermost secrets) of the breasts.
6. And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allāh. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterous, grave, etc.). all is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfūz - the Book of Decrees with Allāh).
7. And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. But if you were to say to them: "You shall indeed be raised up after death," those who disbelieve would be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious magic.[]"
8. And if We delay the torment for them till a determined term, they are sure to say, "What keeps it back?" Verily, on the day it reaches them, nothing will turn it away from them, and they will be surrounded by (fall in) that at which they used to mock!
011.001
YUSUFALI: A. L. R. (This is) a Book, with verses basic or fundamental (of
established meaning), further explained in detail,- from One Who is Wise and
Well-acquainted (with all things):
PICKTHAL: Alif. Lam. Ra. (This is) a Scripture the revelations whereof are
perfected and then expounded. (It cometh) from One Wise, Informed,
SHAKIR: Alif Lam Ra (This is) a Book, whose verses are made decisive, then are
they made plain, from the Wise, All-aware:
011.002
YUSUFALI: (It teacheth) that ye should worship none but Allah. (Say): "Verily I
am (sent) unto you from Him to warn and to bring glad tidings:
PICKTHAL: (Saying): Serve none but Allah. Lo! I am unto you from Him a warner
and a bringer of good tidings.
SHAKIR: That you shall not serve (any) but Allah; surely I am a warner for you
from Him and a giver of good news,
011.003
YUSUFALI: "(And to preach thus), 'Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn
to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a
term appointed, and bestow His abounding grace on all who abound in merit! But
if ye turn away, then I fear for you the penalty of a great day:
PICKTHAL: And (bidding you): Ask pardon of your Lord and turn to Him repentant.
He will cause you to enjoy a fair estate until a time appointed. He giveth His
bounty unto every bountiful one. But if ye turn away, lo! (then) I fear for you
the retribution of an awful Day.
SHAKIR: And you that ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to Him; He will
provide you with a goodly provision to an appointed term and bestow His grace on
every one endowed with grace, and if you turn back, then surely I fear for you
the chastisement of a great day.
011.004
YUSUFALI: 'To Allah is your return, and He hath power over all things.'"
PICKTHAL: Unto Allah is your return, and He is Able to do all things.
SHAKIR: To Allah is your return, and He has power over all things.
011.005
YUSUFALI: Behold! they fold up their hearts, that they may lie hid from Him! Ah
even when they cover themselves with their garments, He knoweth what they
conceal, and what they reveal: for He knoweth well the (inmost secrets) of the
hearts.
PICKTHAL: Lo! now they fold up their breasts that they may hide (their thoughts)
from Him. At the very moment when they cover themselves with their clothing,
Allah knoweth that which they keep hidden and that which they proclaim. Lo! He
is Aware of what is in the breasts (of men).
SHAKIR: Now surely they fold up their breasts that they may conceal (their
enmity) from Him; now surely, when they use their garments as a covering, He
knows what they conceal and what they make public; surely He knows what is in
the breasts.
011.006
YUSUFALI: There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance dependeth on
Allah: He knoweth the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary
deposit: All is in a clear Record.
PICKTHAL: And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof
dependeth on Allah. He knoweth its habitation and its repository. All is in a
clear Record.
SHAKIR: And there is no animal in the earth but on Allah is the sustenance of
it, and He knows its resting place and its depository all (things) are in a
manifest book.
011.007
YUSUFALI: He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and His
Throne was over the waters - that He might try you, which of you is best in
conduct. But if thou wert to say to them, "Ye shall indeed be raised up after
death", the Unbelievers would be sure to say, "This is nothing but obvious
sorcery!"
PICKTHAL: And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days - and
His Throne was upon the water - that He might try you, which of you is best in
conduct. Yet if thou (O Muhammad) sayest: Lo! ye will be raised again after
death! those who disbelieve will surely say: This is naught but mere magic.
SHAKIR: And He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods-- and
His dominion (extends) on the water-- that He might manifest to you, which of
you is best in action, and if you say, surely you shall be raised up after
death, those who disbelieve would certainly say: This is nothing but clear
magic.
011.008
YUSUFALI: If We delay the penalty for them for a definite term, they are sure to
say, "What keeps it back?" Ah! On the day it (actually) reaches them, nothing
will turn it away from them, and they will be completely encircled by that which
they used to mock at!
PICKTHAL: And if We delay for them the doom until a reckoned time, they will
surely say: What withholdeth it? Verily on the day when it cometh unto them, it
cannot be averted from them, and that which they derided will surround them.
SHAKIR: And if We hold back from them the punishment until a stated period of
time, they will certainly say: What prevents it? Now surely on the day when it
will come to them, it shall not be averted from them and that which they scoffed
at shall beset them.
11 : 9
9. Wala-in athaqna al-insana minna rahmatan thumma nazaAAnaha minhu innahu layaoosun kafoorun
If We give man a taste of Our mercy and then withdraw it, he despairs at once and resorts to thanklessness!
11 : 10
10. Wala-in athaqnahu naAAmaa baAAda darraa massat-hu layaqoolanna thahaba alssayyi-atu AAannee innahu lafarihun fakhoorun
And if We give him a taste of Our benefactions after adversity which had befallen him, even then he says : 'I am now rid of misfortunes!' Verily he is easy to please and is so vainglorious -
11 : 11
11. Illa allatheena sabaroo waAAamiloo alssalihati ola-ika lahum maghfiratun waajrun kabeerun
Except those who demonstrate resilience and perform seemly deeds! For them there is forgiveness and an abundant reward!
* * *
Context of Revelation : The following verses were revealed when the Prophet was taunted by the disbelievers that, if he was truly a Prophet of Allah and Allah was, as he claimed, truly Omnipotent over all things, then why has He not lavished upon him His treasures or sent down for him His angels?
11 : 12
12. FalaAAallaka tarikun baAAda ma yooha ilayka wada-iqun bihi sadruka an yaqooloo lawla onzila AAalayhi kanzun aw jaa maAAahu malakun innama anta natheerun waAllahu AAala kulli shay-in wakeelun
Is it likely that you would omit some of what has been revealed to you because your heart is constricted by their taunts when they say : 'Why have no treasures been lavished on him or no angels sent down to assist him?' You are there only to warn, whereas Allah is in control of everything!
(The verse reiterates one of the basic requirements of Prophethood that, regardless of how many hurdles are placed in the way of the messenger, how scornful his critics are and how hard they make life for him, it is incumbent upon him to deliver the message of Allah to mankind in full, whether or not it is sinking in the minds of those whom he is preaching. It is not for him to weigh its pros and cons; it is not up to him to pick and choose the words in which it is conveyed; it is not a matter of his discretion where he receives His revelations and where he divulges them; it has nothing to do with him whether they are being derided or respected! As some Western commentators have put it, he is like a tape recorder into which messages from Allah are recorded by His Angel and are 'played back' to his 'audiences', who could sometimes be his wife, sometimes his close associates, sometimes his entire congregation, sometimes his enemies and sometimes even a party of Jinn, - whoever was present when he was 'inspired' or 'inspirited'
Apart from reassuring the Prophet that his job is done once the message is conveyed and that no more responsibility lies on his shoulder, it also brings home to his tormentors that they have nothing to gain from targeting him for their anger because it will not stop the messages of Allah from coming and from being delivered; they will continue; they will receive attention from those who pay attention; they will sink into the hearts and souls of those whose hearts and souls are free of all afflictions; they will bring light to those who have the vision to benefit from their effulgence; they will open the doors of paradise for those who aim for it; they will bless those who aspire for His nearness and strive to attain it).
11 : 13.
13. Am yaqooloona iftarahu qul fa/too biAAashri suwarin mithlihi muftarayatin waodAAoo mani istataAAtum min dooni Allahi in kuntum sadiqeena
Or say they : 'He has contrived it by himself?' Say : 'Then bring ten verses similar to these contrived by you, and summon anyone you choose other than Allah to vouch for them, - if you are truthful!'
11 : 14
14. Fa-illam yastajeeboo lakum faiAAlamoo annama onzila biAAilmi Allahi waan la ilaha illa huwa fahal antum muslimoona
And if they do not respond to the challenge, know that this revelation is in essence the knowledge of Allah and that there is no God save Him! Will you then surrender?
(The alternative to ridicule being provocation, the idolaters of Mecca always resorted to imputing that the Qur'aan was not a Divine revelation but something prepared by the Prophet himself with the help of other perpetrators. As consistent as their challenge had been throughout, the response from Allah was equally consistent, calling on them to come up with something similar, - an hundred verses, or ten verses, or even one verse, if they could put their talent where their mouth was).
* * *
Context of Revelation: The following verses were aimed at the Hypocrites who seldom shared their wealth with the needy but were always ready to take part in battles so that they could claim their share in the Spoils.
11 : 15
15. Man kana yureedu alhayata alddunya wazeenataha nuwaffi ilayhim aAAmalahum feeha wahum feeha la yubkhasoona
Those who covet the luxuries and ostentation of the life of this world, We shall reward them during their lifetime in the fullest measure, without any shortfalls -
11 : 16
16. Ola-ika allatheena laysa lahum fee al-akhirati illa alnnaru wahabita ma sanaAAoo feeha wabatilun ma kanoo yaAAmaloona
They are the ones for whom there will be nothing in the Hereafter save the Fire! Lost to them are all their toils and futile are their deeds!
11 : 17
17. Afaman kana AAala bayyinatin min rabbihi wayatloohu shahidun minhu wamin qablihi kitabu moosa imaman warahmatan ola-ika yu/minoona bihi waman yakfur bihi mina al-ahzabi faalnnaru mawAAiduhu fala taku fee miryatin minhu innahu alhaqqu min rabbika walakinna akthara alnnasi la yu/minoona
Are they to be treated as equal to those whose credence in the portents of their Lord is firm, and to whom has come this Qur'aan as a witness, and before it had come the Book of Moses, a guidance and a mercy, in which they firmly believed? Those amongst the Clans who do not believe in them, Fire is their ultimate destination. So be in no doubt that this is the Truth from your Lord, even though most of mankind do not believe in it!
(According to certain commentators, these verses are also aimed at the idolaters and other disbelievers making it clear to them that, if they show compassion towards their fellow humans by giving alms to the destitute and going out of their way to lend a helping hand to those who are in trouble, or perform other righteous deeds, Allah will give them their due rewards in the life of this world itself, but then they shall have no share in the Hereafter because, by refusing to believe and to embrace the religion of Allah, they deprive themselves of the opportunity of attaining redemption.
Verse 17 makes it crystal clear to all and sundry that those who do not believe in the portents of Allah, in all the Divine Scriptures and in the messengers mentioned in them shall not be treated on an equal footing with those who ardently and sincerely believe in them, such as the Muslims.
There is a Hadith according to which the Prophet is quoted to have said : 'Those from amongst the Peoples of the Scriptures who read about me in their Books and have yet chosen to disbelieve in me do, by Allah, belong to the fire!'
Hence is the unavoidable and unalterable stipulation for the Muslims that, if they are to be treated as true believers, they should be prepared to believe in all the Revelations of Allah and all His messengers without exception and without any discrimination).
* * *
11 : 18
18. Waman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban ola-ika yuAAradoona AAala rabbihim wayaqoolu al-ashhadu haola-i allatheena kathaboo AAala rabbihim ala laAAnatu Allahi AAala alththalimeena
Who commits a greater sin than him who assigns falsehood to Allah? Such of them will one Day be brought before their Lord when those who bear witness for them will say : 'These are the ones who assigned lies to Allah! Now the curse of Allah is on the invidious -
11 : 19
19. Allatheena yasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi wayabghoonaha AAiwajan wahum bial-akhirati hum kafiroona
Who obstruct men from the path of Allah, render it tortuous, and deny the Hereafter!
11 : 20
20. Ola-ika lam yakoonoo muAAjizeena fee al-ardi wama kana lahum min dooni Allahi min awliyaa yudaAAafu lahumu alAAathabu ma kanoo yastateeAAoona alssamAAa wama kanoo yubsiroona
Upon the earth, they have no way of escaping Allah; and in the Hereafter, they have no one to resort to save Allah; and they will be given torment upon torment, for they were deaf to the truth and they were blind to the truth!
11 : 21
21. Ola-ika allatheena khasiroo anfusahum wadalla AAanhum ma kanoo yaftaroona
These are the people who have put their souls in jeopardy and the lies they used to invent have forsaken them!
11 : 22
22. La jarama annahum fee al-akhirati humu al-akhsaroona
Assuredly in the Hereafter they shall emerge as the worst of the dispossessed!
(The Divine Scales of Justice come into play once again here by placing the culpable on one side and the exculpated on the other in order to draw a comparison between the two.
Verses 18 to 22 succinctly deal with the plight of the culpable that, for having invented blatant lies about Allah, they have rendered themselves worse than the worst of human beings; they will be dragged before their Lord on the Day of Judgement in front of all mankind; the charges against them would be read out by a witness and they would be put to shame saying that they imputed lies against Allah, that they hindered men from gaining access to the path of Allah; that they deliberately sought to make it crooked and that they knowingly denied the Hereafter. They have lost their souls and everything which they invented has forsaken them, - their false deities, their leaders who did not give them right guidance and their friends who encouraged them to stray away)
11 : 23
23. Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alsalihati waakhbatoo ila rabbihim ola-ika as-habu aljannati hum feeha khalidoona
But those who believe and perform righteous deeds and acquiesce to their Lord, they are the denizens of the Garden and in it will they abide forever!
11 : 24
24. Mathalu alfareeqayni kaal-aAAma waal-asammi waalbaseeri waalssameeAAi hal yastawiyani mathalan afala tathakkaroona
The semblance between these two opposing groups is like the semblance between one who is blind and deaf and one who can see and hear. Can they ever be the same? Will you still not respond to admonition? (R)
(On the
other side of the scales are those described in verses 23 and 24, - the
believers
who spent their entire lifetime performing righteous deeds, sharing their
wealth with those who deserved to be helped, walking aright themselves and
encouraging their families and friends to do the same, forbidding evil and
enjoining virtue, now standing under the threshold of everlasting bliss as a
reward for their toils.
Casting the former group as blind and deaf, and the latter group as those who can see and hear, the question is asked : 'Can these two ever be treated the same?)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
9. And if We give man a taste of Mercy from Us, and then withdraw it from him, verily! He is despairing, ungrateful.
10. But if We let him taste good (favour) after evil (poverty and harm) has touched him, he is sure to say: "Ills have departed from me." Surely, he is exultant, and boastful (ungrateful to Allāh).
11. Except those who show patience and do righteous good deeds, those: theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise).
12. So perchance you (Muhammad SAW) may give up a part of what is revealed unto you, and that your breast feels straitened for it because they say, "Why has not a treasure been sent down unto him, or an angel has come with him?" But you are only a warner. And Allāh is a Wakīl (Disposer of affairs, Trustee, Guardian, etc.) over all things.
13. Or they say, "He (Prophet Muhammad SAW) forged it (the Qur'an)." Say: "Bring you then ten forged Sūrah (chapters) like unto it, and call whomsoever you can, other than Allāh (to your help), if you speak the truth!"
14. If then they answer you not, know then that the Revelation (this Qur'ān) is sent down with the Knowledge of Allāh and that Lā ilāha illa Huwa: (none has the right to be worshipped but He)! Will you then be Muslims (those who submit to Islām)?
15. Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein.
16. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but Fire; and vain are the deeds they did therein. And of no effect is that which they used to do.
17. Can they (Muslims) who rely on a clear proof (the Qur'ān) from their Lord, and whom a witness [Prophet Muhammad SAW through Jibrael (Gabriel <> ÓįĒć)] from Him follows it (can they be equal with the disbelievers); and before it, came the Book of Mūsa (Moses), a guidance and a mercy, they believe therein, but those of the sects (Jews, Christians and all the other non-Muslim nations) that reject it (the Qur'ān), the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. So be not in doubt about it (i.e. those who denied Prophet Muhammad SAW and also denied all that which he brought from Allāh, surely, they will enter Hell). Verily, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the mankind believe not[].
18. And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allāh. Such wi,l be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord!" No doubt! the curse of Allāh is on the Zālimūn (polytheists, wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.)[].
19. Those who hinder (others) from the Path of Allāh (Islāmic Monotheism), and seek a crookedness therein, while they are disbelievers in the Hereafter.
20. By no means will they escape (from Allāh's Torment) on earth, nor have they protectors besides Allāh! Their torment will be doubled! They could not bear to hear (the preachers of the truth) and they used not to see (the truth because of their severe aversin, inspite of the fact that they had the sense of hearing and sight).
21. They are those who have lost their ownselves, and their invented false deities will vanish from them.
22. Certainly, they are those who will be the greatest losers in the Hereafter.
23. Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh - Islāmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, - they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.
24. The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are they equal when compared? Will you not then take heed?
011.009
YUSUFALI: If We give man a taste of Mercy from
Ourselves, and then withdraw it from him, behold! he is in despair and (falls
into) blasphemy.
PICKTHAL: And if we cause man to taste some mercy from
Us and afterward withdraw it from him, lo! he is despairing, thankless.
SHAKIR: And if We make man taste mercy from Us, then
take it off from him, most surely he is despairing, ungrateful.
011.010
YUSUFALI: But if We give him a taste of (Our) favours
after adversity hath touched him, he is sure to say, "All evil has departed from
me:" Behold! he falls into exultation and pride.
PICKTHAL: And if We cause him to taste grace after
some misfortune that had befallen him, he saith: The ills have gone from me. Lo!
he is exultant, boastful;
SHAKIR: And if We make him taste a favor after
distress has afflicted him, he will certainly say: The evils are gone away from
me. Most surely he is exulting, boasting;
011.011
YUSUFALI: Not so do those who show patience and
constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness (of sins) and a great
reward.
PICKTHAL: Save those who persevere and do good works.
Theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward.
SHAKIR: Except those who are patient and do good, they
shall have forgiveness and a great reward.
011.012
YUSUFALI: Perchance thou mayest (feel the inclination)
to give up a part of what is revealed unto thee, and thy heart feeleth
straitened lest they say, "Why is not a treasure sent down unto him, or why does
not an angel come down with him?" But thou art there only to warn! It is Allah
that arrangeth all affairs!
PICKTHAL: A likely thing, that thou wouldst forsake
aught of that which hath been revealed unto thee, and that thy breast should be
straitened for it, because they say: Why hath not a treasure been sent down for
him, or an angel come with him? Thou art but a warner, and Allah is in charge of
all things.
SHAKIR: Then, it may be that you will give up part of
what is revealed to you and your breast will become straitened by it because
they say: Why has not a treasure been sent down upon him or an angel come with
him? You are only a warner; and Allah is custodian over all things.
011.013
YUSUFALI: Or they may say, "He forged it," Say, "Bring
ye then ten suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever ye
can, other than Allah!- If ye speak the truth!
PICKTHAL: Or they say: He hath invented it. Say: Then
bring ten surahs, the like thereof, invented, and call on everyone ye can beside
Allah, if ye are truthful!
SHAKIR: Or, do they say: He has forged it. Say: Then
bring ten forged chapters like it and call upon whom you can besides Allah, if
you are truthful.
011.014
YUSUFALI: "If then they (your false gods) answer not
your (call), know ye that this revelation is sent down (replete) with the
knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He! will ye even then submit
(to Islam)?"
PICKTHAL: And if they answer not your prayer, then
know that it is revealed only in the knowledge of Allah; and that there is no
Allah save Him. Will ye then be (of) those who surrender?
SHAKIR: But if they do not answer you, then know that
it is revealed by Allah's knowledge and that there is no god but He; will you
then submit?
011.015
YUSUFALI: Those who desire the life of the present and
its glitter,- to them we shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein,- without
diminution.
PICKTHAL: Whoso desireth the life of the world and its
pomp, We shall repay them their deeds herein, and therein they will not be
wronged.
SHAKIR: Whoever desires this world's life and its
finery, We will pay them in full their deeds therein, and they shall not be made
to. suffer loss in respect of them.
011.016
YUSUFALI: They are those for whom there is nothing in
the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no
effect and the deeds that they do!
PICKTHAL: Those are they for whom is naught in the
Hereafter save the Fire. (All) that they contrive here is vain and (all) that
they are wont to do is fruitless.
SHAKIR: These are they for whom there is nothing but
fire in the hereafter, and what they wrought in it shall go for nothing, and
vain is what they do.
011.017
YUSUFALI: Can they be (like) those who accept a Clear
(Sign) from their Lord, and whom a witness from Himself doth teach, as did the
Book of Moses before it,- a guide and a mercy? They believe therein; but those
of the Sects that reject it,- the Fire will be their promised meeting-place. Be
not then in doubt thereon: for it is the truth from thy Lord: yet many among men
do not believe!
PICKTHAL: Is he (to be counted equal with them) who
relieth on a clear proof from his Lord, and a witness from Him reciteth it, and
before it was the Book of Moses, an example and a mercy? Such believe therein,
and whoso disbelieveth therein of the clans, the Fire is his appointed place. So
be not thou in doubt concerning it. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord; but most
of mankind believe not.
SHAKIR: Is he then who has with him clear proof from
his Lord, and a witness from Him recites it and before it (is) the Book of Musa,
a guide and a mercy? These believe in it; and whoever of the (different) parties
disbelieves in it, surely it is the truth from your Lord, but most men do not
believe.
011.018
YUSUFALI: Who doth more wrong than those who invent a
life against Allah? They will be turned back to the presence of their Lord, and
the witnesses will say, "These are the ones who lied against their Lord! Behold!
the Curse of Allah is on those who do wrong!-
PICKTHAL: Who doeth greater wrong than he who
inventeth a lie concerning Allah? Such will be brought before their Lord, and
the witnesses will say: These are they who lied concerning their Lord. Now the
curse of Allah is upon wrong-doers,
SHAKIR: And who is more unjust than he who forges a
lie against Allah? These shall be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses
shall say: These are they who lied against their Lord. Now surely the curse of
Allah is on the unjust.
011.019
YUSUFALI: "Those who would hinder (men) from the path
of Allah and would seek in it something crooked: these were they who denied the
Hereafter!"
PICKTHAL: Who debar (men) from the way of Allah and
would have it crooked, and who are disbelievers in the Hereafter.
SHAKIR: Who turn away from the path of Allah and
desire to make it crooked; and they are disbelievers in the hereafter.
011.020
YUSUFALI: They will in no wise frustrate (His design)
on earth, nor have they protectors besides Allah! Their penalty will be doubled!
They lost the power to hear, and they did not see!
PICKTHAL: Such will not escape in the earth, nor have
they any protecting friends beside Allah. For them the torment will be double.
They could not bear to hear, and they used not to see.
SHAKIR: These shall not escape in the earth, nor shall
they have any guardians besides Allah; the punishment shall be doubled for them,
they could not bear to hear and they did not see.
011.021
YUSUFALI: They are the ones who have lost their own
souls: and the (fancies) they invented have left them in the lurch!
PICKTHAL: Such are they who have lost their souls, and
that which they used to invent hath failed them.
SHAKIR: These are they who have lost their souls, and
what they forged is gone from them.
011.022
YUSUFALI: Without a doubt, these are the very ones who
will lose most in the Hereafter!
PICKTHAL: Assuredly in the Hereafter they will be the
greatest losers.
SHAKIR: Truly in the hereafter they are the greatest
losers.
011.023
YUSUFALI: But those who believe and work
righteousness, and humble themselves before their Lord,- They will be companions
of the gardens, to dwell therein for aye!
PICKTHAL: Lo! those who believe and do good works and
humble themselves before their Lord: such are rightful owners of the Garden;
they will abide therein.
SHAKIR: Surely (as to) those who believe and do good
and humble themselves to their Lord, these are the dwellers of the garden, in it
they will abide.
011.024
YUSUFALI: These two kinds (of men) may be compared to
the blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well. Are they equal when
compared? Will ye not then take heed?
PICKTHAL: The similitude of the two parties is as the
blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are they equal in similitude?
Will ye not then be admonished?
SHAKIR: The likeness of the two parties is as the
blind and the deaf and the seeing and the hearing: are they equal in condition?
Will you not then mind?
11 : 25
25. Walaqad arsalna noohan ila qawmihi innee lakum natheerun mubeenun
And We sent Noah to his people and he said : 'Verily I come to you as a plain warner!
11 : 26
26. An la taAAbudoo illa Allaha innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin aleemin
'Worship none but Allah! Verily I fear for you the outcome of an awesome Day!'
11 : 27
27. Faqala almalao allatheena kafaroo min qawmihi ma naraka illa basharan mithlana wama naraka ittabaAAaka illa allatheena hum arathiluna badiya alrra/yi wama nara lakum AAalayna min fadlin bal nathunnukum kathibeena
The leaders of his people who were disbelievers said : 'We find you to be a mortal like any of us and we find no evidence of a following for you except the most trivial among us, and that too in a rather casual vein; nor do we find any signs of superiority in you over us. If anything, we find you to be a liar!
11 : 28
28. Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu AAala bayyinatin min rabbee waatanee rahmatan min AAindihi faAAummiyat AAalaykum anulzimukumooha waantum laha karihoona
He said : 'O my people! Suppose I do possess the credentials given to me by my Lord and am blessed with mercy from His presence about which you are unaware; do you think they would be forced on you even if you are averse to it?
11 : 29
29. Waya qawmi la as-alukum AAalayhi malan in ajriya illa AAala Allahi wama ana bitaridi allatheena amanoo innahum mulaqoo rabbihim walakinnee arakum qawman tajhaloona
'And O my people! I seek not of you a reward in return, for my reward is the concern of Allah alone! Nor will I ever drive the believers away from me because you happen to resent them. They will surely meet their Lord! But I can see that you are an utterly ignorant folk!
11 : 30
30. Waya qawmi man yansurunee mina Allahi in taradtuhum afala tathakkaroona
'And O my people! Who would protect me against Allah's retribution, if I drove away those who believe in Him? Have you no sense of perception?
11 : 31
31. Wala aqoolu lakum AAindee khaza-inu Allahi wala aAAlamu alghayba wala aqoolu innee malakun wala aqoolu lillatheena tazdaree aAAyunukum lan yu/tiyahumu Allahu khayran Allahu aAAlamu bima fee anfusihim innee ithan lamina alththalimeena
'I do not boast before you that I have brought with me treasures from Allah, nor that I have brought with me knowledge of the Unseen! Nor do I claim to be an angel nor do I say to those you resent that Allah will not bless them with the propitious, for I know that Allah is aware of what lies in their hearts and that if I shunned them, I too would be of the sinful!'
11 : 32
32. Qaloo ya noohu qad jadaltana faaktharta jidalana fa/tina bima taAAiduna in kunta mina alssadiqeena
They said : 'O Noah! You have quarrelled with us, and you have quarrelled to an irreconcilable extent. So bring upon us that with which you threaten us, if you are of the truthful!'
11 : 33
33. Qala innama ya/teekum bihi Allahu in shaa wama antum bimuAAjizeena
He said : 'It can only be brought upon you by Allah, if He wills, and you will never be able to stave it off!
11 : 34
34. Wala yanfaAAukum nushee in aradtu an ansaha lakum in kana Allahu yureedu an yughwiyakum huwa rabbukum wa-ilayhi turjaAAoona
'My admonitions would be of no use to you even if I wished you well, if Allah's wish is to send you astray! He is your Lord, and it is to Him that you shall return!'
(Verses 25 to 34 deal briefly with Prophet Noah, the people to whom he preached and their opposition to him, brought up here to comfort our Prophet, who was also enduring the same ridicule and affronts as the other had.
According to certain Islamic traditions, Noah was forty years of age when he was sent to his people by Allah, to whom he is said to have preached for a period of 950 years and survived the Great Deluge by a further sixty years, making him 1050 years old at the time of his death.
When he informed his people that he was chosen by Allah to warn them about the dire consequences that awaited them on the Day of Resurrection and invited them to give up their corrupt way of life, renounce their idols and follow him on the righteous path, they raised three objections to repudiate his claim :
First of all, they said that he was an ordinary man just like any of them; he had no special qualifications which entitled him to play the role of a guide for them; he did not possess any proof of his Prophethood; he was not even richer than any of them in terms of material affluence so that he could pressurize them into accepting him as their leader.
In response, he assured them that even if he showed them proof of his office, there was no question of his pressurizing them into submission because faith is not bred by force but by voluntary adherence and a whole-hearted acceptance of its concepts. Besides, he had never boasted of being a wealthy man; he never asserted that he was in possession of Divine treasures given to him by Allah; he never considered material affluence as significant to his mission nor indicate that his message was in any way associated with financial rewards, - his reward being the concern of his Lord alone.
The second censure was that he did not have a serious following with the exception of a few impoverished people who did not possess even the mental acumen to understand and evaluate his invitation; that it was beneath their dignity to share his sermons with such lowly men and that if he expected them to lend him an ear, he should get rid of riffraff from his congregations.
His answer to it was, spiritual affiliation stems from total submission to the will of their Lord and obedience to His messenger and not from material affluence or social status or profession which have no significance whatsoever in the eyes of Allah; that it is not fair to assume that poverty makes a man less aware of or receptive to whatever is being taught to him; that Allah never discriminates between his creatures on the strength of the clothes they were, the food they eat, the language in which they speak or the dwellings in which they live; that he would never distance from him those whom they considered to be beneath them because he was not there to judge people but only to help them; and that, as far as he knew and genuinely believed, Allah would not withdraw His benefactions from those in rags anymore than He would increase them for those in silks.
The third issue they raised was that he was a mortal and not an angel, which was the least they expected a Prophet of Allah to be in order to claim moral superiority over the tenets of their forefathers they practised and to abjure the gods of their forefathers they worshipped.
Noah told them in no uncertain terms that he never claimed to be an angel; he did not indicate to them that he had knowledge of the Unseen; it was not necessary for a man to possess supernatural powers in order to provide guidance to his brethren, or to deliver the message of his Lord to them whether or not they heeded it. He was a tool in Allah's hand with which He mends mankind and restores their spiritual performance; he was the mouthpiece through whom Allah communicates with His creation; he was the conduit through which Allah pours knowledge into the minds of His bondsmen! If it was His will that mankind benefited through him, no one can stop it from happening; but if it was His will that mankind should go astray, no amount of counsel from him would change it).
11 : 35
35. Am yaqooloona iftarahu qul ini iftaraytuhu faAAalayya ijramee waana baree-on mimma tujrimoona
Or do they say (O Mohammed) : 'He has made it all up on his own?' Say to them : 'If I have, then let my sin rest upon my head; but the sins which you commit, I distance myself from them!' (R)
(The pause between Noah's efforts to persuade his people and to take action against their intransigence is filled by an address to the Prophet who was also quite often impugned by the idolaters and disbelievers of Mecca as an impostor aiming to exploit the ignorant amongst them by reciting to them his own version of previous Scriptures modified and re-written and then assigned to Allah to make them effective, asking him to tell them that, if he was doing whatever they alleged that he was, then let his sin rest upon his head; but on the other hand, if they were insinuating him with crimes he was not guilty of, their sin would rest upon their head!).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
25. And indeed We sent Nūh (Noah) to his people (and he said): "I have come to you as a plain warner."
26. "That you worship none but Allāh, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day."
27. The chiefs of the disbelievers among his people said: "We see you but a man like ourselves, nor do we see any follow you but the meanest among us and they (too) followed you without thinking. And we do not see in you any merit above us, in fact we think you are liars."
28. He said: "O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear proof from my Lord, and a Mercy (Prophethood, etc.) has come to me from Him, but that (Mercy) has been obscured from your sight. Shall we compel you to accept it (Islāmic Monotheism) when you have a strong hatred for it?
29. "And O my people! I ask of you no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allāh. I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are a people that are ignorant.
30. "And O my people! Who will help me against Allāh, if I drove them away? Will you not then give a thought?
31. "And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allāh, "Nor that I know the Ghaib (unseen); "nor do I say I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allāh will not bestow any good on them. Allāh knows what is in their inner-selves (as regards belief, etc.). In that case, I should, indeed be one of the Zālimūn (wrong-doers, oppressors, etc.)."
32. They said: "O Nūh (Noah)! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful."
33. He said: "Only Allāh will bring it (the punishment) on you, if He will, and then you will escape not.
34. "And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you good counsel, if Allāh's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! and to Him you shall return."
35. Or they (the pagans of Makkah) say: "He (Muhammad SAW) has fabricated it (the Qur'ān)." Say: "If I have fabricated it, upon me be my crimes, but I am innocent of (all) those crimes which you commit."
011.025
YUSUFALI: We sent Noah to his people (with a mission):
"I have come to you with a Clear Warning:
PICKTHAL: And We sent Noah unto his folk (and he
said): Lo! I am a plain warner unto you.
SHAKIR: And certainly We sent Nuh to his people:
Surely I am a plain warner for you:
011.026
YUSUFALI: "That ye serve none but Allah: Verily I do
fear for you the penalty of a grievous day."
PICKTHAL: That ye serve none, save Allah. Lo! I fear
for you the retribution of a painful Day.
SHAKIR: That you shall not serve any but Allah, surely
I fear for you the punishment of a painful day.
011.027
YUSUFALI: But the chiefs of the Unbelievers among his
people said: "We see (in) thee nothing but a man like ourselves: Nor do we see
that any follow thee but the meanest among us, in judgment immature: Nor do we
see in you (all) any merit above us: in fact we thing ye are liars!"
PICKTHAL: The chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved,
said: We see thee but a mortal like us, and we see not that any follow thee save
the most abject among us, without reflection. We behold in you no merit above us
- nay, we deem you liars.
SHAKIR: But the chiefs of those who disbelieved from
among his people said: We do not consider you but a mortal like ourselves, and
we do not see any have followed you but those who are the meanest of us at first
thought and we do not see in you any excellence over us; nay, we deem you liars.
011.028
YUSUFALI: He said: "O my people! See ye if (it be
that) I have a Clear Sign from my Lord, and that He hath sent Mercy unto me from
His own presence, but that the Mercy hath been obscured from your sight? shall
we compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?
PICKTHAL: He said: O my people! Bethink you, if I rely
on a clear proof from my Lord and there hath come unto me a mercy from His
presence, and it hath been made obscure to you, can we compel you to accept it
when ye are averse thereto?
SHAKIR: He said: O my people! tell me if I have with
me clear proof from my Lord, and He has granted me mercy from Himself and it has
been made obscure to you; shall we constrain you to (accept) it while you are
averse from it?
011.029
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! I ask you for no wealth in
return: my reward is from none but Allah: But I will not drive away (in
contempt) those who believe: for verily they are to meet their Lord, and ye I
see are the ignorant ones!
PICKTHAL: And O my people! I ask of you no wealth
therefor. My reward is the concern only of Allah, and I am not going to thrust
away those who believe - Lo! they have to meet their Lord! - but I see you a
folk that are ignorant.
SHAKIR: And, O my people! I ask you not for wealth in
return for it; my reward is only with Allah and I am not going to drive away
those who believe; surely they shall meet their Lord, but I consider you a
people who are ignorant:
011.030
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! who would help me against
Allah if I drove them away? Will ye not then take heed?
PICKTHAL: And, O my people! who would deliver me from
Allah if I thrust them away? Will ye not then reflect?
SHAKIR: And, O my people! who will help me against
Allah if I drive them away? Will you not then mind?
011.031
YUSUFALI: "I tell you not that with me are the
treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel.
Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant
them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if
I did, indeed be a wrong-doer."
PICKTHAL: I say not unto you: "I have the treasures of
Allah" nor "I have knowledge of the Unseen," nor say I: "Lo! I am an angel!" Nor
say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good - Allah
knoweth best what is in their hearts - Lo! then indeed I should be of the
wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: And I do not say to you that I have the
treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an
angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that)
Allah will never grant them (any) good-- Allah knows best what is in their
souls-- for then most surely I should be of the unjust.
011.032
YUSUFALI: They said: "O Noah! thou hast disputed with
us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what
thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?"
PICKTHAL: They said: O Noah! Thou hast disputed with
us and multiplied disputation with us; now bring upon us that wherewith thou
threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.
SHAKIR: They said: O Nuh! indeed you have disputed
with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten
us with, if you are of the truthful ones.
011.033
YUSUFALI: He said: "Truly, Allah will bring it on you
if He wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!
PICKTHAL: He said: Only Allah will bring it upon you
if He will, and ye can by no means escape.
SHAKIR: He said: Allah only will bring it to you if He
please, and you will not escape:
011.034
YUSUFALI: "Of no profit will be my counsel to you,
much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to
leave you astray: He is your Lord! and to Him will ye return!"
PICKTHAL: My counsel will not profit you if I were
minded to advise you, if Allah's will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord and
unto Him ye will be brought back.
SHAKIR: And if I intend to give you good advice, my
advice will not profit you if Allah intended that He should leave you to go
astray; He is your Lord, and to Him shall you be returned.
011.035
YUSUFALI: Or do they say, "He has forged it"? Say: "If
I had forged it, on me were my sin! and I am free of the sins of which ye are
guilty!
PICKTHAL: Or say they (again): He hath invented it?
Say: If I have invented it, upon me be my crimes, but I am innocent of (all)
that ye commit.
SHAKIR: Or do they say: He has forged it? Say: If I
have forged it, on me is my guilt, and I am clear of that of which you are
guilty.
36. Waoohiya ila noohin annahu lan yu/mina min qawmika illa man qad amana fala tabta-is bima kanoo yafAAaloona
And it was inspired in Noah saying : 'Among your people, no one else would ever be believers save those who already believe, hence do not be distressed by what they do.
11 : 37
37. WaisnaAAi alfulka bi-aAAyunina wawahyina wala tukhatibnee fee allatheena thalamoo innahum mughraqoona
'Build the Ark in front of Our eyes and according to Our instructions and say not another word before Me on behalf of the invidious, for assuredly they are destined to be drowned!'
11 : 38
38. WayasnaAAu alfulka wakullama marra AAalayhi malaon min qawmihi sakhiroo minhu qala in taskharoo minna fa-inna naskharu minkum kama taskharoona
And whilst he built the Ark, the chiefs of his folks who passed him by mocked at him, but he said : 'You mock at us now and we shall mock at you later in the same way as you are mocking now!
11 : 39
39. Fasawfa taAAlamoona man ya/teehi AAathabun yukhzeehi wayahillu AAalayhi AAathabun muqeemun
'You will soon come to know on whom will land a retribution most opprobrious and a retribution most perpetual!'
(According to Islamic traditions, the logs with which the Ark was built by him at the behest of Allah came from trees that took twenty years to grow from the time they were planted, during which period no more children were born in his tribe, This means, apart from those who boarded the Ark because they believed him and the new-borns who had not yet reached the age of consent, no one else heeded him, which explains the contents of verse 36.
While Noah was building the Ark under the direct supervision of Allah in the middle of a forest well away from water, the leaders of his people who passed him by stopped and asked him what he was up to. His reply was : I am building a mansion that can float on water, at which they used to burst into derisive laughter because there was no sign of water in the vicinity. Little did they realize that the intention of Allah was not for the Ark to go to the water, but for the water to come to the Ark, which came home to them only after their dwellings were inundated by the unprecedented flood)
11 : 40
40. Hatta itha jaa amruna wafara alttannooru qulna ihmil feeha min kullin zawjayni ithnayni waahlaka illa man sabaqa AAalayhi alqawlu waman amana wama amana maAAahu illa qaleelun
And thus it remained until Our commandment came to pass and water began to gush forth from the Oven! We said : 'Take on board the Ark a pair of every species, male and female, and your entire household save those whose doom has already been sealed, together with all the believers,' - and there were not many with him who believed!
(There are several interpretations to water gushing forth from the oven, some claiming that their real interpretation is fountains gushing forth from earth while others contending that 'oven, or the tannoor' was, in fact, an oven made of stone that belonged to Eve from which water did gush forth as a presage to the arrival of Divine castigation.
The exception in Noah's household against whom the word of Allah had already gone forth and hence were destined to remain with those who would drown was his wife who refused to believe and his son Kun'aan who was a hypocrite, taking the side of his father when he was in his presence and taking the side of the disbelievers when he was in their company.
Though there are differences amongst interpreters as to the number of people who boarded the Ark with him, a figure of 72 couples is often put on it).
11 : 41
41. Waqala irkaboo feeha bismi Allahi majraha wamursaha inna rabbee laghafoorun raheemun
And he said : 'Come aboard in the name of Allah in whose hands is its sailing and its mooring! Verily my Lord is Magnanimous and Merciful!'
(There is an eclectic admonition in the verse that it is most auspicious to commence any task we are setting out to do in the name of Allah. It is said that whenever and wherever Noah wanted the Ark to sail, he said Bismillah and it sailed; and whenever he wanted it to moor, he said Bismillah and it moored).
11 : 42
42. Wahiya tajree bihim fee mawjin kaaljibali wanada noohunu ibnahu wakana fee maAAzilin ya bunayya irkab maAAana wala takun maAAa alkafireena
And as it set sail on the back of waves that rose like mountains, Noah cried to his son who stood aloof from him : 'O my son! Come aboard and do not remain behind along with those who disbelieve!'
11 : 43
43. Qala saawee ila jabalin yaAAsimunee mina alma-i qala la AAasima alyawma min amri Allahi illa man rahima wahala baynahuma almawju fakana mina almughraqeena
But he replied : 'I will take refuge on the crest of that mountain which will protect me from the deluge!' And Noah said to him : 'There is none today to protect anyone from the wrath of Allah except those to whom He shows mercy!' Then a tidal wave swept between them and he was left to drown along with the rest!
11 : 44
44. Waqeela ya ardu iblaAAee maaki waya samao aqliAAee wagheeda almao waqudiya al-amru waistawat AAala aljoodiyyi waqeela buAAdan lilqawmi alththalimeena
Then it was said : 'O earth! Soak up all your water! O sky! Disperse all your clouds!' And the deluge did subside and the Commandment was fulfilled and the Ark docked on the shores of Al-Judi when it was said : 'Good riddance to the iniquitous folks!'
(According to Islamic traditions, the incessant downpour from the sky and springs gushing forth from the earth which resulted in that apocalyptic deluge lasted for a period of forty days after which the command of Allah came ordering the sky to hold back its torrents and the earth to stop sending out the fountains.
Mount Judi mentioned in this verse where the Ark moored is located near the borders of modern Turkey, Syria and Iraq).
11 : 45
45. Wanada noohun rabbahu faqala rabbi inna ibnee min ahlee wa-inna waAAdaka alhaqqu waanta ahkamu alhakimeena
Then Noah addressed his Lord saying : 'O Lord! My son was also of my household! Surely Your promise is irrevocable and You are Mightier than the mightiest!'
11 : 46
46. Qala ya noohu innahu laysa min ahlika innahu AAamalun ghayru salihin fala tas-alni ma laysa laka bihi AAilmun innee aAAithuka an takoona mina aljahileena
He said : 'O Noah! Verily he is not of your household and verily he is a perpetrator of evil deeds! Ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge and this I exhort you to do, so be not of the foolish!
(Noah's address to Allah contained in verse 45 must not be treated as a remonstration because there was no question of his complaining to Allah about His decisions and accusing Him of breaking His promise of protection for his entire household. As has been mentioned before, his son Kun'aan being a two-faced hypocrite, he did not know as much about the secrets of his son's heart as Allah did, which is clarified in verse 46 where he is exhorted not to ask Him 'for that about which he has no knowledge!')
11 : 47
47. Qala rabbi innee aAAoothu bika an as-alaka ma laysa lee bihi AAilmun wa-illa taghfir lee watarhamnee akun mina alkhasireena
And he said : 'O my Lord! I seek forgiveness of You for having asked You for that about which I have no knowledge! Unless You forgive me and have mercy on me, I shall be of the forfeited!'
(An error of judgement on his part that is immediately put right by seeking His lenity and His mercy).
11 : 48
48. Qeela ya noohu ihbit bisalamin minna wabarakatin AAalayka waAAala omamin mimman maAAaka waomamun sanumattiAAuhum thumma yamassuhum minna AAathabun aleemun
And it was said to him : 'O Noah! Descend the mountain with peace from Us and Our blessings on you and on the generations who will spring forth from those who have accompanied you! And there will come other generations besides them to whom We shall grant the comforts of this world for a long while, but after that, an acerbic punishment from Us will overtake them.
(There are two groups from Noah's future generations who are mentioned here : the first group are those on whom shower the blessings of Allah, - the Prophets, the Oracles, the Saints and men of Wisdom and Knowledge, including every true believer who surrenders to His will and His hegemony until the Day of Resurrection; the second group being disbelievers born of his future generations who would be conceded a comfortable livelihood by virtue of that link only for an appointed term, or 'in the life of this world', but would be meted out an acerbic castigation 'in the life beyond!)
11 : 49
49. Tilka min anba-i alghaybi nooheeha ilayka ma kunta taAAlamuha anta wala qawmuka min qabli hatha faisbir inna alAAaqibata lilmuttaqeena
These are tidings of the Unseen which We have revealed to you (O Mohammed) about which neither you nor your folks had any knowledge. So be patient, for verily it is to the forbearing that the outcome belongs! (R)
(This brings to a conclusion the events surrounding Noah, though these are quite often repeated elsewhere in the Qur'aan, but in various other contexts.
The lesson to all of us in this whole saga is that, no matter how unalterably the path of faith is strewn with poisonous thorns of apostasy; how many of our enemies are up in arms against us; how many ways in which they attempt to test our courage with new-fangled ordeals; how hard they make it for us to proceed with our plans and to accomplish our goals; how tough it is to fight for success in the jaws of opposition; it is incumbent upon those who have a set purpose in life to face all the overwhelming odds with fortitude, with tenacity, with resolve, with faith and trust. Allah is always with us when we strive, when we sally and when we succeed, to support us in moments of anxiety; to strengthen us in moments of weakness and to welcome us when we emerge triumphant. The enemies of Noah were not too dissimilar to the enemies of the blessed Prophet; the trying events that transpired in the life of the former were not uncommon to the events surrounding the latter; and the mission which one shouldered was in no way heavier or lighter than the one which the other shouldered!)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
36. And it was inspired to Nūh (Noah): "None of your people will believe except those who have believed already. So be not sad because of what they used to do.
37. "And construct the ship under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration, and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong; they are surely to be drowned."
38. And as he was constructing the ship, whenever the chiefs of his people passed by him, they made a mockery of him. He said: "If you mock at us, so do we mock at you likewise for your mocking.
39. "And you will know who it is on whom will come a torment that will cover him with disgrace and on whom will fall a lasting torment."
40. (So it was) till then there came Our Command and the oven gushed forth (water like fountains from the earth). We said: "Embark therein, of each kind two (male and female), and your family, except him against whom the Word has already gone forth, and those who believe. And none believed with him, except a few."
41. And he [Nūh (Noah) <><>] said: "Embark therein, in the Name of Allāh will be its moving course and its resting anchorage. Surely, my Lord is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Tafsir At-Tabarī, Vol. 12, Page 43)
42. So it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Nūh (Noah) called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), "O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers."
43. The son replied: "I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water." Nūh (Noah) said: "This day there is no saviour[] from the Decree of Allāh except him on whom He has mercy." And a wave came in between them, so he (the son) was among the drowned.
44. And it was said: "O earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your rain)." And the water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of Allāh) was fulfilled (i.e. the destruction of the people of Nūh (Noah). And it (the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: "Away with the people who are Zalimūn (polytheists and wrong-doing)!"
45. And Nūh (Noah) called upon his Lord and said, "O my Lord! Verily, my son is of my family! And certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of the judges."
46. He said: "O Nūh (Noah)! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorants."
47. Nūh (Noah) said: "O my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be one of the losers."
48. It was said: "O Nūh (Noah)! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people who are with you (and on some of their off spring), but (there will be other) people to whom We shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end a painful torment will reach them from Us."
49. This is of the news of the unseen which We reveal unto you (O Muhammad SAW), neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the Muttaqūn (pious - see V.2:2)
011.036
YUSUFALI: It was revealed to Noah: "None of thy people
will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over
their (evil) deeds.
PICKTHAL: And it was inspired in Noah, (saying):
No-one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not
distressed because of what they do.
SHAKIR: And it was revealed to Nuh: That none of your
people will believe except those who have already believed, therefore do not
grieve at what they do:
011.037
YUSUFALI: "But construct an Ark under Our eyes and Our
inspiration, and address Me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for
they are about to be overwhelmed (in the Flood)."
PICKTHAL: Build the ship under Our eyes and by Our
inspiration, and speak not unto Me on behalf of those who do wrong. Lo! they
will be drowned.
SHAKIR: And make the ark before Our eyes and
(according to) Our revelation, and do not speak to Me in respect of those who
are unjust; surely they shall be drowned.
011.038
YUSUFALI: Forthwith he (starts) constructing the Ark:
Every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on
him. He said: "If ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with
ridicule likewise!
PICKTHAL: And he was building the ship, and every time
that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him. He said: Though
ye make mock of Us, yet We mock at you even as ye mock;
SHAKIR: And he began to make the ark; and whenever the
chiefs from among his people passed by him they laughed at him. He said: If you
laugh at us, surely we too laugh at you as you laugh (at us).
011.039
YUSUFALI: "But soon will ye know who it is on whom
will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame,- on whom will be
unloosed a penalty lasting:"
PICKTHAL: And ye shall know to whom a punishment that
will confound him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom will fall.
SHAKIR: So shall you know who it is on whom will come
a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement
come down.
011.040
YUSUFALI: At length, behold! there came Our command,
and the fountains of the earth gushed forth! We said: "Embark therein, of each
kind two, male and female, and your family - except those against whom the word
has already gone forth,- and the Believers." but only a few believed with him.
PICKTHAL: (Thus it was) till, when Our commandment
came to pass and the oven gushed forth water, We said: Load therein two of every
kind, a pair (the male and female), and thy household, save him against whom the
word hath gone forth already, and those who believe. And but a few were they who
believed with him.
SHAKIR: Until when Our command came and water came
forth from the valley, We said: Carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your
own family-- except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and
those who believe. And there believed not with him but a few.
011.041
YUSUFALI: So he said: "Embark ye on the Ark, In the
name of Allah, whether it move or be at rest! For my Lord is, be sure,
Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful!"
PICKTHAL: And he said: Embark therein! In the name of
Allah be its course and its mooring. Lo! my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.
SHAKIR: And he said: Embark in it, in the name of
Allah be its sailing and its anchoring; most surely my Lord is Forgiving,
Merciful.
011.042
YUSUFALI: So the Ark floated with them on the waves
(towering) like mountains, and Noah called out to his son, who had separated
himself (from the rest): "O my son! embark with us, and be not with the
unbelievers!"
PICKTHAL: And it sailed with them amid waves like
mountains, and Noah cried unto his son - and he was standing aloof - O my son!
Come ride with us, and be not with the disbelievers.
SHAKIR: And it moved on with them amid waves like
mountains; and Nuh called out to his son, and he was aloof: O my son! embark
with us and be not with the unbelievers.
011.043
YUSUFALI: The son replied: "I will betake myself to
some mountain: it will save me from the water." Noah said: "This day nothing can
save, from the command of Allah, any but those on whom He hath mercy! "And the
waves came between them, and the son was among those overwhelmed in the Flood.
PICKTHAL: He said: I shall betake me to some mountain
that will save me from the water. (Noah) said: This day there is none that
saveth from the commandment of Allah save him on whom He hath had mercy. And the
wave came in between them, so he was among the drowned.
SHAKIR: He said: I will betake myself for refuge to a
mountain that shall protect me from the water. Nuh said: There is no protector
today from Allah's punishment but He Who has mercy; and a wave intervened
between them, so he was of the drowned.
011.044
YUSUFALI: Then the word went forth: "O earth! swallow
up thy water, and O sky! Withhold (thy rain)!" and the water abated, and the
matter was ended. The Ark rested on Mount Judi, and the word went forth: "Away
with those who do wrong!"
PICKTHAL: And it was said: O earth! Swallow thy water
and, O sky! be cleared of clouds! And the water was made to subside. And the
commandment was fulfilled. And it (the ship) came to rest upon (the mount)
Al-Judi and it was said: A far removal for wrongdoing folk!
SHAKIR: And it was said: O earth, swallow down your
water, and O cloud, clear away; and the water was made to abate and the affair
was decided, and the ark rested on the Judi, and it was said: Away with the
unjust people.
011.045
YUSUFALI: And Noah called upon his Lord, and said: "O
my Lord! surely my son is of my family! and Thy promise is true, and Thou art
the justest of Judges!"
PICKTHAL: And Noah cried unto his Lord and said: My
Lord! Lo! my son is of my household! Surely Thy promise is the truth and Thou
are the Most Just of Judges.
SHAKIR: And Nuh cried out to his Lord and said: My
Lord! surely my son is of my family, and Thy promise is surely true, and Thou
art the most just of the judges.
011.046
YUSUFALI: He said: "O Noah! He is not of thy family:
For his conduct is unrighteous. So ask not of Me that of which thou hast no
knowledge! I give thee counsel, lest thou act like the ignorant!"
PICKTHAL: He said: O Noah! Lo! he is not of thy
household; lo! he is of evil conduct, so ask not of Me that whereof thou hast no
knowledge. I admonish thee lest thou be among the ignorant.
SHAKIR: He said: O Nuh! surely he is not of your
family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds, therefore ask not of
Me that of which you have no knowledge; surely I admonish you lest you may be of
the ignorant
011.047
YUSUFALI: Noah said: "O my Lord! I do seek refuge with
Thee, lest I ask Thee for that of which I have no knowledge. And unless thou
forgive me and have Mercy on me, I should indeed be lost!"
PICKTHAL: He said: My Lord! Lo! in Thee do I seek
refuge (from the sin) that I should ask of Thee that whereof I have no
knowledge. Unless Thou forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be among the
lost.
SHAKIR: He said: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from
asking Thee that of which I have no knowledge; and if Thou shouldst not forgive
me and have mercy on me, I should be of the losers.
011.048
YUSUFALI: The word came: "O Noah! Come down (from the
Ark) with peace from Us, and blessing on thee and on some of the peoples (who
will spring) from those with thee: but (there will be other) peoples to whom We
shall grant their pleasures (for a time), but in the end will a grievous penalty
reach them from Us."
PICKTHAL: It was said (unto him): O Noah! Go thou down
(from the mountain) with peace from Us and blessings upon thee and some nations
(that will spring) from those with thee. (There will be other) nations unto whom
We shall give enjoyment a long while and then a painful doom from Us will
overtake them.
SHAKIR: It was said: O Nuh! descend with peace from Us
and blessings on you and on the people from among those who are with you, and
there shall be nations whom We will afford provisions, then a painful punishment
from Us shall afflict them.
011.049
YUSUFALI: Such are some of the stories of the unseen,
which We have revealed unto thee: before this, neither thou nor thy people knew
them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous.
PICKTHAL: This is of the tidings of the Unseen which
We inspire in thee (Muhammad). Thou thyself knewest it not, nor did thy folk
(know it) before this. Then have patience. Lo! the sequel is for those who ward
off (evil).
SHAKIR: These are announcements relating to the unseen
which We reveal to you, you did not know them-- (neither) you nor your people--
before this; therefore be patient; surely the end is for those who guard
(against evil).
11 : 50
50. Wa-ila AAadin akhahum hoodan qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu in antum illa muftaroona
To the tribe of Ad We sent Huud from their own brotherhood. He said to them : 'O my people! Worship none but Allah, for there is no other God save Him! Verily that which you rely on is but conjecture!
11 : 51
51. Ya qawmi la as-alukum AAalayhi ajran in ajriya illa AAala allathee fataranee afala taAAqiloona
'O my people! I ask not of you for a reward this, for assuredly my reward is the concern of Him alone Who created me. Have you then no discernment?
(An inalienable, unchangeable and incontrovertible stipulation of the office of Prophethood, reiterated by all the Prophets of Allah, that they were not there to seek a recompense from the people to whom they brought His message and that there were no financial implications to their mission because their reward was the concern of Him alone who had handed them the responsibility of delivering it)
11 : 52
52. Waya qawmi istaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi yursili alssamaa AAalaykum midraran wayazidkum quwwatan ila quwwatikum wala tatawallaw mujrimeena
'And O my people! Seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him repentant. He will send you rain in abundance and augment your strength with more strength. So do not stray away in sinfulness.'
(When Prophet Huud first invited his people to join him on the path of redemption and head towards the goal of everlasting bliss, and they rudely turned him down, a severe drought was imposed on them by Allah which lasted for a period of three years during which time not only did their land become barren and worthless, but their women also became infertile. Consequently, no more children were born in their tribe, disbalancing the population numbers as the dead were not being replaced by new-borns. Frightened both by the drought from lack of rain as well as infertility from lack of conceptions, when they approached Huud for help, he told them that their misfortunes could only be reversed by Him Whom they were denying, provided they turned repentant to Him. This they did, as a result of which the rains came pouring down from the sky; their lands rejuvenated; their crops flourished; they reaped rich harvests and replenished their grain stocks; new life also arrived in their lonesome houses as wails of babies echoed in them once again; but it was not long before they broke into arguments with him about submission to Allah and walking the right path).
11 : 53
53. Qaloo ya hoodu ma ji/tana bibayyinatin wama nahnu bitarikee alihatina AAan qawlika wama nahnu laka bimu/mineena
They said : 'O Huud! You have brought us no redoubtable credentials, and we will never forsake our gods on the strength of your word, nor will we believe in that which you preach!
11 : 54
54. In naqoolu illa iAAtaraka baAAdu alihatina bisoo-in qala innee oshhidu Allaha waishhadoo annee baree-on mimma tushrikoona
'We have nothing to say to you but that you are perhaps possessed by one of our gods in an evil way!' He said : 'I call upon Allah to be my witness and on you too to bear witness that I proscribe those whom you ascribe as partners and worship -
11 : 55
55. Min doonihi fakeedoonee jameeAAan thumma la tunthirooni
'Instead of Him! So challenge me altogether (you and those whom you worship) and make me no concessions!
(Since their Prophet was vehemently denigrating their idols and refusing to bow his head before them, they imputed that he was probably possessed by one of their angry gods because of his affronts to them and causing him to utter his gibberish about a rival god. But repudiating their baseless imputation at once, he invited them to join hands with each and every one of their impotent deities and challenge him, sparing him no scruples)
11 : 56
56. Innee tawakkaltu AAala Allahi rabbee warabbikum ma min dabbatin illa huwa akhithun binasiyatiha inna rabbee AAala siratin mustaqeemin
'I have put my trust in Allah alone who is my Lord as well as your Lord! Nothing that moves is there whom He does not hold by the forelocks! Verily my Lord is found only on the path of righteousness!
(When we put our trust in Allah, nothing is insurmountable or irretrievable; when we accept our destiny as set out by Him for us, nothing adverse can take us by surprise or target us to the unexpected; when we learn to accept His will as our will, there are no longer any corners on our path which bring us face to face with unexpected pitfalls; when we begin to reconcile with His decisions, we never have any difficult decisions to make; when we develop the grace to accept with gratitude whatever He gives and seek no more in greed, we can never be in dearth; when we take a look deep inside our own inner selves and find it flooded with the Divine resplendence of our Lord, we never have to grope in the dark again to find our way ahead!)
11 : 57
57. Fa-in tawallaw faqad ablaghtukum ma orsiltu bihi ilaykum wayastakhlifu rabbee qawman ghayrakum wala tadurroonahu shay-an inna rabbee AAala kulli shay-in hafeethun
'And if you turn away, I have conveyed to you the message which I was entrusted to convey! My Lord will bring others to succeed you and you can do Him no harm, for My Lord is Omnipotent over all things!'
11 : 58
58. Walamma jaa amruna najjayna hoodan waallatheena amanoo maAAahu birahmatin minna wanajjaynahum min AAathabin ghaleethin
When Our Commandment came to pass, We saved Huud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, and We saved them from a most acerbic castigation!
(Since the most acerbic castigation can only refer to His punishment in the Hereafter, it is to be inferred that Allah saved Huud and those who believed, whose numbers were said to be 4000, - from the doom of the catastrophic hurricane which landed on the rest and decimated their township beyond the scope of recognition, but also from the even more opprobrious retribution of the Day of Resurrection, - a promise with which every believer is assured that He has bound himself).
11 : 59
59. Watilka AAadun jahadoo bi-ayati rabbihim waAAasaw rusulahu waittabaAAoo amra kulli jabbarin AAaneedin
So pernicious was the tribe of Ad that they repudiated every revelation of their Lord and rebelled against every one of His messengers and followed in the footsteps of only those that were petulant!
11 : 60
60. WaotbiAAoo fee hathihi alddunya laAAnatan wayawma alqiyamati ala inna AAadan kafaroo rabbahum ala buAAdan liAAadin qawmi hoodin
And a
curse was made to chase them wherever they went in this world until the very Day
of Judgement! The tribe of Aad vituperated their Lord, so good riddance to Aad,
the folk of Huud! (R)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
50. And to 'Ad (people We sent) their brother Hūd. He said, "O my people! Worship Allāh! You have no other Ilāh (God) but Him. Certainly, you do nothing but invent (lies)!
51. "O my people I ask of you no reward for it (the Message). My reward is only from Him, Who created me. Will you not then understand?
52. "And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimūn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allāh)."
53. They said: "O Hūd! No evidence have you brought us, and we shall not leave our gods for your (mere) saying! And we are not believers in you.
54. "All that we say is that some of our gods (false deities) have seized you with evil (madness)." He said: "I call Allāh to witness and bear you witness that I am free from that which you ascribe as partners in worship, -
55. With Him (Allāh). So plot against me, all of you, and give me no respite.
56. "I put my trust in Allāh, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving (living) creature but He has grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the Straight Path (the truth).
57. "So if you turn away, still I have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make another people succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. Surely, my Lord is Guardian over all things."
58. And when Our Commandment came, We saved Hūd and those who believed with him by a Mercy from Us, and We saved them from a severe torment.
59. Such were 'Ad (people). They rejected the Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and disobeyed His Messengers, and followed the command of every proud obstinate (oppressor of the truth, from their leaders).
60. And they were pursued by a curse in this world and (so they will be) on the Day of Resurrection. No doubt! Verily, 'Ad disbelieved in their Lord. So away with 'Ad, the people of Hūd.
011.050
YUSUFALI: To the 'Ad People (We sent) Hud, one of
their own brethren. He said: "O my people! worship Allah! ye have no other god
but Him. (Your other gods) ye do nothing but invent!
PICKTHAL: And unto (the tribe of) A'ad (We sent) their
brother, Hud. He said: O my people! Serve Allah! Ye have no other Allah save
Him. Lo! ye do but invent.
SHAKIR: And to Ad (We sent) their brother Hud. He
said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He; you are nothing
but forgers (of lies).
011.051
YUSUFALI: "O my people! I ask of you no reward for
this (Message). My reward is from none but Him who created me: Will ye not then
understand?
PICKTHAL: O my people! I ask of you no reward for it.
Lo! my reward is the concern only of Him Who made me. Have ye then no sense?
SHAKIR: O my people! I do not ask of you any reward
for it; my reward is only with Him Who created me; do you not then understand?
011.052
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your
Lord, and turn to Him (in repentance): He will send you the skies pouring
abundant rain, and add strength to your strength: so turn ye not back in sin!"
PICKTHAL: And, O my people! Ask forgiveness of your
Lord, then turn unto Him repentant; He will cause the sky to rain abundance on
you and will add unto you strength to your strength. Turn not away, guilty!
SHAKIR: And, O my people! ask forgiveness of your
Lord, then turn to Him; He will send on you clouds pouring down abundance of
rain and add strength to your strength, and do not turn back guilty.
011.053
YUSUFALI: They said: "O Hud! No Clear (Sign) that hast
thou brought us, and we are not the ones to desert our gods on thy word! Nor
shall we believe in thee!
PICKTHAL: They said: O Hud! Thou hast brought us no
clear proof and we are not going to forsake our gods on thy (mere) saying, and
we are not believers in thee.
SHAKIR: They said: O Hud! you have not brought to us
any clear argument and we are not going to desert our gods for your word, and we
are not believers in you:
011.054
YUSUFALI: "We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of
our gods may have seized thee with imbecility." He said: "I call Allah to
witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to
Him,
PICKTHAL: We say naught save that one of our gods hath
possessed thee in an evil way. He said: I call Allah to witness, and do ye (too)
bear witness, that I am innocent of (all) that ye ascribe as partners (to Allah)
SHAKIR: We cannot say aught but that some of our gods
have smitten you with evil. He said: Surely I call Allah to witness, and do you
bear witness too, that I am clear of what you associate (with Allah).
011.055
YUSUFALI: "Other gods as partners! so scheme (your
worst) against me, all of you, and give me no respite.
PICKTHAL: Beside Him. So (try to) circumvent me, all
of you, give me no respite.
SHAKIR: Besides Him, therefore scheme against me all
together; then give me no respite:
011.056
YUSUFALI: "I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your
Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its fore-lock.
Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.
PICKTHAL: Lo! I have put my trust in Allah, my Lord
and your Lord. Not an animal but He doth grasp it by the forelock! Lo! my Lord
is on a straight path.
SHAKIR: Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord;
there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely my Lord is
on the right path.
011.057
YUSUFALI: "If ye turn away,- I (at least) have
conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you. My Lord will make another
people to succeed you, and you will not harm Him in the least. For my Lord hath
care and watch over all things."
PICKTHAL: And if ye turn away, still I have conveyed
unto you that wherewith I was sent unto you, and my Lord will set in place of
you a folk other than you. Ye cannot injure Him at all. Lo! my Lord is Guardian
over all things.
SHAKIR: But if you turn back, then indeed I have
delivered to you the message with which I have been sent to you, and my Lord
will bring another people in your place, and you cannot do Him any harm; surely
my Lord is the Preserver of all things.
011.058
YUSUFALI: So when Our decree issued, We saved Hud and
those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves: We saved them
from a severe penalty.
PICKTHAL: And when Our commandment came to pass We
saved Hud and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us; We saved them from
a harsh doom.
SHAKIR: And when Our decree came to pass, We delivered
Hud and those who believed with him with mercy from Us, and We delivered them
from a hard chastisement.
011.059
YUSUFALI: Such were the 'Ad People: they rejected the
Signs of their Lord and Cherisher; disobeyed His messengers; And followed the
command of every powerful, obstinate transgressor.
PICKTHAL: And such were A'ad. They denied the
revelations of their Lord and flouted His messengers and followed the command of
every froward potentate.
SHAKIR: And this was Ad; they denied the
communications of their Lord, and disobeyed His messengers and followed the
bidding of every insolent opposer (of truth).
011.060
YUSUFALI: And they were pursued by a Curse in this
life,- and on the Day of Judgment. Ah! Behold! for the 'Ad rejected their Lord
and Cherisher! Ah! Behold! removed (from sight) were 'Ad the people of Hud!
PICKTHAL: And a curse was made to follow them in the
world and on the Day of Resurrection. Lo! A'ad disbelieved in their Lord. A far
removal for A'ad, the folk of Hud!
SHAKIR: And they were overtaken by curse in this world
and on the resurrection day; now surely Ad disbelieved in their Lord; now
surely, away with Ad, the people of Hud.
11 : 61
61. Wa-ila thamooda akhahum salihan qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu huwa anshaakum mina al-ardi waistaAAmarakum feeha faistaghfiroohu thumma tooboo ilayhi inna rabbee qareebun mujeebun
To the tribe of Thamud we sent Saleh from their own brotherhood. He said : 'O my people! Worship none but Allah, for there is no other God save Him. He created you from earth and has established you on it. So ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him repentant! Verily my Lord is close by and He will respond to your invocations!'
11 : 62
62. Qaloo ya salihu qad kunta feena marjuwwan qabla hatha atanhana an naAAbuda ma yaAAbudu abaona wa-innana lafee shakkin mimma tadAAoona ilayhi mureebun
They said : 'O Saleh! Before now you did seem like a man of potential amongst us. Are you saying that we should not worship the gods whom our ancestors worshipped? In that case, the direction towards which you are beckoning us, we are in grave doubt about its sustainability!'
(Saleh was well known in his tribe for his decency and honesty, his concern for those who were in need, his willingness to help his brethren in trouble, his affection for the poor, his aversion to parsimony, his ability to provide counsel to those who sought it of him, but above all the wisdom and the insight he possessed on account of which he was well respected and looked upon as a man with a great potential for leadership, until he began to preach to them about the futility of idol worship and the need to renounce the false deities. This resulted in creating rifts between him and them).
11 : 63
63. Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu AAala bayyinatin min rabbee waatanee minhu rahmatan faman yansurunee mina Allahi in AAasaytuhu fama tazeedoonanee ghayra takhseerin
He said : 'O my people! If it turned out that I have come to you with a clear mandate from my Lord and that He has blessed me with mercy from His presence, who would protect me from Allah if I disobeyed Him? You have nothing else to give me except damnation!
11 : 64
64. Waya qawmi hathihi naqatu Allahi lakum ayatan fatharooha ta/kul fee ardi Allahi wala tamassooha bisoo-in faya/khuthakum AAathabun qareebun
'And O my people! This she camel is from Allah, a token to you from Him, so let her graze freely on Allah's earth and do not harm her lest an imminent calamity should smite you!
(As mentioned before, when his people challenged Saleh to make a camel emerge from a piece of rock in proof of his Prophethood, Allah did help him perform the miracle; but since the she camel that emerged from the rock was a portent of Allah, he enjoined them to respect her, let her graze freely on their land and never try to harm her lest the wrath of Allah landed upon them in retaliation).
11 : 65
65. FaAAaqarooha faqala tamattaAAoo fee darikum thalathata ayyamin thalika waAAdun ghayru makthoobin
But they crippled her nonetheless So he said! : 'Enjoy the comforts of your dwellings only for three more days and beware that this warning will not be withdrawn!'
11 : 66
66. Falamma jaa amruna najjayna salihan waallatheena amanoo maAAahu birahmatin minna wamin khizyi yawmi-ithin inna rabbaka huwa alqawiyyu alAAazeezu
So when Our commandment came to pass, We saved Saleh, and those with him who believed, from the rapine of the momentous day through a mercy from Us. Verily your Lord is Omnipotent and Exalted!
11 : 67
67. Waakhatha allatheena thalamoo alssayhatu faasbahoo fee diyarihim jathimeena
And then the iniquitous were smitten by the awesome scream and by dawn they were seen inside their dwellings huddled upon their knees -
11 : 68
68. Kaan lam yaghnaw feeha ala inna thamooda kafaroo rabbahum ala buAAdan lithamooda
As though they had never lived in them! Verily the tribe of Thamuud refuted their Lord so curse be on the tribe of Thamuud! (R)
(The punishment for them is said to have come in the form of a preponderant seismic cataclysm that passed through their township under the surface of the earth making a deafening noise and destroying everything on the surface. The foundations of their dwellings shook up, then collapsed and turned into rubble within the batting of an eyelid; their occupants were crushed to death and buried underneath the debris as if they had never lived there and nothing of them was left behind, not even a few tell-tale signs of their past existence!
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
61. And to Thamūd (people, We sent) their brother Sālih (Saleh). He said: "O my people! Worship Allāh, you have no other Ilāh (God) but Him. He brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein, then ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Certainly, my Lord is Near (to all by His Knowledge), Responsive."
62. They said: "O Sālih (Saleh)! You have been among us as a figure of good hope (and we wished for you to be our chief), till this [new thing which you have brought; that we leave our gods and worship your God (Allāh) Alone]! Do you (now) forbid us the worship of what our fathers have worshipped? But we are really in grave doubt as to that which you invite us to (monotheism)."
63. He said: "O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear proof from my Lord, and there has come to me a Mercy (Prophethood, etc.) from Him, who then can help me against Allāh, if I were to disobey Him? Then you increase me not but in loss.
64. "And O my people! This she-camel of Allāh is a sign to you, leave her to feed on Allāh's earth, and touch her not with evil, lest a near torment will seize you."
65. But they killed her. So he said: "Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise (i.e. a threat) that will not be belied."
66. So when Our Commandment came, We saved Sālih (Saleh) and those who believed with him by a Mercy from Us, and from the disgrace of that Day. Verily, your Lord, He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty.
67. And As-Saīhah (torment - awful cry, etc.) overtook the wrong-doers, so they lay (dead), prostrate in their homes, -
68. As if they had never lived there. No doubt! Verily, Thamūd disbelieved in their Lord. So away with Thamūd!
011.061
YUSUFALI: To the Thamud People (We sent) Salih, one of
their own brethren. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah: ye have no other god
but Him. It is He Who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein:
then ask forgiveness of Him, and turn to Him (in repentance): for my Lord is
(always) near, ready to answer."
PICKTHAL: And unto (the tribe of) Thamud (We sent)
their brother Salih. He said: O my people! Serve Allah, Ye have no other Allah
save Him. He brought you forth from the earth and hath made you husband it. So
ask forgiveness of Him and turn unto Him repentant. Lo! my Lord is Nigh,
Responsive.
SHAKIR: And to Samood (We sent) their brother Salih.
He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He; He brought you
into being from the earth, and made you dwell in it, therefore ask forgiveness
of Him, then turn to Him; surely my Lord is Nigh, Answering.
011.062
YUSUFALI: They said: "O Salih! thou hast been of us! a
centre of our hopes hitherto! dost thou (now) forbid us the worship of what our
fathers worshipped? But we are really in suspicious (disquieting) doubt as to
that to which thou invitest us."
PICKTHAL: They said: O Salih! Thou hast been among us
hitherto as that wherein our hope was placed. Dost thou ask us not to worship
what our fathers worshipped? Lo! we verily are in grave doubt concerning that to
which thou callest us.
SHAKIR: They said: O Salih! surely you were one
amongst us in whom great expectations were placed before this; do you (now)
forbid us from worshipping what our fathers worshipped? And as to that which you
call us to, most surely we are in disquieting doubt.
011.063
YUSUFALI: He said: "O my people! do ye see? if I have
a Clear (Sign) from my Lord and He hath sent Mercy unto me from Himself,- who
then can help me against Allah if I were to disobey Him? What then would ye add
to my (portion) but perdition?
PICKTHAL: He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am
(acting) on clear proof from my Lord and there hath come unto me a mercy from
Him, who will save me from Allah if I disobey Him? Ye would add to me naught
save perdition.
SHAKIR: He said: O my people! tell me if I have clear
proof from my Lord and He has granted to me mercy from Himself-- who will then
help me against Allah if I disobey Him? Therefore you do not add to me other
than loss:
011.064
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! This she-camel of Allah is
a symbol to you: leave her to feed on Allah's (free) earth, and inflict no harm
on her, or a swift penalty will seize you!"
PICKTHAL: O my people! This is the camel of Allah, a
token unto you, so suffer her to feed in Allah's earth, and touch her not with
harm lest a near torment seize you.
SHAKIR: And, O my people! this will be (as) Allah's
she-camel for you, a sign; therefore leave her to pasture on Allah's earth and
do not touch her with evil, for then a near chastisement will overtake you.
011.065
YUSUFALI: But they did ham-string her. So he said:
"Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days: (Then will be your ruin):
(Behold) there a promise not to be belied!"
PICKTHAL: But they hamstrung her, and then he said:
Enjoy life in your dwelling-place three days! This is a threat that will not be
belied.
SHAKIR: But they slew her, so he said: Enjoy
yourselves in your abode for three days, that is a promise not to be belied.
011.066
YUSUFALI: When Our Decree issued, We saved Salih and
those who believed with him, by (special) Grace from Ourselves - and from the
Ignominy of that day. For thy Lord - He is the Strong One, and able to enforce
His Will.
PICKTHAL: So, when Our commandment came to pass, We
saved Salih, and those who believed with him, by a mercy from Us, from the
ignominy of that day. Lo, thy Lord! He is the Strong, the Mighty.
SHAKIR: So when Our decree came to pass, We delivered
Salih and those who believed with him by mercy from Us, and (We saved them) from
the disgrace of that day; surely your Lord is the Strong, the Mighty.
011.067
YUSUFALI: The (mighty) Blast overtook the wrong-doers,
and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning,-
PICKTHAL: And the (awful) Cry overtook those who did
wrong, so that morning found them prostrate in their dwellings,
SHAKIR: And the rumbling overtook those who were
unjust, so they became motionless bodies in their abodes,
011.068
YUSUFALI: As if they had never dwelt and flourished
there. Ah! Behold! for the Thamud rejected their Lord and Cherisher! Ah! Behold!
removed (from sight) were the Thamud!
PICKTHAL: As though they had not dwelt there. Lo!
Thamud disbelieved in their Lord. A far removal for Thamud!
SHAKIR: As though they had never dwelt in them; now
surely did Samood disbelieve in their Lord; now surely, away with Samood.
11 : 69
69. Walaqad jaat rusuluna ibraheema bialbushra qaloo salaman qala salamun fama labitha an jaa biAAijlin haneethin
And Our messengers came to Abraham with good tidings and said : 'Peace to you!' And he replied : 'Peace to you too!' and without further delay he roasted a calf and served it to his guests.
(It should be noted here that reference to Abraham made in verses 69 to 76 is only by way of a prelude to the events surrounding Prophet Lot, who was his nephew.
When the angels were sent to deliver him the good news about the birth of Isaac and then of Jacob, he had already left his ancestral land of Ur in the Claldees and was living in Canaan.
It is said about Prophet Abraham that he was such a generous and hospitable person that there were always guests present whenever he sat down for a meal; and on those occasions when he had to eat alone it distressed him. When the angels knocked on his door, he had been without a guest for several days and was quite thrilled by the prospects of breaking bread with them at long last).
11: 70
70. Falamma raa aydiyahum la tasilu ilayhi nakirahum waawjasa minhum kheefatan qaloo la takhaf inna orsilna ila qawmi lootin
But when he noticed that their hands did not move towards their food, a doubt entered his mind and he became scared of them. They said : 'Fear us not, for our mission is to visit the folk of Lot!'
11 : 71
71. Waimraatuhu qa-imatun fadahikat fabashsharnaha bi-ishaqa wamin wara-i ishaqa yaAAqooba
And his wife who stood nearby burst into laughter when We gave her good tidings of the birth of Isaac to them and then of Jacob.
(The glad tidings about the birth of Isaac were addressed by the angels to his wife Sarah because news of conception and birth are often more pleasing to women than they are to men. Besides, though Abraham did have his son Ishmael present, he was not born of her and she herself was childless).
11 : 72
72. Qalat ya waylata aalidu waana AAajoozun wahatha baAAlee shaykhan inna hatha lashay-on AAajeebun
She said : 'Woe to me! How can I conceive a child when I am an old woman and my spouse is also an old man? Verily these are incredible tidings!
(She was ninety at the time and he was 110, which caused her to laugh at those tidings and call them 'incredible!').
11 : 73
73. Qaloo ataAAjabeena min amri Allahi rahmatu Allahi wabarakatuhu AAalaykum ahla albayti innahu hameedun majeedun
They said : 'Do you find the Commandments of Allah incredible? His mercy and His blessings are on you, O members of this household! He is the most Praiseworthy and the most Exalted!
(The angels did not think that the news about the birth of offspring by the will of Allah regardless of their ages should be deemed incredible in a household where many a miracle of Allah had already transpired).
11 : 74
74. Falamma thahaba AAan ibraheema alrrawAAu wajaat-hu albushra yujadiluna fee qawmi lootin
When Abraham's concerns subsided by the good tidings, he began to plead with Us on behalf of the folks of Lot, -
11 : 75
75. Inna ibraheema lahaleemun awwahun muneebun
For verily Abraham was a sensitive, humble and penitent man!
(Though Abraham was well aware of the awful misdemeanours being perpetrated by the folks of Lot, he pleaded with Allah to reprieve their doom for a short while in the hope that they realized their errors and reformed themselves, he being a well-wisher of Lot who was his own nephew and a Prophet of Allah, living in their midst along with his wife and daughters. But Allah knew better that the evil folks of Lot were not in the business of reforms and reawakening until they were hit hard by Divine castigation, on account of which his pleas were ignored in the following verse).
11 : 76
76. Ya ibraheemu aAArid AAan hatha innahu qad jaa amru rabbika wa-innahum ateehim AAathabun ghayru mardoodin
And it was said to him : 'O Abraham! Do not concern yourself with this matter! Your Lord's command has already gone forth and their doom will surely crack upon them and it cannot be averted now.
11 : 77
77. Walamma jaat rusuluna lootan see-a bihim wadaqa bihim tharAAan waqala hatha yawmun AAaseebun
When Our messengers came to Lot, he became distressed about the bleak prospects of his people and felt powerless to protect them. He said : 'This is a most trying day!'
(The angels were disguised as exceptionally handsome young men which worried Lot because he knew his people were inextricably addicted to homo-sexuality and would have no compunctions in capturing his visitors with force and then submitting them to an orgy of abuse.
It is said that the angels were under instruction from Allah not to harm his folks until Lot himself accused them of solecism at least four times. While a conversation was in progress between them during which Lot cautioned his visitors no less than four times about his people that they were the worst of men who ever walked on Allah's earth, his disbelieving wife quietly sneaked out of the house and announced it to the people that the guests her husband was entertaining were the best targets for satisfying their lust).
11 : 78
78. Wajaahu qawmuhu yuhraAAoona ilayhi wamin qablu kanoo yaAAmaloona alssayyi-ati qala ya qawmi haola-i banatee hunna atharu lakum faittaqoo Allaha wala tukhzooni fee dayfee alaysa minkum rajulun rasheedun
And his folk came running to him, - and they were already addicted to abominations - so he said : 'O my people! The women of my tribe (are like daughters to me) and they make chaste companions for you! Fear Allah and do not disgrace me in the presence of my guests! Is there not one among you who is a decent person?
(It should be emphasized here that Lot referred to the women of his tribes as daughters out of affection for them and in the hope that the devious men of his tribe would give up their lecherous designs for the guests whom he was hosting. The imputation made in some of the ancient chronicles that Lot committed incest with his daughters has no basis and is an affront to the noble and auspicious office of Prophethood)
11 : 79
79. Qaloo laqad AAalimta ma lana fee banatika min haqqin wa-innaka lataAAlamu ma nureedu
They said : 'You know we have no need of your daughters and you also know what it is that we really desire!
11 : 80
80. Qala law anna lee bikum quwwatan aw awee ila ruknin shadeedin
He said : 'How I wish I had the strength to restrain you, or the backing of a stronger brotherhood!'
11 : 81
81. Qaloo ya lootu inna rusulu rabbika lan yasiloo ilayka faasri bi-ahlika biqitAAin mina allayli wala yaltafit minkum ahadun illa imraataka innahu museebuha ma asabahum inna mawAAidahumu alssubhu alaysa alssubhu biqareebin
The messengers said : 'O Lot! We are messengers from your Lord! They will not be able to touch you. Set out overnight along with your entire household and let no one look back - except your wife, for she is to get what the rest of them get! - Verily the moment of their doom is at the crack of dawn, - and is not dawn soon enough?'
11 : 82
82. Falamma jaa amruna jaAAalna AAaliyaha safilaha waamtarna AAalayha hijaratan min sijjeelin mandoodin
When Our command came to pass, We razed their township to the ground and sent down upon it an incessant downpour of baked pebbles -
11 : 83
83. Musawwamatan AAinda rabbika wama hiya mina alththalimeena bibaAAeedin
Earmarked for their target by your Lord and never too far away from those for whom they are intended! (R)
(Commentators say that the Archangel who led the party of angels to carry out Allah's commandment lifted the five townships occupied by the tribe on the palm of his hand, including Sodom and Gomorra, lifted them sky high, turned them upside down and smashed them on earth with such incredible force that their houses crushed to pieces and debris scattered for miles before an incessant downpour of brimstones as hard as pebbles came down from the sky and decimated their remains).
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
69. And verily, there came Our Messengers to Ibrahīm (Abraham) with glad tidings.They said: Salām (greetings or peace!) He answered, Salām (greetings or peace!) and he hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.
70. But when he saw their hands went not towards it (the meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They said: "Fear not, we have been sent against the people of Lout (Lot)."
71. And his wife was standing (there), and she laughed (either, because the Messengers did not eat their food or for being glad for the destruction of the people of Lout (Lot). But We gave her glad tidings of Ishāque (Isaac), and after him, of Ya'qūb (Jacob).
72. She said (in astonishment): "Woe unto me! Shall I bear a child while I am an old woman, and here is my husband, an old man? Verily! This is a strange thing!"
73. They said: "Do you wonder at the Decree of Allāh? The Mercy of Allāh and His Blessings be on you, O the family [of Ibrahīm (Abraham)]. Surely, He (Allāh) is All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious."
74. Then when the fear had gone away from (the mind of) Ibrahīm (Abraham), and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with Us (Our Messengers) for the people of Lout (Lot).
75. Verily, Ibrahīm (Abraham) was, without doubt, forbearing, used to invoke Allāh with humility, and was repentant (to Allāh all the time, again and again).
76. "O Ibrahīm (Abraham)! Forsake this. Indeed, the Commandment of your Lord has gone forth. Verily, there will come a torment for them which cannot be turned back."
77. And when Our Messengers came to Lout (Lot), he was grieved on their account and felt himself straitened for them (lest the town people should approach them to commit sodomy with them). He said: "This is a distressful day."
78. And his people came rushing towards him, and since aforetime they used to commit crimes (sodomy, etc.), he said: "O my people! Here are my daughters (i.e. the daughters of my nation), they are purer for you (if you marry them lawfully). So fear Allāh and degrade me not as regards my guests! Is there not among you a single right-minded man?"
79. They said: "Surely you know that we have neither any desire nor in need of your daughters, and indeed you know well what we want!"
80. He said: "Would that I had strength (men) to overpower you, or that I could betake myself to some powerful support (to resist you)."
81. They (Messengers) said: "O Lout (Lot)! Verily, we are the Messengers from your Lord! They shall not reach you![] So travel with your family in a part of the night, and let not any of you look back, but your wife (will remain behind), verily, the punishment which will afflict them, will afflict her. Indeed, morning is their appointed time. Is not the morning near?"
82. So when Our Commandment came, We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down, and rained on them stones of baked clay, piled up;
83. Marked from your Lord, and they are not ever far from the Zālimūn (polytheists, evil-doers, etc.).
011.069
YUSUFALI: There came Our messengers to Abraham with
glad tidings. They said, "Peace!" He answered, "Peace!" and hastened to
entertain them with a roasted calf.
PICKTHAL: And Our messengers cam unto Abraham with
good news. They said: Peace! He answered: Peace! and delayed not to bring a
roasted calf.
SHAKIR: And certainly Our messengers came to Ibrahim
with good news. They said: Peace. Peace, said he, and he made no delay in
bringing a roasted calf.
011.070
YUSUFALI: But when he saw their hands went not towards
the (meal), he felt some mistrust of them, and conceived a fear of them. They
said: "Fear not: We have been sent against the people of Lut."
PICKTHAL: And when he saw their hands reached not to
it, he mistrusted them and conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not! Lo! we
are sent unto the folk of Lot.
SHAKIR: But when he saw that their hands were not
extended towards it, he deemed them strange and conceived fear of them. . They
said: Fear not, surely we are sent to Lut's people.
011.071
YUSUFALI: And his wife was standing (there), and she
laughed: But we gave her glad tidings of Isaac, and after him, of Jacob.
PICKTHAL: And his wife, standing by laughed when We
gave her good tidings (of the birth) of Isaac, and, after Isaac, of Jacob.
SHAKIR: And his wife was standing (by), so she
laughed, then We gave her the good news of Ishaq and after Ishaq of (a son's
son) Yaqoub.
011.072
YUSUFALI: She said: "Alas for me! shall I bear a
child, seeing I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would
indeed be a wonderful thing!"
PICKTHAL: She said: Oh woe is me! Shall I bear a child
when I am an old woman, and this my husband is an old man? Lo! this is a strange
thing!
SHAKIR: She said: O wonder! shall I bear a son when I
am an extremely old woman and this my husband an extremely old man? Most surely
this is a wonderful thing.
011.073
YUSUFALI: They said: "Dost thou wonder at Allah's
decree? The grace of Allah and His blessings on you, o ye people of the house!
for He is indeed worthy of all praise, full of all glory!"
PICKTHAL: They said: Wonderest thou at the commandment
of Allah? The mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O people of the
house! Lo! He is Owner of Praise, Owner of Glory!
SHAKIR: They said: Do you wonder at Allah's bidding?
The mercy of Allah and His blessings are on you, O people of the house, surely
He is Praised, Glorious.
011.074
YUSUFALI: When fear had passed from (the mind of)
Abraham and the glad tidings had reached him, he began to plead with us for
Lut's people.
PICKTHAL: And when the awe departed from Abraham, and
the glad news reached him, he pleaded with Us on behalf of the folk of Lot.
SHAKIR: So when fear had gone away from Ibrahim and
good news came to him, he began to plead with Us for Lut's people.
011.075
YUSUFALI: For Abraham was, without doubt, forbearing
(of faults), compassionate, and given to look to Allah.
PICKTHAL: Lo! Abraham was mild, imploring, penitent.
SHAKIR: Most surely Ibrahim was forbearing,
tender-hearted, oft-returning (to Allah):
011.076
YUSUFALI: O Abraham! Seek not this. The decree of thy
Lord hath gone forth: for them there cometh a penalty that cannot be turned
back!
PICKTHAL: (It was said) O Abraham! Forsake this! Lo!
thy Lord's commandment hath gone forth, and lo! there cometh unto them a doom
which cannot be repelled.
SHAKIR: O Ibrahim! leave off this, surely the decree
of your Lord has come to pass, and surely there must come to them a chastisement
that cannot be averted.
011.077
YUSUFALI: When Our messengers came to Lut, he was
grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said:
"This is a distressful day."
PICKTHAL: And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he
was distressed and knew not how to protect them. He said: This is a distressful
day.
SHAKIR: And when Our messengers came to Lut, he was
grieved for them, and he lacked strength to protect them, and said: This is a
hard day.
011.078
YUSUFALI: And his people came rushing towards him, and
they had been long in the habit of practising abominations. He said: "O my
people! Here are my daughters: they are purer for you (if ye marry)! Now fear
Allah, and cover me not with shame about my guests! Is there not among you a
single right-minded man?"
PICKTHAL: And his people came unto him, running
towards him - and before then they used to commit abominations - He said: O my
people! Here are my daughters! They are purer for you. Beware of Allah, and
degrade me not in (the person of) my guests. Is there not among you any upright
man?
SHAKIR: And his people came to him, (as if) rushed on
towards him, and already they did evil deeds. He said: O my people! these are my
daughters-- they are purer for you, so guard against (the punishment of) Allah
and do not disgrace me with regard to my guests; is there not among you one
right-minded man?
011.079
YUSUFALI: They said: "Well dost thou know we have no
need of thy daughters: indeed thou knowest quite well what we want!"
PICKTHAL: They said: Well thou knowest that we have no
right to thy daughters, and well thou knowest what we want.
SHAKIR: They said: Certainly you know that we have no
claim on your daughters, and most surely you know what we desire.
011.080
YUSUFALI: He said: "Would that I had power to suppress
you or that I could betake myself to some powerful support."
PICKTHAL: He said: Would that I had strength to resist
you or had some strong support (among you)!
SHAKIR: He said: Ah! that I had power to suppress you,
rather I shall have recourse to a strong support.
011.081
YUSUFALI: (The Messengers) said: "O Lut! We are
Messengers from thy Lord! By no means shall they reach thee! now travel with thy
family while yet a part of the night remains, and let not any of you look back:
but thy wife (will remain behind): To her will happen what happens to the
people. Morning is their time appointed: Is not the morning nigh?"
PICKTHAL: (The messengers) said: O Lot! Lo! we are
messengers of thy Lord; they shall not reach thee. So travel with thy people in
a part of the night, and let not one of you turn round - (all) save thy wife.
Lo! that which smiteth them will smite her (also). Lo! their tryst is (for) the
morning. Is not the morning nigh?
SHAKIR: They said: O Lut! we are the messengers of
your Lord; they shall by no means reach you; so remove your followers in a part
of the night-- and let none of you turn back-- except your wife, for surely
whatsoever befalls them shall befall her; surely their appointed time is the
morning; is not the morning nigh?
011.082
YUSUFALI: When Our Decree issued, We turned (the
cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay,
spread, layer on layer,-
PICKTHAL: So when Our commandment came to pass We
overthrew (that township) and rained upon it stones of clay, one after another,
SHAKIR: So when Our decree came to pass, We turned
them upside down and rained down upon them stones, of what had been decreed, one
after another.
011.083
YUSUFALI: Marked as from thy Lord: Nor are they ever
far from those who do wrong!
PICKTHAL: Marked with fire in the providence of thy
Lord (for the destruction of the wicked). And they are never far from the
wrong-doers.
SHAKIR: Marked (for punishment) with your Lord and it
is not far off from the unjust.
11 : 84
84. Wa-ila madyana akhahum shuAAayban qala ya qawmi oAAbudoo Allaha ma lakum min ilahin ghayruhu wala tanqusoo almikyala waalmeezana innee arakum bikhayrin wa-innee akhafu AAalaykum AAathaba yawmin muheetin
And to Midian We sent one of their own brethren Sho'abe. He said to his people : 'O my people! Worship none but Allah, for there is no other God save Him! And do not cheat in weights and measures. Verily I see that you are a prosperous people and yet I fear for you the doom of an overwhelming Day!
(The people of Midian were blessed with affluence in spite of their idolatry and had no need to cheat their customers by deliberately tampering with the weights and measures. Therefore, besides exhorting them to renounce their idols and turn repentant to Allah in worship, he also warned them of grievous consequences on the Day of Resurrection if they carried on with their fraudulent activities and depriving others of what was rightfully theirs).
11 : 85
85. Waya qawmi awfoo almikyala waalmeezana bialqisti wala tabkhasoo alnnasa ashyaahum wala taAAthaw fee al-ardi mufsideena
'And O my people! Be fair in the rendition of your weights and measures and do not cut corners in giving people their due nor go around causing strife in the land.
11 : 86
86. Baqiyyatu Allahi khayrun lakum in kuntum mu/mineena wama ana AAalaykum bihafeethin
'The residue of what Allah has given you is better for you - if you believe in Him - and I am not a guardian over you!
11 : 87
87. Qaloo ya shuAAaybu asalatuka ta/muruka an natruka ma yaAAbudu abaona aw an nafAAala fee amwalina ma nashao innaka laanta alhaleemu alrrasheedu
They said : 'O Sho'abe! Does your religion dictate that we should forsake the gods of our forefathers? Or that we do not disburse our wealth the way we like? As if you are the only one who is wise and pious!
(The highlights of the message delivered by him to his people included fairness in their dealings with customers who trusted them for delivering good value for money, being content with whatever Allah has given them, desisting from causing mischief in the land and renouncing their false deities in favour of One God who is Omnipotent over all the others.
In
response to it, his folks retaliated by saying to him that they would never
renounce the deities of their forefathers in favour of his One God, nor would
they be dictated by him in matters of their dealings with their customers, much
less concede to him that he was a better man than them, or that he excelled the
others in wisdom and sagacity)
11 : 88
88. Qala ya qawmi araaytum in kuntu AAala bayyinatin min rabbee warazaqanee minhu rizqan hasanan wama oreedu an okhalifakum ila ma anhakum AAanhu in oreedu illa al-islaha ma istataAAtu wama tawfeeqee illa biAllahi AAalayhi tawakkaltu wa-ilayhi oneebu
So, he said : 'O my people! (Think about this): What if I have come to you with an explicit warrant from my Lord and He has sustained me with a fair sustenance from Himself? I do not intend to say one thing to you and then do the opposite of it myself; I intend only to ameliorate you as much as I can and my motivation comes to me from Allah alone! In Him do I trust and to Him do I turn -
11 : 89
89. Waya qawmi la yajrimannakum shiqaqee an yuseebakum mithlu ma asaba qawma noohin aw qawma hoodin aw qawma salihin wama qawmu lootin minkum bibaAAeedin
'And O my people! Let not my reproach earn you the same plight as befell the folk of Noah and Huud and Saleh! And the plight that befell the folk of Lot is not too distant in the past!
11 : 90
90. Waistaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi inna rabbee raheemun wadoodun
'And seek forgiveness of your Lord and turn to Him repentant, for verily my Lord is full of Compassion and Love!'
11 : 91
91. Qaloo ya shuAAaybu ma nafqahu katheeran mimma taqoolu wa-inna lanaraka feena daAAeefan walawla rahtuka larajamnaka wama anta AAalayna biAAazeezin
But they said : 'O Sho'abe! We do not understand much of what you say, and the fact is, you make such an uneven adversary to us! Had it not been for the status of your family, we would surely have stoned you to death, for we do not consider you formidable!
11 : 92
92. Qala ya qawmi arahtee aAAazzu AAalaykum mina Allahi waittakhathtumoohu waraakum thihriyyan inna rabbee bima taAAmaloona muheetun
But he said : 'O my people! Do you consider the status of my family to be higher than the status of Allah because of which you have cast Him behind your backs, disregarded? My Lord encompasses everything which you do!
11 : 93
93. Waya qawmi iAAmaloo AAala makanatikum innee AAamilun sawfa taAAlamoona man ya/teehi AAathabun yukhzeehi waman huwa kathibun wairtaqiboo inne maAAakum raqeebun
'And O my people! You do what you like and I too will do what I must! You will soon find out on whom lands the doom of opprobrium and who between us is the liar! You wait, and so will I!'
(The folks of Sho'abe told him in no uncertain terms that, but for the esteem they had for his family who held a high social standing in the community and worshipped the same idols whom they too worshipped, they would have stoned him to death because they did not consider him to be too formidable an adversary.
The reply he gave them was equally apt and pertinent: even if he was not a formidable adversary to them, the One whose backing he received was the most formidable of all; his family, his friends, his adherents, his stalwarts and his bastions came next to Allah alone who is the Omnipotent and Omnipresent; if they realized what was good for them, they should fear His retribution foremost and bear in mind whatever befell those who vituperated Him, such as the folks of Noah, of Huud and of Saleh, not to mention the fate of the folks of Lot who were not too far away in time nor in distance from them).
11 : 94
94. Walamma jaa amruna najjayna shuAAayban waallatheena amanoo maAAahu birahmatin minna waakhathati allatheena thalamoo alssayhatu faasbahoo fee diyarihim jathimeena
And when Our command came to pass, We saved Sho'abe and all those who believed with him by a mercy from Us, whilst the deafening scream seized those who persisted with their evil deeds, and the morning found them lying prostrate in their dwellings -
11 : 95
95. Kaan lam yaghnaw feeha ala buAAdan limadyana kama baAAidat thamoodu
As if they had never even dwelt in them before! Good riddance to the tribe of Midian as it was to the folk of Thamuud! (R)
(The punishment that landed upon them was very similar to the one that smote the folks of Lot, which in itself is an exception because no two communities in the past had suffered the same fate, except that, the cataclysmic upheavals which destroyed one landed from below and the other from above, highlighting the fact that when Divine castigation lands, it can smite its victims from either direction, - from above as well as from below
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
84. And to the Madyan (Midian) people (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: "O my people! Worship Allāh, you have no other Ilāh (God) but Him, and give not short measure or weight, I see you in prosperity; and verily I fear for you the torment of a Day encompassing.
85. "And O my people! Give full measure and weight in justice and reduce not the things that are due to the people, and do not commit mischief in the land, causing corruption.
86. "That which is left by Allāh for you (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you, if you are believers. And I am not set over you as a guardian.
87. They said: "O Shu'aib! Does your Salāt (prayer) (i.e. the prayers which you offer has spoiled your mind, so you) command that we leave off what our fathers used to worship, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Verily, you are the forbearer, right-minded!" (They said this sarcastically).
88. He said: "O my people! Tell me, if I have a clear evidence from my Lord, and He has given me a good sustenance from Himself (shall I corrupt it by mixing it with the unlawfully earned money). I wish not, in contradiction to you, to do that which I forbid you. I only desire reform so far as I am able, to the best of my power. And my guidance cannot come except from Allāh, in Him I trust and unto Him I repent.
89. "And O my people! Let not my Shiqāq[] cause you to suffer the fate similar to that of the people of Nūh (Noah) or of Hūd or of Sālih (Saleh), and the people of Lout (Lot) are not far off from you!
90. "And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving."
91. They said: "O Shu'aib! We do not understand much of what you say, and we see you a weak (man, it is said that he was a blind man) among us. Were it not for your family, we should certainly have stoned you and you are not powerful against us."
92. He said: "O my people! Is then my family of more weight with you than Allāh? And you have cast Him away behind your backs. Verily, my Lord is surrounding all that you do.
93. "And O my people! Act according to your ability and way, and I am acting (on my way). You will come to know who it is on whom descends the torment that will cover him with ignominy, and who is a liar! And watch you! Verily, I too am watching with you."
94. And when Our Commandment came, We saved Shu'aib and those who believed with him by a Mercy from Us. And As-Saīhah (torment - awful cry, etc.) seized the wrong-doers, and they lay (dead) prostrate in their homes.
95. As if they had never lived there! So away with Madyan (Midian)! As away with Thamud! (All these nations were destroyed).
011.084
YUSUFALI: To the Madyan People (We sent) Shu'aib, one
of their own brethren: he said: "O my people! worship Allah: Ye have no other
god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity, but
I fear for you the penalty of a day that will compass (you) all round.
PICKTHAL: And unto Midian (We sent) their brother
Shu'eyb. He said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him! And
give not short measure and short weight. Lo! I see you well-to-do, and lo! I
fear for you the doom of a besetting Day.
SHAKIR: And to Madyan (We sent) their brother Shu'aib.
He said: O my people! serve Allah, you have no god other than He, and do not
give short measure and weight: surely I see you in prosperity and surely I fear
for you the punishment of an all-encompassing day.
011.085
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! give just measure and
weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not
evil in the land with intent to do mischief.
PICKTHAL: O my people! Give full measure and full
weight in justice, and wrong not people in respect of their goods. And do not
evil in the earth, causing corruption.
SHAKIR: And, O my people! give full measure and weight
fairly, and defraud not men their things, and do not act corruptly in the land,
making mischief:
011.086
YUSUFALI: "That which is left you by Allah is best for
you, if ye (but) believed! but I am not set over you to keep watch!"
PICKTHAL: That which Allah leaveth with you is better
for you if ye are believers; and I am not a keeper over you.
SHAKIR: What remains with Allah is better for you if
you are believers, and I am not a keeper over you.
011.087
YUSUFALI: They said: "O Shu'aib! Does thy (religion
of) prayer command thee that we leave off the worship which our fathers
practised, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? truly,
thou art the one that forbeareth with faults and is right-minded!"
PICKTHAL: They said: O Shu'eyb! Doth thy way of prayer
command thee that we should forsake that which our fathers (used to) worship, or
that we (should leave off) doing what we will with our own property. Lo! thou
art the mild, the guide to right behaviour.
SHAKIR: They said: O Shu'aib! does your prayer enjoin
you that we should forsake what our fathers worshipped or that we should not do
what we please with regard to our property? Forsooth you are the forbearing, the
right-directing one.
011.088
YUSUFALI: He said: "O my people! see ye whether I have
a Clear (Sign) from my Lord, and He hath given me sustenance (pure and) good as
from Himself? I wish not, in opposition to you, to do that which I forbid you to
do. I only desire (your) betterment to the best of my power; and my success (in
my task) can only come from Allah. In Him I trust, and unto Him I look.
PICKTHAL: He said: O my people! Bethink you: if I am
(acting) on a clear proof from my Lord and He sustaineth me with fair sustenance
from Him (how can I concede aught to you)? I desire not to do behind your backs
that which I ask you not to do. I desire naught save reform so far as I am able.
My welfare is only in Allah. In Him I trust and unto Him I turn (repentant).
SHAKIR: He said: O my people! have you considered if I
have a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me a goodly sustenance from
Himself, and I do not desire that in opposition to you I should betake myself to
that which I forbid you: I desire nothing but reform so far as I am able, and
with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue; on Him do I
rely and to Him do I turn:
011.089
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! let not my dissent (from
you) cause you to sin, lest ye suffer a fate similar to that of the people of
Noah or of Hud or of Salih, nor are the people of Lut far off from you!
PICKTHAL: And, O my people! Let not the schism with me
cause you to sin so that there befall you that which befell the folk of Noah and
the folk of Hud, and the folk of Salih; and the folk of Lot are not far off from
you.
SHAKIR: And, O my people! let not opposition to me
make you guilty so that there may befall you the like of what befell the people
of Nuh, or the people of Hud, or the people of Salih, nor are the people of Lut
far off from you;
011.090
YUSUFALI: "But ask forgiveness of your Lord, and turn
unto Him (in repentance): For my Lord is indeed full of mercy and
loving-kindness."
PICKTHAL: Ask pardon of your Lord and then turn unto
Him (repentant). Lo! my Lord is Merciful, Loving.
SHAKIR: And ask forgiveness of your Lord, then turn to
Him; surely my Lord is Merciful, Loving-kind.
011.091
YUSUFALI: They said: "O Shu'aib! much of what thou
sayest we do not understand! In fact among us we see that thou hast no strength!
Were it not for thy family, we should certainly have stoned thee! for thou hast
among us no great position!"
PICKTHAL: They said: O Shu'eyb! We understand not much
of that thou tellest, and lo! we do behold thee weak among us. But for thy
family, we should have stoned thee, for thou art not strong against us.
SHAKIR: They said: O Shu'aib! we do not understand
much of what you say and most surely we see you to be weak among us, and were it
not for your family we would surely stone you, and you are not mighty against
us.
011.092
YUSUFALI: He said: "O my people! is then my family of
more consideration with you than Allah? For ye cast Him away behind your backs
(with contempt). But verily my Lord encompasseth on all sides all that ye do!
PICKTHAL: He said: O my people! Is my family more to
be honoured by you than Allah? and ye put Him behind you, neglected! Lo! my Lord
surroundeth what ye do.
SHAKIR: He said: O my people! is my family more
esteemed by you than Allah? And you neglect Him as a thing cast behind your
back; surely my Lord encompasses what you do:
011.093
YUSUFALI: "And O my people! Do whatever ye can: I will
do (my part): Soon will ye know who it is on whom descends the penalty of
ignominy; and who is a liar! and watch ye! for I too am watching with you!"
PICKTHAL: And, O my people! Act according to your
power, lo! I (too) am acting. Ye will soon know on whom there cometh a doom that
will abase him, and who it is that lieth. And watch! Lo! I am a watcher with
you.
SHAKIR: And, O my people! act according to your
ability, I too am acting; you will come to know soon who it is on whom will
light the punishment that will disgrace him and who it is that is a liar, and
watch, surely I too am watching with you.
011.094
YUSUFALI: When Our decree issued, We saved Shu'aib and
those who believed with him, by (special) mercy from Ourselves: But the (mighty)
blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the
morning,-
PICKTHAL: And when Our commandment came to pass We
saved Shu'eyb and those who believed with him by a mercy from Us; and the
(Awful) Cry seized those who did injustice, and morning found them prostrate in
their dwellings,
SHAKIR: And when Our decree came to pass We delivered
Shu'aib, and those who believed with him by mercy from Us, and the rumbling
overtook those who were unjust so they became motionless bodies in their abodes,
011.095
YUSUFALI: As if they had never dwelt and flourished
there! Ah! Behold! How the Madyan were removed (from sight) as were removed the
Thamud!
PICKTHAL: As though they had not dwelt there. A far
removal for Midian, even as Thamud had been removed afar!
SHAKIR: As though they had never dwelt in them; now
surely perdition overtook Madyan as had perished Samood.
11 : 96
96. Walaqad arsalna moosa bi-ayatina wasultanin mubeenin
And verily We sent Moses with Our revelations and a clear mandate -
11 : 97
97. Ila firAAawna wamala-ihi faittabaAAoo amra firAAawna wama amru firAAawna birasheedin
To Pharaoh and his warlords. But they preferred to follow the mandate of Pharaoh, - and the mandate of Pharaoh had no merits!
11 : 98
98. Yaqdumu qawmahu yawma alqiyamati faawradahumu alnnara wabi/sa alwirdu almawroodu
He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection and will land them in hell - and how awful a place it is to land in!
11 : 99
99. WaotbiAAoo fee hathihi laAAnatan wayawma alqiyamati bi/sa alrrifdu almarfoodu
Ignominy has been made to trail them in this world as well as on the Day of Resurrection, - and how awful a requital it is to be given to them!
(Since the contest between Moses and Pharaoh is not simply a contest between two men, two wills, two judgements, two decisions, two processes, two opposing forces whom each of them represented: belief on one hand and arrogance on the other; acquiescence on one side and defiance on the other; acceptance on one side and rejection on the other; piety on one side and sin on the other, resulting in the abrogation of evil by good, the triumph of truth over falsehood and of the meek over the mighty, it is so often repeated in the Qur'aan, each time highlighting a different aspect of the same events.
In verses 96 to 99 a reference is made to them for the benefit of idolaters of Mecca who refused to accept the message of Allah on grounds that they were not prepared to give up the ways on which their ancestors admonished them to tread, pointing out the stupidity of blind adherence and tacit obedience to culpable leadership, lest their leaders also led them straight to hell in the same way as Pharaoh did with his folks).
11 : 100
100. Thalika min anba-i alqura naqussuhu AAalayka minha qa-imun wahaseedun
These are the news of the townships We relate to you (O Mohammed)! Some of these still remain while others have passed away into oblivion.
(These tidings are narrated to the Prophet so that he recited them to his people and encouraged them to draw lessons from the pitiful spectacles by visiting their ruins, some of which have altogether disappeared from sight either due to their total abrogation or to passage of time, while others still stand in the midst of their wreckage)'
11 : 101
101. Wama thalamnahum walakin thalamoo anfusahum fama aghnat AAanhum alihatuhumu allatee yadAAoona min dooni Allahi min shay-in lamma jaa amru rabbika wama zadoohum ghayra tatbeebin
We wronged them not but they wronged themselves and the gods to whom they cried in the place of Allah were of no use to them. As and when the command of your Lord came to pass, their gods could do nothing else but add to their rapine!
11 : 102
102. Wakathalika akhthu rabbika itha akhatha alqura wahiya thalimatun inna akhthahu aleemun shadeedun
Such is the seizure of your Lord whenever He seizes the townships engaged in acts of solecism! Verily His is the most excruciating and constrictive seizure!
11 : 103
103. Inna fee thalika laayatan liman khafa AAathaba al-akhirati thalika yawmun majmooAAun lahu alnnasu wathalika yawmun mashhoodun
Verily there is a portent in this for those who fear the outcome of the Hereafter, - a Day when mankind will be gathered together, a Day on which all will be present!
11 : 104
104. Wama nu-akhkhiruhu illa li-ajalin maAAdoodin
We shall not defer it, save for an appointed term!
11 : 105
105. Yawma ya/ti la takallamu nafsun illa bi-ithnihi faminhum shaqiyyun wasaAAeedin
When that Day comes, no soul shall speak except by His leave! Of them will be some who are wretched and some who are blest!
11 : 106
106. Faamma allatheena shaqoo fafee alnnari lahum feeha zafeerun washaheequn
As for those who are wretched, they are destined for the Fire, in which their plight would be sighing and wailing!
11 : 107
107. Khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waal-ardu illa ma shaa rabbuka inna rabbaka faAAAAalun lima yureedu
In it shall they abide for as long as the heavens and the earth last, except if your Lord wills to the contrary. And verily your Lord is able to do what He will and when He will!
11 : 108
108. Waamma allatheena suAAidoo fafee aljannati khalideena feeha ma damati alssamawatu waal-ardu illa ma shaa rabbuka AAataan ghayra majthoothin
And as for those who are blest, they are destined for the Garden in which they shall abide for as long as the heavens and the earth last, except if your Lord wills to the contrary, - a favour that shall never cease!
(The topic of the outcome of the Hereafter brought up in verse 103 is elaborated in verses 104 to 108 to the effect that it is a Day when mankind will be raised again; a Day when all will be present to render accounts; a Day which will not be delayed by even a fraction of a moment after the term has come to an end; a Day when all will stand hushed in their place, speaking only when they are allowed to speak by the Lord; a Day when all mankind will form into two groups : the wretched and the blest - the wretched destined for the fires of hell to abide in it forever, and the blest destined for the Gardens of tranquillity to abide in them forever!
There is a Hadith of the Blessed Prophet according to which the believers, even if they are cast in hell for their sins, will not abide in it forever as the idolaters will, because the sin of assigning partners to Allah is unforgivable and will never be condoned.
As for the wretched and the blest mentioned in verse 105, it is said that there are five signs which mark the blest : soft-heartedness, damp eyes, detachment for the earthly, limited expectations and modesty; and there are five signs which mark the wretched : hard-heartedness, probing eyes, obsession with the earthly, unlimited expectations and immodesty.)
11 : 109
109. Fala taku fee miryatin mimma yaAAbudu haola-i ma yaAAbudoona illa kama yaAAbudu abaohum min qablu wa-inna lamuwaffoohum naseebahum ghayra manqoosin
So have no delusions about those whom the misguided offer worship! They offer them worship in the same way as their forefathers did in the past. Verily We shall pay them their due in the fullest measure and there will be no short-falls in it. (R)
(This verse contains an unequivocal warning to the idolaters who worship gods they carved in stone with their own hands, gave then their own names, sat them where they liked, associated with them powers they never possessed, elevated them to the status of deities they could never become, banked their hopes in them which they could not bring to fruition and replaced them with Allah, the only true Lord of the Worlds, that for their acts of heresy and blasphemy, they will be given whatever is due to them in the fullest measure on the Day of Resurrection, - a soiled face, a mark on the forehead, a deposition in the left hands, a deserving judgement and a disgraceful outcome, without any injustice, without any partiality and without any shortfalls!)
OTHER
TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
96. And indeed We sent Mūsa (Moses) with Our Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and a manifest authority;
97. To Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they followed the command of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and the command of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) was no right guide.
98. He will go ahead of his people on the Day of Resurrection, and will lead them into the Fire, and evil indeed is the place to which they are led.
99. They were pursued by a curse in this (deceiving life of this world) and (so they will be pursued by a curse) on the Day of Resurrection. How bad is the curse (in this world) pursued by another curse (in the Hereafter).
100. These are some of the news of the (population of) towns which We relate unto you (O Muhammad SAW); of them, some are standing, and some have been (already) reaped.
101. We wronged them not, but they wronged themselves. So their āliha (gods), other than Allāh, whom they invoked, profited them naught when there came the Command of your Lord, nor did they add aught (to their lot) but destruction.
102. Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe[].
103. Indeed in that (there) is a sure lesson for those who fear the torment of the Hereafter. That is a Day whereon mankind will be gathered together, and that is a Day when all (the dwellers of the heavens and the earth) will be present.
104. And We delay it only for a term (already) fixed.
105. On the Day when it comes, no person shall speak except by His (Allāh's) Leave. Some among them will be wretched and (others) blessed.
106. As for those who are wretched, they will be in the Fire, sighing in a high and low tone.
107. They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord wills. Verily, your Lord is the doer of what He wills.
108. And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord will, a gift without an end.
109. So be not in doubt (O Muhammad SAW) as to what these (pagans and polytheists) men worship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshipped before (them). And verily, We shall repay them in full their portion without diminution.
011.096
YUSUFALI: And we sent Moses, with Our Clear (Signs)
and an authority manifest,
PICKTHAL: And verily We sent Moses with Our
revelations and a clear warrant
SHAKIR: And certainly We sent Musa with Our
communications and a clear authority,
011.097
YUSUFALI: Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs: but they
followed the command of Pharaoh and the command of Pharaoh was no right (guide).
PICKTHAL: Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they did
follow the command of Pharaoh, and the command of Pharaoh was no right guide.
SHAKIR: To Firon and his chiefs, but they followed the
bidding of Firon, and Firon's bidding was not right-directing.
011.098
YUSUFALI: He will go before his people on the Day of
Judgment, and lead them into the Fire (as cattle are led to water): But woeful
indeed will be the place to which they are led!
PICKTHAL: He will go before his people on the Day of
Resurrection and will lead them to the Fire for watering-place. Ah, hapless is
the watering-place (whither they are) led.
SHAKIR: He shall lead his people on the resurrection
day, and bring them down to the fire; and evil the place to which they are
brought.
011.099
YUSUFALI: And they are followed by a curse in this
(life) and on the Day of Judgment: and woeful is the gift which shall be given
(unto them)!
PICKTHAL: A curse is made to follow them in the world
and on the Day of Resurrection. Hapless is the gift (that will be) given (them).
SHAKIR: And they are overtaken by curse in this
(world), and on the resurrection day, evil the gift which shall be given.
011.100
YUSUFALI: These are some of the stories of communities
which We relate unto thee: of them some are standing, and some have been mown
down (by the sickle of time).
PICKTHAL: That is (something) of the tidings of the
townships (which were destroyed of old). We relate it unto thee (Muhammad). Some
of them are standing and some (already) reaped.
SHAKIR: This is an account of (the fate of) the towns
which We relate to you; of them are some that stand and (others) mown down.
011.101
YUSUFALI: It was not We that wronged them: They
wronged their own souls: the deities, other than Allah, whom they invoked,
profited them no whit when there issued the decree of thy Lord: Nor did they add
aught (to their lot) but perdition!
PICKTHAL: We wronged them not, but they did wrong
themselves; and their gods on whom they call beside Allah availed them naught
when came thy Lord's command; they added to them naught save ruin.
SHAKIR: And We did not do them injustice, but they
were unjust to themselves, so their gods whom they called upon besides Allah did
not avail them aught when the decree of your Lord came to pass; and they added
but to their ruin.
011.102
YUSUFALI: Such is the chastisement of thy Lord when He
chastises communities in the midst of their wrong: grievous, indeed, and severe
is His chastisement.
PICKTHAL: Even thus is the grasp of thy Lord when He
graspeth the townships while they are doing wrong. Lo! His grasp is painful,
very strong.
SHAKIR: And such is the punishment of your Lord when
He punishes the towns while they are unjust; surely His punishment is painful,
severe.
011.103
YUSUFALI: In that is a Sign for those who fear the
penalty of the Hereafter: that is a Day for which mankind will be gathered
together: that will be a Day of Testimony.
PICKTHAL: Lo! herein verily there is a portent for
those who fear the doom of the Hereafter. That is a day unto which mankind will
be gathered, and that is a day that will be witnessed.
SHAKIR: Most surely there is a sign in this for him
who fears the chastisement of the hereafter; this is a day on which the people
shall be gathered together and this is a day that shall be witnessed.
011.104
YUSUFALI: Nor shall We delay it but for a term
appointed.
PICKTHAL: And We defer it only to a term already
reckoned.
SHAKIR: And We do not delay it but to an appointed
term.
011.105
YUSUFALI: The day it arrives, no soul shall speak
except by His leave: of those (gathered) some will be wretched and some will be
blessed.
PICKTHAL: On the day when it cometh no soul will speak
except by His permission; some among them will be wretched, (others) glad.
SHAKIR: On the day when it shall come, no soul shall
speak except with His permission, then (some) of them shall be unhappy and
(others) happy.
011.106
YUSUFALI: Those who are wretched shall be in the Fire:
There will be for them therein (nothing but) the heaving of sighs and sobs:
PICKTHAL: As for those who will be wretched (on that
day) they will be in the Fire; sighing and wailing will be their portion
therein,
SHAKIR: So as to those who are unhappy, they shall be
in the fire; for them shall be sighing and groaning in it:
011.107
YUSUFALI: They will dwell therein for all the time
that the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord willeth: for thy Lord
is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planneth.
PICKTHAL: Abiding there so long as the heavens and the
earth endure save for that which thy Lord willeth. Lo! thy Lord is Doer of what
He will.
SHAKIR: Abiding therein so long as the heavens and the
earth endure, except as your Lord please; surely your Lord is the mighty doer of
what He intends.
011.108
YUSUFALI: And those who are blessed shall be in the
Garden: They will dwell therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth
endure, except as thy Lord willeth: a gift without break.
PICKTHAL: And as for those who will be glad (that day)
they will be in the Garden, abiding there so long as the heavens and the earth
endure save for that which thy Lord willeth: a gift unfailing.
SHAKIR: And as to those who are made happy, they shall
be in the garden, abiding in it as long as the heavens and the earth endure,
except as your Lord please; a gift which shall never be cut off.
011.109
YUSUFALI: Be not then in doubt as to what these men
worship. They worship nothing but what their fathers worshipped before (them):
but verily We shall pay them back (in full) their portion without (the least)
abatement.
PICKTHAL: So be not thou in doubt concerning that
which these (folk) worship. They worship only as their fathers worshipped
aforetime. Lo! we shall pay them their whole due unabated.
SHAKIR: Therefore be not in doubt as to what these
worship; they do not worship but as their fathers worshipped before; and most
surely We will pay them back in full their portion undiminished.
11 : 110
110. Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba faikhtulifa feehi walawla kalimatun sabaqat min rabbika laqudiya baynahum wa-innahum lafee shakkin minhu mureebun
And We gave Moses the Scripture but dissensions arose about it; and were it not for one word which had already gone forth from your Lord, the issue would have been resolved a long time ago! And verily those who create disputes are plunged in grave error!
11 : 111
111. Wa-inna kullan lamma layuwaffiyannahum rabbuka aAAmalahum innahu bima yaAAmaloona khabeerun
And verily your Lord will requite each and everyone in the fullest measure for their deeds! And verily He is aware of all things.
(Call it promise, call it reassurance, call it guarantee, call it what you like, but in this verse is irretrievably cast the word of Allah that He will castigate the sinful for all their sins and reward the righteous for their virtue; He will plunge the blind in the voids of error and guide those with vision towards the glare of light; He will give those who bargained for punishment the punishment they deserve and give those who aspired for redemption the everlasting freedom they have earned; He will fill hell with men who denied Him and Paradise with men who surrendered to Him; He will set up His flawless Scales of Justice on the Day that matters the most and dispense such justice as no one would ever be able to find fault with, be dissatisfied with or be critical of!)
11 : 112
112. Faistaqim kama omirta waman taba maAAaka wala tatghaw innahu bima taAAmaloona baseerun
So, adhere to that which you are commanded to do, - you and those who have turned to Allah along with you - and do not transgress, for He is perusing everything you do!
11 : 113
113. Wala tarkanoo ila allatheena thalamoo fatamassakumu alnnaru wama lakum min dooni Allahi min awliyaa thumma la tunsaroona
And be not favourably disposed towards those who disbelieve lest the Fire touches you and beware that you have no one to protect you against Allah, nor to help you.
11 : 114
114. Waaqimi alssalata tarafayi alnnahari wazulafan mina allayli inna alhasanati yuthhibna alssayyi-ati thalika thikra lilththakireena
Offer worship at both margins of the day and during a part of the night. Verily good deeds supersede evil deeds, - and this is a Reminder for those who heed admonition!
(Verses 112 to 114 contain a series of admonitions to the Prophet and to the believers who have turned to Allah along with him that they should stand firm in their resolve, stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, bonded to each other with ligatures of love, of loyalty, of dedication, of devotion, of sincerity and of self-sacrifice, and never to transgress because Allah is constantly perusing their deeds and keeping a vigil over them.
Verse 113 reiterates the admonition often repeated in the Qur'aan asking us not to be favourably inclined towards those who refuse to believe in Allah, reject our Prophet, refute the revelations of the Qur'aan, insult the institutions sacred to us, desecrate Allah's sanctuaries, mock at our religion in their assemblies, obstruct men from gaining access to the righteous path, wage war against us and aid those who are waging war against us, with a clear warning that those who ignore this issue do so at the risk of being cast in hell and they shall have neither friends nor cohorts to protect them from it.
The two margins of the day mentioned in verse 114 refer to prayers at dawn and at dusk, and a part of the night to prayers offered after nightfall.
There is a Hadith of the Blessed Prophet who is quoted to have said to his companions that worship is like a river running by one's house. If we bathe in it five times a day, no dirt remains clung to our bodies
The seemly deeds mentioned in the same verse are taken by some interpreters to mean offering regular worship at the assigned times with punctuality; by some to mean all good deeds we perform in our day to day life and by others to mean fasting and worship. It is, however, evident from the verse that seemly deeds serve the purpose of expiation for all minor sins we commit.
It is said that, on one occasion, a believer happened to catch sight of a pretty woman outside her veil and in a moment of weakness entertained salacious thoughts about her, realized the evil of it, went straight to the Prophet, confessed to what he had done and asked him what expiation he should offer to cleanse his soul of the sin. The Prophet suggested that he repeated this verse as often as he could).
11 : 115
Waisbir fa-inna Allaha la yudeeAAu ajra almuhsineena
Have patience (O Mohammed), for Allah would never render futile the good that has been earned by those who are righteous.
11 : 116
116. Falawla kana mina alqurooni min qablikum oloo baqiyyatin yanhawna AAani alfasadi fee al-ardi illa qaleelan mimman anjayna minhum waittabaAAa allatheena thalamoo ma otrifoo feehi wakanoo mujrimeena
If only there had been a few stalwarts among the communities that flourished prior to you, with a vestige of virtue retained in them to warn their folk against perpetrating feud in the land, - like the few amongst them whom We delivered! But the evil-doers remained engrossed in comforts given to them and persisted with their sinful deeds!
(How sad it is that the gates of Allah's mercy and forgiveness stand open night and day for those who wish to enter them and yet there are not many who seek the path that leads to them! This is a reflection on the dedication of those who are in a position to provide guidance to the confused, give directions to the lost, give courage to the meek, revive the spirits of the dispirited, put a stick in the hands of the blind, bring light into darkness and infuse knowledge in the ignorant. If those who were delivered by Allah in the past had done more to help others avoid their doom, the stories of the lost generations would have had happier endings. But there were not many who bothered!)
11 : 117
117. Wama kana rabbuka liyuhlika alqura bithulmin waahluha muslihoona
Your Lord is not so vindictive as to arbitrarily destroy the townships, if the people who inhabited them were righteous folk.
11 : 118
118. Walaw shaa rabbuka lajaAAala alnnasa ommatan wahidatan wala yazaloona mukhtalifeena
If your Lord had willed, He would have forged the entire mankind into one creed, - but they will always be at loggerheads with each other -
11 : 119
119. Illa man rahima rabbuka walithalika khalaqahum watammat kalimatu rabbika laamlaanna jahannama mina aljinnati waalnnasi ajmaAAeena
Except those towards whom your Lord has been merciful! Mankind was intended for (disagreements) and the word of your Lord did come to pass when He said : 'Verily I shall fill hell with Jinn and mankind put together!'
(If Allah had willed, there would have been no factions among mankind, no fore-heads would have touched the floors of Tabernacles and Cathedrals; no hands would have tolled the bells of temples to invoke idols; no battles would have been waged between the Crusaders and the Defenders of Faith; no innocent lives would have been tortured to death in prison camps and no blood would have been spilled in the streets of Jerusalem at the start of a new millennium! But such is not the case. There is an implicit reminder for us in the verse that, when Allah banished Adam and Eve from Paradise, He did not say to them: 'dwell on earth bonded with the ties of mutual love and dedication!' He said : 'dwell on earth, each of you an enemy unto the other' and vowed to fill hell with mankind and Jinn who ignore His guidance and His Commandments, - promise we have helped fulfil by our misdeeds and mistaken loyalties).
11 : 120
120. Wakullan naqussu AAalayka min anba-i alrrusuli ma nuthabbitu bihi fu-adaka wajaaka fee hathihi alhaqqu wamawAAithatun wathikra lilmu/mineena
We narrate to you in full detail these anecdotes about messengers of the past in order to assuage your heart! Thus has come to you the Truth and to the believers an Exhortation and a Reminder!
11 : 121
121. Waqul lillatheena la yu/minoona iAAmaloo AAala makanatikum inna AAamiloona
So, say to the disbelievers : 'You do what you deem fit and We too will do what We deem fit -
11 : 122
122. Waintathiroo inna muntathiroona
'Then wait, for verily We too are waiting!'
11 : 123
123. Walillahi ghaybu alssamawati waal-ardi wa-ilayhi yurjaAAu al-amru kulluhu faoAAbudhu watawakkal AAalayhi wama rabbuka bighafilin AAamma taAAmaloona
And to Allah belong all the mysteries of the heavens and of the earth and to Him shall be referred all the deeds that are perpetrated! So worship Him and put your trust in Him and rest assured that your Lord is not oblivious to your actions! (R)
(The Surah is summed up by pointing out to the Prophet that the purpose for which these events of the past have been narrated to him was to strengthen his heart and to make it clear that he was not alone in sustaining emotional wounds at the hands of his tormentors; his people were not the only ones who had flouted the commandments of Allah and repudiated His messengers; it was not the first time that stone idols were apotheosised and assigned as partners to Him; it was not unheard of that thriving townships were razed to the ground as a punishment towards solecism; defiant heads were chopped off and cast in obscurity; wrongs were done and they were righted; arrogance was demonstrated and it was subdued; sins were committed and they were punished; limits were transgressed and they were re-imposed! Whatever was happening then had happened before and would go on happening in the future too because the story of mankind having taken its root in the pits of sin can only come to an end in the twilight of punishment!)
OTHER TRANSLATIONS BY MUHSIN, YUSUFALI, PICKTHAL AND SHAKIR:
MUHSIN:
110. Indeed, We gave the Book to Mūsa (Moses), but differences arose therein, and had it not been for a Word that had gone forth before from your Lord, the case would have been judged between them, and indeed they are in grave doubt concerning it (this Qur'ān).
111. And verily, to each of them your Lord will repay their works in full. Surely, He is All-Aware of what they do.
112. So stand (ask Allāh to make) you (Muhammad SAW) firm and straight (on the religion of Islāmic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allāh) with you, and transgress not (Allāh's legal limits). Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do.
113. And incline not toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire should touch you, and you have no protectors other than Allāh, nor you would then be helped[].
114. And perform As-Salāt (Iqāmat-as-Salāt), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salāt (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).[]
115. And be patient; verily, Allāh loses not the reward of the good-doers.
116. If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasād (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimūn (criminals, disbelievers in Allāh, polytheists, sinners, etc.).
117. . And your Lord would never destroy the towns wrongfully, while their people were right-doers.
118. And if your Lord had so willed, He could surely have made mankind one Ummah [nation or community (following one religion only i.e. Islām)], but they will not cease to disagree,-
119. Except him on whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy (the follower of truth - Islāmic Monotheism) and for that did He create them. And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled (i.e. His Saying): "Surely, I shall fill Hell with jinns and men all together."
120. And all that We relate to you (O Muhammad SAW) of the news of the Messengers is in order that We may make strong and firm your heart thereby. And in this (chapter of the Qur'an) has come to you the truth, as well as an admonition and a reminder for the believers.
121. And say to those who do not believe: "Act according to your ability and way, We are acting (in our way).
122. And you wait ! We (too) are waiting."
123. And to Allāh belongs the Ghaib (unseen) of the heavens and the earth, and to Him return all affairs (for decision). So worship Him (O Muhammad SAW) and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is not unaware of what you (people) do."
011.110
YUSUFALI: We certainly gave the Book to Moses, but differences arose therein:
had it not been that a word had gone forth before from thy Lord, the matter
would have been decided between them, but they are in suspicious doubt
concerning it.
PICKTHAL: And we verily gave unto Moses the Scripture, and there was strife
thereupon; and had it not been for a Word that had already gone forth from thy
Lord, the case would have been judged between them, and lo! they are in grave
doubt concerning it.
SHAKIR: And certainly We gave the book to Musa, but it was gone against; and had
not a word gone forth from your Lord, the matter would surely have been decided
between them; and surely they are in a disquieting doubt about it.
011.111
YUSUFALI: And, of a surety, to all will your Lord pay back (in full the
recompense) of their deeds: for He knoweth well all that they do.
PICKTHAL: And lo! unto each thy Lord will verily repay his works in full. Lo! He
is Informed of what they do.
SHAKIR: And your Lord will most surely pay back to all their deeds in full;
surely He is aware of what they do.
011.112
YUSUFALI: Therefore stand firm (in the straight Path) as thou art commanded,-
thou and those who with thee turn (unto Allah); and transgress not (from the
Path): for He seeth well all that ye do.
PICKTHAL: So tread thou the straight path as thou art commanded, and those who
turn (unto Allah) with thee, and transgress not. Lo! He is Seer of what ye do.
SHAKIR: Continue then in the right way as you are commanded, as also he who has
turned (to Allah) with you, and be not inordinate (O men!), surely He sees what
you do.
011.113
YUSUFALI: And incline not to those who do wrong, or the Fire will seize you; and
ye have no protectors other than Allah, nor shall ye be helped.
PICKTHAL: And incline not toward those who do wrong lest the Fire touch you, and
ye have no protecting friends against Allah, and afterward ye would not be
helped.
SHAKIR: And do not incline to those who are unjust, lest the fire touch you, and
you have no guardians besides Allah, then you shall not be helped.
011.114
YUSUFALI: And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the
approaches of the night: For those things, that are good remove those that are
evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord):
PICKTHAL: Establish worship at the two ends of the day and in some watches of
the night. Lo! good deeds annul ill-deeds. This is reminder for the mindful.
SHAKIR: And keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of
the night; surely good deeds take away evil deeds this is a reminder to the
mindful.
011.115
YUSUFALI: And be steadfast in patience; for verily Allah will not suffer the
reward of the righteous to perish.
PICKTHAL: And have patience, (O Muhammad), for lo! Allah loseth not the wages of
the good.
SHAKIR: And be patient, for surely Allah does not waste the reward of the
good-doers.
011.116
YUSUFALI: Why were there not, among the generations before you, persons
possessed of balanced good sense, prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth -
except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrong-doers pursued
the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in
sin.
PICKTHAL: If only there had been among the generations before you men possessing
a remnant (of good sense) to warn (their people) from corruption in the earth,
as did a few of those whom We saved from them! The wrong-doers followed that by
which they were made sapless, and were guilty.
SHAKIR: But why were there not among the generations before you those possessing
understanding, who should have forbidden the making of mischief in the earth,
except a few of those whom We delivered from among them? And those who were
unjust went after what they are made to enjoy of plenty, and they were guilty.
011.117
YUSUFALI: Nor would thy Lord be the One to destroy communities for a single
wrong-doing, if its members were likely to mend.
PICKTHAL: In truth thy Lord destroyed not the townships tyrannously while their
folk were doing right.
SHAKIR: And it did not beseem your Lord to have destroyed the towns tyrannously,
while their people acted well.
011.118
YUSUFALI: If thy Lord had so willed, He could have made mankind one people: but
they will not cease to dispute.
PICKTHAL: And if thy Lord had willed, He verily would have made mankind one
nation, yet they cease not differing,
SHAKIR: And if your Lord had pleased He would certainly have made people a
single nation, and they shall continue to differ.
011.119
YUSUFALI: Except those on whom thy Lord hath bestowed His Mercy: and for this
did He create them: and the Word of thy Lord shall be fulfilled: "I will fill
Hell with jinns and men all together."
PICKTHAL: Save him on whom thy Lord hath mercy; and for that He did create them.
And the Word of thy Lord hath been fulfilled: Verily I shall fill hell with the
jinn and mankind together.
SHAKIR: Except those on whom your Lord has mercy; and for this did He create
them; and the word of your Lord is fulfilled: Certainly I will fill hell with
the jinn and the men, all together.
011.120
YUSUFALI: All that we relate to thee of the stories of the messengers,- with it
We make firm thy heart: in them there cometh to thee the Truth, as well as an
exhortation and a message of remembrance to those who believe.
PICKTHAL: And all that We relate unto thee of the story of the messengers is in
order that thereby We may make firm thy heart. And herein hath come unto thee
the Truth and an exhortation and a reminder for believers.
SHAKIR: And all we relate to you of the accounts of the messengers is to
strengthen your heart therewith; and in this has come to you the truth and an
admonition, and a reminder to the believers.
011.121
YUSUFALI: Say to those who do not believe: "Do what ever ye can: We shall do our
part;
PICKTHAL: And say unto those who believe not: Act according to your power. Lo!
We (too) are acting.
SHAKIR: And say to those who do not believe: Act according to your state; surely
we too are acting.
011.122
YUSUFALI: "And wait ye! We too shall wait."
PICKTHAL: And wait! Lo! We (too) are waiting.
SHAKIR: And wait; surely we are waiting also.
011.123
YUSUFALI: To Allah do belong the unseen (secrets) of the heavens and the earth,
and to Him goeth back every affair (for decision): then worship Him, and put thy
trust in Him: and thy Lord is not unmindful of aught that ye do.
PICKTHAL: And Allah's is the Invisible of the heavens and the earth, and unto
Him the whole matter will be returned. So worship Him and put thy trust in Him.
Lo! thy Lord is not unaware of what ye (mortals) do.
SHAKIR: And Allah's is the unseen in the heavens and the earth, and to Him is
returned the whole of the affair; therefore serve Him and rely on Him, and your
Lord is not heedless of what you do.